Samsung patent shows a foldable display that works with the S Pen
Currently, when using the S Pen the Galaxy Note detects where it is even when you hold it slightly above the display which helps users with precision when using it. Naturally, the indicator is positioned exactly below the tip of the S Pen where the display is closest. With foldable devices, however, there could be multiple points that are equally distanced from the S Pen with neither of them being the correct one for practical use.
Different use cases of the S Pen with a foldable device
To correct that, the device must be capable of determining the exact state of the display, whether it’s unfolded, folded (outward folds are supported as well) or semi-folded and if the S Pen is within the folding area of the display. Then the algorithms determine where the correct position of the cursor should be for an intuitive behavior of the device. While that seems like a trivial problem to solve apparently figuring out the correct hovering point of the S Pen is something so complex that it’s worth patenting the solution.
It’s interesting to note that the illustrations in this patent show a device with two hinges that folds in a Z pattern, something that was present in other leaks as well. The addition of the S Pen to the fold could be a sign that Samsung might merge the two lines and create a Galaxy Note Fold (or Fold Note?). With its large display, a future Fold device fits perfectly with what the Note line has been all about: productivity. With the addition of the S Pen, Samsung can take that to another level.
