The housing 102 of the tablet of device also contains electronic components that provide a number of operations and features, such as memory access, communications, sound, power, etc. In addition, the tablet houses electronic components that are used to control operation of the display 110 and the bezel.

In one example, the tablet can be a picture frame having memory for storing digital pictures and for viewing on the display. In another example, the tablet can be a digital media device having the display 110, the touch sensitive bezel, and lacking most or all buttons or similar physical controls on the housing 52. In other examples, the tablet can be an electronic game, a personal digital assistant, a multimedia device, a cellular telephone, a portable video player, a portable navigation device, or the like.

The bezel is touch sensitive and is used to obtain touch data from the user in response to touch events made by the user on the bezel 120. The tablet uses the touch data obtained with the bezel to perform various operations and functions related to user interface and user control of the tablet.

For example, the touch data obtained with the bezel can control what is displayed on the tablet such as what files are played, what the volume level is, what the settings for the display are, etc.

Visible or Invisible Bezel Touch Areas

During the tablet's operation, areas or locations of the bezel are designated for various user controls of the tablet. In one embodiment, particular user controls designated for areas of the bezel may be indicated directly on the bezel itself using graphics, words, or the like.

In another embodiment, particular user controls designated for areas of the bezel may not have any visual indications appearing directly on the bezel itself. Instead, the designated user controls may be in a logical or predetermined location on the bezel that the user may know or expect.

In one example, one edge of the bezel that is about 4 to 5-inches in length may accommodate about one-hundred distinct areas that can be designated for user controls. See the illustration of such below in Apple's patent FIG. 13A which illustrates an embodiment of a touch sensitive bezel having a plurality of conductive pads, a control module, and sensors according to certain teachings of the present disclosure.





Shifting Orientation of the Tablet Alters the Visual Guides

In a further embodiment, the electronic device may be capable of rotation as with the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad today. Based on the sensed orientation, the areas 121 on the bezel designated for the user controls can be altered or relocated to match the current orientation of the device.



