Foldable Display Angle Control for Automatic Multi-Window Launch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foldable display devices lack an intuitive multi-window user experience when the display is in a folding state, requiring users to manually select applications for multi-window execution.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device and method that provides an execution screen of an application in a multi-window format when the foldable display is in a folding state, utilizing sensors and processors to detect folding angles and control the display accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a foldable display is implemented to enable flexible form factors, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but the display may remain in unintended states (partially folded or unfolded) causing operational issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveform factor flexibilityVSAvoiddisplay state stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the actual display state through sensors and compares it with the expected state. When a discrepancy is detected (e.g., display partially folded when fully folded is expected), the system generates feedback signals to trigger corrective actions, ensuring the display returns to the intended state and maintaining reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system determines the expected display state in advance based on the current operation mode before the user interacts with the device. By pre-establishing what the display state should be, the system can proactively detect and correct deviations, preventing operational issues before they occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the display state is not properly managed, then device complexity is reduced, but operational errors and user experience deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestate management systemVSAvoidoperational accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically monitors, determines, and corrects display state deviations without requiring user intervention. The electronic device self-manages the display state by detecting discrepancies between actual and expected states and autonomously triggering corrective actions, thereby maintaining operational accuracy while minimizing added complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If corrective actions are automatically triggered, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay state accuracyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex mechanical state detection and correction mechanisms with electronic sensing and software-based state determination. By using sensors to detect display state and software algorithms to determine expected states and trigger corrections, the system achieves high reliability while keeping the physical hardware relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4209883B1Electronic device having foldable display and method for controlling same
Publication Date: 2026.05.20 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4209883B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4209883B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4209883B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic device according to an example embodiment comprises: a hinge allowing the electronic device to be folded or unfolded, a foldable display disposed on at least one side of the electronic device such that the electronic device is folded or unfolded about the hinge, a processor controlling an output screen of the foldable display, a sensor module for detecting a folding angle of the electronic device, and an input module for touch input with respect to the display, the foldable display including a first area disposed on one side and a second area disposed on the other side with respect to the hinge, and the processor providing an execution screen of an application to a target area, which is any one of the first area and the second area, when an execution input for the application is received in a state in which the folding angle is within a predetermined range.