iPhone 6 Rumors: Device to Feature More Complex Touch Screen

By Vincent Funaro, Christian Post Reporter Thursday, January 30, 2014

Apple filed a patent this week for new touch screen technology that could end up being used for the iPhone 6.

The patent is titled "Gesture and touch input detection through force sensing," and it illustrates a system that uses a traditional touchscreen paired with multiple force sensors in order to better log unique gestures and more complex input.

It starts off by discussing the problems found in current touchscreens such as swipes made from a screen's edge that are not recognized properly or ones that result in unintended action. Apple will use three or more force sensors with the touchscreen to determine specific central pressure points and direct the screen to the proper action.

The force sensors have the ability to determine if one or more touches made to the device are accidental. An illustration found with the patent shows a user with his thumb planted on the right side and his index finger on the left. This current input combo cannot be performed at this time on iOS devices. However, the addition of a combination such as this can bring new functionality to the iPhone and iPad.

A secondary mode of input will also be available to users as the force sensors can be positioned outside of an active touch region. This could allow users to interact with user interface elements that are beyond the immediate area of a touchscreen.

This technology could show up on the iPhone 6 and next-gen iPad when they are released later this year. However, none of this has been confirmed by Apple at this time.

The iPhone 6 is expected to sport a bigger screen and a more powerful processor. It is rumored to hit stores sometime in the fall of this year.