Patent Description:
Recently, technology of mobile electronic devices has been rapidly developed. In particular, as touch screens have come to be employed in the electronic device, technology of a user interface (UI) through the touch screen is rapidly developing as well.

A UI using the touch screen refers to a method of receiving various kinds of inputs by detecting touches from a user and of performing various functions. For example, a variety of applications may be executed by the electronic device, and the electronic device may display the content provided by the executed application on the touch screen. The electronic device may detect a user's gesture, and may display other content.

For example, a web browser application may be executed in the electronic device, and a portion of a web page may be displayed on the touch screen of the electronic device. If a user performs a drag gesture on the touch screen, the electronic device may detect the user's drag gesture, and may scroll the web page in one direction to thus display another portion of the web page.

<CIT> discloses an apparatus and a method for controlling a scroll operation of a portable terminal.

The electronic device may have no more content to be displayed on the screen when displaying content in response to a user input. For example, in the case where a web page is scrolled and displayed in response to a user input to perform a drag gesture, the electronic device may have no more web page to be displayed when the scrolling reaches the end of the web page.

The user may be aware that there is no more content to be displayed, and may want to quickly execute additional functions associated with the content. For example, if there is no more content to be displayed, the user may want to view an execution screen of content that follows or precedes the currently displayed content.

Therefore, a user interface (UI) by which the user can execute functions associated with the currently displayed content with a simple operation should be provided.

Accordingly, an aspect of the disclosure is to provide an electronic device for displaying content and a technique for executing at least one function of the electronic device.

In accordance with an aspect the disclosure, a method of executing a function of an electronic device is provided. The method includes displaying a portion of a layout containing at least one content and a UI object corresponding to at least one function of the electronic device through a touch screen, detecting a user input through the touch screen while the portion of the layout is being displayed, displaying an edge of the layout corresponding to the movement direction of the user input in response to the user input, when the user input is continuously detected while the edge of the layout is being displayed, displaying a first visual effect in an area including the edge of the layout or in an area adjacent to the edge and displaying a second visual effect in which the UI object changes for a predetermined period of time, and when the predetermined period of time has elapsed, displaying an execution screen of the at least one function.

In accordance with another aspect the disclosure, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a touch screen, at least one processor, and at least one memory electrically connected to the touch screen and the at least one processor, wherein the at least one memory stores one or more instructions configured to when a user input signal corresponding to a user input is received through the touch screen while a portion of a layout containing at least one content and a UI object corresponding to at least one function of the electronic device are being displayed, perform control such that the touch screen displays an edge of the layout corresponding to the movement direction of the user input, when the user input signal is continuously received while the edge of the layout is being displayed, perform control such that the touch screen displays a first visual effect in an area including the edge of the layout or in an area adjacent to the edge and displays a second visual effect in which the UI object changes for a predetermined period of time, and if the predetermined period of time has elapsed, perform control such that the touch screen displays an execution screen of the at least one function.

In accordance with another aspect the disclosure, a computer program product is provided. The computer program includes instructions that allow a computer to, when a user input signal corresponding to a user input is received through a touch screen while a portion of a layout containing at least one content and a UI object corresponding to at least one function of an electronic device are being displayed, perform control such that the touch screen displays an edge of the layout corresponding to the movement direction of the user input; when the user input signal is continuously received while the edge of the layout is being displayed, perform control such that the touch screen displays a first visual effect in an area including the edge of the layout or in an area adjacent to the edge and displays a second visual effect in which the UI object changes for a predetermined period of time; and when the predetermined period of time has elapsed, perform control such that the touch screen displays an execution screen of the at least one function.

According to the disclosure, it is possible to provide a first visual effect indicating that there is no more content to be displayed and a second visual effect indicating that a subsequent function can be performed.

According to the disclosure, since the second visual effect is displayed for a UI object corresponding to a function to be executed subsequently, the user may intuitively recognize the function to be executed when there is no more content to be displayed.

According to the disclosure, since the visual form of a UI object gradually changes with the lapse of a predetermined period of time, the user can predict how long it will take for a subsequent function to be executed.

In addition, the disclosure can provide various effects that are directly or indirectly recognized.

Throughout the drawings, t like reference numerals are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures.

It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding, but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the disclosure is provided for illustration purposes only and not for the purpose of limiting the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

In the disclosure, the content may include images, text, videos, contacts, audio, icons, items, tabs, or combinations thereof.

In the disclosure, a layout containing the content may have a predetermined size, or may have a size that is variable in proportion to the content size. For example, the layout may include a page (e.g., a web page) containing content, a list view containing items, a document, a frame or format including content (e.g., images), and the like.

In the disclosure, the user input may include an input using a user's finger or input by means of a stylus pen. In this case, the user input may include, for example, a user gesture. The user gesture may include a touch gesture, a hold (or long-press) gesture, a drag gesture, a drag-and-hold gesture, a pinch zoom-in/ out gesture, a swipe gesture, a tap gesture, a double-tap gesture, and the like.

<FIG> is a block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> may include a touch screen <NUM>, a processor <NUM>, and a memory <NUM>.

The touch screen <NUM> may detect a user gesture, or may display at least one piece of information (e.g., a layout containing content). The touch screen <NUM> may be configured as a combination of a display device and a touch circuit, and a detailed description of the display device will be made later with reference to <FIG>, and thus a duplicate description thereof will be omitted here.

The processor <NUM> may drive a program stored in the memory <NUM> to thus control at least one element of the electronic device <NUM>, or may process a variety of data to thus perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays information. A detailed description of the processor <NUM> will be made later with reference to <FIG>, and thus a duplicate description thereof will be omitted here.

If a user input signal corresponding to a user input is received through the touch screen <NUM> while a portion of the layout containing at least one content and a user interface (UI) object corresponding to at least one function of the electronic device <NUM> are being displayed on the touch screen <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays an edge of the layout corresponding to the movement direction of the user input. If the user input signal is continuously received through the touch screen <NUM> while the edge of the layout is being displayed on the touch screen <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays a first visual effect in an area including the edge of the layout or in an area adjacent to the edge and displays a second visual effect in which the UI object changes for a predetermined period of time.

The memory <NUM> may store a variety of data, such as software, input data for instructions, or output data therefor, which are used by at least one element of the electronic device <NUM>. A detailed description of the memory <NUM> will be made later with reference to <FIG>, and thus a duplicate description thereof will be omitted here.

The memory <NUM> may store at least one instruction that allows the processor <NUM> to perform control such that if a user input signal corresponding to a user input is received through the touch screen <NUM> while a portion of the layout containing at least one content and a UI object corresponding to at least one function of the electronic device <NUM> are being displayed, the touch screen <NUM> displays an edge of the layout corresponding to the movement direction of the user input. In addition, the memory <NUM> may store at least one instruction that allows the processor <NUM> to perform control such that if the user input signal is continuously received while the edge of the layout is being displayed, the touch screen <NUM> displays a first visual effect in an area including the edge of the layout or in an area adjacent to the edge and displays a second visual effect in which the UI object changes for a predetermined period of time. Furthermore, the memory <NUM> may store at least one instruction that allows the processor <NUM> to perform control such that if a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the touch screen <NUM> displays an execution screen of at least one function corresponding to the UI object.

The predetermined period of time may include a specific period of time after the display of the first visual effect starts, a specific period of time after the display of the first visual effect ends, a specific period of time after the display of the edge of the layout starts, or a specific period of time after the continuous user input is determined to be a hold gesture.

The memory <NUM> may store at least one instruction that allows the processor <NUM> to perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays the second visual effect while the first visual effect is being displayed, displays the second visual effect after the first visual effect is displayed, displays the second visual effect before the first visual effect is displayed, or displays both at least a portion of the first visual effect and at least a portion of the second visual effect.

The user input signal, which is received while a portion of the layout is being displayed, may include a signal corresponding to a drag gesture. In this case, the user input signal received while the edge of the layout is being displayed may be a signal corresponding to a continuous hold gesture following the drag gesture, or may be a signal corresponding to a continuous and additional drag gesture following the drag gesture.

The memory <NUM> may store at least one instruction that allows the processor <NUM> to perform control such that if a predetermined period of time has elapsed and if no user input is detected, the touch screen <NUM> displays an execution screen of at least one function corresponding to the UI object.

The at least one function may include a function of displaying a screen previous to the current screen displayed on the touch screen <NUM> or a function of displaying a screen subsequent to the current screen.

The second visual effect may include the effect in which the visual form of the UI object changes as a predetermined period of time elapses. In this case, the change in the visual form of the UI object may include an operation in which at least a portion of the UI object gradually switches from a first color to a second color in proportion to the lapse of a predetermined period of time. In addition, the second visual effect may include the effect in which the scale of a screenshot of the screen including the layout changes as a predetermined period of time elapses.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a process in which at least one function is executed in an electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays a portion <NUM> of the layout containing at least one content and a UI object <NUM> corresponding to at least one function of the electronic device <NUM>, as shown in screen (a). For example, the content may include a plurality of display setting items. In addition, the at least one function corresponding to the UI object <NUM> may include a function of displaying a screen previous to the current screen displayed on the touch screen <NUM> or a function of displaying a parent screen of the currently displayed screen.

The touch screen <NUM> may detect a user input <NUM> while the portion <NUM> of the layout is being displayed. The user input <NUM> may include, for example, a drag gesture to scroll a plurality of display setting items in one direction.

If a user input signal corresponding to the user input <NUM> is received, as shown in screen (b), the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays another portion <NUM> of the layout corresponding to the movement direction of the user input (or another portion of the layout displayed after the layout is moved along the movement direction of the user input) and an edge <NUM> of the layout. In this case, if the user input is an upward drag input, the edge of the layout may be the edge located at the lower part of the layout (or the edge corresponding to the lowermost end of the layout). On the other hand, if the user input is a downward drag input, the edge of the layout may be the edge located at the upper part of the layout or the edge corresponding to the uppermost end of the layout.

The touch screen <NUM> may continue to detect the user input <NUM> while the edge <NUM> of the layout is being displayed. The continuously detected user input, for example, may be a continuous user input following the user input detected on screen (a), or may be a user input separated therefrom. For example, the continuously detected user input may be a drag gesture or a drag-and-hold gesture.

If the user input signal corresponding to the user input <NUM> is continuously received while the edge <NUM> of the layout is being displayed, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays a first visual effect <NUM> in an area including the edge <NUM> of the layout or in an area adjacent to the edge <NUM> of the layout as shown in screen (b). The first visual effect <NUM> may indicate that there is no more display item to be displayed even if the user input signal is continuously received.

In addition, if the user input signal corresponding to the user input <NUM> is continuously received while the edge <NUM> of the layout is being displayed, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays a second visual effect <NUM> in which the UI object <NUM> changes for a predetermined period of time as shown in screen (c). As the predetermined period of time elapses, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays the UI object <NUM> while gradually (or sequentially) changing the visual form thereof. For example, the processor <NUM> may control the touch screen <NUM> so as to display the UI object <NUM> such that at least a portion of the UI object <NUM> gradually switches from a first color to a second color (or a second color in which at least one of the color, brightness, or chroma has been changed) in proportion to the lapse of the predetermined period of time. In this case, the first color may have a brightness or chroma higher than that of the second color. For example, if the first color is dark, the second color may be light. In addition, if the first color is turbid, the second color may be clear. Alternatively, the first color and the second color may complement each other.

The predetermined period of time may include a specific period of time after the edge <NUM> of the layout is displayed, a specific period of time after the display of the first visual effect <NUM> starts, a specific period of time after the display of the first visual effect <NUM> ends (or disappears), or a specific period of time after the continuous user input <NUM> is determined to be a hold gesture. The predetermined period of time may have, for example, at least one value between <NUM> seconds and <NUM> seconds, and preferably, may have a value of <NUM> seconds or <NUM> seconds, but is not limited thereto.

If the predetermined period of time has elapsed, as shown in screen (d), the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays an execution screen <NUM> of at least one function corresponding to the UI object <NUM>. For example, the at least one function may include a function of displaying a screen previous to the current screen displayed on the touch screen <NUM> or a function of displaying a parent screen of the currently displayed screen. The processor <NUM> may execute at least one function preemptively (or in response to a specified event regardless of a predetermined period of time). For example, the processor <NUM> may preemptively execute at least one function after the edge <NUM> of the layout is displayed, after the display of the first visual effect <NUM> starts, after the display of the first visual effect <NUM> ends, or after the user input is detected as a hold gesture.

If the user input signal corresponding to user input <NUM> is continuously received while the edge <NUM> of the layout is being displayed, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays at least a portion of the second visual effect <NUM> in screen (c) while the first visual effect <NUM> in screen (b) is being displayed. Alternatively, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays the second visual effect <NUM> in screen (c) first and then displays the first visual effect <NUM> in screen (b). Alternatively, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays the second visual effect <NUM> in screen (c) after the display of the first visual effect <NUM> in screen (b) ends. Alternatively, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays the first visual effect <NUM> in screen (b) and the second visual effect <NUM> in screen (c) at the same time.

If the user input signal corresponding to user input <NUM> is continuously received while the edge <NUM> of the layout is being displayed, the processor <NUM> may perform control so as to display the second visual effect <NUM> in screen (c), instead of displaying the first visual effect <NUM> in screen (b).

If the second visual effect <NUM> is displayed, and if the user input signal corresponding to the user input <NUM> is not received for a predetermined period of time, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays an execution screen <NUM> of at least one function corresponding to the UI object <NUM>. For example, if the user performs a gesture to release the hold, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays an execution screen <NUM> of at least one function corresponding to the UI object <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays an edge <NUM> of the layout containing at least one content and a UI object <NUM> corresponding to at least one function of the electronic device <NUM>, as shown in screen (a). For example, the content may include a plurality of contact items. In addition, the at least one function corresponding to the UI object <NUM> may correspond to a back button.

In screen (a), the touch screen <NUM> may detect a user input <NUM> while the edge <NUM> of the layout is being displayed. The user input <NUM> may be, for example, a drag gesture in one direction. In this case, if there is no more content to be displayed according to the user input signal corresponding to the user input <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays a first visual effect <NUM>.

If the user input signal corresponding to the user input <NUM> is continuously received, as shown in screen (b), the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays a second visual effect <NUM> in which the UI object <NUM> changes for a predetermined period of time. In this case, the user input <NUM> may be, for example, a continuous hold gesture following the drag gesture in screen (a).

In screen (a), if the user input <NUM> is detected through the touch screen, the processor <NUM> may perform control so as to display both the first visual effect <NUM> in screen (a) and at least a portion of the second visual effect <NUM> in screen (b). The processor <NUM> may perform control so as to display both the first visual effect <NUM> in screen (a) and at least a portion of the second visual effect <NUM> in screen (b) while the drag gesture is being detected.

In screen (b), as a predetermined period of time elapses, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays the UI object <NUM> while gradually changing the visual form thereof.

For example, the processor <NUM> may control the touch screen <NUM> so as to display the UI object <NUM> such that at least a portion of the UI object <NUM> gradually switches from a first color to a second color in proportion to the lapse of the predetermined period of time.

If the predetermined period of time has elapsed, as shown in screen (c), the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays an execution screen of at least one function corresponding to the UI object <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays an execution screen <NUM> of a function corresponding to a back button, as at least one function corresponding to the UI object <NUM>. In screen (c), the execution screen <NUM> of a function corresponding to the back button may be, for example, a home screen.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a process in which at least one function is executed in an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may perform control so as to display an edge <NUM> of the layout containing at least one content, as shown in screen (a).

In screen (a), the touch screen <NUM> may detect a user input <NUM> while the edge <NUM> of the layout is being displayed. The user input <NUM> may be, for example, a drag gesture.

If there is no more content to be displayed in response to the user input signal corresponding to the user input <NUM>, as shown in screen (b), the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays a first visual effect <NUM>. In this case, the user input signal corresponding to the user input <NUM> may be continuously received. The user input <NUM> may be, for example, a continuous drag gesture following the drag gesture in screen (a).

If the user input signal corresponding to the user input <NUM> is continuously received, as shown in screens (c-<NUM>) and (c-<NUM>), the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays a second visual effect in which the UI object <NUM> changes for a predetermined period of time. In this case, the user input <NUM> may be, for example, a continuous drag gesture following the drag gesture in screen (b).

The second visual effect may indicate that a screenshot (or thumbnail) <NUM> of the screen, which is displayed as the UI object <NUM>, is gradually changed in scale as a predetermined period of time elapses, as shown in screens (c-<NUM>) and (c-<NUM>). The screenshot <NUM> of the screen may be gradually reduced in the size thereof as the second visual effect. In addition, according to various implementations, the screenshot <NUM> of the screen may gradually grow, rotate, fade out, or fade in as the second visual effect.

If the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays an execution screen <NUM> of at least one function as shown in screen (d). In this case, the at least one function may be a function that is predetermined to correspond to the user input according to the disclosure. The predetermined function may be preset as a default value by, for example, the manufacturer of the electronic device <NUM>, the provider of the application set in the electronic device <NUM>, the provider of the operating system (OS), or the like. Alternatively, the predetermined function may be specified in advance by the user through a UI.

In screen (d), the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays, for example, a previous screen (or a previous page) as the predetermined function.

In various embodiments, the execution screen of at least one function may be displayed in advance in the second visual effect. For example, in screen (c-<NUM>), as the second visual effect, the screenshot <NUM> of the screen may overlap the execution screen <NUM> of at least one function. For example, the screenshot <NUM> of the screen may fade out and the execution screen <NUM> of at least one function may fade in while overlapping each other.

Referring to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays a portion <NUM> of the layout containing at least one content, as shown in screen (a). In this case, the content may include, for example, a plurality of email items.

In screen (a), the touch screen <NUM> may detect a user input <NUM> while the portion <NUM> of the layout is being displayed. The user input <NUM> may include, for example, a drag gesture to scroll a plurality of email items in one direction.

If a user input signal corresponding to the user input <NUM> is received, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays another portion <NUM> of the layout corresponding to the movement direction of the user input <NUM> and an edge <NUM> of the layout as shown in screen (b).

If the user input signal corresponding to the user input <NUM> is continuously received while the edge <NUM> of the layout is being displayed, as shown in screen (b), the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays, around the edge <NUM> of the layout, a first visual effect <NUM> indicating that there are no more email items to be displayed.

If the first visual effect <NUM> ends after the lapse of a predetermined period of time, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays a second visual effect <NUM> in which the UI object <NUM> changes for a predetermined period of time as shown in screen (c). The user input <NUM> may be, for example, a continuous hold gesture following the drag gesture in screen (b).

In this case, the second visual effect <NUM> may be provided for a newly displayed UI object <NUM> that has not been displayed in screens (a) and (b). As the predetermined period of time elapses, the processor <NUM> may control the touch screen <NUM> so as to display the UI object <NUM>, which is newly displayed, such that the visual form thereof gradually changes. For example, a progress bar of the UI object <NUM> may be gradually increased as the predetermined period of time elapses (e.g., in proportion to the lapse of the predetermined period of time).

If the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays an execution screen <NUM> of at least one function as shown in screen (d). In this case, the at least one function may be a function predetermined to correspond to the user input according to the disclosure. The processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays, for example, a previous screen as the predetermined function.

The processor <NUM> may perform control so as to display an execution screen of at least one function if the user input is no longer detected after the predetermined period of time has elapsed. For example, in screen (c), if the progress bar of the UI object <NUM> reaches a predetermined level after the predetermined period of time has elapsed, and if the user's hold gesture is released, an execution screen of at least one function may be displayed.

Even if the predetermined period of time has not elapsed, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays an execution screen of at least one function if the user input is no longer detected. For example, in screen (c), if the user's hold gesture is released while the predetermined period of time elapses, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays an execution screen of at least one function.

Referring to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays a portion <NUM> of the layout containing at least one content, as shown in screen (a). In this case, the layout containing at least one content may be a web page.

The touch screen <NUM> may detect a user input <NUM>, as shown in screen (b), while the portion <NUM> of the layout containing at least one content is being displayed. The user input <NUM> may be, for example, a downward drag gesture. The processor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays another portion <NUM> of the layout and a UI object <NUM> corresponding to at least one function while the user is performing the drag gesture. The UI object <NUM> may be one of the UI objects <NUM> capable of controlling the web page, which is automatically provided under specific conditions (e.g., when scrolling the web page in a predetermined direction). The UI object <NUM>, for example, may be displayed to overlap one side of the other portion <NUM> of the layout.

If the user input signal corresponding to the user input <NUM> is continuously received, in screen (c), the processor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays, around the edge <NUM> of the layout, a first visual effect <NUM> indicating that there are no more email items to be displayed. The user input <NUM> may be, for example, a continuous drag gesture following the drag gesture in screen (b).

If the user input signal corresponding to the user input <NUM> is continuously received while the edge <NUM> of the layout is being displayed, as shown in screen (d), the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays a second visual effect <NUM> in which the UI object <NUM> changes for a predetermined period of time. The user input <NUM> may be, for example, a continuous hold gesture following the drag gesture in screen (c).

For example, the processor <NUM> may control the touch screen <NUM> so as to display the UI object <NUM> such that at least a portion of the UI object <NUM> gradually switches from a first color to a second color in proportion to the lapse of the predetermined period of time. The gradually changing visual effect may include, for example, a visual effect in which at least a portion of the UI object <NUM> gradually switches from the first color to the second color from bottom to top.

If the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays an execution screen <NUM> of at least one function corresponding to the UI object <NUM> as shown in screen (e). For example, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays the execution screen <NUM> corresponding to a back button as the first function corresponding to the UI object <NUM>.

In screen (e), the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays a portion <NUM> of the layout containing at least one content as the execution screen <NUM> of the function corresponding to the back button. In this case, if the user's hold gesture <NUM> in screen (d) is released, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays a portion <NUM> of the layout containing at least one content.

In screen (f), the touch screen <NUM> may detect a user input <NUM> while the portion <NUM> of the layout containing at least one content is being displayed. In this case, the user input <NUM> may be an upward drag gesture, the direction of which is opposite the direction of the drag gesture in screen (b). The processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays a UI object <NUM> corresponding to at least one function while the drag gesture <NUM> is being performed by the user. The UI object <NUM> may be one of the UI objects <NUM> capable of controlling a web page provided under specific conditions in association with the web page (e.g., when scrolling the web page in a specific direction). In this case, the UI object <NUM> in screen (b) and the UI object <NUM> in screen (f) may be different from each other. For example, the functions of the displayed UI objects may be different from each other depending on the gesture direction of the user. For example, the UI object <NUM> in screen (b) may be a back button, and the UI object <NUM> in screen (f) may be a forward button.

If the user input signal corresponding to the user input <NUM> is continuously received, in screen (g), the processor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays, around the edge <NUM> of the layout, a first visual effect <NUM> indicating that there is no more web page to be displayed.

If the user input signal corresponding to the user input <NUM> is continuously received while the edge <NUM> of the layout is being displayed, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays a second visual effect <NUM> in which the UI object <NUM> changes for a predetermined period of time as shown in <FIG>. For example, the processor <NUM> may control the touch screen <NUM> so as to display the UI object <NUM> such that at least a portion thereof gradually switches from a first color to a second color in proportion to the lapse of the predetermined period of time.

If the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays an execution screen of at least one function corresponding to the UI object <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays an execution screen of a function corresponding to a forward button as a second function corresponding to the UI object <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays the web page shown in screen (a) again.

Referring to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays a layout containing at least one content <NUM>, as shown in screen (a). The at least one content <NUM> may be an image, and the layout containing the content may be determined in consideration of the size of a viewport of the touch screen <NUM>.

The touch screen <NUM> may detect a user input <NUM> while the image is being displayed. The user input <NUM> may be, for example, a pinch-out gesture to enlarge the content <NUM>.

In response to the user input <NUM>, the processor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays enlarged content <NUM> as shown in screen (b). In this case, the size of the layout <NUM> containing the content <NUM> may also be increased in response to the user input <NUM>.

In screen(c), the touch screen <NUM> may detect a user input <NUM> while the enlarged content <NUM> is being displayed. The user input <NUM> may be, for example, a drag gesture to the left.

If a user input signal corresponding to the user input <NUM> is received, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays an edge <NUM> of the content <NUM> corresponds to the movement direction of the user input <NUM> as shown in screen (c).

If the user input signal corresponding to the user input <NUM> is continuously received while the edge <NUM> of the content <NUM> is being displayed, the processor <NUM> may control the touch screen <NUM> so as to display a first visual effect <NUM> indicating that there is no more content to be displayed in the movement direction of the user input as shown in screen (c).

If the user input signal corresponding to the user input <NUM> is continuously received while the edge <NUM> of the content <NUM> is being displayed, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays a UI object <NUM> indicating the execution of a function together with the first visual effect <NUM> for a predetermined period of time as shown in screens (d-<NUM>) and (d-<NUM>).

In this case, as the predetermined period of time elapses, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays a second visual effect in which the UI object <NUM> gradually changes in the visual form thereof. For example, the processor <NUM> may gradually change the UI object <NUM> from a first color to a second color. More specifically, the processor <NUM> may control the touch screen <NUM> so as to display the UI object <NUM> while gradually emphasizing the UI object <NUM>. In this case, the first visual effect <NUM> may be displayed along with the second visual effect of the UI object <NUM>. In addition, the first visual effect <NUM> and the second visual effect of the UI object <NUM> may be displayed so as to overlap each other.

If the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays an execution screen <NUM> of a function corresponding to the UI object <NUM> as shown in screen (e). For example, the function corresponding to the UI object <NUM> may include a function of displaying an image subsequent to the image currently being displayed on the touch screen <NUM>. The subsequent image may be determined in consideration of the name of the image, the shooting date of the image, the size of the image, the tagging information of the image, and the like.

Referring to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays an edge <NUM> of the layout containing at least one content <NUM>, as shown in screen (a). In this case, the layout containing the content may be a dialog window including text messages.

In screen (a), the touch screen <NUM> may detect a user input <NUM> while the edge <NUM> of the dialog window is being displayed. The user input <NUM> may be, for example, a drag gesture in one direction. If there are no more messages to be displayed in response to the user input <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays a first visual effect <NUM>.

If the user input signal corresponding to the user input <NUM> is continuously received, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays a plurality of UI objects <NUM> as shown in screen (b). The functions corresponding to the plurality of UI objects <NUM> may be some (e.g., at least one) of the functions provided by the application for displaying the dialog window. In this case, the plurality of UI objects <NUM> may be displayed if a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the first visual effect <NUM> is displayed.

The plurality of UI objects <NUM> may include, for example, a UI object <NUM> for displaying a dialog window with a previous counterpart and a UI object <NUM> for displaying a dialog window with a next counterpart. In addition, the user input <NUM> in screen (b) may be, for example, a continuous hold gesture following the drag gesture in screen (a).

The user input signal corresponding to the user input <NUM> may be continuously received, as shown in screen (c-<NUM>), while the plurality of UI objects <NUM> are being displayed. In this case, the user input <NUM> may be a continuous gesture <NUM> of dragging in the first direction following the hold gesture <NUM> in screen (b).

If a user input signal corresponding to the drag gesture <NUM> in the first direction is received, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays an execution screen <NUM> of a function corresponding to the UI object <NUM> corresponding to the user input <NUM> as shown in screen (c-<NUM>). For example, if the user input <NUM> is a gesture of dragging to the left, the UI object corresponding to the user input <NUM> may be the UI object <NUM> located at the left side, among the plurality of UI objects <NUM>.

In screen (c-<NUM>), the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays, as the execution screen <NUM> of the function corresponding to the UI object <NUM>, a dialog window with a previous counterpart. The previous counterpart may be determined in consideration of the name of the counterpart, the dialog time with the counterpart, the bookmark order, the viewing time of the dialog window, and the like.

In addition, in screen (c-<NUM>), if a user input signal corresponding to the user input <NUM> is received, the processor <NUM> may perform control so as to display a visual effect in at least a portion of the UI object <NUM> corresponding to the user input <NUM>, thereby guiding the user to predict the next function to be performed.

While the plurality of UI objects <NUM> are being displayed in screen (b), the user input signal corresponding to the user input <NUM> may be continuously received as shown in screen (d-<NUM>). In this case, the user input <NUM> may be a continuous gesture <NUM> of dragging in the second direction following the hold gesture <NUM> in screen (b). For example, the gesture <NUM> of dragging in the second direction may be a gesture of dragging in a direction opposite the first direction in which the gesture <NUM> of dragging was made in screen (c-<NUM>).

If a user input signal corresponding to the user input of the drag gesture <NUM> in the second direction is received, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays an execution screen <NUM> of a function corresponding to the UI object <NUM> corresponding to the user gesture <NUM> as shown in screen (d-<NUM>). For example, if the user gesture <NUM> is a gesture of dragging to the right, the UI object corresponding to the user gesture <NUM> may be the UI object <NUM> located at the right side, among the plurality of UI objects <NUM>. In screen (d-<NUM>), the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays, as the execution screen <NUM> of the function corresponding to the UI object <NUM>, a dialog window with a next counterpart. In screen (d-<NUM>), if a user input signal corresponding to the user input <NUM> is received, the processor <NUM> may perform control so as to display a visual effect in at least a portion of the UI object <NUM> corresponding to the user input <NUM>, thereby guiding the user to predict the next function to be performed.

Referring to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays an edge <NUM> of a web page <NUM>, as shown in screen (a). A user input <NUM> may be continuously detected while the edge <NUM> of the web page <NUM> is being displayed. If there is no more message to be displayed in response to the user input <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays a first visual effect <NUM>.

If the user input signal corresponding to the user input <NUM> is continuously received, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays a plurality of UI objects <NUM> as shown in screen (b). In this case, the user input <NUM> may be, for example, a continuous hold gesture following the drag gesture in screen (a). In addition, the plurality of UI objects <NUM> may be at least one of a plurality of UI objects capable of controlling a web page automatically provided under specific conditions. For example, a UI object <NUM> of the plurality of UI objects <NUM> may be a back button for displaying a web page previous to the currently displayed web page <NUM>, and another UI object <NUM> may be a forward button for displaying a web page subsequent to the currently displayed web page <NUM>. In this case, the plurality of UI objects <NUM> may have guide information displayed thereon indicating executable functions according to the user's gesture. For example, the guide information "Swipe to Back" may be displayed on one UI object <NUM>, thereby indicating that if the user performs a swipe in the "<" direction, a function corresponding to the back button is performed. In addition, the guide information "Swipe to Next" is displayed on another UI object <NUM>, thereby indicating that if the user performs a swipe in the ">" direction, a function corresponding to the forward button is performed. The plurality of UI objects <NUM> may be displayed if a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the first visual effect <NUM> is displayed.

The user input signal corresponding to the user input <NUM> may be continuously received while the plurality of UI objects <NUM> are being displayed as shown in screen (c-<NUM>). In this case, the user input <NUM> may be a continuous gesture <NUM> of dragging in the first direction following the hold gesture <NUM> in <FIG>.

If a user input signal corresponding to the drag gesture <NUM> in the first direction is received, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays an execution screen <NUM> of a function corresponding to the UI object <NUM> corresponding to the user gesture <NUM> as shown in screen (c-<NUM>). The processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays, as the execution screen <NUM> of the function corresponding to the UI object <NUM>, a web page previous to the currently displayed web page <NUM>.

The user input signal corresponding to the user input <NUM> may be continuously received as shown in screen (d-<NUM>) while the plurality of UI objects <NUM> are being displayed in screen (b). In this case, the user input <NUM> may be a continuous gesture <NUM> of dragging in the second direction following the hold gesture <NUM> of screen (b). For example, the gesture <NUM> of dragging in the second direction may be a gesture of dragging in a direction opposite the first direction in which the drag gesture <NUM> is made in screen (c-<NUM>).

If a user input signal corresponding to the user input of the drag gesture <NUM> in the second direction is received, the processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays an execution screen <NUM> of a function corresponding to the UI object <NUM> corresponding to the user gesture <NUM> as shown in screen (d-<NUM>). The processor <NUM> may perform control such that the touch screen <NUM> displays, as the execution screen <NUM> of the function corresponding to the UI object <NUM>, a web page subsequent to the currently displayed web page <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart for executing a function of an electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may display, on the touch screen <NUM>, at least a portion of the layout containing at least one content and a UI object corresponding to at least one function of the electronic device <NUM> in operation <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may determine whether a user input is detected via the touch screen <NUM> while the portion of the layout is being displayed.

If it is determined that a user input has been detected in operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may display an edge of the layout corresponding to the movement direction of the user input (or an edge of the layout displayed after the layout is moved in the movement direction of the user input) in operation <NUM>.

For example, if the user input is an upward drag input, the edge of the layout may be the edge of the layout located at the lower part of the layout or the edge corresponding to the lowermost end of the layout, and if the user input is a downward drag input, the edge of the layout may be the edge of the layout located at the upper part of the layout or the edge corresponding to the uppermost end of the layout.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may determine whether or not the user input is continuously detected while the edge of the layout is being displayed. If the user input detected while the portion of the layout is being displayed is a drag gesture in operation <NUM>, the user input detected while the edge of the layout is being displayed may be a continuous hold gesture following the drag gesture, or may be a continuous and additional drag gesture following the drag gesture.

If the user input is continuously detected (YES in operation <NUM>), the electronic device <NUM> may display a first visual effect in an area including the edge of the layout or in an area adjacent to the edge in operation <NUM>. In addition, the electronic device <NUM> may display a second visual effect in which the UI object changes for a predetermined period of time. The second visual effect may include changing the visual form of the UI object as a predetermined period of time elapses. For example, the second visual effect may be an effect in which at least a portion of the UI object gradually (or sequentially) switches from a first color to a second color (or a second color in which at least one of the color, brightness, or chroma has been changed) in proportion to the lapse of a predetermined period of time.

Alternatively, the second visual effect may include changing the scale of the screenshot of the screen including the layout as a predetermined period of time elapses.

The predetermined period of time may be a specific period of time after the display of the first visual effect starts, a specific period of time after the display of the first visual effect ends (or disappears), a specific period of time after the display of the edge of the layout starts, or a specific period of time after the continuous user input is determined to be a hold gesture.

In addition, the operation of displaying the second visual effect may include an operation of displaying the second visual effect while the first visual effect is being displayed, an operation of displaying the second visual effect after the first visual effect is displayed, an operation of displaying the second visual effect before the first visual effect is displayed, or an operation of displaying both at least a portion of the first visual effect and at least a portion of the second visual effect.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may determine whether or not the predetermined period of time has elapsed.

If the predetermined period of time has elapsed (YES in operation <NUM>), the electronic device <NUM> may display an execution screen of at least one function corresponding to the UI object in operation <NUM>. For example, the at least one function may include a function of displaying a screen previous to the current screen being displayed on the touch screen or a function of displaying a screen subsequent to the current screen. In this case, if the predetermined period of time has elapsed and if no user input is detected, the electronic device <NUM> may display an execution screen of at least one function corresponding to the UI object.

The electronic device <NUM> may communicate with the electronic device <NUM> via the server <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, an input device <NUM>, a sound output device <NUM>, a display device <NUM>, an audio module <NUM>, a sensor module <NUM>, an interface <NUM>, a haptic module <NUM>, a camera module <NUM>, a power management module <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, a communication module <NUM>, a subscriber identification module (SIM) <NUM>, or an antenna module <NUM>.

The non-volatile memory may include internal memory <NUM> and external memory <NUM>.

The program <NUM> may be stored in the memory <NUM> as software, and may include, for example, an OS <NUM>, middleware <NUM>, or an application <NUM>.

The receiver may be implemented as separate from, or as part of the speaker.

According to an embodiment, the audio module <NUM> may obtain the sound via the input device <NUM>, or output the sound via the sound output device <NUM> or a headphone of an external electronic device (e.g., an electronic device <NUM>) directly (e.g., via a wire or cable) or wirelessly coupled with the electronic device <NUM>.

The interface <NUM> may support one or more specified protocols to be used for the electronic device <NUM> to be coupled with the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>) directly (e.g., via a wire or cable) or wirelessly.

The connecting terminal <NUM> may include, for example, a HDMI connector, a USB connector, a SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector).

The camera module <NUM> may include one or more lenses, image sensors, ISPs, or flashes.

The communication module <NUM> may include one or more CP that are operable independently from the processor <NUM> (e.g., the AP) and supports a direct (e.g., wired) communication or a wireless communication. The communication module <NUM> may include a wireless communication module <NUM> (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 <NUM> (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module or a power line communication (PLC) module). A corresponding one of these communication modules may communicate with the external electronic device via the first network <NUM> (e.g., a short-range communication network, such as Bluetooth™, Wi-Fi direct, or IR data association (IrDA)) or the second network <NUM> (e.g., a long-range communication network, such as a cellular network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or wide area network (WAN)). The wireless communication module <NUM> may identify and authenticate the electronic device <NUM> in a communication network, such as the first network <NUM> or the second network <NUM>, using subscriber information (e.g., international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) stored in the SIM <NUM>.

The antenna module <NUM> may include one or more antennas, and, therefrom, at least one antenna appropriate for a communication scheme used in the communication network, such as the first network <NUM> or the second network <NUM>, may be selected, for example, by the communication module <NUM> (e.g., the wireless communication module <NUM>).

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)).

The electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure may be one of various types of electronic devices. The electronic devices are not limited to those described above.

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., via a wire or cable), wirelessly, or via a third element.

For example, a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM>) of the machine (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>) may invoke at least one of the one or more instructions stored in the storage medium, and execute the one or more instructions, with or without using one or more other components under the control of the processor. 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.

One or more of the above-described components may be omitted, or one or more other components may be added. 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.

Claim 1:
A method of executing a function of an electronic device (<NUM>), the method comprising:
displaying (<NUM>) a portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of a layout containing at least one content and further displaying a user interface, UI, object (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) corresponding to at least one function of the electronic device through a touch screen (<NUM>);
detecting (<NUM>) a user input through the touch screen while the portion of the layout is being displayed;
displaying (<NUM>) an edge (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the layout corresponding to a movement direction of the user input in response to the user input;
when the user input is continuously detected (<NUM>) while the edge of the layout is being displayed, displaying (<NUM>) a first visual effect (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) in an area comprising the edge of the layout or in an area adjacent to the edge and displaying (<NUM>) a second visual effect (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) in which the UI object changes for a predetermined period of time; and
when the predetermined period of time has elapsed (<NUM>), displaying (<NUM>) an execution screen of the at least one function corresponding to the UI object,
wherein the first visual effect is displayed to indicate that there is no more content to be displayed and the second visual effect is displayed to indicate that a subsequent function can be performed.