User interface device and method of implementing the user interface device

• US 20080052626A1
• Filed: 04/11/2007
• Published: 02/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Han, Kuk-hyun
• Application Number:
  US11/783,635
• Publication Number:
  US 20080052626A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/721
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus

Abstract

A user interface device and method of implementing the user interface device capable of controlling a display device are provided. The user interface device provides a single integrated user interface capable of displaying information regarding image data such as broadcast program information and has a function of controlling the display device for a user, thereby providing the user interface device and method of implementing the user interface device which can be intuitively and easily used by the user.

Claims

1. A user interface device for controlling a display device, the user interface device comprising:

a communication unit which receives information regarding image data displayed on the display device;

a graphic user interface (GUI) generator which generates a GUI comprising the received information regarding image data and control keys which control the display device;

a display unit which displays the generated GUI;

an input unit which selects a specific area of the displayed GUI; and

a control unit which generates a control signal which controls the display device according a selected area of the GUI.

2. The user interface device of claim 1, wherein the communication unit transmits the generated control signal to the display device.

3. The user interface device of claim 1,

wherein the display device comprises a digital broadcast reception device, and

wherein the communication unit receives digital broadcast program information regarding each channel that is currently broadcast, from the digital broadcast reception device.

4. The user interface device of claim 3, wherein the GUI generator uses the received digital broadcast program information regarding each channel to generate the GUI, and

wherein the GUI includes channel names and program names.

5. The user interface device of claim 3, wherein the GUI generator divides an area of the GUI into a plurality of divided areas and generates the GUI to display the received digital broadcast program information regarding each channel and a control key in the divided areas.

6. The user interface device of claim 5, wherein the input unit comprises a touch sensor which senses whether at least one of the divided areas is touched.

7. The user interface device of claim 5, wherein the display unit further comprises:

a screen which displays the generated GUI;

a switching panel comprising switches which correspond to divided areas of the GUI displayed on the screen, wherein the switches are turned on and off by an auxiliary input device; and

a metal plate.

8. The user interface device of claim 7, wherein the auxiliary input device comprises a magnetic material and is attachable to the screen by magnetic interaction with the metal plate.

9. The user interface device of claim 7, wherein, if the auxiliary input device is disposed on one of the divided areas of the GUI, then a switch corresponding to the divided area is turned on.

10. The user interface device of claim 7, wherein the auxiliary input device comprises at least two auxiliary input devices which can be identified by a user so as to individually control at least two screens that are displayed on the display device.

11. The user interface device of claim 1, further comprising a memory unit which stores icon information corresponding to types of received information regarding image data and which provides the icon information to the GUI generator.

12. A method of implementing a user interface for controlling a display device, the method comprising:

receiving information regarding image data displayed on the display device;

generating a graphic user interface (GUI) comprising the received information regarding image data and control keys which control the display device;

displaying the generated GUI;

determining whether a specific area of the displayed GUI is selected; and

generating a control signal for controlling the display device according to a selected area if the specific area of the GUI is selected.

13. The method of claim 12,

wherein the display device comprises a digital broadcast reception device, and

wherein the information regarding image data includes digital broadcast program information regarding each channel that is currently broadcast.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, in the generating of the GUI, a channel name and a program name included in the received digital! broadcast program information regarding each channel are displayed.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the received digital broadcast program information regarding each channel is displayed on divided areas of the GUI displayed on the display unit.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the determining whether a specific area of the displayed GUI is selected further comprises determining whether a specific area of the displayed GUI is touched.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the specific area of the displayed GUI is selected using an auxiliary input device having magnetic characteristics.