Foldable Screen Interface Scaling for Unfolded Content Density

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foldable electronic devices face challenges in adapting screen content display effectively when transitioning between unfolded and folded states, leading to issues such as large fonts, large images, and reduced content information in the unfolded state, which negatively impact user experience.

Innovation Solution

A method for a foldable electronic device that adjusts interface elements based on calculated ratios and thresholds to ensure they fit the screen dimensions in the unfolded state, maintaining an aesthetic aspect ratio and optimizing content layout to prevent large fonts and images, while also increasing the amount of displayed information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a foldable electronic device is dropped on a unfolded screen, then the screen may be damaged, but preventing screen damage requires adding protective structures that increase device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen damage protectionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge assembly is nested within the device structure, with the first and second hinge assemblies positioned between the first and second housings. The support plate is integrated into the hinge assembly, creating a compact nested structure that provides protection without significantly increasing external device dimensions or complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The support plate acts as an intermediary protective element between the screen and the hinge assembly. When the device is dropped on the unfolded screen, the support plate absorbs and distributes the impact force, preventing direct transmission to the screen while being structurally integrated into the existing hinge mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the hinge assembly is positioned close to the screen, then the device is more compact, but the screen may contact the hinge assembly causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidscreen protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support plate serves as a mediator between the hinge assembly and the screen, maintaining close positioning for compactness while preventing direct contact. The support plate extends to cover the screen area, creating a protective barrier that allows the hinge assembly to remain positioned close to the screen without causing damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support plate is positioned in a different spatial dimension relative to the hinge assembly and screen, extending in the width direction to provide coverage without increasing the overall thickness or length of the device. This dimensional approach allows compact positioning while maintaining protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the support plate covers the entire screen area, then screen protection is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen protection coverageVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support plate provides localized protection at critical areas where the screen is most vulnerable to hinge assembly contact, rather than requiring uniform coverage across the entire screen. The first and second hinge assemblies are positioned to provide targeted support where needed, reducing manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining adequate protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4421629B1Foldable electronic device, and display method for foldable screen
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4421629B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4421629B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4421629B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

This application provides a foldable electronic device and a display method for a foldable screen. The method includes: An electronic device obtains, in an unfolded state, a first height and a first width of a set interface element, and determines whether the first height is qualified, that is, determines whether a ratio of the first height to a screen height is not greater than a threshold. When the first height is qualified, the interface element having the first height is displayed; or when the first height is unqualified, the electronic device adjusts the first height to obtain a second height, and displays the interface element having the second height. In the technical solutions of this application, the height of the interface element in the unfolded state is adjusted and determined, to avoid a phenomenon of a large font and a large image, and effectively reduce a phenomenon that a page information amount in the unfolded state of the electronic device is less than that in a folded state. This provides good user experience.