Apple wins patents for in-cell touch, DVR-like concepts
updated 03:16 pm EDT, Tue August 14, 2012
In-cell tech may manifest in next-gen iPhone
Apple has won US rights to a pair of potentially important patents, reports observe. The first -- Touch screen liquid crystal display -- describes what is better known as an in-cell touchscreen, embedding touch sensors into an LCD instead of a separate layer. Most screens continue to sandwich multiple layers, including those used on Apple devices like the iPhone 4S and third-generation iPad. Apple has, however, been rumored as switching to in-cell tech for the next iPhone, which could ship in late September.
Apple has also won a patent on a concept for a device which can connect to cable TV and perform DVR-style show recording. Diagrams present scheduling menus similar to those used on a number of TV set-top boxes; one of them, though, illustrates a search menu, in which people could search through content while video continues playing on one side of the screen.
In the past Apple has submitted a number of patent applications related to TV interfaces. The company is in fact believed to be working on a dedicated TV set, although in recent months talk has largely faded out. If the project is active, the company could simply be experiencing delays or in a quieter phase of development.
