Rumors of a possible end of the notch on the iPhone have sounded since practically before the notch was a reality on the iPhone X. There are several technologies that could make this a reality and one of them appears in this interesting patent: cameras integrated behind screens that are removed on demand.
Screen or camera as needed
The idea of being able to remove the screen in the area where the camera module is located to make room for the image capture is really interesting. It is a solution with which, on the one hand, we would enjoy a full screen without gaps or interruptions and, at the same time, would maintain the best picture quality on the cameras
One of the applications of screens that we have seen Apple patent in the past is precisely that. Apple offers to be able to fold the screen, still in the body of the device, without us noticing anything other than how a certain area of the screen darkens so that we can identify us via Face ID or take a photo.
As can be seen from the patent images, Apple has explored different ways to move the screen to make room for cameras. The main one is to simply bend the screen down, although some variations, such as the placement of a mirror system and periscope cameras, go a little deeper into the space optimization
Another suggested system is to do all the scrolling screen and wrap yourself in one end of the phone. Here the cameras would have a direct view, without mirrors. A system that also avoids having to move the screen towards the back of the device, which leaves more room for the components.
With the number of patents we’ve seen on screens, one couldn’t imagine that one of the possible uses would be to make room for in-screen cameras, but the truth is, it’s a very elegant solution. . To be able to capture as much light as possible, with top quality and no distortion is essential
A delicate balance between screen quality and camera quality.
On the other hand, there are some sensors that are essential for Face ID to function that cannot be hidden behind a screen. Sensors that need direct vision to project points on the surface or take precise distance measurements.
Overall, what seems clear is that Apple is exploring ways to make our future iPhones essentially screen-like, bezel-less, non-interruptions, with nothing more than content ready to interact with it. In the iPhone 13, Apple has already started to rearrange the elements of the notch and reduce its size, so it shouldn’t be too surprising that it disappears in future versions.
Image | Jannis lucas
