Electronic device with switchable user interface and electronic device with accessible touch operation

Abstract

An electronic device with switchable user interface and an electronic device with accessible touch operation are provided. The electronic device with switchable user interface includes a display, a touch sensing means, a position detecting module and a processing module. The touch sensing means is used for sensing a touch of an input tool. The position detecting module is used for determining whether or not the touch is generated on a specific area of the touch sensing means. If the touch is generated on the specific area, the position detecting module determines whether the position of the touch is varied. The processing module coupled to the position detecting module is used for activating a user interface on the display if there is a position variation of the touch. Consequently, the convenience of operating the electronic device is improved.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electronic device, comprising:
 a display configured to display a first user interface, which has a plurality of finger-touchable icons, wherein each of the finger-touchable icons is corresponding to an application program;   a touch sensing means configured to detect a touch of an input tool and having a specific area;   a position detecting module coupled to the touch sensing means and configured to determine whether the touch is generated on the specific area of the touch sensing means and to determine whether a position of the touch on the touch sensing means is changed if the touch is generated on the specific area; and   a processing module coupled to the position detecting module and configured to activate a second user interface, which has at least one event notification, by dragging the second user interface out from a display edge of the display to replace the first user interface on the display if the touch is generated on the specific area and the position of the touch on the touch sensing means is changed;   wherein the processing module is further configured to close the second user interface on the first user interface if the position detecting module determines that another touch is generated on another specific area of the touch sensing means and that a position of the another touch is changed.   
     
     
         2 . The electronic device according to  claim 1 , wherein the event notification is associated with a personal schedule. 
     
     
         3 . The electronic device according to  claim 1 , wherein the event notification is associated with an unread message. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic device according to  claim 1 , wherein the second user interface further has a time or a date. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic device according to  claim 1 , wherein the position detecting module is further configured to calculate a moving distance of the touch, determine whether the moving distance is greater than a predetermined value, and determine that the position of the touch is changed if the moving distance is greater than the predetermined value. 
     
     
         6 . The electronic device according to  claim 5 , wherein the position detecting module is configured to calculate the moving distance of the touch within a predetermined time. 
     
     
         7 . The electronic device according to  claim 1 , wherein the touch sensing means is a touch panel, and the touch panel and the display constitute a touch display. 
     
     
         8 . The electronic device according to  claim 7 , wherein the touch panel comprises a display area and a non-display area on the display, and the display area and the non-display area are located on the same surface. 
     
     
         9 . The electronic device according to  claim 8 , wherein the specific area is a marginal area of the display area, the non-display area, or a central area of the display area. 
     
     
         10 . The electronic device according to  claim 1 , wherein the finger-touchable icons are arranged in an array form. 
     
     
         11 . The electronic device according to  claim 1 , wherein the electronic device is a personal digital assistant (PDA) or a smart phone. 
     
     
         12 . An electronic device, comprising:
 a case having an external surface and an opening defined therein;   a touch display disposed in the opening of the case and configured to display a first user interface, which has a plurality of finger-touchable icons, and to receive a touch of an input tool, wherein each of the finger-touchable icons is corresponding to an application program, the touch display has a touch sensing surface, and the external surface of the case is substantially not higher than the touch sensing surface; and   a processing means coupled to the touch display and configured to determine whether the touch is generated on a specific area of the touch display, to determine whether a position of the touch on the touch display is changed if the touch is generated on the specific area, and to activate a second user interface, which has at least one event notification, by dragging the second user interface out from a display edge of the touch display to replace the first user interface on the touch display if the touch is generated on the specific area and the position of the touch on the touch display is changed;   wherein the processing means is further configured to close the second user interface on the first user interface if the processing means determines that another touch is generated on another specific area of the touch display and that a position of the another touch is changed.   
     
     
         13 . The electronic device according to  claim 12 , wherein the event notification is associated with a personal schedule. 
     
     
         14 . The electronic device according to  claim 12 , wherein the event notification is associated with an unread message. 
     
     
         15 . The electronic device according to  claim 12 , wherein the second user interface further has a time or a date. 
     
     
         16 . The electronic device according to  claim 12 , wherein the processing means is further to calculate a moving distance of the touch within a predetermined time, determine whether or not the moving distance is greater than a predetermined value, and determine that the position of the touch is changed if the moving distance is greater than the predetermined value. 
     
     
         17 . The electronic device according to  claim 12 , wherein the finger-touchable icons are arranged in an array form. 
     
     
         18 . The electronic device according to  claim 12 , wherein the electronic device is a personal digital assistant (PDA) or a smart phone. 
     
     
         19 . An electronic device, comprising:
 a touch display configured to display a first user interface, which has a plurality of finger-touchable icons arranged in a first array form, and configured to detect a touch of an input tool, wherein the touch display has a display area and a non-display area, and each of the plurality of finger-touchable icons is corresponding to a first application program;   a position detecting module coupled to the touch display for determining whether or not the touch is generated on the non-display area of the touch display; and   a processing module coupled to the position detecting module and configured to switch the first user interface, having the plurality of finger-touchable icons arranged in the first array form, to a second user interface, which has at least one finger-touchable image, on the touch display if the touch is generated on the non-display area, wherein the finger-touchable image is a screenshot miniature of a second application program.   
     
     
         20 . The electronic device according to  claim 19 , wherein the display area and the non-display area are located on the same surface.