Apple Gesture Patent App Suggests Tablet
TMO Reports - Apple Gesture Patent App Suggests Tablet
by , 3:05 PM EST, February 3rd, 2006
A patent application from Apple Computer offers yet more evidence that the company is contemplating production of a tablet computer. The patent application covers methods for gesture input on a touch-sensitive screen, and accompanying illustrations show usage of the methods on a tablet-like form factor. Perhaps more importantly, the date of the patent application, titled "Gestures for touch sensitive input devices" itself shows, January 31st, 2005, actively demonstrates that Apple has worked on the technologies involved in the recent past.
 Patent application illustration showing gestures. (Click the thumbnail for a larger image.) |
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From the description of the patent, "Methods and systems for processing touch inputs are disclosed. The invention in one respect includes reading data from a multipoint sensing device such as a multipoint touch screen where the data pertains to touch input with respect to the multipoint sensing device, and identifying at least one multipoint gesture based on the data from the multipoint sensing device."
The specific (abridged) claims of this app are as follows:
- A computer implemented method for processing touch inputs
- A method of invoking a user interface element on a display via a multipoint touch sensitive device of a computing system
- A computer implemented method for processing touch inputs
- A method for recognizing a zoom gesture made on a multipoint touch sensitive device
- A method for recognizing a pan gesture made on a multipoint touch sensitive device
- A method for recognizing a rotate gesture made on a multipoint touch sensitive device
- A computer implemented method for initiating floating controls via a touch sensitive device
- A computer implemented method of initiating a page turn via a touch sensitive device
Other patent applications filed by Apple have also invoked imagery of a tablet form factor, including one for an "Electronic Device" filed in March of 2004. The company also filed a design patent in Europe in 2004 for a tablet computer.
The newest application adds to the tablet evidence by focusing on methods for interfacing with the tablet, which is pictured in the accompanying illustrations without a keyboard. Hrmph.com also noted that at least some aspects of the application include such elements as a virtual scroll wheel, similar to the iPod's.
Patent application illustration showing a gesture-based virtual scroll wheel.
(Click the thumbnail for a larger image.)
The patent was first reported by Hrmph.com, which posted some additional images, as well as an animation showing some of the gestures at work (scroll to the bottom of the article for the animation).
Observer Comments
QuoteGuest wrote:
I'm not a big tablet fan, but if Apple had one that ran regular Mac OS X (with any addons needed for the tablet interface), it might be intertesting to get this in a small form factor.
Could eventually become small enough to be a Apple PDA.
I'm not big on tablets either, but if they could make a Macbook Pro that folded all the way over so you could use it as a table OR leave it as a laptop they'd have a really popular product on their hands.
QuoteSmall White Car wrote:
I'm not big on tablets either, but if they could make a Macbook Pro that folded all the way over so you could use it as a table OR leave it as a laptop they'd have a really popular product on their hands.
I'm with ya on that count.Of course, it's been done on the PC side for some time now. What Apple will have to do is incorporate this gesturing and the fold-back form in a portable that is dinky. I mean really small.
I'm thinking about a third larger than the Newton 2100, thinner, of course, with a wide aspect screen, qwerty keyboard, WiFi, Bluetooth, and can run OS X at the same speed as a 800 mhz G4 (faster would be better, obviously, but I'm a realist).
Sell it at iBook prices and Apple couldn't make enough of them.
Ah to dream...
Vern Seward
Fri Feb 03, 2006 5:39 pm Subject:
I really love the idea of a tablet mac, but I really would rather have one that doesn't fold. The less moving parts the better. With an intuitive interface (and this looks really intuitive) and a large flash-based capacity (like 5-10 GB or so), Apple could really have a winner. This is definately something I would be interested in, especially given the large amount of online document research I do all the time.
QuoteSmall White Car wrote:QuoteGuest wrote:
I'm not a big tablet fan, but if Apple had one that ran regular Mac OS X (with any addons needed for the tablet interface), it might be intertesting to get this in a small form factor.
Could eventually become small enough to be a Apple PDA.
I'm not big on tablets either, but if they could make a Macbook Pro that folded all the way over so you could use it as a table OR leave it as a laptop they'd have a really popular product on their hands.
Fri Feb 03, 2006 6:58 pm Subject: Virtual keyboard
The HP convertible is interesting, but i think the swivel hinge is its weak point and Achilles heel. If Apple uses the concept of a clamshell design with a virtual keyboard – which can become a second screen – i think they may have something really slick.
However i am not convinced that touch-typing on a virtual keyboard will be at all easy. The lack of tactile feedback could be a problem. Will be interesting to see how Apple solves that problem. If they can’t do a good job, it will be that design’s Achilles heel, IMO. Time will tell.
Fri Feb 03, 2006 8:51 pm Subject: Tablet patents... or is this the future of iPod?
I have a sneaky suspicion that this suggests more about the iPod than a tablet. The biggest problem with the current iPod is screen size. So how would Ive and Jobs fit a bigger screen on the iPod without cramping the scrollwheel?
They'd virtualize the scrollwheel and the entire surface of the iPod would be touch screen. It would require some smart materials and engineering, but imagine the possibilities of an all-screen iPod design!
danship (a.t) mac (d.o.t) com
QuoteGuest wrote:
I really love the idea of a tablet mac, but I really would rather have one that doesn't fold. The less moving parts the better.
check the following for more pictures:
http://hrmpf.com/wordpress/48/new-apple-patents
It seems that most everything, including a Keyboard, is handled be interactions with screen displays, leading me to believe that no hardware keyboard ( except external ) is in evidence. Ergo, no need for folding or rotating; this may be most likened to an Etch-a-Sketch without buttons.
Even hard & slot drives may be missing, replaced by external units accessed in some kind of wireless fashion. ( saves power, cuts cost )
=== just wishful thinking ===
I agree about this being implemented on the iPod. When the video first came out, I talked wit ha friend of mine abou Apple doing this exact idea with the iPod video in order to keep the samlles form factor possible and at the same time almost triple the screen real estate.
Either way, it would be sofaking cool for an actual product to come from these patents.
"I have a sneaky suspicion that this suggests more about the iPod than a tablet. The biggest problem with the current iPod is screen size. So how would Ive and Jobs fit a bigger screen on the iPod without cramping the scrollwheel?
They'd virtualize the scrollwheel and the entire surface of the iPod would be touch screen. It would require some smart materials and engineering, but imagine the possibilities of an all-screen iPod design!"
A Guest wrote:
"Even hard & slot drives may be missing, replaced by external units
accessed in some kind of wireless fashion. ( saves power, cuts cost )"
Uhhh... No. The way things are now, it is not possible to save power doing things wirelessly. Maybe some day in the future, but not now.
I also find it hard to believe that it would cut costs, but that's out of my area of expertise.
QuoteSmall White Car wrote:QuoteGuest wrote:
I'm not a big tablet fan, but if Apple had one that ran regular Mac OS X (with any addons needed for the tablet interface), it might be intertesting to get this in a small form factor.
Could eventually become small enough to be a Apple PDA.
I'm not big on tablets either, but if they could make a Macbook Pro that folded all the way over so you could use it as a table OR leave it as a laptop they'd have a really popular product on their hands.
While they really would sell better than hotcakes, i think that there is more of a chance that this is what they are up to:
Quotedanship wrote:
I have a sneaky suspicion that this suggests more about the iPod than a tablet. The biggest problem with the current iPod is screen size. So how would Ive and Jobs fit a bigger screen on the iPod without cramping the scrollwheel?
They'd virtualize the scrollwheel and the entire surface of the iPod would be touch screen. It would require some smart materials and engineering, but imagine the possibilities of an all-screen iPod design!
danship (a.t) mac (d.o.t) com
*wipes up drool*
*decides that there is too much drool*
Hey did anyone notice that the 5G iPod could possibly handle 5 megapixel RAW? i would bet big money that the next 'Pod has a camera in it. Big money.
Mon Feb 06, 2006 10:37 am Subject: Minority report....
Tue Feb 07, 2006 12:25 am Subject: Re: Minority report....
OMG that woud be seriously freakin' awsome!!
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