Patent shows off how a Surface with a folding display could work

What you need to know

  • A newer patent shows off how a Surface with a folding display could work.
  • The design looks similar to the Surface Book fulcrum hinge.
  • The patent clearly states, "flexible display."

A relatively new patent shows off how a folding display could work on a Surface device (via WindowsUnited). The patent was filed six months ago and released today. It can be found on PatentScope which includes all of the accompanying details, images, and documentation. The patent is filed under "MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC."

The description of the patent goes into details regarding the flexible display.

The present concepts relate to hinged devices employing flexible displays. A hinge assembly can rotatably secure two device portions and a single flexible display can span the two device portions."

The patent includes multiple images showing off a hinged design that has a flexible display over it. The flexible display wraps along the inside of the hinge, as shown above. This hinge looks identical to the fulcrum hinge that's on Microsoft's Surface Book. The display wrapping along the inside of the hinge could be an interesting approach as it wouldn't have to form a crease. Creases have shown up in displays like the Samsung Galaxy Fold. There's a chance a folding Surface could take advantage of the gap in the design and reduce the chance of issues.

Microsoft reportedly teased a folding Surface device codenamed "Centaurus" recently, though that reportedly has two screens rather than one folding display.

As always with patents, there's no guarantee that this technology ever sees the light of day. Patents are filed all of the time, and companies like Microsoft file large numbers of patents that are never implemented.

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Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott brings nearly a decade of experience covering Microsoft and Windows news to Windows Central. He joined our team in 2017 as an app reviewer and now heads up our day-to-day news coverage. If you have a news tip or an app to review, hit him up at sean.endicott@futurenet.com.