WO2009118676A1

WO2009118676A1 - Device and method for controlling the operation state of an apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2009118676A1
Application number: PCT/IB2009/051198
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jurgen P. Maes
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2008-03-25
Filing date: 2009-03-23
Publication date: 2009-10-01

Abstract

A device and method is provided for controlling the operation of an apparatus in anon state and a standby state. The device comprises: an input unit configured to detect user input, a delay unit configured to simulate the standby state of the apparatus during a time period, and a control unit configured to either terminate simulation of the standby state based on user input during the time period or else switch theapparatus to its standby state.

Description

Device and method for controlling the operation state of an apparatus

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains in general to the field of user interfaces for electronic apparatuses, and more particularly to a device and method for providing an undo feature relating to standby initiation processes for electronic apparatuses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many electronic apparatuses, such as personal computers, TV's, DVD-players and MP3 -players, nowadays feature a standby state, besides its on state and off state. In the on state the apparatus is obviously turned on and hence the functionalities of the apparatus may be utilized. In the off state the apparatus is completely turned off, e.g. such that no electricity flows in its electrical circuits, and hence no functionality may be utilized.

In the standby state an apparatus typically is not able to perform any tasks. An advantage of entering standby state may be that the energy consumption decreases. A further advantage may be that the apparatus may return to a its on state more quickly than from the off state. An apparatus is also typically fully quiet when in its standby state. Moreover, the apparatus may return to processes running before the standby state was initiated when the apparatus subsequently is set to its on state again. For example, on a personal computer, the current programs may be left open when entering a standby mode, while programs have to be closed if the computer is to be fully turned off. Currently, when initiating the standby state of an electronic apparatus, e.g. by pressing a standby button, some irreversible actions are performed. For example, on a TV, memories such as teletext page buffers are cleared and the display and speakers are turned off and on a hard disk device, recordings are stored and buffers are cleared. The irreversible action may take a number of seconds before the apparatus has switched to its standby state. A common case when a user wants to trigger an apparatus to return to its on state is when the apparatus has been in standby state for a considerable amount of time, implying that the user wanted the device to be in standby state when he triggered the standby initiation process. However, a problem occurs when the user mistakenly initiated the standby process. In this case the user may want to undo mistakenly input his actions but finds himself having to wait for the standby initiation process to finish before he may trigger the apparatus to return to its on state. US2004/0250294 Al discloses a method and apparatus for resuming reproduction of a program from a point at which the viewing was paused. However, a problem with US2004/0250294 Al is that the disclosed method and apparatus does not provide a solution to the problem of time loss, information loss and stress related to a user being unable to undo/abort a standby initiation process for an electronic device. Hence, a device and method for implementing an undo feature relating to standby processes for electronic devices would be advantageous.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention preferably seeks to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies in the art and disadvantages singly or in any combination and solves at least the above-mentioned problems by providing a device and a method according to the appended patent claims.

According to an aspect of the invention, a device for operation in an on state or a standby state is provided. The device comprises an input unit configured to detect a first input parameter during the on state. The device further comprises a delay unit configured to simulate the standby state during a time period. Moreover, the device comprises a control unit (13) configured to monitor the input unit during the time period for detection of an indication signal. The control unit is also configured to terminate the simulation of the standby state if the indication signal is received during the time period. Furthermore, the control unit is configured to switch the device to standby state if the indication signal is not received during the time period.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method for controlling operation of an apparatus in an on state or a standby state is provided. The method comprises receiving a first input parameter in the on state. Moreover, the method comprises initiating simulation of the standby state of the apparatus during a time period based on the first input parameter. Furthermore, the method comprises monitoring user input during the time period for receiving an indication signal. The method further comprises terminating the simulation of the standby state if the indication signal is received during the time period, and switching the device to standby state if the indication signal is not received during the time period. An advantage of the invention according to some embodiments is that when a user mistakenly has initiated the standby process of an apparatus such as a TV set, the user is given an option to cancel the standby initiation process before the TV set enters its standby state. Accordingly, this will significantly reduce the time required between standby initiation and on state of an apparatus when a user mistakenly has initiated the standby initiation process on the apparatus. For example, memories such as teletext page buffers have not been cleared and the user can this proceed his previous activities without delay.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other aspects, features and advantages, of which the invention is capable of, will be apparent and elucidated from the following description of embodiments of the present invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig.1 is a block scheme showing a device according to an embodiment; Fig.2 is a flowchart showing a method according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Several embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings in order for those skilled in the art to be able to carry out the invention. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The embodiments do not limit the invention, but the invention is only limited by the appended patent claims. Furthermore, the terminology used in the detailed description of the particular embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting of the invention.

The following description focuses on embodiments of the present invention applicable to user interfaces for electronic devices, and more particularly to a method and device for providing an undo feature relating to standby processes for electronic devices.

In an embodiment, according to Fig. 1, a device 10 for controlling operation of an apparatus in an on state and a standby state is provided. The device comprises an input unit 11 configured to detect a first input parameter during the on state. The device may further comprise a delay unit 12 configured to simulate the standby state during a time period after reception of the first input parameter. Moreover, the device may comprise a control unit 13 configured to monitor 131 the input unit during the time period for detection of an indication signal. Furthermore, the control unit may be configured to terminate 13a the simulation of the standby state if the indication signal is received during the time period. The control unit may also be configured to switch 13b the apparatus to standby state if the indication signal is not received during the time period. In an embodiment the device is comprised in an apparatus, such as a personal computer. In the on state the personal computer is ready to run applications installed on the personal computer. In the standby state the screen of the personal computer may be turned off. Moreover, the temporary buffers are saved onto the hard disk drive. Generally, the personal computer consumes a small amount of energy in its standby state, since most circuits are inactive. Thus a computer in standby state to the greatest possible extent tries to resemble a computer in an off state with regard to energy consumption.

In another embodiment the device is comprised in an apparatus, such as a DVD-player. Moreover, the DVD-player may transmit a signal to its video output port and is ready to receive instructions from a user. In the standby state the DVD-player may not transmit any signal to its video output port. Furthermore, it typically has cleared buffers.

Also, the disc drive motor is typically turned off so that the disc does not spin. A DVD-player in its standby state is typically quiet. Also, it generally only consumes a minimum of energy. Input unit 11

The input unit may be configured to detect user input. The input unit may also be configured to enable a user to interact with, or forward instruction commands to the apparatus, for controlling functions of the apparatus. The input unit may be any type of input unit, such as one or more physical buttons, a conventional keyboard, a touch screen, a remote control or a pointing device, such as a mouse. The user input unit may be configured to react when a first input parameter is received. The first input parameter may e.g. pertain to a certain user input. Such user input may be the pressing of a button, such as a commonly known standby-button on the remote control when the apparatus is turned on.

In some embodiments the first input parameter may pertain to any user input. For example, this may be performed independently of any button being pressed on remote control during the on state of the apparatus.

In some embodiments the first input parameter pertain to a combination of user inputs. For example, this may be performed by pressing a combination of certain buttons on the remote control during the on state of the apparatus. Accordingly, one or more buttons could be dedicated for controlling the standby state, thus making it easier for a user to find the button and activate the button.

The input unit may also be configured to receive the first input parameter from other electronic circuits, such as a timer circuit. In this case the first input parameter may comprise a trigger signal sent from a timer circuit when the apparatus has been inactive for a certain time or on a scheduled time. For example, when the apparatus is a personal computer, the timer circuit may send the trigger signal when a user has not used the keyboard or pointing device during a certain amount of time, such as 1 minute.

The device according to some embodiments is configured to switch the apparatus from its on state to its standby state based on reception of the first input parameter during the on state of the apparatus. Delay unit 12

The delay unit 12 may be configured to simulate the standby state during a time period. The simulation of the standby state may differ depending on the apparatus type. For example, if the apparatus is a personal computer or any other appliance comprising or connected to a display, the display may be switched off during standby simulation. Moreover, spinning motors in CD/DVD-players may be switched off during simulation of the standby state. If the apparatus is connected to speaker these may be switched off during the simulation of the standby state. Furthermore, the delay unit may turn on a Light Emission Diodes (LEDs) for indication of the standby state during the simulation of the standby state.

In an embodiment, the delay unit is configured to use a display, optionally connected to the apparatus, to show information related to the simulated standby state. The display may for example be a projector, monitor or TV-screen. Moreover, the display may be the screen of a laptop-computer. It may also be the display of a portable DVD-player.

In an embodiment, during simulation of the standby state, the delay unit is configured to send a delay control signal, such as a delay video signal to a display, optionally connected to the apparatus, replacing or overriding the video signal sent from the apparatus operating in the on state. The delay video signal may e.g. comprise a black video signal such that the display during the simulation of the standby state turns black, giving the user an impression that the apparatus is set to the standby state. However, any other color in the delay video signal may be used. Moreover, the delay video signal may comprise the information related to the simulated standby state. The delay control signal may comprise a delay audio signal, a delay video signal or a combination of delay audio and delay video signal. The delay audio signal may be utilized when the apparatus is connected to a speaker, and hence an audio message comprising information related to the standby state may be sent to the user. In an embodiment, the information related to the standby state may e.g. be a count down timer showing the time left for the user to be able to abort the simulated standby state and return to the on state.

According to an embodiment, the information related to the standby state may also comprise a progress bar indicating the progress of the simulated standby state. In an embodiment, the information related to the standby state may comprise information about current and upcoming tasks to be executed by the device.

According to an embodiment the information related to the standby state may comprise information about the current status, e.g. running programs etc, of the apparatus.

It should be appreciated that the delay video signal may comprise any information desired to be shown during the simulated standby state. Control unit 13

The control unit may be configured to monitor the input unit for reception of an indication signal from the input unit during the time period, wherein the control unit based on reception of said indication signal is configured to either switch the apparatus to the standby state or terminate the simulated standby state.

In an embodiment the indication signal pertains to user input during the time period. For example, the indication signal may comprise a second input parameter pertaining to user input regarding cancellation of the simulated standby state triggered by the first input parameter. In this case, the control unit based on reception of the indication signal from the input unit terminates the simulated standby state.

Accordingly, if the user provides the input unit or control unit with a second input parameter during the time period, the apparatus will remain in its on state, and the simulation of standby state will be terminated.

On the other hand, if no user input is detected during the time period no indication signal is sent from the input unit, and the control unit is configured to switch the apparatus from the on state to its standby state.

The second input parameter may in the same way as the first input parameter pertain to a certain user input, a combination of certain user inputs, or any user input, received during the time period. In an embodiment the indication signal may pertain to the lack of user input, such as a second input parameter, during the time period. Accordingly, if no user input is received during the time period the input unit is configured to send an indication signal to the control unit and the simulation of the standby state is terminated, and if user input is received i.e. no indication signal is sent during the time period the apparatus is switched to its standby state.

Thus, a criterion that is considered by the control unit is if the input unit has received a first input parameter when the apparatus is in operation in its on state.

The control unit may also be configured to control the delay unit to start the simulation of the standby state based on the reception of the first parameter when the apparatus is operated in its on state.

Another criterion considered by the control unit is if the input unit during the time period of simulated standby state has received the indication.

The control unit may further be configured to control the delay unit to stop the simulation of the standby state, and thereby letting the apparatus remain in its on state based on reception of the second parameter during the time period.

In an embodiment the control unit is configured to terminate the simulation of the standby state if no indication signal is received during the time period, and switch the apparatus to the standby state if the indication signal is received during the time period. In an embodiment the input unit is configured to continuously monitor the reception of a first input parameter when the apparatus is operated in its on state. This means that after termination of simulation of the standby state by means of reception of the second input parameter during the time period, if the input unit registers a new standby instruction by reception of a new first parameter, the delay unit will initiate a new simulation of the standby state during a new first period. User interface

In an embodiment, a user interface for connection to the device is provided. The user interface is configured to allow a user to optionally disable or enable one or more of the functions of the device. In this way functionalities, such as information shown during simulation of the standby state, not desired by some users may be disabled. Moreover, the user interface may be configured to enable a user to modify the length of the time period. Moreover, functionalities desired by some users may be enabled. For example, a user may want to disable the simulation of standby, or keep the delay unit from showing some or all information related to the simulated standby state. In an embodiment, according to Fig. 2, a method 20 is provided for controlling operation of an apparatus in an on state and a standby state. The method comprises receiving 21 a first input parameter during the on state of the apparatus. The method may further comprise initiating 22 simulation of the standby state during a time period based on the reception of the first input parameter. Furthermore, the method may comprise monitoring 23 user input during the time period for receiving an indication signal. The method may further comprise terminating 24a the simulation of the standby state if the indication signal is received during the time period, and switching 24b the apparatus to standby state if the indication signal is not received during the time period. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the method comprises displaying

(25) information related to the simulation of the standby state on a display. Applications and use

Applications and use of the above-described embodiments are various and include all apparatuses, such as TV sets, DVD players, personal computers, DVD recorders, VCR, Hard disk players, receivers, etc., that have a standby state for giving the user an opportunity to rapidly undo an initiated standby command.

If, during use of a TV for browsing teletext and a standby button is accidentally pressed, normally the user looses his/her session data, such as buffered pages. By utilizing the device according to some embodiments the initiated standby process may be cancelled during the time period of the delay unit and thus the user may resume teletext without clearing already buffered teletext pages.

If, during use of a media player for watching a movie or listening and accidentally press a standby button, the user would probably like to be able to quickly resume playing the movie instead of having to wait for the media player to enter its standby state and then for it to return to its on state.

Laptops typically enter a standby state after a certain period of physical inactivity. People holding lectures or presentations using their laptop might find it very annoying that the laptop suddenly starts entering its standby state. Hence, it would be advantageous to be able to stay in the on state by for example pushing a button on the keyboard. The device and method according to some embodiments makes it possible to almost instantly make the computer stay in its on state.

During installation of a typical TV, DVD-player or hard disk based the user generally have to go through a lot of menus and make various settings, such as language settings and channel numbering preferences. If the user is in the middle of the installation procedure and accidentally press the standby button he/she risk loosing settings. By staying in the on state, the user is able to resume the installation procedure without loosing the already made settings.

The input unit, delay unit, or control unit may be any unit normally used for performing the involved tasks, e.g. a hardware, such as a processor with a memory. The processor may be any of variety of processors, such as Intel or AMD processors, CPUs, microprocessors, Programmable Intelligent Computer (PIC) microcontrollers, Digital Signal Processors (DSP), etc. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to these specific processors. The memory may be any memory capable of storing information, such as Random Access Memories (RAM) such as, Double Density RAM (DDR, DDR2), Single Density RAM (SDRAM), Static RAM (SRAM), Dynamic RAM (DRAM), Video RAM (VRAM), etc. The memory may also be a FLASH memory such as a USB, Compact Flash, SmartMedia, MMC memory, MemoryStick, SD Card, MiniSD, MicroSD, xD Card, TransFlash, and MicroDrive memory etc. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to these specific memories.

According to some embodiments the input unit, delay unit, or control unit is integrated in one processing unit. For example, the processing unit (11, 12, 13) may be configured to detect a first input parameter during the on state of the apparatus; simulate the standby state during a time period after detection of the first input parameter; monitor the input unit during the time period for detection of an indication signal; terminate the simulation of the standby state if the indication signal is received during the time period, and switch the apparatus to the standby state if the indication signal is not received during the time period.

The invention may be implemented in any suitable form including hardware, software, firmware or any combination of these. However, preferably, the invention is implemented as computer software running on one or more data processors and/or digital signal processors. The elements and components of an embodiment of the invention may be physically, functionally and logically implemented in any suitable way. Indeed, the functionality may be implemented in a single unit, in a plurality of units or as part of other functional units. As such, the invention may be implemented in a single unit, or may be physically and functionally distributed between different units and processors.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein. Rather, the invention is limited only by the accompanying claims and, other embodiments than the specific above are equally possible within the scope of these appended claims.

In the claims, the term "comprises/comprising" does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps. Furthermore, although individually listed, a plurality of means, elements or method steps may be implemented by e.g. a single unit or processor.

Additionally, although individual features may be included in different claims, these may possibly advantageously be combined, and the inclusion in different claims does not imply that a combination of features is not feasible and/or advantageous. In addition, singular references do not exclude a plurality. The terms "a", "an", "first", "second" etc do not preclude a plurality. Reference signs in the claims are provided merely as a clarifying example and shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims in any way.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A device (10) for controlling operation of an apparatus in an on state or a standby state, comprising: an input unit (11) configured to detect a first input parameter during said on state of said apparatus; - a delay unit (12) configured to simulate said standby state during a time period after detection of said first input parameter; and a control unit (13) configured to : monitor (131) said input unit during said time period for detection of an indication signal; terminate (13a) the simulation of said standby state if said indication signal is received during said time period, and switch (13b) said apparatus to said standby state if said indication signal is not received during said time period.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said indication signal pertains to user input in the form of a second input parameter during the time period.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said indication signal pertains to no user input during the time period.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said delay unit is configured to switch off a display or a speaker connected to said apparatus during said simulated standby state.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said delay unit is configured to send a delay control signal to a display or a speaker during said simulated standby state.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein said delay control signal comprises a count down timer, progress bar, information of current and upcoming tasks to be executed by the device, or current status of said apparatus.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus is a TV, computer, hand held device, hard disk device, VCR, receiver or CD/DVD-device.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first input parameter is based on user input or a combination of user inputs.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first input parameter received by the input unit is sent from a timer circuit.

10. The device according to claim 1, connected to a user interface configured to disable or enable functions of said device based on user input detected by the input unit (11).

11. A method (20) for controlling operation of an apparatus in an on state or a standby state, said method comprising: receiving (21) a first input parameter in said on state; - initiating (22) simulation of said standby state of said apparatus during a time period based on said first input parameter; monitoring (23) user input during said time period for receiving an indication signal, and terminating (24a) the simulation of said standby state if said indication signal is received during said time period, and switching (24b) said device to said standby state if said indication signal is not received during said time period.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising displaying (25) information related to the simulated standby process during the time period on a display.