Haptic Feedback, Fingerprint Identification, and RFID Tag Readers in Future iPhones?

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/07/02/haptic-feedback-fingerprint-identification-and-rfid-tag-readers-in-future-iphones/)

Apple has let loose a number of revealing new patent applications that cover some interesting technologies that could be used in future iPhones.

Haptic Tactile Feedback

Perhaps most interesting (http://appft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PG01&s1=20090167704&OS=20090167704&RS=20090167704) amongst the patent applications is the acknowledgement by Apple that despite the many advantages of the iPhone's multi-touch screen, a lack of tactile feedback remains its biggest disadvantage:However, one of a touchscreen's biggest advantages (i.e., the ability to utilize the same physical space for different functions) is also one of a touchscreen's biggest disadvantages. When the user is unable to view the display (because the user is occupied with other tasks), the user can only feel the smooth hard surface of the touchscreen, regardless of the shape, size and location of the virtual buttons and/or other display elements. This makes it difficult for users to find icons, hyperlinks, textboxes or other user-selectable input elements that are being displayed, if any are even being displayed, without looking at the display.
...
Unless touch input components are improved, users that, for example, drive a motor vehicle, may avoid devices that have a touch input component and favor those that have a plurality of physical input components (e.g., buttons, wheels, etc.).

http://images.macrumors.com/article/2009/07/02/041535-haptic.jpg

The proposed solution is the adoption of "haptic" display technologies which allow for some tactile feedback from touch screen displays. Apple proposes including a grid of piezoelectronic actuators that can be activated on command. By fluctuating the frequency of these actuators, the user will "feel" different surfaces as their finger moves across it. As an example, a display could include a virtual click wheel which vibrates at a different frequency as the center. Users could easily sense the difference and use the click wheel without having to look at it.

Haptic technology has started gaining adoption in other mobile phones and there had been some talk (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/04/26/apple-looking-to-license-haptic-technology/) that Apple might have been looking to adopt it.

Fingerprint Identification as an Input Method

A second very intriguing (http://appft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PG01&s1=20090169070&OS=20090169070&RS=20090169070) patent application suggests the detection of a user's individual fingerprints as an input method. Fingerprints have already been used in computers for security purposes, but Apple's research involves the use of fingerprint patterns to actually identify distinct fingers. This could then be used to produce specific functions depending on which finger is being used. As shown in the table below, an index finger press might perform one action (PLAY/STOP) while a middle finger press could fast forward.


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2009/07/02/042023-fingerprint.jpg

The reason for such a distinction again falls back on non-visual usage. Instead of requiring the user to find a button on the touchscreen, the use of different fingers alone could trigger different commands.

RFID Reader

Finally, the last notable application (http://appft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PG01&s1=20090167699&OS=20090167699&RS=20090167699) covers the dual use of a touch screen as an RFID reader. RFID tags (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio-frequency_identification) are small circuits that can be embedded in objects for identification using a special reader. Apple suggests that the an RFID antenna can be placed in the touch sensor panel itself, allowing it to also be used as a RFID reader. As RFID tags become more prevalent, this could add a very useful function to future touch screen devices.

Article Link: Haptic Feedback, Fingerprint Identification, and RFID Tag Readers in Future iPhones? (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/07/02/haptic-feedback-fingerprint-identification-and-rfid-tag-readers-in-future-iphones/)

[hidehide]

Hope we can see it real soon :)

[talkingfuture]

Looking forward to the addition of feedback, will we see it on the next iPod Touch, the next iPhone or maybe even the tablet?

Or perhaps none of the above.

[tjcampbell]

Interesting. I'd like to see where this goes.

[tallguy]

I can see the conspiracy theorists jumping all over this one. Apple working with the government to implement RFID chips into everyone, and then have Steve Jobs control the world.

[ipoppy]

I can see the conspiracy theorists jumping all over this one. Apple working with the government to implement RFID chips into everyone, and then have Steve Jobs control the world.

Don't laugh!!! It is true story.:mad:

[puuukeey]

A) Funny I've been wondering about finding away to give touch screens a feel for a while. Futurism is such a unified thing where people all seem to want the same thing.
B) finger prints seem like a way to recognize which finger is touching where.
C) Don't RFID's work with surface already?

[4np]

Wow, the fingerprint recognition potential seems amazing :) I'm not sure if it can also be used for authentication as the mythbusters could relatively easily circumvent (http://www.metacafe.com/watch/252534/myth_busters_finger_print_lock/) systems based on fingerprint recognition :)

[ipoppy]

All those concepts are great under one condition which is iPhone need to be as fast as hell. Probably we are talking about quad processor from Mac Pro to make it happened. :D
Seriously, iPhone will need much more horse power to adopt and run smoothly those applications to the point when people won't complain that their iPhone's are lagging etc. Because of this I don't think we will see that anytime soon. If that will happened I guess that would be about year 2012, but then end of world so what is the point?:p

[oyebto]

This is what i call, " feeling " the future. :D

[RichUK89]

Hmmm.... Oyster card in iPhone? That would be one less thing to think about when leaving the house.

[chickenninja]

it would be cool to have the sensation of different textures, but using electrical charges i dont know. i can feel the faint humming of a touch lamp and i find it unpleasant and this uses the same principle even if it is using piezoelectric pixels. but ya know not everyone can feel that stuff, what if you have fat fingers from eating corndogs without chewing. should i have to choose between tactile sensation and the textured chug of a corndog? NO

[designgeek]

I made fun of someone a while ago on these forums for speculating about future iPhones and OSs by saying "The next one will be able to read your mind." Now that I have read this, that might actually be the case. I humbly apologize.;)

[JonasLondon]

As an iPhone Generation1 user I've bravely resisted the temptation of the iPhone 3G and as I am now moving country I am looking forward to picking up my iPhone 3GS next week. This article however makes me want the next one already... amazing ideas to identify which finger is where and whether it is rotating etc. Go :apple: ! :)

[iphones4evry1]

If there's some type of safeguard to ensure that my fingerprint is stored on my phone only (separate chip and never part of the main OS software), I'm all for it.

Haptic feedback? I don't see a need for it.

[BeyondCloister]

What I would like to see is the ability to use the iPhone whilst wearing gloves.

It gets cold here in the winter / summer / spring / autumn and having to take off a glove to use the iPhone - or even answer a call - is a pain.

It is not just the weather either as when cycling and the phone rings the call is missed by the time you have got a cycle glove off and the phone out.

Or maybe this is just the price of progress.

[capoeirista]

Haptic feedback? Yes please!


It gets cold here in the winter / summer / spring / autumn and having to take off a glove to use the iPhone - or even answer a call - is a pain.

It is not just the weather either as when cycling and the phone rings the call is missed by the time you have got a cycle glove off and the phone out.


Just use your nose! :D

[Dagless]

My mind? It's blown.

[chickenninja]

I think this technology is a logicle step from touchscreen but they should be phocusing on more important things like making it waterproof, how much of the planet is covered with water? besides what if i scratch my screen and then cant login to my own device or someone steals it and then they use it to open the vault in my volcano that also uses a fingerprint. its not good to leave your personal information lying around yet alone something as personal as a fingerprint on a phone that can slip out of a pocket.

[DipDog3]

This could be interesting.

I can see this being part of the iPhone 5G.

Doubt we will see it anytime sooner than that cause the 4G will have OLED.

[MorphingDragon]

it would be cool to have the sensation of different textures, but using electrical charges i dont know. i can feel the faint humming of a touch lamp and i find it unpleasant and this uses the same principle even if it is using piezoelectric pixels. but ya know not everyone can feel that stuff, what if you have fat fingers from eating corndogs without chewing. should i have to choose between tactile sensation and the textured chug of a corndog? NO

Thats not the crumbs of a corn dog. Thats a stroke!!!

[DELLsFan]

Oh sure, this is amazing alright ... innovative ways to lessen the dependence on visual and physical interaction with the iPhone. Yet, 3 generations + 1 (pending) update of the product before incorporating truly hands-free operation of it? Cupertino is in CA, right? Hands-Free laws there, right? Design and code done there, right? Right ...

Oh, I'm sorry. It DID take them this long to incorporate copy/paste. I should set the bar a little lower. :rolleyes:

[Virtuo]

Take a look at the fingers suggested for the fingerprint readings. You'll realize that this isn't intended for use in the iPhone -- only practical on larger touch screen devices. *hint hint*

[motulist]

I've never touched a haptic screen before, but by its description they always sound like an unpleasant sensation to me. And it sounds like they could only deliver very coarse resolution tactile information to your fingers. Regarding these issues, can anyone here comment on their actual experience of trying out a haptic screen?

[leRiCl]

I could see this technology in consumer's hands in 3 to 10 years.

[Wikinerd]

Unlikely. More parts = easier to break.

[Thex1138]

So next years multi-core iPhone 4G has:
OLED Touch Screen
Haptic feedback from the screen,
Reads rfid chips from the screen,
Has an embedded front facing camera behind or in embedded in the screen,
Has a fingerprint detector embedded in or behind the screen...
Has a solar Cell embedded in the screen layering...

...and a gravity sensor.

:D

[BongoBanger]

RFID? Does it have a RDF detector? ;)

[EnigMoiD]

Haptic feedback will be a great addition to the next iPhones (and hopefully iPod Touches!), and it paired with fingerprint recognition seems like a perfect match. However, I just hope Apple doesn't overdo it. Memorizing all these gestures might become a pain, depending on which gesture it is. n degrees within the reference axis? But I can see it being used in very interesting ways.

I'm worried about battery life a little, though. Even with the (slightly) improved battery life of the 3GS, thousands of tiny pizoelectronic actuators vibrating at all sorts of frequencies might wear on the next iPhone's battery pretty quickly. Also, assuming that the pizoelectronic actuators are below the surface of the screen, this could signal OLED screens in the next iPhones. I know almost nothing about the technology, but its nature of being basically "printed" onto a surface means that the screen can be much thinner, an advantage if extra thickness is required for the sensors.

[bbtrinet]

...and a gravity sensor.

:D

Of course, the gravity sensor would be necessary since the iPhone 4G will 'hover' and 'glide' ever so slightly over any surface it's placed on. Much like an air hockey puck hovers and glides over an air hockey table.

[kAoTiX]

The haptic part sounds awesome. I love that kind of technology and would really benefit from it on the iPhone.
The fingerprint actions would be a problem. I have a skin disorder that causes the skin on my finger tips to break often resulting in my fingers being near polished. This also means I don't have any finger prints on the tips of my fingers.

Could be a slight problem if they introduced this as a secondary security feature.

[mrschaidt]

Maybe it is my larger hands but the RFID multifinger input seems too much for the iphone's smaller screen. I mainly use my thumb. I echo the "larger touch screen media device" idea.

[CanadianMac2008]

Haptic sounds like they are thinking of the technology in more than just a gimmicky manner.

The problem with typical haptic feedback is that it only tells you WHEN you touch the screen, but not WHERE, which still makes it impossible to type without looking. This sounds like it could be a solution. Basically, current methods miss the boat.

The BB Storm's "SurePress" screen is a great example of a gimmick. The whole screen is a button, giving the user the sensation of pressing a button. So while they receive feedback, they still have no clue where they are pressing. It's really a comfort feature, to get those accustomed to physical keyboards the feeling that they are pressing something. Regardless, it doesn't actually help you type in terms of "feeling" the keys because there's no way to distinguish where you are.

I hope this helps.

[dorkygeek]

First let me point out that the iPhone is extremely unlikely to become an RFID reader.

What the iPhone is perfect for is passive or active RFID antennas. Using a Parallax RFID reader, BS2 Stamp, and some components from Radio Shack, I was able to build a keyless entry system for my car. Inside my iPhone I have stuck an inventory-style RFID tag against the battery and can now lock/unlock my car doors with my iPhone. Pretty neat and very handy if you hate carrying keys around. RFID tags are very practical for this use on account of their vast variety of shapes and sizes as well as their cheapness at around $1 per tag.

This is only one of infinite possibilities. Go to the Parallax.com project page to get a sense of what other people are doing, and that you could be doing with your iPhone and an RFID tag.

[sishaw]

At last, something ELSE to do with my middle finger.

[supmango]

Of course, the gravity sensor would be necessary since the iPhone 4G will 'hover' and 'glide' ever so slightly over any surface it's placed on. Much like an air hockey puck hovers and glides over an air hockey table.

Let's not forget its ability to decompile your molecular structure, transport that signal using cell towers (if your carrier supports it:D), and land you wherever your heart's content. Star Trek anyone?

[supmango]

I am also excited to see where this goes, but I am hesitant to believe that Apple will be able to pull this one off by the next generation. I can see this technology taking some time to develop.

[Stately]

Haptic feedback is not needed. I know someone with a phone that has this input feature. To me it is annoying after only two minutes of playing with the phone. It's just a little buzz you get under your finger when you hit a key, letting you know you hit something (By the way it's not telling you whether or not the key you hit was the correct something). So in actuality, it serves little purpose other than letting your mind know for sure that you did something. It's comparable to the small electric buzzer gadget you hide in your hand and then give someone a handshake with, only about 95% less buzz. The iphone is just fine as is. The way it is made allows for almost no errors. I have had less errors on an iphone than I have on a push button phone. Auto correction is great and for the most part it doesn't even get used. Because of the way they implemented the typing technology, errors are few and far between.

[chaosconan]

who cares about physical buttons. give me verbal commands. that's all we need.

[Thex1138]

Let's not forget its ability to decompile your molecular structure, transport that signal using cell towers (if your carrier supports it:D), and land you wherever your heart's content. Star Trek anyone?
Tron... don't you understand? We don't need Users. We've advanced; they're superfluous. Be a part of me, and together the world will be ours to control!

[joro]

These are some real interesting features that I think would be valuable for future iterations of the iPhone. Perhaps the addition of fingerprint scanning could also be used as another security tool to unlock the phone?

[synth3tik]

So far I have not seen any consumer grade fingerprint readers that really work, more commercial ones I have come across are weak.

[Porco]

I'm not a fan of tying biometrics to technology, it's bad enough our governments are starting to go down that road. I think we should draw a line somewhere before we end up as the borg or something, and the line is right about here. Together with RFID and the thing is starting to sound like an ID card or passport a little too much.

Haptic feedback is good though.

[CBJammin103]

While I've always thought that a fingerprint reader would be great on the iPhone, how many of you actually touch your entire finger pad to your iPhone regularly? Typically I just use part of my finger, perhaps the tip most of the time. I guess for a specialized feature on the "home" button or something I could understand.

This (along with the other patents) would also seem a little late for the 4G iPhone, but maybe not. However, other phones have some of these features, so it wouldn't be totally out of the grain. I could definitely see this going along with another touch device...

[Booga]

Whenever I see the term "haptic feedback" I always think "So it's going to project straight into my liver?" But I guess that would be heptic feedback.

[bytethese]

How would fingerprint authorization work on a device that is known for keeping fingerprints on it? :)

Couldn't one potentially "dust" for prints and try and use a "replay attack" to gain access to the device? Even with the oleophobic coating, finger prints remain, just that they are easier to wipe off.

[MrCrowbar]

Haptic feedback? Yes please!

Just use your nose! :D

I've already taken a call by pressing the answer button with my nose. It's kinda hard though, you need to angle the iPhone sideways, otherwise, the proximity sensor will void the command because your forehead is right in front of it. And you might bump your glasses. :-)

You can train by locking the thing, put it up to your face, turn it 90° left (so the phone speaker point to your left ear), and just slide the phone downward. Once you've mastered that, you can take calls like that, and it's just a one inch movement to get into the conversation posture, i.e. speaker right up to the ear.

But there are also extra gloves with conductive fiingertips, so you can actually use the touchscreen through the gloves.

[kamiboy]

Isn't this quite unbecoming of apple to let slip any detail of their future projects?

[iPhoneNYC]

It seems like there are many possibilities. And it still will be able to make phone calls.

[Jon-Luke]

I could see this technology in consumer's hands in 3 to 10 years.

Blackberry already has touch feedback technology in one of their handsets http://uk.blackberry.com/devices/features/surepress.jsp so who knows maybe we would be seeing this part of the technology available sooner than that.

Its also possible that certain aspects of the technology will be made available while other aspects remain dormant (Like the HD 720p video capability in the current 3GS chips).

:rolleyes::apple:

[iPhoneFreak17]

Omg Technology is advancing like crazyyyy:eek:

[oyebto]

Omg Technology is advancing like crazyyyy:eek:

Time and Tech waits for no man. :)

[Drag'nGT]

Leave mine smooth. That's my favorite feature of the touch screen. My Invisible Shield and other screen protectors add some form of tactile feel. But shouldn't Apple focus on voice control? I'm a big proponent of legally requiring BT headsets for drivers and this seems like Apple is trying to assist customers in using their phone while in the car. No one should be texting or scrolling playlists via the phone/iPod etc... Apple should offer a remote option via BT for all of their future iPods.

[iAlexG]

WOW maybe they can do that next year and hopefully put the Iphone on Verizon too:D

[lwongveros]

Haptic feedback? Yes please!



Just use your nose! :D

+1 !

[NinjaHERO]

It's good to hear Apple realizes the short comings of the virtual keyboard and they are working to make it better. Come on future tech. We are ready. :D

[Virgil-TB2]

... Apple has let loose a number of revealing new patent applications that cover some interesting technologies that could be used in future iPhones. ... Haptic Tactile Feedback ...This is all neat stuff, but I think it's almost too late.

Considering that in less than five years (the minimum time this stuff will take to get to market), Apple's new platform will be sold around the world and already in the hands of hundreds of millions of people, I think people will in general be used to not having the feedback.

I remember the first time I saw, and had to use a flat touch screen in the early 1980's and everyone said it was awful because of the lack of mechanical feedback (the first ones were pretty awful actually), but here we are almost 30 years later, touch screens are way better but still have no haptic feedback and we are still arguing about it.

Personally, I now like the smooth hard glass interface very much and wouldn't trade it for anything.

Any haptic feedback that's added will have to be much more than the gimmicky things we have seen so far for me to adopt it (or for Apple to market it for that matter), and also be able to be turned off. Despite how good Apple is at solving these kinds of problems, I am not convinced this really is a "problem" anymore, and I'm even less convinced that *any* implementation of haptic feedback would be better than not having it at all.

[Davejay]

Am I the only that thinks the inability to type while driving is actually a good thing?

[ivladster]

I can see the conspiracy theorists jumping all over this one. Apple working with the government to implement RFID chips into everyone, and then have Steve Jobs control the world.

It's only conspiracy until someone inject one into you.

[Drag'nGT]

Am I the only that thinks the inability to type while driving is actually a good thing?

No, read my post.

[Macmoney]

Great way for the feds to get everyones fingerprint
into a national database.:eek:

[joro]

Isn't this quite unbecoming of apple to let slip any detail of their future projects?

Apple has thousands of public patents on devices and processes that people have been speculating for years will be “the next great thing.” Problem is, Apple patents these innovations as they are discovered, not necessarily in conjunction with a product launch. So it’s possible these creations might not see the light of day for a few years, although they would be nice touch on a new iPhone.

[joro]

Great way for the feds to get everyones fingerprint
into a national database.:eek:

And it all makes sense now….I wonder how much the FBI is paying Apple for every fingerprint?!?!? :eek:

[jkimbro0316]

All I'm asking for is the ability to turn off the haptic feedback. For some odd reason, I've never liked haptic feedback touch screens because it always felt like it was some kind of cheap way of emulating tactile feed. So in the end, I don't think I'd really want this feature added to my iPhone. On the other hand, Fingerprint Identification and the tag readers sound like cool improvements for the next iPhone.

[diamond.g]

And it all makes sense now….I wonder how much the FBI is paying Apple for every fingerprint?!?!? :eek:

From what I hear about nothing... They are probably just getting it from them...

[kdarling]

Fingerprint id - basic finger id was on some PDAs years ago. Here, Apple wants to use it to replace buttons, which seems like replacing a simple solution with a complicated and possibly unreliable one. And what if you loan/share your device with anyone else? I suppose enter their prints as well.

Haptic feedback - most people have only had experience with simple global feedback. There are other methods that can be licensed, which give a perfect 2D effect... that is, the vibration appears to be under your finger. Here, we see a brute force method being proposed in order to get around licensing a superior method.

RFID - combine this with those RFID paper clips. Then you can keep track of your stacks of documents at the office :-)

[mski349]

I'm amazed! Buuuuuut, before we get too far ahead of ourselves, how about we finally enable MMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Really? C'mon apple, kick AT&T in the rear already! And before we get into Haptic this & that why not enable background apps with better battery life. Touch feedback? Nerds!

[libertyforall]

Just what we need, Apple storing our fingerprints -- NOT!

Anyone even remotely thinking that RFID is a good thing better immediately read:
http://www.spychips.com/

In short, RFID compromises privacy, security and freedom. Watch the movie America: Freedom to Fascism to learn more about RFID:
http://freedomtofascism.com

One must question Apple's participation in the NWO... The plan is to use technologies to further control people like the Matrix and make people think the tech is cool, meanwhile we are further enslaved...

Read this for insight:
http://www.jonesreport.com/articles/130407_ndakota_ban_rfid.html

[armoguy94]

NO to RFID!!!!!!

[puffnstuff]

Haptic-
Apple has been rumored from years back that they got a license from Immersive for the technology so I am sure thy have been working on it. The biggest complaint when it comes to gaming on the iphone and ipod touch is no tactile controls. With haptic problem solved. For those who experienced it or have no experience with it I am sure it's going to be nothing like you think it will be better hence why Apple is taking their time.

Fingerprint identification- Sounds more like multi-gestures you see on todays macbooks.

RFID-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaNnOHSJ-cQ


None of this stuff is far fetched and is featured on devices already

[Azgar]

Unless touch input components are improved, users that, for example, drive a motor vehicle, may avoid devices that have a touch input component and favor those that have a plurality of physical input components (e.g., buttons, wheels, etc.).

Here's a thought, maybe people shouldn't be texting and such while ***** driving! There are good reasons to add this kind of technology, but gaining market-share of a demographic too stupid or irresponsible to refrain from doing something so obviously dangerous is not one of them.

[-wiseguy-]

this looks effing genius :eek:

[Virgil-TB2]

Just what we need, Apple storing our fingerprints -- NOT! ... I think this is alarmist nonsense.

If you want to get into conspiracy theories, the fact that the incidence of cancer goes up rather dramatically in RFID farm animals is much more worrisome IMO.

[sishaw]

Am I the only that thinks the inability to type while driving is actually a good thing?

No.

[Yr Blues]

As previously mentioned. Please, no to RFID. You can read some of Dr. Katherine Albrecht's research on this technology.

Although it has plenty of great uses, the potential loss of civil liberties is worrisome.

Technology can def. bite you in the ass sometimes.

Haptic feedback is cool. I can't imagine how'd they get it to work, though.

[Aron Peterson]

Wow yet another patent for something a million people have thought of already

[MattInOz]

Haptic feedback? Yes please!



Just use your nose! :D

Without Haptic Feedback you'd need to be really shortsighted to use your nose.

[MacFly123]

Sounds pretty cool so long as they do these things with OLED! :D

I wonder about the fingerprint thing though, and the response time of the haptic feedback. I can type VERY fast on my iPhone 3G and I wonder if the haptic feed back could keep up with that without delay.

[Thex1138]

A couple of applications spring to mind;
Retail.......medical....research labs...
RFID's in stickers, tags, labels, or embeded in hardware...
The application displays products which bounce to the server or via 3G to warehouse or suppliers...
Labs can track research, connect data to images, charts, databases...
Include the barcode reader apps and you've got something really universal!!!

[MikeDTyke]

A) Funny I've been wondering about finding away to give touch screens a feel for a while. Futurism is such a unified thing where people all seem to want the same thing.
B) finger prints seem like a way to recognize which finger is touching where.
C) Don't RFID's work with surface already?

Microsoft have mentioned support in the future for RFID, for the moment objects have a 2D barcode which is read by camera.

[MikeDTyke]

:mad:Wow yet another patent for something a million people have thought of already

If you`d bothered to read the actual patent, you`d understand it`s describing a unique implementation for something that provides haptic feedback. No one`s saying Apple`s invented haptic feedback. What`s unique is that you`ll feel it on the screen as opposed to a general vibration of the whole unit.

However if your referring to the other 2 patents then you`re plain wrong.
Fingerprint identification is unique as far as i can see and the only patents regarding rfid tags and phones is the implementation of a tag in a phone. Not a tag reader under the screen.

Quite frankly all the phone related patents to come out of Apple in the last two years show that they continue to think far and beyond any other manufacturer.

Such a lame ass troll.

[twoodcc]

looking forward to seeing what happens with the next iphone

[lifeinhd]

This is all HORRIBLE. Haptic feedback never works how it's supposed to, and just gets annoying and in the way. If they do implement it, they'd better not charge extra for it, and they'd better make it able to be shut off. The fingerprint thing is bad because I use different fingers for the same function all the time, like I may use my index finger to press 'play' when I have my other hand free to hold my Touch, but I might use my thumb to press 'play' when I only have one hand free. And, of course, the RFID thing is just a ploy to track our every moves. None of this better happen, or I'll get myself an Archos 5.

[kdarling]

:mad:

If you`d bothered to read the actual patent, you`d understand it`s describing a unique implementation for something that provides haptic feedback. No one`s saying Apple`s invented haptic feedback. What`s unique is that you`ll feel it on the screen as opposed to a general vibration of the whole unit.

He's right. Feedback on a piece of the screen is not unique. Most consumers have not had that experience yet, though.

As mentioned previously, there are haptic implementations that already provide pinpoint sensation. And not just for simulating a press... but even to the point of tricking you into "feeling" the surface of each virtual button as you slide your finger across it. This is done with only a few actuators.

Apple's method here is to use a brute force method of putting an entire grid of tiny piezo vibrators on on the screen.

However if your referring to the other 2 patents then you`re plain wrong.
Fingerprint identification is unique as far as i can see

Well, it's certainly overkill for replacing three simple cheap physical buttons... which, btw, would actually continue to work no matter which finger you used, which person used the device, and even if you had a bandage on.

and the only patents regarding rfid tags and phones is the implementation of a tag in a phone. Not a tag reader under the screen.

Sounds like they're just talking about embedding an RFID antenna in the screen. Not exactly an earthshaking idea.

[firewood]

And not just for simulating a press... but even to the point of tricking you into "feeling" the surface of each virtual button as you slide your finger across it. This is done with only a few actuators.

The ones with only a few actuators are good for simulating something under a single touch. For multi-touch, you need more degrees of freedom to simulate a more complicated tactile field (two fingers could be simultaneously on, off, or near buttons of completely different sizes, etc.)

[kdarling]

The ones with only a few actuators are good for simulating something under a single touch. For multi-touch, you need more degrees of freedom to simulate a more complicated tactile field (two fingers could be simultaneously on, off, or near buttons of completely different sizes, etc.)

An excellent point. Thanks!