Patent Description:
A display mounted on an electronic device may provide various visual information to a user by outputting contents such as a character, an image, etc. Recently, with development of an entertainment function or a multimedia function of the electronic device, users desire an electronic device easy to carry while preferring an electronic device having a large-size display. Reflecting reality, transformable electronic devices such as a flexible (or foldable) electronic device, a rollable electronic device, etc., have been recently developed.

<CIT>, <CIT>and <CIT> Al disclose portable electronic devices capable of sensing bending of the electronic device using a touch input sensor in a time-share manner.

Document <CIT> further discloses a flexible display electronic device capable of changing the operation mode of the electronic device depending on the opening angle measured with the bending sensor.

On an electronic device such as a flexible (or foldable) electronic device, a rollable electronic device, etc., various sensors for sensing bending of the electronic device may be attached. For example, a pressure sensor may be attached on the electronic device to sense bending of the electronic device based on an output value of the pressure sensor.

The electronic device having attached thereto a conventional pressure sensor may have an increased thickness.

Depending on a type of the pressure sensor attached to the electronic device, the electronic device may need an additional integrated circuit (IC) for driving the pressure sensor, increasing circuit complexity in the electronic device. The invention is set out in the appended independent claims <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>.

A method, an electronic device, and a storage medium for changing an operation mode based on bending information by using a sensing circuit may provide a function of a pressure sensor capable of sensing a pressure applied to the electronic device by using a conventional touch screen. For example, the electronic device may sense the pressure applied to the electronic device according to bending of the electronic device, by using the touch screen.

A method, an electronic device, and a storage medium for changing an operation mode based on bending information by using a sensing circuit may obtain the bending information of the electronic device by using a conventional touch screen, and control an operation of the electronic device based on the bending information.

<FIG> is a block diagram of an electronic device <NUM> in a network environment <NUM> to change an operation mode based on bending information using a sensing circuit. The electronic device <NUM> may communicate with the electronic device <NUM> via the server <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, an input device <NUM>, a sound output device <NUM>, a display device <NUM>, an audio module <NUM>, a sensor module <NUM>, an interface <NUM>, a haptic module <NUM>, a camera module <NUM>, a power management module <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, a communication module <NUM>, a subscriber identification module (SIM) <NUM>, or an antenna module <NUM>. At least one (e.g., the display device <NUM> or the camera module <NUM>) of the components may be omitted from the electronic device <NUM>, or one or more other components may be added in the electronic device <NUM>. Some of the components may be implemented as single integrated circuitry.

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

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

The communication module <NUM> may include a wireless communication module <NUM> (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module <NUM> (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module or a power line communication (PLC) module). A corresponding one of these communication modules may communicate with the external electronic device via the first network <NUM> (e.g., a short-range communication network, such as Bluetooth™, Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or the second network <NUM> (e.g., a long-range communication network, such as a cellular network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or wide area network (WAN)).

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

For example, when the electronic device <NUM> should perform a function or a service automatically, or in response to a request from a user or another device, the electronic device <NUM>, instead of, or in addition to, executing the function or the service, may request the one or more external electronic devices to perform at least part of the function or the service.

The electronic device <NUM> may include a housing, a sensing circuit (e.g., the display device <NUM>), the processor <NUM> operatively connected with the sensing circuit, and the memory <NUM> operatively connected with the processor <NUM>, in which the memory <NUM> stores instructions, when executed, configured to cause the processor <NUM> to identify output values of the sensing circuit related to a touch or a pressure applied to the sensing circuit, to obtain, when at least some of output values are changed, bending information of the sensing circuit at least based on the changed output values, and to change an operation mode of the electronic device to at least one of designated operation modes, at least based on the bending information of the sensing circuit.

The instructions are configured to cause the processor to, when sensing a change in the at least some of the output values of the sensing circuit, determine, at least based on a designated criterion, the changed output values as information of a pressure input to the sensing circuit or information of a touch input to the sensing circuit.

The designated criterion may include at least one of a magnitude of the changed output values, the number of changed output values, a position of the sensing circuit from which the changed output values are output, an area of a region of the sensing circuit from which the changed output values are output, or a shape of the region of the sensing circuit from which the changed output values are output.

The instructions are configured to cause the processor to, when a range of output values corresponding to a designated region of the sensing circuit is changed to a designated first range, determine that a pressure at least based on the output values of the first range is applied to the sensing circuit.

The instructions are configured to cause the processor to, when sensing a change in first output values corresponding to the designated region, after determining that the pressure at least based on the output values of the first range is applied to the sensing circuit, change a designated operation mode of the electronic device based on the changed first output values.

The bending information of the touch screen may include at least one of a bending position, a bending strength, a bending angle, a bending direction, or a bending area.

The memory may store a bending angle of the sensing circuit, which corresponds to each of magnitudes of the changed output values.

The instructions are configured to cause the processor to change an operation mode of the electronic device to at least one of a sleep mode, a dual display mode, a typing mode, or a wake-up mode, at least based on the bending information of the touch circuit.

The electronic device may further include one or more antennas, and the instructions is configured to cause the processor to switch a first connection contact point of a circuit connected with the at least one antenna to a second connection contact point.

The electronic device may further include a plurality of antennas, in which the instructions cause the processor to change from a mode in which a first antenna among the plurality of antennas operates to a mode in which a second antenna among the plurality of antennas operates.

Output values of the sensing circuit may include output values based on a capacitance sensing scheme.

A plurality of conductive lines in a first direction, disposed in a designated bending region of the sensing circuit, may be disposed with a space narrower than a plurality of conductive lines in the first direction, disposed in regions of the sensing circuit other than the bending region.

<FIG> is a diagram for describing various sensing circuits.

Referring to <FIG>, the sensing circuit may include a strain gauge pressure sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, an inductance type sensor, a capacitive type sensor, etc..

Referring to <FIG>, the strain gauge pressure sensor may measure transformation when an object <NUM> is transformed by an external force <NUM>. For example, the strain gauge pressure sensor may measure transformation of a resistance wire 302a of the strain gauge pressure sensor. When a resistance wire 203b having a first length of the strain gauge pressure sensor is transformed in a tensile direction, the length increases, causing transformation into a resistance wire 203c having a second length and thus increasing an electric resistance of the resistance wire 203c having a reduced cross-sectional area. The electronic device may sense a pressure by measuring an increase in the electric resistance.

Referring to <FIG>, the piezoelectric sensor may include a piezoelectric element <NUM> including crystal, potassium sodium tartrate, barium titanite, etc. Upon application of a pressure <NUM> to the piezoelectric element <NUM> of the piezoelectric sensor, the piezoelectric sensor may generate a voltage that is proportional to the pressure <NUM>. The electronic device may sense a pressure by measuring the voltage.

Referring to <FIG>, the inductance sensor may sense an inductance change, when sensing a user's pressure <NUM>. The electronic device may sense the pressure based on the inductance change.

Referring to <FIG>, the capacitance sensor may sense a capacitance change with respect to a change in a distance between two electrodes, when sensing a user's pressure <NUM>. The electronic device may sense the pressure based on the inductance change.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating operations of an electronic device. The operations may include operations <NUM> through <NUM> Each of the operations may be performed by at least one of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>), at least one processor (e.g., the processor <NUM>) of the electronic device, or a controller (e.g., a combination of the processor <NUM> and a power management module (e.g., the power management module <NUM>)) of the electronic device. In an embodiment, at least one of operations <NUM> through <NUM> may be omitted, or other operations may be added.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may identify output values of the sensing circuit related to a touch or a pressure applied to the sensing circuit (e.g., a touch circuit that may be included in the display device <NUM>).

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may identify whether at least some of the output values of the sensing circuit related to the touch or the pressure applied to the sensing circuit are changed.

When the electronic device identifies a change in the at least some of the output values of the sensing circuit related to the touch or the pressure applied to the sensing circuit, the electronic device may execute operation <NUM>; otherwise, the electronic device may perform operation <NUM> again.

When the electronic device senses the change in the at least some of the output values of the sensing circuit, the electronic device may determine, at least based on a designated criterion, the changed output values as information of a pressure input to the sensing circuit or information of a touch input to the sensing circuit. For example, the designated criterion may include at least one of a magnitude of the changed output values, the number of changed output values, a position of the sensing circuit from which the changed output values are output, an area of a region of the sensing circuit from which the changed output values are output, or a shape of the region of the sensing circuit from which the changed output values are output.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may obtain bending information of the sensing circuit, at least based on the changed output values.

The bending information may include at least one of a bending position, a bending strength, a bending angle, a bending direction, or a bending area.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may switch an operation mode thereof to at least one of designated operation modes, at least based on the bending information of the sensing circuit.

The electronic device may designate (store) an operation mode corresponding to each piece of bending information.

The operation mode may include a sleep mode, a dual display mode, a typing mode, or a wake-up mode. For example, the sleep mode may be set in which a screen of a display device (e.g., the display device <NUM>) of the electronic device is automatically turned off. For example, the dual display mode may be set in which a first screen is displayed in a first region of the display device and a second screen is displayed in a second region of the display device. For example, the typing mode may be set in which a virtual keypad is displayed to allow a user to input a character. For example, the wake-up mode may be set in which a screen of the display device of the electronic device is automatically turned on.

The operation mode may include a first antenna operation mode in which a first antenna operates or a second antenna operation mode in which a second antenna operates.

The operation mode may include a first circuit connection mode in which one or more antennas are connected with a first contact point of the circuit or a second circuit connection mode in which the one or more antennas are connected with a second contact point.

A method for changing an operation mode based on bending information using a sensing circuit of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>) may include identifying output values of the sensing circuit (e.g., the display device <NUM>) related to a touch or a pressure applied to the sensing circuit of the electronic device, obtaining, when at least some of output values are changed, bending information of the sensing circuit at least based on the changed output values, and changing an operation mode of the electronic device to at least one of designated operation modes, at least based on the bending information of the sensing circuit.

The method may further include, when sensing a change in the at least some of the output values of the sensing circuit, determining, at least based on a designated criterion, the changed output values as information of a pressure input to the sensing circuit or information of a touch input to the sensing circuit.

The method may further include, when a range of output values corresponding to a designated region of the sensing circuit is changed to a designated first range, determining that a pressure at least based on the output values of the first range is applied to the sensing circuit.

The bending information of the sensing circuit may include at least one of a bending position, a bending strength, a bending angle, a bending direction, or a bending area.

The obtaining of the bending information of the touch circuit may include determining a bending angle of the sensing circuit, based on a magnitude of the changed output values.

The changing of the operation mode of the electronic device to at least one of the designated operation modes may include changing the operation mode to a sleep mode, a dual display mode, a typing mode, or a wake-up mode.

<FIG> is a diagram for describing a structure of a pressure sensor according to various embodiments. <FIG> is a diagram for describing a structure of a pressure sensor.

Referring to <FIG>, a pressure sensor <NUM> may include a sensing circuit <NUM> (e.g., a touch circuit, a touch sensor, a touchscreen, a touch layer, or a touch panel) or a control circuit <NUM> (e.g., a touch panel integrated circuit (IC)).

Referring to <FIG>, the sensing circuit <NUM> includes a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer. A plurality of first electrodes <NUM> through <NUM> may be disposed on the first electrode layer, and a plurality of second electrodes <NUM> through <NUM> may be disposed on the second electrode layer. For example, the plurality of first electrodes <NUM> through <NUM> and the plurality of second electrodes <NUM> through <NUM> are disposed to intersect (or meet orthogonally) one another with spaces therebetween.

The control circuit <NUM> may provide an electric signal (e.g., a signal based on a capacitance sensing scheme) to at least one of the plurality of first electrodes <NUM> through <NUM>, and provide an electric signal (e.g., a signal based on a capacitance sensing scheme) to at least one of the plurality of second electrodes <NUM> through <NUM>.

A a cross-sectional view of a first point <NUM> of <FIG> may be as illustrated in <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the sensing circuit <NUM> may include a first electrode <NUM>, a first film <NUM>, an adhesive <NUM>, a second film <NUM>, or a second electrode <NUM>. For example, the adhesive <NUM> may include an optically clear adhesive (OCA). For example, the first film <NUM> may be disposed on a top end of the first electrode <NUM>. The adhesive <NUM> may be disposed on a top end of the first film <NUM>. The second film <NUM> may be disposed on a top end of the adhesive <NUM>. The second electrode <NUM> may be formed on a top end of the second film <NUM>.

When the control circuit <NUM> applies an electric signal (e.g., a voltage) to at least one of the plurality of first electrodes <NUM> through <NUM> and the plurality of second electrodes <NUM> through <NUM>, a capacitance may be formed between at least one of the plurality of first electrodes <NUM> through <NUM> and at least one of the plurality of second electrodes <NUM> through <NUM>.

When the sensing circuit <NUM> is bent by an external pressure, at least some of the plurality of first electrodes <NUM> through <NUM> or the plurality of second electrodes <NUM> through <NUM> are compressed or stretched such that an area of an overlapping portion between the at least some first electrodes and the at least some second electrodes is changed. A capacitance between the at least some first electrodes and the at least some second electrodes is changed based on the change in the area.

For example, the electronic device may calculate a capacitance in the first point <NUM> of <FIG> by using Equation <NUM>. <MAT>
(C: capacitance, D: a space <NUM> between a first electrode <NUM> and a second electrode <NUM>, S: an area <NUM> of an overlapping portion between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM>, ε: permittivity).

For example, referring to <FIG>, when at least a partial region of the sensing circuit <NUM> including the first point <NUM> is bent and thus the first point <NUM> is compressed, an area of the first point <NUM> is changed. For example, the area of the overlapping portion between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> is reduced from S <NUM> to S' <NUM>. As the area of the overlapping portion between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> is reduced, the capacitance in the first point <NUM> is reduced. For example, based on an electric signal applied by the control circuit <NUM>, a capacitance may be formed between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> in the first point <NUM>. For example, the electronic device may identify a change in the capacitance between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> in the first point <NUM>, based on Equation <NUM>. When the first point <NUM> of <FIG> is compressed, a change (reduction) level of the capacitance of the first point <NUM> is calculated.

For example, referring to <FIG>, when at least a partial region of the sensing circuit <NUM> including the first point <NUM> is bent and thus the first point <NUM> is stretched, the area of the first point <NUM> is changed. For example, the area of the overlapping portion between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> is enlarged from S <NUM> to S" <NUM>. As the area of the overlapping portion between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> is enlarged, the capacitance in the first point <NUM> is increased. For example, based on an electric signal applied by the control circuit <NUM>, a capacitance may be formed between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> in the first point <NUM>. For example, the electronic device identifies a change in the capacitance between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> in the first point <NUM>, based on Equation <NUM>. When the first point <NUM> of <FIG> is stretched, an increase level of the capacitance of the first point <NUM> is calculated.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or the processor <NUM> of the electronic device) including the pressure sensor <NUM> obtains bending information of the sensing circuit <NUM> based on a variance of a capacitance between at least some of the plurality of first electrodes <NUM> through <NUM> and at least some of the plurality of second electrodes <NUM> through <NUM>. For example, the electronic device may store bending information corresponding to a designated capacitance and/or a change level of the designated capacitance, respectively. For example, the bending information may include at least one of a bending position, a bending strength, a bending angle, a bending direction, or a bending area.

For example, when the bending angle corresponding to each change level of the designated capacitance is designated in the electronic device, the electronic device may determine a bending angle of the first point <NUM> corresponding to compression, based on the change level of the capacitance of the first point <NUM>. For example, when the bending angle corresponding to each change (increase) level of the designated capacitance is designated in the electronic device, the electronic device may determine a bending angle of the first point <NUM> corresponding to stretching, based on the increase level of the capacitance of the first point <NUM>.

In the embodiment described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the plurality of first electrodes <NUM> through <NUM> of the first electrode layer <NUM> and the plurality of second electrodes <NUM> through <NUM> of the second electrode layer <NUM> are described as being disposed to intersect one another, but according to another embodiment, they may also be disposed in various forms such as a diamond pattern, a mesh form, etc. For example, when electrode layers disposed in a sensing circuit form a diamond pattern, a ground (GND) electrode layer may be further disposed under the electrode layers.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the sensing circuit <NUM> of the pressure sensor <NUM> may have the same touch panel structure as a display device (e.g., the display device <NUM>) (e.g., a touchscreen of a capacitance (mutual capacitance or magnetic capacitance) type), and the control circuit <NUM> of the pressure sensor <NUM> may be a control circuit of the same type as a control circuit of the display device. For example, when the electronic device includes the display device, the display device may be integrated with the pressure sensor <NUM> of the embodiment described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. For example, the display device may execute a function of the pressure sensor <NUM> described above, such that a moving space of the pressure sensor in a Z-axis direction is not necessarily assigned for the pressure sensor, avoiding the increase of the thickness of the electronic device, caused by attachment of a separate pressure sensor.

<FIG> is a diagram for describing an operation of sensing a pressure applied to an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or the processor <NUM> of the electronic device) by using a display device <NUM> (e.g., the display device <NUM>) of the electronic device. <FIG> is a diagram for describing an operation of sensing a pressure applied to an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or the processor <NUM> of the electronic device) by using a display device <NUM> (e.g., the display device <NUM>) of the electronic device.

The electronic device may be a flexible electronic device that is transformable to have a designated curvature by being bent. For example, the electronic device may be bent by a force applied from outside. For example, at least a portion of a housing of the electronic device may be manufactured with a flexible material that is bendable by a force applied from outside.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the display device <NUM> of the electronic device may include a machinery portion <NUM>, a display panel <NUM>, a first adhesive <NUM>, a sensing circuit <NUM> (also referred to as a touch panel), a second adhesive <NUM>, and a cover window <NUM>. The machinery portion <NUM> may include a hinge <NUM> for bending of the display device <NUM>. For example, the display panel <NUM> may be disposed on a top end of the machinery portion <NUM>. The first adhesive <NUM> may be disposed on a top end of the display panel <NUM>, and the sensing circuit <NUM> may be disposed on a top end of the first adhesive <NUM>. The second adhesive <NUM> may be disposed on a top end of the sensing circuit <NUM>, and the cover window <NUM> may be disposed on a top end of the second adhesive <NUM>. For example, a bending baseline corresponding to the bending of the display device <NUM> may be between the display panel <NUM> and the first adhesive <NUM>.

When the display device <NUM> is bent by an external pressure, the sensing circuit <NUM> may be compressed.

The display device <NUM> opened at <NUM> degrees as shown in <FIG> may be bent by a force applied from outside and thus be transformed to have a designated curvature of <NUM> degree as shown in <FIG>. For example, when the display device <NUM> is transformed from a form shown in <FIG> into a form shown in <FIG>, at least some of first electrodes and second electrodes included in a bending region <NUM> of the sensing circuit <NUM> among a plurality of first electrodes (e.g., the plurality of first electrodes <NUM> through <NUM>) and a plurality of second electrodes (e.g., the plurality of second electrodes <NUM> through <NUM>) of the sensing circuit <NUM> may be compressed. For example, overlapping areas between the first electrodes and the second electrodes included in the bending region <NUM> may be changed based on the compression, such that capacitances between the first electrodes and the second electrodes included in the bending region <NUM> may be changed.

For example, the electronic device may calculate a first capacitance between a first electrode <NUM> and a second electrode <NUM> of the display device <NUM> opened at <NUM> degrees as shown in <FIG>, by using Equation <NUM>. <MAT>
(C: a first capacitance, D: a space between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM>, S: a first area <NUM> of an overlapping portion between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM>, ε: permittivity).

For example, the electronic device may calculate a second capacitance between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> of the display device <NUM> having a designated curvature of <NUM> degree as shown in <FIG>, by using Equation <NUM>.

(C: a second capacitance, D: a space between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM>, S: a second area <NUM> of an overlapping portion between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM>, ε: permittivity).

For example, when the display device <NUM> opened at <NUM> degrees as shown in <FIG> is transformed to have a designated curvature of <NUM> degree as shown in <FIG>, the electronic device may calculate a capacitance variance by using Equation <NUM>, based on results of Equation <NUM> and Equation <NUM>. <MAT>
(ΔC/C: a capacitance variance, C: a first capacitance, C': a second capacitance, S: the first area <NUM>, S': the second area <NUM>, R: a radius of curvature <NUM>, L: a distance including the first adhesive <NUM> and the sensing circuit <NUM>).

For example, the electronic device may calculate a capacitance between at least one first electrode and at least one second electrode among the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes of the sensing circuit <NUM>, and/or a variance of the capacitance, based on Equation <NUM>, Equation <NUM>, and/or Equation <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may obtain bending information of the display device <NUM> based on capacitances between first electrodes and second electrodes included in the bending region <NUM> and/or a variance of the capacitance. For example, the bending information may include at least one of a bending position, a bending strength, a bending angle, a bending direction, or a bending area. For example, the electronic device may identify a bending position, a bending direction, and/or a bending area of the display device <NUM>, based on a changed position and/or distribution, etc., of the capacitance between the first electrodes and the second electrodes. For example, the electronic device may identify a bending strength and/or a bending angle of the display device <NUM>, based on the capacitance between the first electrodes and the second electrodes and/or a variance of the capacitance. For example, the electronic device may store bending information corresponding to designated capacitances and/or capacitance variances, respectively.

<FIG> is a diagram for describing a capacitance variance with respect to bending of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>), according to various embodiments. <FIG> is a diagram for describing a capacitance variance with respect to bending of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>), according to various embodiments. <FIG> is a diagram for describing a capacitance variance with respect to bending of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>), according to various embodiments. <FIG> is a diagram for describing a capacitance variance with respect to bending of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> ).

Referring to <FIG>, a sensing circuit <NUM> of the electronic device may include a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer. A plurality of first electrodes (e.g., RX_1 through RX_13) may be disposed on the first electrode layer, and a plurality of second electrodes (e.g., TX_1 through TX_8) may be disposed on the second electrode layer. For example, the plurality of first electrodes (e.g., RX_1 through RX_13) and the plurality of second electrodes (e.g., TX_1 through TX_8) may be disposed to intersect (or meet orthogonally) one another with spaces therebetween.

The electronic device may apply an electric signal (e.g., a voltage) to the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, and a capacitance between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer may be formed based on the electric signal. For example, the electronic device may apply an electric signal (e.g., a voltage) sequentially to TX_1 through TX_8 of the second electrode layer, and simultaneously to RX_1 through RX_13 of the first electrode layer.

According to an embodiment, when a first region <NUM> including RX_6 through RX_8 is bent in a sensing circuit <NUM> of <FIG> such that the sensing circuit <NUM> is bent as shown in <FIG>, an area of each of overlapping portions between the plurality of first electrodes RX_6 through RX_8 and the plurality of second electrodes TX_1 through TX_8 included in the first region <NUM> is changed from a form as shown in <FIG> into a form as shown in <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the area of each of the overlapping portions between the plurality of first electrodes RX_6 through RX_8 and the plurality of second electrodes TX_1 through TX_8 included in the first region <NUM> is reduced from S to S'.

According to an embodiment, when the first region <NUM> is bent in the sensing circuit <NUM> of <FIG> such that the sensing circuit <NUM> is bent as shown in <FIG>, an area of each of overlapping portions between the plurality of first electrodes RX_5 and RX_9 and the plurality of second electrodes TX_1 through TX_8 included in an unbending region of the sensing circuit <NUM> may not be changed from the form as shown in <FIG> into the form as shown in <FIG>.

According to an embodiment, as the area of each of the overlapping portions between the plurality of first electrodes RX_6 through RX_8 and the plurality of second electrodes TX_1 through TX_8 included in the first region <NUM> is changed, capacitances between the plurality of first electrodes RX_6 through RX_8 and the plurality of second electrodes TX_1 through TX_8 is changed. For example, as the area of each of the overlapping portions between the plurality of first electrodes RX_5 and RX_9 and the plurality of second electrodes TX_1 through TX_8 included in the unbending region is not changed, a capacitance between first electrodes and second electrodes may not be changed. Referring to Table <NUM>, capacitances between the plurality of first electrodes RX_6 through RX_8 and the plurality of second electrodes TX_1 through TX_8 included in the first region <NUM> is less than capacitances between the plurality of first electrodes RX_5 and RX_9 and the plurality of second electrodes TX_1 through TX_8 in the unbending region.

<FIG> is a diagram for describing a capacitance variance with respect to a bending angle of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>). <FIG> is a diagram for describing a capacitance variance with respect to a bending angle of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>).

Referring to <FIG>, a sensing circuit <NUM> of the electronic device includes a first electrode layer (e.g., an Rx electrode layer) and a second electrode layer (e.g., a Tx electrode layer). A plurality of first electrodes RX_5 through RX_9 are disposed on the first electrode layer, and a plurality of second electrodes TX_1 through TX_8 may be disposed on the second electrode layer. For example, the plurality of first electrodes RX_5 through RX_9 and the plurality of second electrodes TX_1 through TX_8 are disposed to meet orthogonally one another.

According to an embodiment, a capacitance between the plurality of first electrodes RX_6 through RX_8 and the plurality of second electrodes TX_1 through TX_8 included in a bending region, a first region <NUM>, among the plurality of first electrodes RX_5 through RX_9 and the plurality of second electrodes TX_1 through TX8 of the sensing circuit <NUM> is changed with a bending angle (e.g., a bending level) of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may determine a bending angle of the electronic device <NUM> based on a capacitance variance. For example, as the bending angle of the electronic device <NUM> approaches <NUM> degree, a compression amount of at least some electrodes included in a bending region among a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes may increase, reducing a capacitance. For example, when the first region <NUM> of the sensing circuit <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> is bent, an area of each of overlapping portions between the plurality of first electrodes RX_6 through RX_8 and the plurality of second electrodes TX_1 through TX_8 included in the first region <NUM> may be reduced from S to S' when compared to an area of each of overlapping portions between the plurality of first electrodes RX_5 through RX_9 and the plurality of second electrodes TX_1 through TX_8 in unbending regions.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may be changed to forms of various angles such as a form having a designated curvature of <NUM> degree, a form having an angle of <NUM> degrees, a form having an angle of <NUM> degrees, a form having an angle of <NUM> degrees, a form having an angle of <NUM> degrees, etc..

For example, as shown in <FIG>, when the electronic device <NUM> is bent and thus is changed to a form having a designated curvature of <NUM> degree, a range of a corresponding capacitance may be from <NUM> to <NUM> and an average of the capacitance may be <NUM> as shown in Table <NUM> provided below.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, when the electronic device <NUM> is bent and thus is changed to a form having an angle of <NUM> degrees, a range of a corresponding capacitance may be from <NUM> to <NUM> and an average of the capacitance may be <NUM> as shown in Table <NUM> provided below.

For example, a capacitance in Table <NUM> may be various measurement values such as a voltage, a current, etc..

Referring to the above-described embodiment of <FIG>, an example has been described where the electronic device is bent in an in-folded form such that a touch panel is compressed. However, according to another embodiment, the electronic device may be bent in an out-folded form such that a sensing circuit may be stretched. For example, when the electronic device is bent in the out-folded form, an area of an overlapping portion between first electrodes and second electrodes included in a bending region increases, increasing a capacitance between the first electrodes and the second electrodes. The electronic device obtains bending information of the sensing circuit based on a change in the capacitance between the first electrodes and the second electrodes included in the bending region. For example, the bending information may include at least one of a bending position, a bending strength, a bending angle, a bending direction, or a bending area. For example, the electronic device may store a capacitance and/or a change of the capacitance, corresponding to designated bending information.

<FIG> illustrates embodiments of a sensing circuit of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>), according to various embodiments. <FIG> illustrates embodiments of a sensing circuit of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>), according to various embodiments.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a sensing circuit <NUM> of the electronic device may include a first electrode layer (e.g., an Rx electrode layer) and a second electrode layer (e.g., a Tx electrode layer). A plurality of first electrodes RX_1 through RX_10 may be disposed on the first electrode layer, and a plurality of second electrodes TX_1 through TX_8 may be disposed on the second electrode layer. For example, the plurality of first electrodes RX_1 through RX_10 and the plurality of second electrodes TX_1 through TX_8 may be disposed to orthogonally meet one another.

According to an embodiment, a bending region <NUM> of the sensing circuit <NUM> of the electronic device may be designated.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, when a region where RX_4 through RX_6 are disposed among the plurality of first electrodes RX_1 through RX_10 of the first electrode layer in the sensing circuit <NUM> of the electronic device is designated as the bending region <NUM>, the electronic device senses a capacitance variance of the bending region <NUM>, thus improving a processing speed of the electronic device.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, by disposing RX_4 through RX_8 among the plurality of first electrodes RX_1 through RX_10 of the first electrode layer in the sensing circuit <NUM> of the electronic device with a designated narrower space than other first electrodes RX_1 through RX <NUM> and RX_9 through RX_12, a region where RX_4 through RX_8 are disposed may be designated as the bending region <NUM>. For example, when RX_4 through RX_8 are disposed with a narrow space, an electrode density may be increased, thus improving the accuracy of measurement of bending of the bending region <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram for describing an operation of changing a bending region of an electronic device, according to various embodiments. <FIG> is a diagram for describing an operation of changing a bending region of an electronic device, according to various embodiments. For example, <FIG> is a front view and a side view of an electronic device <NUM> in a first form, and <FIG> is a front view and a side view of the electronic device <NUM> in a second form.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may be a rollable electronic device. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may differently measure a capacitance of a bent (rolled) and a capacitance of an unbent (unrolled) region, such that the electronic device <NUM> may identify the bent (rolled) region based on the capacitances and/or a variance of the capacitances.

For example, in the electronic device <NUM>, a rollable display <NUM> may be disposed on a front surface of a tool upper portion <NUM> and a front surface of a tool lower portion <NUM> facing the tool upper portion <NUM>. For example, a hinge <NUM> may be disposed in a bent (rolled) portion of the rollable display <NUM>. For example, the tool upper portion <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may move from A to A' by an external force in a position of <FIG>, such that a form of the electronic device may be changed to a form as shown in <FIG>. For example, the tool upper portion <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may move from A' to A by an external force in a position of <FIG>, such that the form of the electronic device may be changed to the form as shown in <FIG>.

Along with movement of the tool upper portion <NUM>, at least a part of the rollable display <NUM> may be bent (rolled). For example, the rollable display <NUM> may include a sensing circuit <NUM> including a first electrode layer (an RX electrode layer) and a second electrode layer (a TX electrode layer). For example, in the sensing circuit <NUM>, rolled regions may have a capacitance that is greater than unrolled regions.

As shown in <FIG>, when in the sensing circuit <NUM>, a bent (rolled) region includes RX_1 through RX_3, a capacitance of an overlapping portion between RX_1 through RX_3 and TX_1 through TX_8 may be greater than a capacitance of an overlapping portion between RX_4 and RX_5 and TX_1 through TX_8 included in other unbent (unrolled) regions as shown in Table <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, when in the sensing circuit <NUM>, a bent (rolled) region includes RX <NUM> through RX <NUM>, a capacitance of an overlapping portion between RX_3 through RX_5 and TX_1 through TX_8 may be greater than a capacitance of an overlapping portion between RX_1 and RX_2 and TX_1 through TX_8 included in other unbent (unrolled) regions as shown in Table <NUM>.

According to <FIG>, an example has been described where the sensing circuit has a structure of a mutual capacitance type, but according to another embodiment, the example may also be applied to a sensing circuit of a magnetic capacitance type. For example, a GND electrode layer of the sensing circuit of the magnetic capacitance type may be disposed in the same form as an RX electrode layer of the mutual capacitance type. For example, the sensing circuit may be configured such that GND electrodes of the GND electrode layer and TX electrodes of the TX electrode layer orthogonally meet one another.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating operations of an electronic device. The operations may include operations <NUM> through <NUM>. Each of the operations may be performed by at least one of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>), at least one processor (e.g., the processor <NUM>) of the electronic device, or a controller (e.g., a combination of the processor <NUM> and a power management module (e.g., the power management module <NUM>)) of the electronic device. At least one of operations <NUM> through <NUM> may be omitted, an order of some of operations <NUM> through <NUM> may be changed, or other operations may be added.

Referring to <FIG>, a bending region where the electronic device is bent may be designated, and when output values of the bending region in the sensing circuit of the electronic device are changed, it may be determined that the sensing circuit is bent.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may monitor at least some output values of the sensing circuit.

The electronic device may monitor at least some output values of the sensing circuit in real time or at designated intervals.

The output values may be capacitances that may be various forms of values such as a voltage, a current, etc..

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may determine whether at least some of the output values of the sensing circuit have been changed.

The electronic device may determine whether at least some of the output values of the sensing circuit have been changed to values in a first range (e.g., out of a threshold range). For example, when at least some of the output values of the sensing circuit are changed to values in the designated first range, the electronic device may determine that at least some of the output values of the sensing circuit have been changed.

According to an embodiment, when the electronic device is bent and thus the sensing circuit is compressed, areas of overlapping portions between first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes included in a bending region of the sensing circuit are reduced and output values of the sensing circuit are reduced based on reduction of the areas.

According to an embodiment, when the electronic device is bent and thus the sensing circuit is stretched, the areas of the overlapping portions between first electrodes and second electrodes included in the bending region of the sensing circuit are enlarged and the output values of the sensing circuit increase based on enlargement of the areas.

When the electronic device determines that the at least some of the output values of the sensing circuit are changed, the electronic device may execute operation <NUM>; otherwise, the electronic device may perform operation <NUM> again.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may determine whether the change in the at least some of the output values of the sensing circuit is a change in the designated first region of the sensing circuit.

The region where the electronic device is bent may be designated as the first region.

When output values included in a designated minimum part included in the first region (or a designated minimum number of outputs values or more included in the first region) are changed, the electronic device may determine that the change in the at least some of the output values of the sensing circuit is the change in the designated first region of the sensing circuit.

When the change in the at least some of the output values of the sensing circuit is the change in the designated first region of the sensing circuit, the electronic device may execute operation <NUM>; otherwise, the electronic device may perform operation <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may determine that the sensing circuit is bent.

Based on the changed output values of the sensing circuit and/or variances of the output values corresponding to the change in the output values of the sensing circuit, the electronic device may identify bending information of the sensing circuit. For example, the electronic device may store bending information corresponding to designated output values and/or a variance of the designated output values, respectively. For example, the bending information may include at least one of a bending position, a bending strength, a bending angle, a bending direction, or a bending area. For example, the electronic device may identify a bending position, a bending direction, and/or a bending area of the sensing circuit, based on a changed position and/or distribution, etc., of the capacitance between the first electrodes and the second electrodes. For example, the electronic device may identify a bending strength and/or a bending angle of the sensing circuit, based on the capacitance between the first electrodes and the second electrodes and/or a variance of the capacitance.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may determine that a touch is input to the sensing circuit.

Based on the changed output values of the sensing circuit and/or variances of the output values corresponding to the change in the output values of the sensing circuit, the electronic device may identify touch information of the sensing circuit. For example, the touch information may include at least one of a touch position, a touch area, or a touch duration.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating operations of an electronic device. The operations may include operations <NUM> through <NUM>. Each of the operations may be performed by at least one of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>), at least one processor (e.g., the processor <NUM>) of the electronic device, or a controller (e.g., a combination of the processor <NUM> and a power management module (e.g., the power management module <NUM>)) of the electronic device. In an embodiment, at least one of operations <NUM> through <NUM> may be omitted, an order of some of operations <NUM> through <NUM> may be changed, or other operations may be added.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device may determine bending of the sensing circuit based on at least some output values of the sensing circuit and/or a variance of the output values.

The electronic device may determine whether at least some of the output values of the sensing circuit have changed to values in a first range (e.g., out of a threshold range). For example, when at least some of the output values of the sensing circuit are changed to values in the designated first range, the electronic device may determine that at least some of the output values of the sensing circuit have been changed.

According to an embodiment, when the electronic device is bent and thus the sensing circuit is stretched, the areas of the overlapping portions between first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes included in the bending region of the sensing circuit are enlarged and the output values of the sensing circuit increase based on enlargement of the areas.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may determine whether the change in the at least some of the output values of the sensing circuit satisfies a designated first criterion.

The first criterion may be a criterion for determining bending of the sensing circuit. For example, the first criterion may include at least one of a magnitude of the changed output values, the number of changed output values, an area of a region of the sensing circuit from which the changed output values are output (also referred to as an area of a region of the sensing circuit corresponding to the changed output values), or a shape of the region of the sensing circuit from which the output values are output).

When the changed output values of the sensing circuit are out of the designated first range (e.g., out of the threshold range), when the number of changed output values of the sensing circuit is greater than or equal to a designated number, when the area of the region of the sensing circuit corresponding to the changed output values of the sensing circuit is greater than or equal to a designated area, and/or the shape of the region of the sensing circuit corresponding to the changed output values of the sensing circuit corresponds to a designated shape, the electronic device may determine that the change in the at least some of the output values of the sensing circuit satisfies the designated first criterion.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may obtain bending information of the sensing circuit.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may change a designated operation mode thereof based on the bending information.

The electronic device may designate (or store) information of an operation mode corresponding to each bending information.

For example, the electronic device may execute an operation mode such as unlocking of the electronic device, activation of a designated sensor of the electronic device, based on each piece of bending information. For example, the electronic device may execute an operation mode of displaying a screen corresponding to each piece of bending information displayed on a display device of the electronic device. For example, the electronic device may execute an operation mode of displaying a user interface having a size corresponding to each piece of bending information.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may obtain touch information of the sensing circuit.

Based on the changed output values of the sensing circuit and/or variances of the output values corresponding to the change in the output values of the sensing circuit, the electronic device may identify the touch information of the sensing circuit. For example, the touch information may include at least one of a touch position, a touch area, or a touch duration.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may perform an operation corresponding to each piece of touch information.

An operation corresponding to each piece of touch information may be designated in the electronic device.

For example, the electronic device may execute or terminate an application corresponding to the touch information.

<FIG> is a diagram for describing an operation of controlling an operation mode of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or a processor of the electronic device <NUM>). <FIG> is a diagram for describing an operation of controlling an operation mode of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or a processor of the electronic device <NUM>). <FIG> is a diagram for describing an operation of controlling an operation mode of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or a processor of the electronic device <NUM>). 12D is a diagram for describing an operation of controlling an operation mode of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or a processor of the electronic device <NUM>]).

The electronic device may designate (store) an operation mode corresponding to each of designated bending angles.

As shown in <FIG>, when the electronic device <NUM> is bent at <NUM> degree, the electronic device <NUM> may execute a sleep mode corresponding to <NUM> degree. For example, the sleep mode may be set in which a screen of a display device of the electronic device is automatically turned off.

As shown in <FIG>, when the electronic device <NUM> is bent at <NUM> degrees, the electronic device <NUM> may execute a dual display mode corresponding to <NUM> degrees. For example, the dual display mode may be set in which a first screen <NUM> is displayed in a first region <NUM> of the display device and a second screen <NUM> is displayed in a second region <NUM> of the display device, as shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, when the electronic device <NUM> is bent at <NUM> degrees, the electronic device <NUM> may execute an operation mode corresponding to <NUM> degrees, which combines the dual display mode with a typing mode. For example, the typing mode may be set in which a virtual keypad is displayed to allow a user to input a character. For example, the operation mode combining the dual display mode with the typing mode may be set in which a first screen <NUM> is displayed in the first region <NUM> of the display device and a virtual keypad <NUM> is displayed in the second region <NUM> of the display device, as shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, when the electronic device <NUM> is unbent at <NUM> degrees, the electronic device <NUM> may execute a wake-up mode corresponding to <NUM> degrees. For example, the wake-up mode may be set in which the screen of the display device <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> is automatically turned on.

<FIG> is a diagram for describing an operation of controlling an operation mode of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or a processor of the electronic device <NUM>). <FIG> is a diagram for describing an operation of controlling an operation mode of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or a processor of the electronic device <NUM>).

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> may change an operation mode such that an antenna operates with optimal performance. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may operate with an antenna circuit corresponding to bending of the electronic device <NUM>, thereby preventing degradation of the performance of an antenna. For example, when the electronic device <NUM> is bent at <NUM> degree and when the electronic device <NUM> is bent at <NUM> degrees, the antenna may operate in antenna circuits having at least some different components through a switching operation. For example, when the electronic device <NUM> is bent at <NUM> degree, a switching operation may be performed such that a first contact point <NUM> of radio frequency (RF) IN/OUT of a circuit is connected with a second contact point <NUM> connected with a first inductor <NUM>. For example, when the electronic device <NUM> is bent at <NUM> degree, a switching operation may be performed such that the first contact point <NUM> of RF IN/OUT of the circuit is connected with a third contact point <NUM> connected with a first capacitor <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may change an operation mode such that an antenna capable of operating with optimal performance among a plurality of antennas operates. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may operate with an antenna corresponding to bending of the electronic device <NUM>, thereby efficiently using the antenna. For example, when the electronic device <NUM> is bent at <NUM> degree, a corresponding first antenna <NUM> may be designated, and when the electronic device <NUM> is bent at <NUM> degrees, a corresponding second antenna <NUM> may be designated. For example, when the electronic device <NUM> is bent at <NUM> degree, the first antenna <NUM> located farthest from the third antenna <NUM> may be designated to operate, and when the electronic device <NUM> is bent at <NUM> degrees, the second antenna <NUM> located farthest from the third antenna <NUM> may be designated to operate. For example, when the electronic device <NUM> is bent at <NUM> degree and when the electronic device <NUM> is bent at <NUM> degrees, different antennas may operate through a switching operation.

<FIG> is a diagram for describing an operation of providing a screen of a touchscreen corresponding to bending of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>).

According to an embodiment, based on bending information, an electronic device <NUM> may identify a division ratio of an upper part <NUM> and a lower part <NUM> of a display device <NUM> according to bending and determine a screen ratio of the upper part <NUM> and the lower part <NUM> of the display device based on the division ratio. Referring to <FIG>, the division ratio of the upper part <NUM> and the lower part <NUM> of the display device according to bending of the electronic device may be various such as <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM>, or <NUM>:<NUM>, and the electronic device may display screens corresponding to the division ratio on the upper part <NUM> and the lower part <NUM> of the display device.

<FIG> illustrates an example of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>). <FIG> illustrates an example of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>).

The electronic device according to the above-described embodiment of <FIG> may be a flexible (or foldable) electronic device as shown in <FIG> or a bendable electronic device such as a rollable electronic device as shown in <FIG>.

A computer program product may be traded as a product between a seller and a buyer.

Each component (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described components may include a single entity or multiple entities.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing;
a sensing circuit including a first plurality of electrodes (RX_6, RX_7, RX_8) and a second plurality of electrodes (TX_1-TX_8), wherein the first plurality of electrodes is disposed parallel to a bending axis of the electronic device, the bending axis located in a predetermined area (<NUM>, <NUM>), and wherein the second plurality of electrodes is disposed orthogonally to the first plurality of electrodes;
a processor (<NUM>) operatively connected with the sensing circuit and capable of detecting bending of the electronic device due to a change in capacitance between at least one electrode of the first plurality of electrodes and at least one electrode of the second plurality of electrodes in the predetermined area; and
a memory (<NUM>) operatively connected with the processor,
wherein the memory stores instructions, when executed, configured to cause the processor to:
identify (<NUM>) output values of the sensing circuit related to a touch by a user;
identify (<NUM>) whether at least some of the output values being a capacitance are changed;
obtain (<NUM>), when the at least some of output values are changed, bending information of the sensing circuit based on the changed at least some of the output values; and
change (<NUM>) an operation mode of the electronic device to at least one of designated operation modes, at least based on the bending information of the sensing circuit,
wherein the bending information of the sensing circuit is obtained based on calculating a change in capacitance due to a change in an area of an overlapping portion between at least some electrodes of the first plurality of electrodes and at least some electrodes of the second plurality of electrodes.