Back-lit Trackpad coming to a MacBook near you?

Apple recently filed a patent application that describes an “improved feedback mechanism for touch pads”. This patent includes “devices capable of illuminating the touch sensitive surface of the touch pad” and “methods for providing visual feedback at the touch pad.” As usual, this is only a patent application, so it’s unclear when Apple will actually implement it, if the company ever does.

Backlights are currently reserved only for the MacBook Pro’s keyboard; the intensity of these lights can be automatically adjusted based on the built-in ambient light sensor. I’d imagine that a backlit trackpad would not only keep the trackpad lit, but could possibly highlight the ‘path’ your fingers take, for a brief second or two. An interesting patent, nonetheless.

Via [US Patent Office]