Guess you guys already know that the brand new X1 continues the classic design that is been used since X5 1st gen-- a wheel and four buttons. But there's also a difference that X1 2nd gen changes the mechanical wheel to touch wheel.
Here I'd like to talk with you about this wheel design.
Speaking of wheel, we need to recall Apple's iPod. As we all know that the most classic design on iPod is the touch wheel.
iPod Classic
As early as 2011 when we planned to develop music player and designed its man-machine interaction, we realized that there are two best interactive ways, either full touch screen or wheel control. After all, even a fool knows that Apple can’t be wrong.
However, Apple has patent on this. Even though we agree with touch wheel, any qualified enterprise won't dare to take the risk of being sued by Apple for making similar design.
Therefore, utilizing mechanical wheel is a next-best choice, and it is indeed a well design according to the marketing feedback of X5, X5 2nd gen, X3 2nd gen and X1. It also becomes a distinctive feature of FiiO players.
FiiO players with mechanical wheel
Nevertheless, compared to touch wheel, the mechanical wheel works by rotating to trigger the inner switch, so there is much to improve in reliability, accuracy, and hand feel etc.
Advantages of touch wheel
We are not reconciled to use mechanical wheel all the time. Our engineers have been working hard this year on how to achieve the same function while avoiding Apple’s patent.
Finally with the development of the technology, we have successfully developed our own touch wheel technique and applied for patent. Because the patent is still under review and verification, we cannot disclose the detailed techniques here, I'm afraid. But I can briefly introduce the principals of Apple’s touch wheel.
Below is the physical photo of the IPC wheel.
Transparent view of IPC
The Apple’s touch wheel principle is very easy actually, which has 12 touch keys in circle, with only two states - pressed and unpressed. The pressed keys will detect your finger position and moving direction to identify single touch, rotation and the rotating direction, thus to control the player correspondingly.
Control theory of the IPC wheel
The touch wheel of FiiO X1 2nd gen takes advantage of the electric field, and it's presented as follows if disassembled.
Structure of FiiO touch wheel
You can see that the two structures are totally different. I will spare the detailed working theory here.
And I think it's necessary to make replies to some of the concerned questions about this.
1. Our touch wheel DOES NOT violate Apple’s patent. We are serious.
2. Patent protects the implement methods rather than the certain functions.
3. Our touch wheel technique has already applied for patent.
4. We will utilize the touch wheel technique on more of our future products.
Lastly, we would like to say thanks to all of our users who care and support us. Hope you can understand, technology is developing all the time, and there is always a better technique. And I think to some of our old users, the mechanical wheel can still bring them special experience.
Here I'd like to talk with you about this wheel design.
Speaking of wheel, we need to recall Apple's iPod. As we all know that the most classic design on iPod is the touch wheel.
iPod Classic
As early as 2011 when we planned to develop music player and designed its man-machine interaction, we realized that there are two best interactive ways, either full touch screen or wheel control. After all, even a fool knows that Apple can’t be wrong.
However, Apple has patent on this. Even though we agree with touch wheel, any qualified enterprise won't dare to take the risk of being sued by Apple for making similar design.
Therefore, utilizing mechanical wheel is a next-best choice, and it is indeed a well design according to the marketing feedback of X5, X5 2nd gen, X3 2nd gen and X1. It also becomes a distinctive feature of FiiO players.
FiiO players with mechanical wheel
Nevertheless, compared to touch wheel, the mechanical wheel works by rotating to trigger the inner switch, so there is much to improve in reliability, accuracy, and hand feel etc.
Advantages of touch wheel
We are not reconciled to use mechanical wheel all the time. Our engineers have been working hard this year on how to achieve the same function while avoiding Apple’s patent.
Finally with the development of the technology, we have successfully developed our own touch wheel technique and applied for patent. Because the patent is still under review and verification, we cannot disclose the detailed techniques here, I'm afraid. But I can briefly introduce the principals of Apple’s touch wheel.
Below is the physical photo of the IPC wheel.
Transparent view of IPC
The Apple’s touch wheel principle is very easy actually, which has 12 touch keys in circle, with only two states - pressed and unpressed. The pressed keys will detect your finger position and moving direction to identify single touch, rotation and the rotating direction, thus to control the player correspondingly.
Control theory of the IPC wheel
The touch wheel of FiiO X1 2nd gen takes advantage of the electric field, and it's presented as follows if disassembled.
Structure of FiiO touch wheel
You can see that the two structures are totally different. I will spare the detailed working theory here.
And I think it's necessary to make replies to some of the concerned questions about this.
1. Our touch wheel DOES NOT violate Apple’s patent. We are serious.
2. Patent protects the implement methods rather than the certain functions.
3. Our touch wheel technique has already applied for patent.
4. We will utilize the touch wheel technique on more of our future products.
Lastly, we would like to say thanks to all of our users who care and support us. Hope you can understand, technology is developing all the time, and there is always a better technique. And I think to some of our old users, the mechanical wheel can still bring them special experience.
