Samsung has applied for a patent for smartwatch that would project virtual user interfaces

Samsung has applied for a patent for smartwatch that would project virtual user interfaces onto a wearer's hand or forearm. The patent also shows the same tech being used with head-mounted displays (like a VR or AR headset), which could project images onto surrounding surfaces, like a wall. 

Sketches from the patent show a smartwatch projecting a dial pad, notifications, menu options, and even a writing surface onto the back of a person's hand and forearm. 

 Patent image source : USPTO

A wearer is seen interacting with these interfaces outside the smartwatch. While this is just a patent — and there's no certainty that Samsung is developing this technology — it's cool to think we could soon be getting some more functionality out of smartwatches' tiny screens.