Apple investigating multi-haptic feedback for multi-touch devices
Future multi-touch devices like the iPhone and iPad could offer a number of physical feedback responses to a user's touch, resulting in a more interactive and efficient input method through haptic feedback.
The details of a haptic feedback system are detailed in a new patent application filed by Apple, and revealed this week by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Entitled "Multi Touch with Multi Haptics," it describes a system that would detect multi-touch gestures, and provide "an appropriate multi-haptic response."
"Research has shown that providing the multi-touch surface with the ability to provide physical (haptic) feedback makes the multi-touch experience even more efficient and realistic to the user," the application reads. "For example, physical keyboards provide a physical indication (a bump, for example) indicative of the home key. This physical sensation can not be provided by a conventional multi-touch system thereby forcing the user to visually locate the home key thereby making keyboard use less efficient and fatiguing."
Apple's invention would provide at least two distinct tactile feedback points based on a user touching multiple points on a multi-touch surface. The application also describes a surface that would be able to detect the amount of pressure applied to the surface by the user, and would provide haptic feedback according to that pressure.
This would all be made possible through the use of haptic actuators located under the touch-sensitive screen, allowing users to feel sensations on their fingers on specific portions of the display. An iPhone or iPad could be divided into separate zones, and the display would feature a number of zones that would each have their own unique haptic feedback.
The system would allow users to essentially feel the screen as they manipulate objects on it. One example included in the application has a user pinching to zoom in on a map of California. The haptic feedback would follow their fingers as they pulled apart on the device. In this example, the haptic feedback would be less when the fingers are closer together, and greater as the fingers move apart.
The haptic feedback could also be used to let users know when a certain boundary is being approached. For example, the feedback could become greater if a user is zoomed in as far as they can go, letting the user know that they can not zoom in any farther. The application notes that the zoom gesture method could be particularly beneficial in publishing, photo and drawing programs.
It also describes a virtual scroll wheel, which users could rotate by using two fingers. Users could invoke a scroll wheel with a two-finger gesture, and while rotating the wheel, at least two haptic actuators would provide the sensation of a "click" to each of the two fingers.
The application was filed for on April 6, 2009. It is credited to Bobby Burrough and Benjamin J. Pope.
The details of a haptic feedback system are detailed in a new patent application filed by Apple, and revealed this week by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Entitled "Multi Touch with Multi Haptics," it describes a system that would detect multi-touch gestures, and provide "an appropriate multi-haptic response."
"Research has shown that providing the multi-touch surface with the ability to provide physical (haptic) feedback makes the multi-touch experience even more efficient and realistic to the user," the application reads. "For example, physical keyboards provide a physical indication (a bump, for example) indicative of the home key. This physical sensation can not be provided by a conventional multi-touch system thereby forcing the user to visually locate the home key thereby making keyboard use less efficient and fatiguing."
Apple's invention would provide at least two distinct tactile feedback points based on a user touching multiple points on a multi-touch surface. The application also describes a surface that would be able to detect the amount of pressure applied to the surface by the user, and would provide haptic feedback according to that pressure.
This would all be made possible through the use of haptic actuators located under the touch-sensitive screen, allowing users to feel sensations on their fingers on specific portions of the display. An iPhone or iPad could be divided into separate zones, and the display would feature a number of zones that would each have their own unique haptic feedback.
The system would allow users to essentially feel the screen as they manipulate objects on it. One example included in the application has a user pinching to zoom in on a map of California. The haptic feedback would follow their fingers as they pulled apart on the device. In this example, the haptic feedback would be less when the fingers are closer together, and greater as the fingers move apart.
The haptic feedback could also be used to let users know when a certain boundary is being approached. For example, the feedback could become greater if a user is zoomed in as far as they can go, letting the user know that they can not zoom in any farther. The application notes that the zoom gesture method could be particularly beneficial in publishing, photo and drawing programs.
It also describes a virtual scroll wheel, which users could rotate by using two fingers. Users could invoke a scroll wheel with a two-finger gesture, and while rotating the wheel, at least two haptic actuators would provide the sensation of a "click" to each of the two fingers.
The application was filed for on April 6, 2009. It is credited to Bobby Burrough and Benjamin J. Pope.
Comments
Future multi-touch devices like the iPhone and iPad could offer a number of physical feedback responses to a user's touch, resulting in a more interactive and efficient input method through haptic feedback.
Like a girlfriend?
Video proof here, deny it all you want. And call me a troll all you want. I love Apple, their products and their software, but this issue isn't going away anytime soon. It seems like it very may well be a blunder of biblical proportions.
Exhibit A: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvH-i7rKPJc#t=1m30s
Exhibit B: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gb3aQ5XoQw
Exhibit C: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03PQyWp0mWE
I'm not being funny, or a troll as one guy here would lead some to believe, but isn't about time you guys "updated" the "missing bars" post to point out the actual seriousness on this issue. It's not merely cosmetic like Walt suggested, it's far more seriousness. The news are reporting it and Gizmodo and Engadget and a whole host of other have picked up on it big time.
Exhibit R: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvH-i7rKPJc#t=1m30s
Exhibit S: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gb3aQ5XoQw
Another off-topic post by Ireland!
Oh Jesus, this just too funny. Sorry Ireland, I just can't help joking at the role reversal when I was so passionate about the annoying glossy screens and couldn't buy a new Mac because of the glare hurting my eyes.
Cue Slopsisms troll police post... in five... four... three... two...
I'm not being funny, or a troll...
Now you're thread jacking because some people have inevitable problems with CE?
PS: There will be a lot more issues next year and each subsequent year.
PPS: Sent from my perfectly working iPhone 4.
edit: It's good that SpotOn can predict that I'll make a rational post calling out people acting like asses or, more likely, this was a preemptive comment to prevent me from calling out Ireland and reducing his argument to rubble. Perhaps one day he'll learn to add constructive comments to a conversation as a result.
I'm not being funny, or a troll as one guy here would lead some to believe, but isn't about time you guys "updated" the "missing bars" post to point out the actual seriousness on this issue. It's not merely cosmetic like Walt suggested, it's far more seriousness. The news are reporting it and Gizmodo and Engadget and a whole host of other have picked up on it big time.
Exhibit A: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvH-i7rKPJc#t=1m30s
Exhibit B: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gb3aQ5XoQw
Exhibit C: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03PQyWp0mWE
Ah yes, we can certainly rely on Gizmodo/Engadget to provide unbiased news about Apple. I would rather see these guys "update" what's happening with the legal investigation of the misappropriated iPhone 4. Remember that? It was the only thing everyone was talking about a couple of months ago.
Also, you still think OLED screens are the only way forward for handhelds? Seems like old school Retina has brought stunning new quality to the screen front. I recall you had a lot to say about that a while back. How about an "update"?
Sorry, just feeling feisty this morning.
It's good that SpotOn can predict that I'll make a rational post calling out people acting like asses or, more likely, this was a preemptive comment to prevent me from calling out Ireland and reducing his argument to rubble. Perhaps one day he'll learn to add constructive comments to a conversation as a result.
Maybe one day you'll realize how stoic you are and how it upsets you that others act like the emotional human beings they are.
I'm not being funny, or a troll as one guy here would mislead some to believe, but isn't about time you guys "updated" the "missing bars" post to point out the actual seriousness on this issue. It's not merely cosmetic like Walt suggested, it's far more seriousness.
Video proof here, deny it all you want. And call me a troll all you want. I love Apple, their products and their software, but this issue isn't going away anytime soon. It seems like it very may well be a blunder of biblical proportions.
Exhibit A: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvH-i7rKPJc#t=1m30s
Exhibit B: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gb3aQ5XoQw
Exhibit C: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03PQyWp0mWE
i tried to replicate all three of these with my phone. still have 5 bars the entire time. no loss of signal at all, no dropped call. bottom line - i'm not having any of these issues.
i tried to replicate all three of these with my phone. still have 5 bars the entire time. no loss of signal at all, no dropped call. bottom line - i'm not having any of these issues.
Watch out, if seeing a YouTube video doesn't convince you that it's a design flaw affecting all units then you're an Apple Fanboy. What's even ore pathetic is that Ireland and SpotOn don't have the new device but now feel it's there mission in life to let every know how bad they are.
i tried to replicate all three of these with my phone. still have 5 bars the entire time. no loss of signal at all, no dropped call. bottom line - i'm not having any of these issues.
Try using a penny.
Watch out, if seeing a YouTube video doesn't convince you that it's a design flaw affecting all units then you're an Apple Fanboy. What's even ore pathetic is that Ireland and SpotOn don't have the new device but now feel it's there mission in life to let every know how bad they are.
No, it's my attempt (not my "mission in life", as you put it) to help publicize this "real issue" so Apple will address it and fix it and I can buy an iPhone 4.
You have an attitude problem.
No, it's my attempt (not my "mission in life", as you put it) to help publicize this "real issue" so Apple will address it and fix it and I can buy an iPhone 4.
You have an attitude problem.
dude, stop putting random words within quotation marks. It hurts your argument because it makes you sound stupid.
How do you know its a "real issue"? Stop being so dramatic. The phone has been out all of one day. How about you let things get corroborated? You know, people who post these things have a conflict of interest because they want people to watch them - so to take seriously a YouTube video or journalist who makes these claims immediately is pretty foolish.
The sky is falling, indeed.
BOT: I always wondered why pressure-sensitive gestures didn't exist.
Watch out, if seeing a YouTube video doesn't convince you that it's a design flaw affecting all units then you're an Apple Fanboy. What's even ore pathetic is that Ireland and SpotOn don't have the new device but now feel it's there mission in life to let every know how bad they are.
And exactly how many times have you hit your wife and kicked the dog?
dude, stop putting random words within quotation marks. It hurts your argument because it makes you sound stupid.
Point taken. I'll stop it now.
I'm not being funny, or a troll as one guy here would mislead some to believe, but isn't about time you guys "updated" the "missing bars" post to point out the actual seriousness on this issue. It's not merely cosmetic like Walt suggested, it's far more seriousness.
Video proof here, deny it all you want. And call me a troll all you want. I love Apple, their products and their software, but this issue isn't going away anytime soon. It seems like it very may well be a blunder of biblical proportions.
Exhibit A: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvH-i7rKPJc#t=1m30s
Exhibit B: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gb3aQ5XoQw
Exhibit C: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03PQyWp0mWE
don't worry
apple is doomed
Point taken. I'll stop it now.
Great job - you managed to hijack the topic so that over a dozen of the lasts post had NOTHING to do with the article. Go to the forums or somewhere else but not here for random ramblings with no relevance to the article.
Great job - you managed to hijack the topic so that over a dozen of the lasts post had NOTHING to do with the article. Go to the forums or somewhere else but not here for random ramblings with no relevance to the article.
cool.
BOT: I always wondered why pressure-sensitive gestures didn't exist.
It's hard to do on a transmissive screen. The implementations I've seen involve a projector onto a haptic surface...I wonder how their haptic actuators keep from blocking the light source or if they deform that too.
Another off-topic post by Ireland!
Cue Slopsisms troll police post... in five... four... three... two...
Now you're thread jacking because some people have inevitable problems with CE?
PS: There will be a lot more issues next year and each subsequent year.
PPS: Sent from my perfectly working iPhone 4.
edit: It's good that SpotOn can predict that I'll make a rational post calling out people acting like asses or, more likely, this was a preemptive comment to prevent me from calling out Ireland and reducing his argument to rubble. Perhaps one day he'll learn to add constructive comments to a conversation as a result.
SpotOn's prediction made this thread. An apt username, no doubt!
(No foul meant to any party in this debate -- but preferably it will happen where appropriate.)