新专利表明未来 MacBook 触控板将消失 功能整合到键盘上

The new patent indicates that in the future, the MacBook touch panel will integrate the function of disappearing into the keyboard
PingWest 品玩 3 月 11 日讯，据 cnBeta 报道，苹果最新获批的技术专利显示，未来触控板和键盘有望整合在一起，从而减少空间占用。这项专利名为「触控敏感的机械键盘」，每个键帽的顶部都能识别手指运动，充当触控板的功能来移动光标。

苹果专利文件中首先历数目前通行的键盘的种种弊端。文件中称：「人们一直在尝试寻找键盘的替代品，包括非 QWERTY 布局、凹凸表面、电容按键、分割设计、薄膜按键等等。然而，要为用户所接受，键盘的替代品必须在可用性或人体工学方面存在显著改善。而目前为止的各类尝试都无法取代传统机械键盘的地位。」

依照专利的描述，用户通过将手指在键盘表面滑动来控制光标的移动，就如同触控板一样。这些具备触控功能的按键会提供与触控板完全一致的功能，让用户实现指点操作、选择菜单项以及在屏幕上完成缩放与滚动操作，所有这一切均无需离开键盘。

每个键位将拥有 2 个级别的行程，通过不同的击键力度，用户可以实现不同的操作。例如，轻点按键，使之完成第一档行程，系统会将此识别为字符输入，而用更大力度点击则会被视作「一次鼠标点击」操作。

此外，用户还可以同时完成点击和轻扫操作。这样，当左手在点击键盘左侧键位时，右手可以通过轻扫右侧键位移动光标。
Pingwest pinplay March 11, according to cnBeta, Apple’s latest approved technology patent shows that in the future, touch boards and keyboards are expected to be integrated to reduce space occupation. The patent is called “touch sensitive mechanical keyboard”. The top of each key cap can recognize finger movement and act as the function of touch panel to move cursor.
Apple’s patent documents first enumerate the disadvantages of the current popular keyboard. “People have been trying to find alternatives to keyboards, including non QWERTY layouts, bump surfaces, capacitive keys, split designs, membrane keys and so on,” the document said. However, to be accepted by users, keyboard alternatives must have significant improvements in usability or ergonomics. So far, all kinds of attempts can not replace the status of the traditional mechanical keyboard. “
According to the patent, the user can control the cursor movement by sliding his finger on the keyboard surface, just like a touchpad. These keys with touch function will provide exactly the same function as the touch panel, allowing users to perform pointing operation, select menu items, and complete zooming and scrolling operations on the screen, all without leaving the keyboard.
Each key position will have 2 levels of travel, through different keystroke strength, users can achieve different operations. For example, if you tap the key to finish the first stroke, the system will recognize this as character input, and if you click with more force, it will be regarded as a “one click” operation.
In addition, users can click and swipe at the same time. In this way, when the left hand is clicking the left key position of the keyboard, the right hand can move the cursor by swiping the right key position.