Flexible Screen Area Selection via Rotation Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing screen-on methods for electronic apparatuses do not effectively protect user privacy, as they do not differentiate between intended and unintended screen areas when lighting up the screen.

Innovation Solution

A screen-on method that divides a flexible or combined screen into at least two areas using a bending axis, where the electronic apparatus determines the first screen area to light up based on rotation speeds or accelerations around the bending axis, and keeps the second area in a screen-off state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the entire screen is lighted up when a screen-on instruction is received, then the user can view content on any screen area, but user privacy is compromised and energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser privacyVSAvoidscreen lighting control
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The screen is divided into multiple screen areas (first screen area and second screen area) with the bending axis as the division boundary. When a screen-on instruction is received, only the first screen area is lighted up while the second screen area remains dark, allowing selective display control to protect privacy while reducing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Use of energy by moving object

If the electronic apparatus uses rotation speeds or accelerations to determine which screen area to light up, then privacy is protected and energy is saved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiddetection and control mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic apparatus uses its own motion characteristics (rotation speeds or accelerations) to automatically determine which screen area should be lighted up. The device self-identifies the intended screen area based on its rotation state, eliminating the need for additional complex detection mechanisms or user input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of energy

If the electronic apparatus divides the screen into multiple areas and selectively lights them up, then privacy is protected and energy is saved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy wasteVSAvoidbending axis alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The screen is pre-divided into multiple screen areas with the bending axis serving as the division boundary during the design and manufacturing phase. This preliminary segmentation allows the device to selectively light up only the necessary screen area during operation, reducing energy waste while the bending axis alignment ensures consistent and accurate area division.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This method ensures that only the intended screen area is lit up, protecting user privacy and potentially saving energy by limiting the areas that are actively displayed.

Implementation Method 1

the electronic apparatus may determine a first screen area based on rotation speeds or rotation accelerations at which the at least two screen areas rotate around the bending axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotation speed detection: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentEP3816764B1Method for turning on screen and related device
Publication Date: 2025.02.19 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3816764B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3816764B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3A
  • EP3816764B1 patent drawingFigure 3B~3C

AI summary

This application provides a screen-on method and a related apparatus. The method includes: in a screen-off state, obtaining, by an electronic apparatus, a first screen-on instruction, where a screen of the electronic apparatus is divided into at least two screen areas by using a bending axis; determining, by the electronic apparatus, a first screen area based on rotation speeds or rotation accelerations at which the at least two screen areas rotate around the bending axis; and lighting up, by the electronic apparatus, the first screen area according to the first screen-on instruction, and setting a second screen area other than the first screen area to be in the screen-off state. The technical solutions provided in this application can protect user privacy.