Apple files patent for external light illumination displays

Using devices in direct sunlight has always been a problem, backlighting has helped to an extent but for Apple that’s just not perfect. A reason, the company has filed a patent application for lighting a display with external light sources – anything from a light bulb to the sun. Like all application, this "External Light Illumination of Display Screens" isn’t the true representation of what the final product may be, but is a concept which exhibits “piping light from external or internal sources to the back or edges of a display using what the filing refers to as a "manifold" or "light harness"; and, using a reflector to capture ambient light or supplement internal lighting sources.” The patent in itself is a threefold concept, which besides making devices more visible to access in bright sunlight, would also minimize the need of backlight in displays and would decrease the size of the gadgets making them feasible to be based on smaller batteries.

apple external light illumination displays

Via: TheRegister/CrunchGear