Apple invents continuous handwriting input method, magnetically linkable earphones
A pair of Apple patent filings published Thursday reveal ongoing work on perfecting the mobile computing experience, including an intuitive continuous handwriting recognition system and a pair of earphones that snap together magnetically for easy stowage.
Source: USPTO
Apple's "Continuous Handwriting UI," as published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, details a novel handwriting recognition and input method that appears custom built for business professionals and students.
While existing handwriting input methods exist, including limited language-centric tools built in to iOS, most apply unintuitive interfaces that interrupt a user's normal writing rhythm. The root of the problem lies in timing, specifically when a UI should clear a handwriting input area of previously entered text.
Apple's invention describes a designated handwriting input area that allows users to write continuously without stopping, just as they would with paper and pencil. In one embodiment, the system automatically recognizes and clears handwriting dynamically, while another method partially fades previously entered text as a user writes. Thus the user can return to the left-most (or right-most, depending on language) and start writing on a fresh piece of screen.
Instead of clearing or erasing an input area based solely on a timer, Apple's solution relies on the location of subsequent user input. For example, the system might clear or partially fade a character when a user writes out three subsequent letters, or when writing reaches a predefined point relative to the first written character.
Other embodiments include virtual keys responsible for character deletion, re-display and other input needs. Apple notes a finger or stylus can be used as an input device, suggesting continued work toward a branded writing implement. In January, well-connected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted Apple would launch a simple stylus product for use with a an expected 12.9-inch iPad, a rumor seconded by an AppleInsider source in May.
Apple's continuous handwriting input patent application was first filed for in September 2014 and credits Deborah E. Goldsmith and Karan Misra as its inventors.
Also published Thursday, Apple's application for "Earphones with left/right magnetic asymmetry" describes a design that secures left and right earbuds via magnetic attraction for easy storage. Additionally, touch sensors disposed within the product chassis determine when the buds are in contact, automatically turning off any audio processing operations being conducted on the host device.
Since earphones rely on magnetic forces to operate, commonly a voice coil and permanent magnet setup, joining two separate earbuds using existing internal magnet structures sounds like a simple operation. However, for purposes of audio uniformity and continuity of manufacturing, both left and right earbuds share internal designs, including magnet polarity and voice coil winding, making the invention difficult to implement.
Apple proposes an asymmetrical design in which left and right earbuds have opposite magnetic assembly polarities, causing them to attract. In order to achieve the same acoustic effect from an electric audio signal, each bud needs to react to an audio signal in the same way, meaning a few internal changes are required.
In one embodiment, positive and negative audio signals are connected to first and second voice coil terminals in one earbud. Terminal connections are switched in the second earbud to reverse voice coil current, allowing the magnetically opposed systems to react identically to the same audio signal. Alternatively, voice coil winding can be reversed in one earbud while leaving terminal connections untouched to achieve the same result.
Finally, a touch detector built in to one or both earbuds sends a signal to a host device's onboard audio processor when it determines a user to have joined the pair for storage. In response, the device can shut down processing, cut off power to audio amplifiers or perform other operations.
Apple's magnetically joinable earphone patent application was first filed for in January 2014 and credits Yacine Azmi and Esge B. Andersen as its inventors.
Source: USPTO
Apple's "Continuous Handwriting UI," as published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, details a novel handwriting recognition and input method that appears custom built for business professionals and students.
While existing handwriting input methods exist, including limited language-centric tools built in to iOS, most apply unintuitive interfaces that interrupt a user's normal writing rhythm. The root of the problem lies in timing, specifically when a UI should clear a handwriting input area of previously entered text.
Apple's invention describes a designated handwriting input area that allows users to write continuously without stopping, just as they would with paper and pencil. In one embodiment, the system automatically recognizes and clears handwriting dynamically, while another method partially fades previously entered text as a user writes. Thus the user can return to the left-most (or right-most, depending on language) and start writing on a fresh piece of screen.
Instead of clearing or erasing an input area based solely on a timer, Apple's solution relies on the location of subsequent user input. For example, the system might clear or partially fade a character when a user writes out three subsequent letters, or when writing reaches a predefined point relative to the first written character.
Other embodiments include virtual keys responsible for character deletion, re-display and other input needs. Apple notes a finger or stylus can be used as an input device, suggesting continued work toward a branded writing implement. In January, well-connected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted Apple would launch a simple stylus product for use with a an expected 12.9-inch iPad, a rumor seconded by an AppleInsider source in May.
Apple's continuous handwriting input patent application was first filed for in September 2014 and credits Deborah E. Goldsmith and Karan Misra as its inventors.
Also published Thursday, Apple's application for "Earphones with left/right magnetic asymmetry" describes a design that secures left and right earbuds via magnetic attraction for easy storage. Additionally, touch sensors disposed within the product chassis determine when the buds are in contact, automatically turning off any audio processing operations being conducted on the host device.
Since earphones rely on magnetic forces to operate, commonly a voice coil and permanent magnet setup, joining two separate earbuds using existing internal magnet structures sounds like a simple operation. However, for purposes of audio uniformity and continuity of manufacturing, both left and right earbuds share internal designs, including magnet polarity and voice coil winding, making the invention difficult to implement.
Apple proposes an asymmetrical design in which left and right earbuds have opposite magnetic assembly polarities, causing them to attract. In order to achieve the same acoustic effect from an electric audio signal, each bud needs to react to an audio signal in the same way, meaning a few internal changes are required.
In one embodiment, positive and negative audio signals are connected to first and second voice coil terminals in one earbud. Terminal connections are switched in the second earbud to reverse voice coil current, allowing the magnetically opposed systems to react identically to the same audio signal. Alternatively, voice coil winding can be reversed in one earbud while leaving terminal connections untouched to achieve the same result.
Finally, a touch detector built in to one or both earbuds sends a signal to a host device's onboard audio processor when it determines a user to have joined the pair for storage. In response, the device can shut down processing, cut off power to audio amplifiers or perform other operations.
Apple's magnetically joinable earphone patent application was first filed for in January 2014 and credits Yacine Azmi and Esge B. Andersen as its inventors.
Comments
However, much of the Newton patents are expiring, so my guess is this is a slight tweak to re-ensure protection.
Handwriting input is so 1990s.
Haven't we come to the conclusion that typing on a mobile device is more efficient and faster than handwriting input?
Heck handwriting is so 1990's lol, I can hardly do it anymore!
Heck handwriting is so 1990's lol, I can hardly do it anymore!
Haha. Have you tried writing cursive lately? I get so lost in all the loops...
Can anyone comment on the psychoacoustics with headphones/earphones/earbuds and state whether phase is important for them or not? I know that having regular speakers 180 degrees out of phase due to reversed polarity is a very common problem (often because of incorrect cable connections by the owner) and will result in reduction of low frequencies.
EDIT: These aren't the ones I purchased but they are similar.
http://www.amazon.com/Amazon-KA416Y-Premium-Headphones/dp/B00HX0SRXW/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8
Handwriting input is so 1990s.
Haven't we come to the conclusion that typing on a mobile device is more efficient and faster than handwriting input?
Because it is a US patent the figures show standard ascii characters but the actual purpose for recognizing handwriting is for Chinese based languages which have thousands of characters that can be drawn faster than they can be found shuffling through numerous keyboards.
The future of course will be dictation once it gets a little bit more accurate.
And as it happens, Apple repurposed it a number of years ago as Inkwell in OS X. They never did much with it though.
I can only assume that thewhitefalcon is correct about this being essentially a patent renewal.
Haha. Have you tried writing cursive lately? I get so lost in all the loops...
Cursive was one of the dumbest things ever foisted on the children of the American "education" system.
Seriously, it's a form of self torture now. To think I wrote screeds of pages in exams with only hand cramp to worry about, now I'd be hard pressed to write my name!
Of course my typing will be going soon as I dictate more and more to Siri! My biggest fear these days is an EMP!
The only hand writing I actually use at work is my signature and date.
I'm even starting to find those hard to do! I have my signature in Preview now and can add it easily with a click as everything I get these days is a PDF or in seconds after receiving paper thanks to my SnapScan.
Seriously, it's a form of self torture now. To think I wrote screeds of pages in exams with only hand cramp to worry about, now I'd be hard pressed to write my name!
Of course my typing will be going soon as I dictate more and more to Siri! My biggest fear these days is an EMP!
Haha, ya! Writing out cheques (checks, for those of you below the border), I find myself so confused by the loops. It feels like my hand is a foreign object attached to my body, and I don't know how to operate it! :P
Handwriting input is so 1990s.
Haven't we come to the conclusion that typing on a mobile device is more efficient and faster than handwriting input?
It is, but voice dictation is even faster...and pretty accurate these days.
Quote:
Cursive was one of the dumbest things ever foisted on the children of the American "education" system.
Please do some research on that before posting....just a bit of mine is below...
http://time.com/2820780/five-reasons-kids-should-still-learn-cursive-writing/
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/03/science/whats-lost-as-handwriting-fades.html?_r=0
"But psychologists and neuroscientists say it is far too soon to declare handwriting a relic of the past. New evidence suggests that the links between handwriting and broader educational development run deep."
http://www.wpr.org/research-highlights-benefits-teaching-cursive-handwriting
http://www.ajc.com/weblogs/get-schooled/2013/sep/16/study-learning-cursive-first-grade-helps-students/
Heck handwriting is so 1990's lol, I can hardly do it anymore!
Haha. Have you tried writing cursive lately? I get so lost in all the loops...
What I find amazing is that they don't even teach cursive in the public schools (here anyway). In elementary school they teach them this so-called pre-cursive, which is just printing with little curl connectors and a few loops on stems. It is not nearly as readable as straight printing is, in my opinion did nothing to help with cursive and was basically a waste of time and effort. Almost all the kids have abandoned traditional cursive and since they were never truly taught to print they end up using their own hybrid mixture of a quasi-print cursive where syllables or more often character pairs are split when it takes more effort (strokes) to group it together.
I haven't used cursive since 7th grade when I took my first drafting class (part of general shop) -- I instead concentrated on lettering so that I could develop a 'professional' lettering skill. It seldom matters anymore (especially since I no longer practice civil engineering or surveying) where almost all drafting is done using Autocad or one of it's wannabes; more efficient if you set up a good process for plans/plats but not the individual works of art that were turned out till the 80's.
What I find amazing is that they don't even teach cursive in the public schools (here anyway). In elementary school they teach them this so-called pre-cursive, which is just printing with little curl connectors and a few loops on stems. It is not nearly as readable as straight printing is, in my opinion did nothing to help with cursive and was basically a waste of time and effort. Almost all the kids have abandoned traditional cursive and since they were never truly taught to print they end up using their own hybrid mixture of a quasi-print cursive where syllables or more often character pairs are split when it takes more effort (strokes) to group it together.
Interesting. I wonder if in the not so distant future, cursive will be become almost a lost art, with just a handful of private teachers keeping it alive. Could be a
Interesting. I wonder if in the not so distant future, cursive will be become almost a lost art...
I believe that day is here. In the Zimmerman (Trayvon Martin) trial, the prosecutions' star witness testified that "I don't understand um, cursive. I don't read cursive" regarding a letter that she claimed to "write" about the incident. Granted she is pretty young, at under 20, I believe. (1:47 video & story: http://abcnews.go.com/US/george-zimmerman-witness-threw-punch/story?id=19504826)
I'm in my 50's and use a hybrid in my work as a designer. For other writing (book or short story) it's easier for me to do it long hand using cursive. I keep telling myself I'll just go to OS X build-in dictation...
Is it possible that cursive was rarely taught if you were in grade school in the 90's?