Apple Patent: Visual Buttons?
MacNN describes a new Apple patent filing which reveals that Apple has been working on displaying "visual information on the surface of a device, while using the same area or visual out display to act as an input device."
Essentially, Apple describes the use of buttons which provide visual display on the button itself to provide dynamic information. While it could be used in any electronic device such as laptops, PDAs, cell phones, the application describes the possibility of its use in a "standalone device" such as a remote control.
The goal of this technology would be to streamline the user interface for users.
There have been previous unconfirmed rumors that Apple was working on incorporating "color LCD buttons" alongside the trackpad on Macbooks. A similar concept is used on the much publicized Optimus OLED keyboard.
Essentially, Apple describes the use of buttons which provide visual display on the button itself to provide dynamic information. While it could be used in any electronic device such as laptops, PDAs, cell phones, the application describes the possibility of its use in a "standalone device" such as a remote control.
The goal of this technology would be to streamline the user interface for users.
"By reducing or eliminating the input devices, the display of the electronic device can be maximized within the user interface portion of the electronic device, or alternatively the electronic device can be minimized to the size of the display."
There have been previous unconfirmed rumors that Apple was working on incorporating "color LCD buttons" alongside the trackpad on Macbooks. A similar concept is used on the much publicized Optimus OLED keyboard.
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72 months ago
Would this have anything to do with the 'none-touch' interface, or is it more along the lines of a 'touchscreen' iPod?
Or is it not iPod-related at all?
Or is it not iPod-related at all?
72 months ago
The interesting thing that's a bit different from the touch sensitive displays that's been discussed earlier is that they talk about using physical input sensors, like button clicks in combination with the visual information. This suggests that you actually have to apply some pressure which should be much better to use than the touch sensitive buttons on the 3rd generation iPod and the mighty mouse.
72 months ago
cool. the only thing that i would be concerned with, is that it would become something like the chocolate from verizon. the touch buttons get in the way and you accidentally press them. i'm not sure i would want touch sensitive buttons on something i use for my primary method of input.
72 months ago
Wow...I don't think I've seen that keyboard before...that is awesome, since I regularly switch between the English layout and use the Spanish layout for my Spanish homework. Adding the possibilities for displaying commands and lauching apps. Awesome.
72 months ago
i would SOOOoOOOOOOOOOOO pay an extra $50 to get this on the macbook i plan to buy next spring!
72 months ago
why not just buy up the small russian company optimus and incorporate oled into the entire keyboard of apple portables and desktops? :p
72 months ago
hmmmmmm
as soon as i thought of this, optimus came to mind. just like someone else said.
http://www.artlebedev.com/portfolio/optimus/
as soon as i thought of this, optimus came to mind. just like someone else said.
http://www.artlebedev.com/portfolio/optimus/
72 months ago
This idea could be applied to a keyboard, a mouse, an ipod, or even a Front Row remote - now that would be cool.
The current Front Row remotes are simple and elegant - but with this type of visual output from the remote, the simple buttons could take on multiple uses - making the remote soooooooo much more useful.
The current Front Row remotes are simple and elegant - but with this type of visual output from the remote, the simple buttons could take on multiple uses - making the remote soooooooo much more useful.
72 months ago
Great to see they are still innovating. I wonder if this stuff is ready to go and they are just getting the patents in place.
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