TWI386178B - Digital photo frame capable of automatically entering and switching operational mode and method thereof - Google Patents

Description

Electronic photo frame and method for automatically entering and switching working modes

The invention relates to an electronic photo frame, in particular to an electronic photo frame and a method for automatically entering and switching working modes.

At present, with the rapid development of electronic technology, electronic photo frames have become familiar to ordinary consumers. The function of the electronic photo frame is more and more powerful, not only has the functions of picture display, music playing and video playing, but also some electronic photo frames have the function of receiving TV and can receive and play TV programs independently.

At present, people usually obtain television program time information through a television program schedule provided by a television newspaper or an electronic program guide (EPG). It is a pity that many people forget the playing time of their favorite TV programs for various reasons. In addition, the current electronic photo frame with TV receiving function cannot automatically enter the electronic photo frame or the electronic photo frame mode according to the user's wishes, and automatically switch between the electronic photo frame mode and the television mode. The user usually sets the normal mode of the electronic photo frame to the electronic photo frame mode. When watching the television program, the user must manually switch from the electronic photo frame mode to the television mode by switching the button, and when the user forgets the favorite television program for various reasons, At the time, because the current electronic photo frame with TV receiving function cannot be automatically switched, the user often misses the favorite TV program.

The object of the present invention is to provide an electronic photo frame and method for automatically entering and switching a working mode, so as to solve the problem that the electronic photo frame capable of playing the television in the prior art cannot automatically enter the electronic photo frame according to the user's wishes. Mode or TV mode, and automatic switching between electronic photo frame and TV mode.

In order to solve the above technical problem, the electronic photo frame of the automatic entry and switching operation mode provided by the present invention comprises a processor, a television signal receiving module, a multimedia playing module, a memory and a clock module, and the memory For storing a multimedia file, the clock module is configured to provide a current time recorded by the electronic frame, and the electronic photo frame has an electronic photo frame mode for playing the multimedia file stored in the memory through the multimedia playing module, and playing the television signal receiving mode. a television mode of the television program of the received television channel, the memory is further configured to store at least one television program schedule, wherein the television program schedule includes at least one television program name, a television program time corresponding to each television program name, and playing the television program The identifier of the television station of the television program; the processor includes: a television program list acquisition module for acquiring the television program schedule information from the memory; and a clock acquisition module for acquiring the current time provided by the clock module a comparison module for determining whether there is a television at the current time according to the television program information The mode control module is configured to control the television signal receiving module to receive the television signal when the comparison module obtains that the television program is about to be played or is currently playing, so that the electronic photo frame automatically enters the television Mode or automatically switching the electronic photo frame from the electronic photo frame mode to the television mode; and a channel control module for controlling the television signal receiving module to switch the current channel to the upcoming or currently playing television program in the television mode TV channel.

The automatic entering and switching working mode method provides an electronic photo frame with an electronic photo frame mode for playing a multimedia file stored in a memory, and Playing a television mode of a television program of a television channel received by a television signal receiving module, the electronic photo frame may perform the following steps: acquiring information of a television program list, the information of the television program list including at least one television program name, each television The TV program time corresponding to the program name and the identifier of the TV station that plays the TV program; obtain the current time; determine whether the current time has a TV program coming or being played; the current time has a TV program coming or playing, automatically entering the TV mode or automatically The electronic photo frame mode is switched to the television mode; and the current channel is switched to the television channel corresponding to the television program.

Compared with the prior art, the electronic photo frame and method provided by the present invention automatically switch the electronic photo frame into the television mode or automatically switch from the electronic photo frame mode to the television mode when the television program is about to be played or is currently being played, so that the user can There is no need to manually switch between the electronic photo frame mode and the television mode by using the switch button, and the favorite TV program is not missed because the playback time of the favorite TV program is forgotten.

Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram of an electronic photo frame that automatically enters and switches a working mode in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The electronic photo frame includes a processor 10, and the processor 10 is respectively connected to a television signal receiving module 11, a multimedia playing module 12, a memory 14 and a display module 18, and controls the modules. Adjustment of parameters.

The electronic photo frame of the present invention has an electronic photo frame mode and a television mode. When the electronic photo frame is in the electronic photo frame mode, the processor 10 acquires the stored multimedia file 140 from the memory 14 and passes the multimedia playing module. 12 playing the multimedia file 140; when the electronic photo frame is in the television mode, the processor 10 controls the television signal receiving module 11 to receive the signal of the television program, and plays the received television program through the multimedia playing module 12. The multimedia playing module 12 is connected to the sound output module 13 (such as a speaker) and the display module 18, and the multimedia playing module 12 outputs the multimedia file 140 or the audio portion of the television program through the sound output module 13. And the image portion is output through the display module 18. In the present invention, the multimedia file 140 can be a picture, audio or video file or the like in various formats.

The memory 14 also stores one or more television program listings 141. The television program listing 141 may be generated with reference to an electronic program guide or may be generated with reference to a manual input. The electronic program guide can be downloaded from the network and then transferred to the memory 14 of the electronic photo frame for storage. The television program listing 141 includes at least one television program name, a television program time corresponding to each television program name, and an identification of a television station that plays the television program. The television program time includes a program start time, and the television program time may further include a program end time and/or a program duration. The identification of the television station may be the name of the television station or the channel number of the television station edited by the user. When the identifier of the television station is the name of the television station, the corresponding setting of the television channel parameter and the television program table 141 needs to be performed in advance, and a connection is established between the television channel parameter and the television station name.

The electronic photo frame further includes an infrared control module 15 for receiving an infrared control signal of the external remote controller, and processing the infrared control signal into a digital serial signal, and then sending the digital control signal to the processor 10, and the processor 10 accepts the digital After the signal is serialized, the control command is sent to the module that needs to be controlled, thereby performing various control, operation, and parameter adjustments.

The electronic photo frame also includes a clock module 16 for providing the current time it is recorded.

The electronic photo frame further includes a user detection module 17 for detecting whether the user exists. The user detection module 17 can be an infrared sensor or an ultrasonic sensor. The user detection module 17 can determine whether the user exists by detecting the time the user stays within the detectable range. For example, if the minimum value of the user stay time is set to 30 seconds, when the user detection module 17 detects that the user stay time is less than 30 seconds within the detectable range, the user detection module 17 determines that the user does not exist. When the user detection module 17 detects that the user stay time is equal to or greater than 30 seconds within the detectable range, the user detection module 17 determines that the user exists.

The processor 10 includes a multimedia file reading module 101, a television program list acquisition module 102, a clock acquisition module 103, a comparison module 104, a mode control module 105, and a channel control module 106. The specific functions of each module will be described with reference to Figs. 2, 3 and 4.

Please refer to FIG. 2 , which is a flow chart of a method for automatically entering a television mode or an electronic photo frame mode when the electronic photo frame is powered on according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In step S201, the television program list acquisition module 102 acquires the information recorded on the television program table 141 from the memory 14.

In step S202, the clock acquisition module 103 acquires the current time from the clock module 16.

In step S203, the comparison module 104 determines, according to the television program table 141, whether the television program is about to be or is being played at the current time. If no television program is about to be played or is being played at the current time, step S206 is performed, if Step S204 is performed when there is a television program coming or being played in the previous time.

If the comparison module 104 determines that the current time has not reached the program start time, but the current time is within a first preset time period before the program start time, it is determined that the current time has a television program to be played; if the comparison mode The group 104 determines that a television program in the television program list 141 has started and is still playing, and determines that a television program is being played at the current time. In the present embodiment, the comparison module 104 determines whether the television program is being played by the program start time and the program end time in the television program table 141. In other embodiments, the comparison module 104 can pass the television program. The program start time and the program duration in the table 141 are judged, and can also be judged by the program start time in the television program table 141 and a second preset time period, that is, whether the current time is after the program start time. During the second preset time period, for example, if the second preset time period is set to fifteen minutes, the comparison module 104 determines that the television program is playing within fifteen minutes after the start of the television program. The first preset time period for determining whether the television program is about to be played and the second preset time period for determining whether the television program is playing may be the same preset time period, or may be different preset time periods. segment. The first preset time period and the second preset time period may be set by a user or set as a default. When the comparison module 104 determines that a plurality of television programs are about to be played or is currently being played, the comparison module 104 may further determine that the shortest time interval between the program start time and the current time is the only upcoming or ongoing television program. Alternatively, the comparison module 104 further determines, based on the order of the television program table 141, the television program that is ranked first or only to be played or is currently being played. Alternatively, the comparison module 104 further determines the user's preference. The favorite channel/like program in multiple TV programs is the only TV program that is about to be or is being played. If there are multiple upcoming or playing favorite channels/like programs at the current time, the comparison module 104 may also determine that the time interval between the program start time and the current time is the shortest or determine the top ranked according to the order of the television program table 141. The only TV show that is about to be or is being played.

In step S204, when the television program is about to be playing or is currently being played, the mode control module 105 controls the television signal receiving module 11 to receive the television signal, and the electronic photo frame enters the television mode.

In step S205, after entering the television mode, the channel control module 106 controls the television signal receiving module 11 to switch the current channel to a television channel corresponding to the television program to be played or being played, and the received television program is played through the multimedia. The module 12 plays.

Step S206: The electronic photo frame enters the electronic photo frame mode when the television program is not being played or is being played at the current time, and the multimedia file reading module 101 in the processor 10 reads the multimedia file 140 from the storage module 14 The processor 10 transmits the read multimedia file 140 to the multimedia playing module 12 for playing.

Please refer to FIG. 3 , which is a flow chart of a method for switching an electronic photo frame from an electronic photo frame mode to a television mode according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

First, in step S301, the electronic photo frame enters and stays in the electronic photo frame mode, wherein the electronic photo frame enters and stays in the electronic photo frame mode, including booting, that is, the electronic photo frame is entered into the electronic photo frame mode by the user when the computer is turned on, or Electronic photo frame automatically enters electronic photo frame mode It also includes the user's manual or electronic photo frame automatically switching from TV mode to electronic photo frame mode during normal operation after power on. After entering the electronic photo frame mode, the multimedia file reading module 101 in the processor 10 reads the multimedia file 140 from the storage module 14, and the processor 10 transmits the read multimedia file 140 to the The multimedia playing module 12 plays.

In step S302, the television program list acquisition module 103 acquires the information recorded on the television program table 141 from the memory 14 every third predetermined time period. The third preset time period can be set by the user or is a default setting.

In step S303, the clock acquisition module 102 acquires the current time from the clock module 16.

In step S304, the comparison module 104 determines, according to the television program table 141, whether a television program is about to be or is being played at the current time. If there is no television program at the current time or is currently being played, step S302 is repeatedly performed, if there is a television program at the current time. When it is about to be playing or is being played, step S305 is performed. The method for determining whether the current time has a television program to be or is being played is disclosed in the process of automatically entering the television mode when the electronic frame is turned on, and is not described here.

In step S305, the processor 10 automatically saves the electronic photo frame mode process in the memory 14. The process referred to here is the process of playing pictures and/or running other programs.

In another embodiment, before the step S305 is performed, the user detection module 17 first detects whether the user exists. When the user exists, step S305 is performed. If the user does not exist, the process returns to step S302.

In step S306, the mode control module 105 controls the television signal receiving mode. Group 11 receives the television signal and switches the electronic photo frame from the electronic photo frame mode to the television mode.

In step S307, the electronic photo frame enters a television mode, and the channel control module 106 controls the television signal receiving module 11 to switch the current channel to a television channel corresponding to a television program that is about to be played, and the received television program passes the multimedia. The play module 12 plays. .

Please refer to FIG. 4 , which is a flow chart of a method for switching an electronic photo frame from a television mode to an electronic photo frame mode according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In step S401, the electronic photo frame enters a television mode to play a television program in the television program list 141 that is about to be or is currently being played.

In step S402, the clock acquisition module 102 acquires the current time from the clock module 16 every fourth predetermined time period. The fourth preset time period can be set by the user or is a default setting.

In step S403, the comparison module 104 determines whether the currently broadcasted television program is finished. If the currently broadcasted television program is still playing, step S402 is repeatedly performed. If the currently playing television program has ended, step S404 is performed.

In step S404, the comparison module 104 determines, according to the current time, whether there are other television programs that are about to be or are being played in the television program table 141. If there are other television programs that are about to be played or are currently being played, step S401 is repeatedly executed. If there is no TV program that is about to be or is being played at the current time, step S405 is performed. The method for determining whether the current time has a television program to be played or being played is disclosed in the process of automatically entering the television mode when the electronic photo frame is turned on, and is not described here.

In step S405, the mode control module 103 controls the television signal receiving module 11 to stop receiving the television signal, and switches the electronic photo frame from the television mode to the electronic photo frame mode.

In step S406, the processor 10 reads the electronic photo frame mode process stored in the memory 14 and restores the process in which the electronic photo frame mode is switched from the electronic photo frame mode to the television mode. The electronic photo frame mode process referred to herein is an electronic photo frame mode process stored when the electronic photo frame is switched from the electronic photo frame mode to the television mode, and the related functions are continued according to the process.

Referring to FIG. 5, the electronic photo frame of the present invention may also have a device for the function of the invalid mode switching module, as shown in the embodiment of the manual switch 51. The manual switch 51 can be rotated into three different positions within the switch channel: an electronic photo frame position 52, an automatic position 53 and a television position 54. When the manual switch 51 is in the automatic position 53, the mode switching function is enabled. When the manual switch 51 is in the electronic photo frame position 52, the mode switching function is masked, and the electronic photo frame will remain in the electronic photo frame mode without mode switching. When the manual switch 51 is in the television position 54, the mode switching function is masked, and the electronic photo frame will remain in the television mode without mode switching. In another embodiment, the selection of the electronic photo frame mode, the automatic mode, and the television mode can also be performed through a function table. For example, it can be set that when the electronic photo frame is turned on, the display module 18 displays a function table for the user to select a mode between the three modes.

Please refer to FIG. 6 , which is a schematic diagram of the appearance of an electronic photo frame according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The electronic photo frame 61 mainly includes a power key 62, an up switch key 63, a down switch key 64, and a mode switch key 65. The power button 62 is used to open The electronic photo frame 61 is turned on and off. When the electronic photo frame 61 is in the electronic photo frame mode, the up switching key 63 is used to control the flipping of the picture, and the down switching key 64 is used to control the flipping of the picture. When the electronic photo frame 61 is in the television mode, the up switch key 63 and the down switch key 64 are used to control the subtraction of the television channel. The mode switching key 65 is used to manually switch between the electronic photo frame mode and the television mode. The above buttons can also be integrated on a remote controller. When the user operates the electronic photo frame through the button on the remote controller, the infrared control module 15 receives the infrared control signal emitted by the remote controller, and processes the infrared control signal into a digital serial signal and sends the processing to the processing. The processor 10, after receiving the digital serial signal, sends a control command to the module to be controlled, thereby performing various control, operation and parameter adjustment.

10‧‧‧ processor

11‧‧‧TV signal receiving module

12‧‧‧Multimedia player module

13‧‧‧Sound output module

14‧‧‧ memory

15‧‧‧Infrared control module

16‧‧‧clock module

17‧‧‧User Detection Module

18‧‧‧ display module

101‧‧‧Multimedia file reading module

102‧‧‧TV program listing module

103‧‧‧Clock acquisition module

104‧‧‧Comparative Module

105‧‧‧Mode Control Module

106‧‧‧Channel Control Module

140‧‧‧Multimedia files

141‧‧‧TV program listing

1 is a block diagram of an electronic photo frame that automatically enters and switches modes of operation in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a flow chart of a method for automatically entering a television mode or an electronic photo frame mode when the electronic photo frame is powered on according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flow chart of a method for switching an electronic photo frame from an electronic photo frame mode to a television mode according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flow chart of a method for switching an electronic photo frame from a television mode to an electronic photo frame mode according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention having means for functioning as an invalid mode switching module.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the appearance of an electronic photo frame according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

10‧‧‧ processor

11‧‧‧TV signal receiving module

12‧‧‧Multimedia player module

13‧‧‧Sound output module

14‧‧‧ memory

15‧‧‧Infrared control module

16‧‧‧clock module

17‧‧‧User Detection Module

18‧‧‧ display module

101‧‧‧Multimedia file reading module

102‧‧‧TV program listing module

103‧‧‧Clock acquisition module

104‧‧‧Comparative Module

105‧‧‧Mode Control Module

106‧‧‧Channel Control Module

140‧‧‧Multimedia files

141‧‧‧TV program listing

Claims (14)

An electronic photo frame that automatically enters and switches a working mode, comprising a processor, a television signal receiving module, a memory, a clock module and a multimedia playing module, wherein the memory is used for storing a multimedia file, the clock module The group is configured to provide the current time recorded by the electronic photo frame, and the electronic photo frame has an electronic photo frame mode for playing the multimedia file stored in the memory through the multimedia playing module, and a television program for playing the television channel received by the television signal receiving module. The television mode is improved in that the memory is further configured to store at least one television program list, wherein the television program list includes at least one television program name, a television program time corresponding to each television program name, and a television station that plays the television program. The identifier of the television program includes a program start time; the processor includes: a television program list acquisition module for acquiring the television program schedule information from the memory; and a clock acquisition module for acquiring the clock module The current time provided by the group; a comparison module for judging based on the information of the television program list Whether the TV program is about to be playing or being played in the previous time. When the comparison module determines that there are multiple TV programs coming or playing at the current time, the comparison module determines that the program start time and the current time interval are the shortest. The television program being played, or the television program that is ranked first in the TV program list is the only one that is about to be or is being played, or determines that the user's favorite TV program is unique among the plurality of upcoming or currently playing television programs according to the user's preference. a television program that is about to be or is being played; a mode control module for using the television at the current time of the comparison module When the program is about to be playing or is being played, the television signal receiving module is controlled to receive the television signal, so that the electronic photo frame automatically enters the television mode or automatically switches from the electronic photo frame mode to the television mode; and a channel control module is used in the television mode. The television signal receiving module is controlled to switch the current channel to a television channel corresponding to a television program that is about to be played or is being played. The electronic photo frame that automatically enters and switches the working mode according to the first aspect of the patent application, wherein the comparison module is further configured to: when the electronic photo frame is in the television mode, determine, according to the television program time, whether the currently broadcasted television program is The mode control module is further configured to switch the electronic photo frame from the television mode back to the electronic photo frame mode after the comparison module determines that the television program ends. The electronic photo frame that automatically enters and switches the working mode according to the first aspect of the patent application, wherein the comparison module is further configured to: when the electronic photo frame is in the television mode, determine, according to the television program time, whether the currently broadcasted television program is End, the comparison module is further configured to continue to determine whether there is another television program that is about to be or is being played at the current time when the television program ends, and the channel control module is further used when there are other television programs that are about to be played or are being played. Controlling the television signal receiving module to play a television channel corresponding to other television programs that are about to be played or being played, and the mode control module is further configured to switch the electronic photo frame from the television mode when there are no other television programs to be played or being played. Go to the electronic photo frame mode. An electronic photo frame that automatically enters and switches a working mode as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein the television program time further includes a program end time, and the comparison module determines that the current time is based on the program start time and the program end time. Whether the broadcasted TV program ends. An electronic photo frame that automatically enters and switches a working mode as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein the television program time further includes a program duration, and the comparison module determines that the current time is based on the program start time and the program duration. Whether the broadcasted TV program ends. The electronic photo frame that automatically enters and switches the working mode according to the first aspect of the patent application, wherein the memory is further configured to store one or more preset time periods, and the comparison module is further configured to start according to the program start time and The preset time period determines whether the current time has a television program that is about to be or is being played. The electronic photo frame automatically enters and switches the working mode as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein the processor is further configured to: when the electronic photo frame is automatically switched from the electronic photo frame mode to the television mode, the electronic photo frame is placed The process in the electronic photo frame mode is automatically stored in the memory, and when the electronic photo frame is switched back to the electronic photo frame mode, the saved process is read from the memory to continue performing the related functions. The electronic photo frame automatically enters and switches the working mode as described in claim 1, wherein the electronic photo frame further includes a user detecting module, configured to: when the comparing module determines that the current time has a television that is about to be played or is being played During the program, the user is detected to be present. When the user is detected, the mode control module is notified to switch the electronic photo frame from the electronic photo frame mode to the television mode. The electronic photo frame automatically entering and switching the working mode as described in claim 1 of the patent application, further comprising means for invalidating the mode switching module and manually selecting a switching function of the electronic photo frame mode and the television mode. A method for automatically entering and switching a working mode, providing an electronic photo frame with an electronic photo frame mode for playing a multimedia file stored in a memory, and a television for playing a television program for receiving a television channel by a television signal receiving module The mode is improved in that the electronic photo frame can perform the following steps: acquiring information of a television program list, the information of the television program list includes at least one television program name, a television program time corresponding to each television program name, and playing the television program. The identification of the television station, the television program time includes the program start time; the current time is obtained; and the current time is determined whether the television program is about to be or is being played, wherein the comparison module determines that there are multiple television programs coming or playing at the current time. The comparison module determines that the program start time and the current time interval are the shortest to be the only upcoming or currently being broadcasted television program, or determines that the television program listed at the top of the television program list is the only upcoming or currently being broadcasted television program, or according to the user's preferences. The situation determines that the TV program of the user who is about to be or is playing is the only TV program that is about to be or is being played; when the TV program is about to be or is being played, the TV mode is automatically entered or automatically switched from the electronic photo frame mode to the current time. TV mode; and will Before the channel is switched to the television program corresponding to the television channel. The method of automatically entering and switching the working mode as described in claim 10, further comprising the steps of: determining whether the currently broadcasted television program ends; and automatically switching from the television mode back to the electronic photo frame mode at the end of the currently broadcasted television program. . The method of automatically entering and switching a working mode according to claim 10, further comprising the steps of: determining whether the currently broadcasted television program ends; and at the end of the currently playing television program, continuing to determine the current time in the television program list. Whether there are other TV shows that are about to be or are being played; Controlling the TV channel corresponding to other TV programs that are about to be played or currently playing when there are other TV programs that are about to be played or currently playing; and automatically switching from TV mode to electronic photo frame if there are no other TV programs that are about to be or are currently playing at the current time. mode The method of automatically entering and switching the working mode as described in claim 11 or 12, further comprising the steps of: automatically switching from the electronic photo frame mode to the television mode, storing the process in the electronic photo frame mode; and from the television After the mode is automatically switched to the electronic photo frame mode, the process in the stored electronic photo frame mode is read to continue the related functions. The method of automatically entering and switching the working mode, as described in claim 10, further comprising the steps of: detecting the presence of the user before automatically switching from the electronic photo frame mode to the television mode, and automatically performing the user when the user exists. Switch from electronic photo frame mode to TV mode.