Apple patent app describes force-sensitive touchpads

It's no secret that Apple loves its touchscreens, and a freshly published patent application provides a little reinforcement to that belief. The documentation explores a method for tossing in pressure-sensitivity to touchpads in order to add functionality, or as Cupertino puts it, "a new element of control." Furthermore, it's noted that "force information may be used as another input dimension for purposes of providing command and control signals to an associated electronic device," and it goes on to explain how spring membranes could be placed under the surface to detect force. Notably, the verbiage tends to "describe a touchpad like those used for the company's MacBook lines," but it does leave open the possibility for the newfangled pads to be used in mobile / portable devices such as the outfit's own iPhone.

[wpalomine @ Oct 5th 2007 1:43PM]

I smell some "Copy and Paste" action. Maybe some "Drag and Drop"

[Meltz; @ Oct 5th 2007 1:46PM]

yeah, I'm thinkin the drag and drop. Will it sense like a range of force do you think? Or maybe just "no force" and "some force", so like a touch pad mixed with a button?

[gizmod @ Oct 5th 2007 1:43PM]

Now if only they could be as innovative as Microsoft.

ZUNE2 FTW!

[Chris @ Oct 5th 2007 2:07PM]

haha... you flamebaiter!!!!

[Matthew Hilario @ Oct 5th 2007 1:49PM]

I was thinking about this feature when the Nintendo DS came out.
Perfect idea for the NDS2!!

[PuyoDead @ Oct 10th 2007 10:10PM]

Funny enough, the DS -does- have pressure sensitivity. It's just that no games (to my knowledge) support it yet. But, if you try the Colors! homebrew painting app, it has fully adjustable pressure sensitivity.

[Jesse S @ Oct 5th 2007 2:01PM]

So, am I missing something, or is this basically a touchscreen that's also a button?

[Jesse S @ Oct 5th 2007 2:02PM]

*touchpad

[Brad @ Oct 5th 2007 2:02PM]

Uhm...aren't most touchpads already force sensitive? And this is an incredibly over-complicated way to make one. I have one on my dell laptop that is force sensitive, (though very little software uses it). Most companies just put a little strain gauge on the mechanical support for the touchpad and use that. But....I guess this is clever?

Seriously though, a force sensitive touchpad? Not original. Just watch your touchpad icon in the bottom right on most machines, and watch the dot grow as you push harder.

[Jesse S @ Oct 5th 2007 2:06PM]

When was the last time Apple was innovative, the `80s?

[kneeyogi @ Oct 5th 2007 2:17PM]

Actually most (if not all) touch pads are NOT force sensitive. They detect a change in local capacitance when your finger (and the moisture on it) hits the pad. This is why many touchpads don't work as well in VERY humid conditions and when the pad gets wet (as in watching a movie while working out).
If you don't believe me, try using your touchpad with a pencil (or anything plastic). My guess on the "force guage" is that it just uses the greater degree of contact when you push harder. In other words, the flesh of your finger spreads as you push harder, increasing the "footprint."

[Brad @ Oct 5th 2007 2:19PM]

Actually, most touchpads on modern laptops are resistive, not capacitive, in large part for the reason you just mentioned.

[getz76 @ Oct 5th 2007 3:37PM]

pwnd

[Wwhat @ Oct 5th 2007 10:39PM]

I saw a (MS I think) vid where the touch was detected using IR detectors behind the screen.
Another option for you guys to fight over.

[madwh @ Oct 5th 2007 2:03PM]

May The Finger Force Be With You!

[dave @ Oct 5th 2007 2:08PM]

Wait... what? Am I crazy or can you not patent things that have had copious amounts of prior-art?

I had an oooooold Pentium 75 Compaq laptop that had a touch sensitive touchpad with a little app that would even show where I was pushing and how hard. It was amusing. Useless, but amusing.

[anonymouspimp @ Oct 5th 2007 2:53PM]

It's just a patent application... most news outlets wouldn't find this application interesting until it was either allowed or issued. So basically, this doesn't mean it's going to get allowed. There is a very good chance that after doing a search reviewing all prior art, the patent examiner assigned to this case throws this application out the window along with the other ba-jillion ridiculous applications filed every year.

[Nathan @ Oct 5th 2007 4:59PM]

I think that the old "force" on the pad was just a work around. The pad measured how much surface area your finger took up...

the harder you push on the touchpad, the flatter your skin will be, and the more space it will register, thus it is similar to force, but not an actual measure of force.

[Arno @ Oct 5th 2007 2:11PM]

What? The touchpad I have right now can sense pressure... what is Apple smoking?

[Tom @ Oct 5th 2007 2:16PM]

My old Wacom tablet's been doing this for ten or so years already.

[Daryl Herbert @ Oct 5th 2007 3:11PM]

Yeah, but our Wacom tablets require use of a special pen. Apple's patent would allow you to use your finger.

[kneeyogi @ Oct 5th 2007 2:19PM]

FYI, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touchpad

[tastybytes @ Oct 5th 2007 2:21PM]

right on tom.. pressure sensitivity is nothing new and certainly not (new) patent-worthy.. next thing you know apple will be adding a patent for overpriced mp3 players with less functionality than most..

are they learning business sop from microsoft?

[Derbeste @ Oct 5th 2007 2:30PM]

ummm...

I don't think it's Apple's goal to be "new" here.

They may just want a pressure sensitive touchpad OF THEIR OWN and don't want to infringe on anyone else's patents to do it.

I very much doubt they want to follow in Sony's footsteps with the whole Immersion thing.

[kneeyogi @ Oct 5th 2007 2:34PM]

@Brad,
Not really trying to argue, but I've never seen a resistive touchpad. Although I guess I haven't really been looking for them. I'd appreciate a link to some info, if you happen to have it.
In any case, I think we agree that they are definitely NOT force sensitive.
Now there's nothing that says that this method will be any more effective as an input device. It certainly is more complicated, and I think more fragile, but I could definitely see uses of this not-so-new technology in a hybrid device that would work more reliable in a variety of conditions.

[deniz @ Oct 5th 2007 2:41PM]

"ipod punch" maybe? eh?

[jptech @ Oct 5th 2007 3:18PM]

The gateway laptop that I bought in 1998 had a synaptics force sensitive touch pad.

[Akshat @ Oct 5th 2007 3:41PM]

"Outfit"? Did u just call Apple an outfit? Am I the only one it sounds wrong to?

[Dean Lowe @ Oct 5th 2007 4:13PM]

The Apple outfit is a black turtleneck.

[Alain @ Oct 5th 2007 7:10PM]

Je découvre votre blogue. Il est très bien et le contenu aussi, surtout.
Très intéressant, merci pour l'information.

[kevin @ Oct 5th 2007 9:49PM]

I take it there aren't many electronic musicians in this bunch?

This is basically a velocity sensitive touchscreen. I smell a JazzMutant collaboration.

[Wwhat @ Oct 5th 2007 10:33PM]

Handy, with the right app it can tell you when you are getting too fat when you have it in your backpocket and sit on it :)

[matthew Urbatchka @ Oct 5th 2007 11:36PM]

Doesn't Waccom already make something like this?

[imisaac @ Oct 6th 2007 5:44PM]

The patent provides the foundation for Apple tablet PCs.

Having this patent handy, we can expect the "iTablet" laptop available in two years time.