Apple patent involves a mouse with enhanced user feedback
Apple is working on a mouse with enhanced user feedback as evidenced by a newly granted patent for a “Variable Friction and Multi-Texture Mouse.”
About the patent
In the patent Apple says that recent advances in computing have enabled immersive user experiences including desktop gaming on personal computers, alternate and virtual reality interactive consoles, three-dimensional computer-aided design software, high-resolution display screens, and so forth. However, the company notes that the user feedback provided by these computing systems and software is often limited to audio and visual feedback.
Even portions of computing devices and systems that user’s physically interact with, such as game controllers, keyboards, mice, and other physical input devices, are limited to elementary tactile user feedback, for example from haptic engine vibrations. Desktop and laptop computers, commonly used at home and office settings, utilize input devices such as pens, styluses, and mice to enable user input.
And Apple says a typical computer mouse or stylus is likewise limited in user feedback capabilities. Apple’s patent is for input devices and systems capable of producing enhanced user feedback for more immersive user computing experiences.
Summary of the patent
Here’s Apple’s abstract of the patent: “An input device can include a housing defining an internal volume and a lower portion, the lower portion defining an aperture, an input sensor disposed in the internal volume, and a haptic assembly disposed in the internal volume. The haptic assembly can include an actuator and a foot coupled to the actuator and aligned with the aperture. The actuator can be configured to selectively extend the foot through the aperture to vary a sliding resistance of the input device on a support surface.”
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