Map Navigation Interface Through a Foldable Mobile Device

Abstract

A foldable touch screen display device made up of flexible or tiled display segments that can be folded from a compact state to an expanded state which also includes a map navigation interface. The form factor of the compact state is roughly the size of a typical handheld phone or smaller. The form factor of the expanded state is roughly the size of a larger phone or tablet computer, which may also include the mechanical functionality of a laptop. The device form factor may also be a flip phone configuration. Both folded states may include an integrated speaker and microphone. The map navigation interface can provide enhanced interaction and viewing of 2D and 3D maps by utilizing the inherent folding mechanics and position of each segment with the device. Other 2D and 3D applications can also be utilized with the same techniques. The device may further include sensors to indicate the position of each display segment. In one embodiment, a module attached to, situated within, or otherwise associated with at least one segment of the flexible display or rigid display may contain all or substantially all processing and memory, along with a communications system, which may be used in any folded state.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/111,049, filed on Nov. 8, 2020, which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to computing devices, and more particularly, to a computing device with a touch screen display that can be folded from a compact state to an expanded state.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of handheld computing devices today has been significantly enabled by a number of advancements in electronics, including the miniaturization of components, an increase in processing speeds, improved memory capacity, and the optimization of battery efficiency. Advancements in touch screen display technology have also enabled interfaces to become more adaptable and intuitive to use on a small scale. Because of these enormous improvements over the last decade, the differences in the performance between handheld computing devices, such as mobile phones, and larger computing devices, have become increasingly subtle.

One of the great difficulties in using a small-scale touch screen device, however, is in the fact that it can often be cumbersome to physically interact with. This is especially apparent when selecting and manipulating features and inputting text, which can sometimes be imprecise for a user. In such handheld computing devices as a touch screen mobile phone, the limited size of the display can also significantly reduce the viewing capacity while watching videos, using graphic intensive applications, and reading text. The rigid nature of a standard touch screen display can also limit the portability of a device when its form factor is in the larger size range for a phone, or at the scale of a tablet, which makes folding a desirable feature. Additionally, because a foldable device fundamentally has a hinge mechanism built in, when utilizing software applications, the hinge and having multiple display segment is not always optimized to accommodate the enhancement and functionality of standard software applications.

There is therefore a need for touch screen display devices that can be adjusted in size without sacrificing the convenience of being small and handheld. There is also a need for map navigation interface that can utilize the inherent hinge mechanics and various positions that the display segments of a foldable device can be configured to. There is also a need for other 3D and 2D software applications where these same inherent hardware features of a foldable device can help enhance functionality, such as with a 3D dimensional modeling program and various other applications that utilize 2D and 3D environments.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

A foldable touch screen display device made up of flexible or tiled display segments that can be folded from a compact state to an expanded state which also includes a map navigation interface. The form factor of the compact state is roughly the size of a typical handheld phone or smaller. The form factor of the expanded state is roughly the size of a larger phone or tablet computer, which may also include the mechanical functionality of a laptop. The device form factor may also be a flip phone configuration. Both folded states may include an integrated speaker and microphone. The map navigation interface can provide enhanced interaction and viewing of 2D and 3D maps by utilizing the inherent folding mechanics and position of each segment with the device. Other 2D and 3D applications can also be utilized with the same techniques. The device may further include sensors to indicate the position of each display segment. In one embodiment, a module attached to, situated within, or otherwise associated with at least one segment of the flexible display or rigid display may contain all or substantially all processing and memory, along with a communications system, which may be used in any folded state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable computing device shown in three separate positions where one segment remains fixed displaying a 2D map while the other segment is being rotated to vary 3D views of a 3D map that corresponds to the 2D map.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.

Although embodiments of the invention are not limited in this regard, discussions utilizing terms such as, for example, “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” “establishing”, “analyzing”, “checking”, or the like, may refer to operation(s) and/or process(es) of a computer, a computing platform, a computing system, or other electronic computing device, that manipulates and/or transforms data represented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities within the computer's registers and/or memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer's registers and/or memories or other information non-transitory storage medium that may store instructions to perform operations and/or processes. Although embodiments of the invention are not limited in this regard, the terms “plurality” and “a plurality” as used herein may include, for example, “multiple” or “two or more”. The terms “plurality” or “a plurality” may be used throughout the specification to describe two or more components, devices, elements, units, parameters, or the like. Unless explicitly stated, the method embodiments described herein are not constrained to a particular order or sequence. Additionally, some of the described method embodiments or elements thereof can occur or be performed simultaneously, at the same point in time, or concurrently.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a foldable computing device 11 where the display segment shown to the right side, segment 19, remains fixed along the ground plane axis while segment 17 is shown being rotated into three positions, 51, 53, and 55 about hinge 18 which is situated between display segments 17 and 19. The position of segment 17 is determined by a user's physical force applied to the segment to achieve a desired folded angle which corresponds to a view of the 3D map that represent the same angle that the segment is positioned in. In position 51, since segment 17 is configured with its edge pointing upward such that the face of the display is at approximately a right angle to the 3D map or environment being shown, an elevation view is displayed on the device's segment 17, in this case an elevation view of buildings within a city map is shown. In position 53, as the segment 17 is rotated closer to a 45 degree angle, a corresponding angled view of the 3D map view is shown resulting in an angled view looking down at the buildings shown in the city map within the embodiment. In position 55, as segment 17 is rotated closer to the ground plane angle, the 3D view shows a top view with a slight angle as the position is not perfectly flat. In each of these positions, 53, 55, and 57, segment 19 remains in a fixed position while showing the 2D map that corresponds directly with the 3D map shown on segment 17. The 2D map can be moved in the same way that a standard map on a touch screen display can be moved, while the 3D view can also be changed through standard touch screen finger gestures as well. In position 55, this is highlighted where the 2D map is shown shifted to the top part of the display segment 19, which simultaneously moves the corresponding 3D view towards the top part of the display as well. For other kinds of 3D environments, the same interface features can be used, such as with a 2D mechanical drawing that would simultaneously display its 3D drawing on the opposite segment where angling that segment can then change the 3D view.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

(a) a flexible touch-sensitive display composed of a first flexible touch-sensitive display portion and a second flexible touch-sensitive display portion; wherein: (1) the first flexible touch-sensitive display portion is attached to a first structural support segment; (2) the second flexible touch-sensitive display portion is attached to a second structural support segment; (3) the flexible touch-sensitive display further comprises having a fully folded state; (4) the flexible touch-sensitive display further comprises having a partially expanded state; (5) the flexible touch-sensitive display further comprises having a fully expanded state;

(b) a map navigation interface whereby at least one flexible touch-sensitive display portion and structural support segment can be rotated about the hinge of the apparatus to provide a 3D view of a map such that as the segment rotates, the angle of the 3D view corresponds to the angle of the display segment.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the map navigation interface shows a 2D map on at least one display segment as the corresponding 3D map is shown on the opposite display segment such that when either map view is moved north, south, east, and west, the movement is synched between both views.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the map navigation interface includes at least one accelerometer to detect the position of the flexible touch-sensitive display structural support segments relative to each other and the ground plane.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the map navigation interface includes at least one encoder to detect the position of the flexible touch-sensitive display structural support segments relative to each other.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the fully folded state comprises a fully folded angle between the first flexible touch sensitive display component and the second flexible touch-sensitive display component that is less than 10 degrees; and

the fully expanded state comprises a fully expanded angle between the first flexible touch-sensitive display component and the second flexible touch-sensitive display component that is between 170 and 190 degrees; and

the partially expanded state comprises an angle that falls between the fully folded state and the fully expanded state.

6. An apparatus comprising:

(a) a rigid touch-sensitive display;

(b) a flexible touch-sensitive display composed of a first flexible touch-sensitive display portion and a second flexible touch-sensitive display portion; wherein: (1) the first flexible touch-sensitive display portion is attached to a first structural support segment; (2) the second flexible touch-sensitive display portion is attached to a second structural support segment; (3) the flexible touch-sensitive display further comprises having a fully folded state; (4) the flexible touch-sensitive display further comprises having a partially expanded state; (5) the flexible touch-sensitive display further comprises having a fully expanded state;

(b) a map navigation interface whereby at least one flexible touch-sensitive display portion and structural support segment can be rotated about the hinge of the apparatus to provide a 3D view of a map such that as the segment rotates, the angle of the 3D view corresponds to the angle of the display segment.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein:

the map navigation interface shows a 2D map on at least one display segment as the corresponding 3D map is shown on the opposite display segment such that when either map view is moved north, south, east, and west, the movement is synched between both views.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein:

the map navigation interface includes at least one accelerometer to detect the position of the flexible touch-sensitive display structural support segments relative to each other and the ground plane.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein:

the map navigation interface shows a 2D map on at least one display segment as the corresponding 3D map is shown on the opposite display segment such that when either map view is moved north, south, east, and west, the movement is synched between both views.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein:

the map navigation interface includes at least one accelerometer to detect the position of the touch-sensitive display structural support segments relative to each other and the ground plane.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein:

the map navigation interface includes at least one encoder to detect the position of the touch-sensitive display structural support segments relative to each other.

15. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein:

the fully folded state comprises a fully folded angle between the first touch-sensitive display component and the second touch-sensitive display component that is less than 10 degrees; and

the fully expanded state comprises a fully expanded angle between the first touch sensitive display component and the second touch-sensitive display component that is between 170 and 190 degrees; and

the partially expanded state comprises an angle that falls between the fully folded state and the fully expanded state.