Patent Application
20250193603
The disclosure relates to an electronic apparatus and, for example, to an electronic apparatus including a plurality of speakers.
Electronic apparatuses may include an audio output apparatus, such as a speaker, for outputting sound. The audio output apparatus may generate sound by vibration of air, for example, by vibrating a vibrator driven by electromagnetic induction or a piezoelectric element, according to an electric signal containing audio information. The sound reproduced by the electronic apparatus may include a plurality of audio channels, such as stereo sound, and the electronic apparatus may include a plurality of audio output apparatuses spaced apart from each other within a housing of the electronic apparatus to effectively reproduce the sound. Due to the plurality of audio channels output from different speakers, users may feel directionality or a sense of space in the sound.
Electronic apparatuses require a small profile for portability, and a wide display region to provide extensive information to users. In order to achieve both the small profile and the wide display region of the electronic apparatus, various form factors, such as foldable electronic apparatuses equipped with flexible displays, are being used, moving beyond the existing flat form factor. Electronic apparatuses having foldable form factors may include a foldable housing configured to fold and unfold around at least one hinge.
When folding the housing of the foldable electronic apparatus, the positions of the speakers arranged in the housing may be changed. As the positions of the speakers configured to output different audio channels are changed, the spatial sound effect generated by the audio may become distorted.
Embodiments of the disclosure may provide an electronic apparatus capable of reducing or minimizing spatial sound distortion that occurs during folding.
A foldable electronic apparatus according to various example embodiments of the disclosure may include: a foldable housing having a plurality of sub-housings and at least one hinge and configured to be folded and unfolded, a foldable display arranged on a first surface of the foldable housing and configured to be folded and unfolded according to the folding and unfolding of the foldable housing, the first surface facing a first direction, a plurality of speakers positioned in at least two of the plurality of sub-housings of the foldable housing and configured to output multi-channel sound having a plurality of audio channels, and at least one processor, comprising processing circuitry electrically connected to each of the plurality of speakers. At least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to: detect a folding state of the foldable housing, calculate respective relative positions of the plurality of speakers, based on the folding state, and output the plurality of audio channels to the plurality of speakers, respectively, based on the calculated respective relative positions of the plurality of speakers.
In various example embodiments, the foldable electronic apparatus may include a folding sensor configured to detect a folding and unfolding state of the foldable housing, and at least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to detect a value for determining the folding and unfolding state of the foldable housing through the folding sensor.
In various example embodiments, the foldable housing may include: a first sub-housing, a second sub-housing, a third sub-housing, a first hinge configured to foldably couple the first sub-housing and the second sub-housing to each other, and a second hinge configured to foldably couple the second sub-housing and the third sub-housing to each other. The plurality of speakers may include a first speaker and a second speaker arranged in the first sub-housing and a third speaker and a fourth speaker arranged in the third sub-housing. The plurality of audio channels may include a first audio channel and a second audio channel.
In various example embodiments, the folding directions of the first hinge and the second hinge are the same, and at least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to control the electronic device to: output the first audio channel through the first speaker and the second speaker and output the second audio channel through the third speaker and the fourth speaker in an unfolded state of the first hinge and the second hinge, and output the first audio channel through the third speaker and the fourth speaker and output the second audio channel through the first speaker and the second speaker in a folded state of the first hinge and the second hinge.
In various example embodiments, at least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to: receive information indicating a direction in which the foldable electronic apparatus is oriented, and, based on the foldable electronic apparatus being oriented such that the hinges are vertical with respect to a user, output the first audio channel through the first speaker and the second speaker and output the second audio channel through the third speaker and the fourth speaker in an unfolded state of the first hinge and the second hinge, and output the first audio channel through the third speaker and the fourth speaker and output the second audio channel through the first speaker and the second speaker in a folded state of the first hinge and the second hinge.
In various example embodiments, the foldable electronic apparatus may include an attitude sensor configured to measure orientation thereof, and at least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to receive, from the attitude sensor, information indicating a direction in which the foldable electronic apparatus is oriented.
In various example embodiments, the foldable electronic apparatus may include a display controller configured to control the foldable display, and at least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to determine an oriented direction of the foldable electronic apparatus, based on orientation of an image displayed on the foldable display.
In various example embodiments, the folding directions of the first hinge and the second hinge are opposite to each other, and at least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to control the electronic device to: output the first audio channel through the first speaker and the second speaker and output the second audio channel through the third speaker and the fourth speaker in an unfolded state of the first hinge and the second hinge, and output the first audio channel through the third speaker and the fourth speaker and output the second audio channel through the first speaker and the second speaker in a folded state of the first hinge and the second hinge.
In various example embodiments, at least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to receive orientation information of the foldable electronic apparatus from the attitude sensor, and, based on the foldable electronic apparatus being oriented such that the hinges are vertical with respect to the user, control the electronic device to output the first audio channel through the first speaker and the second speaker and output the second audio channel through the third speaker and the fourth speaker in an unfolded state of the first hinge and the second hinge, and output the first audio channel through the third speaker and the fourth speaker and output the second audio channel through the first speaker and the second speaker in a folded state of the first hinge and the second hinge.
In various example embodiments, the foldable electronic apparatus may include an attitude sensor configured to measure the orientation thereof, and at least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to receive, from the attitude sensor, information indicating a direction in which the foldable electronic apparatus is oriented.
In various example embodiments, the foldable electronic apparatus may include a display controller configured to control the foldable display, and at least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to determine a direction in which the foldable electronic apparatus is oriented, based on orientation of an image displayed on the display.
In various example embodiments, the foldable display may include a first display region positioned in the first sub-housing, a second display region positioned in the second sub-housing, and a third display region positioned in the third sub-housing, and the foldable housing may be folded such that the first display region is visible to the outside based on being folded. At least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to determine whether the first display region is in operation and control the electronic device to output the first audio channel through the first speaker and the second speaker and the second audio channel through the third speaker and the fourth speaker based on the first display being in use in a state where the first hinge and the second hinge are folded.
In various example embodiments, the foldable electronic apparatus may include an auxiliary display disposed on a surface of the third housing, the surface being opposite the surface on which the foldable display is disposed, and at least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to: determine whether the auxiliary display is in operation, and, based on the auxiliary display being in use in a state in which the first hinge and the second hinge are folded, control the electronic device to output the first audio channel through the third speaker and the fourth speaker and the second audio channel through the first speaker and the second speaker.
According to various example embodiments of the disclosure, at least one processor, comprising processing circuitry, of a foldable electronic apparatus including a foldable housing having a plurality of sub-housings and at least one hinge and configured to be folded and unfolded, a foldable display disposed on a first surface of the foldable housing and configured to be folded and unfolded according to the folding and unfolding of the foldable housing, the first surface facing a first direction, and a plurality of speakers positioned in at least two of the plurality of sub-housings of the foldable housing and configured to output multi-channel sounds having a plurality of audio channels may be electrically connected to the plurality of speakers and may be individually and/or collectively configured to: detect a folding state of the foldable housing, calculate respective relative positions of the plurality of speakers, based on the folding state, and control the electronic device to output the plurality of audio channels to the plurality of speakers, respectively, based on the calculated respective relative positions of the plurality of speakers.
In various example embodiments, the foldable electronic apparatus may include a folding sensor configured to detect a folding and unfolding state of the foldable housing, and at least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to receive the folding and unfolding state of the foldable housing from the folding sensor.
In various example embodiments, the foldable housing may include a first sub-housing, a second sub-housing, a third sub-housing, a first hinge configured to foldably couple the first sub-housing and the second sub-housing to each other, and a second hinge configured to foldably couple the second sub-housing and the third sub-housing to each other. The plurality of speakers may include a first speaker and a second speaker arranged in the first sub-housing and a third speaker and a fourth speaker arranged in the third sub-housing. The plurality of audio channels may include a first audio channel and a second audio channel.
In various example embodiments, at least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to: receive orientation of the foldable electronic apparatus, and, based on the foldable electronic apparatus being oriented such that the hinges are vertical with respect to the user, control the electronic device to: output the first audio channel through the first speaker and the second speaker and output the second audio channel through the third speaker and the fourth speaker in an unfolded state of the first hinge and the second hinge, and output the first audio channel through the third speaker and the fourth speaker and output the second audio channel through the first speaker and the second speaker in a folded state of the first hinge and the second hinge.
In various example embodiments, the foldable electronic apparatus may include an attitude sensor configured to measure orientation of the foldable electronic apparatus and at least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to receive an orientated direction of the foldable electronic apparatus from the attitude sensor.
In various example embodiments, the foldable display may include a display controller configured to control the foldable display, and at least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to determine a direction in which the foldable electronic apparatus is oriented, based on orientation of an image displayed on the foldable display.
In various example embodiments, the foldable electronic apparatus may include an auxiliary display disposed on a surface of the second sub-housing, the surface being opposite the surface on which the foldable display is disposed, and at least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to: determine whether the auxiliary display is in operation, and, based on the auxiliary display being in use in a state in which the first hinge and the second hinge are folded, control the electronic device to output the first audio channel through the third speaker and the fourth speaker and the second audio channel through the first speaker and the second speaker.
Various embodiments disclosed herein may provide an electronic apparatus which reduces or minimizes sound distortion by changing audio channels output from a plurality of speakers when a foldable housing is folded.
With regard to the description of the drawings, the same or like reference signs may be used to designate the same or like elements. Further, the above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Hereinafter, various example embodiments of the disclosure will be described in greater detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, for example, the sizes and shapes of members may be exaggerated for the sake of descriptive convenience and clarity, and when actually implemented, the illustrated shapes may be modified. Therefore, the disclosure should not be construed to be limited to particular shapes of parts described and shown in the drawings or description.
Throughout the drawings, the same or like reference numerals designate the same or like elements. As used in the disclosure, the term “and/or” includes any one of items enumerated and all combinations of one or more thereof.
Various changes and modification in form may be made to the various example embodiments described below, and the scope of the disclosure is not limited thereto.
The terms used in the disclosure are used to describe various example embodiments, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Although expressed in a singular form, the singular form may include a plural form unless definitely indicated in the context. As used herein, the term “comprise” or “comprising” is intended to specify the existence of mentioned shapes, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof, and does not preclude the possible existence or addition of other shapes, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that a structure or shape disposed “adjacent to” any other shape may have a portion overlapping the other shape or disposed under the other shape.
In the disclosure, relative terms such as “below”, “above”, “upper”, “lower”, “horizontal”, and “vertical” may be used to describe the relationship between one element, layer, or area and any other element, layer, or area. It should be appreciated that, in addition to the directions illustrated in the drawings, these terms also include other directions.
The processor 120 may include various processing circuitry and/or multiple processors. For example, as used herein, including the claims, the term “processor” may include various processing circuitry, including at least one processor, wherein one or more of at least one processor, individually and/or collectively in a distributed manner, may be configured to perform various functions described herein. As used herein, when “a processor”, “at least one processor”, and “one or more processors” are described as being configured to perform numerous functions, these terms cover situations, for example and without limitation, in which one processor performs some of recited functions and another processor(s) performs other of recited functions, and also situations in which a single processor may perform all recited functions. Additionally, the at least one processor may include a combination of processors performing various of the recited/disclosed functions, e.g., in a distributed manner. At least one processor may execute program instructions to achieve or perform various functions. The processor 120 may execute, for example, software (e.g., a program 140) to control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of the electronic device 101 coupled with the processor 120, and may perform various data processing or computation. According to an embodiment, as at least part of the data processing or computation, the processor 120 may store a command or data received from another component (e.g., the sensor module 176 or the communication module 190) in volatile memory 132, process the command or the data stored in the volatile memory 132, and store resulting data in non-volatile memory 134. According to an embodiment, the processor 120 may include a main processor 121 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or an application processor (AP)), or an auxiliary processor 123 (e.g., a graphics processing unit (GPU), a neural processing unit (NPU), an image signal processor (ISP), a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor (CP)) that is operable independently from, or in conjunction 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 adapted to consume less power than the main processor 121, or to be specific to a specified function. The auxiliary processor 123 may be implemented as separate from, or as part of the main processor 121.
The auxiliary processor 123 may control at least some of functions or states related to at least one component (e.g., the display module 160, the sensor module 176, or the communication module 190) among the components of the electronic device 101, instead 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 state (e.g., executing an application). According to an embodiment, the auxiliary processor 123 (e.g., an image signal processor or a communication processor) may be implemented as part of another component (e.g., the camera module 180 or the communication module 190) functionally related to the auxiliary processor 123. According to an embodiment, the auxiliary processor 123 (e.g., the neural processing unit) may include a hardware structure specified for artificial intelligence model processing. An artificial intelligence model may be generated by machine learning. Such learning may be performed, e.g., by the electronic device 101 where the artificial intelligence is performed or via a separate server (e.g., the server 108). Learning algorithms may include, but are not limited to, e.g., supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, or reinforcement learning. The artificial intelligence model may include a plurality of artificial neural network layers. The artificial neural network may be 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-network or a combination of two or more thereof but is not limited thereto. The artificial intelligence model may, additionally or alternatively, include a software structure other than the hardware structure.
The memory 130 may store various data used by at least one component (e.g., the processor 120 or the sensor module 176) of the electronic device 101. The various data may include, for example, software (e.g., the program 140) and input data or output data for a command related thereto. The memory 130 may include the volatile memory 132 or the non-volatile memory 134.
The program 140 may be stored in the memory 130 as software, and may include, for example, an operating system (OS) 142, middleware 144, or an application 146.
The input module 150 may receive a command or data to be used by another component (e.g., the processor 120) of the electronic device 101, from the outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device 101. The input module 150 may 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 sound output module 155 may output sound signals to the outside of the electronic device 101. The sound output module 155 may include, for example, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker may be used for general purposes, such as playing multimedia or playing record. The receiver may be used for receiving incoming calls. According to an embodiment, the receiver may be implemented as separate from, or as part of the speaker.
The display module 160 may visually provide information to the outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device 101. The display module 160 may include, for example, a display, a hologram device, or a projector and control circuitry to control a corresponding one of the display, hologram device, and projector. According to an embodiment, the display module 160 may include a touch sensor adapted to detect a touch, or a pressure sensor adapted to measure the intensity of force incurred by the touch.
The audio module 170 may convert a sound into an electrical signal and vice versa. According to an embodiment, the audio module 170 may obtain the sound via the input module 150, or output the sound via the sound output module 155 or a headphone of an external electronic device (e.g., an electronic device 102) directly (e.g., wiredly) or wirelessly coupled with the electronic device 101.
The sensor module 176 may detect an operational state (e.g., power or temperature) of the electronic device 101 or an environmental state (e.g., a state of a user) external to the electronic device 101, and then generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to the detected state. According to an embodiment, the sensor module 176 may include, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.
The interface 177 may support one or more specified protocols to be used for the electronic device 101 to be coupled with the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 102) directly (e.g., wiredly) or wirelessly. According to an embodiment, the interface 177 may include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a secure digital (SD) card interface, or an audio interface.
A connecting terminal 178 may include a connector via which the electronic device 101 may be physically connected with the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 102). According to an embodiment, the connecting terminal 178 may include, for example, a HDMI connector, a USB connector, a SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector).
The haptic module 179 may convert an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus (e.g., a vibration or a movement) or electrical stimulus which may be recognized by a user via his tactile sensation or kinesthetic sensation. According to an embodiment, the haptic module 179 may include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electric stimulator.
The camera module 180 may capture a still image or moving images. According to an embodiment, the camera module 180 may include one or more lenses, image sensors, image signal processors, or flashes.
The power management module 188 may manage power supplied to the electronic device 101. According to an embodiment, the power management module 188 may be implemented as at least part of, for example, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).
The battery 189 may supply power to at least one component of the electronic device 101. According to an embodiment, the battery 189 may include, for example, a primary cell which is not rechargeable, a secondary cell which is rechargeable, or a fuel cell.
The communication module 190 may support establishing a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the electronic device 101 and the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 102, the electronic device 104, or the server 108) and performing communication via the established communication channel. The communication module 190 may include one or more communication processors that are operable independently from the processor 120 (e.g., the application processor (AP)) and supports a direct (e.g., wired) communication or a wireless communication. According to an 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 (PLC) module). A corresponding one of these communication modules may communicate with the external electronic device via the first network 198 (e.g., a short-range communication network, such as Bluetooth™, wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or the 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., LAN or wide area network (WAN)). These various types of communication modules may be implemented as a single component (e.g., a single chip), or may be implemented as multi components (e.g., multi chips) separate from each other. The wireless communication module 192 may identify and authenticate the electronic device 101 in a communication network, such as the first network 198 or the second network 199, using subscriber information (e.g., international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) stored in the subscriber identification module 196.
The wireless communication module 192 may support a 5G network, after a 4G network, and next-generation communication technology, e.g., new radio (NR) access technology. The NR access technology may support enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine type communications (mMTC), or ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC). The wireless communication module 192 may support a high-frequency band (e.g., the mmWave band) to achieve, e.g., a high data transmission rate. The wireless communication module 192 may support various technologies for securing performance on a high-frequency band, such as, e.g., beamforming, massive multiple-input and multiple-output (massive MIMO), full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, analog beam-forming, or large scale antenna. The wireless communication module 192 may support various requirements specified in the electronic device 101, an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 104), or a network system (e.g., the second network 199). According to an embodiment, the wireless communication module 192 may support a peak data rate (e.g., 20 Gbps or more) for implementing eMBB, loss coverage (e.g., 164 dB or less) for implementing mMTC, or U-plane latency (e.g., 0.5 ms or less for each of downlink (DL) and uplink (UL), or a round trip of 1 ms or less) for implementing URLLC.
The antenna module 197 may transmit or receive a signal or power to or from the outside (e.g., the external electronic device) of the electronic device 101. According to an embodiment, the antenna module 197 may include an antenna including a radiating element including a conductive material or a conductive pattern formed in or on a substrate (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB)). According to an embodiment, the antenna module 197 may include a plurality of antennas (e.g., array antennas). In such a case, at least one antenna appropriate for a communication scheme used in the communication network, such as the first network 198 or the second network 199, may be selected, for example, by the communication module 190 (e.g., the wireless communication module 192) from the plurality of antennas. The signal or the power may then be transmitted or received between the communication module 190 and the external electronic device via the selected at least one antenna. According to an embodiment, another component (e.g., a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) other than the radiating element may be additionally formed as part of the antenna module 197.
According to various embodiments, the antenna module 197 may form a mmWave antenna module. According to an embodiment, the mmWave antenna module may include a printed circuit board, a RFIC disposed on a first surface (e.g., the bottom surface) of the printed circuit board, or adjacent to the first surface and capable of supporting a designated high-frequency band (e.g., the mmWave band), and a plurality of antennas (e.g., array antennas) disposed on a second surface (e.g., the top or a side surface) of the printed circuit board, or adjacent to the second surface and capable of transmitting or receiving signals of the designated high-frequency band.
At least some of the above-described components may be coupled mutually and communicate signals (e.g., commands or data) therebetween via an inter-peripheral communication scheme (e.g., a bus, general purpose input and output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or mobile industry processor interface (MIPI)).
According to an embodiment, commands or data may be transmitted or received between the electronic device 101 and the external electronic device 104 via the server 108 coupled with the second network 199. Each of the electronic devices 102 or 104 may be a device of a same type as, or a different type, from the electronic device 101. According to an embodiment, all or some of operations to be executed at the electronic device 101 may be executed at one or more of the external electronic devices 102, 104, or 108. For example, if the electronic device 101 should perform a function or a service automatically, or in response to a request from a user or another device, the electronic device 101, instead of, or in addition to, executing the function or the service, may request the one or more external electronic devices to perform at least part of the function or the service. The one or more external electronic devices receiving the request may perform the at least part of the function or the service requested, or an additional function or an additional service related to the request, and transfer an outcome of the performing to the electronic device 101. The electronic device 101 may provide the outcome, with or without further processing of the outcome, as at least part of a reply to the request. To that end, a cloud computing, distributed computing, mobile edge computing (MEC), or client-server computing technology may be used, for example. The electronic device 101 may provide ultra low-latency services using, e.g., distributed computing or mobile edge computing. In an embodiment, the external electronic device 104 may include an internet-of-things (IoT) device. The server 108 may be an intelligent server using machine learning and/or a neural network. According to an embodiment, the external electronic device 104 or the server 108 may be included in the second network 199. The electronic device 101 may be applied to intelligent services (e.g., smart home, smart city, smart car, or healthcare) based on 5G communication technology or IoT-related technology.
The electronic device according to various embodiments may be one of various types of electronic devices. The electronic devices may include, for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smartphone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, a home appliance, or the like. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devices are not limited to those described above.
It should be appreciated that various embodiments of the present disclosure and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technological features set forth herein to particular embodiments and include various changes, equivalents, or replacements for a corresponding embodiment. With regard to the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to refer to similar or related elements. It is to be understood that a singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the things, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, each of such phrases as “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,” may include any one of, or all possible combinations of the items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases. As used herein, such terms as “1st” and “2nd,” or “first” and “second” may be used to simply distinguish a corresponding component from another, and does not limit the components in other aspect (e.g., importance or order). It is to be understood that if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to, with or without the term “operatively” or “communicatively”, as “coupled with,” “coupled to,” “connected with,” or “connected to” another element (e.g., a second element), the element may be coupled with the other element directly (e.g., wiredly), wirelessly, or via a third element.
As used in connection with various embodiments of the disclosure, the term “module” may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, or any combination thereof, and may interchangeably be used with other terms, for example, “logic,” “logic block,” “part,” or “circuitry”. A module may be a single integral component, or a minimum unit or part thereof, adapted to perform one or more functions. For example, according to an embodiment, the module may be implemented in a form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).
Various embodiments as set forth herein may be implemented as software (e.g., the program 140) including one or more instructions that are stored in a storage medium (e.g., internal memory 136 or external memory 138) that is readable by a machine (e.g., the electronic device 101). For example, a processor (e.g., the processor 120) of the machine (e.g., the electronic device 101) may invoke at least one of the one or more instructions stored in the storage medium, and execute it, with or without using one or more other components under the control of the processor. This allows the machine to be operated to perform at least one function according to the at least one instruction invoked. The one or more instructions may include a code generated by a compiler or a code executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Wherein, the “non-transitory” storage medium is a tangible device, and may not include a signal (e.g., an electromagnetic wave), but this term does not differentiate between where data is semi-permanently stored in the storage medium and where the data is temporarily stored in the storage medium.
According to an embodiment, a method according to various embodiments of the disclosure may be included and provided in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a product between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or be distributed (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) online via an application store (e.g., PlayStore™), or between two user devices (e.g., smart phones) directly. If distributed online, at least part of the computer program product may be temporarily generated or at least temporarily stored in the machine-readable storage medium, such as memory of the manufacturer's server, a server of the application store, or a relay server.
According to various embodiments, each component (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described components may include a single entity or multiple entities, and some of the multiple entities may be separately disposed in different components. According to various embodiments, one or more of the above-described components may be omitted, or one or more other components may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of components (e.g., modules or programs) may be integrated into a single component. In such a case, according to various embodiments, the integrated component may still perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of components in the same or similar manner as they are performed by a corresponding one of the plurality of components before the integration. According to various embodiments, operations performed by the module, the program, or another component may be carried out sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order or omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.
According to various embodiments, a portable electronic apparatus (e.g., the electronic apparatus 101 of
According to various embodiments mentioned herein, the case of in-folding, in which the first part of the display on the first housing is arranged to face the second part of the display on the second housing, has been illustrated and described as an example for the folding of the display of the portable electronic apparatus. However, the case of out-folding, in which the first part of the display on the first housing is arranged to face opposite the second part of the display on the second housing, may also apply to the folding of the display according to an embodiment. Furthermore, various embodiments may also be applied to a multi-foldable electronic apparatus where in-folding and in-folding are combined, in-folding and out-folding are combined, or out-folding and out-folding are combined.
Referring to
The speaker may be a component configured to output sound of the foldable electronic apparatus 200 from an electrical signal. The sound output by the foldable electronic apparatus 200 through the speaker may be a multi-channel sound having a plurality of audio channels, such as stereo or quadraphonic sound. To this end, the foldable electronic apparatus 200 may include the plurality of speakers 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d. Four speakers are illustrated in
The processor 210 may include various processing circuitry and may be configured to process sound source information to generate electrical signals required for output through the speaker and provide the signals to the speaker for output. In various embodiments, the processor 210 may provide a plurality of audio channel signals to the plurality of speakers. For example, when reproducing multi-channel sound (e.g., stereo sound) having two audio channels, the processor 210 may provide a first audio channel (e.g., a left audio channel) to a first speaker 220a and a third speaker 220c and may provide a second audio channel (e.g., a right audio channel) to a second speaker 220b and a fourth speaker 220d. In addition, the processor 210 may be configured to change the plurality of audio channel signals to be provided to the plurality of speakers, as needed. For example, when the relative left and right positions of the plurality of speakers 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d are changed, the processor 210 may change the left audio channel signal and the right audio channel signal accordingly and provide same to the plurality of speakers. The details of the operation will be described later. In various embodiments, the processor 210 may be a separate processor 210 disposed in a main processor (e.g., the processor 120 of
In various embodiments, the processor 210 may be electrically connected to a folding sensor 230. The folding sensor 230 may be a sensor configured to detect a folding or unfolding state of the foldable electronic apparatus 200 described below or detect a folding angle of the foldable electronic apparatus 200. The processor 210 (e.g., an application processor or a sensor hub processor) may detect a folding state or receive a folding angle from the folding sensor 230 and may assign a plurality of audio channels to the plurality of speakers, based on the relative positions of the plurality of speakers arranged in the housing of the foldable electronic apparatus 200.
In various embodiments, the processor 210 may be electrically connected to an attitude sensor 240 of the foldable electronic apparatus 200. The attitude sensor 240 may include a gravity sensor 240a and/or a gyro sensor 240b. The processor 210 may identify the posture of the foldable electronic apparatus 200, based on the value detected by the attitude sensor 240, thereby calculating the relative positions of the plurality of speakers and assigning the plurality of audio channels to the plurality of speakers accordingly.
In various embodiments, the processor 210 may be electrically connected to a display controller 280. The display controller 280 may be a component configured to drive and control the display (e.g., the display module 160 of
Referring to
The foldable housing 250 may have an internal space in which various internal components of the foldable electronic apparatus 200 are arranged. The foldable housing 250 may include a plurality of sub-housings (e.g., a first sub-housing 251, a second sub-housing 252, and a third sub-housing 253) and a hinge (e.g., a first hinge 254 and a second hinge 255) configured to foldably connect the plurality of sub-housings to each other and may be folded and unfolded. In various embodiments, the first hinge 254 may foldably couple the first sub-housing 251 and the third sub-housing 253 to each other, and the second hinge 255 may foldably couple the third sub-housing 253 and the second sub-housing 252 to each other. The third sub-housing 253 may be positioned between the first sub-housing 251 and the second sub-housing 252 with the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 interposed therebetween. In various embodiments, the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 of the foldable housing 250 may allow folding in the same direction.
The foldable display 260 may be a display arranged on one side (e.g., a side facing the z direction) of the foldable housing 250 and configured to be folded and unfolded according to the folding and unfolding of the foldable housing 250. The foldable display 260 may include, for example, a flexible organic light-emitting diode (OLED).
In various embodiments, the foldable display 260 may include a plurality of display regions divided based on the axis of the folding motion. For example, the foldable display 260 of the foldable electronic apparatus 200 including the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 may include a first display region 261, a second display region 262, and a third display region 263, divided based on the center of the first hinge 254 and the center of the second hinge 255.
In various embodiments, the foldable electronic apparatus 200 may include a folding sensor 230. The folding sensor 230 may include, for example, a proximity folding sensor 230a configured to detect proximity between the sub-housings and/or a folding angle sensor 230b configured to detect a folding angle of the hinges of the foldable housing 250. The proximity folding sensor 230a may include a magnetic proximity sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor, or an optical proximity sensor. The folding angle sensor 230b may include, for example, a rotary encoder, a Hall effect rotation sensor, and/or a gyro sensor.
The plurality of speakers may be arranged inside the foldable housing 250 and may output multi-channel sound having a plurality of audio channels. In various embodiments, the foldable housing 250 may include a speaker grill 256 configured such that sound output from the plurality of speakers is emitted to the outside of the foldable housing 250.
In various embodiments, a first speaker 220a and a third speaker 220c may be arranged in the first sub-housing 251, and a second speaker 220b and a fourth speaker 220d may be arranged in the second sub-housing 252. Referring to
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The orientation of the foldable electronic apparatus 200 may be measured by the attitude sensor 240 (e.g., the gravity sensor 240a or the gyro sensor 240b) and/or determined by the display controller 280. For example, when the foldable display 260 is arranged horizontally with respect to the direction of gravity, measuring the orientation of the foldable electronic apparatus 200 with the attitude sensor 240 may be limited. Thus, the processor 210 may determine the orientation of the foldable electronic apparatus 200, based on the display mode information (e.g., whether the foldable display 260 is currently in portrait mode or landscape mode) provided by the display controller 280.
The descriptions of
Referring to
In various embodiments, the folding directions of the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 may be opposite to each other. For example, the first hinge 254 may be rotated such that the first sub-housing 251 is folded downward (in the opposite direction of the z-axis in the drawing), and the second hinge 255 may be rotated such that the second sub-housing 252 is folded upward (in the z-axis direction in the drawing), but are not limited thereto. For example, the first hinge 254 may also be rotated such that the first sub-housing 251 is folded upward (in the z-axis direction in the drawing), and the second hinge 255 may also be rotated such that the second sub-housing 252 is folded downward (in the opposite direction of the z-axis in the drawing).
In various embodiments, a first speaker 220a and a third speaker 220c may be arranged in the first sub-housing 251, and a second speaker 220b and a fourth speaker 220d may be arranged in the second sub-housing 252. Referring to
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The processor 210 may determine the orientation of the foldable electronic apparatus 200, based on the value detected by the display controller 280 and the attitude sensor 240 (S602). For example, in case that the foldable electronic apparatus 200 is oriented such that the hinges are horizontal with respect to the user, the processor 210 may not change the audio channels assigned to the speakers because the relative left and right positions of the speakers 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d have not been changed even when both the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 are folded (S611). In addition, in case that the foldable electronic apparatus 200 is oriented such that the hinges are vertical with respect to the user (e.g., landscape mode), the audio channels assigned to the speakers may be changed when the first hinge 254 and the second hinge 255 are folded (S612).
The orientation of the foldable electronic apparatus 200 may be measured by the attitude sensor 240 (e.g., the gravity sensor 240a or the gyro sensor 240b) and/or determined by the display controller 280. For example, when the foldable display 260 is arranged horizontally with respect to the direction of gravity, measuring the orientation of the foldable electronic apparatus 200 with the attitude sensor 240 may be limited. Thus, the processor 210 may determine the orientation of the foldable electronic apparatus 200, based on the display mode information (e.g., whether the foldable display 260 is currently in portrait mode or landscape mode) provided by the display controller 280.
The processor 210 may determine whether the first display region 261 is in use, based on the value detected by the display controller 280 (S603). In a case that a part (e.g., the first display region 261) of the foldable display 260 is in use in a state where the foldable electronic apparatus 200 is in a folded state, when the foldable electronic apparatus 200 is oriented such that the hinges are vertical with respect to the user, the left and right audio channels assigned to the speakers may not be changed because the relative left and right positions of the speakers 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d have not been changed despite the folding (S611). The part of the foldable display 260 that is in use may be determined, based on the value transmitted from the display controller 280 to the processor 210 (S603).
Referring to
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When the user transitions the foldable electronic apparatus 200 from a fully unfolded state (first state) to a folded state (second state) to use the auxiliary display 270, the relative left and right positions of the plurality of speakers 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d may be changed with respect to the user.
Referring to
A foldable electronic apparatus according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include: a foldable housing having a plurality of sub-housings and at least one hinge disposed between the plurality of sub-housings, the foldable housing configured to be folded and unfolded, a foldable display disposed on a first surface of the foldable housing and configured to be folded and unfolded according to folding and unfolding of the foldable housing, the first surface facing a first direction, a first speaker and a second speaker, the first speaker being disposed in a first sub-housing among the plurality of sub-housings of the foldable housing and the second speaker being disposed in a second sub-housing spaced apart from the first sub-housing, and at least one processor, comprising processing circuitry, electrically connected to the first speaker and the second speaker. At least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to: control the electronic apparatus to output a first audio channel of a designated sound source through the first speaker and a second audio channel of the designated sound source through the second speaker based on a relative position between the first speaker and the second speaker corresponding to a first state, detect a change in a folding state of the foldable housing, determine the relative position between the first speaker and the second speaker, based on the change in the folding state, and based on the relative position between the first speaker and the second speaker being determined to have shifted from the first state to a second state, control the electronic apparatus to output the second audio channel of the designated sound source through the first speaker and the first audio channel of the designated sound source through the second speaker.
In various example embodiments, the foldable electronic apparatus may include a folding sensor configured to detect a folding and unfolding state of the foldable housing, and at least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to determine a change in the folding state, based on a value detected by the folding sensor.
In various example embodiments, the foldable housing includes a third sub-housing disposed between the first sub-housing and the second sub-housing, the at least one hinge may include a first hinge configured to foldably couple the first sub-housing and the third sub-housing to each other, and a second hinge configured to foldably couple the second sub-housing and the third sub-housing to each other, and the first sub-housing may further include a third speaker and the second sub-housing may further include a fourth speaker.
In various example embodiments, the first speaker and the third speaker may be positioned in the first sub-housing to be opposite to the direction in which the first hinge is coupled, and the second speaker and the fourth speaker may be positioned in the second sub-housing to be opposite to the direction in which the second hinge is coupled.
In various example embodiments, the folding directions of the first hinge and the second hinge are the same, and at least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to control the electronic apparatus to output, in an unfolded state of the first hinge and the second hinge, the first audio channel through the first speaker and the third speaker and the second audio channel through the second speaker and the fourth speaker and output, in a folded state of the first hinge and the second hinge, the first audio channel through the second speaker and the fourth speaker and the second audio channel through the first speaker and the third speaker.
In various example embodiments, at least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to determine the orientation direction of the foldable electronic apparatus, and, based on the foldable electronic apparatus being oriented in a horizontal direction based on the long axis thereof, may output, in an unfolded state of the first hinge and the second hinge, the first audio through the first speaker and the third speaker and the second audio channel through the second speaker and the fourth speaker and output, in a folded state of the first hinge and the second hinge, the first audio channel through the second speaker and the fourth speaker and the second audio channel through the first speaker and the third speaker.
In various example embodiments, the foldable electronic apparatus may include an attitude sensor configured to measure the orientation thereof, and at least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to determine the orientation of the foldable electronic apparatus based on the value detected by the attitude sensor.
In various example embodiments, the foldable electronic apparatus may include a display controller configured to control the foldable display, and at least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to determine the orientation of the foldable electronic apparatus based on the orientation of an image displayed on the foldable display.
In various example embodiments, the folding directions of the first hinge and the second hinge may be opposite to each other, and at least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to control the electronic apparatus to output, in an unfolded state of the first hinge and the second hinge, the first audio channel through the first speaker and the third speaker and the second audio channel through the second speaker and the fourth speaker and output, in a folded state of the first hinge and the second hinge, the first audio channel through the second speaker and the fourth speaker and the second audio channel through the first speaker and the third speaker.
In various example embodiments, at least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to determine the orientation of the foldable electronic apparatus based on the value detected by the attitude sensor and, based on the foldable electronic apparatus being oriented such that the hinges are vertical with respect to the user, may control the electronic apparatus to output, in a state where the first hinge and the second hinge are unfolded, the first audio channel through the first speaker and the third speaker and the second audio channel through the second speaker and the fourth speaker and output, in a state where the first hinge and the second hinge are folded, the first audio channel through the second speaker and the fourth speaker and the second audio channel through the first speaker and the third speaker.
In various example embodiments, the foldable electronic apparatus may include an attitude sensor configured to measure the orientation thereof, and at least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to determine a direction in which the foldable electronic apparatus is oriented, based on the value detected by the attitude sensor.
In various example embodiments, the foldable electronic apparatus may include a display controller configured to control the foldable display, and at least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to determine a direction in which the foldable electronic apparatus is oriented, based on the orientation of an image displayed on the display.
In various example embodiments, the foldable display may include a first display region positioned in the first sub-housing, a second display region positioned in the second sub-housing, and a third display region positioned in the third sub-housing, wherein the foldable housing is folded such that the first display region is visible to the outside based on being folded. At least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to determine whether the first display region is in operation and may control the electronic apparatus to output the first audio channel through the first speaker and the third speaker and the second audio channel through the second speaker and the fourth speaker based on the first display being in use while first hinge and the second hinge are folded.
In various example embodiments, the foldable electronic apparatus may include an auxiliary display disposed on a surface of the third housing, a surface of the auxiliary display being opposite surface on which the foldable display is disposed, and at least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to determine whether the auxiliary display is in operation and control the electronic apparatus to output the first audio channel through the second speaker and the fourth speaker and the second audio channel through the first speaker and the third speaker based on the auxiliary display being in use while the first hinge and the second hinge are folded.
According to various example embodiments of the disclosure, a processor, comprising processing circuitry, of a foldable electronic apparatus including a foldable housing having a plurality of sub-housings and at least one hinge and configured to be folded and unfolded, a foldable display arranged on a first surface of the foldable housing and configured to be folded and unfolded according to the folding and unfolding of the foldable housing, the first surface facing a first direction, and a plurality of speakers positioned in at least two of the plurality of sub-housings of the foldable housing and configured to output multi-channel sounds having a plurality of audio channels, may be electrically connected to the plurality of speakers and may be individually and/or collectively configured to: detect a folding state of the foldable housing, calculate respective relative positions of the plurality of speakers, based on the folding state, and control the electronic apparatus to output the plurality of audio channels to the plurality of speakers, respectively, based on the calculated respective relative positions of the plurality of speakers.
In various example embodiments, the electronic apparatus may include a folding sensor configured to detect the folding and unfolding state of the foldable housing, and at least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to detect the folding and unfolding state of the foldable housing through the folding sensor.
In various example embodiments, the foldable housing may include a first sub-housing, a second sub-housing, a third sub-housing, a first hinge configured to foldably couple the first sub-housing and the second sub-housing to each other, and a second hinge configured to foldably couple the second sub-housing and the third sub-housing to each other, the plurality of speakers of the electronic apparatus may include a first speaker and a third speaker arranged in the first sub-housing and a second speaker and a fourth speaker arranged in the third sub-housing, and the plurality of audio channels may include a first audio channel and a second audio channel.
In various example embodiments, at least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to determine the orientation direction of the foldable electronic apparatus and, based on the foldable electronic apparatus being oriented such that the hinges are vertical with respect to the user, may control the electronic apparatus to output, in a state where the first hinge and the second hinge are unfolded, the first audio channel through the first speaker and the third speaker and the second audio channel through the second speaker and the fourth speaker and output, in a state where the first hinge and the second hinge are folded, the first audio channel through the second speaker and the fourth speaker and the second audio channel through the first speaker and the third speaker.
In various example embodiments, the foldable electronic apparatus may include an attitude sensor configured to measure the orientation thereof, and may determine a direction in which the foldable electronic apparatus is oriented, based on the value detected by the attitude sensor 240.
In various example embodiments, the foldable display may include a display controller configured to control the foldable display, wherein the orientation of the foldable electronic apparatus may be determined based on the orientation of an image displayed on the foldable display.
In various example embodiments, the foldable electronic apparatus may include an auxiliary display disposed on a surface of the second sub-housing, a surface of the auxiliary display being opposite a surface on which the foldable display is disposed, and at least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to determine whether the auxiliary display is in operation and may control the electronic apparatus to output the first audio channel through the second speaker and the fourth speaker and the second audio channel through the first speaker and the third speaker based on the auxiliary display being in use while the first hinge and the second hinge are folded.
While the disclosure has been illustrated and described with reference to various example embodiments, it will be understood that the various example embodiments are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. It will be further understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the true spirit and full scope of the disclosure, including the appended claims and their equivalents. It will also be understood that any of the embodiment(s) described herein may be used in conjunction with any other embodiment(s) described herein.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2022-0105790 | Aug 2022 | KR | national |
| 10-2022-0115838 | Sep 2022 | KR | national |
This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/KR2023/012483 designating the United States, filed on Aug. 23, 2023, in the Korean Intellectual Property Receiving Office, and claiming priority to Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2022-0105790, filed on Aug. 23, 2022, and 10-2022-0115838, filed on Sep. 14, 2022, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/KR2023/012483 | Aug 2023 | WO |
| Child | 19059708 | US |
