Flexible Displays With Planar Interfaces for Phone-to-Tablet Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld computing devices face challenges with limited display size and portability due to their rigid nature, which can make interaction cumbersome and reduce viewing capacity, especially when transitioning between phone and tablet form factors.
Innovation Solution
A foldable touch screen device with a flexible display unit and modular rigid display that can be reconfigured from a compact to an expanded state, allowing both displays to be used simultaneously, with integrated sensors and mechanisms for alignment and structural support, and optionally including all processing and memory in a detachable module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid display is used to provide a stable viewing area, then the display stability is improved, but the device portability and flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The display system is divided into separate rigid and flexible display modules that can be independently configured. The rigid display provides stable viewing area when needed, while the flexible display enables portability and form factor transformation. These segmented modules communicate through a planar connection interface, allowing the system to achieve both stability and flexibility simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The display configuration is made dynamic through the planar connection interface that allows the rigid display module to be repositioned between different states (attached to flexible display, detached, or positioned at various angles). This dynamic reconfigurability enables the device to adapt between phone and tablet form factors while maintaining display stability when the rigid module is engaged.
2Area of stationary object
If the display size is increased to improve viewing capacity, then the viewing area is improved, but the device portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The total display area is segmented into rigid and flexible portions that can be independently sized and configured. The flexible display provides the base viewing area in compact form, while the optional rigid display module can be attached to expand the total display area when portability is less critical, thus resolving the contradiction between display size and portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid display module can be nested within or attached to the flexible display structure, allowing the smaller flexible display to serve as the primary display in portable mode, while the larger rigid display can be integrated to expand the viewing area when needed, creating a nested configuration that adapts to different usage scenarios.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a modular connection interface is implemented to enable reconfiguration, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A planar connection interface acts as an intermediary between the rigid and flexible display modules, providing standardized mechanical and electrical connection points. This intermediary interface simplifies the reconfiguration process by offering predefined attachment mechanisms rather than requiring complex custom integration, thus improving adaptability while managing complexity through standardization.
Data Source
AI summary
Foldable touch screen display devices with a flexible display unit made up of segments that can be reconfigured from a compact state to an expanded state which includes a modular rigid display that may be attached to the flexible display unit. The form factor of the compact state is roughly the size of a typical handheld phone or smaller. The form factor of the expanded state is roughly the size of a larger phone or tablet computer. A third state whereby the attached rigid display is folded out such that its top surface is aligned with the top surface of the unfolded flexible display, may provide the use of both displays simultaneously. All folded states may include an integrated speaker and microphone. In one embodiment, a module attached to, situated within, or otherwise associated with at least one segment of the flexible display or rigid display may contain all or substantially all processing and memory, along with a communications system, which may be used in any state.