Rotating Dual-Body Electronic Device With Input Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional smartphones lack a versatile and efficient input mechanism that seamlessly integrates physical key input with display functionality and power generation, limiting user interaction and application control based on device orientation.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a rotatable design, featuring a first body with a display and a second body with a display and input unit, allowing the displays to abut seamlessly, enabling physical key input, camera control, and power generation through rotation, with a controller managing operations based on sensed angles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a physical keyboard is added to a smartphone, then input capability is improved, but device thickness and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput capabilityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The smartphone is divided into two separable bodies: a first body containing the display and a second body containing the physical input unit. This segmentation allows the physical keyboard to be added only when needed, maintaining a thin profile during normal use while providing full input capability when the bodies are coupled together.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device transitions between different operational states by rotating the second body relative to the first body. When the input unit needs to be used, the second body is rotated to bring the input unit into position on the same surface as the display, creating a dynamic configuration that adapts to user needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If the display area is increased, then information display capability is improved, but device width and portability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay areaVSAvoiddevice width

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of expanding the display horizontally, the device utilizes the vertical dimension by stacking two display-containing bodies vertically when rotated. This allows the total display area to be doubled without increasing the device's width, maintaining portability while enhancing information display capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple functions are integrated into the device, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction integrationVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The second body serves multiple functions: it contains a display for extended screen real estate, houses a physical input unit for typing, includes a camera for imaging, and contains a power generator for energy harvesting. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single rotatable module, the device achieves high versatility without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The power generator in the second body automatically recharges the device's battery through motion harvesting when the user rotates or uses the device, providing self-service power management that reduces the need for external charging infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If the input unit is always visible, then input accessibility is improved, but display area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput accessibilityVSAvoiddisplay area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The input unit's visibility and accessibility are dynamically controlled through rotation of the second body. When full display area is needed, the second body remains in its initial position with the input unit concealed. When input is required, the user rotates the second body to bring the input unit into position on the same surface as the display, making it easily accessible without permanently reducing display area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 enhanced user interaction through seamless display integration, physical key input, camera functionality, and power recharging, allowing for improved application control and multi-party video calls while utilizing rotation for input and power generation.

Implementation Method 1

a rotation sensor sensing an angle of rotation of the second body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotation sensing:

Implementation Method 2

The electronic device may include a battery supplying power to the electronic device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBattery energy storage: Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentUS9686384B2Electronic device with rotating input unit and method for operating the same

Publication Date: 2017.06.20 SONG SUKJUN

AI summary

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an electronic device includes a first body having a first display on a first surface of the first body and a second body having a second display on a first surface of the second body and an input unit on a second surface of the second body. The first body and the second body are rotatably coupled with each other.