Apple seeks patent allowing iPhone to unlock doors
Apple Inc., which on March 2 began litigation to enforce some of the patents covering its iPhone, is seeking a patent on a technology that would allow the device to be used to unlock doors.
Application 20100042954, published in the database of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Feb. 18, is for "motion based input selection."
Using the technology covered by the patent, the mobile phone could be rotated on a precise pattern that would function like a rotated combination lock. This could be used to manipulate an external electronic device such as a lock.
The same technology could be used to manipulate a document displayed on an external device, according to the application.
Apple, based in Cupertino, California, filed the application in August 2008 with the assistance of Fletcher Yoder PC of Houston.
<div class="infoBox">
<h1>More Coverage</h1>
<div class="infoBoxContent">
<div class="infoArea">
<h2>Related documents</h2>
<ul class="morePdf">
<li><a href="/pdf/ikey.pdf">Patent application </a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>