KR20150072505A - Electronic device and method for controlling electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an electronic device comprises: a flexible display displaying a screen in which a first function is implemented; a bending sensing unit sensing one or more bending of the flexible display; and a control unit obtaining sensed results of one or more bending from the bending sensing unit, deciding that the obtained sensed results correspond to predetermined conditions to change functions, and releasing the first function based on decision, if the sensed results correspond to the predetermined conditions.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a control method of an electronic device and an electronic device,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus and a control method of an electronic apparatus for providing a user interface that a user using a flexible display can use more easily and easily.

To manipulate a computer system today, there are many types of input devices, such as a keypad, a mouse, a trackball, a touchpad, a joystick, a touch screen, etc., that include multiple buttons or keys. Such an input device is used for inputting data such as characters, symbols, pictures and the like desired by a user into a computer system or inputting a signal for requesting a specific command to the computer system.

Of these various input devices, recently, a touch input means such as a touch screen, which can miniaturize and simplify the device by simultaneously implementing the input means and the output function, is widely used.

The touch input means can detect touch of a part of the user's body or a touch area by means of contact means such as a touch pen, and can be classified into a depressurization type, an electrostatic type, an optical type, etc. according to a method of sensing a touch. The electrostatic type is a method of sensing a touch through a change in electric charge at a contact point due to a contact of a part of a user's body, Is a method of detecting a touch position using an infrared camera and infrared light.

The initial user interface providing method using the touch input means displays operating means such as a plurality of buttons on the screen and performs the corresponding function based on the detected position of the contact. In order to improve the operability, a variety of information such as a contact start position, a contact start time, a contact end time, and a contact end position may be combined and used as tapping, dragging, sliding, In addition, a method of recognizing a user touch gesture and executing various user commands according to a touch gesture is also used. In addition, a plurality of touch points are recognized in the touch area, and the number of touch points, position and combination, To execute the user command through the network.

In addition, due to the recent development of organic light emitting diode (OLED) technology, various flexible user interfaces using a flexible display have been actively studied It is true.

However, such a conventional user interface method using a touch has a drawback in that it is difficult for the user to manipulate the user because the user must take a complicated touch gesture or touch a plurality of points to draw a complicated pattern. In addition, since the user interface using the flexible display is being studied in such a manner that the shape of the flexible display is changed while the flexible display is gripped with both hands by a large part, the flexible display is gripped with both hands, And a conventional touch input method in which a touch gesture or a touch pattern is input are used in combination, it is predicted that a limitation will occur due to the release of the two-hand grip on the flexible display for the touch input It is true.

Further, the conventional user interface method using a touch has a limitation in providing an immediate response because it takes a predetermined time to take a touch gesture or a touch pattern and recognize it.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a control method of an electronic device and an electronic device for overcoming the limitations of a conventional touch-type user interface and for providing a user interface that a user using a flexible display can use more easily and familiarly .

An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a flexible display for displaying a screen on which a first function is executed; A bending sensing unit for sensing at least one bending of the flexible display; And a control unit for acquiring a detection result of the at least one bending from the bending sensing unit, determining whether the obtained sensing result corresponds to a predetermined condition for function change, and if it is determined that the sensing result corresponds to the predetermined condition And a control unit for releasing the first function based on the determination.

If it is determined that the predetermined condition does not correspond to the predetermined condition, the control unit may maintain the first function.

The control unit may include at least one of a position condition of bending, a bending area condition, a bending condition condition, a bending speed condition, a bending direction condition, a bending holding time condition, and a bending number condition It is possible to determine whether or not it corresponds to the predetermined condition.

The controller may determine whether the obtained sensing result corresponds to the predetermined condition including at least one of a bending start time condition, a bending end time condition, and a bending return time condition.

The control unit may determine whether or not the obtained sensing result corresponds to the predetermined condition including the combination condition of the reference bending state.

The reference bending state may be a preset bending state for any bending to be recognized as a user operation to perform an arbitrary function.

The controller may determine whether the obtained sensed result corresponds to the predetermined condition including any combination of the reference bending states for each of the at least one or more bends.

The control unit may determine whether the obtained sensing result corresponds to the predetermined condition including a sequential combination of reference bending states for each of at least one or more arbitrary bending.

At least one of the at least one or more optional bends may include a plurality of bends.

At least one of the at least one or more optional bends may include repetitive bending.

The control unit may determine whether or not the obtained sensing result corresponds to the predetermined condition including any combination condition of a numeric or character keypad displayed on the flexible display.

The control unit may determine whether the obtained sensing result corresponds to the predetermined condition including a sequential combination condition of a numeric or character keypad displayed on the flexible display.

The control unit may determine whether or not the obtained sensing result corresponds to the predetermined condition including any pattern condition on the keypad displayed on the flexible display.

The controller may maintain the first function if it is determined that the obtained detection result does not correspond to the predetermined condition for a predetermined time.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus including: a flexible display for displaying a screen on which a first function is executed; A bending sensing unit for sensing at least one bending of the flexible display; And a control unit for acquiring the detection result of the at least one bending from the bending sensing unit, determining whether the obtained sensing result corresponds to a predetermined condition for function change, and, if it is determined that the obtained sensing result corresponds, And a control unit for executing the second function.

If it is determined that the predetermined condition does not correspond to the predetermined condition, the control unit may maintain the first function.

The controller may include at least one of a position condition of bending, an area condition of bending, a bending condition condition, a bending speed condition, a bending direction condition, a bending holding time condition, and a bending number condition Whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied.

The controller may determine whether the obtained sensing result corresponds to the predetermined condition including at least one of a bending start time condition, a bending end time condition, and a bending return time condition.

The control unit may determine whether or not the obtained sensing result corresponds to the predetermined condition including the combination condition of the reference bending state.

The reference bending state may be a bending state set by a user operation for executing an arbitrary function with respect to any bending.

The controller may determine whether the obtained sensed result corresponds to the predetermined condition including any combination of the reference bending states for each of the at least one or more bends.

The control unit may determine whether the obtained sensing result corresponds to the predetermined condition including a sequential combination of reference bending states for each of at least one or more arbitrary bending.

At least one of the at least one or more optional bends may include a plurality of bends.

At least one of the at least one or more optional bends may include repetitive bending.

The controller may maintain the first function if it is determined that the obtained detection result does not correspond to the predetermined condition for a predetermined time.

According to the electronic apparatus and the control method of the electronic apparatus according to the present invention, a user interface is provided that allows the user to more easily control the operation corresponding to the user's operation.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide convenience to the user by executing a specific function by combination of bending of the flexible display and the like.

According to the present invention, even when a specific function can be executed by a user operation such as a touch, the specific function can be executed by a user operation such as bending, and can be selectively used according to the user's convenience.

1 is a block diagram of an electronic apparatus related to embodiments of the present invention.
2 is a view for explaining the appearance of an electronic apparatus having a flexible display in connection with some embodiments of the present invention.
3 is a diagram for explaining another appearance of an electronic apparatus having a flexible display in connection with some embodiments of the present invention.
4 is a cross-sectional view showing a section taken along line I-I 'of the electronic device shown in FIG. 2 (a).
5 is a cross-sectional view showing a section taken along line J-J 'of the electronic device shown in FIG. 3 (a).
Figures 6-8 illustrate the principle of sensing the bending of a flexible display in connection with some embodiments of the present invention.
9 and 10 are diagrams illustrating a method of defining a bending region of a flexible display in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.
FIGS. 11 and 12 are diagrams for explaining a method for determining the degree of bending of a flexible display according to some embodiments of the present invention.
13 to 16 are views for explaining a method of determining the bending direction of the flexible display in connection with some embodiments of the present invention.
17 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of an electronic device according to the present invention.
18 to 21 are diagrams for explaining a control method of an electronic apparatus according to the present invention.
22 to 25 are views for explaining another embodiment of a control method of an electronic apparatus according to the present invention.
26 to 30 are diagrams for explaining still another embodiment of a control method of an electronic device according to the present invention.
31 is a flowchart for explaining another control method of an electronic apparatus according to the present invention.
32 and 33 are diagrams for explaining another control method of the electronic device according to the present invention.

The above objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and similarities.

In the drawings, the thicknesses of the layers and regions are exaggerated for clarity and the element or layer is referred to as being "on" or "on" Included in the scope of the present invention is not only directly above another element or layer but also includes intervening layers or other elements in between. Like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the specification.

In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail. In addition, numerals (e.g., first, second, etc.) used in the description of the present invention are merely an identifier for distinguishing one component from another.

Hereinafter, an electronic apparatus related to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. The suffix "module" and " part "for the components used in the following description are given or mixed in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have their own meaning or role.

The electronic device described in this specification includes mobile terminals such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a PMP (Portable Multimedia Player) But also a fixed terminal such as a digital TV, a desktop computer, and the like.

The method of controlling an electronic device according to the present invention can be applied to an apparatus having a flexible display and having means for detecting a bending state of the flexible display.

Meanwhile, the apparatus may be applied to a control method of an electronic apparatus according to the present invention, even if it is an apparatus having means for detecting the bending state of the flexible display. That is, the device to which the electronic device control method according to the present invention can be applied may include a smart phone, a mobile phone, a tablet PC, a notebook, a desk top, a PDA, and a TV.

Hereinafter, a brief description will be given of an electronic apparatus related to some embodiments of the present invention, and then a method of controlling an electronic apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

[Configuration of electronic apparatus]

1 is a block diagram of an electronic apparatus related to embodiments of the present invention.

The electronic device 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an audio / video input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory unit 160, An interface unit 170, a control unit 180, a power supply unit 190, and the like. The components shown in FIG. 1 are not essential, and an electronic device having components having more or fewer components may be implemented.

Hereinafter, the components will be described in order.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more modules that enable wireless communication between the electronic device 100 and the wireless communication system or between the electronic device 100 and the network in which the electronic device 100 is located. For example, the wireless communication unit 110 may include a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module 112, a wireless Internet module 113, a short range communication module 114, and a location information module 115 .

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives broadcast signals and / or broadcast-related information from an external broadcast management server through a broadcast channel.

The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and a terrestrial channel. The broadcast management server may refer to a server for generating and transmitting broadcast signals and / or broadcast related information, or a server for receiving broadcast signals and / or broadcast related information generated by the broadcast management server and transmitting the generated broadcast signals and / or broadcast related information. The broadcast signal may include a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, a data broadcast signal, and a broadcast signal in which a data broadcast signal is combined with a TV broadcast signal or a radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast-related information may refer to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or information related to a broadcast service provider. The broadcast-related information may also be provided through a mobile communication network. In this case, it may be received by the mobile communication module 112.

The broadcast-related information may exist in various forms. For example, an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) of a DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) or an ESG (Electronic Service Guide) of a DVBH (Digital Video BroadcastHandheld).

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives broadcast signals using various broadcasting systems. In particular, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be a digital multimedia broadcasting broadcasting (DMBT), a digital multimedia broadcasting satellite (DMBS), a media forward link only (MediaFLO), a digital video broadcasting ), And ISDBT (Integrated Services Digital Broadcast Terrestrial). Of course, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be adapted to other broadcasting systems that provide broadcast signals as well as the digital broadcasting system described above.

The broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information received through the broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in the memory unit 160.

The mobile communication module 112 transmits and receives radio signals to at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. The wireless signal may include various types of data depending on a voice call signal, a video call signal or a text / multimedia message transmission / reception.

The wireless Internet module 113 refers to a module for wireless Internet access, and the wireless Internet module 113 can be embedded in the electronic device 100 or externally. WLAN (WiFi), Wibro (Wireless broadband), Wimax (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) and the like can be used as wireless Internet technologies.

The short-range communication module 114 refers to a module for short-range communication. Bluetooth, RFID, IrDA, UWB, ZigBee, WiHD, WiGig, and the like can be used as the short distance communication technology.

The position information module 115 is a module for confirming or obtaining the position of the electronic device. A typical example of the location information module is a GPS (Global Position System) module. According to the current technology, the GPS module 115 calculates information on a distance (distance) from three or more satellites to one point (entity), information on the time when the distance information is measured, , Three-dimensional position information according to latitude, longitude, and altitude of one point (individual) in one hour can be calculated. Further, a method of calculating position and time information using three satellites and correcting the error of the calculated position and time information using another satellite is also used. The GPS module 115 continues to calculate the current position in real time and uses it to calculate speed information.

Referring to FIG. 1, an A / V (Audio / Video) input unit 120 is for inputting an audio signal or a video signal, and may include a camera 121 and a microphone 122. The camera 121 processes image frames such as still images or moving images obtained by the image sensor in the video communication mode or the photographing mode. The processed image frame can be displayed on the display unit 151. [

The image frame processed by the camera 121 may be stored in the memory unit 160 or may be transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication unit 110. [ The camera 121 may be equipped with two or more cameras according to the configuration of the terminal.

The microphone 122 receives an external sound signal through a microphone in a communication mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, or the like, and processes it as electrical voice data. The processed voice data can be converted into a form that can be transmitted to the mobile communication base station through the mobile communication module 112 when the voice data is in the call mode, and output. Various noise reduction algorithms may be implemented in the microphone 122 to remove noise generated in receiving an external sound signal.

The user input unit 130 generates input data for a user to control the operation of the terminal. The user input unit 130 may include a key pad dome switch, a touch pad (static / static), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

The sensing unit 140 senses the current state of the electronic device 100, such as the open / close state of the electronic device 100, the position of the electronic device 100, the presence or absence of user contact, the orientation of the electronic device, And generates a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the electronic device 100. For example, when the electronic device 100 is in the form of a slide phone, it is possible to sense whether the slide phone is opened or closed. In addition, it may be responsible for a sensing function related to whether the power supply unit 190 is powered on, whether the interface unit 170 is connected to an external device, and the like. Meanwhile, the sensing unit 140 may include an orientation sensor 141 and / or a proximity sensor 142.

The output unit 150 is for generating output related to the visual, auditory or tactile sense and includes a display unit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, and a haptic module 154 .

The display unit 151 displays and outputs information processed by the electronic device 100. [ For example, when the electronic device is in the call mode, a UI (User Interface) or a GUI (Graphic User Interface) associated with the call is displayed. When the electronic device 100 is in the video communication mode or the photographing mode, the photographed and / or received video or UI and GUI are displayed.

The display unit 151 may be a liquid crystal display, a thin film transistor liquid crystal display, an organic light emitting diode, a flexible display, a 3D display And may include at least one.

Some of these displays may be transparent or light transmissive so that they can be seen through. This may be referred to as a transparent display. A typical example of the transparent display is a transparent LCD or the like. The rear structure of the display unit 151 may also be of a light transmission type. With this structure, the user can see an object located behind the terminal body through the area occupied by the display unit 151 of the terminal body.

There may be two or more display units 151 according to the embodiment of the electronic device 100. [ For example, in the electronic device 100, a plurality of display portions may be spaced apart from one another or may be disposed integrally with each other, or may be disposed on different surfaces. Or the display unit 151 may be logically divided into two or more areas.

The display unit 151 may be used as an input device in addition to the output device in a case where the display unit 151 and the touch sensor 143 have a mutual layer structure (hereinafter, referred to as 'touch screen'). The touch sensor may have the form of, for example, a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, or the like.

The touch sensor 143 may be configured to convert a change in a pressure applied to a specific part of the display part 151 or a capacitance generated in a specific part of the display part 151 into an electrical input signal.

If there is a touch input to the touch sensor 143, the corresponding signal (s) is sent to the touch controller. The touch controller processes the signal (s) and transmits the corresponding data to the controller 180. Thus, the control unit 180 can know which area of the display unit 151 is touched or the like.

Referring to FIG. 1, a proximity sensor 142 may be disposed in an inner area of the electronic device to be wrapped by the touch screen or in the vicinity of the touch screen. The proximity sensor 142 refers to a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object approaching a predetermined detection surface or a nearby object without mechanical contact using an electromagnetic force or infrared rays. The proximity sensor 142 has a longer life span than the contact-type sensor and its utilization is also high.

Examples of the proximity sensor 142 include a transmission type photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection type photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection type photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation type proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor.

And to detect the proximity of the pointer by the change of the electric field along the proximity of the pointer when the touch screen is electrostatic. In this case, the touch screen (touch sensor) may be classified as a proximity sensor.

The proximity sensor 142 senses proximity touch and proximity touch patterns (e.g., proximity touch distance, proximity touch direction, proximity touch speed, proximity touch time, proximity touch position, proximity touch movement state, and the like). Information corresponding to the detected proximity touch operation and the proximity touch pattern may be output on the touch screen.

The geomagnetic sensor 144 is a sensor for sensing the rotation state and the moving direction of the electronic device 100, that is, the display unit 151, and the acceleration sensor 145 detects the inclination of the display 151 Sensor.

The geomagnetic sensor 144 and the acceleration sensor 145 may be used for detecting a bending characteristic such as a bending direction or a bending area of a flexible display. Alternatively, a rotation state or a tilt state of the flexible display may be detected May also be used for the purpose.

The bending sensor 146 is a sensor capable of sensing a bending state of the flexible display. A bending sensing method will be described in detail.

The pressure sensor 147 senses the magnitude of the pressure applied to the display and provides it to the controller 180 when the user performs a touch or bend operation. Here, the pressure sensor 147 may include a piezoelectric film for outputting an electric signal.

The grip sensor 148 is a sensor that senses the user's grip independently of the pressure sensor 147 and may be implemented by a pressure sensor 147 or a touch sensor 143. [

The audio output module 152 may output audio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory unit 160 in a call signal reception mode, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, The sound output module 152 outputs sound signals associated with functions (e.g., call signal reception tones, message reception tones, etc.) performed in the electronic device 100. The audio output module 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The alarm unit 153 outputs a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event of the electronic device 100. Examples of events that occur in electronic devices include call signal reception, message reception, key signal input, touch input, and the like. The alarm unit 153 may output a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event in a form other than the video signal or the audio signal, for example, vibration. The video signal or the audio signal can also be output through the display unit 151 or the audio output module 152.

The haptic module 154 generates various tactile effects that the user can feel. A typical example of the haptic effect generated by the haptic module 154 is vibration. The intensity and pattern of the vibration generated by the hit module 154 can be controlled. For example, different vibrations may be synthesized and output or sequentially output.

In addition to the vibration, the haptic module 154 may be configured to perform various functions such as an effect of stimulation by a pin arrangement vertically moving with respect to a contact skin surface, an effect of stimulation by air spraying force or suction force through a jet opening or a suction opening, A variety of tactile effects such as an effect of stimulation through contact of an electrode, an effect of stimulation by an electrostatic force, and an effect of reproducing a cold sensation using a heat absorbing or exothermic element can be generated.

The haptic module 154 can be implemented not only to transmit the tactile effect through the direct contact but also to feel the tactile effect through the muscles of the user's finger or arm. The haptic module 154 may include two or more haptic modules 154 according to the configuration of the portable terminal 100.

The memory unit 160 may store a program for the operation of the controller 180 and temporarily store input / output data (e.g., a phone book, a message, a still image, a moving picture, etc.). The memory unit 160 may store data related to vibration and sound of various patterns outputted when a touch is input on the touch screen.

The memory unit 160 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory) At least one of a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read- Lt; / RTI > type of storage medium. The electronic device 100 may operate in association with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory unit 160 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as a path for communication with all external devices connected to the electronic device 100. The interface unit 170 receives data from an external device or receives power from the external device to transfer the data to the respective components in the electronic device 100 or to transmit data in the electronic device 100 to an external device. For example, a wired / wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connecting a device having an identification module, an audio I / O port, A video input / output (I / O) port, an earphone port, and the like may be included in the interface unit 170.

The identification module is a chip for storing various information for authenticating the usage right of the electronic device 100 and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identity module (SIM), a general user authentication module A Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), and the like. Devices with identification modules (hereinafter referred to as "identification devices") can be manufactured in a smart card format. Accordingly, the identification device can be connected to the terminal 100 through the port.

When the electronic device 100 is connected to an external cradle, the interface unit may be a path through which electric power from the cradle is supplied to the electronic device 100 or various command signals input from the cradle by the user It can be a passage to the device. Various command signals input from the cradle or the power source may be operated as a signal for recognizing that the electronic device is correctly mounted on the cradle.

The control unit 180 typically controls the overall operation of the electronic device. For example, voice communication, data communication, video communication, and the like. The control unit 180 may include a multimedia module 181 for multimedia playback. The multimedia module 181 may be implemented in the control unit 180 or may be implemented separately from the control unit 180. [

The controller 180 may perform a pattern recognition process for recognizing handwriting input or drawing input performed on the touch screen as characters and images, respectively.

The power supply unit 190 receives external power and internal power under the control of the controller 180 and supplies power necessary for operation of the respective components.

The various embodiments described herein may be embodied in a recording medium readable by a computer or similar device using, for example, software, hardware, or a combination thereof.

According to a hardware implementation, the embodiments described herein may be implemented as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays May be implemented using at least one of processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, and electrical units for performing functions. In some cases such embodiments may be implemented using a controller 180 < / RTI >

According to a software implementation, embodiments such as procedures or functions may be implemented with separate software modules that perform at least one function or operation. The software code may be implemented by a software application written in a suitable programming language. Also, the software codes may be stored in the memory unit 160 and executed by the control unit 180. [

[ Flexible  Display and Bending  Detection method]

Hereinafter, an electronic device 100 to which a flexible display and a flexible display applicable to the electronic device 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention is applied will be described.

The electronic apparatus 100 according to the present invention may include a display unit 151 implemented by a flexible display, as described above.

A flexible display is a display device that is flexible and flexible or foldable. In other words, a flexible display is a display device that is lightweight and does not break by being formed on a thin and flexible substrate that can be bent, bent, or bent like a paper while maintaining the display characteristics of a conventional flat panel display. Also called display.

Such a flexible display can be realized through thin film transistor liquid crystal (TFT) LCD, organic LED (OLED), electrophoretic, and LITI (Laser Induced Thermal Image) technology.

On the other hand, electronic paper may be used as a flexible display. Electronic paper is a display device to which general ink and paper features are applied and is also referred to as e-paper. Unlike traditional flat panel displays that apply backlighting to pixels, electronic paper uses reflected light like ordinary paper, and once an image and / or text is formed it can maintain the shape of the image and / or text formed without additional power supply.

When the flexible display is applied to a mobile terminal due to its light and non-breakable characteristics, the flexible display can provide various forms and functions to the mobile terminal by its shape and arrangement freedom.

2 is a view for explaining the appearance of an electronic apparatus having a flexible display in connection with some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a simplified illustration of a form in which a mobile terminal is equipped with a flexible display, and other components that may be additionally provided to a mobile terminal for the sake of intuitive understanding are omitted.

2 shows an example of an electronic apparatus having a flexible display according to embodiments of the present invention.

The electronic apparatus 100 shown in Fig. 2 has two bodies B1 and B2. The two bodies B1 and B2 may be made of a rigid material and may not be flexible.

A display unit 151 implemented as a flexible display may be provided on one side of the two bodies B1 and B2. The two bodies B1 and B2 may be physically separated from each other by a different flexible display, but preferably one flexible display unit 151 may be disposed.

The two bodies B1 and B2 are connected to each other by a hinge H and one of the two bodies B1 and B2 is connected to the other body with the hinge H as a rotation axis And may be rotatably coupled. That is, the two bodies B1 and B2 may be coupled by a folder type.

2 (a) shows a state in which the two bodies B1 and B2 are fully extended. Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), the two bodies B1 and B2 are fully extended Quot; flat state ".

2B shows a state in which one of the two bodies B2 and B2 slightly rotates to slightly bend. FIG. 2C shows a state in which the two bodies B1, B2 are completely folded. Hereinafter, as shown in FIGS. 2 (b) and 2 (c), a state in which the two bodies B1 and B2 are bent and coupled to each other is referred to as a 'bending state' . However, for convenience of explanation, as shown in FIG. 2C, the state in which the two bodies B1 and B2 are completely folded may be called 'folded state'.

As the two bodies B1 and B2 are changed from a flat state to a bending state, the flexible display 151 may be bent together.

Hereinafter, the term "flat state" or "bending state" may be used for the display unit 151 in accordance with the criteria described above, depending on whether the display unit 151 is fully extended or bent. For example, in the case of FIG. 2 (a), 'the state of the display unit 151 is flat' or 'the display unit 151 is in a flat state' The state of the display unit 151 is in the bending state, or the display unit 151 is in the bending state, as shown in (b) or (c) of FIG.

2, there is shown a case where two bodies are coupled to each other so as to be rotatable with respect to each other. However, the electronic apparatus 100 does not necessarily have to be composed of two bodies, . At this time, one body may be coupled to other bodies adjacent to each other such that they can rotate with respect to each other.

3 is a diagram for explaining another appearance of an electronic apparatus having a flexible display in connection with some embodiments of the present invention.

2, the first body B1 and the second body B2, which are made of a rigid material, are connected by the hinge portion H. However, 3, the third body B3 may be made of a flexible material as in the case of the flexible display, unlike the appearance of the electronic apparatus shown in FIG.

In such a case, in the case of the flexible display shown in FIG. 2, the folding position of the flexible display can not be changed by the rotation of the rigid first body B1 and the second body B2, the degree of freedom for the flexing operation can be greatly increased.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), the flexible display may be bent based on the Y-axis of the rectangular coordinate system that can be set on the display surface of the electronic device 100 so that the shape of the flexible display 3 (c), the shape of the flexible display may be modified by bending the flexible display based on the X-axis of the rectangular coordinate system that can be set on the display surface of the electronic device 100 .

For another example, for both the flexing of the type shown in FIG. 3 (b) or for the flexing of the type shown in FIG. 3 (c) , The position to be bent may not be fixed.

In another example, the display of the electronic device 100 may be bent in such a manner that only the right-upper corner portion of the electronic device 100 shown in FIG. 3 (a) is partially flexed.

A detailed description will be given while describing the bending sensing method.

4 is a cross-sectional view showing a section taken along line I-I 'of the electronic device shown in FIG. 2 (a). The thicknesses of the layers of each of the bodies B1 and B2 and the display portion 151 shown in Fig. 4 are exaggerated so that each layer may be thicker or thinner than shown, The relative thickness may also be different from that shown. In other words, although the thickness of the display unit 151 is shown to be thinner than the thicknesses of the bodies B1 and B2, the thickness of each of the bodies B1 and B2 is thinner than the thickness of the display unit 151 . The electronic apparatus 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention is configured such that when viewed in the direction V shown in Fig. 4, each of the bodies B1 and B2, as shown in Fig. 4 (a) And the area of the display unit 151 are arranged to be equal to each other. Alternatively, the electronic apparatus 100 may be configured such that the areas of the bodies B1 and B2 are larger than the area of the display unit 151, as shown in FIGS. 4 (b) and 4 (c) .

On the other hand, in the electronic device 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), the edge portion of each of the bodies B1 and B2 is provided with the display portion 151 As shown in FIG. 4 (c), the edge portion may further extend in the horizontal direction so as to cover one side of the display portion 151. In addition, as shown in FIG.

Although not shown in the figure, other components may be further interposed between the bodies B1 and B2 and the display unit 151. Further, other components may be provided on the display unit 151, Lt; / RTI > Further, other components may be disposed on the lower surfaces of the bodies B1 and B2. However, since these components are not directly related to the description of the present invention, a detailed description will be omitted.

5 is a cross-sectional view showing a section taken along line J-J 'of the electronic device shown in FIG. 3 (a). The thicknesses of the layers of the third body B3 and the display portion 151 shown in Fig. 5 are exaggerated so that each layer may be thicker or thinner than shown, and the relative thickness of each layer May be different from those shown. In other words, the thickness of the display unit 151 is shown to be thinner than the thickness of the third body B3, but the thickness of the third body B3 may be made thinner than the thickness of the display unit 151. [

The electronic apparatus 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention is configured such that when viewed in the direction V shown in Fig. 5, each of the bodies B1 and B2, as shown in Fig. 5 (a) And the area of the display unit 151 are arranged to be equal to each other. Alternatively, the electronic apparatus 100 may be configured such that the area of the third body B3 is larger than the area of the display unit 151, as shown in FIGS. 5 (b) and 5 (c) .

On the other hand, in the electronic device 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in Fig. 5B, the edge portion of the third body B3 can be projected more widely than the display portion 151 5 (c), the edge portion may be further extended in the horizontal direction so as to cover one side of the display portion 151. In addition, as shown in FIG.

Although not shown in the drawing, other components may be further interposed between the third body B3 and the display unit 151, and further, other components may be mounted on the display unit 151 . Further, other components may be disposed on the lower surface of the third body B3. However, since these components are not directly related to the description of the present invention, a detailed description will be omitted.

4 and 5 illustrate a grip portion (GP), which is an area in which the user mainly holds the electronic device 100. In this case, Hereinafter, the grip area GP will be described as indicating the area indicated by the dotted line exemplified in Figs. 4 and 5. Fig. For example, when the electronic device 100 is flexed as shown in FIG. 3 (c), the grip area GP may not be limited to the grip area GP, It should be noted that the electronic device 100 may be an upper side and a lower side.

The electronic apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 is shown as being arranged so that the first to third bodies B1, B2, and B3 are overlapped with the entire area of the display unit 151, 1 to the third bodies B1, B2, and B3 may be disposed to overlap with a partial area of the display unit 151. [ For example, a rigid body may be provided only at the position of the grip area GP shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and a rigid body may not be provided at the central area of the display part 151 .

Meanwhile, the electronic device 100 can sense the state of the display unit 151 as described above. The electronic device 100 may include a bending sensor 146 for sensing whether the display unit 151 is folded (bent) or spread (flat) ). Further, the bending sensor 146 may sense a folding position of the display unit 151 (hereinafter, referred to as a 'bending position'), and may also detect how much the display unit 151 is folded Hereinafter referred to as " degree of bending ").

At this time, the bending sensor 146 for detecting whether or not the flexible display 151 is bent may be provided in the flexible display. The sensors may be arranged in one or more numbers. If there are more than two such sensors, the sensors may be spaced apart from one another on at least one edge of the flexible display.

Meanwhile, the bending sensor 146 for sensing whether the flexible display 151 is bent may be provided to the first body B1 to the third body B3.

Hereinafter, the sensor for detecting whether or not the flexible display is bent will be referred to as "bending sensor" The present invention is not limited to the method and the form of implementation of the bending sensor 146, but it is preferable that the control unit 180 can sense the degree of bending and / or bending of the flexible display with an electric signal.

Hereinafter, a method of detecting the bending of the flexible display will be described.

Bending may include normal bending, folding, and rolling. The normal bending means a state in which the flexible display 151 is bent, and the folding means a state in which the flexible display 151 is folded. Here, the folding and general bending can be a relative concept distinguished according to the degree of bending.

Rolling means that the flexible display device is being rolled. Rolling can also be judged based on the bending angle. For example, a state in which bending over a predetermined bending angle is sensed over a certain area can be defined as rolling.

The general bending, folding, rolling, etc. may be determined on the basis of the radius of curvature in addition to the bending angle. Rolling may be performed in a manner such that the curved section of the flexible display device 100 is substantially circular, As shown in FIG.

However, it should be understood that the definitions of various modified embodiments are merely examples, and may be defined differently depending on the type, size, weight, and characteristics of the flexible display 151 device.

Hereinafter, the various types of bending and other bending types described above are collectively defined as "bending ".

The flexible display 151 can sense bending in a variety of ways, for example, with the aforementioned bending sensor 146.

Herein, the bending sensor 146 may include a bend sensor disposed on a surface of at least one surface of the display 151, and the control unit 180 may use a result sensed by the bend sensor Bending can be detected.

Here, the bend sensor is a sensor having a characteristic that a resistance value varies depending on the degree of bending, and may be implemented in various forms such as an optical fiber bending sensor, a pressure sensor, and a strain gauge.

The bending sensing can be realized by sensing the resistance value of the bend sensor using the magnitude of the voltage applied to the bend sensor or the magnitude of the current flowing to the bend sensor.

Hereinafter, a plurality of bar-shaped bend sensors arranged in a lattice form as a means for detecting the bending of the flexible display 151 will be described in detail.

Figures 6-8 illustrate the principle of sensing the bending of a flexible display in connection with some embodiments of the present invention.

6 to 8, the bend sensor includes first directional bend sensors 1-1 to 1-7 arranged in a first direction and second directional bend sensors 2-1 arranged in a second direction, 2-7).

6 to 8, seven bend sensors 146 are arranged in the first direction and the second direction. However, this is merely an example, and various changes can be made according to the size of the flexible display 151 .

The bend sensor 146 may be realized in the form of an electric resistance sensor using an electric resistance or a micro optical fiber sensor using a strain of an optical fiber. Hereinafter, the bend sensor 146 will be described as an electric resistance sensor.

7, when the central region located at the center of both sides of the left and right sides of the flexible display 151 is bent so as to face downward perpendicular to the surface of the flexible display 151, Tension is applied to the bend sensors 1-1 to 1-7 arranged in the first direction. Accordingly, the resistance values of the respective bend sensors 1-1 to 1-7 arranged in the first direction are changed.

The controller 180 senses a change in the output value output from each of the bend sensors 1-1 to 1-7 and detects bending in the first direction with respect to the center of the display surface.

7 shows a state in which the center region is bent in the vertical downward direction with respect to the surface of the flexible display 151. However, even when the center region is bent upward in the vertical direction with respect to the surface of the flexible display 151, Based on the change of the output values of the bend sensors 1-1 to 1-7 in one direction.

8, when the center region located at the center of the upper and lower edges of the flexible display 151 is bent to face downward in the vertical direction with respect to the surface of the flexible display 151, Are applied to the bend sensors 2-1 to 2-7 arranged as the bend sensors 2-1 to 2-7.

At this time, the controller 180 can detect that the bending is performed in the second direction based on the output values of the bend sensors 2-1 to 2-7 arranged in the second direction, and the surface of the flexible display 151 The bend sensors 2-1 to 2-7 in the second direction can be detected based on the change in the output value even when the bend sensor 2 is bent upward in the vertical direction.

On the other hand, the diagonal bending is applied to both the bend sensors in which the tension is arranged in the first direction and the second direction, so that the first direction bend sensors 1-1 to 1-7 and the second direction bend sensors 2 -1 to 2-7) based on the output values of the first and second sensors.

9 and 10 are diagrams illustrating a method of defining a bending region of a flexible display in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

9 and 10 are views for explaining a case where a center area located at the center of both sides of the left and right sides of the flexible display 151 is bent to be directed downward in the vertical direction with reference to the surface of the flexible display 151 (Three bend sensors 3-1 to 3-3 are arranged in the first direction), it is noted that the bend sensors arranged in the second direction are not shown for convenience.

The bending area is defined as a bent area of the flexible display 151. The bending area may be defined as any point where a bend sensor outputting a resistance value different from that in the original state is disposed and serves as an element for determining the position of bending .

Specifically, if the distance between the points at which the resistance value change is detected is within the predetermined distance, the controller 180 detects the points for outputting the resistance value as one bending area. On the other hand, if there is a point where the distance between the points where the resistance value change is detected is separated by a predetermined distance or more, the points can be defined as different bending areas based on these points.

Referring to FIG. 9, when the flexible display 151 is bent, from the points a1 to a5 of the 3-1 bend sensor, from b1 to b5 of the 3-2 bend sensor, from the c1 point of the 3-3 bend sensor the resistance value is different from that in the circular state up to the point c5.

In this case, the points where the change in the resistance value is sensed by each of the bend sensors 3-1 to 3-3 are continuously arranged within a predetermined distance from each other.

Therefore, the control unit 180 determines whether or not the 3-1 bend sensor is in the range from a1 point to a5 point, from the b1 point to b5 point in the 3-2 bend sensor, from the c1 point to the c5 point in the 3-3 bend sensor (32) as one bending area.

10 is a view for explaining a method of detecting a plurality of bending areas. Referring to FIG. 10, from a1 point to a3 point and from a5 point to a7 point of a 3-1 bend sensor, the resistance values from the b1 point to the b3 point and from the b5 point to the b7 point, from the c1 point to the c3 point of the 3-3 bend sensor, and from the c5 point to the c7 point, have different resistances from the original state.

In the 3-1 bend sensor, from a1 point to a3 point and a5 point to a7 point are consecutive from each point, but between a3 point and a5 point there is a4 point, so a3 point to a5 point are not continuous.

Therefore, when the distance between a3 point and a5 point is spaced by a predetermined distance, the points from a1 point to a3 point and from a5 point to a7 point can be divided into different bending areas. Also, the respective points of the other bend sensors 3-2 and 3-3 can be similarly discriminated.

Therefore, the control unit 180 controls the 3-1 bend sensor to detect the bend from b1 to b3 in the 3-2 bend sensor, from the c1 point to the c3 point in the 3-3 bend sensor, (R1) is detected as one bending area, and from a5 point to a7 point in 3-1 bend sensor, from b5 point to b7 point in 3-2 bend sensor, from c5 point to c7 point in 3-3 bend sensor May be defined as another bending area.

On the other hand, the bending area may include a bending line, which may be defined as a line connecting the points where the largest resistance value is detected in each bending area.

And, the bending line can act as an element for determining the position of the bending.

For example, in the case of FIG. 9, a line L1 connecting the points a3, b3, and c3 may be defined as a bending line. In the case of FIG. 10, a line connecting the points a2, b2, A line L3 connecting a point a6, a point b6 and a point c6 may be defined as a bending line.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are diagrams for explaining a method for determining the degree of bending of a flexible display according to some embodiments of the present invention.

The control unit 180 may determine a resistance value at a point where the maximum resistance value is output from the bend sensor and a resistance value at the point where the resistance value is output from the bend sensor. And calculates a difference between the resistance values output at a point spaced apart by a predetermined distance.

The control unit 180 can determine the degree of bending using the calculated resistance value difference. Specifically, the electronic device 100 may divide the degree of bending into a plurality of levels, and may store and store a resistance value having a predetermined range for each level.

Accordingly, the controller 180 can determine the degree of bending according to a level belonging to a plurality of levels classified according to the degree of bending of the calculated resistance value difference.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the resistance value output at the point a5 outputting the largest resistance value at the bend sensor 146 and the resistance value output at the point a4 spaced apart by a predetermined distance The degree of bending can be judged based on this.

Specifically, the control unit 180 can check the level to which the resistance value difference calculated in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 belongs among the plurality of stored levels, and determine the degree of bending corresponding to the confirmed level . Here, the degree of bending may be expressed by a bending angle or a bending strength.

12, the degree of bending is larger than that in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, so that in the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the resistance value outputted at the bending sensor a5 and the resistance value outputted at the point a4 The difference becomes larger than the difference between the resistance value output at the bending sensor a5 and the resistance value output at the a4 point in the embodiment shown in Fig. Accordingly, when the controller 130 is bent as shown in FIG. 12, it can be determined that the degree of bending is greater.

13 to 16 are views for explaining a method of determining the bending direction of the flexible display in connection with some embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 13 to 15, bend sensors 146a and 146b may be superimposed to determine a bending direction. Referring to FIG. 16, bend sensors 146a and 146b are disposed on both sides of the flexible display 151 The bending direction can be determined.

13, two bend sensors 146a and 146b may be provided on one side of the flexible display 151 so as to overlap with each other.

In this case, when bending is performed in one direction, the resistance values of the upper bend sensor 146a and the lower bend sensor 146b are differently detected at the point where the bending is performed. Therefore, when the resistance values of the two bend sensors 146a and 146b at the same point are compared, the bending direction can be known.

For example, as shown in Fig. 14, when the flexible display 151 is bent, at a point A corresponding to the bending line, a greater strength of tension is applied to the lower bend sensor 146b than the upper bend sensor 146a .

On the other hand, when the flexible display 151 is bent in the backward direction as shown in FIG. 15, the upper bend sensor 146a is subjected to a tensile force greater than that of the lower bend sensor 146b.

Therefore, the controller 180 can determine the bending direction by comparing the resistance value corresponding to the point A in the two bend sensors 146a and 146b.

16, the bend sensor 146a disposed on the first surface (upper surface) of the both sides of the flexible display 151 under the bending direction of the flexible display 151 is subjected to a compressive force, The bend sensor 146b disposed on the lower surface (bottom surface) receives the tension. In this way, the values sensed by the two bend sensors are detected differently according to the bending direction, and the controller 180 can distinguish the bending direction according to the detection characteristics of the values.

13 to 16, bending directions are sensed by using two bend sensors. However, bending directions can also be distinguished by using only strain gauges disposed on one surface of the display unit 110. FIG. That is, since the strain gauge disposed on one surface is subjected to a compressive force or a tensile force according to the bending direction, the bending direction can be recognized by confirming the characteristics of the output value.

Alternatively, various sensors such as a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, and an acceleration sensor may be used to sense the bending direction.

Meanwhile, the controller 180 can also determine the bending speed based on the change rate of the resistance value sensed by the bend sensor. Specifically, the electronic device 100 may divide the bending speed into a plurality of levels, and store the rate of change of the resistance value having a constant range for each level.

Accordingly, the controller 180 can determine the bending speed according to a level belonging to the calculated resistance value change rate among a plurality of levels classified according to the bending speed.

[Control method of electronic apparatus]

1. Method of providing first user interface

Hereinafter, a control method of an electronic device according to the present invention will be described using the electronic device 100 described with reference to Figs.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of an electronic device according to the present invention, and FIGS. 18 to 21 are views for explaining a control method of an electronic device according to the present invention.

17, a method of controlling an electronic device according to the present invention includes displaying a screen on which a first function is executed (S100), detecting at least one bending (S110), obtaining a detection result of bending (S140), determining whether the predetermined condition is satisfied (S130), releasing the first function (S140) or maintaining the first function (S150) according to the determination result.

Herein, at least one bending sensing may be implemented by the bending sensing unit 146, and the bending sensing unit 146 may include a bending sensor 146 including the bend sensor described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 16 However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various sensors may be used.

Hereinafter, the bending sensing unit 146 is used in the same manner as the bending sensor 146.

Hereinafter, each step will be described in more detail with reference to Figs. 18 to 21. Fig.

First, the electronic device 100 according to the present invention recognizes the at least one bending as a user operation for performing a function based on at least one bending sensed by the bending sensing unit 146 and a result thereof, And the function executed due to recognition by the user operation may be varied depending on which electronic device the flexible display 151 is implemented in.

For example, when the flexible display 151 is applied to a cellular phone, among the various operations such as telephone connection, rejection, menu display, text transmission / reception, application selection and execution, web browser execution and termination, Can be performed. As another example, when the flexible display 151 is applied to a TV, operation corresponding to a user operation can be performed among various operations such as channel selection, volume adjustment, brightness adjustment, color adjustment, contrast adjustment, and the like. In addition, the flexible display 151 can be implemented in various types of display devices such as a PDA, an electronic photo frame, an electronic book, an electronic notebook, an MP3 player, a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a monitor, It is possible to perform various operations in conformity with the above. In addition, the flexible display 151 may perform general operations such as a lock operation, an unlock operation, a turn-on operation, a turn-off operation, etc. regardless of the type of the electronic apparatus to which the flexible display 151 is applied.

In addition, the operation corresponding to the user operation may be variously implemented according to the application executed in the electronic device to which the flexible display 151 is applied. That is, a function corresponding to a user operation can be performed among the functions supported by the application. For example, when the electronic book application is executed, the flexible display device 100 can perform an operation according to a function corresponding to a user's operation among various functions such as content switching, page switching, enlargement, reduction, bookmarking, .

Hereinafter, the unlocking function will be described as an example regardless of the type of the electronic device to which the flexible display 151 is applied by at least one bending detected by the bending sensing unit 146. [

The control unit 180 may display the screen SC on which the first function has been executed (S100) on the flexible display 151 (hereinafter referred to as a display) as shown in Fig.

Here, the screen SC may be a screen for a specific application selected according to a user input and / or a specific event occurring in the electronic device 100, but in FIG. 18, for example, a screen SC ) Is displayed on the display 151. [0156] Fig.

In this case, the first function may be a lock function.

Here, the electronic device to which the flexible display 151 is applied may be generally provided with a locking function, and various methods can be applied to release the locking function.

For example, the electronic device to which the flexible display 151 is applied may be set to any combination of the reference bending states for each of at least one or more optional bending to unlock, The function of being unlocked by the combination of the reference bending states for each of the four bends, namely the first bend BE1, the second bend BE2, the third bend BE3 and the fourth bend BE4, And shows the set electronic device.

Herein, the reference bending state is a bending state in which the control unit 180 can judge the arbitrary bending by a user operation for executing the arbitrary function after the arbitrary bending is started, May be a predetermined bending state.

The reference bending state may be variously set according to the electronic device to which the display 151 is applied, and may be variously set by the manufacturer of the electronic device.

In other words, in order for the control unit 180 to perform an arbitrary function by bending, the bending must reach the reference bending state, and the bending must be determined by the control unit 180 as a user operation, May be set based on at least one of a bending position, a bending area, a degree of bending, a bending speed, a bending direction, and a bending holding time, or may be set based on a starting time point (The time when the bending sensing unit 146 detects that the bending is started), the ending point (the time when the bending is maximally bent after the start of bending) and the returning time (the time when the bending is returned to the same state as before the start time) Can be set based on one.

For example, when the reference bending state is set on the basis of the bending region, the control unit 180 determines that the bending is caused due to the bending region being different depending on which portion of the display 151 is bent. In the case where the reference bending state is set on the basis of the degree of bending or the speed of bending, what function is performed by bending is determined by bending Of the plurality of levels classified according to the degree of bending and the degree of bending.

That is, in order for the control unit 180 to perform an arbitrary function by bending, the degree of bending or the speed of bending belonging to the level corresponding to the arbitrary function should be the same, and the bending is in the reference bending state Can be judged.

As another example, when the reference bending state is set based on the bending direction, it can be determined that the bending is in the reference bending state when bending is performed in the direction of bending corresponding to any function.

In another example, when the reference bending state is set based on the bending holding time, it can be determined that the bending is in the reference bending state when the bending is maintained for a time corresponding to a certain function.

In the case where the reference bending state is set based on the bending position, the function execution by the bending may vary depending on the line of the bending, the area of the bending, and the like. It can be judged that it is in the reference bending state.

Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 18, the control unit 180 sets a reference bending state, which is a bending state that can be determined by a user operation for executing a certain function, as a bending region, An electronic device whose lock is released when it is implemented by a combination of the first area R1, the second area R2, the third area R3 and the fourth area R4 will be described as an example.

In other words, when at least one bend (BE1 to BE4) is formed as shown in Fig. 19, the bending state of each of the bends BE1 to BE4, i.e., the bending state of each of the bends BE1 to BE4 Regardless of this order, when the first to fourth regions R1 to R4 are satisfied and correspond to the reference bending state, the principle that the unlocking is released by taking an unlocked electronic device as an example will be described.

18 and 19, the electronic device 100 executes an unlock function (function change) by the controller 180 when the bending area corresponds to the first area R1 to the fourth area R4 A predetermined condition may be set.

The first bending BE1 to the fourth bending BE4 are implemented around the first region R1 to the fourth region R4 in the state of Fig. 18 to form the first bend BE1, The bending region of the second bend BE2 becomes the second region R2 and the bend region of the third bend BE3 becomes the third region R3 The controller 180 determines that the bending state of the first bend BE1 to the fourth bend BE4 corresponds to the reference bending state when the bend region of the fourth bend BE4 is the fourth region R4 It is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied (S130), and the first function is canceled (S140), that is, the lock can be released.

In this case, the first to fourth bends BE1 to BE4 must reach the reference bending state regardless of the order. In other words, each bending region is divided into the first regions R1 to 4 region R4 to reach the reference bending state and the controller 180 senses any bending by the bending sensing portion 146 to satisfy the bending region condition, (B1) to b4 (b4), when it is determined that no bending is detected by the bending sensing portion 146 for a predetermined period of time or a bending area condition of another bending is not satisfied for a predetermined period of time The bending BE4 does not judge to be the bending for unlocking.

20 shows a state in which the reference bending state is set as the bending region and the bending region for bending is successively divided into the first region R1 (see FIG. 18), the second region R2 (see FIG. 18) 18) and the fourth area R4 (see Fig. 18), the bending is set to a signal for executing the unlock function.

In other words, the bending region for the first bend BE1 'becomes the first region R1 to reach the reference bending state, the bending region for the second bend BE2' becomes the second region R2, , The bending region for the third bend BE3 'becomes the third region R3 to reach the reference bending state and the bending region for the fourth bend BE4' becomes the fourth region R4 When the reference bending state is reached, the first time bending (BE1 ') to the fourth bending (BE4') shows an electronic device capable of executing the unlocking function by the control unit (180).

Fig. 21 is a flowchart showing the procedure for unlocking the electronic device shown in Fig. 20. In Fig. 21 (a), the first function of locking is executed by the control unit 180 through step S100 A display 151 for displaying a screen SC is shown.

The bending sensing unit 146 senses at least one bend BE1 to BE4 of the display 151 and the control unit 180 acquires the sensing results of the bends BE1 to BE4 at step S120, Specifically, it is as follows.

First, the user executes the first bend BE1 to release the lock function. At this time, the bending sensing unit 146 senses the first bending BE1, and the controller 180 controls the bending sensing unit 146 such that the sensing result obtained from the bending sensing unit 146, that is, It is determined whether the bending area indicating the state corresponds to the first area R1.

That is, the controller 180 determines whether the bending region of the first bending BE1 reaches the reference bending state in which the bending region becomes the first region R1.

Thereafter, the second bending BE2, the third bending BE3 as shown in Fig. 21 (c) and the fourth bending BE4 as shown in Fig. 21 (d) are executed sequentially as shown in Fig. 21 The sensing unit 146 senses the second to fourth bends BE2 to BE4 and the control unit 180 determines whether each bending has reached the reference bending state as in the first bending BE1.

The control unit 180 determines whether or not the obtained detection result is a function of the first bending (BE1) to the fourth bending (BE4) from the bending sensing unit 146 in step S120, It is judged whether or not it corresponds to a predetermined condition for changing (S130).

Here, the predetermined condition for the function change is that the control unit 180 determines whether the detected result is bending executed to unlock the first function cancel function, i.e., to release the lock function In the case of FIG. 21, the first region R1, the second region R2, the third region R3, and the fourth region R4 may be sequentially bending regions.

As a result of the determination, when the controller 180 determines that the obtained detection result corresponds to the predetermined condition for changing the function, the controller 180 can release the first function based on the determination, that is, unlock the first function (S140) Specifically, if the bending area for bending is sequentially implemented as the first area R1 to the fourth area R4, the controller 180 can release the first function, that is, unlock (S140 , See Fig. 21 (d)),

Here, the predetermined condition for changing the function, that is, the condition that the bending region for bending becomes the first region R1 to the fourth region R4 sequentially can be variously changed, for example, The bending area may sequentially be a first area R1, a second area R2, a first area R1, a third area R3 and a fourth area R4.

In this case, the bending may be performed twice so that the bending region becomes the first region R1 so that the number of times the bending region becomes the first region R1 becomes 2, If the area is set, any bending can be performed a plurality of times.

In addition, the predetermined condition for function change, that is, the bending area for bending is sequentially formed in the first area R1, the first area R1, the second area R2, the third area R3, 4 region R4.

In this case, the bending may be two consecutive bends such that the bending region becomes the first region R1 in order to repeatedly realize that the bending region becomes the first region R1. As a result, If it is set as a region, any one bending may be iterative.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the obtained detection result does not correspond to a predetermined condition including a combination condition of a reference bending state, which indicates a combination of bending areas, the controller 180 holds the first function State).

In other words, if it is determined that at least one of the first to fourth bends BE1 to BE4 is not implemented as the first to fourth regions R1 to R4 , The first function is held and the lock is not released (S150).

After the first bending BE1 is sensed by the bending sensing unit 146, the controller 180 determines that the bending area of the first bending BE1, which is the sensing result, is the first area R1, Even if the second bending BE2 is not detected by the bending sensing portion 146 within a predetermined time or the second bending BE2 is detected within a predetermined time even if it is determined that the second bending BE2 has reached the predetermined time The detection results of the first bend BE1 and the second bend BE2 are determined to be equal to or less than the reference bending state when the bending region of the second bend BE2 does not reach the reference bend state, It is determined that the predetermined condition for the function change does not correspond to the predetermined condition, and the first function lock function can be maintained.

The third bending BE3 and the fourth bending BE4 may be the same.

The control unit 180 determines whether the order of the bending regions is sequentially shifted from the first region R1 to the fourth region R4, even if the first to fourth bends BE1 to BE4 are not sequentially implemented If it is implemented, it can be determined that the predetermined condition for function change is satisfied, and at this time, the lock function which is the first function can be canceled.

The predetermined condition for the function change may be a condition including the bending area as described above, but it is not necessarily limited to this, and may be changed in various ways by the user. That is, the electronic device 100 may be manufactured so as to change the predetermined condition.

For example, the predetermined condition for the function change may include a condition including at least one of a bending position condition, a bending degree condition, a bending speed condition, a bending direction condition, a bending holding time condition and a bending number condition And may also be a condition including at least one of a start point condition of bending, a bending end condition, and a bending return time condition.

Specifically, when the predetermined condition for function change includes a condition related to the starting point of bending, that is, when the time difference between the starting point of bending is realized within a predetermined time (for example, one second) The control unit 180 determines that the bending by the user is sequentially performed and that the time difference between start times (for example, within one second) is shorter than the predetermined time It is possible to release the lock function, which is the first function, when it is judged that it is implemented within a time (for example, one second).

In another example, when a predetermined condition for function change includes a condition related to the bending holding time, at least one bending holding time (for example, within one second) is set to a preset holding time condition 1 second), the controller 180 can release the locking function, which is the first function, when it is determined that the bending by the user or the like is implemented within the predetermined time (for example, one second).

For example, if the predetermined condition for changing the function includes a condition related to the degree, speed, or direction of bending, the control unit 180 determines whether the bending by the user or the like affects the degree, If it is judged that the condition is satisfied, the lock function which is the first function can be released.

22 to 25 are views for explaining another embodiment of a control method of an electronic apparatus according to the present invention.

The locking function, which is the first function of the electronic device 100, may be implemented by bending that satisfies any combination of numeric or character keypads displayed on the display 151. For example, When the numeric keypad is displayed on the display 151 as shown in FIG. 25, the lock function can be released when the user sequentially touches the numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Of course, when the numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4 are sequentially touched by a finger or the like in order to release the lock function as described above, the lock function can be released by the control unit 180, but the numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4 May be replaced by bending.

For example, the user or the like may bend the bend corresponding to the user operation, which means the touch of the number 1, in the area corresponding to the upper left corner portion of the display 151, ), And the bending corresponding to the user operation corresponding to the touch of the number 2 is bent in the area corresponding to the upper right corner portion of the display 151 so that the bending area is the second area R2, 18), and the bending corresponding to the user operation corresponding to the touch of the number 3 is bent in the area corresponding to the lower left corner of the display 151, so that the bending area is the third area R3, see Fig. 18), and the bending corresponding to the user operation, which means touching the number 4, may be set to the upper right corner portion of the display 151 Is bent in that region can be pre-set as if the bending area, a fourth area with a preset (see R4, Fig. 18).

That is, the predetermined condition for releasing the locking function, which is the first function, is that the first region R1, the second region R2, the third region R3, and the fourth region R4 sequentially become bending regions Lt; / RTI >

22 to 25 illustrate the sequence of operations for unlocking. In Fig. 22, a numeric keypad is displayed on the display 151 (step S100) with the first function of locking being executed by the control unit 180 ).

The bending sensing unit 146 senses at least one bend BE1 to BE4 of the display 151 and the control unit 180 acquires the sensing results of the bends BE1 to BE4 at step S120, can do.

First, as shown in FIG. 22, the user executes the first bend BE1 to release the lock function. At this time, the bending sensing unit 146 senses the first bending BE1, and the controller 180 controls the bending sensing unit 146 such that the sensing result obtained from the bending sensing unit 146, that is, It is determined whether the bending area indicating the state corresponds to the first area R1 corresponding to the user operation representing the touch of the number 1 in the numeric keypad.

That is, the controller 180 determines whether the bending region of the first bending BE1 reaches the reference bending state in which the bending region becomes the first region R1.

Here, the reference bending state has already been described in the previous embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

When the control unit 180 determines that the bending area of the first bend BE1 corresponds to the first area R1, the controller 180 determines whether the number 1 of the numeric keypad is touched But the present invention is not limited thereto.

When the control unit 180 determines that the number 1 is touched by the first bending BE1, the user executes the second bending BE2 as shown in Fig. 23, and the number 2 is touched by the same principle The control unit 180 executes the third bending BE3 and the fourth bending BE4 as shown in Figs. 24 and 25 and finally the control unit 180 controls the first bending BE1 To the fourth bending BE4 satisfy a predetermined condition and release the locking function as the first function.

The controller 180 determines that the number 1 has been touched by the first bend BE1 and then sequentially outputs the number bend of the first bend BE2, the third bend BE3, and the fourth bend BE4 to the numeric keypad It is possible to determine whether or not the bending area for the bending corresponds to the area corresponding to the user operation corresponding to any one of the touches. However, the bending area for the bending is not necessarily limited to the first area R1 ) To the fourth area R4, it is possible to release the first function, that is, unlock.

On the other hand, the locking function, which is the first function of the electronic device 100, can be implemented by bending satisfying any combination irrespective of the order of the numeric or character keypad displayed on the display 151. In this case, If the bending area is satisfied only in the first area R1 to the fourth area R4 finally regardless of the order, the control unit 180 may release the first function.

Meanwhile, the bending condition corresponding to the user operation, which means the touch of any one of the numeric keypad, is not limited to the bending area, but may be a bending condition, a bending condition, A bending direction, a bending direction, a bending direction, a bending direction, a bending direction, a bending direction, a bending direction, and a bending direction. It may be a condition including at least one.

A detailed description thereof will be omitted.

26 to 30 are diagrams for explaining still another embodiment of a control method of an electronic device according to the present invention.

The locking function, which is the first function of the electronic device 100, can be implemented by bending that satisfies any pattern condition on the keypad displayed on the display 151. For example, As shown in the figure, when the first pattern P1 to the fourth pattern P4 are continuous by touching and dragging, the lock function can be released.

Of course, the lock function can be canceled by the controller 180 by forming a touch and drag pattern with a finger or the like in order to release the lock function as described above, but formation of the pattern can be replaced by bending.

For example, the user may bend the bend corresponding to the user operation, which means forming the first pattern P1 as shown in FIG. 27, in an area corresponding to the upper left corner of the display 151, (See R1 in FIG. 18), and bending corresponding to a user operation, which means formation of the second pattern P2 as shown in FIG. 28, is performed on the upper right corner portion of the display 151 (See Fig. 18), and a bend corresponding to a user operation indicating formation of a third pattern P3 as shown in Fig. 29 is displayed 151), and the bending region is implemented as a third region (R3, see FIG. 18), and it is possible to set the fourth pattern P4 as shown in FIG. 30 Company The bending corresponding to the user's operation may be preset in the case where the bedding region is bended in the region corresponding to the upper right corner portion of the display 151 and the fourth region R4 (see Fig. 18).

That is, the predetermined condition for releasing the locking function, which is the first function, is that the first region R1, the second region R2, the third region R3, and the fourth region R4 sequentially become bending regions Lt; / RTI >

27, when the bending area of the first bend BE1 corresponds to the first area R1, the controller 180 may display a pattern on the keypad so that the user can identify the bent area However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

When the control unit 180 determines that the first pattern P1 is formed by the first bending BE1, the user executes the second bending BE2 as shown in Fig. 28, and by the same principle, When the control unit 180 determines that the pattern P2 has been formed, the third bending BE3 and the fourth bending BE4 are executed as shown in Figs. 29 and 30 to form the third pattern P3 and fourth If it is determined that the pattern P4 is formed, finally, the controller 180 satisfies the predetermined condition of the first to fourth bends BE1 to BE4 to release the first function, the lock function.

Meanwhile, the bending condition corresponding to the user operation, which means the touch of any one of the numeric keypad, is not limited to the bending area, but may be a bending condition, a bending condition, A bending direction, a bending direction, a bending direction, a bending direction, a bending direction, a bending direction, a bending direction, and a bending direction. It may be a condition including at least one.

A detailed description thereof will be omitted.

2. Method of providing second user interface

Hereinafter, a control method of an electronic device according to the present invention will be described using the electronic device 100 described with reference to Figs.

FIG. 31 is a flow chart for explaining another control method of the electronic apparatus according to the present invention, and FIGS. 32 and 33 are views for explaining another control method of the electronic apparatus according to the present invention.

31, a method of controlling an electronic device according to the present invention includes displaying a screen on which a first function is executed (S200), detecting at least one bending (S210), obtaining a bending detection result A step S230 of determining whether a predetermined condition is satisfied, a step S240 of executing a second function or a step S250 of maintaining a first function according to a result of the determination.

Hereinafter, each step will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 32 to 33. FIG.

The control unit 180 may display the screen SC on which the first function is executed on the display 151 as shown in FIG.

In this case, the screen may be a screen for a specific application selected according to a user's input and / or a specific event occurring in the electronic device 100. In FIG. 32, for example, And is displayed on the display 151. Fig.

On the other hand, the electronic device can execute the B application, which is the second function, based on at least one bending in a state in which the A application as the first function is executed.

Specifically, the electronic device to which the display 151 is applied can be set to any combination of the reference bending states for each of the at least one or more arbitrary bends, in order to execute the second function with the first function being executed , Fig. 32 shows an electronic device in which the second function can be performed when the area of the bending is implemented in a combination of the first area R1 and the second area R2, irrespective of the order or sequentially.

Herein, the reference bending state has been described in detail in the preceding embodiments, and therefore will not be described below.

In the case where the reference bending state is set as the bending region, when the bending region for bending sequentially becomes the first region R1 and the second region R2, the control unit 180 can execute the second function 33 shows a state in which the bending region for the first bend BE1 reaches the reference bend state by becoming the first region R1 and the bending region for the second bend BE2 reaches the second region R2 ) And the reference bending state is reached, the first bending BE1 and the second bending BE2 show that the second function is performed by the control unit 180. [

The bending sensing unit 146 senses at least one bending BE1 and BE2 of the display 151 and the control unit 180 acquires the sensing results of the bending BE1 and BE2 at step S220, And determines whether the detection result satisfies the predetermined condition for function change, that is, whether the bending area for bending becomes sequentially the first area R1 and the second area R2 regardless of the order S230). If it is determined that the first function is satisfied, the second function is executed (S240). If it is determined that the second function is not satisfied, the first function is maintained (S250).

On the other hand, the predetermined condition for the function change may be a condition including the bending area as described above, but it is not limited thereto and can be changed by a user in a wide variety of ways. That is, the electronic device 100 may be manufactured so as to change the predetermined condition.

For example, the predetermined condition for the function change may include a condition including at least one of a bending position condition, a bending degree condition, a bending speed condition, a bending direction condition, a bending holding time condition and a bending number condition And may also be a condition including at least one of a start point condition of bending, a bending end condition, and a bending return time condition.

In addition, the configuration and effects of the control unit 180 are the same as those of the previous embodiment, except that the control unit 180 executes the second function when the predetermined condition is satisfied, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The first function and the second function described in this embodiment are not limited to the execution of the A application and the execution of the B application, and can be variously changed.

For example, the first function may be any web browser execution function, and the second function may be a function of closing any web browser.

As another example, the first function may be a mail, character, or web browser execution function, and the second function may be a function of screen capture, reply, transfer, and the like.

For example, if the electronic device to which the display 151 is applied is a TV, the first function may be a screen playback function, and the second function may be a function of screen capture, recording time, or recording end point setting.

In addition, it is noted that the first function and the second function can correspond to various operations according to the kind of the electronic apparatus to which the flexible display 151 is applied.

In the above-described method of controlling an electronic device according to the present invention, the steps constituting each embodiment are not essential, and therefore, each embodiment can selectively include the above-described steps. Moreover, each step constituting each embodiment is not necessarily performed according to the order described, and the step described later may be performed before the step described earlier.

Further, the control method of an electronic device according to the present invention can be implemented in the form of a code or a program for performing the control, and the code or the program can be stored in a computer-readable recording medium.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, The present invention is not limited to the drawings. In addition, the embodiments described in this document can be applied to not only the present invention, but also all or some of the embodiments may be selectively combined so that various modifications can be made. Further, the steps constituting each embodiment can be used separately or in combination with the steps constituting the other embodiments.

100: Electronic device
146: Bending detection section (bending sensor)
151: Display part (flexible display)
180:
BE1: 1st bending
BE2: 2nd bending
BE3: 3rd bending
BE4: fourth bending
R1: first region
R2: second region
R3: third region
R4: fourth region

Claims (25)

A flexible display for displaying a screen on which the first function is executed;
A bending sensing unit for sensing at least one bending of the flexible display; And
Acquiring a detection result of the at least one bending from the bending sensing unit,
Determining whether the obtained detection result corresponds to a predetermined condition for function change,
A controller for releasing the first function based on the determination if it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied;
.
The apparatus of claim 1,
And if it is determined that the predetermined condition does not correspond to the predetermined condition, the first function is maintained.
The apparatus of claim 1,
Wherein the obtained sensing result includes at least one of a position condition of bending, a bending area condition, a bending condition condition, a bending speed condition, a bending direction condition, a bending holding time condition, And judges whether or not the condition corresponds to the condition.
The apparatus of claim 1,
And judges whether or not the obtained detection result corresponds to the predetermined condition including at least one of a start point condition of bending, a bending end condition, and a bending return time condition.
The apparatus of claim 1,
And judges whether or not the obtained detection result corresponds to the predetermined condition including the combination condition of the reference bending state.
6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the electronic device is in a bending state predetermined for an arbitrary bending to be recognized as a user operation for executing an arbitrary function.
6. The apparatus of claim 5,
And determine whether the obtained sensed result corresponds to the predetermined condition including any combination of the reference bending states for each of the at least one or more bends.
6. The apparatus of claim 5,
And determine whether the obtained sensing result corresponds to the predetermined condition including a sequential combination of reference bending states for each of at least one or more arbitrary bending.
9. The method according to claim 7 or 8,
Wherein at least one of the at least one or more optional bends comprises a plurality of bends.
9. The method according to claim 7 or 8,
Wherein at least one of the at least one or more optional bends comprises repetitive bending.
The apparatus of claim 1,
And judges whether or not the obtained detection result corresponds to the predetermined condition including any combination condition of a numeric or character keypad displayed on the flexible display.
The apparatus of claim 1,
And judges whether or not the obtained detection result corresponds to the predetermined condition including a sequential combination condition of a numeric or character keypad displayed on the flexible display.
The apparatus of claim 1,
And judges whether or not the obtained sensing result corresponds to the predetermined condition including any pattern condition on the keypad displayed on the flexible display.
The apparatus of claim 1,
And maintains the first function if it is determined that the obtained detection result does not correspond to the predetermined condition for a predetermined time.
A flexible display for displaying a screen on which the first function is executed;
A bending sensing unit for sensing at least one bending of the flexible display; And
Acquiring a detection result of the at least one bending from the bending sensing unit,
Determining whether the obtained detection result corresponds to a predetermined condition for function change,
A control unit for executing a second function based on the determination,
.
16. The apparatus of claim 15,
And if it is determined that the predetermined condition does not correspond to the predetermined condition, the first function is maintained.
16. The apparatus of claim 15,
Wherein the obtained sensing result includes at least one of a position condition of bending, a bending area condition, a bending condition condition, a bending speed condition, a bending direction condition, a bending holding time condition, And judges whether or not the condition corresponds to the condition.
16. The apparatus of claim 15,
And judges whether or not the obtained detection result corresponds to the predetermined condition including at least one of a start point condition of bending, a bending end condition, and a bending return time condition.
16. The apparatus of claim 15,
And judges whether or not the obtained detection result corresponds to the predetermined condition including the combination condition of the reference bending state.
20. The method of claim 19,
An electronic device in a bending state set by a user operation for executing an arbitrary function with respect to any bending.
20. The apparatus of claim 19,
And determine whether the obtained sensed result corresponds to the predetermined condition including any combination of the reference bending states for each of the at least one or more bends.
20. The apparatus of claim 19,
And determine whether the obtained sensing result corresponds to the predetermined condition including a sequential combination of reference bending states for each of at least one or more arbitrary bending.
23. The method of claim 21 or 22,
Wherein at least one of the at least one or more optional bends comprises a plurality of bends.
23. The method of claim 21 or 22,
Wherein at least one of the at least one or more optional bends comprises repetitive bending.
16. The apparatus of claim 15,
And maintains the first function if it is determined that the obtained detection result does not correspond to the predetermined condition for a predetermined time.

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