Future iPad Virtual Keyboards may use Next-Gen Haptics Technology giving users a Superior Typing Experience
October 03, 2019
Today the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that relates to a next generation of haptics known as “Static Pattern Electrostatic Haptic Electrodes” that is designed to make virtual keyboards feel more realistic to the touch.
Apple’s invention relates to haptics that use one or more static pattern electrostatic haptic electrodes driven by one or more voltages to provide a variety of haptic output.
A static pattern electrostatic haptic electrode may be disposed on a surface, such as a surface area of a display configured to display a virtual key of a virtual keyboard.
For example, a static pattern electrostatic haptic electrode may be disposed on a planar haptic display where a virtual key of a virtual keyboard may be displayed. The static pattern electrostatic haptic electrode may include conductive material and voids within the conductive material such that the conductive material is densest at the edges of the virtual key and decreases towards a center of the virtual key where conductive material may be absent.
This may allow the static pattern electrostatic haptic electrode to simulate a texture gradient or other texture change effect as a user’s finger moves from an edge of the virtual key towards the center, simulating a concave depression in the surface of the virtual key despite the planar nature of the haptic display. Other electrostatic effects are possible and contemplated.
When static pattern electrostatic haptic electrodes are used with a virtual key of a virtual keyboard or similar component, perceived textures and/or perceived shape differences related to different effective frictions may allow for user interactions that are more similar to more traditional three-dimensional and mechanical input structures.
For example, this may allow users to find virtual keys and/or orient themselves on virtual keys during the small finger/hand motions users normally perform when typing on more traditional three-dimensional and mechanical keyboards. This may result in an improved user experience for virtual keyboards or other buttons or components.
Further, as the orientations and locations where virtual keyboards and/or other components will be displayed may be known beforehand, the configuration of the static pattern electrostatic haptic electrodes may be static and designed to simulate textures, texture gradients, and shapes related to movement across virtual keys in particular directions. This may allow for creation of a wide variety of electrostatic haptic output.
Apple’s patent FIG. 1 below depicts an iPad with a haptic display; FIG. 2A depicts a side view of an example electrostatic haptic output device that may be used in the haptic display of FIG. 1; FIG. 6 depicts an arrangement of static pattern electrostatic haptic electrodes that may be disposed on a surface where a virtual keyboard may be displayed.
Apple’s patent FIG. 7 above depicts an example electronic device with a haptic display that includes multiple arrangements of static pattern electrostatic haptic electrodes disposed where one or more virtual keyboards may be displayed.
Apple’s patent FIG. 3 below depicts an example of a static pattern electrostatic haptic electrode including conductive material and voids defined within, which static pattern electrostatic haptic electrode may be used in the example electrostatic haptic output device of FIG. 2A.
Apple’s patent FIGS. 4A to 4K above are alternative examples of the static pattern electrostatic haptic electrode of FIG. 3; Patent FIGS. 5A to 5E depict examples of multi-portion static pattern electrostatic haptic electrodes that may be used in the example electrostatic haptic output device of FIG. 2A.
Although the patent figures in this patent application depict an iPad as the focus device, Apple claims that the invention could apply to other devices in the future including an iMac, MacBook, iPhones, kitchen appliances and more.
Apple’s patent application that was published today by the U.S. Patent Office was filed back in Q1 2019 with work dating back to Q1 2018. Considering that this is a patent application, the timing of such a product to market is unknown at this time.
One of the inventors listed on this patent is Mark Salada, Advanced Development Engineer. Mark has worked with various Apple teams related to haptic engineering, design and prototyping of new features and product lines.
