Apple Gets Granted a Patent Which Could Add Controls on the Back of the iPad

[RaduTyrsina]

We know that iPad sales aren't as great as they used to be, but if there's a grain of truth in a recent patent granted to Apple, then we might witness some nice surprises in the future. PatentlyApple was the first to discover the patent and here are some more details:

Apple has been granted a patent today for their invention relating to computer input devices and, more particularly, to configurable input devices. In Apple's patent Figures that are shown at the bottom of the graphic below we're able to see an illustrated iPad. The images represent the position of the user's fingers on the iPad's backside corresponding with certain virtual inputs. More specifically, the surface may be utilized as an input device for gaming.

In Apple's patent FIG. below we're able to see the back side of a future iPad which illustrates sensors #177 that may be positioned in regions #178 under a surface of the perimeter of the backside #176 to facilitate input by a user. It should be appreciated that the sensors may be positioned in a linear manner as shown, in a grid pattern, or any other suitable pattern and/or density to achieve a desired input granularity and/or functionality. It should be appreciated that the sensors for determining position and proximity of a user's hands may include ultrasonic, pressure, capacitive sensors, and/or the like. In some embodiments, one or more cameras may be implemented for positionally and/or proximity information.

If this concept turns out to be true, it could help enable more complex gaming on Apple's iPads and perhaps offer a boost for lagging tablet sale. We use the iPad's front touchscreen for thousands of different tasks, but its back is pretty much useless in terms of interactivity.

Apple could make the back of its iPad tablet much more functional with sensors and controls across its surface. This patent could be used in making the iPad a more complex gaming device, since right now mobile games only involve tapping and swiping. Of course, by using physical controllers, this can change, but a set of new controls on the back of a tablet could indeed transform the iPad into a great gaming device.

The mentioned sensors could be ultrasonic, pressure or capacitive sensors, and the sensed position of a user's hands could either be shown on the front display or not. This definitely looks like a great invention, but judging by Apple's moves, it won't be deployed anytime soon.

Source: PatentlyApple

 

[The OB]

Interesting news of a possible iPad innovation....unless you happen to be a manufacturer of iPad covers. But then, they've had to adapt in the past too.
Andrew