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. 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