Electronic device with sliding deployable display

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an electronic device that may have a housing with portions that slide relative to each other. A display may be supported on a surface of the housing, such as on a front face of the housing. The housing portion is slidable between an unexpanded state in which the display has an unexpanded visible area on the front face, and an expanded state in which the display has an expanded visible area on the front face that is larger than the unexpanded visible area. The housing portion may have an interior region that accommodates electronic components. The display may be formed from a flexible display substrate. A portion of a flexible display may be stored in an interior region of the housing when the housing is in the undeployed state. In the undeployed state, the flexible display may have one or more bends and may be folded in half one or more times per se.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with application number 202010274245.9, application date April 9, 2020, and name “Electronic device with a sliding and expandable display”.

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 744,564, filed on January 16, 2020, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 832,217, filed on April 10, 2019, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to electronic devices, and more particularly to electronic devices having displays. Background Art

[0004] Electronic devices often include displays. Touch screen displays may be used in cellular phones or other portable devices to display information to a user and to capture user input.

[0005] If care is not taken, the display may not provide enough screen space to display the information the user is interested in. At the same time, it may be difficult to scale up the size of an electronic device too large to accommodate a larger display because it would make the device too bulky. Summary of the invention

[0006] The electronic device may have a display mounted in a housing. The housing may have portions that slide relative to each other. When it is desired to place the device in a compact, undeployed state, the housing portions may slide toward each other. When it is desired to expand the viewable size of the display, the housing portions may slide away from each other.

[0007] The display in the device may be a flexible display, such as an organic light emitting diode display. When it is desired to store a portion of the display, the display may be folded in half once or twice. A tensioner may be used to provide tension to the display and thereby maintain the display in a desired shape, such as a desired planar shape.

[0008] The housing portions that slide relative to each other may have interdigitated fingers or other slidably engaged housing structures. The display may be supported on a surface of the housing, such as on the front of the housing. The housing and the display may be adjustable by a user. For example, the housing portions may slide between an undeployed state in which the display has an undeployed visible area on the front and a deployed state in which the display has an expanded visible area on the front that is larger than the undeployed visible area.

[0009] The electronic device housing may have an interior containing electronic components. When the housing is in an unexpanded state, the folded portion of the flexible display may be stored in the interior of the housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary electronic device according to an embodiment.

[0011] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary electronic device according to an embodiment.

[0012] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative electronic device according to an embodiment.

[0013] Figure 4 is a side view of an illustrative electronic device with a foldable display according to an embodiment.

[0014] Figure 5 is a side view of an illustrative electronic device with a sliding display according to an embodiment.

[0015] Figure 6 is a side view of an illustrative electronic device with a scrolling display according to an embodiment.

[0016] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary flexible display structure according to an embodiment.

[0017] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative electronic device with a sliding display in an undeployed position according to an embodiment.

[0018] Fig. 9 A device with a sliding display in an unfolded position according to an embodiment Figure 8 A cross-sectional side view of an illustrative electronic device.

[0019] Fig.10 , Fig.11 and Fig.12 is a side view of an illustrative flexible display storage configuration with one or more display bends for use in an electronic device with a sliding display according to an embodiment.

[0020] Fig.13 is a top view of an exemplary flexible display tensioner, such as a coil spring, according to an embodiment.

[0021] Fig.14 is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative electronic device with a sliding display according to an embodiment.

[0022] Fig.15 and Fig.16According to the embodiment, the undeployed configuration and the deployed configuration Fig.14 A perspective view of an illustrative electronic device.

[0023] Fig.17 is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative electronic device with a sliding display according to an embodiment.

[0024] Fig.18 and Fig.19 is a top view of an illustrative deployable electronic device housing structure with a sliding cross-member in respective undeployed and deployed configurations according to an embodiment.

[0025] Fig. 20 , Fig.21 , Fig. 22 and Fig.23 is a perspective view of an illustrative deployable electronic device housing structure with a sliding cross member according to an embodiment.

[0026] Fig.24 is a top view of an illustrative deployable electronic device housing structure with supporting side members according to an embodiment.

[0027] Fig.25 , Fig.26 , Fig. 27 and Fig.28 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary sliding structure of an expandable electronic device housing according to an embodiment.

[0028] Fig.29 is a top view of an exemplary deployable electronic device housing structure showing exemplary locations for electronic components according to an embodiment.

[0029] Fig.30 is a perspective view of an illustrative deployable electronic device housing structure with a flexible sliding cross member according to an embodiment.

[0030] Fig.31 According to the implementation plan Fig.30 A cross-sectional side view of an illustrative deployable electronic device housing structure showing how a flexible display can be wrapped around the edge of the housing structure and supported by a flexible sliding cross member.

[0031] Fig.32 is a cross-sectional end view of an exemplary sliding device according to an embodiment.

[0032] Fig.33 and Fig.34 According to the embodiment, the Fig.32 Top view of an exemplary sliding device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] An electronic device may have a display. The display may have an array of pixels for displaying images to a user. The display may be an organic light emitting diode display, a micro light emitting diode display formed from an array of crystalline semiconductor light emitting diode dies, and / or may be any other suitable display. A two-dimensional touch sensor such as a capacitive touch sensor or other touch sensor may be incorporated into the display (e.g., by forming capacitive sensor electrodes from thin film display circuitry), and / or a touch sensor layer may be laminated to an array of pixels in the display.

[0034] The display of the electronic device can be operated in an undeployed configuration and an unfolded configuration. In the undeployed configuration, the portability of the device is enhanced. In the unfolded configuration, the visible display area is increased, making it easier to provide touch input and view images on the display.

[0035] Figure 1 A perspective view of an illustrative electronic device of the type that may include an expandable display is shown. Device 10 may be a laptop computer; a computer monitor containing an embedded computer; a tablet computer; a desktop computer; a cellular telephone; a media player; or other handheld or portable electronic device; a smaller device such as a wristwatch device, a wristband device, a hanging device, a headset, or a handset device; a head-mounted device such as glasses, goggles, a helmet, or other device worn on a user's head; or other wearable or miniature device; a television; a computer monitor that does not contain an embedded computer; a gaming device; a navigation device; an embedded system, such as a system in which the device is mounted in a kiosk, automobile, airplane, or other vehicle; a removable housing for an electronic device; an accessory, such as a remote control device, a computer mouse, a track pad, a wireless or wired keyboard, or other accessory, and / or a device that implements the functionality of two or more of these devices. Figure 1 In the exemplary configuration of , device 10 is a portable electronic device such as a cellular telephone or a tablet computer. This configuration may sometimes be described herein as an example.

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown, device 10 may have a housing such as housing 12. Housing 12 may be formed from materials such as polymers, glass, metal, crystalline materials such as sapphire, ceramics, fabrics, foams, wood, other materials, and / or combinations of these materials. Device 10 may have any suitable shape. Figure 1In the example of FIG. 1 , device 10 has a front face F, an opposite rear face R, and a sidewall portion (sidewall) W. Portion W may be formed as an extension of housing structure on front face F, rear face R, and / or may be formed using one or more separate sidewall members (as an example). The sidewall structure may be planar (e.g., to form a vertical sidewall extending between front face F and rear face R) and / or may have a curved cross-sectional profile. Input-output devices such as one or more buttons may be mounted on housing 12 (e.g., mounted on sidewall portion W).

[0037] Device 10 may have one or more displays, such as display 14. Figure 1 In the example of , display 14 covers front face F. Display 14 may also be mounted on other portions of device 10. For example, one or more displays such as display 14 may cover all of front face F, a portion of front face F, some or all of rear face R, and / or some or all of sidewalls W. In some configurations, some or all of display 14 may be covered with flexible or rigid transparent members that serve as protective display covers. Such transparent display cover layer structures (sometimes referred to as housing structures) may overlap at least some of display 14 and may serve as display covers. If desired, the transparent film structure may serve as a protective display layer (e.g., a scratch-resistant layer, an oleophobic antifouling coating, etc.).

[0038] Display 14 may have a planar shape, a shape having a curved cross-sectional profile, or other suitable shape. Figure 1 In the example of FIG. 5 , front face F has a planar shape and lies in the XY plane. Display 14 may have a rectangular footprint (outline when viewed from above) or other suitable footprint. Device 10 is oriented along longitudinal axis 56 (e.g., parallel to Figure 1 The thickness of device 10 in dimension Z may be less than the width of device 10 in dimension X and less than the length of device 10 in dimension Y (as an example).

[0039] To help accommodate user desires for compactness while accommodating user desires for large amounts of display space, device 10 may have structure that allows for adjustment of the shape and size of device 10 and display 14. In particular, device 10 may have a display and associated housing structure that supports folding motion, sliding motion, rolling motion, and / or other behaviors that allow for adjustment of device 10 during use.

[0040] When a compact size is desired, device 10 can be adjusted to be compact. For example, device 10 and display 14 can be folded inward or outward about bending axis 58. As another example, a sliding or rolling display structure can be retracted to minimize the size of the device.

[0041] When a large screen size is desired, device 10 and display 14 may be unfolded (in a configuration in which device 10 is foldable), or display 14 may be unfolded laterally in one or more directions, such as direction 52 (parallel to longitudinal axis 56) or direction 54 (e.g., a lateral direction perpendicular to longitudinal axis 56 and perpendicular to the thickness of device 10). Device 10 and display 14 may be unfolded, for example, by sliding portions of device 10 (and display 14) along axis 56 or axis 54 or by unrolling a rolled flexible display in direction 52 or direction 54.

[0042] When unfolded, display 14 exhibits an unfolded visible area. Specifically, the portion of display 14 that can be viewed by a user of device 10 when device 10 is unfolded (sometimes referred to as the unfolded visible area of ​​display 14) is larger than the undeployed visible area of ​​display 14 presented to the user of device 10 when device 10 is not unfolded. In general, device 10 may use any suitable arrangement that allows for adjustment of the display and / or device size and / or shape (e.g., between a first configuration such as an undeployed visible area configuration, in which a first amount of display 14 is visible to a user viewing the front of device 10 or the other side of device 10, and a second configuration such as an unfolded visible area configuration, in which a second amount of display 14 that is larger than the first amount is visible to a user viewing the front of device 10 or the other side of device 10). These arrangements may exhibit inward and / or outward folding, rolling, sliding, and / or other housing and display movement when device 10 and display 14 transition between the undeployed state and the unfolded state.

[0043] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an exemplary electronic device is shown. Figure 2 As shown, device 10 may include control circuitry 30 , communication circuitry 32 , and input-output devices 34 .

[0044] The control circuitry 30 may include storage and processing circuitry for supporting the operation of the device 10. The storage and processing circuitry may include storage devices such as non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory or other electrically programmable read-only memory configured to form a solid-state drive), volatile memory (e.g., static or dynamic random access memory), etc. The processing circuitry in the control circuitry 30 may be used to collect inputs from sensors and other input devices, and may be used to control output devices. The processing circuitry may be based on one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, baseband processors and other wireless communication circuits, power management units, audio chips, application specific integrated circuits, etc.

[0045] To support communications between apparatus 10 and external electronic devices, control circuitry 30 may communicate using communication circuitry 32. Communication circuitry 32 may include an antenna, radio frequency transceiver circuitry, and other wireless communication circuitry and / or wired communication circuitry. Circuitry 32, which may sometimes be referred to as control circuitry and / or control and communication circuitry, may, for example, support wireless communications using a wireless local area network link, a near field communication link, a cellular telephone link, a millimeter wave link, and / or other wireless communication pathways.

[0046] Input-output devices 34 may be used to gather user input, to gather information about the user's surroundings, and / or to provide output to the user.

[0047] The display 14 of the input-output device 34 has a pixel array for displaying images to the user. The display 14 can be a light emitting diode display (e.g., an organic light emitting diode or a display with a pixel array having light emitting diodes formed by a crystalline semiconductor die), an electrophoretic display, a liquid crystal display, or other display. The display 14 may include a two-dimensional capacitive touch sensor or other touch sensor for collecting touch input. The display 14 may have a substrate formed of a flexible dielectric (e.g., a sheet of polyimide or other bendable polymer layer) and / or may have a rigid substrate structure. The arrangement of a flexible display can be used to provide the display 14 with the ability to change size and shape by folding, rolling, sliding, etc. If desired, some or all of the display 14 may include a rigid (non-flexible) display structure.

[0048] Device 34 may include sensor 36. Sensor 36 may include force sensors (e.g., strain gauges, capacitive force sensors, resistive force sensors, etc.), audio sensors such as microphones, capacitive touch sensors, capacitive proximity sensors, non-capacitive touch sensors, ultrasonic sensors, sensors for detecting position, orientation, and / or motion (e.g., accelerometers, magnetic sensors such as compass sensors, gyroscopes, and / or inertial measurement units that include some or all of these sensors), muscle activity sensors (EMG), heart rate sensors, electrocardiogram sensors, and other biometric sensors, radio frequency sensors (e.g., radar and other ranging and positioning sensors), humidity sensors, water content sensors, and / or other sensors.

[0049] Sensors 36 and other input-output devices 34 may include optical components such as: light emitting diodes (e.g., camera flashes or other overlay illumination, etc.); lasers, such as vertical cavity surface emitting lasers and other laser diodes; laser components that emit multiple parallel laser beams (e.g., for three-dimensional sensing); lights; and light sensing components, such as photodetectors and digital image sensors. For example, sensors 36 in device 34 may include: optical sensors such as depth sensors (e.g., structured light sensors and / or depth sensors based on stereoscopic imaging devices that can optically sense three-dimensional shapes); optical sensors such as self-mixing sensors and light detection and ranging (lidar) sensors that collect time-of-flight measurements and / or other measurements to determine the distance between the sensor and external objects and / or can determine relative speed; monochrome and / or color ambient light sensors that can measure ambient light levels; light-based proximity sensors (e.g., optical proximity sensors that include a light source and a corresponding light detector, wherein the light source is such as an infrared light emitting diode and / or a laser, light detectors such as infrared photodetectors that can detect when external objects are within a predetermined distance); optical sensors such as visual odometry sensors that use images captured by a digital image sensor in a camera to capture position and / or orientation information; gaze tracking sensors; visible light and / or infrared cameras with digital image sensors configured to capture image data; optical sensors for measuring ultraviolet light; and / or other optical sensor components (e.g., photosensors and, if desired, light sources); photodetectors coupled to light guides; associated light emitters; and / or other optical components (one or more light emitting devices, one or more light detecting devices, etc.).

[0050] The input-output device 34 may also include an audio component. The audio component may include one or more microphones for sensing sound (e.g., an audio sensor in the sensor 36 for sensing audio signals), and may include a sound-generating component, such as an audio generator and one or more speakers. Figure 2 As shown, for example, input-output devices 34 may include speaker 38. The speaker may be used to support speakerphone operation and / or may be used as an earpiece speaker when device 10 is held to a user's ear for a telephone call, to listen to voicemail messages, or to listen to other audio output.

[0051] In addition to the sensor 36, the display 14, and the speaker 38, the input-output device 34 may also include a user input device such as a button and other devices 40. The device 40 may include, for example, an optical component for providing a visual output to the user, such as a light output device in addition to the display 14. The light output device may include one or more light emitting diodes, one or more lasers, lamps, electroluminescent devices, and / or other light emitting components. The light output device may form a status indicator light. If desired, the light output device may include an illuminated icon (e.g., a backlit symbol associated with a power indicator, a battery charge indicator, a radio signal strength indicator, a notification icon, etc.).

[0052] Device 40 may include an electromagnet, a permanent magnet, a structure formed of a magnetic material (e.g., an iron rod or other ferromagnetic member that is attracted to a magnet such as an electromagnet and / or a permanent magnet), a battery, etc. Device 40 may also include power transmission and / or reception circuitry configured to transmit and / or receive wired and / or wireless power signals, and output components such as a tactile output device and other output components (e.g., an electromagnetic actuator or other actuator that can vibrate to provide a user with a tactile alert and / or tactile feedback associated with the operation of a touch sensor or other input device).

[0053] exist Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 A cross-sectional side view of the device 10 is shown. Figure 3 As shown, housing 12 may have one or more portions, such as sidewall portions 12W, a front portion 12F on the front face F of device 10, and a rear portion 12R on the rear face R of device 10. These portions may be formed from metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel, or other metals), or may be formed from polymers, glass, ceramics, and / or other materials.

[0054] Display 14 may be visible on front face F of device 10 and / or other portions of device 10. For example, Figure 3An observer who is viewing device 10 in the -Z direction of the display 14 (e.g., a user viewing device 10 from the front) can view pixels of display 14 that face the user in the +Z direction on the front side F. Display 14 may be overlapped by a transparent portion of housing 12, may have a portion supported on the outermost surface of housing 12, and / or may have a portion protruding from housing 12. In some configurations, a rigid protective transparent material may form a display cover layer that protects display 14. Display 14 may also be protected by attaching a protective film to the outermost surface of display 14, and / or by incorporating the protective film into display 14. For example, a transparent polymer film may overlap pixels of display 14 to help protect the circuitry of the pixels from damage, and / or a thin film organic layer and / or inorganic layer may be incorporated into display 14 to help protect display 14. In some arrangements, display 14 may include a flexible protective material (e.g., a flexible polymer film, a flexible inorganic thin film layer, etc.). The transparent material that may overlap display 14 (e.g., for protecting display 14) may be formed from sapphire or other crystalline materials, glass, polymers, transparent ceramics, inorganic dielectric materials (such as transparent metal oxide films and / or other inorganic materials), and / or other transparent materials and / or other flexible and / or rigid transparent materials.

[0055] The walls of housing 12 may separate an interior region 44 of device 10 from an exterior region 50 surrounding device 10. Interior region 44 may include components such as components 46. Components 46 may include integrated circuits, discrete components, batteries, wireless circuit components such as wireless power coils, and / or other components (see, e.g., Figure 2 Components 46 may be interconnected using signal paths, such as paths formed by traces on a printed circuit (see, for example, printed circuit 48).

[0056] To accommodate the sometimes competing demands for compact device size and large screen size, device 10 is adjustable between a first state in which display 14 is not deployed and a second state in which display 14 is deployed and therefore larger than when not deployed.

[0057] In one exemplary arrangement, device 10 accommodates display bending. Display 14 may, for example, be folded inwardly so that left and right halves of display 14 face each other (e.g., when display 14 is formed in a Figure 4 The display 14 may also be folded outwardly so that the left and right halves of the display 14 face away from each other (e.g., when the display 14 is formed on the surface 62 of the housing 12). Figure 4 If desired, device 10 may support both inward folding and outward folding.

[0058] Arrangements in which device 10 allows display 14 to change size using a sliding motion may also be used. Figure 5 As shown, device 10 is adjustable so that structures in device 10 and display 14 slide (in direction 52 or other suitable direction) between a first (undeployed) configuration in which only display area 14' is visible and a second (deployed) configuration in which both display area 14' and display area 14" are visible.

[0059] Figure 6 1 is a side view of device 10 in an exemplary configuration in which display 14 is flexible enough to be rolled. This allows display 14 to be moved in and out of housing 12. When in the undeployed configuration, display 14 is rolled up and stored in the Figure 6 In the expanded configuration, the display 14 is enlarged by spreading the display 14 in the direction 52 and extending the display 14 out of the housing 12. Other arrangements that allow the display 14 to change size and / or shape may also be used and / or these arrangements and / or Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 A combination of arrangements.

[0060] If desired, display 14 may have an array of light-emitting pixels P. Figure 7 This type of arrangement is shown in Figure 7In the example of , display 14 includes substrate 71A, pixel array 71B and cover layer 71C. Substrate 71A may be formed of a polyimide sheet, other flexible polymer layers, or other dielectrics. Substrate 71A may be covered by a thin film layer that forms pixels P and other thin film circuits. Pixels P may include thin film transistors 78, thin film capacitors, thin film light emitting diodes 76 (such as organic light emitting diodes), and / or other thin film circuits. If desired, the array of pixels P of display 14 may be formed of micro light emitting diodes (sometimes referred to as micro LEDs) formed by crystalline semiconductor dies. These dies may be mounted on a flexible substrate. One or more encapsulation layers such as layer 71C may be used to protect and environmentally seal pixels P. One or more layers 71C may include organic and / or inorganic dielectric layers (e.g., thin film layers). If desired, additional layers such as one or more support layers on the back of display 14 (see, e.g., backing layer 70) and / or one or more outward-facing layers on the outward-facing side of display 14 (see, e.g., layer 72) may be attached to display 14 (e.g., using an adhesive, by forming a thin film layer directly on display 14, and / or by incorporating other layers overlapped by pixels P into display 14). Backing layers such as layer 70 may be formed of metal (e.g., a thin, flexible metal that can withstand repeated bending and unbending), may be formed of a polymer, may be formed of other materials, and / or may be formed of combinations of these materials. During bending, layers such as layer 70 may help protect display 14 from wrinkling or other potentially damaging deformations. One or more additional layers 72 may include polarizing layers, wave plates, filters, protective cover layers, privacy films, and / or other display layers.

[0061] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative electronic device with a display that is expandable using a sliding motion. Figure 8 The housing 12 of the device 10 has portions such as a first portion 12-1 and a second portion 12-2. The portions 12-1 and 12-2 can slide toward and away from each other. Figure 8 In the arrangement of FIG. 1 , portions 12 - 1 and 12 - 2 have been placed adjacent to each other so that device 10 and display 14 are in an undeployed state. Display 14 is a flexible display and may be deployed from interior 44 to exterior 50 through opening 86 (e.g., a slot) in housing 12 using roller 80 or other suitable deployment mechanism. Roller 80 may be coupled to housing 12 by an axle (as an example) and may rotate relative to housing 12. Figure 8In the unfolded state of the device 10, the display has a first portion 14-1 that can be viewed from the exterior 50 of the device 10, and has a second portion 14-2 that is contained within the interior 44 and cannot be viewed from the exterior 50. Display 14 may, for example, have one or more bends (folds) that allow display 14 to be folded upon itself so that portion 14-2 can be stored in the interior 44. Housing portions 12-1 and 12-2 (e.g., the upper surfaces of these structures) can be used to help support display 14 and maintain display 14 in a desired shape such as a planar shape. A stretchable elastomeric member, spring, or other tensioner such as tensioner 82 can be coupled between a portion of housing portion 12-1 (see, for example, attachment structure 84) and an end of display portion 14-2 to help tension display 14 and thereby maintain display 14 in a desired shape (e.g., a planar shape on the surface of housing 12).

[0062] When it is desired to extend the area of ​​display 14, housing portion 12-2 may be moved away (eg, slid away) from housing portion 12-1 in direction 52, such as Fig. 9 As shown. Support portion 12-3 of housing 12 (e.g., rails or other structures associated with housing portion 12-1, housing portion 12-2, and / or other portions of housing 12) can be used to help maintain portion 12-2 in a desired orientation relative to portion 12-1 (e.g., support portion 12-3 can be used to maintain angular alignment between portions 12-1 and 12-2). Display 14 can be placed in its deployed state by sliding housing portions 12-1 and 12-2 apart. Fig. 9 As shown, portion 14-2 of display 14 can be removed from interior 44 through opening 86 during deployment, so that the visible area of ​​display 14 in the deployed viewing area configuration includes both portion 14-1 and portion 14-2. Tensioner 82 (e.g., spring) can be expanded (e.g., by stretching, etc.) to accommodate the movement of portion 14-2 from interior 44 while providing tension to help flatten display 14 against the outer surface of housing 12.

[0063] Fig.10 , Fig.11 and Fig.12 4 is a cross-sectional side view of display 14, which illustrates the shape of display 14 (e.g., display portion 14-2) that may be stored (e.g., in interior 44). Display 14 may be placed in these non-deployed configurations when it is desired to reduce the size of device 10. Fig.10 In the example of FIG. 1 , the display 14 has been folded in half upon itself using a single bend. When the display 14 is not unfolded, Figure 8 and Fig. 9This bi-fold display configuration used in the example of allows viewing of half of the display 14, and allows viewing of both halves of the display 14 when the display 14 is unfolded. Fig.11 In the example of FIG. 1 , the display has two bends and, when placed in its undeployed (folded) configuration, the display folds in half upon itself twice. When display 14 is undeployed in this arrangement, a third portion of display 14 or other suitable portion of display 14 may be viewed. When fully unfolded, Fig.11 The folded back portion of the display 14 can be pulled out from the interior of the housing 12 through the opening 86 and thereby unfolded for viewing by the user. Figure 8 Roller 80 may be used to retract and deploy display 14 in a double-bent (twice-folded) storage arrangement. Fig.12 Another exemplary storage configuration of display 14 is shown. Fig.12 In the example of Fig.11 The arrangement is the same as that of FIG. 1 ), but both of the curved portions are inward curved portions (inward folded portions), while in FIG. Fig.11 In the arrangement of the display 14, the display 14 is first bent inwardly and then bent in the opposite direction. A pair of rollers at opposite ends of the inner portion of the device housing structure can be used to help Fig.12 The type of arrangement shown stores and deploys the display 14. A tensioner may be used (e.g., by coupling a spring or other tensioner 82 to the Fig.11 and / or Fig.12 The inner end of the display 14) is provided to help tension the display 14 when the display 14 is in the undeployed state and the deployed state.

[0064] Fig.10 , Fig.11 and Fig.12 The examples are illustrative. Other arrangements may be used to store display 14 if desired. For example, display 14 may be wrapped around a single roller multiple times, may be slid into an interior portion of housing 12 without bending, and / or may be otherwise stowed when it is desired to place display 14 in its undeployed state. When display 14 is folded upon itself so that display 14 has one or two bends and associated planar portions of the fold, display 14 may avoid some of the stresses that may otherwise be experienced by repeatedly wrapping display 14 around a roller.

[0065] The tensioner 82 may be a flat spring, a clock spring, a leaf spring, an extension spring, a compression spring, a coil spring, a stretchable elastomeric member, and / or other suitable tensioning device. Fig.13 A top view of an exemplary tensioner formed of a coil spring is shown. Fig.13As shown, the coil spring forming tensioner 82 (which may sometimes be referred to as a torsion spring) may have a helical spring member, such as member 88, attached to an internal support in the device 10 (such as support 84) at an attachment point 92. The helical spring member 88, which may be formed of a material such as a spring metal, may have opposite ends attached to a roller 90 at point 94. The roller 90 may have an axis coupled to the housing 12 and may rotate about an axis of rotation 96. A coupling member 98 (e.g., a flexible band) may be wrapped around the roller 90 and may be attached to an edge of the flexible display 14. When the spring 82 relaxes, the coupling member 98 will retract toward the spring 82 and wrap around the roller 90. In this state, the display portion 14-2 will retract into the housing interior 44, as shown. Figure 8 When display 14 is pulled out of interior 44 in response to sliding housing portions 12-1 and 12-2 apart, coupling member 98 will untie from roller 90 while tightening helical spring member 88. Other types of tensioning mechanisms may be used to stretch the edge of display 14, if desired. Fig.13 The coil spring example is illustrative.

[0066] Shell portions 12-1 and 12-2 may have the same size, shell portion 12-1 may be larger than shell portion 12-2, or shell portion 12-2 may be larger than shell portion 12-1. Shell portions 12-1 and 12-2 may have the same shape (or nearly the same shape), or may have different shapes that engage with each other. Fig.14 In the illustrative example of the embodiment of the present invention, the housing portion 12-2 has a thin protrusion portion 12-2P (formed by one or more strip-shaped members) extending from the box-shaped structure forming the main housing portion 12-1. Electronic components may be installed inside the portion 12-1 and / or the portion 12-2. For example, a battery, a control circuit, and other components may be installed inside the housing portion 12-1 and / or the portion 12-2. Fig.14 The interior of the main housing portion 12-1 in the example.

[0067] As combined Figure 8 and Fig. 9 As stated, Fig.14 The display 14 of the embodiment may be a flexible display that, when the display 14 is in its undeployed state, is extended around the internal roller 80 during storage of the display 14 in the housing 12. When the display 14 is in its undeployed state, a first portion of the display 14 is visible, such as Fig.15 As portion 12-2 slides away from portion 12-1, protrusion 12-2P slides out from the upper surface of portion 12-1, and display 14 is pulled out from the interior of portion 12-1 through opening 86. This places display 14 in its deployed state, as shown in FIG. Fig.16 shown.

[0068] If desired, a protruding structure in one portion of housing 12 may be received within a recessed portion of another portion of housing 12. For example, consider Fig.17 The layout. Fig.17 In the example of , housing portion 12-1 has a recess formed between lower structure 12-1P' and upper structure 12-1P. When display 14 is in its undeployed configuration, protruding structure 12-2P of housing portion 12-2 protrudes into and is received in the recess in structure 12-1. Because upper structure 12-2P can remain in place even when protruding structure 12-2P has been withdrawn from the recess, the presence of upper structure 12-1P can help support display 14 on an outer surface of device 10 when display 14 is deployed. Fig.17 Structures of the type shown may be formed across the width of device 10 and / or may form a cross-shaped structure. The cross-shaped projections of housing 12 may sometimes be referred to as interlocking (cross-shaped) rails, projections, bar projections, bar members, fingers, prongs, or the like.

[0069] Generally speaking, device 10 may deploy display 14 using either a trailing edge or a leading edge configuration. Fig.17 In the arrangement of FIG. 1 , rollers and additional storage areas for deploying additional portions of display 14 are located in housing 12-1 (which is sometimes referred to as the trailing side of housing 12) as housing 12-2 is pulled out of housing 12-1 and extends outwardly in a leading manner away from housing 12-1. If desired, rollers 80 may be located in housing 12-2, and / or portions of display 14 may be stored within housing 12-2 when device 10 is in its undeployed configuration.

[0070] Fig.18 A top view (front view) of a pair of exemplary interlocking housing structures with cross members (e.g., cross members extending across the front face F) is shown. Fig.18 As shown, device 10 may have interlocking housing portions 12-1 and 12-2 that are configured to allow housing portions 12-1 and 12-2 to slide toward and away from each other. This may allow the size of display 14 to be adjusted. For example, display 14 may be a flexible display having a first portion that is stored inside housing portion 12-1 when display 14 is in its undeployed state and a second portion that is attached to housing portion 12-2. When housing portion 12-2 is moved away from housing portion 12-1, display 14 may be pulled out of housing portion 12-1 to increase the visible size of display 14.

[0071] Fig.18The housing portion 12-1 of the embodiment may have a series of elongated members (sometimes referred to as fingers), such as member 12M1, and the housing portion 12-2 may have a series of interlocking offset elongated members (fingers), such as member 12M2. The recesses formed between adjacent members on one portion (e.g., the elongated recesses between corresponding pairs of adjacent members 12M1) are configured to receive the elongated members of the other portion (e.g., member 12M2), and vice versa. Fig.18 The interlocking structures (eg, a member of portion 12 - 1 and a corresponding member of portion 12 - 1 ) are configured to slidably engage so that housing portions 12 - 1 and 12 - 2 slide relative to each other while acting as a robust support for display 14 . Fig.18 An exemplary housing of Fig.19 1 and 12 - 2 are shown in the deployed configuration (following the sliding movement to move the portions 12 - 1 and 12 - 2 away from each other).

[0072] The sizes of components 12M1 and 12M2 may be equal, or component 12M1 may be larger or smaller than component 12M2. Fig.18 In the example of the embodiment of the present invention, there are four members 12M1 and three members 12M2, but in general, each housing portion may have any suitable number of protruding members (e.g., at least one, at least two, at least five, at least 10, 10-40, less than 100, less than 75, less than 30, less than 12, less than 3, or other suitable number). Members 12M1 and / or 12M2 may extend at least 10%, at least 30%, at least 75%, less than 100%, less than 60%, or other suitable amount, of the length of the device housing 12.

[0073] Fig.18 The elongated fingers of the housing 12 facilitate the alignment of the portions 12-1 and 12-2 along the longitudinal axis of the elongated fingers (e.g., along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated fingers). Figure 1 The housing 12 may be configured to slide relative to each other along an axis 88 extending from the longitudinal axis 56 of the housing 12 and relative to each other. The display 14 may be supported by the members 12M1 and 12M2 in both the undeployed and deployed configurations. When the portions 12-1 and 12-2 are moved toward each other (e.g., by sliding the portions 12-1 and 12-2 toward each other along the axis 88), the housing 12 may have Fig.18 When it is desired to deploy display 14, portions 12-1 and 12-2 may be moved away from each other (e.g., portions 12-1 and 12-2 may be slid apart along axis 88). This places housing 12 (and the overlying display 14 of device 10) in a deployed configuration, such as Fig.19 The expanded housing 12 is shown.

[0074] Fig. 201 shows how a portion of housing 12 (e.g., portion 12-1) may have a slot or other opening (see, e.g., illustrative housing opening 86) to accommodate display 14. When device 10 is in its undeployed state, display 14 may be folded in upon itself one or more times or otherwise stowed inside housing portion 12-1 to reduce the exposed length of display 14. When device 10 is deployed, display 14 may be pulled out of the interior of portion 12-1 through opening 86 and may be supported on the outer surfaces of members 12M1 and 12M2. Recess 12R1 for receiving member 12M2 may open into the interior of portion 12-1 or may be formed in the surface of the housing wall covering the upper surface of portion 12-1.

[0075] exist Fig. 20 In arrangements of the type shown, the housing portions 12-1 and 12-2 may be unequal in size (e.g., Fig. 20 As shown, the internal volume of portion 12-2 may be smaller than the internal volume of portion 12-1). Fig.21 In an exemplary configuration of , housing portions 12-1 and 12-2 have equal or nearly equal dimensions (e.g., the interior volumes and / or exterior volumes occupied by portions 12-1 and 12-2 may differ by less than 25%, less than 15%, or less than 8%). In this type of arrangement, when display 14 is not deployed, portion 12-1 may be used for display storage, and portion 12-2 may be used to house batteries, control circuits, and other electronic components, and / or other component groups may be stored in housing portion 12-1 and / or housing portion 12-2.

[0076] exist Fig.21 In the arrangement of, component 12M2 is a thin strip-shaped protrusion received in a shallow matching recess 12R1. If necessary, component 12M2 can occupy some or all of the thickness of housing 12. Fig. 22 is a perspective view of housing 12 in a configuration where cross members 12M1 and 12M2 extend through the entire thickness of housing 12. Housing portion 12-1 includes through housing recesses such as recess 12R1 to receive member 12M2, and housing portion 12-2 includes through housing recesses such as recess 12R2 to receive member 12M1.

[0077] Fig.23 Another interlocking sliding arrangement of the housing 12 is shown. Fig.23 As shown, housing portion 12-1 may be substantially larger than housing portion 12-2, which allows a portion of display 14 and other electronic components to be stored in housing portion 12-1 when display 14 is in its unfolded state (e.g., display 14 may have a portion stored in two or three layers that are folded over each other using one or more rollers or other structures, such as a combination of Fig.10 , Fig.11 and Fig.12 The components may also be stored in the housing portion 12-2, or the housing portion 12-2 may primarily serve as a support and connecting member to help secure the ends of the elongated member 12M2.

[0078] Fig.24 FIG. 1 is a top view of housing 12 in an exemplary configuration in which a telescoping support member (eg, Fig. 9 The support housing portions 12-3, which may be formed in whole or in part from structures in portions 12-1 and / or 12-2, have been formed from tubular member 12A (coupled to portion 12-1) and nested tubular member 12B (coupled to portion 12-2). Members 12A and 12B may be relatively strong support members and may have a different shape than members 12M1 and 12M2. For example, members 12M1 and 12M2 may be formed from thin strip-shaped protrusions having a relatively large surface area for supporting a planar-shaped display 14, while the telescopic support structure formed by members 12A and 12B may have a tubular shape or other suitable shape. Members 12A and 12B in this type of arrangement may not be used to directly support display 14, but may be strong enough to help maintain portions 12-1 and 12-2 at a desired angular relationship relative to each other while allowing members 12-1 and 12-2 to slide toward and away from each other to adjust the size of display 14 (e.g., to adjust the size of the portion of display 14 that is visible to a user on front face F of device 10).

[0079] The interlocking structure of the parts 12-1 and 12-2 may have Fig.25 , Fig.26 , Fig. 27 and Fig.28 Shapes of the type shown and / or other suitable shapes.

[0080] exist Fig.25In the example of, member 12M2 is elongated (extending into the page parallel to the Y axis) and has a thin strip configuration. The thickness of member 12M2 in the Z dimension may be less than the width of member 12M2 in the X dimension. Member 12M2 may be received for sliding movement in a shallow recess in the surface of portion 12-1. The portion of the housing portion 12-1 located between the shallow recesses may form member 12M1. The shape of the side wall of member 12M2 and the corresponding shape of the side wall of the recess receiving member 12M2 may have a triangular cross-sectional shape or other shape, which helps to keep member 12M2 in portion 12-1 and prevents member 12M2 from being pulled out of the recess upward along the Z dimension while allowing member 12M2 and the rest of portion 12-2 to slide relative to portion 12-1 (e.g., along the Y dimension). A lubricating coating and / or lubricant separated from members 12M1 and 12M2 may be provided to reduce sliding friction (if necessary). Display 14 may be coupled directly to the exposed surface of member 12M2, or a support layer (e.g., a thin flexible sheet) forming a backing layer of the back side of display 14 may be coupled to the exposed surface of member 12M2. Solid and / or segmented or grid-shaped sheets may be used as the support layer.

[0081] exist Fig.26 In the example of , member 12M1 has a recess that receives a lateral protrusion 12M2' of member 12M2. Protrusion 12M2' may have a shape that helps retain member 12M2 within a recess formed in portion 12-1 while allowing member 12M2 to slide relative to portion 12-1.

[0082] Fig. 27 Another exemplary arrangement is shown. Fig. 27 In the configuration of , member 12M2 has downwardly extending protrusions 12M2″, which are received in corresponding recesses in portion 12-1. Fig.25 and Fig.26 As with the exemplary arrangement of , member 12M2 and other structures in portion 12-2 and the structures of portion 12-1 may be configured to maintain member 12M2 in a desired position in the X and Z dimensions while allowing member 12M2 to slide relative to portion 12-1 along the Y dimension (e.g., parallel to the longitudinal axis of device 10 and / or other suitable directions). Display 14 may be directly coupled to an exposed surface of member 12M2 (e.g., using an adhesive, etc.), and / or a support layer attached to the back of display 14 may be coupled to member 12M2.

[0083] exist Fig.28 In the arrangement of , portion 12-2 includes a shell layer coupled to a series of protrusions 12F. Protrusions 12F and other protrusions associated with shell portion 12-2 such as Fig. 27 The protrusion 12M2", Fig.26 The projections 12M2' and / or Fig.25 The protrusions on the opposing edges of each member 12M2 may extend in a continuous strip along the entire length (or nearly the entire length) of the elongated member 12M, or, if desired, the protrusions 12F and other elongated member protrusions may be formed at a series of discrete locations along the length of the member 12M2 (see, e.g., Fig.25 , Fig.26 and Fig. 27 ).

[0084] exist Fig.25 , Fig.26 , Fig. 27 and Fig.28 In the example of , member 12M2 of portion 12-2 has been provided with a protrusion that interlocks with a corresponding recess in portion 12-1. These arrangements in which the elongated member of one housing portion is slidably engaged with a recess and / or elongated member of another housing portion allow housing 12 to be slidably moved between a deployed state and an undeployed state. If desired, portions 12-1 and 12-2 may be configured to interlock while allowing sliding movement between portions 12-1 and 12-2 using other engagement structures. For example, member 12M2 may include a recess that receives a corresponding protrusion from portion 12-1.

[0085] Input-output devices 34 (e.g., electronic components) such as optical sensors and other optical components (e.g., light emitting devices) may be mounted on elongated housing members 12M1 and / or 12M2, may be embedded within elongated housing members 12M1 and / or 12M2, may be mounted behind members 12M1 and / or 12M2, may be mounted within an interior portion of housing 12, and / or may be coupled to other portions of device 10. Exemplary locations of devices 34 are shown by Fig.29 , 34', 34'', and 34''' are shown. In each of these positions, one or more input-output devices 34 may emit light, detect light, and / or may otherwise receive environmental measurements, collect user input, and / or provide output to the user. In an arrangement where the input-output devices 34 are mounted behind a housing wall (e.g., behind a portion of an elongated housing member or other housing structure), one or more windows may be formed in the housing wall. The windows may be configured to allow light to pass (e.g., a transparent window structure in the housing may be formed to allow light to be emitted and / or detected by optical components), may be configured to allow radio frequency signals to pass (e.g., to accommodate an antenna), and / or may otherwise be formed by openings and / or optically transparent structures, radiation-transmissive structures, and / or other window structures in the housing 12. If desired, light and / or other signals associated with the operation of the input-output devices 34 may pass through openings or other window structures (e.g., transparent window areas) in the display 14.

[0086] Fig.30 is a perspective view of an exemplary deployable electronic device housing structure. Fig.30 In the example of FIG. 1 , the elongated member 12M2 has been formed of thin flexible strips that accommodate the tip of the member 12M2 to bend around the curved sidewall W at the curved end of the housing portion 12-1 (e.g., the edge of the housing portion 12-1 faces away from the housing portion 12-2). The curved end of the housing portion 12-1 may have recesses that receive the member 12M2 and guide the member 12M2 around the bending axis 94. Fig.30 The components 12M2 and other figures may be solid blocks of polymers, metals, other materials, and / or combinations of these materials, and / or each component may have optional connecting segments (such as Fig.30 If desired, member 12M2 and portion 12-1 may have a joining structure (see, for example, Fig.25 , Fig.26 , Fig. 27 and Fig.28 ), these engagement structures help maintain member 12M2 in a desired position relative to portion 12-1 and help align portions 12-1 and 12-2 in a desired orientation as portions 12-1 and 12-2 slide toward and away from each other. Flexible display 14 may be coupled to an exposed surface of member 12M2.

[0087] When device 10 is in an undeployed configuration, display 14 may have a first portion that lies flat on an upper surface of portion 12-2, the first portion comprising an upper surface of member 12M2 on front face F of device 10. Display 14 may also have a second portion that wraps around curved sidewall W and a third portion that extends along some or all of back face R. When deployed, member 12M2 slides out of a track formed by a recess in portion 12-1, and portion 12-2 slides away from portion 12-1. In its fully deployed state, the second and third portions of display 14 move from sidewall W and back face R around front face F by following sliding member 12M2.

[0088] exist Fig.30 In the perspective view of FIG. 1 , display 14 of device 10 is not present. Fig.31 For an arrangement where the display 14 has been attached to the member 12M2 along Fig.30 The line 90 is intercepted and viewed in the direction 92 Fig.31 This allows display 14 to flex as display 14 travels from rear face R to front face F of device 10 while allowing portion 12-2 to slide away from portion 12-1 for display deployment. Fig.31As shown, when display 14, device 10, and housing 12 are not unfolded, display 14 (in this example) covers the entire front face F and curved sidewall W of device 10 and a portion of rear face R. When unfolded, display 14 slides to the front face of device 10 in direction 96 in response to movement of portion 12-2 in direction 52, thereby allowing the size of display 14 to be magnified for viewing by a user such as user 98 viewing device 10 in direction 100 (e.g., display 14 is placed in an unfolded visible area configuration). If desired, a larger portion of display 14 may overlap rear face R when display 14 is not unfolded, or a smaller portion of display 14 may be present on front face F and curved sidewall W but not on rear face R when display 14 is not unfolded.

[0089] If desired, a separate display panel may be used to form display 14 in a device with a sliding housing. Fig.32 1 shows a cross-sectional view of device 10 viewed along longitudinal axis 56 in an arrangement where display 14 has overlapping and engaged sliding display portions. Fig.32 As shown, the device housing 12 may have a first portion 12-1 and a second portion 12-2. The first portion 12-1 and / or the second portion 12-2 may have an internal portion, which contains control circuits, input-output devices, batteries and other electronic components. Portions 12-1 and 12-2 may have a slidable engagement structure. The engagement structure may be formed by overlapping and gripping sidewall structures in portion 12-2, which overlap with the sidewalls of portion 12-1 and hold portions 12-1 and 12-2 together while allowing portions 12-1 and 12-2 to slide relative to each other along the longitudinal axis 56. Portions 12-1 and 12-2 may be electrically connected using flexible circuits, wires, sliding electrical contacts, wireless communications and / or other communication path arrangements that allow the circuits in portions 12-1 and 12-2 to interact while allowing sliding motion between portions 12-1 and 12-2. In some configurations, the circuits in portions 12-1 and 12-2 may operate without communicating with each other.

[0090] Display 14 may have a lower portion such as portion 14B (e.g., a first display portion or a first display) coupled to the front of housing portion 12-1, and may have an upper portion such as portion 14T coupled to the front of housing portion 12-2. Fig.33 In the unfolded state, display portion 14T is visible to the user, and display portion 14B is not visible due to the overlap of portion 14B with portion 14T. Fig.3412-2 has been slid away from portion 12-1 in direction 52), both display portion 14T and display portion 14B of display 14 can be viewed by a user on the front face of device 10. This provides a magnified viewing area to a user of device 10. If desired, the presentation of content on portions 14B and 14T can be coordinated so that display portions 14B and 14T operate as a seamless, integrated display surface. Configurations in which display portions 14B and 14T display separate images that do not fit together along the seam between portions 14B and 14T can also be used.

[0091] As described above, one aspect of the disclosed technology is to collect and use information such as sensor information (e.g., optical sensor information). The disclosure contemplates that, in some instances, these collected data may include personal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used to contact or locate a specific person. Such personal information data may include demographic data, location-based data, phone numbers, email addresses, twitter IDs, home addresses, data or records related to the user's health or fitness level (e.g., vital sign measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, eyeglass prescription, username, password, biometric information, or any other identifying information or personal information.

[0092] The present disclosure recognizes that the use of such personal information in the disclosed technology can be used to benefit the user. For example, the personal information data can be used to deliver targeted content that the user is more interested in. Therefore, the use of such personal information data enables the user to have planned control over the delivered content. In addition, the present disclosure also anticipates other uses of personal information data that benefit the user. For example, health and fitness data can be used to provide insights into the user's overall health status, or can be used as positive feedback to individuals who use technology to pursue health goals.

[0093] This disclosure envisions that entities responsible for collecting, analyzing, disclosing, transmitting, storing or otherwise using such personal information data will comply with established privacy policies and / or privacy practices. Specifically, such entities should implement and adhere to privacy policies and practices that are recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or government requirements for maintaining the privacy and security of personal information data. Such policies should be easily accessible to users and should be updated as the collection and / or use of data changes. Personal information from users should be collected for legitimate and reasonable purposes of the entity and not shared or sold outside of these legitimate uses. In addition, such collection / sharing should be performed after receiving informed consent from the user. In addition, such entities should consider taking any necessary steps to safeguard and protect access to such personal information data and ensure that others who have access to personal information data comply with their privacy policies and processes. In addition, such entities may subject themselves to third-party assessments to demonstrate their compliance with widely accepted privacy policies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should be adjusted to specific types of personal information data collected and / or accessed, and to applicable laws and standards including specific considerations of jurisdiction. For example, in the United States, the collection or access of certain health data may be subject to federal and / or state laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), while health data in other countries may be subject to other regulations and policies and should be handled accordingly. Therefore, different privacy practices should be maintained in each country for different types of personal data.

[0094] Regardless of the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates implementation schemes in which users selectively block the use or access of personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware elements and / or software elements may be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, the present technology may be configured to allow users to choose to "opt in" or "opt out" of participating in the collection of personal information data at any time during or after registration for a service. As another example, a user may choose not to provide a particular type of user data. As another example, a user may choose to limit the length of time that user-specific data is retained. In addition to providing "opt-in" and "opt-out" options, the present disclosure contemplates providing notifications related to access or use of personal information. For example, a user may be notified that their personal information data will be accessed when downloading an application ("app"), and then reminded again just before the personal information data is accessed by the application.

[0095] Furthermore, it is an object of the present disclosure that personal information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Risks can be minimized by limiting data collection and deleting data once it is no longer needed. Additionally, and when applicable, including in certain health-related applications, data de-identification can be used to protect the privacy of users. Where appropriate, de-identification can be facilitated by removing specific identifiers (e.g., date of birth, etc.), controlling the amount or characteristics of stored data (e.g., collecting location data at a city level rather than an address level), controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data across users), and / or other methods.

[0096] Therefore, while the present disclosure broadly covers the use of personal information data to implement one or more of the various disclosed embodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that various embodiments may be implemented without access to such personal information data. That is, various embodiments of the disclosed technology will not fail to function properly due to the lack of all or part of such personal information data.

[0097] According to one embodiment, an electronic device is provided, which has a relative front and back side, and includes: a housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion slidably connected to the first housing portion, wherein sliding movement of the first housing portion and the second housing portion relative to each other enables the housing to move between an unfolded state and an unfolded state; and a flexible display supported by the first housing portion and the second housing portion, wherein the first flexible display is capable of moving between an unfolded visible area configuration when the housing is in the unfolded state and an unfolded visible area configuration when the housing is in the unfolded state, and when the housing is in the unfolded state, a portion of the flexible display is folded in half on itself.

[0098] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes a tensioner, a first housing portion having a first slender member, and a second housing portion having a second slender housing member configured to slidably engage the first slender housing member, the flexible display includes a flexible substrate configured to support a pixel array, the flexible substrate having opposing first and second edges, the second edge connected to the second housing portion, and the tensioner connected between the first edge and the first housing portion.

[0099] According to another embodiment, the tensioner comprises a coil spring.

[0100] According to another embodiment, the flexible display has a first display portion and a second display portion, and when the flexible display is in an unfolded visible area configuration, the first display portion and the second display portion are supported on the outer surface of the housing on the front side, and when the flexible display is in an unfolded visible area configuration, the first display portion is in an inner area of ​​the housing and is bent into a fold on itself.

[0101] According to another embodiment, when the flexible display is in the undeployed viewable area configuration, the second display portion is supported on an outer surface of the housing on the front side.

[0102] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes a tensioner coupled between the first display portion and the first housing portion.

[0103] According to another embodiment, the second housing portion has slender members, the first housing portion is configured to receive these slender members while allowing sliding movement between the first housing portion and the second housing portion, and these slender members are configured to support the second display portion when the flexible display is in an unfolded visible area configuration.

[0104] According to another embodiment, the flexible display has a first display portion and a second display portion, and when the flexible display is in an unfolded visible area configuration, the first display portion and the second display portion are supported on the outer surface of the housing on the front side, and when the flexible display is in an unfolded visible area configuration, the second display portion is on the outer surface of the housing on the back side.

[0105] According to another embodiment, the first housing portion has an edge with a curved cross-sectional profile, and the flexible display wraps around the edge when the flexible display is in the undeployed viewable area configuration.

[0106] According to another embodiment, the second housing portion has slender members, the first housing portion is configured to receive these slender members while allowing sliding movement between the first housing portion and the second housing portion, and these slender members are configured to support the second display portion when the flexible display is in an unfolded visible area configuration.

[0107] According to another embodiment, the first housing portion has a first slender member, the second housing portion has a second slender member that is slidably engaged with the first slender member, and when the flexible display is in an unfolded visible area configuration, the flexible display is supported on outer surfaces of the first slender member and the second slender member.

[0108] According to one embodiment, an electronic device is provided, comprising: a flexible display having a first part and a second part; and a housing having a first housing structure and a second housing structure, the first housing structure having an internal area, and the first housing structure and the second housing structure being configured to slide relative to each other; when the flexible display is in an unfolded configuration, the flexible display bends and folds in on itself, and the first part is in the internal area, while the second part of the flexible display can be viewed in an external area surrounding the housing; and when the flexible display is in an unfolded configuration having a visible area larger than the visible area in the unfolded configuration, the first part of the flexible display and the second part of the flexible display are supported by outer surfaces of the first housing structure and the second housing structure, and can be viewed from an external area surrounding the housing.

[0109] According to another embodiment, the first and second housing structures have intersecting first and second members, respectively, that are configured to slide relative to each other.

[0110] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes an optical component, the first member is separated by a recess that receives the second member, and one of the recesses overlaps the optical component.

[0111] According to another embodiment, the flexible display has a single bend when in the undeployed configuration and folds in upon itself once when in the undeployed configuration.

[0112] According to another embodiment, the flexible display has a pair of bends when in the undeployed configuration and folds upon itself twice when in the undeployed configuration.

[0113] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes a tensioner coupled between the first portion of the flexible display and the first housing structure.

[0114] According to one embodiment, an electronic device is provided, the electronic device having a front side, an opposite back side, and a side wall extending between the front side and the back side, the electronic device including a flexible organic light-emitting diode display and a housing having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion being configured to slide away from each other to an unfolded state, in which a first amount of the flexible organic light-emitting diode display can be viewed on the front side, and the first portion and the second portion being configured to slide toward each other to an un-expanded state, in which a second amount of the flexible organic light-emitting diode display can be viewed on the front side, wherein the second amount is smaller than the first amount.

[0115] According to another embodiment, the first portion and the second portion have interlaced fingers configured to slidably engage one another.

[0116] According to another embodiment, the first portion of the housing has an interior in which a portion of the flexible organic light emitting diode display is stored in an undeployed state, and the electronic device further includes a tensioner coupled to an edge of the flexible organic light emitting diode display.

[0117] The foregoing is exemplary and various modifications may be made to the embodiments described. The foregoing embodiments may be implemented independently or in any combination.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising: a housing configured to move between a deployed state and a non-deployed state; a first series of elongated members coupled to the housing; a second series of elongated members intersecting the first series of elongated members, wherein the second series of elongated members have protrusions that retain the first series of elongated members as the housing moves between the deployed and undeployed conditions; as well as A flexible display is movable between an expanded viewable area configuration when the housing is in the expanded state and a non-expanded viewable area configuration when the housing is in the non-expanded state.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The first end of the housing moves in a first direction toward the second end of the housing when the housing moves from the deployed state to the undeployed state, and wherein the protrusion extends from the second series of elongated members in a second direction different from the first direction.

3. An electronic device, comprising: a flexible display configured to move between a first configuration having an unfolded visible area and a second configuration having an un-expanded visible area; a first housing portion and a second housing portion, the first housing portion and the second housing portion being configured to slide relative to each other when the flexible display moves between the first configuration and the second configuration; a support structure coupled to the first housing portion and overlapped by the flexible display, wherein the support structure includes a first series of elongated members coupled to the housing and a second series of elongated members intersecting the first series of elongated members; a first set of nested components disposed between the first housing portion and the second housing portion; and A second set of nested components is disposed between the first housing portion and the second housing portion, wherein the support structure is disposed between the first set of nested components and the second set of nested components.

4. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein: The nesting member extends along first and second opposing sides of the electronic device.

5. An electronic device, comprising: A flexible display having a first portion and a second portion; a housing having a first set of cross members and a second set of cross members, the first set of cross members and the second set of cross members being configured to move between a deployed configuration and a non-deployed configuration, wherein the first cross member has a protrusion and the second cross member has a recess to receive the protrusion, wherein, in the deployed configuration, the first portion and the second portion face in a first direction, and wherein, in the non-deployed configuration, the first portion faces in the first direction and the second portion faces in a second direction different from the first direction; and A tensioner is coupled to the housing, wherein the tensioner includes a flexible member and a roller.

6. The electronic device according to claim 5, further comprising: A flexible support structure supports the flexible display and moves with the second portion when the housing moves between the deployed configuration and the undeployed configuration.

7. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein: The flexible support structure includes a connecting section.

8. An electronic device, comprising: a housing configured to move between a deployed state and a non-deployed state, wherein a first end of the housing moves in a first direction toward a second end of the housing when the housing moves from the deployed state to the non-deployed state; a first elongated member coupled to the housing; a second elongated member that intersects the first elongated member, wherein the second elongated member includes a protrusion that extends into a recess in the first elongated member, and the protrusion extends from the second elongated member in a second direction different from the first direction; and A flexible display is movable between an expanded viewable area configuration when the housing is in the expanded state and a non-expanded viewable area configuration when the housing is in the non-expanded state.

9. The electronic device according to claim 8, further comprising: A roller in the housing, wherein the flexible display bends about the roller when the display is in the undeployed configuration.

10. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein: The second elongated member includes a segment that wraps around the roller when the flexible display is in the undeployed viewable area configuration.

11. An electronic device, comprising: a flexible display configured to move between an unfolded state and an unfolded state; a first housing portion; as well as A second housing portion is configured to slide relative to the first housing portion when the flexible display moves between the deployed state and the undeployed state, wherein the second housing portion is further configured to flex relative to the first housing portion.

12. The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein: The second housing portion is configured to rotate about a bending axis relative to the first housing portion, and wherein the flexible display is configured to fold inwardly when the second housing portion is rotated toward the first housing portion.

13. An electronic device, comprising: a housing having a cross member and configured to move between a deployed state and a non-deployed state; a flexible display in the housing, wherein the flexible display is supported by the cross member in the undeployed state and the flexible display is configured to wrap around a portion of the housing in the undeployed state; a tensioner coupled to the housing and the flexible display; and A flexible support structure supports the flexible display, wherein the flexible support structure is configured to wrap around a portion of the housing when the flexible display is in the undeployed state.

14. An electronic device, comprising: a housing configured to move between a deployed state and a non-deployed state, wherein the housing includes a support member; a flexible display in the housing, wherein the flexible display is supported by the support member in the deployed state and is configured to wrap around a portion of the housing in the undeployed state; and A flexible support structure supports the flexible display, wherein the flexible support structure is configured to wrap around a portion of the housing when the flexible display is in the undeployed state.

15. The electronic device according to claim 14, wherein: The flexible support structure extends from the support member of the housing.

16. An electronic device, comprising: a housing comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion, wherein the second housing portion is configured to slide relative to the first housing portion between a deployed state and a non-deployed state; a first display in the first housing portion, wherein the first display is visible in the deployed state and the non-deployed state; and A second display in the second housing portion, wherein the second display is visible in the deployed state and is overlapped by the first display in the non-deployed state.

17. The electronic device according to claim 16, wherein: The first display is configured to display first content, the second display is configured to display second content, and the first content and the second content are coordinated when the housing is in the expanded state.

18. The electronic device according to claim 17, wherein: The first display and the second display are configured to form a seamless integrated display surface when the housing is in the undeployed state.

19. The electronic device according to claim 17, wherein: The first content and the second content include different images.

20. An electronic device, comprising: a housing configured to move between a deployed state and a non-deployed state, wherein a first end of the housing moves in a first direction toward a second end of the housing when the housing moves from the deployed state to the non-deployed state, the housing comprising a first elongated member and a second elongated member intersecting the first elongated member; an optical sensor mounted on one of the first elongated members; an additional support member extending between the first end of the housing and the second end of the housing; and A flexible display capable of moving between an expanded visible area configuration when the housing is in the expanded state and a non-expanded visible area configuration when the housing is in the non-expanded state, wherein the optical sensor is configured to measure light that has passed through the flexible display.

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