iPod to get multi-touch scroll wheel?

Apple has become quite well known for filing technology patents lately (although it's something of a standard practice for a lot of big manufacturers) but a new filing suggests it might be looking at bringing multi-touch controls to its range of iPods.

It makes perfect sense, considering the use Apple has made from multi-touch technologies in the iPhone, iPod touch and MacBooks, and potentially offers a very intuitive control system.

The patent describes a scroll wheel-styled display, which also allows for swipe, pinch and pull gestures. Swiping, for instance, could be used to scroll through a playlist, while pinch and pull could navigate (and zoom) photos.

Of course, this could also re-open the possibility of iPod gaming. Apple made some small move toward adding games to its range of media players, and given the success of the iPhone this new control pad system could really unlock the possibilities of basic gaming on the popular MP3 players.