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SamsungGranted patentPhones & computersInterest 6/10

Samsung patents phone that dims screen when you turn it away from a connected device

Samsung has been granted a patent for a smartphone with screens on both the front and back. The phone uses short-range communication to detect where a connected device, like a smartwatch or laptop, is located relative to the phone. If the connected device moves out of the front-facing range, the phone automatically dims the front screen to save power or prevent glare.

Why it mattersThis feature could help reduce battery drain or accidental touches when a user is interacting with a nearby connected device from a different angle.

In the filing’s own words

An electronic device includes a first display, a second display disposed in a direction opposite to the first display, a processor and memory storing instructions, which when executed, cause the electronic device to output a content through the first display. The instructions are configured to cause the electronic device to identify a direction of an external electronic device connected to the electronic device through short-range communication scheme with respect to the electronic device while outputting the content. The instructions are configured to cause the electronic device to, in response to identifying that the direction of the external electronic device is within a first range of directions, keep outputting the content through the first display. The instructions are configured to cause the electronic device to, in response to identifying that the direction of the external electronic device is within a second range of directions, output the content through the second display.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. An electronic device ( 101) comprising: a first display ( 260) disposed in a front surface of the electronic device; a second display ( 261) disposed in a rear surface of the electronic device; at least one processor ( 120 or 520); and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor individually or collectively, cause the electronic device to: output content through the first display, identify a direction from the electronic device toward an external electronic device, connected to the electronic device through a short-range communication scheme, while outputting the content, in response to identifying that the direction from the electronic device toward the external electronic device is within a first range of directions, keep outputting the content through the first display of the electronic device, identify whether the direction from the electronic device toward the external electronic device changes to fall outside the first range of directions while keeping outputting the content through the first display, and in response to identifying that the direction from the electronic device toward the external electronic device changes to fall outside the first range of directions, reduce a brightness of the first display, wherein the first range of directions correspond to a predetermined front-facing direction range of the first display.

Facts

Company
Samsung (SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.)
Official title
Electronic device for controlling display corresponding to direction of external electronic device, operation method thereof, and storage medium
Patent number
US12761853B2
Application number
19033483
Filed
Jan 22, 2025
Granted
Oct 13, 2026
Inventors
3
Claims
20

Classified under

G06F 3/1423 Physics & computingG06F 1/1616 Physics & computingG06F 1/163 Physics & computingG06F 3/1454 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.