Portable electronic device including flexible display

A portable electronic device includes a first flexible display. The first flexible display includes a display area, a non-display area, and a first fold such that at least part of the non-display area is non-coplanar with the display area. Information is displayable near the first fold.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present disclosure relates to electronic devices including but not limited to portable electronic devices having touch-sensitive displays and their control.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices, including portable electronic devices, have gained widespread use and may provide a variety of functions including, for example, telephonic, electronic messaging and other personal information manager (PIM) application functions. Portable electronic devices include several types of devices including mobile stations such as simple cellular telephones, smart telephones, wireless PDAs, and laptop computers with wireless 802.11 or Bluetooth capabilities.

Portable electronic devices such as PDAs or smart telephones are generally intended for handheld use and ease of portability. Smaller devices are generally desirable for portability. A touch-sensitive display, also known as a touchscreen display, is particularly useful on handheld devices, which are small and have limited space for user input and output. The information displayed on the touch-sensitive displays may be modified depending on the functions and operations being performed.

Improvements in devices with touch-sensitive displays are desirable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following describes a portable electronic device that includes a flexible display. The flexible display includes a display area, a non-display area, also known as an inactive area, and a fold such that at least part of the non-display area is non-coplanar with the display area. Information is displayable near the first fold.

The disclosure generally relates to an electronic device, which is a portable electronic device in the embodiments described herein. Examples of portable electronic devices include mobile, or handheld, wireless communication devices such as pagers, cellular phones, cellular smart-phones, wireless organizers, personal digital assistants, electronic pads or slates, wirelessly enabled notebook computers, and so forth. The portable electronic device may also be a portable electronic device without wireless communication capabilities, such as a handheld electronic game device, digital photograph album, digital camera, or other device.

A block diagram of an example of a portable electronic device100is shown inFIG. 1. The portable electronic device100includes multiple components, such as a processor102that controls the overall operation of the portable electronic device100. Communication functions, including data and voice communications, are performed through a communication subsystem104. Data received by the portable electronic device100is decompressed and decrypted by a decoder106. The communication subsystem104receives messages from and sends messages to a wireless network150. The wireless network150may be any type of wireless network, including, but not limited to, data wireless networks, voice wireless networks, and networks that support both voice and data communications. A power source142, such as one or more rechargeable batteries or a port to an external power supply, powers the portable electronic device100.

The processor102interacts with other components, such as Random Access Memory (RAM)108, memory110, an input device114, an upper touch-sensitive display116, a lower touch-sensitive display118, an auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystem124, a data port126, a speaker128, a microphone130, short-range communications132, and other device subsystems134. The input device114may be, for example, a touch-sensitive track pad, a trackball, an optical joystick, and so forth, to receive an input. The input device114may be utilized, for example, for navigation of a cursor, highlighting or other indicator on the upper touch-sensitive display116. The terms upper and lower as used herein refer to relative position of the upper touch-sensitive display116and the lower touch-sensitive display118as shown in the figures. The terms upper and lower are not intended to be limiting.

The processor102may interact with an accelerometer136that may be utilized to detect direction of gravitational forces or gravity-induced reaction forces. Optionally, the processor102may interact with one or more actuators120and/or one or more force sensors122.

A sensor140, which may be, for example, a Hall effect sensor, may also be utilized to detect a position of, for example, the upper touch-sensitive display116relative to the lower touch-sensitive display118. Alternatively, the sensor140may be, for example, a mechanical sensor or any other suitable sensor.

To identify a subscriber for network access, the portable electronic device100uses a Subscriber Identity Module or a Removable User Identity Module (SIM/RUIM) card138for communication with a network, such as the wireless network150. Alternatively, user identification information may be programmed into memory110.

The portable electronic device100includes an operating system146and software programs or components148that are executed by the processor102and are typically stored in a persistent, updatable store such as the memory110. Additional applications or programs may be loaded onto the portable electronic device100through the wireless network150, the auxiliary I/O subsystem124, the data port126, the short-range communications subsystem132, or any other suitable subsystem134.

A received signal, such as a text message, an e-mail message, or web page download, is processed by the communication subsystem104and input to the processor102. The processor102processes the received signal for output to the display112and/or to the auxiliary I/O subsystem124. A subscriber may generate data items, for example e-mail messages, which may be transmitted over the wireless network150through the communication subsystem104. For voice communications, the overall operation of the portable electronic device100is similar. The speaker128outputs audible information converted from electrical signals, and the microphone130converts audible information into electrical signals for processing.

The upper touch-sensitive display116and the lower touch-sensitive display118may include, for example, a display and a touch-sensitive overlay operably coupled to an electronic controller such that the processor102interacts with the touch-sensitive overlay via the electronic controller. Information, such as text, characters, symbols, images, icons, and other items that may be displayed or rendered on the portable electronic device100, may be displayed on the display of one or both of the upper touch-sensitive display116and the lower touch-sensitive display118via the processor102. The upper touch-sensitive display116and the lower touch-sensitive display118may each be any suitable touch-sensitive display such as a capacitive, resistive, infrared, surface acoustic wave (SAW) touch-sensitive display, strain gauge, optical imaging, dispersive signal technology, acoustic pulse recognition, and so forth, as known in the art. Alternatively, a single controller may be utilized for the upper touch-sensitive display116and the lower touch-sensitive display118. Although the upper touch-sensitive display116and the lower touch-sensitive display118may be substantially identical except as related to their orientation with respect to each other, the upper touch-sensitive display116and the lower touch-sensitive display118may be different in other ways.

One or more touches, also known as touch contacts or touch events, may be detected by the upper touch-sensitive display116and/or the lower touch-sensitive display118. The processor102may determine attributes of a touch, including a location of the touch. Touch location data may include an area of contact or a single point of contact, such as a point at or near a center of the area of contact. A signal is provided to one of the controllers in response to detection of a touch on the upper touch-sensitive display116or the lower touch-sensitive display118. A touch may be detected from any suitable object, such as a finger, thumb, appendage, or other items, for example, a stylus, pen, or other pointer, depending on the nature of the upper touch-sensitive display116and/or the lower touch-sensitive display118. The controller(s) and/or the processor102may detect a touch by any suitable contact member on the upper touch-sensitive display116. Multiple simultaneous touches may be detected.

The optional actuator(s)120may be depressed by applying sufficient force to the upper touch-sensitive display116or to the lower touch-sensitive display118to overcome the actuation force of the actuators120. The actuators120may be actuated by pressing anywhere on the upper touch-sensitive display116or on the lower touch-sensitive display118. The actuators120may provide input to the processor102when actuated. Actuation of the actuators120may result in provision of tactile feedback.

The optional force sensor(s)122may provide force information related to a detected touch on the upper touch-sensitive display116or on the lower touch-sensitive display118. The force information may be utilized to select information, such as information associated with a location of a touch. For example, a touch that does not meet a force threshold may highlight a selection option, whereas a touch that meets a force threshold may select or input that selection option. Selection options include, for example, displayed or virtual keys of a keyboard; selection boxes or windows, e.g., “cancel,” “delete,” or “unlock”; function buttons, such as play or stop on a music player; and so forth. Different magnitudes of force may be associated with different functions or input. For example, a lesser force may result in panning, and a higher force may result in zooming.

Views of a portable electronic device200, which is an example of the portable electronic device100ofFIG. 1, are shown inFIG. 2throughFIG. 4. The portable electronic device100includes an upper housing202that includes a back204and sidewalls206, and the upper touch-sensitive display116is disposed in the housing202. The portable electronic device100also includes a lower housing210that includes a back212and sidewalls214in which the lower touch-sensitive display118is disposed. The various components of the portable electronic device100, such as shown inFIG. 1, may be enclosed in the upper housing202and/or the lower housing210. The various components of the portable electronic device100may be distributed among the upper housing202and the lower housing210.

The lower housing210may be coupled to the upper housing202, for example, by a hinge such that one of the sidewalls206of the upper housing202is adjacent one of the sidewalls214of the lower housing210. The lower housing210is rotatable relative to the upper housing202, about the hinge between opened, as shown inFIG. 2, and closed, as shown inFIG. 3. When opened, the upper touch-sensitive display116may be coplanar with the lower touch-sensitive display118such that the upper touch-sensitive display116and the lower touch-sensitive display118face the same direction and both touch-sensitive displays116,118are visible. When closed, as shown inFIG. 3, the upper touch-sensitive display116and the lower touch-sensitive display118face each other. Optionally, the upper housing202or the lower housing210may include a keypad302, also known as a keyboard, and/or an additional display304that may be utilized when the portable electronic device100is closed. The keypad302and the further display304may be enabled when the portable electronic device100is closed and may be disabled, or powered off, when the portable electronic device100is opened. The keypad302may be a mechanical keypad, a touch-sensitive keypad including touch-sensitive keys, or a combination of a mechanical keypad and a touch-sensitive keypad.

Components of the upper housing202may be electrically coupled to components of the lower housing210utilizing, for example, electrical conductors that extend from the upper housing202to the lower housing210. The electrical conductors may be flexible to accommodate rotation and to inhibit cracking, breaking, or bunching.

Alternatively, electrical conductors may be located along a lower edge of the upper housing202and electrical conductors may be located along an upper edge of the lower housing210. The electrical conductors along the lower edge of the upper housing202may coupled to the electrical conductors along the upper edge of the lower housing210when the portable electronic device100opened. The electrical conductors may also be utilized as sensors, for example, to detect when the portable electronic device100is opened.

The lower housing210may also be rotatable relative to the upper housing202, into intermediate positions between opened and closed. The lower housing210and the upper housing202may have releasable locks when opened and/or when closed. The lower housing210and the upper housing202may also be releasably lockable in any position in between, such as the position shown inFIG. 4. For example, detents and complementary recesses may be utilized to releasably lock the lower housing210relative to the upper housing202. For example, detents and complementary recesses may be utilized to lock the lower housing210in alignment with the upper housing202. A nominal force may be utilized to release the locks, which force is sufficient to prevent inadvertent release. A release mechanism such as a sliding bar or a rotating member may also be utilized to disengage the locks. Alternatively, electrical conductors may be utilized as releasable locks such that electrical conductors along a lower edge of the upper housing202releasably engage with electrical conductors along an upper edge of the lower housing210when the electrical conductors are coupled.

Information may be displayed on the upper touch-sensitive display116and on the lower touch-sensitive display118and information may be displayed continuously from the upper touch-sensitive display116to the lower touch-sensitive display118such that information that starts on the upper touch-sensitive display116may be continued on the lower touch-sensitive display118to operate as a single display.

A partial exploded view of the portable electronic device100is illustrated inFIG. 5. Displays, such as the upper touch-sensitive display116, include a display area502in which information may be displayed and a non-display area504that surrounds the display area in this example. The non-display area504may include, for example, electronic traces or electrical connections, adhesives or other sealants, and/or protective coatings around the edges of the display area. The lower touch-sensitive display118also includes a display area522and a non-display area524. Although the non-display area illustrated in the figures is relatively small, the non-display area may be larger than shown.

The upper touch-sensitive display116may be a flexible display that may be, for example electronic paper (e-paper), or an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display that includes a flexible substrate to facilitate flexing or bending of the display. Touch-sensing layers may be deposited on the display to provide the flexible touch-sensitive display. The lower touch-sensitive display118may similarly be a flexible display as described herein. Although both displays are described as being touch-sensitive, one or neither of the upper touch-sensitive display116and the lower touch-sensitive display118may be a display with touch-sensing capability.

A cover506that protects the upper touch-sensitive display116is illustrated in the partial exploded view of the portable electronic device100shown inFIG. 5. The cover506may be any suitable cover comprising, for example, a polymer or glass protective material.

The upper touch-sensitive display116has two folds508,510that extend across the width of the upper touch-sensitive display116and are generally parallel. The upper touch-sensitive display116is folded along one fold508such that a second panel512extends about 90 degrees from the larger main panel514that includes the display area502of the display116and along a lower one of the sidewalls206. A third panel516extends about 90 degrees from the second panel512and extends partially along the back204of the upper housing202. The folds may have a relatively small radius of curvature. The panels512,514,516may alternatively be more or less than 90 degrees apart. The second and third panels512,516include the non-display area504from the bottom end of the upper touch-sensitive display116, such that the non-display area504from the bottom end is folded under and is non-coplanar with the display area502on which information is displayed, i.e., the folded non-display504area and the display area502are in different planes. Thus, the non-display area504at the bottom end of the upper touch-sensitive display116is folded out of view and under the cover506, and information may be displayed on the main panel514of the display116up to the fold508where the main panel514meets the second panel512.

The lower touch-sensitive display118also includes two folds528,530, similar to the upper touch-sensitive display116. The second panel532of the lower touch-sensitive display118, however, extends along an upper one of the sidewalls214. The third panel534extends along the back of the lower housing210. The non-display area524from the top end of the lower touch-sensitive display118is folded out of view, and information may be displayed on the main panel536of the touch-sensitive display118up to the fold528between the main panel536and the second panel532. The main panel536is covered by the cover526.

Optionally, the sidewalls of the upper housing202need not have the same height. For example, the lower one of the sidewalls206of the upper housing202may have a different height than the back of the upper housing. The upper one of the sidewalls214of the lower housing214may also have a different height than the back of the lower housing. Alternatively, the upper housing202may not include a lower sidewall. Similarly, the lower housing214may not include an upper sidewall. Utilizing a partial sidewall or no sidewall, the gap between the upper touch-sensitive display116and the lower touch-sensitive display118may be very small.

Utilizing flexible displays, the upper touch-sensitive display116and the lower touch-sensitive display118may be folded to reduce how much of the non-display area is visible. As a result, the gap between the display area502of the upper touch-sensitive display116and the display area522of the lower touch-sensitive display118is reduced. Each device has an available area for the display and by folding the non-display area out of view, a larger area is available to display information. The folds508,510of the upper touch-sensitive display116are near the folds528,530of the lower touch-sensitive display118. Information may be displayed continuously among separate displays with a very small gap in which information is not displayed, as shown inFIG. 6. The gap may, for example, the width housing(s) or the hinge of the portable electronic device500.

In the example described above, the upper touch-sensitive display116and the lower touch-sensitive display118each include two folds. Any other suitable number of folds may be utilized. For example, one fold may be utilized in either or each of the upper touch-sensitive display116and the lower touch-sensitive display118to reduce the gap in which information is not displayed between the display area502of the upper touch-sensitive display116and the display area522of the lower touch-sensitive display118.

Another example of a portable electronic device700is shown inFIG. 7andFIG. 8. The portable electronic device700includes an upper housing702in which the upper touch-sensitive display116is disposed. The upper housing702includes a back and sidewalls706that extend from the back to a cover708. The portable electronic device700also includes a lower housing710that includes a keyboard712on one side of the housing and sidewalls714that extend from the back to a cover716. The lower touch-sensitive display118is disposed in the lower housing710and covered by the cover716.

The lower housing710is coupled to the upper housing702and is rotatable relative to the upper housing702about, for example, a shaft720, between a keyboard orientation in which the keyboard712is adjacent to the upper touch-sensitive display116and an extended display orientation in which the lower touch-sensitive display118is adjacent to the upper touch-sensitive display116. Alternatively, the lower housing710may be coupled to the upper housing702by a ball joint.

In the example ofFIG. 7andFIG. 8, the upper touch-sensitive display116may be folded along four sides of the display area such that the non-display area along all four sides of the display area is folded out of view and information may be displayed up to any fold in the upper touch-sensitive display116. The display area of the upper touch-sensitive display116extends up to a lower one of the sidewalls706of the housing702. The lower touch-sensitive display118may also be folded along four sides of the display area such that the non-display area is folded out of view and information may be displayed up to any fold in the lower touch-sensitive display118. The display area of the lower touch-sensitive display118extends to an upper one of the sidewalls714of the housing710. Cut-outs or extra folds in the non-display area may be made to facilitate the folds on consecutive sides.

When the portable electronic device is in the extended display orientation shown inFIG. 8, the lower touch-sensitive display118is adjacent to, generally coplanar with, and faces the same direction as the upper touch-sensitive display116.

Because the folds in the display do not change during the life of the display, the folded display is not subjected to repeated folding and unfolding that may cause fatigue and cracking of the display.

A portable electronic device includes a first flexible display. The first flexible display includes a display area, a non-display area, and a first fold such that at least part of the non-display area is non-coplanar with the display area. Information is displayable near the first fold.