Apple files patent for a unique camera built into laptop
Posted by Dennis Sellers 
Sep 16, 2005 at 1:40am
On September 15, 2005, the US Patent & Trademark Office revealed Apple’s patent application 20050201047 entitled Camera Latch. The inventor listed is Christoph H. Krah for serial number 800166, originally filed March 12, 2004. In this report: Background and Summary of the Invention along with special sections entitled Specific Points of Interest and Symbol Illumination System.
The following Apple invention relates to a unique Camera that’s built right into a Laptop computer via a new latch. The patent states: The portable computer includes a base. The portable computer also includes a lid that pivots relative to the base. The portable computer further includes a latch including a data capture device such as a camera that is configured to secure the lid to the base.
To view all patent drawings with brief descriptions, see the accompanying article.
Background of the invention
The invention generally pertains to a laptop computer and more particularly to a camera latch that is incorporated into a laptop computer.
Laptop computers generally consist of a lid for housing a display screen such as an LCD and a base for housing various operational components such as a processor, a hard drive, a disk drive, a modem, a battery, etc. The base also typically carries several input devices including a keyboard, a track pad (or track stick), and various buttons. In most cases, the lid is hinged to the base so as to move the lid between a closed position, placing the lid against the base, and an open position, exposing the display screen and the input devices to the user.
Most portable computers require that the lid be securely attached to the base for transportation. As such, a locking mechanism is generally provided to secure the lid to the base when the lid is in the closed position. The locking mechanism typically includes a hook, which extends from the lid and which is configured for lockably engaging the base when the lid is in the closed position. The locking mechanism may also include a slide knob for slidably releasing the hook from the base so as to place the lid in the open position.
Various peripheral input output devices may be electrically connected to the laptop computer. The peripheral I/O devices may include memory, disk drives, keyboards, monitors, mice, printers, scanners, speakers and digital cameras. In most cases, the peripheral I/O devices are connected to laptop computer through wired connections using a serial, USB, or FireWire interface. In other cases, the peripheral I/O devices (as for example keyboards and mice) are connected to the laptop through wireless connections such as radio or Bluetooth.
Digital cameras, in particular, have become increasingly popular input devices. The digital camera records images in digital form and feeds the images to the laptop computer. The images may be downloaded into the laptop computer as they are recorded or they may be stored in the digital camera for downloading at a later time. Once in the computer, the images can be edited, copied, emailed, broadcasted, etc. Some examples of digital cameras include webcams, point and click cameras and camcorders. In all of these examples, the digital camera includes a sensor that converts light into electrical charges. The image sensor employed by most digital cameras is a charge coupled device (CCD), although complimentary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) may also be used.
Digital cameras and more particularly webcams, whose output is primarily available for viewing over the Internet, may also be configured for video conferencing. Video conferencing generally refers to a live connection between two or more participants in separate locations for the purpose of audio and video communication. At its simplest, videoconferencing provides transmission of images and text between two locations. At its most sophisticated, it provides transmission of full motion video images and high quality audio between two or more locations.
Although current laptop designs work well, in many instances it would be desirable to provide laptops with improved and/or additional functionality while maintaining aesthetics and keeping with the current trend of smaller and more powerful laptops.
Summary of the invention
The invention relates, in one embodiment, to a portable computer. The portable computer includes a base. The portable computer also includes a lid that pivots relative to the base. The portable computer further includes a latch configured to secure the lid to the base. The latch include a data capture device such as a camera.
The invention relates, in another embodiment, to a laptop computer. The laptop computer includes a base containing a processor. The laptop computer also includes a lid pivotally coupled to the base. The lid contains a display operatively coupled the processor. The laptop computer further includes a latch pivotally coupled to the lid. The latch contains an electronic feature operatively coupled to the processor and a locking feature for lockably engaging the base.
The invention relates, in another embodiment, to a monitor. The monitor includes a display housing. The monitor also includes a display coupled to the display housing. The monitor also includes a camera coupled to the display housing.
Note: This application is cross referenced to related U.S. patent applications Numbers 10/652,157 and 10/651,918, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Specific points of interest
The following patent points relate directly to specifics found in the patent drawings.
Patent Point 95 in part: Applications beyond the laptop like TV
While this invention has been described in terms of several preferred embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. For example, although the invention is primarily directed at a camera latch for a laptop computer, it should be noted that concepts disclosed herein may also be applied to other electronic devices, including but not limited to PDAs, music players, mobile phones and the like or I/O devices such as monitors, televisions and the like.
Furthermore, in some cases, it may be desirable to reverse the automatic positioning of the latch relative to the base once the latch is placed in the home position and the lid is opened in order to ensure that the line of sight of the camera is directed at the user.
It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations and permutations.
Patent Point 45 in part: Microphone and streaming video
In the case of audio data, the data capture device 132 may include a microphone and in the case of image data the data capture device 132 may include a camera. The camera may be configured to produce a single image, images at intervals or a live video stream. In some cases, the data capture device 132 combines a camera and one or more microphones into a single unit. In other cases, the data capture device 132 only includes one of these components. By way of example, the camera may include image sensors such as charge coupled device (CCD) or complimentary oxide semiconductor (CMOS) and optics such as lenses, splitters, filters and the like. In addition, the microphone may include diaphragms, amplifiers, digital signal processors (DSP), etc.
Patent Points 47 & 57 in part: Pivotal latch for video conferencing
In order to make the data capture device 132 more user friendly, the latch 122 may be configured to move relative to the lid 104 rather than being fixed thereto. By way of example, the latch 122 may pivot, swivel and/or translate relative to the lid 104 so that the position of the data capture device 132 can be adjusted. The pivot action, (as shown by arrow 134), allows the latch 122 to rotate forwards and backwards, the swivel action (as shown by arrow 136) allows the latch 122 to rotate side to side, and the translating action (as shown by arrows 138 and 140) allows the latch 122 to slide up and down or side to side, respectively. These types of motions may be particularly useful when using a data capture device such as a camera during video conferencing.
By providing a pivoting action, the position of the latch 164 may be adjusted to place the latch 164 within the cut out 166 when the lid 154 is closed or being closed and to place the latch 166 in multiple camera viewing positions when the lid 154 is opened. For example, during a videoconference, the user can adjust the latch position to place the line of sight 192 of the camera 184 on the user.
Patent Point 48 in part: Latch with LCD and/or wireless transceivers
The latch may additionally include a small LCD so that the user can view the images stored in the memory module. In cases such as these, the latch 122 may include a connector that operatively couples with a connector located in the docking station 142. In a similar vein, the latch 122 and docking station 142 may include wireless transceivers based on FM, RF, Bluetooth, 802.11, UWB (ultra wide band), IR, magnetic link (induction) and/or the like.
Patent Point 49 in part: Power/Sleep indicator in latch
In another embodiment, the latch 122 is configured to carry one or more indicators 148 for alerting a user to a particular status or a change in status of the portable computer 100. By integrating an indicator into the latch, the other surfaces of the laptop can be preserved, i.e., adding an indicator does not compromise the surfaces of the base or lid. For example, latch 122 may include a power/sleep indicator that alerts a user as to when the computer 100 is on/off or in a sleep mode.
Patent Point 51: Applicable to IBM compatible or Apple laptops
It is contemplated that the portable computer 100 can be lap top computer such as an IBM compatible computer or an Apple compatible computer. By way of example, the Apple compatible computer may include different models such as the iBook, or Titanium models, which are manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc. of Cupertino, California.
Symbol illumination system
The latch 164 is also configured to carry a symbol illumination system. The symbol illumination system operates to illuminate a symbol 196 on an illuminable portion of the latch housing 186 using light provided by a light source. The symbol 196 may be widely varied. For example, the symbol 196 may be one or more characters, letters or numbers; a simple shape such a circle, rectangle, square, triangle, etc., or it may be a more complex shape such as, icon, logo, etc. In one configuration, the symbol 196 is an Apple corresponding to the Apple logo used by Apple Computer of Cupertino, California. The location of the symbol 196 can also be widely varied. For example, it can be positioned on any surface of the latch 164. In the illustrated embodiment, the symbol 196 is placed on the backside 168 of the latch 164 so that it can be seen by the user when the latch 164 is positioned within the cut out 166.
The symbol illumination system may be widely varied. By way of example, the light source may be one or more light emitting diodes (LED), LCD panels, light emitting semiconductor dies, lasers, incandescent light bulbs, fluorescent light bulbs, neon tubes, and the like that produce white or colored light. The light source may even correspond to the LCD 160 contained within the lid 154. For example, the backlighting from the LCD panel may be used to illuminate the illuminable portion. Furthermore, the illuminable portion may be a clear or translucent portion of the latch housing 186 or it may be provided by a separate piece of clear or translucent material that is inserted and affixed within an opening in the (translucent or non-translucent) housing. By way of example, the illuminable portion may be formed from glass or plastic materials such as polycarbonate, acrylic and the like. The illuminable portion may include a light diffusing means or color filtering means located either internal or external to the illuminable portion. As should be appreciated, the light diffusing means scatters the transmitted light to produce a characteristic glow that emanates from the outer surface of the illuminable portion, and the color filtering means allows certain colors to pass through thereby causing the illumination portion to exude a certain color.
The light source is typically placed inside the latch housing 186 behind the illuminable portion so that the illuminable portion can be illuminated thereby creating the symbol (e.g., lit up). Generally speaking, a symbol image is formed at the outer surface of the illuminable portion, and may even glow, when light is made incident on the inner surface of illuminable portion via the light source. In cases where the light source cannot be placed behind the illuminable portion, a light directing element such as a light pipe or light guide can be used to direct the light from the light source to the illuminable portion. The light directing element may be a separate component or it may be integral with the illuminable portion. The symbol illumination system may additionally include a masking element for helping produce the desired symbol shape. The masking element generally includes an opening corresponding to the symbol image to be illuminated.
The light source of the symbol illumination system is typically controlled by the control electronics stored in the base of the laptop 150 so as to produce a symbol light effect having specific characteristics or attributes. For example, the light may be used to exhibit a behavior that reflects the desires or moods of the user, that reflects inputs or outputs for the laptop computer 150, or that reacts to tasks or events associated with operation of the laptop computer 150. In most cases, illumination processing includes monitoring events associated with the laptop computer 150 (e.g., software or hardware) and controlling the light source based on the monitored events so as to indicate a status corresponding to the monitored event. The events being monitored are generally identified by an operating system or a microprocessor utilized within the laptop computer 150. The events can take many forms such as operating system events or microprocessor events. By way of example, the events may relate to signals, conditions or status of the laptop computer 150 and/or to any devices or systems attached thereto (e.g., i/o devices, internet, etc.). The light source may be controlled in a manner that produces different symbol light effects for different events. For example, the light source may be configured to blink, ebb or produce different colors depending on the events that occurred. The light source may produce a red blinking light when a first event has been implemented, and solid blue light when a second event has been implemented. .
The illumination characteristics and their associated with specific events may be stored in a database. Illumination characteristics generally refer to how a light source is illuminated to produce a visual effect (e.g., which lights are operated, how long the light sources are operated, what color the light source output, etc.). The illumination characteristics stored in the database may be accessed by a user through a light control menu, which may be viewed on the LCD as part of a GUI interface. The light control menu may serve as a control panel for reviewing and/or customizing the illumination characteristics, i.e., the user may quickly and conveniently review the illumination characteristics and make changes thereto. Once the user saves the changes, the modified illumination characteristics will be employed to handle future illumination processing.
Is this hot or what!
Having a camera for stills or video conferencing built right into a laptop is long over due. In order for iChat AV to be ubiquitous, Apple has to provide this built-in feature on all their laptops. In addition, the fact that the camera will also be considered for other applications is very interesting, especially for the iPod, standard monitors and yes even televisions.
The unit’s ability to use a functional illumination system to provide users with various status conditions could be interesting. When the unit is closed, the latch could be assigned a color LED scheme that could notify you that that new email has arrived or that someone is urgently trying to reach you via iChat AV for a work related brainstorming session or urgent problem. I’m sure that you could think of other unique applications here.
The fact that a wireless antenna could be hidden within the latch is rather esthetically and technically brilliant on Apple’s part. We expect no less, of course.
Ever since I saw a Sony notebook incorporate a camera, I knew this was going to be the next wave for notebooks. Now with next generation Wi-Fi and Wireless WiMAX on the horizon for 2007/2008, the timing of this patent is just right. It’s really iChat AV anywhere, anytime that will make this feature a to-die-for feature. It’ll be a drool machine function everyone will want. In the end, I think this is a phenomenal patent. And now it’s time to hear from you. Thumbs up or thumbs down, you be the judge.
Cheers.
News2Me (neo@macscimumnews.com)
Don’t ignore the possible benefits of computer training when planning a future in computers--many kinds of computer training are available and worthwhile.
Cats Says:
Whoa - niiiiiice. Hiding the wireless antenna within the latch is brilliant. On the iPod, it’s likely the camera that will be integrated, though it could also mean a possible flip top for the iPod like a cell phone.
Posted on September 16, 2005
Layla Says:
I’d like the camera on my desktop display, as the patent covers. Not that I can’t have that now, but it’ll be nice to have it integrated and as a standard feature. The patent drawings give you the impression that the camera could be taken out conveniently to replace it, should there be a problem, which is a must if integrated.
This would have to be a wholesale shift for all of Apple’s line up so that it’s availalble in everything they make (within reason). I don’t see one on the nano, but on most hardware. The vast majority of my friends don’t have a camera and being integrated is the way to make it ubiquitous as you point out.
When can we get it!!!!!!
Posted on September 16, 2005
Ace Says:
Ya, this is good. i like the idea of the latch being able to use differnent LEDs to point to email, like you suggested, or perhaps one to show battery life with yellow being a warning.
The camera will lead to better photo or video-mail features. It’ll be cool at Mac shows to see products streamed back to a news site and so forth.
Posted on September 16, 2005
maczap Says:
Long overdue is right. But you make a point about it being a real advantage once we have wimax built in, and you’re right for laptops. But Apple could begin integrating this now on displays if they think forward. Maybe they’re waiting to make it a priority on intel based Macs to up the ante a bit. It’s a no brainer for an iPod photo, so that too should be on its way next year when battery life should improve to power the camera.
Okay thumbs up.
Posted on September 16, 2005
Al Says:
What comes first, the iPod/Notebook or this. I’d like both thank you!
To compete with phones doing everything....poorly, a cool notebook with integrated components will do things right. who the hell wants to get on the net on a phone anyways!
With notebooks slimming down to less than an inch, it’s hard to visualize how tiny these will have to be. Drawings are deceptive because Apple won’t be illustrating how cool and tiny they’ll actually be. Clunky is for Dellboy.
I give it 8 out of 10 for a rating.
Posted on September 16, 2005
Dingo Says:
I’d like to see the pivotal display concept that I think this patent points to. If the display pivots and not just the camera, we could be looking at an IBM type of notebook and tablet combination here. Now we’re talking! Especially on a cool Powerbook. Am I reading that part right?
I agree with Al’s point on notebooks having to integrate more features to compete in this new consumer space with all the other gadgets coming out, be it a phone or PS3 portable etc.
Posted on September 16, 2005
looker Says:
back in the mid-90’s there was a powerbook prototype that had a swivel screen so you could open it up, rotate the screen, and put it down so it looked like a tablet
perhaps someone tripped over one of those old prototypes and they are reviving an old (and very cool) product.....
Posted on September 16, 2005
Dingo Says:
Hey thanks for that “looker” I didn’t know that, obviously. I see that you’d like that feature too. Apple is long overdue in providing next gen features to advance the Powerbook line. I hope we don’t have to wait too much longer. They can’t put everything off until the Intel switch. at least I hope not.
Posted on September 16, 2005
Drew Says:
Finally some good news about notebooks! I agree with someone who said it will likely be timed with WiMAX because it’s live video/iChat AV that will be the driver here. Adding telephony at that point will likely be the way to go to make it simple and work with in-home solutions like Motorola’s ojo which works with AVC.
Good heads up patent review.
Posted on September 16, 2005
Andrew Brehm Says:
I don’t get it. What exactly is the invention? A new type of camera?
Posted on September 16, 2005
Drew Says:
Andrew, it’s a camera built into a new notebook latch for video and stills. It’s also a feature that Apple intends on extending to other products in different ways. The cam will face you or could pivot to face a speaker, event etc so that you could monitor what’s being captured.
The other cool feature is that the cam will double as a wireless antenna once wireless wimax is available.
Posted on September 16, 2005
Andrew Brehm Says:
Drew, thanks, I got that.
I am wondering what the invention is though. Surely installing a camera in a notebook in a clever way isn’t an invention?
Posted on September 16, 2005
Dennis Moser Says:
This isn’t as revolutionary as you’d think. The Sony Vaio “PictureBook” laptop/palmtops that came out back in the later 90’s had a camera in the edge of the case, very much like the drawings of Apple’s. The main difference being that Apple has made the camera the latch for the laptop as well.
I hate to say it, but I don’t think this is INNOVATION. If it works and we see it come to market, it WILL be an EVOLUTION. Those little Sony Vaios were VERY poorly planned out: the specs looked great, built-in video (and pretty good, too!), Firewire, memory-stick slot, PCI card slots. But the ergonomics of them sucked big time and Apple has always managed (the puck mouse being a major exception!) to do a good job in locating things so that everything works together.
Posted on September 16, 2005
Drew Says:
And why not Andrew? Who else has created a multifunctional camera/latch with corresponding software? It’s patentable. A true invention like an engine that runs on air would be nicer right about now, so I know what you mean by invention, but that’s patent lingo.
I’m glad you got it Andrew, that was a scary open question, considering the coverage of this patent.
Posted on September 16, 2005
Cats Says:
Dennis, Neo/News2Me mentions that in closing. but you’re right, it’s how Apple will implement this that will be the key. Yet the fact that the patent relates it to WiFi and obviously wimax eventually is what will make this fly compared to Sony’s unit, which in the stores was great to play with though impractical. Apple’s holistic approach to design is what made the iPod, a plain MP3 player leap frog others. So ya, we see a little camera/latch gizmo now, but like the patent states, Apple could take this in any direction they so please and it’s in that little detail, that we’ll see something really different arise.
Posted on September 16, 2005
Tom Says:
You’re writing is way too wordy.
Posted on September 16, 2005
Rob Says:
I second Tom. I think the writers must get paid by the word here. I can’t belive that News2me managed to write 2800 words on a latch with a camera… or is it a camera with a latch. I don’t know I only managed to get through the first couple of paragraphs. zzzzzz....
Posted on September 16, 2005
Neo Says:
I hear you, but this is a patent and I used the actual verbiage of that patent. I provided easy headings to skip through it, but I’d rather have more than less in some cases. When I’m too brief people complain, so that’s life and a judgement call. Though to go on about it being too long, is a bit whiney. But thanks for dropping by anyways.
Posted on September 16, 2005
Rob Says:
As they say, you can satisfy some people some of the time, but not everyone everytime. I guess I subscribe to the KIS principle. Perhaps you need an “executive summary” for such articles?
Posted on September 16, 2005
Neo Says:
Rob, it was a flip of a coin in this case. Most patents I write up simply present the background and summary, period. In this case, there was much more information and detail to sift through than usual. So, in this report, beyond the summary, I could have easily abbreviated it into an executive summary. But some folks like patent-geek details and less personal interpretation. Which I could appreciate. But hey, constructive feedback is always appreciated and I’ll take that into consideration.
like you said Rob, you can’t please all of the people all of the time. Thanks for your time in writing back.
Cheers
Posted on September 16, 2005
Annie Says:
What a gas neo. Another site decided to jump in on this and used the corny “and sources said” line to give them a scoop feel. I’m one of those “folks” (as you put it), that likes details. Even though patents can be boring, I want the details as the patent lays them out. Long, perhaps, but who doesn’t speed read today? Duh? I stop at a heading that interests me and skip the rest.
So congrats on getting the report out first. In fact I’ve been dropping into macsimum more often because of the many patents you’re site is doing lately. Keep them coming! I’d rather read a long boring patent than read half the crap on the Mac net today. You’d swear that the Mac community is becoming the iPod nation or something. So thanks for the original reporting. We need more of it!
Posted on September 16, 2005
Bill Says:
With as much trouble as Apple and other laptop makers have had in the past with broken latches, this sounds like a bad idea. Why put a camera in the most fragile part of the machine? I guess now a latch replacement will cost as much as the computer. I like the idea of a camera but the placement was much better in the Sonys from a couple years back
Posted on September 16, 2005
Larry Says:
Good point Bill.
Yet I do like the idea that the camera could be replaced easier than one built right into the frame itself. I also like the fact that once errect, it could swivel while still being able to view your screen, which you couldn’t do on the Sony.
But the latch of all places is a good point Bill. Though the drawings just convey an idea. They’re likely to create a different variant of that latch. Let’s hope that Ive’s and his team have figured out how to keep this camera/latch from being so vulnerable.
Posted on September 16, 2005
Tom Says:
Safari Menu-->Services-->Summarize
Still got the details but didn’t have to wade through all the padding.
I like the “executive summary” idea for the top three or four paragraphs. Then the minutiae can fill out the rest of the story for all those “detail junkies.”
Good job on posting first.
Posted on September 16, 2005
Neo Says:
Good idea Tom. I may just do that and in fact title it such: “For the Detail Junkies” - I like that, good suggestion.
Cheers
Posted on September 16, 2005
STOP THE FAKE COMMENTS NEO Says:
Everyone knows all these comments are fake.
Posted on September 17, 2005
DaMieN Says:
Did anybody Read this? or have any idea what kind of time frame patents take to clear? this whas placed for an iBook or Titanium model… we’re talking a few years, since all powerbooks are obviously aluminium now. They just had a good idea and thought about popularizing it so they can collect!Doubtful we will see a latch sysytem like this… to much ands on, since the current system is close to an automatic latch.
SCUSE ME I’M DRUNK. SCREW OFF
Posted on September 17, 2005
Neo Says:
Oh, if it isn’t the same old competitor visiting once again.
This patent was also carried by Spymac and MacDailyNews who also had a fair response to this report. Some patents that are retail oriented always generate a good response. That drives this competitor nuts. Boo Hoo.
http://macdailynews.com/index.php/weblog/comments/6923/
http://www.spymac.com/news/article.php?contentid=3207
To the professional sites who covered this patent report and referenced it correctly back to Macsimum, my many thanks.
Cheers!
Posted on September 17, 2005
Neo Says:
DaMieN, the orignal filing was only March 2004, but does cross references older patents. Some patents without a doubt will stay on paper and never come to market, but others do in fact get fast tracked. Here’s one only filed in July of this year and will come to market in part this fall in certain cars according to Apple in their September announcements:
In the case of this patent, however it unfolds, it’s pretty clear that in the next year or two, intergrating a camera into a notebook with WiMAX is not that much of a stretch in the least. The latch idea on the other hand, was also considered a potential problem as you stated, by a comment made by Bill (as noted above), which is a good point.
Posted on September 17, 2005
Ernie Dambach Says:
This is cool!!
I Imagine this has one step further that they are not mentioning....
First they said that the device could be removable from it’s dock. Second that it would have its own memory built in, Third a LCD screen. Humm… What apple product has all of these features already?
My thought is that this will actually be a built in dock for the next generation of Nano Pods.
This could mean that the next gen Nano Pods would come with a camera attached, as well as WiFi or Bluetooth? I hope I am at least on the right track here. I have thought that Apple laptops needed a built in iPod dock for a while. Now, with the Nano’s size it would be simple to integrate it. I had not thought of adding a camera or letting it swivel. But it has been widely speculated that wireless would be added at some point.
Just my 2 cents.
----
Ernie Dambach
“it is no small thing to live a simple life” J.R.R. Tolkien
Posted on September 17, 2005
Neo Says:
Earnie Dambach, I love your enthusiasm!
Good observations, and in fact Apple’s other patent covering a notebook/iPod combination, supports that position. Apple is obviously working on several ways of making the iPod dock with future notebooks.
Corry Strong made an interesting observation this morning (in the accompanying drawings report). He thinks that Apple could integrate a fingerprint security feature into the latch. A great application that the patent could very well support, as the patent’s phraseology of “a data collection device” is used. So while the patent emphasizes the camera, the fact is that corry is correct. A data collection device can include other applications.
Thanks again Earnie for taking the time to present your ideas - with such energy.
Cheers!
Posted on September 17, 2005
Andrew Brehm Says:
“And why not Andrew?”
Because nothing has been invented. That’s why I find the patent odd.
Patent protection has been created to convince _inventors_ to publish their inventions rather than keep them secret to protect them, but this mechanism is neither an invention nor would Apple need convincing to not keep it secret.
Posted on September 17, 2005
dabdab Says:
cool!!
Good idea Tom. I may just do that and in fact title it such: ¡§For the Detail Junkies¡¨ - I like that, good suggestion.
Posted on September 17, 2005
Ed Hurtley Says:
I actually bought the Sony PictureBook when it first came out in the US in 1999. I thought it was great. It was a very well built subnotebook, and the camera was a fun little gadget. For the record, the camera DID swivel. It could point back toward the user, or rotate around to point in front, so it saw the same thing that was ‘beyond’ the computer that the user saw.
I finally sold my PictureBook to buy a 12” PowerBook in 2003. I still wish Apple made a true subnotebook.
And as for having the camera detachable? IBM did that in 1994. They’ve had a little connector on the top of certain ThinkPads that could take a digital camera very similar to the one in the Sony PictureBook.
But, if the mechanism is the same as the iSight, it would be MUCH better quality than even the current Sonys with built-in cameras.
Posted on September 23, 2005
Mitchee Says:
I had this very idea for a class I’ve been taking for my Masters. I’m going to buy stock in this one!
Posted on October 11, 2005
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Contributor
Dennis Sellers
Dennis has been a newspaper editor/reporter (seven years) and teacher (seven years). He has over 4,000 magazine, newspaper and online articles to his credit. He has also covered the Mac and tech industries for over a decade for such online publications as MacCentral, MacMinute and now MacsimumNews.
size9 Says:
hot news indeed.
Posted on September 16, 2005