Patent Publication Number: US-2023132431-A1

Title: Method for controlling surface heat generation electronic device and storage medium therefor

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a bypass continuation application of International Application No. PCT/KR2022/015307, which was filed on Oct. 11, 2022, and is based on and claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0163703, which was filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Nov. 24, 2021, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0148142, which was filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Nov. 1, 2021, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Various embodiments of the disclosure relate to a method for controlling surface heat generation, an electronic device and a storage medium therefor. 
     An electronic device (e.g., a laptop computer) that the user may carry may provide substantially the same functions as those provided by a desktop computer. Accordingly, there is increasing demand for laptop computers for private or business use. 
     The electronic device may process a large amount of data to perform various functions and may consume more power, so it comes equipped with a large-capacity battery. Further, the capacity of chargers, typically measured in watts (W), for supplying power is also gradually increasing as faster charging is required for a large-capacity battery. 
     SUMMARY 
     As the use time of the electronic device gradually increases, current consumption inevitably increases due to an increase in data processing, and thus, heat generation increases and the temperature of the electronic device also increases. Further, when the electronic device is used in a state in which the high-power charger is connected to the electronic device, additional heat may be generated due to the charging. 
     As more heat is generated, heat generation on the surface of the electronic device, including around the battery, may also occur. For example, a laptop computer user may transfer input through a touchscreen, multiple keys, or a touchpad while touching the surface with his hand. If the touchpad or its surroundings are overheated, the user of the electronic device may feel uncomfortable. 
     Heat control may be performed to reduce or prevent heat generation in the electronic device. If the electronic device performs heat control to, e.g., the temperature determined by the manufacturer or determined in a one-sided manner to prevent over-heating, the overall performance of the electronic device may be degraded, and heat control optimized for the user may be hard to achieve. 
     Therefore, a need exists for a method capable of efficiently controlling the surface heat generation of the electronic device for smooth operation of the electronic device during charging. 
     Various embodiments of the disclosure may provide a method for controlling surface heat generation, an electronic device and a storage medium therefor. 
     According to various embodiments, an electronic device includes a housing, a battery, a charging circuit, a plurality of temperature sensors each disposed in a different positions within the housing, at least one processor operatively connected with the battery, the charging circuit, and the plurality of temperature sensors, and a memory. The memory storing instructions configured to, when executed, enable the electronic device to measure temperature values using one or more of the plurality of temperature sensors, in response to a temperature value associated with the battery being within a threshold value among the measured temperature values, calculate a predicted surface temperature based on at least one of the measured temperature values and a position of each temperature sensor, identify a control step among a plurality of control steps based on an operational state of at least one device associated with the electronic device and the predicted surface temperature, and adjust charging power for the battery through the charging circuit in response to the identified control step. 
     According to various embodiments, a method for controlling surface heat generation in an electronic device includes measuring temperature values using a plurality of temperature sensors, in response to a temperature value associated with a battery being within a threshold value among the measured temperature values, calculating a predicted surface temperature based on at least one of the measured temperature values and a position of each temperature sensor, identifying a control step among a plurality of control steps based on an operational state of at least one device associated with the electronic device and the predicted surface temperature, and adjusting charging power for the battery in response to the identified control step. 
     According to various embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions, the instructions configured to be executed by at least one processor of an electronic device to enable the electronic device to perform at least one operation. The at least one operation including measuring temperature values using a plurality of temperature sensors, in response to a temperature value associated with a battery within a threshold value among the measured temperature values, calculating a predicted surface temperature based on at least one of the measured temperature values and a position of each temperature sensor, identifying a control step among a plurality of control steps based on an operational state of at least one device associated with the electronic device and the predicted surface temperature, and adjusting charging power for the battery in response to the identified control step. 
     According to various embodiments, the surface heat generation in the electronic device may be stepwise controlled, thereby minimizing self-performance restrictions due to heat generation and thus ensuring smooth operation performance and stable charging. 
     According to various embodiments, it is possible to prevent user discomfort due to skin contact by enabling control of surface heat generation of the electronic device. 
     According to various embodiments, it is possible to efficiently control the surface heat generation of the electronic device based on a heat generation control temperature calculated considering various conditions related to user activities (e.g., whether the input means is used, whether an external input device is used, whether the screen is turned on/off, whether an external display is connected, or whether communication is used) for the electronic device and the result of monitoring the temperatures of the components disposed in various positions in the electronic device when the electronic device is connected to a charger and used by the user. 
     According to various embodiments, it is possible to control surface heat generation even without using an expensive heat-dissipation material (e.g., heat pipe or fan) for dispersing heat and circuit complexity, thus reducing manufacturing costs of the electronic device. 
     Effects of the disclosure are not limited to the foregoing, and other unmentioned effects would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from the following description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a view illustrating an electronic device in a network environment according to various embodiments; 
         FIG.  2 A  is a view illustrating an example of an electronic device according to various embodiments; 
         FIG.  2 B  is a perspective view illustrating an electronic device according to various embodiments; 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view illustrating a foldable electronic device including a flexible display according to various embodiments; 
         FIG.  4    is a view illustrating an allowable temperature for control during charging; 
         FIG.  5    is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of an electronic device for controlling surface heat generation according to various embodiments; 
         FIG.  6    is a flowchart illustrating operations for controlling surface heat generation in an electronic device according to various embodiments; 
         FIG.  7    is a flowchart illustrating detailed operations for controlling surface heat generation in an electronic device according to various embodiments; 
         FIG.  8 A  is a view illustrating a method for obtaining a predicted surface temperature using a plurality of temperature sensors according to various embodiments; 
         FIG.  8 B  is a view illustrating a method for obtaining a final surface temperature at time T1 according to various embodiments; 
         FIG.  8 C  is a view illustrating a method for obtaining a final surface temperature at time T3 according to various embodiments; 
         FIG.  8 D  is a view illustrating a method for obtaining a final surface temperature at time T5 according to various embodiments; 
         FIG.  9    is a graph illustrating charging control using a charging current or a charging voltage according to various embodiments; 
         FIG.  10    is a view illustrating stepwise charging current adjustment according to a charging scheme and a control step according to various embodiments; and 
         FIG.  11    is a view illustrating stepwise charging voltage adjustment according to a charging scheme and a control step according to various embodiments. 
     
    
    
     The same or similar reference denotations may be used to refer to the same or similar elements throughout the specification and the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG.  1    is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device  101  in a network environment  100  according to various embodiments. Referring to  FIG.  1   , the electronic device  101  in the network environment  100  may communicate with at least one of an electronic device  102  via a first network  198  (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or an electronic device  104  or a server  108  via a second network  199  (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). According to an embodiment, the electronic device  101  may communicate with the electronic device  104  via the server  108 . According to an embodiment, the electronic device  101  may include a processor  120 , memory  130 , an input module  150 , a sound output module  155 , a display module  160 , an audio module  170 , a sensor module  176 , an interface  177 , a connecting terminal  178 , a haptic module  179 , a camera module  180 , a power management module  188 , a battery  189 , a communication module  190 , a subscriber identification module (SIM)  196 , or an antenna module  197 . In some embodiments, at least one (e.g., the connecting terminal  178 ) of the components may be omitted from the electronic device  101 , or one or more other components may be added in the electronic device  101 . According to an embodiment, some (e.g., the sensor module  176 , the camera module  180 , or the antenna module  197 ) of the components may be integrated into a single component (e.g., the display module  160 ). 
     The processor  120  may execute, for example, software (e.g., a program  140 ) to control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of the electronic device  101  coupled with the processor  120 , and may perform various data processing or computation. According to one embodiment, as at least part of the data processing or computation, the processor  120  may store a command or data received from another component (e.g., the sensor module  176  or the communication module  190 ) in volatile memory  132 , process the command or the data stored in the volatile memory  132 , and store resulting data in non-volatile memory  134 . According to an embodiment, the processor  120  may include a main processor  121  (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or an application processor (AP)), or an auxiliary processor  123  (e.g., a graphics processing unit (GPU), a neural processing unit (NPU), 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  121 . For example, when the electronic device  101  includes the main processor  121  and the auxiliary processor  123 , the auxiliary processor  123  may be configured to use lower power than the main processor  121  or to be specified for a designated function. The auxiliary processor  123  may be implemented as separate from, or as part of the main processor  121 . 
     The auxiliary processor  123  may control at least some of functions or states related to at least one component (e.g., the display module  160 , the sensor module  176 , or the communication module  190 ) among the components of the electronic device  101 , instead of the main processor  121  while the main processor  121  is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state, or together with the main processor  121  while the main processor  121  is in an active state (e.g., executing an application). According to an embodiment, the auxiliary processor  123  (e.g., an image signal processor or a communication processor) may be implemented as part of another component (e.g., the camera module  180  or the communication module  190 ) functionally related to the auxiliary processor  123 . According to an embodiment, the auxiliary processor  123  (e.g., the neural processing unit) may include a hardware structure specified for artificial intelligence model processing. The artificial intelligence model may be generated via machine learning. Such learning may be performed, e.g., by the electronic device  101  where the artificial intelligence is performed or via a separate server (e.g., the server  108 ). Learning algorithms may include, but are not limited to, e.g., supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, or reinforcement learning. The artificial intelligence model may include a plurality of artificial neural network layers. The artificial neural network may be a deep neural network (DNN), a convolutional neural network (CNN), a recurrent neural network (RNN), a restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM), a deep belief network (DBN), a bidirectional recurrent deep neural network (BRDNN), deep Q-network or a combination of two or more thereof but is not limited thereto. The artificial intelligence model may, additionally or alternatively, include a software structure other than the hardware structure. 
     The memory  130  may store various data used by at least one component (e.g., the processor  120  or the sensor module  176 ) of the electronic device  101 . The various data may include, for example, software (e.g., the program  140 ) and input data or output data for a command related thereto. The memory  130  may include the volatile memory  132  or the non-volatile memory  134 . 
     The program  140  may be stored in the memory  130  as software, and may include, for example, an operating system (OS)  142 , middleware  144 , or an application  146 . 
     The input module  150  may receive a command or data to be used by other component (e.g., the processor  120 ) of the electronic device  101 , from the outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device  101 . The input module  150  may include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, keys (e.g., buttons), or a digital pen (e.g., a stylus pen). 
     The sound output module  155  may output sound signals to the outside of the electronic device  101 . The sound output module  155  may include, for example, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker may be used for general purposes, such as playing multimedia or playing record. The receiver may be used for receiving incoming calls. According to an embodiment, the receiver may be implemented as separate from, or as part of the speaker. 
     The display module  160  may visually provide information to the outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device  101 . The display  160  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  160  may include a touch sensor configured to detect a touch, or a pressure sensor configured to measure the intensity of a force generated by the touch. 
     The audio module  170  may convert a sound into an electrical signal and vice versa. According to an embodiment, the audio module  170  may obtain the sound via the input module  150 , or output the sound via the sound output module  155  or a headphone of an external electronic device (e.g., an electronic device  102 ) directly (e.g., wiredly) or wirelessly coupled with the electronic device  101 . 
     The sensor module  176  may detect an operational state (e.g., power or temperature) of the electronic device  101  or an environmental state (e.g., a state of a user) external to the electronic device  101 , and then generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to the detected state. According to an embodiment, the sensor module  176  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  177  may support one or more specified protocols to be used for the electronic device  101  to be coupled with the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device  102 ) directly (e.g., wiredly) or wirelessly. According to an embodiment, the interface  177  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  178  may include a connector via which the electronic device  101  may be physically connected with the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device  102 ). According to an embodiment, the connecting terminal  178  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  179  may convert an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus (e.g., a vibration or motion) or electrical stimulus which may be recognized by a user via his tactile sensation or kinesthetic sensation. According to an embodiment, the haptic module  179  may include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electric stimulator. 
     The camera module  180  may capture a still image or moving images. According to an embodiment, the camera module  180  may include one or more lenses, image sensors, image signal processors, or flashes. 
     The power management module  188  may manage power supplied to the electronic device  101 . According to one embodiment, the power management module  188  may be implemented as at least part of, for example, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC). 
     The battery  189  may supply power to at least one component of the electronic device  101 . According to an embodiment, the battery  189  may include, for example, a primary cell which is not rechargeable, a secondary cell which is rechargeable, or a fuel cell. 
     The communication module  190  may support establishing a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the electronic device  101  and the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device  102 , the electronic device  104 , or the server  108 ) and performing communication via the established communication channel. The communication module  190  may include one or more communication processors that are operable independently from the processor  120  (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  190  may include a wireless communication module  192  (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module  194  (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  104  via a first network  198  (e.g., a short-range communication network, such as Bluetooth™, wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network  199  (e.g., a long-range communication network, such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., local area network (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  192  may identify or authenticate the electronic device  101  in a communication network, such as the first network  198  or the second network  199 , using subscriber information (e.g., international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) stored in the subscriber identification module  196 . 
     The wireless communication module  192  may support a 5G network, after a 4G network, and next-generation communication technology, e.g., new radio (NR) access technology. The NR access technology may support enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine type communications (mMTC), or ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC). The wireless communication module  192  may support a high-frequency band (e.g., the mmWave band) to achieve, e.g., a high data transmission rate. The wireless communication module  192  may support various technologies for securing performance on a high-frequency band, such as, e.g., beamforming, massive multiple-input and multiple-output (massive MIMO), full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, analog beam-forming, or large scale antenna. The wireless communication module  192  may support various requirements specified in the electronic device  101 , an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device  104 ), or a network system (e.g., the second network  199 ). According to an embodiment, the wireless communication module  192  may support a peak data rate (e.g., 20 Gbps or more) for implementing eMBB, loss coverage (e.g., 164 dB or less) for implementing mMTC, or U-plane latency (e.g., 0.5 ms or less for each of downlink (DL) and uplink (UL), or a round trip of 1 ms or less) for implementing URLLC. 
     The antenna module  197  may transmit or receive a signal or power to or from the outside (e.g., the external electronic device). According to an embodiment, the antenna module  197  may include one antenna including a radiator formed of a conductor or conductive pattern formed on a substrate (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB)). According to an embodiment, the antenna module  197  may include a plurality of antennas (e.g., an antenna array). In this case, at least one antenna appropriate for a communication scheme used in a communication network, such as the first network  198  or the second network  199 , may be selected from the plurality of antennas by, e.g., the communication module  190 . The signal or the power may then be transmitted or received between the communication module  190  and the external electronic device via the selected at least one antenna. According to an embodiment, other parts (e.g., radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) than the radiator may be further formed as part of the antenna module  197 . 
     According to various embodiments, the antenna module  197  may form a mmWave antenna module. According to an embodiment, the mmWave antenna module may include a printed circuit board, a RFIC disposed on a first surface (e.g., the bottom surface) of the printed circuit board, or adjacent to the first surface and capable of supporting a designated high-frequency band (e.g., the mmWave band), and a plurality of antennas (e.g., array antennas) disposed on a second surface (e.g., the top or a side surface) of the printed circuit board, or adjacent to the second surface and capable of transmitting or receiving signals of the designated high-frequency band. 
     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  101  and the external electronic device  104  via the server  108  coupled with the second network  199 . The external electronic devices  102  or  104  each may be a device of the same or a different type from the electronic device  101 . According to an embodiment, all or some of operations to be executed at the electronic device  101  may be executed at one or more of the external electronic devices  102 ,  104 , or  108 . For example, if the electronic device  101  should perform a function or a service automatically, or in response to a request from a user or another device, the electronic device  101 , 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  101 . The electronic device  101  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, mobile edge computing (MEC), or client-server computing technology may be used, for example. The electronic device  101  may provide ultra low-latency services using, e.g., distributed computing or mobile edge computing. In another embodiment, the external electronic device  104  may include an Internet-of-things (IoT) device. The server  108  may be an intelligent server using machine learning and/or a neural network. According to an embodiment, the external electronic device  104  or the server  108  may be included in the second network  199 . The electronic device  101  may be applied to intelligent services (e.g., smart home, smart city, smart car, or health-care) based on 5G communication technology or IoT-related technology. 
     An example of an electronic device  200  is described below according to various embodiments. 
       FIG.  2 A  is a view illustrating an example of an electronic device  200  according to various embodiments.  FIG.  2 B  is a perspective view illustrating an electronic device according to various embodiments. 
     According to various embodiments, the electronic device  200  may be various types of computers. For example, the electronic device  200  may include a laptop computer including a standard notebook, an Ultrabook, a netbook, and a tab book, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and a desktop computer. Without being limited thereto, the electronic device  200  may be implemented as various types of electronic devices  200  including housings to be described below and a hinge  230  rotatably connecting the housings and having a plurality of keys  201  arranged on one housing. For example, the electronic device  200  may include a type of electronic device, such as a smart phone or a tab book. 
     According to various embodiments, as illustrated in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , the electronic device  200  may include housings (e.g., a first housing  210  and a second housing  220 ) rotatably connected to each other and devices (e.g., a plurality of keys  201 , a display  202 , and a touchpad  240 ) disposed on each of the housings. Without being limited thereto, various types of devices (or hardware) may be disposed on or within the housings in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B . For example, the devices illustrated in  FIG.  1    may be disposed on the (outer surfaces of) housings (e.g., first housing  210  and the second housing  220 ) or inside the housings (e.g., in an inner space formed by the outer surfaces). Hereinafter, the housings (e.g., the first housing  210  and the second housing  220 ) provided in the electronic device  200  and examples of the devices disposed on the housings are further described. 
     According to various embodiments, each of the plurality of housings (e.g., the first housing  210  and the second housing  220 ) may include a plurality of outer surfaces. For example, referring to  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , the plurality of outer surfaces of one housing (e.g., the first housing  210  or the second housing  220 ) may include a first surface  211  or  221  (or an upper surface), a second surface  212  or  222  (or a lower surface) facing away from the first surface  211  or  221 , and third surfaces  213  or  223  (or side surfaces) positioned between the first surface  211  or  221  and the second surface  212  or  222  and connecting the first surface  211  or  221  and the second surface  212  or  222 . The upper surface, the lower surface, and the side surface may be defined in an unfolded state of the housings (e.g., the first housing  210  and the second housing  220 ) as illustrated in  FIG.  2 A , but are not limited thereto. A predetermined space (not shown) may be formed inside one housing (e.g., the first housing  210  or the second housing  220 ) formed by the plurality of outer surfaces (e.g., the upper surface, lower surface, and side surfaces). Meanwhile, without being limited to those illustrated in  FIG.  2 A , the electronic device  200  may be implemented to include three or more housings. 
     According to various embodiments, the plurality of housings (e.g., the first housing  210  and the second housing  220 ) may be connected by a hinge  230  to be rotatable around the rotation axis in the direction A-A as shown in  FIG.  2 B . Without being limited to those illustrated in  FIG.  2 A , the hinge  230  may be implemented in various shapes and structures. For example, the hinge  230  may be implemented as a hinge  230  having an articulated structure. Further, without being limited to those described, the electronic device  200  may be implemented to include a structure for rotatably connecting various types of housings (e.g., the first housing  210  and the second housing  220 ) other than the above-described hinge  230 . Each of the housings may rotate about the hinge  230 . For example, if one housing (e.g., the first housing  210 ) is rotated in one direction (e.g., counterclockwise) about the hinge  230 , an upper surface (e.g.,  211 ) of the one housing (e.g., the first housing  210 ) and an upper surface (e.g.,  221 ) of the other housing (e.g., the second housing  220 ) may face each other, and a lower surface (e.g.,  212 ) of the one housing (e.g., the first housing  210 ) and a lower surface (e.g.,  222 ) of the other housing (e.g., the second housing  220 ) may face in different directions. As another example, if the one housing (e.g., the first housing  210 ) is rotated about the hinge  230  in a different direction (e.g., clockwise), the upper surface (e.g.,  211 ) of the one housing (e.g., the first housing  210 ) and the upper surface (e.g.,  221 ) of the other housing (e.g., the second housing  220 ) may face in different directions from each other, and the lower surface (e.g.,  212 ) of the one housing (e.g., the first housing  210 ) and the lower surface (e.g.,  222 ) of the other housing (e.g., the second housing  220 ) may face each other. 
     Even when the other housing (e.g., the second housing  220 ) is rotated about the hinge  230 , the respective surfaces of the housings (e.g., the first housing  210  and the second housing  220 ) may face in predetermined directions, as opposed to the case where the one housing (e.g., the first housing  210 ) is rotated. As at least a portion of the housings is rotated about the hinge  230 , a predetermined folding angle may be formed between the housings (e.g., the first housing  210  and the second housing  220 ). For example, as illustrated in  FIG.  2 B , the folding angle between the upper surfaces of the housings (e.g., the first housing  210  and the second housing  220 ) may form an acute angle, an obtuse angle, a flat angle, or an angle larger than the flat angle. 
     According to various embodiments, devices (e.g., the display  202 , the touchpad  240 , and a plurality of keys  201 ) may be disposed on the outer surfaces (e.g., the upper surface, lower surface, or side surfaces) of one housing (e.g., the first housing  210  or the second housing  220 ) of the electronic device  200  and/or in a predetermined space formed by the outer surfaces. 
     According to an embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG.  2 A , the display  202  may be disposed on the one housing (e.g., the first housing  210 ). The display  202  may be a touchscreen including various sensors (e.g., a touch sensor or a pressure sensor) for sensing the user&#39;s input. 
     According to an embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG.  2 A , a plurality of keys  201  may be disposed on the other housing (e.g., the second housing  220 ) than the housing where the display  202  is disposed. Meanwhile, without being limited to those shown and/or described, various types of physical keys or electronic keys (e.g., a touchscreen on which electronic keys are displayed) other than the plurality of keys  201  of the keyboard may be implemented on the housing. 
     Further according to an embodiment, as shown in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , the second housing  220  may further include the touchpad  240  for touch input in addition to the plurality of keys  201  as input devices. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2 B , according to an embodiment, the touchpad  240  may be disposed on the upper surface (e.g.,  221 ) of the housing (e.g., the second housing  220 ) of the electronic device  200 . As shown in  FIG.  2 B , the touchpad  240  may be disposed in a center area under the plurality of keys  201 . According to another embodiment, the touchpad  240  may be disposed on the upper surface (e.g.,  221 ) of the housing (e.g., the second housing  220 ) over the area where the plurality of keys  201  are disposed. However, the position in which the touchpad  240  is disposed is not limited thereto, but may be disposed in any position on the upper surface (e.g.,  221 ) of the housing (e.g., the second housing  220 ). Further, although  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  exemplify a rectangular touchpad  240 , the touchpad  240  may be formed in various shapes, e.g., circular or oval shape. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , the user of the electronic device  200  may control the electronic device  200  by transferring input through the plurality of keys  201  and the touchpad  240 . Since the plurality of keys  201  and the touchpad  240  are disposed on the upper surface (e.g.,  221 ) of the housing (e.g., the second housing  220 ), the user may inevitably use the plurality of keys  201  and the touchpad  240  of the electronic device  200  with his hand in contact with the housing (e.g., the second housing  220 ). Further, if the user uses the electronic device  200  with a high-power charger connected thereto, heat may be generated by the charging process, and the generated heat may be transferred to the surface of the electronic device  200 . 
     Therefore, it is needed to efficiently control the surface heat generation of the electronic device  200  in the state of contacting the skin during charging. According to various embodiments, when the user uses the electronic device  200  during charging, it is possible to control the surface heat generation by adjusting the charging power for the battery depending on whether the user uses the electronic device  200  while contacting the electronic device  200 . In this case, the portion where surface heat generation control is performed for the electronic device  200  may be determined based on the surface which the user primarily contacts. For example, as shown in  FIG.  2 B , the center portion  250  of the electronic device  200  may be used as a reference point for heat generation control on the surface which the user contacts. 
     Meanwhile, the electronic device  200  in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  may be an electronic device  300  including a flexible display as shown in  FIG.  3   . However, embodiments are not limited thereto. The electronic device  200  may be configured to have a housing (e.g., the first housing  210  and the second housing  220 ) that is integrally formed or formed to be separable or couplable. 
       FIG.  3    is a perspective view illustrating a foldable electronic device including a flexible display according to various embodiments. The touchpad  340  is described in connection with  FIG.  3    may have a configuration identical in whole or part to the touchpad  240  of  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , and no duplicate description is given. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , the foldable electronic device  300  may include a foldable housing  310  and  320 . Here, the foldable housing  310  and  320  may include a first housing  310  and a second housing  320 . The first housing  310  and the second housing  320  may be disposed on two opposite sides of the rotation axis B-B. The angle or distance between the first housing  310  and the second housing  320  may be varied depending on whether the foldable electronic device  300  is in the unfolded state, the folded state, or the partially unfolded (or partially folded) intermediate state. Here, the partially unfolded (or partially folded) intermediate state may be referred to as a folding state or a folding angle. 
     According to various embodiments, the display  302  (e.g., flexible display) may mean a display at least a portion of which may be transformed into a flat or curved surface. In an embodiment, the display  302  may include a first surface  311  (or a first display area) and a second surface  321  (or a second display area) about the rotation axis B-B, and the area of the display  302  may be divided with respect to the rotation axis B-B. As shown in  FIG.  3   , in the partially unfolded intermediate state based on the rotation axis B-B, the second housing  320  in the foldable electronic device  300  may contact the contact surface (e.g., floor or table), and the first housing  310  may stand on the contact surface. 
     According to various embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  3   , the touch panel may be included in the display  302  (e.g., flexible display), forming a layered structure. 
     According to an embodiment, in the partially unfolded (or partially folded) intermediate state, the touch panel may be operated as an input panel for the display  302 . For example, the touch panel may be implemented as a touchscreen panel and, in the partially unfolded (or partially folded) intermediate state, it may be operated as an input panel for the first surface  311  (or first display area) in any position on the upper surface (e.g.,  321 ) of the housing (e.g., the second housing  320 ). For example, a user input to the touchpad may be an input for controlling the object displayed on the display  302 . 
     Meanwhile, as shown in  FIG.  3   , a center portion  350  of the housing (e.g., the second housing  320 ) of the electronic device  300  may be used as a reference point for heat generation control on the surface contacted by the user, but the position of the center portion  350  may not be limited thereto. 
     In the case of the electronic device  200  including the housing as shown in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , more heat may be generated due to data processing during use, so that overheating may occur around the housing (e.g., the second housing  220 ) where main components are disposed. In particular, overheating due to charging may be transferred to the surface when the electronic device is used while being contacted by the user during charging. 
     Accordingly, the electronic device  200  may perform heat generation control with respect to the temperature of the battery during charging. Heat generation control during charging is described with reference to  FIG.  4   . 
       FIG.  4    is a view illustrating an allowable temperature for control during charging. 
     The allowable temperature (e.g., T) range for control during charging may be largely divided into a temperature range in a battery mode and a temperature range in a charging mode. All temperatures disclosed herein are measured in Celsius©. Here, the temperature range in the battery mode may mean a temperature range (e.g., 0 degrees to 45 degrees) in which charging may start, and the temperature range in the charging mode may mean a temperature range (e.g., 0 degrees to 50 degrees) in which charging may continue. For example, referring to  FIG.  4 ( a ) , if the measured temperature before charging starts is a high temperature of 45 degrees or more, charging may not begin and, if the measured temperature is less than 0 degrees, charging may not commence. Accordingly, when the measured temperature falls in a temperature range less than 45 degrees and not less than 0 degrees, charging may commence. 
     Meanwhile, the temperature range in which charging started may continue may be as shown in  FIG.  4 ( b ) . Referring to  FIG.  4 ( b ) , the temperature range in which charging may continue means a temperature range allowable during charging. For example, when the measured temperature exceeds 50 degrees or is less than 0 degrees, charging may be cut off (or stopped). Such temperature range in which charging may continue is a temperature range for protecting the battery. Thus, if the measured temperature falls outside the temperature range (e.g., 0 degrees to 50 degrees), charging power is not supplied to the battery, thus preventing malfunction and swelling of the battery. Further, the electronic device  200  may perform a low-temperature swelling first prevention mode in a first low-temperature range (e.g., 5 degrees to 15 degrees), a low-temperature swelling second prevention mode in a second low-temperature range (e.g., 0 degrees to 5 degrees), and a high-temperature swelling prevention mode in a high-temperature range (e.g., 45 degrees to 50 degrees) to protect battery before cutting off charging. As such, it is possible to perform control to reduce charging current to prevent swelling for each of the respective prevention modes of the first low-temperature range, the second low-temperature range, and the high-temperature range. 
     Thereafter, the measured temperature is gradually decreased as the charging current is controlled. If normal changing control is immediately performed although the measured temperature falls in the temperature range (e.g., 0 degrees to 50 degrees) in which charging may continue, surface heat generation may be not actually addressed. Accordingly, if the measured temperature is less than, e.g., 0 degrees, and is then restored to 10 degrees or more as shown in  FIG.  4 ( c ) , the electronic device  200  may release the low-temperature swelling second prevention mode and, if the measured temperature is gradually increased to 20 degrees or more, release the low-temperature swelling first prevention mode. In contrast, although the measured temperature exceeds 50 degrees and then restores to the range not less than 45 degrees and less than 50 degrees, if the measured temperature is decreased to less than, e.g., 43 degrees to further reduce the heat generation due to overheating, the electronic device  200  may release the high-temperature swelling prevention mode to thereby perform normal charging control. 
     As described above, only operations for protecting the battery, such as supplying or cutting off the charging current to the battery, are performed during charging. Thus, it is also required to control the surface heat generation due to data processing of the communication module or application processor as the user actually uses the electronic device  200 . To prevent the transfer of the heat from surface heat generation to the user, a method of equipping an additional hardware component, such as a fan or a hit pipe, may be taken into consideration, but equipping an additional hardware component may increase the complexity of the circuit and material costs. 
     Further, if charging control is performed based on the temperature of the battery, battery swelling may be prevented, but it may be hard to actually control surface heat generation when using the electronic device  200 . Further, if the operation of the electronic device  200  is limited based on the temperature of the application processor to reduce heat generation when using the electronic device  200 , the heat generation temperature may be decreased, but performance may be lowered, so that user convenience may be decreased. Further, if charging is controlled in such a manner as to reduce high power of the variable charger, no heat generation occurs. However, since low power which is equal to or lower than the power consumed in the electronic device  200  is inputted, the battery is not charged, but rather discharge may occur even when the charger is connected to the electronic device  200 . Therefore, a need exists for a method capable of efficiently controlling the surface heat generation of the electronic device for smooth operation of the electronic device during charging. 
     In the following description, it is needed to limit the heat generated on the surface of the electronic device when the user uses the electronic device during charging to a threshold temperature range. The heat generation control method is described in detail. A method for reducing the temperature of the heat generated on the surface may be to reduce the temperature by predicting the surface temperature using the temperature for components causing heat generation to control the power during charging. According to various embodiments, if the user uses the electronic device while contacting the electronic device at a high temperature of surface heat due to the heat generated from the main heat-generating components during charging, the user may experience discomfort. According to various embodiments, it is possible to reduce the surface temperature that the user feels, as well as to allow for continuous use of the electronic device by stepwise limiting the charging power depending on whether the user uses the electronic device while contacting the electronic device, as well as heat generated from the components during charging. 
     Heat generation control for the surface of the electronic device is described below in detail with reference to  FIG.  5   . 
       FIG.  5    is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of an electronic device for controlling surface heat generation according to various embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIG.  5   , the electronic device  500  may include various components in the housing and may include the whole or part of, e.g., the electronic device  101  of  FIG.  1   . The electronic device  500  may include one or more processors  520  (e.g., an application processor (AP)), a memory  530 , a temperature sensor  540 , a power management circuit  580 , an identification circuit  584 , a battery  585 , and a communication circuit  590 . 
     According to an embodiment, the electronic device  500  may omit at least one of the components or may add another component. The term “circuit” in the electronic device  500  in  FIG.  5    denotes a unit processing at least one function or operation and be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. Although the term “circuit” is used in the electronic device  500 , the term may be interchangeably used with “module,” “unit,” or “device.” 
     Referring to  FIG.  5   , the electronic device  500  may be connected with an external device through a connector (not shown). When the electronic device  500  is electrically connected with the external device through the connector, the electronic device  500  may receive power from the external device. 
     According to various embodiments, the charging circuit of the electronic device  500  may include a power management circuit (power management IC (PMIC))  580  and an identification circuit  584 . According to an embodiment, the charging circuit may be a separate component from the processor  520  and may be an integrated circuit of the power management circuit  580  and the identification circuit  584 . 
     According to various embodiments, the power management circuit  580  (or the charger IC  582 ) may control the voltage of the power supplied to each component included in the electronic device  500 . The power management circuit  580  may output a preset voltage. The power management circuit  580  may receive the power of the external device (e.g., a charger or battery pack) supplying external power through the connector and output a preset voltage and may charge the battery  585  electrically connected thereto. Although  FIG.  5    exemplifies a case where the charger IC  582  is included in the power management circuit  580 , the charger IC  582  may be implemented separately from the power management circuit  580  to supply and manage power to each of the battery  585  and the power management circuit  580 . 
     According to various embodiments, the processor  520  may control the operation of the electronic device  500  and/or the signal flow between the components of the electronic device  500  and perform a data processing function of processing data. When attached with the external device, the processor  520  may recognize it through an interrupt signal line connected with the identification circuit  584 . 
     According to various embodiments, the memory  530  may be electrically connected to the processor  520  and may store various pieces of information and programs necessary to control the surface heat generation temperature of the electronic device  500  during charging according to various embodiments. For example, the program may include a routine for detecting connection with the external device for charging, a routine for identifying the type of the external device when connected with the external device, a routine for charging to correspond to the identified external device, a routine for checking heat generation for the components which are heat generation sources during charging, a routine for predicting surface temperature when heat of a threshold temperature or more is generated, a routine for determining the final surface temperature reflecting the user&#39;s usability of the electronic device  500  to the predicted surface temperature, and a routine for controlling the charging power in response to the final surface temperature. 
     Further, when heat within a threshold temperature or more is generated during charging, a notification may be provided through the display of the electronic device  500 , and commands (instructions) for stepwise changing the charging power of the electronic device  500  may be previously stored in the memory  530 . 
     According to various embodiments, the identification circuit  584  may include at least one of a micro-usb interface controller (MUIC), a cable and connector integrated chip (CCIC), or a power delivery integrated chip (PDIC). 
     The identification circuit  584  may identify whether the electronic device is attached with the external device connected through the connector and the type of the external device. According to an embodiment, the identification circuit  584  may identify the value detected through the connector and may identify whether it is attached (or connected) to or detached (or disconnected) from the external device  420  depending on the detected value. Specifically, the identification circuit  584  determines the type of the attached external device based on the detected value (e.g., resistance value, voltage value, current value, or impedance value) for the connector (e.g., identification terminal). For example, the identification circuit  584  may identify the voltage applied through the connector (e.g., power terminal), such as 9V/2.77 A for 25 W high-speed PD, 20V/2.25 A for 45 W high-speed PD, 19V/3.42 A for 68 W DC wire, 5V/1.8 A for 9 W normal wire, or 9V/1.67 A for 15 W high-speed wire. The value detected through the connector may mean a voltage currently applied to the electronic device  500 . Although ‘voltage’ is exemplified for the purpose of describing various embodiments, ‘voltage’ may be interchangeably used with ‘current,’ ‘power,’ or ‘impedance.’ 
     As described above, the electronic device  500  may obtain various variable input power sources and may use the identification circuit  584  to identify the type of power input through the connector. Since the value detected depending on the type of the attached external device (or the type of power supplied) differs, the identification circuit  584  may identify the magnitude of the voltage supplied from the external device based thereupon, so that the battery  585  may be charged with the power supplied from the external device through the power management circuit  580 . 
     According to various embodiments, the communication circuit  590  may be the same as the communication circuit described above in the communication circuit  190  of  FIG.  1   . According to an embodiment, the communication circuit  590  may include a first communication circuit, a second communication circuit, or/and a third communication circuit. According to an embodiment, the first communication circuit may perform communication in a first communication scheme through at least a portion of the antenna module, and the second communication circuit may perform communication in a second communication scheme through at least a portion of the antenna module. According to an embodiment, the first communication scheme may be a 5G (or new radio (NR)) communication protocol-based communication scheme, and the second communication scheme may be a 4G (or LTE) communication protocol-based communication scheme. According to an embodiment, the third communication circuit may be a short-range wireless communication circuit and may perform short-range wireless communication. For example, the short-range wireless communication circuit may be a Wi-Fi communication circuit. 
     According to various embodiments, the temperature sensor  540  may include a plurality of temperature sensors. The temperature sensor  540  may be a plurality of thermistors disposed inside the electronic device  500 . The temperature sensor  540  may output a temperature value according to a resistance value that varies depending on temperature, or a temperature value according to the resistance value may be identified by the processor  520 . According to an embodiment, the temperature sensor  540  may be disposed in a position corresponding to or adjacent to one of the components (e.g., a component serving as a main heat source) included in the electronic device  500 . For example, the temperature sensor  540  may be disposed in an area adjacent to at least one of the components, such as the processor  520 , the power management circuit  580 , the battery  585 , and the communication circuit  590 . According to an embodiment, the electronic device  500  may further include other various components including a sub printed circuit board (PCB) (not shown) or a housing in addition to the above-described components of the electronic device  500 . The temperature sensor  540  may be further disposed adjacent to each of other various components, such as an input module (e.g., USB) or audio module. According to an embodiment, the temperature sensor  540  may be operated under the control of the processor  520 . The temperature sensor  540  may passively transfer the state corresponding to the temperature value in response to the command from the processor  520  and, in response thereto, the processor  520  may obtain the temperature associated with at least one component of the electronic device  500  from the temperature sensor  540 . According to an embodiment, the temperature sensor  540  may provide the temperature value obtained in the position corresponding to at least one heat source (e.g., at least one component designated as a heat source) among the components included in the electronic device  500 . 
     According to various embodiments, the processor  520  may obtain the heat generation temperature (or surface heat generation temperature) of the electronic device  500  based on the temperature value obtained using the temperature sensor  540  during charging. For example, the processor  520  may obtain the heat generation temperature of the electronic device  500  by identifying the temperature value (or temperature values) detected by the temperature sensor  540  in real-time or periodically according to a designated period when charging is started or may obtain the heat generation temperature using an algorithm (e.g., linear regression analysis algorithm) stored to predict the surface heat generation temperature and the temperature value according to the temperature sensor  540 . According to an embodiment, when there are a plurality of temperature sensors  540 , the processor  520  may obtain the heat generation temperature using temperature values from the plurality of temperature sensors disposed adjacent to respectively correspond to the components of the electronic device  500  or obtain the heat generation temperature predicted through learning considering the operation type of the electronic device  500  and the temperature values from the plurality of temperature sensors. 
     According to an embodiment, the processor  520  may use the temperature sensor associated with the battery  585  among the plurality of temperature sensors  540  to protect the battery  585  during charging and to maintain charging. For example, the processor  520  may identify the charging temperature range by the temperature sensor associated with the battery  585 . 
     According to an embodiment, if the temperature value by the temperature sensor associated with the battery  585  falls outside the temperature range (e.g., less than 0 degrees or more than 50 degrees) in which charging may continue as shown in  FIG.  4 ( b ) , the processor  520  may control charging using only the temperature sensor associated with the battery  585 . For example, the processor  520  may perform the operation of cutting off or resuming charging based on the temperature value by the temperature sensor associated with the battery  585 . 
     According to an embodiment, if the temperature value by the temperature sensor associated with the battery  585  is within a threshold value or falls within a threshold range (e.g., not less than 0 degrees and less than 50 degrees), the processor  520  may perform heat generation control using the temperature values of all the temperature sensors disposed in other positions as well as the temperature sensor associated with the battery  585 . Here, the threshold value is a threshold value different from the threshold value meaning an excess temperature and may mean a charging threshold value. 
     According to an embodiment, since the temperature range in which power control for surface heat generation is possible, the temperature value by the temperature sensor associated with the battery  585 , is, e.g., not less than 0 degrees or less than 50 degrees, heat generation control may be performed using the temperature values of all the temperature sensors disposed in different positions as well as the temperature sensor associated with the battery  585 . In contrast, if the temperature value by the temperature sensor associated with the battery  585  falls outside the threshold range, e.g., if the measured temperature is more than 50 degrees or less than 0 degrees as shown in  FIG.  4 ( b ) , the temperature value falls outside the temperature range allowable during charging. In such a case, protection of the battery should be prioritized. Thus, a charging control operation of stopping (or cutting off) charging to prevent supply of charging power to the battery or releasing the cutoff of charging may be performed rather than controlling surface heat generation. As such, power control for surface heat generation using a plurality of temperature sensors during charging may be performed while the temperature value by the temperature sensor associated with the battery  585 , first among the measured temperature values, falls within the temperature range allowable during charging. By doing so, malfunction and swelling of the battery may be prevented. 
     As described above, as a condition for collecting multiple temperature sensor data (or multiple temperature values) using the plurality of temperature sensors, the temperature value of the temperature sensor associated with the battery  585  may be used as a reference. 
     According to various embodiments, the processor  520  may measure a change in temperature in each position of the electronic device  500  in real-time based on the multiple temperature sensor data. The processor  520  may predict the temperature transferred to the surface based on the change in temperature in the corresponding position. The processor  520  may predict the surface temperature based on the multiple temperature sensor data measured at a designated period. 
     According to an embodiment, the processor  520  may collect the temperature values measured by the respective temperature sensors  540  and calculate the predicted surface temperature using Equation 1 and the collected temperature values. 
       predicted surface temperature=[temperature sensor measurement average]*[distance to center point]  [Equation 1]
 
     In Equation 1 above, the temperature sensor measurement average may be the average measurement for the temperature values for a predetermined time at each temperature sensor, and the distance to the center point may be the distance from the center point (e.g.,  250  of  FIG.  2 B ) of the electronic device  500  to the position of the corresponding temperature sensor. Here, the center point may be regarded as the center of heat generation of the electronic device  500 . For example, the center portion of the electronic device  500 , corresponding to the surface mainly contacted by the user while using the electronic device  500 , may be regarded as the center point for heat generation control. 
     In one embodiment, the temperature sensor measurement average is an average of the remaining temperature values except for the maximum and minimum values among the temperature values for the predetermined time. For example, the average of the ten temperature values, except for the maximum and minimum values, obtained every interval of time T (e.g., one minute) may be regarded as the average measurement. 
     The processor  520  may determine that the maximum value among the values obtained by multiplying the average measurement for each temperature sensor by the distance from the center position (e.g.,  250  of  FIG.  2 B ) of the electronic device  500  is the predicted surface temperature. 
     According to various embodiments, the processor  520  may determine a heat generation control step among a plurality of heat generation control steps based on the predicted surface temperature. According to an embodiment, a different predicted surface temperature range may be set to each control step. Accordingly, the processor  520  may determine the heat generation control step depending on which control step of temperature range the calculated predicted surface temperature belongs to. 
     According to various embodiments, the processor  520  may additionally adjust the heat generation control step depending on whether the user is actually contacting the electronic device  500  while using the electronic device  500 . 
     According to an embodiment, the processor  520  may determine the final control step by adjusting the control step based on the operational state of at least one device associated with the electronic device  500 . According to an embodiment, the processor  520  may identify whether the user is using the electronic device  500  depending on the operational state of an internal device of the electronic device  500  or an external device connected with the electronic device  500 . For example, when the user uses such an external device as an external keyboard or external display, the risk of user discomfort is low whereas when the user uses such an internal device as a keyboard, the risk of user discomfort is high due to the user&#39;s direct contact to the surface. 
     According to various embodiments, the processor  520  may identify the operational state of at least one device associated with the electronic device  500  based on a user activity event (e.g., usability information) and may accordingly determine whether the user is in contact with the surface of the electronic device  500 . For example, the processor  520  may receive an event according to use of the keyboard (or keypad or touchpad) through an input module (e.g., the input module  150  of  FIG.  1   ). 
     According to various embodiments, the processor  520  may adjust the predicted control step using the parameter value corresponding to the operational state of at least one device associated with the electronic device and the predicted surface temperature calculated based on the maximum value. For example, the processor  520  may adjust the predicted control step by predicting the control step by the calculated predicted surface temperature and then applying the parameter value corresponding to each operational state to the predicted surface temperature and may finally determine the heat generation control step. According to an embodiment, the adjustment of the heat generation control step may be performed every designated period (e.g., the T time interval) but, to reduce loads due to frequent temperature control, may be performed in a longer period than the designated period. 
     According to various embodiments, the processor  520  may decrease the surface temperature through power control corresponding to the heat generation control step. Accordingly, the processor  520  may control heat generation so that the heat generation temperature of the electronic device  500  does not exceed the heat generation temperature threshold. According to an embodiment, the processor  520  may stepwise limit the power supplied to the battery  585  of the electronic device  500  according to the control step to reduce the heat generation temperature. 
     According to various embodiments, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device  200  of  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  or the electronic device  500  of  FIG.  5   ) includes a housing (e.g., the first housing  210  and the second housing  220 ), a battery  585 , a charging circuit (e.g., the power management circuit  580  and the identification circuit  584 ), a plurality of temperature sensors  540  each disposed in a different positions within the housing, at least one processor  520  operatively connected with the battery, the charging circuit, and the plurality of temperature sensors, and a memory  530 . The memory  530  stores instructions configured to, when executed, enable the electronic device to measure temperature values using one or more of the plurality of temperature sensors  540 , in response to a temperature value associated with the battery  585  within a threshold value, calculate a predicted surface temperature based on at least one of the measured temperature values and a position of each temperature sensor, identify a control step among a plurality of control steps based on an operational state of at least one device associated with the electronic device  500  and the predicted surface temperature, and adjust charging power for the battery  585  through the charging circuit in response to the identified control step. 
     According to various embodiments, the instructions may be configured to enable the electronic device to calculate the predicted surface temperature based on a maximum value among values obtained by multiplying an average measurement for each of the measured temperature values by the distance from the center position of the electronic device corresponding to a heat generation center point. 
     According to various embodiments, the instructions may be configured to enable the electronic device to predict a control step among the plurality of control steps based on a predicted surface temperature calculated based on the maximum value. 
     According to various embodiments, the instructions may be configured to enable the electronic device to identify the control step by adjusting the predicted control step based on the operational state of the at least one device associated with the electronic device. 
     According to various embodiments, the instructions may be configured to enable the electronic device to adjust the predicted control step, using a parameter value corresponding to the operational state of the at least one device associated with the electronic device and the predicted surface temperature calculated based on the maximum value. 
     According to various embodiments, the instructions may be configured to enable the electronic device to identify whether the electronic device is attached with an external device for charging and, in response to the attachment with the external device, measure the temperature values using the plurality of temperature sensors at the designated period. 
     According to various embodiments, the instructions may be configured to enable the electronic device to adjust charging power for the battery through the charging circuit, in response to the identified control step, based on initial power from the attached external device. 
     According to various embodiments, the instructions may be configured to enable the electronic device to decrease a charging current for the battery in a constant current range, in response to the identified control step. 
     According to various embodiments, the instructions may be configured to enable the electronic device to decrease a charging voltage for the battery in a constant voltage range, in response to the identified control step. 
     According to various embodiments, the at least one device associated with the electronic device may include an internal device of the electronic device or an external device connected with the electronic device. 
     According to various embodiments, the internal device of the electronic device may include at least one of a keyboard, a display, and communication circuitry. The external device connected with the electronic device may include at least one of an external keyboard or an external display. 
     According to various embodiments, the housing may include a first housing including a first surface and a second surface facing in a direction opposite to a direction in which the first surface faces, a second housing including a third surface corresponding to the first surface of the first housing and a fourth surface facing in a direction opposite to a direction in which the third surface faces, and a hinge rotatably connecting the first housing and the second housing. The electronic device may further comprise a display disposed on the first surface of the first housing and a keypad disposed on the third surface of the second housing. 
       FIG.  6    is a flowchart  600  illustrating operations for controlling surface heat generation in an electronic device according to various embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIG.  6   , the operation method may include operations  605  to  625 . Each step/operation of the operation method of  FIG.  6    may be performed by an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device  101  of  FIG.  1   , the electronic device  200  of  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , or the electronic device  500  of  FIG.  5   ) or at least one processor (e.g., at least one of the processor  120  of  FIG.  1    or the processor  520  of  FIG.  5   ) of the electronic device. 
     In operation  605 , the electronic device  500  may measure temperature values using a plurality of temperature sensors at a designated period. 
     According to various embodiments, the operation of measuring the temperature values using the plurality of temperature sensors may include the operation of identifying whether the electronic device is attached with an external device for charging and the operation of measuring the temperature values using the plurality of temperature sensors at the designated period in response to attachment with the external device. 
     In operation  610 , the electronic device  500  may identify whether the temperature value associated with the battery among the measured temperature values is within a threshold value. 
     In response to when the temperature value associated with the battery among the measured temperature values is within the threshold value, in operation  615 , the electronic device  500  may calculate the predicted surface temperature based on at least one of the measured temperature values and the distance from the center position of the electronic device  500  to a position of each temperature sensor. 
     According to various embodiments, the operation of calculating the predicted surface temperature may include the operation of calculating the predicted surface temperature based on the maximum value among the values obtained by multiplying the average measurement for each of the measured temperature values by the distance from the center position of the electronic device corresponding to the heat generation center point. 
     In operation  620 , the electronic device  500  may identify a control step among the plurality of control steps based on the operational state of at least one device associated with the electronic device and the predicted surface temperature. 
     According to various embodiments, the operation of identifying the control step among the plurality of control steps may include the operation of predicting the control step among the plurality of control steps based on the predicted surface temperature calculated based on the maximum value and the operation of identifying the control step by adjusting the predicted control step based on the operational state of at least one device associated with the electronic device. 
     According to various embodiments, the operation of identifying the control step may include the operation of adjusting the predicted control step using the parameter value corresponding to the operational state of at least one device associated with the electronic device and the predicted surface temperature calculated based on the maximum value. 
     In operation  625 , the electronic device  500  may adjust the charging power for the battery in response to the identified control step. 
     According to various embodiments, the operation of adjusting the charging power for the battery in response to the identified control step may include the operation of decreasing the charging current for the battery in a constant current range, in response to the identified control step, based on the initial power from the attached external device. 
     According to various embodiments, the operation of adjusting the charging power for the battery in response to the identified control step may include the operation of decreasing the charging voltage for the battery in a constant voltage range in response to the identified control step, based on the initial power from the attached external device. 
     According to various embodiments, the method may include, in response to a determination that the temperature value associated with the battery being is outside a threshold range, operation of determining a difference between the temperature value and a cutoff of the threshold range, based on a determination that the difference exceeds a maximum value, operation of stopping charging of the battery. 
     According to various embodiments, the method may include, based on a determination that the difference is less than the maximum value, operation of decreasing the charging power for the battery. 
     According to various embodiments, wherein at least one of the plurality of temperature sensors is disposed adjacent to the battery and at least one of the plurality of temperature sensors is disposed adjacent to the at least one processor. 
       FIG.  7    is a flowchart illustrating detailed operations for controlling surface heat generation in an electronic device according to various embodiments. To aid understanding of  FIG.  7   , the description is made with reference to  FIGS.  8 A to  8 D .  FIG.  8 A  is a view illustrating a method for obtaining a predicted surface temperature using a plurality of temperature sensors according to various embodiments.  FIG.  8 B  is a view illustrating a method for obtaining a final surface temperature at time T1 according to various embodiments.  FIG.  8 C  is a view illustrating a method for obtaining a final surface temperature at time T3 according to various embodiments.  FIG.  8 D  is a view illustrating a method for obtaining a final surface temperature at time T5 according to various embodiments. 
     If charging commences ( 705 ), the electronic device  500  may identify the power connection state in operation  710 . According to an embodiment, the electronic device  500  may identify whether it is attached with an external device through the connector and identify the initial power provided from the attached external device. For example, the initial power, such as 9V/2.77 A for 25 W high-speed PD, 20V/2.25 A for 45 W high-speed PD, 19V/3.42 A for 68 W DC wire, 5V/1.8 A for 9 W normal wire, or 9V/1.67 A for 15 W high-speed wire, is inputted, and the electronic device  500  may start charging the battery  585  based on the initially inputted power. 
     In operation  715 , the electronic device  500  may periodically measure the temperature value using temperature sensors. According to an embodiment, the electronic device  500  may measure the temperature values using each temperature sensor periodically (e.g., period T) as shown in  FIG.  8 A . 
     In operation  720 , the electronic device  500  may identify whether the temperature value associated with the battery is within a threshold value. If the temperature value associated with the battery  585  is not within the threshold value, e.g., more than 50 degrees or less than 0 degrees, it falls outside the temperature range allowable during charging. Thus, in operation  725 , the electronic device  500  may perform charging control to decrease the battery overheat temperature or stop charging based on the temperature value associated with the battery  585  and, after charging control, perform operation  755 . For example, if the temperature value by the temperature sensor associated with the battery  585  falls outside the temperature range (e.g., less than 0 degrees or more than 50 degrees) in which charging may continue, the electronic device  500  may control charging using only the temperature sensor associated with the battery  585 . For example, the electronic device  500  may perform the operation of cutting off or resuming charging based on the temperature value by the temperature sensor associated with the battery  585 . In one embodiment, the determination to either stop charging the battery or perform charging control to decrease the battery overheat temperature is based on an amount that the temperature value associated with the battery  585  is outside the threshold value. For example, if the temperature value associated with the battery  585  is within five degrees of the threshold value, decreasing a charging power for the battery. However, if the temperature value associated with the battery  585  is more than five degrees different than the threshold value, charging of the battery  585  is stopped. 
     If the temperature value associated with the battery  585  is within the threshold value, the electronic device  500  may obtain the predicted surface temperature in operation  730 . When the temperature value by the temperature sensor associated with the battery  585 , is, e.g., not less than 0 degrees or less than 50 degrees, the electronic device  500  may perform heat generation control using the temperature values of all the temperature sensors disposed in different positions as well as the temperature sensor associated with the battery  585 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  8 A , the plurality of temperature sensors may include at least one of an AP thermistor AP_THM measuring the temperature for the processor  520 , a charging thermistor CHG_THM measuring the temperature for the charging circuit, a USB thermistor USB_THM measuring the temperature of the external input device, a Wi-Fi thermistor WIFI_THM measuring the temperature of the Wi-Fi module, a PAM_THM measuring the temperature of the RF module, and a battery thermistor BAT_THM measuring the temperature of the battery  585 . It may be seen that at time T1, the temperature value measured by the PAM_THM measuring the temperature for the RF module among the plurality of measured temperature values is highest. Here, the measured temperature value of 40 may be the average of the temperature values measured by the PAM_THM during the time T1. Accordingly, the electronic device  500  may calculate 40, which is the temperature value measured by the PAM_THM corresponding to the highest value, i.e., maximum value, among the respective average measurements of the temperature sensors, as the predicted surface temperature. The electronic device  500  may calculate 42, which is the temperature value measured by the charging thermistor CHG_THM corresponding to the maximum value among the respective average measurements of the temperature sensors, as the predicted surface temperature at time T2. As described above, the electronic device  500  may predict the average measurement corresponding to the maximum value as the heat generation temperature for the surface of the electronic device  500 , every designated period. 
     After obtaining the predicted surface temperature, the electronic device  500  may identify the operational state of the electronic device  500  related to the user activity and user contact in operation  735 . In operation  740 , the electronic device  500  may determine the final surface temperature reflecting the operational state. In operation  745 , the electronic device  500  may identify the charging control step corresponding to the final surface temperature. 
     This is described in detail with reference to  FIGS.  8 B to  8 D . 
       FIG.  8 B  exemplifies a method for determining the final surface temperature based on the predicted surface temperature at time T1 of  FIG.  8 A . Referring to  FIG.  8 B , the electronic device  500  may determine the final surface temperature by adding/subtracting the parameter value according to the operational state of the electronic device  500  to/from the temperature value of each temperature sensor based on the predicted surface temperature and determine the control step corresponding to the final surface temperature. 
     If the predicted surface temperature at time T1 is assumed to be 40 degrees as described in connection with  FIG.  8 A , the electronic device  500  may determine the first chamfered surface among the plurality of control steps by applying the parameter value according to the operational state of the external device connected with the electronic device or the internal device associated with the electronic device  500  to the predicted surface temperature. 
     According to an embodiment, a different predicted surface temperature range may be set to each control step. As shown in  FIG.  8 B , control step 0 may correspond to a predicted surface temperature range not more than 38 degrees, control step 1 may correspond to a predicted surface temperature range more than 38 degrees and not more than 40 degrees, control step 2 may correspond to a predicted surface temperature range more than 40 degrees and not more than 43 degrees, control step 3 may correspond to a predicted surface temperature range more than 43 degrees and not less than 45 degrees, control step 4 may correspond to a predicted surface temperature range more than 45 degrees and not more than 48 degrees, and control step 5 may correspond to a predicted surface temperature range not more than 50 degrees. 
     Accordingly, the predicted surface temperature of 40 degrees at time T1 in  FIG.  8 A  is predicted as control step 1 but, if the parameter value according to the operational state of the electronic device  500  in  FIG.  8 B  is added/subtracted, the final surface temperature may be varied, so that control step 1 may be adjusted to the control step corresponding to the final surface temperature. As described above, the electronic device  500  may determine the heat generation control step depending on which control step of temperature range the final surface temperature belongs to according to the use of the electronic device  500 . 
     For example, referring to  FIG.  8 B , the parameter value for the control step corresponding to the predicted surface temperature may be applied to the predicted surface temperature depending on whether the user is using the keyboard in the electronic device  500  at time T1, whether the user is using an external input device (e.g., USB-, Wi-Fi-, or BT-type keyboard), whether the user is using the display, whether the user connects an external display and is using it, whether the user is using the communication circuit (e.g., LTE/5G), whether the user is using the Wi-Fi module, or whether it is being charged. For example, when the parameter value (+2) is applied to the predicted surface temperature of 40 degrees when the keyboard is activated, the temperature becomes 42 degrees and, if the external input device is used, the risk of user discomfort is decreased. Thus, the parameter value (−2) is applied to the predicted surface temperature of 40 degrees, so that the temperature may become 38 degrees. Further, as the temperature of the display, the temperature of the AP thermistor AP_THM may be used. Whether the display is used may be known using the temperature of the AP thermistor. The parameter value (−1) may be applied at the temperature of the AP thermistor, 36 degrees, at time T1, so that the temperature may become 35 degrees. Further, as the temperature of the external display, the temperature of the USB thermistor USB_THM may be used. The parameter value (−1) may be applied at the temperature of the USB thermistor, 36 degrees, at time T1, so that the temperature may become 35 degrees. Further, whether communication, e.g., LTE/5G, is used may be known using the PAM_THM measuring the temperature for the RF module. The parameter value (+3) may be applied at the temperature of the PAM_THM, 40 degrees, at time T1, so that the temperature may become 43 degrees. Further, use of Wi-Fi may be a heat source. Thus, the parameter value (+1) may be applied at the temperature of the WIFI_THM, 38 degrees, for the Wi-Fi module at time T1, so that the temperature may become 39 degrees. Further, since the charging operation also corresponds to a heat source, the temperature may become 44 degrees by applying the parameter value (+4) with respect to the temperature of the charging thermistor CHG_THM, 40 degrees, at time T1. 
     As described above, the temperature values reflecting the operational state of the electronic device  500  at time T1 become 42, 48, 35, 35, 43, 39, and 44. Among these temperature values, the temperature of the charging thermistor CHG_THM, i.e., the temperature value obtained by applying the parameter value according to the charging state, is highest. Thus, the final surface temperature is 44 degrees. The electronic device  500  may finally determine that the control step corresponding to 44 degrees is control step 3. 
       FIG.  8 C  exemplifies temperature values reflecting the operational state of the electronic device with respect to time T3 in  FIG.  8 A . Referring to  FIG.  8 C , since the predicted surface temperature at time T3 is 45 degrees, the temperature may become 47 degrees by applying the keyboard activity on parameter value (+20), become 45 degrees by applying the parameter value (0) when the external input device is not used, become 37 degrees by applying the parameter value (0) when the display is used, become 38 degrees by applying the parameter value (−2) when the external display is connected, become 39 degrees by applying the parameter value (+3) when communication is used, become 40 degrees by applying the parameter value (+1) when Wi-Fi is used, and become 43 degrees by applying the parameter value (0) when charging is turned off. As described above, the temperature values reflecting the operational state of the electronic device at time T3 become 47, 45, 47, 38, 39, 40, and 43. Among these temperature values, the predicted surface temperature of 47 degrees is highest. Thus, the electronic device  500  may finally determine that the control step corresponding to 47 degrees is control step 4. 
       FIG.  8 D  exemplifies temperature values reflecting the operational state of the electronic device with respect to time T5 in  FIG.  8 A . Referring to  FIG.  8 D , since the predicted surface temperature at time T5 is 46 degrees, the temperature may become 49 degrees by applying the keyboard activity on parameter value (+3), become 46 degrees by applying the parameter value (0) when the external input device is not used, become 44 degrees by applying the parameter value (−2) when the display is not used, become 45 degrees by applying the parameter value (0) when the external display is not connected, become 42 degrees by applying the parameter value (5) when communication is used, become 40 degrees by applying the parameter value (0) when Wi-Fi is used, and become 47 degrees by applying the parameter value (+5) in the charging-on state. As described above, the temperature values reflecting the operational state of the electronic device at time T5 become 49, 46, 44, 45, 42, 40, and 47. Among these temperature values, the predicted surface temperature of 49 degrees is highest. Thus, the electronic device  500  may finally determine that the control step corresponding to 49 degrees is control step 5. 
     In operation  750 , the electronic device  500  may perform control with the charging power corresponding to the identified charging control step. If the surface temperature is finally determined, the electronic device  500  may adjust the power supplied to the battery to correspond to the determined control step. In this case, the electronic device  500  may set the output to the battery based on the initially set input power and adjust the current or voltage according to the battery capacity value. 
     In operation  755 , the electronic device  500  may identify whether charging is terminated. According to an embodiment, the electronic device  500  may detect the voltage of the connector (e.g., power terminal) through the power management circuit  580  while monitoring the charging context. If charging is complete (e.g., fully charged state) while charging the battery of the electronic device  500  with the power supplied from the external device, power supply through the connector (e.g., power terminal) may be stopped. For example, the voltage detected for the power terminal may fall within a designated range (e.g., the voltage after full charge or 0V). 
     Meanwhile, as long as charging is not terminated, e.g., if the voltage detected for the power terminal does not fall within the designated range, the electronic device  500  may return to operation  715  to repeat the above-described operations. 
       FIG.  9    is a graph illustrating charging control using a charging current or a charging voltage according to various embodiments. 
       FIG.  9    is a graph illustrating changes in another voltage or current upon charging the battery. As shown in  FIG.  9   , it may be seen that as the battery is gradually charged through a constant current (CC) range and thus enters a constant voltage (CV) range, the charging current is gradually decreased until the battery is fully charged (100%). Accordingly, it may be advantageous in decreasing the surface temperature to control the voltage value rather than controlling the current value, in the constant voltage range. This is described below in detail with reference to  FIGS.  10  and  11   . 
       FIG.  10    is a view illustrating stepwise charging current adjustment according to a charging scheme and a control step according to various embodiments.  FIG.  11    is a view illustrating stepwise charging voltage adjustment according to a charging scheme and a control step according to various embodiments. 
       FIG.  10    illustrates an example in which initial power of 9V/2.77 A for 25 W high-speed PD, 20V/2.25 A for 45 W high-speed PD, 19V/3.42 A for 68 W DC wire, 5V/1.8 A for 9 W normal wire, and 9V/1.67 A for 15 W high-speed wire is inputted. With respect to such initial power, in the constant current range, e.g., when the battery capacity is less than 80%, if control step 0 is assumed to be the maximum value of the initial power, control step 1, control step 2, control step 3, control step 4, and control step 5 may denote control steps of reducing it to 80%, 60%, 40%, 20%, and 10%, respectively. Accordingly, as the control step increases, the charging current may gradually be decreased. The charging current may be decreased at a certain rate with respect to the initial current corresponding to the corresponding control step. As shown in  FIG.  10   , it may be seen that the charging current is reduced at a certain rate according to each control step with respect to the initial power regardless of the type of power, so that the surface heat generation may be decreased. 
     In contrast,  FIG.  11    illustrates an example in which in the constant voltage range, e.g., when the battery capacity is 80% or more with respect to the initial power, if control step 0 is assumed to be the maximum value of the initial power, the charging voltage is reduced at a certain rate according to each control step. As shown in  FIG.  11   , it may be seen that the charging voltage is reduced at a certain rate according to each control step with respect to the initial power regardless of the type of power. As such, it is possible to reduce the surface heat generation by decreasing the charging voltage for the battery. 
     The electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure may be one of various types of electronic devices. The electronic devices may include, for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smart phone), 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 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  140 ) including one or more instructions that are stored in a storage medium (e.g., internal memory  136  or external memory  138 ) that is readable by a machine (e.g., the electronic device  101 ). For example, a processor (e.g., the processor  120 ) of the machine (e.g., the electronic device  101 ) 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 complier 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 products may be traded as commodities between sellers and buyers. 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., Play Store™), 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. Some of the plurality of entities may be separately disposed in different components. 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. 
     According to various embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium may store instructions, the instructions configured to be executed by at least one processor of an electronic device to enable the electronic device to perform at least one operation. The at least one operation may comprise measuring temperature values using a plurality of temperature sensors, in response to a temperature value associated with a battery being within a threshold value among the measured temperature values, calculating a predicted surface temperature based on at least one of the measured temperature values and a position of each temperature sensor, identifying a control step among a plurality of control steps based on an operational state of at least one device associated with the electronic device and the predicted surface temperature, and adjusting charging power for the battery in response to the identified control step.