Apple patent for new capacitive touch nodes could result in slimmer devices

Apple looks like it’s making some good progress to making future iPhones and iPads slimmer. The fruity company has filed a patent application for a “Touch Sensing Device Having Conductive Nodes.” The patent describes a new method to create a capacitive touchscreen or panel, which would allow devices to be thinner than usual.

Aside from slimmer devices, the new design allows for more power saving, which hopefully translates to longer battery life for gadgets. Apple’s patent would see conductive nodes placed on a surface opposite a touch panel or display. The two surfaces would be in close proximity, allowing conductive electrodes and conductive nodes to sense fingertips on the touchable surface. Apparently having these surfaces separate from one another would cut down on the hardware necessary for a touch panel.