Input device for foldable display device and input method thereof

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10055031-B2
Application number	US-201314048465-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 8, 2013
Priority date	Oct 24, 2008
Publication date	Aug 21, 2018
Grant date	Aug 21, 2018

Abstract

An input apparatus including an electronic pen and a terminal having a foldable display unit is provided. An electronic pen generates an ultrasonic signal and an infrared signal. A terminal detects the ultrasonic signal and the infrared signal and calculates coordinate information of the electronic pen based on the received ultrasonic signal and the infrared signal. The terminal determines coordinate information of the electronic pen with respect to the foldable display unit by measuring a folding angle of the foldable display unit.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A terminal, comprising:
a foldable display configured to be folded along an arbitrary axis through a point on the foldable display, the arbitrary axis dividing the foldable display into a first display region folded relative to a second display region, each of the first display region and the second display region being configured to display content;
a sensor configured to detect, in response to movement of the first display region about the arbitrary axis, a folding angle formed between the first display region and the second display region; and
a controller configured to determine, in response to contact between an electronic pen and a surface of the second display region, coordinate information of the contact based on the folding angle.

2. A flexible display apparatus, comprising:
a flexible display configured to be bent along an arbitrary axis passing through a point on the flexible display;
a sensor configured to detect, in response to a bend of the flexible display along the arbitrary axis, a bending angle of the bend; and
a controller configured to determine, based on the bending angle and a location of the arbitrary axis, coordinate information of a contact between an electronic pen and a surface of the flexible display, the coordinate information being defined in a coordinate system of the surface.

3. A method comprising:
detecting, in response to a foldable display being folded along an arbitrary axis passing through a point on the foldable display, a folding angle formed between regions of the foldable display; and
determining, in response to an electric pen touching a surface of the foldable display, a touch position of a contact point of the electronic pen with the surface based on the folding angle and a location of the arbitrary axis, the touch position lying within a plane of the surface.

4. The terminal of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to determine the coordinate information based on a location of the arbitrary axis.

5. The terminal of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to determine the coordinate information based on a distance between the contact and the arbitrary axis.

6. The terminal of claim 5 , wherein the controller is further configured to determine the coordinate information based on a size of the first display region.

7. The terminal of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to determine the coordinate information based on information received from the electronic pen.

8. The terminal of claim 1 , wherein the coordinate information locates the contact in a coordinate system of the foldable display in an un-folded state.

9. The flexible display of claim 2 , wherein the controller is further configured to determine the coordinate information based on a distance between the contact and the arbitrary axis.

10. The flexible display of claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured to determine the coordinate information based on a distance between the arbitrary axis and a lateral side of the flexible display.

11. The flexible display of claim 2 , wherein the controller is further configured to determine the coordinate information based on information received from the electronic pen.

12. The flexible display of claim 2 , wherein the coordinate information locates the contact in a coordinate system of the flexible display in an un-folded state.

13. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:
determining the location of the arbitrary axis.

14. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:
determining a distance between the arbitrary axis and the contact point,
wherein the touch position is further determined based on the distance.

15. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:
receiving a signal from the electronic pen,
wherein the touch position is further determined based on the received signal.

16. The method of claim 3 , wherein the touch position locates the contact point in a coordinate system of the foldable display in an un-folded state.

Assignees

• Samsung Electronics Co Ltd

Inventors

• Park Yong Gook
• Kim Hyun Jin
• Park Min Kyu

Classifications

• G06F3/0414

  using force sensing means to determine a position · CPC title

• G06F3/0412

  Digitisers structurally integrated in a display · CPC title

• G06F3/0433

  in which the acoustic waves are either generated by a movable member and propagated within a surface layer or propagated within a surface layer and captured by a movable member · CPC title

• G06F3/03545 Primary

  Pens or stylus · CPC title

• G06F3/043 Primary

  using propagating acoustic waves · CPC title