Apple files patent for side-by-side glass haptic trackpad for future MacBooks

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

As spotted by Patently Apple, Apple has filed a patent for a haptic force input/output interface for future MacBook devices. This patent suggests a design change for future devices that will reduce the thickness of MacBooks. Currently, there is a designated cutout area for a traditional trackpad. The force input/haptic output interface for trackpads will remove this location.

As seen in the patent, the design will feature a side-by-side, full-coverage touchpad area without borders. The patent adds that the opaque or transparent area of ​​the trackpad will be covered with any transparent protective material like glass, sapphire, plastic, etc.

A figure in the patent shows localized flex regions on the haptic force input/output trackpad interface, which will also include a haptic actuator that will aid in the thinning of the device.

Apple also recently obtained the patent for a multi-layer flip phone for future iPhone and iPad models. The patent covers a layered structure for curved, flexible and foldable displays. A cover layer is supposed to protect the flexible screen. This layer is composed of a transparent support material and a hardcoat layer.