Samsung files for flexible display patent, Still on track for 2013

Last week we told you that Samsung would probably release devices with flexible displays within a year. No we have information about the patent they are seeking.
Samsung’s patent FIGS. 1A and 1B (pictured above) shows an example of a roll-up flexible display. Fig 2 (below) shows an overview of a flexible display apparatus, which includes a flexible display unit 10 which is controlled by a control unit 40. They also show examples of flexible displays taking on a Cylindrical shape and mimicking a book (see source link for more images)

“Additionally, flexible displays will be light, unbreakable and robust. The flexible display unit may include a substrate made of materials such as flexible plastics, metal foil, thin glass or the like. Other attributes may include any of the following: an electroluminescent display ELD, electrophoretic display (EPD –used in electronic paper), electrochromic display (ECD), liquid crystal display (LCD), active matrix LCD (AMLCD), active matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED) or the like), a driver unit (for example, a-Si thin film transistor (TFT), low temperature poly silicon (LTPS) TFT, organic TFT (OTFT), oxide TFT, nano TFT or the like) which drives the displaying part, and a protection film which protects the displaying part.”
As for what types of devices would have these, Samsung provides the following examples (but not limited to): mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), an MP3 player, a PC monitor, a portable PC (such as a net book, a smart book and a laptop computer), a TV and an electronic book.
So what do you think guys? Are you excited about flexible displays? It’s hard to believe we might see the first devices utilizing them by early next year.