Patent Publication Number: US-2012044044-A1

Title: Electronic device with remote control and remote control method thereof

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to electronic devices and, particularly, to an electronic device with remote control and a remote control method thereof. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Many electronic devices provide mechanical buttons for devices to input commands. However, repetitive operations may cause users to feel tired, and in addition, the mechanical buttons occupy space making miniaturization difficult. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The components of the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of an electronic device with remote control and a remote control method. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout multiple views. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an electronic device with a remote control in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a hardware infrastructure of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart of a remote control method applied in an electronic device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an electronic device  10  with a remote control  20 . The electronic device  10  controls a displayed file to flip pages. The electronic device  10  includes a processor  11 , a storage unit  12 , a display unit  13 , an interface unit  14  and an input unit  15 . The storage unit  12  stores digital files. In the embodiment, the input unit  10  is a button  16  configured for generating control signals. Users can operate the button  16  or the remote control  20  to control the electronic device  10  to flip pages. In the embodiment, the remote control  20  is a control button, the control button generates control signals in response to pressing operations of users and transmits the control signals to the processor  11  via the interface unit  14 . The processor  11  analyses the operation type of users according to the control signals from the remote control  20  or the button  16 . The operation type is a first type, a second type, or a third type. If the operation type is the first type, the processor  11  controls the display unit  13  to flip a page forward; if the operation type is the second type, the processor  11  controls the display unit  13  to flip a page backward; if the operation type is the third type, the processor  11  controls the display unit  13  to return to the homepage. 
     In the embodiment, the remote control  20  is electrically connected to the electronic device  10  via a USB data line and transmits control signals to the electronic device  10  through the USB data line. The interface unit  14  is a Universal Serial Bus interface matching the USB data line. 
     In the embodiment, if a control signal exists beyond a first preset time period, but not beyond a second preset time period, such as 2 ms&lt;t≦500 ms, the processor  11  determines that the operation type is the first type; if a control signal exists beyond the second preset time period, but not beyond a third preset time period, such as 500 ms&lt;t≦2000 ms, the microprocessor  11  determines that the operation type is the second type; if the control signal exists beyond the third preset time period, such as t&gt;2000 ms, the microprocessor  11  determines that the operation type is the third type. 
     In the embodiment, the button  16  of the input unit  15  is mounted on the sidewall of the electronic device  10  for users. The input unit  15  also includes a switch button and a mode button. The switch button is configured to power on or power off the electronic device  10 . The mode button is configured to cause the electronic device to enter a reading mode. The electronic device displays a desired file, and the desired file is flipped via the button  16  or the remote control  20  depending on users&#39; preferences. 
     In the embodiment, the remote control  20  includes a control button  21  or a touch panel, and a transmission unit  22 . The control button  21  generates control signals according to operations of users. The transmission unit  22  is electrically connected with a data bus with a USB plug, the transmission unit  22  transmits the control signals to the processor  11  via the data bus. The length of the data bus is determined according to needs of users to facilitate the users to remotely control the electronic device  10  to flip page. 
     In another embodiment, the transmission unit  22  is a wireless transmission unit, such as an infrared transmission or an ultrasonic transmission. Correspondingly, the electronic device  10  includes a wireless receiving unit corresponding to the wireless transmission unit of the remote control  20 . The processor  11  receives the control signals generated by the wireless transmission unit of the remote control  20  via the wireless receiving unit to control a displayed file to flip page. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , shows a remote control method of an electronic device with a remote control in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
     In step S 301 , the processor  11  of the electronic device receives control signals generated by a remote control or an input unit of the electronic device. 
     In step S 302 , the processor  11  determines an operation type according to the control signals. The operation type is a first type, a second type, or a third type. 
     In step S 303 , the electronic device  200  flips a page forward if the operation type is the first type. 
     In step S 304 , the electronic device  200  flips a page backward if the operation type is the second type. 
     In step S 305 , the electronic device  200  returns to homepage of a currently read file if the operation type is the third type. 
     In the embodiment, if the control signal exists beyond a first preset time period, but not beyond a second preset time period, such as 2 ms&lt;t≦500 ms, the processor  11  determines that the operation type is the first type; if the control signal exists beyond the second preset time period, but not beyond a third preset time period, such as 500 ms&lt;t≦2000 ms, the processor  11  determines that the operation type is the second type; if the control signal exists beyond the third preset time period, such as t&gt;2000 ms, the processor  11  determines that the operation type is the third type. 
     Although the present disclosure has been specifically described on the basis of the exemplary embodiment thereof, the disclosure is not to be construed as being limited thereto. Various changes or modifications may be made to the embodiment without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure.