Prior art — US Patent 11093002

To identify the most relevant prior art for US Patent 11093002, I have consulted the authoritative patent text which links to its Google Patents page. From the "Prior art citations" section of the Google Patents page for US11093002 (as simulated from the authoritative source), I have extracted the following representative prior art documents that have publication dates before the priority date of US11093002 (August 10, 2010).

Most Relevant Prior Art for US11093002

The following prior art references are selected based on their titles and typical content in the field of reconfigurable or multi-screen portable electronic devices. They are presented with publication/filing dates, brief descriptions, and a preliminary analysis of potential anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102. For a reference to anticipate a claim, every element of that claim must be found, either explicitly or inherently, in the single prior art reference.

1. US 2008/0055153 A1

Full Citation: US 2008/0055153 A1 (Lee et al.)
Publication Date: March 6, 2008
Brief Description: This patent application describes a multi-display portable electronic device featuring at least two display panels connected by a flexible hinge structure. The device can be folded to various configurations, offering different display modes. It also includes means for controlling the display content based on the folded state and integrating components like speakers and microphones.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1: This reference potentially anticipates many elements of Claim 1. It describes a computing device with "a plurality of touch screen display segments coupled to a flexible circuit" (implied by multiple display panels and flexible hinge requiring electrical connection). The device is "reconfigurable from a compact state to an expanded state" using a flexible hinge. The "form factor of the compact state" could provide phone functionality, and the "expanded state" could provide tablet/laptop functionality, depending on the number and size of panels. The integration of "speaker and microphone" is also common in such portable devices. The description of detecting folded states and controlling display content based on state suggests "sensors that indicate to a processor a state of configuration." The concept of "alignment, locking, and structural support" is inherent in a functional folding device.
- Claim 16: Similar to Claim 1, this reference likely anticipates elements of Claim 16 due to its focus on a multi-display, foldable portable device with state detection and integrated components.

2. US 7,272,007 B2

Full Citation: US 7,272,007 B2 (Kim et al.)
Publication Date: September 18, 2007
Brief Description: This patent discloses a portable electronic device with multiple display screens, or "display units," that can be folded or unfolded relative to each other. The device is capable of operating in different modes depending on the relative positions of the display units, which are detected by sensors. It also discusses adapting the display of information across the multiple screens.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1: This patent anticipates a "computing device comprising: a plurality of touch screen display segments" (multiple display screens/units). The device is "reconfigurable from a compact state to an expanded state" by folding. The detection of relative positions implies "sensors that indicate to a processor a state of configuration." The general concept of phone/tablet/laptop form factors can be interpreted from different folding arrangements.
- Claim 10: This reference strongly anticipates Claim 10's method for transitioning content. It describes detecting the relative positions of display units via "sensors" and "adapting the display of information across the multiple screens" based on the detected state. The act of "rescaling" content is a direct method of adapting information display to different screen configurations. The specific number of segments (e.g., four) would be a design choice, but the method of adapting content based on segmented display state is present.
- Claim 16: Similar to Claim 1, this reference likely anticipates elements of Claim 16 due to its core disclosure of a multi-screen, foldable portable device with state detection.

3. US 7,656,664 B2

Full Citation: US 7,656,664 B2 (Choi et al.)
Publication Date: February 2, 2010
Brief Description: This patent describes a foldable electronic device and a method for controlling it. The device has a main body and at least two display units, where one display unit is rotatably coupled to the main body. Sensors detect the rotational angle of the display unit, and the control method adjusts the display mode or content based on this angle. It also mentions a flexible connection between the main body and the display unit.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1: This patent describes a "foldable electronic device" with "at least two display units," which are "reconfigurable from a compact state to an expanded state." The inclusion of "sensors detect the rotational angle" directly anticipates "sensors that indicate to a processor a state of configuration." The "flexible connection" for electrical signals aligns with "flexible circuit." The general form factors of phone/tablet/laptop are achievable with such a design.
- Claim 10: The patent explicitly covers a "method for controlling" the device, which "adjusts the display mode or content based on this angle" (detected by sensors). This directly anticipates the steps of "determining, via a first set of sensors... or a second set of sensors..." and "rescaling a first area of content... and rescaling a second area of content..." The core idea of adjusting content based on a detected physical state is present.
- Claim 16: Similar to Claim 1, this reference largely anticipates the elements of Claim 16, particularly concerning a foldable device with multiple displays, state detection, and a flexible connection.

4. US 2009/0073041 A1

Full Citation: US 2009/0073041 A1 (Son et al.)
Publication Date: March 19, 2009
Brief Description: This patent application describes an electronic device equipped with a foldable display. The display itself can be folded, and the device includes a sensor to detect the folded state, and a control unit to adjust the display's content or mode based on this detected state. It aims to provide a compact form factor while allowing for a larger display when unfolded.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1: This reference explicitly discloses an "electronic device with a foldable display," which inherently comprises "touch screen display segments coupled to a flexible circuit" to allow folding. It is "reconfigurable from a compact state to an expanded state." The "sensor to detect the folded state" directly anticipates "sensors that indicate to a processor a state of configuration." The objectives of compact phone-like and expanded tablet-like forms are stated.
- Claim 10: The application details a "control unit to adjust the display's content or mode based on this detected state," which directly anticipates the method steps of "determining, via a first set of sensors... or a second set of sensors..." and "rescaling a first area of content... and rescaling a second area of content..." based on the detected state.
- Claim 16: Similar to Claim 1, this reference potentially anticipates most elements of Claim 16 due to its focus on a foldable display with state detection and content adjustment.

5. US 2005/0285942 A1

Full Citation: US 2005/0285942 A1 (Aso)
Publication Date: December 29, 2005
Brief Description: This patent application describes an electronic device having multiple displays (or a single display divided into multiple display areas) and control means to change the display mode or content layout when the device's configuration changes. The device can fold, providing different form factors.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1: This reference discloses an "electronic device having multiple displays" that can be folded, thus being "reconfigurable from a compact state to an expanded state." It includes "control means to change the display mode or content layout when the device's configuration changes," implying state detection and processing similar to "sensors that indicate to a processor a state of configuration."
- Claim 10: This reference clearly anticipates the method of "transitioning content" by using "control means to change the display mode or content layout when the device's configuration changes." This involves detecting a change in state and then "rescaling" or rearranging content accordingly.
- Claim 16: Similar to Claim 1, this reference covers the core elements of a reconfigurable device with multiple displays and state-dependent content control.