Apple is claiming ownership of the navigation interface on the iPhone with a patent filing through the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), reports MacNN. Titled Touch Screen Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Providing Maps, Directions, and Location-Based Information, the patent seems to center around the iPhone’s touchscreen interaction with Google Maps or general digital mapping applications. Apple argues that as handheld functions grow, keys will essentially become useless as they’ll be outnumber by the functions they’re supposed to control. Touchscreens prevent this issue and also allow the user interface to adapt to applications, eliminating distracting key combination’s and on-screen menus. But the patent isn’t regarding the touchscreen directly, but rather than underlying user interface and how the user interacts with it via the touchscreen–specifically when dealing with mapping applications.
The patent heavily focuses on usability in handheld mapping products. But there are some interesting points that may hint towards what we can expect in the future when using an Apple device for navigation. The patent mentions using gestures or finger swipes to easily locate your contacts on a map as well as recent search queries. Also, virtually all navigational functions can be completed using no more than three finder taps or gestures or interacting with more than three icons. The patent indicates that Apple will no longer stick with flat graphical user interfaces in mapping applications. Using finger gestures, users will be able to “curl” a page revealing underlying icons. Similarly, finger gestures can be used to return to a flat interface. I also notice mention of possible future devices with both a clickable scroll wheel and touchscreen and/or a touchscreen device with a virtual scroll wheel.
The patent application is long and lengthy–not mention wordy–so I’m sure there is more to dig out. I’ll have to put some thought into this one, especially regarding the reaction from portable navigation device makers that also use touchscreens.
via unwired view
