On December 7, the US Patent & Trademark Office published Apple’s patent application titled ‘Mouse with improved input mechanisms,’ which was filed in mid 2005. Apple incorporates eight patents within this current Mighty Mouse application which date back to 2002/2003.

Apple’s Abstract: A mouse having improved input methods and mechanisms is disclosed. The mouse is configured with touch sensing areas capable of generating input signals. The touch sensing areas may for example be used to differentiate between left and right clicks in a single button mouse. The mouse may further be configured with force sensing areas capable of generating input signals. The force sensing areas may for example be positioned on the sides of the mouse so that squeezing the mouse generates input signals. The mouse may further be configured with a jog ball capable of generating input signals. The mouse may additionally be configured with a speaker for providing audio feedback when the various input devices are activated by a user.

For more details, see ‘Mouse with improved input mechanisms.’

Apple lists the inventors of this patent as being Christopher H. Krah, Jeffrey B. Doar, Sean Corbin and Shin Nishibori.

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Written and researched by Neo.