Fujifilm, formerly known as Fuji Photo Film, has been a prominent player in the film and camera industry since 1934. Occasionally the Japanese manufacturer also produces photo accessories like a 3D Image viewer. Why we mention that? Well, we stumbled upon a surprising patent.
Fujifilm flexible image display device
Fujifilm has filed a patent with WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) for a flexible image display device. The patent was published three days ago and comes with various drawings and a precise description.
Fujifilm is not the first manufacturer to experiment with foldable displays. We hear a lot about foldable smartphones lately, the Samsung Galaxy X in particular, and we have also seen various foldable tablet concepts. But being an imaging brand Fujifilm files a patent for a flexible image display device.
New foldable display concept
It´s a completely new concept we see here. When the device is folded, part of the flexible display unit curves in a recessed shape toward the back surface side, as you can see in the illustrations above.
The patent describes the following: Provided is an image display device which is foldable and can establish both a large screen and portability, and wherein breaking of a flexible display and severing of wiring can be prevented. The device has a flexible display unit and a support body for supporting a back surface side, which is on the opposite side from a display side, of the flexible display unit. The support body is foldable with the flexible display unit side on the inside. In a state in which the support body is folded, part of the flexible display unit curves in a recessed shape toward the back surface side and then curves in a recessed shape toward the display surface side moving from the end surface side of the support body to the fulcrum side of the fold in the support body.
The WIPO patent can be seen here.