Canon patent details flexible, stretchable LCD screen with pivoting grip

A new patent from Canon shows off the groundwork for a flexible LCD display that can be adjusted to give you more screen real estate when you need it.

According to the patent, originally filed in February 2014, an LCD screen on the back of a DSLR or mirrorless camera would be able to be made larger or smaller through the use of a rotating grip, which would show less or more of a flexible LCD (or LED) screen.

The patent’s wording and diagrams are a bit ambiguous, but from what we can tell, the rotating grip, which appears to have buttons built-in, would be able to rotate along a cylindrical axis on the right-hand side of the camera, revealing more of the screen.

When using the camera, the grip and accompanying buttons would be on the back of the camera, as you would traditionally see in camera. When you’re reviewing images or looking to make adjustments, the grip could be pivoted to the side to allow for more screen to be seen.

While there’s no verbiage of the screen been touchscreen, it would make sense for this hybrid design to be used in collaboration with a touch-screen, as it would allow for a physical buttons when shooting, but swipe, slide, pinch, and zoom functionality when you’re reviewing images.

All in all, it’s one of the more interesting patents we’ve seen from Canon in a while. It might not ever see the light of day, but if it does, consider us one of the first to get our hands on the design.

(via Canon Watch)