Patent
By MacRumors Staff
Patent Articles

Apple Patent Suggests Future iPad Could Transform Into macOS-Like Experience When Attached to a Keyboard
A new Apple patent has suggested that a future iPad or version of iPadOS could include the ability to transform the tablet into a macOS-like user experience when it's attached to an external keyboard.
The patent, first reported by Patently Apple, is wide-ranging in its potential implementation. Apple regularly patents dozens of ideas, and only very few ever see the light of day. Nonetheless, ...
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Apple Researching Mirror Finish and Charging Stands for Mixed-Reality Headset
Apple is researching a one-way mirror finish, wireless charging systems, and charging stands for headset devices, according to newly granted patent applications.
In a patent filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office simply called "Display system," first spotted by Patently Apple, Apple outlines how a head-mounted display device may be wirelessly charged via inductive coils placed...

Apple Imagines Mac-Inside-a-Keyboard Device Evocative of 80s Home Computers
Apple is exploring the possibility of integrating a fully functioning Mac within a keyboard, reminiscent of home computers of the 80s, such as the Commodore 64 and Sinclair ZX Spectrum.
Image credit: Vissles The concept was revealed by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in a new Apple patent application called "Computer in an input device," which describes a thicker Magic Keyboard-style...

Apple Could Add User Authentication to AirPods
Apple is exploring methods to bring user authentication to AirPods, a newly published Apple patent application shows.
In a patent application titled "User Identification Using Headphones," filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and spotted by Patently Apple, Apple explains how it can authenticate AirPods users using other nearby devices, ultrasonic signals, voice...

Apple Stores Could Stop Thieves With New Security Measures
Apple is exploring new security measures for Apple retail stores in an attempt to discourage and prevent smash-and-grab robberies.
In a patent titled "Product-Display System" filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, spotted by Patently Apple, Apple details a number of mechanical systems for securing iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches.
The proposal effectively involves...

Apple Researching All-Glass iPhone and Apple Watch Designs
Apple has furthered its research on devices with all-glass enclosures, a newly granted patent filing shows.
The patent, first spotted by Patently Apple, is titled "Electronic device with glass enclosure" and was granted to Apple by the United States Patent and Trademark Office earlier today. The research focuses on electronic devices with six-sided glass enclosures and glass casings that...

Apple Patent Offers Sketch of Possible Notch Implementation in New MacBook Pros
Following the last-minute rumor that Apple's upcoming new MacBook Pro models could feature a notch at the top of the display, much of the online discussion has involved concerns that such a notch would encroach on the active screen area, potentially eating into the macOS menu bar.
MacRumors concept render of notched MacBook Pro display However, it's worth noting that Apple has explored ways...

Future MacBook Could Feature Removable Key That Works as a Mouse
Apple is researching a MacBook keyboard that features a removable key to be used as a precision mouse, according to a newly published patent application.
The patent application, first spotted by Patently Apple, is titled "Deployable Key Mouse" and was filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
The filing envisages a standard-looking MacBook scissor-system keyboard that features a...

Apple Develops Innovative Hydration Sensor for the Apple Watch
Apple has developed a first-of-its-kind hydration sensor designed for the Apple Watch, a company patent filing has revealed.
The patent, first spotted by Patently Apple, is titled "Hydration measurement with a watch" and was granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
"Traditional techniques for tracking hydration are generally invasive, expensive, or unreliable," according to Apple. ...

Apple Researching Ways to Expand the iPhone's Display to Hide the Notch
Apple is researching ways to hide the iPhone's notch when it is not in use and expand the display, according to a newly granted patent.
The patent, first spotted by Patently Apple, is titled "Electronic devices with adjustable display windows" and was filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. It explains how a device's display could move as to show and hide the front-facing camera and ...

iPhone Periscope Camera Patent Granted Ahead of Rumored 2022 or 2023 Debut
Apple has been granted a broad patent for a periscope camera system, which is rumored to be coming to the iPhone for the first time as soon as next year.
The patent, spotted by Patently Apple, is simply titled "Folded camera," and was filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Periscope camera systems attempt to address the problem of internal size constraints inside a...

Apple Researching Mac Pro's 'Cheese Grater' Design for Other Devices Like iPhone
Apple is researching expanding the 2019 Mac Pro's distinctive "cheese grater" lattice design to other devices, including the iPhone and a "trashcan"-style Mac Pro, according to a newly granted patent filing.
Apple introduced an innovative milled lattice pattern on the Mac Pro and Pro Display XDR in 2019, which is created by machining a spherical array into the internal and external...

Apple Researching 'Deployable Feet' to Enhance MacBook Pro Cooling
Apple is researching the use of "deployable feet" on the MacBook Pro to aid cooling, according to a newly-published patent application.
The patent application, first spotted by Patently Apple, is titled "Deployable Feet for Display Articulation and Thermals Performance" and outlines how a MacBook Pro could feature feet that move to raise up the rear of the device. Apple's deployable feet...

Apple Researching Totally Redesigned Apple Watch With Wrap-Around Display
Apple is researching a potential radical redesign for the Apple Watch, including a rounded watch face, wrap-around flexible display, and digitally-customizable watch bands, according to a newly-granted patent filing.
The patent, spotted by MacRumors earlier today, is titled "Display Module and System Applications" and was filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The...

Apple Developing 'Enhanced' Under-Display Touch ID System
Apple is refining its as yet unused under-display fingerprint scanning technology, seemingly ahead of bringing Touch ID back to the iPhone, according to a newly-published patent application.
The patent application, first spotted by Patently Apple and filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, is titled "Under-display fingerprint sensing based on off-axis angular light" and...

Apple Outlines How Smart Glasses Could Record Jitter-Free, Gaze-Driven Video
Multiple reports suggest that Apple is developing an augmented reality headset as well as smart glasses, and a newly granted Apple patent may provide a clue about one of the potential features that could be included in the latter device.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Tuesday granted Apple a patent describing "systems and methods for gaze-driven recording of video."
Apple's...

Huawei to Negotiate Royalties From Apple and Samsung for 5G Technology
Huawei will begin negotiating for royalties from Apple and Samsung for access to its portfolio of patents on 5G technology (via Bloomberg).
Huawei is the owner of the world's largest collection of 5G patents and is seeking to charge other large tech companies a "reasonable" fee for access to them, creating a substantial new source of revenue.
Huawei's Chief Legal Officer, Song Liuping,...

Apple Exploring Wider Use of Haptic Feedback on MacBooks
Apple is interested in expanding the use of haptic feedback on MacBook devices, according to a newly granted patent filing.
The patent, filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and first spotted by Patently Apple, is titled "Laptop computing device with discrete haptic regions" and explains how a MacBook could provide significantly expanded haptic feedback across multiple areas....

Rumored Finger-Mounted Control Device for Apple AR/VR Headset Surfaces in Patent Application
Apple is researching a finger-mounted device with an array of sensors and haptic feedback, to be used as a control device for a mixed-reality headset, according to patent filings.
The patent application, first spotted by Patently Apple, was filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and resurfaced earlier today. Titled "Finger-Mounted Device With Sensors and Haptics," the filing...

Apple's Research on Anti-Fingerprint Coatings Again Hints at Future Titanium Devices
Apple is researching how it can reduce the appearance of fingerprints and smudges on the metal surfaces of its products and has hinted yet again at the use of titanium for future Apple devices, according to newly-granted patent filings.
Image via Dbrand The patent, filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and spotted by Patently Apple, is titled "Oxide coatings for metal surfaces"...