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[TCR] Apple patents flat keyless keyboard

10K views 149 replies 118 participants last post by  da tick 07 
#1 ·
Apple patents flat keyless keyboard; Goodbye, pressing things…

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Apple has patented a new flat keyless keyboard concept, which promises a future of computing in which we will never have to actually physically press a key ever again.

Apple's new idea for a virtual, flat keyboard is clearly a development of the current keyboard design on the iPod touch, iPhone and iPad. Yet what will speedy touch-typers think of the promise of a future without hard keys?

The latest patent filing from Cupertino shows the idea for a virtual, flat keyboard for Apple's Mac laptops and iMac desktop lines.

Source: http://www.techradar.com/news/comput...attr=newsapple
 
#3 ·
Oh my god, this has already been invented AND implemented, how on EARTH did they get a patent for it?! It has been around for DECADES.

Anyone heard of a touch screen keyboard? Someone else had already designed the "raised touchscreen" part too.

God Apple is such horse... poo...
 
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#7 ·
Things like this have been in development for years, ie the holographic k/b. This patent war out of Cupertino has gotten way out of hand.
 
#10 ·
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Originally Posted by Vagrant Storm
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Apple...patent...Apple...patent...why do I keep seeing these words. My gosh...I think I am starting to come down with a case of Apple hate!!! Get me a pill or something!!! Arrrrgg!!!

Because anything Apple does is under close scrutiny by arrogant PC enthusiast.
 
#11 ·
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Originally Posted by Blindrage606
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Because anything Apple does is under close scrutiny by arrogant PC enthusiast.

Or because they are suing their competition for their outlandish patents...

But whatever floats your boat.
 
#15 ·
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Originally Posted by SectorNine50
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Or because they are suing their competition for their outlandish patents...

But whatever floats your boat.

Surely you must work at a Patent office to support such claims? Or perhaps you havent seen other redic patents by microsoft/ANY other major companies to compare.
 
#16 ·
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Originally Posted by Blindrage606
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Surely you must work at a Patent office to support such claims? Or perhaps you havent seen other redic patents by microsoft/ANY other major companies to compare.

You'd think.

Unfortunately our patent office = Gov't...And anything the gov't does...Is well, you know...Broken.
 
#17 ·
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Originally Posted by Blindrage606
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Surely you must work at a Patent office to support such claims? Or perhaps you havent seen other redic patents by microsoft/ANY other major companies to compare.

Nice try Blindrage, but I'd quit now. You're not going to get through to them if they already have their minds made up.
 
#21 ·
Of course this was not a move by Steven Jobs, but the intellectual property legal department, they gotta get paid too you know...

So if the patent does in fact pass or is passed already, you know what will soon follow, head hunting, licensing fees, etc.

This is a financial strategic move by a legal department, it's not so much a protective measure to prevent copying (thought it acts as such) but a key to the tone of a get rich quick scheme...

Wasted effort I say, I'm not parting with my keyboard, this product will never see the light of day for me and many other consumers! Touchscreen or projector style keyboards are a fail and horrible imho, I don't care how cool anyone may think they are it will fail.

Apple is impressing me with their lack of win...
 
#22 ·
Without actual keys, it's more like an "iWishIKnewWhatIWasTyping".
 
#23 ·
There is nothing innovative or proprietary about natural evolution of things...If you ask me patents should only be protected and honored for a maximum of 4 years after that it should become free game to promote competition. I am seriously getting tired of watching pencil pushers make billions of dollars for doing nothing but signing papers, that is why our economies are tanking because they are creating the illusion value out of thin air then when it's time to go to the bank there is nothing there but a few words and signatures.
 
#26 ·
Quote:


Originally Posted by Blindrage606
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Surely you must work at a Patent office to support such claims? Or perhaps you havent seen other redic patents by microsoft/ANY other major companies to compare.

Patents are public documents.

I sure have, I know IBM has a patent pending to patent the method of obtaining a patent. I can't quite tell if that's IBM just seeing if they can do it, but it could be very bad for the patent system if it somehow gets approved and IBM decides to act on it.

However, I have yet to see these companies patent troll it's competitors nearly as hard as Apple is right now. The current battle with HTC brought up a patent by Apple that basically patents displaying phone numbers on a screen.

Also, they somehow managed to patent unlocking a screen by "moving an image across the screen with your finger." Interestingly enough, HTC's drag-down unlock is under fire, but the much more similar stock unlocking of the Android OS is not.

I understand that this is a fundamental problem with our patent system, but it also doesn't say much for the company going after the competitors that are gaining market share the fastest with these ridiculous "patents." Some of which they weren't even the first to implement or design.

It might make business sense, but it should be obvious that Apple doing what they are doing is going to piss people off. Looking to get HTC banned from the US? Yeah, that'll piss off more than just "arrogant PC users."
 
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