Apple files patent for full-sided glass haptic trackpad for future MacBooks

Apple has filed a patent application with the US Patent and Trademark Office for a future prototype MacBook with an all-glass trackpad. The patent covers a side-to-side trackpad with a force input/tactile output interface in the trackpad area made of various opaque or transparent materials such as metal, glass, organic or synthetic materials, etc. The user interface area of ​​the trackpad can be a protective cover of clear glass, sapphire, or plastic that rests over the active display area of ​​the device.

Like noticed by patent Apple, Apple has filed for a patent for a force input/haptic output interface for future MacBook devices. This patent suggests a design change for future devices that will reduce the thickness of the MacBook. There is currently a designated clipping area for a traditional trackpad. The force input/haptic output trackpad interface will remove this slot.

As seen in the patent, the design will feature a trackpad that is fully covered from side to side with no borders. The patent adds that the opaque or transparent area of ​​the trackpad will be covered with any protective transparent materials such as glass, sapphire, plastic, etc.

A figure present in the patent shows localized flexible regions on the trackpad interface for force input/tactile output, which will also include a haptic actuator that will help reduce the thickness of the device.

Apple also recently secured the patent for a multi-layered flip phone for future iPhone and iPad models. The patent covers a layer structure for curved, flexible and foldable displays. A cover layer should protect the flexible display. This layer consists of a transparent support material and a hard coating layer.