Apple acquired two new iOS device-targeted patents on Tuesday from US Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) — one that patents a "touch and hover" display which is similar to the technology found in Samsung products like the Galaxy Note 2, and other that patents a heart rate monitor to read your EKG data. The hover display would let you easily interact with your
Apple device without actually touching the screen. You just have to hold your finger or stylus over a desired app and the app will open as though you had pressed down on the screen.
TOUCH AND HOVER :
Apple's extensive U.S. Patent No. 8,614,693 for "Touch and hover signal drift compensation" describes a system in which a touchscreen display can accurately determine both hover and touch events. A number of modern computing devices incorporate touch-sensitive panels that enhance and define the user experience by affording unprecedented GUI manipulation and control. Some systems also have "hover controls “which allow users to interact with a device without actually touching it.
Also See : Apple’s 3D Leap
You might be able to access all of your open apps by swiping your finger up across it without double tapping the home button as the patent describes. By placing a finger on the Touch ID sensor and turning it might also result into another task, like scrolling etc. However, in future implementations, the Touch ID might not need to exist in the home screen at all. The patent describes a scenario where the technology might instead be built into the display.
According to sources, the new system allows users to bypass the sliding input or security screen by “entering a predefined input using the [virtual] home button to enter a “quick access” mode of the mobile device in which certain applications may be immediately available to the user.
Apple’s invention covers other use cases which include:
- Enhanced touch typing recognition through sensing which fingers are touching the keys.
- Using pressure and movement sensing technique to turn the home button into a simple game controller.
- Using revolving “scroll wheel” motions on the home button to navigate through multitasking app listings.
- Using fingerprint verification for enforcing parental controls on age-rated media content, restrict maximum device volume, or automatically increase font sizes for children, seniors, or visually-impaired users.
- Auto filling web forms or loading personalized web pages based on fingerprint identification.
- Authorizing location “check-ins”, mobile payment information, or photo/document author tagging based on fingerprint identification.
HEART RATE MONITOR :
As for the heart rate monitor, Apple's U.S. Patent No. 8,615,290 for a "Seamlessly embedded heart rate monitor" remains largely unchanged from initial report on the property's application in 2010. The patent employs sensors to read user's EKG data, which can then be used to authenticate the user or indicate their mood.
Basically, Apple's invention measures cardiac signals read by sensors embedded into metallic conductive portions of device housing. The sensor leads can be embedded or hidden, into the screen bezel. These leads will pick up minute electrical signals which are unique to the heart of user, which can be measured to a degree of accuracy high enough as to provide an adequate means of identification.
This truly shows the hunger for Apple to carve a strong and unique niche in 2014 more than what it is now known for. Let’s see whether these patents will result in final products or not as in my opinion Apple will definitely do what it has announced.
Do share your experiences and views with Edictogram which are always welcome!!
Author : Iman Majeed
0 comments:
Post a Comment