Materials, Processes
Apple invents Device Coatings to better Protect Future iDevices & Macs from Scratches and Drop Fractures
Apple invents Cool Adaptive Metal Surfaces that allow Device Housings to Shape Shift and open Micro Heat Vents
Really? Apple Invents a Next-Gen iPhone with a Flip Phone Form Factor
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Apple Wins Photonic Crystal Coatings Patent that produces Bright Color Smart Spots on the back of iPhones acting as Alerts
Apple Patent indicates that Future iPhones will Provide Hardened Finishes that are Abrasion Resistant
Apple Invents a Strong Cover Glass and/or Portion of an iDevice Housing using Sapphire or Fiberglass Ribbing
U.S. Patent Office publishes two more of Apple's Patent Filings for a Water Resistant Coating for Future iDevices
Apple files Patent Describing a new Water Resistant Coating Process and other Waterproofing Modifications
New Apple Inventions cover Devices that may use Titanium, Chemically Resistant Compounds & Protective Enzymes
Apple Patents ways to strengthen iDevice Cover Glass while adding NFC to assist iDevices transition to Vehicle Networks
Apple's Customized Gold Alloys Patent for Apple Watch Surfaces, but it's not for a future Gold iPhone XX
Apple Patents Reveal High-Tech Fabrics for Future Apple Products Including a MacBook with a Smart Fabric Lid
Apple explores the use of Titanium, Titanium Alloys and Hybrid Plastics for Future Devices
Apple Patent Describes using Liquid Metal (Metallic Glass) for the Backside of an iPhone
Apple Granted a Liquid Metal Patent Covering Improved Molds for Creating Parts or Device Casings
Apple Invents a Method for Forming a 3D Glass iPhone Body that Supports a Recent Rumor
Equipment for Forming 3D Features in a Device & Testing the Strength of Sapphire Revealed in Apple Patents
Apple Invents Next-Gen Fabrics that could one Day be used for iDevice Housings and Beyond
Apple Invented a Laser System that Could Accurately Color Sapphire Materials for a Possible Future iPhone
Apple Patent Reveals Breakthrough Quantum Tunneling Touch-Sensitive Materials for iPhone, Smart Cases & More
Apple Invention Clearly Spells out a Laser Polishing System for a Future Ceramic iPhone
Apple Invents a Multi-Scan X-Ray Robotic System for Inspecting Internal Components of an iDevice
The Invention behind the Integrated Antenna Lines in Current & Future iPhones Surface
Apple's Latest Methodology for Producing a Mirror-Like Finish on the iPhone Revealed
Patents Surface Covering Apple's Fanatical Detail for the iPhone 7 Finish, Retail Bags +
Revealing Apple Patent Covers Ceramic Apple Watch and All-New Ceramic iPhone
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Apple Reveals Fanatical Attention to Product Details in Processes for the Milanese Watch Band and Beyond
Apple invented a new Laser Marking System for the iPad Pro's Smart Keyboard
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Two Apple Patent Filings illustrate their Fanatical Attention to Detail in making iDevices Just Right
Apple invents a new Liquid Metal Based 3D Printing Method for Rapid Product Prototyping
Apple Invents a an Advanced Plenoptic Camera System to Assist in the Manufacturing of Quality Products
Apple's Patent Pending 7000 Series Aluminum Invention used in the new iPhone 6s comes to Light
Apple Invents a Method to Manufacture Hardened Ceramics with the use of Zirconia Particles
Apple Invents a Way for Service Technicians to replace an iPhone or MacBook Battery safely and securely
Apple has invented an apparatus that will make it easy for Apple's service team to replace an iPhone or MacBook battery quickly yet securely. Today, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple titled "Battery Removal Apparatus," which covers various methods for removing a device battery. The good news is that it may allow technicians to save an iPhone out of warranty by replacing a battery rather than having to purchase a new costly iPhone. So while Apple isn't giving users direct access to the battery, it's the next best thing.
Apple Still Eyeing a Foldable iPod Touch/iPhone Case while a new Testing Process Designed for "Small Articles" Comes to Light
On July 3, 2014, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that reveals their continuing work on an iPod touch/iPhone case. Apple received a granted patent for this particular design back in March. It was originally filed with USPTO in January 2010. The thrust of the patent is about Apple's original iPad cover/case that was replaced with their Smart Cover and Smart Case. Now Apple is back at this invention and the question is why? Secondly, we discovered a patent application today covering testing processes of "small articles." The manufacturing process tests for glass breakage points and bending stresses in a brittle article.
Apple invents a new Robotic Arm Testing System for the iPhone and introduces a new iPhone Antenna that Adds NFC
On May 22, 2014, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that reveals a new robotic arm system for testing iPhones. Before devices are sold to customers, extensive wireless tests are performed. Testing allows designers to optimize antenna and wireless transceiver performance. Testing also ensures that regulatory limits on emitted radiation levels are satisfied. As smartphones are now being designed with the capability to operate in a large number of frequency bands and using multiple antennas, conventional testing systems are becoming overburdened leading to potential delays. Apple has designed a new testing system that uses a new robotic arm. And while we're on the topic of multiple antennas, another Apple patent surfacing today reveals a new antenna structure that will combine NFC with Non-NFC communications to the same antenna. With Apple recently signing an e-Wallet deal with China UnionPay requiring NFC, Apple's latest NFC invention may very well be making its way to the iPhone 6.
Apple Seeks Patent for their new US Plant Five Axis Robotic Arm
Last Thursday the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that reveals that they're seeking protection for a newly advanced five axis robotic arm used in the manufacture of their new Mac Pro. Apple's Senior Vice President Operations Jeff Williams states in a video presented below that in order to make the advanced Mac Pro Tower, Apple had to pioneer entirely new processes. Of course one of them relates to Apple's new robotic arm. In the end, Apple is showing us the insane depths that they're willing to go so as to create an amazingly original desktop computer. How many companies other than Apple would go to such lengths to design a new desktop today in the midst of the mobile revolution? None. Apple just thinks different. Designing cool products is just in their DNA.
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Apple Reveals an Oleophobic Coating on Sapphire Process for iDevices that may Incorporate Liquid-Metal
On March 27, 2014, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple titled "Oleophobic Coating on Sapphire." Apple's invention covers a surface coating apparatus that could spray oleophobic and other coatings onto the glass of an iDevice. Apple's patent also hints that the body and bezel of future iDevices could be made of plastic, aluminum or an amorphous glass material which translates into being a liquid-metal. Today, we get another piece of Apple's sapphire materials puzzle.
Apple Reveals the Wonderful World of Nano-Particle Inks & More
On March 20, 2014, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that reveals Apple's work with spherically shaped nano particles and pigment nano-particles in particular that could be used in inks or dyes and applied to devices via screen printing and spraying processes. If you're an industrial designer or student in this field, you may find this invention to be of great interest to you. For the rest of us, it's a little over our heads. Though admittedly, it's an interesting invention only because it's a coloring process that could be used with future products made of sapphire.
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