Flexible Display Size Control via Proximity Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices with flexible displays face issues with size change errors and user inconvenience due to the exposure and hiding of display regions during size adjustments, leading to potential finger entrapment between fixed and moving parts.

Innovation Solution

An electronic apparatus with a flexible display that includes a sensor to detect object approaches, allowing the controller to adjust the display size based on measurement information, ensuring safe and convenient operation by preventing size changes when objects, like fingers, are detected in the path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the display size is increased to provide a larger screen for professional tasks, then the display area is improved, but the portability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidportability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display size is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The display can be extended to a first size for professional tasks requiring large screen area, and folded to a second size for portability. This dynamic transformation allows the same display structure to serve both contradictory requirements at different operational states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the display size is changed to accommodate different usage scenarios, then the adaptability is improved, but the risk of finger entrapment and user inconvenience worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveusage scenario adaptabilityVSAvoidfinger entrapment risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Before the display size change is executed, the system performs preliminary detection to identify whether a finger or object is present in the potential entrapment zone between the display and housing. Based on this preliminary detection result, the display size change is either prevented or adjusted, thereby avoiding finger entrapment before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the space between the display and housing using a sensor during the display size change process. When the sensor detects a finger or object in this space, it provides feedback to the controller, which then adjusts or prevents the display size change to avoid entrapment. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures user safety during dynamic display adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

The solution effectively prevents size change errors and user inconvenience by dynamically adjusting the display size based on object proximity, ensuring safe operation and preventing finger entrapment between moving parts.

Implementation Method 1

a first sensor disposed at at least a portion of a first region of the body frame and configured to sense an approach of an object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectProximity sensing: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP3876073B1Electronic apparatus for controlling size of display, and method for controlling the same
Publication Date: 2024.04.10 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3876073B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3876073B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP3876073B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

Provided is an electronic apparatus including a flexible display comprising at least a portion disposed at a first surface, a body frame disposed at a second surface opposed to the first surface, a display frame moving to decrease a distance to a first region of the body frame in response to a reduction in size of the flexible display exposed on the first surface, a first sensor disposed at at least a portion of the first region of the body frame and configured to sense an approach of an object, and a controller configured to control the size of the flexible display exposed on the first surface based on measurement information of the first sensor. The first region includes a surface corresponding to a position of the display frame among at least one surface of the body frame.