Apple Patents Show Touch-Interfaces Continue To Top Agenda

It's nice to see that despite wowing crowds with the iPhone Apple aren't resting on their laurels.  New patents have shown up that range from the vaguely dull – a hold switch that activates automatically when it gets dark – to the more interesting, such as short-range information exchange that could be used in wireless payment systems or proximity detecting.  They've also patented the iChat speech bubble interface, which shows up with a three-way conversation in the documentation.

Just to silence any voices who may have proclaimed the iPod scroll-wheel dead, there's also an interesting idea for an illuminated wheel which, by showing position and movement via a light shining through the touch-sensitive surface, would give visual feedback about control.  This could also be used on a MacBook touchpad.

Similarly, though more complex in operation and scope, Apple have filed a patent for a scroll-wheel or touch-sensitive surface that has different sections which activate alternative features depending on context.  For instance, a patent diagram shows an iPod-like phone device where the scrollwheel functions as a segmented rotary dial for numeric entry.  Apple also suggest the same technology could be used with a display to indicate changed functions. 

Multi-touch mice may also be on the agenda, with applications covering virtual scroll-wheels and pinch/flick gestures as found with the iPhone's screen.  Preliminary ideas include a light-permeable plastic shell illuminated by an internal source, with shadows of fingers being recognised by light sensors.  That same internal light could be used to visually indicate new mail, for instance.

You can find more details of these Apple patents at Hrmpf