TWI653560B - Foldable electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

A folding electronic device includes a first component, a second component, and a control circuit. The first component includes a first front side and a first back side. The first front has a screen. The first back side is opposite the first front side. The second component includes a touch panel, a second front surface, and a second back surface. The touchpad has a transparent touch area. The second front surface has a first opening for exposing a first surface of the transparent touch area. The second back has a second opening. The second opening is opposite to the first opening for exposing a second surface of the transparent touch area. When the foldable electronic device is in a closed state and rotated to an operational state, the control circuit detects whether the second surface is touched.

Description

Folding electronic device

The present invention relates to a folding electronic device, and more particularly to a folding electronic device having a touch panel.

With the advancement of technology, the types and functions of electronic products are increasing. Among many electronic products, folding electronic devices are common electronic devices. In general, a foldable electronic device typically has a screen. When the upper cover of the folding electronic device is normally opened, the user can see the screen presented by the screen and can normally use the folding electronic device. However, when the upper cover of the folding electronic device is lifted up, the user can no longer see the screen presented by the screen, and the folding electronic device cannot be used.

The invention provides a folding electronic device comprising a first component and a second component. The first component includes a first front surface, a first back surface, and a control circuit. The first front has a screen. The first back side is opposite the first front side. The second component includes a touch panel, a second front surface, and a second back surface. The touchpad has a transparent touch area. The second front surface has a first opening for exposing a first surface of the transparent touch area. The second back has a second opening. The second opening is opposite to the first opening for exposing a second surface of the transparent touch area. Control the electricity when the folding electronic device is in a closed state and is rotated to an operating state The road detects whether the second surface is touched.

100, 300, 400‧‧‧Folding electronic devices

105, 305, 405‧‧‧ first part

110, 310, 410‧‧‧ second part

115, 315, 415‧‧ ‧ screen

120, 320, 420‧‧‧ touchpad

125, 325‧‧‧ keyboard

130, 140, 430, 440 ‧ ‧ positive

135, 145, 345, 435, 445 ‧ ‧ back

150, 155, 350, 355, 450, 455 ‧ ‧ openings

160, 460‧‧‧ transparent touch area

165, 465‧‧‧ first surface

170, 470‧‧‧ second surface

175‧‧‧Drop area

180, 185, 380, 385‧‧‧ function buttons

200‧‧‧Control circuit

205, 210‧‧‧ sensing circuit

215, 225‧‧‧ Trace structure

220, 230‧‧‧ sensor

D1, D2‧‧‧ direction

S _D1 , S _D2 ‧ ‧ processing signals

326‧‧‧ button

425‧‧‧ plane

S511~S516‧‧‧Steps

1A and 1B are schematic views of a folding electronic device of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic view of the touch panel of the present invention.

3A and 3B are another schematic views of the folding electronic device of the present invention.

4A and 4B are schematic views of the folding type electronic device of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a possible flow chart of the control method of the present invention.

In order to make the objects, features and advantages of the present invention more comprehensible, the embodiments of the invention are described in detail below. The present specification provides various embodiments to illustrate the technical features of various embodiments of the present invention. The arrangement of the various elements in the embodiments is for illustrative purposes and is not intended to limit the invention. In addition, the overlapping portions of the drawings in the embodiments are for the purpose of simplifying the description, and do not mean the relationship between the different embodiments.

1A and 1B are schematic views of a folding electronic device of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the foldable electronic device 100 is a notebook computer, but is not intended to limit the present invention. In other embodiments, the foldable electronic device 100 is a mobile phone or other portable electronic device. As shown in FIG. 1A, the folding electronic device 100 includes a first component 105 and a second component 110.

The first component 105 includes a front side 130 and a back side 135. The front side 130 is opposite to the back side 135 and has a screen 115 embedded therein. In a possible embodiment, the back surface 135 refers to the outer side of the upper cover of the notebook computer, such as the A cover, and the front surface 130 refers to the inner side of the upper cover of the notebook computer, such as a B cover.

The second component 110 includes a front side 140 and a back side 145. The front side 140 is opposite the back side 145 and has a keyboard 125 and an opening 150. Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, the back surface 145 has another opening 155. The opening 155 is opposite the opening 150. In a possible embodiment, the front side 140 refers to the inside of the base of the notebook computer, such as a C cover, and the back side 145 refers to the outside of the base of the notebook computer, such as a D cover.

In the embodiment, the second component 110 further has a touch panel 120. The touch panel 120 has a transparent touch area 160. The transparent touch area 160 has a first surface 165 and a second surface 170. The first surface 165 is opposite the second surface 170. In this example, the opening 150 serves to expose the first surface 165. Additionally, the opening 155 of the back side 145 serves to expose a second surface 170.

When the foldable electronic device 100 is in an open state (as shown in FIG. 1A), the touchpad 120 and the screen 115 operate in a normal mode. At this time, the user can use a finger or a stylus to slide on the first surface 165 through the opening 150 to control the function displayed by the cursor on the screen 115 or the selection screen 115. At this point, the entire screen 115 will present a picture. Therefore, the foldable electronic device 100 is used as a general notebook.

However, when the folding electronic device 100 is in a closed state (as shown in FIG. 1B) and is rotated to an operating state (eg, the back surface 145 faces upward), both the touch panel 120 and the screen 115 operate in a tablet mode. . In the tablet mode, a portion of the display area of the screen 115 presents a picture. Since the touch area 160 is a transparent material, the user can see a part of the display area of the screen 115 through the openings 155 and 150, and slide the second surface 170 with a finger or a stylus for inputting a message or clicking on the screen 115. The application presented. At this time, the folding electronic device 100 as a hand Write board is used.

Figure 2 is a schematic view of the touch panel of the present invention. As shown, the touchpad 120 includes a sensor 220 and 230 and sensing circuits 205 and 210. The sensor 220 has a plurality of sensing elements for sensing a touch action caused by a first external object. In this embodiment, the sensor 220 is a transparent material. In another possible embodiment, the sensor 220 has a Glass-Film-Film (GFF) structure. In addition, the sensor 220 has a double-sided detection function. In other words, regardless of the touch action caused by the first external object from the direction D1 or D2, the sensor 220 can detect the touch action. location. In a possible embodiment, the first external object is a stylus. The invention does not limit the type of stylus. For example, the stylus may be an active stylus pen or a passive stylus pen.

The sensor 230 has a plurality of sensing elements for sensing a touch action caused by a second external object. In this embodiment, the sensor 230 is a transparent material. In addition, the sensor 230 has a double-sided detection function. Regardless of whether the touch action caused by the second external object comes from the direction D1 or D2, the sensor 230 can detect the location of the touch action. In a possible embodiment, the second outer item is a finger.

In the present embodiment, the ranges covered by the sensors 220 and 230 constitute the transparent touch area 160. In a possible embodiment, the upper surface of the sensor 220 acts as the first surface 165 and the lower surface of the sensor 230 acts as the second surface 170. In this example, the distance between the upper surface of the sensor 220 and the upper surface of the sensor 230 is greater than the distance between the lower surface of the sensor 220 and the upper surface of the sensor 230. In addition, the distance between the lower surface of the sensor 230 and the upper surface of the sensor 220 is large. The distance between the upper surface of the sensor 230 and the upper surface of the sensor 220.

In some embodiments, touchpad 120 has only a single sensor. In this case, the single sensor may only detect a single external object (such as a finger or stylus). In other embodiments, the touchpad 120 may only have a single sensor, but the single sensor can detect a variety of external objects such as a finger and a stylus.

The sensing circuit 205 is configured to drive the sensor 220 and process the sensing signal generated by the sensor 220 to generate the processing signal S _D1 . The sensing circuit 210 is configured to drive the sensor 230 and process the sensing signal generated by the sensor 230 to generate the processing signal S _D2 . In other embodiments, sensing circuits 205 and 210 are integrated into a single sensing circuit.

In a possible embodiment, the touch panel 120 further includes routing structures 215 and 225. The trace structure 215 has a plurality of traces for transmitting signals between the sensor 220 and the sense circuit 205. In the present embodiment, the trace structure 215 is disposed around the sensor 220. Additionally, the trace structure 225 has a plurality of traces for transmitting signals between the sensor 230 and the sense circuit 210. In the present embodiment, the trace structure 225 is disposed around the sensor 230. In a possible embodiment, the trace structures 215 and 225 are opaque regions. In other embodiments, the area covered by the trace structures 215 and 225 serves as a trace area 175.

The present invention does not limit the installation position of the control circuit 200. In a possible embodiment, the control circuit 200 is disposed in the second component 110. In another possible embodiment, the control circuit 200 is disposed in the first component 105. In some embodiments, the sensing circuits 205 and 210 transmit the processed signals S _D1 and S _D2 to the control circuit 200 through an integrated circuit (I2C) bus. Additionally, sensing circuits 205 and 210 may be integrated into control circuit 200.

In this embodiment, the control circuit 200 has a storage component for storing a code for controlling the operation modes of the touch panel 120 and the screen 115. For example, when the foldable electronic device 100 is in an open state (as shown in FIG. 1A), the control circuit 200 switches the touch panel 120 and the screen 115 into a normal mode. In the normal mode, the touchpad 120 detects only the touch action on the first surface 165 (eg, the upper surface of the sensor 220). In this example, the user can slide directly on the first surface 165 with a finger or with a stylus to select an application or input data presented by the screen 115. At this time, the foldable electronic device 100 is used as a notebook.

However, when the foldable electronic device 100 is in a closed state (as shown in FIG. 1B) and rotated to an operational state (eg, the back side 145 faces upward), the transparent touch area 160 overlaps a portion of the display area of the screen 115 ( The first display area is visible to the user through the openings 155 and 150. At this time, the control circuit 200 causes the screen 115 to enter a tablet mode. In the tablet mode, only the first display area presents a picture, and an area other than the first display area (such as the second display area) does not present a picture. In a possible embodiment, the second display area does not overlap the transparent touch area 160. At this time, the control circuit 200 causes the touch panel 120 to enter the tablet mode. In this mode, the touchpad 120 only detects touch actions from the second surface 170 (eg, the lower surface of the sensor 230). When the user slides on the second surface 170 with a finger or with a stylus, the control circuit 200 performs a corresponding action according to the information input by the user. At this time, the foldable electronic device 100 functions as a tablet.

In a possible embodiment, the side of the foldable electronic device 100 has function buttons 180 and 185. In this example, when the folding electronic device 100 is one When the state is on, the function buttons 180 and 185 may function as the left and right keys of the mouse. However, when the folding electronic device 100 is in a closed state and is rotated to an operating state, the function buttons 180 and 185 provide other functions, such as a volume adjustment button for adjusting the volume level or as a selection button. Select the next song. In this example, the user does not need to reopen the folding electronic device 100 and press the button of the keyboard 125. The present invention does not limit the functions of the function buttons 180 and 185. In other embodiments, the function buttons 180 and 185 are used in conjunction with the trackpad 120.

3A and 3B are another schematic views of the folding electronic device of the present invention. FIG. 3A is similar to FIG. 1A except that the touch panel 320 of FIG. 3A is located above the keyboard 325, closer to the boundary between the first component 305 and the second component 310. In FIG. 3A, the front surface of the second component 310 has an opening 350 and a keyboard 325. In FIG. 3B, the back side 345 of the second component 310 has another opening 355.

The opening 350 is configured to expose a first surface of the transparent touch area of the touch panel 320. The opening 355 is configured to expose a second surface of the transparent touch area of the touch panel 320. Since the characteristics of the touch panel 320 are similar to those of the touch panel 120 of FIG. 1A, they will not be described again. In the present embodiment, via the software control, a portion of the keys 326 of the keyboard 325 can simulate the button functions of the touch panel 320, such as the left and right keys of the mouse.

In the present embodiment, the back side 345 (such as the D piece) of the foldable electronic device 300 has function buttons 380 and 385. When the foldable electronic device 300 is in the closed state and the back side 345 is facing upward, the foldable electronic device 300 functions as a tablet. In this example, when the user writes in the transparent touch area with a finger or a stylus, a control circuit (not shown) records the writing track and determines whether the function button 380 or 385 is pressed. When the function buttons 380 and/or 385 are pressed, the control circuit executes A specific action, such as storing written content.

4A and 4B are schematic views of the folding type electronic device of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the foldable electronic device 400 is a mobile phone. As shown, the folding electronic device 400 includes a first component 405 and a second component 410. The first component 405 has a front side 430 and a back side 435. The front side 430 is opposite the back side 435. The second component 410 includes a front side 440 and a back side 445. The front side 440 is opposite the back side 445. In the present embodiment, the front side 440 has an opening 450 and the back side 445 has an opening 455. The opening 450 is opposite the opening 455.

The folding electronic device 400 further has a screen 415. The screen 415 is disposed in the front faces 430 and 440. In one possible embodiment, the screen 415 is a flexible screen. In this example, when the folding electronic device 400 is in an open state, the front faces 430 and 440 are located substantially on a plane 425. At this time, the screen 415 is also located substantially on the plane 425 for the convenience of the user.

In a possible embodiment, the second component 410 further has a touch panel 420. The touch panel 420 has a transparent touch area 460. The transparent touch area 460 has a first surface 465 and a second surface 470. The opening 450 exposes the first surface 465. The opening 455 exposes the second surface 470. Since the characteristics of the touch panel 420 are similar to those of the touch panel 120 of FIG. 1, they are not described again. When the folding electronic device 400 is in an open state. The user can slide on the first surface 465 with a finger or a stylus to select an application presented by the screen 415 or to control the position of the cursor on the screen 415.

4B is a closed schematic view of the folding electronic device of the present invention. When the foldable electronic device 400 is in a closed state, the front side 440 faces and overlaps the front side 430. In this embodiment, since the back surface 440 has an opening 450, the user can see a portion of the display area of the screen 415 (such as the first display area). In this case, make The user can write or click on the second surface 470 of the transparent touch area 460 through a finger or a stylus to select an application (such as a music player) presented by the first display area.

Figure 5 is a possible flow chart of the control method of the present invention. The control method of the present invention can be applied to a folding electronic device, wherein the folding electronic device has a screen and a touch panel, and the touch panel has a transparent touch area. The transparent touch area has a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is opposite to the second surface. In this embodiment, the foldable electronic device has two openings for exposing the first and second surfaces.

First, it is judged whether or not the folding type electronic device is in an on state (step S511). When the folding electronic device is in an open state, the touch panel is switched to a normal mode (step S512). In a normal mode, the touchpad only detects the touch action of the first surface. Next, the screen is switched to a normal mode (step S513). In normal mode, the entire screen will appear. When the user slides on the first surface with a finger or a stylus, the screen presents a corresponding picture according to the touch behavior of the first surface. In other embodiments, step S513 is earlier than step S512, or steps S512 and S513 are performed simultaneously.

However, when the foldable electronic device is not in an open state, it is determined whether the foldable electronic device is in an operational state (step S514). In one possible embodiment, the operational state refers to the back of the foldable electronic device facing the user. Taking the notebook as an example, when the outer side of the base of the notebook is facing upward, it indicates that the folding electronic device is in an operating state. However, when the folding electronic device is not in an operating state (for example, the folding electronic device is in a closed state, but the back surface is not turned upward), the process returns to step S511 to continue to determine whether the folding electronic device is in an open state.

Switching the touchpad when the folding electronic device is in an operating state It is a tablet mode (step S515). In a possible embodiment, when the touchpad operates in a tablet mode, the touchpad only detects the touch action of the second surface. Next, the screen is switched to a tablet mode (step S516). In a possible embodiment, when the screen is in the tablet mode, only a portion of the display area presents a picture. In this example, the display area overlapping the second surface presents a picture, while the display area not overlapping the second surface does not present a picture. Therefore, the user can slide on the second surface with a finger or a stylus to select an application. At this time, part of the display area of the screen will present a corresponding picture according to the touch behavior of the second surface. In other embodiments, step S516 is earlier than step S515, or steps S515 and S516 are performed simultaneously.

Since the touch panel of the folding electronic device has a transparent touch area, when the folding electronic device is normally turned on, the user can use the touch panel normally with a finger or a stylus. When the folding electronic device is closed, since the touch panel can sense the touch action on both sides of the touch panel, when the folding electronic device is turned to the back, the user can see the partial display area of the screen through the transparent touch area. Content and use your finger or stylus to enter information. At this point, the folding electronic device acts as a simple tablet. In addition, the user can perform other functions through the physical buttons on the back or side of the folding electronic device.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) are used in the ordinary meaning Moreover, unless expressly stated, the definition of a vocabulary in a general dictionary should be interpreted as consistent with the meaning of an article in its related art, and should not be interpreted as an ideal state or an overly formal voice.

Although the present invention has been disclosed above in the preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the invention, and any one of ordinary skill in the art is not It is possible to make some changes and refinements within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the system, apparatus or method of the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in a physical embodiment of a combination of hardware, software or hardware and software. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (11)

A folding electronic device includes: a first component, comprising: a first front surface having a screen; and a first back surface opposite to the first front surface; and a second component comprising: a touch panel Having a transparent touch area; a second front surface having a first opening for exposing a first surface of the transparent touch area; and a second back surface having a second opening opposite to the second opening The first opening is for exposing a second surface of the transparent touch area; and a control circuit is configured to detect the folding electronic device when the folding electronic device is in a closed state and is rotated to an operating state Whether the two surfaces are touched; wherein the screen comprises: a first display area, the transparent touch area overlapping the first display area when the folding electronic device is in the closed state and rotated to the operating state; a second display area, the transparent touch area does not overlap the second display area when the foldable electronic device is in the closed state and is rotated to the operating state. The folding electronic device of claim 1, wherein the control circuit detects whether the first surface is touched when the folding electronic device is in an open state. The folding electronic device of claim 1, wherein the touch panel comprises: a first sensing circuit for sensing whether a first external object touches the first or second surface; a second sensing circuit that overlaps the first sensing circuit for sensing whether a second external object touches the first or second surface, wherein the first external object is a stylus, the first The second external object is a finger. The folding electronic device of claim 3, wherein the first and second sensing circuits transmit signals to the control circuit through an integrated circuit bus. The folding electronic device of claim 1, wherein a keyboard is disposed on the second front surface. The folding electronic device of claim 1, wherein the screen is a flexible screen, the flexible screen is disposed on the first and second front sides, and the folding electronic device is turned on. In the state, the first and second front faces are located on the same plane. The folding electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second back surface further comprises: at least one button, wherein the control circuit is when the folding electronic device is in the closed state and is rotated to the operating state It is judged whether the button is pressed, and when the button is pressed, the control circuit performs a specific action. The folding electronic device of claim 1, wherein when the folding electronic device is in an open state, the control circuit enables pixels of the first and second display regions when the folded electronic device The device is in the closed state and is The control circuit enables the pixels of the first display area when rotated to the operating state, and the control circuit does not enable the pixels of the second display area. The folding electronic device of claim 1, wherein the touch panel has a double film structure. A folding electronic device includes: a first component, comprising: a first front surface having a screen; and a first back surface opposite to the first front surface; and a second component comprising: a touch panel Having a transparent touch area; a second front surface having a first opening for exposing a first surface of the transparent touch area; and a second back surface having a second opening opposite to the second opening The first opening is for exposing a second surface of the transparent touch area; and a control circuit is configured to detect the folding electronic device when the folding electronic device is in a closed state and is rotated to an operating state Whether the two surfaces are touched; wherein the touch panel comprises: a first sensing circuit for sensing whether a first external object touches the first or second surface; and a second sensing circuit, overlapping The first sensing circuit is configured to sense whether a second external object touches the first or second surface, wherein the first external object is a stylus and the second external object is a finger. A folding electronic device comprising: a first component, comprising: a first front surface having a screen; and a first back surface opposite to the first front surface; and a second component comprising: a touch panel having a transparent touch area; and a second front surface having a first An opening for exposing a first surface of the transparent touch area; and a second back surface having a second opening opposite to the first opening for exposing one of the transparent touch areas a second surface; and a control circuit, when the folding electronic device is in a closed state and rotated to an operating state, the control circuit detects whether the second surface is touched, wherein a keyboard is disposed on the second positive.