US5734513A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic apparatus with a foldable display
Assignee: Transpacific IP Ltd
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Filing: 1996-04-03
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Granted: 1998-03-31
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Expires: 2016-04-03
Abstract
Abstract A foldable screen display for displaying screen images is disclosed which comprises: (a) at least two sub-displays; (b) a hinging member for pivotally connecting the sub-displays together on a side-by-side manner; (c) a magnifying optical element provided on top of each of the sub-displays, the magnifying optical element providing a magnifying power of between about 1.05 and about 1.3 so as to cause images displayed on the sub-displays to be perceived by a user as if they were from a single display; and (d) a membrane covering both of the sub-displays and the hinging member, the membrane being made of a transparent and resilient material. In a preferred embodiment, the magnifying optical element is a zone plate type magnifying optical element and is constructed to provide a magnifying power approximately equalling to one plus the ratio between the width of the hinging member and the width of sub-display. The foldable screen display provides the advantages of being able to reduce the size of the display without compromising user's desire for maximum viewing comfort; therefore, it is an excellent device for use in making personal digital assistants, electronic books, electronic Rolodex®, pen-based computers, portable TV, etc.
Inventors
- 👤 Chien-Jui Wang
- 👤 James Lee
- 👤 Lance M. Lan
- 👤 Lin-Lin Chen
- 👤 Tai Yuan Wang
- 👤 Chien-Ping Kung
- 👤 Junejei Huang
- 👤 Wei-Chung Chao
- 👤 Dao-Yang Huang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:54
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B25/00; G02B25/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A foldable screen display for displaying screen images comprising: (a) at least two sub-displays; (b) a hinging means for pivotally connecting said sub-displays together in a side-by-side manner; (c) a magnifying optical element provided on top of each of said sub-displays, said magnifying optical element providing a magnifying power of between about 1.05 and 1.3 so as to cause images displayed on said sub-displays to be perceived by a user as if they were from a single display; and (d) a membrane covering both of said sub-displays and said hinging means, said membrane being made of a transparent and resilient material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A foldable screen display for displaying screen images comprising: (a) at least two sub-displays; (b) a hinging means for pivotally connecting said sub-displays together in a side-by-side manner; (c) a magnifying optical element provided on top of each of said sub-displays, said magnifying optical element providing a magnifying power of between about 1.05 and 1.3 so as to cause images displayed on said sub-displays to be perceived by a user as if they were from a single display; and (d) a membrane covering both of said sub-displays and said hinging means, said membrane being made of a transparent and resilient material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A foldable screen display for displaying screen images according to claim 1 wherein said magnifying optical element is a plano-convex lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A foldable screen display for displaying screen images according to claim 1 wherein said magnifying optical element is a zone plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A foldable screen display for displaying screen images according to claim 1 wherein said sub-displays are connected horizontally.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A foldable screen display for displaying screen images according to claim 1 wherein said sub-displays are connected vertically.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A foldable screen display for displaying screen images according to claim 1 wherein said transparent membrane is made of polyethylene.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A foldable screen display for displaying screen images according to claim 1 wherein said transparent membrane is made of polyvinyl chloride.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
106 words
A portable electronic device containing a foldable screen display, said foldable screen display comprising: (a) at least two sub-displays; (b) a hinging means for pivotally connecting said sub-displays together in a side-by-side manner; (c) a magnifying optical element provided on top of each of said sub-displays, said magnifying optical element providing a magnifying power of between about 1.05 and 1.3 so as to cause images displayed on said sub-displays to be perceived by a user as if they were from a single display; and (d) a membrane covering both of said sub-displays and said hinging means, said membrane being made of a transparent and resilient material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
106 words
A portable electronic device containing a foldable screen display, said foldable screen display comprising: (a) at least two sub-displays; (b) a hinging means for pivotally connecting said sub-displays together in a side-by-side manner; (c) a magnifying optical element provided on top of each of said sub-displays, said magnifying optical element providing a magnifying power of between about 1.05 and 1.3 so as to cause images displayed on said sub-displays to be perceived by a user as if they were from a single display; and (d) a membrane covering both of said sub-displays and said hinging means, said membrane being made of a transparent and resilient material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A portable electronic device according to claim 8 wherein said magnifying optical element is a plano-convex lens.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A portable electronic device according to claim 8 wherein said magnifying optical element is a zone plate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A portable electronic device according to claim 8 wherein said sub-displays are connected horizontally.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A portable electronic device according to claim 8 wherein said sub-displays are connected vertically.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A portable electronic device according to claim 8 wherein said transparent membrane is made of polyethylene.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A portable electronic device according to claim 8 wherein said transparent membrane is made of polyvinyl chloride.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A portable electronic device according to claim 8 wherein said foldable display further comprises a pen-based pressure sensitive board disposed between said magnifying optical element and said membrane.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
A portable electronic device according to claim 8 wherein said portable electronic device is a pen-based personal digital assistant.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A portable electronic device according to claim 8 wherein said portable electronic device is a subnotebook personal computer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
108 words
A computer-assisted manufacturing or measuring device containing a foldable screen display, said foldable screen display comprising: (a) at least two sub-displays; (b) a hinging means for pivotally connecting said sub-displays together on a side-by-side manner; (c) a magnifying optical element provided on top of each of said sub-displays, said magnifying optical element providing a magnifying power of between about 1.05 and 1.3 so as to cause images displayed on said sub-displays to be perceived by a user as if they were from a single display; and (d) a membrane coveting both of said sub-displays and said hinging means, said membrane being made of a transparent and resilient material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
108 words
A computer-assisted manufacturing or measuring device containing a foldable screen display, said foldable screen display comprising: (a) at least two sub-displays; (b) a hinging means for pivotally connecting said sub-displays together on a side-by-side manner; (c) a magnifying optical element provided on top of each of said sub-displays, said magnifying optical element providing a magnifying power of between about 1.05 and 1.3 so as to cause images displayed on said sub-displays to be perceived by a user as if they were from a single display; and (d) a membrane coveting both of said sub-displays and said hinging means, said membrane being made of a transparent and resilient material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
96 words
A foldable screen display for displaying screen images comprising: (a) at least two sub-displays; (b) a hinging means for pivotally connecting said sub-displays together in a side-by-side manner; (c) a magnifying optical element provided on top of each of said sub-displays, wherein said magnifying optical element is constructed to provide a magnifying power approximately equaling to one plus the ratio between the width of said hinging means and the width of said sub-display; and (d) a membrane covering both of said sub-displays and said hinging means, said membrane being made of a transparent and resilient material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
96 words
A foldable screen display for displaying screen images comprising: (a) at least two sub-displays; (b) a hinging means for pivotally connecting said sub-displays together in a side-by-side manner; (c) a magnifying optical element provided on top of each of said sub-displays, wherein said magnifying optical element is constructed to provide a magnifying power approximately equaling to one plus the ratio between the width of said hinging means and the width of said sub-display; and (d) a membrane covering both of said sub-displays and said hinging means, said membrane being made of a transparent and resilient material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
101 words
A portable electronic device containing a foldable screen display, said foldable screen display comprising: (a) at least two sub-displays; (b) a hinging means for pivotally connecting said sub-displays together in a side-by-side manner; (c) a magnifying optical element provided on top of each of said sub-displays, wherein said magnifying optical element is constructed to provide a magnifying power approximately equaling to one plus the ratio between the width of said hinging means and the width of said sub-display; and (d) a membrane covering both of said sub-displays and said hinging means, said membrane being made of a transparent and resilient material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
101 words
A portable electronic device containing a foldable screen display, said foldable screen display comprising: (a) at least two sub-displays; (b) a hinging means for pivotally connecting said sub-displays together in a side-by-side manner; (c) a magnifying optical element provided on top of each of said sub-displays, wherein said magnifying optical element is constructed to provide a magnifying power approximately equaling to one plus the ratio between the width of said hinging means and the width of said sub-display; and (d) a membrane covering both of said sub-displays and said hinging means, said membrane being made of a transparent and resilient material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US871974A
Cited
US5483250A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-03-30 | 2001-09-29 | 2002-03-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-03-30 | 2005-09-29 | 2006-03-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-03-30 | 2009-09-29 | 2010-03-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |