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Apple won a major granted patent relating to future Devices with Foldable and Rollable Displays with Protective Features

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Patently Apple has been covering Apple's intellectual property regarding possible future foldable devices since 2014 and we've covered dozens of foldable and rollable display patents since that time that could be reviewed in our archives.  Today the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially granted Apple a major foldable/rollable patent that relates to techniques For protecting screens of foldable and rollable devices using a new drop detection system.

Self-Retracting Foldable Display Device And Techniques For Protecting Screens Using Drop Detection

Apple's granted patent covers mobile devices with foldable and rollable displays can use a sensor to detect vertical acceleration (e.g., acceleration with respect to the ground) to determine if the mobile device has been dropped.

If the sensor detects that the mobile device has been dropped the foldable device can retract at least partially to afford protection from the fragile display from striking the ground. Even folding the display to an angle less than 180 degrees can afford some protection because the mobile device can strike edges of the mobile device instead of the display itself. In various embodiments, a rollable device can retract the display if predetermined acceleration limits are exceeded.

In an aspect an electronic device can include a first display coupled to a second display via a hinged connection. In various embodiments, the first display and the second display can each be portions of a foldable display. The sensor used to detect vertical acceleration can be an accelerometer (e.g., as part of an inertial measure unit (IMU)). If the vertical acceleration exceeds a predetermined threshold, a release mechanism operating with a hinged connection can be used to reduce the angle between the first display and the second display below a threshold angle when the predetermined acceleration threshold is exceeded. In various embodiments, the threshold angle can be less than 180 degrees.

In various embodiments, the release mechanism can include a motorized hinge. In other embodiments, the release mechanism can include a mechanical hinge with a spring-loaded detent.

The first display or the second display can be a light emitting diode display such as an organic light emitting diode display.

In an aspect, an electronic device can include a foldable display coupled on one edge of the foldable device to a roller. The electronic device can include an acceleration sensor configured to detect a vertical acceleration of the electronic device exceeding a predetermined vertical acceleration threshold. The acceleration sensor can be an inertial measurement unit. The electronic device can include a release mechanism operating with the roller to automatically retract the foldable display on the roller when the detected vertical acceleration exceeds a predetermined acceleration threshold.

In various embodiments, the release mechanism comprises a motorized hinge. In other embodiments, the release mechanism comprises a mechanical hinge with a spring-loaded detent.

In an aspect, a method can include detecting a vertical acceleration of an electronic device. The method can include comparing a value of the vertical acceleration of the electronic device against a predetermined threshold. The method can include activating a release mechanism for a hinged connection between a first display and a second display of the electronic device when the vertical acceleration exceeds a predetermined threshold, wherein the activating reduces an angle between the first display and the second display below a threshold angle.

In various embodiments, the release mechanism comprises a motorized hinge. In various embodiments, the release mechanism comprises a mechanical hinge with a spring-loaded detent.

In various embodiments, the threshold angle is less than 180 degrees. In various embodiments, the first display or the second display is an organic light emitting diode display. The first display and the second display can each comprise regions of a foldable display.

Apple's patent FIG. 23 below is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an electronic device with an electrically adjustable magnetic latching mechanism; FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an electronic device with an illustrative electrically adjustable mechanical latching mechanism.

2 folding device protectioin

Apple's patent FIG. 26A above is an exemplary embodiment of a device with a motorized release mechanism; FIG. 26B is an exemplary embodiment of a device with a spring-loaded detent release mechanism.

Devices with a Rollable Display

Apple's FIG. 28 below is schematic cross-sectional side view illustration of a system including a flexible display panel secured to a spool for an iPhone with a rollable/retractable display; FIG. 29 illustrates an exemplary device with a rollable display in which the display is extended; FIG. 30 illustrates an exemplary device with a rollable display in which the display is retracted.

3 iPhone rollable display

Apple's patent FIG. 31 above is a flowchart of an example process associated with techniques to protect a display of an electronic device.

 It should be noted that in a 2021 continuation patentApple added new legal patent claims to their foldable device patent, that revealed, for the first time, that Apple was considering a foldable laptop

In today's granted patent, the first foldable device listed is once again a laptop. Yet Apple tries to never limit a patent's focus to a single device and this is so today. Apple also lists possible future foldable devices being: An iPhone (a smartphone), an iPad, a Television, an iMac, a gaming device and more.

Today's granted patent lists Michael Wittenberg, Senior Product Design Engineer and Hoon Kim, Engineering Manager (Product Design) as the inventors.

10.52FX - Granted Patent Bar