Electronic device including display and method for controlling operation of display in electronic device

An electronic device and a method for improving the visibility of a display in an electronic device are provided. The electronic device includes a mirror configured to project or reflect light, a display panel disposed on a first surface of the mirror, and a controller, according to a mirror mode or a display mode, configured to control so as to output a control signal for adjusting an amount of external light incident on a second surface opposite to a first surface of the mirror.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) of a Korean patent application filed on Nov. 12, 2015 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office and assigned Serial number 10-2015-0159056, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an electronic device including a display and a method for controlling an operation of the display in the electronic device.

BACKGROUND

There has been an increasing interest in a technology for configuring a communication network between things or devices so as to share information, and an electronic device for providing a service using such technology (for example, machine to machine (M2M) or an Internet of things (IoT) technology) has been developed.

The information sharing technology allows communication between machine to machine as well as person-to-person and person to machine, and a new value-added service can be possible through the sharing of information between all things.

In recent years, as a technology utilizing the information sharing technology, a technology (for example, a reflective display) for combining a mirror and a display and showing various information such as weather, schedule, or health information through the mirror has been developed.

The reflective display (hereinafter, referred to as a smart mirror) is a device having the mirror and a display panel combined, and the reflective display operates as the mirror when the display panel located on the back of the mirror is turned off, and when the display panel is turned on, light emitted from the display panel passes through the mirror so as to provide a display function.

SUMMARY

An electronic device having a smart mirror is used to prevent, by using a one-way mirror, a user, who is on the other side of the mirror, from noticing that he or she is being monitored.

However, since light reduction of the smart mirror is unavoidable due to the nature of the mirror manufacturing, the transmittance is low (a high reflectance) and the visibility of the display such as color reproduction can be reduced. For example, when a color represented by a red color on the display panel passes through the mirror, a different color (for example, dark red) other than the original color can be seen through the smart mirror.

In addition, if the transmittance is increased or the reflectance is decreased in order to increase the visibility, a reflection function of the smart mirror can be lowered. In order to ensure the transmittance rate, reflectance rate, a mirror reflection function, and the visibility, the display panel has to be provided with a high luminance.

However, since the display panel having a high luminance is an expensive equipment the smart mirror has been difficult to popularize.

Aspects of the present 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 present disclosure is to provide an electronic device having a display and a method for controlling an operation of the display in order to improve the visibility of the display in the electronic device.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a housing, a display configured to be exposed to at least one of a first surface of the housing or a second surface opposite to the first surface, and selectively provide a first mode which reflects or transmits an external light in a deactivated state, or a second mode which displays a screen in an activated state, a processor electrically connected to the display, and a memory electrically connected to the processor, wherein the memory is configured to store instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to control to transmit, to at least one external device configured to at least one of emit or adjusting light radiated to the display, a request for emitting or transmitting a first amount of light by the at least one external device when the display provides the first mode, and to transmit, to the at least one external device, a request for emitting or transmitting a second amount of light by the at least one external device when the display provides the second mode.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a housing, a display configured to be exposed to at least one of a first surface of the housing or a second surface opposite to the first surface, and selectively provide a first mode which reflects or transmits an external light in a deactivated state, or a second mode which displays a screen in an activated state, at least one light source being exposed to the outside of the housing and disposed adjacent to the display so as to face at least a part of the display, a processor electrically connected to the display and at least one light source, and a memory electrically connected to the processor, wherein the memory is configured to store instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to control to emit a first amount of light to the display by using the at least one light source when the display provides the first mode, and control to emit a second amount of light to the display by using the at least one light source when the display provides the second mode.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a mirror that projects or reflects light, a display panel disposed on a first surface of the mirror, and a controller, according to a mirror mode or a display mode, that is configured to control so as to output a control signal for adjusting an amount of an external light incident on a second surface opposite to a first surface of the mirror.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a housing, a mirror exposed to a front surface thereof through one surface of the housing, and configured to project or reflect light, a display panel disposed on a rear surface opposite to the front surface of the mirror, and a controller configured to control so as to output a control signal for adjusting an amount of an external light incident on the front surface of the mirror, according to a mirror mode or a display mode.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for operating an electronic device including a mirror configured to project or reflect light, and a display panel disposed on a first surface of the mirror, is provided. The method includes switching between at least one of a mirror mode or a display mode and outputting a control signal for adjusting an amount of an external light incident on second surface opposite to a first surface of the mirror, according to the switched mode.

An electronic device according to various embodiments may adjust the amount of the light generated from internal or external light source in accordance with a function of reflecting or transmitting an external light in a deactivated state or a function of displaying a screen in an activated state, so as to secure the visibility of the display included in the electronic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, an electronic device according to various embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. As used herein, the term “user” may indicate a person who uses an electronic device or a device (e.g., an artificial intelligence electronic device) that uses an electronic device.

An electronic device101in a network environment100, according to various embodiments, will be described with reference toFIG. 1. The electronic device101may include a bus110, a processor120, a memory130, an input/output interface150, a display160, and a communication interface170. In various embodiments, the electronic device101may omit at least one of the above elements or may further include other elements.

FIG. 1illustrates a network environment according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 1, the bus110may include, for example, a circuit for interconnecting the elements110to170and transferring communication (e.g., control messages and/or data) between the elements.

The processor120may include one or more of a CPU, an AP, and a communications processor (CP). For example, the processor120may carry out operations or data processing related to control and/or communication of at least one other component of the electronic device101.

The memory130may include a volatile memory and/or a non-volatile memory. The memory130may store, for example, instructions or data relevant to at least one other element of the electronic device101. According to an embodiment, the memory130may store software and/or a program140. The program140may include a kernel141, middleware143, an application programming interface (API)145, and/or an application program (or “application”)147. At least some of the kernel141, the middleware143, and the API145may be referred to as an operating system (OS).

The kernel141may control or manage system resources (e.g., the bus110, the processor120, or the memory130) used for performing an operation or function implemented by the other programs (e.g., the middleware143, the API145, or the application programs147). Furthermore, the kernel141may provide an interface through which the middleware143, the API145, or the application programs147may access the individual elements of the electronic device101to control or manage the system resources.

The middleware143, for example, may function as an intermediary for allowing the API145or the application programs147to communicate with the kernel141to exchange data.

In addition, the middleware143may process one or more task requests received from the application programs147according to priorities thereof. For example, the middleware143may assign priorities for using the system resources (e.g., the bus110, the processor120, the memory130, or the like) of the electronic device101, to at least one of the application programs147. For example, the middleware143may perform scheduling or loading balancing on the one or more task requests by processing the one or more task requests according to the priorities assigned thereto.

The API145is an interface through which the applications147control functions provided from the kernel141or the middleware143, and may include, for example, at least one interface or function (e.g., instruction) for file control, window control, image processing, or text control.

The input/output interface150, for example, may function as an interface that may transfer instructions or data input from a user or another external device to the other element(s) of the electronic device101. Furthermore, the input/output interface150may output instructions or data received from the other element(s) of the electronic device101to the user or the other external device.

Examples of the display160may include a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, an organic LED (OLED) display, a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) display, and an electronic paper display. The display160, for example, may display various types of contents (for example, text, images, videos, icons, or symbols) for the user. The display160may include a touch screen, and may receive, for example, a touch, gesture, proximity, or hovering input by using an electronic pen or a part of the user's body.

The communication interface170, for example, may set communication between the electronic device101and an external device (e.g., the first external electronic device102, the second external electronic device104, or a server106). For example, the communication interface170may be connected to a network162through wireless or wired communication to communicate with the external device (e.g., the second external electronic device104or the server106).

The wireless communication may use, for example, at least one of long term evolution (LTE), LTE-advanced (LTE-A), code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband CDMA (WCDMA), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), wireless broadband (WiBro), global system for mobile communications (GSM) and the like, for example, as a cellular communication protocol. In addition, the wireless communication may include, for example, short-range communication164. The short-range communication164may include at least one of, for example, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, near field communication (NFC), ZigBee, z-wave, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS). The GNSS may include, for example, at least one of a GPS, a global navigation satellite system (GLONASS), a BeiDou navigation satellite system (hereinafter, referred to as “BeiDou”), Galileo, and the European global satellite-based navigation system according to a place of usage, a bandwidth, or the like. Hereinafter, the “GPS” may be used interchangeably used with the “GNSS” in the present disclosure. The wired communication may include, for example, at least one of a universal serial bus (USB), a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), recommended standard232(RS-232), and a plain old telephone service (POTS). The network162may include at least one of a communication network such as a computer network (e.g., a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN)), the Internet, and a telephone network.

Each of the first and second external electronic devices102and104may be of a type identical to or different from that of the electronic device101. According to an embodiment, the server106may include a group of one or more servers. According to various embodiments, all or some of the operations performed in the electronic device101may be performed in another electronic device or a plurality of electronic devices (e.g., the electronic devices102and104or the server106). According to an embodiment, when the electronic device101has to perform some functions or services automatically or in response to a request, the electronic device101may make a request for performing at least some functions relating thereto to another device (e.g., the electronic device102or104or the server106) instead of performing the functions or services by itself or in addition. Another electronic device (e.g., the electronic device102or104) or the server106may execute the requested functions or the additional functions, and may deliver a result of the execution to the electronic device101. The electronic device101may process the received result as it is or additionally to provide the requested functions or services. To this end, for example, cloud computing, distributed computing, or client-server computing technology may be used.

Hereinafter, an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Illumination described in various embodiments of the present disclosure may be measured by an illumination sensor inside or outside of an electronic device (for example, the electronic device101inFIG. 1).

In addition, a light source described in various embodiments of the present disclosure may refer to at least one among an object or a device, included in the electronic device, generating at least one light, or at least one of an object or a device, located outside, generating at least one light. The brightness of the light source may be controlled in response to a control signal of the electronic device. The light source located outside of the electronic device may perform a communication with the electronic device, and include ability for adjusting the brightness of the light, or may be integrated with a device including these functions. Further, when the type of the light source is one that generates a natural light, the brightness of the light generated by the light source can be adjusted by controlling objects (for example, smart windows, curtains, blinds or filters) for controlling the natural light by using an external device that operates in response to the control signal of the electronic device.

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 2, according to various embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device210(e.g., the electronic device101ofFIG. 1) in a network environment may communicate with at least one of external device among an external device220(e.g., a bulb) including a light source for generating light incident from the outside to the electronic device210, or an external device240(e.g., an illumination sensor) for detecting an external light source, or an external device230(such as curtains, windows, or a light source control device) for controlling a light source for generating light or for controlling so as to adjust the light (daylight) entering the house. The electronic device210may receive information that detects light generated from an external light source and, control so as to adjust the brightness (intensity) of the light on the display in order to provide a function (for example, at least one of a mirror function, a display function, or a partial display function) according to an operation state of the display which can selectively provide a mirror function or a display function.

The configuration of the electronic device210and operations for controlling an operation of the display will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings.

FIG. 3is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 3, according to various embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device300(for example, the electronic device101ofFIG. 1or the electronic device210ofFIG. 2) may be configured to further include a housing (not shown), a controller310(for example, a printed circuit board (PCB) type circuit), a display (not shown) including a display panel351, and a mirror355. According to various embodiments, the mirror355may be configured to be included in the display in a form of being disposed on the display panel or separately configured outside of the display. In addition, the electronic device210may further include a light source (not shown) capable of emitting light from inside. According to various embodiments, the electronic device300may be configured to include one or more light sources (not shown) being exposed to the outside of the housing and disposed adjacent to the display so as to face at least a part of the display panel351.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the controller310may configure elements for performing an operation of the electronic device300in an electrically connected form, and the controller310is electrically connected to the display panel351, so as to control the operation. Elements of the controller310may include at least one element included in the electronic device ofFIG. 3to be described later or at least one other element which is not described inFIG. 3.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, when the display panel351is activated (on), the display may operate as a display function which can display a screen for providing contents by the light generated from the display panel351passing through the mirror. In addition, when the display panel351is deactivated (off), the display may operate as a mirror function capable of viewing the shape of the object by using the light that is reflected in the mirror because the rear surface of the mirror becomes dark.

The display panel351may be configured to at least one of an LCD, OLED, a transparent liquid crystal display, or a transparent organic light emitting diode, and located at the back of the mirror355so as to be electrically connected to the controller310.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the display may be exposed to a first surface of the housing and/or a second surface opposite to the first surface, and selectively provide a mirror mode (for example, the first mode) that provides a mirror function and a display mode (for example, the second mode) that provides a display function.

Further, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the display may simultaneously provide the mirror function and the display function under a control of the controller310, and also provide other functions as well as the mirror function and/or display function. According to various embodiments, the display may provide the mirror function in a predetermined one area, and provide the display function in the other predetermined area at the same time. Further, according to various embodiments, the display may flexibly change the area for providing the display function in accordance with the information to be displayed.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the mirror355may be configured by spray depositing an aluminum or chrome to the front of the display panel351. In addition, the mirror355may be configured in the shape of a one-way mirror, and the one-war mirror may be configured by depositing (or coating) a metal to a polycarbonate (PC) material such as a glass or acrylate so as to have a certain amount of light transmission of at least one of 10%, 20%, or 30%. The one-way mirror can be seen to be transparent when you look at a bright place from a dark place in a case where a difference in brightness between a bright place and a dark place should be a difference of a predetermined magnitude (e.g., at least 8 to 10 times), and on the contrary, when you look at a dark place from the bright place, the one-way mirror may have the mirror function.

FIG. 4is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 4, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic device400(for example, the electronic device101ofFIG. 1, the electronic device210ofFIG. 2, or the electronic device300ofFIG. 3) may be configured to include at least one of a controller410, a communication unit420, an input unit430, a storage unit440, or a display450.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controller410(for example, the processor120inFIG. 1) may process information according to an operation of the electronic device, or information according to the execution of a program, an application, or a function, and display the processed information on the display450, or control so as to output the processed information through an audio module (not shown).

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controller410may control to display various types of information (contents) in entirety or some area on the screen of the display450.

Further, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controller410may control the operation of the display450. An operation of the display450may include, as described above, a mirror mode (for example, the first mode) which operates as a mirror function, or a display mode (for example, the second mode) which operates as a display function, and include a mode (hereinafter, referred to as partial display mode for the purpose of explanation) providing a partial display operation (or a partial mirror operation) which simultaneously provides the operation of the mirror function and the operation of the display function. The controller410may control to output a control signal for adjusting the amount of the external light incident on the second surface opposite to the first surface of the mirror455, under a control of the operation. According to various embodiments, the controller may control so as to preconfigure, store, and manage a visibility table for each of the mirror mode and the display mode, and generate a control signal for adjusting the amount of light incident on the second surface based on the stored visibility table.

According to various embodiments, the controller410may check light intensity by an external light incident to the mirror455, and determine whether the checked light intensity value meets a predetermined standard, that is, determine whether the checked light intensity value corresponds to a reference value included in the visibility table. When the light intensity value fails to meet the predetermined standard, the controller410may output a control signal for controlling the light intensity so as to check the light intensity value corresponding to the predetermined reference value when measuring the light intensity by the external light which is incident again on the mirror455.

According to various embodiments, when receiving input information for switching a mode, the controller410may control so as to deactivate or activate the display panel451included in the display450, according to the input information. When the input information indicates the mirror mode, the controller410may control the display panel451to be deactivated, and control the brightness of the display panel451to be a dark state than the external brightness, that is, switch to be the mirror mode. In addition, when the input information indicates the display mode, the controller410may control the display panel451to be activated, and control the brightness of the display panel451to be a bright state than the external brightness, that is, switch to be the display mode.

According to various embodiments, the controller410may activate, in the mirror mode state, the display panel451corresponding to some areas of the mirror455included in the display450and control so as to display a content on some areas. In addition, according to various embodiments, the controller410may set a first area of the mirror455to an area of the mirror mode, and control the first area to provide the mirror function, and set a second area of the mirror455to an area of the display mode and control so as to provide a display function.

Further, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controller410may control to be switched to at least one of the mirror mode or the display mode based on at least one of a distance between the display450and the user, or situation recognition information collected for a predetermined period.

In addition, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controller410may flexibly set the display area according to at least one of the distance between the display450and the user, the collected situation recognition information or information (content) to be displayed, and control to provide a display function in the set area. According to various embodiments, when the distance information measured the distance between the display450and the user is equal to or farther than a predetermined distance, and the user may not clearly see the contents to be displayed, the controller410may configure to enlarge an area that provides a display function (or reduce the area that provides the mirror function) in order to display by enlarging the size of the content that is provided based on the measured distance information. Further, according to various embodiments, when the measured distance information is closer than the predetermined distance, the controller410may control so as to display by reducing the size of the content to be displayed, and in this case, the controller410may configure to reduce an area that provides the display function (or enlarge an area that provides the mirror function). Further, according to various embodiments, the controller410may recognize a user's face or a user's particular gesture based on the collected situation recognition information to thereby configure the recognized position to the area that provides the mirror function, and may configure the remaining areas to the area that provides a display function. On the other hand, the controller410may configure the recognized position to the area that provides the display function, and configure the remaining areas to the area that provides the mirror function. In various embodiments as described above, the controller410may control at least one internal light according to at least one of a distance from the user, a predetermined time, or an external light so as to control the light intensity required to operate as the mirror function or display function.

According to various embodiments, when the display panel451included in the display450is a transparent display panel, the controller410may control so as to check the light intensity by external light incident on the adjacent area of the first surface, and check the light intensity by external light which is incident on the adjacent area of the second surface.

According to various embodiments, the controller410is a hardware module or a software module (e.g., an application program), which may be hardware elements (functions) or software elements (programs) including at least one of various sensors equipped with the electronic device, a data measurement module, an input/output interface, a module that manages the status or environment of the electronic device, or a communication module.

Further, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controller410of the electronic device400may be at least a part of processor, and, for example, include a combination of one or two of hardware, software, or firmware. According to various embodiments, the controller410may omit at least some of the elements, or may be configured to further include other elements for performing an image processing operation in addition to the above elements.

In addition, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, at least a part of configuration of the controller410of the electronic device400may include at least one processor that includes CPU/micro processing unit (MPU) by hardware, a memory on which at least one memory loading data is loaded (for example, a register and/or a random access memory (RAM)), and a part of bus that inputs/outputs at least one data to/from the processor and the memory. In addition, the controller410may include a predetermined program routine or program data loaded from a predetermined recording medium into the memory and processed operations by the processor, in order to perform software-defined function for the electronic device400.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the communication unit420of the electronic device400(for example, the communication interface170ofFIG. 1) may communicate with another electronic device or an external device (for example, the electronic device102or104ofFIG. 1or the external devices220and230ofFIG. 2, or the light intensity sensor240, or the server106), under the control of the controller410. According to various embodiments, the communication unit420may transmit/receive data associated with operations executed under the control of the controller410to/from the external device. The communication unit420may connect to a network using wireless communication or wired communication via the communication interface or may communicate through a connection between devices. The wireless communication may include at least one of, for example, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, z-wave, NFC, a GPS, or cellular communication (for example, LTE, LTE-A, CDMA, WCDMA, UMTS, WiBro, or GSM). The wired communication may include, for example, at least one of a USB, an HDMI, RS-232, a POTS, universal asynchronous receiver transmitter (UART), inter-integrated circuit (I2C), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or controller area network (CAN). Further, the communication unit420may include other well-known communication methods, or all types of communication methods to be developed next, in addition to the above-described communication method.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the communication unit420may transmit a control signal capable of adjusting the brightness by an external light source to at least one external device (e.g., the electronic device102or104ofFIG. 1, or the external device220and230, or the light intensity sensor240ofFIG. 2). In addition, the communication unit420may receive data including the light intensity value detected by the external device and transfer the data to the controller410.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the communication unit420may communicate with at least one external device (for example, the external devices220and230or light sensor240ofFIG. 2) which can detect the external light or adjust the light intensity, and receive the sensed information (for example, the light intensity information indicating the degree of brightness of the light to be projected by the mirror of the display450) received from the at least one external device.

Further, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the communication unit420may communicate with an external device (for example, the server106inFIG. 1) that provides a content, and receive the content to be displayed when the display450is in the status of the display function, that is, in a display mode, and transfer the received content to the controller410.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the input unit430of the electronic device400(e.g., the input/output interface150ofFIG. 1) may transfer various information of the number and text information input from the user, various functions configuration, and a signal input relating to the function control of electronic device to the controller410. In addition, the input unit430may support a user input for executing a module or an application for supporting a particular function. The input unit430may include at least one of a key input means such as a keyboard or a keypad, a touch input means such as a touch sensor or a touch pad, a sound input means, a camera module, an audio module, or various sensors, and may include a gesture input means. In addition, the input unit430may include any form of input means which is under development or can be developed for the future. In addition, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the input unit430may receive information input by the user through the touch panel or the camera on the display450, and transfer the input information to the controller410.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the input unit430may transfer information relating to the user's gesture received from the camera or the various sensors to the controller410. In addition, the input unit430may transfer an input signal according to the selection of at least one object (e.g., content) displayed on the screen to the controller410.

Further, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the input unit430may receive an input signal for switching a mode from the user through the sound input device, and transfer the input signal to the controller410. In addition, the input unit430may transfer a signal (for example, luminance information) detected by the sensor (e.g., a light sensor) to the controller410.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the storage unit440(for example, the memory130inFIG. 1) of the electronic device400may temporarily store not only a program necessary for operating functions according to various embodiments but also various data generated while executing the program. The storage unit440may broadly include a program area and a data area. The program area may store information related to the operation of the electronic device400, such as an operating system (OS) for booting the electronic device400. The data area may store transmitted/received data and generated data in accordance with various embodiments. In addition, the storage unit440may be configured to include at least one storage medium among a flash memory, a hard disk, a multimedia card micro type memory (e.g., secure digital (SD) or extreme digital (xD) memory), a RAM, or read only memory (ROM).

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the storage unit440may store the content received from an external device and store the light intensity information received from the external device or internal sensors. Further, according to various embodiments, the storage unit440may store a visibility table including configuration values for adjusting the light intensity for each mode (for example, a mirror mode, a display mode and a partial display mode). Further, according to various embodiments, the storage unit440may store the user's situation recognition information collected over a period of time (at least one of a user's behavior, vital signs, previous life history, or surrounding environmental information).

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the display450of the electronic device400(for example, some configurations of the input/output interface150or the display160ofFIG. 1, or the display panel351ofFIG. 2) may output information on operation execution result (e.g., at least one of text, an image, or a video) under the control of the controller410.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the display450may display an input pad (e.g., buttons) for inputting at least one of various texts, numbers, or symbols in an input window on the screen in various ways. In addition, the display450may display a service execution screen according to execution of various applications related to information transmission/reception. In addition, the display450may be configured to be included inside of the electronic device400or outside of the electronic device400.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the display450may be configured to include the display panel451or a display drive module453. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the display450may be connected to the mirror455disposed on an area of the housing of the electronic device400.

In addition, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the display450may be configured to include the mirror455. According to various embodiments, the display450may be configured to a reflective display which is a combined form of the display panel451and the mirror455.

The display panel451may be configured to at least one of an LCD or OLED. In addition, the display panel451may include at least one light source for generating light.

Further, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the display450may operate at least one mode of a mirror mode, a display mode, or a partial mirror mode (or a partial display mode) under the control of the controller410. The display450may display the content to be provided to the entire area or a partial region, and when the display is switched to the display mode or the partial display mode, the display panel is turned on, and the light is transmitted by the mirror455, so as to increase the visibility of the displayed content. Further, when the display450is the mirror mode, under the control of the controller410, the display panel451is turned off, and the external light is reflected by the mirror455, so as to provide a mirror function. The display450may display contents in the case of the mirror mode. In this case, the display content means that the other side of the mirror455is a dark state, that is, the brightness of the display panel451is the dark state. In addition, according to various embodiments, the display450may provide the mirror function even when the display panel451is not turned off, as the brightness of the display panel451or the brightness of internal or external lights source is adjusted by the controller410.

Further, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, when the display450of the electronic device400is implemented in a touch screen form, the touch screen may correspond to the touch screen of the input unit (not shown). When the display450is implemented along with an input unit430in a touch screen form, and may display various information generated according to the user's touch operation.

Furthermore, according to various embodiments, the display450of the electronic device may be configured to at least one among an LCD, a thin film transistor LCD (TFT-LCD), OLED, an LED, an active matrix OLED (AMOLED), a flexible display, and a 3-dimensional display. In addition, some of the displays (or the display panel) may be configured to a transparent type or a light transmission type through which outside can be seen. The display may be configured to a transparent display type including a transparent OLED (TOLED).

In addition, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device400may further include another mounted display (e.g., an extended display or a flexible display) other than the display450, and a display of another electronic device (for example, at least one of an external display device, a wearable device, or an external terminal device) for interacting with the electronic device400.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device400may be configured to further include at least one internal light source for radiating light to the mirror455which is included in or connected to the display450as well as/in addition to the light source included in the display panel451. The internal light source (e.g., a camera light) may operate under the control of the controller410, and discharge the amount of the light required according to the operation state of the mirror455under the control of the controller410.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device400may further include an audio module (not shown) (e.g., the input/output interface150ofFIG. 1). The audio module may output sound and be configured to include, for example, at least one of an audio codec, a microphone (MIC), a receiver (receiver), an earphone output (EAR_L), or a speaker. Further, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device400may be configured to include a means for outputting a vibration or a means for outputting smell.

As described above, various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described for the main elements of the electronic device400through the electronic device400ofFIG. 4, but in various embodiments of the present disclosure, not all of the elements illustrated through theFIG. 4is a prerequisite, the electronic device400may be implemented by more elements than those illustrated, or may be implemented by fewer elements. In addition, throughFIG. 4, the positions of the main elements of the electronic device400may be changed according to various embodiments.

An electronic device according to any one of the various embodiments includes a housing, a display configured to be exposed to a first surface of the housing and/or a second surface opposite to the first surface, and selectively provide a first mode which reflects or transmits an external light in a deactivated state, or a second mode which displays a screen in an activated state, a processor electrically connected to the display, and a memory electrically connected to the processor, wherein the memory stores instructions, when executed by the processor, for causing the processor to transmit, to at least one external device configured to emit and/or adjust light radiated to the display, a request for emitting or transmitting a first amount of light by the at least one external device when the display provides the first mode, and transmit, to the at least one external device, a request for emitting or transmitting a second amount of light by the at least one external device when the display provides the second mode.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the at least one external device may include at least one of a light source, blinds, a filter, or a curtain.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the display may include a first area operating as the first mode, and a second area operating as the second mode.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the second area may be included in the first area.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the instructions cause the processor to determine the user's proximity to the display, and to selectively provide the first mode or the second mode based on the determination.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the display may include at least one fine pattern configured to reflect or transmit the external light.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the display may include at least one pixel configured to display a color of the screen, when viewing above the display, the fine pattern may not overlap with the at least one pixel.

An electronic device according to any one of the various embodiments includes a housing, a display configured to be exposed to a first surface of the housing and/or a second surface opposite to the first surface, and selectively provide a first mode which reflects or transmits an external light in a deactivated state, or a second mode which displays a screen in an activated state, at least one light source being exposed to the outside of the housing and disposed adjacent to the display so as to face at least a part of the display, a processor electrically connected to at least one of the display and at least one light source, and a memory electrically connected to the processor, wherein the memory may store instructions, when executed by the processor, for causing the processor to emit a first amount of light to the display by using the at least one light source when the display provides the first mode, and emit a second amount of light to the display by using the at least one light source when the display provides the second mode.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the display may include a first area operating as the first mode, and a second area operating as the second mode.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the second area may be included in the first area.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the instructions cause the processor to determine the user's proximity to the display, and to selectively provide the first mode or the second mode based on the determination.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the display may include at least one fine pattern configured to reflect or transmit the external light.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the display may include at least one pixel configured to display a color of the screen, when viewing above the display, the fine pattern may not overlap with the at least one pixel.

An electronic device according to any one of the various embodiments may include a mirror that projects or reflects light, a display panel located on a first surface of the mirror, and a controller, according to a mirror mode or a display mode, that controls so as to output a control signal for adjusting an amount of an external light incident on a second surface opposite to the first surface of the mirror.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controller may output a control signal for adjusting the amount of light incident to the second mirror surface, based on the visibility table set for each mode of the mirror mode and the display mode.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controller may check the light intensity by the incident external light, and when the checked light intensity value does not meet a predetermined standard, the controller may control the control signal to be output so as to check a light intensity value corresponding to a predetermined reference value.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, when the display panel is a transparent display panel, the controller may check the light intensity by the external light incident on an area adjacent to the first surface, and control so as to check the light intensity by the external light incident on an area adjacent to the second surface.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, when in the mirror mode, the controller may control the display panel to be deactivated, and control the brightness of the display panel to become darker than the brightness outside.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, for the display mode, the controller may control the display panel to be activated, and control the brightness of the display panel to become brighter than the brightness outside.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controller controls the display panel corresponding to a partial area of the mirror to be activated, in the mirror mode state, and control so as to display the content to the partial area.

According to various embodiments, the controller may configure a first area of the mirror to an area of the mirror mode, and control the first area to provide the mirror function, and configure a second area of the mirror to an area of the display mode and control so as to provide the display function.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controller may control to switch to at least one of the mirror mode or the display mode according to a distance between the display and the user.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controller may control to switch to at least one of the mirror mode or the display mode according to situation recognition information collected for a predetermined period.

An electronic device according to any one of the various embodiments may include a housing, the mirror being exposed front surface thereof through one surface of the housing, and projects or reflects light, a display panel disposed on a rear surface opposite to the front surface of the mirror, and a controller that controls so as to output a control signal for adjusting an amount of an external light incident on the front surface of the mirror, according to a mirror mode or a display mode.

A method for controlling an operation of a display in an electronic device as described above will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, an example of operation state of the display of the electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIGS. 5A and 5B.

FIGS. 5A and 5Bare block diagrams illustrating an example of a display operation state of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 5A, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, when an operating state of the mirror function (e.g., a mirror mode (a first mode)) is selected according to the user's interaction, the electronic device may deactivate (off) the display panel of the display (for example, a mirror having a smart mirror function) of the electronic device, and control the light incident on the mirror to be the first amount of light. At this time, since the mirror of the display501may be influenced by the light emitted from at least one external light source505aor an internal light source (not shown), that is, the external light, the electronic device may adjust the light intensity, that is, adjust the amount of light emitted from the external light source505aor the internal light source (not shown) so that the light incident on the mirror becomes the first amount of light, in order to enhance the visibility of the object reflected in the mirror, and may output a control signal to a device capable of controlling the external light source505aor the internal light source.

In addition, as shown inFIG. 5A, when an external light source505ain the vicinity of the user is turned on, the electronic device may switch the display501to a mirror mode so as to provide a mirror function503aby checking whether the brightness of the inside, that is, the brightness of the display panel is relatively darker than the brightness of light emitted by the external light source505a. At this time, when the amount of light emitted from the external light source505a, that is, the light intensity value by the light incident on the mirror is smaller than the reference value, the electronic device may transmit, to the external light source505a, a control signal for instructing to increase the amount of external light in order to increase the reflectance of the mirror.

Referring toFIG. 5B, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, upon receiving a request for the display mode switching from the user, the electronic device may deactivate (off) the display panel of the display (for example, a mirror having a smart mirror function), and control the mirror of the display501so as to operate as the display function503b. At this time, since the mirror of the display501may be influenced by the light emitted from at least one external light source, in order to increase the visibility of the contents to be displayed in the mirror, the electronic device may output a control signal to adjust the amount of internal or external light so that the light incident on the mirror becomes the second amount of light.

In addition, as shown inFIG. 5B, when an external light source505bin the vicinity of the user is turned off, the electronic device may operate the display501to a display mode so as to provide a display function503bby checking whether the brightness of the inside, that is, the brightness of the display panel is relatively light (for example, 8 to 10 times lighter) than the brightness of light emitted by the external light source505b. At this time, when the amount of light emitted from the external light source505b, that is, the light intensity value by the light incident on the mirror is greater than the reference value, the electronic device may transmit, to an internal light source (not shown) or the external light source505a, a control signal for instructing to reduce the amount of external light in order to increase the reflectance of the mirror.

Further, according to various embodiments, the electronic device may check the amount of light reflected or transmitted to the mirror, that is, the amount of light incident on the mirror, based on an external light intensity value received from the external device and an internal light intensity value detected from the brightness of light emitted from the internal light source. According to various embodiments, if at a place or in a state where an external light cannot be adjusted, the electronic device may control an internal light source (e.g., a camera light source) so that the light intensity value incident on the mirror becomes the light intensity value configured according to the first mode or the light intensity value configured according to the second mode, that is, may transmit a control signal so as to emit the first amount of light or the second amount of light to the internal light source. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device may provide a mirror function at some areas of the mirror (e.g., a first area) based on a color of the content displayed according to the selection of a partial display function, or a predetermined condition, and provide a display function at the other part of the mirror (for example, a second area). The configured condition is a condition which prevents the light from transmitting to an area of the display panel corresponding to the first area of the display, for example, it may be a condition which deactivates corresponding area by cutting off the power applied to the area of the display panel corresponding to the first area or a condition which covers the backside of the first area by using a color lowering the light transmittance. According to various embodiments, when some display areas of the displayed content are dark colors (for example, black), some display areas may provide a mirror function. Accordingly, upon analyzing areas having contents displayed therein, an area having dark content color is maintained for a predetermined time and repeatedly maintained, the electronic device may control the internal light source or the external light source so as to adjust the amount of light incident on the area.

In addition, the electronic device may be automatically switched to a partial display mode according to the user's request, situation recognition information, or an analysis result of the content that is displayed. According to various embodiments, the electronic device may analyze an area where the content is not displayed among the entire display area of the mirror, and configure at least one area of the analyzed areas as an area for providing a mirror function. For example, the electronic device may analyze remaining areas other than an area in which an actual content is displayed among the entire display area, check an area in which a content is not repetitively displayed, and change a background color to a dark color and display the background so as to provide a mirror function in the checked area, or control the display panel so as to prevent the light from transmitting the checked area.

Further, according to various embodiments, the electronic device may change an area for providing a mirror function in the entire area of the mirror based on the situation recognition information. For example, as a result of analyzing the situation recognition information, the electronic device may configure an area corresponding to the position of the user's face as a mirror mode area, in consideration of time for watching the mirror or the position of a user's face, and configure the other areas as the display mode area, thus dividing the entire area of the display according to functions so as to provide a mirror function and a display function at the same time. Further, according to various embodiments, when an event based on information to be displayed in real time occurs, the electronic device may configure some areas of the mirror to a (display mode) area for providing a display function so as to display real-time information on the configured area. When a real-time information display is finished, the electronic device may automatically provide the mirror function at the predetermined display area. In addition, according to various embodiments, in a state where the display function is provided and if a distance between a user and a display panel or the mirror is closer to a predetermined distance value, the electronic device may provide a mirror function in some areas of the mirror, and provides again a display function in the area providing the mirror function when the distance is farther or according to the user's interaction.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device may analyze a time or a motion at which the user moves close to the mirror based on the user's situation recognition information (e.g., a user's behavior pattern), and when the time or the movement occurs, the electronic device may determine that the user wants to receive the mirror function and control the mirror of the display to operate as the mirror function. In addition, when the user is a predetermined distance away or further from the mirror, a mode switching request is not made from the user, or an operation of a display is started, the electronic device may control the display to operate as the display function.

A method for controlling the operation of the display (for example, the display including the display panel351and the mirror355ofFIG. 3, or the display inclusive of or connected to the mirror455ofFIG. 4) so as to provide the mirror function (for example, the first mode), the display function (e.g., the second mode) or the partial display function as described above will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 6is a diagram showing an example of operation of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure,FIG. 7is a diagram showing a screen example of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, andFIG. 8is a diagram showing an example of a visibility table according to a mode operation in an electronic device according to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 6, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, in operation601, the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device101ofFIG. 1, the electronic device210ofFIG. 2, or the electronic device400ofFIG. 4) may switch an operating state according to a function of the mirror (e.g., the mirror355ofFIG. 3, or the mirror455included in or connected to the display450ofFIG. 4) of the display, i.e., may check input information according to the operating state of the display. The input information may include at least one of information directly input from a user (information based on user interaction), information sensed from a user's motion, or information received by the communication. In addition, the operation601may be omitted depending on the situation. For example, when a mode is automatically selected by using situation recognition information or a mode is selected according to conditions set by an operator, the electronic device may omit the operation601.

In operation603, the electronic device may check whether the user input information indicates the display mode (e.g., the second mode). As a result of the check, when the user input information indicates the display mode, the electronic device may perform an operation605, and when the user input information does not indicate the display mode, the electronic device may perform an operation according to another mode in operation613. According to various embodiments, when recognizing interaction with the user, the electronic device may perform following operations. For example, when at least one user input among voice, text, a determined gesture, or a button input indicating “show me information” is received from a user, the electronic device may check the switching to the display mode, and perform following operations. For the display mode, when the external light intensity is more than three times darker than the brightness of the panel, the visibility can be secured. The light intensity value preconfigured according to the visibility is as shown inFIG. 8.

In operation605, the electronic device may switch a current state of the mirror of the display to the display mode, and may activate (on) the display panel. In addition, according to various embodiments, the electronic device may switch an entire area or some areas of the mirror to the display mode, and activate (on) the display panel corresponding to the entire area or some areas. As illustrated inFIG. 7, the electronic device may switch a mirror701to a display mode and display, on a mirror701, a content703to be provided to the user.

In addition, the electronic device may check a visibility table stored corresponding to the display mode at the time of operation605or after the operation605. According to various embodiments, as shown inFIG. 8, the electronic device may store and manage a visibility table which is set and tabulated ambient light intensity (external light brightness level) values having visibility for each setting value (backlight unit (BLU) step) of the BLU of the display panel in the display mode. For example, as shown inFIG. 8, when a table code is “DDDD”, the electronic device may check, through a visibility table corresponding to the display mode, that a setting value of the BLU is 3 (150 nits), the transmittance of the mirror is 45 nits, and ambient light i.e., the set reference light intensity value is equal to or smaller than 50 lux (about 15 nits).

In operation607, the electronic device may measure the intensity of the light which enters the mirror. According to various embodiments, the electronic device may measure, for example, by using at least one light sensor installed adjacent to an exposed area (for example, a first surface) of the mirror, light intensity by an external light incident to an area to provide a display function. Further, according to various embodiments, the electronic device may calculate the light intensity radiated to the mirror based on the luminance information received from at least one light sensor installed adjacent to the outside of the mirror. Further, according to various embodiments, the electronic device may calculate the intensity by the light incident on the mirror based on information acquired by communicating with at least one external electronic device for controlling light sources installed at the corresponding place (point) or at least one external electronic device capable of adjusting the light of the corresponding point.

In operation609, when light intensity values measured by comparing the measured light intensity value and a preconfigured reference value (a reference light intensity value) included in the checked visibility table is greater than or equal to the configured reference value, the electronic device terminates the operation. On the other hand, when the measured light intensity value is smaller than the configured reference value, the electronic device may perform operation611.

In operation611, in order to control a measured light intensity value (brightness level of an external light) to be smaller than the reference value, the electronic device may output a control signal for controlling an amount of external light. According to various embodiments, as described above inFIG. 8, when the measured light intensity value is 300 lux, and the current setting code value is “DDDD”, the electronic device should adjust the configured reference value (for example, 50 lux) low.

Thus, according to various embodiments, when the measured light intensity value is equal to or greater than the reference value, the brightness of the display panel is darker than the external brightness so that the visibility of the contents displayed in the display area will be lowered. The electronic device may pre-configure the visibility table including the reference value that has the visibility, and adjust the degree of the brightness of external light so as to be relatively darker than the display panel. According to various embodiments, the electronic device may transmit a control signal for controlling the amount of light which is emitting from a light source (for example, a camera light, or at least one light source equipment installed on a part around the mirror) installed inside, or transmit a control signal for adjusting the amount of light incident on the electronic device. For example, the electronic device may transmit a control signal for controlling the light emitted to an external electronic device which controls the light source equipment located outside, and the control signal may include simple command information which instructs to control the light amount of the light source equipment to be high or low, or may include information that indicates the amount of light to be emitted to each external electronic device. According to various embodiments, the electronic device may transmit a control signal including information indicating different pieces of information for each external electronic device, that is, the amount of light to be emitted to each external electronic device. In this case, the electronic device may measure the light intensity emitted to each area by dividing the display area of the mirror, or measure the intensity for each predetermined direction by configuring a direction for measuring the light intensity, and check the external electronic device located at points around the direction corresponding to the divided area or the measured direction, so as to transmit a different control signal to each external electronic device at each checked direction.

According to various embodiments, when communicating directly with a first bulb (bulb1) affecting surrounding light intensity among various smart bulbs installed in a door, the electronic device may perform direct communication with the first bulb (bulb1) so as to check the current setting level of the first bulb, or without checking, may transmit a control signal requesting for lowering the setting level by one step to the first bulb. The electronic device may receive and check again the light intensity value of the first light bulb, and when the light intensity value has not reached the reference value, the electronic device may transmit again the control signal requesting for one step lower. The electronic device may repeatedly perform the operation of setting the brightness of the first light bulb low. In addition, according to various embodiments, the electronic device may check that the light intensity is lowered by 50 lux per one step according to an operation of adjusting the light intensity of the first light bulb in a stepwise manner, and store and manage the checked light intensity adjusting information. When the light intensity adjustment of the first bulb should be performed, the electronic device may transmit a control signal including information as to how many steps (for example, 5 steps) are to be lowered based on the stored light intensity adjustment information, or information on the reference value. In addition, the electronic device may repeatedly check the light intensity value, because light intensity values can be different according to life expectancy of the smart light bulb and an installed position. The above operation of the electronic device may be applied in an operation of a mirror mode described below, and in a case of the mirror mode, the electronic device may request for increasing the setting level of the first light bulb in a stepwise manner or all at once (the light intensity value becomes higher) until the light intensity value reaches the reference value.

Further, according to various embodiments, when the light intensity value detected outside is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, the electronic device may set the light intensity values (for example, BLU step) of the visibility table managed inside to be low and control so as to save the power consumed by the display.

Further, according to various embodiments, when the light intensity value detected outside is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the electronic device may control so as to adjust an external light by setting the priority. For example, when positioned inside a room, the electronic device may transmit a control signal to the external device for controlling things such as curtains or blinds so as to block the light coming first from the outside.

FIG. 9is a diagram showing an example of an operation of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure,FIG. 10is a diagram showing a screen example of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure,FIG. 11is a diagram showing an example of a visibility table according to a mode operation in an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, andFIG. 12is a block diagram showing an example of a screen in an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 9, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, in operation901, the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device101ofFIG. 1, the electronic device210ofFIG. 2, or the electronic device400ofFIG. 4) may receive the input information for a mode switching to the mirror of the display. The input information may include at least one of information directly input from a user, information sensed from a user's motion, or information received by using the communication. In addition, the operation901may be omitted depending on the situation. For example, when a mode is automatically changed by using situation recognition information or a mode is changed according to conditions set by an operator, the electronic device may omit the operation901.

In operation903, the electronic device may check whether the input information of the user indicates the mirror mode. As a result of the check, when the user input information indicates the mirror mode, the electronic device may perform an operation905, and when the user input information does not indicate the mirror mode, the electronic device may perform an operation (for example, the operation of the display mode ofFIG. 6) according to another mode in operation913. According to various embodiments, when recognizing interaction with the user, the electronic device may perform following operations. For example, when at least one user input among voice, text, a determined gesture, or a button input indicating “show me a mirror” is received from a user, the electronic device may check the request of switching to the mirror mode.

In operation905, the electronic device may switch a current state of the mirror of the display to the display mode, and may deactivate (off) the display panel. In addition, according to various embodiments, the electronic device may switch an entire area or some areas of the mirror to the mirror mode, and deactivate (off) the display panel corresponding to the entire area or some areas. As shown inFIG. 10 or 12, the electronic device may switch a mirror1001or1201to the mirror mode, so as to make the light reflected on the mirror1001or1201and a shape1003or1203of an object (such as a user) can be reflected in the mirror1001or1201. In addition, as shown inFIG. 10according to various embodiments, in a state of being switched to the mirror mode, the electronic device may operate so as to provide a display function1005in some areas of the mirror1001.

In addition, the electronic device may check a visibility table stored corresponding to the display mode at the time of operation905or after the operation905. According to various embodiments, as shown inFIG. 11, the electronic device may store and manage a visibility table which is set and tabulated ambient light intensity (external light brightness level) values having visibility for each setting value (BLU step) of the BLU of the display panel in the display mode. For example, as shown inFIG. 11, when a table code is “DDDD”, the electronic device may check, through a visibility table corresponding to the display mode, that a setting value of the BLU is 3 (150 nits), the transmittance of the mirror is 45 nits, and ambient light i.e., the set reference light intensity value is equal to or greater than 150 lux (about 45 nits).

In operation907, the electronic device may measure the intensity of the light which enters the mirror. According to various embodiments, the electronic device may measure, for example, by using at least one light sensor installed adjacent to an exposed area (for example, a first surface) of the mirror, light intensity by an external light incident to an area to provide a display function. Further, according to various embodiments, the electronic device may calculate the light intensity radiated to the mirror based on the luminance information received from at least one light sensor installed adjacent to outside of the mirror. Further, according to various embodiments, the electronic device may calculate the intensity by the light incident on the mirror based on information acquired by communicating with at least one external electronic device for controlling light sources installed at the corresponding place (point) or at least one external electronic device capable of adjusting the light of the corresponding point.

In operation909, the electronic device may check whether light intensity values measured by comparing the measured light intensity value and a preconfigured reference value (a reference light intensity value) included in the checked visibility table is equal to or smaller than the configured reference value. As a result of the check, when the measured light intensity value is equal to or smaller than the configured reference value, the electronic device terminates the operation. On the other hand, when the measured light intensity value is greater than the configured reference value, the electronic device may perform an operation911.

In operation911, in order to control a measured light intensity value (brightness level of an external light) to be smaller than the reference value, the electronic device may output a control signal for controlling an amount of external light. According to various embodiments, as described above inFIG. 11, when the measured light intensity value is 50 lux, and the current setting code value is “DDDD”, the electronic device should adjust the configured reference value (for example, 150 lux) high.

Thus, according to various embodiments, when the measured light intensity value is equal to or smaller than the reference value, the brightness of the display panel is brighter than the external brightness so that the visibility of the contents displayed in the display area will be lowered. The electronic device may pre-configure the visibility table including the reference value that has the visibility, and adjust the degree of the brightness of external light so as to be relatively brighter than the display panel. According to various embodiments, the electronic device may transmit a control signal for adjusting the amount of light which is emitting from a light source (for example, a camera light, or at least one light source installed on a part around the mirror) installed inside, or transmit a control signal for adjusting the amount of light incident on the electronic device. For example, the electronic device may transmit a control signal for controlling the light emitted to an external electronic device which controls the light source located outside, and the control signal may include simple command information which instructs to control to get high or low light amount of the light source, or may include information that indicates the amount of light to be emitted to each external electronic device. According to various embodiments, the electronic device may transmit a control signal including information indicating different pieces of information for each external electronic device, that is, the amount of light to be emitted to each external electronic device. In this case, the electronic device may measure the light intensity emitted to each area by dividing the display area of the mirror, or measure the intensity for each predetermined direction by configuring a direction for measuring the light intensity, and check the external electronic device located at points around the direction corresponding to the divided area or the measured direction, so as to transmit a different control signal to each external electronic device at each checked direction.

Further, according to various embodiments, when the light intensity value detected outside is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, the electronic device may control so as to adjust an external light by setting the priority. For example, when positioned inside a room, the electronic device may transmit a control signal to the external device for controlling things such as curtains or blinds so as to receive the light coming first from the outside.

In addition, according to various embodiments, the electronic device may deactivate (OFF) the display panel, and maintain an audio module in an activated state so as to provide the content provided to the user as voice or provide voice information only, and transmit a control signal so as to control the external light intensity to the maximum intensity or to a user-desired state.

Further, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, when receiving a user input indicating “show me a partial mirror”, the electronic device may perform the operation ofFIG. 6in an area providing the display function, and perform the operation ofFIG. 9in an area providing the mirror function. For the partial mirror mode (or a partial display mode), since the display panel is configured to self-emitting elements without requiring a BLU such as OLED, the electronic device may set, as an area for providing the display function, a position predetermined by the user or a spare area out of a position at which the user is standing checked through the camera. The electronic device may provide a content from a predetermined area. In addition, the electronic device may provide a mirror function so as to reflect the user by OFF pixels of the display panel of an area (an area of the mirror mode) on which the user is visible.

In addition, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device may perform a mode switch of the display on the mirror according to the distance between the user and the display. For example, when the user is located in close proximity to the mirror, the electronic device may recognize that the user wishes to view the mirror and switch to the mirror mode. On the other hand, when the user is looking at the mirror at a predetermined distance or more apart from the mirror, the electronic device may recognize that the user wants to receive information through the mirror so as to switch to the display mode and provide information the user wants through the mirror. The content shown in the display mode may be contents stored in the electronic device or contents provided through mirroring from the external device.

Further, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic device (for example, the electronic device101ofFIG. 1, the electronic device210ofFIG. 2, or the electronic device400ofFIG. 4) may collect and manage information recognizing the situation such as the user's behavior pattern or surrounding environment information, etc., and database and store the collected information (situation recognition information).

According to various embodiments, the electronic device may perform a mode switching of the display on the mirror based on the stored and managed situation recognition information in consideration of the user's behavior pattern or the surrounding environment.

Further, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, when interworking with an external display device having a smart mirror function, the electronic devices may perform operations shown inFIGS. 6 and 9as described above in order to increase the visibility of the external display device. In this case, when receiving input information requesting for the mode switching, the electronic device may transmit, to an external display device, the input information requesting for the mode switching, or transmit a control signal for adjusting an interior light source of the external display device.

Further, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, when the display panel of the display of the electronic device is a transparent display panel, the light intensity of both the front surface of the display panel, that is, the mirror deposited surface, and the rear surface of the display panel, that is, the surface opposite to the mirror deposited surface are measured so as to adjust the light intensity.

Further, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, when interaction between an external electronic devices (e.g., a wearable device, a terminal, etc.) (e.g., the external electronic device102or103ofFIG. 1) occurs, or an event occurs, the electronic device switches to the display mode so as to display a function according to the interaction, for example, information transmitted and received to and from the external electronic devices, and information according to the occurrence of the event. Accordingly, the user may check information that is shown by transmitting through the mirror. In addition, for the information on which the visibility is not important, the electronic device may output the information as the sound through an audio module in the mirror mode, or display the information by adjusting the light intensity of a partial area.

According to any one of the various embodiments, a method for operating an electronic device including a mirror which projects or reflects light, and a display panel placed on a first surface of the mirror is provided. The method may include (operations of) switching to at least one of a mirror mode or a display mode, and outputting a control signal for adjusting an amount of an external light incident on second surface of the mirror opposite to the first surface, according to the switched mode.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the outputting of the control signal may include checking the light intensity by the incident external light, and when the checked light intensity value fails to meet a predetermined standard, outputting the control signal including information for adjusting the amount of the emitted light so as to check the light intensity value corresponding to a predetermined reference value.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the outputting of the control signal may further include when the display panel is a transparent display panel, controlling at least one of an area adjacent to the first surface of the display panel or an area adjacent to the second surface of the display panel so as to determine the light intensity by the incident external light.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the switching to at least one of the mirror mode or the display mode operation may include deactivating the display panel, and switching to the mirror mode so that the brightness of the display panel is darker than the external brightness.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the switching to at least one of the mirror mode or the display mode operation may include: activating the display panel, and switching to the display mode so that the brightness of the display panel is brighter than the external brightness.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the method may further include providing the functionality of a different mode on a partial area of the mirror in a state where the mirror is switched to either one of two modes.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the providing of the functionality of the different mode on the partial area of the mirror may include activating the display panel corresponding to the partial area of the mirror in a state of being switched to the mirror mode, and displaying a content on the partial area.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the switching to at least one of the mirror mode or display mode may switch to at least one of the mirror mode or the display mode according to the distance between the mirror and the user mirror mode.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the switching to at least one of the mirror mode or display mode may switch to at least one of the mirror mode or the display mode based on situation recognition information collected for a predetermined period.

A more detailed operation procedure for improving the visibility of the display, according to the operation procedure of the electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure as described above, will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 13is a block diagram of an electronic device1301according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the electronic device1301may include the whole or part of the electronic device101illustrated inFIG. 1.

Referring toFIG. 13, the electronic device1301may include at least one processor (e.g., application processor)1310, a communication module1320, a subscriber identification module (SIM) card1324, a memory1330, a sensor module1340, an input device1350, a display1360, an interface1370, an audio module1380, a camera module1391, a power management module1395, a battery1396, an indicator1397, and a motor1398.

The processor1310may control a plurality of hardware or software components connected to the processor1310by driving an operating system or an application program and perform processing of various pieces of data and calculations. The processor1310may be implemented by, for example, a system on chip (SoC). According to an embodiment, the processor1310may further include a graphics processing unit (GPU) and/or an image signal processor. The AP1310may include at least some (e.g., a cellular module1321) of the elements illustrated inFIG. 13. The processor1310may load, into a volatile memory, instructions or data received from at least one (e.g., a non-volatile memory) of the other elements and may process the loaded instructions or data, and may store various data in a non-volatile memory.

The communication module1320may have a configuration equal to or similar to that of the communication interface170ofFIG. 1. The communication module1320may include, for example, a cellular module1321, a Wi-Fi module1323, a Bluetooth module1325, a GNSS module1327(e.g., a GPS module, a GLONASS module, a BeiDou module, or a Galileo module), an NFC module1328, and a radio frequency (RF) module1329.

The cellular module1321may provide a voice call, image call, a text message service, or an Internet service through, for example, a communication network. According to an embodiment, the cellular module1321may distinguish between and authenticate electronic devices1301within a communication network using a SIM (for example, the SIM card1324). According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cellular module1321may perform at least some of the functions that the processor1310may provide. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cellular module1321may include a communication processor.

The Wi-Fi module1323, the Bluetooth module1325, the GNSS module1327, or the NFC module1328may include, for example, a processor that processes data transmitted and received through the corresponding module. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least some (e.g., two or more) of the cellular module1321, the Wi-Fi module1323, the Bluetooth module1325, the GNSS module1327, and the NFC module1328may be included in one integrated chip (IC) or IC package.

The RF module1329may transmit/receive, for example, a communication signal (for example, an RF signal). The RF module1329may include, for example, a transceiver, a power amp module (PAM), a frequency filter, a low noise amplifier (LNA), or an antenna. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the cellular module1321, the Wi-Fi module1323, the Bluetooth module1325, the GNSS module1327, and the NFC module1328may transmit and receive RF signals through a separate RF module.

The SIM1324may include, for example, a card including a subscriber identity module and/or an embedded SIM, and may contain unique identification information (e.g., an integrated circuit card identifier (ICCID)) or subscriber information (e.g., an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)).

The memory1330(for example, the memory130) may include, for example, an internal memory1332or an external memory1334. The internal memory1332may include at least one of, for example, a volatile memory (for example, a dynamic RAM (DRAM), a static RAM (SRAM), a synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), and the like) and a non-volatile memory (for example, a one time programmable ROM (OTPROM), a PROM, an erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), a flash memory (for example, a NAND flash memory or a NOR flash memory), a hard drive, or a solid state drive (SSD).

An external memory1334may further include a flash drive, for example, a compact flash (CF), an SD, a micro-SD, a mini-SD, an xD, a memory stick, or the like. The external memory1334may be functionally and/or physically connected to the electronic device1301through various interfaces.

The sensor module1340may measure a physical quantity or detect an operation state of the electronic device1301, and may convert the measured or detected information into an electrical signal. The sensor module1340may include, for example, at least one of a gesture sensor1340A, a gyro sensor1340B, an atmospheric pressure sensor1340C, a magnetic sensor1340D, an acceleration sensor1340E, a grip sensor1340F, a proximity sensor1340G, a color sensor1340H (for example, a red, green, blue (RGB) sensor), a biometric sensor1340I, a temperature/humidity sensor1340J, a light sensor1340K, and an ultraviolet (UV) sensor1340M. Additionally or selectively, the sensor module1340may include, for example, an E-nose sensor, an electromyography (EMG) sensor, an electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor, an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, an iris sensor, and/or a fingerprint sensor. The sensor module1340may further include a control circuit for controlling one or more sensors included therein. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic device1301may further include a processor configured to control the sensor module1340as a part of or separately from the processor1310, and may control the sensor module1340while the processor1310is in a sleep state.

The input device1350may include, for example, a touch panel1352, a (digital) pen sensor1354, a key1356, or an ultrasonic input device1358. The touch panel1352may use at least one of, for example, a capacitive scheme, a resistive scheme, an infrared scheme, and an ultrasonic scheme. Further, the touch panel1352may further include a control circuit. The touch panel1352may further include a tactile layer and provide a tactile reaction to the user.

The (digital) pen sensor1354may include, for example, a recognition sheet which is a part of the touch panel or is separated from the touch panel. The key1356may include, for example, a physical button, an optical key or a keypad. The ultrasonic input device1358may detect ultrasonic wave generated by an input tool through a microphone (for example, the microphone1388) and identify data corresponding to the detected ultrasonic waves.

The display1360(for example, the display160) may include a panel1362, a hologram device1364or a projector1366. The panel1362may include a configuration identical or similar to that of the display160illustrated inFIG. 1. The panel1362may be implemented to be, for example, flexible, transparent, or wearable. The panel1362and the touch panel1352may be implemented as one module. The hologram1364may show a three dimensional image in the air by using an interference of light. The projector1366may display an image by projecting light onto a screen. The screen may be located, for example, in the interior of or on the exterior of the electronic device1301. According to an embodiment, the display1360may further include a control circuit for controlling the panel1362, the hologram device1364, or the projector1366.

The interface1370may include, for example, an HDMI1372, a USB1374, an optical interface1376, or a D-subminiature (D-sub)1378. The interface1370may be included in, for example, the communication interface170illustrated inFIG. 1. Additionally or selectively, the interface1370may include, for example, a mobile high-definition link (MHL) interface, an SD card/multi-media card (MMC) interface, or an infrared data association (IrDA) standard interface.

The audio module1380may bilaterally convert, for example, a sound and an electrical signal. At least some elements of the audio module1380may be included in, for example, the input/output interface150illustrated inFIG. 1. The audio module1380may process sound information which is input or output through, for example, a speaker1382, a receiver1384, earphones1386, the microphone1388or the like.

The camera module1391is a device which may photograph a still image and a dynamic image. According to an embodiment, the camera module291may include one or more image sensors (for example, a front sensor or a back sensor), a lens, an image signal processor (ISP) or a flash (for example, LED or xenon lamp).

The power management module1395may manage, for example, the power of the electronic device1301. According to an embodiment, the power management module1395may include a power management IC (PMIC), a charger IC, or a battery or fuel gauge. The PMIC may use a wired and/or wireless charging method. Examples of the wireless charging method may include, for example, a magnetic resonance method, a magnetic induction method, an electromagnetic method, and the like. Additional circuits (e.g., a coil loop, a resonance circuit, a rectifier, etc.) for wireless charging may be further included. The battery gauge may measure, for example, a residual quantity of the battery1396, and a voltage, a current, or a temperature during the charging. The battery1396may include, for example, a rechargeable battery or a solar battery.

The indicator1397may indicate a particular state (e.g., a booting state, a message state, a charging state, or the like) of the electronic device1301or a part (e.g., the processor1310) of the electronic device1301. The motor1398may convert an electrical signal into mechanical vibration, and may generate vibration, a haptic effect, or the like. Although not illustrated, the electronic device1301may include a processing unit (e.g., a GPU) for supporting a mobile TV. The processing unit for supporting mobile TV may, for example, process media data according to a certain standard such as digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB), digital video broadcasting (DVB), or mediaFLO™.

Each of the above-described component elements of hardware according to the present disclosure may be configured with one or more components, and the names of the corresponding component elements may vary based on the type of electronic device. The electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of the aforementioned elements. Some elements may be omitted or other additional elements may be further included in the electronic device. Also, some of the hardware components according to various embodiments may be combined into one entity, which may perform functions identical to those of the relevant components before the combination.

FIG. 14is a block diagram of a program module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. According to an embodiment, the program module1410(for example, the program140) may include an OS for controlling resources related to the electronic device (for example, the electronic device101) and/or various applications (for example, the application programs147) executed in the operating system. The operating system may be, for example, Android, iOS, Windows, Symbian, Tizen, Bada, or the like.

Referring toFIG. 14, the program module1410may include a kernel1420, middleware1430, an API1460, and/or an application1470. At least some of the program module1410may be preloaded on the electronic device, or may be downloaded from an external electronic device (for example, the electronic device102or104, or the server106).

The kernel1420(for example, the kernel141) may include, for example, a system resource manager1421and/or a device driver1423. The system resource manager1421may control, assign, or collect system resources. According to an embodiment, the system resource manager1421may include a process manager, a memory manager, or a file system manager. The device driver1423may include, for example, a display driver, a camera driver, a Bluetooth driver, a shared memory driver, a USB driver, a keypad driver, a Wi-Fi driver, an audio driver, or an inter-process communication (IPC) driver.

The middleware1430may, for example, provide a function commonly required by the applications1470, or may provide various functions to the applications1470through the API1460so that the applications1470can efficiently use limited system resources within the electronic device. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the middleware1430(e.g., the middleware143) may include, for example, at least one of a runtime library1435, an application manager1441, a window manager1442, a multimedia manager1443, a resource manager1444, a power manager1445, a database manager1446, a package manager1447, a connectivity manager1448, a notification manager1449, a location manager1450, a graphic manager1451, and a security manager1452.

The runtime library1435may include, for example, a library module that a compiler uses in order to add new functions through a programming language while the applications1470are executed. The runtime library1435may perform input/output management, memory management, or a function for an arithmetic function.

The application manager1441may, for example, manage a life cycle of at least one of the applications1470. The window manager1442may manage graphical user interface (GUI) resources used on a screen. The multimedia manager1443may identify formats required for the reproduction of various media files and encode or decode a media file using a codec suitable for the corresponding format. The resource manager1444may manage resources of at least one of the applications1470, such as a source code, a memory, and a storage space.

The power manager1445may operate together with, for example, a basic input/output system (BIOS) to manage a battery or power and may provide power information required for the operation of the electronic device. The database manager1446may generate, search, or change a database to be used in at least one of the applications1470. The package manager1447may manage the installation or the updating of an application distributed in the form of a package file.

The connectivity manager1448may manage a wireless connection such as, for example, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The notification manager1449may display or notify of an event, such as an arrival message, an appointment, a proximity notification, and the like, in such a manner that a user is not disturbed. The location manager1450may manage location information of the electronic device. The graphic manager1451may manage a graphic effect to be provided to a user and a user interface relating to the graphic effect. The security manager1452may provide all security functions required for system security or user authentication. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the electronic device (for example, the electronic device101) has a telephone call function, the middleware1430may further include a telephony manager for managing a voice call function or a video call function of the electronic device.

The middleware1430may include a middleware module that forms combinations of various functions of the above described elements. The middleware1430may provide specialized modules according to types of operating systems in order to provide differentiated functions. Furthermore, the middleware1430may dynamically remove some of the existing elements, or may add new elements.

The API1460(e.g., the API145) is, for example, a set of API programming functions, and may be provided with a different configuration according to an OS. For example, in the case of Android or iOS, one API set may be provided to each platform, and in the case of Tizen, two or more API sets may be provided to each platform.

The applications1470(e.g., the application programs147) may include, for example, one or more applications that can provide functions, such as home1471, dialer1472, short message service (SMS)/multimedia message service (MMS)1473, instant message (IM)1474, browser1475, camera1476, alarm1477, contacts1478, voice dial1479, email1480, calendar1481, media player1482, album1483, clock1484, health care (e.g., measure exercise quantity or blood sugar), or environment information (e.g., atmospheric pressure, humidity, or temperature information).

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the applications1470may include an application (hereinafter, referred to as an “information exchange application” for convenience of description) supporting information exchange between the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device101) and an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device102or104). The application associated with exchanging information may include, for example, a notification relay application for notifying an external electronic device of certain information or a device management application for managing an external electronic device.

For example, the notification relay application may include a function of transferring, to the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device102or104), notification information generated from other applications of the electronic device101(e.g., an SMS/MMS application, an e-mail application, a health management application, or an environmental information application). Further, the notification relay application may receive notification information from, for example, the external electronic device and provide the received notification information to the user.

For example, the device management application may manage (for example, install, delete, or update) at least one function of an external electronic device (for example, the electronic device104) communicating with the electronic device (for example, a function of turning on/off the external electronic device itself (or some components) or a function of adjusting luminance (or a resolution) of the display), applications operating in the external electronic device, or services provided by the external electronic device (for example, a call service and a message service).

According to an embodiment, the applications1470may include applications (for example, a health care application of a mobile medical appliance or the like) designated according to attributes of the external electronic device102or104. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the application1470may include an application received from the external electronic device (e.g., the server106, or the electronic device102or104). According to an embodiment, the applications1470may include a preloaded application or a third party application which can be downloaded from the server. Names of the elements of the program module1410, according to the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure, may change depending on the type of OS.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, at least some of the program module1410may be implemented in software, firmware, hardware, or a combination of two or more thereof. At least some of the program module1410may be implemented (e.g., executed) by, for example, the processor (e.g., the controller310). At least some of the program module1410may include, for example, a module, a program, a routine, a set of instructions, and/or a process for performing one or more functions.

According to various embodiments, at least some of the devices (for example, modules or functions thereof) or the method (for example, operations) according to the present disclosure may be implemented by a command stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium in a programming module form. The instruction, when executed by a processor (e.g., the processor120), may cause the one or more processors to execute the function corresponding to the instruction. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be, for example, the memory130.

The programming module according to the present disclosure may include one or more of the aforementioned components or may further include other additional components, or some of the aforementioned components may be omitted. Operations executed by a module, a programming module, or other component elements according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be executed sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or in a heuristic manner. Further, some operations may be executed according to another order or may be omitted, or other operations may be added.

According to various embodiments, there is provided is a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having a program executed on a computer, wherein, when executed by a processor of an electronic device including a mirror and a display panel configured to project or reflect light, the program includes executable instructions configured to cause the processor to control to switch to at least one of a mirror mode or a display mode, and output, according to the switched mode, a control signal for controlling an amount of external light incident on a second surface opposite to a first surface of the mirror.