Mikey Campbell
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Tuesday issued Apple a patent for the two-way communication of location data between a portable media device or handset, and an "accessory device" that can remotely display the information on its screen.
First filed for in 2009, Apple's U.S. Patent No. 8,386,677 for "Communicating location information between a portable device and an accessory" allows for any portable media device, including iPhones and iPads, to exchange GPS data with a separate accessory through wired or wireless protocols.
It should be noted that the property not only allows for iPhones or cellular enabled iPads to push location information to the accessory device, but can also provide for the accessory to feed iPad or iPod models not equipped with GPS receivers. Currently, Apple only builds in GPS capabilities to cellular iOS products.
Illustration of accessory as GPS receiver with external antenna.
There are two main embodiments for the '677 patent: one in which the handset containing a GPS module, data transport mechanism and controller sends location information to an accessory, and another that swaps device roles, with the accessory feeding the handset. In a third embodiment, both units have a GPS receiver, and are controlled by a system that defaults to whichever device has higher perceived accuracy.
In all cases, the unit receiving location data from its companion device can display the information in a number of ways, including parsing out points of interest or showing real-time GPS navigation assets.
While the implementation of a GPS-equipped accessory is straightforward — some of the first systems were simple receivers without built-in screens — the patent's language regarding the display of information on an accessory device is perhaps more intriguing given recent talk of a so-called "iWatch." There is no mention of wearable displays or bracelet-like gadgets in Tuesday's patent, but the technology described could find its way into such a peripheral.
Two patent embodiments with GPS receiver in PMD (left) and accessory device (right).
AppleInsider was first to report on an Apple patent application for what appears to be a multitouch capable watch, with the concept being very reliant on a smartphone or other computing device. Instead of running a full operating system, the described device would display information over wireless protocols, allowing users to interact with their iPhones while keeping the handset safely stowed in a pocket or purse.
The '677 patent credits Gregory T. Lydon, Ronald Keryuan Huang, Lawrence G. Bolton, Emily Clark Schubert and Jesse Lee Dorogusker as its inventors.
Malcolm Owen
Andrew O'Hara
William Gallagher
16 Comments
While the implementation of a GPS-equipped accessory is straightforward…the patent's language regarding the display of information on an accessory device is perhaps more intriguing given recent talk of a so-called "iWatch." There is no mention of wearable displays or bracelet-like gadgets in Tuesday's patent…
Of course there is no mention of an iWatch…yet! Methinks Apple is not quite ready to tip its hand on what a possible iWatch (or maybe something else?) can do.
I also had another thought, could this be used to bypass carrier restrictions on tethering an "accessory" (e.g. a MacBook or wi-fi only iPad) to an iPhone?
[VIDEO][/VIDEO]From that article title plus a long history of following Apple's patents and releases it seems like we'll be getting wearable computers, in some fashion, this year. edit: typos and uh-ohs.
[quote name="waybacmac" url="/t/156174/apple-patent-allows-smartphones-to-swap-location-data-with-an-accessory-device#post_2284012"] Of course there is no mention of an iWatch…yet! Methinks Apple is not quite ready to tip its hand on what a possible iWatch (or maybe something else?) can do. I also had another thought, could this be used to bypass carrier restrictions on tethering an "accessory" (e.g. a MacBook or wi-fi only iPad) to an iPhone? [/quote] My guess is that Accessory I/O will likely be BLE or their own proprietary, secure, short-range, low energy solution. I don't particularly want it to be proprietary but it could have the benefit of making a solid accessories market with has made the iDevice market such a success (something you can't do if there are no regulations because the standard is open) and Apple might be able to make a more power efficient solution (which I think is highly important to the long term effort of wearable electronics).
Yes, the iWatch is coming this year.
Wow, external higher-accuracy GPS receivers paired with phones have been around for years. Wait, "call one PMD and one Accessory - and send that data over BT or Wifi!". BAM, patent! Really?