Apparatus and method for displaying images for different accounts

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9563392-B2
Application number	US-201213366993-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 6, 2012
Priority date	Jun 21, 2011
Publication date	Feb 7, 2017
Grant date	Feb 7, 2017

Abstract

An image display method and apparatus for displaying images provided by a plurality of different accounts are discussed. According to an embodiment, the method includes displaying a plurality of areas on a screen of the display unit by splitting the entire screen of the display unit into the plurality of areas; displaying a first image from a first account among the plurality of different accounts, on a first area among the displayed plurality of areas of the screen; displaying first account information of the first account with the first image, on the first area of the screen; determining, by the apparatus, whether or not an updated image from the first account exists, after a first predetermined time has elapsed since the first image has been displayed; and displaying the updated image as a second image for the first account on the first area when the updated image exists.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An image display method for displaying pictures uploaded by a plurality of different Social Network Service (SNS) accounts set up under a SNS on a display unit of an image display apparatus, the method comprising:
displaying a plurality of areas on a screen of the display unit by splitting the entire screen of the display unit into the plurality of areas;
displaying first SNS account information for identifying a first SNS account among the plurality of different SNS accounts on a portion area of a first area among the displayed plurality of areas on the screen;
displaying a first picture from the first SNS account on an entire portion of the first area, while the first SNS account information is displayed on a portion of the first picture;
determining, by the apparatus, whether or not an updated picture from the first SNS account exists, after a first predetermined time has elapsed since the first picture has been displayed;
displaying the updated picture as a second picture for the first SNS account on the first area when the updated picture exists;
determining, by the image display apparatus, whether or not a second predetermined time has elapsed since a pointer has been located on the first area;
displaying a list of selectable menu items associated with the first or second picture currently displayed on the first area of the screen, when the second predetermined time has elapsed;
when one of the selectable menu items is selected, displaying information requested by the selected menu item with the first or second picture on the portion area of the first area or on the entire portion of the first area, or
when one of the selectable menu items is selected, displaying information requested by the selected menu item on the portion area of the first area or on the entire portion of the first area; and
when one of an icon of an SNS associated with one of the selectable menu items is selected, transmitting the currently displayed picture on the first area to an account pre-associated with the selected icon,
wherein the first predetermined time and the second predetermined time are recorded in a time list, and the time list is changed by a user.

2. The image display method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
repeatedly displaying the first and second pictures in a sequence.

3. The image display method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
displaying second SNS account information for identifying a second SNS account among the plurality of different SNS accounts on a portion area of a second area among the displayed plurality of areas on the screen; and
displaying a third picture from the second SNS account on the second area, while the second SNS account information is displayed on the portion area of the second area,
wherein the first picture and the third picture are displayed during a same time.

4. The image display method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
enlarging the first area to correspond substantially to the entire screen and displaying the enlarged first area on the screen, when a user's selection of the displayed first area is received.

5. The image display method according to claim 4 , wherein the displaying step displays the list of selectable menu items associated with the first or second picture currently displayed on the enlarged first area displayed on the entire screen, according to the user's selection.

6. The image display method according to claim 5 , wherein the list of selectable menu items includes at least one of a SNS request, a location information request, and a profile request.

7. The image display method according to claim 1 , wherein the list of selectable menu items is displayed according to a user's request.

8. The image display method according to claim 1 , wherein the list of selectable menu items includes at least one of a SNS request, a location information request, and a profile request.

9. The image display method according to claim 1 , wherein the first predetermined time is variable according to a user's setting.

10. The image display method according to claim 1 , wherein the first SNS account is variable according to a user's setting.

11. The image display method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
displaying information about the updated picture when the updated picture as the second picture is displayed.

12. The image display method according to claim 11 , wherein the information about the updated picture includes information identifying the number of pictures associated with the updating.

13. An image display apparatus for displaying pictures provided by a plurality of different Social Network Service (SNS) accounts set up under a SNS, the image display apparatus comprising:
a display unit including a screen; and
a control unit configured to control the display unit and to:
display a plurality of areas on the screen of the display unit by splitting the entire screen of the display unit into the plurality of areas;
display first SNS account information for identifying a first SNS account among the plurality of different SNS accounts on a portion area of a first area among the displayed plurality of areas on the screen;
display a first picture from the first SNS account on an entire portion of the first area, while the first SNS account information is displayed on a portion of the first picture;
display first SNS account information of the first SNS account with the first picture, on the first area of the screen;
determine whether or not an updated picture from the first SNS account exists, after a first predetermined time has elapsed since the first picture has been displayed;
display the updated picture as a second picture for the first SNS account on the first area when the updated picture exists; and
determine whether or not a second predetermined time has elapsed since a pointer has been located on the first area,
wherein the control unit is further configured to display a list of selectable menu items associated with the first or second picture currently displayed on the first area of the screen, when the second predetermined time has elapsed,
wherein the control unit is further configured to:
when one of the selectable menu items is selected, display information requested by the selected menu item with the first or second picture on the portion area of the first area or on the entire portion of the first area, or
when one of the selectable menu items is selected, display information requested by the selected menu item on the portion area of the first area or on the entire portion of the first area, and
when one of an icon of an SNS associated with one of the selectable menu items is selected, transmit the currently displayed picture on the first area to an account pre-associated with the selected icon, and
wherein the first predetermined time and the second predetermined time are recorded in a time list, and the time list is changed by a user.

14. The image display apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the control unit is further configured to control the display unit to repeatedly display the first and second pictures in a sequence.

15. The image display apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the control unit is further configured to:
display second SNS account information for identifying a second SNS account among the plurality of different SNS accounts on a portion area of a second area among the displayed plurality of areas on the screen; and
display a third picture from the second SNS account on the second area, while the second SNS account information is displayed on

Assignees

• Kang Haengjoon
• Lee Kyungjin
• Lg Electronics Inc

Inventors

• Kang Haengjoon
• Lee Kyungjin

Classifications

• G06Q10/40

  Business processes related to social networking or social networking services · CPC title

• G09G2370/10

  Use of a protocol of communication by packets in interfaces along the display data pipeline · CPC title

• G09G5/14

  Display of multiple viewports · CPC title

• G06Q50/01

  Physics · mapped topic

• G06F3/14 Primary

  Digital output to display device {; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units} · CPC title