Apple Pencil surpassing 'Pencil'... Apple granted new US patent

Foreign Media Reports US Patent Office Approval
Components Like Pencil Tip and Nibs Can Be Changed
Equipped with Various Sensors
As a Multipurpose Digital Pencil

New patent design for Apple Pencil approved by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Photo by PhoneArena

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] Apple is expanding the scope of the Apple Pencil infinitely. In addition to the tactile sensor with screen touch functionality, the Apple Pencil's components can be replaced to attach various sensors, enabling diverse functions.

IT specialty media PhoneArena reported on the 16th (local time) that Apple has been granted a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office regarding the replacement of parts such as the tip of the Apple Pencil. The patent number is 10921907.

The reasons for obtaining the patent included the possibility that consumable parts like the tip may need replacement after long-term use, and the internal necessity to diversify accessory functions. It also included the expectation that consumer choices will expand through various detachable components.

Apple included color, shape, thickness, size, brightness, or opacity among the replaceable targets. This means that changes can be made to the sensors embedded in the Apple Pencil.

Previously, the tip module only contained a tactile sensor that detects contact with compatible product surfaces such as the iPad, but it is expected that various sensors can be installed. The tip module is anticipated to be equipped with ▲contact sensor ▲capacitive sensor ▲touch sensor ▲camera ▲piezoelectric sensor ▲pressure sensor ▲photodiode, among others.

The Apple Pencil will be usable for multipurpose applications. Examples include a direction detector, gyroscope (an instrument used to measure the equilibrium state of aircraft or ships), accelerometer, biometric reader, switch, speaker, compass, microphone, camera, and voice coil.

PhoneArena evaluated, "The interchangeable tip will become a revenue-generating method for Apple," and added, "Accessory functions for users can also be easily expanded."