The Mac Observer

Skip navigational links

You're viewing an article in TMO's historic archive vault. Here, we've preserved the comments and how the site looked along with the article. Use this link to view the article on our current site:
Apple's Multi-touch Sensor Patent

Apple's Multi-touch Sensor Patent

by , 8:40 AM EDT, October 9th, 2006

A recently published U.S. patent application shows Apple may be working on a new handheld touch sensitive input device. The application states "touch sensing devices may for example be selected from touch panels, touch screens or touch sensitive housings." The application, numbered 20060197750, was originally filed on April 26, 2005.

The multi-touch sensor device includes to sensor areas over different parts of a display. In some cases, on the same face of the device, and in other cases on the front and back of the device. The device can also display some type of visual feedback when the sensors register a touch.


The patent shows multiple touch sensors.

The touch sensitive interface described in the patent application looks appropriate for devices where control button space is at a premium - like a new iPod model that does away with the Click Wheel in favor of an on-screen interface, an Apple phone with a secondary display on the backside, a multi-function iPod-like device, and even a tablet-style Mac.

Digg!


Warning: include(/usr/local/etc/httpd/sites/macobserver.com/htdocs/forums/extension.inc) [function.include]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /var/www/bbm/macobserver.com/ee2/www/htdocs/comments/comments.php on line 108

Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening '/usr/local/etc/httpd/sites/macobserver.com/htdocs/forums/extension.inc' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/share/php5:/usr/share/php') in /var/www/bbm/macobserver.com/ee2/www/htdocs/comments/comments.php on line 108

Warning: include(/usr/local/etc/httpd/sites/macobserver.com/htdocs/forums/common.) [function.include]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /var/www/bbm/macobserver.com/ee2/www/htdocs/comments/comments.php on line 110

Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening '/usr/local/etc/httpd/sites/macobserver.com/htdocs/forums/common.' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/share/php5:/usr/share/php') in /var/www/bbm/macobserver.com/ee2/www/htdocs/comments/comments.php on line 110

Warning: include(/usr/local/etc/httpd/sites/macobserver.com/htdocs/forums/includes/bbcode.) [function.include]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /var/www/bbm/macobserver.com/ee2/www/htdocs/comments/comments.php on line 112

Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening '/usr/local/etc/httpd/sites/macobserver.com/htdocs/forums/includes/bbcode.' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/share/php5:/usr/share/php') in /var/www/bbm/macobserver.com/ee2/www/htdocs/comments/comments.php on line 112

Fatal error: Call to a member function sql_query() on a non-object in /var/www/bbm/macobserver.com/ee2/www/htdocs/comments/comments.php on line 532

Recent Headlines - Updated May 24th

Thu, 9:31 PM
News - Judge Cote Likely to Side with U.S. Against Apple
7:02 PM
Editorial - Microsoft Commercials Take Swipes at Apple’s iPad
5:59 PM
Product News - Apple Updates Fuji-Xerox Printing & Scanning Drivers
4:57 PM
Reuters Traces Apple’s Irish Operations Back to 1980
2:01 PM
News - Apple Reportedly Plans WWDC Keynote for Monday, June 10th
1:15 PM
Rumor - Analyst: iWatch Coming in 2014 with Biometrics
11:30 AM
Editorial - Pondering Those Who Dis Apple’s CEO Tim Cook [VIDEO]
10:37 AM
Mailbox, Now with iPad Support
9:41 AM
News - Apple Says Samsung Galaxy S4 Violates 5 Patents
8:48 AM
TMO Appearances - Jeff Gamet Talks Cool Mac Products on MyMac Podcast
Wed, 8:28 PM
Apple Context Machine Podcast - ACM 205: Apple Tax Hearings & Samsung’s Delusions
5:23 PM
Product News - Apple Updates iTunes & QuickTime for Windows, Windows 64

The Mac Observer Reader Specials

  • Support TMO, Buy from Amazon, MacMall and The Apple Store

  • __________
  • Buy Stuff, Support TMO!
  • Podcast: Mac Geek Gab
  • Podcast: Apple Weekly Report
  • TMO on Twitter!