애플이 맥북 키보드에 포스터치를 적용하는 방법 특허에 대한 소식입니다. 이제는 입력을 위한 도구들에 포스터치가 기본으로 들어간다고 보아야 할 것 같습니다.
최근 들어서는 포스터치를 3D 터치라고 강조 하면서 차별화 된 마케팅을 하고 있습니다. 현재 최신 맥북 라인이라고 할 수 있는 맥북 12인치에는 나비식 키보드와 포스터치 트렉패드가 있습니다.
포스터치의 특징은 단순한 키입력 이외에 다양한 액션이 가능하기 때문에 다양한 동작이 가능합니다. 개인적으로 기술이 발달하면 키보드에 터치로 마우스를 컨트롤도 가능해질 수 있다고 봅니다.
얼마전 발표한 매직 키보드에 부족한 터치 부분을 포스터치가 대체할 수 있을 지도 의문입니다. 그리고 특허가 나오고 나서 한참 뒤에 제품화 되는 것이기 때문에 바로 사용할 수는 없겠지만, 앞으로의 키보드의 미래에 모습을 예견 할 수 있기 때문에 관심을 가지고 있습니다.
원문 보기
Apple patents switch-less Force Touch keyboard for Mac
Tuesday, November 03, 2015, 02:23 am PT (05:23 am ET)
Apple is researching ways to implement its Force Touch technology into Mac keyboards, according to a patent published on Tuesday, a move that would not only cut down on key height by removing physical switches, but expand a device's overall utility.
As granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Apple's U.S. Patent No. 9,178,509 for an "Ultra low travel keyboard" describes the basic operating principles behind a completely switch-less QWERTY input mechanism reminiscent of the company's Force Touch trackpads. Removing mechanical switches from the equation cuts precious millimeters off key height, allowing for even thinner MacBook designs.
Apple's current MacBook and Mac accessory lineups employ modified scissor switches, or butterfly switches on the 12-inch Retina MacBook, nestled within hollow key caps. Today's patent mirrors the aesthetic of existing designs, but deviates from established technology by replacing mechanical switches for a stack of sensors, actuators and supporting circuitry.
Theoretically the system operates akin to Apple's Force Touch trackpads, but on a much larger scale; one force sensor package for each keyboard key. Force sensors configured to measure downward pressure are integrated beneath the keyboard's key caps, while integrated actuators — part of the key stack — generate haptic feedback.
Ideal force input hardware includes resistive sensors, strain gauges and capacitive sensors, though other components capable of determining downward force and sending a modulated force signal to a computer's CPU are also acceptable. Such sensors can measure the slightest change in distance, offering a highly customizable platform on which to receive varying but distinct levels of input.
Another key stack layer is dedicated to an actuator element implemented with a piezoelectric material. As described, a piezoelectric substrate generates electrical charge when a mechanical force is applied and, conversely, generates mechanical strain from an applied electrical field. These unique electrical properties can be exploited to generate tactile feedback on demand.
In practice the proposed keyboard detects a particular level of input via modulated output signals from an embedded force sensor. To determine the amount of applied force on a single key, signals are received by a keyboard controller and sent off to a keyboard module for processing. A keystroke is subsequently logged and users are provided a corresponding level of haptic feedback presented as a "click" or simulated mechanical movement by the integrated actuator.
With a granular level of input force determination, Apple's keyboard and coexisting software logic can support multiple operations per key. For example, applying a first amount of force to an "A" key might input an "A" character onscreen, while a second level of pressure triggers a system command or other function. A similar procedure is accomplished with 3D Touch on iPhone 6s, which lets users invoke force-sensitive iOS features like Peek and Pop content previews, Quick Actions and more.
It is unclear if Apple has plans to roll out a Force Touch enabled keyboard based on today's patent, though no evidence exists of work on actual hardware or software implementations. Considering some users are already put off by Apple's current low-travel MacBook key mechanisms, a Force Touch keyboard might take some convincing.
Then again, each successive MacBook generation comes with a thinner chassis. A switch-less keyboard design would go a long way toward consolidating dead space.
Apple's Force Touch keyboard patent was first filed for in September 2012 and credits Jeffrey T. Bernstein as its inventor.
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후기
키보드와 마우스가 일체형의 노트북이 나올시점이 지났지만, 아직 나오지 않고 있습니다. 만약 키보드에 포스터치가 접목이되면 한발 더 나간 입력 장치가 될 것으로 보입니다. 특히 아이폰 6S 등에서 나오는 포스터이의 사용경험이 결합되면 더욱 편리한 키보드가 나올 것 같습니다.
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