Apple may join the fray of Samsung, Oppo and Motorola by launching a foldable smartphone around 2025. Ahead of this, the Cupertino giant has filed a patent for a new technology that will also protect iPhone and iPad models with flexible screens from damage. fall from height. With this latest technology, the devices will be able to detect during a fall and immediately turn to the ground to minimize damage. According to the patent, bending the display to an angle of less than 180 degrees can provide some protection to the devices.

As initially spotted by PatentlyApple, Apple has filed for a patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) that points to new security features for the screens of iPhone and iPad units. The patent, titled “Self-retracting display device and techniques for protecting screen using drop detection,” refers to a motorized folding device mechanism that partially or partially retracts the foldable device before hitting the ground in a drop event to protect its display. Can shut down completely.

Foldable displays and rollable displays made of ultra-thin glass can be vulnerable to falls and the proposed technology would be beneficial to contain the damage by locking the device to protect its display.

The patent application states, “Mobile devices with foldable and rollable displays may use sensors to detect vertical acceleration (for example, acceleration with respect to the ground) to determine whether Whether the mobile device has been dropped.” “If the sensor detects that the mobile device has been dropped … the foldable device can at least partially retract to protect the vulnerable display from hitting the ground,” it added.

According to the patent application, bending the display to an angle of less than 180 degrees may also provide some protection. “The electronic device may include a release mechanism operating with the roller to automatically retract the foldable display on the roller when the detected vertical acceleration exceeds a predetermined acceleration threshold,” it added.

In addition to a detailed description of the new technology, the listing on the USPTO’s website includes some schematics to suggest how the revisions will work.

Apple hasn’t revealed any details about the new patent or release of an iPhone or iPad with a foldable display. Patented techniques can only be used for prototyping. So, all these details should be considered with a pinch of salt.