U.S. patent application number 14/307820 was filed with the patent office on 2014-12-25 for electronic device having flexible display and operating method thereof.
The applicant listed for this patent is SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Soo-Hyung KIM, Byoung-Uk YOON.
Application Number | 20140380186 14/307820 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52112038 |
Filed Date | 2014-12-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140380186 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Soo-Hyung ; et
al. |
December 25, 2014 |
ELECTRONIC DEVICE HAVING FLEXIBLE DISPLAY AND OPERATING METHOD
THEREOF
Abstract
An electronic device having a flexible display and method of
providing the same are disclosed herein. A flexible display is
disposed on at least a portion of an area of the electronic device
and configured to egress or ingress from at least one housing of
the electronic device to alter an exposed area of the flexible
display. At least one processor operatively coupled to the flexible
display is configured to detect the exposed area of the flexible
display altered by egress or ingress of the flexible display from
the housing, detect a setting mode based on the altered exposed
area of the flexible display; and execute at least one of changing
a resolution setting, changing an operation mode, and changing a
user interface setting of the flexible display based on the
detected setting mode.
Inventors: |
KIM; Soo-Hyung;
(Gyeonggi-do, KR) ; YOON; Byoung-Uk; (Gyeonggi-do,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. |
GYEONGGI-DO |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
52112038 |
Appl. No.: |
14/307820 |
Filed: |
June 18, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
715/746 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09G 2340/0407 20130101;
G06F 1/1652 20130101; G06F 1/1677 20130101; G09G 2340/04 20130101;
G06F 1/1624 20130101; G09G 3/2092 20130101; G06F 3/0487 20130101;
G09G 2380/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/746 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/0484 20060101
G06F003/0484; G06F 3/0481 20060101 G06F003/0481 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 20, 2013 |
KR |
10-2013-0070866 |
Claims
1. A method in an electronic device, the method comprising:
detecting an exposed area of a flexible display altered by egress
or ingress of the flexible display from a housing of the electronic
device; detecting a setting mode based on the altered exposed area
of the flexible display; and performing at least one of a changing
a resolution setting, changing an operation mode, and changing a
user interface setting of the flexible display based on the
detected setting mode.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein changing the resolution setting
comprises changing a current resolution to a new resolution
corresponding to the altered exposed area of the flexible
display.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein changing the operation mode
comprises changing a present device mode to a new device mode
including at least one of: a smartphone mode wherein the electronic
device is configured to operate as a smartphone, and a tablet mode
wherein the electronic device is configured to operate at a
tablet.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein changing the user interface
setting comprises at least one of changing an arrangement of icons
displayed on the flexible display, changing an icon size of the
icons displayed on the flexible display, and a changing of a number
of icons displayed on the flexible display.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting the exposed area of
the flexible display comprises at least one of: detecting a length
of the flexible display in a direction the flexible display was
altered, detecting a pixel location of a current resolution based
on horizontal and vertical pixel counts of the flexible display,
and detecting a pre-defined location on the flexible display
through a sensor.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the exposed area of the
flexible display comprises detecting a tension in an area where the
flexible display has egressed or ingressed from the housing of the
electronic device.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the exposed area of the
flexible display comprises detecting an electromagnetic signal or
mechanical signal in an area where the flexible display has
egressed or ingressed from the housing.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the setting mode
comprises comparing the exposed area of the flexible display or
resolution with a pre-defined setting value.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising, when the setting mode
is not within a pre-defined range of the pre-defined setting value,
displaying on the flexible display a display readjustment
request.
10. An electronic device comprising: a flexible display disposed on
at least a portion of an area of the electronic device and
configured to egress or ingress from at least one housing of the
electronic device to alter an exposed area of the flexible display;
and at least one processor operatively coupled to the flexible
display, the processor configured to: detect the exposed area of
the flexible display altered by egress or ingress of the flexible
display from the housing; detect a setting mode based on the
altered exposed area of the flexible display; and execute at least
one of changing a resolution setting, changing an operation mode,
and changing a user interface setting of the flexible display based
on the detected setting mode.
11. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the electronic
device further comprises a sensor device comprising at least one of
a tension sensor, a hall sensor, an illuminance sensor, an image
sensor, and a variable resistance sensor, the sensor device
configured to detect an extent to which the flexible display has
egressed or ingressed from the housing.
12. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the at least one
housing comprises at least a first housing and a second housing,
and an extent of egress or ingress of the flexible display from the
first housing is different from the extent of egress or ingress of
the flexible display from the second housing.
13. The electronic device of claim 10, further comprising at least
one support device disposed adjacent to the flexible display to
structurally support the flexible display and provide actuation
supporting egress of ingress of the flexible display from the at
least one housing.
14. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein at least one housing
comprises a first housing and a second housing, the support device
further comprising: a first link rotatably coupled with the first
housing and a second link rotating coupled with the second housing
to structurally support the flexible display and enable egress and
ingress of the flexible display from the first housing and the
second housing; and a third link rotatably coupled to the first
housing and the second housing.
15. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the first link, the
second link, and third link operate according to the altered
exposed area of the flexible display.
16. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the first link
comprises a recess, and the third link is rotatably coupled to the
first link a connection member having a rotary body disposed within
the recess.
17. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the third link is
configured to transition from an overlapping configuration to an
adjacent position relative to at least a portion of the first
link.
18. The electronic device of claim 10, further comprising a guide
member disposed on at least one edge of the flexible display
perpendicular to an axis of the at least one housing, configured to
guide the flexible display during egress or ingress from the at
least one housing.
19. The electronic device of claim 18, wherein the guide member
comprises an electromagnetic plate or a magnetic substance that
transitions from a flexible structure to a rigid structure upon
application of voltage to the guide member.
20. The electronic device of claim 18, wherein the guide member
comprises at least one chain in which a plurality of roller links
coupled with one another in sequence and secured by roller pins,
the chain including electromagnetic or mechanical means for
receiving power to control pivotal movement between the roller
links.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119
to an application filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office
on Jun. 20, 2013 and assigned Serial No. 10-2013-0070866, the
entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to an electronic device
having a flexible display and operation method thereof.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Recently, there has been increasing interest in electronic
devices employing a flexible display. The flexible display is
playing a great role in leading the limited field of related-art
displays. For example, the flexible display has been utilized in
new fields such as in e-books, which are substituted for paper
books and magazines, or in micro Personal Computers (PC) in which a
display can be folded or rolled up to be carried.
[0004] However, since the flexible display is often configured and
used as an existing non-flexible displays, except for the merit
that it can be bent, electronic devices employing the flexible
display do not guarantee reliability, and do not encourage users to
purchase then. In addition, the users typically desire a big screen
in a static configuration in most contexts, but desire smaller
electronic devices in a certain contexts, which may benefit from a
dynamic user configuration.
SUMMARY
[0005] An aspect of the present disclosure provides an electronic
device which includes a housing in which a flexible display is
accommodated and a method for operating thereof.
[0006] Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an
electronic device which can maintain a shape of a flexible display
and a method for operating thereof.
[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an
electronic device which adjusts a shape of the electronic device
according to a situation and provides a user interface according to
the shape of the electronic device, and a method for operating
thereof. In one aspect of the disclosure, an electronic device
having a flexible display is disclosed. A flexible display is
disposed on at least a portion of an area of the electronic device
and configured to egress or ingress from at least one housing of
the electronic device to alter an exposed area of the flexible
display. At least one processor operatively coupled to the flexible
display is configured to detect the exposed area of the flexible
display altered by egress or ingress of the flexible display from
the housing, detect a setting mode based on the altered exposed
area of the flexible display, and execute at least one of changing
a resolution setting, changing an operation mode, and changing a
user interface setting of the flexible display based on the
detected setting mode.
[0008] In one aspect of this disclosure, a method for implementing
a flexible display in an electronic device is provided, the method
including detecting an exposed area of a flexible display altered
by egress or ingress of the flexible display from a housing of the
electronic device, detecting a setting mode based on the altered
exposed area of the flexible display, and performing at least one
of a changing a resolution setting, changing an operation mode, and
changing a user interface setting of the flexible display based on
the detected setting mode.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1A is a view showing an example of use of an electronic
device according to one example embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 1B is a view showing an example of use of an electronic
device according to one example embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an example electronic
device according to one example embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 2B is a side view of an example electronic device
according to one of various example embodiments of the present
disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 3A is a plane view of an example electronic device
according to one of various example embodiments of the present
disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 3B is a side view of an example electronic device
according to one of various example embodiments of the present
disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 4A is a plane view of an example electronic device
according to one of various example embodiments of the present
disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 4B is a side view of an example electronic device
according to one of various example embodiments of the present
disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an example electronic device
according to one of various example embodiments of the present
disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an example housing
according to one of various example embodiments of the present
disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 7A is a cross sectional view of an example housing
according to one of various example embodiments of the present
disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 7B is a cross sectional view of an example housing
according to one of various example embodiments of the present
disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a view illustrating an example structure of a
chain according to one of various example embodiments of the
present disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating an example display
readjustment request according to one of various example
embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a block configuration diagram of an example
electronic device according to one of various example embodiments
of the present disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram of an example method for
operating of an electronic device according to one of various
example embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram of an example method for
operating of an electronic device according to one of various
example embodiments of the present disclosure; and
[0026] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram of an example method for
operating of an electronic device according to one of various
example embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be
described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the following description, well-known functions or
implementation will not be described in detail since they would
obscure the disclosure in unnecessary detail. Also, the terms used
herein are defined according to the functions of the present
disclosure. Thus, the terms may vary depending on a user's or
operator's intention and usage. That is, the terms used herein may
be understood based on the descriptions made herein.
[0028] An electronic device of the present disclosure includes a
flexible display. The flexible display may be deformed into
different shapes using techniques such as stretching, contracting,
bending, folding, twisting, crooking, unfolding, etc., and one or
more elements of the electronic device, such as the flexible
display, may be subject to such deformation.
[0029] FIGS. 1A and 1B are views illustrating an example of use of
an electronic device according to one of various example
embodiments of the present disclosure. As show in FIGS. 1A and 1B,
as the user stretches the electronic device 100 outwards, a screen
of the electronic device 100 is increasingly exposed. The
electronic device 100 further includes a flexible display 190
disposed on one surface of the electronic device 100. A first
housing 210 and a second housing 220 are disposed on opposite sides
of the flexible display 190. The above-described flexible display
190 is configured to egress or ingress from the at least one of the
first housing 210 or the second housing 220, as shown in the
drawings.
[0030] According to various example embodiments, the electronic
device 100 may perform at least one of a resolution setting change,
an operation mode change, or a user interface setting change of the
flexible display 190 according to a detected exposed area of the
screen. For example, the resolution setting change may refer to
changing a resolution to a resolution corresponding to the exposed
area of the flexible display 190. The operation mode change may
refer to changing a software or hardware device mode such as a
smartphone mode or a tablet PC mode. In addition, the user
interface setting change may include at least one of an icon
arrangement state change, an icon size change, or a change of the
number of icons.
[0031] The exposed area may be detected based on an exposed area of
the flexible display 190, a length of the flexible display 190 in a
direction, a pixel location of a current resolution based on
horizontal and vertical pixel counts of the flexible display 190,
or a pre-defined location on the flexible display 190 through a
sensor.
[0032] For example, the electronic device 100 may detect the extent
to which the flexible display 190 has egressed or ingressed from
the housing, thus defining the exposed area of the flexible display
190. The electronic device 100 may include a sensor device 140,
including at least one of a tension sensor, a hall sensor, an
illuminance sensor, an image sensor, or a variable resistance
sensor. The tension sensor may detect the extent of the exposed
area of the flexible display 190 by measuring a tension in an area
where the flexible display 190 has egressed or ingressed from the
housing. According to one example embodiment, the extent to which
the flexible display 190 has egressed or ingressed may be detected
based on an electromagnetic signal or mechanical signal in the area
where the flexible display 190 has egressed or ingressed from the
housing.
[0033] According to various embodiments, the exposed area of the
flexible display 190 may be part of the area where the display has
egressed.
[0034] According to various example embodiments, the electronic
device 100 may detect a setting mode based on the exposed area or
resolution of the flexible display 190. For example, the electronic
device 100 may detect the setting mode by comparing the exposed
area or resolution of the flexible display 190 with a pre-defined
setting value. In addition, when the setting mode falls out of a
range of the pre-defined setting value as a result of being
compared with the pre-defined setting value, the electronic device
100 may output a display readjustment request using at least one of
a vibration, a Light Emitting Diode (LED), a text, an image, or
voice data.
[0035] According to an example embodiment, the resolution setting
value of the above-described flexible display 190 may be set as
indicated in table 1:
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 EXPOSED AREA RATIO DISPLAY DISPLAY
RESOLUTION (PPI) OF THE SETTING VERTICAL HORIZONTAL SCREEN GRAPHICS
MODE RESOLUTION RESOLUTION (HEIGHT:WIDTH) STANDARD 1a 800 480 5:3
WVGA 1b 600 4:3 SVGA 1c 1280 10:16 WXGA 2a 1024 600 16:9 WSVGA 2b
768 4:3 XGA 2c 1280 4:5 SXGA 1600 9:16 WSXGA 3a 1280 720 16:9 720P
3b 800 16:10 WXGA 3c 1024 5:4 SXGA 3d 1920 9:16 1280P
[0036] Referring to Table 1, according to an example embodiment,
when the display setting mode is 1a, the display resolution (in
pixels per inch or "ppi") may have a vertical resolution of 800ppi
and a horizontal resolution of 480ppi. In this case, an exposed
area ratio (height:width) of the screen may be 5:3. In addition,
Wide Video Graphic Array (WVGA) may be applied as a graphic
standard.
[0037] According to various example embodiments, when the display
setting mode is changed from 1a to 1b, the display resolution may
have the vertical resolution of 800ppi and horizontal resolution of
480ppi changed to a horizontal resolution of 600ppi. In this case,
the aspect ratio of the screen (height:width) may be changed from
5:3 to 4:3, and the graphic standard may be changed to Super Video
Graphic Array (SVGA).
[0038] Referring to FIG. 1A, according to various example
embodiments, the electronic device 100 may configure a user
interface according to the display setting mode. For example, when
the display setting mode is 1a, four icons may be displayed on the
screen. In addition, when the display setting mode is changed from
1a to 1b and to 1c, at least one of the icon arrangement state, the
icon size, or the number of icons, which are displayed on the
screen may be changed.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 1B, the above-described display setting
mode may include a plurality of setting modes. When the display
setting mode is 2c, the resolution of the display and the user
interface may be selectively set. According to various example
embodiments, the above-described electronic device 100 may change,
in addition to the user interface of the electronic device 100, the
hardware device mode to the smartphone or tablet PC mode, wherein
the device is configured to perform as a smartphone or a tablet PC,
respectively.
[0040] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an example electronic
device according to one of various example embodiments of the
present disclosure, and FIG. 2B is a side view of the example
electronic device according to one of various example embodiments
of the present disclosure. The electronic device 100 may include a
flexible display 190, a first housing 210, a second housing 220, a
first guide member 310, a second guide member 320, a support device
400, and a circuit board (not shown).
[0041] The flexible display 190 may be disposed on one surface of
the electronic device 100 and interposed between the first housing
210 and the second housing 220. In addition, the flexible display
190 may be deformed into at least one of a plurality of different
shapes by means such as, for example, stretching, contracting,
bending, folding, twisting, crooking, unfolding, etc. The flexible
display 190 may be disposed on one surface of the electronic device
100, and may display a signal from the circuit board as an image.
In addition, the flexible display 190 may possess a requisite
degree of elasticity and be thus configured to egress or ingress
from an inner space of at least one of the first housing 210 or the
second housing 220. In addition, the outer surface of the flexible
display 190 may be extended to outer surfaces of the first guide
member 310 and the second guide member 320, which are formed on
edges of the flexible display 190 without a step height.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 2B, according to an example embodiment,
the first housing 210 may be disposed on one end of the flexible
display 190 and may be connected with a first link 410 of the
support device 400. In addition, the first housing 210 may be
connected with a second link 420 of the support device 400 by means
of a pin 211 to be able to pivot on the second link 420 by a
predetermined angel. A protrusion 212 may be formed on one side of
the first housing 210 to facilitate the above-described pivotal
movement.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 7A, according to various example
embodiments, the first housing 210 may include an inner space to
allow one side of the first guide member 310 and the flexible
display 190 to be come in or come out.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 2B, the second housing 220 may be disposed
on the other end of the flexible display 190 and may be fixed with
the first link 410 of the support device 400. In addition, the
second housing 220 may be connected with the second link 420 of the
support device 400. The second housing 220 may include an inner
space to allow the other side of the flexible display 190 to
ingress into the second housing 220.
[0045] According to various example embodiments, the extent to
which the flexible display 190 may egress or ingress from the first
housing 210 and the extent to which the flexible display 190 may
egress or ingress from the second housing 220 may be identical to
one another, or different from one another. For example, the
flexible display 190 may egress or ingress from one housing, with
or without a corresponding egress or ingress from the other
housing.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 3A, according to an example embodiment,
the first guide member 310 and the second guide member 320 may be
disposed near to the flexible display 190 and may guide the
flexible display 190 to be come in or come out of the
above-described housing. In addition, the outer surfaces of the
guide members 310 and 320 may be extended to the outer surface of
the flexible display 190 without a step height. The above-described
guide members 310 and 320 may be attached to an upper portion or a
lower portion of the flexible display 190.
[0047] According to various example embodiments, the
above-described guide members 310 and 320 may be implemented in the
form of an electromagnet or a chain to support the flexible display
190. For example, when the guide members 310 and 320 are
implemented in the form of the electromagnet, the guide members 310
and 320 may include an electromagnetic plate or a magnetic
substance. For example, the electromagnetic plate is configured
flexibly to allow the flexible display 190 to be come in or come
out before voltage is applied to the electromagnetic plate (initial
state), and is changed to a rigid structure when a voltage is
applied to the electromagnetic plate such that the electromagnetic
plate is not pressed in a direction of a pressing force of the
flexible display 190.
[0048] According to various example embodiments, when the guide
members 310 and 320 are implemented in the form of the chain, the
guide members 310 and 320 may include a roller chain which connects
a roller link and a pin link having a predetermined rigidity to
each other by means of a pin. For example, the chain includes a
plurality of unit pieces and the unit pieces are articulated with
one another. A connector between the unit pieces of the chain may
have mechanical or electrical friction, attraction, and resistance.
The user may fold or unfold between the unit pieces by applying a
force of more than a predetermined level.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 2A, according to various example
embodiments, the support device 400 may be disposed on one surface
of the flexible display 190 and may support at least a part of the
flexible display 190. For example, the support device 400 may
include the first link 410, the second link 420, and a third link
430.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 2B, according to an example embodiment,
the first link 410 may be disposed near to the flexible display 190
and has one side connected with the second housing 220. In
addition, the other side of the first link 410 may be fitted into
the above-described first housing 210. For example, the first link
410 may include a recess 4101 to allow the third link 430 to be
link-connected therewith and to operate.
[0051] According to various example embodiments, the second link
420 may be disposed near to the third link 430 and has one side
connected with the first housing 210 by means of the pin 211 to
allow the first housing 210 to pivot by a predetermined angle. In
addition, the other side of the second link 420 may be fitted into
the above-described second housing 220. For example, the second
link 420 may include a recess 4201 of a predetermined length to
allow the third link 430 to be connected therewith and to operate
by a predetermined distance.
[0052] According to various example embodiments, the third link 430
may be disposed to overlap at least a part of the first link 410
and at least a part of the second link 420 (as seen in FIG. 2B),
and may include a first connection member 4307 and a second
connection member 4308 link-connected with the first link 410 and
the second link 420.
[0053] According to various example embodiments, the first
connection member 4307 may be connected with the third link 430 by
means of a pin 4301, and may be connected with a first rotary body
4305 which is operable along the recess 4101 of the first link 410
by a predetermined distance by means of a pin 4303. The second
connection member 4308 may be connected with the third link 430 by
means of a pin 4302, and may be connected with a second rotary body
4306 which is operable along the recess 4201 of the second link 420
by a predetermined distance by means of a pin 4304.
[0054] Such a link structure of the support device 400 enables the
second link 420 and the third link 430 described above to be
rotated freely. The support device 400 may be changed in its shape
according to various mechanical structures in addition the
above-described link structure (as seen in FIG. 2B, FIG. 3B, and
FIG. 4B)
[0055] According to various example embodiments, the circuit board
is a substrate in which a basic circuit and a plurality of
electronic parts are sealed, and sets an execution environment of
the electronic device 100, maintains its information, stably drives
the electronic device 100, and facilitates input and output
exchange of data of all devices of the electronic device 100. The
circuit board transmits a signal to the flexible display 190 and
the flexible display 190 may display the signal from the circuit
board as an image. In addition, the circuit board may perform at
least one of a resolution setting operation or a user interface
setting operation according to the extent of the exposure of the
flexible display 190. In addition, the circuit board may be
installed in the inner space of the above-described housing.
[0056] According to an example embodiment, the electronic device
100 may perform at least one of a resolution setting change, an
operation mode change, or a user interface setting change according
to an exposed area of the flexible display 190. For example, the
resolution setting change may refer to changing a resolution to a
resolution corresponding to the exposed area of the flexible
display 190. The operation mode change may refer to changing a
software or hardware device mode such as a smartphone mode or a
tablet PC mode. In addition, the user interface setting change may
include at least one of an icon arrangement state change, an icon
size change, or a change of the number of icons.
[0057] The above-described exposed area may be detected based on an
exposed area of the flexible display 190, a length of the flexible
display 190 in a moving direction, a pixel location of a resolution
of one surface based on horizontal and vertical resolutions of the
flexible display 190, or a location pre-defined through a
sensor.
[0058] For example, the electronic device 100 may detect the extent
to which the flexible display 190 is ingressed into the housing, or
the exposed area of the flexible display 190. According to an
example embodiment, the electronic device 100 may include a sensor
device 140 including at least one of a tension sensor, a hall
sensor, an illuminance sensor, an image sensor, or a variable
resistance sensor. According to an example embodiment, the tension
sensor from among these sensors may detect the extent to which the
flexible display 190 is come in or the exposed area by measuring a
tension in an area where the flexible display 190 is come in or
come out of the housing. According to various example embodiments,
the extent to which the flexible display 190 is come in or the
exposed area may be detected based on an electromagnetic signal or
mechanical signal in the area where the flexible display 190 is
come in or come out of the housing.
[0059] According to various example embodiments, the electronic
device 100 may determine a setting mode based on the exposed area
or resolution of the flexible display 190. For example, the
electronic device 100 may determine the setting mode by comparing
the exposed area or resolution of the flexible display 190 with a
pre-defined setting value. In addition, when the setting mode falls
out of a range of the pre-defined setting value as a result of
being compared with the pre-defined setting value, the electronic
device 100 may control to output a display readjustment request.
The readjustment request may be output by using at least one of a
vibration, an LED, a text, an image, or voice data.
[0060] FIG. 3A is a plane view of an example electronic device
according to one of various example embodiments of the present
disclosure, and FIG. 3B is a side view of an example electronic
device according to one of various example embodiments of the
present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 3A, the electronic device 100
may perform at least one of a resolution setting change, an
operation mode change, or a user interface setting change according
to an exposed area of the flexible display 190. The above-described
exposed area may include an exposed area of the flexible display
190, a length of the flexible display 190 in a moving direction, a
pixel location of a resolution of one surface based on horizontal
and vertical resolutions of the flexible display 190, or a location
pre-defined through a sensor. For example, the number and
arrangements of icons 191 corresponding to the area of the display
may be set as shown in FIG. 3A.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 3B, according to various example
embodiments, the above-described third link 430 may be disposed on
an upper or lower portion of the second link 420, and may be
arranged in alignment with the first link 410. In addition, in this
case, the above-described first connection member 4307 and second
connection member 4308 are operable along the above-described
recesses 4101 and 4201.
[0062] According to various example embodiments, one side 4309 of
the above-described third link 430 may be inclined and may have an
upper portion longer than a lower portion. The third link 430 may
be formed to correspond to the second link 420 in a pair bond
formation to consider fixation stability. One side 4202 of the
above-described second link 420 may be inclined and may have an
upper portion shorter than a lower portion. The above-described
third link 430 and second link 420 may be configured to be
different from each other in lengths of their upper and lower
portions and their shapes. This configuration is to make the third
link 430 fitted to be arranged in alignment with the second link
420.
[0063] FIG. 4A is a plane view of an example electronic device
according to one of various example embodiments of the present
disclosure, and FIG. 4B is a side view of an example electronic
device according to one of various example embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 4A, according to various example
embodiments, the electronic device 100 may perform at least one of
a resolution setting change, an operation mode change, or a user
interface setting change according to an exposed area of the
flexible display 190. The above-described exposed area may include
an exposed area of the flexible display 190, a length of the
flexible display 190 in a moving direction, a pixel location of a
resolution of one surface based on horizontal and vertical
resolutions of the flexible display 190, or a location pre-defined
through a sensor.
[0065] For example, when the display is exposed as shown in the
drawings, the number and arrangements of icons 192 corresponding to
the exposed area may be set. In addition, not the user interface of
the electronic device 100 but also the hardware device mode such as
a smartphone or tablet PC mode may be changed.
[0066] Referring to FIG. 4B, according to an example embodiment,
the third link 430 may be interposed between the first link 410 and
the second link 420, and an outer surface of the above-described
third link 430 may be extended to outer surfaces of the first link
410 and the second link 420 without a step height.
[0067] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an example electronic device
according to one of various example embodiments of the present
disclosure, and FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an
example housing according to one of various example embodiments of
the present disclosure.
[0068] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 the electronic device 100
according to various example embodiments may include a housing 500,
a flexible display 190, a first guide member 610, and a second
guide member 620. The housing 500 may be disposed on one surface of
the flexible display 190, may have an inner space to allow the
flexible display 190, the first guide member 610, and the second
guide member 620 to egress or ingress, and may include a first
protrusion 510 and a second protrusion 520 which are connected with
the first guide member 610 and the second guide member 620.
[0069] According to various example embodiments, the
above-described guide members 610 and 620 may be disposed on an
edge, an upper portion, or a lower portion of the flexible display
190, may egress or ingress through the above-described protrusions
510 and 520, and may guide the flexible display 190 to egress or
ingress from the housing 500. For example, the guide members 610
and 620 may be implemented in the form of an electromagnet or
magnetic substance, or a chain to support the flexible display
190.
[0070] For example, when the guide members 610 and 620 are
implemented in the form of the electromagnet, the above-described
guide members 610 and 620 may be an electromagnetic plate including
a magnetic substance. For example, the electromagnetic plate is
configured flexibly to allow the flexible display 190 to egress or
ingress before a voltage is applied to the electromagnetic plate,
and is changed to a rigid structure when a voltage is applied to
the electromagnetic plate, such that the electromagnetic plate is
not pressed in a direction of a pressing force of the flexible
display 190. In addition, when the guide members 610 and 620 are
implemented in the form of the chain, the guide members 610 and 620
may include a roller chain which connects a roller link and a pin
link having a predetermined rigidity with each other by means of a
pin.
[0071] For example, the chain includes a plurality of unit pieces
and the unit pieces are articulated with one another. A connector
between the unit pieces of the chain may have mechanical or
electrical friction, attraction, and resistance. The user may fold
or unfold between the unit pieces by applying a force of more than
a predetermined level.
[0072] FIG. 7A is a cross sectional view of an example housing
according to one of various example embodiments of the present
disclosure, and FIG. 7B is a cross sectional view of an example
housing according to one of various example embodiments of the
present disclosure. FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B may represent, in one
embodiment, cross sections taken at lines A-A and B-B of FIG. 6,
respectively.
[0073] The above-described guide members may be a chain 700
according to various example embodiments. Referring to FIG. 7A, the
housing 500 may be formed to have an inner structure 530 in which
the flexible display 190 and the chain 700 are rolled up. In
addition, the chain 700 may include a roller chain which connects a
roller link and a pin link having a predetermined rigidity with
each other by means of a pin. The chain 700 can maintain a shape of
the flexible display 190, and for example, may include an upper
chain, a lower chain, and a shaft.
[0074] The upper chain and the lower chain are connected with each
other by means of the shaft, and has a rigidity in a horizontal
direction and has a flexibility in a vertical direction. The upper
chain and the lower chain include a plurality of unit pieces (e.g.,
the roller links), and the unit pieces are articulated with one
another (e.g., via the roller pins). A connector between the unit
pieces of the chain may include mechanical or electrical friction,
attraction, and resistance. For example, the user may fold or
unfold between the unit pieces by applying a force of more than a
predetermined level. For example, the connector between the unit
pieces of the chain 700 may include an electromagnetic or
mechanical means for receiving power from the circuit board and
controlling an unintended pivotal movement between the unit pieces
caused by a recovering force of the flexible display 190.
[0075] According to various example embodiments, the
above-described chain 700 may include a hook or pin (not shown)
which is inserted between the unit pieces. For example, the
above-described hook or pin may be inserted into a joint between
the unit pieces of the chain 700, thereby fixing the chain 700.
[0076] According to various example embodiments, the chain 700 may
have a movement curvature varying according to a location of the
inner structure 530. For example, when the chain 700 enters the
inner structure 530, a second curvature 720 may be greater than a
first curvature 710.
[0077] Referring to FIG. 7B, the above-described flexible display
190 may be rolled up in the inner structure 540 of the housing 500.
In addition, the flexible display 190 can maintain a predetermined
gap between itself and the interior of the housing 500 by being
guided by the above-described chain 700, thereby preventing damage
to the flexible display 190.
[0078] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an example
structure of a chain according to one of various example
embodiments of the present disclosure. A chain 800 may include a
roller chain which connects rollers with a plurality of roller
links 810 and a pin link 830 by means of a pin 820, and can provide
structure support to better maintain a desired shape of the
electronic device 100.
[0079] According to various example embodiments, when the roller
chain maintains shape in a horizontal orientation, the roller chain
has certain upper portions of each roller link 810 brought into
contact with one another, as shown in portion `a` of FIG. 8.
Accordingly, the roller chain 800 is not loosened due to the
resulting mechanical tension. When the roller chain 800 is curving,
the roller chain 800 has its lower portions brought into contact
with each other as shown in portion cb' of FIG. 8, so that the
roller chain bent or curved to an undesired degree.
[0080] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating an example display
readjustment request 900 according to one of various example
embodiments of the present disclosure. The electronic device 100
may detect a setting mode based on an exposed area or resolution of
the flexible display 190. For example, the electronic device 100
may detect the setting mode by comparing the exposed area or
resolution of the flexible display 190 with a pre-defined setting
value. When the setting mode falls out of a range of the
pre-defined setting value, the electronic device 100 may output a
display readjustment request 900 through a pop-up window. The
display readjustment request 900 may be output by using at least
one of a vibration, an LED, a text, an image, or voice data.
[0081] FIG. 10 is a block configuration diagram of an electronic
device according to one of various example embodiments of the
present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 10, the electronic device 100
may be a device such as a mobile phone, a mobile pad, a media
player, a tablet computer, a handheld computer or a Personal
Digital Assistant (PDA). In addition, the electronic device 100 may
be any electronic device which includes a device combining two or
more functions of the above-mentioned devices.
[0082] The electronic device 100 may include a host device 110, an
external memory device 120, a camera device 130, a sensor device
140, a wireless communication device 150, an audio device 160, an
external port device 170, a flexible display 190, and other
input/control devices 180. The external memory device 120 and the
external port device 170 may be provided in plural number.
[0083] The host device 110 may include an internal memory 111, one
or more processors 112, or an interface 113. The internal memory
111, the one or more processors 112, or the interface 113 may be
separate elements or may be included in one or more integrated
circuits.
[0084] The processor 112 may perform various functions for the
electronic device 100 by executing a plurality of software
programs, and may perform processing and controlling for voice
communication, video communication, and data communication. In
addition to such typical functions, the processor 112 may perform
various functions corresponding to a software module (an
instruction set) stored in the internal memory 111 or external
memory device 120 by executing the software module.
[0085] According to various example embodiments, the processor 112
may perform the methods of the example embodiments by interworking
with the software modules stored in the internal memory 111 or
external memory device 120. In addition, the processor 112 may
include one or more data processors, an image processor, or a
CODEC. The electronic device 100 may configure the data processor,
the image processor, or the CODEC separately.
[0086] The interface 113 may connect the various devices of the
electronic device 100 and the host device 110.
[0087] The camera device 130 may perform camera functions such as
shooting and video clip recording. The camera device 130 may
include a Charged Coupled Device (CCD) or a Complementary
Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS). In addition, the camera device
130 may change a hardware configuration, for example, may adjust a
lens movement or the number of apertures, according to a camera
module executed by the processor 112.
[0088] Various elements of the electronic device 100 may be
connected with one another through one or more communication buses
(no reference numeral is used) or electrical connecting means (no
reference numeral is used).
[0089] The sensor device 140 may include at least one of a tension
sensor, a hall sensor, an illuminance sensor, an image sensor, or a
variable resistance sensor for sensing motion, light, temperature,
tension, deformation, etc. The sensor device 140 may measure
information on deformation of the electronic device 100 or the
extent of exposure of the flexible display 190, and may transmit
this information to the host device 110. For example, the extent of
the exposure of the above-described flexible display 190 may
include an exposed area of the flexible display 190, a length of
the flexible display 190 in a moving direction, a pixel location of
a resolution of one surface based on horizontal and vertical
resolutions of the flexible display 190, and a location pre-defined
through a sensor.
[0090] According to an example embodiment, the tension sensor of
the sensor device 140 may detect the exposed area of the flexible
display 190 by measuring a tension in an area where the flexible
display 190 is come in or come out of the housing.
[0091] The wireless communication device 150 enables wireless
communication and may include a radio frequency
transmitter/receiver and a light (for example, infrared ray)
transmitter/receiver. The wireless communication device 150 may be
designed to operate through one of a Global System for Mobile
Communication (GSM) network, an Enhanced Data GSM Environment
(EDGE) network, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, a
Wideband CDMA (W-CDMA) network, an LTE network, an Orthogonal
Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDM) network, a Wireless
Fidelity (Wi-Fi) network, a WiMax network, and a Bluetooth network
according communication networks.
[0092] The audio device 160 may be connected with a speaker 161 and
a microphone 162 to perform audio input and output such as voice
recognition, voice reproduction, digital recording, and calling.
For example, the audio device 160 may enable the electronic device
100 to communicate with the user through the speaker 161 and the
microphone 162. In addition, the audio device 160 may receive a
data signal from the host device 110, convert the data signal into
an electric signal, and output the electric signal through the
speaker 161.
[0093] The speaker 161 may convert the electric signal into an
audible frequency band and output the audible frequency band. The
speaker 161 may be disposed on a rear portion of the electronic
device 100, and may include a flexible film speaker which has at
least one piezoelectric body attached to at least one vibration
film. The microphone 162 may convert a sound wave transmitted from
a person or other sound sources into an electric signal.
[0094] In addition, the audio device 160 may receive the electric
signal from the microphone 162, convert the electric signal into an
audio data signal, and transmit the audio data signal to the host
device 110. The audio device 160 may include an earphone, a
headphone, or a headset which is attachable to or detachable from
the electronic device 100.
[0095] The flexible display 190 may display the signal transmitted
from the host device 110 as an image such as a text, a graphic, a
video, etc. The flexible display 190 may be deformed into at least
one of different shapes, such as stretching, contracting, bending,
folding, twisting, crooking, or unfolding, and the electronic
device 100 is subject to such deformation. Touch screen technology
can be applied to the flexible display 190.
[0096] The other input/control devices 180 may include an up/down
button for controlling a volume. In addition, the other
input/control devices 180 may include at least one of a push
button, a locker button, a locker switch, a thumb-wheel, a dial, or
a pointer device such as a stick and a stylus, which are given
corresponding functions.
[0097] The external memory device 120 may include one or more high
speed Random Access Memories (RAMs) or non-volatile memories such
as magnetic disc storage devices, or one or more optical storage
devices or flash memories (for example, NAND, NOR). The external
memory device 120 stores software and the software may include an
operating system module, a communication module, a graphic module,
a user interface module, a CODEC module, a display area or
resolution detection module, and one or more application
modules.
[0098] The term "module" may be expressed as a group of
instructions, an instruction set, or a program.
[0099] The operating system module indicates a built-in operating
system such as WINDOWS, LINUX, Darwin, RTXC, UNIX, OS X, or
VsWorks, and may include a plurality of software elements for
controlling a general system operation. The control of the general
system operation may include memory management and control, storage
hardware (device) control and management, and power control and
management. The operating system module may function to facilitate
communication between various hardware elements (devices) and
software elements (modules).
[0100] The communication module can enable communication with other
electronic devices such as a computer, a server, and an electronic
device via the wireless communication device 150 or the external
port device 170.
[0101] The graphic module includes various software elements for
providing and displaying graphics on the flexible display 190. The
terminology of "graphics" indicates a text, a web page, an icon, a
digital image, a video, an animation, etc.
[0102] The user interface module includes various software elements
related to a user interface. The user interface module includes the
content related to how a state of the user interface changes and in
which condition the state of the user interface changes.
[0103] The CODEC module may include a software element related to
encoding and decoding of a video file
[0104] The display area or resolution detection module may include
various software elements for detecting an exposed area of the
flexible display 190 or a display resolution according to
deformation of the electronic device 100.
[0105] The application module includes a browser, an e-mail, an
instant message, word processing, keyboard emulation, an address
book, a contact list, a widget, a Digital Right Management (DRM),
voice recognition, voice reproduction, a location determining
function, a location-based service, etc.
[0106] The memory 111 may further include additional modules
(instructions) in addition to the aforementioned modules. In
addition, various functions of the electronic device 100 may be
executed by one or more hardware or software elements including
stream processing or Application Specific Integrated Circuit
(ASIC), or a combination thereof
[0107] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example method
for operating of an electronic device according to one of various
example embodiments of the present disclosure. In operation 1101,
an exposed area or a resolution of the flexible display 190 is
detected. According to an example embodiment, the electronic device
100 may perform at least one of a resolution setting change, an
operation mode change, or a user interface setting change according
to an exposed area of the flexible display 190. For example, the
resolution setting change may refer to changing a resolution to a
resolution corresponding to the exposed area of the flexible
display 190. The operation mode change may refer to changing a
software or hardware device mode such as a smartphone mode or a
tablet PC mode. In addition, the user interface setting change may
include at least one of an icon arrangement state change, an icon
size change, or a change of the number of icons.
[0108] The exposed area may be detected based on an exposed area of
the flexible display 190, a length of the flexible display 190 in a
moving direction, a pixel location of a resolution of one surface
based on horizontal and vertical resolutions of the flexible
display 190, or a location pre-defined through a sensor.
[0109] For example, the electronic device 100 may detect the extent
to which the flexible display 190 is come in or come out of the
housing, or an exposed area of the flexible display 190. According
to an example embodiment, the electronic device 100 may include a
sensor device 140 including at least one of a tension sensor, a
hall sensor, an illuminance sensor, an image sensor, or a variable
resistance sensor. According to an example embodiment, the tension
sensor from among these sensors may detect the extent to which the
flexible display 190 is come in or the exposed area by measuring a
tension in an area where the flexible display 190 is come in or
come out of the housing. According to various example embodiments,
the extent to which the flexible display 190 is come in or the
exposed area may be detected based on an electromagnetic signal or
mechanical signal in the area where the flexible display 190 is
come in or come out of the housing.
[0110] In operation 1103, a setting mode may be determined based on
the exposed area or resolution. For example, the setting mode may
include a setting value which may be stored in a memory and
correspond to a display area or a display resolution. According to
an example embodiment, when the exposed area of the display exceeds
a first setting value, the electronic device 100 may enter a first
mode. Such an operation may be controlled by the processor 112,
and, when the exposed area of the display is less than the first
setting value, the electronic device 100 may enter the first
mode.
[0111] According to various example embodiments, the electronic
device 100 may determine the setting mode by comparing the exposed
area or resolution of the flexible display 190 with a pre-defined
setting value. In addition, when the setting mode falls out of a
range of the pre-defined setting value as a result of being
compared with the pre-defined setting value, the electronic device
100 may control to output a display readjustment request.
[0112] When the electronic device 100 does not determine the
setting mode, the readjustment request may be output in operation
1105. The readjustment request 900 may be output by using at least
one of a vibration, an LED, a text, an image, or voice data like
the pop-up window shown in FIG. 9.
[0113] In operation 1107, the electronic device 100 may perform at
least one of a resolution setting change, an operation mode change,
or a user interface setting change based on the setting mode.
According to an example embodiment, the resolution setting change
may refer to changing a resolution to a resolution corresponding to
the exposed area of the flexible display 190. The operation mode
change may refer to changing a software or hardware device mode
such as a smartphone mode or a tablet PC mode. In addition, the
user interface setting change may include at least one of an icon
arrangement state change, an icon size change, or a change of the
number of icons.
[0114] According to various example embodiments, when the
electronic device 100 enters an Nth mode, the electronic device 100
may set a resolution or a user interface corresponding to the Nth
mode. For example, the user interface may include at least one of
an icon arrangement state, an icon size, or the number of icons,
which are displayed on the flexible display 190. According to an
example embodiment, the resolution of the display or the user
interface may be selectively set.
[0115] Thereafter, the present procedure is finished.
[0116] An instruction set for each operation described above may be
stored in the above-described memory as one or more modules. In
this case, the module stored in the memory may be executed by one
or more processors 112.
[0117] Prior to explaining example embodiments presented below, it
should be noted that the example embodiments described below
suggest many similar elements to those described above and thus a
detailed explanation of some of the elements may be omitted.
[0118] FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example method
for operating of an electronic device according to one of various
example embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0119] In operation 1201, an exposed area or a resolution of the
flexible display 190 is detected. According to an example
embodiment, the exposed area may be detected based on an exposed
area of the flexible display 190, a length of the flexible display
190 in a moving direction, a pixel location of a resolution of one
surface based on horizontal and vertical resolutions of the
flexible display 190, or a location pre-defined through a
sensor.
[0120] For example, the electronic device 100 may detect the extent
to which the flexible display 190 is come in the housing, or an
exposed area of the flexible display 190. According to an example
embodiment, the electronic device 100 may include a sensor device
140 including at least one of a tension sensor, a hall sensor, an
illuminance sensor, an image sensor, or a variable resistance
sensor. According to an example embodiment, the tension sensor from
among these sensors may detect the extent to which the flexible
display 190 is come in or the exposed area by measuring a tension
in an area where the flexible display 190 is come in or come out of
the housing. According to various example embodiments, the extent
to which the flexible display 190 is come in or the exposed area
may be detected based on an electromagnetic signal or mechanical
signal in the area where the flexible display 190 is come in or
come out of the housing.
[0121] In operation 1203, the electronic device 100 may perform at
least one of a resolution setting change, an operation mode change,
or a user interface setting change based on the exposed area or
resolution. According to an example embodiment, the resolution
setting change may refer to changing a resolution to a resolution
corresponding to the exposed area of the flexible display 190. The
operation mode change may refer to changing a software or hardware
device mode such as a smartphone mode or a tablet PC mode. In
addition, the user interface setting change may include at least
one of an icon arrangement state change, an icon size change, or a
change of the number of icons. Such an operation may be controlled
by the processor 112.
[0122] Thereafter, the present procedure is finished.
[0123] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating a method for
operating of an electronic device according to one of various
example embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0124] In operation 1301, the electronic device 100 may determine a
setting mode according to an exposed area of the flexible display
190. According to an example embodiment, the exposed area may be
detected based on an exposed area of the flexible display 190, a
length of the flexible display 190 in a moving direction, a pixel
location of a resolution of one surface based on horizontal and
vertical resolutions of the flexible display 190, or a location
pre-defined through a sensor.
[0125] For example, the electronic device 100 may detect the extent
to which the flexible display 190 is come in the housing, or an
exposed area of the flexible display 190. According to an example
embodiment, the electronic device 100 may include a sensor device
140 including at least one of a tension sensor, a hall sensor, an
illuminance sensor, an image sensor, or a variable resistance
sensor. According to an example embodiment, the tension sensor from
among these sensors may detect the extent to which the flexible
display 190 is come in or the exposed area by measuring a tension
in an area where the flexible display 190 is come in or come out of
the housing. According to various example embodiments, the extent
to which the flexible display 190 is come in or the exposed area
may be detected based on an electromagnetic signal or mechanical
signal in the area where the flexible display 190 is come in or
come out of the housing.
[0126] According to an example embodiment, when the exposed area of
the display exceeds a first setting value, the electronic device
100 may enter a first mode. Such an operation may be controlled by
the processor 112, and, when the exposed area of the display is
less than the first setting value, the electronic device 100 may
enter the first mode.
[0127] According to various example embodiments, the electronic
device 100 may determine the setting mode by comparing the exposed
area or resolution of the flexible display 190 with a pre-defined
setting value. In addition, when the setting mode falls out of a
range of the pre-defined setting value as a result of being
compared with the pre-defined setting value, the electronic device
100 may control to output a display readjustment request.
[0128] In operation 1303, the electronic device 100 may determine
whether the electronic device 100 enters the first mode or not.
According to an example embodiment, when the exposed area of the
display exceeds the first setting value, the processor 112 may
enter the first mode. According to various example embodiments,
when the exposed area is less than the first setting value, the
processor 112 may enter the first mode.
[0129] In operation 1305, a resolution or a user interface
corresponding to the first mode may be set. According to various
example embodiments, the above-described resolution or user
interface may be stored in a memory, and for example, the user
interface may include at least one of an icon arrangement state, an
icon size, or the number of icons, which are displayed on the
display.
[0130] When the electronic device 100 does not enter the first
mode, the electronic device 100 may determine whether the
electronic device 100 enters a second mode or not in operation
1307. According to various example embodiments, the processor 112
may enter the second mode when the exposed area of the display
exceeds a second setting value.
[0131] In operation 1309, a resolution or a user interface
corresponding to the second mode may be set. According to various
example embodiments, the above-described resolution or user
interface may be stored in a memory, and for example, the user
interface may include at least one of an icon arrangement state, an
icon size, or the number of icons, which are displayed on the
display.
[0132] When the electronic device 100 does not enter the second
mode, the electronic device 100 may determine whether the
electronic device 100 enters a third mode or not in operation 1311.
According to various example embodiments, the processor 112 may
enter the third mode when the exposed area of the display exceeds a
third setting value.
[0133] In operation 1313, a resolution or a user interface
corresponding to the third mode may be set. According to an example
embodiment, the above-described resolution or user interface may be
stored in a memory, and for example, the user interface may include
at least one of an icon arrangement state, an icon size, or the
number of icons, which are displayed on the display.
[0134] In operation 1315, the electronic device 100 may determine
whether the electronic device 100 enters an Nth mode. As described
above, the processor 112 may set various setting modes and may set
a resolution or user interface corresponding to each setting mode
(operation 1317).
[0135] When the electronic device 100 does not determine the
setting mode, the electronic device 100 may output a readjustment
request in operation 1319. According to an example embodiment, the
readjustment request (900 of FIG. 9) may be output by using at
least one of a vibration, an LED, a text, an image or voice data
like the pop-up window.
[0136] Thereafter, the present procedure is finished.
[0137] According to various example embodiments of the present
disclosure, each module may be configured by software, firmware,
hardware, or a combination thereof. In addition, some or all of the
modules may be configured by a single entity and may perform
functions of each module equally. According to various example
embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the operations may
be performed in sequence, repeatedly, or in parallel. In addition,
some operations may be omitted or another operation may be added
and performed. For example, each of the operations may be executed
by a corresponding mode described in various example embodiments of
the present disclosure.
[0138] Methods based on the embodiments disclosed in the claims or
specification of the present disclosure can be implemented in
hardware, software, or a combination of both. It will be
appreciated that embodiments of the present disclosure according to
the claims and description in the specification can be realized in
the form of hardware, software or a combination of hardware and
software.
[0139] Any such software may be stored in a computer readable
storage medium. The computer readable storage medium stores one or
more programs (software modules), the one or more programs
including instructions, which when executed by one or more
processors in an electronic device, cause the electronic device to
perform a method of the present disclosure.
[0140] Any such software may be stored in the form of volatile or
non-volatile storage such as, for example, a storage device like a
ROM, whether erasable or rewritable or not, or in the form of
memory such as, for example, RAM, memory chips, device or
integrated circuits or on an optically or magnetically readable
medium such as, for example, a CD, DVD, magnetic disk or magnetic
tape or the like. It will be appreciated that the storage devices
and storage media are embodiments of machine-readable storage that
are suitable for storing a program or programs including
instructions that, when executed, implement embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0141] Accordingly, embodiments provide a program including code
for implementing apparatus or a method as claimed in any one of the
claims of this specification and a machine-readable storage storing
such a program. Still further, such programs may be conveyed
electronically via any medium such as a communication signal
carried over a wired or wireless connection and embodiments
suitably encompass the same.
[0142] The functions and process steps herein may be performed
automatically or wholly or partially in response to user command.
An activity (including a step) performed automatically is performed
in response to executable instruction or device operation without
user direct initiation of the activity.
[0143] The terms "unit" or "module" referred to herein is to be
understood as comprising hardware such as a processor or
microprocessor configured for a certain desired functionality, or a
non-transitory medium comprising machine executable code, in
accordance with statutory subject matter under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.101
and does not constitute software per se.
[0144] While the present disclosure has been particularly shown and
described with reference to example embodiments thereof, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form
and details may be made therein without departing from the ambit of
the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
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