Foldable Display Orientation Control for Flex Mode Landscape Viewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices do not provide a landscape mode for displaying content on an external display or a lock screen when in a flex mode, and the screen is vertically fixed in portrait mode despite being unfolded.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a sensor to sense geometric deformation, a processor, and memory to control the display, allowing dynamic adjustment of display modes based on the device's rotation and deformation, enabling landscape mode in flex modes and providing a lock screen when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the screen rotation setting is fixed in portrait mode when the foldable electronic device is fully unfolded, then the display mode is stable and predictable, but the device cannot adapt to landscape mode when transitioning to flex modes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic display mode switching based on the device's folding state. The processor continuously monitors the geometric deformation of the foldable device and automatically adjusts the display orientation from portrait mode when fully unfolded to landscape mode when in flex modes. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the display mode flexible rather than fixed, allowing the system to respond to changing physical configurations without requiring complex manual user intervention.
2Ease of operation
If the device provides multiple display modes for different folding configurations, then user experience is improved, but the control system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-service mechanism where the processor automatically determines the appropriate display mode based on sensor data regarding the device's folding state. The system monitors geometric deformation events and autonomously switches between portrait and landscape modes without requiring user input. This self-service approach improves ease of operation by providing seamless adaptability while avoiding the complexity of manual mode selection interfaces or complex control algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The implementation uses feedback from geometric deformation sensors to automatically adjust display orientation. The processor receives continuous feedback about the device's physical state and responds by selecting the appropriate display mode. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt to flex modes automatically, improving user experience while keeping the control system relatively simple through direct sensor-processor-response coupling rather than complex multi-layer control architecture.
3Area of stationary object
If the screen maintains portrait orientation in flex modes, then the rotation mode setting is preserved, but the display does not utilize the available screen space effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the display orientation parameter from portrait to landscape mode based on the device's folding configuration. When the device transitions to flex modes, the processor detects the geometric deformation and modifies the display parameter to landscape orientation, maximizing the utilization of available screen space. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by allowing the display to adapt its orientation to the physical configuration, thereby optimizing area utilization while maintaining a form of consistency through context-appropriate orientation selection rather than rigid mode preservation.
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
Improves user experience by allowing flexible display modes and maintaining a landscape orientation in various configurations, including when the device is partially folded or unfolded.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor configured to sense geometric deformation of the electronic device
Data Source
AI summary
An example electronic device includes a display, a sensor configured to detect geometric deformation of the electronic device, at least one processor, and a memory operatively connected to the at least one processor and storing at least one application. The memory may include one or more instructions which, when executed, cause the at least one processor to: control the display to display an execution screen of the at least one application on the display in response to execution of the at least one application in the memory; check a rotation mode setting of the electronic device; obtain display characteristic information of the display in response to a geometric deformation event detected by the sensor; determine a display mode of the execution screen based on the display characteristic information and the checked rotation mode setting and map same to the at least one application; and control the display to display the execution screen on the display based on the mapped display mode.