Samsung's next smartwatch may sport embedded projector

Mumbai: There are a few advanced hi-tech gadgets that we have only been witnessed sci-fi flicks or super-hero movies. Well, with numerous tech companies pushing the limits, the day doesn’t seem far when we will see all those gadgets available in reality.

For starters, Samsung’s next smartwatch might come along with an integrated projector, just like the ones you have witnessed in many Hollywood movies. A patent filed by the Korean smartphone giant last year, pointed out that the company is planning to incorporate an embedded projector.

According to the patent filing, the wearable device (smartwatch) will include an image projector configured to display a virtual UI screen.

Apart from that, it will also have a camera configured to capture the image, a processor configured to detect a target area from the image captured by the camera, and control the image projector.  

What this means is that the projector will be able to determine the surface area of projection and adjust accordingly. It first maps the shape of the user’s hand and projects a screen commensurate to the projection area i.e. the user’s hand.

The projection is not only limited a user’s hand and can be conducted on large screens as well, for a larger UI as required in meetings.

The projector on the watch would also be able to display dialling screen, texts, and even navigational data, as per pictures that were available along with the patent. Also, users will be able to write or draw on the projection on the back of a user’s hand or on any other virtually projected UI.

Apart from the wearable, the patent also hinted a dynamic projector on headsets, probably Virtual reality-oriented ones.

This is a clear indication toward Samsung’s interest toward improving its existing Gear VR headset. The embedded projector patent also showed a wearable ring, a headset, and a wearable belt.