Patent Publication Number: US-2015067578-A1

Title: Apparatus and method for executing function in electronic device

Description:
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 Sep. 4, 2013 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office and assigned Serial No. 10-2013-0106164, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to an electronic device. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for executing a function in an electronic device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices, such as a smart phone, a Personal Computer (PC), and a tablet PC, provide users with various useful functions through various applications. Accordingly, the electronic device has evolved to a device capable of using various types of information in addition to a voice call function through provision of various functions. For example, when the electronic device is coupled with a cover, the electronic device may execute a specific function such as displaying a home screen or playing video through a part of an entire screen. 
     However, functions that can be executed through a part of an entire screen are limited due to a small display area. In addition, a user experiences inconvenience in manipulating the electronic device through the small display area. Furthermore, in order to execute various functions, the user should open the cover and input a gesture to the screen of the electronic device. 
     Accordingly, a need exists for executing various functions of the electronic device even when the cover of the electronic device is closed. 
     The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the present disclosure. 
     SUMMARY 
     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 apparatus and a method for executing a function in an electronic device, capable of executing various functions of the electronic device even when a cover of the electronic device is closed. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus of executing a function in an electronic device is provided. The apparatus includes a display unit configured to display a home screen in a first area of an entire screen and a controller configured to activate a second area of the entire screen if a predetermined event is generated, to determine whether a first gesture is input to the second area through a cover operatively coupled with the electronic device, and to execute an application corresponding to the first gesture if the first gesture has been input to the second area. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of executing a function in an electronic device is provided. The method includes displaying a home screen in a first area of an entire screen, activating a second area of the entire screen if a predetermined event is generated, determining whether a first gesture is input to the second area through a cover operatively coupled with the electronic device, and executing an application corresponding to the first gesture if the first gesture has been input to the second area. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device operatively coupled to a cover is provided. The electronic device includes a display unit configured to display, through a portion of the cover so as to be viewable when the cover is closed in relation to the electronic device, a screen in a first area of an entire screen, and a control unit configured to detect, through the cover, an input to a second area of the entire screen, to determine whether the input corresponds to a gesture. 
     Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an external appearance of an electronic device coupled with a cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 2A ,  2 B,  2 C, and  2 D illustrate screens on which various functions of an electronic device are executed according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating a method of executing a function of an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating a method of executing a function of an electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates screens on which a function of an electronic device is executed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a method of executing a function of an electronic device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating a method of executing a function of an electronic device according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood to refer to like parts, components, and structures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness. 
     The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the present disclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes reference to one or more of such surfaces. 
     By the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic device is a portable electronic device, and may be a video phone, a mobile phone, a smart phone, an International Mobile Telecommunication 2000 (IMT-2000), a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) terminal, a Universal Mobile Telecommunication Service (UMTS) terminal, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) terminal, an E-Book reader, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a digital camera, a Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation, a wearable device (e.g., electronic clothes, electronic braces, an electronic necklace, an electronic appcessory, an electronic tattoo, or a smart watch), and the like. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic device may be any combination of the foregoing devices. In addition, it will be apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art that an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is not limited to the foregoing devices. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an external appearance of an electronic device coupled with a cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an electronic device  101  may be coupled with a cover  105 , and expose a part (hereinafter, referred to as a first area) of an entire screen to the external environment through a screen projection part  103 . 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the screen projection part  103  may be made of a transparent material, may be an opening, or the like. The screen projection part  103  may be formed to correspond to a predetermined location on the front part of the electronic device  100 . According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the screen projection part  103  may be formed at various locations in the cover  105 . 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the cover  105  may be one of a folder type, a flip type, a sliding type, and the like. 
       FIGS. 2A ,  2 B,  2 C, and  2 D illustrate screens on which various functions of the electronic device  101  are executed according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B,  2 C, and  2 D, if the electronic device  101  is coupled with the cover  105 , the electronic device  101  may display a home screen in a first area  203 , as illustrated in a screen  201 . The home screen is a screen that is displayed in the first area  203  when the electronic device  101  is in an idle state. For example, the home screen may include a weather icon representing current weather, a clock representing a current time, and/or the like. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device  101  may display a predetermined icon  205  for requesting activation of a second area  213  in the first area  203 , include a predetermined button  207  for requesting activation of the second area  213 , and/or the like. Herein, the second area  213  may be a part of the entire screen of the electronic device  101 , which does not overlap the first area  203 . 
     If the predetermined icon  205  or the predetermined button  207  is selected by a user, the electronic device  101  may activate the second area  213 , together with the first area  211  including the home screen, using a hovering function. 
     After the second area  213  is activated, the electronic device  101  may recognize a predetermined gesture input through the second area  213 . If the predetermined gesture matches a predetermined word or a predetermined shape, the electronic device  101  may execute an application corresponding to the predetermined word or the predetermined shape. 
     For example, as illustrated in a screen  215  of  FIG. 2B , if a “∘” shape  217  or a word “music” is input to the second area  213  through a predetermined gesture, the electronic device  101  may execute a music player, and may display a play screen of the music player in a first area  221 , as illustrated in a screen  219 . 
     As another example, as illustrated in a screen  237  of  FIG. 2C , if a “?” shape  239  or a word “call” is input to the second area  213  through a predetermined gesture, the electronic device  101  may execute a phone book, and display a screen for receiving a phone number in a first area  243 , as illustrated in a screen  241 . 
     As another example, as illustrated in a screen  259  of  FIG. 2D , if a “Δ” shape  261  or a word “text” is input to the second area  213  through a predetermined gesture, the electronic device  101  may execute a messenger, and display a screen for receiving characters in a first area  265 , as illustrated in a screen  263 . 
     Alternatively, after the second area  213  is activated, the electronic device  101  may recognize a predetermined gesture input through the second area  213 , and if the predetermined gesture matches a predetermined word or a predetermined shape, the electronic device  101  may execute an application corresponding to the predetermined word or the predetermined shape, then divide the second area  213  into a plurality of areas, and map a plurality of functions of the application being executed to the divided areas, respectively. 
     For example, as illustrated in the screen  215  of  FIG. 2B , if an “∘” shape  217  or a word “music” is input to the second area  213 , the electronic device  101  may execute a music player, and display a play screen of the music player in a first area  231 , as illustrated in the screen  229 . Thereafter, the electronic device  101  may divide the second area  213  into three areas  233 ,  234 , and  235 , and respectively map a play function to the divided area  233 , a go-to-next song function to the divided area  234 , and a back function of the music player to the divided area  235 . 
     As another example, as illustrated in the screen  237  of  FIG. 2C , if a “?” shape  239  or a word “call” is input to the second area  213  through a predetermined gesture, the electronic device  101  may execute a phone book, and display a screen for receiving a phone number in the first area  243 , as illustrated in the screen  241 . Thereafter, the electronic device  101  may divide the second area  213  into twelve areas  257 , and respectively map a plurality of numerals and a plurality of special characters for inputting a phone number to the divided areas  257 . For example, the electronic device  1010  may divide the second area  213  into areas  257  to correspond to a dial pad. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device  101  may recognize a predetermined gesture input to the second area  213  by the user, and execute a function corresponding to the predetermined gesture among the plurality of functions of the application being executed. 
     For example, as illustrated in the screen  219  of  FIG. 2B , if a “—”-shaped gesture  223  of dragging from the left to the right is input while a specific song is played through a music player, the electronic device  101  may execute a go-to-next song function corresponding to the “—”-shaped gesture  223 , may play a song following the specific song, and may display a play screen of the following song in the first area  227 , as illustrated in the screen  225 . 
     As another example, as illustrated in the screen  229  of  FIG. 2B , if the area  235  of the three areas  233 ,  234 , and  235  is touched while a specific song is played through the music player, the electronic device  101  may execute a go-to-next song function corresponding to the area  235 , play a song following the specific song, and display a play screen of the following song in the first area  227 , as illustrated in the screen  229 . 
     As another example, as illustrated in the screen  241  of  FIG. 2C , if a gesture  245  of writing a numeral is input through the second area  213  while a phone book is executed, the electronic device  101  may display the numeral corresponding to the gesture  245  in the first area  249 , as illustrated in a screen  247 . Thereafter, if a “—”-shaped gesture  251  of dragging from the left to the right is input, the electronic device  101  may set up a call based on numerals displayed in the first area  249 . As another example, if an area of the twelve areas  257  is touched, as illustrated in a screen  253  of  FIG. 2C , the electronic device  101  may display a numeral mapped to the touched area in the first area  249 , as illustrated in the screen  247 . Thereafter, if a “—”-shaped gesture  251  of dragging from the left to the right is input, the electronic device  101  may set up a call based on the numerals displayed in the first area  249 . As another example, if an area of the twelve areas  257  is touched, a corresponding numeral and/or image may be displayed in display area  251  contemporaneously with the area being touched. 
     As another example, as illustrated in a screen  263  of  FIG. 2D , if a gesture  267  of writing a word “OK” is input through the second area  213  while a messenger is executed, the electronic device  101  may display the word “OK” corresponding to the gesture  267  in a first area  271 , as illustrated in a screen  269 . Thereafter, if a “—”-shaped gesture  273  of dragging from the left to the right is input, the electronic device  101  may generate and send a message including at least one character displayed in the first area  271 . 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating a method of executing a function of an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , at operation  301 , an electronic device  101  (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) may display a home screen in a first area. Thereafter, the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  303 . According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the first area may be a part of an entire screen of the electronic device  101 , and the home screen may be a screen that is displayed in the first area when the electronic device  101  is in an idle state. For example, the home screen may include a weather icon representing current weather, a clock representing a current time, and/or the like. 
     At operation  303 , the electronic device  101  may determine whether a request for activating a second area is received. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the second area may be a part of the entire area of the electronic device  101 , which does not overlap the first area. 
     For example, if a specific button of the electronic device  101  or a specific icon displayed in the first area is selected by a user, the electronic device  101  may determine that a request for activating the second area has been received. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the specific button may be a button for requesting activation of the second area, and the specific icon may be an icon for requesting activation of the second area. As another example, if predetermined data is received from the outside, the electronic device  101  may determine that a request for activating the second area has been received. The predetermined data may be a text message (e.g., a short message, a multimedia message, or a call signal), E-mail, and/or the like. 
     If a request for activating the second area is received, the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  305 , and otherwise, the electronic device  101  may continue to perform operation  303 . 
     If the electronic device  101  determines that a request for activating a second area is not received at operation  303 , then the electronic device  101  may return to operation  303  at which the electronic device  101  continues to poll for an indication of receipt of a request for activating the second area. 
     In contrast, if the electronic device  101  determines that a request for activating a second area is received at operation  303 , then the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  305  at which the electronic device  101  may activate the second area using the hovering function. Thereafter, the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  307 . According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, activating the second area may correspond to enhancing touch sensitivity of the second area using the hovering function. For example, as illustrated in the screen  201  of  FIG. 2A , if the predetermined icon  205  or the predetermined button  207  is selected by a user, the electronic device  101  may activate the second area  213 , as illustrated in the screen  209 . 
     At operation  307 , the electronic device  101  may determine whether a first gesture is input to the second area. For example, the electronic device  101  may determine whether a first gesture is input to the second area by the user within a predetermined time period. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the first gesture may be input through the cover  105  (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) of the electronic device  101 . The first gesture may be a gesture for executing a predetermined application among various applications that are provided by the electronic device  101 . The first gesture may vary depending on a kind of an application, and may be stored in a memory unit of the electronic device  101 . 
     For example, the electronic device  101  may store a table representing a correlation between applications and gestures, as shown in Table 1 below. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Name of Application 
                 Shape of Gesture 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Music Player 
                 ◯ 
               
               
                   
                 Phone Book 
                 ? 
               
               
                   
                 Messenger 
                 Δ 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     If a gesture is input to the second area, the electronic device  101  may determine whether a first gesture has been input to the second area with reference to Table 1. If a shape corresponding to the input gesture is found in Table 1, the electronic device  101  may determine that a first gesture has been input to the second area. However, if the shape corresponding to the input gesture is not found in Table 1, the electronic device  101  may determine that no first gesture has been input to the second area. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, if no gesture has been input to the second area within the predetermined time period, the electronic device  101  may determine that no first gesture has been input to the second area. 
     If the electronic device  101  determines that a first gesture has been input, then the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  309 , and otherwise, the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  317 . 
     If the electronic device  101  determines that a first gesture has been input to the second area at operation  307 , then the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  309  at which the electronic device  101  may execute an application corresponding to the first gesture among a plurality of applications executable in the electronic device  101 . Thereafter, the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  311 . 
     At operation  311 , the electronic device  101  may display an execution screen of the executed application in the first area. Thereafter, the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  313 . For example, as illustrated in the screen  215  of  FIG. 2B , if a first gesture of a “∘” shape is input, the electronic device  101  may execute a music player corresponding to the first gesture, and display a play screen of the music player in the first screen  221 , as illustrated in the screen  219 . 
     At operation  313 , the electronic device  101  may determine whether a second gesture is input to the second area. For example, the electronic device  101  may determine whether a second gesture is input to the second area by the user within a predetermined time period. The second gesture may be input through the cover  105  of the electronic device  101 . The second gesture is a gesture for executing a predetermined one of a plurality of functions that are provided by the application being executed by the electronic device  101 . The second gesture may vary depending on a kind of a function, and may be stored in the memory unit of the electronic device  101 . 
     For example, the electronic device  101  may store a table representing a correlation between functions and gestures, as shown in Table 2 below. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Name of Application 
                 Function 
                 Shape of Gesture 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Music Player 
                 Back 
                 (Drag from Right to Left) 
               
               
                   
                 Go-to-Next Song 
                 (Drag from Left to Right) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Thereafter, if a gesture is input to the second area, the electronic device  101  may determine whether a second gesture has been input to the second area with reference to Table 2. If a shape corresponding to the input gesture is found in Table 2, the electronic device  101  may determine that a second gesture has been input to the second area. However, if the shape corresponding to the input gesture is not found in Table 2, the electronic device  101  may determine that no second gesture has been input to the second area. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, if no gesture has been input to the second area within the predetermined time period, the electronic device  101  may determine that no second gesture has been input to the second area. 
     If the electronic device  101  determines that the second gesture has been input, then the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  315 , and otherwise, the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  317 . 
     If the electronic device  101  determines that the second gesture has been input at operation  313 , then the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  315  at which the electronic device  101  may execute a function corresponding to the second gesture among the plurality of functions that are provided by the application being executed. For example, as illustrated in the screen  219  of  FIG. 2B , if a “—”-shaped second gesture of dragging from the left to the right is input while a certain music file (e.g., “3. Someone like you”) is played, the electronic device  101  may play a music file (e.g., “4. Tuning table”) following the music file, and may display a play screen of the following music file in the first area  227 , as illustrated in the screen  225 . 
     At operation  317 , the electronic device  101  may stop the hovering function with respect to the second area, thereby deactivating the second area. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, deactivating the second area may correspond to lowering touch sensitivity of the second area to touch sensitivity of before the second area is activated. 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating a method of executing a function of an electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , at operation  401 , an electronic device  101  (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) may display a home screen in a first area. Thereafter, the electronic device may proceed to operation  403 . According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the first area may be a part of an entire screen of the electronic device  101 , and the home screen may be a screen that is displayed in the first area when the electronic device  101  is in an idle state. For example, the home screen may include a weather icon representing current weather, a clock representing a current time, and/or the like. 
     At operation  403 , the electronic device  101  may determine whether a request for activating the second area is received. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the second area may be a part of an entire screen of the electronic device  101 , which does not overlap the first area. 
     For example, if a predetermined button of the electronic device  101  or a predetermined icon displayed in the first area is selected by a user, the electronic device  101  may determine that a request for activating the second area has been received. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the predetermined button may be a button for requesting activation of the second area, and the predetermined icon may be an icon for requesting activation of the second area. As another example, if predetermined data is received from the outside, the electronic device  101  may determine that a request for activating the second area has been received. The predetermined data may be a text message (e.g., a short message, a multimedia message, or a call signal), E-mail, and/or the like. 
     If the electronic device  101  determines that a request for activating the second area has been received, the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  405 , and otherwise, the electronic device  101  may continue to perform operation  403 . 
     If the electronic device  101  determines that a request for activating a second area is not received at operation  403 , then the electronic device  101  may return to operation  403  at which the electronic device  101  continues to poll for an indication of receipt of a request for activating the second area. 
     In contrast, if the electronic device  101  determines that a request for activating the second area has been received at operation  403 , then the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  405  at which the electronic device  101  may activate the second area using the hovering function. Thereafter, the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  407 . According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the activating the second area may correspond to enhancing touch sensitivity of the second area using the hovering function. For example, as illustrated in the screen  201  of  FIG. 2A , if the predetermined icon  205  or the predetermined button  207  is selected by a user, the electronic device  101  may activate the second area  213 , as illustrated in the screen  209 . 
     At operation  407 , the electronic device  101  may determine whether a first gesture has been input to the second area. For example, the electronic device  101  may determine whether a first gesture has been input to the second area by the user within a predetermined time period. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the first gesture may be input through the cover  105  of the electronic device  101 . The first gesture may be a gesture for executing a predetermined one of various applications that are provided by the electronic device  101 . The first gesture may vary depending on a kind of an application, and may be stored in the memory unit of the electronic device  101 . 
     For example, the electronic device  101  may store a table representing a correlation between applications and gestures, as shown in Table 1. If a gesture has been input to the second area, the electronic device  101  may determine whether a first gesture has been input to the second area with reference to Table 1. If a shape corresponding to the input gesture is found in Table 1, the electronic device  101  may determine that a first gesture has been input to the second area. However, if the shape corresponding to the input gesture is not found in Table 1, the electronic device  101  may determine that no first gesture has been input to the second area. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, if no gesture has been input to the second area within the predetermined time period, the electronic device  101  may determine that no first gesture has been input to the second area. 
     If the electronic device  101  determines that a first gesture has been input, then the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  409 , and otherwise, the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  417 . 
     If the electronic device  101  determines that a first gesture has been input to the second area at operation  407 , then the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  409  at which the electronic device  101  may execute an application corresponding to the first gesture among the plurality of applications executable in the electronic device  101 . Thereafter, the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  411 . 
     At operation  411 , the electronic device  101  may display an execution screen of the application executed in the first area. Thereafter, the electronic device  101  proceeds to operation  413 . 
     At operation  413 , the electronic device  101  may divide (e.g., virtually divide) the second area into a plurality of areas, respectively map the plurality of functions of the application being executed to the divided areas, and then proceed to operation  415 . 
     For example, as illustrated in the screen  215  of  FIG. 2B , if a first gesture of a gesture shape “∘” is input, the electronic device  101  may execute a music player corresponding to the first gesture. Thereafter, the electronic device  101  may display a play screen of the music player in the first area  221 , as illustrated in the screen  219 , divide the second area  213  into three areas  233 ,  234 , and  235 , and respectively map a play function to the divided area  233 , a go-to-next song function to the divided area  234 , and a back function of the music player to the divided area  235 . 
     At operation  415 , the electronic device  101  may determine whether any one of the divided areas  233 ,  234 , and  235  is selected. For example, the electronic device  101  may determine whether any one of the divided areas  233 ,  234 , and  235  is selected by a user within a predetermined time period. 
     If one of the divided areas  233 ,  234 , and  235  is selected, the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  417 , and otherwise, the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  419 . 
     If the electronic device determines that any one of the divided areas  233 ,  234 , and  235  is selected at operation  415 , then the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  417  at which the electronic device  101  may execute a function corresponding to the selected area among the plurality of functions that are provided by the application being executed. For example, as illustrated in the screen  229  of  FIG. 2B , if the area  235  to which the go-to-next song function is mapped among the three areas  233 ,  234 , and  235  is selected while a certain music file (e.g., “3. Someone like you”) is played, the electronic device  101  may play a music file (e.g., “4. Turning table”) following the music file, and may display a play screen of the following music file in the first area  227 , as illustrated in the screen  225 . 
     At operation  419 , the electronic device  101  may stop the hovering function with respect to the second area, thereby deactivating the second area. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, deactivating the second area may correspond to lowering touch sensitivity of the second area to touch sensitivity of before the second area is activated. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates screens on which a function of an electronic device is executed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , if an electronic device  101  is coupled with a cover  105  (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ), as illustrated in a screen  501 , the electronic device  101  may display a sleep screen in a first area  503 . The sleep screen may be a screen that is displayed in the first area  503  when the electronic device  101  is in a sleep state. For example, the sleep screen may be a screen on which no image is displayed. 
     Thereafter, if a predetermined button  505  is pressed in the screen  501 , then, as illustrated in screen  507 , the electronic device  101  may display a home screen in a first area  509 , and activate both the first area  509  and a second area  511  using the hovering function. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the predetermined button  505  may be a button for requesting activation of both the first area  509  and the second area  511 . The home screen may be a screen that is displayed in the first area  509  when the electronic device  101  is in an idle state. For example, the home screen may include a weather icon representing current weather, a clock representing a current time, and/or the like. 
     If a message is received in the screen  501 , then, as illustrated in screen  513 , the electronic device  101  may display a notify icon  517  notifying that a message has been received, on the home screen, and activate the first area  515  and the second area  519  using the hovering function. 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a method of executing a function of an electronic device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , at operation  601 , an electronic device  101  (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) may determine whether an event is generated. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the event may include an internal event and an external event. The external event may be an event that is generated by an external device or a user, for example, a case in which a predetermined button is pressed by a user, or a case in which predetermined data is received from an external device. The internal event may be an event that is generated in the electronic device  101 , and may be an alarm event of a clock, a schedule notify event of a calendar, and/or the like. The predetermined button may be a button for requesting activation of a first area and a second area, and the predetermined data may be a text message (e.g., a short message, a multimedia message, or a call signal), E-mail, and/or the like. 
     If the electronic device  101  determines that an event has been generated, the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  603 , and otherwise, the electronic device  101  may continue to perform operation  601 . 
     If the electronic device  101  determines that an event has not been generated at operation  601 , then the electronic device  101  may return to operation  601  at which the electronic device  101  continues to poll for an indication of generation of an event. 
     In contrast, if the electronic device  101  determines that an event has been generated at operation  601 , then the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  603  at which the electronic device  101  may determine whether the cover  105  (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) has been closed. 
     If the electronic device  101  determines that the cover  105  has been closed at operation  603 , then the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  605 , and otherwise, the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  617 . According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device  101  may determine a closed or opened state of the cover  105  by detecting a magnetic force of a magnet attached on the cover  105 . 
     If the electronic device  101  determines that the cover  105  has not been closed at operation  603 , then the electronic device may proceed to operation  617  at which the electronic device  101  may perform a function corresponding to the generated event. For example, if the generated event is an event of receiving a text message, the electronic device  101  may display a part of content of the received text message in a part of an entire screen, and/or the like. 
     In contrast, if the electronic device  101  determines that the cover  105  has been closed at operation  603 , then the electronic device may proceed to operation  605  at which the electronic device  101  may activate both the first area and the second area using the hovering function. Thereafter, the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  607 . According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the first area may be a part of an entire screen of the electronic device  101 . For example, as illustrated in the screen  501  of  FIG. 5 , if the predetermined button  505  is pressed by a user in the screen  501 , the electronic device  101  may activate the first area  509  and the second area  511 , as illustrated in the screen  507 . 
     At operation  607 , the electronic device  101  may determine whether a first gesture is input to the second area. For example, the electronic device  101  may determine whether a first gesture is input to the second area by a user within a predetermined time period. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the first gesture may be input through the cover  105  of the electronic device  101 . The first gesture may be a gesture for executing a predetermined one of various applications that are provided by the electronic device  101 . The first gesture may vary depending on a kind of an application, and may be stored in the memory unit of the electronic device  101 . 
     For example, the electronic device  101  may store a table representing a correlation between applications and gestures, as shown in Table 1. If the electronic device  101  determines that a gesture has been input to the second area, the electronic device  101  may determine whether a first gesture has been input to the second area with reference to Table 1. If a shape corresponding to the input gesture is found in Table 1, the electronic device  101  may determine that a first gesture has been input to the second area. However, if the shape corresponding to the input gesture is not found in Table 1, the electronic device  101  may determine that no first gesture has been input to the second area. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, if no gesture has been input to the second area within the predetermined time period, the electronic device  101  may determine that no first gesture has been input to the second area. 
     If the electronic device  101  determines that a first gesture has been input, then the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  609 , and otherwise, the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  619 . 
     If the electronic device  101  determines that a first gesture is input to the second area at operation  607 , then the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  609  at which the electronic device  101  may execute an application corresponding to the first gesture among a plurality of applications executable in the electronic device  101 . Thereafter, the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  611 . 
     At operation  611 , the electronic device  101  may display an execution screen of the executed application in the first area. Thereafter, the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  613 . For example, as illustrated in the screen  215  of  FIG. 2B , if a first gesture of a “∘” shape has been input, the electronic device  101  may execute a music player corresponding to the first gesture, and display a play screen of the music player in the first screen  221 , as illustrated in the screen  219 . 
     At operation  613 , the electronic device  101  may determine whether a second gesture is input to the second area. For example, the electronic device  101  may determine whether a second gesture is input to the second area by the user within a predetermined time period. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the second gesture may be input through the cover  105  of the electronic device  101 . The second gesture may be a gesture for executing a predetermined one of the plurality of functions that are provided by the application being executed in the electronic device  101 . The second gesture may vary depending on a kind of a function, and may be stored in the memory unit of the electronic device  101 . 
     For example, the electronic device  101  may store a table representing a correlation between functions and gestures, as shown in Table 2. If a gesture has been input to the second area, the electronic device  101  may determine whether a second gesture has been input to the second area with reference to Table 2. If a shape corresponding to the input gesture is found in Table 2, the electronic device  101  may determine that a second gesture has been input to the second area. However, if the shape corresponding to the input gesture is not found in Table 2, the electronic device  101  may determine that no second gesture has been input to the second area. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, if no gesture has been input to the second area within the predetermined time period, the electronic device  101  may determine that no second gesture has been input to the second area. 
     If the electronic device  101  determines that a second gesture has been input at operation  613 , then the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  615 , and otherwise, the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  619 . 
     If the electronic device  101  determines that a second gesture is input to the second area at operation  613 , then the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  615  at which the electronic device  101  may execute a function corresponding to the second gesture among the plurality of functions that are provided by the application being executed. For example, as illustrated in the screen  219  of  FIG. 2B , if a “—”-shaped second gesture of dragging from the left to the right is input while a certain music file (e.g., “3. Someone like you”) is played, the electronic device  101  may play a music file (e.g., “4. Tuning table”) following the music file, and may display a play screen of the following music file in the first area  227 , as illustrated in the screen  225 . 
     In contrast, if the electronic device  101  determines that a second gesture is not input to the second area at operation  613 , then the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  619 . 
     At operation  619 , the electronic device  101  may stop the hovering function with respect to the first and second areas, thereby deactivating the first and second areas. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, deactivating the first and second areas may correspond to lowering touch sensitivity of the first and second areas to touch sensitivity of before the first and second areas are activated. 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating a method of executing a function of an electronic device according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , at operation  701 , an electronic device  101  (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) may determine whether an event is generated. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the event may include an internal event and an external event. The external event may be an event that is generated by an external device or a user, for example, a case in which a predetermine button is pressed by a user, or a case in which predetermined data is received from an external device. The internal event may be an event that is generated in the electronic device  101 , and may be an alarm event of a clock, a schedule notify event of a calendar, and/or the like. The predetermined button may be a button for requesting activation of a first area and a second area, and the predetermined data may be a text message (e.g., a short message, a multimedia message, or a call signal), E-mail, and/or the like. 
     If the electronic device  101  determines that an event has been generated, the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  703 , and otherwise, the electronic device  101  may continue to perform operation  701 . 
     If the electronic device  101  determines that an event has not been generated at operation  701 , then the electronic device  101  may return to operation  701  at which the electronic device  101  continues to poll for an indication of generation of an event. 
     In contrast, if the electronic device  101  determines that an event has been generated at operation  701 , then the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  703  at which the electronic device  101  may determine whether the cover  105  (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) has been closed. 
     If the electronic device  101  determines that the cover  105  has been closed at operation  703 , then the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  705 , and otherwise, the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  719 . According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device  101  may determine a closed or opened state of the cover  105  by sensing a magnetic force of a magnet attached on the cover  105 . 
     If the electronic device  101  determines that the cover  105  has not been closed at operation  703 , then the electronic device may proceed to operation  719  at which the electronic device  101  may perform a function corresponding to the generated event. For example, if the generated event is an event of receiving a text message, the electronic device  101  may display a part of content of the received text message in a part of an entire screen, and/or the like. 
     In contrast, if the electronic device  101  determines that the cover  105  has been closed at operation  703 , then the electronic device may proceed to operation  705  at which the electronic device  101  may activate both the first area and the second area using the hovering function. Thereafter, the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  707 . The first area may be a part of the entire screen of the electronic device  101 . For example, as illustrated in the screen  501  of  FIG. 5 , if the predetermined button  505  is pressed by a user, the electronic device  101  may activate the first area  509  and the second area  511 , as illustrated in the screen  507 . 
     At operation  707 , the electronic device  101  may determine whether a first gesture is input to the second area. For example, the electronic device  101  may determine whether a first gesture is input to the second area by a user within a predetermined time period. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the first gesture may be input through the cover  105  of the electronic device  101 . The first gesture may be a gesture for executing a predetermined one of various applications that are provided by the electronic device  101 . The first gesture may vary depending on a kind of an application, and may be stored in the memory unit of the electronic device. 
     For example, the electronic device  101  may store a table representing a correlation between applications and gestures, as shown in Table 1. If the electronic device  101  determines that a gesture has been input to the second area, the electronic device  101  may determine whether a first gesture has been input to the second area with reference to Table 1. If a shape corresponding to the input gesture is found in Table 1, the electronic device  101  may determine that a first gesture has been input to the second area. However, if the shape corresponding to the input gesture is not found in Table 1, the electronic device  101  may determine that no first gesture has been input to the second area. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, if no gesture has been input to the second area within the predetermined time period, the electronic device  101  may determine that no first gesture has been input to the second area. 
     If the electronic device  101  determines that a first gesture has been input, then the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  709 , and otherwise, the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  721 . 
     If the electronic device  101  determines that a first gesture is input to the second area at operation  707 , then the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  709  at which the electronic device  101  may execute an application corresponding to the first gesture among the plurality of applications that are executable in the electronic device  101 . Thereafter, the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  711 . 
     At operation  711 , the electronic device  101  may display an execution screen of the executed application in the first area. Thereafter, the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  713 . 
     At operation  713 , the electronic device  101  may divide (e.g., virtually divide) the second area into a plurality of areas, respectively map the plurality of functions of the application to the divided areas. Thereafter, the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  715 . 
     For example, as illustrated in the screen  215  of  FIG. 2B , if a first gesture of a “∘” shape has been input, the electronic device  101  may execute a music player corresponding to the first gesture. Thereafter, the electronic device  101  may display a play screen of the music player in the first area  221 , divide the second area  213  (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 2A ) into the three areas  233 ,  234 , and  235 , and respectively map a play function to the divided area  233 , a go-to-next song function to the divided area  234 , and a back function of the music player to the divided area  235 , as illustrated in the screen  229 . 
     At operation  715 , the electronic device  101  may determine whether any one of the divided areas is selected. For example, the electronic device  101  may determine whether any one of the divided areas is selected by a user within a predetermined time period. 
     If one of the divided areas is selected by a user, then the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  717 , and otherwise, the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  721 . 
     If the electronic device  101  determines that any one of the divided areas is selected at operation  715 , then the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  717  at which the electronic device  101  may execute a function corresponding to the selected area among the plurality of functions that are provided by the application being executed. For example, as illustrated in the screen  229  of  FIG. 2B , if the area  235  to which the go-to-next song function is mapped among the three areas  233 ,  234 , and  235  is selected while a certain music file (e.g., “3. Someone like you”) is played, the electronic device  101  may play a music file (e.g., “4. Turning table”) following the music file, and may display a play screen of the following music file in the first area  227 , as illustrated in the screen  225 . 
     In contrast, if the electronic device  101  determines that a second gesture is not input to the second area at operation  715 , then the electronic device  101  may proceed to operation  721 . 
     At operation  721 , the electronic device  101  may stop the hovering function with respect to the first and second areas, thereby deactivating the first and second areas. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, deactivating the first and second areas may correspond to lowering touch sensitivity of the first and second areas to touch sensitivity of before the first and second areas are activated. 
       FIG. 8  is a block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , an electronic device  101  may include a controller  801 , a display unit  803 , an input unit  805 , a memory unit  807 , an Radio Frequency (RF) unit  809 , a data processor  811 , and a sound processor  813 . The electronic device  101  may be coupled/decoupled with/from a cover  105  (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ). 
     The RF unit  809  may perform a wireless communication function of the electronic device  101 . More specifically, the RF unit  809  may include an RF transmitter to up-convert a frequency of a signal to be transmitted and amplify the signal, and an RF receiver to low-noise amplify a received signal and down-convert a frequency of the signal. The data processor may include a transmitter to encode and modulate a signal to be transmitted, and a receiver to demodulate and decode a received signal. The data processor  811  may include a modem and a codec, and the codec may include a data codec to process packet data, and an audio codec to process audio signals such as voice. 
     The sound processor  813  may reproduce received audio signals output from the data processor  811  through a speaker, or transfer audio signals to the transmitted, generated by a microphone, to the data processor  811 . 
     The input unit  805  may include keys for inputting numeric and character information and function keys for setting various functions. 
     The display unit  803  may display image signals as a screen, and display data output from the controller  801 . If the display unit  803  is implemented as a capacitive or resistive touch screen, the input unit  805  may include a minimum number of predetermined keys, and the display unit  803  may at least partially replace the key input function of the input unit  805 . 
     The memory unit  807  may include a program memory and a data memory (not shown). The program memory may store a booting and Operating System (OS) for controlling the general operations of the electronic device  101 , and the data memory may store various kinds of data created or received when the electronic device  101  operates. For example, the memory unit  807  may store a correlation between first gestures and applications, and a correlation between second gestures and functions of a predetermined application. 
     Each first gesture may be a gesture for executing a predetermined one of various applications that are provided by the electronic device  101 . The first gesture may vary depending on a kind of an application. Each second gesture may be a gesture for executing a predetermined one of a plurality of functions that are provided by an application being executed in the electronic device  101 . The second gesture may vary depending on a kind of an application, or a function of a predetermined application. For example, the memory unit  807  may create a table representing a correlation between first gestures and applications, as shown in Table 1, and store the table. As another example, the memory unit  807  may create a table representing a correlation between second gestures and functions of a predetermined application, as shown in Table 2, and store the table. 
     The controller  801  may control overall operations of the electronic device  101 . For example, the controller  801  may recognize a gesture input by a user through a second area, and execute an application (or a function of an application) corresponding to the recognized gesture. 
     More specifically, according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller  801  may display a home screen in a first area. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the first area may be a part of an entire screen of the controller  801 , and the home screen may be a screen that is displayed in the first area when the controller  801  is in an idle state. For example, the home screen may include a weather icon representing current weather, a clock representing a current time, and/or the like. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controller  801  may determine whether a request for activating the second area is received. The second area  213  may be a part of the entire screen of the electronic device  101 , which does not overlap the first area. For example, if a predetermined button of the electronic device  101  is pressed or a predetermined icon displayed in the first area is touched by a user, the controller  801  may determine that a request for activating the second area has been received. The predetermined button may be a button for requesting activation of the second area, and the predetermined icon may be an icon for requesting activation of the second area. As another example, if predetermined data is received from the outside, the controller  801  may determine that a request for activating the second area has been received. The predetermined data may be a text message (e.g., a short message, a multimedia message, or a call signal), E-mail, and/or the like. 
     If a request for activating the second area is received, the controller  801  may activate the second area using the hovering function. Activating the second area may correspond to enhancing touch sensitivity of the second area using the hovering function. For example, as illustrated in the screen  201  of  FIG. 2A , if the predetermined icon  205  is touched or the predetermined button is pressed by a user, the controller  801  may activate the second area  213 , as illustrated in the screen  209 . 
     Thereafter, the controller  801  may determine whether a first gesture is input to the second area by the user within a predetermined time period. The first gesture may be input through the cover  105  coupled with the electronic device  101 . 
     For example, if a gesture has been input through the second area, the controller  801  may determine whether a first gesture has been input to the second area with reference to Table 1 stored in the memory unit  807 . If a shape corresponding to the input gesture is found in Table 1, the controller  801  may determine that a first gesture has been input to the second area. However, if the shape corresponding to the input gesture is not found in Table 1, the controller  801  may determine that no first gesture has been input to the second area. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, if no gesture has been input through the second area within the predetermined time period, the controller  801  may determine that no first gesture has been input to the second area. 
     If no first gesture has been input, the controller  801  may stop the hovering function with respect to the second area, thereby deactivating the second area. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, deactivating the second area may correspond to lowering touch sensitivity of the second area to touch sensitivity of before the second area is activated. 
     If the controller  801  determines that a first gesture has been input, the controller  801  may execute an application corresponding to the first gesture among a plurality of application executable in the electronic device  101 , and display an execution screen of the executed application in the first area. For example, as illustrated in the screen  215  of  FIG. 2B , if a first gesture of a “∘” shape has been input, the controller  801  may execute a music player corresponding to the first gesture, and display a play screen of the music player in the first screen  221 , as illustrated in the screen  219 . 
     Thereafter, the controller  801  may determine whether a second gesture is input to the second area by the user within a predetermined time period. The second gesture may be input through the cover  105  coupled with the electronic device  101 . 
     For example, if a gesture has been input through the second area, the controller  801  may determine whether a second gesture has been input to the second area with reference to Table 2 representing a correlation between second gestures and functions of a predetermined application. If a shape corresponding to the input gesture is found in Table 2, the controller  801  may determine that a second gesture has been input to the second area. However, if the shape corresponding to the input gesture is not found in Table 2, the controller  801  may determine that no second gesture has been input to the second area. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, if no gesture has been input to the second area within the predetermined time period, the controller  801  may determine that no second gesture has been input to the second area. 
     If no second gesture has been input to the second area, the controller  801  may stop the hovering function with respect to the second area, thereby deactivating the second area. 
     If the controller  801  may determine that a second gesture has been input to the second area, the controller  801  may execute a function corresponding to the second gesture among the plurality of functions that are provided by the application being executed. For example, as illustrated in the screen  219  of  FIG. 2B , if a “—”-shaped second gesture of dragging from the left to the right is input while a certain music file (e.g., “3. Someone like you”) is played, the electronic device  101  may play a music file (e.g., “4. Tuning table”) following the music file, and display a play screen in the first area  227 , as illustrated in the screen  225 . 
     According to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller  801  may display a home screen in the first area. Thereafter, the controller  801  may determine whether a request for activating the second area is received. For example, if a predetermined button of the electronic device  101  is pressed or a predetermined icon displayed in the first area is touched by a user, the controller  801  may determine that a request for activating the second area has been received. 
     If the controller  801  determines that a request for activating the second area has been received, the controller  801  may activate the second area using the hovering function. For example, as illustrated in the screen  201  of  FIG. 2A , if the predetermined icon  205  is touched or the predetermined button  207  is pressed by the user, the controller  801  may activate the second area  213 , as illustrated in the screen  209 . 
     Thereafter, the controller  801  may determine whether a first gesture is input to the second area by the user within a predetermined time period. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the first gesture may be input through the cover  105  coupled with the electronic device  101 . 
     For example, if a gesture has been input through the second area, the controller  801  may determine whether a first gesture has been input to the second area with reference to Table 1 stored in the memory unit  507 . If a shape corresponding to the input gesture is found in Table 1, the controller  801  may determine that a first gesture has been input to the second area. However, if the shape corresponding to the input gesture is not found in Table 1, the controller  801  may determine that no first gesture has been input onto the second area. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, if no gesture has been input through the second area within the predetermined time period, the controller  801  may determine that no first gesture has been input onto the second area. 
     If the controller  801  determines that no first gesture has been input, the controller  801  may stop the hovering function with respect to the second area, thereby deactivating the second area. 
     If the controller  801  determines that a first gesture has been input, the controller  801  may execute an application corresponding to the first gesture among the plurality of applications executable in the electronic device  101 , and display an execution screen of the executed application in the first area. Thereafter, the controller  801  may divide (e.g., virtually divide) the second area into a plurality of areas and respectively map a plurality of functions of the application being executed to the divided areas. 
     For example, as illustrated in the screen  215  of  FIG. 2B , if a first gesture of an “∘” shape has been input, the controller  801  may execute a music player corresponding to the first gesture. Thereafter, as illustrated in the screen  229 , the controller  801  may display a play screen of the music player, may divide the second area into three areas, and then may respectively map a play function, a go-to-next song function, and a back function of the music player to the three areas. 
     Thereafter, the controller  801  may determine whether one of the divided areas is selected by the user within a predetermined time period. 
     If none of the divided areas is selected, the controller  801  may stop the hovering function with respect to the second area, thereby deactivating the second area. 
     In contrast, if one of the divided areas is selected, the controller  801  may execute a function corresponding to the selected area among the plurality of functions that are provided by the application being executed. For example, as illustrated in the screen  229  of  FIG. 2B , if the area  235  to which the go-to-next song function is mapped among the three areas  233 ,  234 , and  235  is selected while a certain music file (e.g., “3. Someone like you”) is played, the controller  801  may play a music file (e.g., “4. Turning table”) following the music file, and display a play screen of the following music file in the first area  227 , as illustrated in the screen  225 . 
     According to the third embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller  801  may determine whether an event is generated. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the event may include an internal event and an external event. The external event may be an event that is generated by an external device or a user, for example, a case in which a predetermined button is pressed by a user, or a case in which predetermined data is received from an external device. The internal event may be an event that is generated in the electronic device  101 , and may be an alarm event of a clock, a schedule notify event of a calendar, and/or the like. The predetermined button may be a button for requesting activation of the first area and the second area, and the predetermined data may be a text message (e.g., a short message, a multimedia message, or a call signal), E-mail, and/or the like. 
     If the controller  801  determines that an event has been generated, the controller  801  may determine whether the cover  105  has been closed. 
     If the controller  801  determines that the cover  105  has been opened, the controller  801  may perform a function corresponding to the generated event. For example, if the generated event is an event of receiving a text message, the controller  801  may display a part of content of the received text message in a part of an entire screen. 
     If the controller  801  determines that the cover  105  has been closed, the controller  801  may activate both the first and second areas using the hovering function. The first area may be a part of an entire screen of the electronic device  101 . For example, as illustrated in the screen  501  of  FIG. 5 , if the predetermined button  505  is pressed by the user, the electronic device  101  may activate both the first area  509  and the second area  511 , as illustrated in the screen  507 . 
     Thereafter, the controller  801  may determine whether a first gesture is input to the second area by the user within a predetermined time period. The first gesture may be input through the cover  105  coupled with the electronic device  101 . 
     For example, if a gesture has been input through the second area, the controller  801  may determine whether a first gesture has been input to the second area using Table 1 stored in the memory unit  507 . If a shape corresponding to the input gesture is found in Table 1, the controller  801  may determine that the first gesture has been input to the second area. However, if the shape corresponding to the input gesture is not found in Table 1, the controller  801  may determine that no first gesture has been input to the second area. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, if no gesture has been input to the second area within the predetermined time period, the controller  801  may determine that no first gesture has been input to the second area. 
     If the controller  801  determines that no first gesture has been input, the controller  801  may stop the hovering function with respect to the second area, thereby deactivating the second area. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, deactivating the second area may correspond to lowering touch sensitivity of the second area to touch sensitivity of before the second area is activated. 
     If the controller  801  determines that a first gesture has been input, the controller  801  may execute an application corresponding to the first gesture among the plurality of applications executable in the electronic device  101 , display an execution screen of the executed application in the first area. For example, as illustrated in the screen  215  of  FIG. 2B , if a first gesture of a “∘” shape has been input, the controller  801  may execute a music player corresponding to the first gesture, and display a play screen of the music player in the first screen  221 , as illustrated in the screen  219 . 
     Thereafter, the controller  801  may determine whether a second gesture is input to the second area by the user within a predetermined time period. The second gesture may be input through the cover  105  coupled with the electronic device  101 . 
     For example, if a gesture has been input though the second area, the controller  801  may determine whether a second gesture has been input to the second area with reference to Table 2 representing a correlation between second gestures and functions of a predetermined application. If a shape corresponding to the input gesture is found in Table 2, the controller  801  may determine that a second gesture has been input to the second area. However, if the shape corresponding to the input gesture is not found in Table 2, the controller  801  may determine that no second gesture has been input to the second area. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, if no gesture has been input to the second area within the predetermined time period, the controller  801  may determine that no second gesture has been input to the second area. 
     If the controller  801  determines that no second gesture has been input onto the second area, the controller  801  may stop the hovering function with respect to the first and second areas, thereby deactivating the first and second areas. 
     If the controller  801  determines that a second gesture has been input, the controller  801  may execute a function corresponding to the second gesture among the plurality of functions that are provided by the application being executed. For example, as illustrated in the screen  219  of  FIG. 2B , if a “—”-shaped second gesture of dragging from the left to the right is input while a certain music file (e.g., “3. Someone like you”) is played, the controller  801  may play a music file (e.g., “4. Tuning table”) following the music file, and may display a play screen of the following music file in the second area  227 , as illustrated in the screen  225  of  FIG. 2B . 
     According to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller  801  may determine whether an event is generated. If the controller  801  determines that an event has been generated, the controller  801  may determine whether the cover  105  has been closed. 
     If the controller  801  determines that the cover  105  has been opened, the controller  105  may execute a function corresponding to the generated event. For example, if the generated event is an event of receiving a text message and/or the like, the electronic device  101  may display a part of content of the received text message in a part of an entire screen. 
     If the controller  801  determines that the cover  105  has been closed, the controller  801  may activate both the first and second areas using the hovering function. For example, in the screen  501  of  FIG. 5 , if the predetermined button  505  is pressed by a user, the electronic device  101  may activate both the first area  509  and the second area  511 , as illustrated in the screen  507 . 
     Thereafter, the controller  801  may determine whether a first gesture is input to the second area within a predetermined time period. The first gesture may be input through the cover  105  coupled with the electronic device  101 . 
     For example, if a gesture has been input through the second area, the controller  801  may determine whether a first gesture has been input to the second area with reference to Table 1 stored in the memory unit  507 . If a shape corresponding to the input gesture is found in Table 1, the controller  801  may determine that a first gesture has been input to the second area. However, if the shape corresponding to the input gesture is not found in Table 1, the controller  801  may determine that no first gesture has been input to the second area. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, if no gesture has been input to the second area within the predetermined time period, the controller  801  may determine that no first gesture has been input to the second area. 
     If the controller  801  determines that no first gesture has been input, the controller  801  may stop the hovering function with respect to the second area, thereby deactivating the second area. 
     If the controller  801  determines that a first gesture has been input, the controller  801  may execute an application corresponding to the first gesture among the plurality of application executable in the electronic device  101 , and may display an execution screen of the executed application in the first area. Thereafter, the controller  801  may divide (e.g., virtually divide) the second area into a plurality of areas, and respectively map the plurality of functions of the application being executed to the divided areas. 
     For example, as illustrated in the screen  215  of  FIG. 2B , if a first gesture of a “∘” shape is input, the controller  801  may execute a music player corresponding to the first gesture. Thereafter, the controller  801  may display a play screen of the music player in the first area  221 , divide the second area into three areas  233 ,  234 , and  235 , and respectively map a play function to the area  233 , a go-to-next song function to the area  234 , and a back function of the music player to the area  235 , as illustrated in the screen  229 . 
     Thereafter, the controller  801  may determine whether any one of the divided areas is selected by a user within a predetermined time period. 
     If none of the divided areas is selected, the controller  801  may stop the hovering function with respect to the first and second areas, thereby deactivating the first and second areas. 
     If one of the divided areas has been selected, the controller  801  may execute a function corresponding to the selected area among the plurality of functions that are provided by the application being executed. For example, as illustrated in the screen  229  of  FIG. 2B , if the area  235  to which the go-to-next song function is mapped among the three areas  233 ,  234 , and  235  is selected while a certain music file (e.g., “3. Someone like you”) is played, the electronic device  101  may play a music file (e.g., “4. Turning table”) following the music file, and display a play screen of the following music file in the first area  227 , as illustrated in the screen  225 . 
     According to the apparatus and method for executing the function in the electronic device, as described above, a user can execute various functions of the electronic device even when a cover of the electronic device is closed. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the proposed apparatus and method for executing the function in the electronic device may be implemented as computer-readable code in a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium may include any kind of recording device storing computer-readable data. Examples of the recording medium may include Read Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), optical disk, magnetic tape, floppy disk, hard disk, non-volatile memory. In addition, the non-transitory computer-readable recording medium may be distributed over the computer systems connected over the network, and computer-readable codes may be stored and executed in a distributed manner. 
     While the present disclosure has been shown and described with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.