Patent Publication Number: US-2016239256-A1

Title: Electronic Apparatus and Operation Mode Enabling Method Thereof

Description:
This application claims the benefit of priority based on Taiwan Patent Application No 104104963, filed on Feb. 13, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus and an operation mode enabling method of the electronic apparatus. In particularly, the present invention relates to an electronic apparatus enabling a predetermined operation mode when receiving a sliding touch or a press of an object in a predetermined state. 
     2. Descriptions of the Related Art 
     As portable electronic devices become more compact, and the number of functions performed by a given device increase, it has become a significant challenge to design a user interface that allows users to easily interact with a multifunction device. This challenge is particular significant for portable devices, which have smaller screens. The user interface is the gateway through which users receive not only content but also responses to user actions or behaviors, including user attempts to access a device&#39;s features, tools, and functions. Some portable communication devices have resorted to adding more buttons, increasing the density of buttons, overloading the functions of buttons, or using complex menu systems to allow a user to access, store and manipulate data. 
     These complex user interfaces often result in complicated key sequences and menu hierarchies that must be memorized by the user. When coupled with the time consuming requirement to memorize multiple key sequences and menu hierarchies, and the difficulty in activating a desired button, such inflexibility is frustrating to most users. The displayed information may not be distinguished accurately, the user&#39;s attention may be directed towards wrong information, and users may be overloaded with extraneous information. 
     It is therefore an important subject to provide an electronic apparatus enabling a predetermined operation mode that conveys the information content quickly and accurately. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing, the present disclosure is to provide embedded power supplying device, which is using in a desk to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art. 
     To achieve the above, an electronic apparatus including an output unit, an input unit and a processor is provided. The output unit generates an output. The input unit generates an input signal according to an object. The processor, electrically connected to the input unit and the output unit, receives the input signal and adjusts the output of the output unit to a predetermined state according to the input signal. When receiving the said input signal again in the predetermined state, the processor enables a predetermined operation mode of the electronic apparatus. 
     In one aspect of the present disclosure, an operation mode enabling method of an electronic apparatus is provided. The electronic apparatus includes an input unit, a processor and an output unit. The operation mode enabling method includes the steps of: generating an output by the output unit; generating an input signal by the input unit according to an object; receiving the input signal by the processor; adjusting the output of the output unit to a predetermined state according to the at least one input signal; identifying if the processor receives the at least one input signal again in the predetermined state by the processor; and enabling a predetermined operation mode of the electronic apparatus by the processor when the processor receives the at least one input signal again in the predetermined state. 
     As mentioned above, once the processor receives the said input signal again in the predetermined state, the electronic apparatus and the related method of the invention can enable a predetermined operation mode of the electronic apparatus. Thus, the above deficiencies and other problems associated with the complicated key sequences and menu hierarchies for portable devices are reduced or eliminated by the disclosed electronic apparatus. The displayed information can be distinguished accurately, and users are not overloaded with extraneous information. 
     The detailed technology and preferred embodiments implemented for the subject invention are described in the following paragraphs accompanying the appended drawings for people skilled in this field to well appreciate the features of the claimed invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The parts in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of at least one embodiment. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the various diagrams, and all the diagrams are schematic. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram showing an electronic apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram showing the electronic apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the electronic apparatus displaying an electronic document according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the electronic apparatus displaying another portion of the electronic document according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the electronic apparatus displaying an edge of the electronic document according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the electronic apparatus displaying the electronic document and an operation menu according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates the electronic apparatus displaying a volume adjustment box according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates the electronic apparatus playing a limit of volume according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a flow chart illustrating an operation mode enabling method according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a flow chart illustrating an operation mode enabling method according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Reference will now be made to the drawings to describe various inventive embodiments of the present disclosure in detail, wherein like numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
     The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, the illustrations are merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions within the illustrations may be exaggerated, while other proportions may be minimized. Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. 
     An electronic apparatus  1  of the present invention can be a smart phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA) or a laptop. As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the electronic apparatus  1  is a smart phone in the first embodiment. The electronic apparatus  1  includes a processor  101 , a touch input module  103 , a volume adjustment module  105 , a display module  107 , a sound module  109  and a transceiver  111 . The processor  101  is electrically connected to the touch input module  103 , the volume adjustment module  105 , the display module  107 , the sound module  109  and the transceiver  111 . The touch input module  103  and the volume adjustment module  105  are both input units of the electronic apparatus  1 . The display module  107  and the sound module  109  are both output units of the electronic apparatus  1 . 
     In this embodiment, the touch input module  103  and the display module  107  are separately manufactured, and are assembled together in an out-cell touch panel. The touch input module  103  and the display module  107  are not limited by this embodiment. In other embodiments, the touch input module  103  and the display module  107  may be integrally manufactured in an in-cell touch panel. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 6 , an operation mode enabling method of the electronic apparatus  1  is provided. In operation of the electronic apparatus  1 , the processor  101  transmits a video signal  100  to the display module  107 , such that the display module  107  displays an image of an electronic document  31  shown in  FIG. 3 . In other words, the output unit of the electronic apparatus  1  generates a video output, which is an image of the electronic document  31 . If the touch input module  103  detects a movement of an object, the touch input module  103  generates a corresponding input signal  102 . In other words, one input unit of the electronic apparatus  1  generates an input signal according to an object. Thereafter, the touch input module  103  transmits the input signal  102  to the processor  101 . When the processor  101  receives the input signal  102 , the video signal  100  is adjusted according to the input signal  102 . The image of the electronic document  31  is moved on the display module  107  toward the indicated direction of the touch movement. For example, if the touch input module  103  detects a sliding-up touch, the display module  107  displays a lower portion of the electronic document  31 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The object in this embodiment is a finger of the user, but the object in the present invention is not limited by the embodiment. The object can be any operating tools. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the image of the electronic document  31  may be accordingly moved until an edge of the electronic document  31  is shown. That is to say, the processor  101  of the electronic apparatus  1  adjusts the output of the output to a predetermined state according to the input signal  102 . When the predetermined state is reached, the processor  101  identifies if the touch input module  103  receives the same input signal  102  again. When the image of the electronic document  31  is accordingly moved until an edge of the electronic document  31  is shown, and the processor  101  receives the same input signal  102  from the touch input module  103  again, the processor  101  enables a predetermined operation mode of the electronic apparatus  1 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the processor  101  enables the display module  107  to display an operation menu  61 . 
     The operation menu  61  includes three operation options  611 ,  613 ,  615  in this embodiment. The operation option  611  is an option to search Gmail contacts, the operation option  613  is an option to search Facebook contacts, and the operation option  615  is an option to search iCloud contacts. The number and the usages of the operation options are not limited to this embodiment. As a result, user can intuitively, clearly, accurately and easily chooses the needed option. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 , another operation mode enabling method of the electronic apparatus  1  is provided. In operation of the electronic apparatus  1 , the processor  101  transmits an audio signal  104  to the sound module  109 , such that the sound module  109  plays a sound. In other words, the output unit of the electronic apparatus  1  generates an audio output. If the volume adjustment module  105  detects a movement of an object, the volume adjustment module  105  generates a corresponding input signal  106 . In other words, one input unit of the electronic apparatus  1  generates an input signal according to an object. Thereafter, the volume adjustment module  105  transmits the input signal  106  to the processor  101 . When the processor  101  receives the input signal  106 , the audio signal  104  is adjusted according to the input signal  106 . The volume of the sound is turned up or down. On the other hand, the processor  101  also adjusts the video signal  100  according to the input signal  106 . The display module  107  displays a volume adjustment box  71  as sown in  FIG. 7 . That is to say, the processor  101  adjusts both the audio signal  104  and the video signal  100  according to the input signal  106  in this embodiment. The object in this embodiment is a finger of the user, but the object in the disclosure is not limited by the embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the volume of the sound module  109  may be further adjusted to a limit of the volume. The display module  107  is adjusted to display a volume adjustment box  81  of the limit of the volume. Namely, the processor  101  of the electronic apparatus  1  adjusts the output of the output unit to a predetermined state according to the input signal  106 . When the predetermined state is reached, the processor  101  identifies if the volume adjustment module  105  receives the same input signal  106  again. When the volume reaches the limit, and the processor  101  receives the same input signal  106  from the volume adjustment module  105  again, the processor  101  enables a predetermined operation mode in the electronic apparatus  1 . In this embodiment, the processor  101  enables the sound module  109  to perform an active noise control (ANC) mode. 
     The ANC mode in this embodiment enable the sound module  109  to display a clearer audio output, but the predetermined operation mode is not limited by the ANC mode. In another embodiment, the aforementioned operations can be done in a call, and the predetermined operation mode may be an automatic message. When the volume reaches the limit, and the processor  101  receives the same input signal  106  from the volume adjustment module  105  again, the processor  101  enables the processor  101  to cut off the call and automatically sends a message  108  by the transceiver  111 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , a flow chart of an operation mode enabling method according to the second embodiment is shown. The operation mode enabling method can be applied to any electronic apparatus of the present invention, such as the electronic apparatus  1  in the first embodiment. The electronic apparatus includes a processor, a touch input module and a display module. The processor is electrically connected to the touch input module and the display module. 
     The operation mode enabling method in the second embodiment includes the following steps. First, the display module displays an image of an electronic document in the step  901 . In other words, an output unit generates an output. In the step  903 , the touch input module detects at least one movement of an object. In the step  905 , the touch input module generates at least one input signal according to the movement of the object. In other words, an input unit generates at least one input signal according to an object. In the step  907 , the processor moves the image of the electronic document toward a direction according to the input signal, until an edge of the electronic document is shown. When the predetermined state is reached, the step  909  is performed to identify if the touch input module receives the input signal again by the processor. 
     If the touch input module does not receive the same input signal in the predetermined state, the step  909  is performed again. Otherwise, if the touch input module receives the same input signal in the predetermined state, the display module displays at least one operation option in the step  911 . Namely, the processor generates an enable signal by the processor for enabling a predetermined operation mode in the electronic apparatus. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , a flow chart of an operation mode enabling method according to the third embodiment is shown. The operation mode enabling method can be applied to any electronic apparatus of the present invention, such as the electronic apparatus  1  in the first embodiment. The electronic apparatus includes a processor, a touch input module and a display module. The processor is electrically connected to the touch input module and the display module. 
     The operation mode enabling method in the third embodiment includes the following steps. First, the sound module plays a sound in the step  1001 . In other words, an output unit generates an output. In the step  1003 , the volume adjustment module detects at least one press of an object. In the step  1005 , the volume adjustment module generates at least one input signal according to the press of the object. In other words, an input unit generates at least one input signal according to an object. In the step  1007 , the processor receives the input signal, and adjusts a volume of the audio output into a predetermined state according to the at least one input signal. In this embodiment, the predetermined state is a limit of the volume. When the predetermined state is reached, the step  1009  is performed to identify if the volume adjustment module receives the input signal again by the processor. 
     If the processor does not receive the same input signal in the predetermined state, the step  1009  is performed again. Otherwise, if the processor receives the same input signal in the predetermined state, the display module displays at least one operation option in the step  1011 . Namely, the processor generates an enable signal by the processor for enabling a predetermined operation mode in the electronic apparatus. The processor enables an ANC mode. In other words, the processor generates an enable signal by the processor for enabling a predetermined operation mode in the electronic apparatus. 
     In addition to the aforesaid steps, the second and the third embodiments can also execute all the operations and functions set forth in the first embodiment. How the object information search method for an electronic apparatus of the present invention executes these operations and functions will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the explanation of the first embodiment and, thus, will not be further described herein. 
     Specifically speaking, the operation mode enabling methods in the second and the third embodiments can be performed by a computer program product. After the electronic apparatus loads and executes the computer program product, the operation mode enabling method in the second and the third embodiments can be accomplished. The computer program product may be stored in a computer readable recording medium, such as a read-only memory (ROM), a flash memory, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a CD, a flash drives, a magnetic tape, an internet database or any other suitable storage media with the same function and well known to those skilled in the art. 
     As mentioned above, once the processor receives the said input signal again in the predetermined state, the disclosed electronic apparatus and the related method could enable a predetermined operation mode in the electronic apparatus. Thus, the above deficiencies and other problems associated with the complicated key sequences and menu hierarchies for portable devices are reduced or eliminated by the disclosed electronic apparatus. The displayed information can be distinguished accurately, and users are not overloaded with extraneous information. 
     Furthermore, the electronic apparatus and the related method of the present invention could enable enables the sound module  109  to display an active noise control (ANC) mode, which enables the sound module  109  to display a clearer audio output. 
     The above embodiments merely give the detailed technical contents of the present invention and inventive features thereof, and are not to limit the covered range of the present invention. People skilled in this field may proceed with a variety of modifications and replacements based on the disclosures and suggestions of the invention as described without departing from the characteristics thereof. Nevertheless, although such modifications and replacements are not fully disclosed in the above descriptions, they have substantially been covered in the following claims as appended.