Apple has just filed the patent. It suggests a possible evolution of MacBook laptop keyboards towards virtual keys with flexible, pressure-sensitive surfaces.
In recent years, Apple has had issues with MacBook Pro , particularly those with the butterfly mechanism. These keyboards are often vulnerable to dust and debris, which can cause keys to malfunction. The problem was only partially addressed in 2018. However, the keyboard design remains susceptible to dirt.
Apple is considering more radical solutions to this problem, as evidenced by a patent granted to it yesterday by the US Patent Office. This patent, titled "Configurable Pressure-Sensitive Input Structure for Electronic Devices," describes a keyboard with a trackpad consisting of a flexible, pressure-sensitive surface and an underlying display capable of representing virtual keys.
A keyboard that's more than just tactile
Upon reading the patent, it appears to be different from iPad touchscreen keyboards. It wouldn't be a simple touchscreen but a more complex input system that reacts to pressure (i.e., to the force applied, not just a light touch). It would therefore be able to flex under the user's fingers. This would then be combined with a feedback system, allowing the user to perceptually register their keystrokes and thus receive a convincing response to pressure.
The device would then offer all the versatility of a typical virtual keyboard application, with a layout and controls that could change depending on the needs or operating context. Such a setup would not necessarily require the removal of physical keyboards.
This is an interesting approach that attempts to overcome the limitations of mechanical keyboards (key breakage, etc.) and virtual ones (suboptimal usability). However, it's important to remember that this is only a patent and not necessarily destined to become a reality in the short term.
