Flexible Display Exposed-Area Adjustment With UI Affordances

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flexible displays lack efficient mechanisms for users to quickly adjust the size of the exposed area based on the device's purpose of use.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a flexible display includes a driving module, memory, and processor to control the size of the exposed area, using affordances such as UI elements and haptic feedback to facilitate user interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible display exposed area is made adjustable to adapt to different usage scenarios, then the adaptability and user convenience are improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional driving modules and control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different usage scenariosVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible display transitions from a static fixed-size configuration to a dynamic adjustable-size configuration. The display area can be expanded or contracted along the first direction based on user needs and usage scenarios, allowing the same physical device to adapt to different functional requirements (e.g., viewing mode vs. reading mode) without requiring multiple devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible display is divided into an exposed area (visible and usable) and a non-exposed area (stored or hidden). By controlling the driving module, the display can segment its functional area dynamically, exposing only the necessary portion for current usage while keeping the rest hidden, thus adapting to different scenarios without always requiring full expansion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the flexible display size adjustment mechanism is simplified for quick operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the precision of size control may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidprecision of size control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-defines multiple discrete size stages for the flexible display (first size, second size, third size, etc.). These stages are prepared in advance and correspond to specific UI layouts and affordance configurations. When the user selects a size option, the display jumps directly to the pre-configured stage, eliminating the need for continuous adjustment while maintaining precise control at each predefined level

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides visual feedback through UI elements and affordances that indicate the current display size and available size options. When the flexible display size changes, the UI layout, resolution, and displayed content automatically adjust to match the new size, providing immediate feedback to the user that the size change has been precisely executed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12481325B2Method of adjusting size of exposed area of flexible display and electronic device performing the method

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic device may output, on at least a portion of a flexible display, an affordance for adjusting a size of an exposed area of a flexible display, receive information about a target size based on the affordance, and control the flexible display to have the size of the exposed size correspond to the target size.