A wristwatch and a method for executing its application programs.

Abstract

A wristwatch comprising a dial (1) and a strap (2), wherein at least one pressure sensor (5) is provided on the dial (1) and / or the strap (2) and the wristwatch comprises a memory (3) and a processor (4); the memory (3) is used to store at least one pressure event, at least one application program of the wristwatch and the relationship between the respective pressure event and the corresponding application program, wherein the respective pressure event includes the duration and value range of a pressure force; each pressure sensor (5) is used to detect an applied pressure force in real time and to send a pressure signal to the processor (4), the pressure signal including the duration and value of the pressure force; the processor (4) is used to determine a print event from the memory (3) that matches the print signal, and the wristwatch is controlled to execute the application program corresponding to the determined print event; wherein each pressure sensor (5) has a unique identification code and the pressure event and the pressure signal each contain the identification code of the pressure sensor (5); wherein the processor (4) comprises a module (6) for generating a print event, which includes a detection unit (61), a counter (62) with an initial value of zero and a control unit (63); wherein, for the pressure signal sent by the pressure sensor (5), the detection unit (61) is used to recognize the identification code of the pressure sensor (5) and to determine whether the duration of the pressure force exceeds a first threshold and simultaneously the value of the pressure force exceeds a second threshold, and if both thresholds are exceeded, the counter (62) is incremented by one, and if the count value of the counter (62) equals a third threshold, the control unit (63) is activated to generate a pressure event from the pressure signal and to store the pressure event in the memory (3); the control unit (63) is further designed to display the at least one application program on the screen of the wristwatch and, after receiving an instruction to select an application program, to couple the generated printing event with the selected application program.

Description

AREA OF TECHNOLOGY

[0001] The present invention relates to a wristwatch and a method for executing its application programs, in particular a wristwatch which can execute application programs using pressure sensors, and a method for executing application programs with this wristwatch. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] With the rapid development of technology, smartwatches are now appearing on the market. These devices not only tell the time but also integrate numerous applications, such as camera and Bluetooth functionality. Such smartwatches are essentially intelligent mobile devices with multiple functions. Furthermore, smartwatches feature a touchscreen. Users can launch various applications by touching the screen. This functionality is similar to the touchscreen controls found on smartphones.

[0003] However, the current design of touch controls on smartwatches is relatively traditional. Specifically, if a user wears a smartwatch on one hand, they cannot use that hand to operate the touchscreen and launch an application, and are therefore expected to use their other hand. This significantly limits the user's options and negatively impacts usability.

[0004] US patent 8,289,162 B2 discloses a gesture-based user interface for a portable electronic device with a touchscreen, enabling the input of letters by means of gestures and their display on a screen of the portable device.

[0005] DE 696 21 330 T2 relates to a context-sensitive universal interface device in the form of a finger ring for the exchange of information between a user and various electronic devices.

[0006] WO 2013 / 154 864 A1 describes an electromyographic sensor arrangement that can be connected to a user's hand to detect the user's hand gestures and to be used to control the recording of images with a camera.

[0007] US 2003 / 0 123 328 A1 concerns a control method for a wristwatch which is equipped with individual control elements on its dial.

[0008] DE 694 23 313 T2 discloses an electronic indication arrangement which displays the position of a point under pressure on a screen.

[0009] From US 2013 / 0 211 843 A1 a method and system for gesture recognition is known, whereby a hand movement is interpreted as an instruction depending on the context and is used to control, for example, a stereo system.

[0010] US 2002 / 0 118 605 A1 describes a wristwatch with a touch panel, whereby a pressure value of the touch applied to the touch panel is also determined in order to select individual functions.

[0011] US 2011 / 0242025A1 concerns a method for gesture recognition in an electronic device that has a touch panel. TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS OF INVENTION

[0012] The present invention is based on the objective of providing a wristwatch that can execute application programs using a pressure sensor, and a method for executing application programs with this wristwatch, in order to overcome the disadvantages of a smart wristwatch of the prior art, namely that application programs in a smart wristwatch of the prior art can only be started by a user by operating the touchscreen, which results in the user's operating options being significantly restricted and the user-friendliness being negatively affected.

[0013] The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned problem by the following technical solutions:

[0014] The present invention offers a wristwatch comprising a dial and a strap according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one pressure sensor is provided on the dial and / or the strap and the wristwatch further comprises a memory and a processor;

[0015] The memory is used to store at least one pressure event, at least one application program of the wristwatch, and the relationships between the respective pressure events and the corresponding application programs, wherein the respective pressure event includes the duration and the value range of a pressure force;

[0016] The respective pressure sensor is used to detect a stress force in real time and to send a pressure signal to the processor, the pressure signal including the duration and value of the pressure force;

[0017] The processor is used to determine a print event from memory that matches the print signal and controls the wristwatch to execute the application program corresponding to the determined print event.

[0018] Each pressure sensor has a unique identification code, and each pressure event and pressure signal includes an identification code from one pressure sensor.

[0019] When a user wears a wristwatch and cannot operate the wristwatch's touchscreen with a single hand, the present invention uses a pressure sensor to detect movement of the user's hand, including the wrist and palm, and transmit a pressure signal. This pressure signal corresponds to a pressure event stored in the wristwatch's memory. If the pressure sensor's identification code, the duration, and the value of the pressure force match, the processor retrieves the corresponding pressure event from memory and thus starts the appropriate application program. This allows the application programs in the wristwatch to be started simply by different hand movements of the wristwatch-wearing hand and the resulting varying pressure forces, without the user having to interact with the touchscreen.This offers a new way of operating a wristwatch, greatly expanding the operating possibilities of a wristwatch and increasing the user-friendliness.

[0020] The processor includes a module for generating a print event, which has a detection unit, a counter with an initial value of zero, and a control unit;

[0021] For each pressure signal sent by a pressure sensor, the detection unit is used to recognize the identification code of the pressure sensor and to determine whether the duration of the pressure force exceeds a first threshold and simultaneously the value of the pressure force exceeds a second threshold. If both thresholds are exceeded, the counter is incremented by one. If the counter value equals a third threshold, the control unit is activated to generate a pressure event based on the pressure signal and to store the pressure event in memory.

[0022] The control unit also serves to display at least one application program on the wristwatch screen, and after receiving an instruction that one of these application programs is selected, it serves to match the generated print event and the selected application program and to establish the corresponding relationship.

[0023] The module for generating a print event allows a specific print event to be generated based on a user-generated print signal that meets a specific requirement. This enables the user to establish a relationship between a print event and an application program. It can be required that the repeatedly applied pressure forces from the user meet essentially the same specific conditions, thus significantly reducing the probability of user error.

[0024] Preferably, the detection unit is used to identify a pressure sensor by circuit pins when the pressure sensor has a wired connection to the processor. However, if a pressure sensor has a wireless connection to the processor, the pressure signal transmitted by the pressure sensor contains a field that describes the identification code, and the detection unit is used to identify the pressure sensor based on this field.

[0025] Preferably, the pressure sensor is used to detect the pressure forces generated by physical impulses and to send pulse pressure signals to the processor when it is located at the point where the physical impulses are present. The processor also includes a filter module that serves to remove the pulse pressure signals from the pressure signals sent by the pressure sensor.

[0026] If the pressure sensor is located in a position where a pulse of the human body is present on a hand, it can detect the pulse pressure signals generated by the physical impulses before it receives any pressure force generated by a hand movement of the user, so that the processor can filter the pulse pressure signals through the filter module and thus eliminate the disturbances generated by the physical impulses at the pressure sensor.

[0027] Preferably, the respective pressure sensors can detect the pressure forces generated by human hand movements. In the present invention, the pressure forces are essentially generated by hand movements of the user's hand wearing the wristwatch, including rotation of the wrist, swinging of the wrist up or down, as well as gripping and opening of the palm.

[0028] Preferably, at least one pressure sensor is provided on the back of the dial and / or the strap.

[0029] To solve the problem of the present invention, a method according to claim 6 is used for executing application programs of a wristwatch, characterized in that the method is carried out using the wristwatch described above and comprises the following steps:

[0030] S1, the memory stores at least one pressure event, at least one application program of the wristwatch and the relationships between the respective pressure events and the corresponding application programs, wherein the respective pressure event includes the duration and the value range of a pressure force;

[0031] S2, each pressure sensor detects a stress force in real time and sends a pressure signal to the processor, the pressure signal including the duration and value of the pressure force;

[0032] S3, the processor, determines a print event from memory that matches the print signal and controls the wristwatch to execute the application program corresponding to the determined print event.

[0033] Each pressure sensor has a unique identification code, and each pressure event and pressure signal includes an identification code of a pressure sensor.

[0034] The processor includes a module for generating a print event, which has a detection unit, a counter with an initial value of zero, and a control unit; in addition, there is a step for generating a print event before step S1:

[0035] For each pressure signal sent by a pressure sensor, the detection unit recognizes the identification code of the pressure sensor and determines whether the duration of the pressure force exceeds a first threshold and simultaneously the value of the pressure force exceeds a second threshold, and if both thresholds are exceeded, the counter is incremented by one, and if the counter value equals a third threshold, the control unit is activated to generate a pressure event according to the pressure signal and to store the pressure event in memory;

[0036] The control unit displays at least one application program on the wristwatch screen, and after receiving an instruction that one of these application programs is selected, the selected application program and the generated print event are matched and the corresponding relationship is established.

[0037] Preferably, in the step for generating a pressure event, the detection unit is used to detect the pressure sensor by circuit pins if the pressure sensor has a wired connection to the processor; if the pressure sensor has a wireless connection to the processor, however, there is a field in the pressure signal sent by the pressure sensor that describes the identification code, and the detection unit is used to detect the pressure sensor by the field describing the identification code.

[0038] Preferably, in the embodiment, a pressure sensor detects the pressure forces generated by physical impulses and sends pulse pressure signals to the processor, if the pressure sensor is provided at the location where the physical impulses are present, the processor also has a filter module that serves to filter the pulse pressure signals from the pressure signals sent by the pressure sensor.

[0039] Preferably, in step S2, the respective pressure sensors detect the pressure forces generated by hand movements.

[0040] The positive and advantageous effects of the present invention are achieved by: using a pressure sensor to detect a hand movement of the user and transmitting the detected pressure signal; matching the pressure signal to a pressure event stored in the wristwatch's memory; and thus starting an application program corresponding to the pressure event. This makes it possible to start application programs in the wristwatch simply by different hand movements of the hand wearing the wristwatch and the resulting different pressure forces, without the user having to interact with the touchscreen. This offers a new way of operating a wristwatch, greatly expanding its usability and increasing user-friendliness. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows the structure of the wristwatch in the first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Figure 2 shows the sequence of steps for carrying out an application program of the wristwatch in the first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Figure 3 schematically shows the structure of the wristwatch in the second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Figure 4 shows the sequence of steps for carrying out an application program of the wristwatch in the second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Figure 5 schematically shows the structure of the wristwatch in the third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Version 1

[0041] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a wristwatch comprising a dial 1, a strap 2, a memory 3 and a processor 4, as well as at least one pressure sensor 5, which is to be provided on the dial 1 and / or the strap 2. Each pressure sensor 5 has a unique identification code.

[0042] The number of pressure sensors 5 can be determined according to practical requirements, and the position of each pressure sensor 5 is also freely selectable. If two pressure sensors 5 are present, one pressure sensor is, for example, located on the inside of the dial 1, and the other pressure sensor is positioned on the inside of the wristband 2 directly opposite the dial 1 or at a specific angle, such as 90°, to the dial. Since there are numerous blood vessels and muscles on the inside of a human wrist, the pressure sensors 5 positioned in this way can withstand relatively high pressure forces and advantageously detect pressure signals when the user wearing the wristwatch of this embodiment makes hand movements, such as opening or gripping the palm.If a pressure sensor 5 is provided on the inside of the dial 1, it can be encapsulated on the main plate within the dial 1 of the wristwatch by means of surface encapsulation. Of course, three or four pressure sensors 5 can also be provided, their positions being adjusted according to the procedure described above.

[0043] Memory 3 stores at least one pressure event and at least one application program present in the wristwatch, such as for the camera and Bluetooth. Each pressure event corresponds to an application program and includes an identification code of a pressure sensor 5, the duration, and the value range of a pressure force. For pressure sensors 5 with the same identification code, different durations and values ​​of the pressure forces are considered different pressure events. Naturally, for pressure sensors 5 with different identification codes, different durations and values ​​of the pressure forces are also considered different pressure events.

[0044] When the user wears the wristwatch and makes hand movements, such as rotating the wrist, swinging the wrist up or down, and opening and gripping the palm, these different movements can exert varying pressure forces on the different pressure sensors 5. The pressure sensors 5 can detect these pressure forces in real time and thus generate pressure signals, which are then transmitted to the processor 4. The information carried by each pressure signal includes the identification code of the pressure sensor 5 that sent the pressure signal, the duration, and the value of the pressure force.

[0045] After receiving a pressure signal, the processor 4 searches through the pressure events stored in memory 3 and finds the pressure event that matches the pressure signal, whereby the matching means that the identification code of the pressure sensor 5 in the pressure signal matches the identification code of the pressure sensor in the pressure event and the duration and the fluctuation of the value of a pressure force are each within a predetermined threshold range, whereby the thresholds of the fluctuation can be adjusted according to the requirements in practice.

[0046] After determining the print event corresponding to the received pressure signal, processor 4 starts the application program associated with that event, such as a camera program, etc. This means that pressure forces are applied and the wristwatch is controlled to execute the corresponding application programs simply through different hand movements by the user. This offers a new way of operating a wristwatch, greatly expanding its usability and increasing user-friendliness.

[0047] As in Fig. Figure 2 shows that the inventive method for executing the application programs with the wristwatch of the present embodiment comprises the following steps: Step 101, memory 3 stores at least one printing event, at least one application program of the wristwatch and the relationships between the respective printing events and the corresponding application programs. Step 102, each pressure sensor 5 detects a stress force in real time and sends a pressure signal to the processor 4. Step 103, processor 4 determines a print event matching the print signal from the memory and controls the wristwatch to execute the application program corresponding to the determined print event. Design 2

[0048] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, in the wristwatch of the second embodiment, the processor 4 also includes a module for generating a pressure event 6, which comprises a detection unit 61, a counter with an initial value of zero 62, and a control unit 63. The difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment is that, in the present embodiment, the module for generating a pressure event 6 can generate a specific pressure event in advance of a pressure force applied by the user to the pressure sensor 5.

[0049] Each pressure sensor can send a pressure signal whenever a pressure force is applied by the user. The detection unit 61 can recognize the identification code of the pressure sensor 5 after receiving the pressure signal and determine whether the duration of the pressure force exceeds a first threshold and simultaneously whether the value of the pressure force exceeds a second threshold. The first and second thresholds can be determined according to practical requirements and may differ for different pressure sensors 5. If the first threshold for duration and the second threshold for the value of the pressure force are exceeded, the counter 62 is incremented by one.

[0050] The counter value of counter 62 increments by one each time the pressure force applied by the user meets the conditions described above. Therefore, when the counter value of counter 62 accumulates up to the third threshold, namely when pressure forces fulfilling the conditions are continuously applied multiple times to the same pressure sensor 5, the control unit 63 is activated to generate a pressure event based on the pressure signal and to store the pressure event in memory 3. The information carried by the pressure signal also includes an identification code for a specific pressure sensor 5, the duration, and the value range of a pressure force.

[0051] Simultaneously, the control unit 63 can display at least one application program on the wristwatch's screen, and the user can select one of these applications by touching the screen. The control unit 63 then matches the generated print event with the selected application program and establishes the corresponding relationship.

[0052] In the present embodiment, the module for generating a pressure event 6 can generate a specific pressure event following a pressure signal sent by the user via a hand movement, provided that the signal meets a specific condition. The user can thus define the corresponding relationships between the pressure events and the application programs. After the user has configured the relationships between the pressure events and the application programs and stored them in memory 3, the user applies a pressure force to the pressure sensor 5 by means of a hand movement, such as rotating the wrist, swinging the wrist up or down, or opening and grasping the palm, thereby controlling the wristwatch to execute an application program. The details of the handling and the process flow are identical to those in the first embodiment and are therefore not discussed further here.

[0053] In the present embodiment, a pressure sensor 5 can have a wired or wireless connection to the processor 4. With a wired connection, the detection unit 61 can recognize the identification code of the pressure sensor 5 according to different circuit pins, while with a wireless connection, the pressure signal transmitted by the pressure sensor contains a field that describes the identification code, and the detection unit 61 serves to recognize the identification code of the pressure sensor according to the field describing the identification code.

[0054] As in Fig. Figure 4 shows that the inventive method for executing application programs with the wristwatch of the present embodiment comprises the following steps:

[0055] In step 201, for each pressure signal sent by a pressure sensor 5, the detection unit 61 recognizes the identification code of the pressure sensor 5 and determines whether the duration of the pressure force exceeds a first threshold and simultaneously whether the value of the pressure force exceeds a second threshold. If both thresholds are exceeded, the counter 62 is incremented by one. If the count of the counter 62 equals a third threshold, the control unit 63 is activated to generate a pressure event based on the pressure signal and to store the pressure event in memory.

[0056] The control unit 63 displays at least one application program on the wristwatch screen and matches the generated print event and the selected application program, establishing the corresponding relationship after receiving an instruction that the application program is selected.

[0057] Step 202, at least one printing event, at least one application program of the wristwatch and the relationships between the respective printing events and the corresponding application programs are stored in memory 3.

[0058] Step 203, each pressure sensor 5 detects a stress force in real time and sends a pressure signal to the processor 4.

[0059] Step 204, processor 4 determines a print event from memory that matches the print signal and controls the wristwatch to execute the application program corresponding to the determined print event, then ends the process. embodiment 3

[0060] As in Fig.As shown in Figure 5, in the wristwatch of the present embodiment, the processor 4 also includes a filter module. The difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment lies in the fact that, in the present embodiment, the pressure sensor 5 can detect the pulse pressure signals generated by bodily impulses even before it receives a pressure force generated by a hand movement of the user, provided it is located at a point on the hand where the bodily impulses are present. It is well known that bodily impulses are regular and that the pulse pressure signals therefore also possess a specific regularity of change. Therefore, the processor 4, through the filter module 7, can filter the regularly changing pulse pressure signals and eliminate the disturbances in the pressure signals detected by the pressure sensor 5 that arise as a result of the bodily impulses.

[0061] Although the embodiments described above are given in the present invention, it is clear to those skilled in the art that they serve only as examples. Anyone may modify or alter the embodiments described above, provided that the basic concept and scope of the present invention are not violated. Therefore, all equivalent modifications and alterations shall fall within the scope of protection defined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

[1] A wristwatch comprising a dial (1) and a strap (2), wherein at least one pressure sensor (5) is provided on the dial (1) and / or the strap (2) and the wristwatch comprises a memory (3) and a processor (4); the memory (3) is used to store at least one pressure event, at least one application program of the wristwatch and the relationship between the respective pressure event and the corresponding application program, wherein the respective pressure event includes the duration and value range of a pressure force; each pressure sensor (5) is used to detect an applied pressure force in real time and to send a pressure signal to the processor (4), the pressure signal including the duration and value of the pressure force; the processor (4) is used to determine a print event from the memory (3) that matches the print signal, and the wristwatch is controlled to execute the application program corresponding to the determined print event; wherein each pressure sensor (5) has a unique identification code and the pressure event and the pressure signal each contain the identification code of the pressure sensor (5); wherein the processor (4) comprises a module (6) for generating a print event, which includes a detection unit (61), a counter (62) with an initial value of zero and a control unit (63); wherein, for the pressure signal sent by the pressure sensor (5), the detection unit (61) is used to recognize the identification code of the pressure sensor (5) and to determine whether the duration of the pressure force exceeds a first threshold and simultaneously the value of the pressure force exceeds a second threshold, and if both thresholds are exceeded, the counter (62) is incremented by one, and if the count value of the counter (62) equals a third threshold, the control unit (63) is activated to generate a pressure event from the pressure signal and to store the pressure event in the memory (3); the control unit (63) is further designed to display the at least one application program on the screen of the wristwatch and, after receiving an instruction to select an application program, to couple the generated printing event with the selected application program. [2] Wristwatch according to claim 1, characterized by , that if the pressure sensor (5) has a wired connection to the processor (4); the sensing unit (61) is used to detect the pressure sensor (5) by circuit pins; and if the pressure sensor (5) has a wireless connection to the processor (4), the pressure signal sent by the pressure sensor (5) contains a field describing the identification code, and the sensing unit (61) is designed to detect the pressure sensor (5) according to the field describing the identification code. [3] Wristwatch according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by, that when the pressure sensor (5) is located at a pulse position of the human body, the pressure sensor (5) is used to detect the pressure generated by the pulse of the human body and to send a pulse pressure signal to the processor (4), wherein the processor (4) further comprises a filter module for filtering out the pulse pressure signals from the pressure signals sent by the pressure sensor (5). [4] Wristwatch according to claim 1, characterized by , that the pressure sensor(s) (5) detect(s) the pressure forces generated by human hand movements. [5] Wristwatch according to claim 1, characterized by , that at least one pressure sensor (5) is provided on the back of the dial (1) and / or the strap (2). [6] A method for running application programs, characterized by , that the method can be achieved with the wristwatch according to claim 1 and comprises the following steps: S1, in the memory (3) at least one printing event, at least one application program of the wristwatch and the relationship between the respective printing event and the corresponding application program are stored; S2, each pressure sensor (5) detects an applied pressure force in real time and sends a pressure signal to the processor (4), the pressure signal containing a duration and a value of the pressure; S3, the processor (4) determines a print event matching the print signal from the memory (3) and controls the wristwatch to execute the application program corresponding to the determined print event; wherein each pressure sensor (5) has a unique identification code and the identification code of the pressure sensor (5) is contained in the pressure event and in the pressure signal; the processor (4) includes a module (6) for generating a print event, which has a detection unit (61), a counter (62) with an initial value of zero and a control unit (63); wherein, for the pressure signal sent by the pressure sensor (5), the detection unit (61) recognizes the identification code of the pressure sensor (5) and determines whether the duration of the pressure force exceeds a first threshold and simultaneously the value of the pressure force exceeds a second threshold, and if both thresholds are exceeded, the counter (62) is incremented by one, and if the count value of the counter (62) equals a third threshold, the control unit (63) is activated to generate a pressure event from the pressure signal and to store the pressure event in the memory (3); wherein the control unit (63) furthermore displays at least one application program on the screen of the wristwatch and, after receiving an instruction to select an application program, couples the selected application program and the generated print event. [7] Method according to claim 6, characterized by , that if the pressure sensor (5) has a wired connection to the processor (4), in the step to generate a pressure event the sensing unit (61) is used to detect the pressure sensor (5) by circuit pins; and if the pressure sensor (5) has a wireless connection to the processor (4), the pressure signal sent by the pressure sensor (5) contains a field describing the identification code, and the sensing unit (61) is designed to detect the pressure sensor (5) according to the field describing the identification code. [8] Method according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized by, that when the pressure sensor (5) is located at a pulse position of the human body, the pressure sensor (5) detects the pressure forces generated by the pulse of the human body and sends a pulse pressure signal to the processor (4), and the processor (4) further comprises a filter module for filtering out the pulse pressure signal from the pressure signal sent by the pressure sensor (5). [9] Method according to claim 6, characterized by , that in step S2 the pressure sensor(s) (5) detects the pressure forces generated by hand movements.

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