Map Navigation Interface Through a Foldable Mobile Device
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.
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.