iRemote
After seeing the latest Keynote speech, I was impressed with the Jacket about to go onto sale from Apple and Burton with the iPod controls built in, However the cost of the coat, and its limited use (winter months) lead me to think of another way of handling this proposition.
The remote supplied with the iPod, while very functional has its down sides, namely the amount of resultant cable.
Co-inciding with the announcement of the Jacket the iTrip was announced, complete with a radio transmitter. The form factor of this device got me wondering. What if the transmitter were a reciever (fig 1), and the remote was a small plip device similar to the ones used for DV cameras.(fig 2)

fig 1
The reciever shown above (final form factor may need to differ to incorporate electronics) would draw its power supply from the iPod just as the iTrip does, interpreting the signals from the plip, and controlling the iPod. The only physical connection being for the ear buds. This could also be enhanced further if the device were to be Bluetooth enabled, allowing the use of Bluetooth headphones when they become widely available. (see iWISH)
It may also be feasable to have an iTrip+ incorporating the remote control funtionality.


fig 2

To make the best use of this remote, it would be designed to be waterproof, allowing it to be used outside existing clothing, and can be snapped into a clip as shown in fig 3.

fig 3

This clip can be supplied in a number of formats,

  • On a wrist strap
  • With a pin clip
  • With a self adhesive back

The wrist strap should be sufficiently long to allow its use over existing clothing, thus avoiding the need for winter only wear. A wrist watch size strap may also be appropriate.

The pin clip will allow the unit to be attatched to any piece of clothing or a bag for example.

The self adhesive version of the clip would allow the plip to be used in many different environments, attached to the steering wheel, bike handle bars, computer keyboard etc...

I also believe that where the plip is to be used in a vehicle, there is a potential for additional plips to be sold.

fig 4

I have registered this design, and am keen to discover the percentage uptake of the potential market 600,000 iPod owning market, enabling me to go into production with a suitable partner. Please contact me if you either would like to have one of these units should they go into production or if you are willing to enter into discussions for manufacture.
To discuss this further, please contact Mark Degg
on mark@degg.net

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