Future Apple MacBooks could have screens backlit by the sun
First on AppleInsider: A new Apple patent application revealed this week describes technology that would allow an external light source, like the sun, to provide the backlight for a display, helping to conserve battery life.
The application revealed this week, entitled "External Light Illumination of Display Screens," notes that current LCD displays can be difficult to view when outdoors in direct sunlight. In addition, it said, it often takes high-powered components to properly light the display. The patent describes a way for a portable computer, like a MacBook, to collect external light to illuminate the computer screen.
One described method would employ a "light harness," which would serve as a collector of light that would then be displayed onto the screen. This could be done by having the harness reflect light toward the back of the display panel.
In addition to the sun, external light could come from a variety of sources, including an accessory light bulb that could be a part of the mobile computer. The application also mentions such a device could be used in a vehicle, with the screen illuminated by a light inside a car.
The system could also include internal LED light sources that could be used in conjunction with the external light source, if there is not enough light available to properly see the screen.
"The internal light sources may also increase the power consumption of the electronic device," the application reads. "Therefore, a manifold or other light harness may be used along one or more edges of the display screen in conjunction with or as an alternative to the internal light sources to provide illumination to the display screen by emitting light channeled from an external light source across the display screen."
One potential method would have the reflector behind the display screen, relaying light to the back of the panel to illuminate it for the user. Another method described in the application would allow the user to remove the reflector entirely, if the user were to position themselves and the back of the computer display towards the light source.
The technology would rely on a translucent surface, either removable or permanent, placed behind the computer display. The surface would either pass or harness external light, allowing the display to be illuminated. The surface could also be hardened to prevent damage to the display.
The patent application was filed with the U.S. Trademark & Patent Office on Sept. 19, 2008. The invention is credited to Peter H. Mahowald.
The application revealed this week, entitled "External Light Illumination of Display Screens," notes that current LCD displays can be difficult to view when outdoors in direct sunlight. In addition, it said, it often takes high-powered components to properly light the display. The patent describes a way for a portable computer, like a MacBook, to collect external light to illuminate the computer screen.
One described method would employ a "light harness," which would serve as a collector of light that would then be displayed onto the screen. This could be done by having the harness reflect light toward the back of the display panel.
In addition to the sun, external light could come from a variety of sources, including an accessory light bulb that could be a part of the mobile computer. The application also mentions such a device could be used in a vehicle, with the screen illuminated by a light inside a car.
The system could also include internal LED light sources that could be used in conjunction with the external light source, if there is not enough light available to properly see the screen.
"The internal light sources may also increase the power consumption of the electronic device," the application reads. "Therefore, a manifold or other light harness may be used along one or more edges of the display screen in conjunction with or as an alternative to the internal light sources to provide illumination to the display screen by emitting light channeled from an external light source across the display screen."
One potential method would have the reflector behind the display screen, relaying light to the back of the panel to illuminate it for the user. Another method described in the application would allow the user to remove the reflector entirely, if the user were to position themselves and the back of the computer display towards the light source.
The technology would rely on a translucent surface, either removable or permanent, placed behind the computer display. The surface would either pass or harness external light, allowing the display to be illuminated. The surface could also be hardened to prevent damage to the display.
The patent application was filed with the U.S. Trademark & Patent Office on Sept. 19, 2008. The invention is credited to Peter H. Mahowald.
Comments
Hot spots? If the reflector is not set up correctly, it could produce hot spots which would ultimately damage the screen.
How many keys on the keyboard!?!
Phil
Even distribution of the light coming in would be an issue, as the source could come from above, below, sides, corners, or as a bright source directly behind. White balance would probably be controlled similar to a digital camera.
Always nice to get another patent, though
I have a hard time believing that the same guy who couldn't get far enough away from the bulk of a floppy drive would be interested in attaching an awning to his company's notebooks!
If they had a magnifying glass-type material around the edges of the lid, it would collect and refract the light into the screen.
Not a big deal.
Colour accurary?? As any photographer knows, the white balance of the sun is very different to that of artificial light, so a clever system of balancing colours would be required.
Hot spots? If the reflector is not set up correctly, it could produce hot spots which would ultimately damage the screen.
How many keys on the keyboard!?!
Phil
honestly, if you're worried about color accuracy, you're NOT using a laptop outside in the sun.
i think with power management improvement, new screen technologies, more efficient LED backlights, and to a lesser extent new battery technology, this kind of system won't be necessary.
and that's in addition to the fact that this kind of bulky, complicated setup is very un-apple.
A new Apple patent application. . . a "light harness,". . . an accessory light bulb. . . a light inside a car. . . a manifold. . . reflector behind the display screen. . . or remove the reflector entirely. . . would rely on a translucent surface. . . removable or permanent. . .
This sounds like it should be sold via infomercial and bundled with the in-egg-scrambler.
Interesting concept, but I always thought solar cells got extremely hot when using them to create energy.
Please reread the main article. It's not a solar cell.
It's basically a reflector providing the backlight that would normally be provided by a white LED panel (or formerly a CCFL panel). The collected light would be funneled to a plastic part that acts as a emitter, like a fiber optic light, just big and rectangular.
SGI's Corona LCD display panel (circa 1995?) had a removable backlight. You could then clip the display panel to an overhead projector (this was when LCD projectors were the size of suitcases). In this setup, the light from the overhead projector was shining directly on the LCD, but it wasn't much different.
The main thing here is the collection of sunlight and transmitting it to a diffuse panel behind the LCD.
I've created a "light harness" which would serve as a collector of light that would then be displayed onto the screen of an "LCD Display"...
I'm Dr. Evil and I approve this frick'n technology...