KR102222332B1 - Flexible display apparatus and contorlling method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a flexible display device. The flexible display device includes a display unit, a detection unit that detects bending of the flexible display unit, and a first content generated on a first screen of the display unit, and generated on a region of the display unit based on the bending. 2 and a control unit for controlling the display unit to reconfigure and display the first content on the screen.

Description

Flexible display device and its control method {FLEXIBLE DISPLAY APPARATUS AND CONTORLLING METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a flexible display device and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a flexible display device capable of bending and a control method thereof.

With the development of electronic technology, various types of display devices are being developed. In particular, display devices such as TVs, PCs, laptop computers, tablet PCs, mobile phones, and MP3 players have a high penetration rate so that they are used in most homes.

In recent years, in order to meet the needs of users who desire new and diverse functions, efforts have been made to develop a display device in a newer form. It is what is called the so-called next-generation display.

An example of a next-generation display device is a flexible display device. A flexible display device refers to a display device having characteristics that can be deformed like paper.

The flexible display device can be used for various purposes since the user applies force to bend it to deform the shape. For example, it may be implemented as a portable device such as a mobile phone or a tablet PC, an electronic picture frame, a PDA, or an MP3 player.

On the other hand, a flexible display device has a characteristic of being flexible, unlike a conventional display device. Accordingly, there is a need for a method of using the corresponding characteristic in various ways for the operation of the display device.

The present invention is in accordance with the above-described necessity, and an object of the present invention is to provide a flexible display device for optimizing and displaying a screen according to a shape change according to a bending input, and a control method thereof.

A flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a display unit, a detection unit that detects bending of the flexible display device, and displays first content on a first screen of the display unit, And a control unit for controlling the display unit to reconstruct and display the first content on a second screen generated on a region of the display unit based on the bending.

Here, the first screen may be a full screen of the display unit.

In addition, the control unit, in a first form in which the bending is maintained for a predetermined time or longer, is generated on a region of the display unit. Control to reconfigure and display the first content on the second screen.

In addition, the second screen is generated in a different form according to the position where the bending has occurred, and the control unit may reconstruct the content into a different form according to the form of the second screen.

Also, the controller may display information related to the first content on a third screen generated on another area of the display unit based on the bending.

In addition, it further includes a gaze detection unit for detecting a gaze direction of the user, wherein the control unit changes a display perspective according to the detected gaze direction of the user and a bending angle according to the bending, and At least one of information related to 1 content may be changed to correspond to the display perspective and controlled to be displayed on the second screen and the third screen.

Here, the information related to the first content includes a first content list including second content of the same level as the first content, a second content list including a higher category of the first content, and the first content It may be at least one of information for executing a related function.

In addition, when the second content belonging to the content list is selected and the bending is released, the controller may control to display the second content on the entire screen of the display unit.

In addition, when a flick operation is input while the first content is displayed on the second screen and the second content is displayed on the third screen, the controller displays the second content on the second screen. Can be controlled to do.

In addition, it further comprises a communication unit for performing communication with the server, wherein the control unit transmits the information on the second screen generated based on the bending to the server, and the reconfiguration corresponding to the second screen from the server Control to receive and display the first content.

Further, it further comprises a communication unit for performing a video call with the other terminal; wherein the control unit displays the video call image on the second screen, and the video call counterpart on a third screen generated on another area of the display unit You can control to display objects for sharing and content.

Meanwhile, a method of controlling a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes displaying first content on a first screen of the display unit, detecting bending of the flexible display device, and displaying the display based on the bending. And reconfiguring and displaying the first content on a second screen generated on a sub-region.

Here, the first screen may be a full screen of the display unit.

In addition, the reconfiguring and displaying of the first content may include reconfiguring and displaying the first content on the second screen generated on one area of the display unit in a first form in which the bending is maintained for a predetermined time or longer. can do.

In addition, the second screen is generated in a different form according to the position where the bending has occurred, and the reconfiguring and displaying the first content may reconfigure the content into a different form according to the form of the second screen. .

The method may further include displaying information related to the first content on a third screen generated on another area of the display unit based on the bending.

In addition, detecting a user's gaze direction, changing a display perspective according to the detected gaze direction of the user and a bending angle of the bending input, and providing at least one of the first content and information related to the first content The method may further include changing to correspond to the display perspective and displaying the display on the second screen and the third screen.

Here, the information related to the first content includes a first content list including second content of the same level as the first content, a second content list including a higher category of the first content, and the first content It may be at least one of information for executing a related function.

In addition, when the second content belonging to the content list is selected and the bending state is released, displaying the second content on the entire screen of the display unit may be further included.

In addition, when a flick operation is input while the first content is displayed on the second screen and the second content is displayed on the third screen, displaying the second content on the second screen is further performed. Can include.

In addition, the step of transmitting the information on the second screen generated based on the bending to the server, the step of reconfiguring and displaying the first content, the server corresponding to the second screen The reconstructed first content may be received and displayed.

In addition, performing a video call with a counterpart terminal, and displaying a video call image on the second screen, and displaying an object for content sharing with the video call counterpart on a third screen created on another area of the display unit. It may further include the step of.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure described above, since a screen optimized for various bending states can be provided, user convenience is improved.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a diagram illustrating a basic structure of a display unit constituting a flexible display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
3 to 7 are views for explaining a bending detection method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 to 17 are diagrams for explaining a method of determining a degree of bending according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
18 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a detailed configuration of a flexible display device for describing an operation according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
19 is a diagram illustrating a software structure of a storage unit for supporting an operation of a control unit according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
20 is a diagram illustrating a display method of a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
21 to 29 are diagrams for describing a display method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
30 is a diagram illustrating an example of a specific shape of an external appearance of a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
31 is a diagram illustrating a flexible display device in which a power supply unit is detachable.
32 and 33 illustrate implementation examples of a flexible display device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the flexible display device 100 includes a display unit 110, a sensing unit 120, and a control unit 130.

The display unit 110 displays a screen. The flexible display device 100 including the display unit 110 has a bendable characteristic. Accordingly, the display unit 110 must be made of a structure and material capable of bending. A detailed configuration of the display unit 110 will be described later.

The sensing unit 120 detects bending of the flexible display device 100. Specifically, the sensing unit 120 uses a bend sensor, a pressure sensor, a strain gauge, etc. to bend/fold position, bending/folding direction, bending/folding angle, bending/folding intensity, bending/folding speed, bending/folding frequency , It is possible to recognize when a bending/folding operation occurs, and a bending/folding maintenance time.

Specifically, the detection unit 120 may recognize the bending strength by measuring a radius of curvature R of a bending position through a change in a resistance value distribution output from a bend sensor or a strain gauge or a pressure distribution detected by a pressure sensor. .

In addition, the detection unit 120 may recognize the bending speed based on the change state of the bending position and intensity sensed through a change in a resistance value distribution output from a bend sensor or a strain gauge or a pressure distribution detected by a pressure sensor. have.

In addition, the sensing unit 120 may detect a change in the bending state. Specifically, a change in bending/folding position, change in bending/folding direction, change in bending/folding angle, change in bending/folding intensity, etc. may be recognized.

In addition, the sensing unit 120 may recognize a bending line formed by bending and a change state of the bending line. Specifically, the detection unit 120 may recognize the bending line through a change in a distribution of a resistance value output from a bend sensor or a strain gauge or a distribution of a pressure detected by a pressure sensor. Here, the bending line may be a virtual line connecting points having the greatest degree of bending on an area where bending has occurred. For example, a virtual line connecting a bending point (or bending coordinate) having a maximum resistance value output from the bend sensor may be a bending line.

The control unit 130 displays the first content on the first screen of the display unit 110, and on the second screen generated on a region of the display unit 110 based on the bending detected by the detection unit 120 The first content may be reconfigured and displayed.

Specifically, the control unit 130 displays the first content on the first screen of the display unit 110, that is, the full screen, in the first form in which bending is not detected, and the second form in which the bending input is maintained for a predetermined time or longer. Control to reconfigure and display the first content on the second screen generated based on bending at. Here, the second screen may be generated in a different form according to the position where the bending has occurred, and the controller 130 may reconstruct the content into a different form according to the form of the second screen and display it on the second screen.

Also, the controller 130 may control to display information related to the first content on a third screen generated on another area of the display unit 110 based on bending. That is, the controller 130 reconstructs and displays the first content on the second screen generated on one area of the display unit 100 based on the bending, and creates the second screen in the remaining areas except for the generated area. Information related to the first content may be displayed on the third screen. Here, the information related to the first content is a first content list including second content at the same level as the first content, a second content list including a higher category of the first content, and a function related to the first content. It may be at least one of the information to be used.

In addition, when there is a flick operation while the first content is displayed on the second screen generated based on the bending and the second content is displayed on the third screen, the controller 130 may display the first content on the second screen. It may disappear and display the second content on the second screen. That is, the user can switch the content displayed on the screen through the flick manipulation. For example, in a state in which application contents are listed and displayed on a second screen and a third screen adjacent thereto, the first application contents displayed on the second screen are displayed by touching and flicking the first application contents displayed on the second screen. The second application content displayed on the third screen may be switched and displayed, and a new third application content may be displayed on the third screen.

Meanwhile, the reconstructed content screen may be previously stored according to the size of the second screen, may be generated in real time, or may be received from the outside.

Specifically, the controller 130 may reconstruct the first content to correspond to the second screen information generated based on bending. Here, the second screen information may be size information of the second screen.

For example, the controller 130 may scale the size of the first content displayed on the entire screen to fit the divided second screen size. In this case, the content image may be processed and displayed in the form of adjusting the resolution of the first content image or adjusting only the size to fit the second screen size while maintaining the ratio.

In addition, the controller 130 may reconfigure HTML, perform video and image resizing in order to reconstruct the content, and may reconfigure the UI to fit the second screen. For example, the browser may reconstruct the received HTML text to fit the second screen size, or may perform resizing in the case of a video or an image. In addition, in the case of an application that provides a UI screen, UI information corresponding to the first screen (ie, full screen) and the second screen (ie, partial screen) may be previously stored.

Alternatively, the controller 130 may transmit size information of the second screen to an external server (not shown), receive screen information corresponding to the size information transmitted from the server, and display a screen corresponding to the second screen. . In this case, the screen information may include information corresponding to a third screen generated in a region other than the second screen in the display unit 100 in addition to information corresponding to a part or all of the second screen.

The configuration for displaying a screen corresponding to the above-described second screen may be applied equally to the case of displaying the third screen, but detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

In addition, the controller 130 may reconstruct the first content according to the user's gaze.

Specifically, the controller 130 may determine a display perspective of the second screen generated based on bending according to the user's gaze direction, and control the first content to be changed and displayed to correspond to the determined display perspective. Accordingly, the flexible display device may further include a gaze detection unit (not shown) that detects a user's gaze direction.

Here, the display perspective means displaying a sense of perspective (a sense of distant and close distance) on a two-dimensional plane such as a display as seen from the real eye. Specifically, it may be a display method in which objects displayed from the user's viewpoint have a sense of perspective according to the position and direction of the user's gaze.

For example, perspective perspective can be applied as a display method, and perspective perspective can represent a sense of distance or composition by using a vanishing point, that is, a point where a line meets a line when an extension of an object is drawn through perspective. The one-point vanishing point perspective method is also referred to as the parallel line perspective method, and has a strong sense of concentration with one vanishing point, and can be used when expressing a diagonal composition. Two-point vanishing method Perspective method is also referred to as oblique perspective method, and two vanishing points can be located on the left and right sides of the screen. The three-point vanishing point perspective method is called spatial perspective, and has three vanishing points and can be located on the left and right sides of the screen and on the upper or lower side of the screen. A display form according to various embodiments of the present invention to which the above-described perspective method is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Meanwhile, the gaze detection unit (not shown) detects an area in the display unit 110 that the user gazes. In this case, the gaze detector (not shown) may detect a region to which the user gazes by tracking the user's face direction or the user's eye movement.

Specifically, the gaze detection unit (not shown) identifies an eyeball image from a user photographed image captured by a photographing unit (not shown) through a face modeling technique. In this case, the face modeling technology is an analysis process that converts the facial image acquired by the photographing unit into digital information for processing and transmission, and one of an Active Shape Modeling (ASM) technique and an Active Appearance Modeling (AAM) technique may be used. I can. In addition, the gaze detection unit (not shown) may determine the movement of the eyeball using the identified eyeball image. In addition, the gaze detection unit (not shown) may determine the gazing area by detecting the direction the user gazes using the eye movement, and comparing the coordinate information of the previously stored display screen with the direction the user gazes. .

Meanwhile, as described above, the method of determining the gazing area by the user is only an exemplary embodiment, and another method may be used to determine the gazing area by the user. For example, the gaze detector (not shown) may determine a region to which the user gazes by tracking the user's face direction.

In addition, the controller 130 determines the display perspective of the second screen in consideration of not only the user's gaze direction, but also the display direction according to the bending angle, and changes and displays the first content to correspond to the determined display perspective. Can be controlled. Specifically, the controller 130 may display a display angle that can be most effectively recognized by the user in consideration of the user's gaze direction and the display direction according to bending at the same time. For example, the bending angle and the display angle of the second screen may be inversely proportional, but are not limited thereto.

In addition, the controller 130 may determine the display perspective by additionally using the distance between the display unit 110 and the user, in particular, the user's face or the user's eyes. Accordingly, the flexible display apparatus 100 may further include a distance measuring unit (not shown). The distance measuring unit (not shown) includes a light emitting unit emitting light to a subject and a light receiving unit receiving light reflected from the subject, and may measure a distance to the subject through the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit.

Meanwhile, as described above, the controller 130 may control to display information related to the first content on a third screen generated in another area based on bending.

Here, the information related to the first content includes a first content list including second content at the same level as the first content, a second content list including a higher category of the first content, and another category at the same level as the first content. 1 This may be at least one of information for executing a function related to content. For example, when the first content is A movie content, a content list including B movie content and C movie content becomes the first content list, and the movie category and news category, drama category, which are higher categories of the first content, A content list including a music category or the like may be a second content list.

Also, the information related to the first content may be a sub-category list including sub-categories at the same level as the sub-category when the first content belongs to a specific sub-category. For example, when the first content is a specific movie content and the corresponding movie content belongs to a sub-category called action, a sub-category list including other sub-categories such as comedy and SF may be displayed on the third screen.

The controller 130 determines a display perspective for the third screen based on at least one of the user's gaze direction and the bending angle of the bending input, and determines information related to the first content displayed on the third screen. It can be controlled to change and display corresponding to.

In a state in which the first content is displayed on the second screen, when the second screen and the third screen are disposed so that the edge of the flexible display device 100 is in contact with the support surface, the controller 130 It is possible to control to display a screen for selecting other content on the third screen. For example, a first content list including second content having the same level as the first content, a second content list including a higher category of the first content, and the like may be displayed.

In addition, when the first content is displayed on the second screen and the flexible display device 100 to which each of the second screen and the third screen belongs is disposed to contact the support surface, the controller 130 displays the third screen. It is possible to control to display a screen for performing a function related to the first content.

In addition, the controller 130 may control the display object to be displayed in a different form according to the bending angle.

Specifically, as shown in Table 1 below, the controller 130 may change and display a display object and a display shape according to a bending angle.

Bending angle Display form
180 degrees
-Display is flat -Display in full screen format (eg watching a movie)
-In case of dual display, 1/2 is displayed on the left screen and the other 1/2 is displayed on the right screen
-Display nth page on the left and n+1 page on the right (e.g., e-book) Approaching 90 degrees (+/- 30 degrees), that is, between 60 and 120 degrees
-Detects the user's gaze angle with respect to the right side and displays the object displayed on the left side so that it looks extended.
If necessary, the menu screen can also be displayed on the right side 0 degrees-display is fully folded -Display turn off / system switch to standby mode When the state changes from 0 degrees to 90 degrees -Switch from standby mode to lock screen When the state changes from 90 degrees to 180 degrees -If 90 degrees is in the lock display state, it switches to the task until it enters the standby state by unlocking. When the state changes from 180 degrees to 90 degrees -The upper category of the content displayed at 180 degrees and the same level as the upper category are displayed on the left and right screens

Meanwhile, the flexible display device 100 may be implemented in a form having a dual screen in some cases. That is, the flexible display device 100 may include two electronic paper displays (EPDs). For example, the EPD includes consecutive pages such as e-books and news papers (i.e., n-th page, n+1 page). ) Is displayed respectively. Accordingly, it can be said that the provision of the e-book by the dual-screen e-book terminal is performed in the same manner as the actual book. Meanwhile, the flexible display device 100 is a communication unit (not shown) that performs a video call with a counterpart terminal (not shown). Poetry) may be further included.

In this case, the controller 130 displays the video call image on the second screen generated on one area of the display unit 100 based on the bending, and displays the video call image on the other area of the display unit 110 based on the bending. The third screen can be controlled to display an object for sharing content with a video call counterpart.

Also, the controller 130 may transmit an object selected by a user among objects displayed on the third screen to a video call partner terminal (not shown). Here, the selection by the user may be an operation of selecting an object through manipulation such as touch-and-flick and touch-and-drag, and moving it to the second screen.

Specifically, an area for displaying an object to be transmitted to the opposite terminal (not shown) may be provided on the second screen on which the video call party image is displayed. When an object is selected and moved to the corresponding area, the selected object is City).

In addition, when performing a video call with a plurality of counterparts, the second screen may be divided into a plurality of screens to display video call images corresponding to the plurality of counterparts, respectively.

However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and an operation corresponding to bending of the flexible display apparatus 100 according to the present invention may take various forms according to the type of the flexible display apparatus 100. As an example, when the flexible display device 100 is a mobile phone, the controller 130 may connect a phone call, reject a reception, display a menu, transmit/receive text, select and execute an application, execute and terminate a web browser, etc. of the present invention. A function corresponding to a bending input may be performed according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. As another example, when the flexible display device 100 is a TV, it performs a function corresponding to a bending input according to various embodiments of the present invention among various functions such as channel selection, volume adjustment, luminance adjustment, color adjustment, and contrast adjustment. can do. As another example, when the flexible display device 100 is an electronic book, a memo column display, a bookmark page display, a quick turn, a highlight function, a secret storage function, a summary view function, and a page merging function according to various embodiments of the present invention may be used. A function corresponding to the bending input can be performed.

In addition, the flexible display device 100 may be implemented as various types of display devices such as a PDA, an electronic picture frame, an electronic notebook, an MP3 player, a tablet PC, a laptop computer, and a monitor.

In addition, in some cases, the flexible display apparatus 100 may further include a hinge unit (not shown).

The hinge part (not shown) may be mounted in at least one area where the flexible display device 100 can be bent. For example, it may be disposed in a central area in the horizontal direction of the flexible display device 100. The hinge unit (not shown) may further include a hinge sensor (not shown) capable of detecting the degree of bending in the mounted area. On the other hand, when bending is performed around the hinge part (not shown), the two display areas divided based on the bending line may be closed in contact with each other, or they may be completely flipped in the opposite direction to open the rear surface in contact with each other. May be.

Meanwhile, as described above, the display unit 110 must be manufactured in a form capable of bending. The sensing unit 120 may detect the bending state in various ways.

Hereinafter, a detailed configuration of the display unit 110 and a method for detecting bending thereof will be described in detail.

<Example of the structure of the flexible display and its bending detection method>

2 is a diagram illustrating a basic structure of a display unit constituting a flexible display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, the display unit 110 includes a substrate 111, a driving unit 112, a display panel 113, and a protective layer 114.

The flexible display device 100 refers to a device that can be bent, bent, folded, or rolled like paper while maintaining the display characteristics of a conventional flat panel display device. Therefore, the flexible display device must be fabricated on a flexible substrate.

Specifically, the substrate 111 may be implemented as a plastic substrate (eg, a polymer film) that can be deformed by external pressure.

The plastic substrate has a structure in which a barrier coating is treated on both sides of a base film. In the case of the basic material, it may be implemented with various resins such as PI (Polyimide), PC (Polycarbonite), PET (Polyethyleneterephtalate), PES (Polyethersulfone), PEN (Polythylenenaphthalate), FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastic). In addition, the barrier coating is performed on surfaces facing each other in the base material, and an organic film or an inorganic film may be used to maintain flexibility.

Meanwhile, as the substrate 111, in addition to a plastic substrate, a material having flexible properties such as thin glass or metal foil may be used.

The driving unit 112 functions to drive the display panel 113. Specifically, the driver 112 applies a driving voltage to a plurality of pixels constituting the display panel 113, and may be implemented as an a-si TFT, a low temperature poly silicon (LTPS) TFT, an organic TFT (OTFT), or the like. have. The driving unit 112 may be implemented in various forms according to the implementation type of the display panel 113. For example, the display panel 113 may include an organic light-emitting body including a plurality of pixel cells and an electrode layer covering both surfaces of the organic light-emitting body. In this case, the driver 112 may include a plurality of transistors corresponding to each pixel cell of the display panel 113. The controller 130 applies an electric signal to the gate of each transistor to emit light of the pixel cell connected to the transistor. Accordingly, an image can be displayed.

Alternatively, the display panel 113 may be implemented as an EL, an electrophoretic display (EPD), an electrochromic display (ECD), a liquid crystal disply (LCD), an AMLCD, a plasma display panel (PDP), in addition to an organic light emitting diode. However, in the case of an LCD, a separate backlight is required because it cannot emit light by itself. In the case of LCDs where the backlight is not used, ambient light is used. Therefore, in order to use the LCD display panel 113 without a backlight, conditions such as an outdoor environment with a large amount of light must be satisfied.

The protective layer 114 functions to protect the display panel 113. For example, a material such as ZrO, CeO2, or Th O2 may be used for the protective layer 114. The protective layer 114 may be manufactured in the form of a transparent film to cover the entire surface of the display panel 113.

Meanwhile, unlike FIG. 2, the display unit 110 may be implemented with electronic paper. Electronic paper is a display in which the characteristics of general ink are applied to paper, and is different from a general flat panel display in that it uses reflected light. On the other hand, electronic paper can change pictures or characters using a twist ball or electrophoresis using a capsule.

Meanwhile, when the display unit 110 is made of a component made of a transparent material, it may be implemented as a display device capable of bending and having a transparent property. For example, when the substrate 111 is implemented with a polymer material such as plastic having a transparent property, the driver 112 is implemented with a transparent transistor, and the display panel 113 is implemented with a transparent organic light emitting layer and a transparent electrode, transparency is achieved. I can have it.

The transparent transistor refers to a transistor manufactured by replacing the opaque silicon of the existing thin film transistor with a transparent material such as transparent zinc oxide and titanium oxide. In addition, new materials such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or graphene may be used for the transparent electrode. Graphene refers to a material having a transparent property with carbon atoms connected to each other to form a honeycomb-shaped planar structure. In addition, the transparent organic light emitting layer may also be implemented with various materials.

3 is a diagram illustrating a bending detection method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The flexible display device 100 may be bent by external pressure and thus its shape may be deformed. Bending may include general bending, folding, and rolling. Here, normal bending means a state in which the flexible display device is bent.

Folding refers to a state in which the flexible display device is folded. Here, folding and general bending may be classified according to the degree of bending. For example, when bending is performed above a certain bending angle, it is defined as a folded state, and when bending is performed below the bending angle, it may be defined as general bending.

Rolling refers to a state in which the flexible display device is rolled. Rolling can also be determined based on the bending angle. For example, a state in which bending of a certain bending angle or more is sensed over a certain area may be defined as rolling. On the other hand, a state in which bending less than a certain bending angle is detected in a relatively small area compared to rolling may be defined as folding. The above-described general bending, folding, rolling, etc. may be determined based on a radius of curvature in addition to the bending angle.

In addition, a state in which the flexible display device 100 has a shape substantially close to a circle or an ellipse in which the flexible display device 100 is rolled, regardless of the radius of curvature, may be defined as rolling.

However, the definition of various examples of shape modification as described above is only an example, and may be defined differently according to the type, size, weight, and characteristics of the flexible display device. For example, if the surfaces of the flexible display device 100 can be bent enough to contact each other, folding may be defined as a state in which the device surfaces contact each other at the same time as bending. On the other hand, rolling may be defined as a state in which the front and rear surfaces of the flexible display device are in contact with each other due to bending.

Hereinafter, for convenience of description, a general bending state according to an embodiment of the present invention is assumed to be a bending state.

The flexible display device 100 may detect bending in various ways.

For example, the sensing unit 120 may include a bend sensor disposed on one surface such as a front or a rear surface of the display unit 110 or a bend sensor disposed on both sides of the display unit 110. The control unit 130 may detect bending by using a value sensed by the bend sensor of the detection unit 120.

Here, the bend sensor refers to a sensor that can be bent by itself and has a characteristic in which a resistance value varies depending on the degree of bending. The bend sensor may be implemented in various forms such as an optical fiber bend sensor, a pressure sensor, and a strain gauge.

The detection unit 120 detects the resistance value of the bend sensor using the magnitude of the voltage applied to the bend sensor or the magnitude of the current flowing through the bend sensor, and the bending state at the position of the corresponding bend sensor according to the magnitude of the resistance value. Can be detected.

3 shows a state in which the bend sensor is embedded in the front surface of the display unit 110, but this is only an example, and the bend sensor may be embedded in the rear surface of the display unit 110 or both sides. . In addition, the shape, number, and arrangement position of the bend sensors may be variously changed. For example, one bend sensor or a plurality of bend sensors may be coupled to the display unit 110. Here, one bend sensor may sense one bending data, but one bend sensor may have a plurality of sensing channels for sensing a plurality of bending data.

3 shows an example in which a plurality of bar-shaped bend sensors are arranged in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction to form a grid shape.

3, the bend sensor includes bend sensors 21-1 to 21-5 arranged in a first direction and bend sensors 22-1 to 22-5 arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. . Each bend sensor may be spaced apart from each other by a certain distance.

3 shows that five bend sensors 21-1 to 21-5 and 22-1 to 22-5 are disposed in each of the horizontal and vertical directions, but this is only an example and depends on the size of the flexible display device. Of course, the number of bend sensors can be changed. As described above, since the bend sensor is arranged in the horizontal and vertical directions to detect bending that occurs throughout the flexible display device, in the case of a device that has a characteristic that is only partially flexible or that it is necessary to detect bending of only a portion In, the bend sensor may be disposed only in the corresponding part.

Each of the bend sensors 21-1 to 21-5 and 22-1 to 22-5 may be implemented in the form of an electrical resistance sensor using electrical resistance or a micro-fiber sensor using a strain of an optical fiber. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, it is assumed that the bend sensor is implemented as an electrical resistance sensor.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, when the center area located at the center thereof is bent downward with respect to the left and right edges of the flexible display device 100, the bend sensors in which the tension caused by the bending is disposed in the horizontal direction ( 21-1 to 21-5). Accordingly, resistance values of each of the bend sensors 21-1 to 21-5 arranged in the horizontal direction vary. The detection unit 120 may detect a change in output values output from each of the bend sensors 21-1 to 21-5, and detect that bending is made in the horizontal direction based on the center of the display surface. 4 illustrates a state in which the center region is bent in a downward direction perpendicular to the display surface (hereinafter referred to as Z-direction), but in an upward direction perpendicular to the display surface (hereinafter referred to as Z+ direction). Even if it is bent in the horizontal direction, it can be detected based on a change in output values of the bend sensors 21-1 to 21-5 in the horizontal direction.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, when the shape of the flexible display device 100 is bent so that the central region located at the center thereof faces upward with respect to the upper and lower edges, the bend sensors 22- 1 to 22-5). The detector 120 may detect a shape deformation in the vertical direction based on the output values of the bend sensors 22-1 to 22-5 arranged in the vertical direction. Although bending in the Z+ direction is shown in FIG. 5, it goes without saying that the bending in the Z- direction can also be detected using the bend sensors 22-1 to 22-5 arranged in the vertical direction.

On the other hand, in the case of shape deformation in the diagonal direction, since tension is applied to both the bend sensors arranged in the horizontal and vertical directions, the shape deformation in the diagonal direction can also be detected based on the output values of the bend sensors arranged in the horizontal and vertical directions. I can.

Hereinafter, a specific method of detecting each deformation form such as general bending, folding, and rolling using a bend sensor will be described.

6 and 7 are diagrams for explaining a method of detecting bending in a flexible display device using a bend sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the flexible display device 100 when the flexible display device is bent.

When the flexible display device 100 is bent, the bend sensors disposed on one or both sides of the flexible display device are also bent to have a resistance value corresponding to the strength of the applied tension, and output an output value corresponding thereto.

For example, when the flexible display device 100 is bent as shown in FIG. 6, the bend sensor 31-1 disposed on the rear surface of the flexible display device 100 is also bent, and a resistance value according to the magnitude of the applied tension is calculated. Print it out.

In this case, the strength of the tension increases in proportion to the degree of bending. For example, when bending is performed as shown in FIG. 6, the degree of bending of the center region becomes the largest. Accordingly, the greatest tension acts on the bend sensor 31-1 disposed at the point a3, which is the central region, and accordingly, the bend sensor 31-1 has the largest resistance value. On the other hand, the degree of bending becomes weaker as it goes outward. Accordingly, the bend sensor 31-1 has a resistance value smaller than the point a3 as it goes to the points a2 and a1, or the points a4 and a5 based on the point a3.

When the resistance value output from the bend sensor has a maximum value at a specific point and the resistance value outputted gradually decreases toward both directions, the detection unit 120 determines that the region in which the maximum resistance value is detected is the region in which the largest bending has occurred. can do. In addition, the sensing unit 120 may determine that the region in which the resistance value is not changed is a flat region in which bending is not performed, and the region where the resistance value is changed by a certain amount or more is a bending region in which even slight bending has occurred. .

7 is a diagram for describing a method of defining a bending area according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the case of FIG. 7, since the flexible display device is bent in the horizontal direction with respect to the front surface, bend sensors disposed in the vertical direction are not illustrated for convenience of description. In addition, for convenience of description, reference numerals for each bend sensor are given differently for each drawing, but in reality, bend sensors such as the structure shown in FIG. 3 may be used as it is.

The bending area refers to an area where the flexible display device is bent and bent. Since the bend sensors are bent together by bending, the bending area may be defined as all points in which the bend sensors outputting resistance values different from those in the original state are disposed.

The detection unit 120 is a bending in which the size of the bending line, the direction of the bending line, the position of the bending line, the number of bending lines, the number of bending, and the shape of the bending line are changed based on the relationship between the points at which the resistance value change is detected. The speed, the size of the bending area, the position of the bending area, and the number of bending areas can be detected.

Specifically, when the distance between the points at which the resistance value change is sensed is within a preset distance, points outputting the resistance value are sensed as one bending area. On the other hand, if there is a point in which the distance between the points at which the change in the resistance value is detected is separated by more than a preset distance, it may be defined by dividing into different bending areas based on these points. See FIG. 7 for a more detailed description.

7 is a diagram for describing a method of detecting one bending area. As shown in FIG. 7, when the flexible display device 100 is bent, the bend sensor 31-from point a1 to point a5 of the bend sensor 31-1, from point b1 to point b5 of the bend sensor 31-2, From the point c1 to the point c5 of 3), from the point d1 to the point d5 of the bend sensor 31-4, and from the point e1 to the point e5 of the bend sensor 31-5, the resistance values are different from those in the original state.

In this case, the points at which the resistance value change is detected by each of the bend sensors 31-1 to 31-5 are located within a preset distance from each other and are continuously arranged.

Therefore, the detection unit 120 is from the point a1 to the point a5 in the bend sensor 31-1, from the point b1 to the point b5 in the bend sensor 31-2, and from the point c1 to the point c5 in the bend sensor 31-3. Up to the point, the bend sensor 31-4 detects an area 32 including all points from d1 to d5, and the bend sensor 31-5 from the point e1 to the point e5 as one bending area.

Meanwhile, the bending area may include a bending line. The bending line may be a line connecting different points that output a maximum value from a bend sensor. That is, the bending line may be defined as a line connecting points where the largest resistance value is detected in each bending area.

For example, in the case of FIG. 7, _{point a 3 outputs the largest resistance value in the bending area 33, point b 3} outputs the largest resistance value from the bend sensor 31-2, and the bend sensor 31-3 _{Connect the point c 3} that outputs _{the largest resistance value, the d 3} point that outputs the largest resistance value from the bend sensor (31-4), _{and the e 3} point that outputs the largest resistance value from the bend sensor (31-5). The line 33 may be defined as a bending line. 7 shows a state in which a bending line is formed in a vertical direction in a central area of the display surface.

8 is a diagram illustrating a method of determining a degree of bending according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, the flexible display apparatus 100 determines the degree to which the flexible display apparatus 100 is bent, that is, the bending angle, by using a change in the size of the resistance value output at regular intervals from the bend sensor.

Specifically, the control unit 130 calculates a difference between a resistance value at a point where the bend sensor outputs the largest resistance value and a resistance value output at a point spaced apart from the point by a predetermined distance.

In addition, the control unit 130 may determine the degree of bending by using the calculated difference in resistance value. Specifically, the flexible display apparatus 100 may divide the bending degree into a plurality of levels, and may match and store a resistance value having a certain range for each level.

Accordingly, the flexible display apparatus may determine the bending degree of the flexible display apparatus according to a level belonging to a plurality of levels divided according to the bending degree of the calculated resistance value difference.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a resistance value output from a point a5 at which the bend sensor 41 provided at the rear of the flexible display device 100 outputs the largest resistance value and a point a4 separated by a predetermined distance The degree of bending may be determined based on the difference in the resistance value output from.

Specifically, from among a plurality of pre-stored levels, a level to which the difference in resistance value calculated in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 belongs may be checked, and a degree of bending corresponding to the determined level may be determined. Here, the degree of bending may be expressed as a bending angle or bending strength.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 8, when the degree of bending increases, the difference between the resistance value output from the bend sensor point a5 and the resistance value output from the point a4 becomes larger than the difference in the existing resistance value. Accordingly, the control unit 130 may determine that the degree of bending has increased.

Meanwhile, as described above, the bending direction of the flexible display device 100 may be different such as the Z+ direction or the Z- direction.

9 is a view for explaining a method of determining the degree of bending according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 9, the degree of bending may be determined through a change in the bending radius R. Since the size of the bending radius R can be determined through the difference in resistance values of each bend sensor as shown in FIG. 8, a detailed description will be omitted.

Meanwhile, the bending direction may also be sensed in various ways. As an example, by arranging two bend sensors to overlap, the bending direction may be determined according to a difference in the size change of the resistance value of each bend sensor. In FIGS. 10 and 11, a method of detecting a bending direction using an overlapped bend sensor will be described.

According to FIG. 10, two bend sensors 61 and 62 may be provided on one side of the display unit 110 to overlap each other. In this case, when bending is performed in one direction, resistance values of the upper bend sensor 61 and the lower bend sensor 62 are detected differently at the point where the bending is performed. Therefore, by comparing the resistance values of the two bend sensors 61 and 62 at the same point, the bending direction can be known.

Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 11, when the flexible display device 100 is bent in the Z+ direction, at point A corresponding to the bending line, the lower bend sensor 62 has a greater intensity than the upper bend sensor 61. Tension is applied.

Conversely, when the flexible display device 100 is bent toward the rear side, a higher tension is applied from the upper bend sensor 61 than the lower bend sensor 62.

Accordingly, the control unit 130 may detect the bending direction by comparing resistance values corresponding to point A between the two bend sensors 61 and 62.

In FIGS. 10 and 11, two bend sensors overlap each other on one side of the display unit 110, but the bend sensors may be disposed on both sides of the display unit 110.

12 shows a state in which two bend sensors 61 and 62 are disposed on both sides of the display unit 110.

Accordingly, when the flexible display device 100 is bent in a first direction perpendicular to the screen (hereinafter, in the Z+ direction), the bend sensor disposed on the first surface among both sides of the display unit 110 receives a compressive force. , The bend sensor disposed on the second surface is subjected to tension. On the other hand, when bending in the second direction opposite to the first direction (hereinafter referred to as the Z-direction), the bend sensor disposed on the second surface receives a compressive force, whereas the bend sensor disposed on the first surface receives tension. You will receive. In this way, values sensed by the two bend sensors are detected differently according to the bending direction, and the controller 130 may distinguish the bending direction according to the detection characteristic of the value.

Meanwhile, in FIGS. 10 to 12, it has been described that the bending direction is sensed using two bend sensors, but the bending direction may be distinguished by only a stress gauge disposed on one surface of the display unit 110. That is, since the strain gauge disposed on one side is applied with a compressive force or a tensile force according to its bending direction, it is possible to know the bending direction by checking the characteristics of the output value.

13 shows an example of a configuration in which one bend sensor is disposed on one surface of the display unit 110 to detect bending. Referring to FIG. 13, the bend sensor 71 may be implemented in a shape of a closed curve forming a circle or a square or other polygon, and may be disposed at the edge of the display unit 110. The control unit 130 may determine a point at which a change in the output value is detected on the closed curve as a bending area. In addition, the bend sensor may be coupled to the display unit 110 in the form of an S-shaped, Z-shaped, or other zigzag-like open curve.

14 shows an embodiment in which two bend sensors are disposed to cross each other. Referring to FIG. 14, the first bend sensor 71 is disposed on the first surface of the display unit 110, and the second bend sensor 72 is disposed on the second surface of the display unit 110. The first bend sensor 71 is disposed in a first diagonal direction on the first surface of the display unit 110, and the second bend sensor 72 is disposed in a second diagonal direction from the second surface. Accordingly, when each corner region is bent, each edge region is bent, the center portion is bent, folding or rolling is performed, the first and second bend sensors 71 and 72 are Since the output value and the output point are different, the controller 130 may determine what type of bending has been performed according to the characteristics of the output value.

Meanwhile, in the above-described various embodiments, a case in which line-type bend sensors are used is illustrated, but bending may be sensed by using a plurality of fragmentary strain gauges.

15 and 16 are diagrams illustrating an embodiment of detecting bending using a plurality of strain gauges. The strain gauge uses a metal or semiconductor whose resistance varies greatly depending on the magnitude of the applied force, and detects the deformation of the surface of the object to be measured according to the change in the resistance value. In general, a material such as a metal has a characteristic that the resistance value increases when the length increases according to external force, and the resistance value decreases when the length decreases. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not bending has occurred when a change in the resistance value is sensed.

Referring to FIG. 15, a plurality of strain gauges are disposed in the edge area of the display unit 110. The number of strain gauges may vary depending on the size or shape of the display unit 110, a preset bending detection resolution, and the like.

Meanwhile, the strain gauge may be disposed on one side or both sides of the display unit 110. When the strain gauge is disposed on both sides of the display unit 110, that is, in the front and rear directions, the strain gauge disposed in the front direction detects bending when it is bent concave in the front direction, that is, in the Z+ direction, and The strain gauge disposed in may be implemented to sense bending in the case of concave bending in the rear direction, that is, in the Z-direction.

When the strain gauge is disposed on one side of the display unit 110, that is, the front or the rear side, it may be implemented in a form that senses both the bending of the display unit 110 to the front and the rear side. E.g, In the state in which the strain gauges are arranged as shown in FIG. 15, the user can bend an arbitrary point in an arbitrary direction. Specifically, when one corner region is bent as shown in FIG. 16, a force acts on the strain gauge 80-x overlapping the bending line among the strain gauges 80-1 to 80-n disposed in the horizontal direction. Accordingly, the output value of the corresponding strain gauge 80-x becomes larger than the output value of other strain gauges. In addition, among the strain gauges 80-n, 80-n+1, and ~~ 80-m arranged in the vertical direction, a force acts on the strain gauge 80-y overlapping the bending line, so that the output value changes. The control unit 120 may determine that the line connecting the two strain gauges 80-x and 80-y whose output values are changed is a bending line.

Alternatively, unlike those described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 16, the flexible display device 100 may detect the bending direction using various sensors such as a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, and an acceleration sensor.

17 is a diagram illustrating a method of detecting a bending direction using an acceleration sensor as an example of such sensors. Referring to FIG. 17, the flexible display device 100 includes a plurality of acceleration sensors 81-1 and 81-2.

The acceleration sensors 81-1 and 81-2 are sensors capable of measuring acceleration and a direction of acceleration when a motion occurs. Specifically, the acceleration sensors 81-1 and 81-2 output sensing values corresponding to the gravitational acceleration that changes according to the inclination of the device to which the sensor is attached. Therefore, if the acceleration sensors 81-1 and 81-2 are respectively disposed in the edge areas on both sides of the flexible display device, the output values sensed by the acceleration sensors 81-1 and 81-2 when the flexible display device is bent Is changed. The controller 130 calculates a pitch angle and a roll angle by using the output values sensed by the acceleration sensors 81-1 and 81-2. Accordingly, the bending direction may be determined based on the degree of change in the pitch angle and the roll angle sensed by the acceleration sensors 81-1 and 81-2.

Meanwhile, in FIG. 17, acceleration sensors 81-1 and 81-2 are disposed at both edges of the flexible display device 100 in the horizontal direction based on the front surface, but the acceleration sensors 81-1 and 81 -2) may be arranged in the vertical direction. In this case, when the flexible display device 100 is bent in the vertical direction, the bending direction may be detected according to a measurement value detected by each acceleration sensor 81-1 and 81-2 in the vertical direction.

Meanwhile, according to another embodiment, the acceleration sensor may be disposed at both the upper, lower, left, and right edges, or may be disposed in the corner region.

As described above, in addition to the acceleration sensor, the bending direction may be detected using a gyro sensor or a geomagnetic sensor. The gyro sensor is a sensor that detects the angular velocity by measuring the Coriolis force acting in the direction of the velocity when a rotational motion occurs. According to the measured value of the gyro sensor, since it is possible to detect in which direction the rotation is made, the bending direction can be detected. The geomagnetic sensor is a sensor that detects the azimuth angle using a 2-axis or 3-axis fluxgate. When implemented as a geomagnetic sensor, the geomagnetic sensor disposed at each edge of the flexible display device 100 moves its position when its edge portion is bent, and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the geomagnetic change. The controller 130 may calculate a yaw angle using a value output from a geomagnetic sensor. Accordingly, various bending characteristics such as a bending area and a bending direction may be determined according to a change in the calculated yaw angle.

As described above, the flexible display apparatus 100 may detect bending using various types of sensors. The above-described sensor configuration and sensing method may be individually applied to the flexible display device 100 or may be applied in combination with each other.

Meanwhile, in addition to bending, the sensing unit 120 may detect an operation in which the user touches the screen of the display unit 110.

Specifically, the sensing unit 120 may sense a touch using a contact type capacitance method, a pressure type resistive film method, an infrared sensing method, a surface ultrasonic conduction method, an integral tension measurement method, a piezo effect method, and the like.

Here, the contact-type capacitance method refers to a method of sensing a position by sensing a change in capacitance when a finger is in contact.

In addition, the pressure-type resistive film method is a method of sensing the contacted position as the upper and lower surfaces are brought into contact with each other and the resistance value changes, and at this time, a voltage change occurs due to the current flowing at both ends. do.

In addition, the infrared detection method is an object that can block light such as a finger on a monitor equipped with an Optp-Matrix frame, and when the screen is touched, the light emitted from the infrared light emitting diode is blocked and the photo transistor on the other side cannot detect it. This is a method of sensing the location.

The surface ultrasonic conduction method is a method implemented with a simple principle using the characteristics of sound propagation that the ultrasonic waves propagate along the surface and the distance traveled at a certain time is constant. It senses the time interval of the sound reflected through the transmitter and the reflector. This is the way to do it.

In the integral tension measurement method, when one corner is pressed by hand, the tension measuring device on the pressed side among the tension measuring devices provided in the four corners receives the most force, and the electrical signal is changed to the controller according to the degree of the increased force. This is a method in which the controller calculates the coordinate values by calculating the ratio of the electrical signals at the four corners.

In the piezo effect method, when the user touches, the degree of pressure received at the four corners is different according to the degree and position of the pressure, and the touch position is determined by calculating the ratio of the electrical signals at the four corners.

For example, the sensing unit 120 may include a transparent conductive film such as indium-tin oxide (ITO) deposited on the substrate 111 in the display unit 110 and a film formed thereon. Accordingly, when the user touches the screen, the upper and lower plates of the touched point are contacted, and an electrical signal is transmitted to the controller 130. The controller 130 recognizes the touch point by using the coordinates of the electrode to which the electrical signal is transmitted. Since the touch sensing method has been known in various prior literatures, further detailed descriptions will be omitted.

The controller 130 may divide a screen based on the sensed bending input, and display information corresponding to each of the divided screens based on content information displayed on the screen before the bending input. Since detailed functions of the control unit 130 have been described above, detailed descriptions will be omitted.

<Example of detailed configuration of a flexible display device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure>

18 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a detailed configuration of a flexible display device for describing an operation according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 18, the flexible display device 100 includes a display unit 110, a detection unit 120, a control unit 130, a storage unit 140, a graphic processing unit 130, a communication unit 160, and a GPS receiver 165. ), DMB receiving unit 166, audio processing unit 170, video processing unit 175, power supply unit 180, speaker 185, button 191, USB port 192, camera 193, microphone 194 Includes. A detailed description of the components shown in FIG. 17 that overlap with the components shown in FIG. 1 will be omitted.

The detection unit 120 includes a geomagnetic sensor 121, a gyro sensor 122, an acceleration sensor 123, a touch sensor 124, a bend sensor 125, a pressure sensor 126, a proximity sensor 127, and a grip sensor. It includes (128). In addition to the above-described bending, the sensing unit 120 may detect various manipulations such as touch, rotation, tilt, pressure, and approach to the flexible display device 100.

The geomagnetic sensor 121 is a sensor for detecting a rotation state and a moving direction of the flexible display device 100. The gyro sensor 122 is a sensor for detecting a rotation angle of the flexible display device 100. Both the geomagnetic sensor 121 and the gyro sensor 122 may be provided, but even if only one of them is provided, the flexible display device 100 may detect a rotation state.

The acceleration sensor 123 is a sensor for detecting the degree of inclination of the flexible display device 100. In addition, the acceleration sensor 123 may be used for detecting bending characteristics such as a bending direction or a bending area of the flexible display device 100, respectively.

The touch sensor 124 may be implemented in a capacitive type or a pressure-sensitive type. In the capacitive type, when a part of the user's body touches the surface of the display unit 110 by using a dielectric coated on the surface of the display unit 110, the touch coordinates are calculated by sensing microelectricity excited by the user's human body. The pressure-sensitive type includes two electrode plates, and when the user touches the screen, the touch coordinates are calculated by sensing that the upper and lower plates of the touched point touch and current flows. As described above, the touch sensor 114 may be implemented in various forms.

The bend sensor 125 may be implemented in various shapes and numbers as described above, and may detect the bending state of the flexible display device 100. Since various examples of the configuration and operation of the bend sensor 125 have been described above, redundant descriptions will be omitted.

The pressure sensor 126 senses the amount of pressure applied to the flexible display device 100 when the user performs a touch or bending operation, and provides it to the controller 130. The pressure sensor 126 may include a piezo film that is built into the display unit 110 and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to a pressure level. In FIG. 18, the touch sensor 124 and the pressure sensor 126 are shown as separate, but when the touch sensor 124 is implemented as a pressure-sensitive touch sensor, the pressure-sensitive touch sensor also serves as the pressure sensor 126. You may.

The proximity sensor 127 is a sensor for detecting a motion approaching the display surface without directly contacting it. The proximity sensor 127 forms a high-frequency magnetic field to sense a current induced by a magnetic field characteristic that changes when an object approaches, a high-frequency oscillation type, a magnetic type using a magnet, and a capacitance that changes due to the approach of the object. It can be implemented with various types of sensors such as capacitive type.

The grip sensor 128 is a sensor that is separate from the pressure sensor 126 and is disposed at the edge or handle of the flexible display device 100 to detect a user's grip. The grip sensor 128 may be implemented as a pressure sensor or a touch sensor.

The controller 130 analyzes various detection signals sensed by the detection unit 120 to determine the user's intention, and performs an operation corresponding to the intention. The controller 130 may perform a control operation according to various input methods such as touch manipulation other than bending, motion input, voice input, button input, and the like. The touch manipulation may include various manipulations such as simple touch, tap, touch and hold, move, flick, drag and drop, pinch in, pinch out, and the like.

For example, the control unit 130 may execute an application stored in the storage unit 140 to configure and display the execution screen, or may play back various contents stored in the storage unit 140. In addition, the control unit 130 may communicate with external devices through the communication unit 160.

The communication unit 160 is a component that communicates with various types of external devices according to various types of communication methods.

In particular, the communication unit 160 may communicate with an external server (not shown). The communication unit 150 transmits information (eg, screen size information) on the second screen generated based on the bending of the flexible display device 100 under the control of the controller 130 to an external server, and Screen data corresponding to the corresponding screen size information may be received from.

In addition, the controller 130 may control the communication unit 150 to receive content from an external device or transmit content to an external device according to a function performed on a divided screen based on a bending input. For example, during a video call, the communication unit 150 may be controlled to transmit content to be shared to a video call counterpart.

Meanwhile, the communication unit 160 includes a WiFi chip 161, a Bluetooth chip 162, an NFC chip 163, and a wireless communication chip 164.

The WiFi chip 161, the Bluetooth chip 162, and the NFC chip 163 perform communication in a WiFi method, a Bluetooth method, and an NFC method, respectively. Among them, the NFC chip 163 refers to a chip that operates in the NFC (Near Field Communication) method using a 13.56 MHz band among various RF-ID frequency bands such as 135 kHz, 13.56 MHz, 433 MHz, 860 to 960 MHz, and 2.45 GHz. do. When the Wi-Fi chip 111 or the Bluetooth chip 112 is used, various types of connection information such as an SSID and a session key may be first transmitted and received, and various types of information may be transmitted and received after a communication connection using the same. The wireless communication chip 164 refers to a chip that performs communication according to various communication standards such as IEEE, Zigbee, 3rd Generation (3G), 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), and Long Term Evoloution (LTE).

The GPS receiver 165 is a component for receiving a GPS signal from a GPS (Grobal Positioning System) satellite and calculating the current position of the flexible display device 100.

The DMB receiver 166 is a component that receives and processes a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) signal.

The graphic processing unit 150 generates a bending interaction guide to be added to an object using an operation unit (not shown) and a rendering unit (not shown). The calculation unit calculates attribute values such as coordinate values, shape, size, color, etc. in which the bending interaction guide is to be displayed. The rendering unit generates a graphic object based on the attribute value calculated by the operation unit. The bending interaction guide generated by the rendering unit is displayed by being added to various icons on the screen displayed on the display unit 110. Bending interaction guides are line guide images with various line widths, number of lines, line shape, line direction, line position, line angle, line color, line size, line length, and other various character or symbol guides to suit the characteristics of bending. It can be created in a form including.

The power supply unit 180 is a component that supplies power to each component of the flexible display device 100. The power supply unit 180 may be implemented in a form including a positive electrode current collector, a positive electrode, an electrolyte part, a negative electrode, a negative electrode current collector, and a covering part surrounding the positive electrode current collector. The power supply unit 180 is implemented as a secondary battery capable of charging and discharging. The power supply unit 180 may be implemented in a flexible form so that it can be bent together with the flexible display device 100. In this case, the current collector, electrode, electrolyte, coating, etc. may be made of a material having flexible properties. The specific shape and material of the power supply unit 180 will be separately described in a later section.

The audio processing unit 170 is a component that processes audio data. The audio processing unit 170 may perform various processing such as decoding, amplification, noise filtering, or the like for audio data.

The video processing unit 175 is a component that processes video data. The video processing unit 175 may perform various image processing such as decoding, scaling, noise filtering, frame rate conversion, and resolution conversion on video data.

The speaker 185 is a component that outputs not only various audio data processed by the audio processing unit 170 but also various notification sounds or voice messages.

The button 191 may be various types of buttons such as a mechanical button, a touch pad, a wheel, etc. formed in an arbitrary area such as a front part, a side part, or a rear part of the exterior of the body of the flexible display device 100.

The USB port 192 may communicate with various external devices having a USB communication function through a USB cable.

The camera 193 is a component for capturing a still image or a moving image according to the user's control. The camera 193 may be implemented in plural, such as a front camera and a rear camera.

The microphone 194 is a component for receiving a user's voice or other sound and converting it into audio data. The control unit 120 may use the user's voice input through the microphone 194 in a call process or convert it into audio data and store it in the storage unit 140.

When the camera 193 and the microphone 194 are provided, the controller 130 may perform a control operation according to a user voice input through the microphone 194 or a user motion recognized by the camera 193. That is, the flexible display device 100 may operate in a motion control mode or a voice control mode. When operating in the motion control mode, the controller 130 activates the camera 193 to capture an image of a user, tracks a change in the user's motion, and performs a corresponding control operation. When operating in the voice control mode, the controller 130 may operate in a voice recognition mode in which a user voice input through a microphone is analyzed and a control operation is performed according to the analyzed user voice.

In addition, various external input ports for connecting various external terminals such as a headset, a mouse, and a LAN may be further included.

The above-described operation of the control unit 130 may be performed by a program stored in the storage unit 140. The storage unit 140 includes various data such as O/S (Operating System) software for driving the flexible display device 100, various applications, various data input or set during application execution, contents, bending information, bending interaction guide information, etc. Data can be saved.

The control unit 130 generally controls the operation of the flexible display apparatus 100 using various programs stored in the storage unit 140. In addition, when an external display device (not shown) is connected through the interface unit 160, the controller 130 may also control the operation of the display device 200.

The control unit 130 includes a RAM 121, a ROM 122, a main CPU 123, first to n interfaces 125-1 to 125-n, and a bus 126.

The RAM 131, the ROM 132, the main CPU 133, the first to n interfaces 135-1 to 135-n, and the like may be connected to each other through the bus 136.

The first to nth interfaces 135-1 to 135-n are connected to the above-described various components. One of the interfaces may be a network interface that is connected to an external device through a network.

The main CPU 133 accesses the storage unit 140 and performs booting using the O/S stored in the storage unit 140. Then, various operations are performed using various programs, contents, data, etc. stored in the storage unit 140.

The ROM 132 stores an instruction set for booting the system, and the like. When the turn-on command is input and power is supplied, the main CPU 133 copies the O/S stored in the storage unit 140 to the RAM 131 according to the command stored in the ROM 132 and executes the O/S. Boot the system. When booting is completed, the main CPU 133 copies various application programs stored in the storage unit 140 to the RAM 131 and executes the application programs copied to the RAM 131 to perform various operations.

In FIG. 18, various components that may be included in the flexible display device 100 are illustrated, but the flexible display device 100 does not necessarily have to include all components, and is not limited to having only these components. That is, it goes without saying that some of the components may be omitted or added, or may be replaced with other components according to the product type of the flexible display apparatus 100.

Meanwhile, as described above, the control unit 120 may execute a program stored in the storage unit 140 to perform various operations.

19 is a diagram illustrating a layer of software stored in the storage unit 140. Referring to FIG. 19, a kernel 141, middleware 142, a flexible UI framework 143, and an application 144 are stored in the storage unit 140.

The kernel 141 serves as a path through which sensing signals of various sensors included in the sensing unit 120 are transmitted to the middleware 142 or the flexible UI framework 143.

The middleware 142 includes various software modules that control the operation of the flexible display device 100. 19, the middleware 142 includes an X11 module 142-1, an APP manager 142-2, a connection manager 142-3, a security module 142-4, a system manager 142-5, and It includes a multimedia framework 142-6, a UI framework 142-7, a window manager 142-8, and a flexible window manager 142-9.

The X11 module 142-1 is a module that receives various events from hardware from various hardware included in the flexible display device 100. Here, the event may be variously set, such as an event in which a system alarm occurs, an event in which execution of a specific program starts or ends, as well as an event in which a touch, bending or other user manipulation is detected.

The APP manager 142-2 is a module that manages execution states of various applications installed in the storage unit 140. When an event in which an application execution command is input from the X11 module 142-2 is detected, the APP manager 142-2 calls and executes an application corresponding to the event.

The connection manager 142-3 is a module for supporting wired or wireless network connection. The connection manager 142-3 may include various detailed modules such as a DNET module and a UPnP module.

The security module 142-4 is a module that supports hardware certification, request permission, secure storage, and the like.

The system manager 142-5 monitors the state of each component in the flexible display device 100 and provides the monitoring result to other modules. For example, when the remaining battery power is insufficient, an error occurs, the communication connection status is cut off, the system manager 142-5 provides the monitoring result to the UI framework 142-7, and a notification message I can output a notification sound.

The multimedia framework 142-6 is a module for playing multimedia content stored in the flexible display device 100 or provided from an external source. The multimedia framework 142-6 may include a player module, a camcorder module, and a sound processing module. Accordingly, it is possible to perform an operation of reproducing various multimedia contents to generate a screen and sound.

The UI framework 142-7 is a module for providing various UIs. The UI framework 142-7 includes an image compositor module that configures various image objects, a coordinate synthesizer that calculates coordinates in which the image object is to be displayed, a rendering module that renders the configured image object to the calculated coordinates, 2D or It may include a 2D/3D UI toolkit that provides a tool for constructing a 3D type of UI.

The window manager 142-8 may detect a touch event sensed by a touch sensor or an input event input by other input means. When such an event is detected, the window management module 147-1 transmits the event to the UI framework 142-7 to perform an operation corresponding to the event.

The flexible window manager 142-9 is a module for managing a system according to bending when bending is detected. When it is detected that the bending event has occurred, the flexible window manager 142-9 transmits the bending event to the flexible UI framework 143.

The flexible UI framework 143 includes a plug-in module 143-1, a bending core 143-2, and an event handler module 143-3. The plug-in module 143-1 serves to connect the flexible UI framework 143 to the middleware 142 and load it. In FIG. 43, the kernel 141, the middleware 142, the application 144, etc. can use the software of the existing electronic device as it is, and connect the flexible UI framework 143 using the plug-in module 143-1. have. Accordingly, while maintaining compatibility with the existing system, it is possible to additionally provide a control operation according to bending.

When bending occurs, the event handler 143-3 is a module for controlling an operation according to the bending. The event handler 143-3 receives various bending events from the flexible window manager 142-9 through the plug-in module 143-1, and classifies the events according to priority for each event. Here, the bending event means an event in which a specific type of bending is detected.

The bending core 143-2 queues the bending events classified by the event handler 143-3, and matches the bending event with a corresponding program (application, widget, etc.). Accordingly, a program matching the bending event is executed.

Meanwhile, the bending core 143-2 transmits a rendering event signal for additionally rendering the bending interaction guide corresponding to each bending type on the object through the UI framework 142-7 through the plug-in module 143-1. ). Accordingly, the bending interaction guide may be overlapped and displayed on each object on the screen. In addition, the bending core 143-2 transmits a rendering event signal for rendering the screen to be switched when a specific bending occurs and the screen needs to be switched, through the plug-in module 143-1, the UI framework 142-7. You can also pass it to.

In addition, the application module 144 includes applications for supporting various functions. For example, it may include a program module for providing various services such as a navigation program module, a game module, an e-book module, a calendar module, an alarm management module, and the like.

In addition, the storage unit 140 includes a sensing module for analyzing signals sensed by various sensors, a messaging module such as a messenger program, a short message service (SMS) & multimedia message service (MMS) program, an e-mail program, etc. It goes without saying that various programs such as a Call Info Aggregator program module, a VoIP module, and a web browser module can be provided.

As described above, according to FIG. 19, the middleware 142 for controlling system operation according to user manipulation other than bending and the framework 143 for controlling system operation according to bending may be designed to be connected to each other. Accordingly, it is possible to achieve compatibility with the software configuration of the existing system. However, it does not necessarily need to be programmed with this software structure, and it can be designed to manage both general user operation and bending operation in a single framework.

The main CPU 132 displays the main screen when the flexible display device 100 is turned on or is in an unlocked state. Various icons are displayed on the main screen. The main CPU 132 provides various basic data for adjusting the display state of the bending interaction guide to the graphic processing unit 130 using the flexible UI framework 143 and the UI framework 142-7. The basic data may be various data such as the shape, position, size, color, and display time of the bending interaction guide. Accordingly, as described above, the graphic processing unit 123 generates a bending interaction guide, adds it to the object of the display unit 110 and displays it.

It goes without saying that the various program modules shown in FIG. 19 may be partially omitted, modified, or added according to the type and characteristic of the flexible display device 100.

Meanwhile, in the above-described various embodiments, the flexible display device 100 is illustrated as having a flat plate shape, but the flexible display device 100 may be implemented in various forms. For example, it may be implemented in a form in which the flexible display device 100 is embedded in a body made of a non-flexible material.

20 is a diagram illustrating a display method of a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

According to the display method of the flexible display device illustrated in FIG. 20, the first content is displayed on the first screen of the display unit (S2010 ). Here, the first screen may be a full screen of the display unit.

Subsequently, bending of the flexible display device is sensed (S2020).

Thereafter, the first content is reconstructed and displayed on a second screen generated on a region of the display unit based on the bending sensed in step S2020 (S2030).

Also, in step S2030 of reconfiguring and displaying the first content, the first content may be reconstructed and displayed on a second screen generated on a region of the display unit in a first form in which bending is maintained for a predetermined time or longer.

In addition, the second screen is generated in a different form according to the position where the bending has occurred, and in step S2030 of reconfiguring and displaying the first content, the content may be reconfigured in a different form according to the form of the second screen.

Also, based on the bending, information related to the first content may be displayed on a third screen generated on another area of the display unit, that is, on the other area except for the one area in which the second screen is generated.

In addition, the user's gaze direction may be detected, and the display perspective may be changed according to the detected gaze direction of the user and the bending angle of the bending input. Subsequently, at least one of the first content displayed on the first screen and information related to the first content may be changed to correspond to the display perspective and displayed on the second screen and the third screen.

Meanwhile, the information related to the first content executes a first content list including second content of the same level as the first content, a second content list including a higher category of the first content, and a function related to the first content. It may include at least one of information to be used.

In addition, when the second content belonging to the content list is selected and the bending state is released, the second content may be displayed on the entire screen of the display unit.

In addition, when a flick operation is input while the first content is displayed on the second screen and the second content is displayed on the third screen, the second content may be displayed on the second screen.

In addition, information on the second screen generated based on bending may be transmitted to the server. Here, the server may be size information for the second screen. In this case, in step S2030 of reconfiguring and displaying the first content, the reconstructed first content corresponding to the second screen may be received and displayed from the server.

In addition, the flexible display apparatus 100 may perform a video call with a counterpart terminal. In this case, the video call image is displayed on a second screen generated on one area of the display unit based on bending, and an object for content sharing with the video call counterpart is displayed on a third screen generated on another area of the display unit. I can.

<Display method according to various embodiments of the present invention>

21 is a diagram for describing a display method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 21(a), when the flexible display device 100 is bent by a predetermined angle or more, the second screen 210-1 generated based on the bending is displayed before the bending input is performed. The content 211 is reconstructed and displayed, and a content list 214 of contents belonging to the same category as the first content 211 displayed on the second screen 210-1 is displayed on the third screen 210-2. Can be. In this case, before bending is performed, the entire screen, that is, the first content 211 displayed on the first screen may be displayed in a changed layout to fit the size of the second screen 210-1.

In addition, images 212 and 213 corresponding to different categories at the same level as the upper category to which the first content 211 displayed on the second screen 210-1 belongs to the background of the third screen 210-2 are displayed. Can be displayed. In this case, the images 212 and 213 displayed as the background of the third screen 210-2 are applied with a perspective method having the same vanishing point as the first content 211 displayed on the second screen 210-1 Can be displayed as.

Meanwhile, in FIG. 21(a), it has been described that the corresponding operation is performed only by bending of the flexible display device 100, but it is also possible to implement the corresponding operation to be performed when an additional manipulation is detected as shown in FIG. 21(b). Do.

For example, as shown in FIG. 21(b), when the edge surfaces to which each of the screens 210-1 and 210-2 generated based on bending belong to contact the support surface, in FIG. 21(a) It is also possible to implement such that the described display screen is provided.

FIG. 21(c) is a diagram for explaining in detail the form of the display shown in FIGS. 21(a) and 21(b).

As shown in FIG. 21C, the first content 211 displayed on the second screen 210-1 may be connected to and displayed on the third screen 210-2 according to a bending angle. Accordingly, a part 211 ′ of the first content 211 may be displayed on the third screen 210-2. For example, if the first content 211 is displayed on the second screen 210-1 when a preset first bending angle is reached after the bending input is started, the second bending angle before reaching the first bending angle As illustrated in FIG. 2, a part 211 ′ of the first content 211 may be displayed on the third screen 210-2.

In addition, on the third screen 210-2, categories (eg, the categories at the same level as the category to which the first content 211 displayed on the third screen 210-1 belongs (eg, the News category 215)) For example, a Books category 212', a Videos category 213', etc.) may be displayed. In addition, according to the user's manipulation, a Music category 216, a Magazine category 217, etc. that are systematically arranged after the Videos category 213' may be newly displayed on the third screen 210-2. For example, by flicking or sweeping the News category 215 displayed on the second screen 210-1 to the left, the News category 215 disappears out of the screen, and Books placed after the News category 215 The category 212' is moved to and displayed on the third screen 210-1, and a Videos category 213', which is not visible on the screen, is displayed on the third screen 210-2. In this case, the categories displayed on the third screen 210-2 may be displayed in perspective in a form having one vanishing point as illustrated.

Also, a content list 214' including other contents belonging to a News category to which the first content 211 displayed on the second screen 210-1 belongs may be displayed on the third screen 210-2. In this case, the content list 214' may be displayed by overlapping the categories 212', 213', 215, 216, and 217 displayed on the third screen 210-2.

22 is a diagram for describing a display method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 22, when the flexible display device 100 is bent by a predetermined angle or more while the first content 221 is displayed on the entire screen of the flexible display device 100, bending as described in detail in FIG. 21 Among the plurality of screens generated by the first content 221 is displayed on the left screen 220-1, and the right screen 220-2 is a plurality of screens having the same level as the category including the first content 221. The categories 223 and 224 may be displayed in succession, and a content list 222 including other contents belonging to the same category as the first content 221 may be displayed together.

Subsequently, according to a user manipulation of sweeping the first content 221 displayed on the left screen 220-1 to the left, the images 221, 223, and 224 corresponding to each category may slide and move to the left. Accordingly, the content displayed at the end of the left screen 220-1 disappears out of the screen, and a new image 225 is displayed on the screen at the end of the right screen 220-2.

In this case, when the image displayed on the left screen is changed, the second content list 225 corresponding to the changed image is displayed on the right screen 220-2.

Meanwhile, as shown in the fourth drawing, as the category image 223 is moved to the left, the content list 224 corresponding to the category image 223 may also provide a visual effect that disappears while moving to the left.

FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining a process of changing from the state shown in the first drawing of FIG. 22 to the state shown in the second drawing.

As shown in FIG. 23, when the bending angle according to the bending input to the flexible display apparatus 100 gradually increases while the first content 221 is displayed on the entire screen of the flexible display apparatus 100 The displayed first content 221 may be displayed on the left screen 220-1 while gradually decreasing in size. In this case, as shown in the display format of the first content 221, on the right screen 220-2, a specific content area allocated to the corresponding screen may be displayed in a 3D format.

Thereafter, when the flexible display apparatus 100 is bent beyond a preset angle, the first content 221 is displayed on the left screen 220-1, and the above-described content list 222 is displayed on the right screen 220-2. And a category image 223 or the like may be displayed.

24 is a diagram for describing a display method according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 24, content including a second content 241 is provided on the left screen 240-1 among a plurality of screens generated by bending while the flexible display device 100 is bent at a predetermined angle or more. The screen is displayed.

Also, on the right screen 240-2, a content list 242 including contents belonging to the same category as the second content 241 displayed on the left screen 240-1 is displayed.

Subsequently, when the second content 241 displayed on the left screen 240-1 is selected, the selected content 241 is played on the screen and the size of the playback screen becomes smooth as the degree of bending of the flexible display device 100 becomes gentle. Increases.

Thereafter, as shown in the last drawing, when the flexible display apparatus 100 is in a flat state, the size of the content reproduction screen fills the entire screen.

25 is a diagram for describing a display method according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 25A and 25B, the display shape may be changed in consideration of the user's gaze direction 251-1 and the display direction 251-2.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 25(a), the user's gaze direction 251-1 is a direction in which the display screen is viewed from above the flexible display device 100 and the display direction 251-2 is In the front direction, the image 252 displayed on the left screen and the images 253 and 354 displayed on the right screen may be displayed so that they are naturally connected in the user's gaze direction 251-1.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 25(b), the user's gaze direction 255-1 looking at the display is the direction looking at the display screen from the front direction of the flexible display device 100, and the display direction 255-2 In the case of a frontal direction that matches the user's gaze direction (255-1), the image 256 displayed on the left screen and the images 257, 258 displayed on the right screen naturally appear in the user gaze direction (255-1). It can be displayed to be connected.

26 and 27 are diagrams for describing a display method according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 26, when the user A's flexible display terminal 100-1 performs a video call with the user B, the user A's flexible display terminal 100-1 is bent while bending a predetermined angle or more. Among the screens divided based on the line, the video call image of the user B as the video call counterpart is displayed on the first screen 260-1, and objects for sharing content with the user B on the second screen 260-2 ( A content sharing area 261 displaying 263 to 266 may be provided. In addition, a content transmission area 262 for displaying content transmitted from user A to user B may be provided on the first screen 260-1.

As shown in FIG. 27, the user A displays one of the objects 263 to 266 for content sharing with the user B displayed in the content sharing area 261 provided on the second screen 260-2. The selected content 263 may be transmitted to the flexible display terminal 100-1 of user B through a user manipulation of selecting and moving to the content transmission area 262 provided on the first screen 260-1. Here, the user manipulation may be a touch-and-flick or a touch-and-drag manipulation of flicking or dragging the content delivery area 261 by touching the content 263.

The last diagram of FIG. 27 shows the flexible display terminal 100-1 of the user B, which has received the content 263 transmitted from the flexible display terminal 100-1 of the user A.

As shown, among a plurality of screens generated by bending while the user B's flexible display terminal 100-2 is bent at a predetermined angle or more, the first screen 260-3 displays the video call counterpart of the user A. An image is displayed, and the content 263 received from the flexible display terminal 100-1 of user A may be displayed on the second screen 260-4.

Accordingly, the user can receive content in real time from the terminal of the video call counterpart during a video call.

Meanwhile, in FIGS. 26 and 27, it has been described that a corresponding operation is performed only by a bending input to the flexible display apparatus 100, but when an additional operation other than the bending input is detected, the corresponding operation may be implemented. For example, when a corner surface to which each of the plurality of screens 210-1 and 210-2 generated by bending belongs is arranged to be in contact with the support surface, the display screen described in FIGS. 26 and 27 may be provided. It is possible.

28 is a diagram for describing a display method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 28, it is assumed that a messenger application is running on the screen of the flexible display device 100.

In this case, as illustrated, a chat screen 281 in which messages exchanged and received on the screen are displayed, a message input screen 282 in which a message being input is displayed, and a keyboard screen 283 for inputting a message may be displayed. In this case, a transmission button 284 for transmitting the input message to the other party may be provided on the message input screen 282.

Subsequently, when there is a bending input to the flexible display device 100, the second screen 280-1 of the plurality of screens generated by bending is a chat screen 281' and a message input screen displayed on the entire screen. The keyboard screen 283 ′ and the keyboard screen 283 ′ may be scaled and displayed to match the size of the second screen 280-1.

Also, a content list including a plurality of contents 285-1 to 285-4 may be displayed on the third screen 280-2. A user operation of selecting one of the contents 285-4 from the content list displayed on the third screen 280-2 and moving to the message input screen 282' provided on the second screen 280-1 is input. If so, the content 285-4 may be attached to the message input screen 282'. In this case, the user may transmit the content 285-4 to the other party through the transmission button 284.

In addition, a user operation of selecting one of the contents 285-4 from the content list displayed on the third screen 280-2 and moving to the chat screen 281' provided on the second screen 280-1 is performed. Upon input, the corresponding content 285-4 may be displayed on the chat screen 281 ′. That is, the corresponding content 285-4 may be directly transmitted to the other party.

29 is a diagram for describing a display method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 29, after a bending input is made while a specific content is displayed on the screen 291 of the flexible display device 100, one of a plurality of screens generated by bending is displayed on the support surface. It can be arranged to be in contact.

In this case, specific content that was originally displayed on the screen is scaled and displayed on the other screen of the divided screens to match the size of the divided screen, and the specific content displayed on the screen is controlled on one screen that is in contact with the support surface. A control screen for doing so may be displayed. For example, the control screen may be implemented in the form of a touch pad.

In addition, although not shown in the drawing, when a plurality of control modes are required, for example, when a touch pad screen and a keyboard screen are to be provided, a plurality of control screens are divided by dividing one screen in contact with the support surface. Each can be provided on the screen.

30 is a diagram illustrating an example of a specific shape of an external appearance of a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 30, the flexible display device 100 may include a main body 3000, a display unit 110, and a grip unit 3010.

The main body 3000 serves as a kind of case containing the display unit 110. When the flexible display device 100 includes various components as shown in FIG. 17, other components other than the display unit 110 and some sensors may be mounted on the main body 3000.

The main body 3000 includes a rotating roller (not shown) for rolling the display unit 110. Accordingly, when not in use, the display unit 110 may be rolled around a rotating roller and be embedded in the main body 3000. When the user grips and pulls the grip part 3010, the rotation roller rotates in a direction opposite to the rolling, and the rolling is released, and the display unit 110 comes out of the main body 3000. A stopper may be provided on the rotating roller. Accordingly, when the user pulls the grip part 3010 more than a certain distance, rotation of the rotating roller is stopped by the stopper, and the display part 110 may be fixed.

The user can execute various functions using the display unit 110 exposed to the outside. Meanwhile, when the user presses the button for releasing the stopper, the rotation roller rotates in the reverse direction while the stopper is released, and as a result, the display unit 110 may be rolled back into the main body 3000. The stopper may be in the shape of a switch to stop the operation of the gear for rotating the rotation roller. For the rotating roller and the stopper, a structure used in a conventional rolling structure may be used as it is, and thus detailed illustration and description thereof will be omitted.

Meanwhile, the main body 3000 includes a power supply unit 180. The power supply unit 180 may be implemented in various forms, such as a battery connector on which a disposable battery is mounted, a secondary battery that can be charged and used a plurality of times by a user, and a solar cell that generates power using solar heat. When implemented as a secondary battery, the user may charge the power supply unit 180 by connecting the main body 3000 and external power by wire.

Although the main body 3000 having a cylindrical structure is shown in FIG. 30, the shape of the main body 3000 may be implemented as a square or other polygon. In addition, it goes without saying that the display unit 110 may be implemented in a form that surrounds the exterior of the main body or in various other forms, rather than a form in which the display unit 110 is pulled out and exposed while being embedded from the main body 3000.

31 is a diagram illustrating a flexible display device in which the power supply unit 180 is detachable. Referring to FIG. 31, the power supply unit 180 may be provided on one edge of the flexible display device 100 and may be detachable.

The power supply unit 180 is made of a flexible material and may be bent together with the display unit 110. Specifically, the power supply unit 180 may include a negative electrode current collector, a negative electrode, an electrolyte part, a positive electrode, a positive electrode current collector, and a covering part covering them.

For example, the current collector may be implemented with alloys such as TiNi-based having good elastic properties, pure metals such as copper or aluminum, pure metals coated with carbon, conductive materials such as carbon, carbon fiber, and conductive polymers such as polypyrrole. .

The negative electrode may be made of metals such as lithium, sodium, zinc, magnesium, cadmium, hydrogen storage alloys, lead, non-metals such as carbon, and negative electrode materials such as polymer electrode materials such as organic sulfur.

The positive electrode may be made of positive electrode materials such as sulfur and metal sulfide, lithium transition metal oxide such as LiCoO2, SOCl2, MnO2, Ag2O, Cl2, NiCl2, NiOOH, and polymer electrode. The electrolyte unit may be implemented in a gel type using PEO, PVdF, PMMA, PVAC, or the like.

A common polymer resin may be used for the covering portion. For example, PVC, HDPE, or epoxy resin may be used. In addition, any material that can be freely bent or bent while preventing damage to the thread-shaped battery may be used as a covering portion.

The positive electrode and the negative electrode in the power supply unit 180 may each include a connector for electrically connecting to the outside.

Referring to FIG. 31, the connector is formed to protrude from the power supply unit 180, and a groove corresponding to the position, size, and shape of the connector is formed in the display unit 110. Accordingly, the power supply unit 180 may be coupled to the display unit 110 by combining the connector and the groove. The connector of the power supply unit 180 may be connected to a power connection pad (not shown) inside the flexible display device 100 to supply power.

In FIG. 31, the power supply unit 180 is shown in a form that can be attached and detached from one edge of the flexible display device 100, but this is only an example, and the location and shape of the power supply unit 180 vary according to product characteristics. It can be different. For example, when the flexible display device 100 is a product having a certain thickness, the power supply unit 180 may be mounted on the rear surface of the flexible display device 100.

32 illustrates a case where the flexible display device 100 is implemented as a three-dimensional display device rather than a flat panel display device. Referring to FIG. 32, a display unit 110 is provided on one side of the flexible display device 100, and various hardware such as buttons, speakers, microphones, and IR lamps are provided on the other surface.

In the flexible display device 100 as shown in FIG. 32, the entire or part of the outer case may be made of rubber or other polymer resin, so that it may be flexibly bent. Accordingly, all or part of the flexible display device 100 may have a flexible characteristic.

The flexible display apparatus 100 may perform a new operation different from the previous operation according to the bending input. For example, while performing a remote control function for controlling an external device normally, a phone function may be performed when a bending gesture is made in one area. When the remote control function is performed, a remote control button may be displayed on the display unit 110, and when the phone function is performed, a dial pad may be displayed on the display unit 110.

33 illustrates a case in which the flexible display device 100 is implemented in a circular shape. Accordingly, the flexible display device 100 performs visually and functionally different operations according to the form in which the flexible display device 100 is placed or folded. For example, when it is placed horizontally on the floor, it can display photos or other content, and when it is vertically placed on the floor, it can function as a table clock. Alternatively, when the center is bent by about 90 degrees, the notebook PC function can be performed. In this case, a soft keyboard may be displayed in one of the folded regions and a display window may be displayed in the other region.

In addition, the flexible display device may be implemented in various forms.

The method for controlling the operation of the flexible display device according to the various embodiments described above may be implemented as a program and provided to the flexible display device.

Specifically, displaying the first content on the first screen of the display unit, detecting the bending of the flexible display device, and displaying the first content on the second screen generated on a region of the display unit based on the bending. A non-transitory computer readable medium in which a program for performing the reconfiguration and display step is stored may be provided.

The non-transitory readable medium refers to a medium that stores data semi-permanently and can be read by a device, rather than a medium that stores data for a short moment, such as a register, cache, and memory. Specifically, the above-described various applications or programs may be provided by being stored in a non-transitory readable medium such as a CD, DVD, hard disk, Blu-ray disk, USB, memory card, ROM, or the like.

In addition, although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and the technical field to which the present invention belongs without departing from the gist of the present invention claimed in the claims. In addition, various modifications are possible by those of ordinary skill in the art, and these modifications should not be understood individually from the technical spirit or prospect of the present invention.

110: display unit 120: detection unit
130: control unit 140: storage unit

Claims (8)

In the flexible display device,
display;
Communication department;
A detector configured to detect bending of the display; And
When an application execution screen that communicates with an external device is displayed on the display, and the display is divided into a first area and a second area based on bending of the display, the application execution screen is displayed in the first area, and , In the second area, controlling the display to display a content list including at least one content for transmission to the external device using the application,
A processor for controlling the communication unit to transmit the selected at least one content to the external device when at least one content from the content list is selected and a user operation for moving to the application execution screen displayed in the first area is input; Containing, a flexible display device. The method of claim 1,
The processor,
When the display is bent, the application execution screen is scaled to fit the size of the first region, and the display is controlled to display the scaled application execution screen in the first region. delete The method of claim 1,
The application execution screen is characterized in that the messenger application execution screen,
The processor,
When at least one content from the content list is selected and a user manipulation of moving the selected at least one content to a message input screen or a chat screen is input, the communication unit transmits the selected at least one content to the external device. Controlling, flexible display device. In the control method of a flexible display device including a display,
Displaying an application execution screen performing communication with an external device on the display;
Detecting bending of the display;
When the display is divided into a first area and a second area based on the bending of the display, the application execution screen is displayed in the first area, and the application is transmitted to the external device in the second area. Displaying a content list including at least one content for; And
When at least one content from the content list is selected and a user manipulation for moving to the application execution screen displayed in the first area is input, transmitting the selected at least one content to the external device; . The method of claim 5,
Displaying the application execution screen in the first area,
When the display is bent, scaling the application execution screen to fit the size of the first region, and displaying the scaled application execution screen on the first region. delete The method of claim 5,
The application execution screen is characterized in that the messenger application execution screen,
The transmitting step,
When at least one content from the content list is selected and a user operation for moving the selected at least one content to a message input screen or a chat screen is input, transmitting the selected at least one content to the external device; Including, control method.

Images