Foldable Camera Interface With Angle-Triggered External Controls

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices struggle to efficiently integrate and control various functions, especially in a foldable and flexible display context, where seamless communication and control between devices are hindered by the need for manual intervention and complex user interfaces.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device comprising a first and second housing connected by a hinge, with a flexible display, sensors, a camera, communication module, memory, and a processor that executes instructions to control the camera application, transmit commands to external devices, and manage the display of icons based on folding angles and application states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate authentication interface is provided for each external electronic device, then authentication reliability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication reliabilityVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal authentication interface that can authenticate multiple types of external electronic devices (wearable devices, audio devices, imaging devices, etc.) through a single standardized interface. The authentication server receives authentication requests from any external device, verifies credentials against stored authentication information, and returns authentication results, eliminating the need for separate authentication interfaces for each device type.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication server acts as an intermediary between the electronic device and external electronic devices. Instead of each external device having its own authentication interface, the authentication server mediates the authentication process by receiving authentication information from external devices, verifying it against the electronic device's stored credentials, and returning authentication results, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If separate authentication interfaces are provided for each external electronic device, then authentication reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication reliabilityVSAvoidoperation convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication interface is designed to be universal and can handle authentication requests from any type of external electronic device through a single standardized interaction model. Users interact with the same authentication mechanism regardless of whether the external device is wearable, audio, imaging, or another type, significantly improving operational convenience.

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

3Reliability

If authentication information is stored in the electronic device, then authentication security is improved, but data management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication securityVSAvoiddata management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication server serves as an intermediary that manages authentication information storage and retrieval. Instead of the electronic device managing all authentication data locally, the authentication server stores authentication information and facilitates secure retrieval and verification processes, reducing the data management burden on the electronic device while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4521221A1Electronic device for communicating with external electronic device and control method thereof
Publication Date: 2025.03.12 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4521221A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4521221A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4521221A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

An electronic device is disclosed. An electronic device according to the disclosure may comprise a first housing and a second housing, a hinge rotatably connecting the first housing and the second housing, a flexible display exposed through a first portion of the first housing and a second portion of the second housing, at least one sensor, a camera, a communication module, memory storing instructions, and at least one processor. The instructions may, when executed by the processor, cause the electronic device to execute a first application for controlling the camera, identify a folding angle of the electronic device through the at least one sensor, and transmit, to an external electronic device, a command for displaying an icon related to the first application on a display of the external electronic device connected through the communication module, based on the folding angle being included in a designated range not being 0 degrees and 180 degrees, in a state in which the first application is executed.