Naturally, the various development departments of Apple are not only interested in iPhone, iPad, Mac and the corresponding software. As is well known, the scope of work also includes completely different products. According to reports, the company is working, for example, on “Apple Car” and on a virtual reality headset and augmented reality glasses. Patent applications and frequently granted property rights provide information about potential future devices. Now several previously unknown security documents have been discovered indicating that Apple is developing a drone.
Apple has applied for patents for drones in Singapore
As early as May 2020, Apple filed two patent applications in Singapore, dealing with new technologies especially in relation to quadcopters. The choice of a city-state patent authority in Southeast Asia is unusual, because the California group usually files patent claims in its home country, i.e. with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Obviously the apple It is assumed that with this move, Apple wanted to hide the two protection messages from the public for as long as possible. Publications from patent offices in smaller countries far from the USA are not traditionally the focus of observers and journalists as extensively as those of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Coupling, control and tracking of quadcopters
A few days ago, two patent applications also appeared on the website of the US agency that Apple also submitted, albeit with a ban period. in a First precautionary letter With the title “Association of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Controllers”, it is about techniques for pairing and de-pairing drones with the corresponding controllers. Apple describes various ways, among other things, a proprietary network protocol can be used. subordinate Second patent application The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Tracking and Control software handles the control capabilities of a quadcopter via a cellular network that you provide with the controller and location tracking. This must be done in conjunction with the automatic traffic management system, which controls certain situations.
More patent applications already last year
The two protection documents that are now well known are not Apple’s first patent applications for drones. The company introduced three more last year. This leads to the conclusion that Cupertino is seriously engaged in the development of such devices. It is not known if the iPhone company will actually introduce its own quadcopter in the foreseeable future. Given the importance Apple places on virtual and augmented reality as well as photos and video, the drone could fit well into the company’s product suite.
