Apple has patented a lot of technologies lately, but one recorded on February 1 could change the way the company will treat its customers in the future. The patent se CALLED Consumer abuse detection system and method and describes a method by which Apple could automatically receive information from devices if they have been opened, had contact with water, been subjected to extreme temperatures, been hit/etc. Apple intends to introduce a series of electric shock, liquid and thermal sensors in the devices, sensors that once activated record the date of the event and send a message to Apple regarding the recorded data without the user knowing.
For example, consumer abuse may include exposing an electronic device to liquids, extreme temperatures, or excessive shock (eg, the resulting impact from dropping the device)," the background of the patent, titled "Consumer abuse detection system and method," states . "Consumer abuse may also result from tampering which may include any interaction with the device that is not related to operating the device in a normal manner (eg, opening the casing or housing of a device and adding, removing, or altering the internal components) .
Apple also intends to implement a problem diagnosis system, meaning the sensors take the data, transmit it to this system that goes through a device diagnosis process. After the end of this process, the device can be closed if it is seriously affected, it can be opened but it will have limited functionality or it could only display a message warning the user that he must take it for repair. This problem diagnosis system will remain active even if the device itself is not working, all to record data that can then be analyzed by Apple technicians.
Such diagnostic equipment may be configured to read and analyze data stored in the abuse detection system, for example, through the dual-mode communication interface operating in a diagnostic mode," the patent states. (Numerical references have been omitted.) "Based on the information stored in the abuse detection system, it may be determined whether or not consumer abuse occurred and/or if the consumer abuse is attributable to the damage or failure of the device.
Apple talks about the inclusion of humidity sensors that would automatically activate when the terminal comes into contact with water and when the device is reopened, a diagnostic procedure would be started. The patent also talks about thermal sensors, one placed outside the device to record the ambient temperature and one placed inside to record if the terminal is exposed to very low temperatures. A third sensor would be connected to the accelerometer and would record the shocks to which the device was subjected.
For example, it may be useful to place one or more continuity sensors at positions on or within the device by which users are most likely to attempt to open or tamper with the device, for example, along the edges of housing or casing structures of the device," the patent states. "The continuity sensor may be configured to provide indication to the tamper detection circuitry that tampering has occurred.
I don't know if Apple could ever implement such sensors in its devices, but if it did, it would not change so many iPhone terminals.
