Apple's iPhone 6 could really pack a punch: Patent reveals a camera lens controlled by an 'artificial muscle'

  • Artificial muscle technology uses electroactive polymer (EAP) material 
  • The EAP 'smart materials' change shape when near an electrical field
  • Patent claims this could be used to contract the lens up and down
  • EAPs could help develop a much slimmer mobile that uses less power
  • They could also enable iPads and iPhones to carry larger camera parts

By Ellie Zolfagharifard

Published: 07:10 EST, 20 June 2014 | Updated: 07:33 EST, 20 June 2014

Apple is planning to put some muscle behind its future iPhones - literally.

The Cupertino-based company yesterday published a patent application to use an ‘artificial muscle system’ for focusing cameras in devices such as its iPhone and iPad.

The patent claims the system would contract in a similar way to how muscles move to focus the lens and take images.

Apple yesterday published a patent application to use ¿artificial muscle¿ for focusing cameras in devices such as its iPhone and iPad. The artificial muscle structure is pictured here on a flexible base. It is based on a class of ¿smart material¿ that deform in the presence of an electric field

Apple yesterday published a patent application to use ‘artificial muscle’ for focusing cameras in devices such as its iPhone and iPad. The artificial muscle structure is pictured here. It is based on a class of ‘smart material’ that change shape when near an electric field. The contracting movement is similar to a real muscle

The system could allow for much slimmer mobile systems that use less power while carrying larger camera components, the company said.

United States Patent Application No. 20140168799, entitled ‘Artificial Muscle Camera Lens Actuator’, describes how the structure will be based on electroactive polymers (EAP).

EAPs, or artificial muscles, are a class of ‘smart material’ that deform in the presence of an electric field.

 

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The muscle that Apple has outlined would replace the comparatively large voice coil motor (VCM) currently used to focus mobile phones cameras.

While it may sound like science-fiction, the idea to use artificial muscle isn’t new. The technology, for instance, is already being used in touch feedback in some video game controllers.

The construction is built inside a metal frame and supported by springs.

A circular electrode-EAP sits on top of the conical lens, with a hole that works as the camera's aperture. The movement is produced when the lens is subjected to an electrical field

A circular electrode-EAP sits on top of the conical lens, with a hole that works as the camera's aperture. The movement is produced when the lens is subjected to an electrical field

Whether Apple will use the EAP technology in the future iPhone 6 (leaked image pictured) remains unclear

Whether Apple will use the EAP technology in the future iPhone 6  (leaked image pictured) remains unclear

‘There have been suggestions to use artificial muscle technology for implementing a camera autofocus lens actuator,’ Apple said in its application.

However, the filing claims that EAP materials can now be ‘engineered and developed to for high volume manufacture.’

Apple claims they have also tried to use EAP to create an autofocus lens, ‘but a completely engineered solution for high volume manufacture or mass production may not be available.’

Their solution involves placing EAPs in a cone truncated shape, which is surrounded by negative electrodes on top, and positive electrodes on the bottom.

Apple's solution involves placing EAPs in a cone truncated shape, which is surrounded by negative electrodes on top and positive electrodes on the bottom. In this layout, the ¿artificial muscle¿ can use the electrical potential between negative and positive electrodes to move the lens upwards or downwards

Apple's solution involves placing EAPs in a cone truncated shape, which is surrounded by negative electrodes on top, and positive electrodes on the bottom. In this layout, the ‘artificial muscle’ can use the electrical potential between negative and positive electrodes to move the lens up and down

IPHONE COULD TRACK  WEATHER

The iPhone 6 may be able to track altitude, weather and even air pressure, according to code found in the iOS 8 operating system.

The files suggest a built-in barometer could provide instant weather readings by forecasting changes in the air pressure.

The barometer could also be useful for mountain climbers, runners or bikers, who want to keep track of their altitude while training.

And as well as environmental readings, the new sensors would improve the accuracy and speed of the phone’s location services.

In this layout, the ‘artificial muscle’ could use the electrical potential between negative and positive electrodes to move the lens up and down.

As well as this, a circular electrode-EAP sits on top of the lens, with a hole that works as the camera's aperture, according to Apple Insider.

Apple said this will not only reduce costs ‘significantly’, but it will also ‘exhibit extremely low power consumption.’

The assembly, they claim, also has the ability to support larger optical technologies.

However, whether Apple will use the technology in the future iPhone 6 device remains unclear.

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Funny how they can do all of this but Apple can't seem to create a sustainable battery .....

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Tell me again how bad the battery is on the phone you probably don't use, that I use and lasts me all day?

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Tell me again how the battery life is solely down to the mAh rating and nothing to do with the power management of the software and hardware?

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Left Apple for Samsung after a long romance. They need a bigger screen! !! Show cares about having a new lens/muscle!

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Tell me again about your deep understanding of the significance of this new piece of hardware?

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Tell me again how you were elected the grande spokesman for what iphone users want?

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Nexus 5 is the best

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Tell me again how the Nexus 5 stands against the most powerful phones the competition is offering?

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just because a company like apple patent something does not mean it will ever appear on a phone. nowadays you can patent non tested idea's just to stop others doing it but does not mean it will ever be made to work..the iPhone 6 will be a bigger thinner iPhone 5s. its not in apples or any other company like Samsung sony htc etc to give too much away with each release else there will be nothing new for the next release.

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so tell me again how hugely different the S5 is to the S4?

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It remains HUGELY clear as to whether this patent will be used in the iPhone 6....any patents Apple files, won't appear for at least 2 generations of iPhone...especially when the 6 has already begun mass production.

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They'll never better Samsung

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Tell me again how the Samsung S5 is better then the LG G3 and the HTC M8?

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Tell me again how Samsung flagship is never outdone by the Apple flagship released in the same year?

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You are truly an idiot. Muscles don't feel pain, nerves transfer signals to a brain which register pain on living animals. This is NOT organic or living.

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I DON'T HAVE A MOBILE/CELL PHONE AND I DON'T WANT ONE NOW. Perhaps too old and certainly don't want to sit in a coffee shop texting to the person sitting next to me. Yep,.... TOO OLD. P.S. Another birthday tomorrow. B****R

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What?

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This is DISGUSTING. MUSCLES FEEL PAIN. Therefore this is cruel. I REFUSE to buy this cruel device. I can't believe Apple would have such a CRUEL and HEARTLESS device.

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And it might get muscle cramps. You're right, we should boycott this evil technology.

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Tell me again which school you went so I can send my kids their so they can hopefully ne as smart as you some day?

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