New apple patent a hybrid device?

Called “hybrid inertial and tactile input device”, the patent explains that this peripheral would use the different characteristics of each peripheral to offer better control options.

If we consider the mouse, the touchpad and the trackball, each on its own, they all have their own drawbacks. For example, more effort is required to move the cursor across a screen, with the touchpad than with a mouse.

On the other hand, touch panels are very good at reproducing fine fields of movement, which cannot be easily done using a mouse.

That is why Apple says in its patent that all conventional input devices are insufficient, both in tracking large movements and fine movements.

The peripheral that Apple has detailed in its patent will contain a touchpad and a motion sensor, which will be used to calculate acceleration and speed, as well as positioning data.

These data are collected in order to determine the output signal, which in effect will be reproduced on the screen with a cursor. The device will be able to intelligently determine what data, be it from motion or from the touch sensor, needs to be used for the output process.

This patent was filed in 2012. As is the case with proprietary technologies, it is not known if it will ever see the light of day.