According to the latest list published by the U.S. Trademark and Patent Office (USPTO), Apple has been granted a patent for a technology for electronic devices and electronic device accessories. The system uses near-field wireless communication technology to dynamically modify or change the way a device operates.
The patent applies to wonderful control keyboards, smart stands, keyboards, docking stations, cases, Apple Pencil, iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, Apple Watch, etc. Apple devices can automatically adjust the user interface according to the room where the user is located (e.g. kitchen, living room, bedroom).
For example, if the user places the phone on the stand or docking station in the bedroom, it activates/deactivates the alarm clock; if the user is in the living room, the interface displays control options for audio to control the iPhone or a home stereo system, HomePod or other device connected to the iPhone.
If the user is using it in a kitchen, then the interface will display recipes or one/multiple timers. If the user is in the docking station in a music room, then the graphical object may include audio controls and a sheet music interface. In some implementations, the association of an accessory (e.g., a docking station) to a particular room is based on the assignment of the accessory to a virtual room in the smart home platform.
