Tired of damaging your iPhone whenever it drops to the floor?
Apple's latest patent may help ease those situations.
Published on March 21, an Apple filing to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office dating back Sept. 16, 2011, is titled "Protective Mechanism for an Electronic Device."
The application states, "An electronic device including a processor, a sensor in communication with the processor and a protective mechanism. The protective mechanism is in communication with the processor and is configured to selectively alter a center of mass of the electronic device. Additionally, the electronic device also includes an enclosure configured to at least partially enclose the processor and the sensor."
The Apple filing recognizes the increasing use of electronic devices and how inevitably the device will drop or enter a "freefall state." An example provided was if a mobile electronic device is pushed off a counter or table.
"As mobile electronic devices impact a surface after freefall they may be substantially damaged, even if they are encased within a cover or other protective device," the filing added.
But now the Cupertino-based company might have a solution, one that could be implemented or released by the time the iPhone 5S launches.
According to Apple, the "protective mechanism" may be activated in the following scenarios:
- Configured to alter the device orientation as the device is falling;
- Alter the angular momentum via a rotating or linearly sliding a mass;
- Vary the angular momentum and/or orientation of the device during freefall by activating a thrust mechanism;
- Activate an air foil to change the aerodynamics of the mobile electronic device;
- Altering components in order to attempt to prevent impact with a surface;
- Include a gripping member configured to grip onto a power cord, headphone cord, or the like that may be partially received within the device.
"The foregoing description has broad application. For example, while examples disclosed herein may focus on changing an orientation of a device prior to impacting a surface, it should be appreciated that the concepts disclosed herein may equally apply to modifying the device orientation during other situations," noted Apple in the conclusion.
"Similarly, although the protective mechanism may be discussed with respect mobile electronic device, the devices and techniques disclosed herein are equally applicable to other types of devices. Accordingly, the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be exemplary and is not intended to suggest that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to these examples."
Again, it is unclear if the patent will come into fruition in time for the iPhone 5S. The publication of the patent does come almost two weeks after reports circulated the upcoming Apple smartphone will feature NFC and a fingerprint sensor. According to China Times, a Taiwanese chip firm named Chipbond is stating they were selected to provide components for the iPhone 5S.
On top of the before mentioned rumored features, wireless charging is another speculated component. According to DigiTimes, Apple is likely to create their own wireless charging device. At the moment, it is unknown if the upcoming smartphone will feature the wireless charging built-in or if it'll be sold as an added accessory.
The iPhone 5S will reportedly have the "same basic design" as the current fifth-generation iPhone. A different for the iPhone 5S is the smartphone will have a "more advanced processor and an improved camera."
"With the iPhone 5S, the aim is to once again raise the bar in terms of iPhone optics, including a much better camera in essentially the same casing. No huge surprises there, given the past history of S-class iPhones," reported Rene Ritchie of iMore.
While release dates are also unclear, Jefferies analyst Peter Misek has previously predicted a June 2013 release date, an idea which is not far-fetched as the iPhone 3G and iPhone 4 made their debuts in the summer months of June and July, as Business Insider noted.
Price for the alleged Phone 5S or perhaps iPhone 6 is unclear at this point in time.
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