Electronic device

Abstract

An electronic device comprising a housing, a touch display module, and a touch pad is provided. The housing has an opening. The touch display module is disposed in the housing and has a touch display surface. The touch pad is disposed in the housing and has a touch surface. The touch display surface leans against the touch surface, and the touch display surface and the touch surface are exposed through the opening.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This case relates to an electronic device, and more particularly to an electronic device that simultaneously includes a touchpad and a touch display module. Prior Technology

[0002] Traditional laptops often require users to use the "Fn" key on the keyboard along with the corresponding function key to operate specific functions (such as volume adjustment, screen brightness adjustment, etc.).

[0003] Therefore, when using the touchpad, users need to switch to the keyboard to operate this specific function, which will cause inconvenience and waste time for users. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides an electronic device. The electronic device includes a housing, a touch display module, and a touchpad. The housing has an opening. The touch display module is disposed within the housing and has a touch display surface. The touchpad is disposed within the housing and has a touch surface. The touch display surface is directly adjacent to the touch surface, and both the touch display surface and the touch surface are exposed through the opening.

[0005] Compared to traditional laptops, which often require using the "Fn" key and corresponding function keys to operate specific functions, leading to inconvenience and wasted time, this design incorporates a touch display module and touchpad at the opening of the device's casing. The touch surface of the touch display module is directly adjacent to the touch surface of the touchpad, allowing users to directly operate (activate) specific functions using the touch display module. This eliminates the need to switch to the keyboard, improving the user experience and reducing the time wasted switching to the keyboard. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0006] The first figure is a perspective view of an electronic device provided according to an embodiment of this case; The second figure is a top view of the main unit of the electronic device shown in the first figure; The third figure is a cross-sectional view corresponding to section line AA in the second figure; The fourth figure is a block diagram of the electronic device shown in the first figure; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a first user interface provided according to an embodiment of this case; Figures 6A to 6C are schematic diagrams illustrating different display modes of the first user interface in Figure 5; Figures 7A to 7C are schematic diagrams of a second user interface provided according to an embodiment of this case; and Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a second user interface provided according to another embodiment of this case. Implementation

[0007] The specific implementation methods of this case will be described in more detail below with reference to the schematic diagrams. The advantages and features of this case will become clearer based on the following description and the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that the drawings are all in a very simplified form and use non-precise proportions, and are only used to facilitate and clarify the illustration of the embodiments of this case.

[0008] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the electronic device provided according to an embodiment of this invention. Figure 2 is a top view of the main unit of the electronic device in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to section line AA in Figure 2. In one embodiment, this electronic device 10 is a notebook computer. The touch display module can serve as a screen. However, this invention is not limited to this. In other embodiments, this electronic device 10 can also be an input device.

[0009] As shown in the figure, this electronic device 10 includes a main unit 12 and a screen unit 14. The screen unit 14 is pivotally connected to the main unit 12. The main unit 12 has a housing 120, a touch display module 140, a touchpad 160, and a keyboard module 170.

[0010] A keyboard module 170 is provided on one side of the housing 120 facing the screen portion 14, and has an opening 122. This opening 122 is generally rectangular. A touch display module 140 is disposed within the housing 120 and has a touch display surface A1 exposed through the opening 122. A touchpad 160 is also disposed within the housing 120 and has a touch surface A2 exposed through the opening 122. It is worth noting that the touch display surface A1 of the touch display module 140 is immediately adjacent to the touch surface A2 of the touchpad 160, forming a rectangular area. The shape and size of this rectangular area correspond to the shape and size of the opening 122, and it is exposed through the opening 122.

[0011] In one embodiment, the electronic device 10 further includes a surface layer 180. The surface layer 180 is located within the opening 122 and simultaneously covers both the touch display surface A1 and the touch surface A2, making the touch area entirely flat. In one embodiment, the surface layer 180 is a protective layer to prevent the touch display surface A1 and the touch surface A2 from being scratched or worn. However, it is not limited to this embodiment.

[0012] Secondly, in this embodiment, the area of ​​the touch display surface A1 is smaller than the area of ​​the touch surface A2, and the touch display surface A1 is located on the side of the touch surface A2 facing the keyboard module 170. However, this embodiment is not limited to this. Depending on actual needs, in other embodiments, the touch display surface A1 may also be located on the side of the touch surface A2 facing the edge of the housing 120, or on the side of the touch surface A2 facing the side of the housing 120.

[0013] Please also refer to Figure 4, which is a block diagram of the electronic device 10 in Figure 1.

[0014] As shown in the figure, the main unit 12 of this electronic device 10 includes a display control unit 420, a first touch control unit 440 and a second touch control unit 460.

[0015] The display control unit 420 is electrically coupled to the touch display module 140 and is adapted to control the display screen of the touch display surface A1. In one embodiment, the display control unit 420 is adapted to display a first user interface on the touch display surface A1 in response to a first signal S1. The first user interface will be described in more detail in the following paragraphs corresponding to Figures 5 to 6C.

[0016] In one embodiment, the display control unit 420 is adapted to display a second user interface on the touch display surface A1 in response to a second signal S2, replacing the first user interface. The second user interface will be described in more detail in the following paragraphs corresponding to Figures 7A to 8.

[0017] As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, both the first signal S1 and the second signal S2 are touch signals received by the touch display module 140. However, this invention is not limited to this.

[0018] The first touch control unit 440 is electrically coupled to the touch display module 140 and is adapted to receive a first touch signal ST1 from one of the touch display surfaces A1 to generate a first touch data Td1. The second touch control unit 460 is electrically coupled to the touch panel 160 and is adapted to receive a second touch signal ST2 from one of the touch panels 160 to generate a second touch data Td2.

[0019] In one embodiment, the electronic device 10 further includes a processing unit 480 electrically coupled to the first touch control unit 440 and the second touch control unit 460, adapted to receive first touch data Td1 and second touch data Td2 to generate an output touch data Td3.

[0020] In one embodiment, the processing unit 480 can select either the first touch data Td1 or the second touch data Td2 as the output touch data Td3 based on a preset condition. For example, when the touch function of the touch display module 140 needs to be stopped, the processing unit 480 can select the first touch data Td1 as the output touch data Td3.

[0021] In one embodiment, the processing unit 480 can consider the touch display surface A1 and the touch surface A2 as a complete touch input surface, and integrate the first touch data Td1 or the second touch data Td2 to generate output touch data Td3. For example, the processing unit 480 can convert the position data in the first touch data Td1 and the second touch data Td2 into position data corresponding to the complete touch input surface, and generate output touch data Td3 accordingly.

[0022] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a first user interface provided according to an embodiment of this case.

[0023] As shown in the figure, the first user interface includes an adjacent first area B1 and a second area B2. The first area B1 is a function key area displaying a plurality of preset function keys 52 (the figure shows volume, screen brightness, and Bluetooth function keys, but this invention is not limited to these). The second area B2 is a custom display area, which is blank by default. In one embodiment, this second area B2 can be used by the user as an electronic note display area. However, this invention is not limited to this.

[0024] In one embodiment, the user can input a touch signal, a key signal, or a voice signal as the first signal S1 to trigger the activation of the first user interface. For example, the aforementioned touch signal could be a click signal corresponding to a specific location on the touch display surface A1 or the touch surface A2, or a specific touch trajectory. However, this embodiment is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the first user interface may be pre-activated after the electronic device 10 is powered on.

[0025] Figures 6A to 6C are schematic diagrams illustrating different display modes of the first user interface in Figure 5.

[0026] As shown in the figure, a dividing line L1 (shown as a dashed line in the figure to indicate that this dividing line L1 is a hidden line) exists between the first area B1 and the second area B2 of the first user interface. The user can change the position of the dividing line L1 within the display touch surface A2 according to actual needs, thereby adjusting the size of the first area B1 and the second area B2. This dividing line L1 can be a visible line or a hidden line.

[0027] In one embodiment, the user can change the position of the dividing line L1 via touch. Specifically, the first touch control unit 440 detects the touch trajectory (defined herein as the third signal S3) corresponding to the current position of the dividing line L1 through the touch display module 140, and then generates touch data corresponding to the touch trajectory. The processing unit 480 can generate a display control signal based on this touch data and send it to the display control unit 420 to change the position of the dividing line L1.

[0028] As shown in Figure 6B, the user can increase the width of the first area B1 by dragging the position of the dividing line L1. In one embodiment, the upper limit of the width of the first area B1 in the touch display surface A1 is 50% of the width of the touch display surface A1, and the preset function keys 52 are repeatedly arranged in the first area B1 according to a preset arrangement order. For example, as shown in Figure 6B, the first area B1 is provided with volume, screen brightness, and Bluetooth function keys, and these three preset function keys 52 are arranged in the order of volume, screen brightness, and Bluetooth. In the figure, the width of the first area B1 is greater than the width required for the arrangement of the three function keys. Therefore, the three preset function keys 52 are repeatedly arranged in the order of volume, screen brightness, and Bluetooth until the first area B1 is filled. If the width of the first area B1 is less than the width required for the arrangement of the three function keys, the preset function keys 52 that cannot be arranged are removed sequentially from right to left. However, this invention is not limited to this.

[0029] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6C, the user can reduce the width of the first region B1 by dragging the position of the dividing line L1. In one embodiment, the user can also drag the dividing line L1 to make the first region B1 disappear completely. In this case, the first user interface does not have the preset function key 52, and the entire area of ​​the touch display surface A1 can be used as a custom display area.

[0030] Please refer to Figures 4 and 5, and Figures 7A to 7C, where Figures 7A to 7C are schematic diagrams of a second user interface provided according to an embodiment of this case.

[0031] When the first touch control unit 440 receives a touch signal (defined herein as the second signal S2) corresponding to a specific preset function key 52 of the first user interface, the display control unit 420 immediately displays a touch control area C1 on the touch display surface A1 in response to the second signal S2.

[0032] For example, referring to Figure 5, when a user selects the volume function key (defined herein as the second signal S2) on the first user interface, as shown in Figure 7A, a volume adjustment lever (i.e., touch control area C1) appears to the right of the volume function key, allowing the user to adjust the volume via touch display surface A1. Other function keys move to the right. In one embodiment, the second area B2, originally located to the right of the first area B1, disappears to accommodate this touch control area C1.

[0033] Similarly, when the user selects the screen brightness function key on the first user interface (defined as the second signal S2 in this article), as shown in Figure 7B, a brightness adjustment lever (i.e., the touch control area C2) appears on the right side of the screen brightness function key, allowing the user to adjust the screen brightness via the touch display surface A1, and the Bluetooth function key moves to the right.

[0034] In addition, when the user selects the Bluetooth function key on the first user interface (defined as the second signal S2 in this article), as shown in Figure 7C, the Bluetooth function key will change its brightness or color (that is, the touch control area C3) to indicate that the Bluetooth function is turned on or off.

[0035] Please refer to Figures 4 and 8 together. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a second user interface provided according to another embodiment of this case.

[0036] When the electronic device 10 activates a specific function (such as a call function), the electronic device 10 generates a trigger signal (defined herein as the fourth signal S4) to the display control unit 420. The display control unit 420 then displays a prompt screen C4 on the touch display surface A1 in response to the fourth signal S4, and hides the default function key 52 that was originally displayed on the first user interface.

[0037] As shown in the figure, when the electronic device 10 receives an incoming call signal (i.e., the fourth signal S4), the display control unit 420 immediately displays a prompt screen C4 on the touch display surface A1 in response to the fourth signal S4, prompting the user to receive a call. In this embodiment, the prompt screen C4 only displays an incoming call icon. However, this is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the prompt screen C4 can also display call-related information, such as the phone number and the caller's name. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the first touch control unit 440 also stops the touch function of the touch display module 140 in response to the fourth signal S4.

[0038] Compared to traditional laptops, which often require using the "Fn" key and corresponding function keys on the keyboard to operate specific functions, leading to inconvenience and wasted time, this invention incorporates a touch display module 140 and a touchpad 160 at the opening 122 of the casing 120 of the electronic device 10. The touch display surface A1 of the touch display module 140 is directly adjacent to the touch surface A2 of the touchpad 160, allowing users to directly operate (activate) specific functions using the touch display module 140. This eliminates the need to switch to the keyboard, reducing hand movement distance, improving operational efficiency, and minimizing time wasted switching to the keyboard. Furthermore, the touch display module 140 also serves as an information delivery channel, allowing users to easily monitor the current mode and status of the electronic device 10.

[0039] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this case and do not limit the scope of this case in any way. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art to the technical means and content disclosed in this case without departing from the scope of the technical means of this case shall be deemed to have remained within the scope of protection of this case.

[0040] 10: Electronic devices 12: Main Unit 14: Screen Section 120: Casing 122: Opening 140: Touch display module 160: Touchpad 170: Keyboard Module 180: Surface layer 420: Display control unit 440: First Touch Control Unit 460: Second Touch Control Unit 480: Processing Unit A1: Touch display surface A2: Touch surface S1: First Signal S2: Second signal S3: Third signal S4: Fourth Signal ST1: First Touch Signal ST2: Second Touch Signal Td1: First Touch Data Td2: Second Touch Data Td3: Output touch data B1: First Area B2: Second Area 52: Preset function keys L1: Boundary line C1, C2, C3: Touch control area C4: Prompt Screen

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising: a housing having an opening; a touch display module disposed within the housing and having a touch display surface; and a touch panel disposed within the housing and having a touch surface, wherein... The touch display surface is directly connected to the touch module, and the touch display surface and the touch module are exposed through the opening; a display control unit is electrically coupled to the touch display module, and the display control unit is adapted to display a prompt screen on the touch display surface in response to a fourth signal; and a first touch control unit is electrically coupled to the touch display module, and the first touch control unit is adapted to stop the touch function of the touch display module in response to the fourth signal.

2. The electronic device as described in claim 1, wherein, The touch display surface and the touch surface as a whole constitute a square area, the size of which corresponds to the size of the opening.

3. The electronic device as described in claim 1, wherein, The display control unit is adapted to display a first user interface on the touch display surface in response to a first signal.

4. The electronic device as described in claim 3, wherein, The first user interface includes an adjacent first area and a second area, the first area displaying a plurality of preset function keys.

5. The electronic device as described in claim 4, wherein, The display control unit is adapted to display a second user interface on the touch display surface in response to a second signal, replacing the first user interface.

6. The electronic device as described in claim 5, wherein, The second signal corresponds to the touch signal of one of the plurality of preset function keys.

7. The electronic device as described in claim 4, wherein, The first region and the second region are separated by a dividing line, and the display control unit is adapted to change the position of the dividing line in response to a third signal.

8. The electronic device as described in claim 5, wherein, The second user interface has a touch control area.

9. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1 further includes a first touch control unit and a second touch control unit, the first touch control unit being electrically coupled to the touch display module and adapted to receive a first touch signal from the touch display surface to generate first touch data, and the second touch control unit being electrically coupled to the touchpad and adapted to receive a second touch signal from the touchpad to generate second touch data.

10. The electronic device as claimed in claim 9 further includes a processing unit electrically coupled to the first touch control unit and the second touch control unit, adapted to receive the first touch data and the second touch data to generate output touch data.

11. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1 further includes a surface layer that simultaneously covers the touch display surface and the touch surface.

12. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The electronic device is a notebook computer.

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