Electronic device controlled by flexing

An apparatus comprising: a flexible body comprising an arrangement for limiting flexing of the body, the arrangement comprising: a first part within the body; a second part within the body; a flexible interconnect extending at least between the first part and the second part wherein the arrangement is configured to change between a first configuration, in which a portion of the interconnect between the first part and the second part is of a variable length enabling more and less flexing of the interconnect, and a second configuration, in which the portion of the interconnect between the first part and the second part has a limited length that limits one or both of more flexing and less flexing.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate to controlling contortion of an apparatus.

BACKGROUND

There are various different ways in which a user can control an apparatus via a man-machine-interface (MMI). For example, the apparatus may comprise a cursor control device such as a mouse or trackball. For example, the apparatus may have devices that enable tactile actuation such as keys, touch screens etc. For example, the apparatus may have devices that enable audio actuation such as a microphone and voice recognition circuitry.

BRIEF SUMMARY

It would be desirable to control contortion of an apparatus. Examples of contortion include bending or twisting or bending and twisting of an apparatus.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: a flexible body comprising an arrangement for limiting flexing of the body, the arrangement comprising: a first part within the body; a second part within the body; a flexible interconnect extending at least between the first part and the second part wherein the arrangement is configured to change between a first configuration, in which a portion of the interconnect between the first part and the second part is of a variable length configured to enable more and less flexing of the interconnect, and a second configuration, in which the portion of the interconnect between the first part and the second part has a limited length that is configured to limit one or both of more flexing and less flexing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The Figures illustrate an apparatus2comprising: a flexible body4comprising an arrangement10for limiting flexing of the body4, the arrangement10comprising: a first part11within the body4; a second part12within the body4; and a flexible interconnect13extending at least between the first part11and the second part12wherein the arrangement10is configured to change between a first configuration21, in which a portion14of the interconnect13between the first part11and the second part12is of a variable length enabling more or less flexing of the interconnect13, and a second configuration22, in which the portion14of the interconnect13between the first part11and the second part12has a limited length that limits one or both of more flexing and less flexing.

In the following, reference will be made to various labelled features and functions. It should be understood that such features may be present in some but not necessarily all examples. It should be understood that such functions may be performed by some but not necessarily all examples.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the apparatus2is an electronic apparatus that comprises within its body4electronic components.

In this document flexing and contortion are both used to mean deformation of the body4by twisting and/or bending. The extent of flexing/contortion facilitated by the body4depends upon implementation. Resilient flexing/contortion implies that the body4stays in its contorted state while held in that state and returns to its equilibrium shape when released.

In some but not necessarily all embodiments, the apparatus2is resiliently flexible in the first configuration21and becomes inflexible in the second configuration22.

FIGS. 1A,1B,1C and1D illustrate cross-sections through an example of an apparatus2when it is in a first configuration21and is respectively not flexed, convexly flexed, not flexed and concavely flexed.

It should be appreciated that the examples of flexing illustrated are non-exhaustive examples of flexing. The apparatus2may be configured to enable one or more different types of flexing, which may be performed in addition to or as an alternative to the types of flexing (concave and convex) illustrated. The apparatus2may be configured to enable one or more different types of flexing, for example, as illustrated inFIGS. 4A to 4F. As will be appreciated fromFIGS. 4A to 4Fflexing encompasses not only bending but also twisting.

The apparatus2comprises a flexible body4that is configured to flex. The body may comprise material that compresses under a compressive force and extends under a tensile force. Such material, in some examples, may be resilient. For example, the material may be elastic and attempt to return to an uncompressed state when compressed and return to an un-extended state when extended (stretched).

As can be seen fromFIGS. 1A-1D, when the apparatus2is in a first configuration21, a user is able to flex that apparatus with at least one degree of freedom.

When the apparatus2is in a flexed state, for example bent as illustrated inFIG. 1Bor1D, the outer portion of the apparatus on the outer curve of the flexed apparatus2is under tensile strain and extends in length compared to the non-flexed state illustrated inFIG. 1A. The inner portion of the apparatus on the inner curve of the flexed apparatus2is under compressive strain and shortens in length compared to the non-flexed state illustrated inFIG. 1A. Somewhere at or between the outer portion and the inner portion there is an equilibrium plane where the compressive strain and tensile strain cancel each other and the length of the apparatus2along the equilibrium plane is the same compared to the non-flexed state.

FIGS. 2A,2B and2C illustrate cross-sections through an example of the apparatus2when it is in a second configuration22and is locked in a flexed state. The mechanism for locking is different in the illustrated examples.

When the configuration of the apparatus2is changed from the first configuration21to the second configuration22, a current flexed state of the apparatus is locked. Locking of the flexed state limits how the flexed state may change. It may for example only be capable of becoming more flexed but not less flexed, alternatively it may only be capable of becoming less flexed but not more flexed, and alternatively it may be fixed and be incapable of becoming more flexed and incapable of becoming less flexed.

When the configuration of the apparatus2is changed from the second configuration22to the first configuration21, the locked flexed state of the apparatus is unlocked such that the flexed state can be changed by a user to become more flexed and also less flexed.

To limit flexing of the apparatus2, the apparatus comprises an arrangement10configured to limit extension of the body4under tensile forces and/or configured to limit shortening of the body4under compressive forces.

The arrangement10comprises a first part11within the body4; a second part12within the body4; and a flexible interconnect13extending at least between the first part11and the second part12. In the illustrated example, the arrangement10is located wholly within the body4.

Configurations of the apparatus2and the arrangement10are interdependent and transitions between the first configuration21of the apparatus2and the second configuration22of the apparatus2occur simultaneously with transitions between a first configuration of the arrangement10and a second configuration of the arrangement10. The same references21,22will be used to refer to the first configuration21and the second configuration22of the apparatus2and the arrangement10.

The apparatus2has, in this example, a length that is fixed and independent of the configuration of the arrangement10.

The arrangement10is configured to change between the first configuration21and the second configuration22.

The arrangement10may also be configured to change between the second configuration22and the first configuration21.

When in the first configuration21, a portion14of the interconnect13between the first part11and the second part12is of a variable length enabling flexing of the interconnect13. For example, as illustrated inFIGS. 1A-1D, when the apparatus2flexes the portion14of the interconnect13between the first portion11and the second portion12increases and decreases in length.

When the apparatus2is flexed, for example bent, if the interconnect13is located in the outer portion of the apparatus2on the outer curve of the flexed apparatus2, then it is under tensile strain and the portion14of the interconnect13between the first part11and the second part12extends in length compared to the non-flexed state. However, if the interconnect13is located in the inner portion of the apparatus2on the inner curve of the flexed apparatus2, then it is under compressive strain and the portion14of the interconnect13between the first part11and the second part12shortens in length compared to the non-flexed state.

The interconnect13may be significantly displaced from the equilibrium plane to achieve greater shortening/lengthening of the portion14of the interconnect13between the first part11and the second part12when flexing occurs.

The interconnect13extends longitudinally between the first part11and the second part12. The interconnect13may be of fixed length. The interconnect13may be located wholly within the body4. The interconnect13may comprise a support or chassis for the body4. The interconnect may be stiff longitudinally and flexible transversely.

In the examples ofFIGS. 1A to 1DandFIGS. 2A to 2C, the interconnect13is illustrated as a single component. However, in other examples, the interconnect13may be formed from a series of interconnected links.

The interconnect13may be constrained by the body4. In some embodiments, flexing of the interconnect13causes flexing of the body4. In other embodiments, flexing of the body4causes flexing of the interconnect13.

In the example illustrated, but not necessarily all examples, the first part11has a fixed first position31within the body4at or towards an extremity of a first side41of the body4. The second part12has a fixed second position32within the body4at or towards a second, opposing, extremity of a second opposing side42of the body4. The first part11does not move from the fixed first position31when the configuration of the apparatus/arrangement changes nor during flexing of the apparatus/interconnect. The second part12does not move from the fixed second position32when the configuration of the apparatus/interconnect changes nor during flexing of the apparatus/interconnect.

Referring toFIGS. 2A,2B and2C, when in the second configuration22, the portion14of the interconnect13between the first part11and the second part12is flexed and changes to the length of the portion14are limited. The limit may prevent the length of the portion from increasing or from decreasing or from both increasing and decreasing, compared to a reference length of the portion14. The reference length may be defined as the length of the portion14when the arrangement changes from the first configuration21to the second configuration22.

In these examples a lock16at the second part12is used to prevent the length of the portion14from increasing (FIG. 2A) or from decreasing (FIG. 2B) or from both increasing and decreasing (FIG. 2C), when it is in a locked state.

The lock16may, for example, fix the minimum length of the portion14of the interconnect13so that the portion14can lengthen to be greater than the reference length but cannot shorten to be less than the reference length (FIG. 2A).

Alternatively or additionally, the lock16may, for example, fix the maximum length of the portion14of the interconnect13so that the portion14can shorten to be less than the reference length but cannot lengthen to be greater than the reference length (FIG. 2B).

Alternatively or additionally, the lock16may, for example, fix the length of the portion14of the interconnect13. It may, for example be fixed at the reference length. In this example, the portion14cannot shorten to be less than the reference length nor lengthen to be greater than the reference length (FIG. 20).

In the examples ofFIGS. 2A-2C, the interconnect13is fixed at the first part11and the lock16is fixed to the second part12.

If the interconnect13is positioned in an inner portion91of the apparatus2(on the inside of a bend of the apparatus2compared to an equilibrium plane93) as illustrated inFIG. 2A, then if the second configuration22of the arrangement10prevents lengthening of the interconnect13then less flexing of the apparatus2is prevented. That is the curvature of the flex does not become less. If the apparatus2is resiliently flexible then the flexed state will be a stable equilibrium state.

If the interconnect13is positioned in an outer portion92of the apparatus2(on the outside of a bend of the apparatus2compared to the equilibrium plane93) as illustrated inFIG. 2B, then if the second configuration22of the arrangement10prevents shortening of the interconnect13then less flexing of the apparatus2is prevented. That is the curvature of the flex does not become less. If the apparatus2is resiliently flexible then the flexed state will be a stable equilibrium state.

Referring toFIG. 2C, in the second configuration22, the lock16at the second part12is in a locked state fixing the interconnect13to the body4and preventing any movement of the interconnect13relative to the body4. Consequently, the portion14of the interconnect13between the first part11and the second part12has a fixed length. This prevents both more flexing and less flexing of the apparatus2. That is the curvature of the flex is fixed.

FIG. 3illustrates a state diagram and transitions between the first configuration21and the second configuration22.

The arrangement10may be configured to change from the first configuration21to the second configuration22in response to user actuation51such as, for example, bending and/or twisting.

The arrangement10is configured to change to the first configuration21from the second configuration22in response to user actuation52such as, for example, bending and/or twisting.

In the first configuration21, more and less flexing are permitted53.

In the second configuration, flexing is limited. For example, less flexing of the apparatus2may be prevented (FIGS. 2A-2C). In addition, more flexing of the apparatus2may be prevented (FIG. 2C).

The examples ofFIGS. 1A to 1DandFIGS. 2A to 2C, have been used to describe, for arrangement10, an interconnect13that extends longitudinally between the first part11and the second part12.

The arrangement10may be a lengthwise arrangement, in which the first part11and the second part12are separated along the length-wise direction of the apparatus2.

The arrangement10may be a width-wise arrangement, in which the first part11and the second part12are separated along the width-wise direction of the apparatus2.

The apparatus2may comprise none, one or more than more length-wise arrangements10.

The apparatus2may comprise none, one or more than more width-wise arrangements10.

If more than one arrangement10is used, then in some but not necessarily all examples, all or some of the arrangements may be positioned on the same side of the equilibrium plane93.

If more than one arrangement10is used, then in some but not necessarily all examples, all or some of the arrangements may be positioned on different sides of the equilibrium plane93.

As previously described, the interconnect13may be stiff longitudinally and flexible transversely. In the examples ofFIGS. 1A to 1DandFIGS. 2A to 2C, only longitudinal flexing in two-dimensions is illustrated. In these examples, flexibility in the transverse direction is flexibility in one direction (height-wise e.g. up-down in theFIGS. 1A-1D). However, in other examples, flexing may occur in three dimensions. In these examples, transverse flexibility includes flexibility in two orthogonal directions e.g. width-wise and height-wise (up-down and in-out inFIGS. 1A-1D). The longitudinal, height and width references are made in relation to the co-ordinate frame of the interconnect, which as described above may be aligned with the co-ordinate frame of the apparatus2so that ‘longitudinal’ relates to length of the apparatus and ‘width’ relates to width of the apparatus2or as described above may be aligned transversely with the co-ordinate frame of the apparatus2so that ‘longitudinal’ relates to width of the apparatus2and ‘width’ relates to length of the apparatus2.

The interconnect13may for example be a bar. For the purposes of this document a bar is a structure where dimensions in one orthogonal direction are at least 5 times greater than dimensions in the other two orthogonal directions. For example, the interconnect13may be elongate in the longitudinal direction but short in the height-wise and width-wise directions (measured in the co-ordinate frame of the interconnect13). The bar interconnect13may be part of a length-wise arrangement10or a width-wise arrangement10.

The interconnect13may for example be a plate. For the purposes of this document a plate is a structure where two dimensions in two mutually orthogonal directions are at least five times greater than the dimension in the other orthogonal direction. For example, the interconnect13may be elongate in the longitudinal direction and the width-wise direction but short in the height-wise direction (measured in the co-ordinate frame of the interconnect13). The plate interconnect13may be simultaneously part of a length-wise arrangement10and a width-wise arrangement10. As an example, if the plate is rectangular, two diagonally opposing corners may be fixed in position and the other two diagonally opposing corners may have one or more locks14. The pair-wise combinations of fixed positions and locks on each of the four edges of the rectangle creates two length-wise arrangements10and two width-wise arrangements10.

FIGS. 4A-4Fillustrate examples of how an apparatus2(and consequently its interconnect13) may be flexed while in the first configuration. It also illustrates flexed states that may be locked by the second configuration22. In these Figures the apparatus2comprises a display102, which in some but not necessarily all examples, is a touch-sensitive display. The display102is flexible in these examples.

The apparatus2may be thin and flexible. It may, for example be a hand-portable apparatus that is sized to be carried in the palm of a user and/or fit into an inside jacket pocket. Some examples of the apparatus2may be placed into a trouser back pocket of a user. The apparatus2flexes as the user sits down.

For the purposes of the following description ofFIGS. 4A-4Fthe apparatus2is notionally divided lengthwise into two sides41,42. In addition, inwards is used to describe the direction towards the display102along a vector normal to the plane of the display102when it is not flexed and outwards is used to described the direction away from the display102along the vector normal to the plane of the display102when it is not flexed.

FIG. 4Aillustrates a length-wise bending of both sides41,42of the apparatus2in the same outwards direction so that the body4is concave. The display102bows inwards away from a user.

FIG. 4Billustrates a length-wise bending of both sides41,42of the apparatus2in the same inwards direction so that the body4is convex. The display102bows outwards towards a user.

FIG. 4Cillustrates a length-wise bending of the apparatus so that one side42is outwardly curved but the other side41is not curved. The display102is partially concave curving outwards at the side42while remaining flat at the side41.

FIG. 4Dillustrates a length-wise twisting of the apparatus2of both sides41,42in opposite directions so that the body4is twisted. The display102twists with the body4.

FIG. 4Eillustrates a length-wise bending of both sides41,42of the apparatus2in different directions so that it is outwardly curved at the side42and inwardly curved at the side41. The display102is partially concave curving outwards at the side42and partially convex curving inwards at the side41.

FIG. 4Fillustrates a length-wise bending of the sides41,42of the apparatus2in different directions so that it is outwardly curved at the side41and inwardly curved at the side42. The display102is partially concave curving outwards at the side41and partially convex curving inwards at the side41.

FIGS. 5A & 5BandFIG. 6illustrate two different examples of a lock16. The lock16may be implemented as illustrated in those figures or implemented using an alternative mechanism.

FIG. 5Aillustrates an arrangement10comprising a first part11, an interconnect13and a second part12comprising a lock16.

In this example, the interconnect13comprises a cylindrical metal bar that is supported by cylindrical journals60. In this example the journals60depend from an inside face of a cavity. The interconnect13is mounted for rotation within the journals60. The interconnect13is constrained by the journals60of the body4such that flexing of the body4by a user causes flexing of the interconnect13.

A stop64keeps one end63of the interconnect13fixed to the first part11when the apparatus2is flexed.

The other end67of the interconnect13comprises a projection68that extends substantially orthogonally from the cylindrical axis of the interconnect13. When the interconnect13is rotated, the projection68moves from an unlocked position to a locked position. In the locked position the projection engages with a corresponding aperture65in a retainer69. In the unlocked position the projection does not engage with a corresponding aperture65in the retainer69. The retainer69is fixed at the second part12.

The projection68and aperture65together form a lock16. When the projection68is in the locked position, the lock16has a locked state. The projection68of the interconnect13is then fixed at the second position12.

FIG. 5Billustrates the rotation of the interconnect13so that the projection65of the interconnect13engages within an aperture65. The retainer69comprises a number of longitudinally spaced apertures65. The length of the portion14of the interconnect13between the first part11and the second part12can be controlled by selecting an appropriate aperture65and engaging that aperture65with the projection68. Although the actual physical length of the interconnect13may be fixed, its length measured relative to the body4can be changed.

In the first configuration21, the projection68is not engaged with an aperture65and the end67of the interconnect can move freely in a longitudinal direction with respect to the second part12.

In the second configuration22, the projection68is engaged with an aperture65and the end67of the interconnect13is fixed with respect to the second part12and cannot move in a longitudinal direction relative to the retainer69.

The projection68and aperture65function in a manner similar to a tenon and a mortice in a latch.

A user operated actuator may be used to cause the interconnect13to rotate and engage the aperture65.

FIG. 6illustrates part of an arrangement10comprising a first part11, an interconnect13, and a second part12(as previously described and illustrated in relations toFIGS. 1A-1DandFIGS. 2A-2C). The second part12comprises a different type lock16to that illustrated inFIGS. 5A and 5B.

In this example, the interconnect13comprises a flexible rod or plate. As previously described above, it is fixed at the first end11and is fixed at the second end12in the second configuration22and not fixed at the second end12in the first configuration21.

The end67of the interconnect13comprises a rounded projection68that extends substantially orthogonally from the cylindrical axis of the interconnect13. The interconnect13is biased to push the projection downwards towards a retainer69. When the projection68is aligned with an aperture65in the retainer69it is pushed by the biased interconnect13into the aperture65. Thus the projection68moves from an unlocked position to a locked position. In the locked position the rounded projection engages with a corresponding rounded aperture65in a retainer69. In the unlocked position the projection does not engage with a corresponding aperture65in a retainer69. The retainer69is fixed at the second part12.

The projection68and aperture65together form a lock16. When the projection68is in the locked position, the lock16has a locked state. The projection68of the interconnect13is then fixed at the second position12.

The retainer69comprises a number of longitudinally spaced rounded apertures65. The length of the portion14of the interconnect13between the first part11and the second part12can be controlled by selecting an appropriate aperture65and engaging that aperture65with the projection68.

In the first configuration21, the rounded projection68is not engaged with an aperture and the end67of the interconnect13can move freely in a longitudinal direction with respect to the second part12.

In the second configuration22, the rounded projection68is engaged with a rounded aperture65and the end67of the interconnect13is fixed with respect to the second part12and cannot easily move in a longitudinal direction.

The projection68and aperture65function in a manner similar to a rounded tenon and a correspondingly rounded mortice in a sliding latch.

In this example, the projection68of the interconnect13engages the aperture65automatically when it is aligned with the aperture65.

FIGS. 7A,7B and7C illustrate cross-sections through an example of an apparatus2when it is in a first configuration21.

In this example, the first part11is located in a central position of the body4rather than at an extremity of a side41,42of the body4.

In this example, there are two second parts. One second part12is located at one extremity of the first side41and the other second part12is located at the other opposing extremity of the second side42.

When the configuration of the apparatus2is changed from the first configuration21to the second configuration22, a current flexed state of the apparatus is locked. Locking of the flexed state limits how the flexed state may change. It this example, the flexed state is fixed and be incapable of becoming more flexed and incapable of becoming less flexed. A lock16at each of the second parts12is used to prevent the length of the each of the portions14, between the first part11and respective second part12, from increasing or from decreasing or from both increasing and decreasing, when it is in a locked state. This enables each side41,42of the apparatus10is be locked in a convexly flexed state and also a concavely flexed state.

In the first configuration21, the interconnect13moves longitudinally with respect to the two second parts12as the apparatus2is bent.

In this example, the arrangement10and its interconnect13are spaced significantly from the equilibrium plane93.

FIG. 8illustrates an example where multiple longitudinally spaced locks16are used, in the second configuration22, to fix, at each of the locks, the interconnect13to a lock16.

FIGS. 9A and 9Billustrate examples of the body4of the apparatus2. In each figure, the body4comprises rigid, laterally extending, exterior portions72separated length-wise by a flexible laterally extending exterior portion70.

InFIG. 9A, the body4comprises in length-wise series of rigid exterior portions72. Each of the rigid exterior portions72has parallel laterally extending edges. Each of the rigid exterior portions72is separated from its adjacent portion72in the series by a gap. Each gap is filled by a flexible laterally extending exterior portion70.

InFIG. 9B, the body4comprises two rigid exterior portions72separated by a flexible laterally extending exterior portion70. Each of the rigid exterior portions72has parallel laterally extending edges.

FIGS. 10A,10B,10C and10D illustrate some of the uses the apparatus2may have when in the second configuration22.

InFIG. 10A, the apparatus2is in the second locked configuration22and is flat. The display102of the apparatus may be used as a touch input display.

InFIG. 10B, the apparatus2is in the second locked configuration22and is convexly curved (seeFIG. 4B). The apparatus2is stood on its side on a table top. It is stable because of the curvature of its side caused by the bending of the body4of the apparatus2. The display102may be used to display video, pictures, television, movies etc. Alternatively, the apparatus2when positioned like this may be used as an alarm clock or a picture stand.

InFIG. 10C, the apparatus2is in the second locked configuration22and is concavely curved (seeFIG. 4A). The apparatus2may be placed display-side down on a table and the curvature of the display-side of the apparatus caused by the bending of the body of the apparatus2keeps the display102spaced from the table. This may prevent scratches to the display102.

InFIG. 10D, the apparatus2is in the second locked configuration22and is convexly curved at an end of the apparatus where a key-board of the apparatus2is located and is concavely curved where a display102of the apparatus2is located (seeFIG. 4E). The apparatus2may be comfortably held in the hand of a user with both the key pad and display presented at different angles to a user.

FIG. 11illustrates an example of the apparatus2and its components according to some but not necessarily all embodiments.

This example apparatus2comprises output circuitry104, input circuitry108, and a controller. The output circuitry104comprises a display102.

The controller may be implemented using instructions that enable hardware functionality, for example, by using executable computer program instructions in a general-purpose or special-purpose processor that may be stored on a computer readable storage medium (disk, memory etc) to be executed by such a processor.

In this example, the controller is implemented using processing circuitry100, a memory106and a computer program110stored in the memory106.

The input circuitry108may comprise flex-sensors that detect flexing of the apparatus2. Examples of suitable flex sensors include but are not limited to strain gauges, piezoelectric sensors or similar. The input signals from the flex-sensors may be used as user input commands to the processing circuitry100to control operation of the apparatus2. In some but not necessarily all embodiments, the user is therefore able to provide user input commands to the apparatus2by flexing the apparatus2.

The processing circuitry100may be able to control the transition of the apparatus2from the first configuration21to the second configuration and/or control the transition of the apparatus2from the second configuration to the first configuration21. For example, the processing circuitry may control an actuator as part of the output circuitry104that rotates the interconnect13to engage an aperture65in the example ofFIGS. 5A and 5B.

The processing circuitry100may be able to detect the transition of the apparatus2from the first configuration21to the second configuration22and/or control the transition of the apparatus2from the second configuration22to the first configuration21. For example, the apparatus2may comprise one or more detectors as part of the input circuitry108that detect when the projection68engages an aperture65or a particular aperture65in the example arrangement10ofFIG. 6. The detector may provide an input signal to the processing circuitry100. In response to this input signal, the processing circuitry100may control the functionality of the apparatus2in dependence upon the second configuration, for example, as described with reference toFIGS. 10A to 10D.

The processing circuitry100may be a processor configured to read from and write to the memory106. The processor100may also comprise an output interface via which data and/or commands are output by the processor100and an input interface via which data and/or commands are input to the processor100.

The memory106stores a computer program110comprising computer program instructions that control the operation of the apparatus2when loaded into the processor100. The computer program instructions110provide the logic and routines that enables the apparatus to perform the control methods described above, such as:

(ii) controlling the response of the apparatus2to flexing and/or

(ii) controlling which functionality is available for use in dependence upon the flex state of the apparatus2when it is in the first configuration21and/or when it is locked in the second configuration.

This may allows a user, for example, to select different operational modes of the apparatus2by flexing the apparatus to a particular flex state and then locking that flex-state by changing the configuration of the apparatus2from the first configuration21to the second configuration22. The processor100by reading the memory106is able to load and execute the computer program110.

As an example, the control circuitry100may be configured to control the display102to display images in landscape aspect ratio, in response to a change of configuration of the arrangement to the second configuration such as the second configuration22illustrated inFIG. 10B.

The apparatus2may therefore comprise: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: selecting different operational modes of the apparatus2in response to flexing of the apparatus to a particular flex state and then locking that flex-state by changing the configuration of the apparatus2from the first configuration21to the second configuration22.

The computer program110may arrive at the apparatus2via any suitable delivery mechanism. The delivery mechanism may be, for example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, a computer program product, a memory device, a record medium such as a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or digital versatile disc (DVD), an article of manufacture that tangibly embodies the computer program110. The delivery mechanism may be a signal configured to reliably transfer the computer program110. The apparatus2may propagate or transmit the computer program110as a computer data signal.

Although the memory106is illustrated as a single component it may be implemented as one or more separate components some or all of which may be integrated/removable and/or may provide permanent/semi-permanent/dynamic/cached storage.

Although the processing circuitry100is illustrated as a single component it may be implemented as one or more separate components—none, some or all of which may be integrated/removable.

As used in this application, the term ‘circuitry’ refers to all of the following: