Foldable Screen Camera Preview Switching by Device Posture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foldable electronic devices require complex user operations for camera control and preview switching, which detracts from the user experience.

Innovation Solution

A display method that automatically starts corresponding cameras and displays images on specific screens based on detected postures, allowing hands-free real-time preview without additional holder apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If automatic camera and display control based on posture detection is implemented, then user operation complexity is reduced and user experience is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control logic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera operation simplicityVSAvoidposture detection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects device posture using sensors and controls camera startup and display activation without requiring manual user input. The posture detection module continuously monitors device orientation and automatically triggers the appropriate camera and display configuration based on the detected posture, enabling the system to serve itself rather than requiring user intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-configures multiple cameras and displays with different orientations and prepares them for automatic activation. When a specific posture is detected, the corresponding pre-configured camera and display are immediately activated without delay, ensuring smooth transition and optimal user experience while avoiding the need for complex real-time configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple cameras and displays are activated simultaneously, then functional versatility is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera and display configuration flexibilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of activating all cameras and displays simultaneously, the system activates only the necessary subset based on the detected posture. For example, when the device is held in a specific orientation, only the corresponding camera and display are activated, while others remain inactive. This partial activation approach maintains functional versatility for different usage scenarios while significantly reducing overall energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts which cameras and displays are active based on real-time posture detection. The activation state of each camera and display changes dynamically according to the current device orientation and usage context, allowing the system to optimize energy consumption by activating components only when needed rather than maintaining all components in a constant active state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4181494B1Display method, related apparatus and computer-readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4181494B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4181494B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4181494B1 patent drawingFigure 1C~1D

AI summary

This disclosure discloses a display method and a related apparatus. The method is applied to an electronic device. The electronic device includes a first screen, a foldable screen, and a first camera. The foldable screen may be folded into a second screen and a third screen along a folding edge. Orientations of the first screen and the second screen are opposite, the orientation of the first screen is consistent with a shooting direction of the first camera, and the orientation of the second screen is consistent with a shooting direction of a second camera. The method includes: determining, based on a first included angle between the second screen and the third screen, that the electronic device is in a first preset posture; displaying, by the electronic device, a first user interface on the first screen, where the first user interface includes an image captured by the first camera; determining, based on the first included angle, that the electronic device is in a second preset posture; and displaying, by the electronic device, a second user interface on the second screen, where the second user interface includes an image captured by the second camera. In this way, in a specific posture of the electronic device, a corresponding camera and display are automatically started for real-time preview, thereby avoiding complex user operations.