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Apple patent application suggest iPod nano could become even more of a 'fashion accessory'
There's no guarantee that it will show up in the next iPod nano -- or any iPod nano at all, for that matter -- but a newly published patent application has now offered a few more hints about how Apple might make such a device even more wearable. Titled simply, "Environment Sensitive Display Tags," the patent application details how a small, wearable device could use a variety of sensors and inputs (including a camera, microphone, accelerometer -- even a thermometer) to obtain information about its surroundings and translate that into a visual element that's displayed on the screen. So, for instance, the camera could be used to create a background that matches your shirt or jacket, or the accelerometer could be used to make a screen saver react to your movements (like the rain drops illustrated above). All of which, the application suggests, could serve to make the device even more "aesthetically pleasing" as a "fashion accessory." Incidentally, the patent application also noticeably features "Games" as a menu option in some of the illustrations -- which would be new to the current variety of iPod nano -- but there's no mention of it in the actual claims. And, given that it was filed back in November of 2009, the application's authors could well have simply been working on the assumption that games would simply carry over from the previous generation.
Donald Melanson05.13.2011
Microsoft patent application shows custom Kinect gestures, roaming user profiles
Since Kinect entered the world, modders have been hacking it for everything from playing Tetris to controlling a web browser. And really, Microsoft never seemed to mind. In case it wasn't obvious how much the company wants you to help find new uses for the technology, the folks in Redmond have filed a patent application for custom profiles. We can see that having implications for gaming and even Windows shortcuts, but for now Microsoft expects it to improve Kinect's accuracy by learning how you move -- after all, no one jumps or points or apes Lady Gaga's dance moves in exactly the same fashion, right? In other cases, the system might note that you prefer to make an "X" sign instead of a checkmark when selecting an object onscreen. And those personalized settings can roam over a network, shadowing you as you switch devices. Personally, we're stoked about the idea of making our best Julian Assange dance a bona fide gesture, but we'll be happy enough if Kinect can make up for our natural ungainliness.
Dana Wollman04.22.2011
Apple patent application reveals more projector possibilities, including a projector-equipped laptop
We've already seen a few patent applications that suggest Apple is at least mulling over the idea of using projectors for one purpose or another, and another newly published one has now offered a bit more fodder for speculation. Described as a "display system having coherent and incoherent light sources," the patent application suggests that the projector would be laser-based, and be both cheaper and more power efficient than conventional light projectors, while also overcoming the so-called "speckle" problem sometimes seen with laser projectors. What's perhaps most interesting, however, is that the patent application also suggests the projector could be integrated into other devices -- in fact, one of the claims specifically mentions a laptop with an integrated projector, as artfully illustrated above.
Donald Melanson04.15.2011
Apple rumored to be considering LCD/E Ink hybrid
Apple recently filed a patent application titled "Systems and Methods for Switching Between an Electronic Paper Display and a Video Display," which describes a hybrid display technology capable of dynamically switching from a standard color LCD to black and white E Ink. The display would be controlled by the operating system and display switching would be done on the fly. According to the patent, the entire display or select portions of the display would switch based on the applications and content being viewed by the user. As expected, the color display would be used for rich media content, and the E Ink display would be used for text-based content from a source such as iBooks. This is not the first time a manufacturer has envisioned a single product capable of simultaneously displaying E Ink and rich media content. Entourage took a different approach when it developed the Edge, a dual-screen clamshell tablet that has an LCD panel on one side and an E Ink display on the other. The unique tablet hit the market in 2010 and never caught on due to its older Android 1.6 operating system and bulky dual-screen design that pushed its size into netbook range. A single display solution would overcome this size problem and let users have one device that merges the best of the iPad with the Amazon Kindle.
Kelly Hodgkins04.07.2011
Apple patent application reveals plans for external battery pack, spells further trouble for HyperMac
Way back in September of last year, Apple filed a patent-infringement suit against HyperMac, the folks behind these external batteries. At the time, it looked like Apple was protecting its patented MagSafe power connector, but a newly released USPTO application for a "Power Adapter with Internal Battery" might reveal a more accurate view of the company's litigious motivations. From the look of things, the outfit intends to make its mark on juicing solutions with what is basically a wall charger packing an internal battery. According to the patent filing, the contraption would include a processor for parceling energy to the host device as well as the adapter, and could also incorporate a supplemental energy source like a solar cell. Among other things, it would also communicate with the device being charged to allow users to monitor the juice stored in the extra battery. If the thing does end up making it to market, it looks like HyperMac could have a whole lot more trouble on its hands than a little patent-infringement suit.
Christopher Trout04.01.2011
WSJ: Google teams with MasterCard and Citigroup for NFC payments, also files patent app
Ever since the Nexus S and its nifty little NFC chip hit the market, there's been speculation that El Goog was planning a foray into the mobile payment arena currently occupied by the likes of Charge Anywhere. Now, it looks like that plan may be in high gear, as the Wall Street Journal reports that Google's secretly partnered with MasterCard and Citigroup to test out just such a system. According to the publication, the early demo pairs "one current model and many coming models of Android phones" with existing Citigroup-sponsored credit and debit cards, and is using the phones' NFC chips with those VeriFone readers we recently heard about. What's more, a newly-published patent application from the crew in Mountain View may hint at the software behind such things. The application describes a service that sets up Google as a third-party broker who receives the shopping cart info of customers placing orders via a device (including those of the mobile variety), allows them to select shipping and other options, and provides the total order cost. It then collects payment, coordinates shipment, and forwards order information to the seller to complete the transaction. So companies can have Google handle all their payment-taking needs in return for getting a sneak peek at what folks are buying -- something that the WSJ's sources say might be a component of the setup Google's testing right now -- as opposed to other third-party services, like Paypal, that only obtain and exchange payment info with merchants. Looks like Alma Whitten (Google's Director of Privacy) has her work cut out assuaging the concerns such a system will inevitably create in an increasingly privacy-minded populace. Sean Hollister contributed to this report.
Michael Gorman03.27.2011
Apple patent woos with tales of ultra-slim audio connectors for lusciously thin devices
We're still a long way from reaching the point where our gadgets can't get any thinner and, while the 8.7mm iPod Shuffle is just about king of the hill for the moment, Apple is already envisioning a future where where the humble 3.5mm audio jack is too thick. A recently revealed patent application called "Low Profile Plug Receptacle" describes a number of different ways to create audio ports that are thinner than current models but yet won't take us back to the sinister miniUSB adapter days of yore. One of the potential solutions has a "semi-flexible" housing that expands willingly to receive your headphones' clumsy attentions, while another is recessed beneath a pair of doors that flip open to make room when the plug is inserted. As always with these applications there's no reason to believe they'll be ever appearing in a consumer device, but that doesn't mean we can't dream of a future where the gold-plated jack on your buds is thicker than the bulkiest part of your phone.
Tim Stevens03.14.2011
Apple patent application for 'Dynamically Generated Ring Tones' could make magical videos of your friends
Ever wish life was like a movie, that theme songs went to highlight your every dramatic action? This patent application from Cupertino isn't quite like that, but it's close, basically creating dynamic music videos for your friends when they call. It describes a means of stitching together video and audio sequences of the caller and dynamically composting them to create a beautiful little ditty celebrating your BFF -- or your mother in law, as it were. Such sequences are to be generated by so-called "seed" songs or videos, content that can either be stored directly on the recipient's phone or pulled from Genius data stored in the ether. There's potential here for great stuff, but we already dread a future where data comes from browsing habits and instead of cool tunes and video sequences we're served jingles and McDonald's commercials.
Tim Stevens03.10.2011
Apple awarded patents for virtual keyboard, Pages and more
According to Patently Apple, the US Patent and Trademark Office has just published 23 new patents granted to Apple, including one regarding virtual keyboards and another for Pages, part of Apple's iWork suite. Apple filed a patent application for a virtual keyboard just two months before the original iPhone's launch. It covers a method of operating a touchscreen to activate one of a number of virtual keys, allowing the device to work out which key you meant to touch even though your finger may not actually be on it. The Pages patent deals with the process it has to go through to convert files from other programs, like Microsoft's Word, Excel or PowerPoint or PDF files, which turns out to be much more complicated than you'd think. The other patents cover a number of products, from a world travel kit power adapter and technical details of the DisplayPort adapter to editing blocks of a web page in an email program and multimedia data transfer.
Chris Ward03.03.2011
Apple patent application points to denser batteries, improved charging technique
Some might think a ten-hour Macbook battery mighty fine, but we're happy to say that Cupertino's not quite satisfied. AppleInsider spotted a pair of Apple patent applications detailing a improved way of juicing up those lithium-polymer cells, which should greatly increase the number of recharge cycles they can endure -- or, optionally, allow Apple to use denser batteries that last longer on a charge. We'll break it down for you: the graph in the upper-left shows how Li-ion batteries currently charge, first very rapidly (constant current, increasing voltage) and then more slowly (constant voltage, decreasing current) to top the cells off. What Apple's proposing is the multi-step method depicted on the right, where current and voltage trade off, to charge the battery while being far less harsh on the physical chemistry of the electrodes inside. As you can see in the bottom graph, the multi-step CC-CV cells lose much less of their potential after 300 recharge cycles, but that's not all Apple's cooking up -- the company figures that it can increase the thickness of the electrodes to improve battery life (by as much as 28Wh/L, according to one chart) without negative effect thanks to the softer charge. Sure, we'd rather have plant-eating graphene supercapcitors, but this sounds like a plan for now.
Sean Hollister02.20.2011
Apple patent suggests MagSafe connector that supports data
Apple recently filed a patent for a product described as "Magnetic Connector with Optical Signal Path." The patent filing describes a MagSafe-style cable that would provide both data and power to a device. The power cable would connect magnetically and contain additional internal pins allowing for the transmission of data as well as audio and video signals. Downstream, the cable would include the appropriate adapters for each device you want to connect. This patent sounds very similar to HDBaseT, a cabling system proposed by Samsung Electronics, Sony Pictures Entertainment, LG Electronics and Valens Semiconductor. This technology uses an RJ-45 cable to transmit data via a 100BaseT connection, HD video, audio and power. The specification was finalized in June 2010, and products using this technology may debut in 2011. Another similar competing technology, LightPeak, is being developed by Intel. The optical cable technology would be a single cable replacement for SCSI, SATA, USB, FireWire, PCI Express and possibly power and display connections as well. Apple is reportedly interested in this technology and was rumored, at one point, to be incorporating it into its MacBook Pro lineup.
Kelly Hodgkins02.17.2011
Apple patent would require carriers to bid for iPhone service
Apple was recently awarded a patent describing a wireless selection system that would require carriers to compete for service on an iPhone. According to the patent, the phone would store the network settings for a variety of carriers and select the appropriate service based upon information sent to the phone from a wireless operator. Rather than put the carrier in control of activating service, this system would put the phone and its owner in control of selecting a cellular service provider. The filing describes a bidding system that lets competing carriers send rate information to the handset. The phone or the user would parse this data and select the most favorable rates for any given geographical location. Interestingly enough, the patent lists Verizon and Sprint as an example of competing carriers that could use this system. This selection service would let Apple act like an MVNO with billing to be handled through iTunes. This MVNO system is reminiscent of the upgradeable, integrated SIM that emerged last October. According to this earlier rumor, Apple was working with SIM card manufacturer Gemalto to create a cross-carrier SIM card that would let users switch carriers without obtaining a carrier-specific SIM. Carrier response to this proposed SIM card was overwhelmingly negative with several European carriers threatening to drop the subsidized iPhone if Apple were to pursue this SIM card design.
Kelly Hodgkins02.10.2011
Nikon patents DSLR camera / projector, high-end photographers may get to join the projection party
Nikon's done the projector-in-a-camera thing before, but the S1100pj was aimed at the compact digital camera crowd. In what appears to be an effort to take its game to the next level, the company has obtained a Japanese patent for a way to give a DSLR those same mythical projector capabilities. Though the patent's english detailed description states that images are "projected on the screen of the photographing instrument exterior via the eyepiece of an electronic view finder," something may have been lost in translation -- the drawings show the projection coming out of the camera's lens, and our hopes and dreams won't let us see anything else. Regardless of how the thing works, we hope that Nikon puts it into production soon, as we -- proud members of the "serious" photo-snapping crowd -- would like to share our pics at parties, too. Hit up the source link for the translated patent documents, but be aware that the link won't work in Chrome (IE or Firefox only) and you'll need to put in "A" for the Kind code and "2011-10098" in the Number field to get them. What, you thought surfing the world wide web was easy?
Michael Gorman01.28.2011
Apple investigates hover gestures
Apple was awarded a patent on Tuesday for a hover sensitive device that accepts input from finger movements above the device's display. The patent describes the usage of "real-world" gestures to control a device equipped with a touch or hover-sensitive display. Hand and finger movements include knock to inquire gestures, circle to select gestures, X to delete gestures and more. Besides performing operations, these gestures could identify users and restrict access to sensitive files, directories and applications. Filed in 2007, the patent presents this idea as a way to expand the functionality of a touchscreen display by incorporating an advanced set of gestures that are easy for users to perform. This technology would be incorporated into a computer system with a touch sensor panel that includes hover detecting capability and a proximity sensor. Details within the patent do not reveal whether this computing system is a traditional desktop computer, a touchscreen-enabled MacBook or a computer-powered kiosk. A similar patent for using a hover-enabled surface on a portable device (such as the iPhone) was also filed in early 2007 and uncovered in 2008. As with many patents, the ideas contained within the document may never come to fruition. They may simply be added to Apple's arsenal of patents and set aside as a defense to be used in future litigation. [Via AppleInsider]
Kelly Hodgkins01.27.2011
Apple wins patent for solar-powered portable device
We recently covered how Apple was awarded 563 patents in 2010, but a patent approval announced today is for something we first mentioned back in January of 2010 -- a patent for power management circuitry for solar-powered portable devices. Patently Apple is reporting that the US Patent and Trademark Office published the newly approved patent, which pertains to charging and operating portable devices with solar power via a voltage converter. While most solar chargers designed for portable devices only act as a way to charge the internal battery, this patent is for a way for said power to operate the device as well. By using the converter/booster, energy gleaned from the solar panels could be monitored and configured to both charge and operate a portable device even when not in full direct sun. Could this be a precursor to an iPhone covered in solar cells? There sure has been a lot of patent talk around here lately, especially when it comes to multi-touch patents, but that just shows that Apple is really stretching its legs and going after innovation instead of resting on its laurels. Can't wait to see what new developments 2011 brings us.
David Quilty01.13.2011
Apple awarded 563 patents in 2010, double that of 2009
Breaking onto the list of the top 50 companies with approved patents in a year for the first time ever, Apple was awarded 563 patents by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for its inventions in 2010, double the 289 approvals from 2009. AppleInsider reports that IFI Claims Patent Services has listed Apple as No. 46 on the list for the year, with most of its approvals coming from patent applications which were filed five or six years ago. While 563 patents is nothing to sneeze at, Apple would still need another 5,334 patent awards to surpass the 2010 first place finisher, IBM. Microsoft, Apple's biggest competitor in the OS market, came in third place with 3,094 patent approvals. While the end of 2010 saw Apple awarded several patents for different multi-touch devices, just last week Apple was granted a storm of new patents with approvals for multi-touch gestures on electronic documents, an advanced set-top box, a design patent for the Cinema Display, two iChat patents, and for something called "solidifying amorphous alloy" -- i.e., liquid metal. If the current rate of approvals keeps up at that pace, Apple should have no problem ranking even higher on next year's IFI Claims Patent Services list. [via AppleInsider]
David Quilty01.11.2011
Apple patent application suggests yet more possible gestures for iPods
Apple's already put some basic gesture controls to use on its sixth generation iPod nano, but a recently published patent application suggests that it may have some grander designs for a no-look interface of sorts. As you can see above, Apple's using a nano in its illustrations for the patent, but the actual claims suggest that the gestures wouldn't necessarily require a screen at all -- possibly for something similar to that back-side interface that also turned up in an Apple patent application? As for the gestures themselves, they'd apparently involve things like a single tap to pause or play, a double tap to skip forward, a triple tap to skip back, and a circular motion to control the volume. Of course, that aforementioned patent application was published in 2007 and we've yet to see anything result from it, so you may not want to hold your breath for this one either.
Donald Melanson01.06.2011
Apple granted patent behind new iTunes extras features
Today, Apple was granted a patent covering the ability to sync movie extra features with particular times or locations in videos. This is the same technology Sony is quietly testing now in the iTunes store with The Other Guys, Salt, and Resident Evil: Afterlife in which movie buyers can enter search terms to see scenes in the movie where that term was used. Since the extra features are only available for iTunes content, like iTunes LP, Apple clearly hopes to woo bonus feature-loving consumers to purchase digital copies over Blu-rays or DVDs. Of course if this strategy is going to succeed, you'd think Cupertino would want to expand support for iTunes extras beyond the original Apple TV and the desktop to include the one million second generation Apple TVs sold and three million plus iPhone 4s out there. But hey, what do we know?
Ben Bowers01.05.2011
Nikon patent app details lens with manual and electronic zoom, videographers rejoice
We reckoned it was only a matter of time, and sure enough, it seems as if the engineers at Nikon are already one step ahead of everyone else. For those who've attempted to shoot video on a conventional DSLR, they've most likely ran into one problem in particular: zooming. It's fairly difficult to manhandle a D3S under ideal circumstances, but try holding it steady while also keeping a firm grip on the zoom and focus dials. Without a camera rig, it's essentially impossible to get anything more than novice captures, complete with oodles of blur and more Jellyvision than you could shake a butter knife at. If all goes well, the next Nikkor lens you purchase may make the aforementioned tragedy just another comical part of history. Nikon is apparently dreaming of a single lens that can be zoomed both manually (for still photography) and electronically (for video), and better still, there's nothing stopping this from also supporting the outfit's sure-to-be-forthcoming EVIL line of mirrorless cameras. Then again, it's not like a patent application dictates a near-term release, but if we all cross our fingers in unison and pledge allegiance the Big N, who knows what kind of magic could happen.
Darren Murph12.25.2010
Apple applies for 'logo antenna' patent, hides your resonator behind the brand indicator
Embedding an antenna in the external body of a phone? Maybe not such a good idea. Hiding it behind the logo sounds a little more practical, and that's the idea Apple wrote up in a patent application dated June 17th, 2009, back before we knew antennas and gates could be so wickedly conjoined. That was also before we knew about the iPad, which seems to have one of these so-called "logo antennas" within it, as found when iFixit did their dirty thing. The same can be said for iMacs, which also have antennas peering through an apple-shaped hole to avoid any reception issues caused by an aluminum chassis. It looks to be a good solution, but not exactly a novel one. In roaming around the USPTO archives we found a similar 2003 patent from Dell also called "Logo Antenna," the big difference being that while Apple's logo forms a window for the antenna the logo in Dell's patent actually is the antenna.
Tim Stevens12.24.2010