Expandable Mobile Terminal with Optical Tracking Display Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible displays in mobile terminals face issues with distortion and require accurate adjustment of image size and orientation due to structural changes, especially when twisted or deformed.

Innovation Solution

A mobile terminal equipped with an optical tracking sensor (OTS) that senses the degrees of extension and contraction of a flexible display, allowing for precise control of the flexible display's movement and image adjustment using a driver and controller to maintain stability and prevent distortion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible display is deformed to change the size of the mobile terminal, then the size variability is improved, but the frame distortion occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesize variabilityVSAvoidframe distortion
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by using the optical tracking sensor to detect the deformation state of the flexible display and providing real-time information to the controller. The controller then adjusts the driver output based on this feedback to compensate for frame distortion, ensuring accurate image display while maintaining size variability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the control parameter by adjusting the driver's output signal based on the optical tracking sensor's detection results. The controller modifies the driving parameters dynamically according to the display's deformation state, enabling precise control of the flexible display's movement and maintaining frame stability during size changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible display is deformed to change the size of the mobile terminal, then the size variability is improved, but the image size adjustment accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesize variabilityVSAvoidimage size adjustment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The optical tracking sensor provides feedback on the flexible display's deformation state to the controller, enabling accurate calculation of the display's current dimensions. This feedback loop allows the controller to precisely adjust the image size to match the actual display area, maintaining measurement precision despite size variability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical measurement methods with an optical tracking system. Instead of using physical sensors or mechanical linkages to measure display deformation, the system uses optical patterns and image processing to detect and calculate the display's shape and size, improving measurement precision and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If the optical tracking sensor is added to sense the flexible display's movement, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor and control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical tracking sensor serves multiple functions: it detects the flexible display's deformation state, measures movement distance, and provides data for image size adjustment. By making this single sensor multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for additional separate sensors and systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an optical copy or image of the display's surface patterns to infer its physical state. Instead of directly measuring the display's deformation with complex mechanical sensors, the system creates an optical representation and analyzes changes in this copy to determine movement and shape, simplifying the measurement system while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system ensures stable frame movement without distortion and accurately adjusts the image size on the display, enhancing usability and stability.

Implementation Method 1

an optical tracking sensor (OTS) mounted to the first frame so as to face a first surface of the second frame and configured to acquire optical pattern information on an opposing surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical tracking:

Data Source

PatentEP4047913B1Mobile terminal
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4047913B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4047913B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4047913B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

Provided is an expandable mobile terminal having improved usability through a sensing unit for sensing the relative position of a second frame to a first frame by using an optical tracking sensor (OTS).