Flexible Display Bending Sensor Control for Operation Convenience

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible display apparatuses face challenges in executing convenient and easy operations due to limitations in swiping or clicking, and fixed button operations, which are not user-friendly.

Innovation Solution

A flexible display apparatus equipped with a bending inductor that senses bending information, including degree and direction, and a processor that controls running applications to perform corresponding operations based on valid bending inputs, utilizing strain gauges and resistance structures to detect and interpret bending data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional swiping or clicking operations are used in flexible display apparatus, then the device can perform basic interactions, but the operations are not convenient or easy to execute

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation convenienceVSAvoidoperation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical interaction methods (swiping, clicking, button pressing) with a bending-based interaction system. The flexible display panel itself becomes the input device through bending sensors that detect bending degree and direction, substituting complex manual operations with simple bending gestures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes changes in physical parameters (bending degree, bending direction) of the flexible display panel to trigger different operations. By monitoring these parameter changes through bending sensors, the system translates physical deformation into control signals for various applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If fixed button operations are used, then the device structure can be simple, but the operations are not user-friendly and lack adaptability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation adaptabilityVSAvoidoperation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static interaction model (fixed buttons) into a dynamic one where the flexible display panel can be bent in various directions and degrees to trigger different operations. This dynamic interaction adapts to different user needs and contexts without requiring physical button reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bending sensor system serves multiple functions: detecting bending degree, determining bending direction, and triggering various operations across different applications. A single bending input mechanism provides universal control for messaging, calls, music playback, and other functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 convenient, accurate, and effective operations by allowing applications to respond to bending inputs, enhancing user experience and improving usability of flexible display devices.

Implementation Method 1

at least one strain gauge in a bending induction region of the flexible display panel, and a bending sensor coupled with the strain gauge... the bending sensor is configured to detect current signals of the strain gauge, determine the degree of bending according to the current signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStrain gauge resistance change: Piezoresistive Effect

Implementation Method 2

When the flexible display panel is in a bent state, there are adjacent first resistance structures being in direct contact and are coupled; or, there are adjacent second resistance structures being in direct contact and are coupled

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical contact through deformation: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS11803254B2Flexible display apparatus and control method therefor

Publication Date: 2023.10.31 CHENGDU BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A flexible display apparatus and a control method therefor. The flexible display apparatus comprises: a flexible display panel (10); a bending sensor (11), that is configured to sense bending information of the flexible display panel (10); and a processor, that is coupled to the bending sensor (11), configured to receive the bending information of the bending sensor (11), and determines whether the bending information is valid bending information, and if so, then a currently running application program is controlled according to the valid bending information to perform a corresponding operation. By bending the flexible display panel (10), an application program is controlled to perform a corresponding operation, achieving a convenient, accurate, and effective operation, and improving user experience.