Foldable Foldables
Earlier this month we noted that China’s Vivo (pvt), a well-known smartphone brand that is owned by BBK Electronics (pvt), the same Chinese company that owns Oppo (pvt), OnePlus (pvt), RealMe (pvt), and iQQQ (pvt) brands that represented 46.4% of the Chinese smartphone market in 3Q and 28.6% of the global smartphone market, was granted a patent entitled “Terminal Device” by the USPO. What made this patent a bit unusual is that it is not a device that folds like current foldable smartphones, but one that is a tri-folding device that can be used as a single screen device when closed and as an ultra-wide device when completely unfolded.
In typical use, most likely gaming, the screen is open to its full (3X) extent, which is ideal for game play or movie viewing but does not leave room for game or video controls, however embedded in the device are two projectors placed on either side of the open display, that project a keyboard or control space on the desk or table in front of the device. Since there are two projections of the same keyboard image, the placement of a finger or similar object on the virtual keyboard will cause sensors to detect that the projected image has been interrupted and will plot the location of that interruption. By calculating where on the virtual keyboard the projected image has been interrupted, the corresponding key or control movement can be determined and the system recognizes the users input.
In typical use, most likely gaming, the screen is open to its full (3X) extent, which is ideal for game play or movie viewing but does not leave room for game or video controls, however embedded in the device are two projectors placed on either side of the open display, that project a keyboard or control space on the desk or table in front of the device. Since there are two projections of the same keyboard image, the placement of a finger or similar object on the virtual keyboard will cause sensors to detect that the projected image has been interrupted and will plot the location of that interruption. By calculating where on the virtual keyboard the projected image has been interrupted, the corresponding key or control movement can be determined and the system recognizes the users input.
Vivo Tri-Fold Smartphone Device with Virtual Keyboard - Source: USPO
That said, Samsung Electronics, the current leader in the foldables market, has been awarded a new patent by WIPO that shows a tri-foldable smartphone similar to a prototype that the company showed in May and August, although this new patent shows that the three cameras have been moved to the back of the device, along with a sub-display. However when the device is folded the first of the three screens becomes the main screen and lessens the need for a large back screen and an under-screen camera is also available for use when the device is open, along with a fingerprint scanner and supporting hardware and software for the S-pen, along with connections for an external keyboard, mouse or microphone. Typical USB-C connection is offered but HDMI is also available along with an audio connector and an SD card slot, so the device can be used as a projector or large display source through the HDMI connection. Samsung also states that as with all tri-fold devices, the quality of the antenna signal is compromised as the distance between components increases (no data but seems logical) so they have added a second antenna set in the third ‘fold’, along with one in the first.
As we have stated previously, the filing of a patent does not indicate that a company will actually produce a similar device, but it is known that Samsung has been working on a rollable smartphone that would expand to twice its normal size, so the idea of a tri-fold is just a logical expansion of that concept. More likely a 2023 product, if it ever makes it off of the drawing board, but waiting too long will give Vivo, and Oppo sub-brand OnePlus more time to refine their patent related prototypes. As the foldable leader, Samsung must push the envelope as quickly as possible without shooting itself in the foot with a device that is less than functional or has physical flaws. You’ve got to be in it to win it.
As we have stated previously, the filing of a patent does not indicate that a company will actually produce a similar device, but it is known that Samsung has been working on a rollable smartphone that would expand to twice its normal size, so the idea of a tri-fold is just a logical expansion of that concept. More likely a 2023 product, if it ever makes it off of the drawing board, but waiting too long will give Vivo, and Oppo sub-brand OnePlus more time to refine their patent related prototypes. As the foldable leader, Samsung must push the envelope as quickly as possible without shooting itself in the foot with a device that is less than functional or has physical flaws. You’ve got to be in it to win it.
Samsung Tri-Fold (closed) - Source: WIPO
Samsung Tri-Fold (Unfolded) - Source: WIPO
Samsung Tri-Fold Internal Structure w. Antenna Crossover - Source: WIPO
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