Apple Files Patent for Hidden Camera In Display

Danny Estrada — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:35:26 -0600

You may have already noticed that the iSight's indicator light has be cleverly hidden behind the little plastic surround, or bezel, of the MacBook and iMac computers. Well a patent submitted in July of 2007 show plans of not only hiding the camera itself, but placing that magic eye smack-dab in the middle of the screen. This kind of tech could be used in MacBooks, iMacs, iPhones, and even iPod touches.

The camera mounted behind the display could take and image "while the display elements are in an inactive state (in which the display elements are darkened and at least partially transparent)." No need to worry about a big ol' dark hole of narcissism to appear on the screen because "in some embodiments, the mechanism is configured to substantially minimize the period of time in the inactive state to reduce the appearance of flicker of the display screen."

The patent goes on to explain how current built-in camera requires you to look at the camera while looking away from the screen which may cause confusion or "...can be distracting and make the conversation seem awkward and unnatural."

This seems like it's an update of a 2004 patent filed in June that AppleInsider.com brought to everyones attention. If all goes right in the world of Apple, you could be on your iPhone and be in a mobile conference call while ordering your double-tall non-fat, sugar free, one pump zebra mocha-chino.

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Apple Files Patent for Hidden Camera In Display