INWARD FOLDING ELECTRONIC DEVICE

An inward folding electronic device includes a first housing, a second housing, and a flexible display module; where a first area of the flexible display module is a semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area, where the first area is corresponding to a connecting area between the first housing and the second housing; and in a case that the electronic device is in an unfolded state, the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area displays information at a side facing away from the first housing and the second housing; and in a case that the electronic device is in a folded state, the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area displays information at a side facing towards the first housing and the second housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/CN2022/086109 filed on Apr. 11, 2022, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202110407116.7 filed on Apr. 15, 2021, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application pertains to the field of display technologies, and specifically, relates to an inward folding electronic device.

BACKGROUND

At present, with the maturation of flexible electronic screen technologies using organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), inward folding electronic devices have gradually become mainstream products.

In the prior art, in a case that an inward folding electronic device is in a folded state, users are unable to continue viewing the content displayed on an inward folding screen which serves as the main screen. To avoid missing important notifications or the cumbersome operation of frequently flipping open the main screen, it is necessary to design a secondary screen on the non-main screen display area at the back of the inward folding electronic device to display information in the folded state. However, this approach not only increases the material cost but also weakens the overall reliability of the device.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect, an embodiment of this application provides an inward folding electronic device including a first housing, a second housing, and a flexible display module; where

the flexible display module is provided on surfaces of the first housing and the second housing at one side, and a first area of the flexible display module is a semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area, where the first area is corresponding to a connecting area between the first housing and the second housing; and

in a case that the electronic device is in an unfolded state, the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area displays information at a side facing away from the first housing and the second housing; and in a case that the electronic device is in a folded state, the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area displays information at a side facing towards the first housing and the second housing.

According to a second aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a display control method, where the display control method is used for controlling display of the inward folding electronic device described above, where the display control method includes:

controlling the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area to display first display content towards a first direction in a case that the inward folding electronic device is in an unfolded state; where the first direction is a direction of a side of the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area facing away from the first housing and the second housing; and

controlling the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area to display second display content towards a second direction in a case that the inward folding electronic device is in a folded state; where the second direction is a direction of a side of the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area facing towards the first housing and the second housing.

According to a third aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a chip, where the chip includes a processor and a communications interface, the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is configured to run a program or instructions to implement the method according to the second aspect.

According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a readable storage medium, where the readable storage medium stores a program or instructions, and when the program or instructions are executed by a processor, the steps of the display control method according to claim11are implemented.

According to a fifth aspect, an embodiment of this application provides an electronic device, the electronic device being the inward folding electronic device according to the first aspect, where the electronic device further includes a processor, a memory, and a program or instructions stored in the memory and capable of running on the processor. When the program or instructions are executed by the processor, the steps of the display control method according to the second aspect are implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The terms “first”, “second”, and the like in this specification and claims of this application are used to distinguish between similar objects rather than to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the terms used in this way are interchangeable in appropriate circumstances so that the embodiments of this application can be implemented in other orders than the order illustrated or described herein. In addition, “and/or” in the specification and claims represents at least one of connected objects, and the character “I” generally indicates that the associated objects have an “or” relationship.

The following describes in detail the inward folding electronic device provided in the embodiments of this application through specific embodiments and application scenarios thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Refer toFIGS.1to6. The foregoing inward folding electronic device10includes a first housing11, a second housing12, and a flexible display module14; where the flexible display module14is provided on surfaces of the first housing11and the second housing12at one side, and a first area of the flexible display module14is a semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15, where the first area is corresponding to a connecting area between the first housing11and the second housing12; and in a case that the inward folding electronic device10is in an unfolded state, the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15displays information at a side facing away from the first housing11and the second housing12; and in a case that the inward folding electronic device10is in a folded state, the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15displays information at a side facing towards the first housing11and the second housing12.

According to the inward folding electronic device10provided in an embodiment of this application, the flexible display module14is provided on surfaces of the first housing11and the second housing12at one side, and specifically, provided on inner surfaces of the first housing11and the second housing12. Thus, by the relative folding between the first housing11and the second housing12, the flexible display module14is driven to be folded inward between the first housing and the second housing; or, by the relative unfolding between the first housing11and the second housing12, the flexible display module14is driven to be unfolded outward, thus achieving the folding or unfolding of the inward folding electronic device.

According to the inward folding electronic device10provided in an embodiment of this application, the display area of the flexible display module14at the connecting area between the first housing11and the second housing12is configured as a semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15. In a case that the electronic device is in the unfolded state, the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15can display information at the side facing away from the first housing11and second housing12; while in a case that the electronic device is in the folded state, the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15can display information at the side facing towards the first housing11and second housing12. This enables the display content to be observed on both the front and back of the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15, solving the problem of unable to utilize the folded display for information display in a case that the inward folding electronic device is in the folded state. Additionally, a secondary display is not required, reducing material costs and enhancing the overall reliability of the device.

The inward folding electronic device10provided in the embodiments of this application can specifically be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, and the like.

In the embodiments of this application, the first housing11and the second housing12form the main structure of the inward folding electronic device10. Optionally, in one implementation, the first housing11and the second housing12are pivotally connected, and the flexible display module14is provided on surfaces of the first housing11and the second housing12at one side, so that the folding and unfolding of the first housing11and the second housing12to be achieved through rotation. This allows for a more stable and smooth folding and unfolding of the flexible display module.

Optionally, in one implementation, the electronic device further includes at least two sets of hinge mechanisms13. The first housing11and the second housing12are pivotally connected through the at least two sets of hinge mechanisms13. The first housing11and the second housing12are hinged through the at least two sets of hinge mechanisms13, and the at least two sets of hinge mechanisms13together with the first housing11and the second housing12enclose a hollow area. Additionally, the flexible display module14is connected to the first housing11and the second housing12, that is, the flexible display module14is fixedly attached across the hollow area to the first housing11and the second housing12and is located at the same side of the first housing11and the second housing12. In this way, the first housing11and the second housing12can rotate relative to each other through the hinge mechanisms13and drive the flexible module to fold towards the side where the flexible display module14is located to achieve the folded state or to unfold towards the side where the flexible display module14is located to achieve the unfolded state.

The display area of the flexible display module14corresponding to the connecting area between the first housing11and the second housing12is configured as the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15. Therefore, in a case that the electronic device is in the unfolded state, the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15displays information at a side facing away from the first housing11and the second housing12, and at the side of the inward folding electronic device10provided with the flexible display module14, information displayed on the front of the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15can be observed, as well as information displayed in other display areas of the flexible display module14except for the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15; while in a case that the electronic device is in the folded state, the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15displays information at a side facing towards the first housing11and the second housing12, and at a side of the inward folding electronic device10father away from the flexible display module14, information displayed on the other display areas cannot be observed by users due to being blocked by the first housing11and the second housing12. However, because the first area where the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15is located is corresponding to the connecting area between the first housing11and the second housing12, information displayed on the back of the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15can be observed through the foregoing connecting area. Therefore, in a case that the inward folding electronic device10is in a folded state, important information can be displayed using the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15.

Optionally, in a specific implementation, the area on the first housing11and the second housing12corresponding to the first area may be configured as transparent or a hollow area, so that in a case that the electronic device is in the folded state, the information displayed on the back of the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15can be observed through the area corresponding to the first area.

Optionally, in a specific implementation, the hinge mechanism13includes a pivot131, a first connecting hinge132, and a second connecting hinge133. The pivot131is provided with a groove inside. One end of the first connecting hinge132is fixedly connected to the first housing11, and the other end of the first connecting hinge132is embedded in the groove134. In this way, the first housing11is hinged to the pivot131, and when the first housing11rotates around the pivot131, the first connecting hinge132can slide retractably along the groove134. One end of the second connecting hinge133is fixedly connected to the second housing12, and the other end of the second connecting hinge133is embedded in the groove134. In this way, the second housing12is hinged to the pivot131and when the second housing12rotates around the pivot131, the second connecting hinge133can slide retractably along the groove134. By the cooperation of at least two hinge mechanisms13, the first housing11and the second housing12can be firmly hinged, thereby achieving foldability of the main structure of the electronic device. Because the flexible display module14is connected to the first housing11and the second housing12, the flexible display module14can be passively folded or unfolded correspondingly with the folding or unfolding of the first housing11and the second housing12. While the telescopic design of the connecting hinges and the pivot131ensures that the pivot131protrudes from the curved surface where the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15is located, which can prevent damage to the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15caused by accidental falling in the folded state.

Specifically, the pivot131is designed in conjunction with the connecting hinge so that in a case that the electronic device10is unfolded, the first housing11and the second housing12drive the flexible display module14to stretch along the pivot131, making the flexible display module14flat as a whole. In a case that the electronic device is folded, the first housing11and the second housing12drive the flexible display module14to fold along the pivot131, making the flexible display module14folded as a whole.

Optionally, in a specific implementation, the groove134is an elliptical groove. In a case that the first housing11and the second housing12are in the folded state, that is, in a case that the flexible display module14is in the folded state, a direction of the major axis of the elliptical groove is perpendicular to a plane where the first housing11is located and a plane where the second housing12is located. In a case that the first housing11and the second housing12are in the unfolded state, that is, in a case that the flexible display module14is in the unfolded state, the direction of the major axis of the elliptical groove is parallel to the plane where the first housing11is located and the plane where the second housing12is located. The foregoing configuration allows for a larger folding radius of the flexible display module14and reduces the likelihood of creases.

In the above specific implementation, the groove134is designed as an elliptical shape, so that in the unfolded state, the connecting hinges are pulled to the two ends of the major axis of the elliptical groove; in the folded state, the connecting hinges return to the short axis of the elliptical groove, causing twice the length of the entire inward folding electronic device10in the folded state to be slightly smaller than the length of the major axis of the entire inward folding electronic device in the unfolded state.

According to the inward folding electronic device10provided in the embodiment of this application, the first housing11and the second housing12are hinged by at least two sets of hinge mechanisms13. In a case of two sets of hinge mechanisms13, the two sets of hinge mechanisms13are respectively provided on two sides of the flexible display module14. This not only maximizes the hollow area enclosed by the hinge mechanisms13, the first housing11, and the second housing12but also provides complete support and protection for the area of the flexible display module14corresponding to the hollow area, namely, provides complete support and protection for the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15.

Optionally, in an implementation, the above flexible display module14is an OLED display module; the above flexible display module14includes an OLED display component141, an upper flexible glass142, and a lower flexible glass143; the upper flexible glass142is provided on a surface of the OLED display component141away from a substrate, and the lower flexible glass143is provided on a surface of the OLED display component141closer to the substrate, where the substrate is a contact surface of the first housing11and the second housing12for connecting with the flexible display module14. By sandwiching the OLED display component141from the top and bottom with the upper flexible glass142and the lower flexible glass143, a sandwich structure is formed, providing good support for the OLED display module and reducing the likelihood of creases and bulges in the unfolded state.

Optionally, in a specific implementation, the upper flexible glass142and the lower flexible glass143may be specifically made of ultra-thin glass (UTG), which allows the flexible display module14to have better bending and wear resistance performance.

Optionally, in a specific implementation, the lower flexible glass143is the same as the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15in the shape and size, and the lower flexible glass143overlaps with the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15. That is, the lower flexible glass143is only provided in the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15in the flexible display module14, while the other display areas in the flexible display module14, except for the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15, are provided with only the upper flexible glass142, that is, the other display areas include only the OLED display component and the upper flexible glass, with the bottom support provided by the first housing11and the second housing12. This manner of providing the lower flexible glass143only in the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15can save the usage of the lower flexible glass, thus further reducing costs.

Optionally, in an implementation, the reflective functional layer of the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15is positioned on the side of the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15closer to the first housing11and the second housing12, so that in a case that the electronic device is in the unfolded state, the background on the other side of the electronic device is not easily visible through the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15when information displayed on the front side of the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15is being observed from the side of the electronic device where the flexible display module14is located, avoiding interference with the display on the front of the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15and improving the display effect.

Optionally, in an implementation, as shown inFIGS.7and8, the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15includes a substrate151, and a pixel defining layer152and a second electrode155which are stacked in sequence on the substrate151; the pixel defining layer152includes a plurality of openings spaced apart, each of the openings being provided with a light-emitting unit153; a first electrode154is provided between each light-emitting unit153and the substrate151, and the light-emitting unit153emits light under the action of the first electrode154and the second electrode155; the first electrode154transmits, at least partially, the light emitted by the light-emitting unit153, so that in a case that the electronic device is in a folded state, information is displayed on a side of the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15facing towards the first housing11and the second housing12; and the second electrode155transmits the light emitted by the light-emitting unit153, so that in a case that the electronic device is in an unfolded state, information is displayed on a side of the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15father away from the first housing11and the second housing12. The arrows represent light rays.

In the above implementation, the first electrode154is conductively connected or in contact with the corresponding light-emitting unit153, acting as a driving electrode for the corresponding light-emitting unit153. Additionally, each light-emitting unit153is provided with a second electrode155which is conductively connected or in contact with the light-emitting unit153. The second electrode155serves as another driving electrode of the light-emitting unit153. One of the first electrode154and the second electrode155is used as an anode, and the other of the first electrode154and the second electrode155is used as a cathode, to drive the corresponding light-emitting unit153to emit.

The second electrode155of the light-emitting unit153may be individually provided. Alternatively, a common electrode may be used directly as the second electrode155, and specifically, an existing electrode on the side of the flexible display module14father away from the substrate151may be used as the second electrode155. The second electrode155can transmit light emitted by the light-emitting unit153, allowing the information displayed in the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15to be observed from the front of the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15.

The first electrode154can at least partially transmit light emitted by the light-emitting unit153, allowing the light emitted by the light-emitting unit153to be observed from the side with the substrate151. This means that information displayed in the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15can be observed from the back of the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15.

The light-emitting unit153may be an OLED pixel subunit, specifically a red, green, or blue pixel subunit.

In practical applications, the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15further includes an upper flexible glass142and a lower flexible glass143.

Optionally, in a specific implementation, the first electrode154may be a non-transparent electrode that has undergone openwork treatment, achieving at least partial transmission of light emitted by the light-emitting unit153; alternatively, the non-transparent electrode may be thinned to the micrometer level to serve as the first electrode154, also achieving at least partial transmission of light emitted by the light-emitting unit153; alternatively, a transparent electrode is used as the first electrode154, allowing for complete transmission of light emitted by the light-emitting unit153.

Optionally, in a specific implementation, in the inward folding electronic device10provided in the embodiments of this application, as shown inFIG.8, the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15further includes an optical coating layer156provided on a side of the substrate151farther away from the first electrode154, where the optical coating layer156has a transmittance and reflectance of 50% each. This can partially reflect the light emitted by the light-emitting unit153to the front of the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15, thereby enhancing the front display effect. Additionally, this also ensures that the light emitted by the light-emitting unit153is partially transmitted to the back of the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15, allowing information displayed in the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15to be observed from the back, that is, achieving the display effect of a semi-transparent and semi-reflective screen.

Optionally, in a specific implementation, the first electrode154may be configured as the anode, the second electrode155may be configured as the cathode, and the second electrode155may serve as a common electrode, facilitating using the existing cathode of the display module as a common electrode to drive the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15to emit light.

In this case, the first electrode154may be a patterned anode metal layer, or an anode metal layer with portions removed, or an anode metal layer thinned to a semi-transparent state, where the anode metal layer may be specifically made of aluminum.

In this case, the first electrode154may alternatively be an ITO anode. In this scenario, a semi-transparent and semi-reflective optical coating layer156needs to be provided on the side of the substrate151father away from the first electrode154.

The semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15further includes a plurality of thin-film transistors157, where the plurality of thin-film transistors157are all positioned between the substrate151and the pixel defining layer152. Each light-emitting unit153is connected to one of the thin-film transistors157through a corresponding first electrode154. The thin-film transistor157is used to apply drive signals to the first electrode154. One of the first electrode154and the second electrode155is used as an anode, and the other of the first electrode154and the second electrode155is used as a cathode. Combining this with the switching function of the thin-film transistor157, it controls a corresponding light-emitting unit153to emit light or not.

The thin-film transistors mentioned above include, in sequential order above the substrate151, a buffer layer71, a channel layer72, an interlayer dielectric layer73, a gate insulating layer74, a gate electrode75, a source electrode (S electrode)76provided above the gate insulating layer, a drain electrode (D electrode)77, and a planarization layer78that covers the source electrode76, drain electrode77, and gate electrode75. The first electrode154is connected to the drain electrode77. The channel layer72includes a P-type doped layer721and an N-type doped layer722.

The light-emitting unit153includes a hole injection layer31, a hole transport layer32, and an organic light-emitting functional layer33that are stacked in sequence.

Optionally, the inward folding electronic device10provided in this application further includes a motherboard (not shown in the figure), where the motherboard is provided with a display interface, and the display interface is electrically connected to the flexible display module14. The inward folding electronic device provided in the embodiments of this application in the folded state utilizes the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area15in the flexible display module14to display information required to be displayed, therefore, only a display interface needs to be provided on the motherboard and then electrically connected to the flexible display module14to achieve display control of the inward folding electronic device.

Optionally, as shown inFIGS.2and3, the inward folding electronic device10provided in the embodiments of this application further includes a light sensor111, a front-facing camera112, and a receiver113provided on the side of the first housing11facing towards the flexible display module14; and further includes a supplementary light114and a rear-facing camera115provided on the side of the first housing11farther away from the flexible display module14.

An embodiment of this application further provides a display control method for controlling the display of the inward folding electronic device described above, where the method includes steps100and200.

In the embodiment of this application, the method is applied to the inward folding electronic device, where the electronic device may be a mobile electronic device such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a palmtop computer, a vehicle-mounted electronic device, a wearable device, an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), a netbook, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and the like; and may be a non-mobile electronic device such as a personal computer (PC), a television (TV), a teller machine, a self-service machine, or the like.

Step100. Control the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area to display first display content towards a first direction in a case that the inward folding electronic device is in an unfolded state; where the first direction is a direction of a side of the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area facing away from the first housing and the second housing.

In step100, in a case that the inward folding electronic device is in the unfolded state, that is, in a case that the first housing and second housing are unfolded, in the direction in which the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area is in a reflective display state, that is, in the front direction of the flexible display module, content displayed on the entire flexible display module can be observed normally. Therefore, the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area is controlled to display the first display content towards the first direction, so that the content displayed on the entire flexible display module can be observed from the front.

Step200. Control the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area to display second display content towards a second direction in a case that the inward folding electronic device is in a folded state; where the second direction is a direction of the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area facing towards the first housing and the second housing.

In step200, in a case that the inward folding electronic device is in the folded state, that is, in a case that the first housing and second housing are folded together, in the direction in which the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area is in a reflective display state, that is, in the front direction of the flexible display module, content displayed on the entire flexible display module cannot be observed normally. In addition, the back of the flexible display module is blocked by the first housing and second housing, except for the first area. Therefore, the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area corresponding to the connecting area is controlled to display the second display content towards the direction of transmittance display, so that the content displayed on the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area can be observed from the back of the flexible display module.

The display control method provided in the embodiment of this application allows for controlling the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area to display content towards different directions depending on the folded or unfolded state of the inward folding electronic device, enabling users to conveniently observe the displayed content without experiencing mirror display.

Optionally, an embodiment of this application further provides an electronic device, where the electronic device is the above inward folding electronic device, including a processor, a memory, and a program or instructions stored in the memory and capable of running on the processor. When the program or instructions are executed by the processor, the processes of the foregoing embodiment of the display control method are implemented, with the same technical effects achieved. To avoid repetition, details are not described herein again.

It should be noted that the electronic device in this embodiment of this application includes the foregoing mobile electronic device and non-mobile electronic device.

FIG.9is a schematic diagram of a hardware structure of an electronic device according to an embodiment of this application.

The electronic device900includes but is not limited to components such as a radio frequency unit9001, a network module9002, an audio output unit9003, an input unit9004, a sensor9005, a display unit9006, a user input unit9007, an interface unit9008, a memory9009, and a processor9010.

Those skilled in the art can understand that the electronic device900may further include a power supply (for example, a battery) that supplies power to various components. The power supply may be logically connected to the processor9010through a power management system, so that functions such as charge and discharge management and power consumption management are implemented by using the power management system. The structure of the electronic device shown inFIG.9does not constitute a limitation on the electronic device. The electronic device may include more or fewer components than those shown in the figure, or some components may be combined, or there may be a different component layout. Details are not described herein again.

The display unit9006includes a display panel90061, which in this embodiment of this application includes the foregoing flexible display module.

The processor9010is configured to control the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area to display first display content towards a first direction in a case that the inward folding electronic device is in an unfolded state, where the first direction is a direction of a side of the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area facing away from the first housing and the second housing; and controlling the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area to display second display content towards a second direction in a case that the inward folding electronic device is in a folded state; where the second direction is a direction of a side of the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area facing towards the first housing and the second housing;

The electronic device provided in the embodiment of this application allows for controlling the semi-transparent and semi-reflective display area to display content towards different directions depending on the folded or unfolded state of the inward folding electronic device, enabling users to observe displayed content without experiencing mirror display.

An embodiment of this application further provides a readable storage medium, where the readable storage medium stores a program or instructions, and when the program or instructions are executed by a processor, the processes of the foregoing display control method embodiments are implemented, with the same technical effects achieved. To avoid repetition, details are not described herein again.

The processor is the processor in the electronic device in the foregoing embodiments. The readable storage medium includes a computer-readable storage medium such as a computer read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disc.

Another embodiment of this application provides a chip, where the chip includes a processor and a communications interface, the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is configured to run a program or instructions to implement the processes of the foregoing display control method embodiments, with the same technical effects achieved. To avoid repetition, details are not described herein again.

It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as a system-level chip, a system chip, a chip system, a system-on-chip, or the like.

It should be noted that in this specification, the terms “include” and “comprise”, or any of their variants are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements not only includes those elements but also includes other elements that are not expressly listed, or further includes elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. In absence of more constraints, an element preceded by “includes a . . . ” does not preclude the existence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes the element. Furthermore, it should be noted that the scope of the methods and apparatuses in the embodiments of this application is not limited to performing the functions in the order shown or discussed, but may also include performing the functions in a substantially simultaneous manner or in a reverse order depending on the functions involved. For example, the described method may be performed in an order different from the order described, and steps may be added, omitted, or combined. In addition, features described with reference to some examples may be combined in other examples.