Foldable AOD Screen Selection Using Face and Eye Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing outward-foldable electronic devices face challenges in determining which screen to display the always on display (AOD) interface when in different states, leading to suboptimal user experience due to incorrect screen selection.

Innovation Solution

The method involves detecting the folded state and user interaction to determine whether a human eye or face is present, activating the appropriate camera, and displaying the AOD interface on the screen facing upward or in response to user touch or after a preset time, ensuring the interface is displayed on the user-facing screen.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the AOD interface is displayed on a fixed screen regardless of device state, then the display control is simple, but the user experience deteriorates because the interface may not appear on the user-facing screen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay control complexityVSAvoiduser experience
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic screen selection for AOD display based on device state. The system determines whether the device is folded or unfolded, and selects different screens (main screen or rear screen) accordingly. This dynamic adaptation ensures the AOD interface always appears on the user-facing screen, resolving the contradiction between simple control and good user experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If cameras are activated to detect user presence, then the accuracy of screen selection improves, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser presence detection accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent activates cameras only when needed for screen doze operations or when determining AOD display targets. By performing camera activation as a preliminary action only in specific scenarios rather than continuously, the system achieves accurate user presence detection while avoiding unnecessary power consumption during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the AOD interface adapts to different device states (folded/unfolded), then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases due to multiple state detection requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAOD display adaptabilityVSAvoidstate detection system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs sensors and cameras that serve multiple functions: they detect both device state (folded/unfolded) and user presence (eye/face detection). This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high adaptability for AOD display across different states without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same hardware components handle multiple detection tasks.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4726527A1Always-on display method and related apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 HONOR DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP4726527A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4726527A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4726527A1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

This application provides an always on display method and a related apparatus. In the method, when the electronic device is in a screen-doze state, it may be first determined whether the electronic device is in a folded state and then determined whether a condition for displaying an AOD interface is satisfied, such as recognizing a human face or a human eye, or the like, and may determine a screen displaying an AOD interface. In this way, the AOD interface can be better displayed based on a user requirement.