Patent Publication Number: US-11385854-B2

Title: Foldable display

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/719,888, filed Dec. 18, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/140,440, filed Sep. 24, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,514,879, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/674,366, filed Aug. 10, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,082,996, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/050,229, filed Feb. 22, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,733,883, which claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0025947, filed Feb. 24, 2015, the entire content of all of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     The described technology generally relates to a foldable display. 
     Description of the Related Technology 
     Display devices include various electronic components for displaying images. Example display devices include televisions, computer monitors, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and smart devices. 
     Certain display devices, such as organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays, liquid crystal displays (LCDs), plasma display panels (PDPs), or electrophoretic displays (EPDs) can be manufactured to display high-definition images. 
     In recent years, foldable displays which can be arranged into various configurations for portability and various other uses have been developed. Users can use foldable displays more easily and more efficiently by adjusting the available surface area in a display region via folding or unfolding the foldable displays into different configurations. 
     SUMMARY OF CERTAIN INVENTIVE ASPECTS 
     One inventive aspect is a foldable display including a plurality of display units having an arrangement structure that effectively uses the available space of the foldable display. 
     Another aspect is a foldable display having a first configuration where the foldable display is unfolded and a second configuration that the foldable display is folded including: a first display unit located on a front surface of the foldable display; a second display unit located on one side surface of the foldable display and inclined at a first angle of inclination with respect to the first display unit; a third display unit located on another side surface of the foldable display and inclined at a second angle of inclination with respect to the first display unit. The first to third display units are exposed in the first configuration, the first display unit is folded in the second configuration and the second and third display units are exposed in the second configuration, and the exposed second and third display units can form a fourth display unit inclined with respect to the folded first display unit. 
     In some embodiments, the first angle of inclination can be smaller than the second angle of inclination. 
     In other embodiments, the second and third display units can be parallel to each other. 
     In still other embodiments, the sum of the first and second angles of inclination can be substantially 180°. 
     In even other embodiments, the fourth display unit can be inclined at the first or second angle of inclination with respect to the folded first display unit. 
     In yet other embodiments, the fourth display unit can include the second and third display units included in a same inclined surface. 
     In further embodiments, the first to third display units can constitute one flexible display. 
     In still further embodiments, the first display unit can correspond to a region covering the front surface of the flexible display, and the second and third display units can correspond to regions covering the both side surfaces of the flexible display. 
     In even further embodiments, the first to third display units can constitute one flexible display and a plurality of inflexible displays. 
     In yet further embodiments, the first display unit can be the flexible display located on the front surface of the flexible display, and the second display unit can be the inflexible display located on one side surface of the flexible display, and the third display unit can be the inflexible display located on another side surface of the flexible display. 
     In much further embodiments, the foldable display can further include a fifth display unit located on a back surface of the foldable display adjacent to the second or third display unit. 
     In still much further embodiments, the second and third display units, and the fifth display unit can be exposed outside in the second configuration. 
     In even much further embodiments, the foldable display can further include: a sensor unit sensing the first and second configurations of the foldable display; and a controller controlling the sensor unit, and the first to fourth display units. 
     In yet much further embodiments, the controller activates the first to third display units when the first configuration is detected by using the sensor unit, and the controller activates the fourth display unit by activating the second and third display units when the second configuration is detected. 
     In some embodiments, the fourth display unit can provide a notification about an incoming event. 
     In other embodiments, the fourth display unit can provide simple information about an incoming event received by the foldable display. 
     In still other embodiments, the fourth display unit can provide a lock release interface for unlocking the foldable display. 
     Another aspect is a foldable display comprising a first display unit located on a front surface of the foldable display; a second display unit located on a first side surface of the foldable display and inclined at a first angle with respect to the first display unit; and a third display unit located on a second side surface of the foldable display and inclined at a second angle with respect to the first display unit, wherein the foldable display is configured to be arranged in i) a first configuration in which the first to third display units are exposed and ii) a second configuration in which the first display unit is folded and the second and third display units are exposed, and wherein when the foldable display is in the second configuration, the second and third display units form a fourth display unit inclined with respect to the folded first display unit. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the first angle is less than the second angle. The second and third display units can be substantially parallel to each other. A sum of the first and second angles can be approximately 180°. The fourth display unit can be inclined at the first angle or the second angle with respect to the folded first display unit. The fourth display unit can comprise the second and third display units having the same inclined surface. The first to third display units can be formed as a single flexible display panel. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the first display unit corresponds to a region covering the front surface of the flexible display, and wherein the second and third display units respectively correspond to regions covering the first and second side surfaces of the flexible display. The first display unit can be formed as a flexible display panel and the second and third display units can be each formed of a rigid display panel. The foldable display can further comprise a fifth display unit located on a back surface of the foldable display adjacent to the second or third display unit. When the foldable display is in the second configuration, the second and third display units and the fifth display unit can be exposed. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the foldable display further comprises a sensor configured to detect the first and second configurations of the foldable display; and a controller configured to control the sensor and the first to fourth display units. The controller can be further configured to activate the first to third display units when the sensor detects that the foldable display is in the first configuration; and activate the fourth display unit when the sensor detects that the foldable display is in the second configuration. The fourth display unit can be configured to display a notification about an incoming event. The fourth display unit can be configured to display simple information about the incoming event received by the foldable display. The fourth display unit can be configured to provide a lock release interface for unlocking the foldable display. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the described technology and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the described technology and, together with the description, serve to explain principles of the described technology. 
         FIG. 1A  is a front perspective view of a foldable display in a first configuration according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 1B  is a rear perspective view of a foldable display in a first configuration according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 1C  is a side view of a foldable display in a first configuration according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2A  is a front perspective view of a foldable display in a second configuration according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2B  is a rear perspective view of a foldable display in a second configuration according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2C  is a side view of a foldable display in a second configuration according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a view illustrating an embodiment of a foldable display with an activated fourth display unit. 
         FIG. 4  is a view illustrating an embodiment of a foldable display with a lock release button. 
         FIG. 5  is a view illustrating an embodiment of a foldable display including a fifth display unit. 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a foldable display according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INVENTIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     The terms used in this specification are selected as a general terms that are widely used while considering the functions of the present specification. Also, in certain cases the meanings of terms is will be defined in the description of the corresponding embodiment. Accordingly, a term used herein shall be interpreted based on practical meanings and the contents throughout the specification instead of the simple label of the term. 
     Moreover, although exemplary embodiments are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and contents described therein, the described technology is not limited or restricted by the exemplary embodiments. 
     Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Herein, a foldable display can include a first configuration in which the foldable display is unfolded and a second configuration in which foldable display is folded. 
       FIG. 1A  is a front perspective view of a foldable display in the first configuration according to an embodiment.  FIG. 1B  is a rear perspective view of a foldable display in the first configuration according to an embodiment.  FIG. 1C  is a side view of a foldable display in the first configuration according to an embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1A to 1C , the foldable display  10  includes a first display unit R 1  located on a front surface of the foldable display  10 , a second display unit R 2  located on one side surface of the foldable display  10 , and a third display unit R 3  located on another side surface of the foldable display  10 . The first to third display units R 1  to R 3  are formed on a substrate SB. The substrate SB can be flexible and/or rigid. In at least one embodiment, one portion of the substrate SB can be flexible and another portion of the substrate SB can be rigid. 
     The second display unit R 2  can be inclined at a first angle of inclination  81  with respect to the first display unit R 1 . In addition, the third display unit R 3  can be inclined at a second angle of inclination θ 2  with respect to the first display unit R 1 . The first angle of inclination θ 1  can be different from the second angle of inclination θ 2 . For example, the first angle of inclination θ 1  can be less than the second angle of inclination θ 2 . 
     The second and third display units R 2  and R 3  may be substantially parallel to each other. In some embodiments, the sum of the first angle of inclination θ 1  formed by the first and second display units R 1  and R 2  and the second angle of inclination θ 2  formed by the first and third display units R 1  and R 3  is substantially 180°. Accordingly, when the foldable display  10  is changed to the second configuration, the second and third display units R 2  and R 3  meet to form a fourth display unit R 4  that is a new display region. A more detailed description of the fourth display unit R 4  will be described below in relation to  FIGS. 2A to 2C . 
     The first to third display units R 1  to R 3  can be formed of a single flexible display panel. A flexible display panel generally refers to a display panel manufactured on a flexible substrate that can be bent, folded or rolled without any loss in display characteristics. For example, a flexible display panel may be an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel or an electrophoretic display (EPD) panel. In the flexible display panel of this embodiment, the first display unit R 1  can be a region covering the front surface of the foldable display  10 , the second display unit R 2  can be a region covering a first side surface of the foldable display  10 , and third display unit R 3  can be a region covering a second side surface of the foldable display  10 . The first and second side surfaces can be opposing side surfaces of the foldable display  10 . 
     In another embodiment, the first to third display units R 1  to R 3  include a flexible display panel and a plurality of inflexible or rigid display panels. An inflexible display panel generally refers to a display panel manufactured on a solid substrate in contrast to the foregoing flexible display panel. For example, the inflexible display can be a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a plasma display panel (PDP), or an electrowetting display (EWD) panel. 
     The first display unit R 1  can be a flexible display panel located on the front surface of the foldable display  10 , the second display unit R 2  can be an inflexible display located on a first side surface of the foldable display  10 , and the third display unit R 3  can be an inflexible display located on a second side surface of the foldable display  10 . The first and second side surfaces may be both side surfaces of the foldable display apparatus  10 , facing each other. 
     In addition, the first to third display units R 1  to R 3  can include at least one flexible display panel and/or at least one inflexible display; however, the described technology is not limited to the above-described embodiment. 
     Herein, the first configuration of the foldable display  10  refers to a configuration in which the foldable display  10  is unfolded. In the first configuration, the first to third display units R 1  to R 3  of the foldable display  10  can be exposed to environment. Therefore, a user may change the configuration of the foldable display  10  to the first configuration so as to use the first to third display units R 1  to R 3 . However, since it can be difficult for a user to view the third display unit R 3  due to the angle of the third display unit R 3  in this configuration, the third display unit R 3  can be selectively activated/deactivated in the first configuration depending on the embodiment. 
     Herein, the second configuration of the foldable display  10  refers to a configuration in which the foldable display  10  is folded. In this configuration, the second and third display units R 2  and R 3  of the foldable display  10  are exposed to the environment and the first display unit R 1  is not exposed to the environment. Therefore, a user can change the position of the foldable display  10  to the second configuration so as to use only the second and third display units R 2  to R 3 . In the second configuration, since it is difficult for a user to view the first display unit R 1 , the first display unit R 1  can be deactivated and the second and third display units R 2  and R 3  can be activated. 
     Hereinafter, an embodiment of the foldable display  10  in the second configuration will be described in detail. 
       FIG. 2A  is a front perspective view of a foldable display in the second configuration.  FIG. 2B  is a rear perspective view of a foldable display in the second configuration.  FIG. 2C  is a side view of a foldable display in the second configuration. 
     Referring to the embodiment of  FIG. 2A to 2C , in the second configuration of the foldable display  10 , the first display unit R 1  is not exposed to the environment since the first display unit R 1  is folded along a predetermined folding axis A, and the second and third display units R 2  and R 3  are exposed to the environment. In this configuration, the second and third display units R 2  and R 3  form a fourth display unit R 4  inclined with respect to the folded first display unit R 1 . 
     More specifically, the second display unit R 2  can form a first angle of inclination θ 1  with respect to the first display unit R 1  and the third display unit R 3  can form a second angle of inclination θ 2  with respect to the first display unit R 1 . When the foldable display  10  is changed to the second configuration and the second and third display units R 2  and R 3  are arranged to be substantially parallel to each other so that the sum of the first and second angles of inclination is substantially 180°, the second and third display units R 2  and R 3  can form a fourth display unit R 4  which is a new display region. Since the second and third display units R 2  and R 3  are substantially parallel to each other, the second and third display units R 2  and R 3  have substantially the same inclined plane to be able to form a fourth display unit R 4  in the second configuration of the foldable display  10 . Accordingly, the fourth display unit R 4  can form the first and/or second inclination θ 1  or θ 2  with respect to the folded first display unit R 1 . 
     In the standard foldable display, when a display unit is located on an inner side of the folded foldable display, users may be inconveniences since they are required to unfold the foldable display whenever the user wants to check simple information such as an incoming call, an incoming message, current time, current weather, or current temperature. In addition, when the standard foldable display is unfolded and all display units of the foldable display are activated, power consumption may be increased compared to at least one embodiment of the described technology. 
     When the display unit is located on the exterior of the folded foldable display, the display unit may be vulnerable to damage by even a small impact since the display unit is exposed to the environment. 
     However, in the foldable display  10  according to at least one embodiment, since the second and third display units R 2  and R 3  are formed on a side surface exposed to the environment in a folded configuration, users can view simple information even when the foldable display  10  remains folded. Accordingly, the foldable display  10  according to at least one embodiment can reduce power consumption and improve the speed and convenience of providing information. In addition, since the first display unit R 1  that is a largest display unit is located inside the folded foldable display  10  when in the second configuration, the display unit can be prevented from being damaged by an external impact. 
     Since the second and third display units R 2  and R 3  operate as one display unit when interlocked or aligned with each other, the second and third display units R 2  and R 3  can function as the fourth display unit R 4  that is a new display region. 
       FIG. 3  is a view illustrating an embodiment of a foldable display with an activated fourth display unit. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the fourth display unit R 4  can be activated in the second configuration as the second and third display units R 2  and R 3  forming the fourth display unit R 4  are activated. The fourth display unit R 4  can provide a variety of information to a user by using the second and third display units R 2  and R 3 . 
     In one embodiment, the fourth display unit R 4  can display information about an incoming event received by the foldable display  10 . For example, the fourth display unit R 4  can provide a notification about a received call, a received message, or the like. In addition, the fourth display unit R 4  can display simple information regarding a received call, a received message, or the like. For example, the fourth display unit R 4  can display simple information regarding the sender of a received call, the sender of a received message, a message&#39;s content, or the like. 
     In another embodiment, the fourth display unit R 4  can display information about a current environmental condition of the foldable display  10 . For example, the fourth display unit R 4  can display simple information about a current surrounding environment such as the current time, current weather, current date, and/or current temperature. 
     In another embodiment, the fourth display unit R 4  can provide a lock release interface for unlocking the foldable display  10 . For example, the fourth display unit R 4  can display various lock release interfaces for inputting a password, a fingerprint, etc. for unlocking the foldable display  10 . A user can unlock and use the foldable display  10  by performing an unlock action set in the displayed lock release interface. 
     In consideration of the above-described embodiments, there is an effect in that the foldable display  10  according to at least one embodiment can be provided with information about an incoming event through the fourth display unit R 4  quickly and conveniently even when a user does not unfold the foldable display  10 . 
       FIG. 4  is a view illustrating an embodiment of a foldable display with a lock release button. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a foldable display  12  can be separately provided with a lock release button  20  on a back surface thereof. The lock release button  20  can be a button for unlocking the foldable display  12 . A user can unlock the foldable display  12  by touching or pressing the lock release button  20 . 
     The lock release button  20  can be a mechanical button. A user can unlock the foldable display  12  by pressing the mechanical button. Alternatively, the lock release button  20  can be provided with a touch sensor. A user can unlock the foldable display  12  by touching the touch sensor. 
     The fourth display unit R 4  can be activated when the foldable display  12  is unlocked. 
       FIG. 5  is a view illustrating an embodiment of a foldable display including a fifth display unit. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a foldable display  11  can further include a fifth display unit R 5  on a back surface thereof. The fifth display unit R 5  can be located adjacent to the second or third display unit R 2  or R 3  on the back surface of the foldable display  11 . Thus, in the second configuration of the foldable display  11 , the second and third display units R 2  and R 3  and the fifth display unit R 5  are exposed to the environment. In  FIG. 5 , one embodiment of the foldable display  11  including the fifth display unit R 5  adjacent to the third display unit R 3  is illustrated. 
     The fifth display unit R 5  can provide a variety of simple information to a user together with the fourth display unit R 4  or operating independently from the fourth display unit R 4 . The embodiment described above with reference to the  FIG. 3  in relation to the information provided by the fifth display unit R 5  can be applied to the present embodiment in the same or a similar manner. 
     The further provided fifth display unit R 5  enables a user to view the display unit via a wider viewing angle to provide simple information from the foldable display  11 . 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a foldable display according to an embodiment. Depending on embodiments, certain elements may be removed from or additional elements may be added to the foldable display  10  illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Furthermore, two or more elements may be combined into a single element, or a single element may be realized as multiple elements. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the foldable display  10  can include a sensor unit or sensor  200 , first to fourth display units R 1  to R 4 , and a controller  100 . 
     The sensor unit  200  can sense the configuration of the foldable display  10 . In more detail, the sensor unit  200  can sense the first configuration in which the foldable display is unfolded and the second configuration in which the foldable display is folded. 
     The sensor unit  200  is provided with at least one sensing capability that can sense the configuration of the foldable display  10 . For example, the sensor unit  200  can include one or more of: a touch sensor, an infrared sensor, an ultraviolet sensor, a gyro, a gyroscope sensor, a strain gauge sensor, a tilt sensor, an acceleration sensor, a depth sensor, a pressure sensor, a grip sensor, a camera sensor, a photo sensor, and a proximity sensor in order to sense a folded or an unfolded configuration of the foldable display  10 . 
     The sensor unit  200  can transmit a sensed result to the controller and the controller having received the sensed result may detect a current configuration of the foldable display apparatus  10 . 
     The first to fourth display units R 1  to R 4  can be activated in response to a configuration of the foldable display  10  to display images. Herein, the images may refer to a variety of visual information such as a still image or a moving picture visible by a user. For example, in the first configuration of the foldable display  10 , the first to third display units R 1  to R 3  can be activated to display images. Alternatively, in the second configuration of the foldable display  10 , the first display unit R 1  can be deactivated and the second and third display units R 2  and R 3  can be activated to display images. 
     The size of the first display unit R 1  can be greater than that of the second to fourth display units R 2  to R 4 . Therefore, the first display unit R 1  can display more diverse and more detailed information compared to the second to fourth display units R 2  to R 4 . Therefore, when a user wants to use a larger screen, the user can use the first display unit R 1  by converting the foldable display  10  to the first configuration. The second and fourth display units R 2  and R 4  can provide easy and simple information which can be provided to a user through a smaller screen. A more detailed description in this regard is as described above with respect to  FIG. 3 . 
     The controller  100  communicates with constituent units  100 ,  200 , and R 1  to R 4  of the foldable display unit  10  and can control the constituent units  100 ,  200 , and R 1  to R 4 . 
     In one embodiment, the controller  100  can communicate with the sensor unit  200  to control the sensor unit  200 . In particular, the controller  100  can receive a sensed result from the sensor unit  200  to detect the first and second configurations of the foldable display  10 . 
     In another embodiment, the controller  100  can control the first to fourth display units R 1  to R 4 . In particular, the controller  100  can control the activity of the first to fourth display units R 1  to R 4  in response to a configuration of the foldable display  10 . The controller  100  can activate the first to third display units R 1  to R 3  when the first configuration of the foldable display  10  is detected by the sensor unit  200 . The controller  100  can activate the second to third display units R 2  to R 3  to activate the fourth display unit R 4  when the second configuration of the foldable display  10  is detected by the sensor unit  200 . The controller  100  can recognize the second and third display units R 2  and R 3  as the fourth display unit R 4  that is one display unit to control the fourth display unit R 4  by controlling activity of the second and third display units R 2  and R 3 . When the foldable display  10  further includes the fifth display unit R 5 , the controller  100  can also control the activity of the fifth display unit R 5  in response to a configuration of the foldable display  10 . 
     In addition, the controller  100  can control images displayed on the first to fourth display units R 1  to R 4 . The controller  100  can control the first display unit R 1  so as to display an image requiring a large screen such as a movie, TV, or an application execution screen. In addition, the controller  100  can control the second to fourth display units R 2  to R 4  so as to display images requiring small screens such as a lock release interface, the current time, a notification regarding an incoming event, and/or simple information. When the foldable display  10  further includes the fifth display unit R 5 , the controller  100  can also control a display image of the fifth display unit R 5 . 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram according to an embodiment of foldable display  10 . In  FIG. 6 , respective blocks are constituent units  100 ,  200 , and R 1  to R 4  of the foldable display  10  and are separately illustrated to be logically discriminated. Therefore, the constituent units  100 ,  200 , and R 1  to R 4  of the foldable display  10  described above can be mounted on a single chip or on a plurality of chips according to the design of the foldable display  10 . 
     According to at least one embodiment, a foldable display can provide a variety of information to a user by using a plurality of display units formed on side surfaces thereof even when the foldable display is folded. 
     Although the respective drawings have been described individually for convenience of explanation, other foldable displays can be designed such that the embodiments illustrated in the respective drawings can be merged to create a new embodiment without departing from the teachings of the described technology. Further, the foldable display is not limited to the configurations and methods of the above-described embodiments, but all or some of the respective embodiments can be selectively combined and executed so that various modifications can be made within the scope of the described technology. 
     Although preferred embodiments of the inventive technology have been illustrated and described, the inventive technology is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and various modified embodiments may be available by those skilled in the art without the scope of the appended claims.