iLounge

By Jesse Hollington

Applications Editor, iLounge (Google+)
Published: Thursday, April 7, 2011
News Category: Apple

An Apple patent application revealed by the U.S. Patent and Trademark office today provides more details on a possible implementation of a “smart bezel” user interface for iOS devices. Apple received a patent last year for a touch-sensitive bezel which described a number of implementations for extending the touch-based interface beyond the perimeter of the screen in order to manipulate or control what is being displayed on the screen. The patent application revealed today provides a more in-depth look at possible approaches covering “systems and methods for selectively illuminating a secondary display.” The application notes that an electronic device could include a primary display screen and a “printed segmented electroluminescence secondary display.” The primary display would be used to display visual content while the secondary display would display selectively illuminated indicators to represent buttons and other controls. In the application, Apple notes the major limitation of the current on-screen touchscreen control model as occupying “space on the touch screen that could otherwise be used for displaying visual content” and proposes the secondary display as a solution by moving the user controls off the primary display. The application goes on to summarize ways in which the secondary display would work, including selectively illuminating portions of the secondary display based on conditions such as application state, motion sensing components, device orientation and location. As with all Apple patents, this application does not necessarily represent any future product release from Apple, but offers evidence of the company’s research in this area. [via Patently Apple]