Samsung wins patent for a tablet-like device with a slide-out display
Samsung has developed a display technology that could allow it to launch a tablet with a retractable screen, according to a patent document. The South Korean tech conglomerate has been granted a US patent for a new type of display that can be extended from the left and right sides to form a much larger screen. Previously, another patent was granted in July for another expandable display technology. Samsung has only launched foldable phones so far, but it could soon enter other segments: it recently secured a patent for a foldable portable gaming console.
Samsung patent reveals display that can be expanded on both sides
In the recently published patent document (via) on the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) website, Samsung has provided several images of its latest display technology. It appears to be designed for a large-screen device, suggesting it could debut on a tablet from the company at some point in the future.
The description of the new slide-out display technology does not include a description of how the technology works, unlike the company’s other patents. Instead, it contains descriptions of the various figures in the patent document that clearly illustrate how the device would function.
Samsung’s slide-out screen, seen on a tablet-like device (tap to expand)
Photo credits: USPTO/Samsung
We can see the device in its unexpanded form in Figure 1 and Figure 2, and it appears to be a normal device in the form of a tablet. A slot on the top edge also appears to house a stylus similar to the company’s S Pen, and the accessory can also be seen in subsequent figures in the document.
Figure 3 shows the back of the alleged tablet, with what appears to be two lines running along the left and right sides of the device when held in a horizontal position. We can also see two circles on the back panel, and these could represent a dual rear camera setup.
In Figure 8 we can finally see the device extended for the first time and it appears that Samsung has designed the device to expand on both the left and right. Figure 9 shows it offering a much larger viewing area, providing a top view of the device, while Figure 10 gives us a look at what the back panel would look like with the screen unfolded.
Samsung could equip this tablet-like device with a USB Type-C port and four pogo-pin connectors that could enable support for accessories like keyboards, according to Figure 7 in the patent document
