Who knew that creating a curved display would be so complicated? Yet it is, according to a new granted patent issued to Apple today by the U.S. Patent Office. It's complicated because Apple envisions the possible use of curved displays, both convex and concave, in a plethora of future devices from mobile to desktop to televisions to vehicle dashboards, Apple Vision Pro, Smartglasses and more. Delivering quality imagery on a curved display is very complex. Well, at least to us mere mortals.

Overall, Apple's granted patent covers systems and methods to compensate image data for display on a curved display. A pixel uniformity compensation factor may be applied based on a pixel uniformity compensation factor map that is calibrated to the display panel while the display panel has a flat shape, and a panel curvature compensation factor may be applied when the image content is to be displayed while the display panel has a curved shape. The panel curvature compensation factor may be based on a panel curvature compensation factor map that is calibrated to the display panel after the display panel is bent from the flat shape to the curved shape.

Apple's patent FIG. 10 below is a side (e.g., profile) view of an example of a curved display panel.  

Apple's patent FIG. 14 is a flow diagram of an example calibration process for calibrating curved panel compensation factors.

It's great to know that Apple is working on some new forms of curved displays for future devices including a vehicle's dashboard. However, Apple's granted patent11705029 will only be truly appreciated by display engineers and specialists, as the average user won't be able to follow the technical aspects of Apple's invention. For engineers and the brave who wish to explore this patent in detail, click here.