Apple iPhone new patent granted: volume keys and other solid-state buttons

CTOnews.com, June 23-Apple has obtained a patent for the tactile output of the iPhone, according to a list released today by the U.S. Trademark and Patent Office (USPTO). According to a scheme shown in the patent draft, both the iPhone power button and the volume button are switched to solid-state buttons.

CTOnews.com cited the patent description that the touch input component can be configured to measure the power of the user's input; the control circuit can control the strength of the tactile output based on the input force, as well as a variety of related functions.

The control circuit may collect information about the external electronic device and may control the input and output device based on the information about the external electronic device.

Apple further pointed out that these non-mechanical buttons can use solid-state semiconductor materials such as capacitive touch sensor electrodes and do not rely on electrical switches, so they can be operated without moving button components.