Next-Gen Apple Pencil May Feature Sliding and Squeezing Gestures

Apple Pencil 3 is expected to arrive later this year alongside the next-generation iPad Pro and based on a new patent application from Apple, it may include new sensors that support user squeezes, multi-taps, and sliding gestures (via Patently Apple).

Published last week by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the application notes that an Apple Pencil can include one or more sensors to provide additional input capabilities. For example, it can include one or more sensors “to detect a squeezing or compressive force against the body of the Pencil.”

The sensors can be capacitance sensors, strain gauges, force resistive sensors, magnetic/inductive sensors, pneumatic sensors, piezo sensors, and/or optical sensors.

As a user applies a finger at the housing, the stylus can detect the resulting capacitance that is induced in the touch input sensor. The user can subsequently lift the finger, and the stylus can detect the resulting capacitance or change in capacitance that is induced in the touch input sensor. The user can subsequently return the finger to the grip region, and the stylus can detect the resulting capacitance or change in capacitance that is induced in the touch input sensor.

The filing also notes that multiple touch input sensing elements of the touch input sensor along the stylus can be used in concert to detect sliding gestures.

Whether such a product actually makes it to the market, however, remains unknown at this time.