Apple has just been granted a new patent for a technology that could one day bring touch capabilities to the bezel of a device. The bezel could selectively activate and deactivate depending on how the user is holding the device.

For instance, bezels in future devices (especially smaller ones like the iPad mini) could still have the normal bezel, however, when not needed, the bezel could be used for touch controls or even blend in with everything else on the screen.

Display devices and methods for operating the same are provided. In one embodiment, the display device has an electronic display having an active area for presenting visual content; a housing holding the electronic display and having an opening allowing a person to view a first portion of the active area; and a bezel about the opening, the bezel covering a second portion of the active area and providing a window through which at least a part of the second portion can be viewed. A sensor system senses when a person is close to touching the bezel or when a person is in touch with the bezel and generates a sensor signal; and a controller is operable to adjust the appearance of the active area in the part of the second portion when the controller determines that a person has touched the bezel or is close to touching the bezel.

The patent was filed July 3, 2013.