The United States Patent Office has granted Apple another patent that could help the company create an edge-to-edge bezel-less display for next-generation iPhones. The new patent describes some electronic devices with light sensors integrated into the screen, and refers specifically to the methods by which the company could stack the iPhone ambient light sensor under the screen, rather than next to it on the iPhone's bezel.
In the patent, there are a few settings through which Apple could run the technology. First it exhibits the light sensors, which help iPhone detect ambient light in a room or outside, built directly above the touch-sensitive layer of the screen (Figure 6), while another has the sensor positioned at the edge of the screen. side of the touch-sensitive layer without crossing it (Figure 9). The patent points out that the methods of execution of this technology are not limited to only light sensors, but could be used for a proximity sensor or any other sensor.
In a typical device, a light sensor moves laterally from a region of the screen along the front face of the device. Therefore, the additional space is provided in common devices at the top, bottom or side of the active display area to accommodate the light sensor. This can result in an undesirable increase in the size and weight of the device, if care is not taken, displays can be bulky or very large bezels can be surrounded. Therefore, it would be desirable to be able to provide better devices with light sensors integrated into the displays.
In effect, this could mean that a future iPhone could successfully remove the bezels generation and get an edge-to-edge screen, but not all parts of the screen would be interactive.
Last week, Apple was granted another patent hinting at future iPhone technology that could integrate a fingerprint sensor directly into the screen of a device, rather than requiring a separate component and taking up space under the screen. iPhone and iPad. With these two patents, Apple is slowly discovering ways to remove the bezel from the bottom of an iPhone (Home button / Touch ID) and the top (light sensor).