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SamsungGranted patentPhones & computersInterest 6/10

Samsung patents foldable phone that switches video calls based on how you hold it

Patent drawing
Patent drawing from the official filing.

Samsung describes a foldable device that uses sensors to detect how the screen is folded and how the phone is positioned. It automatically switches between video and voice calls and moves the video image to the top or bottom of the screen depending on whether the phone is lying flat or held upright.

Why it mattersThis feature could make video calls on foldable phones feel more natural by adapting the screen layout and audio direction to how the user physically holds the device.

In the filing’s own words

An electronic device includes a flexible display, a communication circuit, at least one sensor, a processor and a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the electronic device to receive a call from an external electronic device through the communication circuit, connect the call to the external electronic device based on a state of the electronic device, recognize a folded state of the flexible display by using the at least one sensor while the call is connected, and change a setting associated with the call based on the recognized folded state of the flexible display.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. An electronic device comprising: a flexible display; a communication circuit; at least one sensor; a processor; and a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the electronic device to: receive a call from an external electronic device through the communication circuit, connect a video call to the external electronic device when the electronic device is in a stationary state and a folding angle of the flexible display is a first specified angle, determine a display location of an image of the video call based on a state of the electronic device, a posture of the electronic device, and a folded state of the flexible display during the video call, display the image of the video call in an upper portion of the flexible display or in a lower portion of the flexible display based on the determined display location, determine an output location or an output direction of a sound associated with the video call based on the display location of the image of the video call, change the video call to a voice call when detecting, through the at least one sensor, that the electronic device is lifted up and the folding angle of the flexible display is greater than a second specified angle during the video call, the second specified angle being greater than the first specified angle, and change the voice call to the video call when detecting, through the at least one sensor, that the electronic device is laid down from a position to a lower position, the electronic device is in the stationary state at the lower position and the flexible display is in an unfolded state at the lower position.

Facts

Company
Samsung (SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.)
Official title
Electronic device and operation method for electronic device
Patent number
US12764222B2
Application number
17855274
Filed
Jun 30, 2022
Granted
Oct 13, 2026
Inventors
3
Claims
16

Classified under

H04M 1/72454 Electricity & electronicsH04M 1/0216 Electricity & electronicsH04M 1/0268 Electricity & electronics

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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.