KR20070017327A - Actuating functionality in electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

A configuration for providing operational settings to an electronic device comprising data storage means comprising at least one data storage element comprising instructions necessary to perform one or more functions within the electronic device. The electronic device includes reading means for reading a plurality of storage elements, and control means for performing one or more functions defined by instructions included in the read data storage element included in the data storage means.

Description

Actuating functionality in electronic device

The present invention relates to a drive function in an electronic device.

Electronic devices include many functions and applications that continue to grow. The provision of user information on the functions / applications contained in the device, in particular new applications, has not been handled in a satisfactory manner. The user manual in the current format does not provide enough support for the user to become familiar with the device and to solve problems that may arise when using the device. In other words, user manuals are sometimes obscure and instructions written next are often time-consuming activities.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide a method for automatically operating a new application in an electronic device and a method for efficiently solving a problem situation that may occur when the user uses the device.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve a method of operating an electronic device. In one embodiment of the present invention, a configuration for performing a function in an electronic device is provided. The function performing configuration comprises data storage means, wherein the data storage means comprises at least one data storage element comprising instructions necessary to perform at least one function in the electronic device. The electronic device includes reading means for reading a data storage element, and controls to perform at least one function defined by instructions contained in the read data storage means component included in the data storage means. It further comprises a control means.

In one embodiment of the invention, there is provided an electronic device comprising read means for reading at least one data storage means component and control means for performing one or more functions based on the read data storage means component.

In one embodiment of the invention, data storage means are provided. The data storage means comprises at least one data storage element containing instructions for performing an operation function in the electronic device.

In one embodiment of the invention, a method of initiating a function within an electronic device is provided, the method comprising reading at least one data storage element from a data storage means using the device. The data storage element includes instructions necessary for performing a function in the electronic device, and performs at least one function defined by instructions contained in one or more read data storage means included in the memory in the electronic device. do.

The data storage means according to the invention may for example be a user manual. The user can find a solution to the problem in the user manual and perform the operation setting by reading the data storage element that solves the problem from the manual. In another embodiment of the invention, the data storage means belongs to a selling box that sells electronic devices such as mobile phones. People often trust the phone brand to buy only new versions of the same branded product that they have used before. In this case, when buying a new phone, the buyer essentially grasps most of the features contained in the device from past experience with previous versions of his phone brand. In this situation, the user is only interested in the most important new features compared to the previous version, which makes the sales box an important tool to inform the user about new features of the phone and to introduce new features of the phone to the buyer. Can be used as. In addition to the examples given, the data storage means may represent a street advertisement or a postcard or a similar structure for fixing a wall or data storage element of a public building.

The data storage element included in the data storage means represents, for example, a radio frequency (RF) tag. The data storage element can be a barcode or www address or invisible data or any corresponding entity capable of storing data that can be read by an external reading device. In the present invention, the data storage means comprises a plurality of said data storage elements, and the user of the electronic device can select the desired data storage means in order to perform a certain operational function in the electronic device. The data storage element is arranged in a data storage means with no risk or very little risk of reading an unintended data storage element.

The present invention often provides the great advantage of performing verbose and complex functions by simply placing an appropriate data storage element and using the electronic device to read the placed data component. In addition, new applications associated with the device can be easily operated and attempted.

1A shows one embodiment of a method according to the invention.

1B shows another embodiment of the method according to the invention.

1C shows another embodiment of a method according to the invention.

2A and 2B show examples of the use of the arrangement according to the invention.

3 is a view showing another example of use of the configuration according to the present invention.

4 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention.

The invention is illustrated by what is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figures 1A and 1C show embodiments of the method. Step 110 of FIG. 1A illustrates using the present electronic device to read one or more data storage elements from data storage means device components included in the plurality of data storage means. According to step 112, operating function (s) corresponding to one or more read data storage elements are performed in the electronic device.

FIG. 1B details the method in FIG. 1A. In FIG. 1B it is assumed that the data storage means is an operating manual containing instructions for operating the electronic device. At least some pages of the manual have data storage elements, such as RF tags, that can be read by an electronic device including a reader. Data storage elements can be placed in pages of the manual in a way that avoids erroneous reading of tags. For example, if pages 9 and 10 form a double page of the manual and the user wants to read a tag on page 10, the tag on page 9 can be read or at the bottom of page 10 of the manual. Do not read tags on other even pages (eg pages 8 and 6). One way to avoid erroneous reading of tags located on the same double page is to place the tags away from each other. For example, if the maximum reading distance of the tags is 5 cm, the tags on the double page may be at least 8 cm apart from each other. Overlapping tags, such as even pages, may have a tag placed at the top of the page on page 8 and a tag at the bottom of the page on page 10. One way to prevent erroneous reading of a tag is to have the read distance close enough to allow the electronic device to substantially access the tag to read the tag.

Step 100B illustrates a situation in which a user of the electronic device faces a problem when using the electronic device or in a reason for changing the setting of the device. An example of such a situation is an access code that protects a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card against the establishment of a Personal Identification Module (PIN), that is, unauthorized use. The user then locates the page in the manual describing the steps to be provided when setting the PIN code in accordance with step 102B.

Next, instead of manually performing the disclosed functions using the keyboard of the electronic device, the user can place it near the RF tag on the page where the electronic device was found. When the electronic device is close enough to the tag, the information contained in the tag is read in accordance with step 110B. Step 112BA performs functions in an automatic manner within the mobile phone to achieve the desired target result. Next, in the case of PIN code setting, the phone can jump directly to the menu item requesting a new PIN code so that the user does not have to search within the phone's menu structure to find the desired menu item.

Step 112BB indicates performing the operating functions in a tutorial manner, that is, in a manner in which the electronic device sequentially shows the functions to be performed to the user. In the setting of a PIN code, the operation of the device may be such that the device sequentially displays a hierarchical menu item, for example following Menu-> Settings-> Security Settings-> PIN Code Request-> PIN Code Entry. The device may move sequentially from one step to the next, for example after 5 seconds, or the length of time to advance to the next step may be set by the user. In one embodiment, the user may adjust the time of the step in the tutoring process, ie the user may instruct the device to make the movement of the step faster or slower. Optionally, the device may stop at each step until the user presses a key before moving on to the next menu item in the menu structure.

The menu structure of the electronic device may be regarded as a state machine that jumps between menu items corresponding to state movement in the state machine. Thus, a tag can include a macro or other corresponding series of instructions that perform the necessary state transitions within the state machine.

In one embodiment of the invention, the data storage element comprises software code readable by the device. The controller of the device may add the software code portion read to the software base residing in the device, or replace the software code portion in the device. One example is a filter for graphics applications. The data storage element includes a new filter that a user can try by reading the filter software by the device. The use of the read software may be limited by time of use, for example. Optionally, some time may be set to the time at which the read software code can be run on the device.

Data read from data storage elements such as tags is not limited to the examples given above. The data content can also be media content, such as ring tone. Next, by reading the ringtone, the ringtone can be added to the ringtone base present in the device. The data content may be a visual character. An example is such a picture frame unique to a holiday resort. Unique picture frames may be added to picture frames within the resort.

1C shows another embodiment embodying the method disclosed in FIG. 1A. 1C relates to a situation where a user has purchased an electronic device such as a mobile phone. The device is usually sold in a box made of cardboard, for example. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1C, the sales box includes one or more data storage elements that illustrate the functions that the phone manufacturer would like to introduce, especially to the buyer of the phone.

Step 100C represents recognizing a new function or application associated with the device. The purchaser of the phone may be aware of the new function, for example by getting information of the new application from an advertisement from the device seller or from the sales box.

For example, if the phone includes a new type of alarm clock function, the phone manufacturer can provide a tagged sales box to the user to introduce the new function. Step 102C relates to finding a tag within a sales box. Recognition of the position of the tag can be easily accomplished by printing example text or features on the box. Next, according to step 110C, all that is needed when the user recognizes the location of the desired tag and wants to try a new application associated with the device is to read the tag from the sales box using the electronic device. The phone then launches the selected application according to step 112C.

2A and 2B relate to the method illustrated by FIG. 1C. In FIG. 2A, the user separates the electronic device 200 from the sales box 220. The electronic device includes reading means 202 for reading one or more RF tags 222A-222C included in the sales box 220. The sales box 220 may also include identifiers 224A-224C, such as photographs and / or text, for each tag 222A-222C. If the sales box 220 is made of cardboard, the tags 222A-222C may be inserted into cardboard or attached to the surface of the sales box 220, for example. Tags 222A-222C may be printed, painted or made in other ways depending on the sales box.

2B illustrates how the reading means 202 of the electronic device 200 moves to the vicinity of the tag 222A. The display 204 of the electronic device 200 particularly highlights the initiation of an application caused by the tag 222A. The tags 222A-222C are placed on the sales box 220 to prevent the simultaneous reading of both tags using the phone 200. The tags may be placed far enough apart from one another or very close to the read distance of the tags.

In addition to the examples given, data storage elements may be located in various places, such as a user manual or a sales box. The storage elements may be placed in street advertisements or sent on postcards. The latter is particularly useful in that registered purchasers of the device can be compensated by receiving a postcard containing certain special data storage elements. In addition, data storage elements are also useful in public places. One example is an airport that includes a tag that sets the clock of the mobile phone to the local time of the airport. Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention. The configuration includes a user manual 320 of the electronic device 200. The user manual includes double pages 324 and 326, each page including respective data storage elements 322A and 322B, such as RF tags. When the reader 202 of the electronic device 200 is used, it may appear that the tags 322A, 322B are arranged far apart from each other so that only one of the tags 322A, 322B is read at a time. 3 also shows a third tag 322C on the page below page 324. The tags 322A and 322C are arranged so as not to overlap each other, so as to reduce the risk of unintentionally reading the tag 322C when trying to read the tag 322A.

4 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of an electronic device 200 such as a mobile phone. The device 200 may comprise an input means 400, for example a keyboard. The input means may be necessary when the information contained in the data storage element 422 is shown to the user in a coaching manner or when input from the user is required. The apparatus also includes reading means 402 for reading from and / or recording the component from the data storage element 422. Depending on the structure of the data storage element 422, the reader 402 may be suitable for reading information from one or more other types of data storage elements, such as RF tags, barcodes, www addresses, hidden text, and the like. have. Reader 402 may be implemented in a known manner and need not be described in detail herein.

The electronic device 200 can also include an output means 404, which can be embodied as a display and / or loudspeaker, for example. This allows the output means 404 to inform and / or command the user visually and / or visually of the sound of the operating function performed on the basis of the read data storage element. In this case, the electronic device 200 is a mobile phone, and the electronic device includes a transceiver 406 for transmitting and receiving data between the mobile phone and the mobile network to the user.

The electronic device may also include a controller 408 that implements an operating function based on the information contained within the read data storage element.

In one embodiment, the controller 408 includes a mapping means 408A, which is configured to implement a function of operation in a tutorail manner. The controller 408 may then use other resources of the device, such as output means 404 to display information on the display or to give a voice command through the device's speaker. The teaching means 408A may also receive input from the user via the input means 400 of the device. In another embodiment, the controller 408 includes automatic implementing means 408B that is configured to automatically perform an operating function based on information read from the data storage element. Automatic implementation means 408B may be activated when the reader reads from the sales box, and the corresponding operating function will be performed automatically. The automatic implementation means 408B can also be activated when the user reads the solution to the problem from the user manual, and the device automatically implements the corresponding operational function.

The function of the controller 408B may be implemented as software, for example, on a processor of the electronic device 200. Instead of software, the controller can be implemented as an Application Specipic Integrated Circuit (ASIC) or as a separate logic component.

As technical advances, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the inventive concept can be implemented in a variety of ways. The invention and embodiments of the invention are not limited to the examples described above, but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims (32)

In a configuration for performing a function in an electronic device, The configuration comprises data storage means comprising at least one data storage element comprising instructions necessary to perform at least one function in the electronic device, The electronic device includes reading means for reading the data storage element, and control means for performing at least one function defined by the instructions included in the read data storage element included in the data storage means. Function performing configuration, characterized in that it further comprises. The method of claim 1, And the data storage element comprises a radio frequency (RF) tag. The method of claim 1, And the data storage element comprises a bar code. The method of claim 1, The data storage element comprises a www link. The method of claim 1, And the data storage element comprises invisible data. The method of claim 1, And said performing function comprises performing an operation setting in said device. The method of claim 6, And the control means is configured to automatically perform the operation setting. The method of claim 6, And said control means is arranged to perform said operation setting in a tutorial manner. The method of claim 8, The guiding method proceeds in a stepwise manner, and the control means is configured to proceed to the next step when a predefined or user adjustable time elapses. The method of claim 8, And when performing the operation setting in the guiding manner, the control means configured to proceed in a stepwise manner by receiving progress commands from the user of the apparatus. The method of claim 1, The instructions contained by the data storage element and read by the reading means comprise a software code portion, The control means is configured to add the read software code portion to the software code existing in the device or to replace the software code portion existing in the device with the read software code portion. Perform configuration. The method of claim 11, Use of the read software code is limited to a predetermined number of times of use or a predetermined time. The method of claim 1, And said data storage means comprises a user manual relating to the use of said electronic device. The method of claim 13, The user manual comprises a plurality of data storage elements in the page of the user manual. The method of claim 1, And the data storage means comprises a sales box of the electronic device. The method of claim 1, And the data storage element includes information for launching an application in the electronic device. The method of claim 1, And the electronic device is a mobile phone. Reading means for reading at least one data storage element; And And control means for performing one or more functions based on the read data storage element. The method of claim 18, The control means is configured to launch an application in the device. The method of claim 18, The control means is configured to illustrate performing the operation setting in a stepwise manner, Wherein the step movement is caused by pressing a key on the device or when a timer expires. The method of claim 18, The reading means is configured to read a software code portion from the data storage element, and the control means is configured to add the software code portion to a code base residing in the device. The method of claim 18, The reading means is configured to read a software code portion from the data storage element, and the control means is configured to replace the software code portion existing in the device with the read software code portion. The method of claim 18, The reading means is configured to read media content from the data storage element, and the control means is configured to add the media content to a media base of the device. Means for storing at least one data storage element comprising instructions for performing one or more functions within the electronic device. The method of claim 24, And a user manual relating to the use of the electronic device. The method of claim 25, And said user manual comprises at least one data storage element on at least one page of said user manual. The method of claim 24, And a sales box of the electronic device. A method of initiating functions within an electronic device, the method comprising: Reading from said data storage means using at least one data storage element comprising instructions necessary for performing at least one function in said electronic device; And In the electronic device, performing at least one function defined by instructions contained in the read one or more data storage elements included in the data storage means. The method of claim 28, And the data storage means comprises a user manual relating to the use of the electronic device. The method of claim 28, Locating a page within the user manual that describes a solution to a problem encountered by the user when using the device; And And reading out said data storage element located within said found page to resolve said problem in said device. The method of claim 28, And the data storage means comprises a sales box of the electronic device. The method of claim 31, wherein Within the sales box, locating a data storage element corresponding to an application at the device, wherein the implemented function launches an application as soon as the data storage element is read.

Images