The ArtFrames have – beside their display, obviously – a pretty minimalistic interface to the user and observers: Only one flush-mounted momentary switch with an LED ring to signal that the device is currently awake.

Although that switch is pretty inconspicuous when the frame is mounted on the wall, I have pondered over different ideas on how that switch could be removed without abandoning the functionality it provides. There is no definitive decision made yet, but in the past weeks I have been researching an idea that looks very promising and that I wanted to share.

First the LED moves behind the display, which it can easily shine through. Second – and this is the spectacular aspect – is the way the device can be activated by briefly hovering over it with your hand. As of now it is only a prototype, but it works reliably: