Could Apple Tactile Feedback Patent Be Applied to Forthcoming Tablet?
MacNN reports that Apple has filed for a patent on a touch-surface keyboard with tactile feedback, according to US Patent and Trademark Office documents, and speculates that the technology could conceivably be used in Apple’s upcoming tablet, “which a former Apple worker has suggested will surprise people in how they can interact with it.” The patent application, entitled “Keystroke Tactility Arrangement on a Smooth Touch Surface,” notes in the introductory abstract that: “Disclosed are four arrangements for providing tactility on a touch surface keyboard. One approach is to provide tactile feedback mechanisms, such as dots, bars, or other shapes on all or many keys. In another embodiment, an articulating frame may be provided that extends when the surface is being used in a typing mode and retracts when the surface is used in some other mode, e.g., a pointing mode. The articulating frame may provide key edge ridges that define the boundaries of the key regions or may provide tactile f
