According to media reports, Apple's latest patent indicates that the company is developing an all-glass iPhone with a surround touch screen that can be used as a screen on any side of the iPhone to display information, application icons and images.
The US patent number 20200057525 filed by Apple is entitled "Electronic Device with Glass Case", which describes an iPhone including a six-sided glass case.
Apple claims in a patent that this is an electronic device with a glass case that can serve as a screen on multiple sides. In this case, the case of this device may look seamless visually and tactilely, so the entire case may look like a piece of glass.
The device's glass case forms multiple side screens that can facilitate or enable many additional features and uses not possible with traditional mobile phones.
Apple's patent map shows that the company is also considering using the edge of the phone to display information. For example, there may be an application-like icon on the phone, and users can enter airplane mode or turn on Wi-Fi with a single click.
The inventors of the patent reportedly include Apple's Christopher D. Prest and Peter N. Russell-Clarke. Among them, Prest participated in the invention of more than 130 patents, and Clark also has more than 30 patents.
Previously, in November 2019, information released by the United States Patent and Trademark Office showed that Apple had applied for a patent for "surround screen electronic devices". The patent document describes an electronic device with a fully-wrapped display, which has a flexible screen and a transparent housing.
In addition to an all-glass iPhone with a surrounding touch screen, Apple is also developing a folding screen iPhone. In early February of this year, foreign media reported that the company had obtained a patent for a foldable device with a unique hinge mechanism, which was issued by the US Patent and Trademark Office as "electronic equipment with flexible displays and hinges."
