News
Apple patent filing details iPod touch-screen interface
A new Apple patent application has been made public that details a touch-screen interface for an iPod or tablet-style device. The patent filing, which is titled “Proximity detector in handheld device,” describes and illustrates how the interface would allow users to navigate menus and make selections by moving their finger on the screen. The touch-screen interface would sense when a user’s finger approached and would automatically display a virtual scroll wheel or other interface elements. AppleInsider has a large portion of the patent’s visual diagrams and verbatim descriptions. Apple’s long-rumored “true” video iPod is said to employ a 3.5-inch touch-screen display. The patent can be viewed at the USPTO site with full abstract and images.
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21
Mike: I did go to the link and read the patent. You are quite right..this is amazing stuff!
bmorrise: I agree with you completely. The patent even states as such. The proximity detector will allow control without actually touching the screen and that will negate the problem of fingerprints.
starperformer: fried chicken and peanut butter don’t go together? you aint from ‘round here….
I hope we do see these patents materialize into real products…could be very exciting!
Posted by SouthernGothic on July 22, 2006 at 3:05 AM (PST)
22
So in those *rare* cases where the iPod locks up, how EVER will you reset it?
Posted by ahMEmon on July 22, 2006 at 1:52 PM (PST)
23
This would be great if my thumbs were clear.
Posted by threemilechild on July 22, 2006 at 3:01 PM (PST)
24
I’ve been reading about Microsoft’s TouchLight technology…similar in operation in terms of hardware sensing the human hand nearing the screen. In the case of MSFT’s system, however, it operates on a large, fixed screen for manipulation of 3D displays, and uses optical cameras to sight a person’s hand.
Not exactly portable for an iPod or their Zune, but the gaming possibilities are intriguing.
There’s a vid showing their system over on ZDNET: CNET News interview with MSFT’s David Harnett
Others might have better luck, but on this particular Windoze machine I couldn’t get Firefox to correctly get the video going; I had to resort to using IE.
Posted by flatline response on July 22, 2006 at 6:27 PM (PST)
25
If this turns out to be anything, I’m 90% sure it won’t be an iPod. It looks much more like a portable pda/tablet-style computer device. If anyone actually read the entire patent (which I didn’t, I skimmed.) then they will notice that the patent refers to two touch-screen devices that will “work together”. Perhaps one will be an iPod video and the other a tablet PC?
Guess we’ll have to wait for Steve to tell us himself.
Posted by alpha on July 23, 2006 at 5:17 AM (PST)
26
I personally think this design will never be realized.
There are too many potential flaws with such a design.
No, this is just another “rumor” that will never see the light of day.
The iPod will remain similar to how it currently is for quite some time.
Apple hasn’t deviated from the overall simple design of the iPod since day one. Let’s not expect too many drastic changes with it just yet.
To speculate further about the aforesaid design is silly. Enjoy the iPod as it is.
Laters,
-Zypher69
Posted by Shawn Gillick on July 25, 2006 at 11:28 AM (PST)
27
I just wanna know when I can get the new ipod touch screen.
Posted by Touchscreen on July 27, 2006 at 1:15 PM (PST)
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