Apple patents point to haptics, fingerprints, RFID
The haptic feedback patent, if approved, would bring the iPhone in line with rival handsets that provide localized tactile feedback.
(Credit: CNET )Three patent applications by Apple were published Thursday, and they cover technologies including haptics, fingerprint recognition, and RFID.
The haptic feedback patent, if approved, would bring the iPhone (and possibly other Apple devices) in line with rival handsets, which already provide localized tactile feedback in, for example, an onscreen soft keyboard.
Haptic technology gives people sensory feedback--in the form of a vibration or pressure--when they use a touch screen. Essentially, it makes touching a key on a touch screen more akin to pressing a real button.
The fingerprint recognition patent does not really have to do with authentication and security, but rather with identifying which fingers are in use, so as to associate different functions with different digits.
The RFID reader patent would see RFID-communicating circuitry integrated with the circuitry behind the touch screen itself.
All the above are just applications, though, so it could be a long while before we see any of this functionality built into iPhones or other Apple devices.
David Meyer of ZDNet UK reported from London.
Fair disclosure, I despise M$ too. Have a Happy Friday.
Kind of an odd statement since none of Apple's competitors offer devices with haptic feedback. If you are referring to the localized feedback you get when pressing a physical button... your wording is a little misleading.
I used one before to make a call but i'm not sure of the name.
Does the entire screen vibrate.. or does it just vibrate under the finger that's touching the screen? I'm pretty sure the author is referring to the latter. Sounds like it would be an interesting sensation.... if/when the iPhone can do this... i bet there will be a few interesting apps available as a result.
The whole phone vibrates im not sure if you can isolate a vibration to such a small area though im sure some law of physics comes to play.
"...if approved, would bring the iPhone (and possibly other Apple devices) in line with rival handsets ..."
that's wrong as apple is applying for a different concept than the haptic feedback that is used in devices by other manufacturers. the haptic feedback you get today lets more or less the whole screen give you a feedback thus you cannot differentiate where excatly your finger has touched without looking at the screen. besides from telling you that your touch was recognized this is a pretty useless feedback mechanism.
apple's "enhanced haptic feedback" gives you a feedback only and exactly at the place where your finger has touched/or is supposed to touch thus creating a virtual button you can actually feel without having to look at the screen. THAT's the idea behind apple's approach. and no CrashPad63, LG's and HTC's are not 2 years ahead. their haptic feedback is just a useless gimmick, not a thought hrough concept that ads real additional usability.
http://www.intomobile.com/2008/11/13/nokia-preparing-touchscreen-handset-with-true-haptic-feedback.html
of course, with a name like ballmerisanape, you are probably a die hard apple fanboy and it doesn't matter if any other company has had haptic feedback out for years, you will still proclaim that Apple invented the technology...
the storm is not using haptic feedback. have a look at the numerous reviews.
one example here: http://www.tomsguide.com/us/Blackberry-Storm-touch-screen,review-1146.html
and again: nokia and apple are exploring a concept called "true haptic feedback" which provides temporary virtual buttons. the haptic feedback deployed by the likes of samsung, lg and others today has nothing to do with it and is a useless gimmick.
and yes, if apple beats nokia to market, they will have invented it.
but go on trolling and leave us your useless comments.
http://www.intomobile.com/2008/07/09/new-nokia-patent-application-gives-insight-in-to-haptic-feedback-technology-more-details-on-haptikos.html
http://www.intomobile.com/2007/10/25/apple-patent-filed-for-tactile-touchscreen-raised-indented-keys.html
I've used it before , nothing really useful IMO !
the fingerprint patent OTOH seems more interesting
- by Someone-else July 5, 2009 7:28 AM PDT
- Haptic feedback is great, IMO. It'd take me some time to get used to a phone without it.
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