SMART TV SYSTEM AND INPUT OPERATION METHOD

• US 20130291015A1
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Published: 10/31/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wistron Corporation
• Original Assignee: Wistron Corporation
• Inventors: Pan, Shao-Wei
• Granted Patent: US 9,729,811 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/37
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42214 using alphanumerical characters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4222 Remote control device emulator integrated into a non-television apparatus, e.g. a PDA, media center or smart toy remote control device for a television receiver integrated into a mobile phone H04M1/72415

Abstract

A smart TV is provided. The smart TV has a network interface, configured to connect the smart TV with a mobile device via a network; and a processing unit, configured to execute a first remote virtual keyboard application for activating a remote virtual keyboard mode of the smart TV; wherein the processing unit further generates an input interface comprising a first virtual keyboard when the smart TV generates an input column in response to an input demand; wherein when the remote virtual keyboard mode of the smart TV is activated and there is the input demand, the processing unit hides the first virtual keyboard without being displayed, and uses the mobile device to replace the hidden first virtual keyboard for accepting input from a user.

Claims

1. A smart TV, comprising:

a network interface, configured to connect the smart TV with a mobile device via a network; and

a processing unit, configured to generate an first input interface comprising a first virtual keyboard when the smart TV generates an input column in response to an input demand;

wherein the processing unit is further configured to execute a first remote virtual keyboard application for activating the smart TV into a remote virtual keyboard mode ;

wherein when the remote virtual keyboard mode of the smart TV is activated in response to the input demand, the first virtual keyboard is hidden and replaced with a second input interface of the mobile device to accept a input from a user.

2. The smart TV as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second input interface of the mobile device comprises a keyboard to replace the first virtual keyboard of the smart TV.

3. The smart TV as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second input interface of the mobile device comprises a second virtual keyboard to replace the first virtual keyboard of the smart TV.

4. The smart TV as claimed in claim 1, wherein a second remote virtual keyboard application corresponding to the first remote virtual keyboard application of the smart TV is installed on the mobile device, thereby supporting the remote virtual keyboard mode of the smart TV, wherein when the smart TV and the mobile device connect to each other in the network, the smart TV and the mobile device activate the remote virtual keyboard mode.

5. The smart TV as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the smart TV generates the input column, the smart TV transmits a request signal to the mobile device, wherein when a character is inputted on the smart TV by the mobile device, the mobile device transmits a character signal comprising the inputted character to the smart TV, thereby displaying the inputted character in the input column.

6. The smart TV as claimed in claim 5, wherein the mobile device immediately transmits the character signal of each inputted character to the processing unit, respectively.

7. The smart TV as claimed in claim 1, wherein when a string is inputted on the smart TV by the mobile device, the mobile device transmits a string signal comprising the inputted string to the smart TV, thereby displaying the inputted string in the input column.

8. The smart TV as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the mobile device does not exist in the network for being connected to the smart TV or does not support the remote virtual keyboard mode of the smart TV and there is the input demand, the processing unit directly displays the first virtual keyboard for accepting input from the user.

9. The smart TV as claimed in claim 3, wherein a language setting of the second virtual keyboard of the mobile device is different from a language setting of the first virtual keyboard of the smart TV.

10. The smart TV as claimed in claim 1, wherein the smart TV further comprises a remote controller configured to control and operate the input interface.

11. The smart TV as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a set-top box comprising the processing unit and the network interface; and

a TV configured to display the input column and the first input interface, wherein the TV connects to the set-top box via a display interface.

12. The smart TV as claimed in claim 3, wherein when the mobile device replaces the hidden first virtual keyboard, the processing unit further determines whether there is any other input demand on the smart TV,

wherein when there is any other input demand, the processing unit keeps utilizing the mobile device to replace the hidden first virtual keyboard;

and

wherein when there is no other input demand, the processing unit notifies the mobile device to hide the second virtual keyboard.

13. An input operation method applied in a smart TV, the method comprising:

utilizing the smart TV to execute a first remote virtual keyboard application to generate an first input interface comprising a first virtual keyboard when the smart TV generates an input column in response to an input demand;

connecting the smart TV to a mobile device via a network;

determining whether a second remote virtual keyboard application corresponding to the first remote virtual keyboard application is installed on the mobile device;

activating a remote virtual keyboard mode of the smart TV and the mobile device when the mobile device executes the second remote virtual keyboard application; and

when the remote virtual keyboard mode of the smart TV and the mobile device is activated in response to the input demand, hiding the first virtual keyboard and replacing the first virtual keyboard with a second input interface of the mobile device for accepting input from a user.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein when there is the input demand on the smart TV, the first virtual keyboard of the smart TV is replaced by a keyboard of the mobile device.

15. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein when there is the input demand on the smart TV, the first virtual keyboard of the smart TV is replaced by a second virtual keyboard of the mobile device.

16. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the second remote virtual keyboard application corresponding to the first remote virtual keyboard application is installed on the mobile device to support the remote virtual keyboard mode of the smart TV, and the method further comprises:

when the smart TV and the mobile device connect to each other in the network, activating the remote virtual keyboard mode of the smart TV and the mobile device.

17. The method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising:

when the smart TV generates the input column, utilizing the smart TV to transmit a request signal to the mobile device; and

when a character is inputted on the smart TV by the mobile device, utilizing the mobile device to transmit a character signal comprising the inputted character to the smart TV, thereby displaying the inputted character in the input column.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the step of transmitting the character signal to the smart TV further comprises:

utilizing the mobile device to immediately transmit the character signal of each inputted character to the smart TV, respectively.

19. The method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising:

when a string is inputted on the smart TV by the mobile device, utilizing the mobile device to transmit a string signal comprising the inputted string to the smart TV, thereby displaying the inputted string in the input column.

20. The method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising:

when the mobile device does not exist in the network for being connected to the smart TV or does not support the remote virtual keyboard mode of the smart TV and there is the input demand, directly displaying the first virtual keyboard for accepting input from the user.

21. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the step of connecting the smart TV to the mobile device via the network further comprises:

determining whether the mobile device exists in the network; and

when the mobile device exists in the network, connecting the smart TV to the mobile device via the network.

22. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein a language setting of the second virtual keyboard of the mobile device is different from a language setting of the first virtual keyboard of the smart TV.

23. The method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising:

utilizing a remote controller to control and operate the input interface of the smart TV.

24. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the smart TV further comprises:

a set-top box comprising;

a processing unit configured to execute the first remote virtual keyboard application; and

a network interface configured to connect the smart TV to the mobile device via the network; and

a TV, configured to display the input column and the first input interface, wherein the TV connects to the set-top box via a display interface.

25. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising:

when the mobile device is utilized to replace the hidden first virtual keyboard, determining whether there is any other input demand on the smart TV,

when there is any other input demand, utilizing the mobile device to replace the hidden first virtual keyboard; and

when there is no other input demand, notifying the mobile device to hide the second virtual keyboard.

26. A smart TV system:

comprising;

a smart TV, configured to generate an first input interface comprising a first virtual keyboard when the smart TV generates an input column in response to an input demand, and to execute a first remote virtual keyboard application to activate a remote virtual keyboard mode of the smart TV; and

a mobile device, connected to the smart TV via a network, wherein the mobile device is configured to execute a second remote virtual keyboard application corresponding to the first remote virtual keyboard application to support the remote virtual keyboard mode of the smart TV,

wherein when the remote virtual keyboard mode of the smart TV and the mobile device is activated in response to the input demand, the first virtual keyboard of the smart TV is hidden and replaced with a second input interface of the mobile device for accepting input from a user.

27. The smart TV system as claimed in claim 26, wherein when the smart TV generates the input column, the smart TV transmits a request signal to the mobile device, wherein when a character is inputted on the smart TV by the mobile device, the mobile device transmits a character signal comprising the inputted character to the smart TV, thereby displaying the inputted character in the input column.

28. The smart TV system as claimed in claim 26, wherein when a string is inputted on the smart TV by the mobile device, the mobile device transmits a string signal comprising the inputted string to the smart TV, thereby displaying the inputted string in the input column.

29. The smart TV system as claimed in claim 26, wherein when the mobile device does not exist in the network for being connected to the smart TV or does not support the remote virtual keyboard mode of the smart TV and there is the input demand, the processing unit directly displays the first virtual keyboard for accepting input from the user.

30. The smart TV system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the smart TV further comprises:

a set-top box comprising;

a processing unit configured to execute the first remote virtual keyboard application; and

a network interface configured to connect the smart TV to the mobile device via the network; and

a TV, configured to display the input column and the input interface, wherein the TV connects to the set-top box via a display interface.

31. An input operation method applied in a smart TV system comprising a smart TV and a mobile device, the method comprising:

utilizing the smart TV to execute a first remote virtual keyboard application to generate an first input interface comprising a first virtual keyboard when the smart TV generates an input column in response to an input demand;

connecting the smart TV to a mobile device via a network;

determining whether a second remote virtual keyboard application corresponding to the first remote virtual keyboard application is installed on the mobile device;

activating a remote virtual keyboard mode of the smart TV and the mobile device when the mobile device executes the second remote virtual keyboard application; and

when the remote virtual keyboard mode of the smart TV and the mobile device is activated in response to the input demand, hiding the first virtual keyboard and replacing the first virtual keyboard with a second input interface of the mobile device for accepting input from a user.

32. The method as claimed in claim 31, further comprising:

when the smart TV generates the input column, utilizing the smart TV to transmit a request signal to the mobile device; and

when a character is inputted on the smart TV by the mobile device, utilizing the mobile device to transmit a character signal comprising the inputted character to the smart TV, thereby displaying the inputted character in the input column.

33. The method as claimed in claim 31, further comprising:

when a string is inputted on the smart TV by the mobile device, utilizing the mobile device to transmit a string signal comprising the inputted string to the smart TV, thereby displaying the inputted string in the input column.

34. The method as claimed in claim 31, further comprising:

when the mobile device does not exist in the network for being connected to the smart TV or does not support the remote virtual keyboard mode of the smart TV and there is the input demand on the smart TV, utilizing the smart TV to directly display the first virtual keyboard for accepting input from the user.

35. The method as claimed in claim 31, wherein the smart TV comprises:

a set-top box, comprising;

a processing unit configured to execute the first remote virtual keyboard application; and

a network interface configured to connect the smart TV to the mobile device via the network; and

a TV, configured to display the input column and the input interface, wherein the TV connects to the set-top box via a display interface.

36. A mobile device, used to match a smart TV comprising a first virtual keyboard and a first remote virtual keyboard application for activating a remote virtual keyboard mode, the mobile device comprising:

a network interface, configured to connect the mobile device to the smart TV via a network;

a second remote virtual keyboard application, corresponding to the first remote virtual keyboard application of the smart TV;

a processing unit, configured to execute the second remote virtual keyboard application to activate a remote virtual keyboard mode of the mobile device corresponding to the remote virtual keyboard mode of the smart TV;

a second input interface;

wherein when the respective remote virtual keyboard mode of the mobile device and the smart TV is activated in response to an input demand on the smart TV, the first virtual keyboard the smart TV is hidden and replaced with the second input interface for accepting input from a user.

37. The mobile device as claimed in claim 36, wherein the second input interface of the mobile device comprises a second virtual keyboard configured to replace the first virtual keyboard of the smart TV.

38. The mobile device as claimed in claim 36, wherein the second input interface of the mobile device comprises a keyboard configured to replace the first virtual keyboard of the smart TV.

39. The mobile device as claimed in claim 36, wherein the smart TV comprises:

a set-top box comprising;

a processing unit configured to execute the first remote virtual keyboard application; and

a network interface configured to connect the smart TV to the mobile device via the network; and

a TV, configured to display the input column and the input interface in response to the input demand, wherein the TV connects to the set-top box via display interface.

40. An input operation method applied in a mobile device, wherein the mobile device matches a smart TV comprising a first virtual keyboard and a first remote virtual keyboard application for activating a remote virtual keyboard mode, the method comprising:

connecting the mobile device to the smart TV via a network;

utilizing the mobile device to execute a second remote virtual keyboard application corresponding to the first remote virtual keyboard application for activating a remote virtual keyboard mode of the mobile device corresponding to the remote virtual keyboard mode of the smart TV;

determining whether the respective remote virtual keyboard mode of the mobile device and the smart TV is activated;

determining whether there is an input demand on the smart TV; and

when there is the input demand on the smart TV, the first virtual keyboard of the smart TV is hidden and replaced with a second input interface of the mobile device for accepting input from a user.

41. The method as claimed in claim 40, wherein the second input interface of the mobile device comprises a keyboard configured to replace the first virtual keyboard of the smart TV.

42. The method as claimed in claim 40, wherein the second input interface of the mobile device comprises a second virtual keyboard configured to replace the first virtual keyboard of the smart TV.

43. The method as claimed in claim 40, wherein the smart TV comprises:

a set-top box, comprising;

a processing unit configured to execute the first remote virtual keyboard application; and

a network interface configured to connect the smart TV to the mobile device via the network; and

a TV, configured to display the input column and the input interface, wherein the TV connects to the set-top box via a display interface.