Apple patent wants to automate your iPhone with "situational awareness"

posted by Michael H. / Feb 27, 2013, 2:29 PM

Apple patent wants to automate your iPhone with

This is not the first time that we've seen functionality like this planned for a smartphone, and it certainly won't be the last. A new Apple patent is showing that the company wants to automate more functions of your iPhone using "situational awareness". If you've been following our news, it's quite a lot like the Inconspicuous Mode patent that Microsoft filed a while back, or like automating many of the functions you'd find on Android using Tasker or Locale.

The idea is to automate certain functions based on "situational awareness". This means using all of those fancy sensors that your smartphone has to detect ambient light, force, temperature, ambient noise, and motion, then change certain settings accordingly. This could mean something as simple as dimming the screen and lowering the device volume when not in use, or to use Microsoft's example, dim the screen and turn off the sound when you enter a movie theater.

The patent filing also calls up a bit of Google Now by saying that the feature would predict the user’s needs, and automatically perform whatever functions the user desires without having to select the menu options or activating a program. And, the feature would be completely customizable, letting the user create triggers like you would with Tasker or Locale. Given all of the analogies to other products used in this article, it's hard to say this is really something that deserved to receive a patent.

source: USPTO via ValueWalk via BGR

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23 Comments

1. RaKithAPeiRiZ

Posts: 1488; Member since: Dec 29, 2011

"he sees when you are sleeping , he knows when you're awake"

posted on Feb 27, 2013, 2:32 PM 4

5. InspectorGadget80 unregistered

And knows when you been naughty or good

posted on Feb 27, 2013, 2:57 PM 5

7. deadstroke

Posts: 113; Member since: Jan 22, 2013

A GOOD ONE LOL

posted on Feb 27, 2013, 3:22 PM 3

20. InspectorGadget80 unregistered

lmao yep

posted on Feb 27, 2013, 7:47 PM 0

2. tedkord

Posts: 17473; Member since: Jun 17, 2009

Google leads.

posted on Feb 27, 2013, 2:38 PM 3

12. Mxyzptlk unregistered

Not the good kind of lead.

posted on Feb 27, 2013, 5:10 PM 2

3. Kriksis

Posts: 94; Member since: Aug 27, 2012

Seems a bit old considering Symbian phones have this as an app for about a year or so... Search for "Situations" on Nokia Store...

posted on Feb 27, 2013, 2:43 PM 4

4. ama3654

Posts: 295; Member since: Nov 27, 2012

OH Nooo!!! Apple stop patenting something that has been done before please, people have used this long time ago and no one has patented only for patent troll fruit to come and put a stop to innovation. USPTO beware!

posted on Feb 27, 2013, 2:52 PM 4

24. jsdechavez

Posts: 814; Member since: Jul 20, 2012

This patent actually makes sense. I would be so relieved if those phones and tablets during concerts and events and special gathering gets their camera's shutoff before they could ruin my view or some confidentiality..

posted on Feb 28, 2013, 1:05 AM 0

6. nikenturd unregistered

The USPTO should be aptly renamed to APTO since Apple has a complete control on them. Boy I miss the days when one cannot actually patent a color or shape....

posted on Feb 27, 2013, 3:06 PM 4

8. _Bone_

Posts: 2155; Member since: Oct 29, 2012

Patenting what already exists, the worms are active again at Apple.

posted on Feb 27, 2013, 3:29 PM 4

9. gallitoking

Posts: 4721; Member since: May 17, 2011

don't see the big deal if it is already patent they will get deny and move on.. if is not.. than shame on prev companies for not protecting their innovations... Apple has every right to apply for the patent..

posted on Feb 27, 2013, 3:39 PM 2

10. darkkjedii

Posts: 31616; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

Well said

posted on Feb 27, 2013, 4:05 PM 2

15. joey_sfb

Posts: 6794; Member since: Mar 29, 2012

Alas!! Apple fan are so trapped in the past.

posted on Feb 27, 2013, 5:48 PM 2

11. Taters

Posts: 6474; Member since: Jan 28, 2013

Shame on the previous companies for assuming their innovations are not worth patenting or if patented would curb the development of the concept? Apple fans are hilarious. Only they are okay with Apple patenting other people's work. Of course it is a big deal. I wouldn't and shouldn't be allowed to patent a napkin go sue every restaurant I can. How is it not a big deal for Apple to do something similar with software?

posted on Feb 27, 2013, 4:45 PM 4

13. gallitoking

Posts: 4721; Member since: May 17, 2011

you write like you know what is going on.. which you don't.. or can you show me proofs by the USPTO that already has been patented...

posted on Feb 27, 2013, 5:22 PM 0

14. Taters

Posts: 6474; Member since: Jan 28, 2013

Of course Apple fans do not know how to read either. Where did I mention anything about something already being patented by the USPTO? And why would you ask me for proof of something I never claimed?

posted on Feb 27, 2013, 5:38 PM 2

18. gallitoking

Posts: 4721; Member since: May 17, 2011

was refferiing to this comments "Only they are okay with Apple patenting other people's work." just ask for proof on this that you claim Apple patents other people's work.... ps.. u didn't claim it so will take it as your comment only with nothing to stand but your opinion..

posted on Feb 27, 2013, 6:54 PM 0

19. Taters

Posts: 6474; Member since: Jan 28, 2013

Sigh, you are not very smart are you. Apple patenting other people's work does not require that work to be patented in the first place. Which is exactly what Apple is doing here. Patenting other people's work that hasn't been patented yet. So what are you talking about exactly with this crap about the USPTO? My opinion is common sense, that it is not okay for companies like Apple to patent work that has been done before. You saying that it is okay just makes you an Apple lover.

posted on Feb 27, 2013, 7:25 PM 1

22. Taters

Posts: 6474; Member since: Jan 28, 2013

Just so that you know exactly what you are saying, I'll reword it for you. What's the big deal? Apple has every right to take credit for something that they did not invent. Shame on those previous companies for not taking credit for their inventions. In what world is that okay? Oh yeah! Fruit world!

posted on Feb 27, 2013, 9:30 PM 1

21. dorianb

Posts: 617; Member since: Oct 24, 2012

The idea is to automate certain functions based on "situational awareness". What happens when it "situationally" becomes aware that it's OS is ancient?