Samsung patent shows a foldable display that works with the S Pen

After a lengthy delay, Samsung’s Galaxy Fold is now shipping to customers around the world but the company is already looking towards the next iteration of the device. Rumors about it are already circling the internet and today we’re getting a hint of what else we might expect from the next Fold.

Found in a patent application submitted by Samsung, and spotted by LetsGoDigital, is a method for accurate detection of finger and stylus gestures on foldable touch-sensitive displays. The patent focuses specifically on parts of the display that are subject to folding.

This area requires special attention for a couple of reasons. First, the area of the display that bends has worse support because of the hinge and other moving parts that are behind it. This makes it more delicate and sensitive to pressure, especially when it comes to something like the S Pen which has way smaller contact area with the display than a finger. And while that issue can be resolved with improved materials and better design, the other one requires a more complicated solution.

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.