In May Patently Apple posted a patent application report titled "Apple Reveals new Speaker System Design that is focused on Operating at Cooler Temperatures." Today, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially granted Apple this patent that relates to a next generation audio system or speaker that is focused on running cooler to ensure quality audio and safeguard components.  

Unlike many larger electronic devices, such as computers, for example, many home audio systems may be premised on limited noise during operation, which may remove items like cooling fans from some home audio systems that may produce audible noise with the cooling operations.

Apple's patent FIG. 1 below shows a schematic cross-sectional elevation view of an audio system that may include microphones or recording devices, antennas or other communication features, lighting and/or power capabilities, cameras, sensors including environmental sensors and motion sensors or positioning sensors and more.

By incorporating a duct and loudspeaker system, circulation within internal volumes may be produced by operation of the loudspeakers, which may be used to cool internal components.

Apple's patent FIG. 5 above shows a schematic cross-sectional plan view of an alternative speaker design. The housing may also define one or more apertures in which one or more ducts may be positioned, or the housing may itself define one or more ducts

For more, review our May report here or review granted patent #10,827,273 titled "Dual loudspeaker enabled cooling."

Apple Wins Patent for Apple Pencil & iPad Magnet Systems

In September 2016 Patently Apple posted a patent application report titled "Apple Invents a Magnetic Array System Allowing an Apple Pencil to Securely Attach to an iPad +." Today Apple was granted this patent.

This granted patent was behind Apple Pencil being able to attach to an iPad for charging. That part of the patent has been fulfilled. Yet the patent goes on to describe possible future magnet applications such as allowing two iPads to be attached side-by-side like a notebook; be a part of a new protective case mechanism to better protect against free-falls and provide advanced feedback for playing a virtual piano in GarageBand.

Apple's patent FIG. 1A below shows a configuration in which electromagnets #102 of both device #100 and #150 are positioned on both ends of one side of each device. In some embodiments, electromagnets #102 can be activated by receiving energy from power source #104 only when magnetic field sensors 106 detect a predetermined magnetic signature.

Apple's patent FIG. 1E above shows an additional embodiment in which electronic device #180 includes a power source while electronic device #190 does not. In this embodiment, the power source is configured to supply power to electromagnets in both electronic device #180 and #190. Dotted lines running from magnetic field sensor #106 show how energy from power source #104 can be routed between the devices.

For more, review our 2016 report here or review granted patent 10,824,199.