Display device and operating method thereof

Abstract

A display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a display for displaying a first image that is image-processed through a main path; and a controller that receives a signal of a second image corresponding to the next image through the sub-path so as to perform image processing on the second image if the next image exists or is predicted, and that displays the image-processed second image at an end time of the first image.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display device and an operating method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Digital TV services using wired or wireless communication networks are becoming common. Digital TV services can provide various services that existing analog broadcasting services cannot provide.

[0003] For example, in the case of IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) and Smart TV services, which are types of digital TV services, interactivity is provided so that users can actively select the type of program to watch, viewing time, etc. IPTV and Smart TV services can provide various additional services such as Internet search, home shopping, online games, and over-the-top (OTT) television based on such interactivity.

[0004] In addition, the video displayed on the digital TV can be received through various inputs. For example, the video received through various inputs such as HDMI, live TV, and CP applications can be switched. As the input becomes more diverse, the frequency of video switching also increases.

[0005] In the past, when switching videos, sound and picture were turned off, and then the video signal to be switched was received and processed. In this case, that is, after the current video was finished, the next video was prepared to be shown to start, which caused inconvenience to the user who had to wait when switching videos. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical issues

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a display device and an operating method thereof, which minimize a user's waiting time when switching between videos.

[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a display device and an operating method thereof, which smoothly switches between videos when displaying a next video after a current video ends.

[0009] Technical Solution

[0010] A display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a display configured to display a first video that has undergone image processing through a main path; and a controller configured to: if a next video exists or is predicted, receive a second video signal corresponding to the next video through a sub-path, perform image processing on the received second video signal, and control the display to display the image-processed second video at an end time point of the first video.

[0011] When the first video is provided from a content provider server, the controller may learn whether the next video exists based on next video information received from the content provider server.

[0012] The controller may receive the second video signal through the sub-path based on the next video information.

[0013] If the first video is a video received through an input other than the main usage input when one of the inputs is set as a main usage input, the controller may predict a video of the main usage input as the next video.

[0014] If the video of the main usage input is predicted as the next video, the controller may perform image processing by receiving the second video signal from the main usage input through the sub path.

[0015] If the next video exists or is predicted while the second video image-processed through the sub-path is displayed, the controller may perform image processing by receiving a third image signal corresponding to the next video through the main path.

[0016] The controller may control the display to display the image-processed third video at an end time point of the second video.

[0017] The controller may control the display to display the second video by changing the Z order at the end time point of the first video.

[0018] The controller may control the display to display a menu to set whether to seamlessly switch videos.

[0019] If seamless switching of the video is set through the menu, the controller may perform image processing by receiving the second video signal through the sub-path while displaying the first video.

[0020] If seamless switching of the video is not set through the menu, the controller may perform image processing by receiving the second video signal through the main path after playback of the first video ends.

[0021] The controller may output a message for learning whether the second video signal is received in advance before receiving the second video signal via the sub-path.

[0022] The controller may output the message before a predetermined time from the end time point of the first video.

[0023] The controller may output the message when seamless switching of the video is not set, and not output the message when seamless switching of the video is set, and perform image processing by receiving the second video signal through the sub-path.

[0024] If the next video exists or is predicted, the controller may perform image processing by receiving the second video signal corresponding to the next video in advance while displaying the first video.

[0025] Beneficial effects

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, by receiving and processing a signal of a next video in advance while a current video is displayed, there is an advantage of minimizing a user's waiting time until the next video is displayed.

[0027] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, by predicting and preparing in advance the next video that may be switched while displaying the current video, there is an advantage of improving the video switching speed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a remote control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 3 An example of an actual configuration of the remote control device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0031] Figure 4 An example of using a remote control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0032] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a process in which a conventional display device automatically switches from a current video to a next video.

[0033] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operating method of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 7 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a process in which a display device automatically switches from a current video to a next video according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 8 is a diagram for explaining a method of switching videos when an advertisement is inserted in the middle of content on a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 92 is a diagram for explaining a method of switching videos when a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure plays content of a next episode.

[0037] Figure 10 is an example of a method for providing a menu for setting whether to perform seamless switching in a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 11 is an example of a method for outputting a message for knowing whether to receive a next video signal in advance in a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The suffixes "module" and "unit or portion" of components used in the following description are provided only for convenience in preparing this specification and thus are not given specific meanings or functions.

[0040] The display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is, for example, an intelligent display device in which a computer support function is added to a broadcast reception function, and can have an easy-to-use interface such as a handwriting input device, a touch screen, a space remote controller, etc., because an Internet function is added while implementing the broadcast reception function. In addition, it is connected to the Internet and a computer supporting wired or wireless Internet functions, so that functions such as email, web browsing, payment, or gaming can also be performed. A standardized general-purpose OS can be used for these various functions.

[0041] Therefore, the display device described in the present disclosure can perform various user-friendly functions because various applications can be freely added or deleted on a general-purpose OS kernel, for example. More specifically, the display device can be, for example, a network TV, HBBTV, smart TV, LED TV, OLED TV, etc., and in some cases can be applied to smartphones.

[0042] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] refer to Figure 1 , the display device 100 may include a broadcast receiver 130 , an external device interface 135 , a memory 140 , a user input interface 150 , a controller 170 , a wireless communication interface 173 , a display 180 , a speaker 185 , and a power supply circuit 190 .

[0044] The broadcast receiver 130 may include a tuner 131 , a demodulator 132 , and a network interface 133 .

[0045] The tuner 131 may select a specific broadcast channel according to a channel selection command. The tuner 131 may receive a broadcast signal for the selected specific broadcast channel.

[0046] The demodulator 132 may separate a received broadcast signal into an image signal, an audio signal, and a data signal related to a broadcast program, and restore the separated image signal, audio signal, and data signal into a format that can be output.

[0047] The external device interface 135 may receive an application or an application list in an external device adjacent thereto and transmit it to the controller 170 or the memory 140 .

[0048] The external device interface 135 may provide a connection path between the display device 100 and an external device. The external device interface 135 may receive one or more of an image and an audio output from an external device connected to the display device 100 in a wired or wireless manner and transmit it to the controller 170. The external device interface 135 may include a plurality of external input terminals. The plurality of external input terminals may include RGB terminals, one or more high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) terminals, and component terminals.

[0049] An image signal of an external device input through the external device interface 135 may be output through the display 180 . An audio signal of an external device input through the external device interface 135 may be output through the speaker 185 .

[0050] The external device connectable to the external device interface 135 may be any of a set-top box, a Blu-ray player, a DVD player, a game console, a sound bar, a smart phone, a PC, a USB memory, and a home theater, but this is only an example.

[0051] The network interface 133 may provide an interface for connecting the display device 100 to a wired / wireless network including an Internet network. The network interface 133 may transmit or receive data to or from other users or other electronic devices via the connected network or another network linked to the connected network.

[0052] Furthermore, a portion of content data stored in the display apparatus 100 may be transmitted to a selected user or a selected electronic apparatus among other users or other electronic apparatuses registered in advance in the display apparatus 100 .

[0053] The network interface 133 can access a predetermined web page through a connected network or another network linked to the connected network. That is, it can access a predetermined web page through a network and send data to or receive data from a corresponding server.

[0054] In addition, network interface 133 can receive content or data provided by content provider or network operator.That is, network interface 133 can receive content, such as movie, advertisement, game, VOD and broadcast signal and the information related thereto that provides from content provider or network operator through network.

[0055] In addition, the network interface 133 may receive update information and update files of firmware provided by a network operator, and may transmit the data to the Internet or a content provider or a network operator.

[0056] The network interface 133 may select and receive a desired application from among applications open to the public through a network.

[0057] The memory 140 may store programs for signal processing and control of the controller 170 and may store image, audio, or data signals that have been subjected to signal processing.

[0058] In addition, the memory 140 may perform a function for temporarily storing an image, audio, or data signal input from the external device interface 135 or the network interface 133 and store information on a predetermined image through a channel storage function.

[0059] The memory 140 may store applications or an application list input from the external device interface 135 or the network interface 133 .

[0060] The display apparatus 100 may play content files (moving image files, still image files, music files, document files, application files, etc.) stored in the storage 140 and provide them to the user.

[0061] The user input interface 150 may transmit a signal input by the user to the controller 170 or transmit a signal from the controller 170 to the user. For example, the user input interface 150 may receive and process a control signal (such as power on / off, channel selection, screen setting, etc.) from the remote control device 200 according to various communication methods (such as a Bluetooth communication method, a WB (Ultra Wideband) communication method, a ZigBee communication method, an RF (Radio Frequency) communication method, or an infrared (IR) communication method), or may perform processing to transmit a control signal from the controller 170 to the remote control device 200.

[0062] In addition, the user input interface 150 may transmit a control signal input from a local key (not shown) such as a power key, a channel key, a volume key, and a setting value to the controller 170 .

[0063] The image signal processed by the controller 170 may be input to the display 180 and displayed as an image corresponding to the corresponding image signal. In addition, the image signal processed by the controller 170 may be input to an external output device through the external device interface 135.

[0064] The audio signal processed by the controller 170 may be output to the speaker 185. Also, the audio signal processed by the controller 170 may be input to an external output device through the external device interface 135.

[0065] In addition, the controller 170 may control the overall operation of the display apparatus 100 .

[0066] Furthermore, the controller 170 may control the display apparatus 100 by a user command input through the user input interface 150 or an internal program, and connect to a network to download an application, an application list, or a user desired application to the display apparatus 100 .

[0067] The controller 170 may allow channel information or the like selected by the user to be output through the display 180 or the speaker 185 together with the processed image or audio signal.

[0068] In addition, the controller 170 can output an image signal or an audio signal through the display 180 or the speaker 185 according to a command for playing an image of the external device through the user input interface 150, and the image signal or audio signal is input from the external device (e.g., a camera or camcorder) through the external device interface 135.

[0069] At the same time, the controller 170 may allow the display 180 to display an image, for example, allowing a broadcast image input through the tuner 131 or an external input image input through the external device interface 135, an image input through a network interface, or an image stored in the memory 140 to be displayed on the display 180. In this case, the image displayed on the display 180 may be a still image or a moving image, and may be a 2D image or a 3D image.

[0070] In addition, the controller 170 can allow content stored in the display device 100, received broadcast content, or external input content input from the outside to be played, and the content can have various forms such as broadcast images, external input images, audio files, still images, visited website screens, and document files.

[0071] The wireless communication interface 173 can communicate with an external device through wired or wireless communication. The wireless communication interface 173 can perform short-range communication with an external device. To this end, the wireless communication interface 173 can use Bluetooth TMThe wireless communication interface 173 may support short-range communication using at least one of the following technologies: RFID, infrared data association (IrDA), ultra-wideband (UWB), ZigBee, near field communication (NFC), Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity), Wi-Fi direct, and wireless USB (wireless universal serial bus). The wireless communication interface 173 may support wireless communication between the display device 100 and a wireless communication system, between the display device 100 and another display device 100, or between the display device 100 and a network in which the display device 100 (or an external server) is located via a wireless area network. The wireless area network may be a wireless personal area network.

[0072] Here, the other display device 100 may be a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch, smart glasses, or a head-mounted display (HMD)), a mobile terminal such as a smart phone, which can exchange data (or communicate) with the display device 100 according to the present disclosure. The wireless communication interface 173 can detect (or identify) the wearable device that can communicate around the display device 100.

[0073] In addition, when the detected wearable device is an authenticated device communicating with the display device 100 according to the present disclosure, the controller 170 may transmit at least a portion of the data processed by the display device 100 to the wearable device through the wireless communication interface 173. Therefore, the user of the wearable device can use the data processed by the display device 100 through the wearable device.

[0074] The display 180 may convert an image signal, a data signal, and an OSD signal processed by the controller 170 or an image signal or a data signal received from the external device interface 135 into R, G, and B signals and generate a driving signal.

[0075] At the same time, due to Figure 1 The illustrated display device 100 is merely an embodiment of the present disclosure, and thus some of the illustrated components may be integrated, added, or omitted according to the specifications of the display device 100 actually implemented.

[0076] That is, two or more components can be combined into one component, or one component can be divided into two or more components as needed. In addition, the functions performed in each block are used to describe the embodiments of the present disclosure, and its specific operations or devices do not limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0077] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 1 Unlike the illustrated display apparatus 100 , the display apparatus 100 may receive an image through the network interface 133 or the external device interface 135 and play the image without the tuner 131 and the demodulator 132 .

[0078] For example, the display device 100 may be divided into an image processing device such as a set-top box for receiving broadcast signals or contents according to various network services and a content playback device that plays contents input from the image processing device.

[0079] In this case, an operating method of the display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below, which can be referred to not only by Figure 1 The display device 100 described above is implemented, but may also be implemented by one of an image processing device such as a separate set-top box and a content playback device including a display 180 and a speaker 185 .

[0080] Next, we will refer to Figures 2 to 3 A remote control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described.

[0081] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a remote control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 3 An actual configuration example of the remote control device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0082] First, refer to Figure 2 , the remote control device 200 may include a fingerprint reader 210 , a wireless communication circuit 220 , a user input interface 230 , a sensor 240 , an output interface 250 , a power circuit 260 , a memory 270 , a controller 280 , and a microphone 290 .

[0083] refer to Figure 2 , the wireless communication circuit 220 can send and receive signals to and from any of the above-mentioned display devices according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0084] The remote control device 200 may include an RF circuit 221 capable of transmitting and receiving signals to and from the display device 100 according to the RF communication standard, and an IR circuit 223 capable of transmitting and receiving signals to and from the display device 100 according to the IR communication standard. In addition, the remote control device 200 may include a Bluetooth circuit 225 capable of transmitting and receiving signals to and from the display device 100 according to the Bluetooth communication standard. In addition, the remote control device 200 may include an NFC (Near Field Communication) circuit 227 capable of transmitting and receiving signals to and from the display device 100 according to the NFC communication standard, and a Wireless LAN (WLAN) circuit 229 capable of transmitting and receiving signals to and from the display device 100 according to the WLAN communication standard.

[0085] In addition, the remote control device 200 may transmit a signal including information about the movement of the remote control device 200 to the display device 100 through the wireless communication circuit 220 .

[0086] In addition, the remote control device 200 can receive a signal transmitted by the display device 100 through the RF circuit 221 and transmit commands regarding power on / off, channel change, volume adjustment, etc. to the display device 100 through the IR circuit 223 as needed.

[0087] The user input interface 230 may include a keypad, buttons, a touch panel, a touch screen, etc. The user may input commands related to the display device 100 to the remote control device 200 by operating the user input interface 230. When the user input interface 230 includes hard key buttons, the user may input commands related to the display device 100 to the remote control device 200 by pressing the hard key buttons. Figure 3 Describe the details.

[0088] refer to Figure 3 The remote control device 200 may include a plurality of buttons. The plurality of buttons may include a fingerprint recognition button 212, a power button 231, a home button 232, a live button 233, an external input button 234, a volume control button 235, a voice recognition button 236, a channel change button 237, a confirmation button 238, and a playback button 239.

[0089] The fingerprint recognition button 212 may be a button for recognizing a user's fingerprint. In one embodiment, the fingerprint recognition button 212 may enable a push operation and may therefore receive a push operation and a fingerprint recognition operation.

[0090] The power button 231 may be a button for turning on / off the power of the display apparatus 100 .

[0091] The home button 232 may be a button for moving to a home screen of the display device 100 .

[0092] The live button 233 may be a button for displaying a real-time broadcast program.

[0093] The external input button 234 may be a button for receiving an external input connected to the display apparatus 100 .

[0094] The volume control button 235 may be a button for adjusting a volume level output by the display apparatus 100 .

[0095] The voice recognition button 236 may be a button for receiving a user's voice and recognizing the received voice.

[0096] The channel change button 237 may be a button for receiving a broadcast signal of a specific broadcast channel.

[0097] The confirm button 238 may be a button for selecting a specific function, and the playback button 239 may be a button for returning to a previous screen.

[0098] Will refer to it again Figure 2 Give a description.

[0099] When the user input interface 230 includes a touch screen, the user can input commands related to the display device 100 to the remote control device 200 by touching the soft keys of the touch screen. In addition, the user input interface 230 may include various types of input mechanisms that can be operated by the user, such as a scroll key or a jog key, and this embodiment does not limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0100] The sensor 240 may include a gyro sensor 241 or an acceleration sensor 243 , and the gyro sensor 241 may sense information about movement of the remote control device 200 .

[0101] For example, the gyro sensor 241 may sense information about the operation of the remote control device 200 based on the x, y, and z axes, and the acceleration sensor 243 may sense information about the moving speed of the remote control device 200. Meanwhile, the remote control device 200 may further include a distance measurement sensor to sense the distance between the display device 100 and the display 180.

[0102] The output interface 250 may output an image or audio signal corresponding to an operation of the user input interface 230 or a signal transmitted from the display apparatus 100 .

[0103] The user may recognize whether the user input interface 230 is operated or whether the display apparatus 100 is controlled through the output interface 250 .

[0104] For example, the output interface 250 may include an LED 251 that emits light, a vibrator 253 that generates vibrations, a speaker 255 that outputs sounds, or a display 257 that outputs an image when the user input interface 230 operates or sends and receives signals to and from the display device 100 through the wireless communication interface 173.

[0105] Furthermore, the power circuit 260 may supply power to the remote control device 200 and stop supplying power when the remote control device 200 has not moved for a predetermined time to reduce power consumption.

[0106] When a predetermined key provided in the remote control device 200 is operated, the power circuit 260 may restart the power supply.

[0107] The memory 270 may store various types of programs and application data required for the control or operation of the remote control device 200 .

[0108] When the remote control device 200 wirelessly transmits and receives signals through the display device 100 and the RF circuit 221 , the remote control device 200 and the display device 100 transmit and receive signals through a predetermined frequency band.

[0109] The controller 280 of the remote control apparatus 200 may store and refer to information about a frequency band capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving signals to and from the display apparatus 100 paired with the remote control apparatus 200 in the memory 270 .

[0110] The controller 280 may control all matters related to the control of the remote control device 200. The controller 280 may transmit a signal corresponding to a predetermined key operation of the user input interface 150 or a signal corresponding to movement of the remote control device 200 sensed by the sensor 240 through the wireless communication interface 173.

[0111] In addition, the microphone 290 of the remote control device 200 can pick up voice.

[0112] A plurality of microphones 290 may be provided.

[0113] Next, we will refer to Figure 4 Give a description.

[0114] Figure 4 An example of using a remote control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0115] exist Figure 4 , (a) shows that a pointer 205 corresponding to the remote control device 200 is displayed on the display 180 .

[0116] The user can move or rotate the remote control device 200 up, down, left, and right. The pointer 205 displayed on the display 180 of the display device 100 may correspond to the movement of the remote control device 200. As shown in the figure, the pointer 205 moves and is displayed according to the movement of the remote control device 200 in the 3D space, so the remote control device 200 may be called a spatial remote control device.

[0117] exist Figure 4 In (b), it is shown that when the user moves the remote control device 200 to the left, the pointer 205 displayed on the display 180 of the display device 100 moves to the left accordingly.

[0118] Information about the movement of the remote control device 200 detected by the sensor of the remote control device 200 is transmitted to the display device 100. The display device 100 may calculate the coordinates of the pointer 205 based on the information about the movement of the remote control device 200. The display device 100 may display the pointer 205 to correspond to the calculated coordinates.

[0119] exist Figure 4(c) of FIG. 1 shows that the user moves the remote control device 200 away from the display 180 while pressing a specific button in the remote control device 200. Therefore, a selected area corresponding to the pointer 205 in the display 180 may be enlarged and displayed enlarged.

[0120] In contrast, when the user moves the remote control device 200 closer to the display 180 , a selected area corresponding to the pointer 205 in the display 180 may be zoomed out and displayed reduced.

[0121] On the other hand, when the remote control device 200 moves away from the display 180 , the selected area may be reduced, and when the remote control device 200 moves close to the display 180 , the selected area may be enlarged.

[0122] Furthermore, when a specific button in the remote control device 200 is pressed, recognition of upward, downward, leftward, or rightward movement may be excluded. That is, when the remote control device 200 moves away from or toward the display 180, upward, downward, leftward, or rightward movement is not recognized, and only forward and backward movement may be recognized. When a specific button in the remote control device 200 is not pressed, the pointer 205 moves only according to upward, downward, leftward, or rightward movement of the remote control device 200.

[0123] Meanwhile, the moving speed or moving direction of the pointer 205 may correspond to the moving speed or moving direction of the remote control device 200 .

[0124] Meanwhile, in this specification, a pointer refers to an object displayed on the display 180 in response to an operation of the remote control device 200. Therefore, objects of various shapes other than the arrow shape shown in the figure can be used as the pointer 205. For example, the object can be a concept including a point, a cursor, a prompt, a thick outline, etc. In addition, the pointer 205 can be displayed corresponding to any one of the points on the horizontal axis and the vertical axis on the display 180, and can also be displayed corresponding to multiple points such as a line and a surface.

[0125] If the display device 100 plays the currently playing video to the end, it can stop playing the current video and automatically play the next video. Alternatively, if an advertisement video is inserted in the middle of the currently playing video, the display device 100 can stop playing the current video while the advertisement is playing, play the advertisement video, and then resume playing the currently stopped video when the advertisement video ends. In other words, there are many situations in which the display device 100 automatically switches to another video while playing the current video.

[0126] In the past, in order for the display device 100 to automatically switch videos, it went through several processes, such as muting the currently playing video.

[0127] Figure 5FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a process in which a conventional display device automatically switches from a current video to a next video.

[0128] The conventional display device can play videos, and the currently playing video is Figure 5 Here, the main video may refer to a video that has been signal-processed through the main path.

[0129] The main paths are described below.

[0130] The display device 100 may be equipped with multiple image processing modules. For example, the display device 100 may include two image processing modules (not shown). In this disclosure, it is assumed that the display device 100 includes a first image processing module (not shown) and a second image processing module (not shown), but this is for ease of explanation only and is not limited to this. The first image processing module and the second image processing module (not shown) may be components included in the controller 170. The first image processing module and the second image processing module (not shown) may each be a module that processes input image signals so that they can be output from the display 180. One of the first image processing module and the second image processing module (not shown) may be a main image processing module, and the other may be a sub-image processing module. If the specifications of one of the first image processing module and the second image processing module (not shown) are better than the other, the image processing module with the better specifications may be the main image processing module, and the other may be the sub-image processing module. Alternatively, when a video signal is input while both the first image processing module and the second image processing module (not shown) are in standby mode, the image processing module configured to process the input video signal may be the main image processing module, and the other may be the sub-image processing module.

[0131] In this specification, the path through which the main image processing module processes the input video signal is referred to as the main path, and the main video refers to the video processed by the main image processing module. The path through which the sub-image processing module processes the input video signal is referred to as the sub-path, and the sub-video refers to the video processed by the sub-image processing module.

[0132] When the current video ends and switches to the next video, the conventional display device 100 can mute the current video. Mute can be an operation that turns off at least one of the sound or the picture. In other words, the display device 100 can turn off both the sound and the picture while preparing the next video to display the next video on the display 180. When muted, the display 180 can display a black screen.

[0133] The display device 100 may disconnect from the current primary path video input after muting. The display device 100 may organize the resources of the primary image processing module based on the next video information. The display device 100 may connect the input corresponding to the next video signal to the primary path. The display device 100 may perform signal processing on the next video signal through the primary image processing module and unmute to display the next video as the primary video.

[0134] This process takes several milliseconds to several seconds, resulting in a waiting time for the user to watch a black screen. In other words, there is a disadvantage in that the waiting time occurs and the video switching is not smooth.

[0135] The present disclosure is directed to providing a display device that minimizes a user's waiting time when switching videos.

[0136] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operating method of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0137] The controller 170 may display the first video processed through the main path S10 .

[0138] The controller 170 may display the first video processed by the main image processing module through the display 180 .

[0139] The controller 170 may determine whether the next video exists or is predicted S20.

[0140] That is, the controller 170 may learn or predict whether the next video exists.

[0141] If the next video does not exist or is not predicted, the controller 170 may continue to display the first video.

[0142] If the next video exists or is predicted, the controller 170 may receive a signal of a second video corresponding to the next video through a sub-path and perform image processing on the signal of the second video S30.

[0143] That is, the controller 170 may display a first video and simultaneously receive a signal of a second video corresponding to a next video through a sub-path and process the received signal of the second video.

[0144] The controller 170 may determine whether it is the end time point of the first video S40.

[0145] While receiving the second video signal and performing image processing, the controller 170 may know whether the playback of the first video is at an end time point.

[0146] If it is not the end time point of the first video, the controller 170 may continuously display the first video, and may simultaneously receive the second video signal and perform image processing through the sub-path.

[0147] If it is the end time point of the first video, the controller 170 may display the processed second video S50.

[0148] The controller 170 may change the Z order at the end time point of the first video to display the second video on the display 180 .

[0149] The Z order indicates the order of objects along the Z axis. That is, the Z order may represent the order in which multiple windows running on the display device 100 are listed along the Z axis (i.e., from the front to the back of the display 180). The Z order may include information about the front-to-back order of windows. The frontmost window may be displayed on the screen of the display 180.

[0150] The controller 170 can change the Z order so that the second video is at the front at the end time of the first video. That is, when automatically switching from the current video to the next video, the controller 170 attempts to achieve smooth video switching by changing the Z order.

[0151] Figure 7 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a process in which a display device automatically switches from a current video to a next video according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0152] exist Figure 7 , the window shown at the top is the window located in the foremost position, that is, the video displayed on the display 180. Figure 7 , the windows shown at the bottom represent windows subsequent to the frontmost window.

[0153] refer to Figure 7 , the controller 170 may display the main video on the display 180. The controller 170 may display the main video while receiving the video signal corresponding to the next video through the sub-path and performing video processing. The controller 170 may prepare to display the sub-video on the display 180 while displaying the main video.

[0154] The controller 170 can change the Z order of the main video and the sub-video at the end time of the first video. That is, when the end time of the first video is reached, the controller 170 can change the Z order of the main video and the sub-video so that the sub-video is in the front. Therefore, the display 180 can display the second video immediately after the first video ends without additional waiting time.

[0155] The controller 170 may continuously display the second video received and processed through the sub-path on the display 180. At this time, the main path may not be in operation (idle).

[0156] In addition, the controller 170 can acquire and predict the existence of the next video while displaying the second video on the display 180. If the next video exists or is predicted while displaying the second video processed by the sub-path, the controller 170 can receive the third video signal corresponding to the next video through the main path and perform image processing. In this case, Figure 7 The rightmost main path can be changed from the IDLE state to the state of receiving the third video signal and performing image processing. The controller 170 can learn the end time point of the second video and change the Z order at the end time point of the second video to display the third video on the display 180.

[0157] In summary, the controller 170 displays a signal-processed image through one of the main path and the sub path, and at this time, acquires next video information, and performs signal processing through the other path if the next video information exists.

[0158] Meanwhile, a method in which the controller 170 acquires and predicts the existence of the next video may vary.

[0159] The method of obtaining and predicting the existence of the next video may vary depending on the currently playing video.

[0160] According to one embodiment, if the first video is a video provided by a content provider server, the controller 170 may acquire the existence of the next video based on next video information received from the CP server (content provider server).

[0161] The next video information may represent information on a video to be played after a currently played video.

[0162] For example, if the current video is content, the next video may be an advertisement inserted in the middle of the content currently being played. Meanwhile, if the current video is an advertisement, the next video may be content that continues the content played before the advertisement video.

[0163] As another example, if the current video is content, the next video may be content corresponding to the next episode of the content corresponding to the current video.

[0164] Next, refer to Figure 8 The example of the method for switching videos when inserting advertisements in the middle of the content is specifically explained, and reference is made to Figure 9 , specifically explains the method for switching videos when playing the next episode.

[0165] Figure 8 is a diagram for explaining a method of switching videos when an advertisement is inserted in the middle of content on a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0166] exist Figure 8 In the example of , CP server is a content provider server and represents an external server. CP APP is an application running on the display device 100 and can be controlled by the controller 170. Video SW can connect and manage video input to each of the main path and the sub-path. Display represents the display 180.

[0167] 1) The controller 170 registers event listeners including ad position / ad start / ad end.

[0168] 2-1) The CP server can notify the controller 170 of the display device 100 that an inserted video, such as an advertisement, is about to be played. Specifically, the CP server can send an advertisement ready event to the controller 170 a predetermined time (e.g., 5 seconds) before the advertisement is played. At this time, the CP server can send the video ID of the advertisement video to the controller 170.

[0169] 2-2) When the controller 170 receives an advertisement in place event, it may call the next video (video Id) API of the CP server to receive advertisement video resources.

[0170] 3) The controller 170 may request the video resource received from the CP server to be connected to the video SW. At this time, the controller 170 may notify whether to perform seamless switching using the API of the SW module, etc.

[0171] 4) The video SW can check the seamless switching information sent, connect the new video to the path of the currently undisplayed video, and perform rendering.

[0172] 5) When the next video is ready to be played, the video SW can call the render-in-place API to notify the APP that the next video playback is ready.

[0173] The APP can change the Z order of the display devices at the advertisement playback timing to perform a seamless switch to the next video.

[0174] 6-1) The CP server may generate an advertisement start event to notify the controller 170 of advertisement video playback. 6-2) The controller 170 may change the Z order of the display apparatus 100 .

[0175] When the playback of the advertisement video is completed (playback end time point), the controller 170 may change the Z order again to switch the input to the content that was previously being viewed.

[0176] 7-1) The CP server may generate an advertisement end event to notify the controller 170 of the end of the advertisement video. 7-2) The controller 170 may change the Z order of the display apparatus 100 .

[0177] Figure 9 2 is a diagram for explaining a method of switching videos when a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure plays content of a next episode.

[0178] Figure 9 Each box shown in Figure 8 Same as described in .

[0179] 1) The controller 170 may register an event listener including next video in place / video end, and transmit a signal notifying the registration of the event listener to the CP server.

[0180] The CP server can notify the controller 170 that the next video is about to be played. Specifically, 2-1) the CP server can send a next video in place event to the controller 170 a predetermined time (e.g., 5 seconds) before the end of the current video. At this time, the CP server can send the video ID of the next video to the controller 170.

[0181] 2-2) When the controller 170 receives the next video in place event, it may call the next video (video Id) API of the CP server to receive the next video resource.

[0182] 3) The controller 170 may request the video SW to connect the video resource received from the CP server. At this time, the controller 170 may use the API of the SW module to notify whether to perform seamless switching.

[0183] 4) The video SW can check the seamless switching information sent, connect the new video to the path of the currently undisplayed video, and perform rendering.

[0184] 5) When the video SW is in place to play the next video, it can call the render-in-place API to notify the APP that the next video is in place to play.

[0185] 6) The controller 170 can change the Z order at the end time of the current episode video to perform a seamless switch to the next episode video. Specifically, 6-1) The CP server can generate a video end event to notify the controller 170 of the end of the current video. 6-2) The controller 170 can change the Z order of the display device 100 to play the next episode video and display it on the display 180.

[0186] In the above example, the controller 170 can determine whether the next video exists by receiving the next video information from the content provider server. In the above example, the next video information can include an advertisement in place event, a next video in place event, a video Id, and the like.

[0187] If the first video is a video provided from a content provider server, the controller 170 may receive a second video signal through a sub-path based on the next video information.

[0188] Meanwhile, according to another embodiment, the controller 170 may predict whether a next video exists and the next video based on an input of a currently displayed video.

[0189] Specifically, the controller 170 may set the input most used by the user as the main use input. The controller 170 may count the time connected to each of the plurality of inputs and set the input that has been connected the longest as the main use input.

[0190] If the first video is received via an input other than the main input when one of the inputs is set as the main input, the controller 170 may predict the video of the main input as the next video. In other words, if a video of an input other than the main input is being received, there is a high probability that it will be switched to the main input, and therefore the video of the main input may be predicted as the next video. If the controller 170 predicts the video of the main input as the next video, it may receive a second video signal from the main input via a subpath and perform image processing.

[0191] As a specific example, when HDMI 1 is set as the main input and the current video is input from HDMI 2 and processed through the main path, the controller 170 can receive and process the video from HDMI 1 through the sub path. When the controller 170 receives an input switching command from HDMI 2 to HDMI 1, it can seamlessly switch the video by changing the Z order.

[0192] As explained by the above example, the present disclosure can perform image processing by receiving a video signal corresponding to the next video in advance when the next video exists or is predicted while the current video is being displayed. In other words, the controller 170 can perform image processing by receiving a second video signal corresponding to the next video in advance while the first video is being displayed. In the present disclosure, seamless switching can refer to the operation of receiving and processing the signal of the next video in advance.

[0193] In this way, if the signal of the next video is received and processed in advance, there is an advantage in being able to provide the next video by minimizing the waiting time of the user.

[0194] Meanwhile, since a next video signal is processed together with a current video signal during seamless switching, a video processing load may increase.

[0195] Therefore, according to one embodiment, the display apparatus 100 may provide a menu for selecting whether to perform seamless switching.

[0196] Figure 10 is an example of a method for providing a menu for setting whether to perform seamless switching in a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0197] The controller 170 may display a video seamless switching setting menu 310. The video seamless switching setting menu 310 may include a first item 311 for setting as seamless switching and a second item 312 for setting as normal switching.

[0198] When the first item 311 is selected, the controller 170 can perform seamless switching during video playback. That is, when seamless switching is set to be performed, the controller 170 can obtain and predict whether there is a next video during video playback, and receive and process the signal of the next video in advance.

[0199] When the second item 312 is selected, the controller 170 may not perform seamless switching during video playback. That is, if seamless switching is set to not be performed, when the playback of the current video ends, the controller 170 may prepare the next video after muting.

[0200] In short, if seamless switching of the video is set through the menu 310, the controller 170 can perform video processing by receiving the second video signal through the sub-path while displaying the first video through the main path. If seamless switching of the video is not set through the menu 310, the controller 170 can perform video processing by receiving the second video signal through the main path after the playback of the first video displayed through the main path ends.

[0201] According to another embodiment, the display apparatus 100 may output a message for informing whether the second video signal is received in advance before receiving the second video signal through the sub-path while displaying the first video through the main path.

[0202] Figure 11 is an example of a method for outputting a message for knowing whether to receive the next video signal in advance before the display device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure receives the next video signal.

[0203] As in Figure 11In the example of , the controller 170 may display a message 320 for informing whether to receive the next video signal in advance. The message 320 may include a message such as "The current video is about to end. Shall we start preparing the next video for seamless switching?", but this is only an example, so it is reasonable that it is not limited thereto.

[0204] The controller 170 may output the message 320 at a predetermined time before the end time point of the first video displayed through the main path. For example, the controller 170 may output the message 320 when it receives an advertisement in place event or a next video in place event from the CP server.

[0205] Alternatively, the controller 170 may be configured based on whether Figure 10 3. In other words, if seamless switching of the video is not set, the controller 170 may output the message 320. If seamless switching of the video is not set, the controller 170 may output the message 320 at a time point when the next video exists or is predicted.

[0206] If seamless switching of the video is set, the controller 170 may not output the message 320 and may perform image processing by receiving the second video signal through the sub path while outputting the first video through the main path.

[0207] If video switching from content -> ad -> content is performed without loading or muting, it can be confirmed that seamless switching according to the present disclosure has been applied. In particular, when video switching is performed at a resolution set to the highest quality of 4K or higher, it can be confirmed that seamless switching according to the present disclosure has been applied by checking whether loading or muting occurs.

[0208] Furthermore, when switching inputs between HDMI, live TV, or CP applications using a high-performance camera or the like, the screen can be captured frame by frame to check whether silence occurs, and it can be confirmed that seamless switching according to the present disclosure has been applied.

[0209] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the above method can be implemented as processor-readable code on a medium having a program recorded thereon. Examples of processor-readable media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage device, etc.

[0210] The above-described display device is not limited to the configurations and methods of the above-described embodiments, and the embodiments may be configured by selectively combining all or part of each embodiment, so that various modifications are possible.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: a display configured to display the first video image-processed via the primary path; as well as A controller configured to: If the next video exists or is predicted, receiving a second video signal corresponding to the next video through the subpath, and performing image processing on the received second video signal, and At the end time point of the first video, the display is controlled to display the second video that has been image-processed.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The controller is configured to: When the first video is provided from a content provider server, whether the next video exists is known based on next video information received from the content provider server.

3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein: The controller is configured to: The second video signal is received through the sub-path based on the next video information.

4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The controller is configured to: If one of the inputs is set as a main usage input, and the first video is a video received through an input other than the main usage input, a video of the main usage input is predicted as the next video.

5. The display device according to claim 4, wherein The controller is configured to: If the video of the main usage input is predicted as the next video, image processing is performed by receiving the second video signal from the main usage input through the sub-path. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein: The controller is configured to: If the next video exists or is predicted while the second video image-processed by the sub-path is displayed, image processing is performed by receiving a third image signal corresponding to the next video through the main path.

7. The display device according to claim 6, wherein: The controller is configured to: At the end time point of the second video, the display is controlled to display the image-processed third video.

8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The controller is configured to: The display is controlled to display the second video by changing the Z order at the end time point of the first video.

9. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The controller is configured to: The display is controlled to display a menu to set whether to switch the video seamlessly.

10. The display device according to claim 9, wherein The controller is configured to: If seamless switching of the video is set through the menu, image processing is performed by receiving the second video signal through the sub-path while the first video is displayed.

11. The display device according to claim 9, wherein The controller is configured to: If seamless switching of the video is not set through the menu, image processing is performed by receiving the second video signal via the main path after playback of the first video ends.

12. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The controller is configured to: Before receiving the second video signal via the sub-path, a message for notifying whether the second video signal is received in advance is output.

13. The display device according to claim 12, wherein: The controller is configured to: The message is output before a predetermined time from the end time point of the first video.

14. The display device according to claim 12, wherein: The controller is configured to: When seamless switching of the video is not set, outputting the message, and When seamless switching of the video is set, the message is not output, and image processing is performed by receiving the second video signal via the sub-path.

15. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The controller is configured to: If the next video exists or is predicted, image processing is performed by receiving the second video signal corresponding to the next video in advance while displaying the first video.

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