Feb 10, 2012 - 05:30 PM EST — AAPL: 493.42 (+0.25, +0.05%) | NASDAQ: 2903.88 (-23.35, -0.8%)

Apple patent application describes incredible shape-shifting device interface

Thursday, June 24, 2010 · 2:40 pm · 21 Comments

“It could create a physical tactile keypad on a future iPhone or iPod Classic interface and technically provide the iPad with a physical-like keyboard,” Purcher reports. “This incredible concept is packed with wild concepts that could transform a device automatically by simply being in a room with a notable temperature change. The concept could alter an iPod Classic to be a TV remote with various buttons in a configurable interface that will blow your mind.”

Purcher reports, “This is definitely a candidate for patent of the year and if Apple ever gets this out to market, it’s ball game over for the iPhone and iPod wannabe’s of this world.”

Much more in the full article, including patent application illustrations, here.

Categories: All Sites, News

Thank You for supporting MacDailyNews!

Apple Store Online:
• Order iPhone 4s. From $199. Fast, free shipping only at the Apple Online Store.
• New Apple MacBook Pro. Now faster than ever. Starting at $1199, plus free shipping.
• MacBook Air. Available in two utlracompact sizes. Starting at just $999. Fast, free shipping from the Apple Online Store.
• The new iMac. With next-generation quad core processor and advanced graphics. From $1199. Fast, free shipping at the Apple Online Store.
• The new Mac mini. Now up to 2x faster. From $599. Fast, free shipping. Buy now at the Apple Online Store.

Comment Feed

21 Comments

Boom

Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 2:56 pm · Reply

What was that – oh, that is the sound of a paradigm shift. Apple will own this patent. Hahahahahaha. Even if they don’t develop something – it was their idea, and they can patent troll. Love it!
Spark

Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 2:58 pm · Reply

Sounds good, but I will believe it when I see it. This one sounds like it’s a good 5 years down the road.
marcus aurelius

Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 3:00 pm · Reply

wow. can you say paradigm shift? very interesting concept.
Right said fred

Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 3:02 pm · Reply

The porn industry is going to love this
Maconymous

Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 3:14 pm · Reply

This is aiming at the heart of Nintendo DS and Sony PSP, since the soul has already been overtaken by iOS 4. Physical disappearing controls.
Jake

Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 3:20 pm · Reply

While this could be a little down the road, it could be a great iPod classic application if they could pull it off. It’s a wild one that’s for sure.
Rikki

Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 3:25 pm · Reply

I think the secret here lies in that design that has the iPhone with a keyboard tray attached. I think the key is that tray that will be able to morph into a keyboard if you want, or a game pad if you want and so forth. They don’t show you the iPhone with the tray open. That’s where this could fit and not too far into the future. Maybe 2 – 3 years tops. Sweet.
Blake

Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 3:27 pm · Reply

Good idea Rikki. That actually works for me.
acid

Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 3:58 pm · Reply

Face Time gives the deaf a new, easy way to communicate. The tactile pad will allow the blind to use an iPhone/iPad. Another huge segment of the human population will instantly become Apple fans/customers.

Of course if you’re not reading scrolling brail by it, or having the phone *speak* to you, you can always use it as a foot massager.
TowerTone

Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 4:09 pm · Reply

But I’ve already got a toy that changes shape when I touch it..
Marcus

Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 4:16 pm · Reply

One of the keys to this is Apple’s ability to master the implementation of nitonol, a shapeshifting smart metal that the navy invented by accident. If they’ve found a way to master this commercially, then they’ll have a real breakthrough product on thier hands and one that even scientists will applaud.
ken1w

Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 4:24 pm · Reply

You can apply for patent on any idea. How about a holographic 3D display? Apple is smart to patent these specific concepts, and wait until actual implementable technology catches up.
bizlaw

Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 4:33 pm · Reply

I don’t think paradigm shift is a sufficiently accurate term to describe how radical this would be.

Can you imagine Microsoft trying to copy this? Their Big Ass Table would just do something like flip over the table top and glow a different color or something. Oh, sorry, it would “Snap” over when you touched the side of the table. Now that’s innovation!
El Guapo

Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 5:03 pm · Reply

So, an iPhone with goosebumps?
Cherry

Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 5:06 pm · Reply

Microsoft can’t even get IE 8 working right. How far they have fallen. They’re beyond a Joke. kinnect will be a flop. Don’t get me going on microsoft there bizlaw
breeze

Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 5:40 pm · Reply

TowerTone on a roll today
Sir Gill Bates

Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 6:03 pm · Reply

“But I’ve already got a toy that changes shape when I touch it..”

Shrinkage?
ron

Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 6:51 pm · Reply

Hogwarts I say.
bluboot

Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 9:11 pm · Reply

@Marcus. You should read the comment by rikki at patently apple. Apple’s patent figure 9 would be the place to apply the nitinol. This is where it makes sense and plausable.
Cubert

Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 10:17 pm · Reply

@Sir Gil Bates and TowerTone,
And TT’s toy is temperature sensitive, too.
Sir Gill Bates

Friday, June 25, 2010 - 5:29 pm · Reply

@ Cubert,

It’s been said that it’s Fahrenheit.