Display device for detecting connection and disconnection of external display device and control method thereof

Abstract

This display device comprises: a memory in which first device information corresponding to the display device and instructions are stored; a sensor; a display; and at least one processor operatively connected to the memory, wherein the at least one processor executes the instructions so as to, when a connection of an external display device is sensed via a communication interface and the sensor, receive second device information corresponding to the external display device from the external display device, generate integrated device information on the basis of the first device information and the second device information, and control the communication interface to transmit the integrated device information to a source device.

Description

Display device for detecting connection and disconnection of external display device and control method thereof

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a display device that detects connection or disconnection of an external display device and a control method thereof.

[0002] Advances in electronic technology have led to the development and proliferation of various types of electronic devices. In particular, mobile devices and display devices such as TVs have seen rapid development in recent years.

[0003] There is a trend towards more immersive displays and multi-displays in the home environment.

[0004] Each of the multiple display devices must be connected to the source device, and when a new display device is added or one of the display devices is disconnected, the resolution, screen size, etc. must be newly recognized, which increases the inconvenience to the user.

[0005] For example, after a user connected a new display device to the source device, the resolution of the entire screen needed to be reset. After disconnecting a single display device, the resolution of the remaining screens needed to be reset.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a display device includes a memory in which first device information and instructions corresponding to the display device are stored, a sensor, a display, a communication interface, and at least one processor operatively connected to the memory, the sensor, and the communication interface, wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the extraction instruction so that, when a connection of an external display device is detected through the sensor, receive second device information corresponding to the external display device from the external display device, generate integrated device information based on the first device information and the second device information, and control the communication interface to transmit the integrated device information to a source device, wherein the integrated device information includes resolution information displayable through the display device and the external display device.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for controlling a display device including first device information corresponding to the display device comprises the steps of: when connection of an external display device is detected, receiving second device information corresponding to the external display device from the external display device; generating integrated device information based on the first device information and the second device information; and transmitting the integrated device information to a source device, wherein the integrated device information includes resolution information displayable through the display device and the external display device.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-readable recording medium including a program for executing a control method of a display device including first device information corresponding to the display device, wherein the control method of the display device includes the steps of: when connection of an external display device is detected, receiving second device information corresponding to the external display device from the external display device; generating integrated device information based on the first device information and the second device information; and transmitting the integrated device information to a source device, wherein the integrated device information includes resolution information displayable through the display device and the external display device.

[0009] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of specific embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a display device that detects connection of an external display device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a display device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a display device that detects connection of a plurality of external display devices according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a plurality of display devices being electrically and physically connected by a bridge device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state before a plurality of display devices are connected by a bridge device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a folding operation of a plurality of display devices connected by a bridge device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 7 is an enlarged view showing part A shown in Figure 4.

[0017] FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating a display device that detects connection of an external display device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a plurality of external display devices that display screens corresponding to video signals according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating a plurality of external display devices according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating a display device that detects separation of an external display device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a display device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0023] The terms used in the embodiments of this disclosure have been selected from widely used, current terms, taking into account the functions of this disclosure. However, these terms may vary depending on the intentions of those skilled in the art, precedents, the emergence of new technologies, etc. Furthermore, in certain cases, terms may be arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in such cases, their meanings will be described in detail in the description of the relevant disclosure. Therefore, the terms used in this disclosure should not be defined simply as names of terms, but rather based on the meanings of the terms and the overall content of this disclosure.

[0024] In this specification, expressions such as “has,” “can have,” “includes,” or “may include” indicate the presence of a feature (e.g., a number, function, operation, or component such as a part), and do not exclude the presence of additional features.

[0025] The expression "at least one of A and / or B" should be understood to mean either "A" or "B" or "A and B".

[0026] As used herein, the expressions “first,” “second,” “first,” or “second,” etc., may describe various components, regardless of order and / or importance, and are only used to distinguish one component from another, but do not limit the components.

[0027] When it is said that a component (e.g., a first component) is “(operatively or communicatively) coupled with / to” or “connected to” another component (e.g., a second component), it should be understood that the component may be directly coupled to the other component, or may be connected through another component (e.g., a third component).

[0028] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "comprise" or "comprises" are intended to indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but should be understood not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0029] In the present disclosure, a "module" or "part" performs at least one function or operation and may be implemented in hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software. Furthermore, multiple "modules" or multiple "parts" may be integrated into at least one module and implemented as at least one processor, excluding any "modules" or "parts" that need to be implemented as specific hardware.

[0030] In this specification, the term user may refer to a person using an electronic device or a device using an electronic device (e.g., an artificial intelligence electronic device).

[0031] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a display device that detects connection of an external display device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0033] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the display device (100) may be implemented as a TV, but is not limited thereto, and may be applied to any device having a display function, such as a video wall, a large format display (LFD), a digital signage, a digital information display (DID), a projector display, etc.

[0034] In addition, the display device (100) can be implemented as various types of displays such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS), a digital light processing (DLP), a quantum dot (QD) display panel, a quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLED), a micro light-emitting diodes (μLED), a mini LED, etc. The display device (100) can also be implemented as a touch screen combined with a touch sensor, a flexible display, a rollable display, a 3D display, a display in which a plurality of display modules are physically connected, etc.

[0035] If a single display device only has the screen size it can output, it feels somewhat immersive and insufficient for displaying diverse content simultaneously. Therefore, more and more users are connecting multiple display devices to increase the screen size available.

[0036] As one or more examples, when the display device (100) and the external display device (200) are arranged left and right, the screen size that can be provided through the display device (100) and the external display device (200) increases, and the user's sense of immersion can be increased.

[0037] In addition, the maximum resolution that can be provided through the display device (100) and the external display device (200) can increase by the sum of the resolution of the display device (100) and the resolution of the external display device (200). For example, if the display device (100) has a resolution of 2560 x 1440 (QHD) with a 16:9 ratio, the external display device (200) has a resolution of 2560 x 1440 with a 16:9 ratio, and the display device (100) and the external display device (200) are arranged left and right, the maximum resolution that can be provided through the display device (100) and the external display device (200) can be a resolution of 5120 x 1440 (DQHD) with a 32:9 ratio. The specific numbers are merely examples for the convenience of explanation and are not limited thereto.

[0038] According to the prior art, each of a display device (100) and an external display device (200) is connected to a source device (10), and the source device (10) receives resolution information of the display device (100) and resolution information of the external display device (200), respectively, and then transmits a video signal corresponding to the resolution information that can be provided through the display device (100) and the external display device (200) to each of the display device (100) and the external display device (200).

[0039] For example, the source device (10) receives first resolution information (e.g., 2560 x 1440 resolution) of the display device (100) from the display device (100), and second resolution information (e.g., 2560 x 1440 resolution) of the external display device (200) from the external display device (200), and then transmits a video signal corresponding to third resolution information (e.g., 5120 x 1440 resolution) based on the first resolution information and the second resolution information to the display device (100) and the external display device (200).

[0040] However, according to the conventional technology, there was an inconvenience in that each of the display device (100) and the external display device (200) had to be connected to the source device (10), and the source device (10) had to receive the EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) of the display device (100) and the EDID of the external display device (200) in order to identify the screen size and maximum resolution that could be output through the display device (100) and the external display device (200).

[0041] According to one or more examples of the present disclosure, even if each of the display device (100) and the external display device (200) is not connected to the source device (10), the display device (100) can generate device information including an outputtable screen size and maximum resolution, etc., according to the connection of the display device (100) and the external display device (200), and transmit the device information to the source device (10).

[0042] Additionally, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure, the display device (100) may update (or re-acquire) device information including outputtable screen size and maximum resolution, etc., upon separation of the external display device (200), and transmit the updated device information to the source device (10).

[0043] For convenience of explanation, FIG. 1 illustrates the source device (10) as a PC, but this is only one example and is not limited thereto. The source device (10) may be implemented as various types of electronic devices. For example, the source device (10) may be implemented as various types of electronic devices that provide video signals, such as a streaming content output device, a set-top box, a cloud server, an over-the-top media service (OTT) server, a PC, a video game console, a Blu-ray player, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) player, etc.

[0044] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a display device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0045] According to FIG. 2, the display device (100) includes a memory (110), a sensor (120), a display (130), a communication interface (140), and at least one processor (150).

[0046] The memory (110) according to one or more examples of the present disclosure may be implemented as an internal memory such as a ROM (e.g., an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM)), a RAM, etc. included in at least one processor (150), or may be implemented as a separate memory from at least one processor (150). In this case, the memory (110) may be implemented as a memory embedded in the display device (100) or as a memory detachable from the display device (100) depending on the purpose of data storage. For example, data for driving the display device (100) may be stored in a memory embedded in the display device (100), and data for an extended function of the display device (100) may be stored in a memory detachable from the display device (100).

[0047] In the case of memory embedded in the display device (100), it may be implemented as at least one of volatile memory (e.g., dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), or synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM)), non-volatile memory (e.g., one time programmable ROM (OTPROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), mask ROM, flash ROM, flash memory (e.g., NAND flash or NOR flash), etc.), hard drive, or solid state drive (SSD), and in the case of memory that can be detachably attached to the display device (100), it may be implemented in the form of a memory card (e.g., compact flash (CF), secure digital (SD), micro secure digital (Micro-SD), mini secure digital (Mini-SD), extreme digital (xD), multi-media card (MMC), etc.), external memory that can be connected to a USB port (e.g., USB memory), etc.

[0048] In particular, the memory (110) according to one or more examples may store first device information corresponding to the display device (100). Here, the first device information corresponding to the display device (100) may include EDID information.

[0049] EDID information according to one or more examples may include information about the manufacturer ID, device ID, EDID version, phosphor or filter type, timing, screen size (horizontal size and vertical size), resolution, supported functions, color characteristics (color space), brightness, etc. of the display device (100).

[0050] A sensor (120) according to one or more examples of the present disclosure can detect whether an external display device (200) is connected to the display device (100) or whether the connected external display device (200) is disconnected.

[0051] For example, the sensor (120) can be implemented in various forms such as a magnetic sensor, an IR proximity sensor, a touch sensor, a switch, etc.

[0052] As one or more examples, the magnetic sensor may detect whether an external display device (200) is connected based on a change in a magnetic field. For example, the sensor (120) may detect a change in the magnetic field when the external display device (200) is connected to the display device (100) (or when a portion of the external display device (200) comes into contact with it).

[0053] As one or more examples, the IR proximity sensor can detect whether an external display device (200) is connected based on the time it takes for the infrared ray to be reflected back to the external display device (200) after transmitting the infrared ray.

[0054] As one or more examples, the touch sensor can detect whether the external display device (200) is connected by detecting a physical touch or contact according to the connection of the external display device (200).

[0055] However, the implementation examples of the above-described sensor (120) are merely examples for the convenience of explanation and are not limited thereto. For example, the sensor (120) is implemented as various types of connection ports, and when the external display device (200) is connected by wire or wirelessly through the connection port, the sensor (120) can receive a signal (e.g., a Hot Plug Detect (HPD) signal) from the external display device (200). According to one or more examples, the sensor (120) can detect whether the external display device (200) is connected based on the signal received from the external display device (200). As another example, the sensor (120) is implemented as a switch within a detachable stand of the external display device (200), and can also detect whether the external display device (200) is connected based on the on / off state of the switch.

[0056] The display (130) according to one or more examples may be implemented as a display including a self-luminous element or a display including a non-luminous element and a backlight. For example, it may be implemented as various types of displays such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diodes) display, an LED (Light Emitting Diodes), a micro LED, a Mini LED, a PDP (Plasma Display Panel), a QD (Quantum dot) display, a QLED (Quantum dot light-emitting diodes), etc. The display (130) may also include a driving circuit, a backlight unit, etc., which may be implemented in a form such as an A-Si (amorphous silicon) TFT, an LTPS (low temperature poly silicon) TFT, an OTFT (organic TFT), etc. The display (130) may be implemented as a touch screen combined with a touch sensor, a flexible display, a rollable display, a 3D display, a display in which a plurality of display modules are physically connected, etc.

[0057] A communication interface (140) including a circuit according to one or more examples receives various data. For example, the communication interface (140) may receive various data (e.g., video signals) from at least one source device (10), an external storage medium (e.g., USB memory), an external server (e.g., web hard), etc. through a communication method such as AP-based Wi-Fi (Wireless Local Area Network), Bluetooth, Zigbee, wired / wireless Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), Ethernet, IEEE 1394, High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), Universal Serial Bus (USB), Thunderbolt™, Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL), Audio Engineering Society / European Broadcasting Union (AES / EBU), Optical, Coaxial, etc.

[0058] In particular, a display device (100) according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may communicate with a source device (10) to transmit first device information corresponding to the display device (100), second device information corresponding to an external display device (200) connected to the display device (100), and the like.

[0059] At least one processor (150) according to one or more embodiments controls the overall operation of the display device (100).

[0060] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor (150) may be implemented as a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor, or a timing controller (TCON) for processing a digital signal. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may include one or more of a central processing unit (CPU), a micro controller unit (MCU), a micro processing unit (MPU), a controller, an application processor (AP), a communication processor (CP), an ARM processor, or an artificial intelligence (AI) processor, or may be defined by the corresponding terms. In addition, the processor (150) may be implemented as a system on chip (SoC) having a built-in processing algorithm, a large scale integration (LSI), or may be implemented in the form of a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The processor (150) may perform various functions by executing computer executable instructions stored in a memory.

[0061] At least one processor (150) may include one or more of a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), an Accelerated Processing Unit (APU), a Many Integrated Core (MIC), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), a hardware accelerator, or a machine learning accelerator. The at least one processor (150) may control one or any combination of other components of the electronic device, and may perform operations related to communication or data processing. The at least one processor (150) may execute one or more programs or instructions stored in a memory. For example, the at least one processor (150) may perform a method according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure by executing one or more instructions stored in a memory.

[0062] When a method according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure includes multiple operations, the multiple operations may be performed by one processor or by multiple processors. For example, when a first operation, a second operation, and a third operation are performed by a method according to one or more embodiments, the first operation, the second operation, and the third operation may all be performed by the first processor, or the first operation and the second operation may be performed by the first processor (e.g., a general-purpose processor) and the third operation may be performed by the second processor (e.g., an artificial intelligence-specific processor).

[0063] At least one processor (150) may be implemented as a single core processor including one core, or may be implemented as one or more multicore processors including multiple cores (e.g., homogeneous multicores or heterogeneous multicores). When at least one processor (150) is implemented as a multicore processor, each of the multiple cores included in the multicore processor may include an internal processor memory, such as a cache memory or an on-chip memory, and a common cache shared by the multiple cores may be included in the multicore processor. In addition, each of the multiple cores (or some of the multiple cores) included in the multicore processor may independently read and execute a program instruction for implementing a method according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, or all (or some) of the multiple cores may be linked to read and execute a program instruction for implementing a method according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0064] When a method according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure includes a plurality of operations, the plurality of operations may be performed by one core among the plurality of cores included in a multi-core processor, or may be performed by the plurality of cores. For example, when a first operation, a second operation, and a third operation are performed by a method according to one or more embodiments, the first operation, the second operation, and the third operation may all be performed by a first core included in the multi-core processor, or the first operation and the second operation may be performed by a first core included in the multi-core processor, and the third operation may be performed by a second core included in the multi-core processor.

[0065] In embodiments of the present disclosure, a processor may mean a system on a chip (SoC) having at least one processor and other electronic components integrated therein, a single-core processor, a multi-core processor, or a core included in a single-core processor or a multi-core processor, wherein the core may be implemented as a CPU, a GPU, an APU, a MIC, a DSP, an NPU, a hardware accelerator, or a machine learning accelerator, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0066] As illustrated in FIG. 1, at least one processor (150) according to one or more examples may receive second device information corresponding to the external display device (200) when the connection of the external display device (200) is detected through the sensor (120).

[0067] As one or more examples, the second device information corresponding to the external display device (200) may mean EDID information including information about the manufacturer ID, device ID, EDID version, phosphor or filter type, timing, screen size (horizontal size and vertical size), resolution, supported functions, color characteristics (color space), brightness, etc. of the external display device (200).

[0068] At least one processor (150) according to one or more examples of the present disclosure may, when second device information corresponding to an external display device (200) is received, generate integrated device information based on first device information corresponding to the display device (100) and second device information corresponding to the external display device (200).

[0069] As one or more examples, at least one processor (150) may merge (or add) resolution information of an external display device (200) included in the second device information to resolution information of a display device (100) included in the first device information, thereby generating integrated device information including resolution information that can be provided through the display device (100) and the external display device (200).

[0070] At least one processor (150) according to one or more embodiments may, when an external display device (200) connected to the left (or right) of the display device (100) is detected through a sensor (120), identify the arrangement form (e.g., horizontal form) of the display device (100) and the external display device (200) based on the connection position information of the external display device (200).

[0071] As another example, at least one processor (150) can identify the arrangement (e.g., vertical) of the display device (100) and the external display device (200) based on the connection position information of the external display device (200) when an external display device (200) connected to the upper (or lower) side of the display device (100) is detected through the sensor (120).

[0072] At least one processor (150) according to one or more examples can identify the maximum resolution according to the arrangement type based on the resolution of the display device (100) and the resolution of the external display device (200).

[0073] For a detailed explanation of this, please refer to Fig. 3.

[0074] FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a display device that detects connection of a plurality of external display devices according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0075] Referring to FIG. 3, a first external display device (200) can be connected to the left side of the front of the display device (100), and a second external display device (300) can be connected to the right side.

[0076] <Connection detected>

[0077] Referring to FIG. 1, when a first external display device (200) is connected to the left side of a display device (100), the display device (100) can receive second device information from the first external display device (200).

[0078] As illustrated in FIG. 1, at least one processor (150) can identify the arrangement of the display device (100) and the first external display device (200) when the connection of the first external display device (200) is detected on the left side of the display device (100) through the sensor (120).

[0079] For example, the sensor (120) includes a plurality of sensors, and when the connection of the first external display device (200) is detected through the first sensor among the plurality of sensors, at least one processor (150) can identify the arrangement in which the first external display device (200) is connected to the left side of the display device (100).

[0080] Next, at least one processor (150) can generate integrated device information including maximum resolution information (e.g., 5120 x 1440 resolution) that can be provided according to the arrangement form based on the first device information and the second device information.

[0081] Next, at least one processor (150) can transmit integrated device information to the source device (10) and receive a video signal from the source device (10).

[0082] At least one processor (150) according to one or more examples distributes the received image signal to the first external display device (200), and the display device (100) and the first external display device (200) can display a screen corresponding to the image signal. For example, when the image signal is received, the at least one processor (150) can transmit a signal to the first external display device (200) for controlling the first external display device (200) to display a part of the screen corresponding to the image signal based on the arrangement form.

[0083] <Additional connection detected>

[0084] As one or more examples, a second external display device (300) may be additionally connected to the right side of the front of the display device (100). At least one processor (150) may receive third device information from the second external display device (300).

[0085] As illustrated in FIG. 3, at least one processor (150) can identify the arrangement of the display device (100), the first external display device (200), and the second external display device (300) when the connection of the second external display device (300) is detected on the right side of the display device (100) through the sensor (120).

[0086] For example, if the sensor (120) includes a plurality of sensors, and the connection of the second external display device (300) is additionally detected through a second sensor among the plurality of sensors, at least one processor (150) can identify an arrangement in which the first external display device (200) is connected to the left side of the display device (100) and the second external display device (300) is connected to the right side.

[0087] Next, at least one processor (150) can update integrated device information including maximum resolution information (e.g., 7,680 x 1440 resolution) that can be provided according to the arrangement form based on the first device information, the second device information, and the third device information.

[0088] Next, at least one processor (150) can transmit updated integrated device information to the source device (10) and receive a video signal from the source device (10).

[0089] At least one processor (150) according to one or more examples distributes the received image signal to the first external display device (200) and the second external display device (300), and the display device (100), the first external display device (200) and the second external display device (300) can display a screen corresponding to the image signal.

[0090] For example, when a video signal is received, at least one processor (150) may transmit a signal to the first external display device (200) for controlling the first external display device (200) to display a left portion of the screen corresponding to the video signal based on the layout type, and may transmit a signal to the second external display device (300) for controlling the second external display device (300) to display a right portion of the screen corresponding to the video signal.

[0091] In FIGS. 1 and 3, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the first external display device (200) is connected to the left side of the display device (100) and the second external display device (300) is connected to the right side, but this is one or more examples and is not limited thereto.

[0092] For example, a first external display device (200) may be connected to the left of the display device (100), and a second external display device (300) may be connected to the left of the first external display device (200). In this case, the first external display device (200) may receive third device information from the second external display device (300), and the display device (100) may receive second device information and third device information from the first external display device (200).

[0093] At least one processor (150) according to one or more examples may generate integrated device information according to a layout type based on the first to third device information. Subsequently, at least one processor (150) may transmit the integrated device information to the source device (10) and receive, from the source device (10), a video signal corresponding to the maximum resolution information that can be provided through the display device (100), the first external display device (200), and the second external display device (300).

[0094] Below, a structure for connecting or disconnecting an external display device (e.g., a first external display device (200), a second external display device (300)) to a display device (100) according to one or more examples of the present disclosure is described.

[0095] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating one or more examples of a plurality of display devices being electrically and physically connected by a bridge device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state before a plurality of display devices are connected by a bridge device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0096] In various embodiments of the present disclosure, a bridge device refers to a device for connecting multiple devices to each other. The bridge device may also be referred to by various terms, such as a connection device, a link device, a combine device, or an assemble device.

[0097] A bridge device according to one or more embodiments can electrically and physically connect two display devices. The present disclosure describes one or more examples of connecting three display devices using two bridge devices. Thus, using n bridge devices according to one or more embodiments can electrically and physically connect (n+1) display devices.

[0098] Referring to FIG. 4, a bridge device according to one or more embodiments may include a first bridge device (1) that can electrically and physically connect a display device (100) and a first external display device (200), and a second bridge device (2) that can electrically and physically connect a display device (100) and a second external display device (300).

[0099] The first bridge device (1) may be disposed on one side of the rear of the display device (100) and the other side of the rear of the first external display device (200). The second bridge device (2) may be disposed on the other side of the rear of the display device (100) and the one side of the rear of the second external display device (300). Accordingly, the first bridge device (1) and the second bridge device (2) may not be visible from the front of the display device (100), the first external display device (200), and the second external display device (300).

[0100] In FIG. 4, the first external display device (200) may be placed on the left side of the display device (100), and the second external display device (300) may be placed on the right side of the display device (100). However, this is just one or more examples for convenience of explanation, and the reverse is also possible. Since the display device (100) is connected to a stand at the bottom, the display device (100), the first external display device (200), and the second external display device (300) may be placed approximately vertically on a table or the floor.

[0101] Each of the display device (100), the first external display device (200), and the second external display device (300) may be a monitor or a TV (television). A communication interface (140) implemented as a port may be provided on the rear of the display device (100). The display device (100) may receive external power and transmit and receive signals through the port. The port of the display device (100) may be connected to a separate device (e.g., a personal computer (PC), a video game console, a digital set-top box, etc.) (hereinafter, referred to as a source device (10).

[0102] According to one or more examples, the display device (100) may be a monitor or a TV, but is not limited thereto and may be an all-in-one PC in which the display panel and the control device are integrated.

[0103] Each of the first external display device (200) and the second external display device (300) can receive power and signals from the display device (100) through the first bridge device (1) and the second bridge device (2). Therefore, the first external display device (200) and the second external display device (300) may not include a port for connecting a cable for receiving power and signals, etc.

[0104] The first external display device (200) can receive power from the display device (100) through the first bridge device (1). The first external display device (200) can transmit and receive signals with the display device (100) or a separate control device (e.g., source device (10)) connected to the display device (100) through the first bridge device (1). The second external display device (300) can receive power from the display device (100) through the second bridge device (2). The second external display device (300) can transmit and receive signals with the display device (100) or a separate control device (e.g., source device (10)) connected to the display device (100) through the second bridge device (2).

[0105] Referring to FIG. 5, the display device (100), the first external display device (200), and the second external display device (300) may each have docking holes provided on both sides of the rear surface. In this case, the first connecting member of the first bridge device (1) is connected to the first docking hole (150-1) provided on one side of the display device (100), and the second connecting member of the first bridge device (1) is connected to the second docking hole (250-2) provided on the other side of the first external display device (200), so that the display device (100) and the first external display device (200) may be electrically and physically connected.

[0106] For example, the sensor (120) can detect the connection of the first external display device (200) when a connection signal is detected from the first external display device (200) through a docking hole provided on one side of the display device (100).

[0107] For example, the sensor (120) can detect the separation of the first external display device (200) if a connection signal is not detected from the first external display device (200) for a preset period of time through a docking hole provided on one side of the display device (100).

[0108] Here, the connection signal can be transmitted from the first external display device (200) to the docking hole provided on one side of the display device (100) through the first bridge device (1).

[0109] For example, the docking hole may include a plurality of terminals, and among the plurality of terminals, a first terminal may be a terminal for supplying power to the first external display device (200) through the first bridge device (1), a second terminal may be a terminal for transmitting and receiving control signals, video signals, etc. with the first external display device (200), and a third terminal may be a terminal for detecting a connection of the first external display device (200).

[0110] However, this is just one or more examples for the convenience of explanation, and the number of terminals included in the docking hole and the function of each of the multiple terminals (e.g., power supply, type of signal to be transmitted and received (e.g., control signal, connection signal, etc.)) can be variously changed. For example, when the display device (100) receives a control signal, a video signal, etc. from the first external display device (200) through the second terminal, the display device (100) can detect the connection of the first external display device (200), and when the control signal, a video signal, etc. are not received from the first external display device (200) through the second terminal, the display device (100) can detect the separation of the first external display device (200).

[0111] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a folding operation of a plurality of display devices connected by a bridge device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view illustrating part A shown in FIG. 4.

[0112] Referring to FIG. 6, the first external display device (200) and the second external display device (300) can be folded at a predetermined angle with respect to the display device (100) by the first bridge device (1) and the second bridge device (2), respectively. The first bridge device (1) and the second bridge device (101) can be formed of a bendable structure and material.

[0113] Referring to FIG. 7, when the first external display device (200) is folded at a predetermined angle with respect to the display device (100), the side surface (160) of the display device (100) and the side surface (260) of the first external display device (200) come into contact with each other. In this case, the side surface (160) of the display device (100) and the side surface (260) of the first external display device (200) may have a predetermined curved surface so as to protrude in a direction facing each other. The curvature of the side surface (160) of the display device (100) and the curvature of the side surface (260) of the first external display device (200) may be substantially the same.

[0114] The side surface (160) of the display device (100) and the side surface (260) of the first external display device (200) may be in linear contact along the vertical direction of the display device (100) and the first external display device (200). In this case, the tangent line formed by the side surface (160) of the display device (100) and the side surface (260) of the first external display device (200) may function as a hinge axis (H), which is a center of rotation of the display device (100) and the first external display device (200).

[0115] For example, when the display device (100) and the first external display device (200) are arranged parallel to each other and the first external display device (200) is folded in front of the first external display device (200), the first external display device (200) rotates around the hinge axis (H). The hinge axis (H) is not fixed to one point, but moves from the rear to the front of the first external display device (200).

[0116] The central portion (M) of the first bridge device (1) is bent so as not to interfere with the rotational motion of the first external display device (200) around the hinge axis (H). Accordingly, the first external display device (200) can be smoothly folded at a predetermined angle with respect to the display device (100).

[0117] The first bridge device (1) and the second bridge device (2) can be made substantially identically.

[0118] FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating a display device that detects connection of an external display device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0119] As illustrated in FIG. 8, at least one processor (150) can identify the arrangement of the display device (100) and the first external display device (200) when the connection of the first external display device (200) is detected on the upper side of the display device (100) through the sensor (120).

[0120] Next, at least one processor (150) can generate integrated device information including maximum resolution information (e.g., 2560 x 2,880 resolution) that can be provided according to the arrangement form based on the first device information and the second device information.

[0121] Next, at least one processor (150) can transmit integrated device information to the source device (10) and receive a video signal from the source device (10). The display device (100) may receive the video signal from the source device (10), or the display device (100) may acquire the video signal on its own. For example, the display device (100) may acquire the video signal through a tuner, or may acquire the video signal based on video data stored in the display device (100).

[0122] At least one processor (150) according to one or more examples may change the resolution of a screen corresponding to a video signal based on the resolution information included in the integrated device information. For example, at least one processor (150) may upscale (or downscale) the resolution of the screen to correspond to the resolution information included in the integrated device information.

[0123] Additionally, at least one processor (150) may change the size of the screen corresponding to the image signal based on the size information included in the integrated device information. As one or more examples, at least one processor (150) may generate size information by adding the screen size of the display device (100) and the screen size of the first external display device (200) according to the arrangement form.

[0124] At least one processor (150) according to one or more examples distributes a video signal to a first external display device (200), and the display device (100) and the first external display device (200) can display a screen corresponding to the video signal.

[0125] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a plurality of external display devices that display screens corresponding to video signals according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0126] As illustrated in FIG. 9, a first external display device (200) may be connected to the upper side based on the display device (100), and a second external display device (300) may be connected to the lower side based on the display device (100).

[0127] At least one processor (150) according to one or more examples can identify the operating state (or mode) of each of the first external display device (200) and the second external display device (300).

[0128] For example, at least one processor (150) can identify the arrangement of the display device (100) and the first external display device (200) when the first external display device (200) is turned on and the second external display device (300) is turned off.

[0129] At least one processor (150) according to one or more examples may receive second device information from a first external display device (200) that is turned on.

[0130] At least one processor (150) according to one or more examples can generate integrated device information including maximum resolution information that can be provided according to a layout type based on the first device information and the second device information.

[0131] Next, at least one processor (150) can transmit integrated device information to the source device (10) and receive a video signal from the source device (10). At least one processor (150) distributes the video signal received from the source device (10) to the first external display device (200), and the display device (100) and the first external display device (200) can display a screen corresponding to the video signal.

[0132] <Change to turn-on state>

[0133] When the second external display device (300) connected to the lower side of the display device (100) changes from a turn-off state to a turn-on state according to one or more examples, at least one processor (150) can identify the arrangement of the display device (100), the first external display device (200), and the second external display device (300).

[0134] At least one processor (150) according to one or more examples may receive third device information from a second external display device (300) that is turned on.

[0135] At least one processor (150) according to one or more examples may update (or re-acquire) integrated device information including the maximum resolution information (e.g., 2560 x 4,320 resolution) that can be provided according to the arrangement form based on the first device information, the second device information, and the third device information. Subsequently, the at least one processor (150) may transmit the updated integrated device information to the source device (10) and receive an image signal from the source device (10).

[0136] According to one or more examples, when an external display device (200) is detected that has changed to a turned-on state, the display device (100) may operate in the same manner as when the external display device (200) is connected.

[0137] <Change to turn-off state>

[0138] When the second external display device (300) connected to the lower side of the display device (100) changes from a turn-on state to a turn-off state according to one or more examples, at least one processor (150) can identify the arrangement of the display device (100) and the first external display device (200). As one or more examples, at least one processor (150) can exclude the second external display device (300) from the arrangement.

[0139] At least one processor (150) according to one or more examples may update (or re-acquire) integrated device information including the maximum resolution information (e.g., 2560 x 2,880) that can be provided according to the arrangement form based on the first device information and the second device information. As one or more examples, at least one processor (150) may update the integrated device information by excluding third device information corresponding to the second external display device (300) that is turned off from the integrated device information.

[0140] Next, at least one processor (150) can transmit updated integrated device information (i.e., integrated device information excluding third device information) to the source device (10) and receive a video signal from the source device (10).

[0141] According to one or more examples, when an external display device (200) is detected to have changed to a turned-off state, the display device (100) may operate in the same manner as when the external display device (200) is disconnected.

[0142] FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating a plurality of external display devices according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0143] According to one or more examples, an external display device (200) may be connected to the left or right side of the display device (100), or may be connected to the upper or lower side of the display device (100), but this is just one or more examples for convenience of explanation and is not limited thereto. For example, a plurality of display devices (100, 200, 300, ...) may be arranged in a matrix form.

[0144] As illustrated in FIG. 10, one or more examples may include a first external display device (200) connected to the upper side of the display device (100), a second external display device (300) connected to the upper left side, and a third external display device (400) connected to the left side.

[0145] A display device (100) according to one or more examples may receive second device information from a first external display device (200), third device information from a second external display device (300), and fourth device information from a third external display device (400).

[0146] At least one processor (150) according to one or more examples may generate integrated device information including maximum resolution information that can be provided according to a layout type based on the first device information to the fourth device information.

[0147] Next, at least one processor (150) can transmit integrated device information to the source device (10) and receive a video signal from the source device (10).

[0148] According to one or more examples, the resolution of the screen corresponding to the image signal received from the source device (10) may be the same as the resolution corresponding to the maximum resolution information.

[0149] FIG. 11 is a drawing for explaining a display device that detects separation of an external display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0150] Referring to FIG. 11, a first external display device (200) may be connected to the left side of the front of the display device (100), and a second external display device (300) may be connected to the right side.

[0151] <Separation detected>

[0152] As illustrated in FIG. 11, at least one processor (150) may identify the arrangement of the display device (100), the first external display device (200), and the second external display device (300) when separation of the second external display device (300) from the right side of the display device (100) is detected through the sensor (120). As one or more examples, at least one processor (150) may exclude the second external display device (300) from the arrangement.

[0153] At least one processor (150) according to one or more examples may update (or re-acquire) integrated device information including maximum resolution information (e.g., 5120 x 1440 resolution) that can be provided according to a layout type based on the first device information and the second device information. As one or more examples, at least one processor (150) may update the integrated device information by excluding third device information corresponding to a second external display device (300) separated from the integrated device information.

[0154] Next, at least one processor (150) can transmit updated integrated device information (i.e., integrated device information excluding third device information) to the source device (10) and receive a video signal from the source device (10).

[0155] At least one processor (150) according to one or more examples distributes the received image signal to the first external display device (200), and the display device (100) and the first external display device (200) can display a screen corresponding to the image signal.

[0156] In the above examples, for convenience of explanation, one or more embodiments of updating integrated device information by adding or excluding resolution information among various pieces of information included in device information (EDID) are described, but these are only one or more examples and are not limited thereto.

[0157] For example, when an external display device (200) is connected, at least one processor (150) may generate integrated device information that adds device information of the connected external display device (200). Here, the integrated device information may include function information that can be performed by the external display device (200). For example, the function information may include various operations related to screen display, such as HDR (High Dynamic Range), frame rate, and game mode.

[0158] Additionally, at least one processor (150) may transmit a control signal to the external display device (200) so that the display device (100) and the external display device (200) are controlled in an integrated manner when a control signal is received from the source device (10) or the remote control device (20) (see FIG. 3).

[0159] Additionally, at least one processor (150) can generate integrated device information excluding device information of the separated external display device (200) when the external display device (200) is separated.

[0160] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a display device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0161] A method for controlling a display device including first device information corresponding to a display device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure receives second device information corresponding to the external display device when connection of an external display device is detected (S1210).

[0162] Next, integrated device information is generated based on the first device information and the second device information (S1220).

[0163] Next, integrated device information is transmitted to the source device (S1230). The integrated device information according to one or more examples includes resolution information that can be displayed through the display device and an external display device.

[0164] A control method according to one or more examples may further include, when a video signal is received from a source device, a step of transmitting the received video signal to an external device and a step of displaying a screen corresponding to the video signal using a display device and an external display device.

[0165] The control method according to one or more examples may further include, when separation of the external display device is detected, the step of updating the integrated device information based on the first device information and the step of transmitting the updated integrated device information to the source device. The updated integrated device information according to one or more examples may include information on the resolution displayable through the display device.

[0166] The step S1220 of generating integrated device information according to one or more examples may include a step of identifying a layout type based on a first sensor when a connection of an external display device is detected by a first sensor among a plurality of sensors provided in the display device, and a step of generating integrated device information according to a layout type based on resolution information of the external display device included in second device information corresponding to the external display device and resolution information of the display device included in first device information corresponding to the display device.

[0167] A control method according to one or more examples may include, when a video signal is received from a source device, transmitting a signal to an external display device for controlling the external display device to display a portion of a screen corresponding to the video signal based on a layout shape.

[0168] A control method according to one or more examples may further include a step of changing the resolution of a screen corresponding to a video signal based on resolution information included in the integrated device information, and a step of transmitting a signal to an external display device for controlling the external display device to display a portion of the screen whose resolution has been changed based on a layout shape.

[0169] The video signal according to one or more examples may be a signal received from a source device or acquired by a display device.

[0170] Step S1210 of receiving second device information according to one or more examples may include a step of receiving second device information from an external display device when connection of the display device is detected upon turning on the external display device.

[0171] A control method according to one or more examples further includes a step of updating integrated device information based on first device information when separation of the display device is detected due to turning off of the external display device, wherein the updated integrated device information may be information excluding resolution information of the external display device included in the second device information.

[0172] The control method according to one or more examples may further include the step of transmitting the control signal to an external display device when the control signal is received from the source device or the remote control device.

[0173] The various embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied not only to display devices but also to all types of electronic devices including a display function.

[0174] The various embodiments described above may be implemented in a computer-readable recording medium using software, hardware, or a combination thereof, or in a computer- or similar device. In some cases, the embodiments described herein may be implemented by the processor itself. In a software implementation, embodiments, such as the procedures and functions described herein, may be implemented as separate software modules. Each of the software modules may perform one or more functions and operations described herein.

[0175] Computer instructions for performing processing operations of an electronic device (100) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure described above may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. When the computer instructions stored in such a non-transitory computer-readable medium are executed by a processor of a specific device, they cause the specific device to perform processing operations in an audio output device (100) according to various embodiments described above.

[0176] A non-transitory computer-readable medium refers to a medium that permanently stores data and can be read by a device, rather than a medium that stores data for a short period of time, such as a register, cache, or memory. Specific examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include CDs, DVDs, hard disks, Blu-ray discs, USBs, memory cards, and ROMs.

[0177] Although exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and various modifications may be made by a person skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from the gist of the present disclosure as claimed in the claims, and such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical idea or prospect of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. In the display device, A memory storing first device information and instructions corresponding to the display device; sensor; display; Communication interface; and At least one processor operatively connected to the memory, the sensor and the communication interface; The at least one processor executes the extraction instructions so that when a connection of an external display device is detected through the sensor, second device information corresponding to the external display device is received from the external display device, Generate integrated device information based on the first device information and the second device information, configured to control the communication interface to transmit the integrated device information to the source device, The above integrated device information is, A display device including resolution information displayable through the display device and the external display device.

2. In paragraph 1, At least one of the above processors executes the instructions, When a video signal is received from the source device, the communication interface is controlled to transmit the video signal to the external display device. A display device configured to display a screen corresponding to the image signal using the display device and the external display device.

3. In paragraph 1, At least one of the above processors executes the instructions, When the separation of the external display device is detected, the integrated device information is updated based on the first device information, Controlling the communication interface to transmit the updated integrated device information to the source device; The above updated integrated device information is: A display device, comprising resolution information about a resolution that can be displayed through the display device.

4. In paragraph 1, The above sensor, Contains multiple sensors, At least one of the above processors executes the instructions, When the connection of the external display device is detected by the first sensor among the plurality of sensors, the arrangement shape is identified based on the first sensor, A display device configured to generate the integrated device information according to the arrangement form based on the resolution information of the external display device in the second device information and the resolution information of the display device in the first device information.

5. In paragraph 4, At least one of the above processors executes the instructions, A display device configured to control the communication interface so as to transmit a signal to the external display device for controlling the external display device to display a portion of a screen corresponding to the image signal based on the arrangement form when the image signal is received from the source device.

6. In paragraph 4, At least one of the above processors executes the instructions, Change the resolution of the screen corresponding to the video signal based on the resolution information in the above integrated device information, An electronic device configured to control a communication interface to transmit, to the external display device, a signal for controlling the external display device to display a portion of the screen whose resolution has been changed based on a layout shape.

7. In paragraph 6, The above video signal is, An electronic device, received from said source device or acquired by said display device.

8. In paragraph 1, At least one of the above processors executes the instructions, An electronic device configured to receive the second device information from the external display device when a connection of the display device is detected upon turn-on of the external display device, and to generate the integrated device information based on the first device information and the second device information.

9. In paragraph 1, At least one of the above processors executes the instructions, When separation of the display device is detected by turning off the external display device, the integrated device information is configured to be updated based on the first device information. The above updated integrated device information is: An electronic device that excludes resolution information of the external display device from the second device information.

10. In paragraph 1, At least one of the above processors executes the instructions, An electronic device that, when a control signal is received from the source device or remote control device, transmits the control signal to the external display device.

11. In a method for controlling a display device, the control method comprises: When a connection of an external display device is detected, a step of receiving second device information corresponding to the external display device from the external display device; A step of generating integrated device information based on the first device information and the second device information corresponding to the display device; and A step of transmitting the above integrated device information to a source device; The above integrated device information is, A control method including resolution information displayable through the display device and the external display device.

12. In paragraph 11, The above control method is, When a video signal is received from the source device, a step of transmitting the video signal to the external device; and A control method further comprising: a step of displaying a screen corresponding to the image signal using the display device and the external display device.

13. In paragraph 11, The above control method is, When separation of the external display device is detected, a step of updating the integrated device information based on the first device information; and further comprising a step of transmitting the updated integrated device information to the source device; The above updated integrated device information is: A control method including resolution information displayable through the display device.

14. In paragraph 11, The step of generating the above integrated device information is: When a connection of the external display device is detected by a first sensor among a plurality of sensors of the display device, a step of identifying the arrangement form based on the first sensor; and A control method comprising: a step of generating the integrated device information according to the arrangement form based on the resolution information of the external display device in the second device information and the resolution information of the display device in the first device information.

15. In paragraph 14, The above control method is, A control method, comprising: a step of transmitting a signal to an external display device for controlling the external display device to display a portion of a screen corresponding to the image signal based on the arrangement form when the image signal is received from the source device;

Images