Apple gets patents to sync mobiles with vehicles

Apple has gotten a slew of patents that may boost its "iOS in the Car" service for 2014, an Apple enthusiast site reported.

 

Patently Apple said the US Patent and Trademark Office published up to 43 newly granted patents, including one for synchronizing mobile and vehicle devices.

 

"(This is) an important Apple patent that covers a method and system that could be a foundational patent supporting Apple’s forthcoming 'iOS in the Car' service due next year," it said.

 

The patent covers apps including Maps, Contacts and integrated telephony for iPhone, it noted.

 

Patently Apple said the new Apple syncing patent may cover mapping for configured personal computers as well as mobile devices like those in cars, aircraft, and watercraft.

 

"Newer mobile devices may integrate mapping features with one or more other functions previously found only in standalone devices, such as computing functions, personal data assistants, cellular telephone service, network access, camera functions, and the ability to play media files and games," it added.

 

It also said the patent can allow updating a mobile device based on location information, as well as receiving sensor data.

 

Citing an example, Patently Apple said the mobile device can be in communication with the vehicle device via a wireless communication and/or a communication link.

 

"The location information can include the current location of the vehicle device, the location of a desired destination, the location of an object, or navigation information," it said.

 

Apple credited former VP of iOS software Scott Forstall and team members Gregory Christie, Robert Borchers and Kevin Tiene for patent 8,538,462, which was filed in the fourth quarter of 2012. — TJD, GMA News