Electronic device including flexible display

An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a display and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to display a multi-window in the display region of the display, identify the position of a user input, receive an input related to the size change of the display region of the display, and change the size of the display region of the display and display a window corresponding to the identified position of the user input in the display region of the display.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) of a Korean patent application number 10-2020-0078017, filed on Jun. 25, 2020, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates to an electronic device including a flexible display having a display region that can be extended or reduced.

2. Description of Related Art

Functional differences between electronic devices from respective manufacturers have substantially decreased, and electronic devices are accordingly becoming slimmer in order to satisfy consumers demands. There is ongoing development to increase the rigidity of electronic devices, to enhance design aspects thereof, and to differentiate functional elements thereof. Accordingly, electronic devices are gradually evolving from quadrangular shapes to various shapes according to the related art. For example, electronic devices having various deformable structures have been developed such that they can be carried conveniently and, when used, large-screen displays can be utilized.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the disclosure are to address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the disclosure is to provide an electronic devices for a rollable-type electronic device (hereinafter, referred to as a rollable electronic device) which can be deformed, when used, such that the display region of the display thereof can be extended or reduced. The rollable electronic device may include a first housing and a second housing (or a sliding plate), which may be coupled to each other to be able to move in an at least partially fitted-together type. For example, the second housing (or sliding plate) may be coupled so as to support a flexible display (or an extendable display) and to operate in an at least partially sliding type from the first housing. The second housing may be manually opened/closed by the user or may be automatically switched to an open/closed state by an internal driving mechanism, thereby inducing variation of the display area. According to an embodiment, a multi-window display method may solely be considered if the display size (resolution) is fixed, or if the display size is limited to two types (folded state and unfolded state) as in the case of a foldable electronic device. However, in the case of a device (for example, a slidable/rollable electronic device) having a display extendable to various sizes, a multi-window operation may be impeded by respective windows which are to be arranged according to the size, or by various icons, the sizes of which are to be changed accordingly. As a result, it may be difficult to execute a multi-window function in response to the user's intention, and erroneous operations may occur.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a display, and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to display a multi-window in a display region of the display, identify a position of a user input, receive an input related to a size change of the display region of the display, and change a size of the display region of the display and display a window corresponding to the identified position of the user input in the display region of the display.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, an operation method of an electronic device is provided. The operation method includes identifying a position of a user input, receiving an input related to a size change of a display region of a display, and changing a size of the display region of the display and displaying a window corresponding to the identified position of the user input in the display region of the display.

An electronic device including a display having a display region that can be extended or reduced according to various embodiments is advantageous in that, when a multi-window operation is performed in the display region of the display, the arrangement of respective each multi-window is changed (or the size thereof is changed or icons are displayed) according to the display region of the display such that the multi-window can be manipulated in response to the user's intention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.2Ais a perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG.2Bis a perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG.2Cis a side view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.2A to2C, an electronic device210may be at least partially similar to the electronic device101inFIG.1, or may further include other embodiments of an electronic device. A display230included in the electronic device210according to various embodiments may be a flexible display. A housing of the electronic device210according to various embodiments may be extended or reduced. When the housing of the electronic device210is extended or reduced, the display region of the display may also be extended or reduced. The entire region of the display230may not always be a display region, and the size of the display region of the display230may be changed. For example, when the housing of the electronic device210is extended, a partial region of the display230, which has not been exposed to the outside, may be exposed, and thus the display region of the display230may also be extended. On the other hand, when the housing of the electronic device210is reduced, a partial region of the display230, which has been exposed to the outside, may be hidden, and thus the display region of the display230may also be reduced.

Referring toFIG.2A,FIG.2Adepicts a perspective view in which the housing of the electronic device210is reduced, andFIG.2Bis a perspective view in which the housing of the electronic device210is extended (or expanded). As illustrated inFIG.2A, when a housing220of the electronic device210is reduced, the display region of the display230may also be reduced. For convenience, a user may carry the electronic device210in the state in which the housing220of the electronic device210is reduced. Referring toFIG.2B, when the housing220of the electronic device210is extended, the display region of the display230may also be extended. For example, when a user watches multimedia or plays a game or when a user uses multiple services at the same time, the user may extend the housing220of the electronic device to use the extended display region of the display230.

Referring toFIG.2C,FIG.2Cdepicts a side view of the electronic device210. The housing220of the electronic device210may be coupled to at least a portion of the display230so as to extend or reduce the display region of the display230. For example, the electronic device210may include a multi-bar hinge240and/or a rolling bar250in order to extend or reduce of the display region of the display230. The electronic device210may further include a motor260configured to control the rolling bar250.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device210may receive an input related to the size change of the display region of the display230to extend or reduce of the display region of the display230. For example, when a portion of the display230is bent or rolled inward by the rolling bar250, the size of the display230exposed to the outside is reduced, and thus the display region of the display230may be reduced. On the other hand, when the portion of the display230rolled by the rolling bar250is unrolled, the size of the display230exposed to the outside is extended, and thus the display region of the display230may also be extended. The display region of the display230may be updated after the display230has been completely extended or reduced. The display region of the display230may be updated in real time/at regular time intervals while the display230is extended or reduced. The display region of the display230may be updated in units of a certain size of a region extended or reduced while the display230is extended or reduced.

According to various embodiments, the display region of the display230may be extended or reduced in a manual, automatic, or semiautomatic manner on the basis of the input related to the size change of the housing220. For example, when a user manually extends or reduces the housing220by using force, the display region of the display230may be extended or reduced. Alternatively, when the user extends or reduces the housing220of the electronic device210by pressing a hardware button (e.g., a side key) or a software button (e.g., a soft key), the display region of the display230may be automatically extended or reduced. The housing220of the electronic device210may be extended or reduced by the motor260. Furthermore, when the user pushes or pulls the housing220of the electronic device210by using a force having a predetermined strength or more, the electronic device210may operate the motor260to extend or reduce the housing220of the electronic device210in an automatic or semiautomatic manner in response thereto. When the housing220of the electronic device210is extended or reduced, the display region of the display230may also be extended or reduced.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device210may include a multi-bar hinge formed on the rear surface of the display in order to adjust the size of the housing220. The multi-bar hinge may roll the display230, and may support the display230to keep the display230flat.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device210may detect, using a magnet or a hall sensor disposed in the rear surface of the display230, the rotation amount of the motor260to sense a speed (or a size) at which the housing220is extended or reduced. The electronic device210may cascade, based on the sensed speed (or size), windows displayed in the display region of the display230or provide a gradation effect.

Hereinbefore, an example in which the display region of the display230is extended or reduced has been described using the electronic device210, the housing220of which is extended or reduced at one side thereof. However, the various embodiments may be applied to even the case in which the display region of the display230is extended or reduced by other methods for extending or reducing both sides of the housing220of the electronic device.

When the display region of the display230can be extended or reduced according to various embodiments, if necessary, the user may extend or reduce the display region of the display230to maximize the usage efficiency of the electronic device210. The electronic device210may supply power based on the size of the display region of the display230, and may thus reduce power consumption.

FIG.3Aillustrates an example of extension of a display region of a display of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG.3Billustrates an example of extension of a display region of a display of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG.3Cillustrates an example of extension of a display region of a display of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

According to various embodiments, an electronic device310(e.g., the electronic device210inFIG.2A) may include a display, and a first window320-1and a second window330-1may be displayed in the display region of the display. For example, a moving image may be reproduced in the first window320-1, and a text message may be displayed in the second window330-1. Alternatively, in each of the first window320-1and the second window330-1, a different webpage according to the execution of one application may be displayed. Referring toFIGS.3A to3C, the first window320-1and the second window330-1are displayed in the same size. However, the first window320-1and the second window330-1may be displayed in different sizes.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device310may display a multi-window in the display region of the display. The electronic device310may identify the position of a user input (e.g., the position of a user's finger) in the display region of the display in which the multi-window is displayed. A user input may be positioned in a partial region340-1of the first window320-1as illustrated inFIG.3A, and may be positioned in a partial region350-1of the second window330-1as illustrated inFIG.3B. Alternatively, the user input may be positioned in a partial region370-1of a window boundary region360as illustrated inFIG.3C. The window boundary region360may be a region other than a window inner region.

According to various embodiments, the user input may be an input using one finger (e.g., a thumb) while a user grips the electronic device310, that is, when a user holds the electronic device310. Alternatively, the user input may be a touch input (e.g. sliding or swiping) using a finger or a pen that a user moves by a force having a predetermined strength or more in a direction in which the user desires to extend or reduce the display region of a display. The display region of the display of the electronic device310may be extended or reduced in a manual, automatic, or semiautomatic manner depending on the user input.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device310may display a window corresponding to the position of the user input in the display region of the display.

Referring toFIG.3A, when a user input340-2is identified in the partial region340-1of the first window, an extended first window320-2may be displayed in the entire display region of the display. The extended first window320-2may be extended with reference to the left upper end. When a user input340-3for reducing the display region of the display is received in the extended first window320-2, the electronic device310may display the reduced first and second windows320-1and330-1in a re-reduced display region of the display. Alternatively, the electronic device310may display only the reduced first windows320-1in the re-reduced display region of the display. Alternatively, in the electronic device310, an application corresponding to a window, which is not displayed in the display region of the display, may be terminated without any additional user input (not shown). For example, when the extended first window320-2is displayed the display region of the display, the second window330-1may be closed. That is, an application displayed in the second window330-1may be terminated.

Referring toFIG.3B, when a user input350-2is identified in the partial region350-1of the second window, an extended second window330-2may be displayed in the entire display region of the display. The extended second window330-2may be extended with reference to the left lower end. When a user input350-3for reducing the display region of the display is received in the extended second window330-2, the electronic device310may display the reduced first and second windows320-1and330-1in a re-reduced display region of the display. Alternatively, the electronic device310may display only the reduced second windows330-1in the re-reduced display region of the display (not shown). Alternatively, in the electronic device310, a window, which is not displayed in the display region of the display, may be closed. The display region of the display may be updated after the display is completely extended or reduced. The display region of the display may be updated in real time/at regular time intervals while the display is extended or reduced. The display region of the display may be updated in units of a certain size of a region extended or reduced while the display230is extended or reduced.

Referring toFIG.3C, when a user input370-2is identified in a partial region370-1of the window boundary region360, a third window380may be displayed in at least a portion of the display region of the display. The third window380may be a predetermined window. For example, the third window380may be a home screen. Alternatively, the third window380may be a screen on which a specific application is executed. For example, a user may set a messenger application as a specific application in order to respond to the case in which favorite applications are not displayed in the first window320-1or the second window330-1. When it is determined that the user input370-2is positioned in the partial region370-1of the window boundary region, the third window380, in which a messenger application has been executed, may be displayed in the extended display region of the display rather than in the first window320-1and the second window330-1. When a user input370-3for reducing the display region of the display is received in the displayed third window380, the electronic device310may display the first window320-1and the second window330-1in a re-reduced display region of the display. Alternatively, the electronic device310may display only the third window in the re-reduced display region of the display. Alternatively, in the electronic device310, a window, which is not displayed in the display region of the display, may also be closed.

FIGS.4A and4Billustrate an example of displaying a multi-window in an extended display region of a display in an electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

According to various embodiments, a multi-window may be displayed in the electronic device310(e.g., the electronic device210inFIG.2A). Referring toFIGS.4A and4B, the first window320-1and the second window330-1may be displayed in the electronic device310. In the state in which the multi-window is displayed, the electronic device310may receive a notification message410, and the notification message410may be displayed at the edge region of the electronic device310. When an input420for extending the display region of a display is received at a position at which the notification message410is displayed, the display region of the display may be extended, and an application related to the notification message may be executed and displayed in the extended display region430of the display. For example, a user may hold the electronic device310in one hand In this state, the notification message410may be received, and displayed in the edge region of the electronic device310. The user may use a finger to touch the notification message displayed in the edge region and move the notification message in a direction in which the display region of the display is to be extended. When the user input is received, the electronic device310may extend the display region of the display, and may display a screen for the execution of an application related to the notification message in the extended display region430of the display. The user may check the received notification message immediately without performing any additional operation, and may transmit a response message. Furthermore, the user may reduce the extended display region of the display to terminate the executed application.

According to various embodiments, the display region430of the display may be updated after the display is completely extended. The display region430of the display may be updated in real time/at regular time intervals while the display is extended. The display region430of the display may be updated in units of a certain size of a region extended while the display is extended.

FIGS.5A to5Dillustrate an example of manipulating three multi-windows in an electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.5A, an electronic device510(e.g., the electronic device210inFIGS.2A and2B) may simultaneously display three windows520,530, and540in the display region of a display. The three windows520,530, and540may display execution screens of different applications. Some of the three windows520,530, and540may also display different execution screens of the same application. For example, two of the three windows may display different pages found in an execution screen of one search application.

According to various embodiments, a user may extend the display region of a display to easily extend one desired window among multiple windows which have been simultaneously displayed. The user may extend the display region of the display so as to select a desired window of the multiple windows and further display a hidden region of the window. For example, the user may select a first window520as a desired window. The user may touch a partial region522of the first window520to extend the display region of a display. The display region of a display of the electronic device510may be extended by a user input524, and, referring toFIG.5B, a first window526may be displayed in the entire extended display region of the display. The first window526may be extended with reference to the left upper end.

According to various embodiments, the user may select a second window530as a desired window. The user may touch a partial region532of the second window530to extend the display region of the display. The display region of the display of the electronic device510may be extended by a user input534, and, referring toFIG.5C, a second window536may be displayed in the entire extended display region of the display. The second window536may be extended with reference to the left center.

According to various embodiments, the user may also select a third window540as a desired window. The user may touch a partial region542of the third window540to extend the display region of the display. The display region of the display of the electronic device510may be extended by a user input544, and, referring toFIG.5D, a third window546may be displayed in the entire extended display region of the display.

According to various embodiments, when the user extends the display region of the display by touching a window boundary region of a window, a window, in which a preset application has been executed, may be displayed in the extended display region of the display.

According to various embodiments, by extending the display region of the display as necessary, the user may view information displayed in a hidden region at once, and thus may easily acquire more types of information. Alternatively, by extending the display region of the display, the user may enlarge information viewed in the size of a previous window (increase the size of pictures or characters) to display the information larger. Further, the user may conveniently favorite applications by configuring the applications to be displayed when the display region of the display is extended, thereby conveniently using the applications.

Referring toFIGS.5A to5D, a touch input has been described as an example of a user input. However, the various embodiments may also be applied to other inputs (e.g., a pressure touch input, a gesture input, etc.) through which one of multi-windows can be selected.

FIGS.6A to6Cillustrate an example of manipulating a window while a display region of a display is extended according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.6A, an electronic device610(e.g., the electronic device210inFIG.2A) may display two windows620-1and630. According toFIG.6A, a first window620-1may be displayed with aspect ratio of 4:3 for example. A user may touch a partial region640of the first window620-1to extend the display region of a display.

Referring toFIG.6B,FIG.6Bshows a first window620-2extended by a user input645. The first window620-2shown inFIG.6Bmay be extended while maintaining an aspect ratio of 4:3 like the first window620-1shown inFIG.6A. Alternatively, in the case of the first window620-2, a hidden region of the first window620-1inFIG.6Amay be further displayed. For example, a region, viewed by the movement of a scrollbar because the size of a window is small, may also be totally viewed in the extended display region of the display without the scrollbar.

Referring toFIG.6C,FIG.6Cshows an example in which the extended first window620-2is zoomed in/out according to various embodiments. A user may easily zoom in/out a window displayed in the extended display region of the display. For example, the user may touch a partial region of the extended first window620-2and swipe (655) up or down. When the user touches a partial region of the extended first window620-2and swipes (655) up, the extended first window620-2may be zoomed in (that is, may be extended). When the user touches a partial region of the extended first window620-2and swipes (655) down, the extended first window620-2may be zoomed out (that is, may be reduced). In another example, the first window620-2may include a user interface660(e.g., a figure such as a circle) capable of aiding in zooming in/out. When swiping is performed from the center of the user interface660toward the outside thereof, the first window620-2may be extended, and when swiping is performed from the outside of the user interface660toward the center thereof, the first window620-2may be reduced.

Referring toFIGS.6A to6C, a swipe input has been described as an example of a user input for extending or reducing a window. However, a hardware key of the electronic device610may be used, or another input or gesture of the user may be used.

FIG.7Aillustrates an example of reducing a display region of a display in an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG.7Billustrates an example of reducing the display region of a display in an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

According to various embodiments, in an electronic device710(e.g., the electronic device210inFIG.2A), the display region of a display may be extended, and the extended display region of the display may be reduced again. Referring toFIGS.7A and7B, a first window720, a second window730, and a third window740may be displayed in the extended display region of the display of the electronic device710. For example, a user may extend the display region of the display by touching a boundary region between the first window720and the second window730in the electronic device710in which the first window720and the second window730are displayed. When the display region of the display is extended by touching the boundary region between the first window720and the second window730, the third window740may be displayed in the extended display region of the display.

According to various embodiments, the user may reduce the display region of the display of the electronic device710without touching the display. For example, as illustrated inFIG.7A, the user may reduce the display region of the display by pressing the side surface of the electronic device710. When an input related to the reduction of the display region of the display is received without any user input, the electronic device710may return to a pre-extension state. That is, the electronic device710may display the first window720and the second window730in the reduced display region of the display.

According to various embodiments, the user may select one window, which is desired to be displayed in the display region of the display, in order to reduce the display region of the display. For example, the user may select the third window740, and, as illustrated inFIG.7B, may touch the third window740and input a gesture related to reduction of the display region of the display. In this case, only the third window740may be displayed in the reduced display region of the display of the electronic device710. The gesture related to reduction of the display region of the display may be an operation of swiping on the display or pressing a specific button (e.g., a soft key or a hardware key).

According to various embodiments, the third window740may be displayed again when the display region of the display is extended. Alternatively, the third window740may be closed when the display region of the display is reduced.

According to various embodiments, the user may intuitionally and easily display a desired window in the display region of the display when reducing the display region of the display.

FIG.8Aillustrates an electronic device having a housing, both sides of which are capable of being reduced or extended, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG.8Billustrates an electronic device having a housing, both sides of which are capable of being reduced or extended, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG.8Cillustrates an electronic device having a housing, both sides of which are capable of being reduced or extended, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

According to various embodiments, in the electronic device210illustrated inFIG.2A, one side of a housing may be extended or reduced, and, in an electronic device810(e.g., the electronic device101inFIG.1) illustrated inFIGS.8A to8C, both sides of a housing may be extended or reduced, and thus the display region of a display820may be extended or reduced. The display820may be a flexible display.

Referring toFIG.8A,FIG.8Ais a perspective view of the electronic device810and illustrates only a portion of the display region of the display, which is not extended. Referring toFIG.8B, it is a perspective of the electronic device810and illustrates only a portion of the extended display region of the display. In the electronic device810, the state in which the housing is not extended for ease of portability as illustratedFIG.8Amay be a default state. If necessary, the user may extend only of one side of the housing of the electronic device810, and furthermore, may also extend the housing at both sides thereof. According to various embodiments, the order of extending or reducing the housing of the electronic device810is not limited. When the housing of the electronic device810is extended or reduced, the display region of the display may also be extended or reduced.

According to various embodiments, as illustrated inFIG.8A, a window may be displayed in a first region830by extension of one side of the display region of the display of the electronic device810, and a window may also be displayed in a second region840by extension of another side of the display region of the display. Like the electronic device210inFIG.2A, the electronic device810inFIG.8Amay include at least one of a multi-bar hinge (e.g., the multi-bar hinge240inFIG.2C), a rolling bar (e.g., the rolling bar250inFIG.2C), and a motor (e.g., the motor260inFIG.2C).

Referring toFIG.8C,FIG.8Cillustrates one side surface of the electronic device810according to various embodiments. The display of the electronic device810may include: a region (e.g., display820) shown in a default state, a first region830shown by extension one side of the display region of the display; and a second region840shown by extension of another side of the display region of the display. As described with reference toFIG.2, the first region830and the second region840of the display region of the display may be shown or hidden by the user's force or operation of the motor.

FIGS.9A to9Cillustrate an example of manipulating a multi-window by extending a display region of a display in an electronic device, a housing of which can be extended and reduced at both sides thereof, according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.9A,FIG.9Ashows the state in which one side of the display region of a display of an electronic device910(e.g., the electronic device310inFIG.3A) is extended. A first window920and a second window930before being extended may be displayed in the display region of the display of the electronic device910. When a user inputs a gesture945for extending the display region of the display by touching a boundary region between the first window920and the second window930, a third window940may be further displayed in the extended display region of the display.

According to various embodiments, each ofFIGS.9B and9Cshow an example in which another side of the display region of the display of the electronic device910is extended. For example, referring toFIG.9B, the user may touch a boundary region between the first window920and the second window930to input a gesture950for extending the display region of the display. When the user inputs the gesture950for extending the display region of the display by touching a boundary region between the first window920and the second window930, a fourth window955may be displayed in the extended display region of the display. The first to fourth windows920,930,940, and955may be displayed together in the display region of the display of the electronic device910.

According to various embodiments, referring toFIG.9C, the user may touch the second window930to input a gesture960for extending the display region of the display. When the user inputs the gesture960for extending the display region of the display by touching the second window930, a second window965may be displayed in the extended display region of the display. The third window940, in addition to the second window965, may be displayed together in the display region of the display of the electronic device910. Referring toFIG.9C, the second window965is displayed in a larger size than the third window940, but this may be changed by the configuration. For example, when the user configures windows to be displayed in the same size, the second window965and the third window940may be displayed in the same size.

According to various embodiments, the user's gesture of extending one side of the display region of the display may be the same as the user's gesture of extending another side of the display region of the display, differing only in the direction. Alternatively, completely different gestures may be used. The user's gesture may be, for example, the user's touch input using a hand or a tool (e.g., a pen) or an input using a hand holding the electronic device910, but is not limited thereto.

FIGS.10A to10Cillustrate an example of manipulating a multi-window by reducing both extended sides of a display region of a display of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.10A,FIG.10Ashows an example of reducing both sides of a display of an electronic device1010in the state in which the display region of the display is extended at both sides thereof as shown inFIG.9C. A first window1020, a second window1030, a third window1055, and a fourth window1040may be displayed in the display region of the display, which is extended at both sides thereof. When a user inputs a gesture1050in a region corresponding to a boundary region between the first window1020and the second window1030in the third window1055in order to reduce one side of the display region of the display, the third window1055may not be displayed or may be closed, referring toFIG.10B. Subsequently, when the user inputs a gesture1045in a region corresponding to a boundary region between the first window1020and the second window1030in the fourth window1040, the fourth window1040may not be displayed or may be closed, referring toFIG.10C.

According to various embodiments, the user may reduce both sides of the display region of the display at once. For example, the user may push both sides of a housing of the electronic device1010to reduce both sides of the display region of the display at once. When both sides of the display region of the display are reduced at once, only the first window1020and the second window1030may be displayed in the display region of the display.

FIGS.11A and11Billustrate an example of manipulating a multi-window by reducing one of both extended sides of a display region of a display of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.11A,FIG.11Ashows an example of reducing one side of the display region of a display of an electronic device1110in the state in which the display region of the display is extended at both sides thereof as shown inFIG.9C. A second window1120-1and a third window1130may be displayed in the display region of the display, which is extended at both sides thereof. When a user inputs a gesture1125in order to reduce one side of the display region of the display, a window in which the user's gesture1125is input may be reduced and displayed at one side of the display region of the display, referring toFIG.11B. A second window1120-2and the third window1130may be displayed in the display region of the display, which is reduced at one side thereof.

FIG.12is a flowchart of manipulation of a multi-window in an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.12, in operation1210, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device310inFIG.3A) may display a multi-window in the display region of a display. The number of multi-windows is not limited. Multi-windows may be displayed in the same size or in different sizes. In a multi-window, different applications may be executed and the execution screens of the applications may be displayed, and different execution screens of the same application may be displayed.

In operation1220, according to various embodiments, the electronic device310may identify the position of a user input. For example, the position of the user input may be the position of a hand (e.g., a finger) holding the electronic device310. In another example, the position of the user input may be the input position of a user's finger or tool (e.g., a stylus pen) touching the display of the electronic device310.

In operation1230, according to various embodiments, the electronic device310may receive an input related to the size change of the display region of the display. The input related to the size change of the display region of the display may be an input related to extension or reduction of a housing. The input related to the size change of the display region of the display may be an input for moving at least a portion of a housing of an electronic device to extend or reduce the housing.

According to various embodiments, the input related to the size change of the display region of the display may be an input through a user's gesture. For example, the electronic device310may recognize the user's gesture of swiping toward one side of the housing as an input related to the size change of the display region of the display. Alternatively, when the user presses a hardware key (e.g., a side key) or a soft key, the electronic device310may recognize the pressing as an input related to the size change of the display region of the display. According to various embodiments, the user may preset a particular gesture (e.g., an operation of extending or reducing using multiple fingers) as an input related to the size change of the display region of the display.

In operation1240, the electronic device310may change the size of the display region of the display, and may display a window corresponding to the identified position of a user input in the display region of the display. According to various embodiments, the electronic device310may extend or reduce the display region of the display on the basis of the input related to the size change of the display region of the display. Further, the electronic device310may display the window corresponding to the identified position of a user input in the extended or reduced display region of the display. For example, when the identified user input is positioned in a predetermined window among multi-windows, the window in which the user input is positioned may be extended or reduced. The extended or reduced window may be displayed in all or a portion of the extended or reduced display region of the display. In another example, when the identified user input is positioned in a multi-window boundary region, a new window may be displayed in the extended display region of the display.

According to various embodiments, the size of the display region of the display may be changed in an automatic, semiautomatic, or manual manner For example, the display region of the display of the electronic device310may be manually extended or reduced by the user's force. The display region of the display may be extended or reduced by the housing of the electronic device310. The electronic device310may detect the strength of the user's force, and may manually extend or reduce the display region of the display when the detected strength of the user's force is equal to or smaller than a predetermined strength, and may automatically extend or reduce the display region of the display by using a motor when the detected strength of the user's force is equal to or larger than the predetermined strength. Alternatively, the display region of the display of the electronic device310may be automatically extended or reduced by a particular key (e.g., a hard key or a software key).

According to various embodiments, the display region of the display may be updated after the display is completely extended or reduced. The display region of the display may be updated in real time/at regular time intervals while the display is extended or reduced. The display region of the display may be updated in units of a certain size of a region extended or reduced while the display is extended or reduced.

Referring toFIG.12, an example in which one side of the display region of the display of the electronic device310is extended or reduced has been described. However, as illustrated inFIG.9AtoFIG.9C, another side of the display region of the display of the electronic device310may also be extended or reduced.

An electronic device according to various embodiments may include a display and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to: display a multi-window in a display region of the display; identify a position of a user input; receive an input related to a size change of the display region of the display; and change a size of the display region of the display and display a window corresponding to the identified position of the user input in the display region of the display.

In the electronic device according to various embodiments, the input related to the size change of the display region of the display may be an input for increasing the size of the display region of the display.

The processor of the electronic device according to various embodiments may identify a window corresponding to the position of the user input in the multi-window.

The processor of the electronic device according to various embodiments may display the identified window in an extended display region of the display.

In the electronic device according to various embodiments, in the window displayed in the extended display region of the display, a pre-extension window may be extended and displayed, or a hidden region of the pre-extension window may be further displayed.

The processor of the electronic device according to various embodiments may determine that the position of the user input is a boundary of the multi-window.

The processor of the electronic device according to various embodiments may display a predetermined window in the display region of the display.

In the electronic device according to various embodiments, the predetermined window may be a window in which one of a home screen and a screen having a particular application executed thereon is displayed.

In the electronic device according to various embodiments, the input related to the size change of the display region of the display may be an input for reducing the size of the display region of the display.

The processor of the electronic device according to various embodiments may identify a window corresponding to the position of the user input in the multi-window.

The processor of the electronic device according to various embodiments may display the identified window in a reduced display region of the display.

The processor of the electronic device according to various embodiments may determine that the user input is positioned outside the display region of the display.

The processor of the electronic device according to various embodiments may display, in the reduced display region of the display, a multi-window displayed in a pre-extension display region of the display.

An operation method of an electronic device according to various embodiments may include: identifying a position of a user input; receiving an input related to a size change of a display region of a display; and changing a size of the display region of the display and displaying a window corresponding to the identified position of the user input in the display region of the display.

In the operation method of the electronic device according to various embodiments, the input related to the size change of the display region of the display may be an input for increasing a size of the display region of the display.

In the operation method of the electronic device according to various embodiments, the identifying of the position of the user input may be identifying a window corresponding to the position of the user input in the multi-window.

In the operation method of the electronic device according to various embodiments, the displaying of the window corresponding to the identified position of the user input in the display region of the display may be displaying the identified window in an extended display region of the display.

In the operation method of the electronic device according to various embodiments, the displaying of the identified window in the extended display region of the display may be extending and displaying a pre-extension window in the extended display region of the display or further displaying a hidden region of the pre-extension window in the extended display region of the display.

In the operation method of the electronic device according to various embodiments, the identifying of the position of the user input may be identifying that the position of the user input is a boundary of the multi-window.

In the operation method of the electronic device according to various embodiments, the displaying of the window corresponding to the identified position of the user input in the display region of the display may be displaying a predetermined window in the display region of the display.

In the operation method of the electronic device according to various embodiments, the receiving of the input related to the size change of the display region of the display comprises swiping on a user interface graphic element displayed in the window.

In the operation method of the electronic device according to various embodiments, increasing the size of the display region of the display comprises extending one of a second housing or a slideable plate to support the increased size of the display region of the display.

In the operation method of the electronic device according to various embodiments, extending one of a second housing or a slideable plate is performed by at least one of manual operation by a user and automatic operation by an internal driving mechanism.

Various other embodiments are possible.