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Apple patent would allow iPhone clamshell

updated 11:05 am EDT, Mon March 17, 2008

Apple Dual-Side Touchpad

Apple has developed a technique that could allow for a smaller iPhone with all the controls but half the size, according to a recent WIPO international patent filing. Described as a "dual sided trackpad," the primary variant on the invention would have a translucent cover with a capacitive, multi-touch trackpad that accepts input on either side and can activate controls depending on the pad's position.

The pad could therefore be attached to a small handheld device through a hinge and switch its functionality depending on whether it was open or closed: while a closed trackpad would simply serve as a substitute for the main touchscreen, an open position could provide a separate pad for dialing numbers or an interface for gestures and scrolling. This touchscreen could have its own basic display for these features.

A second iteration of the patent could also apply to computers and would have the dual trackpad replace the conventional, opaque surface on a notebook such as the MacBook Air; while acting as a traditional trackpad when the computer is open, a fully shut notebook would switch input to the outside and use it as an external interactive display for checking e-mail, playing music, and other simple actions, similar to Windows Vista's SideShow.

Apple is not under any obligation to use the patent and may require translucent display technology not yet readily available to implement the technique, which would require capacitive sensors thin enough to be near-invisible. However, Apple describes the patent as applying to "mobile telephones," other handhelds, and computers. It also uses images which appear to be partly derived from the iPhone's interface for mail and menus. [via Unwired View]



iPhone mockup based on patent

 
Previous Comments

covering their bases

03/17, 11:20am reply

As per usual, Apple puts out a patent that may or may not be used, but doesn't want someone else to come out with something ahead of them.

It's like their saying "nyah nyah," to all the other hardware designer/manufacturers who try to take the iPhone to the next step. As it is, it's all they can do to copy what's already there. ;-)

danviento

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Dec 2005

0

clamshell?

03/17, 11:59am reply

I was thinking the newton form factor. This looks like mockup of the flip phone designs on the web.

ApeInTheShell

Senior User

Joined: Nov 2002

0

And yet

03/17, 12:02pm reply

And yet, when Apple uses a patent that someone else has sat on simply because the technology wasn't available at the time everybody jumps all over said person, and defending Apple.

lamewing

Forum Regular

Joined: Aug 2004

0

hmmm...

03/17, 12:05pm reply

so you're saying that there exists a flip open that is dynamic? that can change according to what's displayed? whether a keyboard or notepad or...? this exists and apple's copying it? where?

nat

Junior Member

Joined: Mar 2002

0

iPhone mini

03/17, 12:13pm reply

Looks like a possible future design for an iPhone mini. It's pretty clear that Apple will begin to go down into the cheaper phone range to expand their control of the phone market. A midrange phone like this would fit the bill.

petsounds

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Apr 2007

0

jmelrose

03/17, 12:29pm reply

nat, don't be dense.

lamewing is obviously referring to the multiple law suits against Apple for patents that were filed 5-10 years prior to iTunes/iPod for "portable music devices" and "methods to transfer music to a portable player" and "method for selling music over wide area network" etc. Those companies couldn't or didn't chose to produce the product, and there is definitely an outcry when those companies then try to protect their patent via lawsuit. There is a very long tradition, as lamewing pointed out, of people on these and other Apple fan forums "jumping all over" companies that defend those patents, even if they are never used.

While I think there are aspects of the patent process that are ridiculous, I'm not making statements about that. I do like that lamewing made a self-fulfilling prophecy that came true in just one post.

nat, if you need further explanation... well, I feel bad for ya. Can't help ya any more... I'm sure someone as smugly self-righteous as you can figure things out for themself. Except, obviously, lamewing's comment.

jmelrose

Forum Regular

Joined: Mar 1999

0

jmelrose

03/17, 12:51pm reply

i was referring to danv's post, but hey, thanks for the compliments and the time you took to write explaining to me something i wasn't questioning. simply excellent stuff. you'll always be no. 1 in my book.

nat

Junior Member

Joined: Mar 2002

0

flip

03/17, 01:26pm reply

Awesome if Apple had a flip phone, like the Motorola RAZR.

pt123

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Sep 2007

0

prototype?

03/17, 02:00pm reply

Don't you need at least a prototype or working model before you patent something? You have to have more than a clever idea. A two-side touch-sensitive transparent display surface is pretty darn cool. And whoever suggested it is right, applying this to a tablet/laptop combo would be pretty slick. Open it up and the transparent cover turns into a virtual keyboard and trackpad. This is real sci-fi whiz-bang-ery.

malax

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Aug 2006

0

jmelrose

03/17, 03:30pm reply

Testudo, is that you? If not this person is stealing your writing style!

Guest

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Nov 1999

0

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