HANDHELD ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND SCREEN LOCK METHOD THEREOF

• US 20090167717A1
• Filed: 12/24/2008
• Published: 07/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: HTC Corporation
• Original Assignee: HTC Corporation
• Inventors: Wang, Yi-Hua, Hou, Chun-Yao, Tan, Yun-Lon
• Application Number:
  US12/343,555
• Publication Number:
  US 20090167717A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/67 by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector digitizers for touch screens G06F3/041

Abstract

A handheld electronic device and a screen lock method thereof are provided. The method includes the following steps. Firstly, a detecting module detects at least one touched area on a touch screen. Next, when the at least one touched area reaches a threshold, the processing module disables the function of the touch screen.

Claims

1. A handheld electronic device, comprising:

a touch screen;

a detecting module used for detecting at least one touched area on the touch screen; and

a processing module coupled to the touch screen and the detecting module for disabling a function of the touch screen when the at least one touched area reaches a threshold.

2. The handheld electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a communication module coupled to the processing module for answering or making a call, and when the communication module answers or makes the call to enter a communication state, the processing module compares the threshold with the at least one touched area, and disables the function of the touch screen when the at least one the touched area reaches the threshold.

3. The handheld electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the processing module, after receiving an unlocking signal, enables the function of the touch screen.

4. The handheld electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the unlocking signal comprises the signal generated by pressing a specific area on the touch screen.

5. The handheld electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the unlocking signal comprises the signal generated by pressing a specific key-button of the handheld electronic device.

6. The handheld electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the unlocking signal comprises the signal generated by executing a specific sliding operation on the touch screen.

7. The handheld electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the specific sliding operation is drawing a symbol.

8. The handheld electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the symbol is a circle or a cross.

9. The handheld electronic device according to claim 3, further comprising an acceleration sensor, wherein the unlocking signal is generated when the acceleration sensor detects that the handheld electronic device is in a wobbling state.

10. A screen lock method applicable to a handheld electronic device with a touch screen, wherein the screen lock method comprises.

(a) detecting at least one touched area on a touch screen;

and

(b) disabling a function of the touch screen when the at least one touched area reaches a threshold.

11. The screen lock method according to claim 10, wherein before the step (a), the method further comprises:

(c) entering a communication state.

12. The screen lock method according to claim 10, wherein after the step (b), the method further comprises:

(d) enabling the function of the touch screen according to a unlocking signal.

13. The screen lock method according to claim 12, wherein the unlocking signal is generated by pressing a specific area on the touch screen.

14. The screen lock method according to claim 12, wherein the unlocking signal is generated by pressing a specific key-button of the handheld electronic device.

15. The screen lock method according to claim 12, wherein the unlocking signal is generated by executing a specific sliding operation on the touch screen.

16. The screen lock method according to claim 15, wherein the specific sliding operation is drawing a symbol.

17. The screen lock method according to claim 16, wherein the symbol is a circle or a cross.

18. The screen lock method according to claim 12, wherein the unlocking signal is generated by wobbling the handheld electronic device.