A newly granted patent shows an Apple Pencil apparently being used with a Mac. Of course, this requires a touchscreen Mac, which Apple has denied will ever happen, but we’ll see….
About the patent
The patent relates generally to input device systems. More particularly, the present embodiments relate to input devices incorporating a stylus that is removably mounted to a keyboard or similar input device.
In the patent Apple says a stylus is often used to provide input by contacting a digitizer or touch-sensitive panel of an electronic device. Some styluses can be touch- and force-sensitive to provide writing or drawing input to the electronic device.
It’s the graphics accompanying the article that’s especially interesting. They seem to show an Apple Pencil mounted on a Mac keyboard. Of course, the graphics could involve a new external keyboard for an iPad.
Still, there are rumors that Apple is at least considering a touchscreen Mac. If so, it would only make sense for such advice to have Apple Pencil support.
Summary of the patent
Here’s Apple’s abstract of the patent: “Computing systems and input devices can include a chassis with a computing device and an input tool with a sensor, such as a pen- or rod-like input tool, that can be positioned relative to the chassis in multiple configurations. In one configuration, the tool can be spaced away from the chassis and its sensor output can cause a first output signal in response to input provided to the sensor.
“In another configuration, the tool can be contacting the chassis and its sensor output can cause a second output signal in response to input provided to the sensor. For example, an input tool can be stowed in a recess of a keyboard housing or device chassis, and the input tool can produce a first output when it is in the recess and a second input when it has been removed from the chassis.”
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