New Apple patents include tactile/haptic feedback, fingerprint ID and RFID tag readers
A trio of Apple patent applications unearthed this morning may help shed some light on future features and functionality headed to a new crop of iPhones. Then again we all know how easy it is for patents to lead absolutely nowhere. The first and most notable of the bunch is a haptic feedback concept employing a “grid of piezoelectronic actuators” that combine to form a fully tactile touchscreen. In theory, the device could vibrate these actuators in different combinations and at different frequencies to provide a variety of tactile responses. Interesting as it may be, this isn’t the first apple patent to cover a haptic feedback solution for a touchscreen — another notable concept came in late 2007 and has yet to bear fruit. At the same time, it’s good to see that Apple recognizes the downsides of touchscreen-only devices and is working on creative solutions for the problem. From the application:
However, one of a touchscreen’s biggest advantages (i.e., the ability to utilize the same physical space for different functions) is also one of a touchscreen’s biggest disadvantages. When the user is unable to view the display (because the user is occupied with other tasks), the user can only feel the smooth hard surface of the touchscreen, regardless of the shape, size and location of the virtual buttons and/or other display elements. This makes it difficult for users to find icons, hyperlinks, textboxes or other user-selectable input elements that are being displayed, if any are even being displayed, without looking at the display.
The other two patents covered this morning are also of interest, the second covering fingerprint identification as an input method. This concept also addresses the usage of a touchscreen without the need to look at it during operation — providing a system whereby a device will be able to identify different fingers by fingerprint and the mere touch with a specific finger will result in a corresponding function. In other words, while in a certain mode an iPhone might perform the following functions when touched anywhere by the following fingers:
Last up this morning is an application that places an RFID tag reader in the actual display panel of a device, allowing it to read RFID tags. We’re not sure exactly how a device will benefit from having the RFID antenna in the screen as opposed to in another area of the case but hey, patent attorneys need something to do on slow days, too.
[Via MacRumors]
Read (tactile touchscreen)
Read (fingerprint ID)
Read (RFID)
Sweet! Haptic feedback. Nobody has ever even thought of anything like that before. Glad to see another Apple first
2nd
In 5 years Apple will bear the Burden of being too big. As Microsoft now understands. I would like some more working together with other companies, besides a Micro-Slot Charger. I just feel that their products are all so “Item Of The Week”.
They are so far ahead of the game…. Anyone even close?
@AgBand: Sorry to disappoint you, but Samsung’s i900 Omnia has Haptic feedback. It was launched about a year ago. Quite nice feature by the way – the phone “tells” you that it has registered your tap on the screen…
@IphoneGS :
Nope nobody even remotely close. Nobody ever thought of using multi-touch before Apple did with the iPhone and nobody has ever thought of using haptic feedback.
@Paris….someones sarcasm meter is broken today.
@ Paris :
I guess the sarcasm was not evident.
Hmm, fingerprint id input method. That would probably cause more problems and frustration if it were ever implemented. Gestures would make more sense than having to remember which finger does what. Apple could maybe create some convenience keys on the sides of the iphone.
Think BlackBerry (Bold): I can change volume, skip/rewind tracks by holding the volume up/down buttons, and pause music (mute button) all while in the holster. Don’t have to take it out to look at what I’m doing/pressing.
Touchscreens are cool and can give you a lot of neat stuff, but the limitations are also huge. Haptic feedback is a good start, but it will never replace the precision and speed of a physical button.
buttons on the side of the phone Len? Apple will do that and claim it’s never been done before in that way….
Apple=quality. Regardless of what you say about the other companies in the wireless industry. You really cant get better customer service and quality from one company like Apple has managed too.
That’s precisely my thought..Apple does create some revolutionary products, but in the grand scheme of things, most of their stuff isn’t so revolutionary as it has been done before. Haptic feedback has been done before, but when Apple does it, it is considered innovation. Multi-touch has been done before but when Apple does it is considered to be innovation. Just because a company can do a few things well, does not make every little thing they do innovative or revolutionary
Thats because Apple brings it to a whole new level and then (re)introduces it.
I don’t know…these strike me as overly complex solutions to touchscreen problems.
Gestures could easily replace fingerprint identification, and seem more intuitive than long/short/medium pressing your finger.
And voice recognition could do the same in place of a complicated haptic feedback system…
i get great customer service, quality, and innovation at http://www.xda-developers.com.. apple has some greatt innovations and im glad but u guys sometimes forget the stuff with wm.. For people in the US at least wm has had the first app to broadcast a 3g signal to multiple wireless devices simaltaneously, the first to allow server side rendering browsers like skyfire and opera mini these are way faster than webkit or ie, a real flash web browser skyfire and mach 5, the first to online sync contacts, files, pictures, the first with real tv out great for gps in the car and web browsing at home.. i could keep going..
@ Nimrod:
Not so much.
Since you iPhans think Apple is so far ahead of the game, read this:
http://www.symbian-freak.com/news/008/07/more_details_on_nokia_haptikos_tactile_touchscreens.htm
Now they’ve already made a working prototype on one of its web tablets… 2 years ago!
By the way, Nokia’s N97? It has haptics already, albeit not on the level of Haptikos, which will be a watershed moment for touchscreens and thin devices.
Now fingerprint detection via a touchscreen? That’s scary technology.
If you so many of you don’t like Apple or it’s products, then why comment on an Apple article?
let’s they bring an HD screen (ie. 960 x 640) along with this!
It doesn’t matter if they improve it or even add a keyboard. The iPhone has proved to become a hot-selling product and continues to do so.
Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone).
@ Cliff:
Because people can. It’s the beauty of having freedom of speech.
And I wouldn’t say that I don’t like Apple or it’s products since I am typing this on my Mac while listening to my iPod. I like what I use, but I also understand that Apple isn’t the greatest thing ever and that Apple is not as revolutionary as the apple fanboys try to lead others to believe.
Next Apple patent…camera flash…
Think I’ll still stick with my trusty Blackberry
Apple is revolutionary in a sense that they take existing products and technologies and implement them in a way that is both useful and just makes sense. Like someone said, multi-touch was around before the iPhone, but the way Apple incorperated it into iPhone OS was considered revolutionary. This is why apple is so popular today. They can bring existing but not widly known technology to their products and market it in a way that makes it easy for anyone to understand and use. Someone also said Nokia is innovating with their Haptikos tech. Nokia would be as popular as Apple if they had an operating system to match their awsome phones. Symbian is basically dead. There really isn’t any excitment over symbian because it’s a dinosaur, it needs to be done away with and replaced by a new and fresh OS that is similar to WebOS or iPhone OS.
Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone).
if you do a little research, you’ll find Nokia is 4 times as popular as Apple for mobile devices, selling as many smartphones as Apple, RIM, and Samsung combined! Who’s popular? There’s a difference between media hype, popular impression, and facts, and the facts don’t lie. 40%>10% all day long, and with 4 to 6 new touchscreen devices launching this year, Nokia’s marketshare will rise again. Apple is a decent contender, but not even sniffing Nokia’s global shadow. Nokia is the 5th most respected and recognizee brand IN THE WORLD. Just the facts,my friend.