Foldable Display Control via Bending Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Foldable information processing terminals face issues with accurately detecting the inclination and rotation direction of the display when bent, leading to potential display inversion, shutdown, or unintended display states due to the limitations of acceleration and gyro sensors.

Innovation Solution

An information processing terminal equipped with a sensor unit to detect inclination, rotation direction, and bending amount, along with a screen control unit that adjusts the display based on these parameters to ensure correct display orientation and functionality when the screen is divided.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If acceleration sensor and gyro sensor are used to detect inclination and rotation direction, then the terminal can detect orientation when not bent, but the display cannot be correctly controlled when the display is bent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracy of inclination and rotation directionVSAvoiddisplay control capability in bent state

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the display into multiple display units based on bending position detected by the sensor unit. Each display unit can be independently controlled according to its orientation state, allowing correct display control even when the display is bent. The sensor unit detects bending position and amount to segment the display accordingly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different control methods to different display units based on their local orientation states. Each display unit receives customized control signals according to its specific inclination and rotation direction, enabling precise local display control rather than uniform control of the entire display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the display is bent to improve visibility or reduce eye strain, then user comfort is improved, but the display may be displayed upside down or turned off unintendedly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility and user comfortVSAvoiddisplay orientation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor unit continuously detects the bending position and amount of the display, providing real-time feedback to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit dynamically adjusts the display orientation and content to maintain correct display direction, preventing upside-down or unintended display states even when the display is bent.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic display control that adapts to changing bending states. The display orientation and content are continuously adjusted in response to real-time bending detection, allowing the display to maintain correct orientation regardless of the current bending position or amount.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If the sensor unit is placed in a specific portion to detect terminal orientation, then detection accuracy is improved, but portions of the display not including the sensor cannot have their inclination detected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor detection accuracyVSAvoidinclination detection of display portions away from sensor

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the bending amount dimension to the detection system. By detecting both the bending position and the bending amount, the system can calculate the inclination of display portions even those away from the sensor unit. This additional dimensional information enables indirect detection of orientation for display portions not directly monitored by the sensor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables correct display management and user experience by accurately detecting and responding to bending positions and amounts, preventing display inversion and ensuring proper functionality even when the terminal is bent.

Implementation Method 1

an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor that detect an inclination and a rotation direction of a terminal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcceleration sensor detection: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor that detect an inclination and a rotation direction of a terminal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGyro sensor detection: Gyroscope

Implementation Method 3

detects a bending amount with respect to the information processing terminal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBending detection: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS11917095B2Information processing terminal, program, and method

Publication Date: 2024.02.27 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

There is a demand for an information processing terminal capable of correctly displaying a display on a divided display even when the display is bent. Therefore, proposed is an information processing terminal capable of bending a display unit, the information processing terminal including: the display unit; a sensor unit that detects an inclination and a rotation direction of the information processing terminal, and detects a bending amount with respect to the information processing terminal; and a screen control unit that divides display of the display unit based on a bending position with respect to the information processing terminal, and controls the display divided based on the inclination, the rotation direction, the bending position, and the bending amount.