These five patents provide hints as to what an Apple car might look like

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Apple (AAPL) has not publicly commented on his plans for the project, nicknamed Titan, so it’s not clear exactly what will come of the effort. Some who follow the company believe it could release an all-electric, self-driving Apple-branded car. Others think Apple is more likely to partner with existing automakers to sell an operating system (iDrive, maybe?), Self-driving tools, or other technology.

However, some pointers are available. Apple has a large number of patents for car-related inventions that give a glimpse into what an Apple car could look like. Patent documents filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office paint a picture – albeit a relatively vague one – of a luxury vehicle designed to be highly automated and easy to use.

Here are some of Apple’s most interesting automotive-related patents.

This invention could be a big one for Apple, making it easier for people to use their iPads, Macs or other devices while driving a car, especially if they are driving themselves, without getting car sick.

The patent describes a virtual reality system that would help prevent passenger motion sickness by providing “magnified or virtual” displays that correspond to physical movements experienced by the passenger.
Speculation about Apple Car is back. This is what we know so far

In one example, the system could project content that a passenger wants to see, such as a book, as virtual content outside and remote from the car. In this way, a passenger can read the page as a fixed object in the external environment while still seeing visual cues about the vehicle’s movements, allowing him to comfortably ‘work, view or read without experiencing motion sickness, as can occur when the passenger were trying to work or view the content on a physical screen on a portable computing device sitting on their lap, ”the patent states.

“So … the VR system can contribute to productivity, as passengers in vehicles can more easily do their jobs while driving the vehicle,” it says.

In addition, it notes that VR experiences in a moving vehicle can provide “enhanced immersive virtual experiences” to passengers that are not possible, for example, with a VR entertainment system in one room of your house.

‘Climate control’

This invention essentially reads like a largely automated climate control system for your car.

It uses sensors inside and outside a vehicle, among other possible inputs, to measure data such as the temperature of car seats or specific passenger body parts, or the amount of sunlight hitting a window or sunroof. That information can be used by the climate control system to create a comfortable environment for passengers in the car.

The system is also designed to communicate with wireless user devices to access information such as “user health data, user activity, user preferences” to further inform the ideal climate in the car.

Based on the description, a car with this technology, based on the temperature of the leather seats and other data, can sense that it is a warm day outside. And by communicating with your iPhone, it might know that you just went on the run. For example, it can automatically adjust the climate settings in the car to help you cool down.

‘System and method for dynamic privacy and window coloring’

Conventional car windows cannot adjust the amount of light they let in according to factors such as who is driving the car, what they are doing or what the weather is outside, this patent notes, and would therefore “benefit from many improvements.”

The invention described in this patent is a tinted film cover on the exterior of a vehicle that adapts based on data from various sensors, as well as “explicit” and “implicit coloring requests or commands.”

At night, for example, the system could automatically lower the tint level so that a passenger in the vehicle can see light through the window, for example from streetlights and other cars. But if the passenger closes their eyes, the hue can darken to make sleeping more comfortable, the patent said.

“As an additional example,” states the patent, “a vehicle occupant can place packages in a rear area of ​​the vehicle. The vehicle’s color system can automatically adjust the hue of the adjustable outer surface to prevent others from viewing the packages.” “

While the invention is discussed in the context of a vehicle, the patent adds that it can also be used for privacy and coloring in other settings, such as residential or commercial buildings.

“Method to locate a vehicle”

This invention can help you avoid wandering for minutes (hours?) In the parking garage if you forget where you left your car.

It is a method where your “portable computer” – say your iPhone – can communicate with your car or the parking garage over a wireless connection such as Bluetooth to help you locate your car. The location is determined with sensors on the car and in a parking garage.

One of Apple's car-related patents describes an invention where a wireless connection between your car and phone can help you locate your car in a parking garage.

In some cases, in addition to or in place of location data, other information may be provided, including payment information such as’ rates charged for parking, where and how to pay and / or how much is due depending on the specific parking location and duration of parking ”, states the patent.

‘Charging station with passive alignment mechanism’

Most of us know the annoyance of having to get out to get gas when it’s raining, cold, or dark outside. What if you don’t have to get out of the car with an electric car to put the plug in the socket? That’s what Apple wants to achieve with this invention.

“Getting out of a vehicle to connect (it) to a charging station can be difficult for the operator,” the patent states. It adds that cars that need to be manually plugged in cannot be charged without the presence of a human operator, a problem the company apparently wants to address as well.

With this tool, an electric car can automatically connect to a charging station without human assistance after it is parked next to the charger (by a driver or with its self-driving capabilities). The charger also has an optional height adjustment mechanism so that the plug can reach the car’s charging port.

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