Invisible buttons on your iPhone? Apple just patented it

Future iPhones and iPads may soon sport invisible buttons and slider controls, after Apple Inc. was granted patents for such features, an Apple enthusiast site reported.

 

PatentlyApple.com said this was one of at least 34 patents granted to Apple by the US Patent and Trademark Office on May 7.

 

"The input devices and display systems may become visible when illuminated from behind through microperforated holes that are invisible to the naked eye," it said.

 

It added Apple has been working on such a control since 2006.

 

In the patent, the input "appears selectively visible because it is made of the same material as the housing it is contained in and because it is selectively backlit through tiny holes."

 

While the patent was granted May 7, it was actually filed nearly five years earlier - on Oct. 24, 2008.

 

Apple added such controls could also be integrated into other devices such remote controls, game players, and even MacBooks.

 

PatentlyApple said the backlight "can be activated when a user taps or presses down on the button."

 

Invisible controls

 

PatentlyApple said that with Apple's competition providing new forms of controls like waving a hand over a smartphone interface to answer a call, Apple's new patent "holds some potential" for adding invisible controls for gaming, ebooks, iTunes and more.

 

"Whether Apple will ever bring this invention to market is unknown at this time," it said. — TJD, GMA News