Patent Publication Number: US-2017351374-A1

Title: Input device control using distance

Description:
CLAIM FOR PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority to Chinese Application No. 201610144202.2, filed on Jun. 1, 2016, which is fully incorporated by reference herein. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present subject matter described therein relates to a control technology of electronic devices, and in particular to a control method and an electronic device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices may be switched from one input mode to another due to the operator accidentally touching it, thereby affecting normal input. For example, when a user performs input in an input area of an electronic device with an input device and touches a mode switch control by accident, this will cause the electronic device to be switched from the current mode to another mode using the input device, and content input with the input device subsequently does not get recorded by a system, thereby greatly affecting user experience. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     In summary, one aspect provides a method, comprising: acquiring, using a processor, a distance parameter between an input device and an input area; and controlling, using a processor, an electronic device to disable or enable a mode switch control according to the distance parameter. 
     Another aspect provides an electronic device, comprising an input area; 
     a sensor, configured to acquire a distance parameter between an input device and a location where the input area is located; and a processor, configured to control the electronic device to disable or enable a mode switch control according to the distance parameter. 
     A further aspect provides a product comprising: a storage device having code stores therewith, the code being executable by the processor and comprising: code that senses, using an electronic sensor, a distance between an input device and an input area; code that acquires, using a processor, a distance parameter between an input device and an input area; and code that controls, using a processor, an electronic device to disable or enable a mode switch control according to the distance parameter. 
     The foregoing is a summary and thus may contain simplifications, generalizations, and omissions of detail; consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. 
     For a better understanding of the embodiments, together with other and further features and advantages thereof, reference is made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a flow schematic diagram of a control method in an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a structural relation diagram of a mode switch control and an input area in an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3A-C  is a structural distance relation diagram between an input device and an input area in an embodiment;  FIG. 3A  is a schematic diagram showing that an input device and an input area are in contact;  FIG. 3B  is a schematic diagram showing that an input device and an input area proximal to each other;  FIG. 3C  is a schematic diagram showing an input device and an input area distal from each other. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic drawing of controlling the electronic device to disable or enable data transmission between the input device and the electronic device provided in an embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow schematic diagram of an electronic device provided by an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations in addition to the described example embodiments. Thus, the following more detailed description of the example embodiments, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments, as claimed, but is merely representative of example embodiments. 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” (or the like) means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” or the like in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
     Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to give a thorough understanding of embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the various embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, et cetera. In other instances, well known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obfuscation. 
     In the following embodiments of a control method and an electronic device provided by an embodiment, the involved electronic device which supports an input mode switch control function includes, but is not limited to a cell phone, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a TV, etc. 
     The technical solution of the subject matter described herein is further elaborated below in conjunction with the attached drawings and specific embodiments: 
     Embodiment 1 
     An embodiment provides a control method applicable to an electronic device which includes an input area. As is shown in  FIG. 1 , the method includes: Step  101  of acquiring the distance parameter between an input device and an input area. An input device refers to a device through which an input is transmitted to the electronic device. In other words, devices, through which an input is transmitted to the electronic device, are referred to as input devices, such as a pen, a Bluetooth device, a router, etc. 
     The input area may be an information receiving area. For instance, the input area may be an area for receiving an input using the input device, wherein the area may be an area where an electromagnetic screen may be located. For an embodiment, the input area may be an area for receiving a touch input, wherein the area may be an area where a capacitive screen may be located. 
     In an embodiment, the input area may be formed by overlaying the electromagnetic screen and a capacitive screen, wherein the electromagnetic screen may be used for identifying the input from the input device, and the capacitive screen may be used for identifying the touch input. 
     The distance parameter may be the distance between the input device and the input area. For example, the distance parameter may refer to a vertical distance between a point nearest to the input area, a distance of the input device and the input area, or a vertical distance between the center of the input device and the input area, etc. For example, the electromagnetic screen in the input area may sense a distance between the input device and the electromagnetic screen based on the intensity change of an electromagnetic field. 
     In an embodiment, Step  102  of controlling the electronic device to disable or enable the mode switch control according to the distance parameter. The mode switch control may be used for controlling the switching of the input mode of the electronic device. 
     In an embodiment, the mode switch control is used for switching the input mode by receiving the input triggered by a direct touch operation on the electronic device, or switching the input mode by receiving the input triggered by the use of the input device. The mode switch control is arranged on a body of the electronic device or the input device; and the mode switch control is a physical touch switch or a virtual touch switch. 
     In an embodiment, controlling the electronic device is controlled to disable or to enable the mode switch control according to the distance parameter, including: enabling the mode switch control when the distance parameter is greater than or equal to the first preset threshold value; and disabling the mode switch control when the distance parameter is less than the first preset threshold value. 
     For example, the electronic device is controlled to enable or disable the mode switch control based on the distance parameter; and the controllability of the working mode of the electronic device is improved relative to the case that the operation is responded to once the operation triggering the mode switch control is detected in the prior art. 
     In an embodiment, enabling the mode switch control includes: detecting the first operation triggering the mode switch control; and controlling the electronic device to respond to the first operation and switching the working modes of the electronic device. 
     The first operation herein refers to an operation triggering the mode switch control. For example, the electronic device, in total, has two input modes, one being a first input mode, and the other being a second input mode. When the input mode of the current electronic device is the first input mode and the distance parameter between the current input device and the input area is greater than or equal to the first preset threshold value, and if the first operation triggering the mode switch control is detected, the electronic device is controlled to respond to the first operation; and the working mode of the electronic device is switched to the second input mode from the first input mode. 
     In an embodiment, disabling the mode switch control includes: detecting the second operation triggering the mode switch control; and controlling the electronic device to not respond to the second operation, such that the electronic device maintains an unchanged and current working mode. The second operation herein refers to an operation triggering the mode switch control. 
     Still using the above example in which the electronic device has two input modes in total. One being the first input mode and the other being the second input mode. When the input mode of the current electronic device is the first input mode and the distance parameter between the input device and the input area is less than the first preset threshold value, and if the second operation triggering the mode switch control is detected, the electronic device is controlled to not respond to the first operation. As a result, the current working mode of the electronic device is kept unchanged, the working mode thereof is still the first input mode. 
     For example, the working mode of the electronic device is controlled by controlling the electronic device to respond or not to respond to the operation triggering the mode switch control, and the controllability of the working modes of the electronic device is improved. 
     In an embodiment, optionally, the input area is formed by overlaying an electromagnetic screen and a capacitive screen, wherein the electromagnetic screen is used for identifying an input from the input device, and the capacitive screen is used for identifying a touch input. Therefore, enabling the mode switch control also includes: allowing switching the input mode of the electronic device by touching the mode switch control, wherein the input modes include: an input mode using the input device and a touch input mode; enabling the electromagnetic screen when the input mode is switched into the input mode using the input device; enabling the capacitive screen when the input mode is switched into the touch input mode; and herein, the input device is a device matched with the electromagnetic screen, such as a handwriting pen. 
     Therefore, the corresponding hardware support can be provided according to the current input mode of the electronic device. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a position relation drawing of the input area and the mode switch control is shown. The input mode of the electronic device can be switched by touching the mode switch control. As can be seen from  FIG. 2 , the mode switch control may be arranged on the body of the electronic device. In an embodiment, the mode switch control may also be located on the body of the input device, and will be presented in a graphic form herein. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3A-3C , a distance relation drawing between the input device and the input area provided by embodiments shown.  FIG. 3A  is a schematic drawing showing that the input device and the input area are in contact, and in this case, the mode switch control is also disabled.  FIG. 3B  is a schematic drawing showing that the input device and the input area are proximal to each other, and in this case, the mode switch control is enabled. And  FIG. 3C  is a schematic drawing showing the input device and the input area are distal from each other, and in this case, the mode switch control is enabled. Therefore, the accidental touch of the mode switch control is prevented by detecting a position of the input device. When the input device is in a contact status or a proximate status, the mode switch control is disabled, and even when a handwriting switch is touched, mode switch control is not performed. When the input device is in a distant status, the mode switch control is enabled, and in this case, the mode switch control is touched to perform a normal mode switch controlling. 
     For example, if the input device is a handwriting pen, and the electronic device is currently in the handwriting input mode, when the user inputs in the input area of the electronic device with the handwriting pen, the mode switch control is disabled due to the contact status or proximate state status of the handwriting pen, which means that the distance parameter from the input area is less than the first preset threshold value; in other words, the current handwriting pen input mode is kept unchanged because the electronic device will give no response to the operation triggering the mode switch control even though the mode switch control is touched by accident during the writing. A user can comfortably write with the handwriting pen in the input area of the electronic device because the handwriting pen input mode cannot be switched to other modes, which greatly improves the user experience. 
     For example, the distance parameter between the input device and the input area is determined at first, and then, the electronic device is controlled to enable or disable the mode switch control based on the distance parameter; and compared with the case that the operation is responded to once the operation triggering the mode switch control is detected in the prior art, problems affecting normal input caused by an operator accidently touching the mode switch control can at least be avoided, thereby improving the controllability of the working mode of the electronic device. 
     In an embodiment, controlling the electronic device to disable or enable the mode switch control according to the distance parameter includes: controlling the electronic device to disable or enable the data transmission between the input device and the electronic device according to the distance parameter. 
     In an embodiment, controlling the electronic device to disable or enable the data transmission between the electronic device and the input device includes: stopping the data transmission between the input device and the electronic device when the distance parameter is greater than or equal to the second preset threshold value; and enabling the data transmission between the input device and the electronic device when the distance parameter is less than the second preset threshold value. 
     In other words, if the distance between the input device and the input area of the electronic device is farther, the data transmission between the input device and the electronic device is stopped, and the input device is at a disabled state. And if the distance between the input device and the input area of the electronic device is closer, the data transmission between the input device and the electronic device is enabled and the input device is controlled to be in an enabled state. In other words, the current working mode of the electronic device can be controlled by controlling the enabling or disabling of the input device with no help from the mode switch control. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a schematic drawing of controlling the electronic device to disable or enable the data transmission between the electronic device and the input device is shown. As shown in  FIG. 4 , when the input device is in Position  1 , the data transmission between the input device and the electronic device is disabled. And when the input device in Position  2 , the data transmission between the input device and the electronic device is enabled. 
     For example, the current working mode of the electronic device is the input mode using the input device. When the distance between the input device and the input area is shorter, for example, they are contacted or proximal to each other and the distance parameter is less than the second preset threshold value, the data transmission between the input device and the electronic device is enabled. In this way, the electronic device gives a response based on the transmitted data. For example, the data are displayed on the display screen of the electronic device, and the current working mode of the current electronic device is kept unchanged in the input mode using the input device. 
     When the distance between the input device and the input area is detected to be farther, for example, they are distal from each other and the distance parameter is greater than the second preset threshold value, the data transmission between the input device and the electronic device is disabled and the electronic device has no response to the transmitted data. In this way, the working mode of the electronic device is adjustable because the data transmission between the input device and the electronic device is stopped. As a result, the working mode of the electronic device is in adjustable status. At this time, the current working mode of the electronic device can be switched. 
     Embodiment 2 
     An embodiment provides an electronic device which includes an input area, and as shown in  FIG. 5 , and the electronic device also includes: a sensor  51 , configured to acquire a distance parameter between the input device and a plane where an input area is located; a processor  52 , configured to control the electronic device to disable or enable the mode switch control according to the distance parameter. 
     The input device refers to a device through which an input is transmitted to the electronic device. In other words, all devices, through which an input is transmitted to the electronic device, are referred to as input devices, such as a pen, a Bluetooth device, a router, etc. 
     The input area is an information-receiving area. For instance, the input area is an area for receiving the input using the input device, wherein the area may be an area where an electromagnetic screen is located. For another example, the input area refers to an area for receiving a touch input, wherein the area may be an area where a capacitive screen is located. 
     In an embodiment, the electronic device further includes: a mode switch control  53  configured to control the switching of the input mode of the electronic device. Specifically, the mode switch control  53  is configured to switch the input mode after receiving the input triggered by a direct touch operation on the electronic device, or switch the input mode after receiving the input triggered by the use of the input device. 
     The mode switch control  53  may be arranged on a body of the electronic device or the input device; and the mode switch control  53  may be a physical touch switch or a virtual touch key switch. 
     In an embodiment, the processor  52  is further configured to: enable the mode switch control  53  when the distance parameter is greater than or equal to the first preset threshold value; and disable the mode switch control  53  when the distance parameter is less than the first preset threshold value. 
     In an embodiment, when enabling the mode switch control  53 , the processor  52  is configured to: detect the first operation triggering the mode switch control  53 ; and control the electronic device to respond to the first operation and switch the working modes of the electronic device, wherein the working modes include: an input mode using the input device and a touch input mode. The first operation herein refers to an operation triggering the mode switch control. 
     In an embodiment, when disabling the mode switch control  53 , the processor  52  is configured to: detect a second operation triggering the mode switch control  53 ; and control the electronic device to not respond to the second operation and maintain the electronic device in an unchanged and current working mode. The second operation herein refers to an operation triggering the mode switch control. 
     In an embodiment, the input area is formed by overlaying an electromagnetic screen and a capacitive screen, wherein the electromagnetic screen is configured to identify the input from the input device, and the capacitive screen is configured to identify a touch input. 
     In an embodiment, when enabling the mode switch control  53 , the processor  52  is also configured to: allow switching the input modes of the electronic device by touching the mode switch control  53 , wherein the input modes include: an input mode using the input device and a touch input mode; enabling the electromagnetic screen when the input mode is switched into the input mode using the input device; and enabling the capacitive screen when the input mode is switched into the touch input mode. 
     The input device and the electronic device may be used separately. The input device may include a touch input component which can be separated from the body of the electronic device. The touch input component may include a keyboard input component on the electronic device. 
     Those skilled in the art shall understand that functions of all processing modules in the electronic device of embodiments can be interpreted with the reference to relevant description of the foregoing control method. The processing modules in the electronic device in embodiments may be realized by analog circuit realizing the functions of embodiments, or may be realized by the operation of software executing the functions of embodiments on the electronic device. 
     The processor  52 , in practical application, can be realized by the Central Processing Unit (CPU), Micro Controller Unit (MCU), Digital Signal Processing (DSP), or Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), etc. 
     For the electronic device in this embodiment, problems affecting normal input caused by an operator accidentally touching the mode switch control can at least be avoided to greatly improve the user experience. 
     Embodiment 3 
     An embodiment provides an electronic device which includes an input area, and the electronic device further includes: a sensor  51 , configured to acquire a distance parameter between the input device and a plane where an input area is located; and a processor  52 , configured to control the electronic device to disable or enable a mode switch control according to the distance parameter. 
     The input device refers to a device through which an input is transmitted to the electronic device. In other words, all devices, through which an input can be transmitted to the electronic device, are referred to as input devices, such as a pen, a Bluetooth device, a router, etc. 
     The input area is an information-receiving area. For instance, the input area is an area for receiving the input from the input device, wherein the area may be an area where an electromagnetic screen is located. For another example, the input area is an area for receiving a touch input, wherein the area may be an area where a capacitive screen is located. 
     In an embodiment, the electronic device also includes: a mode switch control  53 , configured to control the electronic device to switch an input mode. Specifically, the mode switch control  53  is configured to switch the input mode after receiving the input triggered by a direct touch operation on the electronic device, or switch the input mode after receiving the input triggered by the use of the input device. The mode switch control  53  is arranged on a body of the electronic device or the input device; and the mode switch control  53  is a physical touch switch or a virtual touch key switch. 
     In an embodiment, the processor  52  is further configured to: control the electronic device to disable or enable the data transmission between the input device and the electronic device. In an embodiment, the processor  52  is further configured to: stop the data transmission between the input device and the electronic device when the distance parameter is greater than or equal to the second preset threshold value; and enable the data transmission between the input device and the electronic device when the distance parameter is less than the second preset threshold value. 
     In an embodiment, the input device and the electronic device are used separately. The input device may include a touch input component which can be separated from the body of the electronic device. The touch input component may include a keyboard input component on the electronic device. 
     Those skilled in the art shall understand that functions of all processing modules in the electronic device of various embodiments can be interpreted with the reference to relevant description of the foregoing control method. The processing modules in the electronic device in various embodiments may be realized by an analog circuit realizing the functions of the embodiments, or may be realized by the operation of software executing the functions of embodiments on the electronic device. 
     For the electronic device in this embodiment, the current working mode of the electronic device may be controlled by controlling the enabling or disabling of the input device with no help from the mode switch control. 
     In several embodiments provided by this application, it shall be understood that the disclosed device and method can be realized by other ways. The embodiments of the device described above are schematic, for example, the partition of the unit is only a kind of partition of logical functions, and other partition ways are available in the practice implementation. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated to another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Otherwise, the shown or discussed coupling, or direct coupling, or communication connection among all components may be realized through some interfaces, and indirect coupling or communication connection among devices or units may be electric, mechanical or other forms. 
     The unit, illustrated as a separated component, may or may not be separated physically. Components, displayed as units, may be or may not be physical units which can be located in one place or distributed in various network units; and part or all units may be selected according to actual demands to realize the purpose of the solution of this embodiment. 
     In addition, all functional units in embodiments can be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit is separately taken as one unit, or two or more than two units are integrates in one unit; the integrated unit above may be realized by the way of hardware, or may be realized by the way of hardware and software functional units. 
     The ordinary skilled in the art can understand that all or part of steps realizing the embodiments of the above method can be finished through hardware related to program instructions. The foregoing program can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. When the program is executed, the steps of the embodiments including the above method are executed; and the foregoing storage medium includes various media which can store program codes, such as a mobile storage device, a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or a compact disk, etc. 
     When the above integrated unit in an embodiment is realized by the way of software function modules and sold or used as independent products, it also can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on this interpretation, the technical solution of embodiments essentially or the part making contribution to the prior art can be embodied by the way of software products. The computer software products may be stored in a storage medium including some commands making a computer device (a personnel computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) execute all or part of the methods of each embodiment of the present invention. While, the above storage medium includes various media which can store program codes, such as a mobile storage device, ROM, RAM, a magnetic disk or a compact disk, etc. 
     In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed device and method may be practiced in other manners. The device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of units is merely a division based on logical functions and there may be other ways of division in real practice. For example, multiple units or components may be combined, or may be integrated into another system, or some features can be omitted or not performed. Additionally, coupling, direct coupling, or communication connections among the component parts as shown or discussed may be implemented through some interface(s), and indirect coupling or communication connections of devices or units may be in electrical, mechanical, or other forms. 
     The above-described units used as separate components may be or may not be physically independent of each other. The components illustrated as a unit may be or may not be a physical unit, that is be either located at a position or deployed on a plurality of network units. A part or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the objectives of the solutions of the embodiments. 
     Furthermore, in various embodiments, the functional units can be integrated in one processing module, or may exist as a single unit, or two or more units may be integrated in one unit. The aforementioned integrated units may be implemented in the form of hardware, or may also be implemented in the form of a hardware-plus-software functional unit. 
     A person skilled in the art should understand that all or part of the steps for realizing the method embodiments described above may be accomplished by program instruction relevant hardware. The aforementioned program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium. When the program is executed, the steps of the method embodiments described above are performed. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program codes, such as a mobile storage device, a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or the like. In the context of this document, a storage medium is not a signal and “non-transitory” includes all media except signal media. 
     As used herein, the singular “a” and “an” may be construed as including the plural “one or more” unless clearly indicated otherwise. 
     This disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The example embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain principles and practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 
     Thus, although illustrative example embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying figures, it is to be understood that this description is not limiting and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure.