Electronic device including flexible display unit and operation method thereof

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2015219902-A1
Application number	US-201514607575-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 28, 2015
Priority date	Feb 6, 2014
Publication date	Aug 6, 2015
Grant date	—

Abstract

An electronic device has a flexible display. An apparatus and method for providing the electronic device includes: a display unit formed of flexible material having at least one curved surface, a transformation unit coupled to at least part of the display unit, and a control unit configured to alter the transformation unit to deform the at least one curved surface of the flexible material of the display unit.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An electronic device comprising:
a display unit formed of flexible material having at least one curved surface; a transformation unit coupled to at least part of the display unit; and a control unit configured to alter the transformation unit to deform the at least one curved surface of the flexible material of the display unit.

2 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the electronic device further includes:
a head mounted display (HMD); and a housing to which the display unit is coupled, the transformation unit disposed between the housing and the display unit.

3 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the deformation changes a curvature of the at least one curved surface.

4 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the display unit includes a first curved surface and a second curved surface, and the transformation unit is further configured to change a distance between a center of the first curved surface and a center of the second curved surface by the deformation.

5 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the transformation unit further comprises at least one of:
a transformable material that deforms in response to at least one of an electronic signal, an optical source, a thermal source, water pressure, or atmospheric pressure; units automatically moveable by control of the along at least one axis by control of the control unit; and units manually moveable along at least one axis by direct manipulation by a user.

6 . The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising:
an image sensor unit adapted to capture an image of a user; wherein the control unit is further configured to alter the transformation unit in response to an image of a user captured by the image sensor unit.

7 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the control unit is further configured to alter the transformation unit in response to authentication information associated with a user of the electronic device.

8 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the control unit is further configured to:
receive setting information from a user of the electronic device indicating a configuration of the transformation unit; and alter the transformation unit in response to the setting information.

9 . The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising:
an image sensor unit adapted to capture an image of a user; wherein the display unit includes a first region for displaying a first image and a second region for displaying a second image, the control unit is further configured to change a distance between the first and second regions by altering the transformation unit in response to an image of a user of the electronic device captured by the image sensor unit.

10 . The electronic device of claim 9 , further comprising:
an optical unit, wherein the control unit is further configured to determine at least one of a position of the optical unit and a refractive index of the optical unit based on at least the distance between the first and second regions.

11 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein, when the transformation unit is altered, the control unit is further configured to execute at least one of:
change a position of an image displayed on the display unit; and correct the image displayed on the display unit.

12 . An electronic device comprising:
an image sensor unit adapted to capture an image of a user; a display unit formed of flexible material having at least one curved surface; and at least one transformation unit coupled to the display unit and configured to deform the display unit in response to information on a user's eyes as identified in the image of the user captured by the image sensor unit.

13 . The electronic device of claim 12 , wherein the transformation unit is further configured to deform of the display unit in response to an input requesting a change of the at least one curved surface of the display unit.

14 . A method for operating an electronic device, the method comprising:
obtaining, via a processor of the electronic device, setting information associated with a user's eye; and changing a form of at least one curved surface of a display unit formed of flexible material, based on the obtained setting information.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the setting information includes at least one of a distance between a user's eyes, a viewing angle of the user's eyes and a user configuration.

16 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
actuating, via the processor, alteration of at least one transformation unit coupled to the display unit to cause deformation of the flexible material.

17 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
authenticating a user of the electronic device; and obtaining the setting information for the authenticated user.

18 . The method of claim 14 , wherein changing the form further comprises changing a curvature of the at least one curved surface.

19 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the display unit includes a first curved surface and a second curved surface, and changing the form further comprises altering a distance between a center of the first curved surface and a center of the second curved surface.

20 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the at least transformation unit is actuated by at least one of:
input of an electronic signal, an optical source, a thermal source, water pressure, or atmospheric pressure to cause a physical transformation of the transformation unit; and transmission of a signal from the processor causing automatic movement of the transformation unit.

Assignees

• Samsung Electronics Co Ltd

Inventors

• Kim Younhyoung
• Lee Kyunghee
• Park Kenhyung
• Cho Chihyun
• Heo Changryong
• Kim Hyunsoo
• Cho Ikhyun

Classifications

• G02B27/01 Primary

  Head-up displays · CPC title

• G02B2027/0181

  Adaptation to the pilot/driver · CPC title

• G06F3/013

  Eye tracking input arrangements (G06F3/015 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G02B27/0176

  characterised by mechanical features · CPC title

• G02B27/0172

  characterised by optical features · CPC title