Foldable Display Layout Adaptation for Unfolding Motion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flexible display technologies lack effective input and output interfacing methods that adapt to the bendable or foldable properties of flexible devices, leading to suboptimal user interfaces and potential display distortion when the device is folded or unfolded.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize sensors to detect unfolding motions and angles, allowing a controller to dynamically adjust the layout and pixel arrangement on a flexible display, ensuring that the representation of objects changes accordingly, correcting for display distortion and optimizing the user interface based on the device's deformation state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible display is folded or bent to enable portability and flexibility, then the device achieves compact form factor and adaptability, but display distortion and interface clarity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoiddisplay distortion
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic layout adjustment where the user interface elements automatically reposition and resize based on the real-time folding state of the flexible display. Sensors detect the degree of folding and trigger corresponding layout transformations, ensuring that text remains readable, buttons remain accessible, and overall interface clarity is maintained regardless of the display's bent configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes multiple parameters simultaneously including layout geometry, pixel density distribution, and element positioning based on the detected folding angle. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the interface adapts to the distorted display surface while maintaining usability and visual quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Length of moving object

If the flexible display is folded to improve portability, then the device becomes more compact and portable, but touch input accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveportabilityVSAvoidtouch input accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a feedback mechanism where sensors continuously monitor the folding state and provide real-time data to the control system. This feedback enables the interface to automatically adjust touch sensitivity zones, button positions, and input target sizes to compensate for the distorted geometry caused by folding, thereby maintaining touch input accuracy across all folding states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If the layout is fixed to simplify the interface design, then the design complexity is reduced, but the usability during folding operations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface designVSAvoidusability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The interface transitions from a static fixed layout to a dynamic adaptive layout that automatically reconfigures based on the display's folding state. The system defines multiple preset layout modes corresponding to different folding angles, and smoothly transitions between them as the device is folded or unfolded, maintaining ease of operation without requiring complex manual adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3680750B1Flexible device and interfacing method thereof
Publication Date: 2021.09.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3680750B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3680750B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3680750B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

A foldable device includes a sensor configured to sense an unfolding motion of the foldable device, a display configured to display a layout in which a representation of at least one object varies according to the sensed unfolding motion, and a controller configured to control the display of the layout so that the representation of the at least one object corresponds to the sensed unfolding motion.