Foldable Device Display Activation by Unfolding Angle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current foldable devices with flexible displays lack efficient control mechanisms for activating and expanding display areas based on unfolding angles and user directions, leading to suboptimal user experiences and inefficient content presentation.
Innovation Solution
A foldable device with a flexible display unit and a controller that determines the activation range of display areas based on unfolding angles and user directions, activating edge and main display areas progressively as the device unfolds, and adjusting content type, amount, and attributes accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the flexible display unit is activated in a folded state, then the device can provide information access in compact form, but the display area is limited and user interaction is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The display area is dynamically adjusted based on the unfolding angle of the foldable device. The controller activates different portions of the flexible display unit according to the detected angle, transitioning from a limited display area in the folded state to an expanded display area in the unfolded state. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing the display area and user interaction capability to scale with the device's physical configuration.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the entire main display area is activated regardless of unfolding angle, then the display is always fully available, but energy consumption increases and content presentation becomes less optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The controller changes the activation parameter of the flexible display unit based on the unfolding angle detected by the sensor. At different angle thresholds, different portions of the display are activated, and content attributes (type, amount, and characteristics) are adjusted accordingly. This parameter-based control optimizes energy consumption by activating only the necessary display area while simultaneously adapting content presentation to match the device's current configuration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the display area is expanded as the device unfolds, then more content can be presented and user interaction is enhanced, but the control complexity for managing different display states increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible display unit is conceptually segmented into different activation zones that can be independently controlled based on the unfolding angle. The controller manages these segments by activating specific portions of the display (edge display area, main display area, or both) according to angle thresholds. This segmentation approach simplifies the control mechanism by using clear angular boundaries to determine display activation states, reducing the complexity of managing multiple display configurations.
4Ease of operation
If angle-based control is implemented for the flexible display unit, then display activation is optimized for different device configurations, but the system requires additional sensors and control logic
Solution Approach 1:
The foldable device utilizes its own physical state (unfolding angle) as the control input for display activation, creating a self-service control mechanism. The sensor detects the natural mechanical state of the device, and the controller automatically adjusts the display activation and content presentation based on this detected state. This approach provides an intuitive interface where the device's physical configuration directly determines its operational mode, eliminating the need for complex manual controls while keeping the sensor and control logic relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable device and a method of controlling the same are provided. The foldable device includes: a flexible display which includes a main display area and an edge display area; and a controller which is configured to determine, based on an angle at which the foldable device is unfolded, a range of a partial activation area of the main display area, wherein the range of the partial activation area is partially bounded by a boundary between the edge display area and the main display area.