“Another patent filing by Apple Computer that details a touch-screen interface for an iPod or handheld device has surface in the United States,” AppleInsider reports.
“The September 30, 2005 filing is titled ‘Proximity detector in handheld device.’ It describes a touch-screen interface for portable electronics devices that can sense when an object, such as a person’s finger, is approaching. When an object is sensed, the touch-screen interface may perform an action such as displaying a ‘virtual scroll wheel,’ navigation pad or virtual keypad,” AppleInsider reports.
AppleInsider reports, “Alternatively, the touch-screen interface described in the filing could be adapted to work with Apple’s current iPod menu interface, allowing users to employ a stylus or their finger to navigate through and select menu items on an iPod’s display screen.”
Several of the patent’s visual diagrams and their associated descriptions are in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “LinuxGuy” for the heads up.]
Related articles:
Hon Hai Chairman: Apple about to unveil next-gen iPod using a ‘none-touch’ concept – June 15, 2006
Patent application shows iPod capable of live wireless video conferencing – June 13, 2006
Apple files applications for multipoint touch screen, media file patents – May 11, 2006
Apple applies for ‘smart’ touch-screen virtual keyboard, wireless iPod remote control patents – April 28, 2006
RUMOR: Apple delays new video iPod for redesign of touch-screen interface – April 13, 2006
Apple employees file for ‘wide touchpad and keyboard’ patent – March 02, 2006
RUMOR: True Apple video iPod with 3.5-inch display, touch-screen click wheel coming soon – February 09, 2006
Apple patent application for ‘Visual expander’ for touchscreen display revealed – February 06, 2006
Apple applies for more touch-sensitive display tablet patents – February 02, 2006
I already knew all this……..
Apple’s got something in the pipeline that’s gonna make Zune look like a block of clay.
Thanks for sharing.
ah, it looks like that WAS the delay… they couldnt get the opticle sensor working good enough for the interface, so they are implementing a standard touch screen for the main control, makes sence, since your finger will be on it by then anyway
this is the extreme first gen of this opticle interface anyway.. maybe next time..
Wow! And I’ll even say it backwards…..Wow!
Cubert…you are such a palindrome.
Here’s some of why this is so exciting:
“Although shown in this figure, the finger is spaced away and not in contact with the touch surface.”
“In some cases, the virtual scroll wheel displaces the media items, i.e., the media items are minimized or shifted to make room for the virtual scroll wheel. In other cases, the virtual scroll wheel is positioned or laid over the media items (the media items keep their current size, shape and position). The virtual scroll wheel can be made semi-transparent so that the media items can be viewed through the virtual scroll wheel.”
The semi-transparent part reminds me of comments made by a few Apple officials last June when they were giving an overview of Tiger at WWDC. One of them (sorry, don’t remember who) made a comment about how important the Dashboard technology was going forward and even alluded to other consumer electronics applications (witness FrontRow and now this).
tt,
“I already knew all this……..”
I work with a couple of people that would
say some sh!t like that, very annoying.
Well, now I’ve finally seen a real iPod killer.
Yes. One of the problems highlighted with a possible full screen iPod was fingerprints all over the screen when accessing the menus. Only Apple come come up with “Well why touch the screen in the first place?” Brilliant (if true!).
Thorin fuck you, I hate talking to complete unaware dumbasses like you that dont get it jsut because they havnt stayed in touch and up to date with what they are working on.
fucking douche… I really DID know everything they were doing except integrating the legacy touch screen with their new interface…
chill out thorin and tt. there is enough fucking up happening on this planet earth now..
i’m sure both of u were just joking… : )
Thorin and tt up in a tree
F-S-C-K-I-N-G
First came love, then came marriage
Then came a touch screen with no surface carriage.
Sorry guys….couldn’t resist……
Don’t hate me because I am beautiful!
“Apple’s got something in the pipeline that’s gonna make Zune look like a block of clay.”
It already does look like a block of clay. What Apple has will make Zune look like a block of clay that was eaten by a dinosaur billions of years ago, crapped out and has pertified into a lump of solid rock.
I for one, think I would miss the “physical feel” of the current click wheel.
TT,
If you hate talking to unaware dumbasses, then why don’t you keep your mouth shut with your, “I already knew about this stuff before you did!” exclamations. That way no one will remark on how lame you are and you and your arrogant assholeishness can live in silent peace together.
Oh yeah, before you got the news, I’m sure there were alot of other people who already knew about the patent, so, TT, at the time, what did it feel like being an unaware dumbass?
I already knew all this even before tt knew about it……
Holy crap, I didn’t go ballistic
and call the dude names. It’s just
the statement “I already knew all
of this”. BFD, we don’t care. Once
again, the anonymity of the internet
has made another punk 10 feet tall
and bulletproof. I am plenty chilled,
but thanks.
BTW,
I don’t keep my family fed by keeping
up to date on touchscreen technology.
I don’t presume to know what anyone
else’s priorities are.
It looks like it will make a truly cool
product.
Viva La Revolution!
The technology looks very much like that used in a mobile handset, called NeoNode N1. Google the name or search for it on Mobileburn.com.
The touch-screen does not register pressure like tradition screens, but registers light-dark differences in a layer just above the screen.
This works out like not having to touch the screen, you could easily put a layer of thin film or plastic above the screen to protect it and still being able to use it.
Unless I got my understanding about apple’s device completely wrong, they might as well save themselves a lot of work and talk to those people of the NeoNode.
The NeoNode is for me the absolute way for a phone to go btw. Cant order one here, but so far the coolest looking phone I’ve ever seen.
My 2cents