Apple patented a mouse with motion sensors

Sometimes Apple patents reveal the veil of secrecy over the future of the company and products can now precisely such a case. Judging by the latest patent application, it plans a new arm to work with OS X, along namely, computer mouse with a number of unusual features.

The US Patent and Trademark Office (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office), as usual, "scorched» Apple, to publish information about another application for a patent. This time, the manufacturer proposed the idea of ​​a mouse, which has not only touch the surface, like a Magic MouseBut also a number of sensors for implementing off-normal gestures such as tilts, tapa, sliding, lifting from a working surface and so on. Moreover, different speed, strength and a combination of these gestures can be responsible for different teams.

To implement such functionality in the hypothetical arm new generation must embed gyro, optical sensors, accelerometer and other sensors. Analyzing the speed and type of the gesture, the computer will recognize it and perform the required action. A combination of gestures should differ in functionality from the same gesture performed separately (for some reason reminded of Mortal Kombat: Forward → Forward → down → → forward kick to the skull and - kaboom! - Fatality)!.

Moreover, the system is declared as programmed. That is, the user will be able to create their own combination of hand gestures, convenient to him, and to program the system on their recognition and proper execution of commands. Moreover, each gesture can consist of several steps (as is the case with the need to lift the crane above the table to select a certain command). Right move at a certain speed and lifting height will provide the correct reading of the team.

The application for this patent was filed by Apple in the spring. It is quite possible that the functionality described in the next generation of mice. In addition, they say that even the iPhone and iPod have the potential to be used as handles, because they are built all the necessary sensors. Incidentally, among the third-party software for iOS, there are such programs, by which iGadzhetov turns into an input device. For example, Mobile Mouse from R.P.A.Tech or Air Mouse Pro.

[via Apple Insider]