Electronic device and method for executing commands in the same

• US 8,593,405 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2008
• Issued: 11/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HTC Corporation
• Original Assignee: HTC Corporation
• Inventors: Kuo, Yien Chun, Chu, Yen Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Agustin, Peter Vincent
• Application Number:
  US12/346,422
• Publication Number:
  US 20090167693A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,792 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 345/168
• 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

The present invention provides a method for executing commands in an electronic device, which has a touch sensing element, a keyboard unit and a display. First, the touch sensing element is configured for detecting a touch on one of the keys on the keyboard unit and generating a responsive signal corresponding to the touched key. Afterward, a plurality of items corresponding to the touched key is shown on the display according to the responsive signal. Subsequently, the touch on the key is moved onto another key on the keyboard unit so as to mark one of the items. Finally, a command associated with the marked item is executed when the touch on the key is terminated.

Claims

1. A method of executing a command in an electronic device having a physical keyboard unit, a touch sensing element disposed under the physical keyboard unit, and a display, the method comprising:

detecting a touch on a first key of the physical keyboard unit by the touch sensing element;

showing a plurality of items corresponding to the first key on the display in response to the touch;

when the touch is detected and moved from the first key to a second key of the physical keyboard unit, marking one of the items, wherein the touch is being moved outside the display on which the marked item is shown; and

executing a command associated with the marked item when the touch is released from the second key, wherein

a layout of the items corresponding to the first key is the same as a layout of the physical keyboard unit including at least the first key and the second key.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of showing a plurality of items on the display comprises:

showing the items on the display in a straight line arrangement.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of showing a plurality of items on the display comprises:

showing the items on the display in a radial arrangement.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of showing a plurality of items on the display comprises:

showing the items on the display in a circular arrangement.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the physical keyboard unit is outside the display.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the physical keyboard unit and the display are independent of each other.

7. A method of executing a command in an electronic device having a permanent keyboard unit, a touch sensing element disposed under the permanent keyboard unit, a plurality of switches disposed under the permanent keyboard unit, and a display, the method comprising:

detecting a press on a first key of the permanent keyboard unit by a corresponding one of the switches;

showing a plurality of items corresponding to the first key on the display in response to the press;

when a touch is detected, by the touch sensing element, as being moved from the first key to a second key of the permanent keyboard unit, marking one of the items, wherein the touch is being moved outside the display on which the marked item is shown; and

executing a command associated with the marked item when the touch is released from the second key, wherein

a layout of the items corresponding to the first key is the same as a layout of the permanent keyboard unit including at least the first key and the second key.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the step of showing a plurality of items on the display comprises:

enabling the touch sensing element in response to the press.

9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the step of showing a plurality of items on the display comprises:

showing the items on the display in a straight line arrangement.

10. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the step of showing a plurality of items on the display comprises:

showing the items on the display in a radial arrangement.

11. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the step of showing a plurality of items on the display comprises:

showing the items on the display in a circular arrangement.

12. An electronic device, comprising:

a permanent keyboard unit having at least a first key and a second key;

a switch disposed under the permanent keyboard unit and configured for detecting a press on the first key;

a touch sensing element disposed under the permanent keyboard unit and configured for detecting a touch on the first key when the switch detects the press;

a display configured for showing a plurality of items corresponding to the first key in response to the press, and for marking one of the items in response to the touch moved over the permanent keyboard unit from the first key to the second key, wherein the permanent keyboard unit is outside the display on which the marked item is shown; and

a processor configured for executing a command associated with the marked item when the touch is released from the second key, wherein

a layout of the items corresponding to the first key is the same as a layout of the permanent keyboard unit including at least the first key and the second key.

13. The electronic device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the touch sensing element is a capacitive touch sensor.

14. The electronic device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the permanent keyboard unit is a QWERTY keyboard.

15. The electronic device as claimed in claim 12, wherein

the permanent keyboard unit has a plurality of keys, and

the keys, including the first key and the second key, are integrally formed on a same surface.