Method and apparatus for performing view switching functions on handheld electronic device with touch screen

• US 20090085886A1
• Filed: 05/30/2008
• Published: 04/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: GIGA-BYTE Communications, Inc. (Giga-Byte Technology Co.), Gigabyte Technology Company Limited (Giga-Byte Technology Co.)
• Original Assignee: GIGA-BYTE Communications, Inc. (Giga-Byte Technology Co.), Giga-Byte Technology Co.
• Inventors: Chen, Chun-Chi, Huang, Cheng-Wen
• Application Number:
  US12/155,210
• Publication Number:
  US 20090085886A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus

Abstract

A method for performing a view switching function of a handheld device with a touch screen is provided. The handheld device has an LCD panel and a touch panel. The touch panel has a touch region larger than a display area of the LCD panel. The touch panel has a main touch region overlapping the LCD panel, and an assistant touch region surrounding but not overlapping the LCD panel. The method includes (a) when the touch panel detects a presence of an object, determining whether the main touch region or the assistant touch region is touched; (b) when it is determined that the main touch region is touched, and it is determined that the object slides to the assistant touch region, switching from a first view to a second view displayed on the LCD panel; and (c) when it is determined that the assistant touch region is touched, and it is determined that the object slides to the main touch region, switching from a third view to a fourth view displayed on the LCD panel.

Claims

1. A method for performing a view switching function on a handheld device with a touch screen, the handheld device having an LCD panel and a touch panel, the touch panel having a touch region larger than a display area of the LCD panel, the touch panel having a main touch region overlapping the LCD panel, and an assistant touch region surrounding but not overlapping the LCD panel, the method comprising:

(a) when the touch panel detects a presence of an object, determining whether the main touch region or the assistant touch region is touched;

(b) when it is determined that the main touch region is touched, and it is determined that the object slides to the assistant touch region, switching from a first view to a second view displayed on the LCD panel; and

(c) when it is determined that the assistant touch region is touched, and it is determined that the object slides to the main touch region, switching from a third view to a fourth view displayed on the LCD panel.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein after step (b), when it is determined the objects slides from the assistant touch region back to the main touch region, switching back to the first view.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein after step (c), if it is determined the objects slides from the main touch region back to the assistant touch region, switching back to the third view.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein in step (b), if it is determined that the object slides inside the main touch region, performing an original function of the main touch region.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the assistant touch region includes a first touch region, a second touch region, a third touch region and a fourth touch region.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first touch region, the second touch region, the third touch region, and the fourth touch region are respectively on four sides of the main touch region.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising defining a coordinate coverage corresponding to the main touch region, the first touch region, the second touch region, the third touch region and the fourth touch region.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the touch panel determines whether the object is sliding according to a continuity of the coordinate of the object.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the touch panel determines a start point and an end point of the object according to the coordinate coverage.

10. An apparatus for switching functions on a touch screen of a handheld electronic device, comprising:

an LCD panel; and

a touch panel having a touch region larger than a display area of the LCD panel, the touch region including a main touch region overlapping the LCD panel, and an assistant touch region surrounding but not overlapping the LCD panel;

wherein a view switching function is performed when it is determined that an object touching the touch panel slides across a boundary between the main touch region and the assistant touch region.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the view switching function is performed to switch from a first view to a second view displayed on the LCD panel.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the main touch region and the assistant touch region are integrally formed as a unitary device.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the assistant touch region includes a first touch region, a second touch region, a third touch region and a fourth touch region.