IPod+Click+Wheel

=IPod Click Wheel= lmccaughey12toc

// What is the fundamental purpose of the device? // The purpose of this device is to make scrolling through songs easier. It also allows you to skip songs, pause songs, go back to previous songs, and access the menu easily. The center button allows the consumer to select a song and aids if used to play games. Lastly, it helps the consumer go through all of the settings and select the ones they want, and adjust the volume. ** Energy ** // What energy transformations are seen in its operation? // The iPod click wheel sends currents to a grid, specifically electrical current. There is metal inside that acts as a conductor. When your finger gets close to the conductor it completes the circuit. This is because the current wants to transfer into your finger. A plastic non-conductor (cover) stops the current from actually reaching your finger, but building up under the cover. ** Controls ** // What sensors/controls are designed into the device? // Pen- no Eraser- no Ear Buds- no Finger nail- no finger- yes Quarter- yes Gold ring (fake)- yes Wire- no Silly Band- no
 * Purpose **

The Click wheel is touch sensitive and can only be controlled by material that will complete the circuit. In other words any plastic object cannot be used to control the click wheel because it is not a conductor. Objects such as a finger, quarter, and fake gold can be used to control the click wheel. ** Materials ** // What material(s) are essential to the device? // The motherboard is an essential material to the iPod click wheel. The motherboard is where basically all of the wires come together, and where the actual click wheel rests. Without out the motherboard the buttons would not be pressed because the wheel rests on top of the motherboard. The wheel is lined up over the appropriate button causing the appropriate command to be preformed. Without the motherboard the click wheel would not be able to perform all of the functions it does. ** Science ** // What is scientific principle is central to its operation? // The scientific principal central to the click wheel's operation is censoring. Before the censoring comes in the capacitance has to be right. Capacitance is the ability of the electrons to stay charged. A signal is sent creating electricity. When your finger gets close to the wheel, the energy tries to transfer to your finger, but stays under the plastic cover, therefore losing capacitance. This is where the principle of censoring comes in. The click wheel is designed to measure the change in capacitance. As the amount of capacitance increases, the wheel senses that your finger is closer to the wheel. ** Design ** // What does a typical device look like? // A typical iPod click wheel has a motherboard behind it, which is part of the circuit. On top of the motherboard (back of click wheel) there are buttons that do different controls. The click wheel itself is also part of the circuit, in which the plastic cover keeps the electricity from transferring into the consumer’s finger. On the outside of the click wheel there are words and symbols showing which command is which. [|Follow this link for more useful information about the design!] ** Evolution ** // What changes have there been (or could there be) in this device? // So far the only adjustments to the iPod click wheel is the size. They adjust the size to fit on each different shaped iPod. The click wheel is very simple, and works the same on every iPod. I could not imagine that Apple would make any changes to it. If they did it would probably only be something with how the controls are labeled, or even how they work. ** Related Devices ** ** Competitors ** // What other devices serve a similar purpose? // Touch screen devices, and MP3 player click wheels ** Partners ** // What other devices work in conjunction with this device? // Laptop Touch Wheel, and computer mouse ** Siblings ** // What other devices use the same scientific principle? // MP3 player click wheel, IPod Nano


 * Pictures **

This is the censoring for an IPod click wheel This is the inside of an IPod click wheel