Gizmodo
Apple has applied for a patent for a laser-based headset to use with its iPod and iPhone. And, unlike most headset displays, which can be bulky due to the light source and optical elements, the Cupertino company has come up with a way of slimming the device down. Here's how.
All the image-generation electronics, the laser engine and other optics can be put into a compact, battery-powered box, that can be clipped onto the wearer's belt. Laser-generated video is then transmitted to the headset display via optical cable, before ultra-thin wedge optics display the image in the glasses.
With a thickness of just 2mm on the optical display element, Apple's patent design means that the display could be the same size as a pair of spectacles. When not being used, the optical display elements become transparent, meaning that you can transform the headset from common-or-garden reading glasses to a display in just the flick of a switch. [Unwired View]
Comments
I always wanted to see Apple make a product called the iEye... this may be it.
"ALL I WANTED WAS FREAKIN' SHARKS WITH LAZERS ATTACHED TO THEIR FREAKIN' HEADS!"
Lol. Great post title, Abby.
i always assumed that displays like this were bulky due to the space needed for projection focus and human eye focus. I don't see these saving to much on space but lasers getting reflected back into your eye is always good times.
So lemme get this straight? It works by shooting lasers ... fricken 3(!!) of them ... (and here's the good bit) ... AT your eyes!! Sounds like litigation fun for everyone.
@scarbrtj: "My iEYEs!! They burn!!"
I think this could have a whole world of applications far removed from lowly iPod use.
@CHU BOI: Abby Dugdale LOL
It's a known fact that lasers are harmful to the eyes... I don't know if I want to part of the mass blinding that is going to occur when the software hangs and the laser image is burned into my retina.
@thechansen: I think by using the two planes of optics they can move the focus of the image to infinity or somewhere between here and there. If they didn't you couldn't look at the image without getting a headache in 10 seconds.
It's like car mirrors, your eyes don't focus on the glass of the mirror, they focus on the image which is in the distance.
@CHU BOI: Close, so00 close.
@scarbrtj: You mean the i² ?
Yeah right, I want to send a shitload of laser into my eyes.
This would allow you to play those new 3D movies on your iPod. Sweet!
@scarbrtj: iEye-yai-yai
Yo Apple. Sharks? No ears. Just sayin.
@Bos'un's Mate: You mean the -1 ?
wow!
now we r gonna see in high def!
hahahahahhahahha
@Maxwells_Nylon_Hammer: I don't think that the lasers are being directly shot into the eye. 111B and 111A take lasers, convert them into arrows, and then shoots them into the left and right optical elements, which multiply the arrows, shooting them into your eyeballs.
Appling for patents and patenting something are two completely different things (USPO filtering problems aside). Giz needs to be more careful about distingusing between the two.
ya know, it would make more sense to put these on dolphins since theyre more, like, intelligent and shit
They should just skip this and go ahead and install usb ports on the side of our heads.
@scarbrtj: So that means, the control pack that you wear on your hip must be the iEye Captain?!
@Babysealclubber: Shooting arrows into your eyes does sound like much more fun than shooting lasers into them! :D
So apparently the Optic Elements consist of approximately 10 tiny archers each?
On the surface, this sounds an awful lot like an evolution of a Microvision Nomad. We have Nomad 1 & 2 units here and the Nomad 2 features a belt design for a computer/pda with a single cable going up to someone's hat (or visor).
This sounds a whole lot like a Microvision Nomad...
[my message disappeared and I thought it wasn't posted, sorry for the double post!]
@Nikkoli: LOL:D
@Arelar: LOL
the comments are funny, but i don't really see people using this, at least not myself.maybe if the techmology got better...
Da googles! Day do nothing!
Maybe they do laser correction instead of laser damage. Heh?
@Nikkoli:
I couldn't think of a way to say that... well said!
I hope the final design doesn't change from the patent drawing. THOSE ARE HAWT!!
One more step towards 'Augmented Reality', bring it on Apple!!!!
This looks like a headset for the iPhone V2 video phone features.
Pretty clever idea of handling the visual data from optical by using lasers and a micro mirror in the head set.
Might be OK for visualization of data while working... as far a looking at a movie on a transparent surface... I doubt it.
Amazing title.
the fcc still has to approve it though....right?
"Revision: lasers should be pointing out at victim. - Steve"
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