# US 11,908,382 B1 · Seamless switching control for foldable or flip devices

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- Number: US 11,908,382 B1
- Document ID: US11908382B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 18/072,443
- Filed: 2022-11-30
- Granted: 2024-02-20
- Earliest claimed: 2022-11-30
- Assignees: Mediatek Inc.
- Applicants: MediaTek Inc.
- Inventors: Chien-Chun Sung; Tai-Hua Tseng; KaiChieh Chuang; Hsin-Ju Chu
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11908382B1

## CPC

- G06F 1/1647: {including at least an additional display (G06F1/1692 takes precedence)}
- G09G 3/2096: {Details of the interface to the display terminal specific for a flat panel (suitable for both CRT and flat panel G09G5/006; specific for a CRT G09G1/167)}
- G06F 1/1616: {with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position}
- G06F 1/1641: {the display being formed by a plurality of foldable display components (G06F1/1647 takes precedence)}
- G06F 1/165: {the additional display being small, e.g. for presenting status information}
- G06F 1/1652: {the display being flexible, e.g. mimicking a sheet of paper, or rollable}
- G06F 1/1677: {for detecting open or closed state or particular intermediate positions assumed by movable parts of the enclosure, e.g. detection of display lid position with respect to main body in a laptop, detection of opening of the cover of battery compartment}
- G06F 1/3215: Monitoring of peripheral devices
- G06F 1/3218: of display devices
- G06F 1/3265: {Power saving in display device}
- G06F 1/3287: by switching off individual functional units in the computer system
- G06F 3/1431: {using a single graphics controller}
- G06F 3/1438: {using more than one graphics controller}
- H04M 1/72448: with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
- G09G 2320/0247: Flicker reduction other than flicker reduction circuits used for single beam cathode-ray tubes
- G09G 2330/021: Power management, e.g. power saving
- G09G 2330/026: Arrangements or methods related to booting a display
- G09G 2330/027: Arrangements or methods related to powering off a display
- G09G 2340/0407: Resolution change, inclusive of the use of different resolutions for different screen areas
- G09G 2360/06: Use of more than one graphics processor to process data before displaying to one or more screens
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- G09G: ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION (arrangements for transferring data between digital computers and displays G06F3/14; static indicating arrangements comprising an association of a number of separate sources or light control cells G09F9/00; static indicating arrangements comprising integral associations of a number of light sources H01J, H01K, H10H, H05B33/12; scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission, details thereof H04N1/00)
- H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08)

## Abstract

Techniques pertaining to seamless switching control for foldable or flip devices are described. A processor implemented in a multi-display apparatus having a primary display and a secondary display executes a status change with respect to the primary display and the secondary display by: (1) maintaining a power supplied to the secondary display during the status change; and (2) switching the primary display and the secondary display from a first state to a second state.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of a status change with respect to a multi-display apparatus having a primary display and a secondary display, comprising:
maintaining a power supplied to the secondary display during the status change; and
switching the primary display and the secondary display from a first state to a second state;
wherein:
in the first state, the primary display is off and the secondary display is on;
in the second state, both the primary display and the secondary display are on; and
the switching of the primary display and the secondary display from the first state to the second state comprises:
preparing a backup pipe as a backup of a first virtual pipe with a resolution of the primary display;
changing from the first virtual pipe being connected to a second display serial interface (DSI) corresponding to the secondary display to a second virtual pipe being connected to the second DSI;
connecting the backup pipe to a first DSI corresponding to the primary display;
connecting the second virtual pipe to the second DSI; and
powering on the backup pipe and the first DSI to turn on the primary display,
wherein each of the first virtual pipe and the second virtual pipe comprises respective hardware components configured to provide display processing, overlaying, and picture quality enhancement functionalities.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the maintaining of the power supplied to the secondary display comprises refraining from discontinuing or changing the power supplied to the secondary display despite a state change process to change from the first state to the second state according to a command from an operating system (OS) involves cutting off the power supplied to the secondary display.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the primary display has a larger display area, a higher display resolution, or both, compared to the secondary display.

### Claim 4

A device implementable in a multi-display apparatus having a primary display and a secondary display, comprising:
a processor configured to execute a status change with respect to the primary display and the secondary display by performing operations comprising:
maintaining a power supplied to the secondary display during the status change; and
switching the primary display and the secondary display from a first state to a second state;
wherein:
in the first state, the primary display is off and the secondary display is on;
in the second state, both the primary display and the secondary display are on; and
in switching the primary display and the secondary display from the first state to the second state, the processor is configured to perform operations comprising:
preparing a backup pipe as a backup of a first virtual pipe with a resolution of the primary display;
changing from the first virtual pipe being connected to a second display serial interface (DSI) corresponding to the secondary display to a second virtual pipe being connected to the second DSI;
connecting the backup pipe to a first DSI corresponding to the primary display;
connecting the second virtual pipe to the second DSI; and
powering on the backup pipe and the first DSI to turn on the primary display,
wherein each of the first virtual pipe and the second virtual pipe comprises respective hardware components configured to provide display processing, overlaying, and picture quality enhancement functionalities.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The device of claim 4, wherein, in maintaining the power supplied to the secondary display, the processor is configured to refrain from discontinuing or changing the power supplied to the secondary display despite a state change process to change from the first state to the second state according to a command from an operating system (OS) involves cutting off the power supplied to the secondary display.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The device of claim 4, wherein the primary display has a larger display area, a higher display resolution, or both, compared to the secondary display.

### Claim 7

A method of a status change with respect to a multi-display apparatus having a primary display and a secondary display, comprising:
maintaining a power supplied to the secondary display during the status change; and
switching the primary display and the secondary display from a first state to a second state;
wherein:
in the first state, the primary display is off and the secondary display is on;
in the second state, both the primary display and the secondary display are on;
the switching of the primary display and the secondary display from the first state to the second state comprises:
preparing a backup pipe as a backup of a second virtual pipe with a resolution of the secondary display and a new content;
changing from the second virtual pipe being connected to a second display serial interface (DSI) corresponding to the secondary display to the backup pipe being connected to the second DSI;
connecting a first virtual pipe to a first DSI corresponding to the primary display;
connecting the backup pipe to the second DSI; and
powering on the first virtual pipe and the first DSI to turn on the primary display,
wherein each of the first virtual pipe and the second virtual pipe comprises respective hardware components configured to provide display processing, overlaying, and picture quality enhancement functionalities.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the maintaining of the power supplied to the secondary display comprises refraining from discontinuing or changing the power supplied to the secondary display despite a state change process to change from the first state to the second state according to a command from an operating system (OS) involves cutting off the power supplied to the secondary display.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the primary display has a larger display area, a higher display resolution, or both, compared to the secondary display.

### Claim 10

A device implementable in a multi-display apparatus having a primary display and a secondary display, comprising:
a processor configured to execute a status change with respect to the primary display and the secondary display by performing operations comprising:
maintaining a power supplied to the secondary display during the status change; and
switching the primary display and the secondary display from a first state to a second state;
wherein:
in the first state, the primary display is off and the secondary display is on;
in the second state, both the primary display and the secondary display are on; and
in switching the primary display and the secondary display from the first state to the second state, the processor is configured to perform operations comprising:
preparing a backup pipe as a backup of a second virtual pipe with a resolution of the secondary display and a new content;
changing from the second virtual pipe being connected to a second display serial interface (DSI) corresponding to the secondary display to the backup pipe being connected to the second DSI;
connecting a first virtual pipe to a first DSI corresponding to the primary display;
connecting the backup pipe to the second DSI; and
powering on the first virtual pipe and the first DSI to turn on the primary display,
wherein each of the first virtual pipe and the second virtual pipe comprises respective hardware components configured to provide display processing, overlaying, and picture quality enhancement functionalities.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The device of claim 10, wherein, in maintaining the power supplied to the secondary display, the processor is configured to refrain from discontinuing or changing the power supplied to the secondary display despite a state change process to change from the first state to the second state according to a command from an operating system (OS) involves cutting off the power supplied to the secondary display.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The device of claim 10, wherein the primary display has a larger display area, a higher display resolution, or both, compared to the secondary display.

### Claim 13

A method of a status change with respect to a multi-display apparatus having a primary display and a secondary display, comprising:
maintaining a power supplied to the secondary display during the status change; and
switching the primary display and the secondary display from a first state to a second state;
wherein:
in the first state, both the primary display and the secondary display are on;
in the second state, the primary display is off and the secondary display is on; and
the switching of the primary display and the secondary display from the first state to the second state comprises:
preparing a backup pipe as a backup of a first virtual pipe with a resolution of the secondary display;
powering off a first display serial interface (DSI) corresponding to the primary display to turn off the primary display;
disconnecting the first virtual pipe from the first DSI;
changing from a second virtual pipe being connected to a second DSI corresponding to the secondary display to the backup pipe being connected to the second DSI; and
powering on the backup pipe and the second DSI for the secondary display,
wherein each of the first virtual pipe and the second virtual pipe comprises respective hardware components configured to provide display processing, overlaying, and picture quality enhancement functionalities.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the maintaining of the power supplied to the secondary display comprises refraining from discontinuing or changing the power supplied to the secondary display despite a state change process to change from the first state to the second state according to a command from an operating system (OS) involves cutting off the power supplied to the secondary display.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the primary display has a larger display area, a higher display resolution, or both, compared to the secondary display.

### Claim 16

A device implementable in a multi-display apparatus having a primary display and a secondary display, comprising:
a processor configured to execute a status change with respect to the primary display and the secondary display by performing operations comprising:
maintaining a power supplied to the secondary display during the status change; and
switching the primary display and the secondary display from a first state to a second state;
wherein:
in the first state, both the primary display and the secondary display are on;
in the second state, the primary display is off and the secondary display is on; and
in switching the primary display and the secondary display from the first state to the second state, the processor is configured to perform operations comprising:
preparing a backup pipe as a backup of a first virtual pipe with a resolution of the secondary display;
powering off a first display serial interface (DSI) corresponding to the primary display to turn off the primary display;
disconnecting the first virtual pipe from the first DSI;
changing from a second virtual pipe being connected to a second DSI corresponding to the secondary display to the backup pipe being connected to the second DSI; and
powering on the backup pipe and the second DSI for the secondary display,
wherein each of the first virtual pipe and the second virtual pipe comprises respective hardware components configured to provide display processing, overlaying, and picture quality enhancement functionalities.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The device of claim 16, wherein, in maintaining the power supplied to the secondary display, the processor is configured to refrain from discontinuing or changing the power supplied to the secondary display despite a state change process to change from the first state to the second state according to a command from an operating system (OS) involves cutting off the power supplied to the secondary display.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The device of claim 16, wherein the primary display has a larger display area, a higher display resolution, or both, compared to the secondary display.

### Claim 19

A method of a status change with respect to a multi-display apparatus having a primary display and a secondary display, comprising:
maintaining a power supplied to the secondary display during the status change; and
switching the primary display and the secondary display from a first state to a second state;
wherein:
in the first state, both the primary display and the secondary display are on;
in the second state, the primary display is off and the secondary display is on; and
the switching of the primary display and the secondary display from the first state to the second state comprises:
preparing a backup pipe as a backup of a second virtual pipe with a resolution of the secondary display and a new content;
powering off a first display serial interface (DSI) corresponding to the primary display to turn off the primary display;
disconnecting a first virtual pipe from the first DSI;
changing from the second virtual pipe being connected to a second DSI corresponding to the secondary display to the backup pipe being connected to the second DSI; and
powering on the backup pipe and the second DSI for the secondary display,
wherein each of the first virtual pipe and the second virtual pipe comprises respective hardware components configured to provide display processing, overlaying, and picture quality enhancement functionalities.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19, wherein the maintaining of the power supplied to the secondary display comprises refraining from discontinuing or changing the power supplied to the secondary display despite a state change process to change from the first state to the second state according to a command from an operating system (OS) involves cutting off the power supplied to the secondary display.

### Claim 21 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19, wherein the primary display has a larger display area, a higher display resolution, or both, compared to the secondary display.

### Claim 22

A device implementable in a multi-display apparatus having a primary display and a secondary display, comprising:
a processor configured to execute a status change with respect to the primary display and the secondary display by performing operations comprising:
maintaining a power supplied to the secondary display during the status change; and
switching the primary display and the secondary display from a first state to a second state;
wherein:
in the first state, both the primary display and the secondary display are on;
in the second state, the primary display is off and the secondary display is on; and
in switching the primary display and the secondary display from the first state to the second state, the processor is configured to perform operations comprising:
preparing a backup pipe as a backup of a second virtual pipe with a resolution of the secondary display and a new content;
powering off a first display serial interface (DSI) corresponding to the primary display to turn off the primary display;
disconnecting a first virtual pipe from the first DSI;
changing from the second virtual pipe being connected to a second DSI corresponding to the secondary display to the backup pipe being connected to the second DSI; and
powering on the backup pipe and the second DSI for the secondary display,
wherein each of the first virtual pipe and the second virtual pipe comprises respective hardware components configured to provide display processing, overlaying, and picture quality enhancement functionalities.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The device of claim 22, wherein, in maintaining the power supplied to the secondary display, the processor is configured to refrain from discontinuing or changing the power supplied to the secondary display despite a state change process to change from the first state to the second state according to a command from an operating system (OS) involves cutting off the power supplied to the secondary display.

### Claim 24 (depends on 22)

The device of claim 22, wherein the primary display has a larger display area, a higher display resolution, or both, compared to the secondary display.