The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has recently issued Apple U.S. Patent No. 12,353,649, signifying the company’s innovative strategy regarding the future of the Apple Pencil. This patent uncovers Apple’s investigation into a stylus that incorporates sophisticated optical sensors, which are capable of detecting motion, orientation, and position in three-dimensional space without needing to touch a screen. Such a development would allow users to draw on nearly any surface or even in mid-air within a confined range.
The patent details two varieties of optical sensors that might be incorporated into the stylus: optical flow sensors and laser speckle flow sensors. Optical flow sensors operate similarly to optical mice, identifying motion by examining variations in light from one frame to the next. Conversely, laser speckle flow sensors monitor changes in granular laser reflections as the stylus is moved. Both systems can sense movement while hovering above a surface, enabling the stylus to work on non-touch-sensitive materials like wood or paper.
Moreover, the patent mentions a variant of the Apple Pencil that includes a trackball tip which rolls as the stylus is navigated. Rather than utilizing conventional mechanical encoders, Apple suggests employing internal optical sensors to track the trackball’s movement. This design is intended to boost the stylus’s performance while reducing the chances of scratches and contamination on the tip.
The patent additionally proposes the inclusion of various other sensors, such as inertial measurement units and force detectors, which could facilitate advanced features like gesture input, handwriting recognition, and 3D drawing. This technology might prove especially advantageous for devices like the Vision Pro or upcoming headsets, where input tools need to operate beyond a flat touchscreen.
In summary, this patent showcases Apple’s dedication to advancing in the spatial computing realm, indicating that the company is actively investigating new opportunities for stylus technology and user engagement.
