The foldable Centaurus device has seen its share of tech media coverage in the last few days, as Microsoft is claimed to readying it for launch in Q1 or H1 2020. Now, a recent Microsoft patent throws light on a very interesting use case of the foldable Dual-Screen display device.
The device will be able to do “Dawn Simulation”, the patent describes as a technique that involves gradually increasing the light in the bedroom and claims that it can be effective in treating depressions and disorders.
Dawn simulation is a technique that may involve timing lights in the bedroom to come on gradually, over a period of 30 minutes to 2 hours, before awakening. Studies show that dawn simulation may be effective at treating seasonal/winter depression and seasonal affective disorder. Dawn simulation may support morning cortisol response. Dawn simulation may also help balance melatonin.
The patent then talks about mobile smart devices with integrated “Dawn Simulation” feature. The images in the patent show a Dual-Screen foldable device with the first screen to work as a digital clock and the second screen to provide dawn simulation by providing and gradually increasing the indirect light.
Briefly stated, the disclosed technology is generally directed to mobile smart devices with integrated dawn simulation features. In one example of the technology, a device includes a first screen, a second screen, and a controller. In some examples, the second screen is physically coupled to the first screen, and is facing a different direction than the first screen. In some examples, the controller is configured to cause the first screen to operate as a clock display. The first screen may also operate as a display for other smart device functionality of the device. In some examples, the controller is further configured to cause the second screen to provide dawn simulation functionality, e.g., by providing indirect light such that the indirect light gradually increases beginning at a time proximate to a predetermined time until the predetermined time is reached.
Microsoft’s foldable Centaurus device, as per a report will be powered by the Intel Lakefield processor. But another report claimed that Centaurus hardware has many configurations under testing. Some of the protos have Intel processors while others have ARM processors.
