Apple was awarded with 28 patents by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Tuesday, outlining the futuristic technology that can be used by the iPhone maker. Among a series of approved patents was a copyright for use of flexible wraparound display, which was originally filed by Apple in 2013.
Apple listed all the patents it was granted but the flexible wraparound display is the main highlight. The publication also shared the patent figure that explains the use of flexible display in an iPhone. There are several areas where Apple can explore with a flexible display, such as it can increase the screen real estate in an iPhone compared to the current ones by almost two folds, take advantage of foldable displays to create a 3D effect for still images and videos.
"Apple's newly granted patent covers their invention relating to a consumer electronic product such as an iPhone that includes at least a transparent housing and a flexible display assembly enclosed within the transparent housing. In the described embodiment, the flexible display assembly is configured to present visual content at any portion of the transparent housing," Patently Apple explained.
With the approval in hand, it is likely that Apple might demonstrate the first flexible display in its 2016 flagship iPhone 7 smartphone. The wraparound display could mean Apple can create an iPhone with full display, leading the innovation path. Even with a small display size of 4.7-inch, Apple can accommodate more apps and features than its rivals with bigger screens.
Flexibility of a display can allow Apple to create any form and shape, such as spherical or cylindrical, for its iPhone. Also, as TechTimes notes, 3D Touch technology will can eliminate the need for physical volume and home button, which will be the first for iPhones since the first generation.
Other patents include gesture support for password entry, design patent for Milanese loop Apple Watch band, image distortion correction in scaling circuit, integrated touch screens and more.
