Given the rumors that Apple is trying to partner with an established automaker to make an Apple-designed electric car, it is probably not too surprising that the number of Cupertino-born patents related to automobiles is skyrocketing. Not long after we highlight an Apple patent describing an intelligent lighting system for a vehicle interior, a new patent emerges (via 9to5Mac) describing a novel use for infrared headlights.
The patent was originally applied for in 2018 and is appropriately titled Nighttime Sensing. The patent states that driving in low-light environments can be a challenge for existing lighting systems as various regulations can limit the illuminance of headlights. This, in turn, serves to limit the driver’s ability to see pending objects on the path of the vehicle and then to reduce overall safety.
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Apple’s solution includes an infrared emitter that is capable of detecting pending objects even at a distance of 650 feet.
The patent reads in part:
A combination of several complementary image recognition technologies can be used to address the challenges of recognizing and classifying objects at night or in poor lighting conditions. For example, the illumination level of a near-infrared radiator mounted on a vehicle may be more relaxed or not restricted. A near-infrared sensor with near-infrared illumination can be configured to capture high-resolution image information about objects in or near a vehicle path over a much larger area (e.g. 200 meters) from the vehicle. This can allow for earlier detection and classification of objects when the vehicle is moving and improve safety and / or top speed. Near-infrared illuminators can project near-infrared light in a relatively narrow field of view (e.g., a 30-degree cone).
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The techniques described here can provide improvements over previous computer vision systems for automated vehicles. Some implementations can increase the effective area that objects in or near a vehicle’s path can be detected and classified. Some implementations can more accurately classify objects in a low-light environment. The safety of an automated vehicle control system can be improved and / or the maximum safety speed in low light environments can be increased.
As fascinating as all of this is, it’s important to take those patents with a giant grain of salt – even though people have pulled up on social media to discuss how mind-blowing this cool new technology is. For over a decade, Apple has made it a goal to patent every new technology from its engineers. While Apple’s patents have shed light on upcoming Apple products and features in the past, the vast majority of Apple patents never make it into a shipping product.
The latest rumors of Apple’s alleged foray into the auto industry suggest that Apple has signed a deal with Foxconn or Magna as its manufacturing partner. Apple reportedly held preliminary talks with Kia and Hyundai over a manufacturing partnership, but those talks are said to have failed.
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Yoni Heisler is a lifelong Mac user and Apple enthusiast, and has been writing about Apple and the entire tech industry for over 6 years. His writing has been published in Edible Apple, Network World, MacLife, Macworld UK and most recently TUAW. When Yoni isn’t writing and analyzing the latest happenings with Apple, he enjoys watching improv shows in Chicago, playing soccer, and cultivating new TV show addictions. The most recent examples are The Walking Dead and Broad City.
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