Flexible display control method and electronic device supporting the same

Abstract

Disclosed is an electronic device including a first housing, a second housing, a flexible display having a first area and a second area, and a processor, wherein, in a first state, the first area is exposed for an outside of the electronic device to view, and at least a portion of the second area can be exposed with the first area for the outside of the electronic device to view when the first state is switched to a second state according to movement of the second housing relative to the first housing, wherein the processor is configured to supply power related to driving of the flexible display to a first portion of the second area, which is adjacent to the first area and is not exposed to be viewed outward through a front surface of the electronic device, in the first state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various embodiments of this disclosure relate to a method for controlling the power of a flexible display and electronic devices supporting the method. Background Technology

[0002] The electronic device can display a screen in the display area of ​​a flexible display. For example, the electronic device can display a screen in a first area exposed to the outside of the electronic device in a first state of the flexible display (e.g., a reduced display area state), or it can display a screen in a first area and in at least a portion of a second area extending from the first area in a second state of the flexible display (e.g., an expanded display area state). Summary of the Invention

[0003] Technical issues

[0004] When the electronic device displays a screen in the first area of ​​the flexible display in its first state, power related to the driving of the flexible display (e.g., flexible display panel current) needs to be supplied to the entire flexible display, and this may unnecessarily waste power with respect to the second area of ​​the display. Therefore, this unnecessary power waste can reduce the usage time of the electronic device.

[0005] To reduce or prevent unnecessary power waste related to the second area of ​​the flexible display, the electronic device can block power to the portion of the second area of ​​the flexible display that is not exposed to the outside of the electronic device. However, if the first state is switched to the second state, the electronic device needs to supply power to the previously unpowered portion, exposing that portion to the outside of the electronic device for screen display, which inevitably slows down the screen display.

[0006] The various embodiments disclosed herein can provide a flexible display control method for supplying power related to the driving of a flexible display, as well as electronic devices supporting the flexible display control method.

[0007] Solution to the problem

[0008] According to embodiments disclosed herein, an electronic device may include a first housing, a second housing coupled to the first housing for being movable relative to the first housing, a flexible display including a first region and a second region extending from the first region, a display driver IC for driving the flexible display, and a processor electrically connected to the flexible display, wherein, in a first state, the first region is exposed for external viewing of the electronic device, and when the first state is switched to a second state according to movement of the second housing relative to the first housing, at least a portion of the second region is exposed together with the first region for external viewing of the electronic device, wherein the processor is configured to: in the first state, supply power related to driving the flexible display to a first portion of the second region, the first portion being adjacent to the first region and not exposed for external viewing through the front surface of the electronic device.

[0009] Furthermore, according to the embodiments disclosed herein, a method for controlling a flexible display may include: when a first region of the flexible display is exposed for external viewing through the front surface of an electronic device according to a first state, supplying power related to the driving of the flexible display to a first portion of a second region of the flexible display, the first portion being adjacent to the first region and not exposed for external viewing through the front surface of the electronic device.

[0010] Beneficial effects of the invention

[0011] According to the various embodiments disclosed herein, the flexible display control method and the electronic device supporting the flexible display control method can divide a second region of the flexible display into multiple parts, and can independently supply power related to the driving of the display to each of the multiple parts according to a first state or a second state, thereby increasing the usage time of the electronic device.

[0012] In addition, according to the various embodiments disclosed herein, the flexible display control method and the electronic device supporting the flexible display control method can supply power related to the driving of the display to a region adjacent to the first and / or second region of the flexible display, which is exposed for external viewing, thereby improving user responsiveness.

[0013] Various other beneficial effects, directly or indirectly identified through this disclosure, may be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Regarding the description of the accompanying drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for the same or similar elements. Furthermore, the above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of this disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0015] Figure 1A shows the front surface of the electronic device in a first state (e.g., display area reduced state) according to an embodiment.

[0016] Figure 1B shows the front surface of the electronic device in a second state (e.g., the display area expansion state) according to an embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2A shows a cross-section of the electronic device in a first state (e.g., a reduced display area state) according to an embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2B shows a cross-section of the electronic device in a second state (e.g., the display area expansion state) according to an embodiment.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

[0020] Figure 4A shows an example of the state of the flexible display in a first state (e.g., the state of reduced display area) according to an embodiment.

[0021] Figure 4B illustrates an example of the states of a flexible display switching from a first state (e.g., a reduced display area state) to a second state (e.g., an expanded display area state) according to an embodiment.

[0022] Figure 4C shows an example of the state of the flexible display in a second state (e.g., the display area expansion state) according to an embodiment.

[0023] Figure 5 The hardware configuration of an electronic device according to various embodiments is shown.

[0024] Figure 6 The software configuration of an electronic device according to various embodiments is shown.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a flexible display for an electronic device according to an embodiment.

[0026] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling an electronic device using a flexible display according to various embodiments.

[0027] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling an electronic device using a flexible display according to various embodiments.

[0028] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling an electronic device using a flexible display according to various embodiments.

[0029] Figure 11This is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling an electronic device using a flexible display according to various embodiments.

[0030] Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling an electronic device using a flexible display according to various embodiments.

[0031] Figure 13 An electronic device in a network environment according to an embodiment is shown.

[0032] Regarding the description of the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals may be assigned to the same or corresponding components.

[0033] Any of the embodiments described herein may be used in conjunction with any other embodiments described herein. Detailed Implementation

[0034] Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the specific embodiments and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, and / or substitutions to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 1A shows the front surface of the electronic device in a first state (e.g., display area reduced state) according to an embodiment. Figure 1B shows the front surface of the electronic device in a second state (e.g., display area expanded state) according to an embodiment.

[0036] Any of the embodiments described herein may be used in conjunction with any other embodiments described herein.

[0037] According to the various embodiments disclosed herein, a surface facing at least a portion (e.g., a first portion 121) of the flexible display 120 of the electronic device 100, facing substantially the same direction as the direction for user viewing, can be defined as the front surface of the electronic device 100, and a surface opposite to the front surface can be defined as the rear surface of the electronic device 100. A surface surrounding the space between the front and rear surfaces can be defined as the side surface of the electronic device 100.

[0038] According to an embodiment, the flexible display 120 may be disposed in at least a portion of the electronic device 100. According to an example embodiment, the flexible display 120 may be configured to include at least a portion having a flat shape and at least a portion having a curved shape. According to an embodiment, the flexible display 120 and a slidable housing 110 surrounding at least a portion of the edge of the flexible display 120 may be disposed on the front surface of the electronic device 100.

[0039] According to an example embodiment, the housing 110 (e.g., a sliding housing or a rolling housing) may construct portions of the front surface (e.g., the surface of the electronic device 100 facing the +z direction in Figures 1A and 1B), rear surface (e.g., the surface of the electronic device 100 facing the -z direction in Figures 1A and 1B), and side surface (e.g., the surface connecting the front and rear surfaces of the electronic device 100). According to an example embodiment, the housing 110 may construct portions of the rear surface and side surface of the electronic device 100.

[0040] According to an example embodiment, housing 110 may include a first housing 111 and a second housing 112 movably coupled to the first housing 111 within a predetermined range.

[0041] According to an example embodiment, the flexible display 120 may include a first display portion 121 and a second display portion 122, the first display portion 121 being coupled to a second housing 112, and the second display portion 122 extending from at least the first portion 121 and being able to be pulled into the interior of the electronic device 100.

[0042] According to an example embodiment, the electronic device 100 may include a first state 100a and a second state 100b. For example, the first state 100a (e.g., see FIG. 1A) and the second state 100b (e.g., see FIG. 1B) of the electronic device 100 may be determined based on the relative position of the second housing 112 relative to the first housing 111, and the electronic device 100 may be configured to be changed between the first state 100a and the second state 100b by user manipulation and / or mechanical operation.

[0043] According to an example embodiment, a first state 100a of the electronic device 100 may refer to the state before the housing 110 is expanded (e.g., see FIG. 1A). A second state 100b of the electronic device 100 may refer to the state in which the housing 110 is at least partially expanded (e.g., see FIG. 1B).

[0044] According to an example embodiment, when the electronic device 100 switches from a first state 100a to a second state 100b due to the movement of the second housing 112, the second portion 122 of the flexible display 120 can be pulled out from the interior of the electronic device 100 (or exposed for viewing, so that it can be viewed by a user). According to an example embodiment, the pulled-out (or exposed) flexible display 120 may mean that at least a portion of the flexible display 120 can be viewed by a user from the outside of the electronic device 100. In an example embodiment, when the electronic device 100 switches from a second state 100b to a first state 100a due to the movement of the second housing 112 relative to the first housing 111, the second portion 122 of the flexible display 120 can be pulled back into the interior of the electronic device 100 so that the user no longer views it from the outside of the device. According to an example embodiment, the flexible display 120 being pulled back into the interior of the electronic device may mean that at least a portion of the flexible display 120 is invisible and / or not viewable by the user from the outside of the electronic device 100.

[0045] Figure 2A shows a side cross-sectional view of the electronic device in a first state (e.g., display area reduced state) according to an example embodiment. Figure 2B shows a side cross-sectional view of the electronic device in a second state (e.g., display area expanded state) according to an example embodiment. In the following description, the description of electronic device 100 (see above and / or Figures 1A-1B) applies to electronic device 200, and the description of housing 110 applies to housing 210.

[0046] According to the example embodiment, the first state may refer to a first shape, and the second state may refer to a second shape. For example, the first shape may include a normal state, a reduced state, and / or a closed state, and the second shape may include an extended state and / or an open state.

[0047] Referring to Figures 2A and 2B, the electronic device 200 according to the example embodiment may include at least one of a first housing 211, a second housing 212, a housing 210 consisting of at least the housings 211 and 212, a display 220 (including a display and / or display portions 221 and 222), a roller 240, a sensor 250, and a display support member 260.

[0048] According to an example embodiment, a first housing 211 may constitute at least a portion of the rear surface and / or side surface of the electronic device 200. According to an example embodiment, a second housing 212 may constitute at least a portion of the side surface and / or front surface of the electronic device 200. According to an example embodiment, a display 220 may be coupled to at least a portion of the second housing 212 for movement therewith.

[0049] According to an embodiment, a portion of the display 220 may be configured to overlap with the second housing 212. For example, at least a portion of one surface of the display 220 may be disposed on at least a portion of the front surface of the second housing 212, and the other surface of the display 220 may be exposed for external viewing.

[0050] According to an example embodiment, the display support member 260 may include a plurality of engagement structures 261 and a support plate 262. In an embodiment, the shape of a portion of the plurality of engagement structures 261 may deform during the switching of the state of the electronic device 200. For example, during the switching of the electronic device 200 from a first state 200a to a second state 200b or from a second state 200b to a first state 200a, a portion of the plurality of engagement structures 261 may be bent and / or unfolded to have a specified curvature. According to an example embodiment, a second housing 212 may be fixed and / or coupled to one end of the plurality of engagement structures 261, and a portion of the first portion 221 of the display 220 may be disposed at the upper end of the second housing 212. In one embodiment, the support plate 262 may be fixed and / or coupled to one end of the plurality of engagement structures 261.

[0051] According to an embodiment, roller 240 can contact multiple engagement structures 261 of display support member 260, and display support member 260 can move within a specified range by rotation of roller 240. For example, when roller 240 rotates clockwise during the transition of electronic device 200 from first state 200a to second state 200b, display support member 260 can move in a first direction (e.g., away from roller 240) while a portion of the bent engagement structure 261 is unfolded. As another example, when roller 240 rotates counterclockwise during the transition of electronic device 200 from second state 200b to first state 200a, display support member 260 can move in a second direction (e.g., opposite to the first direction) while a portion of the unfolded engagement structure 261 is bent. According to an embodiment, when the shape of a portion of the multiple engagement structures 261 deforms during the transition of electronic device 200's state, the shape of the second portion 222 of display 220 supported by the multiple engagement structures 261 can also deform to correspond to the shape of the multiple engagement structures 261.

[0052] According to an example embodiment, the display 220 may be disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the display support member 260, and the display 220 may move together with the display support member 260 by rotation of the roller 240. According to an embodiment, the display 220 may include a first portion 221 and / or a second portion 222, the shape of which may be deformable depending on the state of the electronic device 200.

[0053] According to an example embodiment, a first portion 221 of the display 220 may be located above a portion of the second housing 212 and the plurality of bonding structures 261, and may be supported by the second housing 212 and the plurality of bonding structures 261. In an embodiment, the first portion 221 of the display 220 may be exposed for external viewing by the electronic device 200, regardless of the state of the electronic device 200 (e.g., a first state or a second state).

[0054] According to an example embodiment, the second portion 222 of the display 220 may be located above a portion of a plurality of engagement structures 261 of the display support member 260, and may be supported by the plurality of engagement structures 261. In the embodiment, depending on the state of the electronic device 200, the second portion 222 of the display 220 may or may not be exposed for external viewing by the electronic device 200.

[0055] For example, in the case of the electronic device 200 in the first state 200a, the second portion 222 of the display 220 can be supported by a plurality of engagement structures 261 and can be housed within the internal space of the electronic device 200 while wound around the rotation axis of the roller 240. Therefore, the second portion 222 can be kept from being exposed for external viewing of the electronic device 200. In another example, when the electronic device 200 switches from the first state 200a to the second state 200b, the area of ​​the second portion 222 of the display 220 adjacent to the first portion 221 can be pulled out from the interior of the electronic device 200. When the portion of the second portion 222 adjacent to the first portion 221 is pulled out from the interior of the electronic device 200, the display area of ​​the display 220 can be expanded, and this display area is exposed for external viewing of the electronic device 200. In another example, when the electronic device 200 transitions from a second state 200b to a first state 200a, the area of ​​the second portion 222 exposed to the outside of the electronic device 200 (exposed for viewing so that it can be viewed by the user) (this area is adjacent to the support plate 262) can be pulled into the interior of the electronic device 200. When the portion of the second portion 222 adjacent to the support plate 262 is pulled into the interior of the electronic device 200, the display area of ​​the display 220 exposed to the outside of the electronic device 200 can be reduced.

[0056] The electronic device 200 according to various embodiments is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B. For example, since the display 220 is configured to cover most of the front surface and a portion of the rear surface of the electronic device 200, even in the first state 200a, a portion of the display 220 can be exposed to the outside from the rear surface.

[0057] According to an example embodiment, at least one sensor 250 (which may include sensing circuitry) may be located in the electronic device 200. The electronic device 200 may use the at least one sensor 250 to detect changes in the state of the electronic device 200, such as a change from a first state to a second state and vice versa. The at least one sensor 250 according to the embodiment may include at least one of a Hall sensor and a distance sensor, but is not limited thereto. For example, the at least one sensor 250 may include at least one of an optical sensor, an ultrasonic distance sensor, and a radio wave distance sensor capable of detecting the state of the electronic device 200 (e.g., the state in which the electronic device housing is pulled out or pulled in) or the distance that the housing 212 has moved.

[0058] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of an electronic device according to an example embodiment.

[0059] Reference Figure 3 The electronic device 300 can at least partially control the power (e.g., flexible display panel current) supplied to the flexible display 310 (120, 220) according to a first state (e.g., first states 100a and 200a in Figures 1A and 2A) or a second state (e.g., second states 100b and 200b in Figures 1B and 2B). For example, depending on the first or second state, the electronic device 300 can supply power associated with driving the flexible display 310 to a portion of the flexible display 310 exposed to the outside through the front surface of the electronic device 300 (e.g., the +z direction in Figures 1A or 1B) (e.g., first region 311), and supply power associated with driving the flexible display 310 to the remaining region (e.g., second region 312), which is not exposed to the outside through the front surface of the electronic device 300. The first region 311 may correspond to, for example, at least the regions 121 and / or 221 above, and the second region 312 may correspond to, for example, at least the regions 122 and / or 222 above.

[0060] refer to Figure 3 The electronic device 300 for providing the above-described functions may include a flexible display 310 and a processor 330 (including processing circuitry). However, the components of the electronic device 300 are not limited thereto. In various embodiments, one of the above-described components may be omitted from the electronic device 300, or the electronic device may also include at least one other component. For example, the electronic device 300 may also include a housing (e.g., housing 110 of Figures 1A, 1B, 2A, and / or 2B) surrounding at least a portion of the edge of the flexible display 310.

[0061] According to an embodiment, in the flexible display 310, a screen for viewing can be displayed in a first region 311 depending on a first state or a second state, and at least a portion of a plurality of portions of the second region 312 can be configured to be in an active state, a black state, or an inactive state. An active state may be a state in which a screen including color data (e.g., RGB color codes) is displayed on at least a portion of the plurality of portions of the second region 312 (e.g., a portion of the screen displayed in the first region 311). A black state may be a state in which a screen not including color data or a screen including black data is displayed on at least a portion of the plurality of portions of the second region 312. An inactive state may be a state in which a screen cannot be displayed on at least a portion of the plurality of portions of the second region 312.

[0062] According to an embodiment, in a first state, the flexible display 310 can display a screen with a visual image (e.g., still or video) in the first region 311, such as according to the aforementioned active state in the first region 311, and display a screen according to the aforementioned black state in at least a portion of a plurality of portions of the second region 312. For example, in the first state, under the control of at least one processor 330, power related to driving the flexible display 310 and power related to displaying color data of the light-emitting element are supplied to the first region 311, so that the flexible display 310 can display a screen according to the active state in the first region 311. In the first state, under the control of the processor 330, power related to driving the flexible display 310 is supplied to a portion of the plurality of portions of the second region 312 adjacent to the first region 311 (e.g., the first portion), and power related to displaying color data of the light-emitting element is blocked, so that the flexible display 310 can display a screen according to the aforementioned black state in the adjacent portion.

[0063] According to an example embodiment, in a second state, the flexible display 310 can display a screen according to the above-described active state in the portions of the first region 311 and the second region 312 that are exposed to the outside of the electronic device 300, and in at least a portion of the non-exposed areas of the multiple portions of the second region 312, in at least a portion adjacent to the exposed portions, a screen according to the above-described black state is displayed. For example, in the second state (e.g., at least a partially unfolded state), under the control of the processor 330, power related to driving the flexible display 310 and power related to displaying color data of the light-emitting element are supplied to the portions of the first region 311 and the second region 312 exposed to the outside of the electronic device 300 (e.g., the second portion, which may include the first portion), such that the flexible display 310 can display a screen with an image for viewing according to the above-described active state in the exposed portions of the multiple portions of the first region 311 and the second region 312. In the second state, under the control of the processor 330, power associated with driving the flexible display 310 is supplied to the portion of the second region 312 adjacent to the exposed portion (e.g., the third portion), and power associated with displaying the color data of the light-emitting element is blocked, so that the flexible display 310 can display a screen according to the described black state in the portion of the second region 312 adjacent to the exposed portion (e.g., the non-exposed portion). In the above embodiment, the second state may be a state in which a portion of the second region 312 of the flexible display 310 (e.g., the second portion) is exposed to the outside through the front surface of the electronic device 300 (e.g., the +z axis direction in FIG. 1B), and the remaining portion of the second region (e.g., the portion including the third portion) is not exposed to the outside through the front surface of the electronic device 300. Therefore, in the second state, for example, at least the remaining portion of the second region may be in a black state.

[0064] According to an embodiment, the processor 330 can configure at least a portion of the flexible display 310 (e.g., the second region 312) to be in an active state, a black state, and / or an inactive state based on whether the device is in, for example, a first state or a second state. The active state, black state, and inactive state can refer to the aforementioned states of the flexible display 310.

[0065] According to an embodiment, in a first state, the processor 330 can configure a portion of a plurality of portions of the second region 312 to be in the aforementioned black state, and configure the remaining portions of the second region 312 to be in the aforementioned inactive state. For example, in the first state, the processor 330 can supply power related to driving the flexible display 310 to the portion of the plurality of portions of the second region 312 adjacent to the first region 311 (e.g., the first portion), and block power related to color data display of the light-emitting element, thereby displaying a screen according to the aforementioned black state in the adjacent portion. In the first state, the processor 330 can block all power related to driving the flexible display 310 and power related to color data display of the light-emitting element to the remaining portions of the plurality of portions of the second region 312 other than the portion adjacent to the first region 311, thereby configuring the remaining portions of the region 312 to be in the aforementioned inactive state.

[0066] According to an embodiment, in a second state, the processor 330 can configure a portion of a plurality of portions of the second region 312 to be active to display a color image for user viewing, and configure the remaining portions to be in the aforementioned black state or inactive state. For example, in the second state, the processor 330 can supply power related to driving the flexible display 310 and power related to displaying color data of the light-emitting element to the portion of the plurality of portions of the second region 312 exposed to the outside of the electronic device 300 for viewing (e.g., the second portion, which may include the first portion), thus displaying a screen according to the active state in the exposed portion of the second region 312. In the second state, the processor 330 can supply power related to driving the flexible display 310 to the portion of the plurality of portions of the second region 312 adjacent to the exposed portion (e.g., the third portion), and block power related to displaying color data of the light-emitting element, thereby displaying a screen according to the aforementioned black state in the adjacent portion of the second region 312. In the second state, the processor 330 can block all power associated with driving the flexible display 310 and power associated with displaying the color data of the light-emitting element to the unexposed remaining portion of the second region 312, and thus configure the remaining portion to be in the aforementioned inactive state.

[0067] For example, you can refer to Table 1 below to describe the above active, black, and inactive states.

[0068] Table 1

[0069]

[0070] Referring to Table 1, the processor 330 can configure active, black, and inactive states based on the drive current of the display driver IC (DDI), the drive current of the display panel, and the current of the light-emitting elements (e.g., pixels). The drive current of the display driver IC can be a power supply for driving the display driver IC, which is configured to control the operation of the flexible display 310. The drive current of the display panel can be a power supply for driving the gate driver, which is configured to control the on / off operation of the light-emitting elements (e.g., pixels) included in the flexible display 310. The light-emitting element current can be a power supply for driving the source driver, which is configured to control the display of color data of the light-emitting elements (e.g., pixels) included in the flexible display 310.

[0071] According to various example embodiments, in a first state, the processor 330 may supply the drive current of the display driver IC, the drive current of the display panel, and the light-emitting element current to a first region 311 of the flexible display 310 to configure the first region 311 as active for displaying a screen, such as a color image, for a user to view. In the first state, the processor 330 may, based on the active state of the first region 311, supply the drive current of the display driver IC and the drive current of the display panel to the portion of a second region 312 of the flexible display 310 adjacent to the first region 311, and block the light-emitting element current, so that the adjacent portion of the second region 312 is configured in a black state, which can be quickly switched to an active state based on whether light-emitting element current is supplied. In the first state, based on the black state of the adjacent portion of the second region 312, the processor 330 may supply (e.g., apply) the drive current of the display driver IC to the remaining portion of the second region 312 of the flexible display 310 other than the adjacent portion, and block the drive current of the display panel and the light-emitting element current, so that the remaining portion of the second region 312 is configured in an inactive state. Therefore, in the first state (e.g., see Figures 1A and 2A), a portion of the second region 312 has a panel drive current applied to it (see the black state above), while another portion of the second region 312 (e.g., the remaining portion) does not (see the inactive state above). The remaining portion configured to be inactive can transition to an active state relatively slowly compared to its adjacent portions. In the first state, the processor 330 can minimize or reduce the current consumption of the remaining portion of the second region 312, excluding the adjacent portions that may initially be exposed to the outside of the electronics 300.

[0072] According to various example embodiments, in the second state, the processor 330 can supply the driving voltage of the display driver IC and the voltage of the display panel to the portion of the second region 312 of the flexible display 310 exposed to the outside of the electronic device 300 for user viewing, and to the first region 311 of the flexible display 310, and supply current to the light-emitting element, so as to configure the exposed portions of the first region 311 and the second region 312 to be in an active state for displaying a screen such as a color image for user viewing. In the second state, the processor 330 can, according to the exposed portion of the flexible display 310 and the active state of the first region 311, supply the driving current of the display driver IC and the driving current of the display panel to the portion of the second region 312 of the flexible display 310 adjacent to the exposed portion of the second region 312, and block the light-emitting element current, so as to configure the adjacent portion of the second region 312 to be in a black state, which can be quickly switched to an active state simply by whether or not the light-emitting element current is supplied. In the second state, based on the black state of the adjacent portions of the second region, the processor 330 can supply the drive current of the display driver IC to the remaining portion of the second region 312 of the flexible display 310 excluding the adjacent portions, and block the drive current of the display panel and the current of the light-emitting element, so as to configure the remaining portion to be inactive. The remaining portion configured to be inactive can transition to an active state relatively slowly compared to the adjacent portions. Therefore, in the second state, for example, the exposed portion of the second region 312 can be active, the adjacent portion of the second region 312 adjacent to the exposed portion can be black, and the remaining portion of the second region 312 not adjacent to the exposed portion can be inactive (e.g., the adjacent portion can be between the exposed portion and the remaining portion). In the second state, the processor 330 can minimize or reduce the current consumption of the remaining portion of the second region 312 excluding the adjacent portions that can be initially exposed to the outside of the electronic device 300.

[0073] According to an example embodiment, processor 330 may partially supply power related to the driving of flexible display 310 to a second region 312 of flexible display 310, at least based on user input. User input may be received through first region 311 and / or second region 312 in a first state and / or a second state. In one embodiment, when user input is received through first region 311 or second region 312 of flexible display 310, processor 330 may, in response to the received user input, supply power related to the driving of flexible display 310 to a portion of the second region 312 of flexible display 310. For example, when user input is received through first region 311 in a first state, processor 330 may supply power related to the driving of flexible display 310 to a portion of a plurality of portions of second region 312 adjacent to first region 311 (e.g., a first portion). For example, when receiving user input through a portion of one of the multiple portions of the first region 311 or the second region 312 that is exposed to the outside of the electronic device 300 (e.g., the second portion, which may include the first portion) in the second state, the processor 330 may provide power related to driving the flexible display 310 to the portion adjacent to the exposed portion (e.g., the third portion).

[0074] According to an embodiment, processor 330 may partially supply power related to the actuation of flexible display 310 to a second region 312 of flexible display 310 based on user input. User input may be, for example, a touch input (e.g., drag and drop) received through a first region 311 of flexible display 310 to switch from a first state to a second state at a specified distance. User input may also be an input (e.g., a trigger) to activate a motor associated with the function of a roller (e.g., roller 240 of FIG. 2A or FIG. 2B) for switching from the first state to the second state. In an embodiment, when user input is received through the first region 311 of flexible display 310, processor 330 may, in response to the received user input, supply power related to the actuation of flexible display 310 to a portion of the second region 312 of flexible display 310, as described above. For example, when user input is received through the first region 311 in a first state, processor 330 may supply power related to the actuation of flexible display 310 to a portion (e.g., a third portion) of a plurality of portions of the second region 312 adjacent to a portion exposed to the outside of electronic device 300 (e.g., a second portion).

[0075] According to an example embodiment, processor 330 may partially block power associated with driving the flexible display 310 to a second region 312 of the flexible display 310 based on a specified time period associated with user input. User input may be touch input (e.g., drag and drop) received through a first region 311 of the flexible display 310 at a specified distance to switch from a first state to a second state. In an embodiment, when a specified first time period has elapsed after receiving user input through the first region 311 of the flexible display 310 has ended, processor 330 may block power associated with driving the flexible display 310 supplied to a portion (e.g., a third portion) of the second region 312 of the flexible display 310, adjacent to a portion (e.g., the second portion) exposed to the outside of the electronic device 300. In an embodiment, when the position (e.g., drag end point) of the user input through the first region 311 of the flexible display 310 is held for a specified second time period, the processor 330 may block the power supplied to a portion (e.g., a third portion) of the second region 312 of the flexible display 310 that is adjacent to the portion (e.g., the second portion) exposed to the outside of the electronic device 300.

[0076] According to an example embodiment, processor 330 can determine the range of power supplied in the second region 312 of flexible display 310 for driving the flexible display 310. In this embodiment, processor 330 can determine the range based on the time for exposing one portion of a plurality of portions of the second region 312 to the outside of electronic device 300 (hereinafter, sliding time) and the time for supplying power in the driving context of flexible display 310 via display driver IC (hereinafter, wake-up time). For example, in the case where the sliding time is 0.2 seconds and the wake-up time is 1 second, processor 330 can determine the range as a number corresponding to a value obtained by dividing the wake-up time by the sliding time (e.g., 1 / 0.2 = 5).

[0077] According to an embodiment, processor 330 can determine the number of portions for dividing the second region 312 of flexible display 310 into. In an embodiment, processor 330 can determine the number of portions for dividing the second region 312 into based on the performance (e.g., resolution) associated with the detection of a sensor (e.g., sensor 250 of FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B) and the wake-up time of a display driver IC, the sensor being configured to detect whether the second region 312 of flexible display 310 is exposed to the outside of electronics 300. This number can be the number of logical sample units for dividing the second region 312 into physically connected states. In various embodiments, the portions of the second region 312 can include elements arranged on flexible display 310 corresponding to the position of the second region 312 in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the second region 312 extends from the first region 311 (e.g., the -x direction in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B) (e.g., the +y direction in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B).

[0078] Figure 4A shows an example of the state of the flexible display in a first state (e.g., the state of reduced display area) according to an embodiment.

[0079] Referring to Figure 4A, when an electronic device (e.g., Figure 3 The electronic device 300) in the first state 400a (e.g., the first states 100a and 200a of Figures 1A and 2A) is in the flexible display 410 (e.g., Figure 3 When a screen is displayed in the first region 411 (e.g., 121, 221, 311) of the flexible display 310, an electronic device may supply power related to the driving of the flexible display 410 to a portion (e.g., the first portion 412a) of the second region 412 (e.g., 122, 222, 312) of the flexible display 410, which is adjacent to the first region 411.

[0080] According to the example embodiment, in the first state 400a, a screen (e.g., having a color image) can be displayed in the first area 411 of the flexible display 410. For example, referring to the activity states in Table 1 above, the drive current of the display driver IC, the drive current of the display panel, and the current of the light-emitting element are supplied to the first area 411 so that the screen can be displayed.

[0081] According to an example embodiment, in the first state 400a, power related to driving the flexible display 410 can be supplied to a portion of the second region 412 of the flexible display 410, which is adjacent to the first region 411. For example, in the first state 400a, referring to the black states in Table 1 above, the drive current of the display driver IC and the drive current of the display panel can be supplied to the first portion 412a of the plurality of portions of the second region 412. Furthermore, referring to the black states in Table 1 above, the flow of light-emitting element current to the first portion 412a can be blocked. In this case, when the electronic device 300 switches from the first state 400a to the second state (e.g., the second states 100b and 200b of Figures 1B and 2B), the electronic device can supply only light-emitting element current to the first portion 412a to quickly display a screen (e.g., with a color image) in the first portion 412a.

[0082] According to an embodiment, in the first state 400a, the power associated with driving the flexible display 410 can be partially blocked to the second region 412 of the flexible display 410. For example, referring to the inactive states in Table 1 above, in the first state 400a, the drive current of the display can be supplied only to the second remaining portion 412b of the plurality of portions of the second region 412, excluding the first portion 412a, and the drive current of the display panel and the light-emitting element current can be blocked to the second remaining portion 412b. In this case, the electronic device 300 can reduce or minimize the current consumed in the second portion 412b, which is relatively farther from the first region 411, compared to the first portion 412a. In various embodiments, when the flexible display 410 switches from the first state 400a to the second state 100b or 200b, while the light-emitting element current is supplied to the first portion 412a, the drive current of the display panel can be supplied to at least a portion of the second portion 412b.

[0083] According to various embodiments, the electronic device 300 can display a screen in a first region 411 of the flexible display 410 in a first state 400a, and also display a screen in a portion of a second region 412 of the flexible display 410 (e.g., a portion of the second portion 412b, hereinafter referred to as the "rear active region") according to the activity states in Table 1 above. In the first state 400a, when a screen according to the activity states in Table 1 is displayed in the rear active region, power related to the driving of the flexible display 410 can be supplied to or blocked from the region adjacent to the rear active region (e.g., the remaining portion of the second portion 412b). For example, in the first state 400a, when a screen according to the activity states in Table 1 is displayed in the rear active region, referring to the black state in Table 1, the drive current of the display driver IC and the drive current of the display panel can be supplied to the region located between the rear active region and the first region 411 in the region adjacent to the rear active region. For example, in the first state 400a, when the screen is displayed in the rear active area according to the active state of Table 1 above, referring to the inactive state of Table 1 above, the drive current of the display can be supplied only to the area adjacent to the rear active area except for the area located between the rear active area and the first area 411, and the drive current of the display panel and the current of the light-emitting element can be blocked.

[0084] Figure 4B illustrates the states of a flexible display switching from a first state (e.g., a reduced display area state) to a second state (e.g., a partially expanded state) according to an embodiment.

[0085] Referring to Figure 4B, in the flexible display 410 (e.g., Figure 3 In a second state 400b, where a portion of the second region 412 of the flexible display 310 (e.g., the first portion 412c) is exposed to the outside of the electronic device 300, the electronic device (e.g., Figure 3 In the case where the electronic device 300 displays a screen (e.g., with a color image) on the exposed portion 412c of the second region 412 and the first region 411 of the flexible display 410, the electronic device can supply power related to the driving of the flexible display 410 to a portion of the second region 412 (e.g., the second portion 412d), which is adjacent to the exposed portion 412c of the second region 412.

[0086] According to an embodiment, in the second state 400b, a screen can be displayed in the first portion 412c of the second region 412 and the first region 411 of the flexible display 410. For example, referring to the active states in Table 1 above, the drive current of the display driver IC, the drive current of the display panel, and the current of the light-emitting element are supplied to the first region 411 and the first portion 412c, thereby enabling the screen to be displayed.

[0087] According to an embodiment, in the second state 400b, power related to driving the flexible display 410 can be supplied to a portion of the second region 412 of the flexible display 410, which is adjacent to the first region 412c. For example, in the second state 400b, referring to the black states in Table 1 above, the drive current of the display driver IC and the drive current of the display panel can be supplied to the second region 412d, one of the multiple portions of the second region 412. Furthermore, referring to the black states in Table 1 above, the light-emitting element current can be blocked to the second region 412d. In this case, when the electronic device 300 switches from the second state 400b, where the first region 412c is exposed to the outside of the electronic device 300, to the state where the second region 412d adjacent to the first region 412c is exposed to the outside of the electronic device 300 (e.g., the second states 100b and 200b of Figures 1B and 2B), the electronic device can additionally supply light-emitting element current only to the second region 412d to quickly display the screen in the second region 412d.

[0088] According to an embodiment, in the second state 400b, the power associated with driving the flexible display 410 can be partially blocked to the second region 412 of the flexible display 410. For example, referring to the inactive state in Table 1 above, in the second state 400b, the drive current of the display can be supplied only to the third part 412e of the plurality of portions of the second region 412, in addition to the first part 412c and the second part 412d, and the drive current of the display panel and the current of the light-emitting element can be blocked to the third part. In this case, compared to the second part 412d, the electronic device 300 can reduce or minimize the current consumed in the third part 412e, which is relatively farther away from the first part 412c. In various embodiments, when the flexible display 410 switches from a second state 400b in which the first portion 412c is exposed to the outside of the electronic device 300 to a state in which the second portion 412d adjacent to the first portion 412c is exposed to the outside of the electronic device 300 (e.g., the second states 100b and 200b of Figures 1B and 2B), the driving current of the display panel can be supplied to at least a portion of the third portion 412e while the light-emitting element current is supplied to the second portion 412d.

[0089] Figure 4C illustrates an example of the state of the flexible display in a second state (e.g., the display area extension state) according to an example embodiment.

[0090] Referring to Figure 4C, electronic devices (e.g., Figure 3 The electronic device 300 can display a screen in the first region 411 and the second region 412 of the flexible display 410 in a third state 400c (e.g., the second state 100b of FIG. 1B and the second state 200b of FIG. 2B).

[0091] According to an embodiment, in the third state 400c, a screen can be displayed in the second region 412 and the first region 411 of the flexible display 410. For example, referring to the active states in Table 1 above, the drive current of the display driver IC, the drive current of the display panel, and the current of the light-emitting element are supplied to multiple portions 412f of the second region 412 and the first region 411, thereby enabling the screen to be displayed.

[0092] According to an embodiment, when the electronic device 300 switches from a third state 400c to a first state (e.g., first state 100a in FIG. 1A and first state 200a in FIG. 2A), the electronic device can partially supply power related to the driving of the flexible display 410 to multiple portions 412f of the second region 412. For example, when the electronic device 300 switches from the third state 400c to the first state 100a or 200a, the electronic device can partially supply power related to the driving of the flexible display 410 to multiple portions 412f of FIG. 4A or 4B.

[0093] Figure 5 Hardware configurations of electronic devices according to various (e.g., 121, 221, 311) embodiments are shown.

[0094] Reference Figure 5 Electronic device 500 (e.g., Figure 3 The electronic device 500 may include a flexible display panel 510, a display driver IC 520, and a processor 530. In various embodiments, one of the above-mentioned components may be omitted from the electronic device 500, or the electronic device may additionally include at least one other component. For example, the electronic device 500 may also include at least one sensor (e.g., sensor 250 of Figures 2A and 2B) capable of detecting changes in the state of the electronic device 500 (e.g., a switching from a first state 100a of FIG. 1A and a first state 200a of FIG. 2A to a second state 100b of FIG. 1B and a second state 200b of FIG. 2B).

[0095] According to various embodiments, the flexible display panel 510 (e.g., Figure 3The flexible display panel 310 may include a first display area 511 (e.g., 121, 221, 311) (e.g., Figure 3 The first display area 311) and the second display area 512 (e.g., 122, 222, 312) (e.g., Figure 3 The second display area 512). In various embodiments, the second display area 512 may extend in the extension direction (e.g., the -x direction in Figures 1A and 1B) of the flexible display panel 510 while being physically connected to the first display area 511. In various embodiments, in the flexible display panel 510, a plurality of light-emitting elements 513 (e.g., pixels) may be arranged in the first display area 511 and the second display area 512 to have a specified shape (e.g., a grid shape).

[0096] According to various example embodiments, the display driver IC 520 (including driving circuitry) can control the flexible display panel 510. In various embodiments, the display driver circuitry 520 may include a gate driver 521, a source driver 522, a converter 523, a control register 524, an interface 525, a timing controller 526, and a buffer 527. In various embodiments, the display driver IC 520 may be constructed from the flexible display panel 510 and a module that may include circuitry.

[0097] In various embodiments, the gate driver 521 (including drive circuitry) can control the power associated with the driving of the plurality of pixels 513. For example, the gate driver 521 can collectively control the power of the plurality of pixels 513 arranged in a first display area 511 of the flexible display panel 510. As another example, the gate driver 521 can collectively control the power of a plurality of pixels 513 arranged in a second display area 512 of the flexible display panel 510, arranged in a generally straight line in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the flexible display panel 510 (e.g., the +y direction in Figures 1A and 1B) (e.g., pixels in rows below). In various embodiments, the gate driver 521 can be connected via a switching element 521a for each pixel in rows, thereby controlling the plurality of pixels 513 arranged in the second display area 512 as pixels in rows. In various embodiments, the operation of the gate driver 521 can be an operation for controlling the drive current of the display panel in Table 1 above.

[0098] In various example embodiments, the source driver 522 can control the power associated with color data display to display a screen in the first display area 511 and / or the second display area 512 of the flexible display panel 510. For example, the source driver 522 can supply current corresponding to the value of color data (e.g., a red value) to each of a plurality of pixels 513 arranged in the first display area 511 and the second display area 512. In various embodiments, the source driver 522 can receive the value of the color data from the processor 530. In various embodiments, the operation of the source driver 522 can be an operation for controlling the current of the light-emitting elements in Table 1 above.

[0099] In various example embodiments, converter 523 may supply drive current to gate driver 521 and source driver 522. For example, converter 523 may convert power supplied from an external source (e.g., a battery) into a fixed voltage and supply that voltage to gate driver 521 and source driver 522. In various embodiments, converter 523 may be a DC-DC converter.

[0100] In various embodiments, data (e.g., commands) related to the control of the flexible display panel 510 may be stored in a control register 524. For example, the control register 524 may receive data related to the control of the flexible display panel 510 from the processor 530 via an interface 525. In various embodiments, the control register 524 may provide data related to the control of the flexible display panel 510 to the gate driver 521 and the source driver 522.

[0101] In various embodiments, timing controller 526 can control the timing of sending data (e.g., commands) related to the control of flexible display panel 510 to gate driver 521 and source driver 522, which is stored in control register 524. For example, timing controller 526 can allow data for displaying a specified screen to be displayed in a first display area 511 and / or a second display area 512 of flexible display panel 510 at specified timings for each of a plurality of pixels 513.

[0102] In various embodiments, buffer 527 may temporarily store data related to the control of flexible display panel 510 in order to compensate for differences in the transmission speed of data (e.g., commands) related to the control of flexible display panel 510, which is sent from display driver IC 520 to flexible display panel 510.

[0103] According to various example embodiments, processor 530 may use display driver IC 520 to control the state of flexible display panel 510 (e.g., active state, black state, or inactive state as shown in Table 1 above). For example, processor 530 (including processing circuitry) may send data related to the control of flexible display panel 510 to display driver IC 520. In various embodiments, processor 530 may use graphics processor 531 to send data related to the display of color data of multiple pixels 513 to display driver IC 520.

[0104] Figure 6 The software configuration of an electronic device according to various example embodiments is shown.

[0105] refer to Figure 6 Electronic device 600 (e.g., Figure 3 The electronic device 600 may include an operating system 610, a sensor driver 621, an initialization unit (e.g., including circuitry) 622, a controller 623, a display driver (e.g., including drive circuitry) 624, a sensor callback 625, an execution unit (e.g., including circuitry) 626, a bootloader 630, a sensor 640, a display panel 650, and a display driver IC (including drive circuitry) 651. In various embodiments, the electronic device 600 may implement the operating system 610, sensor driver 621, initialization unit 622, controller 623, display driver 624, sensor callback 625, execution unit 626, and bootloader 630 as software areas. In various embodiments, the electronic device 600 may implement the sensor 640, display panel 650, and display driver IC 651 as hardware areas.

[0106] According to various example embodiments, the operating system 610 can control components implemented in the hardware region via components implemented in the software region of the electronic device 600. For example, the operating system 610 can control the display driver IC 651 via the display driver 624.

[0107] According to various example embodiments, sensor driver 621 can determine from sensor 640 (e.g., sensor 250 of Figures 2A and 2B) the information for detecting display panel 650 (e.g., ... Figure 3 The second region of the flexible display 310 (e.g., Figure 3 The second region 312) is exposed to the outside of the electronic device 600 in terms of detection performance (e.g., resolution). Additionally, the sensor driver 621 can send the detection performance to the display driver 624.

[0108] According to various embodiments, the initialization unit 622 can configure the initial state of the display driver 624 based on configuration values ​​related to the initial configuration of the display driver 624.

[0109] According to various embodiments, controller 623 can determine data (e.g., current state) related to the control of display panel 650. For example, controller 623 can calculate the power related to driving display panel 650, which will be supplied to multiple portions of the second region 312 of display panel 650 compared to the first region (e.g., Figure 3 The first region 311) is adjacent to the part.

[0110] According to various embodiments, the display driver 624 may determine the number of portions to be divided into for the second region 312 based on the detection performance of the sensor 640 and the wake-up time of the display driver IC 651. In various embodiments, the display driver 624 may include an initialization unit 622, a controller 623, a sensor callback 625, or an execution unit 626.

[0111] According to various embodiments, sensor callback 625 may receive events related to detection by sensor 640 and send such events to controller 623. In various embodiments, regarding events, sensor callback 625 may send to controller 623 a time period elapsed after the reception of touch input (e.g., drag and drop) at a specified distance received through the first area 311 of display panel 650, in order to switch electronic device 600 from a first state (e.g., first state 100a of FIG. 1A and first state 200a of FIG. 2A) to a second state (e.g., second state 100b of FIG. 1B and second state 200b of FIG. 2B). In various embodiments, sensor callback 625 may send the sliding time of display panel 650 and the wake-up time of display driver IC 651 to controller 623. In various embodiments, sensor callback 625 may send user input received through the first area 311 and / or second area 312 of display panel 650 to controller 623.

[0112] According to various embodiments, the execution unit 625 can send data received from the controller 623 related to the control of the display panel 650 to the display driver IC 651.

[0113] According to various embodiments, the bootloader 630 can control signals associated with the initial driving of at least some components of a component implemented on the software area of ​​the electronic device 600 (e.g., display driver 624).

[0114] According to various embodiments, sensor 640 can detect changes in the state of electronic device 600 (e.g., a change from a first state 100a or 200a to a second state 100b or 200b). In various embodiments, sensor 640 can detect whether a second area 312 of display panel 650 is exposed to the outside of electronic device 600. In various embodiments, sensor 640 may include at least one of a Hall sensor and a distance sensor.

[0115] According to various embodiments, referring to Table 1 above, each of the plurality of portions of the second region 312 of the display panel 650 can be configured to be in an active state, a black state, or an inactive state under the control of the display driver IC 651.

[0116] Figure 7 This is a flowchart 700 illustrating a method for controlling a flexible display for an electronic device according to various example embodiments.

[0117] Reference Figure 7 Electronic devices (e.g.) Figure 3 The electronic device 300 can perform operations 710 and 730 to at least partially control the supply to the flexible display (e.g., according to a first state (e.g., first state 100a of FIG. 1A and first state 200a of FIG. 2A) or a second state (e.g., second state 100b of FIG. 1B and second state 200b of FIG. 2B) based on a first state. Figure 3 The power of the flexible display 310.

[0118] Referring to operation 710, electronic device 300 can identify a first region of flexible display 310 in first states 100a and 200a (e.g., Figure 3 Whether the first region 311) is exposed to the outside through the front surface of the electronic device 300. In an embodiment, if the first region 311 of the flexible display 310 is exposed to the outside, the electronic device 300 may perform operation 730 according to first states 100a and 200a. In an embodiment, if the first region 311 is not exposed, the electronic device 300 may terminate operation 710 or perform operation 730 according to first states 100a and 200a. Figure 8 Operation 810.

[0119] Referring to operation 730, electronic device 300 may supply power associated with driving the flexible display 310 to a portion of the multiple portions of the second region 312 of the flexible display 310 adjacent to the first region 311 (e.g., the first portion), such as portion 412a of the second region 312 / 412 shown in FIG. 4A, and block power associated with color data display of the light-emitting element so that the screen is displayed in the adjacent portion (e.g., 412a) according to the aforementioned black state. In an embodiment, electronic device 300 may block all of the power associated with driving the flexible display 310 and the power associated with color data display of the light-emitting element to the remaining portions of the multiple portions of the second region 312 other than the portion adjacent to the first region 311 (e.g., 412b) so that the remaining portions are configured to be in the aforementioned inactive state.

[0120] Figure 8 This is a flowchart 800 illustrating a method for controlling a flexible display for an electronic device according to various example embodiments.

[0121] Reference Figure 8 Electronic devices (e.g.) Figure 3 The electronic device 300 can perform operations 810 and 830 to at least partially control the supply to the flexible display (e.g., according to a first state (e.g., first state 100a of FIG. 1A and first state 200a of FIG. 2A) or a second state (e.g., second state 100b of FIG. 1B and second state 200b of FIG. 2B) based on a first state. Figure 3 The flexible display 310) is powered. In various embodiments, operation 810 can be performed after operation 710.

[0122] Referring to operation 810, electronic device 300 can identify a second region of flexible display 310 in second states 100b and 200b (e.g., Figure 3 Whether a portion (e.g., a second part) of the second region 312 and / or the second region 412 in Figures 4A to 4B (e.g., part 412c in Figure 4B) is exposed to the outside through the front surface of the electronic device 300. In an embodiment, if a portion (e.g., 412c) of the second region 312 / 412 of the flexible display 310 is exposed to the outside, according to second states 100b and 200b, part 412c can be set to an active state, and the electronic device 300 can perform operation 830. In an embodiment, if a portion of the second region 312 is not exposed, according to second states 100b and 200b, the electronic device 300 can terminate operation 810 or perform... Figure 9 Operation 910.

[0123] Referring to operation 830, in the second states 100b and 200b, the electronic device 300 may supply power related to driving the flexible display 310 and power related to displaying color data of the light-emitting element to the portion of the second region 312 / 412 exposed to the outside of the electronic device 300 (e.g., the second portion) (e.g., 412c), so as to display a screen according to the above-described active state in the exposed portion 412c. In an embodiment, the electronic device 300 may also supply power related to driving the flexible display 310 to a portion of the second region 312 / 412 (e.g., the third portion) (e.g., 412d), which is adjacent to the exposed portion (e.g., 412c), and block power related to displaying color data of the light-emitting element, so as to display a screen according to the above-described black state in the adjacent portion (e.g., 412d). In an embodiment, the electronic device 300 may block all of the power associated with driving the flexible display 310 and the power associated with displaying the color data of the light-emitting element to the remaining portion of the second region 312 / 412 (e.g., 412e), except for the exposed portion and adjacent portion, so as to configure the remaining portion to be in the aforementioned inactive state.

[0124] Figure 9 This is a flowchart 900 illustrating a method for controlling a flexible display for an electronic device according to various example embodiments.

[0125] Reference Figure 9 Electronic devices (e.g.) Figure 3 The electronic device 300 can perform operations 910 and 930 based on whether it receives a first user input, to connect with a flexible display (e.g., Figure 3 The driving-related power of the flexible display 310 is partially supplied to the second region of the flexible display 310 (e.g., Figure 3 The second region 312). In various embodiments, it can be Figure 7 Operation 710 and / or Figure 8 After operation 810, operation 910 is executed. The first user input may be in a first state (e.g., first state 100a in Figure 1A and first state 200a in Figure 2A) or a second state (e.g., second state 100b in Figure 1B and second state 200b in Figure 2B) through a first region (e.g., Figure 3 The touch input received in the first area 311 or the second area 312.

[0126] Referring to operation 910, electronic device 300 can identify whether first user input has been received through first area 311 or second area 312 under first states 100a and 200a or second states 100b and 200b. In an embodiment, if first user input is received through first area 311 or second area 312 under first states 100a and 200a or second states 100b and 200b, electronic device 300 can perform operation 930. In an embodiment, if no first user input is received through first area 311 or second area 312 under first states 100a and 200a or second states 100b and 200b, electronic device 300 can terminate operation 910.

[0127] Referring to operation 930, in the first states 100a and 200a or the second states 100b and 200b, in response to a first user input received through the first region 311 or the second region 312, the electronic device 300 may supply power related to the driving of the flexible display 310 to a portion of the second region 312 of the flexible display 310. For example, in the case of receiving the first user input through the first region 311 in the first states 100a and 200b, the electronic device 300 may supply power related to the driving of the flexible display 310 to a portion of the multiple portions of the second region 312 adjacent to the first region 311 (e.g., the first portion). As another example, in the case of receiving the first user input through a portion of the multiple portions of the first region 311 or the second region 312 exposed to the outside of the electronic device 300 (e.g., the second portion) in the second states 100b and 200b, the electronic device 300 may supply power related to the driving of the flexible display 310 to a portion adjacent to the exposed portion (e.g., the third portion).

[0128] Figure 10 This is a flowchart 1000 illustrating a method for controlling a flexible display for an electronic device according to various example embodiments.

[0129] Reference Figure 10 Electronic devices (e.g.) Figure 3 The electronic device 300 can perform operations 1010 and 1030 based on whether a second user input is received, to connect with a flexible display (e.g., Figure 3 The driving-related power of the flexible display 310 is partially supplied to the second region of the flexible display 310 (e.g., Figure 3 The second region 312). In various embodiments, it can be Figure 7 After operation 710, operation 1010 is executed. The second user input can be via the first area of ​​the flexible display 310 (e.g., ...). Figure 3The first region 311 receives touch input (e.g., drag and drop) at a specified distance for switching from a first state (e.g., the first state 100a of FIG1A and the first state 200a of FIG2A) or a second state (e.g., the second state 100b of FIG1B and the second state 200b of FIG2B).

[0130] Referring to operation 1010, electronic device 300 can identify whether second user input has been received through first area 311 under first states 100a and 200a. In an embodiment, if second user input is received through first area 311 under first states 100a and 200a, electronic device 300 can perform operation 1030. In an embodiment, if no second user input is received through first area 311 under first states 100a and 200a, electronic device 300 can terminate operation 1010.

[0131] Referring to operation 1030, in the first states 100a and 200a, in response to a second user input received through the first region 311, the electronic device 300 may supply power related to the driving of the flexible display 310 to a portion of the second region 312 of the flexible display 310. For example, in the case of receiving a second user input through the first region 311 in the first states 100a and 200a, the electronic device 300 may supply power related to the driving of the flexible display 310 to a portion of the second region 312 adjacent to a portion exposed to the outside of the electronic device 300 (e.g., the second portion) (e.g., the third portion).

[0132] Figure 11 This is a flowchart 1100 illustrating a method for controlling a flexible display for an electronic device according to various example embodiments.

[0133] Reference Figure 11 Electronic devices (e.g.) Figure 3 The electronic device 300 can be based on input from a second user (e.g., Figure 10 The second user input) is associated with a specified time period to perform operations 1110 and 1130, so that on a flexible display (e.g., Figure 3 The second region of the flexible display 310 (e.g., Figure 3 The second region 312) partially blocks the power associated with driving the flexible display 310. In various embodiments, operation 1110 may be performed after operation 1030.

[0134] Referring to operation 1110, electronic device 300 can identify whether a specified first time period has elapsed since the reception of second user input through the first area 311 of flexible display 310 ended. In an embodiment, if the specified first time period has elapsed since the reception of second user input through the first area 311 ended, electronic device 300 can perform operation 1130. In an embodiment, if the specified first time period has not elapsed since the reception of second user input through the first area 311 ended, electronic device 300 can terminate operation 1110.

[0135] Referring to operation 1130, if a specified first time period has elapsed after receiving the second user input through the first region 311, the electronic device 300 may block the power supplied to the second region 312 of the flexible display 310 that is adjacent to the portion (e.g., the third portion) exposed to the outside of the electronic device 300 (e.g., the second portion) in relation to the driving of the flexible display 310.

[0136] Figure 12 This is a flowchart 1200 illustrating a method for controlling a flexible display for an electronic device according to various example embodiments.

[0137] Reference Figure 12 Electronic devices (e.g.) Figure 3 The electronic device 300 can be based on input from a second user (e.g., Figure 10 The second user input) is associated with a specified time period to perform operations 1210 and 1230, so that on a flexible display (e.g., Figure 3 The second region of the flexible display 310 (e.g., Figure 3 The second region 312) partially blocks the power associated with driving the flexible display 310. In various embodiments, operation 1210 may be performed after operation 1030.

[0138] Referring to operation 1210, electronic device 300 can identify whether the position of the second user input (e.g., the drag end point) through the first area 311 of flexible display 310 is maintained for a specified second time period. In an embodiment, if the position of the second user input through the first area 311 is maintained for the specified second time period, electronic device 300 can perform operation 1230. In an embodiment, if the position of the second user input through the first area 311 is not maintained for the specified second time period, electronic device 300 can terminate operation 1210.

[0139] Referring to operation 1230, if the position of the second user input through the first region 311 is held for a specified second time period, the electronic device 300 may block the power supplied to a portion (e.g., a third portion) of the second region 312 of the flexible display 310 that is associated with the driving of the flexible display 310, which is adjacent to the portion (e.g., the second portion) exposed to the outside of the electronic device 300.

[0140] According to various example embodiments, an electronic device (e.g., Figure 3 The electronic device 300 may include a first housing (e.g., the first housing 111 of Figures 1A and 1B), a second housing coupled to the first housing 111 so as to be movable relative to the first housing 111 (e.g., the second housing 112 of Figures 1A and 1B), and a first region (e.g., Figure 3 The first region 311 and / or the first regions 221, 311, 411) and the second region extending from the first region 311 (e.g., Figure 3 Flexible displays (e.g., second regions and / or second regions 122, 222, 412) in the second region and / or second regions 122, 222, 412) Figure 3 The flexible display 310) and the processor electrically connected to the flexible display (e.g., Figure 3 The processor 330 is configured to: in a first state (e.g., first state 100a in FIG. 1A, or first state 200a in FIG. 2A, or first state 400a in FIG. 4A) expose the outside of the electronic device 300, and when the first state is switched to a second state (e.g., second state 100b in FIG. 1B, or second state 200b in FIG. 2B, or second state 400b in FIG. 4B) according to the movement of the second housing 112 relative to the first housing 111, at least a portion (e.g., 412c) of the second region is exposed to the outside of the electronic device together with the first region, wherein the processor is configured to: in the first state, supply power related to the driving of the flexible display 310 to a first portion (e.g., first portion 412a in FIG. 4A) of the second region 122 / 222 / 312 / 412, which is adjacent to the first region 221 / 311 / 411 and is not exposed to the outside through the front surface of the electronic device 300.

[0141] According to various example embodiments, processor 330 may be configured to, in a first state (e.g., 100a), block the power associated with driving the flexible display to the remainder of the second region other than the first portion (e.g., 412a) (e.g., the second portion 412b of FIG. 4A).

[0142] According to various example embodiments, processor 330 may be configured to: in a second state (e.g., 100b), supply power related to the driving of the flexible display (e.g., 310) to a second portion (e.g., the first portion 412c of FIG. 4B) of the second region 122 / 222 / 312 / 412, the second portion (e.g., 412c) being exposed to the outside through the front surface of the electronics (e.g., 300), and supply power related to the driving of the flexible display to a third portion (e.g., the second portion 412d of FIG. 4B) of the second region, the third portion (e.g., 412d) being adjacent to the second portion (e.g., 412c) and not exposed to the outside through the front surface of the electronics (e.g., 300).

[0143] According to various embodiments, the processor 330 may be configured to, in the second state 100b, block the power associated with driving the flexible display 310 to the remaining portions of the second region 122 / 222 / 312 / 412 except for the second portion (e.g., 412c) and the third portion (e.g., 412d) (e.g., the third portion 412e of FIG. 4B).

[0144] According to various embodiments, the processor 330 may be configured to receive a first user input through a first region 311 and / or a second region and / or a second portion (e.g., 412c), and in response to the received first user input, supply power to a first portion (e.g., 412a) or a third portion (e.g., 412d) in connection with driving the flexible display 310.

[0145] According to various embodiments, processor 330 may be configured to receive a second user input for switching from a first state 100a to a second state 100b, and in response to the received second user input, supply power related to driving the flexible display 310 to a third part (e.g., 412d).

[0146] According to various embodiments, processor 330 may be configured to identify whether a specified first time period has elapsed after the end of receiving second user input, and when the specified first time period has elapsed after the end of receiving second user input, to block the power supplied to the third part (e.g., 412d) related to driving the flexible display 310.

[0147] According to various embodiments, the second user input may include touch input across a specified distance of the first region 311, and the processor 330 may be configured to identify whether the position of the touch input is maintained for a specified second time period, and when the position of the touch input is maintained for the specified second time period, to block the power supplied to the third part (e.g., 412d) associated with driving the flexible display 310.

[0148] According to various embodiments, the flexible display 310 can be configured to communicate via a display driver IC (DDI) (e.g., Figure 5 The display driver IC 520 receives power related to driving the flexible display 310, and the processor 330 can be configured to divide the second region 312 into multiple parts (e.g., multiple parts 412f in FIG. 4C), and determine the extent of the first part (e.g., 412a) based on the time when one of the multiple parts (e.g., 412f) is exposed to the outside through the front surface of the electronics 300 when the first state 100a is switched to the second state 100b, and the time when power related to driving the flexible display 310 is supplied by the display driver IC 520.

[0149] According to various embodiments, the electronic device may also include a sensor (e.g., sensor 250 of Figures 2A and 2B) for detecting whether at least a portion of the second region 312 is exposed to the outside through the front surface of the electronic device 300 in a first state 100a or a second state 100b, and the processor 330 may be configured to determine the number of multiple portions (e.g., 412f) based on the performance associated with the detection of the sensor 250 and the time for supplying power associated with the driving of the flexible display 310 via the display driver IC 520.

[0150] According to various embodiments, a method 700 for controlling a flexible display may include the following operations (e.g., Figure 7 Operations 710 and 730): When the first region 311 of the flexible display 310 is exposed to the outside through the front surface of the electronics 300 according to the first state 100a, power related to the driving of the flexible display 310 is supplied to a first portion (e.g., 412a) of the second region 312 of the flexible display 310. The first portion is adjacent to the first region 311 and is not exposed to the outside through the front surface of the electronics 300.

[0151] According to various embodiments, the operation of supplying power related to the driving of the flexible display to the first portion (operation 730) may include: in the first state 100a, blocking the power related to the driving of the flexible display 310 to the remaining portion 412b of the second region 312 other than the first portion (e.g., 412a).

[0152] According to various embodiments, the method may include the following operations (e.g., Figure 8Operations 810 and 830): When switching from the first state 100a to the second state 100b according to the movement of the second housing 112 relative to the first housing 111, power related to the driving of the flexible display 310 is supplied to the second portion (e.g., 412c) of the second region 312 and the third portion (e.g., 412d) of the second region, the second portion being exposed to the outside through the front surface of the electronics 300, and the third portion being adjacent to the second portion 412c and not exposed to the outside through the front surface of the electronics 300.

[0153] According to various embodiments, the operation (operation 830) of supplying power related to the driving of the flexible display 310 to the third part (e.g., 412d) may include: in the second state 100b, blocking the power related to the driving of the flexible display 310 to the remaining part of the second region 312 other than the second part (e.g., 412c) and the third part (e.g., 412d) (e.g., 412e).

[0154] According to various embodiments, the method may include receiving a first user input through a first region 311 or a second portion (e.g., 412c). Figure 9 Operation 910), and in response to the received first user input, operation 912, supplying power related to the driving of the flexible display 310 to the first part (e.g., 412a) or the third part (e.g., 412d) (e.g., ...). Figure 9 Operation 930).

[0155] According to various embodiments, the method may include receiving a second user input for switching from a first state 100a to a second state 100b (e.g., Figure 10 Operation 1010), and operation 1012 (e.g., 412d) in response to a received second user input, supplying power related to the driving of the flexible display 310 to a third part (e.g., 412d). Figure 10 Operation 1030).

[0156] According to various embodiments, the method may include identifying whether a specified first time period has elapsed after the end of receiving second user input (e.g., ...). Figure 11 Operation 1110), and operation 1110, which blocks the power supplied to the third part (e.g., 412d) related to the driving of the flexible display 310 when a specified first time period has elapsed after the end of receiving the second user input. Figure 11 Operation 1130).

[0157] According to various embodiments, the second user input may include touch input across a specified distance of the first region 311, and the method may include an operation to identify whether the position of the touch input is maintained for a specified second time period (e.g., Figure 12 Operation 1210), and operation 1210 which blocks the power supplied to the third part 412d related to the driving of the flexible display 310 when the position of the touch input is held for a specified second time period (e.g., operation 1210). Figure 12 Operation 1230).

[0158] According to various embodiments, the method may include operations of dividing the second region 312 into a plurality of portions 412f, and operations of determining the extent of the first portion 412a based on the time during which one of the portions 412f is exposed to the outside through the front surface of the electronic device 300 and the time during which power related to the driving of the flexible display 310 is supplied by the display driver IC 520.

[0159] According to various embodiments, the method may include determining the number of a plurality of portions 412f based on the detection performance of a sensor 250 configured to detect whether at least a portion of the second region 312 is exposed to the outside through the front surface of the electronic device 300, and the time for which power is supplied by the display driver IC 520 in relation to driving the flexible display 310.

[0160] Figure 13 This is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device 1301 in a network environment 1300 according to various embodiments.

[0161] Reference Figure 13In network environment 1300, electronic device 1301 can communicate with electronic device 1302 via a first network 1398 (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or with at least one of electronic device 1304 or server 1308 via a second network 1399 (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). According to an embodiment, electronic device 1301 can communicate with electronic device 1304 via server 1308. According to an embodiment, electronic device 1301 may include a processor 1320, a memory 1330, an input module 1350, a sound output module 1355, a display module 1360, an audio module 1370, a sensor module 1376, an interface 1377, a connection terminal 1378, a haptic module 1379, a camera module 1380, a power management module 1388, a battery 1389, a communication module 1390, a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) 1396, or an antenna module 1397. In some embodiments, at least one of the aforementioned components (e.g., connection terminal 1378) may be omitted from electronic device 1301, or one or more other components may be added to electronic device 1301. In some embodiments, some of the aforementioned components (e.g., sensor module 1376, camera module 1380, or antenna module 1397) may be implemented as a single integrated component (e.g., display module 1360).

[0162] Processor 1320 may run software (e.g., program 1340) to control at least one other component (e.g., hardware or software component) of electronic device 1301 connected to processor 1320, and may perform various data processing or calculations. According to one embodiment, as at least part of the data processing or calculation, processor 1320 may store commands or data received from another component (e.g., sensor module 1376 or communication module 1390) in volatile memory 1332, process the commands or data stored in volatile memory 1332, and store the result data in non-volatile memory 1334. According to embodiments, processor 1320 may include a main processor 1321 (e.g., central processing unit (CPU) or application processor (AP)) or an auxiliary processor 1323 (e.g., graphics processing unit (GPU), neural processing unit (NPU), image signal processor (ISP), sensor central processor, or communication processor (CP)) that is operationally independent of or combined with the main processor 1321. For example, when electronic device 1301 includes a main processor 1321 and an auxiliary processor 1323, the auxiliary processor 1323 may be adapted to consume less power than the main processor 1321, or may be adapted to be dedicated to a specific function. The auxiliary processor 1323 may be implemented separately from the main processor 1321, or may be implemented as part of the main processor 1321.

[0163] When the main processor 1321 is inactive (e.g., in sleep mode), the auxiliary processor 1323 (rather than the main processor 1321) can control at least some of the functions or states associated with at least one component of the electronic device 1301 (e.g., display module 1360, sensor module 1376, or communication module 1390). Alternatively, when the main processor 1321 is active (e.g., running an application), the auxiliary processor 1323 can work with the main processor 1321 to control at least some of the functions or states associated with at least one component of the electronic device 1301 (e.g., display module 1360, sensor module 1376, or communication module 1390). According to embodiments, the auxiliary processor 1323 (e.g., an image signal processor or a communication processor) may be implemented as part of another component (e.g., camera module 1380 or communication module 1390) functionally associated with the auxiliary processor 1323. According to embodiments, the auxiliary processor 1323 (e.g., a neural processing unit) may include hardware architectures dedicated to artificial intelligence model processing. Artificial intelligence models can be generated through machine learning. For example, such learning can be performed via electronic device 1301 where the artificial intelligence is executed, or via a separate server (e.g., server 1308). Learning algorithms may include, but are not limited to, supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, or reinforcement learning. The artificial intelligence model may include multiple layers of artificial neural networks. The artificial neural networks may be, but are not limited to, deep neural networks (DNNs), convolutional neural networks (CNNs), recurrent neural networks (RNNs), restricted Boltzmann machines (RBMs), deep belief networks (DBNs), bidirectional recurrent deep neural networks (BRDNNs), or deep Q-networks, or combinations of two or more thereof. Additionally or optionally, the artificial intelligence model may include software structures in addition to hardware structures.

[0164] The memory 1330 may store various data used by at least one component of the electronic device 1301 (e.g., processor 1320 or sensor module 1376). The various data may include, for example, software (e.g., program 1340) and input or output data for commands associated with it. The memory 1330 may include volatile memory 1332 or non-volatile memory 1334.

[0165] The program 1340 may be stored as software in the memory 1330, and the program 1340 may include, for example, an operating system (OS) 1342, middleware 1344, or application 1346.

[0166] Input module 1350 can receive commands or data from outside electronic device 1301 (e.g., a user) that will be used by other components of electronic device 1301 (e.g., processor 1320). Input module 1350 may include, for example, a microphone, mouse, keyboard, keys (e.g., buttons), or digital pen (e.g., stylus).

[0167] The audio output module 1355 can output audio signals to the outside of the electronic device 1301. The audio output module 1355 may include, for example, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker can be used for general purposes such as playing multimedia or playing records. The receiver can be used to receive incoming calls. According to embodiments, the receiver can be implemented separately from the speaker or as part of the speaker.

[0168] Display module 1360 can visually provide information to the outside of electronic device 1301 (e.g., to a user). Display device 1360 may include, for example, a display, a holographic device, or a projector, and control circuitry for controlling a respective one of the display, holographic device, and projector. According to an embodiment, display module 1360 may include a touch sensor adapted to detect touch or a pressure sensor adapted to measure the intensity of the force caused by touch.

[0169] The audio module 1370 can convert sound into electrical signals and vice versa. According to an embodiment, the audio module 1370 can obtain sound via the input module 1350, or output sound via the sound output module 1355 or headphones of an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device 1302) that is directly (e.g., wired) or wirelessly connected to the electronic device 1301.

[0170] Sensor module 1376 can detect the operating state of electronic device 1301 (e.g., power or temperature) or the environmental state outside electronic device 1301 (e.g., user state), and then generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to the detected state. According to embodiments, sensor module 1376 may include, for example, a gesture sensor, gyroscope sensor, atmospheric pressure sensor, magnetic sensor, accelerometer, grip sensor, proximity sensor, color sensor, infrared (IR) sensor, biometric sensor, temperature sensor, humidity sensor, or illuminance sensor.

[0171] Interface 1377 may support one or more specific protocols used to enable electronic device 1301 to connect directly (e.g., wired) or wirelessly to external electronic device (e.g., electronic device 1302). According to embodiments, interface 1377 may include, for example, a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, a Secure Digital Card (SD) interface, or an audio interface.

[0172] Connection 1378 may include a connector, via which electronic device 1301 may be physically connected to an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device 1302). According to embodiments, connection 1378 may include, for example, an HDMI connector, a USB connector, an SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector).

[0173] The haptic module 1379 can convert electrical signals into mechanical stimulation (e.g., vibration or motion) or electrical stimulation that can be recognized by a user through his touch or kinesthesia. According to an embodiment, the haptic module 1379 may include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulator.

[0174] Camera module 1380 can capture still or moving images. According to an embodiment, camera module 1380 may include one or more lenses, an image sensor, an image signal processor, or a flash.

[0175] The power management module 1388 manages the power supply to the electronic device 1301. According to an embodiment, the power management module 1388 may be implemented as at least part of, for example, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

[0176] Battery 1389 can power at least one component of electronic device 1301. According to an embodiment, battery 1389 may include, for example, a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable rechargeable battery, or a fuel cell.

[0177] Communication module 1390 can support the establishment of a direct (e.g., wired) or wireless communication channel between electronic device 1301 and external electronic devices (e.g., electronic device 1302, electronic device 1304, or server 1308), and perform communication via the established communication channel. Communication module 1390 may include one or more communication processors capable of operating independently of processor 1320 (e.g., application processor (AP)) and support direct (e.g., wired) or wireless communication. According to embodiments, communication module 1390 may include wireless communication module 1392 (e.g., cellular communication module, short-range wireless communication module, or Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) communication module) or wired communication module 1394 (e.g., local area network (LAN) communication module or power line communication (PLC) module). One of these communication modules can communicate with an external electronic device via a first network 1398 (e.g., a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct, or Infrared Data Association (IrDA)) or a second network 1399 (e.g., a long-range communication network such as a traditional cellular network, 5G network, next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., a LAN or a wide area network (WAN))). These various types of communication modules can be implemented as a single component (e.g., a single chip) or as multiple components (e.g., multiple chips) that are separate from each other. The wireless communication module 1392 can identify and verify the electronic device 1301 in the communication network (such as the first network 1398 or the second network 1399) using user information (e.g., the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)) stored in the user identification module 1396.

[0178] Wireless communication module 1392 can support 5G networks following 4G networks and next-generation communication technologies (such as new radio (NR) access technologies). NR access technologies can support enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine-type communications (mMTC), or ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC). Wireless communication module 1392 can support high-frequency bands (e.g., millimeter-wave bands) to achieve, for example, high data transmission rates. Wireless communication module 1392 can support various technologies used to ensure performance in high-frequency bands, such as, for example, beamforming, massive MIMO, full-dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antennas, analog beamforming, or massive antennas. Wireless communication module 1392 can support various requirements specified in electronic device 1301, external electronic device (e.g., electronic device 1304), or network system (e.g., second network 1399). According to an embodiment, the wireless communication module 1392 may support peak data rates (e.g., 20 Gbps or greater) for implementing eMBB, lost coverage (e.g., 164 dB or less) for implementing mMTC, or U-plane latency (e.g., 0.5 ms or less for each of the downlink (DL) and uplink (UL), or 1 ms or less round trip) for implementing URLLC.

[0179] Antenna module 1397 can transmit or receive signals or power to or from the exterior of electronic device 1301 (e.g., external electronic device). According to an embodiment, antenna module 1397 may include an antenna comprising a radiating element formed of a conductive material or conductive pattern formed in or on a substrate (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB)). According to an embodiment, antenna module 1397 may include multiple antennas (e.g., an array antenna). In this case, at least one antenna suitable for a communication scheme used in a communication network (such as a first network 1398 or a second network 1399) can be selected from the multiple antennas by, for example, communication module 1390 (e.g., wireless communication module 1392). Signals or power can then be transmitted or received between communication module 1390 and the external electronic device via the selected at least one antenna. According to an embodiment, additional components besides the radiating element (e.g., a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) may be additionally incorporated into antenna module 1397.

[0180] According to various embodiments, antenna module 1397 can form a millimeter-wave antenna module. According to embodiments, the millimeter-wave antenna module may include a printed circuit board, a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), and multiple antennas (e.g., an array antenna), wherein the RFIC is disposed on or adjacent to a first surface (e.g., a bottom surface) of the printed circuit board and is capable of supporting a specified high-frequency band (e.g., a millimeter-wave band), and the multiple antennas are disposed on or adjacent to a second surface (e.g., a top or side surface) of the printed circuit board and are capable of transmitting or receiving signals in the specified high-frequency band.

[0181] At least some of the aforementioned components can be interconnected and communicate signals (e.g., commands or data) between them via an inter-peripheral communication scheme (e.g., bus, general purpose input / output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or mobile industrial processor interface (MIPI)).

[0182] According to an embodiment, commands or data can be sent or received between electronic device 1301 and external electronic device 1304 via server 1308 connected to a second network 1399. Each of electronic device 1302 or electronic device 1304 can be a device of the same type as electronic device 1301, or a device of a different type. According to an embodiment, all or some operations that would run on electronic device 1301 can be run on one or more of external electronic devices 1302, external electronic devices 1304, or server 1308. For example, if electronic device 1301 is required to automatically perform a function or service, or is required to perform a function or service in response to a request from a user or another device, electronic device 1301 may request the one or more external electronic devices to perform at least a portion of the function or service instead of running the function or service, or electronic device 1301 may request the one or more external electronic devices to perform at least a portion of the function or service in addition to running the function or service. Upon receiving the request, the one or more external electronic devices may perform at least a portion of the requested function or service, or perform additional functions or services related to the request, and transmit the result of the execution to electronic device 1301. Electronic device 1301 may provide the result as at least a partial response to the request, with or without further processing. For this purpose, technologies such as cloud computing, distributed computing, mobile edge computing (MEC), or client-server computing may be used. Electronic device 1301 may use, for example, distributed computing or mobile edge computing to provide ultra-low latency services. In another embodiment, external electronic device 1304 may include an Internet of Things (IoT) device. Server 1308 may be an intelligent server using machine learning and / or neural networks. According to an embodiment, external electronic device 1304 or server 1308 may be included in a second network 1399. Electronic device 1301 may be applied to intelligent services based on 5G communication technology or IoT-related technologies (e.g., smart homes, smart cities, smart cars, or healthcare).

[0183] The electronic device according to various embodiments can be one of a variety of types of electronic devices. Electronic devices may include, for example, portable communication devices (e.g., smartphones), computer devices, portable multimedia devices, portable medical devices, cameras, wearable devices, or home appliances. According to embodiments of this disclosure, the electronic device is not limited to those described above.

[0184] It should be understood that the various embodiments of this disclosure and the terminology used therein are not intended to limit the technical features set forth herein to the specific embodiments, but rather to include various changes, equivalents, or substitutions to the respective embodiments. In the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to refer to similar or related elements. It will be understood that nouns in the singular form corresponding to terms may include one or more things unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, each of the phrases such 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” may include any one or all possible combinations of the items enumerated together with the corresponding phrase among the plurality of phrases. As used herein, terms such as “first” and “second” or “first” and “second” may be used to simply distinguish the respective component from another component and do not limit the component in other respects (e.g., importance or order). It will be understood that, whether the terms “operably” or “communically” are used or not, if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to as “combined with another element (e.g., a second element),” “combined to another element (e.g., a second element),” “connected to another element (e.g., a second element),” or “attached to another element (e.g., a second element)”, it means that the first element can be directly (e.g., wiredly) connected to the second element, wirelessly connected to the second element, or connected to the second element via a third element.

[0185] As used in connection with various embodiments of this disclosure, the term "module" may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may be used interchangeably with other terms (e.g., "logic," "logic block," "part," or "circuit"). A module may be a single integrated component adapted to perform one or more functions, or the smallest unit or part of such a single integrated component. For example, according to embodiments, a module may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0186] The various embodiments set forth herein can be implemented as software (e.g., program 1340) containing one or more instructions readable by a machine (e.g., electronic device 1301) stored in a storage medium (e.g., internal memory 1336 or external memory 1338). For example, under the control of a processor, the processor (e.g., processor 1320) of the machine (e.g., electronic device 1301) can invoke and execute at least one of the one or more instructions stored in the storage medium, with or without the use of one or more other components. This enables the machine to operate to perform at least one function according to the invoked at least one instruction. The one or more instructions may include code generated by a compiler or code executable by an interpreter. Machine-readable storage media may be provided in the form of non-transitory storage media. The term "non-transitory" means only that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not include signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves), but this term does not distinguish between data being stored semi-permanently in the storage medium and data being temporarily stored in the storage medium.

[0187] According to embodiments, methods according to various embodiments of this disclosure may 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 may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., a compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM)) or via an app store (e.g., the Play Store). TM The computer program product may be published online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded), or may be distributed directly between two user devices (e.g., smartphones) (e.g., downloaded or uploaded). If published online, at least a portion of the computer program product may be temporarily generated, or at least a portion of the computer program product may be temporarily stored in a machine-readable storage medium (such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an app store's server, or a forwarding server).

[0188] According to various embodiments, each of the above-described components (e.g., a module or program) may include a single entity or multiple entities, and some of the multiple entities may be separately disposed in different components. According to various embodiments, one or more of the above-described components may be omitted, or one or more other components may be added. Optionally or additionally, multiple components (e.g., modules or programs) may be integrated into a single component. In this case, according to various embodiments, the integrated component may still perform the one or more functions of each of the multiple components in the same or similar manner as the corresponding component of the multiple components performed one or more functions before integration. According to various embodiments, the operations performed by a module, program, or other component may be performed sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be run in a different order or omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising: First shell; A second housing is coupled to the first housing so that it can move relative to the first housing; A flexible display includes a first region and a second region extending from the first region, the flexible display being configured such that in a first state the first region is exposed for external viewing by the electronic device, and when the first state is switched to a second state based at least on movement of the second housing relative to the first housing, at least a portion of the second region is exposed together with the first region for external viewing by the electronic device. as well as At least one processor is electrically connected to the flexible display. Wherein, the at least one processor is configured to: In the first state, power related to driving the flexible display is supplied to a first portion of the second region, and power related to driving the flexible display is blocked to the remaining portion of the second region other than the first portion, such that in the first state: (i) the first region is active, (ii) the first portion of the second region is black, and (iii) the remaining portion of the second region is inactive. Wherein, the first portion is located between the first region and the remaining portion; and In the first state, the second region, including the first portion and the remaining portion, is not exposed to external viewing through the front surface of the electronic device.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, The activity status includes the status of displaying a screen containing color data on the first area; The black state includes a state in the first part where a screen that does not include color data or a screen that includes black data is displayed; and The inactive state includes a state in which the screen cannot be displayed in the remaining portion.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one processor is configured to, in the second state, supply power related to driving the flexible display to a second portion of the second region and a third portion of the second region, the second portion being exposed for external viewing through the front surface of the electronic device, and the third portion being adjacent to the second portion and not exposed for external viewing through the front surface of the electronic device.

4. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein, The at least one processor is configured to, in the second state, block the power associated with driving the flexible display to the remaining portion of the second region other than the second and third portions.

5. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein, The at least one processor is configured to: Receive first user input through the first area or the second area, and In response to the received first user input, power related to driving the flexible display is supplied to the first part and / or the third part.

6. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein, The at least one processor is configured to: Receive second user input for switching from the first state to the second state, and In response to the received second user input, power related to driving the flexible display is supplied to the third part.

7. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein, The at least one processor is configured to: Identify whether a specified first time period has elapsed after the end of receiving the second user input, and When the specified first time period has elapsed after receiving the second user input has ended, the power supply to the third part related to driving the flexible display is blocked.

8. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein, The second user input includes touch input at a specified distance from the first area, and The at least one processor is configured to: Identify whether the position of the touch input remains within a specified second time period, and When the position of the touch input is maintained for the specified second time period, the power supplied to the third part related to the driving of the flexible display is blocked.

9. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, The flexible display is configured to receive power related to driving the flexible display via a display driver IC, and The at least one processor is configured to: The second region is selectively divided into multiple equal parts, and The extent of the first portion of the second region is determined based at least on the time during which one of the plurality of portions is exposed to the outside via the front surface of the electronic device when the first state is switched to the second state, and the time during which power related to driving the flexible display is supplied via the display driver IC, wherein the extent of the first portion includes at least one of the plurality of portions.

10. The electronic device according to claim 9, further comprising: The sensor is configured to detect data regarding whether at least a portion of the second region is exposed for external viewing through the front surface of the electronics in the first state and / or the second state. The at least one processor is configured to determine the number of the plurality of portions based on the resolution of the sensor detecting whether the second area of ​​the flexible display is exposed to the outside of the electronic device and the time of supplying power related to driving the flexible display via the display driver IC.

11. A method for controlling a flexible display, the method comprising: In a first state where a first region of the flexible display is exposed for external viewing through the front surface of the electronic device, power related to the driving of the flexible display is supplied to a first portion of a second region of the flexible display, and power related to the driving of the flexible display is blocked to the remaining portion of the second region other than the first portion of the second region, such that in the first state: (i) the first region is active, (ii) the first portion of the second region is black, and (iii) the remaining portion of the second region is inactive. Wherein, the first portion is located between the first region and the remaining portion; and In the first state, the second region, including the first portion and the remaining portion, is not exposed to external viewing through the front surface of the electronic device.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The activity status includes the status of displaying a screen containing color data on the first area; The black state includes a state in the first part where a screen that does not include color data or a screen that includes black data is displayed; and The inactive state includes a state in which the screen cannot be displayed in the remaining portion.

13. The method of claim 11, comprising: When the first state is switched to the second state according to the movement of the second housing relative to the first housing, power related to the driving of the flexible display is supplied to the second portion of the second region and the third portion of the second region, the second portion being exposed for external viewing through the front surface of the electronic device, and the third portion being adjacent to the second portion and not exposed for external viewing through the front surface of the electronic device.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, Supplying the third portion with power related to driving the flexible display includes, in the second state, blocking the remaining portion of the second region other than the second and third portions from driving the flexible display.

15. The method of claim 13, comprising: Receive first user input through the first area or the second part; as well as In response to the received first user input, power related to driving the flexible display is supplied to the first part or the third part.

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