Apple's Patent Background

Many devices these days include one or more removable entities, such as a subscriber identity module ("SIM") card, that store information used (e.g., by a wireless network operator) to identify a subscriber of the device.

Such devices include mobile telephones, tablet devices, computers, and other electronic devices. Oftentimes, an owner of a device may desire to eject a removable entity from the device (e.g., when sending the device in for repairs or traveling to a foreign country that supports the storage medium, but not the device). However, typical devices employ removable entity ejection systems that require the user to perform a manual action (e.g., inserting an ejection tool into the device), which may be disadvantageous. For example, during a manual ejection procedure, the user may damage the removable entity or even the device.

Further, because the removable entity may store identification information pertaining to the owner of the device, the removable entity may be subject to theft by anyone with physical access to the device. That is, in addition to, or in lieu of, stealing the device, a thief may access personal information stored in the removable entity, even if the device's user interface is locked or inaccessible (e.g., by password protection). Accordingly, there is a need to improve current removable entity ejection system designs for ejecting storage media from electronic devices.

Apple's Solution

Apple's invention relates to systems and methods for ejecting removable entities from electronic devices. An electronic device may include a removable entity retention system for retaining and/or coupling to one or more removable entities. The electronic device may also include a removable entity ejection system for ejecting the one or more removable entities from the removable entity retention system.

Apple's patent FIG. 9 noted below is a front view of an iPhone presenting a display screen that includes an option for ejecting a removable entity such as a SIM card tray; Apple's FIG. 10 shows us a flowchart of an illustrative method of ejecting at least one removable entity from an electronic device.

According to Apple, the "electronic device" discussed in their patent application could cover many device types including the following: a music player (e.g., an iPod, video player, still image player, game player, other media player, music recorder, movie or video camera or recorder, still camera, other media recorder, radio, medical equipment, domestic appliance, transportation vehicle instrument, musical instrument, calculator, iPhone, iPad, remote control, pager, computer (e.g., a desktop, laptop, tablet, server, etc.), monitor, television, stereo equipment, set up box, set-top box, boom box, modem, router, printer, and combinations thereof.

With the option to eject the SIM card tray via a touch screen virtual button, a thief won't be able to open the SIM card tray as in the past. They'd have to be able to crack Touch ID in order to be able to access the SIM card ejection system. As SIM cards in the future may carry a bank credit and/or debit card, this is going to be a very important feature in the not-too-distant future.

The rest of the patent application greatly details the mechanics of the new SIM card tray system. For instance, in patent FIG. 7A we're able to see is a plan view of an alternative removable entity ejection system, in a first state; Patent FIG. 7B is a plan view of the alternative removable entity ejection system of FIG. 7A, in a second state.

Patent Credits

Apple credits Piotr Trzaskos and Simon Kao as the inventors of patent application 20140092571 which was originally filed in Q3 2012. Considering that this is a patent application, the timing of such a device feature coming to market is unknown at this time.

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