KR102733225B1 - Display device and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

In one embodiment of the present invention, a display device is provided, comprising: a main body including a user interface and a display module for outputting an image; a bending module positioned at the center of a rear surface of the main body; and a control unit, wherein the control unit controls the bending module to change a curvature of the display module into one of a flat mode in which the display module is flat, a first bending mode in which the display module has a first curvature, and a second bending mode in which the display module has a second curvature, wherein the second curvature is a maximum curvature of the display module, and wherein a visual effect is applied to the output user interface as the display module is switched to one of the flat mode, the first bending mode, and the second bending mode.

Description

DISPLAY DEVICE AND METHOD THEREOF

The present invention relates to a variable display device with a curved structure capable of improving a user's sense of immersion.

As the information society develops, the demand for display devices is also increasing in various forms, and in response to this, recent display devices include liquid crystal displays (LCDs), field emission displays (FEDs), plasma display panels (PDPs), and electroluminescence devices.

The liquid crystal panel of the liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal layer and a TFT substrate and a color filter substrate facing each other with the liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween, and can display an image using light provided from a backlight unit.

As an example of an electroluminescent device, an active matrix type organic light-emitting display device is commercially available. Since an organic light-emitting display device is a self-luminous device, it has advantages over a liquid crystal display device in terms of response speed, viewing angle, etc., without a backlight, and is attracting attention as a next-generation display.

In this way, since the organic light-emitting display device does not have a backlight, it can be bent and deformed, so a curved display module can be implemented. However, because the display module has a curve, there is a problem that the interface being output from the display module may be distorted.

The present invention aims to solve the above problem by providing a display device capable of controlling the shape of an interface being output based on the curvature of a display module.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a display device is provided, comprising: a main body including a user interface and a display module for outputting an image; a bending module positioned at the center of a rear surface of the main body; and a control unit, wherein the control unit controls the bending module to change a curvature of the display module into one of a flat mode in which the display module is flat, a first bending mode in which the display module has a first curvature, and a second bending mode in which the display module has a second curvature, wherein the second curvature is a maximum curvature of the display module, and wherein a visual effect is applied to the output user interface as the display module is switched to one of the flat mode, the first bending mode, and the second bending mode.

In addition, the control unit is characterized in that, when the display module is in the flat mode, the visual effect is not applied to the user interface being output in the flat mode, when the display module is in the first bending mode, the first visual effect is applied to the user interface being output in the first bending mode, and when the display module is in the second bending mode, the first visual effect and the second visual effect are applied to the user interface being output in the second bending mode.

In addition, the first visual effect corresponds to a convex effect, and the second visual effect corresponds to a three-dimensional rotation effect.

In addition, the control unit is characterized by changing the aspect ratio of the output image as the display module switches to the first bending mode or the second bending mode.

In addition, the control unit is characterized in that, when the aspect ratio of the output image is changed, a pop-up window is output indicating the changed aspect ratio.

In addition, the control unit recognizes an object included in the image when the display module is in the first bending mode or the second bending mode, and switches the display module to the flat mode when the recognized object satisfies a condition, wherein the condition is related to the number of the recognized objects.

In addition, the control unit is characterized by outputting a pop-up window querying whether to switch to the flat mode when the recognized object satisfies a condition.

Additionally, the control unit is characterized in that it switches the display module to the flat mode based on a control signal for selecting the pop-up window.

In addition, the control unit is characterized by dividing the display area of the display module on which the user interface and the image are output into N areas (N is an integer greater than or equal to 2), and applying the visual effect to a first area among the N areas where the user interface is located.

In addition, the display device further includes a pair of links, one end of which is coupled to the bending module and extends left and right; and a link bracket, which is located at the left and right ends of the main body and to which the other ends of the links are connected; the bending module includes a guide shaft extending from the rear surface of the main body; and a moving block inserted into the guide shaft and moving in the front-back direction, and when the moving block moves in the front-back direction along the guide shaft, the angle between the pair of links changes and the curvature of the display module changes.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for controlling a display device is provided, comprising: a step of outputting an image through a display module of a display device including a main body including a user interface and a display module for outputting an image, and a bending module positioned at the center of a rear surface of the main body; a step of controlling the bending module to change a curvature of the display module into one of a flat mode in which the display module is flat, a first bending mode in which the display module has a first curvature, and a second bending mode in which the display module has a second curvature, the second curvature being a maximum curvature of the display module; and a step of applying a visual effect to the outputted user interface as the display module is switched to one of the flat mode, the first bending mode, and the second bending mode.

The display device of the present invention can be used in a desired form by the user by transforming the display module into a flat mode or a bending mode.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the display device has an advantage in that a user interface being output can be viewed without distortion even when the curvature of the display module changes.

The effects obtainable from the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs from the description below.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining each component of a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a rear view of a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above.
FIG. 6A is a drawing showing a light structure of a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6b is a drawing showing a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention viewed from various directions.
FIG. 7 is a drawing explaining the basic operation of a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a drawing explaining a curvature setting menu of a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 9A to 9C are drawings explaining an example of applying a visual effect to a user interface output from a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a drawing explaining an embodiment of changing the ratio of an image output based on a change in the curvature of a display module in a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a drawing explaining an embodiment of switching a display module to a flat mode when an object recognized by a display device satisfies a condition according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a drawing illustrating a method of applying a visual effect to a user interface output from a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of applying a visual effect to a user interface output from a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Regardless of the drawing symbols, identical or similar components will be given the same reference numerals and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. The suffixes "module" and "part" used for components in the following description are assigned or used interchangeably only for the convenience of writing the specification, and do not have distinct meanings or roles in themselves. In addition, when describing embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a specific description of a related known technology may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the attached drawings are only intended to facilitate easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical ideas disclosed in this specification are not limited by the attached drawings, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

Terms including ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

When it is said that a component is "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components in between. On the other hand, when it is said that a component is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

In this application, it should be understood that terms such as “comprises” or “have” are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

Meanwhile, the image display device described in this specification is an intelligent image display device that adds a computer support function to the broadcast reception function, for example, and while being faithful to the broadcast reception function, it can be equipped with an Internet function, etc., and can have a more convenient interface such as a manual input device, a touch screen, or a space remote control. In addition, it can be connected to the Internet and a computer with the support of a wired or wireless Internet function, and can also perform functions such as e-mail, web browsing, banking, or games. A standardized general-purpose OS can be used for these various functions.

Accordingly, the video display device described in the present invention can perform various user-friendly functions because various applications can be freely added or deleted, for example, on a general-purpose OS kernel. More specifically, the video display device can be, for example, a network TV, an HBBTV, a smart TV, etc., and in some cases, can also be applied to a smartphone.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining each component of a display device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The display device (100) may include a broadcast receiving unit (110), an external device interface unit (171), a network interface unit (172), a storage unit (140), a user input interface unit (173), an input unit (130), a control unit (180), a display module (150), an audio output unit (160), and/or a power supply unit (190).

The broadcast receiving unit (110) may include a tuner unit (111) and a demodulator unit (112).

Meanwhile, unlike the drawing, the display device (100) may include only the external device interface unit (171) and the network interface unit (172) among the broadcast receiving unit (110), the external device interface unit (171) and the network interface unit (172). That is, the display device (100) may not include the broadcast receiving unit (110).

The tuner unit (111) can select a broadcast signal corresponding to a channel selected by the user or all previously stored channels among broadcast signals received through an antenna (not shown) or a cable (not shown). The tuner unit (111) can convert the selected broadcast signal into an intermediate frequency signal or a baseband video or audio signal.

For example, the tuner unit (111) can convert the selected broadcast signal into a digital IF signal (DIF) if it is a digital broadcast signal, and can convert it into an analog baseband video or audio signal (CVBS/SIF) if it is an analog broadcast signal. That is, the tuner unit (111) can process a digital broadcast signal or an analog broadcast signal. The analog baseband video or audio signal (CVBS/SIF) output from the tuner unit (111) can be directly input to the control unit (180).

Meanwhile, the tuner unit (111) can sequentially select broadcast signals of all stored broadcast channels through the channel memory function among the received broadcast signals and convert them into intermediate frequency signals or baseband video or audio signals.

Meanwhile, the tuner unit (111) may be equipped with multiple tuners to receive broadcast signals of multiple channels. Alternatively, a single tuner that simultaneously receives broadcast signals of multiple channels is also possible.

The demodulator (112) can perform a demodulation operation by receiving a digital IF signal (DIF) converted by the tuner (111). The demodulator (112) can output a stream signal (TS) after performing demodulation and channel decoding. At this time, the stream signal can be a signal in which a video signal, an audio signal, or a data signal is multiplexed.

The stream signal output from the demodulator (112) can be input to the control unit (180). The control unit (180) can perform demultiplexing, image/audio signal processing, etc., and then output an image through the display module (150) and output an audio through the audio output unit (160).

The sensing unit (120) refers to a device that detects changes within the display device (100) or detects external changes. For example, it may include at least one of a proximity sensor, an illumination sensor, a touch sensor, an infrared sensor (IR sensor), an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor (e.g., a camera), a voice sensor (e.g., a microphone), a battery gauge, and an environmental sensor (e.g., a hygrometer, a thermometer, etc.).

The control unit (180) can check the status of the display device (100) based on the information collected from the sensing unit (120), and if a problem occurs, can notify the user of it or control it to maintain the best condition by automatically adjusting it.

In addition, the content, picture quality, size, etc. of the image provided to the display module (180) can be controlled differently depending on the viewer detected by the sensing unit or the surrounding lighting, etc., to provide an optimal viewing environment. As smart TVs advance, the functions installed in the display device are increasing, and the sensing unit (20) is also increasing along with it.

The input unit (130) may be provided on one side of the main body of the display device (100). For example, the input unit (130) may include a touch pad, a physical button, etc. The input unit (130) may receive various user commands related to the operation of the display device (100) and transmit a control signal corresponding to the input command to the control unit (180).

Recently, as the size of the bezel of the display device (100) has become smaller, the number of display devices (100) with a minimal input unit (130) in the form of a physical button exposed to the outside has increased. Instead, a minimum number of physical buttons are positioned on the back or side, and user input can be received through a remote control device (200) via a touchpad or a user input interface unit (173) described later.

The storage unit (140) may store programs for each signal processing and control within the control unit (180), and may also store signal-processed images, voices, or data signals. For example, the storage unit (140) may store application programs designed for the purpose of performing various tasks that can be processed by the control unit (180), and may selectively provide some of the stored application programs upon request from the control unit (180).

Programs, etc. stored in the storage unit (140) are not particularly limited as long as they can be executed by the control unit (180). The storage unit (140) may also perform a function for temporary storage of video, audio, or data signals received from an external device through the external device interface unit (171). The storage unit (140) may store information about a specific broadcast channel through a channel memory function such as a channel map.

Although the storage unit (140) of Fig. 1 is provided separately from the control unit (180), the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and the storage unit (140) may be included within the control unit (180).

The storage (140) may include at least one of volatile memory (e.g., DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.) or non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory, hard disk drive (HDD), solid-state drive (SSD), etc.).

The display module (150) can generate a driving signal by converting a video signal, data signal, OSD signal, control signal, etc. processed by the control unit (180) or a video signal, data signal, control signal, etc. received from the interface unit (171). The display module (150) can include a display panel (181) having a plurality of pixels.

The plurality of pixels provided on the display panel may have RGB sub-pixels. Alternatively, the plurality of pixels provided on the display panel may have RGBW sub-pixels. The display module (150) may convert image signals, data signals, OSD signals, control signals, etc. processed by the control unit (180) to generate driving signals for the plurality of pixels.

The display module (150) can be a PDP (Plasma Display Panel), an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode), a flexible display module, etc., and may also be a 3D display module. The 3D display module (150) can be divided into a non-glasses type and a glasses type.

The display device (100) includes a display module that occupies most of the front surface area and a case that covers the rear side of the display module and packages the display module.

Recently, display devices (100) can use flexible display modules (150) such as LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) or OLEDs (Organic Light Emitting Diodes) to implement curved screens rather than flat ones.

The LCDs that were mainly used in the past were supplied with light through a backlight unit because the LCD had difficulty emitting light on its own. The backlight unit is a device that evenly supplies the light supplied from the light source to the liquid crystal display located in front. As the backlight unit became thinner and thinner, it was possible to implement a thin LCD, but it was difficult to implement the backlight unit with a flexible material, and when the backlight unit was bent, it was difficult to supply light evenly to the liquid crystal display, causing a problem in which the brightness of the screen changed.

On the other hand, in the case of LED or OLED, since each element forming a pixel emits light on its own, it can be implemented to be curved without using a backlight unit. In addition, since each element emits light on its own, even if the positional relationship with neighboring elements changes, it does not affect its own brightness, so a curved display module (150) can be implemented using LED or OLED.

OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diodes) panels made their full-fledged appearance in the mid-2010s and are quickly replacing LCDs in the small and medium-sized display market. OLEDs are displays that utilize the self-luminous phenomenon in which fluorescent organic compounds emit light when current flows through them, and their image quality response speed is faster than that of LCDs, so there is almost no afterimage when displaying videos.

OLED uses three types of self-luminous fluorescent organic compounds - red, green, and blue - and is a luminescent display product that uses the phenomenon in which electrons injected from the cathode and anode and positively charged particles combine within the organic material to emit light on their own, so there is no need for a backlight that reduces color.

The LED (Light Emitting Diode) panel is a technology that uses one LED element as one pixel, and can reduce the size of the LED element compared to the past, thereby enabling the implementation of a flexible display module (150). The device previously called an LED TV used LED as a light source for a backlight unit that supplied light to an LCD, and the LED itself did not form a screen.

The display module includes a display panel, a coupling magnet positioned on a rear surface of the display panel, a first power supply unit, and a first signal module. The display panel may include a plurality of pixels (R, G, B). The plurality of pixels (R, G, B) may be formed in each area where a plurality of data lines and a plurality of gate lines intersect. The plurality of pixels (R, G, B) may be arranged or placed in a matrix form.

For example, the plurality of pixels (R, G, B) may include a red (R, hereinafter 'R') sub-pixel, a green (G, hereinafter 'G') sub-pixel, and a blue (B, hereinafter 'B') sub-pixel. The plurality of pixels (R, G, B) may further include a white (W, hereinafter 'W') sub-pixel.

The side of the display module (150) that displays an image can be called the front or the front side. When the display module (150) displays an image, the side from which the image cannot be observed can be called the rear or the back side.

Meanwhile, the display module (150) is configured as a touch screen and can be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

The audio output unit (160) receives a signal processed by the control unit (180) and outputs it as voice.

The interface unit (170) serves as a passageway for various types of external devices connected to the display device (100). The interface unit may include not only a wired method for transmitting and receiving data through a cable, but also a wireless method using an antenna.

The interface unit (170) may include at least one of a wired/wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired/wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connecting a device equipped with an identification module, an audio I/O (Input/Output) port, a video I/O (Input/Output) port, and an earphone port.

As an example of a wireless method, the broadcast receiving unit (110) described above may be included, and may include not only broadcast signals but also mobile communication signals, short-distance communication signals, wireless Internet signals, etc.

The external device interface unit (171) can transmit or receive data with a connected external device. To this end, the external device interface unit (171) may include an A/V input/output unit (not shown).

The external device interface unit (171) can be connected to external devices such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), Blu-ray, game device, camera, camcorder, computer (laptop), set-top box, etc., via wired/wireless connection, and can also perform input/output operations with the external devices.

In addition, the external device interface unit (171) can establish a communication network with various remote control devices (200) to receive a control signal related to the operation of the display device (100) from the remote control device (200) or transmit data related to the operation of the display device (100) to the remote control device (200).

The external device interface unit (171) may include a wireless communication unit (not shown) for short-range wireless communication with other electronic devices. Through this wireless communication unit (not shown), the external device interface unit (171) may exchange data with an adjacent mobile terminal. In particular, the external device interface unit (171) may receive device information, running application information, application images, etc. from the mobile terminal in mirroring mode.

The network interface unit (172) may provide an interface for connecting the display device (100) to a wired/wireless network including the Internet. For example, the network interface unit (172) may receive content or data provided by the Internet or a content provider or a network operator through a network. Meanwhile, the network interface unit (172) may include a communication module (not shown) for connection to a wired/wireless network.

The external device interface unit (171) and/or the network interface unit (172) may include a communication module for short-range communication such as Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Zigbee, and NFC (Near Field Communication), a communication module for cellular communication such as LTE (long-term evolution), LTE-A (LTE Advance), CDMA (code division multiple access), WCDMA (wideband CDMA), UMTS (universal mobile telecommunications system), and WiBro (Wireless Broadband).

The user input interface unit (173) can transmit a signal input by the user to the control unit (180), or transmit a signal from the control unit (180) to the user. For example, it can transmit/receive a user input signal such as power on/off, channel selection, screen setting, etc. from a remote control device (200), or transmit a user input signal input from a local key (not shown) such as a power key, a channel key, a volume key, a setting value, etc. to the control unit (180), or transmit a user input signal input from a sensor unit (not shown) that senses a user's gesture to the control unit (180), or transmit a signal from the control unit (180) to the sensor unit.

The control unit (180) may include at least one processor, and may control the overall operation of the display device (100) using the processor included therein. Here, the processor may be a general processor such as a central processing unit (CPU). Of course, the processor may be a dedicated device such as an ASIC or another hardware-based processor.

The control unit (180) can demultiplex a stream input through a tuner unit (111), a demodulator unit (112), an external device interface unit (171), or a network interface unit (172), or process demultiplexed signals to generate and output signals for video or audio output.

The image signal processed by the control unit (180) can be input to the display module (150) and displayed as an image corresponding to the image signal. In addition, the image signal processed by the control unit (180) can be input to an external output device through the external device interface unit (171).

The voice signal processed in the control unit (180) can be output as sound to the audio output unit (160). In addition, the voice signal processed in the control unit (180) can be input to an external output device through the external device interface unit (171). Although not shown in Fig. 2, the control unit (180) can include a demultiplexing unit, an image processing unit, etc. This will be described later with reference to Fig. 3.

In addition, the control unit (180) can control the overall operation within the display device (100). For example, the control unit (180) can control the tuner unit (111) to select (tune) a broadcast corresponding to a channel selected by the user or a previously stored channel.

In addition, the control unit (180) can control the display device (100) by a user command or an internal program input through the user input interface unit (173). Meanwhile, the control unit (180) can control the display module (150) to display an image. At this time, the image displayed on the display module (150) can be a still image or a moving image, and can be a 2D image or a 3D image.

Meanwhile, the control unit (180) can cause a predetermined 2D object to be displayed within an image displayed on the display module (150). For example, the object can be at least one of a connected web screen (newspaper, magazine, etc.), EPG (Electronic Program Guide), various menus, widgets, icons, still images, videos, and text.

Meanwhile, the control unit (180) may modulate and/or demodulate a signal using an amplitude shift keying (ASK) method. Here, the amplitude shift keying (ASK) method may mean a method of modulating a signal by varying the amplitude of a carrier wave according to a data value, or restoring an analog signal to a digital data value according to the amplitude of the carrier wave.

For example, the control unit (180) can modulate a video signal using the amplitude shift keying (ASK) method and transmit it through a wireless communication module.

For example, the control unit (180) can demodulate and process an image signal received through a wireless communication module using the amplitude shift keying (ASK) method.

Through this, the display device (100) can easily transmit and receive signals with other adjacently placed video display devices without using a unique identifier such as a MAC address (Media Access Control Address) or a complex communication protocol such as TCP/IP.

Meanwhile, the display device (100) may further include a photographing unit (not shown). The photographing unit can photograph a user. The photographing unit may be implemented with one camera, but is not limited thereto, and may also be implemented with multiple cameras. Meanwhile, the photographing unit may be embedded in the display device (100) on the upper part of the display module (150) or may be separately arranged. Image information captured by the photographing unit may be input to the control unit (180).

The control unit (180) can recognize the user's location based on the image captured by the camera unit. For example, the control unit (180) can determine the distance (z-axis coordinate) between the user and the display device (100). In addition, the control unit (180) can determine the x-axis coordinate and the y-axis coordinate within the display module (150) corresponding to the user's location.

The control unit (180) can detect the user's gesture based on an image captured from a camera unit, a signal detected from a sensor unit, or a combination thereof.

The power supply unit (190) can supply power to the entire display device (100). In particular, it can supply power to a control unit (180) that can be implemented in the form of a system on chip (SOC), a display module (150) for displaying images, and an audio output unit (160) for audio output.

Specifically, the power supply unit (190) may be equipped with a converter (not shown) that converts AC power into DC power and a Dc/Dc converter (not shown) that converts the level of DC power.

Meanwhile, the power supply unit (190) receives power from the outside and distributes power to each component. The power supply unit (190) may use a method of supplying AC power by directly connecting to an external power source, and may include a power supply unit (190) that can be used by charging it, including a battery.

In the former case, it is used by connecting a wired cable, and it is difficult to move or the range of movement is limited. In the latter case, it is free to move, but the weight increases as much as the battery, the volume increases, and it must be directly connected to a power cable for a certain period of time for charging, or combined with a charging stand (not shown) that supplies power.

The charging cradle can be connected to the display device through an externally exposed terminal, or the built-in battery can be charged when brought into proximity wirelessly.

The remote control device (200) can transmit user input to the user input interface unit (173). To this end, the remote control device (200) can use Bluetooth, RF (Radio Frequency) communication, Infrared Radiation (Infrared Radiation) communication, UWB (Ultra-wideband), ZigBee, etc. In addition, the remote control device (200) can receive images, voices, or data signals output from the user input interface unit (173) and display or output the same as voice on the remote control device (200).

Meanwhile, the above-described display device (100) may be a digital broadcast receiver capable of receiving fixed or mobile digital broadcasts.

Meanwhile, the block diagram of the display device (100) illustrated in FIG. 1 is only a block diagram for one embodiment of the present invention, and each component of the block diagram may be integrated, added, or omitted depending on the specifications of the display device (100) actually implemented.

That is, two or more components may be combined into one component, or one component may be divided into two or more components, as needed. In addition, the functions performed by each block are intended to explain an embodiment of the present invention, and the specific operations or devices thereof do not limit the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the display device (100) may have a rectangular body (100') including a first long side (First Long Side, LS1), a second long side (Second Long Side, LS2) opposite the first long side (LS1), a first short side (First Short Side, SS1) adjacent to the first long side (LS1) and the second long side (LS2), and a second short side (Second Short Side, SS2) opposite the first short side (SS1).

Here, the first short-side area (SS1) may be referred to as the first side area, the second short-side area (SS2) may be referred to as the second side area (Second side area) facing the first side area, the first long side area (LS1) may be referred to as the third side area (Third side area) adjacent to the first side area and the second side area and located between the first side area and the second side area, and the second long side area (LS2) may be referred to as the fourth side area (Fourth side area) adjacent to the first side area and the second side area and located between the first side area and the second side area and facing the third side area.

In addition, for convenience of explanation, the lengths of the first and second long sides (LS1, LS2) are illustrated and described as being longer than the lengths of the first and second short sides (SS1, SS2), but it may also be possible for the lengths of the first and second long sides (LS1, LS2) to be approximately the same as the lengths of the first and second short sides (SS1, SS2).

In addition, below, the first direction (DR1) may be a direction parallel to the long side (LS1, LS2) of the display device (100), and the second direction (DR2) may be a direction parallel to the short side (SS1, SS2) of the display device (100). The third direction (DR3) may be a direction perpendicular to the first direction (DR1) and/or the second direction (DR2).

From another perspective, the side of the display device (100) that displays an image may be referred to as the front or the front side. When the display device (100) displays an image, the side from which the image cannot be observed may be referred to as the rear or the back side. When viewing the display device (100) from the front or the front, the first long side (LS1) may be referred to as the upper side or the upper surface. Similarly, the second long side (LS2) may be referred to as the lower side or the lower surface. Similarly, the first short side (SS1) may be referred to as the right side or the right surface, and the second short side (SS2) may be referred to as the left side or the left surface.

In addition, the first long side (LS1), the second long side (LS2), the first short side (SS1), and the second short side (SS2) may be referred to as edges of the display device (100). In addition, a point where the first long side (LS1), the second long side (LS2), the first short side (SS1), and the second short side (SS2) meet may be referred to as a corner. For example, a point where the first long side (LS1) and the first short side (SS1) meet may be referred to as a first corner (C1), a point where the first long side (LS1) and the second short side (SS2) meet may be referred to as a second corner (C2), a point where the second short side (SS2) and the second long side (LS 2) meet may be referred to as a third corner (C3), and a point where the second long side (LS2) and the first short side (SS1) meet may be referred to as a fourth corner (C4).

Here, the direction from the first short side (SS1) to the second short side (SS2) or the direction from the second short side (SS2) to the first short side (SS1) may be referred to as the left-right direction (LR). The direction from the first long side (LS1) to the second long side (LS2) or the direction from the second long side (LS2) to the first long side (LS1) may be referred to as the up-down direction (UD).

The display device (100) of the present invention uses LED or OLED instead of liquid crystal, so that the shape of the display module (150) can be changed as in (a) or (b) of Fig. 2. That is, the backlight unit is omitted, so that the shape can be changed within a certain range, and by utilizing this property, a curved display device (100) as in (b) of Fig. 2 can be implemented.

The display device (100) of the present invention is not a curved display type that is fixed in a curved state, but is a variable display device (100) whose curvature can be adjusted by a user according to a situation. The display device (100) may further include a curvature adjustment unit that can change the curvature of the main body (100') including the display module (150).

FIG. 3 is a rear view of a display device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a display device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the display device (100) may include a main body (100'), a stand (260) for placing the main body (100') on the floor, a control unit (180), and a curvature adjustment unit (210, 220, 230).

The main body (100') including the display module (150) includes a cover bottom (102) that covers the back surface of the display module (150) on which an image is output. The inner surface of the cover bottom (102) may further include a heat dissipation structure for discharging heat generated from the display module (150) and may further include a reinforcing material for reinforcing rigidity.

The cover bottom (102) covers the back surface of the display module (150), reinforces the rigidity of the display module (150), and protects the back surface of the display module (150). In particular, it can cover the driving IC of the display that extends in the back direction of the display module (150). A main board as a control unit for controlling the display module (150) can be mounted on the back surface of the cover bottom (102), and a hole can be formed in the cover bottom (102) to connect the main board and the driving IC of the display module (150).

A separate bracket (1025) may be additionally provided so that a control unit (180) of a main board, etc. can be mounted. In addition to the control unit that controls the display module (150) on the back surface of the cover bottom (102), the display device (100) of the present invention may further have a curvature adjustment unit that changes the curvature of the main body (100') mounted.

The curvature adjustment unit may further include a pair of links (210), a bending module (220) positioned at the center of the display device (100) and coupled to one end of the pair of links (210), and a pair of link brackets (230) positioned between the other end of the pair of links (210) and the cover bottom (102).

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a display device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above. As shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. 5, the curvature of the display device (100) can be changed depending on the angle formed by a pair of links (210). The angle of a pair of links (210) can be adjusted depending on the change in the position of a moving block (221) of a bending module (220).

The other end of a pair of links (210) can be slidably connected to a link bracket (230). When fixed to the link bracket (230), there is a problem in that the curvature of the display module (150) is large at the end, making it difficult to implement a natural curve.

Accordingly, when the bending module (220) adjusts the angle of a pair of links (210), the other end of the link (210) slides accordingly on the link bracket (230), thereby implementing a natural curved surface of the display module (150).

The bending module (220) may include a moving block (221) that is connected to one end of the link (210) and can move forward and backward, a guide shaft (222) that guides the moving block (221) to move forward and backward instead of moving left and right, and a module bracket (228) that accommodates the bending module (220).

The link (210) is rotatably connected to a link fixing member (215) extended from a bending module (220). The link (210) rotates around a link fixing pin (213) fastened to the link fixing member (215), and one end and the other end of the link (210) can move in opposite directions.

When a user pulls the horizontal end (SS1, SS2) of the main body (100') toward the front, the other end of the link (210) located at the horizontal end (SS1, SS2) of the main body (100') of the bending module (220) moves toward the front, and the link (210) rotates around the link fixing pin (213) and can move toward the rear.

Conversely, when the user pushes the horizontal end (SS1, SS2) of the main body (100') toward the back to use it as a flat surface again, the other end of the link (210) can move toward the back and one end can move toward the front. The position where the link fixing pin (213) is engaged can be located closer to one end than to the other end, and the movement distance of one end is shorter than the movement distance of the other end.

As described above, the user can manually change the curvature of the display device (100) by applying force to the horizontal ends (SS1, SS2) of the main body (100'). At this time, a pair of links (210) are synchronized and move simultaneously through the bending module (220), so that when the user pulls or presses one side (SS1) of the main body (100'), the other side (SS2) can also move simultaneously.

However, since the manual driving method requires the user to directly apply force to the display module (150), there is a risk of damage, so a motor may be provided in the bending module (220) to change the curvature of the display module (150).

For example, the guide shaft (222) may be formed in a spiral shape and the moving block (221) may have a spiral groove formed corresponding to the spiral of the guide shaft (222). When the motor rotates the guide shaft (222), the moving block (221) can move in the forward and backward directions.

When the moving block (221) of the bending module (220) moves in the rear direction, one end of the link (210) coupled to the moving block (221) moves in the rear direction and the other end of the link (210) moves in the front direction, and the angle of the pair of links (210) can change. The bending module (220) induces a change in the angle of the link (210), and the display module (150) can be switched to a bent state or back to a flat state.

It may further include a back cover (103) for covering the bending module (220) and the control unit, and may further include a stand (260) for mounting the main body (100') of the display device (100) on the floor. Instead of the stand (260), it may further include a wall bracket that can be installed on a wall, and the stand (260) and the wall bracket can be combined with the back cover (103).

In addition, the moving block (221) of the present embodiment can move forward and backward along a guide shaft (222) protruding from the back surface of the main body (100'). One end of the link (210) is coupled to the moving block (221), and can be rotatably coupled through an operating pin (226) so that the angle can change according to the movement of the moving block (221).

FIG. 6a is a drawing showing a light structure of a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, any description overlapping with the above-described drawing will be omitted.

Fig. 6a (a) is a drawing showing the rear structure of the display device, and Fig. 6a (b) is a drawing showing a specific light structure.

Referring to (a) of FIG. 6a, the display device (100) may further include a back cover (103) for covering the main body (100') and the control unit (not shown). At this time, unlike the back cover (103) described above, it may be manufactured in a wider shape as in (a) of FIG. 6. In this case, the display device (100) may include at least one light (601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606). At this time, at least one light (601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606) may include six LED bars. Here, the LED bar is a lamp in which LED elements are arranged in a long row, and corresponds to an electronic lamp that lights up by sending current by arranging LEDs at regular intervals through a stick or tube. They come in a variety of lengths and shapes, including aluminum LED bars, lens-shaped LED bars, and waterproof LED bars, and can be flexible depending on the material.

Referring to (b) of FIG. 6a, at least one light (601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606) may be attached to the back cover (103). At this time, at least one light (601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606) may be positioned symmetrically with respect to the vertical axis (y-axis). More specifically, the first LED bar (601) and the second LED bar (602) may have a bar structure whose vertical length is longer than its horizontal length, and the third LED bar (603), the fifth LED bar (605), the fourth LED bar (604), and the sixth LED bar (606) may be attached to the back cover (103) to form an X shape with each other. In particular, the third LED bar (603) and the fourth LED bar (604) are characterized by being longer than the fifth LED bar (605) and the sixth LED bar (606).

However, this is only an example, and the embodiments described below are not limited to the light structure of FIG. 6. As another example, at least one light may include four LED bars, each attached to a first long side (LS1), a second long side (LS2), a first short side (SS1), and a second short side (SS2) of the main body (100').

FIG. 6b is a drawing showing a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention viewed from various directions.

FIG. 6B (a) is a front view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6B (b) is a rear view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6B (c) is a side view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6B (d) is a plan view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to (c) of FIG. 6b, unlike the above-described FIGS. 3 and 4, the display device (100) can be manufactured in a structure in which the display module (150) is bent through connection with the link (210) while being spaced apart from the stand (260).

That is, even when manufactured as in Fig. 6b, the display module (150) can be bent in the manner described above in Figs. 1 to 5.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the display device described above will be examined with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6B. However, in FIGS. 1 to 6B, a display device capable of changing curvature (hereinafter, “bendable display device”) is described, but below, embodiments that can be implemented in a display device including a bendable display device will be described.

FIG. 7 is a drawing explaining the basic operation of a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, any description overlapping with the above-described drawing will be omitted.

In particular, FIG. 7 describes an operation scenario of a curvature change of a display module of a display device.

The display module of the display device can have a flat mode (701) in which the display module is flat, a first bending mode (702) in which the display module has a first curvature, and a second bending mode (703) in which the display module has a second curvature. Here, the first curvature is 1800R and the second curvature is 1000R as an example, but is not limited thereto. That is, the second curvature can correspond to the maximum curvature that the display module can have, and the first curvature and the second curvature can be determined when the display device is manufactured or can be set by a user's settings as described later in FIG. 8.

Referring to FIG. 7, the display module of the display device may receive a first control signal for selecting a curvature button from a remote control device (e.g., a remote control, 200 of FIG. 1 described above) in a flat mode (701). Here, the first control signal for selecting the curvature button may correspond to an input signal in which a user short presses the curvature button of the remote control.

In one embodiment of the present invention, when the display device (100) receives a first control signal for selecting a curvature button while the display module is in the flat mode (701), the display device can switch the display module from the flat mode (701) to the first bending mode (702). That is, the display device (100) can control the bending module to change the curvature of the display module. The configuration for controlling the bending module in order for the display device to change the curvature of the display module may refer to the contents described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the display device (100) can switch the display module from the first bending mode (702) to the second bending mode (703) upon receiving a first control signal for selecting a curvature button while the display module is in the first bending mode (702).

That is, the display device (100) can switch the display module in the order of the first bending mode (702) and the second bending mode (703) based on the first control signal while the display module is in the flat mode (701).

Additionally, in one embodiment of the present invention, when the display device (100) receives a second control signal while the display module is in the second bending mode (703), the display module can be switched from the second bending mode (703) to the first bending mode (702), and when the display module is in the first bending module (702), the display module can be switched from the first bending mode (702) to the flat mode (701).

That is, the display device (100) can switch the display module in the order of the first bending mode (702) and the flat mode (701) based on the second control signal while the display module is in the second bending mode (703). At this time, the second control signal may be the same control signal as the first control signal or may correspond to a different control signal. For example, the first control signal may correspond to a signal for selecting a curvature up button of the remote control device (200), and the second control signal may correspond to a signal for selecting a curvature down button of the remote control device (200).

In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the display device (100) may output a curvature setting menu when receiving a third control signal while the display module is in the flat mode (701), the first bending mode (702), and the second bending mode (703). At this time, unlike the first control signal and the second control signal, the third control signal may correspond to a signal in which a user long presses a curvature button of a remote control device (200). This will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 is a drawing explaining a curvature setting menu of a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, any description overlapping with the above-described drawing will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 8, the display device (100) can output a curvature setting menu when the display module receives the third control signal described above in FIG. 7 in an arbitrary mode.

Referring to the left drawing of FIG. 8, the display device (100) can output a flat mode edit icon (801), a first bending mode edit icon (802), and a second bending mode edit icon (803) through a curvature setting menu.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the display device (100) can receive a control signal for selecting a flat mode edit icon (801), a first bending mode edit icon (802), and a second bending mode edit icon (803). For example, the display device (100) can receive an input signal for short-pressing the first bending mode edit icon (802) from a remote control device (200). Hereinafter, an embodiment of receiving a control signal for selecting the first bending mode edit icon (802) will be described as an example, but it is of course possible to change the curvature of the flat mode and the second bending mode using the same method.

Referring to the right drawing of FIG. 8, the display device (100) can output a first bending mode editing pop-up window (804) upon receiving a control signal for selecting the first bending mode editing icon (802).

The first bending mode editing pop-up window (804) may include a slider (805) for finely adjusting the curvature of the display module. The display device (100) may determine the curvature of the first bending mode based on a control signal that adjusts the slider (805). At this time, the curvature of the display module may be finely adjusted in 100R units from 1000R to flat through the slider (805). The user may set the curvature of the first bending mode by moving the slider (805) from the left (concave) to the right (flat) through the remote control device (200). At this time, the display device (100) may output the curvature of the first bending mode set by the user through the first bending mode editing pop-up window (804) as a preview (806).

In the above manner, the display device (100) can set the flat mode, the first bending mode, and the second bending mode according to the user settings. That is, the display device (100) can store the curvature individually set by the user in addition to the preset curvatures of the flat mode, the first bending mode, and the second bending mode set at the time of shipment. At this time, the display device (100) can store the curvature set by the user in the above-described memory.

Thereafter, when the display device (100) receives a control signal for selecting a first bending mode from the user based on the stored curvature, the display module can switch to the curvature changed by the user setting.

In addition, the following drawings 9a to 13 will be described with a focus on the display module (150) of the above-described display device (100). Accordingly, even if only the display module (150) is illustrated in the drawings, the display device (100) can switch the display module (150) to one of the flat mode, the first bending mode, and the second bending mode by the operation of the above-described bending module (220). That is, for the convenience of explanation, the bending module (220), etc. will be omitted in the drawings described below.

FIGS. 9A to 9C are drawings explaining an example of applying a visual effect to a user interface output from a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, any description that overlaps with the above description will be omitted.

FIG. 9a describes an embodiment in which the display module (150) is in a flat mode, FIG. 9b describes an embodiment in which the display module (150) is in a first bending mode, and FIG. 9c describes an embodiment in which the display module (150) is in a second bending mode.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the display device (100) can apply a visual effect to a user interface output as the display module (150) switches to any one of the flat mode, the first bending mode, and the second bending mode.

More specifically, as described above, the display device (100) can call the display module (150) into one of the flat mode, the first bending mode, and the second bending mode. At this time, the display module (150) can output a user interface and an image. Here, the user interface may correspond to an interface that the display device (100) itself provides, rather than an image received from the outside and output by the display module. For example, the user interface may include a setting menu of the display device (100), etc. In addition, the user interface may include a setting window, a chat window, etc., rather than an image content among the images received from the outside and output by the display module (150). This will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 12.

Referring to FIG. 9a, the display device (100) can output an image (901) and a user interface (902) received from the outside on the display module (150) while the display module (150) is in flat mode.

At this time, the display device can output the image (901) and user interface (902) as they are because the display module (150) is in flat mode.

That is, unlike FIGS. 9b and 9c described below, the display device (100) can output the image (901) and the user interface (902) as they are because there is no change in the curvature of the display module (150) when the display module (150) is in flat mode.

This is to prevent the user interface (902) output at the left and right ends of the display module (150) from being distorted into a concave shape as the curvature of the bendable display device changes. That is, since the display module (150) of FIG. 9A is in flat mode, the user interface (902) is not distorted, and thus the user interface (902) can be output as is.

On the other hand, FIGS. 9b and 9c show embodiments in which the display module (150) switches to the first bending mode and the second bending mode, respectively.

More specifically, (a) and (b) of FIG. 9b show a state in which both display modules (150) are in the first bending mode. However, (a) of FIG. 9b shows an embodiment in which no visual effect is applied to the user interface (902), and (b) of FIG. 9b shows an embodiment in which a visual effect is applied to the user interface (902).

In one embodiment of the present invention, the display device (100) can apply a first visual effect to a user interface (902) being output in the first bending mode when the display module (150) is in the first bending mode. Here, the first visual effect can correspond to a convex effect.

More specifically, the display device (100) can apply a convex effect only to the user interface (902) while outputting the image (901) being output as it is. In one embodiment of the present invention, the display device (100) can output the central part of the user interface (902) as if it were protruding forward, output it convexly based on the top center of the user interface (902), and output it convexly based on the bottom center.

That is, according to (a) of FIG. 9b, when the display device (100) switches the display module (150) to the first bending mode, the user interface (902) being output from the left and right ends of the display module (150) may be output concavely.

To prevent this, according to (b) of FIG. 9b, the display device (100) can apply a convex effect to the user interface (902) located at the left and right ends of the display module (150). Accordingly, the user can check the user interface (902) output to the display module (150) in the first bending mode without distortion.

In addition, the display device (100) can identify the position of the user interface (902) excluding the image (901) being output from the display module (150) and apply a convex effect only to the position where the user interface (902) is being output. This will be described in detail later in FIG. 12.

Also, referring to FIG. 9c, (a) and (b) of FIG. 9c show a state in which both the display module (150) is in the second bending mode. However, (a) of FIG. 9c shows an embodiment in which no visual effect is applied to the user interface (902), and (b) of FIG. 9c shows an embodiment in which a visual effect is applied to the user interface (902). At this time, unlike FIG. 9b, FIG. 9c can apply two visual effects to the user interface (902). This is because, unlike FIG. 9b, in FIG. 9c, the distortion of the left and right ends of the display module (150) becomes more severe as the curvature of the display module (150) becomes more severe.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the display device (100) can apply a first visual effect and a second visual effect to a user interface (902) being output in the second bending mode when the display module (150) is in the second bending mode. Here, the first visual effect can correspond to the convex effect described above in FIG. 9b, and the second visual effect can correspond to a three-dimensional rotation effect.

More specifically, the display device (100) can apply the convex effect and the stereoscopic rotation effect only to the user interface (902) while the image (901) being output is output as is. In one embodiment of the present invention, the display device (100) can apply the convex effect to the user interface (902) by the method described above in FIG. 9b, and then apply the stereoscopic rotation effect by outputting the left end of the user interface (902) short and outputting the right end long.

That is, according to (a) of FIG. 9c, when the display device (100) switches the display module (150) to the second bending mode, the user interface (902) being output from the left and right ends of the display module (150) may be output concavely.

To prevent this, according to (b) of FIG. 9c, the display device (100) can apply a convex effect and a three-dimensional rotation effect to the user interface (902) located at the left and right ends of the display module (150). Accordingly, the user can check the user interface (902) output to the display module (150) in the second bending mode without distortion.

FIG. 10 is a drawing explaining an example of changing the ratio of an image output based on a change in the curvature of a display module in a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, any description that overlaps with the above-described content will be omitted.

In the left and right drawings of Fig. 10, the display device (100) corresponds to a state in which the display module (150) is switched to the first bending mode or the second bending mode. That is, the display module (150) in the left and right drawings of Fig. 10 corresponds to a state in which there is a curve.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the display device (100) can change the aspect ratio of an output image (1001) as the display module (150) switches to the first bending mode or the second bending mode.

More specifically, the left drawing of FIG. 10 shows that the display module (150) has a curvature of 1800R in the first bending mode, and the display device (100) can output an image (1001) on the display module (150) in the first bending mode with a wide ratio of 21:9.

In this case, since the display module (150) has a curvature, a distortion phenomenon may occur in which the image (1001) output from the left and right ends of the display module (150) is output biased to the left and right.

To compensate for this, as shown in the right drawing of Fig. 10, the display device (100) can change the aspect ratio of the image (1001) output from the display module (150).

More specifically, the display device (100) can change the aspect ratio of the image (1001) from a wide ratio of 21:9 to 16:9.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the display device (100) can automatically change the aspect ratio of the image (1001) as the display module (150) switches to the first bending mode or the second bending mode.

Additionally, in one embodiment of the present invention, when the aspect ratio of an image (1001) is changed, the display device (100) may output a pop-up window (1002) indicating the changed aspect ratio on the display module (150).

In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the display device (100) has been described as changing the aspect ratio of the output image (1001) as the display module (150) switches to the first bending mode or the second bending mode. However, it is of course possible for the display device (100) to change the aspect ratio of the output image (1001) based on user settings.

In addition, the display device (100) can change the aspect ratio of the output image (1001) not only when the display module (150) switches from the flat mode to the first bending mode or from the flat mode to the first bending mode, but also when it switches from the first bending mode to the second bending mode. That is, the display device (100) can change the aspect ratio in order to prevent distortion of the left and right ends of the output image (1001).

FIG. 11 is a drawing explaining an embodiment of switching a display module to a flat mode when an object recognized by a display device satisfies a condition according to one embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, any description overlapping with the above-described content will be omitted.

Referring to the first drawing of FIG. 11, the display device (100) can recognize an object included in an image (1101) when the display module (150) is in the first bending mode or the second bending mode. More specifically, the display device (100) can recognize an object included in an image (1101) based on information included in metadata included in an image (1101) received from the outside. In another embodiment, the display device (100) can recognize an object included in an image (1101) by directly analyzing the image (1101) output from the display module (150).

In one embodiment of the present invention, the display device (100) can switch the display module (150) to a flat mode as shown in the third drawing of FIG. 11 when a recognized object satisfies a condition.

Here, the condition is characterized by the number of recognized objects being greater than or equal to a preset number. More specifically, the display device (100) can determine that the condition is satisfied when the number of objects included in the image (1101) is greater than or equal to a preset number (e.g., 5, 5 people if the objects are people).

That is, in the embodiment of Fig. 11, when the number of objects included in the output image (1101) is large, the objects may be output in a distorted manner as the curvature of the screen becomes severe. To prevent this, when the display module (150) is outputting the image (1101) in the first bending mode or the second bending mode, the display device (100) may switch the display module (150) to a flat mode if the number of objects included in the image (1101) is greater than a preset number.

At this time, the preset number, which is a condition for switching the display module (150) to flat mode, can be set by the user through the setting menu of the display device (100), or the display device (100) can receive it from metadata included in the image (1101), or can be determined during the manufacturing of the display device (100).

Additionally, referring to the second drawing of FIG. 11, the display device (100) may output a pop-up window (1102) that queries whether to switch to flat mode when a recognized object satisfies a condition.

Thereafter, the display device (100) can switch the display module (150) to a flat mode based on a control signal for selecting a pop-up window (1102). For example, the display device (100) can receive a control signal for selecting a “Yes” button included in the pop-up window (1102) from a remote control device (not shown).

That is, unlike the above-described embodiment, the display device (100) can output a pop-up window (1102) that queries whether to switch the display module (150) to a flat mode when an object satisfies a condition, as in the second drawing of FIG. 11, and can switch the display module (150) to a flat mode based on a control signal that selects the pop-up window (1102).

Even if the display device (100) determines that the number of objects on the screen is large as a result of the analysis of the image (1101) and that the curvature of the display module (150) is not appropriate, the user may not want to switch the display module (150) to the flat mode. Accordingly, the display device (100) may inquire the user in advance whether to switch the display module (150) to the flat mode and then switch the display module (150) to the flat mode.

FIG. 12 is a drawing explaining a method of applying a visual effect to a user interface output from a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, any explanation that overlaps with the above-described content will be omitted.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the display device (100) can perform the following method to apply at least one of the convex effect and the stereoscopic rotation effect to the user interface described above.

Referring to the left drawing of Fig. 12, the display device (100) can divide the display area of the user interface (1201) and the display module (150) on which the image is output into N areas (N is an integer greater than or equal to 2). In the embodiment of Fig. 12, N is 8, and the display device (100) can divide the display area of the display module (150) into 8 areas.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the display device (100) can apply a visual effect to a first area (1202) among N areas where a user interface (1201) is located.

More specifically, the display device (100) can capture the received image in real time and determine the area where text is mainly recognized as the area where the user interface (1201) is located. For example, if the image output by the display device (100) is game content, since most of the game content is composed of objects or images, the area where text is mainly recognized can be determined as the area where the user interface (1201) is located.

Accordingly, in the embodiment of FIG. 12, the display device (100) can determine the first area (1202) as the area where the user interface (1201) is located.

Referring to the right drawing of FIG. 12, the display device (100) can apply a visual effect only to the first area (1202) determined as the area where the user interface (1201) is located. Here, the visual effect to be applied can be determined based on the bending mode of the display module (150). According to the above, when the display module (150) is in the first bending mode, the display device (100) can apply a convex effect to the first area (1202). In addition, when the display module (150) is in the second bending mode, the display device (100) can apply a convex effect and a three-dimensional rotation effect to the first area (1202).

That is, in the same manner as in Fig. 12, the display device (100) can apply a visual effect to an area where the user interface (1201) is located, and output the remaining areas where the user interface (1201) is not located as is. Accordingly, even if the display device (100) changes the curvature of the display module (150), the user can use the user interface (1201) without distortion.

Fig. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of applying a visual effect to a user interface output from a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, any description that overlaps with the above description will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 13, in step (S1301), an image can be output through a display module of a display device including a main body including a user interface and a display module for outputting an image, and a bending module located at the center of the back surface of the main body.

In step (S1302), the display device can control the bending module to change the curvature of the display module into one of a flat mode in which the display module is flat, a first bending mode in which the display module has a first curvature, and a second bending mode in which the display module has a second curvature. Here, the second curvature is characterized by being a maximum curvature of the display module.

In step (S1303), the display device can apply a visual effect to a user interface output as the display module switches to any one of the flat mode, the first bending mode, or the second bending mode.

In one embodiment of the present invention, when the display module is in the flat mode, the display device may not apply a visual effect to a user interface being output in the flat mode. In addition, when the display module is in the first bending mode, the display device may apply a first visual effect to a user interface being output in the first bending mode. In addition, when the display module is in the second bending mode, the display device may apply the first visual effect and the second visual effect to the user interface being output in the second bending mode. Here, the first visual effect corresponds to a convex effect, and the second visual effect corresponds to a three-dimensional rotation effect. In this case, the display device may divide a display area of the display module, where the user interface and an image are output, into N areas (N is an integer greater than or equal to 2), and apply a visual effect to a first area where the user interface is located among the N areas.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the display device can change the aspect ratio of an output image as the display module switches to the first bending mode or the second bending mode. At this time, when the aspect ratio of the output image is changed, the display device can output a pop-up window indicating the changed aspect ratio.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the display device can recognize an object included in an image when the display module is in the first bending mode or the second bending mode. At this time, the display device can switch the display module to a flat mode if the recognized object satisfies a condition. Here, the condition is characterized in that it is related to the number of recognized objects. In addition, the display device can output a pop-up window that queries whether to switch to the flat mode if the recognized object satisfies the condition. In addition, the display device can switch the display module to the flat mode based on a control signal that selects the pop-up window.

In addition, it goes without saying that the embodiments described above through FIGS. 9a to 12 can be implemented with steps such as FIG. 13.

The above-described present invention can be implemented as a computer-readable code on a medium in which a program is recorded. The computer-readable medium includes all kinds of recording devices that store data that can be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer-readable medium include a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state disk (SSD), a silicon disk drive (SDD), a ROM, a RAM, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, and the like, and also includes a medium implemented in the form of a carrier wave (e.g., transmission via the Internet). In addition, the computer may include a control unit. Accordingly, the above detailed description should not be construed as limiting in all aspects, but should be considered as illustrative. The scope of the present invention should be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all changes within the equivalent scope of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention.

100: Display device
110: Broadcast receiver
111: Tuner section
112: Reconstruction Department
120: Sensing section
130: Input section
140: Storage
150: Display module
160: Audio output section
170: Interface section
171: External device interface section
172: Network interface section
173: User Input Interface Section
190: Power supply
200: Remote control device

Claims (11)

A main body including a user interface and a display module for outputting images;
A bending module located at the center of the back surface of the above main body; and
Including a control unit,
The above control unit
The bending module is controlled to change the curvature of the display module into one of a flat mode in which the display module is flat, a first bending mode in which the display module has a first curvature, and a second bending mode in which the display module has a second curvature, wherein the second curvature is the maximum curvature of the display module.
Applying a visual effect to the output user interface as the display module switches to any one of the flat mode, the first bending mode or the second bending mode,
When the above display module is in the first bending mode or the second bending mode, it recognizes an object included in the image,
If the above recognized object satisfies the condition, the display module is switched to the flat mode.
A display device, characterized in that the above condition is associated with the number of the recognized objects. In paragraph 1,
The above control unit
When the above display module is in the flat mode, the visual effect is not applied to the user interface being output in the flat mode.
When the above display module is in the first bending mode, a first visual effect is applied to the user interface being output in the first bending mode,
A display device characterized in that, when the display module is in the second bending mode, the first visual effect and the second visual effect are applied to the user interface being output in the second bending mode. In the second paragraph,
A display device, characterized in that the first visual effect corresponds to a convex effect, and the second visual effect corresponds to a three-dimensional rotation effect. In paragraph 1,
The above control unit
A display device characterized in that the aspect ratio of the output image is changed as the display module is switched to the first bending mode or the second bending mode. In paragraph 4,
The above control unit
A display device characterized in that, when the aspect ratio of the output image is changed, a pop-up window is output indicating the changed aspect ratio. delete In paragraph 1,
The above control unit
A display device characterized in that, if the recognized object satisfies a condition, a pop-up window is output that queries whether to switch to the flat mode. In paragraph 7,
The above control unit
A display device characterized in that the display module is switched to the flat mode based on a control signal selecting the pop-up window. In paragraph 1,
The above control unit
The display area of the display module on which the user interface and the image are output is divided into N areas (N is an integer greater than or equal to 2),
A display device characterized in that the visual effect is applied to a first area among the N areas where the user interface is located. In paragraph 1,
First, a pair of links are connected to the above bending module and extended left and right; and
It further includes a link bracket located at the left and right ends of the above main body and to which the other end of the link is connected,
The above bending module
A guide shaft extending from the rear of the main body; and
It includes a moving block that is inserted into the above guide shaft and moves in the forward and backward direction,
A display device, characterized in that when the moving block moves forward and backward along the guide shaft, the angle between the pair of links changes and the curvature of the display module changes. A step of outputting the user interface and the image through the display module of a display device including a main body including a user interface and a display module for outputting an image, and a bending module located at the center of the back surface of the main body;
A step of controlling the bending module to change the curvature of the display module into one of a flat mode in which the display module is planar, a first bending mode in which the display module has a first curvature, and a second bending mode in which the display module has a second curvature, the second curvature being a maximum curvature of the display module;
A step of applying a visual effect to the output user interface as the display module switches to any one of the flat mode, the first bending mode or the second bending mode;
When the display module is in the first bending mode or the second bending mode, a step of recognizing an object included in the image: and
a step of switching the display module to the flat mode when the recognized object satisfies the condition;
A method for controlling a display device, wherein the above condition is characterized in that it is related to the number of the recognized objects.