Electrical device having touch screen and user interface for adjusting brightness of screen

Abstract

The invention relates to a device with a touch screen and a user interface. An object of the present invention is to specify a device having a touch screen and a user interface for adjusting screen brightness, which has improved usability. For this purpose, a device (100) with a touch screen (120) is disclosed, which in a first mode, via the touch screen (120), adjusts a brightness (B) of the screen (120) between a first brightness value (Bmax) and a second brightness value (Bmin1) depending on an input from a user; and adjusting the brightness (B) of the screen (120) between the first brightness value (Bmax) and a third brightness value (Bmin2) depending on an input from a user via the touchscreen (120) in a second mode in which the ambient brightness (U) is higher than a first threshold (U1).

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application based on the invention patent with application date of 2020-09-11, application number 202010951734.3, and name “Electrical device with a touch screen and a user interface for adjusting screen brightness” as the parent case. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a device with a touch screen and a user interface. Background Art

[0003] The display properties of a screen, such as brightness, contrast, sharpness, tint, and other display properties are often adjustable by the user.

[0004] Simple and correct adjustment of the display properties of the screen can significantly improve the usability of the device.

[0005] Conventional devices may be arranged in such a way that the user can select a mode for adjusting the screen brightness, i.e. the screen brightness may be adjusted manually, i.e. independently of the ambient brightness, or the screen brightness may be adjusted automatically (adaptively), i.e. depending on the ambient brightness.

[0006] For example, automatic (adaptive) adjustment of screen brightness (e.g., backlight) can be performed incrementally (adjusted based on changes in ambient light), dynamically (adjusted only based on significant changes in ambient light), periodically (adjusted based on a predetermined schedule), or when the device is awake (adjusted when the device is awakened from sleep mode).

[0007] Conventional devices are known from CN 109036296 A, DE 199 56 113 A1, DE 60 2005 003 962 T2 and DE 102012 016 290 A1.

[0008] However, some users found that adaptive adjustment of screen brightness caused discomfort because the screen brightness was not controlled.

[0009] A disadvantage of manually adjusting the screen brightness is that large changes in ambient brightness may result in poor visibility of the information displayed on the screen.

[0010] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device with a touch screen and a user interface for adjusting screen brightness, which has improved ease of use. Summary of the Invention

[0011] This object is solved by a device having the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, an electrical device having a touch screen is disclosed, which is configured to adjust the brightness of (at least a portion of) the screen between a first brightness value and a second brightness value via the touch screen depending on input from a user in a first mode where ambient brightness is below a threshold; and to adjust the brightness of (at least a portion of) the screen between a first brightness value and a third brightness value in response to input from a user in a second mode where ambient brightness is above a threshold, wherein the third brightness value is greater than the second brightness value, and the first brightness value is greater than the third brightness value and greater than the second brightness value. A higher brightness value corresponds to a brighter screen.

[0013] The first brightness value is preferably the maximum brightness (cd / m 2 ). Instead of lightness, other photometric quantities (brightness or similar) can also be used.

[0014] The second brightness value is preferably the minimum brightness (cd / m 2 The second brightness value is preferably greater than zero. The third brightness value is preferably the brightness of the information that can be displayed on the screen (cd / m 2 ), which is between the first brightness value and the second brightness value.

[0015] Setting the screen using a brightness value means that the screen displays information at the maximum brightness corresponding to the brightness value. It should be understood that a large amount of information displayed does not have a maximum brightness value. In other words, each pixel is assigned a brightness value between a minimum value and a maximum value (for example, between 0 and 255 or between 0 and 65536), and depending on the image information, the relative brightness of the pixels is adjusted, for example, to represent information in a dark room, the brightness value of the individual pixels is close to the minimum value, while to represent information in a room filled with light, the brightness value of the individual pixels is close to the maximum value. Setting the screen using a brightness value means displaying pixels with the maximum relative brightness value (for example, 255) at the maximum brightness corresponding to the brightness value. If the screen is operated using a backlight, then this backlight is preferably set to the brightness value.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the device is configured to always adjust the brightness of the screen in the first mode independently of the ambient brightness.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the device is configured to always adjust the brightness of the screen independently of the ambient brightness in a first mode, wherein the screen brightness is continuously increased or decreased depending on a (user) input value.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the apparatus is configured to adjust the brightness of the screen between a first brightness value and a second brightness value via the touch screen (only) depending on user input but independently of the ambient brightness in a first mode where the ambient brightness is below a first threshold.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the apparatus is configured to adjust the brightness of the screen only between a first brightness value and a third brightness value independently of the ambient brightness in the second mode.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the device is configured to adjust the brightness of the screen only between a first brightness value and a third brightness value independently of the ambient brightness in the second mode, wherein the screen brightness continuously increases or decreases within the range depending on a (user) input value.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the apparatus is configured to adjust the brightness of the screen between a first brightness value and a third brightness value via the touch screen (only) depending on user input but independently of the ambient brightness in a second mode where the ambient brightness is above a first threshold.

[0022] In other words, the screen brightness is adjusted based on the change between the first brightness value and the third brightness value based solely on user input (or a preset value or a stored value based on a previous user input). The screen brightness can thus be caused to change between the third brightness value and the first brightness value based solely on user input. However, the third brightness value determines, and therefore indirectly determines, how dim the screen brightness can be.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the third brightness value varies depending on the ambient brightness of the device.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the first brightness value and the second brightness value are preset independently of the ambient brightness of the device.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the brightness of only a portion of the screen is adjusted between a first brightness value and a third brightness value based on user input via the touch screen. Preferably, the brightness of the remaining portion of the screen is adjusted between a first brightness value and a second brightness value based on user input via the touch screen.

[0026] The shape of the screen is preferably rectangular. The portion of the screen whose brightness is adjusted between the first brightness value and the third brightness value is also preferably rectangular. Preferably, the respective long sides of the rectangle (of the screen and said portion) are perpendicular to each other.

[0027] If the device has more than one screen, the portion of the screen whose brightness is adjusted between the first brightness value and the third brightness value may also be displayed on another screen. If the device has more than one screen, the portion of the screen whose brightness is adjusted between the first brightness value and the third brightness value may be displayed on a smaller screen.

[0028] If the device has a display screen that extends beyond a planar main surface (e.g., a front surface), then preferably, the portion of the display screen whose brightness is adjusted between a first brightness value and a third brightness value is displayed on a side surface of the device having an associated display (portion) surface that is smaller than the (possibly planar) main surface (front surface).

[0029] According to one embodiment, it is desirable to display a user interface for adjusting brightness in the screen portion where brightness is adjusted between the first brightness value and the third brightness value in the second mode independently of any user input, while hiding the user interface in the first mode depending on any user input.

[0030] Preferably, in the second mode, the portion of the screen where the brightness is adjusted between the first brightness value and the third brightness value will display a (different) user interface to initiate the user interface for adjusting the brightness, regardless of any user input.

[0031] According to one embodiment, it is desirable to set the first brightness value also independently of the ambient brightness of the apparatus. According to one embodiment, it is desirable to set the second brightness value independently of the ambient brightness of the apparatus.

[0032] According to one embodiment, it is desired to adjust the brightness of the screen between a first brightness value and a second brightness value in the first mode only in response to a user input via the touch screen.

[0033] According to one embodiment, it is desired that in the second mode, the brightness of the screen be adjusted between the first brightness value and the third brightness value only in response to a user input via the touch screen.

[0034] According to one embodiment, it is desirable to set the maximum brightness of the screen depending exclusively on the user's input.

[0035] According to one embodiment, it is desired that the brightness value assigned to a particular user input (eg, the position of a slider) between the first brightness value and the third brightness value be the same in the first mode as in the second mode.

[0036] According to one embodiment, it is desirable that the brightness value assigned to a specific manual user input (e.g., the position of a slider) in the first mode (between the second brightness value and the third brightness value) is different from the brightness value in the second mode (assigned to the same specific manual user input).

[0037] The first brightness value is preferably between 400 and 1500 cd / m 2 between 440 and 1000 cd / m 2 between 470 and 900 cd / m 2 between 500 and 800 cd / m 2 between 520 and 700 cd / m 2 between 550 and 600 cd / m 2 between.

[0038] The second brightness value is preferably between 0.5 and 4 cd / m 2between 0.75 and 3 cd / m 2 between 1.0 and 2.5 cd / m 2 between 1.5 and 2.0 cd / m 2 between 1.6 and 1.9 cd / m 2 between 1.7 and 1.8 cd / m 2 between.

[0039] The third brightness value is preferably between 5 and 50 cd / m 2 between 10 and 40 cd / m 2 between 12 and 35 cd / m 2 between 14 and 30 cd / m 2 between 16 and 25 cd / m 2 between 18 and 22 cd / m 2 between.

[0040] The maximum extension of the screen (diagonal, if applicable) is preferably between 5 and 150 cm, more preferably between 10 and 100 cm, even more preferably between 12 and 35 cm, even more preferably between 14 and 30 cm, even more preferably between 16 and 25 cm, even more preferably between 18 and 22 cm.

[0041] The (first) threshold value of the ambient brightness (determined by the sensor) is preferably between 200 and 100,000 cd / m 2 between 300 and 10,000 cd / m 2 between 400 and 5,000 cd / m 2 between 500 and 3,000 cd / m 2 between 600 and 2,000 cd / m 2 between 700 and 1,500 cd / m 2 between.

[0042] According to one embodiment, it is desirable that the third brightness value (Bmin2) changes depending on the ambient brightness, wherein the third brightness value (Bmin2) increases as the ambient brightness increases.

[0043] According to one embodiment, if the user manually sets the screen brightness to below a third brightness value (Bmin2), it is desirable to set the screen brightness to the third brightness value (Bmin2) only in a portion of the screen, while the remaining (portion) of the screen does not need to be set to the (very low) brightness value manually set by the user, but is completely deactivated (brightness is zero). This saves energy and thus extends the operating time of a mobile device that may be battery-powered.

[0044] The ratio (Bmin2 / Bmax) between the third brightness value and the first brightness value may be variable, wherein the ratio preferably increases as the ambient brightness increases. The gradient of the ratio preferably decreases as the ambient brightness increases. The ratio between the third brightness value and the first brightness value is preferably between 0.2% and 10%, more preferably between 1% and 8%, and even more preferably between 2% and 6%. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] The present invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments. The exemplary embodiments show:

[0046] Figure 1 is a device according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

[0047] Figure 2 for Figure 1 an enlarged view of a user interface of a device of an embodiment in a first mode,

[0048] Figure 3 for Figure 1 an enlarged view of the user interface of the device of an embodiment in the second mode,

[0049] Figure 4 is a device according to a second embodiment of the present invention,

[0050] Figure 5 is the relationship between manual adjustment of brightness parameters and screen brightness, and

[0051] Figure 6 is the dependency of the third brightness value (or the ratio of the third brightness value to the first brightness value) on the ambient brightness. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] Figure 1 An apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0053] Device 100 includes a screen 110 configured as a touch screen. Device 100 may be configured as a mobile device, such as a smartphone. Alternatively, the device may be a non-mobile device. Device 100 includes a frame 110, but may alternatively be configured as a frameless device. Device 100 includes a control unit (not shown), formed of a processor and possibly other components, that controls the brightness of screen 120.

[0054] Device 100 also includes an on / off switch 210 and a volume control 220, each located on a side of the device outside of screen 120. Switch 210 / control 220 is designed as a physical switch / control and can therefore be operated without touching the screen. User input can therefore be made via on / off switch 210, volume control 220, and touch screen 120. In addition to screen 120, the device may also include other display elements, such as a screen on the back of device 100 or other display elements such as LEDs.

[0055] Input via the touch screen 120 is performed via user gestures, for example, by pressing one or more fingers in a predetermined area of ​​the screen (touch input) or by dragging fingers across a predetermined area of ​​the screen (drag and drop input). Other input options, such as via gestures and the eyes, are possible. The corresponding (possibly only temporarily displayed) area of ​​the screen 120 that initiates the generation of input is called a user interface and can be displayed, for example, as a soft button, icon, or slider on the screen 120.

[0056] The device 100 does not have a physical switch for adjusting the brightness of the screen 120, but is configured to allow the user to activate a user interface 160 for adjusting the brightness of the screen 120 during operation by making an appropriate input or selecting (menu) via the touch screen 120, if necessary. In an exemplary embodiment, this user interface 160 is provided by displaying a slide bar 170, a slider 180 and two symbols 190 and 200. Alternatively, the user interface 160 can also have a different design. The user can currently make a manual input by holding the slider 180 with one finger and moving the finger across the surface of the screen 120. This changes the brightness of the screen 120. Specifically, the user can adjust the brightness of the screen 120 by moving the slider 180 to the first position (the left edge of the slider 170 at the symbol 190) ( Figure 2) to set the brightness of screen 120 to the minimum adjustable brightness Bmin1. In the same way, the user can set the brightness of screen 120 to the maximum adjustable brightness Bmax by moving slider 180 to the second position (the right-hand edge of slide bar 170 at symbol 200). Between the first and second positions, the user can adjust the brightness of screen 120 continuously (or also in small steps) by dragging a finger along slide bar 170 (and then releasing the finger as necessary), with the brightness increasing continuously from the first position to the second position. The manually adjusted brightness value is maintained (stored) (for example, after releasing the finger) until a new manual adjustment (change) is made.

[0057] The device 100 also has a light sensor 150, which is configured to detect the ambient brightness of the device 100. The control unit of the device is configured to determine the ambient brightness of the device 100 based on the signal of the sensor 150. However, the ambient brightness does not necessarily have to be determined continuously (said determination being possible during operation); instead, it is possible to determine the ambient brightness only under certain conditions (possibly periodically).

[0058] Figure 2 and 3 How to control the brightness of the screen 120 according to the present invention is explained in more detail.

[0059] If the ambient brightness U of the device 100 is less than the first limit value U1, for example, less than U1=1000 cd / m 2 , the device operates in the first mode. In this first mode, the full range between the minimum adjustable brightness Bmin1 and the maximum adjustable brightness Bmax is available. In other words, if the ambient brightness is relatively low, i.e., less than a preset limit U1, the user can dim the brightness of screen 120 to the minimum adjustable brightness Bmin1. This allows the user to utilize the full brightness range while ensuring that the user can still reliably discern the information displayed on screen 120 at relatively low ambient brightness. A particular advantage is that the user can define the brightness of screen 120 and adjust it independently of the ambient brightness.

[0060] If the ambient brightness U of the device 100 is greater than the first limit value U1, the device automatically switches to the second mode, and if the ambient brightness U drops below the first limit value U1 again, the device automatically switches back to the first mode.

[0061] In the second mode, especially at very high ambient brightness, it is no longer possible to guarantee that the user will be able to reliably discern the information displayed on screen 120, at least when minimum adjustable brightness Bmin1 is set, i.e., as soon as slider 180 has been moved to the first position. This can be a particular problem if the user has set minimum adjustable brightness Bmin1 in a relatively dark environment, then turns off the device and then turns it on again in a very bright environment. It can then happen that the user only notices a black screen and is therefore no longer able to increase the brightness using touchscreen 120, which is the only way to adjust the brightness.

[0062] The idea of ​​the present invention is to provide a dedicated quasi-manual adjustment of the brightness, which ensures that the black screen can still be fully recognized at high ambient brightness. For this purpose, it is desirable to adjust the range in which the user can manually adjust the brightness depending on the ambient brightness (infinite). In other words, the brightness value set by the user is actually displayed according to the position of the slider 180 set by the user, as long as reliable detection is guaranteed. If the limit value U1 ( Figure 3 ), then the brightness of the screen 120 is adjusted only according to the (manual) position of the slider 180 set by the user, with the restriction that the brightness value set by the user is equal to or greater than the brightness value Bmin2 determined according to the ambient brightness, and the brightness value Bmin2 is greater than the settable minimum brightness Bmin1. In the remaining range, i.e. the first position (Bmin1) of the slider 180 ( Figure 2 ) and the third position (Bmin2) of the slider 180 ( Figure 3 ), even though the slider 180 is actually set to the position specified by the user, as long as the limit value U1 is exceeded, the brightness of the screen 120 is set to the value Bmin2. This is advantageous because the user's manual input is taken into account (and stored), but reliable recognition is still ensured.

[0063] Once the ambient brightness U is less than the limit value U1, the screen brightness is adjusted from the value Bmin2 to the actual manually set value (which is lower than Bmin2).

[0064] As an alternative to the aforementioned embodiment, in which slider 180 is always set to a user-specified position and the brightness is set to the actual manually set value or Bmin2 depending on the ambient brightness, it is possible to change the possible setting positions of slider 180 according to the ambient brightness. In other words, in the second mode, slider 180 can be moved only between the Bmin2 and Bmax positions, i.e., only those brightness values ​​between the positions corresponding to Bmin2 and Bmax on slide bar 170 can be set. If the user has set the brightness value below Bmin2 in the first mode and the ambient brightness later increases beyond limit value U1, slider 180 in this alternative automatically moves to the position corresponding to Bmin2.

[0065] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, in the second mode, if limit value U1 is exceeded and the manually set brightness value falls below brightness value Bmin2, the brightness of the entire screen 120 is not set to Bmin2. Instead, only the portion of screen 120 displaying user interface 160 for setting the brightness of screen 120 is set to Bmin2. In other words, in addition to user interface 160 for adjusting the brightness, the user can also manually adjust the remaining portions of the screen between the maximum adjustable brightness Bmax and the minimum adjustable brightness Bmin1, regardless of the ambient brightness. User interface 160 is only set to minimum brightness Bmin2 when limit value U1 is exceeded to ensure that this user interface 160 remains visible, regardless of the ambient brightness. Alternatively, only a (different) portion, which then (at least partially) includes (displays) the user interface, can be set to Bmin2 (or higher).

[0066] According to another particularly preferred embodiment, provision can be made for user interface 160 (possibly due to a user input or gesture) to be omitted in the second mode if limit value U1 is exceeded and the manually set brightness value falls below brightness value Bmin2, which then results in (almost) the entire screen 120 being set to a manually set brightness value below brightness value Bmin2, wherein then, to ensure a higher brightness adjustability, at least one further user interface is displayed at brightness value Bmin2 (during operation of the device, except in standby mode), so that user interface 160 (then also having brightness value Bmin2) can be reactivated. In an exemplary embodiment, for example, it is initially possible to display at least user interface 160 at brightness value Bmin2 (in the second mode, if limit value U1 is exceeded and the manually set brightness value falls below brightness value Bmin2), while the brightness of the remaining screen 120 is set independently of the ambient brightness between the maximum adjustable brightness Bmax and the minimum adjustable brightness Bmin1 - corresponding to the manual setting of slider 180. If the user hides the (brighter displayed) user interface, for example by wiping away the user interface 160, then at least the status bar 230 continues to be displayed at the brightness Bmin2. The user can, for example, display the user interface again via the status bar by wiping away the user interface 160 in the opposite direction, wherein if the limit value U1 is still exceeded and the manually set brightness value is still below Bmin2, then the user interface 160 continues to be displayed at the brightness Bmin2.

[0067] According to a preferred embodiment, the three values ​​Bmax, Bmin1 and Bmin2 are preset and cannot be changed for a specific device. However, according to another particularly preferred embodiment, the brightness value Bmin2 can be changed depending on the ambient brightness U. According to an example, the screen 120 has a brightness of 550.00 cd / m 2 The maximum adjustable brightness Bmax and 2.00cd / m 2The minimum adjustable brightness Bmin1, wherein the brightness Bmin2 used as the minimum brightness when the limit value U1 is exceeded is, for example, 10.00 cd / m 2 Of course, the values ​​of Bmax, Bmin1 and Bmin2 can be selected in different ways and are device-specific. If the luminance value Bmin2 can be changed depending on the ambient luminance U, then said luminance value can be increased with the limit value U1. For example, the luminance value Bmin2 is 10,000 cd / m2 at the limit value U1. 2 (Instead of 1,000cd / m 2 ) can be 15.00cd / m 2 (instead of 10.00cd / m 2 ) and the limit value U1 is 100,000cd / m 2 (Instead of 1,000cd / m 2 ) can be 25.00cd / m 2 (instead of 10.00cd / m 2 ).

[0068] Regardless of the different brightness values ​​Bmin2, it is desirable to always adjust the brightness value according to the (infinite) manually set value and to adjust the brightness value to the brightness value Bmin2 only when the limit value U1 is exceeded and the brightness value falls below the manually set value. This means that although the user cannot set the brightness completely freely within the range between Bmax and Bmin1, the manually set value or alternatively Bmin2 is always used, which prevents the screen brightness from constantly changing with changes in the ambient brightness. According to a preferred embodiment, a hysteresis effect can be provided for switching between the manually set value and Bmin2 (when switching between the first mode and the second mode), i.e., switching from the first mode to the second mode occurs only when U1+ΔU is exceeded, and switching from the second mode to the first mode occurs when it falls below U1.

[0069] Figure 4 A device according to a second embodiment is shown.

[0070] remove Figure 1In addition to the functionality described according to the embodiments, it is desirable to provide a switch (or menu) 240 for selecting an operating mode. For example, a user can set the device to a normal operating mode by pressing switch 240 (touch input). The brightness setting via user interface 160 is independent of the ambient brightness, i.e., the brightness actually manually set between Bmin1 and Bmax (corresponding to the continuously adjustable positions of slider 180 on slide bar 170) is always used. Similarly, by pressing switch 240 (touch input), the device can be reset to an operating state according to the present invention, i.e., the user can choose whether to operate the device in a normal (non-ambient brightness adaptive) operating state or a quasi-non-ambient brightness adaptive operating state, in which the actual manually set brightness (corresponding to the continuously adjustable positions of slider 180 on slide bar 170) is used, but this brightness is adjusted to a lower value when the ambient brightness limit is exceeded.

[0071] Furthermore, it is possible to offer the user the option of other operating modes, such as a brightness-adaptive operating mode. For example, such additional operating modes could be activated or selected via an additional switch (touch input). In other words, the device according to the present invention does not necessarily have to continuously perform the inventive brightness control of the (main) screen, but such brightness control can be selected by the user.

[0072] Figure 5 Shows the relationship between the user's manual adjustment of the brightness parameter and the maximum screen brightness.

[0073] On the horizontal axis, a slider 180 (on the slide bar 170) that can be adjusted by dragging the user's finger is shown in the first position (X MIN ) and the second position (X MAX ). Depending on the size of screen 120, the length of slide bar 170 may be, for example, between 3 and 25 cm, preferably between 4 and 10 cm.

[0074] As can be seen, the set display brightness B corresponds to the brightness value manually set by the user, as long as the ambient brightness U is less than the first limit value U1. In other words, display brightness B is then determined entirely by the user's manual input, namely, the position of slider 180 on slide bar 170. As ambient brightness U increases, this (manual) determination is maintained for higher brightness values, but for low brightness values ​​of screen 120, it is kept at a minimum level (Bmin2) so that slider 180, which is required to adjust the screen brightness, is still displayed with sufficient contrast. If ambient brightness U later drops below limit value U1 again, the screen brightness is again set to below the third brightness value (Bmin2) based on the manual input. As can be seen, the third brightness value (Bmin2) can be changed for different ambient brightness values ​​U.

[0075] Figure 6The dependence of the third brightness value (or the ratio of the third brightness value to the first brightness value) on the ambient brightness U is shown. Figure 6 In the exemplary embodiment, the unit of is given in lux.

[0076] As can be seen, if the third brightness value (Bmin2) is fully modified for different ambient brightnesses U, then the ratio of the third brightness value to the first brightness value is within a range of 1 to 6%. This ensures that, on the one hand, the controller 180 required to adjust the screen brightness is still displayed with sufficient contrast to facilitate user operation at the corresponding ambient brightness U, and on the other hand, the low screen brightness required by the user through manual adjustment is still fully guaranteed. When the third brightness value (Bmin2) is changed, preferably, the ratio of the third brightness value to the first brightness value increases as the ambient brightness U increases, but the increment decreases as the ambient brightness U increases.

[0077] In addition to the above specific description, the following technical solutions 1-10 are also related to the present disclosure.

[0078] 1. A device (100) having a touch screen (120) configured to

[0079] a) In the first mode,

[0080] b) in the first mode, the ambient brightness (U) is lower than a first threshold (U1),

[0081] c) adjusting the brightness (B) of the screen (120) between a first brightness value (Bmax) and a second brightness value (Bmin1) depending on input from a user via the touch screen (120), and

[0082] d) In the second mode,

[0083] e) in the second mode, the ambient brightness (U) is higher than the first threshold (U1),

[0084] f) adjusting the brightness (B) of the screen (120) between the first brightness value (Bmax) and a third brightness value (Bmin2) depending on input from a user via the touch screen (120),

[0085] g) wherein the third brightness value (Bmin2) is greater than the second brightness value (Bmin1), and

[0086] h) wherein the first brightness value (Bmax) is greater than the third brightness value (Bmin2) and greater than the second brightness value (Bmin1).

[0087] 2. The device according to technical solution 1, wherein the third brightness value (Bmin2) changes depending on the ambient brightness (U) of the device (100).

[0088] 3. The device according to one of the preceding technical solutions, wherein the first brightness value (Bmax) and the second brightness value (Bmin1) are preset independently of the ambient brightness (U) of the device (100).

[0089] 4. A device according to one of the aforementioned technical solutions, wherein the brightness (B) of only a portion (160) of the screen (120) is adjusted between the first brightness value (Bmax) and a third brightness value (Bmin2) via the touch screen (120) based on input from a user, and wherein the brightness (B) of the remaining screen (120) is adjusted between the first brightness value (Bmax) and the second brightness value (Bmin1) via the touch screen (120) based on input from a user.

[0090] 5. A device according to technical solution 4, wherein in the portion (160) of the screen (120) where the brightness (B) is set between the first brightness value (Bmax) and the third brightness value (Bmin2), a user interface (170, 180, 190, 200) for setting the brightness is displayed independently of input from the user in the second mode, and the user interface (170, 180, 190, 200) is hidden depending on input from the user in the first mode.

[0091] 6. A device according to technical solution 4 or 5, wherein in the portion (160) of the screen (120) where the brightness (B) is set between the first brightness value (Bmax) and the third brightness value (Bmin2), another user interface (230) is displayed in the second mode independently of input from the user for starting the user interface (170, 180, 190, 200) for setting the brightness.

[0092] 7. A device according to one of the aforementioned technical solutions, wherein the brightness (B) of the screen (120) in the first mode is adjusted specifically between the first brightness value (Bmax) and the second brightness value (Bmin1) via the touch screen (120) depending on the user's input.

[0093] 8. A device according to one of the aforementioned technical solutions, wherein the brightness (B) of the screen (120) in the second mode is adjusted specifically between the first brightness value (Bmax) and the third brightness value (Bmin2) via the touch screen (120) depending on the user's input.

[0094] 9. Device according to one of the preceding technical solutions, wherein in each case the maximum brightness (B) of the screen (120) is set exclusively depending on the input of the user.

[0095] 10. An apparatus according to any one of the aforementioned technical solutions, wherein the brightness value (B) associated with a specific user input is the same in the first mode and in the second mode between the first brightness value (Bmax) and the third brightness value (Bmin2); and / or wherein the brightness value (B) associated with the specific user input in the first mode is different from the brightness value (B) associated with the specific user input in the second mode between the second brightness value (Bmin1) and the third brightness value (Bmin2).

[0096] Reference Symbols List

[0097] 100 devices

[0098] 110 housing

[0099] 120 screen

[0100] 130 Microphone

[0101] 140 speakers

[0102] 150 brightness sensor / camera

[0103] 160 User Interface

[0104] 170 Sliders

[0105] 180 Slider

[0106] 190 Minimum brightness symbol

[0107] 200 Maximum brightness symbol

[0108] 210 On / Off Switch

[0109] 220 Volume Control

[0110] 230 Status Bar

[0111] 240 Switch for selecting operating mode

Claims

1. A device (100) having a touch screen (120) configured to a) In the first mode, b) in the first mode, the ambient brightness (U) is lower than a first threshold (U1), c) adjusting the brightness (B) of the screen (120) between a first brightness value (Bmax) and a second brightness value (Bmin1) depending on input from a user via the touch screen (120), and d) In the second mode, e) in the second mode, the ambient brightness (U) is higher than the first threshold (U1), f) if the brightness (B) of the screen (120) is set to a value lower than a third brightness value (Bmin2) depending on an input from a user via the touch screen (120), adjusting the brightness (B) of the screen (120) to a third brightness value (Bmin2) to ensure reliable recognition of the touch screen (120), g) wherein the third brightness value (Bmin2) is greater than the second brightness value (Bmin1), and h) wherein the first brightness value (Bmax) is greater than the third brightness value (Bmin2) and greater than the second brightness value (Bmin1).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the third brightness value (Bmin2) changes depending on the ambient brightness (U) of the device (100).

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first brightness value (Bmax) and the second brightness value (Bmin1) are preset independently of the ambient brightness (U) of the device (100).

4. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the brightness (B) of the screen (120) in the first mode is adjusted exclusively between the first brightness value (Bmax) and the second brightness value (Bmin1) depending on the input of the user via the touch screen (120).

5. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the brightness (B) of the screen (120) in the second mode is adjusted exclusively between the first brightness value (Bmax) and the third brightness value (Bmin2) depending on the input of the user via the touch screen (120).

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein in the second mode, the brightness (B) of the screen (120) can be changed between the third brightness value (Bmin2) and the first brightness value (Bmax) only based on user input.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein a third brightness value (Bmin2) and indirectly the ambient brightness (U) determine how dim the brightness (B) of the screen (120) can be.

8. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in each case a maximum brightness (B) of the screen (120) is set exclusively depending on the input of the user and independently of the ambient brightness (U).

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a brightness value (B) associated with a specific user input is the same in the first mode and in the second mode between a first brightness value (Bmax) and a third brightness value (Bmin2).

10. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein once the ambient brightness (U) decreases to less than a first threshold value (U1), the brightness (B) of the screen (120) is adjusted from a third brightness value (Bmin2) to the value previously set by the user that is less than the third brightness value (Bmin2).

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