14 DAY TRIAL // Apple has recently filed a patent application with the US Patent and Trademark Office detailing a method of detecting and notifying users of cracks that might occur in a phone’s coverglass, even if the break is actually a hairline fracture.
The patent application details a technology that would help users establish when a device’s display is cracked and even help prevent such incidents from happening. Many smartphone makers incorporate protective coating to prevent damages from drops, impacts, and other shocks.
Apple’s idea involves a system that uses a comprehensive network of sensors and software in order to detect the formation of cracks in a protective display cover. In some devices, the mechanism would use touch sensors that are already embedded in the display to detect cracks and fissures, according to Apple Insider.
The system can display a message about damages
The other option is to use piezoelectric actuators positioned under the coverglass that would send out vibrations and target various sections of the screen. The severity of cracks will be established based on the amplitude of vibrations.
Apple’s patent reveals another idea that has emitters positioned on one end of the display, pulsating light to partner sensors on the opposite end. As the light propagates through the screen, the measurements are taken, while expected path deflections point to imperfections. The patent says that light readings can detect breaks through the display cover.
In addition, the detection system can discern hairline cracks from webbed cracking and indicate fracture depth, length, width, and the propagation rate. The detection system can also be triggered when motion, proximity and orientation sensors detect a sudden indicative of a fall.
Moreover, the system can be configured to notify a user and pinpoint the damaged location on the screen, useful in the case of hairline fractures. The system could generate diagnostic data from onboard and create a timeline of the events that led up to the break. It’s difficult to say if Apple will implement the feature in upcoming smartphones.
