Earlier today Patently Apple published a report titled "Apple Wins Patent for Air Bag-Like Shock Absorbing System to Protect Device Cover Glass." Another patent that was granted to Apple today by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office reveals an alternative drop countermeasures invention for the iPhone as well as for the iPad cover accessory. For more details on this invention, see Patently Apple's original patent application report posted in September 2014.

Apple's patent FIG. 2 noted below is a block diagram illustrating various internal and external components of electronic device #10 (an iPhone), including drop damage mitigation and impact countermeasure system #40. In this particular example, the system includes an accelerometer or other motion sensor #42, display #43, processor or controller #44, and actuator #45.

Apple's patent FIG. 3A noted above is a perspective view illustrating a momentum-coupled drop damage mitigation or countermeasure system for the device, with a proximity sensor; FIG. 3B is a schematic view illustrating a second example of the countermeasure system, with a rotary angular momentum-coupled actuator.

Apple's patent FIG. 4A noted above is a schematic illustration of a drop damage mitigation system for the device, with an actuated control device; FIG. 4B is a schematic illustration showing a second example of the drop damage mitigation system, with an actuated logo member; FIG. 4C is a schematic illustration showing a third example of the drop damage mitigation system, with an actuated impact absorbing member; and FIG. 4D is a schematic illustration showing a fourth example of the drop damage mitigation system, with an actuated cover glass.

Apple's granted patent 9,432,492 was filed in Q1 2013 and published today by the US Patent and Trademark Office.

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