US 11693450

Patent Analysis: US 11,693,450 B2

Date of Analysis: May 1, 2026

Patent Number: 11,693,450

Title: Flexible display computing devices

Assignee: Lepton Computing LLC

Inventor: Stephen E. Delaporte

Filing Date: April 12, 2022

Issue Date: July 4, 2023

Abstract:
This patent describes reconfigurable touch screen computing devices with folding configurations. These devices feature flexible displays composed of segments that can be moved from a compact, folded state to an expanded, open state. The compact form factor is designed to be similar in size to a handheld phone and may include a speaker and microphone. In its expanded state, the device resembles a tablet computer and can even offer laptop-like functionality. A key aspect of the design is that both the compact and expanded configurations present a touch screen on the front and a protective housing on the back. The devices incorporate sensors to detect the current configuration and mechanisms for folding, alignment, and structural support. Magnets are also utilized to secure the device in either its folded or unfolded state. A central module, attached to at least one of the segments, houses the core processing, memory, and communication components, which are functional in both configurations.

Plain-Language Summary of Independent Claims:

The patent includes several independent claims that define the core of the invention. In simple terms, these claims protect:

• Claim 1: A computing device that can be reconfigured. It has a display made of multiple segments that can fold. The device can switch between a compact, phone-like size and an expanded, tablet-like size. Importantly, in both folded and unfolded states, there's a screen on one side and a protective case on the other. It also has sensors that know whether it's folded or open and uses magnets to hold it in either position. The "brains" of the device, like the processor and memory, are in one of the segments and work in both forms.
• Claim 10: A method for how the graphical user interface (GUI) of the device works. When the device is unfolded from its compact state to its expanded state, the on-screen content automatically adjusts and rescales to fit the larger display.
• Claim 16: A computing device with a flexible display that can be folded. This claim also describes the ability to switch between a smaller, phone-like form and a larger, tablet-like form. It emphasizes that a single, continuous flexible display is used across the different segments. Like the other claims, it mentions the use of sensors to detect the device's state, a protective housing, and a main processing unit that functions in both configurations.

Legal Status and Potential Litigation: As of April 26, 2026, there is public information indicating that Lepton Computing LLC has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Samsung Electronics. This lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, alleges that Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip foldable phones, as well as the new Galaxy Z TriFold, infringe on a portfolio of nine patents, including US Patent No. 11,693,450. This suggests that Lepton Computing LLC is actively enforcing its patent rights related to foldable device technology. A search of the CAFC dockets for 2026 did not reveal any publicly available information regarding this specific patent at the appellate level as of today's date.

Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The legal status and interpretation of a patent can be complex and may change over time.