This Application claims priority of Taiwan Patent Application No. 096147925, filed on Dec. 14, 2007, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
1. Field of the Invention
The disclosure relates generally to function switch methods and systems, and, more particularly to function switch methods and systems that switch functions according to a touch force on a touch-sensitive device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, portable devices, such as handheld devices, have become more and more technically advanced and multifunctional. For example, a handheld device may have e-mail message capabilities, an advanced address book management system, a media playback system, and various other functions. Due to increased convenience and functions of the devices, these devices have become necessities of life.
Handheld devices may provide input devices for users to control applications and/or functions. For example, a handheld device may be equipped with a touch-sensitive device for users to perform related operations. Users can slide their fingers on the touch-sensitive device, and accordingly perform related operations for respective functions. Generally, when users want to switch between functions, they must repeatedly unfold, move, and select specific items on menus to achieve the objective of switching functions. The aforementioned operations for switching between the various functions are complicated, inconvenient, and time-consuming for users. In some situations, more time is spent on switching functions than that on performing an actual operation of the function.
Function switch methods and systems are provided.
In an embodiment of a function switch method for use in an electronic device having a touch-sensitive device, the touch-sensitive device is touched by an input tool. Then, it is determined to switch between functions according to a force of the input tool touching the touch-sensitive device.
An embodiment of a function switch system comprises a touch-sensitive device and a processing unit. The touch-sensitive device is touched by an input tool. The processing unit is coupled to the touch-sensitive device, and determines to switch between functions according to a force of the input tool touching the touch-sensitive device.
Function switch methods and systems may take the form of a program code embodied in a tangible media. When the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the disclosed method.
The invention will become more fully understood by referring to the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Function switch methods and systems are provided.
The function switch system 100 comprises a touch-sensitive device 110, a display unit 120, a storage unit 130, and a processing unit 140. The touch-sensitive device 110 comprises a touch-sensitive surface having at least one sensor in at least one dimension to detect the contact and movement of an input tool, such as a finger or a stylus thereon. The display unit 120 displays operation interfaces corresponding to various functions and related information. In some embodiments, the touch-sensitive device 110 and the display unit 120 can be integrated as a touch panel 210 set on a portable device 200, as shown in
In step S310, the touch-sensitive device is touched by an input tool, such as a finger or a stylus. Then, in step S320, it is determined to switch between functions according to a force of the input tool touching the touch-sensitive device.
In step S410, a touch of an input tool on the touch-sensitive device is detected, and in step S420, a force of the input tool touching the touch-sensitive device is detected. Then, in step S430, it is determined whether the force is greater than a threshold. It is understood that the detection of the force of the input tool touching the touch-sensitive device can be achieved in various manners. In some embodiments, a pressure corresponding to the force on the touch-sensitive device can be detected. When the pressure is greater than a predefined pressure, the force is greater than the threshold. In some embodiments, a touch area of the input tool touching the touch-sensitive device can be detected. When the touch area is greater than a predefined area, the force is greater than the threshold. In some embodiments, a total current value generated when the input tool touches the touch-sensitive device can be detected. When the total current value is greater than a predefined current value, the force is greater than the threshold. It is noted that the above detections of the force of the input tool touching the touch-sensitive device are examples of the application, and the application is not limited thereto. When the force is not greater than the threshold (No in step S430), in step S440, a first function, such as the selection function is performed.
It is understood that, in some embodiments, the electronic device can initially perform the first function, and then proceed with the detection of the touch corresponding to the input tool. After the second function is switched to from the first function, when the input tool stops touching the touch-sensitive device, the first function can be directly switched to from the second function. Further, in some embodiments, when the first function is performed, the detection of the force of the input tool touching the touch-sensitive device can be continuously detected. It is determined whether the force is greater than the threshold. If the force is greater than the threshold, the second function can be immediately switched to from the first function. Additionally, in some embodiments, when the second function is performed, the detection of the force of the input tool touching the touch-sensitive device can be continuously detected. It is determined whether the force is greater than the threshold. If the force is not greater than the threshold, the first function can be immediately switched to from the second function.
Therefore, the function switch methods and systems of the application can switch functions according to the touch force on the touch-sensitive device.
Function switch methods and systems, or certain aspects or portions thereof may take the form of a program code (i.e., executable instructions) embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMS, hard drives, or any other machine-readable storage medium, wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine thereby becomes an apparatus for practicing the methods. The methods may also be embodied in the form of a program code transmitted over some transmission medium, such as electrical wiling or cabling, through fiber optics, or via any other form of transmission, wherein, when the program code is received and loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the disclosed methods. When implemented on a general-purpose processor, the program code combines with the processor to provide a unique apparatus that operates analogously to application specific logic circuits.
While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those who are skilled in this technology can still make various alterations and modifications without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention shall be defined and protected by the following claims and their equivalents.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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96147925 | Dec 2007 | TW | national |