Apple Patent Reveals Multiple Action Button Design for iPhones, iPads and Macs

Highlights

• Apple has patented a design that adds multiple user-configurable Action Buttons to iPhones.
• The patent indicates that the same tech will be used in other Apple devices, including iPads and Macs.

Apple is working on developing some innovative tech that can change how we know Apple products as of today. We recently reported about Apple’s patent for blood pressure monitoring tech for the Apple Watch featuring liquid-filled sensing chambers for accurate readings. Now it appears that is not the only patent Apple has filed recently.

As per the recent reports, Patently Apple has spotted another Apple patent and this one is for the iPhones. The patent document reveals that Apple is working on adding multiple Action Buttons on iPhones as all three left-side buttons on the iPhone will become user-configurable.

The patent also hints that Apple will be using the same feature in other Apple products as well, including both iPads and Macs.

Here’s what the recent Apple patent papers reveal.

New Apple iPhone Patent Details

9to5Mac reveals the patent document uses complicated language, which is unhelpful in explaining the tech details.

Explaining the tech, the patent’s abstract section mentions, “An electronic device detects a first input on a first input region separate from a display of the electronic device, including detecting a first portion of the first input followed by a second portion of the first input. In response to detecting the first input on the first input region: in accordance with a determination that the first portion of the first input satisfies a first set of one or more criteria, the electronic device displays, a first preview that corresponds to the first operation of the first application.”

“In accordance with a determination that the second portion of the first input meets a second set of criteria, the electronic device performs the first operation of the first application. In accordance with a determination that the second portion of the first input meets the second set of criteria, the electronic device performs the second operation of the second application,” it further adds.

While this may or may not be helpful in understanding what exactly Apple is working on, the patent document also includes some illustrations to give us a clearer picture.

For example, the below illustration shows the Action button and two volume buttons on the left with an on-screen 3D image of the phone. The interface will let users choose the buttons and assign a function.

In another illustration (given below), we can see the volume-down button can be used to call a favourite contact.

It will also use haptic motors to share tactile feedback as the buttons are used.

All the illustrations in the patent show the new tech on iPhones. However, the document does mention that the company will use the same tech for iPads and Macs.

It reads, “In some embodiments, the device is a portable communications device, such as a mobile telephone, that also contains other functions, such as PDA and/or music player functions. Example embodiments of portable multifunction devices include, without limitation, the iPhone […] and iPad devices from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, California. Other portable electronic devices, such as laptops or tablet computers with touch-sensitive surfaces (e.g., touch-screen displays and/or touchpads), are, optionally, used.”

FAQs

Q1. What is the new feature mentioned in Apple’s patent for iPhones?

Answer. The patent document reveals that Apple is working on adding multiple Action Buttons on iPhones as all three left-side buttons on the iPhone will become user-configurable.

Q2. Will the new Action Button feature be available only on iPhones?

Answer. No, the patent hints that Apple will be using the same feature in other Apple products as well, including both iPads and Macs.

Q3. What are some functionalities of the new Action Buttons on iPhones?

Answer. The patent reveals that the buttons can be assigned different functions, such as using the volume-down button to call a favourite contact, and will use haptic motors to share tactile feedback as the buttons are used.

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