Patent Description:
A wearable device, e.g., a wrist wearable electronic device such as a smart watch, has a display for displaying content. Displays of wearable electronic devices are commonly touch-sensitive displays, so-called touch screen displays. However, because wearable electronic devices often have smaller screens than common smartphones or tablets, touch input functionality may be limited. Accordingly, a mechanical or electromechanical input part such as a crown or a wheel may be added to a wearable electronic device in order to assist with touch inputs.

A touch screen display may include a display panel (e.g. OLED panel) for outputting content and a touch panel for recognizing a touch input. A touch panel generally recognizes a touch input and determines the coordinates thereof by sensing a change of capacitance. Further, a touch panel differentiate different types of touch inputs, such as a direct touch and touch input (e.g., hovering) by approach based on the magnitudes of changes of capacitance even though the touch inputs may be received at the same position on the touch screen display. Document <CIT> refers to a touch device and a method of identifying edge swipe gesture in which signals on an edge area are sensed under a hover mode and signals on a non-edge area are sensed under a touch mode. Document <CIT> and its patent family member <CIT> relate to a method and an electronic device for providing haptic feedback in response to a touch of a user.

Wearable electronic devices often use the metal frame forming the sides thereof as an antenna to support cellular network communication. However, when a rotary wheel is disposed on the metal frame, the radiation performance of the antenna may be deteriorated. Further, when the rotary wheel is simply removed, the parts for assisting touch input decrease. An aspect of the disclosure is to provide an electronic device and method for accurately selecting an object displayed on a display using a touch input received in an outer region or a bezel region of the display.

The objects to implement in the disclosure are not limited to the technical problems described above and other objects that are not stated herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following specifications.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, an electronic device may be provided, which includes: a housing; a touch panel disposed in the housing; a display disposed in the housing; a cover window disposed on the touch panel, the cover window including a first region corresponding to the touch panel and a second region corresponding to a region outside the touch panel, and wherein the first region includes a first sub-region corresponding to an inner region of the touch panel and a second sub-region corresponding to an outer region of the touch panel, and a processor operationally combined with the touch panel and the display, wherein the processor is configured to: provide a user interface through the display; obtain a signal corresponding to a touch input from the touch panel while the user interface is provided, determine a region in which the touch input initially occurred, based on the signal, determine the touch input larger than a first critical value as a first type touch in response to the fact that the touch input has initially occurred in the <NUM>-<NUM> region; execute an event corresponding to the first type touch, based on the user interface and the first type touch; sense whether the touch input includes movement of touch coordinates in response to the fact that the touch input has initially occurred in the <NUM>-<NUM> region or the second region; determine the touch input as a second type touch discriminated from the first type touch in response to the fact that the touch input includes movement of the touch coordinates; and execute an event corresponding to the second type touch, based on the user interface and the second type touch.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method is provided for controlling an electronic device including a cover window, a touch panel, and a display. The method includes providing a user interface through the display; obtaining a signal corresponding to a touch input from the touch panel while the user interface is provided; determining a region in which the touch input initially occurred, based on the signal;
In response to determining that the touch input initially occurred in a first sub-region corresponding to an inner region of the touch panel, determining whether the touch input is greater than a first critical value, identifying the touch input as a first type of touch in response to the touch input being greater than the first critical value, and executing an event corresponding to the first type of touch, based on the user interface; and in response to determining that the touch input initially occurred in a second sub-region corresponding to an outer region of the touch panel or in a second region corresponding to a region outside the touch panel, determining whether the touch input includes a movement of touch coordinates, identifying the touch input as a second type of touch in response to the touch input including the movement of the touch coordinates, and executing an event corresponding to the second type of touch, based on the user interface.

Various respective aspects and features of the invention are defined in the appended claims. Combinations of features from the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims as appropriate and not merely as explicitly set out in the claims.

Furthermore, one or more selected features of any one embodiment described in this disclosure may be combined with one or more selected features of any other embodiment described herein, provided that the alternative combination of features at least partially alleviates the one or more technical problem discussed in this disclosure or at least partially alleviates a technical problem discernable by the skilled person from this disclosure and further provided that the particular combination or permutation of embodiment features thus formed would not be understood by the skilled person to be incompatible.

Two or more physically distinct components in any described example implementation of this disclosure may alternatively be integrated into a single component where possible, provided that the same function is performed by the single component thus formed. Conversely, a single component of any embodiment described in this disclosure may alternatively be implemented as two or more distinct components to achieve the same function, where appropriate.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the invention to solve, mitigate or obviate, at least partly, at least one of the problems and/or disadvantages associated with the prior art. Certain embodiments aim to provide at least one of the advantages described below.

The electronic device according to various embodiments can accurately select an object displayed on a display of the electronic device through touch input that is input in an outer region or a bezel region of the display.

The electronic device according to various embodiments provides a wheel touch that can operate a user interface disposed on the display without a user's finger covering the display, thereby being able to make a user more accurately control the electronic device. In particular, in a wearable electronic device having a small display, a user can control the electronic device to follow his/her intension by touching the outer region of a cover window without directly touching the inner portion of the display with a finger.

Various embodiments of the disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, specific details such as detailed configuration and components are merely provided to assist the overall understanding of these embodiments of the disclosure. Therefore, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

<FIG> illustrates an electronic device <NUM> in a network environment <NUM> according to an embodiment. Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> in a network environment <NUM> may communicate with an electronic device <NUM> via a first network <NUM> (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or an electronic device <NUM> or a server <NUM> via a second network <NUM> (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, an input device <NUM>, a sound output device <NUM>, a display device <NUM>, an audio module <NUM>, a sensor module <NUM>, an interface <NUM>, a haptic module <NUM>, a camera module <NUM>, a power management module <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, a communication module <NUM>, a subscriber identification module(SIM) <NUM>, and an antenna module <NUM>.

The memory <NUM> includes the volatile memory <NUM> and/or the non-volatile memory <NUM>.

The program <NUM> may be stored in the memory <NUM> as software, and includes, for example, an operating system (OS) <NUM>, middleware <NUM>, and an application <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the battery <NUM> may include, for example, a primary cell which is not rechargeable, a secondary cell which is rechargeable, and/or a fuel cell.

The communication module <NUM> may include one or more communication processors that are operable independently from the processor <NUM> (e.g., the AP) and supports a direct (e.g., wired) communication or a wireless communication. According to an embodiment, the communication module <NUM> includes a wireless communication module <NUM> (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) and a wired communication module <NUM> (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module or a power line communication (PLC) module).

An electronic device according to an embodiment may be one of various types of electronic devices.

Terms such as "1st" and "2nd," or "first" and "second" may be used to simply distinguish a corresponding component from another, and do not limit the components in other aspect (e.g., importance or order). It is to be understood that if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to, with or without the term "operatively" or "communicatively", as "coupled with," "coupled to," "connected with," or "connected to" another element (e.g., a second element), the element may be coupled with the other element directly (e.g., wiredly), wirelessly, or via a third element.

The term "non-transitory" simply means that the storage medium is a tangible device, and does not include a signal (e.g., an electromagnetic wave), but this term does not differentiate between where data is semi-permanently stored in the storage medium and where the data is temporarily stored in the storage medium.

A method according to an embodiment of the disclosure may be included and provided in a computer program product.

<FIG> illustrates an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment may include a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a touch panel <NUM>, a touch sensor IC <NUM>, a display <NUM>, a display driver IC (DDI) <NUM>, and a haptic device <NUM>, or a combination thereof. In another embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may omit one or more of the components or may additionally include other components.

In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> can control the entire operation of the electronic device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> can execute applications that provide messages, alarms, photographs, advertisements, the Internet, games, videos, etc. In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may include one processor core or a plurality of processor cores.

In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> can recognize signals of other components of the electronic device <NUM> or can receive data from other components of the electronic device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> can perform calculation, based on signals or data of other components of the electronic device <NUM>, or a combination of the signals and data. In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> can store the result of calculation in the memory <NUM>. In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> can transmit commands to other components of the electronic device <NUM>, based on the result of calculation. In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> can control the operations of other components of the electronic device <NUM> by transmitting commands to the other components of the electronic device <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> can process data or signals that are generated by applications. In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> can process the commands stored in the memory <NUM> to execute or control applications.

In an embodiment, the memory <NUM> may include a volatile or a nonvolatile memory. In an embodiment, the memory <NUM> can keep various data that are used by at least one component (e.g., the processor <NUM>) of the electronic device <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the touch panel <NUM> may include a plurality of touch sensors or channels that generate sensing signals (e.g., a touch sensing signal and an access sensing signal). In an embodiment, the touch panel <NUM> can transmit a sensing signal to the touch sensor IC <NUM>.

The touch sensor IC <NUM> can control the touch panel <NUM>, for example, to sense touch input or hovering input at a specific position on the display <NUM>. For example, the touch sensor IC <NUM> can sense touch input or hovering input by measuring a change of a signal (e.g., voltage, a light amount, resistance, or the amount of charge) at a specific position on the display <NUM>. The touch sensor IC <NUM> can provide information (e.g., a position, an area, pressure, or time) about the sensed touch input or hovering input to the processor <NUM>. In an embodiment, the touch sensor IC <NUM> may be included as a display driver IC <NUM>, a part of the display <NUM>, or a part of the processor <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the display <NUM> can display images corresponding to the data generated by the processor <NUM>.

The DDI <NUM> can receive, for example, image information including image data or an image control signal corresponding to a command for controlling image data from other components of the electronic device <NUM> through an interface module. According to an embodiment, the image information can be received from the processor <NUM>. The DDI <NUM> can communicate with the touch sensor IC <NUM> through the interface module.

In an embodiment, the display <NUM> and the touch panel <NUM> may be implemented by a screen. In an embodiment, when the display <NUM> and the touch panel <NUM> are implemented by a screen, the touch panel <NUM> may be disposed over the display <NUM>, may be disposed under the display <NUM>, or may be disposed in the display <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the haptic device <NUM> can generate vibration in response to a signal generated by the processor <NUM>. In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> can control the haptic device <NUM> to generate vibration, based on a signal generated from the touch panel <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may be understood as a control unit. The processor <NUM> according to an embodiment may include at least one of an AP (application processor) and a CP (communication processor) that controls the functions of the electronic device <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the memory <NUM> may be understood as a storage unit. The memory <NUM> according to an embodiment may be understood as various type of storage units that store data of the electronic device <NUM>. The display panel <NUM> may understood as a display unit. The display panel <NUM> may include a display unit that displays contents on a screen of the electronic device <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a cross-section (A-A') of a region where a touch input occurs in an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device according to an embodiment may include a housing <NUM>, a cover window <NUM> forming the surface of the housing <NUM>, a touch panel <NUM> disposed under the cover window <NUM>, a display <NUM> disposed under the cover window <NUM> and seen from the outside through the cover window <NUM>, a circuit board <NUM> in the housing, at least one processor <NUM> mounted on the circuit board <NUM>, and/or a haptic device <NUM> mounted on the circuit board <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the touch panel <NUM> may be disposed under or on the display <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the display and the touch panel <NUM> may be integrally formed. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may include a touch screen panel (TSP) in which the display <NUM> and the touch panel <NUM> are integrally formed.

According to an embodiment, when the electronic device <NUM> executes an application kept in a memory (the memory <NUM> shown in <FIG>), the UI of the application can be displayed through the display <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, a touch sensor IC (e.g., the touch sensor IC <NUM> shown in <FIG>) can receive a signal generated by touch input from the touch panel <NUM> and obtain data about the position where the touch input occurs, based on the signal generated by the touch input. The processor <NUM> can receive the data about position information from the touch sensor IC. The touch sensor IC may be included as a part of the processor <NUM>. In the following description, the operation of the touch sensor IC is included in the operation of the processor for the convenience of description.

A touch input may be generated by an external object that the touch panel <NUM> can sense, such as a finger of a user, a touch pen, or a stylus pen.

According to an embodiment, the touch panel <NUM> may be composed of a plurality of channels and the processor <NUM> can determine the positions where touch input occurs, based on signals generated from the channels. For example, when a signal is generated at a first channel disposed at a first position of the channels by touch input, the touch panel <NUM> can determine that the touch input has occurred at the first position of the touch panel, based on the signal generated at the first channel disposed at the first position.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> can determine that touch input has occurred in a specific region of the touch panel <NUM> in response that the magnitude of a signal generated at the touch panel <NUM> exceeds a predetermined critical value.

The processor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment is operationally combined with the memory (e.g., the memory <NUM> shown in <FIG>), the display <NUM>, and/or the touch panel <NUM> and can control a UI that corresponds to the position of touch input obtained through the touch panel <NUM>, based on the position of the touch input.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> can provide a UI related to touch input while the processor <NUM> is activated or inactivated. For example, even though the processor <NUM> is in a sleep mode, the processor <NUM> can sense touch input through the touch panel <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> can provide a UI related to touch input while the display <NUM> is activated or inactivated. For example, even though the display <NUM> is turned off, the processor <NUM> can sense touch input through the touch panel <NUM>. As another example, the processor <NUM> can sense touch input through the entire region of the touch panel <NUM> in a mode in which only a portion of the display <NUM> is activated (Always on Display (AOD) mode).

According to an embodiment, the portion related to a wheel event in the UI displayed on the display <NUM> can be operated by touch input. For example, a UI includes an object that can be scrolled or rotated, the processor <NUM> can control the object to be scrolled or rotated, based on touch input through the touch panel <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the cover window <NUM> is disposed on the touch panel <NUM> and the display <NUM> and can protect the touch panel <NUM> and the display <NUM> from an external shock. The cover window <NUM> may be made of a transparent material (e.g., a polymer or glass), so the display <NUM> can be seen from the outside through the cover window <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the cover window <NUM> has a first region <NUM> corresponding to the touch panel <NUM> (or the display <NUM>) and a second region <NUM> corresponding to a region <NUM> in which the touch panel <NUM> (or the display <NUM>) does not exist. The second region <NUM> of the cover window <NUM> is a region not overlapping the touch panel, and the touch panel <NUM> and the display <NUM> may not be disposed under the second region <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the first region <NUM> of the cover window has a first sub-region <NUM>-<NUM> corresponding to a first group of the channels of the touch panel <NUM> and a second sub-region <NUM>-<NUM> corresponding to a second group of the channels of the touch panel <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the second group may correspond to outer channels of the channels of the touch panel <NUM> and the first group may correspond to channels excluding the outer channels of the channels of the touch panel <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the second group may correspond to outermost channels disposed the most outside of the channels of the touch panel <NUM> and the first group may correspond to channels excluding the outermost channels of the channels of the touch panel <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, touch input may be generated on the cover window <NUM> and the processor <NUM> can determine where the touch input has occurred on the cover window <NUM> through the touch panel <NUM> disposed under the cover window <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> can determine which one of the first sub-region <NUM>-<NUM>, the second sub-region <NUM>-<NUM>, or the second region <NUM> of the cover window <NUM> the touch input has occurred in, through the touch panel <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, touch input may include hovering input too. When the processor <NUM> (e.g., the touch sensor IC) senses the hovering input, the touch input may not be generated on the surface of the cover window <NUM>. For example, the touch input may be generated when the user's finger is placed within a predetermined distance from the surface of the cover window <NUM>. For example, depending on a critical value for sensing a touch input (e.g., the second critical value shown in <FIG>), a hovering input that is generated away from the surface of the cover window <NUM> and is lower in sensitivity than touch that is generated on the surface of the cover window <NUM> can also be sensed by the processor <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, touch input that the processor <NUM> can sense through the touch panel <NUM> may include a first type of touch and a second type of touch.

According to an embodiment, the first type of touch may correspond to a touch that is directly input to a region of a UI to be controlled. For example, when the processor <NUM> senses a first type of touch through the touch panel <NUM>, the processor <NUM> can select, move, scroll, enlarge, or reduce an object in the UI corresponding to the region in which the first type of touch has been sensed.

According to an embodiment, the second type of touch may be input to a region different from the UI to be controlled and indirectly controls the UI. The second type of touch, which is a touch input generating a wheel event, may include an initial touch and a subsequent touch with the initial touch maintained. For example, the second type of touch may be a touch input that moves along the edge of the cover window <NUM> with an initial touch maintained. According to an embodiment, the initial touch of the second type of touch may be generated in the second sub-region <NUM>-<NUM> as well as the second region <NUM>.

For example, when the processor <NUM> senses a second type of touch in the second region <NUM> through the touch panel <NUM>, the processor <NUM> can select, change, switch, move, scroll, enlarge, or reduce an object in the UI corresponding to the first region <NUM>, not to the second region <NUM> in which the second type of touch has been sensed. As another example, when the processor <NUM> senses a second type of touch in the second sub-region <NUM>-<NUM> through the touch panel <NUM>, the processor <NUM> can select, change, convert, move, scroll, enlarge, or reduce a portion or the entire of the UI corresponding to the first sub-region <NUM>-<NUM>, not to the second sub-region <NUM>-<NUM> in which the second type of touch has been sensed.

According to an embodiment, in response to a second type of touch sensed through the touch panel <NUM>, the processor <NUM> can execute an event corresponding to the second type of touch. The event corresponding to the second type of touch may include an operation that selects, changes, switches, moves, scrolls, enlarges, or reduces a portion or the entire of a UI. For example, the processor <NUM> can switch a first application that is being displayed on the display <NUM> with a second application different from the first application in response to a second type of touch at the point in time of an input of the touch.

According to another embodiment, the event corresponding to the second type of touch may include an operation that does not change an object in a UI. For example, an operation that changes the brightness of the display <NUM> or adjusts the volume of a multimedia application may not cause a change of an object in a UI.

According to an embodiment, the haptic device <NUM> can generate vibration in response to touch input. When the processor <NUM> senses touch input through the touch panel <NUM>, the processor <NUM> can provide feedback corresponding to the touch input to a user by vibrating the electronic device <NUM> through the haptic device <NUM>. For example, when touch input that the processor <NUM> senses through the touch panel <NUM> is a second type of touch, the processor <NUM> can control the haptic device <NUM> to generate a vibration, based on at least one of the movement distance of the touch input, the intensity of the touch input, duration time of the touch input, etc..

<FIG> illustrates an enlargement of area B in <FIG> according to an embodiment. <FIG> illustrates a graph showing characteristics of signals generated at an outermost channel of a touch panel according to an embodiment. <FIG> illustrates a graph comparing a signal generated at an outermost channel and a signal generated at a channel close to the outermost channel in the touch panel according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> can determine the type of touch input, based on at least one of the magnitude of a signal sensed through the touch panel <NUM>, the region in which a signal has been generated, or whether there is a moving touch. When a signal exceeding a specific critical value is generated, the electronic device <NUM> can sense the signal as a touch input. When the touch input is sensed, the electronic device <NUM> can determine which region of the cover window <NUM> the touch input has occurred in. The electronic device <NUM> can determine the type of touch input, based on whether a moving touch following an initial touch is sensed. According to an embodiment, a moving touch may correspond to movement of touch coordinates that are obtained through the touch panel <NUM> while a touch is maintained.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> can compare the magnitude of a signal generated from the touch panel <NUM> with a first critical value V1 to sense touch input. When the magnitude of a signal exceeds the first critical value V1, the electronic device <NUM> can sense touch input and perform an operation corresponding to the touch input.

According to an embodiment, the distance d2 between the outermost channel <NUM> of the touch panel <NUM> and a finger, when a touch T2 is generated in the second region <NUM>, may be larger than the distance d1 between the outermost channel <NUM> of the touch panel <NUM> and a finger, when a touch T1 is input in the second sub-region <NUM>-<NUM>. Accordingly, the signal generated at the outermost channel <NUM> by the touch input T2 in the second region <NUM> may be lower than the first critical value V1. Therefore, when the electronic device <NUM> senses touch input, based on the first critical value V1, it may not sense touch input occurring in the second region <NUM>.

According to the invention, the electronic device <NUM> can sense touch input in the second region <NUM>. According to the invention, the electronic device <NUM> senses touch input occurring in the second region <NUM> by comparing a signal due to a touch T2 in the second region <NUM> with a second critical value V2, which is lower than the first critical value V1. For example, even though a signal lower than the first critical value V2 is generated at the outermost channel <NUM> of the touch panel <NUM> by touch input, the electronic device <NUM> can recognize the signal as a touch input.

When a finger approaches the second sub-region <NUM>-<NUM> with a gap from the surface of the cover window <NUM> (hereafter, hover) H, a signal larger than the second critical value V2 for sensing touch input that is generated in the second region <NUM> may be generated at the outermost channel <NUM>. However, a signal generated in the second sub-region <NUM>-<NUM> and exceeding the second critical value V2 is caused by hover H, not by a touch, so the electronic device <NUM> should not determine that as a touch input. Accordingly, when a signal exceeding the second critical value V2 is generated at the outermost channel <NUM> by the touch input, the electronic device <NUM> should know whether the signal has been generated in the second sub-region <NUM>-<NUM> or has been generated in the second region <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, when the electronic device <NUM> senses a signal exceeding the second critical value V2 through the outermost channel <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> can recognize the region in which the signal has been generated by comparing a signal Vb generated at the outermost channel <NUM> and a signal Va generated at a channel <NUM> adjacent to the outermost channel <NUM>.

For example, when the ratio of the signal Vb generated at the outermost channel <NUM> to the signal Va generated at the channel <NUM> adjacent to the outermost channel <NUM> exceeds a predetermined value, the electronic device <NUM> can determine that the signal has been generated in the second region <NUM>. When the ratio of the signal Vb generated at the outermost channel <NUM> to the signal Va generated at the channel <NUM> adjacent to the outermost channel <NUM> is within the predetermined value, the electronic device <NUM> can determine that the signal has been generated in the second sub-region <NUM>-<NUM>.

According to an embodiment, when a signal sensed at the outermost channel <NUM> exceeds the first critical value V1, the electronic device <NUM> can recognize that touch input has occurred in the second sub-region <NUM>-<NUM>. When the signal Vb sensed at the outermost channel <NUM> exceeds the second critical value V2 and the ratio of the signal Vb generated at the outermost channel <NUM> to a signal Va generated at the channel <NUM> adjacent to the outermost channel <NUM> exceeds the predetermined value, the electronic device <NUM> can recognize that a touch input has occurred in the second region <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> can determine the type of sensed touch input by determining whether the touch input includes movement of touch coordinates. For example, when first touch input is sensed in the second sub-region <NUM>-<NUM> and includes a moving touch following an initial touch, the electronic device <NUM> can determine the first touch input as a second type of touch. However, when the first touch input does not include a moving touch following the initial touch, the electronic device <NUM> can determine the first touch input as a first type of touch.

According to an embodiment, since whether the first touch input is a first type of touch or a second type of touch is unclear at a first point in time when the initial touch of the first touch input has been sensed in the second sub-region <NUM>-<NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> can recognize the first touch input as one of a first type of touch or a second type of touch in accordance with a moving touch following the initial touch.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> can determine the touch input sensed in the first region as a first type of touch. For example, a touch input exceeding the first critical value and generated in the first sub-region <NUM>-<NUM> may be a first type of touch.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> can determine a touch input sensed in the second sub-region as a second type of touch when the touch input includes a moving touch. For example, a touch input exceeding the first critical value, generated in the second sub-region <NUM>-<NUM>, and including a moving touch may be a second type of touch. A touch input exceeding the first critical value and generated in the second sub-region <NUM>-<NUM>, but not including a moving touch, may be a first type of touch.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> can determine a touch input sensed in the second region <NUM> as a second type of touch when the touch input includes a moving touch. For example, a touch input exceeding the second critical value, generated in the second region <NUM>, and including a moving touch, may be a second type of touch.

<FIG> illustrates a second type of touch started from a second region of a cover window in an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, a cover window <NUM> forming the surface of the housing <NUM>, a touch panel disposed under the cover window <NUM>, a display disposed under the cover window <NUM> and shown from the outside through the cover window <NUM>, a circuit board in the housing, at least one processor mounted on the circuit board, and/or a haptic device mounted on the circuit board.

According to an embodiment, the cover window <NUM> has a first region <NUM> corresponding to the touch panel <NUM> (or the display <NUM>) and a second region <NUM> corresponding to a bezel region <NUM> in which the touch panel (or the display <NUM>) does not exist. The second region <NUM> of the cover window <NUM> is a region not overlapping the touch panel, and the touch panel and/or the display may not be disposed under the second region <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the first region <NUM> of the cover window <NUM> includes a first sub-region <NUM>-<NUM> corresponding to a first group of the channels of the touch panel and a second sub-region <NUM>-<NUM> corresponding to a second group of the channels of the touch panel. According to an embodiment, the second group may correspond to outer channels of the channels of the touch panel and the first group may correspond to channels excluding the outer channels of the channels of the touch panel. According to an embodiment, the second group may correspond to outermost channels disposed the most outside of the channels of the touch panel and the first group may correspond to channels excluding the outermost channels of the channels of the touch panel.

According to an embodiment, when a signal exceeding a second critical value (e.g., the second critical value V2 of <FIG>) is sensed at a channel of the touch panel which corresponds to a first point P1 at a first point in time, the electronic device <NUM> can sense the signal as touch input T1 or T2.

According to an embodiment, when initial touches of a first touch input T1 and a second touch input T2 are sensed in the second region <NUM> and include a moving touch, the electronic device <NUM> can determine that the first touch input T1 and the second touch input T2 as second type of touches, regardless of the route of the moving touch. For example, the moving touches of the touch inputs T1 and T2 can be generated in the second region <NUM> and in the first region <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> can determine the first touch input T1 as a second type of touch, based on the first touch input T1 moving from a first point P1 in the second region <NUM> to a second point P2 in the second region <NUM>. In detail, the first touch input T1 may include touch input sensed at the first point P1 at the first point in time, drag input moving from the first point to the second point P2 from the first point in time to the second point in time, and input released at the second point P2 at the second point in time.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> can determine the second touch input T2 as a second type of touch, based on the second touch input T2 moving from the first point P1 in the second region <NUM> to a third point P3 in the first region <NUM>. In detail, the second touch input T2 may include a touch input sensed at the first point P1 at the first point in time, a drag input moving from the first point to the third point P3 from the first point in time to the second point in time, and an input released at the third point P3 at the second point in time.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> can determine the first touch T1 as a second type of touch when the angle θ between the first point P1 and the second point P2 from the center of the cover window <NUM> is greater than or equal to a predetermined angle. For example, when the angle θ between the first point P1 and the second point P2 from the center of the cover window <NUM> is <NUM> degrees or more, the electronic device <NUM> can determine the first touch input T1 as a second type of touch and generate an event corresponding to the second type of touch.

According to an embodiment, the second type of touch may include a touch moving from the first point P1 to the second point P2, stopping at the second point P2 for a predetermined time, and then moving to the third point P3 while the touch is maintained. According to an embodiment, the movement direction of the second type of touch may include a clockwise direction, a counterclockwise direction, and a combination thereof. For example, the second type of touch may include a touch moving clockwise and then moving counterclockwise while the touch is maintained. As another example, the second type of touch may include a touch moving clockwise, then moving counterclockwise, and finally moving clockwise while the touch is maintained. According to an embodiment, the route of the second type of touch is not limited to the embodiments described above and may be varied.

<FIG> illustrates a second type of touch starting in a second sub-region of a cover window in an electronic device according to an embodiment. Since much of <FIG> is similar to <FIG>, repeated descriptions of <FIG> are omitted below.

Referring to <FIG>, when a signal exceeding a first critical value (e.g., the first critical value V1 of <FIG>) is sensed at a channel of the touch panel, which corresponds to a first point P1 in the second sub-region <NUM>-<NUM> at a first point in time, the electronic device <NUM> can sense the signal as touch input T1 or T2.

According to an embodiment, when initial touches of a first touch input T1 and a second touch input T2 are sensed in the second sub-region <NUM>-<NUM> and include a moving touch, the electronic device <NUM> can determine that each of the first touch input T1 and the second touch input T2 is a second type of touch, regardless of the route of the moving touch. For example, the moving touches of the touch inputs T1 and T2 can be generated in the second sub-region <NUM>-<NUM> and in the first sub-region <NUM>-<NUM> and/or the second region <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> can determine the first touch input T1 as a second type of touch, based on the first touch input T1 moving from the first point P1 to the second point P2 in the second sub-region <NUM>-<NUM>, following the initial touch input at the first point P1 in the second sub-region <NUM>-<NUM> at the first point in time.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> can determine the second touch input T2 as a second type of touch, based on the second touch input T2 moving from the first point P1 to the third point P3 in the second region <NUM>, following the initial touch input at the first point P1 in the second sub-region <NUM>-<NUM> at the first point in time.

According to an embodiment, when a signal exceeding a first critical value (e.g., the first critical value V1 of <FIG>) is sensed at a channel of the touch panel which corresponds to a fourth point P4 in the second sub-region <NUM>-<NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> can sense the signal as touch input T2.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> can determine a third touch input T3 as a first type of touch, based on the third touch input T3 not moving after the initial touch input at the first point P1 in the second sub-region <NUM>-<NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates haptic feedback corresponding to a second type of touch according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> shown in <FIG>) of the electronic device <NUM> can provide feedback related to an event corresponding to a second type of touch to a user by vibrating the electronic device <NUM> through a haptic device (e.g., the haptic device <NUM> shown in <FIG>) while the event corresponding to the second type of touch is generated.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> can adjust the intensity and/or frequency of the vibration that is generated through the haptic device, based on at least one of the moving speed and acceleration of a touch.

According to an embodiment, vibrations can be generated, based on the movement distance of a second type of touch while an event corresponding to the second type of touch is generated. For example, it is possible to generate vibrations at the second point P2 moving at first angle θ1 from the first point P1 and generate vibrations at the third point P3 moving at a second angle θ2 from the second point P2. According to an embodiment, the first angle θ1 and the second angle θ2 may be the same.

According to an embodiment, when there are an upper limit and a lower limit in the operation in the UI related to the event corresponding to the second type of touch, the electronic device <NUM> can inform a user that the operation in the UI has reached the upper limit or the lower limit by generating vibration through the haptic device when the second type of touch reaches the lower limit or the upper limit. According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> can generate vibrations with a first intensity through the haptic device before the second type of touch reaches the upper limit or the lower limit, and can generate vibrations with a second intensity when the second type of touch reaches the upper limit or the lower limit. For example, when the fourth point P4 corresponds to the lower limit of the second type of touch, the electronic device <NUM> can generate vibrations through the haptic device in response to the second type of touch reaching the fourth point P4. The intensity of the vibrations generated at the fourth point P4 may be larger than the intensity of the vibrations generated at the second point P2 and the third point P3.

The pattern of vibration that is generated through the haptic device while the event corresponding to the second type of touch is generated is not limited to the embodiments described above and may be varied.

According to an embodiment, the processor of the electronic device <NUM> can provide feedback related to an event corresponding to the second type of touch to a user by generating a sound through a sound device (e.g., a speaker) in the electronic device <NUM> while the event is generated.

<FIG> is a flow chart illustrating a method of executing an event corresponding to a touch input in an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, a processor of an electronic device can sense a signal that is generated at a touch panel by a touch input in step <NUM>. When a user's finger approaches a cover window (e.g., the cover window <NUM> shown in <FIG>), the touch panel can generate a signal in response to a change of the capacitance due to the approach of the user's finger, and the processor included in the electronic device can sense a corresponding signal. The touch panel can sense the approach of a user's finger and/or a touch pen or stylus pen of the user, and contact between a finger and a cover window which is described hereafter may include contact between the cover window and a touch pen, etc..

In step <NUM>, the processor can determine whether the signal generated in step <NUM> has been generated by contact between a user's finger and a touch screen by comparing the signal sensed in step <NUM> with a specific critical value. Since the touch screen is substantially protected by a cover window having predetermined strength to protect hardware (a panel), the contact between a finger and the touch screen can be understood as contact between the finger and a portion of the cover window corresponding to the touch screen.

In an embodiment, when a signal sensed at a specific channel of a plurality of channels included in the touch panel of the touch screen has touch sensitivity lower than a first critical value (e.g., the first critical value V1 of <FIG>), the electronic device can ignore the signal without recognizing the signal as a touch input. When a signal sensed at a specific channel, e.g., channels included in a first group exceeds the first critical value, the electronic device can identify the signal as a touch input. In an embodiment, the channels included in the first group may be channels of the touch panel that are disposed in a predetermined range from the center of the touch screen.

In step <NUM>, the processor can sense a touch input having touch sensitivity smaller than the first critical value, but larger than a second critical value (e.g., the second critical value V2 of <FIG>). For example, when a signal sensed at some channels of the channels included in the touch panel has a touch sensitivity between the first critical value and the second critical value, the processor can use the sensed signal to perform a designated function. For example, when a signal sensed at some channels, e.g., channels included in a second group has touch sensitivity between the first critical value and the second critical value, the electronic device can determine the touch input as a second type of touch. In an embodiment, the channels included in the second group may be channels of the touch panel that are disposed outside a predetermined range from the center of the touch screen. In various embodiments, the channels included in the second group may be disposed farthest outside of the touch screen or the other channels not included in the first group.

In step <NUM>, the processor determines the type of the sensed touch input. The electronic device can determine whether a touch input is a second type of touch, based on at least one of the region in which the touch input occurs, the magnitude of a signal corresponding to the touch input, and whether the touch input moves in a predetermined direction or at a predetermined angle from the point in time when the touch input has been initially sensed.

In step <NUM>, the processor generates an event corresponding to the touch input, based on the determined type of the touch input. For example, the event corresponding to the second type of touch may include rotation, scroll, etc., of an object displayed on the display. While the event is generated, the processor can control a haptic device (e.g., the haptic device <NUM> shown in <FIG>) of the electronic device to generate vibration corresponding to the event.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining a type of touch input sensed by a touch panel in an electronic device according to an embodiment. For example, the method of <FIG> will be described below with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, in step <NUM>, the processor <NUM> senses a signal based on a user input from the touch panel <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, in an operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> can determine whether a signal Vb generated at the outermost channel <NUM> exceeds the second critical value V2. When the signal Vb generated at the outermost channel <NUM> is within the second critical value V2, the signal may not be recognized as touch input.

When the signal Vb generated at the outermost channel <NUM> exceeds the second critical value V2, in an operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> can determine that the signal has been generated in the second region <NUM> when the ratio of the signal Vb generated at the outermost channel <NUM> to the signal Va generated at the channel <NUM> adjacent to the outermost channel <NUM> exceeds a predetermined value β. In the operation <NUM>, when the ratio of the signal Vb generated at the outermost channel <NUM> to the signal Va generated at the channel <NUM> adjacent to the outermost channel <NUM> is within the predetermined value β, the processor <NUM> can determine that the signal has been generated in the <NUM>-<NUM> region <NUM>-<NUM>.

According to an embodiment, in an operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> can determine touch input sensed in the second region <NUM> as a second type touch when the touch input includes a moving touch.

When the signal Vb generated from the outermost channel <NUM> and adjacent to the outermost channel <NUM> When the ratio of the signal Va generated in the channel <NUM> is not greater than the predetermined value β, thhe processor <NUM> determines that the signal Vb sensed in the outermost channel <NUM> exceeds the first threshold value V1.

According to an embodiment, in an operation <NUM>, when a signal Vb sensed at the outermost channel <NUM> exceeds the first critical value V1, the processor <NUM> can recognize that touch input has occurred in the <NUM>-<NUM> region <NUM>-<NUM>.

According to an embodiment, in an operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> can determine touch input sensed in the <NUM>-<NUM> region <NUM>-<NUM> as a second type touch when the touch input includes a moving touch.

In an operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> can determine touch input occurring in the <NUM>-<NUM> region <NUM>-<NUM> but not including a moving touch as a first type touch.

According to an embodiment, in an operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> can execute an event corresponding to each touch.

An electronic device (the electronic device <NUM> shown in <FIG>) according to an embodiment includes a housing (e.g., the housing <NUM> shown in <FIG>); a touch panel (e.g., the touch panel <NUM> shown in <FIG>) disposed in the housing; a display (e.g., the display <NUM> shown in <FIG>) disposed in the housing; a cover window (e.g., the cover window <NUM> shown in <FIG>) disposed on the touch panel and having a first region (e.g., the first region <NUM> shown in <FIG>) corresponding to the touch panel and a second region (e.g., the first region <NUM> shown in <FIG>) corresponding to a region outside the touch panel in which the first region includes a first sub-region (e.g., the first sub region <NUM>-<NUM> shown in <FIG>) corresponding to an inner region of the touch panel and a second sub-region (e.g., the second sub region <NUM>-<NUM>) corresponding to an outer region of the touch panel; and a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> shown in <FIG>) operationally combined with the touch panel and the display, in which the processor may be configured to: provide a user interface through the display; obtain a signal by touch input from the touch panel while the user interface is provided; determine a region in which the touch input has initially occurred, based on the signal; determine the touch input larger than a first critical value as a first type of touch in response to the fact that the touch input has initially occurred in the first sub-region; execute an event corresponding to the first type of touch, based on the user interface and the first type of touch; sense whether the touch input includes movement of touch coordinates in response to the fact that the touch input has initially occurred in the second sub-region or the second region; determine the touch input as a second type of touch discriminated from the first type of touch in response to the touch input includes movement of the touch coordinates; and execute an event corresponding to the second type of touch, based on the user interface and the second type of touch.

The touch panel of the electronic device according to an embodiment may include a plurality of channels; the plurality of channels may include a first group corresponding to channels adjacent outermost channels (the channel <NUM> adjacent to the outermost channel shown in <FIG>) of the plurality of channels and a second group corresponding to the outermost channels (the outermost channel <NUM> shown in <FIG>) of the plurality of channels; and the processor may be further configured to: obtain a first signal and a second signal by the touch input from the first group and the second group; determine that the touch input has occurred in the second sub-region in response to the fact that the magnitude of the second signal is larger than the first critical value; and determine that the signal has been generated in the second region in response to the fact that magnitude of the second signal exceeds a second critical value lower than the first critical value and a ratio of the magnitude of the second signal to magnitude of the first signal exceeds a predetermined value.

In the electronic device according to an embodiment, the movement of the touch coordinates may correspond to movement over a predetermined angle about a center of the touch panel.

In the electronic device according to an embodiment, the processor may be further configured to ignore touch input that is input to the cover window while the second type of touch is input and is different from the second type of touch input.

In the electronic device according to an embodiment, the event corresponding to the second type of touch may include at least one of selecting, changing, switching, scrolling, moving, enlarging, or reducing a portion or the entire of the user interface in accordance with the second type of touch.

In the electronic device according to an embodiment, the event corresponding to the second type of touch may include an event that is generated while the user interface is maintained.

The electronic device according to an embodiment may further include a haptic device (e.g., the haptic device <NUM> shown in <FIG>) operationally combined with the processor, in which the processor may be further configured to control the haptic device to generate vibration, based on the second type of touch while executing the event corresponding to the second type of touch.

In the electronic device according to an embodiment, the processor may be further configured to control the haptic device to generate vibration, based on at least one of a movement distance of the second type of touch, a speed of the second type of touch, and acceleration of the second type of touch.

In the electronic device according to an embodiment, the processor may be further configured to: sense whether the second type of touch reaches an upper limit or a lower limit when there is the upper limit or the lower limit related to the second type of touch in the user interface; control the haptic device to generate vibration with first intensity before the second type of touch reaches the upper limit or the lower limit; and control the haptic device to generate vibration with second intensity different from the first intensity when the second type of touch reaches the upper limit or the lower limit.

In the electronic device according to an embodiment, the second type of touch may pass through the first region and/or the second region.

A method of controlling an electronic device including a cover window, a touch panel, and a display in accordance with an embodiment may include providing a user interface through the display; obtaining a signal by touch input from the touch panel while the user interface is provided; determining a region in which the touch input has initially occurred, based on the signal; determining the touch input larger than a first critical value as a first type of touch in response to the fact that the touch input has initially occurred in a first sub-region corresponding to an inner region of the touch panel, and executing an event corresponding to the first type of touch, based on the user interface and the first type of touch; sensing whether the touch input includes movement of touch coordinates in response to the fact that the touch input has initially occurred in a second sub-region corresponding to an outer region of the touch panel or in a second region corresponding to a region outside the touch panel; determining the touch input as a second type of touch discriminated from the first type of touch in response to the fact that the touch input includes movement of the touch coordinates; and executing an event corresponding to the second type of touch, based on the user interface and the second type of touch.

The method may further include obtaining a first signal and a second signal by the touch input respectively from a first group corresponding to channels adjacent to outermost channels of a plurality of channels included in the touch panel and a second group corresponding to the outermost channel of the plurality of channels; determining that the touch input has occurred in a second sub-region in response to the fact that magnitude of the second signal is larger than the first critical value; and determining that the signal has been generated in the second region in response to the fact that the magnitude of the second signal exceeds a second critical value lower than the first critical value and a ratio of the magnitude of the second signal to magnitude of the first signal exceeds a predetermined value.

In the method of controlling an electronic device according to an embodiment, the movement of the touch coordinates may correspond to movement over a predetermined angle about a center of the touch panel.

In the method of controlling an electronic device according to an embodiment, the event corresponding to the second type of touch may include at least one of selecting, changing, switching, scrolling, moving, enlarging, or reducing a portion or the entire of the user interface in accordance with the second type of touch.

In the method of controlling an electronic device according to an embodiment, the event corresponding to the second type of touch may include an event that is generated while the user interface is maintained.

The method of controlling an electronic device according to an embodiment may further include controlling a haptic device of the electronic device to generate vibration, based on the second touch input while executing the event corresponding to the second type of touch.

The method of controlling an electronic device according to an embodiment may further include controlling the haptic device to generate vibration, based on at least one of a movement distance of the second type of touch, a speed of the second type of touch, and acceleration of the second type of touch.

The method of controlling an electronic device according to an embodiment may further include sensing whether the second type of touch reaches an upper limit or a lower limit when there is the upper limit or the lower limit related to the second type of touch in the user interface; controlling the haptic device to generate vibration with first intensity before the second type of touch reaches the upper limit or the lower limit; and controlling the haptic device to generate vibration with second intensity different from the first intensity when the second type of touch reaches the upper limit or the lower limit.

In the method of controlling an electronic device according to an embodiment, the second type of touch may pass through the first region and/or the second region.

The scope of protection is defined by the appended independent claims. Further features are specified by the appended dependent claims. Example implementations can be realized comprising one or more features of any claim taken jointly and severally in any and all permutations.

The examples described in this disclosure include non-limiting example implementations of components corresponding to one or more features specified by the appended independent claims and these features (or their corresponding components) either individually or in combination may contribute to ameliorating one or more technical problems deducible by the skilled person from this disclosure.

Furthermore, one or more selected component of any one example described in this disclosure may be combined with one or more selected component of any other one or more example described in this disclosure, or alternatively may be combined with features of an appended independent claim to form a further alternative example.

Further example implementations can be realized comprising one or more components of any herein described implementation taken jointly and severally in any and all permutations. Yet further example implementations may also be realized by combining features of one or more of the appended claims with one or more selected components of any example implementation described herein.

In forming such further example implementations, some components of any example implementation described in this disclosure may be omitted. The one or more components that may be omitted are those components that the skilled person would directly and unambiguously recognize as being not, as such, indispensable for the function of the present technique in the light of a technical problem discernible from this disclosure. The skilled person would recognize that replacement or removal of such an omitted components does not require modification of other components or features of the further alternative example to compensate for the change. Thus further example implementations may be included, according to the present technique, even if the selected combination of features and/or components is not specifically recited in this disclosure.

Two or more physically distinct components in any described example implementation of this disclosure may alternatively be integrated into a single component where possible, provided that the same function is performed by the single component thus formed. Conversely, a single component of any example implementation described in this disclosure may alternatively be implemented as two or more distinct components to achieve the same function, where appropriate.

In the above-described detailed embodiments of the disclosure, an element included in the disclosure may be expressed in the singular or the plural according to presented detailed embodiments.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), comprising:
a touch panel (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a display (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a cover window (<NUM>) disposed on the touch panel (<NUM>, <NUM>), the cover window (<NUM>) including a first region (<NUM>) corresponding to the touch panel (<NUM>, <NUM>) and a second region (<NUM>) corresponding to a region (<NUM>) outside the touch panel (<NUM>, <NUM>), and wherein the first region (<NUM>) includes a first sub-region (<NUM>-<NUM>) corresponding to an inner region of the touch panel (<NUM>, <NUM>) and a second sub-region (<NUM>-<NUM>) corresponding to an outer region of the touch panel (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
a processor (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to:
provide a user interface through the display (<NUM>, <NUM>),
obtain a signal corresponding to a touch input from the touch panel (<NUM>, <NUM>) while the user interface is provided,
determine in which of the first sub-region (<NUM>-<NUM>), the second sub-region (<NUM>-<NUM>), and the second region (<NUM>) of the cover window (<NUM>) the touch input initially occurred, based on the signal,
in response to determining that the touch input initially occurred in the first sub-region (<NUM>-<NUM>), determine whether a magnitude of the signal is greater than a first critical value, identify the touch input as a first type of touch in response to the magnitude of the signal being greater than the first critical value, and execute an event corresponding to the first type of touch, based on the user interface, and
in response to determining that the touch input initially occurred in the second sub-region (<NUM>-<NUM>) or the second region (<NUM>), determine whether the touch input includes movement of touch coordinates, identify the touch input as a second type of touch in response to the touch input including the movement of the touch coordinates, and execute an event corresponding to the second type of touch, based on the user interface, wherein the processor is configured to determine the touch input occurred in the second region (<NUM>) by comparing the magnitude of the signal with a second critical value being lower than the first critical value.