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Patent: Dynamic Ornamental Appearance

light-projected Virtual Keyboard

The virtual keyboard that one post remarked on is based on a totally different technology. Ever seen those little laser pointers with the interchangeable tips that have designs etched into them (star, reclining silhouette, smiley face, etc.)? Well, this virtual keyboard is basically -- no, literally -- one of those lasers with a keyboard etching angled down, with a small camera below it. The camera reads your finger positions by reading changes or blockages of the laser image.
There's a future for this tech, just not with Apple, in my opinion.
 
think about it, the mac could become green when a new email was recieved, or start to blink when you have an iChat Message, or if your playing a game and you ge thit, the mac turns red.

think of the uses!
 
Re: light-projected Virtual Keyboard

Originally posted by GrandShenlong
The virtual keyboard that one post remarked on is based on a totally different technology. Ever seen those little laser pointers with the interchangeable tips that have designs etched into them (star, reclining silhouette, smiley face, etc.)? Well, this virtual keyboard is basically -- no, literally -- one of those lasers with a keyboard etching angled down, with a small camera below it. The camera reads your finger positions by reading changes or blockages of the laser image.
There's a future for this tech, just not with Apple, in my opinion.
Click to expand...

*******

That's right.

And even this laser-based feature may have importance for iPod.

But I think that if anything is begging for an user interface that is invisible when not in use ( like the "through the plastic" brightness button in some of the high-end Apple flat-panel displays )

it's the iPod.

The large wheel is simply too cool for Apple to trash or even to make smaller.

The clean face of the iPod is just too cool/famous for Apple to clutter with buttons.

If the iPod is going to evolve into all it can be --- it will need additional controls
and indicators for the new functions : these will be TTP (Through The Plastic) invisibles .

A slide-up/view horizontally, 16X9, hi-def screen could conserve the iPod face.

Such technology will , of course , be applied to desktops and other models to
keep the minimalist Apple design alive in coming years.

I think it will be like a real intense GROOVE (sorry) .

---gooddog
 
Hardware Customization

Based on the diagrams attached to this patent (in which a plurality of hardware is seen to be glowing) , it seems that Apple intends to use this DOA concept on a set of digital devices–computers, monitors, keyboards, external HDs, mice, etc.

The focus does seem to be on reflecting system events (Claim 18) such as new mail, error messages, etc. It might also reflect the status of external media such as CDs, the iPod, USB/Firewire devices, etc.

It seems a logical and powerful method of giving the user more appropriate output than a dialog box, sound, or bouncing icon in the dock. These methods can of course be appropriate in many circumstances, but the ability to create a special lighting effect in the housing of a digital device may revolutionize this field of human-computer interaction.

Apple has a talent for joining efficiency with beauty and simplicity, and I expect that this DOA will be no exception. New desktop computers might have a "Lighting Effects" System preference, giving the external shell of the computer a chameleonic appearance. Keyboards could have lights underneath the keys to help with keystrokes and 'visual filters' (only the keys you're using for a specific task would be visible.) Mice may light up based on location on the screen or clicking status. Someday an external disk may be able to visually present file copying, speakers might mirror iTunes visual effects, and the monitor could change from dark green to ocean blue to blood red depending on your mood.

I hope that Apple can carry through on this concept. I'm not sure it's revolutionary, but it's a technology that is definitely worth delving into (if only to find our G5 tower looking a little too much like Hal.) ;)
 
Originally posted by Doctor Q
It's obvious that Apple is planning to announce iLavalamp, the combination computer/psychedelic lamp.
Click to expand...
Hey, Macworld stole my idea! The last paragarph in their article Coming soon -- the 'chameleonic' Mac? today says
It's more than just colors, too. Apple said that "dynamic light effects," are possible too, like rainbows, stripes, dots, and flowers, for example. You could turn your Mac into a lava lamp.
Click to expand...
 
Color Kinetics

I heard a rumor a few months back about Apple working closely with a company named Color Kinetics. Check out their Sauce product line, seems to do exactly what is described here, except with various light toys.

ColorKinetics.com
 
The Sauce products by Color Kinetics change colors randomly using microprocessor-controlled RGB LEDs. It would make sense for Apple to work with Colort Kinetics and make them computer controlled. Not only could the Mac itself change colors, maybe they'll let the Mac use wireless methods to control the colors of your nightlight, room lamps, flashlight, etc. too!
 
The keyboard of the new 17" powerbook, anyone?

On the apple site...

"Futuristic backlit keyboard with ambient light sensor
Another first from Apple featured on the new 17-inch PowerBook G4: a unique fiber optic backlit keyboard with laser-etched keys that?s right out of the future. A light sensor automatically adjusts the keyboard and screen brightness based on the available ambient light. In low light, for example, the PowerBook G4 automatically lowers its display backlight and turns on the backlit keyboard. Then light-emitting fiber optic strands located under the keyboard come to life and illuminate the backlit keyboard so you can continue to work, unaffected by the change in ambient light."
 
Originally posted by tubaz
The keyboard of the new 17" powerbook, anyone?

On the apple site...

"Futuristic backlit keyboard with ambient light sensor
Another first from Apple featured on the new 17-inch PowerBook G4: a unique fiber optic backlit keyboard with laser-etched keys that?s right out of the future. A light sensor automatically adjusts the keyboard and screen brightness based on the available ambient light. In low light, for example, the PowerBook G4 automatically lowers its display backlight and turns on the backlit keyboard. Then light-emitting fiber optic strands located under the keyboard come to life and illuminate the backlit keyboard so you can continue to work, unaffected by the change in ambient light."
Click to expand...

***************

Yeah, but it was my idea --- yet I was pooh-poo'ed by touch typists who claim to have no need to see tha keyboard :(

I am so bitter that I went out and bought an iBook 12 incher , out of spite !

And - yes - the lid is on crooked !!!!!

Anybody know if the screws nearby will adjust the lid on straight ?

------

Now I will once again blind all with my splendor ----

SMART KEYS that use multi-color mode LED's to color code the key layout for keyboard short-cuts automatically, when
we launch Final Cut Pro, LightWave 3D, etc....


---- next year : 19-inch iMac with ADC or else !!!!!!!!


---gooddog
 
Looks pretty cool. Now imagine (or try to) Apple putting Jonathan Ives and crew on a device like this... You KNOW it'd be on your lust list! :)
 
The History Channel had an episode on Stealth Fighters/Bombers and they noted that the high-tech future would include Visual Stealth. (Can anyone say a Cloking Device?)

The point was that a Stealth fighter that is BLACK on a LIGHT BLUE sky was not so Stealthy BUT if you could change the color to LIGHT BLUE --DYNAMICALLY-- then you would attain a higher level of stealth.

Hmm, Dynamically changing color. Where have I read that at?
 
Originally posted by BigJayhawk
The History Channel had an episode on Stealth Fighters/Bombers and they noted that the high-tech future would include Visual Stealth. (Can anyone say a Cloking Device?)

The point was that a Stealth fighter that is BLACK on a LIGHT BLUE sky was not so Stealthy BUT if you could change the color to LIGHT BLUE --DYNAMICALLY-- then you would attain a higher level of stealth.

Hmm, Dynamically changing color. Where have I read that at?
Click to expand...
The stealth bomber has the bottom painted to match the color of the sky while flying. They'd be better using reflective mirroring where once side of a object reflects the other.
 
maybe I got the wrong idea but perhaps a digital foto frame that can change it's outward appearance and actually be a continuos slideshow of pictures with unnoticable buttons to control it manually if needed.
 
so why would you want a computer you can't see? it would be like a floating screen image, with wires floating underneath it. When you open the dvd drive you could make a dvd disappear. I'm not sure if people would like that. Try turning on an invisible computer. ;)
 
I dont see any current technologies using this since apple has been moving towards a more professional look. Perhaps a new line of consumer products may come out, or another idevice (iphone, newton, etc).
 
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