Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Nokia Technologies Oy

Esa-Sakari Määttä

Pasi Kemppinen

Ilpo Kalevi Kauhaniemi

Vicente Calvo Alonso

Mikael Kontkanen

Antti Karilainen

Catalin Gheorghiu

Kalevi Salo

Vesa Nevalainen

Technologies are described for a hinge mechanism coupled to at least a dual-display device wherein the displays can rotate with respect to each other through 360 degrees. The hinge mechanism has at least one flexible connection member that follows a generally S-shaped path when the displays are in a tablet position. In some embodiments, a second flexible connection member can be added that follows a mirrored S-shaped path. The S-shaped path of the first flexible connection member and the mirrored S-shape path of the second flexible connection member together create a cross-configuration. In other embodiments, interconnected friction hinges can allow for a free-stop function at any point along the 360 degrees of rotation.

Hinge mechanism

Hinge with free-stop function

A modular hinge is described for a computing device where the computing device comprises two leaves detachably connected using the modular hinge. The hinge comprises a first hinge portion and a second hinge portion. Each hinge portion has a hinge portion body having a convex face configured to enable one of the leaves of the computing device to rotate against the convex face. Each hinge portion body has a mating face generally opposite the convex face, the mating face comprising at least one attachment element. Each hinge portion comprises a hinge pin configured to rotatably attach the hinge portion to one of the leaves of the computing device. The at least one attachment element of each hinge portion is configured to removably attach the hinge portions together.

Modular hinge for a computing device

A hinge assembly for an electronic device comprises a first gear rotatable about a first axis of the hinge assembly and a second gear, rotatable about a second axis of the hinge assembly. A hinge housing holds the first gear in engagement with the second gear. A first hinge mounting element is configured to be movably fixed to a first leaf of the electronic device and a second hinge mounting element is configured to be movably fixed to a second leaf of the electronic device. A first pair of levers connects the first gear and the first hinge mounting element; and a second pair of levers connects the second gear and the second hinge mounting element.

Electronic device hinge assembly

An apparatus and method wherein the apparatus comprises; a flexible display; a flexible touch sensitive module; and a first flexible coating overlaying the flexible display and a second flexible coating overlaying the touch sensitive module; wherein at least a portion of the touch sensitive module is mounted on the first flexible coating.

Apparatus and method wherein the apparatus comprises a flexible display and a flexible touch sensitive module

A hinge assembly for a multi-part electronic device comprises a pair of opposing living hinge elements for connecting first and second parts of the multi-part electronic device. Each hinge element has a first segment, an intermediate segment and a second segment, and comprises a first hinged joint positioned at a junction of the first segment and the intermediate segment and defining a first hinge axis, and a second hinged joint positioned at a junction of the second segment and the intermediate segment and defining a second hinge axis. The second hinged joint is spaced apart from the first hinged joint by a length of the intermediate segment. Each of the first and second hinged joints is configured to permit 180 degrees of rotation. A multi-part electronic device having a double-acting hinge arrangement is also described.

Hinged device with living hinge

An apparatus and method wherein the apparatus comprises: a substrate wherein the substrate is configured to support a flexible display and the substrate comprises at least one bendable portion configured to enable the substrate to be moved between an open configuration and a closed configuration and wherein the at least one bendable portion comprises a plurality of rigid members; and a bendable cover portion configured to cover at least the bendable portion of the substrate wherein the bendable cover portion comprises a plurality of foldable portions configured to be folded between the rigid members such that the foldable portions enable the bendable cover portion to be moved between an open configuration and a closed configuration.

Apparatus and method of providing an apparatus comprising a bendable portion

A hinge mechanism is described wherein a multi-part device (e.g., dual-display device) can move to a snap-open position. In the snap-open position, the parts lock into place when they approach 180 degrees of rotation relative to one another. The locking force in the open position is sufficient that holding or using the multi-part device does not cause an accidental closing action. An unlocking force is required to unlock the device from the open position. Additionally, the locking force drops off precipitously when the two parts are unlocked and rotating away from the locked position.

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Espoo, Finland

Esa-Sakari Määttä