Apple has a new patent for using inline proximity sensors to detect hover gestures above a multi-touch display, even without touching.
This patent could mean that somewhere down the line, future iPhones will allow users to push buttons without actually touching the smartphone's display - just hovering.
The iPhone 6s already revolutionized the input touch technology for smartphone displays by adding additional functionality based on pressure levels, but this new patent would take things to a whole new level.
Published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Tuesday, Feb. 2, Apple's new patent No. 9.250.734 details ways in which photodiodes or other hardware for sensing proximity can work with regular multi-touch displays to allow for non-touch user interaction beyond the display.
The technology involves an LCD display with a number of proximity sensors riding on it, ready to sense close-by input without the need of touch. Hover gesture detection for traditional touch inputs could significantly change the way users interact with their devices, allowing for a more intimate and intuitive experience. This new user input solution could also be used in MacBooks or other devices, not just iPhones.
The patent also hints at the use of photodiodes and infrared LEDs. Simply put, the LED generates light that bounces off the user's finger, the photodiode captures it and the device can detect hover gestures and operate based on the received light. The system should be able to detect a palm, a finger or some other object hovering closely above the display surface.
The system would translate all such detected hover gestures to a GUI, which would in turn allow users to push buttons in thin air, triggering and toggling functions without touch.
Apple details several options for this technology in its patent, discussing various aspects such as GUI responses, optimal component types, the placement of the proximity sensor and others.
The technology is a work in progress, but it sounds exciting nonetheless. We're not expecting any Apple devices with hover-sensing technology anytime soon, however.
At the end of the day, Apple is about innovation and innovation takes time. The company is also rumored to have a secret VR team building an in-house virtual reality headset as a side project, beyond working on new iPhone and iPad features for upcoming iterations.
