Since I first read about the new concept of Tactus keyboard by Art Lebedev, I was intrigued how similar the idea is to the one described in Apple’s Multi-Touch keyboard patents.
The basic idea is the same - a full touch surface peripheral, that can be programmed to perform various input tasks. About the only (maybe) new thing that Tactus adds to Apple’s idea is the possibility to display grainy images.
And today another Apple patent application, called “Dynamically controlled keyboard“, became public. It describes practically the same device as already in production Art Lebedev’s “Optimus Maximus” keyboard:
The basic idea is exactly the same - a dynamically programmable keyboard, where:
- each key is actually an independent display
- this display (key face) consists of an array of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs)
- uses an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) inside each key to turn on or off specific diodes, thus providing required symbols and images
Looks like a really interesting coincidences.
- A patent by Apple surfaces and then Art Lebedev’s design concept describing almost the same thing is produced.
- Art Lebedev’s “Optimus Maximus” keyboard is almost ready to ship, and here’s an Apple’s patent describing the same thing.
- This patent was first filed on June 15th, 2006, about a year after Optimus concept first appeared , but about the same time Optimus started turning into a real product.
Can Art Lebedev be working for/with Apple and testing out some far out design ideas, later to be incorporated into Apple’s products? 
Or is it just a simple case of “two great design minds are thinking the same”?
7:07 pm on January 3rd, 2008 1
Or it’s just a case of Apple stealing a good idea.
10:02 pm on January 3rd, 2008 2
How about a simple case of “Apple taking somebody else’s intellectual properties and making it their own, and then paying a bunch of high-paid lawyers to settle the mess later?”
10:11 pm on January 3rd, 2008 3
Yep. That’s really possible and maybe even true for Optimus Maximus.
However it looks the other way around with Tactus. Apple got there first with their patent.
11:06 pm on January 3rd, 2008 4
Being that the Optimus Maximus can already be purchased/pre-ordered and units are already shipping, here are the possible outcomes:
1- Apple files an injunction to prevent any Maximus units being sold or shipped.
2- Nothing legal, and then we end up with 2 similar products competing fairly in this market. Obviously, having a larger production base in China, Apple can steamroll over the Maximus for Mac owners, but will not produce any units for PCs.
3- Apple decided Art Lebedev has the right idea, and licenses or otherwise outsources the capability to manufacture their devices, driving down manufacturing costs and hopefully bringing the retail price down out of the heavens. In this scenario, knowing Apple, the Keyboards won’t work with PCs until somebody at one of the osx86 projects hacks the firmware, usually a week before release.
11:30 pm on January 3rd, 2008 5
#1 is definitely not likely. Apple haven’t got a patent, it’s just a patent application, and Art Lebedev’s Maximus Optimus keyboard concept was described about a year before Apple’s patent application was filed. A clear case of prior art.
And Lebedev has filed for the poatents of it’s own. Probably through Russian PTO.
Both #2 and #3are likely.
#4 is that Lebedev sues Apple and later settles with them.
#4 Lebedev and Apple exchange the IP rights - Apple gets Maximus, Lebedev makes Tactus
1:33 am on January 4th, 2008 6
First, patent applications are *NOT* patents! Just because they file, doesn’t mean the USPTO will grant it. Also, if a patent is granted, it may not be for what was originally applied for — the patent office may limit the claims based on prior art.
Second, the US is a “first to invent” country, which means that priority goes to the first person to come up with the idea, not the first person to file. It’s entirely OK for Apple to file for a patent after someone else as published the same idea, as long as Apple has clear documentation showing they invented it first.
10:16 am on January 4th, 2008 7
Who is this mac loving writer anyways
I think its clear to anyone who hasn’t been living under a rock that the Optimus keyboard has been in development for quite some time, including the proper patents.
Now the tactus keyboard will be different, but really who wants to type on a keyboard with no tactile response. If any of you have ever tried using one of those holographic keyboards that they use to sell with palm pilots then you know how much they suck
3:10 pm on January 4th, 2008 8
Sveikinu patekus i Digg’a
Saulius
11:04 pm on January 25th, 2008 9
Sorry,there’s already a U.S. patent for the Display Keyboard granted in 1998. The invention is the same as Lebedev;s. The inventor is Elkin Acevedo and he’s probably working behind the scenes somewhere. His patent is much, much older than Lebedev’s or Apple’s patents. I’m sure Apple is going to have some problems.
Maverick
Look at this link and conving yourselves.
http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/