Apple Patents Its Own In-Dash Infotainment System

A bystander for some time in the world of in-car connectivity, Apple seems ready to dive head-first into the fray, according to patent information made public in early July. Following the lead of Microsoft, which has its name all over Ford’s Sync and MyFord Touch systems, Apple might be quietly preparing for an overwhelming entry into the automotive market not unlike the splash it made with the iPhone.

Siri Eyes Free integration highlights Apple’s approach to designing a tech-heavy, distraction-free driving environment, and automakers already are lining up to make it a part of their connectivity suites. Many of the Cupertino-based giant’s proposed technological advancements already have found their way into production cars, such as haptic-touch screens and programmable dashboards, but the list of functionalities is impressive nonetheless.

• As with an iPhone or an iPad, controls on the dashboard and center stack can utilize touch, pinch, and slide movements. The patent information explains the benefit in terms of operating the windshield wipers, which allows for the driver to select exactly the speed and frequency of each wipe rather than defer to fixed intermittent positions.
• Apple’s patent mimics systems like BMW’s proprietary iDrive for primary controls, highlighted by a central control knob as the lynchpin of functions that are not controlled by voice, in the vein of iDrive.
• An overhead camera, or two, is responsible for recognizing and monitoring driver and passenger behavior in the car.  Dashboard-mounted cameras are another option, designed for face recognition and airbag deployment based on seats occupied, among other inputs. In some circumstances, the patent hints that the software could disable the ignition for unknown drivers. Infrared technology also lets the car know which occupants are doing what in the cabin.

• Feature: We Be Sippin’—Nine Technologies that Significantly Reduce Fuel Consumption
• Comparison Test: Google Maps Comparo—Public Transit vs. Driving vs. Walking Across NYC
• Instrumented Test: 2013 Tesla Model S

Of course, it’s worth noting that Apple has thousands of patents and patent applications filed with the U.S. and the European Union, with only a very small amount ever coming to fruition. (Just last year we reported on a steering-wheel-mounted iPod-style remote control that we’ve yet to see any sign of in the real world.) Considering Apple’s already dipped a toe in the waters of in-car connectivity with Eyes Free, we’d imagine that something similar to these patents is in the works in Silicon Valley.

Source: CarAndDriver