KR102309563B1 - Mobile device having a flexible display device and method of operating the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The mobile device includes a touch screen unit having an external touch screen region, an internal foldable touch screen region, and a curved touch screen region connecting the external touch screen region and the internal foldable touch screen region, and a body part to which the touch screen part is attached, When a folding operation of unfolding or folding the inner foldable touch screen area is performed, an icon corresponding to at least one or more running applications is moved to the curved touch screen area in response to the folding angle of the inner foldable touch screen area.

Description

Mobile device having a flexible display device and operating method thereof

The present invention relates to an electronic device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mobile device having a flexible display device and a method of operating the same.

Recently, as research on a flexible display device has been active, a flexible touch screen including a flexible display device and a touch sensor device is attracting attention. Since such a flexible touch screen can be applied to a mobile device such as a smart phone or a smart pad, the shape of the mobile device can also be deviated from the conventional shape such as a rectangle, a rectangle with rounded corners, and a rectangle with a streamlined shape. Accordingly, it is necessary to provide a user with various user interfaces according to a new type of mobile device.

One object of the present invention is to provide a mobile device capable of providing various user interfaces to users based on a flexible touch screen comprising an external touch screen area, an inner foldable touch screen area, and a curved touch screen area connecting them. .

Another object of the present invention is to operate a mobile device capable of providing various user interfaces to a user in a mobile device including a flexible touch screen including an external touch screen region, an internal foldable touch screen region, and a curved touch screen region connecting them. to provide a way

However, the problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the above problems, and may be variously expanded without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In order to achieve one object of the present invention, a mobile device according to embodiments of the present invention includes an external touch-screen region, an internal foldable touch screen region, and the external touch-screen region and the internal folder. A touch screen unit having a curved touch screen region connecting the foldable touch screen regions, and a body part to which the touch screen unit is attached. In response to the folding angle of the inner foldable touch screen area, an icon corresponding to at least one or more running applications may be moved to the curved touch screen area.

According to an embodiment, the touch screen unit may be a flexible touch screen including a flexible display device and a touch sensor device.

According to an embodiment, the body part may be made of a flexible material to support the foldable operation of the inner foldable touch screen area.

According to an embodiment, the body part may be made of a non-flexible material, and may include a hinge for supporting the foldable operation of the inner foldable touch screen area.

According to an embodiment, the inner foldable touch screen area includes a first inner touch screen area and a second inner touch screen area, and the first inner touch screen area and the second inner touch screen area are physically separated it may not be

According to an embodiment, the inner foldable touch screen area includes a first inner touch screen area and a second inner touch screen area, and the first inner touch screen area and the second inner touch screen area are physically separated can be

According to an embodiment, when the inner foldable touch screen area is unfolded beyond a first folded angle, the icon corresponding to the application executed on the outer touch screen area is displayed on the curved touch screen area, and When the icon is moved to the inner foldable touch screen area, the application may be executed in a partial area or the entire area of the inner foldable touch screen area.

According to an embodiment, when the inner foldable touch screen area is folded below the second folded angle, the icon corresponding to the application executed on the inner foldable touch screen area is displayed on the curved touch screen area, , when the icon is moved to the external touch screen area, the application may be executed in a partial area or the entire area of the external touch screen area.

According to an embodiment, the icon may be displayed in the inner foldable touch screen area or the outside of the curved touch screen area by a drag and drop operation or a click operation according to a user interface. It can be moved to the touch screen area.

According to an embodiment, the first folded angle and the second folded angle may be set to be equal to each other or set to be different from each other.

According to an embodiment, when the inner foldable touch screen area is unfolded beyond the first folded angle, the inner foldable touch screen area is activated and the outer touch screen area is deactivated. can

According to an embodiment, when the inner foldable touch screen area is folded below the second folded angle, the inner foldable touch screen area may be deactivated and the outer touch screen area may be activated.

In order to achieve another object of the present invention, a method of operating a mobile device according to embodiments of the present invention includes the steps of executing an application in an external touch screen area, and when the inner foldable touch screen area is unfolded at a preset angle or more, displaying an icon corresponding to the application on a curved touch screen region connecting the external touch screen region and the internal foldable touch screen region; and when the icon is moved to the internal foldable touch screen region, the internal folder The method may include executing the application in a partial area or the entire area of the touch screen area.

According to an embodiment, the mobile device may be implemented as a smart phone or a smart pad.

According to an embodiment, the outer touch screen area, the inner foldable touch screen area, and the curved touch screen area may correspond to areas of a flexible touch screen including a flexible display device and a touch sensor device.

According to an embodiment, when the inner foldable touch screen area is unfolded beyond the preset angle, the inner foldable touch screen area may be activated and the outer touch screen area may be deactivated.

According to an embodiment, the icon may be moved from the curved touch screen area to the internal foldable touch screen area by a drag and drop operation or a click operation according to a user interface.

In order to achieve another object of the present invention, a method of operating a mobile device according to embodiments of the present invention includes the steps of executing an application on an internal foldable touch screen area, and lowering the internal foldable touch screen area to a predetermined angle or less. When folded, displaying an icon corresponding to the application on a curved touch screen area connecting the external touch screen area and the inner foldable touch screen area, and when the icon is moved to the external touch screen area, the external touch screen area The method may include executing the application in a partial area or an entire area of the screen area.

According to an embodiment, the mobile device may be implemented as a smart phone or a smart pad.

According to an embodiment, the outer touch screen area, the inner foldable touch screen area, and the curved touch screen area may correspond to areas of a flexible touch screen including a flexible display device and a touch sensor device.

According to an embodiment, when the inner foldable touch screen area is folded by the preset angle or less, the inner foldable touch screen area may be deactivated and the external touch screen area may be activated.

According to an embodiment, the icon may be moved from the curved touch screen area to the external touch screen area by a drag and drop operation or a click operation according to a user interface.

A mobile device according to embodiments of the present invention includes a flexible touch screen including an external touch screen region, an internal foldable touch screen region, and a curved touch screen region connecting them, wherein the internal foldable touch screen region is unfolded or folded. When the folding operation is performed, by moving the icon corresponding to the running application to the curved touch screen area in response to the folding angle of the inner foldable touch screen area, the application is moved to the outer touch screen area or the inner foldable touch screen area It is possible to provide the user with a user interface for selectively executing the .

A method of operating a mobile device according to embodiments of the present invention includes a mobile device including a flexible touch screen including an external touch screen region, an internal foldable touch screen region, and a curved touch screen region connecting them, using an internal foldable touch screen. When a foldable operation in which the screen area is unfolded or folded is performed, by moving an icon corresponding to the running application to the curved touch screen area in response to the folding angle of the inner foldable touch screen area, the application is moved to the outer touch screen area or It is possible to provide the user with a user interface for selectively executing in the internal foldable touch screen area.

However, the effect of the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be variously expanded without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

1 is a plan view illustrating a mobile device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the mobile device of FIG. 1 .
3 is a flowchart illustrating an example in which the mobile device of FIG. 1 operates.
4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating an example in which the mobile device of FIG. 1 operates.
5 is a flowchart illustrating another example in which the mobile device of FIG. 1 operates.
6A to 6C are diagrams illustrating another example in which the mobile device of FIG. 1 operates.
7 is a plan view illustrating a mobile device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a side view illustrating the mobile device of FIG. 7 .
9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating an example in which an application is executed in a mobile device according to embodiments of the present invention.
10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating another example in which an application is executed in a mobile device according to embodiments of the present invention.

With respect to the embodiments of the present invention disclosed in the text, specific structural or functional descriptions are only exemplified for the purpose of describing the embodiments of the present invention, and the embodiments of the present invention may be embodied in various forms. It should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described in .

Since the present invention can have various changes and can have various forms, specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the text. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to the specific disclosed form, it should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Terms such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various elements, but the elements should not be limited by the terms. The above terms may be used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may also be referred to as a first component.

When a component is referred to as being “connected” or “connected” to another component, it is understood that the other component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but other components may exist in between. it should be On the other hand, when it is mentioned that a certain element is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another element, it should be understood that the other element does not exist in the middle. Other expressions describing the relationship between elements, such as "between" and "immediately between" or "neighboring to" and "directly adjacent to", should be interpreted similarly.

The terms used in the present application are only used to describe specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the present application, terms such as “comprise” or “have” are intended to designate that the described feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof exists, and includes one or more other features or numbers. , it is to be understood that it does not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as meanings consistent with the context of the related art, and unless explicitly defined in the present application, they are not to be interpreted in an ideal or excessively formal meaning. .

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals are used for the same components in the drawings, and repeated descriptions of the same components are omitted.

1 is a plan view showing a mobile device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view showing the mobile device of FIG. 1 .

1 and 2 , the mobile device 100 may include a touch screen unit 120 and a body unit 140 to which the touch screen unit 120 is attached. In this case, the touch screen unit 120 may be a flexible touch screen including a flexible display device and a touch sensing device. For example, the mobile device 100 may be implemented as a mobile phone, a smart phone, a smart pad, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

)에 응답하여 실행 중인 적어도 하나 이상의 어플리케이션에 상응하는 아이콘을 곡면 터치스크린 영역(124)으로 이동시킬 수 있다. 예를 들어, 사용자가 몸체부(140)를 접은 상태로 외부 터치스크린 영역(122)에서 소정의 어플리케이션을 실행시키다가 몸체부(140)를 펼치는 경우, 내부 폴더블 터치스크린 영역(126)이 기 설정된 각도(

) 이상으로 펼쳐지면, 모바일 기기(100)는 실행 중인 어플리케이션에 상응하는 아이콘을 외부 터치스크린 영역(122)에서 곡면 터치스크린 영역(124)으로 이동시킬 수 있다. 또한, 사용자가 몸체부(140)를 펼친 상태로 내부 폴더블 터치스크린 영역(126)에서 소정의 어플리케이션을 실행시키다가 몸체부(140)를 접는 경우, 내부 폴더블 터치스크린 영역(126)이 기 설정된 각도(

) 이하로 접혀지면, 모바일 기기(100)는 실행 중인 어플리케이션에 상응하는 아이콘을 내부 폴더블 터치스크린 영역(126)에서 곡면 터치스크린 영역(124)으로 이동시킬 수 있다.The touch screen unit 120 includes an external touch screen region 122 , an internal foldable touch screen region 126 , and a curved touch screen region ( 124) may be provided. The body 140 may also be made of a flexible material to support a foldable operation in which the inner foldable touch screen area 126 is unfolded or folded. Accordingly, as the body 140 is unfolded or folded by the user, the inner foldable touch screen area 126 of the touch screen unit 120 may also be unfolded or folded. Specifically, when the foldable operation of unfolding or folding the inner foldable touch screen area 126 is performed, the mobile device 100

), an icon corresponding to at least one or more applications being executed may be moved to the curved touch screen area 124 . For example, when the user executes a predetermined application on the external touch screen area 122 in a state in which the body part 140 is folded and unfolds the body part 140, the internal foldable touch screen area 126 is opened. set angle (

) or higher, the mobile device 100 may move an icon corresponding to the running application from the external touch screen area 122 to the curved touch screen area 124 . In addition, when the user executes a predetermined application on the inner foldable touch screen area 126 in a state in which the body 140 is unfolded and the body 140 is folded, the inner foldable touch screen area 126 is opened. set angle (

) or less, the mobile device 100 may move an icon corresponding to the running application from the internal foldable touch screen area 126 to the curved touch screen area 124 .

In an embodiment, when the inner foldable touch screen area 126 is unfolded beyond the first folded angle, the mobile device 100 displays an icon corresponding to the application executed on the outer touch screen area 122 on the curved touch screen. When displayed on the area 124 and an icon corresponding to the application is moved from the curved touch screen area 124 to the internal foldable touch screen area 126 by a drag-and-drop operation or a click operation according to the user interface, the application It may be executed in a partial area or the entire area of the inner foldable touch screen area 126 . In another embodiment, when the inner foldable touch screen area 126 is folded below the second folded angle, the mobile device 100 displays an icon corresponding to an application executed on the inner foldable touch screen area on the curved touch screen area. Displayed in 124, when an icon corresponding to the application is moved from the curved touch screen area 124 to the external touch screen area 122 by a drag-and-drop operation or a click operation according to the user interface, the application is transferred to the external touch screen It may be executed in a partial area or the entire area of area 122 . In an embodiment, the first folding angle and the second folding angle may be set to be equal to each other. In another embodiment, the first folding angle and the second folding angle may be set to be different from each other. On the other hand, the inner foldable touch screen area 126 has a first inner touch screen area (eg, an inner left touch screen area) and a second inner touch screen area (eg, an inner right touch screen area) around a folding reference line. screen area). In an embodiment, the first inner touch screen area and the second inner touch screen area may be physically separated. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , the first inner touch screen area and the second inner touch screen area may not be physically separated.

Furthermore, the inner foldable touch screen area 126 is unfolded beyond the first folded angle so that an application executed on the outer touch screen area 122 is executed on a partial area or the entire area of the inner foldable touch screen area 126 . In this case, the inner foldable touch screen area 126 may be activated, and the outer touch screen area 122 may be deactivated. In this case, in the external touch screen area 122 , the touch function and the display function may be inactivated, or some of the touch function and the display function may be inactivated. Similarly, the inner foldable touch screen area 126 is folded below the second folded angle so that an application executed on the inner foldable touch screen area 126 is executed in a partial area or the entire area of the outer touch screen area 122 . In this case, the inner foldable touch screen area 126 may be deactivated, and the outer touch screen area 122 may be activated. In this case, in the internal foldable touch screen area 126 , a touch function and a display function may be inactivated, or some of the touch function and a display function may be inactivated. However, this is only an example, and depending on a required condition, the outer touch screen area 122 and the inner foldable touch screen area 126 may be simultaneously activated. That is, the inner foldable touch screen area 126 is unfolded beyond the first folded angle so that an application executed on the outer touch screen area 122 is executed on the inner foldable touch screen area 126 , or the inner foldable touch screen area 126 . When the screen area 126 is folded below the second folded angle and an application executed on the inner foldable touch screen area 126 is executed on the outer touch screen area 122 , the user can interact with the outer touch screen area 122 and The inner foldable touch screen area 126 may be used simultaneously.

As described above, the touch screen unit 120 may be a flexible touch screen including a flexible display device and a touch sensing device. Accordingly, the body 140 may include a display controller and a touch controller. Furthermore, the body 140 may include a processor, a communication device, a memory device, a storage device, function sensors, and the like. The display controller and the touch controller may control a display function and a touch function of the touch screen unit 120 , respectively. A processor may perform certain calculations or tasks. According to an embodiment, the processor may be a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), or the like. The processor may be connected to other components through an address bus, a control bus, and a data bus. Depending on the embodiment, the processor may also be connected to an expansion bus such as a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus. The memory device may store data necessary for the operation of the mobile device 100 . For example, memory devices include Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Flash Memory, Phase Change Random Access Memory (PRAM), and Resistance Random Access Memory (RRAM). ), non-volatile memory devices such as Nano Floating Gate Memory (NFGM), Polymer Random Access Memory (PoRAM), Magnetic Random Access Memory (MRAM), Ferroelectric Random Access Memory (FRAM), etc. and/or Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), It may include a volatile memory device such as static random access memory (SRAM), mobile DRAM, or the like. The storage device may include a solid state drive (SSD), a hard disk drive (HDD), a CD-ROM, and the like. The function sensors may respectively detect various functional operations for the mobile device 100 . For example, a foldable function sensor among the function sensors may detect a foldable operation of the mobile device 100 .

)에 응답하여 실행 중인 어플리케이션에 상응하는 아이콘을 곡면 터치스크린 영역(224)으로 이동시킴으로써, 어플리케이션을 외부 터치스크린 영역(122) 또는 내부 폴더블 터치스크린 영역(126)에서 선택적으로 실행시키도록 하는 유저 인터페이스를 사용자에게 제공할 수 있다. 그 결과, 사용자는 모바일 기기(100)를 보다 효율적이고 편리하게 이용할 수 있다.As such, the mobile device 100 has an external touch screen region 122 , an internal foldable touch screen region 126 , and a curved touch screen connecting the external touch screen region 122 and the internal foldable touch screen region 126 . a flexible touch screen having an area 124, wherein the folded angle of the inner foldable touch screen area 126 (

) by moving an icon corresponding to the running application to the curved touch screen area 224 in response to a user who selectively executes the application in the external touch screen area 122 or the inner foldable touch screen area 126 . An interface may be provided to the user. As a result, the user can use the mobile device 100 more efficiently and conveniently.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an example in which the mobile device of FIG. 1 operates, and FIGS. 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating an example in which the mobile device of FIG. 1 operates.

) 이상으로 펼쳐지는지 여부를 센싱(Step S120)할 수 있다. 다시 말하면, 모바일 기기(100)가 접혀져 있다가 기 설정된 각도(

) 이상으로 펼쳐지는지 여부가 판단되는 것이다. 이 때, 모바일 기기(100)는, 내부 폴더블 터치스크린 영역(126)이 기 설정된 각도(

) 이상으로 펼쳐지지 않으면, 외부 터치스크린 영역(122)에서 어플리케이션을 계속 실행(Step S110)하고, 도 4b에 도시된 바와 같이, 내부 폴더블 터치스크린 영역(126)이 기 설정된 각도(

) 이상으로 펼쳐지면, 곡면 터치스크린 영역(124)에 어플리케이션에 상응하는 아이콘(ICN)을 표시(Step S130)할 수 있다. 이후, 어플리케이션에 상응하는 아이콘(ICN)이 내부 폴더블 터치스크린 영역(126)으로 이동하는지 여부를 센싱(Step S140)할 수 있다. 예를 들어, 어플이케이션에 상응하는 아이콘(ICN)은 유저 인터페이스에 따른 드래그 앤 드롭 동작 또는 클릭 동작에 의하여 곡면 터치스크린 영역(124)에서 내부 폴더블 터치스크린 영역(126)으로 이동될 수 있다. 이 때, 도 4c에 도시된 바와 같이, 어플리케이션에 상응하는 아이콘(ICN)이 내부 폴더블 터치스크린 영역(126)으로 이동하면, 모바일 기기(100)는 내부 폴더블 터치스크린 영역(126)에서 어플리케이션을 실행(Step S150)할 수 있다. 한편, 상술한 바와 같이, 내부 폴더블 터치스크린 영역(126)이 기 설정된 각도(

) 이상으로 펼쳐져서 외부 터치스크린 영역(122)에서 실행되던 어플리케이션이 내부 폴더블 터치스크린 영역(126)의 일부 영역 또는 전체 영역에서 실행되는 경우, 내부 폴더블 터치스크린 영역(126)은 활성화되고, 외부 터치스크린 영역(122)은 비활성화될 수 있다. 3 and 4A to 4C , an operation in which the mobile device 100 is folded and then unfolded is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 4A , in a state in which the mobile device 100 is folded, an application may be executed in the external touch screen area 122 (Step S110 ). At this time, the mobile device 100 has the internal foldable touch screen area 126 at a preset angle (

) can be sensed (Step S120) whether it is unfolded more than. In other words, the mobile device 100 is folded at a preset angle (

) or not, it is judged. At this time, the mobile device 100, the internal foldable touch screen area 126 is a preset angle (

), the application continues to be executed in the external touch screen area 122 (Step S110), and as shown in FIG. 4B , the internal foldable touch screen area 126 is rotated at a preset angle (

) or higher, an icon (ICN) corresponding to the application may be displayed on the curved touch screen area 124 (Step S130 ). Thereafter, it may be sensed (Step S140 ) whether the icon (ICN) corresponding to the application moves to the internal foldable touch screen area 126 . For example, the icon (ICN) corresponding to the application may be moved from the curved touch screen area 124 to the internal foldable touch screen area 126 by a drag and drop operation or a click operation according to the user interface. . At this time, as shown in FIG. 4C , when the icon (ICN) corresponding to the application moves to the inner foldable touch screen area 126 , the mobile device 100 displays the application in the inner foldable touch screen area 126 . can be executed (Step S150). On the other hand, as described above, the inner foldable touch screen area 126 is set at a preset angle (

) or more and the application that was executed on the external touch screen area 122 is executed in some or all of the inner foldable touch screen areas 126, the inner foldable touch screen area 126 is activated, The external touch screen area 122 may be deactivated.

5 is a flowchart illustrating another example in which the mobile device of FIG. 1 operates, and FIGS. 6A to 6C are diagrams illustrating another example in which the mobile device of FIG. 1 operates.

) 이하로 접혀지는지 여부를 센싱(Step S220)할 수 있다. 다시 말하면, 모바일 기기(100)가 펼쳐져 있다가 기 설정된 각도(

) 이하로 접혀지는지 여부가 판단되는 것이다. 이 때, 모바일 기기(100)는, 내부 폴더블 터치스크린 영역(126)이 기 설정된 각도(

) 이하로 접혀지지 않으면, 내부 폴더블 터치스크린 영역(126)에서 어플리케이션을 계속 실행(Step S210)하고, 도 6b에 도시된 바와 같이, 내부 폴더블 터치스크린 영역(126)이 기 설정된 각도(

) 이하로 접혀지면, 곡면 터치스크린 영역(124)에 어플리케이션에 상응하는 아이콘(ICN)을 표시(Step S230)할 수 있다. 이후, 어플리케이션에 상응하는 아이콘(ICN)이 외부 터치스크린 영역(122)으로 이동하는지 여부를 센싱(Step S240)할 수 있다. 예를 들어, 어플이케이션에 상응하는 아이콘(ICN)은 유저 인터페이스에 따른 드래그 앤 드롭 동작 또는 클릭 동작에 의하여 곡면 터치스크린 영역(124)에서 외부 터치스크린 영역(122)으로 이동될 수 있다. 이 때, 도 6c에 도시된 바와 같이, 어플리케이션에 상응하는 아이콘(ICN)이 외부 터치스크린 영역(122)으로 이동하면, 모바일 기기(100)는 외부 터치스크린 영역(122)에서 어플리케이션을 실행(Step S250)할 수 있다. 한편, 상술한 바와 같이, 내부 폴더블 터치스크린 영역(126)이 기 설정된 각도(

) 이하로 접혀져서 내부 폴더블 터치스크린 영역(126)에서 실행되던 어플리케이션이 외부 터치스크린 영역(122)의 일부 영역 또는 전체 영역에서 실행되는 경우, 내부 폴더블 터치스크린 영역(126)은 비활성화되고, 외부 터치스크린 영역(122)은 활성화될 수 있다. 5 and 6A to 6C , an operation in which the mobile device 100 is unfolded and then folded is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 6A , in the unfolded state of the mobile device 100 , an application may be executed in the internal foldable touch screen area 126 (Step S210 ). At this time, the mobile device 100 has the internal foldable touch screen area 126 at a preset angle (

) can be sensed (Step S220) whether it is folded or not. In other words, the mobile device 100 is unfolded at a preset angle (

) is to be determined whether or not it is folded below. At this time, the mobile device 100, the internal foldable touch screen area 126 is a preset angle (

), the application continues to run on the inner foldable touch screen area 126 (Step S210), and as shown in FIG. 6B , the inner foldable touch screen area 126 moves at a preset angle (

) or less, an icon (ICN) corresponding to the application may be displayed on the curved touch screen area 124 (Step S230). Thereafter, whether the icon (ICN) corresponding to the application moves to the external touch screen area 122 may be sensed (Step S240). For example, the icon (ICN) corresponding to the application may be moved from the curved touch screen area 124 to the external touch screen area 122 by a drag and drop operation or a click operation according to the user interface. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6C , when the icon (ICN) corresponding to the application moves to the external touch screen area 122 , the mobile device 100 executes the application in the external touch screen area 122 (Step S250) can be done. On the other hand, as described above, the inner foldable touch screen area 126 is set at a preset angle (

) when the application that has been folded and executed on the inner foldable touch screen area 126 is executed in a part or the entire area of the outer touch screen area 122, the inner foldable touch screen area 126 is deactivated, The external touch screen area 122 may be activated.

7 is a plan view showing a mobile device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a side view showing the mobile device of FIG. 7 .

7 and 8 , the mobile device 200 may include a touch screen unit 220 and a body unit 240 to which the touch screen unit 220 is attached. In this case, the touch screen unit 220 may be a flexible touch screen including a flexible display device and a touch sensing device. For example, the mobile device 200 may be implemented as a mobile phone, a smart phone, a smart pad, etc., but is not limited thereto.

)에 응답하여 실행 중인 적어도 하나 이상의 어플리케이션에 상응하는 아이콘을 곡면 터치스크린 영역(224)으로 이동시킬 수 있다. 예를 들어, 사용자가 몸체부(240)를 접은 상태로 외부 터치스크린 영역(222)에서 소정의 어플리케이션을 실행시키다가 몸체부(240)를 펼치는 경우, 내부 폴더블 터치스크린 영역(226)이 기 설정된 각도(

) 이상으로 펼쳐지면, 모바일 기기(200)는 실행 중인 어플리케이션에 상응하는 아이콘을 외부 터치스크린 영역(222)에서 곡면 터치스크린 영역(224)으로 이동시킬 수 있다. 또한, 사용자가 몸체부(240)를 펼친 상태로 내부 폴더블 터치스크린 영역(226)에서 소정의 어플리케이션을 실행시키다가 몸체부(240)를 접는 경우, 내부 폴더블 터치스크린 영역(226)이 기 설정된 각도(

) 이하로 접혀지면, 모바일 기기(200)는 실행 중인 어플리케이션에 상응하는 아이콘을 내부 폴더블 터치스크린 영역(226)에서 곡면 터치스크린 영역(224)으로 이동시킬 수 있다.The touch screen unit 220 includes an external touch screen region 222 , an internal foldable touch screen region 226 , and a curved touch screen region connecting the external touch screen region 222 and the internal foldable touch screen region 226 ( 224) may be provided. The body 240 may be made of a non-flexible material, and may include a hinge 242 for supporting the foldable operation of the inner foldable touch screen area 226 . Accordingly, as the body 240 is unfolded or folded by the user, the inner foldable touch screen area 226 of the touch screen 220 may also be unfolded or folded. Specifically, when the foldable operation in which the inner foldable touch screen area 226 is unfolded or folded is performed, the mobile device 200 determines the folding angle of the inner foldable touch screen area 226 (

), an icon corresponding to at least one application being executed may be moved to the curved touch screen area 224 . For example, when the user executes a predetermined application on the external touch screen area 222 in a state in which the body part 240 is folded and unfolds the body part 240 , the internal foldable touch screen area 226 is opened. set angle (

) or higher, the mobile device 200 may move the icon corresponding to the running application from the external touch screen area 222 to the curved touch screen area 224 . In addition, when the user executes a predetermined application on the inner foldable touch screen area 226 in a state in which the body part 240 is opened and the body part 240 is folded, the internal foldable touch screen area 226 is opened. set angle (

) or less, the mobile device 200 may move the icon corresponding to the running application from the inner foldable touch screen area 226 to the curved touch screen area 224 .

In an embodiment, when the inner foldable touch screen area 226 is unfolded beyond the first folded angle, the mobile device 200 displays an icon corresponding to the application being executed on the outer touch screen area 222 on the curved touch screen. When an icon corresponding to the application is displayed in the area 224 and moved from the curved touch screen area 224 to the internal foldable touch screen area 226 by a drag and drop operation or a click operation according to the user interface, the application is opened It may be executed in a partial area or the entire area of the inner foldable touch screen area 226 . In another embodiment, when the inner foldable touch screen area 226 is folded below the second folded angle, the mobile device 200 displays an icon corresponding to an application executed on the inner foldable touch screen area on the curved touch screen area. Displayed in 224, when an icon corresponding to the application is moved from the curved touch screen area 224 to the external touch screen area 122 by a drag-and-drop operation or a click operation according to the user interface, the application is transferred to the external touch screen It may run on some or all of the regions 222 . In an embodiment, the first folding angle and the second folding angle may be set to be equal to each other. In another embodiment, the first folding angle and the second folding angle may be set to be different from each other. Meanwhile, the inner foldable touch screen area 226 includes a first inner touch screen area (for example, an inner left touch screen area) and a second inner touch screen area (for example, an inner right touch screen area) around the folded reference line. screen area). In an embodiment, the first inner touch screen area and the second inner touch screen area may be physically separated. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7 , the first inner touch screen area and the second inner touch screen area may not be physically separated.

Furthermore, the inner foldable touch screen area 226 is unfolded beyond the first folded angle so that an application executed on the outer touch screen area 222 is executed on a partial area or the entire area of the inner foldable touch screen area 226 . In this case, the inner foldable touch screen area 226 may be activated, and the outer touch screen area 222 may be deactivated. In this case, in the external touch screen area 222 , the touch function and the display function may be inactivated, or some of the touch function and the display function may be inactivated. Similarly, the inner foldable touch screen area 226 is folded below the second folded angle so that an application executed on the inner foldable touch screen area 226 is executed in a part or the entire area of the outer touch screen area 222 . In this case, the inner foldable touch screen area 226 may be deactivated, and the outer touch screen area 222 may be activated. In this case, in the inner foldable touch screen area 226 , a touch function and a display function may be inactivated, or some of the touch function and a display function may be inactivated. However, this is only an example, and depending on a required condition, the external touch screen area 222 and the inner foldable touch screen area 226 may be simultaneously activated. That is, the inner foldable touch screen area 226 is unfolded beyond the first folded angle so that an application executed on the outer touch screen area 222 is executed on the inner foldable touch screen area 226 , or the inner foldable touch screen area 226 . When the screen area 226 is folded below the second folded angle and an application executed on the inner foldable touch screen area 226 is executed on the outer touch screen area 222 , the user can connect to the outer touch screen area 222 and The inner foldable touch screen area 226 may be used simultaneously.

)에 응답하여 실행 중인 어플리케이션에 상응하는 아이콘을 곡면 터치스크린 영역(224)으로 이동시킴으로써, 어플리케이션을 외부 터치스크린 영역(222) 또는 내부 폴더블 터치스크린 영역(226)에서 선택적으로 실행시키도록 하는 유저 인터페이스를 사용자에게 제공할 수 있다. 그 결과, 사용자는 모바일 기기(200)를 보다 효율적이고 편리하게 이용할 수 있다. 한편, 터치스크린부(220)는 가요성 디스플레이 장치와 터치 센싱 장치를 구비하는 가요성 터치스크린이기 때문에, 몸체부(240)는 터치스크린부(220)의 표시 기능과 터치 기능을 제어하기 위한 디스플레이 컨트롤러와 터치 컨트롤러를 포함할 수 있다. 나아가, 몸체부(240)는 기능 센서들을 포함함으로써 모바일 기기(200)를 위한 다양한 기능 동작들을 각각 검출할 수 있다. 예를 들어, 기능 센서들 중에서 폴더블 기능 센서는 모바일 기기(200)의 폴더블 동작을 검출할 수 있다.As such, the mobile device 200 has an external touch screen region 222 , an internal foldable touch screen region 226 , and a curved touch screen connecting the external touch screen region 222 and the internal foldable touch screen region 226 . a flexible touchscreen having an area 224, wherein the folded angle of the inner foldable touchscreen area 226 (

) by moving an icon corresponding to the running application to the curved touch screen area 224 in response to a user who selectively executes the application in the external touch screen area 222 or the inner foldable touch screen area 226 . An interface may be provided to the user. As a result, the user can use the mobile device 200 more efficiently and conveniently. On the other hand, since the touch screen unit 220 is a flexible touch screen having a flexible display device and a touch sensing device, the body 240 is a display for controlling the display function and the touch function of the touch screen unit 220 . It may include a controller and a touch controller. Furthermore, the body 240 may detect various functional operations for the mobile device 200 by including function sensors, respectively. For example, among the function sensors, the foldable function sensor may detect a foldable operation of the mobile device 200 .

9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating an example in which an application is executed in a mobile device according to embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B , when the inner foldable touch screen area 326 is unfolded beyond a preset angle in a state in which the inner foldable touch screen area 326 is folded, execution is performed in the outer touch screen area 322 The icon corresponding to the previously used application is displayed on the curved touch screen area, and the icon corresponding to the application is moved from the curved touch screen area to the internal foldable touch screen area 326 by a drag-and-drop operation or a click operation according to the user interface. When done, it is shown that the application is executed in the inner foldable touch screen area 326 . At this time, in FIG. 9A , the application is being executed in only a partial area of the internal foldable touch screen area 326 , and in FIG. 9B , the application is being executed in the entire area of the internal foldable touch screen area 326 . As described above, when the application is executed on the internal foldable touch screen region 326 , the external touch screen region 322 may be deactivated, and when the phone call application is executed on the external touch screen region 322 , In this case, the internal foldable touch screen area 326 may be deactivated.

In one embodiment, the application may be a phone call application. For example, when an incoming call is received, caller information is displayed on the external touch screen area 322, and the phone call is initiated by the user's touch input (eg, swipe, double click, etc.). can be started At this time, when the user opens the mobile device to execute another application (eg, Internet search, etc.), an icon corresponding to the phone call application is displayed on the curved touch screen area, and the user drags the icon corresponding to the application If the user moves to the internal foldable touch screen area 326 using an &-drop operation or the like, a video call may be started in the internal foldable touch screen area 326 . At this time, in FIG. 9A , a phone call application may be executed in a partial area of the internal foldable touch screen area 326 , and other applications (eg, Internet search, etc.) may be executed in a partial area of the internal foldable touch screen area 326 . ) can be executed. On the other hand, in FIG. 9B , a phone call application may be executed in the entire area of the sub-foldable touch screen area 326 .

In another embodiment, the application may be a messenger application. For example, when a message is received, message content may be displayed on the external touch screen area 322 , and a messenger application may be started by a user's touch input (eg, swipe, double click, etc.). At this time, when the user opens the mobile device to execute another application (eg, Internet search, etc.), an icon corresponding to the messenger application is displayed on the curved touch screen area, and the user drags the icon corresponding to the messenger application When moving to the internal foldable touch screen area 326 using an n-drop operation or the like, a messenger application may be started in the internal foldable touch screen area 326 . At this time, in FIG. 9A , a messenger application may be executed in a partial area of the internal foldable touch screen area 326 , and other applications (eg, Internet search, etc.) in another area of the internal foldable touch screen area 326 . This can be done. On the other hand, in FIG. 9B , the messenger application may be executed in the entire area of the internal foldable touch screen area 326 .

As such, the mobile device includes a flexible touch screen including an external touch screen region 322 , an internal foldable touch screen region 326 , and a curved touch screen region connecting them, and an internal foldable touch screen region 326 . When a predetermined application is executed on the external touch screen area 322 in this folded state, and the inner foldable touch screen area 326 is unfolded, an icon corresponding to the running application is moved to the curved touch screen area, so that the application is opened. A user interface to be executed in the internal foldable touch screen area 326 may be provided to the user. Meanwhile, although the phone call application and the messenger application have been described with reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B , these are only examples, and the types of applications are not limited thereto. For example, the application may include all applications that can be executed in a mobile device (eg, a smart phone or a smart pad) such as an Internet application, a calendar application, a camera application, a camcorder application, and the like.

10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating another example in which an application is executed in a mobile device according to embodiments of the present invention.

10A and 10B , when the inner foldable touch screen area 426 is folded to a predetermined angle or less in an unfolded state, the inner foldable touch screen area 426 An icon corresponding to the application being executed is displayed on the curved touch screen area, and the icon corresponding to the application is moved from the curved touch screen area to the external touch screen area 422 by a drag and drop operation or a click operation according to the user interface. When done, it is shown that the application is executed in the external touch screen area 422 . At this time, in FIG. 10A , the application is being executed only in a partial area of the internal foldable touch screen area 426 , and in FIG. 10B , the application is being executed in the entire area of the internal foldable touch screen area 426 . As described above, when the application is executed on the internal foldable touch screen region 426 , the external touch screen region 422 may be deactivated, and when the phone call application is executed on the external touch screen region 422 , In this case, the internal foldable touch screen area 426 may be deactivated. Meanwhile, the application may include all applications that can be executed in a mobile device (eg, a smart phone or a smart pad) such as a phone call application, a messenger application, an Internet application, a calendar application, a camera application, a camcorder application, and the like.

As such, the mobile device includes a flexible touch screen including an external touch screen region 422 , an internal foldable touch screen region 426 , and a curved touch screen region connecting them, and an internal foldable touch screen region 426 . In this unfolded state, when a predetermined application is executed on the inner foldable touch screen area 426 and the inner foldable touch screen area 426 is folded, an icon corresponding to the running application is moved to the curved touch screen area, A user interface for executing an application in the external touch screen area 422 may be provided to the user. In the above, the mobile device and the method of operation thereof according to the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, but the description is illustrative and within the scope not departing from the technical spirit of the present invention, those of ordinary skill in the art It may be modified and changed by the person. For example, in the present invention, in a mobile device having a curved touch screen area between an external touch screen area and an inner touch screen area, the touch screen parts attached to the body are both sides of the mobile device (that is, the front and back surfaces of the mobile device). ) can also be applied to a design having an external touch screen area in all of them.

The present invention can be applied to any electronic device (eg, a mobile device) having a flexible touch screen. For example, the present invention can be applied to a mobile phone, a smart phone, a smart pad, a PDA, a PMP, an MP3 player, a television, a computer monitor, a notebook computer, a digital camera, a camcorder, a portable game machine, and the like.

Although the above has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, those of ordinary skill in the art may vary the present invention within the scope without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention described in the claims below. It will be understood that modifications and changes may be made to

100, 200: mobile device 120, 220: touch screen unit
122, 222: external touch screen area 124, 224: curved touch screen area
126, 226: internal foldable touch screen area
140, 240: body part

Claims (10)

external touch screen area;
internal foldable touchscreen area; and
and a body portion to which the external touch screen area and the inner foldable touch screen area are attached,
When the inner foldable touch screen area is in a folded state, a running application program is displayed on the outer touch screen area, and when the inner foldable touch screen area is changed from the folded state to the unfolded state, the running application displaying a program on a partial area or an entire area of the internal foldable touch screen area;
When the inner foldable touch screen area is in the unfolded state, the running application program is displayed on the inner foldable touch screen area, and the inner foldable touch screen area is changed from the unfolded state to the folded state , The flexible touch screen device, characterized in that for displaying the running application program on a partial area or the entire area of the external touch screen area. delete The flexible touch screen device according to claim 1, wherein the body part has a hinge for supporting a folding operation of the inner foldable touch screen area. According to claim 3, wherein the inner foldable touch screen area comprises a first inner touch screen area and a second inner touch screen area not physically separated from the first inner touch screen area, the inner foldable touch screen When the region is in the folded state, the first inner touch screen region and the second inner touch screen region overlap each other. The flexible touch screen according to claim 1, wherein when the inner foldable touch screen area is unfolded beyond the first folded angle, the inner foldable touch screen area is activated and the outer touch screen area is deactivated. Device. The method of claim 5, wherein when the inner foldable touch screen area is folded to a second folded angle smaller than the first folded angle, deactivating the inner foldable touch screen area and activating the outer touch screen area Features a flexible touch screen device. A method of operating a flexible touch screen device having an external touch screen region, an internal foldable touch screen region, and a body to which the external touch screen region and the inner foldable touch screen region are attached, the method comprising:
displaying a running application program on the external touch screen area when the inner foldable touch screen area is in a folded state;
detecting whether the inner foldable touch screen area is changed from the folded state to the unfolded state;
displaying the running application program on a partial area or an entire area of the inner foldable touch screen area when the inner foldable touch screen area is changed from the folded state to the unfolded state;
displaying the running application program on the internal foldable touch screen area when the inner foldable touch screen area is in the unfolded state;
detecting whether the inner foldable touch screen area is changed from the unfolded state to the folded state; and
and when the inner foldable touch screen area is changed from the unfolded state to the folded state, displaying the running application program on a partial area or the entire area of the outer touch screen area. How to operate a touch screen device. delete 8. The method of claim 7,
activating the inner foldable touch screen area when the inner foldable touch screen area is unfolded beyond a first folded angle; and
When the inner foldable touch screen area is unfolded beyond the first folded angle, the method further comprising the step of deactivating the outer touch screen area. 10. The method of claim 9,
deactivating the inner foldable touch screen area when the inner foldable touch screen area is folded to be less than or equal to a second folded angle smaller than the first folded angle; and
The method of claim 1, further comprising: activating the external touch screen area when the inner foldable touch screen area is folded to be less than or equal to the second folded angle.

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