WO2008018739A1

WO2008018739A1 - Powerless digital picture frame apparatus and control method for the same

Info

Publication number: WO2008018739A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/003794
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jae-Ryong Bum; Seong-Han Kim; Dong-Geun Kim
Original assignee: Mpixar Inc.
Priority date: 2006-08-08
Filing date: 2007-08-07
Publication date: 2008-02-14
Also published as: KR100771403B1

Abstract

Provided is a powerless digital picture frame apparatus includes an LCD panel having a reflecting plate and an LCD glass; an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) having a timer, receiving power from a battery so as to drive a CPU when the powerless digital picture frame apparatus is operated, and transmitting converted image data to the LCD panel such that the image data is output; the battery having a solar battery and supplying power to the ASIC when the powerless digital picture frame apparatus is driven; the CPU driven by the ASIC, the CPU converting data stored in a buffer memory into image data to transmit to the ASIC; and the buffer memory storing data which is to be converted by the CPU.

Description

POWERLESS DIGITAL PICTURE FRAME APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD FOR THE SAME

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a powerless digital picture frame apparatus and a control method for the same, and more specifically, to a powerless digital picture frame apparatus in which a reflective Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) is adopted so as to remove a main power consumption element of the apparatus, and a control method for the same. Further, when the powerless digital picture frame apparatus is operated, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) drives a Central Processing Unit (CPU) such that power consumption is minimized. Background Art

[2] In general, digital picture frame apparatuses store a plurality of picture files in a memory such as a built-in flash memory, an external media card or the like and display the stored picture files in an arbitrary order.

[3] Unlike an existing picture frame apparatus, the digital picture frame apparatus can display digital photographs, which are taken and stored by digital cameras. Therefore, as a demand for a digital camera increases, it is expected that a demand for the digital picture frame apparatus increases.

[4] The digital picture frame apparatus also has a function of alternately displaying a plurality of picture files in an order designated by a user or an arbitrary order. The digital picture frame apparatus can satisfy a diversity of display function.

[5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional digital picture frame apparatus.

[6] As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional digital picture frame apparatus includes a

Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) which controls respective units, an internal flash memory 1 which stores photograph files, a memory card 2 which can be mounted on a digital camera and stores photograph files, and a display unit 3 which displays the photograph files stored in the flash memory 1 or the memory card 2 in accordance with the control of the RISC.

[7] Hereinafter, the operation of the digital picture frame apparatus constructed in such a manner will be described.

[8] A user takes a photograph by using his/her digital camera. The photograph taken by the user is stored in a flash memory of the digital camera or the detachable memory card 2 in the form of .jpg or .gif files. The photograph file stored in such a manner can be transferred to a personal computer so as to be edited. The edited photograph can be stored in a storage unit such as the memory card 2. [9] The user mounts the memory card 2, having the photograph file stored therein, into the digital picture frame apparatus. Then, the user manipulates the digital picture frame apparatus so as to transfer the photograph file to the flash memory 1 such that the photograph file can be displayed on the display unit 3. Alternately, the photograph file is directly read from the memory card 2 so as to be displayed on the display unit 3. In this case, a photograph displayed on the display unit 3 is changed at every specific time. That is, the displayed photograph is automatically changed into another photograph, even though the user does not change the photograph.

[10] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of another conventional digital picture frame apparatus disclosed in Korea Patent Application No. 10-2001-78998.

[11] As shown in FIG. 2, the conventional digital picture frame apparatus includes an

RISC 11 which controls respective units, a camera module 12 which takes a digital photograph, a flash memory 13 and SDRAM 14 in which digital photograph files are stored, a touch screen module 15 which receives a manipulation event from a user, a display unit 19 which displays digital photograph files in accordance with the control of the RISC 11, a USB module 16, a Bluetooth module 17, and a serial module 18. The USB module 16, the Bluetooth module 17, and the serial module 18 are connected to a computer 20 so as to transfer digital photograph files.

[12] Hereinafter, the operation of the conventional digital picture frame apparatus will be described in detail.

[13] A user takes a photograph of a desired object by manipulating a touch screen, through a digital camera. The manipulation event of the touch screen is applied to the RISC 11 through the touch screen module 15. The RISC 11 analyzes the manipulation event and then controls the integral-type digital camera through the camera module 12 so as to take a digital photograph.

[14] The digital photograph taken by the digital camera provided in the digital picture frame apparatus is stored in the flash memory 13 in the form of .jpg files and the like which are the format of digital photograph files. Then, the stored digital photograph file is displayed on the display unit 19 by the control of the RISC 11 according to the touch screen manipulation of the user.

[15] When the user wants to edit a photograph file stored in the digital picture frame apparatus, the user manipulates the touch screen, and the RISC 11 receiving the manipulation event reads the digital photograph file, selected by the user, from the memory. Then, the RISC 11 controls the USB module 16, the Bluetooth module 17, or the serial module 18, which is connected to the personal computer, so as to transmit the digital photograph file to the personal computer 20.

[16] Next, the digital photograph file is stored in a hard disk of the personal computer

20, and the user edits the digital photograph file into a desired form by using a digital photograph editing software set up in the personal computer 20.

[17] When the editing of the digital photograph file is completed, the digital photograph file is stored in the hard disk of the personal computer 20.

[18] When the edited digital photograph is desired to be displayed on the digital picture frame apparatus, the user transmits the edited digital photograph file to the digital picture frame apparatus through the USB module or serial module mounted on the personal computer 20 or a wireless communication device such as the Bluetooth module.

[19] The digital photograph file is applied through the USB module 16, the Bluetooth module 17, or the serial module 18 so as to be stored in the flash memory 13. The user manipulates the touch screen module 15 so as to select and display the digital photograph file.

[20] In the conventional digital picture frame apparatus, the digital camera is integrated with the digital picture frame apparatus such that functions of taking, displaying, and editing a digital photograph are provided without using a separate movable memory card. Therefore, the utilization efficiency thereof is enhanced.

[21] FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the operation of the digital picture frame apparatus of FIG. 2.

[22] As shown in FIG. 3, the operation is performed as follows. First, it is judged whether or not to take a new digital photograph. When it is not judged that a new digital photograph is to be taken, a digital photograph selected by a user is displayed on the display unit 19. When it is judged that a new digital photograph is to be taken, an image shown through the digital camera is displayed on the display unit 19. When the user takes a digital photograph, the digital photograph displayed on the display unit 19 is stored as a digital photograph file into the flash memory 13.

[23] For example, when the user wants to use the digital camera provided in the digital picture frame apparatus, a digital photograph which is currently displayed is stopped from being displayed, and an image input from the digital camera is displayed. This has an effect of previously seeing a digital photograph which is to be displayed after being taken. Further, this helps the user to take a photograph of an object in a state where the object is disposed in a desirable manner.

[24] Further, when the user manipulates the touch screen to take a photograph, an image displayed on the display unit 19 is stored as a digital photograph file into the flash memory.

[25] The user stops the imaging mode and selects the display mode. Then, the user again manipulates the touch screen module 15 so as to select a specific digital photograph file within the memory.

[26] The selected file is displayed on the display unit 19. In this case, a plurality of files may be selected so as to be sequentially displayed at a predetermined interval.

[27] Since the conventional digital picture frame apparatus has the digital camera built therein, a separate digital camera does not need to be purchased. Further, without attaching and detaching a memory card, a photograph can be displayed on the digital picture frame apparatus immediately after being taken.

[28] However, in the conventional digital picture frame apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a power supply for operating the apparatuses is separately needed. When power is not supplied, an image is not changed. Therefore, a fixed image is inevitably displayed.

[29] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a further conventional digital picture frame apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a detailed cross-sectional view of an LCD panel used in the conventional digital picture frame apparatus. FIGS. 4 and 5 show that a conventional LCD panel is constructed in a transmissive type.

[30] As shown in FIG. 4, the conventional digital picture frame apparatus includes a

CPU 31 which always operates and controls the operation of the apparatus, a memory 32 which receives a control instruction from the CPU so as to store a digital photograph which is to be output to an LCD panel 33, a backlight unit 41 having a light source 42 which supplies light for emission, the LCD panel 33 which includes an LCD glass 43 and polarizing plates 44 and 45 and is constructed in a transmissive type, and a battery 34 which always supplies power to the CPU 31, the memory 32, and the LCD panel 33. The LCD panel 33 receives a control instruction from the CPU 31 so as to output a digital photograph stored in the memory 32.

[31] In the conventional digital picture frame apparatus, power is always supplied from the battery 34 such that the CPU 31, the memory 32, and the LCD panel 33 are operated. In this state, a digital photograph stored in the memory 32 is output to the LCD panel 33 in accordance with the control of the CPU 31.

[32] However, in the conventional picture frame apparatus shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, power should be supplied at all times to drive the apparatus. In the apparatus, the CPU

31 and the LCD backlight unit 41 consumes a large amount of power. Since the LCD panel is constructed in a transmissive type, power consumption is large. Therefore, when power is not supplied, an image displayed on the picture frame apparatus cannot be changed.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[33] An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a powerless digital picture frame apparatus, and more specifically, to a powerless digital picture frame apparatus in which a reflective LCD is adopted so as to remove a main power consumption element of the apparatus. Further, when the powerless digital picture frame apparatus is operated, a CPU is driven by an ASIC such that power consumption is minimized. Technical Solution

[34] According to an aspect of the present invention, a powerless digital picture frame apparatus includes an LCD panel having a reflecting plate and an LCD glass; an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) having a timer, receiving power from a battery so as to drive a CPU when the powerless digital picture frame apparatus is operated, and transmitting converted image data to the LCD panel such that the image data is output; the battery having a solar battery and supplying power to the ASIC when the powerless digital picture frame apparatus is driven; the CPU driven by the ASIC, the CPU converting data stored in a buffer memory into image data to transmit to the ASIC; and the buffer memory storing data which is to be converted by the CPU.

[35] According to another aspect of the invention, a control method for a powerless digital picture frame apparatus includes the steps of: judging whether the powerless digital picture frame apparatus is driven or not; driving an ASIC by using power from a battery, when the powerless digital picture frame apparatus is driven; at the driven ASIC, driving a CPU; judging which image is to be output; when it is judged that data of a buffer memory is to be output, at the CPU, converting the data stored in the buffer memory into image data, and at the ASIC, transmitting the converted image data to the LCD panel such that the image data is output.

Advantageous Effects

[36] According to the invention, the reflective LCD is adopted so as to remove a main power consumption element of the digital picture frame apparatus. Further, when the digital picture frame apparatus is operated, the ASIC drives the CPU such that power consumption can be minimized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[37] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional digital picture frame apparatus.

[38] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of another conventional digital picture frame apparatus.

[39] FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the operation of the digital picture frame apparatus of FIG. 2.

[40] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a further conventional digital picture frame apparatus.

[41] FIG. 5 is a detailed cross-sectional view of an LCD panel used in the conventional digital picture frame apparatus of FIG. 4. [42] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a powerless digital frame apparatus according to the present invention.

[43] FIG. 7 is a detailed cross-sectional view of an LCD panel of FIG. 6.

[44] FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a control method for the powerless digital picture frame apparatus according to the invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[45] Hereinafter, a powerless digital picture frame apparatus and a control method for the same according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[46] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a powerless digital frame apparatus according to the invention, and FIG. 7 is a detailed cross-sectional view of an LCD panel of FIG. 6.

[47] As shown in FIG. 6, the powerless digital frame apparatus includes an LCD panel

100, an ASIC 200, a battery 300, a CPU 400, and a buffer memory 500. The LCD panel 100 has a reflecting plate 110 and an LCD glass 120 provided therein, as shown in FIG. 7. The ASIC 200 has a timer 210 and receives power from the battery 300 so as to drive the CPU 400, when the powerless digital frame apparatus is operated. Further, the ASIC 200 transmits converted image data to the LCD panel 100 such that the image data is output. The battery 300 has a solar battery 310 and supplies power to the ASIC 200 when the powerless digital picture frame apparatus is driven. The CPU 400 is driven by the ASIC 200 and converts data, stored in the buffer memory 500, into image data to deliver to the ASIC 200. The buffer memory 500 stores data which is to be converted by the CPU 400.

[48] The powerless digital picture frame apparatus may use an Organic Light Emitting

Diode (OLED) instead of the LCD panel 100.

[49] Preferably, the battery 300 includes one or more of a rechargeable battery 320 and a dry cell 330. Further, the battery 300 includes one or more of a magnetic transfer battery which receives power through a magnetic field and a resonance transfer battery which receives power through resonance.

[50] Preferably, the battery 300 is mounted on one or more of a front surface, a side surface, and a rear surface of the LCD panel 100.

[51] Preferably, the solar battery 310 of the battery 300 is positioned on the rear surface of the LCD panel 100 so as to serve as the reflecting plate 110.

[52] As for the buffer memory 500, one or more of a NOR flash memory, a NAND flash memory, a Magnetic Random Access Memory (MRAM), a Ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), and a Parallel Random Access Memory (PRAM) may be used.

[53] Preferably, the powerless digital picture frame apparatus further includes a remote control receiving unit 600 which is connected to the ASIC 200 so as to receive a remote control signal.

[54] Preferably, the powerless digital picture frame apparatus further includes a memory card slot 700 into which a memory card 710 is mounted, the memory card 710 storing data which is to be converted by the CPU 700.

[55] Preferably, the powerless digital picture frame apparatus further includes a key panel 800 which is connected to the CPU 400 and controlled by the CPU 400, the key panel 800 including a power key 810 and a start key 820. The power key 810 turns on the battery 300, and the start key 820 drives the powerless digital picture frame apparatus.

[56] FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a control method for the powerless digital picture frame apparatus according to the invention.

[57] As shown in FIG. 8, the control method is performed as follows. First, it is judged whether the powerless digital picture frame apparatus is driven or not (steps STl and ST2). When the powerless digital picture frame apparatus is driven, the ASIC 200 is driven by the power of the battery 300 (step ST3). Then, the driven ASIC 200 drives the CPU 400 (step ST4). Next, it is judged which image is to be output (step ST5). Then, when it is judged at step ST5 that data of the buffer memory 500 is to be output, the CPU 400 converts the data stored in the buffer memory 500 into image data (step ST6), and the ASIC 200 transmits the converted image data to the LCD panel 100 such that the image data is output (step ST7).

[58] At steps STl and ST2, one or more of whether the timer 210 is driven or not, whether an input of the key panel 810 is performed or not, and whether a remote control signal is received or not are checked so as to judge whether the powerless digital picture frame apparatus is driven or not.

[59] Further, when it is judged at step ST5 that the data of the memory card 710 is to be output, the CPU 400 converts data stored in the memory card 710 into image data (step ST8), and the ASIC 200 transmits the converted image data to the LCD panel 100 such that the image data is output (step ST9).

[60] Furthermore, when it is judged at step ST5 that a remote image is to be output, the

CPU 400 receives data through the remote control receiving unit 600 and converts the data into image data (step STlO), and the ASIC 200 transmits the converted image data to the LCD panel 100 such that the image data is output (step STl 1).

[61] Embodiments of the present invention constructed in such a manner will be described with reference to the drawings. When it is judged that the specific description of related known function or constitution can cloud the point of the invention, the description will be omitted. Terms to be described below are defined in consideration of the functions of the invention. Accordingly, the meaning of the terms should be interpreted on the basis of the content of the specification.

[62] A main feature of the invention is that a reflective LCD is adopted so as to remove a power consumption element of the digital picture frame apparatus. Accordingly, when the digital picture frame apparatus is operated, the ASCI drives the CPU, thereby minimizing power consumption.

[63] The powerless digital picture frame apparatus includes an LCD panel 100, an ASIC 200, a battery 300, a CPU 400, and a buffer memory 500. Further, the powerless digital picture frame apparatus may further include a remote control receiving unit 600, a memory card slot 700, a key panel 800 and the like.

[64] The power consumption of a digital picture frame apparatus is mainly carried out by an LCD backlight part and a CPU part. In the present invention, a backlight part which is necessary for a transmissive LCD is removed from the LCD part. That is, a reflective LCD is adopted so as to implement the LCD panel 100 composed of a reflecting plate 110 and an LCD glass 120, thereby removing a power consumption element.

[65] The LCD panel 100 can be constructed in such a manner as shown in FIG. 7. The

LCD panel 100 includes the reflecting plate 110 and the LCD glass 120. Further, the LCD panel 100 may include a polarizing plate 130. The reflecting plate 110 is disposed in the rear side of the LCD glass 120 composed of glasses and a liquid crystal layer. The LCD panel 100 according to the invention does not include a backlight unit.

[66] In the powerless digital picture frame apparatus, an OLED with low power consumption may be used instead of the LCD panel 100. The OLED is an element which emits light by using an electroluminescence effect in which when a current is applied to a fluorescent organic compound, light is emitted. In this case, the powerless digital picture frame apparatus may be composed of the OLED, the ASIC 200, the battery 300, the CPU 400, and the buffer memory 500.

[67] As for the buffer memory 500, a non- volatile memory such as NOR flash memory,

NAND flash memory, MRAM, FeRAM, PRAM or the like is used. The non- volatile memory is referred to as a memory in which data remains stored even though power is turned off.

[68] The NOR flash memory and the NAND flash memory are discriminated from each other, depending on the configuration scheme of cells. The NOR flash memory is a data-storage-type memory, and the NAND flash memory is a code-storage-type memory. The MRAM uses one of magnetism properties in which SPIN is separated into Up and Down, and the PRAM uses such an effect that a difference in property su ch as conductivity occurs when the phase of a substance is crystalline or amorphous. The FeRAM is implemented by the same principle as DRAM, but has an advantage in that refresh is not necessary.

[69] In a case of LCD panels used in mobile phones, of which the resolution is less than

QVGA (240*320), a self refresh function using a volatile memory such as SRAM or SDRAM is provided. However, in a case of LCD panels of which the resolution is more than VGA (640*480), a self -refresh function is not used because of the price or the like. Therefore, data should be transmitted from an embedded system host.

[70] When data is transmitted 60 times per second at VGA, one screen corresponds to 300,000 * 24 bits, based on 24-bit color. Therefore, 900,000 bytes are transmitted 60 times per second, which corresponds to about 54MB/s (= 900KB * 60).

[71] The speed of a general embedded system bus is about lOOMhz. Therefore, when a bandwidth is 200MB/s for a 16-bit bus, data is transmitted at about 108MB/s, because the data should be read from SDRAM or the like and then sent. Accordingly, more than half of the bus bandwidth is used only for screen reproduction.

[72] In the present invention, a non-volatile memory is used instead of a volatile memory such as SRAM or SDRAM so as to solve such a problem.

[73] In the conventional digital picture frame apparatus, an LCD refresh function is performed by the CPU. In the present invention, however, as a self -refresh LCD module is provided, the CPU 400 is woken up for a moment only for a photograph which is changed at a constant interval. In this case, the CPU 40 only serves to read the corresponding data and to perform JPG decoding. Therefore, the computing time and load of the CPU 400 is reduced at the maximum such that the entire power consumption is minimized.

[74] In this way, as the power consumption of the digital picture frame apparatus is sufficiently reduced, the digital picture frame apparatus can be operated only by the rechargeable battery 300. In this case, as the power supply to the rechargeable battery 300 is carried out by the solar battery 310, a user does not need to pay attention. Therefore, it is possible to implement a powerless digital picture frame apparatus which does not consume electric power at all.

[75] Depending on the degree of power consumption, a time interval at which each photograph is changed can be properly adjusted. In some cases, the time interval can be lengthened, compared with the conventional digital picture frame apparatus which uses electric power. However, this is not a problem. That is because the powerless digital picture frame apparatus according to the invention has a definite advantage, compared with the conventional picture frame apparatus in which a photograph is not changed at all.

[76] Further, the powerless digital picture frame apparatus may include the memory card slot 700 built therein such that the memory card 710 can be mounted and used. In addition, the powerless digital picture frame apparatus may include the key panel 800 through which a simple key value can be input, the key panel 800 being composed of a power key 810, a start key 820, and a function key 830 and the like. Furthermore, the powerless digital picture frame apparatus selectively has a remote control receiving unit 600 built therein.

[77] The battery 300 has the solar battery 310 built therein. Further, the battery 300 may include a rechargeable battery 320 composed of lithium polymer, a lithium-ion battery or the like. Power obtained by the solar battery 310 can be stored in the rechargeable battery 320, and an AC-DC adaptor may be selectively used for charging the rechargeable battery 320.

[78] The battery 300 can be installed on a front surface, a side surface, or a rear surface of the LCD panel 100 such that the appearance of the powerless digital picture frame is enhanced. Further, the solar battery 310 of the battery 300 may be positioned on the rear surface of the LCD panel 100 so as to serve as a reflecting plate 100.

[79] The battery 300 constructed in such a manner supplies power to the powerless digital picture frame apparatus. Further, if necessary, the powerless digital picture frame apparatus can be constructed so as to selectively use three general dry cells as an auxiliary power supply.

[80] Preferably, the powerless digital picture frame apparatus includes the buffer memory 500 which can store photograph data corresponding to one photograph. The CPU 400 serves to store data into the buffer memory 500. The ASIC 200 serves to read bitmap data stored in the buffer memory 500 so as to repeatedly send the data to the LCD panel 100 (self -refresh function).

[81] The LCD self-refresh function is a conventional function built in a general small- sized LCD panel. In a case of a medium- or large-sized LCD, a main CPU is in charge of the self-refresh function, or the self -refresh function is implemented by a separate controller.

[82] In the invention, the ASIC 200 for self refresh is implemented so as to operate with ultra-low power consumption. The ASIC 200 is operated at all times or is driven by the drive of the powerless digital picture frame apparatus. Further, the ASIC 200 has an interface with the CPU 400. Since the ASIC 200 has a timer 210 built therein, the ASIC 200 has a function of controlling the CPU 400 while managing time. The ASIC 200 operates the CPU 400, only when necessary, thereby minimizing the overall power consumption.

[83] The CPU 400 is operated by the control of the ASIC 200. The CPU 400 interfaces the memory card slot 700 and then reads a desired .jpg file from the memory card 710 so as to perform JPG decoding. The CPU 400 transfers the decoded data of each photograph into the buffer memory 500 only one time. The CPU 400 can support a simple slide show function through the LCD panel 100.

[84] As described above, the reflective LCD is adopted so as to remove a main power consumption element of the digital picture frame apparatus. Further, when the digital picture frame apparatus is operated, the ASIC drives the CPU such that power consumption is minimized.

[85] Meanwhile, if necessary, a backlight unit may be selectively added to the digital picture frame apparatus, in accordance with a specific embodiment. In this case, the backlight unit can be temporarily operated when a user wants to use it. [86] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

[87]

Claims

[1] A powerless digital picture frame apparatus comprising: an LCD panel having a reflecting plate and an LCD glass; an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) having a timer, receiving power from a battery so as to drive a CPU when the powerless digital picture frame apparatus is operated, and transmitting converted image data to the LCD panel such that the image data is output; the battery having a solar battery and supplying power to the ASIC when the powerless digital picture frame apparatus is driven; the CPU driven by the ASIC, the CPU converting data stored in a buffer memory into image data to transmit to the ASIC; and the buffer memory storing data which is to be converted by the CPU.

[2] The powerless digital picture frame apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an

Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) is used.

[3] The powerless digital picture frame apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the battery includes one or more of a rechargeable battery, a dry cell, a magnetic transfer battery, and a resonance transfer battery.

[4] The powerless digital picture frame apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the battery is mounted on one or more of a front surface, a side surface, and a rear surface of the LCD panel.

[5] The powerless digital picture frame apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the solar battery of the battery is positioned on the rear surface of the LCD panel so as to serve as the reflecting plate.

[6] The powerless digital picture frame apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the buffer memory is composed of one or more non-volatile memories selected from a NOR flash memory, a NAND flash memory, a Magnetic Random Access

Memory (MRAM), a Ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), and a Parallel Random

Access Memory (PRAM).

[7] The powerless digital picture frame apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to

6 further comprising: a remote control receiving unit connected to the ASIC so as to receive a remote control signal.

[8] The powerless digital picture frame apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to

6 further comprising: a memory card slot having a memory card mounted thereon, the memory card storing data which is to be converted by the CPU.

[9] The powerless digital picture frame apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 further comprising: a key panel connected to the CPU and controlled by the CPU, the key panel including: a power key for turning on the battery; and a start key for driving the powerless digital picture frame apparatus.

[10] A powerless digital picture frame apparatus comprising: an LCD panel having a reflecting plate and an LCD glass; an ASIC having a timer, receiving power from a battery so as to drive a CPU when the powerless digital picture frame apparatus is operated, and transmitting converted image data to the LCD panel such that the image data is output; the battery composed of one or more of a solar battery, a rechargeable battery, a dry cell, a magnetic transfer battery, and a resonance transfer battery, the battery supplying power to the ASIC when the powerless digital picture frame apparatus is driven, and being mounted on one or more of a front surface, a side surface, and a rear surface of the LCD panel; the CPU driven by the ASIC and converting data stored in a buffer memory into image data to transmit to the ASIC; the buffer memory storing data which is to be converted by the CPU, the buffer memory being composed of one or more non- volatile memories selected from

NOR flash memory, NAND flash memory, MRAM, FeRAM, and PRAM; a remote control receiving unit connected to the ASIC so as to receive a remote control signal; a memory card slot having a memory card mounted thereon, the memory card storing data which is to be converted by the CPU; and a key panel connected to the CPU and controlled by the CPU, the key panel including: a power key for turning on power of the battery; and a start key for driving the powerless digital picture frame apparatus.

[11] A control method for a powerless digital picture frame apparatus, the control method comprising the steps of: judging whether the powerless digital picture frame apparatus is driven or not; driving an ASIC by using power from a battery, when the powerless digital picture frame apparatus is driven; at the driven ASIC, driving a CPU; judging which image is to be output; when it is judged that data of a buffer memory is to be output, at the CPU, converting the data stored in the buffer memory into image data, and at the

ASIC, transmitting the converted image data to the LCD panel such that the image data is output.

[12] The control method according to claim 11, wherein in the step of judging whether the powerless digital picture frame is driven or not, one or more of whether a timer is driven or not, whether an input is performed through a key panel or not, and whether a remote control signal is received or not are checked so as to judge whether the powerless digital picture frame apparatus is driven or not.

[13] The control method according to claim 11 or 12 further comprising the step of: when it is judged that data of a memory card is to be output, at the CPU, converting the data stored in the memory card into image data, and at the ASIC, transmitting the converted image data to the LCD panel such that the image data is output.

[14] The control method according to claim 13 further comprising the step of: when it is judged that a remote image is to be output, at the CPU, receiving data through a remote control receiving unit so as to convert the data into image data, and at the ASIC, transmitting the converted image data to the LCD panel such that the image data is output.

[15] A control method for a powerless digital picture frame apparatus, the control method comprising the steps of: judging whether the powerless digital picture frame apparatus is driven or not, by checking one or more of whether a timer is driven or not, whether an input is performed through a key panel or not, and whether a remote control signal is received or not; driving an ASIC by using power from a battery, when the powerless digital picture frame apparatus is driven; at the driven ASIC, driving a CPU; judging which image is to be output; when it is judged that data of a buffer memory is to be output, at the CPU, converting the data stored in the buffer memory into image data, and at the ASIC, transmitting the converted image data to the LCD panel such that the image data is output; when it is judged that data of a memory card is to be output, at the CPU, converting the data stored in the memory card into image data, and at the ASIC, transmitting the converted image data to the LCD panel such that the image data is output; and when it is judged that a remote image is to be output, at the CPU, receiving data through a remote control receiving unit so as to convert the data into image data, and at the ASIC, transmitting the converted image data to the LCD panel such that the image data is output.