Outward Foldable AOD Screen Switching by Posture Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The always on display (AOD) function on outward foldable-screen mobile phones is limited to a single display area, causing inconvenience when the device is in a folded state, as users need to flip the device to view information like time and date, and there is inefficiency in switching displays.

Innovation Solution

An AOD method that intelligently switches the display between the main screen and back screen based on the device's posture and orientation, ensuring AOD is performed on the appropriate screen when folded or unfolded, using sensors to determine the device's posture and orientation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If AOD is performed on the main screen only when the device is folded, then power consumption is reduced, but user convenience deteriorates because users need to flip the device to view information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches the AOD display between the main screen and back screen based on the device's folded/unfolded state and orientation. When folded and held in certain orientations, AOD appears on the back screen; when unfolded, it appears on the main screen. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the display location flexible rather than fixed, maintaining power efficiency while improving user convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The back screen is given multiple functions: it serves as both a display surface for AOD information and a protective cover when folded. By utilizing the back screen for AOD display in folded state, the system expands the functional utility of available display areas, reducing reliance on the main screen and thereby maintaining power savings while improving accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If AOD is performed on both screens simultaneously, then information accessibility is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation accessibilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The display function is segmented between the main screen and back screen based on device state. Instead of simultaneously activating both screens for AOD, the system divides the AOD display task to only one screen at a time - the back screen when folded, the main screen when unfolded. This segmentation maintains information accessibility while avoiding the power penalty of dual-screen operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial action by selectively activating only the necessary display surface for AOD based on current device state, rather than excessively activating both screens simultaneously. This approach provides sufficient information accessibility through the single active display while avoiding unnecessary power consumption from redundant display operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Device complexity

If the device uses a single display area for AOD, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates when the device is folded or unfolded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay system complexityVSAvoidadaptability to folded/unfolded states
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The back screen serves multiple purposes: it acts as a protective cover when folded and as an AOD display surface when the device is in folded state with appropriate orientation. This multi-functionality increases adaptability to different device states without significantly increasing system complexity, as the back screen hardware already exists and is being utilized more effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adapts the AOD display location based on whether the device is folded or unfolded and its orientation. This dynamic behavior provides versatility across different usage scenarios while maintaining relatively simple control logic that monitors device state and switches display location accordingly, avoiding complex hardware modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4715564A1Always on display method, and electronic device
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 HONOR DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP4715564A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4715564A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4715564A1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

This application discloses an always on display method and an electronic device. The electronic device includes a display. The display includes a main screen and a back screen, and the main screen and the back screen are two display areas of the same display. When the electronic device is folded, the main screen and the back screen are oriented in opposite directions. When the electronic device is unfolded, the main screen and the back screen are oriented in a same direction, and the display area is an entire display screen. The method includes: displaying an AOD interface on the main screen in response to a screen-off operation at a first time point; where before the first time point, the electronic device is in a folded state, the main screen faces upward, and the main screen is on and displays a first interface; and displaying the AOD interface on the back screen in response to flipping the electronic device at a second time point, and turning off the AOD interface on the main screen; where after the electronic device is flipped, the main screen faces downward; and the second time point is later than the first time point. By using this application, intelligence of always on display on an outward foldable-screen mobile phone can be implemented.