DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the technical idea of the present invention. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. In the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted in order to clearly describe the present invention, and like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the specification.
The mobile terminal described herein may include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a PMP (Portable Multimedia Player), a navigator, have. However, it should be understood that the configuration according to the embodiments described herein may be applied to a fixed terminal such as a digital TV, a desktop computer, and the like, unless it is applicable only to a mobile terminal. It will be easy to see.
1 is a block diagram of a network system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, the network system 10 includes a network device 100, a first external device 200, and a second external device 310, 320.
Network device 100 is a communication that connects network units (e.g., several computers, network devices) such as an Ethernet hub or a network switch (switch, switching hub or port switching hub). It is equipment. The network device 100 may include a first network interface unit 131, a second network interface unit 133, a storage unit 140, a control unit 170, and a power supply unit 190.
The network interface unit 130 provides an interface for connecting the network device 100 to a wired / wireless network including an internet network. The network interface unit 130 may include, for example, an Ethernet terminal for connection with a wired network, and for example, for connection with a wireless network, for example, a wireless LAN (WLAN) (Wi-). Fi, Wibro (Wireless broband), Wimax (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) communication standards, and the like can be used.
The network interface unit 130 may transmit or receive data with another user or another electronic device through a connected network or another network linked to the connected network. The network interface unit 130 includes a first network interface unit 131 connected to a wide area network (WAN) and a second network interface unit 133 connected to a local area network (LAN).
The first network interface unit 131 allows the network device 100 to be connected to a wide area network (WAN) to receive a service for accessing the Internet from an Internet service provider. Accordingly, the first network interface unit 131 is connected to the first external device 200 through the port 1311, and a path through which the network device 100 can transmit and receive data with the first external device 200 is provided. Can be. The network device 100 may be connected to an internet service through, for example, an RJ 45 cable.
The second network interface unit 133 allows the network device 100 to be connected to a local area network (LAN) and allows the second external devices 310 and 320 to receive a service for accessing the Internet. Accordingly, the second network interface unit 133 is connected to the second external devices 310 and 320 through the ports 1331 and 1333, and the network device 100 communicates data with the second external devices 310 and 320. It can be a path for transmitting and receiving. The network device 100 may be connected to the second external devices 310 and 320 through, for example, an RJ 45 cable.
The storage unit 140 may store a program for processing and controlling each signal in the controller 170, and may store signal processed data. In addition, the storage 140 may store network identification information such as MAC addresses of the second external devices 310 and 320.
The storage unit 140 may be, for example, a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD). Memory, etc.), RAM, or ROM (EEPROM, etc.) at least one storage medium.
The controller 170 controls operations of the first network interface unit 131, the second network interface unit 133, the storage unit 140, and the power supply unit 190. For example, the controller 170 controls data transmission and reception between each of the external devices 200, 310, and 320 connected through the external device interface unit 130 (communication control function). In detail, the controller 170 interprets a packet of data received from the first external device 200, and receives the signal by referring to network identification information of the second external devices 310 and 320 stored in the storage 140. The data is controlled to be transmitted to the corresponding second external devices 310 and 320. On the contrary, a packet of data received from the second external device 310 or 320 may be interpreted (in addition, the network identification information of the first external device 200 stored in the storage 140 may be referred to), and the received The data is controlled to be transmitted to the corresponding first external device 200.
Also, for example, the controller 170 may manage the power supplied from the power supply unit 190 to each module in the network device 100. In detail, the controller 170 may manage whether the power is supplied to each module or the degree of power supply to each module according to the state of the network device 100.
The power supply unit 190 supplies the corresponding power throughout the network device 100. To this end, the power supply unit 190 may include a converter (not shown) for converting the AC power into DC power.
The first network interface unit 131 according to the embodiments disclosed herein receives a message for controlling the second external devices 310 and 320 from the first external device 200. In addition, the second network interface unit 133 transmits a message received by the first network interface unit 131 from the first external device 200 to the second external device 310 or 320 in the activated state. The controller 170 switches the second network interface unit 133 to an inactive state when at least one second external device 310 or 320 connected to the second network interface unit 133 does not exist.
In the first embodiment, the control unit 170 is the second network interface when a predetermined time elapses without the presence of at least one second external device 310, 320 connected to the second network interface unit 133. The unit 133 is switched to an inactive state.
In the second embodiment, when there is a request for reactivating the second network interface unit 133, the controller 170 switches the second network interface unit 133 back to an active state. The network device 100 may further include an input unit (not shown) that receives a request for reactivating the second network interface unit 133. In addition, the second network interface unit 133 may receive a request for reactivating the second network interface unit 133 from the second external device 310 or 320. In addition, the controller 170 determines that there is a request to reactivate the second network interface unit 133 when power is supplied from the second external device 310 or 320 to the second network interface unit 133. can do. The second network interface unit 133 may receive the power from the second external device 310 or 320 using a POE (Power Over Ethernet) technology for stably transmitting data and power using an Ethernet cable. In addition, the controller 170 may determine that the request has been made when the second network interface unit 133 has passed a predetermined time in the inactive state.
According to a third embodiment, the controller 170 may include at least one external device connected to the second network interface unit 133 and the first setting for switching the second network interface unit 133 to an inactive state according to a user input. A second setting for switching the second network interface unit 133 to an inactive state may be provided according to whether or not there is a presence of a key. The network device 100 receives a display (not shown) for displaying a menu for selecting one of the first setting and the second setting, and an input for selecting one of the first setting and the second setting. It may further include an input unit (not shown).
In addition, the message for turning on or off the power of the second external devices 310 and 320 may be a message according to WOL (Wake On Lan) standard. In addition, the controller 170 may detect at least one second external device 310 connected to the second network interface unit 133 by detecting a transmission (TX) signal or a reception (RX) signal at the second network interface unit 133. 320 may be determined to exist. In addition, the controller 170 may not supply power to the second network interface unit 133 when the second network interface unit 133 is in an inactive state or at least one second external device to the second network interface unit 133. It may be controlled to supply the minimum power required to determine whether the (310, 320) is connected.
2 is a block diagram of a network system 10 'according to another exemplary embodiment of the present specification. Referring to FIG. 2, the network system 10 ′ includes a network device 100 ′, a first external device 200, and a second external device 310, 320.
The network device 100 ′ includes a network interface unit 130 ′, a system on chip (SOC) / panel 160 ′, and a microcomputer 170 ′.
The network interface unit 130 ′ is an example of the implementation of the network interface unit 130 of the network device 100 described with reference to FIG. 1. The network interface unit 130 ′ implements the functions of the network interface unit 130 and is a PHY chip. ) 131 ′ and an Ethernet hub switch 133 ′.
Pychip 131 ′ supports a physical layer of an Open Systems Interconnection model (OSI) model. The pie chip 131 'connects a link layer called a MAC to a physical medium such as an optical fiber or copper wire. Pychip 131 'generally includes a Physical Coding Sublayer (PCS) and a Physical Medium Dependent layer. The PCS encodes and decodes data to be transmitted and received.
The Ethernet hub switch 133 ′ is an implementation example of the second network interface unit 133 of the network interface unit 130 described with reference to FIG. 1 and implements the functions of the second network interface unit 133 as it is. The microcomputer 170 ′ is an example of implementing the controller 170 of the network apparatus 100 described with reference to FIG. 1 and implements the functions of the controller 170 as it is.
The system on chip / panel 160 'refers to a circuit in which other functions except for the functions of an Ethernet hub or a network switch are integrated on a single chip. For example, it means a circuit implemented so that the network device 100 performs a function of inputting / outputting data or processing itself.
The pie chip 131 ′ according to the embodiments disclosed herein receives a message for controlling the second external devices 310 and 320 from the first external device 200. In addition, the Ethernet hub switch 133 ′ transmits a message received by the pie chip 131 ′ from the first external device 200 to the second external devices 310 and 320 in an activated state. The microcomputer 170 'switches the Ethernet hub switch 133' to an inactive state when at least one second external device 310 or 320 connected to the Ethernet hub switch 133 'does not exist.
3 is a block diagram of an image display device 100 ″ according to another exemplary embodiment disclosed herein. The image display device 100 ″ may have a function of displaying an image that a user can watch in addition to the above-described functions of the Ethernet hub or the network switch. The user can watch the broadcast through the image display device 100 ″. The video display device 100 ″ displays a broadcast selected by a user on a display among broadcast signals transmitted from a broadcasting station.
Referring to FIG. 3, the video display device 100 ″ according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include a broadcast receiving unit 105, an external device interface unit 135, a storage unit 140, and a user input interface unit ( 150, a control unit 170, a display unit 180, an audio output unit 185, a power supply unit 190, and a camera unit (not shown).
The broadcast receiver 105 may include a tuner 110, a demodulator 120, and a network interface unit 130.
The tuner 110 selects an RF broadcast signal corresponding to a channel selected by a user or all pre-stored channels among radio frequency (RF) broadcast signals received through an antenna, and converts the selected RF broadcast signal into an intermediate frequency signal or a baseband. Convert to video or audio signal.
The demodulator 120 may receive a digital IF signal DIF converted by the tuner 110 to perform a demodulation operation, perform demodulation and channel decoding, and then output a stream signal TS. The stream signal output from the demodulator 120 may be input to the controller 170. After performing demultiplexing, image / audio signal processing, and the like, the controller 170 outputs an image to the display unit 180 and outputs an audio to the audio output unit 185.
The external device interface unit 135 may connect the external device to the image display device 100 ″. The external device interface unit 135 transmits an externally input image, audio or data signal to the control unit 170 of the image display device 100 ″. In addition, the controller 170 may output an image, audio, or data signal processed by the controller 170 to a connected external device. To this end, the external device interface unit 135 may include an A / V input / output unit (not shown) or a wireless communication unit (not shown).
The A / V input / output unit may be provided with a USB terminal, a CVBS (Composite Video Banking Sync) terminal, a component terminal, an S-video terminal (analog), for inputting video and audio signals from an external device to the video display device 100 ". It may include a DVI (Digital Visual Interface) terminal, an HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) terminal, an RGB terminal, a D-SUB terminal, and the like.
The wireless communication unit can perform short-range wireless communication with other electronic devices. The image display device 100 ″ may include, for example, Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and DLNA (Digital Living Network). Network can be connected to other electronic devices according to a communication standard.
The network interface unit 130 provides an interface for connecting the video display device 100 ″ with a wired / wireless network including an internet network. The network interface unit 130 may include, for example, an Ethernet terminal for connection with a wired network, and for example, for connection with a wireless network, for example, a wireless LAN (WLAN) (Wi-). Fi, Wibro (Wireless broadband), Wimax (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) communication standards, and the like can be used.
The network interface unit 130 may transmit or receive data with another user or another electronic device through a connected network or another network linked to the connected network. The network interface unit 130 may include a first network interface unit 131 and a second network interface unit 133.
The storage 140 may store a program for processing and controlling each signal in the controller 170, or may store a signal processed video, audio, or data signal.
The user input interface unit 150 transmits a signal input by the user to the control unit 170 or a signal from the control unit 170 to the user.
The controller 170 may control overall operations of the image display device 100 ″. For example, the controller 170 may control the tuner 110 to control the tuner 110 to select an RF broadcast corresponding to a channel selected by a user or a pre-stored channel. In addition, the controller 170 may control the image display device 100 ″ by a user command or an internal program input through the user input interface unit 150.
The control unit 170 demultiplexes the input stream or processes the demultiplexed signals through the tuner 110, the demodulator 120, or the external device interface unit 135, and outputs a video or audio signal. You can create and output.
The image signal processed by the controller 170 may be input to the display unit 180 and displayed as an image corresponding to the image signal. The video signal processed by the controller 170 may be input to the external output device through the external device interface 135. [ The audio signal processed by the control unit 170 may be output to the audio output unit 185 through audio. In addition, the voice signal processed by the controller 170 may be input to the external output device through the external device interface unit 135.
The display unit 180 converts an image signal, a data signal, an OSD signal processed by the controller 170 or an image signal, data signal, etc. received from the external device interface unit 135 into R, G, and B signals, respectively. Generate a drive signal.
The audio output unit 185 receives a signal processed by the controller 170, for example, a stereo signal, a 3.1 channel signal, or a 5.1 channel signal, and outputs a voice signal. The voice output unit 185 may be implemented by various types of speakers.
The power supply unit 190 supplies the corresponding power throughout the image display device 100 ″.
The image display apparatus 100 ″ is an example of an image signal processing apparatus that performs signal processing of an image stored in an apparatus or an input image. Another example of the image signal processing apparatus may include a display unit 180 and an audio output. A set top box, a DVD player, a Blu-ray player, a game device, a computer, and the like, in which the unit 185 is excluded, may be further illustrated. The set top box is described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 below.
4 and 5 are block diagrams of a set-top box 100 ″ according to still other embodiments disclosed herein.
First, referring to FIG. 4, the set-top box 100 ″ may transmit or receive data with an external display device by wire or wirelessly.
The set top box 100 ″ may include a network interface unit 130, a storage unit 140, a control unit 170, a user input interface unit 150, and an external device interface unit 135.
The network interface unit 130 provides an interface for connecting with a wired / wireless network including an internet network. It is also possible to transmit or receive data with other users or other electronic devices via the connected network or another network linked to the connected network.
The storage unit 140 may store a program for processing and controlling signals in the controller 170, and may include an image, audio, or data signal input from the external device interface unit 135 or the network interface unit 130. You can also perform a function for temporary storage of.
The controller 170 performs signal processing on the input signal. For example, demultiplexing or decoding of an input video signal may be performed, and demultiplexing or decoding of an input audio signal may be performed. To this end, a video decoder or an audio decoder may be provided. The signal processed video signal or audio signal may be transmitted to the external display device through the external device interface unit 135.
The user input interface unit 150 transmits a signal input by the user to the control unit 170 or a signal from the control unit 170 to the user. For example, various control signals, such as power on / off, operation input, and setting input, which are input through a local key (not shown), may be received and transmitted to the controller 170.
The external device interface unit 135 provides an interface for data transmission or reception with an external device connected by wire or wirelessly. In particular, it provides an interface for data transmission or reception with an external display device. It is also possible to provide an interface for data transmission or reception with an external device such as a game device, a camera, a camcorder, a computer (notebook computer) or the like.
Meanwhile, the set top box 100 ″ may further include a media input unit (not shown) for playing a separate media. An example of such a media input unit may be a Blu-ray input unit (not shown). In other words, the set top box 250 may include a Blu-ray player. The input media such as a Blu-ray disc may be transmitted to the external display device through the external device interface 135 for display after signal processing such as demultiplexing or decoding in the controller 170.
The external device interface unit 135 provides an interface for data transmission or reception with an external device connected by wire or wirelessly. In particular, it provides an interface for transmitting or receiving data with the set-top box 250.
Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 5, the set top box 100 ″ is the same as the set top box 100 ″ illustrated in FIG. 4, except that the set top box 100 ″ further includes a tuner 110 and a demodulator 120. exist. In the following description, the differences will be explained.
The controller 170 may perform signal processing of the broadcast signal received through the tuner 110 and the demodulator 120. In addition, the user input interface unit 150 may receive an input such as channel selection and channel storage.
The first network interface unit 131 according to the embodiments disclosed herein receives a message for controlling the second external devices 310 and 320 from the first external device 200. In addition, the second network interface unit 133 transmits a message received by the first network interface unit 131 from the first external device 200 to the second external device 310 or 320 in the activated state. The controller 170 switches the second network interface unit 133 to an inactive state when at least one second external device 310 or 320 connected to the second network interface unit 133 does not exist.
Even when the second network interface unit 133 is in an inactive state, the video display device 100 ″ and the set-top box 100 ″ are connected to a wired / wireless network including an internet network through the first network interface unit 131. Provides an interface for
6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation control process of the network device 100 according to the embodiments disclosed herein.
An operation control process of the network device 100 according to the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may include determining whether at least one second external device 310 or 320 connected to the second network interface unit 133 exists (S100). And, if there is at least one second external device (310, 320) connected to the second network interface unit 133 in step 200, the second external device ( In the case of transmitting a message for turning on or off the power of the 310 and 320 (S300) and at least one second external device 310 or 320 connected to the second network interface unit 133 does not exist. And switching the second network interface unit 133 to an inactive state (S400).
Network device 100 has a working on state that is fully powered on, a soft / mechanical off state that is powered off and not responding to the computer bus, and a sleeping state that is halfway between the working state and the shutdown state. It may be in any of the states.
In the standby state, the network device 100 may receive a control message from the first external device 200 and transmit the received control message to the second external devices 310 and 320. In particular, when the control message is a message according to the Wake On Lan (WOL) standard as a message for turning on or off the power of the second external device 310 or 320, the standby state is a Wake On Lan (WOL) Ready state. Can be named
In such a standby state, power is supplied to the first network interface unit 131, the controller 170, and the second network interface unit 133 so that the network device 100 sends a control message from the first external device 200. It may transmit to the second external device 310, 320. If there is no second external device connected to the second network interface unit 133, continuously supplying power to the second network interface unit 133 may be wasteful.
Therefore, the network device 100 may operate by dividing the standby state into an active state and an inactive state in order to dynamically allocate power to the second network interface unit 133. That is, while the network device 100 supplies sufficient power to the second network interface unit 133 in the activated state, the network device 100 does not supply power or supplies power to the second network interface unit 133 in the inactive state. 2 The minimum power required to determine whether the second external devices 310 and 320 are connected to the network interface unit 133 is supplied.
The criterion for dividing the activated state and the deactivated state is, for example, that the network device 100 determines whether a transmission (TX) signal or a reception (RX) signal is detected at the second network interface unit 133. That is, the network device 100 determines whether signaling exists in the second network interface unit 133 (more specifically, ports 1331 and 1333 included in the second network interface unit 133) at predetermined intervals. If signaling is present, it remains activated. On the other hand, when signaling is not present in the second network interface unit 133, the network device 100 switches to an inactive state.
In the active state, the second network interface unit 133 is configured to turn on or off the power of the second external devices 310 and 320 to the second external devices 310 and 320 connected to the second network interface unit 133. The message may be transmitted, and thus the power of the second external device 310 or 320 may be turned on or off.
7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation control process of the network device 100 according to the first embodiment disclosed herein.
When the network device 100 determines that at least one second external device 310 or 320 connected to the second network interface unit 133 does not exist in operation 210, the network device 100 immediately deactivates the second network interface unit 133. It is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed in step 220 without switching to the state.
In operation 220, if the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process waits for the predetermined time to elapse. However, in operation 220, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the network device 100 switches the second network interface unit 133 to an inactive state.
This is due to the necessity of not switching the second network interface unit 133 to an inactive state immediately, such as replacing an external device connected to the second network interface unit 133.
8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation control process of the network device 100 according to the second embodiment disclosed herein.
In a state where the second network interface unit 133 is in the inactive state, the network device 100 determines whether there is a request for reactivating the second network interface unit 133 (S500), and in step 600, the request is made. If there is, the second network interface unit 133 may be switched back to the active state (S700).
Such a request may occur in various ways, for example, by receiving a request for switching the second network interface unit 133 to an activated state by a user input. For another example, when the second network interface unit 133 is switched to the inactive state and a predetermined time has elapsed, it may be determined that there is a request to switch the second network interface unit 133 to the active state again. have.
As another example, the network device 100 may receive a request for switching the second network interface unit 133 to an active state from the second external device 310 or 320. If the minimum power required to determine whether there is at least one second external device 310 or 320 connected to the second network interface unit 133 in the inactive state is supplied, the at least one second external device 310 may be provided. When the 320 is reconnected, the network device 100 may determine that there is a request to switch the second network interface unit 133 back to an active state.
However, if power is not supplied to the second network interface unit 133 in the deactivated state, such power may be supplied from the second external devices 310 and 320. The network device 100 supplies a second external device 310 or 320 to the second network interface unit 133 when power is again supplied to the second network interface unit 133 or when power is supplied and signaling is detected. ) Can be determined to be connected.
For example, when the second network interface unit 133 receives power from the second external device 310 or 320 using POE (Power Over Ethernet) technology or when signaling is detected by receiving power. The network device 100 may determine that the second external devices 310 and 320 are connected to the second network interface unit 133.
9 (a) and 9 (b) are diagrams illustrating a user interface of the network device 100 according to the third embodiment disclosed herein.
Referring to FIG. 9A, the network device 100 may set a manual power supply for a network interface and a second network interface unit for switching the second network interface unit 133 into an active state or an inactive state according to a user input. The network interface automatic power setting for switching the second network interface unit 133 into an inactive state may be provided according to whether at least one second external device 310 or 320 connected to the 133 is present.
The network device 100 may include a display unit (not shown) for displaying a menu 410 for selecting any one of a network interface manual power setting and a network interface automatic power setting. In addition, the network device 100 may include an input unit (not shown) that receives an input for selecting one of a network interface manual power setting and a network interface automatic power setting.
When the network interface manual power setting is selected, using an external network device that always supplies power to the second network interface unit 133 to use the second external devices 310 and 320 shown in FIG. In order not to use the second external devices 310 and 320, a menu for selecting not to use an external network device that does not always supply power to the second network interface unit 133 may be provided.
On the other hand, when the network interface automatic power setting shown in FIG. 9A is selected, the second network interface unit 133 according to the operation control method of the network device 100 described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8. The power supply state may be determined to the second network interface unit 133 according to whether there is at least one second external device 310 or 320 connected to the power supply, and the power may be supplied according to the determined state.
According to the embodiment disclosed herein, the above-described method can be implemented by a code that can be read by a processor on a medium on which the program is recorded. Examples of the medium that can be read by the processor include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage, etc., and may be implemented in the form of a carrier wave (e.g., transmission over the Internet) .
In the network apparatus disclosed herein, the configuration and method of the above-described embodiments may not be limitedly applied, but all or some of the embodiments may be selectively combined so that various modifications may be made.
