Flip Cover Window Control for Portable Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face inconvenience when trying to control a portable device with a flip cover in a closed position, as it is difficult to interact with the display unit after the flip cover is opened.

Innovation Solution

A portable device equipped with a camera unit, display unit, cover sensor, orientation sensor, and controller that allows the device to detect control inputs and activate the camera or display information through an open window in the flip cover, even when it is closed, by sensing the device's orientation and providing a preview image or taking a picture in standby mode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the flip cover is closed to protect the display unit, then the display unit is protected from external shock, but the user cannot control the portable device or access the display unit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of display unitVSAvoiduser control of device

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display unit is segmented into multiple regions: a first display region visible through the open window and a second display region covered by the flip cover. This allows the user to access and control at least part of the display unit even when the flip cover is closed, resolving the contradiction between protection and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The open window acts as an intermediary element that allows optical signals to pass through the flip cover. This enables the user to view and interact with the first display region through the window without opening the cover, thus maintaining protection while enabling control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the flip cover is opened to access the display unit, then the user can control the portable device, but the display unit is exposed to external shock

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser control of deviceVSAvoidexposure to external shock

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the display into visible and covered regions, the user can perform control operations through the open window without fully opening the flip cover. This maintains protection of the second display region while enabling necessary user interactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The user only needs to partially open the flip cover to the extent that the open window is accessible, rather than fully opening it. This partial action provides sufficient access for control while minimizing exposure time and risk to the display unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of operation

If the open window is made larger to improve visibility and control, then the user can better access the display unit, but less of the display unit is protected by the flip cover

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility and controlVSAvoidprotection of display unit

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The open window is strategically positioned and sized to provide just enough visibility and control access for essential operations. The first display region visible through the window is optimized for control functions, while the second display region remains protected for full-content display, creating local quality differentiation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables users to activate the camera and display preview images or take pictures without opening the flip cover, providing a convenient and intuitive control method by differentiating operations based on device orientation and flip cover position.

Implementation Method 1

a camera unit configured to sense a digital image

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

a cover sensor unit configured to sense whether a flip cover is opened or not

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive sensing: Capacitance

Implementation Method 3

an orientation sensor unit configured to sense an orientation of the portable device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS9986166B2Portable device including a flip cover and method of controlling therefor

Publication Date: 2018.05.29 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A method of controlling a portable device including a flip cover for covering a display unit according to one embodiment of the present specification includes the steps of detecting that the portable device operates in a standby mode and the flip cover is positioned in a closed position, wherein the flip cover contains an open window and wherein the open window exposes a first part of the display unit when the flip cover is positioned in a closed position, sensing an orientation of the portable device, detecting a first control input, when the orientation of the portable device corresponds to a first orientation, displaying predetermined information in the first part of the display unit and when the orientation of the portable device corresponds to a second orientation, activating the camera unit in response to the first control input and displaying a first preview image of the digital image sensed by the camera unit in the first part of the display unit.