Electronic device including plurality of speakers

Abstract

A foldable electronic device according to various embodiments of the present invention comprises: a foldable case which has a plurality of sub-cases and at least one hinge, and which is foldable and unfoldable; a foldable display disposed on a first surface of the foldable case and folded and unfolded according to folding and unfolding of the foldable case, and the first surface being oriented in a first direction; a plurality of speakers disposed in at least two of the plurality of sub-housings of the foldable housing and outputting a multi-channel sound having a plurality of audio channels; and a sound processor electrically connected to each of the plurality of speakers. The sound processor may be configured to: detect a folded state of the foldable housing; calculating respective relative positions of the plurality of loudspeakers based on the folded state; and outputting the plurality of audio channels to the plurality of speakers, respectively, based on the calculated respective relative positions of the plurality of speakers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to an electronic device, and more particularly, to an electronic device including a plurality of speakers. Background Art

[0002] The electronic device may include an audio output device, such as a speaker, for outputting sound. The audio output device may generate sound by vibration of air according to an electrical signal containing audio information, for example, by vibration of a vibrator driven by electromagnetic induction or a piezoelectric element. The sound reproduced by the electronic device may include multiple audio channels, such as stereo, and the electronic device may include multiple audio output devices spaced apart from each other within the housing of the electronic device to effectively reproduce the sound. Since multiple audio channels are output from different speakers, the user can feel the directionality or spatial sense of the sound.

[0003] Electronic devices require a compact form factor for portability and a wide display area to provide a wide range of information to users. In order to achieve the compact form factor and wide display area of ​​electronic devices, various form factors beyond existing planar form factors are being used, such as foldable electronic devices equipped with flexible displays. An electronic device with a foldable form factor may include a foldable housing configured to be folded and unfolded around at least one hinge. Summary of the invention

[0004] Technical Solution

[0005] When the housing of the foldable electronic device is folded, the position of the speaker arranged in the housing may change. When the position of the speaker configured to output different audio channels changes, the spatial sound effect generated by the audio may be distorted.

[0006] Various embodiments disclosed herein may provide an electronic device capable of reducing or minimizing spatial sound distortion occurring during folding.

[0007] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a foldable electronic device may include: a foldable housing having a plurality of sub-housings and at least one hinge, and configured to be foldable and unfoldable; a foldable display, the foldable display being arranged on a first surface of the foldable housing, and configured to be folded and unfolded according to the folding and unfolding of the foldable housing, and the first surface facing a first direction; a plurality of speakers, the plurality of speakers being located in at least two of the plurality of sub-housings of the foldable housing, and configured to output multi-channel sound having a plurality of audio channels; and a processor, the processor being electrically connected to each of the plurality of speakers. The processor may be configured to: detect a folding state of the foldable housing; calculate the respective relative positions of the plurality of speakers based on the folding state, and output the plurality of audio channels to the plurality of speakers respectively based on the calculated respective relative positions of the plurality of speakers.

[0008] In various embodiments, the foldable electronic device may include a folding sensor configured to detect the folding and unfolding states of the foldable shell, and the processor may detect the value of the folding and unfolding states of the foldable shell through the folding sensor.

[0009] In various embodiments, the foldable housing may include a first sub-housing, a second sub-housing, a third sub-housing, a first hinge configured to foldably couple the first sub-housing and the second sub-housing to each other, and a second hinge configured to foldably couple the second sub-housing and the third sub-housing to each other. The plurality of speakers may include a first speaker and a second speaker arranged in the first sub-housing and a third speaker and a fourth speaker arranged in the third sub-housing. The plurality of audio channels include a first audio channel and a second audio channel.

[0010] In various embodiments, the folding directions of the first hinge and the second hinge are the same, and the processor can be configured to output the first audio channel through the first speaker and the second speaker and output the second audio channel through the third speaker and the fourth speaker when the first hinge and the second hinge are in an unfolded state, and to output the first audio channel through the third speaker and the fourth speaker and output the second audio channel through the first speaker and the second speaker when the first hinge and the second hinge are in a folded state.

[0011] In various embodiments, the processor can be configured to receive information indicating the direction in which the foldable electronic device is oriented, and when the foldable electronic device is oriented so that the hinge is vertical relative to the user, in an unfolded state of the first hinge and the second hinge, the first audio channel is output through the first speaker and the second speaker, and the second audio channel is output through the third speaker and the fourth speaker, and in a folded state of the first hinge and the second hinge, the first audio channel is output through the third speaker and the fourth speaker, and the second audio channel is output through the first speaker and the second speaker.

[0012] In various embodiments, the foldable electronic device may include a posture sensor configured to measure its orientation, and the processor may receive information from the posture sensor indicating the direction in which the foldable electronic device is oriented.

[0013] In various embodiments, the foldable electronic device may include a display controller configured to control the foldable display, and the processor may determine the orientation direction of the foldable electronic device based on the orientation of an image displayed on the foldable display.

[0014] In various embodiments, the folding directions of the first hinge and the second hinge are opposite to each other, and the processor can be configured to output the first audio channel through the first speaker and the second speaker and output the second audio channel through the third speaker and the fourth speaker when the first hinge and the second hinge are in an unfolded state, and to output the first audio channel through the third speaker and the fourth speaker and output the second audio channel through the first speaker and the second speaker when the first hinge and the second hinge are in a folded state.

[0015] In various embodiments, the processor may be configured to receive orientation information of the foldable electronic device from the posture sensor, and when the foldable electronic device is oriented so that the hinge is vertical relative to the user, in an unfolded state of the first hinge and the second hinge, output the first audio channel through the first speaker and the second speaker, and output the second audio channel through the third speaker and the fourth speaker, and in a folded state of the first hinge and the second hinge, output the first audio channel through the third speaker and the fourth speaker, and output the second audio channel through the first speaker and the second speaker.

[0016] In various embodiments, the foldable electronic device may include a posture sensor configured to measure its orientation, and the processor may receive information from the posture sensor indicating the direction in which the foldable electronic device is oriented.

[0017] In various embodiments, the foldable electronic device may include a display controller configured to control the foldable display, and the processor may determine the direction in which the foldable electronic device is oriented based on an orientation of an image displayed on the display.

[0018] In various embodiments, the foldable display may include a first display area located in the first sub-housing, a second display area located in the second sub-housing, and a third display area located in the third sub-housing, and the foldable housing may be folded so that the first display area is exposed to the outside when folded. The processor may be configured to determine whether the first display area is in operation, and when the first display is used in a state where the first hinge and the second hinge are folded, output the first audio channel through the first speaker and the second speaker, and output the second audio channel through the third speaker and the fourth speaker.

[0019] In various embodiments, the foldable electronic device may include an auxiliary display disposed on a surface of the third shell, the surface being opposite to a surface on which the foldable display is disposed, and the processor may be configured to determine whether the auxiliary display is in operation, and when the auxiliary display is used in a state in which the first hinge and the second hinge are folded, output the first audio channel through the third speaker and the fourth speaker, and output the second audio channel through the first speaker and the second speaker.

[0020] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a processor of a foldable electronic device may be electrically connected to the plurality of speakers, and may be configured to: detect a folding state of the foldable shell; calculate the respective relative positions of the plurality of speakers based on the folding state; and output the plurality of audio channels to the plurality of speakers respectively based on the calculated respective relative positions of the plurality of speakers. The foldable electronic device includes: a foldable shell having a plurality of subshells and at least one hinge and configured to be foldable and unfoldable; a foldable display, the foldable display being disposed on a first surface of the foldable shell and configured to be folded and unfolded according to the folding and unfolding of the foldable shell, and the first surface facing a first direction; and a plurality of speakers, the plurality of speakers being located in at least two of the plurality of subshells of the foldable shell, and configured to output multi-channel sound having the plurality of audio channels.

[0021] In various embodiments, the foldable electronic device may include a folding sensor configured to detect the folding and unfolding states of the foldable housing, and the processor may receive the folding and unfolding states of the foldable housing from the folding sensor.

[0022] In various embodiments, the foldable housing may include a first sub-housing, a second sub-housing, a third sub-housing, a first hinge configured to foldably couple the first sub-housing and the second sub-housing to each other, and a second hinge configured to foldably couple the second sub-housing and the third sub-housing to each other. The plurality of speakers may include a first speaker and a second speaker arranged in the first sub-housing and a third speaker and a fourth speaker arranged in the third sub-housing. The plurality of audio channels include a first audio channel and a second audio channel.

[0023] In various embodiments, the processor can be configured to receive an orientation of the foldable electronic device, and when the foldable electronic device is oriented so that the hinge is vertical relative to the user, in an unfolded state of the first hinge and the second hinge, the first audio channel is output through the first speaker and the second speaker, and the second audio channel is output through the third speaker and the fourth speaker, and in a folded state of the first hinge and the second hinge, the first audio channel is output through the third speaker and the fourth speaker, and the second audio channel is output through the first speaker and the second speaker.

[0024] In various embodiments, the foldable electronic device may include a gesture sensor configured to measure the orientation of the foldable electronic device, and the orientation direction of the foldable electronic device may be received from the gesture sensor.

[0025] In various embodiments, the foldable display may include a display controller configured to control the foldable display, and the processor may determine the direction in which the foldable electronic device is oriented based on the orientation of an image displayed on the foldable display.

[0026] In various embodiments, the foldable electronic device may include an auxiliary display disposed on a surface of the second sub-shell, the surface being opposite to a surface on which the foldable display is disposed, and the processor may be configured to determine whether the auxiliary display is in operation, and when the auxiliary display is used in a state in which the first hinge and the second hinge are folded, output the first audio channel through the third speaker and the fourth speaker, and output the second audio channel through the first speaker and the second speaker.

[0027] Various embodiments disclosed herein may provide an electronic device that reduces or minimizes sound distortion by changing audio channels output from a plurality of speakers when a foldable housing is folded. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] With respect to the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numbers may be used to refer to the same or similar elements.

[0029] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating electronic devices in a network environment according to various embodiments.

[0030] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating various components of a processor and an electronic device connected thereto according to various embodiments.

[0031] Figure 3a are plan views and cross-sectional views of an electronic device in a fully unfolded state according to various embodiments.

[0032] Figure 3b are plan views and cross-sectional views of an electronic device in a folded state according to various embodiments.

[0033] Figure 3c are plan views and cross-sectional views of an electronic device in a fully folded state according to various embodiments.

[0034] Figure 3d is a perspective view of an electronic device in a fully folded state according to various embodiments.

[0035] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating operations of a processor of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 5a are plan views and cross-sectional views of an electronic device in a fully unfolded state according to various embodiments.

[0037] Figure 5b are plan views and cross-sectional views of an electronic device in a folded state according to various embodiments.

[0038] Figure 5c are plan views and cross-sectional views of an electronic device in a fully folded state according to various embodiments.

[0039] Figure 5d is a perspective view of an electronic device in a fully folded state according to various embodiments.

[0040] 5e is a perspective view of a lower surface of an electronic device in a fully folded state according to various embodiments.

[0041] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating operations of a processor of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0042] Figure 7a is a rear plan view of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0043] Figure 7b is a perspective view of an electronic device in a folded state according to various embodiments.

[0044] Figure 8 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a processor according to various embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. For example, in the accompanying drawings, the size and shape of the components may be exaggerated for the sake of convenience and clarity of description, and the shapes shown may be modified when actually implemented. Therefore, the embodiments of the present disclosure should not be interpreted as being limited to the specific shapes of the parts described and shown in the specification.

[0046] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements.As used in the specification, the term "and / or" includes any one of the listed items and all combinations of one or more thereof.

[0047] The embodiments of the present disclosure are provided to explain the present disclosure more completely to those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. As described below, various changes and modifications in form may be made to the embodiments, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. On the contrary, these embodiments are presented to describe the present disclosure more comprehensively and completely, and to fully convey the ideas of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0048] The terms used in the specification are used to describe the embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Although expressed in the singular, the singular may include the plural unless clearly indicated in the context. As used herein, the term "includes" or "comprising" is intended to specify the existence of the shapes, quantities, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof mentioned, and does not exclude the possibility of the existence or increase of other shapes, quantities, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof. In addition, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a structure or shape that is "adjacent" to any other shape may have a portion that overlaps with other shapes or is arranged below other shapes.

[0049] In the specification, relative terms such as "below", "above", "upper", "lower", "horizontal" and "vertical" may be used to describe the relationship between one element, layer or region and any other element, layer or region. It should be understood that these terms also include other directions in addition to the directions shown in the drawings.

[0050] Figure 1 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device 101 in a network environment 100 according to various embodiments. Figure 1 , the electronic device 101 in the network environment 100 may communicate with the electronic device 102 via the first network 198 (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or communicate with at least one of the electronic device 104 or the server 108 via the second network 199 (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). According to an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may communicate with the electronic device 104 via the server 108. According to an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may include a processor 120, a memory 130, an input module 150, a sound output module 155, a display module 160, an audio module 170, a sensor module 176, an interface 177, a connection terminal 178, a haptic module 179, a camera module 180, a power management module 188, a battery 189, a communication module 190, a user identification module (SIM) 196, or an antenna module 197. In some embodiments, at least one of the above components (e.g., the connection terminal 178) may be omitted from the electronic device 101, or one or more other components may be added to the electronic device 101. In some embodiments, some of the above-described components (eg, sensor module 176, camera module 180, or antenna module 197) may be implemented as a single integrated component (eg, display module 160).

[0051] The processor 120 may run, for example, software (e.g., program 140) to control at least one other component (e.g., hardware component or software component) of the electronic device 101 connected to the processor 120, and may perform various data processing or calculations. According to one embodiment, as at least part of the data processing or calculation, the processor 120 may store a command or data received from another component (e.g., sensor module 176 or communication module 190) in the volatile memory 132, process the command or data stored in the volatile memory 132, and store the resultant data in the non-volatile memory 134. According to an embodiment, the processor 120 may include a main processor 121 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or an application processor (AP)) or an auxiliary processor 123 (e.g., a graphics processing unit (GPU), a neural processing unit (NPU), an image signal processor (ISP), a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor (CP)) that is operationally independent or combined with the main processor 121. For example, when the electronic device 101 includes a main processor 121 and an auxiliary processor 123, the auxiliary processor 123 may be adapted to consume less power than the main processor 121, or adapted to be dedicated to a specific function. The auxiliary processor 123 may be implemented separately from the main processor 121, or as part of the main processor 121.

[0052] When the main processor 121 is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state, the auxiliary processor 123 (rather than the main processor 121) may control at least some of the functions or states related to at least one component among the components of the electronic device 101 (e.g., the display module 160, the sensor module 176, or the communication module 190), or when the main processor 121 is in an active state (e.g., running an application), the auxiliary processor 123 may control at least some of the functions or states related to at least one component among the components of the electronic device 101 (e.g., the display module 160, the sensor module 176, or the communication module 190) together with the main processor 121. According to an embodiment, the auxiliary processor 123 (e.g., an image signal processor or a communication processor) may be implemented as part of another component (e.g., a camera module 180 or a communication module 190) that is functionally related to the auxiliary processor 123. According to an embodiment, the auxiliary processor 123 (e.g., a neural processing unit) may include a hardware structure dedicated to artificial intelligence model processing. The artificial intelligence model may be generated by machine learning. For example, such learning may be performed by the electronic device 101 where the artificial intelligence is executed or via a separate server (e.g., server 108). The learning algorithm may include, but is not limited to, supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, or reinforcement learning, for example. The artificial intelligence model may include multiple artificial neural network layers. The artificial neural network may be a deep neural network (DNN), a convolutional neural network (CNN), a recurrent neural network (RNN), a restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM), a deep belief network (DBN), a bidirectional recurrent deep neural network (BRDNN), or a deep Q network or a combination of two or more thereof, but is not limited thereto. Additionally or alternatively, the artificial intelligence model may include a software structure in addition to a hardware structure.

[0053] The memory 130 may store various data used by at least one component of the electronic device 101 (e.g., the processor 120 or the sensor module 176). The various data may include, for example, software (e.g., the program 140) and input data or output data for commands related thereto. The memory 130 may include a volatile memory 132 or a nonvolatile memory 134.

[0054] The program 140 may be stored as software in the memory 130 , and may include, for example, an operating system (OS) 142 , middleware 144 , or applications 146 .

[0055] The input module 150 may receive commands or data to be used by other components (e.g., the processor 120) of the electronic device 101 from outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device 101. The input module 150 may include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, a key (e.g., a button), or a digital pen (e.g., a stylus).

[0056] The sound output module 155 can output sound signals to the outside of the electronic device 101. The sound output module 155 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. Depending on the embodiment, the receiver can be implemented as a separate part from the speaker, or as part of the speaker.

[0057] The display module 160 may visually provide information to the outside of the electronic device 101 (e.g., a user). The display device 160 may include, for example, a display, a holographic device, or a projector, and a control circuit for controlling a corresponding one of the display, the holographic device, and the projector. According to an embodiment, the display module 160 may include a touch sensor adapted to detect a touch or a pressure sensor adapted to measure the strength of a force caused by a touch.

[0058] The audio module 170 may convert sound into an electrical signal, or vice versa. According to an embodiment, the audio module 170 may obtain sound via the input module 150, or output sound via the sound output module 155 or an earphone of an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device 102) directly (e.g., wired) or wirelessly connected to the electronic device 101.

[0059] The sensor module 176 may detect an operating state (e.g., power or temperature) of the electronic device 101 or an environmental state (e.g., a state of a user) outside the electronic device 101, and then generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to the detected state. According to an embodiment, the sensor module 176 may include, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illumination sensor.

[0060] The interface 177 may support one or more specific protocols to be used to connect the electronic device 101 directly (e.g., wired) or wirelessly to an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 102). According to an embodiment, the interface 177 may include, for example, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a secure digital (SD) card interface, or an audio interface.

[0061] The connection end 178 may include a connector, wherein the electronic device 101 can be physically connected to an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 102) via the connector. According to an embodiment, the connection end 178 may include, for example, an HDMI connector, a USB connector, an SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector).

[0062] The haptic module 179 may convert the electrical signal into mechanical stimulation (eg, vibration or motion) or electrical stimulation that can be recognized by the user via his sense of touch or kinesthetic sense. According to an embodiment, the haptic module 179 may include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulator.

[0063] The camera module 180 may capture still images or moving images. According to an embodiment, the camera module 180 may include one or more lenses, an image sensor, an image signal processor, or a flash.

[0064] The power management module 188 may manage power supply to the electronic device 101. According to an embodiment, the power management module 188 may be implemented as, for example, at least a part of a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

[0065] The battery 189 may power at least one component of the electronic device 101. According to an embodiment, the battery 189 may include, for example, a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, or a fuel cell.

[0066] The communication module 190 may support establishing a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the electronic device 101 and an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device 102, electronic device 104, or server 108), and perform communication via the established communication channel. The communication module 190 may include one or more communication processors capable of operating independently from the processor 120 (e.g., an application processor (AP)) and supporting direct (e.g., wired) communication or wireless communication. According to an embodiment, the communication module 190 may include a wireless communication module 192 (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module 194 (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module or a power line communication (PLC) module). A corresponding one of these communication modules can communicate with an external electronic device via a first network 198 (e.g., a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) Direct, or Infrared Data Association (IrDA)) or a second network 199 (e.g., a long-range communication network such as a traditional cellular network, a 5G network, a 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 these various types of communication modules can be implemented as multiple components separated from each other (e.g., multiple chips). The wireless communication module 192 can identify and authenticate the electronic device 101 in a communication network (such as the first network 198 or the second network 199) using user information (e.g., an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)) stored in the user identification module 196.

[0067] The wireless communication module 192 can support 5G networks after 4G networks and next-generation communication technologies (e.g., new radio (NR) access technology). NR access technology can support enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine type communication (mMTC), or ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC). The wireless communication module 192 can support high-frequency bands (e.g., millimeter wave bands) to achieve, for example, high data transmission rates. The wireless communication module 192 can support various technologies for ensuring performance on high-frequency bands, such as, for example, beamforming, massive multiple-input multiple-output (massive MIMO), full-dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antennas, analog beamforming, or massive antennas. The wireless communication module 192 can support various requirements specified in the electronic device 101, an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device 104), or a network system (e.g., a second network 199). According to an embodiment, the wireless communication module 192 may support a peak data rate for implementing eMBB (e.g., 20 Gbps or greater), loss coverage for implementing mMTC (e.g., 164 dB or less), or U-plane delay for implementing URLLC (e.g., 0.5 ms or less for each of the downlink (DL) and uplink (UL), or 1 ms or less round trip).

[0068] The antenna module 197 may transmit or receive a signal or power to or from the outside of the electronic device 101 (e.g., an external electronic device). According to an embodiment, the antenna module 197 may include an antenna including a radiating element formed of a conductive material or a conductive pattern formed in or on a substrate (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB)). According to an embodiment, the antenna module 197 may include a plurality of 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 the first network 198 or the second network 199) may be selected from the plurality of antennas by, for example, the communication module 190 (e.g., the wireless communication module 192). A signal or power may then be transmitted or received between the communication module 190 and the external electronic device via the selected at least one antenna. According to an embodiment, another component (e.g., a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) other than the radiating element may be additionally formed as part of the antenna module 197.

[0069] According to various embodiments, the antenna module 197 may form a millimeter wave antenna module. According to an embodiment, the millimeter wave antenna module may include a printed circuit board, a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), and a plurality of antennas (e.g., array antennas), wherein the RFIC is disposed on a first surface (e.g., bottom surface) of the printed circuit board, or adjacent to the first surface and capable of supporting a specified high frequency band (e.g., millimeter wave band), and the plurality of antennas are disposed on a second surface (e.g., top surface or side surface) of the printed circuit board, or adjacent to the second surface and capable of transmitting or receiving signals of the specified high frequency band.

[0070] At least some of the above components may be connected to each other via an inter-peripheral communication scheme (e.g., a bus, general purpose input output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or mobile industry processor interface (MIPI)) and communicatively transmit signals (e.g., commands or data) therebetween.

[0071] According to an embodiment, a command or data may be sent or received between the electronic device 101 and the external electronic device 104 via the server 108 connected to the second network 199. Each of the electronic device 102 or the electronic device 104 may be a device of the same type as the electronic device 101, or a device of a different type from the electronic device 101. According to an embodiment, all or some operations to be executed in the electronic device 101 may be executed in one or more of the external electronic device 102, the external electronic device 104, or the server 108. For example, if the electronic device 101 should automatically execute a function or service or should execute a function or service in response to a request from a user or another device, the electronic device 101 may request the one or more external electronic devices to execute at least part of the function or service instead of executing the function or service, or the electronic device 101 may request the one or more external electronic devices to execute at least part of the function or service in addition to executing the function or service. The one or more external electronic devices receiving the request may execute at least part of the function or service requested, or execute another function or another service related to the request, and transmit the result of the execution to the electronic device 101. The electronic device 101 may provide the result as at least a partial reply to the request in the case of further processing the result or in the case of not further processing the result. To this end, cloud computing technology, distributed computing technology, mobile edge computing (MEC) technology or client-server computing technology, for example, may be used. The electronic device 101 may use, for example, distributed computing or mobile edge computing to provide ultra-low latency services. In another embodiment, the external electronic device 104 may include an Internet of Things (IoT) device. The server 108 may be an intelligent server using machine learning and / or neural networks. According to an embodiment, the external electronic device 104 or the server 108 may be included in the second network 199. The electronic device 101 may be applied to intelligent services (e.g., smart homes, smart cities, smart cars or health care) based on 5G communication technology or IoT-related technologies.

[0072] The electronic device according to various embodiments may be one of various types of electronic devices. The electronic device may include, for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smart phone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, or a household appliance. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronic device is not limited to those electronic devices described above.

[0073] It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present disclosure and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features set forth herein to specific embodiments, but include various changes, equivalent forms or alternative forms for corresponding embodiments. For the description of the accompanying drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to refer to similar or related elements. It will be understood that the nouns in the singular form corresponding to the term 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 listed together with the corresponding one of the multiple phrases. As used herein, terms such as "1st" and "2nd" or "first" and "second" may be used to simply distinguish the corresponding component from another component, and do not limit the component in other aspects (e.g., importance or order). It will be understood that if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to as being “combined with another element (e.g., the second element)”, “combined to another element (e.g., the second element)”, “connected with another element (e.g., the second element)”, or “connected to another element (e.g., the second element)” when the terms “operably” or “communicatively” are used or when the terms “operably” or “communicatively” are not used, it means that the element may be directly (e.g., wired) connected to the other element, wirelessly connected to the other element, or connected to the other element via a third element.

[0074] As used in connection with various embodiments of the present 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," "portion," or "circuit"). A module may be a single integrated component adapted to perform one or more functions or a minimum unit or portion of the single integrated component. For example, according to an embodiment, a module may be implemented in the form of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0075] The various embodiments described herein may be implemented as software (e.g., program 140) including one or more instructions stored in a storage medium (e.g., internal memory 136 or external memory 138) that can be read by a machine (e.g., electronic device 101). For example, under the control of a processor, a processor (e.g., processor 120) of the machine (e.g., electronic device 101) may call at least one of the one or more instructions stored in the storage medium and execute the at least one instruction 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 at least one instruction called. The one or more instructions may include code generated by a compiler or code that can be run by an interpreter. A machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Among them, the term "non-transitory" only means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not include a signal (e.g., an electromagnetic wave), but the term does not distinguish between data being semi-permanently stored in a storage medium and data being temporarily stored in a storage medium.

[0076] According to an embodiment, the method according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be included and provided in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded between a seller and a buyer as a product. The computer program product may be released in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., a compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM)), or may be downloaded via an application store (e.g., Play Store TM ) The computer program product may be published (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) online, or the computer program product may be distributed (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) directly between two user devices (e.g., smart phones). If published online, at least part of the computer program product may be temporarily generated, or at least part of the computer program product may be at least temporarily stored in a machine-readable storage medium (such as a memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or a forwarding server).

[0077] According to various embodiments, each component (e.g., module or program) in the above-mentioned components may include a single entity or multiple entities, and some entities in the multiple entities may be separately arranged in different components. According to various embodiments, one or more components in the above-mentioned components may be omitted, or one or more other components may be added. Alternatively or additionally, multiple components (e.g., module or program) 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 component in the multiple components in the same or similar manner as the corresponding one component in the multiple components before integration. According to various embodiments, the operations performed by a module, program or another component may be performed sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly or in a heuristic manner, or one or more operations in the operations may be run or omitted in different orders, or one or more other operations may be added.

[0078] According to various embodiments, a portable electronic device (e.g., Figure 1 The electronic device 101) may have a foldable housing that is divided into two housings around a folding axis. A first portion of a display (e.g., a flexible display) may be disposed in the first housing, and a second portion of the display may be disposed in the second housing. The foldable housing may be implemented in an inward folding method, wherein the first portion and the second portion face each other when the portable electronic device is folded. Alternatively, the foldable housing may also be implemented in an outward folding method, wherein the first portion and the second portion face opposite to each other when the portable electronic device is folded. The surface on which the first portion and the second portion of the display are disposed may be defined as a front surface of the portable electronic device, an opposite surface thereof may be defined as a rear surface of the portable electronic device, and a surface surrounding a space between the front surface and the rear surface may be defined as a side surface of the portable electronic device.

[0079] According to the embodiments mentioned herein, the inward folding case (the first portion of the display located on the first shell is arranged to face the second portion of the display located on the second shell) has been illustrated and described as an example of the display folding of the portable electronic device. However, the outward folding case (the first portion of the display located on the first shell is arranged to face opposite to the second portion of the display located on the second shell) may also be applicable to the folding of the display according to the embodiments, wherein. In addition, the embodiments may also be applied to a multi-folding electronic device of a combination of inner folding and inner folding, inner folding and outer folding, or outer folding and outer folding.

[0080] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating various components of the foldable electronic device 200 and the processor 210 connected thereto according to various embodiments.

[0081] refer to Figure 2 , the foldable electronic device 200 (eg, Figure 1 The electronic device 101 may include a processor 210 and a plurality of speakers 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d electrically connected to the processor 210.

[0082] The speaker may be a component configured to output the sound from the electrical signal of the foldable electronic device 200. The sound output by the foldable electronic device 200 through the speaker may be a multi-channel sound having a plurality of audio channels, for example, a stereo or quadraphonic sound. To this end, the foldable electronic device 200 may include a plurality of speakers 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d. Figure 2 Four speakers are shown in FIG, but this is exemplary and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0083] The processor 210 may be a component configured to process sound source information to generate an electrical signal required for output through a speaker and provide the signal to the speaker for output. In various embodiments, the processor 210 may provide multiple audio channel signals to multiple speakers. For example, when reproducing multi-channel sound (e.g., stereo) having two audio channels, the processor 210 may provide a first audio channel (e.g., a left audio channel) to the first speaker 220a and the third speaker 220c, and may provide a second audio channel (e.g., a right audio channel) to the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d. In addition, the processor 210 may be configured to change the multiple audio channel signals to be provided to the multiple speakers as needed. For example, when the relative left and right positions of the multiple speakers 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d change, the processor 210 may change the left audio channel signal and the right audio channel signal accordingly, and provide them to the multiple speakers. The details of the operation will be described later. In various embodiments, the processor 210 may be a main processor (e.g., Figure 1 processor 120) and / or an audio module (e.g., Figure 1 In various embodiments, the processor 210 may be a separate processor 210 disposed in a main processor (e.g., Figure 1 120) or may be implemented as part of a circuit in a main processor (e.g., Figure 1 processor 210 running on processor 120).

[0084] In various embodiments, the processor 210 may be electrically connected to the folding sensor 230. The folding sensor 230 may be a sensor configured to detect a folding or unfolding state of the foldable electronic device 200 described below or to detect a folding angle of the foldable electronic device 200. The processor 210 (e.g., an application processor or a sensor hub processor) may detect a folding state or receive a folding angle from the folding sensor 230, and may allocate a plurality of audio channels to a plurality of speakers based on relative positions of the plurality of speakers arranged in the housing of the foldable electronic device 200.

[0085] In various embodiments, the processor 210 may be electrically connected to a posture sensor 240 of the foldable electronic device 200. The posture sensor 240 may include a gravity sensor 240a and / or a gyroscope sensor 240b. The processor 210 may recognize the posture of the foldable electronic device 200 based on the value detected by the posture sensor 240, thereby calculating the relative positions of the plurality of speakers, and correspondingly assigning the plurality of audio channels to the plurality of speakers.

[0086] In various embodiments, the processor 210 may be electrically connected to a display controller 280. The display controller 280 may be a processor configured to drive and control a display (eg, Figure 1 The display controller 280 may be a component of the display module 160 of the foldable electronic device 200 (eg, Figure 1 The control circuit and / or the main processor (e.g., Figure 1 The foldable electronic device 200 of the present disclosure may have a display and / or multiple displays divided into multiple areas. The display controller 280 may provide information to the processor 210 about whether each display and / or each display area of ​​the foldable electronic device 200 is in use and the orientation of the display (e.g., portrait mode or landscape mode). The processor 210 may calculate the relative positions of multiple speakers through the information about whether the display is in use and which part of the display is in use, and may allocate multiple audio channels to the multiple speakers accordingly.

[0087] Figure 3a are plan views and cross-sectional views of a foldable electronic device 200 in a fully unfolded state according to various embodiments.

[0088] Figure 3b are a plan view and a cross-sectional view of a foldable electronic device 200 in a folded state according to various embodiments.

[0089] Figure 3care plan views and cross-sectional views of a foldable electronic device 200 in a fully folded state according to various embodiments.

[0090] Figure 3d is a perspective view of a foldable electronic device 200 in a fully folded state according to various embodiments.

[0091] refer to Figure 3a to Figure 3d , the foldable electronic device 200 may include a foldable housing 250, a foldable display 260, and a plurality of speakers 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d.

[0092] The foldable housing 250 may have an internal space in which various internal components of the foldable electronic device 200 are arranged. The foldable housing 250 may include a plurality of sub-housings (e.g., a first sub-housing 251, a second sub-housing 252, and a third sub-housing 253) and a hinge (e.g., a first hinge 254 and a second hinge 255), and may be folded and unfolded, and the hinge is configured to foldably connect a plurality of sub-housings to each other. In various embodiments, the first hinge 254 may foldably couple the first sub-housing 251 and the third sub-housing 253 to each other, and the second hinge 255 may foldably couple the third sub-housing 253 and the second sub-housing 252 to each other. The third sub-housing 253 may be located between the first sub-housing 251 and the second sub-housing 252, and the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 are between the first sub-housing 251 and the second sub-housing 252. In various embodiments, the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 of the foldable housing 250 may allow folding in the same direction.

[0093] The foldable display 260 may be a display disposed on one side (e.g., a side facing the z direction) of the foldable housing 250 and configured to fold and unfold according to the folding and unfolding of the foldable housing 250. The foldable display 260 may include, for example, a flexible organic light emitting diode (OLED).

[0094] In various embodiments, the foldable display 260 may include multiple display areas divided based on the folding motion axis. For example, the foldable display 260 of the foldable electronic device 200 including the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 may include a first display area 261, a second display area 262, and a third display area 263 divided based on the center of the first hinge 254 and the center of the second hinge 255.

[0095] In various embodiments, the foldable electronic device 200 may include a folding sensor 230. The folding sensor 230 may include, for example, a proximity folding sensor 230a configured to detect proximity between sub-housings and / or a folding angle sensor 230b configured to detect a folding angle of a hinge of the foldable housing 250. The proximity folding sensor 230a may include a magnetic proximity sensor (e.g., a Hall effect sensor) or an optical proximity sensor. The folding angle sensor 230b may include, for example, a rotary encoder, a Hall effect rotation sensor, and / or a gyroscope sensor.

[0096] A plurality of speakers may be arranged inside the foldable housing 250 and may output multi-channel sound having a plurality of audio channels. In various embodiments, the foldable housing 250 may include a speaker grille 256 configured so that the sound output from the plurality of speakers is emitted to the outside of the foldable housing 250.

[0097] In various embodiments, the first speaker 220a and the third speaker 220c may be disposed in the first sub-housing 251, and the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d may be disposed in the second sub-housing 252. Figure 3a , when the hinge is oriented vertically relative to the user (because the long axis is oriented horizontally relative to the user, it can be called "horizontal orientation") and the foldable electronic device 200 is in a fully unfolded state (can be called "first state"), in one example, the first speaker 220a and the third speaker 220c can be located on the left side relative to the user, and the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d can be located on the right side relative to the user. In this orientation, the first speaker 220a and the third speaker 220c can output the left audio channel of multi-channel sound (e.g., stereo), and the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d can output the right audio channel of the multi-channel sound.

[0098] refer to Figure 3b When the foldable electronic device 200 is in a partially folded state (e.g., only the second hinge 255 is folded), the foldable display 260 may be partially covered so that only the first display area 261 of the foldable display 260 may be enabled. In this state, the first speaker 220a and the third speaker 220c may be located on the left side relative to the user, while the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d may be located on the right side relative to the user.

[0099] refer to Figure 3c and Figure 3d, when the foldable electronic device 200 is in a fully folded state (e.g., when both the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 are folded (this may be referred to as a "second state")), the first speaker 220a and the third speaker 220c may be located on the right side relative to the user, while the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d may be located on the left side relative to the user. In this state, due to the change in the relative left and right positions of the speakers 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d relative to the user, the audio channels output by the speakers may change. For example, the first speaker 220a and the third speaker 220c may output the right audio channel, while the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d may output the left audio channel.

[0100] Reference again Figure 3a to Figure 3c , when the user orients the foldable electronic device 200 during use so that the direction of the hinge (the y-axis direction in the figure) is horizontal relative to the user (which may be referred to as "longitudinal orientation"), for example, the first speaker 220a and the second speaker 220b may be located on the left, while the third speaker 220c and the fourth speaker 220d may be located on the right. (Alternatively, when the foldable electronic device 200 is oriented in the opposite direction, the first speaker 220a and the second speaker 220b may be located on the right, while the third speaker 220c and the fourth speaker 220d may be located on the left.) In this state, although the first hinge 254 and / or the second hinge 255 are folded, the relative left and right positions of the speakers 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d do not change.

[0101] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the processor 210 of the foldable electronic device 200 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0102] refer to Figure 4, the processor 210 may determine whether the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 are folded based on the value detected by the folding sensor 230 (S401). When at least one of the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 is unfolded, since the relative left and right positions of the speakers 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220d do not change, the audio channels assigned to the corresponding speakers do not change (S411). For example, the first speaker 220a and the third speaker 220c may output the left audio channel, while the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d may output the right audio channel. Since the relative left and right positions of the speakers 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220d change in the state where both the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 are folded (the second state), the left and right audio channels assigned to the speakers may change (S412). For example, the first speaker 220a and the third speaker 220c may output a right audio channel, and the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d may output a left audio channel.

[0103] Reference again Figure 4 , the processor 210 may determine the orientation of the foldable electronic device 200 based on the values ​​detected by the display controller 280 and the posture sensor 240 (S402). For example, in the case where the foldable electronic device 200 is oriented so that the hinge is horizontal relative to the user, the processor 210 may not change the audio channels assigned to the speakers because even when the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 are both folded, the relative left and right positions of the speakers 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220d are not changed. For example, the first speaker 220a and the third speaker 220c may output the left audio channel, while the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d may output the right audio channel. In contrast, when the foldable electronic device 200 is oriented so that the hinge is vertical relative to the user, the audio channels assigned to the speakers may change when the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 are folded.

[0104] The orientation of the foldable electronic device 200 may be measured by a posture sensor 240 (e.g., a gravity sensor 240a or a gyroscope sensor 240b) and / or determined by the display controller 280. For example, when the foldable display 260 is arranged horizontally relative to the gravity direction, measuring the orientation of the foldable electronic device 200 with the posture sensor 240 may be limited. Therefore, the processor 210 may determine the orientation of the foldable electronic device 200 based on the display mode information provided by the display controller 280 (e.g., whether the foldable display 260 is currently in a portrait mode or a landscape mode).

[0105] Figure 4An embodiment is shown in which an operation (S401) of determining whether the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 are folded is performed before an operation (S402) of determining the orientation of the foldable electronic device 200. However, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the operations (S401, S402) are connected to the operations (S411, S412) of whether a change occurs or does not occur in the audio channel by a logical "AND" operation. Therefore, an embodiment in which the processor 210 is configured to perform an operation (S402) of determining the orientation of the foldable electronic device 200 before or simultaneously with the operation (S401) of determining whether the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 are folded is also possible and included in the scope of the present disclosure.

[0106] Figure 5a are plan views and cross-sectional views of a foldable electronic device 200 in a fully unfolded state according to various embodiments.

[0107] Figure 5b are a plan view and a cross-sectional view of a foldable electronic device 200 in a folded state according to various embodiments.

[0108] Figure 5c are plan views and cross-sectional views of a foldable electronic device 200 in a fully folded state according to various embodiments.

[0109] Figure 5d is a perspective view of a foldable electronic device 200 in a fully folded state according to various embodiments.

[0110] FIG. 5 e is a perspective view of a bottom surface of the foldable electronic device 200 in a fully folded state according to various embodiments.

[0111] In the absence of contradiction, the components of Figures 5 to 5e can be referred to. Figure 3a to Figure 3d Description.

[0112] refer to Figure 5a to Figure 5d , the foldable electronic device 200 may include a foldable housing 250. The foldable housing 250 may include a first sub-housing 251, a third sub-housing 253, a second sub-housing 252, a first hinge 254, and a second hinge 255. The first hinge 254 may foldably couple the first sub-housing 251 and the third sub-housing 253 to each other, and the second hinge 255 may foldably couple the third sub-housing 253 and the second sub-housing 252 to each other.

[0113] In various embodiments, the folding directions of the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 may be opposite to each other. For example, the first hinge 254 may be rotated so that the first sub-housing 251 is folded downward (in the opposite direction of the z-axis in the figure), and the second hinge 255 may be rotated so that the second sub-housing 252 is folded upward (in the z-axis direction in the figure), but is not limited thereto. For example, the first hinge 254 may also be rotated so that the first sub-housing 251 is folded upward (in the z-axis direction in the figure), and the second hinge 255 may also be rotated so that the second sub-housing 252 is folded downward (in the opposite direction of the z-axis in the figure).

[0114] In various embodiments, the first speaker 220a and the third speaker 220c may be disposed in the first sub-housing 251, and the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d may be disposed in the second sub-housing 252. Figure 5a , when the hinge is oriented vertically relative to the user (because the long axis is oriented horizontally relative to the user, it can be called "landscape orientation") and the foldable electronic device 200 is in a fully unfolded state (first state), in one example, the first speaker 220a and the third speaker 220c can be located on the left side relative to the user, and the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d can be located on the right side relative to the user. In this orientation, the first speaker 220a and the third speaker 220c can output the left audio channel of multi-channel sound (e.g., stereo), and the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d can output the right audio channel of the multi-channel sound.

[0115] refer to Figure 5b When the foldable electronic device 200 is in a partially folded state (e.g., only the first hinge 254 is folded), the foldable display 260 may be partially covered so that only the third display area 263 and the second display area 262 of the foldable display 260 may be enabled. In this state, the first speaker 220a and the third speaker 220c may be located on the left side relative to the user, while the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d may be located on the right side relative to the user.

[0116] refer to Figure 5c and Figure 5d, when the foldable electronic device 200 is in a fully folded state (e.g., when the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 are both folded), the first speaker 220a and the third speaker 220c may be located on the right side relative to the user, while the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d may be located on the left side relative to the user. In this state, since the relative left and right positions of the speakers 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220d change, the audio channels output by the speakers may change. For example, the first speaker 220a and the third speaker 220c may output the right audio channel, while the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d may output the left audio channel.

[0117] Reference again Figure 5a to Figure 5c , when the user orients the foldable electronic device 200 during use so that the direction of the hinge (y-axis direction in the figure) is horizontal relative to the user, for example, the first speaker 220a and the second speaker 220b can be located on the left, while the third speaker 220c and the fourth speaker 220d can be located on the right. (Alternatively, when the foldable electronic device 200 is oriented in the opposite direction, the first speaker 220a and the second speaker 220b can also be located on the right, while the third speaker 220c and the fourth speaker 220d can also be located on the left.) In this state, although the first hinge 254 and / or the second hinge 255 are folded, the relative left and right positions of the speakers 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220d do not change.

[0118] Referring to FIG. 5e, in a state where the user orients and uses the foldable electronic device 200 so that the hinge is vertical relative to the user (i.e., landscape mode), when the use mode is changed to a state where the exposed portion of the foldable display 260 (such as the first display area 261) is used by folding the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255, the vertical direction (z-axis direction) of the foldable electronic device 200 is reversed. Therefore, even if the foldable electronic device is folded, the relative left-right positions between the first speaker and the third speaker 220c and between the third speaker and the fourth speaker 220d will not change. Therefore, although the first hinge 254 and / or the second hinge 255 are folded, the relative left-right positions of the speakers 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220d will not change.

[0119] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the processor 210 of the foldable electronic device 200 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0120] refer to Figure 6, the processor 210 may determine whether the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 are folded based on the value detected by the folding sensor 230 (S601). When the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 are not folded, since the relative left and right positions of the speakers 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220d are not changed, the audio channels assigned to the corresponding speakers may not be changed (S611). For example, the first speaker 220a and the third speaker 220c may output the right audio channel, while the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d may output the left audio channel.

[0121] The processor 210 may determine the orientation of the foldable electronic device 200 based on the values ​​detected by the display controller 280 and the posture sensor 240 (S602). For example, in the case where the foldable electronic device 200 is oriented so that the hinge is horizontal relative to the user, since the relative left-right positions of the speakers 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d do not change even when the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 are folded, the processor 210 may not change the audio channels assigned to the speakers (S611). In addition, in the case where the foldable electronic device 200 is oriented so that the hinge is vertical relative to the user (i.e., landscape mode), when the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 are folded, the audio channels assigned to the speakers may change (S612).

[0122] The orientation of the foldable electronic device 200 may be measured by a posture sensor 240 (e.g., a gravity sensor 240a or a gyroscope sensor 240b) and / or determined by the display controller 280. For example, when the foldable display 260 is arranged horizontally relative to the gravity direction, measuring the orientation of the foldable electronic device 200 with the posture sensor 240 may be limited. Therefore, the processor 210 may determine the orientation of the foldable electronic device 200 based on the display mode information provided by the display controller 280 (e.g., whether the foldable display 260 is currently in a portrait mode or a landscape mode).

[0123] The processor 210 may determine whether the first display area 261 is in use based on the value detected by the display controller 280 (S603). In the case where a portion of the foldable display 260 (e.g., the first display area 261) is in use when the foldable electronic device 200 is in the folded state, when the foldable electronic device 200 is oriented so that the hinge is vertical relative to the user, although folded, because the relative left and right positions of the speakers 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d are not changed, the left and right audio channels assigned to the speakers may not change (S611). Based on the value sent from the display controller 280 to the processor 210, the portion of the foldable display 260 that is in use may be determined (S603).

[0124] refer to Figure 6 , the processor 210 processes the results of the determination operations (S601, S602, S603) through a logical "AND" operation, and can determine whether to change the left and right audio channels (S611, S612). Therefore, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the determination operations (S601, S602, S603) can be processed in a different order or simultaneously.

[0125] Figure 7a is a rear plan view of a foldable electronic device 200 according to various embodiments.

[0126] Figure 7b is a perspective view of a foldable electronic device 200 in a folded state according to various embodiments.

[0127] Figure 8 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the processor 210 according to various embodiments.

[0128] refer to Figure 7a and Figure 7b , the foldable electronic device 200 may include an auxiliary display 270. The auxiliary display 270 may be arranged on a surface (e.g., a rear surface) of at least one of the first sub-housing 251 and the second sub-housing 252 (e.g., the second sub-housing 252), the surface facing in a direction (e.g., in the opposite direction of the z-axis) to the arrangement direction of the foldable display 260 (e.g., in the z-axis direction). The auxiliary display 270 may be a display used when the foldable electronic device 200 is folded. For example, referring to Figure 7b The auxiliary display 270 may be a display facing upward (eg, in the z direction in the figure) so as to be visible to the user when the foldable electronic device 200 is folded.

[0129] When the user transforms the foldable electronic device 200 from the fully unfolded state (first state) to the folded state (second state) to use the auxiliary display 270, the relative left and right positions of the plurality of speakers 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d with respect to the user may change. Figure 8, the processor 210 can determine whether the auxiliary display 270 is in use (S604) by information obtained from the display controller 280, and based on this, the processor 210 can change (S612) or not change (S611) the left and right audio channels output from the multiple speakers 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d. For example, in the unfolded state, the first audio channel (e.g., the left audio channel) can be output from the first speaker 220a and the third speaker 220c, and the second audio channel (e.g., the right audio channel) can be output from the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d. However, when the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 are folded and the auxiliary display 270 is used, the output can be switched so that the second audio channel is output from the first speaker 220a and the third speaker 220c, and the first audio channel is output from the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d. The processor 210 processes the auxiliary display 270 through a logical "AND" operation. Figure 8 The results of the determination operations (S601, S602, S603) shown can determine whether to change the left and right audio channels (S611, S612). Therefore, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the determination operations (S601, S602, S603) can be processed in different orders or simultaneously.

[0130] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the foldable electronic device 100, 200 may include: a foldable shell 250, which has a plurality of sub-shells and at least one hinge arranged between the plurality of sub-shells, and is configured to be foldable and unfoldable; a foldable display 260, which is arranged on a first surface of the foldable shell 250 and is configured to be folded and unfolded according to the folding and unfolding of the foldable shell 250, and the first surface faces a first direction; a first speaker 220a and a second speaker 220b, the first speaker is arranged in a first sub-shell 251 among the plurality of sub-shells of the foldable shell 250, and the second speaker is arranged in a second sub-shell 252 spaced apart from the first sub-shell 251; and a processor 210, which is electrically connected to the first speaker 220a and the second speaker 220b. The processor 210 can be configured to: when the relative position between the first speaker 220a and the second speaker 220b corresponds to a first state, output a first audio channel of the designated sound source through the first speaker 220a, and output a second audio channel of the designated sound source through the second speaker 220b; detect a change in the folding state of the foldable shell 250; determine the relative position between the first speaker 220a and the second speaker 220b based on the change in the folding state; and when it is determined that the relative position between the first speaker 220a and the second speaker 220b has changed from the first state to the second state, output the second audio channel of the designated sound source through the first speaker 220a, and output the first audio channel of the designated sound source through the second speaker 220b.

[0131] In various embodiments, the foldable electronic device may include a folding sensor 230 configured to detect folding and unfolding states of the foldable housing 250 , and the processor 210 may be configured to determine a change in the folding state based on a value detected by the folding sensor 230 .

[0132] In various embodiments, the foldable shell 250 includes a third sub-shell 253 disposed between the first sub-shell 251 and the second sub-shell 252, at least one hinge may include a first hinge 254 configured to foldably connect the first sub-shell 251 and the third sub-shell 253 to each other and a second hinge 255 configured to foldably connect the second sub-shell 252 and the third sub-shell 253 to each other, and the first sub-shell 251 may also include a third speaker 220c, and the second sub-shell 252 may also include a fourth speaker 220d.

[0133] In various embodiments, the first speaker 220a and the third speaker 220c can be located in the first sub-shell 251, opposite to the direction of connection with the first hinge 254, and the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d can be located in the second sub-shell 252, opposite to the direction of connection with the second hinge 255.

[0134] In various embodiments, the folding directions of the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 are the same, and the processor 210 can be configured to output the first audio channel through the first speaker 220a and the third speaker 220c and the second audio channel through the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d when the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 are in the unfolded state, and to output the first audio channel through the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d and the second audio channel through the first speaker 220a and the third speaker 220c when the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 are in the folded state.

[0135] In various embodiments, the processor 210 can determine the orientation direction of the foldable electronic device 100, 200, and when the foldable electronic device 100, 200 is oriented in the horizontal direction based on its long axis, the first audio can be output through the first speaker 220a and the third speaker 220c in the unfolded state of the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255, and the second audio channel can be output through the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d, and when the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 are in the folded state, the first audio channel can be output through the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d, and the second audio channel can be output through the first speaker 220a and the third speaker 220c.

[0136] In various embodiments, the foldable electronic device 100 , 200 may include a posture sensor 240 configured to measure its orientation, and the processor 210 may determine the orientation of the foldable electronic device 100 , 200 based on a value detected by the posture sensor 240 .

[0137] In various embodiments, the foldable electronic device may include a display controller 280 configured to control the foldable display 260 , and the processor 210 may determine the orientation of the foldable electronic device 100 , 200 based on the orientation of the image displayed on the foldable display 260 .

[0138] In various embodiments, the folding directions of the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 can be opposite to each other, and the processor 210 can be configured to output the first audio channel through the first speaker 220a and the third speaker 220c and the second audio channel through the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d when the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 are in the unfolded state, and to output the first audio channel through the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d and the second audio channel through the first speaker 220a and the third speaker 220c when the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 are in the folded state.

[0139] In various embodiments, the processor 210 can determine the orientation of the foldable electronic device 100, 200 based on the value detected by the posture sensor 240, and when the foldable electronic device 100, 200 is oriented so that the hinges 254, 255 are vertical relative to the user, the first audio channel can be output through the first speaker 220a and the third speaker 220c, and the second audio channel can be output through the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d when the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 are unfolded, and the first audio channel can be output through the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d when the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 are folded.

[0140] In various embodiments, the foldable electronic device 100 , 200 may include a posture sensor 240 configured to measure its orientation, and the processor 210 may determine the direction in which the foldable electronic device 100 , 200 is oriented based on a value detected by the posture sensor 240 .

[0141] In various embodiments, the foldable electronic device may include a display controller 280 configured to control the foldable display 260, and the processor 210 may determine the direction in which the foldable electronic device 100, 200 is oriented based on the orientation of an image displayed on the display.

[0142] In various embodiments, the foldable display 260 may include a first display area 261 located in the first sub-housing 251, a second display area 262 located in the second sub-housing 252, and a third display area 263 located in the third sub-housing 253, wherein the foldable housing 250 is folded so that the first display area 261 is exposed to the outside when folded. The processor 210 may determine whether the first display area 261 is in operation, and when the first display is in use and the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 are folded, the first audio channel may be output through the first speaker 220a and the third speaker 220c, and the second audio channel may be output through the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d.

[0143] In various embodiments, the foldable electronic device may include an auxiliary display 270 disposed on a surface of the third shell, which is opposite to the surface on which the foldable display 260 is disposed, and the processor 210 may be configured to determine whether the auxiliary display 270 is in operation, and when the auxiliary display 270 is in use and the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 are folded, output the first audio channel through the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d, and output the second audio channel through the first speaker 220a and the third speaker 220c.

[0144] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor 210 of the foldable electronic device 100, 200 can be electrically connected to a plurality of speakers, and can be configured to: detect the folding state of the foldable housing 250; calculate the respective relative positions of the plurality of speakers based on the folding state; and output the plurality of audio channels to the plurality of speakers respectively based on the calculated respective relative positions of the plurality of speakers. The foldable electronic device 100, 200 includes: a foldable housing 250 having a plurality of sub-housings and at least one hinge and configured to be foldable and unfoldable; a foldable display 260, which is arranged on a first surface of the foldable housing 250 and configured to be folded and unfolded according to the folding and unfolding of the foldable housing 250, and the first surface faces a first direction; and a plurality of speakers 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d, which are located in at least two of the plurality of sub-housings of the foldable housing 250 and configured to output multi-channel sound having a plurality of audio channels.

[0145] In various embodiments, the electronic device may include a folding sensor 230 configured to detect the folding and unfolding states of the foldable housing 250 , and the processor 210 may detect the folding and unfolding states of the foldable housing 250 through the folding sensor 230 .

[0146] In various embodiments, the foldable housing 250 may include a first sub-housing 251, a second sub-housing 252, a third sub-housing 253, a first hinge 254 configured to foldably couple the first sub-housing 251 and the second sub-housing 252 to each other, and a second hinge 255 configured to foldably couple the second sub-housing 252 and the third sub-housing 253 to each other. The plurality of speakers of the electronic device may include a first speaker 220a and a third speaker 220c arranged in the first sub-housing 251 and a second speaker 220b and a fourth speaker 220d arranged in the third sub-housing 253, and the plurality of audio channels may include a first audio channel and a second audio channel.

[0147] In various embodiments, the processor 210 can determine the orientation direction of the foldable electronic device 100, 200, and when the foldable electronic device 100, 200 is oriented so that the hinges 254, 255 are vertical relative to the user, the first audio channel can be output through the first speaker 220a and the third speaker 220c, and the second audio channel can be output through the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d when the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 are unfolded, and the first audio channel can be output through the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d when the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 are folded.

[0148] In various embodiments, the foldable electronic device 100 , 200 may include a posture sensor 240 configured to measure its orientation, and the direction in which the foldable electronic device 100 , 200 is oriented may be determined based on a value detected by the posture sensor 240 .

[0149] In various embodiments, the foldable display 260 may include a display controller 280 configured to control the foldable display 260 , wherein the orientation of the foldable electronic device 100 , 200 may be determined based on the orientation of an image displayed on the foldable display 260 .

[0150] In various embodiments, the foldable electronic device 100, 200 may include an auxiliary display 270 disposed on a surface of the second sub-housing 252, which is opposite to the surface on which the foldable display 260 is disposed, and the processor 210 may be configured to determine whether the auxiliary display 270 is in operation, and when the auxiliary display 270 is in use and the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 are folded, the first audio channel may be output through the second speaker 220b and the fourth speaker 220d, and the second audio channel may be output through the first speaker 220a and the third speaker 220c.

[0151] The embodiments of the present disclosure described and shown in the specification and the drawings are only specific embodiments presented to easily explain the technical content of the embodiments of the present disclosure and to help understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the various embodiments of the present disclosure should be interpreted as including all changes and modifications derived from the technical ideas of the various embodiments of the present disclosure in addition to the embodiments described herein.

Claims

1. A foldable electronic device, comprising: a foldable housing having a plurality of sub-housings and at least one hinge arranged between the plurality of sub-housings and configured to be foldable and unfoldable; a foldable display disposed on a first surface of the foldable housing and configured to fold and unfold according to folding and unfolding of the foldable housing, with the first surface facing a first direction; a first speaker and a second speaker, the first speaker being disposed in a first sub-housing among the plurality of sub-housings of the foldable housing, and the second speaker being disposed in a second sub-housing spaced apart from the first sub-housing; as well as a processor electrically connected to the first speaker and the second speaker, The processor is configured to: when the relative position between the first speaker and the second speaker is in a first state, output a first audio channel of a designated sound source through the first speaker, and output a second audio channel of the designated sound source through the second speaker; detect a change in the folding state of the foldable shell; determine the relative position between the first speaker and the second speaker based on the change in the folding state; and when it is determined that the relative position between the first speaker and the second speaker changes from the first state to the second state, output the second audio channel of the designated sound source through the first speaker, and output the first audio channel of the designated sound source through the second speaker.

2. The foldable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The foldable housing includes a third sub-housing disposed between the first sub-housing and the second sub-housing, wherein the at least one hinge comprises a first hinge configured to foldably couple the first sub-housing and the third sub-housing to each other and a second hinge configured to foldably couple the second sub-housing and the third sub-housing to each other, and The first sub-shell further includes a third speaker, and the second sub-shell further includes a fourth speaker.

3. The foldable electronic device according to claim 2, wherein: The first speaker and the third speaker are located in the first sub-housing, opposite to the direction of connecting the first hinge, and The second speaker and the fourth speaker are located in the second sub-housing, opposite to the direction of connecting the second hinge.

4. The foldable electronic device according to claim 3, wherein: The folding directions of the first hinge and the second hinge are the same as each other, and Wherein, the processor is configured to: When the first hinge and the second hinge are unfolded, the first audio channel is output through the first speaker and the third speaker, and the second audio channel is output through the second speaker and the fourth speaker; and In a state where the first hinge and the second hinge are folded, the first audio channel is output through the second speaker and the fourth speaker, and the second audio channel is output through the first speaker and the third speaker.

5. The foldable electronic device according to claim 4, wherein: The processor is configured to: determining the direction in which the foldable electronic device is oriented; and When the foldable electronic device is oriented in a horizontal direction relative to its long axis, when the first hinge and the second hinge are unfolded, the first audio channel is output through the first speaker and the third speaker, and the second audio channel is output through the second speaker and the fourth speaker, and when the first hinge and the second hinge are folded, the first audio channel is output through the second speaker and the fourth speaker, and the second audio channel is output through the first speaker and the third speaker.

6. The foldable electronic device of claim 5, comprising a gesture sensor configured to measure an orientation of the foldable electronic device, in, The processor is configured to determine a direction in which the foldable electronic device is oriented based on values ​​detected by the gesture sensor.

7. The foldable electronic device according to claim 5, comprising a display controller configured to control the foldable display, in, The processor is configured to determine an orientation of the foldable electronic device based on an orientation of an image displayed on the foldable display.

8. The foldable electronic device according to claim 3, wherein: The folding directions of the first hinge and the second hinge are opposite to each other, and Wherein, the processor is configured to: When the first hinge and the second hinge are unfolded, the first audio channel is output through the first speaker and the third speaker, and the second audio channel is output through the second speaker and the fourth speaker; and In a state where the first hinge and the second hinge are folded, the first audio channel is output through the second speaker and the fourth speaker, and the second audio channel is output through the first speaker and the third speaker.

9. The foldable electronic device according to claim 8, wherein: The foldable display includes a first display area located in the first sub-housing, a second display area located in the second sub-housing, and a third display area located in the third sub-housing, The foldable housing is folded so that the first display area is exposed to the outside in the folded state, and Wherein, the processor is configured to: determining whether the first display area is in operation; and When the first display is used in a state where the first hinge and the second hinge are folded, the first audio channel is output through the first speaker and the third speaker, and the second audio channel is output through the second speaker and the fourth speaker.

10. The foldable electronic device according to claim 8, comprising an auxiliary display disposed on a surface of the third housing, the surface being opposite to a surface on which the foldable display is disposed, in, The processor is configured to: determining whether the auxiliary display is in operation; as well as When the auxiliary display is used in a state where the first hinge and the second hinge are folded, the first audio channel is output through the second speaker and the fourth speaker, and the second audio channel is output through the first speaker and the third speaker.

11. A processor for a foldable electronic device, the foldable electronic device comprising: a foldable housing having a plurality of sub-housings and at least one hinge and configured to be foldable and unfoldable; a foldable display disposed on a first surface of the foldable housing and configured to fold and unfold according to folding and unfolding of the foldable housing, the first surface facing a first direction; and a plurality of speakers located in at least two of the plurality of sub-housings of the foldable housing and configured to output multi-channel sound having a plurality of audio channels, wherein the processor is electrically connected to the plurality of speakers and configured to: detecting a folding state of the foldable housing; calculating a relative position of each of the plurality of speakers based on the folded state; and Based on the calculated relative position of each of the plurality of speakers, the plurality of audio channels are output through the plurality of speakers, respectively.

12. The processor of claim 11, wherein: The foldable housing includes a first sub-housing, a second sub-housing, a third sub-housing, a first hinge configured to foldably couple the first sub-housing and the second sub-housing to each other, and a second hinge configured to foldably couple the second sub-housing and the third sub-housing to each other, The plurality of speakers of the electronic device include a first speaker and a third speaker arranged in the first sub-housing and a second speaker and a fourth speaker arranged in the third sub-housing. The plurality of audio channels include a first audio channel and a second audio channel, The foldable electronic device includes an auxiliary display disposed on a surface of the second sub-housing, the surface being opposite to a surface on which the foldable display is disposed, and Wherein, the processor is configured to: determining whether the secondary display is operational; and When the auxiliary display is used in a state where the first hinge and the second hinge are folded, the first audio channel is output through the second speaker and the fourth speaker, and the second audio channel is output through the first speaker and the third speaker.

13. The processor of claim 11, wherein: The processor is configured to: determining the direction in which the foldable electronic device is oriented; and When the foldable electronic device is oriented so that the hinge is vertical relative to the user, when the first hinge and the second hinge are unfolded, the first audio channel is output through the first speaker and the third speaker, and the second audio channel is output through the second speaker and the fourth speaker, and when the first hinge and the second hinge are folded, the first audio channel is output through the second speaker and the fourth speaker, and the second audio channel is output through the first speaker and the third speaker.

14. The processor of claim 13, wherein: The foldable electronic device includes a posture sensor configured to measure an orientation of the foldable electronic device, and The direction in which the foldable electronic device is oriented is determined based on a value detected by the posture sensor.

15. The processor of claim 13, wherein: The foldable display includes a display controller configured to control the foldable display, and The direction in which the foldable electronic device is oriented is determined based on the orientation of an image displayed on the foldable display.

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