Today the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of 42 newly granted patents for Apple Inc. In this particular report we briefly cover patents relating to AirPods Max's 'Pose' sensors and the Magic Keyboard's construction with focus on its hinge system. Apple won two key design patents and as always, we wrap up this week's granted patent report with our traditional listing of the remaining granted patents that were issued to Apple today. 

Patent #1: AirPods Max with Pose Sensors

Today the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially granted Apple a patent that relates to AirPods Max that includes one or more pose sensors for detecting a pose of a user wearing AirPods Max to a first physical environment and is in communication with one or more audio output devices.

Apple notes that while a first pose of the user meets first presentation criteria, the AirPods Max provides audio content at a first simulated spatial location relative to the user. The AirPods Max detects a change in the pose of the user from the first pose to a second pose. In response to detecting the change in the pose of the user, and in accordance with a determination that the second pose of the user does not meet the first presentation criteria, the AirPods Max provides audio content at a second simulated spatial location relative to the user that is different from the first simulated spatial location.

Apple's patent FIG. 3C below illustrates example audio control by a AirPods Max.

Apple's patent FIGS. 5A and 5B above illustrate example adaptive audio outputs in response to example user interactions with AirPods Max.

More specifically, Apple's patent FIG. 5A illustrates user #502 seated and sitting upright, and wearing headphones #504, in physical environment #500. The expanded view #501 illustrates the headphones playing music so that the music sounds as if it is coming from simulated spatial region #506 surrounding the user's head.

In Patent FIG. 5B, the user has assumed a standing position. In the expanded view #501, in response to the change in the pose of the user from sitting (FIG. 5A) to standing (FIG. 5B), the headphones move the simulated spatial location of the music being played so that the music sounds as if it is coming from simulated spatial location #508 that is above the user's head, which is distinct from simulated spatial region #506 surrounding user's head, and decrease the volume at which the music is being played.

Apple's patent is deep with many twists. For more details, review Apple's granted patent US 11562729 B2.

Apple Inventors

• Mitch Lerner: Audio. Audio for interaction design, audio tuning expert.
• Pedro Mari: Designer, Human Interface

Patent #2: Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro

Today, Apple was granted a patent for the iPad Pro accessory 'Magic Keyboard.' Technically, the keyboard section includes a keyboard and a touchpad, while the cover section includes multiple segments. The cover section orients the electronic device such that a user can access the electronic device, the keyboard, and the touchpad. The cover section is rotationally coupled to the keyboard section by one or more hinge assemblies (including clutches and springs), allowing the cover section and the electronic device to rotate relative to the keyboard section.

For more on this, review Apple's granted patent US 11561586 B2.

Today's Key Design Patents

Today’s Remaining Granted Patents