Foldable Display Sensor Orientation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices face data disparities between sensors in different housing structures, leading to inconsistent user interface orientations when folded, preventing seamless user intent-driven interface direction changes.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating motion sensors in each housing structure to determine the posture and rotation of their respective display areas, allowing the device to selectively use sensor data to rotate the user interface based on the area where the user intent is detected, ensuring alignment with the user's intended folded state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single gravity detector is used to determine device orientation, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates when the device is folded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensing system into multiple independent gravity detectors positioned in different housing structures (first detector in first housing, second detector in second housing). Each detector independently measures orientation data for its respective housing, enabling accurate orientation detection even when the device is folded. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining measurement precision through distributed sensing while avoiding the complexity of a single complex sensor system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by placing gravity detectors specifically in each housing structure where they can locally measure orientation data. The first gravity detector in the first housing structure measures orientation of the first display area, while the second gravity detector in the second housing structure measures orientation of the second display area. This localized measurement approach ensures accurate orientation detection for each display area independently, resolving the precision issue when folded.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sensor data from both housing structures is used to control user interface, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to data coordination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control by making the user interface orientation adaptive to the folded state. When the device is folded, the system dynamically switches from using both housing orientations to using only the orientation from the housing containing the active display area. The processor determines the folded state and selectively applies orientation data from the appropriate gravity detector, enabling the interface to adapt its orientation based on the current device configuration while keeping data processing logic relatively simple.
3Volume of moving object
If the device is folded to improve portability, then compactness is improved, but user interface consistency deteriorates due to sensor data disparities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having the processor continuously monitor orientation data from both gravity detectors and compare it with the current display area configuration. When folding causes a mismatch between sensor data and display area position, the system detects this discrepancy and automatically adjusts the user interface orientation to maintain consistency. The feedback loop ensures that interface orientation always matches the user's intended viewing direction, resolving the consistency issue while maintaining portability benefits.
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
Enables the user interface to accurately reflect the user's intent by rotating based on sensor data from the relevant area, enhancing user experience by maintaining consistent interface orientation during folding and unfolding.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating motion sensors in each housing structure to determine the posture and rotation of their respective display areas
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b~2
Figure 3
AI summary
Disclosed is an electronic device including a housing having a first housing structure and a second housing structure that is foldable relative to the first housing structure about a first axis, a foldable display including a first portion disposed in the first housing structure and a second portion disposed in the second housing structure, the first portion being foldable relative to the second portion about a second axis parallel to the first axis, a first motion sensor disposed in the first housing structure, a second motion sensor disposed in the second housing structure, a processor located in the housing and operatively coupled with the foldable display, the first motion sensor, and the second motion sensor, and a memory operatively coupled with the processor. When folded, the electronic device may change the direction of a user interface output through the display, depending on a user's intent.