Electronic devices are getting smaller all the time. The reduction in size of the device is followed by reduction in the size of a display that is utilized by the device. Shrinking the display too much reduces the amount of information that can be presented and may reduce the functionality of the device. Devices that have two halves that fold together (clamshells) provide the ability to modify the footprint of the device. When the device is folded together it will reduce the dimensions of the device in the direction it is folded. When the devices are opened they may provide additional user interface area (e.g., a clamshell phone may provide access to a keypad and display when opened).
The example clamshell device 100 is acceptable when the individual displays 104, 105 are used for different purposes and the sizes of the individual displays 104, 105 are adequate for the respective purposes (e.g., Nintendo DS). However, the example clamshell device 100 does not provide a single, high-quality, integrated graphical image across the two displays.
The features and advantages of the various embodiments will become apparent from the following detailed description in which:
The following description refers to the accompanying drawings. Among the various drawings the same reference numbers may be used to identify the same or similar elements. While the following description provides a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the claimed invention by setting forth specific details such as particular structures, architectures, interfaces, techniques, etc., such details are provided for purposes of explanation and should not be viewed as limiting. Moreover, those of skill in the art will, in light of the present disclosure, appreciate that various aspects of the invention claimed may be practiced in other examples or implementations that depart from these specific details. At certain junctures in the following disclosure descriptions of well known devices, circuits, and methods have been omitted to avoid clouding the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail.
A clamshell device that provides a single display but eliminates or at least reduces the high stress region would make the use of clamshell devices having a single display practical. The high stress region may be reduced or eliminated by preventing the display from being folded flat and creating the damagingly small radius of curvature.
It should be noted that the diameter of the cavity 370 required to avoid strain-induced delamination does not necessarily need to be large (e.g., millimeters). The minimum diameter depends on factors such as the elastic modulus of the various materials.
When the device 300 is folded it is possible that the free display portion 360 may flex forward and not into the cavity 370. If the free display portion 360 flexed forward the display 310 may end up with at least one undesired fold when the panels 320, 330 are brought together when the system 300 is fully closed. The device 300 may include a guiding device (not illustrated) to ensure the display 310 enters the cavity 370. The guiding device may pull a portion of the free display portion 360 into the cavity 370 or may prevent the free display portion 360 from flexing forward. The guiding device may be located behind the display 310 or may be located in front of the display 310.
For example, the guiding device may be a restraint or tensioner attached between the free display portion 360 and the hinge assembly 340 so that it pulls a portion of the free display portion 360 into the cavity 370 when the device 300 is closed. For example, the guiding device may be a set of tabs or claws that extend over the free display portion 360, but that are not permanently attached thereto, that prevent the free display portion 360 from flexing forward when the device 300 is closed. Alternatively, the tabs or claws may pivot to descend on the free display portion 360 when the device 300 is closing so as to push a portion of the free display portion 360 into the cavity 370.
As illustrated in
As the display 660 does not follow curvature of the panels 610, 620, 630, the space between the display 660 and the panels 610, 620, 630 may act as a cavity that the display 660 can flow into when the device 600 is folded in order to avoid the damagingly small radius of curvature when folded. If the space is insufficient, if the panels are of a small width, or if the shape is such that folding results in a damagingly small radius of curvature, one or more of the hinges 640, 650 may need to be modified to have a cavity formed therein for the display 660 to flex into to avoid this.
The devices described above with respect to
Although the disclosure has been illustrated by reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent that the disclosure is not limited thereto as various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope. Reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described therein is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” appearing in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
The various embodiments are intended to be protected broadly within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
The present application is related to and claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/845,015, filed on Jul. 28, 2010, which is continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/646,710, filed on Dec. 28, 2006 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,787,917 issued on Aug. 31, 2010), which are both incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Child | 13412764 | US | |
Parent | 11646710 | Dec 2006 | US |
Child | 12845015 | US |