Flexible Display Sliding Control for One-Handed Screen Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electronic devices with flexible displays, expanding the visible area using physical keys can be inconvenient for users, limiting design and requiring two-handed operation.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a flexible display that distinguishes between touches for area expansion and application execution, allowing one-handed operation through touch-based expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a physical key is used to expand the flexible display area, then the display area can be expanded, but the device becomes difficult to grip and requires two-handed operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the physical key from the device structure and replaces it with a touch-based soft key implemented on the display itself. This extraction of the mechanical component eliminates the space it occupied and the grip interference it caused, while maintaining the display expansion function through software-based touch input detection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical physical key system with an electronic touch input system. The touch screen detects touch events and distinguishes between expansion gestures and application interactions, replacing mechanical actuation with electronic sensing to achieve the same functional outcome without mechanical constraints
2Area of moving object
If a physical key is mounted to expand the flexible display area, then the expansion function is achieved, but the mounting space limits design flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The physical key is completely removed from the device architecture, eliminating the need for dedicated mounting spaces, mechanical linkages, and structural modifications. This frees up design space and allows more flexible arrangement of other components while maintaining the display expansion capability through software
Solution Approach 2:
The touch screen serves multiple functions: it acts as both the display interface and the input mechanism for expanding the flexible display area. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate physical keys and allows the same surface to serve dual purposes, enhancing design flexibility
3Ease of operation
If touch-based expansion is implemented, then one-handed operation is enabled, but it becomes difficult to distinguish between expansion touches and application function touches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different operational characteristics to different regions or contexts of the touch interface. By analyzing the specific location, duration, and pattern of the touch event, the system determines whether the user intends to expand the display or interact with the application, creating localized detection rules for different functional zones
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback through visual indicators or haptic responses that help users understand what action will result from their touch. This feedback mechanism allows users to adjust their touch input to achieve the desired function, while the system simultaneously monitors touch characteristics to distinguish between expansion gestures and application interactions
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic device according to various embodiments may include: a first structure comprising a reciprocating housing; a second structure including a guide configured to guide sliding movement of the first structure; a flexible display configured to be at least partially inserted inside the second structure or visible to an outside of the second structure by the sliding movement of the first structure; at least one sensor; and at least one processor operatively connected to the flexible display and the at least one sensor, wherein the at least one processor may be configured to: detect a touch on the flexible display through the at least one sensor, detect pressure of the touch through the at least one sensor, determine whether a direction in which the touch moves corresponds to a direction in which the first structure is capable of sliding, based on determining that the direction in which the touch moves corresponds to the direction in which the first structure is capable of sliding, determine whether a change in the detected pressure satisfies a specified condition, based on determining that the change in the detected pressure satisfies the specified condition, control an operation for the sliding movement of the first structure based on a change in the detected pressure, and based on determining that the change in the detected pressure does not satisfy the specified condition, execute a function of an application corresponding to the touch.