Electronic device and method for controlling screen display using temperature and humidity

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11150775-B2
Application number	US-201816014409-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 21, 2018
Priority date	Mar 14, 2013
Publication date	Oct 19, 2021
Grant date	Oct 19, 2021

Abstract

A background image is displayed on a touch screen of an electronic device. Overlapped with the background image, a semitransparent layer is displayed. When a touch and drag action is detected from the semitransparent layer, the transparency of a touch and drag region is changed. Transparency of the semitransparent layer may be changed according to temperature or humidity.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An electronic device comprising:
a touch screen; and
at least one processor configured to:
control the touch screen to display an image, and
control the touch screen to display a first layer in a semitransparent state overlapping the image, wherein a graphic object corresponding to conditions of the electronic device is displayed opaquely on at least part of the first layer,

wherein, when a user input via the touch screen is detected, the at least one processor is further configured to change a degree of transparency of a partial region of the first layer corresponding to the user input while the first layer continues to overlap the image, such that a part of the image underlying the partial region corresponding to the user input is clearly transparent.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a temperature sensor,
wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
determine temperature based on information received from the temperature sensor,
control the first layer to display a water vapor image when the determined temperature is higher than a predefined temperature, and
control the first layer to display a frost image when the determined temperature is lower than the predefined temperature.

3. The electronic device of claim 2 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to change the degree of transparency of an entire region of the first layer according to variations of the determined temperature.

4. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to control the first layer to display a water drop object after an elapse of a given time.

5. The electronic device of claim 4 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to control the water drop object to be displayed as if it moves in a direction of gravity.

6. The electronic device of claim 4 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to control the water drop object to be displayed at a removal point of the user input.

7. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to change the degree of transparency of a user input detected region as time passes.

8. The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a humidity sensor,
wherein the at least one processor is further configured to change the degree of transparency of the first layer in response to a signal received from the humidity sensor.

9. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
determine temperature based on data received from an external entity, to control the first layer to display a water vapor image when the determined temperature is higher than a predefined temperature, and
control the first layer to display a frost image when the determined temperature is lower than the predefined temperature.

10. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to change the degree of transparency of an entire region of the first layer according to weather information.

11. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
release a lock state of a user interface when the partial region occupies a specific percentage or more of an entire region of the touch screen.

12. An electronic device comprising:
a touch screen; and
at least one processor configured to:
control the touch screen to display a plurality of icons for executing applications,
disallow a selection of the plurality of icons by controlling the touch screen to display a semitransparent layer overlapping the plurality of icons, wherein a graphic object corresponding to conditions of the electronic device is displayed opaquely on at least part of the semitransparent layer, and
control, when a user input is detected, at least one of the plurality of icons to be in a selectable state by changing a degree of transparency of a partial region of the semitransparent layer corresponding to the user input while the semitransparent layer continues to overlap the plurality of icons, such that a part of the plurality of icons underlying the partial region corresponding to the user input is clearly transparent.

13. A method for a display control for a screen of an electronic device having a touch screen, the method comprising:
displaying a first layer in a semitransparent state overlapping an image displayed on the touch screen, wherein graphic object corresponding to conditions of the electronic device is displayed opaquely on at least part of the first layer;
detecting a user input on the touch screen to define a partial region; and
changing a degree of transparency of the partial region of the first layer corresponding to the user input while the first layer continues to overlap the image, such that a part of the image underlying the partial region corresponding to the user input is clearly transparent.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
determining temperature;
displaying a water vapor image on the first layer when the determined temperature is higher than a predefined temperature; and
displaying a frost image on the first layer when the determined temperature is lower than the predefined temperature.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
changing the transparency of an entire region of the first layer according to variations of the determined temperature.

16. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
changing the transparency of a user input detected region as time passes.

17. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
detecting humidity; and
changing transparency of the first layer according to the detected humidity.

18. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
receiving temperature;
displaying a water vapor image on the first layer when the received temperature is higher than a predefined temperature; and
displaying a frost image on the first layer when the received temperature is lower than the predefined temperature.

19. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
changing the transparency of an entire region of the first layer according to weather information.

20. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
releasing a lock state of a user interface when the partial region occupies a specific percentage or more of an entire region of the touch screen.

21. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the changing the degree of transparency of the first layer at the partial region defined by the user input comprises changing the degree of transparency at a specific spot on the touch screen from which the user input is detected.

22. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the degree of transparency is expressed from numbers 0 to 100.

Assignees

• Samsung Electronics Co Ltd

Inventors

• Lee Boyoung
• Park Hyebin
• Kang Jiyoung
• Na Minwook
• Shin Jongwoo
• Ahn Yumi
• Yoo Hyunwoo
• Choi Jungwoo

Classifications

• G06F3/0488 Primary

  using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures · CPC title

• G06F3/0481 Primary

  based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance · CPC title

• G06F3/04817

  using icons (graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34) · CPC title

• G06F3/04164 Primary

  Connections between sensors and controllers, e.g. routing lines between electrodes and connection pads · CPC title

• G06F3/0416 Primary

  Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers · CPC title