Apple patent hints next-gen Apple Pencil to sport swappable nibs, Touch ID, 'eraser' & more
A years-old Apple patent filing might yield clues as to the company's future plans for Apple Pencil, as the document includes never before seen features like interchangeable multifunction nibs with built-in sensors.
Like Apple Pencil, the device described by Apple's U.S. Patent No. 9,329,703 for an "Intelligent Stylus," as awarded by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Tuesday, employs sensors, microprocessors and advanced algorithms to capture hand gestures for display on a digital touchscreen.
Both Pencil and the proposed device operate by determining stylus condition at a set point in time, specifically when the conductive nib makes contact with a tablet's capacitive display. These conditions are measured by a set of onboard sensors ranging in capability from pressure sensing to proximity awareness, broken into readable data and sent to a host device via suitable wireless communications protocol.
Pencil, for example, boasts a finely tuned pressure sensor capable of determining fine changes in input force, usually resulting in variably thick or thin lines onscreen. Further, two emitters embedded in Pencil's tubular chassis send out signals detected by iPad Pro to determine tilt, a metric that again changes onscreen output.
The invention detailed today supports stylus conditions identical to those built into Pencil, peppering in a few more hardware options like hot-swappable active nibs and additional sensing equipment. In some embodiments the replaceable tips carry unique identification codes readable by specialized sensors embedded within the stylus body. Each tip type -- brush, pencil, felt tip pen and others -- supports a different stylus condition.
Source: USPTO
For example, a brush tip might cause the onboard microprocessor, or alternatively a host iPad, to interpret long painterly strokes in a completely different manner than a pencil tip. Likewise, users would be compelled to manipulate the stylus as they would a real writing implement or drawing tool.
Apple proposes a number of nib attachments as potential candidates for integration, including exotic examples like a force-sensing bristle brush, motion-tracking camera and a flashlight. An alternative design incorporates an actual lead tip that translates pencil-on-paper stylus motion into digital handwriting, much like product offerings from companies like Livescribe.
The invention extends hardware identification beyond replaceable nibs. In some embodiments, individual owners or devices might also sport unique codes, a useful feature for collaborating on a single iPad. Fingerprint recognition is mentioned as a potential means of authentication, a function that also serves as an effective security measure. If a user's fingerprint is not recognized, the stylus would deny input, for example.
In addition to the usual nib sensor, the document suggests embedding a second, sister sensor into the non-tip end, proving Apple at least contemplated the inclusion of an "eraser" for Apple Pencil prior to launch.
The document goes on to discuss alternative embodiments including a multifunction push button and sensors capable of measuring rotational movement.
As Apple Pencil hit store shelves mere months ago, and with supply only now catching up with demand, a second-generation version is unlikely to appear anytime soon.
Apple's intelligent stylus patent was first filed for in 2011 and credits David R. Falkenburg, David I. Simon, Jonah A. Harley, Andrea Mucignat, Brian Richards Land, Christopher Tenzin Mullens and Steven Porter Hotelling as its inventors.
Like Apple Pencil, the device described by Apple's U.S. Patent No. 9,329,703 for an "Intelligent Stylus," as awarded by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Tuesday, employs sensors, microprocessors and advanced algorithms to capture hand gestures for display on a digital touchscreen.
Both Pencil and the proposed device operate by determining stylus condition at a set point in time, specifically when the conductive nib makes contact with a tablet's capacitive display. These conditions are measured by a set of onboard sensors ranging in capability from pressure sensing to proximity awareness, broken into readable data and sent to a host device via suitable wireless communications protocol.
Pencil, for example, boasts a finely tuned pressure sensor capable of determining fine changes in input force, usually resulting in variably thick or thin lines onscreen. Further, two emitters embedded in Pencil's tubular chassis send out signals detected by iPad Pro to determine tilt, a metric that again changes onscreen output.
The invention detailed today supports stylus conditions identical to those built into Pencil, peppering in a few more hardware options like hot-swappable active nibs and additional sensing equipment. In some embodiments the replaceable tips carry unique identification codes readable by specialized sensors embedded within the stylus body. Each tip type -- brush, pencil, felt tip pen and others -- supports a different stylus condition.
Source: USPTO
For example, a brush tip might cause the onboard microprocessor, or alternatively a host iPad, to interpret long painterly strokes in a completely different manner than a pencil tip. Likewise, users would be compelled to manipulate the stylus as they would a real writing implement or drawing tool.
Apple proposes a number of nib attachments as potential candidates for integration, including exotic examples like a force-sensing bristle brush, motion-tracking camera and a flashlight. An alternative design incorporates an actual lead tip that translates pencil-on-paper stylus motion into digital handwriting, much like product offerings from companies like Livescribe.
The invention extends hardware identification beyond replaceable nibs. In some embodiments, individual owners or devices might also sport unique codes, a useful feature for collaborating on a single iPad. Fingerprint recognition is mentioned as a potential means of authentication, a function that also serves as an effective security measure. If a user's fingerprint is not recognized, the stylus would deny input, for example.
In addition to the usual nib sensor, the document suggests embedding a second, sister sensor into the non-tip end, proving Apple at least contemplated the inclusion of an "eraser" for Apple Pencil prior to launch.
The document goes on to discuss alternative embodiments including a multifunction push button and sensors capable of measuring rotational movement.
As Apple Pencil hit store shelves mere months ago, and with supply only now catching up with demand, a second-generation version is unlikely to appear anytime soon.
Apple's intelligent stylus patent was first filed for in 2011 and credits David R. Falkenburg, David I. Simon, Jonah A. Harley, Andrea Mucignat, Brian Richards Land, Christopher Tenzin Mullens and Steven Porter Hotelling as its inventors.
Comments
Either way, it makes sense for Apple to investigate all of the variations of the Pencil and tip that might be useful to the customer base, and frankly, a modular tip that could be changed in a few seconds seems like a winning strategy.
As for the eraser, I'm guessing that Apple was focussed on delivering the first version both the Pencil and the iPad Pro, and would of course be aware that other offering could be made in the future. I myself would like a rugged pocketable version of the Pencil, but my guess is that Apple hasn't been able to refine the design enough for that to happen any time soon.
... What do you want with your fries?
I suspect that the pencil that Apple has actually delivered (sans eraser and extra nibs) is a result of that very decision-making process that you hope and expect from Apple!
When a company, like Apple, investigates a technology -- they usually apply for patents on all identifiable aspects of their solution. This does not mean that any or all will ever see the light of day in a product.
The thing that interests me about this patent is the idea that the pencil has the ability to work independently of a companion electronic surface. I mean that the pencil could be used to write on an inert surface (a piece of paper, a desk top, a counter top, a window, a light table, air, etc. -- and still be used as input to another device ... Consider using such a pencil on a computer display that is unaware of the pencil's existence, yet can receive wireless input when the pencil is pressed on the display ... The pencil becomes a platform unto itself.
Then you don't need to flip the whole pencil to get an eraser just flip the pencil out of the way. Indeed they could use gestures on the pencils flick movement to call up additional editing interface. Then you're moving beyond just a paper replacement in to something that takes the best of both worlds, the flexibility and re activeness of digital with flow and expression of drawing.