Patent Publication Number: US-9839811-B2

Title: Electronic device and method for controlling the electronic device

Description:
This application is a divisional application of a commonly-assigned application entitled “ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE ELECTRONIC DEVICE”, filed on Jun. 26, 2015 with U.S. application Ser. No. 14/752,497. The disclosure of the above-identified application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The subject matter herein generally relates to electrical device control technology, and particularly to an electronic device and a method for controlling a working state of the electronic device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     An electronic device (e.g., a treadmill) can be used for exercising. However, when the electronic device is used wrong, a user of the electronic device may get hurt. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Implementations of the present technology will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures. 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example embodiment of an electronic device. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic view of an example embodiment of a position of a camera device. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an example embodiment of function modules of a control system. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic view of an example embodiment of a first distance of feature data of a user. 
         FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic view of an example embodiment of a second distance of feature data of a user. 
         FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic view of an example embodiment of a pixel value of feature data of a user. 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart of an example embodiment of a method for controlling the electronic device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant feature being described. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the proportions of certain parts may be exaggerated to better illustrate details and features of the present disclosure. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean “at least one”. 
     Several definitions that apply throughout this disclosure will now be presented. 
     The term “coupled” is defined as connected, whether directly or indirectly through intervening components, and is not necessarily limited to physical connections. The connection can be such that the objects are permanently connected or releasably connected. The term “comprising,” when utilized, means “including, but not necessarily limited to”; it specifically indicates open-ended inclusion or membership in the so-described combination, group, series, and the like. 
     The term “module”, as used herein, refers to logic embodied in hardware or firmware, or to a collection of software instructions, written in a programming language, such as, Java, C, or assembly. One or more software instructions in the modules can be embedded in firmware, such as in an EPROM. The modules described herein can be implemented as either software and/or hardware modules and can be stored in any type of non-transitory computer-readable medium or other storage device. Some non-limiting examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include CDs, DVDs, BLU-RAY™, flash memory, and hard disk drives. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example embodiment of an electronic device. In at least one embodiment as shown in  FIG. 1 , an electronic device  1  includes a control system  10 . The electronic device  1  can be a treadmill, a stationary bike, or any other exercise equipment. The electronic device  1  further includes, but is not limited to, a camera device  11 , a display device  12 , a storage device  13 , and at least one processor  14 .  FIG. 1  illustrates only one example of the electronic device, other examples can include more or fewer components than illustrated, or have a different configuration of the various components in other embodiments. 
     In at least one embodiment, the camera device  11  can be a time-of-flight camera (TOF camera). The TOF camera is a camera system that creates distance data with help of the time-of-flight principle. The scene is illuminated by short light pluses and the camera measures the time taken until the reflected light reflects back to the camera. The time is directly proportional to the distance. The camera therefore provides a range value for each pixel. The time-of-flight principle is similar to that of 3D scanners with the advantage that whole scene is captured at the same time. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the camera device  11  can be positioned in front of a user, and can record a video of the user. 
     In at least one embodiment, the storage device  13  can include various types of non-transitory computer-readable storage mediums. For example, the storage device  14  can be an internal storage system, such as a flash memory, a random access memory (RAM) for temporary storage of information, and/or a read-only memory (ROM) for permanent storage of information. The storage device  13  can also be an external storage system, such as a hard disk, a storage card, or a data storage medium. 
     In at least one embodiment, the at least one processor  14  can be a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, or other data processor chip that performs functions of the electronic device  1 . The processor  14  can control a working state of the electronic device  1 , for example, reducing an execution speed of the electronic device  1 . 
     The control system  10  can change a working state of the electronic device  1  by analyzing feature data of a user of the electronic device  1 . When current feature data acquired by the control system  10  is out of a reasonable value range of the feature data, the electronic device  1  can be stopped. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of one embodiment of function modules of the control system. In at least one embodiment, the control system  10  can include a setting module  101 , an acquiring module  102 , a determination module  103 , and an adjusting module  104 . The function modules  101 ,  102 ,  103 , and  104  can include computerized codes in the form of one or more programs which are stored in the storage device  13 . The at least one processor  14  executes the computerized codes to provide functions of the function modules  101 - 104 . 
     The setting module  101  can set a reasonable value range of feature data of the user. In at least one embodiment, the feature data includes pixel values of pixel points of an image of the user, a first distance from head of the user to ground, a second distance between the camera device  11  and the user when the user is using the electronic device  1 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , when the user is running on a treadmill, the first distance is from the head of the user to the ground. The reasonable value range of the feature data is used to determine whether the user is using the electronic device  1  in a correct way. In at least one embodiment, the setting module  101  can acquire the feature data from the video of the user. The video is recorded by the camera device  11  for a predetermined time duration after the electronic device  1  is activated. For example, the camera device  11  can record the video for the predetermined time duration when the user is running on a treadmill in a correct way, and store the video into the storage device  13 . The predetermined time duration can be 10 seconds, 20 seconds, or 30 seconds. 
     In at least one embodiment, the setting module  101  can obtain the first distance and the second distance every second, and store the first distance and the second distance every second into the storage device  13 . And the setting module  101  can calculate an average first distance and an average second distance during the predetermined time duration. When the predetermined time duration is “n” seconds, the average first distance is determined by a first predetermined formula: H=(H 1 +H 2 + . . . +H n )/n, in which the H n  is the first distance in the n th  second. The reasonable value range of the first distance can be determined from H×(1−a %) to H×(1+a %), wherein a % is a first predetermined value (e.g., 5%), as shown in  FIG. 4 . When the user is running on the treadmill as the right picture of  FIG. 4 , it can be determined from the left picture of  FIG. 4  that the current first distance H n  is less than H×(1−a %), so the current first distance is out of the reasonable value range of the first distance, it can be determined that the user could be using the electronic device  11  in a wrong way. When current first distance H n  is within the reasonable value range of the first distance, it can be determined that the user could be using the electronic device  11  in a correct way. 
     In at least one embodiment, the average second distance is determined by a second predetermined formula: D=(D 1 +D 2 + . . . +D n )/n, in which D n  is the second distance in the n th  second, and the D n  is determined by (d 1 +d 2 + . . . d m )/m, d m  (m is a positive constant) is a range value from the camera device  11  to the body of the user, and d m  is acquired from the camera device  11 . The reasonable value range of the second distance can be determined from D×(1−b %) to D×(1+b %), wherein b % is a second predetermined value (e.g., 50%), as shown in  FIG. 5 . When the user is running on the treadmill as the right picture of  FIG. 5 , it can be determined from the left picture of  FIG. 5  that the current second distance D n  is more than the D×(1+b %), so the current second distance is out of the reasonable value range of the second distance, it can be determined that the user could be using the electronic device  11  in a wrong way. When current second distance D n  is within the reasonable value range of the second distance, it can be determined that the user could be using the electronic device  11  in a correct way. 
     In at least one embodiment, when the camera device  11  is recording video of the user, a body size of the user can be displayed on the display device  12  as a figure (e.g., a rectangle). The pixel value of the pixel point of the image is determined by a third predetermined formula: P n =(D n −D min )×P max /(D max −D min ), wherein, the D min , the D max , and the P max  are parameters of the camera device  11 . The shortest distance can be measured for the camera device  11  is D min , for example, 30 cm. The longest distance can be measured for the camera device  11  is D max , for example, 300 cm. The P max  is the maximal pixel value of the camera device  11 , for example, 255. In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 6 , when the second distance of a pixel point “A” is 130 cm, a pixel value of the pixel point “A” is 94 according to the third predetermined formula. The reasonable value range of each pixel value of each pixel point of the image can be determined from P n ×(1−c %) to P n ×(1+c %), wherein c % is a third predetermined value (e.g., 2%). For example, when the current pixel value of the pixel point “A” is 90, it can be determined that the current pixel value 90 is out of the reasonable value range. 
     The acquiring module  102  can acquire current feature data of the user from the camera device  11  every second. 
     The determination module  103  can determine whether the current feature data is within the reasonable value range of feature data. In at least one embodiment, when the current feature data is within the reasonable value range of the future data, it can be determined that the user could be using the electronic device  1  in a correct way. When the current feature data is out of the reasonable value range of the future data, it can be determined that the user could be using the electronic device  1  incorrectly. 
     The adjusting module  104  can change a working state of the electronic device  1  when the current feature data is out of the reasonable value range of the future data. In at least one embodiment, when the current feature data is out of the reasonable value range of the future data, the adjusting module  104  can reduce an execution speed of the electronic device  1  or stop the electronic device  1 . 
     In one embodiment, when a current number of the pixel points, which the pixel values of the current number of the pixel points are within the reasonable value range, is more than or equal to a predetermined number (e.g., 1.8 million). It can be determined that the user could be using the electronic device  1  in a correct way. When the current number of the pixel points, which the pixel values of the current number of the pixel points are within the reasonable value range, is less than the predetermined number, it can be determined that the user could be using the electronic device  1  incorrectly. The adjusting module  104  can reduce an execution speed of the electronic device  1  or stop the electronic device  1 . 
     In one embodiment, when the current first distance is out of the reasonable value range of the first distance {H×(1−5%), H×(1+5%)}, but within the reasonable value range of the first distance {H×(1−10%), H×(1+10%)}, the determination module  103  can determine that the user is adjusting running speed on the electronic device  1 . When it is determined that the user is adjusting the running speed on the electronic device  1 , the adjusting module  104  can reduce the execution speed of the electronic device  1 . When the current first distance is out of the reasonable value range of the first distance {H×(1−10%), H×(1+10%)}, the determination module  103  can determine that the user is the user is getting off the electronic device  1 . When it is determined that the user is the user is getting off the electronic device  1 , the adjusting module  104  can stop the electronic device  1  to guarantee safety of the user. 
     In one embodiment, when the current second distance is out of the reasonable value range of the second distance {D×(1−50%), D×(1+50%)}, but within the reasonable value range of the second distance {D×(1−60%), D×(1+60%)}, the determination module  103  can determine that the user is adjusting running speed on the electronic device  1 . When it is determined that the user is adjusting the running speed on the electronic device  1 , the adjusting module  104  can reduce the execution speed of the electronic device  1 . When the current first distance is out of the reasonable value range of the first distance {D×(1−60%), D×(1+60%)}, the determination module  103  can determine that the user is the user is getting off the electronic device  1 . When it is determined that the user is the user is getting off the electronic device  1 , the adjusting module  104  can stop the electronic device  1  to guarantee safety of the user. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a flowchart is presented in accordance with an example embodiment. An example method  700  is provided by way of example, as there are a variety of ways to carry out the method. The example method  700  described below can be carried out using the configurations illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 , and various elements of these figures are referenced in explaining the example method. Each block shown in  FIG. 7  represents one or more processes, methods, or subroutines, carried out in the example method  700 . Furthermore, the illustrated order of blocks is illustrative only and the order of the blocks can be changed according to the present disclosure. The example method  700  can begin at block  701 . Depending on the embodiment, additional blocks can be utilized and the ordering of the blocks can be changed. 
     At block  701 , a setting module can set a reasonable value range of feature data of a user. In at least one embodiment, the feature data includes pixel values of pixel points of an image of the user, a first distance from head of the user to ground, a second distance between the camera device  11  and the user when the user is using the electronic device  1 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , when the user is running on a treadmill, the first distance is from the head of the user to the ground. The reasonable value range of the feature data is used to determine whether the user is using the electronic device  1  in a correct way. In at least one embodiment, the setting module  101  can acquire the feature data from a video of the user. The video is recorded by the camera device  11  for a predetermined time duration after the electronic device  1  is activated. For example, the camera device  11  can record the video for the predetermined time duration when the user is running on a treadmill in a correct way, and store the video into the storage device  13 . The predetermined time duration includes 10 seconds, 20 seconds, or 30 seconds. 
     In at least one embodiment, the setting module can obtain the first distance and the second distance every second, and store the first distance and the second distance every second into the storage device  13 . And the setting module can calculate an average first distance and an average second distance during the predetermined time duration. When the predetermined time duration is “n” seconds, the average first distance is determined by a first predetermined formula: H=(H 1 +H 2 + . . . +H n )/n, in which the H n  is the first distance in the n th  second. The reasonable value range of the first distance can be determined from H×(1−a %) to H×(1+a %), wherein a % is a first predetermined value (e.g., 5%), as shown in  FIG. 4 . When the user is running on the treadmill as the right picture of  FIG. 4 , it can be determined from the left picture of  FIG. 4  that the current first distance H n  is less than H×(1−a %), so the current first distance is out of the reasonable value range of the first distance, it can be determined that the user could be using the electronic device  11  in a wrong way. When current first distance H n  is within the reasonable value range of the first distance, it can be determined that the user could be using the electronic device  11  in a correct way. 
     In at least one embodiment, the average second distance is determined by a second predetermined formula: D=(D 1 +D 2 + . . . +D n )/n, in which D n  is the second distance in the n th  second, and the D n  is determined by (d 1 +d 2 + . . . d m )/m, d m  (m is a positive constant) is a range value from the camera device  11  to the body of the user, and d m  is acquired from the camera device  11 . The reasonable value range of the second distance can be determined from D×(1−b %) to D×(1+b %), wherein b % is a second predetermined value (e.g., 50%), as shown in  FIG. 5 . When the user is running on the treadmill as the right picture of  FIG. 5 , it can be determined from the left picture of  FIG. 5  that the current second distance D n  is more than the D×(1+b %), so the current second distance is out of the reasonable value range of the second distance, it can be determined that the user could be using the electronic device  11  in a wrong way. When current second distance D n  is within the reasonable value range of the second distance, it can be determined that the user could be using the electronic device  11  in a correct way. 
     In at least one embodiment, when the camera device  11  is recording video of the user, a body size of the user can be displayed on the display device  12  as a figure (e.g., a rectangle). The pixel value of the pixel point of the image is determined by a third predetermined formula: P n =(D n −D min )×P max /(D max −D min ), wherein, the D n , the D max , and the P max  are parameters of the camera device  11 . The shortest distance can be measured for the camera device  11  is D min , for example, 30 cm. The longest distance can be measured for the camera device  11  is D max , for example, 300 cm. The P max  is the maximal pixel value of the camera device  11 , for example, 255. In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 6 , when the second distance of a pixel point “A” is 130 cm, the pixel value of the pixel point “A” is 94 according to the third predetermined formula. The reasonable value range of each pixel value of each pixel point of the image can be determined from P n ×(1−c %) to P n ×(1+c %), wherein c % is a third predetermined value (e.g., 2%). For example, when the current pixel value of the pixel point “A” is 90, it can be determined that the current pixel value 90 is out of the reasonable value range. 
     At block  702 , an acquiring module can acquire current feature data of the user from the camera device  11  every second. 
     At block  703 , a determination module can determine whether the current feature data is within the reasonable value range of feature data. In at least one embodiment, when the current feature data is within the reasonable value range of the future data, it can be determined that the user could be using the electronic device  1  in a correct way, the procedure returns to block  702 . When the current feature data is out of the reasonable value range of the future data, it can be determined that the user could be using the electronic device  1  incorrectly, the procedure goes to block  704 . 
     At block  704 , an adjusting module can change a working state of the electronic device  1  when the current feature data is out of the reasonable value range of the future data. In at least one embodiment, when the current feature data is out of the reasonable value range of the future data, the adjusting module can reduce an execution speed of the electronic device  1  or stop the electronic device  1 . 
     In one embodiment, when a current number of the pixel points, which the pixel values of the current number of the pixel points are within the reasonable value range, is more than or equal to a predetermined number (e.g., 1.8 million). It can be determined that the user could be using the electronic device  1  in a correct way. When the current number of the pixel points, which the pixel values of the current number of the pixel points are within the reasonable value range, is less than the predetermined number, it can be determined that the user could be using the electronic device  1  incorrectly. The adjusting module can reduce an execution speed of the electronic device  1  or stop the electronic device  1 . 
     In one embodiment, when the current first distance is out of the reasonable value range of the first distance {H×(1−5%), H×(1+5%)}, but within the reasonable value range of the first distance {H×(1−10%), H×(1+10%)}, the determination module  103  can determine that the user is adjusting running speed on the electronic device  1 . When it is determined that the user is adjusting the running speed on the electronic device  1 , the adjusting module can reduce the execution speed of the electronic device  1 . When the current first distance is out of the reasonable value range of the first distance {H×(1−10%), H×(1+10%)}, the determination module can determine that the user is the user is getting off the electronic device  1 . When it is determined that the user is the user is getting off the electronic device  1 , the adjusting module  104  can stop the electronic device  1  to guarantee safety of the user. 
     In one embodiment, when the current second distance is out of the reasonable value range of the second distance {D×(1−50%), D×(1+50%)}, but within the reasonable value range of the second distance {D×(1−60%), D×(1+60%)}, the determination module  103  can determine that the user is adjusting running speed on the electronic device  1 . When it is determined that the user is adjusting the running speed on the electronic device  1 , the adjusting module  104  can reduce the execution speed of the electronic device  1 . When the current first distance is out of the reasonable value range of the first distance {D×(1−60%), D×(1+60%)}, the determination module  103  can determine that the user is the user is getting off the electronic device  1 . When it is determined that the user is the user is getting off the electronic device  1 , the adjusting module  104  can stop the electronic device  1  to guarantee safety of the user. 
     The exemplary embodiments shown and described above are only examples. Many such details are neither shown nor described. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present technology have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the present disclosure, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in the detail, including in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of the parts within the principles of the present disclosure, up to and including the full extent established by the broad general meaning of the terms used in the claims. It will therefore be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments described above may be modified within the scope of the claims.