Apple Patents an LCD That Can Take Pictures & Video Too

[CuttingEdge100]

Apple's patent for an LCD display that also takes photos, video
URL: http://www.appleinsider.com/article...lcd_display_that_also_takes_photos_video.html

As rumors swirl over the possibility of a 3G iPhone with video conferencing capabilities, it may be of some interest to recall an earlier patent filing from Apple for an 'integrated sensing display' capable of serving as both a display screen and a digital camera.

The filing, which predates the iPhone's release by nearly three years, describes a new breed of LCD display that could simultaneously take photos while continuing its role as the primary display screen of an electronics device or computer monitor.

The idea behind the invention is to wedge thousands of microscopic image sensors between the LCD cells that make up the display, where each sensor would be responsible for capturing a piece of the overall photo. Those pieces would then be stitched together by software to recreate the complete image capture.

According to the filing, made back in June of 2004, the tiny image sensors could also have variable focal lengths in order to zoom and focus the image: "The lens might either be physically moved or have its properties altered. In the latter case, the lens might be made of a material that changes its refractive index in response to electrical stimulus or a magnetic field."

The filing has a newfound relevance given recent claims by Digg founder Kevin Rose that Apple's forthcoming iPhone revision will include a camera mounted on the face of the unit to coincide with a mobile version of iChat suited for handheld video conferencing.

Image URL: http://images.appleinsider.com/patent-080326.gif


Just like 1984... let the surveillance begin!

You know, I actually have heard about some malware that can actually remotely activate a computer camera allowing another person to watch you (I wish i was making that up)... I'm not opposed to web-cams, but I don't want a person able to watch me without my consent -- at least the webcams currently on computers you can just put a piece of duct-tape over.


CuttingEdge100

 

[noknowes]

DON'T DO ANYTHING IMPROPER.then you would be not ashamed of being watched.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

My webcam has a light that comes on when it's in use, and it's pretty bright... nobody would be able to watch me unnoticed!

 

[FordSVT]

DON'T DO ANYTHING IMPROPER.then you would be not ashamed of being watched.

I hope you're being facetious, but I doubt it.

There are several different patents for "behind the screen" camera technology. I know Nokia has a technology to do it that is only a little different than Apple's. It's just that the cost of implementing them commercially is prohibitive. Most people wouldn't be willing to pay an extra $500 for a phone just so their eye-lines meet up with someone else's who happens to have the same kind of phone. And it's only been recently that phone networks had the speed to even allow a high quality, real time video transfer.

It's cool though, certainly more user friendly and something that is rather essential in the long term adaptation of video conferencing. As travel becomes more cost-prohibitive, teleconferencing will get more sophisticated and it will become the go-to method for most meetings between parties over large distances.

 

[Mr. B]

As small as phone cameras are, one wonders why anyone would bother to invest in such technology.

 

[Data Holmes]

As small as phone cameras are, one wonders why anyone would bother to invest in such technology.

BIA... Because It's Apple.

Apple seems to be on a mission to make the technology of star trek real, if you ask me. Nerds Unleashed.

 

[K'riq Sa]

does that mean i should start wearing clothes when i surf the net?






k'riq

 

[CuttingEdge100]

NoKnowes,

DON'T DO ANYTHING IMPROPER.then you would be not ashamed of being watched.

Why should I have to be watched? I've done nothing to warrant it...

 

[Garrovick]

As small as phone cameras are, one wonders why anyone would bother to invest in such technology.

BIA... Because It's Apple.

Apple seems to be on a mission to make the technology of star trek real, if you ask me. Nerds Unleashed.

Apple's real mission is to charge 40 dollars fo two cents worth of electronics. ie it's new talking mp3 player's earbuds..

That's why it's OS runs on a 300 dollar netbook.

 

[MacWin]

Runs or runs well and performs as it's supposed to. I'm guessing the former more so than the the latter.

 

[Lindley]

Most people wouldn't be willing to pay an extra $500 for a phone just so their eye-lines meet up with someone else's who happens to have the same kind of phone.

Eh, you could do that with software even if the camera was a normal one above the screen. It's just a simple projective transform (probably followed by a crop to make the image rectangular again).