The problem often encountered with our ever-handy electronic gadgets, like smartphones, audio players, and laptops, is that while they're ultra-portable, they also tie up our hands. But what if this problem was solved by transforming these devices into wearables? Taking reference from FIG. 1, given alongside Google's new patent (US11756510B2), we can observe that in order to address this, there's a need for systems and devices that are not only portable but wearable as well.
However, it's not an entirely rosy picture just yet. With the system constantly powered on presenting a display to the user, all parts of the system are active and consume power. Rendering every single frame, even the redundant or repeated image data, leads to excessive use of power. Moreover, storage and the processing of additional pixels, although it does not bring any noticeable improvement to the picture quality, also eats into the power reserves.
Google's recent patent, summarily titled "Systems, devices, and methods for assembling image data for display," proposes a solution that might liberate us from some of these concerns. Think of this as a device that helps your computer or electronic gadget show pictures on your screen more efficiently.
It stores image data, selects certain parts, repeats or rearranges them, and then operates between the lines of the altered image to create a stream of pixel data. By using this stream of pixel data, the display of the device finally presents the picture. The result? More power-efficient display of images, lighter processing burden, and perhaps even extended battery runtime!
Could we see this technology make a debut in Google Glass soon? It's a plausible interpretation given that Google Glass is a standout example of a portable, wearable gadget.
Consider the user's life which could transform post implementation of this patent. Freed from the troubles of repeated charging, power-inefficient displays, and useless processing, users could enjoy their gadgets for prolonged periods without the accompanying concern of the draining battery. For a product like Google Glass, it could result in a better, longer user experience during the day while navigating the city, attending online meetings, or learning a new recipe online.
However, keep in mind that the outcome isn't a certainty. It's important to clarify that since the patent has just been granted, there's no guarantee we'll see a retail product appearing anytime soon, or ever. But it does show where Google's thinking is headed, and that's towards a smarter, power-efficient future, whether it's on a screen or the lens of Google Glass.