New Apple patent: integrated sensing display
Posted by Dennis Sellers 
Jan 12, 2006 at 9:07pm
On Jan. 12, the US Patent & Trademark Office revealed Apple’s new patent application titled “Integrated sensing display.” This is certainly the year of the integrated camera, as this patent presents.
Apple’s 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).
Random claims to note:
1. A device comprising: a display area; an array of display elements located within the display area, each display element capable of displaying a pixel of information, either alone or in combination with other display elements; and an array of image elements located within the display area, each image element being capable of capturing visual information from a source in front of the display area; wherein each image element has a lens that does not interfere with any display elements.
11. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is used in a portable communication device.
14. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is used in a computer monitor or a television.
12. The device of claim 11, wherein the portable communication device is a telephone.
13. The device of claim 11, wherein the portable communication device is a personal digital assistant.
15. A device comprising: an illumination area that includes at least one light source that emits light; and an array of image elements dispersed throughout the illumination area, each image element being capable of capturing visual information from a source in front of the illumination area; wherein the image elements are dispersed such that space in-between at least some image elements is able to emit light from the at least one light source of the illumination area.
16. The device of claim 15, wherein the device is a medical device.
Random Patent Points to note:
33: A video panel that has an embedded macro CCD (Charge-coupled device) is no longer just a display. It can be used to transmit as well as receive visual information. One use and benefit for such a panel is video conferencing: a user can maintain eye contact with someone on screen because the camera is “in” the screen. In addition, portable devices, such as portable digital assistants (PDAs) and cell phones, have very limited space for displays and would benefit if additional real estate were not used for a camera.
34: Furthermore, the concept could be used in non-display devices as well. If at least one pixel were merely a light source, the camera would be capable of performing in dark spaces with little space, such as with a medical probe. Here, the surrounding display pixels could be used to transmit light, while the integrated sensing pixels recorded the image.
43: The invention is suitable for use for capturing images. The images can pertain to still pictures or videos. For example, the invention can be embodied as a digital camera in which a user can take a self-portrait by looking directly at a display which also provides image capture. The captured image is then what the user sees on the display.
NOTICE
Macsimum News presents only a brief summary of patents with associated graphic(s) for journalistic news purposes as each such patent application and/or grant is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trade Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any patent applications and/or grants should be read in its entirety for further details.
Today’s patent: Integrated sensing display
The inventor listed on this patent is Michael Uy originally filed June 21, 2004.
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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.
