IBM applies for patent for flexible display device, turning smartwatch into tablet in seconds

According to LetsGoDigital, American computer manufacturer IBM is applying for a patent for an electronic device with a flexible display. According to reports, this special device can use the appropriate screen size according to different occasions, and can be used as a smartphone, tablet computer and smart watch.

This patent, titled "Electronic display device with variable display size," was applied for by IBM in 2016. It was not until June 11, 2019 that the patent was approved and published in the USPTO (US Patent and Trademark Office) database.

To get a better idea of ​​the patented product, LetsGoDigital designed a series of 3D renderings.

Firstly, the device’s case is slightly thicker than normal, with a rectangular design and no frame bezels.

The design features seven secondary screen components stored beneath the main screen. These displays can be removed from the case independently of each other. The case provides space for four compartments, each containing up to two display components.

If the screen size of the smartwatch is not enough, the additional display device component can be easily pulled out.

When four screen widgets are used, the device will automatically switch from smartwatch mode to smartphone mode.

When all eight display components are extended, the phone switches to tablet mode, where the screen needs to be operated with two hands. The seams between the display components are small, so the content can be displayed continuously.

However, it is not clear from the patent description whether the expansion of the display component is done manually, semi-automatically or fully automatically. LetsGoDigital speculates that it should be done automatically, which will also be beneficial to sustainability.

The size is also mentioned in the patent specification. The size of each display part is 2×3 inches or 5×7.5 cm (W×H), which is the size of a smartwatch screen. When the screen is fully unfolded, it is an 8×12-inch (WxH) screen.

IBM is particularly well known to the public for its personal computers, but the company is certainly not completely new to the smartwatch space. In 2000, the company demonstrated a prototype smartwatch that ran on the Linux operating system. The smartwatch was equipped with 8 MB of memory and had an accelerometer and a vibration mechanism. The Linux Watch was later renamed the IBM WatchPad and featured features such as a touch display, calendar software, and Bluetooth support.

Therefore, it is not entirely impossible that IBM wants to try again in the flexible display device market. Whether the company really intends to launch a smartwatch with a flexible display remains to be seen. LetsGoDigital speculates that IBM may also prefer to resell the patented technology to other companies.