Patent Publication Number: US-2021174766-A1

Title: Electronic device for controlling divided screen

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure relate to a technique for dividing a screen in a folding electronic device for using the screen. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     With the recent increase of demands for larger screens, the development of a technique for an electronic device capable of providing a large screen to a user has been actively conducted. For example, when a full front display is mounted in an electronic device, a user is able to use the entire front surface of the electronic device as a display, and is able to enjoy photos, videos, and the like, through a larger screen accordingly. 
     Despite the advantage of being able to enjoy photos, videos, and the like, through the larger screens, as the size of the display gradually increases, it may not be easier for a user to carry the electronic device. For example, if the size of the display is larger than a certain size, it is not easy to hold it in one hand and not easy to fit it into a pocket, or the like, which may make the user inconvenient. Accordingly, in recent years, the development of a technique for an electronic device capable of being folded to a certain size or less has been actively conducted. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     When the electronic device is folded to a certain size or less, the screen output through the display is also folded together with the electronic device, and thus the user may not be able to easily recognize the screen output on a partial region of the display. For example, when the user folds the electronic device, an angle of the partial region made with the line of sight of the user is parallel or equal to or less than a certain angle, and as a result, the user may not be able to easily recognize the partial region. Accordingly, the user may not be able to recognize the information output through the partial region, which may be inconvenient. 
     Embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure are to provide an electronic device for solving the aforementioned problems and the problems posed in the present disclosure. 
     Technical Solution 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there may be provided an electronic device including a housing, a display disposed inside the housing and including a first region and a second region extending from the first region, a first sensor disposed at an edge of the housing and measuring an inclined angle between the first region and the second region, a second sensor detecting whether or not one surface of the housing is in contact with an external object, and a processor electrically connected to the display, the first sensor, and the second sensor, and the processor may turn on the first region and turn off the second region if the angle is within a specified range and the one surface of the housing contacts the external object. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there may be provided an electronic device including a housing, a display disposed inside the housing and including a first region and a second region extending from the first region, a first sensor disposed at an edge of the housing and measuring an inclined angle between the first region and the second region, a second sensor detecting whether or not one surface of the housing is in contact with an external object, and a processor electrically connected to the display, the first sensor, and the second sensor, and the processor may output, through the display a first icon for turning on the first region and turning off the second region if the angle is within a specified range and the one surface of the housing contacts the external object. 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there may be provided an electronic device including a housing, a display disposed inside the housing and including a first region and a second region extending from the first region, a first sensor disposed at an edge of the housing and measuring an inclined angle between the first region and the second region, a second sensor detecting whether or not one surface of the housing is in contact with an external object, and a processor electrically connected to the display, the first sensor, and the second sensor, and the processor may turn on the first region and turn off the second region if the angle is within a specified range. 
     Advantageous Effects 
     According to the embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure, it is possible to improve user convenience. 
     Besides, various effects may be provided that are directly or indirectly identified through the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating an electronic device in an unfolded state according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating the electronic device in a folded state according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating components included in the electronic device according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating an electronic device in an unfolded state according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating the electronic device in a folded state according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating a screen output state of the electronic device according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating an electronic device in an unfolded state according to yet another embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating a screen output state of the electronic device by a first icon according to yet another embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating a screen output state of the electronic device by a second icon according to yet another embodiment; 
         FIGS. 10 and 11  are diagrams illustrating a state of outputting a control screen through a partial region of a display by an electronic device according to various embodiments; and 
         FIG. 12  is a block diagram of an electronic device in a network environment according to various embodiments. 
     
    
    
     MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating an electronic device in an unfolded state according to an embodiment.  FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating the electronic device in a folded state according to an embodiment.  FIG. 2  illustrates a state in which an electronic device  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1  is folded by a user. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the electronic device  100  may include a housing  110  and a display  120 . 
     The housing  110  may protect various parts (e.g., the display  120 ) included in the electronic device  100  from external impacts by forming the exterior of the electronic device  100 . According to an embodiment, the housing  110  may be made of metal, plastic, or a bendable polymer material. 
     The display  120  may be disposed inside the housing  110 . The display  120  may output various contents in response to a user input. For example, if the user executes a gallery application, the display  120  may output various photos. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the electronic device  100  may be folded based on a boundary line  123 . For example, if the user pushes one surface of the housing  110  while holding the electronic device  100 , the electronic device  100  may be folded as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     According to an embodiment, the housing  110  and the display  120  may also be folded based on the boundary line  123 . Although not illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the housing  110  may include regions separated to be folded based on the boundary line  123  when the user pushes the electronic device  100 . The display  120  may include a first region  121  and a second region  122  extending from the first region  121 . The first region  121  and the second region  122  are regions separated based on the boundary line  123 , and the display  120  may display different screens through the first region  121  and the second region  122 . 
     According to an embodiment, the electronic device  100  may turn on the first region  121  and turn off the second region  122  if the angle  131  between the first region  121  and the second region  122  is within a specified range (e.g., 90° to 170°). Since the first region  121  is turned on, an application execution screen, a photo, and so on, may be output through the first region  121 . Since the second region  122  is turned off, an application execution screen, a photo, and so on, may not be output through the second region  122 . The electronic device  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may output a screen through a partial region of the display in a state in which the electronic device  100  is folded. Accordingly, the output screen may be within a range where it is easily visible to a user, which may lead to greater user convenience. 
     According to an embodiment, the electronic device  100  may turn on the first region  121  and turn off the second region  122 , if the angle  131  between the first region  121  and the second region  122  is within a specified range (e.g., 90° to 170°) and one surface of the housing  110  (e.g., surface opposite to the second region  122 ) contacts an external object (e.g., table). For example, if the user puts the electronic device  100  on a table in a state in which the electronic device  100  is folded at a certain angle  131 , the electronic device  100  may turn on the first region  121  and turn off the second region  122 . The electronic device  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may output a screen through a partial region of the display  120 . Accordingly, the output screen may be within a range where it is easily visible to a user, which may lead to greater user convenience. 
     According to an embodiment, a hinge coupling the first region  121  and the second region  122  may be disposed on the boundary line  123 . The hinge may fix the first region  121  and the second region  122  such that the angle between the first region  121  and the second region  122  are kept constant. For example, if the user folds the electronic device  100  until the angle  131  between the first region  121  and the second region  122  is 90°, the hinge may fix the first region  121  and the second region  122  such that the angle  131  between the first region  121  and the second region  122  is 90°. 
     According to an embodiment, the electronic device  100  may turn on the first region  121  and turn off the second region  122  if the angle between the first region  121  and the second region  122  is within a specified range (e.g., 90° to 170°). In this case, the electronic device  100  may output icons  170  on an upper region  120   b  of the display  120  by turning on the first region  121 . 
     According to another embodiment, the electronic device  100  may turn on the first region  121  and turn off the second region  122 , if the angle  131  between the first region  121  and the second region  122  is within a specified range (e.g., 90° to 170°) and one surface of the housing  110  (e.g., surface opposite to the second region  122 ) contacts an external object (e.g., table). In this case, the electronic device  100  may output icons  170  on an upper region  120   b  of the display  120  by turning on the first region. The positions of the icons  170  illustrated in  FIG. 2  are exemplary, and the icons  170  may be output on a lower region  120   a  of the display  120 . In addition, the icons  170  illustrated in  FIG. 2  may be referred to as any one of a menu key ( 311  in  FIG. 4 ), a home key ( 312  in  FIG. 4 ), a back key ( 313  in  FIG. 4 ), and a first icon ( 314  in  FIG. 5 ), and a second icon ( 410  in  FIG. 7 ), which will be described below. 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating components included in the electronic device according to an embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the electronic device  100  may perform the operations described in  FIGS. 1 and 2  through the components illustrated in  FIG. 3 . According to an embodiment, the electronic device  100  may include a first sensor  130 , a second sensor  140 , a third sensor  150 , and a processor  160 . 
     The first sensor  130  may measure the angle  131  between the first region  121  and the second region  122 . For example, the first sensor  130  may include a first measurement member  131  and a second measurement member  132 . The first measurement member  131  may be disposed on a first edge  110   a  of the housing  110 , and the second measurement member  132  may be disposed on a second edge  110   b  of the housing  110 . When the electronic device  100  is folded, the first measurement member  131  and the second measurement member  132  may become closer to each other in distance, and the first sensor  130  may measure the angle  131  between the first region  121  and the second region  122  based on the distance between the first measurement member  131  and the second measurement  132 . In the present disclosure, the first sensor  130  may be referred to as a 6-axis sensor. 
     The second sensor  140  may determine whether or not one surface of the housing  110  (e.g., surface opposite to the second region  122 ) contacts an external object (e.g., table). For example, if one surface of the housing  110  (e.g., surface opposite to the second region  122 ) contacts a table in a state in which the electronic device  100  is folded, the second sensor  140  may determine that the electronic device  100  contacts the external object. For another embodiment, the second sensor  140  may be disposed on the first edge  110   a  of the housing  110 , and in this case, may determine whether or not the other surface of the housing  110  (e.g., surface opposite to the first region  121 ) contacts an external terminal (e.g., table). In the present disclosure, the second sensor  140  may be referred to as a touch sensor. 
     The third sensor  150  may measure the pressure applied to the housing  110 . The third sensor  150  may output the degree of pressure applied to the housing  110  through a gauge. For example, the third sensor  150  may adjust the size of the gauge in proportion to the size of the pressure applied to the housing  110 . 
     The processor  160  may be electrically connected to the first sensor  130 , the second sensor  140 , the third sensor  150 , and the display  120 . According to an embodiment, the processor  160  may measure the angle  131  of the first region  121  to the second region  122  through the first sensor  130 , and may turn on the first region  121  and turn off the second region  122  if the measured angle  131  is within a specified range (e.g., 90° to 170°). Since the first region  121  is turned on, an application execution screen, a photo, and so on, may be output through the first region  121 . Since the second region  122  is turned off, an application execution screen, a photo, and so on, may not be output through the second region  122 . The electronic device  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may output a screen through a partial region in a state in which the electronic device  100  is folded. Accordingly, the output screen may be within a range where it is easily visible to a user, which may lead to greater user convenience. 
     According to an embodiment, the processor  160  may determine through the second sensor  140  whether or not one surface of the housing  110  (e.g., surface opposite to the second region  122 ) contacts an external object (e.g., table). For example, if the angle  131  between the first region  121  and the second region  122  is within a specified range (e.g., 90° to 170°) and one surface of the housing  110  (e.g., surface opposite to the second region  122 ) contacts an external object (e.g., table), the electronic device  100  may turn on the first region  121  and turn off the second region  122 . The electronic device  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may output a screen through a partial region in the display  120 . Accordingly, the output screen may be within a range where it is easily visible to a user, which may lead to greater user convenience. 
     According to an embodiment, the processor  160  may measure the pressure applied to the housing  110  through the third sensor  150 . 
     In the present disclosure, the processor  160  may be referred to as the application processor  160  (application processor; AP) and/or a processor  620  illustrated in  FIG. 12 . In addition, in the present disclosure, components having the same reference numerals as the electronic device  100  described in  FIGS. 1 and 3  may be described as the same contents of  FIGS. 1 and 3 . 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating an electronic device in an unfolded state according to another embodiment.  FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating the electronic device in a folded state according to another embodiment.  FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating a screen output state of the electronic device according to another embodiment. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a state in which the electronic device  100  illustrated in  FIG. 4  is folded, and  FIG. 6  illustrates the screen output state when a user touches a first icon  314  illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the electronic device  100  may output various types of content through the display  120 . In the present disclosure, the content may refer to an image, a video, an icon, and the like, output through the display  120 . 
     According to another embodiment, the electronic device  100  may output the menu key  311 , the home key  312 , and the back key  313  through the lower region  120   a  of the display  120 . The menu key  311  may refer to an icon capable of outputting a list of various applications running in the electronic device  100 . The home key  312  may refer to an icon capable of calling a home screen. The back key  313  may refer to an icon capable of controlling the electronic device  100  to return to the immediately previous execution state. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the electronic device  100  may be folded based on the boundary line  123 . For example, if the user pushes one surface of the housing  110  while holding the electronic device  100 , the electronic device  100  may be folded as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     According to another embodiment, the electronic device  100  may output the first icon  314  on the lower region  120   a  of the display  120  if the angle  131  between the first region  121  and the second region  122  is within a specified range (e.g., 90° to 170°). The position of the first icon  314  illustrated in  FIG. 5  is exemplary, and the first icon  314  may be output through the upper region  120   b  of the display  120 . The first icon  314  may be output on the region  120   a  in which the menu key  311 , the home key  312 , and the back key  313  are positioned. When the user touches the first icon  314  in a state in which the first icon  314  is displayed, the electronic device  100  may turn on the first region  121  and turn off the second region  122 , as illustrated. in  FIG. 6 . Since the first region  121  is turned on, an application execution screen, a photo, and so on, may be output through the first region  121 . Since the second region  122  is turned off, an application execution screen, a photo, and so on, may not be output through the second region  122 . When the electronic device  100  is folded, the electronic device  100  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may output the first icon  314  through the display  120 . In this case, when the user touches the first icon  314 , a screen may be output through a partial region. Accordingly, the output screen may be within a range where it is easily visible to a user, which may lead to greater user convenience. 
     According to another embodiment, the electronic device  100  may output the first icon  314  on the lower region  120   a  of the display  120  if the angle  131  between the first region  121  and the second region  122  is within a specified range (e.g., 90° to 170°) and one surface of the housing  110  contacts an external object (e.g., table). The first icon  314  may be output on the region  120   a  in which the menu key  311 , the home key  312 , and the back key  313  are positioned. When the user touches the first icon  314  in a state in which the first icon  314  is displayed, the electronic device  100  may turn on the first region  121  and turn off the second region  122 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Since the first region  121  is turned on, an application execution screen, a photo, and so on, may be output through the first region  121 . Since the second region  122  is turned off, an application execution screen, a photo, and so on, may not be output through the second region  122 . The electronic device  100  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may output the first icon  314  through the display  120  if one surface of the housing  110  contacts an external object in a state in which the electronic device  100  is folded. The user may view the screen through a partial region by touching the first icon  314 . According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the output screen may be within a range where it is easily visible to a user, which may lead to greater user convenience. 
       FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating an electronic device in an unfolded state according to yet another embodiment.  FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating a screen output state of the electronic device by a first icon according to yet another embodiment.  FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating a screen output state of the electronic device by a second icon according to yet another embodiment. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a screen output state when the user touches the first icon  314  illustrated in  FIG. 7 , and  FIG. 9  illustrates a screen output state when the user touches the second icon  410  illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the electronic device  100  may output the first icon  314  and the second icon  410  through the upper region  120   b  of the display  120 . In this case, the menu key  311 , the home key  312 , and the back key  313  may be output to the lower region  120   a , and may be output through the upper region  120   b  together with the first icon  314  and the second icon  410 . The positions of the first icon  314  and the second icon  410  illustrated in  FIG. 7  are exemplary, and the first icon  314  and the second icon  410  may be output to the upper region  120   b  or the lower region  120   a . For another example, the electronic device  100  may output the first icon  314  and the second icon  410  through the upper region  120   b  of the display  120  if the angle  131  between the first region  121  and the second region  122  is within a specified range (e.g., 90° to 170°). For another example, the electronic device  100  may output the first icon  314  and the second icon  410  if the angle  131  between the first region  121  and the second region  122  is within a specified range (e.g., 90° to 170°) and one surface of the housing  110  contacts an external object (e.g., table). 
     According to another embodiment, when the user touches the first icon  314  in a state in which the first icon  314  and the second icon  410  are output through the upper region  120   b  of the display  120 , the electronic device  100  may turn on the first region  121  and turn off the second region  122 , as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . Since the first region  121  is turned on, an application execution screen, a photo, and so on, may be output through the first region  121 . Since the second region  122  is turned off, an application execution screen, a photo, and so on, may not be output through the second region  122 . 
     According to another embodiment, when the user touches the second icon  410  in a state in which the first icon  314  and the second icon  410  are output through the upper region  120   b  of the display  120 , the electronic device  100  may output different screens on the first region  121  and the second region  122 , as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . For example, the electronic device  100  may output a gallery application execution screen through the first region  121 , and may output an Internet browser execution screen through the second region  122 . 
     According to another embodiment, when the user touches the second icon  410  in a state in which the first icon  314  and the second icon  410  are output through the upper region  120   b  of the display  120 , the electronic device  100  may output different screens on the first region  121  and the second region  122 . For example, the electronic device  100  may output an application execution screen through the first region  121 , and may output an application list through the second region  122 . The electronic device may output the selected application execution screen through the second region  122  in response to a user input for selecting the application list. 
     According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a user may turn off a partial region of the display  120  or output different screens through the first region and the second region, which may lead to greater user convenience. 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  are diagrams illustrating a state of outputting a control screen through a partial region of a display by an electronic device according to various embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the electronic device  100  may output, through the second region  122 , a control screen by which the first region  121  is controllable. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , an image list may be output on the second region  122 . The user may select any one in the image list, and an image selected by the user may be output on the first region  121 . For another example, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , a video control screen may be output on the second region  122 . When the user presses a play button  510  on the image control screen, the video may be played through the first region  121 . 
     According to various embodiments, the electronic device  100  may output, through the second region  122 , the control screen by which the first region  121  is controllable if the angle  131  between the first region  121  and the second region  122  is within a specified range (e.g., 90° to 170°). For example, the image list may be output on the second region  122 , as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , if the angle  131  between the first region  121  and the second region  122  is within a specified range (e.g., 90° to 170°). The user may select any one in the image list, and an image selected by the user may be output on the first region  121 . 
     According to various embodiments, the electronic device  100  may output, through the second region  122 , the control screen by which the first region  121  is controllable, if the angle  131  between the first region  121  and the second region  122  is within a specified range (e.g., 90° to 170°) and one surface of the housing  110  contacts an external object (e.g., table). For example, the image list may be output on the second region  122 , as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , if the angle  131  between the first region  121  and the second region  122  is within a specified range (e.g., 90° to 170°) and one surface of the housing  110  contacts an external object (e.g., table). The user may select any one in the image list, and an image selected by the user may he output on the first region  121 , 
     
       
     
     An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a housing, a display disposed inside the housing and including a first region and a second region extending from the first region, a first sensor disposed at an edge of the housing and measuring an inclined angle between the first region and the second region, a second sensor detecting whether or not one surface of the housing is in contact with an external object, and a processor electrically connected to the display, the first sensor, and the second sensor, and the processor may turn on the first region and turn off the second region if the angle is within a specified range and the one surface of the housing contacts the external object. 
     The processor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may output a first icon to a specified region of the display if the angle is within the specified range and the one surface of the housing contacts the external object, and may turn on the first region and turn off the second region in response to a first user input for touching the first icon. 
     The processor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may output a second icon to the specified region, and may output different application execution screens to the first region and the second region in response to a second user input for touching the second icon. 
     The processor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may output an application list to the second region, and may output a selected application execution screen through the second region in response to a third user input for selecting any one in the application list. 
     The processor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may output a home key, a back key, and a menu key to the specified region. 
     The processor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured to output an application execution screen through the first region by reducing the application execution screen if the angle is within the specified range in a state in which the application execution screen is being output through the display and the one surface of the housing contacts the external object. 
     The processor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured to output, through the second region, a control screen by which the first region is controllable, 
     The electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a hinge supporting the first region and the second region such that the inclined angle between the first region and the second region is maintained. 
     An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a housing, a display disposed inside the housing and including a first region and a second region extending from the first region, a first sensor disposed at an edge of the housing and measuring an inclined angle between the first region and the second region, a second sensor detecting whether or not one surface of the housing is in contact with an external object, and a processor electrically connected to the display, the first sensor, and the second sensor, and the processor may output, through the display, a first icon for turning on the first region and turning off the second region if the angle is within a specified range and the one surface of the housing contacts the external object. 
     The processor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may turn on the first region and turn off the second region in response to a first user input for touching the first icon. 
     The processor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may output a second icon to the display, and may output different application execution screens to the first region and the second region in response to a second user input for touching the second icon. 
     The processor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may output an application list to the second region, and may output a selected application execution screen through the second region in response to a third user input for selecting any one in the application list. 
     The processor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may output a home key, a back key, and a menu key to the display. 
     The processor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured to output an application execution screen through the first region by reducing the application execution screen if the angle is within the specified range in a state in which the application execution screen is being output through the display and the one surface of the housing contacts the external object. 
     The processor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured to output, through the second region, a control screen by which the first region is controllable. 
     The electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a hinge supporting the first region and the second region such that the inclined angle between the first region and the second region is maintained. 
     An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a housing, a display disposed inside the housing and including a first region and a second region extending from the first region, a first sensor disposed at an edge of the housing and measuring an inclined angle between the first region and the second region, a second sensor detecting whether or not one surface of the housing is in contact with an external object, and a processor electrically connected to the display, the first sensor, and the second sensor, and the processor may turn on the first region and turn off the second region if the angle is within a specified range. 
     The processor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may turn on the first region and turn off the second region if the one surface of the housing contacts the external object. 
     The processor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may output a first icon to a specified region of the display if the angle is within the specified range and the one surface of the housing contacts the external object, and may turn on the first region and turn off the second region in response to a first user input for touching the first icon. 
     The electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a pressure sensor that measures a pressure applied to the housing. 
     
       
     
     Mode for Invention 
       FIG. 12  is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device  601  in a network environment  600  according to various embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , the electronic device  601  in the network environment  600  may communicate with an electronic device  602  via a first network  698  (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or an electronic device  604  or a server  608  via a second network  699  (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). According to an embodiment, the electronic device  601  may communicate with the electronic device  604  via the server  608 . According to an embodiment, the electronic device  601  may include a processor  620 , memory  630 , an input device  650 , a sound output device  655 , a display device  660 , an audio module  670 , a sensor module  676 , an interface  677 , a haptic module  679 , a camera module  680 , a power management module  688 , a battery  689 , a communication module  690 , a subscriber identification module(SIM)  696 , or an antenna module  697 . In some embodiments, at least one (e.g., the display device  660  or the camera module  680 ) of the components may be omitted from the electronic device  601 , or one or more other components may be added in the electronic device  601 . In some embodiments, some of the components may be implemented as single integrated circuitry. For example, the sensor module  676  (e.g., a fingerprint sensor, an iris sensor, or an illuminance sensor) may be implemented as embedded in the display device  660  (e.g., a display). 
     The processor  620  may execute, for example, software (e.g., a program  640 ) to control at least one other component a hardware or software component) of the electronic device  601  coupled with the processor  620 , and may perform various data processing or computation. According to one embodiment, as at least part of the data processing or computation, the processor  620  may load a command or data received from another component (e.g., the sensor module  676  or the communication module  690 ) in volatile memory  632 , process the command or the data stored in the volatile memory  632 , and store resulting data in non-volatile memory  634 . According to an embodiment, the processor  620  may include a main processor  621  (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or an application processor (AP)), and an auxiliary processor  623  (e.g., a graphics processing unit (GPU), an image signal processor (ISP), a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor (CP)) that is operable independently from, or in conjunction with, the main processor  621 . Additionally or alternatively, the auxiliary processor  623  may be adapted to consume less power than the main processor  621 , or to be specific to a specified function. The auxiliary processor  623  may be implemented as separate from, or as part of the main processor  621 . 
     The auxiliary processor  623  may control at least some of functions or states related to at least one component (e.g., the display device  660 , the sensor module  676 , or the communication module  690 ) among the components of the electronic device  601 , instead of the main processor  621  while the main processor  621  is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state, or together with the main processor  621  while the main processor  621  is in an active state (e.g., executing an application). According to an embodiment, the auxiliary processor  623  (e.g., an image signal processor or a communication processor) may be implemented as part of another component (e.g., the camera module  680  or the communication module  690 ) functionally related to the auxiliary processor  623 . 
     The memory  630  may store various data used by at least one component (e.g., the processor  620  or the sensor module  676 ) of the electronic device  601 . The various data may include, for example, software (e.g., the program  640 ) and input data or output data for a command related thereto. The memory  630  may include the volatile memory  632  or the non-volatile memory  634 . 
     The program  640  may be stored in the memory  630  as software, and may include, for example, an operating system (OS)  642 , middleware  644 , or an application  646 . 
     The input device  650  may receive a command or data to be used by other component (e.g., the processor  620 ) of the electronic device  601 , from the outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device  601 . The input device  650  may include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, or a digital pen (e.g., a. stylus pen). 
     The sound output device  655  may output sound signals to the outside of the electronic device  601 . The sound output device  655  may include, for example, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker may be used for general purposes, such as playing multimedia or playing record, and the receiver may be used for an incoming calls. According to an embodiment, the receiver may be implemented as separate from, or as part of the speaker. 
     The display device  660  may visually provide information to the outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device  601 . The display device  660  may include, for example, a display, a hologram device, or a projector and control circuitry to control a corresponding one of the display, hologram device, and projector. According to an embodiment, the display device  660  may include touch circuitry adapted to detect a touch, or sensor circuitry (e.g., a pressure sensor) adapted to measure the intensity of force incurred by the touch. 
     The audio module  670  may convert a sound into an electrical signal and vice versa. According to an embodiment, the audio module  670  may obtain the sound via the input device  650 , or output the sound via the sound output device  655  or a headphone of an external electronic device (e.g., an electronic device  602 ) directly (e.g., wiredly) or wirelessly coupled with the electronic device  601 . 
     The sensor module  676  may detect an operational state (e.g., power or temperature) of the electronic device  601  or an environmental state (e.g., a state of a user) external to the electronic device  601 , and then generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to the detected state. According to an embodiment, the sensor module  676  may include, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor. 
     The interface  677  may support one or more specified protocols to be used for the electronic device  601  to be coupled with the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device  602 ) directly (e.g., wiredly) or wirelessly. According to an embodiment, the interface  677  may include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a secure digital (SD) card interface, or an audio interface. 
     A connecting terminal  678  may include a connector via which the electronic device  601  may be physically connected with the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device  602 ). According to an embodiment, the connecting terminal  678  may include, for example, a HDMI connector, a USB connector, a SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector). 
     The haptic module  679  may convert an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus (e.g., a vibration or a movement) or electrical stimulus which may be recognized by a user via his tactile sensation or kinesthetic sensation. According to an embodiment, the haptic module  679  may include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electric stimulator. 
     The camera module  680  may capture a still image or moving images. According to an embodiment, the camera module  680  may include one or more lenses, image sensors, image signal processors, or flashes. 
     The power management module  688  may manage power supplied to the electronic device  601 . According to one embodiment, the power management module  688  may be implemented as at least part of, for example, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC). 
     The battery  689  may supply power to at least one component of the electronic device  601 . According to an embodiment, the battery  689  may include, for example, a primary cell which is not rechargeable, a secondary cell which is rechargeable, or a fuel cell. 
     The communication module  690  may support establishing a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the electronic device  601  and the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device  602 , the electronic device  601 , or the server  608 ) and performing communication via the established communication channel. The communication module  690  may include one or more communication processors that are operable independently from the processor  620  (e.g., the application processor (AP)) and supports a direct (e.g., wired) communication or a wireless communication. According to an embodiment, the communication module  690  may include a wireless communication module  692  a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module  691  (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module or a power line communication (PLC) module). A corresponding one of these communication modules may communicate with the external electronic device via the first network  698  (e.g., a short-range communication network, such as Bluetooth™, wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or the second network  699  (e.g., a long-range communication network, such as a cellular network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or wide area network (WAN)). These various types of communication modules may be implemented as a single component (e.g., a single chip), or may be implemented as multi components (e.g., multi chips) separate from each other. The wireless communication module  692  may identify and authenticate the electronic device  601  in a communication network, such as the first network  698  or the second network  699 , using subscriber information (e.g., international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) stored in the subscriber identification module  696 . 
     The antenna module  697  may transmit or receive a signal or power to or from the outside the external electronic device) of the electronic device  601 . According to an embodiment, the antenna module  697  may include an antenna including a radiating element composed of a conductive material or a conductive pattern formed in or on a substrate (e.g., PCB). According to an embodiment, the antenna module  697  may include a plurality of antennas. In such a case, at least one antenna appropriate for a communication scheme used in the communication network, such as the first network  698  or the second network  699 , may be selected, for example, by the communication module  690  (e.g., the wireless communication module  692 ) from the plurality of antennas. The signal or the power may then be transmitted or received between the communication module  690  and the external electronic device via the selected at least one antenna. According to an embodiment, another component (e.g., a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) other than the radiating element may be additionally formed as part of the antenna module  697 . 
     At least some of the above-described components may be coupled mutually and communicate signals (e.g., commands or data) therebetween via an inter-peripheral communication scheme (e.g., a bus, general purpose input and output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or mobile industry processor interface (MIPI)). 
     According to an embodiment, commands or data may be transmitted or received between the electronic device  601  and the external electronic device  604  via, the server  608  coupled with the second network  699 . Each of the electronic devices  602  and  604  may be a device of a same type as, or a different type, from the electronic device  601 . According to an embodiment, all or some of operations to be executed at the electronic device  601  may be executed at one or more of the external electronic devices  602 ,  604 , or  608 . For example, if the electronic device  601  should perform a function or a service automatically, or in response to a request from a user or another device, the electronic device  601 , instead of, or in addition to, executing the function or the service, may request the one or more external electronic devices to perform at least part of the function or the service. The one or more external electronic devices receiving the request may perform the at least part of the function or the service requested, or an additional function or an additional service related to the request, and transfer an outcome of the performing to the electronic device  601 . The electronic device  601  may provide the outcome, with or without further processing of the outcome, as at least part of a reply to the request. To that end, a cloud computing, distributed computing, or client-server computing technology may be used, for example. 
     The electronic device according to various embodiments may be one of various types of electronic devices. The electronic devices may include, for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smartphone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, or a home appliance. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devices are not limited to those described above. 
     It should be appreciated that various embodiments of the present disclosure and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technological features set forth herein to particular embodiments and include various changes, equivalents, or replacements for a corresponding embodiment. With regard to the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to refer to similar or related elements. It is to be understood that a singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the things, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, each of such phrases as “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, “at least one of A or B”, “A, B, or C”, “at least one of A, B, and C”, and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include any one of, or all possible combinations of the items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases. As used herein, such terms as “1st” and “2nd”, or “first” and “second” may be used to simply distinguish a corresponding component from another, and does not limit the components in other aspect (e.g., importance or order). It is to be understood that if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to, with or without the term “operatively” or “communicatively”, as “coupled with”, “coupled to”, “connected with”, or “connected to” another element (e.g., a second element), it means that the element may be coupled with the other element directly (e.g., wiredly), wirelessly, or via a third element. 
     As used herein, the term “module” may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may interchangeably be used with other terms, for example, “logic”, “logic block”, “part”, or “circuitry”. A module may be a single integral component, or a minimum unit or part thereof, adapted to perform one or more functions. For example, according to an embodiment, the module may be implemented in a form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). 
     Various embodiments as set forth herein may be implemented as software (e.g., the program  640 ) including one or more instructions that are stored in a storage medium (e.g., internal memory  636  or external memory  638 ) that is readable by a machine (e.g., the electronic device  601 ). For example, a processor (e.g., the processor  620 ) of the machine the electronic device  601 ) may invoke at least one of the one or more instructions stored in the storage medium, and execute it, with or without using one or more other components under the control of the processor. This allows the machine to be operated to perform at least one function according to the at least one instruction invoked. The one or more instructions may include a code generated by a compiler or a code executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Wherein, the term “non-transitory” simply means that the storage medium is a tangible device, and does not include a signal (e.g., an electromagnetic wave), but this term does not differentiate between where data is semi-permanently stored in the storage medium and where the data is temporarily stored in the storage medium. 
     According to an embodiment, a method according to various embodiments of the disclosure may be included and provided in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a product between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or be distributed (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) online via an application store (e.g., PlayStore™), or between two user devices (e.g., smart phones) directly. If distributed online, at least part of the computer program product may be temporarily generated or at least temporarily stored in the machine-readable storage medium, such as memory of the manufacturer&#39;s server, a server of the application store, or a relay server. 
     According to various embodiments, each component (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described components may include a single entity or multiple entities. According to various embodiments, one or more of the above-described components may be omitted, or one or more other components may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of components (e.g., modules or programs) may be integrated into a single component. In such a case, according to various embodiments, the integrated component may still perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of components in the same or similar manner as they are performed by a corresponding one of the plurality of components before the integration. According to various embodiments, operations performed by the module, the program, or another component may be carried out sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order or omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.