KR20240141111A - Method for wireless charging and electronic device supporting the same - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device may include a housing including a first housing and a second housing slidably coupled to the first housing with respect to the first housing, a wireless charging coil disposed in an area of the housing and supporting at least one of wireless transmission and wireless reception of power, and at least one processor electrically connected to the wireless charging coil. The at least one processor may be configured to perform wireless charging with an external electronic device using the wireless charging coil, identify occurrence of a designated event while performing the wireless charging, and at least temporarily limit execution of at least one function defined to be executed in response to occurrence of the designated event based on the identification of occurrence of the designated event while performing the wireless charging. The at least one function may be related to movement of at least a portion of the electronic device.

Description

METHOD FOR WIRELESS CHARGING AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE SUPPORTING THE SAME

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a wireless charging method and an electronic device supporting the same.

In line with the advancement of digital convergence that integrates various information and communication technologies, electronic devices are providing various functions and/or various services grafted thereto. Accordingly, efficient management of power, which is a central basis for the operation of the functions and/or services of the electronic devices, is emerging, and as part of this, technologies for improving the charging process of a battery that supplies the power are being proposed. For example, an electronic device can support wireless charging of a battery of an external electronic device by wirelessly transmitting a power signal to an external electronic device using an internal coil. In addition, for example, an electronic device can wirelessly charge an internal battery of the electronic device by wirelessly receiving a power signal from an external electronic device using an internal coil.

The above may be provided as background information for the purpose of helping to understand the present disclosure. No claim or determination is made as to whether the above-described content can be applied as prior art related to the present disclosure.

An electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a housing including a first housing and a second housing slidably coupled to the first housing with respect to the first housing, a wireless charging coil disposed in an area of the housing and supporting at least one of wireless transmission and wireless reception of power, and at least one processor electrically connected to the wireless charging coil.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one processor may be configured to perform wireless charging with an external electronic device using the wireless charging coil, identify occurrence of a specified event while performing the wireless charging, and at least temporarily limit execution of at least one function defined to be executed in response to occurrence of the specified event based on the identification of occurrence of the specified event while performing the wireless charging.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one function may be related to movement of at least a portion of the electronic device.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a wireless charging method for an electronic device including a first housing and a second housing slidably coupled to the first housing with respect to the first housing may include an operation of performing wireless charging with an external electronic device using a wireless charging coil that supports at least one of wireless transmission and wireless reception of power, an operation of identifying an occurrence of a specified event while performing the wireless charging, and an operation of at least temporarily restricting an execution of at least one function whose execution is defined in response to the occurrence of the specified event based on the identification of the occurrence of the specified event while performing the wireless charging.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one function may be related to movement of at least a portion of the electronic device.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an electronic device within a network environment according to one embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a power management module and a battery of an electronic device according to one embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a first state of an electronic device according to one embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a second state of an electronic device according to one embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a third state of an electronic device according to one embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a fourth state of an electronic device according to one embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless charging coil of an electronic device according to one embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of a wireless charging coil of an electronic device according to one embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless charging environment of an electronic device according to one embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a power transmission device according to one embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another example of a wireless charging environment of an electronic device according to one embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a wireless charging process of an electronic device according to one embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating components of an electronic device according to one embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of operating an electronic device during a wireless charging operation according to one embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface of an electronic device during a wireless charging operation according to one embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a user interface of an external electronic device linked with an electronic device during a wireless charging operation according to one embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a state of an electronic device during a wireless charging operation according to one embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating various examples of events occurring during a wireless charging operation according to one embodiment.
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an operation method of an electronic device when wireless charging is stopped according to one embodiment.
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating execution of functions of an electronic device when wireless charging is stopped according to one embodiment.
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating another example of a method of operating an electronic device during a wireless charging operation according to one embodiment.
FIG. 22 is a drawing illustrating the arrangement of an electronic device and an external electronic device during a wireless charging operation according to one embodiment.
FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a wireless charging coil of a power transmission device according to one embodiment.
FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating another example of a user interface of an electronic device during a wireless charging operation according to one embodiment.
FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating another example of a user interface of an electronic device during a wireless charging operation according to one embodiment.
FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating another example of a user interface of an electronic device during a wireless charging operation according to one embodiment.
In connection with the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numbers may be used for identical or similar components.

The electronic device may perform a function associated with an event based on the occurrence of the specified event. For example, the electronic device may deform at least a portion of a housing of the electronic device to provide a screen area of the display that expands or contracts in response to the occurrence of the specified event. Additionally, for example, the electronic device may output a haptic (e.g., vibration) to provide a notification in response to the occurrence of the specified event.

However, since the execution of the function of such an electronic device may be linked to a physical movement and/or positional shift of the electronic device, when the function of the electronic device is executed in a wireless charging operation between the electronic device and an external electronic device, the efficiency of the wireless charging may be reduced or the wireless charging may be stopped. For example, the physical movement and/or positional shift of the electronic device due to the execution of the function of the electronic device may cause at least one of a misalignment between an internal coil of the electronic device supporting wireless charging and an internal coil of the external electronic device, and a departure of the electronic device from a wireless charging area of the external electronic device. Additionally, for example, physical movement and/or displacement of the electronic device due to execution of a function of the electronic device may cause a collision between the electronic device wirelessly receiving power from the first external electronic device and a second external electronic device adjacent thereto, thereby causing at least one of misalignment between an internal coil of the electronic device and an internal coil of the first external electronic device, misalignment between an internal coil of the first external electronic device and an internal coil of the second external electronic device, and disengagement of the electronic device and/or the second external electronic device with respect to the wireless charging area of the first external electronic device.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can provide a wireless charging method and an electronic device supporting the same, which can support stable wireless charging of an electronic device by at least temporarily restricting the execution of at least one function that can be associated with physical movement and/or positional movement of the electronic device during a wireless charging operation (e.g., transmitting a wireless power signal or receiving a wireless power signal) of the electronic device.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this is not intended to limit the present disclosure to specific embodiments, but should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, and/or alternatives of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an electronic device within a network environment according to one embodiment.

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

The processor (120) may control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of the electronic device (101) connected to the processor (120) by executing, for example, software (e.g., a program (140)), and may perform various data processing or calculations. According to one embodiment, as at least a part of the data processing or calculations, the processor (120) may store a command or data received from another component (e.g., a sensor module (176) or a communication module (190)) in a volatile memory (132), process the command or data stored in the volatile memory (132), and store result data in a nonvolatile memory (134). According to one embodiment, the processor (120) may include a main processor (121) (e.g., a central processing unit or an application processor) or a secondary processor (123) (e.g., a graphic processing unit, a neural processing unit (NPU), an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor) that can operate independently or together therewith. For example, if the electronic device (101) includes a main processor (121) and a secondary processor (123), the secondary processor (123) may be configured to use lower power than the main processor (121) or to be specialized for a given function. The secondary processor (123) may be implemented separately from the main processor (121) or as a part thereof.

The auxiliary processor (123) may control at least a part of functions or states associated with at least one of the components of the electronic device (101) (e.g., the display module (160), the sensor module (176), or the communication module (190)), for example, on behalf of the main processor (121) while the main processor (121) is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state, or together with the main processor (121) while the main processor (121) is in an active (e.g., application execution) state. According to one embodiment, the auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., an image signal processor or a communication processor) may be implemented as a part of another functionally related component (e.g., a camera module (180) or a communication module (190)). According to one embodiment, the auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., a neural network processing device) may include a hardware structure specialized for processing an artificial intelligence model. The artificial intelligence model may be generated through machine learning. Such learning may be performed, for example, in the electronic device (101) on which artificial intelligence is performed, or may be performed through a separate server (e.g., server (108)). The learning algorithm may include, for example, supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, or reinforcement learning, but is not limited to the examples described above. The artificial intelligence model may include a plurality of artificial neural network layers. The artificial neural network may be one of a deep neural network (DNN), a convolutional neural network (CNN), a recurrent neural network (RNN), a restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM), a deep belief network (DBN), a bidirectional recurrent deep neural network (BRDNN), deep Q-networks, or a combination of two or more of the above, but is not limited to the examples described above. In addition to the hardware structure, the artificial intelligence model may additionally or alternatively include a software structure.

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

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

The input module (150) can receive commands or data to be used in a component of the electronic device (101) (e.g., a processor (120)) from an external source (e.g., a user) of the electronic device (101). The input module (150) can include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, a key (e.g., a button), or a digital pen (e.g., a stylus pen).

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

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

The audio module (170) can convert sound into an electrical signal, or vice versa, convert an electrical signal into sound. According to one embodiment, the audio module (170) can obtain sound through an input module (150), or output sound through an audio output module (155), or an external electronic device (e.g., an electronic device (102)) (e.g., a speaker or a headphone) directly or wirelessly connected to the electronic device (101).

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

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

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

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

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

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

The battery (189) can power at least one component of the electronic device (101). In one embodiment, the battery (189) can include, for example, a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, or a fuel cell.

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

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

The antenna module (197) can transmit or receive signals or power to or from the outside (e.g., an external electronic device). According to one embodiment, the antenna module (197) may include an antenna including a radiator formed of a conductor or a conductive pattern formed on a substrate (e.g., a PCB). According to one embodiment, the antenna module (197) may include a plurality of antennas (e.g., an array antenna). In this case, at least one antenna suitable for a communication method used in a communication network, such as the first network (198) or the second network (199), may be selected from the plurality of antennas, for example, by the communication module (190). A signal or power may be transmitted or received between the communication module (190) and the external electronic device via the selected at least one antenna. According to some embodiments, in addition to the radiator, another component (e.g., a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) may be additionally formed as a part of the antenna module (197).

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

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

According to one embodiment, a command or data may be transmitted or received between the electronic device (101) and an external electronic device (104) via a server (108) connected to a second network (199). Each of the external electronic devices (102 or 104) may be the same or a different type of device as the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, all or part of the operations executed in the electronic device (101) may be executed in one or more of the external electronic devices (102, 104, or 108). For example, when the electronic device (101) is to perform a certain function or service automatically or in response to a request from a user or another device, the electronic device (101) may, instead of or in addition to executing the function or service by itself, request one or more external electronic devices to perform at least a part of the function or service. One or more external electronic devices that have received the request may execute at least a part of the requested function or service, or an additional function or service related to the request, and transmit the result of the execution to the electronic device (101). The electronic device (101) may provide the result, as is or additionally processed, as at least a part of a response to the request. For this purpose, cloud computing, distributed computing, mobile edge computing (MEC), or client-server computing technology may be used, for example. The electronic device (101) may provide an ultra-low latency service by using distributed computing or mobile edge computing, for example. In another embodiment, the external electronic device (104) may include an IoT (Internet of Things) device. The server (108) may be an intelligent server using machine learning and/or a neural network. According to one embodiment, the external electronic device (104) or the server (108) may be included in the second network (199). The electronic device (101) can be applied to intelligent services (e.g., smart home, smart city, smart car, or healthcare) based on 5G communication technology and IoT-related technology.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a power management module and a battery of an electronic device according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2, the power management module (188) may include a charging circuit (210), a power regulator (220), or a power gauge (230). The charging circuit (210) may charge the battery (189) using power supplied from an external power source for the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, the charging circuit (210) may select a charging method (e.g., normal charging or rapid charging) based on at least some of the type of the external power source (e.g., power adapter, USB, or wireless charging), the amount of power that can be supplied from the external power source (e.g., about 20 watts or more), or the properties of the battery (189), and may charge the battery (189) using the selected charging method. The external power source may be connected to the electronic device (101) by a wire, for example, through a connection terminal (178), or may be connected wirelessly through an antenna module (197).

The power regulator (220) can generate a plurality of powers having different voltage levels or different current levels by adjusting, for example, the voltage level or current level of the power supplied from the external power source or the battery (189). The power regulator (220) can adjust the power of the external power source or the battery (189) to a voltage level or current level suitable for some of the components included in the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, the power regulator (220) can be implemented in the form of an LDO (low drop out) regulator or a switching regulator. The power gauge (230) can measure usage status information for the battery (189) (e.g., capacity, number of charge/discharge cycles, voltage, or temperature of the battery (189).

The power management module (188) can determine charging state information (e.g., life, overvoltage, undervoltage, overcurrent, overcharge, over discharge, overheat, short circuit, or swelling) related to charging of the battery (189) based at least in part on the measured usage state information, for example, by using the charging circuit (210), the voltage regulator (220), or the power gauge (230). The power management module (188) can determine whether the battery (189) is normal or abnormal based at least in part on the determined charging state information. If the state of the battery (189) is determined to be abnormal, the power management module (188) can adjust charging for the battery (189) (e.g., reducing the charging current or the charging voltage, or stopping the charging). According to one embodiment, at least some of the functions of the power management module (188) can be performed by an external control device (e.g., the processor (120)).

The battery (189) may, according to one embodiment, include a battery protection circuit module (PCM) (240). The battery protection circuit (240) may perform one or more of various functions (e.g., a pre-cut function) to prevent performance degradation or damage to the battery (189). The battery protection circuit (240) may additionally or alternatively be configured as at least a part of a battery management system (BMS) that may perform various functions including cell balancing, capacity measurement of the battery, charge/discharge cycle measurement, temperature measurement, or voltage measurement.

According to one embodiment, at least a part of the usage status information or the charging status information of the battery (189) may be measured using a corresponding sensor (e.g., a temperature sensor) among the sensor modules (276), a power gauge (230), or a power management module (188). According to one embodiment, the corresponding sensor (e.g., a temperature sensor) among the sensor modules (176) may be included as a part of the battery protection circuit (140), or may be placed near the battery (189) as a separate device.

Hereinafter, form factors of electronic devices (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1 and/or FIG. 2) to which various embodiments may be applied may be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a first state of an electronic device according to one embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a second state of an electronic device according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a flexible display (330a) (e.g., the display module (160) of FIG. 1) of an electronic device (101a) (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIGS. 1 and/or 2) according to an embodiment of the present invention may have a size (or area) of a screen area (or an active area, or a display area) changed in response to a state transition of the electronic device (101a). For example, the electronic device (101a) may have a first state (10) in which a portion of the second housing (320a) is introduced into the interior of the first housing (310a) as the second housing (320a) slides (e.g., slides-in) in a first direction (e.g., -y direction) relative to the first housing (310a), and in the first state (10) of the electronic device (101a), a first screen area (331a) of the flexible display (330a) may be exposed to the outside. Also, for example, the electronic device (101a) may have a second state (20) in which a part of the second housing (320a) is pulled out of the first housing (310a) as the second housing (320a) slides (e.g., slides out) in a second direction (e.g., +y direction) opposite to the first direction with respect to the first housing (310a), and in the second state (20) of the electronic device (101a), the first screen area (331a) and the second screen area (333a) of the flexible display (330a) may be exposed to the outside.

In one embodiment, the electronic device (101a) may include a housing comprising a first housing (310a) and a second housing (320a). According to one embodiment, the second housing (320a) may be arranged to be slidable with respect to the first housing (310a). For example, the second housing (320a) may be coupled to the first housing (310a) to be slidable (or moveable) by a first distance (d1) specified between a first direction (e.g., a -y direction) and a second direction (e.g., a +y direction) with respect to the first housing (310a).

In one embodiment, the first housing (310a) can accommodate at least a portion of the second housing (320a). For example, the first housing (310a) can include a trough having one open side to accommodate at least a portion of the second housing (320a), and can be coupled to the second housing (320a) to surround at least a portion of the second housing (320a) through the trough portion.

In one embodiment, the electronic device (101a) may include a flexible display (330a) at least a portion of which is exposed to the outside of the housing to form a majority of the front surface of the electronic device (101a). In one embodiment, the flexible display (330a) may include a first screen area (331a) and a second screen area (333a) extending from the first screen area (331a), and the second screen area (333a) may be selectively exposed to the outside according to sliding (or moving) of the second housing (320a) relative to the first housing (310a). For example, in a first state (10) of the electronic device (101a) in which the second housing (320a) is slid in a first direction (e.g., in the -y direction) relative to the first housing (310a), at least a portion of the second screen area (333a) may be rolled in into the first housing (310a) and not exposed to the outside. Also, for example, in a second state (20) of the electronic device (101a) in which the second housing (320a) is slid in a second direction (e.g., in the +y direction) relative to the first housing (310a), at least a portion of the second screen area (333a) may be rolled out from the inside of the first housing (310a) and exposed to the outside. Based on this, the size (or area) of the screen area (or active area, or display area) of the flexible display (330a) can be changed (e.g., expanded or reduced) in response to the sliding of the second housing (320a) relative to the first housing (310a).

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a third state of an electronic device according to one embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a fourth state of an electronic device according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a flexible display (330b) (e.g., a display module (160) of FIG. 1) of an electronic device (101b) (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIGS. 1 and/or 2) according to an embodiment may have a size (or area) of a screen area (or an active area, or a display area) changed in response to a state transition of the electronic device (101b). For example, the electronic device (101b) may have a third state (30) in which a portion of the second housing (320b) is introduced into the interior of the first housing (310b) as the second housing (320b) slides (e.g., slides-in) in a third direction (e.g., in the -x direction) relative to the first housing (310b), and in the third state (30) of the electronic device (101b), the first screen area (331b) of the flexible display (330b) may be exposed to the outside. Also, for example, the electronic device (101b) may have a fourth state (40) in which a portion of the second housing (320b) is pulled out of the first housing (310b) as the second housing (320b) slides (e.g., slides out) in a fourth direction (e.g., +x direction) opposite to the third direction with respect to the first housing (310b), and in the fourth state (40) of the electronic device (101b), the first screen area (331b) and the second screen area (333b) of the flexible display (330b) may be exposed to the outside.

In one embodiment, the electronic device (101b) may include a housing comprising a first housing (310b) and a second housing (320b). According to one embodiment, the second housing (320b) may be arranged to be slidable with respect to the first housing (310b). For example, the second housing (320b) may be coupled to the first housing (310b) to be slidable (or moveable) a specified second distance (d2) between a third direction (e.g., a -x direction) and a fourth direction (e.g., a +x direction) with respect to the first housing (310b).

In one embodiment, the first housing (310b) can accommodate at least a portion of the second housing (320b). For example, the first housing (310b) can include a trough having one open side to accommodate at least a portion of the second housing (320b) and can be coupled to the second housing (320b) to surround at least a portion of the second housing (320b) through the trough portion.

In one embodiment, the electronic device (101b) may include a flexible display (330b) at least a portion of which is exposed to the outside of the housing to form a majority of the front surface of the electronic device (101b). In one embodiment, the flexible display (330b) may include a first screen area (331b) and a second screen area (333b) extending from the first screen area (331b), and the second screen area (333b) may be selectively exposed to the outside according to sliding (or moving) of the second housing (320b) relative to the first housing (310b). For example, in a third state (30) of the electronic device (101b) in which the second housing (320b) is slid in a third direction (e.g., in the -x direction) relative to the first housing (310b), at least a portion of the second screen area (333b) may be rolled in into the first housing (310b) and not exposed to the outside. Also, for example, in a fourth state (40) of the electronic device (101b) in which the second housing (320b) is slid in a fourth direction (e.g., in the +x direction) relative to the first housing (310b), at least a portion of the second screen area (333b) may be rolled out from the inside of the first housing (310b) and exposed to the outside. Based on this, the size (or area) of the screen area (or active area, or display area) of the flexible display (330b) can be changed (e.g., expanded or reduced) in response to the sliding of the second housing (320b) relative to the first housing (310b).

In the embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 6, the electronic device (101b) is described as having the third state (30) as the second housing (320b) slides in the third direction (e.g., the -x direction) relative to the first housing (310b), or as having the fourth state (40) as the second housing (320b) slides in the fourth direction (e.g., the +x direction) relative to the first housing (310b), but the reverse may also be possible. For example, the electronic device (101b) may have the third state (30) as the second housing (320b) slides in the fourth direction (e.g., the +x direction) relative to the first housing (310b), or as having the fourth state (40) as the second housing (320b) slides in the third direction (e.g., the -x direction) relative to the first housing (310b).

Although not shown, according to various embodiments, the housing of the electronic device (101b) may further include a third housing. In one embodiment, the third housing may be coupled to the first housing (310b) so as to be slidable between a third direction (e.g., a -x direction) and a fourth direction (e.g., a +x direction) with respect to the first housing (310b), but may be arranged in an opposite direction to the second housing (320b) with respect to the first housing (310b). Based on this, the flexible display (330b) may further include a third screen area that is selectively exposed to the outside according to the sliding of the third housing with respect to the first housing (310b). For example, in a third state (30) of the electronic device (101b) in which the third housing is slid in a fourth direction (e.g., in the +x direction) with respect to the first housing (310b), at least a portion of the third screen area may be rolled in into the first housing (310b) and not exposed to the outside. Also, for example, in a fourth state (40) of the electronic device (101b) in which the third housing is slid in a third direction (e.g., in the -x direction) with respect to the first housing (310b), at least a portion of the third screen area may be rolled out from the inside of the first housing (310b) and exposed to the outside. Based on this, the size (or area) of the screen area (or active area, or display area) of the flexible display (330b) can be changed (e.g., expanded or reduced) in response to sliding of the second housing (320b) and/or the third housing relative to the first housing (310b).

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless charging coil of an electronic device according to one embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of a wireless charging coil of an electronic device according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may include a wireless charging coil (710a or 710b) disposed in an area of a housing to support wireless charging (e.g., transmission of a wireless power signal and/or reception of a wireless power signal) of the electronic device (101).

Referring to FIG. 7, a wireless charging coil (710a) according to an embodiment may be disposed in an area of a first housing (310) so as to face a rear surface (101c) of the electronic device (101) in an internal space of the electronic device (101) defined by the housing. In an embodiment, the area of the first housing (310) may form at least a part of the rear surface (101c) of the electronic device (101). In this case, in a first state (10) of the electronic device (101) in which the second housing (320) is slid (e.g., slide-in) in a first direction (e.g., -y direction) with respect to the first housing (310), the wireless charging coil (710a) disposed in an area of the first housing (310) may be located in a first area (50) of the electronic device (101). In addition, in the second state (20) of the electronic device (101) in which the second housing (320) is slid (e.g., slide-out) in the second direction (e.g., +y direction) with respect to the first housing (310), the wireless charging coil (710a) disposed in one area of the first housing (310) may be positioned in the first area (50) of the electronic device (101) in the same manner as in the first state (10) of the electronic device (101). Based on this, the wireless charging coil (710a) according to one embodiment may maintain its position in the first area (50) of the electronic device (101) regardless of the state transition of the electronic device (101).

Referring to FIG. 8, a wireless charging coil (710b) according to an embodiment may be disposed in an area of a second housing (320) so as to face a rear surface (101c) of the electronic device (101) in an internal space of the electronic device (101) defined by the housing. According to an embodiment, an area of the second housing (320) may be aligned adjacent to an area of a first housing (310) forming at least a portion of a rear surface (101c) of the electronic device (101) in the internal space of the electronic device (101), and a position thereof may be changed in response to sliding of the second housing (320) relative to the first housing (310). In this case, in the first state (10) of the electronic device (101) in which the second housing (320) is slid (e.g., slide-in) in a first direction (e.g., -y direction) relative to the first housing (310), the wireless charging coil (710b) arranged in one area of the second housing (320) may be located in the first area (50) of the electronic device (101). In addition, in the second state (20) of the electronic device (101) in which the second housing (320) is slid (e.g., slid-out) in the second direction (e.g., +y direction) relative to the first housing (310), the wireless charging coil (710b) arranged in one area of the second housing (320) may be pulled in the second direction (e.g., +y direction) in response to the sliding of the second housing (320), thereby moving from the first area (50) of the electronic device (101) to the second area (60). Based on this, the wireless charging coil (710b) according to one embodiment may change its position between the first area (50) and the second area (60) of the electronic device (101) in response to the state transition of the electronic device (101).

In the embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 8, the position of the wireless charging coil (710a or 710b) is described based on the transition between the first state (10) and the second state (20) of the electronic device (101), but similarly, the position of the wireless charging coil (710a or 710b) may be maintained in a specific area of the electronic device (101) or may be changed from a specific area of the electronic device (101) to another area for the transition between the third state (e.g., the third state (30) of FIG. 5) and the fourth state (e.g., the fourth state (40) of FIG. 6) of the electronic device (101).

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless charging environment of an electronic device according to one embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a power transmission device according to one embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another example of a wireless charging environment of an electronic device according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may operate as a power receiving device that wirelessly receives a power signal from an external electronic device (910) (e.g., a power transmitting device).

In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may be disposed on the front surface (910a) of the external electronic device (910) (e.g., in contact with the front surface (910a) or in proximity to the front surface (910a) within a specified distance) so that at least a portion of a wireless charging coil (e.g., the wireless charging coil (710a) of FIG. 7 or the wireless charging coil (710b) of FIG. 8) included in the electronic device (101) is aligned with at least a portion of a wireless charging coil (911) included in the external electronic device (910), and may receive a power signal. In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may receive a power signal from the external electronic device (910) and charge the battery (189) using the power signal based on the battery (e.g., the battery (189) of FIG. 1 and/or FIG. 2) included in the electronic device (101) being in a discharged state or having an available power amount of the battery (189) being below a specified level. For example, a magnetic field generated from a wireless charging coil (911) of an external electronic device (910) can generate an induced electromotive force in a wireless charging coil (710a or 710b) of an electronic device (101) placed on a front surface (910a) of the external electronic device (910), and the electronic device (101) can charge a battery (189) using the induced electromotive force.

In one embodiment, the external electronic device (910) may include a wireless charging coil (911) arranged in an internal space of the external electronic device (910) so as to face the front surface (910a) of the external electronic device (910). According to various embodiments, the number of wireless charging coils (911) included in the external electronic device (910) is not limited, but may be configured in plurality so that most of the front surface (910a) of the external electronic device (910) is implemented as a wireless charging area. For example, the external electronic device (910) may include at least one wireless charging coil arranged to cover a first area (70) forming a part of the front surface (910a) and at least one wireless charging coil arranged to cover a second area (80) forming another part of the front surface (910a). Based on this, the external electronic device (910) can support multi-wireless charging that provides multiple wireless charging areas through the first area (70) and the second area (80) of the front surface (910a).

In one embodiment, the wireless charging coil (911) included in the external electronic device (910) may be controlled to be active or inactive in the wireless charging operation of the external electronic device (910). For example, at least one wireless charging coil corresponding to the position of the wireless charging coil of the power receiving device disposed on the front surface (910a) of the external electronic device (910) (or overlapping at least a portion of the wireless charging coil of the power receiving device) may be controlled to be active in order to transmit a power signal to the power receiving device. In addition, for example, at least one wireless charging coil not corresponding to the position of the wireless charging coil of the power receiving device disposed on the front surface (910a) of the external electronic device (910) (or not overlapping with the wireless charging coil of the power receiving device) may be controlled to be inactive in order to prevent heat generation and/or power consumption.

In one embodiment, whether a first wireless charging coil included in an external electronic device (910) corresponds (or overlaps) with a second wireless charging coil included in a power receiving device can be determined based on a center point of the first wireless charging coil. For example, based on a certain area or more of the first wireless charging coil including the center point of the first wireless charging coil corresponds (or overlaps) with the second wireless charging coil, the first wireless charging coil can be controlled to be in an active state to transmit wireless power to the second wireless charging coil. For another example, based on a center point of the first wireless charging coil not corresponding (or overlapping) with the second wireless charging coil, the first wireless charging coil can be controlled to be in an inactive state.

In one embodiment, a power receiving device that can be placed in a first area (70) of a front surface (910a) of an external electronic device (910) and a power receiving device that can be placed in a second area (80) of the front surface (910a) may be different types of devices. For example, at least one of a smart phone (e.g., electronic device (101)), wireless earphones, and a wireless earphone case may be placed in a first area (70) of a front surface (910a) of an external electronic device (910) and may be wirelessly charged, and a smart watch (920) or a smart band may be placed in a second area (80) of a front surface (910a) of an external electronic device (910) and may be wirelessly charged.

Referring to FIG. 11, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may operate as a power transmission device that wirelessly transmits a power signal to an external electronic device (1110) (e.g., a power receiving device) by executing a wireless charging Tx (transmit data) function (or, a wireless power transmission function).

In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may be positioned below the external electronic device (1110) (e.g., in contact with the rear surface of the external electronic device (1110) or within a specified distance from the rear surface of the external electronic device (1110)) such that at least a portion of a wireless charging coil (e.g., a wireless charging coil 710a of FIG. 7 or a wireless charging coil 710b of FIG. 8) included in the electronic device (101) is aligned with at least a portion of a wireless charging coil included in the external electronic device (1110). For example, the electronic device (101) may be disposed below the external electronic device (1110) so that the rear surface (101c) of the electronic device (101) adjacent to the wireless charging coil (710a or 710b) disposed in the internal space of the electronic device (101) faces the rear surface of the external electronic device (1110) (or faces the rear surface of the external electronic device (1110)) and transmits a power signal. In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may support the external electronic device (1110) to charge the battery using the power signal by transmitting a power signal to the external electronic device (1110) based on the fact that the battery included in the external electronic device (1110) is in a discharged state or that the available power amount of the battery is below a specified level.

In the embodiments of FIG. 9 and FIG. 11, during a wireless charging operation between an electronic device (101) and an external electronic device (910 or 1110) (e.g., a power transmitting device or a power receiving device), at least some of the functions executed by the electronic device (101) may reduce the efficiency of the wireless charging or cause the wireless charging to be interrupted. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the functionality of the electronic device (101) may be related to (or linked to) physical movement and/or positional movement of at least a portion of the electronic device (101), including, for example, at least one of sliding of a second housing (e.g., the second housing (320a) of FIGS. 3 and/or 4 , or the second housing (320b) of FIGS. 5 and/or 6 , or the second housing (320) of FIGS. 7 and/or 8 ) relative to a first housing (e.g., the first housing (310a) of FIGS. 3 and/or 4 , or the first housing (310b) of FIGS. 5 and/or 6 , or the first housing (310) of FIGS. 7 and/or 8 ) and a haptic (e.g., vibration) output of the electronic device (101).

For example, at least one of the sliding function and the haptic output function of the electronic device (101) executed in the wireless charging operation may cause at least a part of the electronic device (101) to physically move or move its position, thereby causing at least one of misalignment between the wireless charging coil (710a or 710b) included in the electronic device (101) and the wireless charging coil included in an external electronic device (e.g., 910 or 1110) and a departure of the electronic device (101) from the wireless charging area of the external electronic device (e.g., 910). In addition, for example, at least one of the sliding function and the haptic output function of the electronic device (101) executed in the wireless charging operation may cause at least a part of the electronic device (101) to physically move or move its position, thereby causing a collision between the electronic device (101) and an external electronic device (e.g., 920) adjacent thereto, thereby causing at least one of misalignment between the wireless charging coil (710a or 710b) of the electronic device (101) and the wireless charging coil of the external electronic device (e.g., 910), misalignment between the wireless charging coils of the external electronic devices (e.g., 910 and 920), and separation of the electronic device (101) and/or the external electronic device (e.g., 920) with respect to the wireless charging area of the external electronic device (e.g., 910).

In an embodiment described with reference to the drawings below, while the electronic device (101) performs wireless charging (e.g., transmitting a wireless power signal or receiving a wireless power signal) with an external electronic device (910 or 1110), the execution of at least one function (e.g., a sliding function of a housing and/or a haptic output function) related to physical movement and/or positional movement of the electronic device (101) may be at least temporarily restricted.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a wireless charging process of an electronic device according to one embodiment.

In the embodiment of FIG. 12 below, an electronic device according to an embodiment (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1 and/or FIG. 2) may include a power transmitting device (e.g., the power transmitting device (1210) of FIG. 12) operating with a wireless charging Tx (transmit data) function (or, a wireless power transmitting function) and/or a power receiving device (e.g., the power receiving device (1220) of FIG. 12) operating with a wireless charging Rx (receive data) function (or, a wireless power receiving function).

Referring to FIG. 12, a power transmission device (1210) according to an embodiment may perform a ping operation (1211) while waiting for (or preparing for) wireless charging. For example, the power transmission device (1210) may perform the ping operation (1211) to transmit a ping signal in a digital or analog form to detect a target of wireless charging.

According to one embodiment, the power transmission device (1210) may determine at least one parameter related to transmission of the ping signal in the ping operation (1211). For example, the power transmission device (1210) may determine a parameter related to at least one of a frequency of the ping signal, a transmission voltage of the ping signal, and a transmission period of the ping signal. In various embodiments, the at least one parameter may be set as a default in the initial settings of the wireless charging system of the power transmission device (1210).

In one embodiment, the power transmission device (1210) can receive a response signal to the ping signal from the power reception device (1220), and detect the presence of the power reception device (1220) (e.g., contact of the power reception device (1220) to the power transmission device (1210), or proximity of the power reception device (1220) within a specified distance from the power transmission device (1210)) based on the reception of the response signal.

In one embodiment, the power transmission device (1210) may establish a communication connection (or communication channel) with the power reception device (1220) in an authentication and configuration operation (1213) based on detecting the presence of the power reception device (1220). For example, the power transmission device (1210) may be connected to the power reception device (1220) by in-band communication that transmits and receives a signal or data using at least one of a wireless communication module (e.g., the wireless communication module (192) of FIG. 1) and a wireless charging coil (e.g., the wireless charging coil (710a) of FIG. 7 or the wireless charging coil (710b) of FIG. 8) included in the power transmission device (1210). Also, for example, the power transmission device (1210) may be connected to the power reception device (1220) by an out-band method of transmitting and receiving a signal or data using at least one of a wireless communication module (192) and an antenna module (e.g., the antenna module (197) of FIG. 1) included in the power transmission device (1210). In various embodiments, a communication (or communication channel) connection between the power transmission device (1210) and the power reception device (1220) may include a series of processes in which one device transmits a signal requesting the communication connection and another device confirms the signal (or responds to the signal).

In one embodiment, the power transmission device (1210) may receive at least one signal or data from the power reception device (1220) using communication connected to the power reception device (1220). For example, the power transmission device (1210) may receive a signal or data including information that can authenticate the power reception device (1220) (e.g., a wireless communication ID of the power reception device (1220)) from the power reception device (1220). In one embodiment, the power transmission device (1210) may determine the power reception device (1220) detected in the ping operation (1211) as a valid device for wireless charging based on whether the information received from the power reception device (1220) corresponds to information pre-recorded in the power transmission device (1210) (e.g., a wireless communication ID of at least one external electronic device that is authenticated for wireless power sharing with the power transmission device (1210). According to various embodiments, the power transmission device (1210) may receive a signal or data including various configuration information required for the power reception device (1220) to wirelessly receive power from the power reception device (1220) using the communication.

In one embodiment, the power transmission device (1210) may wirelessly transmit a power signal to the power reception device (1220) in a power transmission operation (1215) based on determining that the power reception device (1220) is a valid device. According to one embodiment, while transmitting the power signal, the power transmission device (1210) may receive at least one signal or data from the power reception device (1220) using communication connected to the power reception device (1220). For example, the power transmission device (1210) may receive a signal or data including at least one of a control error packet (CEP) indicating notification information about power (or amount of power) that the power reception device (1220) requires for wireless charging, a received power packet (RPP) indicating information on the size of power (or amount of power) that the power reception device (1220) is receiving, an end power transfer (EPT) indicating a request for wireless charging stop of the power reception device (1220), and a point-to-point protocol (PPP) indicating a data link protocol between the power transmission device (1210) and the power reception device (1220). In one embodiment, the power transmission device (1210) may adjust at least a part of a power signal that it wirelessly transmits to the power reception device (1220) based on at least one of the CEP and RPP received from the power reception device (1220).

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating components of an electronic device according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 13, an electronic device (101) according to an embodiment may include a wireless charging coil (1310) (e.g., the wireless charging coil (710a) of FIG. 7 or the wireless charging coil (710b) of FIG. 8), a wireless charging circuit (1320), a battery (1330) (e.g., the battery (189) of FIG. 1), at least one sensor (1340) (e.g., the sensor module (176) of FIG. 1), at least one communication circuit (1350) (e.g., the communication module (190) of FIG. 1), a flexible display (1360) (e.g., the display module (160) of FIG. 1, the flexible display (330a) of FIG. 3 and/or FIG. 4, and/or the flexible display (330b) of FIG. 5 and/or FIG. 6), and at least one processor (1370) (e.g., the processor (120) of FIG. 1). According to various embodiments, the flexible display (1360) may also be referred to as a rollable display and/or a sliderable display in that it rolls in or out, or slides in or out, depending on the state of the electronic device (101).

In various embodiments, the electronic device (101) may omit at least some of the components described above, or may further include other additional components. For example, the electronic device (101) may further include a driving module (e.g., an actuator and/or a motor) that supports sliding (e.g., slide-in or slide-out) of a second housing (e.g., the second housing (320a) of FIGS. 3 and/or 4 , or the second housing (320b) of FIGS. 5 and/or 6 , or the second housing (320) of FIGS. 7 and/or 8 ) relative to a first housing (e.g., the first housing (310a) of FIGS. 3 and/or 4 , or the first housing (310b) of FIGS. 5 and/or 6 , or the first housing (310) of FIGS. 7 and/or 8 ). Additionally, for example, the electronic device (101) may further include at least some of the components of the electronic device mentioned through FIG. 1.

In one embodiment, the wireless charging coil (1310) may support wireless charging (e.g., transmitting a wireless power signal and/or receiving a wireless power signal) of the electronic device (101). For example, the wireless charging coil (1310) may wirelessly transmit a power signal generated by the wireless charging circuit (1320) to a wireless charging coil of an external electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device (1110) of FIG. 11) or wirelessly receive a power signal transmitted from an external electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device (910) of FIGS. 9 and/or 10).

In one embodiment, the wireless charging circuit (1320) may generate a power signal to be transmitted to an external electronic device (e.g., 1110) using power supplied from the battery (1330), or may generate power to charge the battery (1330) using a power signal received from an external electronic device (e.g., 910). In various embodiments, the wireless charging circuit (1320) may be configured as at least a part of a power management module mentioned through FIG. 1 and/or FIG. 2, or may be configured independently of the power management module.

In one embodiment, the battery (1330) may supply power (e.g., discharge) to components of the electronic device (101) or may be charged based on a power signal received wired or wirelessly from an external power source (e.g., a wall power source, a secondary battery device, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, and/or a wireless charging device (e.g., 910)).

In one embodiment, at least one sensor (1340) can detect a state and posture of the electronic device (101), and generate a signal or data corresponding to the detected state and posture. For example, at least one sensor (1340) can detect a rotational speed of a driving module (e.g., an actuator and/or a motor) that supports sliding of a second housing (320a, 320b, or 320) relative to a first housing (310a, 310b, or 310), and generate a corresponding signal or data. Also, for example, at least one sensor (1340) can detect a movement amount of the second housing (320a, 320b, or 320), and generate a corresponding signal or data. Also, for example, at least one sensor (1340) can detect a magnetic field generated by a magnet disposed in an area of the second housing (320a, 320b, or 320) or an area of the flexible display (1360) and generate a corresponding signal or data. Also, for example, at least one sensor (1340) can detect acceleration and/or gyro of the electronic device (101) and generate a corresponding signal or data.

In one embodiment, at least one communication circuit (1350) can support wireless communication between the electronic device (101) and at least one external electronic device (e.g., 910, 1110, or the external electronic device (920) of FIG. 9). For example, the at least one communication circuit (1350) can support in-band communication that performs transmission and reception of a signal or data with the external electronic device (e.g., 910 or 1110) by using a frequency in a band that is the same as or adjacent to a frequency used for transmitting and/or receiving a wireless power signal in the wireless charging coil (1310). Additionally, for example, the at least one communication circuit (1350) can support out-band communication that performs transmission and reception of a signal or data with the external electronic device (e.g., 910, 920, and/or 1110) by using a frequency in a band that is different from the frequency used for transmitting and/or receiving the wireless power signal. In various embodiments, the out-of-band communication may include at least one of Bluetooth low energy, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi direct, cellular communication, and near field communication (NFC).

In one embodiment, the flexible display (1360) may vary the size (or area) of a screen area (or an active area, or a display area) exposed to the outside in response to a state transition of the electronic device (101). In addition, the flexible display (1360) may display various information related to wireless charging of the electronic device (101) and/or an external electronic device (e.g., 920) linked to the electronic device (101) through the screen area (e.g., information regarding a charging state of the electronic device (101) and/or information regarding a charging state of the external electronic device (e.g., 920)).

In one embodiment, at least one processor (1370) may execute codes (e.g., instructions) of a programming language stored in a memory (e.g., the memory (130) of FIG. 1) to control various functions or operations of the electronic device (101). For example, at least one processor (1370) may be electrically connected to components of the electronic device (101) to transmit (or transfer) at least one command, signal, and/or data involved in executing a function or operation of the electronic device (101) to the relevant components.

In one embodiment, at least one processor (1370) may identify, during a wireless charging operation (e.g., transmitting a wireless power signal or receiving a wireless power signal) of the electronic device (101), an occurrence of a designated event and at least one function (e.g., a sliding function and/or a haptic (e.g., vibration) output function of the second housing (320a, 320b, or 320)) whose execution is defined in response to the occurrence of the designated event, and may at least temporarily restrict the execution of the identified at least one function while the wireless charging of the electronic device (101) is performed. In the embodiments described below with reference to the drawings, a specific control operation of at least one processor (1370) may be described.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of operating an electronic device during a wireless charging operation according to an embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface of an electronic device during a wireless charging operation according to an embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a user interface of an external electronic device linked with an electronic device during a wireless charging operation according to an embodiment. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a state of an electronic device during a wireless charging operation according to an embodiment. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating various examples of events occurring during a wireless charging operation according to an embodiment.

In describing the embodiment of FIG. 14 below, the embodiments of FIGS. 15, 16, 17, and 18 may be referred to together. In addition, the operations mentioned in the embodiment of FIG. 14 may be performed sequentially, but may not necessarily be performed sequentially. For example, the order of the operations mentioned in the embodiment of FIG. 14 may be changed, or at least two operations may be performed in parallel.

Referring to FIG. 14, in operation 1401, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 11, and/or FIG. 13, the electronic device (101a) of FIG. 3 and/or FIG. 4, and/or the electronic device (101b) of FIG. 5 and/or FIG. 6) according to an embodiment may perform wireless charging (e.g., reception of a wireless power signal or transmission of a wireless power signal) with an external electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device (910) of FIG. 9 and/or FIG. 10 or the external electronic device (1110) of FIG. 11). For example, the electronic device (101) may be disposed above an external electronic device (e.g., 910) such that at least a portion of a wireless charging coil (e.g., the wireless charging coil 710a of FIG. 7 or the wireless charging coil 710b of FIG. 8) is aligned with at least a portion of a wireless charging coil (e.g., the wireless charging coil 911 of FIG. 10) of the external electronic device (e.g., 910) to wirelessly receive a power signal from the external electronic device (e.g., 910). Also, for example, the electronic device (101) may be disposed below the external electronic device (e.g., 1110) such that at least a portion of the wireless charging coil (710a or 710b) is aligned with at least a portion of the wireless charging coil of the external electronic device (e.g., 1110) to wirelessly transmit a power signal to the external electronic device (e.g., 1110).

According to one embodiment, at least one processor (e.g., at least one processor (1370) of FIG. 13) of the electronic device (101) may display various information using a flexible display (e.g., a flexible display (330a) of FIG. 3 and/or FIG. 4, a flexible display (330b) of FIG. 5 and/or FIG. 6, or a flexible display (1360) of FIG. 13) during a wireless charging (e.g., receiving a wireless power signal) operation of the electronic device (101). With reference to FIG. 15, for example, at least one processor (1370) of the electronic device (101) may display, on a screen area (or, an always on display (AOD) interface) of the flexible display (330a, 330b, and/or 1360), at least one of a first visual object (1510) indicating charging information of the electronic device (101) and a second visual object (1520) indicating charging information of at least one other external electronic device (e.g., 920 and/or 1110) that wirelessly receives a power signal from an external electronic device (e.g., 910). In this regard, the electronic device (101) may be linked with the at least one other external electronic device (e.g., 920 and/or 1110) adjacent to it based on the same account information, and may share charging information of the corresponding devices. In this respect, charging information of an electronic device (101) that wirelessly receives a power signal from an external electronic device (e.g., 910) and/or at least one other external electronic device (e.g., 1110) may also be shared with at least one other external electronic device (e.g., 920) that does not receive a power signal from the external electronic device (e.g., 910). With reference to FIG. 16, for example, an electronic device (101) that performs wireless charging with an external electronic device (e.g., 910) and/or at least one other external electronic device (e.g., 1110) may share charging information of the device with the external electronic device (e.g., 910) and at least one other external electronic device (e.g., 920) that does not perform wireless charging, and the at least one other external electronic device (e.g., 920) may display a visual object (1610) representing charging information of the electronic device (101) and/or at least one other external electronic device (e.g., 1110) linked based on the same account information using a display.

In one embodiment, at least one processor (1370) of the electronic device (101) may identify a state of the electronic device (101) during a wireless charging (e.g., transmitting a wireless power signal or receiving a wireless power signal) operation of the electronic device (101). With reference to FIG. 17, for example, at least one processor (1370) may acquire (or receive) from at least one sensor (e.g., at least one sensor (1340) of FIG. 13) a signal or data representing a rotational speed of a driving module (e.g., an actuator and/or a motor) that supports sliding (e.g., a slide-in or a slide-out) of a second housing (e.g., the second housing (320a) of FIG. 3 and/or FIG. 4, or the second housing (320b) of FIG. 5 and/or FIG. 6, or the second housing (320) of FIG. 7 and/or FIG. 8), a movement amount of the second housing (320a, 320b, or 320), and/or a change in a magnetic field generated in a magnet disposed in an area of the second housing (320a, 320b, or 320) or the flexible display (1360). At least one processor (1370) can identify whether an electronic device (101) positioned above an external electronic device (910) or below an external electronic device (e.g., an external electronic device (1110) of FIG. 11) has a first state (10) (or a third state (30) of FIG. 5) or a second state (20) (or a fourth state (40) of FIG. 6) based on the signal or data.

In operation 1403, at least one processor (1370) of the electronic device (101) according to an embodiment may identify an occurrence of a designated event. For example, the at least one processor (1370) may identify an occurrence of an event including at least one of call reception and/or video call reception based on a calling application, SMS (short message service) message reception and/or pop-up message reception based on a messaging application, SNS (social network service) message reception based on a social media application, alarm output based on an alarm application, wired and/or wireless communication connection with an external electronic device, and execution of a designated application (e.g., an application designated by a user in addition to the applications described above). Also referring to FIG. 18, for example, at least one processor (1370) can identify the occurrence of an event including at least one of a user input (1810) on a wheel key of an external electronic device (e.g., 920) linked with the electronic device (101), a user input (1820, 1840, and/or 1860) on a button and/or user interface of the linked external electronic device (e.g., 920, 1830, and/or 1850), a designated gesture input using the linked external electronic device (e.g., 1850), and a voice input (1880) uttering a designated keyword.

In one embodiment, at least one processor (1370) may identify at least one function of the electronic device (101) whose execution is defined in response to the occurrence of the event according to a routine set on the framework of the electronic device (101) based on identifying the occurrence of the event. According to one embodiment, the at least one function may be related to (or linked to) a physical movement and/or positional movement of the electronic device (101), and may include, for example, at least one of a sliding function of a second housing (320a, 320b, or 320) with respect to a first housing (e.g., the first housing (310a) of FIGS. 3 and/or 4 , or the first housing (310b) of FIGS. 5 and/or 6 , or the first housing (310) of FIGS. 7 and/or 8 ) and a haptic (e.g., vibration) output function of the electronic device (101).

In operation 1405, at least one processor (1370) of the electronic device (101) according to an embodiment may at least temporarily restrict execution of the at least one function identified. For example, the at least one processor (1370) may determine a posture (e.g., a first posture substantially horizontal to the ground or a second posture having an incline greater than a specified angle to the ground) of the electronic device (101) based on at least one of an acceleration value and a gyro value of the electronic device (101) acquired (or received) from at least one sensor (1340), and may restrict execution of the at least one function based on the determination while wireless charging of the electronic device (101) is maintained (e.g., the first posture is maintained). In addition, for example, at least one processor (1370) may obtain (or receive) status information (e.g., charging status information and/or discharging status information) of a battery (e.g., battery 1330 of FIG. 13) from a fuel gauge (e.g., power gauge (230) of FIG. 2) of the electronic device (101), and may restrict execution of the at least one function while wireless charging of the electronic device (101) is maintained based on the status information of the battery (1330). In addition, for example, at least one processor (1370) may obtain (or receive) in-band communication status information of the electronic device (101) from at least one communication circuit (e.g., at least one communication circuit (1350) of FIG. 13), and may restrict execution of the at least one function while wireless charging of the electronic device (101) is maintained based on the in-band communication status information. In addition, for example, at least one processor (1370) may monitor whether a signal or data including at least one of a control error packet (CEP) and/or a received power packet (RPP) is received from an external electronic device (e.g., 1110) performing wireless charging with the electronic device (101), and may limit execution of the at least one function while wireless charging of the electronic device (101) is maintained based on the monitoring.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) may switch or maintain a state of the electronic device (101) while waiting for (or preparing for) wireless charging with an external electronic device (910 or 1110). For example, the electronic device (101) may have a second state (20) (or a fourth state (40)) and may be placed above or below the external electronic device (910 or 1110), in which case the second state (20) (or the fourth state (40)) may be switched to the first state (10) (or the third state (30)) while waiting for the wireless charging. Based on this, the electronic device (101) can perform wireless charging with the external electronic device (910 or 1110) in the first state (10) (or the third state (30)) that has been switched, and can maintain the first state (10) (or the third state (30)) by at least temporarily limiting a function corresponding to a specified event (e.g., a sliding function of the second housing (320a, 320b, or 320) with respect to the first housing (310a, 310b, or 310)) while performing the wireless charging. In addition, for example, the electronic device (101) can have the second state (20) (or the fourth state (40)) and be placed above or below the external electronic device (910 or 1110), and can maintain the second state (20) (or the fourth state (40)) while waiting for the wireless charging. Based on this, the electronic device (101) can perform wireless charging with an external electronic device (910 or 1110) in the second state (20) (or fourth state (40)) maintained, and can maintain the second state (20) (or fourth state (40)) by at least temporarily limiting a function corresponding to a specified event (e.g., a sliding function of the second housing (320a, 320b, or 320) with respect to the first housing (310a, 310b, or 310)) while performing the wireless charging.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an operation method of an electronic device when wireless charging is stopped according to one embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating execution of a function of an electronic device when wireless charging is stopped according to one embodiment.

Hereinafter, when describing the embodiments of FIG. 19, the embodiment of FIG. 20 may be referred to together. In addition, the operations mentioned in the embodiment of FIG. 19 may be performed sequentially, but may not necessarily be performed sequentially. For example, the order of the operations mentioned in the embodiment of FIG. 19 may be changed, or at least two operations may be performed in parallel. In addition, the operations mentioned in the embodiment of FIG. 19 may be performed after the operations mentioned in the embodiment of FIG. 14 are performed.

Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, in operation 1901, at least one processor (e.g., at least one processor (1370) of FIG. 13) of an electronic device (101) according to an embodiment may determine whether wireless charging between the electronic device (101) and an external electronic device (e.g., 910 or the external electronic device (1110) of FIG. 11) is stopped. For example, at least one processor (1370) may determine a posture (e.g., a first posture substantially horizontal to the ground or a second posture having an incline greater than a specified angle to the ground) of the electronic device (101) based on at least one of an acceleration value and a gyro value of the electronic device (101) acquired (or received) from at least one sensor (e.g., at least one sensor (1340) of FIG. 13), and may determine whether wireless charging of the electronic device (101) is stopped (e.g., changed from the first posture to the second posture) based on the determination. In addition, for example, at least one processor (1370) may obtain (or receive) status information (e.g., charging status information and/or discharging status information) of a battery (e.g., battery (1330) of FIG. 13) from a fuel gauge (e.g., power gauge (230) of FIG. 2) of the electronic device (101), and determine whether wireless charging of the electronic device (101) is stopped based on the status information of the battery (1330). In addition, for example, at least one processor (1370) may obtain (or receive) in-band communication status information of the electronic device (101) from at least one communication circuit (e.g., at least one communication circuit (1350) of FIG. 13), and determine whether wireless charging of the electronic device (101) is stopped based on the in-band communication status information. In addition, for example, at least one processor (1370) may monitor whether a signal or data including at least one of a control error packet (CEP) and/or a received power packet (RPP) is received from an external electronic device (e.g., 1110) performing wireless charging with the electronic device (101), and may determine whether wireless charging of the electronic device (101) is stopped based on the monitoring.

According to one embodiment, at least one processor (1370) may determine, based on determining that wireless charging of the electronic device (101) is stopped, in operation 1903, whether occurrence of the identified event is maintained. For example, at least one processor (1370) may determine whether an event (e.g., an event identified as occurring in operation 1403 of FIG. 14) that occurred while the electronic device (101) was performing wireless charging (e.g., transmitting a wireless power signal or receiving a wireless power signal) is still maintained at the time when wireless charging of the electronic device (101) is determined to be stopped. For example, an event (2010) (e.g., receiving a call or receiving a video call) that occurs in an operation in which an electronic device (101) performs wireless charging (e.g., receiving a wireless power signal) with an external electronic device (e.g., 910) may be maintained for a predetermined period of time even if wireless charging of the electronic device (101) is stopped (or, even if the electronic device (101) leaves the wireless charging area of the external electronic device (e.g., 910)) depending on the user's grip on the electronic device (101).

According to one embodiment, at least one processor (1370) may, based on determining that the occurrence of the event (2010) is maintained at the time when the wireless charging stop of the electronic device (101) is determined, execute at least one function identified in relation to the event (2010) (e.g., at least one function identified in operation 1403 of FIG. 14) at operation 1905. For example, at least one processor (1370) may execute at least one function (e.g., sliding (e.g., slide-in or slide-out) of a second housing (e.g., the second housing (320a) of FIG. 3 and/or FIG. 4 , or the second housing (320b) of FIG. 5 and/or FIG. 6 , or the second housing (320) of FIG. 7 and/or FIG. 8 )) to change a state (e.g., a first state (10)) of the electronic device (101) identified while the electronic device (101) is performing wireless charging with an external electronic device (e.g., 910 or 1110) (e.g., a state of the electronic device (101) identified in operation 1401 of FIG. 14 ), and the state of the electronic device (101) may be changed from a state (e.g., a first state (10)) during wireless charging to another state (e.g., a second state It can be converted to state (20)).

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating another example of an operating method of an electronic device during a wireless charging operation according to an embodiment. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a state of arrangement of an electronic device and an external electronic device during a wireless charging operation according to an embodiment. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a wireless charging coil of a power transmission device according to an embodiment.

In describing the embodiments of FIG. 21 below, the embodiments of FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 may be referred to together. In addition, the operations mentioned in the embodiment of FIG. 21 may be performed sequentially, but may not necessarily be performed sequentially. For example, the order of the operations mentioned in the embodiment of FIG. 21 may be changed, or at least two operations may be performed in parallel.

Referring to FIGS. 21, 22, and 23, in operation 2101, an electronic device (101) according to an embodiment may perform wireless charging (e.g., reception of a wireless power signal) with an external electronic device (e.g., 910). For example, the electronic device (101) may be disposed on top of the external electronic device (e.g., 910) such that at least a portion of a wireless charging coil (e.g., the wireless charging coil 710a of FIG. 7 or the wireless charging coil 710b of FIG. 8) is aligned with at least a portion of a wireless charging coil (911) of the external electronic device (e.g., 910), and may wirelessly receive a power signal from the external electronic device (e.g., 910).

In operation 2103, at least one processor (e.g., at least one processor (1370) of FIG. 13) of an electronic device (101) according to an embodiment may identify the occurrence of a specified event. For example, at least one processor (1370) may identify the occurrence of an event including at least one of a call reception, a video call reception, an SMS (short message service) message reception, an SNS (social network service) message reception, a pop-up message reception, an alarm output, a wired and/or wireless communication connection with an external electronic device, and execution of a specified application, a user input to a wheel key of an external electronic device (e.g., an external electronic device (920) of FIG. 18) linked with the electronic device (101), a user input to a button and/or user interface of an external electronic device (e.g., 920, an external electronic device (1830) of FIG. 18, and/or an external electronic device (1850) of FIG. 18) linked with the electronic device (101), a specified gesture input using an external electronic device (1850) linked with the electronic device (101), and a voice input uttering a specified keyword.

In operation 2105, at least one processor (1370) of an electronic device (101) according to an embodiment may determine whether another external electronic device (e.g., 1110) that is disposed above the external electronic device (e.g., 910) and wirelessly receives a power signal from the external electronic device (e.g., 910) is within a designated third distance (d3) based on the electronic device (101). In this regard, while the external electronic device (e.g., 910) performs a ping operation (e.g., the ping operation (1211) of FIG. 12) with each of the electronic device (101) and the other external electronic device (e.g., 1110), the external electronic device may identify the locations of the electronic device (101) and each of the other external electronic devices (e.g., 1110) with respect to a wireless charging area (e.g., the first area (70) of FIG. 9 and/or FIG. 10) of the external electronic device (e.g., 910) based on a response signal to a ping signal received from the electronic device (101) and the other external electronic device (e.g., 1110). In addition, the external electronic device (e.g., 910) may determine at least one wireless charging coil to be controlled to be in an active state for transmission of a wireless power signal based on the identified locations of the electronic device (101) and each of the other external electronic devices (e.g., 1110). For example, an external electronic device (e.g., 910) may control at least one wireless charging coil (e.g., 911a and/or 911b) corresponding to (or at least partially overlapping with) the first location to be activated based on the electronic device (101) being positioned at a first location on a wireless charging area (70) of the external electronic device (e.g., 910).

In one embodiment, at least one processor (1370) may receive, from an external electronic device (e.g., 910), information about at least one wireless charging coil (e.g., 911a and/or 911b) controlled to an active state corresponding to a location of the electronic device (101), using in-band communication and/or out-band communication with the external electronic device (e.g., 910). Additionally, at least one processor (1370) may receive, from the external electronic device (e.g., 910), information about at least one wireless charging coil (e.g., 911c or 911d) controlled to an active state corresponding to a location of another external electronic device (e.g., 1110), using in-band communication and/or out-band communication with the external electronic device (e.g., 910).

In operation 2107, at least one processor (1370) of the electronic device (101) according to an embodiment may, based on identifying that another external electronic device (e.g., 1110) is present within a specified third distance (d3) from the electronic device (101), at least temporarily limit the execution of at least one function of the electronic device (101), the execution of which is defined based on the occurrence of the identified event. In this regard, at least one processor (1370) may identify, based on information about a wireless charging coil received from an external electronic device (e.g., 910), that at least one wireless charging coil (e.g., 911c) controlled to an active state according to a location of the other external electronic device (e.g., 1110) is adjacent to (or overlaps with) at least one wireless charging coil (e.g., 911a and/or 911b) controlled to an active state according to a location of the electronic device (101), and may determine, based on this, that the other external electronic device (e.g., 1110) exists within a specified third distance (d3) from the electronic device (101).

In operation 2109, at least one processor (1370) of the electronic device (101) according to an embodiment of the present invention may, based on identifying that the other external electronic device (e.g., 1110) is not present within a specified third distance (d3) from the electronic device (101), execute at least one function of the electronic device (101) whose execution is defined based on the occurrence of the identified event. In this regard, at least one processor (1370) may identify, based on information about a wireless charging coil received from an external electronic device (e.g., 910), that at least one wireless charging coil (e.g., 911d) controlled to an active state according to a location of the other external electronic device (e.g., 1110) is not adjacent to (or overlaps with) at least one wireless charging coil (e.g., 911a and/or 911b) controlled to an active state according to a location of the electronic device (101), and may determine, based on this, that the other external electronic device (e.g., 1110) is not present within a specified third distance (d3) from the electronic device (101).

According to various embodiments, at least one processor (1370) may determine a relative angle between the electronic device (101) and another external electronic device (e.g., 1110) to at least temporarily limit execution of the at least one function. For example, the at least one processor (1370) may obtain angle of arrival data for an RF signal received from the another external electronic device (e.g., 1110) by using a plurality of antennas (e.g., the antenna module (197) of FIG. 1) of the electronic device (101) supporting ultra-wideband communication, and may calculate a relative angle between the electronic device (101) and the another external electronic device (e.g., 1110) based on the angle of arrival data. In one embodiment, at least one processor (1370) can identify that the direction in which the electronic device (101) is facing and the direction in which the other external electronic device (e.g., 1110) is facing intersect by a specified angle or more based on the calculated relative angle, and can determine at least a temporary restriction on the execution of the at least one function based thereon. In addition, for example, at least one processor (1370) may identify that a direction toward which the electronic device (101) faces and a direction toward which the other external electronic device (e.g., 1110) faces intersect at a specified angle or greater based on angle (or direction) information of the electronic device (101) obtained from at least one sensor (e.g., at least one sensor (1340) of FIG. 13) of the electronic device (101) and angle (or direction) information of the other external electronic device (e.g., 1110) obtained through low energy Bluetooth communication with the other external electronic device (e.g., 1110), and may determine at least a temporary restriction on the execution of the at least one function based on this.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating another example of a user interface of an electronic device during a wireless charging operation according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 24, at least one processor (e.g., at least one processor (1370) of FIG. 13) of an electronic device (101) according to an embodiment may display at least one visual object related to execution of at least one function of the electronic device (101) on a screen area (or AOD interface) of a flexible display (e.g., the flexible display (330a) of FIG. 3 and/or FIG. 4, the flexible display (330b) of FIG. 5 and/or FIG. 6, and/or the flexible display (1360) of FIG. 13) based on detection of wireless charging with an external electronic device (910). For example, at least one processor (1370) may display a first visual object (2420) (e.g., text) on a screen area of the flexible display (330a, 330b, or 1360) to guide that a wireless charging operation (or, wireless charging function) of the electronic device (101) is being executed and that execution of at least one function (e.g., sliding function) may be dynamically restricted while the wireless charging is being executed. In addition, for example, at least one processor (1370) may display a second visual object (2410) (e.g., an icon and/or symbol) on a screen area of the flexible display (330a, 330b, or 1360) to receive a user input for controlling whether to execute at least one function (e.g., sliding function) of the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, at least one processor (1370) may, based on receiving a user input for the second visual object (2410), at least temporarily limit a function (e.g., a sliding function) corresponding to a specified event (e.g., a call reception and/or a video call reception) even if a specified event occurs during wireless charging, thereby maintaining the state of the electronic device (101) (e.g., the first state (10) (or the third state (30) of FIG. 5)). According to another embodiment, at least one processor (1370) may, based on not receiving a user input for the second visual object (2410), execute a related function (e.g., a sliding function) in response to occurrence of a specified event (e.g., a call reception and/or a video call reception) during wireless charging, thereby changing the state of the electronic device (101) (e.g., from the first state (10) (or the third state (30)) to the second state (20) (or the fourth state (30) of FIG. 6)). It can be changed to state (40)).

Although not shown, according to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) may provide at least one of the first visual object (2420) and the second visual object (2410) in an environment in which wireless charging (e.g., wireless power reception or wireless power transmission) is performed with another external electronic device, in addition to an external electronic device (910) that supports multi-wireless charging.

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating another example of a user interface of an electronic device during a wireless charging operation according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 25, an external electronic device (910) (e.g., a power transmitting device) supporting wireless charging according to an embodiment of the present invention may detect that an electronic device (101) (e.g., a power receiving device) is placed on a front surface of the external electronic device (910) (or detect that wireless charging with the electronic device (101) is initiated), and may display a first indicator (2510) corresponding to a wireless charging area where the electronic device (101) is placed among a plurality of indicators provided through the front surface, with a visual effect (e.g., a different color and/or blinking) that is distinguished from other indicators. Similarly, the external electronic device (910) may, while performing wireless charging with the electronic device (101), detect that another external electronic device (920) (e.g., a power receiving device) is placed in front of the external electronic device (910) (or detect that wireless charging with the other external electronic device (920) is initiated), display the first indicator (2510) and the second indicator (2530) corresponding to the wireless charging area where the other external electronic device (920) is placed as the visual effect.

According to one embodiment, while performing wireless charging with an electronic device (101) disposed in front of the external electronic device (910), the external electronic device (910) may share information about another external electronic device (920) with the electronic device (101) based on detecting that another external electronic device (920) is disposed in front of the external electronic device (910) (or detecting that wireless charging with another external electronic device (920) is initiated). Based on this, at least one processor (e.g., at least one processor (1370) of FIG. 13) of the electronic device (101) may display, on a screen area (or AOD interface) of a flexible display (e.g., the flexible display (330a) of FIG. 3 and/or FIG. 4 , the flexible display (330b) of FIG. 5 and/or FIG. 6 , and/or the flexible display (1360) of FIG. 13 ), at least one of a first visual object (2520) (e.g., text) indicating the presence of another external electronic device (920) on the external electronic device (910) and a second visual object (2540) indicating charging information of the other external electronic device (920).

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating another example of a user interface of an electronic device during a wireless charging operation according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 26, an electronic device (101) according to an embodiment may provide a visual object (2610) (e.g., text) indicating that at least one function of the electronic device (101) is at least temporarily restricted while being placed on an external electronic device (910) together with another external electronic device (920) and performing wireless charging with the external electronic device (910). For example, at least one processor of the electronic device (101) (e.g., at least one processor (1370) of FIG. 13) may display a visual object indicating that execution of at least one function corresponding to occurrence of an event has been automatically restricted on a screen area (or AOD interface) of a flexible display (e.g., the flexible display (330a) of FIG. 3 and/or FIG. 4, the flexible display (330b) of FIG. 5 and/or FIG. 6, and/or the flexible display (1360) of FIG. 13) to prevent interference (or collision) between the electronic device (101) and another external electronic device (920). In addition, for example, the at least one processor (1370) may display a visual object indicating that execution of at least one function corresponding to occurrence of the event has been manually restricted based on identifying that a user input has been received for a visual object related to control of the at least one function (e.g., the visual object (2410) of FIG. 24).

An electronic device according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include a housing including a first housing and a second housing slidably coupled to the first housing with respect to the first housing, a wireless charging coil disposed in an area of the housing and supporting at least one of wireless transmission and wireless reception of power, and at least one processor electrically connected to the wireless charging coil.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the at least one processor may be configured to perform wireless charging with an external electronic device using the wireless charging coil, identify occurrence of a specified event while performing the wireless charging, and at least temporarily limit execution of at least one function whose execution is defined in response to occurrence of the specified event based on the identification of occurrence of the specified event while performing the wireless charging.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the at least one function may be related to movement of at least a portion of the electronic device.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device may be disposed on top of the external electronic device such that at least a portion of the wireless charging coil is aligned with at least a portion of the wireless charging coil of the external electronic device, at least as part of wireless charging with the external electronic device.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the at least one processor may be configured to wirelessly receive a power signal from the external electronic device using the wireless charging coil.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device may be disposed below the external electronic device such that at least a portion of the wireless charging coil is aligned with at least a portion of the wireless charging coil of the external electronic device, at least as part of wireless charging with the external electronic device.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the at least one processor may be configured to wirelessly transmit a power signal to the external electronic device using the wireless charging coil.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the at least one processor may be configured to identify occurrence of the event including at least one of a call reception, a message reception, an alarm output, a communication connection of the electronic device, execution of a specified application, a user input for at least one of a key, a button, and a user interface of at least one external electronic device linked with the electronic device, a specified gesture input using at least one external electronic device linked with the electronic device, and a voice input uttering a specified keyword.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the at least one processor may be configured to identify at least one of a sliding function of the second housing with respect to the first housing and a vibration output function of the electronic device as the at least one function whose execution is defined in response to the occurrence of the designated event.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device may further include at least one sensor, a battery, and a wireless communication circuit.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the at least one processor may be configured to identify whether wireless charging performance of the electronic device is maintained based on at least one of: attitude information of the electronic device identified using the at least one sensor; status information of the battery identified using the at least one sensor; in-band communication status information between the electronic device and the external electronic device identified using the wireless communication circuit; and monitoring information regarding whether a signal including at least one of a control error packet (CEP) and a received power packet (RPP) is received from the external electronic device using the wireless communication circuit.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the at least one processor may be configured to determine whether wireless charging with the external electronic device is stopped based on at least one of the posture information of the electronic device, the status information of the battery, the in-band communication status information, and the monitoring information, determine whether occurrence of the event is maintained based on determining that wireless charging with the external electronic device is stopped, and execute the at least one function that is temporarily limited based on determining that occurrence of the event is maintained.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the at least one processor may be configured to execute the at least temporarily limited at least one function based on determining that the occurrence of the event is maintained at a time when wireless charging with the external electronic device is stopped.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the at least one processor may be configured to determine whether another external electronic device is present within a specified distance from the electronic device above the external electronic device, and further temporarily limit execution of the at least one function while performing the wireless charging based on determining that the other external electronic device is present within the specified distance from the electronic device.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the at least one processor may be configured to receive information about an activity state of a wireless charging coil of the external electronic device from the external electronic device, and determine whether another external electronic device exists within the specified distance from the electronic device based on the information about the activity state of the wireless charging coil of the external electronic device.

A method for wireless charging an electronic device, including a first housing and a second housing slidably coupled to the first housing with respect to the first housing according to embodiments of the present disclosure, may include performing wireless charging with an external electronic device using a wireless charging coil that supports at least one of wireless transmission and wireless reception of power, identifying an occurrence of a specified event while performing the wireless charging, and at least temporarily limiting an execution of at least one function whose execution is defined in response to the occurrence of the specified event based on the identification of the occurrence of the specified event while performing the wireless charging.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the at least one function may be related to movement of at least a portion of the electronic device.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the operation of performing wireless charging with the external electronic device may include an operation of placing the electronic device on top of the external electronic device such that at least a portion of the wireless charging coil is aligned with at least a portion of the wireless charging coil of the external electronic device, and an operation of wirelessly receiving a power signal from the external electronic device using the wireless charging coil.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the operation of performing wireless charging with the external electronic device may include an operation of placing the electronic device below the external electronic device such that at least a portion of the wireless charging coil is aligned with at least a portion of the wireless charging coil of the external electronic device, and an operation of wirelessly transmitting a power signal to the external electronic device using the wireless charging coil.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the operation of identifying the occurrence of the specified event may include an operation of identifying the occurrence of the event including at least one of a call reception, a message reception, an alarm output, a communication connection of the electronic device, execution of a specified application, a user input for at least one of a key, a button, and a user interface of at least one external electronic device linked with the electronic device, a specified gesture input using at least one external electronic device linked with the electronic device, and a voice input uttering a specified keyword.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the operation of identifying the occurrence of the specified event may include an operation of identifying at least one of a sliding function of the second housing with respect to the first housing and a vibration output function of the electronic device as the at least one function whose execution is defined in response to the occurrence of the specified event.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the operation of at least temporarily limiting the execution of the at least one function while performing the wireless charging may include an operation of identifying whether the wireless charging performance of the electronic device is maintained based on at least one of: attitude information of the electronic device identified using at least one sensor of the electronic device, status information of a battery of the electronic device identified using the at least one sensor, in-band communication status information between the electronic device and the external electronic device identified using a wireless communication circuit of the electronic device, and monitoring information regarding whether a signal including at least one of a control error packet (CEP) and a received power packet (RPP) is received from the external electronic device using the wireless communication circuit.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the operation of at least temporarily limiting the execution of the at least one function while performing the wireless charging may include: determining whether wireless charging with the external electronic device has been stopped based on at least one of the attitude information of the electronic device, the status information of the battery, the in-band communication status information, and the monitoring information; determining whether occurrence of the event is maintained based on determining that wireless charging with the external electronic device is stopped; and executing the at least temporarily limited at least one function based on determining that occurrence of the event is maintained.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the operation of at least temporarily limiting execution of the at least one function while performing the wireless charging may include an operation of executing the at least temporarily limited at least one function based on determining that occurrence of the event is maintained at a time when wireless charging with the external electronic device is stopped.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the wireless charging method may further include an operation of determining whether another external electronic device exists within a specified distance from the electronic device above the external electronic device, and an operation of at least temporarily limiting execution of the at least one function while performing the wireless charging based further on determining that the other external electronic device exists within the specified distance from the electronic device.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the operation of determining whether another external electronic device exists within a specified distance from the electronic device may include the operation of receiving information about an activity state of a wireless charging coil of the external electronic device from the external electronic device, and the operation of determining whether the other external electronic device exists within the specified distance from the electronic device based on the information about the activity state of the wireless charging coil of the external electronic device.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a wireless charging mechanism can be provided that can support stable wireless charging of an electronic device by at least temporarily restricting the execution of at least one function that can be associated with physical movement and/or positional movement of the electronic device during a wireless charging operation (e.g., transmitting a wireless power signal or receiving a wireless power signal) of the electronic device.

The effects obtainable from the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art by various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Electronic devices according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be devices of various forms. The electronic devices may include, for example, portable communication devices (e.g., smartphones), computer devices, portable multimedia devices, portable medical devices, cameras, wearable devices, or home appliance devices. Electronic devices according to embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described devices.

The various embodiments of the present disclosure and the terminology used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in the present disclosure to specific embodiments, but should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the embodiments. In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components. The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the present disclosure, each of the phrases "A or B," "at least one of A and B," "at least one of A or B," "A, B, or C," "at least one of A, B, and C," and "at least one of A, B, or C" can include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase, or all possible combinations thereof. Terms such as "first", "second", or "first" or "second" may be used merely to distinguish one component from another, and do not limit the components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order). When a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as "coupled" or "connected" to another (e.g., a second component), with or without the terms "functionally" or "communicatively," it means that the component can be connected to the other component directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third component.

The term "module" as used in the present disclosure may include a unit implemented by hardware, software or firmware, and may be used interchangeably with terms such as logic, logic block, component, or circuit. A module may be an integrally configured component or a minimum unit of the component that performs one or more functions, or a part thereof. For example, according to one embodiment, a module may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

Various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented as software (e.g., a program (140)) including one or more commands stored in a storage medium (e.g., an internal memory (136) or an external memory (138)) readable by a machine (e.g., an electronic device (101)). For example, a processor (e.g., a processor (120)) of a machine (e.g., an electronic device (101)) may call at least one command among the one or more commands stored from the storage medium and execute it. This enables the machine to operate to perform at least one function according to the called at least one command. The one or more commands may include code generated by a compiler or code executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, ‘non-transitory’ simply means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not contain signals (e.g. electromagnetic waves), and the term does not distinguish between cases where data is stored semi-permanently or temporarily on the storage medium.

According to one embodiment, the method according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided as included in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded between sellers and buyers as a commodity. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or may be distributed online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) via an application store (e.g., Play StoreTM) or directly between two user devices (e.g., smartphones). In the case of online distribution, at least a part of the computer program product may be at least temporarily stored or temporarily generated in a machine-readable storage medium, such as a memory of a manufacturer's server, a server of an application store, or an intermediary server.

According to various embodiments, each component (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described components may include a single or multiple entities. According to various embodiments, one or more of the components or operations of the above-described components may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of components (e.g., a module or a program) may be integrated into a single component. In such a case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the components of the plurality of components identically or similarly to those performed by the corresponding component of the plurality of components prior to the integration. According to various embodiments, the operations performed by the module, program or other component may be executed sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order, omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

Claims (20)

In electronic devices,
A housing comprising a first housing and a second housing slidably coupled to the first housing with respect to the first housing;
A wireless charging coil disposed in an area of the housing to support at least one of wireless transmission and wireless reception of power; and
comprising at least one processor electrically connected to the wireless charging coil;
At least one processor of the above:
Using the above wireless charging coil, wireless charging is performed with an external electronic device,
While performing the above wireless charging, identify the occurrence of a specified event, and
Based on identifying the occurrence of the above specified event, the execution of at least one function defined to be executed in response to the occurrence of the above specified event is configured to be at least temporarily restricted while performing the wireless charging.
An electronic device, wherein at least one of said functions relates to movement of at least a portion of said electronic device. In claim 1,
The electronic device is positioned on top of the external electronic device such that at least a portion of the wireless charging coil is aligned with at least a portion of the wireless charging coil of the external electronic device, at least as part of wireless charging with the external electronic device;
At least one processor of the above,
An electronic device configured to wirelessly receive a power signal from an external electronic device using the wireless charging coil. In claim 1,
The electronic device is positioned below the external electronic device such that at least a portion of the wireless charging coil is aligned with at least a portion of the wireless charging coil of the external electronic device, at least as part of wireless charging with the external electronic device;
At least one processor of the above,
An electronic device configured to wirelessly transmit a power signal to the external electronic device using the wireless charging coil. In claim 1,
At least one processor of the above,
An electronic device configured to identify the occurrence of the event, including at least one of a call reception, a message reception, an alarm output, a communication connection of the electronic device, execution of a designated application, a user input to at least one of a key, a button, and a user interface of at least one external electronic device linked with the electronic device, a designated gesture input using at least one external electronic device linked with the electronic device, and a voice input uttering a designated keyword. In claim 1,
At least one processor of the above,
An electronic device configured to identify at least one of a sliding function of the second housing with respect to the first housing and a vibration output function of the electronic device as the at least one function whose execution is defined in response to the occurrence of the designated event. In claim 1,
At least one sensor;
Battery; and
Further comprising a wireless communication circuit,
At least one processor of the above,
An electronic device configured to identify whether wireless charging performance of the electronic device is maintained based on at least one of: posture information of the electronic device identified using the at least one sensor, status information of the battery identified using the at least one sensor, in-band communication status information between the electronic device and the external electronic device identified using the wireless communication circuit or the wireless charging coil, and monitoring information regarding whether a signal including at least one of a CEP (control error packet) and a RPP (received power packet) is received from the external electronic device using the wireless communication circuit. In claim 6,
At least one processor of the above,
Based on at least one of the detailed information of the electronic device, the status information of the battery, the in-band communication status information, and the monitoring information, it is determined whether wireless charging with the external electronic device has been stopped,
Based on determining that wireless charging with the external electronic device has been interrupted, determining whether the occurrence of the event is maintained,
An electronic device configured to perform at least one function of said at least temporarily limited based on determining that the occurrence of said event is maintained. In claim 1,
At least one processor of the above,
An electronic device configured to perform said at least one function that is at least temporarily limited based on determining that the occurrence of said event is maintained at a time when wireless charging with said external electronic device is stopped. In claim 2,
At least one processor of the above,
On top of the above external electronic device, determine whether another external electronic device exists within a specified distance from the electronic device,
An electronic device configured to at least temporarily limit execution of said at least one function while performing said wireless charging, further based on determining that another external electronic device is present within a specified distance from said electronic device. In claim 9,
At least one processor of the above,
Receive information about the activity status of the wireless charging coil of the external electronic device from the external electronic device,
An electronic device configured to determine whether another external electronic device exists within the specified distance from the electronic device based on information about the activity state of the wireless charging coil of the external electronic device. A wireless charging method for an electronic device comprising a first housing and a second housing slidably coupled to the first housing with respect to the first housing,
An operation of performing wireless charging with an external electronic device using a wireless charging coil supporting at least one of wireless transmission and wireless reception of power;
An operation for identifying the occurrence of a specified event while performing the above wireless charging; and
Based on identifying the occurrence of the above specified event, an action is included to at least temporarily limit the execution of at least one function defined to be executed in response to the occurrence of the above specified event while performing the wireless charging.
A wireless charging method, wherein at least one of the above functions relates to movement of at least a portion of the electronic device. In claim 11,
The operation of performing wireless charging with the above external electronic device is as follows:
An operation in which the electronic device is placed on top of the external electronic device such that at least a portion of the wireless charging coil is aligned with at least a portion of the wireless charging coil of the external electronic device; and
A wireless charging method, comprising an operation of wirelessly receiving a power signal from an external electronic device using the wireless charging coil. In claim 11,
The operation of performing wireless charging with the above external electronic device is as follows:
An operation in which the electronic device is placed beneath the external electronic device such that at least a portion of the wireless charging coil is aligned with at least a portion of the wireless charging coil of the external electronic device; and
A wireless charging method, comprising an operation of wirelessly transmitting a power signal to the external electronic device using the wireless charging coil. In claim 11,
The action to identify the occurrence of the above specified event is:
A wireless charging method, comprising an operation of identifying the occurrence of the event, wherein the event comprises at least one of: receiving a call, receiving a message, outputting an alarm, connecting a communication device to the electronic device, executing a specified application, a user input to at least one of a key, a button, and a user interface of at least one external electronic device linked with the electronic device, a specified gesture input using at least one external electronic device linked with the electronic device, and a voice input uttering a specified keyword. In claim 11,
The action to identify the occurrence of the above specified event is:
A wireless charging method, comprising an operation of identifying at least one of a sliding function of the second housing with respect to the first housing and a vibration output function of the electronic device as the at least one function whose execution is defined in response to the occurrence of the designated event. In claim 11,
An operation of at least temporarily limiting the execution of at least one of the above functions while performing the wireless charging,
A wireless charging method, comprising: an operation of identifying whether wireless charging performance of the electronic device is maintained based on at least one of: posture information of the electronic device identified using at least one sensor of the electronic device, status information of a battery of the electronic device identified using the at least one sensor, in-band communication status information between the electronic device and the external electronic device identified using a wireless communication circuit of the electronic device, and monitoring information regarding whether a signal including at least one of a control error packet (CEP) and a received power packet (RPP) is received from the external electronic device using the wireless communication circuit. In claim 16,
An operation of at least temporarily limiting the execution of at least one of the above functions while performing the wireless charging,
An operation of determining whether wireless charging with the external electronic device has been stopped based on at least one of the detailed information of the electronic device, the status information of the battery, the in-band communication status information, and the monitoring information;
An action of determining whether the occurrence of the event is maintained based on determining that wireless charging with the external electronic device has been stopped; and
A wireless charging method, comprising: an operation of executing said at least one function that is at least temporarily restricted based on determining that the occurrence of said event is maintained. In claim 11,
An operation of at least temporarily limiting the execution of at least one of the above functions while performing the wireless charging,
A wireless charging method, comprising: an operation of executing said at least one function that is at least temporarily restricted based on determining that the occurrence of said event is maintained at a time when wireless charging with said external electronic device is stopped. In claim 12,
An operation for determining, on top of said external electronic device, whether another external electronic device exists within a specified distance from said electronic device; and
A wireless charging method further comprising an action of at least temporarily limiting execution of the at least one function while performing the wireless charging, further based on determining that the other external electronic device is present within a specified distance from the electronic device. In claim 19,
The operation of determining whether another external electronic device exists within a specified distance from the electronic device is,
An operation of receiving information about an active state of a wireless charging coil of the external electronic device from the external electronic device; and
A wireless charging method, comprising an operation of determining whether another external electronic device exists within the specified distance from the electronic device based on information about an activity state of a wireless charging coil of the external electronic device.

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