Display device and control method of display device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a display device and a control method of the display device. The display device of the present invention comprises: a plurality of ports that receive signals from external devices; a power controller that supplies or cuts off power to or from each of the plurality of ports; and a processor that detects, from among the plurality of ports, a port that is not connected to an external device, on the basis of whether signals are received from the plurality of ports at the time when a display panel is turned on, and controls the power controller to cut off power supplied to the port that is not connected to the external device, on the basis of the accumulated number of times the port that is not connected to the external device remains unconnected.

Description

Display device and control method thereof

[0001] The disclosed invention relates to a display device for power saving and a method for controlling the same.

[0002] The display device processes image information received from an external device or image information stored internally and displays the processed image through a display panel.

[0003] A display device can be implemented as a TV or monitor, for example. For example, a display device implemented as a TV decodes broadcast signals received from a set-top box and displays the decoded images.

[0004] Recent display devices include multiple ports for receiving video information from various external devices.

[0005] These display devices continuously supply power to multiple ports to detect whether an external device is connected, whether in standby mode or while displaying an image. This resulted in power being continuously consumed through ports that were not connected to an external device.

[0006] One aspect of the disclosed invention provides a display device and a control method thereof that cuts off power supplied to a port to which an external device is not connected.

[0007] Another aspect of the disclosed invention provides a display device and a control method thereof that outputs guidance information for a port that is powered off and supplies power to the port that is powered off based on receipt of a command to release the power cut.

[0008] A display device according to one aspect of the disclosed invention comprises: a plurality of ports for receiving signals from external devices; a power controller for supplying or cutting off power to each of the plurality of ports; and a processor for recognizing a port to which an external device is not connected among the plurality of ports based on whether a signal is received from the plurality of ports at the time when the display panel is turned on, and controlling the power controller to cut off power supplied to the port to which the external device is not connected based on the cumulative number of disconnections of the ports to which the external device is not connected.

[0009] A processor of a display device according to one aspect checks the number of previous unconnections of a port to which an external device is unconnected, and obtains a cumulative number of unconnections based on the confirmed number of previous unconnections and the current number of unconnections.

[0010] A processor of a display device according to one aspect controls a power controller to cut off power supplied to a port to which an external device is not connected based on a cumulative number of unconnected connections being greater than or equal to a reference number, and controls the power controller to supply power to a port to which an external device is not connected based on a cumulative number of unconnected connections being less than a reference number.

[0011] A display device according to one aspect further includes an input unit. A processor of the display device according to one aspect sets a reference number of times based on a user input received through the input unit and stores the set reference number of times.

[0012] A processor of a display device according to one aspect obtains a cumulative number of disconnections based on whether the port to which an external device was disconnected at a previous on-time of the display panel and the port to which an external device was disconnected at a current on-time of the display panel are the same.

[0013] A processor of a display device according to one aspect initializes the cumulative number of disconnections of a port to which an external device was disconnected at a previous on-time of the display panel based on a difference between the port to which an external device was disconnected at a previous on-time of the display panel and the port to which an external device was disconnected at a current on-time of the display panel.

[0014] A processor of a display device according to one aspect recognizes the on point of the display panel based on receiving a wake-up command while the display panel is performing a sleep mode.

[0015] A processor of a display device according to one aspect recognizes the on point of the display panel based on the supply of commercial power.

[0016] A display device according to one aspect further includes an input unit. A processor of the display device according to one aspect recognizes the on-time of the display panel based on receiving a power-on command through the input unit.

[0017] A processor of a display device according to one aspect controls a display panel to display guidance information for power cutoff of a port to which an external device is not connected based on the power cutoff supplied to the port to which the external device is not connected.

[0018] A display device according to one aspect further includes an input unit. A processor of the display device according to one aspect controls a power controller to release power cutoff supplied to a port to which an external device is not connected based on a release command received through the input unit.

[0019] An external device in a display device according to one aspect includes a device that stores image information and transmits the stored image information to a processor through one of a plurality of ports.

[0020] A method for controlling a display device according to another aspect comprises: recognizing a first type port to which an external device is not connected and a second type port to which an external device is connected among a plurality of ports based on signals received from a plurality of ports at the time when the display panel is turned on; controlling power supply or power cutoff to the recognized first type port based on the accumulated number of times the recognized first type port is not connected; and supplying power to the recognized second type port.

[0021] A method for controlling a display device according to another aspect further includes accumulating and storing the number of times a first type port is disconnected based on the fact that an external device is continuously disconnected from the first type port at each time the display panel is turned on.

[0022] Controlling the supply of power or the cutoff of power to a recognized first type port includes checking the number of previous unconnections of the first type port, obtaining the cumulative number of unconnections of the first type port based on the stored number of previous unconnections of the first type port and the current number of unconnections, cutting off the power supplied to the first port based on the obtained cumulative number of unconnections being greater than or equal to a reference number, and supplying power to the first type port based on the obtained cumulative number of unconnections being less than the reference number.

[0023] A method for controlling a display device according to another aspect further includes displaying guidance information for power cutoff to a recognized first type port through a display panel based on the cutoff of power supplied to the recognized first type port.

[0024] A method of controlling a display device according to another aspect further includes releasing power to a recognized first type port based on a release command received through an input unit.

[0025] A method for controlling a display device according to another aspect further includes setting a reference number of times based on a user input received at an input unit, and storing the set reference number of times.

[0026] A method for controlling a display device according to another aspect further includes recognizing an on-point of a display panel based on the supply of commercial power.

[0027] A method for controlling a display device according to another aspect further includes recognizing a power-on point of the display panel based on receiving a power-on command through an input unit.

[0028] According to the disclosed invention, the present invention can reduce power consumption through unconnected ports by blocking power supplied to ports provided in a display device to which an external device is not connected.

[0029] The present invention can reduce power consumption in blocks of a processor related to a port to which an external device is not connected by turning off the function of the port to which an external device is not connected.

[0030] The present invention can enable a user to easily recognize a power cut-off state to an unconnected port by outputting guidance information for a port where power is cut off.

[0031] The present invention can improve user convenience for port use by re-supplying power to a port that has been powered off based on user input.

[0032] The present invention can improve the marketability of a display device, further increase user satisfaction, enhance user reliability, and secure product competitiveness.

[0033] Figures 1a, 1b and 1c are exemplary diagrams of a display device and an external device according to an embodiment.

[0034] Figure 2 is an exemplary diagram of a display device according to an embodiment.

[0035] Figure 3 is a configuration diagram of a driving board provided in a display device according to an embodiment.

[0036] Figure 4 is a configuration diagram of a signal processing board provided in a display device according to an embodiment.

[0037] Fig. 5 is a control configuration diagram of a display device according to an embodiment. Fig. 6a is an example diagram of the connection status of an external device for each port of a display device according to an embodiment.

[0038] Figure 6b is an example diagram of the cumulative number of unconnected connections per port of a display device according to an embodiment.

[0039] Figure 7a is an example diagram showing a change in the connection status of an external device for each port of a display device according to an embodiment.

[0040] Figure 7b is an example of the cumulative number of unconnected connections per port of the display device illustrated in Figure 7a.

[0041] Figure 8 is an example diagram showing the display of guidance information of a display device according to an embodiment.

[0042] FIG. 9a, FIG. 9b and FIG. 9c are exemplary diagrams showing guidance information for releasing power cutoff of a port provided in a display device according to an embodiment.

[0043] FIG. 10a and FIG. 10b are exemplary diagrams for setting a reference number of times for power cutoff of a port provided in a display device according to an embodiment.

[0044] Fig. 11 is a control flowchart of a display device according to an embodiment.

[0045] It should be understood that the various embodiments and terms used in this document are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, but rather to encompass various modifications, equivalents, or alternatives of the embodiments.

[0046] In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.

[0047] The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more items, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0048] In this document, each of the phrases "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" may include any one of the items listed together in that phrase, or all possible combinations thereof.

[0049] Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used simply to distinguish one component from another and do not qualify the components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order).

[0050] When a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as being “coupled” or “connected” to another component (e.g., a second component), with or without the terms “functionally” or “communicatively,” it means that the component can be connected to the other component directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third component.

[0051] The terms “include” or “have” are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in this document, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0052] When a component is said to be “connected,” “coupled,” “supported,” or “in contact with” another component, this includes not only cases where the components are directly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact, but also cases where the components are indirectly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact through a third component.

[0053] When we say that a component is "on" another component, this includes not only cases where the component is in contact with the other component, but also cases where there is another component between the two components.

[0054] The term “and / or” includes any combination of a plurality of related described elements or any one of a plurality of related described elements.

[0055] The operating principle and embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings below.

[0056] Figures 1a, 1b and 1c are exemplary diagrams of a display device and an external device according to an embodiment.

[0057] A display device (1) is a device that receives information or signals from an external device (2) and displays an image corresponding to the received information or signals, and may include a display panel and a plurality of ports.

[0058] For example, the display device (1) may include, but is not limited to, a television, a monitor, a personal computer, a laptop, a tablet PC, and a terminal.

[0059] An external device (2) is a device that is connected to one of the ports of the display device (1) via a cable in a detachable manner and transmits information or signals to the display device (1).

[0060] For example, the external device (2) may include, but is not limited to, a personal computer, a laptop, a tablet PC, a terminal, a portable telephone, a smart phone, a handheld device, a wearable device, and a set-top box.

[0061] The external device (2) may further include a removable storage device such as a USB memory and a hard disk.

[0062] The external device (2) may include a sound bar that receives sound information from the display device (1) and outputs the received sound information.

[0063] The external device (2) may be a device that stores at least one of image information and sound information and transmits at least one of the stored image information and sound information to the display device (2).

[0064] The external device (2) may be a device that stores text files, sound files, setup files, and authentication files, and transmits at least one stored file to the display device (2).

[0065] The external device (2) can operate by receiving power from a commercial power source, can operate by using power from an internal battery, and can also operate by receiving power from the display device (1).

[0066] Examples of such a display device (1) and an external device (2) are described with reference to FIGS. 1a, 1b, and 1c.

[0067] As illustrated in Fig. 1a, the display device (1) may be a television, and the external device (2) may be a laptop that transmits image information to the television.

[0068] As shown in Fig. 1b, the display device (1) may be a monitor, and the external device (2) may be a laptop that transmits image information to the monitor.

[0069] As shown in Fig. 1c, the display device (1) may be a laptop, and the external device (2) may be a smart phone that transmits image information to the laptop.

[0070] Figures 1a, 1b and 1c are only examples of a display device (1) and an external device (2) that can be connected by a cable, but are not limited thereto.

[0071]

[0072] Figure 2 is an exemplary diagram of a display device according to an embodiment.

[0073] Below, a television is described as an example of a display device.

[0074] As illustrated in Fig. 2, the display device (1) includes a main body (10a) forming an exterior and a stand (10b) mounted on the lower portion of the main body (10a). This display device (1) can also be installed on a wall without a stand using a bracket or the like.

[0075] The display device (1) may include a display panel (10c) provided on the main body (10a) and displaying an image.

[0076] The display panel may be, but is not limited to, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a digital light processing (DLP) panel, a plasma display panel, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, an electroluminescence (EL) panel, an electrophoretic display (EPD) panel, an electrochromic display (ECD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, or an organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel.

[0077] The main body (10a) may include a cover that covers the rear surface of the display panel (10c).

[0078] The main body (10a) may further include a bezel that covers the frame of the display panel (10c). In this case, the cover and bezel of the main body (10a) may be detachably coupled to each other.

[0079] The main body (10a) may further include an input unit (10d) for receiving user input.

[0080] The input unit (10d) may include a power on / off button, a channel button, a volume button, and a screen setting button.

[0081] The input unit (10d) may further include a power cut-off release button and a reference number setting button.

[0082] The input unit (10d) may be provided on the bezel, but may be provided so as to be exposed to the outside.

[0083] If the display device does not have a bezel, the input unit (10d) may be provided on the cover but may also be provided so as to be exposed to the outside.

[0084] The main body (10a) may include a port section (20) having a plurality of ports to which one or more external devices are connected but which are detachably connected.

[0085] The port (20) may be provided on the cover of the main body (10a), but may be provided so as to be exposed to the outside from the cover.

[0086] Fig. 3 is a configuration diagram of a driving board provided in a display device according to an embodiment, which is described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a configuration diagram of a signal processing board provided in a display device (1) according to an embodiment.

[0087] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the display device (1) may include an input unit (10d) that receives user input, a drive board (10e) that generates a control signal for controlling the operation of the display panel (10c) based on the received user input, transmits a drive signal corresponding to the generated control signal to the display panel (10c), and supplies power to various components.

[0088] The input unit (10d) may include hardware devices such as various buttons, switches, a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, various levers, handles, or sticks.

[0089] Additionally, the input unit (10d) may include a GUI (Graphical User Interface), i.e., a software device, such as a touch pad.

[0090] The input unit (10d) can also be provided on the driving board (10e). The input unit (10d) can also be provided inside the main body (10a) and electrically, mechanically, and communicatively connected to the driving board (10e).

[0091] The input unit (10d) can be electrically and communicatively connected to the signal processing board (110).

[0092] The input unit (10d) can transmit the received user input to the signal processing board (110).

[0093] The driving board (10e) can be provided inside the main body (10a).

[0094] The driving board (10e) may include a signal processing board (110) that processes a received signal, a power board (120) that supplies power to various components provided in the display device (1), and a display driver (DDI: Display Driver IC, 130) that transmits a driving signal to the display panel (10c).

[0095] The signal processing board (110), power board (120), and display driver (130) may be provided as an integrated unit or may be provided separately from each other.

[0096] The signal processing board (110) is a board that controls the overall operation of the display device (1) and may be a main board.

[0097] The signal processing board (110) can receive direct current power from the power board (120), decode image information received from an external device (2), and transmit the decoded image information to the display driver (130).

[0098] The signal processing board (110) can also perform image control or scaling.

[0099] The signal processing board (110) may further include a speaker (not shown). The speaker may be provided inside the main body (10a) and may be electrically and communicatively connected to the signal processing board (110).

[0100] The signal processing board (110) can decode audio information received from an external device (2) and transmit the decoded audio information to a speaker.

[0101] The signal processing board (110) can convert analog signals received from an external device (2), input unit (10d), and signal receiving unit into digital signals.

[0102] The specific configuration of this signal processing board (110) will be described later.

[0103] The driving board (10e) may further include a signal receiving unit that receives signals from input devices such as a remote controller (not shown), a keyboard, and a mouse. The signal receiving unit may be provided on the signal processing board (110).

[0104] Keyboards and mice can also transmit user input to a signal receiver by performing wireless communication with the signal receiver.

[0105] A keyboard and mouse can also be connected to the display device via the ports.

[0106] The signal receiving unit may be provided inside the main body (10a) and may be electrically, mechanically, and communicatively connected to the signal processing board (110).

[0107] The power board (120) receives external commercial power, converts the commercial power into a DC voltage required to drive various components of the display device (1), and transmits the converted DC voltage to various components of the display device (1). Here, the commercial power may be an AC voltage.

[0108] The power board (120) can supply power to the signal processing board (110), display driver (130), input unit (10d), and display panel (10c).

[0109] The display driver (130) can be connected to the display panel (10c).

[0110] The display driver (130) can receive a driving signal for displaying an image from the signal processing board (110) and transmit the received driving signal to the display panel (10c).

[0111] The display driver (130) may include a timing controller.

[0112] The timing controller can supply a synchronizing signal or a clock signal. The timing controller can control the operating timing of each component.

[0113] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the signal processing board (110) may include a port unit (20), a power controller (111), and a processor (112).

[0114] The port portion (20) may include a plurality of ports (21, 22, 23, 24).

[0115] One external device (2) can be connected to each of the multiple ports.

[0116] Each of the multiple ports can be connected to one external device (2) detachably.

[0117] An external device may be connected to a plurality of ports (21, 22, 23, 24), or an external device (2) may not be connected. An external device (2) may be connected to all or some of the plurality of ports (21, 22, 23, 24) at the user's discretion.

[0118] Each port can be, but is not limited to, one of a Display Port (DP), a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port, a Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) port, a Type-C (Universal Serial Bus Type C) port, a Local Area Network (LAN) port, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, a DVI (Digital Visual Interface) port, a VGA (video graphics array) port, and a Terminal Block (TB) terminal.

[0119] Some of the ports among the multiple ports may be ports with the same interface standard, and some may be ports with different interface standards from the remaining ports.

[0120] Multiple ports may all have different interface specifications.

[0121] All of the multiple ports may be ports with the same interface specification.

[0122] Each port can be powered by the power controller (111). Each port may not be powered by the power controller (111) under the control of the processor (112).

[0123] Each port transmits and receives information or signals between an external device (2) and the processor (112) when the external device (2) is connected via a cable.

[0124] The power controller (111) can receive power from the power board (120) and supply the supplied power to multiple ports (21, 22, 23, 24) of the port section (20).

[0125] The power controller (111) can supply power to the processor (112).

[0126] The power controller (111) can supply power to the input unit (10d) and the speaker, and can also supply power to the signal receiving unit.

[0127] The power controller (111) can also cut off power supplied to at least one port based on a control command from the processor (112).

[0128] The power controller (111) may include a semiconductor that converts, distributes, and controls the received power into power required to drive each component.

[0129] The power controller (111) may include a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

[0130] The processor (112) is connected to a plurality of ports (21, 22, 23, 24) and transmits and receives signals to and from the plurality of ports (21, 22, 23, 24).

[0131] The processor (112) can communicate with an external device (2) through a port to which the external device (2) is connected, receive information or signals from the external device (2), and control the display panel (10c) based on the received information or signals.

[0132] When the processor (112) determines that no external device (2) is connected to at least one of the plurality of ports (21, 22, 23, 24), it can transmit identification information of at least one port and a power cutoff command to the power controller (111) so that power supplied to at least one port is cut off.

[0133] The processor (112) can transmit identification information and a power supply command of a port to which an external device (2) is connected to the power controller (111) so that power is supplied to the port to which the external device (2) is connected.

[0134] The processor (112) can re-supply power to a port that has been powered off based on a user input received through the input unit (10d), change an image displayed through the display panel (10c), or change screen setting information of the display panel (10c) based on a user input received through the input unit (10d).

[0135] The processor (112) can re-supply power to a port that has been powered off based on user input received through the communication unit (114), or change an image displayed through the display panel (10c) or change screen setting information of the display panel (10c) based on user input received through the input unit (114).

[0136] The processor (112) recognizes whether the display panel (10c) is turned on, and when the display panel (10c) is recognized as turned on, it recognizes whether an external device (2) is connected to each of the plurality of ports (21, 22, 23, 24).

[0137] The processor (112) may omit recognition of whether an external device (2) is connected to a port whose power is cut off. This processor will be described later.

[0138] The processor (112) may include hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU) or memory, and software such as a control program. For example, the processor (112) may include one or more processor chips that perform the aforementioned operations using an algorithm for controlling the operations of components within the display device (1), at least one memory that stores program-type data, and data stored in the at least one memory, or may include one or more processing cores.

[0139] The processor (112) may include a separate NPU that performs the operation of the artificial intelligence model, and may include a graphics-only processor (GPU), etc.

[0140] FIG. 5 is a control configuration diagram of a display device according to an embodiment, which is described with reference to FIGS. 6a, 6b, and 10a, 10b.

[0141] Fig. 6a is an exemplary diagram showing the connection status of external devices for each port of a display device according to an embodiment. Fig. 6b is an exemplary diagram showing the cumulative number of unconnected connections for each port of a display device according to an embodiment.

[0142] Fig. 7a is an exemplary diagram showing changes in the connection status of external devices for each port of a display device according to an embodiment. Fig. 7b is an exemplary diagram showing the cumulative number of unconnected connections for each port of the display device illustrated in Fig. 7a.

[0143] FIG. 8 is an example diagram showing guidance information of a display device according to an embodiment, FIGS. 9a, 9b and 9c are example diagrams showing guidance information for releasing power cutoff of a port provided in a display device according to an embodiment, and FIGS. 10a and 10b are example diagrams showing setting of a reference number of times for power cutoff of a port provided in a display device according to an embodiment.

[0144] The display device may include a display panel (10c), an input unit (10d), a port unit (20), a power controller (111), a processor (112), a memory (113), and a communication unit (114).

[0145] The display panel (10c) can display an image corresponding to the control command of the processor (112). A specific description of the display panel (10c) is omitted here as it was described in the description of Fig. 2.

[0146] The input unit (10d) receives user input and transmits the received user input to the processor (112).

[0147] The input unit (10d) can receive a power on command, a power off command, a channel up / down command, a volume up / down command, and can receive screen setting information.

[0148] The input unit (10d) can receive a power cut-off release command, and can receive a reference number of times setting command and reference number of times setting information.

[0149] The port section (20) may include a plurality of ports. For example, the plurality of ports may include a first port (21), a second port (22), a third port (23), and a fourth port (24).

[0150] The multiple ports (21, 22, 23, 24) may be ports of different communication methods. For example, the first port (21) may be an HDMI port, the second port (22) may be a LAN port, the third port (23) may be a DP port, and the fourth port (24) may be a USB port.

[0151] Some of the multiple ports may be ports with the same communication method, while the remaining ports may be ports with different communication methods. For example, the first port (21) and the second port (22) may be HDMI ports, the third port (23) may be a DP port, and the fourth port (24) may be a USB port.

[0152] Some of the multiple ports (21, 22, 23, 24) may include wireless ports.

[0153] The wireless port can be connected to an external device (2) without a cable. For example, the wireless port may include a port for Bluetooth communication.

[0154] Multiple ports (21, 22, 23, 24) can be connected to an external device (2) via a cable.

[0155] Multiple ports (21, 22, 23, 24) can also be directly connected to ports provided on an external device (2).

[0156] Among the multiple ports (21, 22, 23, 24), the port to which the external device (2) is connected can receive information or signals from the external device (2) and transmit the received information or signals to the processor (112).

[0157] Among the multiple ports (21, 22, 23, 24), the port to which the external device (2) is connected can also transmit information or signals of the processor (112) to the external device (2).

[0158] The power controller (111) can receive power from the power board (120) and supply the supplied power to multiple ports (21, 22, 23, 24) of the port section (20).

[0159] The power controller (111) can also cut off power supplied to at least one of the plurality of ports (21, 22, 23, 24) based on a control command of the processor (112).

[0160] The processor (112) can control the overall operation of the display device (2).

[0161] The processor (112) can perform the above-described operation using data stored in the memory (113).

[0162] The processor (112) can control the display panel (10c) to be turned on based on the transition from a state in which commercial power is not supplied to the signal processing board (110) to a state in which commercial power is supplied.

[0163] Controlling the display panel (10c) to an on state may include switching the screen of the display panel from an off state to an on state.

[0164] The processor (112) monitors the power supply status of the power board (120) and can also recognize whether commercial power is supplied based on the monitoring information.

[0165] The processor (112) monitors the power supply status of the power controller (112) and can also recognize whether commercial power is supplied based on the monitoring information.

[0166] The power supply state of the power controller (112) may include a power supply state corresponding to a transition from a standby state to a wake-up state or a power supply state corresponding to a transition from a power-off state to a wake-up state.

[0167] The power controller (112) can recognize that commercial power is supplied based on the transition from a power-off state to a wake-up state, and can also transmit information about the supply of commercial power to the processor (112).

[0168] The power controller (112) can also transmit transition information from sleep mode to wake-up mode to the processor (112) based on the transition from standby mode to wake-up state.

[0169] The processor (112) can control the display panel (10c) to be turned on based on receiving a power-on command from the input unit (10d).

[0170] The processor (112) can control the display panel (10c) to be turned on based on receiving a wake-up command while performing sleep mode.

[0171] The wake-up command can be received from a remote control, mouse, or keyboard.

[0172] The wake-up command may include a voice command. In this case, the display device may include a microphone, and the signal processing board may further include a voice recognition processor.

[0173] The processor (112) recognizes a port to which an external device (2) is not connected and a port to which an external device (2) is connected among a plurality of ports based on the recognition that the display panel (10c) is turned on. Hereinafter, the port to which an external device is not connected will be described as a first type port, and the port to which an external device is connected will be described as a second type port.

[0174] The processor (112) can perform background operations when it is recognized that the display panel (10c) is turned on.

[0175] More specifically, the processor (112) can check whether a high signal is received for each port, recognize a port that receives a high signal as a port to which an external device (2) is connected, and recognize a port that does not receive a high signal as a port to which an external device (2) is not connected.

[0176] For example, if the first port is a USB port, the processor (112) can determine that an external device is connected to the first port when a high (H) signal is input from the VBUS line of the first port, and can determine that no external device is connected when a high signal is not received.

[0177] The processor (112) can recognize the port from which the low signal is received as a port to which an external device (2) is not connected.

[0178] The processor (112) can also recognize the remaining ports as ports to which an external device (2) is not connected, excluding ports to which an external device is connected, among the multiple ports.

[0179] The processor (112) checks the number of previous unconnections of the first type port, adds the current number of unconnections (+1) to the number of previous unconnections (n) checked, and obtains the cumulative number of unconnections (n+1), and compares the obtained cumulative number of unconnections with the reference number.

[0180] The processor (112) transmits a power cut-off command for the first type port and identification information of the first type port to the power controller (111) so that power supplied to the first type port is cut off based on the cumulative number of unconnected connections being greater than or equal to a reference number.

[0181] The accumulated number of unconnected times is the number of unconnected times of the first type of port counted each time the display panel (10c) is turned on, and may be a number of times counted continuously.

[0182] The processor (112) controls the memory (113) to maintain power supplied to the first type port based on the cumulative number of unconnected connections being less than a reference number and to store the cumulative number of unconnected connections.

[0183] The processor (112) can delete the accumulated number of unconnected connections of the currently recognized second type port from the accumulated number of unconnected connections per port stored in the memory (113).

[0184] Deleting the cumulative number of unconnected connections of the currently recognized second type port may include resetting the cumulative number of unconnected connections of the currently recognized second type port.

[0185] As shown in Fig. 6a, if it is determined that a set-top box (2a) is connected to the first port (21), a portable storage device (2b) is connected to the fourth port (24), and an external device (2) is not connected to the second and third ports (22, 23), the processor (112) checks the number of previous unconnections of the second and third ports (22, 23), respectively, and adds the current number of unconnections to the number of previous unconnections to obtain the cumulative number of unconnections of the second port (22) and the cumulative number of unconnections of the third port (23).

[0186] As illustrated in FIG. 6b, the processor (112) compares the accumulated number of unconnected states of the second port (22) with a reference number, and controls the power controller (111) to maintain power supplied to the second port (22) based on the fact that the accumulated number of unconnected states of the second port (22) is less than the reference number. The processor (112) can also transmit identification information of the second port (22) and a command to maintain power supply to the power controller (111).

[0187] The processor (112) compares the accumulated number of unconnected connections of the third port (23) with a reference number, and transmits identification information of the third port (23) and a power cut-off command to the power controller (111) so that power supplied to the third port (23) is cut off based on the fact that the accumulated number of unconnected connections of the third port (23) is greater than or equal to the reference number.

[0188] As shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b, when the port to which the removable storage device (2b) is connected is changed from the fourth port (24) to the second port (22), the processor (112) initializes the accumulated number of unconnected times of the second port (22).

[0189] The processor (112) can also obtain the accumulated number of unconnected states of the fourth port (24) based on the fact that an external device is not recognized in the fourth port (24) during the operation of the display panel (10c) and store the obtained accumulated number of unconnected states.

[0190] It is also possible for the processor (112) not to acquire and store the accumulated number of unconnected times of the fourth port (24) even if the external device (2) is changed from a connected state to a disconnected state before the display panel (10c) is switched to an off state.

[0191] That is, the processor (112) can obtain the accumulated number of unconnected ports of the external device (2) only when the display panel (10c) is turned on.

[0192] The processor (112) can also recognize the port with the largest number of unconnected connections among the ports to which external devices are not connected, and control the power controller to cut off the power supplied to the port with the largest number of unconnected connections.

[0193] Among the ports where external devices are not connected, the port with the largest number of disconnections may be a port that is not used by the user or is used the least by the user.

[0194] The processor (112) may include a plurality of control blocks that are connected to each of the plurality of ports and transmit and receive signals or information with each of the ports.

[0195] Among the multiple control blocks of the processor (112), the control block corresponding to the first type of port whose power is cut off does not perform the reset operation and the background operation.

[0196] The present embodiment can reduce power consumption in blocks of a processor related to a port to which an external device is not connected by turning off the function of the port to which an external device is not connected.

[0197] The processor (112) can periodically recognize whether an external device (2) is connected to ports that are not powered off by identifying signals of ports that are not powered off among a plurality of ports while controlling image output through the display panel (10c).

[0198] The ports that are not powered off may include a second type port and a first type port whose cumulative number of unconnected connections is less than a reference number.

[0199] The processor (112) may not perform an operation of checking whether an external device (2) is connected to a first type port whose power is cut off. That is, the processor (112) may perform an ultra-low power mode by cutting off power to the first type port.

[0200] The processor (112) can control the display panel (10c) to display guidance information for the first type of port whose power is cut off.

[0201] A Type 1 port that is powered off may be a port that is not being used by the user.

[0202] As illustrated in Fig. 8, the display panel (10c) can display guidance information notifying that ‘the user has entered power saving mode for the first type of port that is not being used.’

[0203] As shown in Fig. 9a, the display panel (10c) can also display identification information of a first type port that is not being used by the user.

[0204] The processor (112) controls a display panel to display the usage status of a plurality of ports, and can control the display panel to display ports that are powered off and ports that are powered on separately.

[0205] For example, the processor (112) can control the display panel to display port identification information for a port that is powered off in a first color font and to display port identification information for a port that is powered on in a second color font.

[0206] As another example, the processor (112) may control the display panel to display a port that is powered off as a disconnected emoticon along with the port's identification information, and to display a port that is powered on as a connected emoticon along with the port's identification information.

[0207] When the processor (112) determines that the user input received through the input unit (10d) or the communication unit (114) corresponds to the selection of guidance information displayed on the display panel (10c), the processor (112) can control the display panel (10c) to display guidance information on the use of the first type of port whose power is cut off.

[0208] As shown in Fig. 9b, the display panel (10c) can also display identification information of an unused first type port and a cursor corresponding to a user input.

[0209] User input may include a command to release power to a type 1 port.

[0210] As illustrated in FIG. 9c, the display panel (10c) can display guidance information guiding changes in settings for reuse of an unused first type port.

[0211] The processor (112) controls the display panel (10c) to display guidance information for setting the reference number of times based on the user input received through the input unit (10d) or the communication unit (114) being a command for setting the reference number of times, and can control the display panel (10c) to display a setting window for setting the reference number of times based on the user input.

[0212] As illustrated in Fig. 10a, the display panel (10c) can display guidance information that guides how to set the reference number of times.

[0213] As shown in Fig. 10b, the display panel (10c) can display a setting window for setting the reference number of times.

[0214] If the user input received through the input unit (10d) or the communication unit (114) is setting information for a reference number of times, the processor (112) can control the memory (113) to set the reference number of times based on the received setting information and store the set reference number of times. Here, the user input can include a command to set the reference number of times.

[0215] User input received through the communication unit (114) may include user input received through any one of a remote controller, keyboard, and mouse.

[0216] The memory (113) can store identification information for each port and the accumulated number of unconnected connections for each port.

[0217] The memory (113) can store information about the control block matched with the identification information for each port.

[0218] The memory (113) can store the reference number of times.

[0219] The memory (113) can store data for an algorithm for controlling the operation of components within the display device or a program that reproduces the algorithm.

[0220] The memory (113) and the processor (112) may be implemented as separate chips. Alternatively, the memory (113) and the processor (112) may be implemented as a single chip.

[0221] The memory (113) may be implemented as at least one of a non-volatile memory element such as a cache, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable ROM), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), and a flash memory, a volatile memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), or a storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a CD-ROM, but is not limited thereto.

[0222] The communication unit (114) may include a signal receiving unit for receiving a signal from a remote control device (not shown). The communication unit (114) may be provided on the signal processing board (110). The communication unit (114) may be provided separately from the signal processing board (110), but may be electrically and communicatively connected to the signal processing board via a cable.

[0223] The communication unit (114) can receive user input through a wireless keyboard or wireless mouse and transmit the received user input to the processor (112).

[0224] The communication unit (114) can communicate with an external device (2).

[0225] The communication unit (114) may include at least one of a short-range communication module or a long-range communication module.

[0226] The communication unit (114) can transmit data to an external device or receive data from an external device. For example, the communication unit (220) can establish communication with an external device and transmit and receive various types of data.

[0227] To this end, the communication unit (114) can support the establishment of a direct (e.g. wired) communication channel or wireless communication channel with an external device, and the performance of communication through the established communication channel.

[0228] According to one embodiment, the communication unit (114) may include a wireless communication module (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module, or a power line communication module).

[0229] These communication units (114) can communicate with external devices via a first network (e.g., a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, WiFi (wireless fidelity) direct, or IrDA (infrared data association)) or a second network (e.g., a long-range communication network such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., a LAN or WAN)). These various types of communication modules can be integrated into a single component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as a plurality of separate components (e.g., multiple chips).

[0230] The short-range wireless communication module may include, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth communication module, a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication module, a near field communication module, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication module, a Zigbee communication module, an infrared (IrDA, infrared Data Association) communication module, a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication module, an UWB (ultrawideband) communication module, an Ant+ communication module, a microwave (uWave) communication module, etc.

[0231] At least one component may be added or deleted to correspond to the performance of the components of the display device illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the relative positions of the components may be altered to correspond to the performance or structure of the system.

[0232] Meanwhile, each component illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 refers to software and / or hardware components such as Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC).

[0233]

[0234] Fig. 11 is a control flowchart of a display device according to an embodiment.

[0235] The display device recognizes whether the display panel is turned on (301).

[0236] Recognizing whether the display panel is turned on may include recognizing whether main power is applied to the signal processing board. The main power may include power for driving the signal processing board, the display panel, the power board, the display driver, etc., rather than standby power.

[0237] Recognizing that the display panel is on may include recognizing that the signal processing board (110) has transitioned from a state in which commercial power is not supplied to a state in which commercial power is supplied.

[0238] Recognizing that the display panel is on may include recognizing that a wake-up command has been received while performing a sleep mode.

[0239] Recognizing that the display panel is on may include recognizing that the screen of the display panel has transitioned from an off state to an on state.

[0240] The wake-up command can be received from a remote control, mouse, or keyboard.

[0241] The wake-up command may include a voice command.

[0242] Recognizing whether the display panel is turned on may include recognizing whether a power-on command has been received through the input unit (10d) or the communication unit (114).

[0243] The processor (112) can perform background operations when it is recognized that the display panel (10c) is turned on.

[0244] The display device recognizes a first type of port to which an external device (2) is not connected and a second type of port to which an external device (2) is connected among a plurality of ports based on the recognition that the display panel (10c) is turned on during operation in the background (302).

[0245] For example, if the first port is a USB port, the display device can determine that an external device is connected to the first port if a high (H) signal is input from the VBUS line of the first port, and can determine that an external device is not connected if a high signal is not received.

[0246] The display device checks the number of previous unconnections of the first type port, and adds the current number of unconnections (+1) to the number of previous unconnections (n) to obtain the accumulated number of unconnections (n+1) (303).

[0247] The display device determines whether the accumulated number of unconnected connections is greater than or equal to a standard number (304).

[0248] The accumulated number of unconnected times is the number of unconnected times of the first type of port counted each time the display panel (10c) is turned on, and may be a number of times counted continuously.

[0249] The display device maintains power supplied to the first type port based on the cumulative number of unconnected connections being less than a reference number, stores the cumulative number of unconnected connections and identification information of the first type port in the memory (113), and also maintains power supplied to the second type port (305).

[0250] The display device cuts off power supplied to the first type port and supplies power to the second type port based on the cumulative number of unconnected connections being greater than or equal to a reference number (306).

[0251] When there are multiple ports of the first type, the display device obtains the cumulative number of unconnected connections for each of the multiple ports of the first type, compares the cumulative number of unconnected connections for each port of the first type with a reference number, and cuts off power supplied to a port of the first type whose cumulative number of unconnected connections is greater than or equal to the reference number, and maintains power supply to a port of the first type whose cumulative number of unconnected connections is less than the reference number.

[0252] The display device can delete the accumulated number of unconnected ports of the currently recognized second type from among the accumulated number of unconnected ports stored in the memory (113).

[0253] Deleting the cumulative number of unconnected connections of the currently recognized second type port may include resetting the cumulative number of unconnected connections of the currently recognized second type port.

[0254] The display device can periodically recognize whether an external device (2) is connected to ports that are not powered off by identifying signals from ports that are not powered off among a plurality of ports while controlling image output through the display panel (10c).

[0255] The ports that are not powered off may include a second type port and a first type port whose cumulative number of unconnected connections is less than a reference number.

[0256] The display device may not perform an operation of checking whether an external device (2) is connected to a first type port that is powered off. That is, the display device may perform an ultra-low power mode by powering off the first type port.

[0257] The display device does not acquire and store the accumulated number of unconnected states per port even if the port to which the external device (2) is connected changes until the display panel (10c) is turned off. In other words, the display device can acquire the accumulated number of unconnected states of the port to which the external device (2) is unconnected only when the display panel (10c) is turned on.

[0258] The display device can display guidance information for the first type of port that is powered off (307).

[0259] A Type 1 port that is powered off may be a port that is not being used by the user.

[0260] The display device may display guidance information notifying that 'the user has entered power saving mode for a type 1 port that is not in use', and may also display identification information of a type 1 port that is not in use by the user.

[0261] The display device can display the usage status of multiple ports, but can distinguish between ports that are powered off and ports that are powered.

[0262] For example, the display device may display port identification information for a port that is powered off in a first color font, and display port identification information for a port that is powered on in a second color font.

[0263] As another example, the display device may display a port that is unpowered as a disconnected wire emoji along with the port's identification information, and a port that is powered as a connected wire emoji along with the port's identification information.

[0264] The display device can display guidance information for use of the first type of port whose power is cut off when it is determined that the user input received through the input unit (10d) or the communication unit (114) corresponds to the selection of guidance information displayed on the display panel (10c).

[0265] The display device can determine whether a power-off release command has been received for a first type port that has been powered off (308), and can supply power to the first type port that has been powered off based on determining that a power-off release command has been received (309).

[0266] The display device may reset the accumulated number of disconnections of the first type of port that has been powered off based on determining that a power off release command has been received.

[0267] The display device can also receive a power cut-off release command through the communication unit (114).

[0268] In this way, the present embodiment can easily enable a user to recognize the power cut-off status to an unconnected port by outputting guidance information about a port where power is cut off.

[0269] The present embodiment can improve user convenience for port use by re-supplying power to a port that has been powered off based on user input.

[0270] Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in the form of a recording medium storing computer-executable instructions. The instructions may be stored in the form of program code, and when executed by a processor, may generate program modules to perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium.

[0271] Computer-readable storage media include all types of storage media that store instructions that can be deciphered by a computer. Examples include read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic tape, magnetic disks, flash memory, and optical data storage devices.

[0272] The disclosed embodiments have been described with reference to the attached drawings as described above. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be implemented in forms other than the disclosed embodiments without altering the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. The disclosed embodiments are illustrative and should not be construed as limiting.

Claims

1. Multiple ports for receiving signals from external devices; A power controller for supplying or cutting off power to each of the plurality of ports; and A display device including a processor that recognizes a port to which an external device is not connected among the plurality of ports based on whether a signal is received from the plurality of ports at the on time of the display panel, and controls the power controller to cut off power supplied to the port to which the external device is not connected based on the cumulative number of disconnections of the port to which the external device is not connected.

2. In the first paragraph, the processor, A display device that checks the number of previous unconnections of a port to which the external device is not connected, and obtains the accumulated number of unconnections based on the confirmed number of previous unconnections and the current number of unconnections.

3. In the second paragraph, the processor, Controlling the power controller so that power supplied to the port to which the external device is not connected is cut off based on the cumulative number of unconnected connections being greater than or equal to a reference number; A display device that controls the power controller so that power is supplied to a port to which the external device is not connected based on the fact that the number of accumulated unconnected connections is less than the reference number.

4. In paragraph 3, Including more input sections, A display device in which the processor sets the reference number of times based on a user input received through the input unit and stores the set reference number of times.

5. In the second paragraph, the processor, A display device that obtains the accumulated number of unconnected times based on the fact that the port to which the external device was unconnected at the previous on-time of the display panel and the port to which the external device was unconnected at the current on-time of the display panel are the same.

6. In the second paragraph, the processor, A display device that initializes the accumulated number of unconnected ports of an external device at a previous on-time of the display panel based on the difference between the ports of an external device unconnected at a previous on-time of the display panel and the ports of an external device unconnected at a current on-time of the display panel.

7. In the first paragraph, the processor, A display device that recognizes the on point of the display panel based on at least one of: receiving a wake-up command while the display panel is in a sleep mode; supplying commercial power; and receiving a power-on command through an input.

8. In the first paragraph, the processor, A display device that controls the display panel to display guidance information on power cutoff of a port to which the external device is not connected based on the power cutoff supplied to the port to which the external device is not connected.

9. In paragraph 8, Including more input sections, The processor controls the power controller to release the power cutoff supplied to the unconnected port of the external device based on the release command received through the input unit, A display device, wherein the external device includes a device that stores image information and transmits the stored image information to the processor through one of the plurality of ports.

10. At the on point of the display panel, based on signals received from the plurality of ports, a first type of port to which an external device is not connected and a second type of port to which an external device is connected are recognized among the plurality of ports, Controlling the supply of power or power cutoff to the recognized first type port based on the cumulative number of unconnected ports of the recognized first type port, A method of controlling a display device for supplying power to a second type of port recognized above.

11. In clause 10, A control method of a display device further comprising accumulating and storing the number of times the first type of port is disconnected based on the external device being continuously disconnected from the first type of port at each time the display panel is turned on.

12. In the 11th paragraph, controlling the supply of power or the cutoff of power to the recognized first type port is, Check the number of previous unconnections of the above first type port, Obtain the cumulative number of unconnections of the first type port based on the previous number of unconnections and the current number of unconnections of the first type port stored above, The power supplied to the first port is cut off based on the acquired accumulated number of unconnected times being greater than or equal to the reference number, Power is supplied to the first type port based on the acquired accumulated number of unconnected times being less than the reference number, A control method of a display device further comprising displaying guidance information on power cutoff to the recognized first type port through a display panel based on the cutoff of power supplied to the recognized first type port.

13. In paragraph 11, A control method of a display device further comprising releasing power to the recognized first type port based on a release command received through an input unit.

14. In paragraph 11, Set the above reference number of times based on the user input received in the input section, A control method of a display device further comprising storing the above-mentioned set number of reference times.

15. In paragraph 10, Recognize the on-point of the display panel based on the supply of commercial power, or A method for controlling a display device further comprising recognizing a power-on point of the display panel based on receiving a power-on command through an input unit.

Images