Flexible Display UI Switching for Fold-State Screen Changes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices with flexible displays lack efficient methods to dynamically change user interface screens based on the device's shape changes, such as folding or unfolding, limiting user interaction and functionality.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a flexible display that includes a processor, memory, and sensors to identify user inputs and device states, allowing it to dynamically change user interface screens in response to shape changes, enabling seamless transitions between wallpaper and widget screens.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the electronic device uses a flexible display with deformable shape, then the device can provide shape-based user experience and adapt to different form factors, but the device lacks efficient methods to dynamically change user interface screens based on shape changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshape adaptabilityVSAvoiduser interface interaction
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic user interface screens that automatically adapt to the flexible display's shape changes. The processor detects the current shape state (folded, unfolded, partial fold) and dynamically switches between different UI configurations, ensuring the interface remains intuitive and functional regardless of the display's physical state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes UI parameters (layout, content arrangement, widget positions) based on the detected shape parameters. When the flexible display transitions between different shapes, the processor modifies the UI screen parameters to optimize user interaction for each specific shape configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the electronic device displays multiple wallpaper screens and widgets, then the device provides丰富的 content and functionality, but the device lacks efficient methods to transition between different screen states

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen content varietyVSAvoidscreen transition management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal screen transition mechanism that handles multiple wallpaper screens, widgets, and shape changes through a unified interface adaptation system. The processor manages diverse screen content types (wallpapers, widgets, applications) using a single dynamic adaptation framework, reducing the complexity of managing multiple transition scenarios.

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

3Reliability

If the electronic device maintains widget execution across shape changes, then the device preserves functionality and user context, but the device increases power consumption and processing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctionality continuityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary shape state detection and proactive UI preparation. The processor anticipates upcoming shape changes by detecting early shape transition signals and pre-configures the appropriate UI screen, allowing smooth transitions without interrupting widget execution while minimizing unnecessary processing during the transition period.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4726515A1Electronic device, method, and computer-readable storage medium for changing screen displayed on display
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4726515A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4726515A1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4726515A1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A processor of an electronic device according to one embodiment may be configured to display a first wallpaper screen on a display. The processor may be configured to identify a first input on the first wallpaper screen while the first wallpaper screen is displayed. The processor may be configured to display, in response to the first input, a first user interface screen on the display in place of the first wallpaper screen that has been displayed, wherein the first user interface screen is changeable along a first direction and includes a plurality of visual objects including a first visual object corresponding to the first wallpaper screen and a second visual object corresponding to a second wallpaper screen different from the first wallpaper screen.