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SamsungGranted patentPhones & computersInterest 6/10

Samsung patents screen layout for folding phones that keeps apps open

Patent drawing
Patent drawing from the official filing.

This patent describes how a folding phone manages app windows when the device changes shape. It explains how a small window shown on the outer screen moves to the larger inner screen when the phone opens, and how new pop-up windows stack on top of existing ones without closing the main app.

Why it mattersThis improves the user experience on foldable devices by ensuring apps stay open and organized as the screen size changes.

In the filing’s own words

A method and device for controlling a screen displayed on a display of an electronic device are provided. Aspects include displaying, on a first region of the display, a host window corresponding to an application run on the electronic device. Aspects also include displaying the first dependent window on a second region of the display corresponding to the first region based at least in part on a call of a first dependent window among dependent windows that are dependent on the host window. Aspects further include stacking and displaying, on the second region, a second dependent window among the dependent windows based at least in part on an event occurring in the first dependent window. Aspects further include initializing window display on the second region based at least in part on an event occurring in the host window.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method for use in an electronic device, the method comprising: while the electronic device is in a folded state, displaying, on a first display, a first dependent window corresponding to an application running on the electronic device, wherein the first display is exposed when the electronic device is in the folded state; based on the first dependent window being displayed on the first display in the folded state and in response to a state of the electronic device changing from the folded state to an unfolded state, displaying, on a second display, a host window corresponding to the application on a first portion of the second display and the first dependent window on a second portion of the second display, wherein the second display comprises a region newly exposed when the electronic device is in the unfolded state that was not visible in the folded state; and based at least in part on a touch event occurring in the first dependent window, displaying a second dependent window corresponding to the application on the second portion of the second display while maintaining display of the host window on the first portion of the second display.

Facts

Company
Samsung (SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.)
Official title
Screen controlling method and device
Patent number
US12761769B2
Application number
18619088
Filed
Mar 27, 2024
Granted
Oct 13, 2026
Inventors
7
Claims
10

Classified under

G06F 3/0481 Physics & computingG06F 1/1641 Physics & computingG06F 2203/04803 Physics & computing
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.