Patently Apple

Apple Wins Patents for a Future Multi-Positional iPad Stand, Core Multi-Touch Technology and the Multi-Touch iPod nano's Design

The US Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of thirteen newly granted patents for Apple Inc. today. The notables within this group include patents covering the design of the iPod nano; Apple's fun and goofy photo booth application; another core multi-touch patent gift wrapped for their legal team and finally, a granted patent for a future built-in multi-positional stand for the iPad. Apple's proposed stand would provide users with superior angulation for typing on the iPad's virtual keyboard in landscape mode. 

Google Developing Siri-Like User Interface for Google TV

Just six days prior to Apple officially launching iCloud and Siri, Google was rushing their patent application to the US Patent and Trademark Office covering a new Google TV remote and/or application. The new remote will use voice controls associated with Google's own cloud services. The user will be able to use their Android Phone as the remote to make inquiries about TV shows and the TV will list what's available as illustrated in our cover graphic. Apple has had a similar feature under Remote for several years now, but it doesn't relate to live TV as Google's will. Google's real competitor on this particular front will come from Samsung who just announced their latest TV remote with voice controls and a touch pad. The race to bring the best next generation TV Remote to market is officially on.  

Apple Files New iChat Trademark while transitioning to "Messages"

The US Patent & Trademark Office published Apple's latest trademark application for "iChat." The new filing updates the underlying International Class foundation for iChat so as to better protect it going forward. Then again, going forward may have a limited life span. Apple's new "Messages" Beta is now available for download which when installed, replaces iChat. Although Apple states that "iChat will continue to work" on certain OS versions right up to OS X Lion, it won't for those upgrading to the next iteration of OS X dubbed "Mountain Lion" that's due to be released this summer. But until iChat finally fades into the sunset, Apple wants it better protected.  

Apple to Add Storyboard Tools to iMovie & Final Cut Pro X

Last week a patent filing revealed that Apple is planning to bring a teleprompter tool to both iMovie and Final Cut Pro X sometime in the future. This week, the adventure deepens. Apple now reveals that they're also thinking about bringing a new and novel Storyboard tool to both programs. This must have been an idea that Steve Jobs brought to the table being that it was an everyday tool used by his Pixar team. And to close off our report, we reveal an interesting patent figure that was published today that might have been an accident. The patent figure shows us a never seen before iPhone accessory. Time will tell if the idea ever pans out, but you should check it and weigh-in for yourself. 

Apple is Out to Make Sharing Media on Your iPhone a lot Easier

On February 16, 2012, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that revealed an all new binding protocol designed to allow users to automatically or manually bind attachments easily to a phone call or even a voicemail message. Additionally, the media could be transferred during or after the phone call. Another feature describes how sent photos, for example, could automatically be opened on the receiving end in a photo viewer or editing application. Today's report illustrates several interesting iPhone interface features associated with Apple's new binding protocol. This is an extremely practical patent, especially for social networking types wanting to share photos quickly and conveniently with their friends and those in the enterprise that need to exchange documents on the go with their office and/or clients.  

Google Patent Reveals Future Unlock Features for Android Devices

Back in October 2011 we reported that Apple's "Slide to Unlock" patent stirred up a hornet's nest in Taiwan and we now see that Apple has filed another patent infringement lawsuit against Samsung over this feature. On Tuesday, Apple's CEO Tim Cook stated during a Goldman Sachs conference that he loved competition – as long as they invented their own stuff. While it's pretty clear that Samsung has copied Apple's slide to unlock feature on certain smartphones, relief may be on the way. A new Google patent application that was published by the by the US Patent and Trademark Office earlier this month, reveals that Google will offer Android OEMs new options to unlock future Android devices. One method simply involves using voice recognition while a second method involves a nifty two-icon methodology. Although Google's alternative unlocking feature based on face recognition method has been compromised, it now appears that Google has finally found a few new tricks to unlock future Android devices while avoiding patent infringement trouble with Apple. That's something that Samsung will be very glad to get their hands on – sooner rather than later. Report Updated Feb. 17, 2012 

New "iBooks Author" Trademark & Logo Filings Surface from Apple

The Canadian Intellectual Property Office has published Apple's latest trademark filings for "iBooks Author." Apple announced their new iBooks Authoring application during a January special Apple Event unveiling iBooks 2 for the iPad. The new iBooks Authoring tool/application allows anyone to create and publish next generation online books. Apple's trademark filings cover for the name and logo's descriptive reference.

Apple Granted 19 Patents Covering Bend Switches, Specialty Display Films, Airplane Mode Functionality, MacBook Protection Mechanisms & More

The US Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of nineteen newly granted patents for Apple Inc. today. Today's report covers an interesting yet eclectic mix of granted patents including one that credits the late, great Steve Jobs for the MacBook Air's design. Update: Will Apple use their MacBook Air design patents to challenge new Ultrabook challengers?   

Apple may Breathe New Life into their Video Headset Project While Sharp Ramps-Up IGZO Displays for Tablets this Month

A recent rumor report stated that Google would soon be releasing new video glasses into the market – yet concluded by stating that "the product is still a very long way from being finished." It also stated that Google's prototype looked like a pair of Oakley glasses. That's a humorous example considering that their newly acquired Motorola tried pushing these glasses back in 2005 and failed miserably. Though at the end of the day, there's no doubt that one of these days video glasses will emerge from either Google or Apple – who just happens to have a granted patent on such a device. Interestingly a recent market development has come to light that could give both of these video headset projects a little push in the right direction. We'll take a look at that development that could make the difference. Additionally, our report takes a look at new information that arose during a financial conference with Sharp's President earlier this month that briefly touched on their upcoming IGZO displays for tablets. The question is, which company will be first to introduce these new displays into the market?  

A Riveting Read: Apple Files a Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief against Motorola

Late yesterday, Apple Inc. (US) and Apple Sales International (Ireland) filed a Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief against Motorola Mobility in the Southern District of California, San Diego Office. Apple's complaint before the court states that this is a lawsuit asserting claims for breach of contract, declaratory, and injunctive relief on one of Motorola's patents. Apple claims that they're entitled to a permanent anti-suit injunction enjoining Motorola from continuing to prosecute litigation in Germany alleging that Apple infringes its patents by virtue of incorporating Qualcomm chips into its products. Qualcomm has informed Apple that they have already paid Motorola for the licenses and covenants for Qualcomm and its customers, including Apple. What makes this court document such a riveting read is that it walks us through the entire battle Apple is having with Motorola through the German Courts. It discusses the adjoining arguments surrounding standards-essential patents or what is known as Fair, Reasonable, and Non-Discriminatory or "FRAND" terms and how Motorola is attempting to halt sales of Apple's hottest iPhone to date: the iPhone 4S. This is all done without the need for IP talking heads to interpret the events. This is Apple's full accounting of the events as they perceive them to be and on that basis alone it's worth a read. This report includes the full body of Apple's formal document before the court. While android fans have openly attacked Apple as being the evil one on all patent fronts over the last year, Pando Daily asks this question this week: Will Google Become the New Patent Villain? The powerful case that Apple makes before the court does in fact make one wonder that aloud.  

Apple to Add Teleprompter Tools to iMovie and Final Cut Pro

Yesterday, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that revealed their intent to add a new teleprompter feature to both iMovie and Final Cut Pro. Sometime in the future you'll be able to both film yourself on an iPad while reading your very own script like the pros. This is Apple's second patent relating to future iReporter tools for iOS devices. Is it a trend? Well, last March, KBTV anchor-reporter Mike McNeill was the first person to shoot a news segment using the iPad 2 and Apple may want to tap into this new trend relating to Street Reporting. While this type of reporting won't be mainstream anytime soon, it surely has its place in impromptu situations or for informal video casts. This is Patently Apple reporting live for J-A-C-K news.  

Apple Sues Samsung for Patent Infringement and gets Sued by SmartData

Switzerland based SmartData has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Apple in the Northern District of California. The patent infringement lawsuit concerns Apple's iPhone, AppleTV and Remote. The court document shows that Apple and SmartData were once in negotiations for licensing. On a second front, Apple has launched a new patent infringement case against Samsung in San Jose. While the formal complaint has yet to be unlocked, we'll show you what we have thus far.