Flexible Display Case with Accidental Contact Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile electronic devices with larger displays are rendered inflexible by the rigid nature of their components, making them uncomfortable to carry and transport, and there is a need for increased flexibility and protection against accidental unauthorized access.

Innovation Solution

The development of mobile electronic devices with flexible displays and housings that can bend in multiple dimensions, combined with a sensor system that detects accidental contact and automatically locks the device to prevent unauthorized access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the display size is increased, then the display area is improved, but the device flexibility deteriorates due to rigid cover glass and display layers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay areaVSAvoiddevice flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the protective cover into multiple layers: a rigid outer cover glass for protection and a flexible intermediate layer that allows bending. This segmentation enables the display to maintain both rigidity for protection and flexibility for adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material structure combining rigid cover glass with flexible materials in between, creating a hybrid construction that provides both structural integrity and bending capability, resolving the contradiction between protection and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Volume of moving object

If the housing size is reduced to increase portability, then the device compactness is improved, but the display area deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehousing volumeVSAvoiddisplay area

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses flexible display technology that allows the display to bend and conform to smaller housing dimensions, enabling large display areas to be achieved within compact form factors by utilizing the flexibility of the display assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If a sensor system is added to detect accidental contact and lock the device, then the security against unauthorized access is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity against unauthorized accessVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system automatically detects accidental contact patterns and triggers device locking without requiring user intervention or complex processing, allowing the system to self-monitor and self-protect, thereby improving security while minimizing added complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11356548B2Mobile device and accessory case with display locking feature

Publication Date: 2022.06.07 HILLERY THOMAS H

AI summary

Systems and methods for use with a mobile electronic device comprising a sensor operatively associated with the mobile electronic device for detecting contact with the display and a feature that helps prevent unauthorized access to the mobile electronic device responsive to the determination that the detected contact is accidental, and in some embodiments, the systems and methods of the invention include a case for mating with the body, a sensor mounted to the case, and a software application stored in the memory of the mobile electronic device, the application being in communication with the sensor for detecting contact with the cover to receive data relating to the contact and determine whether the contact is accidental contact, wherein the mobile electronic device is made inaccessible responsive to the determination that the detected contact is accidental.