[NewsPoster]

Smartphone displays may become better protected in the future, if Apple puts into production an idea revealed in a recently-published patent application. The "Active Screen Protection for Electronic Device" application suggests a way for a display to avoid being cracked or smashed in the event of a drop or a hard knock, by triggering the appearance of retractable bumpers around the screen that takes the force of the impact instead of the glass.

According to the patent, discovered by AppleInsider, one system would use a set of four curved protectors that pop out at the corners of the screen when the smartphone detects a fall, allowing there to be a gap between the display and a flat surface while absorbing the shock. The curved nature of these small tabs, which could be made from plastic, metal, or other composite materials, means they can bend slightly to contain the shock. After the phone detects the drop has ended and it is safe to pick up, the tabs can then be retracted, ready for use in the future.

While it could use dedicated sensors, such a system could also use the same accelerometers and gyroscopes built into current smartphones. It is also suggested the camera and audio components could also be used, with microphones able to determine the height and speed of the fall based on reflections of ultrasonic pulses.

Implementing such a mechanism would be tricky for Apple to accomplish, given the already limited amount of available space inside an iPhone in the first place. The system does offer some benefits, such as allowing a smartphone to be more resistant to falls without adding more thickness to the screen's glass, though it does still leave the edges corners, and the back of the device vulnerable to damage.

[Inkling]

This might be better installed in a third-party case. That'd let users retro-fit existing phones.

[DiabloConQueso]

Most cases alone do what these things do -- that's kind of the point of having a case.

[slboett]

Looks ridiculous. Assuming the phone falls on a nice, flat surface. Get a case, and put a glass screen cover on. Works great, looks great and protects.

[Flying Meat]

I need this like I need 4 more holes in my phone.

[Makosuke]

Fun idea, but realistically even if it *did* work, Apple would never build it into a phone. It's of limited utility, going to add significant bulk, and most people seriously concerned about dropping their phones will have a case anyway.

[revco]

Lunar module thrusters would be cooler.