Abstract:
In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes an apparatus that includes two panels pivotally connected together. The panels can pivot from an open arrangement where the two panels lay side by side to a closed arrangement where the two panels lay one on top of another. The apparatus also includes a flexible display connected to the two panels and having a portion that is mechanically free from the two panels. The apparatus further includes a cavity to receive at least a portion of the free portion of the display when the panels are pivoted into the closed arrangement.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Electronic devices are getting smaller all the time. The reduction in size of the device is followed by reduction in the size of a display that is utilized by the device. Shrinking the display too much reduces the amount of information that can be presented and may reduce the functionality of the device. Devices that have two halves that fold together (clamshells) provide the ability to modify the footprint of the device. When the device is folded together it will reduce the dimensions of the device in the direction it is folded. When the devices are opened they may provide additional user interface area (e.g., a clamshell phone may provide access to a keypad and display when opened). 
         [0002]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example clamshell device  100  made up of two panels  101 ,  102  connected together by a hinge assembly  103  that enables the device  100  to be folded-up. At least one of the panels  101 ,  102  includes a processor (CPU), memory, power and input/output components. Electrical signals and power are passed between the panels  101 ,  102 . Conventional LCD displays include a rigid glass panel so they cannot span the panels  101 ,  102  and the hinge  103 . Accordingly, to increase the display footprint in a clamshell device  100  each of the panels  101 ,  102  may include a display (displays  104 ,  105  respectively). The displays  104 ,  105  may be used to display different content. A Nintendo DS game is an example of a commercially available clamshell device that includes displays on each panel of the clamshell. 
         [0003]    The example clamshell device  100  is acceptable when the individual displays  104 ,  105  are used for different purposes and the sizes of the individual displays  104 ,  105  are adequate for the respective purposes (e.g., Nintendo DS). However, the example clamshell device  100  does not provide a single, high-quality, integrated graphical image across the two displays. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    The features and advantages of the various embodiments will become apparent from the following detailed description in which: 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example prior art clamshell device, according to one embodiment; 
           [0006]      FIGS. 2A-B  illustrate an example clamshell device having a single display, according to one embodiment; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  illustrates an example single display clamshell device capable of avoiding a high stress region when the device is folded, according to one embodiment; 
           [0008]      FIG. 4A  illustrates an example clamshell device where a display is not folded between panels when the device is closed, according to one embodiment; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4B  illustrates an example roller used within an expanded portion the example clamshell device of  FIG. 4A , according to one embodiment; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5A  illustrates an example clamshell device where a display is not folded between panels when the device is closed, according to one embodiment; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5B  illustrates an example roller system within the example clamshell device of  FIG. 5A , according to one embodiment; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  illustrates an example three paneled clamshell device, according to one embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    The following description refers to the accompanying drawings. Among the various drawings the same reference numbers may be used to identify the same or similar elements. While the following description provides a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the claimed invention by setting forth specific details such as particular structures, architectures, interfaces, techniques, etc., such details are provided for purposes of explanation and should not be viewed as limiting. Moreover, those of skill in the art will, in light of the present disclosure, appreciate that various aspects of the invention claimed may be practiced in other examples or implementations that depart from these specific details. At certain junctures in the following disclosure descriptions of well known devices, circuits, and methods have been omitted to avoid clouding the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail. 
         [0014]      FIGS. 2A-B  illustrate an example clamshell device  200  having a single display  210 . The device  200  includes two panels  220 ,  230 , a hinge assembly  240  connecting the panels  220 ,  230  and enabling the device  200  to close, and the display  210  extending across the two panels  220 ,  230  and the hinge assembly  240 . The display  210  is a flexible display and may be constructed using display rendering materials that are flexible (e.g., organic light-emitting diodes (OLED)) and flexible display addressing circuitry (e.g., organic or inorganic transistor circuits). A variety of hinge mechanisms  240  may be used and are within the scope of the various embodiments described herein. 
         [0015]      FIG. 2A  illustrates the device  200  in an open position. In the open position the display  210  lays flat across the two panels  220 ,  230 .  FIG. 2B  illustrates the device  200  being closed. When the device  200  is closed the display  210  folds over at or near the hinge assembly  240 . The fold creates a small radius of curvature for the display  210  resulting in a region  250  of high mechanical stress. The high stress region  250  may cause delamination and/or failure of the display rendering materials and/or the addressing circuitry. 
         [0016]    A clamshell device that provides a single display but eliminates or at least reduces the high stress region would make the use of clamshell devices having a single display practical. The high stress region may be reduced or eliminated by preventing the display from being folded flat and creating the damagingly small radius of curvature. 
         [0017]      FIG. 3  illustrates an example single display  310  clamshell device  300  capable of avoiding a high stress region when the device  300  is folded. The device  300  includes panels  320 ,  330 , the flexible display  310 , and a hinge assembly  340 . The display  310  is connected to outer portions  350  (fixed display portion) of the panels  320 ,  330  and is free from an inner portion  360  (free display portion) of the panels  320 ,  330 . As illustrated, the free display portion  360  is between the dotted lines and the fixed display portions  350  are outside of the dotted lines (above top dotted line and below bottom dotted line). A cavity  370  may be formed at a center portion of the device  300 . The center portion where the cavity  370  is formed may be within the inner portion  360 . The cavity  370  may be formed by reducing the height of the panels  320 ,  330  at the center portion. The hinge assemble  340  allows for folding the panels  320 ,  330  and not blocking the cavity  370 . When the device  300  is folded, at least a portion of the free display portion  360  may escape into the cavity  370 , thus avoiding the damagingly small radius of curvature. 
         [0018]    It should be noted that the diameter of the cavity  370  required to avoid strain-induced delamination does not necessarily need to be large (e.g., millimeters). The minimum diameter depends on factors such as the elastic modulus of the various materials. 
         [0019]    When the device  300  is folded it is possible that the free display portion  360  may flex forward and not into the cavity  370 . If the free display portion  360  flexed forward the display  310  may end up with at least one undesired fold when the panels  320 ,  330  are brought together when the system  300  is fully closed. The device  300  may include a guiding device (not illustrated) to ensure the display  310  enters the cavity  370 . The guiding device may pull a portion of the free display portion  360  into the cavity  370  or may prevent the free display portion  360  from flexing forward. The guiding device may be located behind the display  310  or may be located in front of the display  310 . 
         [0020]    For example, the guiding device may be a restraint or tensioner attached between the free display portion  360  and the hinge assembly  340  so that it pulls a portion of the free display portion  360  into the cavity  370  when the device  300  is closed. For example, the guiding device may be a set of tabs or claws that extend over the free display portion  360 , but that are not permanently attached thereto, that prevent the free display portion  360  from flexing forward when the device  300  is closed. Alternatively, the tabs or claws may pivot to descend on the free display portion  360  when the device  300  is closing so as to push a portion of the free display portion  360  into the cavity  370 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 4A  illustrates an example clamshell device  400  where a display  410  is not folded between panels  420 ,  430  when the device  400  is closed. The device  400  includes the panels  420 ,  430 , the flexible display  410 , and a hinge assembly  440 . A first panel  430  (lower panel) includes a slot  450  and an expanded portion  460 . The display  410  is rigidly attached to a second panel  420  (upper panel) at connection point  470 . The display  410  is tensioned and slides in and out of the slot  450  in the first panel  430  as the device  400  is folded and unfolded. 
         [0022]      FIG. 4B  illustrates an example roller  480  within the expanded portion  460  to house the display  410  when the device  400  is closed. The display  410  enters the slot  450  and wraps itself around the roller  480  as the device  400  is closed. Wrapping the display  410  around the roller  480  prevents the display  410  from having a damagingly small radius of curvature when the device  400  is closed. The slot  450  and the expanded portion  460  in effect create a cavity and the roller  480  guides the display  410  into the cavity. When the device  400  is opened, the second panel  420  moves away from the slot  450  and roller  480 . As the display  410  is rigidly attached at the connection point  470 , the display  410  will unwind from the roller  480  as the device  400  is opened and the second panel  420  continues to move away. When the device  400  is fully opened and the panels  420 ,  430  lay flat (e.g., the ends abut at the hinge  440 ) the display  410  will also lay flat against the panels  420 ,  430 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 5A  illustrates an example clamshell device  500  where a display  510  is not folded between panels  520 ,  530  when the device  500  is closed. The device  500  includes the panels  520 ,  530 , the flexible display  510 , and a hinge assembly  540 . A first panel  530  (lower panel) includes a slot  550 . The display  510  is rigidly attached to a second panel  520  (upper panel) at connection point  560 . The display  510  is tensioned and slides in and out of the slot  550  as the device  500  is folded and unfolded. 
         [0024]      FIG. 5B  illustrates an example roller system  570  (e.g., set of rollers) that runs laterally within the first panel  530 . The display  510  is connected to the roller system  570 . When the device  500  is closed, the display  510  enters the slot  550  and the roller system  570  rotates and guides the display  510  into an open area running laterally along the first panel  530 . The slot  550  and the open area in effect create a cavity and the roller system  570  guides the display  510  into the cavity. When the device  500  is opened, the second panel  520  moves away from the slot  550 . As the display  510  is rigidly attached at the connection point  560 , the display  510  will be pulled out of the first panel  530 , the roller system  570  will guide the display  510  out of the first panel  530  as the device  500  is opened and the second panel  520  continues to move away. When the device  500  is fully opened the display  510  will also lay flat against the panels  520 ,  530 . 
         [0025]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5A , the second panel  520  is very thin. The second panel  520  may only provide mechanical functions relating to protecting and opening the device and may not contain any electrical circuitry. Accordingly, the hinge assembly  540  may be simplified because it need not contain any cables to pass electrical signals and power. A mechanical non-electrical panel (e.g.,  520 ) is not limited to the device  500  of  FIG. 5  and is not limited to top panels. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 3-5  focused on clamshell devices having a display spanning two panels that did not have a damagingly small radius of curvature at the points where the panels fold over one another. However, the various embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to two-panel clam shell devices. Rather any number of panels could be used as long as the display avoided the damagingly small radius of curvature when folded. For example, if a cavity was formed at the points where the panels overlapped and the hinge permitted the display to enter the cavity (such as illustrated in  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0027]      FIG. 6  illustrates an example three paneled clamshell device  600 . The device  600  includes panels  610 ,  620 ,  630 , two hinge assemblies  640 ,  650 , and a single display  660  extending thereacross. The panels  610 ,  620 ,  630  are curved, the curves of the various panels  610 ,  620 ,  630  are such that the panels will lie on top of one another when folded (e.g.,  630  onto  620 ). The display  660  is connected to outer panels  610 ,  630 . When the device  600  is opened the display  660  may not follow the curvature of the panels  610 ,  620 ,  630 , rather it may be nearly straight across from the points of connection and may contact a portion (e.g., center) of the middle panel  620 . In order to keep the display  660  taut (avoid slack) the device  600  may include tensioners (not illustrated) to pull the display  660  toward the panels  610 ,  620 ,  630  when opened. Alternatively, the cuter panels  610 ,  630  may be capable of opening further which may cause the display  660  to curve but would avoid slack. 
         [0028]    As the display  660  does not follow curvature of the panels  610 ,  620 ,  630 , the space between the display  660  and the panels  610 ,  620 ,  630  may act as a cavity that the display  660  can flow into when the device  600  is folded in order to avoid the damagingly small radius of curvature when folded. If the space is insufficient, if the panels are of a small width, or if the shape is such that folding results in a damagingly small radius of curvature, one or more of the hinges  640 ,  650  may need to be modified to have a cavity formed therein for the display  660  to flex into to avoid this. 
         [0029]    The devices described above with respect to  FIGS. 3-6  may be used for any number of purposes. For example, a clamshell device having a continuous display can be utilized in a variety of electronic devices, including but not limited to, handheld media playback devices, small Tablet PCs, mobile phones, and personal digital assistants (PDAs). The devices will include some type of processor for controlling the operation of the device. The device may include a user interface (e.g., keyboard, scroll bar, buttons) to allow the user to interface with the device. The device may be a mobile device and include a battery for providing power to the device. If the device is capable of communicating with other devices it may include an antennae. 
         [0030]    Although the disclosure has been illustrated by reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent that the disclosure is not limited thereto as various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope. Reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described therein is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” appearing in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
         [0031]    The various embodiments are intended to be protected broadly within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.