Curved Display Touch Control for Gripping State

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices with bent displays are prone to malfunctions and unwanted inputs when gripped by users, making it difficult to control them effectively.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device adjusts the location of UI elements based on the user's gripping state, detected by sensors, to minimize unintended inputs and enhance user convenience by limiting touch input recognition to specific areas when gripped.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the display is made bent/curved to improve exterior design and flexibility, then the device achieves unique aesthetic appeal and form factor, but the device becomes prone to malfunctions and unwanted inputs when gripped by users

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurved displayVSAvoidinput accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The display surface is segmented into multiple touch-sensitive zones with different functional characteristics. The curved display is divided into a first surface (front) and second surface (back), with each surface having distinct touch sensitivity characteristics. This segmentation allows the system to differentiate between intentional touches on the front display and accidental touches on the curved back surface during gripping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the display have different touch sensitivity properties. The first surface (front display area) has high touch sensitivity for accurate input recognition, while the second surface (curved back area) has reduced or modified touch sensitivity to prevent unwanted inputs during gripping. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing the curved shape to be maintained while preventing misinterpretation of grip forces as input signals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the entire display surface is made touch-sensitive to maximize interactivity, then the device offers comprehensive control options, but the device becomes more susceptible to unwanted inputs during gripping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch control coverageVSAvoidunwanted inputs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The display surface is differentiated into regions with different touch sensitivity characteristics. The first surface (front) maintains full touch sensitivity for user interaction, while the second surface (curved back) has reduced or selective touch sensitivity. This allows the device to maintain comprehensive interactivity on the front display while preventing unwanted inputs on the curved back surface during gripping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The touch-sensitive display is segmented into functionally distinct zones. The system identifies and separates the first surface (front display area) from the second surface (curved back area), applying different touch processing rules to each. This segmentation enables the device to accept touches on the front surface while ignoring or filtering touches on the curved back surface during gripping operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If the UI elements are displayed in fixed locations to simplify display control, then the system is easier to manage, but the user convenience is reduced when the device is gripped in different orientations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay controlVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The UI element display locations are made dynamic rather than fixed. The system automatically detects the device's spatial orientation and gripping state, then dynamically adjusts the positions of UI elements on the display accordingly. This dynamic adaptation ensures that UI elements remain accessible and visible to the user regardless of how the device is held or oriented, significantly improving user convenience without requiring complex manual reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback loops that continuously monitor the device's orientation and gripping state, then use this information to automatically adjust UI element positions. The sensor system provides real-time feedback about the device's spatial configuration, and the display controller uses this feedback to dynamically reposition UI elements, creating an adaptive user interface that responds to the user's interaction context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3736681B1Electronic device with curved display and method for controlling thereof
Publication Date: 2024.08.21 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3736681B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3736681B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3736681B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A electronic device and a display method thereof are provided. A control method of the electronic device includes: detecting a touch input on an auxiliary display area; in response to a touch input being detected on a first area of the auxiliary display area in a and the electronic being in a state in which the electronic is gripped by a user, processing the touch input as a user input; and, in response to the touch input being detected on a second area of the auxiliary display area different from the first area and the electronic being in the state in which the electronic is gripped by the user, disregarding the touch input.