Apple doesn't always follow through right away with every patent they file, but this week's U.S. Patent No. 8,243,027 for a "Touch screen liquid crystal display" is one the company should implement sooner rather than later.
Despite the generic name, the new LCD technology patent will allow Apple to fuse the touch sensors into the actual display circuitry, which could have a dramatic impact on how thin a smartphone or tablet can get.
Apple's current method involves placing touchscreen sensors above the display itself and while the current iPhone 4S could hardly be called thick, it seems Cupertino is obsessed with shaving every millimeter possible from its iOS devices.
Integrated technology
Apple was granted the "Touch screen liquid crystal display" patent on Tuesday, which details how the company might implement the new technology for thinner devices.
"By integrating the layered structure of an LCD and a touch sensor, a variety of benefits can be achieved," the patent filing reveals. "Integration can further include eliminating redundant structures and/or finding dual purposes (e.g., one purpose for the touch function and another for the display function) for particular layers or structures.
"This can permit some layers to be eliminated, which can reduce cost and thickness of the touch screen LCD, as well as simplify manufacturing," the filing concludes.
Apple's patent applies equally to traditional LCD as well as in-plane switching (IPS) panels such as those used in the current iPhone 4S.
The so-called "in-cell" technology has been rumored for a sixth-generation iPhone, particularly as the company appears ready to move to a larger four-inch screen, with Sharp and LG on tap to provide the display panels.
Source : techradar[dot]com
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