Patent Description:
<CIT> relates to electronic devices, such as consumer electronics devices and control systems in vehicles that are controlled by way of a haptic operating device with a rotating unit. Selectable menu items are displayed on a display unit, and a menu item is selected by rotating the rotating unit. The rotating unit latches at a number of haptically perceptible latching points during rotation. The number and rotational position of the haptically perceptible latching points is dynamically changed in accordance with a specific menu item selected by the user.

<CIT> discloses an in-vehicle display apparatus which includes (i) an operation device having an operation knob, and (ii) a display control device having a display section. The operation device has a drive section which gives force to the operation knob. When the display section displays a display window to enable a scroll display in which several selection buttons are circulated, the display control device acquires a reactive force map. The map specifies that a vibration is applied to the operation knob when the cursor is located on the selection button at the tail end of the series of the selection buttons in the display window. The display control device then instructs the drive section to apply the vibration to the operation knob based on the acquired reactive force map.

<CIT> discloses a manipulandum sensor and an actuator. The sensor is configured to output a position signal when the manipulandum is moved from the first position to the second position. Additionally, the actuator is configured to output haptic feedback having a position-based component and a predetermined time-based component.

<CIT> relates to a data processing system which includes an application unit, a force pattern calculating section and a data processing section. The force pattern calculating section analyzes screen definition data for defining display screen data which is generated by the data processing section, determines a force pattern based upon the disposition of display elements, such as buttons and spaces, in a display screen and based upon force patterns corresponding to the types of the display elements recorded in an object attribute table, and stores the force pattern in a force pattern table. The force pattern is applied to a user based upon an input to the display screen. A commander driver determines a force corresponding to an input from a haptic commander, and controls the haptic commander such that the determined force is applied to the user.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved method and system for dynamically providing perceptible feedback for a rotary control component of an electronic device.

It is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Embodiments of the present disclosure propose method and apparatus for dynamically providing perceptible feedback for a rotary control component of an electronic device, and further propose a corresponding electronic device. An operation on the rotary control component may be detected. An initial value of the rotary control component may be synchronized with a software control value of the electronic device. A variation value corresponding to the operation may be identified. It may be determined that the initial value and the variation value meet a feedback condition. Perceptible feedback may be provided through a feedback component of the electronic device.

It should be noted that the above one or more aspects comprise the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative features of the one or more aspects. These features are only indicative of the various ways in which the principles of various aspects may be employed, and this disclosure is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents.

The disclosed aspects will hereinafter be described in connection with the appended drawings that are provided to illustrate and not to limit the disclosed aspects.

The present disclosure will now be discussed with reference to several example implementations. It is to be understood that these implementations are discussed only for enabling those skilled in the art to better understand and thus implement the embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than suggesting any limitations on the scope of the present disclosure.

Operating state of an electronic device may be controlled via multiple approaches. In an approach, a mechanical component in the electronic device may be used for controlling the operating state. For example, a rotary control component in the electronic device may be rotated for providing a mechanical control value associated with the operating state. In another approach, a software control module associated with the electronic device may be used for controlling the operating state. For example, the software control module may provide a user interface through which a user can set a software control value corresponding to the operating state. The user interface may include, e.g., a scroll bar, a simulated knob, a digit input box, etc., through which the user can set the software control value. In some cases, the software control module may be implemented in the electronic device, and may cooperate with relevant components in the electronic device, e.g., screen, input component, etc. In other cases, the software control module may be implemented in a control device other than the electronic device, e.g., cellphone, personal computer, remote controller, etc. The control device can communicate with the electronic device through various types of communication channel, to send the software control value to the electronic device. The communication channel may be established based on a wired or wireless connection.

Some traditional rotary control components may have hard-stop units, and can provide a mechanical control value corresponding to a level of the operating state of the electronic device. The hard-stop units are usually placed at limit value positions of a rotary control component, such that when the rotary control component is rotated in a certain direction to a limit value position, the rotary control component would be mechanically stopped and no further rotation operation can be done on the rotary control component in this direction. The limit value positions may comprise, e.g., the maximum value position and the minimum value position settable by the rotary control component. This type of rotary control component with hard-stop units cannot be effectively synchronized with a software control module. For example, it is difficult to synchronize a mechanical control value set by the rotary control component with a software control value set by the software control module.

In some other traditional rotary control components, hard-stop units are removed. This type of rotary control component without hard-stop unit can provide a mechanical control value indicating an incremental or decremental amount of a level of the operating state of the electronic device. There is no need to synchronize this type of rotary control component with the software control module. However, when rotating this type of rotary control component, since the user cannot feel or recognize any limit value position that could have been indicated by hard-stop units, the user may over-rotate the rotary control component even though the level of the operating state has exceeded limit values.

Embodiments of the present disclosure propose to dynamically provide perceptible feedback for a rotary control component of an electronic device. The rotary control component may be effectively synchronized with a software control module associated with the electronic device. For example, synchronization may be performed between a mechanical control value by the rotary control component and a software control value by the software control module. Once synchronized, certain value positions, e.g., limit value positions or any other value positions, or certain value ranges defined by individual value positions may be further dynamically determined. When a feedback condition is met, e.g., when it is determined that the rotary control component is rotated to a dynamically-determined certain value position or certain value range, corresponding perceptible feedback may be provided to the user, such that the user may recognize that the rotary control component has been rotated to the certain value position or certain value range. Through dynamically determining whether a feedback condition is met and providing perceptible feedback accordingly, the user's experience may be significantly improved. Herein, "perceptible feedback" may refer to any types of feedback that can be felt or recognized by users, comprising, e.g., tangible feedback, sound feedback, visual feedback, etc. The perceptible feedback may be provided by a feedback component in the electronic device.

<FIG> illustrates exemplary electronic devices containing rotary control components.

The electronic device <NUM> may be, e.g., a thermostat, a dimmer, a part of a stereo system, etc. The electronic device <NUM> comprises a dial <NUM> used as a rotary control component. The dial <NUM> may be used for controlling operating state of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, in the case that the electronic device <NUM> is a thermostat, the dial <NUM> may be rotated to control operating temperature of the thermostat.

The electronic device <NUM> is a headphone. The headphone comprises two speakers <NUM> and <NUM>, and two dials <NUM> and <NUM> installed on the two speakers respectively. The dials <NUM> and <NUM> are used as rotary control components for controlling operating state of the headphone. For example, the dial <NUM> may be rotated to control volume of the headphone, and the dial <NUM> may be rotated to change sound modes of the headphone.

The electronic device <NUM> is a mouse. The mouse <NUM> comprises a wheel <NUM> used as a rotary control component. The wheel <NUM> may be used for controlling a position indicated by the mouse. For example, the wheel <NUM> may be rolled or rotated to change a position of a cursor in a screen.

It should be appreciated that <FIG> only shows several exemplary electronic devices containing rotary control components, and the electronic devices involved in the present disclosure may also cover any other types of electronic devices containing rotary control components.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary existing rotary control component with hard-stop units in an electronic device.

It is assumed that the electronic device is a speaker. The speaker comprises a rotary control component <NUM> which may be a dial. The rotary control component <NUM> is rotatable to control volume level of the speaker. The speaker further comprises two hard-stop units <NUM> and <NUM>. The hard-stop unit <NUM> is fixedly placed at a position of the maximum volume and the hard-stop unit <NUM> is fixedly placed at a position of the minimum volume. When the rotary control component <NUM> is rotated to either of the hard-stop units <NUM> and <NUM>, the rotary control component <NUM> would be stopped.

Moreover, <FIG> further illustrates a software control module <NUM> associated with the speaker. A user may slide a scroll bar <NUM> in a user interface provided by the software control module <NUM>, to change volume level between the maximum volume "<NUM>" and the minimum volume "<NUM>". As discussed above, if the user sets the volume level to a new value through the scroll bar <NUM>, this new value set through the software control module <NUM> cannot be effectively synchronized to the rotary control component <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary existing rotary control component without hard-stop unit in an electronic device.

It is assumed that the electronic device is a speaker. The speaker comprises a rotary control component <NUM> which may be a dial. The rotary control component <NUM> is rotatable to control an incremental or decremental amount of volume level of the speaker. For example, if the rotary control component <NUM> is rotated counter clockwise, the volume would be turned up, while if the rotary control component <NUM> is rotated clockwise, the volume would be turned down. The change of volume level is proportional to the rotation distance of the rotary control component <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the rotary control component <NUM> does not comprise any hard-stop unit. Accordingly, the rotary control component <NUM> can keep rotated without being forced to stop.

Moreover, <FIG> further illustrates a software control module <NUM> associated with the speaker. Similar with the software control module <NUM> in <FIG>, there is a scroll bar <NUM> in a user interface of the software control module <NUM>, for changing volume level. As discussed above, since no hard-stop unit is set for the rotary control component <NUM>, even though the volume level in the software control module has reached the maximum value "<NUM>", the user may be not aware of this and may continue the rotating of the rotary control component <NUM> counter-clockwise, or even though the volume level in the software control module has reached the minimum value "<NUM>", the user may still continue the rotating of the rotary control component <NUM> clockwise.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary rotary control component with dynamical limit value positions according to an embodiment.

It is assumed that an electronic device, e.g., a speaker, can be controlled by both a rotary control component <NUM> and a software control module <NUM>. The speaker does not assign any fixed limit value positions for the rotary control component <NUM>. Instead, through synchronizing the rotary control component <NUM> with the software control module <NUM>, dynamical limit value positions <NUM> and <NUM> may be determined. When detecting a rotation operation occurred on the rotary control component <NUM>, an initial value of the rotary control component <NUM> prior to the rotation operation may be synchronized with a software control value of the electronic device set through the software control module <NUM>. For example, if the current software control value is "<NUM>" as indicated by a scroll bar <NUM> in the software control module <NUM>, the initial value of the rotary control component <NUM> may also be set as "<NUM>". Based on this initial value, the limit value positions, e.g., maximum volume position <NUM> and minimum volume position <NUM>, may be further determined. Since the initial value may be changed over time, the limit value positions <NUM> and <NUM> would be determined dynamically.

In order to enable the user to feel or recognize that the rotary control component <NUM> has been rotated to a limit value position, perceptible feedback may be provided if the rotation operation causes the rotary control component to meet one or more feedback conditions, e.g., reach or exceed a dynamical limit value position.

It should be appreciated that the example in <FIG> may be altered or improved in any ways. For example, in addition to the limit value positions <NUM> and <NUM>, any other interested value positions may be determined dynamically. Accordingly, when the rotary control component <NUM> is rotated to an interested value position, perceptible feedback may be provided. Moreover, for example, instead of triggering perceptible feedback in response to determining that the rotary control component <NUM> is rotated to a certain value position, perceptible feedback may also be triggered through determining that a current value of the rotary control component <NUM> after the rotation operation is within a certain value range. Positions of the value range may be determined dynamically upon the initial value of the rotary control component <NUM> has been synchronized with the software control value. Moreover, for example, if there are two or more interested value positions or value ranges for which perceptible feedback are to provide, the perceptible feedback may be provided in respective levels for these interested value positions or value ranges.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary electronic device <NUM> capable of dynamically providing perceptible feedback according to an embodiment.

The electronic device <NUM> may comprise a rotary control component <NUM> being rotatable to cause a change of operating state of the electronic device <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, a feedback component <NUM> for providing perceptible feedback, etc. The electronic device <NUM> is associated with a software control module <NUM> which is also configured for controlling the operating state of the electronic device <NUM>. The software control module <NUM> may be implemented in a control device other than the electronic device <NUM>, and capable of communicating with the controller <NUM>. Alternatively, although not shown, the software control module <NUM> may also be implemented in the electronic device <NUM> and thus is a part of the electronic device <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may be any types of processing unit configured for implementing the process of dynamically providing perceptible feedback according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. It is shown in <FIG> that the controller <NUM> is included in the electronic device <NUM> as a local component. Alternatively, at least a part of processing functions of the controller <NUM> may be remotely implemented at a server, in the cloud, etc..

The controller <NUM> may detect an operation on the rotary control component <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may detect in real time whether the rotary control component <NUM> is rotated. In response to a detected operation on the rotary control component <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may synchronize an initial value of the rotary control component <NUM> with a software control value of the electronic device <NUM> currently set by the software control module <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may identify a variation value corresponding to the detected operation, e.g., rotation amount of the rotary control component <NUM> caused by the operation. If the operation causes the level of operating state to increase, the variation value would be a positive value, while if the operation causes the level of operating state to decrease, the variation value would be a negative value. The controller <NUM> may then determine whether the initial value and the variation value meet a feedback condition. If a feedback condition is met, the controller <NUM> may instruct the feedback component <NUM> to provide perceptible feedback.

The feedback component <NUM> may provide perceptible feedback on the electronic device <NUM> under the control of the controller <NUM>. The perceptible feedback may be provided to users through the rotary control component <NUM> or other components in the electronic device <NUM>. Various types of feedback mechanism may be adopted by the feedback component <NUM>.

In an implementation, the feedback component <NUM> may comprise haptic feedback mechanism. The haptic feedback mechanism may provide perceptible feedback through generating, e.g., vibrations, etc. For example, the haptic feedback mechanism may be implemented through a linear resonant actuator (LRA), a piezo actuator, an eccentric rotating mass (ERM) actuator, etc. It should be appreciated that the haptic feedback mechanism according to the embodiments of the present disclosure is not limited to any specific implementation approaches, and can be implemented through the above exemplary implementation approaches or any other implementation approaches.

In an implementation, the feedback component <NUM> may comprise detent feedback mechanism. The detent feedback mechanism may provide perceptible feedback through mechanically applying damping to the rotation of the rotary control component <NUM>. The detent feedback mechanism may be implemented through a moving detent changer. The moving detent changer may be moved to contact with or get close to the rotary control component <NUM> to apply or increase damping, and may be moved away from the rotary control component <NUM> to remove or decrease damping. The damping applied by the moving detent changer may be constant or variable. As an example, the moving detent changer may comprise at least one magnet unit, and when the moving detent changer is moved forward to the rotary control component <NUM>, the magnet unit can apply damping to the rotation of the rotary control component <NUM> through magnet force. As another example, the moving detent changer may comprise a wedgy unit, and when the moving detent changer is moved forward to the rotary control component <NUM>, the wedgy unit can contact notches or ratchets formed in the rotary control component <NUM> to apply damping to the rotation of the rotary control component <NUM>. It should be appreciated that the detent feedback mechanism according to the embodiments of the present disclosure is not limited to any specific implementation approaches, and can be implemented through the above exemplary implementation approaches or any other implementation approaches.

In an implementation, the feedback component <NUM> may comprise brake feedback mechanism. The brake feedback mechanism may provide perceptible feedback through applying brake force to the rotation of the rotary control component <NUM>, wherein the brake force is generated by physical property changes of material in the feedback component <NUM>. As an example, the brake feedback mechanism may be implemented through magneto rheological (MR) fluid brake. MR fluid may change from a liquid state to a semi-solid state when an external magnetic field is applied, and accordingly may be used for generating brake force. As another example, the brake feedback mechanism may be implemented through electro rheological (ER) fluid brake. When an electric field is applied, ER fluid may change from a free-flowing liquid state to a state with finite static yield stress, similar with solid or gel, and accordingly may be used for generating brake force. As a further example, the brake feedback mechanism may be implemented through polymer brake. An electroactive polymer may change its shape or size when current is applied, and accordingly may be used for generating brake force. It should be appreciated that the brake feedback mechanism according to the embodiments of the present disclosure is not limited to any specific implementation approaches, and can be implemented through the above exemplary implementation approaches or any other implementation approaches.

In an implementation, the feedback component <NUM> may comprise sound feedback mechanism. The sound feedback mechanism may provide perceptible feedback through playing sound to users. The sound feedback mechanism may be implemented through a sound player. For example, the sound player may play a prestored sound directly through a speaker. Alternatively, the sound player may generate a sound signal through an acoustic generator and further play the generated sound signal through a speaker. It should be appreciated that the sound feedback mechanism according to the embodiments of the present disclosure is not limited to any specific implementation approaches, and can be implemented through the above exemplary implementation approaches or any other implementation approaches.

In an implementation, the feedback component <NUM> may comprise visual feedback mechanism. The visual feedback mechanism may provide perceptible feedback through displaying visual indications to users. The visual feedback mechanism may be implemented through a visual indication displaying unit. For example, the visual indication displaying unit may be an indication lamp which may be lighted up or flashed, a screen which may present predetermined image or text, etc. It should be appreciated that the visual feedback mechanism according to the embodiments of the present disclosure is not limited to any specific implementation approaches, and can be implemented through the above exemplary implementation approaches or any other implementation approaches.

The feedback component <NUM> may adopt any combination of the feedback mechanisms discussed above. Moreover, the feedback component <NUM> is not limited to any particular feedback mechanism, but can adopt any feedback mechanism capable of enabling a user to feel or recognize the current operating state of the electronic device <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates exemplary feedback enforcing strategies according to some embodiments. Herein, a feedback enforcing strategy may define feedback conditions and respective feedback levels corresponding to the feedback conditions. The exemplary feedback enforcing strategies in <FIG> are illustrated as line graphs, wherein the x axis indicates control values by a rotary control component, and the y axis indicates feedback levels provided by a feedback component. It should be appreciated that the feedback enforcing strategies may also be presented in any forms other than line graphs.

A feedback enforcing strategy <NUM> is presented by line segments <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. The line segment <NUM> indicates that: in the case that a control value of the rotary control component is already at the minimum value, if a rotation operation is performed to further decrease the control value, a feedback may be provided. That is, the line segment <NUM> corresponds to a feedback condition that an initial value of the rotary control component is the minimum value and a variation value caused by the rotation operation is below zero. The line segment <NUM> indicates that: in the case that a control value of the rotary control component is already at the maximum value, if a rotation operation is performed to further increase the control value, a feedback may be provided. That is, the line segment <NUM> corresponds to a feedback condition that an initial value of the rotary control component is the maximum value and a variation value caused by the rotation operation is above zero. The line segment <NUM> indicates that if the rotation operation causes the current value of the rotary control component to fall between the maximum value and the minimum value, no feedback would be provided. The current value may be calculated based on the initial value and the variation value, e.g., by adding up the initial value and the variation value.

A feedback enforcing strategy <NUM> is presented by line segments <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. The line segment <NUM> indicates that: in the case that a control value of the rotary control component is already at the minimum value, if a rotation operation is performed to further decrease the control value, a feedback in a high level may be provided. That is, the line segment <NUM> corresponds to a feedback condition that an initial value of the rotary control component is the minimum value and a variation value caused by the rotation operation is below zero. The line segment <NUM> indicates that: in the case that a control value of the rotary control component is already at the maximum value, if a rotation operation is performed to further increase the control value, a feedback in the high level may be provided. That is, the line segment <NUM> corresponds to a feedback condition that an initial value of the rotary control component is the maximum value and a variation value caused by the rotation operation is above zero. The line segment <NUM> indicates that if the rotation operation causes the current value of the rotary control component to fall between the maximum value and the minimum value, a feedback in a low level would be provided. That is, the line segment <NUM> corresponds to a feedback condition that the current value of the rotary control component is between the maximum value and the minimum value.

A feedback enforcing strategy <NUM> is presented by line segments <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. The line segment <NUM> indicates that: in the case that a control value of the rotary control component is already at the minimum value, if a rotation operation is performed to further decrease the control value, a feedback in a high level may be provided. That is, the line segment <NUM> corresponds to a feedback condition that an initial value of the rotary control component is the minimum value and a variation value caused by the rotation operation is below zero. The line segment <NUM> indicates that: in the case that a control value of the rotary control component is already at the maximum value, if a rotation operation is performed to further increase the control value, a feedback in the high level may be provided. That is, the line segment <NUM> corresponds to a feedback condition that an initial value of the rotary control component is the maximum value and a variation value caused by the rotation operation is above zero. The line segment <NUM> indicates that if the rotation operation causes the current value of the rotary control component to fall between the maximum value and the minimum value, a feedback would be provided. That is, the line segment <NUM> corresponds to a feedback condition that the current value of the rotary control component is between the maximum value and the minimum value. In this case, the level of the provided feedback may be proportional to the current value, e.g., linearly increasing from level <NUM> to level F1, wherein F1 is less than or equal to the maximum value. Moreover, depending on specific implementations of the feedback component, the level of the provided feedback may have analog values.

The exemplary feedback enforcing strategies in <FIG> involve two interested value positions of the rotary control component, e.g., the maximum value position and the minimum value position. However, it should be appreciated that more interested value positions may also be considered in some feedback enforcing strategies, as shown in <FIG>. Accordingly, besides recognizing whether the rotary control component has exceeded limit value positions, the user may also recognize whether the rotary control component is rotated to other interested value positions or within value ranges associated with said other interested value positions.

<FIG> illustrates exemplary feedback enforcing strategies according to some embodiments.

A feedback enforcing strategy <NUM> is presented by line segments <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. It can be seen that, besides the interested limit value positions, e.g., the minimum value position and the maximum value position, the feedback enforcing strategy <NUM> also considers two interested value positions V1 and V2. V1 and V2 may be of any values between the minimum value and the maximum value, e.g., V1 may be a value at the <NUM>% position of the whole value range settable by the rotary control component, and V2 may be a value at the <NUM>% position of the whole value range. The above four interested value positions form the following value ranges: a value range not higher than the minimum value, a value range between the minimum value and V1, a value range between V1 and V2, a value range between V2 and the maximum value, and a value range not lower than the maximum value. Feedback levels for different value ranges may be the same or different.

The line segment <NUM> indicates that: in the case that a control value of the rotary control component is already at the minimum value, if a rotation operation is performed to further decrease the control value, a feedback in a high level may be provided. That is, the line segment <NUM> corresponds to a feedback condition that an initial value of the rotary control component is the minimum value and a variation value caused by the rotation operation is below zero, or corresponds to a feedback condition that the current value of the rotary control component is within the value range not higher than the minimum value. The line segment <NUM> indicates that: if a rotation operation causes a current value of the rotary control component to fall within the value range between the minimum value and V1, a feedback in a low level may be provided. That is, the line segment <NUM> corresponds to a feedback condition that the current value of the rotary control component is within the value range between the minimum value and V1. The line segment <NUM> indicates that: if a rotation operation causes a current value of the rotary control component to fall within the value range between V1 and V2, no feedback would be provided. The line segment <NUM> indicates that: if a rotation operation causes a current value of the rotary control component to fall within the value range between V2 and the maximum value, a feedback in a low level may be provided. That is, the line segment <NUM> corresponds to a feedback condition that the current value of the rotary control component is within the value range between V2 and the maximum value. The line segment <NUM> indicates that: in the case that a control value of the rotary control component is already at the maximum value, if a rotation operation is performed to further increase the control value, a feedback in a high level may be provided. That is, the line segment <NUM> corresponds to a feedback condition that an initial value of the rotary control component is the maximum value and a variation value caused by the rotation operation is above zero, or corresponds to a feedback condition that the current value of the rotary control component is within the value range not lower than the maximum value.

A feedback enforcing strategy <NUM> is presented by line segments <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. Three interested value positions are considered, including the minimum value position, the maximum value position and a value position V1. V1 may be of any value between the minimum value and the maximum value. The above three interested value positions form the following value ranges: a value range not higher than the minimum value, a value range between the minimum value and V1, a value range between V1 and the maximum value, and a value range not lower than the maximum value. As shown by <NUM>, feedback provided for the value range not higher than the minimum value and feedback provided for the value range not lower than the maximum value may be in a high level, feedback provided for the value range between V1 and the maximum value may be in a low level, while no feedback is provided for the value range between the minimum value and V1.

It should be appreciated that all the feedback enforcing strategies in <FIG> and <FIG> are exemplary. Any additions, deletions, replacements or combinations to these strategies that are made for actual application scenarios and requirements should also be covered by the present disclosure.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary process <NUM> of dynamically providing perceptible feedback for a rotary control component according to an embodiment. The process <NUM> may correspond to, e.g., the feedback enforcing strategy <NUM> in <FIG>. The process <NUM> may determine whether a feedback condition is met by using an initial value and a variation value of the rotary control component directly.

At <NUM>, a rotation operation on the rotary control component may be detected. For example, a controller in an electronic device may keep monitoring any rotation operation by users on the rotary control component, and a detected rotation operation would trigger the following steps in the process <NUM>.

At <NUM>, an initial value of the rotary control component may be synchronized with a software control value of the electronic device. The software control value may be obtained from a software control module and further assigned to the initial value.

At <NUM>, it may be determined whether the initial value is equal to the maximum value settable by the rotary control component.

If it is determined at <NUM> that the initial value is equal to the maximum value, a variation value corresponding to the rotation operation may be identified at <NUM>.

At <NUM>, it may be determined whether the variation value is above zero. That is, it is determined whether the rotation operation is to further increase the initial value.

If it is determined at <NUM> that the variation value is above zero, perceptible feedback may be provided at <NUM>. For example, a feedback component may provide the perceptible feedback in response to an instruction from a controller in the electronic device.

At <NUM>, a current value of the rotary control component may be updated based on the initial value and the variation value. In this case, since the initial value is already the maximum value, the current value may be kept as the maximum value.

At <NUM>, the software control value may be updated with the current value. For example, the software control value may be set as equal to the current value. Then the process <NUM> may return to <NUM> to detect any further rotation operation.

If it is determined at <NUM> that the variation value is below zero, which indicates that the rotation operation causes the initial value to decrease from the maximum value to a lower value, it may be determined at <NUM> that no feedback would be provided. Then the current value may be updated based on the initial value and the variation value at <NUM>, e.g., by adding up the initial value and the variation value, and the software control value may be further updated at <NUM>.

If it is determined at <NUM> that the initial value is not equal to the maximum value, then the process <NUM> will proceed to <NUM>.

At <NUM>, it may be determined whether the initial value is equal to the minimum value settable by the rotary control component.

If it is determined at <NUM> that the initial value is equal to the minimum value, a variation value corresponding to the rotation operation may be identified at <NUM>.

At <NUM>, it may be determined whether the variation value is below zero. That is, it is determined whether the rotation operation is to further decrease the initial value.

If it is determined at <NUM> that the variation value is below zero, perceptible feedback may be provided at <NUM>. Then the current value may be updated based on the initial value and the variation value at <NUM>. In this case, since the initial value is already the minimum value, the current value may be kept as the minimum value. The software control value may be further updated at <NUM>.

If it is determined at <NUM> that the variation value is above zero, which indicates that the rotation operation causes the initial value to increase from the minimum value to a higher value, it may be determined at <NUM> that no feedback would be provided. Then the current value may be updated based on the initial value and the variation value at <NUM>, e.g., by adding up the initial value and the variation value, and the software control value may be further updated at <NUM>.

If it is determined at <NUM> that the initial value is not equal to the minimum value, it may be determined at <NUM> that no feedback would be provided. Then the current value may be updated based on the initial value and the variation value at <NUM>, e.g., by adding up the initial value and the variation value, and the software control value may be further updated at <NUM>.

It should be appreciated that all the steps and the order of these steps in the process <NUM> are exemplary, and various changes may be made to the process <NUM> according to actual application scenarios and requirements. For example, instead of performing the judgment of whether the initial value is the maximum value prior to the judgment of whether the initial value is the minimum value in the process <NUM>, the order of these two judgment steps may also be exchanged. For example, instead of providing no feedback at <NUM> in the process <NUM>, a feedback in a level different from levels of the feedbacks provided at <NUM> and <NUM> may be provided, and accordingly the modified process may correspond to, e.g., the feedback enforcing strategy <NUM> in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary process <NUM> of dynamically providing perceptible feedback for a rotary control component according to an embodiment. The process <NUM> may correspond to, e.g., the feedback enforcing strategies <NUM> in <FIG>, and the feedback enforcing strategies <NUM> and <NUM> in <FIG>. The process <NUM> may determine whether a feedback condition is met based on a current value calculated from an initial value and a variation value of the rotary control component.

At <NUM>, a rotation operation on the rotary control component may be detected.

At <NUM>, an initial value of the rotary control component may be synchronized with a software control value of the electronic device.

At <NUM>, a variation value corresponding to the rotation operation may be identified.

At <NUM>, a current value of the rotary control component may be calculated based on the initial value and the variation value. For example, the initial value and the variation value may be added up to obtain the current value. However, if the initial value is the maximum value and the variation value is above zero, the current value will be kept as the maximum value, and if the initial value is the minimum value and the variation value is below zero, the current value will be kept as the minimum value.

At <NUM>, a predetermined value range into which the current value falls may be determined. For example, it may be desired to utilize perceptible feedback to enable users to recognize which value range the rotary control component is currently rotated to, and thus one or more interested value ranges may be predetermined for the electronic device. Accordingly, the determination at <NUM> may intend to find or select a predetermined value range corresponding to the current value from the one or more predetermined value ranges.

At <NUM>, perceptible feedback in a level corresponding to the predetermined value range determined at <NUM> may be provided. For example, different feedback levels may be defined for different value ranges. Thus, the users may recognize which value range the rotary control component is currently rotated to through the level of the provided perceptible feedback. It should be appreciated that some of the predetermined value ranges may also be defined to the same feedback level.

It should be appreciated that all the steps and the order of these steps in the process <NUM> are exemplary, and various changes may be made to the process <NUM> according to actual application scenarios and requirements.

<FIG> illustrates exemplary operating approaches of feedback components according to some embodiments. Feedback components may provide perceptible feedback in various operating approaches. In some cases, when providing perceptible feedback, a feedback component may be operably coupled to at least one part of a rotary control component, so as to provide the perceptible feedback via the rotary control component. For example, the feedback component may be operably coupled to shaft, ring edge, lower surface, etc. of the rotary control component. Herein, "operably coupling" between the feedback component and the rotary control component may refer to functional interaction, interoperation or force applying in a contacted or non-contact way. While if no feedback is to provide, the coupling between the feedback component and the rotary control component may be released. In other cases, no matter whether the feedback component is providing perceptible feedback, the feedback component may be not operably coupled to the rotary control component. That is, the perceptible feedback may be provided independently from the rotary control component.

In <FIG>, several exemplary operating approaches <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> of feedback components are discussed with respect to a rotary control component <NUM> in an electronic device, wherein the rotary control component <NUM> comprises a shaft <NUM> around which the rotary control component <NUM> is rotated.

In the operating approach <NUM>, a feedback component <NUM> may be operably coupled to the ring edge of the rotary control component <NUM>. For example, in response to control instructions from a controller in the electronic device, the feedback component <NUM> may be operably coupled to the ring edge so as to provide perceptible feedback, or release the coupling so as not to provide any feedback.

In the operating approach <NUM>, a feedback component <NUM> may be operably coupled to the shaft <NUM> of the rotary control component <NUM>. For example, in response to control instructions from the controller, the feedback component <NUM> may be operably coupled to the shaft <NUM> so as to provide perceptible feedback, or release the coupling so as not to provide any feedback.

In the operating approach <NUM>, a feedback component <NUM> may be operably coupled to the lower surface of the rotary control component <NUM>. For example, in response to control instructions from the controller, the feedback component <NUM> may be operably coupled to the lower surface so as to provide perceptible feedback, or release the coupling so as not to provide any feedback.

In the operating approach <NUM>, a feedback component may comprise two feedback units <NUM> and <NUM> that cooperate with each other. The feedback unit <NUM> may be outside of the rotary control component <NUM>, while the feedback unit <NUM> may be included inside the rotary control component <NUM>. The feedback unit <NUM> may be operably coupled to the feedback unit <NUM>. For example, in response to control instructions from the controller, the feedback unit <NUM> may be operably coupled to the feedback unit <NUM> so as to provide perceptible feedback, or release the coupling so as not to provide any feedback. Taking a moving detent changer as an example of the feedback component, the feedback unit <NUM> may be a wedgy unit, and the feedback unit <NUM> may be one or more notches or ratchets formed in the rotary control component <NUM>. When the wedgy unit is moved to contact the notches or ratchets, damping force, as perceptible feedback, may be generated on the rotary control component <NUM>, while if the wedgy unit is moved away to a position not contacted the notches or ratchets, no perceptible feedback would be provided.

In the operating approach <NUM>, a feedback component <NUM> may be not operably coupled to the rotary control component <NUM> no matter whether perceptible feedback is to provide. The feedback component <NUM> may be based on, e.g., sound feedback mechanism, visual feedback mechanism, etc., and thus the feedback component <NUM> may provide perceptible feedback, e.g., sound, flashing light, etc., based on control instructions by the controller but independently from the rotary control component. However, although the feedback component <NUM> needs not to be operably coupled to the rotary control component <NUM>, the feedback component <NUM> may be still installed in the rotary control component <NUM> or contact the rotary control component <NUM>.

It should be appreciated that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the operating approaches shown in <FIG>, but should cover any other operating approaches. Although the rotary control component in <FIG> is shown as a dial, the operating approaches of feedback components discussed above may also be similarly applied to a rotary control component in a form of wheel. Moreover, for a given rotary control component, more than one feedback component may be applied, and more than one feedback mechanism may be adopted.

<FIG> illustrates exemplary magnet-based detent feedback mechanism according to an embodiment. The detent feedback mechanism in <FIG> is implemented through a moving detent changer. The moving detent changer comprises: a moving magnet unit <NUM>, which is placed outside a rotatory control component <NUM> and is movable in a radial direction of the rotatory control component <NUM>; and a total of <NUM> fixed magnet units <NUM> installed in the rotatory control component <NUM>. The fixed magnet units <NUM> are uniformly placed around the ring edge of the rotatory control component <NUM>, e.g., spaced from each other by <NUM> degrees, and all the fixed magnet units <NUM> are in the same polarity direction, e.g., the outside face is the "N" polarity. The moving magnet unit <NUM> is in a polarity direction opposite to that of the fixed magnet units <NUM>, e.g., the face of the moving magnet unit <NUM> that is adjacent to the fixed magnet units <NUM> is the "S" polarity.

In state <NUM>, the moving magnet unit <NUM> is very close to the rotatory control component <NUM>. When the rotatory control component <NUM> is rotated, the moving magnet unit <NUM> is attracted with the fixed magnet units <NUM> under a magnetic field, and thus strong detent force or damping force may be felt. In the case of spacing the fixed magnet units <NUM> from each other by <NUM> degrees, the detent force may also be provided for every <NUM> degrees.

As shown in state <NUM>, when the moving magnet unit <NUM> is moved away from the rotatory control component <NUM>, e.g., the distance between the moving magnet unit <NUM> and the rotatory control component <NUM> increases, the detent force will decrease accordingly.

In state <NUM>, the moving magnet unit <NUM> is far away from the rotatory control component <NUM>, such that no detent force will be provided.

Through the transitions among the states shown in <FIG>, the detent force may be controlled from zero to the maximum continuously, thus providing analog levels of feedback.

It should be appreciated that the magnet-based detent feedback mechanism shown in <FIG> may also be altered in various approaches. For example, instead of a total of <NUM> fixed magnet units, a different number of fixed magnet units may be installed in the rotatory control component <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates exemplary bump-based detent feedback mechanism according to an embodiment. The detent feedback mechanism in <FIG> is implemented through a moving detent changer. The moving detent changer comprises: a moving bump unit <NUM>, which is placed outside a rotatory control component <NUM> and is movable in a radial direction of the rotatory control component <NUM>; a total of <NUM> fixed bump units <NUM> installed in the rotatory control component <NUM>; and a push spring <NUM>, connected to the moving bump unit <NUM> for providing spring force for the moving bump unit <NUM>. The fixed bump units <NUM> are uniformly placed around the ring edge of the rotatory control component <NUM>, e.g., spaced from each other by <NUM> degrees, and all the fixed bump units <NUM> are male units. The moving bump unit <NUM> is a female unit.

In state <NUM>, the moving bump unit <NUM> is very close to the rotatory control component <NUM>, and thus deeply contacts to the fixed bump units <NUM>. When the rotatory control component <NUM> is rotated, the moving bump unit <NUM> and the fixed bump units <NUM> are engaged with each other, and thus strong detent force or damping force may be felt. In the case of spacing the fixed bump units <NUM> from each other by <NUM> degrees, the detent force may also be provided for every <NUM> degrees.

In state <NUM>, the moving bump unit <NUM> is far away from the rotatory control component <NUM>, such that the moving bump unit <NUM> cannot contact to the fixed bump units <NUM>, and accordingly no detent force will be provided.

Through the transitions among the states shown in <FIG>, the detent force may be controlled from zero to the maximum continuously, thus providing analog levels of feedback. Moreover, this bump-based detent feedback mechanism may provide shaper or clearer detent force than the magnet-based detent feedback mechanism in <FIG>.

It should be appreciated that the bump-based detent feedback mechanism shown in <FIG> may also be altered in various approaches. For example, instead of a total of <NUM> fixed bump units, a different number of fixed bump units may be installed in the rotatory control component <NUM>. For example, bump pairs may also be reversed, e.g., the moving bump unit <NUM> may be male while the fixed bump units <NUM> may be female.

<FIG> illustrates exemplary structures of brake feedback mechanism according to some embodiments. In <FIG>, a brake unit <NUM> is used for applying brake force to a rotary control component <NUM>.

The brake unit <NUM> may be installed in various structures. In example <NUM>, the brake unit <NUM> is placed around a shaft <NUM> of the rotatory control component <NUM>. In example <NUM>, the brake unit <NUM> is of a circle shape, and is placed between the ring edge of the rotatory control component <NUM> and a surrounding structure of the electronic device. In example <NUM>, the brake unit <NUM> is of an arc shape, and is placed between the ring edge of the rotatory control component <NUM> and a part of a surrounding structure of the electronic device.

The brake unit <NUM> may be MR brake, ER brake, polymer brake, etc. If the brake unit <NUM> is a MR brake, brake force may be controlled by applying a magnetic field. The magnetic field may be generated, e.g., by an electromagnet coil. If the brake unit <NUM> is an ER brake or a polymer brake, brake force may be controlled by applying an electric field. The electric field may be generated, e.g., by high-voltage electrodes. When no magnetic field or electric field is applied, no brake force will be provided.

Through the structures shown in <FIG>, the brake force may be controlled from zero to the maximum continuously, thus providing analog levels of feedback.

<FIG> illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary method <NUM> for dynamically providing perceptible feedback for a rotary control component of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

At <NUM>, an operation on the rotary control component may be detected.

At <NUM>, a variation value corresponding to the operation may be identified.

At <NUM>, it may be determined that the initial value and the variation value meet a feedback condition.

At <NUM>, perceptible feedback may be provided through a feedback component of the electronic device.

In an implementation, the feedback condition may comprise at least one of: the initial value is the maximum value settable by the rotary control component, and the variation value is above zero; and the initial value is the minimum value settable by the rotary control component, and the variation value is below zero.

The providing the perceptible feedback may comprise: providing the perceptible feedback in a first level.

The feedback condition may further comprise: a current value calculated based on the initial value and the variation value is between the maximum value and the minimum value. The providing the perceptible feedback may comprise: providing the perceptible feedback in a second level lower than the first level, if the feedback condition that the current value is between the maximum value and the minimum value is met. The second level may be proportional to the current value.

In an implementation, the determining may comprise: calculating a current value of the rotary control component based on the initial value and the variation value; and determining that the current value meets the feedback condition.

The feedback condition may comprise: the current value is within a predetermined value range of one or more predetermined value ranges settable by the rotary control component.

The providing the perceptible feedback may comprise: providing the perceptible feedback in a level corresponding to the predetermined value range.

In an implementation, the method <NUM> may further comprise: calculating a current value of the rotary control component based on the initial value and the variation value; and updating the software control value with the current value of the rotary control component.

It should be appreciated that the method <NUM> may further comprise any steps/processes for dynamically providing perceptible feedback for a rotary control component of an electronic device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure as mentioned above.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary apparatus <NUM> for dynamically providing perceptible feedback for a rotary control component of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

The apparatus <NUM> may comprise: an operation detecting module <NUM>, for detecting an operation on the rotary control component; a synchronizing module <NUM>, for synchronizing an initial value of the rotary control component with a software control value of the electronic device; a variation identifying module <NUM>, for identifying a variation value corresponding to the operation; a feedback condition judging module <NUM>, for determining that the initial value and the variation value meet a feedback condition; and a feedback instructing module <NUM>, for instructing a feedback component of the electronic device to provide perceptible feedback.

In an implementation, the feedback condition may comprise at least one of: the initial value is the maximum value settable by the rotary control component, and the variation value is above zero; the initial value is the minimum value settable by the rotary control component, and the variation value is below zero; and a current value calculated based on the initial value and the variation value is between the maximum value and the minimum value.

In an implementation, the feedback condition judging module <NUM> may be for: calculating a current value of the rotary control component based on the initial value and the variation value; and determining that the current value meets the feedback condition. The feedback condition may comprise: the current value is within a predetermined value range of one or more predetermined value ranges settable by the rotary control component.

Moreover, the apparatus <NUM> may also comprise any other modules configured for dynamically providing perceptible feedback for a rotary control component of an electronic device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure as mentioned above.

The apparatus <NUM> may comprise at least one processor <NUM> and a memory <NUM> storing computer-executable instructions. When executing the computer-executable instructions, the at least one processor <NUM> may perform any operations of the methods for dynamically providing perceptible feedback for a rotary control component of an electronic device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure as mentioned above.

The embodiments of the present disclosure provides an electronic device, comprising: a rotary control component, being rotatable to cause a change of operating state of the electronic device; a feedback component, for providing perceptible feedback; and a controller, connected to the rotary control component and the feedback component. The controller may be configured for: detecting an operation on the rotary control component; synchronizing an initial value of the rotary control component with a software control value of the electronic device; identifying a variation value corresponding to the operation; determining that the initial value and the variation value meet a feedback condition; and instructing the feedback component to provide perceptible feedback.

In an implementation, the rotary control component may be a dial or a wheel.

In an implementation, the feedback component may comprise at least one of: haptic feedback mechanism; detent feedback mechanism; brake feedback mechanism; sound feedback mechanism; and visual feedback mechanism.

In an implementation, the haptic feedback mechanism may be implemented through at least one of a LRA, a piezo actuator, and an ERM actuator. The detent feedback mechanism may be implemented through a moving detent changer. The brake feedback mechanism may be implemented through at least one of MR fluid brake, ER fluid brake, and polymer brake. The sound feedback mechanism may be implemented through a sound player. The visual feedback mechanism may be implemented through a visual indication displaying unit.

In an implementation, when providing the perceptible feedback, the feedback component may be operably coupled to at least one part of the rotary control component, or is not operably coupled to the rotary control component.

In an implementation, the software control value is settable through a software control module associated with the electronic device.

Moreover, the controller in the electronic device may also be configured for performing any steps/processes of the methods for dynamically providing perceptible feedback for a rotary control component of an electronic device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure as mentioned above.

The embodiments of the present disclosure may be embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may comprise instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform any operations of the methods for dynamically providing perceptible feedback for a rotary control component of an electronic device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure as mentioned above.

It should be appreciated that all the operations in the methods described above are merely exemplary, and the present disclosure is not limited to any operations in the methods or sequence orders of these operations, and should cover all other equivalents under the same or similar concepts.

It should also be appreciated that all the modules in the apparatuses described above may be implemented in various approaches. These modules may be implemented as hardware, software, or a combination thereof. Moreover, any of these modules may be further functionally divided into sub-modules or combined together.

Processors have been described in connection with various apparatuses and methods. These processors may be implemented using electronic hardware, computer software, or any combination thereof. Whether such processors are implemented as hardware or software will depend upon the particular application and overall design constraints imposed on the system. By way of example, a processor, any portion of a processor, or any combination of processors presented in the present disclosure may be implemented with a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic device (PLD), a state machine, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable processing components configured to perform the various functions described throughout the present disclosure. The functionality of a processor, any portion of a processor, or any combination of processors presented in the present disclosure may be implemented with software being executed by a microprocessor, microcontroller, DSP, or other suitable platform.

Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc. The software may reside on a computer-readable medium. A computer-readable medium may include, by way of example, memory such as a magnetic storage device (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strip), an optical disk, a smart card, a flash memory device, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), a register, or a removable disk. Although memory is shown separate from the processors in the various aspects presented throughout the present disclosure, the memory may be internal to the processors, e.g., cache or register.

Claim 1:
A method for dynamically providing perceptible feedback for a rotary control component (<NUM>, <NUM>) of an electronic device (<NUM>), comprising:
detecting (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) an operation on the rotary control component;
setting (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) an initial value of the rotary control component to a current software control value of the electronic device;
determining limit position values (<NUM>, <NUM>) based on the initial value;
identifying (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) a variation value corresponding to the operation;
determining (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) that the initial value and the variation value meet a feedback condition according to which one of the determined limit position values is exceeded; and
providing (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) perceptible feedback through a feedback component (<NUM>) of the electronic device at a first level only if the feedback condition is met.