Apple Developing Backlit Trackpad?

MacRumors · 09:40 PM

A recent patent filed by Apple suggests the company is continuously looking for ways to improve user input devices. In this case, Apple describes an "improved feedback mechanism for touch pads", including "devices capable of illuminating the touch sensitive surface of the touch pad" and "methods for providing visual feedback at the touch pad."

Quote:

Although touch pads work well, improvements to their form feel and functionality are desired. By way of example, it may be desirable to provide visual stimuli at the touch pad so that a user can better operate the touch pad. For example, the visual stimuli may be used (among others) to alert a user when the touch pad is registering a touch, alert a user where the touch is occurring on the touch pad, provide feedback related to the touch event, indicate the state of the touch pad, and/or the like.

Apple currently includes back-lit keyboards in its MacBook Pro notebook computers. The current application builds on numerous previous patents filed between 2002 and 2005.

The invention in a trackpad configuration.

The invention embodied as an iPod click-wheel.

Raw Data: Patent Application 20070152977

Article Link

NewSc2 · Jul 16, 2007, 04:08 PM

Sounds kind of gimmicky, but I'd like to see what comes up. Seems like multi-touch will do away with the need for a trackpad, though.

I rarely use the back-lit keyboard, but I can justify it more than having a back-lit trackpad. The monitor gives good enough feedback on where I'm at.

BornAgainMac · Jul 16, 2007, 04:09 PM

A backlit yellow band on the trackpad would be funny. Something new to complain about.

thejadedmonkey · Jul 16, 2007, 04:09 PM

It might be gimmicky, but 1/2 of the gimmicks are what make using a MB/P so nice. Think the pulsing sleep light or the magnetic latch.

FJ218700 · Jul 16, 2007, 04:09 PM

although it's hard for me to imagine the need for this feature under the current OS, I'm sure that if this rumor indeed becomes reality, we'll all be wondering someday how we ever got along without such feedback.

thesdx · Jul 16, 2007, 04:11 PM

I'm thinking that the new trackpads will feature multi-touch, just like the rumored multi-touch Mighty Mouse. In the multi-touch mouse rumor, the patent suggests that the mouse could glow when the user has new mail. This new trackpad could be the notebook equivalent of the multi-touch Mighty Mouse.

longofest · 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewSc2

Sounds kind of gimmicky, but I'd like to see what comes up. Seems like multi-touch will do away with the need for a trackpad, though.

I rarely use the back-lit keyboard, but I can justify it more than having a back-lit trackpad. The monitor gives good enough feedback on where I'm at.

I don't know if we should expect Apple to jump straight to Multi-touch monitor-enabled macs. My idea is that they will most likely incorporate the technology other ways first... like a more multi-touch enabled trackpad (other than two-finger scrolling, of course), or the multi-touch mouse we've been hearing about. A full 15" or larger screen that is multi-touch enabled would be prohibitively expensive for the consumer, I think.

MLeepson · Jul 16, 2007, 04:11 PM

It's kind of like my Samsung Sync. On the front when you tap one of the 3 icons, it lights up. It's just a way to try to jazz it up, because it has no real purpose.

stainlessliquid · Jul 16, 2007, 04:15 PM

What is the point of visual stimuli to tell us we are touching something? We already know when we are touching something, its called feeling.

bigandy · Jul 16, 2007, 04:16 PM

maybe a light outline on it would be good. i find my backlit MBP keyboard fantastically useful, and some small, not too bright outline of the trackpad would be fine.

rainydays · Jul 16, 2007, 04:17 PM

Makes me think of the Kaoss Pad

bigandy · Jul 16, 2007, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stainlessliquid

What is the point of visual stimuli to tell us we are touching something? We already know when we are touching something, its called feeling.

of course, unless your disability means you have no feeling in your fingers. in that sense, it could be very useful.

marco114 · Jul 16, 2007, 04:18 PM

wait... This is about computers, this must be a different Apple we're talking about.

arn · Jul 16, 2007, 04:19 PM

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420+ (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/1A543a Safari/419.3)

Quote:

Originally Posted by stainlessliquid

What is the point of visual stimuli to tell us we are touching something? We already know when we are touching something, its called feeling.

I disagree. The iPhone is full of visual feedback that would otherwise not be obvious what was going on if you didnt have it.

Arn

MrCrowbar · Jul 16, 2007, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arn

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420+ (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/1A543a Safari/419.3)

I disagree. The iPhone is full of visual feedback that would otherwise not be obvious what was going on if you didnt have it.

Arn

So true. It does have the clicking noise, but that gets so annoying :-)
Feedback is good.

thesdx · Jul 16, 2007, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rainydays

Makes me think of the Kaoss Pad

Yeah, me too! The Kaoss pad changes colors as you move your finger around the touchpad.

Clive At Five · Jul 16, 2007, 04:31 PM

What sort of visual feedback could be given if your finger is covering up the point of contact?!

And secondly, who looks at their trackpad as they're computing? Not me.

The only useful part of this patent, I think, would be gently lighting the perimeter of the pad, as the MBP does the letters of the keyboard. It would make finding the track pad easier. Otherwise, I see it as mostly useless.

Prove me wrong, Apple. I'm curious.

-Clive

k2k koos · Jul 16, 2007, 04:32 PM

This is Apple. They do Gimmicks, but most of their gimmicks serve a purpose, they are the masters of the GUI, and other controller surfaces, I am looking forward on how Apple is going to make the track pad functional and fun at the same time :-)

twoodcc · Jul 16, 2007, 04:32 PM

seems pretty interesting

dhc · Jul 16, 2007, 04:32 PM

Maybe the trackpad will actually be a small screen, with multitouch functionality? Dynamic icons that appear depending on you current usage?

guzhogi · Jul 16, 2007, 04:35 PM

Multitouch would be cool. I also feel that a backlit trackpad would be one of those features where before you use it, you think it's a stupid idea, but after a while, you wonder how you ever survived w/o it.

Yankees 4 Life · Jul 16, 2007, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thesdx

Yeah, me too! The Kaoss pad changes colors as you move your finger around the touchpad.

what the hell is that thing for...

dscottbuch · Jul 16, 2007, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhc

Maybe the trackpad will actually be a small screen, with multitouch functionality? Dynamic icons that appear depending on you current usage?

This is what I think would be GREAT. For example, need a number pad for a couple of entries. Tap the # sign in the upper left, for example and get a big number pad a-la iphone. Need a special set of icons for a specific Keynote/Photoshop/Word operation - after pressing the command-<key> sequence the choice appear on the trackpad instead of searching for them with the mouse.

These might not be the best examples but with careful UI design this could be huge.

wHo_tHe · Jul 16, 2007, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhc

Maybe the trackpad will actually be a small screen, with multitouch functionality? Dynamic icons that appear depending on you current usage?

Bingo.

Future Apple laptops will clamshell two screens. They will eventually try to get us off of keyboards altogether, as keyboards represent one of the last true mechanical components of a computer and a common point of failure.

thesdx · Jul 16, 2007, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yankees 4 Life

what the hell is that thing for...

The Kaoss pad is a DJ tool made by Korg that allows you to warp and effect sounds.

Jul 16, 2007, 04:08 PM	#2
NewSc2 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Orange County, CA	Sounds kind of gimmicky, but I'd like to see what comes up. Seems like multi-touch will do away with the need for a trackpad, though. I rarely use the back-lit keyboard, but I can justify it more than having a back-lit trackpad. The monitor gives good enough feedback on where I'm at. __________________ Mac Pro + 30" ACD, 15" MBP, iPhone 3GS Logic & Ableton user Canon 40D + 17-55 f/2.8 IS

Jul 16, 2007, 04:09 PM	#4
thejadedmonkey macrumors 68040 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Pa	It might be gimmicky, but 1/2 of the gimmicks are what make using a MB/P so nice. Think the pulsing sleep light or the magnetic latch. __________________ Mac Mini G4 • MacBook Pro • iPod Nano "Good judgement comes from experience, experience comes from bad judgement. - Mark Twain

Jul 16, 2007, 04:09 PM	#5
FJ218700 macrumors 68000 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Blue Dot, Red State	although it's hard for me to imagine the need for this feature under the current OS, I'm sure that if this rumor indeed becomes reality, we'll all be wondering someday how we ever got along without such feedback. __________________ Lab: 3.0 ghz octo MP Mobile: 1.33 ghz 12' PB twitter.com/Dr_H twitter.com/TapeSlave

Jul 16, 2007, 04:11 PM	#8
MLeepson macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey	It's kind of like my Samsung Sync. On the front when you tap one of the 3 icons, it lights up. It's just a way to try to jazz it up, because it has no real purpose. __________________ "Marge, I agree with you - in theory. In theory, communism works. In theory." - H. Simpson

Jul 16, 2007, 04:16 PM	#10
bigandy macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Soho, London	maybe a light outline on it would be good. i find my backlit MBP keyboard fantastically useful, and some small, not too bright outline of the trackpad would be fine. __________________ "any day that involves cat pee is a really bad day" - iBlue ǝןƃooɹɯ

Jul 16, 2007, 04:09 PM	#3
BornAgainMac macrumors 68030 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Florida Resident	A backlit yellow band on the trackpad would be funny. Something new to complain about.

Jul 16, 2007, 04:11 PM	#6
thesdx macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: On the wall behind a Stopper II	I'm thinking that the new trackpads will feature multi-touch, just like the rumored multi-touch Mighty Mouse. In the multi-touch mouse rumor, the patent suggests that the mouse could glow when the user has new mail. This new trackpad could be the notebook equivalent of the multi-touch Mighty Mouse.

Jul 16, 2007, 04:15 PM	#9
stainlessliquid macrumors 65816 Join Date: Sep 2006	What is the point of visual stimuli to tell us we are touching something? We already know when we are touching something, its called feeling.

Jul 16, 2007, 04:17 PM	#11
rainydays macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2006	Makes me think of the Kaoss Pad

Jul 16, 2007, 04:18 PM	#13
marco114 macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: North Carolina	wait... This is about computers, this must be a different Apple we're talking about. __________________ Marco114 Current: Quad 2.6Ghz Mac Pro w/ 24", MacBook Pro LED, MacBook Core Duo, MacMini Core Duo, PowerMac G5, PowerMac G4, 2 Mac SE-30s

Jul 16, 2007, 04:31 PM	#17
Clive At Five macrumors 65816 Join Date: May 2004 Location: St. Paul, MN	What sort of visual feedback could be given if your finger is covering up the point of contact?! And secondly, who looks at their trackpad as they're computing? Not me. The only useful part of this patent, I think, would be gently lighting the perimeter of the pad, as the MBP does the letters of the keyboard. It would make finding the track pad easier. Otherwise, I see it as mostly useless. Prove me wrong, Apple. I'm curious. -Clive __________________ My Mod: G4 Cube + Atom 330 CPU + Wiimote = Ultimate HTPC!

Jul 16, 2007, 04:32 PM	#18
k2k koos macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Somewhere between yesterday and tomorrow	This is Apple. They do Gimmicks, but most of their gimmicks serve a purpose, they are the masters of the GUI, and other controller surfaces, I am looking forward on how Apple is going to make the track pad functional and fun at the same time :-) __________________ The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources.

Jul 16, 2007, 04:32 PM	#19
twoodcc macrumors 603 Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Right side of wrong	seems pretty interesting __________________ tville pump Smarter than the average bear

Jul 16, 2007, 04:32 PM	#20
dhc macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: UK	Maybe the trackpad will actually be a small screen, with multitouch functionality? Dynamic icons that appear depending on you current usage?

Jul 16, 2007, 04:35 PM	#21
guzhogi macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2003	Multitouch would be cool. I also feel that a backlit trackpad would be one of those features where before you use it, you think it's a stupid idea, but after a while, you wonder how you ever survived w/o it.

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