Patently Apple

Apple Invents a New Intelligent Multi-Output Adapter

On November 17, 2011, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that reveals their latest invention pertaining to a new intelligent multi-output adapter. The proposed adapter is to include a relay for intelligently controlling power and connector cords configured to supply differing voltages to two or more electronic devices simultaneously.  

Apple Invents Crack Resistant Glass Solutions for Portables

While Donald LeBuhn was filing a class action lawsuit against Apple back in January of this year, accusing the company of misleading customers as to the strength of the glass used in its iPhone 4, Apple was already well into inventing new crack resistant glass solutions for portables like the iPhone. The new solution involves a tunable shock mount that sits between the glass and the body of the device. The specialized mount could be instantly inflated if the device senses a drop event determined by its internal accelerometer. Apple's patent describes using exotic materials that could protect the glass from shattering. As a side bonus, Apple is also considering a solution that could provide portable devices with a new water damage prevention seal. Two Updates have been added to this report 

Steve Jobs Secret Meeting to Explore an iPod Phone is Revealing

In our special report today we present you with a fascinating account of one of Steve Jobs' secret meeting that involved creating the iPhone and how the iPod Phone almost came to be. It was much closer to reality than any us could have ever imagined at the time. We also discuss how a "breakthrough" feature was allegedly copied in the Android UI and what Steve Jobs thought of Google's alleged rip-off of Apple's iOS. So sit back with a coffee and enjoy our special report.  

Apple Wins 31 Patents Covering NFC, Location, the Magic Mouse +

The US Patent and Trademark Office officially published a whopping 31 newly granted patents for Apple Inc. today. Earlier we covered a Key Swipe Gestures Patent for Virtual Keyboards, another covering a Telephonic MacBook with a Rotatable Display along with an Industrial Design Patent for Apple's Upper West Side NY Apple Store that credited Steve Jobs as one of the designers. In our last report of the day, we cover an eclectic mix of interesting patent wins ranging from a first NFC patent win to one covering location technologies including Infrared beacons. Additionally we cover conductive paints and foils used in the iPhone and another design win for Steve Jobs on the Magic Mouse. All in all it was a huge patent day for Apple and fun for Macites who love to hear the sound of Android-Heads exploding at the mere mention of Apple gaining yet more "e-v-i-l" patents – Ha!  

Apple Wins Patent for Telephonic MacBook with Rotatable Display

The US Patent and Trademark Office officially published a newly granted patent for Apple Inc. today that sounds like a real winner. The patent points to a MacBook using a clutch barrel structure that supports both a cellular antenna and rotatable display. This officially announces to the Wintel camp that Apple now has the ability to match or beat the Ultrabook design that is to come to market in 2013 with the Haswell processor. Now we just have to applaud loud enough so as to send Apple a clear message that we want a MacBook Tablet combination device. I mean – why should the Wintel camp have all the fun with their upcoming notebook-tablet with Windows 8 and their new touch-based Metro UI? The iPad is Apple's thunder and they should naturally extend it through to a future MacBook or MacBook Air.  

Steve Jobs Credited as One of the Designers of their Paris Store

On November 15, 2011, the US Patent and Trademark Office surprises us with a newly granted design patent for the stunning Apple Store in New York's Upper West Side that credits the late, great Steve Jobs. An eye for design was definitely one of the key values that Steve Jobs possessed. It's echoed throughout his biography by Walter Isaacson. Whether it was the original Mac, iPhone, iPad or Store layout – Steve was constantly pushing for product designs that were both simplistic and elegant. So it's fitting that we now applaud Steve's contributions to the great Upper West Side NY Store Design. Update 9AM: Opps, we apparently goofed. The design is in fact that of the Upper West Side Apple Store in New York that uses Hanger Glass - and not that of the store in Paris that we noted in our byline.(Mon Dieu!) 

Apple Wins Key Swipe Gestures Patent for Virtual Keyboards

The US Patent and Trademark Office officially published a new granted patent for Apple Inc. today that relates to input systems, methods and devices that use swipe gestures in relation to virtual keyboards. This key 2007 patent introduces a Touch Image Processor, Tap and Slide Recognizers as well as an exemplary Swipe Recognition System. In the bigger picture, this is Apple's seventh win for multi-touch technologies relating to virtual keyboards alone! Apple's previous virtual keyboard patents have covered a wide variety of features including a "Chord Motion Recognizer" right through to large futuristic virtual keyboards. It's an area that Apple intends to continue to lead and excel in as it researches ways to move virtual keyboards to the desktop and beyond. Apple's huge portfolio of original multi-touch and virtual keyboard patents will continue to provide Apple Legal with the means to protect their products in the market against copycats – to the dismay of Android fans whose heads collectively explode with each and every patent victory for Apple: Splat! 

Design Patents Reveal New MacBook Battery & SSD Configurations

China's Hong Kong IP Office has officially published a series of newly registered design patents for Apple relating to battery and Solid State Drive configurations. Evidently longer battery life is on the way. The second IP news flash of the morning is that an iPod Classic graphic that Apple wanted to trademark has been refused and it's because Apple dropped the ball. The question becomes, did they do that purposely? Will the iPod Classic die in 2012 or will it be reinvented? 

Apple Sued by a Third Party using Powerful Patents from Palm & 3Com

A company by the name of SmartPhone Technologies is suing Apple, AT&T and AT&T Mobility for patent infringement. So what makes this patent troll case any different from the others? Well, interestingly, Smartphone Technologies states that they're the "exclusive licensee" of the six patents in this case that just happen to be heavy hitters from Palm and 3Com dating back to between 1997 and 2000.  This could be a very interesting case - yet a headache for Apple.  

Lest we Forget: Remembrance and Veterans Day 2011

Apple Files Launchpad Icon TM in China + iWeb TM Challenged

On November 11, 2011, China's Hong Kong IP Office published Apple's trademark application for OS X Lion's Launchpad icon – or should I say, Jumbo icon. Apple's application 302080836 was filed under International Classes 9 and 14 covering such things as computer software, services and social networking. Though truth be told, Apple's legal team zealously listed Launchpad under more than 200 descriptors. In other IP news, Apple's iWeb trademark is being challenged. This dragged out case that began in 2006 is finally getting a full hearing.  

Apple Reveals New Powerful Gestures in the Works for iOS Devices

On November 10, 2011, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that reveals a series of new gestures that will provide users with a number of advantages. It will allow users to view clusters of photos as well as greater detail of photos, maps and/or documents with greater ease and speed. Two of the new gestures are currently dubbed "Hold then Swipe" and "Swipe then Hold." And lastly, we end today's report by sharing Steve Jobs' thoughts on Intellectual Property, according to the Book of Jobs.