Hinge Case Light Indicator for Foldable Device Notifications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of foldable or rollable electronic devices face difficulties in recognizing events such as calls or messages when the display is folded or rolled up, as visual and auditory notifications may be blocked or obscured, limiting the user's ability to receive visual information.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a light-emitting indicator system on the exterior of the device, utilizing one or more light-emitting elements on a hinge case that can transmit light through a translucent region, allowing visual notifications to be provided even when the display is concealed, and enabling various visual effects like red, green, or blue light emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the display is folded or rolled up to improve portability, then the device size is reduced and portability is improved, but the user cannot recognize visual notifications such as calls or messages
Solution Approach 1:
The notification system is segmented into multiple independent light-emitting elements (first, second, and third light-emitting elements) positioned at different locations on the device. This allows the notification function to be distributed across multiple points, ensuring that at least one notification source remains visible even when the display is folded or rolled up, thus resolving the contradiction between portability and notification recognition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional display-based notification system to a three-dimensional spatial notification system by positioning light-emitting elements on the exterior surfaces and edges of the device. This dimensional change allows notifications to be emitted from multiple spatial locations, ensuring visibility regardless of the display's folded or rolled state, thereby maintaining notification recognition while improving portability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sound or vibration is deactivated to reduce disturbance, then the device operates more quietly and comfortably, but the user cannot recognize events when the display is folded or rolled up
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light-emitting elements as an intermediary notification mechanism that operates independently of sound and vibration systems. These light-emitting elements serve as a visual mediator that can convey event information without producing auditory or tactile disturbance, allowing the device to remain quiet and comfortable while still enabling event recognition through optical signals.
3Loss of information
If a sub-display is added to provide visual information when folded, then event recognition is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex sub-display system with simpler, more economical light-emitting elements that achieve the same notification function. These light-emitting elements are less complex, easier to manufacture, and more cost-effective than a full sub-display system, while still providing adequate visual information for event recognition when the device is folded or rolled up.
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 users to easily recognize events like calls or messages through visual cues even when the display is folded or rolled up, providing enhanced notification visibility and usability.
Implementation Method 1
one or more first light-emitting elements disposed on an outer face of the hinge case. The electronic device may be configured to transmit light emitted from the one or more first light-emitting elements to outside of the electronic device
Implementation Method 2
a hinge structure rotatably connecting the first housing structure and the second housing structure to each other, the hinge structure configured to provide a folding axis that is a rotating center of the first housing structure and the second housing structure
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device including an indicator is provided. The electronic device includes a first housing structure including a first face oriented in a first direction, and a second face oriented in a second direction opposite the first direction, a second housing structure including a third face oriented in a third direction, and a fourth face oriented in a fourth direction opposite the third direction, a hinge structure rotatably connecting the first housing structure and the second housing structure to each other, the hinge structure configured to provide a folding axis that is a rotating center of the first housing structure and the second housing structure, a flexible display extending from the first face to the third face across the hinge structure, and a hinge case disposed between the first housing structure and the second housing structure to accommodate the hinge structure therein to conceal or protect the hinge structure.