Housing, electronic device component, electronic device, and control method thereof

Abstract

The application provides a shell, an electronic device assembly, an electronic device and a control method thereof; the shell is used for cooperating with an electronic device to realize switching of a display state of the electronic device, the shell comprises a main body part and an optical piece, the optical piece is fixedly arranged on the main body part, the optical piece is used for conducting signal light emitted by a light signal transmitter of the electronic device to a light signal receiver, the electronic device can judge identity information of the shell according to the signal light received by the light signal receiver, and then control the display screen to switch the display state. The shell provided by the embodiment of the application can make the electronic device recognize whether the identity information is the identity information of the shell in addition to recognizing that an object is close or blocked in the state of cooperating with the electronic device, and then trigger the function of the display screen of the electronic device to control the display state switching, and the shell has the characteristics of simple structure, accurate and reliable triggering.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of electronic device accessories and control methods, in particular to a shell, an electronic device assembly, an electronic device and a control method thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] The recognition method of the electronic device for the display screen protective shell such as a leather sheath is generally to detect whether the leather sheath covers the display screen through the set infrared emitter and receiver, however, in the above scheme, only the approach of an object can be recognized, and whether the shielding object is a leather sheath cannot be distinguished, which has the limitation of use scene. SUMMARY

[0003] The first aspect of the embodiment of the present application provides a shell, which is used in cooperation with an electronic device to realize switching of a display state of the electronic device, the shell comprising a main body part and an optical piece, the optical piece being fixedly arranged on the main body part, the optical piece being used to conduct signal light emitted by a light signal emitter of the electronic device to a light signal receiver, the electronic device being capable of judging identity information of the shell according to signal light received by the light signal receiver, and then performing display state switching control on a display screen.

[0004] The second aspect, the embodiment of the present application provides an electronic device, comprising a display screen, a control circuit board, a first light signal receiver, a second light signal receiver and a light signal emitter; the display screen, the first light signal receiver, the second light signal receiver and the light signal emitter are connected with the control circuit board respectively, the first light signal receiver is used to receive first signal light emitted by the light signal emitter, the second light signal receiver is used to receive second signal light emitted by the light signal emitter; the control circuit board is used to judge a shielding state of the electronic device and identify a shell according to the first signal light received by the first light signal receiver and the second signal light received by the second light signal receiver, and then perform display state switching control on the display screen.

[0005] The third aspect, the embodiment of the present application provides an electronic device assembly, comprising the shell and the electronic device in the above embodiment.

[0006] The fourth aspect, the embodiment of the present application provides a control method of an electronic device, the control method comprising:

[0007] controlling the light signal emitter to emit first signal light;

[0008] judging whether the first light signal receiver receives the first signal light;

[0009] if yes, controlling the light signal emitter to emit second signal light;

[0010] determining whether the second optical signal receiver receives the second signal light;

[0011] if yes, controlling the display state of the display screen of the electronic device.

[0012] The shell provided by the embodiment of the present application can transmit the signal light emitted by the optical signal transmitter of the electronic device to the optical signal receiver through the structure of the optical element. The electronic device can determine the identity information of the shell according to the signal light received by the optical signal receiver, and then control the display state of the display screen. In the state of cooperation with the electronic device, the shell can make the electronic device not only recognize the approach or shielding of an object, but also recognize the identity information of the shell, and then trigger the function of the display state switching control of the display screen of the electronic device. The shell has the characteristics of simple structure, accurate and reliable triggering. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings needed in the embodiment description will be briefly introduced. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor.

[0014] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of an electronic device assembly of the present application;

[0015] Figure 2 is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of an electronic device of the present application;

[0016] Figure 3 is Figure 2 is a sectional structural schematic diagram of an electronic device along the line A-A in the embodiment;

[0017] Figure 4 is a structural schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an electronic device of the present application;

[0018] Figure 5 is a structural schematic diagram of another embodiment of an electronic device assembly of the present application;

[0019] Figure 6 is a flowchart of an embodiment of an electronic device control method of the present application;

[0020] Figure 7 is a flowchart of another embodiment of an electronic device control method of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The application will be described in further detail below with reference to the drawings and embodiments. It is to be particularly noted that the following embodiments are merely intended to illustrate the application, but not to limit the scope of the application. Similarly, the following embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the application, and all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative efforts fall within the scope of the application.

[0022] The terms "first", "second", "third", etc. in the embodiments of the present application are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the technical features indicated. Therefore, the features defined with "first", "second", "third" can explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of the present application, the meaning of "a plurality of" is at least two, for example, two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly and specifically limited. All directional indications (such as upper, lower, left, right, front, back, etc.) in the embodiments of the present application are only used to explain the relative positional relationship, movement condition, etc. between components in a certain posture (as shown in the drawings), and if the certain posture changes, the directional indications also change accordingly. The terms "comprise" and "have" and any variations thereof in the embodiments of the present application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but can optionally include steps or units not listed, or can optionally include other steps or components inherent to the process, method, product or device.

[0023] Reference herein to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the application. The appearances of the phrase that the phrase in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are they necessarily mutually exclusive of one another. It is explicitly and implicitly understood that the embodiments described herein are capable of combination.

[0024] As used herein, "electronic device" (or simply "terminal") includes, but is not limited to, a device configured to receive / send communication signals via wired lines (such as via a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a digital subscriber line (DSL), a digital cable, a direct cable connection, and / or another data connection / network) and / or via a wireless interface (e.g., for a cellular network, a wireless local area network (WLAN), a digital television network such as a DVB-H network, a satellite network, an AM-FM broadcast transmitter, and / or another communication terminal). A communication terminal configured to communicate through a wireless interface can be referred to as a "wireless communication terminal", a "wireless terminal", or a "mobile terminal". Examples of mobile terminals include, but are not limited to, satellite or cellular phones; personal communication system (PCS) terminals that can combine a cellular radiotelephone with data processing, facsimile, and data communications capabilities; PDAs that can include a wireless radiotelephone, a pager, Internet / Intranet access, a Web browser, a notepad, a calendar, and / or a global positioning system (GPS) receiver; and conventional laptop and / or palmtop receivers or other electronic devices that include a wireless radiotelephone transceiver. A handset is an electronic device configured with a cellular communication module.

[0025] An electronic device assembly is provided in embodiments of the present application. Referring to Figure 1 , Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of an electronic device assembly of the present application, wherein the electronic device assembly includes a shell 200 and an electronic device 100. Specifically, the electronic device 100 can be a handset, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a wearable device, or the like electronic device having a display screen, and the shell 200 at least includes a main body portion 210 for covering a display screen portion of the electronic device. Of course, the shell 200 can further include a side frame for fixed connection with the electronic device 100 and a back cover for protecting a back shell of the electronic device, and other structures, which will not be described in detail herein, and the main features of the shell 200 for covering the display screen portion of the electronic device will be mainly introduced in the embodiments.

[0026] The material of the shell 200 (including the main body portion 210 and the side frame, the back cover, and the like not shown in the figure) can be leather, plastic, resin, rubber, and the like, which will not be specifically limited herein. The shell 200 is used in cooperation with the electronic device 100 to realize switching of the display state of the electronic device 100. Taking the shell 200 as a leather sheath as an example, the switching of the display state of the electronic device 100 can specifically be to control the display screen to switch between the states of screen-off, screen-on, and displaying a specific lock screen picture (such as displaying a clock, weather, a memo, and the like).

[0027] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , Figure 2 is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of an electronic device of the present application,Figure 3 is Figure 2 The schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the electronic device along the line A-A in the embodiment, wherein the electronic device 100 comprises a display screen 110, a control circuit board 120, a first optical signal receiver 130, a second optical signal receiver 140, an optical signal transmitter 150, a shell 160, etc. The shell 160 cooperates with the display screen 110 to form a containing space 1000, and the control circuit board 120 is arranged in the containing space 1000.

[0028] Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 The schematic block diagram of the structural components of an embodiment of the electronic device of the present application. The electronic device can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a wearable device, etc. The embodiment is illustrated by taking a mobile phone as an example. The structure of the electronic device can include an RF circuit 910, a memory 920, an input unit 930, a display unit 940, a sensor 950, an audio circuit 960, a wifi module 970, a processor 980 (which can be the control circuit board 120 in the foregoing embodiment), and a power supply 990, etc. Among them, the RF circuit 910, the memory 920, the input unit 930, the display unit 940, the sensor 950, the audio circuit 960, and the wifi module 970 are respectively connected with the processor 980; the power supply 990 is used to provide power for the entire electronic device 10.

[0029] Specifically, the RF circuit 910 is used to send and receive signals; the memory 920 is used to store data instructions information; the input unit 930 is used to input information, which can specifically include a touch panel 931 and other input devices 932 such as operation buttons; the display unit 940 can include a display panel 941, etc.; the sensor 950 includes an infrared sensor, a laser sensor, etc., which is used to detect user proximity signals, distance signals, etc.; the speaker 961 and the microphone 962 are connected with the processor 980 through the audio circuit 960, which are used to send and receive sound signals; the wifi module 970 is used to receive and transmit wifi signals, and the processor 980 is used to process data information of the electronic device. For specific structural features of the electronic device, please refer to the related description of the above embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0030] Please continue to refer to Figure 1 The shell 200 includes a main body part 210 and an optical part 220, and the optical part 220 is fixedly arranged on the main body part 210. The optical part 220 is used to conduct the signal light emitted by the optical signal transmitter 150 of the electronic device to the (second) optical signal receiver 140. The (control circuit board 120 of the) electronic device can judge the identity information of the shell according to the signal light received by the (second) optical signal receiver, and then control the display state switching of the display screen.

[0031] Optionally, the display screen 110, the first light signal receiver 130, the second light signal receiver 140 and the light signal emitter 150 are connected with the control circuit board 120 respectively, wherein the first light signal receiver 130 is configured to receive the first signal light emitted by the light signal emitter 150, and the light signal emitter 150 can be an infrared light emitter. The control circuit board 120 is configured to determine that the display screen 110 (or the region where the first light signal receiver 130, the second light signal receiver 140 and the light signal emitter 150 are arranged) of the electronic device is in the blocked state according to the first signal light received by the first light signal receiver 130. Figure 1 The surface marked as 101 represents the surface of the electronic device where the display screen is arranged, i.e., the front surface of the electronic device.

[0032] Please continue to refer to Figure 1 The second light signal receiver 140 is configured to receive the second signal light emitted by the light signal emitter 150. The second signal light is the signal light transmitted through the optical member 220 of the shell. After the second signal light is transmitted through the optical member 220 of the shell, the second light signal receiver 140 receives the signal light, and the control circuit board 120 of the electronic device 100 can determine the identity information of the shell 200 according to the signal light received by the second light signal receiver 140. In the embodiment, the optical member 220 is a light guide strip. In the state where the shell 200 cooperates with the electronic device 100 (the state in the middle of the figure), Figure 1 In the state in the middle of the figure), the light-in end of the light guide strip corresponds to the light signal emitter 150 of the electronic device, and the light-out end of the light guide strip corresponds to the second light signal receiver 140 of the electronic device. Only when the two ends of the light guide strip (optical member 220) of the shell 200 correspond to the light signal emitter 150 and the second light signal receiver 140 respectively, the second light signal receiver 140 can receive the signal light, so that it can be determined that the object close to the electronic device is the shell 200 (a specific light transmission path), rather than other objects, thereby triggering the function of the electronic device for controlling the display state switching of the display screen.

[0033] Optionally, the distance L1 between the light signal emitter 150 and the first light signal receiver 130 is less than the distance L2 between the light signal emitter 150 and the second light signal receiver 140. This design structure can prevent the second light signal receiver 140 from mistakenly receiving the signal light that is not transmitted through the optical member 220, thereby ensuring the reliability of the detection.

[0034] Optionally, the color of the light guide strip of each shell 200 in the embodiment of the present application is different, and the color of the light guide strip corresponds to the identity information of the shell. By designing light guide strips of different colors to change the color of the second signal light after the second signal light passes through the light guide strip, the identity information of the shell 200 can be identified. For example, when the second signal light emitted by the light signal emitter 150 is conducted through the light guide strip and the second light signal receiver 140 receives blue light, it is determined that the case (the main body part 210 of the shell 200) is in a state of covering the display screen of the electronic device, and the display state switching control of the display screen of the electronic device is performed. For example, a transparent window can be provided on the main body part 210 corresponding to the position of the display screen 110. In the state that the main body part 210 shields the display screen 110, the specific lock screen picture of the display screen 110 can be seen.

[0035] By configuring light guide strips of different colors on the shell, the electronic device can identify different types and identities of the shell. For example, shell A uses a blue light guide strip, and shell B uses a green light guide strip. The second light signal receiver 140 can determine different types of shells through different color lenses.

[0036] Since the proximity of the electronic device to the light (the first signal light received by the first light signal receiver 130) is mainly used to detect the proximity of the electronic device (for example, a mobile phone) to the head when making a call, only infrared light is simply reflected for proximity detection. In addition, the second signal light is conducted through the light guide strip with a specific color and structure to determine and identify the shell, and the display state switching control of the display screen is realized.

[0037] Please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 is a structural schematic diagram of another embodiment of the electronic device assembly of the present application. The electronic device assembly also includes a shell 200 and an electronic device 100. The shell 200 includes a main body part 210 and an optical piece 220, and the optical piece 220 is fixedly arranged on the main body part 210. Unlike the foregoing embodiment, the optical piece 220 in the present embodiment is a reflector. In the state that the shell 200 cooperates with the electronic device 100, the (second) signal light emitted by the light signal emitter 150 of the electronic device can be reflected to the second light signal receiver through the reflector. The reflector (optical piece 220) of the shell 200 has a specific installation angle with the main body part 210. In the state that the shell 200 cooperates with the electronic device 100 (in the state), the reflector reflects the second signal light emitted by the light signal emitter 150 to the second light signal receiver 140. At this time, it can be determined that the object in proximity is the shell 200 (specific light refraction path and angle), rather than other objects, and the function of the electronic device to perform display state switching control of the display screen is triggered. Figure 5

[0038] ​The shell provided by the embodiment of the present application can transmit the signal light emitted by the light signal transmitter of the electronic device to the light signal receiver through the structure of the optical element, the electronic device can determine the identity information of the shell according to the signal light received by the light signal receiver, and then control the display screen to switch the display state. In the state of cooperating with the electronic device, the shell can make the electronic device not only recognize that there is an object close or shield, but also recognize whether it is the identity information of the shell, and then trigger the function of the display screen of the electronic device to switch the display state, which has the characteristics of simple structure, accurate and reliable triggering.

[0039] Further, the embodiment of the present application also provides a control method of an electronic device, please refer to Figure 6 , Figure 6 is a flowchart of an embodiment of the control method of the electronic device of the present application, wherein the control method in the embodiment includes but is not limited to the following steps.

[0040] Step S100, control the light signal transmitter to emit first signal light.

[0041] This step can be completed by the control circuit board of the electronic device. The light signal transmitter can be an infrared transmitter.

[0042] Step S200, determine whether the first light signal receiver receives the first signal light.

[0043] Wherein, the first signal light can be reflected back via any position and received by the first light signal receiver, which is not limited to the shell, but also the head, hand and the like of the user. Wherein, the process of step S100 and step S200 is similar to the detection process of the proximity sensor in the conventional technical solution, and the effect is also the same, that is, to determine whether the display screen position of the electronic device is shielded or has an object close.

[0044] If the result of step S200 is no, return to step S100, and if the result is yes, proceed to the next step.

[0045] Step S300, control the light signal transmitter to emit second signal light.

[0046] Wherein, the second signal light is the signal light transmitted through the optical element of the shell, that is, the second signal light received by the second light signal receiver is the signal light of a specific color or a specific refraction angle. For the structure of the shell, please refer to the related description of the foregoing embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0047] Step S400, determine whether the second light signal receiver receives the second signal light.

[0048] In step S400, if the judgment result is negative, the process returns to step S300 and continues to control the optical signal transmitter to emit the second signal light. If the judgment result is positive, the process proceeds to the next step.

[0049] Step S500: Control the switching of the display state of the electronic device's display screen.

[0050] Specifically, switching the display state of the electronic device can involve controlling the display screen to switch between off-screen, on-screen, and displaying a specific lock screen image (such as a clock, weather, or memo). For example, a transparent window can be provided on the main body of the casing corresponding to the position of the display screen, allowing the specific lock screen image to be seen when the main body obscures the display screen. Those skilled in the art can design the detailed features of this part according to their needs, and no specific limitations are made here.

[0051] Please see Figure 7 , Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of the electronic device control method of this application, wherein the control method in this embodiment includes, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0052] Step S600: Pre-store the correspondence between the second signal light transmitted through the optical components of the housing and the housing.

[0053] In this step, specifically, the electronic device may pre-store the correspondence between the second signal light transmitted through the optical components of the housing and the housing. For example, when the second signal light transmitted through the light guide strip of the housing is blue, it is identified as housing A; when the second signal light transmitted through the light guide strip of the housing is green, it is identified as housing B, and so on.

[0054] Step S100: Control the optical signal transmitter to emit the first signal light.

[0055] This step can be controlled by the control circuit board of an electronic device. The optical signal transmitter can be an infrared transmitter.

[0056] Step S200: Determine whether the first optical signal receiver has received the first signal light.

[0057] The first signal light can be reflected back from any location and received by the first light signal receiver, not limited to the casing, but also including the user's head, hand, etc. Steps S100 and S200 are similar to the proximity sensor detection process in conventional technical solutions, and serve the same purpose: to determine whether the electronic device's display screen is obstructed or an object is approaching.

[0058] If the result of step S200 is negative, return to step S100; if the result is positive, proceed to the next step.

[0059] Step S300, controlling the light signal transmitter to emit the second signal light.

[0060] The second signal light is signal light transmitted through the optical part of the shell (light guide strip solution), that is, the second signal light received by the second light signal receiver is signal light of a specific color or a specific refraction angle. For the structure of the shell, please refer to the relevant description of the foregoing embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0061] Step S400, determining whether the second light signal receiver receives the second signal light.

[0062] In step S400, if the determination result is no, return to step S300, and continue to control the light signal transmitter to emit the second signal light; if the determination result is yes, proceed to the next step.

[0063] Step S700, determining whether the second signal light transmitted through the optical part of the shell corresponds to the shell.

[0064] In this step, based on the correspondence stored in step S600, if the determination result is no, return to step S300, and continue to control the light signal transmitter to emit the second signal light; if the determination result is yes, proceed to the next step.

[0065] Step S500, controlling the display state of the display screen of the electronic device.

[0066] The electronic device control method provided by the embodiments of the present application can determine the identity information of the shell according to the signal light received by the light signal receiver, and then control the display state of the display screen. In the state of cooperation with the electronic device, the shell can make the electronic device not only recognize that there is an object close or shield, but also recognize the identity information of the shell, and then trigger the function of the display screen of the electronic device to control the display state switching, which has the characteristics of simple structure, accurate and reliable triggering.

[0067] The above only describes some embodiments of the present application, and does not limit the protection scope of the present application, and any equivalent device or equivalent process transformation based on the content of the specification and drawings, or direct or indirect application in other related technical fields, are also included in the patent protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A housing for cooperating with an electronic device to effect switching of a display state of the electronic device, characterized in that, The shell comprises a main body and an optical piece fixed to the main body, the optical piece is used to transmit signal light emitted by a light signal transmitter of an electronic device to a light signal receiver, and the optical characteristics of the optical piece correspond to the identity information of the shell, so that the electronic device can determine the identity information of the shell according to different signal light transmitted by the light signal receiver through the optical piece, and then control the display state switching of the display screen.

2. The housing of claim 1, wherein The optical piece is a light guide strip, and in the state that the shell cooperates with the electronic device, the light incident end of the light guide strip corresponds to the light signal transmitter of the electronic device, and the light emitting end of the light guide strip corresponds to the light signal receiver of the electronic device.

3. The housing of claim 2, wherein, The color of the light guide strip of each shell is different, and the color of the light guide strip corresponds to the identity information of the shell.

4. The case according to claim 1, characterized by The optical piece is a reflective sheet, and in the state that the shell cooperates with the electronic device, the signal light emitted by the light signal transmitter of the electronic device can be reflected to the light signal receiver through the reflective sheet.

5. An electronic device, comprising: The electronic device comprises a display screen, a control circuit board, a first light signal receiver, a second light signal receiver and a light signal transmitter; the display screen, the first light signal receiver, the second light signal receiver and the light signal transmitter are connected with the control circuit board, the control circuit board pre-stores the corresponding relationship between the second signal light transmitted by the optical piece of the shell and the shell, the first light signal receiver is used to receive the first signal light emitted by the light signal transmitter, and the second light signal receiver is used to receive the second signal light emitted by the light signal transmitter; when the first light signal receiver receives the first signal light, it is judged whether the second light signal receiver receives the second signal light, if yes, the control circuit board is used to control the display state switching of the display screen according to the second signal light transmitted by the optical piece of the shell and received by the second light signal receiver.

6. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein, The distance between the light signal transmitter and the first light signal receiver is less than the distance between the light signal transmitter and the second light signal receiver.

7. An electronic device assembly, characterized by The electronic device assembly comprises the shell of any one of claims 1-4 and the electronic device of claim 5 or 6.

8. A control method of an electronic device, characterized by, The control method comprises: pre-storing the corresponding relationship between the second signal light transmitted by the optical piece of the shell and the shell; controlling the light signal transmitter to emit the first signal light; judging whether the first light signal receiver receives the first signal light; if yes, controlling the light signal transmitter to emit the second signal light; judging whether the second light signal receiver receives the second signal light; wherein the second signal light is the signal light transmitted by the optical piece of the shell; judging whether the second signal light transmitted by the optical piece of the shell corresponds to the shell, if yes, controlling the switching of the corresponding display state of the display screen of the electronic device.

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