Hinge device and display apparatus including the same

A display apparatus comprising:

• a first display;
• a second display adjacent to the first display;
• a hinge rotatably coupling the first display and the second display, the hinge comprising:
• a first hinge portion at a side of the first display;
• and
• a second hinge portion rotatably coupled to the first hinge portion and at a side of the second display;
• a light emitter on the first hinge portion, the light emitter comprising a first substrate, and a light source electrically connected to the first substrate and configured to emit light;
• and
• a light receiver on the second hinge portion, the light receiver comprising a second substrate, and at least one sensor electrically connected to the second substrate and configured to detect the light emitted from the light source,
• wherein the first substrate extends in a direction perpendicular to an extension direction of the first hinge portion while the first substrate is coupled to the first hinge portion such that the light source is configured to emit light toward the at least one sensor.

A method performed by a display apparatus that includes a first display, a second display adjacent to the first display, and a hinge rotatably coupling the first display and the second display, the method comprising:

• emitting light by a light emitter, wherein the light emitter is on a first hinge portion of the hinge that is at a side of the first display;
• receiving the light by a light receiver, wherein the light receiver is on a second hinge portion of the hinge that is rotatably coupled to the first hinge portion and at a side of the second display;
• and
• controlling, by a controller of the display apparatus, the first display and the second display based on an intensity of the light received by the light receiver while the light emitter outputs the light.