Chip maker Qualcomm has recently filed a patent for a three screen touchscreen device that would allow users to fold and unfold it, transforming it from a phone into some sort of a tablet or used to watch movies on the go.

The filing, highlighted by Electronista and published in full on the USPTO website, suggests a triple-screen layout which is capable of changing the device’s abilities according to its alignment.

According to the patent, such technology can be used on smaller form factor devices that can take advantage of only smaller display screens. In fact, a small screen only limits the ability of the user to utilize the product and as a result it hinders to the overall experience as well as productivity.

“A multi-fold mobile device with a configurable interface is disclosed. When fully extended, the device may provide a panorama view, similar to widescreen televisions”, reads the patent.

“When fully folded, the device may provide a small form factor with an abbreviated view similar to cellular telephones. In addition, the user interface (UI) displayed on the device may change based on the folding configuration of the device”.

“processor configured to execute at least one software application having a graphical user interface, the processor being responsive to the folding configuration sensor to modify the graphical user interface based on the detected configuration.”

The concept user interface in the patent application changes depending on its physical orientation. This is because the screens will be able to detect their orientation in relation to each other through the use of one or more “accelerometers, inclinometers, or any combination thereof.” Thus, “based on a current folding configuration of the device, the UI may be a panorama UI, a desktop UI, an application UI, a web browser UI, an alarm clock UI, a media player UI, or some other UI”.

So far there has there has been no announced product at this time, so it simply remains a concept.  Qualcomm is a chip and software company and doesn’t directly produce phones or tablets so its hard to say what Qualcomm plans to do with the patent, Who knows maybe they are jumping on the tablet bandwagon.

Patent, Qualcomm, Tablet, Triple screen