Apple files patent for a full Multitouch Keyboard, more

MACnn.com
Thursday, October 25, 2007

Apple files patent for a full Multitouch Keyboard, more

On October 25, the US Patent & Trademark Office published Apple's patent 
application titled Keystroke tactility arrangement on a smooth touch surface 
which clearly describes four distinct arrangements for providing tactility on a 
touch surface keyboard. While Apple's successful multitouch technology has 
initially debuted on their iPhone and iPod touch products, it is now clear by 
this patent that Apple is working on extending their advanced technologies to a 
full keyboard, like those within a notebook. 

Apple's Patent Background in Part 

Apple's patent background is clearly in context with a full multitouch 
keyboard. It begins by describing the advantages of touch technology as 
follows: "Integration of typing, pointing, and gesture capabilities into touch 
surfaces offers many advantages, such as eliminating need for mouse as a 
separate pointing device, eliminating wasteful reaches between keyboard and 
pointing device, and general workflow streamlining. However, pointing and 
typing have opposite tactile feedback needs. Specifically, pointing and 
gesturing inputs are best accomplished using a smooth, nearly frictionless 
touch surface. Conversely, typists are accustomed to relying on sharp key edges 
for tactile feedback. 

User acceptance of the TouchStream integrated typing, pointing and gesture 
input devices manufactured by FingerWorks demonstrated that learning to type on 
a smooth, un-textured surface is possible, but takes substantial practice. In 
many ways, typing on such a surface is almost like learning to type all over 
again. It is believed that mainstream acceptance of typing on touch surfaces 
will require shortening of the typing re-acclimation period, which, in turn, 
requires improved keystroke tactility. 

Traditionally, keystroke tactility on a surface or "membrane" keyboard has been 
provided by indicating key edges using hydroformed or stamped raised ridges 
into the surface plastic. However, this technique has several disadvantages for 
touch surfaces also intended for pointing and gesture. For example, the 
key-edge ridges impede lateral pointing motions, giving the surface a rough 
washboard feel. The ridges also disrupt position interpolation from capacitive 
sensor arrays as the fingertip flesh lifts over the ridge.

Apple's Summary 

Disclosed herein are four arrangements for providing tactility on a touch 
surface keyboard. One approach is to provide tactile feedback mechanisms, such 
as dots, bars, or other shapes on all or at least many keys. Different keys or 
groups of keys may have different feedback mechanisms, e.g., a first feedback 
mechanism may be assigned to "home row" keys, with a second feedback mechanism 
assigned to keys adjacent the home row, with a third assigned to peripheral 
keys, which are neither home row keys nor adjacent the home row. Alternatively, 
an articulating frame may be provided that extends when the surface is being 
used in a typing mode and retracts when the surface is used in some other mode, 
e.g., a pointing mode. The articulating frame may provide key edge ridges that 
define the boundaries of the key regions or may be used to provide tactile 
feedback mechanisms within the key regions. The articulating frame may also be 
configured to cause concave depressions similar to mech
 anical key caps in the surface. In another embodiment, a rigid, 
non-articulating frame may be provided beneath the surface. A user will then 
feel higher resistance when pressing away from the key centers, but will feel a 
softer resistance, which may be enhanced by filling the gaps with a foam or gel 
material or air. 

Using these arrangements, as well as individual elements of each or 
combinations thereof, it is possible to provide strong tactile feedback of each 
key location without impeding pointing, gestures, or related lateral sliding 
motions on the same touch surface.

Apple breaks the patent down into four distinct arrangements including 
Braille-Like Dot Pairs or Bars at Key Centers, Articulating Frame Protrudes at 
Key Edges during Typing, Articulating Frame Deforms Surface Cover at Key Edges 
during Typing and Rigid Frame under Key Edges with Compressible Key Centers. 

Apple's patent FIG. 7 is a plan view of the surface keyboard. Below that it is 
an illustration of the TouchStream integrated typing, pointing and gesture 
input device manufactured by the now defunct FingerWorks which Apple references 
in their patent background above. 

Apple lists Wayne Carl Westerman (San Francisco, CA) as the sole inventor of 
this patent. 

Other Apple Patents Published Today 

Other Apple patents were listed today which are listed as either continuation 
or other forms of patents. The list included Method and Apparatus for 
Coordination of Client/Server Processes and Method and apparatus for quickly 
reanimating devices from hibernation. 

NOTICE: MacNN presents only a brief summary of patents with associated 
graphic(s) for journalistic news purposes as each such patent application 
and/or grant is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trade Office. Readers are 
cautioned that the full text of any patent applications and/or grants should be 
read in its entirety for further details.

Written and researched by Neo. 


http://www.macnn.com/blogs/?p=454
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