New Apple Patent Details Keyboards Without Keys

Tweet

The world of Apple patents is a strange and dizzying thing, and though more than a few of these will never see the light of day, it’s always worth watching to find out what Jobs et al are up to. And today they’ve got a new little doozy for us to consider: a keyboard without keys.

According to the recently-unearthed patent, the new keyboard uses a combination of technologies (including piezoelectrics, haptic feedback, and that acoustic pulse recognition) to tell where your fingers are, and what key they would be striking on a QWERTY keyboard if there were actually keys there to strike.

Basically, Apple’s taken out a patent on a keyboard that’s essentially one huge touch screen, but with the addition of some of that haptic feedback to let a user know that he’s (or she, whichever) actually striking a key instead of leaning wrong on the touch screen and sending a series of n’s cascading across his document.

Some suggest that there will be painted-on letters for the keyboard, while others seem convinced that the letters will be displayed on the screen itself, with the option to disengage that display and touch type on a blank slate, which would be a challenge for the truly expert.

I admit I’m intrigued by the idea, but being as I’m the longtime user of a Microsoft ergonomic keyboard with wireless capability, I think I’d sooner carry on with using it than switch over to the touch screen concept Apple seems to have in mind. But then, that’s just me; who knows how many folks out there would love to engage in a bit of computer stunt work and do all their typing on a completely blank keyboard?

Exhibitionists aside, who else would like to try working on a touch screen keyboard that may or may not show off the letters? Or do you think this particular patent should stay in the patent locker instead of getting converted to a future product? Whether you think this idea is good, bad, or merely indifferent, you’re always welcome to tell us what you think down in the comments section below.