Apple Virtual Arc-Shaped Keyboard Patent

MacRumors · Apr 28, 2006, 09:59 PM

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif

One of the most recent Apple patents to come to light is one for a Virtual Keyboard in the shape of an Arc (Picture) which bears a resemblance to Microsoft's UMPC keyboard implementation (Picture).

The recent patent application offers more refinement to the earlier touch screen interface filings (Gallery).

The virtual keyboard is described as learning over time based on which keys are pressed more often and adjusting the sensitivity of those keys. "That likelihood is determined by the person's distance of touch from the closest key, as well as frequency of use."

Another patent that has received much attention recent is Apple's Integrated Sensing Display which was previously posted and discussed in January 2006.

~Shard~ · Apr 28, 2006, 10:04 PM

Wow, very cool - I wonder what applications this could be used for... It's kind of along the lines of the whole touch screen interface, but not necessarily.

Mind you, this could just be one of the patents Apple makes which we never see come to fruition as well... I'm still waiting for my color-changing iMac...

lilstewart · Apr 28, 2006, 10:06 PM

Yeah - I agree. Idunno how this would really be useful. I wonder what Apple has up there sleeves.

nagromme · Apr 28, 2006, 10:08 PM

As I posted last week about the thumb-arc keyboard, I don't think Apple stole MS's idea, nor vice versa. I just think great minds think alike sometimes.

It IS a clever idea for holding a tablet AND using it at the same time. It's the only thing that impressed me about the Origami stuff. I'm glad to see Apple is on board with it

The integrated sensing display sounds like yet another patent that Apple has no intention of turning into a real product. I'm skeptical about any real-world implementation of it working at all well--and more importantly, it would be hugely expensive (especially in low initial volumes) compared to a regular LCD+iSight. It doesn't sound like it offers enough to justify paying a lot more.

m-dogg · Apr 28, 2006, 10:09 PM

Yeah - I'm not really sure what to make of this. The attached example diagram looks like something someone drew up on a napkin...

jzeiders · Apr 28, 2006, 10:09 PM

I can't help but think this is leading to a truly new iPod design, whether it be someting like Microsoft's Origami, or just a souped-up video iPod device. Then again, Apple could always just release a damn tablet

~Shard~ · Apr 28, 2006, 10:11 PM

Perhaps its a new style of keyboard for the completely redesigned Intel iBooks!

carve · Apr 28, 2006, 10:19 PM

The more apple stuff the cooler

bdkennedy1 · Apr 28, 2006, 10:32 PM

The touch screen remote for the Apple Media Center

Airforce · Apr 28, 2006, 10:39 PM

Now whose copying who

AidenShaw · Apr 28, 2006, 10:49 PM

Where's the emoticon for "yawn"?

rockthecasbah · Apr 28, 2006, 10:59 PM

looks kinda queer from the patent, but i have to admit, seems pretty well done on the MS picture

Tablet + Newton combo? Revive and reinvent a classic with new Intel processors that use 1 watt (as mentioned in a previous rumor

)

amateurmacfreak · Apr 28, 2006, 11:02 PM

This could be cool...
Apple better come out with a slew of groundbreaking products sometime in the near future.

They need to do something amazing for the PC market. iPod... sadly iPod may start to not be as such of a big deal.... I think we've seen that already.

ppnkg · Apr 28, 2006, 11:02 PM

Right....Now, where are those new iBooks?

~Shard~ · 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AidenShaw

Where's the emoticon for "yawn"?

Will this do?

Shamus · Apr 28, 2006, 11:24 PM

Looks kinda weird to use. Would you use one hand or two? If you were using one hand, it would be difficult to type. If you were using two, then you would have to find a table or something to place it on. Doesnt seem like the perfect solution to me.

Airforce · Apr 28, 2006, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shamus

Looks kinda weird to use. Would you use one hand or two? If you were using one hand, it would be difficult to type. If you were using two, then you would have to find a table or something to place it on. Doesnt seem like the perfect solution to me.

You use your thumb(s).

joepunk · Apr 28, 2006, 11:38 PM

Looks interesting but I'll believe it when I see it in the real.

mox358 · Apr 28, 2006, 11:46 PM

This is hopefully the way more new devices will operate. It seems very natural for typing on the go, and fairly simple to learn. I have to agree with nagromme that this wasn't a situation of "copying" - it seems like it just happened at two places around the same time.

I have to say I like the idea. It would be super-cool if they DID bring back the Newton, with all this cool new tech they've been patenting. They have the tech right now it seems to compete with Tablet PC and Origami... but no products. I wonder what's stopping them?

tonyl · Apr 28, 2006, 11:51 PM

It's just a software, right?

Abstract · 12:48 AM

If you're only supposed to use one hand to type using Apple's design, then it this isn't as good as the Microsoft implementation of this similar idea. And yes, it seems that Microsoft came up with this first.

One more "negative" vote for this story.

Kingsly · Apr 29, 2006, 12:21 AM

Hope the shape of that display isn't a sign of future quality control issues.

Doctor Q · Apr 29, 2006, 12:48 AM

Since Mac OS X allows multiple logins (one computer shared by a family, for example), would the keyboard learn a profile for each user separately? Seems like that would be a requirement.

weazle1098 · Apr 29, 2006, 12:48 AM

That looks like it could prove to be something neat. Apple really should implement some sort of tablet or PDA, I would LOVE an Apple PDA, not that that has really anything to do with the keyboard.

EricNau · Apr 29, 2006, 12:52 AM

I like the Microsoft split-keyboard design better.

Either way, this is hinting towards an Apple tablet/PDA type device, which is cool.

Apr 28, 2006, 09:59 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Apple Virtual Arc-Shaped Keyboard Patent http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif One of the most recent Apple patents to come to light is one for a Virtual Keyboard in the shape of an Arc (Picture) which bears a resemblance to Microsoft's UMPC keyboard implementation (Picture). The recent patent application offers more refinement to the earlier touch screen interface filings (Gallery). The virtual keyboard is described as learning over time based on which keys are pressed more often and adjusting the sensitivity of those keys. "That likelihood is determined by the person's distance of touch from the closest key, as well as frequency of use." Another patent that has received much attention recent is Apple's Integrated Sensing Display which was previously posted and discussed in January 2006.

Apr 28, 2006, 10:04 PM	#2
~Shard~ macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: 1123.6536.5321	Wow, very cool - I wonder what applications this could be used for... It's kind of along the lines of the whole touch screen interface, but not necessarily. Mind you, this could just be one of the patents Apple makes which we never see come to fruition as well... I'm still waiting for my color-changing iMac... __________________ My riches consist not in the extent of my possessions, but in the fewness of my wants. - J. Brotherton

Apr 28, 2006, 10:06 PM	#3
lilstewart macrumors 68040 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Illinois	Yeah - I agree. Idunno how this would really be useful. I wonder what Apple has up there sleeves. __________________ macbookpro 17" unibody antiglare Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart? St. Gerard Majella

Apr 28, 2006, 10:08 PM	#4
nagromme macrumors 601 Join Date: May 2002 Location: Blinking blue dot	As I posted last week about the thumb-arc keyboard, I don't think Apple stole MS's idea, nor vice versa. I just think great minds think alike sometimes. It IS a clever idea for holding a tablet AND using it at the same time. It's the only thing that impressed me about the Origami stuff. I'm glad to see Apple is on board with it The integrated sensing display sounds like yet another patent that Apple has no intention of turning into a real product. I'm skeptical about any real-world implementation of it working at all well--and more importantly, it would be hugely expensive (especially in low initial volumes) compared to a regular LCD+iSight. It doesn't sound like it offers enough to justify paying a lot more. __________________ nagromme Would you like a treatment?

Apr 28, 2006, 10:09 PM	#6
jzeiders macrumors newbie Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington, DC	I can't help but think this is leading to a truly new iPod design, whether it be someting like Microsoft's Origami, or just a souped-up video iPod device. Then again, Apple could always just release a damn tablet __________________ www.AppleStripTease.com www.Studio1701.com

Apr 28, 2006, 10:09 PM	#5
m-dogg macrumors 65816 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Connecticut	Yeah - I'm not really sure what to make of this. The attached example diagram looks like something someone drew up on a napkin...

Apr 28, 2006, 10:11 PM	#7
~Shard~ macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: 1123.6536.5321	Perhaps its a new style of keyboard for the completely redesigned Intel iBooks! __________________ My riches consist not in the extent of my possessions, but in the fewness of my wants. - J. Brotherton

Apr 28, 2006, 10:19 PM	#8
carve macrumors 6502a Join Date: Feb 2006	Cool! The more apple stuff the cooler

Apr 28, 2006, 10:32 PM	#9
bdkennedy1 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Dec 2003	The touch screen remote for the Apple Media Center

Apr 28, 2006, 10:39 PM	#10
Airforce macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2006	Now whose copying who

Apr 28, 2006, 10:49 PM	#11
AidenShaw macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Peninsula (Northern Silicon Valley)	Where's the emoticon for "yawn"? __________________ -as Marriage Equality - Have you talked about it with your gay friends, your gay colleagues and your gay relatives?

Apr 28, 2006, 10:59 PM	#12
rockthecasbah macrumors 68020 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Moorestown, NJ	looks kinda queer from the patent, but i have to admit, seems pretty well done on the MS picture Tablet + Newton combo? Revive and reinvent a classic with new Intel processors that use 1 watt (as mentioned in a previous rumor ) __________________ 15'' 2.4ghz MacBook Pro (Matte), 2GB RAM, 200GB HD Wii code: 7876 8987 6478 7445 My Last.fm "Ignore her, she's a feminist"

Apr 28, 2006, 11:02 PM	#13
amateurmacfreak macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2005	This could be cool... Apple better come out with a slew of groundbreaking products sometime in the near future. They need to do something amazing for the PC market. iPod... sadly iPod may start to not be as such of a big deal.... I think we've seen that already.

Apr 28, 2006, 11:02 PM	#14
ppnkg macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: UK	Right....Now, where are those new iBooks? __________________ iMac G5 1.8 RevB+2GB RAM. Best machine ever! iMac C2D 3.06 (2008)+4GB RAM

Apr 28, 2006, 11:24 PM	#16
Shamus macrumors 6502a Join Date: Feb 2006	Looks kinda weird to use. Would you use one hand or two? If you were using one hand, it would be difficult to type. If you were using two, then you would have to find a table or something to place it on. Doesnt seem like the perfect solution to me.

Apr 28, 2006, 11:38 PM	#18
joepunk macrumors 68000 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: a profane existence	Looks interesting but I'll believe it when I see it in the real. __________________ 15" Al PB revB 1.5/512/80/128vram 10.4.8 Flickr

Apr 28, 2006, 11:46 PM	#19
mox358 macrumors regular Join Date: May 2002 Location: Indiana	Interesting... This is hopefully the way more new devices will operate. It seems very natural for typing on the go, and fairly simple to learn. I have to agree with nagromme that this wasn't a situation of "copying" - it seems like it just happened at two places around the same time. I have to say I like the idea. It would be super-cool if they DID bring back the Newton, with all this cool new tech they've been patenting. They have the tech right now it seems to compete with Tablet PC and Origami... but no products. I wonder what's stopping them? __________________ "If this is your first night at Fight Club, you have to fight" Macbook 2ghz, 1.5GB RAM, 100GB HD 5G 60GB Video iPod 2G iPhone 4GB

Apr 28, 2006, 11:51 PM	#20
tonyl macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2006	It's just a software, right?

Apr 28, 2006, 11:55 PM	#21
Abstract macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: It's classified.	If you're only supposed to use one hand to type using Apple's design, then it this isn't as good as the Microsoft implementation of this similar idea. And yes, it seems that Microsoft came up with this first. One more "negative" vote for this story. __________________ "Oh, I've always wanted to touch Stanley," signs teacher Fran Zakoor, embracing the kids… ESPN Article, 04/09/2008 Last edited by Doctor Q : Apr 29, 2006 at 12:48 AM. Reason: removed quote of removed post

Apr 29, 2006, 12:21 AM	#22
Kingsly macrumors 68040 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Squirtin' calls on mah Zune phone yo...	Hope the shape of that display isn't a sign of future quality control issues. Attached Thumbnails __________________ OMG its teh Zune phone!!!11!!!!!!one!!!1!

Apr 29, 2006, 12:48 AM	#23
Doctor Q macrumors god Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: at the table with countless relatives	Since Mac OS X allows multiple logins (one computer shared by a family, for example), would the keyboard learn a profile for each user separately? Seems like that would be a requirement. __________________ "You've just been abducted, of course you need crepes!" -- Walter Bishop

Apr 29, 2006, 12:48 AM	#24
weazle1098 macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Gods proving grounds, Massachusetts	That looks like it could prove to be something neat. Apple really should implement some sort of tablet or PDA, I would LOVE an Apple PDA, not that that has really anything to do with the keyboard.

Apr 29, 2006, 12:52 AM	#25
EricNau macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA	I like the Microsoft split-keyboard design better. Either way, this is hinting towards an Apple tablet/PDA type device, which is cool. __________________ November is Pancreatic Caner Awareness Month www.PanCan.org \| Get Involved

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