iPhone Nano Patent Surfaces
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A recent report by MacNN.com uncovered the possibility of a nano-phone coming down the line from Apple. The patent application for the 3.6-inch tall, 2.5-inch wide, and one-quarter-inch thick device was a U.S. Patent with an Australian filing.
According to the report: “The design involves a very sophisticated yet complicated dual-surface user interface. The full face-side of this device will be nothing more than a display, much like the iPhone is today, while the back-side will be primarily dominated by a force-sensitive touch based surface.”
The concept includes the possibility of a dual-sided display instead of a force-sensitive controller surface. Other features include phone, text messaging, iPod capability, camera, and other modes of operation.
The unit will be controlled by finger, and the report adds: “The design involves a very sophisticated yet complicated dual-surface user interface. The full face-side of this device will be nothing more than a display, much like the iPhone is today, while the back-side will be primarily dominated by a force-sensitive touch based surface.”
The design for the unit is credited to John G. Elias, and he was listed as the sole inventor in the patent application. Elias was formerly part owner of FingerWorks, now defunct, and is presently focusing on touch-related patents at Apple.
I wonder what type of advantage this type of design would provide for the end user, I can’t think of any off the top of my head. Have any ideas how you might use this?
