Future Mac or iPad screens could be used as a smart mirror
Apple is considering the possibility of producing devices that have a screen with adjustable reflectiveness, one that could potentially switch between displaying information to the user and acting as a mirror.
A patent application for an "Electronic Device with Adjustable Reflective Display", published on Thursday by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, describes the use of an extra layer added to a display assembly. The extra layer sits above the pixel array, used to create the image seen by the device's user.
The layer could consist of linear and reflective polarizers, a liquid crystal layer for managing the level of polarization, and a switchable polarizer that uses both liquid crystal and dichroic dye molecules. In theory, the layer would be controllable, switchable between letting the light from the pixel array through to the user at one extreme, and preventing light through while reflecting ambient light from the environment.
In essence, the panel would switch from a viewable screen to something resembling a mirror.
According to the filing, the layer could be controllable to a level that parts of the screen would show images and other content like a normal display, while other areas are reflective. The mirrored areas could change status from on to off, or shifted to other parts of the screen, if locations where content needs to be visible are altered.
Some elements of the filing also refer to how the user would interact with such a display, including the use of head-tracking, gaze-tracking, facial recognition, and hand gestures, vis the use of a built-in camera and other sensors. For example, by tracking the user's gaze, it could detect if the user is looking at a notification icon for a designated period of time, which could then trigger other content to appear on-screen.
A simple flowchart suggests the kind of actions that could occur based on a detected input, such as displaying news, notifications, or more icons for further interactions.
The controllable reflectiveness has relatively few applications in Apple's existing product line, but could be useful for aesthetic reasons. For example, an iPhone display could be made to be mirror-like when not in use, rather than appearing as a black screen.
Outside of Apple's current ecosystem, it could be used to produce a smart mirror system, a product category that has yet to really take off, despite the various concepts created by firms over the years, as well as home-made versions. The technology could potentially provide a much clearer image to end users if used in this way, as current systems require the light to pass through static reflective materials, which changes the appearance of content.
This could also be useful for commercial purposes, including kiosks and product displays that provide information to customers.
Apple regularly applies for patents across many different subject areas on a weekly basis, sometimes including new concepts, but with few actually making it to market. The existence of a patent or application is not a guarantee that it will be used in a consumer device in the future.
A patent application for an "Electronic Device with Adjustable Reflective Display", published on Thursday by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, describes the use of an extra layer added to a display assembly. The extra layer sits above the pixel array, used to create the image seen by the device's user.
The layer could consist of linear and reflective polarizers, a liquid crystal layer for managing the level of polarization, and a switchable polarizer that uses both liquid crystal and dichroic dye molecules. In theory, the layer would be controllable, switchable between letting the light from the pixel array through to the user at one extreme, and preventing light through while reflecting ambient light from the environment.
In essence, the panel would switch from a viewable screen to something resembling a mirror.
According to the filing, the layer could be controllable to a level that parts of the screen would show images and other content like a normal display, while other areas are reflective. The mirrored areas could change status from on to off, or shifted to other parts of the screen, if locations where content needs to be visible are altered.
Some elements of the filing also refer to how the user would interact with such a display, including the use of head-tracking, gaze-tracking, facial recognition, and hand gestures, vis the use of a built-in camera and other sensors. For example, by tracking the user's gaze, it could detect if the user is looking at a notification icon for a designated period of time, which could then trigger other content to appear on-screen.
A simple flowchart suggests the kind of actions that could occur based on a detected input, such as displaying news, notifications, or more icons for further interactions.
The controllable reflectiveness has relatively few applications in Apple's existing product line, but could be useful for aesthetic reasons. For example, an iPhone display could be made to be mirror-like when not in use, rather than appearing as a black screen.
Outside of Apple's current ecosystem, it could be used to produce a smart mirror system, a product category that has yet to really take off, despite the various concepts created by firms over the years, as well as home-made versions. The technology could potentially provide a much clearer image to end users if used in this way, as current systems require the light to pass through static reflective materials, which changes the appearance of content.
This could also be useful for commercial purposes, including kiosks and product displays that provide information to customers.
Apple regularly applies for patents across many different subject areas on a weekly basis, sometimes including new concepts, but with few actually making it to market. The existence of a patent or application is not a guarantee that it will be used in a consumer device in the future.
Comments
I’m intrigued by the idea of a “smart mirror” mounted over the bathroom sink, for example. But I’m not sure I’d really use it that often. To me, it seems like something that sounds great in theory but isn’t really in practice.
BMW has also prototyped a panoramic rearview “mirror” that stitched together video from multiple cameras to create a rear view with no blind spots. Replacing side-view mirrors with cameras could significantly reduce drag however current regulations require them.
You can choose the mirror or to display an image of your eyes. Perfect for boring meetings or lectures.
Yes, great idea. You could also make your eyes look any colour or pattern you like on the day. Bright orange cat’s eyes for example. Quite the thing for the board room.
or green lizard eyes for you next conspiracy theory meeting. They’ll be convinced you are part of the shadow government really run by aliens.
Future Mac or iPad screens could be used as a smart mirror
Not being a visionary, I don't, at the moment, see any compelling use for such a feature.Future smart mirrors could be used as a Mac or iPad screen
That would have made a better headline, and be something I might actually use.