US 11209863

US patent 11209863, titled "Magnetic configurations for flexible display computing devices," was issued to Lepton Computing LLC on December 28, 2021. The inventor is Stephen E. Delaporte. The filing date for this application (US16/578,123) was September 20, 2019, with a priority date of August 10, 2010.

Abstract:
The patent describes reconfigurable touch screen computing devices that feature folding configurations, utilizing both flexible and/or rigid displays composed of segments. These devices can transition from a compact "phone state" (including an integrated speaker and microphone) to an expanded "tablet computer state" (which may also offer laptop mechanical functionality). Both configurations maintain a touch screen display on the front and a protective housing on the back. The computing devices incorporate sensors to identify the current configuration state, along with mechanisms for folding, alignment, and structural support. Magnets are also included to secure the devices in either their folded or unfolded states. A central module, housed within at least one segment, contains the primary processing, memory, and communication systems, all accessible and functional in both compact and expanded states.

Plain-language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1: This claim describes a reconfigurable touch screen computing device that can switch between a compact (phone-sized) state and an expanded (tablet-sized) state. It includes a touch screen display made of multiple segments connected by a flexible circuit. The device has a front side with the display and a back side with a protective housing in both states. Key features are sensors that detect the device's current configuration state and magnets used to lock the device in either its folded or unfolded position. The device also includes a computing module, located within one of the segments, which houses the processing, memory, and communications system, all operational in both states.

• Claim 11: This claim outlines a method for manufacturing a reconfigurable touch screen computing device. The method involves providing a touch screen display with multiple segments linked by a flexible circuit, where the display can change between a compact phone-sized state and an expanded tablet-sized state. It includes attaching a protective housing to the back of the device, integrating sensors to detect the device's state, and incorporating magnets to secure the device in either state. Furthermore, a computing module, containing processing, memory, and a communications system, is situated within one of the segments, designed to be functional in both configurations.

• Claim 12: This claim details a method for using a reconfigurable touch screen computing device. The method involves selecting between a compact phone-sized state and an expanded tablet-sized state for the touch screen display, which consists of multiple segments connected by a flexible circuit. It includes using sensors to detect the current configuration state and utilizing magnets to lock the device in either the folded or unfolded position. The method further involves using a computing module, housed within one of the segments, which provides processing, memory, and a communications system, all accessible and operational regardless of the device's state.

Litigation Information:
US patent 11209863 is currently involved in litigation, specifically in the case of "Secure Communication Technologies, LLC v. Samsung Electronics" in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. I do not have authoritative information regarding any CAFC 2026 dockets for this specific patent.