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Apple to reinvent mouse
By siliconindia
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Monday, 05 October 2009, 15:11 IST
Bangalore: As per a new patent application, Apple has disclosed plans for a multi touch surface which can accommodate two full hands and distinguish between palms and individual fingers for typing, gestures and other activities.
On behalf of Apple, the application was filed by Morrison and Foerster LLP in Los Angeles in June 2009. The document describes details on a hand based system that would allow "unprecedented integration of typing, resting, pointing, scrolling, 3D manipulation and handwriting into a versatile, ergonomic computer input device," reports the AppleInsider.
The document notes that the input needs with a stylus, mouse, keyboard and voice recognition can be met with touch sensitive technology that can recognize a number of hand configurations.
"Many attempts have been made to embed pointing devices in a keyboard so the hands do not have to leave typing position to access the pointing device. The limited movement range and resolution of these devices, leads to poorer pointing speed and accuracy than a mouse, and they add mechanical complexity to keyboard construction," the application said.
The application said, "Thus there exists a need in the art for pointing methods with higher resolution, larger movement range, and more degrees of freedom yet which are easily accessible from typing hand positions."
Apple Co-Founder Steve Jobs is now hoping to deliver significant advances to the input device by applying the company's extensive research and development in multitouch technologies.
The described system would individually detect all ten fingers and separate palms on a person's hand, giving the ability to type, write, draw and interact with a device large enough to support multiple hands.
The application defines that the device eliminates the need of both, a stylus and a mouse. This system can ergonomically adapt to individual hand sizes, and would require minimal typing force. As there are other patents for touchscreen devices that negate the need for a keyboard or mouse, the application states that Apple's method is unique because it addresses both the requirements.
The key points of the invention described in the application include integrating and distinguishing different types of inputs, such as typing, multiple degree of freedom manipulation and handwriting, through different hand configurations that are easy to use and recognize.
It provides a multi touch surface that is outlined to be comfortable and ergonomic under extended use. It also understands as when the user wants cursor motion, and ignores commands when deceleration by the user is detected.
The device is partly credited to Wayne Westerman of Fingerworks, a company absorbed by Apple several years ago as part of its quest to deliver iPhone and a new generation of input devices.
