Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has filed for a patent for a system that will automatically adjust settings in cars and homes. Of course the iPhone serves as the controller for the system. The filing with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office was spotted early by Mikey Campbell of Apple Insider.
The basics on Apple’s new patent
Inside of a car the system would enable the user’s iPhone to adjust the seat of the car, the steering wheel and the position of the mirror. This prevents multiple drivers of the same car from having to make adjustments to these things every time they get into the car, although some brands of automobiles already offer this feature, allowing for these automatic adjustments to be tied to the user’s car remote.
At home, it would allow for climate control. The system is called an “automatic configuration of self-configurable environments,” and it can use any portable device. Since it uses any portable device, it can be used from anywhere in the world. So for example, if the user forgot to turn the air conditioner off at home and is about to get on a plane for an extended trip, the adjustment could be made via the system described in Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s patent filing.
Apple’s filing focuses mainly on cars
The majority of the document is on automation of settings inside cars. When the device that’s attached to a particular vehicle is brought inside that vehicle, the automatic controls would make the adjustments.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s system even offers what it calls “environment translation software,” which would make adjustments in a vehicle using the measurements of the car. In theory, those who rent a car and have this system on their iPhone wouldn’t have to make adjustments inside the rental car because the system would do it for them.
Will car manufacturers cooperate with Apple?
Of course this invention might never see the light of day, particularly if third-party manufacturers don’t cooperate with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s plans. Part of the system is used in the iOS in the Car system, which Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has been working on rolling out. However, so far some manufacturers have been hesitant to include the technology in their cars.
