What new features will the iPhone have in the future? An inventory of Apple's new patents

Since the release of iPhone 6s/6s Plus, rumors about iPhone 7/7 Plus have been endless. For example, there are rumors about the design without "white belt", waterproof and camera without protrusion. Although these are rumors, Apple has indeed applied for relevant patents. If it is not realized in iPhone 7/7 Plus, it is very likely to appear in future iPhones. Therefore, if you want to peek at the new features of Apple's future iPhone, you might as well take a look at the new patents related to mobile phones that Apple has recently applied for.

The Home button also supports "heavy press" or "light press" operations

In addition to the significant hardware upgrades, the biggest highlight of the iPhone 6s/6s Plus is the 3D Touch function. However, Apple is not satisfied with just adapting this pressure-sensitive operation to the iPhone screen. Recently, it was reported that Apple has passed a patent related to 3D Touch technology, which means that the pressure-sensitive operation technology similar to 3D Touch will be integrated on the Home button of the future iPhone or iPad.

According to relevant documents, Apple's patent is named "Pressure-sensitive Fingerprint Input System". The patent describes that a capacitive sensor that can detect the pressure is added to the Home button, so that the Home button can add a function similar to 3D Touch on the basis of Touch ID (fingerprint recognition). This means that different operations can be achieved on the Home button with different pressing forces. For example, we can quickly start functions such as the camera or flashlight by pressing the Home button hard. In addition, Apple may even combine pressure sensing with the Touch ID of the Home button to form other new functions.

You can use Touch ID when you log in to iCloud on your new device

When Apple integrated fingerprint recognition Touch ID on iPhone 5s, it has always emphasized the safeguards it uses to protect Touch ID biometric data, that is, the independent storage chip (Secure Enclave) used to store data, which other applications cannot access through biometric data, and the data will not be stored on the server. However, a new patent recently exposed by Apple shows that Apple is considering using cloud services such as iCloud to store user fingerprint data.

Apple's new patent is called "Synchronizing fingerprint biometric sensor data via cloud computing devices and related methods." The patent shows that Apple intends to synchronize Touch ID fingerprint data in the cloud, which can save the trouble of manually setting up Touch ID on a new iPhone or iPad. In other words, when we change to a new phone, we can directly log in to iCloud to download fingerprint data and use the Touch ID function.

As for security issues. Apple stated in the patent application that the fingerprint information collected for the first time will be uploaded to the cloud through its own processor using a special encryption algorithm to upload the account's identification information and fingerprint biometric information. However, when using other devices, fingerprint information will also be collected and matched with cloud fingerprint data. Only when the two match will more cloud encrypted fingerprint data be downloaded. However, although it is said to have encryption processing, uploading to the cloud means there is a risk of leakage, such as the earlier iCloud nude photo incident.

Do Sony fans really have no objection to the dustproof and waterproof iPhone?

Since iPhone 6s/6s Plus has a lot of silicone gaskets inside to protect the motherboard circuit and screen design, its waterproof performance has been significantly improved. Unfortunately, iPhone 6s/6s Plus is not a real mobile phone. However, according to some recent Apple patents, Apple may intend to launch a dustproof and waterproof iPhone.

Drain the liquid through the orifice

The United States Patent and Trademark Office recently published a patent from Apple titled "Liquid Discharge Through an Orifice," which describes a technology for discharging liquid from a phone by changing the charge distribution of conductive elements inside an acoustic device (speaker or microphone).

According to the patent document, when the sensor in the acoustic module detects the entry of water vapor, it will collect or move the liquid by strategically changing the charge distribution on the cavity wall, thereby expelling the invading water vapor through certain holes. In addition, the patent also describes a method of using the sound waves generated by the speaker unit to drive away the liquid.

Interface protection waterproof design

In addition, Apple has also applied for a patent for an interface protection design, which can automatically shield open interfaces such as speakers and microphones (including SIM card slots and headphone jacks) of devices such as iPhones and iPads through a control mechanism, protecting sensitive components inside the device from contaminants such as liquids.

Judging from the design of Apple's iPhone in recent years and the many patents related to improving waterproof design, Apple is obviously interested in creating a waterproof phone. However, I am afraid that when Apple brings out a waterproof iPhone, Sony fans will say, "Oh! I'm tired of this!"

It’s too thin, what if the camera doesn’t protrude?

Due to the pursuit of thin body design, Apple has to compromise on the issue of camera protrusion, which of course has become a common joke about iPhone 6 and 6s. However, according to a new Apple patent, Apple seems to have found a design to reduce the thickness of the camera assembly, thereby avoiding the camera protrusion on the phone.

Apple's patent is called "Micro High-Resolution Camera", which uses a spherical sensor and lens array to capture high-resolution images. This imaging solution only requires three sets of lenses, and due to the reduction in the number of lenses, the thickness will also be greatly reduced. In addition, the reduction in the number of lenses is also conducive to reducing the loss of incident light, and the photos taken will be brighter and sharper. However, the reduction in the number of lens groups also means that diffraction and distortion are more difficult to control, so Apple can only rely on software optimization to make up for it.

Apple uses OLED screen, probably for this reason!

Recently, there have been rumors that the new iPhone will use an OLED screen, and the frequent actions of Samsung and LG, the main suppliers of OLED, seem to confirm this rumor. Since OLED is thinner, more power-efficient, has a higher color gamut and viewing angle than LCD, it is natural for Apple to use an OLED screen. In addition, Apple may pay more attention to the bendable characteristics of OLED, preparing for the design of surround screen devices in the future.

According to the US Patent and Trademark Office, Apple has considered adopting a "surround display" design and has also applied for related patents. Apple's patent is named "Electronic device with a surround display". According to the information, the device adopts a "hollow cover structure" design, equipped with a 360-degree surround screen, and a layer of sapphire and other crystal materials is added on the outside as a protective material.

However, the use of curved screens is currently in the trial stage, and the current OLED curved screens are not yet fully mature. Therefore, I believe that Apple will not launch an iPhone with a 360-degree surround display in the short term. However, it is not ruled out that Apple will launch such a product in the future.

In fact, every year Apple produces endless new patents, most of which are difficult to realize. However, the above-mentioned patents are very likely to be realized on the new iPhone in the future. As for which generation of iPhone will it be? Well, we can only wait and see.

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.