Recently, Microsoft recently has filed a patent for an inconspicuous pointing device having an optional optical sensor under it, which can be employed for identification as well as navigation purposes. As of now, it is not certain that the patent application (20160103505 Kind Code: A1) will be approved, or, even if approved, Microsoft will use the new technology (trackpoint) in any of its future devices; this interesting concept gives an idea as to how the Redmond-based tech behemoth is currently envisaging the evolution of its hardware in future.
The patent application describes a pointing device having a sensor with an input surface to detect the tactile interaction as well as a depressed part of a user. The device my comprise a body that enables controlled displacement through the tactile interaction of the user, a tactile surface attached to a first side of the body that is arranged to receive the user's tactile interaction, and a bottom area attached to a second side of the body that is opposite the first side, Free Patent Online reported.
Many may be wondering as to why Microsoft has filed for the new patent. Well the answer is not difficult to find. Initially, the biometric identification was marketed as a means to protect phones as well as other mobile devices, but its expediency can also be effective in a number of other situations. While it is possible to secure Windows PCs using a four-digit PIN, employing facial recognition or even a fingerprint sensor is perhaps equally fast, and much more secure. In fact, Windows Hello, Microsoft's patented biometric technology, is an important feature of Windows 10, in addition to being a tool that the company expects users will adopt instead of passwords for different websites.
The patent filed by Microsoft is considered to be broad enough that apparently covers everything from a more conventional trackpoint, or "nipple mouse," similar to those present on Lenovo's ThinkPad notebooks, to something having a somewhat larger surface area. In fact, Microsoft has never incorporated a physical trackpoint in its Surface devices, which actually employs a camera to recognize the user, the PC World reported.
The new patent application filed by Microsoft envisages a touch-sensitive surface, which will perhaps be made from any semi-transparent material, thereby enabling a sensor underneath the surface of the trackpoint to read a fingerprint. Apparently the trackpoint might tilt if needed, but the patent filing also implies that the trackpoint could sense the user's finger optically as it "swipes" in any direction.
From the aesthetic point of view, embedding a trackpoint inside the Surface's clean key layout may be a hazardous proposition. However, one needs to recall that Microsoft was almost about to release the purported Surface Mini, a smaller edition of its Surface Pro tablet line. In fact, with the size of devices shrinking, there is lesser room for a conventional trackpad.
