Patent: invisible iSight merged along LCD pixels
Apple (more exactly Michael Uly, an Apple empoyee working on iMovie) filed the patent n°20060007222 called "Integrated sensing display", filled 21st June 2004, accepted and published 12th January 2006.
Abstract: "An integrated sensing display is disclosed. The sensing display includes display elements integrated with image sensing elements. As a result, the integrated sensing device can not only output images (e.g., as a display) but also input images (e.g., as a camera)."
If you read the patent and see drawings, you will see it describes a way to invisibly merge optical sensors along pixels. A "macro CCD" is spilled on the screen on a larger surface than a traditionnal webcam. You have one display LCD pixel, then one input CCD pixel, then a LCD, a CCD, etc.
This "camdisplay" would act primarly as a fixed-focus, fixed-zoom camera with a fixed focal length lens. But a way to obtain "variable focal length in order to zoom and focus the image" is studied. Either by a physcial movement of "lens" or with a material changing its refractive index in response to electrical stimulus or a magnetic field.
It is just a patent now, but imagine all possible applications for natural videoconferencing: an Apple mobile phone or an invisible iSight in the display. Both correspondents finally look naturally in each orthers eyes!
And Mac OS X could eventually track your eyes movement at a glance for a precise interface control or to precede your most insane geek desires.
Make me rethink about Rolo's Apple HDTV too...
Abstract: "An integrated sensing display is disclosed. The sensing display includes display elements integrated with image sensing elements. As a result, the integrated sensing device can not only output images (e.g., as a display) but also input images (e.g., as a camera)."
If you read the patent and see drawings, you will see it describes a way to invisibly merge optical sensors along pixels. A "macro CCD" is spilled on the screen on a larger surface than a traditionnal webcam. You have one display LCD pixel, then one input CCD pixel, then a LCD, a CCD, etc.
This "camdisplay" would act primarly as a fixed-focus, fixed-zoom camera with a fixed focal length lens. But a way to obtain "variable focal length in order to zoom and focus the image" is studied. Either by a physcial movement of "lens" or with a material changing its refractive index in response to electrical stimulus or a magnetic field.
It is just a patent now, but imagine all possible applications for natural videoconferencing: an Apple mobile phone or an invisible iSight in the display. Both correspondents finally look naturally in each orthers eyes!
And Mac OS X could eventually track your eyes movement at a glance for a precise interface control or to precede your most insane geek desires.
Make me rethink about Rolo's Apple HDTV too...
Comments
Originally posted by Cosmos 1999
Apple (more exactly Michael Uly, an Apple empoyee working on iMovie) filed the patent n°20060007222 called "Integrated sensing display"
Abstract: "An integrated sensing display is disclosed. The sensing display includes display elements integrated with image sensing elements. As a result, the integrated sensing device can not only output images (e.g., as a display) but also input images (e.g., as a camera)."
If you read the patent and see drawings, you will see it describes a way to invisibly merge optical sensors along pixels. A "macro CCD" is spilled on the screen on a larger surface than a traditionnal webcam. You have one display LCD pixel, then one input CCD pixel, then a LCD, a CCD, etc.
This "camdisplay" would act primarly as a fixed-focus, fixed-zoom camera with a fixed focal length lens. But a way to obtain "variable focal length in order to zoom and focus the image" is studied. Either by a physcial movement of "lens" or with a material changing its refractive index in response to electrical stimulus or a magnetic field.
It is just a patent now, but imagine all possible applications for natural videoconferencing: an Apple mobile phone or an invisible iSight in the display. Both correspondents finally look naturally in each orthers eyes!
And Mac OS X could eventually track your eyes movement at a glance for a precise interface control or to precede your most insane geek desires.
Make me rethink about Rolo's Apple HDTV too...
I can't wait for this technology to show up. Been hoping for something like this for a few years now.
Originally posted by Bergermeister
With all the concerns about iSight being included in PB (pre keynote discussion) and actually in the MacBook, this is going to make impossible to know if there is a camera in the screen, so laptops may be banned altogether from sensitive workplaces.
On top of that, Just try and find a current generation cell phone that doesn't have a camera... it's next to impossible. I for one see ZERO benefit in them and yet every frickin cell phone in creation seems to feel the need to include them.
My question is how do 'sensitive workplaces' deal with todays cell phones?
Dave
The camera in the screen would create a lot of security and privacy issues that could be insurmountable and ultimately crush technology, as you could no longer trust anybody completely. A store display window could actually take photos of customers who stop to take a peek, for example. Though the same store has security cameras, I wonder if the built in cam would be perceived as different.
Then again, the same store could use the pen camera (or moron) in part of the framing for the display and acheive the same thing, so the point is moot.
There was a case here in Japan recently whereby a group placed advertisement displays on ATM machines; the boxes had cameras in their bases that were used to watch for passwords being entered. Several thousand passwords were jeopardized, but no money was ever obtained before the police busted it.
Originally posted by DaveGee
My question is how do 'sensitive workplaces' deal with todays cell phones?
The same way they deal with regular cellphones - they are not allowed, and neither are laptops in some places, nor USB flash drives, nor anything else that could allow someone to transfer data.
Originally posted by Danosaur
What were those TVs in "1984" called?
telescreen
another application could be the ipredator suit- the cameras on the back make the image on the front.
anyway- i doubt they've got it working (but you never know with steve)- my ramblings on the patent