KR101831175B1 - An electronic apparatus with a flexible display having a body enabling further functionality - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electronic device (10) comprising a body (14) around which a collapsible flexible display (6) is wrapped. According to the invention, the body 14 comprises a covering area 16a with the flexible display extended. This area is provided with a lighting unit that enables front illumination of the display in use and / or a touch-sensitive area 13 for enabling the touch function in use.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device having a flexible display having a body that enables additional functionality,

The present invention relates to an electronic device comprising a flexible display arrangement.

Embodiments of the above-described electronic device in the preceding paragraph are known in the art. For example, a flexible display can be pressed to enable touch functionality. The touch function can be performed as a resistance circuit. Usually, the touch panel is added to the top of the pressing display on the viewer side and can be performed using an adhesive. Generally, touch functions based on resistive circuits include a flexible top layer and a generally rigid bottom layer, which can be separated by insulating dots and an air cavity. The inner surface of each layer may be coated with a transparent electrical conductor, which may be ITO or other suitable electrically conductive layer. The top substrate may be performed with a plastic foil, which is typically a PET-film, e.g., about 180 micrometers thick, and the bottom substrate may be performed with one of plastic foils, such as glass or PET-film. Pressing the flexible top sheet forms an electrical contact between the conducting layers and inevitably closes the switch of the resistor circuit. Conductive layers can be considered as resistive layers, and sheet resistors are on the order of 200-1000 Ohm / m. Most touch panels are analog-type, called 4-wire type. In this type of touch panel, the conduction tracks and bus bars are connected to the top and bottom sides of the top-electrode layer and additional conducting tracks and bus bars are connected to the left and right sides of the bottom-electrode layer. The four resulting conductive leads are used to determine where the two electrode layers are shorted by a touch operation. Control electronics use appropriate electrical circuitry to alternate voltages between layers to obtain x and y coordinates. In addition, electrical circuits including more than four wires can be used to perform a resistive touch function.

Having an increased thickness, which is not suitable for the concept of foldable flexible displays, is a disadvantage of known touch panels. Normally, the top layer is coated to allow for no reflection, no sparkle, no smudging, and the like. The spacing between the two electrodes is typically filled with air and insulating structures. If the touch panel is located at the top of the display in the direction towards the viewer, the coating can reduce the optical performance of the display due to the adverse effects that result from Newton rings or increased light reflection. These effects cause a decrease in optical transparency of the display. In addition, the thickness of conventional touch panels exceeds 300 micrometers. For flexible displays that can be dried, such thickness is not acceptable and the minimum curl radius exceeds 6 mm. Adding a touch panel with a 300 micrometer thickness of flexible display may in some cases increase the overall thickness of at least 425 micrometers and cause a curvature radius greater than 21 mm.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic device comprising a collapsible flexible display having appropriate additional functions, such as touch and / or lighting functions, while preserving the minimum thickness of the flexible display.

To this end, the electronic device according to the present invention comprises: a body; And a flexible display that is at least partially collapsible and is arranged to be wrapped around the body; At least one flap having displacement means for positioning a portion of the flexible display on a portion of the body when in use, the displacement means being displaceable relative to the body; And a lighting unit arranged on a portion of the body, wherein a portion of the flaps surrounds a portion of the body in a folded state, and another portion of the flaps surrounds a portion of the body in an extended state , The displacement means may be associated with the lighting unit to synchronize the displacement of the one or more flaps with the displacement of the lighting unit.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a portion of a body that is provided with means for interacting with a display includes a flap arranged to be displaced relative to the body.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a plurality of displaceable flaps, the flaps being connected by a respective plurality of hinges.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a plurality of hinges are provided to be mutually continuous to limit the bending angle of the display.

A plurality of successive hinges are preferably used to protect the foldable flexible display from excess bending. For example, when successive hinges are positioned next to the body of the electronic device, the hinges closest to the body limit the curvature of the display to a predefined minimum radius. Preferably, such restriction is performed in two directions, such that the display is positioned over the touch-sensitive area. Preferably, the hinges extend along a major portion of the display in a direction transverse to the direction of extension of the display. This has the advantage that the curvature of the display within the display extension direction is limited with the display being substantially flat in the transverse direction.

In a specific example, the means is arranged in a touch sensitive unit. More specifically, the means relates to an illumination unit. When a collapsible electronic display is arranged to lie around the body of the electronic device, the touch function may preferably be performed on a portion of the body that is provided to mechanically support a portion of the flexible display in use. It will be appreciated that various realizations of the touch sensing portion of the body can be made.

First, a collapsible flexible display may be arranged to extend only partially from its storage location, for example for preview purposes. The portion of the body having a touch function may have a dimension sufficient to support the partially extended area of the flexible display.

Second, the fully extended flexible display can have dimensions comparable to the dimensions of the body. In such a case, the portion of the body that is arranged with touch sensing may substantially match the overall dimension of one side of the body.

Due to the fact that the touch sensing function is integrated within the body of the electronic device, no additional layers are added to the foil 0, which has the advantage that the minimum thickness of the collapsible flexible display is preserved while enabling the touch function. It will be appreciated that suitable concepts are utilized to enable a touch function including, but not limited to, electromagnetic means, pressure sensing means, and the like.

In an embodiment of the electronic device according to the invention, the device further comprises one or more substantially rigid flaps arranged to support a portion of the flexible display in an extended state, wherein the one or more rigid flaps And displacement means for positioning a portion of the flexible display.

In this embodiment, the rigid flaps provide mechanical support to the flexible display. The rigid flaps are preferably arranged with a displacement means such as a hinge portion that can rotate 180 degrees, for example. A hinge connected to the body can be additionally connected to the cylinder and another 180 degrees to place the display on top of the touch sensitive portion of the body. Alternatively, the displacement means comprises other suitable mechanical structures for positioning the appropriate portion of the flexible display on the arms, sliding bars or the touch-sensitive portion of the body.

In another embodiment of an electronic display according to the present invention, the one or more flaps are provided with fixing means for retaining a portion of the flexible display on a portion of the body. This is advantageous to prevent damage to the display surface during operation of the integrated touch-sensing unit in the body. In particular, it is advantageous to prevent undesired sliding of the flexible display relative to the body when the touch-sensitive unit is arranged to operate based on pressure sensing or when using a resistive circuit. The means for preferably retaining includes hinges, magnets, or other suitable means of insertion into the body.

In another embodiment of the electronic device according to the invention the flaps are arranged to slide relative to the body. For example, the flaps may resemble a book and be arranged to include a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion being slidable step-wise wa. This embodiment has the advantage that in the first step the first part can be used in a reportable manner. When the user decides to use the entire screen, the first part in the second step can also be positioned to enable the observation of the second part as well. Preferably, the touch-interface is included in such sliding portions.

In another embodiment of the electronic device according to the invention, the one or more flaps are arranged to be positioned at an oblique angle relative to the body in use. In this particular embodiment, the body additionally serves as a stand for a flexible display that improves the user affinity of the visualization function. It will be appreciated that the touch function inserted in the body in this embodiment should be based on contact-lens means, such as EM means or other proximity detection means.

In another embodiment of the electronic display according to the present invention, the apparatus further comprises a substantially flexible backing unit for receiving the flexible display, wherein the backing unit is preferably straightened in use and on the part of the body And means for positioning a portion of the flexible display. This embodiment has the advantage that the flexible backing unit functions to flatten the display and protect its rear surface, which is particularly advantageous because the back surface can make mechanical contact with the touch-sensing portion of the body. Preferably, the backing unit can also be displaced relative to the body for proper positioning of the display. For example, the positioning means may be provided to include a hinge for rotating the backing unit relative to the body.

In another embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention, the active area of the flexible display is arranged on an outwardly facing surface with respect to the body. This embodiment has the advantage of saving space because the user can wrap the flexible display around the body with the active area of the display located on the outside. This functionality allows the touch-sensing electronics to be used in a compact, wrapped shape. Also in this embodiment, a suitable means for holding the display on the touch-sensitive portion of the body is provided. Such position means may relate, for example, to indications or magnets in the hinges.

In another embodiment of the electronic display according to the invention, the flexible display is arranged with means for accommodating in one or more movable flaps and for interacting with the display in a state in which a portion of the body is extended, And a lighting unit that allows for front emission of the flexible display in the extended and extended state.

It can be advantageous to provide one or more light sources which can be integrated into the body of the electronic device and can combine the light emanating from the light source into a suitable light guide integrated into the flap when the flap is positioned over the top of the part . In this way, the front of the flexible display can be illuminated. It will be appreciated that the lighting function may be combined with the touch-sensing function. Additional details of such an embodiment are described with reference to FIG.

In another embodiment of an electronic display according to the present invention, the lighting unit may be displaced relative to a portion of the body of the electronic device. This embodiment may also be combined with a touch-sensing function. Preferably, the displacement is enabled between a substantially hidden position and a substantially protruded position. Preferably, if the flaps of the electronic device can be displaced relative to the stationary body by a suitable displacement means such as a hinge, the lighting unit can be displaced by coupling them to the displacing means from a hidden position to a projected position. In this case, the displacement of the lighting unit is substantially synchronized with the rotation of the flaps around the body. Additional details of such an embodiment are described with reference to Fig. This embodiment has the advantage that the power lines or light sources are integrated into the flaps and need not be integrated into the flaps.

These and other details of the invention will be further described with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements. It is to be understood that the drawings are used for purposes of illustration and may not be used to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Figure 1 schematically shows an embodiment of an electronic device according to the invention;
Figure 2 schematically shows another embodiment of an electronic device according to the invention;
Figure 3 schematically shows another embodiment of an electronic device according to the invention;
Figure 4 schematically shows another embodiment of an electronic device according to the invention;
Figure 5 schematically shows another embodiment of an electronic device according to the invention;
Figure 6 is a schematic view of one embodiment of an electronic device provided with an outwardly directed display;
Figure 7 is a schematic of one embodiment of an electronic device according to the invention provided with illumination means;
Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention provided with displaceable illumination means.

1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention. An electronic device 10 according to the present invention includes a body 14 around which a suitable lid 12 is wrapped. The lid 12 can be used to support a foldable flexible display 16 of the electronic device. According to the steps 1, 2 and 3, in which the electronic device 10 can be set according to the operating mode by the user, in step 1 the lid 12 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow "a & And is not folded with respect to the hinge 11. Preferably, a 180 degree rotation is seen. The lid 12 then extends outwardly with two substantially rigid flaps 15a, 15b internally connected by a hinge 17. The body 14 according to the present invention includes a touch-sensitive area 13 that can be dimensioned as desired. For example, the dimensions of the touch-sensitive area 13 can occupy the entire area of the corresponding surface of the body 14, which can occupy a portion of the corresponding surface of the body 14. [ In step (2) the lid 12 further rotates about the body 14 about the hinge 18 in the direction indicated by the arrow b. Preferably, an additional 180 degree rotation is shown. As a result, at least a portion 16a of the collapsible flexible display 16 is positioned to cover the touch-sensitive portion 13 of the body 14 of the electronic device 10. It will be appreciated that although Fig. 1 shows the foldable flexible display 16 in the deformed area 16b, a number of such areas can be provided.

2 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention. The electronic device 20 includes a body 24 around which the lid 21 is wrapped. The lid 21 may not be folded in step 1 in the direction indicated by the arrow "a" where rotation occurs around the hinge 27. [ In this particular embodiment the lid 21 has such portions 22a, 22b, 23a, 23b showing a portion of the display. As a result, the collapsible flexible display is extended and the first portion 22 having the sub-portions 22a, 22b is pulled out. Portions of the flexible display are preferably supported by the lid of the electronic device 20. [ According to the present invention, the body 24 is provided with a touch-sensitive area. In this example, the portion 22a is located above the touch-sensitive region (not shown) of the body 24, where the user can enter alpha-numerical information, such as the appropriate alphabets, if desired . The flexible display can extend further from the storage location in the body 24 so that both the first portion 22 and the second portion 23 extend. In this case, the other area 25 of the flexible display is positioned above the touch-sensitive area of the body 24. [ Preferably, the electronic device 20 is arranged in an automatic track such that portions of the display cover the touch-sensitive area so that appropriate touch buttons of the user interface are projected over such portions. For example, if the portions 22, 23 are arranged to expand and slide like a book, the touch interface may be included in the sliding portion. Alternatively, the user interface may have the ability to scroll the touch buttons on the display screen to position their images on portions of the flexible display that cover the touch sensitive area.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention. The electronic device 30 includes a body 34 around which the lid 31 is wrapped. The lid 31 comprises a plurality of appropriately dimensioned segments internally connected by a plurality of elongated hinges 35a ... 35n and 37a ... 37n individually arranged in series. When the lid 31 is to be opened, the user places the lid 31 against the body 34 in the direction indicated by the arrow "a ". Preferably, a collapsible flexible display (not shown) of the device 30 is attached to the lid 31 and loosened therewith. In step (2), a portion of the collapsible flexible display is straightened. The present embodiment is characterized in that a plurality of successive hinges 35a ... 35n and 37a ... 37n limit the minimum bending angle of the display on the one hand and flatten the flexible display on the other hand, Which is advantageous in terms of durability. In addition, the plurality of hinges may be arranged to support substantially a full 360 degree rotation as compared to a single hinge embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. This provides a dense mechanical structure for substantially 360 degrees of rotation and has the advantage of improving durability and user affinity of the device 30. [

4 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention. An electronic device 40 according to the present invention includes a body 44 provided in a touch-sensitive area 42 that interacts with a collapsible flexible display 45. Preferably, in this embodiment a suitable contact-free touch-sensing device is used. For example, the operation of such a device may be based on EM radiation, and a stylus 48 provided with an appropriate EM antenna exchanges energy with the appropriate coils of the touch-sensing unit 42. These laws of operation are known per se and form part of the knowledge of those skilled in the art. Preferably, the flexible display 45 is fixed / arranged on a rigid flap 41 that supports the display 45, and the flap is rotatable about the hinge 43. The flap 41 may have a plurality of appropriate segments separated by a hinge 43. It will be appreciated that an electronic device capable of a single rotation or a plurality of rotations of the flexible display 45 with the flaps 41 around the body 44 is contemplated. Preferably, the body 44 acts as a support for the display 45 to enhance the visualization characteristics of the electronic device 40 as a whole.

5 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention. An electronic device 50 according to the present invention includes a body 54 around which a flexible lid 52 is wrapped. The flexible cover 52 can perform one or more rotations around the body 54. [ The body 54 is provided with a touch-sensitive area 53 that can cover a portion of one side of the body 54 or the entire side of the body 54. In operation, the flexible lid 52 is unfolded in accordance with the arrows "a" and "b" that cause the fully extended display 55 supported by the flexible lid 52. As a result of the rotation of the flexible lid 54 about the hinge 56, a suitable portion of the flexible display 55 is positioned to cover the touch-sensitive area 53. Preferably, the flexible lid is used as a back protection means to protect the display 55 from mechanical damage caused by pressing it against the touch sensitive area 53 of the body 54.

In another embodiment of the electronic device 60 according to the present invention, schematically shown in Fig. 6, the flexible display 62 is wrapped around the body 61 of the outwardly facing electronic device 60. The touch sensitive area 64 may be provided on the body 61 to substantially correspond to the overall dimensions of the covering area of the display 62. To protect the display 62 from mechanical damage to the periphery, suitable edge protectors 63 may be used. The edge protectors 63 may form part of the cover material of the electronic device 60, or may form part of a flexible display stack and be manufactured with it. The display 62 is secured to the body 61 using magnets, or other suitable mechanical means such as in-hinge indications. A particular embodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention has the advantage that the electronic device 60 is used while the display 62 is wrapped around the body 61, which saves space and is user-friendly. A removable cover 65 may be provided to protect the display area from mechanical or other damage. Preferably, the lid is flexible and transparent so that the user can interact with the device while using the lid. This can be done by connecting in a conversation, checking an incoming e-mail or other message, activating the camera function, or other similar applications when a limited number of touch buttons are activated and a limited time is used to study the display You can find the same simple interactions in the same application. If the user is engaged with the electronic device 60, the user strips the cover 65 and proceeds accordingly. It will also be appreciated that the body 61 also includes a touch sensitive area, not shown, on the back side. The user may then engage the device 60 using both the front touch sensitive area 64 and the rear touch sensitive area (not shown). This saves the user time, saves space, and can benefit in some circumstances. Additionally or alternatively, it is also possible to arrange the flexible display so that the operating area is oriented outwardly in use and downwardly in storage.

7 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an electronic device according to the invention provided with a lighting unit. The electronic device 70 includes a body 71 on which the flap 72 is rotatable in use. The rotation of the flap 72 is schematically illustrated using steps 1-3. In step (1), the flap (72) is completely dried around the body (71). The flap 72 rotates around the body 71 and moves to the body (not shown) in step 2 to view the flexible display (not shown) attached to the flap 72, for example, The light sources 74a and 74b that can be integrated with the light sources 71 and 71 are shown. The light sources may be positioned below a portion 74 that is used to enable the touch function. Additionally, the light sources are located anywhere on the surface 74 '. Preferably, a suitable displacement means is used to displace the flaps, and the displacement means is mechanically or electrically connected to the lighting unit to synchronize the displacement of the lighting unit with the displacement of the flaps. The flap 72 includes corresponding apertures 76a, 76b cooperating with the light sources 74a, 74b when the flap 72 is properly positioned on the body 71 (step 3). The light sources 74a and 74b are configured to provide light guides 74a and 74b that can follow individual edge portions of the flap 72 to connect light to the openings 76a and 76b, RTI ID = 0.0 > 75 < / RTI > Although an aperture is referred to, the embodiment is not limited to spaces, and the provision of suitable filters or a transparent screen is also contemplated.

In addition, the electronic device described above includes a device body, an at least partially flexible display cooperating with the device body, an illuminator for illuminating at least a portion of the display, the illuminator being provided along an edge portion of the display . The edge portion of the display may be rigid, flexible, partially rigid and partially flexible. Preferably, the illuminator comprises a plurality of electrically interconnected light sources integrated within an edge portion of the display. Additionally or alternatively, the illuminator includes a light guide arranged to emit light along at least its length. Preferably, the light guide comprises a plurality of optically coupled light guide segments. The light guide may be arranged to follow the edge of the flexible display. Additionally or alternatively, the illuminator comprises a strip of light emitting material. Also alternatively, the light guide is arranged with light transmitting walls that emit light along at least a portion of its length. Also alternatively, the illuminator may be provided with non-transmissive walls arranged with a transmissive region. The fixture is structured to be displaced with the edge of the flexible display. If the edge is flexible, the light guide can also be flexibly structured. In this way, for a flexible display that can be rolled or wrapped, the fixture can follow the curling or wrapping movement of the portion of the display that is interacting or connected together. The light can be generated by an appropriate light source, which can preferably be located in the body of the electronic device.

8 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of an electronic device according to the invention provided with a displaceable lighting unit. Similar to the embodiment shown in Fig. 7, the electronic device 80 according to the present embodiment includes a body 81 in which the flap 82 is rotated around during use. The rotation of the flap is schematically illustrated using steps 1-3. In step (1), the flap 82 is completely dried around the body 81. In use of electronic device 80, for example, for the purpose of viewing a flexible display (not shown) attached to flap 82, at step 2, the flap rotates about body 81, The light poles 83a and 83b are brought to a substantially projected position, as schematically shown by the arrows. The optical columns may be generally stored in a location hidden within suitable cavities provided on the surface of, for example, the body 82 (not shown). Alternatively, the optical columns may be located anywhere on the surface 84 '. Additionally or alternatively, the optical columns may be located on a region that includes, but is not limited to, the region used for the touch function. The flap 82 includes corresponding openings 86a and 86b cooperating with the light columns 83a and 83b when the flap 82 is properly positioned over the body 81. [ This embodiment has the advantage over the embodiment shown in Figure 7 in which power lines or light sources need not be integrated into the body of the flap or electronic device.

1, 2, 3 and 5 may be applied to the configuration of the lighting unit, that is, the light source (or the optical column) and the opening as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 described above.

Although specific embodiments of the electronic device according to the present invention have been described separately for clarity purposes, it will be appreciated that the feasibility of the compatible features described with reference to the independent figures is to be understood. While specific embodiments have been described above, it will be appreciated that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as described. For example, the flexible display may be arranged with an active area facing the outwardly facing body with respect to the body. The detailed description is intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Accordingly, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention as described above without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

10: Electronic device
11: Hinge
12: Cover
13: Touch sensing area
14: Body

Claims (12)

Body;
Flexible display;
A plurality of flaps connected to the body and supporting at least a portion of the flexible display when the flexible display is unfolded and surrounding at least a portion of the flexible display when the flexible display is folded; And
And a hinge connecting the plurality of flaps,
Wherein when the flexible display is unfolded, the hinge is supported on the body, thereby limiting the bending angle so that the flexible display remains flat. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a lighting unit arranged on a portion of the body,
Wherein one of the plurality of flaps surrounds a portion of the body in a folded state,
Wherein the other of the plurality of flaps surrounds a portion of the body in an extended state,
Wherein the hinge is coupled to the lighting unit to synchronize the displacement of the one or more flaps with the displacement of the lighting unit. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the hinge comprises a plurality of segmented hinges, the plurality of segmented hinges being provided to be mutually contiguous to limit the bending angle of the flexible display. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Wherein the portion of the body comprises a touch sensitive unit. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the lighting unit is arranged to correspond to the one or more flaps and is structured to enable forward emission of the flexible display. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the lighting unit is displaceable with respect to the body. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the hinge is arranged to rotate the one or more flaps with respect to the body. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the one or more flaps are provided with securing means for retaining a portion of the flexible display on a portion of the body. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the one or more flaps are arranged to slide relative to the body. The method according to claim 1,
The apparatus further comprises a flexible backing unit for receiving the flexible display,
Wherein the backing unit is intended to be straightened and includes means for positioning a portion of the flexible display on a portion of the body in use. 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the means for positioning comprises a hinge for rotating the backing unit relative to the body. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the active area of the flexible display is arranged outward relative to the body when in use.

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