Method and electronic device for switching a display mode

Abstract

A method for switching a display mode, wherein the method is used on an electronic device with a plurality of display units and the electronic device has at least one first display mode and a second display mode, wherein each display unit corresponds to a display channel, each display channel corresponds to at least one display unit, wherein the electronic device has pre-stored a corresponding relationship between the display channel and the display unit, and the method comprises the steps: Detecting whether a first instruction has been received, and obtaining a first detection result if the electronic device is in the first display mode, wherein the first instruction is used to switch a display mode of the electronic device from the first display mode to the second display mode; Stopping the generation of current data to be displayed in the first display mode, and determining a second display unit corresponding to the second display mode if the first detection result shows that the first instruction has been received, wherein the second display unit is one or more of the plurality of display units; Determining a display channel that corresponds to the second display unit, based on the appropriate relationship between the display channel and the display unit; and Generating current data to be displayed in the second display mode, and transmitting the current data to be displayed in the second display mode to the second display unit corresponding to the second display mode via the determined display channel in order to display it. the procedure further includes the step: Storing current status information of the first display mode, in case the display mode of the electronic device is switched from the first display mode to the second display mode, in order to restore a display state of the display unit that corresponds to the first display mode if the display mode of the electronic device is switched back to the first display mode, and the current status information is information that is currently displayed by the display unit according to the first display mode.

Description

[0001] The present application claims priority from Chinese patent application No. 201310632703.1, entitled "Method and electronic device for switching a display mode", filed with the Chinese Patent Office on November 29, 2013, and priority from Chinese patent application No. 201310634348.1, entitled "Method and device for controlling a mobile device, and the mobile device", filed with the Chinese Patent Office on November 29, 2013, and the contents of which are fully incorporated by reference. TECHNICAL AREA

[0002] The disclosure relates to the field of display technology and in particular to a method and an electronic device for switching a display mode. BACKGROUND

[0003] As display technology evolves, the number of display output options supported by electronic devices, such as smartphones, is increasing. In addition to traditional LCD displays, smartphones currently offer HDMI, Wi-Fi, micro-projectors, and multiple screens as display output options.

[0004] According to the prior art, a display mode of a multi-screen system comprises a single-display mode, a mirror mode, and a mosaic mode. In fact, the conventional switching between display modes of a multi-screen system is a switching between display states within the same display mode. The single-display mode specifically involves switching a display window from one display screen to another, the mirror mode involves duplicating a display window from one display screen to another, and the mosaic mode involves a mosaic display with multiple LCDs.

[0005] In implementing the revelation, the inventors discovered that the conventional switching between display modes of the multi-screen system is relatively simple and does not utilize the full value of the multi-screen system, and therefore cannot offer users a new, vibrant and flexible application experience.

[0006] Furthermore, the prior art provides a dual-screen display function to enable the mobile device to meet user needs. Mobile devices supporting dual-screen displays are often equipped with a primary and secondary display unit, with the primary display unit generally serving as the main screen. If a second display unit is required, the user performs an action on the mobile device to activate it, thus enabling the second screen display.However, in the research for the disclosure, the present inventors found that performing the second screen display according to the prior art is a complex operating process for the mobile device, due to a series of control processes that must be carried out on the mobile device in order for the second screen display to be accomplished.

[0007] US 2010 / 0011285A1 relates to an information processing device comprising an output section, a display screen, and a screen arrangement section. The output section outputs image information for a presentation on an external display device. The display screen is capable of displaying information. The screen arrangement section arranges a first area and a second area on the display screen with a positional relationship preset for the display screen, wherein the first area displays an image corresponding to the image information output to the external display device, and the second area is an area in which the image information can be edited.

[0008] US 2002 / 0075198A1 relates to a multi-display system comprising a first display device for displaying a plurality of first windows; a second display device; and a control device for controlling the first display device and the second display device. In response to a first predetermined input, the control device moves at least two of the multiple first windows displayed on the first display device from the first display device to the second display device.

[0009] US 2012 / 0040716A1 concerns telecommunications equipment, each of which has projection devices capable of projecting images displayed in the environment onto surfaces at locations near the telecommunications equipment that are substantially parallel to the planes formed by the telecommunications equipment. The telecommunications equipment also has logic configured to provide pre-distorted images to the projection devices, with the pre-distorted images appearing without distortion when projected by the projection devices onto the surfaces in the environment images.

[0010] US 2011 / 0154249A1 concerns a mobile device supporting an external output function, comprising a projector module and at least one image capture module. The mobile device activates the image capture module when it enters an external output mode and outputs screen data externally in that mode. The mobile device detects user interaction based on the image capture module in external output mode and controls the external output of the screen data accordingly. An image of the externally output screen data can be captured by the image capture module, and new content can be created based on the captured image. SUMMARY OF THE REVELATION

[0011] In light of this, the disclosure provides a method and electronic device for switching a display mode to solve the problem that the conventional switching between display modes of the multi-screen system is relatively simple and has not yet fully exploited the value of the multi-screen system, thus not offering users a new, vibrant, and flexible application experience. The technical solutions of the disclosures are described below.

[0012] A method for switching a display mode for use with an electronic device having a plurality of display units, wherein the electronic device has at least one first display mode and one second display mode, wherein each display unit corresponds to a display channel, each display channel corresponds to at least one display unit, wherein the electronic device has pre-stored a corresponding relationship between the display channel and the display unit, and the method comprises the steps: Detecting whether a first instruction has been received, and obtaining a first detection result if the electronic device is in the first display mode, wherein the first instruction is used to switch a display mode of the electronic device from the first display mode to the second display mode; Stopping the generation of current data to be displayed in the first display mode, and determining a second display unit corresponding to the second display mode if the first detection result shows that the first instruction has been received, wherein the second display unit is one or more of the plurality of display units; Determining a display channel that corresponds to the second display unit, based on the appropriate relationship between the display channel and the display unit; and Generating current data to be displayed according to a target display unit, and transmitting the current data to be displayed according to the target display unit to the target display unit via the display channel according to the second display unit in order to display it.

[0013] The electronic device has, in particular, a corresponding relationship between the display modes and the display units pre-stored; and The procedure for determining the second display unit corresponding to the second display mode comprises the following steps: Determine a display unit that corresponds to the second display mode as the second display unit, based on the appropriate relationship between the display modes and the display units.

[0014] Optionally, the procedure also includes the following steps: Storing information about the current state of the first display mode, in case the display mode of the electronic device is switched from the first display mode to the second display mode, in order to restore the display state of the display unit that corresponds to the first display mode if the display mode of the electronic device is switched back to the first display mode.

[0015] Optionally, the procedure also includes the following steps: Determine whether a display unit different from the second display unit is present in display units corresponding to the first display mode; and to allow the display unit, which is different from the second display unit, to be switched off or go to sleep in the display units corresponding to the first display mode, if the display unit, which is different from the second display unit, is present in the display units corresponding to the first display mode.

[0016] Optionally, the second display mode has at least one first display state and one second display state; and The procedure further includes the following steps: Detecting whether a second instruction has been received and obtaining a second detection result if the electronic device is in the first display state in the second display mode, wherein the second instruction is used to switch a display state under the second display mode from the first display state to the second display state; Determine a second display unit corresponding to the second display state as a target display unit if the second detection result shows that the second instruction has been received; Determining a display channel that corresponds to the target display unit, based on the appropriate relationship between the display channel and the display unit; and Generating current data to be displayed in the second display state under the second display mode, and transferring the current data to be displayed in the second display state under the second display mode to the target display unit via the display channel corresponding to the target display unit in order to display it.

[0017] An electronic device is provided which has a plurality of display units and has at least one first display mode and one second display mode, wherein each display unit corresponds to a display channel, each display channel corresponds to at least one display unit, wherein the electronic device has a corresponding relationship between the display channel and the display unit pre-stored, and the electronic device further comprises: a first detection unit designed to detect whether a first instruction has been received and to obtain a first detection result if the electronic device is in the first display mode, wherein the first instruction is used to switch a display mode of the electronic device from the first display mode to the second display mode; a first detection unit configured to stop the synthesis of current data to be displayed in the first display mode and to determine a second display unit corresponding to the second display mode if the first detection result received from the first detection unit shows that the first instruction has been received, wherein the second display unit is one or more of the plurality of display units; a second investigation unit designed to identify a display channel corresponding to the second display unit identified by the first investigation unit, based on the corresponding relationship between the display channel and the display unit; a first data generation unit designed to generate current data to be displayed in the second display mode; and a first data transmission unit designed to transmit the current data to be displayed in the second display mode, generated by the first data generation unit, to the second display unit corresponding to the second display mode, via the display channel determined by the second detection unit, in order to display it.

[0018] The electronic device has a corresponding relationship between the display modes and the display units pre-stored; and The second detection unit is designed to identify a display unit corresponding to the second display mode as the second display unit, based on the corresponding relationship between the display mode and the display unit.

[0019] Optionally, the electronic device also features: a storage unit designed to store information about the current state of the first display mode if the display mode of the electronic device is switched from the first display mode to the second display mode, in order to restore the display state of the display unit to the first display mode if the display mode of the electronic device is switched back to the first display mode.

[0020] Optionally, the electronic device also features: a third investigative unit designed to determine whether a display unit different from the second display unit is present in display units corresponding to the first display mode; and a state control unit designed to allow the display unit, which is different from the second display unit, to be switched off or go to sleep in the display units corresponding to the first display mode if the third detection unit determines that the display unit, which is different from the second display unit, is present in the display units corresponding to the first display mode.

[0021] Optionally, the second display mode has a first display state and a second display state; and the electronic device further features: a second detection unit designed to detect whether a second instruction has been received and to obtain a second detection result if the electronic device is in the first display state in the second display mode, wherein the second instruction is used to switch a display state in the second display mode from the first display state to the second display state; a fourth detection unit designed to identify a second display unit corresponding to the second display state as a target display unit if the second detection result received from the second detection unit shows that the second instruction has been received; a fifth investigation unit designed to identify a display channel corresponding to the target display unit identified by the fourth investigation unit, based on the corresponding relationship between the display channel and the display unit; a second data generation unit designed to generate current data to be displayed according to the target display unit; and a second data transmission unit designed to transmit the current data to be displayed according to the target display unit, generated by the second data generation unit, to the target display unit via the display channel corresponding to the target display unit, in order to display it.

[0022] The technical solutions listed above have the following beneficial effects: The prior art electronic device has a display channel through which a plurality of display units display data, causing the plurality of display units to display the same data, or alternatively, causing the same data to be displayed on different display units, and therefore switching between different display modes cannot be achieved. In contrast to the prior art, the disclosure electronic device has a plurality of display modes, wherein each display mode corresponds to at least one display unit, and each display unit corresponds to a display channel.Based on this, and using the display mode switching method according to the disclosure, a second display unit corresponding to the second display mode can be identified if a switching instruction to change from the first display mode to the second display mode is received. Subsequently, a second display channel corresponding to the second display unit can be identified, and the current data to be displayed in the second display mode is transmitted via the identified display channel for display on the second display unit. The display mode switching method and the electronic device according to the disclosure can achieve switching between different display modes and fully utilize a variety of display units, thereby providing users with a new, dynamic, and flexible application experience.

[0023] The aforementioned method for switching the display mode can be used as a method for controlling a mobile device, which is applied to a mobile device comprising a first display unit, a second display unit and a sensor, and comprising the method for controlling the mobile device comprising the steps: The sensor acquires initial information from the mobile device; To assess (judging) whether there is a need for the second display unit to perform a display operation, based on the first information from the mobile device, and to generate an initial assessment result; and Control the second display unit to display if it is determined that the second display unit needs to perform display operation, based on the first assessment result.

[0024] Preferably, the method for controlling the mobile device further comprises the following step: Switching an application mode of the first display unit of the mobile device if it is determined that there is a need for the second display unit to perform display operation, based on the first assessment result, so that the first display unit of the mobile device enters a standby state.

[0025] Preferably, if the sensor is a gravity sensor and the first piece of information is attitude information of the mobile device obtained by the gravity sensor, the assessment of whether there is a need for the second display unit to perform a display operation includes: Assess whether a first layer of the mobile device is vertically downward oriented, based on the mobile device's orientation information transmitted by the gravity sensor, if the first display unit is integrated into the first layer of the mobile device, and determine whether the second display unit needs to perform a display operation if it is judged that the first layer is vertically downward oriented, or determine that the second display unit does not need to perform a display operation if it is judged that the first layer is not vertically downward oriented.

[0026] Preferably, if the sensor includes a gravity sensor and a proximity sensor, and the first piece of information includes position information of the mobile device obtained by the gravity sensor and distance information of the mobile device transmitted by the proximity sensor, assessing whether there is a need for the second display unit to perform a display operation includes: Assess whether a first layer of the mobile device is vertically downward oriented, based on the mobile device's orientation information transmitted by the gravity sensor if the display unit is integrated into the first layer; and

[0027] Assess whether the mobile device is placed on a plane, based on the distance information of the mobile device transmitted by the proximity sensor, if it is determined that the first plane is vertically downward oriented, based on the orientation information of the mobile device, and determine whether there is a need for the second display unit to perform a display operation if it is judged that the mobile device is placed on the plane, or determine that there is no need for the second display unit to perform a display operation if it is judged that the mobile device is not placed on the plane.

[0028] Preferably, the method for controlling the mobile device further comprises the following steps: Obtaining application information from the mobile device after the second display unit starts to operate; and Controlling the second display unit to show application information.

[0029] Preferably, the control of the second display unit for display purposes, if it is determined that there is a need for the second display unit to perform the display operation, comprises: Determining a display mode if it is found that a second display unit is necessary to perform the display operation; and Control, based on the display mode, the second display unit to perform the display operation in the display mode.

[0030] Preferably, the method for controlling the mobile device further comprises the following steps: Identifying a gesture operation for the second display unit by changes in light and shadow that occur when the second display unit starts to perform the display operation; and

[0031] Controlling the second display unit to perform an operation based on the identified gesture action.

[0032] Accordingly, the electronic device is a mobile terminal with a device for controlling the mobile terminal, which is also disclosed by the disclosure, wherein the mobile terminal has a first display unit, a second display unit and a sensor, and wherein the device for controlling the mobile terminal has: an acquisition module designed to obtain initial information from the mobile device via the sensor; a judgment module designed to assess whether the second display unit should perform a display operation based on the first information from the mobile device, and to generate an initial judgment result; and a display module designed to control the second display unit for display purposes if it is determined that the second display unit requires display operation based on the initial assessment result.

[0033] Preferably, the device for controlling the mobile terminal further comprises: An application mode switching module designed to switch an application mode of the first display unit of the mobile device if it is determined that the second display unit requires display operation based on the first assessment result, so that the first display unit of the mobile device enters a standby state.

[0034] Preferably, if the sensor is a gravity sensor and the first piece of information is position information of the mobile device obtained by the gravity sensor, the assessment module includes: a first evaluation unit designed to assess whether a first layer of the mobile device is vertically downward oriented, based on the mobile device's orientation information transmitted by the gravity sensor if the first display unit is integrated into the first layer, and to determine whether the second display unit needs to perform a display operation if it is judged that the first layer is vertically downward oriented, or to determine whether the second display unit needs to perform a display operation if it is judged that the first layer is not vertically downward oriented.

[0035] Preferably, if the sensor includes a gravity sensor and a proximity sensor, and the first piece of information includes position information of the mobile device obtained through the gravity sensor and distance information of the mobile device transmitted through the proximity sensor, the evaluation module includes: a second evaluation unit designed to assess whether a first layer of the mobile device is vertically downward oriented based on the mobile device's orientation information transmitted by the gravity sensor, if the first display unit is integrated into the first layer; and a third evaluation unit designed to assess whether the mobile device is placed on a plane based on the distance information of the mobile device transmitted by the proximity sensor, if it is determined that the first plane is vertically downward oriented based on the orientation information of the mobile device; and to determine whether there is a need for the second display unit to perform a display operation if it is judged that the mobile device is placed on the plane, or to determine whether there is a need for the second display unit to perform a display operation if it is judged that the mobile device is not placed on the plane.

[0036] Preferably, the device for controlling the mobile terminal further comprises: an application information acquisition module designed to obtain application information from the mobile device after the second display unit starts to perform display operation; and an application information display module designed to control the second display unit for displaying application information.

[0037] Preferably, the display module features: a display mode determination unit designed to determine a display mode if it is found that the second display unit is necessary to perform the display operation; and a display unit designed to control the second display unit to perform the display operation in the display mode based on the display mode.

[0038] Preferably, the device for controlling the mobile terminal further comprises: a gesture identification module designed to identify a gesture action for the second display unit by changes in light and shadow that occur when the second display unit starts to perform display operation; and a control module designed to control the second display unit to perform an operation based on the identified gesture action.

[0039] Accordingly, a mobile device is also disclosed by the disclosure, wherein the mobile device comprises a first display unit, a second display unit and a sensor, and the device for controlling the mobile device described above is integrated into a processor of the mobile device.

[0040] Through the method of controlling the mobile device, where the sensor obtains initial information from the mobile device, and if it is determined that the second display unit is required to operate based on this initial information, the mobile device controls the second display unit. Therefore, the user does not need to perform any control operation on the mobile device, which simplifies the operating procedure for the second display. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] To illustrate the technical solution in the embodiments of the disclosure or in the prior art more clearly, the drawings to be used in describing the embodiments or the prior art are briefly introduced below. It is obvious that the drawings in the description below represent only some embodiments of the disclosure. A person skilled in the art can derive other drawings from the provided drawings without inventive effort. The Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic flowchart of a method for switching the display mode according to an embodiment of the disclosure; the Fig. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a switching of a display mode according to an embodiment of the disclosure; the Fig. Figure 3 is a schematic flowchart of another method for switching the display mode according to an embodiment of the disclosure; the Fig. Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of yet another method for switching the display mode according to an embodiment of the disclosure; the Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a display state when switching to a single display mode according to an embodiment of the disclosure; the Fig. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a display state when switching to an independent mode according to an embodiment of the disclosure; the Fig. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a display state when switching to an extended mode according to an embodiment of the disclosure; the Fig. Figure 8 is a schematic structure diagram of an electronic device 80 according to an embodiment of the disclosure; the Fig. Figure 9 is a schematic structure diagram of another electronic device 90 according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and the Fig. Figure 10 is a schematic structure diagram of yet another electronic device 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. the Fig. Figure 11 is a schematic flowchart for applying the method for switching the display mode in a mobile device as a method for controlling the mobile device according to an embodiment of the present invention; the Fig. Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing a usage state of a mobile device in the method for controlling the mobile device according to an embodiment of the present invention; the Fig. 13 is a schematic flowchart of another method for controlling a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention; the Fig. Figure 14 is a software block diagram used in a method for controlling a mobile device according to an embodiment of the present invention; and the Fig. Figure 15 is a schematic structure diagram of a device for controlling a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The technical solution in the embodiments of the disclosure is clearly and completely described below in connection with the drawings in the embodiments of the disclosure. It is clear that the described embodiments represent only some embodiments, not all embodiments, of the disclosure. All other embodiments that can be obtained by a person skilled in the art without inventive effort are to fall within the scope of protection of the disclosure.

[0043] Reference is made to the Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic flowchart of a method for switching the display mode according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The method is applied to an electronic device having a plurality of display units, wherein the electronic device has at least a first display mode and a second display mode, each display unit corresponding to a display channel, each display channel corresponding to at least one display unit, and wherein the electronic device has a corresponding relationship between the display channel and the display unit prestored. The method may include steps S101 to S104 as described below.

[0044] In step S101, it is detected whether a first instruction has been received, and a first detection result is obtained if the electronic device is in the first display mode.

[0045] In particular, the first instruction serves to switch the display mode of the electronic device from the first display mode to the second display mode.

[0046] In this embodiment, the display mode of the electronic device can include a single display mode, a mirror mode, an independent mode, and an extended mode.

[0047] In schematic terms, the electronic device has two display units, one of which functions as the main screen and the other as a sub-screen. Single-screen mode means that both the main screen and the sub-screen can display content; mirror mode means that both the main screen and the sub-screen display the same content; independent mode means that both the main screen and the sub-screen display content from different applications; and extended mode means that both the main screen and the sub-screen display different content from the same application.

[0048] In this embodiment, the first display mode and the second display mode can be any two modes from single-display mode, mirror mode, independent mode, and extended mode. Reference is made to the Fig. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a switching process between display modes, in which any two display modes can be switched between each other. Schematically, the first display mode is the single display mode and the second display mode is the mirror mode. When the first instruction is received, the electronic device switches from the single display mode to the mirror mode.

[0049] In particular, the electronic device can display an interactive interface where an operating option for switching the display mode can be shown. Schematically, the operating option for switching the display mode can be "Single Display Mode → Mirror Mode", "Mirror Mode → Independent Mode", "Independent Mode → Extended Mode", "Extended Mode → Single Display Mode", or "Single Display Mode → Independent Mode". When a user selects the operating option "Single Display Mode → Mirror Mode" on the interactive interface, the electronic device receives the first instruction and executes an operation corresponding to the first instruction, that is, it switches from single display mode to mirror mode.

[0050] In step S102, the generation of current data for display in the first display mode is stopped and a second display unit corresponding to the second display mode is determined if the first detection result shows that the first instruction has been received.

[0051] In particular, the second display unit is one or more of the multiple display units.

[0052] Since the electronic device has a multitude of display units, and the display unit corresponding to the first display mode may differ from the display unit corresponding to the second display mode, it is necessary to identify a second display unit corresponding to the second display mode during the process of switching the display mode to the second display mode.

[0053] In particular, the electronic device can preset a display unit corresponding to each display mode and store a corresponding relationship between the display mode and the display unit, and subsequently the process of determining the second display unit corresponding to the second display mode comprises: during the process of switching the display mode to the second display mode, a display unit corresponding to the second display mode is determined as the second display unit based on the corresponding relationship between the display mode and the display unit.

[0054] Schematically, the first display mode is the single display mode, the second display mode is the mirror mode, the electronic device having four display units, namely a display unit 1, a display unit 2, a display unit 3 and a display unit 4, wherein the display units corresponding to a single display mode are preset as display unit 1 and display unit 2, and the display units corresponding to the mirror mode are preset as display unit 4 and display unit 3, wherein, when the first instruction to switch from the single display mode to the mirror mode is received, the electronic device determines the display units corresponding to the mirror mode as display unit 3 and display unit 4.

[0055] In step S103, a display channel corresponding to the second display unit is determined based on the previously stored corresponding relationship between the display channel and the display unit.

[0056] In the embodiments of the disclosure, each of the display units of the electronic device corresponds to a display channel.

[0057] Schematically, the electronic device has four display units, namely display unit 1, display unit 2, display unit 3 and display unit 4, and the electronic device accordingly provides a display channel 1, a display channel 2, a display channel 3 and a display channel 4, and display unit 1 corresponds to the first display channel 1, display unit 2 corresponds to display channel 2, display unit 3 corresponds to display channel 3 and display unit 4 corresponds to display channel 4.

[0058] Once it has been determined that display unit 3 and display unit 4 correspond to the second display mode, a display channel corresponding to display unit 3 can be identified as display channel 3, and a display channel corresponding to display unit 4 can be identified as display channel 4 based on the corresponding relationship between the display unit and the display channel.

[0059] In step S104, current data to be displayed in the second display mode is generated and the current data to be displayed in the second display mode is transferred to the second display unit corresponding to the second display mode via the determined display channel in order to display it.

[0060] Schematically, assuming that the second display unit, corresponding to the second display mode, comprises display unit 3 and display unit 4, the data to be displayed is transmitted to display unit 3 via display channel 3, which corresponds to display unit 3, in order to display it. Similarly, the data to be displayed is transmitted to display unit 4 via display channel 4, which corresponds to display unit 4, in order to display it.

[0061] In the prior art, the electronic device has one display channel through which a plurality of display units display data, whereby the plurality of display units are caused to display the same data or to display the same data on different display units, and as a result, switching between different display modes is not possible. In contrast to the prior art, the electronic device according to the embodiment of the disclosure has a plurality of display modes, wherein each display mode corresponds to at least one display unit and each display unit corresponds to a display channel.Based on this, using the display mode switching method according to the disclosure, a second display unit corresponding to the second display mode can be identified if a switching instruction to switch from the first display mode to the second display mode is received. Subsequently, a display channel corresponding to the second display unit can be identified, and the current data to be displayed in the second display mode is transmitted to the second display unit via the identified display channel. The display mode switching method and the electronic device according to the embodiment of the disclosure can implement switching between different display modes and fully utilize the value of a multitude of display units, providing users with a new, dynamic, and flexible application experience.

[0062] It should be taken into account that the electronic device can revert to the first display mode after switching from the first to the second display mode. To ensure that the display state of the first display mode returns to its previous state, state information for the first display mode must be stored. It should also be considered that the energy consumption of the electronic device would increase if the display unit corresponding to the first display mode is still switched on during the process of switching from the first to the second display mode. Based on the foregoing considerations, one embodiment of the disclosure provides an alternative method for switching the display mode, and a schematic flowchart of the method is provided in the Fig. Figure 3 shows that the procedure may include steps S301 to S307, as shown below.

[0063] In step S 301, it is detected whether a first instruction has been received, and a first detection result is obtained if the electronic device is in the first display mode.

[0064] In particular, the first instruction serves to switch the display mode of the electronic device from the first display mode to the second display mode.

[0065] In step S302, the generation of current data to be displayed in the first display mode is stopped, and current state information of the first display mode is saved if the first detection result shows that the first instruction has been received.

[0066] The current status information can be, in particular, information currently displayed by the display unit corresponding to the first display mode. If the display mode of the electronic device is switched back to the first display mode, the display status of the display unit corresponding to the first display mode is restored based on the stored status information.

[0067] In step S303, a display unit corresponding to the second display mode is identified as the second display unit based on the pre-stored corresponding relationship between the display mode and the display unit.

[0068] In step S304, it is determined whether a display unit that differs from the second display unit is present in display units that correspond to the first display mode, and a determination result is obtained.

[0069] In step S305, a display unit that is different from the second display unit is enabled to be switched off or put to sleep in the display units corresponding to the first display mode if the investigation result shows that the display unit that is different from the second display unit is present in the display units corresponding to the first display mode.

[0070] To reduce the energy consumption of the electronic device, unused display units are allowed to be switched off or enter sleep mode. Schematically, the display units corresponding to the first display mode consist of Display Unit 1, Display Unit 2, and Display Unit 3, while those corresponding to the second display mode consist of Display Unit 3 and Display Unit 4. Since Display Unit 3 is a general-purpose display unit for both the first and second display modes, it must remain constantly switched on. Because Display Units 1 and 2 are not used in the second display mode, they are allowed to be switched off or enter sleep mode to reduce the electronic device's energy consumption.

[0071] In step S306, a display channel corresponding to the second display unit is determined based on the pre-stored relationship between the display channel and the display unit.

[0072] In step S307, current data to be displayed in the second display mode is generated, and the current data to be displayed in the second display mode is transferred to the second display unit corresponding to the second display mode via the determined display channel in order to display it.

[0073] It should be noted that in the present embodiment, with the exception that step S302 and steps S304 to S305 differ from the embodiments described above, the other steps are the same as in the embodiments described above, and that the specific implementation may refer to the embodiments mentioned above, which is not repeated herein.

[0074] In the prior art, the electronic device has one display channel through which a plurality of display units display data, causing the plurality of display units to display the same data, or to display the same data on different display units, and therefore switching between different display modes is not possible. In contrast to the prior art, the electronic device according to the embodiment of the disclosure has a plurality of display modes, wherein each display mode corresponds to at least one display unit, and each display unit corresponds to a display channel.Based on this, using the display mode switching method according to the disclosure, a second display channel corresponding to the second display mode can be determined if a switching instruction to change from the first display mode to the second display mode is received. Subsequently, a display channel corresponding to the second display unit can be determined, and the current data to be displayed in the second display mode is transmitted to the second display unit via the determined display channel for display. The display mode switching method and the electronic device according to the embodiment of the disclosure can implement switching between different display modes and fully utilize the value of a multitude of display units, providing users with a new, dynamic, and flexible application experience.Furthermore, the method for switching the display mode according to the embodiment of the disclosure allows the display state of the display unit corresponding to the first display mode to be restored if the display mode is switched back to the first display mode, and enables a display unit not related to the second display mode to be switched off or go to sleep, thereby reducing the energy consumption of the electronic device.

[0075] The method for switching the display mode according to the aforementioned embodiments achieves switching the electronic device between different display modes. Generally, a display mode can correspond to a variety of display states. To achieve switching between different display states within the same display mode, one embodiment of the disclosure provides a different method for switching the display mode, and the method for switching the display mode according to the present embodiment differs from the aforementioned embodiments in that, in addition to the steps of the method according to one of the aforementioned embodiments, it further comprises a display state switching operation. Reference is made to the Fig. Figure 4 describes a schematic flowchart of a switching of a display state according to an embodiment of the disclosure, wherein the second mode has at least a first display state and a second display state. The method for switching the display state may comprise steps S401 to S404 as described below.

[0076] In step S401, it is detected whether a second instruction has been received and a second detection result is obtained if the electronic device is in the first display state in the second display mode.

[0077] In particular, the second instruction serves to switch a display state in the second display mode from the first display state to the second display state.

[0078] In step S402, a second display unit corresponding to the second display state is determined as a target display unit if the second detection result shows that the second instruction has been received.

[0079] In particular, the target display unit is at least one of the second display units that correspond to the second display mode.

[0080] In step S403, a display channel corresponding to the target display unit is determined based on the relevant relationship between the display channel and the display unit.

[0081] In step S404, current data to be displayed according to the target display unit is generated, and the current data to be displayed according to the target display unit is transmitted to the target display unit via the display channel corresponding to the target display unit in order to display it.

[0082] Schematically, the second display mode is the single display mode; a schematic diagram for switching between the single display mode states is shown in the Fig. Figure 5 shows that display units corresponding to the second display mode have a display screen 1 (which can be used as a main screen) and a display screen 2 (which can be used as a sub-screen), and the first display state in the second display mode is a main screen display and the second display state is a sub-screen display. The electronic device can display an interactive interface on which an operating option for switching the display state can be shown. The switching operating option can be "Main Screen → Sub-Screen" or "Sub-Screen → Main Screen". Once a user selects an operating option "Main Screen → Sub-Screen" on the interactive interface, the electronic device receives the second instruction and performs an operation corresponding to the second instruction, that is, it switches the main screen display to the sub-screen display.In particular, the main screen corresponds to display channel 1 and the sub-screen corresponds to display channel 2. If a display channel corresponding to the sub-screen is determined to be display channel 2, and the main screen display is switched to the sub-screen display, the current data to be displayed is then transferred to the sub-screen via display channel 2 for display, thereby implementing a switching between the display states.

[0083] Schematically, the second display mode is the independent mode, with a schematic diagram of a state switching of the independent mode in the Fig. Figure 6 shows a display unit corresponding to the second display mode, comprising a display screen 1 (which can be used as a main screen) and a display screen 2 (which can be used as a sub-screen), wherein the first display state in the second display mode is that the main screen operates applications A, B and the sub-screen operates application C, and the second display state is that the main screen operates application B and the sub-screen operates application A, C.When the second instruction to switch from the first display state to the second display state is received, current data to be shown by application B is transmitted to the main screen via display channel 1, which corresponds to the main screen, for display, whereas current data to be shown by applications A and C is transmitted to the sub-screen display via display channel 2, which corresponds to the sub-screen display, for display.

[0084] Schematically, the second display mode is the extended mode, with a schematic diagram of its state switching shown in the Fig. Figure 7 shows a display unit corresponding to the second display mode, comprising a display screen 1 (which can be used as a main screen) and a display screen 2 (which can be used as a sub-screen), wherein the first display state in the second display mode is that the main screen displays an application interface A and the sub-screen displays an application interface B, and the second display state is that the main screen displays the application interface B and the sub-screen displays the application interface A.When the second instruction to switch from the first display state to the second display state is received, current data to be displayed by application interface B is transmitted to the main screen display via display channel 1, which corresponds to the main screen, for display, whereas current data to be displayed by application interface A is transmitted to the sub-screen via display channel 2, which corresponds to the sub-screen, for display.

[0085] The method for switching the display interface according to the embodiments of the disclosure can implement not only switching between different display modes, but also switching between different display states in the same display mode, thereby providing an improved user experience.

[0086] Reference is made to the Fig. Figure 8, which represents a schematic structure diagram of an electronic device 80 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The electronic device 80 has a plurality of display units and has at least a first display mode and a second display mode, wherein each display unit corresponds to a display channel, each display channel corresponds to at least one display unit, and the electronic device 80 has a corresponding relationship between the display channel and the display unit pre-stored. The electronic device 80 according to the embodiment of the disclosure can have a first detection unit 801, a first detection unit 802, a second detection unit 803, a first data generation unit 804, and a first data transmission unit 805.

[0087] The first detection unit 801 is designed to detect whether a first instruction has been received and to obtain a first detection result if the electronic device 80 is in a first display mode.

[0088] In particular, the first instruction serves to switch the display mode of the electronic device 80 from the first display mode to the second display mode.

[0089] The first detection unit 802 is designed to stop the generation of current data to be displayed in the first display mode and to determine a second display unit corresponding to the second display mode if the first detection result received from the first detection unit 801 shows that the first instruction has been received.

[0090] In particular, the second display unit is one or more of the multiple display units.

[0091] The second investigation unit 803 is designed to determine a display channel corresponding to the second display unit, which is determined by the first investigation unit 802 based on the corresponding relationship between the display channel and the display unit.

[0092] In one possible implementation, the electronic device 80 has a corresponding relationship between the display mode and the display unit pre-stored, and the second detection unit 803 is designed to detect a display unit corresponding to the second display mode as the second display unit, based on the corresponding relationship between the display mode and the display unit.

[0093] The first data generation unit 804 is designed to generate current data to be displayed in the second display mode.

[0094] The first data transmission unit 805 is designed to transmit the current data to be displayed in the second display mode, which is generated by the first data generation unit 804, to the second display unit corresponding to the second display mode via the display channel determined by the second detection unit 803, in order to display it.

[0095] In the prior art, the electronic device has one display channel through which a plurality of display units display data, causing the plurality of display units to display the same data, or to display the same data on different display units, and therefore switching between different display modes cannot be implemented. In contrast to the prior art, the electronic device according to the embodiment of the disclosure has a plurality of display modes, wherein each display mode corresponds to at least one display unit and each display unit corresponds to a display channel.Based on this, the electronic device provided according to the disclosure can detect a second display unit corresponding to the second display mode if a switching instruction to change from the first display mode to the second display mode is received. It can then detect a display channel corresponding to the second display unit and transmit the current data to be displayed in the second display mode to the second display unit via the detected display channel. The method for switching the display mode and the electronic device according to the embodiment of the disclosure can implement switching between different display modes and fully utilize a variety of display units, providing users with a new, dynamic, and flexible application experience.

[0096] Reference is made to the Fig. Figure 9, which represents a schematic structure diagram of another electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The electronic device 90 differs from the electronic device 80 according to the aforementioned embodiment in that it further comprises a storage unit 901, a third detection unit 902, and a state control unit 903 in addition to the first detection unit 801, the first detection unit 802, the second detection unit 803, the first data generation unit 804, and the first data transmission unit 805.

[0097] The memory unit 901 is designed to store current status information in the first display mode if the display mode of the electronic device is switched from the first display mode to the second display mode, in order to restore a display state of the display unit corresponding to the first display mode if the display mode of the electronic device 90 is switched back to the first display mode.

[0098] The third investigation unit 902 is designed to determine whether a display unit different from the second display unit is present in display units corresponding to the first display mode.

[0099] The state control unit 903 is designed to allow the display unit, which is different from the second display unit, to be switched off or go to sleep in the display units corresponding to the first display mode if the third detection unit 902 detects that the display unit, which is different from the second display unit, is present in the display units corresponding to the first display mode.

[0100] In the prior art, the electronic device has one display channel through which a variety of display units display data, causing the variety of display units to display the same data, or to display the same data on different display units, and therefore switching between different display modes cannot be implemented. In contrast to the prior art, the electronic device according to the embodiment of the disclosure has a variety of display modes, wherein each display mode corresponds to at least one display unit and each display unit corresponds to a display channel.Based on this, the electronic device according to the disclosure can detect a second display unit corresponding to the second display mode if a switching instruction to change from the first display mode to the second display mode is received, and subsequently detect a display channel corresponding to the second display unit and transmit the current data to be displayed in the second display mode to the second display unit via the detected display channel for display. The method for switching the display mode and the electronic device according to the embodiment of the disclosure can implement switching between different display modes and fully utilize a variety of display units, providing users with a new, dynamic, and flexible application experience.Furthermore, the display mode method according to the embodiment of the disclosure allows the display state of the display unit corresponding to the first display mode to be restored if the display mode is switched back to the first display mode, and enables a display unit not related to the second display mode to be switched off or go to sleep, thereby reducing the energy consumption of the electronic device.

[0101] One embodiment of the disclosure provides another electronic device that includes a display state switching module configured to perform switching between display states in the second display mode, in addition to the units or features in the Fig. 8 or in units in the Fig. 9, to be implemented. The second display mode has at least one first display state and one second display state. Reference is made to the Fig. Figure 10 shows a schematic structure diagram of the display state switching module 100, which may include a second detection unit 1001, a fourth investigation unit 1002, a fifth investigation unit 1003, a second data generation unit 1004 and a second data transmission unit 1005.

[0102] The second detection unit 1001 is designed to detect whether a second instruction has been received and to obtain a second detection result if the electronic device is in the first display state in the second display mode.

[0103] In particular, the second instruction serves to switch a display state in the second display mode from the first display state to the second display state.

[0104] The fourth detection unit 1002 is designed to identify a second display unit corresponding to the second display state as a target display unit if the second detection result received from the second detection unit 1001 shows that the second instruction has been received.

[0105] The fifth investigation unit 1003 is designed to determine a display channel corresponding to the target display unit determined by the fourth investigation unit 1002, based on the corresponding relationship between the display channel and the display unit.

[0106] The second data generation unit 1004 is designed to generate current data that is to be displayed according to the target display unit, which is determined by the fifth determination unit 1003.

[0107] The second data transmission unit 1005 is designed to transmit the current data, which is to be displayed according to the target display unit and which is generated by the second data generation unit 1004, to the target display unit via the display channel corresponding to the target display unit in order to display it.

[0108] The electronic device according to the embodiments of the disclosure can not only provide a switching between different display modes, but also implement a switching between different display states in the same display mode, thereby providing an improved user experience.

[0109] The aforementioned electronic device can be a mobile terminal, and a complex operating process is involved. The disclosure provides a method for controlling a mobile terminal, a device for controlling a mobile terminal, and a mobile terminal itself. The implementation process can relate to the embodiments described below. First embodiment

[0110] A method for controlling a mobile device is disclosed in the first embodiment of the invention. The mobile device comprises a first display unit, a second display unit, and a sensor. Referring to the schematic flowchart in the Fig. 11. The procedure for controlling the mobile device includes the steps listed below.

[0111] In step S11, initial information from the mobile device is obtained through the sensor located in the mobile device.

[0112] In step S12, it is assessed whether there is a need for the second display unit to perform a display operation, based on the first information from the mobile device, and an initial assessment result is generated.

[0113] The first piece of information from the mobile device can generally represent the current state of the mobile device, and whether there is a need for the second display unit to perform the second operation can be assessed based on the state of the mobile device.

[0114] In step S13, the second display unit is controlled to display if it is determined that there is a need for the second display unit to perform the display operation, based on the first assessment result.

[0115] In the method for controlling the mobile device as described above, a method is disclosed for the mobile device to perform a display on the second screen. The mobile device has a first display unit and a second display unit. The first display unit is generally used as the main screen of the mobile device, such as the display screen of a mobile phone. The second display unit is generally an optical generator arranged in the mobile device, such as a pico projector or a digital light processing (DLP) device. The optical generator can produce a projection beam that is projected onto a projection plane, and the second screen for displaying the mobile device can be implemented through the projection plane.

[0116] In steps S11 to S13 of the procedure for controlling the mobile device, the first information from the mobile device is first obtained by the sensor located in the mobile device; and then, based on the first information, it is assessed whether there is a need for the second display unit to perform a display operation; and controls the second display unit to display if it is determined that there is a need for the second display unit to perform the display operation.

[0117] In this method for controlling the mobile device, the sensor obtains initial information from the device. If, based on this information, the sensor determines that the second display unit is required, the mobile device controls the second display unit. Therefore, no user intervention is required on the mobile device, thus simplifying the operation of the second display.

[0118] The procedure for controlling the mobile device disclosed by the application further indicates: Switching an application mode of the first display unit of the mobile device if it is determined that there is a need for the second display unit to perform the display operation, based on the first assessment result, so that the first display unit of the mobile device enters a standby state.

[0119] The aforementioned operation of switching the application mode of the first display unit can be performed between step S12 and step S13, or can be performed simultaneously with or after step S13, and is not limited thereto.

[0120] The standby mode of the first display unit can be a silent mode, meaning that the mobile device keeps the notification sound switched off as soon as calls, text messages and third-party applications are received; in addition, the first display unit can also be in a switched-off state to reduce energy consumption.

[0121] Step S12 reveals a step of assessing whether there is a need for the second display unit to perform a display operation, based on the first information from the mobile device.

[0122] In particular, if the sensor located in the mobile device is a gravity sensor and the first piece of information is position information of the mobile device obtained from the gravity sensor, assessing whether there is a need for the second display unit to perform a display operation involves the following step: Assess whether a first layer of the mobile device is vertically downward oriented, based on the mobile device's orientation information transmitted by the gravity sensor, in a case where the first display unit is integrated into the first layer of the mobile device; and determine whether there is a need for the second display unit to perform a display operation if it is judged that the first layer is vertically downward oriented, or determine that there is no need for the second display unit to perform a display operation if it is judged that the first layer is not vertically downward oriented.

[0123] If the first display is determined to be vertically downward oriented based on the orientation information transmitted by the gravity sensor, it will indicate that the mobile device is currently in a tilting state. In this case, the second display unit can be used to perform the display operation.

[0124] For example, if the user requires the mobile device's optical generator to produce a projection beam to guide the second screen for display, the user can pick up the mobile device and then tilt it; therefore, it can be concluded that there is currently a need for the second display unit to perform the display operation according to the solution outlined above.

[0125] Furthermore, in a case where the sensor located in the mobile device has a gravity sensor and a proximity sensor, and the first piece of information includes position information of the mobile device obtained through the gravity sensor and distance information of the mobile device transmitted through the proximity sensor, the assessment of whether there is a need for the second display unit to perform a display operation involves the following step: First, assess whether a first layer of the mobile device is vertically downward oriented, based on the mobile device's orientation information transmitted by the gravity sensor, in a case where the first display unit is integrated into the first layer of the mobile device; and Secondly, assess whether the mobile device is placed on a plane, based on the distance information of the mobile device transmitted by the proximity sensor, in a case where it is determined that the first plane is vertically downward oriented based on the orientation information of the mobile device, and determine whether there is a need for the second display unit to perform a display operation if it is judged that the mobile device is placed on the plane, or determine that there is no need for the second display unit to perform a display operation if it is judged that the mobile device is not placed on the plane.

[0126] In the aforementioned solution, if the first level is determined to be vertically downward oriented based on the orientation information transmitted by the gravity sensor, the display indicates that the mobile device is in a tilted state. In this case, a further assessment is required based on the distance information transmitted by the gravity sensor. If the distance information determines that the mobile device is positioned correctly, the second display unit can be used to perform the display operation.

[0127] For example, if the user requires the mobile device's optical generator to produce a projection beam to guide the second screen for display, the mobile device can be tilted and then placed on a table; therefore, it can be concluded that there is currently a need for the second display unit to perform the display operation according to the solution mentioned above.

[0128] Using the two aforementioned methods for assessing whether a second display unit is necessary to perform the display operation, the condition for the mobile device to perform the second screen display can be flexibly designed to fit different application scenarios.

[0129] The disclosed method for controlling the mobile device further includes the following steps: Obtaining application information from the mobile device after the second display unit starts performing display operations; and Controlling the second display unit to show application information.

[0130] The mobile device's application information includes incoming information and / or text message information and / or other information from the mobile device about third-party applications, such as received emails, QQ information, and installation information for a software update.

[0131] Reference is made to the Fig. Figure 12, a schematic diagram showing the operating state of the mobile device when the mobile device uses the second screen for display, is shown. The optical generator located in the mobile device produces a projection beam that is projected onto a projection plane. Furthermore, an area is created on the projection plane to display application information, thereby prompting or providing the user with an operator instruction. Second embodiment

[0132] A method for controlling a mobile device is disclosed in the second embodiment of the invention. The mobile device comprises a first display unit, a second display unit, and a sensor. Referring to the schematic flowchart in the Fig. 13. The procedure for controlling the mobile device includes the steps described below: In step S21, initial information from the mobile device is obtained through the sensor located in the mobile device. In step S22, it is assessed whether there is a need for the second display unit to perform a display operation, based on the first information from the mobile device, and an initial assessment result is generated.

[0133] The execution of steps S21 to S22 is the same as the execution of steps S11 to S12, whereby one may refer to the other and is not repeated here.

[0134] In step S23, a display mode is determined if it is found that there is a need for the second display unit to perform the display operation, based on the first assessment result.

[0135] In step S24, the second display unit is controlled, based on the display mode, to perform the display operation in that display mode.

[0136] In steps S23 and S24 above, a solution for controlling the second display unit is disclosed if it is determined that the second display unit is necessary for display operation. Specifically, determining a display mode is required if it is determined that the second display unit is necessary for display operation. The display mode generally includes: a mode in which file information stored in the mobile device is displayed, that is, file information stored in the mobile device is retrieved and projected onto a projection plane; and a mode in which a display interface of the first display unit of the mobile device is displayed.

[0137] After step S24, the procedure for controlling the mobile device further includes the following steps: Identifying a gesture action for the second display unit by changes in light and shadow that occur when the second display unit displays after the second display unit starts performing the display operation; and Controlling the second display unit to perform an operation based on the identified gesture action.

[0138] Once the second display unit starts operating, the user needs to control the second display unit, and this can generally be achieved through gestures.

[0139] As the user performs the gesture, changes in light and shadow are generated on the projection plane. The mobile device can identify the gesture based on these changes in light and shadow in order to control the second display unit and execute an operation based on the gesture.

[0140] For example, if the second display unit projects the file information stored on the mobile device onto the projection plane and there is a need to switch to the next page, the user performs a gesture. The mobile device receives the corresponding changes in light and shadow to identify the display operation based on these changes and then controls the second display unit accordingly to show the content of the next page.

[0141] Referring to the software block diagram in the Fig. 14 further states that the software used in the method for controlling the mobile device according to the disclosure has three software layers: Layer 1, a device driver layer; Layer 2, a system framework structure layer; and Layer 3, an application interface layer.

[0142] In the first layer, that is, the device driver layer, a frame buffer, frame buffer 1 (abbreviated as FB1), is provided as a device driver module for the optical generator, such as Pico or DLP; in addition, a driver module for the gravity sensor (G-sensor) is also provided, or a driver module for the gravity sensor (G-sensor) and a driver module for the proximity sensor (P-sensor) are provided to enable the mobile device system to control the optical generator, the sensors and other hardware.

[0143] The system framework layer provides a service module containing a sensor service thread module, a display service thread module, an audio service thread module, and other service thread modules. The sensor service thread module continuously receives data from the P-sensor and G-sensor transmitted by the first software layer; it determines the mobile device's altitude based on this data; it reports an event that the mobile device is tilted or that it is tilted and placed on a level surface; and simultaneously interacts with the display service thread module to start the second screen for display and adjust its orientation. The audio service thread module is responsible for the silent mode.

[0144] The application interface layer is required to monitor an event that the mobile device is tilted, or an event that the mobile device is tilted and placed on a surface, and toggle the mobile device's application mode to standby mode based on this event. It is generally required to process call notifications, text message notifications, and other third-party application notifications based on this event. Third embodiment

[0145] A device for controlling a mobile device is disclosed in the third embodiment of the application. The mobile device comprises a first display unit, a second display unit, and a sensor. Referring to the schematic structure diagram in the Fig. 15 The device for controlling the mobile terminal comprises a receiver module 11, an evaluation module 12 and a display module 13.

[0146] The receiver module 11 is designed to obtain initial information from the mobile device via the sensor.

[0147] The assessment module 12 is designed to assess whether there is a need for the second display unit to carry out a display operation, based on the first information from the mobile device, generating an initial assessment result.

[0148] The display module 13 is designed to control the second display unit for display purposes if it is determined that there is a need for the second display unit to perform the display operation, based on the first assessment result.

[0149] The device for controlling the mobile device further includes an application mode switching module designed to switch an application mode of the first display unit of the mobile device if it is determined that there is a need for the second display unit to perform the display operation, based on the first assessment result, so that the first display unit of the mobile device enters a standby state.

[0150] Furthermore, if the sensor is a gravity sensor and the first information is orientation information of the mobile device obtained by the gravity sensor, the evaluation module comprises: a first evaluation unit designed to assess whether a first layer of the mobile device is vertically downward oriented, based on the orientation information of the mobile device transmitted by the gravity sensor, if the first display unit is integrated into the first layer; and to determine whether there is a need for the second display unit to perform a display operation if it is judged that the first layer is vertically downward oriented, or to determine that there is no need for the second display unit to perform a display operation if it is judged that the first layer is not vertically downward oriented.

[0151] Furthermore, if the sensor has a gravity sensor and a proximity sensor, and the first piece of information includes position information of the mobile device obtained through the gravity sensor and distance information of the mobile device transmitted through the proximity sensor, the evaluation module has a second evaluation unit and a third evaluation unit.

[0152] The second evaluation unit is designed to assess whether a first layer of the mobile device is vertically downward oriented, based on the mobile device's orientation information transmitted by the gravity sensor, if the first display unit is integrated into the first layer of the mobile device.

[0153] The third evaluation unit is designed to assess whether the mobile device is placed on a plane, based on the distance information of the mobile device transmitted by the proximity sensor, if it is determined that the first plane, based on the orientation information of the mobile device, is vertically downward oriented; and to determine whether there is a need for the second display unit to perform a display operation if it is judged that the mobile device is placed on the plane, or to determine that there is no need for the second display unit to perform a display operation if it is judged that the mobile device is not placed on the plane.

[0154] The aforementioned assessment module allows the mobile device to be flexibly configured to suit different application scenarios.

[0155] Furthermore, the device for controlling the mobile device features: an application information receiving module designed to obtain application information from the mobile device after the second display unit starts performing display operation and an application information display module designed to control the second display unit for displaying application information.

[0156] With the application information receiving module and the application information display module, as described above, the application information of the mobile device can be displayed on the second screen to prompt the user.

[0157] The display module also features: a display mode determination unit designed to determine a display mode if it is found that the second display unit is necessary to perform the display operation; and a display unit designed to control, based on the display mode, the second display unit to perform the display operation in that display mode.

[0158] The display mode generally includes: a mode in which file information stored in the mobile device is displayed, that is, file information stored in the mobile device is obtained and projected onto a projection plane; and a mode in which a display interface of the mobile device's first display unit is shown.

[0159] The device for controlling the mobile device also features: a gesture identification module designed to identify a gesture action for the second display unit by changes in light and shadow that occur when the second display unit displays after the second display unit has started performing a display operation; and a control module designed to control the second display unit to perform an operation based on the identified gesture action.

[0160] With the gesture identification module and the control module, the device for controlling the mobile device can identify a gesture action performed by the user in order to control the second display unit to carry out an operation.

[0161] The device for controlling the mobile device receives initial information from the mobile device via the sensor. If, based on this initial information, the device determines that a second display unit is required, the mobile device controls the second display unit. Therefore, no user intervention is required on the mobile device, thus simplifying the operation of the second display.

[0162] Accordingly, a mobile device is disclosed by the disclosure. The mobile device comprises a first display unit, a second display unit, and a sensor, and the device for controlling the mobile device, as described above, is integrated into a processor of the mobile device.

[0163] When used by a user, the mobile device can assess whether the second display unit is needed for operation, based on the device's state. If it determines that the second display unit is required, the second screen will start operating without user intervention, thus simplifying the process.

[0164] The embodiments of the disclosure are described herein in a continuous manner, with the emphasis in each embodiment on the difference between it and other embodiments; consequently, one embodiment may relate to another for the same or similar parts. Since the embodiments with respect to the device are essentially similar to the embodiments with respect to the method, their descriptions are simple, and reference may be made to the corresponding parts of the embodiments with respect to the method for relevant parts.

[0165] Furthermore, it should be noted that relational expressions, such as "a first" and "a second," are used merely to distinguish one entity or establishment from another, without necessarily requiring or indicating that any such present relationship or sequence exists between those entities or establishments. Moreover, the expressions "have," "include," or any other variations thereof are to be understood in a non-exclusive manner, such that a process, procedure, object, or apparatus, including a set of elements, may not only have those elements but may also have other elements not expressly stated, or furthermore, elements inherent in the process, procedure, object, or apparatus.In the absence of further restrictions, an element defined by a phrase “has a ...” does not preclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, procedure, object or apparatus that has the element.

[0166] For better description, the aforementioned device is divided into numerous functional units for separate description. Naturally, the functions of the various units can be implemented in one or more software and / or hardware components during the implementation of the disclosure. As is evident from the preceding description of the embodiments, it is clear to those skilled in the art that, in addition to a necessary multi-purpose hardware platform, the disclosure can also be implemented in software.Based on such an understanding, the technical solution of the disclosure, in essence or in part, which contributes to the prior art, may be implemented in the form of a computer software product, wherein the computer software product may be stored in a storage medium, such as a ROM / RAM, a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and may include several instructions to cause a computer (which may be a personal computer, a server or a network device) to carry out the method described in each embodiment or some parts of the embodiments of the disclosure.

[0167] A person skilled in the art can recognize that the units and arithmetic steps of the examples described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on specific applications of the technical solution and design constraints. Experts may use a different method for each specific application to implement the described functions, but this should not be considered an infringement of the scope of protection of the disclosure.

[0168] It should be clear to those skilled in the art that, for the sake of simplicity and clarity of description, the specific working processes of the system, device or apparatus and units described above may involve corresponding processes in the previous embodiment for a method and are not repeated here.

[0169] The provided embodiments of the invention should make it clear that the disclosed system, device, and method can be implemented in other ways. For example, the embodiment of the device described above is merely exemplary. For instance, the division of the units is based solely on the division into logical functions, and additional subdivision possibilities may exist in practical implementations. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be omitted or not implemented.In another aspect, the connection shown or discussed, or direct connection or communication link between each other, can be a direct connection or communication link implemented through some interfaces, devices or units, and can take electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0170] The unit described as a separate component may or may not be physically separate, and the component shown as a unit may or may not be a physical unit; that is, it may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected based on current requirements to implement the solution objectives in the various implementations.

[0171] Furthermore, in the embodiments of the invention, a multitude of functional units can be integrated into a process unit, or a multitude of units can also be physically separate, or two or more of the units can also be integrated into one unit.

[0172] The foregoing description of the disclosed embodiments enables the person skilled in the art to implement or use the present disclosure. A multitude of modifications to those embodiments will be obvious to the person skilled in the art. The general principle defined herein can be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the idea or the scope of protection of the present invention. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not limited by the embodiments shown herein, but will correspond to the broadest scope of protection that is appropriate to the principle and new features disclosed herein.

Claims

[1] A method for switching a display mode, wherein the method is used on an electronic device having a plurality of display units and the electronic device has at least a first display mode and a second display mode, wherein each display unit corresponds to a display channel, each display channel corresponds to at least one display unit, wherein the electronic device has a corresponding relationship between the display channel and the display unit pre-stored, and the method comprises the steps: Detecting whether a first instruction has been received, and obtaining a first detection result if the electronic device is in the first display mode, wherein the first instruction is used to switch a display mode of the electronic device from the first display mode to the second display mode; Stopping the generation of current data to be displayed in the first display mode, and determining a second display unit corresponding to the second display mode if the first detection result shows that the first instruction has been received, wherein the second display unit is one or more of the plurality of display units; Determining a display channel that corresponds to the second display unit, based on the appropriate relationship between the display channel and the display unit; and Generating current data to be displayed in the second display mode, and transmitting the current data to be displayed in the second display mode to the second display unit corresponding to the second display mode via the determined display channel in order to display it. the procedure further includes the step: Storing current status information of the first display mode, in case the display mode of the electronic device is switched from the first display mode to the second display mode, in order to restore a display state of the display unit that corresponds to the first display mode if the display mode of the electronic device is switched back to the first display mode, and the current status information is information that is currently displayed by the display unit according to the first display mode. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device has pre-stored a corresponding relationship between the display mode and the display unit; and the process of determining the second display unit corresponding to the second display mode comprises the step: Determine a display unit that corresponds to the second display mode as the second display unit, based on the appropriate relationship between the display mode and the display unit. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising the steps: Determine whether a display unit different from the second display unit is present in the display units corresponding to the first display mode; and to allow the display unit, which is different from the second display unit, to be switched off or go to sleep in the display units corresponding to the first display mode, if the display unit, which is different from the second display unit, is present in the display units corresponding to the first display mode. [4] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second display mode has at least a first display state and a second display state; and the method further comprises the steps: Detecting whether a second instruction has been received, and obtaining a second detection result if the electronic device is in the first display state in the second display mode, wherein the second instruction is used to switch a display state in the second display mode from the first display state to the second display state; Determine a second display unit corresponding to the second display state as a target display unit if the second detection result shows that the second instruction has been received; Determining a display channel that corresponds to the target display unit, based on the appropriate relationship between the display channel and the display unit; and Generating current data to be displayed according to the target display unit, and transmitting the current data to be displayed according to the target display unit to the target display unit via the display channel corresponding to the target display unit in order to display it. [5] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the electronic device is a mobile terminal, wherein the method is used in the mobile terminal as a method for controlling the mobile terminal, which is applied to the mobile terminal, wherein the mobile terminal comprises a first display unit, a second display unit and a sensor, and the method further comprises the steps: Obtaining initial information from the mobile device via the sensor; Assess whether a second display unit is necessary to perform a display operation, based on the initial information from the mobile device, and generate an initial assessment result; and Controlling a second display unit for display purposes if it is determined that a second display unit is necessary to perform the display operation, based on the initial assessment result. [6] Method according to claim 5, further comprising the step: Switching an application mode of the first display unit of the mobile device if it is determined that there is a need for the second display unit to perform the display operation, based on the first assessment result, so that the first display unit of the mobile device enters a standby state. [7] Method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein, if the sensor is a gravity sensor and the first information is position information of the mobile device obtained by the gravity sensor, the method comprises assessing whether there is a need for the second display unit to perform a display operation: Assess whether a first layer of the mobile device is vertically downward oriented, based on the mobile device's orientation information transmitted by the gravity sensor, if the first display unit is integrated into the first layer, and determine if there is a need for the second display unit to perform a display operation if it is judged that the first layer is vertically downward oriented, or determine that there is no need for the second display unit to perform a display operation if it is judged that the first layer is not vertically downward oriented. [8] Method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein, if the sensor has a gravity sensor and a proximity sensor, and the first information includes position information of the mobile device obtained by the gravity sensor and distance information of the mobile device transmitted by the proximity sensor, the assessment of whether there is a need for the second display unit to perform a display operation comprises the steps: Assess whether a first layer of the mobile device is vertically downward oriented, based on the mobile device's orientation information transmitted by the gravity sensor, if the first display unit is integrated into the first layer; and Assess whether the mobile device is placed on a plane, based on the distance information of the mobile device transmitted by the proximity sensor, if it is determined that the first plane is vertically downward oriented based on the orientation information of the mobile device, and determine whether there is a need for the second display unit to perform a display operation if it is judged that the mobile device is placed on the plane, or determine that there is no need for the second display unit to perform a display operation if it is judged that the mobile device is not placed on the plane. [9] Method according to any one of claims 5 to 8, further comprising the steps of: Obtaining application information from the mobile device after the second display unit starts performing display operations; and Controlling a second display unit to show application information. [10] Method according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the control of the second display unit for displaying, if it is determined that there is a need for the second display unit to carry out the display operation, comprises the steps: Determining a display mode if it is determined that a second display unit is necessary to perform the display operation; and Control, based on the display mode, the second display unit to perform the display operation in the display mode. [11] Method according to any one of claims 5 to 10, further comprising the steps of: Identifying a gesture action for the second display unit by changes in light and shadow that occur if the second display unit displays after the second display unit starts performing a display operation; and Controlling the second display unit to perform an operation based on the identified gesture action. [12] Electronic device, wherein the electronic device has a plurality of display units and at least one first display mode and a second display mode, wherein each display unit corresponds to a display channel, wherein each display channel corresponds to at least one display unit, wherein the electronic device has a pre-stored corresponding relationship between the display channel and the display unit, and the electronic device: a first detection unit designed to detect whether a first instruction has been received and to obtain a first detection result if the electronic device is in the first display mode, wherein the first instruction is used to switch the display mode of the electronic device from the first display mode to the second display mode, a first detection unit configured to stop the generation of current data to be displayed in the first display mode, and to detect a second display unit corresponding to the second display mode if the first detection result obtained by the first detection unit shows that the first instruction has been received, wherein the second display unit is one or more of the plurality of display units; a second investigation unit designed to identify a display channel corresponding to the second display unit identified by the first investigation unit, based on the corresponding relationship between the display channel and the display unit; a first data generation unit designed to generate current data to be displayed in the second display mode; and a first data transmission unit designed to transmit the current data to be displayed in the second display mode, generated by the first data generation unit, to the second display unit corresponding to the second display mode via the display channel determined by the second detection unit, in order to display it. the electronic device further comprising: a storage unit designed to store current state information in the first display mode, in order to restore a display state of the display unit corresponding to the first display mode if the display mode of the electronic device is switched from the first display mode to the second display mode, and the current state information is information currently displayed by the display unit according to the first display mode. [13] Electronic device according to claim 12, wherein the electronic device has a corresponding relationship between the display mode and the display unit pre-stored; and the second investigation unit is designed to identify a display unit corresponding to the second display mode, as the second display unit, based on the corresponding relationship between the display mode and the display unit. [14] Electronic device according to claim 12 or 13, further comprising: a third investigative unit designed to determine whether a display unit different from the second display unit is present in display units corresponding to the first display mode; and a state control unit configured to allow the display unit, which is different from the second display unit, to be switched off or go to sleep in the display units corresponding to the first display mode if the third detection unit determines that the display unit, which is different from the second display unit, is present in the display units corresponding to the first display mode; [15] Electronic device according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the second display mode has a first display state and a second display state; and the electronic device further features: a second detection unit designed to detect whether a second instruction has been received and to obtain a second detection result if the electronic device is in the first display state in the second display mode, wherein the second instruction is used to switch a display state in the second display mode from the first display state to the second display state; a fourth detection unit designed to identify a second display unit corresponding to the second display state as a target display unit if the second detection result received from the second detection unit shows that the second instruction has been received; a fifth investigation unit designed to identify a display channel corresponding to the target display unit identified by the fourth investigation unit based on the relevant relationship between the display channel and the display unit; a second data generation unit designed to generate current data to be displayed according to the target display unit determined by the fifth determination unit; and a second data transmission unit designed to transmit the current data to be displayed according to the target display unit, which is generated by the second data generation unit, to the target display unit via the display channel corresponding to the target display unit, in order to display it. [16] Electronic device according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the electronic device is an end device comprising a device for controlling the mobile end device, wherein the mobile end device comprises a first display unit, a second display unit and a sensor, and the device for controlling the mobile end device comprises: a data acquisition module designed to obtain initial information from the mobile device via the sensor; an assessment module designed to evaluate whether there is a need for the second display unit to perform a display operation, based on the first information from the mobile device, and to generate an initial assessment result; and a display module designed to control the second display unit for display purposes if it is determined that there is a need for the second display unit to perform the display operation, based on the first assessment result. [17] Electronic device according to claim 16, wherein the device for controlling the mobile terminal further comprises: An application mode switching module designed to switch an application mode of the first display unit of the mobile device if it is determined that there is a need for the second display unit to perform display operation, based on the first assessment result, so that the first display unit of the mobile device enters a standby state. [18] Electronic device according to claim 16 or 17, wherein, if the sensor is a gravity sensor and the first information is position information of the mobile device obtained by the gravity sensor, the assessment module comprises: a first evaluation unit designed to assess whether a first layer of the mobile device is vertically downward oriented, based on the mobile device's orientation information transmitted by the gravity sensor, if the first display unit is integrated into the first layer, and to determine whether the second display unit is required to perform display operation if it is judged that the first layer is vertically downward oriented, or to determine that the second display unit is not required to perform display operation if it is judged that the first layer is not vertically downward oriented.

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