Patent Description:
With the advancement of information communication technology and semiconductor technology, an electronic device is gradually evolving into a multimedia device having complex functions. For example, through applications, an electronic device can provide a user with functions, including a web search, schedule management, taking a photograph, and the like. According to the provision of such various functions, the number of contents output from an electronic device is gradually increasing. However, since an electronic device includes a display having a limited size, the electronic device may display, on the display, at least some of contents to be provided to a user, and may additionally display, on the display, the remaining contents through a scroll function.

<CIT> discloses an electronic device and method for determining whether to scroll or select displayed contents. <CIT> discloses a method for flexible selection of displayed content in mobile devices.

<CIT> discloses auto-scroll regions in displayed content in computing devices.

An electronic device employs a display having a limited size, and thus may display, on the display, at least some of contents to be provided to a user. In this case, in order to select at least one content which is not displayed on the display, a user of the electronic device is inconvenienced in that he/she needs to additionally make an input other than the selection input having been used to select the content being displayed. For example, when a selection region for selecting a content is set, in order to set a selection region such that a content not displayed on the display is included, the user of the electronic device is inconvenienced in that he/she needs to move, to an edge region of the display, an input for setting a selection region or needs to make an additional input for scroll.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a method and an apparatus for changing a selection region for a content in an electronic device.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device may include: a display configured to display at least one content; and a processor configured to set a selection region on the basis of an input for the at least one content displayed on the display, determine whether an automatic scroll is performed, on the basis of an attribute of the selection region, and when the automatic scroll is performed, change a size of the selection region on the basis of the automatic scroll.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, an operating method of an electronic device is provided. The operating method may include: displaying at least one content; setting a selection region on the basis of an input for the at least one content; determining whether an automatic scroll is performed, on the basis of an attribute of the selection region; and when the automatic scroll is performed, changing a size of the selection region on the basis of the automatic scroll.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device and the method can perform, for example, when a region for selecting a content is set, an automatic scroll function on the basis of an attribute of the selection region, so as to enable a user to easily set a selection region for selecting a content.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that there is no intent to limit the present disclosure to the particular forms disclosed herein; rather, the present disclosure should be construed to cover various modifications, equivalents, and/or alternatives of embodiments of the present disclosure. In describing the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to designate similar constituent elements.

As used herein, the expression "have", "may have", "include", or "may include" refers to the existence of a corresponding feature (e.g., numeral, function, operation, or constituent element such as component), and does not exclude one or more additional features.

In the present disclosure, the expression "A or B", "at least one of A or/and B", or "one or more of A or/and B" may include all possible combinations of the items listed. For example, the expression "A or B", "at least one of A and B", or "at least one of A or B" refers to all of (<NUM>) including at least one A, (<NUM>) including at least one B, or (<NUM>) including all of at least one A and at least one B.

The expression "a first", "a second", "the first", or "the second" used in various embodiments of the present disclosure may modify various components regardless of the order and/or the importance but does not limit the corresponding components. For example, a first user device and a second user device indicate different user devices although both of them are user devices. For example, a first element may be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element may be termed a first element without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

It should be understood that when an element (e.g., first element) is referred to as being (operatively or communicatively) "connected," or "coupled," to another element (e.g., second element), it may be directly connected or coupled directly to the other element or any other element (e.g., third element) may be interposer between them. In contrast, it may be understood that when an element (e.g., first element) is referred to as being "directly connected," or "directly coupled" to another element (second element), there are no element (e.g., third element) interposed between them.

The expression "configured to" used in the present disclosure may be exchanged with, for example, "suitable for", "having the capacity to", "designed to", "adapted to", "made to", or "capable of" according to the situation. The term "configured to" may not necessarily imply "specifically designed to" in hardware. Alternatively, in some situations, the expression "device configured to" may mean that the device, together with other devices or components, "is able to". For example, the phrase "processor adapted (or configured) to perform A, B, and C" may mean a dedicated processor (e.g. embedded processor) only for performing the corresponding operations or a generic-purpose processor (e.g., central processing unit (CPU) or application processor (AP)) that can perform the corresponding operations by executing one or more software programs stored in a memory device.

The terms used in the present disclosure are only used to describe specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. As used herein, singular forms may include plural forms as well unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning as those commonly understood by a person skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. Such terms as those defined in a generally used dictionary may be interpreted to have the meanings equal to the contextual meanings in the relevant field of art, and are not to be interpreted to have ideal or excessively formal meanings unless clearly defined in the present disclosure. In some cases, even the term defined in the present disclosure should not be interpreted to exclude embodiments of the present disclosure.

An electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of, for example, a smart phone, a tablet Personal Computer (PC), a mobile phone, a video phone, an electronic book reader (e-book reader), a desktop PC, a laptop PC, a netbook computer, a workstation, a server, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), a MPEG-<NUM> audio layer-<NUM> (MP3) player, a mobile medical device, a camera, and a wearable device. According to various embodiments, the wearable device may include at least one of an accessory type (e.g., a watch, a ring, a bracelet, an anklet, a necklace, a glasses, a contact lens, or a Head-Mounted Device (HMD)), a fabric or clothing integrated type (e.g., an electronic clothing), a body-mounted type (e.g., a skin pad, or tattoo), and a bio-implantable type (e.g., an implantable circuit).

According to some embodiments, the electronic device may be a home appliance. The home appliance may include at least one of, for example, a television, a Digital Video Disk (DVD) player, an audio, a refrigerator, an air conditioner, a vacuum cleaner, an oven, a microwave oven, a washing machine, an air cleaner, a set-top box, a home automation control panel, a security control panel, a TV box (e.g., Samsung HomeSyncTM, Apple TVTM, or Google TVTM), a game console (e.g., XboxTM and PlayStationTM), an electronic dictionary, an electronic key, a camcorder, and an electronic photo frame.

According to another embodiment, the electronic device may include at least one of various medical devices (e.g., various portable medical measuring devices (a blood glucose monitoring device, a heart rate monitoring device, a blood pressure measuring device, a body temperature measuring device, etc.), a Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA), a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), a Computed Tomography (CT) machine, and an ultrasonic machine), a navigation device, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, an Event Data Recorder (EDR) , a Flight Data Recorder (FDR) , a Vehicle Infotainment Devices, an electronic devices for a ship (e.g., a navigation device for a ship, and a gyro-compass), avionics, security devices, an automotive head unit, a robot for home or industry, an automatic teller's machine (ATM) in banks, point of sales (POS) in a shop, or internet device of things (e.g., a light bulb, various sensors, electric or gas meter, a sprinkler device, a fire alarm, a thermostat, a streetlamp, a toaster, a sporting goods, a hot water tank, a heater, a boiler, etc.).

According to some embodiments, the electronic device may include at least one of a part of furniture or a building/structure, an electronic board, an electronic signature receiving device, a projector, and various kinds of measuring instruments (e.g., a water meter, an electric meter, a gas meter, and a radio wave meter). The electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be a combination of one or more of the aforementioned various devices. The electronic device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure may be a flexible device. Further, the electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to the aforementioned devices, and may include a new electronic device according to the development of technology.

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

<FIG> is a view illustrating a network environment including an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include a bus <NUM>, a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, an input/output interface <NUM>, a display <NUM>, and a communication interface <NUM>. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, at least one of the above elements of the electronic device <NUM> may be omitted from the electronic device <NUM>, or the electronic device <NUM> may additionally include other elements.

The bus <NUM> may include, for example, a circuit that interconnects the elements <NUM> to <NUM> and delivers a communication (e.g., a control message and/or data) between the elements.

The processor <NUM> may include one or more of a Central Processing Unit (CPU), an Application Processor (AP), and a Communication Processor (CP). The processor <NUM> may perform, for example, calculations or data processing related to control over and/or communication by at least one of the other elements of the electronic device <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may set a selection region corresponding to an input detected through the input/output interface <NUM>. For example, when detecting a region selection event, the processor <NUM> may set, as a selection region for selecting at least one content, a region from a touch input point detected through a touch panel to a touch input point moved by a drag. As another example, when detecting a region selection event, the processor <NUM> may set, as a selection region for selecting at least one content, a region from a point, at which an input made by an electronic pen has been detected, to an input point moved by a drag. As still another example, when detecting a region selection event, the processor <NUM> may set, as a selection region for selecting at least one content, a region from a point, in which a mouse button has been input, to a point moved by a drag. For example, the processor <NUM> may detect a region selection event on the basis of a time for which an input for a content is maintained, selection of a region selection icon, a region selection event, a gesture input that a region selection event matches, and the like. For example, the processor <NUM> may control the display <NUM> such that a selection region corresponding to an input detected through the input/output interface <NUM> is distinguished from another region, so as to renew a graphic element (e.g., a color, a transparency, a shade, etc.) of the selection region. In the present example, the contents may include a character, an image, a video, and the like which are displayed on the display <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may perform an automatic scroll on the basis of an attribute of a selection region. For example, when the number of contents included in a selection region satisfies a reference condition, the processor <NUM> may perform an automatic scroll. As another example, when the size (e.g., an area) of a selection region satisfies a reference condition, the processor <NUM> may perform an automatic scroll. As still another example, when the size (e.g., capacity) of a content included in a selection region satisfies a reference condition, the processor <NUM> may perform an automatic scroll. For example, when an input for setting a selection region is canceled during execution of an automatic scroll, the processor <NUM> may terminate the automatic scroll. When an input for setting a selection region is maintained, the processor <NUM> may perform an automatic scroll to an extension range of the selection region. In the present example, a reference condition is a value corresponding to an attribute of a content included in a selection region, and examples of the reference condition may include the reference number of contents, a reference area, a reference size, and the like. Examples of an attribute of a content may include the type of content, the type of application for displaying a content, and the like. Examples of an attribute of a selection region may include the number of contents included in the selection region, the sizes (e.g., capacities) of the contents, the size (e.g., the area) of the selection region, and the like.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may identify an extensible range of a selection region so as to perform an automatic scroll up to the extensible range and change the selection region. For example, the processor <NUM> may identify an extensible range of a selection region on the basis of whether contents displayed on the display <NUM> are grouped. For example, when contents are not grouped, the processor <NUM> may identify a point where the last content among the contents, which are output on the display <NUM>, is located. For example, when the contents are grouped, the processor may identify an extensible range of a selection region on the basis of the type, generation information, or the like of a content included in the selection region. In the present example, the contents may be grouped based on the types of contents, generation information thereof, or the like.

According to an embodiment, when at least a part of an image is included in a selection region, the processor <NUM> may perform an automatic scroll on the basis of the image included in the selection region. For example, when at least a part of an image is included in a selection region, the processor <NUM> may perform an automatic scroll and may change the selection region so as to include the entire image. As another example, the processor <NUM> may determine whether an automatic scroll is performed, on the basis of the size of an image included in a selection region. When the size of an image included in a selection region satisfies a reference condition, the processor <NUM> may perform an automatic scroll and extend the selection region so as to include the entire image therein. When the size of the image included in the selection region does not satisfy the reference condition, so as not to include the image therein, the processor <NUM> may perform an automatic scroll and reduce the selection region.

The memory <NUM> may include a volatile memory and/or a non-volatile memory. The memory <NUM> may store, for example, commands or data related to at least one of the other elements of the electronic device <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the memory <NUM> may store software and/or a program <NUM>. The program <NUM> may include, for example, a kernel <NUM>, middleware <NUM>, an Application Programming Interface (API) <NUM>, and/or an application (or an application program) <NUM>. At least some of the kernel <NUM>, the middleware <NUM>, and the API <NUM> may be referred to as an "Operating System (OS)".

For example, the input/output interface <NUM> may serve as an interface capable of delivering a command or data, which is input from a user or another external device, to the element(s) other than the input/output interface <NUM> within the electronic device <NUM>. Also, the input/output interface <NUM> may output, to the user or another external device, commands or data received from the element(s) other than the input/output interface <NUM> within the electronic device <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the input/output interface <NUM> may include a touch panel that detects a touch input or a hovering input using an electronic pen or a part of the user's body. According to an embodiment, the input/output interface <NUM> may receive a gesture or a hovering input using an electronic pen or a part of the user's body.

Examples of the display <NUM> may include a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a Light-Emitting Diode (LED) display, an Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) display, a MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) display, and an electronic paper display. For example, the display <NUM> may display various pieces of content (e.g., text, images, videos, icons, symbols, etc.) to the user.

According to an embodiment, the display <NUM> may be coupled to a touch panel of the input/output interface <NUM> so as to implement a touch screen.

The communication interface <NUM> may establish, for example, communication between the electronic device <NUM> and an external device (e.g., a first external electronic device <NUM>, a second external electronic device <NUM>, or a server <NUM>). For example, the communication interface <NUM> may be connected to a network <NUM> through wireless or wired communication and may communicate with the external device (e.g., the second external electronic device <NUM> or the server <NUM>).

<FIG> is a view illustrating a block diagram of an electronic device <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In the present example, the electronic device <NUM> may include all or some of the elements of the electronic device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include at least one processor (e.g., an Application Processor (AP)) <NUM>, a communication module <NUM>, a subscriber identification module <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a sensor module <NUM>, an input apparatus <NUM>, a display <NUM>, an interface <NUM>, an audio module <NUM>, a camera module <NUM>, a power management module <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, an indicator <NUM>, and a motor <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may control multiple hardware or software elements connected to the processor <NUM> by running, for example, an OS or an application program, and may perform the processing of and arithmetic operations on various data. The processor <NUM> may be implemented by, for example, a System on Chip (SoC). According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may further include a Graphic Processing Unit (GPU) and/or an image signal processor. The processor <NUM> may include at least some (e.g., a cellular module <NUM>) of the elements illustrated in <FIG>. The processor <NUM> may load, into a volatile memory, instructions or data received from at least one (e.g., a non-volatile memory) of the other elements and may process the loaded instructions or data, and may store various data in a non-volatile memory.

According to an embodiment, a selection region corresponds to an input detected through the input apparatus <NUM>, and the processor <NUM> may change the selection region on the basis of an attribute of the selection region. For example, the processor <NUM> may set a selection region, which corresponds to an input detected through the input apparatus <NUM>, on the basis of at least one of the number of contents included in the selection region, the sizes (e.g., capacities) of the contents, and the size (e.g., the area) of the selection region.

The communication module <NUM> may have a configuration identical or similar to that of the communication interface <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. The communication module <NUM> may include, for example, the cellular module <NUM>, a WiFi module <NUM>, a Bluetooth (BT) module <NUM>, a GNSS module <NUM> (e.g., a GPS module, a GLONASS module, a BeiDou module, or a Galileo module), an NFC module <NUM>, and a Radio Frequency (RF) module <NUM>.

For example, the cellular module <NUM> may provide a voice call, a video call, a text message service, an Internet service, or the like through a communication network. According to an embodiment, the cellular module <NUM> may identify or authenticate an electronic device <NUM> in the communication network by using the subscriber identification module (e.g., a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card) <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the cellular module <NUM> may perform at least some of the functions that the processor <NUM> can provide. According to an embodiment, the cellular module <NUM> may include a Communication Processor (CP).

Each of the WiFi module <NUM>, the BT module <NUM>, the GNSS module <NUM>, and the NFC module <NUM> may include, for example, a processor for processing data transmitted and received through the relevant module. According to some embodiments, at least some (e.g., two or more) of the cellular module <NUM>, the WiFi module <NUM>, the BT module <NUM>, the GNSS module <NUM>, and the NFC module <NUM> may be included in one Integrated Chip (IC) or IC package.

The RF module <NUM> may transmit and receive, for example, communication signals (e.g., RF signals). The RF module <NUM> may include, for example, a transceiver, a Power Amplifier Module (PAM), a frequency filter, a Low Noise Amplifier (LNA), and an antenna. According to another embodiment, at least one of the cellular module <NUM>, the WiFi module <NUM>, the BT module <NUM>, the GNSS module <NUM>, and the NFC module <NUM> may transmit and receive RF signals through a separate RF module.

The subscriber identification module <NUM> may include, for example, a card including a subscriber identity module and/or an embedded SIM, and may contain unique identification information (e.g., an Integrated Circuit Card Identifier (ICCID)) or subscriber information (e.g., an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)).

The memory (e.g., the memory <NUM>) <NUM> may include, for example, an internal memory <NUM> or an external memory <NUM>. The internal memory <NUM> may include at least one of, for example, a volatile memory (e.g., a Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), a Static RAM (SRAM), a Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), etc.); and a non-volatile memory (e.g., a One Time Programmable Read-Only Memory (OTPROM), a Programmable ROM (PROM), an Erasable and Programmable ROM (EPROM), an Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM (EEPROM), a mask ROM, a flash ROM, a flash memory (e.g., a Not AND (NAND) flash memory, a Not OR (NOR) flash memory, etc.), a hard drive, and a Solid State Drive (SSD)).

The external memory <NUM> may further include a flash drive, for example, a Compact Flash (CF), a Secure Digital (SD), a Micro-Secure Digital (Micro-SD), a Mini-Secure Digital (Mini-SD), an extreme Digital (xD), a Multi-Media Card (MMC), a memory stick, or the like. The external memory <NUM> may be functionally and/or physically connected to the electronic device <NUM> through various interfaces.

For example, the sensor module <NUM> may measure a physical quantity or may recognize an operation state of the electronic device <NUM>, and may convert the measured physical quantity or the detected operation state into an electrical signal. The sensor module <NUM> may include at least one of, for example, a gesture sensor 240A, a gyro sensor 240B, an atmospheric pressure sensor 240C, a magnetic sensor 240D, an acceleration sensor 240E, a grip sensor 240F, a proximity sensor <NUM>, a color sensor (e.g., a Red-Green-Blue (RGB) sensor) <NUM>, a biometric sensor 240I, a temperature/humidity sensor 240J, an illuminance sensor <NUM>, and an Ultraviolet (UV) sensor <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the sensor module <NUM> may include, for example, an E-nose sensor, an electromyography (EMG) sensor, an electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor, an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, an Infrared (IR) sensor, an iris sensor, and/or a fingerprint sensor. The sensor module <NUM> may further include a control circuit for controlling one or more sensors included therein. In some embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> may further include a processor configured to control the sensor module <NUM> as a part of or separately from the processor <NUM>, and may control the sensor module <NUM> while the processor <NUM> is in a sleep state.

The input apparatus <NUM> may include, for example, a touch panel <NUM>, a (digital) pen sensor <NUM>, a key <NUM>, or an ultrasonic input unit <NUM>. The touch panel <NUM> may use at least one of, for example, a capacitive scheme, a resistive scheme, an infrared scheme, and an acoustic wave scheme. Also, the touch panel <NUM> may further include a control circuit. The touch panel <NUM> may further include a tactile layer and may provide a tactile reaction to the user.

The (digital) pen sensor <NUM> may include, for example, a recognition sheet which is a part of the touch panel or is separated from the touch panel. The key <NUM> may be, for example, a physical button, an optical key, and a keypad. The ultrasonic input unit <NUM> may recognize an ultrasonic wave generated by an input means through a microphone (e.g., a microphone <NUM>), and may identify data corresponding to the recognized ultrasonic wave.

The display (e.g., the display <NUM>) <NUM> may include a panel <NUM>, a hologram unit <NUM>, or a projector <NUM>. The panel <NUM> may include a configuration identical or similar to that of the display <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. The panel <NUM> may be implemented to be, for example, flexible, transparent, or wearable. The panel <NUM>, together with the touch panel <NUM>, may be implemented as one module. The hologram unit <NUM> may display a three-dimensional image in the air by using interference of light. The projector <NUM> may display an image by projecting light onto a screen. The screen may be located, for example, inside or outside the electronic device <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the display <NUM> may further include a control circuit for controlling the panel <NUM>, the hologram unit <NUM>, or the projector <NUM>.

The interface <NUM> may include, for example, a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) <NUM>, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) <NUM>, an optical interface <NUM>, or a D-subminiature (D-sub) <NUM>. The interface <NUM> may be included in, for example, the communication interface <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. Additionally or alternatively, the interface <NUM> may include, for example, a Mobile High-definition Link (MHL) interface, a Secure Digital (SD) card/Multi-Media Card (MMC) interface, or an Infrared Data Association (IrDA) standard interface.

For example, the audio module <NUM> may bidirectionally convert between a sound and an electrical signal. At least some elements of the audio module <NUM> may be included in, for example, the input/output interface <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. The audio module <NUM> may process sound information which is input or output through, for example, a speaker <NUM>, a receiver <NUM>, an earphone <NUM>, the microphone <NUM>, or the like.

The camera module <NUM> is, for example, a device capable of capturing a still image and a moving image. According to an embodiment, the camera module <NUM> may include one or more image sensors (e.g., a front sensor or a back sensor), a lens, an Image Signal Processor (ISP), and a flash (e.g., an LED, a xenon lamp, or the like).

The power management module <NUM> may manage, for example, power of the electronic device <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the power management module <NUM> may include a Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC), a charger IC, or a battery or fuel gauge. The PMIC may use a wired and/or wireless charging method. Examples of the wireless charging method may include, for example, a magnetic resonance method, a magnetic induction method, an electromagnetic method, or the like. An additional circuit for wireless charging, for example, a coil loop, a resonance circuit, or a rectifier, may be further included. The battery gauge may measure, for example, a residual charge amount of the battery <NUM>, and a voltage, a current, or a temperature during the charging. The battery <NUM> may include, for example, a rechargeable battery and/or a solar battery.

The indicator <NUM> may display a particular state (e.g., a booting state, a message state, the state of charge, or the like) of the electronic device <NUM> or a part (e.g., the processor <NUM>) thereof. The motor <NUM> may convert an electrical signal into a mechanical vibration, and may generate a vibration, a haptic effect, or the like. Although not illustrated, the electronic device <NUM> may include a processing unit (e.g., a GPU) for supporting a mobile television (TV). The processing unit for supporting a mobile TV may process media data according to a standard, such as Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB), Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB), or mediaFLO™.

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

<FIG> is a block diagram of a program module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the program module <NUM> (e.g., the program <NUM>) may include an Operating System (OS) for controlling resources related to the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>) and/or various applications (e.g., the application programs <NUM>) executed in the operating system. The operating system may be, for example, Android, iOS, Windows, Symbian, Tizen, Bada, or the like.

The program module <NUM> may include a kernel <NUM>, middleware <NUM>, an API <NUM>, and/or applications <NUM>. At least some of the program module <NUM> may be preloaded on an electronic device, or may be downloaded from an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or <NUM>, or the server <NUM>).

The kernel <NUM> (e.g., the kernel <NUM>) may include, for example, a system resource manager <NUM> and/or a device driver <NUM>. The system resource manager <NUM> may control, allocate, or collect system resources. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the system resource manager <NUM> may include a process management unit, a memory management unit, a file system management unit, and the like. The device driver <NUM> may include, for example, a display driver, a camera driver, a Bluetooth driver, a shared memory driver, a USB driver, a keypad driver, a Wi-Fi driver, an audio driver, or an Inter-Process Communication (IPC) driver.

For example, the middleware <NUM> may provide a function required in common by the applications <NUM>, or may provide various functions to the applications <NUM> through the API <NUM> so as to enable the applications <NUM> to efficiently use the limited system resources in the electronic device. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the middleware <NUM> (e.g., the middleware <NUM>) may include at least one of a run time library <NUM>, an application manager <NUM>, a window manager <NUM>, a multimedia manager <NUM>, a resource manager <NUM>, a power manager <NUM>, a database manager <NUM>, a package manager <NUM>, a connectivity manager <NUM>, a notification manager <NUM>, a location manager <NUM>, a graphic manager <NUM>, and a security manager <NUM>.

The runtime library <NUM> may include a library module that a compiler uses in order to add a new function through a programming language while an application <NUM> is being executed. The runtime library <NUM> may perform input/output management, memory management, the functionality for an arithmetic function, or the like.

The application manager <NUM> may manage, for example, a life cycle of at least one of the applications <NUM>. The window manager <NUM> may manage Graphical User Interface (GUI) resources used by a screen. The multimedia manager <NUM> may recognize a format required for reproduction of various media files, and may perform encoding or decoding of a media file by using a codec suitable for the corresponding format. The resource manager <NUM> may manage resources of a source code, a memory, and a storage space of at least one of the applications <NUM>.

The power manager <NUM> may operate together with, for example, a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) or the like to manage a battery or power source and may provide power information or the like required for the operations of the electronic device. The database manager <NUM> may generate, search for, and/or change a database to be used by at least one of the applications <NUM>. The package manager <NUM> may manage installation or an update of an application distributed in a form of a package file.

For example, the connectivity manager <NUM> may manage wireless connectivity such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The notification manager <NUM> may display or notify of an event such as an arrival message, promise, proximity notification, and the like in such a way that does not disturb a user. The location manager <NUM> may manage location information of an electronic device. The graphic manager <NUM> may manage a graphic effect which will be provided to a user, or a user interface related to the graphic effect. The security manager <NUM> may provide all security functions required for system security, user authentication, or the like. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>) has a telephone call function, the middleware <NUM> may further include a telephony manager for managing a voice call function or a video call function of the electronic device.

The middleware <NUM> may include a middleware module that forms a combination of various functions of the above-described components. The middleware <NUM> may provide a module specialized for each type of OS in order to provide a differentiated function. Further, the middleware <NUM> may dynamically remove some of the existing components or add new components.

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

The applications <NUM> (e.g., the application programs <NUM>) may include, for example, one or more applications which may provide functions such as a home <NUM>, a dialer <NUM>, an SMS/MMS <NUM>, an Instant Message (IM) <NUM>, a browser <NUM>, a camera <NUM>, an alarm <NUM>, contacts <NUM>, a voice dial <NUM>, an email <NUM>, a calendar <NUM>, a media player <NUM>, an album <NUM>, a clock <NUM>, health care (e.g., measuring exercise quantity or blood sugar), or environment information (e.g., providing atmospheric pressure, humidity, or temperature information).

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the applications <NUM> may include an application (hereinafter, referred to as an "information exchange application" for convenience of description) that supports exchanging information between the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>) and an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or <NUM>). The information exchange application may include, for example, a notification relay application for transferring specific information to an external electronic device or a device management application for managing an external electronic device.

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

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

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the applications <NUM> may include applications (e.g., a health care application of a mobile medical appliance or the like) designated according to an external electronic device (e.g., attributes of the electronic device <NUM> or <NUM>). According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the applications <NUM> may include an application received from an external electronic device (e.g., the server <NUM>, or the electronic device <NUM> or <NUM>). According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the applications <NUM> may include a preloaded application or a third party application that may be downloaded from a server. The names of the components of the program module <NUM> of the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure may change according to the type of operating system.

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

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a change of a selection region for a content output by an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or <NUM>) may set a selection region corresponding to an input. For example, when a region selection event is detected, the processor <NUM> may set a selection region for selecting at least one content on the basis of a start point of an input detected through the input/output interface <NUM> and an input point moved by a drag. For example, the processor <NUM> may renew a graphic element of the selection region by controlling the display <NUM> such that the selection region is distinguished from another region. In the present example, the contents may include a character, an image, a video, and the like which are displayed on the display <NUM>. Examples of the input may include inputs made by a touch panel, an electronic pen, a mouse, and the like. Examples of the graphic element may include a color, a transparency, a shade, an outline, and the like.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may determine whether an automatic scroll is performed, on the basis of an attribute of the selection region. For example, the processor <NUM> may determine whether an automatic scroll is performed, on the basis of at least one of the number of contents included in the selection region, the sizes of the contents, and the size of the selection region. For example, when characters are included in the selection region, the processor <NUM> may identify a reference condition corresponding to characters. When the number of the characters included in the selection region satisfies the reference condition, the processor <NUM> may determine that an automatic scroll condition is satisfied. For example, when an image is included in the selection region, the processor <NUM> may identify a reference condition corresponding to the capacity of an image. When the capacity of the image included in the selection region satisfies the reference condition, the processor <NUM> may determine that an automatic scroll condition is satisfied. For example, the processor <NUM> may identify the size of the selection region. When the size of the selection region satisfies a reference condition corresponding to the size of a selection region, the processor <NUM> may determine that an automatic scroll condition is satisfied.

When an automatic scroll is not performed, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device may additionally set a selection region corresponding to an input. For example, when the number of the characters included in the selection region does not satisfy the reference condition corresponding to characters, the processor <NUM> may additionally set a selection region by considering an input moved by execution of a drag. As another example, when the size (e.g., capacity) of the image included in the selection region does not satisfy the reference condition corresponding to the size (e.g., capacity) of a content, the processor <NUM> may additionally set a selection region by considering an input moved by execution of a drag.

In operation <NUM>, when performing the automatic scroll, the electronic device may change the selection region on the basis of the automatic scroll. For example, when the number of the characters included in the selection region satisfies the reference condition corresponding to characters, the processor <NUM> may identify an extensible range of the selection region. While an input for determining a selection region is maintained, the processor <NUM> may extend the selection region by performing an automatic scroll up to the extensible range of the selection region. When the input for determining a selection region is terminated during the execution of the automatic scroll, the processor <NUM> may terminate the automatic scroll. For example, when contents displayed on the display <NUM> are grouped, the processor <NUM> may identify an extensible range of the selection region on the basis of the type, generation information, and the like of a content included in the selection region. For example, when the contents displayed on the display <NUM> are not grouped, the processor <NUM> may identify the display position of the last content among the contents displayed on the display <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may identify a content included in the selection region. For example, the processor <NUM> may identify a character, an image, a video, or the like included in a selection region changed by the execution of the automatic scroll.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may set a direction of an automatic scroll on the basis of direction information of an input for setting a selection region. For example, when an input dragged from the left to the right in order to set a selection region is detected, the processor <NUM> may set a direction of an automatic scroll as the right direction.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device may reduce a selection region by performing an automatic scroll. For example, the processor <NUM> may determine whether an automatic scroll for reducing a selection region is performed, on the basis of an attribute of a selection region. When the attribute of the selection region satisfies a reference condition for reducing a selection region, the processor <NUM> may reduce the selection region by performing the automatic scroll. According to the reduction of the selection region, the processor <NUM> may cancel selection of a content which is not included in the reduced selection area. In the present example, examples of the attribute of the selection region may include the number of contents included in the selection region, the sizes (e.g., capacities) of the contents, and the size (e.g., the area) of the selection region.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating extension of a selection region by an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, referring to <FIG>, a description will be made of an operation of extending a selection region by performing an automatic scroll in operation <NUM> of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, when determining an automatic scroll (e.g., operation <NUM> of <FIG>), the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or <NUM>) may identify an extensible range for a change of a selection region. For example, when determining execution of an automatic scroll in operation <NUM> of <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may identify an extensible range for a change of a selection region on the basis of whether contents displayed on the display <NUM> are grouped. For example, when the contents displayed on the display <NUM> are grouped, the processor <NUM> may identify an end point of a group including a content included in the selection region. For example, when the contents displayed on the display <NUM> are not grouped, the processor <NUM> may identify the display position of the last content among the contents displayed on the display <NUM>. In the present example, the contents may be grouped based on the type, generation time, and a generation zone of each thereof.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may extend the selection region by performing an automatic scroll. For example, the processor <NUM> may extend the selection region up to an extensible range by performing an automatic scroll in the extension direction of the selection region.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may identify whether the automatic scroll is performed up to the extensible range for extension of the selection region. For example, when the contents displayed on the display <NUM> are not grouped, the processor <NUM> may identify whether the automatic scroll is performed such that the selection region extends to the position of the last content among the contents displayed on the display <NUM>. As another example, when contents displayed on the display <NUM> are grouped into at least one group, the processor <NUM> may identify whether the automatic scroll is performed such that the current selection region extends to an end point of a particular group.

In operation <NUM>, when the selection region does not extend to the extensible range, the electronic device may determine whether an input is canceled. For example, when the selection region does not extend to the extensible range, the processor <NUM> may determine whether a touch input to the touch panel is canceled. As another example, when the selection region does not extend to the extensible range, the processor <NUM> may determine whether a mouse button input is canceled.

When the input is not canceled, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device may extend the selection region by performing an automatic scroll. For example, when a touch input made by an electronic pen is maintained, the processor <NUM> may continuously perform the automatic scroll.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a change of a selection region for an image by an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, referring to <FIG> together with <FIG>, a description will be made.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or <NUM>) may set a selection region corresponding to an input. For example, when a drag input is detected through the touch panel as illustrated in <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may set, as a selection region <NUM> including a content, a region from a start point of a touch input to a point where the touch input is dragged.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may determine whether an image is partly selected. For example, when a function of partly selecting an image is activated, the processor <NUM> may determine that it is possible to partly select an image. As another example, when the function of partly selecting an image is not activated, the processor <NUM> may determine that it is impossible to partly select an image. In the present example, the function of partly selecting an image may include a function of selecting at least a part of an image.

In operation <NUM>, when it is possible to partly select an image, the electronic device may identify a content included in the selection region. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may identify characters and a part of an image included in the selection region <NUM> among the characters and the image which are output on the display <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, when it is impossible to partly select an image, the electronic device may determine whether an attribute of the selection region satisfies a reference condition. For example, when it is impossible to partly select an image, the processor <NUM> may determine whether the size of an image included in the selection region satisfied a reference condition. In the present example, the reference condition may be changed based on the size of an image. For example, the reference condition may become a greater value as the size of an image becomes larger.

In operation <NUM>, when the attribute of the selection region satisfies the reference condition, the electronic device may extend the selection region by performing an automatic scroll. For example, when the size of an image included in the selection region satisfies a reference condition, as illustrated in <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may extend the selection region <NUM> by performing an automatic scroll such that the remaining part of the image which is not included in the selection region <NUM> is included therein.

After the electronic device extends the selection region by performing the automatic scroll, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device may identify a content included in the selection region. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may identify characters and an image included in the extended selection region <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, when the attribute of the selection region does not satisfy the reference condition, the electronic device may reduce the selection region by performing an automatic scroll. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the size of the image included in the selection region does not satisfy the reference condition, the processor <NUM> may reduce the selection region (as indicated by reference numeral <NUM>) by performing an automatic scroll such that selection of the image included in the selection region is canceled.

After the electronic device reduces the selection region by performing the automatic scroll, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device may identify a content included in the reduced selection region. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may identify characters included in the reduced selection region <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device may determine whether the selection region is extended or reduced, on the basis of the ratio of an image included in the selection region. For example, when the ratio of the image included in the selection region satisfies a reference condition, the processor <NUM> may extend the selection region by performing an automatic scroll. As another example, when the ratio of the image included in the selection region does not satisfy the reference condition, the processor <NUM> may reduce the selection region by performing an automatic scroll. In the present example, the reference condition may be changed based on the size of an image.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a change of a selection region by an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or <NUM>) may detect a region selection event. For example, when a touch input for selecting a menu icon for selection of a region is detected through the touch panel, the processor <NUM> may determine that a region selection event is detected. In the present example, the menu icon for selection of a region may be output on at least a partial region of the display <NUM>. As another example, when a touch input for a content output on the display <NUM> is maintained for a predefined time, the processor <NUM> may determine that a region selection event is detected.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may set a selection region corresponding to the touch input. For example, when detecting a region selection event, the processor <NUM> may set a selection region for selecting at least one content on the basis of a start point of a touch input for setting a selection region and a touch input point moved by a drag input. For example, the processor <NUM> may distinguish the selection region from another region by changing at least one of a color, a transparency, a shade, and an outline of the selection region.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may identify a reference condition on the basis of an attribute of a content included in the selection region. For example, the processor <NUM> may identify an attribute of a content included in the selection region. The processor <NUM> may read, from the memory <NUM>, a reference condition corresponding to an attribute of a content and may identify the same. For example, when characters are included in the selection region, the processor <NUM> may identify a reference condition for characters. For example, when an image is included in the selection region, the processor <NUM> may identify a reference condition for capacity of a content. For example, when an image is included in the selection region, the processor <NUM> may identify a reference condition for an image. In the present example, the attribute of a content may include the type of content, the type of application, or the like.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may determine whether an attribute of the selection region satisfies a reference condition. For example, the processor <NUM> may determine whether the number of the characters included in the selection region satisfies the reference condition for characters. As another example, the processor <NUM> may determine whether the number of the images included in the selection region satisfies the reference condition for an image.

When the attribute of the selection region does not satisfy the reference condition, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device may additionally set a selection region corresponding to a touch input. For example, when the number of the characters included in the selection region does not satisfy the reference condition for characters, the processor <NUM> may additionally set a selection region on the basis of a touch input point moved by a drag input.

In operation <NUM>, when the attribute of the selection region satisfies the reference condition, the electronic device may identify an extensible range of the selection region. For example, when the number of the characters included in the selection region satisfies the reference condition for characters, the processor <NUM> may determine whether contents displayed on the display <NUM> are grouped. When the contents displayed on the display <NUM> are grouped, the processor <NUM> may identify an end point of a group including a content included in the selection region. When the contents displayed on the display <NUM> are not grouped, the processor <NUM> may identify a point where the last content among the contents displayed on the display <NUM> is located. In the present example, the contents may be grouped based on the types thereof, generation information (e.g., generation time and generation zones) thereof, and the like.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may extend the selection region by performing an automatic scroll. For example, the processor <NUM> may identify a direction in which a touch input for setting a selection region is dragged. The processor <NUM> may extend the selection region by performing an automatic scroll in a direction corresponding to the direction in which the touch input is dragged.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may identify whether an automatic scroll is performed up to the extensible range while the automatic scroll is performed. For example, when the contents output on the display <NUM> are grouped, the processor <NUM> may determine whether the automatic scroll is performed up to an end point of a group including the characters included in the selection region. As another example, when the contents output on the display <NUM> are not grouped, the processor <NUM> may determine whether the automatic scroll is performed up to the position of the last image among continuous images having the same generation information (e.g., a generation time point, a generation zone, etc.) as the image included in the selection region while the automatic scroll is performed.

In operation <NUM>, when the automatic scroll is performed up to the extensible range, the electronic device may identify contents included in the extended selection region. For example, when the automatic scroll is performed up to an end point of a paragraph including the characters included in the selection region, the processor <NUM> may identify characters included in the extended selection region. As another example, when the automatic scroll is performed up to the position of the last image among continuous images having the same generation information as the image included in the selection region, the processor <NUM> may identify images included in the extended selection region.

In operation <NUM>, when the automatic scroll is not performed up to the extensible range, the electronic device may determine whether a touch input for determining a selection region is canceled. For example, when the automatic scroll is not performed up to the extensible range, the processor <NUM> may determine whether a touch input for setting a selection region is detected through the touch panel.

When the touch input for setting a selection region is maintained, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device may extend the selection region by continuously performing the automatic scroll. For example, when an input for setting a selection region is continuously detected through the touch panel, the processor <NUM> may extend the selection region by continuously performing the automatic scroll.

When the touch input for setting a selection region is canceled, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device may identify a content included in the selection region. For example, when a touch input for setting a selection region is not detected through the touch panel, the processor <NUM> may identify a character, an image, a video, and the like included in the selection region.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating identifying of a reference condition for execution of an automatic scroll by an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, referring to <FIG> together with <FIG>, a description will be made of an operation of identifying a reference condition on the basis of an attribute of a content included in a selection region in operation <NUM> of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, when a selection region corresponding to a touch input is set, the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or <NUM>) may identify an attribute of a content included in the selection region. For example, when a browser for web search is executed as illustrated in <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may identify that a content included in a selection region <NUM> is characters. As another example, when a browser for web search is executed as illustrated in <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may identify that a content included in a selection region <NUM> is an image <NUM>. As still another example, when a gallery for providing an image is executed as illustrated in <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may identify that a content included in a selection region <NUM> is multiple images <NUM> to <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may identify a reference condition on the basis of an attribute of a content included in the selection region. For example, when the characters are included in the selection region <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may identify a predetermined reference condition corresponding to the number of characters. As another example, when a part of the image <NUM> is included in the selection region <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may identify a reference condition corresponding to the entire size of the relevant image <NUM>. For example, when the entire size of the image <NUM> is larger than or equal to one-half of the size of the display <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may identify a reference condition corresponding to <NUM>% of the size of the relevant image <NUM>. As still another example, when the multiple images <NUM> to <NUM> are included in the selection region <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may identify a predetermined reference condition corresponding to the number of images.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a case in which an electronic device identifys an extensible range of a selection region on the basis of grouping according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, referring to <FIG> together with <FIG>, a description will be made of an operation of identifying an extensible range of a selection region in operation <NUM> of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, when an attribute of a selection region satisfies a reference condition, the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or <NUM>) may determine whether contents output on a screen are grouped. For example, when an attribute of a selection region satisfies a reference condition in operation <NUM> of <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may determine whether contents output on a screen are grouped based on the types thereof, generation time points thereof, generation zones thereof, and the like. For example, when, while a gallery is executed as illustrated in <FIG>, images are classified into a first group <NUM> and a second group <NUM> according to generation time points thereof so as to display the first and second groups <NUM> and <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may determine that the images output on a screen are grouped. For example, when, while a gallery is executed as illustrated in <FIG>, images generated at the same time are continuously arranged and output according to time information, the processor <NUM> may determine that the images output on a screen are grouped. For example, when, while a browser is executed as illustrated in <FIG>, characters and an image are output in the same region without distinguishing therebetween, the processor <NUM> may determine that the characters and the image output on a screen are not grouped.

In operation <NUM>, when the contents output on the screen are grouped, the electronic device may identify an end point of a group including a content included in the selection region. For example, when the images displayed on the display <NUM> are grouped into the first group <NUM> and the second group <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may identify an end point <NUM> of the first group <NUM> including images included in the selection region <NUM>. As another example, when images <NUM> to <NUM> displayed on the display <NUM> are arranged and output according to generation time information as illustrated in <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may identify an end point <NUM> of a last image <NUM> among continuous images having the same generation time as images included in the selection region <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, when the contents output on the screen are not grouped, the electronic device may identify a point where the last content among the contents output on the screen is located. For example, when the characters and the image are not grouped as illustrated in <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may identify an end point <NUM> of characters located at the lowest position among the characters and the image output on the display <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, when contents output on a screen are grouped, the electronic device may also identify an end point of one group among groups after a group including a content included in a selection region. For example, when contents output on a screen are grouped into three groups, the processor <NUM> may identify a first group including a content included in a selection region. The processor <NUM> may also identify an end point of one group among a second group and a third group existing after the first group.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or <NUM>) may detect a region selection event on the basis of an input. For example, when a touch input, output from the tough panel, for a content is maintained for a predetermined time or when an input for selecting a menu icon for selection of a region is detected, the processor <NUM> may determine that a region selection event is detected.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may set a selection region corresponding to the touch input. For example, the processor <NUM> may set a selection region for selecting at least one content on the basis of a start point of the touch input and a touch input point moved by execution of a drag. For example, the processor <NUM> may renew a graphic element such as a color, a transparency, a shade, and an outline of the selection region so as to distinguish the selection region from another region.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may identify a reference condition on the basis of an attribute of a content included in the selection region. For example, the processor <NUM> may identify the type of content included in the selection region, and then may identify a reference condition corresponding to the type of content. As another example, the processor <NUM> may identify the area of the selection region, and then may identify a reference condition corresponding to the area.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may determine whether an attribute of the selection region satisfies the reference condition. For example, the processor <NUM> may determine whether the number of characters included in the selection region satisfies a reference condition corresponding to characters. As another example, the processor <NUM> may determine whether the size of the selection region satisfies a reference condition for the size of a selection region. As still another example, the processor <NUM> may determine whether the number of images included in the selection region satisfies a reference condition for an image.

When the attribute of the selection region does not satisfy the reference condition, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device may again set a selection region corresponding to a touch input. For example, when the attribute of the selection region does not satisfy the reference condition, the processor <NUM> may again set a selection region so as to include a character, an image, a video, and the like corresponding to a touch input moved by a drag input, starting from a start point of a touch input.

In operation <NUM>, when the attribute of the selection region satisfies the reference condition, the electronic device may extend the selection region by performing an automatic scroll. For example, when the attribute of the selection region satisfies the reference condition, the processor <NUM> may perform an automatic scroll in a direction corresponding to the direction of the touch input.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may determine whether the touch input for setting a selection region is canceled. For example, the processor <NUM> may determine whether a touch input for setting a selection region is not detected through the input/output interface <NUM>.

When the touch input for setting a selection region is maintained, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device may continuously perform the automatic scroll. For example, when the touch input is continuously detected through the touch panel, the processor <NUM> may continuously perform the automatic scroll.

In operation <NUM>, when the touch input for setting a selection region is canceled, the electronic device may identify a content included in the selection region. For example, when the touch input to the touch panel is canceled, the processor <NUM> may identify a character, an image, a video, and the like included in the selection region.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an example in which, when executing a message application, an electronic device changes a selection region according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

For example, when a message application is executed as illustrated in <FIG>, as illustrated in <FIG>, the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or <NUM>) may set a selection region <NUM> corresponding to a start point of a touch input for setting a selection region and a touch input point <NUM> moved by a drag input. The electronic device may determine whether the number of messages included in the selection region <NUM> satisfies a reference condition corresponding to characters of a message application. When the number of the messages included in the selection region <NUM> satisfies the reference condition, as illustrated in <FIG>, the electronic device may extend the selection region <NUM> by performing an automatic scroll. For example, when the output messages are grouped according to time, as illustrated in <FIG>, the electronic device may extend the selection region <NUM> by performing an automatic scroll so as to include all messages transmitted/received at the same date as a message included in the selection region. In the present example, the touch input point <NUM> before performing the automatic scroll as illustrated in <FIG> may be identical to a touch input point <NUM> after extending the selection region by performing the automatic scroll as illustrated in <FIG>. The electronic device may identify a message included in the extended selection region <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an example in which, when executing a calendar application, an electronic device changes a selection region according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

For example, when a calendar application is executed as illustrated in <FIG>, as illustrated in <FIG>, the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or <NUM>) may set a selection region <NUM> for selecting at least one data on the basis of a start point of a touch input for setting the selection region <NUM> and a touch input point <NUM> moved by a drag input. The electronic device may determine whether the number of dates included in the selection region <NUM> satisfies a reference condition corresponding to a date of a calendar application. When the number of the dates included in the selection region <NUM> satisfies the reference condition, as illustrated in <FIG>, the electronic device may extend the selection region (as indicated by reference numeral <NUM>) by performing an automatic scroll so that a date at a position corresponding to the touch input point <NUM> moved by the drag input in the next month is located at a touch input point <NUM>. The electronic device may identify a date included in the selection region <NUM>.

The term "module" used in various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure refers to a unit including one of hardware, software, and firmware, or a combination of two or more of them, for example. For example, the "module" may be used interchangeably with terms "unit," "logic," "logical block," "component" or "circuit. " The "module" may be a minimum unit of an integrally configured component or a part of it. The "module" may be a minimum unit that performs one or more functions or a part of it. The "module" may be implemented mechanically or electronically. For example, the "module" may include at least one of an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) chip, Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), and a programmable logic device, which perform any operation that is already well known or will be developed in the future. At least part of the apparatus (for example: modules or functions thereof) or method (for example: operations) according to various exemplary embodiments may be implemented by using instructions stored in computer-readable storage media in the form of a program module. When the instructions are executed by a processor (for example: the processor <NUM>), the one or more processors may perform a function corresponding to the instructions. The computer-readable storage media may be the memory <NUM>, for example.

Examples of the computer-readable recording media include hard disks, floppy disks and magnetic media (for example, magnetic tapes), optical media (for example, a Compact Disc Read Only Memory (CD-ROM) and a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), magneto-optical media (for example, floptical disks)), and hardware devices (for example, a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM) and a flash memory). Examples of the program commands include machine language codes created by a compiler, and high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer by using an interpreter. The above-described hardware devices may be configured to operate as one or more software modules for performing operations of various exemplary embodiments, and vice versa.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>) comprising:
a display (<NUM>);
a processor (<NUM>); and
memory storing instructions being executable by the processor, cause the electronic device to at least:
display, on the display (<NUM>), a plurality of contents; set a selection region based on a first point of a touch input for setting the selection region and a second point moved by a drag input on the display (<NUM>);
identify a first contents among the plurality of contents based on the selection region;
identify a reference condition based on an attribute of the first contents;
determine whether the attribute of the first contents corresponding to the selection region satisfies the reference condition;
in response to determining that the attribute of the first contents corresponding to the selection region satisfies the reference condition, extend the selection region by performing an automatic scroll to include a second contents at a position corresponding to the second point, wherein the second contents is subsequent to the first contents.