# US 11,079,794 B2 · Electronic device and method of controlling operation of electronic device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,079,794 B2 - Document ID: US11079794B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/999,430 - Filed: 2017-01-23 - Published: 2019-09-12 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2016-02-17 - Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Chiwoong Yoon; Hyungjin Park; Daeseok Kim; Jungeun Jang - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11079794B2 ## CPC - G06F 1/1616: {with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position} - G06F 1/16: Constructional details or arrangements - G06F 1/1688: {the I/O peripheral being integrated loudspeakers} - G06F 1/20: Cooling means - G06F 1/206: {comprising thermal management} - G06F 3/01: Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer (G06F3/16 takes precedence) - G06F 3/14: Digital output to display device {; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units} - G06F 3/16: Sound input; Sound output (speech processing G10L) - G06F 3/165: {Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path} - H04R 3/00: Circuits for transducers (arrangements for producing a reverberation or echo sound G10K15/08; amplifiers H03F) - H04R 29/001: {for loudspeakers (H04R29/007 takes precedence)} - H05K 7/20172: {Fan mounting or fan specifications} - H05K 7/20209: {Thermal management, e.g. fan control} - G06F 1/203: {for portable computers, e.g. for laptops} - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ## Abstract An electronic device according to various embodiments of the present invention may comprise: at least one sensor; a processor electrically connected to the at least one sensor; a memory electrically connected to the processor; and a support structure formed to have one end connected to a boundary between a first region and a second region of a rear surface of the electronic device and rotate in one direction with reference to the one end so as to cover the second region in a closed state thereof and support the electronic device in an opened state thereof. The memory may comprise instructions which, when executed, enable the processor to detect the opened support structure by using the at least one sensor, to detect a movement of the electronic device by using the at least one sensor in a state where the support structure is opened, and to detect an inclination of the electronic device with respect to a reference surface by using the at least one sensor and control an operation of the electronic device at least partially on the basis of the inclination when the movement of the electronic device has a value equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold value for a predetermined time or longer. Besides, various embodiments are possible. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electronic device, comprising: at least one sensor; a processor electrically connected to the at least one sensor; a memory electrically connected to the processor; a support structure having one end connected to a boundary of a first area and a second area of a rear surface of the electronic device configured to cover the second area in a closed state by rotating in one direction based on the one end and configured to support the electronic device in an open state; and a speaker disposed in the second area, wherein, when executed, the memory stores instructions that enable the processor to: detect that the support structure is open using the at least one sensor; detect a movement of the electronic device using the at least one sensor in a state in which the support structure is open; determine a size of a rear space of the electronic device using the at least one sensor when the movement of the electronic device is less than a predetermined movement threshold value for a predetermined time or more, wherein the rear space of the electronic device is a triangle formed by the second area, the support structure, and a reference surface on which the electronic device is supported; and control an operation of the electronic device based on the size of the rear space, wherein the operation comprises adjusting an output setting value of a sound output through the speaker based on the size of the rear space. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the instructions enable the processor to: detect a slope to the reference surface using the at least one sensor; and determine the size of the rear space based on at least a portion of the detected slope. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a microphone disposed in the second area, wherein the instructions enable the processor to: obtain a sound of the rear space through the microphone; analyze the obtained sound to determine whether a noise has occurred in the sound output through the speaker; and to adjust the output setting value of the speaker, if the noise has occurred. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The electronic device of claim 2, further comprising: an internal fan; and at least one vent hole disposed in the second area and configured to emit heat within the electronic device according to an operation of the internal fan, wherein the instructions enable the processor to adjust an operation speed of the internal fan according to the size of the rear space. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising at least one light source disposed in the second area, wherein the instructions enable the processor to output light through the light source, when the movement of the electronic device is less than the predetermined movement threshold value for the predetermined time or more. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a rear sensor disposed in the second area, wherein the support structure comprises a magnetic material disposed at a position corresponding to that of the rear sensor, and wherein the instructions enable the processor to: detect an intensity of a magnetic force occurring in the magnetic material using the rear sensor; and detect that the support structure is opened based on the detected intensity of the magnetic force. ### Claim 7 An electronic device, comprising: at least one sensor; a processor electrically connected to the at least one sensor; a memory electrically connected to the processor; a case comprising a first cover corresponding to a front surface of the electronic device, a second cover corresponding to a second area of a rear surface of the electronic device, and a third cover corresponding to a first area of the rear surface of the electronic device and in which at least a portion of the second cover is separated from the second area while forming a predetermined angle from the second area to support the electronic device in a state in which the first cover is attached to the first area; and a speaker disposed in the second area, wherein, when executed, the memory stores instructions that enable the processor to: detect whether the second cover is attached to the second area of the rear surface of the electronic device; detect a movement of the electronic device using the at least one sensor, when the second cover is separated from the electronic device; determine a size of a rear space of the electronic device formed by a reference surface of the first cover, the second cover, and the second area using the at least one sensor when the movement of the electronic device is less than a predetermined movement reference value for a predetermined time or more; and control an operation of the electronic device based on the size of the rear space, wherein the operation comprises adjusting an output setting value of a sound output through the speaker based on the size of the rear space. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the instructions enable the processor to: detect a slope to the reference surface using the at least one sensor; and determine the size of the rear space of the electronic device based on at least a portion of the detected slope. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The electronic device of claim 8, further comprising: an internal fan; and at least one vent hole disposed in the second area and configured to emit heat within the electronic device according to an operation of the internal fan, wherein the instructions enable the processor to adjust an operation speed of the internal fan according to the size of the rear space. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The electronic device of claim 7, further comprising at least one light source disposed in the second area, wherein the instructions enable the processor to output light through the light source, when the movement of the electronic device is less than the predetermined movement reference value for the predetermined time or more. ### Claim 11 A method of controlling an operation of an electronic device comprising a support structure, the method comprising: detecting whether the support structure is separated by a predetermined gap or more from a rear surface of the electronic device; detecting, if the support structure is separated by the predetermined gap or more from the rear surface of the electronic device, a movement of the electronic device; determining a size of a rear space of the electronic device when the movement of the electronic device is less than a predetermined movement threshold value for a predetermined time or more, wherein the rear space of the electronic device is a triangle formed by the rear surface of the electronic device, the support structure, and a reference surface on which the electronic device is supported; and controlling a function of the electronic device based on the size of the rear space, wherein the function comprises adjusting an output setting value of a sound output through a speaker disposed at the rear surface of the electronic device based on the size of the rear space. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the support structure is formed integrally with the electronic device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the support structure is a portion of a case attached to the electronic device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein controlling the function of the electronic device comprises: detecting a slope to the reference surface; and determining the size of the rear space based on at least a portion of the detected slope. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein controlling the function of the electronic device comprises: obtaining the sound from the rear space using a microphone; analyzing the obtained sound to determine whether a noise has occurred in the sound outputting through the speaker; and readjusting, if the noise has occurred, the output setting value of the sound outputting through the speaker. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein controlling the function of the electronic device comprises adjusting an operating speed of an internal fan of the electronic device according to the size of the rear space. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising outputting, when the movement of the electronic device is less than the predetermined movement threshold value for the predetermined time or more, light through a light source disposed at the rear surface of the electronic device.