Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) recently filed another patent, and this time it’s a smart dock patent for Siri. This new patent describes a hypothetical device that looks like a typical iOS device dock, with the only difference that it allows access to Siri while docked.
The current docking stations for Apple
This patent also describes how the system will listen for voice prompts which could be identified as user commands such as play, pause, or next track. The current docking stations for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) are limited to line-out audio and charging. The proposed dock would have to feature a screen, tactile controls or a touch panel.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) offered the following as a description of their technology, “A dock for a portable electronic device including a housing, a connector extending from the housing to connect the portable electronic device to the dock, a microphone integrated within the housing, and a processor. The processor is operatively coupled to receive audio input from the microphone, and in response to the audio input, transmit a message to the portable electronic device via the connector to activate a voice recognition mode of the portable electronic device.”
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s purported smart dock would listen for specific prompts as well as recognize activation requests from user and relay the command to a docked iPhone. It also executes operations returned. A good example of that would simplify communications between Siri and the user. To start the setup process, users would have to assign an audio prompt that could be either a spoken word or simple clap to activate.
Smart docks that transform a tablet into a computer
Other tech makers have created smart docks that transform a tablet into a computer. The Samsung Smart Dock Multimedia Hub is one example of such device. It’s compatible with the Galaxy Note II, Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Mega. Users who want to share or show a video can connect HD monitor through the HDMI port with this device. Users can also connect an actual keyboard through a USB port on the device.
Also see: Apple Inc. (APPL): A Stalled Growth Stock Says UBS
