Apple has knack of patenting some of the most advanced phenomenon. Not necessarily all of them see the light of the day, but Apple patents them any way so as to tell the world how far into the future it is looking. For that reason, analysts keep a keen eye on the patents filed by Apple. In one of the patents filed by Apple, it has been revealed by Patently Apple that there is talk of a very wild concept, which seems almost unreal. The patent is about magnets, programmable magnets, and production of haptic effects using Ferrofluids. This is some really advanced stuff, even in theory. Read further for details.
So how to coded magnets work and what can Apple accomplish with them? Coded magnets, as per the patent, can be used to carry different digital signatures. These signatures can then be utilized to lock or unlock devices and other things. This mechanism can be used in enhancing the physical security of iOS devices. It can also be effectively used for digital security of the device. For instance, as the patent details, a stylus can be ‘locked’ to an iPad by coupling the signature of magnets situated on both the tablet and the stylus; and then unlocking the tablet only when the right stylus is used.
Another very important possible use of magnets is that magnetic fields can be registered and changes in the magnetic fields can be used to determine any faults occurring in the hardware of a device. For instance, if a battery swells, this would change the magnetic field of a magnet situated near or in contact with the battery and through this magnet, the user could be prompted about the potential hazard.
Ferrofluids are such fluids which respond to magnetic forces. These fluids can be used to gather haptic feedback on touchscreen or virtual keyboard. Whereas this all is still an idea, Apple has at least patented it, so we can still hope that Apple may build this technology into it’s products one day.
[ttjad]
