Devices with multiple functions, and methods for switching functions thereof

Devices with multiple functions and methods for switching functions thereof are provided. The device comprises a plurality of hardware components, a plurality of functional modules, an input device, and a processing module. Each functional module corresponds to one of the functional connecting configurations for the hardware components. The processing module executes one of the functional modules and drives the hardware components according to the functional connecting configuration corresponding to the executed functional module. The processing module determines whether to generate a switch command according to an input command received by the input device. When the switch command is generated, the processing module directly terminates the functional module being currently executed and adjusts to execute another functional module, and drives the hardware components according to the functional connecting configuration corresponding to the functional module to be executed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates generally to devices with multiple functions and methods for switching functions thereof, and, more particularly to devices and methods that directly switch among functions according to a single input command, without the use of a common specific menu.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, portable devices, such as handheld devices, have become more and more technically advanced and multifunctional. For example, a handheld device may provide a communication capability, a global positioning, an image capturing capability, a computer network terminal, a media playback, and various other functions.

Conventionally, to switch among the functions, a user must first issue a command to exit a current executed function, thus returning to a specific menu. Then, another command is issued via the specific menu to select and execute another function.FIG. 1illustrates the relationship among functions in conventional handheld devices. As shown inFIG. 1, an operating system120is installed in the hardware110of the handheld device100. The operating system120can provide a user interface130, such as a specific menu. The specific menu can be displayed in a display unit (not shown) of the handheld device100. Users can select one function among function1to function n (141˜14n) provided by the handheld device100via the user interface130. If the user wants to use another function, the user must first terminate the current function, and return to the user interface130. Then, the user selects another function via the specific menu of the user interface130, thus entering an operating interface corresponding to the selected function.

As described, users must issue several commands to accomplish the process of terminating a current function, returning to a specific menu, and re-selecting and executing a new function. The conventional mechanism for switching functions is inconvenient for users. Therefore, the application provides an architecture combining several functional modules, to efficiently and instinctively switch among the functional modules.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Devices with multiple functions and methods for switching functions thereof, and related electronic devices are provided.

An embodiment of a device with multiple functions comprises a plurality of hardware components, a plurality of functional modules, an input device, and a processing module. Each functional module corresponds to one of functional connecting configurations for the hardware components. The processing module executes one of the functional modules and drives the hardware components according to the functional connecting configuration corresponding to the executed functional module. The processing module determines whether to generate a switch command according to an input command received by the input device. When the switch command is generated, the processing module directly terminates the functional module being currently executed and adjusts to execute another functional module, and drive the hardware components according to the functional connecting configuration corresponding to the functional module to be executed.

An embodiment of a device with multiple functions comprises a plurality of functional modules, an input device, and a processing module. The processing module executes one of the functional modules, and determines whether to generate a switch command according to an input command received by the input device. When the switch command is generated, the processing module terminates the functional module being currently executed, and directly switches to execute another functional module, wherein selection for the functional modules via a specific menu is not required.

In an embodiment of a method for switching functions for use in a device comprising a plurality of hardware components, wherein one of a plurality of functional modules is executed thereon, and the hardware components are driven according to one of a plurality of functional connecting configurations corresponding to the executed functional module, an input command is first received, and it is determined whether to generate a switch command according to the input command. When the switch command is generated, the functional module being currently executed is terminated, and another functional module is directly executed. The hardware components are driven according to the functional connecting configuration corresponding to the functional module to be executed.

In an embodiment of a method for switching functions for use in a device comprising a plurality of functional modules, wherein one of the functional modules is executed thereon, an input command is first received, and it is determined whether to generate a switch command according to the input command. When the switch command is generated, the functional module being currently executed is terminated, and another functional module is directly executed, wherein selection for the functional modules via a specific menu is not required.

An embodiment of an electronic device comprises a housing with an opening, a touch-sensitive display, and a processor. The touch-sensitive display is disposed in the opening of the housing to receive at least one input signal. The touch-sensitive display has a touch-sensitive surface, and the surface of the housing does not substantially protrude the touch-sensitive surface. The processor performs the above methods for switching functions according to the input signal, and displays related data in the touch-sensitive display.

Methods for switching functions may take the form of a program code embodied in a tangible media. When the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the disclosed method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Devices with multiple functions and methods for switching functions thereof, and related electronic devices are provided.

FIG. 2is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a device with multiple functions.

The device with multiple functions2000may be a portable device, such as a handheld device. The device with multiple functions2000comprises an input device2100, a display unit2200, a processing module2300, a plurality of hardware components2400, and a storage device2500. The input device2100may be a touch-sensitive device, a direction sensor, a voice reception unit and/or at least a hot key. The input device2100receives an input command. The display unit2200may be a screen of the device2000, for displaying related information generated during operations thereon. The processing module2300determines whether to generate a switch command according to the content of the input command. When the switch command is generated, the multiple functions related to the generated switch is performed accordingly. Related detail is discussed later. The hardware components2400are hardware resources, such as memory, camera lens, audio processing chipset, global positioning system chipset, antenna, and others resources of the device2000.

The storage unit2500comprises a plurality of functional modules (2510,2520and2530), such as a phone, global positioning system, camera, computer network terminal, and/or media playback, providing communication, global positioning, image capturing, computer network terminal, and/or media playback capabilities, respectively. When one of the functional modules is executed on the device2000, the device2000becomes a specific device having a specific capability corresponding to the executed functional module. For example, when the device2000executes the phone functional module, the device2000becomes a phone, such as a GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) mobile phone having communication capability. When the device2000executes the camera functional module, the device2000becomes a camera having image capturing capability. It is noted that, in some embodiments, one functional module may have several capabilities based on different design requirements. For example, the communication and image capturing capabilities can be integrated into one functional module, or the global positioning and media playback capabilities can be integrated into one functional module. It is noted that the above integrations are examples, and not limited thereto.

Each functional module has an operating state, a hardware list comprising a part of the hardware components, an application list, and at least one user interface. For example, the functional module2510has an operating state2511, a hardware list2512, an application list2513, and at least one user interface2514. The functional module2520has an operating state2521, a hardware list2522, an application list2523, and at least one user interface2524. The functional module2530has an operating state2531, a hardware list2532, an application list2533, and at least one user interface2534. The storage unit2500further comprises a lock flag2540, and a plurality of applications2550. The lock flag2540can be used to determine whether to generate a switch command. For example, when the lock flag2540is a first value, no switch command is allowed to be generated. That is, the functions related to the switch are not allowed to be called up. When the lock flag2540is a second value, a switch command is allowed to be generated. That is, the functions related to the switch are allowed to be called up.

The execution status of a functional module can be recorded into the corresponding operating state. For example, the current execution status of the functional module2520can be recorded into the operating state2521before the functional module2520is terminated. When the functional module2520is executed again, it is determined whether the operating state2521corresponding to the functional module2520exists (whether the operating state2521has been recorded). If so, the functional module2520is executed under the operating state2521. In other words, the functional module is resumed to the operating state before the previous termination. For example, when the device2000executes a phone functional module, and an address book query is performed, a user can issue a command to the device2000, enabling the device2000to switch to the functional module of a camera. When the camera functional module is terminated, and the user issues a command to the device2000, enabling the device2000to switch to the phone functional module, the device2000resumes performing the address book query.

In this application, each functional module corresponds to a functional connecting configuration among the hardware components2400. The functional connecting configuration can be recorded into the hardware list of the corresponding functional module. In other words, when the functional module2510is executed, the hardware components are driven according to the functional connecting configuration in the hardware list2512. For example, when a camera functional module is executed, the hardware components comprising camera lens and an image processing chipset are driven according to the functional connecting configuration of the camera, and the image processing chipset is enabled to receive and process image signals captured from the camera lens. When a computer network terminal functional module, such as WiFi wireless network, is executed, the hardware components comprising a RF circuit and a network data processing chipset are driven according to the functional connecting configuration of computer network terminal, and the network data processing chipset is enabled to transmit data to the RF circuit, or receive data signals from the RF circuit. In some embodiments, the hardware components can be driven via a common operating system when respective functional modules are executed. In some embodiments, the hardware components can be respectively driven via dedicated operating systems for respective functional modules. That is, the device2000may comprise several operating systems.

Additionally, respective applications in the device can be corresponded to at least one of the functional modules. When a functional module is executed, the applications recorded in the application list corresponding to the executed functional module can be called up and used. For example, the application list2523corresponding to the functional module2520records a part of the applications2550so that it can be called up and used during the execution of the functional module2520. The application list2533corresponding to the functional module2530records a part of the applications2550that can be called up and used during the execution of the functional module2530. It is understood that the application list2523corresponding to the functional module2520and the application list2533corresponding to the functional module2530may overlap. That is, a specific application may be commonly called up and used during the executions of the functional module2520and the functional module2530. For example, an application for downloading maps can be only called up and used by the global positioning system functional module, and an application for setting the device, such as the display and speaker of the device can be called up and used by all functional modules.

Additionally, each functional module may have a corresponding user interface for settings and operations. The user interface can be displayed in the display unit2200. It is understood that, in some embodiments, each functional module may have a system agent module (not shown) storing the corresponding operating state, hardware list, application list, and user interface. The system agent module is discussed later.

FIG. 3is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the relationship among functional modules in a device with multiple functions.

As shown inFIG. 3, the processing module2300manages the hardware components2400in the device2000. When the processing module2300generates a switch command, a new functional module (second functional module) is directly switched to and executed from a currently executed functional module (first functional module). For example, the device2000executes a first functional module2510, and drives the hardware components2400according to a first functional connecting configuration corresponding to the first functional module2510. When a switch command is generated, which indicates switching to a second functional module2530, the processing module2300stores a current operating state of the first functional module2510via a system agent module2510a. Then, the processing module2300executes the second functional module2530according to the operating state of the second functional module2530via a system agent module2530a, and drives the hardware components2400according to a second functional connecting configuration corresponding to the second functional module2530in the hardware list. Additionally, the system agent module2530aalso enables the applications corresponding to the second functional module2530to be called up and used according to the application list. It is understood that when the device2000is booted, one of the functional modules2510,2520and2530is directly executed. In some embodiments, a functional module executed before the device2000is turned off and can be resumed for execution when the device2000is booted.

FIG. 4is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for switching among functional modules of a device, wherein a first functional module is executed on the device and the hardware components of the device is driven according to a first functional connecting configuration corresponding to the first functional module.

In step S4010, an input command is received via an input device. In step S4020, it is determined whether a lock flag is a first value, wherein the first value represents the functional modules related to the switch is not allowed. If so, the procedure is completed. If not, in step S4030, it is determined whether to generate a switch command according to the input command, wherein the switch command enables the device to switch to and execute a second functional module from the first functional module being currently executed.

As described, the input device may be a touch-sensitive device, a direction sensor, a voice reception unit and/or a hot key. In some embodiments, when the input device is a touch-sensitive device, the input command may comprise vector data generated on the surface of the touch-sensitive device. The relationship of relative positions among respective functional modules is defined and recorded in the device. The switch command, which indicates switching to the second functional module, can be determined to be generated according to the relationship of relative positions between the first and second functional modules and the vector data.FIGS. 5A,5B and5C are schematic diagrams illustrating embodiments of the relationship of relative positions among functional modules, whereinFIG. 5Ashows the relationship of relative positions in a cube manner,FIG. 5Bshows the relationship of relative positions in a matrix manner, andFIG. 5Cshows the relationship of relative positions in a sequence manner. FS1˜FS9respectively represent different functional modules. When a first functional module FS1is currently being executed, and the vector data generated on the surface of the touch-sensitive device is from left to right, as the vector data v shown inFIG. 6, a switch command is generated, and the device directly switches to a second functional module FS2from the first functional module FS1according to the switch command, and shows a user interface corresponding to the second functional module FS2. It is understood that the vector data may be generated by sliding a track from left to right on the surface of the touch-sensitive device using a user's finger or stylus.

In some embodiments, when the input device is a touch-sensitive device, the input command may comprise a contact track generated on the surface of the touch-sensitive device. It is noted that the contact track may be in a specific zone of the touch-sensitive device. Specific tracks, such as symbols or characters corresponding to respective functional modules are defined and recorded in the device. The switch command, which indicates switching to the second functional module, can be determined to be generated according to the contact track and the specific tracks recorded in the device. For example, assume the specific track corresponding to the first functional module is “1”, the specific track corresponding to the second functional module is “2”, and the specific track corresponding to the third functional module is “3”. When the contact track7000generated in a specific zone2110of the touch-sensitive device2100is “2” as shown inFIG. 7, the processing module will recognize the shape of the contact track to obtain “2”, and generate a switch command which indicates switching to the second functional module FS2. Specifically, the device directly switches to the second functional module FS2according to the switch command.

In some embodiments, when the input device is a direction sensor, a user can move the device along a direction, and the direction data of the device can be detected by the direction sensor. The direction data can be used as the input command. The relationship of relative positions among respective functional modules is defined and recorded in the device. The switch command, which indicates switching to the second functional module, can be determined to be generated according to the relationship of relative positions between the first and second functional modules and the direction data.

In some embodiments, when the input device is a voice reception unit, voice data received by the voice reception unit can be used as the input command. Recognition data corresponding to respective functional modules is defined and recorded in the device. The processing module can recognize the voice data, and determine whether the voice data comprises the recognition data corresponding to the second functional module. If the voice data comprises the recognition data corresponding to the second functional module, the switch command, which indicates switching to the second functional module, is generated.

In some embodiments, when the input device is a hot key, the selection of the hot key can be regarded as the input command. Hot keys corresponding to respective functional modules is defined and recorded in the device. The switch command, which indicates switching to the second functional module, can be determined to be generated by determining whether the received hot key is the predefined hot key corresponding to the second functional module. It is understood that the above input commands and corresponding generation of switch commands are examples, and not limited thereto.

After the second functional module is determined to be executed, in step S4040, the current operating state of the first functional module is recorded, in step S4050, the execution of the first functional module is terminated, and in step S4060, the second functional module is directly executed. It is understood that, in the application, the second functional module can be directly switched to and executed, without selection via a specific menu as in the conventional mechanism. In step S4070, the hardware components of the device are driven according to the second functional connecting configuration corresponding to the second functional module, and in step S4080, the applications corresponding to the second functional module are enabled to be called up and used during the execution of the second functional module according to the application list corresponding to the second functional module. It is noted that in step S4080, the applications that can be called up and used during the execution of the second functional module are set. In step S4090, it is determined whether any operating state corresponding to the second functional module exists. It is understood that, in some embodiments, when the second functional module is initially executed, the operating state corresponding to the second functional module may not exist since the storage of the operating state is performed when the corresponding functional module is terminated. If no operating state exists, in step S4100, a default user interface corresponding to the second functional module is displayed in the display unit. If the operating state corresponding to the second functional module exists, in step S4110, the second functional module is executed under the operating state, enabling the device to resume the execution status of the second functional module before previous termination.

The touch-sensitive device in the above embodiments is a hardware component of an electronic device. In some embodiments, the display unit and the touch-sensitive device can be integrated as a touch-sensitive display, as shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B.

FIG. 8Ais a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the front view of an electronic device having a touch-sensitive display, andFIG. 8Bis a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the cross-sectional view of the electronic device inFIG. 8A. The electronic device comprises a housing801, a touch-sensitive display802, and a processor803. The housing801has a surface804and a cavity805, wherein the cavity805is exposed to the outside from the housing801through an opening806of the surface804. The touch-sensitive display802comprises a display unit807and a touch-sensitive device808. The display unit807is disposed in the cavity805of the housing801. The touch-sensitive device808is disposed in the opening806of the surface804of the housing801to receive an input of a pointer such as a user's finger or a stylus, and detect input signals corresponding to contact and movement of the pointer. The touch-sensitive device808has a touch-sensitive sensor809, wherein the touch-sensitive sensor809comprises a display area810and a non-display area811. The edge of the opening806of the housing801is continuously connected with the touch-sensitive sensor809, and the surface804of the housing801does not substantially protrude the touch-sensitive sensor809. A storage device (not shown) storing a computer program can be disposed in the housing801or externally coupled to the electronic device. The processor803couples to the storage device, the display unit807, and the touch-sensitive device808, and processes the input signals according to the computer program for information navigation. It is understood that since the surface804of the housing801does not substantially protrude the touch-sensitive sensor809, the surface804of the housing801and the touch-sensitive sensor809can be regarded as a continuous and smooth surface, such that an input tool can move and operate without any obstruction. Similarly, the processor803can determine the contact and movement behavior of the input tool according to the input signals detected by the touch-sensitive device808. The determination procedures and related processes are similar to that in above embodiments.

In the application, several devices with different capabilities can be independently implemented and integrated into a single device with multiple functions, such that the size and number of device hardware can be reduced. Additionally, users can efficiently and instinctively switch among functions implemented by the device.