Electronic devices and corresponding methods for changing operating modes in response to user input

Abstract

This invention relates to an electronic device and a corresponding method for changing an operating mode in response to user input. The electronic device includes a touch-sensitive display and one or more processors. The touch-sensitive display presents a first user-actuated target and a second user-actuated target, and optionally detects touch input at the first and second user-actuated targets within a predetermined time period. The one or more processors switch the electronic device from a first operating mode to a second operating mode in response to the touch input.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to electronic devices and corresponding methods, and more specifically to electronic devices and corresponding methods for changing operating modes in response to detected user input. Background Technology

[0002] The use of portable electronic devices has become ubiquitous. People use smartphones, tablets, gaming devices, and media players all day long to communicate with others, stay on standby, and entertain themselves.

[0003] As the technology of these devices advances, their feature sets also evolve. For example, not long ago, most electronic devices had physical keyboards. Today, touch-sensitive displays are more often seen as user interface devices. While touch-sensitive displays are more intuitive to use, they are not without their problems. To perform settings adjustments and make configuration changes, one often has to navigate through a series of menus and screens to find the desired setting. Electronic devices with improved features that allow for more efficient changes in operating modes would be advantageous. Attached Figure Description

[0004] Figure 1 The illustration shows an exemplary electronic device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0005] Figure 2 The illustration shows an exemplary method according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0006] Figure 3 The illustration shows one or more exemplary method steps according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0007] Figure 4 The illustration shows one or more exemplary method steps according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0008] Figure 5 The illustration shows one or more exemplary method steps according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0009] Figure 6 The illustration shows one or more exemplary method steps according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0010] Figure 7 The illustrations depict one or more exemplary method steps according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 8 The illustrations show one or more exemplary operating modes that can be modified according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 9The illustration shows one or more exemplary method steps according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 10 The illustration shows one or more exemplary method steps according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 11 The illustration shows one or more exemplary method steps according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 12 The illustration shows one or more exemplary method steps according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 13 The illustrations show various embodiments disclosed herein.

[0017] Those skilled in the art will understand that the elements in the accompanying drawings are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to aid in understanding the embodiments of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Before describing the embodiments according to this disclosure in detail, it should be observed that the embodiments mainly consist of a combination of method steps and apparatus components related to changing the operating mode of an electronic device from a first operating mode to a second operating mode in response to detecting user input that optionally interacts multiple times with two or more user-actuated targets within a predetermined time period. Any process description or block in the flowchart should be understood to represent a module, segment, or code portion including one or more executable instructions for implementing a specific logical function or step in the process.

[0019] This includes alternative implementations, and it will be clear that, depending on the functions involved, functions may not be performed in the order shown or discussed, including substantially simultaneously or in reverse order. Therefore, apparatus components and method steps have been indicated where appropriate by conventional symbols in the accompanying drawings, showing only those specific details relevant to understanding embodiments of this disclosure, so as not to obscure this disclosure with details that would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art who would benefit from the description herein.

[0020] The embodiments of this disclosure do not describe implementations of any common business methods intended for processing business information, nor do they apply known business processes to the specific technological environment of the Internet. Furthermore, the embodiments of this disclosure do not use general computer functions and conventional network operations to create or modify contractual relationships. On the contrary, the embodiments of this disclosure employ a method, when applied to electronic devices and / or user interface technologies, to improve the functionality of the electronic device itself by enhancing the overall user experience, thereby overcoming problems particularly arising in the technical fields related to user interaction with electronic devices.

[0021] It will be understood that embodiments of this disclosure described herein may include one or more conventional processors and uniquely stored program instructions that control the one or more processors in conjunction with certain non-processor circuitry to perform some, most, or all of the functions of switching an electronic device from a first operating mode to a second operating mode in response to touch input occurring at both a first user-actuated target and a second user-actuated target within a predetermined time as described herein. The non-processor circuitry may include, but is not limited to, touch-sensitive displays, touch sensors, touch-sensitive surfaces, radio receivers, radio transmitters, signal drivers, clock circuits, power supply circuits, and user input devices.

[0022] In this way, these functions can be interpreted as the steps of a method for changing the operating mode of an electronic device from a first operating mode to a second operating mode by detecting user gestures that cross a first user-actuated target and a second user-actuated target multiple times within a predetermined time. Alternatively, some or all of the functions can be implemented by a state machine without stored program instructions, or in one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), wherein each function or some combination of certain functions is implemented as custom logic. Of course, combinations of these two methods can be used. Therefore, methods and means for these functions have been described herein. Furthermore, it is expected that when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein, those skilled in the art will be able to readily generate such software instructions and programs, as well as ICs, with minimal experimentation, even if it requires significant effort and, for example, many design choices driven by available time, current technology, and economic considerations.

[0023] Embodiments of this disclosure will now be described in detail. Referring to the accompanying drawings, the same numerals indicate the same parts in all views. As used herein and throughout the claims, the following terms take on their explicitly associated meanings unless the context clearly specifies otherwise: “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references, and the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on”. Relational terms such as first and second, top, and bottom may be used merely to distinguish one entity or action from another, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual relationship or order between these entities or actions. As used herein, components can be “operably coupled” when information can be transmitted between these components, even if one or more intermediate or intervening components may be present between or along the connection path.

[0024] The terms “generally,” “substantially,” “approximately,” “about,” or any other form thereof are defined as close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment, the term is defined as within 10%, in another within 5%, in yet another within 1%, and in yet another within 0.5%. The term “coupling” as used herein is defined as a connection, but is not necessarily direct or mechanical. Furthermore, reference numerals shown in parentheses herein indicate components shown in the figures other than those discussed. For example, when discussing Figure A, referring to device (10) will refer to element 10 shown in the figures other than those in Figure A.

[0025] Embodiments of this disclosure envision users of electronic devices who may wish to switch between "in-flight" operating modes, meaning they want to be able to switch from a first operating mode to a second operating mode without navigating numerous menus, screens, toggle icons, etc. As illustrated by example, in many countries around the world, electronic communication devices are configured to accommodate and operate with two different Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards, each designed to facilitate communication over different types of networks.

[0026] For example, in China and Brazil, electronic devices using dual SIM cards are popular because they allow users to communicate on second-generation (2G) networks such as the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network, and also on fourth-generation (4G) networks such as the Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. Such devices are sometimes referred to as "dual SIM dual standby" or "DSDS" devices.

[0027] For DSDS devices, the first SIM card facilitates voice and data communication via a data link through a 2G network, such as a GSM network, while the second SIM card facilitates voice and data communication via a data link through an LTE network, such as a 4G network. The device connects to both 2G (GSM) and 4G (LTE) networks, with channels or data links residing on each network. Therefore, users can gain access to both networks with a single device. One channel can reside on a high-bandwidth cellular network, such as a 4G network, while another channel can reside on a lower-bandwidth cellular network, such as a 2G network. Users can switch between these channels, with the active channel displayed on the screen. This ability to selectively connect to either network allows users of these devices greater flexibility to use their devices for voice and data communication across available networks or across different networks, as a function of cost.

[0028] The embodiments of this disclosure envision a significant problem not only with DSDS devices, but also with any electronic device capable of operating in more than one mode: the difficulty in switching from one mode to another. For example, using a DSDS device as an exemplary example, switching from a 2G data link to a 4G data link requires navigating several menu items and screens in the settings app to toggle the switch.

[0029] Advantageously, embodiments of this disclosure provide methods and systems that allow a user to quickly and easily change the operating mode of an electronic device from a first operating mode to a second operating mode by transmitting gesture input to a touch-sensitive surface, wherein the gesture input crosses a first user-actuated target and a second user-actuated target once or multiple times. In one or more embodiments, the methods and systems allow a user to change the operating mode by transmitting gestures in the form of touch input on the surface of a touch-sensitive display, wherein the touch input interacts with the first user-actuated target and the second user-actuated target within a predetermined time.

[0030] In one or more embodiments, the first and second user-actuated targets are persistently displayed on a touch-sensitive surface or display, making them easily accessible regardless of any applications that may be running on the electronic device. Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, the first and second user-actuated targets are persistently displayed in a status bar that continuously exists on the display across multiple applications. Therefore, in one or more embodiments, a user can easily and intuitively switch from a first operating mode to a second operating mode without terminating the currently running application.

[0031] Continuing with the DSDS electronic device example, in one or more embodiments, one or more processors of the electronic device persistently present a user-actuated target in the form of an interactive graphical object, representing the ability to connect to and / or the connection to a 2G network. Simultaneously, one or more processors persistently present another user-actuated target in the form of another interactive graphical object, representing the ability to connect to and / or the connection to a 4G network. In one or more embodiments, both of these interactive graphical objects are persistently presented in a status bar rendered on the touch-sensitive display of the electronic device.

[0032] In one or more embodiments, by transmitting user input that interacts with both the first user-actuated target and the second user-actuated target, a user can change the operating mode of the electronic device from a first operating mode, for example, communicating via a data link of a 2G network, to a second operating mode, for example, communicating via a data link of a 4G network. In one or more embodiments, this change occurs when the user input interacts with the first user-actuated target and the second user-actuated target multiple times within a predetermined time period.

[0033] By way of example, a user can use their finger to touch an interactive graphical object representing a connection to a 2G network, slide their finger from the graphical object representing a connection to a 2G network to the graphical object representing a connection to a 4G network, slide their finger back to the graphical object representing a connection to a 2G network, and then slide their finger back to the graphical object representing a connection to a 4G network again. In one or more embodiments, when performing this action, the finger thus forms a "Z" shaped movement, sweeping back and forth between the graphical objects representing a connection to a 2G network and the graphical objects representing a connection to a 4G network, interacting with each graphical object multiple times within a predetermined time period, such as one second.

[0034] In one or more embodiments, when this occurs, one or more processors change the operating mode of the electronic device from a first operating mode, such as an active communication link to its associated network, to a second operating mode, such as an inactive communication link to its associated network. Advantageously, by making this simple Z-shaped movement, the user can change the wireless connection and network without having to navigate through several menu items and screens in the settings app to toggle switches.

[0035] It should be noted that switching communication links is merely one example of how embodiments of this disclosure can be used to change the operating mode of an electronic device from a first operating mode to a second operating mode. The methods and systems described herein can be used to quickly and easily change from any number of first operating modes to any number of second operating modes by optionally interacting with multiple user-actuated targets multiple times within a predetermined time period.

[0036] Examples of the mode embodiments disclosed herein can be used to switch between various modes, including switching from a first application running on an electronic device to a second application running on the electronic device, from a data connection mode to a "flight" mode where data connection is disabled, from a location service-enabled mode to a location service-disabled mode, from an audible alarm mode to a silent mode, from a LAN communication-enabled mode to a LAN communication-disabled mode, and so on. Reference will be made below. Figure 8 Other examples describing the "switchable" mode. Others will be apparent to those skilled in the art who will benefit from this disclosure.

[0037] In one or more embodiments, the electronic device includes a touch-sensitive surface, an example of which is a touch-sensitive display. One or more processors can be operated using the touch-sensitive surface within the electronic device.

[0038] In one or more embodiments, the touch-sensitive display or surface presents a first user-actuated target and a second user-actuated target. In one or more embodiments, the first user-actuated target and the second user-actuated target are persistently presented on the touch-sensitive display such that they remain presented across two or more applications running on one or more processors.

[0039] In one or more embodiments, a touch-sensitive display or surface detects touch input at a first user-actuated target and a second user-actuated target within a predetermined time period. When this occurs, in response to the detected touch input, one or more processors switch the electronic device from a first operating mode to a second operating mode.

[0040] In one or more embodiments, the electronic device further includes a communication device operable using one or more processors. In one or more embodiments, the communication device is configured to operate according to a first data communication protocol and a second data communication protocol. In one or more embodiments, in response to a detected touch input, one or more processors switch the communication device from a first operating mode to a second operating mode by switching the communication device from a mode communicating according to the first data communication protocol to a mode communicating according to the second data communication protocol.

[0041] In one or more embodiments, this process can be repeated. As illustrated by example, when the electronic device is operating in a second operating mode, the touch-sensitive display or surface is capable of detecting another touch input that interacts with a first user-actuated target and a second user-actuated target within a predetermined time period. In one embodiment, this second touch input is the same as the first touch input. In another embodiment, this second touch input interacts with the first user-actuated target and the second user-actuated target in reverse manner.

[0042] For example, if the touch input that causes the switch from the first operating mode to the second operating mode is a Z-shaped gesture, then in one or more embodiments, the second touch input may also include a Z-shaped gesture. Conversely, in other embodiments where the touch input that causes the switch from the first operating mode to the second operating mode is a Z-shaped gesture, the second touch input may include an inverted Z-shaped gesture, etc. In one or more embodiments, when this additional touch input is detected, one or more processors switch the electronic device back from the second operating mode to the first operating mode.

[0043] Advantageously, embodiments of this disclosure allow users to quickly switch operating modes in an electronic device by transmitting gestures, such as Z-shaped touch gestures, that trigger the logic and / or one or more processors of the electronic device to switch between at least a first operating mode and at least a second operating mode. Reference will be made below. Figure 7 In other embodiments, the same simple gestures or touch inputs can be used to select a third or even more operating modes. Other advantages offered by embodiments of this disclosure will be described below. Some others will be apparent to those skilled in the art who will benefit from this disclosure.

[0044] Now go to Figure 1 The illustration shows an exemplary electronic device 100 configured according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be noted that the electronic device 100 includes many optional components, but it is included in the effort to demonstrate how various electronic devices configured according to embodiments of the present disclosure can vary.

[0045] By way of example, in one or more embodiments, the electronic device 100 includes a touch-sensitive surface, one example of which is... Figure 1 The touch-sensitive display 101 is shown in the figure. In one or more embodiments, one or more processors 110 may be operated using the touch-sensitive display 101. In one or more embodiments, the touch-sensitive display 101 detects touch input at a surface 104 of the touch-sensitive display 101. In one or more embodiments, where the touch input may optionally interact multiple times and optionally within a predetermined time period with a first user actuation target 102 and a second user actuation target 103, the one or more processors 110 may change the operating mode of the electronic device 100 from a first operating mode to a second operating mode.

[0046] In such an embodiment, components such as the audio input / processor 106 would be optional because touch-based switching between operating modes is not required. Therefore, it is to be understood that providing... Figure 1This is for illustrative purposes only and is intended to illustrate components of an electronic device 100 according to an embodiment of this disclosure, and is not intended to be a complete schematic diagram of the various components required for the electronic device 100. Therefore, other electronic devices according to embodiments of this disclosure may include... Figure 1 Various other components not shown in the document may include combinations of two or more components or specific components divided into two or more separate components, and are still within the scope of this disclosure.

[0047] Figure 1 The accompanying diagram also illustrates a block diagram 107 of electronic device 100. It should be noted that electronic device 100 can be one of various types of devices. In one embodiment, electronic device 100 is a portable electronic device, one example being a smartphone used for illustrative purposes in the drawings. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure that block diagram 107 can also be used with other devices, including PDAs, tablets, gaming devices, media players, wearable devices, or other portable wireless communication devices. Other devices will also be apparent to those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure.

[0048] In one or more embodiments, block diagram 107 is configured as a printed circuit board assembly disposed within a housing 105 of an electronic device 100. Various components may be electrically coupled together by conductors or buses disposed along one or more printed circuit boards.

[0049] Figure 1 The exemplary block diagram 107 includes a number of different components. Embodiments of this disclosure envision that the number and arrangement of these components can be varied depending on a specific application. Therefore, an electronic device configured according to embodiments of this disclosure may include... Figure 1 Some components are not shown, and other components shown may not be required and can therefore be omitted.

[0050] Exemplary block diagram 107 includes a user interface 108. In one or more embodiments, the user interface 108 includes a touch-sensitive display 101. In one embodiment, a user can pass user input commands to the touch-sensitive display 101 to perform control operations by passing a finger, stylus, or other object approximately disposed on the touch-sensitive display 101 or by touching the surface 104 of the touch-sensitive display 101. One or more processors 110 then interpret this touch input as a user input command to perform the control operation. For example, if a person touches the surface 104 of the touch-sensitive display at a user actuation target 109 corresponding to an application, then one or more processors 110 may interpret this touch input as a user input command to launch the application, and so on.

[0051] As used herein, a "user-actuated target" includes an interactive object located at a predetermined position on the touch-sensitive surface of an electronic device, such as when the surface 104 of a touch-sensitive display 101 is touched at a position corresponding to, for example, user-actuated target 109, causing a control operation within the electronic device 100. Therefore, when user-actuated target 109 is actuated via touch input, user input is transmitted to the electronic device 100 to cause a control operation.

[0052] It should be noted that the user-actuated target configured according to embodiments of this disclosure may be visible or invisible. Figure 1 In an exemplary embodiment, the user-actuated target 109 is an interactive graphical object presented on the touch-sensitive display 101. However, other user-actuated targets need not be graphical objects. Instead, they can be locations or areas of a predetermined touch-sensitive surface. For example, if the touch-sensitive surface is a touch-sensitive slider configured as a rectangle, then one user-actuated target can be an area adjacent to one short side of the rectangle, while a second user-actuated target can be another area adjacent to the opposite side of the rectangle, and so on.

[0053] exist Figure 1 In an exemplary embodiment, the touch-sensitive surface of the electronic device 100 is a touch-sensitive display 101. Therefore, user-actuated targets 102, 103, and 109 are configured to be presented as interactive graphical objects on the touch-sensitive display 101.

[0054] In one or more embodiments, the user actuation target configured according to embodiments of this disclosure can be configured to replicate a conventional keypad structure. However, as Figure 1 As shown in the exemplary embodiment, any of various custom shapes can also be adopted, such as the shape of a Buster dog for user-actuated target 109.

[0055] In one or more embodiments, the user-actuated target can be configured as a virtual "button" to launch the application. Figure 1 In an exemplary embodiment, for example, a person can initiate a social networking application by touching the user-activated target 109.

[0056] In other embodiments, user-actuated targets are configured as mode-switching user-actuated targets, two of which are user-actuated target 102 and user-actuated target 103. Simply touching these mode-switching user-actuated targets does not have a user input effect. However, as will be described in more detail below, in one or more embodiments, touch input, optionally within a predetermined time period and optionally at least twice within the predetermined time period, interacting with at least two mode-switching user interaction targets, causes one or more processors to change the operating mode of electronic device 100 from a first operating mode to a second operating mode.

[0057] Returning to electronic device 100, in one embodiment, touch-sensitive display 101 is configured as an active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) display. However, it should be noted that other types of displays suitable for use with user interface 108, including liquid crystal displays, will be apparent to those skilled in the art who will benefit from this disclosure.

[0058] In one embodiment, the electronic device includes one or more processors 110. In one embodiment, the one or more processors 110 may include an application processor and optionally include one or more auxiliary processors. One or both of the application processor or auxiliary processor may include one or more processors. One or both of the application processor or auxiliary processor may be a microprocessor, a set of processing units, one or more ASICs, programmable logic, or other types of processing devices.

[0059] The application processor and auxiliary processor can be operated using various components of block diagram 107. Each of the application processor and auxiliary processor can be configured to process and execute executable software code to perform various functions of the electronic device, which block diagram 107 operates with. Storage devices such as memory 111 can optionally store executable software code used by one or more processors 110 during operation.

[0060] In this exemplary embodiment, block diagram 107 also includes a wireless communication device 112, which can be configured to communicate wired or wirelessly with one or more other devices or networks. The wireless communication device 112 may include wireless communication circuitry, including a receiver, transmitter, or transceiver, and one or more antennas. In one or more embodiments, the wireless communication device 112 is capable of communicating with one or more remote devices across a wide area network, local area network, small local area network (piconet), or personal area network.

[0061] Examples of wide area networks include “2G” networks such as GSM, CDMA, W-CDMA, CDMA-2000, iDEN, and TDMA; “2.5G” networks such as 2.5G 3GPP GSM networks; “3G” networks such as 3GPP WCDMA networks, 3GPP LTE networks, and 3GPP 2CDMA communication networks; “4G” networks such as 4GPP LTE networks; “5G” networks such as 3GPP 5G NR networks; UMTS networks; E-UTRA networks; GPRS networks; iDEN networks, and other networks.

[0062] In one or more embodiments, the wireless communication device 112 may include a local area network (LAN) front-end and a wide area network (WAN) communication front-end. The LAN front-end may be configured to communicate using various types of LAN communication protocols. Examples of LANs include HomeRF and Bluetooth. TM (Bluetooth.sup.TM) and IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, or n) or other similar Wi-Fi networks. Examples of peer-to-peer networks include single-hop and two-hop communication networks, the former being referred to as "piconet". For example, a local area network (LAN) front-end may include both a Wi-Fi circuit and another local wireless communication circuit. In one embodiment, the Wi-Fi circuit may communicate via the IEEE 802.11 protocol, while in another embodiment, the other local wireless communication circuit may communicate using a communication protocol other than the 802.11 standard.

[0063] In one or more embodiments, the wireless communication device 112 is configured to optionally use two different wireless communication protocols to communicate using at least two wireless communication networks. By way of example, in one or more embodiments, the wireless communication device 112 is configured to operate in at least a first operating mode, wherein the communication device 112 communicates using a first wireless communication network when operating according to a first data communication protocol, and is configured to operate in at least a second operating mode, wherein the communication device 112 communicates using a second wireless communication network when operating according to a second data communication protocol.

[0064] In one or more embodiments, the electronic device 100 may be configured as a DSDS device, the first data communication protocol including a 2G communication protocol, such as CDMA or GSM, and the second data communication protocol including a 4G communication protocol, such as LTE. However, embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto. Figure 1 In an exemplary embodiment, as shown by the first user actuation target 102 and the second user actuation target 103, in another embodiment, the first data communication protocol includes a wireless LAN communication protocol, while the second data communication protocol includes a wireless WAN communication protocol. Other combinations of data communication protocols defining communication links for various types of networks will be apparent to those skilled in the art who will benefit from this disclosure. Furthermore, the communication device 112 can of course also operate using three or more communication networks and corresponding communication protocols.

[0065] In one embodiment, one or more processors 110 may be responsible for performing the main functions of the electronic device, which can be operated by the block diagram 107. For example, in one embodiment, one or more processors 110 include one or more circuits operable using a user interface 108 to present information to a user. Executable software code used by one or more processors 110 may be configured to utilize one or more modules 113 operable by one or more processors 110. Such modules 113 may store instructions, control algorithms, etc.

[0066] In one or more embodiments, one or more processors 110 are responsible for running an operating system environment 114. The operating system environment 114 may include a kernel 115 and one or more drivers, an application service layer 116, and an application layer 117. The operating system environment 114 may be configured to run executable code on one or more processors 110 or other control circuitry of the electronic device 100.

[0067] Application layer 117 can be responsible for executing application service modules. Application service modules can support one or more applications or "apps". Figure 1 Examples of such applications shown include web browsing application 118, configured to allow a user to view web pages on the touch-sensitive display 101 of electronic device 100; email application 119, configured to send and receive emails; and photo application 120, configured to allow a user to view images or videos on the touch-sensitive display 101 of electronic device 100. These applications are merely exemplary. Figure 1 Other details are shown herein. These others will be obvious to those skilled in the art who will benefit from this disclosure.

[0068] Applications in application layer 117 can be configured as clients of application service layer 116 to communicate with services via application programming interfaces (APIs), messages, events, or other inter-process communication interfaces. When using auxiliary processors, they can be used to perform input / output functions, activate user feedback devices, etc.

[0069] exist Figure 1In an exemplary embodiment, the application layer 117 is presented as a user-actuated target on the touch-sensitive display 101. These user-actuated targets are virtual buttons, keys, or visual targets that, when touch input is received on the surface 104 of the touch-sensitive display 101 above the user-actuated target, cause a control operation to be performed. By way of example, in one or more embodiments, touching a user-actuated target 109 shaped like Buster the Dog causes a social media application 121 to launch and display a photo on the surface 104 of the touch-sensitive display 101. Effectively, in one or more embodiments, these user-actuated targets identify locations along the surface 104 of the touch-sensitive display 101, and when touch input is received at that location, cause the touch input to be recognized as a user command to perform a control operation, such as launching an application.

[0070] In one or more embodiments, user actuation targets are categorized into two types. The first type of user actuation target, such as user actuation target 109, is a standard-mode user actuation target. Using a standard-mode user actuation target, touch input is simply passed to the location of the standard-mode user actuation target on the surface 104 of the touch-sensitive display 101, and optionally the surface 104 is released thereafter to pass a user input command requesting the execution of a control operation. Therefore, again using the example of user actuation target 109 for the social media application 121, touching and releasing the surface 104 of the touch-sensitive display 101 at the location of user actuation target 109 can include a user input command requesting the execution of a control operation such as launching the social media application 121.

[0071] In one or more embodiments, as described above, the second type of user actuation target is referred to as a mode switching user actuation target. Figure 1 Examples of mode-switching user-actuated targets include user-actuated target 102 and user-actuated target 103. Simply touching these mode-switching user-actuated targets does not have a user input effect. However, in one or more embodiments, touch input may optionally interact with at least two mode-switching user interaction targets at least twice within a predetermined time period, causing one or more processors to change the operating mode of the electronic device 100 from a first operating mode to a second operating mode.

[0072] Of course, user actuation targets can be configured to combine standard mode and mode-switching user actuation targets. As illustrated by example, in target bar 122, there are persistent user actuation targets 123 and 124. In one or more embodiments, touching either one launches the corresponding application. However, because these user actuation targets are persistent, they remain displayed on the touch-sensitive display 101 when the application is activated. Therefore, multiple interactions with both over a predetermined period of time, such as by making a Z-shaped motion between them, can activate an inactive application, etc. Other configurations for user actuation targets will be apparent to those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure.

[0073] In one or more embodiments, block diagram 107 includes an audio input / processor 106. In one embodiment, the audio input / processor 106 may include hardware, executable code, and voice monitor executable code. The audio input / processor 106 may include a base speech model stored in memory 111, a trained speech model, or other modules for receiving and recognizing voice commands received from audio input captured by an audio capture device.

[0074] In one embodiment, the audio input / processor 106 may include a speech recognition engine. Regardless of the specific implementation used in the various embodiments, the audio input / processor 106 is capable of accessing various speech models to recognize voice commands. In one embodiment, the audio input / processor 106 is configured to implement a voice control feature that allows a user to speak a specific device command to cause one or more processors 110 to perform control operations.

[0075] Various sensors can be operated using one or more processors 110. Figure 1 Several examples of this type of sensor are illustrated. It should be noted that... Figure 1 The examples shown are not exhaustive, as others will be obvious to those skilled in the art who will benefit from this disclosure. Additionally, it should be noted that... Figure 1 The various sensors shown can be used individually or in combination. Therefore, many electronic devices will employ only... Figure 1 The sensors shown are a subset, and the specific subset is defined by the device application.

[0076] A first example of a sensor that may be included in electronic device 100 is a touch sensor 125. Touch sensor 125 may include a capacitive touch sensor, an infrared touch sensor, an inductive touch sensor, a thermal touch sensor, a resistive touch sensor, or another touch-sensitive technology. A capacitive touch-sensitive device includes multiple capacitive sensors, such as electrodes, arranged along a substrate. Each capacitive sensor, in conjunction with associated control circuitry such as one or more processors, is configured to detect an object approaching or touching a surface 104 of a touch-sensitive display 101 or another touch-sensitive surface placed along the housing 105 of electronic device 100 by establishing electric field lines between pairs of capacitive sensors and then detecting perturbations in those field lines.

[0077] Electric field lines can be established using periodic waveforms, such as square waves, sine waves, triangular waves, or other periodic waveforms emitted by one sensor and detected by another. For example, a capacitive sensor can be formed by arranging indium tin oxide (ITO) patterned as electrodes on a substrate. ITO is suitable for such systems because it is transparent and conductive. Furthermore, it can be deposited in a thin layer using a printing process. Capacitive sensors can also be deposited on a substrate using electron beam evaporation, physical vapor deposition, or various other sputtering deposition techniques.

[0078] Another example of a sensor is a geolocator used as location detector 126. In one embodiment, location detector 126 is able to determine the approximate location of electronic device 100 by capturing location data from a constellation of one or more Earth-orbiting satellites or from a network of ground base stations. Location detector 126 is also able to determine location by locating or triangulating ground base stations in conventional cellular networks such as CDMA or GSM networks, or based on other local area networks such as Wi-Fi networks.

[0079] One or more motion sensors 127 may be configured as orientation detectors 128 to determine the orientation and / or movement of the electronic device 100 in three-dimensional space. By way of example, one or more motion sensors 127 may include accelerometers, one or more gyroscopes, barometers, cameras, or other devices to detect the device orientation and / or movement of the electronic device 100. Using an accelerometer as an example, an accelerometer may be included to detect the movement of the electronic device.

[0080] In one or more embodiments, the orientation detector 128 can determine the spatial orientation of the electronic device 100 in three-dimensional space by, for example, detecting the direction of gravity. In addition to or instead of an accelerometer, an electronic compass may be included as one of other devices to detect the spatial orientation of the electronic device 100 relative to the Earth's magnetic field. Similarly, one or more gyroscopes may be included to detect the rotational orientation of the electronic device 100.

[0081] Additionally, the accelerometer can be used as a gesture detector 129 to sense some of the user's gestures, such as speaking with their hands, running, or walking. One or more motion sensors 127 may optionally include a barometer operable to sense changes in air pressure due to changes in the altitude of the electronic device 100 or different pressures.

[0082] The gesture detector 129 can also be configured to work in conjunction with the touch sensor 125 to similarly monitor gestures along the surface 104 of the touch-sensitive display 101. For example, the gesture detector 129 can buffer the movement of a finger, stylus, or other object to determine the shape, movement, and other characteristics of the object moving along the surface 104 of the touch-sensitive display 101. Thus, the gesture detector 129 can determine whether something is touching the surface 104 of the touch-sensitive display 101 or moving along the surface 104 of the touch-sensitive display 101, and if the latter, determine the shape of the object moving along the surface 104 of the touch-sensitive display 101.

[0083] In one or more embodiments, the mode switcher 132 may be operated with the gesture detector 129 to switch the electronic device 100 from a first operating mode to a second operating mode in response to touch input in the form of a gesture detected by the gesture detector 129. By way of example, in one or more embodiments, the mode switcher 132 is capable of changing the operating mode of the electronic device from the first operating mode to the second operating mode when a touch-sensitive display 101, optionally operated with the gesture detector 129, detects user input interacting with a first user-actuated target, such as user-actuated target 102, and a second user-actuated target, such as user-actuated target 103, within a predetermined time period. Reference will be made below. Figures 3 to 5 Describe this operation in more detail.

[0084] Other components 130 operable using one or more processors 110 may include video, audio, and / or mechanical output components. For example, output components may include video output components or auxiliary devices, including cathode ray tubes, liquid crystal displays, plasma displays, incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps, front or rear projection displays, and light-emitting diode indicators. Other examples of output components include audio output components such as loudspeakers arranged behind speaker ports, or other alarms and / or buzzers, and / or mechanical output components such as vibration or motion-based mechanisms.

[0085] In one or more embodiments, the electronic device 100 includes an imager 131. In one embodiment, the imager 131 includes a two-dimensional imager configured to receive at least one image of a person within the environment of the electronic device 100. In one embodiment, the imager 131 includes a two-dimensional red-green-blue (RGB) imager. In another embodiment, the imager 131 includes an infrared imager. Other types of imagers suitable for use as imager 131 will be apparent to those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure.

[0086] In one or more embodiments, imager 131 is operable to capture at least one image of an object located within a predetermined radius of electronic device 100. In one or more embodiments, the image captured by imager 131 can be compared with one or more predetermined reference files stored in memory 111. By performing such a comparison, one or more processors 110 can determine whether shapes, skin color, eye color, hair color, hair length, and other features identifiable in the two-dimensional image are characteristics of an authorized user identified by one or more predetermined reference images stored in the predetermined reference files.

[0087] Having now described various hardware components, attention will turn to methods of using electronic devices according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure. Figure 2 The illustration is used for... Figure 1 An exemplary general method 200 for an electronic device (100) to quickly, easily, and simply change the operating mode of the electronic device from a first operating mode to a second operating mode according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Reference will then be made to... Figures 3 to 5 A more detailed description of the method is required.

[0088] Beginning at step 201, method 200 includes presenting a first user-actuated target and a second user-actuated target on a touch-sensitive surface of the electronic device. In one or more embodiments, both the first user-actuated target and the second user-actuated target include a mode-switching user-actuated target. In other embodiments, each of the first user-actuated target and the second user-actuated target includes a combination of a standard mode and a mode-switching user-actuated target. Alternatively, a mode-switching user-actuated target and a combination of a standard mode and a mode-switching user-actuated target may be presented at step 201. Furthermore, in addition to a mode-switching user-actuated target and / or a combination of a standard mode and a mode-switching user-actuated target, a standard mode user-actuated target may also be presented.

[0089] In one or more embodiments, step 201 includes persistently presenting a first user-actuated target and a second user-actuated target on a touch-sensitive surface of the electronic device. In one or more embodiments, step 201 includes persistently presenting the first user-actuated target and the second user-actuated target on a touch-sensitive surface or display, making them readily available across multiple applications, regardless of the applications that may be actively running on the electronic device.

[0090] In one or more embodiments, step 201 includes persistently presenting a first user-actuated target and a second user-actuated target at predetermined locations along a touch-sensitive surface. By way of example, in one or more embodiments, step 201 includes persistently presenting the first and second user-actuated targets in a status bar that is continuously displayed on the screen across multiple applications. This status bar (133) is as described above. Figure 1 As illustrated, it has a user-actuated target (102) and a user-actuated target (103) presented thereon. In such an embodiment, a user can access the user-actuated target persistently presented thereon without terminating the currently running application in one or more embodiments.

[0091] In cases where step 201 includes persistently presenting the first user-actuated target and the second user-actuated target, in one or more embodiments, step 201 will include presenting the first user-actuated target and the second user-actuated target across at least two applications. Therefore, step 201 will include persistently presenting both the first user-actuated target and the second user-actuated target when operating in a first operating mode, and also persistently presenting the first user-actuated target and the second user-actuated target when operating in a second operating mode.

[0092] At step 202, method 200 utilizes a touch-sensitive surface, touch sensor, or touch-sensitive display to detect user input interacting with a first user interaction target and a second user interaction target presented at step 201. This interaction can occur in various ways. In one embodiment, step 202 includes detecting touch input at the first and second user interaction targets. In another embodiment, as shown in step 203, the method optionally includes detecting a user gesture occurring along the surface of the touch-sensitive display, the user gesture crossing the first and second user interaction targets. Other method steps for detecting user interaction with the first and second user interaction targets will be apparent to those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure.

[0093] At decision 204, method 200 may optionally determine whether user input, touch input, and / or gesture input interacts with each of the first user actuation target and the second user actuation target more than once. In one or more embodiments, method 200 requires multiple interactions, touch, or gesture movements with both the first user actuation target and the second user actuation target before a mode switch occurs to prevent erroneous mode switching when the user does not intend to do so.

[0094] Numbers higher than 2 can vary. In one embodiment, decision 204 includes determining whether user input, touch input, and / or gesture input interacts with each of the first user actuation target and the second user actuation target at least twice. In another embodiment, decision 204 includes determining whether user input, touch input, and / or gesture input interacts with each of the first user actuation target and the second user actuation target exactly twice.

[0095] In yet another embodiment, decision 204 includes determining whether user input, touch input, and / or gesture input interacts with each of the first user actuation target and the second user actuation target more than three times. In yet another embodiment, decision 204 includes determining whether user input, touch input, and / or gesture input interacts with each of the first user actuation target and the second user actuation target exactly three times. Other predetermined numbers of interactions, touches, inputs, or gestures that may be required to interact with each of the first user actuation target and the second user actuation target will be apparent to those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure.

[0096] At decision 205, method 200 determines whether user input, touch input, and / or gesture input interacts with each of the first user-actuated target and the second user-actuated target within a predetermined time or time period. By way of example, in one or more embodiments, determination 205 determines whether user input, touch input, and / or gesture input interacts with each of the first user-actuated target and the second user-actuated target within a one-second time period. In another embodiment, determination 205 determines whether user input, touch input, and / or gesture input interacts with each of the first user-actuated target and the second user-actuated target within a five-second time period.

[0097] In another embodiment, decision 205 determines whether user input, touch input, and / or gesture input interacts with each of the first and second user-actuated targets within a ten-second time period. Other durations will be apparent to those skilled in the art who will benefit from this disclosure, but user input, touch input, and / or gesture input must interact with each of the first and second user-actuated targets for a shorter duration to initiate a mode-switching operation.

[0098] If user input, touch input, and / or gesture input fails to interact with each of the first and second user actuation targets within a predetermined time period, as determined at decision 205, and optionally at or beyond a predetermined number of instances, as determined at decision 205, the method proceeds to step 206, where the touch input, user input, or user gesture is ignored. At step 207, the electronic device returns to its normal operating mode upon receiving another touch input, user input, or gesture.

[0099] However, if user input, touch input, and / or gesture input do interact with each of the first user-actuated target and the second user-actuated target within a predetermined amount of time, as determined at decision 205, and optionally at or beyond a predetermined number of instances, as determined at decision 205, the method moves to step 208, where the operating mode is changed.

[0100] In one embodiment, step 208 includes changing the operating mode of the electronic device from a first operating mode to a second operating mode. In another embodiment, step 208 includes switching the electronic device from the first operating mode to the second operating mode in response to touch input. In yet another embodiment, step 208 includes changing the operating mode of the electronic device from the first operating mode to the second operating mode.

[0101] As noted at the beginning of this specification, one application particularly suited to embodiments of this disclosure includes switching a data communication link to a communication network when changing the operating mode, and optionally, switching to a predetermined communication protocol used by the communication device of the electronic device for communication. Continuing with the DSDS electronic device example above, in one or more embodiments, step 208 includes changing from a first operating mode, for example, communicating via a data link through a 2G network, to a second operating mode, for example, communicating via a data link through a 4G network. Thus, in such an embodiment, step 208 includes changing the operating mode of the electronic device from a first operating mode, for example, an active communication link to its associated network, to a second operating mode, for example, an inactive communication link to its associated network.

[0102] Although this is Figure 2 Method 200 is a suitable application, but it is not the only one to date. Briefly... Figure 8 The illustrations depict several other illustrative applications of systems, methods, and apparatus configured according to embodiments of this disclosure. Others will be apparent to those skilled in the art who will benefit from this disclosure.

[0103] As shown at 801, in one or more embodiments, one or more processors and / or mode switches can change the operating mode of an electronic device from a first operating mode to a second operating mode by changing the data connection and / or communication protocol to an external network. In one or more embodiments, the external network is a wide area network (WAN). By way of example, one or more processors can enable a communication device to switch from communication on a first type of communication network, such as a GSM network, to communication on a second type of communication network, such as a CDMA network.

[0104] In another embodiment, as described above, one or more processors in the DSDS device can switch the communication device from a communication link using a 2G network to another communication link using a 4G network. In yet another embodiment, one or more processors can switch the communication device from communication on a CDMA network to an LTE network. In yet another embodiment, one or more processors can switch the communication device from communication on an LTE network to a GSM network. These examples are merely exemplary, as many of the listed WAN types are capable of switching at 801 in various combinations. Therefore, in addition to those described herein, other WANs and / or communication protocols can be switched at 801.

[0105] At 802, one or more processors and / or mode switches can change the operating mode of an electronic device from a first operating mode to a second operating mode by switching from an active application to an inactive application. As illustrated by example, if a word processing application is active on the electronic device and a web browsing application is inactive, but persistent user interaction targets exist on the touch-sensitive surface of the electronic device, in one or more embodiments, a user can pass user input interacting with these user-actuated targets to inactive the word processing application while activating the web browsing application. Another interaction with a user-actuated target can cause the opposite, reactivating the word processing application. This process shown at 802 can be used to switch between any two applications. Reference will be made below. Figure 7 In more detail, in some embodiments, this process can also be used to switch between three or more applications.

[0106] Embodiments of this disclosure envision that in certain situations a user may wish to define an operating mode. For example, a user might prefer a first operating mode that includes a bright screen, muted audio, and disabled haptic feedback, while a second operating mode employs a dimmed screen, medium-volume audio, and activated haptic feedback. Therefore, in one or more embodiments, at 803, one or more processors and / or mode switches can change the operating mode of an electronic device from a first user-defined operating mode to a second user-defined operating mode. Numerous ways in which a user can define the first and second operating modes will be apparent to those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure.

[0107] At 804, one or more processors and / or mode switches can be accessed from the electronic device via a reference. Figure 1 Switching from a communication mode with one or more networks described above to a mode in which data communication is excluded changes the operating mode of the electronic device from a first operating mode to a second operating mode. The latter mode is sometimes referred to as "flight mode".

[0108] At point 805, one or more processors and / or mode switches can change the operating mode of an electronic device from a first operating mode to a second operating mode by switching from a first operating mode, which allows the location of the electronic device to be determined due to the fact that location detectors are active, to a second operating mode, in which these location detection services are disabled. A user may want to enable location services, for example, when using a navigation app, but may not want to enable location services when at home.

[0109] At 806, one or more processors and / or mode switches can change the operating mode of an electronic device from a first operating mode to a second operating mode by switching from an operating mode in which the local area network (LAN) communication capability of the communication device is enabled to an operating mode in which the LAN communication capability is disabled. By way of example, 806 may include switching from a first operating mode in which the Wi-Fi communication capability of the communication device is enabled to an operating mode in which those Wi-Fi communication capabilities are disabled. In another embodiment, 806 may include switching from an operating mode in which Bluetooth is enabled to an operating mode in which the Wi-Fi communication capability is disabled. TM The first operating mode of the Bluetooth.sup.TM capability is switched to disable Bluetooth. TM (Bluetooth.sup.TM) capability operation modes, etc. Of course, by interacting with the user-activated target again, the reverse process can also occur, switching from a mode that disables LAN communication capabilities to a mode that enables them.

[0110] At 807, one or more processors and / or mode switches can change the operating mode of an electronic device from a first operating mode to a second operating mode by switching from a mode that generates alarms from incoming communications to a mode that excludes such alarms. This is sometimes referred to as "Do Not Disturb" mode when active ringtones and other audible alarms, as well as tactile alarms, are excluded. Conversely, when Do Not Disturb mode is OFF, audible and tactile alarms are enabled.

[0111] At 808, one or more processors and / or mode switches can change the operating mode of an electronic device from a first operating mode to a second operating mode by switching from the mode of an electronic device operating as a LAN hub by communicating with local electronic devices and transmitting data to a WAN to a mode where those capabilities are disabled. It should be noted that, in Figure 8 The list of modes that can be switched between embodiments of this disclosure shown herein is merely exemplary. Many other modes that can be switched, changed, or altered in response to user input, touch input, and / or gesture input will be apparent to those skilled in the art who will benefit from this disclosure.

[0112] Turn now Figure 3 The illustration shows one or more method steps 301, 302, and 303 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Starting from step 301, the electronic device 100 operates in a first operating mode. The operating mode may be as described above. Figure 8 Any of the listed operating modes. Alternatively, the operating mode may be another operating mode that is obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art who benefit from this disclosure. In this exemplary embodiment, the first operating mode includes a communication device (112) that communicates with a wide area network according to a first communication protocol on a first communication link, which in this example is a 4G communication protocol for communicating on a communication link to a 4G network.

[0113] At step 302, the touch-sensitive display 101 persistently displays the first user-actuated target 102 and the second user-actuated target 103. In this exemplary embodiment, the touch-sensitive display 101 persistently displays the first user-actuated target 102 and the second user-actuated target 103, as well as other graphical objects 309, within the status bar 308. In one or more embodiments, the other graphical objects 309 may also be configured as user-actuated targets.

[0114] In this exemplary embodiment, each of the first user-actuated target 102 and the second user-actuated target 103 identifies a corresponding operating mode. In other words, the first user-actuated target 102 identifies a first operating mode that includes communicating over a wide area network according to a first communication protocol, which in this example is a 4G communication protocol for communicating over a communication link to a 4G network.

[0115] The operating mode is identified by the fact that the first user-actuated target 102 includes the letters "2G" and a signal strength meter. Similarly, the second user-actuated target 103 identifies a second operating mode including communication over a wide area network according to a first communication protocol, which in this example is a 4G communication protocol used for communication over a 4G network. This operating mode is identified by the fact that the second user-actuated target 103 includes the letters "4G" and a signal strength meter.

[0116] In one or more embodiments, the activated operating mode is identified by the first user-actuated target 102 and the second user-actuated target 103 and their positions on the touch-sensitive display 101. As described above, in this illustration, the first operating mode occurring at step 301 includes a communication device (112) communicating via a 4G network. This is identified by positioning the second user-actuated target 103 as the rightmost user-actuated target on the touch-sensitive display. Because the second user-actuated target 103 is outside the first user-actuated target 102 in this example, the user 304 is prompted that the first operating mode occurring at step 301 is communicating via a 4G communication link using a 4G communication network.

[0117] In step 302, user 304 wishes to switch electronic device 100 from the first operating mode of step 301 to the second operating mode. Therefore, user 304 transmits user input 305 to cause one or more processors (110) and / or mode switchers (132) to change the first operating mode to the second operating mode. In this example, user input 305 includes touch input 306 occurring in the form of a gesture 307. Because the first operating mode communicates over a wide area network according to a first communication protocol, in this example, the first communication protocol is a 4G communication protocol used for communication over a 4G network, user 304 provides initial touch input 306 at the second user actuation target 103, which indicates and recognizes the first operating mode.

[0118] Subsequently, user 304 moves their fingers 310 to define multiple gestures interacting with the first user-actuated target 102 and the second user-actuated target 103. Therefore, touch-sensitive display 101 can detect multiple instances of user input 305 interacting with the first user-actuated target 102 and the second user-actuated target 103. In this exemplary example, gesture 307 includes a zigzag gesture on the surface 104 of touch-sensitive display 101, which interacts twice with each of the first user-actuated target 102 and the second user-actuated target 103. Figure 3 As shown in the illustration, the Z-shaped gesture defines a Z shape that interacts with the second user actuation target 103 by starting there and returning after interacting with the first user actuation target 102, and interacting with the first user actuation target 102 at the end of the gesture 307 after the initial touch input 306.

[0119] In one or more embodiments, one or more processors (110) of electronic device 100 confirm whether such dual interaction with both the first user-actuated target 102 and the second user-actuated target 103 occurs within a predetermined time period, such as two seconds. In this case, step 303 includes changing, switching, or altering the first operating mode of step 301 to a second operating mode. In this exemplary example, the second operating mode includes a communication device (112) communicating over a wide area network according to a second communication protocol, which in this example is a 2G communication protocol for communicating over a 2G network.

[0120] In one or more embodiments, the fact that the operating mode has changed is recognized on the touch-sensitive display 101. As described above, in one or more embodiments, the activated operating mode is identified by the positions of the first user-actuated target 102 and the second user-actuated target 103 on the touch-sensitive display 101. In one or more embodiments, the rightmost user-actuated target on the touch-sensitive display 101 identifies the activated operating mode. Because the activated operating mode at step 303 is communication using a 2G network communication link, the first user-actuated target 102 is now positioned outside the second user-actuated target 103 after the mode change at step 303. Therefore, the user 304 is informed that the second operating mode occurring at step 303 is communicating using a 2G communication link of the 2G communication network.

[0121] Turn now Figure 4 At step 401, the electronic device 100 can in Figure 3 The second operation mode was identified at step (303). Continue. Figure 3For example, this means that the communication device (112) of electronic device 100 is using the 2G communication link of the 2G communication network for communication. In step 401, this is identified as an active operating mode by the fact that the first user-actuated target 1012 is the rightmost user-actuated target.

[0122] At step 402, user 304 wishes to switch electronic device 100 from the second operating mode of step 401 back to the first operating mode. In this exemplary embodiment, because the first user actuation target 102 and the second user actuation target 103 switch positions to prompt user 304 of the activated operating mode when the operating mode changes, in one or more embodiments, user 304 can perform the same action as in step (302) above, thereby allowing a single gesture to cause a change from the first operating mode to the second operating mode, and then back from the second operating mode to the first operating mode.

[0123] Performing such an action is also intuitive, wherein user 304 begins user input at user actuation target 102 representing the active operating mode, then moves to user actuation target 103 representing the desired operating mode, and finally completes the input at user actuation target 103 representing the desired operating mode. Therefore, in one or more embodiments, user 304 passes user input 305 to cause one or more processors (110) and / or mode switchers (132) to change the first operating mode to a second operating mode.

[0124] In this example, user input 305 includes touch input 306 occurring in the form of gesture 307. Because the second operating mode communicates using a wide area network according to a second communication protocol, in this example, the second communication protocol is a 2G communication protocol for communicating using a 2G network, user 304 provides initial touch input 306 at the first user actuation target 102, which indicates and recognizes this second operating mode.

[0125] Subsequently, user 304 moves their finger 310 to define multiple gestures interacting with the first user-actuated target 102 and the second user-actuated target 103. Therefore, touch-sensitive display 101 can detect multiple instances of user input 305 interacting with the first user-actuated target 102 and the second user-actuated target 103.

[0126] In this exemplary example, gesture 307 includes a zigzag gesture on the surface 104 of the touch-sensitive display 101, which interacts twice with each of the first user-actuated target 102 and the second user-actuated target 103. Figure 3As shown in the illustration, the Z-shaped gesture defines a Z shape that interacts with the first user actuation target 102 by starting there and returning after interacting with the second user actuation target 103, and interacts with the second user actuation target 103 at the end of the gesture 307 after the initial touch input 306.

[0127] In one or more embodiments, one or more processors (110) of electronic device 100 confirm whether such dual interaction with both the first user-actuated target 102 and the second user-actuated target 103 occurs within a predetermined time period, such as two seconds. If affirmative, step 403 includes changing, switching, or changing back to the first operating mode of step 401. In this exemplary example, the first operating mode includes a communication device (112) communicating over a wide area network according to a first communication protocol, which in this example is a 4G communication protocol for communicating over a 4G network.

[0128] In one or more embodiments, the fact that the operating mode has changed is recognized on the touch-sensitive display 101. In one or more embodiments, the rightmost user-actuated target on the touch-sensitive display 101 identifies the activated operating mode. Because the activated operating mode at step 403 is communication using a 4G network communication link, the second user-actuated target 103 is now positioned outside the first user-actuated target 102, i.e., closer to the edge of the electronic device 100. Therefore, the user 304 is prompted that the first operating mode occurring at step 403 is communicating using a 4G communication link of the 4G communication network.

[0129] It should be noted that this rearrangement of user actuation targets to indicate or identify activated operating modes is optional. Although it occurs... Figures 3 to 4 In the exemplary embodiments described herein, but not in other embodiments, this may not occur. In other embodiments, the active operating mode may be indicated in other ways. By way of example, a box or circle representing the active operating mode may be presented around the user-actuated target. In yet another embodiment, the user-actuated target representing the active operating mode may be presented with a darker line, a different color, bold text, or other identifying markers. Other techniques for identifying active operating modes will be apparent to those skilled in the art who will benefit from this disclosure.

[0130] Without rearranging the user actuation targets to identify the activated operating pattern, as referenced above... Figures 3 to 4 In such cases, users will use different actions to convey touch input in order to change the operating mode. In other words, in one or more embodiments, if the user-actuated target is statically presented on the touch-sensitive display, different actions can be used, while... Figures 3 to 4In this context, due to the fact that the rightmost user-actuated target represents the active operating mode, the user conveys touch input (306) by initially passing touch input (306) at the rightmost user-actuated target, and then moves their fingers 310 to create a gesture (307), which interacts with the first user-actuated target 102 and the second user-actuated target 103 multiple times by making a Z-shaped gesture that defines a Z shape. Now turning to Figure 5 The illustration shows such an embodiment.

[0131] Figure 5 The exemplary embodiments provide an alternative to this "repeating the same gesture" process. Figure 5 In an exemplary embodiment, the user initiates a gesture 407 at the user actuation target 102, which represents the operating mode that the user 304 wants to change, and then moves the finger 310 to the user actuation target 103 that the user 304 wants to activate. This is also advantageously intuitive, as a user starts at the user actuation target 102, which represents the activated operating mode, and moves to the user actuation target 103, which represents the desired activated operating mode.

[0132] Therefore, in one or more embodiments, step 502 includes user 304 passing user input 505 to cause one or more processors (110) and / or mode switchers (132) to switch the second operating mode back to the first operating mode. In this example, user input 505 includes touch input 506 occurring in the form of gesture 507. Because the second operating mode communicates over a wide area network according to a second communication protocol, which in this example is a 2G communication protocol for communication over a 2G network, user 304 provides initial touch input 506 at the user actuation target 102 representing this operating mode.

[0133] Subsequently, user 304 moves their fingers 310 to define multiple gestures interacting with the first user-actuated target 102 and the second user-actuated target 103. Therefore, touch-sensitive display 101 can detect multiple instances of user input 505 interacting with the first user-actuated target 102 and the second user-actuated target 103. In this exemplary example, gesture 507 includes another zigzag gesture on the surface 104 of touch-sensitive display 101, which interacts twice with each of the first user-actuated target 102 and the second user-actuated target 103. Figure 5 As shown in the illustration, the Z-shaped hand gesture is... Figures 3 to 4 The opposite of what is shown is thus defined as an anti-Z shape, which interacts with the first user actuation target 102 by starting there and returning after interacting with the second user actuation target 103, and interacts with the second user actuation target 103 after the initial touch input 406 and at the end of the gesture 407.

[0134] In one or more embodiments, one or more processors (110) of electronic device 100 confirm whether such dual interaction with both the first user-actuated target 102 and the second user-actuated target 103 occurs within a predetermined time period, such as two seconds. If affirmative, step 503 includes changing, switching, or changing back to the first operating mode of step 501. In this exemplary example, the first operating mode includes a communication device (112) communicating over a wide area network according to a first communication protocol, which in this example is a 4G communication protocol for communicating over a 4G network.

[0135] therefore, Figure 4 Step 402 illustrates, in one or more embodiments, how the touch-sensitive display 101 can detect another user input 505 interacting with the first user-actuated target 102 and the second user-actuated target 103 within a predetermined time when operating in a second operating mode. In one or more embodiments, when this optionally occurs within a predetermined time, step 503 may include using one or more processors (110) to change the operating mode of the electronic device 100 from the second operating mode to the first operating mode.

[0136] Although user input of 505 can include another Z-shape, but as Figure 4 As in step (402), in Figure 5 In another embodiment shown, Figure 3 The user input (305) in step (302) includes a Z-shaped gesture on the surface 104 of the touch-sensitive display 101, while Figure 5 Another user input 505 in step 502 includes a reverse Z-shaped gesture on the surface 104 of the touch-sensitive display 101. Therefore, although they may be the same in one or more embodiments, they originate from... Figure 3 The gesture (307) of step (302) and from Figure 5 The gesture 507 in step 502 is different.

[0137] While the Z-shaped hand gesture is an exemplary gesture that can be used according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure, the embodiments are not limited thereto. Reference will be made below. Figures 9 to 12 As described, gestures may also take other forms. Furthermore, gestures other than those shown and described for switching the operating mode from the first operating mode to the second operating mode will be apparent to those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure.

[0138] Turn now Figure 6The illustrations depict one or more method steps 601, 602, 603 according to another embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 8 As discussed previously, in one or more embodiments, the first and second operating modes can be user-defined. Similarly, in one or more embodiments, the user-actuated target can also be defined, just as the first and second operating modes can be defined. Figure 6 Provide steps 601, 602, and 603 to show how this situation can occur.

[0139] Starting from step 601, the electronic device 100 operates in a first operating mode. In this exemplary embodiment, the first operating mode is user-defined and includes a social media application running on the electronic device 100.

[0140] At step 602, the touch-sensitive display 101 persistently displays the first user-actuated target 604 and the second user-actuated target 605. In this exemplary embodiment, the touch-sensitive display 101 persistently displays the first user-actuated target 604 and the second user-actuated target 605 within the status bar 308.

[0141] In this exemplary embodiment, each of the first user-actuated target 604 and the second user-actuated target 605 identifies a corresponding operating mode. In other words, the first user-actuated target 604 identifies a first user-defined operating mode, while the second user-actuated target 605 identifies a second user-defined operating mode. In this exemplary embodiment, each of the first user-actuated target 604 and the second user-actuated target 605 is user-defined and includes a user-defined shape surrounding a user-defined identifier that indicates which operating mode each user-actuated target corresponds to. This advantageously allows the user to immediately identify the operating mode from their respective user-actuated target.

[0142] In step 602, user 304 wishes to switch electronic device 100 from the first operating mode of step 601 to a second operating mode. In this illustration, the second operating mode includes electronic device 100 operating as an e-book reader.

[0143] Therefore, user 304 transmits touch input 606 to cause one or more processors (110) and / or mode switchers (132) to change the first operating mode to a second operating mode. In this example, touch input 606 interacts multiple times with the first user-actuated target 604 and the second user-actuated target 605 within a predetermined time period. Figures 3 to 5Similarly, in this exemplary embodiment, touch input 606 includes a zigzag gesture on the surface 104 of the touch-sensitive display 101, which interacts twice with each of the first user-actuated target 604 and the second user-actuated target 605. In one or more embodiments, when this occurs, step 603 includes changing, switching, or altering the first operating mode of step 601 to a second operating mode as previously described.

[0144] Turn now Figure 7 The illustration depicts one or more method steps 701, 702, 703, 704, 705, 706, and 707, illustrating how embodiments of this disclosure can be extended from switching between two operating modes to switching between three or more operating modes. Starting from step 701, the electronic device operates in a first operating mode. The operating mode can be as described above. Figure 8 Any of the listed modes of operation. Alternatively, the mode of operation may be another mode of operation that is obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art who benefits from this disclosure.

[0145] At step 702, the touch-sensitive display persistently presents three user-actuated targets: a first user-actuated target 708, a second user-actuated target 709, and a third user-actuated target 710. Although in Figure 7 The image shows three user-activated targets, but it's important to understand that... Figure 7 The method described can be extended to any number of actuated targets.

[0146] At step 702, the user desires to switch the electronic device from the first operating mode of step 701 to the second operating mode. Therefore, the user passes user input 711 to cause one or more processors and / or mode switches to change the first operating mode to the second operating mode. In this example, user input 711 includes touch input that interacts with all three user-actuated targets. User input 711 begins at the first user-actuated target 708, then moves and interacts with the second user-actuated target 709, and then interacts with the third user-actuated target 710. From there, user input 711 returns to the second user-actuated target 709 and the first user-actuated target 708, and then returns to interact with the second user-actuated target 709 and finally with the third user-actuated target 710. In one or more embodiments, when this optionally occurs within a predetermined time period, step 703 includes changing, switching, or altering the first operating mode of step 701 to the second operating mode.

[0147] At step 704, the user wishes to switch the electronic device from the second operating mode of step 703 to the third operating mode. This is the opposite of making different gestures, as described above. Figure 5As in the previous example, in this embodiment, the user passes another user input 712 that interacts with the three user-actuated targets, the details of which are similar to the user input 712 passed at step 702. In one or more embodiments, this causes a switch from a second operating mode to a third operating mode.

[0148] Therefore, the user passes another user input 712 to cause one or more processors and / or mode switches to change the second operating mode to the third operating mode. In this example, the user input 712 includes touch input that interacts with all three user-actuated targets again. The user input 712 begins at the first user-actuated target 708, then moves and interacts with the second user-actuated target 709, and then interacts with the third user-actuated target 710. From there, the user input 711 returns to the second user-actuated target 709 and the first user-actuated target 708, and then returns to interact with the second user-actuated target 709 and finally with the third user-actuated target 710. In one or more embodiments, when this occurs optionally within a predetermined time period, step 705 includes changing, switching, or altering the second operating mode of step 703 to the third operating mode.

[0149] The method can then be repeated to return the operating mode to the first operating mode. For example, at step 706, the user passes another user input 713 to cause one or more processors and / or mode switches to change the third operating mode back to the first operating mode. In this example, user input 713 includes touch input that interacts with all three user-actuated targets again. User input 713 begins at the first user-actuated target 708, then moves and interacts with the second user-actuated target 709, and then interacts with the third user-actuated target 710. From there, user input 711 returns to the second user-actuated target 709 and the first user-actuated target 708, and then returns to interact with the second user-actuated target 709 and finally with the third user-actuated target 710. In one or more embodiments, when this occurs optionally within a predetermined time period, step 707 includes changing, switching, or altering the third operating mode of step 706 back to the first operating mode.

[0150] Turn now Figures 9 to 12 The illustrations depict various gestures that interact with a user-actuated target to change the mode of operation, according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure. These examples are provided to illustrate other embodiments beyond the Z-shaped and reverse Z-shaped gestures described above. However, it should be noted that... Figures 9 to 12 The embodiments described are merely exemplary. Others will be apparent to those skilled in the art who will benefit from this disclosure.

[0151] from Figure 9Initially, in this exemplary embodiment, user input 901 includes a gesture 902 that occurs in an inverted S-shape in interaction with a first user actuation target 903 and a second user actuation target 904. In this exemplary embodiment, the start 905, the first curve 906, the second curve 907, and the end 908 of the gesture cross the first user actuation target 903 and the second user actuation target 904, but do not exceed the outer boundaries 909 and 910 of the first user actuation target 903 and the second user actuation target 904.

[0152] Turn now Figure 10 In this exemplary embodiment, user input 1001 includes a gesture 1002 occurring in a lateral W shape (which can alternatively be converted to a lateral M shape) in interaction with a first user-actuated target 1003 and a second user-actuated target 1004. Using a lateral W or a lateral M, one user-actuated target will interact more than the other. In this illustration, the first user-actuated target 1003 is interacted three times, while the second user-actuated target 1004 is interacted only twice. Using such asymmetric interaction allows a user to indicate which mode of operation they expect by interacting with one user-actuated target more or less than the other.

[0153] Now go to Figure 11 Here, user input 1101 includes free-form gestures 1102 that interact with each user-actuated target 1103, 1104 more than twice. Furthermore, as can be seen from the start, curve, and end, in this illustration, free-form gestures 1102 interact with each user-actuated target 1103, 1104 by interacting with the inner boundaries of each user-actuated target 1103, 1104, the inner boundaries of each user-actuated target 1103, 1104, and even across the outer boundaries of each user-actuated target 1103, 1104.

[0154] Now go to Figure 12 This illustration shows user input 1201 interacting multiple times with the first user-actuated target 1202 and the second user-actuated target 1203. In this illustration, "multiple times" means more than two times, as it is three times. Although three interactions are shown, the number of interactions required to switch the operating mode of the electronic device can be four, five, six, or more, depending on the desired robustness.

[0155] It should be noted that Figures 9 to 12 Various user interactions can be combined. For example, in at least one embodiment, a user interaction can be allowed that interacts with one user-actuated target more than another. Figure 10 However, it cannot exceed the outer boundary of each user-actuated target. Figure 9 ), but can be in a free form ( Figure 11This occurs to cause the electronic device to change its operating mode. Other combinations of these figures that define a unique set of user input requirements will be apparent to those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure.

[0156] Now go to Figure 13 The illustrations depict various embodiments of this disclosure. At 1301, a method in an electronic device includes detecting user input interacting with a first user-actuated target and a second user-actuated target within a predetermined time period using a touch-sensitive display. At 1301, the method includes, upon detecting user input interacting with the first user-actuated target and the second user-actuated target within the predetermined time period, changing the operating mode of the electronic device from a first operating mode to a second operating mode using one or more processors operable on the touch-sensitive display. At 1302, the first user-actuated target at 1301 recognizes the first operating mode, while the second user-actuated target recognizes the second operating mode.

[0157] At 1303, the method of 1302 further includes, when operating in a first operating mode, persistently displaying both the first user-actuated target and the second user-actuated target using a touch-sensitive display. At 1304, the method of 1303 further includes, when operating in a second operating mode, persistently displaying both the first user-actuated target and the second user-actuated target using a touch-sensitive display.

[0158] At 1305, the detection at 1301 includes detecting multiple instances of user input interacting with the first user actuation target and the second user actuation target within a predetermined time. At 1306, the user input at 1305 includes a zigzag gesture on the surface of the touch-sensitive display. At 1307, the zigzag gesture at 1306 interacts twice with each of the first and second user actuation targets. At 1308, the zigzag gesture at 1306 defines either a zigzag or an anti-zigzag gesture.

[0159] At 1309, the method of 1301 further includes detecting, when operating in a second operating mode, another user input interacting with a first user actuation target and a second user actuation target within a predetermined time using a touch-sensitive display. At 1309, and upon detecting another user input interacting with the first user actuation target and the second user actuation target within a predetermined time, the method includes changing the operating mode of the electronic device from the second operating mode to the first operating mode using one or more processors. At 1310, the user input of 1309 includes a Z-shaped gesture on the surface of the touch-sensitive display, while the other user input includes a reverse Z-shaped gesture on the surface of the touch-sensitive display.

[0160] At 1311, the electronic device includes a touch-sensitive display. At 1311, the electronic device includes one or more processors operable using the touch-sensitive display. At 1311, the touch-sensitive display presents a first user-actuated target and a second user-actuated target. At 1311, the touch-sensitive display detects touch input at the first user-actuated target and the second user-actuated target within a predetermined time. At 1311, in response to the touch input, the one or more processors switch the electronic device from a first operating mode to a second operating mode.

[0161] At 1312, the electronic device of 1311 further includes a communication device. At 1312, the first operating mode includes the communication device operating according to a first data communication protocol, while the second operating mode includes the communication device operating according to a second data communication protocol. At 1313, both the first user actuation target and the second user actuation target of 1311 include a user-defined user actuation target.

[0162] At 1314, the touch-sensitive display of 1311 detects another touch input at the first user actuation target and the second user actuation target within a predetermined time. At 1314, in response to the other touch input, one or more processors switch the electronic device from a second operating mode to a first operating mode. At 1315, the touch input of 1314 defines a Z-shaped gesture along the touch-sensitive display, while the other touch input includes one of a Z-shaped gesture along the touch-sensitive display or a reverse Z-shaped gesture.

[0163] At point 1316, the touch input at point 1314 interacts with the first user-actuated target more times than with the second user-actuated target. At point 1317, the touch-sensitive display at point 1311 persistently displays the first user-actuated target, the second user-actuated target, and other user-actuated targets within the status bar.

[0164] At 1318, the method in the electronic device includes detecting multiple user gestures that cross a first user-actuated target and a second user-actuated target using a touch-sensitive surface. At 1318, each persistent user-actuated target is presented on the touch-sensitive surface. At 1318, the method includes changing the operating mode of the electronic device from a first operating mode to a second operating mode in response to detecting a user gesture.

[0165] At 1319, the method of 1318 utilizes a touch-sensitive surface to detect another user gesture that repeatedly crosses the first user actuation target and the second user actuation target. At 1319, in response to detecting the other user gesture, the method includes changing the operating mode of the electronic device from a second operating mode to a first operating mode. At 1320, the user gesture of 1319 and the other user gesture are different.

[0166] Specific embodiments of this disclosure have been described in the foregoing specification. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and alterations are possible without departing from the scope of this disclosure as set forth in the following claims. Therefore, while preferred embodiments of this disclosure have been described and illustrated, it is clear that this disclosure is not limited thereto. Many modifications, alterations, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will appear to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Therefore, the specification and drawings should be considered exemplary rather than restrictive, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure. No benefit, advantage, solution to a problem, or any element that may lead to or make more apparent any benefit, advantage, or solution must be construed as a key, essential, or necessary feature or element of any or all claims.

Claims

1. A method in an electronic device, the method comprising: Multiple instances of user input that interact with a first user-actuated target and a second user-actuated target within a predetermined time period are detected using a touch-sensitive display; as well as Upon detecting user input interacting with the first user actuation target and the second user actuation target within the predetermined time period, the operating mode of the electronic device is changed from one of a first operating mode and a second operating mode using one or more processors operable with the touch-sensitive display, wherein the first user actuation target indicates a first communication network and the second user actuation target indicates a second communication network.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first user-actuated target identifies the first operation mode, and the second user-actuated target identifies the second operation mode.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising, when operating in the first operating mode, persistently displaying both the first user-actuated target and the second user-actuated target using the touch-sensitive display.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising, when operating in the second operating mode, using the touch-sensitive display to persistently display both the first user-actuated target and the second user-actuated target.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the user input includes a zigzag gesture on the surface of the touch-sensitive display.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein, The Z-shaped gesture interacts twice with each of the first user-actuated target and the second user-actuated target.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein, The Z-shaped gesture is defined as either a Z-shape or an inverted Z-shape.

8. An electronic device, comprising: Touch-sensitive display; as well as One or more processors, said one or more processors being operable using the touch-sensitive display; as well as Communication equipment; The touch-sensitive display presents a first user-actuated target and a second user-actuated target, and detects multiple touch inputs that interact with the first user-actuated target and the second user-actuated target within a predetermined time period; and The one or more processors switch the electronic device from a first operating mode and a second operating mode in response to the touch input. The first operating mode includes the communication device operating according to a first data communication protocol, and the second operating mode includes the communication device operating according to a second data communication protocol.

9. The electronic device according to claim 8, wherein both the first user-actuated target and the second user-actuated target include user-defined user-actuated targets.

10. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the touch input comprises one of the Z-shaped gesture or the reverse Z-shaped gesture along the touch-sensitive display.

11. The electronic device according to claim 8, wherein the touch input interacts with the first user-actuated target more times than with the second user-actuated target.

12. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the touch-sensitive display persistently displays the first user-actuated target and the second user-actuated target in the status bar along with other user-actuated targets.

13. A method in an electronic device, the method comprising: The touch-sensitive surface is used to detect user gestures that cross the first user actuation target and the second user actuation target multiple times within a predetermined time period, and each user actuation target is persistently displayed on the touch-sensitive surface; as well as In response to detecting the user gesture, the operating mode of the electronic device is changed from one of a first operating mode and a second operating mode to the other, wherein the first user actuation target indicates a first communication network and the second user actuation target indicates a second communication network.

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