IP Library Granted Patent US 11,921,547
Granted Patent B2
US 11,921,547 · App. 17/407,633 · Granted Mar 5, 2024

Apparatus, methods, and program products for modifying a size and/or shape of a computing display screen

Inventors: Gary D. Cudak (Wake Forest, NC); Nathan Peterson (Oxford, NC); John Petersen (Wake Forest, NC); Chekim Chhuor (Shanghai, CN)
Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
G06F1/1652G06F3/0488
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,921,547
App. No.
17/407,633
Granted
Mar 5, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

Apparatus, methods, and program products for dynamically shaping are computing display screen are disclosed. One apparatus includes a processor and a memory that stores code executable by the processor. The code is executable by the processor to receive an input from a user, determine if the input is a predefined input, and modify the size and/or shape of the computing display screen in response to the input being the predefined input. Methods and computer program products that perform the operations and/or functions of the apparatus are also disclosed.

Claims (62)

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a processor couplable to a flexible display screen of a computing device, the flexible display screen including a physical size and a physical shape; and

a memory configured to store code executable by the processor to:

receive an input from a user,

determine if the input is a predefined input, and

modify, by a hardware actuator applying a mechanical force to the flexible display screen, one of the physical size or the physical shape of the flexible display screen by expanding or contracting one or more portions of the flexible display screen in response to the input being the predefined input.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the code is executable by the processor to further modify the other one of the physical size or the physical shape of the flexible display screen in response to the input being the predefined input.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

the predefined input is a first predefined input;

the code is executable by the processor to modify the one of the physical size or the physical shape of the flexible display screen in response to the first predefined input; and

the code is executable by the processor to further cause the processor to:

receive a second input from the user,

determine if the second input is a second predetermined input, and

modify the other one of the physical size or the physical shape of the flexible display screen in response to the second input being the second predefined input.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the user input comprises one of a keystroke on a keyboard, a mouse input on a mouse, a touch input on a touch pad, a gesture, and a voice command.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

the flexible display screen comprises a touchscreen; and

the user input comprises a touch input on the touch screen.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the user input comprises an input to an application modifying one of:

a size of an application displayed on the flexible display screen; and

a shape of the application displayed on the flexible display screen.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the user input comprises an input to an application displayed on the flexible display screen modifying a size and a shape of the application.

8. A method, comprising:

receiving, by a processor couplable to a flexible display screen of a computing device, the flexible display screen including a physical size and a physical shape,

an input from a user;

determining if the input is a predefined input; and

modifying, by a hardware actuator applying a mechanical force to the flexible display screen, one of the physical size or the physical shape of the flexible display screen by expanding or contracting one or more portions of the flexible display screen in response to the input being the predefined input.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising modifying the other one of the physical size or the physical shape of the flexible display screen in response to the input being the predefined input.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein:

the predefined input is a first predefined input;

the one of the physical size or the physical shape of the flexible display screen is modified in response to the first predefined input; and

the method further comprising:

receiving a second input from the user,

determining if the second input is a second predetermined input, and

modifying the other one of the physical size or the physical shape of the flexible display screen in response to the second input being the second predefined input.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the user input comprises one of a keystroke on a keyboard, a mouse input on a mouse, a touch input on a touch pad, a gesture, and a voice command.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein:

the flexible display screen comprises a touchscreen; and

the user input comprises a touch input on the touch screen.

13. The method of claim 8 , wherein the user input comprises an input to an application modifying one of:

a size of an application; and

a shape of the application.

14. The method of claim 8 , wherein the user input comprises an input to an application displayed on the flexible display screen modifying a size and a shape of the application.

15. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium configured to store code executable by a processor couplable to a flexible display screen of a computing device, the flexible display screen including a physical size and a physical shape, the executable code comprising code to perform:

receiving an input from a user;

determining if the input is a predefined input; and

modifying, by a hardware actuator applying a mechanical force to the flexible display screen, one of the physical size or the physical shape of the flexible display screen by expanding or contracting one or more portions of the flexible display screen in response to the input being the predefined input.

16. The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein the executable code further comprises code to perform modifying the other one of the physical size or the physical shape of the flexible display screen in response to the input being the predefined input.

17. The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein:

the predefined input is a first predefined input;

the one of the physical size or the physical shape of the flexible display screen is modified in response to the first predefined input; and

the executable code further comprises code to perform:

receiving a second input from the user,

determining if the second input is a second predetermined input, and

modifying the other one of the physical size or the physical shape of the flexible display screen in response to the second input being the second predefined input.

18. The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein the user input comprises one of a keystroke on a keyboard, a mouse input on a mouse, a touch input on a touch pad, a gesture, and a voice command.

19. The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein:

the flexible display screen comprises a touchscreen; and

the user input comprises a touch input on the touch screen.

20. The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein the user input comprises an input to an application modifying at least one of:

a size of an application; and

a shape of the application.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 20, 2025
From: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD.
To: LENOVO PC INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Reel/Frame 070266/0946 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 20, 2025
From: LENOVO PC INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
To: LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH
Reel/Frame 070269/0092 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 15, 2021
From: LENOVO (UNITED STATES) INC.
To: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 058132/0698 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 20, 2021
From: CUDAK, GARY D.; PETERSON, NATHAN; PETERSEN, JOHN; CHHUOR, CHEKIM
To: LENOVO (UNITED STATES) INC.
Reel/Frame 057244/0143 →