Asher Kelman
OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
MacNN News Imag
This is the virtual scroll wheel and gesture sensing coming to us!
"Apple has been awarded a patent, No. 7,653,883, relating to a proximity-based touch interface for various devices. The patent claims cover methods for sensing an object, such as a finger, as it approaches a touchscreen or other components of an electronic device. The proximity data is then used to perform actions in the device, such as presenting user-interface elements."
The screen senses how the fingers approach! Read more here.
"Descriptions for the tablet-size device also show a virtual scrollwheel that is presented above the music management interface. While navigating with the scrollwheel, users could also bring their other hand over the interface to bring up the controls for volume and playback.
Aside from the media player, the drawings also show a window configuration similar to Mac OS X. On a tablet, users could bring their finger above the corner of a window to expand the small buttons that control minimizing, enlarging, and closing functions.
Despite the approval of the patent application, it remains unclear if or when Apple will integrate the technology into upcoming devices."