Patently Apple

Apple Wins Patents for their Redesigned iPod Nano, 27" Cinema Display & Original Bluetooth Headset that Just Might Return to Market

 
The US Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of 9 newly granted patents for Apple Inc. today which included three design wins for Apple's 27" Cinema Display, iPod nano and more. Yet the key granted patent of the day goes to Apple's original iPhone Bluetooth headset that just might return to market at some time in the future.  

Could Apple be developing a New Post-PC Hybrid Desktop?

 
A couple of Apple's recent patent applications have come to light that oddly open the door to the notion that they may be toying with a hybrid desktop-tablet system. It began in earnest late last summer with the introduction of Apple's Multi-Touch iMac patent and now a secondary patent puts this possibility back into play. The Post-PC era may have started with a simplistic tablet called the iPad but hybrid systems may be the next wave in Apple's revolution.  

Three Fulfilled Apple Patents Surface Covering iAd & Aperture

 
Every new round of product updates from Apple fulfills a few dozen or more patents whether Patently Apple or anyone else covered them or not. It could be that a new product is using a new kind of screw or a new GPS module or a new twist in the way that they manufacture LED Displays. Apple doesn't release a product until their legal team has filed the right IP documents, plain and simple. Yesterday, there were three distinct patents that were fulfilled and they're worth noting even if they're not about flying cars or magic bikes. Today's report takes a look at two great little patents covering two of Aperture 3's new features along with a third patent which covers Apple's iAd services. In particular, Apple's iAd patent is about the provisioning of invitational content and its connection and interrelation with built in iPhone apps like "Compass and Maps." 

Apple Files Trademark Application for their Game Center Icon

 
On May 13, 2011, the US Patent & Trademark Office published Apple's latest trademark application for their official "Game Center" Icon under application 85316306 which was originally filed on Monday. Apple has filed their trademark under two International Classes. The first class covers computer software in connection with multi-player games while the second class covers entertainment services concerning information about computer games via the internet which also covers social networking.  

Apple to Advance iPhone with both Text-to-Speech & Speech-to-Text Converters

 
According to a new Apple patent application that was published this morning by the US Patent and Trademark Office, future iPhone's are likely to provide end users with effective new ways of communicating in both noisy environments like a restaurant or even during a quiet office meeting without stirring a mouse. The system involves using new text-to-speech and speech-to-text converters as well as providing a means of sending prerecorded notifications to the caller if you're unable to speak when answering your phone. I think that many will appreciate these new features and only hope that Apple could get these to market in good time.  

Apple Introduces us to a Live Chameleon-Like Screen Saver Designed Specifically for iOS Devices & Fashion Accessories

 
Apple filed their "Apple" trademark in China this week which we noted as carrying an interesting twist. We noticed that Apple had, for the first time, emphasized fashion accessories and precious metals for jewelry, a watch and more in association with their brand name in a very succinct way. That just happens to fall in nicely with a new Apple patent application that was published this morning by USPTO that specifically points to using a next generation iPod nano as a fashion accessory. The unique aspect of this accessory is that it will implement a wild new dynamic screen saver system that could sense the environment it is in and in a chameleon-like fashion automatically change the screen saver accordingly. The patent even indirectly hints at a camera returning to the iPod nano which would support several on-going rumors. 

Apple Explores Keyboards using an Advanced Air Feedback System

 
This appears to be the year of the keyboard. Apple began the year working on several keyboard projects including one involving a leap to a next generation virtual keyboard system for desktops while working on a secondary parallel bridging keyboard project that involved implementing a hybrid keyboard using advanced motion tracking. In Apple's latest keyboard project, which was published today by the US Patent and Trademark Office, we see a more practical approach to advancing keyboards in the shorter scheme of things by using advanced sensors and a unique air-based feedback system primarily for Mac keyboards. In the longer scheme of things, Apple is actually eyeing the concept of using deformable keyboard systems.  

Nokia vs. Apple: Nokia Files Motion to Compel Broadcom to Produce Documents

 
In February 2011we reported on how Nokia was seeking a Motion to Compel Infineon to produce documents relating to their baseband processor used by Apple's iPhone to prove that Apple was in fact infringing on Nokia's core ten patents known as the "Essential Patents." The case read like a spy novel with many twists and turns. While not as dramatic as the Infineon case, our report today covers Nokia's latest filing of a Motion to Compel Broadcom to produce documents relating to their involvement with Apple products. To put it mildly, Nokia isn't happy with Broadcom.  

Apple Wins Patents for the iOS Virtual Keyboard, Cover Flow and a Never Released iPad Design and More

 
The US Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of 16 newly granted patents for Apple Inc. today. The notables within this group include patents for iLife's iDVD application, a method for creating Web Clip Widgets for iOS devices, Cover Flow and iOS's virtual keyboard. Yet the one granted patent that really stood out this morning was that of an iPad design that never came to market. You just might find it interesting to see what that missing feature is.  

Apple Files for Thunderbolt, AirPrint & Apple Brand Name Trademarks in China with a Twist

 
Apple has filed for Thunderbolt, AirPrint and "Apple" brand name trademarks in China with a twist. To begin with, it should be noted that this is Apple's third filing for Thunderbolt since its debut on MacBooks in late February 2011. It was filed in Canada first and then in Europe just last week. Does anyone still doubt Apple's resolve in claiming Thunderbolt as their own? Yet the twist to Apple's multiple trademark filings rests with their own brand name update which we detail in our report.  UPDATE 2: Apple's US filing for Thunderbolt was published by UPSTO on May 11, 2011.

Apple's Picture-in-Picture Patent for FaceTime & Beyond

 
Today the US Patent and Trademark Office published Apple's patent which relates to FaceTime's picture-in-picture effect that is implemented on mobile devices like the iPod touch, iPhone and iPad. The patent mainly focuses on how to achieve this feature while conserving electrical power. Yet the patent hints that the scope of the patent doesn't limit this PIP feature to just videoconferencing.  

Apple Aggressively Files for Thunderbolt Trademark in Europe

 
On May 4, 2011, the European Trademark Office has published Apple's latest trademark filing for "Thunderbolt" under application 009935446. Apple is trying to legally establish that they're the owner of this trademark, as they filed for this trademark in Canada back in March of this year. The difference this time around is that we get to see the two International Classes that the trademark has been officially filed under which specifically covers Application Service Provider Services (ASP) and computer software and hardware without mention of a cell or smartphone. Of course, Apple could be simply hiding that tid bit under the "computer gaming machines" listing. Time will tell where Thunderbolt will show up next.