Bendable User Terminal Device with Bending State Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing user terminal devices with flexible displays face inefficiencies in displaying information based on usage duration and type, leading to unnecessary battery consumption and inconvenience in accessing brief information without manual input.

Innovation Solution

A user terminal device with a bending part and sensor to detect bending states, allowing automatic activation and deactivation of display areas based on bending, enabling quick viewing of information through simple manipulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the display remains active to show brief information continuously, then the user can quickly access information, but the battery is consumed unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequick access to informationVSAvoidbattery consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The display dynamically changes its state based on user interaction. When the device is bent, the display activates to show information; when unbent, it deactivates to save battery. This dynamic state transition resolves the contradiction between quick information access and energy conservation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the bending sensor to automatically detect user intent and activate the display without requiring manual input. The display serves itself by responding to the physical state of the device, eliminating the need for users to press buttons or swipe to wake the screen.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the display activates automatically to show information, then user convenience is improved, but manual input operations become unnecessary

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidbending sensor and control mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bending mechanism serves multiple functions: it acts as both a structural element for device flexibility and a sensing mechanism for user intent detection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate sensors and controls, minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The bending sensor acts as an intermediary between the user's physical action (bending the device) and the display activation. Instead of requiring direct manual input like button presses, the sensor translates the bending motion into a control signal, simplifying the user interface while adding minimal complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible display uses plastic substrate instead of glass, then flexibility and impact resistance are improved, but manufacturing precision is reduced due to low-temperature process requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility and impact resistanceVSAvoidsubstrate manufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The manufacturing process parameters are changed from high-temperature (glass substrate) to low-temperature (plastic substrate) processing. This parameter change enables the use of flexible plastic materials while requiring adjusted manufacturing conditions to maintain precision within the new temperature regime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible display uses composite material structures with plastic substrates and specialized layers designed to work together at low temperatures. These composite materials provide both the desired flexibility and the manufacturing precision needed for functional performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3243125B1Bendable user terminal device and method for displaying thereof
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3243125B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(c)
  • EP3243125B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3243125B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A bendable user terminal device provided with a flexible display controls the flexible display to display information on a first area while the user terminal device is maintained in a bent state based on a detected bending state of the user terminal device, and, in response to the user terminal device changing from the bent state to an unbent state, controls the flexible display not to display the information on the first area.