Thursday, July 11, 2013

Apple Aims To Control The Dashboard

Apple is trying to integrate itself even further into your car with a freshly patented dashboard touch screen, according to cnet.com.

Granted Tuesday by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, a patent dubbed "Programmable tactile touch screen displays and man-machine interfaces for improved vehicle instrumentation and telematics" (patentnumber 8,482,535) describes a tactile-feel touch screen that would let you adjust several of the key features and functions in your car.

The patent discusses such options as controlling the temperature, the wipers, and the radio all from one panel. And in a nod toward safety, certain controls would be enabled only when the car is stopped.

For example, a transparent knob on the touch screen could be used to alter the temperature or turn on the wipers when the car is in motion. But that same knob could also activate your e-mail and Web browser when the car stops.

The touch screen's tactile-feel approach is also designed to help drivers push the right buttons without having to take their eyes off the road.

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