Sliding LED Display for Compact Event Notifications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handheld electronic communication devices lack effective alternate mechanisms for providing visual event notifications beyond traditional light-emitting diodes, necessitating a more efficient and user-friendly method for alerting users to various events.
Innovation Solution
A handheld electronic device with a sliding display assembly that includes a light-emitting diode display screen, where the processor generates event notifications by illuminating pixels in the lower portion of the display when it is retracted, allowing light to be visible from the front of the device, and enabling customizable visual alerts based on event types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the display assembly is retracted within the device housing, then the device maintains a compact form factor, but the display area becomes partially hidden and inaccessible
Solution Approach 1:
The display assembly is designed to be dynamically movable between retracted and extended positions along the longitudinal axis. This dynamic configuration allows the display area to transition from partially hidden to fully accessible, resolving the contradiction between compact form factor and viewable display area.
Solution Approach 2:
The display assembly moves along the longitudinal axis (vertical dimension) rather than expanding horizontally. This dimensional approach allows the display to extend upward from the keyboard support member, providing full display area access without increasing the device's horizontal footprint, thus maintaining compactness while improving viewability.
2Reliability
If the entire display is illuminated for event notifications, then comprehensive notification capability is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of illuminating the entire display uniformly, the system selectively illuminates only the upper portion of the display that extends above the keyboard support member. This localized illumination approach provides sufficient event notification capability while significantly reducing power consumption compared to full-display illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by illuminating only the necessary portion of the display (the upper visible portion) rather than the entire display area. This partial illumination achieves the notification function effectively while consuming less energy than full-display illumination would require.
3Use of energy by moving object
If traditional LED indicators are used for event notifications, then power consumption is low, but the notification mechanism is limited and less user-friendly
Solution Approach 1:
The display assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as both the primary display interface and the event notification mechanism. By utilizing the existing display pixels for notifications rather than separate LED indicators, the system achieves versatile notification capabilities (customizable visuals, text, icons) while maintaining relatively low power consumption through selective pixel illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the notification function with the display function by using the same display pixels for both information presentation and event alerts. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate LED indicator components and enables more versatile notification options through the display's graphical capabilities, all while managing power consumption through selective illumination of only the visible upper portion.
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
This solution provides a compact device with a larger viewable display area and efficient power conservation by selectively illuminating only the lower display portion when retracted, offering customizable and user-configurable visual event notifications.
Implementation Method 1
a display screen on a front face thereof, the display assembly being slidable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein in the retracted position a lower portion of the display screen is received within the cavity underlying the keyboard support member
Data Source
AI summary
A handheld electronic device comprises a housing having a keyboard support member on a front thereof and a base defining a cavity therebetween, wherein light generated within the cavity can be viewed from a front of the housing; a display assembly slidably mounted to the housing and comprising a display screen on a front face thereof, the display assembly being slidable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein in the retracted position a lower portion of the display screen is received within the cavity underlying the keyboard support member and an upper portion of the display screen is viewable outside of the cavity, and in the extended position the lower portion and the upper portion of the display screen are viewable outside of the cavity, wherein the display screen is a light emitting diode display screen comprising a plurality of pixels that are selectively illuminatable to display an image; a processor configured to control operation of the display screen; and a position sensor for indicating to the processor when the display assembly is in the retracted position. When the position sensor indicates the display assembly is in the retracted position, and upon an occurrence of one or more predetermined events, the processor is configured to generate an event notification by illuminating pixels in the lower portion of the display screen.