Electronic device, cover for electronic device, and method of performing a function in an electronic device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9595238-B2
Application number	US-201414477044-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 4, 2014
Priority date	Dec 3, 2013
Publication date	Mar 14, 2017
Grant date	Mar 14, 2017

Abstract

An electronic device, a cover of the electronic device, and a method of performing a function in the electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a display unit configured to display information and a controller configured to detect whether a display screen is covered with one or more parts a cover covering the display unit, and to perform a predetermined function if the display screen is covered with the one or more parts of the cover. Another embodiment may be implemented at any amount.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An electronic device comprising:
a display configured to display information; and
a processor configured to:
detect whether a cover detachably coupled to the electronic device is entirely disposed over the display,
perform a first function corresponding to a first area of the display that is exposed by at least one window of the cover, if the cover is entirely disposed over the display, and
when the first function is performed, display first information related to the first function on the first area,

wherein the first information is displayed to be visually viewable through the at least one window, and
wherein the cover includes the at least one window.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a magnetic force detecting sensor configured to detect a magnetic force generated when the cover is disposed over the display.

3. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein, in response to exposing a second area of the display by removing a portion of the cover from the display, the processor is further configured to display set information in the second area.

4. The electronic device of claim 3 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
set whether information is displayed on the first area, and
sort the information displayed on the second area.

5. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to perform a second function corresponding to an input of a user gesture when the user gesture is input in the first area.

6. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein, in response to exposing a second area of the display by removing a portion of the cover from the display, the processor is further configured to:
display second information related to an application on the second area of the display,
wherein the first information is related to the application.

7. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein, in response to exposing a second area of the display by removing a portion of the cover from the display, the processor is further configured to display a recent application list on the second area.

8. The electronic device of claim 7 , wherein, in response to entirely removing the cover from the display during the display of the recent application list, the processor is further configured to display information related to a recent application execution.

9. A method of performing a function, the method comprising:
detecting whether a cover is entirely disposed over a display of an electronic device, wherein the cover includes at least one window to expose a first area of the display;
performing a first function corresponding to the first area exposed by the at least one window of the cover, if the cover is entirely disposed over the display; and
when the first function is performed, displaying first information related to the first function on the first area,
wherein the first information is visually viewable through the at least one window of the cover, and
wherein the cover is configured to be detachably coupled to the electronic device to cover the display.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the detecting of whether the cover is entirely disposed over the display includes detecting a magnetic force generated when the cover is disposed over the display.

11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
determining whether a user gesture is input in the first area; and
performing a second function corresponding to the input of the user gesture.

12. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
determining if a portion of the cover is removed from the display to expose a second area of the display; and
in response to exposing the second area, displaying second information related to an application on the second area,
wherein the first information is related to the application.

13. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
determining if a portion of the cover is removed from the display to expose a second area of the display; and
displaying a recent application list on the second area.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
if the cover is removed from the display while displaying the recent application list, displaying information related to a recent application execution on the display.

15. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
setting whether information is displayed on the first area; and
sorting the information displayed on the second area.

16. A cover of an electronic device that is detachably coupled to an electronic device, the cover comprising:
a plurality of cover parts that are separately moveable and are positioned over a display of the electronic device to cover the display,
wherein the cover parts are selectively configured to cover the display of the electronic device, and
wherein a first region of the cover parts includes at least one window to expose a first area of the display while covering the display.

17. The cover of claim 16 , wherein at least one cover part of the plurality of cover parts comprises a magnetic force applying unit.

18. The cover of claim 16 , wherein at least one cover part of the plurality of cover regions comprises a touch protrusion formed thereon.

19. The cover of claim 16 , wherein the at least one window comprises a transparent material or is perforated in the form of an opening.

Assignees

• Samsung Electronics Co Ltd

Inventors

• Won Sung-Joon

Classifications

• G06F3/01 Primary

  Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer (G06F3/16 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G09G5/36

  characterised by the display of a graphic pattern, e.g. using an all-points-addressable [APA] memory · CPC title

• G06F3/04886

  by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus · CPC title

• G06F1/1626 Primary

  with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs] · CPC title

• G09G2354/00

  Aspects of interface with display user · CPC title