Extendable Display Movement Sensing for Accurate Distance Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices with extendable displays struggle to accurately measure the movement distance of the display area, leading to potential content cutoffs or black screens when the display is extended.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device incorporates a sensing unit on a PCB to detect sensing targets within a specified distance, allowing the processor to calculate movement start, end, and distance of the display, ensuring accurate measurement of the extended display area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If the display is extended to show additional display area, then the display area is increased, but the movement distance measurement becomes inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidmovement distance measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The display is divided into a first display area (initially visible) and a second display area (extendable portion). The sensing unit is segmented into multiple sensing targets arranged along the movement direction, allowing independent detection at different positions. This segmentation enables accurate measurement of movement distance while the display area is extended.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A sensing unit with multiple sensing targets is introduced as an intermediary between the display and the processor. The sensing targets are disposed at different positions along the movement direction, and the processor determines movement distance by detecting which sensing target is closest to the sensing unit, providing accurate measurement during display extension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the processor only determines whether the display is turned on or off, then the system complexity is reduced, but the movement distance measurement capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessor functionVSAvoidmovement distance measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing unit with multiple sensing targets serves multiple functions: it detects the position of the display, measures movement distance, and provides information for content rendering adjustments. This multi-functionality allows the processor to maintain relatively simple logic while achieving accurate movement measurement.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The sensing unit automatically detects the display position and movement distance without requiring complex processor intervention. The processor only needs to determine which sensing target is closest to the sensing unit, and the movement distance is calculated based on the positions of the sensing targets, making the system self-measuring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If multiple sensing targets are disposed at different positions, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement distance measurementVSAvoidsensing unit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The multiple sensing targets are arranged along the movement direction (one dimension), creating a linear array that simplifies the overall structure. The processor determines position by identifying which sensing target is closest, converting a potentially complex spatial measurement problem into a simple one-dimensional comparison.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Accurate measurement of the display's movement distance enables seamless content transition and display expansion, preventing content cutoffs and black screens.

Implementation Method 1

A sensing unit senses whether at least one among a plurality of sensing targets is disposed within a specified distance in the second direction of the display

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectProximity sensing:

Data Source

PatentEP4080323B1Electronic device including display and method for measuring movement distance of display
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4080323B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4080323B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4080323B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Disclosed is an electronic device comprising: a housing formed to surround a first surface facing a first direction, a second surface facing a second direction that is the opposite direction of the first direction, and at least part of the space between the first surface and the second surface; a PCB disposed in the space of the housing; a display extending in a third direction, which is different from the first direction and the second direction, and displaying a screen; and at least one processor, wherein the PCB includes a plurality of detection units, a detection target detected by least one of the plurality of detection units is disposed within a specific distance in the second direction of the display, and the processor is set to calculate movement information including at least one among the movement start position of the display, the movement end position of the display, and the movement distance of the display on the basis of sensing data received from the plurality of detection units. Various other embodiments identified through the specification are also possible.