Last month, an Apple patent surfaced online, revealing that the Cupertino company is exploring various on how to develop a shear force to inform the user of touch events in a physical way. It appears that Apple is looking for other interesting ways to improve the Apple Pencil. A new Apple document reveals that it might feature haptic feedback.
New Apple Pencil Patent
Most gadgets and everyday devices feature haptic feedback, and this is one of the missing features of the current generation Apple Pencil. But, it appears that the Cupertino tech giant is already considering the possibility of integrating this much-needed feature in its future Apple Pencil. The latest information about Apple's plan for its electronic stylus comes from a document filed by Apple.
The patent was discovered by Patently Apple, which the US Patent and Trademark Office awarded to the Cupertino company last Tuesday. Titled "Touch-based input device with haptic feedback," talks about hos Apple's technology could be used to achieve a couple of tasks. This includes reading force measurements based on the grip of the user and providing haptic feedback.
It can be recalled that the previous patent filed by the Cupertino company was already exploring the idea of force measurement. The latest patent further develops the concept in the earlier patent to better improve the future Apple Pencil. The latest patent talks about the use of a piezoelectric device connected within the housing of the Apple Pencil that would be linked to the region where the user often grips the stylus.
This particular grip section, as stated in the latest Apple Pencil patent, is deformable both inwards and outwards. This section would allow the Apple Pencil to gather data about hos the user grips the stylus. In theory, the piezoelectric device would push the housing in the grip portion when it needs to send out haptic feedback to the user.
Other Apple Pencil Details
Apple has been filing patents related to Apple Pencil in the past. Last year, it submitted a patent that suggests utilizing sensor and haptics in the tip of the Apple Pencil to provide better stimulation in terms of letting the user feel as if it is writing on a paper when using the Apple Pencil. It is worth mentioning that the latest patent, along with the previously granted patents related to Apple Pencil, is not in any way guarantees that Apple would equip these features on its future Apple Pencil.
Companies like Apple have a habit of filing patents, which most of the time does not end up in the market. But, it is interesting that Apple is considering this kind of technology for its Apple Pencil.
