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Apple Patent Describes new Interface for iPod

Picture-1Apple Patent Application:
Electronic Device Having Display and Surrounding Touch Sensitive Bezel for User Interface and Control

Apple has previous described new iPod designs (in patent applications) which incorporate a touch sensitive surface into the display. There seems a scepticism on the web about designs becoming reality due to the problems of screen smudging and scratching.

This application has designs for a new iPod/Tablet/Phone (or dare I say it, Newton-like device) which put the touch sensitive areas into the bezel surrounding the iPod’s screen (as well as on the screen and sides of the device). The user interface seems particularly well conceived and relies on on-screen indicators of the control surface’s function. In addition to buttons the surfaces can act as scroll surfaces. The interface works by the user selecting a control to change (in the picture below- position in the song, volume, balance) and then, using the bottom surface to scroll, adjusting the element in real time (Fig. 19).

hrmpf.com – » Apple describes new interface for iPod

Picture-1Apple Patent Application:
Electronic Device Having Display and Surrounding Touch Sensitive Bezel for User Interface and Control

Apple has previous described new iPod designs (in patent applications) which incorporate a touch sensitive surface into the display. There seems a scepticism on the web about designs becoming reality due to the problems of screen smudging and scratching.

This application has designs for a new iPod/Tablet/Phone (or dare I say it, Newton-like device) which put the touch sensitive areas into the bezel surrounding the iPod’s screen (as well as on the screen and sides of the device). The user interface seems particularly well conceived and relies on on-screen indicators of the control surface’s function. In addition to buttons the surfaces can act as scroll surfaces. The interface works by the user selecting a control to change (in the picture below- position in the song, volume, balance) and then, using the bottom surface to scroll, adjusting the element in real time (Fig. 19).

hrmpf.com – » Apple describes new interface for iPod

By Jason O'Grady

Founded the PowerPage in 1995.