MULTIFUNCTIONAL VIDEO APPARATUS AND METHOD OF PROVIDING USER INTERFACE THEREOF

• US 20070126877A1
• Filed: 11/24/2006
• Published: 06/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: YANG, Hong-seok
• Application Number:
  US11/563,071
• Publication Number:
  US 20070126877A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/207.990
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/00 Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/772 the recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/907 using static stores, e.g. storage tubes or semiconductor memories H04N5/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/7921 for more than one processing mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8042 involving data reduction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8047 using transform coding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8063 using time division multiplex of the PCM audio and PCM video signals

Abstract

A multifunctional video apparatus and a method of providing a user interface (UI) of the multifunctional video apparatus. The multifunctional video apparatus includes a CCD module to capture an image of an object and generating a corresponding video signal, a tuner module to receive a broadcasting signal provided through a selected channel, a decoding module to decode the broadcasting signal received through the tuner module, a display unit to display a video corresponding to a reproduced signal, and a signal processing block to process the video signal generated from the CCD module, to record the processed video signal in a memory, to reproduce an output signal of the decoding module, and to apply the reproduced signal to the display unit. Accordingly, diverse functions, such as DMB reception, photographing and/or reproduction, moving image filming and/or reproduction, music playback, voice recording and/or reproduction, etc., can be provided through one apparatus, and the user'"'"'s manipulation is facilitated in using the multifunctional video apparatus providing many functions.

Claims

1. A multifunctional video apparatus comprising:

a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) module to capture an image of an object and to generate a corresponding video signal;

a tuner module to receive a broadcasting signal provided through a selected channel;

a decoding module to decode the broadcasting signal received through the tuner module;

a display unit to display a video corresponding to a reproduced signal; and

a signal processing block to process the video signal generated from the CCD module, to record the processed video signal in a memory, to reproduce an output signal of the decoding module, and to apply the reproduced signal to the display unit.

2. The multifunctional video apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a conversion unit to output an audio corresponding to an audio signal provided from the signal processing block, and to generate and transfer an audio signal corresponding to an audio inputted from an outside to the signal processing block;

wherein the signal processing block processes the audio signal transferred from the conversion unit and then stores the processed audio signal in the memory.

3. The multifunctional video apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the signal processing block transfers a DAB signal received from the tuner module to the conversion unit.

4. The multifunctional video apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the signal processing block processes the audio signal applied from the conversion unit, and then records the processed audio signal in the memory.

5. The multifunctional video apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the signal processing block reproduces the signal stored in the memory, and transfers the reproduced signal to at least one of the display unit and the conversion unit.

6. A method of providing a user interface (UI) of a multifunctional video apparatus, the method comprising:

displaying a plurality of selectable shortcut icons by using a plurality of shortcut buttons provided on an outer part of the multifunctional video apparatus; and

performing a function of the multifunctional video apparatus that is indicated by the shortcut icon corresponding to the manipulated shortcut button among the plurality of shortcut buttons.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the displaying operation comprises displaying the plurality of shortcut icons indicating different functions through a display, which is provided at the outer side of the multifunctional video apparatus, in accordance with a mode of the multifunctional video apparatus.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the display is provided near to the plurality of shortcut buttons.

9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the mode of the multifunctional video apparatus comprises at least one of:

a setting mode to set an operation environment;

a broadcast mode to receive a broadcast signal;

a mode to record a photograph file generated through photographing;

a mode to reproduce the recorded photograph file;

a mode to record a moving image file generated through moving image filming;

a mode to reproduce the recorded moving image file;

a mode to play a music file;

a mode to record a voice file generated through a voice recording;

a mode to transfer the moving image generated through the moving image filming to an external device connected to the multifunctional video apparatus; and

a mode to output the recorded photograph files to the external device.

10. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the performing of the multifunction video apparatus comprises displaying through a display a broadcast channel indicated by the manipulated shortcut button among the plurality of shortcut buttons, when the shortcut button is manipulated for less than a predetermined time.

11. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the performing of the multifunction video apparatus comprises registering a broadcast channel currently provided through a display as a favorite channel to be indicated by the manipulated shortcut button among the plurality of shortcut buttons, when the shortcut button is manipulated for more than a predetermined time.

12. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the performing of the multifunction video apparatus comprises displaying through a display one of:

a list of all receivable channels of the multifunction video apparatus;

a list of video channels among all receivable channels,; and

a list of audio channels among all receivable channels.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the performing of the multifunction video apparatus further comprises displaying through the display the currently displayed list along with the other lists among the list of all receivable channels, the list of video channels among all receivable channels, and the list of audio channels among all receivable channels, when the manipulated shortcut button is manipulated one more time.

14. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the plurality of shortcut buttons comprise at least one of:

a shortcut button to change operation mode of the multifunction video apparatus between a photographing mode and the reproducing mode;

a shortcut button to set flash operation;

a shortcut button to set photographing distance; and

a shortcut button to set timer operation.

15. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the plurality of shortcut buttons comprise at least one of:

a shortcut button to change operation mode of the multifunction video apparatus between photographing mode and reproducing mode;

a shortcut button to start photograph slide;

a shortcut button to lock a file from deletion; and

a shortcut button to delete a file.

16. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the plurality of shortcut buttons comprise at least one of:

a shortcut button to change operation of the multifunction video apparatus between photographing mode and reproducing mode;

a shortcut button to set exposure;

a shortcut button to set white balance; and

a shortcut button to set digital effect of an image.

17. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the plurality of shortcut buttons comprise at least one of:

a shortcut button to change operation mode of the multifunction video apparatus between photographing mode and reproducing mode;

a shortcut button to reproduce recorded files in order;

a shortcut button to lock a file from deletion; and

a shortcut button to delete a file.

18. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the plurality of shortcut buttons comprise at least one of:

a shortcut button to display a list of recorded files;

a shortcut button to reproduce a predetermined number of files repeatedly;

a shortcut button to lock certain buttons; and

a shortcut button to delete a file.

19. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the plurality of shortcut buttons comprise at least one of:

a shortcut button to change operation mode of the multifunction apparatus between recording mode and reproducing mode;

a shortcut button to display a list of recorded files;

a shortcut button to reproduce a predetermined number of files repeatedly; and

a shortcut button to delete a file.

20. A multifunction video apparatus comprising:

a memory which records a file; and

a controller which controls such that a photograph file is recorded in a photograph folder of the memory, a moving image file is recorded in a moving image folder of the memory, and an audio related file is recorded in an audio folder of the memory, respectively.

21. The multifunction video apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the audio folder comprises at least one of:

a voice folder which records a voice file generated through voice recording; and

a music folder which records a music file.

22. The multifunction video apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein the moving image folder and the audio folder are subfolders of a same folder.

23. A multifunction video apparatus, comprising:

a first memory which records a file; and

a controller which controls such that a file recorded in the first memory is copied to a second memory which is newly mounted, or a file recorded in the second memory is copied to the first memory.

24. The multifunction video apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the first memory is provided inside the multifunction video apparatus, and the second memory is removable with respect to the multifunction video apparatus.

25. A user interface (UI) of a multifunctional video apparatus, the UI comprising:

a plurality of selectable shortcut buttons provided on an outer part of the multifunctional video apparatus; and

a plurality of shortcut icons corresponding to the plurality of shortcut buttons, each shortcut icon to perform an operation of the multifunctional video apparatus when the corresponding shortcut button is manipulated.

26. The UI of claim 25, wherein the plurality of shortcut icons perform operations corresponding to operations of at least one of an audio file player, an audio file recorder, an audio and video signal compressor, an audio and video signal storage device, an audio and video reproducing device, an image capturing device, and a display unit.

27. A method of operating a multifunctional video apparatus, the method comprising:

capturing an image of an object and generating a corresponding video signal;

recording the video signal in a memory;

receiving a broadcasting signal provided through a selected channel;

decoding and outputting the received broadcasting signal;

reproducing the output broadcasting signal of the decoding module; and

displaying an image corresponding to a reproduced broadcasting signal onto a display unit.

28. A multifunctional video apparatus, comprising:

a manipulation unit to receive a manipulation command and to output the received command;

a photographing unit to photograph images;

a DMB receiving unit to receive DMB;

signal processing unit to process and store signals from audio files, moving images, still images, and DMB; and

a control unit to receive an output from the manipulation unit and to control operation of each of the photographing unit, signal processing unit, and the DMB receiving unit according to the received command.

29. The multifunctional video apparatus of claim 28, wherein the photographing unit sends the images to the signal processing unit.

30. The multifunctional video apparatus of claim 29, wherein the photographing unit comprises:

a charge coupled device (CCD) module to capture an image of an object and to generate a corresponding video signal;

a lens to form an optical image of an object on an optical plane of the CCD; and

a motor drive unit to operate the lens by driving a zoom motor, a focus motor, and an iris motor.

31. The multifunctional video apparatus of claim 28, wherein the DMB receiving unit sends the DMB to the signal processing unit.

32. The multifunctional video apparatus of claim 31, wherein the DMB receiving unit comprises:

an antenna to receive the DMB signal;

an active module to perform operations of DMB signal amplification or noise removal;

a tuner module to perform channel tuning and signal decoding; and

a video decoding module to transfer the DMB signal to the signal processing unit.

33. The multifunctional video apparatus of claim 28, wherein the signal processing unit further reproduces the stored signals, and outputs the stored signals to a display unit.