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Microsoft patent application could lead to a smaller notch for future iOS and Android handsets

Microsoft patent application could lead to a smaller notch for future iOS and Android handsets

Posted: 11 Feb 2018, 19:04 , by Alan Friedman

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Tags : Microsoft -Microsoft + Patents -Patents +

Microsoft patent application could lead to a smaller notch for future iOS and Android handsets

Microsoft has applied for a patent application that could result in a smaller notch on future versions of the Apple iPhone X. The technology that the patent application covers would combine the front-facing camera and infra-red camera into one sensor. There are other advantages to doing this besides saving space. The technology in the patent would allow infra-red sensors to be placed in a camera alongside visible light sensors. This would allow the phone to collect infra-red data and visible light data at the same time, without parallax issues disrupting depth calculations.

The patent, named "HYBRID IMAGING SENSOR FOR STRUCTURED LIGHT OBJECT CAPTURE" was applied for in August 2016, and it is possible that the technology will be deployed if Microsoft's rumored foldable Surface Phone becomes a real thing. The depth sensor would allow the user to take pictures with the blurred bokeh background effect that has become all the rage.

Microsoft already does a brisk business licensing its intellectual property portfolio to Android handset manufacturers. If this application is approved, it could license the patent to Apple or to those companies like Huawei that will have an iPhone X-esque notch on some of its models. We've already pointed out that this technology can do more than just save space, although consumers would be happy enough just to see a smaller notch get in the way of the display.

Illustration from the patent application

via MSPoweruser

12 Comments

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posted on 11 Feb 2018, 22:24 1

1. goodmorrow (Posts: 26; Member since: 12 Feb 2014)

Noooooice.

posted on 11 Feb 2018, 23:13 4

2. Podrick (Posts: 1276; Member since: 19 Aug 2015)

Nice. If they have to keep notch, then do it like Xiaomi. If its turns out real then I'm pretty impressed with it:https://www.phonearena.com/news/Mi-Mix-2s-leaks_id102401

posted on 11 Feb 2018, 23:54 2

3. slim3bdo (Posts: 48; Member since: 05 Jun 2017)

Hey Alan
So Android OEMs gonna put a stupid notch like apple did , cause it will be smaller .

Stop mentioning Android in every article you write .
And yes you can hide my comment like always LOL

posted on 12 Feb 2018, 03:58

5. An.Awesome.Guy (Posts: 636; Member since: 12 Jan 2015)

When phonearena mentions Android, you say stop mentioning Android, when phonearena mentions iphone one of you says stop mentioning iphone.
Of course they had to mention them as they are the only two platforms nowadays.
Also remember that first notch was by Essential phone, and Huawei is trying to put a notch in their phoneshttps://www.phonearena.com/news/Leaked-Huawei-P20-Lite-renders-show-an-iPhone-X-esque-notch-and-camera_id102356

posted on 12 Feb 2018, 00:13 2

4. MrAnonymous (Posts: 93; Member since: 25 May 2014)

the notch was invented by essential, popularised by apple, copies by huawei and etc..
Xiaomi's implementation of the notch in the rumoured Mix 2s is pretty good..! won't disrupt any important stuff

posted on 12 Feb 2018, 04:46 2

6. Anonymous. (Posts: 415; Member since: 15 Jun 2016)

Notch notch, not buying any phone with it, regardless of how small the notch may be.

posted on 12 Feb 2018, 09:07

9. Podrick (Posts: 1276; Member since: 19 Aug 2015)

I would buy if the notch is like of rumored Xiaomi Mi max 2s notch

posted on 12 Feb 2018, 07:11 1

7. TMHKR (Posts: 171; Member since: 08 Dec 2012)

I would rather have bezels the size of a soccer field, than a notch (P.S. Not against Apple, but notch in general)

posted on 12 Feb 2018, 07:23

8. Crispin_Gatieza (Posts: 2735; Member since: 23 Jan 2014)

Y'all bitch and complain about bezels yet your panties are on fire over a 1/8" notch?

posted on 12 Feb 2018, 09:10

10. Podrick (Posts: 1276; Member since: 19 Aug 2015)

I would prefer some bezels over ugly notch anyday. This bezel less trend has gone a bit too far. I like how LG did minimal bezels with G6.

posted on 12 Feb 2018, 10:46

11. Crispin_Gatieza (Posts: 2735; Member since: 23 Jan 2014)

From an engineering standpoint, bezels are wasted space and that flies in the face of good design. The notch, while unsightly, takes advantage of unused space that would normally occupied by a notification bar. It's a goddam phone, form should follow function.

posted on 12 Feb 2018, 11:45 1

12. Podrick (Posts: 1276; Member since: 19 Aug 2015)

I'm not a form guy but that ugly notch is too much. The ugly plastic Samsung designs from the past never bothered me much but this notch does. I'd take function over form too but not something like the notch in iPhone X. I'd take wasted space over it. Xiaomi Mi mix 2s notch, now thats done well.