Foldable displays are far from taking over the world but with what we have seen with respect to real devices, we have barely scratched the surface when it comes to designs. Last week, we saw a Google patent for a phone with several displays and a design similar to a book. Today, it is IBM’s turn to show us another unusual device – a smartwatch with multiple displays that can unfold into a phone or a tablet.
According to LetsGoDigital who discovered the patent titled “Variable Display Size For an Electronic Display Device”, IBM filed the application back in 2016 but didn’t get it approved until last month.
The patent says the electronic device is designed to operate in one or more display configurations with varying screen sizes. In the default mode, it is a smartwatch with a significantly thick case. This case houses secondary displays stacked in layers behind the main display. These secondary displays can then be extended from the housing and positioned adjacent to the main display.
The patent says each display measures 3” x 2”. When you switch to the second configuration, the display size becomes 6” x 4” which means three more displays are added in the second configuration. A third configuration brings the dimension to 12” x 8” which is really big for a tablet. However, based on the patent images shown above, the third configuration will actually be 6” x 8” as only the width seems to have doubled.
LetsGoDigital has made 3D renders of the device which provide an idea of what it may look like as a final product. Though we are pretty sure the device will never be used in the positions shown as there is no way the strap can support the weight of the extended displays. It will definitely have to lay down flat when needed to be used as a phone or tablet.
