Apple Inc. (AAPL)’s Touch-Sensitive Bezel: What’s This All About?

Just last week we brought you this piece on three Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) patents that could change the future of the company. In true Cupertino fashion, it is not stopping there. While many tech companies spend a lot of time on patent filings, Apple is truly the cream of the crop.

This time around we are going to take a look at an interesting patent that could change the way certain devices are used. The patent title is as follows: Electronic device, display and touch-sensitive user interface

Tim CookWhile the name of the patent doesn’t do the best job expressing what it is all about, once you begin to read through the finer details you will realize what it can do for you. This Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) patent offers a touch-sensitive bezel which extends past the device display, providing another means of user interface.

Still don’t understand what this patent touches on? Here is the abstract:

“Display devices and methods for operating the same are provided. In one embodiment, the display device has an electronic display having an active area for presenting visual content; a housing holding the electronic display and having an opening allowing a person to view a first portion of the active area; and a bezel about the opening, the bezel covering a second portion of the active area and providing a window through which at least a part of the second portion can be viewed. A sensor system senses when a person is close to touching the bezel or when a person is in touch with the bezel and generates a sensor signal; and a controller is operable to adjust the appearance of the active area in the part of the second portion when the controller determines that a person has touched the bezel or is close to touching the bezel.”

If this technology is ever implemented in a future Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) device it is safe to say it would be unique from anything we see in today’s day and age. The question remains: will Cupertino ever be able to implement the technology?

This patent was first filed for on September 13, 2012. There are three inventors listed on the patent, including: Michael J. Telek, Jerald J. Muszak, and Michael E. Miller.

For those who are interested in learning more about this Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) patent, the image on the next page, courtesy of Apple Insider, should help you better understand how the technology could work.