Electronic device including flexible display and method of operating screen of electronic device

Abstract

The disclosure relates to an electronic device including a flexible display and a method of operating a screen of the electronic device. The electronic device can include a housing, a flexible display capable of sliding out from an internal space of the housing, and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to control a first screen operation on the flexible display having a first size, determine whether the flexible display is slid out, control a second screen operation on the flexible display having a second size when the flexible display is slid out, and control the second screen operation such that at least some of icons included on a first page displayed during the first screen operation and a second page are displayed and a user interface is displayed to allow at least some of the icons included on the second page to be distinguished from the first page.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] One or more embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to an electronic device including a flexible display and a method for operating a screen of the electronic device. BACKGROUND

[0002] As digital technology has developed, various types of electronic devices including smart phones, tablet personal computers, and personal digital assistants (PDAs) have been introduced to the market. Electronic devices tend to be designed to have a portable size to be held by a user's hand. At the same time, users also demand larger screens.

[0003] An electronic device can be implemented with a scrollable screen that can be slid outwards, for example. For example, a portion of a flexible display can be pulled out or slid out from an internal space of an electronic device, thereby unfolding a screen.

[0004] The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the present disclosure. SUMMARY

[0005] One or more embodiments disclosed herein relate to an electronic device including a flexible display and a method for operating a screen of the electronic device. More particularly, one or more embodiments can relate to a method of operating an application (app) list and / or an icon list based on a display unfolded state.

[0006] An electronic device according to certain embodiments can include a housing, a flexible display that is slidable out from an internal space of the housing, and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to control a first screen operation on the flexible display having a first size, determine whether the flexible display is slid out, control a second screen operation on the flexible display having a second size when the flexible display is slid out, and control the second screen operation such that at least some of icons included on a first page displayed during the first screen operation and a second page are displayed, and a user interface is displayed to distinguish between the at least some of the icons included on the first page and the second page.

[0007] A method for operating a screen of an electronic device including a flexible display capable of being slid out of an inner space of a housing device according to certain embodiments can include controlling a first screen operation on a flexible display having a first size, determining whether the flexible display is slid out, and when the flexible display is slid out, controlling a second screen operation on the flexible display having a second size, wherein the second screen operation is controlled such that at least some of icons included on a first page displayed during the first screen operation and a second page are displayed, and a user interface is displayed to distinguish between the at least some of the icons included on the first page and the second page.

[0008] Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or can be learned by practice of the presented embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent like parts:

[0010] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device receiving wireless power in a network environment according to certain embodiments;

[0011] Figure 2A is a front perspective view of an electronic device in a closed state according to an embodiment;

[0012] Figure 2B is a rear perspective view of an electronic device in a closed state according to an embodiment;

[0013] Figure 3A is a front perspective view of an electronic device in an open state according to an embodiment;

[0014] Figure 3B is a rear perspective view of an electronic device in an open state according to an embodiment;

[0015] Figure 4A illustrates a first state of a first screen operation in a main area before a flexible display of an electronic device is unfolded according to certain embodiments, Figure 4B illustrates a second state of a first screen operation in a main area before a flexible display of an electronic device is unfolded according to certain embodiments, Figure 4C illustrates a third state of a first screen operation in a main area before a flexible display of an electronic device is unfolded according to certain embodiments, and Figure 4D illustrates a fourth state of a first screen operation in a main area before a flexible display of an electronic device is unfolded according to certain embodiments;

[0016] Figure 5A illustrates a first state of a second screen operation in the main area and / or the expanded area when the flexible display of the electronic device according to certain embodiments is slid out, Figure 5B illustrates a second state of a second screen operation in the main area and / or the expanded area when the flexible display of the electronic device according to certain embodiments is slid out, Figure 5C illustrates a third state of a second screen operation in the main area and / or the expanded area when the flexible display of the electronic device according to certain embodiments is slid out, and Figure 5D illustrates a fourth state of a second screen operation in the main area and / or the expanded area when the flexible display of the electronic device according to certain embodiments is slid out;

[0017] Figure 6A illustrates a first screen operation in the main area before the flexible display of the electronic device according to certain embodiments is slid out;

[0018] Figure 6B illustrates a second screen operation in the main area and the expanded area when the flexible display of the electronic device according to certain embodiments is slid out, and Figure 6C illustrates a second screen operation in the main area and the expanded area when the flexible display of the electronic device according to certain embodiments is slid out;

[0019] Figure 7A illustrates a first operation of switching between a display page when the electronic device is in a slide-in state and a display page when the electronic device is in a slide-out state according to certain embodiments, and Figure 7B illustrates a second operation of switching between a display page when the electronic device is in a slide-in state and a display page when the electronic device is in a slide-out state according to certain embodiments, Figure 7C illustrates a third operation of switching between a display page when the electronic device is in a slide-in state and a display page when the electronic device is in a slide-out state according to certain embodiments, and Figure 7D illustrates a fourth operation of switching between a display page when the electronic device is in a slide-in state and a display page when the electronic device is in a slide-out state according to certain embodiments;

[0020] Figure 8A illustrates a first operation of switching between a display page when the electronic device is in a slide-in state and a display page when the electronic device is in a slide-out state according to certain embodiments, and Figure 8B illustrates a second operation of switching between a display page when the electronic device is in a slide-in state and a display page when the electronic device is in a slide-out state according to certain embodiments;

[0021] Figure 9Aillustrates a first operation of switching between a display page when the electronic device is in a slide-in state and a display page when the electronic device is in a slide-out state, and Figure 9B illustrates a second operation of switching between a display page when the electronic device is in a slide-in state and a display page when the electronic device is in a slide-out state according to certain embodiments;

[0022] Figure 10A illustrates a first operation of switching between a display page when the electronic device is in a slide-in state and a display page when the electronic device is in a slide-out state, and Figure 10B illustrates a second operation of switching between a display page when the electronic device is in a slide-in state and a display page when the electronic device is in a slide-out state according to certain embodiments;

[0023] Figure 11A illustrates a first user interface of a second screen operation when the electronic device is in a slide-out state according to certain embodiments, Figure 11B illustrates a second user interface of a second screen operation when the electronic device is in a slide-out state according to certain embodiments, Figure 11C illustrates a third user interface of a second screen operation when the electronic device is in a slide-out state according to certain embodiments, Figure 11D illustrates a fourth user interface of a second screen operation when the electronic device is in a slide-out state according to certain embodiments, Figure 11E illustrates a fifth user interface of a second screen operation when the electronic device is in a slide-out state according to certain embodiments, and Figure 11F illustrates a sixth user interface of a second screen operation when the electronic device is in a slide-out state according to certain embodiments;

[0024] Figure 12A illustrates a first user interface of a home screen and / or an application tray of an electronic device according to certain embodiments, Figure 12B illustrates a second user interface of a home screen and / or an application tray of an electronic device according to certain embodiments, and Figure 12C illustrates a third user interface of a home screen and / or an application tray of an electronic device according to certain embodiments;

[0025] Figure 13A illustrates a method for operating a home screen and / or an application tray of an electronic device according to certain embodiments, and Figure 13B illustrates a method for operating a home screen and / or an application tray of an electronic device according to certain embodiments;

[0026] Figure 14A illustrates a method for operating a screen of an electronic device according to certain embodiments, Figure 14BFIG. 13 illustrates a method for operating a screen of an electronic device, according to certain embodiments, Figure 14C FIG. 13 illustrates a method for operating a screen of an electronic device, according to certain embodiments, Figure 14D FIG. 13 illustrates a method for operating a screen of an electronic device, according to certain embodiments, and Figure 14E FIG. 13 illustrates a method for operating a screen of an electronic device, according to certain embodiments;

[0027] Figure 15 FIG. 13 illustrates a method for operating a screen of an electronic device, according to certain embodiments, when the electronic device is in a slide-out state;

[0028] Figure 16 FIG. 13 illustrates a method for operating a screen of an electronic device, according to certain embodiments, when the electronic device is in a slide-out state;

[0029] Figure 17 FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating a screen of an electronic device, according to certain embodiments;

[0030] Figure 18 FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating a screen of an electronic device, according to certain embodiments; and

[0031] Figure 19 FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating a screen of an electronic device, according to certain embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Figure 1 FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an electronic device 101 in a network environment 100 according to various embodiments.

[0033] REFERENCE Figure 1The electronic device 101 in the network environment 100 can communicate with an electronic device 102 via a first network 198 (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or an electronic device 104 or a server 108 via a second network 199 (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). According to an embodiment, the electronic device 101 can communicate with the electronic device 104 via the server 108. According to an embodiment, the electronic device 101 can include a processor 120, a memory 130, an input module 150, a sound output module 155, a display module 160, an audio module 170, a sensor module 176, an interface 177, a connection terminal 178, a haptic module 179, a camera module 180, a power management module 188, a battery 189, a communication module 190, a subscriber identification module (SIM) 196, or an antenna module 197. In some embodiments, at least one (e.g., the 11 connection terminal 178) of the above components can be omitted from the electronic device 101, or one or more other components can be added in the electronic device 101. In some embodiments, some of the above components (e.g., the sensor module 176, the camera module 180, or the antenna module 197) can be implemented as a single integrated component (e.g., the display module 160).

[0034] The processor 120 can execute, for example, software (e.g., a program 140) to control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of the electronic device 101 coupled with the processor 120 and can perform various data processing or computation. According to one embodiment, as at least part of the data processing or computation, the processor 120 can store a command or data received from another component (e.g., the sensor module 176 or the communication module 190) in the volatile memory 132, process the command or data stored in the volatile memory 132, and store processed results in the non-volatile memory 134. According to an embodiment, the processor 120 can include a main processor 121 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or an application processor (AP)), or an auxiliary processor 123 (e.g., a graphics processing unit (GPU), a neural processing unit (NPU), an image signal processor (ISP), a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor (CP)) that is operable independently from, or in conjunction with, the main processor 121. For example, when the electronic device 101 includes the main processor 121 and the auxiliary processor 123, the auxiliary processor 123 can be adapted to consume less power than the main processor 121, or to be specialized for a specific function. The auxiliary processor 123 can be implemented as separate from, or as part of the main processor 121.

[0035] The auxiliary processor 123 (not the main processor 121) can control at least some of the functions or states related to at least one component (for example, the display module 160, the sensor module 176, or the communication module 190) among the components of the electronic device 1011, while the main processor 121 is in an inactive (for example, sleep) state, or together with the main processor 121, can control at least some of the functions or states related to at least one component (for example, the display module 160, the sensor module 176, or the communication module 190) among the components of the electronic device 101, while the main processor 121 is in an active state (for example, executing an application). According to an embodiment, the auxiliary processor 123 (for example, an image signal processor or a communication processor) can be implemented as a part of another component (for example, the camera module 180 or the communication module 190) functionally related to the auxiliary processor 123. According to an embodiment, the auxiliary processor 123 (for example, a neural processing unit) can include a hardware structure dedicated to artificial intelligence model processing. The artificial intelligence model can be generated through machine learning. For example, such learning can be performed by the electronic device 101 where the artificial intelligence is executed or via a separate server (for example, the server 108). The learning algorithm can include, but is not limited to, for example, supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, or reinforcement learning. The artificial intelligence model can include multiple artificial neural network layers. The artificial neural network can be a deep neural network (DNN), a convolutional neural network (CNN), a recurrent neural network (RNN), a restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM), a deep belief network (DBN), a bidirectional recurrent deep neural network (BRDNN), or a deep Q-network, or a combination of two or more thereof, but is not limited thereto. Additionally or alternatively, the artificial intelligence model can include a software structure other than the hardware structure.

[0036] The memory 130 can store various data used by at least one component (for example, the processor 120 or the sensor module 176) of the electronic device 101. The various data can include, for example, software (for example, a program 140) and input data or output data for commands related thereto. The memory 130 can include the volatile memory 132 or the non-volatile memory 134.

[0037] The program 140 can be stored in the memory 130 as software, and can include, for example, an operating system (OS) 142, middleware 144, or an application 146.

[0038] The input module 150 can receive a command or data, which is to be used by other components (for example, the processor 120) of the electronic device 101, from the outside (for example, a user) of the electronic device 101. The input module 150 can include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, a key (for example, a button), or a digital pen (for example, a stylus pen).

[0039] The sound output module 155 can output sound signals to the outside of the electronic device 101. The sound output module 155 can include, for example, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker can be used for general purposes, such as playing multimedia or playing record. The receiver can be used to receive an incoming call. According to an embodiment, the receiver can be implemented as separate from the speaker, or can be implemented as part of the speaker.

[0040] The display module 160 can visually provide information to the outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device 101. The display device 160 can include, for example, a display, a hologram device, or a projector and a control circuit for controlling a corresponding one of the display, the hologram device, and the projector. According to an embodiment, the display module 160 can include a touch sensor adapted to detect a touch, or a pressure sensor adapted to measure the intensity of force incurred by the touch.

[0041] The audio module 170 can convert a sound into an electrical signal and vice versa. According to an embodiment, the audio module 170 can obtain sound through the input module 150, or output sound through the sound output module 155 or a headphone of an external electronic device (e.g., an electronic device 102) directly (e.g., wiredly) or wirelessly coupled with the electronic device 101.

[0042] The sensor module 176 can detect an operational state (e.g., power or temperature) of the electronic device 101 or an environmental state (e.g., a state of a user) external to the electronic device 101, and then generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to the detected state. According to an embodiment, the sensor module 176 can include, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

[0043] The interface 177 can support one or more specified protocols to be used for the electronic device 101 to be coupled with the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 102) directly (e.g., wiredly) or wirelessly. According to an embodiment, the interface 177 can include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a secure digital (SD) card interface, or an audio interface.

[0044] The connection terminal 178 can include a connector through which the electronic device 101 can be physically connected with the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 102). According to an embodiment, the connection terminal 178 can include, for example, a HDMI connector, a USB connector, a SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector).

[0045] The haptic module 179 can convert electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus (e.g., vibration or movement) or electrical stimulus that can be recognized by a user via his tactile sensation or kinesthetic sensation. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the haptic module 179 can include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimuluser.

[0046] The camera module 180 can capture still images or moving images. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the camera module 180 can include one or more lenses, image sensors, image signal processors, or flashes.

[0047] The power management module 188 can manage power supplied to the electronic device 101. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the power management module 188 can be implemented as at least part of, for example, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

[0048] The battery 189 can supply power to at least one component of the electronic device 101. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery 189 can include, for example, a primary cell, a secondary cell, or a fuel cell.

[0049] The communication module 190 can support establishing a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the electronic device 101 and an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 102, the electronic device 104, or the server 108) and performing communication between the electronic devices 101 and the external electronic device via the established communication channel. The communication module 190 can include one or more communication processors that are operable independently from the processor 120 (e.g., an application processor (AP)) and supports a direct (e.g., wired) communication or wireless communication. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication module 190 can include a wireless communication module 192 (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module 194 (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module or a power line communication (PLC) module). A corresponding one of these communication modules can communicate with the external electronic device via the first network 198 (e.g., a short-range communication network, such as Bluetooth, wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or the second network 199 (e.g., a long-range communication network, such as a conventional cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or wide area network (WAN)). These various types of communication modules can be implemented as a single component (e.g., a single chip) or can be implemented as separate components (e.g., separate chips) from each other. The wireless communication module 192 can identify and authenticate the electronic device 101 in a communication network, such as the first network 198 or the second network 199, using subscriber information (e.g., an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) stored in the subscriber identification module 196.

[0050] The communication module 190 can support establishing a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the electronic device 101 and an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 102, the electronic device 104, or the server 108) and performing communication between the established communication channel. The communication module 190 can include one or more communication processors that are operable independently from the processor 120 (e.g., an application processor (AP)) and supports a direct (e.g., wired) communication or a wireless communication. According to an embodiment, the communication module 190 can include a wireless communication module 192 (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module 194 (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module or a power line communication (PLC) module). A corresponding one of these communication modules can communicate with an external electronic device, via a first network 198 (e.g., a short-range communication network, such as Bluetooth, wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network 199 (e.g., a long-range communication network, such as a cellular network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or wide area network (WAN)). These various types of communication modules can be implemented as a single component (e.g., a single chip) or can be implemented as separate components (e.g., separate chips) from each other. The wireless communication module 192 can identify and authenticate the electronic device 101 in a communication network, such as the first network 198 or the second network 199, using subscriber information (e.g., an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) stored in the subscriber identification module 196.

[0051] The antenna module 197 can transmit or receive a signal or power to or from an external electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device) of the electronic device 101. According to an embodiment, the antenna module 197 can include one or more antennas, and, accordingly, at least one antenna appropriate for a communication scheme used in a communication network, such as the first network 198 or the second network 199, can be selected and used by, for example, the communication module 190 (e.g., the wireless communication module 192). The signal or the power can then be transmitted or received between the communication module 190 and the external electronic device via the selected at least one antenna.

[0052] The antenna module 197 can transmit or receive a signal or power to or from an external electronic device (e.g., an external electronic device) of the electronic device 101. According to an embodiment, the antenna module 197 can include an antenna including a radiating element composed of a conductive material or a conductive pattern formed in or on a substrate (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB)). According to an embodiment, the antenna module 197 can include a plurality of antennas (e.g., array antennas). In this case, at least one antenna appropriate for a communication scheme used in a communication network, such as the first network 198 or the second network 199, can be selected from the plurality of antennas by, for example, the communication module 190 (e.g., the wireless communication module 192). Then, the signal or the power can be transmitted or received between the communication module 190 and the external electronic device via the selected at least one antenna. According to an embodiment, an additional component (e.g., a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) other than the radiating element can be additionally formed as part of the antenna module 197.

[0053] According to various embodiments, the antenna module 197 can form a millimeter wave antenna module. According to an embodiment, the millimeter wave antenna module can include a printed circuit board, a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), and a plurality of antennas (e.g., array antennas), wherein the RFIC is disposed on a first surface (e.g., a bottom surface) of the printed circuit board, or adjacent to the first surface and capable of supporting a designated high frequency band (e.g., a millimeter wave band), and the plurality of antennas are disposed on a second surface (e.g., a top surface or a side surface) of the printed circuit board, or adjacent to the second surface and capable of transmitting or receiving a signal of the designated high frequency band.

[0054] At least some of the above-described components can be coupled mutually and communicate signals (e.g., commands or data) therebetween via an inter-peripheral communication scheme (e.g., a bus, general purpose input and output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or mobile industry processor interface (MIPI)).

[0055] According to an embodiment, commands or data can be transmitted or received between the electronic device 101 and the external electronic device 104 via the server 108 connected with the second network 199. Each of the electronic devices 102 and 104 can be a device of a same type as or different from the electronic device 101. According to an embodiment, all or some of the operations to be executed by the electronic device 101 can be executed by one or more of the external electronic devices 102, 104, or 108. For example, if the electronic device 101 is to automatically perform a function or a service or is to request a function or a service in response to a request from a user or another device, the electronic device 101, instead of executing or in addition to executing the function or the service, can request one or more of the external electronic devices to execute at least part of the function or the service. The one or more external electronic devices receiving the request can execute the at least part of the function or the service requested or another function or another service related to the request, and transfer an execution result to the electronic device 101. The electronic device 101 can provide the execution result, with or without further processing of the execution result, as a part of a response to the request. To this end, a cloud computing technology, a distributed computing technology, a mobile edge computing (MEC) technology, or a client-server computing technology can be used, for example. The electronic device 101 can use, for example, distributed computing or mobile edge computing to provide an ultra-low-latency service. In another embodiment, the external electronic device 104 can include an Internet of Things (IoT) device. The server 108 can be an intelligent server using machine learning and / or a neural network. According to an embodiment, the external electronic device 104 or the server 108 can be included in the second network 199. The electronic device 101 can be applied to an intelligent service based on a 5G communication technology or an IoT-related technology, such as smart home, smart city, smart car, or health care.

[0056] An electronic device according to various embodiments can be one of various types of electronic devices. The electronic devices can include, for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smartphone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, or a home appliance. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devices are not limited to those described above.

[0057] Figure 2A is a front perspective view of an electronic device 200 in a closed state according to one embodiment. Figure 2B is a front perspective view of an electronic device 200 in a closed state according to one embodiment. Figure 3Ais a front perspective view of the electronic device 200 in an open state according to one embodiment. Figure 3B is a rear perspective view of the electronic device 200 in an open state according to one embodiment.

[0058] According to certain embodiments, Figure 2A The electronic device 200 in Figure 1 The electronic device 101 in

[0059] Referring to Figure 2A , Figure 2B , Figure 3A and Figure 3B The electronic device 200 in one embodiment can be implemented so as to enable a sliding manner of unfolding its screen 2301. For example, the screen 2301 can be an area of the flexible display 230 seen from the outside. Figure 2A and Figure 2B FIG. 13 illustrates the electronic device 200 in a state in which the screen 2301 is not unfolded, and Figure 3A and Figure 3B FIG. 14 illustrates the electronic device 200 in a state in which the screen 2301 is unfolded. The state in which the screen 2301 is not unfolded can be a state in which the slide plate 220 is not slid for a sliding motion of the flexible display 230 and can hereinafter be referred to as a "closed state." The state in which the screen 2301 is unfolded can be a maximum unfolded state in which the screen 2301 is slid out as much as possible by the slide plate 220, and can hereinafter be referred to as an "open state." Alternatively, when the electronic device 200 is transformed from the closed state to the open state, the slide plate 220 can be partially moved in a first direction (e.g., a +x-axis direction). According to certain embodiments, the open state or the partially open state can be defined as a state in which the screen 2301 is unfolded, compared to the closed state, and various sizes of screens can be provided according to a position in which the slide plate 220 has been moved. According to certain embodiments, the intermediate state can refer to a state between the closed state in Figure 2A The closed state in Figure 3A The open state in Figure 2AThe flexible display 230 of the electronic device 200 in which the screen 2301 is slidably moved to provide can be referred to as a "slide-out display" or an "expandable display". In one embodiment, a slide structure related to the flexible display 230 of the electronic device 200 can include a free-stop structure. For example, when the flexible display 230 is moved by an external force, the electronic device 200 can move the flexible display 230 only by a distance caused by the external force due to the free-stop structure included in the slide structure.

[0060] According to certain embodiments, the electronic device 200 can include a slide structure related to the flexible display 230. For example, when the flexible display 230 is moved by an external force to a predetermined distance, the flexible display 230 can be transformed from a closed state to an open state or from the open state to the closed state without any further external force (e.g., a semi-automatic slide motion) due to the elastic structure included in the slide structure. According to an embodiment, when a signal is generated by an input device included in the electronic device 200, the electronic device 200 can be transformed from a closed state to an open state or from an open state to a closed state due to a driving device such as a motor connected to the flexible display 230. For example, when a signal is generated by a hardware button or a software button provided via a screen, the electronic device 200 can be transformed from a closed state to an open state or from an open state to a closed state.

[0061] According to certain embodiments, when a signal is generated from various sensors such as a pressure sensor, the electronic device 200 can be transformed from a closed state to an open state or from an open state to a closed state. For example, when the electronic device 200 is carried or held by a user's hand, a pinching gesture in which a part of the hand (e.g., a palm or a finger) presses a predetermined portion of the electronic device 200 can be detected by a sensor, and in response thereto, the electronic device 200 can be transformed from a closed state to an open state or from an open state to a closed state.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the display 230 can include a second portion ② (see Figure 3A). The second portion (②) can include a spread portion of the screen 2301 when the electronic device 200 is transformed from the closed state to the open state. The second portion (②) can slide out from the internal space of the electronic device 200 when the electronic device 200 is transformed from the closed state to the open state, and thus the area of the screen 2301 can increase. At least a portion of the second portion (②) can be pulled back into the internal space of the electronic device 200 in a sliding manner when the electronic device 200 is transformed from the open state to the closed state, and thus the area of the screen 2301 can decrease. At least a portion of the second portion (②) can be bent and moved into the internal space of the electronic device 200 when the electronic device 200 is transformed from the open state to the closed state. For example, the flexible display 230 can include a flexible substrate (e.g., a plastic substrate) made of a polymer material such as polyimide (PI) or polyester (PET). The second portion (②) is a portion of the flexible display 230 that is bendable when the electronic device 200 is transformed between the open state and the closed state, and can also be referred to as, for example, a bendable portion of the flexible display. In the following description, the second portion (②) will be referred to as a bendable portion.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the electronic device 200 can include a housing 210, a sliding plate 220, and / or a flexible display 230.

[0064] The housing (or case) 210 can include, for example, a rear cover 212, a first side cover 213, or a second side cover 214. The rear cover 212, the first side cover 213, or the second side cover 214 can be connected to a support member (not shown) located inside the electronic device 200, and can define at least a portion of the appearance of the electronic device 200.

[0065] The rear cover 212 can include, for example, at least a portion of the rear surface 200B of the electronic device 200. In one embodiment, the rear cover 212 can be substantially opaque. For example, the rear cover 212 can be made of a coated or colored glass, ceramic, polymer, or metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel (STS), or magnesium), or a combination of at least two of the above materials. According to an embodiment, at least a portion of the bendable portion (②) of the flexible display 230 can also be disposed to be visible from the outside through the rear cover 212 in a state (e.g., a closed state) in which the bendable portion (②) is pulled into the internal space of the housing 210. In this case, the rear cover 212 can be made of a transparent material and / or a translucent material.

[0066] According to an embodiment, the rear cover 212 can include a flat portion 212a and curved portions 212b and 212c positioned opposite each other, with the flat portion 212a interposed between the curved portions 212b and 212c. The curved portions 212b and 212c can be formed adjacent to longitudinal edges (not shown) of the rear cover 212, respectively, and can be curved and extend seamlessly toward the screen located on the front surface of the electronic device 200. According to an embodiment, the rear cover 212 can include one of the curved portions 212b and 212c or can be implemented without the curved portions 212b and 212c.

[0067] According to an embodiment, the first side cover 213 and the second side cover 214 can be positioned opposite each other. For example, the first side cover 213 and the second side cover 214 can be positioned opposite each other in a second direction (e.g., a y-axis direction) perpendicular to a first direction (e.g., a +x-axis direction) of a sliding movement of the sliding plate 220, with the flexible display 230 interposed between the first side cover 213 and the second side cover 214. The first side cover 213 can form at least a portion of a first side surface 213a of the electronic device 200, and the second side cover 214 can form at least a portion of a second side surface 214a of the electronic device 200, facing in a direction opposite the first side surface 213a. The first side cover 213 can include a first edge portion (or first side) 213b extending from an edge of the first side surface 213a. For example, the first edge portion 213b can form at least a portion of a bezel on one side of the electronic device 200. The second side cover 214 can include a second edge portion (or second side) 214b extending from an edge of the second side surface 214a. For example, the second edge portion 214b can form at least a portion of a bezel on the other side of the electronic device 200. According to an embodiment, a surface of the first edge portion 213b, a surface of the second edge portion 214b, and a surface of the sliding plate 220 can be smoothly connected in a closed state as shown in FIG. 23A, and thus can form a curved portion on one side thereof, corresponding to a first curved portion 230b of the screen 2301. According to certain embodiments, the surface of the first edge portion 213b or the surface of the second edge portion 214b can include a curved portion on the other side thereof, corresponding to a second curved portion 230c of the screen 2301, and positioned opposite the first curved portion 230b. Figure 2A

[0068] According to an embodiment, the sliding plate 220 can slide on a support member (not shown) located inside the electronic device 200. At least a portion of the flexible display 230 can be disposed on the sliding plate 220, and can implement a closed state or an open state of the screen 2301 based on a position of the sliding plate 220 on the support member. Figure 2A Figure 3A ​​The flexible display 230 is in the open state. According to one embodiment, the flexible display 230 can be attached to the sliding plate 220 via an adhesive member (not shown). According to one embodiment, the adhesive member may include a thermally reactive adhesive member, a photoreactive adhesive member, a general adhesive, and / or double-sided tape. According to an embodiment, the flexible display 230 can be slidably inserted into a recess formed on the sliding plate 220, such that it is secured to the sliding plate 220. The sliding plate 220 can be used to support at least a portion of the flexible display 230 and may be referred to herein as a display support structure.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the sliding plate 220 may include a third edge portion 220b forming the outer surface of the electronic device 200 (e.g., a surface exposed to the outside to define the appearance of the electronic device 200). For example, in Figure 2A In the closed state, the third edge portion 220b can form a border around the screen together with the first edge portion 213b and the second edge portion 214b. In the closed state, the third edge portion 220b can extend in a second direction (e.g., the y-axis direction) to connect one end of the first side cover 213 to one end of the second side cover 214. For example, in... Figure 2A In the closed state, the surface of the third edge portion 220b can be smoothly connected to the surface of the first edge portion 213b and / or the surface of the second edge portion 214b.

[0070] According to one embodiment, due to the sliding of the sliding plate 220, at least a portion of the flexible portion ② can emerge from inside the electronic device 200, and therefore, it can be as follows: Figure 3A The screen 2301 is provided in an unfolded state (e.g., an open state) as shown.

[0071] According to one embodiment, in Figure 2A The closed screen 2301 may include a flat portion 230a and a first curved portion 230b and / or a second curved portion 230c positioned opposite each other, with the flat portion 230a inserted between the first curved portion 230b and the second curved portion 230c. For example, the first curved portion 230b and the second curved portion 230c may be substantially symmetrical to each other, with the flat portion 230a inserted between the first curved portion 230b and the second curved portion 230c. For example, in Figure 2A In the closed state, the first curved portion 230b and / or the second curved portion 230c can be positioned to correspond to the curved portions 212b and 212c of the rear cover 212, respectively, and can be bent toward the rear cover 212. When Figure 2A The closed state transforms into Figure 3A When in the open state, the flat portion 230a can be unfolded. For example, the flexible portion ② in... Figure 2Aa portion area forming the second curved portion 230c in the closed state of the electronic device 200 can be included in the unfolded flat portion 230a and in Figure 2A the closed state of the electronic device 200 is transformed into Figure 3A the open state of the electronic device 200.

[0072] According to an embodiment, the electronic device 200 can include an opening (not shown) for sliding in and out of the bendable portion ②, and / or a pulley (not shown) positioned at the opening. The pulley can be positioned to correspond to the bendable portion (②), and the movement of the bendable portion (②) and its direction of motion can be guided by the rotation of the pulley in the transformation between Figure 2A the closed state of the electronic device 200 and Figure 3A the open state of the electronic device 200. The first curved portion 230b can be formed to correspond to a curved surface formed on one surface of the sliding plate 220. The second curved portion 230c can be formed by a portion in the bendable portion ② corresponding to the curved surface of the pulley. The first curved portion 230b can be positioned opposite the second curved portion 230c to improve the aesthetic appearance of the screen 2301 in the closed state or the open state of the electronic device 200. According to an embodiment, the unfoldable flat portion 230a is such that the first curved portion 230b is not present.

[0073] According to an embodiment, the flexible display 230 can further include a touch sensing circuit (e.g., a touch sensor). According to certain embodiments (not shown), the flexible display 230 can be coupled to or disposed adjacent to a pressure sensor capable of measuring the intensity (pressure) of a touch and / or a digitizer that detects a magnetic field type pen input device (e.g., a stylus). For example, the digitizer can include a coil member disposed on a dielectric substrate so as to detect an electromagnetic induction type resonance frequency applied from the pen input device.

[0074] According to an embodiment, the electronic device 200 can include a microphone hole 251 (e.g., the input module 150 in Figure 1 ), a speaker hole 252 (e.g., the sound output module 155 in Figure 1 ), a connector hole 253 (e.g., the connection terminal 178 in Figure 1 ), a camera module 254 (e.g., the camera module 180 in Figure 1 ), or a flash 255. According to certain embodiments, the flash 255 can be included in the camera module 254. In an embodiment, the electronic device 200 can omit at least one of the elements or can further include other elements.

[0075] A microphone hole 251 can be formed through at least a portion of the second side surface 214a to correspond to a microphone (not shown), for example, positioned inside the electronic device 200. The location of the microphone hole 251 is not limited to the embodiment and can vary. According to an embodiment, the electronic device 200 can include a plurality of microphones capable of detecting directional sound. Figure 2A

[0076] A speaker hole 252 can be formed through at least a portion of the second side surface 214a to correspond to a speaker (not shown), for example, positioned inside the electronic device 200. The location of the speaker hole 252 is not limited to the embodiment and can vary. According to certain embodiments, the electronic device 200 can include a receiver hole for a telephone call. In an embodiment, the microphone hole 251 and the speaker hole 252 can be implemented in one hole, or the speaker hole 252 can be omitted when the speaker is implemented as a piezo speaker. Figure 2A

[0077] A connector hole 253 can be formed through at least a portion of the second side surface 214a to correspond to a connector (e.g., a USB connector), for example, positioned inside the electronic device 200. The electronic device 200 can transmit and / or receive power and / or data to / from an external electronic device electrically connected to the connector through the connector hole 253. The location of the connector hole 253 is not limited to the embodiment and can vary. Figure 2A

[0078] A camera module 254 and a flash 255 can be positioned, for example, on the rear surface 200B of the electronic device 200. The camera module 254 can include one or more lenses, image sensors, and / or image signal processors. The flash 255 can include, for example, a light emitting diode or a xenon lamp. In an embodiment, two or more lenses (an infrared camera, as well as wide and telephoto lenses) and image sensors can be positioned on one surface of the electronic device 200. According to certain embodiments, the electronic device 200 is not limited to Figure 2B Figure 3B ​​​​The embodiments of the electronic device 200 are not limited to the embodiments of the camera module 254 and can include a plurality of camera modules. The camera module 254 can be one of the plurality of camera modules. For example, the electronic device 200 can include a plurality of camera modules (e.g., dual cameras or triple cameras), each of which has different attributes (e.g., angles of view) or functions. For example, a plurality of camera modules (e.g., the camera module 254) including lenses having different angles of view can be provided, and the electronic device 200 can control such that the angle of view of the camera module executing in the electronic device 200 is changed based on a selection of a user. In addition, the plurality of camera modules can include at least one of a wide-angle camera, a telephoto camera, a color camera, a monochrome camera, or an infrared (IR) camera (e.g., a time-of-flight (TOF) camera and a structured light camera). According to an embodiment, the IR camera can operate as at least a part of a sensor module (not shown).

[0079] According to certain embodiments (not shown), the electronic device 200 can further include a camera module (e.g., a front camera) placed in a direction in which the screen 2301 points, the camera module generating an image signal based on light received through one surface (e.g., the front surface 200A) of the electronic device 200. For example, the camera module 254 is not limited to Figure 2B or Figure 3B embodiments of the electronic device 200 and can be positioned inside the housing 210 in alignment with an opening (e.g., a through-hole or a notch) formed by the flexible display 230. The camera module 254 can receive light through the opening and a partial area of the transparent cover overlapping the opening to generate an image signal. The transparent cover can serve to protect the flexible display 230 from external influences and can include, for example, a material such as polyimide or ultra-thin glass (UTG).

[0080] According to an embodiment, the camera module 254 is not limited to Figure 2B or Figure 3B embodiments of the electronic device 200 and can be positioned at an end of at least a portion of the screen 2301 of the flexible display 230 and can perform a function such as image capturing, although the position of the camera module 254 cannot be visually distinguished from the display. In this case, for example, the camera module 254 can be disposed to overlap at least a portion of the screen 2301 to acquire an image of an external subject without being exposed to the outside when viewed from the top of the screen 2301 (e.g., viewed in the -z-axis direction).

[0081] According to certain embodiments (not shown), the electronic device 200 can further include a key input device (e.g., the input module 150 in Figure 1 ). The key input device can be located, for example, on the first side surface 213a of the electronic device 200 configured by the first side cover 213. In an embodiment (not shown), the key input device can include at least one sensor module.

[0082] According to some embodiments (not shown), the electronic device 200 may include various sensor modules (e.g., Figure 1 The sensor module 176 in the electronic device 200 can generate electrical signals or data values ​​corresponding to the internal operating state of the electronic device 200 or the state of its external environment. For example (not shown), the sensor module may include a proximity sensor positioned in the direction pointed to by the screen 2301, which generates a signal related to the proximity of an external object based on light received through the front surface 200A of the electronic device 200. For another example (not shown), the sensor module may include various biometric sensors such as HRM sensors or fingerprint sensors for detecting information about a living organism based on light received through the front surface 200A or rear surface 200B of the electronic device. The electronic device 200 may include at least one of a variety of other sensor modules, such as a gesture sensor, gyroscope sensor, atmospheric pressure sensor, magnetic sensor, accelerometer, grip sensor, color sensor, infrared (IR) sensor, biometric sensor, temperature sensor, humidity sensor, or illuminance sensor.

[0083] According to some embodiments, the electronic device 200 is not limited to Figure 2A , Figure 2B , Figure 3A and Figure 3B The embodiment can also be implemented with the following structure: when the sliding plate 220 slides out, the third edge portion 220b can be used to further unfold the screen. For example, the flexible display 230 in... Figure 2A In the closed state, a portion of the first curved section 230b can be formed in a certain area. Figure 2A The closed state transforms into Figure 3A When in the open state, it is included in the unfolded flat portion 230a, and this portion area can be formed as another area of ​​the flexible display 230.

[0084] Figure 4A The illustration shows a first state of operation of the first screen in the main region 401 of the electronic device 200 before the flexible display 230 is unfolded, according to an embodiment. Figure 4B The illustration shows a second state of operation of the first screen in the main region 401 of the electronic device 200 before the flexible display 230 is unfolded, according to an embodiment. Figure 4C The illustration shows a third state of operation of the first screen in the main region 401 of the electronic device 200 before the flexible display 230 is unfolded, according to an embodiment. Figure 4D The illustration shows a fourth state of operation of the first screen in the main area 401 of the electronic device 200 before the flexible display 230 is unfolded according to an embodiment.

[0085] In certain embodiments, the electronic device 200 can display at least one icon in the form of a page of a matrix (e.g., an M x N matrix).

[0086] In certain embodiments, the electronic device 200 can include a plurality of pages. In Figures 4A-4D In certain embodiments, the electronic device 200 can include a first page 411, a second page 412, a third page 413, and / or a fourth page 414. In certain embodiments, the electronic device 200 can include more or less pages than the number of pages including the first page 411 to the fourth page 414. The electronic device 200 can display the first page 411, the second page 412, the third page 413, and / or the fourth page 414 in the main area 401 of the flexible display 230.

[0087] In certain embodiments, the plurality of pages can be changed by a user input. For example, a page displayed on the flexible display 230 can be changed from the first page 411 to the second page 412 or from the second page 412 to the first page 411 according to a user input (e.g., a drag or a swipe input).

[0088] In certain embodiments, when the flexible display 230 is in a slide-in or closed state, the main area 401 can be an effective area of the flexible display 230.

[0089] Figure 5A FIG. 2 illustrates a first state of a second screen operation in the main area 401 and / or the expanded area 402 when the flexible display 230 of the electronic device 200 according to certain embodiments is slid out, Figure 5B FIG. 2 illustrates a second state of a second screen operation in the main area 401 and / or the expanded area 402 when the flexible display 230 of the electronic device 200 according to certain embodiments is slid out, Figure 5C FIG. 2 illustrates a third state of a second screen operation in the main area 401 and / or the expanded area 402 when the flexible display 230 of the electronic device 200 according to certain embodiments is slid out, and Figure 5D FIG. 2 illustrates a fourth state of a second screen operation in the main area 401 and / or the expanded area 402 when the flexible display 230 of the electronic device 200 according to certain embodiments is slid out.

[0090] In certain embodiments, the electronic device 200 can include a free stop structure with respect to the flexible display 230. For example, due to the free stop structure of the electronic device 200, the expanded area 402 can be smaller than the main area 401. The area of the expanded area 402 can be smaller than the area of the main area 401. Due to the free stop structure of the electronic device 200, the expanded area 402 can be the same as the main area 401. The expanded area 402 can have the same area as the main area 401. In certain embodiments, the electronic device 200 can display at least one icon in the form of a page of a matrix (e.g., an M x (N + L) matrix).

[0091] In certain embodiments, the main area 401 of the electronic device 200 can be displayed in the form of an M x N matrix, and its expanded area 402 can be displayed in the form of an M x L matrix.

[0092] In certain embodiments, in the M x N matrix and the M x L matrix, N and L are integers greater than or equal to 1, and L can be a number less than or equal to N. For example, if N is 4, L can be one of 4, 3, 2, and 1. If the M x N matrix includes 4 columns, the M x L matrix can include at least one of 4 columns, 3 columns, 2 columns, and 1 column.

[0093] In certain embodiments, the electronic device 200 can include a plurality of pages. In Figures 5A-5D In certain embodiments, the electronic device 200 can include a fifth page 511, a sixth page 512, a seventh page 513, and / or an eighth page 514. In certain embodiments, the electronic device 200 can include more or less pages than the number of pages including the fifth page 511 to the eighth page 514.

[0094] Referring to Figures 4A-5D The fifth page 511 can be configured such that the first page 411 is displayed in the main area 401 and at least a portion of the second page 412 is displayed in the expanded area 402.

[0095] In certain embodiments, the fifth page 511 can be configured such that the first page 411 is displayed in the main area 401, and certain columns of the second page 412 corresponding to the width of the expanded area 402 are displayed in the expanded area 402.

[0096] The sixth page 512 can be configured such that the second page 412 is displayed in the main area 401 and at least a portion of the third page 413 is displayed in the expanded area 402.

[0097] In various embodiments, the sixth page 512 can be configured such that the second page 412 is displayed in the main area 401 and certain columns on the third page 413 corresponding to the width of the expanded area 402 are displayed in the expanded area 402.

[0098] The seventh page 513 can be configured such that the third page 413 is displayed in the main area 401 and at least a portion of the fourth page 414 is displayed in the expanded area 402.

[0099] In various embodiments, the seventh page 513 can be configured such that the third page 413 is displayed in the main area 401 and certain columns on the fourth page 414 corresponding to the width of the expanded area 402 are displayed in the expanded area 402.

[0100] The eighth page 514 can be configured such that the fourth page 414 is displayed in the main area 401 and at least a portion of the first page 411 is displayed in the expanded area 402.

[0101] In certain embodiments, the eighth page 514 can be configured such that the fourth page 414 is displayed in the main area 401 and certain columns on the first page 411 corresponding to the width of the expanded area 402 are displayed in the expanded area 402. The fourth page 414 can be the last page among the plurality of pages when the electronic device 200 is in the slide-in state. In this case, the expanded area 402 can display at least some icons included on the first page 411 when the electronic device 200 is in the slide-out state.

[0102] In certain embodiments, the plurality of pages can be changed by a user input. For example, the page displayed on the flexible display 230 can be changed from the fifth page 511 to the sixth page 512 or from the sixth page 512 to the fifth page 511 according to a user input (e.g., a drag input).

[0103] In certain embodiments, the expanded area 402 can be an area formed by adding at least a portion of an inactive area in the slide-in state of the flexible display 230 to the main area 401 as an additional active area when the flexible display 230 is in the slide-out state.

[0104] Figure 6A FIG. 4 illustrates a first screen operation in the main area 401 before the flexible display 230 of the electronic device 200 is slid out according to certain embodiments.

[0105] Figure 6B FIG. 5 illustrates a second screen operation in the main area 401 and the expanded area 402 when the flexible display 230 of the electronic device 200 is slid out according to certain embodiments, and Figure 6CFIG. 13 illustrates a second screen operation in the main area 401 and the expanded area 402 when the flexible display 230 of the electronic device 200 is slid out according to certain embodiments.

[0106] In certain embodiments, a screen operation before the flexible display 230 is slid out can be referred to as a first screen operation, and a screen operation in a state where the flexible display 230 is slid out can be referred to as a second screen operation.

[0107] In Figure 6A In certain embodiments, the electronic device 200 can display an application tray in the main area 401. For example, the application tray can be configured to display icons corresponding to at least one application installed in the electronic device 200. The application tray can include a plurality of pages on which icons are arranged. The plurality of pages included in the application tray can allow icons to be arranged in the form of a matrix. For example, when at least one icon is displayed in a slide-in state according to a 6 x 4 matrix (a matrix of 6 rows and 4 columns), the at least one icon can be positioned at a designated 6 x 4 coordinate, in which icons having a predetermined size are arranged in a predetermined interval in a central area of a page, thereby excluding spaces at edges of the page. But this is only an example, and there is no limitation on the layout displayed in the form of a page having a matrix.

[0108] The electronic device 200 can display at least one icon, at least one application, at least one item, and / or at least one image in the main area 401.

[0109] In certain embodiments, the icon can be an application icon representing an application. The application can be, for example, a widget application displayed on a home screen and / or an application tray. The item can include a photo, a contact, and / or a list including text and / or an image. The image can include a thumbnail or a collage image related to an application, a photo, a file, or a contact.

[0110] In certain embodiments, the flexible display 230 of the electronic device 200 can display at least one icon, at least one application, at least one item, and / or at least one image in the form of a page having a matrix (e.g., an M x N matrix) in the main area 401 when it is in a slide-in state.

[0111] In certain embodiments, the main area 401 can be an active area of the flexible display 230 when the flexible display 230 is in a slide-in state.

[0112] In certain embodiments, the main area 401 can be an area in which most elements of a display page are displayed when the flexible display 230 is in the slide-out state. For example, the main area 401 can be an area in which icons are displayed while the flexible display 230 is in the slide-in state. Alternatively, the main area 401 can be an area in which most icons and / or widgets included on a specific page of a home screen and / or an application tray and which have been displayed in the main area 401 in the slide-in state are displayed when the flexible display 230 is in the slide-out state.

[0113] In certain embodiments, the main area 401 can or can not include a bendable portion ② when the flexible display 230 is in the slide-out state. In certain embodiments, the flexible display 230 of the electronic device 200 can display at least one icon, at least one application, at least one item, and / or at least one image in the form of a page of an M x N matrix (e.g., a 6 x 4 matrix) in the main area 401 when it is in the slide-in state. Figure 3A

[0114] In certain embodiments, the electronic device 200 can include a plurality of pages. The electronic device 200 can display each page in the form of a matrix (e.g., an M x N matrix) on the flexible display 230. The page displayed on the flexible display 230 can be sequentially changed according to a user input. For example, the pages can be displayed in the order of page I and page I+1 or in the order of page I+1 and page I according to a user input.

[0115] In certain embodiments, the electronic device 200 can display an application tray screen in the main area 401 and / or the expanded area 402. Figure 6B Figure 6C In certain embodiments, the electronic device 200 can display an application tray screen in the main area 401 and / or the expanded area 402.

[0116] In certain embodiments, the main area 401 and the expanded area 402 can be formed on the same plane.

[0117] In certain embodiments, the expanded area 402 can be at least a portion of an effective area of the flexible display 230 when the flexible display 230 is in the slide-out state.

[0118] In certain embodiments, the expanded area 402 can be an area formed by adding at least a portion of an ineffective area in the slide-in state of the flexible display 230 to the main area 401 as an additional effective area when the flexible display 230 is in the slide-out state. In certain embodiments, the flexible display 230 of the electronic device 200 can display at least one icon in the form of a page having a matrix (e.g., an M x (N+L) matrix) in the main area 401 and / or the expanded area 402 in the slide-out state. At least some of the icons displayed in the expanded area 402 can be displayed distinguished from at least some of the icons displayed in the main area 401.​​

[0119] In certain embodiments, the electronic device 200 can include a free stop structure with respect to the flexible display 230. For example, due to the free stop structure of the electronic device 200, the expanded area 402 can be smaller than the main area 401. The area of the expanded area 402 can be smaller than the area of the main area 401. Due to the free stop structure of the electronic device 200, the expanded area 402 can be the same as the main area 401. The expanded area 402 can have the same area as the main area 401.

[0120] In certain embodiments, the main area 401 of the electronic device 200 can be displayed in an M x N matrix form, and the expanded area 402 can be displayed in an M x L matrix form.

[0121] In certain embodiments, in the M x N matrix and the M x L matrix, N and L are integers greater than or equal to 1, and L can be a number smaller than or equal to N. For example, if N is 4, L can be one of 4, 3, 2, and 1. If the M x N matrix includes 4 columns, the M x L matrix can include at least one of 4 columns, 3 columns, 2 columns, and 1 column.

[0122] A page I can be displayed in the main area 401, and at least some of icons included on a page I+1, for example, an M x L matrix on the page I+1, can be displayed in the expanded area 402.

[0123] For example, in Figure 6A , the electronic device 200 can display at least one icon included on a first page 411 in the main area 401.

[0124] In certain embodiments, a plurality of pages included in the application tray can have an order. The pages can be changed in succession. For example, when one input (e.g., a drag input) for scrolling the pages is received, the first page 411 can be changed to a second page 412. Each page can include a page number mapped and stored as page attribute information. The number of the page including the icons can be mapped and stored as icon display information of the icons included on the page.

[0125] In Figure 6B , when the flexible display 230 is slid out while the main area 401 is displayed, the first page 411 can be displayed in the main area 401, and at least some of icons included on a second page 412 can be displayed in the expanded area 402. In this case, when the pages are moved according to a user input as Figure 6C indicated, the second page 412 can be displayed in the main area 401, and at least some of icons included on a third page 413 can be displayed in the expanded area 402.

[0126] In certain embodiments, when the page is changed according to a user input while the electronic device 200 is in the closed state, the page displayed on the flexible display 230 can be changed in units of pages. In certain embodiments, when the page is changed according to a user input while the electronic device 200 is in the open state (or in the intermediate state) as shown, the entire page that has been displayed only partially in the expanded area 402 can be displayed in the main area 401 as shown. Figure 6B Figure 6C For example, when the electronic device 200 receives a user input for screen change in a state in which less than L columns of icons of an M x L icon matrix are displayed in the expanded area 402 in a page including the M x L icon matrix, the M x L icon matrix including the X columns of icons that have been displayed in the expanded area 402 can be displayed in the main area 401.

[0127] In certain embodiments, when the last page is displayed while the flexible display 230 is slid out, the last page can be displayed in the main area 401 and a blank page can be displayed in the expanded area 402. The blank page can be, for example, a screen on which no icons are displayed.

[0128] In certain embodiments, when the last page is displayed while the flexible display 230 is slid out, the last page can be displayed in the main area 401 and at least some of the icons included on the first page can be displayed in the expanded area 402.

[0129] Figure 7A FIG. 6 illustrates a first operation of switching between a display page when the electronic device 200 is in a slide-in state and a display page when the electronic device 200 is in a slide-out state, according to certain embodiments. Figure 7B FIG. 7 illustrates a second operation of switching between a display page when the electronic device 200 is in a slide-in state and a display page when the electronic device 200 is in a slide-out state, according to certain embodiments. Figure 7C FIG. 8 illustrates a third operation of switching between a display page when the electronic device 200 is in a slide-in state and a display page when the electronic device 200 is in a slide-out state, according to certain embodiments, and Figure 7D FIG. 9 illustrates a fourth operation of switching between a display page when the electronic device 200 is in a slide-in state and a display page when the electronic device 200 is in a slide-out state, according to certain embodiments.

[0130] In Figure 7A In reference numeral 701 in FIG. 6, the electronic device 200 can display the first page 411 on the flexible display 230 in a slide-in state. In Figure 7A ​As indicated by reference numeral 702 in the accompanying drawings, when the flexible display 230 is in a slide-out state, the electronic device 200 can display a fifth page 511 on the flexible display 230. When the flexible display 230 is in a slide-out state, the electronic device 200 can display the fifth page 511 on the flexible display 230, which is configured such that the first page 411 is in the main area 401 and at least a portion of the second page 412 is displayed in the unfolded area 402.

[0131] In some embodiments, when the flexible display 230 slides out, the electronic device 200 can display a fifth page 511 on the flexible display 230, which is configured such that the first page 411 is displayed in the main area 401 and columns on the second page 412 corresponding to the width of the expanded area 402 are displayed in the expanded area 402. Figure 7B As indicated by reference numeral 703 in the accompanying drawings, the electronic device 200 can display a second page 412 on the flexible device 230 in a slid-in state. Figure 7B As indicated by reference numeral 704 in the accompanying drawings, when the flexible display 230 is in a slide-out state, the electronic device 200 can display a sixth page 512 on the flexible display 230. When the flexible display 230 is in a slide-out state, the electronic device 200 can display the sixth page 512 on the flexible display 230, which is configured such that the second page 412 is in the main area 401 and at least a portion of the third page 413 is displayed in the unfolded area 402.

[0132] In some embodiments, when the flexible display 230 is switched to a slide-out state, the electronic device 200 can display a sixth page 512 on the flexible display 230, which is configured such that the second page 412 is displayed on the flexible display 230 and the column on the third page 413 corresponding to the width of the unfolded area 402 is displayed in the unfolded area 402.

[0133] exist Figure 7C As indicated by reference numeral 705 in the accompanying drawings, the electronic device 200 can display a third page 413 on the flexible display 230 in a slid-in state. Figure 7C As indicated by reference numeral 706 in the accompanying drawings, when the flexible display 230 is in a slide-out state, the electronic device 200 can display a seventh page 513 on the flexible display 230. When the flexible display 230 is in a slide-out state, the electronic device 200 can display the seventh page 513 on the flexible display 230, which is configured such that the third page 413 is displayed in the main area 401 and at least a portion of the fourth page 414 is displayed in the unfolded area 402.

[0134] In certain embodiments, when the flexible display 230 is transformed into the slide-out state, the electronic device 200 can display the seventh page 513 on the flexible display 230, which is configured such that the third page 413 is displayed in the main area 401 and a column on the fourth page 414 corresponding to the width of the expanded area 402 is displayed in the expanded area 402.

[0135] In Figure 7D In reference sign 707 in FIG. 13, Figure 7D In reference sign 708 in FIG. 13, When the flexible display 230 is transformed into the slide-out state, the electronic device 200 can display the eighth page 514 on the flexible display 230, which is configured such that the fourth page 414 is displayed in the main area 401 and at least a portion of the first page 411 is displayed in the expanded area 402. The eighth page 514, which is the last page among the plurality of pages, can include the fourth page 414 and at least a portion of the first page 411, which is the first page, but is not limited thereto. For example, although not shown, the electronic device 200 can display the fourth page 414 in the main area 401 and include a blank page in the expanded area 402. The blank page can mean, for example, a page that does not include an icon application, an item, and an image.

[0136] In certain embodiments, when the flexible display 230 is transformed into the slide-out state, the electronic device 200 can display the eighth page 514 on the flexible display 230, which is configured such that the fourth page 414 is in the main area 401 and a column on the first page 411 corresponding to the width of the expanded area 402 is displayed in the expanded area 402 based on the number of columns included in the matrix thereof.

[0137] In certain embodiments, when the flexible display 230 is transformed into the slide-out state, the electronic device 200 can display the fourth page 414 in the main area 401 and a blank page in the expanded area 402.

[0138] Certain embodiments have been described based on a case where the fourth page 414 is the last page, but if the electronic device 200 includes more or less pages than the number of pages including the fourth page 414, the last page can be different.

[0139] Figure 8A FIG. 13 illustrates a first operation of switching between a displayed page when the electronic device 200 is in a slide-in state and a displayed page when the electronic device 200 is in a slide-out state according to certain embodiments, and Figure 8BFIG. 13 illustrates a second operation of switching between a display page when the electronic device 200 is in a slide-in state and a display page when the electronic device 200 is in a slide-out state, according to certain embodiments.

[0140] Figure 8A and / or Figure 8B The expanded area 403 of FIG. 13 can be disposed at the left side of the main area 401, whereas Figure 7A The expanded area 402 of FIG. 13 is disposed at the right side of the main area 401.

[0141] In Figure 8A and Figure 8B In the slide-out operation of the electronic device 200, the flexible display 230 can be slid in the left direction thereof in the slide-in state.

[0142] In certain embodiments, when the flexible display 230 of the electronic device 200 is in the slide-out state, at least one icon can be displayed in the main area 401 and / or the expanded area 403 in the form of a page having a matrix (e.g., M x (N + K) matrix). At least some of the icons displayed in the expanded area 403 can be displayed to be distinguished from at least some of the icons displayed in the main area 401.

[0143] In certain embodiments, the main area 401 of the electronic device 200 can be displayed in the form of M x N matrix, and the expanded area 403 can be displayed in the form of M x K matrix.

[0144] In certain embodiments, in the M x N matrix and the M x K matrix, N and K are integers greater than or equal to 1, and K can be a number less than or equal to N. For example, if N is 4, K can be one of 4, 3, 2, and 1. If the M x N matrix includes 4 columns, the M x K matrix can include at least one of 4 columns, 3 columns, 2 columns, and 1 column. Page I can be displayed in the main area 401, and at least some of the icons included on page I + 1, e.g., M x K matrix on page I + 1, can be displayed in the expanded area 403.

[0145] In Figure 8A In FIG. 13, the electronic device 200 in the slide-in state can display a first page 411 on the flexible display 230. In Figure 8A In FIG. 13, the electronic device 200 can display a ninth page 811 on the flexible display 230 when the flexible display 230 is transitioned to the slide-out state.

[0146] When the flexible display 230 is transformed into the slide-out state, a ninth page 811 configured such that the first page 411 is displayed in the main area 401 and at least a portion of the second page 412 is displayed in the expanded area 403 can be displayed on the flexible display 230.

[0147] In certain embodiments, when the flexible display 230 is transformed into the slide-out state, a ninth page 811 configured such that the first page 411 is displayed in the main area 401 and a column on the second page 412 corresponding to the width of the expanded area 403 is displayed in the expanded area 403 can be displayed on the flexible display 230.

[0148] In Figure 8B Reference numeral 803 in FIG. 11A illustrates that the electronic device 200 in the slide-in state can display the second page 412 on the flexible display 230. In Figure 8B Reference numeral 804 in FIG. 11B illustrates that, when the flexible display 230 is transformed into the slide-out state, the electronic device 200 can display a tenth page 812 on the flexible display 230. When the flexible display 230 is transformed into the slide-out state, the electronic device 200 can display the tenth page 812 on the flexible display 230, which is configured such that the second page 412 is displayed in the main area 401 and at least a portion of the third page 413 is displayed in the expanded area 403.

[0149] In certain embodiments, when the flexible display 230 is transformed into the slide-out state, the electronic device 200 can display the tenth page 812 on the flexible display 230, which is configured such that the second page 412 is displayed in the main area 401 and a column on the third page 413 corresponding to the width of the expanded area 403 is displayed in the expanded area 403.

[0150] Figure 9A FIG. 12 illustrates a first operation of switching between a display page when the electronic device 200 is in the slide-in state and a display page when the electronic device 200 is in the slide-out state according to certain embodiments, and Figure 9B FIG. 13 illustrates a second operation of switching between a display page when the electronic device 200 is in the slide-in state and a display page when the electronic device 200 is in the slide-out state according to certain embodiments.

[0151] Figure 9A The expanded area 404 of FIG. 10A can be disposed below the main area 401, while the expanded area 402 of FIG. 10B and / or the expanded area 403 of FIG. 11A are disposed at the left and right sides of the main area 401. In Figure 9B The expanded area 404 of FIG. 10A can be disposed below the main area 401, while the expanded area 402 of FIG. 10B and / or the expanded area 403 of FIG. 11A are disposed at the left and right sides of the main area 401. In Figures 7A-7D The expanded area 404 of FIG. 10A can be disposed below the main area 401, while the expanded area 402 of FIG. 10B and / or the expanded area 403 of FIG. 11A are disposed at the left and right sides of the main area 401. In Figures 8A-8B The expanded area 404 of FIG. 10A can be disposed below the main area 401, while the expanded area 402 of FIG. 10B and / or the expanded area 403 of FIG. 11A are disposed at the left and right sides of the main area 401. In Figure 9A The expanded area 404 of FIG. 10A can be disposed below the main area 401, while the expanded area 402 of FIG. 10B and / or the expanded area 403 of FIG. 11A are disposed at the left and right sides of the main area 401. In Figure 9BIn the middle, the slide-out operation of the electronic device 200 can be an operation in which the flexible display 230 is slid in the downward direction thereof in the slide-in state.

[0152] In certain embodiments, the flexible display 230 of the electronic device 200 in the slide-out state can display at least one icon in the form of a page having a matrix (e.g., an (M+O) x N matrix) in the main area 401 and / or the expanded area 402. In the electronic device 200, at least some of the icons displayed in the expanded area 404 can be displayed distinguished from at least some of the icons displayed in the main area 401.

[0153] In certain embodiments, the main area 401 of the electronic device 200 can be displayed in the form of an M x N matrix, and the expanded area 404 can be displayed in the form of an O x N matrix.

[0154] In certain embodiments, in the M x N matrix and the O x N matrix, M and O are integers greater than or equal to 1, and O can be a number less than or equal to M. For example, if M is 6, O can be one of 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. If the M x N matrix includes 6 rows, the O x N matrix can include at least one of 6 rows, 5 rows, 4 rows, 3 rows, 2 rows, and 1 row. Page I can be displayed in the main area 401, and at least some of the icons included on page I+1, for example, an O x N matrix on page I+1, can be displayed in the expanded area 404.

[0155] In Figure 9A In reference sign 901 in FIG. 10A, the electronic device 200 in the slide-in state can display the first page 411 on the flexible display 230. In Figure 9A In reference sign 902 in FIG. 10B, when the flexible display 230 is transformed into the slide-out state, the electronic device 200 can display the eleventh page 911 on the flexible display 230. When the flexible display 230 is transformed into the slide-out state, the electronic device 200 can display the eleventh page 911 on the flexible display 230 configured such that the first page 411 is displayed in the main area 401 and at least a portion of the second page 412 is displayed in the expanded area 404.

[0156] In certain embodiments, when the flexible display 230 is transformed into the slide-out state, the electronic device 200 can display the eleventh page 911 on the flexible display 230 configured such that the first page 411 is displayed in the main area 401 and a row on the second page 412 corresponding to the height of the expanded area 404 is displayed in the expanded area 404 based on the number of rows included in the matrix thereof.

[0157] In Figure 9BIn reference sign 903 of FIG. 10, the electronic device 200 in the slide-in state can display the second page 412 on the flexible display 230. In Figure 9B In reference sign 904 of FIG. 10, when the flexible display 230 transitions to the slide-out state, the electronic device 200 can display the twelfth page 912 on the flexible display 230. When the flexible display 230 transitions to the slide-out state, the electronic device 200 can display the twelfth page 912 on the flexible display 230, which is configured such that the second page 412 is displayed in the main area 401 and at least a portion of the third page 413 is displayed in the expanded area 404.

[0158] In certain embodiments, when the flexible display 230 transitions to the slide-out state, the electronic device 200 can display the twelfth page 912 on the flexible display 230, which is configured such that the second page 412 is displayed on the flexible display 230 and rows on the third page 413 corresponding to the height of the expanded area 404 are displayed in the expanded area 404 based on the number of rows included in the matrix thereof.

[0159] Figure 10A FIG. 10 illustrates a first operation of switching between a displayed page when the electronic device 200 is in a slide-in state and a displayed page when the electronic device 200 is in a slide-out state, according to certain embodiments, and Figure 10B FIG. 11 illustrates a second operation of switching between a displayed page when the electronic device 200 is in a slide-in state and a displayed page when the electronic device 200 is in a slide-out state, according to certain embodiments.

[0160] Figure 10A and / or Figure 10B The expanded area 405 of FIG. 10 can be disposed above the main area 401, whereas Figure 9A and / or Figure 9B The expanded area 404 of FIG. 11 is disposed below the main area 401.

[0161] In Figure 10A and Figure 10B In FIGS. 10 and 11, the slide-out operation of the electronic device 200 can be an operation in which the flexible display 230 slides in the upward direction thereof in the slide-in state.

[0162] In certain embodiments, the flexible display 230 of the electronic device 200 in the slide-out state can display at least one icon in the form of a page having a matrix (e.g., an (M+P) x N matrix) in the main area 401 and / or the expanded area 405. At least some of the icons displayed in the expanded area 405 can be displayed distinguished from at least some of the icons displayed in the main area 401.

[0163] In certain embodiments, the main area 401 of the electronic device 200 can be displayed in an M x N matrix form, and the expanded area 405 can be displayed in a P x N matrix form.

[0164] In certain embodiments, in the M x N matrix and the P x N matrix, M and P are integers greater than or equal to 1, and P can be a number less than or equal to M. For example, if M is 6, P can be one of 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. If the M x N matrix is 6 rows, the P x N matrix can include at least one of 6 rows, 5 rows, 4 rows, 2 rows, and 1 row. The page I can be displayed in the main area 401, and at least some of the icons included on the page I+1, for example, a P x N matrix of the page I+1, can be displayed in the expanded area 405.

[0165] In Figure 10A In reference numeral 1001 in FIG. 10A, the electronic device 200 in the slide-in state can display the first page 411 on the flexible display 230. In Figure 10A In reference numeral 1002 in FIG. 10B, when the flexible display 230 is transitioned to the slide-out state, the electronic device 200 can display the thirteenth page 1011 on the flexible display 230. When the flexible display 230 is transitioned to the slide-out state, the electronic device 200 can display the thirteenth page 1011 on the flexible display 230, which is configured such that the first page 411 is displayed in the main area 401 and at least a portion of the second page 412 is displayed in the expanded area 405.

[0166] In certain embodiments, when the flexible display 230 is transitioned to the slide-out state, the electronic device 200 can display the thirteenth page 1011 on the flexible display 230, which is configured such that the first page 411 is displayed in the main area 401 and a row on the second page 412 corresponding to the height of the expanded area 405 is displayed in the expanded area 405 based on the number of rows included in its matrix.

[0167] In Figure 10B In reference numeral 1003 in FIG. 10C, the electronic device 200 in the slide-in state can display the second page 412 on the flexible display 230. In Figure 10B In reference numeral 1004 in FIG. 10D, when the flexible display 230 is transitioned to the slide-out state, the electronic device 200 can display the fourteenth page 1012 on the flexible display 230. When the flexible display 230 is transitioned to the slide-out state, the electronic device 200 can display the fourteenth page 1012 on the flexible display 230, which is configured such that the second page 412 is displayed in the main area 401 and at least a portion of the third page 413 is displayed in the expanded area 405.

[0168] In certain embodiments, when the flexible display 230 transitions to the slide-out state, the electronic device 200 can display a fourteenth page 1012 on the flexible display 230, which is configured such that the second page 412 is displayed on the flexible display 230 and rows on the third page 413 corresponding to the height of the expanded area 405 are displayed in the expanded area 405 based on the number of rows included in its matrix.

[0169] Figure 11A FIG. 13 illustrates a first user interface of a second screen operation when the electronic device 200 according to certain embodiments is in a slide-out state, Figure 11B FIG. 14 illustrates a second user interface of a second screen operation when the electronic device 200 according to certain embodiments is in a slide-out state, Figure 11C FIG. 15 illustrates a third user interface of a second screen operation when the electronic device 200 according to certain embodiments is in a slide-out state, Figure 11D FIG. 16 illustrates a fourth user interface of a second screen operation when the electronic device 200 according to certain embodiments is in a slide-out state, Figure 11E FIG. 17 illustrates a fifth user interface of a second screen operation when the electronic device 200 according to certain embodiments is in a slide-out state, and Figure 11F FIG. 18 illustrates a sixth user interface of a second screen operation when the electronic device 200 according to certain embodiments is in a slide-out state.

[0170] In Figures 11A-11F In certain embodiments, the electronic device 200 in a slide-out state according to certain embodiments can display at least one icon in the form of a page 1111 having a matrix (e.g., an M x (N+L) matrix) in the main area 401 and / or the expanded area 402.

[0171] In Figures 11A-11F In certain embodiments, when the electronic device 200 is in a slide-in state, the main area 401 can display a page I. The electronic device 200 in a slide-out state can display a page 1111 that displays the page I in the main area 401 and displays at least some of the icons included on the page I+1 in the expanded area 402. In this case, the electronic device 200 can display a user interface on the page such that at least some of the icons included on the page I+1 displayed in the expanded area 402 can be distinguished from the page I displayed in the main area 401.

[0172] In certain embodiments, the electronic device 200 can include a free stop structure with respect to the flexible display 230. For example, due to the free stop structure of the electronic device 200, the expanded area 402 can be smaller than the main area 401. The area of the expanded area 402 can be smaller than the area of the main area 401. Due to the free stop structure of the electronic device 200, the expanded area 402 can be the same as the main area 401. The expanded area 402 can have the same area as the main area 401.

[0173] In Figure 11A which the electronic device 200 can display the grouped user interface 1101. The grouped user interface 1101 can be a user interface that masks and / or highlights icons displayed in the expanded area 402 and / or the main area 401. The grouped user interface 1101 can be an interface that highlights icons and / or widgets such that a page of icons that meets a slide-in state is distinguished.

[0174] In Figure 11B which the electronic device 200 in the slide-out state can display a page 1112 that displays page I in the main area 401 and at least some of the icons included on page I+1 in the expanded area 402. The electronic device 200 can display a transparent and / or semi-transparent user interface 1121 on page I+1 in the expanded area 402 such that at least some of the icons included on page I+1 displayed in the expanded area 402 can be distinguished from page I displayed in the main area 401.

[0175] In Figure 11C which the electronic device 200 in the slide-out state can display a page 1113 that displays page I in the main area 401 and at least some of the icons included on page I+1 in the expanded area 402. The electronic device 200 can display a user interface 1122 that includes a boundary line on at least one application icon included on page I+1 in the expanded area 402 such that at least some of the icons included on page I+1 displayed in the expanded area 402 can be distinguished from page I displayed in the main area 401. For example, the user interface 1122 can include a dotted line and / or a colored icon border.

[0176] In Figure 11D which the electronic device 200 in the slide-out state can display a page 1114 that displays page I in the main area 401 and at least some of the icons included on page I+1 in the expanded area 402. The electronic device 200 can display a user interface 1123 for a sub-indicator on at least some of the icons included on page I+1 in the expanded area 402 such that at least some of the icons included on page I+1 displayed in the expanded area 402 can be distinguished from page I displayed in the main area 401.

[0177] The user interface for the sub-indicator 1123 can be, for example, a mark formed on the periphery of the icon. The user interface for the sub-indicator 1123 can be formed in a different layer so as to at least partially overlap the icon. The user interface for the sub-indicator 1123 can be text and / or an image.

[0178] In Figure 11E , the electronic device 200 in the slide-out state can display a page I in the main area 401 and a page 1115 including at least some of icons included in a page I+1 in the expanded area 402. The electronic device 200 can display user interfaces 1124 and 1125 for a number guide of the page I displayed in the main area 401 and the page I+1 displayed in the expanded area 402, so that at least a portion of the page I+1 displayed in the expanded area 402 can be distinguished from the page I displayed in the main area 401. The user interfaces 1124 and 1125 for the number guide can be, for example, an image and / or text indicating a number in each of the main area 401 and / or the expanded area 402.

[0179] In Figure 11F , the electronic device 200 in the slide-out state can display a page I in the main area 401 and a page 1116 including at least some of icons included in a page I+1 in the expanded area 402. The electronic device 200 in the slide-out state can display a user interface 1126 for a page indicator indicating a page number to which the icons displayed in the expanded area 402 belong. The user interface 1126 for the page indicator can be implemented as, for example, a plurality of bars, dots, and / or lines corresponding to the current page and a highlighted bar, dot, and / or line.

[0180] Figure 12A FIG. 11 illustrates a first interface of a home screen and / or an application tray of the electronic device 200 according to certain embodiments, Figure 12B FIG. 12 illustrates a second interface of a home screen and / or an application tray of the electronic device 200 according to certain embodiments, and Figure 12C FIG. 13 illustrates a third interface of a home screen and / or an application tray of the electronic device 200 according to certain embodiments.

[0181] In Figure 12A , the electronic device 200 according to certain embodiments can display one or more applications 1211, 1212, and 1213a and one or more icons 1214, 1215, 1216, 1217, 1218, 1219, 1220, and 1221 as a fifteenth page 1201 in a matrix form on the flexible display 230 in the slide-in state. The one or more applications 1211, 1212, and 1213a can be widget applications.

[0182] In certain embodiments, Figure 12A A page I of the electronic device 200 can be illustrated, Figure 12B A page I+1 of the electronic device 200 can be illustrated, and Figure 12C A page I+2 of the electronic device 200 can be illustrated. For example, Figure 12A A fifteenth page 1201 of the electronic device 200 can be illustrated, Figure 12B A sixteenth page 1202 of the electronic device 200 can be illustrated, Figure 12B A sixteenth page 1202 of the electronic device 200 can be illustrated, and Figure 12C A seventeenth page 1203 of the electronic device 200 can be illustrated.

[0183] In certain embodiments, the home screen and / or the application tray can include a plurality of pages including pages in a matrix form. The home screen and / or the application tray that is the home screen of the electronic device 200 can include, for example, a dock located at an edge (e.g., a lower end) of the screen.

[0184] The widget applications can have a predetermined size. The predetermined size is expressed as a number of rows and a number of columns occupied by the matrix form. The first widget 1211 can have a 2x4 size, and the second widget 1212 and the third widget 1213a can have a 2x1 size. Each of one or more icons 1214, 1215, 1216, 1217, 1218, 1219, 1220, and 1221 can have a 1x1 size.

[0185] In Figure 12B In the electronic device 200 in the slide-in state according to certain embodiments, one or more applications 1222a, 1228a, and 1233a and one or more icons 1223, 1224, 1225, 1226, 1227, 1229, 1230, 1231, and 1232 can be displayed on the sixteenth page 1202 in a matrix form on the flexible display 230. The one or more applications 1222a, 1228a, and 1233a can be widget applications.

[0186] The widget applications can have a predetermined size. The predetermined size can be expressed as a number of rows and a number of columns occupied by the matrix form. The fourth widget 1222a, the fifth widget 1228a, and the sixth widget 1233a can have a 3x1, 4x1, and 4x2 size, respectively. Each of one or more icons 1223, 1224, 1225, 1226, 1227, 1229, 1230, 1231, and 1232 can have a 1x1 size.

[0187] In Figure 12CWhen the electronic device 200 according to certain embodiments is in the slide-in state, one or more applications 1234 and 1237a and one or more icons 1235 and 1236 can be displayed in the form of a seventeenth page 1203 having a matrix on the flexible display 230.

[0188] The widget application can have a predetermined size. The predetermined size can be expressed as the number of rows and the number of columns occupied by the matrix form. The one or more applications 1234 and 1237a can be widget applications. The seventh widget 1234 and the eighth widget 1237a can have 4x4 and 3x2 sizes, respectively. Each of the one or more icons 1235 and 1236 can have a 1x1 size. The electronic device 200 can include the fifteenth page 1201, the sixteenth page 1202, and the seventeenth page 1203, and these pages can change according to a user input.

[0189] Figure 13A FIG. 13 illustrates a method for operating a home screen and / or an application tray of an electronic device 200 according to certain embodiments, and Figure 13B FIG. 13 illustrates a method for operating a home screen and / or an application tray of an electronic device 200 according to certain embodiments.

[0190] Referring to Figures 12A-12C and Figure 13A and 13B , Figures 12A-12C FIG. 13 illustrates a method for operating a home screen and / or an application tray of an electronic device 200 according to certain embodiments, and Figure 13A and Figure 13B FIG. 13 illustrates a method for operating a home screen and / or an application tray of an electronic device 200 according to certain embodiments.

[0191] In certain embodiments, the home screen and / or the application tray can include a plurality of pages including a page in a matrix form. The home screen and / or the application tray, which is the home screen of the electronic device 200, can include a dock located at an edge of the screen, for example, at a lower end.

[0192] When the flexible display 230 is slid out by the slide-out of the electronic device 200, the electronic device 200 can display page I in the main area 401 and at least some widgets included on page I+1 in the expanded area 402 by adjusting the widget size.

[0193] In certain embodiments, if the electronic device 200 includes a widget of a 3x1 size on page I+1 while it is in the slide-in state, the electronic device 200 can display the widget of the 3x1 size included on page I+1 in the expanded area 402 in the slide-out state by adjusting the widget size to a 2x1 size.

[0194] In certain embodiments, the electronic device 200 can display the widgets included in the first column and / or the second column of the page I+1 in the expanded area 402 by adjusting the widget size. For example, when an icon is included on the page I+1, the electronic device 200 can display the icon in the expanded area 402 without adjusting the icon size.

[0195] In certain embodiments, when the widgets included in the first column and / or the second column of the page I+1 are displayed in the expanded area 402 and have a size of more than 2 columns, but the widgets do not support size adjustment, the electronic device 200 can expand the widgets of the page I displayed in the main area 401 to the expanded area 402. When the expanded area 402 is a blank area without the first column and / or the second column of the page I+1, the electronic device 200 can expand the widgets of the page I displayed in the main area 401 to the expanded area 402.

[0196] For example, when one widget is included on the page I and the electronic device 200 expands the widget of the page I to be displayed in the main area 401 and the expanded area 402, the widget size can be adjusted to the maximum size (e.g., 6 rows).

[0197] In certain embodiments, when the electronic device 200 includes multiple widgets on the page I and the electronic device 200 expands the widgets of the page I to be displayed in the main area 401 and the expanded area 402, the electronic device 200 can expand each of the widgets at the same ratio.

[0198] For example, when the electronic device 200 expands the widgets of the page I to the expanded area 402, the page I includes a 2x1 widget and a 2x1 widget, the widgets can be expanded to a 3x1 widget and a 3x1 widget, respectively, at the same ratio.

[0199] In certain embodiments, when the electronic device 200 expands the widgets of the page I displayed on the main area 401 to the expanded area 402, the electronic device 200 can not be able to expand each of the multiple widgets included on the page I at the same ratio. In this case, the electronic device 200 can preferentially expand the widgets included in the left column.

[0200] In certain embodiments, if the widgets of the page I displayed in the main area 401 cannot be expanded to the expanded area 402, the electronic device 200 can center-align the corresponding rows.

[0201] In certain embodiments, if the widgets of the page I displayed in the main area 401 cannot be expanded to the expanded area 402 and cannot be center-aligned, the electronic device 200 can maintain the existing arrangement of the page I.

[0202] In Figure 13AIn this case, the electronic device 200 in the slide-out state can display an eighteenth page 1301 including at least a portion of the fifteenth page 1201 and the sixteenth page 1202 in the main area 401 and the expanded area 402, respectively. In this case, when the flexible display 230 is slid out, the eighteenth page 1301 can display one or more applications 1211, 1212, and 1213b and one or more icons 1214, 1215, 1216, 1217, 1218, 1219, 1220, and 1221 in the main area 401. The third widget 1213a can be resized to be displayed as the expanded third widget 1213b. The expanded third widget 1213b can be displayed not only in the main area 401 but also in the expanded area 402.

[0203] In certain embodiments, if a widget of a page I displayed in the main area 401 cannot be expanded to the expanded area 402, the electronic device 200 can align the corresponding row at the center thereof.

[0204] In certain embodiments, if a widget of a page I displayed in the main area 401 cannot be expanded to the expanded area 402 and cannot be aligned at the center thereof, the electronic device 200 can maintain the existing arrangement of the page I.

[0205] For example, one or more applications and / or icons 1211, 1212, 1214, 1215, 1216, 1217, 1218, 1219, 1220, and 1221 of the fifteenth page 1201 that cannot be expanded to the expanded area 402 can remain in the arrangement before the electronic device 200 is slid out.

[0206] The expanded area 402 can display one or more applications 1222b and 1233b and one or more icons 1224, 1225, 1229, and 1230 as at least a portion of the sixteenth page 1202.

[0207] In certain embodiments, the electronic device 200 can display widgets included in the first column and / or the second column of the page I+1 in the expanded area 402 by resizing the widgets. For example, the fourth widget 1222a included on the sixteenth page 1202 can be resized to be displayed as the reduced fourth widget 1222b, and the sixth widget 1233a can be resized to be displayed as the reduced sixth widget 1233b.

[0208] In Figure 13BIn this case, the electronic device 200 in the slide-out state can display a nineteenth page 1302 including at least a part of the sixteenth page 1202 and the seventeenth page 1203 in the main area 401 and the expanded area 402, respectively. In this case, when the flexible display 230 is slid out, the nineteenth page 1302 can display one or more applications 1222c, 1228b, and 1233a and one or more icons 1223, 1224, 1225, 1226, 1227, 1229, 1230, 1231, and 1232 in the main area 401. The fourth widget 1222a can be resized to be displayed as the expanded fourth widget 1222c. The fifth widget 1228a can be resized to be displayed as the expanded fifth widget 1228b.

[0209] The expanded fourth widget 1222c and / or the expanded fifth widget 1228b can be displayed not only in the main area 401 but also in the expanded area 402. The expanded area 402 can display at least one application 1237b and one or more icons 1235 and 1236 as at least a part of the seventeenth page 1203. The eighth widget 1237a can be resized to be displayed as the reduced eighth widget 1237b. The seventh widget 1234, which is not reducible, is not displayed in the expanded area 402, and instead of the seventeenth widget 1234, the icon 1223 included on the sixteenth page 1202 can be moved to the expanded area 402 to be displayed in the expanded area 402.

[0210] In certain embodiments, the electronic device 200 can resize the widgets included in the first column and / or the second column of the page I+1 to be displayed in the expanded area 402. For example, the eighth widget 1237a included in the seventeenth page 1203 can be resized to be displayed as the reduced eighth widget 1237b, and the widget 1234, which is not reducible, can not be displayed.

[0211] Figure 14A FIG. 13 illustrates a method for operating a screen of an electronic device 200 according to certain embodiments, Figure 14B FIG. 13 illustrates a method for operating a screen of an electronic device 200 according to certain embodiments, Figure 14C FIG. 13 illustrates a method for operating a screen of an electronic device 200 according to certain embodiments, Figure 14D FIG. 13 illustrates a method for operating a screen of an electronic device 200 according to certain embodiments, and Figure 14E FIG. 13 illustrates a method for operating a screen of an electronic device 200 according to certain embodiments.

[0212] In certain embodiments, the electronic device 200 can display at least one icon, at least one application, at least one item, and / or at least one image in the form of a page having a matrix.

[0213] In certain embodiments, the home screen and / or the application tray can include a page indicator 1410. The page indicator 1410 can indicate a page number of a current page or a position of the current page with respect to a plurality of pages. The page indicator 1410 can highlight a page of the home screen and / or the application tray being displayed on the flexible display 230. The home screen and / or the application tray, which is the home screen of the electronic device 200, can include, for example, a dock 1420 located at an edge (e.g., a lower end) of the screen.

[0214] In Figure 14A , the electronic device 200 in the slide-in state can display a page I 1401 in the form of a matrix including at least one icon, at least one application, at least one item, and / or at least one image on the flexible display 230. In certain embodiments, the home screen and / or the application tray can include a plurality of pages including the page in the form of a matrix.

[0215] In Figure 14B , the electronic device 200 in the slide-out state can display a page 1402 including at least a portion of a page I+1 and the page I in the form of a matrix including at least one icon, at least one application, at least one item, and / or at least one image on the flexible display 230. The electronic device 200 can display the page I in the main area 401 and at least some of icons and / or widgets included on the page I+1 in the expanded area 402.

[0216] In Figure 14C , the electronic device 200 can display a page 1403 including at least a portion of a page I+2 and the page I+1 in the form of a matrix including at least one icon, at least one application, at least one item, and / or at least one image on the flexible display 230 in the slide-out state. The electronic device 200 can display the page I+1 in the main area 401 and at least some of icons and / or widgets included on the page I+2 in the expanded area 402.

[0217] In Figure 14D , if the page I+2 is the last page, the page I+2 can be displayed in the expanded area 402 and the main area 401 of the flexible display 230, and the page I+1 or a portion thereof can be displayed in the main area 401. In this case, if icons and / or widgets are not included in the page I+2, the electronic device 200 can display only the page I+1 in the main area 401, and can not display the icons and / or the widgets in the expanded area 402 as Figure 14E shown.

[0218] Figure 15 FIG. 13 illustrates a method of a second screen operation when the electronic device 200 is in a slide-out state according to certain embodiments.

[0219] The electronic device 200 can display the grouped user interfaces 1511 and 1512 on the flexible display 230 so that at least a portion of the page I+1 displayed in the expanded area 402 can be distinguished from the page I displayed in the main area 401. The grouped user interface 1512 can be a user interface that masks and / or highlights icons and / or widgets displayed in the expanded area 402 and / or the main area 401. The grouped user interface 1512 can be an interface that highlights icons and / or widgets that conform to the page included in the page in the slide-in state. For example, the grouped user interface 1512 can be a layer including images that allow icons and / or widgets included in each page to be displayed in groups.

[0220] Figure 16 FIG. 13 illustrates a method of a second screen operation when the electronic device 200 is in a slide-out state according to certain embodiments.

[0221] The electronic device 200 can display the transparent and / or semi-transparent user interface 1612 on the flexible display 230 so that at least a portion of the page I+1 displayed in the expanded area 402 can be distinguished from the page I displayed in the main area 401.

[0222] Figure 17 FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating a screen of an electronic device 200 according to certain embodiments.

[0223] The electronic device 200 can perform a first screen operation on the flexible display 230 having a first size under the control of the processor 120 in operation 1701. The first size can be, for example, a size corresponding to a slide-in state of the flexible display 230. In the first screen operation, at least one icon, at least one application, at least one item, and / or at least one image can be displayed in the form of a page having a matrix (e.g., an M x N matrix) in the main area 401. In certain embodiments, the electronic device 200 can include a plurality of pages. The displayed page can vary according to a user input. The processor 120 can include a microprocessor or any suitable type of processing circuitry such as one or more general-purpose processors (e.g., ARM-based processors), digital signal processors (DSPs), programmable logic devices (PLD), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), graphics processing units (GPU), video card controllers, etc. In addition, it will be recognized that when a general purpose computer accesses code for implementing the processing illustrated herein, the execution of the code transforms the general purpose computer into a special purpose computer for executing the processing illustrated herein. Certain of the functions and steps provided in the Figures can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both, and can be carried out in whole or in part during the programming of a computer. Claims herein are to be construed in accordance with the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 1 12(f), unless and except a specific claim limitation is clearly indicated by the use of the phrase "means for" followed by a step of a function. In addition, those skilled in the art will recognize that a "processor" or "microprocessor" can be hardware in the claimed disclosure. The appended claims are in accordance with the statutory subject matter under 35 U.S.C. § 101 in light of their broadest plausible interpretation in accordance with the principles of law.

[0224] The electronic device 200 can determine whether the flexible display 230 is expanded under the control of the processor 120 in operation 1703. The electronic device 200 can determine whether the electronic device 200 is in a slide-out state under the control of the processor 120 in operation 1203. If the flexible display 230 is expanded under the control of the processor 120, the electronic device 200 can proceed to operation 1705. If the flexible display 230 is not expanded under the control of the processor 120, the electronic device 200 can proceed to operation 1701. When the electronic device 200 is in a slide-out state under the control of the processor 120, the electronic device 200 can proceed to operation 1705. When the electronic device 200 is in a slide-in state under the control of the processor 120, the electronic device 200 can proceed to operation 1701.

[0225] The electronic device 200 can perform a second screen operation on the flexible display 230 having a second size under the control of the processor 120 in operation 1705.

[0226] The second size can be a size including the main area 401 and / or the expanded area 402 when the flexible display 230 is slid out. In the second screen operation, at least one icon, at least one application, at least one item, and / or at least one image can be displayed in the form of a page having a matrix (for example, an M x (N+L) matrix). The electronic device 200 can include a page I, a page I+1, and a page I+2 that can be displayed on the flexible display 230 at the same time but not at the same time in the slide-in state. In the slide-out state, the electronic device 200 can display at least a portion of the page I+2, the page I+1, and the page I on one page through the second screen operation on the flexible display 230. In this case, a user interface capable of distinguishing the pages can also be displayed.

[0227] Figure 18 FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a method of a second screen operation in the electronic device 200 according to certain embodiments.

[0228] The electronic device 200 can display at least one icon and / or widget in the main area 401 and the expanded area 402 under the control of the processor 120 in operation 1801.

[0229] The electronic device 200 can display at least one icon and / or widget displayed in the expanded area 402 to be distinguished from at least one icon and / or widget displayed in the main area 401 under the control of the processor 120 in operation 1803. The operation of displaying at least one icon and / or widget displayed in the expanded area 402 to be distinguished from at least one icon and / or widget displayed in the main area 401 can include displaying at least one of the grouped user interface 1101, the transparent and / or semi-transparent user interface 1121, the user interface for a boundary line 1122, the user interface for a sub-indicator 1123, the user interfaces for a numbered guide 1124 and 1125, and the user interfaces for a page indicator 1126 and 1127.

[0230] Figure 19 FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a method of a second screen operation in the electronic device 200 according to certain embodiments.

[0231] The electronic device 200 can display at least one icon and / or widget in the main area 401 and the expanded area 402 under the control of the processor 120 in operation 1901 when the electronic device 200 is in the slide-out state.

[0232] In certain embodiments, the electronic device 200 can display the page I in the main area 401 and at least some of icons and / or widgets included in the page I+1 in the expanded area 402.

[0233] When the electronic device 200 is in the slide-out state, the electronic device 200 can determine whether a user input for moving a page is received on the flexible display 230 under the control of the processor 120 in operation 1903. The user input for moving a page can be a user input for moving a page to a next page or a previous page.

[0234] If there is no user input for moving a page, the electronic device 200 can proceed to operation 1901.

[0235] When the user input for moving a page is received, the electronic device 200 can display a page that has been moved onto the flexible display 230 in operation 1905. The page can display, for example, a next page and / or a previous page.

[0236] For example, if a user input for moving a page to a next page is received while a page I is displayed in the main area 401 and at least some of icons and / or widgets included in the page I+1 are displayed in the expanded area 402, the electronic device 200 can display the page I+1 in the main area 401 and display at least some of icons and / or widgets included in the page I+2 in the expanded area 402.

[0237] For example, if a user input for moving a page to a previous page is received while a page I is displayed in the main area 401 and at least some of icons and / or widgets included in the page I+1 are displayed in the expanded area 402, the electronic device 200 can display the page I-1 in the main area 401 and display at least some of icons and / or widgets included in the page I in the expanded area 402.

[0238] The electronic device 200 can include a housing 210, and a flexible display 230 capable of being slid out from an inner space of the housing 210. When the flexible display 230 is slid out, the flexible display 230 can be unfolded from a first size corresponding to a size of the main area 401 to a second size greater than the first size. For example, the first size can correspond to the main area 401, and the second size can include at least a portion of the main area 401 and the expanded area 402.

[0239] The electronic device 200 can control a first screen operation on the flexible display 230 having the first size under the control of the processor 120. For example, the first screen operation controlled by the electronic device 200 under the control of the processor 120 can be an operation of displaying a first icon group in the main area 401. Referring to Figures 4A-4DThe first screen operation controlled by the electronic device 200 under the control of the processor 120 can be an operation of displaying the first page 411, the second page 412, the third page 413, or the fourth page 414 in the main area 401. The first icon group can include a plurality of icons included on the first page 411, the second page 412, the third page 413, and / or the fourth page 414.

[0240] Under the control of the processor 120, the electronic device 200 can determine whether the flexible display 230 is unfolded and can control a second screen operation on the flexible display 230 having a second size when the flexible display 230 is unfolded. For example, the second screen operation controlled by the electronic device 200 under the control of the processor 120 can be an operation of displaying the first icon group in the main area 401 and displaying the second icon group in at least a portion of the expanded area 402. Referring to Figures 5A-5D The second screen operation controlled by the electronic device 200 under the control of the processor 120 can be an operation of displaying the fifth page 511, the sixth page 512, the seventh page 513, and / or the eighth page 514 in the main area 401 and at least a portion of the expanded area 402. Referring to Figures 11A-11F The second screen operation controlled by the electronic device 200 under the control of the processor 120 can be an operation of displaying the pages 1111, 1112, 1113, 1114, 1115, and 1116, which displays a page I in the main area 401 and displays at least some of icons included in a page I+1 in the expanded area 402. The second icon group can be displayed in at least a portion of the expanded area 402 of the flexible display 230.

[0241] When the electronic device 200 controls the first screen operation under the control of the processor 120, the electronic device 200 can display the first icon group included on the first page on the flexible display 230 under the control of the processor 120. For example, the first page can be a page displayed in the main area 401.

[0242] When the electronic device 200 controls the second screen operation under the control of the processor 120, the electronic device 200 can control, under the control of the processor 120, so that the first icon group and the second icon group including only a subset of a plurality of icons included on the second page are displayed on the flexible display 230 and a user interface is displayed to allow the first icon group and the second icon group to be visually different from each other. For example, the second page can be a page displayed in at least a portion of the expanded area 402.

[0243] The user interface can include at least one of a grouping user interface 1101, a transparent and / or semi-transparent user interface 1121, a user interface for a boundary line 1122, a user interface for a sub-indicator 1123, a user interface for a numbered guide 1124 and 1125, and / or a user interface for a page indicator 1126.

[0244] The electronic device 200 can include a housing 210, a flexible display 230 capable of sliding out from an inner space of the housing 210, and a processor 120. When the flexible display 230 is slid out, the flexible display 230 can be unfolded from a first size corresponding to a size of the main area 401 to a second size greater than the first size. The processor 120 can control a first screen operation on the flexible display 230 having the first size, determine whether the flexible display 230 is slid out, control a second screen operation on the flexible display 230 having the second size when the flexible display 230 is slid, cause a first icon group included on a first page to be displayed when the second screen operation is controlled, and cause a first icon group and a second icon group including only icons included on a second page to be displayed and a user interface to be displayed to allow the first icon group and the second icon group to be visually distinguished from each other when the second screen operation is controlled. The user interface can include at least one of a grouping user interface 1101, a transparent and / or semi-transparent user interface 1121, a user interface for a boundary line 1122, a user interface for a sub-indicator 1123, a user interface for a numbered guide 1124 and 1125, and / or a user interface for a page indicator 1126.

[0245] The second size in the electronic device 200 can include at least a part of the main area 401 and the expanded area 402.

[0246] The electronic device 200 can control the first screen operation such that at least one icon, at least one application, at least one item, and / or at least one image are displayed in a matrix form on the first page and / or the second page under control of the processor 120.

[0247] The electronic device 200 can control the second screen operation such that the first page is displayed in the main area 401 and a subset of icons included on the second page is displayed in the expanded area 402 under control of the processor 120.

[0248] The electronic device 200 can control the second screen operation such that, if the second page is a last page, the second page is displayed in the main area 401 and a blank page is displayed in the expanded area 402 under control of the processor 120.

[0249] The electronic device 200 can control the second screen operation such that, if the second page is the last page, the second page is displayed in the main area 401 and at least some of the icons included on the first page are displayed in the expanded area 402, under the control of the processor 120.

[0250] The electronic device 200 can control the second screen operation such that at least one icon, at least one application, at least one item, and / or at least one image included on the first page is expanded or moved to be displayed in the main area 401 and / or the expanded area 402, under the control of the processor 120.

[0251] The electronic device 200 can control the second screen operation such that at least one icon, at least one application, at least one item, and / or at least one image included on the second page is deleted or reduced to be displayed in the expanded area 402, under the control of the processor 120.

[0252] When the flexible display 230 is slid in during the second screen operation, the electronic device 200 can control the first screen operation under the control of the processor 120.

[0253] A method for operating a screen of an electronic device 200 including a flexible display 230 capable of being slid out from an inner space of a housing 210 can include controlling a first screen operation on the flexible display 230 having a first size, wherein the first size corresponding to a size of a main area 401 is expandable to a second size greater than the first size when the flexible display 230 is slid out, determining whether the flexible display 230 is slid out, and controlling a second screen operation on the flexible display 230 having the second size when the flexible display 230 is slid out. Controlling the first screen operation can include displaying a first icon group included on a first page, and controlling the second screen operation can include displaying the first icon group and a second icon group including only a subset of icons included on a second page, and displaying a user interface to allow the first icon group and the second icon group to be visually different from each other. The user interface can include at least one of a grouping user interface 1101, a transparent and / or semi-transparent user interface 1121, a user interface for a boundary line 1122, a user interface for a sub-indicator 1123, a user interface for a numbered guide, and / or a user interface for a page indicator 1126.

[0254] In the method for operating a screen of an electronic device 200, the second size can include at least a portion of the main area 401 and the expanded area 402.

[0255] In the method for operating the screen of the electronic device 200, controlling the first screen operation can include displaying at least one icon, at least one application, at least one item, and / or at least one image on the first page and / or the second page in a matrix form.

[0256] In the method for operating the screen of the electronic device 200, controlling the second screen operation can include displaying the first page in the main area 401 and displaying a subset of icons included on the second page in the expanded area 402.

[0257] In the method for operating the screen of the electronic device 200, controlling the second screen operation can include displaying the second page in the main area 401 and displaying a blank page in the expanded area 402 if the second page is the last page.

[0258] In the method for operating the screen of the electronic device 200, controlling the second screen operation can include displaying the second page in the main area 401 and displaying at least some of the icons included on the first page in the expanded area 402 if the second page is the last page.

[0259] In the method for operating the screen of the electronic device 200, controlling the second screen operation can include expanding or moving at least one icon, at least one application, at least one item, and / or at least one image included on the first page to display it in the main area 401 and / or the expanded area 402.

[0260] In the method for operating the screen of the electronic device 200, controlling the second screen operation can include deleting or reducing at least one icon, at least one application, at least one item, and / or at least one image included on the second page to display it in the expanded area 402.

[0261] In the method for operating the screen of the electronic device 200, controlling the first screen operation can include controlling the first screen operation when the flexible display 230 is slid in during the second screen operation.

[0262] The electronic device according to certain embodiments disclosed herein can be one of various types of electronic devices. The electronic devices can include, for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smartphone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, or a home appliance. The electronic devices according to embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to those described above.

[0263] It should be appreciated that various embodiments of the present disclosure and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features set forth herein to particular embodiments and include various changes, equivalents, and / or alternatives to the corresponding technical features. With regard to the description of the drawings, like reference numerals can be used to refer to like or similar elements. It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include one or more things unless the relevant context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, each of such phrases as “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C,” can include all possible combinations of the items enumerated together in such phrases. As used herein, terms such as “first,” “second,” “the first,” and “the second” can be used to simply distinguish a corresponding element from another, and do not limit the elements in other aspects (e.g., importance or order). It will be understood that if an element (for example, a first element) is referred to as being “coupled with / to / connected with” another element (for example, a second element), it means that the element can be coupled directly (for example, wiredly) with / to / connected with the other element or coupled with / to / connected with the other element wirelessly or via a third element.

[0264] As used herein, the term "module" can include a unit implemented in, for example, hardware, software, or firmware, and can interchangeably be used with other terms, for example, "logic," "logic block," "component," or "circuitry." The "module" can be the minimum unit of a single integration circuit that is adapted to perform one or more functions or a part thereof. The "module" can be implemented in a form of, for example, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0265] Various embodiments as set forth herein can be implemented as software (e.g., program 140) including one or more instructions that are stored in a storage medium (e.g., internal memory 136 or external memory 138) that can be read by a machine (e.g., electronic device 101). For example, a processor (e.g., processor 120) of the machine (e.g., electronic device 101) can invoke at least one of the one or more instructions stored in the storage medium, and execute it, with or without using one or more other components. This allows the machine to be operated to perform at least one function according to the at least one instruction invoked by the processor. The one or more instructions can include a code generated by a compiler or a code that can be executed by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium can be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Wherein, the term "non-transitory" simply means that the storage medium is tangible, but does not include a signal (e.g., an electromagnetic wave), but this term does not differentiate between where data is semi-permanently stored in the storage medium and where the data is temporarily stored in the storage medium.

[0266] According to an embodiment, a method according to various embodiments of the disclosure can be included and provided in a computer program product. The computer program product can be traded as a product between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product can be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or be distributed online via an application store (e.g., PlayStore®). If the computer program product is distributed online, at least part of it can be temporarily stored or temporarily generated in the storage medium such as a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or a relay server. TM ) or directly between two user devices (e.g., smart phones). If distributed online, at least part of the computer program product can be temporarily generated or at least temporarily stored in a machine-readable storage medium such as a server's memory of a manufacturer, an application store, or a relay server.

[0267] According to various embodiments, each element (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described elements can include a single entity or multiple entities. According to various embodiments, one or more of the above-described elements can be omitted, or one or more other elements can be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of elements (e.g., modules or programs) can be integrated into a single element. In such a case, according to various embodiments, the integrated element can still perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of elements in the same or similar manner as they are performed by a corresponding one of the plurality of elements before the integration. According to various embodiments, operations performed by the module, the program, or another element can be carried out sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations can be executed in a different order or omitted, or one or more other operations can be added.

[0268] Certain of the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented in hardware, firmware or via the execution of software or computer code that can be stored in a storage medium such as a CDROM, a digital versatile disk (DVD), a magnetic tape, a RAM, a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a magneto-optical disk or originally stored in a remote recording medium or non-transitory machine readable medium and downloaded into a local recording medium by a network, so that the methods described herein can be rendered via such software that is stored on the recording medium using a general purpose computer or a special purpose processor or programmable, or dedicated, hardware such as an ASIC or FPGA that the software can render using the processing power of the computer, processor, or hardware. As would be understood in the art, the computer, processor, microprocessor controller, or programmable hardware includes memory components, e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash, etc. that can store or receive software or computer code that can be accessed and executed by the computer, processor, or hardware to implement the process methods described herein.

[0269] While the present disclosure has been illustrated and described with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various changes in form and details can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1.An electronic device comprising: a housing; a memory storing a plurality of instructions; a flexible display, a portion of which is capable of being pulled out from an inner space of the housing; and a processor operatively coupled to the flexible display and the memory, wherein, when the flexible display is pulled out from the inner space of the housing, an exposed area of the flexible display unfolds from a first size corresponding to a size of a main area to a second size larger than the first size, and wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the electronic device to: store, in the memory, information related to a first page and a second page arranged in a sequential order on the flexible display, the first page including a first icon group; display, on the flexible display, a first screen having the first size and including the first page; based on detecting a pull-out of the flexible display, display, on the flexible display, a second screen having a second size and including the first page and a portion of the second page following the first page in the sequential order, the portion of the second page including a subset of a second icon group included in the second page; control the flexible display to display the first icon group and the subset of the second icon group as visually distinct from each other using at least one of a grouped user interface, a transparent and / or semi-transparent user interface, a user interface for a sub-indicator, a user interface for a numbered guide, or a user interface for a page indicator; and based on detecting a drag or swipe input to the flexible display, move the first page off the flexible display and display the second page including all of the second icon group included on the second page to an area of the flexible display from which the first page is moved. the flexible display having the second size includes at least a portion of the main area and an unfolded area, and 2.The electronic device of claim 1, wherein, wherein the moving the first page off the flexible display and displaying the second page including all of the second icon group included on the second page to the area of the flexible display from which the first page is moved includes retrieving a third page according to the sequential order and displaying a portion of the third page in proximity to the displayed second page, the portion of the third page including a subset of a third icon group of the third page. the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the electronic device to display the first screen such that at least one icon, at least one application, at least one item, and / or at least one image are displayed on the first page and / or the second page in a matrix form. 3.The electronic device of claim 2, wherein, the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the electronic device to display the second screen such that the first page is displayed in the main area and the subset of icons included on the second page is displayed in the unfolded area. 4.The electronic device of claim 3, wherein, ​ 5.The electronic device of claim 4, wherein, The processor is further configured to display the second screen such that if the second page is a last page, the second page is displayed in the main area and a blank page is displayed in the expanded area. 6.The electronic device of claim 4, wherein The processor is further configured to display the second screen such that if the second page is a last page, the second page is displayed in the main area and at least some of icons included on the first page are displayed in the expanded area. 7.The electronic device of claim 3, wherein The plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the electronic device to display the second screen such that the at least one icon, the at least one application, the at least one item, and / or the at least one image included on the first page are expanded or moved to be displayed in the main area and / or the expanded area. 8.The electronic device of claim 3, wherein, The plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the electronic device to display the second screen such that the at least one icon, the at least one application, the at least one item, and / or the at least one image included on the second page are deleted or reduced to be displayed in the expanded area. 9.The electronic device of claim 1, wherein The plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the electronic device to display the first screen when the flexible display is pulled into the inner space of the housing while the second screen is displayed. 10.A method for operating a screen of an electronic device including a flexible display, the method comprising: storing, in a memory, information related to a first page and a second page arranged in a sequential order on the flexible display, the first page including a first set of icons; displaying a first screen on the flexible display, wherein the first screen has a first size and includes the first page having the first set of icons; based on detecting a pull-out of the flexible display, displaying a second screen on the flexible display, wherein the second screen has a second size and includes the first page and a portion of the second page following the first page in the sequential order, the portion of the second page including a subset of a second set of icons included in the second page; controlling the flexible display to display the first set of icons and the subset of the second set of icons as visually distinct from each other using at least one of a grouped user interface, a transparent and / or semi-transparent user interface, a user interface for a sub-indicator, a user interface for a numbered guide, or a user interface for a page indicator; and based on detecting a drag or swipe input to the flexible display, moving the first page off of the flexible display and displaying the second page including the entire second set of icons included on the second page to an area of the flexible display from which the first page is moved. 11.The method of operating a screen of an electronic device according to claim 10, wherein, the flexible display having the second size includes at least a portion of a main area and an expanded area, and the flexible display having the second size includes at least a portion of a main area and an expanded area, and The displaying of the second screen further includes displaying the first page in the main area and displaying a subset of icons included in the second page in the expanded area. 12.The method of operating a screen of an electronic device according to claim 11, wherein, The displaying of the first screen further includes displaying at least one icon, at least one application, at least one item, and / or at least one image on the first page and / or the second page in a matrix form. 13.The method of operating a screen of an electronic device according to claim 12, wherein, The displaying of the second screen further includes displaying the first page in the main area and displaying a subset of icons included in the second page in the expanded area. 14.The method of operating a screen of an electronic device according to claim 13, wherein, The displaying of the second screen further includes displaying the first page in the main area and displaying a subset of icons included in the second page in the expanded area. 15.The method of operating a screen of an electronic device according to claim 13, wherein, The displaying of the second screen further includes displaying the first page in the main area and displaying a subset of icons included in the second page in the expanded area. 16.The method of operating a screen of an electronic device according to claim 12, wherein, The displaying of the second screen further includes expanding or moving the at least one icon, the at least one application, the at least one item, and / or the at least one image included in the first page to be displayed in the main area and / or the expanded area. 17.The method of operating a screen of an electronic device according to claim 12, wherein, The displaying of the second screen further includes deleting or reducing the at least one icon, the at least one application, the at least one item, and / or the at least one image included in the second page to be displayed in the expanded area. 18.The method of operating a screen of an electronic device according to claim 10, wherein, The displaying of the first screen further includes displaying the first screen when the flexible display is pulled into an inner space of a housing while the second screen is displayed.

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