TWI539785B - Flexible mobile device and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

Flexible bending device and control method thereof

The present invention relates to a bendable mobile device, and more particularly to a bendable mobile device that can adjust an antenna module to be compatible with various flexed states.

With the rapid development of wireless communication technology, people's lives and mobile devices (such as: smart phones, tablets and notebooks) have an inseparable relationship. Among them, the growth of smart phones and tablets is the most amazing. In order to win the favor of consumers, all major manufacturers are fully committed to investing a large amount of resources and manpower to develop more advanced software and hardware technologies. In the current stage of smart phones, although the screen size can be enlarged to nearly 5 inches, the size of the screen should not be increased because of the convenience and feeling of the user when holding the mobile phone. Some big manufacturers are already thinking about introducing flexible display technology into mobile devices to promote the development of smart phones that can be bent.

The flexible mobile device is lighter, more resistant to knocking and curling, providing a more convenient user experience. However, for the antenna inside the mobile device, once the mobile device is subjected to varying degrees of bending, it will affect the radiation characteristics of the antenna and reduce the performance of the antenna.

The invention provides a bendable mobile device, comprising: a bendable panel; a plurality of sensors for detecting one form of the bendable panel; and a sensing and determining unit coupled to the sensors And judge the bendable panel Whether the shape is changed, if yes, the sensing determining unit generates a notification signal according to the changed form; a processing unit is configured to receive the notification signal and determine a bending state of the bendable panel according to the notification signal; An antenna module; and a control unit for storing a form, and querying the form according to the bending state to select one of the adjustment parameters corresponding to the bending state, thereby controlling the antenna module.

In addition, the present invention provides a method for controlling an antenna module, which is applicable to a bendable mobile device, the method comprising the steps of: detecting a form of the bendable mobile device via a plurality of sensors; determining the Whether the shape of the bending action device is changed; if yes, determining a bending state of the flexible device according to the changed shape; querying a form according to the bending state to select one of the bending states corresponding to the bending state Adjusting parameters; and controlling the antenna module of the bendable mobile device according to the adjustment parameter.

Fig. 1A is a schematic view showing a bendable mobile device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The bendable mobile device 100 can be a smart phone or a tablet computer having a variable form. As shown in FIG. 1A, the bendable mobile device 100 includes: a bendable panel (or flexible display) 110, a plurality of sensors 120-1, 120-2, ..., 120-N, and a sensing judgment. The unit 130, a processing unit 140, a control unit 150, and an antenna module 160. In the first embodiment, the processing unit 140 is a central processing unit of the bendable mobile device 100 for controlling all major components of the flexible mobile device 100. It is worth noting that although not shown in Figure 1A, the flexible mobile device The 100 may further include other necessary components such as a battery, a casing, a filter, a duplexer, and a power amplifier and the like.

The sensors 120-1, 120-2, ..., 120-N are used to detect one of the shapes of the flexible panel 110. In an embodiment, the sensors 120-1, 120-2, ..., 120-N are disposed around the bendable panel 110. The sensors 120-1, 120-2, ..., 120-N may be a plurality of pressure sensors, a plurality of capacitive sensors, a plurality of optical sensors, or a plurality of sensing circuits. In other embodiments, the sensors 120-1, 120-2, ..., 120-N can also detect one of the other portions of the bendable mobile device 100, such as a housing of the flexible mobile device 100. One form, or one of the overall shape of the bendable mobile device 100. The sensing determination unit 130 is coupled to the sensors 120-1, 120-2, . . . , 120-N and according to the plurality of signals transmitted by the sensors 120-1, 120-2, . . . , 120-N. The data is sensed to determine whether the shape of the bendable panel 110 has changed. If there is a change, the sensing determination unit 130 generates a notification signal S1 according to the form of the change. Then, the processing unit 140 receives the notification signal S1 again, and determines a bending state of the bendable panel 110 according to the notification signal S1.

FIG. 1B is a schematic view showing various bending states of the bendable mobile device 100 and its bendable panel 110 according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 1B, the bendable mobile device 100 and the flexible panel 110 can be bent into various shapes by a user. The processing unit 140 can use the sensing data (included in the notification signal S1) collected by the sensors 120-1, 120-2, ..., 120-N to determine which is the current bending state. Then, the processing unit 140 transmits a processing signal S2 to the control unit 150, wherein the processing signal S2 includes the bendable mobile device 100 and the flexible panel The bending state of 110.

Control unit 150 can be used to store a form 152. The form 152 can record the correspondence between various bending states and various adjustment parameters. By querying the form 152 according to the flexed state, the control unit 150 can select one of the bending states corresponding to the bendable panel 110 to adjust the parameters. Then, the control unit 150 generates a control signal S3 including one of the adjustment parameters to control the antenna module 160. In a preferred embodiment, the radiation characteristics of one of the antenna modules 160 can be adjusted according to different bending states, so that the flexible mobile device 100 can maintain good communication performance under various shapes.

2 is a schematic view showing a bendable mobile device 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is substantially similar to the first embodiment in that, in the bendable mobile device 200, the processing unit 140 and the control unit 150 are integrated into an independent control wafer 220 that is independent of the bendable One of the mobile devices 200 is outside the central processing unit (not shown). Similarly, the individual control wafer 220 can store a form 152 and perform all of the functions of the processing unit 140 and control unit 150 described above. Compared with the first embodiment, the second embodiment can reduce the system complexity and effectively reduce the burden on the central processing unit.

Figure 3 is a schematic view showing a bendable mobile device 300 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is basically similar to the first embodiment in that, in the bendable mobile device 300, the sensing determination unit 130, the processing unit 140, and the control unit 150 are integrated into an independent control chip 320. It is independent of a central processing unit (not shown) of one of the bendable mobile devices 300. Similarly, the independent control chip 320 can store a form 152 for performing the foregoing sensing determination unit 130 and processing. Unit 140, as well as all functions of control unit 150. Compared with the first embodiment, the third embodiment can further reduce the system complexity and effectively reduce the burden on the central processing unit.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an antenna module 160 according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the antenna module 160 can include an antenna 162 and an antenna adjustment portion 164. The antenna adjustment unit 164 is coupled to the antenna 162 and may include one or more circuit groups or metal sheets. In some embodiments, the aforementioned control unit 150 or the independent control chips 220, 320 can control the antenna adjustment portion 162 according to the selected adjustment parameters to change the radiation characteristics of one of the antennas 160.

FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram showing an antenna module 160 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment, the antenna adjusting unit 164 includes a switch 510, a plurality of circuit groups 521, 522, and 523, and a grounding member 530. The circuit sets 521, 522, 523 are respectively coupled to the ground element 530, and the switch 510 selectively couples the antenna 162 to one of the circuit groups 521, 522, 523 according to the aforementioned adjustment parameters. By switching between different ground paths, the antenna adjustment portion 164 can appropriately adjust the radiation characteristics of the antenna 162 to maintain good communication performance of the bendable mobile device. As shown in FIG. 5A, circuit sets 521, 522, 523 can each include one or more inductors or capacitors. In other embodiments, the circuit sets 521, 522, 523 can also be implemented with a plurality of metal sheets of different sizes.

FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram showing an antenna module 160 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment, the antenna adjusting unit 164 includes a switch 510, a plurality of circuit groups 521, 522, and 523, and a signal source 540. The circuit groups 521, 522, and 523 are respectively coupled to the signal source 540. The switch 510 selectively couples the antenna 162 to one of the circuit groups 521, 522, 523 according to the aforementioned adjustment parameters. By switching between different feed paths, the antenna adjustment unit 164 can appropriately adjust the radiation characteristics of the antenna 162 to maintain good communication performance of the bendable mobile device. As shown in FIG. 5B, circuit sets 521, 522, 523 can each include one or more inductors or capacitors. In other embodiments, the circuit sets 521, 522, 523 can also be implemented with a plurality of metal sheets of different sizes.

It must be noted that the invention is not limited thereto. In the 5A, 5B diagram, the antenna adjustment portion 164 may include more or fewer circuit groups, wherein the internal components in the circuit groups are merely illustrative and are not limiting of the invention.

Figure 6 is a flow chart showing a control method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The present invention provides a method of controlling an antenna module suitable for use in a bendable mobile device, the method comprising the following steps. First, in step S610, a form of a bendable mobile device is detected via a complex sensor. In step S620, it is determined whether the form of the bendable mobile device changes. If no, no action is taken and the process ends. If so, in step S630, one of the bendable motion devices is judged to be in a bent state according to the changed form. Next, in step S640, a form is queried according to the bending state to select one of the adjustment parameters corresponding to the bending state. Finally, in step S650, one of the antenna modules of the bendable mobile device is controlled according to the adjustment parameter, and the process ends.

Fig. 7A is a flow chart showing a control method according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7A is similar to Figure 6, and the difference between the two is that Figure 7A further includes steps S660, S670. As shown in Figure 7A, in step In the step S660, the antenna module includes an antenna and an antenna adjusting portion coupled to the antenna, and the antenna adjusting portion includes a grounding component, a plurality of circuit groups respectively coupled to the grounding component, and a switch. Next, in step S670, the antenna is selectively coupled to one of the circuit groups according to the adjustment parameter via the switch.

Fig. 7B is a flow chart showing a control method according to still another embodiment of the present invention. The 7B and 6 are similar, and the difference between the two is that the 7B further includes steps S680 and S690. As shown in FIG. 7B, in the step S680, the antenna module includes an antenna and an antenna adjustment unit coupled to the antenna, and the antenna adjustment unit includes a signal source and a plurality of signals coupled to the signal source. Circuit group and a switcher. Next, in step S690, the antenna is selectively coupled to one of the circuit groups according to the adjustment parameter via the switch.

All of the embodiments shown in Figures 1A-5B can be applied to these control methods. The remaining details are substantially the same as those of the foregoing embodiment, and are not described herein again.

The present invention has been described above with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, and the invention may be modified and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

100, 200, 300‧‧‧ bendable mobile devices

110‧‧‧Flexible panel

120-1, 120-2, ..., 120-N‧‧‧ sensors

130‧‧‧Sensing unit

140‧‧‧Processing unit

150‧‧‧Control unit

152‧‧‧Form

160‧‧‧Antenna module

162‧‧‧Antenna

164‧‧‧Antenna Adjustment Department

220, 320‧‧‧ Independent Control Wafer

510‧‧‧Switch

521, 522, 523‧‧‧ circuit group

530‧‧‧ Grounding components

540‧‧‧Signal source

S1‧‧‧Notice signal

S2‧‧‧ Processing signals

S3‧‧‧ control signal

S610, S620, S630, S640, S650, S660, S670, S680, S690‧‧

1A is a schematic view showing a bendable mobile device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1B is a view showing a flexible device and a bendable panel thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention; 2 is a schematic view showing a bendable mobile device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 3 is a view showing a bendable mobile device according to a third embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an antenna module according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram showing an antenna module according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5B is a diagram showing A schematic diagram of an antenna module according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control method according to an embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 7A is a diagram showing control according to another embodiment of the present invention. A flowchart of the method; FIG. 7B is a flow chart showing a control method according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

100‧‧‧Flexible mobile device

110‧‧‧Flexible panel

120-1, 120-2, ..., 120-N‧‧‧ sensors

130‧‧‧Sensing unit

140‧‧‧Processing unit

150‧‧‧Control unit

152‧‧‧Form

160‧‧‧Antenna module

S1‧‧‧Notice signal

S2‧‧‧ Processing signals

S3‧‧‧ control signal

Claims (7)

A bendable mobile device includes: a bendable panel; a plurality of sensors for detecting one of the bendable panels; a sensing and determining unit coupled to the sensors and determining Whether the form of the bendable panel is changed, if yes, the sensing and determining unit generates a notification signal according to the changed form; a processing unit is configured to receive the notification signal and determine the bendable panel according to the notification signal a bending state; an antenna module; and a control unit for storing a form, and querying the form according to the bending state to select one of the adjustment parameters corresponding to the bending state, thereby controlling the antenna The antenna module includes: an antenna; and an antenna adjustment unit coupled to the antenna, wherein the control unit controls the antenna adjustment unit according to the adjustment parameter to change a radiation characteristic of the antenna; The antenna adjustment unit includes: a grounding component; a plurality of circuit groups respectively coupled to the grounding component; and a switch for selectively coupling the antenna to the adjusting parameter One of those circuit groups and the like. The bendable mobile device of claim 1, wherein the sensors are a plurality of pressure sensors. The bendable mobile device of claim 1, wherein the processing unit and the control unit are integrated into an independent control chip. The bendable mobile device of claim 1, wherein the sensing and determining unit, the processing unit, and the control unit are integrated into an independent control chip. A bendable mobile device includes: a bendable panel; a plurality of sensors for detecting one of the bendable panels; a sensing and determining unit coupled to the sensors and determining Whether the form of the bendable panel is changed, if yes, the sensing and determining unit generates a notification signal according to the changed form; a processing unit is configured to receive the notification signal and determine the bendable panel according to the notification signal a bending state; an antenna module; and a control unit for storing a form, and querying the form according to the bending state to select one of the adjustment parameters corresponding to the bending state, thereby controlling the antenna The antenna module includes: an antenna; and an antenna adjustment unit coupled to the antenna, wherein the control unit controls the antenna adjustment unit according to the adjustment parameter to change a radiation characteristic of the antenna; The antenna adjustment unit includes: a signal source; a plurality of circuit groups respectively coupled to the signal source; A switch for selectively coupling the antenna to one of the circuit groups according to the adjustment parameter. A method for controlling an antenna module is applicable to a bendable mobile device, the method comprising the steps of: detecting a form of the bendable mobile device via a plurality of sensors; determining the bendable mobile device Whether the form is changed; if yes, determining a bending state of the bendable mobile device according to the changed shape; querying a form according to the bending state to select one of the bending states corresponding to the bending state; and The antenna module includes an antenna and an antenna adjustment unit coupled to the antenna, and the antenna adjustment unit includes a grounding component coupled to the antenna module a plurality of circuit groups of the grounding element and a switch, and wherein the method further comprises: selectively coupling the antenna to one of the circuit groups via the switch according to the adjustment parameter. A method for controlling an antenna module is applicable to a bendable mobile device, the method comprising the steps of: detecting a form of the bendable mobile device via a plurality of sensors; determining the bendable mobile device Whether the form is changed; if yes, determining a bending state of the bendable mobile device according to the changed shape; querying a form according to the bending state to select a corresponding bending Adjusting a parameter of the state; and controlling the antenna module of the flexible device according to the adjustment parameter; wherein the antenna module includes an antenna and an antenna adjustment portion coupled to the antenna, and the antenna adjustment portion includes a signal source, a plurality of circuit groups respectively coupled to the signal source, and a switch, and wherein the method further comprises: selectively coupling the antenna to one of the circuit groups according to the adjustment parameter via the switch By.