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ApplePatent applicationPhones & computersInterest 6/10

Apple patents laptop screens with hidden camera islands

Apple describes a laptop design where the screen has a small, non-displaying section built into the active image area. This 'island' holds components like cameras or sensors, allowing them to sit within the screen rather than in a separate bezel.

Why it mattersThis design could lead to laptops with thinner borders and more integrated hardware, similar to how phones have moved sensors into the display.

In the filing’s own words

An electronic device may be provided with a display. The display may be formed from liquid crystal display pixels, organic light-emitting diode pixels, or other pixels. The display may have an active area that is bordered along at least one edge by an inactive area. The active area contains pixels and displays images. The inactive area does not contain any pixels and does not display images. The inactive area may have a layer of black ink or other masking material to block internal components from view. The active area may have an opening that contains an isolated portion of the inactive area or may contain a recess into which a portion of the inactive area protrudes. An electrical component such as a speaker, camera, light-emitting diode, light sensor, or other electrical device may be mounted in the inactive area in the recess or opening of the active area.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A laptop, comprising: first and second housings coupled by a hinge, wherein the first housing is configured to rotate relative to the second housing; a keyboard in the second housing; a display in the first housing, wherein the display comprises an active area with pixels and an island of inactive area within the active area; and an optical component in the island of inactive area.

Facts

Company
Apple (Apple Inc.)
Official title
Electronic Device Display With Extended Active Area
Publication number
US20260268876A1
Application number
19660508
Filed
Apr 28, 2026
Published
Sep 10, 2026
Inventors
3
Claims
20

Classified under

G09G 5/14 Physics & computingG06F 1/1605 Physics & computingG06F 1/1686 Physics & computingG06F 1/1688 Physics & computingG09G 3/3208 Physics & computingG09G 3/36 Physics & computing
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.