APPARATUS, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR DISPLAYING ITEMS ON A FOLDABLE DISPLAY DEVICE

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

5

Examples of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus, method and computer program for displaying items on a display. In particular, they relate to an apparatus, method and computer program for displaying items on a foldable display.

10 BACKGROUND

Electronic devices comprising foldable displays are known. It is useful to enable the information displayed on such displays to be arranged in a manner which the user of the device finds convenient.

15 BRIEF SUMMARY

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there may be provided an apparatus comprising: processing circuitry; and memory circuitry including computer program code; the memory circuitry and the computer program code configured to, with the processing circuitry, cause the 20 apparatus at least to perform: determining a configuration of a foldable display; and determining one or more items for display on the foldable display as designated items; wherein if the foldable display is determined to be in a partially folded configuration designated items are only displayed on an inner portion of the foldable display.

25 In some examples the apparatus may be configured to display one or more items which have not been designated on an outer portion of the display.

In some examples the designated items may be associated with a first application and the items which have not been designated may be associated with a second application.

30

In some examples the apparatus may be configured to designate the one or more items in response to a user input.

In some examples the apparatus may be configured such that if the foldable display is determined to be in 35 a flat configuration designated items are displayed on any portion of the display.

In some examples the foldable display may comprise a first bendable region and a second bendable region. The bendable regions may divide the foldable display into three portions. The bendable regions may comprise hinges. The bendable regions may enable the foldable display to be moved between a 40 fully folded configuration, a partially folded configuration and a flat configuration. In some examples the apparatus may be configured so that in the fully folded configuration the inner portions of the display overlay each other such that they are not visible to the user of the apparatus. The foldable display may be active across the bendable regions. In some examples the processing circuitry may be configured to receive signals from one or more sensors to determine the configuration of the foldable display.

In some examples there may be provided an electronic device comprising a foldable display and an apparatus as described above.

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there may be provided an apparatus comprising: means for determining a configuration of a foldable display; means for determining one or more items for display on the foldable display as designated items; and means for enabling display of items such that, if the foldable display is determined to be in a partially folded configuration designated items are only displayed on an inner portion of the foldable display.

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there may be provided a method comprising: determining a configuration of a foldable display; determining one or more items for display on the foldable display as designated items; and enabling display of items such that, if the foldable display is determined to be in a partially folded configuration designated items are only displayed on an inner portion of the foldable display.

In some examples the method may further comprise enabling display of one or more items which have not been designated on an outer portion of the display.

In some examples the designated items may be associated with a first application and the items which have not been designated may be associated with a second application.

In some examples the method may further comprise designating the one or more items in response to a user input.

In some examples, if the foldable display is determined to be in a flat configuration, designated items may be displayed on any portion of the display. In some examples the foldable display may comprise a first bendable region and a second bendable region. In some examples the bendable regions may divide the foldable display into three portions. In some examples the bendable regions may comprise hinges. In some examples the bendable regions may enable the foldable display to be moved between a fully folded configuration, a partially folded configuration and a flat configuration. In the fully folded configuration the inner portions of the display may overlay each other such that they are not visible to the user of the apparatus. The foldable display may be active across the bendable regions.

In some examples the method may further comprise receiving signals from one or more sensors to determine the configuration of the foldable display.

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there may be provided a computer program comprising computer program instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry, enable: determining a configuration of a foldable display; determining one or more items for display on the foldable display as designated items; and enabling display of items such that, if the foldable display is determined to be in a partially folded configuration designated items are only displayed on an inner portion of the foldable display.

In some examples there may be provided a computer program comprising program instructions for causing a computer to perform the methods described above.

In some examples there may be provided a physical entity embodying the computer program as described above. In some examples there may be provided an electromagnetic carrier signal carrying the computer program as described above.

The apparatus may be for wireless communication. In some examples the apparatus may be for rendering content such as text, images and/or video.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

For a better understanding of various examples that are useful for understanding the detailed description, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figs. 1A to 1C illustrate an example device;

Fig. 2 illustrates an example apparatus;

Fig. 3 illustrates an example device;

Fig. 4 illustrates an example method; and

Fig. 5 illustrates an example method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The Figures illustrate an apparatus 21 comprising: processing circuitry 23; and memory circuitry 25 including computer program code 27; the memory circuitry 25 and the computer program code 27 configured to, with the processing circuitry 23, cause the apparatus 21 at least to perform: determining a configuration of a foldable display 3; and determining one or more items for display on the foldable display 3 as designated items; wherein if the foldable display 3 is determined to be in a partially folded configuration designated items are only displayed on an inner portion 12, 13 of the foldable display 3. Figs. 1A to 1C illustrate an example device 1. The device 1 comprises a display 3. The device 1 may also comprise processing circuitry and memory circuitry; however these may be contained within the housing of the device 1 and so are not illustrated in Figs. 1A to 1C.

The device 1 may be configured for wireless communication. For example 1 the device 1 may be a mobile cellular telephone or a tablet computer or any other device which may be connected to a wireless network to enable the device 1 to send and receive data. The device 1 may be configured to control the display 3 to display data which has been sent or received by the device or other information.

The device 1 may be a handheld device 1 which a user may be able to carry in their hand.

The display 3 may comprise any means which enables items such as content items to be displayed to a user of the device 1. In some examples the display 3 may comprise a touch sensitive display 3 which may be responsive to a user actuating the surface of the display 3 to enable the user to control the device 1. In the example of Figs. 1A to 1C the display 3 is a foldable display. The foldable display can be configured in a flat configuration as illustrated in Fig. 1 A, a partially folded configuration as illustrated in Fig. IB or a fully folded configuration as illustrated in Fig. 1C. The partially folded configuration may comprise any configuration between the flat and fully folded configurations. The foldable display 3 may comprise one or more bendable regions 5 which may enable the foldable display 3 to be moved between the fully folded configuration, the partially folded configuration and the flat configuration. The bendable regions 5 may enable the foldable display 3 to be moved between the fully folded configuration, the partially folded configuration and the flat configuration in response to a force applied to the device 1 by a user. In some examples bendable regions 5 may enable the foldable display 3 to be moved between the fully folded configuration, the partially folded configuration and the flat configuration without a user applying a force to the device 1. For example, the bendable regions 5 may comprise an electromechanical hinge. The electromechanical hinge may be controlled in response to a signal from controlling circuitry. The device may be configured to enable the user to arrange the device 1 into whichever configuration they prefer.

In the particular example of Figs. 1A to 1C the bendable regions 5 comprise hinges 7. In some examples the hinges 7 may comprise living hinges which are made out of the same material as the portions connected by the hinge 7. The display 3 may be continuous across the bendable regions 5. The display 3 may be configured so that information may be displayed in the bendable regions. In examples where the display 3 comprises a touch sensitive display the display may be configured so that a user can actuate the display in the bendable regions 5.

In the particular example of Figs. 1A to 1C two bendable regions 5 are provided. The bendable regions 5 divide the display 3 into three portions. As illustrated in Fig. 1A. 1 A a first portion 11 is provided on the left hand side of the display 3, a second portion 12 is provide in the middle of the display 3 and a third portion 13 is provided on the right hand side of the display 3. In the example of Figs 1A to 1C each of the three portions 11 , 12, 13 are the same size. In some examples the display 3 may have an aspect ratio of 16:9. The bendable regions 5 may be arranged to divide the display 3 into three smaller portions each with an aspect ratio 16:9. In other examples the portions may be different sizes. It is to be appreciated that other numbers of bendable regions 5 and portions of the display 3 may be used in other examples of the disclosure.

In some examples the portions 11, 12, 13 of the electronic device 1 connected by the hinges 7 may be rigid or substantially rigid. In other examples the portions 11, 12, 13 of the electronic device 1 connected by the hinges 7 may be flexible. The portions 11, 12, 13 of the electronic device 1 may be flexible so that they may be deformed by a user of the device 1.

Fig. 1A illustrates an example device 1 comprising a foldable display 3 in a flat configuration. In the flat configuration the three portions 11, 12, 13 of the display 3 are arranged adjacent to each other to form a continuous flat surface. In the flat configuration the device 1 may be arranged to operate as a tablet computer. When the user is using the device 1 in the flat configuration they may be able to easily view content displayed on any of the three portions 11, 12, 13 of the display 3.

The user may be able to fold the device 1 to move the device 1 from the flat configuration of Fig. 1A to the folded configuration of Fig. IB. The arrows 9 indicate that the user may move the device 1 from the flat configuration to the folded configuration and also from the folded configuration back to the flat configuration.

The user may fold the device 1 by rotating the first portion 1 1 relative to the second portion 12 about the axis 15 of the first hinge 7. This may move the back face of the first portion 11 towards the back face of the second portion 12 as indicated by arrow 16. The user may also rotate the second portion 12 relative to the third portion 13 about the axis 17 of the second hinge 7. This may move the front face of the second portion 12 towards the front face of the third portion 13 as indicated by arrow 18. When the device 1 is in the partially folded configuration the angle between the front face of the second portion 12 and the front face of the third portion 13 may be an obtuse angle. The obtuse angle may be between 90 and 180 degrees. This may create an inner portion of the display 1. The inner portion may comprise a portion of the display 3 which can be easily viewed by the user of the device 1 when the device 1 is in the partially folded configuration. The inner portion may be hidden from other people around the user so that other people cannot easily view items displayed on the inner portion of the display 3. The inner portion may comprise the second and third portions 12, 13 of the display 3.

When the device 1 is in the partially folded configuration the angle between the front face of the first portion 11 and the front face of the second portion 12 may be a reflex angle. The reflex angle may be between greater than 180 degrees. This may create an outer portion of the display 1. The outer portion may comprise a portion of the display 3 which may face away from the user of the device 1 when the device 1 is in the partially folded configuration. This may make it more difficult for a user to view items displayed on the outer portion. However items displayed on the outer portion may be viewed by other people around the user of the device 1. The outer portion may comprise the first portion 11 of the display 3.

In Fig. 1C the foldable display 3 is illustrated in a fully folded configuration. The user may fold the device 1 into the fully folded configuration by rotating the first portion 11 relative to the second portion 12 about the axis 15 of the first hinge 7 so that the back face of the first portion 11 overlays the back face of the second portion 12. The user may also rotate the second portion 12 relative to the third portion 13 about the axis 17 of the second hinge 7 so that the front face of the second portion 12 overlays the front face of the third portion 13. The arrows 10 indicate that the user may move the device 1 from the partially folded configuration to the fully folded configuration and also from the fully folded configuration back to the partially folded configuration.

In the fully folded configuration the second and third portions 12, 13 of the display 3 overlay each other may be hidden from view so that they are not visible to the user. In this configuration the second and third portions 12, 13 of the display 3 may be controlled so that no items are displayed on these portions when the device 1 is in a fully folded configuration.

Fig. 2 illustrates an apparatus 21. The apparatus 21 illustrated in Fig. 2 may be a chip or a chip-set.

The apparatus 21 may comprise controlling circuitry 28. The controlling circuitry 28 may comprise one or more controllers. The controlling circuitry 28 may be implemented using instructions that enable hardware functionality, for example, by using executable computer program instructions in a general- purpose or special-purpose processing circuitry 23 that may be stored on a computer readable storage medium (disk, memory etc) to be executed by such processing circuitry 23. The processing circuitry 23 may be configured to read from and write to the memory circuitry 25. The processing circuitry 23 may comprise one or more processors. The processing circuitry 23 may also comprise an output interface via which data and/or commands are output by the processing circuitry 23 and an input interface via which data and/or commands are input to the processing circuitry 23.

The memory circuitry 25 may be configured to store a computer program 29 comprising computer program instructions (computer program code 27) that controls the operation of the apparatus 21 when loaded into processing circuitry 23. The computer program instructions, of the computer program 29, provide the logic and routines that enables the apparatus 21 to perform the methods illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. The processing circuitry 23 by reading the memory circuitry 25 is able to load and execute the computer program 29.

The apparatus 21 therefore comprises: processing circuitry 23; and memory circuitry 25 including computer program code 27; the memory circuitry 25 and the computer program code 27 configured to, with the processing circuitry 23, cause the apparatus 21 at least to perform: determining a configuration of a foldable display 3; and determining one or more items for display on the foldable display 3 as designated items; wherein if the foldable display 3 is determined to be in a partially folded configuration designated items are only displayed on an inner portion of the foldable display 3. The computer program may arrive at the apparatus via any suitable delivery mechanism. The delivery mechanism may be, for example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, a computer program product, a memory device, a record medium such as a compact disc read-only memory (CD- ROM) or digital versatile disc (DVD), an article of manufacture that tangibly embodies the computer program. The delivery mechanism may be a signal configured to reliably transfer the computer program. The apparatus may propagate or transmit the computer program as a computer data signal.

Although the memory circuitry is illustrated as a single component it may be implemented as one or more separate components some or all of which may be integrated/removable and/or may provide permanent/semi-permanent/ dynamic/cached storage.

Although the processing circuitry is illustrated as a single component it may be implemented as one or more separate components some or all of which may be integrated/removable.

References to "computer-readable storage medium", "computer program product", "tangibly embodied computer program" etc. or a "controller", "computer", "processor" etc. should be understood to encompass not only computers having different architectures such as single /multi- processor architectures and sequential (Von Neumann)/parallel architectures but also specialized circuits such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), application specific circuits (ASIC), signal processing devices and other processing circuitry. References to computer program, instructions, code etc. should be understood to encompass software for a programmable processor or firmware such as, for example, the programmable content of a hardware device whether instructions for a processor, or configuration settings for a fixed- function device, gate array or programmable logic device etc.

As used in this application, the term "circuitry" refers to all of the following:

(a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and

(b) to combinations of circuits and software (and/or firmware), such as (as applicable): (i) to a combination of processor(s) or (ii) to portions of processor(s)/software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and

(c) to circuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor s), that require software or firmware for operation, even if the software or firmware is not physically present.

This definition of "circuitry" applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term "circuitry" would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term "circuitry" would also cover, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, or other network device."

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a device 1 comprising a controlling circuitry 29 as illustrated in Fig. 2 and described above. The device 1 may comprise a foldable display 3 as described above in relation to Figs. lA to 1C. The controlling circuitry 28 may be configured to control the device 1. The controlling circuitry 28 may be configured to control the items which are displayed on the foldable display 3. In some examples the same controlling circuitry 28 may be configured to control each of the different portions 11, 12, 13 of the foldable display. The controlling circuitry 28 may be configured to control the device 1 to perform a plurality of different functions. For example, where the device 1 is configured for wireless communications the controlling circuitry 28 may be configured to control the device 1 to perform functions such as send and receive messages or access communication networks such as local area networks or the internet. In the example of Fig. 3 the device 1 also comprises one or more sensors 31. The one or more sensors 31 may comprise any means which may be configured to detect the configuration of the foldable display 3 and provide a control signal to the controlling circuitry 28 indicative of the detected configuration. In some examples the one or more sensors 31 may comprise capacitive sensors, inductive sensors, light sensors, hall sensors or any other suitable type of sensor. The one or more sensors 31 may be positioned within the foldable display 3. The one or more sensors 31 may be configured to distinguish between a flat configuration, a partially folded configuration and a fully folded configuration as illustrated in Figs. 1A to 1C. For example the sensors 31 may be configured to detect the angle through which the bendable regions 5 have been bent.

Figs. 4 and 5 are block diagrams which schematically illustrate example methods. The example methods may be used to control how items are displayed on a foldable display 3. The apparatus 21 and devices 1 illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 and described above may be used to implement the methods of Figs. 4 and 5.

Fig. 4 illustrates a method according to a first example. At block 41 the controlling circuitry 28 may determine that one or more items for display on the foldable display 3 are designated items. The designated items may comprise a subset of a plurality of items which may be displayed on the display 3. The designated items may be distinguished from non- designated items to enable the controlling circuitry 28 to determine how they should be displayed on the display.

The controlling circuitry 28 may be configured to detect a user input and designate items in response to the user input. This may enable a user to control which items are designated and which are not designated. The user input could comprise any suitable user input such as selection of an icon, dragging an item to a specified portion of the display 3, selection of a menu option or any other suitable user input.

The designated items may comprise private items. The private items may be items which the user of the device does not want the people around them to see. For example the user may wish to designate their emails or messages as private items.

At block 43 the controlling circuitry 28 may determine the configuration of the foldable display 3. The controlling circuitry 28 may receive a control signal from one or more sensors 31. The control signals received from the one or more sensors 31 may provide an indication of whether or not the foldable display 3 has been folded and the angle through which the portions of the display 3 have been folded. The controlling circuitry 28 may then use the received control signal to determine whether the display 3 is in a flat configuration, a partially folded configuration or a fully folded configuration.

If the foldable display 3 is determined to be in a partially folded configuration then, at block 45, the controlling circuitry 28 controls the display 3 so that designated items are only displayed on an inner portion of the foldable display 3. The controlling circuitry 28 may be configured to prevent designated items from being displayed on a portion of the display 3 other than the inner portion.

The inner portion of the display 3 may comprise the second and third portions 12, 13 as described above in relation to Fig. IB. When the user holds the device 1 the inner portion may be easily viewed by the user but may be hidden or partially hidden from other people around the user of the device 1. This enables the user to conceal the items displayed on the inner portions of the display 3 from the other people around them. The user may prefer to view private items such as emails or messages in this way to prevent other people from viewing their content.

If the foldable display 3 is determined not to be in a partially folded configuration then there may be no restrictions on the portions in which the designated items may be displayed. For example, at block 47, the controlling circuitry 28 may control the display 3 to display the designated items on any active part of the display 3.

Fig. 5 illustrates a method according to another example. At block 51 the controlling circuitry 28 may determine that one or more items for display on the display are designated items. As described above the designated items may comprise a subset of a plurality of items which may be displayed on the display 3. The designated items may be distinguished from non- designated items to enable the controlling circuitry 28 to determine how they should be displayed on the display. Block 51 may occur in response to the detection of a user input. The user input may be a user designating an item as a private item. A private item may be any item which a user wishes to view on an inner portion of the display. In some examples a private item may be an item which a user does not want other people to be able to view. The user input could comprise any suitable user input such as selection of an icon, dragging an item to a specified portion of the display 3, selection of a menu option or any other suitable user input.

In some examples the items may be automatically designated. For example a default setting of the device 1 could be that all messages are treated as designated items. The device 1 may be configured so that user of the device 1 may be able to change the default settings.

At block 53 the controlling circuitry 28 may determine the configuration of the foldable display 3. As described above, the controlling circuitry 28 may receive a control signal from one or more sensors 31. The control signals received from the one or more sensors 31 may provide an indication of whether or not the foldable display 3 has been folded and the angle through which the portions of the display 3 have been folded. The controlling circuitry 28 may then use the received control signal to determine whether the display 3 is in a flat configuration, a partially folded configuration or a fully folded configuration. The flat configuration, partially folded configuration and fully folded configuration may be as described above in relation to Figs. lA to 1C. If the controlling circuitry 28 determines that the display 3 is in a flat configuration then, at block 55 the controlling circuitry 28 controls the display 3 so that designated items are displayed on any portion of the display. With reference to Fig. 1A the designated items may be displayed on the first portion 11, the second portion 12 or the third portion 13. The designated items may be scaled to a size appropriate for viewing across the whole of the display 3. If the controlling circuitry 28 determines that the display 3 is in a partially folded configuration then, at block 57 the controlling circuitry 28 controls the display 3 so that designated items are only displayed on an inner portion of the display 3. With reference to Fig. IB the designated items may be displayed on the second portion 12 or the third portion 13. The designated items may be scaled to a size appropriate for viewing across the inner portion of the display 3.

When the controlling circuitry 28 determines that the display 3 is in a partially folded configuration then the controlling circuitry 28 may control the display 3 so that designated items are prevented from being displayed on an outer portion of the display 3. The controlling circuitry 28 may prevent the designated items from being displayed on the first portion 11 of the display 3.

If the controlling circuitry 28 determines that the display 3 is in a fully folded configuration then, at block 59 the controlling circuitry 28 controls the display 3 so that designated items are only displayed on the portions of the display 3 which are not hidden. With reference to Fig. 1 C the designated items may be displayed on the first portion 11. The designated items may be scaled to a size appropriate for viewing on the first portion of the display 3.

When the controlling circuitry 28 determines that the display 3 is in the fully folded configuration then the controlling circuitry 28 may control the display 3 to prevented any items from being displayed on the hidden portions of the display 3. The controlling circuitry may also disable the backlight and/or sensing portions of a touch sensitive display in order to conserve power.

The display 3 may also be configured to display non- designated items. The non designated items may be items which a user has not designated. The non- designated items might be non-private items which a user is not concerned about hiding or concealing. In some examples the designated items may associated with a first application and the non designated items may be associated with a second application. The second application may be different to the first application. For example the first application may be a messaging application and the second application may be a desktop application. In some examples the controlling circuitry 28 may be configured to treat all display items associated with a first application as designated and all display items associated with a second application as non designated.

The designated items and the non-designated items may be displayed simultaneously. When the display 3 is in a flat or fully folded configuration the designated and non- designated items may be displayed on any active part of the display 3. When the display 3 is in a partially folded configuration the designated items may be displayed on the inner portion of the display and non- designated items may be displayed on the outer portion of the display.

The apparatus, methods and computer programs as described above provide a device privacy screen which may be configured to selectively display items on an inner part of a display. This may enable a user to view private information even when other people are nearby. The device may be configured to enable a user to select which items are to be treated as private so that they should be displayed on the inner part. This provides an improved user interface as it enables a user to configure the device into a preferred arrangement.

As used here 'module' refers to a unit or apparatus that excludes certain parts/components that would be added by an end manufacturer or a user.

The blocks illustrated in the Figs. 4 and 5 may represent steps in a method and/or sections of code in the computer program 29. The illustration of a particular order to the blocks does not necessarily imply that there is a required or preferred order for the blocks and the order and arrangement of the block may be varied. Furthermore, it may be possible for some blocks to be omitted.

The term "comprise" is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y. If it is intended to use "comprise" with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context by referring to "comprising only one..." or by using "consisting".

In this brief description, reference has been made to various examples. The description of features or functions in relation to an example indicates that those features or functions are present in that example. The use of the term "example" or "for example" or "may" in the text denotes, whether explicitly stated or not, that such features or functions are present in at least the described example, whether described as an example or not, and that they can be, but are not necessarily, present in some of or all other examples. Thus "example", "for example" or "may" refers to a particular instance in a class of examples. A property of the instance can be a property of only that instance or a property of the class or a property of a subclass of the class that includes some but not all of the instances in the class.

In the above description the term coupled means operationally coupled and any number or combination of intervening elements can exist including no intervening elements.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not. Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.

Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

I/we claim: