Apple's patent for a touch surface keyboard was recently revealed and it describes quite a few innovative features that should please Apple fans. In the document, Apple discusses a very unique and novel approach to the device and how they plan on dealing with the problems that most touch surface keyboards weren't able to address.

For those who aren't familiar with this concept, it is essentially a keyboard which can also double as a touchpad. While this will undoubtedly save some desk space, the use of one surface for typing and as a touchpad is tough to develop.

If the device were to be completely flat like a touchpad, it would be hard to type since most users are used to finding ridges to denote keys. However, if they do decide to add ridges to the surface, it interrupts the smooth movement of users' fingers while using the device as a touchpad.

To solve this problem, Apple has proposed to use a flexible material which lays on top of a layer of keys. When a user wants to use the device for typing, the keys rise up and forms bumps on the surface of the device thus giving users the tactile response they would expect from a keyboard.

So far, Apple has not released an official statement regarding this device. If Apple does decide to continue developing this device we might see future Macs packaged with this new peripheral.