Electronic devices with flexible displays

• US 8,816,977 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2011
• Issued: 08/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Rothkopf, Fletcher R., Myers, Scott A., Lynch, Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Chang, Kent
• Assistant Examiner(s): ROSARIO, NELSON M
• Application Number:
  US13/171,295
• Publication Number:
  US 20120242592A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,155 Days
• Field of Search: 345/173, 345/174, 345/169, 345/156, 345/108, 340/407.2
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1652 the display being flexible, e.g. mimicking a sheet of paper, or rollable
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04102 Flexible digitiser, i.e. constructional details for allowing the whole digitising part of a device to be flexed or rolled like a sheet of paper
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0445 using two or more layers of sensing electrodes, e.g. using two layers of electrodes separated by a dielectric layer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0446 using a grid-like structure of electrodes in at least two directions, e.g. using row and column electrodes

Abstract

Electronic devices may be provided that contain flexible displays and internal components. An internal component may be positioned under the flexible display. The internal component may be an output device such as a speaker that transmits sound through the flexible display or an actuator that deforms the display in a way that is sensed by a user. The internal component may also be a microphone or pressure sensor that receives sound or pressure information through the flexible display. Structural components may be used to permanently or temporarily deform the flexible display to provide tactile feedback to a user of the device.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising:

a flexible display; and

an internal component, wherein the flexible display is configured to be deformed by an action external to the device, wherein deformation of the flexible display creates a response from the internal component when the deformation is aligned with the internal component, wherein the flexible display further comprises a rigid cover layer having at least one opening, wherein the rigid cover layer substantially covers the flexible display, and wherein the at least one opening is aligned with the internal component.

2. The electronic device defined in claim 1 wherein the flexible display comprises:

a flexible display layer; and

a touch-sensitive layer.

3. The electronic device defined in claim 2 wherein the flexible display layer of the flexible display includes an active display region, and wherein the internal component is covered with a portion of the active display region of the flexible display.

4. The electronic device defined in claim 3 wherein the internal component comprises a button, and wherein deformation of the flexible display compresses the button.

5. The electronic device defined in claim 4 wherein the opening comprises a hole in the rigid cover layer, wherein the button further comprises a button member in the opening, wherein the button member moves within the hole in the rigid cover layer, and wherein the movement of the button member in the opening causes deformation of the flexible display.

6. An electronic device, comprising:

a flexible display; and

an internal component, wherein the flexible display may be deformed by an action external to the device, wherein deformation of the flexible display creates a response from the internal component, wherein the internal component comprises a laser microphone for detecting a sound originating external to the electronic device, and wherein detecting the sound comprises with a laser, detecting deformation of the flexible display.

7. An electronic device, comprising:

a housing;

a flexible display mounted on the housing;

a first internal component mounted under a portion of the flexible display, wherein the first internal component is configured to deform the portion of the flexible display;

an actuator;

an external cover member; and

an actuator switch coupled to the actuator, wherein deformation of the flexible display exerts a pressure on the external cover member, and wherein the pressure on the external cover member lifts the external cover member.

8. The electronic device defined in claim 7, wherein the external cover member comprises aluminum.

9. The electronic device defined in claim 7, wherein when the external cover member is in an open position, the actuator is configured to move the first internal component out of contact with the flexible display.