It appears that Apple may want to drum up a little more mystery and excitement going into this year's WWDC (World Wide Developer Conference) on June 6, 2011. Today, the European Trademark Office has revealed Apple's latest "Noteworthy" trademark filing. On the surface it appears to be a new iOS app – that may relate to providing OCR capabilities. If correct, it would support a February 2011 patent describing a future optical in-LCD sensing panel for the iOS devices: In other words – an App that could allow your iPhone to double as a scanner. Yet at the end of the day it's a blind trademark filing which keeps the door open to other possibilities. If you're a sleuth by nature, then check out our report's full detailing of Apple's International Class descriptions to assist your investigation. Report Updated.
Apple's Trademark Application In-Part
Apple Trademark: International Class Details
International Class 009: Computer software; computer software for authoring, downloading, transmitting, receiving, editing, extracting, encoding, decoding, displaying, storing and organizing text, graphics, images, and electronic publications; computer software and firmware, namely, operating system programs for personal and handheld computers; pre-recorded computer programs for personal information management, character recognition software, electronic mail and messaging software, mobile telephone software; handheld digital electronic devices and software related thereto; hand held computers, tablet computers, personal digital assistants, electronic organizers, electronic notepads; mobile digital electronic devices, global positioning system (GPS) devices, telephones; handheld and mobile digital electronic devices for the sending and receiving of telephone calls, faxes, electronic mail, and other digital data; mobile telephones; electronic handheld units for the wireless receipt, storage and/or transmission of data and messages, and electronic devices that enable the user to keep track of or manage personal information; electronic communication equipment and instruments; fonts, typefaces, type designs and symbols in the form of recorded data; downloadable printing fonts; printing fonts that can be downloaded provided by means of electronic transmission; typeface fonts recorded on magnetic media.
International Class 016: Printers' type; printing blocks; printing fonts; typefaces.
Apple asserts a claim of priority based on Jamaican application number 056901, filed in November 2010.
The last line of Class 009 covers magnetic media which could also relate to Apple's future iWallet. It should also be noted that although the timing of this trademark could be to drum up some excitement for Apple's WWDC, it may not surface at that time. Apple may be reserving it for a future event. We'll know soon enough.
It's also interesting to note that BGR is reporting today that multiple sources keep NFC on the table for sometime this year in respect to Apple Stores. In a way, that would fit in nicely with the iPhone doubling as a scanner as a means of sharing info like a sales receipt. Of course, it's just another idea of how this "Noteworthy" feature could be used. Then again, Apple likes to bury their intent and it could also be as simple as being associated with their current iPad Notes app. Update 2:30 MST: There was a "Noteworthy" typestyle added to a recent iOS upgrade for Apple's Notes app for certain iOS devices. For instance, the new typestyle isn't available for the second generation iPod touch but is available for the iPad and iPad 2. Whether this is the only application for the word "Noteworthy" is unknown at this time.
Notice: Patently Apple presents only a brief summary of new trademarks with associated graphic(s) for journalistic news purposes as each such trademark is revealed by the U.S. and/or other foreign Patent & Trademark Offices. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any patent and/or trademark applications and/or grants should be read in its entirety for further details. About Comments: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit comments.
