Apple's dual-sided touch panel concept shows clamshell iPhone, trackpad designs
Apple has shown interest in developing foldable touch-sensitive devices with two separate, foldable surfaces ? a concept that could apply to a flip-style iPhone or a new trackpad design.
The details were revealed in a patent application published this week and discovered by AppleInsider. The new filing, entitled "Dual-Sided Track Pad," notes that the concept could be applied to a touch-only Magic Trackpad style device, or to a touchscreen device like an iPhone.
The dual touch panel concept could also allow for two different types of panels to be presented to users. For example, a top display could be accompanied by a bottom trackpad, foldable in a manner like a notebook.
In Apple's concept, the top touch panel may be translucent, so that when it is folded over on top of a bottom display, the two can complement each other.
"The display element and the array element may be configured with respect to each other, where different configurations can be associated with different operating modes," the filing reads. "For example, when the array elemtn lies over the display element screen so that the display screen is viewable through the array element, the array element can function as a touch screen."
The trackpad on a MacBook could even be used as a sort of window when the device is closed, in one example provided by Apple. It shows a closed MacBook with the screen still displaying through a slot where the translucent trackpad is located, displaying e-mail alerts or other pertinent information while the computer is closed.
Both surfaces could also be touch-sensitive and could be utilized at the same time in such a device. Apple's system could simultaneously "interpret or accept input from any of the devices according to the computer's mode of use."
The filing notes that touchscreens are desirable for certain tasks, while touchpads are sometimes better suited for other functions. A new device could automatically designate one touch panel for certain types of tasks, while the other touch-sensitive surface would be enabled for tasks more appropriate for its use. But Apple notes that this method could be too complicated for practical use.
"Despite the availability of useful input tools, making the appropriate input tool available for the user remains a problem," the filing reads. "It is therefore a goal of this invention to solve or at least reduce the problems associated with input tools on computing devices."
The proposed invention was first filed with the USPTO in September of 2006. It is credited to Chris A. Ligtenberg.
The details were revealed in a patent application published this week and discovered by AppleInsider. The new filing, entitled "Dual-Sided Track Pad," notes that the concept could be applied to a touch-only Magic Trackpad style device, or to a touchscreen device like an iPhone.
The dual touch panel concept could also allow for two different types of panels to be presented to users. For example, a top display could be accompanied by a bottom trackpad, foldable in a manner like a notebook.
In Apple's concept, the top touch panel may be translucent, so that when it is folded over on top of a bottom display, the two can complement each other.
"The display element and the array element may be configured with respect to each other, where different configurations can be associated with different operating modes," the filing reads. "For example, when the array elemtn lies over the display element screen so that the display screen is viewable through the array element, the array element can function as a touch screen."
The trackpad on a MacBook could even be used as a sort of window when the device is closed, in one example provided by Apple. It shows a closed MacBook with the screen still displaying through a slot where the translucent trackpad is located, displaying e-mail alerts or other pertinent information while the computer is closed.
Both surfaces could also be touch-sensitive and could be utilized at the same time in such a device. Apple's system could simultaneously "interpret or accept input from any of the devices according to the computer's mode of use."
The filing notes that touchscreens are desirable for certain tasks, while touchpads are sometimes better suited for other functions. A new device could automatically designate one touch panel for certain types of tasks, while the other touch-sensitive surface would be enabled for tasks more appropriate for its use. But Apple notes that this method could be too complicated for practical use.
"Despite the availability of useful input tools, making the appropriate input tool available for the user remains a problem," the filing reads. "It is therefore a goal of this invention to solve or at least reduce the problems associated with input tools on computing devices."
The proposed invention was first filed with the USPTO in September of 2006. It is credited to Chris A. Ligtenberg.
Comments
Originally Posted by maverick808
Yup, strengthened by the fact that references to clamshell appear in the iOS 6 code... http://www.looptruth.com/apple-may-be-developing-a-flip-phone-or-other-clamshell-device/
This is just a patent. That link showed no reference to anything in iOS 6.
Thanks for that link. From there, it looks like they could release a laptop style iPad. And that would seem, off. Unless it's a 7 inch foldable iPad or something.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilBoogie
Thanks for that link. From there, it looks like they could release a laptop style iPad. And that would seem, off. Unless it's a 7 inch foldable iPad or something.
Very off. It seems so un-Apple like. A laptop where the trackpad is a screen visible when the laptop is closed? Too convoluted, too much... Its a little like a mouse that is also a phone ;-) I think the iPad and iPhone replaced these ideas. And ditto the instant on clamshell Air.
Haven't we seen that before?
Courier someone? Surface?
I think it's more likely that "clamshell" refers to the MacBook Air.
It's a clamshell device for your pet clam. It water proof and can withstand 1 atmosphere of water depth. It will display many pretty colors for your clam without a shell. Apple is kind to clams.
These are the entries in the iOS 6 code...
-(void)clamshellDidClose:(GSEventRef)clamshell;
-(void)clamshellDidOpen:(GSEventRef)clamshell;
Originally Posted by maverick808
These are the entries in the iOS 6 code...
-(void)clamshellDidClose:(GSEventRef)clamshell;
-(void)clamshellDidOpen:(GSEventRef)clamshell;
Huh. Could that also refer to the action of opening the Smart Cover?
Of course. Or a MacBook Air. Or any number of things.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil
Huh. Could that also refer to the action of opening the Smart Cover?
I don't think so because there are other methods that do refer to the smart cover and that have been around since the smart cover came out. These are new methods that only appeared in iOS 6.
I doubt it refers to the MacBook Air since this is only in iOS code, not OS X.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blitz1
This is an invention?
Haven't we seen that before?
Courier someone? Surface?
Wasn't this patent filed for in 2006? Would that not pre-date those concepts?
Quote:
Originally Posted by tylerk36
It's a clamshell device for your pet clam. It water proof and can withstand 1 atmosphere of water depth. It will display many pretty colors for your clam without a shell. Apple is kind to clams.
I too am kind to clams.
So they couldn't add a new feature or new method for the smart cover?
Yes, but Apple is bringing them closer together and constantly trying things in the lab. I wouldn't be surprised if there's a version of iOS that runs on MBA in the labs.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil
Huh. Could that also refer to the action of opening the Smart Cover?
Doesn't sound like it. I figure with the smart cover it would say something like "Peek". A clamshell is pretty specific.
It's the obvious way to add more screen real estate without expanding too large in the pocket. You can have a useful-sized keyboard, controls for the content -- you know, Nintendo DUO style. I'm sure the main reason they didn't do it before was the battery drain and cost of adding more screen. But they could probably make one screen a low-powered, and "cheap" mostly control device with graphics and leave the high resolution quality screen for the videos and games.
It's about time!