Flexible Display Touch Mode Switching in Folded Sliding States
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible displays in foldable electronic devices face challenges in providing an exposed display area during folding states, limiting user interaction and convenience.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device includes a flexible display supported by a hinge device, with a touch sensor that switches modes based on a sliding operation, allowing a partial region of the display to be exposed and utilized as a display area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the flexible display is in-folded in the folding state, then the device structure is compact and portable, but the main display area is not exposed and difficult to utilize
Solution Approach 1:
The display system is segmented into main display and sub display regions. The main display is divided into exposed and non-exposed portions, with the exposed portion being utilized for specific functions while the device is folded, and the full main display being activated when the device is unfolded.
Solution Approach 2:
The display configuration dynamically changes based on the folding state. When folded, the system switches to a mode where only the exposed portion of the main display and the sub display are active. When unfolded, the system transitions to activate the entire main display area, optimizing usability for each state.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the touch sensor operates in the first mode during folded state, then power consumption is reduced, but user interaction capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of activating the entire touch sensor system, only the portion corresponding to the exposed main display area and the sub display area is activated in the first mode. This partial activation reduces power consumption while maintaining essential interaction capabilities for the visible areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch sensor operates in multiple modes (first mode and second mode) depending on the display state. The first mode handles folded state interactions with reduced power consumption, while the second mode handles unfolded state interactions with full functionality, making the system adaptable to different usage scenarios.
3Shape
If the main display is completely in-folded, then the device maintains a compact form factor, but the exposed display area for user interaction is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The display system provides different display qualities and areas in different locations and states. When folded, the exposed portion of the main display and the sub display provide sufficient interaction area for common tasks. When unfolded, the full main display area becomes available for more demanding applications, optimizing the form factor while maintaining adequate display area.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a first housing, a second housing foldably connected to the first housing through a hinge device, a flexible display arranged to be supported by the second housing from the first housing through the hinge device, a touch sensor, a memory, and a processor. The processor is configured to operate a partial region of the touch sensor in a first mode in a folded state in which the first housing is folded with respect to the second housing, detect sliding motion in the folded state on the basis of the flexible display, confirm, in response to the sliding motion, a first display area in which the flexible display is exposed to the outside, and switch the touch sensor corresponding to the confirmed first display area from the first mode to a second mode.