Apple inc. (20240098913). Electronic Devices Having Sliding Expandable Displays simplified abstract
Electronic Devices Having Sliding Expandable Displays
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
Michael B. Wittenberg of San Francisco CA (US)
Owen D. Hale of Alameda CA (US)
Tatsuya Sano of San Jose CA (US)
Electronic Devices Having Sliding Expandable Displays - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240098913 titled 'Electronic Devices Having Sliding Expandable Displays
Simplified Explanation
The patent application describes an electronic device with sliding housing portions that allow for the display to transition between an unexpanded state and an expanded state, increasing the viewable area on the front face of the device. The housing also contains interior regions for electrical components and can store a flexible display substrate when in the unexpanded state.
- Sliding housing design allows for transition between unexpanded and expanded states
- Display can increase viewable area on front face
- Interior regions house electrical components
- Flexible display substrate can be stored in housing
- Flexible display can have bends and double back on itself
Potential Applications
The technology described in the patent application could be applied to smartphones, tablets, and other electronic devices where maximizing screen size within a compact form factor is desirable.
Problems Solved
This technology solves the problem of limited screen real estate on electronic devices by providing a mechanism for expanding the display area without significantly increasing the overall size of the device.
Benefits
The benefits of this technology include enhanced user experience with a larger display, improved portability due to the compact design, and potential for innovative form factors in electronic devices.
Potential Commercial Applications
The sliding housing design could be utilized in the development of next-generation smartphones, tablets, e-readers, and wearable devices to offer consumers a unique and versatile display experience.
Possible Prior Art
One possible prior art could be the use of foldable displays in electronic devices, although the sliding housing design described in the patent application offers a different approach to expanding the display area.
Unanswered Questions
How does the sliding mechanism work in detail?
The patent application does not provide specific details on the sliding mechanism used in the housing portions to transition between the unexpanded and expanded states.
What materials are used in the flexible display substrate?
The patent application does not specify the materials used in the flexible display substrate or any potential limitations or advantages of using specific materials.
Original Abstract Submitted
an electronic device may have a housing with portions that slide relative to each other. a display may be supported on a surface of the housing such as on a front face of the housing. the housing portions may slide between an unexpanded state in which the display has an unexpanded viewable area on the front face and an expanded state in which the display has an expanded viewable area on the front face that is greater than the unexpanded viewable area. the housing portions may have interior regions that contain electrical components. the display may be formed from a flexible display substrate. a portion of a flexible display may be stored in an interior region of the housing when the housing is in the unexpanded state. in the unexpanded state, the flexible display may have one or more bends and may double back on itself one or more times.
