Foldable Display Format Adjustment for Deformation Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Foldable display devices face impairment in visual information display due to deformation caused by folding, leading to distortion, blocking, compression, pinching, and compromised viewing angles, which existing technologies fail to adequately address.

Innovation Solution

A display system that includes a foldable display unit and a fold detection system, where load cells or other sensors generate fold detection signals to adjust the display format mathematically, compensating for distortions by altering the configuration, size, position, and brightness of visual information to maintain clear viewing across folded areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the display unit is folded to enable portability and flexible form factors, then the device becomes more portable and adaptable, but the visual information display is impaired due to deformation, distortion, and compromised viewing angles

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveportabilityVSAvoidvisual information display quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of the fold state using load cells before displaying visual information. By detecting the fold condition in advance and pre-calculating the appropriate display format adjustments, the system compensates for distortion effects before they occur, ensuring maintained display quality despite the folded state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes display parameters including format configuration, brightness, size, and position of visual information based on the detected fold state. By adjusting these parameters in real-time according to the fold condition, the system compensates for deformation effects and maintains reliable visual information display across the folded display surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the display format is adjusted to compensate for folding distortions, then visual information display quality is maintained, but the system complexity increases due to fold detection sensors and real-time format adjustment mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual information display qualityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex mechanical distortion compensation mechanisms with electronic sensing and software-based format adjustment. Load cells provide electronic detection of fold states, and software algorithms dynamically adjust display formats, substituting mechanical complexity with electronic and computational solutions that achieve the same compensation effect with greater precision and control

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

3Measurement precision

If load cells are positioned to accurately detect fold states, then fold detection precision is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefold detection precisionVSAvoidload cell positioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The load cells are designed to serve multiple functions: detecting fold states, determining fold positions, and providing data for format adjustment calculations. By making the sensing system multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate specialized sensors, thereby lowering manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining adequate fold detection precision through the versatile load cell implementation

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

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

The system effectively compensates for impairments caused by folding, ensuring unimpaired display of visual information by dynamically adjusting the format in real-time, improving perceptibility and reducing distortion across folded areas.

Implementation Method 1

load cells or other sensors generate fold detection signals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP2500898B1System and method for foldable display
Publication Date: 2023.01.18 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2500898B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2500898B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~2
  • EP2500898B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

As described herein, there is provided methods, apparatus and computer program products to display visual information on a foldable display device. Display control signals are altered or modified to avoid display of or compensate for impairment in the display of visual information on fold deformations introduced in a display unit of the display device in response to folding of the display unit, or to reverse any alterations or modifications in the event that the fold deformations are eliminated by unfolding of the display unit.