Popular Mechanics has announced its 2007 tech Breakthrough Awards crediting the Top Innovators, Inventors, Products, Tech Gadgets that are set to change one’s view point of technology. These Include.. Jefferson Y. Han: The Hands-on Computer:If a screen is large enough, four or five people can work at it together, rearranging blueprints, say, or editing photos—but not with a mouse. The answer, which Han demonstrates on his 3 x 8-ft. Media Wall, is multitouch input. Microsoft Surface:This tabletop computer uses “multitouch” technology to let several users, employing their fingers, manipulate images and other data right on the screen—no keyboard or mouse needed. Apple Iphone:Of course, you’ve heard about this phone. But have you used it? The best way to understand why Apple’s iPhone has sent shockwaves
Multi-Touch Tech Archive
Apple patent application outlines method of providing tactile feedback with a touchscreen With the release of the iPhone, Apple brought multi-touch technology to the forefront. In March of 2006 Apple filed a patent application for a “Force Imaging Input Device and System” that appears to be meant to give tactile feel to touchscreen. The patent application was published this week and outlines a touch pad that includes two sets of conductive traces separated by a spring membrane. Apple says when force is applied the spring membrane deforms, moving the two sets of traces closer together. The patent application abstract goes on to say that the resulting change in mutual capacitance is used to generate and image indicative of the amount or intensity of force applies.