Foldable Display Orientation Control with External Keyboard
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information processing devices with foldable flexible displays struggle to properly control the display orientation and mode switching when used in different forms, such as clamshell or tablet modes, especially when an external keyboard is mounted.
Innovation Solution
An information processing device with a processor that executes program-stored memory to perform display mode switching, orientation detection, and connection detection, allowing the device to switch between one-screen and two-screen modes, and adjust display orientation based on the detected orientation and keyboard connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the display is controlled to automatically switch orientation based on detected device orientation, then the display adapts to different usage positions, but the display orientation becomes incorrect when an external keyboard is mounted on the second chassis
Solution Approach 1:
The display orientation control is made dynamic by detecting keyboard connection status and automatically adjusting the display mode. When a keyboard is connected to the second chassis, the system switches to a mode where only the first display area is active and maintains a preset orientation, whereas without keyboard connection, the display automatically adapts orientation based on device position detection
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from keyboard connection detection to modify display behavior. The detection unit monitors whether a keyboard is connected to the second chassis, and this feedback signal triggers the control unit to switch between different display modes, ensuring the display orientation is appropriate for the current usage scenario
2Adaptability or versatility
If the display is split into two display areas for pseudo two-screen mode, then the device supports multiple usage forms, but the display mode switching becomes complex when keyboard is connected
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into a first display area on the first chassis and a second display area on the second chassis. When a keyboard is connected to the second chassis, the control unit configures only the first display area as the active display target, effectively using segmentation to simplify the display mode and reduce complexity by deactivating the second display area
Solution Approach 2:
The display system is designed with multi-functionality to support both one-screen mode and pseudo two-screen mode, and further adapts by switching to a simplified single display area mode when keyboard is connected. This universal design allows the same hardware configuration to serve multiple usage scenarios without requiring additional components
3Stability of the object's composition
If the first chassis side is positioned above the second chassis for camera and keyboard usage, then weight balance is improved, but the display orientation detection may become inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting keyboard connection status before relying on orientation detection for display control. When a keyboard is detected on the second chassis, the system proactively switches to a preset display mode that assumes the first chassis is positioned above, thereby compensating for potential orientation detection inaccuracies caused by the stable but non-standard positioning
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing device comprising: a first chassis and a second chassis connected to be rotatable relative to each other; a foldable one display provided over the first chassis and the second chassis; a memory; and a processor. The processor performs: orientation detection processing to detect an orientation of a screen area of the display; display control processing to change a display orientation in the screen area according to the orientation of the screen area detected by the orientation detection processing; connection detection processing to detect mounting of an external keyboard on a surface of the second chassis with the display provided thereon, and display mode switching processing to, when the mounting of the keyboard is detected by the connection detection processing, control a display area of the screen area to be in a preset display orientation regardless of the orientation of the screen area.