Foldable Display Image Capture by Folding State and User Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of foldable electronic devices face challenges in capturing specific display areas where different functions are executed, requiring a method to intuitively and efficiently capture these areas without additional operations.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device utilizes sensors to detect folding angles and user inputs to determine the state of the device and selectively capture display areas based on these inputs, providing intuitive capture functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the electronic device is divided into multiple display areas that can be captured independently, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need to determine capture areas based on folding states and user inputs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of capture operationVSAvoidcomplexity of capture area determination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic device automatically determines the capture area by detecting its own folding state and receiving user input, eliminating the need for manual selection of capture areas. The system serves itself by using sensors to detect the folding state and processing units to automatically identify which display area should be captured, improving ease of operation while managing complexity through automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from sensors detecting the folding state to dynamically determine the appropriate capture area. The folding state detection provides continuous feedback to the processing unit, which adjusts the capture area determination accordingly. This feedback mechanism allows the device to adapt to different configurations automatically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the electronic device provides different capture functions based on folding state, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple capture modes and determination logic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability of capture functionVSAvoidcomplexity of capture mode determination
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The capture function dynamically adapts to the folding state of the electronic device. The processing unit determines the capture area based on real-time detection of the folding state, allowing the same capture function to serve different purposes depending on whether the device is in a first or second configuration. This dynamic adaptation improves versatility without requiring separate capture functions for each state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic device provides a universal capture function that can operate in multiple configurations. By determining the capture area based on the folding state, a single capture function serves multiple purposes: capturing the first display area when in the first configuration, and capturing the second display area when in the second configuration. This multi-functionality improves adaptability while reducing the need for separate dedicated capture functions for each state.

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

3Productivity

If the electronic device captures only the relevant display area based on folding state, then the productivity is improved by reducing unnecessary capture operations, but the device complexity increases due to the need to identify relevant areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of image captureVSAvoidcomplexity of relevant area identification
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic device performs preliminary determination of the relevant capture area before actually capturing the image. The processing unit first detects the folding state and identifies which display area (first or second) is relevant based on the configuration. This preliminary action ensures that the capture operation is immediately efficient and targeted, avoiding unnecessary capture of irrelevant areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts only the relevant display area for capture based on the folding state. By determining which display area is relevant (first or second) and extracting only that portion for capture, the system improves productivity by avoiding unnecessary capture of the entire display or irrelevant areas. This extraction approach optimizes capture efficiency while managing complexity through targeted area identification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4152137B1Image capture method and electronic device therefor
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4152137B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4152137B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4152137B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a flexible electronic device comprising a first housing, a second housing, a hinge structure arranged between the first housing and the second housing, a flexible display, at least one sensor, a processor, and a memory. The flexible electronic device can determine, when an image capture input on the flexible display is detected, a form by using the at least one sensor, determine, when a first form is determined, whether different functions are being executed in a first area and a second area of the flexible display, and capture, when it is determined that different functions are being executed, at least a portion of the area from which the image capture input has been detected. Various other embodiments identified through the specification are possible.