Foldable Display Mode Switching Using Dual Inertial Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible electronic devices with foldable displays lack efficient mechanisms to dynamically adjust display modes based on the device's posture and orientation, leading to suboptimal user experience.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating first and second inertial sensors in the device housings, along with a processor, to identify angles and postures, allowing for dynamic switching between display modes, including activating or deactivating displays and adjusting modes based on inertial data and application execution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If display modes are statically configured without dynamic adjustment, then device structure is simple, but user experience is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic display mode adjustment by using inertial sensors to detect device posture and orientation changes, then automatically switching between different display modes (e.g., portrait, landscape, folded modes) based on detected angles and positions. This makes the display system adaptive to user handling patterns while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-service by using the device's own inertial sensors to automatically detect posture changes and trigger appropriate display mode transitions without requiring manual user intervention. The processor autonomously processes sensor data and executes display mode changes based on pre-configured rules.
2Ease of operation
If display modes are dynamically adjusted based on posture detection, then user experience is enhanced, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by triggering display mode changes only when specific posture thresholds are met, rather than continuously monitoring and adjusting. The inertial sensors detect discrete posture events (e.g., device folded at specific angles), and the processor responds to these discrete events, minimizing continuous power consumption while maintaining responsive display mode switching.
3Measurement precision
If multiple inertial sensors are used for accurate posture identification, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by placing inertial sensors in separate housings (first housing and second housing) that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows each sensor to capture posture information from its local perspective, and the processor integrates these measurements to achieve comprehensive and accurate device orientation detection, particularly useful for detecting fold angles and relative positions between housing sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The inertial sensors serve multiple functions: detecting device orientation, calculating fold angles, determining posture for display mode selection, and potentially triggering other device functions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sensors for each function, optimizing the sensor count while maintaining measurement precision.
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
Enhances user experience by optimizing display modes according to the device's orientation and usage, ensuring seamless transitions and efficient power management.
Implementation Method 1
a first inertial sensor in the first housing, a second inertial sensor in the second housing
Implementation Method 2
first data, which is related to a posture of the electronic device and is identified using the second inertial sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
This electronic device comprises: a first housing comprising a first surface, and a second surface opposite to the first surface; a second housing comprising a third surface, and a fourth surface opposite to the third surface; a first display on the first surface and the third surface; a second display on the second surface; a first inertial sensor in the first housing; a second inertial sensor in the second housing; and at least one processor comprising a processing circuit. The at least one processor is configured to: use the first inertial sensor and the second inertial sensor to identify that the angle between a first direction the first surface is facing and a second direction the third surface is facing is within a specified range; be associated with the posture of the electronic device; identify that first data identified using the second inertial sensor is within a first range; and change a display mode of the second display.