Folding iPhone Patent Application Shows How the Company Could Prevent Damage In Cold Weather (appleinsider.com) 51
A new patent application from Apple, titled "Electronic Devices with Flexible Displays," describes how the company could prevent foldable smartphone displays from getting damaged in extreme temperatures. "While at or in the region of typical temperatures hospitable to humans, folding systems may work fine, but adhesives and other elements used in a device's production may become more resistant to flexing at cold temperatures, which could cause unwanted wear or damage to the display if attempted in such conditions," reports AppleInsider. "To mitigate the cold temperature, Apple simply suggests there should be some way to warm up the area of the display panel where the bend takes place." From the report: As part of Apple's solution, an onboard temperature sensor is used to determine how warm the device is, and whether or not there is any danger to allowing the screen to be flexed by the user. The warming process itself can be performed by a heating element located near to the section that bends the most, with heat conductors transferring the warmth to where it is required. A heating element may not be practical to add to such a device, which has led to Apple suggesting an alternative, namely using the heat generated by illuminating the screen. To do this, a screensaver could be used that concentrates most on the bent section, such as by making it brighter and lit up more than the rest of the screen.
As the heating process could take time to complete, Apple notes there is a danger of the display being flexed before it is safe to do so, something it has also considered. Aside from warning the user on an attempt to bend, Apple believes the use of a latching mechanism to keep the device closed while folded may be worth investigating, both as a mechanical latch and by the folded device being held shut by magnets. When the temperature of the area is relatively safe, the latching system can be disengaged and the user will be free to open the device once again. The patent application does not seem to answer the question of how to prevent the user from folding up an unfolded device, but it could be feasible some form of locking mechanism could be used when the smartphone is flat.
As the heating process could take time to complete, Apple notes there is a danger of the display being flexed before it is safe to do so, something it has also considered. Aside from warning the user on an attempt to bend, Apple believes the use of a latching mechanism to keep the device closed while folded may be worth investigating, both as a mechanical latch and by the folded device being held shut by magnets. When the temperature of the area is relatively safe, the latching system can be disengaged and the user will be free to open the device once again. The patent application does not seem to answer the question of how to prevent the user from folding up an unfolded device, but it could be feasible some form of locking mechanism could be used when the smartphone is flat.
Re: (Score:1)
Because "marketing" and "business".
ie. They know their customers are stupid/vain enough to buy at least two folding screen devices from them for $2500+ each. The first one will be a bad, probably with a visible bump/crease line, the second one will promise to "fix" the first one. Third one? We'll see how sales of the first two go and decide whether to do it.
My thoughts? Now that they've got the bezels down to almost nothing then why can't they make a folding phone from two separate LCD panels with a sort of
Re:Or, perhaps (Score:5, Interesting)
Now that they've got the bezels down to almost nothing then why can't they make a folding phone from two separate LCD panels
and stop right there. Screen space is great even when it isn't a single unified surface.
I remember reading about laptops where the keyboard was replaced by a touch screen. Or was that just Nintendo DS? Either way, it would make an interesting phone. The top screen could be without the touch capability to keep it clean.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2, Funny)
Not true, eg. Apple recently innovated away the headphone jack.
Samsung and Huawei are struggling to catch up with that move (I think they're getting there though).
Re: (Score:2)
This isn't wrong. This patent actually kind of makes that point.
For a patent to be valid, it has to add to the state of the art. In other words, it can't be obvious. But "if it's too cold to use, then warm it up" is pretty obvious. The point of this patent is basically as a litigation tool, not to innovate. There have been thermostats and heaters used in virtually every form of device on the planet (and a lot of satellites and probes off the planet) since the invention of electricity. This isn't innov
Re: (Score:1)
How about a phone that turns into a tablet, that turns into a laptop that turns into a desktop that turns into a resizable smart TV?
Even slicker, I think.
Re: (Score:2)
The issue with keyboards, on mobile devices, is size and proper feedback.
Even in the golden age of keyboards on phones. The phone was really only good for typing a few sentences, and perhaps a paragraph or two if needed. It in not like typing on a full size keyboard. Where you can place all ten of your fingers on it at once, and type at a really good speed. The best cell phone physical keyboard, is about as good as the worse Chicklet keyboard from the 1980's budget Computers (I will probably consed membra
Re: (Score:2)
For now I would say Apple should focus on making a phone that works at all in the cold. My work phone is an iPhone, and my personal phone has always been some flavour of Android. I work outside quite often at -40
Are you listening... (Score:2)
...LG and Samsung?
If you ask nicely, Apply may let you in on the secrets of folding screens...
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
I'm pretty sure Apple will invent foldable screens any day now.
With rounded corners and a courageous lack of audio jacks! In fact, forget the foldable screen.
Re: (Score:2)
...LG and Samsung?
If you ask nicely, Apply may let you in on the secrets of folding screens...
Sorry to rain on your parade but Apple is buying these bendy-screens from either Samsung, LG or both: https://9to5mac.com/2018/09/14... [9to5mac.com]
Re: (Score:2)
...LG and Samsung?
If you ask nicely, Apply may let you in on the secrets of folding screens...
Sorry to rain on your parade but Apple is buying these bendy-screens from either Samsung, LG or both: https://9to5mac.com/2018/09/14... [9to5mac.com]
Pretty sure that was the joke.
Seems obvious (Score:1)
Re: (Score:1)
And somewhat impractical as a solution. Resistive heating is power intensive. When your phone shuts off due to low battery, how will you know to not open it?
Re: (Score:2)
It's patently obvious.
You'll often find Apple patents for highly specialized fields for which the experts work at competitors, which just try to patent little practical corner cases which they might not yet have thought of. They clearly employ people specifically for this, not doing research ... just being Apple's personal patent trolls, building up their patent war chest.
Justice Bradley said all that needed to be said about the patent system :
"It creates a class of speculative schemers who make it their bu
Re: (Score:2)
Screen Cover Hardness Gradient (Score:2)
People have wondered how folding screens (particularly exterior folding screens a la the Huawei Mate X) are going to be protected. Glass doesn't bend very well at the hinge part, which means plastic has to be used. However, plastic that bends well tends to be soft and thus scratches easily. My sneaking suspicion is that this calls for a 'new' tech I read about here on Slashdot 11 years ago [slashdot.org]. In particular, bonding plastic, which covers the hinge, to glass that covers the rest of the screen. Sure, the hinge a
Re: (Score:2)
A heating element?? (Score:2)
Point being, radiating waste heat is a problem for phones; not being hot enough isn't, for the same reason.
well ... (Score:2)
but adhesives and other elements used in a device's production may become more resistant to flexing at cold temperatures, which could cause unwanted wear or damage to the display if attempted in such conditions
Maybe if Apple didn't glue everything shut to protect it from repair or replacement, this wouldn't be such an issue ...
Not worthy of a patent (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Exactly. If you told any engineer, the fold is damaged in extreme cold, then the first response would be put a temperature sensor in it and heat it. Not worthy of a patent.