IP Library Granted Patent US 11,762,418
Granted Patent B2
US 11,762,418 · App. 17/491,754 · Granted Sep 19, 2023

Foldable device

Inventors: Jonathan Yu (Raleigh, NC); Jeffrey E. Skinner (Raleigh, NC); Alden Rose (Durham, NC); Hallie MacEldowney (Raleigh, NC); Aaron M. Stewart (Raleigh, NC)
Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD
G06F1/1616G06F1/1681G06F2200/1614G06F2203/04803
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,762,418
App. No.
17/491,754
Granted
Sep 19, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A foldable device can include a processor; memory accessible to the processor; a foldable frame that includes a hinge assembly that defines a folding axis offset from a center of the foldable frame; and a foldable display supported by the foldable frame and operatively coupled to the processor.

Claims (30)

1. A foldable device comprising:

a processor;

memory accessible to the processor;

an orientation detector;

a foldable frame that comprises a hinge assembly that defines a folding axis offset from a center of the foldable frame;

a foldable display supported by the foldable frame and operatively coupled to the processor, wherein the folding axis defines a first portion of the foldable display and a smaller, second portion of the foldable display; and

circuitry that, responsive to an orientation signal of the orientation detector that indicates that the second portion of the foldable display is facing and covering part of the first portion of the foldable display, changes from a landscape display mode for landscape rendering to a full display area of the foldable display to a portrait partial display mode for portrait rendering to an uncovered part of the first portion of the foldable display.

2. The foldable device of claim 1 , wherein the foldable frame comprises a rectangular foldable frame.

3. The foldable device of claim 1 , wherein the foldable frame comprises a square foldable frame.

4. The foldable device of claim 1 , wherein a combined display area of first portion and the second portion is equal to the full display area and defines an aspect ratio and wherein the full display area minus twice a display area of the second portion has the same aspect ratio.

5. The foldable device of claim 4 , wherein the aspect ratio is 4:3.

6. The foldable device of claim 1 , wherein the full display area minus twice a display area of the second portion defines an aspect ratio of 1:1.

7. The foldable device of claim 6 , wherein a combined display area of the first portion and the second portion is equal to the full display area and defines an aspect ratio of 21:9.

8. The foldable device of claim 1 , wherein the full display area minus twice a display area of the second portion defines an aspect ratio of 16:9.

9. The foldable device of claim 1 , wherein the foldable display comprises a touch-sensitive foldable display.

10. The foldable device of claim 1 , wherein the orientation detector detects an orientation of the foldable device with respect to gravity and wherein, responsive to a detection of change in the orientation of the foldable device with respect to gravity, the circuitry changes a from the partial portrait mode that renders to the part of the first portion of the foldable display to a partial landscape mode to a partial landscape mode that renders to the part of the first portion of the foldable display.

11. The foldable device of claim 1 , comprising a split display mode.

12. The foldable device of claim 11 , wherein the split display mode utilizes one of the first portion and the second portion as an input portion.

13. The foldable device of claim 12 , wherein the input portion comprises a menu region for receipt of touch input.

14. The foldable device of claim 12 , comprising a keyboard housing that comprises a keyboard, wherein the keyboard housing is positionable adjacent to the input portion.

15. The foldable device of claim 1 , comprising a kickstand operatively coupled to the foldable frame, wherein the folding axis defines a first portion of the foldable frame and a second portion of the foldable frame, wherein the first portion is larger than the second portion, and wherein the kickstand is operatively coupled to the first portion.

16. A foldable device comprising:

a processor;

memory accessible to the processor;

an orientation detector;

a foldable frame that comprises a hinge assembly that defines a folding axis offset from a center of the foldable frame; and

a foldable display supported by the foldable frame and operatively coupled to the processor,

wherein the folding axis defines a first portion of the foldable display and a second portion of the foldable display and wherein the orientation detector detects an orientation of the first portion of the foldable display with respect to the second portion of the foldable display,

wherein, responsive to a detection of change in the orientation of the first portion of the foldable display with respect to the second portion of the foldable display, the processor changes a display mode of the foldable display,

wherein the display mode is selected from a plurality of display modes that comprises a full display mode and a partial display mode, and wherein the plurality of display modes comprises a landscape partial display mode and a portrait partial display mode.

Assignments (4)
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 Feb 19, 2025
From: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD.
To: LENOVO PC INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Reel/Frame 070266/0925 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 28, 2022
From: LENOVO (UNITED STATES) INC.
To: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD
Reel/Frame 059730/0212 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 1, 2021
From: YU, JONATHAN; SKINNER, JEFFREY E.; ROSE, ALDEN; MACELDOWNEY, HALLIE; STEWART, AARON M.
To: LENOVO (UNITED STATES) INC.
Reel/Frame 057667/0635 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230108323A1 · Apr 6, 2023