Patent Description:
Multitasking refers to performing two or more tasks simultaneously on an electronic device. Specifically, the electronic device can provide a multi-window or an application list, as an interface permitting the user to control multitasking, through a display in response to a user input, such as a tap, multi-touch, or gesture on a particular button. Screens of applications (user interfaces) may be simultaneously displayed in each window, and the size of each window can be adjusted. The electronic device may display a list of running applications on the display in response to another user input, such as a long tap on a particular button. The user interface of the application selected by the user on the application list may be displayed on the display.

In the multi-window feature supported by the electronic device, the aspect ratio of each window may not be suitable for presenting content desired by the user in the user interface. For example, the aspect ratio of the display (i.e. the ratio of width to height) may be <NUM>:<NUM>. The electronic device may provide a multi-window by dividing the display having a <NUM>:<NUM> aspect ratio into two windows each having an <NUM>:<NUM> aspect ratio. A video may be displayed on the first window of the multi-window and other content, such as the scoreboard in a sports event, may be displayed on the second window. The <NUM>:<NUM> aspect ratio may differ from the normal video aspect ratio (<NUM>:<NUM> or <NUM>:<NUM>). Thus, the user may have to enter an additional input, such as scrolling or dragging, to match the aspect ratio of the first window to the video aspect ratio.

In addition, the electronic device can provide an application list on the display. For example, a captured image of each application may be provided along with a list of recently executed applications. However, it may not be easy for the user to predict the current status of an application through a captured image of the application that has long been placed in the background. For instance, to check a reply or news that is frequently updated in a social networking service (SNS) application, it may be necessary to select the application and execute it as a foreground application. In other words, it may be difficult to check the updated contents of each application in a simple way through the application list.

In accordance with its abstract, patent application document <CIT> describes a device and method for displaying an execution result of an application. It describes that a method of displaying an execution result of an application includes: in response to a user input, displaying execution results of a plurality of applications, which are being executed in the device, in a plurality of windows that are displayed in at least two display modes; arranging the plurality of windows, which show execution results of the plurality of windows, to be adjacent to each other and displaying the plurality of windows on a display; receiving a user input when the plurality of windows are displayed on the display; and scrolling the plurality of windows in response to the user input.

In accordance with its abstract, patent application document <CIT> describes a method for integrating multiple different touch-based inputs, that includes displaying a graphical object on a touch screen device, receiving an input of a user touch of the graphical object on the touch screen, and altering an indicated portion of the touch screen responsive to a characteristic of the touch.

A Youtube clip with ID xtymtNPnYik by Techsmith, referenced by the EPO as XP55868831, concerns a basic description of a capture function, including moving and resizing a capture window.

Aspects of the present disclosure are to address at least the above mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below.

Accordingly, an aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic device that presents at least a portion of specific content on at least a portion of the display via a window having a size desired by the user.

The present disclosure provides an electronic device that can provide a multi-window on the display according to user input and determine the content to be displayed in each window.

The present disclosure provides an electronic device that can provide an update on specific content via the first window of the multi-window and an application list enabling application switching via the second window.

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to aid in a comprehensive understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It includes various details to assist in that understanding, but these are to be regarded as merely examples. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize and understand that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for the sake of clarity and conciseness.

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

It is to be understood that the singular terms "a", "an," and "the" include term unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus reference to "a component surface" includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.

The expressions "include" or "may include" may refer to the existence of a corresponding disclosed function, operation or component which can be used in embodiments of the present disclosure and do not limit one or more additional functions, operations, or components. Terms herein such as "include" or "have" may be construed to denote a certain characteristic, number, operation, constituent element, component or a combination thereof, but may not be construed to exclude the existence of or a possibility of the addition of one or more other characteristics, numbers, operations, constituent elements, components or combinations thereof.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, the expression "or" or "at least one of A or/and B" includes any or all of combinations of words listed together. For example, the expression "A or B" or "at least A or/and B" may include B, or may include both A and B.

The terms "<NUM>", "<NUM>", "first", or "second" used in embodiments may modify various components of the embodiments but do not limit the corresponding components. For example, the above expressions do not limit the sequence and/or importance of the components. The expressions may be used for distinguishing one component from other components. For example, a first user device and a second user device may indicate different user devices although both are user devices. Similarly, a first structural element may be referred to as a second structural element, and the second structural element also may be referred to as the first structural element.

When it is stated that a component is "coupled to" or "connected to" component, the component may be directly coupled or connected to another component or a further component may exist between the component and another component. On the other hand, when it is stated that a component is "directly coupled to" or "directly connected to" another component, an additional component does not exist between the two components.

The terms used in describing embodiments of the present disclosure are only examples for describing a specific embodiment but do not limit the embodiments of the present disclosure.

Unless defined differently, all terms used herein, which include technical terminologies or scientific terminologies, have the same meaning as that understood by a person skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. Such terms as those defined in a generally used dictionary are to be interpreted to have the same meanings as 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.

An electronic device according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include a communication function. For example, the electronic device may be one or a combination of a smart phone, a tablet personal computer (PC), a mobile phone, a video phone, an e-book reader, a desktop PC, a laptop PC, a netbook computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a camera, and a wearable device (e.g., a head-mounted-device (HMD) such as electronic glasses, electronic clothes, an electronic bracelet, an electronic necklace, an electronic accessary, an electronic tattoo, and a smart watch), but is not limited thereto.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device may be a smart home appliance having a communication function and including at least one of a television (TV), a digital versatile disc (DVD) player, an audio player, an air conditioner, a cleaner, an oven, a microwave oven, a washing machine, an air cleaner, a set-top box, a TV box (e.g., Samsung HomeSync™, Apple TV™, or Google TV™), game consoles, an electronic dictionary, an electronic key, a camcorder, and an electronic frame, but is not limited thereto.

According to embodiments, the electronic device may include at least one of various types of medical devices, such as a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) device, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device, computed tomography (CT) device, a scanner, and an ultrasonic device, a navigation device, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver, an event data recorder (EDR), a flight data recorder (FDR), a vehicle infotainment device, electronic equipment for a ship (e.g., a navigation device and a gyro compass, avionics, a security device, a head unit for a vehicle, an industrial or home robot, an automated teller machine (ATM), a point of sales (POS) device, and an Internet of things (IoT) device, such as a fire alarm, various sensors, electric or gas meter units, a sprinkler, a thermostat, a streetlamp, a toaster, sports outfits, a hot-water tank, a heater, and a boiler, but is not limited thereto.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device may include at least one of furniture or a part of a building/structure, an electronic board, an electronic signature receiving device, a projector, and various types of measuring devices, such as a water, electricity, gas, or radio wave meter including a camera function, but is not limited thereto. The electronic device may be one or a combination of the above described various devices, and may be flexible, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above described devices.

Hereinafter, an electronic device according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The term "user" used embodiments may refer to a person who uses an electronic device or an artificial intelligence electronic device which uses an electronic device.

<FIG> illustrates an example network environment <NUM> including an electronic device <NUM> according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include various components including a bus <NUM>, a processor (e.g., including processing circuitry) <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, user input module (e.g., including input/output circuitry) <NUM>, a display <NUM>, and a communication module (e.g., including communication circuitry) <NUM>.

The bus <NUM> may be a circuit connecting the above described components and transmitting communication (e.g., a control message) between the above described components.

The processor <NUM> may include various processing circuitry and receive commands from other components through the bus <NUM>, analyze the received commands, and execute calculation or data processing according to the analyzed commands.

The memory <NUM> stores commands or data received from the processor <NUM> or other components or generated by the processor <NUM> or other components. The memory <NUM> may store a software and/or a program <NUM> including a kernel <NUM>, middleware <NUM>, an application programming interface (API) <NUM>, and application programs (or applications) <NUM>. At least part of the kernel <NUM>, the middleware <NUM> or the API <NUM> may be referred to as an operating system (OS).

The kernel <NUM> controls or manages system resources used for executing an operation or function implemented by the remaining other programming modules, and provides an interface for accessing individual components of the electronic device <NUM> from the middleware <NUM>, the API <NUM>, or the applications <NUM> to control or manage the components.

The middleware <NUM> performs a relay function of enabling the API <NUM> or the applications <NUM> to communicate with the kernel <NUM> to exchange data. In operation requests received from the applications <NUM>, the middleware <NUM> performs a control for scheduling or load balancing the operation requests by assigning a priority, by which system resources of the electronic device <NUM> can be used, to the applications <NUM>.

The API <NUM> is an interface by which the applications <NUM> can control a function provided by the kernel <NUM> or the middleware <NUM> and includes at least one interface or function for file control, window control, image processing, or character control.

The applications <NUM> may include a short message service (SMS)/multimedia messaging service (MMS), email, calendar, alarm, health care (e.g., for measuring quantity of exercise or blood sugar)or environment information application, such as for providing information on barometric pressure, humidity or temperature. The applications <NUM> may be related to an information exchange between the electronic device <NUM> and a second external electronic device <NUM> and may include a notification relay application for transferring particular information to the external electronic device or a device management application for managing the external electronic device.

For example, the notification relay application may include a function of transmitting notification information generated by another application of the electronic device <NUM> to the second external electronic device <NUM>, may receive notification information from the second external electronic device <NUM>, and may provide the received notification information to the user. The device management application may install, remove, or update at least a part of functions of the electronic device, may turn on/off the external electronic device (or some components of the external electronic device), and control a brightness of the display of the external electronic device or communicate with the electronic device <NUM>, an application executed in the second external electronic device <NUM>, or a service (e.g., call service or message service) provided by the second external electronic device <NUM>.

The applications <NUM> may include an application designated according to an attribute of the second external electronic device <NUM>. For example, when the second external electronic device <NUM> is a moving picture experts group (MPEG-<NUM> or MPEG-<NUM>) audio layer-<NUM> (MP3) player, the applications <NUM> may include an application related to music reproduction. Similarly, when the second external electronic device <NUM> is a mobile medical device, the applications <NUM> may include an application related to health care. The applications <NUM> may include at least one of an application designated to the electronic device <NUM> and an application received from an external electronic device.

The input/output interface <NUM> may include various input/output circuitry and/or devices and transmits a command or data input from the user through an input/output device (e.g., a sensor, a keyboard, or a touch screen) to the processor <NUM>, the memory <NUM>, the communication interface <NUM>, or the display <NUM> through the bus <NUM>. For example, the input/output interface <NUM> may provide data on a user's touch input through a touch screen to the processor <NUM>, and may output a command or data received through the bus <NUM>, from the processor <NUM>, the memory <NUM>, or the communication interface <NUM> through the input/output device, such as outputting voice data processed through the processor <NUM> to the user through the speaker.

The display <NUM> may include a liquid crystal display (LCD), flexible display, transparent display, light-emitting diode (LED) display, organic LED (OLED) display, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) display, or electronic paper display, but is not limited thereto. The display <NUM> may visually offer various content to users, may include a touch screen, and receive a touch, gesture, proximity, or hovering input using an electronic pen or a user's body, and may be one or more displays. For example, the display <NUM> may be included in the electronic device <NUM> or included in an external device, such as a first external electronic device <NUM> or the second external electronic device <NUM>, having a wired or wireless connection with the electronic device <NUM>, thus outputting information offered by the electronic device <NUM> to users.

The display <NUM> may be attachable to or detachable from the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the display <NUM> may include an interface which can be mechanically or physically connected to the electronic device <NUM>. In case the display <NUM> is detached (e.g., separated) from the electronic device <NUM> by a user's selection, the display <NUM> may wirelessly receive various control signals or image data from the processor <NUM>.

The communication interface <NUM> may include various communication circuitry and establish communication between the electronic device <NUM> and any external device. For example, the communication interface <NUM> may be connected to a network <NUM> through wired or wireless communication and thereby communicate with any external device, and may establish a short-range wireless communication with an external electronic device, such as external electronic devices <NUM> or <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may be connected to the first external electronic device <NUM> and the second external electronic device <NUM> without using the communication interface <NUM>. For example, based on at least one of a magnetic sensor, a contact sensor, or a light sensor that is equipped therein, the electronic device <NUM> may sense whether at least one of the first and second external electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> contacts at least part of the electronic device <NUM>, or is attached to at least part of the electronic device <NUM>.

Wireless communication may use, as cellular communication protocol, at least one of long-term evolution (LTE), LTE-advanced (LTE-A), code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband CDMA (WCDMA), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), wireless broadband (WiBro), and global system for mobile communications (GSM). A short-range communication <NUM> may include at least one of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (BT), near field communication (NFC), magnetic secure transmission or near field magnetic data stripe transmission (MST), and GNSS, which may include at least one of a global positioning system (GPS), a Glonass, a Beidou navigation satellite system (Beidou), and the European global satellite-based navigation system (Galileo). Hereinafter, "GPS" may be interchangeably used with "GNSS" in the present disclosure. Wired communication may include at least one of a universal serial bus(USB), high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), recommended standard-<NUM> (RS-<NUM>), and plain old telephone service (POTS). The network <NUM> may include at least one of a computer network, such as a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN)), internet, and a telephone network.

The first and second external electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> may be identical to, or different from, the electronic device <NUM>, and may include a plurality of electronic devices. The server <NUM> may include a single server or a group of servers. All or part of operations executed in the electronic device <NUM> may be executed in other electronic device(s), such as the first and second external electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> or the server <NUM>.

In case the electronic device <NUM> is required to perform a certain function or service automatically or by request, the electronic device <NUM> may request at least one of the first external electronic device <NUM>, the second external electronic device <NUM> or the server <NUM> to execute one or more functions associated with the required function or service. The requested device may execute the requested function and deliver the result of execution to the electronic device <NUM>, which may then offer the required function or service, based on the received result or by processing the received result. To perform this execution, cloud computing, distributed computing, or client-server computing technologies may be used.

<FIG> illustrates an example configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include part or all of the components in the electronic device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. The electronic device <NUM> may include one or more processors <NUM> and a communication module <NUM> both including requisite circuitry, a subscriber identification module (SIM) card <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a sensor module <NUM>, an input module <NUM> and a display module <NUM>, an interface <NUM> both including requisite circuitry, 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 include various processing circuitry, such as a dedicated processor, a CPU, an application processor, or an application specific integrated circuit, and is capable of driving an OS or an application program to control a plurality of hardware or software components connected to the processor <NUM>, processing various data, and performing operations. The processor <NUM> may be implemented as a system on chip (SoC), may further include a graphic processing unit (GPU) and/or an image signal processor (ISP), may also include at least part of the components illustrated in <FIG>, is capable of loading commands or data received from at least one of other components on a volatile memory and processing the loaded commands or data, and is capable of storing various data in a non-volatile memory.

The communication module <NUM> may include the same or similar configurations as the communication interface <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, such as the cellular module <NUM>, a Wi-Fi module <NUM>, a BT module <NUM>, a GNSS module <NUM> (e.g., a GPS module, Glonass module, Beidou module or Galileo module), an NFC module <NUM>, and a radio frequency (RF) module <NUM>.

The cellular module <NUM> is capable of providing a voice call, a video call, an SMS service, and an Internet service through a communication network, is capable of identifying and authenticating the electronic device <NUM> in a communication network by using the SIM card <NUM>, may be capable of performing at least part of the functions provided by the processor <NUM>, and may also include a communication processor (CP).

Each of the Wi-Fi module <NUM>, the BT module <NUM>, the GNSS module <NUM>, and the NFC module <NUM> may include a processor and various communication circuitry for processing data transmitted or received through the corresponding module, and at least part of these modules may be included in one integrated chip (IC) or one IC package.

The RF module <NUM> is capable of transmission/reception of communication RF signals, and may include a transceiver, a power amp module (PAM), a frequency filter, a low noise amplifier (LNA), or an antenna. According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the cellular module <NUM>, Wi-Fi module <NUM>, BT module <NUM>, GNSS module <NUM>, NFC module <NUM>, and MST module is capable of transmission/reception of RF signals through a separate RF module.

The SIM card <NUM> may include a card including a SIM and/or an embodied SIM, and contain unique identification information, e.g., integrated circuit card identifier (ICCID), or subscriber information, e.g., international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI).

The memory <NUM> may include a built-in internal memory <NUM> and/or an external memory <NUM>. The built-in internal memory <NUM> may include at least one of a volatile memory including a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a static RAM (SRAM), or a synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), and a non-volatile memory including 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 NAND flash memory, an NOR flash memory, etc.), a hard drive, or a solid state drive (SSD).

The external memory <NUM> may include a flash drive, e.g., a compact flash (CF), a secure digital (SD), a micro-SD, a mini-SD, an extreme digital (xD), a multi-media card (MMC), and a memory stick. The external memory <NUM> may be connected to the electronic device <NUM>, functionally and/or physically, through various interfaces.

The memory <NUM> may store payment information and a payment application serving as one of the application programs. The payment information may refer to credit card numbers and personal identification numbers(PINs), corresponding to a credit card, and user authentication information, such as fingerprints, facial features, and voice information.

The sensor module <NUM> may measure/detect a physical quantity or an operation state of the electronic device <NUM>, and convert the measured or detected information into an electrical signal. The sensor module <NUM> may include at least one of a gesture sensor 240A, a gyro sensor 240B, a barometer sensor 240C, a magnetic sensor 240D, an acceleration sensor 240E, a grip sensor 240F, a proximity sensor <NUM>, a color sensor <NUM> (e.g., a red, green, and blue (RGB) sensor), 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 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, and a control circuit for controlling one or more sensors included therein. The electronic device <NUM> may include a processor, configured as part of the processor <NUM> or a separate component, for controlling the sensor module <NUM>. In this case, the processor may control the sensor module <NUM> while the processor <NUM> is operating in a sleep mode.

The input module <NUM> may include various input circuitry, such as a touch panel <NUM>, a digital pen sensor <NUM>, keys <NUM>, and an ultrasonic input device <NUM>. The touch panel <NUM> may use at least one of a capacitive, resistive, infrared, and an ultrasonic type, may further include a control circuit and a tactile layer to offer a tactile feedback to a user, and may include a pressure sensor (or a force sensor) capable of measuring the strength or pressure of a user's touch. This pressure sensor may be formed integrally with or separately from the touch panel <NUM>.

The digital pen sensor <NUM> may be a part of the touch panel or include a separate sheet for recognition. The key <NUM> may include a physical button, an optical key, or a keypad. The ultrasonic input device <NUM> may detect ultrasonic waves occurring at an input tool through a microphone <NUM> and thereby identify data corresponding to the detected ultrasonic waves.

The display <NUM> may include a panel <NUM>, a hologram device <NUM>, or a projector <NUM>. The panel <NUM> may include the same or similar configurations as the display <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The panel <NUM> may be implemented to be flexible, transparent, or wearable, and be incorporated into one module together with the touch panel <NUM>. The hologram device <NUM> may display a stereoscopic image in the air by using light interference. The projector <NUM> may display an image by projecting light onto a screen located inside or outside of the electronic device <NUM>. The display <NUM> may further include a control circuit for controlling the panel <NUM>, the hologram device <NUM>, or the projector <NUM>.

The interface <NUM> may include various interface circuitry, such as a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) <NUM>, a USB <NUM>, an optical interface <NUM>, and a D-subminiature (D-sub) <NUM>, may be included in the communication interface <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and may include a mobile high-definition link (MHL) interface, a SD card/ MMC interface, or an infrared data association (IrDA) standard interface.

The audio module <NUM> may provide bidirectional conversion between a sound and an electronic signal. At least part of the components in the audio module <NUM> may be included in the input/output interface <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The audio module <NUM> may process sound information input or output through a speaker <NUM>, a receiver <NUM>, earphones <NUM>, or microphone <NUM>.

The camera module <NUM> may take both still and moving images and may include one or more image sensors (e.g., a front image sensor or a rear image sensor), a lens, an image signal processor (ISP), and a flash, such as a light-emitting diode (LED) or xenon lamp.

The power management module <NUM> is capable of managing power of the electronic device <NUM> and may include a power management integrated circuit (PMIC), a charger IC, or a battery gauge. The PMIC may employ wired charging and/or wireless charging methods. Examples of the wireless charging method are magnetic resonance charging, magnetic induction charging, and electromagnetic charging. To this end, the PIMC may further include an additional circuit for wireless charging, such as a coil loop, a resonance circuit, or a rectifier. The battery gauge may measure the residual capacity, charge in voltage, current, or temperature of the battery <NUM>, and may be either a rechargeable or solar battery.

The indicator <NUM> may display a specific status of the electronic device <NUM> or a part thereof, such as a boot-up, message, or charging status. The motor <NUM> may convert an electrical signal into mechanical vibrations, such as a vibration or haptic effect. The electronic device <NUM> may further include a processing unit (e.g., GPU) that supports a mobile TV and is capable of processing media data pursuant to standards, e.g., digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB), digital video broadcasting (DVB), or mediaFlo™.

Each of the elements described in the present disclosure may be formed with one or more components, and the names of the corresponding elements may vary according to the type of the electronic device. In embodiments, the electronic device may include at least one of the above described elements described in the present disclosure, and may exclude some of the elements or further include other additional elements. Some of the elements of the electronic device may be coupled to form a single entity while performing the same functions as those of the corresponding elements prior to the coupling.

<FIG> illustrates a programming module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the program module <NUM> may include an OS for controlling resources related to the electronic device and/or various applications running on the OS. The OS may be Android, iOS, Windows, Symbian, Tizen, or Bada, but is not limited thereto.

The program module <NUM> may include a kernel <NUM>, middleware <NUM>, API <NUM> and/or applications <NUM>. At least part of the program module <NUM> may be preloaded on the electronic device or downloaded from a server.

The kernel <NUM> may include a system resource manager <NUM> and/or a device driver <NUM>. The system resource manager <NUM> may include a process manager, a memory manager, and a file system manager. The system resource manager <NUM> may perform a system resource control, allocation, and recall. The device driver <NUM> may include a display driver, a camera driver, a BT driver, a shared memory driver, a USB driver, a keypad driver, a Wi-Fi driver, an audio driver, and an inter-process communication (IPC) driver.

The middleware <NUM> may provide a function required in common by the applications <NUM> through the API <NUM> to enable the applications <NUM> to efficiently use limited system resources within the electronic device. The middleware <NUM> may include at least one of a runtime 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 connection 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 used by a complier to add a new function through a programming language while the applications <NUM> are executed. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the runtime library <NUM> executes input and output, management of a memory, and a function associated with an arithmetic function.

The application manager <NUM> may manage a life cycle of at least one of the applications <NUM>. The window manager <NUM> may manage GUI resources used on the screen. The multimedia manager <NUM> may detect a format required for reproducing various media files and encode or decode a media file by using a codec suitable for the corresponding format. The resource manager <NUM> manages resources such as a source code, a memory, or a storage space of at least one of the applications <NUM>.

The power manager <NUM> may operate together with a basic input/output system (BIOS) to manage a battery or power and provides power information required for the operation. The database manager <NUM> may manage generation, search, and change of a database to be used by at least one of the applications <NUM>. The package manager <NUM> may manage an installation or an update of an application distributed as a package file.

The connection manager <NUM> may manage a wireless connection such as Wi-Fi or BT. The notification manager <NUM> may display or notify a user of an event such as an arrival message, an appointment, a proximity alarm, in a manner that does not disturb the user. The location manager <NUM> may manage location information of the electronic device. The graphic manager <NUM> may manage a graphic effect provided to the user or a user interface (UI) related to the graphic effect. The security manager <NUM> provides a general security function required for a system security or a user authentication. When the electronic device has a call function, the middleware <NUM> may further include a telephony manager for managing a voice of the electronic device or a video call function.

The middleware <NUM> may include modules configuring various combinations of functions of the above described components, may provide modules specialized according to types of operation systems to provide distinct functions, and may be adaptively configured in such a manner as to remove part of the existing components or to include new components.

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

The applications <NUM> may include one or more applications for performing various functions, such as a home <NUM>, dialer <NUM>, SMS/MMS <NUM>, instant message (IM) <NUM>, browser <NUM>, camera <NUM>, alarm <NUM>, contact <NUM>, voice dial <NUM>, email <NUM>, calendar <NUM>, media player <NUM>, album <NUM>, and clock <NUM> function. Additionally, or alternatively, the applications <NUM> may include health care (e.g., an application for measuring amount of exercise, or blood sugar level), and environment information (e.g., an application for providing atmospheric pressure, humidity, or temperature).

The applications <NUM> may include an application for supporting information exchange between an electronic device and an external device. The information exchange application is capable of including a notification relay application for relaying specific information to external devices or a device management application for managing external devices.

For example, the notification relay application may include a function for relaying notification information, created in other applications of the electronic device to external devices, and is capable of receiving notification information from external devices to provide the received information to the user.

The device management application may install, remove or update at least one function of an external device communicating with the electronic device. Examples of the function are a function of turning-on/off the external device or part of the external device, a function of controlling the resolution of the display, applications running on the external device, and services provided by the external device, such as a call or messaging service.

The applications <NUM> may include a health care application of a mobile medical device, applications received from an external device, and a preloaded application or third party applications that can be downloaded from a server. It should be understood that the components of the program module <NUM> may be referred to by different names according to the type of the OS.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, at least part of the program module <NUM> can be implemented with software, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof, can be executed by a processor, and may include modules, programs, routines, sets of instructions, or processes for performing one or more functions.

The term 'module' as used in embodiments of the present disclosure may refer to a unit including one of hardware, software, and firmware or any combination, may be interchangeable with the term 'unit,' 'logic,' 'logical block,' 'component,' or 'circuit', may be the smallest unit of an integrated component or a part thereof, may be the smallest unit that performs one or more functions or a part thereof, and may be mechanically or electronically implemented. For example, the 'module' according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of a dedicated processor, a CPU, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chips, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and programmable-logic devices for performing certain operations, which are now known or will be developed in the future.

At least part of the method or system according to embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented with instructions as programming modules that may be stored in computer-readable storage media. One or more processors can execute instructions, thereby performing the functions. At least part of the programming modules can be implemented (executed) by a processor and may include modules, programs, routines, or sets of instructions or processes, in order to perform one or more functions.

Examples of computer-readable media include magnetic media, such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape, optical media such as compact disc-ROM (CD-ROM) disks and DVD, magneto-optical media, such as floptical disks, and hardware devices that are specially configured to store and perform program instructions, such as a read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), and flash memory. Examples of program instructions include machine code instructions created by assembly languages, such as a compiler, and code instructions created by a high-level programming language executable in computers using an interpreter. The described hardware devices may be configured to act as one or more software modules in order to perform the operations and methods described above, or vice versa.

Modules or programming modules according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include one or more components, remove part of the components described above, or include new components. The operations performed by modules, programming modules, or the other components may be executed in serial, parallel, repetitive or heuristic fashion. Part of the operations can be executed in any other order, skipped, or executed with additional operations.

The embodiments described in the present disclosure are merely provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the disclosure and the technology thereof and are not limited thereto.

<FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a single-window and a multi-window of the electronic device according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

In one embodiment, the electronic device may include all or some of the components of the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> or the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>.

With reference to <FIG>, the aspect ratio of the display <NUM> (e.g. display <NUM> in <FIG> or display <NUM> in <FIG>) of the electronic device may be, but not limited to, within a range of <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, and thus may be <NUM>:<NUM> (Z:W). The resolution of the display <NUM> may be, but not limited to, <NUM> (W) * <NUM> (Z). The electronic device may provide a single-window <NUM> and a soft-key panel (navigation bar) <NUM> via the display <NUM>. The screen (user interface or content) of an application can be provided through the single-window <NUM>. In one embodiment, at least one key (e.g. multitasking key <NUM>, home key <NUM>, or cancel key <NUM>) may be provided via the soft-key panel <NUM>.

In another embodiment, the soft-key panel <NUM> may be not provided through the display <NUM>, separate hard keys (e.g. touch sensitive buttons replacing the soft-key panel <NUM>) may be arranged close to the bottom end of the display <NUM>. In the following description, a soft key provided through the display may also be replaced with a hard key.

With reference to <FIG>, the electronic device may display a guide <NUM> in the single-window <NUM> in response to a first input of the user to the multitasking key <NUM>. The guide <NUM> enables the user to select the size of the snap window and items to be displayed therein, and the size and position of the snap window can be changed according to user input. The term "snap" may indicate "taking a quick photograph", and "window" may indicate "seeing something through the window" Hence, "snap window" may indicate "quickly identifying an object". Also, "snap" can indicate "flicking one's fingers", and "snap window" can indicate "moving a selected object quickly to a position that is always visible".

The guide <NUM> may be provided based on the size of the content presented in the single-window <NUM>. For example, when a moving image is displayed in the single-window <NUM>, the guide <NUM> may be determined to have the same size as the moving image. The guide <NUM> may be in the form of a rectangle and may be referred to as a box or window. Hereinafter, the guide411 is collectively referred to as "box" for ease of description. The portion located outside the box <NUM> in a user interface may be displayed differently from the portion located inside the box <NUM>, such as by being displayed opaquely so that the user can readily recognize the position and size of the box <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the electronic device may divide the single-window <NUM> into a first window <NUM> and a second window <NUM>, and may continue to display at least a portion of the user interface displayed in the single-window <NUM> through the first window <NUM> and provide another user interface through the second window <NUM>.

The size of the first window <NUM> may be determined based on the size or internal configuration of the box <NUM>. The first window <NUM> is configured as a snap window and may be located at the upper portion of the display <NUM>. For example, the first window <NUM> may touch the upper side 400a of the display <NUM>, a portion of the left side 400b, and a portion of the right side 400c, but the position of the first window <NUM> may be changed. The second window <NUM> may be disposed at the upper portion of the display <NUM>, and therebeneath the first window <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to the soft-key panel <NUM>.

The electronic device may change the portion to be displayed in the first window <NUM> in response to user input. For example, when a user input such as dragging or scrolling within the first window <NUM> occurs while a portion of the user interface is being displayed through the first window <NUM>, a different portion of the user interface may be provided through the first window <NUM>.

The electronic device may display an application list <NUM> of running applications through the second window <NUM>. The user can easily perform application switching through the application list <NUM>. For example, when the user selects one application item of the application list <NUM>, the display of the application list <NUM> may be terminated and the screen of the selected application may be displayed through the second window <NUM>.

The electronic device may display a split bar <NUM> at the boundary between windows so that the user can readily recognize that the screen has been split. The size of the first window <NUM> may be determined according to user input, and the size of the second window <NUM> may be determined in inverse proportion to the size of the first window <NUM>. For example, the electronic device can adjust the size of the first window <NUM> and the second window <NUM> by changing the position of the split bar <NUM> in response to a user input. The shape of the application list <NUM> may be changed, such as into a short-cut type or page type, in accordance with the size of the second window <NUM>. Alternatively, the position of the split bar <NUM> may not be changed and the size of the first window <NUM> may be fixed.

In one embodiment, when the window mode is changed from the single mode to the multi-mode, the electronic device may provide the multi-window key <NUM> instead of the multitasking key <NUM>, through the soft-key panel <NUM>. When the multi-window key <NUM> is selected, the electronic device may change the window mode to the single mode and display the multitasking key <NUM> again instead of the multi-window key <NUM>.

In the application list <NUM>, each application item may include the name of the corresponding application, such as clock, settings, messages, or Internet, a multi-window indicator 409a indicating that the screen of the corresponding application is available through one of the multiple windows, a snap window indicator 409b indicating that the screen of the corresponding application is available through the snap window, and a captured image of the corresponding application. When a multi-window is provided (i.e. the first window <NUM> and the second window <NUM> are provided), the multi-window indicator of each application item may be deactivated.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the electronic device may provide the application list <NUM> via the single-window <NUM> in response to a second input of the user to the multitasking key <NUM>. When the user selects one application from the application list, the display of the list via the single-window <NUM> may be terminated and the screen of the selected application can be provided through the single-window <NUM>. The electronic device may provide the application list <NUM> via the single-window <NUM> as shown in <FIG> according to user input, such as a long press, to the first window <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

With reference to <FIG>, each item of the application list is provided in the form of a card as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in <FIG>, each item <NUM> of the application list may be displayed as an icon in the second window <NUM>. Each icon can represent an application running on the electronic device or an executable (or installed) application.

In embodiments, the electronic device may provide a snap window through the display in response to user input. The electronic device may include a pressure sensor on at least a portion of the display <NUM> or the soft-key panel <NUM>. The user input may include a force touch based on the strength of the touch input sensed by the pressure sensor.

<FIG> illustrates the electrical blocks of the electronic device according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

With reference to <FIG>, in the electronic device, a touch screen panel <NUM> is located on the front of the display <NUM> and a pressure sensor <NUM> is located on the back of the display <NUM>. The touch screen panel <NUM> may be protected by a cover <NUM>. The pressure sensor <NUM> may include a first pressure electrode layer <NUM>, a second pressure electrode layer <NUM>, and an insulating layer <NUM> interposed between the pressure electrode layers.

The touch screen panel <NUM> may be electrically connected to the processor <NUM> through the touch screen controller <NUM>. The display <NUM> may be electrically connected to the processor <NUM> through the display driver IC (DDI) <NUM>. The pressure sensor <NUM> may be electrically connected to the processor <NUM> through the pressure sensor controller <NUM>.

The touch screen panel <NUM> may be configured to have the same size as the display <NUM>, and may generate an electrical signal in response to user touch input and output the signal to the processor <NUM> via the touch screen controller <NUM>. The touch screen panel <NUM> may be a capacitive type. For a capacitive touch screen panel, the reception (Rx) lines for receiving a control signal from the DDI <NUM> and the transmission (Tx) lines for outputting an electrical signal to the DDI <NUM> in response to touch input may be arranged on the single layer of the panel.

The DDI <NUM> may receive information on the aspect ratio from the processor <NUM>, compose a screen based on the received information, and display the screen on the display <NUM>. For example, the DDI <NUM> may use the data received from the processor <NUM> to compose a screen including a single-window and a soft-key panel as shown in <FIG> or a screen including a multi-windowand a soft-key panel as shown in <FIG>.

In the pressure sensor <NUM>, the gap between the first electrode layer <NUM> and the second electrode layer <NUM> can be changed by touch pressure. The pressure sensor <NUM> may generate an electrical signal corresponding to the gap change and transmit the signal to the processor <NUM> via the pressure sensor controller <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may obtain information about the touch input to the content <NUM> displayed on the display <NUM>, such as a touch point or touch area, based on a signal received via the touch screen controller, may obtain pressure (or force) information based on a signal received from the pressure sensor controller <NUM>, and may recognize user input by using the pressure information and touch information. For example, if the obtained pressure information indicates a first level, the processor <NUM> may recognize the user input as a tap, if it indicates a second level, the processor <NUM> may recognize the user input as a long touch, and if it indicates a third level, the processor <NUM> may recognize the user input as a force touch.

<FIG> is a partially cutaway front view of the electronic device according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

In one embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include all or some of the components of the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> or the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>.

With reference to <FIG>, in the electronic device <NUM>, the cover <NUM> may constitute the front face of the electronic device <NUM>. The touch screen panel <NUM>, the display <NUM> and the pressure sensor <NUM> can be located under the cover <NUM> and inside the frame <NUM>. The display <NUM> may be located under the touch screen panel <NUM>. The pressure sensor <NUM> may be located under the display <NUM> and may be configured to have the same size as the display <NUM> to sense pressure in the entire area of the display <NUM>. In addition, a digitizer panel or other input panel may be located below or above the pressure sensor <NUM>.

<FIG> is a partial schematic cross section view of the electronic device according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

With reference to <FIG>, the cover <NUM> may constitute the front face of the electronic device <NUM>. The display panel <NUM> (e.g. display <NUM> of <FIG>) including a display and a touch screen panel (e.g. touch screen panel <NUM> of <FIG>) may be located under the cover <NUM> and inside the frame <NUM>. The flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) <NUM> is located under and electrically connected to the display panel <NUM>. The fingerprint sensor <NUM> is mounted on the FPCB <NUM> and can detect a fingerprint being in contact with a portion of the cover <NUM>, and may be designed based on an optical mechanism. The pressure sensor <NUM> is mounted on the FPCB <NUM> and is capable of sensing pressure at a portion of the cover <NUM>.

Additionally, a cushion <NUM> for cushioning the pressure can be interposed between the display panel <NUM> and the pressure sensor <NUM>. The portion of the cover <NUM> may correspond to a portion of the display panel <NUM> that displays soft keys, such as a home key, cancel key, back key, multitasking key, and multi-window key, and may act as a touch sensitive button.

When pressure is sensed through a touch sensitive button, the processor (e.g. processor <NUM> of <FIG>) of the electronic device <NUM> may change the state of the electronic device <NUM> from the sleep state to the idle state, in which the electronic device <NUM> can perform user authentication using a fingerprint detected through the touch sensitive button.

<FIG> is an exploded view of an electronic device according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

With reference to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include various electronic components having a protective housing including a first surface in a first direction, a second surface in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction, and a frame <NUM> enclosing at least a portion of the space between the first surface and the second surface.

The display panel <NUM>, digitizer panel <NUM>, pressure panel <NUM>, fingerprint sensor <NUM>, substrate <NUM>, and battery <NUM> may be located in the internal space of the housing. The display panel <NUM> may include the front cover <NUM> constituting the first surface, the touch screen panel, and the display. The fingerprint sensor <NUM> is electrically connected to the substrate870, and may recognize a fingerprint contact on a portion of the first surface, such as soft-key 831a presented by the display, generate fingerprint data and output the same to the processor mounted on the substrate870.

The pressure panel <NUM> is electrically connected to the substrate <NUM>, and may recognize pressure occurring at a portion of the first surface, such as soft keys 831a, 832b and 832c, generate pressure data, and output the same to the processor. The rear cover <NUM> may constitute the second surface.

<FIG> illustrates operations of the electronic device according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

With reference to <FIG>, in step <NUM>, the processor (e.g. processor <NUM> of <FIG>) of the electronic device may display the user interface of an application on the display (e.g. display <NUM>). For example, the aspect ratio of the display may be within a range of <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>.

In step <NUM>, while displaying the user interface, the processor may receive a first user input (force touch or touch input) through the display or a button, such as a touch sensitive button positioned close to the lower end of the display.

In step <NUM>, in response to the first user input, the processor may display a window (box) for setting a snap window on the user interface. In one embodiment, the box may be displayed if the application has attributes supporting a multi-window. For an application not supporting a multi-window, the processor may not respond to the first user input. In addition to the box, a handler may also be displayed on the user interface to enable the user to adjust the size and position of the box. The processor may change the size and position of the box in response to user manipulation of the handler, and may move the box along the direction of a touch gesture, such as a flick or drag initiated within the box.

In step <NUM>, the processor may receive a second user input for selecting a portion of the user interface through the display.

In step <NUM>, in response to the second user input, the processor may move the selected portion displayed within the box to a designated or pre-selected region (i.e. snap window) of the display. The display area outside the snap window can be used to display the user interface of another application.

<FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate operations of the electronic device to provide a snap window via the display in a multi-window mode according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

With reference to <FIG>, the processor (e.g. processor <NUM> of <FIG>) of the electronic device may provide the screen of an application via the single-window <NUM> being a portion of the display <NUM>, and provide various soft keys, such as multitasking key <NUM>, via the soft-key panel <NUM> on another portion of the display <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, when the multitasking key <NUM> of the soft-key panel <NUM> is selected by the user, the processor may divide the single-window <NUM> (<FIG>) into a first window <NUM> and a second window <NUM>, and may continue to display the application screen through the first window <NUM> and provide an application list <NUM> through the second window <NUM>. The split bar <NUM> may be positioned at the boundary between the windows and displayed in conjunction with the first selection object <NUM>.

In the application list <NUM>, each application item may include the name of the corresponding application (e.g. clock, settings, messages, and phone), a multi-window indicator 1030a, and a captured image of the corresponding application. In addition, when the window mode is changed from the single mode to the multi-mode, the multi-window key <NUM> may be provided through the soft-key panel <NUM> instead of the multitasking key <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, when the snap window button <NUM> of the first selection object <NUM> (<FIG>) is selected by the user, the processor (e.g. processor <NUM> of <FIG>) may display a box <NUM> with a preset aspect ratio, such as <NUM>:<NUM>, in the first window <NUM> and terminate display of the first selected object <NUM>.

The processor may display rounded handlers <NUM> and <NUM> at the top and bottom of the box <NUM> as a tool that enables the user to adjust the size of the box <NUM>. The size (vertical length) of the box <NUM> can be adjusted by varying the position of the handlers <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, in response to a multi-touch gesture, such as narrowing or widening the gap between the thumb and the forefinger simultaneously contacting the handlers, or a single touch gesture, such as moving the finger up or down while touching one of the handlers <NUM> and <NUM>, the processor may change the size of the box <NUM> by simultaneously moving the handlers <NUM> and <NUM> up and down, respectively.

As another example, in response to a single touch gesture on the handler <NUM> or <NUM>, the processor may change the size of the box <NUM> by separately moving the handlers up and down. In addition, to adjust the horizontal length of the box <NUM>, handlers may be displayed on the left and right of the box <NUM>. The processor may move the box <NUM> along the direction of a touch gesture, such as a flick or drag initiated within the box <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, when the done button <NUM> of the second selection object <NUM> is selected by the user, the processor may adjust the size (vertical length) of the first window <NUM> according to the size of the box <NUM> and configure the first window <NUM> as a snap window. At this time, a snap window indicator 1030b may be added to each item in the application list <NUM>, and the multi-window indicator of each application item may be deactivated. For example, the multi-window indicator may be blurred or displayed in a different color than prior to the configuration. As the first window <NUM> is configured as the snap window, a snap window key <NUM> may be provided via the soft-key panel <NUM> instead of the multi-window key <NUM>.

Configuring the first window <NUM> as the snap window may indicate that the position of the first window <NUM> is fixed at the upper end of the display <NUM> and the size thereof is fixed without change. Hence, when the first window <NUM> is configured as the snap window, the window size adjustment function using the split bar <NUM> can be deactivated. The content, such as a scoreboard, that was displayed in the box <NUM> immediately prior to selection of the done button <NUM> may be continuously displayed in the first window <NUM>, and the view area of the content to be displayed through the snap window may be changed by a first touch gesture of the user, such as dragging up/down within the first window <NUM>.

The above configuration may be reset by a second touch gesture, such as a long press, in the first window <NUM>. For example, when the configuration is reset, the size adjustment function of the first window <NUM> and the second window <NUM> using the split bar <NUM> can be activated. The above configuration may also be reset by a touch input to the snap window key <NUM> provided through the soft-key panel <NUM>. When a touch input to the cancel key <NUM> is generated while the first window <NUM> and the second window <NUM> are being displayed, the above configuration may be reset and the previous screen (i.e., the screen of <FIG>) may be displayed. When a touch input to the home key <NUM> is generated, the above configuration may be reset, and the window mode may be changed from the multi-mode to the single mode, so that the home screen may be displayed through the single-window.

<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate operations of the electronic device to provide a snap window via the display in a single-window mode according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

With reference to <FIG>, the processor (e.g. processor <NUM> of <FIG>) of the electronic device may divide the display area of the display <NUM> into a single-window <NUM> and a soft-key panel <NUM>. A web page may be displayed in the single-window <NUM>. The multitasking key <NUM> may be displayed on the soft-key panel <NUM> and the user may enter a touch input, such as a long press, multi-touch, or force touch, to the multitasking key <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the processor may display the box <NUM> of a preset size in the single-window <NUM> in response to a touch input to the multitasking key <NUM>. The processor may also display handlers <NUM> and <NUM> for enabling the user to adjust the area of the box <NUM> up and down at the upper end and lower end of the box <NUM>. When the up/down adjustment operation is completed, the processor may display the selection object <NUM> adjacent to the box <NUM>, such as from the beginning along with the box <NUM> in response to a touch input to the multitasking key <NUM>. The selection object <NUM> may be hidden while the size of the box <NUM> is being adjusted and be re-displayed when the size adjustment of the box <NUM> is completed.

With reference to <FIG>, when the done button <NUM> is selected by the user in the selection object <NUM>, the first window <NUM> set as the snap window may be provided on the display <NUM>. For example, the processor may divide the single-window <NUM> into a first window <NUM> and a second window <NUM>, and may continue to display at least a portion of the web page through the first window <NUM> set as the snap window and display the application list <NUM> through the second window <NUM>. The first window <NUM> and the second window <NUM> can be separated by the split bar <NUM> and the movement of the split bar <NUM> (i.e. window size adjustment) can be deactivated.

In the application list <NUM>, each application item may include the name of the corresponding application, a multi-window indicator <NUM>, a snap window indicator <NUM>, and a captured image of the corresponding application.

When a multi-window is provided, the multi-window indicator <NUM> of each application item may be deactivated. To notify the user of deactivation, the processor may display the multi-window indicator <NUM> in a blurrier form than the snap window indicator <NUM>, as shown. In some cases, the multi-window indicator may not be displayed. In the Internet item <NUM> among the items of the application list <NUM>, since the corresponding application screen is provided through the snap window <NUM>, the snap window indicator <NUM> of the application may be deactivated. If one window of the multi-window is set as a snap window, a multi-window key <NUM> indicating that the screen is split may be provided through the soft-key panel <NUM> instead of the multitasking key <NUM>. Instead of the multi-window key <NUM>, a snap window key may be provided through the soft-key panel <NUM>.

When a touch input to the cancel key <NUM> is generated while the first window <NUM> set as the snap window and the second window <NUM> are provided through the display <NUM>, the multi-window mode is canceled and the previous window (i.e., the screen of <FIG>) can be displayed. When a touch input to the home key <NUM> is generated, the multi-window mode is canceled and the home screen can be displayed through the single-window.

While a portion of a web page is displayed through the first window <NUM> set as the snap window and the application list <NUM> is displayed through the second window <NUM>, when the snap window indicator of an item is selected from the application list <NUM>, the display of the application list <NUM> may be terminated and the messages application screen may be displayed through the second window <NUM>. In addition, the box for setting a snap window can be displayed through the second window <NUM>. When the setting of the snap window using the box is completed, a portion of the messages application screen may be displayed in the first window <NUM> instead of the web page and the application list <NUM> may be re-displayed in the second window <NUM>.

While a portion of the web page is displayed through the first window <NUM> set as the snap window and the application list <NUM> is displayed through the second window <NUM>, when the snap window indicator of an item is selected from the application list <NUM>, the multi-window mode may be cancelled and the messages application screen and the box may be displayed through the single-window. When the setting of the snap window using the box is completed, the single-window mode may be switched to the multi-window mode, a portion of the messages application screen may be displayed through the first window <NUM> and the application list <NUM> may be displayed through the second window <NUM>.

<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate operations of the electronic device to set a box based on a touch input and to compose a snap window based on the content located inside the box (touch-based in-range arrangement) according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

The processor (e.g. processor <NUM>) of the electronic device determines whether to include content in the box created by touch input through an in-range arrangement operation. The application sends the framework (e.g. middleware <NUM>) information on the type, size, and location (coordinates) of each piece of content to be provided through the display. The framework adjusts the size and position of the box based on user input received from the kernel (e.g. kernel <NUM>). Hence, the processor determines whether to include the content in the box based on the size and location of each piece of content.

With reference to <FIG>, the processor (e.g. processor <NUM>) may display pieces of content through the single-window <NUM>, such as a text <NUM>, a notification board <NUM> to indicate the game score to the user, an image <NUM>, a first video <NUM>, a second video <NUM>, and handlers <NUM> and <NUM>. In response to touch input generated at time t0, the processor may display a first box <NUM> of a preset size at a specific position, such as on the scoreboard <NUM> on which the touch input is generated.

When the first box <NUM> is displayed on the scoreboard <NUM>, the scoreboard <NUM> may not be entirely included in the first box <NUM> but may be partially included, as shown. For example, the processor may compare the size of the scoreboard <NUM> with the size of the first box <NUM>. If the scoreboard <NUM> is larger than the first box <NUM>, or if the first box <NUM> is larger than the scoreboard <NUM> but the scoreboard <NUM> is not included in the first box <NUM>, the processor may determine that the scoreboard <NUM> is not completely included in the first box <NUM>. In this case, even if there is a display request of the snap window from the user, such as the touch input being released from the single-window, the display of the first box <NUM> may be terminated but the snap window may not be provided through the display. In addition to the game score, various information, such as the weather, a schedule, the time, and an advertisement, can be notified to the user through the notification board.

With reference to <FIG>, the size of the box can be adjusted according to a touch input to the handlers <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, in response to a multi-touch gesture, such as narrowing or widening the gap between the thumb and the forefinger simultaneously contacting the handlers <NUM> and <NUM>, or a single touch gesture, such as moving the finger up or down while touching one of the handlers <NUM> and <NUM>, the processor may change the size of the box <NUM> by simultaneously moving the handlers <NUM> and <NUM> up and down, respectively.

Alternatively, in response to a single touch gesture for the handler <NUM> or <NUM>, the processor may change the size of the box <NUM> by separately moving each handler up and down. As the first box <NUM> is enlarged to the second box <NUM> at time t1, the scoreboard <NUM> may be entirely included in the second box <NUM>, and the image <NUM> and the first video <NUM> may be partially included therein. The snap window <NUM> may be determined by the processor based on the size of content, such as the scoreboard <NUM>. For example, the vertical length of the snap window <NUM> may be determined to be the same as the vertical length of the scoreboard <NUM>, so that the scoreboard <NUM> can be displayed entirely through the snap window <NUM>. In one embodiment, in response to the passing of a given time after a touch is released from a handler and before the done button(e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>) is selected, the processor can change a size of the second box (<NUM>) to a given size (e.g., the size of the first box (<NUM>) at "t0"). According to a different embodiment, even if the touch is released from the handler, the size of the first box (<NUM>) can be maintained without any change.

With reference to <FIG>, as the user continues to manipulate the handlers <NUM> and <NUM>, the second box <NUM> may be enlarged to the third box <NUM> at time t2, so that the scoreboard <NUM>, the first video <NUM>, and the text <NUM> may be included in the third box <NUM>. Hence, the vertical length of the snap window <NUM> may be determined to be the vertical length from the top line of the text <NUM> to the bottom of the first video <NUM>. At this time, a portion of the image <NUM> may be displayed via the snap window <NUM>. In one embodiment, in response to the passing of a given time after a touch is released from a handler and before the done button is selected, the processor can change a size of the third box (<NUM>) to a given size (e.g., the size of the first box at "t0"). According to a different embodiment, even if the touch is released from the handler, the size of the third box (<NUM>) can be maintained.

In one embodiment, through an in-range arrangement operation, the processor of the electronic device can set the size of the snap window to a size less than or equal to the size of the box that fully includes at least one piece of content, such as by a shorter vertical length.

<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate operations of the electronic device to set a box based on a touch input and to compose a snap window based on the content located outside the box (touch-based out-of-range arrangement) according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

In one embodiment, when a piece of content is partially included in the box, the processor (e.g. processor <NUM>) of the electronic device may set the size of the snap window so that the content is fully displayed through an out-of-range arrangement operation.

With reference to <FIG>, the processor may provide multiple pieces of content <NUM> to <NUM> through the single-window <NUM>. In response to a touch input generated at time t0, the processor can display the first box <NUM> of a preset size at a preset position on the single-window <NUM>.

In one embodiment, when at least a portion of the scoreboard <NUM> is included in the first box <NUM>, the processor may set the first portion <NUM>, including the entire scoreboard <NUM> in the single-window <NUM>, as the snap window. For example, the first portion <NUM> corresponds to the first box <NUM> extended to the top and bottom of the scoreboard <NUM>, and the scoreboard <NUM> located inside the first portion <NUM> can be displayed through the snap window <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the handlers <NUM> and <NUM> may be moved up and down, respectively, by user input, so that the box can be enlarged. For example, in response to a multi-touch gesture, such as narrowing or widening the gap between the thumb and the forefinger simultaneously contacting the handlers <NUM> and <NUM>, or a single touch gesture, such as moving the finger up or down while touching one of the handlers <NUM> and <NUM>, the processor may simultaneously move the handlers <NUM> and <NUM> up and down, respectively. Then, the first box <NUM> may be enlarged to the second box <NUM> at time t1, and the scoreboard <NUM> may be fully included in the second box <NUM>. Alternatively, in response to a single touch gesture on the handler <NUM> or <NUM>, the processor may change the size of the box by separately moving the handler up and down.

The image <NUM> and the first video <NUM> may be partially included within the second box <NUM>. Then, the processor may reset the second portion <NUM>, which entirely includes not only the scoreboard <NUM> but also at least part of the image <NUM> and the first video <NUM>, as the snap window <NUM>. As an example of snap window resetting, among the lower end of the image <NUM> and the lower end of the first video <NUM>, the lower end of the first video <NUM> that is closer to the second box <NUM> may be determined as the lower end of the second portion <NUM>. As such, through the snap window <NUM>, the scoreboard <NUM> and the first video <NUM> can be fully displayed and the image <NUM> can be partially displayed. Alternatively, if any content is included in the box above a preset ratio, such as <NUM>%, the processor may enlarge the box to include all of the content and reset the enlarged box as the snap window <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the handlers <NUM> and <NUM> can be moved up and down, respectively, according to user operation, so that the box can become larger. For example, the second box <NUM> may be enlarged to the third box <NUM> at time T2 and the text <NUM>, the scoreboard <NUM>, and the first video <NUM> may all be fully included within the third box <NUM>, and the image <NUM> and the second video <NUM> may be partially included within the third box <NUM>. Then, the processor may reset the third portion <NUM>, including the image <NUM> and the second video <NUM> as a whole in the single-window <NUM>, as the snap window <NUM>.

The electronic device may configure the snap window to be larger than the box by performing an out-of-range arrangement operation.

In one embodiment, when a long press or force touch, preset as an input for releasing the snap window, is generated in the snap window, the processor may terminate the presentation of the snap window and provide a screen for resetting the snap window, such as the screen on which the box is provided as described above, through the display. The snap window can be reset by touch-based in-range or out-of-range arrangement operations described above. After this reset, the snap window can be provided again through the display.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate operations of the electronic device to provide a snap window based on a force touch input according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

With reference to <FIG>, the processor (e.g. processor <NUM>) of the electronic device may set at least a portion of the touch sensitive display (e.g. display <NUM>) including a pressure sensor (e.g. pressure sensor <NUM>) as a single-window <NUM> and provide a web page through the single-window <NUM>. If a touch input <NUM> received from the single-window <NUM> satisfies a given condition, the processor may cause the box <NUM> to be displayed in the single-window <NUM>. For example, the processor may receive pressure information of the touch input <NUM> from the display and recognize the touch input <NUM> as a force touch input if the pressure is above a preset level. When a force touch input is received from the single-window <NUM>, the processor may display the box <NUM> in the region where the force touch input is detected.

The size of the box <NUM> can be set to a uniform ratio, such as <NUM>:<NUM>, in consideration of the aspect ratio of the display. The size of the box <NUM> may be changed based on the intensity or period of the pressure, and based on the area of the content contained therein. That is, the size of the box <NUM> can be adjusted according to the amount of content located in the box <NUM>.

The length of one side of the box may be fixed to the horizontal or vertical length of the display according to the display mode (portrait or landscape mode), and the length of the other side may be adjusted based on the intensity or period of the pressure. For example, in <FIG>, when the display resolution is <NUM> (horizontal) * <NUM> (vertical) and the display mode is portrait mode (vertical mode), the horizontal length of the box <NUM> may be fixed to the horizontal resolution of the display (<NUM> pixels), and the vertical length of the box <NUM> may be changed based on the intensity or period of the pressure. When the display mode is landscape mode (horizontal mode), the vertical length of the box <NUM> can be fixed to the vertical resolution (<NUM> pixels) and the horizontal length of the box <NUM> can be changed based on the intensity or period of the pressure.

With reference to <FIG>, when the force touch input <NUM> is released from the single-window <NUM>, the processor may divide the single-window <NUM> into a snap window <NUM> and a multitasking window <NUM>, and may continue to provide the web page through the snap window <NUM> and provide the application list <NUM> through the multitasking window <NUM>. The size of the snap window <NUM> and the portion of the web page to be displayed therein can be determined according to the box <NUM>. In one embodiment, upon release of the touch input <NUM>, the processor may present a visual effect on the display that raises upward the content present in the box <NUM>.

The size of the box can be adjusted based on a force touch input. For example, the box can be displayed on the display based on the intensity of the pressure first, and the size of the box can be adjusted based on at least one of the intensity and period of the pressure. As another example, the processor may adjust the size of the box in response to a force touch input, move the position of the box in response to a touch input after release of the force touch input, and display the content in the box through the snap window upon release of the touch input.

<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate operations of the electronic device to adjust the size of the box based on a force touch input according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

With reference to <FIG>, the processor (e.g. processor <NUM>) of the electronic device may display a web page on the touch sensitive display <NUM>. The processor may receive a force touch input <NUM> from the display <NUM> at time t0. If the pressure <NUM> of the force touch input <NUM> exceeds level <NUM>, the processor may display the first box <NUM> of a preset size in the display area corresponding to the force touch input <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, if the force touch input is sustained for a given time and the pressure is above a given level, the processor can adjust the size of the box. For example, if the pressure of the force touch input <NUM> is maintained greater than or equal to level <NUM> from time t0 to time t1 and the pressure measured at time t1 is greater than or equal to level <NUM>, the first box <NUM> may be enlarged to the second box <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, when the force touch input <NUM> is released at time t2, the processor may select the second box <NUM> for determining the size of the snap window and configuring the content to be displayed therein. To enable the user to recognize such a selection, the processor may display the second box <NUM> in a manner readily distinguished from the other area, such as by applying a blur or visual effect. In addition, the processor can provide haptic or tactile feedback to the user.

<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate in-range arrangement operations of the electronic device based on a force touch input according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

With reference to <FIG>, the processor (e.g. processor <NUM>) of the electronic device may provide pieces of content <NUM> to <NUM> through the single-window <NUM>. In response to a force touch input <NUM> to the scoreboard <NUM> with a pressure level <NUM> at time t0, the processor may display a first box <NUM> of a preset size on the scoreboard <NUM> associated with the force touch input. At this time, the scoreboard <NUM> may not be entirely included in the first box <NUM> but may be partially included therein, as shown. Then, even if there is a display request of a snap window from the user, such as a release of the force touch input <NUM> from the single-window, the processor may terminate the display of the first box <NUM> but may not provide a snap window via the display (e.g. display <NUM>).

With reference to <FIG>, the force touch input <NUM> may be maintained on the scoreboard <NUM> from time t0 to time t1, during which period the pressure may also be maintained greater than or equal to level <NUM>. Then, the processor may enlarge the first box <NUM> to the second box <NUM> by increasing the vertical length of the first box <NUM> in up and down directions in proportion to the period (t1-t0) of the force touch input <NUM>. As such, the second box <NUM> may fully include the scoreboard <NUM> and may not include other content. Thereby, the processor may determine the vertical length of the scoreboard <NUM> to be the vertical length of the snap window <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the horizontal length of the snap window <NUM> may already be determined as the horizontal length of the single-window <NUM>. In one embodiment, when the force touch input <NUM> is released from the single-window <NUM> when the size (width * length) of the snap window <NUM> is already determined as described above, the processor may provide the snap window <NUM> through the display. For example, the scoreboard <NUM> may be displayed through the snap window <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, as the force touch input <NUM> is maintained until time t2, the vertical length of the second box <NUM> may be increased in up and down directions, so that the second box <NUM> is enlarged to the third box <NUM>. Hence, the third box <NUM> may include the text <NUM>, the scoreboard <NUM>, and the first video <NUM> as a whole. The processor may determine the size of the snap window <NUM> based on the vertical length from the top row of the text <NUM> to the bottom of the first video <NUM>. The snap window <NUM> may be provided through the display based on release of the force touch input <NUM>. For example, when the force touch input <NUM> is released at time t2 from the single-window <NUM>, the snap window <NUM> may be provided through the display and the pieces of content may be continuously displayed through the snap window <NUM>.

<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate out-of-range arrangement operations of the electronic device based on a force touch input according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

With reference to <FIG>, the processor (e.g. processor <NUM>) of the electronic device may provide pieces of content <NUM> to <NUM> through the single-window <NUM>. In response to a force touch input <NUM> to the scoreboard <NUM> with a pressure level <NUM> at time t0, the processor may display a first box <NUM> of a preset size on the scoreboard <NUM> associated with the force touch input. If at least a portion of the scoreboard <NUM> is included in the first box <NUM>, the processor may configure a first portion <NUM>, which fully includes the scoreboard <NUM> in the single-window <NUM>, as the snap window <NUM>. For example, the processor may determine the vertical length of the scoreboard <NUM> to be the vertical length of the snap window <NUM>. Alternatively, the horizontal length of the snap window <NUM> may already be determined to be the horizontal length of the single-window <NUM> and can be fixed without change. When the force touch input <NUM> is released from the single-window <NUM>, the snap window <NUM> may be provided via the display (e.g. display <NUM>).

With reference to <FIG>, the force touch input <NUM> may be maintained on the scoreboard <NUM> from time t0 to time t1. During that period, the pressure may also be maintained greater than or equal to level <NUM>. Then, the processor may enlarge the first box <NUM> to the second box <NUM> by increasing the vertical length of the first box <NUM> in up and down directions in proportion to the period (t1-t0) of the force touch input <NUM>. As such, the second box <NUM> may fully include the scoreboard <NUM> and may partially include the image <NUM> and the first video <NUM>.

The processor may reset the second portion <NUM>, which entirely includes not only the scoreboard <NUM> but also at least one of the image <NUM> and the first video <NUM> in the single-window <NUM>, as the snap window <NUM>. For example, the vertical length of the second portion <NUM> may be determined to be the vertical length from the upper end of the second box <NUM> to the lower end of the first video <NUM>. Hence, when the force touch input <NUM> is released from the single-window <NUM> at time t1, the scoreboard <NUM> and the first video <NUM> can be fully displayed through the snap window <NUM> and the image <NUM> can be partially displayed.

With reference to <FIG>, as the force touch input <NUM> is maintained until time t2, the processor may enlarge the second box <NUM> to the third box <NUM> by increasing the vertical length of the second box <NUM> in up and down directions in proportion to the period (t2-t0). As such, the third box <NUM> may include the text <NUM>, the scoreboard <NUM>, and the first video <NUM> as a whole, and may also partially include the image <NUM> and the second video <NUM>. To permit the image <NUM> to be fully displayed through the snap window <NUM>, the processor may determine the size of the third portion <NUM> based on the vertical length from the top of the third box <NUM> to the bottom of the image <NUM>. When the force touch input <NUM> is released from the single-window <NUM> at time t2 after the size of the snap window <NUM> is determined as above, the processor can provide the snap window <NUM> via the display. Thereby, the pieces of content can be continuously displayed through the snap window <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates operations of the electronic device to set a box based on a multi-touch input according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the electronic device may include all or some of the components of the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> or the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>.

With reference to <FIG>, the processor (e.g. processor <NUM>) of the electronic device may divide the touch sensitive display into a single-window <NUM> and a soft-key panel <NUM>, display a web page via the single-window <NUM>, and display a plurality of soft keys via the soft-key panel <NUM>. When a force touch input <NUM> is received from the multitasking key among the keys of the soft-key panel <NUM>, the processor can display a box <NUM> of a preset size at a preset position of the single-window <NUM>. The processor may receive a touch input from the single-window <NUM> while the force touch input <NUM> is maintained on the multitasking key, and may adjust the size of the box <NUM> based on the touch input.

The touch input received from the single-window <NUM> may be a pinch zoom input <NUM>. If the pinch zoom input <NUM> is a pinch-in operation (moving two fingers closer together), the processor may reduce the box <NUM> by moving its top downward and its bottom upward. If the pinch zoom input <NUM> is a pinch-out operation (moving two fingers farther apart), the processor may enlarge the box <NUM> by moving its top upward and its bottom downward.

The touch input received from the single-window <NUM> may be a single-touch input. The size and position of the box <NUM> can be adjusted by moving the top or the bottom of the box <NUM> separately according to the movement of the single-touch input, along the direction of a touch gesture initiated within the box <NUM>. The processor may determine the size of the snap window based on the box <NUM> and its internal configuration. When the force touch input <NUM> is released from the multitasking key, the processor may divide the single-window <NUM> into two windows, set one of the two windows as the snap window, and continue to display at least a portion of the web page through the snap window.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate operations of the electronic device to provide a snap window using an application list according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

With reference to <FIG>, the processor (e.g. processor <NUM>) of the electronic device may provide a list <NUM> of currently running applications via the touch sensitive display <NUM>, and selectively display the application list <NUM> through scrolling up/down corresponding to touch input. Among the applications shown by the application list <NUM>, the screen of a selected application may have been provided through the snap window.

For the application whose screen is being provided through the snap window in the application list <NUM>, the processor may attach an indicator indicating that the screen is provided through the snap window to the corresponding item of the application. For example, the processor may download a sports news article <NUM> from an external server (e.g. server <NUM>) using an Internet application, display the article <NUM> through the single-window, and display the scoreboard of the article <NUM> through the snap window. When the operating mode of the Internet application is switched from the foreground to the background, the sports news article <NUM> may be copied into the clipboard, and, as described above, when the application list <NUM> is provided, the sports news article <NUM> may be included in an Internet item and displayed as a captured image. A snap window indicator <NUM> may also be included in the Internet item. In addition, when the operating mode of the Internet application switches from the foreground to the background, the processor may store history information about the Internet application, such as size and location of the snap window, in the memory.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the processor can receive a display request for the snap window from the user while displaying the application list <NUM>. For example, the processor may receive a force touch input <NUM> for the sport news article <NUM> or a touch input for the snap window indicator <NUM> from the display <NUM>. In response to the force touch input <NUM> or touch input, the processor may check the history information of the Internet application and recognize that the screen of the Internet application has been provided through the snap window. Then, the processor may update the sports news article <NUM> using the Internet application, display the updated sports news article <NUM> in the Internet item in <FIG>, and display a refresh indicator <NUM> indicating that the update is in progress on the application list <NUM>. In addition, based on the history information, the processor may divide the display area of the display <NUM> into two portions, set one portion as the snap window <NUM>, and display the updated scoreboard <NUM> through the snap window <NUM>.

<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate operations of the electronic device to provide multiple snap windows via the display according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

With reference to <FIG>, the processor of the electronic device may configure the upper portion of the touch sensitive display <NUM> as a first snap window <NUM> and display an application screen, such as scoreboard <NUM>, through the first snap window <NUM>. In addition, the processor may display the application list <NUM> through another portion of the display <NUM>. Each item of the application list <NUM> may include a snap window indicator <NUM> indicating that the screen of the corresponding application is available through the snap window.

With reference to <FIG>, when the snap window indicator <NUM> of the message application is selected by the user, or when a user input, such as a force touch or touch input, is generated in the captured image <NUM> of the message application, the processor may display the message application screen <NUM> in place of the application list <NUM>. Additionally, in response to the selection of the snap window indicator <NUM>, the processor may display the box <NUM> on the message application screen <NUM>.

The electronic device may provide plural snap windows on the display.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, when the done button2041 is selected from the selection object <NUM>, the processor may determine the size, such as vertical length, of the second snap window <NUM> based on the box <NUM> and its internal configuration, such as content, configure the other part of the snap window <NUM> on the display <NUM> as the area for the second snap window <NUM>, and continue to display a portion of the message application screen <NUM> through the second snap window <NUM>. In addition, the processor may display the application list <NUM> through an area of the display <NUM> outside the snap windows <NUM> and <NUM>.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, the snap window is configured and provided based on touch input. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the snap window may be configured and provided based on the user's gaze recognition using a camera. The snap window may also be configured and provided based on a command received from an external device functionally connected to the electronic device. For instance, the processor may configure the snap window by using information on the user's muscle movement received from a wearable device, or information related to movement of the user received from an acceleration apparatus or a flexible sensor.

In various embodiments, when the snap window is successfully set using the box based on user input, haptic feedback may be provided to the user. Haptic feedback may also be provided when the single-window is successfully split into the snap window and the multitasking window. If user input that cannot be applied to the snap window is received, haptic feedback can be provided for operation error notification.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic device may include a housing configured to include a first surface and a second surface facing away from the first surface, a touch screen display exposed through a first portion of the first surface, a wireless communication circuit positioned inside the housing, a processor positioned inside the housing and electrically connected to the display and the wireless communication circuit, and a memory positioned inside the housing and electrically connected to the processor, wherein the memory is configured to store instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to display a first user interface of a first application program on the display receive a first user input via the display while the first user interface is displayed display, in response to the first user input, a movable and resizable window for selecting a portion of the first user interface, receive a second user input for selecting the portion of the first user interface via the display, and move, in response to the second user input, the selected portion of the first user interface to a designated region of the display.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic device may include a housing configured to include a first surface and a second surface facing away from the first surface, a touch screen display exposed through a first portion of the first surface, a touch sensitive button placed at a second portion of the first surface, a wireless communication circuit positioned inside the housing, a processor positioned inside the housing and electrically connected to the display, the button, and the wireless communication circuit; and a memory positioned inside the housing and electrically connected to the processor, wherein the memory is configured to store instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to display a first user interface of a first application program on the display, receive a first user input via the display or the button while the first user interface is displayed, display, in response to the first user input, a movable and resizable window for selecting a portion of the first user interface, receive a second user input for selecting the portion of the first user interface via the display, and move, in response to the second user input, the selected portion of the first user interface to a designated region of the display.

The instructions may cause the processor to display, after moving the selected portion, at least a portion of a second user interface of a second application program or an icon of the second application program through an area of the display outside the designated region, receive a third user input for selecting the second application program via the display, display, in response to the third user input, the selected portion of the first user interface through the designated region, and display at least a portion of the second user interface through the area of the display outside the designated region.

The instructions may cause the processor to display, in response to the third user input, at least a portion of the second user interface so that the at least a portion of the second user interface fills the area of the display outside the designated region.

The instructions may cause the processor to receive, before receiving the second user input, a third user input for changing the size and/or position of the window.

The instructions may cause the processor to: determine the length of one of a first side and a second side of the window having a quadrilateral shape to be the length of one side of the display having a rectangular shape, and change the length of the other of the first side and the second side of the window in response to the third user input, wherein the first side is substantially perpendicular to the second side.

The instructions may cause the processor to receive, after receiving the second user input, a third user input for changing the size and/or position of the selected portion of the first user interface.

The display may have an aspect ratio in the range of <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:9or <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>.

The display is in the form of a rectangle having a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, the third side and the fourth side are shorter than the first side and the second side, and the designated region of the display has a rectangular shape and is tangent to a first portion of the first side, a second portion of the second side, and the third side.

The electronic device may further include a pressure sensor disposed between the touch screen display and the second surface of the housing, and an input received from the pressure sensor may be used to present the window.

The instructions may cause the processor to adjust the size of the window according to at least one of the pressure intensity and the pressure period indicated by the input received from the pressure sensor.

The instructions may cause the processor to: adjust, if the display mode of the display is portrait mode, the length of a first side of the window being rectangular, and adjust, if the display mode of the display is landscape mode, the length of a second side of the window, wherein the first side is substantially perpendicular to the second side.

If at least a portion of content in the first user interface is located within the window, the whole of the content may be included in the selected portion of the first user interface.

The content may be a video, an image, a notice board, or a text.

The size and position of the designated region may be fixed without change until a third user input for releasing the designated region is received.

The instructions may cause the processor to update the selected portion and display the updated selected portion through the designated region.

The instructions may cause the processor to: receive a fourth user input through the designated region of the display, and display, in response to the fourth user input, another portion of the user interface outside the selected portion through the designated region.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a method of an electronic device having a touch screen display may include displaying a first user interface of a first application program on the display, receiving a first user input via the display or a touch sensitive button while the first user interface is displayed, displaying, in response to the first user input, a movable and resizable window for selecting a portion of the first user interface, receiving a second user input for selecting the portion of the first user interface via the display, and moving, in response to the second user input, the selected portion of the first user interface to a designated region of the display.

The method may further include displaying, after moving the selected portion, at least a portion of a second user interface of a second application program or an icon of the second application program through an area of the display outside the designated region, receiving a third user input for selecting the second application program via the display, displaying, in response to the third user input, the selected portion of the first user interface through the designated region, and displaying at least a portion of the second user interface through the area of the display outside the designated region.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a housing comprising a first surface and a second surface facing away from the first surface;
a touch screen display (<NUM>) exposed through a first portion of the first surface;
a wireless communication circuit positioned inside the housing;
a processor (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) positioned inside the housing and electrically connected to the display and the wireless communication circuit; and
a memory (<NUM>, <NUM>) positioned inside the housing and electrically connected to the processor,
wherein the memory is configured to store instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:
receive, from a first application program, information on the size and location of each piece of content to be provided through the display;
display (<NUM>) a first user interface of the first application program on the display;
receive (<NUM>) a first user input via the display while the first user interface is displayed;
display (<NUM>), in response to the first user input, a movable and resizable window for selecting a portion of the first user interface;
receive (<NUM>) a second user input for selecting the portion of the first user interface via the display;
determine whether to include the content in the window based on the size and location of each piece of content, wherein, if at least a portion of a piece of content in the first user interface is located within the window, all of the piece of content is included in the selected portion of the first user interface; and
move (<NUM>), in response to the second user input, the selected portion of the first user interface to a designated region of the display.