US Patent 8,903,519 - Apple - Protective mechanism for electronic device

[RCoon]

From what I gather, it's the general idea of using some mechanics to reduce the damage an iPhone takes when falling, including, but not limited to
- "Wings" to reduce speed of fall
- Altering the angular momentium
> Weighted motors to adjust the angle (similar to cats landing on their legs)
- Grabbing headphone cable during a fall
"the protective device may include a gripping member configured to grip onto a power cord, headphone cord, or the like that may be partially received within the device."
etc.

There are A LOT of possibilities in the patent. Seems to cover a broad area.

SOURCE

 

[micropage7]

yeah as usual, the wider the more space to sue the other company and it means more $$$
sometimes i think now patent is not about protecting any invention but now its more like another source to get money from other company or to kick them out from the market

 

[Blue-Knight]

As long as the device does not suffer an increase in its price they can do everything they want to... But I doubt apple users would care about this, they will pay any amount with no problems.

Good for Apple!

 

[micropage7]

back to title,
using some mechanics to reduce the damage an iPhone takes when falling

it would expensive than basic protector like silicon case and it may give higher selling price

 

[Sasqui]

yeah as usual, the wider the more space to sue the other company and it means more $$$
sometimes i think now patent is not about protecting any invention but now its more like another source to get money from other company or to kick them out from the market

It's just another stash of weapons in the arsenal. They all play these games to gain market share and control. No surprise.

Regarding the "inventions", if they could make a phone that self-levitated, then I'd be impressed.