Key Innovations in Solid State Button
1. Gesture and Air-Based Input Detection
What could be Apple doing?
Detecting input from objects in the air around the device, going beyond traditional touch-based interactions.
What does this mean? Introducing air-based input detection could allow these buttons to be activated or controlled without direct contact, providing a new dimension of interaction.
Related patents: US12026317B2
2. Efficient Interaction with User Interfaces
What could be Apple doing?
Optimizing the way users interact with device interfaces, including virtual assistants and media capture, to improve efficiency and reduce cognitive load.
What does this mean?
Optimizing how these buttons interact with user interfaces—like accessing notifications or controlling virtual assistants—can streamline the user experience, making these buttons more intuitive and versatile.
Related patents: US12050770B2, EP4407426A2, EP4394763A1
3. Enhanced Touch Accuracy and Interaction
What could be Apple doing?
Apple could be enhancing touchscreen accuracy that give haptic feedback or adjust based on how hard they are pressed.
What does this mean?
Enhancing touch accuracy through methods like finger orientation ensures that inputs are correctly interpreted, which is crucial for solid-state buttons that lack the physical movement of traditional buttons.
Related patents: EP3796141B1, CN112578983B, CN113031830B
Quick Insight
Apple has been granted two new patents, the first in its patent family: US12026317B2 (for detecting input from objects in the air around the device) and CN112578983B (for using finger orientation to improve accuracy and user experience).
What else did Apple published in July related to Solid State Buttons?
Issued Patents
7 out of 11 published applications got granted this month.
Where could these innovations be used?
| Industry | Possible Area of Applications |
|---|---|
| Consumer Electronics | Smartphones, Tablets, Wearables, Laptops, Desktops |
| Automotive | In-Car Infotainment Systems, Dashboard Controls |
| Gaming | Gaming Consoles, Controllers, VR/AR Devices |
| Wearable Technology | Flexible and Foldable Devices, Health Monitoring Devices |
| Healthcare | Medical Devices, Accessibility Tools |
| Home Automation | Smart Home Devices, Voice Assistants, Control Panels |
