Abstract:
A mobile device includes a housing; a flexible display mounted in the housing; an actuator coupled to the flexible display; a processor; and a computer readable medium with computer-executable instruction stored thereon, that when executed by the processor cause the processor to initiate operations including: generating a vibratory notification by sending a command signal to the actuator to alter a position of the flexible display.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates generally to mobile devices, and more particularly, to the generation of a vibratory notification on a mobile device. 
         [0002]    Mobile devices (e.g., mobile phones, tablets, etc.) often include a variety of notifications of events. Existing notifications include audible notifications (e.g., a tone) and tactile or vibratory notifications. Typically, a vibratory notification is generated by a motor embedded in the mobile device. As mobile devices reduce in size, the components within the mobile device must be selected to accommodate the smaller footprint. Motors for vibratory notifications add weight and size to mobile devices. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0003]    Exemplary embodiments include a mobile device comprising a housing; a flexible display mounted in the housing; an actuator coupled to the flexible display; a processor; and a computer readable medium with computer-executable instruction stored thereon, that when executed by the processor cause the processor to initiate operations including: generating a vibratory notification by sending a command signal to the actuator to alter a position of the flexible display. 
         [0004]    Other exemplary embodiments include a mobile device comprising: a housing having a movable portion; a display mounted in the housing; an actuator coupled to the movable portion of the housing; a processor; and a computer readable medium with computer-executable instruction stored thereon, that when executed by the processor cause the processor to initiate operations including: generating a vibratory notification by sending a command signal to the actuator to alter a position of the movable portion of the housing. 
         [0005]    Other exemplary embodiments include a method of generating a vibratory notification on a mobile device, the method comprising: determining that the vibratory notification is needed; determining a status of an actuator in the mobile device; and providing a command signal to the actuator to alter a position of a flexible display of the mobile device to produce the vibratory notification. 
         [0006]    Other exemplary embodiments include a computer program product, tangibly embodied on a computer readable medium, for generating a vibratory notification on a mobile device, the computer program product including instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising: determining that the vibratory notification is needed; determining a status of an actuator in the mobile device; and providing a command signal to the actuator to alter a position of a flexible display of the mobile device to produce the vibratory notification. 
         [0007]    Other systems, methods, and/or computer program products according to embodiments will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon review of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, and/or computer program products be included within this description, be within the scope of the exemplary embodiments, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Referring now to the drawings wherein like elements are numbered alike in the several FIGURES: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  depicts a mobile device with a flexible display in an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  depicts a flexible display in an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  depicts a flexible display in another exemplary embodiment; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  depicts a system for generating a vibratory notification in an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 5A-5D  illustrate a vibratory notification in an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 6A-6D  illustrate a vibratory notification in an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 7A-7F  illustrate a vibratory notification in an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 8A-8F  illustrate a vibratory notification in an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate a notification in an exemplary embodiment; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart of a process for generating a vibratory notification in an exemplary embodiment. 
       
    
    
       [0019]    The detailed description explains the exemplary embodiments, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]      FIG. 1  depicts a mobile device  10  with a flexible display  14  in an exemplary embodiment. Mobile device  10  may be a phone, tablet, personal digital assistant, etc., equipped with communications components (e.g., cellular, wireless LAN, NFC, Bluetooth, USB) for communicating over wireless or wired communications mediums. Mobile device  10  includes a housing  12  that supports flexible display  14 . Flexible display  14  may be any known type of flexible display such as a flexible organic light emitting diode (OLED) display of flexible liquid crystal diode (LCD) display. 
         [0021]    Mobile device  10  includes a microphone  16 . Microphone  16  is used for voice communications and for receiving spoken commands from a user. A camera  18  may be located on a back side of housing  12 . A speaker  20  provides audio output to the user. Mobile device  10  also includes one or more buttons  24  for controlling the device. Buttons  24  may be permanent components built into housing  12  or may be virtual buttons, presented on flexible display  14 , activated by touching flexible display  14 . One or more sensors  22  are positioned on housing  12  to sense various parameters such as contact, temperature, motion, etc. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  depicts a flexible display  14  in an exemplary embodiment. A plurality of actuators  30  are positioned on a back side of flexible display  14 . Actuators  30  may be implemented using known force transmitting devices (e.g., electromagnetic, pneumatic, hydraulic, electromechanical, etc.). Actuators  30  may also be coupled to other portions of the mobile device  10 , such as a housing  12  positioned around flexible display  14 . Actuators  30  operate to impart motion to flexible display  14  and/or other components of mobile device  10 , in response to command signals from a processor, as described in further detail herein. In exemplary embodiments, actuators  30  include tension wires, which change shape when the appropriate electrical current is applied. Actuators  30  may be interconnected by links  32  (e.g. wires, pins, etc.) to provide support for display shapes. Since the positional arrangement of actuators  30  is known, the necessary command signals required to create a desired display shape can be calculated by a processor. 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  depicts a flexible display  14  in another exemplary embodiment. In this embodiment, actuator  30  positioned on a back side of flexible display  14  includes a mesh actuator  30 . The actuator  30  may include a grid of tension wires, which change shape when the appropriate electrical current is applied. Actuator  30  may also be coupled to other portions of mobile device  10 , such as a housing  12  positioned around flexible display  14 . Actuator  30  operates to impart motion to flexible display  14  and/or other components of the mobile device  10 , in response to command signals from a processor, as described in further detail herein. 
         [0024]      FIG. 4  depicts a system for generating a vibratory notification on mobile device  10  in an exemplary embodiment. A processor  40  is coupled to buttons  24 , camera  18 , microphone  16 , and sensors  22 . Processor  40  may be implemented using a general-purpose microprocessor executing a computer program stored in a computer readable storage medium  43  to execute the processes described herein. Processor  40  is also coupled to a communications unit  42  that handles communications between the mobile device  10  and other devices, such as cellular phone calls, NFC communications, Bluetooth, etc. Processor  40  may also execute a number of applications  41  that generate user notifications, such as a calendar application, navigation application, entertainment applications, etc. When a vibratory notification is needed, processor  40  generates command signals to one or more actuators  30  to generate a vibratory notification on mobile device  10 . Processor  40  also receives status signals from actuators  30  identifying a current position of flexible display  14 . Based on the various inputs, processor  40  generates command signals to one or more actuators  30  to generate a vibratory notification on the mobile device  10 . 
         [0025]      FIGS. 5A-5D  illustrate one example of a vibratory notification on mobile device  10 . As shown in  FIG. 5A , actuator  30  of mobile device  10  is coupled to a movable portion of housing  12 . This movable portion of housing  12  is capable of pivoting relative to flexible display  14 . When processor  40  determines that a vibratory notification is needed, command signals are provide to actuator  30  to manipulate moveable portion of housing  12  to vibrate. Command signals from processor  40  cause actuator  30  to alter a position of the movable portion of housing  12  between a first position, as shown in  FIG. 5B , and a second position, as shown in  FIG. 5C .  FIG. 5D  illustrates the movable portion of housing  12  transitioning between the first position and the second position. The frequency of movement of the movable portion of housing  12  is sufficient to create a vibratory notification. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 6A-6D  illustrate another example of a vibratory notification on mobile device  10 . As shown in  FIG. 6A , actuator  30  of mobile device  10  may be a mesh actuator positioned on the back of flexible display  14 . When processor  40  determines that a vibratory notification is needed, command signals are provide to actuator  30  to manipulate flexible display  14  to vibrate. Command signals from processor  40  cause actuator  30  to alter the position of portion  14 A of flexible display  14  between a first position, as shown in  FIG. 6B , and a second position, as shown in  FIG. 6C . The first position corresponds to portion  14 A of flexible display  14  being convex and the second position corresponds to portion  14 A of flexible display  14  being concave.  FIG. 6D  illustrates portion  14 A transitioning between the first position and the second position. The frequency of movement of portion  14 A of flexible display  14  is sufficient to create a vibratory notification. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 7A-7F  illustrate another example of a vibratory notification on mobile device  10 . As shown in  FIG. 7A , actuator  30  of mobile device  10  may be a mesh actuator positioned on the back of flexible display  14 . When processor  40  determines that a vibratory notification is needed, command signals are provide to actuator  30  to manipulate portion  14 A of flexible display  14  to vibrate. Command signals from processor  40  cause actuator  30  to alter the position of portion  14 A of flexible display  14  between a first position second position, as shown in  FIG. 7B , in a manner similar to that described with reference to  FIGS. 6A-6D . The first position corresponds to portion  14 A of flexible display  14  being convex and the second position corresponds to portion  14 A of flexible display  14  being concave. The frequency of movement of portion  14 A of flexible display  14  is sufficient to create a vibratory notification. As shown in  FIGS. 7C-7F , vibrating portion  14 A of flexible display  14  also translates from a first location (e.g., a top edge) on flexible display  14  to a second location on flexible display  14  (e.g., a bottom edge). 
         [0028]      FIGS. 8A-8F  illustrate another example of a vibratory notification on mobile device  10 . As shown in  FIG. 8A , actuator  30  of mobile device  10  may be a mesh actuator positioned on the back of flexible display  14 . When processor  40  determines that a vibratory notification is needed, command signals are provide to actuator  30  to manipulate flexible display  14  to vibrate. Command signals from processor  40  cause actuator  30  to alter the position of first portion  14 A of flexible display  14  between a first position and second position, as shown in  FIG. 8B , in a manner similar to that described with reference to  FIGS. 6A-6D . The first position corresponds to a portion of flexible display  14  being convex and the second position corresponds to that portion of flexible display  14  being concave. Command signals from processor  40  also cause actuator  30  to alter the position of second portion  14 B of flexible display  14  between a first position and second position, as shown in  FIG. 8B , in a manner similar to that described with reference to first portion  14 A. The frequency of movement of portions  14 A and  14 B of flexible display  14  is sufficient to create a vibratory notification. As shown in  FIGS. 8C-8F , first portion  14 A of flexible display  14  also translates from a first location (e.g., a top edge) on flexible display  14  to a second location on flexible display  14  (e.g., a bottom edge) that coincides with portion  14 B. The cycle may continue by again generating a vibrating first portion  14 A at the first location, as shown in  FIG. 8B  and translating the vibrating first portion  14 A, until the notification is terminated. It is understood that more than two vibrating portions may be employed, and the vibrating portions may move relative to one another as shown in exemplary  FIGS. 8A-8F . 
         [0029]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate another example of a notification on mobile device  10 . As shown in  FIG. 9A , actuator  30  of mobile device  10  may be a mesh actuator positioned on the back of flexible display  14 . In this embodiment, first portion  14 A and second portion  14 B of flexible display  14  are in contact with each other, or at least in proximity to each other and facing each other. For example, the mobile device  10  may close in a manner similar to a flip phone. When processor  40  determines that a notification is needed, command signals are provide to actuator  30  to manipulate flexible display  14 . Command signals from processor  40  cause actuator  30  to alter the position of first portion  14 A of flexible display  14 , as shown in  FIG. 9B . As shown in  FIG. 9B , first portion  14 A is caused to form a series of peaks and troughs along a first portion  14 A of flexible display  14  (e.g. a sine wave). The peaks of first portion  14 A may be in contact with second portion  14 B. One or both of first portion  14 A and second portion  14 B may be moved, to cause relative movement between first portion  14 A and second portion  14 B. The physical interaction between the first portion  14 A and second portion  14 B creates a vibration and an audible tone. The frequency of the audible tone may be adjusted by changing the frequency of relative movement between first portion  14 A and second portion  14 B. In this manner, an audible tone may be generated using just the flexible display  14 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart of a process for generating a vibratory notification in an exemplary embodiment. The process may be implemented by processor  40  in response to computer program code stored in storage medium  43 . The process begins at  100  where processor  40  determines that a vibratory notification is needed. A vibratory notification may be needed as a result of an incoming communication (e.g., an incoming call) where the user has selected vibratory notifications. The notification may also be necessitated by an application, such as a calendar or navigation application, where the user has specified vibratory notifications. 
         [0031]    Once it is determined a notification is needed at  100 , flow proceeds to  102  where processor  40  determines the status of actuator(s)  30 . This may include polling the actuator(s)  30  for a current status signal or retrieving current status signals from a memory such as storage medium  43 . The current status of actuator(s)  30  will indicate the command signals needed to generate the vibratory notification. At  104 , processor  40  generates command signals to produce the vibratory notification and provides the command signals to actuator(s)  30 . As described above, the vibratory notification may include one or more portions of flexible display  14  vibrating. In other embodiments, the entire flexible display  14  may vibrate. In other embodiments, processor  40  may determine from the status signals from actuator(s)  30  that flexible display  14  is folded in half (e.g., a flip phone). In such cases, portions (e.g., halves) of flexible display  14  may be commanded to vibrate against each other. In other embodiments, both the movable portion of housing  12  and flexible display  14  (either a portion or the entire flexible display  14 ) may be commanded to vibrate. 
         [0032]    At  106 , processor  40  determines if the need for the vibratory notification has ended. The vibratory notification may be terminated once an event initiating the vibratory notification has ended (e.g., an incoming is answered) or if a user switches to a different mode of notification (e.g., from vibratory to audible). If the need for the vibratory notification has not ended, flow proceeds to  102 . If the need for the vibratory notification has ended, flow proceeds to  108  where the process is terminated. 
         [0033]    The location of the vibrating portion of flexible display and/or the frequency of the vibration may be used to generate notifications that provide additional content to a user. In one exemplary embodiment, localized vibratory notifications are used in a navigation application. A user would not need to see or hear directions on the mobile device in order to know when to go straight, when to turn right or left, or even when they have gone too far and need to turn around. All of these commands are conveyed by the positioned of localized vibrations of flexible display  14 . 
         [0034]    In other embodiments, a user may assign a location of the flexible display to user-defined classifications. The number of classifications could be expanded by incorporating different frequencies as well as other types of notifications. These classifications may be assigned to incoming calls, specifically to who is calling. For example, a call from a first classification (e.g., friends) will cause a vibratory notification in a first portion of flexible display  14 . A call from a second classification (e.g., work) will cause a vibratory notification in a second portion of flexible display  14 . A call from a high priority caller (e.g., family member) will cause a vibratory notification having a high frequency whereas a call from a low priority caller (e.g., unrecognized number) will cause a vibratory notification having a low frequency. Alternatively, classifications may be assigned to specific mobile device applications that have the ability to notify a user when a given event occurs. One portion of flexible display  14  may be assigned to generate a vibratory notification in response to a social network application (e.g., Facebook). Another portion of flexible display  14  may be assigned to generate a vibratory notification in response to a news application. Thus, both location and frequency of the vibrating portion may be used to convey additional information associated with the notification. 
         [0035]    Using flexible display  14  and/or a moveable portion of housing  12  to generate vibratory notifications eliminates the need for a motor or other component in the mobile device  10 . This frees up highly valuable internal space in mobile device  10  and reduces weight. 
         [0036]    As described above, the exemplary embodiments can be in the form of processor-implemented processes and devices for practicing those processes, such as processor  40 . The exemplary embodiments can also be in the form of computer program code containing instructions embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD ROMs, hard drives, or any other computer-readable storage medium, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes a device for practicing the exemplary embodiments. The exemplary embodiments can also be in the form of computer program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via electromagnetic radiation, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into an executed by a computer, the computer becomes an device for practicing the exemplary embodiments. When implemented on a general-purpose microprocessor, the computer program code segments configure the microprocessor to create specific logic circuits. 
         [0037]    While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc., do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc., are used to distinguish one element from another. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc., do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.