Katie Marsal
Several high-profile Apple employees are credited with the patent, including designer Jonathan Ive, engineer Steve Hotelling, and the "father of the iPod," Tony Fadell, who left Apple in 2008. Originally filed for on Sept. 30, 2005, the patent — which shows a large, tablet-like touchscreen device — was finally granted by the USPTO Tuesday.
The invention describes a touchscreen that can sense objects, like fingers, in close proximity. Fingers could be sensed when they are close to the touchscreen, but not actually touching it. The portable device could also take certain actions when it detects an object.
Such technology could be used in a variety of applications, from allowing full control without touching the screen using "proximity gestures," or simply waking a device from "sleep mode" when someone is near it.
The described proximity sensor could detect location, direction, speed and orientation of a finger relative to its surface. It could also dynamically change the user interface to allow input options for users when a finger is detected in close proximity.
"(The system)... may allow the display... to keep GUI controls and tools hidden until a user makes a motion to use the touch screen... or other input device," the patent reads. "The GUI controls and tools that pop up when a finger is detected may be standard set of tools or they may be based on other factors including location of the finger and/or the application currently running in the computing device."
"For example, in a music application, an onscreen control box that includes menu, play/pause, seek, and the like may be presented when a user hovers their finger above the user interface (especially the input portion of the user interface)," it continues. "Alternatively, an onscreen scroll wheel may be presented so that a user can scroll through a list of songs. Once the GUI control element is presented, the user may make selections associated therewith by using one of the input devices provide by the computing device (e.g. touch screen) or by performing a proximity gesture."
The system could address the problem of fingers getting in the way of the display on a touchscreen device. For example, if a series of selectable options were presented, they could be enlarged when a finger approaches them, making them easier to read as a finger or hand blocks part of the selection.
Apple's proximity sensing touchscreen patent was one of 13 granted by the USPTO this week. The others deal with a variety of technologies, including bandwidth, streaming multimedia, and color management.
Amber Neely
Andrew Orr
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
19 Comments
Isn't this kind of a feature one of the patents that Nokia is claiming they have that the iPhone supposedly infringes upon? Doesn't this show that claim is total BS? Or is it that just the mere difference in the size of the device having such a feature means you can get a separate patent for the feature based on that alone? If so, wouldn't that imply that there is something broken with patent laws?
Nice to know but I don't see any evidence that Apple's patents that SJ mentioned at the iPhone's introduction preventing everyone and their dog copying the iPhone.
I predicted this type of interface would come, said it would be based upon the front mounted iSight camera and some fancy software reading the fingers.
Said something like: Imagine holding a imaginary pen in your hand, then extending your index finger out a little and signing the screen without touching it. To make the pointer bigger you move your finger in and small by moving it out.
I also said multiple finger swipes will scroll pages and flipping them too.
I also predicted the iTablet will replace the MacBook line, have the iPhone OS, build upon and be locked to content from the App Store.
I also predict the eventual demise (will take a long time of course) of the open version of OS X on Mac's as more and more people opt to using the new tablets and Apple introduces newer models. Mac's will become "Pros' only devices.
I also predicted the new tablets will come in colors.
I also predict that the Apple wireless keyboard will work with the Tablet as a optional accessory.
Lets see how much I'm right today.
Isn't this kind of a feature one of the patents that Nokia is claiming they have that the iPhone supposedly infringes upon? Doesn't this show that claim is total BS? Or is it that just the mere difference in the size of the device having such a feature means you can get a separate patent for the feature based on that alone? If so, wouldn't that imply that there is something broken with patent laws?
The entire patent office is a joke. It seems nothing is decided without a court case.
I predicted this type of interface would come, said it would be based upon the front mounted iSight camera and some fancy software reading the fingers.
I said something like: Imagine holding a imaginary pen in your hand, then extending your index finger out a little and signing the screen. To make the pointer bigger you move your finger in and small by moving it out.
I also said multiple finger swipes will scroll pages and flipping them too.
Lets see if I'm right today.
Well done, your mother must be very proud.