Apple patents hint see-through iPad screens, more

Apple may be working on bring augmented reality views to its iPad thanks to a newly discovered patent filing with the USPTO. In the filing, Apple suggest the iPad could split its display to show an object as seen from the device's camera and computer-generated imagery overlaid on top of that image on the other split. A provided example includes a skyline of San Francisco in the first area with object recognition in the second half identifying buildings and key tourist attractions in the other.

The system would rely on GPS, Wi-Fi, Cell ID and data from motion sensors to transmit information about the live feed to a network service. In the example above, 3D imagery of downtown San Francisco could be shown based on readings from the various onboard sensors. Another example had a user pinning a particular building in the skyline and then navigating to it with the iPad and dedicated software finding a route in real-time and overlaying it on the 3D computer-generated imagery.

The live video and computer-generated imagery can then be shared with one or more devices, Apple says.

The above can be applied to current devices with specialized software, while another filing called Transparent Electronic Device suggests iPads with a transparent portion of their display are in the works or at least being considered. This would superimpose images users can physically see through the screen.

This patent mentions in-plane switching technology for the LCD screen that could make the screen opaque or transparent as per the user's wishes. In default mode, the screen would be opaque as no power would be applied to the pixels. [via AppleInsider]

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By Electronista Staff