Apple has won patents for a Glass MacBook & an integrated 'Shaker Module' for a range of devices to generate Low-Frequency Audio Output
Today the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially granted Apple a couple of patents that relate to both a shaker module for devices like an iPhone, iPad or wearable device that could generate low-frequency audio output and a glass housing for a possible future MacBook that provides users with a virtual keyboard and trackpad.
Shaker For Electronic Devices
Apple notes in this granted patent that in compact electronic devices such as wearable electronic devices such as AirPods and Apple Watch and portable electronic devices like the iPhone or iPad, it can be difficult to provide speakers and/or haptic components that can generate or simulate low frequency sounds and/or vibrations, due to the small volume available for the component.
In accordance with various aspects of this granted patent, a shaker module for an electronic device is provided. The shaker module can be mounted within a constrained z-height within the electronic device that is designated for the module. The shaker module can be attached to a wall or other structure of the electronic device, such as to an interior surface of a housing of the electronic device.
The shaker module can be operated to generate and/or mimic low-frequency audio output by the device, and/or to provide a haptic output for the device.
For full details, review Apple's Granted Patent 12107472.
Housing as an I/0 Device
Apple has been working on a project involving a MacBook-like device (01, 02, 03 and more) and iMac made with glass embodiments that began in 2011 right up to 2024.
Generally, Apple's granted patent takes the form of an electronic device housing providing I/O functionality. That is, the user interface forms part of the housing and the housing receives input and/or provides output for the device. Hence, the housing is part of the I/O system and certain inputs and/or outputs are not separate mechanisms from the housing. In particular, one or more surfaces of a housing are configured to accept user input and/or provide output when the device and/or the surface(s) is actuated.
When not actuated, however, the surface(s) appears and functions like other surfaces of the housing that are not configured to provide I/O functionality. Specifically, the housing is configured to enclose and protect internal components as well as form the ornamental appearance of the device.
It should be clear that the housing is the I/O and not a mechanism built through an opening in the housing. Hence, the sensors are obscured by the housing and visually imperceptible on outer surfaces of the housing. The surfaces of the housing receive and provide I/O. The I/O are no longer separate mechanisms situated in the housing.
On Sunday Patently Apple covered an Apple patent about finger devices specifically to be used with glass-top keyboards to soften the pressure on user's fingers on a solid glass surface. As Apple fans know, Apple thinks holistically from glass-top keyboards to finger devices supporting this project.
To review the full details of this invention including 20 new patent claims, check out patent application 12105557.