Mac News Network is reporting that the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office published Apple's patent application titled "mechanical overlay" on Nov. 16, originally filed in May 2005. Apple's patent relates generally to overlays for touch-sensing devices. The patent allegedly relates to "mechanical overlays that include one or more mechanical actuators that provide touch inputs to the touch sensing devices."
While much of the speculation surrounding the patent's eventual use points to iPods and laptop computers, the patent has the potential to impact the kiosk industry, which relies heavily on touchscreen technology.
More technical detail is available in this blog post from Mac News Network.
