Flexible electronic device and method for providing user interface according to change of flexible electronic device

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and apparatus configured to detect an angle change between a first housing and a second housing, which are arranged on both sides with respect to a folding axis and formed to fold relative to each other, using at least one sensor module; determine a guide area based on the first housing or the second housing in which the angle change is detected; change the size of the determined guide area based on the angle change between the first housing and the second housing and display it on a display; and, when the guide area is selected by a user, display information associated with a user interface displayed on the display in the guide area. Various embodiments are possible.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] Various embodiments of the present invention disclose a method for providing a user interface and a flexible electronic device according to changes in the flexible electronic device. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of digital technology, various types of electronic devices such as mobile communication terminals, PDAs (personal digital assistants), electronic notebooks, smartphones, tablet PCs (personal computers), and wearable devices are widely used. Electronic devices may have limited sizes for portability, which consequently restricts the size of the display. Accordingly, various forms of electronic devices that provide a more expanded screen through multi-displays are being developed recently.

[0003] For example, multiple displays are provided to offer an expanded screen through multi-displays. As another example, electronic devices are designed to provide various services to users through a large screen, with the screen size gradually increasing from a display having a limited size. Such electronic devices may have new form factors, such as multi-display devices (e.g., dual display devices), or devices (e.g., foldable devices, rollable devices, or sliderable devices). A foldable device is equipped with a foldable (or bendable) display (e.g., a foldable display or a flexible display) and can be used by folding or unfolding. A rollable device or a sliderable device is equipped with a flexible display and can be used by rolling the flexible display to the rear of the rollable device or by extending the flexible display to the front of the rollable device. The problem to be solved

[0004] A foldable electronic device formed to fold relative to each other along a folding axis may include a main display formed on both sides along the folding axis that is foldable, a first display formed in a first direction in an unfolded state (e.g., open state), and a sub display formed in a second direction opposite to the first direction in an unfolded state. While displaying a user interface through the main display, if the folding angle of the foldable electronic device changes by a specific angle (e.g., 150°, 120°) or more, the foldable electronic device may switch to a different user interface that is predetermined. However, the user may simply want to change the angle while maintaining the original user interface even if the angle of the foldable electronic device changes.

[0005] In various embodiments, when a physical change of a flexible electronic device (e.g., angle change, display bending) is detected, a new form of user interface is provided, and a method and apparatus for providing a new form of user interface or maintaining the original user interface according to the user's selection input may be disclosed. means of solving the problem

[0006] An electronic device according to various embodiments of the present invention comprises a first housing and a second housing formed to be folded relative to each other and arranged on both sides with respect to a folding axis, at least one sensor module, a display arranged to face a first direction of the first housing and the second housing when the flexible electronic device is in an unfolded state, a memory, and a processor operatively connected to the at least one sensor module, the display, or the memory, wherein the processor detects an angle change between the first housing and the second housing using the at least one sensor module, determines a guide area based on the first housing or the second housing in which the angle change is detected, changes the size of the determined guide area based on the angle change between the first housing and the second housing and displays it on the display, and when the guide area is selected by a user, the processor is configured to display information associated with a user interface displayed on the display in the guide area.

[0007] A method of operation of a flexible electronic device comprising a first housing and a second housing arranged on both sides of a folding axis according to various embodiments of the present invention and formed to fold relative to each other may include: detecting an angle change between the first housing and the second housing using at least one sensor module of the electronic device; determining a guide area based on the first housing or the second housing in which the angle change is detected; changing the size of the determined guide area based on the angle change between the first housing and the second housing and displaying it on a display of the electronic device; and, when the guide area is selected by a user, displaying information associated with a user interface displayed on the display in the guide area. Effects of the invention

[0008] According to various embodiments, when a physical change in a flexible electronic device is detected, a new form of user interface is provided, and user convenience can be increased by providing a new form of user interface or maintaining the original user interface according to the user's selection input.

[0009] According to various embodiments, a display area to provide a guide area is determined according to the usage behavior of the flexible electronic device, and by variably changing the size of the guide area based on the angle change of the flexible electronic device, information or functions can be provided to the guide area according to the user's selection.

[0010] According to various embodiments, by making the size of the guide area adjustable based on user input, a new type of user interface can be used to suit the user's needs.

[0011] According to various embodiments, the display of a flexible electronic device can be used efficiently by adjusting the size and ratio of a new type of display area as desired by the user while maintaining the original displayed user interface according to physical changes in the flexible electronic device. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device in a network environment according to various embodiments. FIG. 2a is a drawing illustrating the unfolded state of a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments. FIG. 2b is a drawing illustrating the folding state of a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments. FIG. 2c is a diagram illustrating an intermediate state of a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of providing a new type of user interface according to a physical change in a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments. FIGS. 5A and 5B are drawings illustrating the usage behavior of a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments. FIGS. 6a to 6c are drawings illustrating examples of providing a guide region in a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a user interface according to changes in a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments. FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating an example of changing the size of a guide region according to changes in a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for changing the size of a guide region according to changes in a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of controlling a user interface according to changes in a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a user interface according to changes in a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments. FIG. 12 is a drawing illustrating an example of providing a guide area of ​​a first application according to changes in a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments. FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrating an example of providing a guide area for a second application according to changes in a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments. FIG. 14 is a drawing illustrating an example of providing a guide area according to changes in a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments. FIG. 15 is a drawing illustrating an example of adjusting a guide area based on user input in a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments. FIG. 16 is a drawing illustrating an example of an electronic device of various forms according to various embodiments. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device (101) in a network environment (100) according to various embodiments.

[0014] Referring to FIG. 1, in a network environment (100), an electronic device (101) may communicate with an electronic device (102) through a first network (198) (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network) or with at least one of an electronic device (104) or a server (108) through a second network (199) (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may communicate with the electronic device (104) through a server (108). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may include a processor (120), memory (130), input module (150), sound output module (155), display module (160), audio module (170), sensor module (176), interface (177), connection terminal (178), haptic module (179), camera module (180), power management module (188), battery (189), communication module (190), subscriber identification module (196), or antenna module (197). In some embodiments, at least one of these components (e.g., connection terminal (178)) may be omitted from the electronic device (101), or one or more other components may be added. In some embodiments, some of these components (e.g., sensor module (176), camera module (180), or antenna module (197)) may be integrated into a single component (e.g., display module (160)).

[0015] The processor (120) can control at least one other component (e.g., hardware or software component) of the electronic device (101) connected to the processor (120) by executing software (e.g., program (140)), for example, and can perform various data processing or operations. According to one embodiment, as at least part of the data processing or operations, the processor (120) can store commands or data received from other components (e.g., sensor module (176) or communication module (190)) in volatile memory (132), process the commands or data stored in volatile memory (132), and store the resulting data in non-volatile memory (134). According to one embodiment, the processor (120) may include a main processor (121) (e.g., central processing unit or application processor) or an auxiliary processor (123) that can operate independently or together with it (e.g., graphics processing unit, neural processing unit (NPU), image signal processor, sensor hub processor, or communication processor). For example, if the electronic device (101) includes a main processor (121) and an auxiliary processor (123), the auxiliary processor (123) may be configured to use lower power than the main processor (121) or to be specialized for a designated function. The auxiliary processor (123) may be implemented separately from the main processor (121) or as part thereof.

[0016] The auxiliary processor (123) may control at least some of the functions or states associated with at least one component of the electronic device (101) (e.g., display module (160), sensor module (176), or communication module (190)) on behalf of the main processor (121) while the main processor (121) is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state, or together with the main processor (121) while the main processor (121) is in an active (e.g., application execution) state. According to one embodiment, the auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., image signal processor or communication processor) may be implemented as part of another functionally related component (e.g., camera module (180) or communication module (190)). According to one embodiment, the auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., neural network processing unit) may include a hardware structure specialized for processing an artificial intelligence model. The artificial intelligence model may be generated through machine learning. Such learning may be performed, for example, on the electronic device (101) itself where the artificial intelligence model is executed, or through a separate server (e.g., server (108)). The learning algorithm may include, for example, supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, or reinforcement learning, but is not limited to the examples described above. The artificial intelligence model may include a plurality of artificial neural network layers.An 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), a deep Q-network, or a combination of two or more of the above, but is not limited to the examples described above. In addition to the hardware structure, the artificial intelligence model may include a software structure, either additionally or substantially.

[0017] The memory (130) can store various data used by at least one component of the electronic device (101) (e.g., processor (120) or sensor module (176)). The data may include, for example, input data or output data for software (e.g., program (140)) and related commands. The memory (130) may include volatile memory (132) or non-volatile memory (134).

[0018] The program (140) may be stored as software in memory (130) and may include, for example, an operating system (142), middleware (144), or an application (146).

[0019] The input module (150) can receive commands or data to be used for a component of the electronic device (101) (e.g., processor (120)) from outside the electronic device (101) (e.g., user). 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 pen).

[0020] The sound output module (155) can output a sound signal to the outside of the electronic device (101). The sound output module (155) may include, for example, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker may be used for general purposes, such as multimedia playback or recording playback. The receiver may be used to receive incoming calls. According to one embodiment, the receiver may be implemented separately from the speaker or as part thereof.

[0021] The display module (160) can visually provide information to an external (e.g., user) of the electronic device (101). The display module (160) may include, for example, a display, a holographic device, or a projector and a control circuit for controlling said device. According to one embodiment, the display module (160) may include a touch sensor configured to detect a touch, or a pressure sensor configured to measure the intensity of the force generated by said touch.

[0022] The audio module (170) can convert sound into an electrical signal or, conversely, convert an electrical signal into sound. According to one embodiment, the audio module (170) can acquire sound through the input module (150) or output sound through the sound output module (155) or an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102)) (e.g., speaker or headphones) connected directly or wirelessly to the electronic device (101).

[0023] The sensor module (176) can detect the operating state of the electronic device (101) (e.g., power or temperature) or the external environmental state (e.g., user state) and generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to the detected state. According to one embodiment, the sensor module (176) may include, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an accelerometer sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an IR (infrared) sensor, a biosensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

[0024] The interface (177) may support one or more specified protocols that can be used for the electronic device (101) to be connected directly or wirelessly to an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102)). According to one embodiment, the interface (177) may include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, an SD card interface, or an audio interface.

[0025] The connection terminal (178) may include a connector through which the electronic device (101) can be physically connected to an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102)). According to one embodiment, the connection terminal (178) may include, for example, an HDMI connector, a USB connector, an SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector).

[0026] The haptic module (179) can convert an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus (e.g., vibration or movement) or an electrical stimulus that the user can perceive through tactile or kinesthetic senses. According to one embodiment, the haptic module (179) may include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electric stimulation device.

[0027] The camera module (180) can capture still images and video. According to one embodiment, the camera module (180) may include one or more lenses, image sensors, image signal processors, or flashes.

[0028] The power management module (188) can manage the power supplied to the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, the power management module (188) can be implemented, for example, as at least part of a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

[0029] The battery (189) can supply power to at least one component of the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, the battery (189) may include, for example, a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, or a fuel cell.

[0030] The communication module (190) can support the establishment of a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between an electronic device (101) and an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102), electronic device (104), or server (108)), and the performance of communication through the established communication channel. The communication module (190) may include one or more communication processors that operate independently of the processor (120) (e.g., application processor) and support direct (e.g., wired) communication or wireless communication. According to one embodiment, the communication module (190) may include a wireless communication module (192) (e.g., cellular communication module, short-range wireless communication module, or GNSS (global navigation satellite system) communication module) or a wired communication module (194) (e.g., LAN (local area network) communication module, or power line communication module). The corresponding communication module among these communication modules can communicate with an external electronic device (104) through a first network (198) (e.g., a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, WiFi (wireless fidelity) direct, or IrDA (infrared data association)) or a second network (199) (e.g., a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., a LAN or WAN). These various types of communication modules may be integrated into a single component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as multiple separate components (e.g., multiple chips). The wireless communication module (192) can identify or authenticate the electronic device (101) within a communication network such as the first network (198) or the second network (199) using subscriber information (e.g., International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)) stored in the subscriber identification module (196).

[0031] The wireless communication module (192) can support 5G networks and next-generation communication technologies following 4G networks, for example, new radio access technology. NR access technology can support high-speed transmission of high-capacity data (enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB)), minimization of terminal power and connection of multiple terminals (massive machine type communications (mMTC)), or high reliability and low latency (ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC)). The wireless communication module (192) can support a high-frequency band (e.g., mmWave band) to achieve a high data transmission rate, for example. The wireless communication module (192) can support various technologies for securing performance in the high-frequency band, such as beamforming, massive MIMO (multiple-input and multiple-output), full-dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, analog beam-forming, or large-scale antenna. The wireless communication module (192) can support various requirements specified in the electronic device (101), external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (104)), or network system (e.g., second network (199)). According to one embodiment, the wireless communication module (192) can support a Peak data rate (e.g., 20 Gbps or more) for realizing eMBB, loss coverage (e.g., 164 dB or less) for realizing mMTC, or U-plane latency (e.g., downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) each 0.5 ms or less, or round trip 1 ms or less) for realizing URLLC.

[0032] An antenna module (197) can transmit a signal or power to or from an external source (e.g., an external electronic device). According to one embodiment, the antenna module (197) may include an antenna comprising a radiator made of a conductor or a conductive pattern formed on a substrate (e.g., a PCB). According to one 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 method used in a communication network, such as a first network (198) or a second network (199), may be selected from the plurality of antennas, for example, by a communication module (190). A signal or power may be transmitted or received between the communication module (190) and an external electronic device through the selected at least one antenna. According to some embodiments, in addition to the radiator, other components (e.g., a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) may be additionally formed as part of the antenna module (197).

[0033] According to various embodiments, the antenna module (197) may form a mmWave antenna module. According to one embodiment, the mmWave antenna module may include a printed circuit board, an RFIC disposed on or adjacent to a first surface (e.g., bottom surface) of the printed circuit board and capable of supporting a specified high frequency band (e.g., mmWave band), and a plurality of antennas (e.g., array antennas) disposed on or adjacent to a second surface (e.g., top surface or side surface) of the printed circuit board and capable of transmitting or receiving a signal of the specified high frequency band.

[0034] At least some of the above components can be connected to each other via a communication method between peripheral devices (e.g., bus, GPIO (general purpose input and output), SPI (serial peripheral interface), or MIPI (mobile industry processor interface)) and exchange signals (e.g., commands or data) with each other.

[0035] According to one embodiment, commands or data may be transmitted or received between the electronic device (101) and an external electronic device (104) through a server (108) connected to a second network (199). Each of the external electronic devices (102, or 104) may be the same or different type of device as the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, all or part of the operations performed on the electronic device (101) may be performed on one or more of the external electronic devices (102, 104, or 108). For example, if the electronic device (101) needs to perform a function or service automatically or in response to a request from a user or another device, the electronic device (101) may request one or more external electronic devices to perform at least part of the function or service instead of performing the function or service itself or additionally. One or more external electronic devices that receive the above request may execute at least part of the requested function or service, or additional function or 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 is or additionally processed as at least part of the response to the request. For this purpose, for example, cloud computing, distributed computing, mobile edge computing (MEC), or client-server computing technology may be used. The electronic device (101) may provide ultra-low latency services using, for example, distributed computing or mobile edge computing. 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 one embodiment, the external electronic device (104) or the server (108) may be included within the second network (199).The electronic device (101) can be applied to intelligent services (e.g., smart home, smart city, smart car, or healthcare) based on 5G communication technology and IoT-related technology.

[0036] The electronic device according to the various embodiments disclosed in this document may be of various forms. The electronic device may include, for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smartphone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, or a consumer electronics device. The electronic device according to the embodiments of this document is not limited to the devices described above.

[0037] The various embodiments of this document and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of said embodiments. In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components. The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of said items unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise. In this document, 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 each include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase, or all possible combinations thereof. Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used simply to distinguish said components from other said components and do not limit said components in any other aspect (e.g., importance or order). Where any (e.g., first) component is referred to as “coupled” or “connected” to another (e.g., second) component, with or without the terms “functionally” or “communicationly,” it means that said any component may be connected to said other component directly (e.g., by wire), wirelessly, or through a third component.

[0038] The term “module” as used in the various embodiments of this document may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may be used interchangeably with terms such as logic, logic block, component, or circuit, for example. A module may be a component formed integrally, or a minimum unit of said component or a part thereof that performs one or more functions. For example, according to one embodiment, a module may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0039] Various embodiments of the present document may be implemented as software (e.g., program (140)) comprising one or more instructions stored in a storage medium (e.g., internal memory (136) or external memory (138)) readable by a machine (e.g., electronic device (101)). For example, 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 it. This enables the machine to be operated to perform at least one function according to the at least one called instruction. The one or more instructions may include code generated by a compiler or code that can be executed by an interpreter. The storage medium readable by the machine may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, 'non-temporary' simply means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not contain a signal (e.g., electromagnetic waves), and the term does not distinguish between cases where data is stored semi-permanently and cases where it is stored temporarily.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the method according to the various embodiments disclosed herein may be provided by being included 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 distributed in the form of a device-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)) or an application store (e.g., Play Store). TM It can be distributed online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) through ) or directly between two user devices (e.g., smartphones). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be temporarily stored or temporarily created on a device-readable storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or a relay server.

[0041] According to various embodiments, each component (e.g., module or program) of the components described above may include a singular or multiple entities, and some of the multiple entities may be separated and placed in other components. According to various embodiments, one or more of the components or operations of the aforementioned components may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Generally or additionally, multiple components (e.g., module or program) may be integrated into a single component. In this case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the multiple components in the same or similar manner as those performed by the corresponding component among the multiple components prior to integration. According to various embodiments, operations performed by the module, program, or other components may be executed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order, omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

[0042] FIG. 2a is a drawing illustrating the unfolded state of a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 2a, a flexible electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) according to various embodiments may include a first housing (210) having a first surface (211) and a third surface (213) and a second housing (220) having a second surface (221) and a fourth surface (223). The first surface (211) of the first housing (210) and the second surface (221) of the second housing (220) may represent the front surface (200) of the electronic device (101), and the third surface (213) of the first housing (210) and the fourth surface (223) of the second housing (220) may represent the rear surface (250) of the electronic device (101).

[0044] The first housing (210) and the second housing (220) are positioned on both sides of a folding axis (e.g., A-axis) and may have a shape that is symmetrical with respect to the folding axis. For example, on the front (200) of the electronic device (101), the first housing (210) may be on the left side of the electronic device (101) with respect to the folding axis, and the second housing (220) may be on the right side of the electronic device (101). The first housing (210) and the second housing (220) may be designed to fold relative to each other. A hinge structure (260) is formed between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) so that the front (200) of the electronic device (101) can be folded. A third sensor module that detects an angle change between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) may be disposed in the hinge structure (260). The third sensor module may include at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a geomagnetic sensor, a proximity sensor, a gesture sensor, or a Hall sensor.

[0045] The first housing (210) and the second housing (220) may differ in the angle or distance they form with each other depending on whether the state of the electronic device (101) is an unfolded (or open) state, a folded (or closed) state, or an intermediate state. For example, the unfolded state may mean an open state, an open state, or a flat state. The unfolded state may mean a state in which the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) are placed side by side, and the electronic device (101) is fully unfolded. The unfolded state may be such that the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is 180 degrees, and the first surface (211) of the first housing (210) and the second surface (221) of the second housing (220) may be arranged to face the same direction (e.g., the first direction). FIG. 2a is a drawing showing the front (200) and rear (250) of the electronic device (101) in an unfolded state.

[0046] The above-mentioned folding state may mean a folded state, a folded state, a closed state, or a closed state (e.g., FIG. 2b). The above-mentioned folding state may mean a state in which the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) are arranged to face each other, and the electronic device (101) is completely folded. The above-mentioned folding state is such that the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) forms a narrow angle (e.g., 0 to 5 degrees), and the first surface (211) of the first housing (210) and the second surface (221) of the second housing (220) may face each other. In the following description, the folding method is implemented in an in-folding manner for the electronic device (101), but it may be implemented in the same or similar way for an out-folding manner for the electronic device (101).

[0047] The above intermediate state is a state in which the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) are arranged at a certain angle, and the electronic device (101) may not be in the unfolded state or the folded state (e.g., FIG. 2c). The above intermediate state may mean a state in which the first surface (211) of the first housing (210) and the second surface (221) of the second housing (220) form a certain angle (e.g., 6 degrees to 179 degrees).

[0048] The electronic device (101) may form a first display (230) (e.g., main display) (e.g., display module (160) of FIG. 1) on a first surface (211) and a second surface (221), which are the front surface (200) of the electronic device. The first display (230) may be formed entirely on the front surface (200) (e.g., the first direction of the electronic device (101)). The first display (230) may refer to a flexible display in which at least a portion of the area can be deformed into a flat or curved surface. The first display (230) may be folded left and right along a folding axis (e.g., A-axis). The first display (230) may include a first display area corresponding to the first surface (211) or a second display area corresponding to the second surface (221). Additionally, the electronic device (101) may place a first camera (214) on a second surface (221). Although the drawing shows one first camera (214), the first camera (214) may be formed in multiple numbers. Although the drawing shows the first camera (214) placed on the second surface (221), the first camera (214) may be formed on the first surface (211).

[0049] Additionally, the electronic device (101) may form a second display (240) (e.g., sub-display, cover display) (e.g., display module (160) of FIG. 1) on a part of the rear surface (250) of the electronic device. The second display (240) may be formed on at least a part of the third surface (213) of the electronic device (101). The electronic device (101) may include a plurality of cameras (e.g., 215, 217, 219, 225) on the rear surface (250) of the electronic device (210). For example, the electronic device (101) may place the second camera (215), the third camera (217), and the fourth camera (219) on the fourth surface (223), and place the fifth camera (225) on the third surface (213). According to various embodiments, the second camera (215), the third camera (217), the fourth camera (219), and the fifth camera (225) may have the same or different performance (e.g., angle of view, resolution). For example, the second camera (215) may have an angle of view greater than 125 degrees (e.g., ultra-wide), the third camera (217) may have an angle of view between 90 and 125 degrees (e.g., wide), the fourth camera (219) may have an angle of view of 90 degrees and 2x zoom (e.g., tele), and the fifth camera (225) may have an angle of view of 90 degrees and normal magnification. The electronic device (101) may further include a sensor area (241) on the fourth surface (223). An infrared sensor, a fingerprint sensor, or an ambient light sensor may be placed in the sensor area (241), similar to the sensor module (176) of FIG. 1.

[0050] According to various embodiments, when the electronic device (101) is in an unfolded state (e.g., FIG. 2a), the first display (230) may be turned on (or activated) and the second display (240) may be turned off (or deactivated). If no user input (e.g., touch, button selection) is detected for a certain period of time (e.g., 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 1 minute) while the first display (230) is turned on, the electronic device (101) may turn off the first display (230). Alternatively, if user input (e.g., touch, button selection) is detected on the second display (240) while the second display (240) is turned off, the electronic device (101) may turn on the second display (240). According to various embodiments, when the second display (240) is turned on, the first display (230) may be turned off. Alternatively, the electronic device (101) may turn off the first display (230) after keeping it on for a certain period of time even if the second display (240) is turned on, and if no user input is detected on the first display (230) even after a certain period of time has elapsed.

[0051] The electronic device (101) may further include a sensor module (e.g., the sensor module (176) of FIG. 1). For example, the electronic device (101) may include a first sensor module (270) in a first housing (210) and a second sensor module (275) in a second housing (220). The first sensor module (270) or the second sensor module (275) may include at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, a proximity sensor, a gesture sensor, or a Hall sensor. An accelerometer is a sensor that detects speed, and a gyroscope sensor can detect angular velocity, which is the rotational speed of an object. A geomagnetic sensor is a sensor that detects geomagnetism and can detect geomagnetic directions (e.g., azimuth) such as east, west, south, and north, like a compass. A proximity sensor detects whether an object is close, and a gesture sensor can detect infrared light. A Hall sensor can detect changes in electrical signals based on the proximity or distance of a magnetic object. The Hall sensor can detect changes in the state of an electronic device (101) in an analog or digital manner.

[0052] The electronic device (101) can detect the state of the electronic device (101) (e.g., unfolded state, folded state, intermediate state) using at least one sensor module (e.g., first sensor module (270), second sensor module (275), or third sensor module). When the electronic device (101) is positioned as the front (200), the x-axis of the first sensor module (270) or the second sensor module (275) may represent the left / right direction, the y-axis may represent the front / back direction, and the z-axis may represent the height direction. When the electronic device (101) is positioned as the front (200), the sensing data (or sensing values, sensing angles) of the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis measured (or acquired) by the first sensor module (270) or the second sensor module (275) may be the same or similar.

[0053] For example, when the electronic device (101) is positioned as the front (200), the x-axis and y-axis sensing data measured (or acquired) by the first sensor module (270) or the second sensor module (275) may be expressed as an angle of 0°, and the z-axis sensing data may be 90°. When the electronic device (101) is positioned as the rear (250), the x-axis and y-axis sensing data measured (or acquired) by the first sensor module (270) or the second sensor module (275) may be 0°, and the z-axis sensing data may be -90°. Since the x-axis and y-axis of the inertial sensor are not affected by the direction of gravity, and the z-axis is affected by the direction of gravity, the z-axis sensing data may differ when the electronic device (101) is positioned as the front (200) and when the electronic device (101) is positioned as the rear (250).

[0054] FIG. 2b is a drawing illustrating the folding state of a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 2b, the electronic device (101) has a hinge structure (260) formed around a folding axis (e.g., A-axis) so that the front surface (200) of the electronic device (101) may be in a folded state (e.g., closed state). FIG. 2b is a drawing showing the third surface (213) of the first housing (210) and the fourth surface (223) of the second housing (220) when the electronic device (101) is in a folded state.

[0056] According to various embodiments, when the electronic device (101) is in a folded state, the first display (230) may be turned off and the second display (240) may be turned on. When the second display (240) is turned on and no user input is detected for a certain period of time, the electronic device (101) may turn off the second display (240). When the electronic device (101) is in a folded state and the second display (240) is turned off, if a button formed (or mounted) on the electronic device (101) is selected, the electronic device (101) may turn on the second display (240). Alternatively, when the electronic device (101) is in a folded state and the second display (240) is turned off, if user input is detected on the second display (240), the electronic device (101) may turn on the second display (240).

[0057] According to various embodiments, when the electronic device (101) is in a folded state, the sensing data of the z-axis measured (or acquired) by the first sensor module (270) and the second sensor module (275) may be different. For example, when the third side (213) of the first housing (210) is positioned to face the first direction (e.g., opposite to the direction of gravity) (e.g., when the fourth side (223) of the second housing (220) is positioned to face the second direction (e.g., the direction of gravity)), the sensing data of the x-axis and y-axis measured by the first sensor module (270) may be 0° and the sensing data of the z-axis may be -90°, and the sensing data of the x-axis and y-axis measured by the second sensor module (275) may be 0° and the sensing data of the z-axis may be 90°. The first direction and the second direction may be opposite directions to each other. Additionally, when the fourth side (223) of the second housing (220) is positioned so as to face the first direction (e.g., when the third side (213) of the first housing (210) is positioned so as to face the second direction), the sensing data of the x-axis and y-axis measured by the first sensor module (270) may be 0° and the sensing data of the z-axis may be 90°, and the sensing data of the x-axis and y-axis measured by the second sensor module (275) may be 0° and the sensing data of the z-axis may be -90°.

[0058] FIG. 2c is a diagram illustrating an intermediate state of a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 2c, the electronic device (101) may be in an intermediate state where a hinge structure (260) is formed around a folding axis (e.g., A-axis) so that the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) form a certain angle. The drawing illustrates a state where the third surface (213) of the first housing (210) is placed on the floor, and the first surface (211) of the first housing (210) and the second surface (221) of the second housing (220) form a certain angle. For example, in the intermediate state, one surface of the first housing (210) or the second housing (220) may be placed on the floor, and the first housing (210) placed on the floor and the second housing (220) not placed on the floor may form a certain angle. The state where the third surface (213) of the first housing (210) is placed on the floor may be in the horizontal direction of the electronic device (101). In an intermediate state, the sides of the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) may be placed on the floor. The state in which the sides of the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) are placed on the floor may be in the vertical direction of the electronic device (101). Alternatively, the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) may form a certain angle while the user holds the electronic device (101) in a vertical or horizontal direction.

[0060] According to various embodiments, in an intermediate state, the first display (230) is activated so that a user interface can be displayed through the first display (230). The user interface may be displayed through the entire screen of the first display (230) or divided into two parts (or areas), such as a split screen. Alternatively, in an intermediate state, an input section (e.g., a keypad) may be displayed through the first surface (211) of the first housing (210), and an output section (e.g., an application execution screen) may be displayed through the second surface (221) of the second housing (220).

[0061] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of providing a new type of user interface according to a physical change in a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 3, a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) may display a first user interface in an unfolded state (310). The unfolded state may mean a state in which a first housing (e.g., the first housing (210) of FIG. 2a to 2c) and a second housing (e.g., the second housing (220) of FIG. 2a to 2c) are arranged side by side on both sides of the folding axis (e.g., A-axis) of the electronic device (101), and the electronic device (101) is fully unfolded. The unfolded state may mean that the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is 180 degrees, and the first surface (211) of the first housing (210) and the second surface (221) of the second housing (220) may be arranged to face the same direction (e.g., the first direction).

[0063] The electronic device (101) can detect a change (or physical change) of the electronic device (101) in the unfolded state (310). The change may be a change in angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220), or a change in the display included in the electronic device (101). The electronic device (101) may include a main display (e.g., the display module (160) of FIG. 1, the first display (230) of FIG. 2a to 2c) on the front of the electronic device (101) (e.g., the first surface (211) and the second surface (221) of FIG. 2a to 2c). The electronic device (101) may include a cover display (e.g., the display module (160) of FIG. 1, the second display (240) of FIG. 2a to 2c) on a portion of the rear of the electronic device (101) (e.g., the third surface (213) of FIG. 2a to 2c). The first display (230) or the second display (240) may refer to a flexible display in which at least a portion of the area can be deformed into a flat or curved surface. The electronic device (101) may detect the bending or curvature of the first display (230) or the second display (240) as a change in the electronic device (101).

[0064] When a change in the electronic device (101) is detected in the unfolded state (310), the electronic device (101) may display a first guide area in a first intermediate state (330). The first guide area may include a display area of ​​a first display (230) corresponding to the edge (331) of the electronic device (101) and the bottom (333) of the electronic device (101) (e.g., end of the housing). The edge (331) may be a rectangular end portion surrounding the electronic device (101) and an area adjacent to the bezel. The bottom (333) of the electronic device (101) may be determined based on the housing or usage behavior of the electronic device (101) where a change in the electronic device (101) is detected. The usage behavior of the electronic device (101) may be whether the electronic device (101) is placed on a floor (e.g., a desk) for use, or whether the user holds the electronic device (101) for use. When the user places the second housing (220) of the electronic device (101) on the floor and uses it, the user can move the first housing (210) that is not placed on the floor to change the angle. In the first intermediate state (330), the first guide area may include a display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the edge (331, rectangular bezel area) of the electronic device (101) or a display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to a part (e.g., bottom end) of the bottom (333) of the electronic device (101) (e.g., the second housing (220) placed on the floor).

[0065] If a change in the electronic device (101) is continuously detected in the first intermediate state (330), the electronic device (101) may display a second guide area in the second intermediate state (350). The second intermediate state (350) may have a smaller angle than the first intermediate state (330). For example, the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) in the first intermediate state (330) may be 160°, and the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) in the second intermediate state (350) may be 150°. In the second intermediate state (350), the second guide area may include a display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the edge (351) of the electronic device (101) or a display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the bottom (353) of the electronic device (101) (e.g., a part of the first housing (210) placed on the floor (e.g., a bottom end portion)). The second guide area displayed in the display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the bottom (353) of the electronic device (101) may be larger in size than the first guide area displayed in the display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the bottom (333) of the electronic device (101). The electronic device (101) may display information associated with the first user interface in the second guide area displayed at the bottom (353) of the electronic device (101). The information associated with the first user interface may be set by at least one of an application, a user's settings, or a setting of the electronic device (101). A second guide area displayed at the bottom (353) of the electronic device (101) can be displayed by overlaying the information on the first user interface (310).

[0066] The electronic device (101) can determine whether a second guide area displayed at the bottom (353) of the electronic device (101) is selected (370) by the user in a second intermediate state (350). For example, the user may touch the second guide area displayed at the display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the border (371) of the electronic device (101) or at the display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the bottom (373) (e.g., bottom end) of the electronic device (101). When the electronic device (101) receives user input touching the second guide area, it may display a second user interface (390). The second user interface (390) may include a user interface (391) and a guide area (393). Information displayed at the second guide area before being selected by the user may be displayed translucently by overlaying it on the first user interface (310). Information displayed in the guide area (393) after selection by the user is additionally displayed on the user interface (391) and can be displayed clearly. The electronic device (101) can control (or change) the size or ratio of the user interface (391) to display the guide area (393).

[0067] According to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) may maintain the display of the first user interface when the second guide area (351, 353) is not selected by the user or when a set time has elapsed after the second guide area (351, 353) is displayed.

[0068] A flexible electronic device according to various embodiments (e.g., electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) comprises a first housing (e.g., first housing (210) of FIG. 2a to 2c) and a second housing (e.g., second housing (220) of FIG. 2a to 2c) arranged on both sides with respect to a folding axis (e.g., A of FIG. 2a) and formed to fold toward each other, at least one sensor module (e.g., first sensor module (270) of FIG. 2a, second sensor module (275), third sensor module disposed in the hinge structure (260) of FIG. 2a), a display (e.g., display module (160) of FIG. 1, first display (230) of FIG. 2a and 2c)) arranged such that the flexible electronic device faces a first direction of the first housing and the second housing in an unfolded state, a memory (e.g., memory (130) of FIG. 1), and the at least one sensor module, the A processor (e.g., processor (120) of FIG. 1) operatively connected to a display or memory is included, and the processor can be configured to detect an angle change between the first housing and the second housing using the at least one sensor module, determine a guide area based on the first housing or the second housing in which the angle change is detected, change the size of the determined guide area based on the angle change between the first housing and the second housing and display it on the display, and when the guide area is selected by a user, display information associated with a user interface displayed on the display in the guide area.

[0069] The processor may display a first guide area when the angle between the first housing and the second housing is a first angle, and display a second guide area when the angle between the first housing and the second housing is a second angle, and the first angle may be set to be larger than the second angle and the size of the first guide area may be smaller than the size of the second guide area.

[0070] The processor may be configured to display the guide area on the display corresponding to the edge of the electronic device or on the display corresponding to the first housing or the second housing where the angle change is detected.

[0071] The processor may be configured to remove the guide area displayed on the display corresponding to the edge of the electronic device when user input for the guide area is detected, and to maintain the guide area displayed on the display corresponding to the first housing or the second housing where a change is detected.

[0072] The above at least one sensor module may include a first sensor module disposed in the first housing, or a second sensor module disposed in the second housing.

[0073] The above at least one sensor module may include a third sensor module disposed in a hinge structure disposed on the folding axis.

[0074] The above at least one sensor module may include at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a geomagnetic sensor, a proximity sensor, a gesture sensor, or a Hall sensor.

[0075] The processor can display information associated with the user interface in the guide area by adjusting the size or ratio of the user interface displayed on the display, and the information associated with the user interface can be set according to at least one of an application provided to the user interface, a user's settings, or a setting of the electronic device.

[0076] The processor may be configured to maintain the user interface displayed on the display when no user input is detected for the guide area or when a set time has elapsed after the guide area is displayed.

[0077] The above display is a flexible display, and the processor may be configured to display the guide area based on detecting the bending of the display.

[0078] The processor may be configured to distinguish and display the guide area before user input to the guide area is detected and the guide area after user input to the guide area is detected.

[0079] The processor may be configured to display a second user interface including the guide area through the display, provide the guide area based on the angle change between the first housing and the second housing, provide a first user interface not including the guide area when the guide area is selected by the user, and maintain the display of the second user interface when the guide area is not selected by the user.

[0080] FIG. 4 is a flowchart (400) illustrating the operation method of a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 4, in operation 401, a processor (e.g., processor (120) of FIG. 1) of a flexible electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) according to various embodiments may detect a change in the electronic device (101). The electronic device (101) may include a first housing (e.g., first housing (210) of FIG. 2a to 2c) and a second housing (e.g., second housing (220) of FIG. 2a to 2c) on both sides of a folding axis (e.g., A-axis). The first housing (210) and the second housing (220) may be designed to fold toward each other. A change in the electronic device (101) may mean a change in the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) or a change in the display included in the electronic device (101).

[0082] According to various embodiments, the processor (120) may detect a change in the display included in the electronic device (101). The electronic device (101) may include a main display (e.g., the display module (160) of FIG. 1, the first display (230) of FIG. 2a to 2c) on the front of the electronic device (101) (e.g., the first surface (211) and the second surface (221) of FIG. 2a to 2c). The electronic device (101) may include a cover display (e.g., the display module (160) of FIG. 1, the second display (240) of FIG. 2a to 2c) on a portion of the rear of the electronic device (101) (e.g., the third surface (213) of FIG. 2a to 2c). The first display (230) or the second display (240) may refer to a flexible display in which at least a portion of the area can be deformed into a flat or curved surface. The electronic device (101) can detect a change (e.g., bending or curvature) of the first display (230) or the second display (240) as a change of the electronic device (101). When the processor (120) detects a change in the angle of the housing or a change in the display, it can display a user interface on the first display (230) or the second display (240).

[0083] In operation 403, the processor (120) can determine a guide area based on the housing where an angle change is detected. The user may use the electronic device (101) by placing it on the floor (e.g., a desk) or by holding the electronic device (101). If the user uses the second housing (220) of the electronic device (101) by placing it on the floor, the user may move the first housing (210) that is not placed on the floor to change the angle. Alternatively, if the user uses the electronic device (101) by holding it, the user may move the first housing (210) or the second housing (220). The processor (120) can determine the usage behavior of the electronic device (101) by using the first sensor module (270) included in the first housing (210) or the second sensor module (275) included in the second housing (220). For example, the processor (120) may determine that the electronic device (101) is being used while placed on the floor if the amount of change in acceleration data detected through the first sensor module (270) and the second sensor module (275) is less than a reference value. The processor (120) may determine that the electronic device (101) is being used while held if the amount of change in acceleration data detected through the first sensor module (270) and the second sensor module (275) is greater than or equal to a reference value.

[0084] If the processor (120) determines that the usage behavior of the electronic device (101) is that the electronic device (101) is held and used, it may determine that a guide area is displayed in a display area included in a housing that the user moves. If the processor (120) determines that the usage behavior of the electronic device (101) is that the electronic device (101) is placed on a floor and used, it may determine that a guide area is displayed in a display area included in a housing placed on a floor. Additionally, the guide area may include a display area corresponding to the edge of the electronic device (101). The processor (120) may determine the usage behavior of the electronic device (101) or detect an angle change between the first housing (210) or the second housing (220) using a third sensor module included in a hinge structure (e.g., the hinge structure (260) of FIG. 2A). The third sensor module may be identical or similar to the first sensor module (270) and the second sensor module (275).

[0085] In operation 405, the processor (120) may change the size of the guide area based on the angle change. For example, the processor (120) may change the size of the guide area based on the angle change between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220). When changing the electronic device (101) from an unfolded state to an intermediate state (or a folded state), the size of the guide area may increase as the folding angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) decreases. For example, the size of the first guide area provided when the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is a first angle (e.g., 160°) may differ from the size of the second guide area provided when the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is a second angle (e.g., 140°). The first angle may be larger than the second angle, and the size of the first guide area may be smaller than the size of the second guide area. The processor (120) can variably change the size of the guide area based on the angle change.

[0086] In operation 407, the processor (120) may detect user input for a guide area. The user input may be selecting the guide area. The processor (120) may display the guide area while the folding angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is changing, and may detect whether the displayed guide area is selected by the user. The guide area may be displayed in a display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the edge of the electronic device (101) or in a display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the housing where the change is detected. According to various embodiments, when user input for the guide area is detected, the processor (120) may remove the guide area displayed in the first display (230) corresponding to the edge of the electronic device (101) and retain the guide area displayed in the display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the housing where the change is detected.

[0087] In operation 409, the processor (120) may display information associated with the currently displayed user interface in the guide area. The currently displayed user interface may refer to the user interface displayed in operation 401. The information (e.g., information associated with the currently displayed user interface) may be set according to the application, set according to the user's settings (or selection), or set by the settings of the electronic device (101). When the guide area is selected by the user, the processor (120) may include the guide area in the user interface displayed in operation 401 and display it. The processor (120) may adjust the size or aspect ratio of the user interface displayed in operation 401 to display the guide area. For example, if the user interface is a single photo, the processor (120) may display a photo list containing at least one photo in the guide area. If the user interface is a screen where a video is played, the processor (120) may display control information (e.g., play, stop, forward, backward) (or control functions) related to video playback in the guide area.

[0088] According to various embodiments, the processor (120) may distinguish and display the guide area before user input to the guide area is detected and the guide area after user input to the guide area is detected. For example, the guide area before user input to the guide area is detected may be displayed translucently, and the guide area after user input is detected may be displayed clearly. The processor (120) may maintain the display of the user interface when no user input to the guide area is detected or when a set time has elapsed after the guide area is displayed. The user interface may be displayed in operation 401.

[0089] FIGS. 5A and 5B are drawings illustrating the usage behavior of a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0090] FIG. 5a is a drawing illustrating an example of a guide area being displayed according to a first usage pattern.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 5a, the first usage mode (510) may be using a flexible electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) placed on a floor. In the first usage mode (510), the bottom of the electronic device (101) may be determined as a guide area. The electronic device (101) may include a first housing (e.g., the first housing (210) of FIG. 2a to 2c) and a second housing (e.g., the second housing (220) of FIG. 2a to 2c) on both sides centered on a folding axis (e.g., A-axis). The first housing (210) and the second housing (220) may be designed to fold toward each other. The electronic device (101) may include a main display (e.g., the display module (160) of FIG. 1, the first display (230) of FIG. 2a to 2c) on the front surface of the electronic device (101) (e.g., the first surface (211) and the second surface (221) of FIG. 2a to 2c).

[0092] In the first usage mode (510), the user may place the electronic device (101) on the floor in a horizontal direction (520) or a vertical direction (530) for use. The horizontal direction (520) is a state in which the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) are moved up and down, so that one side of the first housing (210) or the second housing (220) may come into contact with the floor. The horizontal direction (520) may mean a state in which the folding axis of the electronic device (101) is perpendicular to the direction of gravity (e.g., right angle). In the horizontal direction (520), the second housing (220) of the electronic device (101) is placed on the floor, and the first housing (210) that is not placed on the floor can be moved to change the angle. In the horizontal direction (520), a user interface may be displayed in a display area (523) corresponding to the first housing (210) that is not placed on the floor (e.g., the top of the first display (230)), and a guide area may be displayed in a display area (525) corresponding to the second housing (220) that is placed on the floor (e.g., the bottom of the first display (230)). In the horizontal direction (520), the guide area may start from the display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the edge end portion (521) corresponding to the long length of the second housing (220).

[0093] The vertical direction (530) is a state in which the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) are moved in the left and right directions, so that the sides of the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) can touch the floor. The vertical direction (530) may mean a state in which the folding axis coincides with the direction of gravity (e.g., parallel). In the vertical direction (530), a guide area may be displayed at the bottom of the first housing (210) and the second housing (220). In the vertical direction (530), a guide area may be displayed at the bottom (533) of the first display (230) relative to the center of the first display (230). In the vertical direction (530), the guide area may start from the display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the edge end (531) corresponding to the short length of the first housing (210) and the second housing (220).

[0094] FIG. 5b is a drawing illustrating an example of a guide area being displayed according to a second usage pattern.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 5b, the second usage behavior (550) may be a user holding and using the electronic device (101). In the second usage behavior (550), when the user holds and uses it as in FIG. 5b, the moving housing may be determined as a guide area. For example, in the second usage behavior (550), the user may hold and use the electronic device (101) in a horizontal direction (570) or a vertical direction (580). The horizontal direction (570) may be a state in which the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) are moved up and down. The horizontal direction (570) may mean a state in which the folding axis of the electronic device (101) is perpendicular to the direction of gravity (e.g., right angle). When the user moves the second housing (220) in the horizontal direction (570), the user interface (571) is displayed in the display area corresponding to the first housing (210) (e.g., the top of the first display (230)), and the display area corresponding to the second housing (220) (e.g., the bottom of the first display (230)) can be determined as the guide area (575). In the horizontal direction (570), the guide area may start from the display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the edge end (573) corresponding to the long length of the second housing (220) where movement is detected.

[0096] The vertical direction (580) may be a state in which the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) are moved in the left and right directions. The vertical direction (580) may mean a state in which the folding axis of the electronic device (101) coincides with the direction of gravity (e.g., parallel). When the user moves the second housing (220) in the vertical direction (580), the user interface (581) is displayed in the display area corresponding to the first housing (210), and the display area (583) corresponding to the second housing (220) can be determined as a guide area. In the vertical direction (580), the guide area may start from the display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the edge end (583) corresponding to the long length of the second housing (220) where movement is detected.

[0097] FIGS. 6a to 6c are drawings illustrating examples of providing a guide region in a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0098] FIG. 6a illustrates an example in which the size of the guide area is changed in a flexible electronic device that folds along a single folding axis.

[0099] Referring to FIG. 6a, a flexible electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) may include a first housing (e.g., the first housing (210) of FIG. 2a to 2c) and a second housing (e.g., the second housing (220) of FIG. 2a to 2c) on both sides centered on a single folding axis (e.g., the center of the display). The first housing (210) and the second housing (220) may be designed to fold toward each other. In the unfolded state (610), the electronic device (101) may determine that a guide area starts from the edge (611) of the electronic device (101) and the bottom (613) of the first housing (210). In the unfolded state (610), the main display (e.g., the first display (230) of FIG. 2a to 2c) included on the front of the electronic device (101) may be in an active state. In the unfolded state (610), a user interface may be displayed on the first display (230). The electronic device (101) may determine that in the unfolded state (610), a guide area is displayed in the display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the edge (611) of the electronic device (101) and the bottom (613) of the first housing (210).

[0100] When the electronic device (101) is changed from an unfolded state (610) in which it is placed on a floor to a first intermediate state (615), the electronic device (101) can determine and display a display area of ​​a first display (230) corresponding to the edge (611) of the electronic device (101) and a lower part (617) of the first housing (210) as a guide area. When the electronic device (101) is changed from the first intermediate state (615) to a second intermediate state (620), the electronic device (101) can determine and display a display area of ​​a first display (230) corresponding to the edge (611) of the electronic device (101) and a lower part (621) of the first housing (210) as a guide area. The angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) may be larger in the first intermediate state (615) (e.g., 179° to 150°) than in the second intermediate state (620) (e.g., 149° to 120°). The size of the guide area determined in the lower part (617) of the first housing (210) in the first intermediate state (615) may be smaller than the size of the guide area determined in the lower part (621) of the first housing (210) in the second intermediate state (620).

[0101] When the electronic device (101) changes from a second intermediate state (620) to a third intermediate state (625), the electronic device (101) may determine and display a display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the edge (611) of the electronic device (101) and the bottom part (623) of the first housing (210) as a guide area. The angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) may be larger in the second intermediate state (620) (e.g., 149° to 120°) than in the third intermediate state (625) (e.g., 119° to 90°). The size of the guide area determined in the bottom part (621) of the first housing (210) in the second intermediate state (620) may be smaller than the size of the guide area determined in the bottom part (623) of the first housing (210) in the third intermediate state (625).

[0102] When the electronic device (101) changes from a third intermediate state (625) to a fourth intermediate state (630), the electronic device (101) may determine and display a display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to a lower portion (633) of the first housing (210) and a lower portion (631) of the second housing (220) as a guide area. The angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) may be larger in the third intermediate state (625) (e.g., 119° to 90°) than in the fourth intermediate state (630) (e.g., 89° or less). The size of the guide area determined in the lower portion (623) of the first housing (210) in the third intermediate state (625) may be larger than the size of the guide area determined in the lower portion (631) of the second housing (220) in the fourth intermediate state (630). In the fourth intermediate state (630), a cover display (e.g., the second display (240) of FIGS. 2a to 2c) included in a part of the rear of the electronic device (101) may be visible. In the fourth intermediate state (630), a lower part (633) of the first housing (210) may be determined and displayed as a guide area.

[0103] FIG. 6b illustrates an example in which the size of the guide area is changed in a flexible electronic device that folds based on multiple folding axes.

[0104] Referring to FIG. 6b, a flexible electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) may be folded based on at least one of a first folding axis (F1), a center of a display, or a second folding axis (F2). When the first folding axis (F1) is folded (650), the electronic device (101) may display a user interface in a display area corresponding to the top (652) of the first folding axis (F1) and determine and display a display area corresponding to the bottom (651) of the first folding axis (F1) as a guide area. When the second folding axis (F2) is folded (655), the electronic device (101) may display a user interface in a display area corresponding to the top (654) of the second folding axis (F2) and determine and display a display area corresponding to the bottom (653) of the second folding axis (F2) as a guide area. If the folding axis is not at the center of the display, the guide area can be expanded or contracted from the center of the display based on the folding axis.

[0105] FIG. 6c illustrates an example of providing a guide area in a sub-display of a flexible electronic device.

[0106] Referring to FIG. 6c, the electronic device (101) may include a cover display (e.g., the second display (240) of FIG. 2a through 2c) on a portion of the rear surface of the electronic device (101). The electronic device (101) may display a first user interface (670) through the second display (240) when the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) are at a certain angle. When a change in angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is detected, the electronic device (101) may display a second user interface (680) including a user interface (681) at the top of the second display (240) and a guide area (683) at the bottom of the second display (240). The guide area (683) may include information associated with the user interface (681). For example, if the user interface is for playing a video, the guide area (683) may include control information (or functions) (e.g., play, stop, etc.) for controlling video playback. The second user interface (680) may include a user interface (681) that has adjusted the size or ratio of the first user interface (670) to display the guide area (683).

[0107] FIG. 7 is a flowchart (700) illustrating a method of providing a user interface according to changes in a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0108] Referring to FIG. 7, in operation 701, a processor (e.g., processor (120) of FIG. 1) of a flexible electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) according to various embodiments may display a first user interface. The electronic device (101) may include a first housing (e.g., first housing (210) of FIG. 2a to 2c) and a second housing (e.g., second housing (220) of FIG. 2a to 2c) on both sides of a folding axis (e.g., A-axis). The first housing (210) and the second housing (220) may be designed to fold toward each other. The angle or distance between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) may vary depending on whether the state of the electronic device (101) is in an unfolded (or open) state, a folded (or closed) state, or an intermediate state. The above unfolded state is a state in which the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) are arranged side by side, and the electronic device (101) may be in a fully unfolded state. The above unfolded state is such that the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is 180 degrees, and the first surface (211) of the first housing (210) and the second surface (221) of the second housing (220) may be arranged to face the same direction (e.g., the first direction).

[0109] The above folding state is a state in which the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) are arranged facing each other, and may mean a state in which the electronic device (101) is completely folded. The above folding state is such that the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) forms a narrow angle (e.g., 0 to 5 degrees), so that the first surface (211) of the first housing (210) and the second surface (221) of the second housing (220) can face each other. The above intermediate state is a state in which the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) are arranged at a certain angle, and the electronic device (101) may not be in the above unfolded state or the above folding state (e.g., FIG. 2c). The above intermediate state may mean a state in which the first surface (211) of the first housing (210) and the second surface (221) of the second housing (220) form a certain angle (e.g., 6 degrees to 179 degrees).

[0110] According to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) may include a main display (e.g., the display module (160) of FIG. 1, the first display (230) of FIG. 2a to 2c) on the front of the electronic device (e.g., the first surface (211) and the second surface (221) of FIG. 2a to 2c). The electronic device (101) may include a cover display (e.g., the display module (160) of FIG. 1, the second display (240) of FIG. 2a to 2c) on a portion of the rear of the electronic device (101) (e.g., the third surface (213) of FIG. 2a to 2c). The first user interface may be displayed on the first display (230) or the second display (240).

[0111] In the following, for the sake of understanding the invention, an example may be described in which the electronic device (101) displays the first user interface through the first display (230) in an unfolded state. However, the invention is not limited by this description.

[0112] In operation 703, the processor (120) can detect a change in the electronic device (101). A change in the electronic device (101) may mean a change in angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) or a change in the display included in the electronic device (101). The electronic device (101) may include a first sensor module (e.g., sensor module (176) of FIG. 1, first sensor module (270)) in the first housing (210) and a second sensor module (e.g., sensor module (176) of FIG. 1, second sensor module (275)) in the second housing (220). The first sensor module (270) or the second sensor module (275) may include at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a geomagnetic sensor, a proximity sensor, a gesture sensor, or a Hall sensor. The processor (120) can detect an angle change between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) using the first sensor module (270) and the second sensor module (275). The processor (120) can determine the usage behavior of the electronic device (101) or detect an angle change between the first housing (210) or the second housing (220) using the third sensor module included in the hinge structure (e.g., the hinge structure (260) of FIG. 2A). The third sensor module may be identical or similar to the first sensor module (270) and the second sensor module (275).

[0113] For example, the electronic device (101) may change from an unfolded state to an intermediate state or a folded state due to a change in the angle of the housing, or change from a folded state to an intermediate state or an unfolded state. An example of changing from an unfolded state to an intermediate state may be described below. The present invention is not limited by the description. The first display (230) or the second display (240) may refer to a flexible display in which at least a portion of the area can be deformed into a flat or curved surface. The electronic device (101) may detect a change in the first display (230) or the second display (240) (e.g., bending or curvature) as a change in the electronic device (101).

[0114] In operation 705, the processor (120) can determine the usage behavior of the electronic device (101). The usage behavior of the electronic device (101) may be whether the electronic device (101) is placed on a floor (e.g., a desk) and used, or whether the user holds the electronic device (101) and uses it. If the user places the second housing (220) of the electronic device (101) on the floor and uses it, the user may move the first housing (210) that is not placed on the floor to change the angle. If the user holds the electronic device (101) and uses it, the user may move at least one of the first housing (210) or the second housing (220) to change the angle.

[0115] In operation 707, the processor (120) may display a guide area based on usage behavior. The guide area may be displayed in a display area corresponding to the edge of the electronic device (101) or a housing placed at the bottom of the electronic device (101). The guide area may be displayed superimposed on the first user interface. For example, when the user places the second housing (220) of the electronic device (101) on the floor and uses it, the guide area may be displayed in a display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the bottom of the second housing (220). Alternatively, when the user holds the electronic device (101) and moves the first housing (210), the guide area may be displayed in a display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the bottom of the first housing (210). When the user holds the electronic device (101) and moves the second housing (220), the guide area may be displayed in a display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the bottom of the second housing (220). The processor (120) can determine a guide area based on the above usage behavior.

[0116] In operation 709, the processor (120) can determine whether an angle change is in progress. For example, if an angle change is in progress from an unfolded state to a folded state, the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) may gradually decrease (e.g., 180° → 0°). Or, if an angle change is in progress from a folded state to an unfolded state, the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) may gradually increase (e.g., 0° → 180°). The processor (120) may perform operation 711 if an angle change is in progress, and perform operation 710 if an angle change is not in progress (e.g., angle change stopped).

[0117] If the angle change is not in progress, in operation 710, the processor (120) may maintain the first user interface. The guide area indicated in operation 707 may not be large enough to display information associated with the first user interface in the guide area. In this case, the processor (120) may maintain the display of the first user interface that was displayed in operation 701. After a certain amount of time has elapsed after the processor (120) displays the guide area, the processor (120) may maintain the display of the first user interface that was displayed in operation 701. According to various embodiments, the processor (120) may maintain the display of the first user interface that was displayed in operation 701 when the guide area is not selected and the angle change is stopped. The user may simply want to change the angle and may not want the user interface to change according to the angle change. In this case, the user may not select the indicated guide area.

[0118] In operation 711, when an angle change is in progress, the processor (120) can change and display the guide area in response to the angle change. The processor (120) can perform operation 711 in real time while the angle change is in progress to provide a guide area according to the changed angle. The size of the guide area may vary depending on the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220). For example, while changing from an unfolded state to a folded state, if the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is large (e.g., the first intermediate state (615) in FIG. 6a), the size of the guide area may be small, and if the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is small (e.g., the second intermediate state (620) in FIG. 6a), the size of the guide area may be large. The processor (120) can display the guide area while changing its size variably in response to the angle change.

[0119] In operation 713, the processor (120) can determine whether user input is detected in the guide area. The user input to the guide area may be detected when an angle change is in progress or when the angle change is stopped. If the user wishes to use the guide area, the user may select (e.g., touch) the guide area. For example, user input for selecting the guide area may be selecting the guide area (e.g., GUI area of ​​the guide area) displayed through the first display (230) or the second display (240). The user input may be touching the outline (e.g., guide area displayed along the border of the electronic device (101)) or the guide area provided on the first display (230) or the second display (240). When the guide area is selected, the processor (120) may confirm the selection of the guide area through a popup message such as "Would you like to confirm the area? Yes / No". Alternatively, the processor (120) may display a button (or icon) in the guide area, and when the displayed button is selected (e.g., OK, OK, Select, Save, Yes), the guide area may be confirmed as the selected area, and the layout and information of the user interface may be changed and provided.

[0120] Alternatively, if the user does not wish to use the guide area, the user may not select the guide area. When the processor (120) selects Cancel, Cancel, or No from the button (or icon) displayed in the guide area, the user interface may be maintained with only the angle changed and not changed to the selected guide area. The processor (120) may perform operation 715 when user input for the guide area is detected, and return to operation 711 when user input for the guide area is not detected. When user input for the guide area is not detected and the processor returns to operation 711, the processor (120) may maintain the display of the first user interface.

[0121] When the above user input is detected, in operation 715, the processor (120) may provide a second user interface including a guide area according to the angle change. The processor (120) may determine the size of the guide area according to the angle change and may include different information according to the determined size of the guide area. For example, if the size of the guide area is a first size, first information may be displayed, and if the size of the guide area is a second size, second information may be displayed. The first size may be larger or smaller than the second size, and the first information may differ from the second information in at least one of the quantity, content, or form. The second user interface may display information associated with the first user interface in the guide area, and display the first user interface in a display area that is not the guide area. The second user interface may mean a new type of user interface that is distinct from the first user interface.

[0122] According to various embodiments, when user input for the guide area is detected, the processor (120) may remove the guide area displayed in the display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the edge of the electronic device (101) and retain the guide area displayed in the display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the housing where the change was detected. According to various embodiments, the processor (120) may distinguish and display the guide area before user input for the guide area is detected and the guide area after user input for the guide area is detected. For example, the guide area before user input for the guide area is detected may include the display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the edge of the electronic device (101), and the guide area after user input for the guide area is detected may not include the display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the edge of the electronic device (101). Alternatively, the guide area before user input for the guide area is detected may be displayed translucently, and the guide area after user input is detected may be displayed clearly. The processor (120) may maintain the display of the first user interface when no user input is detected for the guide area or when a set time has elapsed after the guide area is displayed.

[0123] FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating an example of changing the size of a guide region according to changes in a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0124] Referring to FIG. 8, a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) may include a first housing (e.g., the first housing (210) of FIG. 2a to 2c) and a second housing (e.g., the second housing (220) of FIG. 2a to 2c) on both sides of a folding axis (e.g., the center of the display). The first housing (210) and the second housing (220) may be designed to fold toward each other. The electronic device (101) may include a main display (e.g., the first display (230) of FIGS. 2a to 2c) on the front of the electronic device (101) (e.g., the first surface (211) and the second surface (221) of FIGS. 2a to 2c), and may include a cover display (e.g., the display module (160) of FIG. 1 and the second display (240) of FIGS. 2a to 2c) on a portion of the rear of the electronic device (101) (e.g., the third surface (213) of FIGS. 2a to 2c). The electronic device (101) may provide a first user interface (810) in an unfolded state. In the unfolded state, the first user interface (810) may be displayed through the first display (230).

[0125] When the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is the first angle, the electronic device (101) may display information associated with the first user interface in the first guide area (833), and provide a second user interface (830) that displays the first user interface in the display area (831) that is not the first guide area (833). The first guide area (833) may be provided in an optimized state of the currently displayed first user interface, such as an image or video. The display area (831) may provide a display environment without black letterboxing, and while maintaining the first user interface, a list associated with the first user interface may be displayed in the first guide area (833).

[0126] When the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is the second angle, the electronic device (101) may display information associated with the first user interface in the second guide area (853) and provide a third user interface (850) that displays the first user interface in a display area (851) other than the second guide area (853). The first angle may be larger than the second angle, and the size of the first guide area (533) may be smaller than the size of the second guide area (853). The second guide area (853) may include a function that enables content control operations within the first user interface. For example, if the first user interface is an image, the second guide area (853) may provide additional information about the image. If the first user interface is a video, a play-related operation button for the video may be displayed in the second guide area (853). If the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is the third angle, the electronic device (101) may display information related to the first user interface in the third guide area (873), and provide a fourth user interface (870) that displays the first user interface in the display area (871) that is not the third guide area (873). The second angle may be larger than the third angle, and the size of the second guide area (853) may be smaller than the size of the third guide area (873). Since the third guide area (873) is an area applied by moving the angle of the electronic device (101) significantly, the electronic device (101) may determine that it desires the greatest change. The third guide area (873) may be provided with a function that can additionally activate an application or related function.

[0127] The electronic device (101) can variably adjust the size of the guide area based on the change in angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220). For example, when the guide area is displayed during a change from the unfolded state to the folded state, the size of the guide area may increase as the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) decreases.

[0128] FIG. 9 is a flowchart (900) illustrating a method of changing the size of a guide region according to changes in a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments. FIG. 9 may embody operations 707 to 711 of FIG. 7.

[0129] Referring to FIG. 9, in operation 901, a processor (e.g., processor (120) of FIG. 1) of a flexible electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) according to various embodiments can determine whether it has changed to a first angle. The first angle may correspond to a reference angle at which information associated with a user interface can be displayed in a guide area. The electronic device (101) may include a first housing (e.g., first housing (210) of FIG. 2a to 2c) and a second housing (e.g., second housing (220) of FIG. 2a to 2c) on both sides of a folding axis (e.g., A-axis). The first housing (210) and the second housing (220) may be designed to fold toward each other. The processor (120) can determine whether the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) corresponds to the first angle based on the change in angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220). The processor (120) can perform operation 903 if it corresponds to the first angle, and perform operation 902 if it does not correspond to the first angle.

[0130] In operation 902, when the first angle does not correspond to the above, the processor (120) may maintain the first user interface based on the changed angle. If the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) has changed, but the size of the guide area indicated by the changed angle is not sufficient to display information, the processor (120) may maintain the first user interface. That is, if the size of the guide area is not sufficient to display information, the processor (120) may ignore the display of the guide area due to the angle change. After a certain amount of time has elapsed since the processor (120) displayed the guide area, the processor (120) may maintain the display of the first user interface.

[0131] According to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) may include a main display (e.g., the display module (160) of FIG. 1, the first display (230) of FIG. 2a to 2c) on the front of the electronic device (e.g., the first surface (211) and the second surface (221) of FIG. 2a to 2c). The electronic device (101) may include a cover display (e.g., the display module (160) of FIG. 1, the second display (240) of FIG. 2a to 2c) on a portion of the rear of the electronic device (101) (e.g., the third surface (213) of FIG. 2a to 2c). The first user interface may be displayed on the first display (230) or the second display (240).

[0132] In operation 903, corresponding to the first angle, the processor (120) may display a first guide area. The processor (120) may determine and display a first guide area corresponding to the first angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220). When a user places the first housing (210) of the electronic device (101) on the floor and uses it, the first guide area may be displayed in a display area corresponding to the bottom of the first housing (210) placed on the floor. The first guide area may include a display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the edge of the electronic device (101) or a display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to a part of the first housing (210). The processor (120) may display the first guide area by overlapping it with the first user interface.

[0133] In operation 905, the processor (120) can determine whether an angle change is in progress. For example, if an angle change is in progress from an unfolded state to a folded state, the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) may gradually decrease (e.g., 180° → 0°). Or, if an angle change is in progress from a folded state to an unfolded state, the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) may gradually increase (e.g., 0° → 180°). Below, to aid in understanding the invention, an example of an angle change in progress from an unfolded state to a folded state may be described. The processor (120) may perform operation 907 if an angle change is in progress, and perform operation 913 if an angle change is not in progress (e.g., angle change stopped).

[0134] In operation 907, when an angle change is in progress, the processor (120) may display a second guide area. The second guide area may be displayed when the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is a second angle. The second angle is smaller than the first angle, and the size of the second guide area may be larger than the size of the first guide area. The second guide area may include a display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the edge of the electronic device (101) or a display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to a part of the first housing (210). For example, while changing from an unfolded state to a folded state, if the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is a first angle (e.g., the first intermediate state (615) in FIG. 6a), the size of the first guide area may be small, and if the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is a second angle (e.g., the second intermediate state (620) in FIG. 6a), the size of the second guide area may be large. The size of the first guide area may be smaller than the size of the second guide area.

[0135] In operation 909, the processor (120) can determine whether an angle change is in progress. The processor (120) can determine whether the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) continues to change at an angle smaller than the second angle. If the angle change is in progress, the processor (120) performs operation 911, and if the angle change is not in progress (e.g., stop angle change), it performs operation 913.

[0136] In operation 911, when an angle change is in progress, the processor (120) may display a third guide area. The third guide area may be displayed when the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is a third angle. The third angle is smaller than the second angle, and the size of the third guide area may be larger than the size of the second guide area. The third guide area may include a display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the edge of the electronic device (101) or a display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to a part of the first housing (210). For example, while changing from an unfolded state to a folded state, if the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is a second angle (e.g., the second intermediate state (620) in FIG. 6a), the size of the second guide area may be small, and if the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is a third angle (e.g., the third intermediate state (625) in FIG. 6a), the size of the third guide area may be large. The size of the second guide area may be smaller than the size of the third guide area.

[0137] According to various embodiments, the processor (120) may display a fourth user interface including the third guide area when user input is detected for the third guide area displayed when the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is the third angle. The processor (120) may display a first user interface when no user input is detected for the third guide area. The first user interface displayed in operation 911 may be the same or different from the first user interface displayed in operation 902. Since the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) in operation 911 (e.g., the third angle) is different from the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) in operation 902 (e.g., less than the first angle), the first user interface may be displayed differently depending on the different angles.

[0138] According to various embodiments, when user input for the third guide area is detected, the processor (120) can remove the third guide area displayed in the display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the edge of the electronic device (101) and retain the third guide area displayed in the display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the housing where the change was detected.

[0139] When the angle change is stopped, in operation 913, the processor (120) can control the display of the guide area based on user input. The processor (120) may display a user interface including the guide area or a user interface not including the guide area, depending on whether the angle change is stopped and the guide area being displayed is selected by the user. For example, the processor (120) may display a second user interface including the first guide area when user input is detected for the first guide area displayed when the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is the first angle. The second user interface may include the first user interface and the first guide area.

[0140] The processor (120) may display a third user interface including the second guide area when user input is detected for the second guide area displayed when the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is the second angle. The third user interface may include the first user interface and the second guide area. The size of the first user interface included in the second user interface may be larger than the size of the first user interface included in the third user interface. The size of the first guide area included in the second user interface may be smaller than the size of the second guide area included in the third user interface.

[0141] The second user interface may be distinguished from the third user interface. For example, the size of the first user interface included in the second user interface and the third user interface may be different, and the information included in the first guide area and the second guide area may be different. According to various embodiments, when user input for the second guide area is detected, the processor (120) may remove the second guide area displayed in the display area of ​​the first display (230) or the second display (240) corresponding to the edge of the electronic device (101), and retain the second guide area displayed in the display area of ​​the first display (230) or the second display (240) corresponding to the housing where the change was detected.

[0142] According to various embodiments, the processor (120) may maintain the display of the first user interface when no user input is detected for the first guide area displayed when the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is a first angle. The processor (120) may maintain the display of the first user interface when no user input is detected for the second guide area displayed when the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is a second angle. Since the first angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is different from the second angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220), the first user interface may be displayed differently depending on the different angles.

[0143] In FIG. 9, the guide area is described as being divided into three stages (e.g., first guide area, second guide area, third guide area), but this is merely to aid in understanding the invention and does not limit the invention. The guide area may be applied in more than three stages (e.g., fourth guide area, fifth guide area), fewer, or in various ways.

[0144] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of controlling a user interface according to changes in a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0145] Referring to FIG. 10, a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) may include a first housing (e.g., the first housing (210) of FIG. 2a to 2c) and a second housing (e.g., the second housing (220) of FIG. 2a to 2c) on both sides of a folding axis. The first housing (210) and the second housing (220) may be designed to fold toward each other. The electronic device (101) may include a main display (e.g., the first display (230) of FIGS. 2a to 2c) on the front of the electronic device (101) (e.g., the first surface (211) and the second surface (221) of FIGS. 2a to 2c), and may include a cover display (e.g., the display module (160) of FIG. 1, the second display (240) of FIGS. 2a to 2c) on a portion of the rear of the electronic device (101) (e.g., the third surface (213) of FIGS. 2a to 2c). The electronic device (101) may provide a first user interface (1010) in an intermediate state. In an intermediate state, the first user interface (1010) may be displayed through the first display (230).

[0146] The first user interface (1010) may be a new type of user interface including a guide area. The first user interface (1010) may display first content (or information, data) in a first area (e.g., top of the display) and second content in a second area (e.g., guide area, bottom of the display). The first area may be a display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the first housing (210), and the second area may be a display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the first housing (210). The first content may be a user interface displayed in an unfolded state (e.g., the original user interface). The second content may be associated with the first content and may include information about the first content.

[0147] When the user changes the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) from an intermediate state to an unfolded state (1030), the electronic device (101) can detect the change in angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) and display a guide area (1031). The guide area (1031) may be a display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the edge of the electronic device (101). When the guide area (1031) is selected by the user, the electronic device (101) may display a second user interface (1070). The second user interface (1070) may be a user interface with the guide area removed. When the guide area (1031) is not selected by the user (1050), the electronic device (101) may maintain the first user interface (1010). The electronic device (101) can maintain the display of the first user interface (1010) after a certain amount of time has elapsed since displaying the guide area (1031).

[0148] The electronic device (101) can display a guide area when an angle change occurs while displaying the first user interface (1010), display a second user interface (1070) when user input to the guide area is detected, and maintain the display of the first user interface (1010) when user input to the guide area is not detected.

[0149] FIG. 11 is a flowchart (1100) illustrating a method of controlling a user interface according to changes in a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0150] Referring to FIG. 11, in operation 1101, a processor (e.g., processor (120) of FIG. 1) of a flexible electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) according to various embodiments may display a second user interface including a guide area. The electronic device (101) may include a first housing (e.g., first housing (210) of FIG. 2a to 2c) and a second housing (e.g., second housing (220) of FIG. 2a to 2c) on both sides of a folding axis. The first housing (210) and the second housing (220) may be designed to fold toward each other. The electronic device (101) may include a main display (e.g., the first display (230) of FIGS. 2a to 2c) on the front surface of the electronic device (101) (e.g., the first surface (211) and the second surface (221) of FIGS. 2a to 2c).

[0151] The second user interface may be a new type of user interface (e.g., the first user interface (1010) of FIG. 10) that includes a guide area in the unfolded state of the electronic device (101). The second user interface may display first content (or information, data) in the first area and second content in the second area (e.g., guide area). The first area may be a display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the first housing (210), and the second area may be a display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the second housing (220). The first content may be a user interface displayed in the unfolded state (e.g., the original user interface). The second content may be associated with the first content and may include information about the first content.

[0152] In operation 1103, the processor (120) can detect a change in the electronic device (101). The change in the electronic device (101) may mean a change in the angle of the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) or a change in the first display (230) (e.g., bending, curvature). For example, operation 1103 may be an operation of changing from an unfolded state to a folded state (or an intermediate state).

[0153] In operation 1105, the processor (120) may display a guide area. The guide area may be displayed when a change in the angle of the housing is detected. The guide area is a display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the edge of the electronic device (101), and may be an area adjacent to the bezel when the electronic device (101) is in an unfolded state.

[0154] In operation 1107, the processor (120) can determine whether user input is detected in the guide area. The user may select (e.g., touch) the guide area. For example, user input for selecting the guide area may be selecting the guide area (e.g., GUI area of ​​the guide area) displayed through the first display (230) or the second display (240). The user input may be touching the outline (e.g., guide area displayed along the border of the electronic device (101)) or the guide area provided on the first display (230) or the second display (240). When the guide area is selected, the processor (120) may confirm the selection of the guide area through a pop-up message such as "Would you like to confirm the area? Yes / No". Alternatively, the processor (120) may display a button (or icon) in the guide area, and when the displayed button is selected (e.g., OK, Confirm, Select, Save, Yes), the guide area may be confirmed as the selected area, and the layout and information of the user interface may be changed and provided. When the processor (120) selects Cancel, Cancel, or No from the button (or icon) displayed in the guide area, the user interface can be maintained with only the angle changed and not changed to the selected guide area. The processor (120) can perform operation 1109 when user input for the guide area is detected, and perform operation 1111 when user input for the guide area is not detected.

[0155] When user input for the guide area is detected, in operation 1109, the processor (120) may provide a first user interface. The first user interface may be the second user interface with the guide area removed.

[0156] If no user input is detected for the guide area above, in operation 1111, the processor (120) may maintain the second user interface based on the changed angle. The processor (120) may maintain the second user interface provided in operation 1101 as is. The second user interface may be reflected only for the changed angle.

[0157] FIG. 12 is a drawing illustrating an example of providing a guide area of ​​a first application according to changes in a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0158] Referring to FIG. 12, a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) may display a first user interface (1210) in an unfolded state. The electronic device (101) may include a first housing (e.g., the first housing (210) of FIG. 2a to 2c) and a second housing (e.g., the second housing (220) of FIG. 2a to 2c) on both sides of a folding axis. The first housing (210) and the second housing (220) may be designed to fold toward each other. The electronic device (101) may include a main display (e.g., the display module (160) of FIG. 1, the first display (230) of FIG. 2a to 2c) on the front of the electronic device (101) (e.g., the first surface (211) and the second surface (221) of FIG. 2a to 2c). The above unfolded state may mean a state in which the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) are arranged side by side, and the electronic device (101) is fully unfolded. In the unfolded state, the electronic device (101) can display a first user interface (1210) through the first display (230). The first user interface (1210) may be an execution screen of a photo application, which displays a single photo. In FIG. 12, the angle of the electronic device (101) is changed in an in-folding manner, and an example of a user holding and using the electronic device (101) in their hand can be described.

[0159] When the electronic device (101) detects a change in angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220), it can display a second user interface (1220) including a guide area based on the change in angle. The electronic device (101) can display the second user interface (1220) when the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is a first angle. The second user interface (1220) may include a first guide area on a first display (230) corresponding to the edge (1221) of the electronic device (101) and the end portion (1223) of the moving housing. Based on the usage behavior of the electronic device (101), the user moves the first housing (210) while holding the electronic device (101) in their hand, so the first guide area can be displayed on the first display (230) corresponding to the edge (1221) of the electronic device (101) and the end portion (1223) of the first housing (210). When the electronic device (101) is in a vertical direction (a state in which the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) are moved in a left and right direction), the electronic device (101) can display the first guide area on the first display (230) corresponding to the end portion (1223) corresponding to the long length of the first housing (210).

[0160] When the first housing (210) is continuously moved so that the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is a second angle, the electronic device (101) may display a third user interface (1230). The third user interface (1230) may include a second guide area on a first display (230) corresponding to the edge (1231) of the electronic device (101) and the end portion (1233) of the moving housing. The second angle is smaller than the first angle, and the size of the second guide area displayed on the first display (230) corresponding to the end portion (1233) of the housing may be larger than the size of the first guide area displayed on the first display (230) corresponding to the end portion (1223) of the first housing (210). The electronic device (101) can display the second guide area on the first display (230) corresponding to the edge (1231) of the electronic device (101) and the end portion (1233) of the first housing (210) as the user moves the first housing (210) while holding the electronic device (101) in their hand.

[0161] Alternatively, the user may hold the electronic device (101) vertically and move the second housing (220) to change the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220). The electronic device (101) may display a fourth user interface (1250) when the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is a second angle. The fourth user interface (1250) may include a third guide area on a first display (230) corresponding to the edge (1251) of the electronic device (101) and the end portion (1253) of the moving second housing (220). The third guide area may be displayed on the first display (230) corresponding to the end portion (1253) of the second housing (220), and the second guide area may be displayed on the first display (230) corresponding to the end portion (1233) of the first housing (210).

[0162] The electronic device (101) can detect user input selecting a third guide area (1263) while displaying a fourth user interface (1250) (1260). The electronic device (101) can display information associated with the first user interface (1210) in the third guide area (1273) and display a fifth user interface (1270) that displays the first user interface (1210) in a display area (1271) other than the third guide area. The fifth user interface (1270) may include the first user interface and the guide area (1273). The first user interface included in the fifth user interface (1270) may differ in size or ratio from the first user interface (1210) displayed in the entire area of ​​the first display (230). For example, the fifth user interface (1270) may include a photo with a reduced size corresponding to the first user interface, and may include a photo list (e.g., other photos associated with the photo) in the guide area (1273). The first user interface (1210) and the fifth user interface (1270) may be different execution screens of the same photo application.

[0163] FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrating an example of providing a guide area for a second application according to changes in a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0164] Referring to FIG. 13, a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) may display a first user interface (1310) in an unfolded state. The electronic device (101) may include a first housing (e.g., the first housing (210) of FIG. 2a to 2c) and a second housing (e.g., the second housing (220) of FIG. 2a to 2c) on both sides of a folding axis. The first housing (210) and the second housing (220) may be designed to fold toward each other. The electronic device (101) may include a main display (e.g., the display module (160) of FIG. 1, the first display (230) of FIG. 2a to 2c) on the front of the electronic device (101) (e.g., the first surface (211) and the second surface (221) of FIG. 2a to 2c). The above unfolded state is a state in which the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) are arranged side by side, and may mean a state in which the electronic device (101) is fully unfolded. In the unfolded state, the electronic device (101) can display a first user interface (1310) through the first display (230). The first user interface (1310) is an execution screen of a camera application and may include a preview image obtained from a camera module (e.g., the camera module (180) of FIG. 1) and shooting control information (e.g., a shooting button, a shooting mode, etc.). In FIG. 13, the angle of the electronic device (101) is changed in an in-folding manner, and an example of a user holding and using the electronic device (101) in their hand can be described.

[0165] When the electronic device (101) detects a change in angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220), it can display a second user interface (1320) including a guide area based on the change in angle. The electronic device (101) can display the second user interface (1320) when the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is a first angle. The second user interface (1320) may include a first guide area on a first display (230) corresponding to the edge (1321) of the electronic device (101) and the end portion (1323) of the moving housing. The electronic device (101) can display the first guide area on the edge (1321) of the electronic device (101) and the end portion (1323) of the first housing (210) based on the usage behavior of the electronic device (101), as the user holds the electronic device (101) in their hand and moves the first housing (210). When the electronic device (101) is in a vertical direction (a state in which the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) are moved in the left and right directions), the electronic device (101) can display the first guide area on the first display (230) corresponding to the end portion (1323) corresponding to the long length of the first housing (210).

[0166] When the first housing (210) is continuously moved so that the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is a second angle, the electronic device (101) may display a third user interface (1330). The third user interface (1330) may include a second guide area on a first display (230) corresponding to the edge (1331) of the electronic device (101) and the end portion (1333) of the moving housing. The second angle is smaller than the first angle, and the size of the second guide area displayed on the first display (230) corresponding to the end portion (1333) of the housing may be larger than the size of the first guide area displayed on the first display (230) corresponding to the end portion (1323) of the first housing (210). The electronic device (101) can display the second guide area on the first display (230) corresponding to the edge (1331) of the electronic device (101) and the end portion (1333) of the first housing (210) as the user moves the first housing (210) while holding the electronic device (101) in their hand.

[0167] Alternatively, the user may hold the electronic device (101) vertically and move the second housing (220) to change the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220). The electronic device (101) may display a fourth user interface (1350) when the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is a second angle. The fourth user interface (1350) may include a third guide area on a first display (230) corresponding to the edge (1351) of the electronic device (101) and the end portion (1353) of the moving second housing (220). The third guide area may be displayed on the first display (230) corresponding to the end portion (1353) of the second housing (220), and the second guide area may be displayed on the first display (230) corresponding to the end portion (1333) of the first housing (210).

[0168] The electronic device (101) can detect user input selecting a third guide area (1363) while displaying a fourth user interface (1350) (1360). The electronic device (101) can display information associated with the first user interface (1310) in the third guide area (1373) and display a fifth user interface (1370) that displays the first user interface in a display area (1371) other than the third guide area. The fifth user interface (1370) may include the first user interface and the guide area (1373). The first user interface included in the fifth user interface (1370) may differ in size or ratio from the first user interface (1310) displayed in the entire area of ​​the first display (230). For example, the fifth user interface (1370) may have the size or aspect ratio of the preview image changed in correspondence with the first user interface, and may include shooting control information (e.g., shooting button, shooting mode, etc.) in the guide area. If the shooting control information is scattered in the first user interface (1310), the shooting control information included in the fifth user interface (1370) may be gathered together. The first user interface (1310) and the fifth user interface (1370) may be different execution screens of the same camera application.

[0169] FIG. 14 is a drawing illustrating an example of providing a guide area according to changes in a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0170] Referring to FIG. 14, a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) may display a first user interface (1410) in an intermediate state. The electronic device (101) may include a first housing (e.g., the first housing (210) of FIG. 2a to 2c) and a second housing (e.g., the second housing (220) of FIG. 2a to 2c) on both sides of a folding axis. The first housing (210) and the second housing (220) may be designed to fold toward each other. The electronic device (101) may include a main display (e.g., the display module (160) of FIG. 1, the first display (230) of FIG. 2a to 2c) on the front of the electronic device (101) (e.g., the first surface (211) and the second surface (221) of FIG. 2a to 2c). The above intermediate state may refer to a state in which the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) form a certain angle. In the above intermediate state, the electronic device (101) may display a first user interface (1410) through a part of the first display (230) (e.g., a display area corresponding to the second housing (220)). In FIG. 14, the angle of the electronic device (101) is changed in an out-folding manner, and it may be an explanation of an example of using the electronic device (101) placed on a floor. The first user interface (1410) may be an execution screen of a content (e.g., video) playback application.

[0171] When the electronic device (101) detects an angle change between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220), it may display a second user interface (1430) including a guide area based on the angle change. The second user interface (1430) may include a first guide area on a first display (230) corresponding to the edge (1421) of the electronic device (101) and the end portion (1423) of the moving housing. Based on the usage behavior of the electronic device (101), the electronic device (101) may display the first guide area on a display area (1423) corresponding to the edge (1421) of the electronic device (101) and the second housing (220) as the user places the electronic device (101) on the floor and moves the first housing (210). When the electronic device (101) is in a horizontal direction (moving the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) in an up and down direction), the electronic device (101) can display the first guide area from the end portion (1423) corresponding to the long length of the second housing (220).

[0172] When the second housing (220) is continuously moved so that the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is a second angle, the electronic device (101) may display a third user interface (1430). The third user interface (1430) may include a second guide area on a first display (230) corresponding to the edge (1431) of the electronic device (101) and the end portion (1433) of the moving housing. The second angle is smaller than the first angle, and the size of the second guide area displayed on the first display (230) corresponding to the end portion (1433) of the second housing (220) may be larger than the size of the first guide area displayed on the first display (230) corresponding to the end portion (1423) of the second housing (220).

[0173] The electronic device (101) can detect a user input (1451) selecting a second guide area (1455) while displaying a third user interface (1430) (1450). The electronic device (101) can display information associated with the first user interface (1410) in the second guide area (1463) and display a fourth user interface (1460) that displays the first user interface in a display area (1461) other than the second guide area. The fourth user interface (1460) may include the first user interface and the guide area (1463). The first user interface included in the fourth user interface (1460) may differ in size or ratio from the first user interface (1410) displayed in the display area of ​​the first display (230) corresponding to the first housing (210).

[0174] For example, the fourth user interface (1460) may have the size or aspect ratio of the content changed in correspondence with the first user interface and may include a content list or content control information (e.g., play, stop) in the guide area. The first user interface (1410) and the fourth user interface (1460) may be different execution screens of the same content playback application.

[0175] FIG. 15 is a drawing illustrating an example of adjusting a guide area based on user input in a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0176] Referring to FIG. 15, a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) may display a first user interface (1510) in a folded state. The electronic device (101) may include a first housing (e.g., the first housing (210) of FIG. 2a to 2c) and a second housing (e.g., the second housing (220) of FIG. 2a to 2c) on both sides of a folding axis. The first housing (210) and the second housing (220) may be designed to fold toward each other. The electronic device (101) may include a cover display (e.g., the display module (160) of FIG. 1, the second display (240) of FIG. 2a to 2c) on a part of the rear surface of the electronic device (e.g., the third surface (213) of FIG. 2a to 2c). The above folding state is a state in which the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) are arranged facing each other, and may mean a state in which the electronic device (101) is completely folded. In the folding state, the electronic device (101) can display the first user interface (1510) through the second display (240). The first user interface (1510) may be an execution screen of a search application.

[0177] When the electronic device (101) detects a change in angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220), it can display a second user interface (1520) including a guide area based on the change in angle. The electronic device (101) can display the second user interface (1520) when the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is a first angle. The second user interface (1520) may include a first user interface (1510) and a first guide area (1523, 1525). The first guide area may include the edge (1523) of the electronic device (101) and a display area (1525) of the first display (230) corresponding to the moving housing.

[0178] Based on the usage behavior of the electronic device (101), the electronic device (101) can display the first guide area on the first display (230) corresponding to the edge (1523) of the electronic device (101) and the first housing (210) as the user moves the first housing (210) while holding the electronic device (101) in their hand. According to various embodiments, when the electronic device (101) is in a vertical direction (a state in which the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) are moved in a left and right direction), the electronic device (101) can display the first guide area on the first display (230) corresponding to the end portion (1525) corresponding to the long length of the first housing (210). Information associated with the first user interface (1510) may be displayed in the first guide area. For example, the first guide area may include other application information associated with searching (e.g., application icons).

[0179] When the first housing (210) is continuously moved so that the angle between the first housing (210) and the second housing (220) is the second angle, the electronic device (101) can display a third user interface (1530). The third user interface (1530) may include a scaled-up first user interface (1531) and a second guide area. The second guide area may include a display area corresponding to the edge (1533) of the electronic device (101) and the end (1535) of the moving housing. Based on the usage behavior of the electronic device (101), the electronic device (101) may display the second guide area on a first display (230) corresponding to the edge (1533) of the electronic device (101) and the end (1535) of the second housing (220) as the user holds the electronic device (101) in their hand and moves the second housing (220).

[0180] When the electronic device (101) is in a vertical orientation, the electronic device (101) may display the second guide area at the end portion (1535) corresponding to the long length of the second housing (220). The second angle is larger than the first angle, and the size of the second guide area displayed on the first display (230) corresponding to the end portion (1535) of the second housing (220) may be smaller than the size of the first guide area displayed on the first display (230) corresponding to the end portion (1525) of the first housing (210). Information associated with the first user interface (1510) may be displayed in the second guide area. For example, the second guide area may include other application information associated with searching (e.g., application icons).

[0181] According to various embodiments, the size or ratio of the adjusted first user interface (1531) included in the third user interface (1530) may differ from the size or ratio of the first user interface (1510) included in the second user interface (1520). Since the size of the second guide area is smaller than the size of the first guide area, the size of the first user interface (1531) included in the third user interface (1530) may be larger than the size of the first user interface (1510) included in the second user interface (1520). The electronic device (101) may adjust the ratio of the adjusted first user interface (1531) based on the size of the adjusted first user interface (1531).

[0182] The electronic device (101) can detect a user input (1547) that selects a second guide area (1543) while displaying a third user interface (1530) (1540). The user input may be selecting an application icon included in the second guide area. The electronic device (101) may display a fourth user interface (1550) that displays information of the application selected by the user input in the second guide area (1553) and displays the first user interface in a display area (1551) that is not the second guide area. The fourth user interface (1550) may include the first user interface and the second guide area. For example, the fourth user interface (1550) may include an execution screen of the first application in the first area (1551) and an execution screen of the second application in the second area (1553). The execution screen of the second application may correspond to the application selected by the user input.

[0183] The electronic device (101) may display a fifth user interface (1560) based on user input for adjusting the guide area while displaying the fourth user interface (1550). The fifth user interface (1560) may include a first user interface and a third guide area. The user (1571) may adjust the size of the second guide area by moving the boundary line (1573) of the second guide area displayed on the first display (230) corresponding to the second housing (220). The fifth user interface (1560) may include an execution screen of a first application in the first area (1561) and an execution screen of a second application in the second area (1563). The size of the second area (1563) corresponding to the third guide area may be smaller or larger than the size of the second area (1553) corresponding to the second guide area.

[0184] FIG. 16 is a drawing illustrating an example of an electronic device of various forms according to various embodiments.

[0185] Referring to FIG. 16, a flexible electronic device according to various embodiments (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) may include at least one of a first type flexible electronic device (1610), a second type flexible electronic device (1620), a third-1 type flexible electronic device (1625), a third-2 type flexible electronic device (1630), a fourth type flexible electronic device (1650), a fifth type flexible electronic device (1670), or a sixth type flexible electronic device (1690). The first type flexible electronic device (1610) may have two parallel sides having a short length and two parallel sides having a long length, and may be folded in an in-folding manner with respect to a folding axis in the center of the long length. The second type flexible electronic device (1620) may have two parallel sides with a short length and two parallel sides with a long length, and may be folded in an in-folding manner with respect to a folding axis parallel to the long length.

[0186] The 3-1 type flexible electronic device (1625) may have two parallel sides with a short length and two parallel sides with a long length, and may be folded in an out-folding manner based on a folding axis parallel to the long length. The 3-2 type flexible electronic device (1630) may have two parallel sides with a short length and two parallel sides with a long length, and may be folded in an in-folding manner and an out-folding manner based on a folding axis parallel to the long length. The 4 type flexible electronic device (1650) may be folded in an in-folding manner or an out-folding manner based on at least two folding axes. The 5 type flexible electronic device (1670) may have an undefined folding axis and may be in a form that can be folded or rolled up to a desired size. The 6 type flexible electronic device (1690) may be folded in an in-folding manner based on at least two folding axes.

[0187] A method of operation of a flexible electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) comprising a first housing (e.g., first housing (210) of FIG. 2a to 2c) and a second housing (e.g., second housing (220) of FIG. 2a to 2c) arranged on both sides with respect to a folding axis (e.g., A of FIG. 2a) according to various embodiments and formed to fold toward each other, comprising: an operation of detecting an angle change between the first housing and the second housing using at least one sensor module of the electronic device (e.g., first sensor module (270) of FIG. 2a, second sensor module (275), and third sensor module disposed in the hinge structure (260) of FIG. 2a); an operation of determining a guide area based on the first housing or the second housing in which the angle change is detected; and changing the size of the determined guide area based on the angle change between the first housing and the second housing to a display of the electronic device (e.g., display of FIG. 1). The module (160) may include an operation of displaying on the first display (230) of FIG. 2a and FIG. 2c, and an operation of displaying information associated with the user interface displayed on the display to the guide area when the guide area is selected by the user.

[0188] The above method may include an operation of changing and displaying the size of a guide area, wherein when the angle between the first housing and the second housing is a first angle, an operation of displaying a first guide area, and when the angle between the first housing and the second housing is a second angle, an operation of displaying a second guide area, wherein the first angle is greater than the second angle and the size of the first guide area is set to be smaller than the size of the second guide area.

[0189] The operation of changing and displaying the above may include the operation of displaying the guide area on the display corresponding to the edge of the electronic device or on the display corresponding to the first housing or the second housing where the angle change is detected.

[0190] The operation indicated above may include, when user input for the guide area is detected, removing the guide area displayed on the display corresponding to the edge of the electronic device and maintaining the guide area displayed on the display corresponding to the first housing or the second housing where a change is detected.

[0191] The at least one sensor module described above includes at least one of a first sensor module disposed in the first housing, a second sensor module disposed in the second housing, or a third sensor module disposed in a hinge structure disposed on the folding axis, and may include at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a geomagnetic sensor, a proximity sensor, a gesture sensor, or a Hall sensor.

[0192] The operation of displaying the above includes an operation of adjusting the size or ratio of the user interface displayed on the display to display information associated with the user interface in the guide area, and the method may further include an operation of setting information associated with the user interface according to at least one of an application provided to the user interface, a user's settings, or a setting of the electronic device.

[0193] The above method may further include an operation to maintain the user interface displayed on the display when no user input is detected for the guide area or when a set time has elapsed after the guide area is displayed.

[0194] The above display is a flexible display and may further include an operation of displaying the guide area based on detecting the bending of the display.

[0195] The above method may further include an operation of distinguishing and displaying a guide area before user input to the guide area is detected and a guide area after user input to the guide area is detected.

[0196] The above method may further include the operation of displaying a second user interface including the guide area through the display, the operation of providing the guide area based on an angle change between the first housing and the second housing, and the operation of providing a first user interface not including the guide area when the guide area is selected by the user, and maintaining the display of the second user interface when the guide area is not selected by the user.

[0197] The various embodiments of the present invention disclosed in this specification and drawings are provided merely as specific examples to facilitate the explanation of the technical content of the invention and to aid in understanding the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be interpreted to include all modifications or variations derived based on the technical concept of the invention, in addition to the embodiments disclosed herein. Explanation of the symbols

[0198] 101: Electronic devices 120: Processor 130: Memory

Claims

Claim 1 A flexible electronic device comprises: a first housing and a second housing disposed on both sides with respect to a folding axis and formed to fold relative to each other; a first sensor module disposed in the first housing; a second sensor module disposed in the second housing; a display disposed such that the flexible electronic device faces a first direction of the first housing and the second housing in an unfolded state, and includes a first display area corresponding to the first housing and a second display area corresponding to the second housing; and a memory for storing commands. A flexible electronic device comprising a processor, wherein, when the instructions are executed by the processor, the flexible electronic device detects an angle change between the first housing and the second housing using the first sensor module and the second sensor module, determines the usage behavior of the electronic device using the first sensor module and the second sensor module, and if the usage behavior of the electronic device is determined to be holding and using the electronic device, determines that a guide area is displayed in one of the first display area or the second display area of ​​the display corresponding to the housing being moved by the user, and if the usage behavior of the electronic device is determined to be placing the electronic device on the floor and using it, determines that the guide area is displayed in one of the first display area or the second display area of ​​the display corresponding to the housing placed on the floor, changes the size of the determined guide area based on the angle change between the first housing and the second housing and displays it on the display, and if the guide area is selected by the user, displays information related to the user interface displayed on the display in the guide area. Claim 2 A flexible electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, when the instructions are executed by the processor, the flexible electronic device indicates a first guide area when the angle between the first housing and the second housing is a first angle, indicates a second guide area when the angle between the first housing and the second housing is a second angle, and wherein the first angle is greater than the second angle and the size of the first guide area is smaller than the size of the second guide area. Claim 3 delete Claim 4 delete Claim 5 delete Claim 6 delete Claim 7 delete Claim 8 A flexible electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, when the instructions are executed by the processor, the flexible electronic device adjusts the size or ratio of the user interface displayed on the display to display information associated with the user interface in the guide area, and sets the information associated with the user interface according to at least one of an application provided to the user interface, a user's settings, or a setting of the electronic device. Claim 9 In claim 1, the flexible electronic device, when the instructions are executed by the processor, maintains the user interface displayed on the display when no user input for the guide area is detected or when a set time has elapsed after the guide area has been displayed. Claim 10 In claim 1, the display is a flexible display, and the instructions, when executed by the processor, the flexible electronic device displays the guide area based on detecting the bending of the display, and distinguishes and displays the guide area before user input to the guide area is detected and the guide area after user input to the guide area is detected. Claim 11 delete Claim 12 A flexible electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, when the instructions are executed by the processor, the flexible electronic device displays a second user interface including the guide area through the display in an unfolded state of the electronic device, provides the guide area based on an angle change between the first housing and the second housing, provides a first user interface not including the guide area when the guide area is selected by the user, and maintains the display of the second user interface when the guide area is not selected by the user. Claim 13 A method of operation of a flexible electronic device comprising a first housing and a second housing arranged on both sides with respect to a folding axis and formed to fold relative to each other, comprising: an operation of detecting an angle change between the first housing and the second housing using a first sensor module disposed in the first housing and a second sensor module disposed in the second housing; an operation of determining the usage behavior of the electronic device using the first sensor module and the second sensor module; an operation of determining, when the usage behavior of the electronic device is determined to be holding and using the electronic device, to display a guide area in one of the first display area or the second display area of ​​the display corresponding to the housing being moved by the user in a display including a first display area corresponding to the first housing and a second display area corresponding to the second housing; an operation of determining, when the usage behavior of the electronic device is determined to be placing the electronic device on a floor and using it, to display the guide area in one of the first display area or the second display area of ​​the display corresponding to the housing placed on the floor; and an operation of changing and displaying the size of the determined guide area based on an angle change between the first housing and the second housing. A method comprising the operation of displaying information associated with a user interface displayed on a display to the guide area when the guide area is selected by the user. Claim 14 delete Claim 15 delete Claim 16 delete Claim 17 delete Claim 18 delete Claim 19 delete Claim 20 delete

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