The Cupertino tech juggernaut Apple seems to be looking at a lot of things for its future iPhone models. This year, the company might release six new iPhone models, with some of them bearing 5G support and advanced technology. But, if the patent filing is to go by, Apple wants the future iPhone to be able to use different kinds of signals to release an emergency distress beacon, along with ways on how to prolong the battery life until the help arrives.
Apple iPhone models these days are capable of alerting the authorities on command. However, it appears that Apple is looking into new ways to help users in areas where regular cellphone coverage is either poor, problematic, or unavailable. The patent filed by Apple is considering Emergency Power Save Mode (EPSM) to broadcast a distress signal in various ways while also minimizing the use of a battery to keep the device working until help arrives.
The patent is intended for mobile electronic devices like Apple iPhone or iPad that users usually carry with them. It was filed under US Patent No 20200015169 with the title, "Enhanced Emergency Beacon Sending Procedure." "These and other devices may be carried by users in remote locations, and a user may desire to broadcast an emergency beacon in a location that is not covered by cellular service," the patent states.
Apple wants its procedures to become a universal standard to the extent that the patent describes it being used on various devices. It mentions the PlayStation Portable, smart glasses, and Android phones. The patent filed by Apple refers to these devices as User Equipment. The patent also details that the screen is the first thing that users must switch off to save power in times of emergencies.
Apple also says that since the user is unlikely to gain access to power to be able to recharge the battery, the power level may diminish the chance that the emergency beacon is successfully broadcast and received before the battery is drained. Under the proposed system, the user could choose to turn the Emergency Power Save Mode manually. Additionally, the user could decide beforehand to have the Emergency Power Save Mode automatically turned on when the battery falls below a particular level.
The Apple patent credited eight inventors, including Lydi Smaini, Tarik Tabet, and Mohit Narang. Most of them have prior filings for Apple on inventions about signal transmission, and power consumption. It is worth mentioning that while the system presented in the patent is useful and interesting, there is a chance that it might not enter into production or get commercialized. But, it is interesting to know that Apple is actually looking into this kind of system.
