ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CREATING WIRELESS COMMUNICATION CONNECTION THEREFOR

An electronic device for creating a wireless communication connection includes a wireless communication unit, a processing unit, a camera unit, and a memory. The camera unit captures a picture of a neighboring wireless communication-enabled device. The memory stores a number of pictures of wireless communication-enabled device which can be communicated with the electronic device via wireless communication. When the processing unit determines the captured picture matches a picture pre-stored in the memory, the wireless communication unit creates a communication connecting between the electronic device and the neighboring wireless communication-enabled device. A method applied in the electronic device is also provided.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a block diagram of an electronic device1in accordance with an embodiment. The electronic device1is typically a mobile terminal with a Bluetooth communication function, such as a mobile phone or a tablet computer, for example.

The electronic device1includes a wireless communication unit11, a camera unit12, a memory13, and a processing unit14.

The camera unit12is configured for capturing a picture of a neighboring Bluetooth-enabled device (hereinafter, “Bluetooth device”) in response to a manual operation for Bluetooth connection performed on the electronic device1. The neighboring Bluetooth device can be a Bluetooth-enabled earphone, a Bluetooth-enabled speaker, or a mobile terminal with a Bluetooth communication function, for example. In this embodiment, the camera unit12is a camera equipped in the electronic device1. Typically, the camera unit12is used for capturing a picture of the back of a neighboring Bluetooth device. Alternatively, the camera unit12is used for capturing a picture of the front of a neighboring Bluetooth device.

The memory13records a number of pictures of Bluetooth devices. The Bluetooth devices can communicate with the electronic device1via Bluetooth technology (Bluetooth is a registered certification mark). In this embodiment, the memory13stores a number of pictures of the backs of Bluetooth devices captured by a camera. These pictures can be captured by the camera unit12itself, and/or obtained from a source such as the Internet.

The processing unit14is configured for processing a picture captured by the camera unit12when a Bluetooth connection is sought, thereby obtaining a processed picture. The processing unit14is also configured for comparing the processed picture with the pictures stored in the memory13, and determining whether the processed picture matches one of the pictures stored in the memory13. The processing unit14is further configured for generating a trigger signal when the processed picture matches one of the pictures stored in the memory13.

The wireless communication unit11creates a wireless communication connection between the electronic device1and the neighboring Bluetooth device (not shown) in response to the generated trigger signal. Then, the electronic device1and the neighboring Bluetooth device can communicate via Bluetooth technology. In this embodiment, the wireless communication unit11is a Bluetooth unit.

The electronic device1further includes a display unit15and an input unit16. The display unit15is configured for displaying a user interface including a Bluetooth icon. In the present embodiment, the display unit15includes a display screen (not shown), and the input unit16includes a touch screen (not shown). The touch screen overlies the display screen. The processing unit14is configured for generating a control signal in response to a touch operation applied on the Bluetooth icon. The control signal activates the camera unit12to capture a picture of the back of the neighboring Bluetooth device. That is, when a user applies the touch operation on the Bluetooth icon, the user aims the camera unit12at the back of the neighboring Bluetooth device. In another embodiment, the control signal is generated in response to an operation applied on a shortcut key associated with the input unit16.

FIG. 2is a flowchart of a method for creating a wireless communication connection for an electronic device, such as the electronic device1, in accordance with an embodiment. The electronic device1includes a wireless communication unit11, a camera unit12, and a memory13storing a number of pictures of Bluetooth devices.

In step S20, the display unit15displays a user interface including a Bluetooth icon.

In step S21, the processing unit14generates a control signal in response to a touch operation applied on the Bluetooth icon.

In step S22, the control signal of the processing unit14activates the camera unit12to capture a picture of a neighboring Bluetooth device at which a user is aiming the electronic device1.

In step S23, the processing unit14processes the picture captured by the camera unit12to obtain a processed picture, compares the processed picture with the pictures stored in the memory13, and determines whether the processed picture matches one of the pictures stored in the memory13. If the determination is yes, the procedure goes to step S23. Otherwise, the procedure goes back to step S20.

In step S24, the wireless communication unit11creates a wireless communication connection between the electronic device1and the neighboring Bluetooth device.

The above descriptions relate to Bluetooth technology wireless communication. However, the principles underlying the above descriptions are equally applicable to other kinds of wireless short-range radio communication and other kinds of wireless communication generally, such as Infrared Data Association technology. For example, in other embodiments, an electronic device may include an infrared communication unit.

In addition, although various embodiments have been specifically described, the disclosure is not to be construed as being limited thereto. Various changes or modifications may be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure.