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    Smartphone Device with a Folding Screen?Posted By: Kent on Wednesday, February 09, 2005 4:10:47 PM
A Smartphone device with a folding screen? Sounds crazy, but it may be what's coming down the road from palmOne. According to the US Patent Office, two palmOne engineers, Rich Gioscia and Francis Canova, recently received a patent on a "Compact palmtop computer system and wireless telephone with foldable dual-sided display."
This product, if it comes to fruition, would address one of the biggest shortcomings of Smartphones; displays that are too small. A product that finally bridges the gap between Smartphone and PDA by combining both devices in one product. The patent abstract states: The present invention is a compact personal digital assistant (PDA) and cellular telephone with foldable dual-sided display. By utilizing flexible display technology, both a PDA and a cellular telephone are incorporated into one device. In a closed state, in one embodiment, the present invention corresponds to the form used for typical cellular telephone use (e.g., candy bar size). In an open state, in one embodiment, the present invention corresponds to the form used for typical PDA use by providing an enlarged viewing area. The present invention provides the benefit of two distinct devices in one device by allowing for common operations and functionality without compromising the respective form factor of either device. More information on the patent can be found at the US Patent Office. Thanks to Sammy at Palm Addicts for the tip.
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Article Comments
39 total comments The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. PIC is not responsible for them in any way. login or register for free in order to post comments.  All ya need is a foldable/bendable displaySeldomVisitor @ 2/9/2005 5:37:18 PM #
Not a problem!  RE: All ya need is a foldable/bendable display
PalmOne almost certainly has no such folding tech, but knows well of the scrolling screens and others on the horizon. Jump to either get the lead or stop another from doing so. Pat Horne; www.churchoflivingfaith.com RE: All ya need is a foldable/bendable display
A variation of the OLED called the FOLED (Folding Organic Light Emmitting Diode) is flexible and can bend. Im not sure if it can fold all the way like paper. Perhaps instead they would just use two different screens close together to appear as one. RE: All ya need is a foldable/bendable display
Patent What? Can anyone make heads or tails of that drawing? I give up. What is it? Pat Horne; www.churchoflivingfaith.com RE: All ya need is a foldable/bendable display
This is another example on how outrageously ludicrous can the USA patent system be, and how intolerably greedy do corporations get when allowed. Palm have not developed themselves the folding sreen, nor are they going to develop it. Palm is not in the screen business, nor will they ever be, but they are trying to cash on the work of others, keeping the legitimate owners of the invention (the folding screen itself) from freely marketing it. Moreover, they are trying to do so by just getting a patent an OBVIOUS use of a technology that is not even theirs: Hey, lets fold the screen so that it takes less space! Big deal. Sadly, Palm is not the only punk in this town: there are countless examples of corporation patenting obvious uses of things invented by others, or even things not invented yet. Like disgusting parasites, these organisms are just lurking in the tech ecosystem waiting for a healthy animal to pass by and then suck its blood. If I had the money and the nerve, I could patent things like "Traveling backwards in time with an airplane in order to achieve a zero-seconds trip", or "Using a direct neurovisual connection to let consumers view movies and media". Timetravel! Neural links! Wow, am I a genius! RE: All ya need is a foldable/bendable displayRhinoSteve @ 2/10/2005 2:24:27 PM #
Sure the "idea" is cheap, but lets try to make it. Those that get sued like crazy over patent issues come from the following camps: * Too dumb to do a patent search when they develop a new product. (Yeah your engineering is good, but get the rest of your org. chart in order to run a company right.) * Too cheap to license the patent holder. (Most inventors will work with a manufacturing firm to get a small royality for their invention so it is profitable to all.) * Totally malicious mindset with no respect for IP whatsoever. (Typically they build it cheap in slave wage factories, make a quick buck, hide the revenue overseas and give a token settlement to holder of the IP if at all.) And yes, a folding screen is a innovation in my mindset. Get soem time out of your petri-dish socialist campus and see what it makes survive on your own. RE: All ya need is a foldable/bendable display
> And yes, a folding screen is a innovation in my mindset.
Sure, it is, but it is not Palm's innovation, but whoever's DESIGNS it. Palm are just trying to LEECH the real innovators. > Get soem time out of your petri-dish socialist campus and see what it makes survive on your own. I'm doing fine in my petri dish, thanks. What makes you survive on your own? Oh, yes, you're not on your own, Clueless Anonymous keeps you in good company. 
GreedKonstantin @ 2/9/2005 5:42:09 PM #
The world would be so much better without RE: Greed
The world would be so much better without Absolutely. Because, as we all know, the mere act of inventing is its own reward. Who cares if you never make any money at it? RE: Greed
>>>Absolutely. Because, as we all know, the mere act of inventing is its own reward. Who cares if you never make any money at it? Yep. That's exactly how HOLLYWOOD was founded. Read your history and you'll see that the filmmakers ran west to escape paying royalties to Thomas Edison, holder of all filmmaking patents way back when. Now they have THE NERVE to tell US to respect THEIR IP rights! Excuse me while I figure out how to BitTorrent... RE: Greedtimepilot84 @ 2/9/2005 7:20:03 PM #
Patents are cool. Software Patents are FSCKING ridiculous. RE: Greed
Without the profit motive, we would have nothing. Innovation requires R&D and R&D requires money from shareholders who demand an ROI. Of course, there is attempts of abuse of the patent system just like everything else. RE: GreedRhinoSteve @ 2/9/2005 9:49:18 PM #
Then there are the patents that exist before their time. I'm all for the patent system. Anyone against is mostly from socialist roots where "nobody really owns anything." That was the mindset that killed the old Soviet system and now the flunkies came Stateside trying to spew it again to get as much of a free ride off others works as they can. Frankly, I see this patent expiring before the technology matures to use it. Remember, Apple took a nosedive in 1996 when most of the original patents that made the Mac unique expired. For example: multiple monitors for a single PC, a rotating monitor top and an automatically ejecting disk media mechanism. RE: Greed
not true. The Mac Patents were generally filed in the early 80's. Based on the law changes with patent duration (for patents alive in 1995, it is the longer of 17 years from issue or 20 years from filing), and the shear amount of time necessary to obtain a patent in the computer arts, the earliest of the mac patents began expiring after the millenium. The 1990's lawsuits, as I recall were related to copyright claims, not patent issues. The patents that expired in the 90's were the patents related to the Apple II. The firm I initially worked for was sued by Apple back in the late 80's for alleged patent infringement of patents directed to the Apple II. RE: GreedAdamaDBrown @ 2/10/2005 3:09:05 AM #
Soviet flunkies trying to undermine the patent system? Good god, talk about lunatic paranoia. Try laying off the Faux News Channel. Mostly, people who object to the patent system do so because the Patent Office has a habit of issuing insane numbers of junk patents like 'Use of a hand in a writing system" or that one for a "multi-function card" that the company claimed covered all handheld computers. Usually, these junk patents are issued with absolutely no effort on the part of the filing company--contrary to popular belief, you don't need to actually create something to patent it. You can just file for a patent on an idea, using the vaguest language in the world, and they'll give it to you. These junk patents then become fodder for lawsuits which tie up the courts, and often cost companies who make actual products a lot of money in the course of defending themselves against a land-grabber who's just out to try and score a quick settlement. RE: Greed
Mostly, people who object to the patent system do so because the Patent Office has a habit of issuing insane numbers of junk patents.... Now THERE is a valid, accurate criticism - one I happen to share. But the target of the criticism is not the idea of patents, its the method of securing them. But the solution isn't to get rid of patent protection, it's to fix the system. No one should be able to patent the unpatentable. And if the U.S. Patent and Trade office can't handle the load, then they should get a budget increase. After all, if innovation spurs the economy and good patents protect innovation.... Somehow I think that logic is lost on those inside the Beltway. RE: Greed
I agree with AdamaDBrown in terms of the Patent Office. They are understaffed and essentially rubber stamp patents. What do they care? The lawyers and judges will resolve all the problems, right? But this is one problem. The whole intellectual property system in the US (and many other countries) requires a complete overhaul that balances the rights of the patent holder with the fair use rights of the consumer. Patents or IP should never ever be used as a means of stifiling innovation.
Gmail invites: http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-eb40abce49-7596a94814-da043881c1 http://mousky.blogspot.com
This rumor is ridiculous.AdamaDBrown @ 2/9/2005 9:01:55 PM #
Everyone's treating it as breaking news, like PalmOne's coming out with a foldable Treo any second now. There's nowhere near the technology to do something like this with any reliability right now, and I guarantee you that when it does become practical PalmOne won't be the first ones to do it.
ALL THE ABOVE POSTS ARE FROM MORONS!!!
When all the info on Cobalt came out did you guys read any of it???? Cobalt OS supports multiple screens for the most variation of form factors. Two 2.5 inch 160x160 screens placed side by side with a unobtrusive hinge would give you a 5 inch 320x320 without any new technology and low power usage while making a readable display that is already supported my all the software available. You guys are so out their!!! The foldable screen idea is not something revolutionary or special, it is doable and I want to see it delievered. RE: ALL THE ABOVE POSTS ARE FROM MORONS!!!
I guess you might be regretting your choice of subject once you re-read your message to realise that two 160x160 screens would make one 320x160 screen... You'd need *four* 160x160 screens for your plans.... RE: ALL THE ABOVE POSTS ARE FROM MORONS!!!The_Voice_of_Reason @ 2/10/2005 9:24:48 PM #
I guess you might be regretting your choice of subject once you re-read your message to realise that two 160x160 screens would make one 320x160 screen...
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RETREAD DESIGNS is all Palm is capable of anymore (T5, Treo
RETREAD DESIGNS is all Palm is capable of anymore (T5, Treo 650). DO NOT expect anything groundbreaking ever again. Palm is no longer capable of innovation. And let me beat the Palm Apologists to the punch - "The mass public wants boring, high cost, basic design, and few features - ONLY power users want innovation, low cost, cool design, and many features." RETREAD COMPLAINTS are all Gekkois capable of anymore
The philodox has spoken. It would be nice, however, if he'd come up with a new idea himself. RE: RETREAD DESIGNS is all Palm is capable of anymore (T5, T
Gekko, If Palm is doomed, why are you still here? Why waste time posting to an internet forum for a doomed handheld platform? RE: RETREAD DESIGNS is all Palm is capable of anymore (T5, Treo
Because I use a T3 and there MAY still be hope for the future, fool. Why do you continue to ask dumb questions? RE: RETREAD DESIGNS is all Palm is capable of anymore (T5, T
I wasn't shooting the messenger. I just pointed out that the messenger is a one-hit wonder. RE: RETREAD DESIGNS is all Palm is capable of anymore (T5, Thudsonhawk @ 2/10/2005 5:47:26 PM #
Gekko's got a point, there's nothing groundbreaking here - this looks just like every other smart phone with hi resolution folding dual-sided displays on the market. RE: RETREAD DESIGNS is all Palm is capable of anymore (T5, Treo
the point was a patent for a mythical, vaporware, in-theory, on-paper only device is one thing - and actually having the talent, skills, and competency to build and bring such an animal to market is quite another. Any schmo like a 'captain hair' can scribble ideas on the back of a napkin. And this is the equivalent of scribbles on the back of a napkin. RE: RETREAD DESIGNS is all Palm is capable of anymore (T5, Treo
If so, why are the likes of Dell so eager to copy Palm? RE: RETREAD DESIGNS is all Palm is capable of anymore (T5, TreoAdamaDBrown @ 2/11/2005 1:40:49 AM #
Since when is Dell copying PalmOne? Dell has WiFi, dual slots, 3D accelerators, VGA, and insanely low prices. Show me where they're copying PalmOne.
Additional Information on 'The Inventors' (sic)CompeauFawkes @ 2/10/2005 10:11:32 AM #
About Rich Gioscia: "Rich and his team are responsible for driving Industrial and Human Interface Design at Palm Inc’s Solutions Group, which designs and markets the world’s favorite handheld computers. Rich's group was responsible for development of the new line of high-performance, high-style Palm™ handhelds, the Tungsten™ T, Tungsten|W and the new mass-market Zire™handhelds. Prior to joining Palm, Rich was the Director of Sony's U.S. design office in New Jersey. He established the "My First Sony" line, led Sony to the No. 1 sales position in color TVs with the introduction of the Trinitron WEGA/XBR series and Projection TV line, and developed many key designs that built a $1 billion Portable Audio business. "
With credentials like the 'MyFirst Sony' line, perhaps it is not a small wonder that we have a Zire line that underwhelms many in the target market it was designed for... Yes, the pricepoint of this line brought more buyers from the target market, but I don't know any 30something women who found the Zire line appealing and necessary to their lives. The continued focus of palmOne on hardware gimmicks will only take them so far. It is the integration of well-considered solutions involving both software AND hardware that will win... As much as we complain about the past Sony devices for constantly deviating from the 'standards', they did consistently work on BOTH the software experience and the hardware/design elements to support the full experience with their products. Mike RE: Additional Information on 'The Inventors' (sic)
Well, let me come to the defense of designers. You never know what they are really capable of, if you go simply by what gets to the store shelf. They could come up with something breathtakingly fantastic that would sell like hotcakes: only to have it shot down by some dope in Marketing. Or someone with a first name of Eric...
folding treo?
Unless PalmOne improves quality, support and internal memory capacity in their high-end devices soon, perhaps it will be PalmOne that ends up folding. But perhaps the good news is that they believe they will be existing in the future (at least to sue the desingners of the screen) when this technology finally arrives. Fine. Now put those engineers back into the lab and have them design a Treo with 50MB or more of available RAM. ...And a build quality that doesn't require monthly replacements at your local PCS provider. RE: folding treo?The_Voice_of_Reason @ 2/10/2005 9:34:49 PM #
Well put.
But then again, lawsuits are a great way for inept companies to make business. After spending millions of dollars over the years fighting bogus lawsuits, maybe Palm now wants a piece of the action. As an example, Be probably made more by suing Microsoft than they did selling BeOS. ******************************************************************
LineZxanphorian @ 2/10/2005 5:16:04 PM #
What would the line look like in the middle of the screen (when it is unfolded)? Would the line affect the look of the LCD screen, or would the stylus "stick" on the crack? RE: LineSeldomVisitor @ 2/10/2005 5:21:12 PM #
I unfortunately forget where (IEEE Spectrum?) but I saw a mini-article on a flexible display not unlike the flexible circuit boards that currently exist everywhere (like inside your printer attached to the print heads). Thus one doesn't need to FOLD the display but merely bend it, like into a "teardrop" shape (display side on the inside; open the teardrop and voila!).
I don't know what was actually patented by the patent covered by this article (not interested enough to read the actual patent!) but it wasn't the idea of a flexible/bendable display...
OLD News really......ackmondual @ 2/10/2005 6:55:03 PM #
IIRC, many sites... maybe even PIC covered the likes of folding/roll-up displays. The roll-up versions are still in the works and won't make any headway until at least 2006. A device with a small form factor but a BIG screen has the potential to make any handheld ULTIMATE. can't wait 8D [signature0]the secret to enjoying your job is to have a hobby that's even worse[/signature0] [signature1]My PDAs: Visor --> Visor Neo (blue) --> Zire 71 --> Tungsten T3[/signature1] RE: OLD News really......SeldomVisitor @ 2/10/2005 7:32:59 PM #
Doing a quickie Google search on "flexible displays" reveals all...
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In application, the screen would be incorporated into a clamshell style phone that opens to form a tablet style PDA with a display that folds in half. In short, a Treo that turns into Tungsten T5. Imagine the possibilities such a device could bring to the mobile wireless space.
