The new dynamic, hybrid system described by Apple could have sections of the screen operate as a traditional LCD screen for displaying video, while other parts with static content would be served up in e-ink. Rather than depending on the user to switch between e-ink and LCD, Apple's system would handle the work and provide content in the ideal context.
Apple's interest in the technology was revealed this week in a new patent application filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and first discovered by AppleInsider. The filing, entitled "Systems and Methods for Switching Between an Electronic Paper Display and a Video Display," describes hardware that can selectively switch between the two types of screens.
E-ink displays, or "electronic paper" as Apple refers to it throughout the filing, are advantageous because they do not require a backlight to operate, and they can be read more easily in direct sunlight. E-reader devices focused on delivering books, like the Amazon Kindle, use e-ink displays.
Of course, Apple is also involved in the sale of digital books through its own iBookstore. The iBooks application is available for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, but it cannot be utilized on a device with an e-ink display.
Apple's patent application notes that display types on a device are typically based on an assumption about the visual content that will most often be displayed on the screen. An LCD or OLED display is ideal for high-resolution content with colors, while e-ink is ideal for static black-and-white content, like text.
The solution is to offer a screen with "multiple composite display regions," where content could be shown in both the "electronic paper" mode and "video display" format at the same time. Such a screen would also include independently activated backlights, illuminating panels when necessary.
Apple could accomplish this by having a translucent e-ink display that would be placed on top of the traditional LCD or OLED screen on an iPad. The top screen would allow users to see past it, so that video content in full color could be displayed on the screen below. And of course, atop all that would be a touch panel, allowing users to interact with the device.
The patent application, made public this week, was first filed by Apple in October of 2009. The proposed invention is credited to Gloria Lin and Andrew Hodge.
47 Comments
This is exactly the kind of tech I expect Amazon to reveal for the next gen Kindle.
For reading "books" the Kindle is 10 times the display the iPad is. It's just WAY better. The Kindle product is a piece of crap, however.
Makes sense, kind of like using black ink to print grays instead of mixing CMY.
I am having touuble seeing how this would be utilized by Apple and wonder if this isn?t designed as an eInk-based eReader to compete with the Kindle but instead is the evolution of a previous patent that allows for a smaller, lower-power backlight behind the primary backlight.
This is exactly the kind of tech I expect Amazon to reveal for the next gen Kindle.
I think they?ll have to move in that direction or risk losing their eBook market to Apple as iBookstore grows. Despute the advantages the Kndle has the extra utility of the iPad makes it a compelling product if one has to choice between one or the other.
For reading "books" the Kindle is 10 times the display the iPad is. It's just WAY better. The Kindle product is a piece of crap, however.
I like the latest Kindle HW. I don?t care for the dark grey text on light grey for long term reading as it strains my eyes. I have read text on an LCD for most waking hours for more than a decade and have never had ?eye strain? because of it and have never heard about such a thing until e-Ink came along. I never read book outside in direct sunlight because that does hurt my eyes, regardless of the medium. I don?t care for the Kindle SW on any system, especially compared to iBooks. Amazon has a much better selection of titles over iBookstore.
I like the latest Kindle HW.
The latest hardare is the Kindle 3. It's poorly built and poorly designed. Even the most important part of the product, besides the display - the page buttons, are terrible. Like REALLY terrible! Steve Jobs wouldn't let that crap out the door. Not to mention the software. It's amazingly abysmal. And the keyboard, it sucks.
The three things that don't suck about the Kindle 3 are its weight, its slimness and its display. The display is too small though. It should be around or at least 7". Even small paperback novellas are 8" measured diagonally. The thing just wasn't properly thought through.