U.S. patent application number 16/795903 was filed with the patent office on 2020-06-18 for electronic apparatus and control method thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Jin-wook CHOI, Hong-jae KIM.
Application Number | 20200192541 16/795903 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63246749 |
Filed Date | 2020-06-18 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200192541 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHOI; Jin-wook ; et
al. |
June 18, 2020 |
ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF
Abstract
An electronic apparatus is provided. The electronic apparatus
includes a display comprising a screen for displaying an image. The
electronic apparatus includes a touch sensor configured to sense
touches of a user on the screen. The electronic apparatus includes
a controller configured to identify moving paths corresponding to
the touches, determine whether the touches correspond to individual
touches on a plurality of respective regions of the screen or a
collective touch on a single region comprising the plurality of
respective regions of the display based on the identified moving
paths, and perform either at least one first function according to
the individual touches on the plurality of respective regions, or a
second function according to the collective touch on the single
region based on the determination.
Inventors: |
CHOI; Jin-wook; (Suwon-si,
KR) ; KIM; Hong-jae; (Suwon-si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. |
Suwon-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
63246749 |
Appl. No.: |
16/795903 |
Filed: |
February 20, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15903899 |
Feb 23, 2018 |
10599323 |
|
|
16795903 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0488 20130101;
G06F 3/04883 20130101; G06F 3/04845 20130101; G06F 3/0416 20130101;
G06F 2203/04808 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/0488 20060101
G06F003/0488; G06F 3/041 20060101 G06F003/041 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 24, 2017 |
KR |
10-2017-0024961 |
Claims
1. An electronic apparatus comprising: a display comprising a
screen for displaying an image; a touch sensor configured to sense
a user touch on the screen; and a controller configured to:
identify a distance between a plurality of regions of the screen on
which user touches are respectively sensed, based on the distance
being identified to be greater than a predetermined threshold
value, perform at least one first function of the user touches on
each of the plurality of regions, and based on the distance being
identified to be less than the predetermined threshold value,
perform a second function of the user touches on a single region
including the plurality of regions.
2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at
least one first function is at least one of a drawing function or a
dragging function along a moving path of the user touches on each
of the plurality of regions.
3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at
least one first function comprises a plurality of functions which
are different from one another, and the processor is configured to
perform the plurality of functions on the plurality of regions,
respectively.
4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
second function is an erasing function along a moving path of the
user touches on the single region.
5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
controller is further configured to perform either the first
function or the second function of the user touches based on a
moving speed of the user touches.
6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
controller is further configured to change the predetermined
threshold value based on a user input.
7. The electronic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
controller is further configured to provide guide information for
receiving the user input to change the predetermined threshold
value.
8. The electronic apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the
controller is further configured to identify whether a plurality of
test user touches is multiple touches or a single touch based on
confirmation of the user input.
9. The electronic apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the
controller is further configured, based on the plurality of test
user touches being identified to be the multiple touches or the
single touch, to provide the guide information which comprises
information recommending a distance between the plurality of test
user touches to be adjusted.
10. The electronic apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the
controller is further configured to change the predetermined
threshold value based on a direction of the plurality of test user
touches.
11. A method of controlling an electronic apparatus, the method
comprising: displaying an image on a screen; identifying a distance
between a plurality of regions of the screen on which user touches
are respectively sensed; based on the distance being identified to
be greater than a predetermined threshold value, performing at
least one first function of the user touches on each of the
plurality of regions, and based on the distance being identified to
be less than the predetermined threshold value, performing a second
function of the user touches on a single region including the
plurality of regions.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the at least one
first function is at least one of a drawing function or a dragging
function along a moving path of the user touches on each of the
plurality of regions.
13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the at least one
first function comprises a plurality of functions which are
different from one another, and the performing the at least one
first function comprises performing the plurality of functions on
the plurality of regions, respectively.
14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the second function
is an erasing function along a moving path of the user touches on
the single region.
15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the performing
comprises performing either the first function or the second
function of the user touches based on a moving speed of the user
touches.
16. The method according to claim 11, further comprising changing
the predetermined threshold value based on a user input.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the changing
comprises providing guide information for receiving the user input
to change the predetermined threshold value.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the changing
comprises identifying whether a plurality of test user touches is
multiple touches or a single touch based on confirmation of the
user input.
19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the providing
comprises, based on the plurality of test user touches being
identified to be the multiple touches or the single touch,
providing the guide information which comprises information
recommending a distance between the plurality of test user touches
to be adjusted.
20. The method according to claim 17, wherein the changing
comprises changing the predetermined threshold value based on a
direction of the plurality of test user touches.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 15/903,899, filed Feb. 23, 2018, which
is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119 to
Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0024961, filed on Feb. 24,
2017, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures
of which are incorporated by reference herein in their
entireties.
BACKGROUND
Field
[0002] This disclosure relates to an electronic apparatus and a
control method thereof, and more particularly to an electronic
apparatus, which can accurately determine a region touched by a
user, and a control method thereof.
Description of Related Art
[0003] Various input devices have recently been used for an
electronic apparatus. As an example of an input device, a touch
screen includes a touch sensor that is arranged in a display panel
of an electronic apparatus and that recognizes a user's touch
input. The touch screen determines a region that is touched by
various mechanisms such as a user's hand, a pen, a stylus, and/or
the like, and performs a function corresponding to the determined
region. In terms of design, the touch screen has been in the
limelight since it can eliminate the need for mechanical buttons
and utilize a space previously occupied by the existing buttons.
The touch screen is provided in, and utilized by, various devices
such as mobile phones, smart phones, smart televisions (TV),
wearable devices, electronic boards, and/or the like.
[0004] With the development of electronic apparatuses including
such touch screens, various touch-based functions have been
implemented, and the implemented functions have required the
electronic apparatuses to more instantly and accurately sense a
user's touch. To meet this requirement, touch sensors have been
developed to have rapid reactivity and high sensitivity in response
to a user's touch.
[0005] However, touch sensors with higher sensitivity and
reactivity introduce a problem where curved portions of a hand are
more likely to be recognized as individual touches in the situation
where a user touches and swipes the touch screen with, for example,
a palm or a set of fingers with the intention of making a single
touch gesture. In this case, when the electronic apparatus
implements different functions according to the areas of recognized
touch regions, a user might have to more carefully touch the touch
screen so as to accurately use the function, and thus the usability
of the electronic apparatus is inhibited.
SUMMARY
[0006] In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, an
electronic apparatus is provided that is improved in usability by
recognizing a region, in which a user's touch is sensed, and
performing a function in association with the region to more
accurately align with an intention of the user, and a control
method thereof.
[0007] In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, an
electronic apparatus comprises a display comprising a screen for
displaying an image; a touch sensor configured to sense touches of
a user on the screen; and a controller configured to identify
moving paths corresponding to the touches, determine whether the
touches correspond to individual touches on a plurality of
respective regions of the screen or a collective touch on a single
region comprising the plurality of respective regions of the
display based on the identified moving paths, and perform either at
least one first function according to the individual touches on the
plurality of respective regions, or a second function according to
the collective touch on the single region based on the
determination.
[0008] The controller is further configured to identify a distance
between each region of the plurality of respective regions, and
perform the at least one first function according to the individual
touches on the plurality of respective regions when the distance
between each region of the plurality of respective regions is
larger than a first threshold value, or perform the second function
according to the collective touch on the single region when the
distance between each region of the plurality of respective regions
is smaller than the first threshold value.
[0009] The controller is further configured to perform the second
function according to the collective touch on the single region
when the identified moving paths are towards a same direction, or
perform the at least one first function according to the individual
touches on the plurality of respective regions when the identified
moving paths are not towards the same direction.
[0010] The controller is further configured to perform either the
at least one first function according to the individual touches on
the plurality of respective regions, or the second function
according to the collective touch on the single region, based on
moving speeds corresponding to the touches.
[0011] The controller is further configured to provide guide
information for receiving another touch of the user, through the
display in a test mode, and change a first threshold value based on
the other touch and based on providing the guide information,
wherein the first threshold value is used by the controller to
identify the individual touches or the collective touch.
[0012] The guide information identifies a type of the other touch
to be performed by the user.
[0013] The controller is further configured to provide a user
interface that permits the user to input information identifying an
intention of the other touch, and change the first threshold value
based on the information identifying the intention of the other
touch.
[0014] The controller is further configured to provide a user
interface that permits the user to adjust a first threshold value,
and wherein the first threshold value is to be used by the
controller to identify the individual touches or the collective
touch.
[0015] The controller is further configured to provide a user
interface that permits the user to identify whether the touches
correspond to the individual touches or to the collective
touch.
[0016] The controller is further configured to change a first
threshold value based on an input, by the user, identifying whether
the touches correspond to the individual touches or to the
collective touch, and wherein the first threshold value is used by
the controller to identify the individual touches or the collective
touch.
[0017] In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a method of
controlling an electronic apparatus comprises displaying an image
on a screen; sensing touches of a user on the screen of a display
of the electronic apparatus; identifying moving paths corresponding
to the touches; determining whether the touches correspond to
individual touches on a plurality of respective regions of the
screen or a collective touch on a single region comprising the
plurality of respective regions of the display based on the
identified moving paths; and performing either at least one first
function according to the individual touches on the plurality of
respective regions, or a second function according to the
collective touch on the single region based on the
determination.
[0018] The method further comprises identifying a distance between
each region of the plurality of respective regions, and performing
the at least one first function according to the individual touches
on the plurality of respective regions when the distance between
each region of the plurality of respective regions is larger than a
first threshold value, or performing the second function according
to the collective touch on the single region when the distance
between each region of the plurality of respective regions is
smaller than the first threshold value.
[0019] The method further comprises performing the second function
according to the collective touch on the single region when the
identified moving paths are towards a same direction, or performing
the at least one first function according to the individual touches
on the plurality of respective regions when the identified moving
paths are not toward same direction.
[0020] The method further comprises performing either the at least
one first function according to the individual touches on the
plurality of respective regions, or the second function according
to the collective touch on the single region, based on moving
speeds corresponding to the touches.
[0021] The method further comprises providing guide information for
receiving another touch through the display in a test mode; and
changing a first threshold value based on a touch input, by the
user, based on the guide information, wherein the first threshold
value is to be used to identify the individual touches or the
collective touch.
[0022] The guide information identifies a type of the other touch
to be performed by the user.
[0023] The method further comprises providing a user interface that
permits the user to input information identifying an intention of
the other touch; and changing the first threshold value based on
providing the guide information and receiving the information
identifying the intention of the other touch.
[0024] The method further comprises providing a user interface that
permits the user to adjust a first threshold value, wherein the
first threshold value is to be used to identify the individual
touches or the collective touch.
[0025] The method further comprises providing a user interface that
permits the user to input information identifying whether the
touches correspond to the individual touches or to the collective
touch.
[0026] The method further comprises changing a first threshold
value based on the information that identifies whether the touches
correspond to the individual touches or to the collective touch,
wherein the first threshold value is to be used to identify the
individual touches or the collective touch.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of
certain embodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from
the following description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic apparatus according to an
embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the electronic apparatus
according to an embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates a sensing matrix for recognizing a touch
according to an embodiment;
[0031] FIG. 4 illustrates an example in which a recognized touch
region is changed based on distances between a plurality of touched
regions according to an embodiment;
[0032] FIG. 5 illustrates an example in which a function is
implemented corresponding to a single region including a plurality
of touched regions according to an embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 6 illustrates an example in which a function is
implemented corresponding to each touch on a plurality of touched
regions according to an embodiment;
[0034] FIG. 7 illustrates an example in which a function is
implemented corresponding to a single touch including a plurality
of regions by additionally taking a moving path into account
despite a distance between a plurality of touched regions
satisfying a threshold value according to an embodiment;
[0035] FIG. 8 illustrates an example in which a function is
implemented corresponding to each region by additionally taking a
moving path into account despite a distance between a plurality of
touched regions not satisfying a threshold value according to an
embodiment;
[0036] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of guide information provided
to permit a user to adjust the threshold value according to an
embodiment;
[0037] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of guide information provided
to permit a user to adjust the threshold value according to an
embodiment;
[0038] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of providing information
soliciting feedback as to whether a user intends to perform a
touch, and adjusting the threshold value in response to information
identifying a user's response according to an embodiment;
[0039] FIG. 12 illustrates an example of providing information
inquiring whether a user intends to perform a touch, and adjusting
the threshold value in response to information identifying a user's
response according to an embodiment;
[0040] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a user interface (UI) that
permits a user to directly adjust the threshold value according to
an embodiment; and
[0041] FIG. 14 is a flowchart of example operations performed by an
electronic apparatus according to an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0042] Below, embodiments will be described in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings. The following descriptions
of the embodiments are made by referring to elements shown in the
accompanying drawings, in which like numerals may refer to like
elements having substantially the same functions.
[0043] In the description of the embodiments, an ordinal number
used in terms such as a first element, a second element, etc., is
employed for describing a variety of elements, and the terms are
used for distinguishing between an element and another element.
Therefore, the meanings of the elements are not limited by the
terms, and the terms are also used for explaining the corresponding
embodiment without limiting the disclosure.
[0044] Expressions such as "at least one of," when preceding a list
of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify
the individual elements of the list. For example, the expression,
"at least one of a, b, and c," should be understood as including
only a, only b, only c, both a and b, both a and c, both b and c,
or all of a, b, and c.
[0045] The embodiments described below may be applied to an
electronic apparatus capable of receiving a touch input via an
input mechanism such as a user's finger(s), hand(s), a touch pen, a
stylus, an input device, and/or the like. As an example of the
electronic apparatus according to an embodiment, an electronic
board having a large format display panel will be described, but
the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the electronic
apparatus according to an embodiment may include a smart phone, a
personal digital assistant (PDA), a personal computer (PC), a
laptop computer, a TV, an electronic frame, a smart watch, an
advertising board, a wearable device, a pair of smart glasses,
and/or the like.
[0046] FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic apparatus according to an
embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, an electronic apparatus 1a, 1b
and/or 1c displays an image via a display (as shown by reference
number 203 of FIG. 2), and performs various functions in response
to a command issued by a user. Here, a user's command may be
received in the form of a touch input. The electronic apparatus 1a,
1b and/or 1c may sense a touch input provided via an input
mechanism (shown as touch mechanism 10 in FIG. 2) such as a touch
pen 10a, a hand 10b, a finger(s) 10c, and/or the like, via a
display panel on which an image is displayed.
[0047] The electronic apparatus 1a, 1b and/or 1c may be an
electronic board, a smart phone, a tablet PC, and/or the like, as
described above, but the embodiments described herein are not
limited thereto. The electronic apparatus 1a, 1b and/or 1c performs
a function corresponding to a touch on a touched region based on a
user's touch. For example, the electronic apparatus 1a, 1b and/or
1c may display a pointer at a position touched with a user's finger
10c, draw or erase an item (e.g., a line, a figure, etc.), select a
graphical user interface (GUI) menu corresponding to the touched
position, and/or the like.
[0048] As a particular example, the electronic apparatus 1a, 1b
and/or 1c may draw a line corresponding to the touched position in
the situation where an area of the recognized region is a narrow
region corresponding to the finger 10c or the touch pen 10a. As
another example, the electronic apparatus 1a, 1b, and/or 1c may
perform other functions (e.g., an erasing function with an eraser)
based on the area of the recognized region being a wide region
corresponding to a palm 10b of the user.
[0049] As described elsewhere herein, the electronic apparatus 1a,
1b, and/or 1c may determine that a touch is input to a single
region including a plurality of respective regions (hereinafter,
also referred to as a "collective touch") based on various factors
such as a distance between the regions, moving paths of touches on
the regions, etc., despite inputs being made by touching the
plurality of regions with a curved portion of the palm 10b.
Alternatively, the electronic apparatus 1a, 1b, and/or 1c may
determine that touches are input to the plurality of respective
regions (hereinafter, also referred to as "individual touches")
based on moving paths despite a distance between the plurality of
touched regions not satisfying a threshold (e.g., being less than a
threshold), thereby permitting the plurality of regions to be
regarded as a single region. That is, the electronic apparatus 1a,
1b and/or 1c according to an embodiment can recognize a touch and
perform a corresponding function to more accurately align with a
user's intention. Thus, the electronic apparatus 1a, 1b, and/or 1c
according to an embodiment offers improved usability.
[0050] Below, details of the electronic apparatus 1a, 1b, and/or 1c
will be described.
[0051] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electronic apparatus 1
according to an embodiment.
[0052] The electronic apparatus 1 includes a display 203 including
a display panel 210, and a touch sensor 211 that is configured to
sense a touch input provided via a touch mechanism 10. The
electronic apparatus 1 may further include at least one of a signal
receiver 200, a signal processor 201, a storage 205, a communicator
207, and/or a controller 209. The configuration of the electronic
apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2 is an example, and the electronic
apparatus 1 according to an embodiment may include other elements
other than, or in addition to, the elements shown in FIG. 2. That
is, the electronic apparatus 1 according to an embodiment may
include more elements than as shown in FIG. 2, or include fewer
elements than as shown in FIG. 2.
[0053] In situations where the electronic apparatus 1 is configured
to receive and provide a broadcast signal, the electronic apparatus
1 (e.g., a TV, a set-top box (STB), a PC, and/or the like) may
include the signal receiver 200. The signal receiver 200 receives a
video signal from an external source. The signal receiver 200 may
include a tuner for receiving the video signal. The tuner may be
tuned to a certain channel selected by a user among a plurality of
channels through which broadcast signals are received. The signal
receiver 200 may receive a video signal from an image processing
device (e.g., an STB, a digital versatile disc (DVD) player, a PC,
etc.), a mobile device (e.g., a smart phone, a wearable device, a
PDA, etc.), a server via the Internet, and/or the like.
[0054] The signal processor 201 applies a signal processing
technique to an image signal received by the receiver 200 and
outputs the processed image signal to the display 203 to permit the
display 203 to display an image. The signal processing technique
implemented in the signal processor 201 may include, for example, a
demultiplexing technique for dividing an input transport stream
including an image signal into sub-streams of a video signal, an
audio signal, and appended data; a de-interlacing technique for
converting an interlaced-type video signal into a progressive-type
video signal; a scaling technique for adjusting a resolution of a
video signal; a noise reduction technique for improving quality of
an image; a detail enhancement technique; a frame refresh rate
conversion technique; and/or the like.
[0055] The display 203 displays an image based on the video signal
processed by the signal processor 201, and senses a user's touch
input as described above. The display 203 may include a display
panel 210 configured to display an image, and the touch sensor 211
configured to sense a touch input provided via a touch mechanism
10. The display panel 210 may include, for example, various display
types such as a liquid-crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, a
light-emitting diode (LED) display, an organic light-emitting diode
(OLED) display, a surface-conduction electron-emitter display
(SED), a carbon nano-tube (CNT) display, a nano-crystal display,
and/or the like.
[0056] When the display panel 210 is an LCD, the display 203
includes a liquid-crystal display panel 210, a backlight unit for
emitting light to the liquid-crystal display panel 210, a panel
driving substrate for driving the liquid-crystal display panel 210,
etc. The display 203 may include a self-emissive OLED display panel
210 that does not include the backlight unit.
[0057] The touch sensor 211 senses a touch provided via a touch
mechanism 10 such as a user's pen, a hand, a finger, and/or the
like, that interacts with the display panel 210. The touch sensor
211 may be provided on the entire surface of the display 203 on
which an image is displayed, a portion of the display 203, and/or
the like. The touch sensor 211 may have a structure in which a
transparent electrode is arranged in a matrix form on the display
panel 210 and includes a capacitive sensing circuit. The touch
sensor 211 may include a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB),
and/or the like, having a general feature format (GFF) or G2
structure using the transparent electrode such as indium tin oxide
(ITO), metal mesh, an silver nano-wire, etc., or a structure in
which a conductive material is arrayed using an opaque and flexible
film as a substrate. However, the structure of the touch sensor 211
according to an embodiment is not limited to the capacitive type.
For example, the touch sensor 211 may include a resistive type
having a structure, in which two substrates (e.g., an upper and
lower substrate) are joined together, that generates an electric
signal when the upper and lower substrates are connected by
pressing the upper substrate, and thus sensing a position based on
the electric signal. Alternatively, the touch sensor 211 may
include an infrared (IR) type that detects coordinates at which
light is blocked, a surface acoustic wave type using a propagating
characteristic of sound like the IR type, and/or another type.
[0058] The storage 205 is configured to store data for use by the
electronic apparatus 1. For example, the storage 205 may store
software (e.g., a program) containing one or more instructions that
are stored in a machine-readable (e.g., computer-readable) storage
medium (e.g., internal memory) or external memory. The storage 205
may be provided as a nonvolatile memory (e.g. a writable read only
memory (ROM)) in which data is retained and variations are
reflected even though the electronic apparatus 1 is powered off.
That is, the storage 205 may include one of a flash memory, an
erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), and an electrically
erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM).
[0059] The storage 205 may include a volatile memory which retains
data only when the electronic apparatus 1 is powered on. That is,
the storage 205 may include either of a dynamic random access
memory (DRAM) or a static random access memory (SRAM) which is
capable of writing and reading information and has a faster reading
or writing speed than that of the nonvolatile memory.
[0060] The communicator 207 is configured to communicate with an
external device. The communicator 207 may correspond with the types
of the external device or the electronic apparatus 1. For example,
the communicator 207 includes a connection part for wired
communication, and the connection part may transmit/receive a
signal/data complying with various standards, such as high
definition multimedia interface (HDMI), HDMI-consumer electronics
control (CEC), universal serial bus (USB), a Component, and/or the
like, and includes at least one connector or terminal corresponding
to each of the standards. The communicator 207 may perform wired
communication with a plurality of servers through a wired local
area network (LAN), a cellular network, a wide area network (WAN),
a metropolitan area network (MAN), a cloud computing network,
and/or the like.
[0061] The communicator 207 may include various elements in
accordance with the design of the electronic apparatus 1 in
addition to the connection part including the connector or terminal
for the wired communication. For example, the communicator 207 may
include a radio frequency (RF) circuit for transmitting and
receiving an RF signal to perform wireless communication with the
external device, and perform functions corresponding to a
communication protocol, including at least one of wireless fidelity
(Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, Zigbee, ultra-wide band (UWB), wireless USB,
near field communication (NFC), and/or the like.
[0062] The controller 209 performs control for operating general
elements of the electronic apparatus 1. The controller 209 may
include a control program for implementing such control, a
nonvolatile memory in which the control program is installed, a
volatile memory to which the installed control program is at least
partially loaded, and at least one microprocessor or central
processing unit (CPU) for executing the loaded control program. The
control program may include program(s) in the form of at least one
among a basic input/output system (BIOS), a device driver, an
operating system (OS), a firmware, a platform, and an application
program. According to an embodiment, the application program may be
previously installed or stored in the electronic apparatus 1 when
the electronic apparatus 1 is manufactured, or installed later in
the electronic apparatus 1 based on data of an application program
received from an external source. The data of the application
program may be downloaded, for example, from an external server to
the electronic apparatus 1.
[0063] According to an embodiment, the controller 209 determines a
distance between a plurality of regions in the situation where a
user's touches are sensed in the plurality of regions on the
display panel 210, and performs a function corresponding to a touch
of a single region including the plurality of regions in which the
distance between the plurality of regions does not satisfy (e.g.,
is less than or equal to) a threshold value based on determination
results, or a function corresponding to each individual touch of
the plurality of regions in which the distance between the
plurality of regions satisfies the threshold value (e.g., is
greater than the threshold value).
[0064] The controller 209 may perform a function corresponding to a
touch of the single region, and determine a moving path of the
touch sensed on the plurality of regions within the single region
after the touch is moved by a predetermined distance. The
controller 209 may cancel the function performed in the single
region based on the determination results, and perform the function
based on the moving path including the plurality of regions.
[0065] The controller 209 may perform a function corresponding to a
touch on each of the regions, and determine a moving path of a
touch sensed on the plurality of regions after the touch is moved
by a predetermined distance. The controller 209 may cancel the
function performed based on the touch associated with the plurality
of regions based on the determination results, and perform the
function based on the moving path involving the single region
including the plurality of regions. Thus, the controller 209 may
perform a function based on the moving path and/or the distance
between the plurality of regions, thereby more accurately and
efficiently aligning a function with a user's intention.
[0066] The controller 209 may determine a moving path of a touch on
a plurality of regions. The controller 209 may perform a function
corresponding to a touch on each of the regions, or perform a
function corresponding to the touch on a single region including
the plurality of regions, based on the determined moving path of
the touch on the plurality of regions.
[0067] FIG. 3 illustrates a sensing matrix for recognizing a touch
according to an embodiment.
[0068] The touch sensor 211 determines (e.g., senses, detects,
etc.) a user's touch through a sensing matrix 30 including a
plurality of sensing regions 300. A single sensor may include a
single sensing region 300, and sense whether the sensing region 300
is being touched. Alternatively, a plurality of sensors may
correspond to a single sensing region 300, and sense whether the
sensing region 300 is being touched. In addition, touch sensor 211
may sense the touched regions 301 and 302 among the plurality of
sensing regions 300. That is, each sensing region 300 of the
sensing matrix 30 refers to the smallest unit capable of being
sensed by the touch sensor 211 to determine whether the sensing
region 300 is being touched.
[0069] When the touched regions 301 and 302, among the plurality of
sensing regions 300, are spaced apart at a distance greater than a
blank region 303, including at least one untouched sensing region
300, the controller 209 determines each of the touched regions 301
and 302 as individual regions. The controller 209 determines the
sensing regions 300, which are adjacent to the touched regions 301
and 302, as a single region. The controller 209, according to an
embodiment, determines whether a touch is made in association with
the plurality of regions 301 and 302 or a single region including
the plurality of regions 301 and 302 based on the distance between
the regions 301 and 302, the moving path of the touches, etc. when
the touches are respectively sensed on the regions 301 and 302.
[0070] FIG. 4 illustrates an example in which a recognized touch
region is changed based on distances between a plurality of touched
regions according to an embodiment.
[0071] When a user touches the display panel 210 of the electronic
apparatus 1, the controller 209 determines whether there are
touches on a plurality of regions based on positions of the touches
on the sensing matrix 30 sensed by the touch sensor 211, and
determines the distance between the plurality of touched regions in
the situation where there are touches on the plurality of regions.
The distance between the plurality of regions refers to a distance
between the centers of the regions, but is not limited thereto. For
example, the distance between the plurality of regions may include
a distance between the edges of the regions, a distance between
points that are biased in a direction such as a leftward or
rightward direction of the regions, a distance between points
randomly selected in the regions, and/or the like. In situations
where the distances between a set of regions, among the plurality
of regions, do not satisfy the threshold value, the controller 209
determines that the touch is performed with regard to a single
region including the set of regions. Alternatively, in situations
where the distances satisfy the threshold value, the controller 209
determines that the touches correspond to separate touches on
separate regions. In FIG. 4, the plurality of regions 400a, 400b,
400c, and 402 are illustrated as having quadrangular shapes for
convenience, but should not construed as limiting the form of the
touch or the form of recognizing the touch to the quadrangular
shape.
[0072] As an example, assume that a user touches the region 400a
and the region 400b (or the region 400b and the region 400c),
respectively. In this case, the controller 209 may determine that
the distance 401a between the region 400a and the region 400b (or
the distance 401b between the region 400b and the region 400c) does
not satisfy the threshold value. As such, the controller 209 may
generate a region 403 that includes non-touched regions between the
region 400a and the region 400b (or the region 400b and the region
400c). Further, the controller 209 performs a function
corresponding to a touch on the generated single region 403.
[0073] As another example, assume that the user touches the region
400a and the region 402, respectively. In this case, the controller
209 determines that a distance 401c between the region 400a and the
region 402 satisfies the threshold value, and determines that the
touches correspond to separate touches occurring in the separate
regions 400a and 402, respectively. Further, the controller 209
performs a function(s) corresponding to the separate touches and
the separate regions 400a and 402. The controller 209 may determine
similar touches and perform similar functions in the situation
where the user touches the region 400b and the region 402 (e.g.,
because the distance 401d satisfies the threshold value), where the
user touches the region 400c and the region 402 (e.g., because the
distance 401e satisfies the threshold value), and/or another
situation where the distance between regions satisfies the
threshold value.
[0074] FIG. 5 illustrates an example in which a function is
implemented corresponding to a single region including a plurality
of touched regions according to an embodiment.
[0075] As shown by reference number 500, assume that the touch
sensor 211 senses touches on the region 400 and the region 402,
respectively. In this case, the controller 209 determines the
distance 401 between the region 400 and the region 402. In the
situation where the distance 401 does not satisfy the threshold
value, the controller 209 generates the single region 403, and
determines that the touched region is the generated single region
403.
[0076] As shown by reference number 501, the controller 209 may
perform a function corresponding to a user's touch in association
with the generated single region 403 in accordance with the moving
path of the touch after generating the single region 403. The
function performed in this case may include various functions such
as, for example, an eraser function, a screen capture function, a
line drawing in a wide region function, a page turning function,
and/or the like.
[0077] As shown by reference number 502, the controller 209 may
sense a touch that is made with a user's hand 10b, and generate a
single region based on a distance(s) between separate touch regions
of the user's hand 10b not satisfying the threshold value. As shown
by reference number 503, the controller 209 may perform an eraser
function 505 that is performed using the single generated
region.
[0078] FIG. 6 illustrates an example in which a function is
implemented corresponding to each touch on a plurality of touched
regions according to an embodiment.
[0079] As shown by reference number 600, the touch sensor 211
senses touches on the region 400 and the region 402, respectively.
Further, the controller 209 determines the distance 401 between the
region 400 and the region 402. In the situation where the distance
401 between the region 400 and the region 402 satisfies (e.g.,
exceeds) the threshold value, the controller 209 determines that
the touches are respectively made on the region 400 and the region
402.
[0080] As shown by reference number 601, the controller 209
performs functions that correspond to the moving paths of the
user's touches on the region 400 and the region 402, respectively.
The functions performed in this case may include various functions
such as, for example, pointer moving, icon dragging, line drawing
on the region 400 and the region 402, and/or the like.
[0081] As further shown in FIG. 6, and by reference number 602, the
controller 209 may sense a touch by a user's finger 10c and another
touch by another finger 10c of the user, and determine that the
touches correspond to separate touches based on a distance between
the separate touches satisfying a threshold value. In this case,
and as shown by reference number 603, the controller 209 may
perform separate line drawing functions 605 based on the touches,
and based on the distance between the touches satisfying the
threshold value.
[0082] FIG. 7 illustrates an example in which a function is
implemented corresponding to a single touch including a plurality
of regions by additionally taking a moving path into account
despite a distance between the plurality of touched regions
satisfying a threshold value according to an embodiment.
[0083] As shown by reference number 700, assume that a user touches
the region 400 and the region 402, respectively. Further, assume
that the distance 401 between the region 400 and the region 402
satisfies a first threshold value. In this case, the controller 209
senses respective touches on the region 400 and the region 402, and
determines that the region 400 and the region 402 are respectively
touched based on the distance 401 between the region 400 and the
region 402 satisfying the first threshold value.
[0084] As shown by reference number 701, assume that the touches on
the region 400 and the region 402, respectively, are moved by a
predetermined distance. The controller 209 additionally takes the
moving path 705 and the moving path 706 of the respective touches
into account in the situation where the distance 401 between the
region 400 and the region 402 satisfies the first threshold value,
and does not satisfy a second threshold value that is greater than
the first threshold value (e.g., where the distance 401 includes a
value that is between the first threshold value and the second
threshold value). In the situation where a difference between the
moving path 705 and the moving path 706 of the touches does not
satisfy a third threshold value, the controller 209 determines that
the region 400 and the region 402 correspond to the single region
403, and generates the single region 403. The difference may be
determined based on distances between the moving paths,
orientations of the moving paths, angles of the moving paths,
coordinates of the moving paths, velocities of the touches
associated with the moving paths, distances travelled by the
touches associated with the moving paths, and/or the like.
[0085] As shown by reference number 702, the controller 209
performs a function corresponding to a user's touch on the single
region 403. Because the touches on the region 400 and the region
402 are moved by a predetermined distance, the functions
corresponding to the touches might have been previously performed
along the moving path 705 and the moving path 706 along the moved
distance. In this case, the controller 209 cancels the functions
corresponding to the separate touches on the region 400 and the
region 402 along the moving path 705 and the moving path 706, and
retroactively applies a function(s) that corresponds to a single
generated region 403, thereby permitting the effect of the touches
initially being made in association with the single region 403 and
then moved along the moving path 705 and the moving path 706. For
example, the controller 209 may begin performing a line drawing
function along the moving paths 705 and 706 of the touches on the
region 400 and the region 402, and may subsequently perform an
eraser function after determining that the touches correspond to
the single region 403 and generating the single region 403 based on
the moving paths 705 and 706. Alternatively, the controller 209 may
not disturb the functions previously performed in association with
the region 400 and the region 402, and perform another function
corresponding to a touch associated with the generated single
region 403 measured from the beginning of the generation of the
single region 403. In addition, the controller 209 may receive
information identifying a user's feedback regarding whether to
maintain or cancel the functions previously performed in
association with the region 400 and the region 402.
[0086] That is, in the situation where the distance 401 satisfies
the first threshold value and does not satisfy the second threshold
value, the electronic apparatus 1 additionally takes the moving
path 705 and the moving path 706 of the respective touches into
account, generates the single region 403, and performs the function
in association with the single region 403, thereby implementing a
function that more accurately aligns with an intent of the
user.
[0087] The controller 209 additionally considers the moving paths
705 and 706 and converts the touches on the plurality of regions
400 and 402 into the touch on the single region 403. Additionally,
the controller 209 may decrease the threshold value based on the
user's feedback to permit additional functions to be performed in a
manner that more accurately aligns with an intention of the
user.
[0088] As shown by reference number 703, assume that a user
performs a touch with the user's hand 10b. Reference number 704a
shows an example of determining that the touch is made on the
single region based on the moving path while performing the
function along the moving path of the hand 10b in association with
the a plurality of regions based on the distance between the
plurality of regions touched with a user's hand 10b. Reference
number 704b shows an example of performing an eraser function 707
in association with the single region determined based on the
moving path of the touch.
[0089] FIG. 8 illustrates an example in which a function is
implemented corresponding to each region by additionally taking a
moving path into account despite a distance between a plurality of
touched regions not satisfying a threshold value according to an
embodiment.
[0090] As shown in FIG. 8, and by reference number 800, assume that
the controller 209 determines that separate touches are performed
on the region 400 and the region 402, and that the distance 401
between the region 400 and the region 402 does not satisfy the
first threshold value (e.g., is less than the first threshold
value). In this case, the controller 209 generates the single
region 403 because the distance 401 does not satisfy the first
threshold value.
[0091] As shown by reference number 801, assume that the separate
touches on the region 400 and the region 402 are moved by a
predetermined distance. In this case, the controller 209
additionally takes a moving path 806 and a moving path 807 of the
respective touches into account based on the distance 401 between
the region 400 and the region 402 not satisfying the first
threshold value and simultaneously satisfying a third threshold
value that is less than the first threshold value (e.g., the
distance 401 includes a value that is between the third threshold
value and the first threshold value). In this case, the controller
209 determines that the touches are respectively made on the region
400 and the region 402 rather than corresponding to the single
region 403 based on a difference between the moving path 806 and
the moving path 807 of the respective touches.
[0092] As shown by reference number 802, the controller 209
performs a function corresponding to a user's respective touches on
the region 400 and the region 402. Because the controller 209
generates the single region 403, and determines that the touches
are moved in different directions by a predetermined distance, the
function may be performed corresponding to the touches in
association with the single region 403 in different directions
along the moving path 806 and the moving path 807 until the
predetermined distance. The controller 209 may cancel the function
that was implemented in association with the single region 403
along the moving path 806 and the moving path 807, and
retroactively apply another function to thereby permit the effect
as if the touches, from the beginning of the movement(s), were made
on the region 400 and the region 402, respectively, and then moved
along the moving path 806 and the moving path 807. For example, the
controller 209 may perform an eraser function in association with
the single region 403 along the moving path 806 and the moving path
807, and then cancel the eraser function that was implemented in
association with the single region 403 based on the moving path 806
and the moving path 807. Further, the controller 209 may determine
that touches correspond to the region 400 and the region 402, and
perform the line drawing function along the moving path 806 and the
moving path 807, respectively. Alternatively, the controller 209
may not disturb the function that was previously performed in
association with the single region 403, and proactively perform the
function corresponding to the touches on the region 400 and the
region 402 from a point of time at which the controller 209
determines that the region 400 and the region 402 are respectively
touched. In addition, the controller 209 may receive information
identifying a user's feedback as to whether to maintain or cancel
the function performed in association with the single region
403.
[0093] That is, in situations where the distance 401 between the
touched region 400 and the touched region 402 does not satisfy the
first threshold value and does satisfy the third threshold value,
the electronic apparatus 1 performs the functions in association
with respective regions 400 and 402 by taking the moving paths 806
and 807 of each touch into account, thereby more accurately
aligning a function(s) with a user's intent.
[0094] The controller 209 may convert the touch on the single
region 403 into the touches on the plurality of regions 400 and 402
by additionally taking the moving paths 806 and 807 into account.
Additionally, the controller 209 may decrease the threshold value
based on the feedback identifying the user's approval to cancel the
function performed in association with the single region 403 to
thereby permit the controller 209 to perform subsequent functions
in a manner that more accurately aligns with an intention of the
user.
[0095] As described above, the controller 209 determines whether
the respective touches on the region 400 and the region 402 are to
correspond to the single region 403 or the separate regions 400 and
402, by considering the distance 401 between the touched region 400
and the touched region 402 and the moving paths 806 and 807
associated with the touches.
[0096] Alternatively, the controller 209 may determine whether a
function(s) is to be implemented in association with the single
region 403 or the set of regions 400 and 402, by additionally
considering the moving speed of the touches, the distance 401
between the regions 400 and 402, and the moving paths 806 and 807
of the touches. For example, the controller 209 may determine that
touches on the regions 400 and 402 correspond to as a single touch
when the touches have substantially similar speeds despite a
difference between the moving paths 806 and 807. Alternatively, the
controller 209 may determine that the touches correspond to
individual touches in the situation where the touches have
substantially different speeds despite the touches on the regions
400 and 402 having substantially similar moving paths 806 and
807.
[0097] In addition, the touch sensor 211 may sense whether a touch
is performed using a touch device, such as a touch pen, or is
performed using a hand. In the situation where the touch is
performed using the touch pen, the electronic apparatus 1 may
determine the type of touch device of the touch pen based on a
specific frequency emitted from the touch pen. In this case, when
the regions 400 and 402 are touched with both the hand and the
touch pen, or different types of touch pens, the controller 209 may
determine that individual touches are respectively input to the
plurality of regions 400 and 402 regardless of the distance 401
between the regions 400 and 402, the moving paths 806 and 807, the
moving speeds, and/or the like, of the touches.
[0098] As further shown in FIG. 8, and by reference number 803,
assume that a user performs a set of touches using the user's
fingers 10c. As shown by reference number 804, the controller 209
may determine that a plurality of regions are touched and perform
respective functions along the respective moving paths of each
finger 10c in association with a single region based on the
distance between the plurality of touched regions not satisfying
the first threshold value. As shown by reference number 805, a line
drawing function 808 is performed in association with the plurality
of regions based on the moving paths of the touches, and the
controller 209 removes the previously performed functions shown in
association with reference number 804 because of the difference
between the moving paths and despite the distance between the
regions 400 and 402 not satisfying the first threshold value.
[0099] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate examples of guide information
provided to permit a user to adjust the threshold value according
to an embodiment.
[0100] The electronic apparatus 1 provides, for display, guide
information in a test mode, receives a user's input corresponding
to the guide information, provides, for display, information that
solicits feedback regarding a user's intention corresponding to the
input, and adjusts the threshold value in response to a user's
response. The test mode may be implemented by a user's selection of
a menu corresponding to the test mode, at an initial installation
of the electronic apparatus 1, for a predetermined period of time
after the initial installation, periodically, and/or the like.
Additionally, the test mode may be implemented based on the
condition in which the threshold value is changed a predetermined
number of times when the moving paths or moving speeds of the
touches are additionally taken into account, as described in
association with FIGS. 7 and 8. Below, the test mode of the
electronic apparatus 1 according to an embodiment will be described
with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.
[0101] Referring to FIG. 9, the electronic apparatus 1 provides a
guide 900 for guiding a user to perform a touch or slide operation
using a user's hand 10b, and provides a user interface (UI) 901 for
guiding the operation. Alternatively, the guide 900 may be provided
as an audio guide instead of being provided for display. Further,
the guide 900 may identify a type of touch such as a preferred
touch gesture, touch pattern, touch shape, touch form, and/or the
like, to be performed during the slide operation. When a user
performs the slide operation with the user's hand 10b along the UI
901, the controller 209 determines whether a user's touch is
performed on a plurality of regions based on whether the distance
between the plurality of regions satisfies a threshold value. In
this embodiment, the controller 209 recognizes that the touch is
made in association with a single region because the user used the
hand 10b to perform the sliding operation (e.g., because the touch
includes multiple touch points). In the situation where the
controller 209 recognizes that the user's touch is performed in
association with a plurality of regions, the controller 209
determines that the threshold value is to be adjusted. Further, the
controller 209 decreases the threshold value, and displays a guide
903 identifying that the threshold value was decreased. The guide
903 may be provided as an audio guide, or may not be provided.
[0102] In the situation where the controller 209 determines that
the user touches a narrow region with a finger, or the like, based
on the area of the region touched by a user on the UI 901, the
electronic apparatus 1 may guide the user to make another touch
(e.g., to more accurately perform test mode operations).
[0103] Referring to FIG. 10, the electronic apparatus 1 provides a
guide 1000 that provides information guiding a user to perform
touches using two fingers 10c, and a UI 1001 for guiding the slide
operation. In the situation where a user performs the slide
operation with the fingers 10c along the UI 1001, the controller
209 determines whether to perform a single function or multiple
functions based on the user's touches.
[0104] In the situation where the controller 209 determines to
perform a single function (e.g., based on the distance between the
touches not satisfying the threshold value), a guide 1003 providing
information soliciting feedback whether the user intended to
perform a single operation is provided. Further, a UI 1005 that
permits the user to respond is provided. In the situation where the
controller 209 determines, based on the user's response, that the
user intended to perform a single function, the controller 209
determines that the current threshold value does not need to be
modified. Alternatively, in the situation where the controller 209
determines, based on the user's response, that the user intended to
perform multiple functions, the controller 209 determines that the
current threshold value is to be decreased to permit the controller
209 to perform functions that more accurately align with the user's
intent. In such cases, the controller 209 decreases the threshold
value, and displays a guide 1007 identifying that the threshold
value was decreased. The guide 1007 may be omitted or provided as
an audio guide.
[0105] In the situation where the controller 209 determines to
perform multiple functions based on the user's slide along the UI
1001 (e.g., because the distance between the touches satisfies the
threshold value), a guide 1009 providing information soliciting
feedback as to whether the user intended to perform multiple
functions is provided. Further, a UI 1011 that permits the user to
respond is provided. In the situation where the controller 209
determines, based on the user's response, that the user intended to
perform multiple functions, the controller 209 determines that the
current threshold value is not to be modified. Alternatively, in
the situation where the controller 209 determines, based on the
user's response, that the user intended to perform a single
function, the controller 209 determines that the current threshold
value is to be increased to permit the controller 209 to perform
functions that more accurately align with the user's intent. As
such, the controller 209 increases the threshold value, and
displays a guide 1013 providing information identifying that the
threshold value was increased. The guide 1013 may be omitted or
given as an audio guide.
[0106] The test mode provided for adjusting the threshold value is
not limited to the foregoing embodiment. The electronic apparatus 1
may identify a threshold value by guiding a user to provide
additional inputs identifying the user's intention(s). Further, the
UIs 901 and 1001 for guiding the touch may be provided in various
forms, and thus the threshold value is more efficiently adjusted
based on a user's touch in various situations to permit the
controller 209 to identify a user's touch and perform operations
that more accurately align with an intention of the user.
[0107] FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate examples of soliciting feedback
as to whether a user performs a touch on purpose, and adjusting the
threshold value in response to a user's response according to an
embodiment.
[0108] In an embodiment, the controller 209 provides information
soliciting feedback as to whether an input recognized by the
controller 209 matches with the user's intention. The controller
209 may provide the information at an initial installation of the
electronic apparatus 1, before a predetermined period of time
elapses after the initial installation, before a predetermined
period of time elapses after the threshold value is changed,
periodically, or based on another condition.
[0109] Referring to FIG. 11, a user performs a touch and slide
operation using the user's hand 10b. Assume that the controller 209
determines that a plurality of regions are touched based on a
distance between the regions. If the foregoing conditions are
satisfied, the controller 209 may solicit a user's approval before
or after performing a function corresponding to the touches on the
plurality of regions. For example, when the touches on the
plurality of regions have similar moving paths, the controller 209
provides a guide 1101 providing information soliciting feedback as
to whether the user intended to perform multiple touches, and a UI
1103 that permits a user to respond. When the controller 209
determines, based on the user's response, that the user did not
intend to perform multiple touches, the controller 209 increases
the current threshold value, and provides a guide 1105 providing
information identifying that the threshold value was increased. The
guide 1105 providing information identifying that the threshold
value was increased may be omitted, or provided as an audio guide.
Further, the controller 209 may cancel a previously performed
function corresponding to the plurality of regions, and perform a
function corresponding to a touch input on the single region along
the moving path.
[0110] Referring to FIG. 12, assume that a user performs touch and
slide operations using two fingers 10c in association with a
plurality of regions. Further, assume that the controller 209
determines that a single region is touched based on the distance
between the regions not satisfying the threshold value. If the
foregoing conditions are satisfied, the controller 209 may provide
information soliciting feedback as to whether the user intended to
perform a single touch after performing a function corresponding to
the touch on the single region. For example, before a predetermined
period of time elapses after changing the threshold value, a guide
1201 soliciting feedback as to whether the user intended to perform
the single touch is provided, and a UI 1203 permitting the user to
respond is provided. In the situation where the controller 209
determines, based on the user's response, that the user did not
intend to perform a single touch, the controller 209 decreases the
threshold value, and provides a guide 1205 for informing that the
threshold value was decreased. The guide 1205 for informing that
the threshold value was decreased may be omitted. Then, the
controller 209 may cancel a function performed on the single
region, and perform a function corresponding to a touch input on
the plurality of regions along the moving path.
[0111] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a UI that permits a user
to directly adjust the threshold value according to an
embodiment.
[0112] The controller 209 may offer a UI that permits a user to
directly adjust the threshold value during an initial installation
of the electronic apparatus 1, in response to a user's selection,
periodically, in the situation where the controller 209 determines
that the threshold value is to be modified, and/or the like. The UI
includes an item 1300 corresponding to the current threshold value,
and an item 1301 that permits a user to enter a desired threshold
value. For example, as shown, the user may enter a particular value
"XXX.XX," and the controller 209 may set the threshold value to
"XXX.XX" millimeters (MM). The controller 209 may provide a UI that
permits a user to directly input a numerical value for selecting
the threshold value. Additionally, or alternatively, the controller
209 may provide a UI item 1303 that permits a user to increase or
decrease a current threshold value by a particular amount.
[0113] FIG. 14 is a flowchart of example operations performed by an
electronic apparatus according to an embodiment. At operation
51400, the controller 209 displays an image on a screen. At
operation 51401, the touch sensor 211 senses touches, performed by
a user, on a plurality of regions of the screen. At operation
51402, the controller 209 determines a distance between the
plurality of regions based on the touches being sensed on the
plurality of regions. At operation S1403, the controller 209
determines whether the determined distance between the plurality of
regions is larger than a threshold value. For example, the
controller 209 may determine whether the distance satisfies the
first threshold value as described elsewhere herein. In the
situation where the controller 209 determines that the distance
does not satisfy the threshold value (S1403--NO), at operation
51404 the controller 209 determines that the touches correspond to
a single region including the plurality of regions. In other words,
the controller 209 determines a single region, that includes the
plurality of regions, that is to be used to perform a function.
Alternatively, in the situation where the controller 209 determines
that the distance satisfies the threshold value (S1403--YES), at
operation 51405 the controller 209 determines multiple regions that
are respectively touched. That is, the controller 209 determines
that the plurality of regions are respectively touched, and
determines multiple regions that are to be used to perform a
function(s). At operation S1406, the controller 209 performs a
function(s) corresponding to the touches on the determined
region(s).
[0114] As described above, an embodiment provides an electronic
apparatus, improved in usability by recognizing a touched region to
match with a user's intention, and a control method thereof.
[0115] Some embodiments herein are described in connection with
thresholds. As used herein, satisfying a threshold may refer to a
value being greater than the threshold, more than the threshold,
greater than or equal to the threshold, less than the threshold,
fewer than the threshold, lower than the threshold, less than or
equal to the threshold, equal to the threshold, etc.
[0116] Although a few embodiments have been shown and described
herein, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the
principles and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is
defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.
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