Flexible Display Expansion for Camera Image Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices with flexible displays face challenges in stabilizing images during photography, particularly when the device is moved by the user, as conventional digital and optical image stabilization methods may not adequately correct certain types of motion.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device employs a flexible display that expands or retracts based on detected movement to perform image stabilization, using a motor and motor driver circuit controlled by a processor to adjust the display's viewable area accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If digital image stabilization (DIS) and optical image stabilization (OIS) are used during photographing, then image stability is improved, but certain types of motion caused by user movement cannot be adequately corrected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage stabilityVSAvoidcorrection capability for user motion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible display is designed to dynamically expand or retract in response to detected user motion, transforming from a static display into an active stabilization component. The display's viewable area changes adaptively based on motion detection signals, allowing the system to respond to various types of user movement beyond what fixed OIS mechanisms can handle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the physical parameter of the display (viewable area size) to achieve image stabilization. By expanding or retracting the flexible display based on detected motion parameters, the system creates a new degree of freedom for stabilization that complements traditional DIS and OIS methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the flexible display expands or retracts to perform image stabilization, then image quality is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional motor and control components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible display serves multiple functions: it acts as both the display interface and an active image stabilization component. By integrating the stabilization function into the display itself rather than adding separate stabilization hardware, the system achieves enhanced image quality without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the display function with the image stabilization function into a single integrated system. The flexible display and motor work together as a unified mechanism, where the display's physical transformation directly contributes to stabilization, reducing the need for separate stabilization components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the flexible display is used for both display and image stabilization, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interface simplicityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible display is designed to perform multiple functions (display and stabilization control) through a single interface. Users interact with the same display screen for both viewing content and controlling stabilization, eliminating the need for separate controls and simplifying the user experience while integrating manufacturing challenges into a unified component design.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4290877B1Electronic device comprising flexible display and operating method thereof
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4290877B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4290877B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4290877B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a camera configured to perform photographing, a flexible display, a motor configured to expand or retract the flexible display through a rotation, a motor driver circuit configured to control the motor for the rotation of the motor, and a processor electrically connected with the camera, the flexible display; and the motor driver circuit. The processor configured to determine a direction and a movement value in which the electronic device moves when there is a shake of the electronic device, determine whether the determined movement value is within a predetermined range, determine control information for controlling the motor driver circuit based on the determined movement value and the determined direction when the determined movement value is within the predetermined range, and control the motor driver circuit based on the determined control information so that an image stabilization (IS) is performed based on an expansion or retraction of the flexible display.