Apple patents are always interesting and in some cases particularly exciting – as is the latest one. Future Magic Keyboards could, for example, have adaptive displays on each individual key.
How about a Magic Keyboard that could, for example, change the language as desired? As described by Patently Apple reported, Apple has received approval for a patent describing a reconfigurable keyboard. It could be used in MacBooks as well as desktop models. According to the patent, the keyboard could dynamically change its layout to support multiple languages or to provide more precise layouts for certain use cases such as gaming.
Patent: Each individual key has an OLED display
It may be desirable to dynamically reconfigure keyboards to allow input for different languages, temporarily convert a standard keyboard into a gaming keyboard where the keys correspond to specific in-game actions, or otherwise change the behavior associated with pressing keys on the keyboard.
In order to achieve this, Apple is considering a technology whereby each individual key has an OLED display.
The dynamic labels can be generated using dynamically reconfigurable label display components, such as organic light-emitting diode displays with pixel arrays, electrophoretic displays with pixel arrays, or other pixel arrays (as examples). Configurations can also be used in which dynamic labels are displayed using configurable lower resolution output devices. The company gives an example where a user theoretically uses a MacBook, which could switch its keyboard from English to Greek to meet the user's needs.
MacBook keyboard with dynamic behavior
For example, the user might desire to switch the keyboard between a first format (e.g., an English-language format) and a second format (e.g., a Greek-language format). In response to user input to switch the keyboard, control circuitry in an electronic device may change the key labels displayed by the key indicators from English letters to Greek letters, thereby switching the keyboard from the first format to the second format.
Currently, Apple ships its keyboards and MacBooks tailored to the language each user needs. This has naturally led to a situation where every MacBook ships with a "fixed language" keyboard. By switching to a keyboard that behaves dynamically, the company could design a keyboard that works for everyone. It would certainly simplify the component and it would not be surprising if there were environmental benefits as well. But as always, it may end up being just an idea. (Photo by spphotolab / Bigstockphoto)
