LG flexible display patent application includes fever-dreams of future devices

We're still a ways out from real-world applications of flexible displays, but LG is preparing for the future: it's just filed a patent application that details changing a flexible display's touch sensitivity depending on the state of the display, and it's included some intriguing drawings of potential devices with the application. Specifically, the patent application includes claims referencing cylindrical, prism, folding, "rolling," "freestyle," and "hybrid" body shapes, which all sound pretty intense -- especially the hybrid body, which is a "combination of the folding body and rolling body." Of course, patent applications don't always turn into granted patents, let alone shipping products, but if you're in the mood to stare wistfully at line art and dream about the future, the full PDF is at the source link.

[techee44 Posted May 25th 2010 7:25PM]

Ok, I want that folding pamphlet-like device. That's be pretty kickass, and could replace/combine maps and GPS.

[tobsmonster2 Posted May 25th 2010 7:30PM]

@techee44

[techee44 Posted May 25th 2010 7:34PM]

@tobsmonster2

???? No comment.

[Johanu Posted May 25th 2010 7:50PM]

@techee44 Hey, they already have this on Fringes parallel universe.

Damn you, at least we still have Boston.. Well, most of it, anyway..

[Khalid Shahin Posted May 25th 2010 7:26PM]

Imagine if the next iPad used this and became a flexible tablet? It would definitely live up to the name iPad if it did.

[EggoEspada Posted May 25th 2010 7:27PM]

I've always been intrigued by this kinda stuff.
looking forward to what LG is gonna do with it.
:D

[cdf74dc9 Posted May 25th 2010 7:32PM]

@ fever-dreams of future devices

for women that is.

[ChaskaCF Posted May 25th 2010 7:45PM]

Do I smell a PipBoy 3000?

[shishi Posted May 25th 2010 7:49PM]

So... I guess I can patent everything I've seen on Star Trek, even though I cannot possible physically produce a prototype in a foreseeable future, right? I mean, judging at the patents that get granted to Apple, LG, etc., for any wild idea that occur to them...

[acn010 Posted May 25th 2010 7:57PM]

I'm very excited of such idea. I wonder the possibilities of such invention

[tusing Posted May 25th 2010 7:59PM]

Display, meet Paper.

[nerd Posted May 25th 2010 8:14PM]

quick lets patent every shape!!

[Gregorian Posted May 25th 2010 9:39PM]

If you can't actually do it, if you can't actually describe how to do it, can you still get a patent?

Can you get patents on purely imaginative concepts? Can I patent Time Travel, if I draw a really cool time machine?

[Khav Posted May 26th 2010 1:07PM]

@Gregorian I may be wrong, but IIRC the patent system only requires a working example for things like perpetual motion. This LG technology is realistic based on current technology and research, so they don't need a working model.

[xinjii Posted May 25th 2010 9:41PM]

didn't nokia dream up something similar years ago? morph or something?