Electronic device for determining external electronic device having generated EM signal

An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a housing, a touch screen display exposed through a portion of the housing, at least one wireless communication circuit, an electromagnetic (EM) sensing circuit configured to sense an EM signal having a frequency band of 1 MHz or less, a processor operatively connected to the display, the wireless communication circuit, and the EM sensing circuit, and a memory configured to store at least one reference EM profile and information about at least one external access point and operatively connected to the processor, wherein the memory may store instructions that cause, when executed, the processor to obtain an EM signal from an external electronic device via the EM sensing circuit, identify a reference EM profile corresponding to the obtained EM signal based on the at least one reference EM profile, determine a location of the electronic device at least partially based on information about an external access point connected to the electronic device via the at least one wireless communication circuit, identify the external electronic device at least partially based on the identified reference EM profile, and display a graphic user interface (GUI) on the touch screen display at least partially based on information about the identified external electronic device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a technique of determining an external electronic device emitting an EM signal.

BACKGROUND ART

Electronic devices may emit a unique electromagnetic (EM) signal. For example, components included in an electronic device may emit a unique EM signal when operating. It may be possible to use an EM signal to identify an electronic device emitting the EM signal. For example, it may be possible to use the EM signal to classify products belonging to the same product group manufactured by the same manufacturer by model.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Technical Problem

An electronic device may recognize the type of a device by distinguishing an EM signal. However, since an electronic device may recognize only the type of an external electronic device, the electronic device may not distinguish a target device among a plurality of electronic devices of the same type. It is necessary for an electronic device to distinguish a target device in order to provide, to a user, a service involving interoperation between devices, such as information sharing, device control, or the like.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an electronic device and method for determining an external electronic device emitting an EM signal in an environment in which external electronic devices of the same type are arranged.

Technical Solution

An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a housing, a touch screen display exposed through a portion of the housing, at least one wireless communication circuit, an electromagnetic (EM) sensing circuit configured to sense an EM signal having a frequency band of 1 MHz or less, a processor operatively connected to the display, the wireless communication circuit, and the EM sensing circuit, and a memory configured to store at least one reference EM profile and information about at least one external access point and operatively connected to the processor, wherein the memory may store instructions that cause, when executed, the processor to obtain an EM signal from an external electronic device via the EM sensing circuit, identify a reference EM profile corresponding to the obtained EM signal based on at least one reference EM profile, determine a location of the electronic device at least partially based on information about an external access point connected to the electronic device via the at least one wireless communication circuit, identify the external electronic device at least partially based on the identified reference EM profile, and display a graphic user interface (GUI) on the touch screen display at least partially based on information about the identified external electronic device.

Furthermore, an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a touch screen display, a wireless communication circuit, an electromagnetic (EM) sensing circuit, which receives an EM signal, at least one processor operatively connected to the touch screen display, the wireless communication circuit, and the EM sensing circuit, and a memory configured to store at least one reference EM profile and operatively connected to the at least one processor, wherein the memory may store instructions that cause, when executed, the processor to obtain an EM signal from an external electronic device via the EM sensing circuit, identify a reference EM profile corresponding to the obtained EM signal based on the at least one reference EM profile, transmit the identified reference EM profile and a request signal for searching for the external electronic device to an external server via the wireless communication circuit, receive information about the external electronic device that satisfies a pre-specified condition from the external server via the wireless communication circuit based on the reference EM profile, and display an object indicating the external electronic device on the touch screen display based on the received information.

A storage medium which stores computer-readable instructions according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may cause, when the instructions are executed by a processor of an electronic device, the electronic device to perform an operation of executing an application, an operation of obtaining an EM signal via an EM sensing circuit, an operation of transmitting first information about the obtained EM signal to a first external server, an operation of receiving second information about the type of an external electronic device corresponding to the EM signal from a first external server, an operation of transmitting the received second information and context information about a current situation of the electronic device to a second external server, and an operation of receiving, from the second external server, third information about an external electronic device that satisfies a pre-specified condition among a plurality of external electronic devices based on the second information and the context information, and displaying an object indicating the external electronic device on a touch screen display of the electronic device based on the third information.

Advantageous Effects

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, when a plurality of external electronic devices of the same type are present, an electronic device may determine an external electronic device emitting an EM signal.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic device may easily establish a wireless connection between the electronic device and an external electronic device to be controlled by a user.

Besides, various effects may be provided that are directly or indirectly identified through the present disclosure.

With respect to the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference signs may be used for the same or similar elements.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to specific embodiments, but rather includes various modifications, equivalents and/or alternatives of various embodiments of the present disclosure.

The processor120may execute, for example, software (e.g., a program140) to control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of the electronic device101coupled with the processor120, and may perform various data processing or computation. According to an embodiment, the processor120may load a command or data received from another component (e.g., the sensor module176or the communication module190) in a volatile memory132as at least portion of the data processing or computation, may process the command or the data stored in the volatile memory132, and may store resulting data in a non-volatile memory134. According to an embodiment, the processor120may include a main processor121(e.g., a central processing unit or an application processor), and an auxiliary processor123(e.g., a graphics processing unit, an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor) that is operable independently of or in conjunction with the main processor121. Additionally or alternatively, the auxiliary processor123may be configured to consume less power than the main processor121, or to be specific to a specified function. The auxiliary processor123may be implemented separately from or as a portion of the main processor121.

According to an embodiment, the memory130may store at least one reference EM profile and information about at least one external access point.

According to an embodiment, the reference EM profile may include information about an external electronic device and an EM signal corresponding to the external electronic device. For example, the reference EM profile may be associated with product identification of the external electronic device. According to various embodiments, the reference EM profile may be data that may be differentiated according to a characteristic (e.g., the type of a component, or arrangement of a component) of an electronic device.

According to an embodiment, the information about an access point may include at least one of a device name, a MAC address, or location information of the access point.

According to an embodiment, the memory130may include information about a plurality of external electronic devices. The information about a plurality of external electronic devices may include, for example, a location, model name, manufacturer, or manufacturing date of an external electronic device. According to an embodiment, this information may include information about an access point to which the plurality of external electronic devices are connected.

According to an embodiment, the memory130may store information about a user account related to an electronic device.

The program140may be stored in the memory130as software, and may include, for example, an operating system142, middleware144, or an application146.

The sound output device155may output sound signals to the outside of the electronic device101. The sound output device155may include, for example, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker may be used for general purposes, such as playing multimedia or playing record, and the receiver may be used for an incoming calls. According to an embodiment, the receiver may be implemented separately from or as a portion of the speaker.

The power management module188may manage power supplied to the electronic device101. According to an embodiment, the power management module188may be implemented as at least a portion of, for example, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

The antenna module197may transmit or receive a signal or power to or from the outside (e.g., the external electronic device). According to an embodiment, the antenna module197may include one or more antennas, and, in such a case, at least one antenna appropriate for a communication scheme used in the communication network, such as the first network198or the second network199, may be selected, for example, by the communication module190. The signal or the power may be transmitted or received between the communication module190and the external electronic device via the selected at least one antenna.

According to an embodiment, commands or data may be transmitted or received between the electronic device101and the external electronic device104via the server108coupled with the second network199. Each of the electronic devices102and104may be a device of the same type as or a different type from the electronic device101. According to an embodiment, all or some of operations to be executed by the electronic device101may be executed by one or more of the external electronic devices102,104, or108. For example, if the electronic device101should perform a function or a service automatically, or in response to a request from a user or another device, the electronic device101, instead of, or in addition to, executing the function or the service, may request the one or more external electronic devices to perform at least a portion of the function or the service. The one or more external electronic devices receiving the request may perform the at least a portion of the function or the service requested, or an additional function or an additional service related to the request, and may transfer an outcome of the performing to the electronic device101. The electronic device101may provide the outcome, with or without further processing of the outcome, as at least a portion of a response to the request. To this end, for example, a cloud computing, distributed computing, or client-server computing technology may be used

FIG. 2Ais a block diagram illustrating an electronic device101according to an embodiment.FIG. 2Bis a block diagram illustrating an electronic device101according to another embodiment.

The electronic device101according to an embodiment may include an input device150, a display160, a communication circuit190, a processor120, and an EM sensing circuit200.

The input device150may obtain various types of input performed by a user. The input device150may receive, from the outside of the electronic device101, a command or data to be input to the electronic device101. A user input may include at least one of a touch input, a drag input, or a voice input.

The display160may display, as an image or text, information about a user input obtained from the input device150. For example, the display160may display contents of an obtained voice input as text. When the electronic device101performs an operation corresponding to an obtained user input, the display160may display an image showing an execution operation of the electronic device101.

According to an embodiment, the display160may be integrated with a touch panel that is the input device150so as to form a touch screen display.

The communication circuit190may transmit, via a network199, information stored in the electronic device101to the server108(e.g., an EM server205or a cloud server206). The communication circuit190may transmit unique information of the electronic device101to the server. For example, the communication circuit190may transmit information about a user account of the electronic device101to the server. Furthermore, the communication circuit190may transmit information generated by the electronic device101to the server. For example, when the user has launched and used a mobile game application, the communication circuit190may transmit, to the server, information finally stored after the use of the mobile game application. Furthermore, the communication circuit190may receive, from the server, information for implementing an operation to be performed by the electronic device101. For example, when the user launches the mobile game application again, the communication circuit190may receive, from the server, information in which up to a lastly executed portion is stored.

The processor120may be operationally connected to the display160. The processor120may provide image data so that the display160may display an image. The processor120may be operationally connected to the input device150. The processor120may analyze a user input obtained from the input device150, and may perform a preparation task for implementing an operation according to contents of the input. The processor120may be operationally connected to the communication circuit190. The processor120may configure the type and contents of information transmitted/received by the communication circuit190.

The EM sensing circuit200may receive an electromagnetic (EM) signal of at least one external electronic device201and202.

According to an embodiment, the EM sensing circuit200may sense an EM signal having a frequency band of 1 MHz or less.

The EM sensing circuit200may generate first information based on the EM signal. The first information may include information about a waveform of the EM signal and information about the type of the at least one external electronic device201and202that has emitted the EM signal. The EM sensing circuit200may receive a first EM signal EM1from a first external electronic device201, and may generate first information about the first EM signal EM1using an amplitude and phase of a waveform of the first EM signal EM1. The EM sensing circuit200may provide the first information about the first EM signal EM1to the processor120. The EM sensing circuit200may receive a second EM signal EM2from a second external electronic device202, and may generate the first information about the second EM signal EM2using an amplitude and phase of a waveform of the second EM signal EM2. The EM sensing circuit200may provide the first information about the second EM signal EM2to the processor120.

The EM sensing circuit200may be operationally connected to the processor120. The EM sensing circuit200may generate the first information about a plurality of EM signals EM1and EM2sensed in response to a control by the processor120.

According to an embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 2A, the electronic device101may store information related to the external electronic devices201and202in the EM sensing circuit200or the memory130. The electronic device101may analyze the first information based on the information related to the external electronic devices201and202. The processor120of the electronic device101may include an analysis unit (not shown) (or an analysis module) for analyzing the first information.

According to another embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 2B, the electronic device101may transmit the first information generated by the EM sensing circuit200to the EM server205having information related to the external electronic devices201and202. The electronic device101may send the first information itself to the EM server205. The EM server205may receive the first information. The EM server205may analyze the first information based on the information related to the external electronic devices201and202. The EM server205may transmit a result of analyzing the first information. The electronic device101may receive the result of analyzing the first information from the EM server205via the communication circuit190.

According to an embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 2A, the electronic device101may obtain the information related to the external electronic devices201and202and included in the first information by analyzing the first information. According to another embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 2B, the electronic device101may receive, from the EM server205, the information related to the external electronic devices201and202and included in the first information. For example, the first information may include information about the type and model name of the external electronic devices201to202. The electronic device101may send the information about the type and model name included in the first information to the EM server205, and may receive the result of analyzing the first information from the EM server205. For another example, the first information may include information about an operation state of the external electronic devices201and202and about whether the external electronic devices201and202are able to execute a command.

The EM sensing circuit200may receive, from the processor120, a control signal for controlling to transmit the first information to the EM server205via the communication circuit190. The processor120may transmit, to the EM server205, the first information generated by the EM sensing circuit200via the communication circuit190.

According to an embodiment, the EM server205may include information about a plurality of EM signals. The EM server205may compare information about an EM signal included in the first information with pre-stored information about a plurality of EM signals. The EM server205may analyze which external electronic device the EM signal included in the first information has been output from. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the EM server205may be referred to as a first server.

According to an embodiment, the EM server205may use the EM signal included in the first information to generate second information about the type of an external electronic device that has emitted the EM signal. According to an embodiment, the second information may include at least one of a model name, a manufacturer, or a manufacturing date of an external electronic device. According to an embodiment, the EM server205may use the EM signal included in the first information to determine that the type of an external electronic device is a 65-inch TV. The EM server205may transmit the generated second information to the electronic device.

The cloud server206may store information about a plurality of external electronic devices. The information about a plurality of external electronic devices may include, for example, a location, model name, manufacturer, or manufacturing date of an external electronic device. According to an embodiment, this information may include information about an access point to which the plurality of external electronic devices are connected.

The cloud server206may be, for example, a purchase server, an Internet of things (IoT) device control server, or a payment server. According to various embodiments, the cloud server206may be integrated into a single server together with the EM server205.

According to an embodiment, the cloud server206may receive, from the electronic device101, the second information and context information related to a current situation of the electronic device101. Based on the second information and the context information, the cloud server206may select an external electronic device that satisfies a pre-specified condition from among the plurality of external electronic devices.

According to an embodiment, the cloud server206may request sensing information from the plurality of external electronic devices. The cloud server206may select one external electronic device from among the plurality of external electronic devices based on the second information and information about sensing signals received from the plurality of external electronic devices.

According to an embodiment, the cloud server206may include a database for each user account. According to an embodiment, the database may include at least portion of location information, a request device profile, a response device profile, or operation information.

According to an embodiment, the cloud server206may transmit, to a request device (e.g., the electronic device101), operation information corresponding to the response device profile (profile of a selected external electronic device), the request device profile (e.g., profile of the electronic device101), and the location information of the database.

The electronic device101according to an embodiment and the plurality of external electronic devices may be registered with the same user account in the cloud server206. The user account of the electronic device101may be registered in the cloud server206when the user begins to use the electronic device101. For example, when the user beings to use the electronic device101for the first time, the user account of the electronic device101may be generated using an email or registration identification according to a pre-configured system program. Thereafter, while using the electronic device101, the user may register a first external device with the same user account as the user account registered in the cloud server206. Alternatively, when beginning to use an external electronic device, the user may use the same user account as the user account of the electronic device101.

For example, when using the electronic device101, a search for external electronic devices such as TV, notebook computer, lighting, heating apparatus, refrigerator, or smart home appliance may be performed using a short-range communication scheme such as Bluetooth or near field communication (NFC), and found external electronic devices may be set as external electronic devices. Furthermore, target devices found and set as external electronic devices may be added to the user account. Alternatively, when setting the user account to use an external electronic device, the same user account as the user account registered in the electronic device101may be used.

According to an embodiment, upon receiving the second information from the electronic device101, the cloud server206may select one external electronic device from among a plurality of external electronic devices registered with the same user account as the user account of the electronic device101.

FIG. 3Ais a conceptual diagram illustrating that external electronic devices201,202,203, and204are identified using an EM signal according to an embodiment.FIG. 3Bis an exemplary block diagram illustrating machine learning310according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 3A, a plurality of external electronic devices201,202,203, and204may be arranged around the electronic device101. For example, a TV201, a refrigerator202, a Bluetooth speaker203, and a printer204may be arranged around the electronic device101. According to an embodiment, the plurality of external electronic devices201,202,203, and204may include various electronic components therein. The plurality of external electronic devices201,202,203, and204may emit various electromagnetic (EM) signals by virtue of electromagnetic interference (EMI) generated from internal electronic components. The EM signals may include a plurality of unique signals f1, f2, f3, and f4within a set frequency range. The electronic device101may obtain EM signals of a specific frequency band among EM signals. For example, EM signals having a specific frequency within a frequency band of 1 MHz or less may be obtained through the EM sensing circuit200.

According to an embodiment, when the electronic device101approaches one of the plurality of external electronic devices201,202,203, and204, the electronic device101may detect a unique signal caused by the above-mentioned electromagnetic interference through a sensing module (e.g., the EM sensing circuit200ofFIGS. 2A and 2B) and a receiving module (e.g., the antenna410ofFIG. 4). The electronic device101may transmit first information so that the EM server205may perform the marching learning310. The electronic device101may determine and output an external electronic device320based on second information calculated through a process of the machine learning310. According to an embodiment, information about an external electronic device may be displayed through a display (e.g., the display160ofFIGS. 2A and 2B) of the electronic device101. However, an embodiment is not limited thereto, and the information about an external electronic device may be output acoustically.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may include a memory (e.g., the memory130ofFIG. 1), which stores a waveform table including a plurality of unique signals corresponding to the plurality of external electronic devices201,202,203, and204. According to an embodiment, in the case where the electronic device101includes the memory, which stores the waveform table including the plurality of unique signals corresponding to the plurality of external electronic devices201,202,203, and204, the processor120of the electronic device101may determine an external electronic device by comparing an EM signal obtained from the external electronic device with the unique signals included in the waveform table.

In another embodiment, after a function associated with EM sensing is activated, when the electronic device101comes close to any one among the plurality of electronic devices201,202,203, and204, the electronic device101may obtain the EM signal emitted from the external electronic device. The obtained EM signal may be analyzed by a classifier stored in the electronic device, or may be transmitted to a server (e.g., the EM server205) which performs an EM signal analysis operation.

According to an embodiment, the classifier may perform an operation of distinguishing a model name of an external electronic device. The operation of distinguishing the model name of an external electronic device may be performed by a separate server (e.g., the cloud server206), and the separate server may transmit learning data to the electronic device101after learning the distinguishing operation. The electronic device101may store the received learning data. Furthermore, the classifier may be continuously updated in order to improve recognition accuracy or add a target device. The learning algorithm may be a machine learning algorithm including at least one of deep learning, Gaussian mixture model (GMM), support vector machine (SVM), or random forest. According to various embodiments, the classifier for an EM signal may be differently implemented according to a machine learning algorithm.

For example, in the case where a GMM scheme is applied, the classifier may operate as illustrated inFIG. 3B. The electronic device101or the EM server205that has received the EM signal may have distinguishing models for each of a plurality of external electronic devices to which the machine learning310is applicable. The electronic device101or the EM server205may apply the EM signal to each of the distinguishing models to calculate a fitness level corresponding to each external electronic device. The electronic device101or the EM server205may distinguish the model name of an external electronic device using the fitness level. The electronic device101or the EM server205may have a frequency table in which various distinguishing models are applied while applying various machine learning algorithms.

For another example, the electronic device101or the EM server205may use a deep learning-based distinguishing model such as deep neural networks (DNNs) or convolutional neural networks (CNNs). In this case, unlike the case of using Gaussian mixture model-universal background model (GMM-UBM), the fitness levels of all of N number of devices may be calculated at one time.

According to another embodiment, the waveform table may be stored in the EM server205capable of communicating with the electronic device101via a network. For example, the processor120of the electronic device101may transmit the first information including the EM signal to the EM server205. The EM server205may determine an external electronic device that has emitted the EM signal by comparing the EM signal included in the first information with the plurality of unique signals stored in the waveform table of the EM server205. The EM server205may transmit information for identifying the determined external electronic device to the electronic device101.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may execute a specific application based on identification information about a target device. For example, when the target device is identified as a TV, the electronic device101may automatically execute an application related to a remote controller capable of controlling the TV, and, simultaneously, may automatically connect to the TV. The electronic device101may be made stand by in a state of being capable of controlling the target device only by bringing the electronic device101close to the target device, thus improving convenience of the user.

FIG. 4is a block diagram illustrating components of the electronic device101for performing EM sensing according to an embodiment.

The electronic device101may include an antenna410for detecting an EM signal emitted from a plurality of external electronic devices (e.g., the external electronic devices201and202ofFIGS. 2A and 2B), the EM sensing circuit200for analyzing the detected EM signal, and the processor120. According to an embodiment, the processor120of the electronic device101may identify a target device using detection information provided from the EM sensing circuit200.

According to an embodiment, the EM sensing circuit200may include a trans-impedance amplifier (TIA)210, a band pass filter (BPF)220, a variable gain amplifier (VGA)230, an analog-digital converter (ADC)240, and a microcontroller unit (MCU)250.

The antenna410may have a receiving bandwidth for receiving an EM signal. The trans-impedance amplifier210may amplify a frequency of 1 MHz or less received from the antenna410. The band pass filter220may pass a frequency component specifying a characteristic pattern in an amplified signal received from the trans-impedance amplifier210, and may filter noise that is a frequency component irrelevant to the characteristic pattern. According to an embodiment, the band pass filter220may pass a frequency component of 1 MHz or less in an EM signal, and may block a frequency component of higher than 1 MHz. According to an embodiment, the variable gain amplifier230may output a signal in a fixed level over a preset gain range in order to improve a noise characteristic of a filtered signal and an external interference signal removal characteristic. According to an embodiment, the analog-digital converter240may convert an analog signal provided from the variable gain amplifier230into a digital signal, and then may provide the digital signal to the MCU250.

According to an embodiment, the MCU250may identify an external electronic device by comparing the EM signal converted into the digital signal with the waveform table stored in the electronic device101. For example, the MCU250may compare a maximum amplitude of the EM signal and a waveform of the EM signal with a plurality of waveforms stored in the waveform table. The MCU250may provide identified information to the processor120of the electronic device101. However, an embodiment is not limited thereto, and the MCU250may directly provide received identified information to the processor120of the electronic device101. In this case, an operation of identifying a target device through waveform comparison may be performed by the processor120of the electronic device101.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may be required to minimize noise generated by itself in order to detect an optimum input signal waveform. According to an embodiment, since a signal generated by the electronic device101may be applied to the EM sensing circuit200, it may be necessary to perform a compensation for this signal application. According to an embodiment, in order to minimize an input error, the electronic device101may apply a compensation algorithm after recognizing internal noise due to a touch screen input, and may detect a distorted waveform according to a holding type when a plurality of antennas410are configured. According to various conditions of the electronic device101, such as a touch input by the user or a state in which the electronic device101is held, an EM signal sensed by the electronic device101may differ from an EM signal generated by a target device. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may compare a measured EM signal with unique electromagnetic interference detection information about the target device to continuously collect information. According to an embodiment, collected information may be used for electromagnetic interference detection correction after discovering a correlation with the electromagnetic interference detection information through big data analysis. The big data analysis may include techniques such as regression analysis and clustering or association analysis.

According to an embodiment, the processor120may control so that only EM signals which satisfy a set criterion among the EM signals generated by the external electronic device201,202,203, or204are provided to the processor120in order for the EM sensing circuit200to selectively detect an EM signal.

FIG. 5is a planar diagram illustrating an antenna of the electronic device101according to an embodiment. In the electronic device101, an antenna for sensing an EM signal without distortion may be arranged so as to conform to an edge of the electronic device101. In order to improve the efficiency of EM signal sensing, at least a portion of a housing defining a perimeter of the electronic device101may be used as an antenna.

Referring toFIG. 5, at least a portion of a housing used as an antenna of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device101ofFIGS. 2A and 2B) may be formed of a conductive member. According to an embodiment, the housing may be formed using a method in which a conductive member and a non-conductive member are double-shot injection molded. According to an embodiment, at least a portion of the housing may be arranged so as to be exposed along an edge of the electronic device.

According to an embodiment, the housing formed with a metal member may include a first side surface511having a first length, a second side surface512extending in a direction vertical to the first side surface511and having a second length, a third side surface513extending from the second side surface512in parallel with the first side surface511and having the first length, and a fourth side surface514extending from the third side surface513in parallel with the second side surface512and having the second length. According to an embodiment, the first side surface511, the second side surface512, the third side surface513, and the fourth side surface514may be integrally formed. According to an embodiment, the first length may be longer than the second length.

According to an embodiment, the second side surface512may have formed therein a unit conductive portion electrically separated by a pair of non-conductive portions5121and5122spaced a fixed distance apart. Furthermore, the fourth side surface514may also have formed therein a unit conductive portion electrically separated by a pair of non-conductive portions5141and5142spaced a fixed distance apart. According to an embodiment, at least one of a plurality of conductive portions electrically separated by the non-conductive portions5121,5122,5141, and5142may be electrically connected to feeding portions521,522,523, and524electrically connected to a wireless communication circuit (not shown) arranged on a PCB530, so as to be used as at least one antenna operating in a resonance frequency band. Antennas may be formed on the first side surface511to the fourth side surface514. For example, the second side surface512may be configured as a second antenna portion A2operating in a low band, and the fourth side surface514may be configured as a fourth antenna portion A4operating in a mid band and a high band. However, an embodiment is not limited thereto, and the first side surface511may be configured as a first antenna portion A1, and the third side surface513may be configured as a third antenna portion A3.

According to various embodiments, the EM sensing circuit200may be electrically connected to a conductive member used as any one antenna portion among the first, second, third, and fourth antenna portions A1, A2, A3, and A4. According to an embodiment, the EM sensing circuit200may be electrically connected to the fourth side surface514that is most favorable for contacting or approaching an external electronic device without being affected by user's holding. According to an embodiment, the EM sensing circuit200may be connected to the communication circuit524by a conductive line5241so as to be electrically connected to the fourth side surface514. According to an embodiment, the fourth side surface514may be interchangeably used as an antenna radiator for communication and an antenna radiator for electromagnetic interference detection. In this case, the EM sensing circuit200may detect an EM signal of an external electronic device using the fourth side surface514, and may provide information about a detected signal to the processor120of the electronic device101.

Hereinafter, it is assumed that the external electronic device201, the electronic device101, the cloud server206, and the EM server205perform the process ofFIG. 6A.

FIG. 6Ais a flowchart illustrating a method of selecting an EM-sensed external electronic device according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may execute an application for EM sensing before performing operation601. According to an embodiment, a plurality of external electronic devices may be registered in the executed application. According to an embodiment, the plurality of external electronic devices registered in the application may also be registered in the cloud server206. According to an embodiment, the user account of the external electronic devices registered in the cloud server206may be the same as the user account of the electronic device101.

In operation601, the electronic device101may activate an EM function by turning on the EM sensing circuit200. When the EM sensing function is activated, an EM signal emitted from the external electronic device201that is a target device may be obtained.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may activate the EM sensing circuit when an application is executed. For example, the EM sensing circuit may be activated when an application related to an EM sensing operation is executed.

According to various embodiments, the processor may activate the EM sensing circuit when a display is turned on, when the electronic device101is located within a pre-specified range, when a pre-specified time has arrived, or when the electronic device is connected to a pre-specified external device.

In operation603, the external electronic device201may generate an EM signal. The external electronic device201may generate the EM signal indicating a unique characteristic of the external electronic device201based on internal electronic components and an operation state. Furthermore, EM signals having different magnitudes and forms may be generated in an operation state and a stand-by state of the external electronic device201.

According to an embodiment, the external electronic device201may also generate the EM signal before operation601is performed.

In operation605, the EM sensing circuit200may obtain the EM signal emitted from the external electronic device201. The EM sensing circuit200may provide the obtained EM signal to the processor120. The processor120may generate first information at least partially including the received EM signal.

In operation607, the processor120may transmit the first information to the EM server205via the communication circuit190. For example, the first information transmitted to the EM server205may include at least a portion of the received EM signal.

In operation609, the EM server205may analyze the EM signal. The EM server205may analyze the first information including the EM signal to generate second information about the type of the external electronic device. According to an embodiment, the second information may include at least one of a model name, a manufacturer, or a manufacturing date of the external electronic device.

In operation611, the EM server205may transmit the second information to the electronic device101.

In operation613, the electronic device101may transmit the second information and context information about a current situation of the electronic device101to the cloud server206via the communication circuit190.

According to an embodiment, the context information may include at least one of information about an operation being performed by the electronic device101, information about a location of the electronic device101, or information about an external device connected to the electronic device101.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device101may select an external server to which the second information is to be transmitted from among a plurality of external servers based on the context information. The electronic device101may transmit the second information and the context information to the selected external server via a wireless communication circuit.

For example, if the processor is executing a payment application, the processor may determine the external server as a payment agency server. For another example, when the electronic device101is connected to a pre-specified access point, the processor may determine the external server as a server for controlling an IoT device.

In operation615, the cloud server206may select, based on the second information and the context information, the external electronic device201which satisfies a pre-specified condition from among a plurality of external electronic devices (e.g., the first external electronic device201or the second external electronic device202) registered in the cloud server206.

According to an embodiment, the pre-specified condition may indicate an external electronic device which is closest to the electronic device101among a plurality of external electronic devices (e.g., the first external electronic device201or the second external electronic device202) of a type according to the second information. In an embodiment, the cloud server206may include information about locations of a plurality of external electronic devices (e.g., the first external electronic device201or the second external electronic device202), and the received context information may include information about the location of the electronic device101. The cloud server206may select the external electronic device201which is located closest to the electronic device101among a plurality of external electronic devices (e.g., the first external electronic device201or the second external electronic device202).

According to an embodiment, since the electronic device101obtains the EM signal of the external electronic device201that is close to the electronic device101, the external electronic device201that has emitted the EM signal may be one which is closest to the electronic device101among a plurality of external electronic devices (e.g., the first external electronic device201or the second external electronic device202).

According to an embodiment, the cloud server206may select the external electronic device201which is closest to the electronic device101among a plurality of external electronic devices (e.g., the first external electronic device201or the second external electronic device202) using RSSI values from an access point of a place in which the electronic device101is located to the electronic device101and the external electronic device201. Strength of an RSSI signal of wireless fidelity (WiFi) decreases as a distance increases. The cloud server206may select the external electronic device201which is closest to the electronic device101among a plurality of external electronic devices (e.g., the first external electronic device201or the second external electronic device202) using an RSSI value that is inversely proportional to a distance.

According to an embodiment, the cloud server206may select the external electronic device201which is located closest to the electronic device101among a plurality of external electronic devices (e.g., the first external electronic device201or the second external electronic device202) by receiving distance and direction information about the electronic device101and the external electronic device201from the access point and using the received distance and direction information.

An access point which uses 802.11.ad among WiFi communication standards may obtain not only distance information but also direction information about a connected device by receiving and sending a high-frequency signal. According to an embodiment, the cloud server206may select the external electronic device201by receiving the distance and direction information from the access point and using the received information.

The cloud server206may select the external electronic device201which is located closest to the electronic device101among a plurality of external electronic devices (e.g., the first external electronic device201or the second external electronic device202) using an indoor positioning technique or using information about the location of the external electronic device201registered by the user aside from the above exemplary methods.

According to various embodiments, the pre-specified condition may indicate an external electronic device which is connected to the same access point as that of the electronic device101among a plurality of external electronic devices (e.g., the first external electronic device201or the second external electronic device202) of a type according to the second information. In an embodiment, the cloud server206may include information about access points to which a plurality of external electronic devices (e.g., the first external electronic device201or the second external electronic device202) are connected, and the context information may include information about the access point to which the electronic device101is connected. The cloud server206may select the external electronic device201which is connected to the same access point as that of the electronic device101among a plurality of external electronic devices (e.g., the first external electronic device201or the second external electronic device202).

In operation617, the cloud server206may transmit third information about the selected external electronic device201to the electronic device101.

In operation619, the electronic device101may display an object indicating the selected external electronic device201on a touch screen display (e.g., the display device160) based on the received third information.

According to an embodiment, a plurality of external electronic devices (e.g., the first external electronic device201or the second external electronic device202) may be a speaker located in a living room, a speaker located in a bedroom, or a speaker located in a kitchen, and the external electronic device201selected by the cloud server206may be the speaker located in the living room. The electronic device101may display an object indicating the speaker located in the living room on the touch screen display based on the third information.

In operation621, the electronic device101may establish a wireless connection to the external electronic device201via the wireless communication circuit.

For example, the electronic device101may establish the wireless connection using Bluetooth, WiFi, or cellular communication.

According to various embodiments, operation621may be performed before any one of operations601to operation619is performed.

In operation623, the electronic device101may transmit a control command to the external electronic device201through the established wireless connection.

In an embodiment, in the case where the external electronic device201is a speaker, the electronic device101may transmit a control command for increasing a sound volume of the speaker.

According to various embodiments, the cloud server206may transmit information about the electronic device101to the external electronic device201. According to various embodiments, the cloud server206may request the external electronic device201to prepare to establish a wireless connection to the electronic device101. According to various embodiments, the cloud server206may request the external electronic device201to prepare to receive a control command from the electronic device101.

According to an embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 2A, when at least one reference EM profile, at least one external access point, and information about a plurality of external electronic devices are stored in the memory130or the EM sensing circuit200of the electronic device101, the following operations may be performed.

Hereinafter, it is assumed that the external electronic device201and the electronic device101perform the process ofFIG. 6B.

FIG. 6Bis a flowchart illustrating a method of selecting an EM-sensed external electronic device according to an embodiment.

In operation602, the electronic device101may activate an EM function by turning on the EM sensing circuit200.

In operation604, the external electronic device201may generate an EM signal.

In operation606, the EM sensing circuit200may obtain the EM signal emitted from the external electronic device201.

Operations602to operation606may correspond to above-described operation601to605. According to an embodiment, examples related to operation601to operation605may also be applied to operation602to operation606.

In operation608, the processor120of the electronic device101may identify a reference EM profile corresponding to the obtained EM signal based on at least one reference EM profile.

For example, the processor120of the electronic device101may identify the reference EM profile corresponding to the obtained EM signal among reference EM profiles stored in the memory130.

In operation610, the processor120of the electronic device101may determine a location of the electronic device101at least partially based on information about an external access point connected to the electronic device101via a wireless communication circuit.

According to an embodiment, the information about an access point may include at least one of a device name, a MAC address, or location information of the access point.

According to an embodiment, the processor120of the electronic device101may determine the location of the electronic device101based on the location information about the external access point connected to the electronic device101. For example, the processor120of the electronic device101may determine, as the location of the electronic device101, a location of the external access point corresponding to a MAC address of the external access point connected to the electronic device101.

In operation612, the electronic device101may transmit information about an external electronic device to the cloud server206via the communication circuit190.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may transmit location information about the electronic device101to the cloud server206.

In operation614, the cloud server206may select, based on the information about an external electronic device, the external electronic device201which satisfies a pre-specified condition from among a plurality of external electronic devices (e.g., the first external electronic device201or the second external electronic device202) registered in the cloud server206.

According to an embodiment, the pre-specified condition may indicate an external electronic device which is closest to the electronic device101among a plurality of external electronic devices (e.g., the first external electronic device201or the second external electronic device202) of a type according to the second information. In an embodiment, the cloud server206may include information about locations of a plurality of external electronic devices (e.g., the first external electronic device201or the second external electronic device202). The cloud server206may select the external electronic device201which is located closest to the electronic device101among a plurality of external electronic devices (e.g., the first external electronic device201or the second external electronic device202).

In operation616, the cloud server206may transmit information about the selected external electronic device201to the electronic device101.

In operation618, the processor120of the electronic device101may display a graphic user interface (GUI) on a display at least partially based on the received information about an external electronic device.

According to an embodiment, the graphic user interface may be associated with an application for generating a signal that controls an external electronic device.

According to an embodiment, the processor120of the electronic device101may establish a wireless connection to the external electronic device201via the wireless communication circuit, and may transmit a control signal to the external electronic device201using an application.

Hereinafter, it is assumed that the electronic device101ofFIGS. 1, 2A, and2B performs the process ofFIG. 7. Operations described as being performed by an electronic device may be implemented as instructions (commands) that may be performed (or executed) by the processor120of the electronic device101. The instructions may be stored in, for example, a computer recording medium or the memory130of the electronic device illustrated inFIG. 1.

FIG. 7is a flowchart illustrating a method for an electronic device to determine an EM-sensed external electronic device according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, the processor120may execute an application to sense an EM signal before performing operation701. According to an embodiment, a plurality of external electronic devices may be registered in the application.

In operation701, the processor120may obtain an EM signal via an EM sensing circuit.

According to an embodiment, operation701may correspond to operation605ofFIG. 6A.

In operation703, the processor120may transmit first information based on the obtained EM signal to a first external server (e.g., the EM server205) via the wireless communication circuit190.

According to an embodiment, operation703may correspond to operation607ofFIG. 6A.

In operation705, the processor120may receive second information about the type of an external electronic device corresponding to the EM signal from the first external server via the wireless communication circuit190.

According to an embodiment, operation705may correspond to operation611ofFIG. 6A.

In operation707, the processor120may transmit the received second information and context information about a current situation of the electronic device to a second external server (e.g., the cloud server206) via the wireless communication circuit190.

According to an embodiment, the context information may include at least one of information about an operation being performed by the processor120, information about a location of the electronic device, or information about an external device connected to the electronic device.

According to an embodiment, operation707may correspond to operation613ofFIG. 6A.

In operation709, based on the second information and the context information, the processor120may receive third information about an external electronic device that satisfies a pre-specified condition among a plurality of external electronic devices from the second external server via the wireless communication circuit190.

According to an embodiment, the pre-specified condition may indicate an external electronic device which is closest to the electronic device among a plurality of external electronic devices based on the second information.

According to various embodiments, the pre-specified condition may indicate an external electronic device which is connected to the same access point as that of the electronic device among a plurality of external electronic devices based on the second information.

According to an embodiment, operation709may correspond to operation617ofFIG. 6A.

In operation711, the processor120may display an object indicating the selected external electronic device on a touch screen display (e.g., the display device160) based on the received third information.

According to an embodiment, the processor120may display, on the touch screen display, an object (e.g., control box) for receiving an input that controls an external electronic device.

According to an embodiment, operation711may correspond to operation619ofFIG. 6A.

FIG. 8Ais a diagram illustrating a plurality of external electronic devices registered in an application of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8Billustrates a screen for notifying a selected external electronic device according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 8A, the processor120of the electronic device101may display, on the display160, objects indicating a plurality of external electronic devices811,812, and813(e.g., speaker).

In an embodiment, the processor120may perform the operations described with reference toFIGS. 6A and 7, and may receive the third information about an external electronic device satisfying the pre-specified condition. In an embodiment, the external electronic device satisfying the pre-specified condition may be a speaker811located in a living room. The processor120may highlight an object indicating the speaker811located in the living room based on the third information, as illustrated inFIG. 8A.

According to an embodiment, the processor120may display, on the display160, a message informing of connection to the speaker located in the living room, as illustrated inFIG. 8B.

According to various embodiments, the processor120may output a voice signal informing of a selected external electronic device through a speaker.

According to an embodiment, when a wireless connection is established between the electronic device and the external electronic device, the external electronic device may output a voice signal.

Hereinafter, it is assumed that the first external electronic device201, the second external electronic device202, the electronic device101, the cloud server206, and the EM server205perform the process ofFIG. 9A.

FIG. 9Ais a flowchart illustrating a method of selecting an EM-sensed external electronic device according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may execute an application for EM sensing before performing operation901. According to an embodiment, a plurality of external electronic devices (e.g., the first external electronic device201, the second external electronic device202) may be registered in the executed application. According to an embodiment, the plurality of external electronic devices registered in the application may also be registered in the cloud server206. According to an embodiment, the user account of the plurality of external electronic devices registered in the cloud server206may be the same as the user account of the electronic device101.

In operation901, the electronic device101may activate an EM function by turning on the EM sensing circuit200. When the EM sensing function is activated, an EM signal emitted from the first external electronic device201that is a target device may be obtained.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may activate the EM sensing circuit when a specified application is executed. For example, the processor120may activate the EM sensing circuit200when an application related to an EM sensing operation is executed.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may obtain information about the location of the electronic device101via the wireless communication circuit190. For example, the electronic device101may obtain information about the current location of the electronic device101via a GPS module. The electronic device101may activate the EM sensing circuit200when the location of the electronic device101falls within a pre-specified range.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may activate the EM sensing circuit200when the electronic device101is connected to a pre-specified external electronic device. For example, the electronic device101may activate the EM sensing circuit200when the electronic device101is wirelessly connected to a pre-specified access point.

According to various embodiments, the processor120may activate the EM sensing circuit200when the display160is turned on, when the electronic device101is located within a pre-specified range, when a pre-specified time has arrived, or when the electronic device is connected to a pre-specified external device.

In operation903, the first external electronic device201may generate an EM signal. The first external electronic device201may generate the EM signal indicating a unique characteristic of the first external electronic device201based on internal electronic components or an operation state. Furthermore, EM signal having different magnitudes and forms may be generated in an active operation state and in a stand-by state of the first external electronic device201.

According to an embodiment, the first external electronic device201may also generate the EM signal before operation901is performed. In operation905, the EM sensing circuit200may obtain the EM signal emitted from the first external electronic device201. The EM sensing circuit200may provide the obtained EM signal to the processor120. The processor120may generate first information based on the EM signal.

In operation907, the processor120may transmit the first information to the EM server205via the communication circuit190. For example, the first information may include at least a portion of the received EM signal.

In operation909, the EM server205may analyze the EM signal. The EM server205may analyze the first information including the EM signal to generate second information about the type of the first external electronic device201. According to an embodiment, the second information may include at least one of a model name, a manufacturer, or a manufacturing date of the first external electronic device201. For example, in operation909, the EM server205may determine that the type of the first external electronic device201is a speaker by analyzing the first information including the EM signal, and may generate second information indicating that the type of the first external electronic device201is a speaker.

In operation911, the EM server205may transmit the second information to the electronic device101. In operation913, the electronic device101may transmit the second information to the cloud server206via the communication circuit190.

In operation915, the cloud server206may request sensing information from the plurality of external electronic devices201and202.

According to an embodiment, the cloud server206may request the sensing information from the plurality of external electronic devices201and202corresponding to the type according to the second information among a plurality of registered external electronic devices. For example, when a plurality of TVs, a plurality of speakers, and a plurality of air conditioners are registered in the cloud server206, the cloud server206may request the sensing information from the plurality of speakers based on the second information.

According to various embodiments, the cloud server206may transmit a request for activating sensors of the plurality of external electronic devices201and202to the plurality of external electronic devices201and202.

In operation917, the plurality of external electronic devices201and202may obtain a sensing signal.

In operation919, the plurality of external electronic devices201and202may transmit information about the obtained sensing signal to the cloud server206.

According to an embodiment, the plurality of external electronic devices201and202may recognize a surrounding object through a camera sensor. According to an embodiment, the plurality of external electronic devices201and202may transmit, to the cloud server206, information about an image obtained through the camera sensor or an object recognized through the camera sensor.

According to an embodiment, the plurality of external electronic devices201and202may recognize a surrounding object by sensing a sound wave signal. According to an embodiment, the plurality of external electronic devices201and202may transmit information about a recognized object or a sound wave signal to the cloud server206.

According to an embodiment, the plurality of external electronic devices201and202may recognize a surrounding object using an ultra-wideband (UWB) sensor. According to an embodiment, the plurality of external electronic devices201and202may transmit information about a recognized object or an obtained signal to the cloud server206. According to an embodiment, the plurality of external electronic devices201and202may recognize a surrounding object by obtaining a radio frequency (RF) signal. According to an embodiment, the plurality of external electronic devices201and202may transmit information about a recognized object or an RF signal to the cloud server206.

According to an embodiment, the plurality of external electronic devices201and202may measure strength of an RF signal or a sound wave signal, and may transmit a measurement result to the cloud server206. For example, the cloud server206may select the first external electronic device based on the received strength of the RF signal or sound wave signal.

According to an embodiment, the plurality of external electronic devices201and202may recognize a surrounding object using an EM sensing circuit. The plurality of external electronic devices201and202may transmit an obtained EM signal to the EM server205, and may receive information about the electronic device101corresponding to the EM signal from the EM server205. According to an embodiment, the plurality of external electronic devices201and202may transmit, to the could server206, the EM signal or the information, received from the EM server205, about the electronic device101corresponding to the EM signal.

In operation921, the cloud server206may select the first external electronic device201from among the plurality of external electronic devices registered in the cloud server206based on the second information and information about the sensing signals obtained by the plurality of external electronic devices201and202.

According to an embodiment, the cloud server206may select the first external electronic device201which has obtained the electronic device101from among the plurality of external electronic devices201and202of a type according to the second information using the information about the sensing signals.

According to an embodiment, the cloud server206may select the first external electronic device201which has obtained the EM signal of the electronic device101from among the plurality of external electronic devices201and202of the type according to the second information. For example, since the first external electronic device201which is close to the electronic device101may obtain the EM signal of the electronic device101, the cloud server206may determine an external electronic device which has obtained the EM signal of the electronic device101as an external electronic device from which the electronic device101has received the EM signal.

In operation923, the cloud server206may transmit third information about the selected external electronic device201to the electronic device101.

In operation925, the electronic device101may display an object indicating the selected external electronic device201on a touch screen display based on the received third information.

For example, the first external electronic device201may be a speaker located in a living room, the second external electronic device202may be a speaker located in a bedroom, and the selected first external electronic device201may be the speaker located in the living room. The electronic device101may display an object indicating the speaker located in the living room on the touch screen display based on the third information.

In operation927, the electronic device101may establish a wireless connection to the first external electronic device201via the wireless communication circuit190.

For example, the electronic device101may establish a wireless connection to the first external electronic device201using Bluetooth, WiFi, or cellular communication.

In operation929, the electronic device101may transmit a control command to the first external electronic device201through the established wireless connection.

In an embodiment, in the case where the first external electronic device201is a speaker, the electronic device101may transmit a control command for increasing a sound volume of the speaker.

According to various embodiments, as illustrated inFIG. 2A, when at least one reference EM profile, at least one external access point, and information about a plurality of external electronic devices are stored in the memory130or the EM sensing circuit200of the electronic device101, the following operations may be performed.

Hereinafter, it is assumed that the first external electronic device201, the second external electronic device202, the electronic device101, and the cloud server206perform the process ofFIG. 9B.

FIG. 9Bis a flowchart illustrating a method of selecting an EM-sensed external electronic device according to an embodiment.

In operation902, the electronic device101may activate an EM function by turning on the EM sensing circuit200.

In operation904, the first external electronic device201may generate an EM signal.

In operation906, the EM sensing circuit200may obtain the EM signal emitted from the first external electronic device201.

Operations902to operation906may correspond to above-described operation901to905. According to an embodiment, examples related to operation901to operation905may also be applied to operation902to operation906.

In operation908, the processor120of the electronic device101may identify a reference EM profile corresponding to the obtained EM signal based on at least one reference EM profile.

For example, the processor120of the electronic device101may identify the reference EM profile corresponding to the obtained EM signal among reference EM profiles stored in the memory130.

In operation910, the processor120of the electronic device101may transmit the identified reference EM profile and an external electronic device search request signal to the cloud server206via the wireless communication circuit190.

According to an embodiment, the processor120may further transmit context information related to a current situation of the electronic device to the cloud server206via the wireless communication circuit190.

According to an embodiment, the external electronic device search request signal may include a request for activating sensors of a plurality of external electronic devices registered in the external server.

In operation912, the cloud server206may request sensing information from the plurality of external electronic devices201and202.

In operation914, the plurality of external electronic devices201and202may obtain a sensing signal.

In operation916, the plurality of external electronic devices201and202may transmit information about the obtained sensing signal to the cloud server206.

Operations912to operation916may correspond to above-described operation915to919. According to an embodiment, examples related to operation915to operation919may also be applied to operation910to operation916.

In operation918, the cloud server206may select an external electronic device from among the plurality of external electronic devices registered in the cloud server206based on the reference EM profile and information about the sensing signals obtained by the plurality of external electronic devices201and202.

According to an embodiment, when the cloud server206has received the context information related to the current situation of the electronic device101, the cloud server206may select the first external electronic device201based on the reference EM profile, the information about the sensing signals obtained by the plurality of external electronic devices201and202, and the context information.

In operation920, the cloud server206may transmit information about the selected external electronic device201to the electronic device101.

In operation922, the electronic device101may display an object indicating the selected first external electronic device201on a touch screen display based on the received information about the external electronic device201.

In operation924, the electronic device101may establish a wireless connection to the first external electronic device201via the wireless communication circuit190.

In operation926, the electronic device101may transmit a control command to the first external electronic device201through the established wireless connection.

Operations920to operation926may correspond to above-described operation923to929. According to an embodiment, examples related to operation923to operation929may also be applied to operation920to operation926.

Hereinafter, it is assumed that the electronic device101ofFIGS. 1, 2A, and2B performs the process ofFIG. 10. Operations described as being performed by an electronic device may be implemented as instructions (commands) that may be performed (or executed) by the processor120of the electronic device101. The instructions may be stored in, for example, a computer recording medium or the memory130of the electronic device101illustrated inFIG. 1.

FIG. 10is a flowchart illustrating a method for an electronic device to determine an EM-sensed external electronic device according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, the processor120may execute an application to sense an EM signal before performing operation1001. According to an embodiment, a plurality of external electronic devices may be registered in the application.

In operation1001, the processor120may obtain an EM signal from an external electronic device (e.g., the first external electronic device201) via an EM sensing circuit.

According to an embodiment, operation1001may correspond to operation905ofFIG. 9A.

In operation1003, the processor120may transmit first information about the obtained EM signal to a first external server (e.g., the EM server205) via the wireless communication circuit190.

According to an embodiment, operation1003may correspond to operation907ofFIG. 9A.

In operation1005, the processor120may receive second information about the type of an external electronic device corresponding to the EM signal from the first external server via the wireless communication circuit190.

According to an embodiment, operation1005may correspond to operation911ofFIG. 9A.

In operation1007, the processor120may transmit the received second information to a second external server (e.g., the cloud server206) via the wireless communication circuit190.

According to an embodiment, operation1007may correspond to operation913ofFIG. 9A.

In operation1009, the processor120may receive third information about an external electronic device selected from among a plurality of external electronic devices from the second external server via the wireless communication circuit190, based on the second information and information about sensing signals obtained by the plurality of external electronic devices.

According to an embodiment, the selected external electronic device may be one which has sensed the electronic device among the plurality of external electronic devices.

According to an embodiment, operation1009may correspond to operation923ofFIG. 9A.

In operation1011, the processor120may display an object indicating the selected external electronic device on a touch screen display based on the received third information.

According to an embodiment, the processor120may display, on the touch screen display, an object (e.g., control box) for receiving an input that controls an external electronic device.

According to an embodiment, operation1011may correspond to operation925ofFIG. 9A.

Hereinafter, it is assumed that the electronic device101ofFIGS. 1, 2A, and2B performs the process ofFIG. 11. Operations described as being performed by an electronic device may be implemented as instructions (commands) that may be performed (or executed) by the processor120of the electronic device101. The instructions may be stored in, for example, a computer recording medium or the memory130of the electronic device101illustrated inFIG. 1.

FIG. 11is a flowchart illustrating a method for an electronic device to determine an EM-sensed external electronic device according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, before operation1101is performed, the processor120may activate the EM sensing circuit200when receiving a signal from at least one external access point via the wireless communication circuit190.

In operation1101, the processor120may obtain an EM signal via the EM sensing circuit200.

In operation1103, the processor120may identify a reference EM profile corresponding to the obtained EM signal based on at least one reference EM profile.

For example, the processor120may identify the reference EM profile corresponding to the obtained EM signal among at least one reference profile stored in the memory130.

In operation1105, the processor120may determine a location of the electronic device at least partially based on information about an external access point connected to the electronic device.

In operation1107, the processor120may identify an external electronic device at least partially based on the identified reference EM profile and the location of the electronic device.

According to an embodiment, the external electronic device may be associated with a user account related to the electronic device101. For example, the electronic device101may identify an external electronic device at least partially based on the location of the electronic device101among a plurality of external electronic devices registered in the user account.

According to an embodiment, the processor120may identify an external electronic device based on a received signal strength indication (RSSI) received from an access point. For example, the processor120may identify an external electronic device corresponding to an RSSI value that is most similar to the RSSI value received from the access point as an external electronic device from which the electronic device has obtained the EM signal. For another example, the processor120may calculate a distance between the access point and the electronic device101based on the RSSI value received from the access point, and may identify an external electronic device based on the calculated distance.

In operation1109, the processor120may display a graphic user interface (GUI) on a display at least partially based on information about the identified external electronic device.

According to an embodiment, the graphic user interface may be associated with an application for generating a signal that controls an external electronic device.

An electronic device101according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a housing, a touch screen display160exposed through a portion of the housing, at least one wireless communication circuit190, an electromagnetic (EM) sensing circuit200configured to sense an EM signal having a frequency band of 1 MHz or less, a processor120operatively connected to the display160, the wireless communication circuit190, and the EM sensing circuit200, and a memory130configured to store at least one reference EM profile and information about at least one external access point and operatively connected to the processor, wherein the memory130may store instructions that cause, when executed, the processor120to obtain an EM signal from an external electronic device201via the EM sensing circuit200, identify a reference EM profile corresponding to the obtained EM signal based on at least one reference EM profile, determine a location of the electronic device101at least partially based on information about an external access point connected to the electronic device101via the at least one wireless communication circuit190, identify the external electronic device201at least partially based on the identified reference EM profile, and display a graphic user interface (GUI) on the touch screen display160at least partially based on information about the identified external electronic device201.

In an embodiment, the reference EM profile may include the information about the external electronic device201.

In an embodiment, the information about the access point may include at least one of a device name, a MAC address, or location information of the access point.

In an embodiment, the graphic user interface may be associated with an application for generating a signal that controls the external electronic device201.

In an embodiment, the memory130may store information about a user account related to the electronic device101, and the external electronic device201may be associated with the user account.

In an embodiment, the instructions may cause the processor120to activate the EM sensing circuit when receiving a signal from the at least one external access point via the wireless communication circuit190.

In an embodiment, the instructions may cause the processor120to identify the external electronic device201further based on a received signal strength indication (RSSI) received from the access point.

Furthermore, an electronic device101according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a touch screen display160, a wireless communication circuit190, an electromagnetic (EM) sensing circuit200, which receives an EM signal, at least one processor120operatively connected to the touch screen display160, the wireless communication circuit190, and the EM sensing circuit200, and a memory130configured to store at least one reference EM profile and operatively connected to the at least one processor120, wherein the memory130may store instructions that cause, when executed, the processor120to obtain an EM signal from an external electronic device201via the EM sensing circuit200, identify a reference EM profile corresponding to the obtained EM signal based on the at least one reference EM profile, transmit the identified reference EM profile and a request signal for searching for the external electronic device201to an external server206via the wireless communication circuit190, receive information about the external electronic device201that satisfies a pre-specified condition from the external server206via the wireless communication circuit190based on the reference EM profile, and display an object indicating the selected external electronic device201on the touch screen display160based on the received information.

In an embodiment, the instructions may cause the at least one processor120to obtain information about a location of the electronic device101via the wireless communication circuit190, and activate the EM sensing circuit200when the location of the electronic device101falls within a pre-specified range.

In an embodiment, the instructions may cause the at least one processor120to transmit context information related to a current situation of the electronic device101to the external server206via the wireless communication circuit190, and the external electronic device201may be one that satisfies the pre-specified condition further base on the context information.

In an embodiment, the context information may include at least one of information about an operation being performed by the electronic device101, information about a location of the electronic device101, or information about an external device connected to the electronic device101.

In an embodiment, the instructions may cause the at least one processor120to select the external server206from among a plurality of external servers206based on the context information about the current situation of the electronic device101, and transmit the identified reference EM profile and the context information about the current situation of the electronic device101to the selected external server206via the wireless communication circuit190.

In an embodiment, the external server206may include information about locations of the plurality of external electronic devices201, the context information may include information about a location of the electronic device101, and the pre-specified condition may indicate the external electronic device201which is closest to the electronic device101among the plurality of external electronic devices201based on the identified reference EM profile.

In an embodiment, the external server206may include information about an access point to which the plurality of external electronic devices201are connected, the context information may include information about an access point to which the electronic device101is connected, and the pre-specified condition may indicate the external electronic device201connected to the same access point as that of the electronic device101among the plurality of external electronic devices201based on the identified reference EM profile.

In an embodiment, the request signal for searching for the external electronic device201may include a request for activating sensors of the plurality of external electronic devices201registered in the external server206.

In an embodiment, the instructions may cause the at least one processor120to establish a wireless connection to the selected external electronic device201via the wireless communication circuit190.

In an embodiment, the instructions may cause the at least one processor120to transmit a control command to the external electronic device201via the established wireless connection.

Furthermore, a storage medium which stores computer-readable instructions according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may cause, when the instructions are executed by the processor120of the electronic device101, the electronic device101to perform an operation of executing an application, an operation of obtaining an EM signal via an EM sensing circuit200, an operation of transmitting first information about the obtained EM signal to a first external server206, an operation of receiving second information about the type of an external electronic device201corresponding to the EM signal from a first external server206, an operation of transmitting the received second information and context information about a current situation of the electronic device101to a second external server206, and an operation of receiving, from the second external server206, third information about an external electronic device201that satisfies a pre-specified condition among a plurality of external electronic devices201based on the second information and the context information, and displaying an object indicating the selected external electronic device201on a touch screen display160of the electronic device101based on the third information.

In an embodiment, the second external server206may include information about locations of the plurality of external electronic devices201, the context information may include information about a location of the electronic device101, and the pre-specified condition may indicate the external electronic device201which is closest to the electronic device101among the plurality of external electronic devices201of a type according to the second information.

In an embodiment, the electronic device101and the plurality of external electronic devices may be registered with the same user account in the cloud server206.

The electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be one of various types of devices. The electronic devices may include, for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smartphone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, or a home appliance. The electronic devices according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are not limited to those described above.