Bent Display Input Unit Exposure for Intuitive Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices with bent displays face challenges in user interface due to the exclusion of side key buttons, which are not intuitively replaced by non-protruding touch buttons, affecting user experience and handling.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a bent display that exposes a portion of the input unit through the display, allowing for a unique user experience, improved aesthetics, and enhanced grip capabilities by integrating a flexible display panel and a pressure-sensitive touch panel, enabling intuitive data input/output across both flat and bent portions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a bent display is used to enlarge the display region, then the display area is increased, but the side key button is excluded from the side face

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidside key button accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display is bent to extend from the front face to the side face of the device, utilizing three-dimensional space to enlarge the display area while maintaining access to control functions through the exposed input unit on the side face

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The input unit is partially exposed through the bent display structure, allowing it to protrude from the side face while being integrated within the display assembly, enabling both enlarged display and accessible controls

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Shape

If a non-protruding touch button is used to replace the side key button, then the device appearance is improved, but the user interface is not intuitive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice appearanceVSAvoiduser interface intuitiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The input unit is selectively exposed at a specific location on the bent display's side face, creating a localized protruding control area that provides intuitive tactile feedback while maintaining the overall sleek appearance of the device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the input unit is exposed through the bent display, then user experience and aesthetics are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser experienceVSAvoiddisplay structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The input unit is integrated within the bent display structure rather than being a separate component, merging the display and control functions into a unified assembly that reduces overall device complexity while maintaining enhanced user experience

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3367644B1Electronic device including bent display and method of displaying image on bent display

Publication Date: 2023.12.13 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

Disclosed is an electronic device including a display for data input/output, a bent display having a bent face formed by bending at least portion of a flat-type display and on which a mounted component is exposed, to provide a unique user experience, pleasing aesthetics, increased user function and improved grip capabilities.