Method and apparatus for interfacing between devices in home network

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

p-0002This application is a non-provisional application of the Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 60/989,243, filed Nov. 20, 2007, in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2008-0029326, filed Mar. 28, 2008, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which application are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

p-00031. Field of the Invention

p-0004Methods and apparatuses consistent with the present invention relate to a home network control system, and more particularly, to a method of interfacing between devices for sharing and reproducing information in a home network control system.

p-00052. Description of the Related Art

p-0006With the establishment of an environment for receiving various multimedia services based on a home network, users are able to use a huge amount of contents such as home contents, broadcast service data provided by external contents providers, material through web applications, contents related to games and entertainments, and personal home page contents. Thus, a user interface method that enables users to easily and tangibly handle the ever-increasing contents is desired.

p-0007Typically, a home device and a mobile device exchange contents through wired/wireless communication. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a flowchart for explaining a typical interface method between a home device and a mobile device. First, a network connection between a home device and a mobile device is performed through wired/wireless communication <b>110</b>. A contents transfer menu is selected in the home device <b>120</b>. Content to be transferred to the mobile device is selected from the contents transfer menu of the home device <b>130</b>. The selected content is transferred from the home device to the mobile device <b>140</b>. The content transferred from the home device is selected at the mobile device <b>150</b>. The selected content is reproduced at the mobile device <b>160</b>.

p-0008However, in the device interface method operated as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the steps of selecting content at the home device using the contents transfer menu and reproducing the selected content at the mobile device are complicated. It may be inconvenient for a user to reproduce the contents of the home device using the mobile device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

p-0009The present invention provides a method of interfacing between devices in a home network controller, which can provide a user with an intuitive and natural interaction between devices by adopting a tangible interaction method of switching devices for reproducing contents.

p-0010The present invention provides a home network controller adopting the above-described device interface method.

p-0011According to an aspect of the present invention, a method of interfacing between devices in a home network control device includes dividing a screen into at least two areas, assigning a predetermined contents service function to each of the divided screen areas, sensing a position of the screen that an external device approaches and a distance between the screen and the external device reproducing a content, and performing the contents service function between devices differently for each screen area according to the position of the screen that the external device approaches and the distance between the screen and the external device.

p-0012According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of interfacing between devices in a home network control device includes sensing a position of a screen that an external device approaches and a distance between the screen and the external device reproducing content, displaying list information of devices capable of reproducing contents connected to the home network control device when a distance between the mobile device and the screen is within a first predetermined distance, displaying that a reproduction device at a closest position to the mobile device is selected from the displayed list information of the devices capable of reproducing contents, and continuously reproducing content by sharing the content between the mobile device and a device connected to the home network control device when the distance between the mobile device and the screen is greater than a second predetermined distance.

p-0013According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of interfacing between devices in a home network control device includes sensing a position of a screen that a mobile device approaches and a distance between the screen and the mobile device, displaying a mark area of the mobile device at a position in a particular area of the screen that the mobile device approaches, and receiving contents of the mobile device in the mark area, when the distance between the screen and the mobile device is within a first predetermined distance, and transferring the contents of the mobile device to a device connected to the home network control device by dragging and dropping the contents in the mark area of the mobile device onto the position in the particular area of the screen.

p-0014According to another aspect of the present invention, a home network control device includes a screen unit displaying information, a sensor unit installed at a particular position of the screen unit and sensing a position of the screen unit that an external mobile device approaches and a distance between the screen unit and the external mobile device that externally approaches, a control unit sharing contents between the mobile device and a home network connection device by dividing a screen area of the screen unit, assigning a predetermined contents service function to each of the divided screen areas, measuring the position of the screen unit that the external mobile device approaches and the distance between the mobile device and the screen unit by using the sensor unit, and determining a contents service function for each screen area according to the position of the screen unit that the external mobile device approaches and the distance between the mobile device and the screen, and a network transceiving unit performing wireless communication with the mobile device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

p-0015The above and other aspects of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:

p-0016<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a typical interface method between a home device and a mobile device;

p-0017<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a block diagram of a home network controller according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

p-0018<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a flowchart of a method of interfacing between devices in a home network according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

p-0019<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a flowchart of a method of interfacing between devices embodying a contents transfer function according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

p-0020<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5A</figref> is a flowchart of a method of interfacing between devices embodying a seamless service function according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

p-0021<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5B</figref> is a flowchart of a method for interfacing between devices embodying a seamless service function according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

p-0022<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> illustrates an operation of assigning a function to each area of a screen;

p-0023<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7A</figref> illustrates an operation of embodying the content transfer function;

p-0024<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7B</figref> illustrates enlarging an area of the screen in the content transfer function;

p-0025<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7C</figref> illustrates transferring content in the content transfer function;

p-0026<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8A</figref> illustrates an operation of embodying the seamless service function;

p-0027<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8B</figref> illustrates enlarging an area of the screen in the seamless service function;

p-0028<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8C</figref> illustrates highlighting an area of the screen in the seamless service function; and

p-0029<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8D</figref> illustrates transferring the content in the seamless service function.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

p-0030The attached drawings for illustrating exemplary embodiments of the present invention are referred to in order to gain a sufficient understanding of the present invention, the merits thereof, and the objectives accomplished by the implementation of the present invention. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by explaining exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements.

p-0031<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a block diagram of a home network controller or control device <b>200</b> according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, the home network control device <b>200</b> includes a key input unit <b>210</b>, a sensor unit <b>220</b>, a screen unit <b>240</b>, a memory unit <b>230</b>, a control unit <b>260</b>, and a network transceiving unit <b>270</b>. The key input unit <b>210</b> includes a plurality of numeric keys and character keys and at least one function key. The key input unit <b>210</b> generates key data whenever a user presses a predetermined key and provides the generated key data to the control unit <b>260</b>.

p-0032The screen unit <b>240</b> displays the key data generated by the key input unit <b>210</b> and various information and signals extracted and generated by a control process of the control unit <b>260</b>. In particular, the screen unit <b>240</b> is divided into at least two areas. A predetermined contents service function is assigned to each area.

p-0033The sensor unit <b>220</b> is installed at a particular position of the screen unit <b>240</b> to sense the distance between the screen unit <b>240</b> and an external mobile device and the position of the screen unit <b>240</b> that the external mobile device approaches. The memory unit <b>230</b> includes a predetermined program code to control the overall operation of the control device <b>200</b> and stores information input or output by the operation of the program code.

p-0034The control unit <b>260</b> controls and manages a variety of functions to control home devices, for example, the selection and control of a home device, key input, the output of a reproduced image of the home device, and the output of a sound of the home device. Also, the control unit <b>260</b> includes a management program which controls booting, an operating system (OS) and a predetermined agent or application programs. In particular, the control unit <b>260</b> divides the screen area of the screen unit <b>240</b> into at least two areas and assigns a predetermined contents service function to each of the divided screen areas. Also, the control unit <b>260</b> measures the position of the screen unit <b>240</b> that the mobile device approaches and the distance between the screen unit <b>240</b> and the mobile device which reproduces contents by using the sensor unit <b>220</b> and performs a different contents service for each screen area according to the position of the screen unit <b>240</b> that the mobile device approaches and the distance between the mobile device and the screen unit <b>240</b>.

p-0035The network transceiving unit <b>270</b> converts a code generated by the control unit <b>260</b> to a radio frequency (RF) to perform predetermined wired/wireless communications in a wired/wireless network, and performs the wired/wireless communications with home devices connected in the wired/wireless network. The network transceiving unit <b>270</b> transceives contents by wireless communication between the home devices connected to the wired/wireless network and the mobile device that externally approaches the screen unit <b>240</b>.

p-0036<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a flowchart of a method of interfacing between devices in a home network according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The home network control device <b>200</b> controls a plurality of home devices, for example, a TV and a DVD player, connected in the wired/wireless network. The home network control device <b>200</b> displays a list of the home devices connected through a network on a screen <b>610</b> as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>.

p-0037Specifically, the home network control unit <b>260</b> divides the screen area into at least two areas (Operation <b>310</b>). For example, as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, the home network control unit <b>260</b> divides the screen <b>610</b> into a first area <b>620</b> and a second area <b>630</b>.

p-0038The home network control unit <b>260</b> assigns a predetermined contents service function to each of the divided screen areas <b>620</b>, <b>630</b> (Operation <b>320</b>). For example, as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, the first area <b>620</b> is assigned to a contents transfer service function area and the second area <b>630</b> is assigned to a seamless service function area. The home network control unit <b>260</b> implements in the first area <b>620</b> a contents transfer function between the home device and a mobile device <b>640</b> and a contents search function in the mobile device <b>640</b>. Also, the home network control unit <b>260</b> implements a seamless contents service function between the home device and the mobile device <b>640</b> in the second area <b>630</b>. The mobile device collectively refers to wired/wireless external terminals capable of reproducing contents.

p-0039The home network control unit <b>260</b> displays a list of reproduction devices in a particular area of the screen <b>610</b> (Operation <b>330</b>). For example, as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, lists <b>631</b> and <b>632</b> of contents of the home devices, that are being presently reproduced, are displayed in a lower portion of the screen <b>610</b>. The home network control device senses the position of the screen <b>610</b> that the mobile device <b>640</b> approaches and the distance between the mobile device <b>640</b> and the screen <b>610</b> by using an infrared sensor or an ultrasonic sensor (Operation <b>340</b>). The contents service function for each of the screen areas is performed based on the position of the screen <b>610</b> that the mobile device <b>640</b> approaches and the distance between the mobile device <b>640</b> and the screen <b>610</b> (Operation <b>350</b>).

p-0040When the distance between the screen area and the mobile device <b>640</b> at the position of the screen area that the mobile device <b>640</b> approaches is within a first predetermined distance, appropriate contents service functions are performed. Also, when the mobile device <b>640</b> is moved away from the screen <b>610</b>, a selected contents service function is performed. Particularly, when the distance between the screen area and the mobile device <b>640</b> at the position of the screen area that the mobile device <b>640</b> approaches is greater than a second predetermined distance, a selected contents service function is performed.

p-0041Different content service functions are performed based on the position of the screen area that the mobile device <b>640</b> approaches. Different contents service functions are performed based on the state of the reproduction of contents of the mobile device <b>640</b> at the position of the screen area that the mobile device <b>640</b> approaches.

p-0042<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a flowchart of a method of interfacing between devices embodying the contents transfer function according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A part of the screen area of the home network control device <b>200</b> is set as a contents transfer service function area (Operation <b>410</b>). It is checked whether the mobile device <b>640</b> approaches the contents transfer service function area of the screen <b>610</b> (Operation <b>420</b>).

p-0043Referring to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7A</figref>, the home network control device measures the position of a screen <b>710</b> that a mobile device <b>730</b> approaches and the distance between the screen <b>710</b> and the mobile device <b>730</b> by using a distance and position sensor installed on the screen. When the distance between the mobile device <b>730</b> and the screen <b>710</b> is within a predetermined distance and the position that the mobile device <b>730</b> approaches corresponds to coordinates of a contents transfer function area <b>720</b> of the screen <b>710</b>, the home network control unit <b>260</b> determines that the mobile device <b>730</b> approaches the contents transfer function area <b>720</b> of the screen <b>710</b>.

p-0044Referring to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7B</figref>, the home network control unit <b>260</b> generates a mark area <b>740</b> in the contents transfer service function area <b>720</b> (Operation <b>430</b>). A graphic or icons indicating a contents list of the mobile devices received from the mobile device <b>730</b> in a wireless communication are displayed in the mark area <b>740</b>.

p-0045It is checked whether a particular item of content in the mark area <b>740</b> is dragged and dropped onto a home device area (Operation <b>440</b>). A drag detection technology may be embodied using motion coordinate information of a touch pointer that is a well-known technology. When the content item of the mark area <b>740</b> is dragged to the home device area, the contents of the mobile device are transferred to a particular storage area of the home device (Operation <b>460</b>).

p-0046Referring to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7C</figref>, the home network control device moves a particular item of content in the mark area <b>740</b> to the home device area of a drag/drop position indicated by a dotted arrow by wireless communication.

p-0047If the content item of the mark area <b>740</b> is not dragged to the area of the home device, it is checked whether a content item of the home device is dragged and dropped into the mark area <b>740</b> (Operation <b>450</b>).

p-0048If the particular item of content in the home device area is dragged and dropped onto the mark area <b>740</b>, the content of the home device is transferred to the mobile device by wireless communication (Operation <b>460</b>).

p-0049<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5A</figref> is a flowchart of a method of interfacing between devices embodying a seamless service function according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The interface method of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5A</figref> embodies a seamless service function to have the content that is reproduced by the home device to be continuously reproduced by the mobile device.

p-0050A part of the screen area is set as a seamless service function area (Operation <b>510</b><i>a</i>). A list of home devices that are presently reproducing the content is displayed in the seamless service function area (Operation <b>520</b><i>a</i>). For example, referring to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8A</figref>, a seamless service function area <b>820</b> is set on a screen <b>810</b> and lists <b>831</b> and <b>832</b> of the home devices, for example, a TV or a DVD, that are presently reproducing the contents are displayed in a contents list area <b>830</b> of the seamless service function area <b>820</b>.

p-0051It is checked whether a mobile device <b>840</b> approaches the seamless service function area <b>820</b> (Operation <b>530</b><i>a</i>). Referring to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8A and 8B</figref>, the home network control unit <b>260</b> measures the position of the screen <b>810</b> that the mobile device <b>840</b> approaches and the distance between the screen <b>810</b> and the mobile device <b>840</b> by using a distance and position sensor installed at the screen <b>810</b>. When the distance between the mobile device <b>840</b> and the screen <b>810</b> is within a first predetermined distance and the position of the screen <b>810</b> that the mobile device <b>840</b> approaches corresponds to the coordinates of the seamless service function area <b>820</b>, the home network control unit <b>260</b> senses that the mobile device <b>840</b> approaches the seamless service function area <b>820</b> of the screen <b>810</b>.

p-0052It is checked whether the mobile device <b>840</b> reproduces the contents by wireless communication (Operation <b>532</b><i>a</i>). When the mobile device <b>840</b> is not reproducing the contents, a seamless reproduction mode is set to perform a contents continuous reproduction function from the home device to the mobile device <b>840</b> (Operation <b>540</b><i>a</i>). The seamless service function area <b>820</b> is enlarged so that selection of the contents of the home device may be performed easily. Referring to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8B</figref>, the home network control unit <b>260</b> enlarges the contents list area <b>830</b> so that the content reproduced at the home device may be easily selected using the mobile device <b>840</b>.

p-0053The list of home devices that is the closest to the mobile device <b>840</b> from among the contents lists of the home devices displayed in the seamless service function area <b>820</b> is highlighted based on the position of the screen <b>810</b> that the mobile device <b>840</b> approaches and the distance between the screen <b>810</b> and mobile device <b>840</b> (Operation <b>550</b><i>a</i>).

p-0054Referring to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8C</figref>, the home network control unit <b>260</b> highlights a content item <b>831</b> that is the closest to the mobile device <b>840</b>. The content of the home device that is presently selected by wireless communication is displayed on a screen <b>842</b> of the mobile device <b>840</b>. It is checked whether the mobile device <b>840</b> is moved away from the seamless service function area <b>820</b> (Operation <b>560</b><i>a</i>).

p-0055Referring to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8D</figref>, the home network control unit <b>260</b> measures the position of the screen <b>810</b> that the mobile device <b>840</b> approaches and the distance between the screen <b>810</b> and the mobile device <b>840</b> by using the position and distance sensor installed on the screen <b>810</b>. When the distance between the mobile device <b>840</b> and the screen <b>810</b> is greater than a second predetermined distance, the home network control unit <b>260</b> senses that the mobile device <b>840</b> is moved away from the seamless service function area <b>820</b> (Operation <b>560</b><i>a</i>).

p-0056If the mobile device <b>840</b> is moved away from the seamless service function area <b>820</b>, the contents reproduction device is changed from the home device to the mobile device <b>840</b>. The content of the home device that is selected is continuously reproduced by the mobile device <b>840</b> (Operation <b>570</b><i>a</i>).

p-0057Referring to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8D</figref>, when the home network control unit <b>260</b> senses that the mobile device <b>840</b> has moved away from the seamless service function area <b>820</b>, the control unit <b>260</b> turns off the home device that presently reproduces the content. The mobile device <b>840</b> receives the content that is reproduced by the home device and continuously reproduces the received content. The screen <b>842</b> of the mobile device <b>840</b> displays the content of the home device that is being reproduced.

p-0058<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5B</figref> is a flowchart showing a method of interfacing between devices coupled to a home network controller embodying a seamless service function according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The interface method of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5B</figref> embodies a seamless service function for the content that is being reproduced by the mobile device to be continuously reproduced by the home device.

p-0059A part of the screen area is set as the seamless service function area <b>820</b> (Operation <b>510</b><i>b</i>). A list of home devices that presently reproduce content is displayed in the seamless service function area <b>820</b> (Operation <b>520</b><i>b</i>). It is checked whether the mobile device <b>840</b> approaches the seamless service function area <b>820</b> (Operation <b>530</b><i>b</i>). When the mobile device <b>840</b> is sensed approaching the seamless service function area <b>820</b>, it is checked whether the mobile device reproduces content by wireless communication (Operation <b>532</b><i>b</i>).

p-0060If the mobile device reproduces content, a seamless reproduction mode is set to perform a contents continuous reproduction function from the mobile device <b>840</b> to the home device (Operation <b>540</b><i>b</i>). Also, the seamless service function area <b>820</b> is enlarged to make the selection of the content of the home device easy.

p-0061Lists of the home devices capable of reproducing the contents that are reproduced by the mobile device <b>840</b> are displayed (Operation <b>550</b><i>b</i>). A list of the home devices that is the closest to the mobile device <b>840</b> from among the contents lists of the home devices displayed in the seamless service function area <b>820</b> is highlighted based on the position of the screen <b>810</b> that the mobile device <b>840</b> approaches and the distance between the screen <b>810</b> and the mobile device <b>840</b> (Operation <b>555</b><i>b</i>).

p-0062It is checked whether the mobile device <b>840</b> has moved away from the seamless service function area <b>820</b> (Operation <b>560</b><i>b</i>). If it is sensed that the mobile device <b>840</b> has moved away from the seamless service function area <b>820</b>, the contents reproduction device is changed from the mobile device <b>840</b> to the home device so that the content of the mobile device that is presently reproduced is continuously reproduced by the home device (Operation <b>570</b><i>b</i>). That is, when the home network control unit <b>260</b> senses that the mobile device <b>840</b> has moved away from the seamless service function area <b>820</b>, the content received from the mobile device <b>840</b> by wireless communication is continuously reproduced at the home device that is selected. Also, the home network control unit <b>260</b> displays the contents of the mobile device <b>840</b> that are being presently reproduced in the seamless service function area <b>820</b>.

p-0063The invention may also be embodied as computer readable codes on a computer readable recording medium. The computer readable recording medium is any data storage device that may store data which may be thereafter read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable recording medium include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, and optical data storage devices. The computer readable recording medium may also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

p-0064According to exemplary embodiments of the above-described invention, as a tangible interaction method is introduced in a process of embodying an interface between a mobile device and a home device. An intuitive and natural interaction between the devices may be provided to a user.

p-0065While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.