Flexible Display Image Correction via Bend Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display technologies lack the ability to effectively manage and optimize image display on flexible, bendable screens, which change form like a sheet of paper, leading to challenges in maintaining image quality and user interface functionality.

Innovation Solution

A flexible display apparatus comprising a substrate, driver, and controller that includes bend sensors to detect bending, allowing for real-time adjustment of image display to maintain a planar appearance, even when bent or folded, using a combination of optical fiber, pressure, and strain gauge sensors to sense bending and a controller to adjust the display accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the display is made flexible and bendable to change form like a sheet of paper, then the versatility and adaptability of the display apparatus is improved, but the image quality and display uniformity deteriorate due to bending-induced distortion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveform changeabilityVSAvoidimage display quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a bending measurement unit that dynamically measures the bending state of the flexible display in real-time, and a display control unit that dynamically adjusts image correction based on the measured bending values. This dynamic adaptation allows the display to maintain image quality regardless of its bending state, resolving the contradiction between form flexibility and display precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the bending measurement unit continuously monitors the display's bending state and provides this information to the display control unit, which then applies appropriate image correction. This closed-loop feedback system ensures that image quality is maintained despite changes in display form, addressing the contradiction between versatility and precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional display correction methods are used on flexible displays, then some image distortion can be corrected, but the correction is insufficient when the display is significantly bent or folded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage correction capabilityVSAvoidbending state coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional image correction to three-dimensional correction by measuring bending in multiple directions (horizontal and vertical axes) and applying comprehensive correction that accounts for complex folding states. This multi-dimensional approach enables effective correction even when the display is significantly bent or folded, resolving the contradiction between correction capability and bending state coverage

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

3Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are used to accurately measure bending state, then the precision of bending detection is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebending detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the bending measurement function into multiple independent sensing elements arranged in matrix patterns across the flexible display. Each sensor measures local bending characteristics, and the control unit integrates these segmented measurements to determine the overall bending state. This segmentation approach achieves high measurement precision while keeping individual sensor elements simple and manageable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables seamless image display and user interface functionality on flexible screens, ensuring that images appear planar and undistorted even when the screen is bent or folded, enhancing user experience and versatility.

Implementation Method 1

a combination of optical fiber, pressure, and strain gauge sensors to sense bending

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical fiber sensing: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 2

a combination of optical fiber, pressure, and strain gauge sensors to sense bending

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure sensing: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

a combination of optical fiber, pressure, and strain gauge sensors to sense bending

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStrain gauge effect: Piezoresistive Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2717119B1Flexible display apparatus and flexible display apparatus controlling method
Publication Date: 2023.04.05 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2717119B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2717119B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2717119B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

A flexible display apparatus and a method configured to display three-dimensional (3D) space is disclosed. The flexible display apparatus includes a display that is deformable and is configured to display three-dimensional (3D) image data, a sensor configured to sense deformation of the display, and a controller configured to display some of the 3D image data corresponding to the sensed deformation of the display. The method for controlling a flexible display apparatus with a display includes sensing deformation of a display, and displaying some three-dimensional (3D) image data corresponding to the deformation when the deformation is bending of the display.