iPhone Sensors and iChat VOIP Integration?
A recently published patent application discovered by MacRumors reveals that Apple has been researching more advanced uses of the built in sensors on the iPhone to predict what the user wants to do. The patent application describes various scenarios in which a mobile phone could automatically change its configuration based on built-in sensors.
Apple describes the use of proximity sensors, ambient light detectors, temperature sensors and accelerometers to help determine the current state of the device. Apple has already incorporated basic state detection into the iPhone. When a user holds the current iPhone to their ear, the proximity sensor disables the touch screen to prevent unintentional key presses.
Combined with similar sensors in Bluetooth wireless headsets, Apple proposes some additional possibilities:
- Accelerometer to determine if device is being picked up
- Temperature, ambient light, and proximity sensors to determine if device in a pocket
- Proximity to see if the phone is held up to your ear or Bluetooth headset is being worn
- Audio detection to see if you start talking into Bluetooth headset vs phone
Based on a combination of these situations, the iPhone could change configuration. Examples given include: Turning vibrating ring on when placed in your pocket. Turning off speakerphone when holding the phone to your ear. Routing the call correctly to your wireless headset or your phone depending on which one you are planing on using at that time (based on speaking into, wearing or picking up the appropriate device).
One final intriguing possibility also described is using the docking/undocking of the iPhone to trigger certain events.
Mock design by ACU
Specifically, Apple describes passing off voice over IP (VOIP) calls from the computer to the phone and back again. With the phone docked, the user could answer the phone using their computer's speaker and microphone, and then automatically pass this call over to the phone when it is removed from the dock. This passing-off of phone calls between the iPhone and iChat was previously depicted in a concept iPhone video (at 14m 15s) by Abilene Christian University.
Apple describes the use of proximity sensors, ambient light detectors, temperature sensors and accelerometers to help determine the current state of the device. Apple has already incorporated basic state detection into the iPhone. When a user holds the current iPhone to their ear, the proximity sensor disables the touch screen to prevent unintentional key presses.
Combined with similar sensors in Bluetooth wireless headsets, Apple proposes some additional possibilities:
- Accelerometer to determine if device is being picked up
- Temperature, ambient light, and proximity sensors to determine if device in a pocket
- Proximity to see if the phone is held up to your ear or Bluetooth headset is being worn
- Audio detection to see if you start talking into Bluetooth headset vs phone
Based on a combination of these situations, the iPhone could change configuration. Examples given include: Turning vibrating ring on when placed in your pocket. Turning off speakerphone when holding the phone to your ear. Routing the call correctly to your wireless headset or your phone depending on which one you are planing on using at that time (based on speaking into, wearing or picking up the appropriate device).
One final intriguing possibility also described is using the docking/undocking of the iPhone to trigger certain events.
Mock design by ACU
Specifically, Apple describes passing off voice over IP (VOIP) calls from the computer to the phone and back again. With the phone docked, the user could answer the phone using their computer's speaker and microphone, and then automatically pass this call over to the phone when it is removed from the dock. This passing-off of phone calls between the iPhone and iChat was previously depicted in a concept iPhone video (at 14m 15s) by Abilene Christian University.
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48 months ago
note: patent application does not list Apple by name, but patent application itself back-references other Apple patents, and inventors are Apple employees responsible for other patent applications assigned to Apple.
48 months ago
Apple-designed VoIP would be beautiful to have on the iPhone and glorious if it were to be passed onto the next gen. Touch. And the other sensing possibilities are pretty exciting.
48 months ago
One final intriguing possibility also described is using the docking/undocking of the iPhone to trigger certain events.
This is really easy to do and I'm wondering why they didn't implement it yet. I've got the dock next to my bed and i would really appreciate it turning to silent mode whenever it's connected. There is no reason to vibrate when I receive spam at 3 am.
48 months ago
I'm a bit concerned that a device that tries to anticipate what I want to do will end up getting it wrong often enough for me to be frustrated by it.
However, if the iPhone automatically went into vibrate mode when in a pocket, that would be very nice, as it would (to an extent) reduce the number of cellphone rings I encounter daily.
Bee da booo.. da be da booo.. da be da booo... da deee
However, if the iPhone automatically went into vibrate mode when in a pocket, that would be very nice, as it would (to an extent) reduce the number of cellphone rings I encounter daily.
Bee da booo.. da be da booo.. da be da booo... da deee
48 months ago
Yeah ok, I switch from my call on iphone to my mac through ichat and then can pick up that call again on my phone... all the while ATT is charging me for my call even though I switched to the mac? no thanks. might as well hang up knowing the person is online and just chat that way.
48 months ago
The biggest feature I have wanted on mine is the ability to have the iPhone ring through my external computer speakers when docked. That way I don't miss a call while the iPhone is charging/syncing in my home office and I am down the hall in the kitchen getting dinner ready where I can't hear the normal ring. The extra feature of taking your call through microphone and speakers on the computer is an AWESOME idea.
Plus how cool would it be to pick up your iPhone from the table surface, put it to your ear and it automatically answers the call without having to slide or push anything?
Plus how cool would it be to pick up your iPhone from the table surface, put it to your ear and it automatically answers the call without having to slide or push anything?
48 months ago
This gives me hope that, although there is no front face camera on the new iPhone, perhaps at least we will get iChat.
48 months ago
I would love for the phone to wake and unlock magically when I picked it up. But how do you program for the times when you don't want it to turn on?
Seems tricky. I'm still disappointed in the UI when it comes to in-car usage for the iPod app. The buttons need to be much bigger, like the entire left and right side of the screen for next/prev track. Also, it's a pain to have to slide to unlock in order to get to the next track.
Seems tricky. I'm still disappointed in the UI when it comes to in-car usage for the iPod app. The buttons need to be much bigger, like the entire left and right side of the screen for next/prev track. Also, it's a pain to have to slide to unlock in order to get to the next track.
48 months ago
I would love for the phone to wake and unlock magically when I picked it up. But how do you program for the times when you don't want it to turn on?
Seems tricky. I'm still disappointed in the UI when it comes to in-car usage for the iPod app. The buttons need to be much bigger, like the entire left and right side of the screen for next/prev track. Also, it's a pain to have to slide to unlock in order to get to the next track.
I completely agree!
I really have no love at all for the iPod in the iPhone, despite Steve claiming it's the best. The lack of clickwheel is infuriating for tracking through a podcast, and the tiny scrubber is too useless. Ratings? difficult. Coverflow? it does the entire collection, vs the playlist, unlike iTunes.
That whole thing really needs to be re-worked out.
(PS: you don't have to unlock it to skip to the next song. You can 2xClick when it's locked and it'll expose track controls when a song is playing)
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