How does the iPod Touch Wheel Work

The touch wheel has become a trademark for Apple, the manufacturer of iPods. There are no other mp3 players that come incorporated with this smart feature. Without the touch wheel, the iPod would be of no use. It can be called as the 'steering' of the iPod, and is used to carry out all its operations and functions. The click wheel is round, and is used to browse through the interface, which may enable the user to select and listen to songs, watch videos, create playlists, view photos, play games, or listen to podcasts. It may also be used to reset the iPod if the iPod hangs.

When the iPod was first invented, it had a touch wheel-like button that performed only basic functions of the touch wheel. Even though it looked like a touch wheel, it was not, and did not have touch sensitivity. The later generation iPods like the 'nano' and 'classic' were incorporated with the actual touch wheel.

Touch Wheel and its Uses

There are five buttons under the wheel, which are used when the corresponding contacts on the wheel are pressed. The user does not directly press the button, but the corresponding contacts on the wheel make the buttons under the wheel operate according to their respective functions. The central select button is used for selection and is situated under the center of the wheel. The 'menu' button is used for accessing the main menu and is located under the top section of the wheel. The 'play/ pause' button is used for playing and pausing tracks or videos and also functions as an 'off' button, which is located under the bottom. There are two more buttons located under the right and left side, which are used for changing or forwarding and rewinding tracks. The ring is touch sensitive, and allows one to scroll through the content displayed on the screen, by sliding or moving a finger on it. To scroll downwards in the displayed list, one needs to slide a finger on the ring in a clockwise manner. To scroll upwards, the slide should be in an anticlockwise manner. Moreover, the slide also enables the user to increase or decrease the volume or brightness level.

How does the iPod Touch Wheel Work?

Button Functions

The backside of the touch wheel is placed in contact with the motherboard. When the user presses a contact on the wheel, it operates the button that is under the wheel. The buttons are directly connected to the motherboard. The base of every rubber button is made of metal, so when pressed, the circuit on the motherboard is stimulated. The motherboard sends a signal to the processor that the circuit is complete, and then the processor signals the operating system to perform the required function from the user.

Touch-sensitive Functions

Under the plastic cover of the touch wheel, there is a membrane embedded with metallic channels which intersect, producing a positional address. Electrical current is supplied by the system controller to the grid. Conductors are metal channels that carry current, and form the grid. When a second conductor that may be your finger, comes close to the touch wheel, the current tries to complete the circuit by flowing to the finger. But the touch wheel cover acts like a non-conductive material. As a result, the charge amplifies at a point on the grid which is closest to the finger. Such electrical amplification between two conductors is known as 'capacitance'. The touch wheel controller plays a very crucial role in the 'sensing' function, and is programmed to measure variations in capacitance. The closer the finger goes to a point, higher would be the change in capacitance at that particular point. When such a change is detected by the touch wheel controller, it signals the microprocessor. When we slide our finger around the ring, the charge build-up moves according to the finger's contact with the wheel. The controller gives away a signal every time when it senses capacitance at a specific point. In this manner, the touch wheel detects the speed of the movement on it. The microprocessor performs the needed function when it receives a signal from the controller. When there is no movement on the wheel, the controller is unable to detect changes in capacitance, and hence, doesn't send any signals.

The touch wheel's functions and operations are somewhat similar to a touch-pad on a laptop. This is how the amazing 'touch wheel' works, enabling us to perform various tasks on the iPod.