Apple (AAPL) iPhone 5 may be thinner than originally expectated due to the use of new “in-cell” display technology.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office today granted Apple patent number 8,243,027 on the technology.
The present display technology uses multiple layers to perform display and touch functions. The conductive layers in the iPhone display enable touch functions. The new patent describes a number of methods to integrate touch functions within the LCD without additional layers. The effect of such integration will be reduced thickness.
Here is the abstract of the patent:
Disclosed herein are liquid-crystal display (LCD) touch screens that integrate the touch sensing elements with the display circuitry. The integration may take a variety of forms. Touch sensing elements can be completely implemented within the LCD stackup but outside the not between the color filter plate and the array plate. Alternatively, some touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates with other touch sensing elements not between the plates. In another alternative, all touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates. The latter alternative can include both conventional and in-plane-switching (IPS) LCDs. In some forms, one or more display structures can also have a touch sensing function. Techniques for manufacturing and operating such displays, as well as various devices embodying such displays are also disclosed.
In April, several reports that Apple may use in-cell technology were met with skepticism because Apple’s main display providers, Wintek and TPK Holdings, were not known to have progressed on the manufacturing curve to produce in-cell displays…Read more at Forbes
