# US 2021/0173533 A1 · Electronic device comprising multiple displays and method for operating same

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- Number: US 2021/0173533 A1
- Document ID: US20210173533A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 17/120,477
- Filed: 2020-12-14
- Published: 2021-06-10
- Earliest claimed: 2016-02-05
- Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Joon-Hwan KIM; Yo-Han LEE; Hyun-Yeul LEE; Kyung-Wha HONG; Sun-Hee MOON; Won-Sik LEE; Seung-Yeon CHUNG; Hye-Min HA
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210173533A1

## CPC

- G06F 3/0482: Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
- G06F 1/1618: {the display being foldable up to the back of the other housing with a single degree of freedom, e.g. by 360° rotation over the axis defined by the rear edge of the base enclosure}
- G06F 1/1647: {including at least an additional display (G06F1/1692 takes precedence)}
- G06F 1/1649: {the additional display being independently orientable, e.g. for presenting information to a second user}
- G06F 3/04817: using icons (graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34)
- G06F 3/0488: using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
- G06F 3/04886: 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
- G06F 3/1423: {controlling a plurality of local displays, e.g. CRT and flat panel display}
- G06F 3/1446: {display composed of modules, e.g. video walls}
- H04M 1/02: Constructional features of telephone sets
- H04M 1/0243: {using the relative angle between housings}
- H04M 1/725: Cordless telephones (user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724)
- G06F 2203/04803: Split screen, i.e. subdividing the display area or the window area into separate subareas
- G09G 5/14: Display of multiple viewports
- G09G 2340/0492: Change of orientation of the displayed image, e.g. upside-down, mirrored
- G09G 2354/00: Aspects of interface with display user
- G09G 2356/00: Detection of the display position w.r.t. other display screens
- H04M 1/0216: {Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge}
- H04M 2250/16: including more than one display unit
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08)
- G09G: ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION (arrangements for transferring data between digital computers and displays G06F3/14; static indicating arrangements comprising an association of a number of separate sources or light control cells G09F9/00; static indicating arrangements comprising integral associations of a number of light sources H01J, H01K, H10H, H05B33/12; scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission, details thereof H04N1/00)

## Abstract

An electronic device according to various embodiments of the present invention comprises: a first main body including a first surface and a second surface which faces the opposite direction to the first surface; a second main body including a third surface which faces the first surface of the first main body part when being folded in a first direction, and a fourth surface which faces the second surface of the first main body part when being folded in a second direction; a rotatable connection unit which connects at least a part of one side of the first main body part and at least a part of one side of the second main body part; a first display which is exposed to the first surface of the first main body part; a second display which is exposed to the third surface of the second main body part; a processor which is electrically connected to the first display and the second display; and a memory which is electrically connected to the processor. The memory, when being executed, may store instructions for instructing the processor to display the first screen and the second screen on the first display and the second display, respectively, when an angle between the first main body and the second main body is included in a first range, and to display at least one from among the third screen and the fourth screen on at least one from among the first display and the second display when an angle between the first main body and the second main body is out of the first range and is included in a second range due to the first main body and the second main body being folded in the second direction.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A mobile apparatus comprising:
a first display disposed on a first surface of a cover;
a second display;
a third display disposed on a second surface of the cover which is a back side of the first surface; and
at least one processor configured to:
in response to the mobile apparatus being folded such that the first display and the second display are facing each other, control to activate the third display to display at least one of a current time, a battery status, or at least one notification, wherein the third display is configured to be driven by a power less than a first power for driving the first display and a second power for driving the second display,
control the first display and the second display to be inactive while the mobile apparatus is folded, and
in response to the mobile apparatus being unfolded such that each of the first display and the second display is facing a direction, control to activate the first display to display a first screen and control to activate the second display to display a second screen, respectively.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The mobile apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
in response to receiving an input while displaying at least one of a current time, a battery status, or at least one notification on the third display, control the third display to display another screen.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The mobile apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
control the first display to display an icon on the first display indicating whether the second display is active.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The mobile apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
control the first display to display a quick panel including one or more menu items to control content displayed on the second display.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The mobile apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
control the first display to display a first execution screen related to a first application,
control the second display to display a second execution screen related to a second application,
in response to an occurrence of a first event while the first execution screen is displayed on the first display, control the first display to display a virtual key pad on a part of the first display together with a part of the first execution screen, and
in response to an occurrence of a second event while the part of the first execution screen and the virtual key pad are displayed on the first display, control the first display to display the first execution screen and control the second display to display the virtual key pad.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The mobile apparatus of claim 5, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
in response to a first user input for selecting a text field included in the first execution screen displayed on the first display, control the first display to display a virtual key pad on apart of the first display,
in response to a rotation of the electronic device, control the first display to display the first execution screen and the virtual key pad based on the landscape mode, wherein the virtual key pad displayed based on the landscape mode includes an icon, when selected, configured to cause the virtual key pad to be displayed on the second display, and
in response to a second user input selecting the icon, control the first display to display the first execution screen based on the landscape mode and control the second display to display the virtual key pad based on the landscape mode.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The mobile apparatus of claim 6, wherein the virtual key pad displayed on the second display comprising a first icon, when selected, configured to cause the virtual key pad to be displayed on the first display;
wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
in response to a first user input selecting the first icon, control the first display to display the virtual key pad based on the landscape mode.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The mobile apparatus of claim 5, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
in response to a first user input for selecting a text field included in the first execution screen displayed on the first display, control the first display to display a virtual key pad on apart of the first display,
in response to a rotation of the electronic device, control the first display to display the first execution screen based on the landscape mode and control the second display to display the virtual key pad based on the landscape mode.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The mobile apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
in response to an execution of a first application among a plurality of applications stored in the mobile apparatus, control the first display to display a first execution screen corresponding to the first application including at least one graphic element, and
in response to an occurrence of an event for providing a virtual pad, control the second display to display an execution screen of the virtual pad including a plurality of keys for controlling the at least one graphic element included in the first execution screen,
wherein the virtual pad is configured to support the first application among the plurality of applications.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The mobile apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plurality of objects included in the first execution screen are configured to move a position of the at least one element.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The mobile apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
in response to identifying that the virtual pad is configured to support the first application among the plurality of applications, control the first display to display an icon, on a part of the first execution screen, for providing the virtual pad, and
in response to user input for selecting the icon, control the second display to display an execution screen of a virtual pad including a plurality of objects for controlling the at least one element included in the first execution screen.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The mobile apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
in response to an angle between the first display and the second display falls within a first range while the first execution screen is displayed on the first display, control the second display to display the virtual pad.

### Claim 13

A mobile apparatus comprising:
a first display;
a second display;
at least one processor; and
at least one memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:
control the first display to display a first execution screen related to a first application,
control the second display to display a second execution screen related to a second application,
in response to a first event while the first execution screen is displayed on the first display, control the first display to display a virtual key pad on the first display together with a part of the first execution screen; and
in response to a second event while the part of the first execution screen and the virtual key pad are displayed on the first display, control the first display to display the first execution screen and control the second display to display a virtual key pad.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The mobile apparatus of claim 13, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the at least one processor to:
in response to a first user input for selecting a text field included in the first execution screen displayed on the first display, control the first display to display a virtual key pad on a part of the first display,
in response to a rotation of the electronic device, control the first display to display the first execution screen and the virtual key pad based on the landscape mode, wherein the virtual key pad displayed based on the landscape mode includes an icon, when selected, configured to cause the virtual key pad to be displayed on the second display, and
in response to a second user input selecting the icon, control the first display to display the first execution screen based on the landscape mode and control the second display to display the virtual key pad based on the landscape mode.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The mobile apparatus of claim 14, wherein the virtual key pad displayed on the second display comprising a first icon, when selected, configured to cause the virtual key pad to be displayed on the first display;
wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the at least one processor to:
in response to a first user input selecting the first icon, control the first display to display the virtual key pad based on the landscape mode.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The mobile apparatus of claim 13, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the at least one processor to:
in response to a first user input for selecting a text field included in the first execution screen displayed on the first display, control the first display to display a virtual key pad on a part of the first display,
in response to a rotation of the electronic device, control the first display to display the first execution screen based on the landscape mode and control the second display to display the virtual key pad based on the landscape mode.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The mobile apparatus of claim 13, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the at least one processor to:
in response to an execution of the first application among a plurality of applications stored in the mobile apparatus, control the first display to display the first execution screen corresponding to the first application including at least one graphic element, and
in response to an occurrence of an event for providing a virtual pad, control the second display to display an execution screen of the virtual pad including a plurality of keys for controlling the at least one graphic element included in the first execution screen,
wherein the virtual pad is configured to support the first application among the plurality of applications.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The mobile apparatus of claim 17, wherein the plurality of objects included in the first execution screen are configured to move a position of the at least one element.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The mobile apparatus of claim 17, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the at least one processor to:
in response to identifying that the virtual pad is configured to support the first application among the plurality of applications, control the first display to display an icon, on a part of the first execution screen, for providing the virtual pad, and
in response to user input for selecting the icon, control the second display to display an execution screen of a virtual pad including a plurality of objects for controlling the at least one element included in the first execution screen.

### Claim 20 (depends on 17)

The mobile apparatus of claim 17, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the at least one processor to:
in response to an angle between the first display and the second display falls within a first range while the first execution screen is displayed on the first display, control the second display to display the virtual pad.

### Claim 21

A mobile apparatus comprising:
a first display;
a second display;
at least one processor; and
at least one memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:
based on an execution of a first application among a plurality of applications, control the first display to display a first execution screen corresponding to the first application including at least one graphic element, and
based on an execution of a virtual pad, control the second display to display an execution screen of the virtual pad including a plurality of objects for controlling the at least one element included in the first execution screen,
wherein the virtual pad is configured to support the first application among the plurality of applications.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The mobile apparatus of claim 21, wherein the plurality of objects included in the first execution screen are configured to move a position of the at least one element.

### Claim 23 (depends on 21)

The mobile apparatus of claim 21, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the at least one processor to:
in response to identifying that the virtual pad is configured to support the first application among the plurality of applications, control the first display to display an icon, on a part of the first execution screen, for providing the virtual pad, and
in response to user input for selecting the icon, control the second display to display an execution screen of a virtual pad including a plurality of objects for controlling the at least one element included in the first execution screen.

### Claim 24 (depends on 21)

The mobile apparatus of claim 21, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the at least one processor to:
in response to an angle between the first display and the second display falls within a first range while the first execution screen is displayed on the first display, control the second display to display the virtual pad.

### Claim 25 (depends on 21)

The mobile apparatus of claim 21, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the at least one processor to:
control the first display to display the first execution screen related to the first application,
control the second display to display a second execution screen related to a second application,
in response to an occurrence of a first event while the first execution screen is displayed on the first display, control the first display to display a virtual key pad on a part of the first display together with a part of the first execution screen, and
in response to an occurrence of a second event while the part of the first execution screen and the virtual key pad are displayed on the first display, control the first display to display the first execution screen and control the second display to display the virtual key pad.

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

The mobile apparatus of claim 25, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the at least one processor to:
in response to a first user input for selecting a text field included in the first execution screen displayed on the first display, control the first display to display a virtual key pad on a part of the first display,
in response to a rotation of the electronic device, control the first display to display the first execution screen and the virtual key pad based on the landscape mode, wherein the virtual key pad displayed based on the landscape mode includes an icon, when selected, configured to cause the virtual key pad to be displayed on the second display, and
in response to a second user input selecting the icon, control the first display to display the first execution screen based on the landscape mode and control the second display to display the virtual key pad based on the landscape mode.

### Claim 27 (depends on 26)

The mobile apparatus of claim 26, wherein the virtual key pad displayed on the second display comprising a first icon, when selected, configured to cause the virtual key pad to be displayed on the first display;
wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the at least one processor to:
in response to a first user input selecting the first icon, control the first display to display the virtual key pad based on the landscape mode.

### Claim 28 (depends on 25)

The mobile apparatus of claim 25, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the at least one processor to:
in response to a first user input for selecting a text field included in the first execution screen displayed on the first display, control the first display to display a virtual key pad on a part of the first display,
in response to a rotation of the electronic device, control the first display to display the first execution screen based on the landscape mode and control the second display to display the virtual key pad based on the landscape mode.

### Claim 29

A mobile apparatus comprising:
a first display disposed on a first surface;
a second display;
a third display disposed on a second surface which is a back side of the first surface;
at least one processor; and
at least one memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:
while the mobile apparatus is unfolded, control the first display and the second display to be active, in which the first display is driven by a first power and the second display is driven by a second power;
in response to the mobile apparatus being folded such that the first display and the second display are facing each other, control to activate the third display to display at least one of a current time, a battery status, or at least one notification such that the third display is driven by a power less than the first power for driving the first display and the second power for driving the second display;
control the first display and the second display to be inactive while the mobile apparatus is folded; and
in response to the mobile apparatus being unfolded, control to activate the first display to display a first screen and control to activate the second display to display a second screen, respectively.