Electronic devices, electronic device suites, and methods for operating user interface

An electronic device includes a storage unit, a touch-sensing unit and a processing unit. The storage unit stores a plurality of combinations of at least two shapes. The touch-sensing unit detects the touch of a first touching object and a second touching object while the electronic device is in an idle mode. The touch-sensing unit further generates a sensing signal when the capacitance values corresponding to the first touching object and the second touching object are within a predetermined range over a predetermined time, and the combination of the shapes of the first touching object and the second touching object conforms to one of the combinations stored in the storage unit. The processing unit enables an application program according to the sensing signal.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims priority of Taiwan Patent Application No. 103141561, filed on Dec. 1, 2014, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The application relates in general to an electronic device, an electronic device suite, and a method for operating a user interface, and in particular to an electronic device, an electronic device suite, and a method for operating a user interface for enabling a particular application program in an idle mode by the touches of at least two touching objects.

Description of the Related Art

These days, due to the rapid development of technology, electronic devices are used widely. When a user wants to enable different application programs in different situations, such as listening music, recording an exercise path while exercising, or using a navigation mode and maps while traveling, the application program must be enabled before the electronic device enters the idle mode, or the application program must be re-enabled when the electronic device switches from the idle mode to the normal mode, and that might cause inconvenience for the user. Thus, how to simplify the steps for enabling a particular application program in different situations is a problem which needs to be solved immediately.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

An embodiment of the invention provides an electronic device, comprising a storage unit, a touch-sensing unit, and a processing unit. The storage unit stores a plurality of combinations of at least two shapes. The touch-sensing unit detects the touch of a first touching object and a second touching object in an idle mode, and generates a first sensing signal when the capacitance values corresponding to the first touching object and the second touching object are within a predetermined range over a predetermined time, and the combination of the shapes of the first touching object and the second touching object conform to one of the combinations stored in the storage unit. The processing unit enables a first application program according to the first sensing signal.

Another embodiment of the invention provides an electronic device, comprising a storage unit, a touch-sensing unit, and a processing unit. The storage unit stores a plurality of combinations of at least two shapes. The touch-sensing unit detects the touch of a first touching object and a second touching object in an idle mode, and obtains object information corresponding to the first touching object and the second touching object. The object information comprises shapes, capacitance values, and contact times corresponding to the first touching object and the second touching object. The processing unit receives the object information, and enables a first application program when the capacitance values corresponding to the first touching object and the second touching object are within a predetermined range, the contact times are over a predetermined time, and the combination of the shapes of the first touching object and the second touching object conform to one of the combinations stored in the storage unit.

Another embodiment of the invention provides a method for operating a user interface, adapted to an electronic device, the steps comprising: creating a database, which is configured to store a plurality of combinations of at least two shapes; detecting the touch of a first touching object and a second touching object in an idle mode; obtaining shapes, capacitance values, and contact times corresponding to the first touching object and the second touching object; determining whether the combination of the shapes of the first touching object and the second touching object conform to one of the combinations stored in the database or not when the capacitance values corresponding to the first touching object and the second touching object are within a predetermined range, and the contact times are over a predetermined time; generating a first sensing signal when the combination of the shapes of the first touching object and the second touching object conform to one of the combinations stored in the database; receiving the first sensing signal by a processing unit; and enabling a first application program.

Another embodiment of the invention provides a method for operating a user interface, adapted to an electronic device, the steps comprising: creating a database, which is configured to store a plurality of combinations of at least two shapes; detecting the touch of a first touching object and a second touching object in an idle mode; obtaining object information corresponding to the first touching object and the second touching object, wherein the object information comprises shapes, capacitance values, and contact times corresponding to the first touching object and the second touching object; receiving the object information by a processing unit; determining whether the combination of the shapes of the first touching object and the second touching object conform to one of the combinations stored in the database or not when the capacitance values corresponding to the first touching object and the second touching object are within a predetermined range, and the contact times are over a predetermined time; enabling a first application program when the combination of the shapes of the first touching object and the second touching object conform to one of the combinations stored in the database.

Another embodiment of the invention provides an electronic device suite, comprising a protective case and an electronic device. The protective case comprises a front cover and a back cover. The front cover comprises a first sensing object and a second sensing object. The first sensing object is coupled to the second sensing object by a conductive element. The back cover is coupled to the front cover. The electronic device is arranged on the front cover and comprises a storage unit, a touch-sensing unit, and a processing unit. The storage unit stores a plurality of combinations of at least two shapes. The touch-sensing unit detects the touch of a first touching object and a second touching object in an idle mode, and generates a sensing signal when the capacitance values corresponding to the first touching object and the second touching object are within a predetermined range over a predetermined time, and the combination of the shapes of the first touching object and the second touching object conform to one of the combinations stored in the storage unit. The processing unit enables an application program according to the sensing signal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Further areas in which the present devices and methods can be applied will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the electronic devices, the electronic device suites, and the methods for operating the user interface, are intended for the purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1is a block diagram of the electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown inFIG. 1, the electronic device100includes a storage unit110, a touch-sensing unit120, and a processing unit130. The electronic device100can be a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, a smartphone, a notebook computer, a tablet, a game device, etc. The storage unit110stores a plurality of combinations of at least two shapes which can be the different outlines or the same outline. For example,FIGS. 2A, 2B, and2C are schematic diagrams of the combinations of the shapes in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. The combinations shown inFIG. 2Aare triangle and circle, the combinations shown inFIG. 2Bare triangle, rectangle and circle, and the combinations shown inFIG. 2Care a set of triangles and a set of circles. It should be noted that the combinations as described above are the exemplary embodiment, but they are not limited thereto. The touch-sensing unit120detects the touch of the touching objects in the idle mode, and outputs a sensing signal. The processing unit130receives the sensing signal and enables the application program according to the sensing signal.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device100enters the idle mode when the user covers the protective case on the electronic device100, presses the power button, or the device is unused for a period of time. When the electronic device100is running in the idle mode, the touch-sensing unit120detects the touch of at least two touching objects, and obtains the object information of at least two objects. The object information includes the shape, capacitance value, and contact time corresponding to each touching object. When the capacitance value of each touching object is within a predetermined range, and the contact time is over a predetermined time (e.g. 2 seconds), the touch-sensing unit120further detects the shape of each touching object. For example, the capacitance of x and y direction of the sensing electrodes are varied when the touching object touches the touch-sensing unit120, and the touch-sensing unit120obtains the shape of the touch object according to the boundary of the sensing electrodes of which the capacitance is varied. The touch-sensing unit120outputs a sensing signal corresponding to the combination of the shapes for waking up the processing unit130when the shapes of at least two touching objects conform to one of the combinations stored in the storage unit110. For example, when the shapes of the touching objects are a triangle and circle, and the storage unit110has the combination of triangle and circle, the touch-sensing unit120determines that the shapes of the touching objects conform to one of the combinations stored in the storage unit110. After receiving the sensing signal, the processing unit130executes the application program corresponding to the sensing signal, such as a multimedia player. It should be noted that different combinations of shapes correspond to different application programs. For example, the sensing signal corresponds to a multimedia player when the combination of shapes is triangle and circle, and the sensing signal corresponds to a recording program or the electronic device enters a flight mode when the combination of shapes is square and heart-shape.

According to another embodiment, the information stored in the storage unit110further includes the locations of the shapes, and the touch-sensing unit120further outputs the sensing signal according to the locations of at least two touching objects. For example, the combinations of the shapes shown inFIGS. 3A and 3Bare the combinations stored in the storage unit110, and both of the combinations of the shapes are triangle and circle. However, due to the locations of the triangle and the circle being within the different predetermined area301and302, the processing unit130enables different application programs according to different arrangements shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B. In the idle mode, the touch-sensing unit120further detects the location of each touching object and outputs the sensing signal when the combination of the shapes of the touching objects conform to one of the combinations of shapes stored in the storage unit110. The processing unit130enables the application program according to the sensing signal corresponding to the locations and the combination of shapes.

According to another embodiment, when the electronic device100is running in the idle mode, the electronic device100may reduce power consumption by only detecting the touch of the touching objects on the predetermined areas301and302first, and then detecting the shapes of the touching objects after both of the predetermined areas301and302are touched by the touching objects.

According to another embodiment, after enabling the application program corresponding to the combination stored in the storage unit110, when the touch-sensing unit120detects that the touching objects leave the electronic device100, which means the variations of the capacitances are negative or the capacitances of at least two touching objects are lower than the predetermined range, the touch-sensing unit120outputs another sensing signal for notifying the processing unit130to execute another process. For example, after the touching objects leave the touch-sensing unit120, the processing unit130disables the multimedia player and switches to the home page or enables a camera application program.

Please refer toFIG. 4withFIG. 1.FIG. 4is a flow chart of the method for operating the user interface in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In step S401, the storage unit110creates a database, which is configured to store a plurality of combinations of at least two shapes with different outlines or the same outline. In step S402, the electronic device100is running in the idle mode. In step S403, the touch-sensing unit120detects the touch of at least two touching objects. In step S404, the touch-sensing unit120further obtains the object information corresponding to at least two touching objects when the touch-sensing unit detects the touch of the touching objects. The object information includes the shape, capacitance value, and contact time corresponding to each touching object. In step S405, the touch-sensing unit120determines whether the capacitance value of each touching object is within a predetermined range or not. When the capacitance value of each touching object is within a predetermined range, the method proceeds to S406, and the touch-sensing unit120determines whether the contact time is over a predetermined time (e.g. 2 seconds) or not. If the contact time is over the predetermined time, the method proceeds to S407, and the touch-sensing unit120determines whether the combination of the touching objects conforms to the combinations stored in the storage unit110or not. If the combination of the touching objects does not conform to the combinations stored in the storage unit110, the method returns to S403, and the touch-sensing unit120detects the touch of at least two touching objects again. Otherwise, the method proceeds to S408, and the touch-sensing unit120outputs the sensing signal corresponding to the combination of the shapes. In step S409, the processing unit130receives the sensing signal and enables the application program according to the sensing signal.

FIG. 5is a block diagram of the electronic device400in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown inFIG. 5, the electronic device500includes the storage unit510, the touch-sensing unit520, and the processing unit530. The storage unit510stores a plurality of combinations of at least two shapes. The combinations of at least two shapes are referred to the collocation of at least two shapes. The touch-sensing unit520detects the touch of at least two touching objects in the idle mode, and obtains the object information of each touching object. The object information includes the shape, capacitance value, and contact time corresponding to each touching object. The processing unit530receives object information, and enables the application program according to the object information.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device500enters the idle mode when the user covers the protective case on the electronic device500, presses the power button, or the device is unused for a period of time. When the electronic device500is running in the idle mode, the touch-sensing unit520detects the touch of at least two touching objects, and obtains the object information of at least two objects. After obtaining the object information of each touching object, the touch-sensing unit520outputs the object information to the processing unit530. The processing unit530determines whether at least two touching objects conform to the conditions for enabling the application program or not according to the object information. For example, when the capacitance value of each touching object is within a predetermined range, the contact time is over a predetermined time (e.g. 2 seconds), and the combination of the shapes conforms to the combination stored in the storage unit510, the processing unit530enables the application program corresponding to the combination stored in the storage unit510, such as multimedia player, etc. It should be noted that different combinations of shapes correspond to different application programs. For example, the application program is a multimedia player when the combination of shapes is triangle and circle, and the application program is a recording program, or the electronic device enters the flight mode, when the combination of shapes is square and heart-shape.

According to another embodiment, the processing unit530further enables the application program according to the locations of at least two touching objects. For example, the combinations of the shapes shown inFIGS. 3A and 3Bare the combinations stored in the storage unit510, and both of the combinations are triangle and circle. However, due to the locations of the triangle and the circle being within the different predetermined area301and302, the processing unit530enables different application programs according to the different arrangements shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B. When the processing unit530detects that the combination of shapes is triangle and circle, the processing unit530further determines whether or not the locations of the triangle and the circle conform to the arrangements shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B. If the locations of the triangle and the circle conform to one of the arrangements shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B, the processing unit530enables the application program according to the locations.

In the idle mode, the touch-sensing unit120further detects the location of each touching object and outputs the sensing signal when the combination of the shapes of the touching objects conform to one of the combinations of the shapes stored in the storage unit110. The processing unit130enables the application program according to the sensing signal corresponding to the locations and the combination of the shapes.

According to another embodiment, when the electronic device500is running in the idle mode, the electronic device500may reduce power consumption by only detecting the touch of touching objects on the predetermined areas301and302first, and then detecting the shapes of the touching objects after both of the predetermined areas301and302are touched by the touching objects.

According to another embodiment, after enabling the application program corresponding to the combination stored in the storage unit510, when the touch-sensing unit520detects that the touching objects leave the electronic device500, which means the variations of the capacitances are negative or the capacitances of at least two touching objects are lower than the predetermined range, the processing unit530executes another process. For example, after the touching objects leave the touch-sensing unit520, the processing unit130disables the multimedia player and switches to the home page or enables a camera application program.

Please refer toFIG. 6withFIG. 5.FIG. 6is a flow chart of the method for operating the user interface in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In step S601, the storage unit510creates a database, which is configured to store a plurality of combinations of at least two shapes. In step S602, the electronic device500enters the idle mode. In step S603, the touch-sensing unit520detects the touch of at least two touching objects. In step S604, the touch-sensing unit120further obtains the object information corresponding to at least two touching objects. The object information includes the shape, capacitance value, and contact time corresponding to each touching object. In step S605, the touch-sensing unit520outputs the object information to the processing unit530. After receiving the object information, the method proceeds to S606, the processing unit530determines whether the capacitance value of each touching object is within a predetermined range or not. When the capacitance value of each touching object is within a predetermined range, the method proceeds to S607, the touch-sensing unit120determines whether the contact time is over a predetermined time (e.g. 2 seconds) or not. If the contact time is over the predetermined time, the method goes to S608, and the processing unit530determines whether the combination of the touching objects conforms to the combinations stored in the storage unit510or not. If the combination of the touching objects does not conform to the combinations stored in the storage unit510, the method returns to S603, and the touch-sensing unit520detects the touch of at least two touching objects again. Otherwise, the method proceeds to S609, and the processing unit530enables the application program according to the combination of shapes.

FIG. 7is a schematic diagram of the electronic device suite in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown inFIG. 7, the electronic device suite700includes a protective case710and an electronic device720. The protective case710includes a front cover711, a back cover712and side piece713. The front cover711includes at least two sensing objects701,702. The back cover712fits with the back cover of the electronic device720for fixing the electronic device720. The side piece713connects the front cover711and the back cover712. The electronic device720is folded in the front cover711, the back cover712and the side piece713. The electronic device720includes a storage unit, a touch-sensing unit and a processing unit. Since the functions of the storage unit, the touch-sensing unit, and the processing unit are the same as the elements of the electronic device100or the electronic device500, they will not be described herein.

According to an embodiment, the protective case710is the protective case of an electronic device. The substrate of the front cover711and the back cover712can be a hard material, such as glass or PMMA, and the substrate is covered by a soft material, such as leather or conductive fabric. The sensing objects701,702are pasted on the front cover711by Velcro or a soft magnet, and covered by a soft material. The sensing objects701,702protrude on the substrate or the area without another sensing object. For example, as shown inFIG. 8, when the front cover711covers the screen of the electronic device720, the screen is touched only by the sensing object701,702. The sensing objects701and702are connected by a conductive material705for balancing the capacity of each sensing object for improving the accuracy of the touch-sensing unit. Furthermore, the front cover711also includes a sensing magnet (not shown). The sensing magnet triggers the sensor of the electronic device720to make the electronic device720enter the idle mode when the front cover711covers the electronic device720.

FIG. 9is a schematic diagram of the electronic device suite in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. As shown inFIG. 9, the back cover712also includes at least one sensing object703, the sensing object703connects to the sensing objects701,702on the front cover711by the conductive material705, and further connects to the ground of the electronic device720for increasing the capacitances of the sensing objects701and702.

As described above, an embodiment of the invention provides an electronic device, an electronic device suite, and a method for operating a user interface. When the electronic device enters the idle mode, the user can use at least two sensing object with two different shapes or different locations for enabling a particular application program, and can enable another application program the same way when the electronic device enters the normal mode. In addition, the arrangement of the sensing objects can be changed to enable different application programs in different situations. And the conductive material connected between the sensing objects is used to reduce the probability of misjudgment for improving the user experience.