Information and Links
Join the fray by commenting, tracking what others have to say, or linking to it from your blog.
More Apple (Fingerworks) patents surface
Three new touch surface patent applications have surfaced from Apple. These patents seem less focussed on the iPhone and iPod touch but hint at larger devices. The applications focus on recognising the touch of a hand and identifying the various parts and they using this data to filter the incoming data. For example, the patent application suggests that some data such as the palm could be ignored and other movement such as gestures of the fingers could have special meaning (i.e. put the device into a typing mode etc).
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for simultaneously tracking multiple finger and palm contacts as hands approach, touch, and slide across a proximity-sensing, multi-touch surface. Identification and classification of intuitive hand configurations and motions enables unprecedented integration of typing, resting, pointing, scrolling, 3D manipulation, and handwriting into a versatile, ergonomic computer input device.
Inventors: Wayne Westerman and John Elias (both ex- of FingerWorks)
20070268275 TOUCH SENSING WITH A COMPLIANT CONDUCTOR
20070268274 TOUCH SENSING WITH MOBILE SENSORS
20070268273 SENSOR ARRANGEMENT FOR USE WITH A TOUCH SENSOR THAT IDENTIFIES HAND PARTS
[...] We’re big fans of MultiTouch here at MY iTablet, and it looks like Apple feels the same way. Three patents first filed shortly after the iPhone’s US launch indicate that the technology is developing from the small-scale screens of their cellphone and its iPod Touch cousin into something more suitable for larger displays. Unlike the current touchscreen, which can recognise multiple finger contact-points, the new patents describe a touch-panel that can recognise a full hand in contact, then filter out the palm and track the finger movements and gestures. [...]