iMac Touch: A Glimpse of the Future?

[Mayareira]

http://www.patentlyapple.com/.a/6a01...42aa970b-800wi

While most of us were getting ready for the iPad's arrival in January and Patently Apple hard at work preparing our major series called the Tablet Prophecies, a major iMac Touch patent was being quietly published in Europe. And while some of the graphic figures of today's patent did slip out in Europe, we were never able to verify whether they were legitimate or not. Well, today we finally get to post the Mother Lode of all information concerning the iMac Touch and it's absolutely brilliant! Ironically we had just posted a report on Saturday titled "Apple Patents Point to Future MacBooks with IPS & Touch Displays" when we discovered the European Filing. The naysayers will have to eat crow on this one, because Apple's method of transitioning from OS X to iOS is clearly outlined for both the iMac and MacBook – and it's a grand slam home run. Imagine having an iMac on your desktop one minute and a gigantic iPad the next. Imagine playing iGames on this dream machine - Wow! Imagine reading a double-page book on this - Unbelievable! Apple takes the mystery out of how OS X could finally co-exist with iOS on a Mac and you've got to see this one to believe it.


General Overview of the Patent

While touch-based input is well suited to many applications, conventional styles of input, such as a mouse/keyboard input may be preferred in other applications. Therefore it may be desirable for some devices to provide for touch-based input as well as mouse/keyboard input. However, a UI being displayed by the display device during a touch-based input mode might not be suited for use during a mouse/keyboard input mode, and vice versa.

The foregoing could be addressed by providing transitioning between modes of input, for example, transitioning between touch-based input and mouse/keyboard based input, by sensing a change in orientation of a touch screen display. For example, an accelerometer in the display could sense the force of gravity along an axis, and the measured force could be used to determine an angle of the display with respect to the ground (i.e. the plane perpendicular to the direction of the force of gravity). A transition between input modes could be performed when the vertical angle (tilt) of the display crosses a predetermined angle.

In another example, a rotation sensor could be mounted in an adjustable stand of the display. The rotation sensor could measure a rotation position of the stand, such as an angle between the base of the stand and a hinged arm that connects the base and the display. The measured rotation position could be used to determine the orientation of the display.

In another example, the display could include touch sensor area located where a user typically grasps the display to change the display's orientation. In this case, detection of touch in these areas could be used in addition to orientation information from one or more other sensors, such as accelerometers, position sensors, etc. to aid in the detection of a change in orientation of the display.

The change in the orientation of the display could be detected, for example, by a processor based on sensor data from the sensor(s). When the processor determines that the orientation of the display has crossed a predetermined threshold, e.g., the orientation of the display has changed from a touch input mode to a keyboard mouse input mode, or vice versa, the processor could activate a transition process.

In one example transition from a high-resolution input mode UI to a low-resolution input mode UI, certain items display in the high-resolution input mode UI could appear to "slide off" the edges of the display. A menu bar and menu bar items, a dock and dock items, directory items, scrollbars, and the mouse pointer may appear to move toward the closest edge of the screen and continue to move off of the screen until they disappear from view, such that they aren't displayed in the low-resolution input mode UI. Other items displayed in the high-resolution input mode UI may appear to increase in size, for example, the display may appear to zoom-in, such that the items are displayed at a larger size in the low-resolution input mode UI.

To clarify, the high/low-resolution input shouldn't be confused with high/low resolution display. The latter refers to the level of fineness (resolution) at which an image could be displayed; the former refers to the general level of fineness at which a user input could be detected and processed. One measure of input resolution may be based on, for example, the size of selectable icons, buttons, sliders and other input items and/or the distance between input items that an input method requires for reliable detection of an input. For example, a high-resolution input method may be able to discern whether a user is selecting one or the other of two very small icons that are displayed close to each other, while a low resolution may not be able to determine which of the two icons the user is trying to select.

Transitioning from Keyboard/Mouse to Touch-Based Modes

First, Apple's patent describes the transition process this way. When the iMac's display is oriented upright and relatively far from you – the keyboard/mouse input mode could be selected and basically you're operating in OS X mode.

http://www.patentlyapple.com/.a/6a01...87f0970c-800wi

Then to switch to a touch-based input, you'll change the orientation of the iMac's display so as to make touching the screen easier and more natural. For example, to enter touch input, you'll want to pull the iMac's screen closer to you while pushing the display screen down flat as if you were going to read a book, states the patent. In this orientation you'll be able to select a corresponding UI which should translate to using iOS. In fact, the transition is really an automated process.

http://www.patentlyapple.com/.a/6a01...4453970b-800wi

The transition is activated by the accelerometer as earlier described. What's new here is that you'll be able to control the threshold determining when the iMac's transition from OS X to iOS will occur. Meaning, you could for example, set the threshold angle to 60 degrees to call up iOS or at 90 degrees or higher to recall OS X mode.

As for what kind of applications that'll run this new beast, you could always check out this patent that clearly shows you some of the contemplated apps that somewhat reflect elements of iLife and beyond.

The Adjustable Stand of a Future iMac Touch

http://www.patentlyapple.com/.a/6a01...451f970b-800wi

While Apple will sexy up the design of the stand for sure, the mechanics described in the patent include a lower base (309), an arm (311), an attachment post (313), a base hinge (317). Apple's patent Figures 3 and 4 above includes an upper rotation sensor (319) at post hinge (317) and a lower rotation sensor (321) at base hinge (315).

New Touch Sensors on the Body of the iMac

When you want to make the switch from OS X to iOS, you'll be grabbing the iMac where the patent figures show patent points 505 left and right. These points are advanced touch sensors that will send touch detection signals to the system's processor (not shown). When the processor receives touch detection signals from the touched sensor areas 505 followed by a change in orientation, the OS transition takes place.

http://www.patentlyapple.com/.a/6a01...45bb970b-800wi

http://www.patentlyapple.com/.a/6a01...8ad9970c-800wi

http://www.patentlyapple.com/.a/6a01...4718970b-800wi

The iMac Touch system overview describes an advanced multi-touch system. An interesting tid-bit is that you'll be able to operate a peripheral device couple to the iMac Touch such as an iPhone and be able to answer a phone call, place a phone call, change settings of the iPhone and so forth.

The MacBook Tablet

Apple's patent figure 11 is obviously a representation of a MacBook that could transition into a tablet and in doing so takes on the transition process as described pertaining to the iMac Touch. Meaning, as the display of the MacBook is turned into tablet mode – OS X will instantly transition into iOS mode.

http://www.patentlyapple.com/.a/6a01...47c9970b-800wi

The patent clarifies this by stating that "the display could also be oriented for touch input. For example, the display 1130 may be rotated and laid flat against the keyboard 1134, with the backside of the display facing down against the keyboard so that the display screen is facing up, in an orientation for touch input."

Apple's patent came to light at the World Intellectual Property Organization on January 14, 2010 while most of us were getting hyped up for the arrival of the iPad. The name of the patent is "Transitioning between Modes of Input" and published in 2010 under number 006210 A1.



I think that this is simply brilliant and I'd buy one of these if they came out for this Christmas as was rumored earlier this year in Taiwan. Now it's your turn. What are your thoughts on the proposed iMac Touch and MacBook Tablet?

Notice: Patently Apple presents only a brief summary of patents with associated graphic(s) for journalistic news purposes as each such patent application is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trade Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any patent application should be read in its entirety for further details. About Comments: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit comments.

....and...

http://www.patentlyapple.com/.a/6a01...c265970c-800wi

The question is, which company will be the first one to develop an "iMac Touch killer?"

[Eratosthenes]

So it's a less portable iPad, which is essentially a less portable iPod Touch? What year can we expect the iENIAC?

[Salodin]

Why is it that you are the only one I see around here sucking apple dick so furiously.

Why the fuck would I want to move my screen closer and use it as a touch screen? My mouse and keyboard work, and have worked for fucking decades. I don't need nor want a touch screen desktop computer that can't handle half the shit my windows desktop can.

[Weeks]

IBM. 30 years ago.

[Not Kuno]

The way of the future. The way of the future. The way of the future. The way of the future. The way of the future.

Ok but seriously, enjoy your smudgy desktop.

[Izzy]

I honestly hate you. So much.

[Isiolia]

Why is it that you are the only one I see around here sucking apple dick so furiously.

Why the fuck would I want to move my screen closer and use it as a touch screen? My mouse and keyboard work, and have worked for fucking decades. I don't need nor want a touch screen desktop computer that can't handle half the shit my windows desktop can.

So the 5-6/whatever PC OEMs already selling touchscreen all-in-ones are on your shopping list? Here's one that you'd probably find -well- worth the $2000 price tag

Only thing I really see there is that Apple is trying to make the thing move so that it'd work for the touchscreen aspect more. Either way, it doesn't personally interest me, and won't unless I can wind up buying a Cintiq with a built-in computer for less than a Cintiq costs all by itself now.

However, if they have a market, they have a market, even if it's not you or me. /shrug

[Cephius]

Using my phenomenal cosmic powers, I will now pull an image from the future to show someone copying this clearly innovative and first-ever touchscreen computer.

http://news.cnet.com/i/ne/p/2007/Gates_550x367.jpg

BAM

[Cephius]

SHIT MAN THERE ARE A LOT OF THEM IN THE FUTURE

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget....hsmart-010.jpg

http://c0.adoctane.net/wp-content/up...er-580x386.jpg

http://windows7.iyogi.net/wp-content...ouchscreen.jpg

I, for one, cannot wait for 2009 to get here.

[Not Kuno]

It doesn't count if it's not a mac.

[Korietsu]

loltouchscreeninterfaceonadesktop

[Kaisha]

"How can we make ours iMacs even less functional, and charge more for them?"

[Xajii]

Wow I hate Apple fanboys.

Ok but seriously, enjoy your cum-stained desktop.

ftfy

[Mayareira]

Using my phenomenal cosmic powers, I will now pull an image from the future to show someone copying this clearly innovative and first-ever touchscreen computer.

http://news.cnet.com/i/ne/p/2007/Gates_550x367.jpg

BAM

In that image...

X360 = RROD
Kin = Kin, Microsoft's "iPhone Killer" fails 6 weeks after launch
Zune = iPod killer, copied literally the whole thing in the past.

...it shouldn't be hard to predict the future of that touchscreen.

Oh, and that Bill Gates guy. You know, one that got fined hardcore by the European Union for attempting to monopolize the market. One ruthless criminal and 3 failed products in a single image! I bet that laptop computer has Vista installed on it as well.

[Xajii]

In that image...

X360 = RROD
Kin = Kin, Microsoft's "iPhone Killer" fails 6 weeks after launch
Zune = iPod killer, copied literally the whole thing in the past.

...it shouldn't be hard to predict the future of that touchscreen.

Oh, and that Bill Gates guy. You know, one that got fined hardcore by the European Union for attempting to monopolize the market. One ruthless criminal and 3 failed products in a single image! I bet that laptop computer has Vista installed on it as well.

Your deflection tactics are astounding. Things that aren't the point: your entire post

[Isiolia]

Well, MS has some cool uses for multi-touch based computing as well.

The problem, IMO, with touchscreen machines on any platform is that it's usually not the most logical way to control what you're doing. It's like voice commands - more feasible than people think, but why not just take .2 seconds to move a mouse and click instead? Particularly given the much higher precision of pointing devices most of the time.

[Cephius]

I like your spin but the point was that your "glimpse of the future" is simply an apple rehashing of ideas that are years old already. I'm sure it'll still succeed though, because guys like you eat it up. Nothing wrong with that, it's not my money being wasted.

Also bad idea to attack the Xbox, considering Apple barely has more gaming market share than the PSP despite the iphone being a dual-use device. I'm waiting for Apple to come out with a gaming console, but I have a feeling that won't happen since gamers aren't likely to gobble up shitty games just because they're MAC GAMES!

And I love my Zune! You can't put a price on not having to deal with iTunes.

[Not Kuno]

And I love my Zune! You can't put a price on not having to deal with iTunes.

A fucking men.

Time to charge my ipod on my laptop. Yay all my songs were deleted. ^^

[desertigloo]

needs more macbook wheel

[Isiolia]

like your spin but the point was that your "glimpse of the future" is simply an apple rehashing of ideas that are years old already. I'm sure it'll still succeed though, because guys like you eat it up. Nothing wrong with that, it's not my money being wasted.

Well, to be fair, Apple has forced people to step up their game a number of times now. The resulting products may not be perfect, or appeal to absolutely everyone...but whether you look at ditching the floppy drive and forcing USB on the first iMac, or the iPod, or the iPhone, or even to an extent the success the iPad has had...when Apple does something, they often succeed in selling it better than others.

So, if they put out a multi-touch machine, despite that we've had PCs like that for a while, the likely result will be a wave of multi-touch machines n' monitors coming down the pipe 6-9 months later. You know, like the batch of Android/etc tablets we're expecting this fall, in response to the iPad.

You don't need to embrace their products to recognize a trend.

Also bad idea to attack the Xbox, considering Apple barely has more gaming market share than the PSP despite the iphone being a dual-use device. I'm waiting for Apple to come out with a gaming console, but I have a feeling that won't happen since gamers aren't likely to gobble up shitty games just because they're MAC GAMES!

Arguably, iOS is a console. Just one where the focus isn't on games. The business model is far more similar to that than it is an actual PC (or Mac even). Apple is probably doing rather well for App Store sales versus Playstation Store sales, regardless of the installed base. PSPgo fell flat, whereas iOS has never had physical apps to be backwards compatible with.