Apple patents touchscreens/The work of Jeff Han

[fryke]

(Threads merged. Sorry for any inconvenience.)

[bbloke]

Pixelsumo has a few snippets of extra information, including references to other touchscreen technology, such as Lemur, SmartSkin, and TactaPad.

Maybe we're working on new forms of repetitive strain injury (RSI).

[symphonix]

Originally Posted by Mikuro

They have a link to Apple's patent info.

Thanks. :-)

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).

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.

This doesn't sound anything like the multi-touch technology shown in the NYU video. Rather, it sounds like an ingenious way to use the display as a camera/scanner. If this could be mass produced as cheaply as existing displays, you could use your laptop screen as a flatbed scanner ... I've said it before and I'll say it again, technology never ceases to amaze me.

[bbloke]

I can just see people putting bits of paper up to their monitor to scan them in. It reminds me of this old joke:

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/A...2/camera1.html

[bbloke]

There is a video of Jeff Han demonstrating his work at a conference, which I had not seen before:

http://ted.com/tedtalks/tedtalksplay...flashEnabled=1

[eric2006]

Originally Posted by bbloke

There is a video of Jeff Han demonstrating his work at a conference, which I had not seen before:

http://ted.com/tedtalks/tedtalksplay...flashEnabled=1

wow.

Though, I would disagree on the importance of a keyboard. Typing on a touch screen wouldn't do it for me, unless something changes with the interface.

[bbloke]

In follow up, I wonder if Jeff Han had much to do with Apple's work on the iPhone, whether he inspired them or collaborated with them... His latest video shows usage of Google Earth, manipulating web pages, stretching images, and the like:

http://www.thelastminuteblog.com/200...n-wall-screen/


Also, Jeff Han appears to have set up his own company now, named Perceptive Pixel.

[karavite]

By golly, my fantasy of converting my basement to a near functional scale replica of the USS Enterprise bridge is just this much closer! Was going to go orginal series all the way, but now...? :-)

Just as the mouse and its characteristics defined interaction and the GUI, so too will a touchscreen based UI. It will be very interesting to watch this evolve.