According to the latest list published by the United States Trademark and Patent Office (USPTO), Apple has obtained a new patent for a foldable phone that automatically folds the screen to minimize screen damage when it detects that the iPhone/iPad with a flexible screen is in a falling state.
The new patent is called “the use of drop detection to protect the screen of self-retracting display devices and technologies,” the patent description as follows.
Mobile devices with foldable and rollable displays can use sensors to detect vertical acceleration (for example, acceleration relative to the ground) to determine whether the device is in a falling state.
If the sensor detects that the mobile device has been dropped, the foldable device can be at least partially retracted to prevent the fragile display from hitting the ground.
When vertical acceleration exceeds a predetermined threshold, the release mechanism of the hinge connection between the first and second displays of the electronic device can be activated. And the scrolling device can automatically retract.
