10 Intriguing Apple Patents the iBike, Wand Remote iKey and more

Apple was granted 563 patents in 2010, some of which will show up in future products and might well change the consumer technology landscape just like the iPod, iPhone, App Store and now the iPad have.

Apple patent expert Jack Purcher of Patently Apple has been monitoring the company’s patents since 2006. We asked him why he thought Apple is such an innovative company.

“Many have asked me why I think that Apple is more innovative than others. I usually answer that question the same way each time,” says Purcher. “I’m not sure that they are on a technical level. The difference is that Apple has an inspired leader and CEO who, for decades, has had a real vision of where technology should go.”

We’ve taken a look at some of Apple’s recent patent applications to see what exciting developments might be in store for the future — as any one of these patents could be the next step in Steve Jobs’s master plan or vision. As Purcher puts it:

“Jobs’s vision for the digital lifestyle a decade ago is still on a roll. It’s innovation at its finest. But it began with a vision — and that’s the difference.”

What do you think of these Apple patents? Any you’d like to see realized? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

1. iBike

Apple's smart bike concept is like the Nike+ running system, but for those om two wheels. In addition to seeing pertinent data from you (heart rate, etc) and the bike (speed, distance, etc.) on your iPodor iPhone, the system could be used as tool for group communicationwhen biking with others.


2. Wand Remote

Is gesture control the next big thing to follow touch? It seems Aplle might think so with this patent for the Aplle TV that sees the home entertainment gadget shiooed with a Winmote-like motion controler. Besides managing the on-screen cursor via movement, the "remote wand" could be used to browse through and control media.


3. Solar Powered iPhone

Apple has come up with a way -- in theory anyway -- of adding solar tech to it's portable devices without spoiling the all-important aesthetics. By integrating the photocells into the touch screen, future iPods, iPads, and iPhones could soak up the power of the sunvia their displays, making for greener gadgetry.


4. Touchscreen iMac

This clever concept gives the desktop PC iPad-esque functionality. While the monitor is upright. it's a common iMac running Apple's full operating system controlled with a mouse, but flip it horizontallt and switches to the iOS and the touch controls take over.


5. iKey

Chances are your iPhone has already replaced your compact camera, MP3 player and handheld gaming console, but Apple could take the convergence a step further and replace your keys. The Cupertino company has patented the idea that iPhone could unlock your car and home with a proximity-based PIN code system.


6. iHeadset

This is one patent we could definitely see coming to market. Aplle has designed a Bluetooth headset with stand alone media playback functionality. This could well be a future version of the iPod Shuffle -- small wearable and, thanks to the Bluetooth features, multitasking.


7. Shareable Apps

How would you like to be able to beam your latest App Store download to a buddy? Apple has come up with the idea of an "application seed" system whereby developers could choose to make their apps shareable via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. It's a fantastic concept for content providers who are looking to spread the word as far and wide as possible. Additionaly, trial version options could be great word-of-mouth money maker.


8. Video Games Comic Book

If you want to relieve that last level of Mass Effect that you aced, Apple might offer a way to do so in the future. This unusual patent allows you to describe your progress through a video game, record it, and then turn into a book or e-book in comic style.


9. MAgnetic Lenses

iPhotography is hot, and it's potential is limited only by hardware restrictions. Although Apple has steadily improved the iPhone's camera, it's still just a point-and-shooter. This patent describes a way of enhancing a portable device's camera funtionality with a magnetic zoom or macro lens attachment.


10. MacBooks with built in Projectors

This exciting idea could see future Apple laptops coming with built-in projectors. Just think how handy it would be to be able to share what's on your laptop screen -- wether that's a movie or presentation -- with a group of others at the click of a mouse.