KR20240147369A - Electronic device including display including touch sensor processing contact of object - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a display including a first region and a second region, a touch sensor including a first portion and a second portion, and a control circuit, wherein the control circuit is configured to obtain a first value indicating a first contact through the second portion, obtain a second value indicating a second contact through the first portion while the first contact is maintained, and identify whether to recognize the second contact as a touch input based on a first touch sensitivity that the first value is less than a first reference value, and identify whether to recognize the second contact as the touch input based on a second touch sensitivity that is different from the first touch sensitivity based on the first value being equal to or greater than the first reference value. In addition, various embodiments are possible.

Description

{ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING DISPLAY INCLUDING TOUCH SENSOR PROCESSING CONTACT OF OBJECT}

The present disclosure relates to an electronic device including a display including a touch sensor for processing contact of an object.

The electronic device may include a touch sensor for performing a designated function in response to contact with an object on the display. The touch sensor may be included within the display. For example, the touch sensor may identify the contact based on capacitive, resistive, infra-red, acoustic, and/or pressure.

The above information may be provided as related art for the purpose of assisting in understanding the present disclosure. No claim or determination is made as to whether any of the above is applicable as prior art related to the present disclosure.

An electronic device is provided. According to one embodiment, the electronic device may include a display including a first region and a second region connected to the first region and curved with respect to the first region. According to one embodiment, the electronic device may include a touch sensor including a first portion disposed within the first region and a second portion disposed within the second region. According to one embodiment, the electronic device may include a control circuit. According to one embodiment, the control circuit may be configured to obtain a first value indicating a first contact on the second region through the second portion. According to one embodiment, the control circuit may be configured to obtain a second value indicating a second contact on the first region through the first portion while the first contact is maintained. According to one embodiment, the control circuit may be configured to identify whether to recognize the second contact as a touch input based on a first touch sensitivity, based on whether the first value is less than a first reference value. According to one embodiment, the control circuit may be configured to identify whether to recognize the second contact as the touch input based on a second touch sensitivity that is different from the first touch sensitivity, based on the first value being greater than or equal to the first reference value.

An electronic device is provided. According to one embodiment, the electronic device may include a first housing. According to one embodiment, the electronic device may include a second housing that is movable with respect to the first housing. According to one embodiment, the electronic device may include a hinge structure that can be changed into a folding state in which a first direction toward which one side of the first housing faces is opposite to a second direction toward which one side of the second housing faces, or an unfolding state in which the first direction is identical to the second direction. According to one embodiment, the electronic device may include a display that is disposed on the one side of the first housing and the one side of the second housing across the hinge structure, and is exposed to the outside of the electronic device in the folding state. According to one embodiment, the electronic device may include a first portion disposed on the first housing, and a second portion connected to the first portion and disposed on the hinge structure and the second housing, and a touch sensor disposed within the display. According to one embodiment, the electronic device may include a control circuit. In one embodiment, the control circuit may be configured to obtain a first value indicating a first contact through the first portion. In one embodiment, the control circuit may be configured to obtain a second value indicating a second contact through the second portion while the first contact is maintained. In one embodiment, the control circuit may be configured to identify whether to recognize the second contact as a touch input according to a first touch sensitivity based on the first value being less than a first reference value. In one embodiment, the control circuit may be configured to identify whether to recognize the second contact as the touch input according to a second touch sensitivity that is different from the first touch sensitivity based on the first value being greater than or equal to the first reference value.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device within a network environment according to various embodiments.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a display module according to various embodiments.
FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of an exemplary electronic device according to one embodiment.
FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary electronic device according to one embodiment.
FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary electronic device according to one embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between exemplary reference values and a first threshold value for identifying a contact on a display as a touch input.
FIG. 7a illustrates a first state of an exemplary control circuit according to one embodiment.
FIG. 7b illustrates a first state of an exemplary control circuit according to one embodiment.
FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a plurality of nodes of a touch sensor when an exemplary control circuit according to one embodiment is in a first state.
FIG. 9 is a graph showing the relationship between exemplary reference values and a second threshold value for identifying a contact on a display as a touch input.
FIGS. 10A to 10C illustrate a second state of an exemplary control circuit according to one embodiment.
FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a plurality of nodes of a touch sensor when an exemplary control circuit according to one embodiment is in a second state.
FIG. 12 illustrates a third state of an exemplary control circuit according to one embodiment.
FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a plurality of nodes of a touch sensor when an exemplary control circuit according to one embodiment is in a third state.
FIG. 14 illustrates a charging state of an exemplary electronic device according to one embodiment.
FIG. 15 illustrates an angle-dependent state of an exemplary electronic device according to one embodiment.
Figure 16 illustrates a scan operation of an exemplary control circuit according to one embodiment.
Figures 17a through 17i illustrate low power scan operations of an exemplary control circuit according to one embodiment.
Figure 18 illustrates an example of the operation of a control circuit according to one embodiment.
FIG. 19a illustrates an example of an operation of an exemplary control circuit according to one embodiment of the present invention to change the state of a control circuit.
FIG. 19b illustrates an example of an operation of a control circuit according to one embodiment of the present invention to change the state of the control circuit.
FIG. 20 illustrates an example of operation of an exemplary processor according to one embodiment.
FIG. 21 illustrates an example of operation of an exemplary processor according to one embodiment.
FIG. 22 illustrates an example of an operation of an exemplary control circuit scanning a touch sensor according to one embodiment.
FIG. 23 illustrates the state of an electronic device while an exemplary control circuit performs a low power scan according to one embodiment.

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

Referring to FIG. 1, in a network environment (100), an electronic device (101) may communicate with an electronic device (102) via a first network (198) (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or may communicate with at least one of an electronic device (104) or a server (108) via 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) via 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 have one or more other components added. 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 an 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 an auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., a graphics 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 with the main processor (121). For example, when the electronic device (101) includes the main processor (121) and the auxiliary processor (123), the auxiliary processor (123) may be configured to use less power than the main processor (121) or to be specialized for a given function. The auxiliary 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 portion 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. In 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)). In one embodiment, the auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., a neural network processing device) may include a hardware structure specialized for processing artificial intelligence models. The artificial intelligence models may be generated through machine learning. Such learning may be performed, for example, in the electronic device (101) itself on which the artificial intelligence model is executed, 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 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 electrical 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 global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module (194) (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module or a power line communication 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) can 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) can 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) can 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), can be selected from the plurality of antennas by, for example, the communication module (190). A signal or power can be transmitted or received between the communication module (190) and the external electronic device through 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)) can 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 positioned 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) positioned 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)).

In one embodiment, commands 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). In 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 executing the function or service itself or in addition, 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 block diagram (200) of a display module (160) according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 2, the display module (160) may include a display (210) and a display driver IC (DDI) (230) for controlling the display (210). The DDI (230) may include an interface module (231), a memory (233) (e.g., a buffer memory), an image processing module (235), or a mapping module (237). The DDI (230) may receive image information including, for example, image data or an image control signal corresponding to a command for controlling the image data, from another component of the electronic device 101 through the interface module (231). For example, according to one embodiment, image information may be received from a processor (120) (e.g., a main processor (121) (e.g., an application processor) or an auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., a graphic processing unit) that operates independently of the function of the main processor (121). The DDI (230) may communicate with a touch circuit (250) or a sensor module (176) through the interface module (231). In addition, the DDI (230) may store at least some of the received image information in the memory (233), for example, in units of frames. The image processing module (235) may perform preprocessing or postprocessing (e.g., resolution, brightness, or size adjustment) on at least some of the image data based on at least the characteristics of the image data or the characteristics of the display (210), for example. The mapping module (237) may generate a voltage value or a current value corresponding to the image data that has been preprocessed or postprocessed through the image processing module (235). According to one embodiment, the voltage The generation of the value or current value may be performed at least in part based on, for example, properties of pixels of the display (210) (e.g., arrangement of pixels (RGB stripe or pentile structure), or size of each of the sub-pixels). At least some pixels of the display (210) may be driven at least in part based on, for example, the voltage value or current value, so that visual information (e.g., text, image, or icon) corresponding to the image data may be displayed through the display (210).

According to one embodiment, the display module (160) may further include a touch circuit (250). The touch circuit (250) may include a touch sensor (251) and a touch sensor IC (253) for controlling the same. The touch sensor IC (253) may control the touch sensor (251) to detect, for example, a touch input or a hovering input for a specific location of the display (210). For example, the touch sensor IC (253) may detect the touch input or the hovering input by measuring a change in a signal (e.g., voltage, light amount, resistance, or charge amount) for a specific location of the display (210). The touch sensor IC (253) may provide information (e.g., location, area, pressure, or time) about the detected touch input or hovering input to the processor (120). According to one embodiment, at least a portion of the touch circuit (250) (e.g., the touch sensor IC (253)) may be included as part of the display driver IC (230), or as part of the display (210), or as part of another component (e.g., the auxiliary processor (123)) disposed external to the display module (160).

According to one embodiment, the display module (160) may further include at least one sensor (e.g., a fingerprint sensor, an iris sensor, a pressure sensor, or an illuminance sensor) of the sensor module (176), or a control circuit therefor. In this case, the at least one sensor or the control circuit therefor may be embedded in a part of the display module (160) (e.g., the display (210) or the DDI (230)) or a part of the touch circuit (250). For example, if the sensor module (176) embedded in the display module (160) includes a biometric sensor (e.g., a fingerprint sensor), the biometric sensor may obtain biometric information (e.g., a fingerprint image) associated with a touch input through a part of the display (210). As another example, if the sensor module (176) embedded in the display module (160) includes a pressure sensor, the pressure sensor may obtain pressure information associated with a touch input through a part or the entire part of the display (210). According to one embodiment, the touch sensor (251) or sensor module (176) may be positioned between pixels of a pixel layer of the display (210), or above or below the pixel layer.

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of an exemplary electronic device according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may include a processor (120), a display module (160), a sensor (320), and/or a battery (330) (e.g., the battery (189) of FIG. 1). The display module (160) may include a display (210) and a touch circuit (310) (e.g., the touch circuit (250) of FIG. 2). The touch circuit (310) may include a touch sensor (311) (e.g., the touch sensor (251) of FIG. 2) and/or a control circuit (312) (e.g., the touch IC (252) of FIG. 2).

According to one embodiment, the processor (120) may control the operation of electronic components within the electronic device (101). The processor (120) may include the main processor (121) illustrated in FIG. 1, and/or the auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., a sensor hub processor). The processor (120) may be operatively coupled with the display (210), the touch sensor (311), the control circuit (312), the sensor (320), and/or the battery (330). The operative coupling of the processor (120) and at least one of the other components of the electronic device (101) may mean that the other components are directly controlled or indirectly controlled by the processor (120). For example, the processor (120) may control the operation of the touch sensor (311) via the control circuit (312). For example, the processor (120) can control the operation of the display (210) through a display driving circuit (e.g., DDI (230) of FIG. 2).

According to one embodiment, the display (210) may be configured to provide visual information. The display (210) may include a plurality of pixels for providing visual information. The display (210) may be exposed to the outside of the electronic device (101). In addition to the function of providing visual information, the display (210) may provide a function of identifying a contact of an object. The display (210) may include a touch circuit (310) for identifying a contact of an object. The processor (120) may provide a designated feedback based on identifying a contact of an object on the touch circuit (310) as a touch input. The contact of an object may indicate that the object is directly in contact with an outer surface of the display (210) and is located within a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the display (210). The touch circuit (310) may be disposed within the display (210). As the touch circuit (310) is included in the display (210), the display (210) may be referred to as a touch screen. The area of the display (210) where the touch circuit (310) is placed may substantially correspond to the display area of the display (210) for displaying visual information. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

According to one embodiment, the touch sensor (311) may be disposed within the display (210). The touch sensor (311) may obtain values for identifying contact of an object on the display (210). For example, the touch sensor (311) may obtain the values representing a change in capacitance due to the contact of the object. For example, the touch sensor (311) may include a plurality of nodes. The plurality of nodes may form one or more rows and one or more columns. The values resulting from the contact of the object may include a plurality of node values obtained from each of the plurality of nodes. The values resulting from the contact of the object may include one or more line values representing each of the one or more rows and the one or more columns formed by the plurality of nodes. The node values may be referred to as mutual values. The one or more line values may be referred to as self-values. Each of the one or more line values may represent one or more rows formed by the plurality of nodes, and one or more columns, respectively. For example, each of the one or more line values may represent a characteristic of one or more rows formed by the plurality of nodes, and one or more columns, respectively. Examples of the plurality of nodes may be described later in the descriptions related to FIGS. 8, 11, and 13.

In one embodiment, the control circuit (312) can control the touch sensor (311). The control circuit (312) can process data regarding values obtained from the touch sensor (311). For example, the control circuit (312) can generate (or obtain) other data to be provided to the processor (120) based on processing the data obtained from the touch sensor (311).

According to one embodiment, the sensor (320) can obtain data from the outside of the electronic device (101). The processor (120) can obtain information about the state of the electronic device (101) or the external environment of the electronic device (101) based on obtaining data through the sensor (320). For example, the sensor (320) can include a motion sensor for obtaining data about an angle of the electronic device (101). For example, the sensor (320) can include a gyro sensor, but is not limited thereto. According to one embodiment, the sensor (320) can be omitted in the electronic device (101), but is not limited thereto.

In one embodiment, the battery (330) can store power to be supplied to components within the electronic device (101). The battery (330) can supply power to components within the electronic device (101).

In one embodiment, the display (210) may be deformable. For example, the display (210) may be referred to as a flexible display. As the display (210) deforms, a portion of the display (210) may bend relative to another portion of the display (210). For example, the display (210) may include a first region and a second region at least partially bent relative to the first region. At least a portion of the second region may face a different direction than the direction in which the first region faces. For example, the direction in which the second region faces may be angled or substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the first region faces. Each of the first region and the second region may represent a region of the display (210) that may display visual information. An exemplary structure in which the display (210) deforms may be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 below.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary electronic device according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may include a first housing (410), a second housing (420), and/or a hinge structure (430).

In one embodiment, the first housing (410) may be movable relative to the second housing (420). The first housing (410) may include a first side (411) and a second side (412). The first side (411) may support the display (210). The second side (412) may be opposite to the first side (411). For example, the direction in which the second side (412) faces may be opposite to the direction in which the first side (411) faces.

In one embodiment, the second housing (420) may be movable relative to the first housing (410). The second housing (420) may include a third face (421) and a fourth face (422). The third face (421) may support the display (210). The fourth face (422) may be opposite to the third face (421). For example, the direction in which the fourth face (422) faces may be opposite to the direction in which the third face (421) faces.

According to one embodiment, the hinge structure (430) can rotatably connect the first housing (410) and the second housing (420). By the hinge structure (430), the first housing (410) and the second housing (420) can be rotatable with respect to each other. The hinge structure (430) can change the state of the electronic device (101) into an unfolded state in which the direction in which the first surface (411) faces and the direction in which the third surface (413) faces are substantially the same, and a folded state in which the direction in which the first surface (411) faces and the direction in which the third surface (413) faces are opposite to each other.

According to one embodiment, the display (210) can be disposed on the first housing (410) and the second housing (420) across the hinge structure (430). The display (210) can be disposed on the first surface (411) and the third surface (421) across the hinge structure (430). The display (210) can be deformable by the movement of the second housing (420) with respect to the first housing (410). For example, the display (210) can be exposed to the outside of the electronic device (101) in a folding state of the electronic device (101) in which the direction in which the first surface (411) faces and the direction in which the third surface (421) faces are opposite to each other. When the display (210) is exposed to the outside of the electronic device (101) in the folding state of the electronic device (101), the electronic device (101) can be referred to as an out-foldable device. For example, the display (210) may be exposed to the outside of the first housing (410) and the second housing (420) within a folded state of the electronic device (101) in which the direction toward which the first side (411) faces and the direction toward which the third side (421) faces are opposite to each other. For example, the display (210) may be exposed to the outside of the first housing (410) and the second housing (420) within an unfolded state of the electronic device (101) in which the direction toward which the first side (411) faces and the direction toward which the third side (421) faces are the same to each other. For example, within a folded state of the electronic device (101) in which the direction toward which the first side (411) faces and the direction toward which the third side (421) faces are opposite to each other, the second side (412) may face the fourth side (422).

According to one embodiment, the display (210) may include a first region (211) and a second region (212). The first region (211) may be disposed on a first housing (410). The first region (211) may be disposed on a first surface (411). The first region (211) may be supported by the first housing (410). The first region (211) may maintain its shape independently of the movement of the second housing (420) relative to the first housing (410). For example, the shape of the first region (211) may not be deformed by the movement of the second housing (420) relative to the first housing (410). The first region (211) may have a substantially flat shape. In one embodiment, the second region (212) can be deformed by the movement of the second housing (420) relative to the first housing (410). At least a portion of the second region (212) can be bent by the movement of the second housing (420) relative to the first housing (410). For example, the second region (212) can be bent to have a curvature by the movement of the second housing (420) relative to the first housing (410), but is not limited thereto. For example, the second region (212) can define (or form) substantially one plane with the first region (211) within the unfolded state of the electronic device (101). For example, at least a portion of the second region (212) can be bent relative to the first region (211) within the folded state of the electronic device (101). In the folded state of the electronic device (101), the direction in which the second region (212) faces may be different from the direction in which the first region (211) faces. The second region (212) may be connected to the first region (211). The second region (212) may extend from the first region (211) across the hinge structure (430) to the second housing (420). For example, the second region (212) may be disposed on the hinge structure (430) and the third surface (421). According to one embodiment, a portion (212a) of the second region (212) may maintain its shape independently of the movement of the second housing (420) relative to the first housing (410). A portion (212a) of the second region (212) may be disposed on the second housing (420). A part (212a) of the second region (212) may be spaced apart from the first region (211) disposed on the first housing (410). Another part (212b) of the second region (212) may be disposed on the hinge structure (430). Another part (212b) of the second region (212) may be disposed between the first region (211) and the part (212a) of the second region (212). Another part (212b) of the second region (212) may connect the first region (211) and the part (212a) of the second region (212). In the folded state of the electronic device (101), the direction in which the part (212a) of the second region (212) faces may be different from the direction in which the other part (212b) of the second region (212) faces. According to one embodiment, each of the first region (211), a portion (212a) of the second region (212), and another portion (212b) of the second region (212) may be referred to as a display region of the display (210) for providing content. For example, the first region (211) may be referred to as a first display region, the portion (212a) of the second region (212) may be referred to as a second display region, and the other portion (212b) of the second region (212) may be referred to as a third display region.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary electronic device according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, according to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may include a first housing (510) and a second housing (520).

In one embodiment, the first housing (510) can accommodate at least a portion of the second housing (520). The first housing (510) can enclose (or surround) at least a portion of the second housing (520).

In one embodiment, the second housing (520) can be movable relative to the first housing (510). The second housing (520) can be movable linearly relative to the first housing (510). The second housing (520) can be slidable relative to the first housing (510). For example, the second housing (520) can be movable relative to the first housing (510) in a first direction (d1) and/or a second direction (d2) opposite to the first direction (d1). As the second housing (520) moves in the first direction (d1), the second housing (520) can slide outwardly of the first housing (510). As the second housing (520) moves in the second direction (d2), the second housing (520) can slide inwardly of the first housing (510). The state of the electronic device (101) can be changed by the movement of the second housing (520) with respect to the first housing (510). The state of the electronic device (101) can include a slide-in state and/or a slide-out state. Within the slide-in state of the electronic device (101), the second housing (520) can move in a first direction (d1) among a first direction (d1) and a second direction (d2) with respect to the first housing (510). For example, within the slide-in state of the electronic device (101), the second housing (520) can move only in the first direction (d1). Within the slide-out state of the electronic device (101), the second housing (520) can move in a second direction (d2) among the first direction (d1) and the second direction (d2) with respect to the first housing (510). For example, within the slide-out state of the electronic device (101), the second housing (520) may be movable only in the second direction (d2).

According to one embodiment, the display (210) may be disposed on the second housing (510). The display (210) may be movable relative to the first housing (510) by movement of the second housing (510) relative to the first housing (510). For example, the display (210) may be movable from the inside of the first housing (510) to the inside of the first housing (510) by movement of the second housing (520) in the first direction (d1). For example, in a slide-out state of the electronic device (101), a size of the electronic device (101) exposed to the outside of the first housing (510) may be maximum. For example, the display (210) may be movable from the outside of the first housing (510) to the inside of the first housing (510) by movement of the second housing (520) in the second direction (d2). For example, the display (210) can be rolled into the interior of the first housing (510) from the exterior of the first housing (510) by movement of the second housing (520) in the second direction (d2).

According to one embodiment, the first region (211) can be disposed on the second housing (520). The shape of the first region (211) can be maintained independently of the movement of the second housing (520) relative to the first housing (510). The first region (211) can not be deformed by the movement of the second housing (520) relative to the first housing (510). The first region (211) can be exposed to the outside of the first housing (510) independently of the movement of the second housing (520) relative to the first housing (510).

According to one embodiment, the second region (212) can be connected to the first region (211). The second region (212) can be deformed by movement of the second housing (520) relative to the first housing (510). For example, the second region (212) can have a curved shape within the first housing (510) within the slide-in state of the electronic device (101). The second region (212) can be moved outside the first housing (510) by movement of the second housing (520) in the first direction (d1). The second region (212) can define (or form) substantially one plane with the first region (211) while being exposed to the outside of the first housing (510). The second region (212) can move into the interior of the first housing (510) by movement of the second housing (520) in the second direction (d2).

Referring again to FIG. 3, the touch sensor (311) may be disposed within the first region (211) and the second region (212) within the display (210). The touch sensor (311) may extend from the first region (211) to the second region (212) within the display (210). For example, the touch sensor (311) may include a first portion disposed within the first region (211) within the display (210) and a second portion disposed within the second region (212). As the first region (211) and/or the second region (212) are exposed to the outside of the electronic device (101) or accommodated within the inside of the electronic device (101), the first region (211) and/or the second region (212) may be exposed to various environments. As the first region (211) and/or the second region (212) are exposed to various environments, the magnitudes of values representing contact on the first region (211) and/or the second region (212), acquired by the touch sensor (311), may change. For example, in a state where a conductor (e.g., a human body and/or a member including a conductive material) is in contact with the second region (212), the value representing contact on the first region (211) acquired through the first part of the touch sensor (311) within the first region (211) may be different from the value representing contact on the first region (211) acquired through the first part of the touch sensor (311) within the first region (211) in a state where a non-conductor is in contact with the second region (212). Since the second region (212) is exposed to the outside of the electronic device (101) or accommodated inside the electronic device (101) depending on the state of the electronic device (101), the first value obtained through the second part within the second region (212) can provide data for identifying the state of the control circuit (312). For example, the control circuit (312) can identify whether the second region (212) is in contact with the conductor based on comparing the first value obtained through the second part within the second region (212) with reference values. For example, the reference values can be described through FIG. 6.

Meanwhile, the following operations are described based on the control circuit (312), but are not limited thereto. For example, at least some of the following operations may be performed by the processor (120).

Figure 6 shows the relationship of exemplary reference values for identifying contact on a display as a touch input.

The horizontal axis of the graph in Fig. 6 represents time, and the vertical axis of the graph in Fig. 6 can represent the size of each value.

Referring to FIG. 6, according to one embodiment, the first reference value (610) may provide a criterion for identifying that a non-conductive body has contacted the first region (211) and/or the second region (212). For example, the control circuit (312) may identify that a non-conductive body has contacted the second region (212) based on the first value (601) indicating the first contact on the second region (212) being less than the first reference value (610).

In one embodiment, the second reference value (620) may provide a criterion for identifying that a conductor has contacted the first region (211) and/or the second region (212). For example, the control circuit (312) may identify that a conductor has contacted the second region (212) based on the first value (601) indicating the first contact on the second region (212) exceeding the second reference value (620). For example, the second reference value (620) may also provide a criterion for identifying whether the control circuit (312) will recognize the contact on the first region (211) and/or the second region (212) as a touch input before the state of the control circuit (312) changes. For example, the second reference value (620) may correspond to a value that the control circuit (312) typically utilizes to identify a contact on the touch sensor (311) as a touch input.

In one embodiment, the third reference value (630) may provide a criterion for identifying whether the first value (601) representing the first contact on the first region (211) and/or the second region (212) is noise. For example, the control circuit (312) may identify the value as noise based on identifying that the value representing the contact on the first region (211) and/or the second region (212) is less than or equal to the third reference value (630).

According to one embodiment, the control circuit (312) can obtain the second value (602) representing the second contact on the first region (211) while the first contact on the second region (212) is maintained. For example, the control circuit (312) can obtain the first value (601) corresponding to the first contact on the second region (212) and then obtain the second value (602) representing the second contact on the first region (211). However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the control circuit (312) can obtain the first value (601) corresponding to the first contact on the second region (212) and the second value (602) representing the second contact on the first region (211) substantially simultaneously. The control circuit (312) can set (or identify) the touch sensitivity of the first portion within the first region (211) by identifying whether the first value (601) corresponding to the first contact on the second region (212) is less than the first reference value (610). The touch sensitivity can represent the degree to which the control circuit (312) reacts to the contact on the touch sensor (311). For example, when the touch sensitivity is high, the control circuit (312) can identify a contact corresponding to a relatively lower value as a touch input compared to when the touch sensitivity is low.

According to one embodiment, the control circuit (312) may identify whether to recognize the second contact on the first region (211) as a touch input based on the first touch sensitivity, based on the first value (601) representing the first contact on the second region (212) being less than the first reference value (610). The control circuit (312) may be configured to identify whether to recognize the second contact on the first region (211) as a touch input based on the second touch sensitivity being different from the first touch sensitivity, based on the first value (601) being greater than or equal to the first reference value (610). The second touch sensitivity may be lower than the first touch sensitivity. For example, the control circuit (312) can identify that the first contact on the second region (212) is caused by a non-conductor based on the first value (601) indicating the first contact on the second region (212) being less than the first reference value (610). For example, the control circuit (312) can identify whether to recognize the second contact as a touch input by comparing the second value (602) with the first threshold value (640) based on the first value (601) indicating the first contact on the second region (212) being less than the first reference value (610). The first threshold value (640) can be lower than the second reference value (620). The first touch sensitivity can be set based on the first threshold value (640). For example, the control circuit (312) can identify the second contact as a touch input based on the second value (602) exceeding the first threshold value (640). For example, the control circuit (312) can not identify the second contact as a touch input based on the second value (602) being less than or equal to the first threshold value (640). For example, the control circuit (312) can change the state of the control circuit (312) to a first state that identifies whether to recognize the second contact as a touch input through the first threshold value (640) based on the first value (601) representing the first contact on the second region (212) being less than the first reference value (610). Within the first state, the control circuit (312) can identify whether to recognize the other contact as a touch input through the first threshold value (640) when another contact, distinct from the first contact and the second contact, is transmitted (caused) on the touch sensor (311). The first state can be referred to as a low ground state because it can be utilized in a state where the ground for the touch sensor (311) is insufficient. For example, the first state of the control circuit (312) can be exemplified through FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a first state of an exemplary electronic device according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B , according to one embodiment, the first contact on the second region (212) may be transmitted (or caused) from a non-conductive body external to the electronic device (101) and/or a non-conductive body internal to the electronic device (101). For example, the first contact on the second region (212) by the non-conductive body external to the electronic device (101) and/or the non-conductive body internal to the electronic device (101) may be obtained through a second portion within the second region (212) while the second region (212) is inactive. The inactivity of the second region (212) may mean that no visual information is provided through the second region (212) or that pixels within the second region (212) are inactive, and the expressions may be utilized substantially identically hereinafter unless otherwise stated. When a first contact is transmitted to the second region (212) by a non-conductive body outside the electronic device (101) and/or a non-conductive body inside the electronic device (101), the first region (211) can be activated or deactivated. That the first region (211) is activated may mean that visual information is provided through the first region (211) or that pixels within the first region (211) are activated, and the expressions may be used substantially identically herein unless otherwise specified. For example, while the first region (211) is activated, the state of the processor (120) may be a sleep state. The activated function of the first region (211) within the sleep state of the processor (120) may be referred to as an AOD (always on display) function. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, while the first region (211) is activated, the state of the processor (120) may be a steady-state. For example, within the steady-state of the processor (120), the processor (120) may receive steady-state power from a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) within the electronic device (101).

For example, referring to FIG. 7A, the first contact on the second region (212) may be transmitted (or caused) from an external object (710) formed of a non-conductive material located outside the electronic device (101). The second region (212) may be in contact with the external object (710) formed of a non-conductive material. The control circuit (312) may obtain a first value corresponding to the first contact by the external object (710) through a second portion within the second region (212). The control circuit (312) may change the state of the control circuit (312) to the first state based on the first value obtained from the first contact by the external object (710) formed of the non-conductive material being less than a first reference value (e.g., the first reference value (610) of FIG. 6).

For example, referring to FIG. 7b, the first contact on the second region (212) may be transmitted (or caused) from an internal object (720) formed of a non-conductive material located inside the electronic device (101). For example, the internal object (720) may be, but is not limited to, a portion of the first housing (510) and/or a portion of the second housing (520). The second region (212) may be in contact with the internal object (720) formed of a non-conductive material. The control circuit (312) may obtain a first value corresponding to the first contact by the internal object (720) through the second portion within the second region (212). The control circuit (312) can change the state of the control circuit (312) to the first state based on the first value obtained from the internal object (720) formed of a non-conductive material being less than the first reference value (e.g., the first reference value (610) of FIG. 6).

For example, after the state of the control circuit (312) is changed to the first state, while the first contact is maintained, a second contact may be transmitted on the first region (211). When the second contact is transmitted on the first region (211), the first region (211) may be activated or deactivated. The control circuit (312) may obtain a second value indicating the second contact on the first region (211) through the first portion within the first region (211) while the first contact is maintained. The control circuit (312) may identify whether the second value exceeds a first threshold value (e.g., the first threshold value (640) of FIG. 6) under the first state. The control circuit (312) may identify the second contact as a touch input based on the second value exceeding the first threshold value under the first state. The control circuit (312) may not identify the second contact as a touch input based on the second value being less than or equal to the first threshold value under the first condition.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a plurality of nodes of a touch sensor when the state of an exemplary control circuit according to one embodiment is a first state.

Referring to FIG. 8, FIG. 8 may represent a plurality of node values (810) caused by a second contact on a first region (211) while a first contact on a second region (212) is maintained when the state of the control circuit (312) is a first state. Positive values among the plurality of node values (810) may represent the intensity of the contact of an object on the touch sensor (311). For example, negative values among the plurality of node values (810) may represent that retransmission is caused from at least some of the plurality of nodes by the contact of the object. For example, negative values among the plurality of node values (810) may represent that noise is caused by the contact of the object. For example, negative values among the plurality of node values (810) can be obtained through at least some of the plurality of nodes when the contact strength of the object on the first region (211) and/or the second region (212) is relatively small (while), and the contact area of the object on the first region (211) and/or the second region (212) is relatively large.

The plurality of node values (810) may form a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. The plurality of line values (820) may include a plurality of first line values (821) corresponding to each of the plurality of rows formed by the plurality of node values (810), and a plurality of second line values (822) corresponding to each of the plurality of columns formed by the plurality of node values (810). For example, each of the plurality of first line values (821) may represent each of the plurality of rows formed by the plurality of node values (810). For example, each of the plurality of second line values (822) may represent each of the plurality of columns formed by the plurality of node values (810). For example, each of the plurality of first line values (821) may be obtained from node values included in one of the plurality of rows. For example, each of the plurality of second line values (822) can be obtained from node values included within one of the plurality of columns.

According to one embodiment, the first reference value may include a first reference node value (e.g., 100) that is compared with each of the plurality of node values (810), and a first reference line value (e.g., 300) that is compared with each of the plurality of line values (820). For example, a magnitude (e.g., 100) of the first reference node value included in the first reference value compared with each of the plurality of node values (810) may be different from a magnitude (e.g., 300) of the first reference line value included in the first reference value compared with each of the plurality of line values (820).

In one embodiment, the second reference value may include a second reference node value (e.g., 200) that is compared with each of the plurality of node values (810), and a second reference line value (e.g., 500) that is compared with each of the plurality of line values (820). For example, a magnitude (e.g., 200) of the second reference node value included in the second reference value compared with each of the plurality of node values (810) may be different from a magnitude (e.g., 500) of the second reference line value included in the second reference value compared with each of the plurality of line values (820).

According to one embodiment, the first threshold value may include a first threshold node value (e.g., a value less than 200) compared to each of the plurality of node values (810), and a first threshold line value (e.g., a value less than 500) compared to each of the plurality of line values (820). For example, a magnitude of the first threshold node value (e.g., a value less than 200) compared to each of the plurality of node values (810) may be different from a magnitude of a value represented by the first threshold line value (e.g., a value less than 500) compared to each of the plurality of line values (820).

According to one embodiment, the control circuit (312) can compare a first value representing a first contact on a second region (212) included in a plurality of first node values (811) with a first reference value. The control circuit (312) can obtain the plurality of first node values (811) caused by the first contact through some of the plurality of nodes located in a second portion within the second region (212). For example, the control circuit (312) can identify a maximum value (811a) (e.g., 11) among the plurality of first node values (811). The control circuit (312) can identify whether the maximum value (811a) is less than the first reference node value (e.g., 100). The control circuit (312) can change the state of the control circuit (312) to the first state based on the maximum value (811a) being less than the first reference value (e.g., 100).

According to one embodiment, the control circuit (312) can identify whether the second contact is a touch input by comparing a second value indicating a second contact on a first region (211) included in a plurality of second node values (812) with a first threshold value. The control circuit (312) can obtain a plurality of second node values (812) indicating the second contact through each of the plurality of nodes located in the first portion of the first region (211) while the first contact is maintained. The control circuit (312) can identify a maximum value (812a) (e.g., 448) among the plurality of second node values (812). The control circuit (312) can identify whether the second contact is a touch input by comparing the maximum value (812a) with a first threshold node value that is lower than a second reference node value (e.g., 200) under a first state. The control circuit (312) can identify the second contact as a touch input based on the maximum value (812a) (e.g., 448) exceeding a first threshold node value that is lower than a second reference node value (e.g., 200).

According to one embodiment, the control circuit (312) can compare a first value indicating a first contact on the second region (212), which is included in a plurality of first line values (821) and some (822a) of the plurality of second line values (822), with a first reference value. The control circuit (312) can identify, through the plurality of line values (820), whether the first value indicating the first contact on the second region (212) is less than the first reference value. For example, the control circuit (312) can identify whether each of the plurality of first line values (821) and some (822a) of the plurality of second line values (822) obtained by the plurality of nodes in the second region (212) are less than the first reference line value (e.g., 300) within the first reference value. The control circuit (312) can identify that the first contact on the first region (211) is caused by a non-conductor by identifying that each of the plurality of first line values (821) is less than the first reference line value (e.g., 300) and that some (822a) of the plurality of second line values (822) are less than the first reference line value (e.g., 300). The control circuit (312) can change the state of the control circuit (312) to the first state based on identifying that the first contact is caused by the non-conductor.

According to one embodiment, the control circuit (312) can compare a second value representing a second contact on the first region (211), which is included within the plurality of first line values (821) and another portion (822b) of the plurality of second line values (822), with a first threshold value. The control circuit (312) can acquire each of the plurality of first line values (821) and another portion (822b) of the plurality of second line values (822) acquired by the plurality of nodes within the first region (211) while the first contact is maintained. The control circuit (312) can identify, under the first condition, a value (821a) (e.g., 757) of the plurality of first line values (821) that exceeds a first threshold line value that is lower than a second reference line value (e.g., 500). The control circuit (312) can identify, under the first condition, a value (822b-1) (e.g., 778) that exceeds a first threshold line value that is lower than a second reference line value (e.g., 500) from among another portion (822b) of the plurality of second line values (822). The control circuit (312) can identify the second contact as a touch input based on the values (821a, 822b-1) exceeding the first threshold line value that is lower than the second reference line value (e.g., 500).

As described above, the electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can identify whether the second contact is a touch input by comparing the second value indicating the second contact on the first area (211) with a first threshold value that is lower than the second reference value, based on the first value indicating the first contact on the second area (212) being less than the first reference value. For example, when the second contact is caused by the user's body on the first area (211) while the first contact is maintained by the non-conductor on the second area (212), the amount of charge moving to the user's body can be relatively reduced compared to when the first contact by the non-conductor is not made. When the amount of charge moving to the user's body is reduced, the touch sensitivity of the first area (211) can be relatively reduced. An electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can compensate for a relatively reduced touch sensitivity due to a first contact with a non-conductive body by comparing a second value indicating a second contact with a first threshold value that is lower than a second reference value, based on identifying that a non-conductive body has come into contact with a second area (212).

FIG. 9 is a graph showing the relationship between exemplary reference values and a second threshold value for identifying a contact on a display as a touch input.

The horizontal axis of the graph in Figure 9 represents time, and the vertical axis of the graph in Figure 9 can represent the size of each value.

Referring to FIG. 9, according to one embodiment, the control circuit (312) can identify whether a first value (901) indicating a first contact on the second region (212) exceeds a second reference value (620). The control circuit (312) can identify that the first contact on the second region (212) is caused by a conductor based on the first value (901) exceeding the second reference value (620). For example, the control circuit (312) can identify whether to recognize the second contact as a touch input by comparing the second value (902) with a second threshold value (910) based on the first value (901) indicating the first contact on the second region (212) exceeding the second reference value (620). The second threshold value (910) can be higher than the second reference value (620). For example, the second threshold value (910) may be higher than the first threshold value (610) of FIG. 6. For example, the control circuit (312) may identify the second contact as a touch input based on the second value (902) exceeding the second threshold value (910). For example, the control circuit (312) may not identify the second contact as a touch input based on the second value (902) being less than or equal to the second threshold value (910). For example, the control circuit (312) may change the state of the control circuit (312) to a second state that identifies whether to recognize the second contact as a touch input through the second threshold value (910) based on the first value (901) representing the first contact on the second region (212) exceeding the second reference value (620). Within the second state, the control circuit (312) can identify whether to recognize the other contact as a touch input through the second threshold value (910) when another contact, distinct from the first contact and the second contact, is transmitted (or caused) on the touch sensor (311). The second state can be referred to as a good ground state because it can be utilized in a state where there is sufficient ground for the touch sensor (311). For example, the second state can be utilized in a state where the user grips at least a portion of the electronic device (101). For example, the second state of the control circuit (312) can be exemplified through FIGS. 10A to 10C.

FIGS. 10A to 10C illustrate a second state of an exemplary electronic device according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C, according to one embodiment, the first contact on the second region (212) may be transmitted (or caused) from a conductor external to the electronic device (101) and/or a conductor internal to the electronic device (101). For example, the first contact on the second region (212) by the conductor external to the electronic device (101) and/or the conductor internal to the electronic device (101) may be obtained through a second portion within the second region (212) while the second region (212) is inactive. For example, the first contact on the second region (212) by the conductor external to the electronic device (101) and/or the conductor internal to the electronic device (101) may be obtained through a second portion within the second region (212) while the second region (212) is activated. For example, when a first contact is transmitted by a conductor outside the electronic device (101) and/or a non-conductor inside the electronic device (101) to the second region (212), the first region (211) can be activated or deactivated.

For example, referring to FIG. 10A, the first contact on the second region (212) may be transmitted (or caused) from a body (1010) outside the electronic device (101) within the folded state of the electronic device (101). For example, within the folded state of the electronic device (101), the first contact by the user's body (1010) may occur on at least one of a portion (212a) of the second region (212) and another portion (212b) of the second region (212). The control circuit (312) may obtain a first value corresponding to the first contact by the body (1010) through a second portion within at least one of the portion (212a) of the second region (212) and the other portion (212b) of the second region (212) within the folded state of the electronic device (101). The control circuit (312) can change the state of the control circuit (312) to the second state based on the first value obtained from the first contact by the body (1010) exceeding the second reference value (e.g., the second reference value (620) of FIG. 9).

For example, referring to FIG. 10b, the first contact on the second region (212) may be transmitted (or caused) from a body (1020) outside the electronic device (101) within the unfolded state of the electronic device (101). For example, within the unfolded state of the electronic device (101), the first contact of the user may occur on at least one of a portion (212a) of the second region (212) and another portion (212b) of the second region (212). The control circuit (312) may obtain a first value corresponding to the first contact by the body (1020) through a second portion within at least one of the portion (212a) of the second region (212) and the other portion (212b) of the second region (212) within the unfolded state of the electronic device (101). The control circuit (312) can change the state of the control circuit (312) to the second state based on the first value obtained from the first contact by the body (1020) exceeding the second reference value (e.g., the second reference value (620) of FIG. 9) within the unfolded state of the electronic device (101).

For example, referring to FIG. 10c, the first contact on the second region (212) may be transmitted (or caused) from a body (1030) outside the electronic device (101) while the second housing (520) moves relative to the first housing (510). However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the first contact on the second region (212) may be transmitted (or caused) from a body (1030) outside the electronic device (101) while the second housing (520) moves relative to the first housing (510) in the first direction (d1) or the second direction (d2). The control circuit (312) can change the state of the control circuit (312) to the second state based on the first value obtained from the first contact by the body (1030) on the second area (212) exceeding the second reference value (e.g., the second reference value (620) of FIG. 9).

For example, after the state of the control circuit (312) is changed to the second state, while the first contact is maintained, a second contact may be transmitted on the first region (211). When the second contact is transmitted on the first region (211), the first region (211) may be activated or deactivated. The control circuit (312), under the second state, may obtain a second value indicating the second contact on the first region (211) through the first portion within the first region (211) while the first contact is maintained. The control circuit (312), under the second state, may identify whether the second value exceeds a second threshold value (e.g., the second threshold value (910) of FIG. 9). The control circuit (312), under the second state, may identify the second contact as a touch input based on the second value exceeding the second threshold value. The control circuit (312) may not identify the second contact as a touch input based on the second value being less than or equal to the second threshold value under the second condition.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a plurality of nodes of a touch sensor when an exemplary electronic device according to one embodiment is in a second state.

Referring to FIG. 11, when the state of the control circuit (312) is the second state, while the first contact on the second region (212) is maintained, positive values among the plurality of node values (1110) caused by the second contact on the first region (211) may represent the intensity of the contact of the object on the touch sensor (311). For example, negative values among the plurality of node values (1110) may represent that retransmission is caused from at least some of the plurality of nodes according to the contact of the object. For example, negative values among the plurality of node values (1110) may represent that noise is caused according to the contact of the object. For example, negative values among the plurality of node values (1110) may be obtained through at least some of the plurality of nodes when the contact strength of the object on the first region (211) and/or the second region (212) is relatively small and the contact area of the object on the first region (211) and/or the second region (212) is relatively large. For example, the regions (1101) may indicate that noise is caused in a first part within the first region (211) by the first contact on the second region (212).

A plurality of node values (1110) may be represented. The plurality of node values (1110) may form a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. The plurality of line values (1120) may include a plurality of first line values (1121) corresponding to each of the plurality of rows formed by the plurality of node values (1110), and a plurality of second line values (1122) corresponding to each of the plurality of columns formed by the plurality of node values (1110). For example, each of the plurality of first line values (1121) may represent each of the plurality of rows formed by the plurality of node values (1110). For example, each of the plurality of second line values (1122) may represent each of the plurality of columns formed by the plurality of node values (1110). For example, each of the plurality of first line values (1121) may be obtained from node values included in one of the plurality of rows. For example, each of the plurality of second line values (1122) can be obtained from node values contained within one of the plurality of columns.

According to one embodiment, the first reference value may include a first reference node value (e.g., 100) compared with each of the plurality of node values (1110), and a first reference line value (e.g., 300) compared with each of the plurality of line values (1120). For example, a magnitude (e.g., 100) of the first reference node value compared with each of the plurality of node values (1110) may be different from a magnitude (e.g., 300) of the first reference line value compared with each of the plurality of line values (1120).

In one embodiment, the second reference value may include a second reference node value (e.g., 200) that is compared with each of the plurality of node values (1110) and a second reference line value (e.g., 500) that is compared with each of the plurality of line values (1120). For example, the magnitude (e.g., 200) of the second reference node value that is compared with each of the plurality of node values (1110) may be different from the magnitude (e.g., 500) of the second reference line value that is compared with each of the plurality of line values (1120).

In one embodiment, the second threshold value may include a second threshold node value (e.g., a value greater than 200) compared to each of the plurality of node values (1110), and a second threshold line value (e.g., a value greater than 500) compared to each of the plurality of line values (1120). For example, the magnitude of the second threshold node value (e.g., a value greater than 200) compared to each of the plurality of node values (1110) may be different from the magnitude of the second threshold line value (e.g., a value greater than 500) compared to each of the plurality of line values (1120).

According to one embodiment, the control circuit (312) can compare a first value representing a first contact on a second region (212) included in a plurality of first node values (1111) with a second reference value. The control circuit (312) can obtain the plurality of first node values (1111) caused by the first contact through some of the plurality of nodes located in the second portion of the second region (212). For example, the control circuit (312) can obtain some (1111a) of the plurality of first node values (1111) caused by the first contact, corresponding to a portion (212a) of the second region (212). For example, the control circuit (312) may obtain another part (1111b) of the plurality of first node values (1111) caused by the first contact, corresponding to another part (212b) of the second region (212).

For example, the control circuit (312) can identify a maximum value (1111c) (e.g., 1019) among a plurality of first node values (1111) corresponding to the second region (212). The control circuit (312) can identify whether the maximum value (1111c) (e.g., 1019) exceeds a second reference node value (e.g., 200) within the second reference value. The control circuit (312) can change the state of the control circuit (312) to the second state based on whether the maximum value (1111c) exceeds the second reference node value (e.g., 200).

For example, the control circuit (312) can identify a maximum value (1111d) (e.g., 821) among a portion (1111a) of the plurality of first node values (1111) corresponding to a portion (212a) of the second region (212). The control circuit (312) can identify whether the maximum value (1111d) (e.g., 821) exceeds a second reference node value (e.g., 200) within the second reference value. The control circuit (312) can change the state of the control circuit (312) to the second state based on whether the maximum value (1111d) exceeds the second reference node value (e.g., 200).

For example, the control circuit (312) can identify a maximum value (1111c) (e.g., 1019) among another portion (1111b) of the plurality of first node values (1111) corresponding to another portion (212b) of the second region (212). The control circuit (312) can identify whether the maximum value (1111c) (e.g., 1019) exceeds a second reference node value (e.g., 200) within the second reference value. The control circuit (312) can change the state of the control circuit (312) to the second state based on whether the maximum value (1111c) (e.g., 1019) exceeds the second reference node value (e.g., 200).

According to one embodiment, the control circuit (312) can identify whether the second contact is a touch input by comparing a second value indicating a second contact on a first region (211) included in a plurality of second node values (1112) with a second threshold value. The control circuit (312) can obtain a plurality of second node values (1112) indicating the second contact through each of the plurality of nodes located within the first portion within the first region (211) while the first contact is maintained. The control circuit (312) can identify a maximum value (1112a) (e.g., 819) among the plurality of second node values (1112). The control circuit (312) can identify whether the second contact is a touch input by comparing the second threshold node value within the second threshold value higher than the second reference node value (e.g., 200) with the maximum value (1112a) (e.g., 819) under the second state. The control circuit (312) can identify the second contact as a touch input based on the maximum value (1112a) (e.g., 819) exceeding the second threshold node value higher than the second reference node value (e.g., 200).

According to one embodiment, the control circuit (312) can compare a first value representing a first contact on the second region (212) included within a plurality of first line values (1121) and some (1122a) of the plurality of second line values (1122), with a second reference value. The control circuit (312) can identify, through the plurality of line values (1120), whether the first contact on the second region (212) exceeds the second reference value. For example, the control circuit (312) can identify whether each of the plurality of first line values (1121) and some (1122a) of the plurality of second line values (1122) obtained by the plurality of nodes within the second region (212) exceed the second reference line value (e.g., 500) within the second reference value. The control circuit (312) can identify that the first contact on the first region (211) is caused by the conductor by identifying that each of the plurality of first line values (1121) and some (1122a) of the plurality of second line values (1122) obtained by the plurality of nodes within the second region (212) exceed a second reference line value (e.g., 500). The control circuit (312) can change the state of the control circuit (312) to the second state based on identifying that the first contact is caused by the conductor.

According to one embodiment, the control circuit (312) can compare a second value representing a second contact on the first region (211) contained within a plurality of first line values (1121) and another portion (1122b) of the plurality of second line values (1122), with a second threshold value. The control circuit (312) can acquire each of the plurality of first line values (1121) and another portion (1122b) of the plurality of second line values (1122) acquired by the plurality of nodes within the first region (211) while the first contact is maintained. The control circuit (312) can identify, under the second condition, a value (1121a) of the plurality of first line values (1121) that exceeds a second threshold line value that is higher than a second reference line value (e.g., 500). The control circuit (312) can identify, under the second state, a value (1122b-1) that exceeds a second threshold line value higher than a second line reference value (e.g., 500) among a plurality of second line values (1122). The control circuit (312) can identify the second contact as a touch input based on the values (1121a, 1122b-1) exceeding the second threshold line value higher than the second reference value (e.g., 500).

As described above, the electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can identify whether the second contact is a touch input by comparing the second value indicating the second contact on the first area (211) with a second threshold value higher than the second reference value, based on the first value indicating the first contact on the second area (212) exceeding the second reference value. For example, if the second contact is caused by the user's body on the first area (211) while the first contact by the conductor on the second area (212) is maintained, the sizes of the plurality of second node values (1112) acquired by the second contact can relatively increase compared to the case where the first contact by the conductor does not occur. If the sizes of the plurality of second node values (1112) relatively increase, the control circuit (312) can recognize the second contact, which is not intended by the user, as a touch input. In other words, when the sizes of the plurality of second node values (1120) relatively increase, the touch sensitivity of the first region (211) may excessively increase. The electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may compensate for the touch sensitivity relatively increased by the conductor by comparing the second value indicating the second contact with a second threshold value higher than the second reference value based on identifying that a conductor has come into contact with the second region (212).

FIG. 12 illustrates a third state of an exemplary control circuit according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 12, the first contact on the second region (212) may be transmitted (or caused) from a non-conductive body (1210) (e.g., clothing) while the electronic device (101) is contained in the user's pocket (or bag). The second contact on the first region (211) may be transmitted (or caused) from a body (1220) outside the electronic device (101) through the non-conductive body (1210) (e.g., fabric) while the electronic device (101) is contained in the user's pocket (or bag). For example, the second contact on the first region (211) by a body (1220) covered by the non-conductive body (1210) may be obtained through a first part within the first region (211) while the first region (211) is inactive. For example, a second contact on the first region (211) through a body (1220) covered by a non-conductive body (1210) can be obtained through a first portion within the first region (211) while the first region (211) is activated. For example, when a second contact is transmitted through a body (1220) covered by a non-conductive body (1210) on the first region (211), the second region (212) can be activated or deactivated.

When the electronic device (101) is contained in a pocket (or bag), a malfunction of the electronic device (101) may be caused by a second contact on the first area (211) that is not intended by the user. The operation of the control circuit (312) to reduce the malfunction of the electronic device (101) when the electronic device (101) is contained in a pocket (or bag) can be explained through FIG. 13.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a plurality of nodes of a touch sensor when an exemplary control circuit according to one embodiment is in a third state.

FIG. 13 may represent a plurality of node values (1310) caused by a second contact on a first region (211) while a first contact on a second region (212) is maintained when the state of the control circuit (312) is a third state. Positive values among the plurality of node values (1310) may represent the intensity of the contact of an object on the touch sensor (311). For example, negative values among the plurality of node values (1310) may represent that retransmission is caused from at least some of the plurality of nodes according to the contact of the object. For example, negative values among the plurality of node values (1310) may represent that noise is caused according to the contact of the object. For example, negative values among the plurality of node values (1310) may be obtained through at least some of the plurality of nodes when the contact strength of the object on the first region (211) and/or the second region (212) is relatively small and the contact area of the object on the first region (211) and/or the second region (212) is relatively large. The plurality of node values (1310) may include a plurality of first node values (1311) corresponding to the second region (212) and a plurality of second node values (1312) corresponding to the first region (211).

The plurality of node values (1310) may form a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. The plurality of line values (1320) may include a plurality of first line values (1321) corresponding to each of the plurality of rows formed by the plurality of node values (1310), and a plurality of second line values (1322) corresponding to each of the plurality of columns formed by the plurality of node values (1310). For example, each of the plurality of first line values (1321) may represent each of the plurality of rows formed by the plurality of node values (1310). For example, each of the plurality of second line values (1322) may represent each of the plurality of columns formed by the plurality of node values (1310). For example, each of the plurality of first line values (1321) may be obtained from node values included in one of the plurality of rows. For example, each of the plurality of second line values (1322) can be obtained from node values contained within one of the plurality of columns.

In one embodiment, the first reference value may include a first reference node value (e.g., 100) that is compared with each of the plurality of node values (1310), and a first reference line value (e.g., 300) that is compared with each of the plurality of line values (1320). For example, a magnitude (e.g., 100) of the first reference node value that is compared with each of the plurality of node values (1310) may be different from a magnitude (e.g., 300) of the first reference line value that is compared with each of the plurality of line values (1320).

In one embodiment, the second reference value may include a second reference node value (e.g., 200) that is compared with each of the plurality of node values (1310), and a second reference line value (e.g., 500) that is compared with each of the plurality of line values (1320). For example, the magnitude (e.g., 200) of the second reference node value that is compared with each of the plurality of node values (1310) may be different from the magnitude (e.g., 500) of the second reference line value that is compared with each of the plurality of line values (1320).

According to one embodiment, the control circuit (312) can identify that the first value representing the first contact on the second region (212) is greater than or equal to a first reference value and less than or equal to a second reference value. For example, the control circuit (312) can identify whether each of the plurality of first node values (1311) representing the first contact on the second region (212) is less than or equal to a second reference node value (e.g., 200). The control circuit (312) can identify whether the second value representing the second contact on the first region (211) exceeds the first reference value and whether an area of the second contact on the first region (211) exceeds a first designated area. The control circuit (312) can identify whether a second value indicating a second contact on the first region (211) exceeds a first reference value and whether an area of the second contact on the first region (211) exceeds a first designated area through a plurality of second node values (1312) indicating the second contact. For example, the first designated area can indicate 10% or more of an area of the first region (211). For example, the control circuit (312) can identify an area (1312a) including node values exceeding a first reference node value (e.g., 100) among the plurality of second node values (1312) corresponding to the first region (211). The control circuit (312) can identify whether an area of the second contact identified through the region (1312a) exceeds the first designated area.

According to one embodiment, the control circuit (312) can identify whether the area of the first contact is greater than or equal to the second specified area based on whether the area of the second contact identified through the area (1312a) exceeds the first specified area. For example, the control circuit (312) can identify, among the plurality of first node values (1311) corresponding to the second area (212), an area (1311a) that is greater than or equal to a third reference value (e.g., the third reference value (630) of FIG. 6) (e.g., 30) and less than or equal to a second reference node value (e.g., 200). The control circuit (312) can identify whether the area of the area (1311a) exceeds the second specified area. For example, the second specified area can represent 5% or more of the area of the second area (212). For example, the second designated area may represent 5% or more of the area of a portion (212a) of the second region (212). For example, the second designated area may represent 5% or more of the area of another portion (212b) of the second region (212). The control circuit (312) may identify whether to recognize the second contact as a touch input by comparing the second value with a third threshold value that is higher than the second reference value, based on the fact that the area of the second contact identified through the region (1312a) exceeds the first designated area and the area of the first contact identified through the region (1311a) is equal to or larger than the second designated area. For example, the control circuit (312) can identify whether to recognize the second contact as a touch input by comparing a second value representing the second contact on the first region (211) included in the plurality of second node values (1312) with a third threshold value that is higher than the second reference node value (e.g., 200). For example, the control circuit (312) can change the state of the control circuit (312) to a third state that identifies whether to recognize the second contact as a touch input by comparing the second value with the third threshold value based on the fact that the area of the second contact identified through the region (1312a) exceeds the first designated area and the area of the first contact identified through the region (1311a) is equal to or larger than the second designated area. Within the third state, the control circuit (312) can identify whether to recognize the other contact as a touch input through a third threshold value higher than the second reference value when another contact, distinct from the first contact and the second contact, is transmitted (or caused) on the touch sensor (311).

In one embodiment, the control circuit (312) can identify whether some (1322a) of the plurality of second line values (1322) representing the first contact of the second region (212) exceeds a first reference value based on the area of the second contact identified through the region (1312a) exceeding a first designated area. The control circuit (312) can identify whether at least one of the some (1322a) of the plurality of second line values (1322) corresponding to the second region (212) exceeds a first reference line value (e.g., 300) based on the area of the second contact identified through the region (1312a) exceeding the first designated area. The control circuit (312) can change the state of the control circuit (312) to the third state based on one line value (e.g., 805) of a portion (1322a) of the plurality of second line values (1322) exceeding the first reference line value (e.g., 300). For example, while the electronic device (101) is contained in a pocket (or bag), an unintended contact through the user's body within the pocket may be transmitted (or caused) on the first area (211). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can provide a method for identifying that the electronic device (101) is contained in a pocket (or bag) through a second contact on the first area (211). An electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may provide a method for reducing malfunction of the electronic device (101) by identifying whether a second contact is a touch input based on a third threshold value that is higher than a second reference value, based on identifying that the electronic device (101) is contained in a pocket (or bag).

According to one embodiment, the control circuit (312) can obtain, within the third state, a third value indicating a third contact on at least one of the first region (211) and the second region (212). The control circuit (312) can identify whether the third value exceeds a second reference value. For example, the control circuit (312) can be configured to release the third state based on the third value exceeding a second reference node value (e.g., 200). For example, the control circuit (312) can change the state of the control circuit (312) from the third state to the fourth state based on the third value exceeding the second reference node value (e.g., 200). The control circuit (312) can identify, within the fourth state, whether to recognize another contact on the touch sensor (311) as a touch input through the second reference value. The fourth state may be referred to as a basic state because it is a state in which contact on the touch sensor (311) is identified as a touch input through a generally utilized second reference value. For example, when a user moves the electronic device (101) out of a pocket (or bag), at least one of the first region (211) and the second region (212) may come into contact with the user's body. The electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may identify that the electronic device (101) is moved out of the pocket (or bag) based on the third value acquired under the third state exceeding the second reference value, and may provide a method for releasing the third state.

As described above, the electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can provide a method for reducing malfunction of the electronic device (101) by identifying a state in which the electronic device (101) is accommodated inside a pocket (or bag) through contacts on the first area (211) and/or the second area (212).

Referring again to FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the state of the control circuit (312) may be identified (or changed) based on other data than a touch on the display (210). For example, the processor (120) may change the state of the control circuit (312) based on data obtained from the battery (330) and/or the sensor (320). An example of the processor (120) changing the control circuit (312) based on other data than a touch on the display (210) may be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15.

FIG. 14 illustrates a charging state of an exemplary electronic device according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 14, according to one embodiment, the second region (212) may be positioned on the object (1410). In a state where the second region (212) is positioned on the object (1410), a battery (e.g., the battery (330) of FIG. 3) may be charged. The control circuit (312) may obtain a first value indicating a first contact by the object (1410) transmitted through the second region (212). The control circuit (312) may identify whether the first value is less than a first reference value (e.g., the first reference value (610) of FIG. 6). The processor (120) may receive data indicating that the first value is less than the first reference value from the control circuit (312).

In one embodiment, the processor (120) can change the touch sensitivity of the first portion within the first region (211) based on identifying that the first value is less than the first reference value and that the battery (330) is in a charged state. For example, the processor (120) can change the state of the control circuit (312) to a fifth state based on identifying that the first value is less than the first reference value and that the battery (330) is in a charged state. Within the fifth state, the control circuit (312) can identify whether to recognize a second contact on the first region (211) as a touch input based on a third touch sensitivity that is lower than the first touch sensitivity utilizing the first threshold value (e.g., the first threshold value (640) of FIG. 6 ). Within the fifth state, the control circuit (312) can identify whether to recognize the other contact as a touch input through the fourth threshold value when another contact, distinct from the first contact and the second contact, is transmitted (caused) on the touch sensor (311). For example, the fourth threshold value utilized when the control circuit (312) recognizes the second contact on the first region (211) as a touch input according to the third touch sensitivity can be higher than the second reference value (e.g., the second reference value (620) of FIG. 6).

For example, in order to charge the battery (330), the charging terminal (1420) may be connected to the electronic device (101). When the charging terminal (1420) is connected to the electronic device (101), the touch sensitivity of the first region (211) (or the touch sensor (210)) may be excessively increased by the ground provided by the charging terminal (1420). The electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may compensate for the relatively increased touch sensitivity by the charging terminal (1420) by changing the touch sensitivity while the battery (330) is being charged.

FIG. 15 illustrates an angle-dependent state of an exemplary electronic device according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 15, according to one embodiment, a second region (212) may be positioned on an object (1510). The control circuit (312) may obtain a first value indicating a first contact by the object (1510) transmitted through the second region (212). The control circuit (312) may identify whether the first value is less than a first reference value (e.g., the first reference value (610) of FIG. 6). The control circuit (312) may identify whether the first value is less than the first reference value (e.g., the first reference value (610) of FIG. 6). The processor (120) may receive data indicating that the first value is less than the first reference value from the control circuit (312).

According to one embodiment, the processor (120) may identify the angle of the electronic device (101) through a sensor (e.g., the sensor (320) of FIG. 3). For example, the processor (120) may identify whether the angle of the electronic device (101) is within a specified angle range through the sensor (320). For example, the specified angle range may be, but is not limited to, 0 degrees to about 90 degrees. The processor (120) may change the state of the control circuit (312) to a first state based on identifying that the first value is less than the first reference value and that the angle identified through the sensor (320) is within the specified angle range. The control circuit (312) may identify whether to recognize the second contact on the first area (211) as a touch input according to the first touch sensitivity within the first state.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the control circuit (312) may scan multiple channels within the touch sensor (311) to identify the first contact and/or the second contact. For example, the scanning operation of the control circuit (312) may be described through FIG. 16 below.

Figure 16 illustrates a scan operation of an exemplary control circuit according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 16, the touch sensor (311) may include a plurality of first channels (311a) and a plurality of second channels (311b). One of the plurality of first channels (311a) and the plurality of second channels (311b) may define (or form) a receiving channel of the touch sensor (311). One of the plurality of first channels (311a) and the other of the plurality of second channels (311b) may define (or form) a transmission channel of the touch sensor (311). According to one embodiment, each of the plurality of first channels (311a) may intersect each of the plurality of second channels (311b). The plurality of first channels (311a) may be arranged on a different layer from the plurality of second channels (311b). For example, the touch sensor (311) may include a non-conductive layer including a non-conductive material interposed between the plurality of first channels (311a) and the plurality of second channels (311b).

According to one embodiment, the plurality of first channels (311a) may extend along the third direction (d3). Each of the plurality of first channels (311a) may be spaced apart from one another. For example, the plurality of first channels (311a) may include a first channel region (311a-1), a second channel region (311a-2), and/or a third channel region (311a-3). The first channel region (311a-1) may be disposed within the first region (211). The second channel region (311a-2) may be disposed within a portion (212a) of the second region (212). The third channel region (311a-3) may be disposed within another portion (212b) of the second region (212). The first channel region (311a-1) may include some of the plurality of first channels (311a) extending along the third direction (d3) within the first region (211). The second channel region (311a-2) may include some of the plurality of first channels (311a) extending along the third direction (d3) within a portion (212a) of the second region (212). The third channel region (311a-3) may include some of the plurality of first channels (311a) extending along the third direction (d3) within another portion (212b) of the second region (212).

According to one embodiment, the plurality of second channels (311b) can extend along a fourth direction (d4). The fourth direction (d4) can be different from the third direction (d3). For example, the fourth direction (d4) can be substantially perpendicular to the third direction (d3), but is not limited thereto. Each of the plurality of second channels (311b) can be spaced apart from each other. For example, the plurality of second channels (311b) can extend from a portion (212a) of the second region (212), across another portion (212b) of the second region (212), and into the first region (211).

In one embodiment, the control circuit (312) can scan the first portion within the first region (211) by providing a first power to the first channel region (311a-1) and the plurality of second channels (311b) to detect a contact on the first portion of the first region (211). The control circuit (312) can bypass supplying the first power to the second channel region (311a-2) and the third channel region (311a-3) while scanning the first portion of the first region (211) based on the first power. The control circuit (312) can refrain from supplying the first power to the second channel region (311a-2) and the third channel region (311a-3) while scanning the first portion of the first region (211) based on the first power. The control circuit (312) may refrain from providing the first power to the second channel region (311a-2) and the third channel region (311a-3) while scanning the first portion of the first region (211) based on the first power. For example, in order to detect a second touch on the first portion of the first region (211), the control circuit (312) may provide the first power to the first channel region (311a-1) and the plurality of second channels (311b). If the intended touch of the user is transmitted only through the first portion within the first region (211), scanning the second portion within the second region (212) by providing the first power to the second channel region (311a-2) and the third channel region (311a-3) may waste power. Hereinafter, an operation is described in which a control circuit (312) can reduce power for scanning a second portion within a second region (212) while scanning a first portion of a first region (211) through a first channel region (311a-1) and a plurality of second channels (311b) based on a first power.

Figures 17a through 17i illustrate low power scan operations of an exemplary control circuit according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 17A to 17I illustrate examples of scanning at least one of the first portion within the first region (211) and the second portion within the second region (212) by the control circuit (312) providing a second power lower than the first power to at least one of the first channel region (311a-1), the second channel region (311a-2), the third channel region (311a-3), and the plurality of second channels (311b) while the control circuit (312) scans the first portion within the first region (211) according to the method described in FIG. 16 based on the first power. The control circuit (312) providing the first power may indicate that the first power is consumed at the touch sensor (311) for a specified period of time, and the control circuit (312) providing the second power may indicate that the second power lower than the first power is consumed at the touch sensor (311) for the specified period of time. For example, the scan period by the control circuit (312) in the case where the second power is consumed in the touch sensor (311) may be longer than the scan period by the control circuit (312) in the case where the first power is consumed in the touch sensor (311). For example, the amount of current supplied to the touch sensor (311) for a specified time in the case where the second power is consumed in the touch sensor (311) may be smaller than the amount of current supplied to the touch sensor (311) for a specified time in the case where the first power is consumed in the touch sensor (311). Hereinafter, the second power may only mean lower than the first power, and may not represent any specific value. For example, the power supplied to the plurality of first channels (311a) and the plurality of second channels (311b) by the control circuit (312) in each of FIGS. 17a to 17h may be different from each other.

Referring to FIG. 17a, in the first example (1710), the control circuit (312) can scan the first portion within the first region (211) and the second portion within the second region (212) based on providing the second power to the first channel region (311a-1) and the plurality of second channels (311b). In other words, in the first example (1720), the control circuit (312) can provide the second power to the first channel region (311a-1) and the plurality of second channels (311b), and refrain from (or bypass) providing power to the second channel region (311a-2) and the third channel region (311b-2).

Referring to FIG. 17b, in the second example (1720), the control circuit (312) can scan the first portion within the first region (211) and the second portion within the second region (212) based on providing second power to the first channel region (311a-1), the second channel region (311a-2), the third channel region (311a-3), and the plurality of second channels (311b). In other words, in the second example (1720), the control circuit (312) can scan the touch sensor (311) based on providing second power to the plurality of first channels (311a) and the plurality of second channels (311b) of the touch sensor (311).

Referring to FIG. 17c, in a third example (1730), the control circuit (312) can scan a first portion within the first region (211) and a second portion within the second region (212) based on providing second power to the second channel region (311a-2), the third channel region (311a-3), and the plurality of second channels (311b). For example, in the third example (1730), the control circuit (312) can bypass (or refrain from providing power to the first channel region (311a-1).

Referring to FIG. 17d , in a fourth example (1740), the control circuit (312) can scan a first portion within the first region (211) and a second portion within the second region (212) based on providing second power to the plurality of first channels (311a). In other words, in the fourth example (1740), the control circuit (312) can scan a first portion within the first region (211) and a second portion within the second region (212) based on providing second power to the first channel region (311a-1), the second channel region (311a-2), and the third channel region (311a-3). For example, in the fourth example (1740), the control circuit (312) can bypass (or refrain from) providing power to the plurality of second channels (311b).

Referring to FIG. 17e, in a fifth example (1750), the control circuit (312) can scan a first portion within the first region (211) and a second portion within the second region (212) based on providing second power to the plurality of second channels (311b). For example, in the fifth example (1750), the control circuit (312) can bypass (or refrain from) providing power to the plurality of first channels (311a). For example, in the fifth example (1750), the control circuit (312) can bypass (or refrain from) providing power to the first channel region (311a-1), the second channel region (311a-2), and the third channel region (311a-3).

Referring to FIG. 17F, in a sixth example (1760), the control circuit (312) can scan a first portion within the first region (211) and a second portion within the second region (212) based on providing second power to a portion of the first channel region (311a-1), a portion of the second channel region (311a-2), a portion of the third channel region (311a-3), and a portion of the plurality of second channels (311b). For example, the number of the plurality of first channels (311a) and the plurality of second channels (311b) to which power is supplied within the sixth example (1760) can be smaller than the number of the plurality of first channels (311a) and the plurality of second channels (311b) to which power is supplied within the second example (1720).

Referring to FIG. 17g, in a seventh example (1770), the control circuit (312) can scan a first portion within the first region (211) and a second portion within the second region (212) based on providing second power to a portion of the first channel region (311a-1), a portion of the second channel region (311a-2), and a portion of the third channel region (311a-3). For example, in the seventh example (1770), the control circuit (312) can scan a first portion within the first region (211) and a second portion within the second region (212) based on providing second power to one channel within the first channel region (311a-1), one channel within the second channel region (311a-2), and one channel within the third channel region (311a-3). For example, in the seventh example (1770), the control circuit (312) can bypass (or refrain from) supplying the second power to the plurality of second channels (311b).

Referring to FIG. 17h, in an eighth example (1780), the control circuit (312) can scan a first portion within the first region (211) and a second portion within the second region (212) based on providing second power to some of the plurality of second channels (311b). For example, the control circuit (312) can scan a first portion within the first region (211) and a second portion within the second region (212) based on providing second power to one of the plurality of second channels (311b). For example, in the eighth example (1780), the control circuit (312) can bypass (or refrain from providing the second power to the plurality of first channels (311a).

Referring to FIG. 17i, in the ninth example (1790), the control circuit (312) can scan a first portion within the first region (211) and a second portion within the second region (212) based on providing second power to some of the plurality of first channels (311a) and some of the plurality of second channels (311b). The control circuit (312) can scan a first portion within the first region (211) and a second portion within the second region (212) based on providing second power to some of the first channel region (311a-1), some of the second channel region (311a-2), some of the third channel region (311a-3), and some of the plurality of second channels (311b). For example, in the ninth example (1790), the number of the plurality of first channels (311a) and the plurality of second channels (311b) to which power is supplied may be smaller than the number of the plurality of first channels (311a) and the plurality of second channels (311b) to which power is supplied in the sixth example (1760). For example, in the ninth example (1790), the control circuit (312) may provide the second power to the channels disposed at the edge of the plurality of second channels (311b), a portion of the first channel region (311a-1) disposed at the edge of the first region (211), a portion of the second channel region (311a-2) disposed at the edge of a portion (212a) of the second region (212), and a portion of the third channel region (311a-3) disposed at the edge of another portion (212b) of the second region (212).

As described above, the electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can provide a method for reducing power consumption by scanning the touch sensor (311) based on a second power that is lower than the first power while the control circuit (312) scans the first portion within the first region (211) through the first channel region (311a-1) and the plurality of second channels (311b) based on the first power.

Figure 18 illustrates an example of the operation of a control circuit according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 18, in operation 1810, a control circuit (e.g., the control circuit (312) of FIG. 3) may obtain a first value indicating a first contact through a second portion of a touch sensor (e.g., the touch sensor (311) of FIG. 3) within a second region (e.g., the second region (212) of FIGS. 4 and 5). The first contact may be transmitted (or caused) from an object external to the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 3) and/or an object internal to the electronic device (101). The object may be at least one of a non-conductor or a conductor. As the electronic device (101) is carried by a user, the second region (212) may be exposed to various environments. The first contact through the second region (212) may provide data for identifying a state of the control circuit (312). For example, the first contact may be transmitted (or caused) through the second portion within the second region (212) while the second region (212) is inactive, but is not limited thereto. For example, the first contact may be transmitted (or caused) through the second portion while the second region (212) is activated.

In operation 1820, the control circuit (312) can obtain a second value indicating a second contact on the first region (211) through a first portion of the touch sensor (311) within the first region (e.g., the first region (211) of FIGS. 4 and 5) while the first contact on the second region (212) is maintained. For example, the second contact may be transmitted (or caused) through the first portion within the first region (211) while the first region (211) is activated, but is not limited thereto. For example, the second contact may be transmitted (or caused) through the first portion within the first region (211) while the first region (211) is deactivated.

In operation 1830, the control circuit (312) can identify whether to recognize the second contact as a touch input according to the first touch sensitivity based on whether the first value indicating the first contact is less than a first reference value (e.g., the first reference value (610) of FIG. 6). For example, the first reference value can provide a criterion for identifying that a non-conductive body has come into contact with the first region (211) and/or the second region (212). The control circuit (312) can change the state of the control circuit (312) to a first state that recognizes the second contact as a touch input according to the first touch sensitivity based on whether the first value indicating the first contact is less than the first reference value. For example, within the first state of the control circuit (312), the control circuit (312) can identify whether to recognize the second contact as a touch input through a first threshold value (e.g., the first threshold value (640) of FIG. 6) that is lower than a second reference value (e.g., the second reference value (620) of FIG. 6). The second reference value may be a value that the control circuit (312) generally utilizes to identify a contact on the touch sensor (311) as a touch input. Since the first threshold value is lower than the second reference value, the touch sensitivity while the control circuit (312) utilizes the second reference value to identify whether the second contact is a touch input may be lower than the touch sensitivity while the control circuit (312) utilizes the first threshold value to identify whether the second contact is a touch input.

In operation 1840, the control circuit (312) can identify whether to recognize the second contact on the first region (211) as a touch input based on a second touch sensitivity that is different from the first touch sensitivity, based on the first value being greater than or equal to the first reference value. The second touch sensitivity can be lower than the first touch sensitivity. For example, while identifying whether the second contact is a touch input based on the second touch sensitivity, the control circuit (312) can utilize a threshold value higher than the first threshold value (e.g., the second threshold value (910) of FIG. 9 ), and/or the third threshold value of FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 ).

As described above, the electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can optimize the touch sensitivity of the control circuit (312) of the electronic device (101) exposed to various environments by differently changing the sensitivity of the control circuit (312) by comparing the first value corresponding to the first contact on the second area (212) with the first reference value.

FIG. 19a illustrates an example of an operation of an exemplary control circuit according to one embodiment to change a state of the control circuit, and FIG. 19b illustrates an example of an operation of a control circuit according to one embodiment to change a state of the control circuit.

Referring to FIG. 19A, in operation 1901, a control circuit (e.g., the control circuit (312) of FIG. 3) may obtain a first value indicating a first contact through a second portion of a touch sensor (e.g., the touch sensor (311) of FIG. 3) in a second region (e.g., the second region (212) of FIGS. 4 and 5). The control circuit (312) may obtain a second value indicating a second contact on the first region (e.g., the first region (211) of FIGS. 4 and 5) while the first contact on the second region (212) is maintained. Operation 1901 may correspond to operations 1810 and 1820 of FIG. 18.

In operation 1902, the control circuit (312) can identify whether the first value indicating the first contact on the second region (212) is less than a first reference value (e.g., the first reference value (610) of FIG. 6 ). For example, the first reference value can provide a criterion for identifying that a non-conductor has contacted the first region (211) and/or the second region (212). The control circuit (312) can perform operation 1903 based on the first value indicating the first contact on the second region (212) being less than the first reference value. The control circuit (312) can perform operation 1904 based on the first value indicating the first contact on the second region (212) being greater than or equal to the first reference value.

In operation 1903, the control circuit (312) can identify whether to recognize the second contact as a touch input based on a first threshold value (e.g., the first threshold value (640) of FIG. 6) based on the first reference value being less than the first reference value. For example, the control circuit (312) can identify that a non-conductive body has been contacted on the second region (212) based on the first value indicating the first contact on the second region (212) being less than the first reference value. When the first contact on the second region (212) is caused by the non-conductive body, the magnitude of the second value corresponding to the second contact on the first region (211) can be relatively reduced compared to when the first contact on the second region (212) is not caused by the non-conductive body. In order to compensate for the relative decrease in the touch sensitivity of the touch sensor (311) due to the relative decrease in the size of the second value by the non-conductor on the second region (212), the control circuit (312) can identify whether the second contact is a touch input by utilizing a first threshold value (e.g., the first threshold value (640) of FIG. 6) that is lower than a second reference value (e.g., the second reference value (620) of FIG. 6). For example, the control circuit (312) can change the state of the control circuit (312) to a first state that identifies whether the second contact is a touch input through the first threshold value based on the first value being lower than the first reference value. The first state of the control circuit (312) can be referenced as a low ground state.

In operation 1904, the control circuit (312) can identify whether the first value indicating the first contact on the second region (212) exceeds a second reference value (e.g., the second reference value (620) of FIG. 6) based on the first value indicating the first contact on the second region (212) being greater than or equal to the first reference value. The second reference value can correspond to a value for identifying that a conductor has been in contact on the first region (211) and/or the second region (212). The second reference value can correspond to a value that the control circuit (312) typically utilizes to identify a contact on the touch sensor (311) as a touch input. The control circuit (312) can perform operation 1905 based on the first value indicating the first contact on the second region (212) exceeding the second reference value. The control circuit (312) can perform operation 1906 based on the first value indicating the first contact on the second region (212) being greater than or equal to the first reference value and less than or equal to the second reference value.

In operation 1905, the control circuit (312) can identify whether to recognize the second contact as a touch input based on a second threshold value (e.g., the second threshold value (910) of FIG. 9) based on the first value exceeding the second reference value. The second threshold value can be higher than the second reference value. The control circuit (312) can identify that a conductor has come into contact on the second region (212) based on the first value exceeding the second reference value. For example, when the first contact on the second region (212) is caused by the conductor, the magnitude of the second value corresponding to the second contact on the first region (211) can be relatively increased compared to when the first contact on the second region (212) is not caused by the conductor. In order to compensate for the relative increase in the touch sensitivity of the touch sensor (311) due to the relative increase in the size of the second value by the conductor on the second region (212), the control circuit (312) can identify whether the second contact is a touch input by utilizing a second threshold value that is higher than the second reference value. The control circuit (312) can change the state of the control circuit (312) to a second state that identifies whether the second contact is a touch input through the second threshold value based on the first value exceeding the second reference value. The second state of the control circuit (312) can be referred to as a good ground state. The second threshold value can be higher than the second reference value.

In operation 1906, the control circuit (312) can identify whether the second contact on the first region (211) satisfies the first designated condition based on the first value indicating the first contact on the second region (212) being greater than or equal to the first reference value and less than or equal to the second reference value. For example, the control circuit (312) can identify whether the second value indicating the second contact on the first region (211) exceeds the first reference value and the area of the second contact on the first region (211) exceeds the first designated area. For example, the control circuit (312) can identify whether the second contact on the first region (211) satisfies the first designated condition based on the first value on the second region (212) being greater than or equal to the first reference value and less than or equal to the second reference value. For example, the control circuit (312) can identify whether the second value indicating the second contact on the first region (211) exceeds the first reference value and whether the area of the second contact on the first region (211) exceeds the first designated area. The first designated area may represent 10% or more of the area of the first region (211), but is not limited thereto. For example, the control circuit (312) can identify an area (e.g., area (1312a) of FIG. 13) that includes node values that are greater than or equal to the first reference node value among a plurality of second node values (e.g., a plurality of second node values (1312) of FIG. 13) corresponding to the first region (211). The first reference node value may be included within the first reference value. The control circuit (312) can identify whether the area of the second contact exceeds the first designated area through the area (1312a). The control circuit (312) can perform operation 1907 based on the second contact not satisfying the first specified condition. The control circuit (312) can perform operation 1908 based on the second contact satisfying the first specified condition.

In operation 1907, the control circuit (312) can identify whether to recognize the second contact on the first region (211) as a touch input based on the second reference value, based on the second contact not satisfying the first specified condition. For example, the control circuit (312) can change the state of the control circuit (312) to a fourth state that identifies whether to recognize the second contact as a touch input using the second reference value, based on the second contact not satisfying the first specified condition. For example, the fourth state can be referred to as a default state.

In operation 1908, the control circuit (312) can identify whether the first contact on the second region (212) satisfies the second specified condition based on the second contact satisfying the first specified condition. The second specified condition can include that the first contact has an area greater than or equal to the second specified area. The second specified area can represent, but is not limited to, 5% or more of the area of the second region (212). The control circuit (312) can identify whether the area of the first contact on the second region (212) is greater than or equal to the second specified area based on the second contact satisfying the first specified condition. For example, the control circuit (312) can identify whether the area of the first contact is greater than or equal to the second specified area through a region (e.g., region (1311a) of FIG. 13). The control circuit (312) can identify that the first contact satisfies the second specified condition based on the first contact on the second region (212) being greater than or equal to the second specified area. The second specified condition can include that at least one of a portion (1322a) (e.g., a portion (1322a) of FIG. 13 ) of a plurality of second line values (1322) corresponding to the second region (212) exceeds a first reference line value (e.g., 300). The control circuit (312) can identify whether at least one of a portion (1322a) of the plurality of second line values (1322) corresponding to the second region (212) exceeds the first reference line value (e.g., 300) based on the second contact satisfying the first specified condition. The control circuit (312) can identify that the first contact satisfies the second specified condition based on at least one of a portion (1322a) of the plurality of second line values (1322) exceeding the first reference line value (e.g., 300). The control circuit (312) can perform operation 1909 based on the first contact satisfying the second specified condition. The control circuit (312) can perform operation 1907 based on the first contact not satisfying the second specified condition.

In operation 1909, the control circuit (312) can identify whether to recognize the second contact as a touch input based on a third threshold value that is higher than the second reference value, based on the first contact satisfying the second specified condition. The control circuit (312) can change the state of the control circuit (312) to a third state that identifies whether to recognize the second contact as a touch input through the third threshold value, based on the first contact satisfying the second specified condition. The control circuit (312) can identify the electronic device (101) as being contained in a user's pocket (or bag), based on the first contact satisfying the second specified condition. The third state of the control circuit (312) can be referred to as a pocket state. For example, the third threshold value may be different from, but is not limited to, the second threshold value. For example, the third threshold value may be substantially the same as the second threshold value.

According to one embodiment, the control circuit (312) can identify whether to recognize the second contact as a touch input through the second reference value based on the first contact not satisfying the second specified condition. The control circuit (312) can change the state of the control circuit (312) to a fourth state that identifies whether to recognize the second contact as a touch input through the second reference value based on the first contact not satisfying the second specified condition.

Referring to FIG. 19B, at operation 1910, the control circuit (312) may obtain a third value indicating a third contact on at least one of the first region (211) and the second region (212) within the third state. For example, the third contact may be caused by the user's body while the electronic device (101) is moved outside of the user's pocket (or bag).

In operation 1911, the control circuit (312) can identify whether a third value indicating a third contact on at least one of the first region (211) and the second region (212) exceeds a second reference value. The control circuit (312) can perform operation 1912 based on the third value exceeding the second reference value. The control circuit (312) can perform operation 1909 based on the third value being less than or equal to the second reference value.

In operation 1912, the control circuit (312) can change the state of the control circuit (312) from the third state to the fourth state based on the third value exceeding the second reference value. For example, the control circuit (312) can, within the fourth state, identify whether to recognize another contact on the first region (211) and/or the second region (212) as a touch input through the second reference value.

In one embodiment, the control circuit (312) can maintain the state of the control circuit (312) in the third state based on the third value being less than or equal to the second reference value. For example, under the third state, the control circuit (312) can identify whether to recognize another contact on the first region (211) and/or the second region (212) as a touch input through the third threshold value.

As described above, the electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can provide a method for optimizing touch sensitivity on a touch sensor (311) by changing a state of a control circuit (312) based on a first value indicating a first contact on a second area (211).

FIG. 20 illustrates an example of operation of an exemplary processor according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 20, in operation 2010, a processor (e.g., processor (120) of FIG. 3) may identify that a battery (e.g., battery (330) of FIG. 3) of an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101) of FIG. 3) is in a charging state. For example, within the charging state, power of the battery (330) may be provided from a charging terminal (e.g., charging terminal (1420) of FIG. 14) connected to the electronic device (101). For example, within the charging state, power of the battery (330) may be provided from a wireless charging device.

In operation 2020, the processor (120) may change a threshold value for identifying a contact on a touch sensor (e.g., the touch sensor (311) of FIG. 3) as a touch input. For example, the processor (120) may change the threshold value for identifying a contact on the touch sensor (311) as a touch input from a second reference value to a fourth threshold value higher than the second reference value, based on identifying that the battery (330) is in a charged state. For example, the processor (120) may change the state of a control circuit (e.g., the control circuit (312) of FIG. 3) to a fifth state for identifying a contact on the touch sensor (311) as a touch input through the fourth threshold value, based on identifying that the battery (330) is in a charged state.

As described above, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may provide a method for optimizing the touch sensitivity of a touch sensor (311) while a battery (330) is in a charging state.

FIG. 21 illustrates an example of operation of an exemplary processor according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 21, in operation 2110, a processor (e.g., the processor (120) of FIG. 3) may identify an angle of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 3) through a sensor (e.g., the sensor (320) of FIG. 3). For example, the processor (120) may identify whether the angle of the electronic device (101) identified through the sensor (320) is within a specified range. The specified angle may be, for example, from 0 degrees to approximately 90 degrees, but is not limited thereto. The processor (120) may identify that the electronic device (101) is not gripped by a user and is positioned at a specific location based on the angle of the electronic device (101) being within the specified angle. The processor (120) may identify that the electronic device (101) is gripped by a user based on the angle of the electronic device (101) exceeding the specified angle.

In operation 2120, the processor (120) may change a threshold value for identifying a contact on the touch sensor (311) as a touch input based on whether the angle of the electronic device (101) is within a specified range. For example, the processor (120) may change a threshold value for identifying a contact on the touch sensor (311) as a touch input from a second reference value to a first threshold value (e.g., the first threshold value (640) of FIG. 6) lower than the second reference value, based on whether the angle of the electronic device (101) is within a specified range. For example, the processor (120) may change a state of a control circuit (e.g., the control circuit (312) of FIG. 3) to a first state based on whether the angle of the electronic device (101) is within a specified range. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The processor (120) can obtain a first value indicating a first contact on a second area (e.g., the second area (212) of FIGS. 4 and 5) through the control circuit (312). The processor (120) can identify whether the first value is less than a first reference value. The processor (120) can change the state of the control circuit (312) to the first state based on the first value being less than the first reference value and the angle of the electronic device (101) being within a specified range.

As described above, the electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can provide a method for optimizing the touch sensitivity of the touch sensor (311) based on identifying the angle of the electronic device (101).

FIG. 22 illustrates an example of an operation of an exemplary control circuit scanning a touch sensor according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 22, in operation 2210, a control circuit (e.g., the control circuit (312) of FIG. 3) may scan a first portion within a first region (e.g., the first region (211) of FIGS. 4 and 5) based on a first power. The control circuit (312) may scan the first portion within the first region (211) by providing the first power to a first channel region (e.g., the first channel region (311a-1) of FIG. 16) and a plurality of second channels (e.g., the plurality of second channels (311b) of FIG. 16). For example, the control circuit (312) may scan the first portion within the first region (211) based on providing a first current according to a first cycle for a specified time to the first channel region (311a-1) and the plurality of second channels (311b). For example, the control circuit (312) may bypass (or refrain from) scanning a second channel region (e.g., the second channel region (311a-2) of FIG. 16) and a third channel region (e.g., the third channel region (311a-3) of FIG. 16) based on the first power while scanning a first portion of the first region (211) based on the first power.

In operation 2220, the control circuit (312) can scan at least one of the first portion within the first region (211) and the second portion within the second region (212) based on the second power that is lower than the first power. For example, the control circuit (312) can scan at least one of the first portion within the first region (211) and the second portion within the second region (212) by providing the second power that is lower than the first power to at least one of the first channel region (311a-1), the second channel region (311a-2), the third channel region (311a-3), and the plurality of second channels (311b) while scanning the first portion within the first region (211) based on the first power. The control circuit (312) providing the second power can indicate that the second power that is lower than the first power is consumed by the touch sensor (311) for a specified time period. For example, the second cycle, which is a scan cycle by the control circuit (312) in the case where the second power is consumed in the touch sensor (311), may be longer than the first cycle, which is a scan cycle by the control circuit (312) in the case where the first power is consumed in the touch sensor (311). For example, the amount of current supplied for a specified time within the touch sensor (311) in the case where the second power is consumed in the touch sensor (311) may be smaller than the amount of current supplied for a specified time within the touch sensor (311) in the case where the first power is consumed in the touch sensor (311). According to one embodiment, the control circuit (312) may perform, at operation 2220, a scan operation corresponding to at least one of a first example (e.g., the first example (1710) of FIG. 17a), a second example (e.g., the second example (1720) of FIG. 17b), a third example (e.g., the third example (1730) of FIG. 17c), a fourth example (e.g., the fourth example (1740) of FIG. 17d), a fifth example (e.g., the fifth example (1750) of FIG. 17e), a sixth example (e.g., the sixth example (1760) of FIG. 17f), a seventh example (e.g., the seventh example (1770) of FIG. 17g), an eighth example (e.g., the eighth example (1780) of FIG. 17h), and/or a ninth example (e.g., the ninth example (1790) of FIG. 17i).

According to one embodiment, the control circuit (312) can remove noise occurring within the first region (211) by performing operation 2220. For example, referring again to FIG. 11, noise may be caused in regions (1101) within a plurality of second node values (1112) corresponding to the first region (211) by the first contact on the second region (212). The control circuit (312) can identify noise in the regions (1101) within the plurality of second node values (1112) by performing a scan operation corresponding to operations 2210 and 2220. The control circuit (312) can remove (or compensate for) the identified noise.

In operation 2230, the control circuit (312) can identify whether the state of the control circuit (312) is a designated state. For example, the control circuit (312) can identify whether the state of the control circuit (312) is at least one of the first state, the third state, and/or the fifth state. Based on that the state of the control circuit (312) is the designated state, the control circuit (312) can perform operation 2240. Based on that the state of the control circuit (312) is not the designated state, the control circuit (312) can perform operation 2210.

At operation 2240, the control circuit (312) can scan at least one of the first portion within the first region (211) and the second portion within the second region (212) based on the third power lower than the second power, based on identifying that the control circuit is in the designated state (operation 2230 - Yes). For example, the control circuit (312) can scan at least one of the first portion within the first region (211) and the second portion within the second region (212) by providing the third power lower than the second power to at least one of the first channel region (311a-1), the second channel region (311a-2), the third channel region (311a-3), and the plurality of second channels (311b). The control circuit (312) providing the third power can indicate that the third power lower than the second power is consumed by the touch sensor (311) for the designated time period. For example, the third cycle, which is a scan cycle by the control circuit (312) in the case where the third power is consumed in the touch sensor (311), may be longer than the second cycle, which is a scan cycle by the control circuit (312) in the case where the second power is consumed in the touch sensor (311). For example, the amount of current supplied for a specified time within the touch sensor (311) in the case where the third power is consumed in the touch sensor (311) may be smaller than the amount of current supplied for a specified time within the touch sensor (311) in the case where the second power is consumed in the touch sensor (311). According to one embodiment, the control circuit (312) can perform a scan operation corresponding to at least one of the first example (1710), the second example (1720), the third example (1730), the fourth example (1740), the fifth example (1750), the sixth example (1760), the seventh example (1770), the eighth example (1780), and/or the ninth example (1790) in operation 2240.

For example, in operation 2240, the control circuit (312) may perform a scan operation according to the first example (1710) based on identifying that the state of the control circuit (312) is the first state.

For example, in operation 2240, the control circuit (312) may perform a scan operation according to the eighth example (1770) based on identifying that the state of the control circuit (312) is the third state.

For example, in operation 2240, the control circuit (312) may perform a scan operation according to the first example (1710) based on identifying that the state of the control circuit (312) is the fifth state.

For example, in operation 2240, the control circuit (312) may perform a scan operation according to example 9 (1790) based on identifying that the state of the control circuit (312) is the sixth state. For example, the sixth state may be described through FIG. 23.

FIG. 23 illustrates the state of an electronic device while an exemplary control circuit performs a low power scan according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 23, according to one embodiment, the first region (211) can be positioned on the object (2310). The first region (211) can be in contact with the object (2310). For example, the first region (211) can be deactivated while it is in contact with the object (2310). The second region (212) can be deactivated. For example, a portion (212a) of the second region (212) can be deactivated while the first region (211) is in contact with the object (2310). For example, another portion (212b) of the second region (212) can be deactivated while the first region (211) is in contact with the object (2310). The control circuit (312) can change the state of the control circuit (312) to the sixth state while the display (210) is inactivated. The control circuit (312) can perform a scan operation according to the ninth example (e.g., the ninth example (1790) of FIG. 17i) within the sixth state of the control circuit (312).

As described above, the electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can provide a method for reducing power consumption by scanning the touch sensor (311) based on a second power that is lower than the first power while the control circuit (312) scans the first portion within the first region (211) through the first channel region (311a-1) and the plurality of second channels (311b) based on the first power.

An electronic device can obtain a value corresponding to a contact when a contact is applied to the display. The electronic device can identify whether to recognize the contact on the display as a touch input based on the value. As the electronic device is exposed to various environments, the display can also be exposed to various environments. Since the size of the value obtained by the contact on the display is different depending on the environment to which the display is exposed, the touch sensitivity can be different depending on the environment to which the display is exposed. The electronic device may require a method for controlling the touch sensitivity depending on the environment to which the electronic device is exposed.

The technical tasks to be achieved in this document are not limited to the technical tasks mentioned above, and other technical tasks not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which this document belongs from the description below.

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 a person skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs from the description below.

An electronic device (e.g., an electronic device (101) of FIG. 3) is provided. According to one embodiment, the electronic device may include a display (e.g., a display (210) of FIGS. 4 and 5) including a first region (e.g., a first region (211) of FIGS. 4 and 5)) and a second region (e.g., a second region (212) of FIGS. 4 and 5) connected to the first region and curved with respect to the first region. According to one embodiment, the electronic device may include a touch sensor (e.g., a touch sensor (311) of FIG. 3) including a first portion disposed within the first region and a second portion disposed within the second region. According to one embodiment, the electronic device may include a control circuit (e.g., a control circuit (312) of FIG. 3). According to one embodiment, the control circuit may be configured to obtain a first value indicating a first contact on the second region through the second portion. In one embodiment, the control circuit may be configured to obtain a second value representing a second contact on the first area through the first portion while the first contact is maintained. In one embodiment, the control circuit may be configured to identify whether to recognize the second contact as a touch input according to a first touch sensitivity based on whether the first value is less than a first reference value (e.g., the first reference value (610) of FIG. 6). In one embodiment, the control circuit may be configured to identify whether to recognize the second contact as the touch input according to a second touch sensitivity different from the first touch sensitivity based on whether the first value is greater than or equal to the first reference value.

An electronic device according to one embodiment may provide a method for optimizing touch sensitivity of a touch sensor based on identifying an environment to which the electronic device is exposed through a first value.

In one embodiment, the first value can be obtained through the second portion while the second region is inactive.

An electronic device according to one embodiment may provide a method for optimizing touch sensitivity of a touch sensor based on identifying an environment to which the electronic device is exposed through a first value acquired while a second region is inactive.

In one embodiment, the first touch sensitivity may be higher than the second touch sensitivity.

An electronic device according to one embodiment may provide a method for differently varying the touch sensitivity of a touch sensor based on identifying an environment to which the electronic device is exposed through a first value.

According to one embodiment, the first contact may be transmitted from an object located external to the electronic device (e.g., object (710) of FIG. 7A , body (1010) of FIG. 10A , body (1020) of FIG. 10B , and/or body (1030) of FIG. 10C ).

An electronic device according to one embodiment may provide a method for optimizing touch sensitivity of a touch sensor based on identifying an environment to which the electronic device is exposed through a first value corresponding to a first contact of an object external to the electronic device.

According to one embodiment, the first contact may be transmitted from an object located inside the electronic device (e.g., object (720) of FIG. 7A).

An electronic device according to one embodiment may provide a method for optimizing touch sensitivity of a touch sensor based on identifying an environment to which the electronic device is exposed through a first value corresponding to a first contact of an object inside the electronic device.

In one embodiment, the control circuit may be configured to identify whether to recognize the second contact as the touch input by comparing the second value with a first threshold value (e.g., the first threshold value (640) of FIG. 6) based on the first value being less than the first reference value. In one embodiment, the control circuit may be configured to identify whether to recognize the second contact as the touch input by comparing the second value with a second threshold value (e.g., the second threshold value (910) of FIG. 9) higher than the first threshold value, based on the first value exceeding a second reference value (e.g., the second reference value (620) of FIG. 6) higher than the first reference value.

An electronic device according to one embodiment may provide a method for optimizing touch sensitivity of a touch sensor based on identifying an environment to which the electronic device is exposed through comparison of a first value with a plurality of reference values.

In one embodiment, the first threshold value may be lower than the second reference value. In one embodiment, the second threshold value may be higher than the second reference value.

In one embodiment, the control circuit may be configured to identify, based on the first value being less than or equal to the second reference value, whether the second value exceeds the first reference value and whether an area of the second contact on the first region exceeds a first designated area. In one embodiment, the control circuit may be configured to identify, based on the area of the second contact exceeding the first designated area and the area of the first contact being equal to or greater than the second designated area, whether to recognize the second contact as the touch input by comparing the second value with a third threshold value that is higher than the second reference value. In one embodiment, the control circuit may be configured to identify, based on the area of the second contact being less than or equal to the first designated area, whether to recognize the second contact as the touch input by comparing the second value with the second reference value.

An electronic device according to one embodiment may provide a method for optimizing the touch sensitivity of a touch sensor by identifying an environment to which the electronic device is exposed based on an area of a second contact being greater than or equal to a specified area.

In one embodiment, the control circuit may be configured to obtain a third value indicating a third contact on at least one of the first region and the second region, within a state that identifies whether to recognize the second contact as the touch input by comparing the second value with the third threshold value. In one embodiment, the control circuit may be configured to release the state based on the third value exceeding the second threshold value.

According to one embodiment, the first value may include a plurality of node values (e.g., a plurality of first node values (1311) of FIG. 13) obtained from each of a plurality of nodes included in the touch sensor and corresponding to the first contact, and a plurality of line values (e.g., a plurality of second line values (1322) of FIG. 13) corresponding to each of the columns formed by the plurality of nodes. According to one embodiment, the control circuit may be configured to identify whether an area of the second contact on the first region exceeds a first designated area based on identifying that the first value is less than or equal to the second reference value. In one embodiment, the control circuit may be configured to identify whether to recognize the second contact as the touch input by comparing the second value with a third threshold value that is higher than the first threshold value, based on the area of the second contact exceeding the first specified area and at least one of the plurality of line values (e.g., some (1322a) of the plurality of second line values (1322) of FIG. 13) exceeding a reference line value. In one embodiment, the control circuit may be configured to identify whether to recognize the second contact as the touch input by comparing the second value with the second reference value, based on the area of the second contact being less than or equal to the first specified area.

According to one embodiment, the touch sensor may include a first channel region (e.g., a first channel region (311a-1) of FIG. 16) disposed within the first region, a second channel region (e.g., a second channel region (311a-2) of FIG. 16) disposed within a portion of the second region, and a third channel region (e.g., a third channel region (311a-3) of FIG. 16) disposed within another portion of the second region, and may include a plurality of first channels (e.g., a plurality of first channels (311a) of FIG. 16) extending in a first direction and spaced apart from each other. According to one embodiment, the touch sensor may include a plurality of second channels (e.g., a plurality of second channels (311b) of FIG. 16) extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and spaced apart from each other. In one embodiment, the control circuit can be configured to scan the first portion by providing a first power to the first channel region and the plurality of second channels to detect a contact on the first portion. In one embodiment, the control circuit can be configured to scan at least one of the first portion and the second portion by providing a second power lower than the first power to at least one of the first channel region, the second channel region, the third channel region, and the plurality of second channels while scanning the first portion based on the first power.

The electronic device according to one embodiment may provide a method for reducing power consumption by scanning a touch sensor based on a second power that is lower than the first power while the control circuit scans a first portion within a first area based on a first power.

In one embodiment, the control circuit can be configured to bypass providing the first power to the second channel region and the third channel region while scanning the first portion based on the first power.

The electronic device according to one embodiment can provide a method for reducing power consumption by bypassing providing the first power to the second channel region and the third channel region while the control circuit scans the first portion within the first region based on the first power.

In one embodiment, the control circuit can be configured to identify a state of the control circuit while scanning the first portion based on the first power. In one embodiment, the control circuit can be configured to scan at least one of the first portion and the second portion by providing a third power lower than the second power to at least one of the first channel region, the second channel region, the third channel region, and the plurality of second channels, based on identifying that the state of the control circuit is a designated state.

In one embodiment, the electronic device may include a sensor (e.g., sensor (320) of FIG. 3). In one embodiment, the electronic device may include a processor (e.g., processor (120) of FIG. 3) operatively coupled to the sensor. In one embodiment, the processor may be configured to identify whether to recognize the second contact as the touch input based on the first touch sensitivity, based on the first value being less than the first reference value and the angle of the electronic device being within a specified angular range using the sensor.

An electronic device according to one embodiment may provide a method for optimizing touch sensitivity of a touch sensor based on identifying an angle of the electronic device.

In one embodiment, the electronic device may include a battery (e.g., battery (330) of FIG. 3). In one embodiment, the electronic device may include a processor (e.g., processor (120) of FIG. 3) operatively coupled to the battery. In one embodiment, the processor may be configured to identify whether to recognize the second contact as the touch input based on a third touch sensitivity that is lower than the first touch sensitivity, based on the first value being less than the first reference value while the battery is being charged.

An electronic device according to one embodiment may provide a method for optimizing touch sensitivity of a touch sensor based on identifying a charge state of a battery of the electronic device.

An electronic device (e.g., an electronic device (101) of FIG. 3) is provided. According to one embodiment, the electronic device may include a first housing (e.g., a first housing (410) of FIG. 4). According to one embodiment, the electronic device may include a second housing (e.g., a second housing (420) of FIG. 4) movable with respect to the first housing. According to one embodiment, the electronic device may include a hinge structure (e.g., a hinge structure (430) of FIG. 4) changeable to a folding state in which a first direction toward which one surface of the first housing (e.g., a first surface (411) of FIG. 4) faces is opposite to a second direction toward which one surface of the second housing (e.g., a third surface (421) of FIG. 4) faces, or an unfolding state in which the first direction is identical to the second direction. According to one embodiment, the electronic device may include a display (e.g., the display (210) of FIG. 3) disposed on the one side of the first housing and the one side of the second housing across the hinge structure, and exposed to the outside of the electronic device in the folded state. According to one embodiment, the electronic device may include a first portion disposed on the first housing, and a second portion connected to the first portion and disposed on the hinge structure and the second housing, and a touch sensor (e.g., the touch sensor (311) of FIG. 3) disposed within the display. According to one embodiment, the electronic device may include a control circuit (e.g., the control circuit (312) of FIG. 3). According to one embodiment, the control circuit may be configured to obtain a first value indicating a first contact through the second portion. According to one embodiment, the control circuit may be configured to obtain a second value indicating a second contact through the first portion while the first contact is maintained. In one embodiment, the control circuit may be configured to identify whether to recognize the second contact as the touch input according to the first touch sensitivity, based on the first value being less than the first reference value. In one embodiment, the control circuit may be configured to identify whether to recognize the second contact as the touch input according to a second touch sensitivity different from the first touch sensitivity, based on the first value being greater than or equal to the first reference value.

An electronic device according to one embodiment may provide a method for optimizing touch sensitivity of a touch sensor based on identifying an environment to which the electronic device is exposed through a first value.

According to one embodiment, the first value can be obtained through the second portion while an area of the display corresponding to the second portion (e.g., the second area (212) of FIG. 4) is inactive.

An electronic device according to one embodiment may provide a method for optimizing touch sensitivity of a touch sensor based on identifying an environment to which the electronic device is exposed through a first value acquired while a second region is inactive.

In one embodiment, the first touch sensitivity may be higher than the second touch sensitivity.

In one embodiment, the control circuit may be configured to identify whether to recognize the second contact as the touch input by comparing the second value with a first threshold value (e.g., the first threshold value (640) of FIG. 6) based on the first value being less than the first reference value. In one embodiment, the control circuit may be configured to identify whether to recognize the second contact as the touch input by comparing the second value with a second threshold value (e.g., the second threshold value (910) of FIG. 9) higher than the first threshold value, based on the first value exceeding a second reference value (e.g., the second reference value (620) of FIG. 6) higher than the first reference value.

An electronic device according to one embodiment may provide a method for optimizing touch sensitivity of a touch sensor based on identifying an environment to which the electronic device is exposed through comparison of a first value with a plurality of reference values.

In one embodiment, the electronic device may include a battery (e.g., battery (330) of FIG. 3). In one embodiment, the electronic device may include a processor (e.g., processor (120) of FIG. 3) operatively coupled to the battery. In one embodiment, the processor may be configured to identify whether to recognize the second contact as the touch input based on a third touch sensitivity that is lower than the first touch sensitivity, based on the first value being less than the first reference value while the battery is being charged.

An electronic device according to one embodiment may provide a method for optimizing touch sensitivity of a touch sensor based on identifying a state of charge of a battery of the electronic device.

The electronic devices according to various embodiments disclosed in this document 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, electronic devices, or home appliance devices. The electronic devices according to embodiments of this document are not limited to the above-described devices.

It should be understood that the various embodiments of this document and the terminology used herein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, but rather to encompass 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 this document, 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) 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" used in various embodiments of this document may include a unit implemented in hardware, software or firmware, and may be used interchangeably with terms such as logic, logic block, component, or circuit, for example. A module may be an integrally configured component or a minimum unit of the component or a part thereof that performs one or more functions. For example, according to one embodiment, a module may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

Various embodiments of the present document may be implemented as software (e.g., a program (140)) including one or more instructions 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 the machine (e.g., an electronic device (101)) may call at least one instruction among the one or more instructions stored from the storage medium and execute it. This enables the machine to operate to perform at least one function according to the at least one called instruction. The one or more instructions may include code generated by a compiler or code 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 disclosed in the present document may be provided as included in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded between a seller and a buyer as a commodity. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or may be distributed online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) via an application store (e.g., Play Store™) or directly between two user devices (e.g., smart phones). 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, and some of the multiple entities may be separately arranged in other components. 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, the multiple components (e.g., a module or a program) may be integrated into one component. In such a case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the multiple components identically or similarly to those performed by the corresponding component of the multiple components before 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 an electronic device (101),
A display (210) including a first region (211) and a second region (212) connected to the first region (211) and curved with respect to the first region (211);
A touch sensor (311) including a first part arranged within the first region (211) and a second part arranged within the second region (212); and
including a control circuit (312);
The above control circuit (312)
Obtain a first value representing a first contact on the second area (212) through the second part,
While the first contact is maintained, a second value representing a second contact on the first area (211) is obtained through the first portion,
Based on the first value being less than the first reference value (610), it is determined whether the second contact is to be recognized as a touch input according to the first touch sensitivity,
Based on the first value being greater than or equal to the first reference value (610), it is configured to identify whether the second contact is to be recognized as the touch input according to a second touch sensitivity that is different from the first touch sensitivity.
Electronic devices (101).
In the first paragraph,
The above first value is,
While the second region (212) is inactive, obtained through the second part,
Electronic devices (101).
In either of paragraphs 1 and 2,
The above first touch sensitivity is,
Higher than the above second touch sensitivity,
Electronic devices (101).
In any one of claims 1 to 3,
The above first contact is,
transmitted from an object located outside the electronic device (101);
Electronic devices (101).
In any one of claims 1 to 4,
The above first contact is,
Transmitted from an object located inside the above electronic device (101),
Electronic devices (101).
In any one of paragraphs 1 to 5,
The above control circuit (312)
Based on the first value being less than the first reference value (610), a comparison is made between the second value and the first threshold value (640) to identify whether the second contact is to be recognized as the touch input.
Based on the first value exceeding the second reference value (620) which is higher than the first reference value (610), a comparison is made between the second value and the second threshold value (910) which is higher than the first threshold value (640), to identify whether the second contact is to be recognized as the touch input.
Electronic devices (101).
In Article 6,
The above first threshold value (640) is,
Lower than the above second reference value (620),
The above second threshold value (910) is,
Higher than the above second reference value (620),
Electronic devices (101).
In Article 6,
The above control circuit (312)
Based on the first value being less than or equal to the second reference value (620), identifying whether the second value exceeds the first reference value (610) and whether the area of the second contact on the first region (211) exceeds the first designated area;
Based on the fact that the area of the second contact exceeds the first designated area and that the area of the first contact is equal to or greater than the second designated area, a comparison is made between the second value and a third threshold value that is higher than the second reference value (620) to identify whether the second contact is to be recognized as the touch input.
Based on the area of the second contact being less than or equal to the first designated area, the second value is compared with the second reference value (620), and is configured to identify whether the second contact is to be recognized as the touch input.
Electronic devices (101).
In Article 8,
The above control circuit (312)
In a state of identifying whether or not to recognize the second contact as the touch input by comparing the second value with the third threshold value, a third value indicating a third contact on at least one of the first area (211) and the second area (212) is obtained,
configured to release the state based on the third value exceeding the second reference value (620).
Electronic devices (101).
In Article 6,
The above first value is,
A plurality of node values (1310) corresponding to the first contact and obtained from each of a plurality of nodes included in the touch sensor (311), and a plurality of line values (1322) corresponding to each of the columns formed by the plurality of nodes,
The above control circuit (312)
Based on identifying that the first value is less than or equal to the second reference value (620), identifying whether the area of the second contact on the first region (211) exceeds the first designated area,
Based on the area of the second contact exceeding the first designated area and at least one of the plurality of line values (1322a) exceeding the reference line value, a third threshold value higher than the first threshold value (640) is compared with the second value to identify whether the second contact is to be recognized as the touch input,
Based on the area of the second contact being less than or equal to the first designated area, the second value is compared with the second reference value (620), and is configured to identify whether the second contact is to be recognized as the touch input.
Electronic devices (101).
In any one of claims 1 to 10,
The above touch sensor (311)
A plurality of first channels (311a) including a first channel region (311a-1) arranged within the first region (211), a second channel region (311a-2) arranged within a part of the second region (212), and a third channel region (311a-3) arranged within another part of the second region (212), extending along a first direction and spaced apart from each other; and
A plurality of second channels (311b) extending along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and spaced apart from each other;
The above control circuit (312)
To detect a contact on the first portion, the first portion is scanned by providing a first power to the first channel area (311a-1) and the plurality of second channels (311b),
While scanning the first portion based on the first power, by providing a second power lower than the first power to at least one of the first channel region (311a-1), the second channel region (311a-2), the third channel region (311a-3), and the plurality of second channels (311b), at least one of the first portion and the second portion is configured to be scanned.
Electronic devices (101).
In Article 11,
The above control circuit (312)
While scanning the first portion based on the first power, it is configured to bypass providing the first power to the second channel region (311a-2) and the third channel region (311a-3).
Electronic devices (101).
In Article 11,
The above control circuit (312)
While scanning the first part based on the first power, the state of the control circuit (312) is identified,
Based on identifying that the state of the control circuit (312) is a designated state, by providing a third power lower than the second power to at least one of the first channel region (311a-1), the second channel region (311a-2), the third channel region (311a-3), and the plurality of second channels (311b), at least one of the first portion and the second portion is configured to be scanned.
Electronic devices (101).
In any one of claims 1 to 13,
sensor (320); and
Further comprising a processor (120) operatively coupled to the sensor (320);
The above processor (120)
It is configured to identify whether to recognize the second contact as the touch input based on the first touch sensitivity, based on the first value being less than the first reference value (610) and the angle of the electronic device (101) being within a specified angle range using the sensor (320).
Electronic devices (101).
In any one of claims 1 to 14,
Battery (330); and
Further comprising a processor (120) operatively coupled to the battery (330);
The above processor (120)
While the battery (330) is being charged, based on the first value being less than the first reference value (610), it is configured to identify whether to recognize the second contact as the touch input based on a third touch sensitivity that is lower than the first touch sensitivity.
Electronic devices (101).
In an electronic device (101),
First housing (410);
A second housing (420) movable with respect to the first housing (410);
A hinge structure (430) that can be changed to a folding state in which a first direction toward which one side (411) of the first housing (410) faces is opposite to a second direction toward which one side (421) of the second housing (420) faces, or an unfolding state in which the first direction is the same as the second direction;
A display (210) disposed on one side (411) of the first housing (410) and one side (421) of the second housing (420) across the hinge structure (430), and exposed to the outside of the electronic device (101) within the folded state;
A first part disposed on the first housing (410), and a second part connected to the first part and disposed on the hinge structure (430), and a second part disposed on the second housing (420), and a touch sensor (311) disposed within the display (210); and
including a control circuit (312);
The above control circuit (312)
Obtaining a first value representing the first contact through the second part,
While the first contact is maintained, a second value representing the second contact is obtained through the first portion,
Based on the first value being less than the first reference value (610), it is determined whether the second contact is to be recognized as a touch input according to the first touch sensitivity,
Based on the first value being greater than or equal to the first reference value (610), it is configured to identify whether the second contact is to be recognized as the touch input according to a second touch sensitivity different from the first touch sensitivity.
Electronic devices (101).
In Article 16,
The above first value is,
While an area of the display (210) corresponding to the second part is inactive, obtained through the second part,
Electronic devices (101).
In any one of Articles 16 and 17,
The above first touch sensitivity is,
Higher than the above second touch sensitivity,
Electronic devices (101).
In any one of Articles 16 to 18,
The above control circuit (312)
Based on the first value being less than the first reference value (610), a comparison between the second value and the first threshold value (640) is made to identify whether the second contact is to be recognized as the touch input.
Based on identifying that the first value exceeds a second reference value (620) that is higher than the first reference value (610), and based on the second value and a second threshold value (910) that is higher than the first threshold value (640), it is configured to identify whether the second contact is to be recognized as the touch input.
Electronic devices (101).
In any one of Articles 16 to 19,
Battery (330); and
Further comprising a processor (120) operatively coupled to the battery (330);
The above processor (120)
While the battery (330) is being charged, based on the first value being less than the first reference value (610), it is configured to identify whether to recognize the second contact as the touch input based on a third touch sensitivity that is lower than the first touch sensitivity.
Electronic devices (101).

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