Video iPod Patent Pictures and Touch Sensitive Bezel

MacRumors · 10:07 AM

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Hrmpf reports on a particularly revealing patent application from Apple that was published on October 26, 2006.

The name of the patent application is "Electronic Device Having Display and Surrounding Touch Sensitive Bezel for User Interface and Control". The patent describes and depicts a full-screen touch sensitive iPod very similar to the various Video iPod Mockups that have been floating around the web. The application was filed in June of 2006.

The focus of the patent is the incorporation of a touch-sensitive bezel (edge of screen) that can adapt to the screen contents to provide an input method for the user. Hrmpf suggests that the use of this non-screen area would eliminate many of the "smudge" and "scratch" concerns for a full-screen touch iPod.

Quote:

An electronic device has a display and has a touch sensitive bezel surrounding the display. Areas on the bezel are designated for controls used to operate the electronic device. Visual guides corresponding to the controls are displayed on the display adjacent the areas of the bezel designated for the controls.

The diagrams included clearly depict what appears to be a full-screen Video iPod. The rumors of a full-screen Video iPod have been ongoing for some time, but picked up steam in February 2006 with claims that the full screen Video iPod would arrive in the coming months. Later reports indicated a delay with some recent reports of a late 2006/early 2007 release.

Numerous other patents have described possible touch-interface methods, but this is the first patent application to depict a full-screen iPod so clearly. It also could represent the "None-Touch" iPod interface that was described in July.

Update: There seems to be some misinterpretation of the picture. The circles in the bezel do not represent "buttons". The entire bezel would be a smooth surface that would be touch sensitive. A touch-sensitive Bezel iPod would still look like this mockup:

http://guides.macrumors.com/images/t...-Ipodvideo.jpg

wilburdl · Oct 26, 2006, 07:37 AM

Wow. Let's hope it looks better than that diagram. Anyways this would be the ultimate iPod (Could be a 4 or 5 inch screen). Of course, the screen needs to be more scratch resistant than previous generations. And they have to bump up the resolution on their iTunes store. But I'd be surprised if we see this anytime soon.

iJaz · Oct 26, 2006, 07:38 AM

Oh, the video iPod is coming!

But I'd be dissappointed if the circular control of the original iPod is missing.

OwlsAndApples · Oct 26, 2006, 07:40 AM

Wow! Nice find...good that it'll quieten those 'scratch and smudge' rumours (hopefully)

Chundles · Oct 26, 2006, 07:42 AM

Make that touch-sensitive bezel out of black anodised aluminium and you'd have a top notch product.

UndeadDan · Oct 26, 2006, 07:46 AM

I too will be very disappointed if the scroll wheel disappears from the iPod.

I am also quite skeptical about this 'bezel-touch' idea. That's where I hold the damn thing. I can't pick up my phone without changing the ring tone level now my iPod will scroll to a new track or shoot up in volume.

No thanks.

arn · Oct 26, 2006, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iJaz

Oh, the video iPod is coming!

But I'd be dissappointed if the circular control of the original iPod is missing.

the click wheel would presumably be a "virtual" one that appears on the screen.

http://guides.macrumors.com/images/t...x-Gesture1.png

Previous patent images: http://guides.macrumors.com/Gallery_...terface_Patent

I don't think a touch bezel would preclude the use of a touch screen also.

arn

thefunkymunky · Oct 26, 2006, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UndeadDan

I too will be very disappointed if the scroll wheel disappears from the iPod.

I am also quite skeptical about this 'bezel-touch' idea. That's where I hold the damn thing. I can't pick up my phone without changing the ring tone level now my iPod will scroll to a new track or shoot up in volume.

No thanks.

Errm. Cant you lock your keys on your moby then. Surely there would be a hold button like current iPods that will disable the bezel.

oshoel · Oct 26, 2006, 07:52 AM

I hope we'll see this in time for christmas!

Been waiting long enough now, surely!

Scarlet Fever · Oct 26, 2006, 07:53 AM

the diagram makes me want to trade my U2 iPod in for a new one

sounds like exciting times are about to come our way... time to buy that apple stock...

skunk · Oct 26, 2006, 07:54 AM

I don't want one.

Chimera · Oct 26, 2006, 07:54 AM

Definately not as intuitive as a scroll whell but if Apple couldn't/can't implement it with its engineering prowess I doubt anyone else could.

bitabytex · Oct 26, 2006, 07:54 AM

The controls look kinda cumbersome. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't like to lift my hand and move it completely around the iPod area like you would need to to get to the next track, ect. Plus, with the regular iPod, my fingers usually rest around those areas that would be touch-sensitive, probably causing me to skip tracks or what-not, and it would seem to be kinda difficult to use with one hand, as I do now with the current line-up.

Hopefully they would address these issues before release because it does look neat.

p.s. My first post! I've been sifting through the forums for a year and a half, and now just decided to register! lol

bartelby · Oct 26, 2006, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skunk

I don't want one.

Me neither. I want a large capacity (100GB+) audio iPod. No movies, no photos, no games. A black and white screen and a long battery life.

Chimera · Oct 26, 2006, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arn

the click wheel would presumably be a "virtual" one that appears on the screen.
arn

I think the scrolling is done on the left side of the bezel in this new patent

calculus · Oct 26, 2006, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skunk

I don't want one.

wasn't gonna get you one...

skunk · Oct 26, 2006, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calculus

wasn't gonna get you one...

It's the thought that counts.

MongoTheGeek · Oct 26, 2006, 08:09 AM

My concern is if you have big fingers, or a poor grip strength, holding the thing will inadvertently set off the buttons if they are on the bezel

jagolden · Oct 26, 2006, 08:12 AM

Based on the above drawings, this would be a disaster.

The interface is now clunky, crowded and unintuitive.
Biggest problem- take a look-it will require two hands to operate, thereby negating what every one else has been trying to imitate-the ease of use of the iPod scroll wheel.

Superdrive · Oct 26, 2006, 08:15 AM

It's as easy to use as an ATM. They wouldn't even need to include instructions!

Just like most everything else, I trust Apple has thought this through a little more than our collective minds. They wouldn't put out something that wouldn't work.

Spectrum · Oct 26, 2006, 08:16 AM

The control method looks very similar to what Samsung has implemented on this camera. It looks pretty intuitive as implemented there.

iJaz · Oct 26, 2006, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arn

the click wheel would presumably be a "virtual" one that appears on the screen.

Previous patent images: http://guides.macrumors.com/Gallery_...terface_Patent

I don't think a touch bezel would preclude the use of a touch screen also.

arn

Oh, yes, that would of course make more sense and be rather clever.

Fukui · Oct 26, 2006, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MongoTheGeek

My concern is if you have big fingers, or a poor grip strength, holding the thing will inadvertently set off the buttons if they are on the bezel

<steve>Then get smaller fingers.</steve>

ddma · Oct 26, 2006, 08:23 AM

Would that be possibly that Apple is trying to patent as many as possible user interface/method so that no one can get anything closer to the REAL video iPod?

neilson31 · Oct 26, 2006, 08:25 AM

Could it be that Apple is going to release this new video iPod after Zune so it can steal MS's thunder?....

What do you guys think?

Oct 26, 2006, 07:37 AM	#2
wilburdl macrumors member Join Date: Jul 2006	Wow. Let's hope it looks better than that diagram. Anyways this would be the ultimate iPod (Could be a 4 or 5 inch screen). Of course, the screen needs to be more scratch resistant than previous generations. And they have to bump up the resolution on their iTunes store. But I'd be surprised if we see this anytime soon. __________________ Darnell Editorial Photographer & Illustrator http://darnellwilburn.com

Oct 26, 2006, 07:38 AM	#3
iJaz macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2004	Oh, the video iPod is coming! But I'd be dissappointed if the circular control of the original iPod is missing. __________________ Home: PM G5 2.3 GHz 4.5 GB RAM, 20" ACD, 1G 512 MB and 2G 1GB Shuffle, 4 GB nano RED, 80 GB iPod, iPhone 3G S⃣ 32 GB Black. Work: MacBook C2D 2.0 GHz 4GB RAM

Oct 26, 2006, 07:40 AM	#4
OwlsAndApples macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: UK	Wow! Nice find...good that it'll quieten those 'scratch and smudge' rumours (hopefully) __________________ Cyber Nations, A nation simulation game

Oct 26, 2006, 07:42 AM	#5
Chundles macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: The Gong, Australia	Make that touch-sensitive bezel out of black anodised aluminium and you'd have a top notch product. __________________ This is going straight to the Pool Room

Oct 26, 2006, 07:52 AM	#9
oshoel macrumors newbie Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: London	Late 2006 or early 2007 I hope we'll see this in time for christmas! Been waiting long enough now, surely!

Oct 26, 2006, 07:46 AM	#6
UndeadDan macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2006	I too will be very disappointed if the scroll wheel disappears from the iPod. I am also quite skeptical about this 'bezel-touch' idea. That's where I hold the damn thing. I can't pick up my phone without changing the ring tone level now my iPod will scroll to a new track or shoot up in volume. No thanks.

Oct 26, 2006, 07:53 AM	#10
Scarlet Fever macrumors 68040 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bookshop!	the diagram makes me want to trade my U2 iPod in for a new one sounds like exciting times are about to come our way... time to buy that apple stock... __________________ i have stuff. you have stuff. we are all consumers.

Oct 26, 2006, 07:54 AM	#11
skunk macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Republic of Ukistan	I don't want one. __________________ "The louder he talked of his honor, the faster we counted the spoons." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Oct 26, 2006, 07:54 AM	#12
Chimera macrumors 6502 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Surrey, England	Definately not as intuitive as a scroll whell but if Apple couldn't/can't implement it with its engineering prowess I doubt anyone else could. __________________ If I had more time, I would have written a shorter post

Oct 26, 2006, 07:54 AM	#13
bitabytex macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2006	Controls The controls look kinda cumbersome. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't like to lift my hand and move it completely around the iPod area like you would need to to get to the next track, ect. Plus, with the regular iPod, my fingers usually rest around those areas that would be touch-sensitive, probably causing me to skip tracks or what-not, and it would seem to be kinda difficult to use with one hand, as I do now with the current line-up. Hopefully they would address these issues before release because it does look neat. p.s. My first post! I've been sifting through the forums for a year and a half, and now just decided to register! lol

Oct 26, 2006, 08:09 AM	#18
MongoTheGeek macrumors 68040 Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Its not so much where you are as when you are.	My concern is if you have big fingers, or a poor grip strength, holding the thing will inadvertently set off the buttons if they are on the bezel __________________ The future ain't what it used to be.

Oct 26, 2006, 08:12 AM	#19
jagolden macrumors member Join Date: Feb 2002	Based on the above drawings, this would be a disaster. The interface is now clunky, crowded and unintuitive. Biggest problem- take a look-it will require two hands to operate, thereby negating what every one else has been trying to imitate-the ease of use of the iPod scroll wheel.

Oct 26, 2006, 08:15 AM	#20
Superdrive macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Minneapolis, MN	It's as easy to use as an ATM. They wouldn't even need to include instructions! Just like most everything else, I trust Apple has thought this through a little more than our collective minds. They wouldn't put out something that wouldn't work.

Oct 26, 2006, 08:16 AM	#21
Spectrum macrumors 6502 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Temporarily, NYC; More permanently, London	The control method looks very similar to what Samsung has implemented on this camera. It looks pretty intuitive as implemented there.

Oct 26, 2006, 08:23 AM	#24
ddma macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2004	Would that be possibly that Apple is trying to patent as many as possible user interface/method so that no one can get anything closer to the REAL video iPod?

Oct 26, 2006, 08:25 AM	#25
neilson31 macrumors newbie Join Date: Feb 2006	Here's what I think Could it be that Apple is going to release this new video iPod after Zune so it can steal MS's thunder?.... What do you guys think?

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