Smart watch for generating tactile feedback and method of controlling the same

A method of controlling a smart watch including a case and a band connected to the case is disclosed. The method includes displaying digital content on a display unit provided on a front surface of the case, detecting a length of a non-displayed portion of the digital content on the display unit, and generating first tactile feedback corresponding to the length of the non-displayed portion of the digital content on the display unit on a back surface of the band.

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(a), this application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0078240, filed on Jul. 4, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to a smart watch, and more particularly, to a smart watch for generating tactile feedback according to displayed content.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Along with the development of small-sized digital devices, a digital watch has been developed as a smart watch that not only marks time but also displays digital content or transmits notification of an external device connected to the smart watch via wireless communication. The smart watch may display digital content, a length of which exceeds that of a display region. The smart watch may display only a portion of digital content and scroll through digital content in order to display the remaining portion.

Thus, a smart watch needs to notify a user how long remaining non-displayed portions of digital content other than a displayed portion of the digital content are present. A conventional scroll bar needs to be displayed together with digital content, and thus, is not suitable for a smart watch with a limited small display region.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the disclosure is directed to a smart watch for generating tactile feedback and a method of controlling the same that substantially obviate one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the disclosure is to provide a smart watch for generating tactile feedback corresponding to digital content and a method of controlling the same. In particular, according to the disclosure, the smart watch may generate tactile feedback on a band portion to allow a user to predict the length of digital content.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a smart watch including a case and a band connected to the case includes a display unit provided on a front surface of the case and configured to display digital content, a sensor unit configured to detect control input for control of the digital content, a tactile feedback unit configured to generate tactile feedback on the display unit and the band, and a controller configured to control the display unit, the sensor unit, and the tactile feedback unit, wherein the controller generates first tactile feedback corresponding to a length of the digital content on a back surface of the band.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a method of controlling a smart watch including a case and a band connected to the case includes displaying digital content on a display unit provided on a front surface of the case, detecting a length of a non-displayed portion of the digital content on a display unit, and generating first tactile feedback corresponding to the length of the non-displayed portion of the digital content on the display unit on a back surface of the band.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the disclosure are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments will be described below in detail with reference to the attached drawings, which should not be construed as limiting the embodiments.

Although the terms used in the disclosure are selected from generally known and used terms while considering functions of the disclosure, they may vary according to intention or customs of those skilled in the art or to emergence of new technology. Some of the terms mentioned in the description of the disclosure may have been selected by the applicant at his or her discretion, and in such cases the detailed meanings thereof will be described in relevant parts of the description herein. Thus, the terms used in this disclosure should be interpreted based on the substantial meanings of the terms and the whole content of this disclosure rather than their simple names or meanings.

Throughout this disclosure, technical features applied to a smart watch may be applied to a wearable device that is attached to a user body and transmits tactile feedback. This disclosure describes technical features of a general wearable device as well as a smart watch.

FIG. 1is a diagram illustrating a smart watch according to an embodiment of the disclosure. A left diagram ofFIG. 1illustrates a front side of the smart watch. The smart watch may include a case11, and a first band12and a second band13that are connected to upper and lower portions of the case11, respectively. In some embodiments, the first band12and the second band13may be connected to each other to constitute a single band.

The case11of the smart watch may include at least one of a display unit, a tactile feedback unit, a controller, and a sensor unit. The smart watch may display digital content via the display unit. In addition, the smart watch may detect control input generated by touching the display unit to generate tactile feedback via the sensor unit.

Each of the first band12and the second band13may include the sensor unit and the tactile feedback unit, which are formed on a front surface of each of the first band12and the second band13. The smart watch may detect control input generated by touching a front surface of a band via the sensor unit. In addition, the smart watch may generate tactile feedback on the front surface of the band in response to the detected control unit via the tactile feedback unit.

A right diagram ofFIG. 1illustrates a back side of the smart watch. The smart watch may include the first band12, the second band13, and a case back15, which are formed on the back side of the smart watch. The case back15may protect components included in the case11of the smart watch from external moisture or pollutants.

Each of the first band12and the second band13may include a tactile feedback unit that is formed on a back surface of each of the first band12and the second band13. The smart watch may generate tactile feedback on back surfaces of bands as digital content displayed on the display unit is controlled, which will be described with regard to embodiments of the disclosure with reference toFIGS. 3 through 6.

In some embodiments, the smart watch may generate tactile feedback on the case back15in response to control input generated by touching a display unit14. According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the smart watch may generate tactile feedback on the case back15in response to control input detected from a front surface of a band or in an adjacent region of the smart watch, which will be described as embodiments of the disclosure with reference toFIGS. 7 through 9.

FIG. 2is a diagram illustrating a smart watch and digital content according to an embodiment of the disclosure. A left diagram ofFIG. 2illustrates the smart watch and a right diagram ofFIG. 2illustrates digital content21.

The smart watch may include the case11, the first band12connected to an upper end of the case11, the second band13connected to a lower end of the case11, and the display unit14. The smart watch may display the digital content21, a length of which exceeds that of the display unit14. As illustrated in a left diagram ofFIG. 2, the smart watch may display a portion of digital content on the display unit14. The digital content21may include paragraphs 1 to 5, as illustrated in a right diagram ofFIG. 2. The display unit14of the smart watch has limited length and width and thus may display only paragraphs 1 and 2. The smart watch may scroll through the displayed digital content21to display paragraphs 3 through 5 that are not displayed.

When the smart watch displays only a portion of the digital content21, a user has a difficulty in knowing how long non-displayed digital content remains. Thus, the smart watch may display an indicator such as a scroll bar, etc. to visually indicate an amount of non-displayed digital content. However, the display unit14of the smart watch has an extremely limited area, and thus, it is not appropriate that a separate indicator is further displayed. Thus, hereinafter, a method of providing an indicator to a user in a smart watch using a tactile feedback unit will be described.

FIG. 3is a diagram illustrating a method of generating tactile feedback in a smart watch according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In a left diagram ofFIG. 3, the smart watch may display digital content on the display unit14. The digital content may include contents of paragraphs 1 through 5. The smart watch may display only a portion of the digital content, that is, paragraphs 1 and 2 due to a limited area of the display unit14.

The remaining portions of the digital content, that is, paragraphs 3 through 5 are positioned below paragraphs 2, but are not displayed due to the limited area of the display unit14. Throughout this disclosure, the remaining portion other than the displayed portion of the digital content may be referred to as a virtual paragraph. That is, the non-displayed portion which can be displayed on the display unit14when the smart watch scrolls through digital content according to a control command of a user, may be a virtual paragraph.

In a left diagram ofFIG. 3, paragraphs 3 through 5 that are non-displayed virtual paragraphs are indicated by dotted lines. The length of paragraphs 3 through 5 that are virtual paragraphs may correspond to a portion of the second band13.

The smart watch may generate tactile feedback on a back surface of a band according to a length of the non-displayed virtual paragraphs. As illustrated in an intermediate diagram ofFIG. 3, the smart watch may generate tactile feedback from a connection portion between the case11and the second band13to a region31corresponding to the length of the virtual paragraph. The tactile feedback may be generated on a back surface of a band, which contacts a user's skin. The user wearing the smart watch may recognize the generated tactile feedback through the wrist. Thus, the user may recognize that non-displayed digital content, corresponding to the region in which tactile feedback is generated, is present. In this manner, the user may scroll through the displayed paragraphs 1 and 2 to display contents of the non-displayed paragraphs 3 through 5 on the display unit14.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in a right diagram ofFIG. 3, the smart watch may generate tactile feedback in a region32corresponding to a lower end of the virtual paragraph. The smart watch may generate tactile feedback in the region32of the band corresponding to the lower end of the virtual paragraph. The tactile feedback may be generated on a back surface of the band. The user wearing the smart watch may recognize the generated tactile feedback through the wrist and recognize where a lower end of the non-displayed virtual paragraph is present. Thus, the user may recognize how long remaining content of corresponding digital content that the user does not view is present.

FIG. 3illustrates a case in which the length of the virtual paragraph is equal to the length of the region in which tactile feedback is generated. However, in some embodiments, the length of the virtual paragraph and the length of the region in which tactile feedback is generated may be enlarged or reduced by a predetermined ratio. That is, when the length of the non-displayed virtual paragraph exceeds the length of the second band, the length of the virtual paragraph may be reduced by a predetermined ratio and tactile feedback may be generated in a region of a band, corresponding to the reduced length of the virtual paragraph. In addition, when the length of the non-displayed virtual paragraph is shorter than the length of the second band, the length of the virtual paragraph may be enlarged by a predetermined ratio and tactile feedback may be generated in a region of a band, corresponding to the enlarged length of the virtual paragraph.

FIG. 4is a diagram illustrating a method of generating tactile feedback in a smart watch according to another embodiment of the disclosure. A user may scroll through paragraphs 1 and 2 that have been displayed as illustrated inFIG. 3and the smart watch may display a portion of digital content, which has not been displayed. The smart watch may display a portion of the digital content, that is, paragraphs 3 and 4 due to a limited area of the display unit14.

The remaining portions of the digital content, that is, paragraphs 1 and 2, and 5 are positioned above paragraph 3 and below paragraph 4, respectively, but are not displayed due to the limited area of the display unit14. In a left diagram ofFIG. 4, paragraphs 1, 2, and 5 that are non-displayed virtual paragraphs are indicated by dotted lines. The length of paragraphs 1 and 2 corresponding to a first virtual paragraph may correspond to a portion of the first band12. In addition, the length of paragraph 5 corresponding to a second virtual paragraph may correspond to a portion of the second band13.

The smart watch may generate tactile feedback on back surfaces of the first band12and the second band13according to a length of the non-displayed virtual paragraphs. As illustrated in an intermediate diagram ofFIG. 4, the smart watch may generate tactile feedback from a connection portion between the case11and the first band12to a region41corresponding to the length of the first virtual paragraph. In addition, the smart watch may generate tactile feedback from a connection portion between the case11and the second band13to a region42corresponding to the length of the second virtual paragraph.

The tactile feedback may be generated on a back surface of a band, which contacts a user's skin. The user wearing the smart watch may recognize the generated tactile feedback through the wrist. Thus, the user may recognize that non-displayed digital content, corresponding to the region in which tactile feedback is generated, is present. That is, the smart watch may generate tactile feedback in the region41of the first band12to inform the user that the non-displayed digital content is present above the displayed digital content. In addition, the smart watch may generate tactile feedback in the region42of the second band13to inform the user that the non-displayed digital content is also present below the displayed digital content.

In this manner, the user may scroll up or down through the displayed paragraphs 3 and 4 to display the non-displayed paragraphs 1, 2, and 5 on the display unit14.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in a right diagram ofFIG. 4, the smart watch may generate tactile feedback in a region43of the first band12, corresponding to an upper end of the first virtual paragraph, or a region44of the second band13, corresponding to a lower end of the second virtual paragraph. The smart watch may generate tactile feedback in a region of the first band12or the second band13, corresponding to the upper end of the first virtual paragraph or the lower end of the second virtual paragraph. The tactile feedback may be generated on a back surface of the band. The user wearing the smart watch may recognize the generated tactile feedback through the wrist and recognize where the upper end of the non-displayed first virtual paragraph or the lower end of the non-displayed second virtual paragraph is present. Thus, the user may recognize where and how long remaining content of corresponding digital content that the user does not view is present.

FIG. 4illustrates a case in which the length of the virtual paragraph is equal to the length of the region in which tactile feedback is generated. However, in some embodiments, the length of the virtual paragraph and the length of the region in which tactile feedback is generated may be enlarged or reduced by a predetermined ratio. That is, when the length of the non-displayed first virtual paragraph exceeds the length of the first band12in an upward direction or the length of the non-displayed second virtual paragraph exceeds the length of the second band13in a downward direction, the length of each virtual paragraph may be reduced by a predetermined ratio and tactile feedback may be generated in a region of each band, corresponding to the reduced length of each virtual paragraph. In addition, when the length of the non-displayed first virtual paragraph is shorter than the length of the first band12in an upward direction or the length of the non-displayed second virtual paragraph is shorter than the length of the second band13in a downward direction, the length of each virtual paragraph may be enlarged by a predetermined ratio and tactile feedback may be generated in a region of each band, corresponding to the enlarged length of each virtual paragraph.

FIG. 5is a diagram illustrating a method of generating tactile feedback in a smart watch according to another embodiment of the disclosure. A user may scroll through paragraphs 3 and 4 that have been displayed as illustratedFIG. 4and the smart watch may display a portion of digital content, which has not been displayed. The smart watch may display a portion of the digital content, that is, paragraphs 4 and 5 due to a limited area of the display unit14.

The remaining portions of the digital content, that is, paragraphs 1 through 3 are positioned above the displayed4, but are not displayed due to the limited area of the display unit14. In a left diagram ofFIG. 5, paragraphs 1 through 3 that are non-displayed virtual paragraphs are indicated by dotted lines. The length of paragraphs 1 through 3 corresponding to virtual paragraphs may correspond to a portion of the first band12.

The smart watch may generate tactile feedback on a back surface of a band according to a length of the non-displayed virtual paragraph. As illustrated in an intermediate diagram ofFIG. 5, the smart watch may generate tactile feedback from a connection portion between the case11and the first band12to a region51corresponding to the length of the virtual paragraph. The tactile feedback may be generated on a back surface of a band, which contacts a user's skin. The user wearing the smart watch may recognize the generated tactile feedback through the wrist. Thus, the user may recognize that non-displayed digital content, corresponding to the region in which tactile feedback is generated, is present. In this manner, the user may scroll up or down through the displayed paragraphs 4 and 5 to display contents of the non-displayed paragraphs 1 through 3 on the display unit14.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in a right diagram ofFIG. 5, the smart watch may generate tactile feedback in a region52corresponding to an upper end of the virtual paragraph. The smart watch may generate tactile feedback in a region of a band corresponding to the upper end of the virtual paragraph. The tactile feedback may be generated on a back surface of the band. The user wearing the smart watch may recognize the generated tactile feedback through the wrist and recognize where the upper end of the non-displayed virtual paragraph is present. Thus, the user may recognize how long contents on which the user scrolls are present in corresponding digital content.

FIG. 5illustrates a case in which the length of the virtual paragraph is equal to the length of the region in which tactile feedback is generated. However, in some embodiments, the length of the virtual paragraph and the length of the region in which tactile feedback is generated may be enlarged or reduced by a predetermined ratio. That is, when the length of the non-displayed virtual paragraph exceeds the length of the first band12, the length of the virtual paragraph may be reduced by a predetermined ratio and tactile feedback may be generated in a region of the band corresponding to the reduced length of the virtual paragraph. In addition, when the length of the non-displayed virtual paragraph is shorter than the length of the first band12, the length of the virtual paragraph may be enlarged by a predetermined ratio and tactile feedback may be generated in a region of the band corresponding to the enlarged length of the virtual paragraph.

FIG. 6is a side view illustrating a smart watch and digital content according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In an upper diagram ofFIG. 6, the smart watch may include the case11, the first band12, the second band13, and a buckle62. The buckle62may connect the first band12and the second band13to each other to hold the smart watch on the user's wrist. The length of digital content61-1may exceed that of a display unit of the smart watch. The digital content61-1illustrated inFIG. 6indicates a virtual object and is displayed on a display unit included in the case11during actual use. Thus, the smart watch may display only a portion63of the digital content61-1, corresponding to an area of the display unit. That is, the remaining portions other than the displayed portion63of the digital content61-1may not be displayed and may be in a display standby state. In other words, the remaining portions other than the displayed portion63of the digital content61-1may correspond to the virtual paragraph that has been described with reference toFIGS. 3 through 5.

The smart watch may generate tactile feedback on a back surface of a band to correspond to the digital content61-1. The smart watch may generate tactile feedback in a first region64of the first band12, corresponding to an upper end portion of the digital content61-1. In addition, the smart watch may generate tactile feedback on a second region65of the second band13, corresponding to a lower end portion of the digital content61-1. The smart watch may generate tactile feedback in a region from a connection portion between the case11and the first band12to the first region64. In addition, the smart watch may generate tactile feedback only in the first region64to inform the user of a portion of the first band12, corresponding to an upper end of digital content.

The smart watch may generate tactile feedback in a region from a connection portion between the case11and the second band13to the second region65. Alternatively, the smart watch may generate tactile feedback only in the second region65to inform the user of a portion of the second band13, corresponding to a lower end of digital content.

An intermediate diagram ofFIG. 6illustrates a result obtained by scrolling through digital content61-2that has been displayed as illustrated in an upper diagram ofFIG. 6. When the digital content61-2is scrolled, the upper end of the digital content61-2may be moved in a direction toward the connection portion between the case11and the first band12. The upper end of the digital content61-2may correspond to a third region66of the first band12. The smart watch may generate tactile feedback in the third region66, corresponding to the upper end of the digital content61-2. When the digital content61-2is scrolled, the lower end of the digital content61-2may be moved in an opposite direction to the connection portion between the case11and the second band13, that is, in a direction toward the buckle62. The lower end of the digital content61-2may correspond to a fourth region67of the second band13. The smart watch may generate tactile feedback in the fourth region67corresponding to the lower end of the digital content61-2. The smart watch may determine a direction and speed when a region where tactile feedback is generated is moved so as to correspond to a direction and speed when digital content are moved.

A lower diagram ofFIG. 6illustrates a result obtained by further scrolling through digital content61-3that has been displayed as illustrated in the intermediate diagram ofFIG. 6. When the digital content61-3is scrolled, an upper end of the digital content61-3may be displayed on an upper end region68of a display unit. The upper end of the digital content61-3is displayed on the display unit, and thus, a non-displayed portion of an upper end portion of the digital content61-3is not present. Thus, the smart watch may not generate tactile feedback on the first band12.

When the digital content61-3is scrolled, the lower end of the digital content61-3may be moved in an opposite direction to the connection portion between the case11and the second band13, that is, in a direction toward the buckle62. The lower end of the digital content61-3may be moved to a region in which the buckle62is positioned. The smart watch may generate tactile feedback corresponding to the lower end of the digital content61-3in a region of the second band13although the lower end of the digital content61-3is moved to a region of the buckle62or the first band12.

The smart watch may set a limiting region of tactile feedback on the second band13and generate tactile feedback only up to the limiting region although the lower end of the digital content61-3is moved to exceed the limiting region. Thus, the smart watch may generate tactile feedback in a fifth region69of the second band13so as to correspond to the lower end of the digital content61-3. The limiting region of tactile feedback may be applied to the first band12and an upper end of digital content in a similar way. Thus, tactile feedback generated in the first band12and tactile feedback generated in the second band13may not overlap with each other.

FIG. 7is a diagram illustrating tactile feedback generated on a case back of a smart watch according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The smart watch may detect control input generated by touching the display unit and generate tactile feedback in a region of the display unit, in which the control input is detected. The tactile feedback may be determined to correspond to the properties of a displayed portion of digital content. In addition, when pressure of the control input is equal to or more than threshold pressure, the smart watch may generate tactile feedback on the case back of the smart watch. The smart watch may generate tactile feedback on the case back so as to correspond to the region of the display unit, in which the control input is detected.

A left diagram ofFIG. 7illustrates a front side of the smart watch, and a right diagram ofFIG. 7illustrates a back side of the smart watch. In the left diagram ofFIG. 7, the smart watch may display digital content on the display unit14. The smart watch may detect control input71generated by touching the display unit14and control digital content displayed according to the control input71. The smart watch may generate tactile feedback in the region of the display unit, in which the control input71generated by touching the display unit14is detected. When pressure at which the control input71is generated by touching the display unit14is equal to or more than threshold pressure, the smart watch may generate tactile feedback72on the case back15as illustrated in a right diagram ofFIG. 7. The smart watch may adjust intensity of the tactile feedback72in proportion to the pressure of the control input71. When the control input71is moved, the smart watch may move the tactile feedback72generated on the case back15according to the control input71.

When digital content corresponds to a three-dimensional (3D) image, the smart watch may generate tactile feedback corresponding to the properties of a front surface of the 3D image on the display unit14and generate tactile feedback corresponding to the properties of a back surface of the 3D image on the case back15of the smart watch. In this manner, the smart watch may transfer tactile feedback corresponding to the properties of the front surface and back surface of the 3D image to the user's finger and wrist, respectively. Here, the properties of the front surface and back surface of the 3D image may include the texture, shape, size, and position of the 3D image.

FIG. 8is a diagram illustrating a method of controlling a smart watch using an adjacent region of the smart watch, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In a left diagram ofFIG. 8, the smart watch may detect control input81generated in the adjacent region of the smart watch as well as control input generated by directly touching the smart watch. Here, the adjacent region may include the user's wrist or back of hand. The smart watch may detect the control input81using at least one of a proximity sensor, an illumination sensor, a camera, and a motion sensor. The control input81may include gesture input. The smart watch may control digital content displayed on the display unit14in response to the control input81. When the control input81is moved upward and downward in the adjacent region of the smart watch, the smart watch may scroll up and down through the displayed digital content.

In a right diagram ofFIG. 8, the smart watch may generate tactile feedback82on the case back15in response to the control input81generated in the adjacent region of the smart watch. The smart watch may control the tactile feedback82generated on the case back15in response to the control input81. When the control input81is moved up and down in the adjacent region of the smart watch, the smart watch may move the generated tactile feedback upward and downward. The smart watch may generate the tactile feedback82corresponding to the properties of the digital content displayed on the display unit14on the case back15.

FIG. 9is a diagram illustrating a method of controlling a smart watch using bands12and13of a smart watch, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In a left diagram ofFIG. 9, the smart watch may detect control input91generated by touching a front surface of each of the bands12and13as well as control input generated by touching a display unit. The smart watch may detect the control input91using at least one of a touch sensor, a proximity sensor, an illumination sensor, a camera, and a motion sensor. The smart watch may control digital content displayed on the display unit14in response to the control input91generated on the bands12and13. When the control input91is moved up and down while in contact with the bands12and13of the smart watch, the smart watch may scroll up and down through displayed digital content. In addition, the smart watch may generate tactile feedback in a region in which the control input91is detected. Thus, although the user does not touch the display unit14, the user may experience tactile feedback corresponding to the displayed digital content by touching a front surface of each of the bands12and13.

In a right diagram ofFIG. 9, the smart watch may generate tactile feedback92on the case back15in response to the control input91generated on the bands12and13. The smart watch may control the tactile feedback92generated on the case back15in response to the control input91. When the control input91is moved up and down while in contact with the bands12and13of the smart watch, the smart watch may move the generated tactile feedback. The smart watch may generate the tactile feedback92corresponding to the properties of digital content displayed on the display unit14on the case back15.

FIG. 10is a block diagram of a smart watch according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The smart watch may include a display unit101, a tactile feedback unit102, a sensor unit103, and a controller104.

The display unit101may display digital content. In some embodiments, the display unit101may include at least one of an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an electronic ink display, and a flexible display. The display unit101may include a touch sensitive display unit to detect control input generated by touching the display unit101. In addition, the display unit101may include a tactile display unit to transfer to a user tactile feedback generated by the tactile feedback unit102which will be described below.

The tactile feedback unit102may generate tactile feedback in response to control input. The tactile feedback unit102may generate tactile feedback in a region to which the control input is input or another region corresponding to the region to which the control input is input. The tactile feedback unit102may generate tactile feedback on at least one of the display unit101of the smart watch, a front or back surface of a band, and a case back. The smart watch may transfer tactile feedback to the user's finger or wrist. The user may sense the tactile feedback via tactile sensation and control digital content according to the sensed tactile feedback. In this disclosure, the smart watch may generate tactile feedback corresponding to a non-displayed portion of digital content as well as tactile feedback corresponding to a displayed portion of the digital content so as to notify the user of an entire region of the digital content.

A method of generating tactile feedback by the tactile feedback unit102for a user is now described. The tactile feedback unit102may transfer tactile feedback to the user's finger or the wrist of the user wearing the smart watch using a micro vibration actuator. The tactile feedback unit102may control a frequency and amplitude of vibration so as to adjust intensity of the tactile feedback transferred to the user's finger or wrist.

According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the tactile feedback unit102may generate micro current to transfer tactile feedback to the user. The tactile feedback unit102may control intensity of current and a period at which the current is generated such that the user may experience other touches.

In addition, the tactile feedback unit102may generate tactile feedback using ultrasonic resonance. The tactile feedback unit102may generate a plurality of ultrasonic waves and allow the ultrasonic waves to resonate on the user's finger or wrist to generate tactile feedback for the user. The tactile feedback unit102may generate tactile feedback on an adjacent region detected by the user's finger. The tactile feedback unit102may adjust amplitude of resonance frequency and a period at which resonance is generated to generate different tactile feedbacks.

The sensor unit103may sense control input that is input to the smart watch. The sensor unit103may sense the control input generated by touching a display unit or a front surface of a band. The sensor unit103may sense the control input of the user using a resistive or electrostatic touch sensor. Touch sensors for respective regions may be activated or deactivated by the controller104for the respective regions. The sensor unit103may transmit information regarding the sensed control input to the controller104.

The sensor unit103may sense the control input that is input to the adjacent region of the smart watch. The sensor unit103may detect control input spaced apart from the smart watch by a predetermined interval using at least one of a proximity sensor, an illumination sensor, a camera, and a motion sensor. The control input may include gesture input.

The sensor unit103may sense pressure of the control input generated by touching the display unit101. The sensor unit103may use a piezoelectric sensor or measure an area in which the control input is detected to sense the pressure of the control input.

The sensor unit103may transmit information regarding the sensed control input to the controller104. In some embodiment, the aforementioned foldable display unit101and the touch sensor of the sensor unit103may be integrated with each other to constitute a touch sensitive display unit.

The controller104may control the display unit101, the tactile feedback unit102, and the sensor unit103using the information transmitted from the sensor unit103. The controller104may display digital content on the display unit101. The controller104may distinguish between a displayed portion and non-displayed portion of the digital content. The controller104may generate tactile feedback corresponding to the displayed portion of the digital content on the display unit101or a front surface of the band of the smart watch. In addition, the controller104may generate tactile feedback corresponding to the non-displayed portion of the digital content on a back surface of the band of the smart watch. Thus, the user may check the displayed portion of the digital content visually and through tactile sensation and check the non-displayed portion of the digital content through tactile sensation.

The controller104may generate tactile feedback on a back surface of a band, corresponding to upper and lower ends of the non-displayed portion of the digital content. The generated tactile feedback may be transferred to the user's wrist that contacts a region of the back surface of the band. The user may experience tactile feedback corresponding to the displayed portion of the digital content through the wrist and predict an area of the non-displayed portion of the digital content.

In addition, when pressure of the control input is equal to or more than threshold pressure, the controller104may generate tactile feedback on a portion of a case back, corresponding to a region in which the control input is detected. When the digital content corresponds to a 3D image, the controller104may generate tactile feedback corresponding to the properties of a front surface of the 3D image on the display unit101and generate tactile feedback corresponding to the properties of a back surface of the 3D image on a case back of the smart watch.

FIG. 10is a block diagram of a smart watch according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In this regard, blocks formed by partitioning the smart watch are illustrated by logically partitioning the smart watch into elements of a foldable display device. Thus, the elements of the aforementioned foldable display device may be constituted as one chip or a plurality of chips according to design of the foldable display device.

FIG. 11is a flowchart of a method of controlling a smart watch according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The smart watch may display digital content on a display unit provided on a front surface of a case (S10). As described with reference toFIG. 2, the smart watch may display the digital content, an area of which exceeds that of the digital unit. The smart watch may display only a portion of digital content and display the remaining non-displayed portion by moving the digital content when scroll control input is input.

The smart watch may detect control input for control of the digital content (S20). As described with reference toFIGS. 7 through 9, the smart watch may detect control input from the display unit, a front surface of a band, or an adjacent region of the smart watch. The smart watch may control the displayed digital content according to the detected control input. When the user inputs the scroll control input in order to view the non-displayed portion of the digital content, the smart watch may scroll through the digital content.

The smart watch may generate first tactile feedback in response to the digital content according to the control input (S30). As described with reference toFIG. 7, the smart watch may generate the first tactile feedback according to the properties of digital content controlled according to the control input. When the control input is detected from the display unit, the smart watch may generate the first tactile feedback on the display unit. In addition, when the control input is detected from the front surface of the band, the smart watch may generate the first tactile feedback on the front surface of the band or the case back. In addition, when the control input is detected from the adjacent region of the smart watch, the smart watch may generate the first tactile feedback on the case back. A process of generating the first tactile feedback in response to the control input is not required, and thus, may be omitted in some embodiments.

The smart watch may generate second tactile feedback on a back surface of the band of the smart watch so as to correspond to the length of digital content (S40). As described with reference toFIGS. 3 through 5, the smart watch may determine positions of upper and lower ends of the digital content. The smart watch may measure the length of the displayed portion of the digital content as well as the length of the non-displayed portion of the digital content. Thus, the smart watch may perform a process for checking portions of bands of the smart watch, corresponding to the upper and lower bands of the non-displayed portion of the digital content, in consideration of a magnification ratio. The smart watch may determine a first region and a second region of the bands, corresponding to the upper and lower ends of the non-displayed portion of the digital content.

The smart watch may generate the second tactile feedback corresponding to the non-displayed portion of the digital content on the back surface of the band. The smart watch may generate the second tactile feedback from a connection portion between the band and an upper end of a case to the first region. In addition, the smart watch may generate the second tactile feedback from a connection portion between the band and a lower end of the case to the second region. In some embodiments, the smart watch may generate the second tactile feedback on only the first region and the second region.

When digital content is controlled, the smart watch may move a portion in which the second tactile feedback is generated, according to the controlled digital content. That is, when positions of the upper and lower ends of the non-displayed portion of the digital content are changed according to the control input, the smart watch may move the second tactile feedback to regions of the back surface of the band, corresponding to the changed positions, and generate the second tactile feedback.

FIG. 12is a flowchart of a method of controlling a smart watch according to another embodiment of the disclosure. The smart watch may display digital content on a display unit provided on a front surface of a case (S110). As described with reference toFIG. 2, the smart watch may display the digital content, a length of which exceeds that of the digital unit. The smart watch may display only a portion of digital content and display the remaining non-displayed portion by moving the digital content when scroll control input is input.

The smart watch may detect control input for control of the digital content (S120). As described with reference toFIGS. 7 through 9, the smart watch may detect control input on the display unit, a front surface of a band, or an adjacent region of the smart watch. The smart watch may control the displayed digital content according to the detected control input. When the user inputs the scroll control input in order to view the non-displayed portion of the digital content, the smart watch may scroll through the digital content.

The smart watch may generate first tactile feedback corresponding to the digital content in response to the control input (S130). As described with reference to FIG.7, the smart watch may generate the first tactile feedback according to the properties of digital content controlled according to the control input. When the control input is detected from the display unit, the smart watch may generate the first tactile feedback on the display unit. In addition, when the control input is detected from the front surface of the band, the smart watch may generate the first tactile feedback on the front surface of the band or the case back. In addition, when the control input is detected from the adjacent region of the smart watch, the smart watch may generate the first tactile feedback on the case back. A process of generating the first tactile feedback in response to the control input is not required, and thus, may be omitted in some embodiments.

The smart watch may determine whether a non-displayed portion of the digital content is present (S140). When an area of the digital content is equal to or less than a resolution of a display unit included in the smart watch, the smart watch may display an entire portion of the digital contentions on the digital unit. In this case, since the non-displayed portion is not present, the second tactile feedback is not generated.

As described with reference toFIG. 2, when the area of the digital content exceeds the resolution of the display unit included in the smart watch, the smart watch may display only a portion of the digital content on the display unit. Thus, another portion of the digital content may not be displayed. Thus, the smart watch may determine that the non-displayed portion of the digital content is present. Then, in a subsequent step S150, the switch may generate the second tactile feedback on a back surface of the band.

The smart watch may generate second tactile feedback on the back surface of the band of the smart watch so as to correspond to the length of digital content (S150). As described with reference toFIGS. 3 through 5, the smart watch may determine positions of upper and lower ends of the digital content. The smart watch may measure the length of the displayed portion of the digital content as well as the length of the non-displayed portion of the digital content. Thus, the smart watch may perform a process for checking portions of bands of the smart watch, corresponding to the upper and lower bands of the non-displayed portion of the digital content, in consideration of a magnification ratio. The smart watch may determine a first region and a second region of the bands, corresponding to the upper and lower ends of the non-displayed portion of the digital content.

The smart watch may generate the second tactile feedback corresponding to the non-displayed portion of the digital content on the back surface of the band. The smart watch may generate the second tactile feedback from a connection portion between the band and an upper end of a case to the first region. In addition, the smart watch may generate the second tactile feedback from a connection portion between the band and a lower end of the case to the second region. In some embodiments, the smart watch may generate the second tactile feedback on only the first region and the second region.

When digital content is controlled, the smart watch may move a portion in which the second tactile feedback is generated, according to the controlled digital content. That is, when positions of the upper and lower ends of the non-displayed portion of the digital content are changed according to the control input, the smart watch may move the second tactile feedback to regions of the back surface of the band, corresponding to the changed positions, and generate the second tactile feedback.

As described above, the smart watch according to the disclosure may generate tactile feedback corresponding to a non-displayed portion of digital content as well as tactile feedback corresponding to a displayed portion of the digital content. In addition, in this manner, the smart watch may inform a user how long remaining non-displayed portions of digital content are present.

According to the disclosure, the smart watch may generate tactile feedback according to the properties of displayed digital content.

According to the disclosure, the smart watch may generate tactile feedback on a back surface of a band connected to a case.

According to the disclosure, the smart watch may generate tactile feedback according to the length of a non-displayed portion of digital content.

According to the disclosure, the smart watch may inform a user of the length of digital content.

According to the disclosure, the smart watch may detect touch input that is input to a display unit and generate tactile feedback corresponding to the touch input on a case back.

According to the disclosure, the smart watch may detect control input generated on an adjacent region of the smart watch.

According to the disclosure, the smart watch may move a portion in which tactile feedback is generated as displayed digital content is moved.

In addition, according to the disclosure, the smart watch may detect control input generated by touching a front surface of a band connected to a case and generate tactile feedback.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the disclosure covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.