A new Surface patent looks to add digital inking to the back of your device

Microsoft has been exploring a range of external interaction solutions for its Surface devices as of belatedly, including touch detection and inking on the mythical Surface "Andromeda" device. This new patent (spotted by Digital Trends) specifically showcases a Surface Pro, consummate with "unused space" on the exterior vanquish being utilized for inking purposes.

"Some implementations of the disclosed engineering farther integrate bear on sensing applied science to facilitate apply of the reflective external surface equally an interactive writing surface. For case, a user may draw on the reflective external surface with a finger or stylus and the underlying display may selectively illuminate pixels at corresponding locations of the light-emitting brandish."

The patent goes into some particular to describe how dissimilar layers of the device could be utilized to feedback inking and bear upon information, placed on areas such as the back of your device or either side of the trackpad, which are typically used as wrist rests and little else. It seems Microsoft intends to further increase the versatility of their Surface devices through the use of these methods, as competitors muscle in on Redmond's ii-in-1 turf.

As ever, patents don't necessarily translate into tangible products, but the ability to sketch a quick sticky note next to the trackpad or on the back of the device while it'southward in a sleep state seems pretty compelling to me. We'll go on an heart on this one.

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