Dual-Display UI Continuity Across Folding Device Configurations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices face challenges in maintaining application continuity when the device configuration changes, such as folding or sliding, resulting in reduced display area availability for users.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with multiple displays and a processor that dynamically adjusts the user interface by activating a secondary display based on user input, identifying and generating a corresponding user interface (UI) to maintain application functionality across different display configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the device configuration is changed (folding or sliding), then the device provides differentiated functionalities and adapts to user needs, but the display area available to the user becomes smaller
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the display system into multiple independent display regions (first display region and second display region) that can be independently activated. When the device is in a first configuration state, both display regions are activated to provide a larger total display area. When the device transitions to a second configuration state, the system can selectively activate only the necessary display region, thereby adapting to the changed form factor while maintaining adequate display area for the current use case.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic display region activation based on the device's configuration state. The system automatically determines which display regions to activate based on real-time detection of the device's physical state (folded, unfolded, slid, etc.). This dynamic adaptation allows the display area to be optimized for each configuration state, providing maximum display real estate when the device is in an expanded state while maintaining functional display capability when compacted.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the display configuration changes resulting in smaller display area, then the device becomes more portable or compact, but application continuity is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-establishes multiple display region configurations and their corresponding application interfaces. Before the device configuration changes, the system prepares the appropriate display region and application interface for the target state. When configuration change is detected, the system can immediately switch to the pre-prepared display region and continue the application without interruption, as the necessary interface elements and layout configurations are already in place.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous application functionality across configuration changes by maintaining active application states and seamlessly transitioning between display regions. The system preserves the application's execution context and continuously provides access to the application's functions regardless of which display region is active. This is achieved through persistent application state management and automatic interface adaptation that maintains the user's workflow without requiring application relaunch or data loss.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple display regions are activated, then the total display area increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal display control architecture that manages multiple display regions through a single integrated control system. The same processor and control logic handle both the first and second display regions, allowing the system to activate only the necessary display region based on the current configuration state. This multi-functional approach enables the display system to provide different total display areas (one or two regions activated) without requiring separate control systems for each configuration, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining flexibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to an embodiment, an electronic device may comprise at least one housing, at least one sensor, a memory, a first display visually exposed through a first portion of the at least one housing, a second display visually exposed through a second portion of the housing opposite to the first portion of the at least one housing, and at least one processor operatively connected to the at least one sensor, the memory, the first display and the second display. The at least one processor may, based on activation of the second display within a preset time after receiving a user input through a first user interface (UI) capable of executing at least one function of an application, displayed on the first display, identify whether a second UI capable of executing at least one function of the application is disposed on the second display, based on the second UI being disposed, display the second UI on the second display, and based on the second UI being not disposed, generate the second UI corresponding to the first UI based on a size of the second display and display the second UI on the second display.