KR20130083111A - Image display apparatus and method for operating the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An image display device and an operation method thereof are provided to simply recognize information of a desired application by displaying preview information of the application. CONSTITUTION: An image display device receives application information from an SDP (Service Delivery Platform) server and displays application icons extracted from the received application information through a display unit (S110,S120). In case one application is selected, the image display device receives preview information of the application selected from the SDP server, extracts the preview information of the selected application, or displays the extracted preview information in a specific location within a specific distance from the selected application icon through the display unit (S130-S150). [Reference numerals] (AA,DD) No; (BB,CC) Yes; (S100) Access a SDP server; (S110) Receive application information; (S120) Display icons; (S130) Select the application?; (S140) Receive preview information; (S150) Display preview information; (S160) Update preview information?

Description

Image display apparatus and method for operating the same}

The present invention relates to an image display device and an operation method thereof, and more particularly, to an image display device and an operation method thereof that can improve user convenience.

The video display device is a device having a function of displaying an image that the user can view. The user can watch the broadcast through the image display device. The video display device displays a broadcast selected by a user on a display among broadcast signals transmitted from a broadcasting station. Currently, broadcasting is changing from analog broadcasting to digital broadcasting around the world.

Digital broadcasting refers to broadcasting in which digital video and audio signals are transmitted. Digital broadcasting is more resistant to external noise than analog broadcasting, so it has less data loss, is advantageous for error correction, has a higher resolution, and provides a clearer picture. Also, unlike analog broadcasting, digital broadcasting is capable of bidirectional service.

In addition, the image display device may receive and execute applications including various contents through a data service and display the same on a display. The type and amount of such applications have increased exponentially in recent years. However, there is a problem that it takes more time to identify the application including the content desired by the user according to the increased application. In addition, there is a need for an interface that enables users to easily understand and access various applications.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image display device and an operation method thereof that can improve user convenience.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image display device capable of providing various user interfaces and an operation method thereof.

In addition, the present invention provides an image display device and an operation method thereof for easy access to an application.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating an image display device, the method including: accessing a server providing one or more applications; Receiving application information including a list of applications that the server can provide and preview information for each application from the server; Displaying icons corresponding to the respective applications based on the application information; Selecting one of the displayed icons; And displaying first preview information of a first application corresponding to the selected icon at a specific position within a predetermined distance from the selected icon.

In addition, the image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, the network interface unit for receiving the application information including the application list and preview information for each application from the server; And a controller configured to generate and display icons corresponding to the respective applications based on the received application information, wherein the controller is configured to display first preview information of a first application corresponding to a selected icon among the displayed icons. The display is displayed at a specific position within a predetermined distance from the selected icon.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, by displaying the preview information of the application, the user can easily grasp the information of the desired application.

In particular, since the preview information is displayed at a specific position within a predetermined distance from the selected application icon, the application information required by the user can be displayed more naturally.

In addition, the preview information is displayed according to the pointer position for application selection, so that the user can easily and conveniently grasp the preview information.

In addition, various user interfaces for an application may be provided in the image display device, thereby increasing user convenience.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of an image system including an image display device according to an exemplary embodiment.
2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.
3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a remote control device for controlling an image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating an image display device according to an exemplary embodiment.
5 and 6 are views for explaining that the image display apparatus displays preview information according to embodiments of the present invention.
7 is a diagram for describing preview information provided by an image display device according to an exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating that an image display device displays first preview information and second preview information according to an exemplary embodiment.
9 is a diagram for describing a method of driving a video display device according to another exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an image display device displaying preview information at different positions according to pointer positions, according to another exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating that preview information displayed by an image display device changes according to a movement of a pointer, according to another exemplary embodiment.

The following merely illustrates the principles of the invention. Thus, those skilled in the art will be able to devise various apparatuses which, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention and are included in the concept and scope of the invention. Furthermore, all of the conditional terms and embodiments listed herein are, in principle, intended only for the purpose of enabling understanding of the concepts of the present invention, and are not intended to be limiting in any way to the specifically listed embodiments and conditions .

It is also to be understood that the detailed description, as well as the principles, aspects and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific embodiments thereof, are intended to cover structural and functional equivalents thereof. It is also to be understood that such equivalents include all elements contemplated to perform the same function irrespective of the currently known equivalents as well as the equivalents to be developed in the future, i.e., the structure.

Thus, for example, it should be understood that the block diagrams herein represent conceptual views of exemplary circuits embodying the principles of the invention. Similarly, all flowcharts, state transition diagrams, pseudo code, and the like are representative of various processes that may be substantially represented on a computer-readable medium and executed by a computer or processor, whether or not the computer or processor is explicitly shown .

The functions of the various elements shown in the figures, including the functional blocks depicted in the processor or similar concept, may be provided by use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing software in connection with appropriate software. When provided by a processor, the functions may be provided by a single dedicated processor, a single shared processor, or a plurality of individual processors, some of which may be shared.

Also, the explicit use of terms such as processor, control, or similar concepts should not be interpreted exclusively as hardware capable of running software, and may be used without limitation as a digital signal processor (DSP) (ROM), random access memory (RAM), and non-volatile memory. Other hardware may also be included.

In the claims of this specification, components expressed as means for performing the functions described in the detailed description include all types of software including, for example, a combination of circuit elements or firmware / microcode, etc. that perform the functions. It is intended to include all methods of performing a function which are combined with appropriate circuitry for executing the software to perform the function. The invention, as defined by these claims, is equivalent to what is understood from this specification, as any means capable of providing such functionality, as the functionality provided by the various enumerated means are combined, and in any manner required by the claims. It should be understood that.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: There will be. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail.

On the other hand, the video display device described in the present specification is, for example, an intelligent video display device that adds a computer support function to the broadcast reception function, and is faithful to the broadcast reception function, but the Internet function, etc. are added, the handwriting type input device, touch screen Or it can be equipped with a more convenient interface, such as a space remote control. In addition, by being connected to the Internet and a computer with the support of a wired or wireless Internet function, it is possible to perform functions such as e-mail, web browsing, banking or gaming. A standardized general-purpose OS can be used for these various functions.

Therefore, in the image display device described in the present invention, various applications can be freely added or deleted, for example, on a general-purpose OS kernel, so that various user-friendly functions can be performed. In more detail, the image display device may be, for example, a network TV, an HBBTV, a smart TV, or the like, and may be applicable to a smartphone in some cases.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a view schematically showing an example of a broadcast system including a video display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, an image system including an image display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may control an SDP (Service Delivery Platform) server 300 and an image display device that provide an application service. It comprises a video display device 100 for receiving and executing the application from the remote control device 200 and the SDP server 300 for displaying the content of the application. The image display device may be exemplified as, for example, a network TV, a smart TV, an IPTV, or the like.

2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image display apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, an image display apparatus 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an image display apparatus includes an interface unit 110, a processing unit 120, a GUI generating unit 130, a display unit 140, a storage unit 150, a communication unit 160 for remote control, and It is configured to include a control unit 170.

The interface unit 110 is a means for receiving an image or data from the outside, and performs the function of receiving the image or data through at least one or more means.

That is, the interface unit 110 may be connected to an external device such as a digital versatile disk (DVD), a Blu-ray, a game device, a camera, a camcorder, a computer (laptop), or the like by wire / wireless. The interface unit 110 transmits an externally input image, audio or data signal to the controller 170 of the image display device 100 through a connected external device. 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 interface unit 110 may include an A / V input / output unit (not shown) or a wireless communication unit (not shown).

The A / V input / output unit may use a USB terminal, a CVBS (Composite Video Banking Sync) terminal, a component terminal, an S-video terminal (analog), and a DVI to input video and audio signals from an external device to the video display device 100. (Digital Visual Interface) terminal, HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) terminal, RGB terminal, 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 Alliance). It can be networked with other electronic devices according to communication standards.

In addition, the interface unit 110 may be connected through at least one of the various set top boxes and the various terminals described above to perform input / output operations with the set top box.

Meanwhile, the interface unit 110 may access the SDP server 300, receive an application or a list of applications provided by the SDP server 300, and transmit the received application or list to the controller 170 or the storage 150.

In addition, the interface unit 110 may include a network interface, and may provide an interface for connecting the video display device 100 to a wired / wireless network including an internet network. Therefore, the interface unit 110 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), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HA) communication standards, and the like.

The interface unit 110 may transmit or receive data with another user or another electronic device through a connected network or another network linked to the connected network. In particular, some content data stored in the image display apparatus 100 may be transmitted to a user selected from another user or another electronic apparatus registered in the image display apparatus 100 or a selected electronic apparatus.

Meanwhile, the interface unit 110 may access a web page including predetermined application information through a connected network or another network linked to the connected network. That is, by accessing a predetermined web page through a network, the server and the application data can be transmitted or received. In addition, content or data provided by a content provider or a network operator may be received. That is, content such as a movie, an advertisement, a game, a VOD, a broadcast signal, and the like, which are provided from a content provider or a network provider, may be received through a network. In addition, the update information and the update file of the firmware provided by the network operator can be received. It may also transmit data to the Internet or content provider or network operator.

The interface unit 110 may select and receive a desired application from among applications that are open to the public through the network.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the game application is executed in the video display device, the interface unit 110 may transmit or receive predetermined data with a user terminal connected to the video display device through a network. In addition, it is possible to send or receive predetermined data with a server that stores game scores.

The image data received by the interface unit 110 may include an analog television broadcasting program, a digital broadcasting program, a playback program input from an external player, a recording program, and a cable broadcasting program. In addition, the video data includes all of the video signal, the audio signal and the data signal in the case of the digital signal, and includes only the video signal and the audio signal in the case of the analog signal.

Meanwhile, the image data received through the interface unit 110 is signal-processed through the processor 120 and then displayed through the display 140.

In this case, the processor 120 may include an MPEG-2 decoder that decodes the received image data, and a scaler that converts the decoded image data so as to conform to a vertical frequency, resolution, aspect ratio, etc., according to an output standard of the display 140. It may include.

The display unit 140 is applied to various types of display modules such as digital light processing (DLP), liquid crystal display (LCD), plasma display panel (PDP), light emitting diode lamp (LED), and organic light emitting diode (OLED). It is possible.

The GUI generator 130 generates a menu screen for setting the use condition of the image display apparatus under the control of the controller 170, and adds the menu screen to the image data received through the interface unit 110. Here, the GUI generator 130 generates the menu screen in the form of an OSD (On Screen Display), and the data generated in the OSD form may be text data or graphic data.

The character data may be a notification message indicating that the user can not receive the requested video program. In addition, the graphic data may be a menu screen that allows a user to select a specific menu item by using a pointer and a pointer of the remote control apparatus 200 for selecting a point and inputting a control signal.

A user may input a desired command by selecting a specific menu item existing in the GUI using a pointer generated through the GUI generator 130.

The storage unit 150 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.

In addition, the storage unit 150 may perform a function for temporarily storing an image, audio, or data signal input from the interface unit 110. In addition, the storage unit 150 may store information about a predetermined broadcast channel through a channel storage function.

In addition, the storage unit 150 may store an application or an application list input from the interface unit 110.

In addition, the storage unit 150 may store various platforms described below.

In addition, according to an embodiment, the storage unit 150 may store unique information and game play information of a user terminal used as a game controller in providing a game application in an image display device.

The storage unit 150 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, ROM (e.g., EEPROM, etc.) at least one type of storage medium. The video display device 100 may reproduce and provide a content file (video file, still image file, music file, document file, application file, etc.) stored in the storage unit 150 to the user.

2 illustrates an embodiment in which the storage unit 150 is provided separately from the control unit 170, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. The storage unit 150 may be included in the control unit 170.

The communication unit 160 is a means for receiving a request command, i.e., a control signal, from a user. In general, a local key input unit provided at one side of an infrared interface unit or panel that receives an infrared signal input through the remote control device 200 is connected thereto. Included. Accordingly, the communication unit 160 receives a signal input for the operation of the image display apparatus 100 or a control signal for transmitting a command to the portable terminal, and transmits the received signal to the controller 170.

Here, the remote control device 200 may include various keys that can be used when using broadcast content. The key is numeric key, confirmation key, input mode switch key, favorite channel key, program information confirmation key, quick menu key, direction key (left, right, up, down), confirmation key, click key, scroll key, color key. , Previous key, text key, and the like.

The controller 170 controls the overall operation of the image display apparatus 100. In particular, the controller 170 controls to display the image data received through the interface unit 110 through the display unit 140, and to control the pointer generated from the GUI generator to be displayed on the display unit 140. Can be.

In addition, the controller 170 may control the image display device 100 by a user command or an internal program input through the communication unit 160. In particular, the user may access the SDP server 300 through a network so that the user may download the desired application or application list into the image display apparatus 100.

For example, the controller 170 controls a tuner (not shown) to input a signal of a selected channel according to a predetermined channel selection command received through the communication unit 160. Then, video, audio, or data signals of the selected channel are processed. The controller 170 allows the channel information selected by the user to be output through the display 140 or the audio output unit (not shown) together with the processed video or audio signal.

The controller 170 may control the display 140 to display an image. For example, the display unit 140 may control the display unit 140 to display the broadcast image input through the tuner, the external input image input through the interface unit 110, or the image stored in the storage unit 150. In this case, the image displayed on the display 140 may be a still image or a video, and may be a 2D image or a 3D image.

In addition, the controller 170 may control to reproduce the content. In this case, the content may be application content stored in the video display device 100, received broadcast content, or external input content input from the outside. The content may be at least one of a broadcast image, an external input image, an audio file, a still image, a connected web screen, an application program, and a document file.

The display unit 140 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 interface unit 110 into R, G, and B signals, respectively, to drive signals. Create

The display unit 140 may be a PDP, an LCD, an OLED, a flexible display, a 3D display, or the like.

Meanwhile, the display unit 140 may be configured as a touch screen and used as an input device in addition to the output device.

In order to detect the user's gesture, a sensing unit (not shown) having at least one of a touch sensor, a voice sensor, a position sensor, and an operation sensor may be further included in the image display device 100 have. The signal detected by the sensing unit (not shown) may be transmitted to the controller 170 through the user input interface unit 150.

On the other hand, a photographing unit (not shown) for photographing a user may be further provided. The image information photographed by the photographing unit (not shown) may be input to the control unit 170.

The controller 170 may detect a gesture of a user by combining or combining an image captured by a photographing unit (not shown) or a detected signal from a sensing unit (not shown).

3 is a view illustrating an embodiment of a remote control device 200 for controlling an operation of an image display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and controlling the image display device 100. As a remote control device for example, it shows an embodiment of the remote control 200.

The remote controller 200 may transmit a control signal to the controller 170 through a wireless signal interface, such as an RF signal or an infrared signal, which may be included in the communication unit 160 of the image display apparatus 100. For example, the remote controller 200 may be a remote controller that responds to user's gesture as well as user's button input.

In the present embodiment, the remote controller 200 may transmit / receive a signal with the image display device 100 according to an RF communication standard. In the image display apparatus 100, a pointer may be displayed at a point pointed to by the remote controller 200.

The user may move or rotate the remote control 200 up, down, left, and right. The pointer displayed on the image display apparatus 100 may correspond to the movement of the remote controller 200.

When the user moves the remote control 200 to the left, the pointer displayed on the image display device 100 may also move to the left correspondingly. In the present embodiment, the remote controller 200 may include a sensor that can determine the movement. Information regarding the movement of the remote controller 200 detected through the sensor of the remote controller 200 is transmitted to the image display apparatus 100. The image display apparatus 100 determines the operation of the remote controller 200 from the information about the movement of the remote controller 200 and calculates a coordinate value of the pointer corresponding thereto.

Accelerometers, gyro sensors, or geomagnetic sensors may be used as sensors that can determine movement. The moving speed or the moving direction of the pointer may correspond to the moving speed or the moving direction of the remote controller 200.

In the present embodiment, the pointer displayed on the image display apparatus 100 is set to move in response to the operation of the remote controller 200. As another example, a predetermined command may be input to the image display apparatus 100 in response to an operation of the remote controller 200. That is, when moving back and forth of the remote control 200, the size of the image displayed on the image display device 100 can be enlarged or reduced.

3 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the configuration of the remote controller 200, and illustrates a configuration of the remote controller 200 that transmits and receives a signal with the communication unit 160 of the image display apparatus 100 of FIG.

Referring to FIG. 3, the communicator 160 included in the image display apparatus 100 may include a coordinate value calculator 164 and a wireless communicator 161. The coordinate value calculator 164 may be included in the controller 170 described above. The wireless communication unit 161 may include an RF module 162 or an IR module 163.

The remote controller 200 may include a wireless communication unit 210, a user input unit 220, a sensor unit 230, an output unit 240, a power supply unit 250, a memory 260, and a control unit 270. Can be.

The wireless communication unit 210 transmits and receives a signal with the image display device 100. In the present embodiment, the remote controller 100 may include an RF module 211 capable of transmitting and receiving a signal with the operation signal interface unit 160 of the image display apparatus 100 according to the RF communication standard. In addition, the remote controller 200 may include an IR module 213 capable of transmitting and receiving a signal with the operation signal interface unit 160 of the image display apparatus 100 according to an IR communication standard.

In the present embodiment, the remote controller 200 transmits a signal containing information on the operation of the remote controller 200 to the image display apparatus 100 through the RF module 211. In addition, the remote controller 200 may receive a signal transmitted from the image display apparatus 100 through the RF module 211. In addition, the remote controller 200 may transmit a command regarding power on / off, channel change, volume change, etc. to the image display device 100 through the IR module 213 as necessary.

The user input unit 220 may be configured as a keypad or a button. The user may input a command related to the image display apparatus 100 to the remote controller 200 by manipulating the user input unit 220. When the user input unit 220 includes a hard key button, the user may input a command related to the image display apparatus 100 to the remote controller 200 by pushing a hard key button. In addition, the user input unit 220 may include various kinds of input means that a user can operate, such as a scroll key or a jog key, and the embodiment does not limit the scope of the present invention.

The sensor unit 230 may include a gyro sensor 231 or an acceleration sensor 233 as a motion sensor. The gyro sensor 231 may detect the movement of the remote controller 200. For example, the gyro sensor 231 may sense information about the operation of the remote controller 200 based on the x, y, and z axes. The acceleration sensor 233 may sense information about a moving speed of the remote controller 200.

The output unit 240 may output a video or audio signal corresponding to a manipulation or a signal transmitted from the image display apparatus 100 to the user input unit 220. The user may recognize whether the user input unit 220 is manipulated or whether the image display apparatus 100 is controlled through the output unit 240.

For example, the output unit 240 is an LED module 241 that is turned on when the user input unit 220 is manipulated or a signal is transmitted and received with the image display device 100 through the wireless communication unit 210, vibration to generate a vibration The module 243 may include a voice output module 245 for outputting audio or a display module 247 for outputting an image.

The power supply unit 250 supplies power to the remote controller 200. The power supply unit 250 may reduce power waste by stopping power supply when the remote controller 200 does not move for a predetermined time. The power supply unit 250 may resume power supply when a predetermined key provided in the remote controller 200 is operated.

The memory 260 may store various types of application data required for controlling or operating the remote controller 200. If the remote controller 200 transmits and receives a signal wirelessly through the image display apparatus 100 and the RF module 211, the remote controller 200 and the image display apparatus 100 transmit and receive signals through a predetermined frequency band.

The controller 270 of the remote controller 200 may store and refer to the memory 260 for information about a frequency band for wirelessly transmitting and receiving a signal to and from the image display apparatus 100 paired with the remote controller 200. Can be.

The controller 270 of the remote controller controls various items related to the control of the remote controller 200. The controller 270 of the remote controller may display a signal corresponding to a predetermined key operation of the user input unit 220 or a signal corresponding to an operation of the remote controller 200 sensed by the sensor unit 230 through the wireless communication unit 210. It may be transmitted to the communication unit 160 of (100).

As described above, the image display apparatus 100 may calculate a coordinate value of a wireless communication unit 161 capable of transmitting and receiving a signal wirelessly with the remote controller 200 and a pointer corresponding to the operation of the remote controller 200. The coordinate value calculator 164 may be provided.

The wireless communication unit 161 may transmit and receive a signal wirelessly with the remote controller 200 through the RF module 211. In addition, the remote controller 200 may receive a signal transmitted according to the IR communication standard through the RF module 211.

The coordinate value calculator 164 corrects a hand shake or an error from a signal corresponding to an operation of the remote controller 200 received through the wireless communication unit 161, and coordinate values x of the pointer 400 to be displayed on the display unit 140. , y) can be calculated.

In addition, the remote controller 200 transmission signal input to the image display apparatus 100 through the communication unit 160 is transmitted to the control unit 170 of the image display apparatus 100. The controller 170 determines information on the operation and key operation of the remote controller 200 from the signal transmitted from the remote controller 200, controls the operation of the image display apparatus 100 in response thereto, and according to one embodiment of the present invention. It is possible to control the application interface provided by the image display device 100 according to the example.

On the other hand, the above-described video display device 100 and the remote control device is only an embodiment of the present invention. Some of the illustrated components may be integrated, added, or omitted according to the specifications of the video display device 100 and the remote control device that are actually implemented.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating an image display device according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, the image display device 100 accesses the SDP server 300 through the interface unit 110 (S100). The service delivery platform (SDP) server 300 is a server for a service provider to simplify service interaction, thereby appropriately providing a new service to the market, and reducing service development and deployment complexity to facilitate service management problems. . When the video display device 100 is connected, the SDP server 300 may transmit application data or various information about an application requested from the video display device 100.

Here, the transmitted information may include a list of applications that can be provided by the SDP server 300 and preview information for each application. The preview information may include various kinds of information which can grasp the contents in advance without directly receiving the application. Thus, for example, the preview information may include at least one of recommendation information, price information, age information, update information, or related application information for each application.

Meanwhile, when the video display device 100 accesses the SDP server, the image display device 100 receives application information including the preview information through the interface unit 110 (S110).

The controller 170 extracts an application list and icon information corresponding thereto from the received application information, and displays icons corresponding to each application through the display 140 (S120).

Thereafter, the controller 170 determines which one of the applications is selected (S130). If any one of the displayed icons is selected, the controller 170 may determine that an application corresponding to the selected icon is selected. The selection of the application may be made by the user through the control unit 170, or may be made by the selection signal by the remote control device 200 is input to the control unit 170 through the communication unit 160.

In addition, the controller 170 may determine whether the corresponding application is selected according to whether the pointer 400 displayed on the display 140 approaches the application icon within a predetermined distance. The pointer 400 may be generated through the GUI generator 130 as described above, and may be moved by the control of the remote controller 200. Thus, the user can select the application of interest by moving the position of the pointer 400.

When an application is selected, the controller 170 receives preview information of the corresponding application from the SDP server 300 or extracts preview information of the corresponding application from previously received application information (S140). As described above, the preview information may include various pieces of information that can be grasped in advance by the user for the corresponding application.

The controller 170 displays the preview information on the display 140 at a specific position within a predetermined distance from the selected application icon (S150). The preview information may be displayed at any one of the edges of the application icon for the user's convenience. In addition, the contents constituting the preview information may be designated by user setting. The preview information may be displayed at various locations according to the location of the pointer 400. Accordingly, the preview information may be displayed without any inconvenience that the preview information is superimposed on the pointer.

Thereafter, the controller 170 accesses the SDP server 300 through the interface unit 110 and checks whether the preview information is updated (S160). For example, the controller 170 may check whether there is a change history by referring to a preset URL and check whether the update has been made.

If the update is confirmed, the controller 170 receives and displays the updated preview information again (S140 and S150). If not, the controller 170 repeats the step S150 of continuously displaying the preview information until the application is released. To perform.

The controller 170 may store the displayed preview information in the storage 150. The stored preview information may be utilized later when the network is not accessible. That is, for example, the controller 170 may determine whether the SDP server 300 can be accessed through the interface 110. In addition, when it is determined that the connection is impossible due to a network failure or the like, the controller 170 may load and display pre-stored preview information from the storage 150.

5 and 6 are views for explaining that the image display apparatus displays preview information according to embodiments of the present invention.

The image display device 100 may display application icons on the display 140 as shown in FIG. 5 or 6. Then, the preview information 500 of the application corresponding to the application icon selected by the pointer 400 may be displayed. By displaying the preview information 500 in this way, in order to determine the contents after the user selects a specific icon, it is possible to solve the problem of loading the relevant information or running the application to the actual site.

In the case of FIG. 5, the preview information 500 is located around the application icon corresponding to the location of the pointer 400. In this case, the position of the preview information 500 may change according to the position of the pointer 400, thereby providing an easier and intuitive interface to the user.

In the case of FIG. 6, the preview information 400 is displayed at the position of the application icon. In such a case, the display area of another icon is not hidden due to the preview information 500.

7 is a diagram for describing preview information provided by the image display device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the preview information 500 provided by the video display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of an application operation screen, recommendation information, price information, usage age information, related application information, or update information. It may include one.

The application operation screen may include a screenshot when the application is actually driven. In addition, it is possible to play a video when the application is actually driven. Accordingly, the preview information 500 may be displayed together with the tab for viewing the next screen or the image. The recommendation information may include recommendation information of the corresponding application collected through a social network service. In addition, the usage age information may include age information for using the application. In addition, related application information is mentioned later.

The image display device 100 may request and receive the preview information on the selected application from the SDP server 300, and may extract and generate information for each element from the received application information. To this end, the SDP server 300 may receive and store the above-described information about the application in advance from the application provider.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating that an image display device displays first preview information and second preview information according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 8, the displayed preview information may include a related application information tab.

The related application information may include information about other applications related to the selected application. Thus, the user can select the relevant application information tab (view related APP) on the displayed preview information to check the application list associated with the selected application.

Here, when the relevant application information tab is selected, the controller 170 may display a list of related applications in the same format as new preview information.

In addition, when any one of the displayed applications is selected, the controller 170 may display the preview information of the corresponding application again. Accordingly, a plurality of preview information may be displayed on one screen, and the user may easily grasp the preview information on the related application without searching for the application separately.

9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating an image display device according to another exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 9, the image display apparatus 100 displays icons for an application as described above, and one of them is selected by the user (S200).

In addition, the controller 170 of the image display apparatus 100 checks the position of the pointer 400 located around the selected icon (S210). The pointer 400 may move according to a control signal input through the communication unit 160 by the remote controller 200.

Thereafter, the controller 170 determines a position to display the preview information on the basis of the confirmed position of the pointer 400 and the position of the selected icon (S230), and displays the preview information on the determined position (S230).

Here, the preview information may be displayed at various locations for user convenience. For example, the preview information may be displayed at a position spaced apart from the pointer 400 by a predetermined distance or more, thereby providing an intuitive interface to the user. In addition, the controller 170 may determine the location of the pointer 400 to calculate a direction in which the pointer 400 approaches the application icon, and display preview information at a location corresponding thereto. In this case, the preview information may be flexibly displayed as the user moves the pointer 400.

Meanwhile, after the preview information is displayed, the controller 170 determines whether there is a movement of the pointer 400 again (S240). If the pointer 400 does not move or the movement is maintained within a predetermined distance, the controller 170 determines that there is no movement, and continuously displays the preview information.

 Then, when the movement of the pointer 400 is confirmed, the controller 170 determines whether the application selection is released (S250). The controller 170 may determine whether the application selection is released by determining whether the application is moved more than a predetermined distance from the corresponding application icon (S250). When the application selection is released, the controller 170 ends the display of the preview information. When the selection is maintained or when it is determined that another application is selected, the controller 170 returns to step S210 again and repeats the above-described process.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an image display device displaying preview information at different positions according to pointer positions, according to another exemplary embodiment.

10A to 10D show that the position at which the preview information is displayed is changed by the movement of each pointer. In FIG. 10A, when the pointer approaches the lower left side of the application icon and the application icon is selected, it can be seen that the preview information is displayed on the upper right side of the application icon. In addition, in FIG. 10B, when the pointer approaches the lower right side of the application icon, it can be seen that the preview information is displayed on the upper right side of the application icon. Similarly, in FIG. 10C, when the pointer approaches the upper right side of the application icon, it can be seen that the preview information is displayed on the lower left side of the application icon. 10 (d), when the pointer approaches the upper right side of the application icon, it can be seen that the preview information is displayed on the lower right side of the application icon.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating that preview information displayed by an image display device changes according to a movement of a pointer, according to another exemplary embodiment.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the image display device 100 may not only display a plurality of preview information, but also determine whether to display the preview information according to the time where the pointer is located. 11A to 11D show that the preview information is generated or disappeared as time passes.

FIG. 11A illustrates first preview information of a first application selected according to a pointer.

Subsequently, FIG. 11B shows that the second preview information for the second application is displayed as the pointer moves around the second application icon. Here, the controller 170 may determine whether to display the preview information based on the time when the pointer is located. Therefore, when the pointer is over other application icons positioned in the middle within a predetermined time, the second preview information of the second application icon finally arrived. Only display is possible.

11 (c) and 11 (d) show that the first preview information, which has been deselected, is removed from the display using the fade out effect. This may provide a user with a more visually natural deselection effect of the preview information.

Thus, by displaying the preview information of the application according to an embodiment of the present invention, the user can easily grasp the information of the desired application. In addition, various user interfaces for an application may be provided in the image display device, thereby increasing user convenience.

The operation method of the image display apparatus according to the present invention described above may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium that is produced as a program for execution on a computer, and examples of the computer-readable recording medium include ROM, RAM, CD. ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, optical data storage devices, and the like, as well as those implemented in the form of carrier waves (eg, transmission over the Internet).

The computer readable recording medium may be distributed over a networked computer system so that computer readable code can be stored and executed in a distributed manner. And, functional programs, codes and code segments for implementing the above method can be easily inferred by programmers of the technical field to which the present invention belongs.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but, on the contrary, It should be understood that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (8)

In the operation method of the video display device,
Connecting to a server providing one or more applications;
Receiving application information including a list of applications that the server can provide and preview information for each application from the server;
Displaying icons corresponding to the respective applications based on the application information;
Selecting one of the displayed icons; And
And displaying the first preview information of the first application corresponding to the selected icon at a specific position within a predetermined distance from the selected icon. The method of claim 1,
The displaying of the first preview information may include:
Extracting a plurality of second application information related to the first application from the first preview information; And
And displaying a second application list based on the plurality of second application information. The method of claim 1,
Determining whether the preview information is updated from the server; And receiving updated preview information. The method of claim 1,
And the preview information includes at least one of recommendation information, price information, age information, related application information, and update information corresponding to each application. A video display device comprising:
A network interface unit for receiving application information including an application list and preview information for each application from a server; And
And a controller configured to generate and display icons corresponding to the respective applications based on the received application information.
And the controller is configured to display first preview information of a first application corresponding to a selected icon among the displayed icons at a specific position within a predetermined distance from the selected icon. The method of claim 5,
And the control unit extracts a plurality of pieces of second application information related to the first application from the first preview information and displays a second list of applications based on the plurality of pieces of second application information. The method of claim 5,
And the control unit determines whether to update the preview information from the server through the network interface unit and receives the updated preview information. The method of claim 5,
The preview information includes at least one of recommendation information, price information, age information, application information, and update information corresponding to each application.

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