Method and apparatus for operating functions of electronic device having flexible display

Abstract

The present invention comprises a flexible display that surrounds the front surface of an electronic device and a control unit that controls operation of functions of the flexible display-based electronic device. The control unit may display a plurality of icons corresponding to an application or a specific function in at least one area among sub areas of the flexible display; the control unit may sense an input for selecting at least one icon among the plurality of icons; the control unit may sense an input for swiping the at least one selected icon to at least one area among main areas of the flexible display; and the control unit may process a control such that an application or a specific function, which corresponds to the at least one selected icon, is executed, and a screen corresponding to the execution is displayed in the main area corresponding to the sensed swipe input.

1 . An electronic device comprising:
 a flexible display including a first main area disposed on a front surface of the electronic device, a second main area disposed on a rear surface of the electronic device, and a sub-area connected and bent between the first main area and the second main area such that the sub-area comprises a curved surface in at least a portion thereof, wherein the first main area, the second main area, and the sub-area are integrally formed; and   at least one processor configured to control an electronic device function operation based on the flexible display,   wherein the at least one processor is configured to control to:
 display a plurality of icons, each of the icons respectively corresponding to an application in the sub-area, 
 identify, in response to detecting a first input for selecting at least one icon of the plurality of icons in the sub-area, an application corresponding to the selected at least one icon, 
 execute the application in response to detecting a release of a second input continuously inputted from an input of the sub-area, and 
 display an execution screen of the application in an area where the release of the second input is detected on the first main area and the second main area. 
   
     
     
         2 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the first input and the second input include selection input for the at least one icon of the plurality icons and swipe input toward the first main area or the second main area. 
     
     
         3 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the second input is continuous input from the first input. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the second input is swipe input toward the first main area or the second main area. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
 attach a content of another application which is executed in the main area which is not executed the application to the application executed according to a release of the second input.   
     
     
         6 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
 detect a selection input to at least one content on a screen displayed in the main area,   detect a swipe input of the selected content to the other main area, and   display additional information related to the content in the other main area.   
     
     
         7 . The electronic device of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
 store the selected at least one content based on a long press selection input and the swipe input to the other main area.   
     
     
         8 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
 detect a swipe input of a user interface displayed in the sub-area, and   extend the user interface to a partial or entire area of the first main area or the second area in which the swipe input is released according to an area in which detection of the swipe input released.   
     
     
         9 . A method for controlling a flexible display of an electronic device, wherein the flexible display includes a first main area disposed on a front surface of the electronic device, a second main area disposed on a rear surface of the electronic device, and a sub-area extended from the first main area and the second main area, the method comprising:
 displaying a plurality of icons, each of the icons respectively corresponding to an application in the sub-area;   identifying, in response to detecting a first input for selecting at least one icon of the plurality of icons in the sub-area, an application corresponding to the selected at least one icon;   executing the application in response to detecting a release of a second input continuously inputted from an input of the sub-area; and   displaying an execution screen of the application in an area where the release of the second input is detected on the first main area and the second main area.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first main area, the second main area, and the sub-area are integrally formed. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first input and the second input include selection input for the at least one icon of the plurality icons and swipe input toward the first main area or the second main area. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the second input is continuous input from the first input. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the second input is swipe input toward the first main area or the second main area. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the sub-area is connected and bent between the first main area and the second main area. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the sub-area comprises a curved surface in at least a portion thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 attaching a content of another application which is executed in the main area which is not executed the application to the application executed according to a release of the second input.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising
 detecting a selection input to at least one content on a screen displayed in the main area;   detecting a swipe input of the selected content to the other main area; and   displaying additional information related to the content in the other main area.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 storing the selected at least one content based on a long press selection input and the swipe input to the other main area.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 detecting a swipe input of a user interface displayed in the sub-area; and   extending the user interface to a partial or entire area of the first main area or the second area in which the swipe input is released according to an area in which detection of the swipe input released.