BACKGROUND ART In general, a signboard which is 2-dimensionally produced is not colorful and too simple to reduce advertising effectiveness. In order to overcome such a disadvantage of the 2-dimensional signboard, researches and developments have been made to display a logo in 3 dimensions. There has been suggested a method for displaying a logo in 3 dimensions by preparing a lighting apparatus and a display panel in the front side of the lighting apparatus, enabling light irradiated from the lighting apparatus to be emitted through a gap between a first frame and a second frame of the display panel, and equalizing colors of the logo of the first frame and a neon layer of the second frame to obtain halo and neon effects. A method for producing a signboard has been applied for

registration on September 26,2002 by the present applicants, entitled'Signboard' (Application No. KR20-2002-0028802). It will now be described in more detail.

Fig. 5 is provided to explain a layer structure used in production of a 3- dimensional signboard, which shows a method for forming a first frame and a second frame in a display panel of the signboard.

The first frame 30 formed on the front surface of the display panel, namely a transparent plate 22 includes a reflection layer 34 and a logo character layer 32. The reflection layer 34 is formed on the front surface of the transparent plate 22 to reflect light from a lighting apparatus 10 to the second frame 40, and the logo character layer 32 on which a logo is visibly displayed is translucently or opaquely formed on the front surface of the reflection layer 34.

The second frame 40 is formed on the rear surface of the transparent plate 22. A background color layer 41 on which a background color is printed in an area excluding the logo printed on the logo character layer 32 is formed. The background color is printed separately from the contour of the logo by a designated distance. Here, the designated distance (gap) is preferably 1/3 of a thickness of the transparent plate 22. A length of the gap is a height of the 3-dimensional logo.

A white layer 42 is formed on the rear surface of the background color layer 41, a light blocking layer 43 for blocking light from the lighting apparatus 10 in the area excluding the logo is formed, a reflection layer 44 for increasing brightness of light by reflecting light is formed on the rear surface of the light blocking layer 43, a neon layer 45 for adding a color to the gap to achieve the neon effects is formed, and a diffusion layer 46 for diffusing light is formed on the rear surface thereof.

In the signboard, when the lighting apparatus 10 is operated to irradiate light, some of the irradiated light is diffused by the diffusion layer 46 of the second frame 40 and

reflected by the reflection layer 44, and the rest is diffused by the diffusion layer 46 and passes through the second frame 40. The light reflected by the reflection layer 44 is re- reflected by a background sheet 50 in the rear side of the lighting apparatus 10 and passes through the second frame 40. The light passing through the second frame 40 is refracted through the transparent plate 22, partially diffused to the periphery through the gap between the first frame 30 and the second frame 40, and partially reflected to the background color layer 41 of the second frame 40 by the reflection layer 34 of the first frame 30, to achieve the halo effects. Therefore, the logo of the first frame 30 is displayed as a 3-dimensional logo having a thickness. Here, color halo effects can be obtained by designating a color of the neon layer 45 between the reflection layer 44 and the diffusion layer 46 of the second frame 40.

In the production of the 3-dimensional signboard, different halo effects can be obtained by varying a size of the gap, and the neon effects can be obtained by equalizing colors of the logo character layer 32 of the first frame 30 and the neon layer 45 of the second frame 40. The 3-dimensional signboard improves the advertising effectiveness by the 3-dimensional effects. However, there is no way to confirm if an advertiser is satisfied with the signboard in advance. Accordingly, in case the advertiser wants to correct the completed signboard, the signboard must be re-produced, which increases the production period and expenses.

On the other hand, electronic devices such as TV, VTR, DVD players, audios, audio cassettes, CDP, MDP, MP3P, camcorders, cameras, digital cameras and settop boxes, home electric appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators, cooling/heating devices, dehumidifiers, humidifiers, air cleaners and game machines, digital musical instruments, kitchen electric appliances such as electric rice pots, microwave range, electric ovens, dish washers, dish dryers and water purifiers, office electronic appliances such as electronic

notes, calculators, facsimiles, copiers, printers and wire/wireless phones, electronic sporting devices such as treadmills and cycles, and remote controllers for remotely controlling the devices include displays, and display their operation states and control menus through the displays. However, the displays of the electronic devices display texts, images and motion pictures of the operation states and control menus in 2 dimensions, which is very simple and not suitable to transmit necessary messages to the users.

In addition, according to the development of the mobile communication, a number of mobile communication service subscribers has increased day by day. A mobile communication terminal outputs texts and images in 2 dimension. The mobile communication services have been gradually developed from voice calls to data services.

Due to the development of the data services, the mobile communication service subscribers are provided with various multimedia services. Therefore, if various texts, images and multimedia contents outputted through a display of the mobile communication terminal are displayed in 3 dimensions, quality of services will be improved and a service using rate and a terminal sales amount will be increased.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention is achieved to solve the above problems. Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a system and method for producing a 3-dimensional signboard using a computer graphic which can remarkably reduce signboard production time and expenses, by generating a 3-dimensional signboard identical to a real signboard by the computer graphic before producing the real signboard, confirming images of the signboard, and starting the production of the real signboard.

Another object of the present invention is to allow users to easily use an electronic

device having a display by displaying operation states and control menus of the electronic device in 3 dimensions by introducing a 3-dimensional technique of a system for producing a 3-dimensional signboard to the electronic device.

Yet another object of the present invention is to increase a mobile communication terminal sales amount and a service using rate using a mobile communication terminal by introducing a 3-dimensional technique of a system for producing a 3-dimensional signboard to the mobile communication terminal.

In order to achieve the above-described objects of the invention, there is provided a system for generating a 3-dimensional signboard for displaying a 2-dimensional logo in 3 dimensions on a terminal, the system for producing the 3-dimensional signboard using a computer graphic including: a color separation means for analyzing colors of the logo; a layer generation means for generating a basic layer for refracting light irradiated from a light source of a backlight of the terminal, a logo character layer on which the logo is visibly displayed, a first reflection layer for reflecting light to the rear surface, a background color layer for designating a background color of the logo, a white layer, a light blocking layer for blocking emission of light to an area excluding the logo, a second reflection layer for amplifying intensity of light, a special effect layer for stressing the logo, and a diffusion layer for diffusing light; a layer coupling means for coupling the plurality of layers in the order of the logo character layer, the first reflection layer, the basic layer, the background color layer, the white layer, the light blocking layer, the second reflection layer, the special effect layer and the diffusion layer; and a display means for outputting the coupling result of the layer coupling means to a monitor of the terminal by using the backlight of the monitor of the terminal as a light source.

According to one aspect of the invention, a method for generating a 3-dimensional signboard for displaying a 2-dimensional logo in 3 dimensions on a terminal, the method

for producing the 3-dimensional signboard using a computer graphic includes the steps of : separating and storing colors of the logo at a color separation means; generating and storing, at a layer generation means, a basic layer, a logo character layer, a first reflection layer, a background color layer, a white layer, a light blocking layer, a second reflection layer, a special effect layer and a diffusion layer; and coupling, at a layer coupling means, the plurality of layers in the order of the logo character layer, the first reflection layer, the basic layer, the background color layer, the white layer, the light blocking layer, the second reflection layer, the special effect layer and the diffusion layer, and displaying the coupling result at a display means.

Here, the terminal implies a hardware device in which built-in software is executed, such as a computer, PDA, cellular phone and digital TV.

According to another aspect of the invention, a mobile communication terminal includes : an RF processor for separating transmission/reception electric waves to/from a radio section into frequency bands for communication with a mobile communication network, and lowering a high frequency band to a baseband; a modem chip for receiving a signal lowered to the baseband from the RF processor, processing the signal, and also processing a radio section protocol for voice and data services; an input unit connected to the modem chip through a CODEC, for transmitting an external command to the modem chip; a speaker for voice-outputting the processing result of the modem chip; a 3- dimensional processor for receiving a visual data of the processing result of the modem chip, and processing the visual data in 3 dimensions; and a display for receiving the processing result of the 3-dimensional processor through the modem chip, and outputting the processing result.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings which are given only by way of illustration and thus are not limitative of the present invention, wherein: Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system for producing a 3-dimensional signboard in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing sequential steps of a method for producing a 3- dimensional signboard in accordance with the present invention; Figs. 3A to 3F are exemplary diagrams provided to explain the method for producing the 3-dimensional signboard using a computer graphic in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 4 is an exemplary diagram illustrating completion of the 3-dimensional signboard of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a structure diagram illustrating layers used in production of the 3- dimensional signboard; Fig. 6 is a structure diagram illustrating an electronic device having a display in accordance with the present invention; and Fig. 7 is a structure diagram illustrating a mobile communication terminal in accordance with the present invention.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system for producing a 3-dimensional signboard in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 1, the system 100 for producing the 3-dimensional signboard includes an advertiser management means 102, a data input means 104, a color separation means 106, a layer generation means 108, a layer coupling means 110, a display means 112 and a database 120. Here, the database 120 has an advertiser DB 122, an advertisement information DB 124 and a layer DB 126. Such databases can be formed as a single table or separate tables.

An advertiser can request production of a wanted signboard by accessing the system 100 for producing the 3-dimensional signboard through a communication network such as a wire/wireless internet by using a personal computer or mobile communication terminal, or request production of the signboard off-line. The advertiser management means 102 of the system 100 for producing the 3-dimensional signboard stores and manages information relating to each advertiser requesting production of the signboard in the advertiser DB 122.

The data input means 104 receives data relating to the signboard requested by the advertiser, such as a logo, size, colors and stressed parts, and stores the data in the advertisement information DB 124. The logo can be inputted as an image by using an external image input device such as a scannerm a digital camera accessing a computer, or directly designed upon the request of the advertiser by using a special graphic tool. The color separation means 106 separates at least one color of the logo inputted through the data input means 104, and stores the colors in the advertisement information DB 124 to be used in the layer generation process.

The layer generation means 108 forms layers for obtaining 3-dimensional signboard effects on the basis of the advertisement data inputted to the data input means

104 and the logo color information separated by the color separation means 106, and stores the layers in the layer DB 126. In the system 100 for producing the 3-dimensional signboard, the layers must be recognized as logical layers, not physical layers.

The layers are comprised of a first frame having a reflection layer disposed on the front surface of a basic layer (transparent plate in production of real signboard) and a logo character layer disposed on the front surface of the reflection layer, and a second frame having a background color layer disposed on the rear surface of the basic layer, a white layer disposed on the rear surface of the background color layer, a light blocking layer disposed on the rear surface of the white layer, a reflection layer disposed on the rear surface of the light blocking layer, a special effect layer disposed on the rear surface of the reflection layer and a diffusion layer disposed on the rear surface of the special effect layer.

To distinguish names of the layers, the layers must be formed as a database. Here, a light source is a backlight of a terminal such as a personal computer.

In more detail, the basic layer is a transparent, translucent or opaque layer formed by using acryl, glass and polycarbon during the production of the real signboard. The basic layer is formed to obtain refraction effects of light irradiated from the rear surface, and disposed separately from the reflection layer disposed on the front surface and the background color layer disposed on the rear surface by a designated distance during the production of the real signboard. The reflection layer disposed on the front surface of the basic layer reflects light to the rear surface of the basic layer, and the logo character layer is a layer on which the logo is displayed (printed).

The background color layer disposed on the rear surface of the basic layer is a layer on which the background of the logo is displayed (printed). A background color is printed on an area excluding the logo printed on the logo character layer separately from the contour of the logo by a designated distance (gap). The white layer blocks light

diffused from the rear surface, and the light blocking layer blocks emission of primary colors (for example, red, blue, etc. ) to the area excluding the logo. The reflection layer disposed on the rear surface of the light blocking layer amplifies intensity of light, and the special effect layer obtains special effects on the logo (for example, halo effects, neon effects, etc. ). To add a wanted color to the gap between the background color layer and the logo character layer, a wanted color of logo which is larger than the logo printed on the logo character layer and which partially overlaps with the background color layer is printed.

The diffusion layer diffuses light from the light source. Here, the halo effects mean light from the gap between the first frame and the second frame. When the light has a color, it is called color halo. The neon effects mean the halo effects when the logo and the color halo have the same color.

In the background color layer of the second frame, the background color is printed identically to the logo character layer of the first frame, or separately from the contour of the logo printed on the logo character layer by a designated distance. Preferably, the background color is printed separately by 1/3 of a thickness of a material used as the basic layer in the production of the real signboard. Accordingly, a gap is formed between the first and second frames, and corresponds to a size difference of the first and second frames.

3-dimensional effects are varied according to the size of the gap. Here, the size of the gap is set differently according to the thickness of the material used as the basic layer and the design of the logo during the production of the real signboard.

The layer coupling means 110 sequentially couples the layers generated by the layer generation means 108 by referring to the layer DB 126. Here, the order of the layers must be kept to obtain wanted 3-dimensional effects.

The display means 112 displays the layers coupled by the layer coupling means 110 on a monitor of the personal computer. The backlight of the personal computer is

operated as a light source, to display the 2-dimensional logo in 3 dimensions.

In the system 100 for producing the 3-dimensional signboard, the color generation means 106, the layer generation means 108 and the layer coupling means 110 are major constitutional elements for giving the 3-dimensional effects to the logo, and called a 3- dimensional processor. In the case of an electronic device including the 3-dimensional processor, a controller for controlling the 3-dimensional processor and a display, texts and images which are intended to be outputted to the display are 3-dimensionally transformed by the 3-dimensional processor, and outputted through the display, which will later be explained in detail.

Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing sequential steps of a method for producing a 3- dimensional signboard in accordance with the present invention.

The producer of the 3-dimensional signboard takes an order from the advertiser (S101). If necessary, the information related to the advertiser is stored in the advertiser DB 122 by the advertiser management means 102. After the order for the signboard is taken and stored, the data input means 104 receives the information related to the logo of the signboard, for example, logo, size, colors and stressed parts, and stores the information in the advertisement information DB 124 (S102). Colors of the logo are separated by the color separation means 106 and stored in the advertisement information DB 124 (S103).

Thereafter, the respective layers composing the logo are generated by the layer generation means 108 and stored in the layer DB 126 (S104). The layers are coupled by the layer coupling means 110 (S105) and displayed on the monitor by the display means 112 (S106).

It is confirmed whether the producer of the signboard intends to correct the graphic state signboard (S107). When the producer does not want to correct the signboard, the signboard production result is stored in the layer DB 126 (S108), and when

the producer wants to correct the signboard, correction data are inputted (S109) and the routine goes back to the layer generation step (S 104).

Figs. 3A to 3F are exemplary diagrams provided to explain the method for producing the 3-dimensional signboard using the computer graphic in accordance with the present invention, and Fig. 4 is an exemplary diagram illustrating completion of the 3- dimensional signboard of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3A shows the logo formed on the logo character layer of the first frame, and Fig. 3B shows the reflection layer of the first frame which opaquely or translucently displays the logo of Fig. 3A. Fig. 3C shows the background color layer of the second frame which designates a color of the area excluding the logo. The background color is printed in the area separated from the contour of the logo by a designated distance. Fig.

3D shows the white layer, the light blocking layer and the reflection layer which display the logo in white color. Fig. 3E shows the special effect layer which forms the stressed parts of the signboard larger than the logo by a predetermined size. Fig. 3F shows the diffusion layer. In this embodiment, the basic layer is transparent and thus not illustrated.

Fig. 4 shows the layer coupling result of Figs. 3A to 3F. When it is seen on the monitor, the coupled layers are 3-dimensionally displayed by the backlight of the monitor.

As described above, the advertiser can request production of the signboard by accessing the system 100 for producing the 3-dimensional signboard through the internet.

It is also possible to embody and provide the system 100 for producing the 3-dimensional signboard as a software product. Also, the software product can be installed in a kiosk or tablet personal computer for uses of the users.

Fig. 6 is a structure diagram illustrating an electronic device having a display in accordance with the present invention.

In accordance with the present invention, exemplary electronic devices include all

kinds of electronic devices having displays, for example, electronic image/voice devices such as TV, VTR, DVD players, audios, audio cassettes, CDP, MDP, MP3P, camcorders, cameras, digital cameras and settop boxes, home electric appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators, cooling/heating devices, dehumidifiers, humidifiers, air cleaners and game machines, digital musical instruments, kitchen electric appliances such as electric rice pots, microwave range, electric ovens, dish washers, dish dryers and water purifiers, office electronic appliances such as electronic notes, calculators, facsimiles, copiers, printers and wire/wireless phones, electronic sporting devices such as treadmills and cycles, and remote controllers for remotely controlling the devices. The electronic devices display their operation states and control menus through the displays.

As illustrated in Fig. 6, the electronic device includes a controller 200 for controlling the operation of each functional element, a central processing unit 210 which is a core element of the electronic device, a memory 220 for storing various information for operating the electronic device, a application processor 230 for processing application services of the electronic device, an input unit 240 for receiving input of the user, a display 250 for displaying the operation states, user request processing steps and control menus of the electronic device, and a 3-dimensional processor 260 for transforming texts and images into 3 dimensional ones under the control of the controller 200 before being displayed on the display 250.

As explained with reference to Fig. 1, the 3-dimensional processor 260 includes a color separation means 106, a layer generation means 108 and a layer coupling means 110.

The color separation means 106 receives the data of the processing result of the central processing unit 210 to be displayed on the display 250 (hereinafter, referred to as'visual data') through the controller 200, and separates at least one color of the visual data for 3- dimensional transformation.

The layer generation means 108 forms layers for obtaining 3-dimensional effects on the basis of the visual data transmitted through the controller 200 and the color information of the visual data separated by the color separation means 106. The layers are comprised of a first frame having a reflection layer disposed on the front surface of a basic layer and a logo character layer disposed on the front surface of the reflection layer, and a second frame having a background color layer disposed on the rear surface of the basic layer, a white layer disposed on the rear surface of the background color layer, a light blocking layer disposed on the rear surface of the white layer, a reflection layer disposed on the rear surface of the light blocking layer, a special effect layer disposed on the rear surface of the reflection layer and a diffusion layer disposed on the rear surface of the special effect layer. Here, a light source is a backlight basically used for the display 250 of the electronic device. In case the electronic device does not have a backlight, a special backlight is mounted.

In more detail, the basic layer is formed to obtain refraction effects of light irradiated from the rear surface, the reflection layer disposed on the front surface of the basic layer reflects light to the rear surface of the basic layer, and the logo character layer is a layer on which the visual data is displayed.

The background color layer disposed on the rear surface of the basic layer is a layer on which the background of the logo is displayed. A background color is displayed separately from the contour of the logo by a designated distance (gap). The white layer blocks light diffused from the rear surface, and the light blocking layer blocks emission of primary colors (for example, red, blue, etc. ) to the area excluding the logo. The reflection layer disposed on the rear surface of the light blocking layer amplifies intensity of light, and the special effect layer obtains special effects on the logo (for example, halo effects, neon effects, etc. ). To add a wanted color to the gap between the background color layer

and the logo character layer, a wanted color of logo which is larger than the logo printed on the logo character layer and which partially overlaps with the background color layer is printed. The diffusion layer diffuses light from the light source.

In the background color layer of the second frame, the background color is printed identically to the logo character layer of the first frame, or separately from the contour of the logo printed on the logo character layer by a designated distance. Preferably, the background color is printed separately from the contour of the signboard by 1/3 of a thickness of a material used as the basic layer in the production of the real signboard.

Accordingly, a gap is formed between the first and second frames, and corresponds to a size difference of the first and second frames. 3-dimensional effects are varied according to the size of the gap. Here, the size of the gap can be set differently by the producer of the signboard.

The layer coupling means 110 sequentially couples the layers generated by the layer generation means 108. Here, the order of the layers must be kept to obtain wanted 3-dimensional effects.

When the visual data is 3-dimensionally transformed, the controller 200 outputs the visual data to the display 250. At this time, the backlight serves as a light source, to display the 2-dimensional visual data in 3 dimensions.

Fig. 7 is a structure diagram illustrating a mobile communication terminal in accordance with the present invention.

In the present invention, exemplary mobile communication terminals include portable wireless communication devices such as PDA, cellular phones and PCS. As depicted in Fig. 7, the mobile communication terminal is comprised of a modem chip 300, an RF processor 310, a memory 320, a peripheral processor 330, an input unit 340, a speaker 350, a display 360 and a 3-dimensional processor 260.

The RF processor 310 separates transmission/reception electric waves to/from a radio section into frequency bands and processes them by separating a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. In addition, a radio frequency band is lowered to a low frequency band, and a signal lowered to a baseband is transmitted to the modem chip 300 for processing.

The modem chip 300 is a core component of the mobile communication terminal having a built-in central processing unit, and processing a radio section protocol for voice and data services. The memory 320 and the peripheral processor 330 are connected to the modem chip 300. Here, necessary data are stored, and a device for users'conveniences is operated by the modem chip 300.

In addition, the modem chip 300 is connected to the input unit 340, the speaker 350 and the display 360 through a CODEC (not shown), for converting digital signals into voice or images and outputting the converted signals, or vice versa. The display 360 of the mobile communication terminal includes one or two components according to a kind of the terminal.

In accordance with the present invention, in order to 3-dimensionally display the data outputted to the display 360 such as the operation states, user request processing steps and control menus of the mobile communication terminal, the mobile communication terminal further includes the 3-dimensional processor 260 for transforming the visual data such as texts and images into 3-dimensional ones under the control of the modem chip 300 before being displayed on the display 360.

As explained with reference to Fig. 1, the 3-dimensional processor 260 includes a color separation means 106, a layer generation means 108 and a layer coupling means 110.

The color separation means 106 receives the visual data of the processing result of the modem chip 200 to be displayed on the display 360 from the modem chip 300, and separates at least one color of the visual data for 3-dimensional transformation.

The layer generation means 108 forms layers for obtaining 3-dimensional effects on the basis of the visual data transmitted through the modem chip 300 and the color information of the visual data separated by the color separation means 106. The structure of the layers is identical to that of Figs. 1 and 6, and thus detailed explanations thereof are omitted.

The layer coupling means 110 sequentially couples the layers generated by the layer generation means 108. Here, the order of the layers must be kept to obtain wanted 3-dimensional effects.

When the visual data is 3-dimensionally transformed, the modem chip 360 outputs the visual data to the display 360. At this time, a backlight of the mobile communication terminal serves as a light source, to display the 2-dimensional visual data in 3 dimensions.

The visual data includes various texts, images, motion pictures and multimedia contents to be outputted through the display 360 as well as states of the mobile communication terminal (charging state, electric wave reception state, etc. ), current time, various menus and processing results.

As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalences of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

As discussed earlier, in accordance with the present invention, in order to prevent production expenses and time from increasing due to trials and errors during the production of the signboard, the signboard extremely similar to the real signboard is

generated in advance by using the computer graphic. When no more corrections are made on the signboard on the computer graphic, production of the real signboard is started.

As a result, expenses and time for producing the signboard are effectively reduced, and errors less occur during the production.

Moreover, the 3-dimensional processor of the system for producing the 3- dimensional signboard is introduced to the electronic device having the display, so that the user can be efficiently informed of the operation state of the electronic device. When it is applied to the mobile communication terminal, the terminal sales amount and the service using rate can be increased.