Patent Publication Number: US-2022236768-A1

Title: Methods, systems and apparatus to manage a spatially dynamic display

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     This disclosure relates generally to physically alterable displays, and, more particularly, to methods, systems and apparatus to manage a spatially dynamic display. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In recent years, computing devices have become ubiquitous in households, workplaces, commerce, and entertainment venues. Relatively early computing device display technology included teletype machines, and cathode ray tubes. Subsequent advancements in display technologies included liquid crystal displays, light emitting diode displays, and plasma screens. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a schematic illustration of a system to manage a spatially dynamic display when the display has a maximum viewing area. 
         FIG. 1B  is a schematic illustration of the system of  FIG. 1A , in which the viewing area has been reduced by a first reduction length. 
         FIG. 1C  is a schematic illustration of the system of  FIGS. 1A and 1B , in which the viewing area has been reduced by an additional second reduction length. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of the example system shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C  showing example connectivity to a computing device. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of a dynamic display size manager of  FIGS. 1A-1C  and  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is an example spatial/visual configuration table to provide rendering instructions to a spatially dynamic display. 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart representative of example machine readable instructions that may be executed to manage a spatially dynamic display in a manner consistent with the teachings of this disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic illustration of an example processor platform that may execute the instructions of  FIG. 5  to implement the example system of  FIGS. 1A-1C and 2-4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Computing devices typically include one or more interface devices to accommodate input and/or output. In some examples, the computing devices are designed and/or otherwise provisioned to interact with one or more users, in which a visual and/or audio interface device facilitates one or more functions of a user interface (UI). Example UIs include, but are not limited to, touchscreen input devices, mouse pointer devices, and visual display devices to render video information to the user. Example visual display devices include, but are not limited to, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, a light emitting diode (LED) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), in which one or more of the aforementioned display devices may include touch control (e.g., an ability to control a mouse cursor of an operating system without a mouse device). 
     Traditional display devices, including examples disclosed above, include a physically rigid viewing area having a particular screen size (e.g., a set spatial dimension) that is established at the time the display device is manufactured. For example, traditional display devices have a display size having a width value, a height value, a total viewable area value and/or a diagonal length value. In some examples, the diagonal length value is provided by a manufacturer that indicates a length between two opposite screen corners, and an aspect ratio indicating a ratio of the horizontal length to a vertical length is provided. At the time of this writing, display devices typically have aspect ratios of 4:3, 5:4, 16:10 and 16:9, but example methods, systems and apparatus to manage a spatially dynamic display are not limited thereto. While traditional display devices, such as those described above, include a spatial dimension with a rigid viewing surface that is established at the time of manufacture, example methods, systems and apparatus disclosed herein manage display behavior for physically alterable displays that exhibit spatially dynamic properties. 
     Physically alterable displays that have spatially dynamic properties (sometimes referred to herein as a “dynamic display,” or a “spatially adjustable display”) include display devices that have two or more viewing areas for rendering visual information. In some examples, a dynamic display has a first length dimension and a first width dimension that results in a first viewable area for a user. However, the dynamic display may be manipulated to change the first length dimension to a second length dimension, and/or change the first width dimension to a second width dimension, thereby resulting in a second viewable area for a user. In some examples, the dynamic display is flexible such that the flexible display may wrap around itself in a generally cylindrical shape. In other examples, a portion of the dynamic display that is not viewable (e.g., a portion that is wrapped around itself) may be turned off to reduce energy that would otherwise be wasted on that non-viewable portion. In still other examples, the dynamic display is spatially modified by one or more folding operations to either increase or decrease a viewable area for the user. 
     Example spatially dynamic displays, such as flexible displays and/or foldable displays, may be used with any type of computing device, such as desktop computers, laptop computers, mobile telephones, e-readers and/or tablet computing devices. In some examples, the dynamic display associated with the computing device has a first viewing area at a first time, but the user manipulates (e.g., by rolling the display, by folding the display, etc.) the dynamic display at a second time to cause a second viewing area at a second time. Example methods, systems and apparatus disclosed herein detect such contextual changes to the dynamic display viewing area to manage one or more alternate image output signals of the dynamic display device. For example, if the first viewing area at the first time is larger than the second viewing area at the second time (e.g., the user caused a reduction in the viewable area by rolling a portion of the dynamic display device around itself, or by folding a portion of the dynamic display under itself), then example methods, systems and apparatus disclosed herein manage the image output signals to the dynamic display device to conform to a display configuration better adapted to the second viewing area. 
     In some examples, managing the image output signals are dynamically adjusted to fit within an available screen area of the dynamic display device in response to physical changes of the screen area. The image output signals associated with a first available screen area may have icons and text that, in response to a change from a first available screen area to a second available screen area, are increased or decreased in size to better fit to the second available screen area. In other examples, one or more icons may be associated with a priority value to indicate a relative importance with other icons. In operation, an example icon with a relatively higher priority value will be preserved for rendering on the dynamic display device when the available screen area decreases. One or more icons with relatively lower priority values are removed to accommodate rendering of the icons having the relatively higher value, and a link icon may be rendered to allow access to the icons associated with the relatively lower priority value. In some examples, icons having a relatively highest priority value are referred to herein as primary icons, and icons having a relatively lower priority value are referred to herein as secondary icons, tertiary icons, etc. 
       FIG. 1A  is an example system  100  to manage a spatially dynamic display. In the illustrated example of  FIG. 1A , the system  100  includes a central housing  102  connected to a spatially dynamic display  104  that can be manipulated via a screen area adjustment handle  106 . The example central housing  102  of  FIG. 1A  is illustrated with a generally cylindrical shape to allow the example spatially dynamic display  104  to wrap around a central storage axis  108  for storage. While some of the examples disclosed herein include a spatially dynamic display that is flexible, example methods, apparatus, systems and/or articles of manufacture disclosed herein are not limited thereto. For instance, some example spatially dynamic displays may be a relatively rigid material having one or more foldable portions. In some examples, each of the foldable portions are separated and/or otherwise partitioned by a bendable crease that, when folded by a number of degrees (e.g., 90 degrees, 180 degrees, etc.), causes the aggregate area of the spatially dynamic display to decrease. 
     Continuing with the example flexible-type spatially dynamic display  104  of  FIG. 1A , in the event the example screen area adjustment handle  106  is pulled in a direction to the right of the example central housing  102  along a viewing axis  109 , then the example spatially dynamic display  104  will unwind from the central storage axis  108  to increase a viewable area (lengthen). Portions of the example spatially dynamic display  104  that are wrapped around the central storage axis  108  are not viewable to a user (e.g., non-visible portions of the spatially dynamic display  104 ), while portions of the example spatially dynamic display  104  that have been unwound from the central storage axis  108  may be viewed by a user along the viewing axis  109 . Storage of the example spatially dynamic display  104  may occur by winding a shaft (not shown) attached to the example central storage axis  108  in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. In some examples, the central storage axis  108  may be mechanically connected to a spring (e.g., a coil spring) to forcibly bias the spatially dynamic display  104  toward and around the central storage axis  108 . The example spring bias causes a force on the example spatially dynamic display  104  in a direction toward the example central housing  102  (i.e., toward the left). In other words, in some examples the viewable portion of the example spatially dynamic display  104  along the example viewing axis  109  toward the central housing  102  and wrap around the central storage axis  108  when not in use. 
     The example spatially dynamic display  104  has a maximum length (L MAX ) that, when reached by pulling the example screen area adjustment handle  106  in a rightward direction from the example central housing  102 , results in a maximum viewable area of the spatially dynamic display  104 . When the example spatially dynamic display  104  is fully extended (e.g., pulled-out) from the example central housing  102 , then a computing device communicatively connected to the example spatially dynamic display  104  may render a particular screen configuration based on the available area of the dynamic display  104 . In some examples, the particular screen configuration associated with the fully extended (L MAX ) spatially dynamic display  104  reveals a maximum number of icons. In the illustrated example of  FIG. 1A , the spatially dynamic display  104  renders a maximum of twenty-five (25) icons in columns A through E and rows A through E. As described in further detail below, one or more display configuration models may be invoked in response to a change in the available display area of the example spatially dynamic display  104 , in which one or more icons may be prioritized to remain in the remaining viewable area when the dynamic display  104  is retracted by a certain length (e.g., less than the length L MAX ). 
     In some examples, a relatively smaller size of the spatially dynamic display  104  is desired. In the illustrated example of  FIG. 1A , the spatially dynamic display includes a first reduction zone  110  and a second reduction zone  112 . If the example spatially dynamic display  104  is retracted by a length equal to the example first reduction  110  (L RED-1 ), example methods, systems and/or apparatus disclosed herein dynamically adjust the visual configuration of the spatially dynamic display based on the reduced area caused by the retraction. Similarly, if the example spatially dynamic display  104  is retracted by a length equal to the example first reduction  110  and the example second reduction  112  (L RED-2 ), example methods, systems and/or apparatus disclosed herein dynamically adjust the visual configuration of the spatially dynamic display based on the reduced area caused by the retraction, as described in further detail below. While the illustrated example includes two reduction zones, examples disclosed herein are not limited thereto. In some examples, the spatially dynamic display  104  may operate between any length between the maximum extension (L MAX ) and a fully closed position, in which the entire spatially dynamic display  104  is retracted within the central housing  102 . 
     In the event the example spatially dynamic display  104  is retracted by a length associated with the example first reduction  110 , then the example icons in columns D and E will not be visible. Example methods, systems, apparatus and/or articles of manufacture disclosed herein dynamically modify the visual configuration as the spatially dynamic display  104  changes in length (e.g., as the spatially dynamic display increases in length from zero to L MAX  and/or as the spatially dynamic display decreases in length from L MAX  (to zero). In the illustrated example of  FIG. 1A , icons associated with “App 2,” “App 20” and “App 25” are assigned with a primary priority  114 , “App 6,” “App 12,” “App 14,” “App 16,” “App 19,” “App 21” and “App 22” are assigned with a secondary priority  116 , and the remaining icons are assigned with a default tertiary priority. Generally speaking, one or more icons assigned with a primary priority, as compared to a secondary and/or tertiary priority, are indicative of a relatively greater importance to a user of a computing device, such as applications and/or programs that are used with a relatively greater frequency. 
     Continuing with the example in which the example spatially dynamic display  104  is reduced by a length associated with the first reduction  110  (L RED_1 ), example methods, systems, apparatus and/or articles of manufacture disclosed herein adjust the visual configuration of the remaining visible portion(s) of the spatially dynamic display  104  to render icons associated with the primary priority  114 . In the event the area of the spatially dynamic display  104  has remaining space after the icons associated with the primary priority  114  are rendered, icons associated with the secondary priority  116  are arranged on the dynamic display  104  for rendering, as shown in  FIG. 1B . 
     In some examples, portions of the spatially dynamic display  104  that have been retracted to the central housing  102  are powered off. In other words, because the example portions of the spatially dynamic display  104  stored in the central housing  102  are not visible, the example source image adjustor  306  sends one or more instructions to an example video controller to disable such non-visible portions of the spatially dynamic display. In the illustrated example of  FIG. 1B , the spatially dynamic display  104  has been reduced in length L 1  (and corresponding area) by the first reduction  110 , and icons associated with the primary priority  114  and secondary priority  116  have been rendered at the expense of the relatively lower assigned icons. However, a link button  118 , when selected (e.g., via a touch-screen input, mouse click, etc.), causes one or more relatively lower priority icons to be displayed. 
       FIG. 1C  illustrates the example system  100  after the example spatially dynamic display  104  has been retracted by an additional length associated with the example second reduction  112 . In the illustrated example of  FIG. 1C , the visual configuration of the spatially dynamic display  104  is modified to render the highest priority icons  114 , and the link button  118 , when selected, causes one or more relatively lower priority icons to be displayed. As described above, examples disclosed above include three distinct positions of the spatially dynamic display  104 , but example methods, systems, apparatus and/or articles of manufacture are not limited thereto. In some examples, dynamic modification of the visual configuration of the spatially dynamic display  104  occurs as it is retracted or extended from the central housing  102 . Additionally, while the example central housing  102  is shown having a generally cylindrical shape, example methods, systems, apparatus and/or articles of manufacture disclosed herein are not limited thereto. In some examples, the central housing  102  is integrated with a computing device, such as a mobile telephone, personal computer, etc. In still other examples, the computing device may be integrated within the central housing  102 . In other examples, the spatially dynamic display  104  changes a display size by one or more folds. In such examples, the spatially dynamic display  104  may be a rigid material rather than a relatively flexible material capable of rolling and/or otherwise winding around itself. The example foldable spatially dynamic display  104  may, when folded at one or more locations, cause the visual configuration of the spatially dynamic display  104  to change in the manner disclosed above in connection with  FIGS. 1A-1C . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates additional detail of the example system  100  to manage the spatially dynamic display  104  of  FIGS. 1A-1C  when the spatially dynamic display  104  is constructed of a flexible material to be stored and/or used in one or more rolled/wrapped orientations  200 , or when the spatially dynamic display  104  is constructed of a foldable material to be stored and/or used in one or more fully unfolded, partially folded or completely folded orientations  250 . In the illustrated example of  FIG. 2 , the central housing  102  is communicatively connected to a computing device  202 . The example computing device  202  may include, but is not limited to, a personal computer (e.g., a laptop, a desktop, etc.), a personal digital assistant, an e-reader, a mobile telephone, etc. While the computing device  202  of the illustrated example of  FIG. 2  is shown as a separate entity from the central housing  102 , examples disclosed herein are not limited thereto. In some examples, the computing device  202  is integrated into the central housing  102 , or vice-versa. The example computing device  202  of  FIG. 2  includes a video input/output (I/O) module  204  to control a visual output of the example spatially dynamic display  104  and, in some examples, respond to inputs from the spatially dynamic display  104  in the event it includes touch-screen capabilities. 
     The example video I/O module  204  may be an industry standard video card capable of rendering visual output based on inputs from an operating system and/or other inputs. The computing device  202  of  FIG. 2  includes a dynamic display size manager  205  that is communicatively connected to the video I/O module  204  and the central housing  102 . In some examples, the dynamic display size manager  205  is communicatively connected to a rotary shaft encoder  206  to determine an angular position of the central storage axis  108 , which is indicative of how much of the spatially dynamic display  104  is available for viewing. In some examples, the rotary shaft encoder  206  is not used and, instead, one or more alternate techniques of determining the available viewing area are employed. For example, the central housing  102  may include a length marker sensor  208  that detects one or more delineated length markers  210 , such as a first length marker  210 A and a second length marker  210 B attached to the example spatially dynamic display  104 . Any number of length markers  210  may be attached (e.g., embedded) to the example spatially dynamic display  104  in a number of linear positions, and the example length markers  210  may be employed for use with the flexible rolled/wrapped orientation  200  and/or the foldable orientation  250 . In some examples, a number of length markers  210  are embedded in the spatially dynamic display  104  in equally-spaced linear positions along the viewing axis  109 . In response to the example length marker sensor  208  detecting a first length marker  210 A, the example dynamic display size manager  205  may invoke one or more modifications of the visual configuration of the example spatially dynamic display  104 . In particular, detecting the first length marker  210 A is indicative of a portion of the example spatially dynamic display  104  that can be viewed by a user. Similarly, in response to the example length marker sensor  208  detecting a second length marker  210 B, the example dynamic display size manager  205  may invoke one or more modifications of the visual configuration tailored to the alternate viewing area of the example spatially dynamic display  104 . 
     Similarly, the example first length marker  210 A and the example second length marker of the foldable orientation  250  may provide an indication of the available screen size to be used and/or otherwise energized for viewing purposes. For example, the first length marker  210 A detects when a first fold portion  252  of the foldable spatially dynamic display  104  is unfolded or folded. Similarly, the example second length marker  210 B detects when a second fold portion  254  of the foldable spatially dynamic display  104  is unfolded or folded. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates additional detail of the example dynamic display size manager  205  of  FIG. 2 . In the illustrated example of  FIG. 3 , the dynamic display size manager  205  includes a display size monitor  302 , a source image comparator  304 , a source image adjuster  306 , a prioritizer  308 , a link generator  310  and a configuration model storage  312 . In operation, the example display size monitor  302  determines an available viewable screen area of the example spatially dynamic display  104  by capturing and/or otherwise retrieving screen extraction length information or information indicative of which fold portions (e.g., the first fold portion  252 , the second fold portion  254 ) are folded (closed) or unfolded (open). As described above, screen extraction length information may be determined by information retrieved from the example encoder  206 , the example length marker sensor  208 , or any other sensor indicative of how much available viewing area can be used and/or otherwise consumed by a user of the example system  100 . Based on the determined available viewing area information captured by the example display size monitor  302 , the example source image comparator  304  compares the available viewing area information to the example configuration model settings storage  312  to determine visual configuration instructions to be sent to the example video I/O module  204 . The example configuration model settings storage  312  may store one or more configurations settings that differ based on an exposed length of the example spatially dynamic display  104 . 
       FIG. 4  is an example spatial/visual configuration table  400  that may be stored in the example configuration model settings storage  312  and accessed by the example source image comparator  304 . In the illustrated example of  FIG. 4 , the table  400  includes an exposed length column  402 , a primary icon column  404 , a primary icon size column  406 , a secondary icon column  408 , a secondary icon size column  410 , a tertiary icon column  412 , a tertiary icon size column  414  and a link button column  416 . The example prioritizer  308  of  FIG. 3  is employed during one or more configuration sessions (e.g., a user-initiated configuration, a factory-initiated configuration, etc.) to assign each icon with a corresponding primary, secondary, tertiary, or other priority designation. Additionally, the example prioritizer  308  identifies icon display priorities associated with a template and/or display model, such as an example table  400 . The exposed length column  402  in the illustrated example of  FIG. 4  includes three length values; one that reflects a full (maximum) viewing potential (e.g., 9.6 inches), one that reflects a reduction associated with the first reduction  110  (e.g., 6.4 inches), and one that reflects a reduction associated with the combined first reduction  110  and the second reduction  112  (e.g., 3.2 inches). Each of these three example display modes may be invoked by the example source image adjuster  306  based on a corresponding length marker  210  detected by the example length marker sensor  208 . While the illustrated example table  400  of  FIG. 4  includes three (3) delineated viewing modes, examples disclosed herein are not limited thereto. In some examples, the source image adjuster  306  may respond to different degrees of granularity in response to changing length values detected by the encoder  206 , such as causing image adjustments at increments of 1 millimeter, or any other increment value of interest. 
     If the example display size monitor  302  retrieves an indication that the example spatially dynamic display  104  is extended 9.6 inches (e.g., a maximum extension for the example spatially dynamic display  104  of  FIGS. 1A-1C and 2 ), which is reflected in a first row  420  of  FIG. 4 , then the example table  400  includes information indicative of which icons are authorized for display and corresponding sizes (e.g., size in pixels) for each authorized icon. 
     In the illustrated example of  FIG. 4 , the first row  420  indicates that all icons having a primary priority are authorized to be displayed (see column  404 ) with an icon dimension of 16×16 pixels (see column  406 ). The example first row  420  also indicates that all secondary and tertiary icons are authorized for display having corresponding dimensions of 16×16 pixels. In some examples, a link button is unnecessary because the available viewable screen area of the spatially dynamic display  104  is large enough to accommodate all desired icons. As such, the example link button column  416  indicates a “No” value to prevent a request to include a link button on the dynamic display  104  when the exposed screen length is at a value of 9.6 inches. 
     If the example display size monitor  302  retrieves and/or otherwise receives an indication that the example spatially dynamic display  104  changes to an alternate extension length, such as from the example fully extended 9.6 inches to 6.4 inches, then the example source image comparator  304  is invoked by the display size monitor  302  to determine corresponding display parameters. In the illustrated example of  FIG. 4 , the table includes a second row  422  having information indicative of which icons are authorized for display and corresponding sizes for each authorized icon. In the illustrated example of  FIG. 4 , the second row  422  indicates that all icons having a primary priority are authorized to be displayed (see column  404 ) with an icon dimension of 32×32 pixels (see column  406 ). The example second row  422  also indicates that all secondary icons are authorized for display (see column  408 ) with an icon dimension of 16×16 pixels (see column  410 ). However, the example second row  422  indicates that no tertiary icons are authorized for display (see column  412 ), but a link button  118  is authorized and/or otherwise rendered on the viewable portion of the spatially dynamic display  104  for presentation to the user (see column  416 ). As described above, the example link button  118  is rendered when one or more of the icons have been hidden from view due to their relatively lower priority value. The link button  118 , when selected, causes the hidden icons (e.g., relatively lower priority icons) to be displayed in lieu of the icons authorized by display based on the example table  400 . In other words, when the example link button  118  is selected, any secondary and/or tertiary icons may be rendered on the example spatially dynamic display  104 . 
     If the example display size monitor  302  retrieves and/or otherwise receives an indication that the example spatially dynamic display  104  changes to an alternate extension length associated with a reduction of both the first reduction zone  110  and the second reduction zone  112 , thereby leaving 3.2 inches of available viewing, then the example source image comparator  304  is invoked by the display size monitor  302  to determine corresponding display parameters. In the illustrated example of  FIG. 4 , the table includes a third row  424  having information indicative of which icons are authorized for display and corresponding sizes for each authorized icon. In the illustrated example of  FIG. 4 , the third row  424  indicates that all icons having a primary priority are authorized to be displayed (see column  404 ) with an icon dimension of 32×32 pixels (see column  406 ). The example third row  424  also indicates that no secondary or tertiary icons are authorized for display (see columns  408  and  412 , respectively), and that the link button  118  is authorized for rendering (see column  416 ). 
     While an example manner of implementing the dynamic display size manager  205  of  FIG. 3  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1C, and 2-4 , one or more of the elements, processes and/or devices illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-C  and  2 - 4  may be combined, divided, re-arranged, omitted, eliminated and/or implemented in any other way. Further, the example display size monitor  302 , the example source image comparator  304 , the example source image adjuster  306 , the example prioritizer  308 , the example link generator  310 , the example configuration model settings storage  312 , the example encoder  206 , the example length marker sensor and/or, more generally, the example dynamic display size manager  205  of  FIGS. 1A-1C and 2-4  may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware and/or any combination of hardware, software and/or firmware. Thus, for example, any of the example display size monitor  302 , the example source image comparator  304 , the example source image adjuster  306 , the example prioritizer  308 , the example link generator  310 , the example configuration model settings storage  312 , the example encoder  206 , the example length marker sensor and/or, more generally, the example dynamic display size manager  205  of  FIGS. 1A-1C and 2-4  could be implemented by one or more analog or digital circuit(s), logic circuits, programmable processor(s), application specific integrated circuit(s) (ASIC(s)), programmable logic device(s) (PLD(s)) and/or field programmable logic device(s) (FPLD(s)). When reading any of the apparatus or system claims of this patent to cover a purely software and/or firmware implementation, at least one of the example display size monitor  302 , the example source image comparator  304 , the example source image adjuster  306 , the example prioritizer  308 , the example link generator  310 , the example configuration model settings storage  312 , the example encoder  206 , the example length marker sensor and/or, more generally, the example dynamic display size manager  205  of  FIGS. 1A-1C and 2-4  is/are hereby expressly defined to include a tangible computer readable storage device or storage disk such as a memory, a digital versatile disk (DVD), a compact disk (CD), a Blu-ray disk, etc. storing the software and/or firmware. Further still, the example display size manager  205  of  FIGS. 2 and 3  may include one or more elements, processes and/or devices in addition to, or instead of, those illustrated in  FIG. 3 , and/or may include more than one of any or all of the illustrated elements, processes and devices. 
     A flowchart representative of example machine readable instructions for implementing the dynamic display size manager  205  of  FIGS. 2 and 3  is shown in  FIGS. 5 . In this example, the machine readable instructions comprise program(s) for execution by a processor such as the processor  612  shown in the example processor platform  600  discussed below in connection with  FIG. 6 . The program(s) may be embodied in software stored on a tangible computer readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a hard drive, a digital versatile disk (DVD), a Blu-ray disk, or a memory associated with the processor  612 , but the entire program(s) and/or parts thereof could alternatively be executed by a device other than the processor  612  and/or embodied in firmware or dedicated hardware. Further, although the example program(s) is/are described with reference to the flowcharts illustrated in  FIG. 5 , many other methods of implementing the example dynamic display size manager  205  may alternatively be used. For example, the order of execution of the blocks may be changed, and/or some of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated, or combined. 
     As mentioned above, the example process of  FIG. 5  may be implemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer and/or machine readable instructions) stored on a tangible computer readable storage medium such as a hard disk drive, a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a compact disk (CD), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a cache, a random-access memory (RAM) and/or any other storage device or storage disk in which information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extended time periods, permanently, for brief instances, for temporarily buffering, and/or for caching of the information). As used herein, the term tangible computer readable storage medium is expressly defined to include any type of computer readable storage device and/or storage disk and to exclude propagating signals and to exclude transmission media. As used herein, “tangible computer readable storage medium” and “tangible machine readable storage medium” are used interchangeably. Additionally or alternatively, the example process of  FIG. 5  may be implemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer and/or machine readable instructions) stored on a non-transitory computer and/or machine readable medium such as a hard disk drive, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a cache, a random-access memory and/or any other storage device or storage disk in which information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extended time periods, permanently, for brief instances, for temporarily buffering, and/or for caching of the information). As used herein, the term non-transitory computer readable medium is expressly defined to include any type of computer readable storage device and/or storage disk and to exclude propagating signals and to exclude transmission media. As used herein, when the phrase “at least” is used as the transition term in a preamble of a claim, it is open-ended in the same manner as the term “comprising” is open ended. 
     The program  500  of  FIG. 5  begins at block  502  where the example display size monitor  302  acquires an indication of an available display size of the example spatially dynamic display  104 . As described above, an indication of the available display size that can be used (e.g., capable of being viewed by a user) may be determined by reading a rotary encoder value and/or detecting particular portions of the dynamic display  104  based on length markers  210  detected by the example length marker sensor  208 . In still other examples, an indication of the available display size that can be used is determined by reading the length markers  210  to determine whether one or more fold portions (e.g., the first fold portion  252 , the second fold portion  254 , etc.) are either unfolded, partially folded, or completely folded. The acquired indication of available size is provided to the example source image comparator  304 , which queries the example configuration model settings storage  312  to determine how the visual configuration of the example spatially dynamic display  104  should be changed (block  504 ). As shown in the example table  400  of  FIG. 4 , the indication of the available display size may be retrieved from the example display size monitor as an exposed length value (e.g., in centimeters, in millimeters, in inches, in pixels, etc.). 
     Based on the example source image comparator  304  identifying a match between the retrieved indication of available display area and a configuration setting in the example model settings storage  312 , the example source image adjuster  306  sends one or more control signals to the example video I/O module  204  of the computing device  202  with which the spatially dynamic display  104  is attached (block  506 ). If the example display size monitor  302  does not identify an indication that the screen size has changed (block  508 ), then the example program  500  of  FIG. 5  waits for such an occurrence. When an indication of a screen size change occurs (block  508 ), control returns to block  502  to retrieve the current available screen viewing area value. 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram of an example processor platform  600  capable of executing the instructions of  FIG. 5  to implement the dynamic display size manager  205  of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The processor platform  600  can be, for example, a server, a personal computer, a mobile device (e.g., a cell phone, a smart phone, a tablet such as an iPad™), a personal digital assistant (PDA), an Internet appliance, a DVD player, a CD player, a digital video recorder, a Blu-ray player, a gaming console, a personal video recorder, a set top box, or any other type of computing device. 
     The processor platform  600  of the illustrated example includes a processor  612 . The processor  612  of the illustrated example is hardware. For example, the processor  612  can be implemented by one or more integrated circuits, logic circuits, microprocessors or controllers from any desired family or manufacturer. 
     The processor  612  of the illustrated example includes a local memory  613  (e.g., a cache). The processor  612  of the illustrated example is in communication with a main memory including a volatile memory  614  and a non-volatile memory  616  via a bus  618 . The volatile memory  614  may be implemented by Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), RAMBUS Dynamic Random Access Memory (RDRAM) and/or any other type of random access memory device. The non-volatile memory  616  may be implemented by flash memory and/or any other desired type of memory device. Access to the main memory  614 ,  616  is controlled by a memory controller. 
     The processor platform  600  of the illustrated example also includes an interface circuit  620 . The interface circuit  620  may be implemented by any type of interface standard, such as an Ethernet interface, a universal serial bus (USB), and/or a PCI express interface. 
     In the illustrated example, one or more input devices  622  are connected to the interface circuit  620 . The input device(s)  622  permit(s) a user to enter data and commands into the processor  612 . The input device(s) can be implemented by, for example, an audio sensor, a microphone, a camera (still or video), a keyboard, a button, a mouse, a touchscreen, a track-pad, a trackball, isopoint and/or a voice recognition system. 
     One or more output devices  624  are also connected to the interface circuit  620  of the illustrated example. The output devices  624  can be implemented, for example, by display devices (e.g., a light emitting diode (LED), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a liquid crystal display, a cathode ray tube display (CRT), a touchscreen). The interface circuit  620  of the illustrated example, thus, typically includes a graphics driver card, a graphics driver chip or a graphics driver processor. As described above, the graphics driver card, the graphics driver chip, or the graphics driver processor may be realized in a manner consistent with the example video I/O module  204  described above. 
     The interface circuit  620  of the illustrated example also includes a communication device such as a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver, a modem and/or network interface card to facilitate exchange of data with external machines (e.g., computing devices of any kind) via a network  626  (e.g., an Ethernet connection, a digital subscriber line (DSL), a telephone line, coaxial cable, a cellular telephone system, etc.). 
     The processor platform  600  of the illustrated example also includes one or more mass storage devices  628  for storing software and/or data. Examples of such mass storage devices  628  include floppy disk drives, hard drive disks, compact disk drives, Blu-ray disk drives, RAID systems, and digital versatile disk (DVD) drives. 
     The coded instructions  632  of  FIG. 5  may be stored in the mass storage device  628 , in the volatile memory  614 , in the non-volatile memory  616 , and/or on a removable tangible computer readable storage medium such as a CD or DVD. 
     From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the above disclosed methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture enable a dynamic viewing experience for users of computing devices that have display technologies that change in size from time to time. Display technologies that change in size may retract into a storage compartment of a computing device when not in use, and may be constructed of rigid sections that are foldable, or may be constructed of a flexible display material. During instances of extraction of the dynamic sized display technology, examples disclosed herein respond to the size changes (e.g., in real time) by adjusting the visual configuration of remaining portions of the display technology that are viewable to the user. 
     Examples may include subject matter such as a method, means for performing acts of the method, at least one machine-readable medium including instructions that, when performed by a machine, cause the machine to perform acts of the method, or of an apparatus or system to manage a spatially dynamic display according to embodiments and examples described herein. 
     Example 1 is an apparatus to update a spatially adjustable display, comprising a display size monitor to acquire an indication of a size of the spatially adjustable display; a service image comparator to compare the indication of the size to a size model, and a source image adjuster to invoke visual configuration adjustments to an output image of the spatially adjustable display based on parameters identified in the size model. The display size monitor, the service image comparator and/or the source image adjuster may each be integrated with a display size manager or as one or more separate devices. 
     Example 2 includes the subject matter of example 1, and further includes an encoder to identify an angular position indicative of the size of the spatially adjustable display. Much like the example display size monitor, the example encoder may be integrated with one or more other devices or operate as a stand-alone device to identify the angular position of interest. 
     Example 3 includes applying the encoder with a central storage axis, around which a non-visible portion of the spatially adjustable display is stored. 
     Example 4 includes applying the source image adjuster to send one or more instructions to disable output to the non-visible portion(s) of the spatially adjustable display. 
     Example 5 includes a length marker sensor to identify a position of the spatially adjustable display. The example length marker sensor may operate in conjunction with the display size manager, or may be implemented with any of the above examples as a separate device to identify the position of the spatially adjustable display. 
     Example 6 includes the subject matter of example 5, and further indicates a visible portion of the spatially adjustable display and indicates a non-visible portion of the spatially adjustable display. 
     Example 7 includes the subject matter of example 5, and further includes a plurality of length markers attached to and/or otherwise embedded within the spatially adjustable display in any number of locations along a viewing portion(s) of the spatially adjustable display. 
     Example 8 includes the subject matter of examples 2 or 5, and also includes identifying a portion of the spatially adjustable display that is not visible to a user and/or one or more portion(s) of the spatially adjustable display that are available for viewing by the user. Additionally or alternatively, example 8 may include the subject matter of examples 2 or 5, and include disabling a portion of the spatially adjustable display that is not visible to a user. 
     Example 9 includes the subject matter of example 1, and further includes a prioritizer to identify a display priority of any number of icons to be rendered on the spatially adjustable display. The prioritizer may operate as a sub-component of the example dynamic display size manager, or may operate as a stand-alone device in conjunction with any of the devices disclosed hereinabove. 
     Example 10 includes the subject matter of example 9, and further includes a link generator to render a link button on the spatially adjustable display when one or more of the plurality of icons are hidden from view due to the display priority. The link generator may be a device integrated with any of the above disclosed devices, or operate as a separate entity to render the link button. 
     Example 11 includes the subject matter of example 1, and further includes size information of the spatially adjustable display comprising at least one or a length value or an area value. 
     Example 12 includes the subject matter of example 1, and further includes the spatially adjustable display having a flexible display surface, and example 13 further includes storing the flexible display surface in a coil orientation. 
     Example 14 includes the subject matter of example 13, and further includes a first portion of the flexible display being hidden and/or otherwise removed from viewing by the user, while a second portion of the flexible display is uncoiled and visible to the user. 
     Example 15 includes the subject matter of example 1, and further includes the spatially adjustable display having at least one fold portion, and example 16 further includes a foldable display surface. 
     Example 17 includes subject matter from any of the aforementioned examples, and further includes a length marker sensor to identify an available display area of the spatially adjustable display, and example 18 includes any of the above-disclosed examples further comprising applying an icon size to the plurality of icons that is based on a length value or an area value. 
     Example 19 is a method for updating a spatially adjustable display to perform any of the aforementioned examples 1-18. 
     Example 20 is a system for updating a spatially adjustable display, and optionally includes means for performing any of the aforementioned examples 1-18. 
     Example 21 is at least one computer readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed on a machine, cause the machine to perform any of the aforementioned examples 1-18. 
     Although certain example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture have been disclosed herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the claims of this patent.