Apple patents a system that would alert iPhone users when their screens are cracked

[Shawn Knight]

What just happened? Samsung is going all in on flexible smartphones, and if successful, one has to think that other handset manufacturers will follow their lead. Apple appears to be doing just that as evident by a recently granted patent from the US Patent and Trademark Office.

The patent in question describes an “electronic device display with monitoring circuitry utilizing a crack detection resistor.” Digging a bit deeper, we see that Apple further specifies a flexible display with a sensor running along the perimeter of the screen.

In short, the setup would measure the resistance along lines; a high level of resistance could indicate that a crack indeed exists. The system could even pinpoint where on the screen it is located.

Flexible displays like those featured in Samsung’s latest handsets by nature are more prone to cracks from normal usage compared to fixed glass-covered screens. Most users can probably determine if their display has a crack in it, but if it is a very small fault like one that could develop along a crease, it might not be readily apparent. Getting it repaired sooner rather than later could avoid costly downtime when / if it worsens, ultimately rendering the device inoperable.

It’s important to remember that it’s only a patent at this stage, and the tech described in it isn’t guaranteed to appear in a future iPhone. Major tech companies like Apple, Google and Samsung file and receive patents all the time for ideas that never get developed.

Should flexible phones not take off in a meaningful way or if Apple devices to avoid them for whatever reason, it’s entirely possible that this patent will sit in Apple’s portfolio, unused, until it expires.

Image credit iOS Beta News, YouTube

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https://www.techspot.com/news/90791-apple-patents-system-would-alert-iphone-users-when.html

 

[Aceseven]

Or y'know, you could just look at the screen.

 

[ilovelinux]

Or y'know, you could just look at the screen.

Probably Apple won't honor any damage protection plans if iSheep continue using their iPhones inspite of being notified that their screen is broken. Who are sheep to decide anyway if their broken screens needs replacement or not?

 

[ScottSoapbox]

You can't patent my eyeballs Apple!

 

[scavengerspc]

I'm still waiting for them to invent something that tells me when my smartphone battery is dead.
Something like a flashing light, beeping sound, or the phone not coming on.

 

[Thom Vee]

It will report the invisible micro-cracks, the ones you can't see.

The only solution is to buy a new device.

Edit: Forgot to add a /s

 

[scavengerspc]

It will report the invisible micro-cracks, the ones you can't see.

The only solution is to buy a new device.

But even with scuba gear, if a crack isn't visible, it passes inspection.
I'm sure an iPhone will be fine.

 

[Morphine Child]

It will report the invisible micro-cracks, the ones you can't see.

The only solution is to buy a new device.

I would argue that if you can't see a crack that screen isn't cracked, but that's just my peasant Android thinking.

I can already see a line of people at Apple store waiting to repair a screen that isn't cracked but Apple told them it is

 

[theruck]

Or y'know, you could just look at the screen.

but now they will be able to put you a nag screen over your cracked display so you wont be able to use the phone at all and the third party lcd vendors are screwed for a while again

 

[cliffordcooley]

If you don't notice the crack yourself. What difference does it make if it is cracked or not?

it’s entirely possible that this patent will sit in Apple’s portfolio, unused, until it expires.

Another BS patent stifling innovation. No intentions of using it. But they will make sure it is too difficult for anyone else to finance.

 

[Norsiiii]

You can't patent my eyeballs Apple!

This just in: Apple announces iBalls launch in Q1 2022

 

[schinbone]

They will charge you the GDP of Denmark to replace it too.......