Foldable Electronic Device with Folding-Angle App Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In foldable electronic devices with displays on one surface, users face inconvenience when fully unfolding the device to interact with applications due to limitations in size and visibility of sub-displays on the opposite surface.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device that allows applications to be controlled based on its folding angle, enabling efficient operation without full unfolding, utilizing a flexible display and sensor areas to manage user interactions across different folding states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the display is arranged on one surface (front surface) of the foldable housing, then the device can provide a larger screen when unfolded, but the user must fully unfold the device to see and control the displayed content, which increases the time required for interaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second display surface (rear surface) as an additional dimension for interaction. When the device is folded, the rear surface becomes accessible to the user, allowing control of applications without requiring full unfolding. This spatial dimensionality change enables parallel access to display content and control interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The display functionality is segmented into two separate surfaces: the front surface for primary content display and the rear surface for control interface display. This segmentation allows different functions to be performed on different surfaces simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between large screen area and quick interaction.
2Ease of operation
If a sub-display is arranged on the opposite surface (rear surface) of the housing to allow application control, then interaction can occur without full unfolding, but the size and visibility of the sub-display are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between different display configurations based on the folding state. When folded, the rear surface displays control interfaces; when unfolded, the front surface displays full content. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize both control convenience and display size according to the current state.
Solution Approach 2:
Both the front and rear surfaces serve multiple functions: the front surface can display content and the rear surface can display control interfaces, but either surface can adapt to different roles based on device state. This multi-functionality resolves the limitation of fixed sub-display size by making the entire rear surface available for control purposes when needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic device includes a foldable housing including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a first display arranged on the first surface and configured to be flexible, a second display arranged in at least a partial area of the second surface, and a processor arranged inside the foldable housing. The processor detects that the foldable housing is unfolded to a first angle from a fully folded state, displays a first GUI associated with a first application on at least a partial area of the display, detects that the foldable housing is unfolded to a second angle greater than the first angle, displays a second GUI associated with a second application, and executes the second application when the foldable housing is folded back into the fully folded state.