Patently Apple

Apple Wins Patents Relating to Virtual Keyboards, 4G OFDM Channelization & More

The US Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of twenty newly granted patents for Apple Inc. today. In this particular report we primarily cover Apple's newly granted patents relating to smart iDevice keyboards and 4G OFDM channelization. To close out our report we cover five new design wins for Apple and more.  

Samsung to use Apple's WebKit for Future Mobile Browser

Earlier this month, the Korean Times reported that Samsung officials had stated that the patent dispute with rival Apple has strengthened their innovation drive. Specifically, Yoon Boo-keun, the president of Samsung's consumer electronics division stated to media sources that "Becoming a software-driven company is the main initiative. We will raise the quality of our products and services by pressing further for software, design and solutions." Yet where they're beginning this great initiative is really hilarious if not ironic.  

New Lawsuit against Apple Relates to Targeted Advertising

A Delaware company by the name of B.E. Technology doing business in Memphis Tennessee is suing Apple for infringing on two of their patents relating to demographically targeted advertising. B.E Technology lists eight of Apple's products that are allegedly infringing upon their patents.

Smuggled iPhones Reach Mainland China & More

It took little more than five hours for the first Apple iPhone 5 to go on sale in the Chinese mainland after being smuggled across the border from Hong Kong, but supplies were short and prices high. That's the latest news from Taiwan this morning along with other tidbits about Hon Hai Precision's latest acquisition, a new camera technology coming to market in 2013 that's worth keeping an eye on and Apple files for the 'Mountain Lion' trademark.  

Apple Cuts Display Orders to Samsung, Loses Patent Case in Germany

The Korean Times is reporting this morning that "Apple has reduced purchases of liquid crystal display (LCD) panels for tablet computers from Samsung Display amid the deepening patent disputes, said a leading market research firm, Friday. Market experts said that the move is aimed at minimizing its reliance on Samsung parts."  

Say what? Unwired Planet Sues Apple for … Well … Everything!

A Reno Nevada company by the name of Unwired Planet Inc. (NASDAQ: UPIP), formerly Openwave Systems, appears to be gambling on a patent infringement suit against Apple. The company is claiming that most everything Apple sells in the way of products and services are in direct violation of ten specific patents that they own. According to information on their website, Unwired Planet filed a complaint in 2011 with the International Trade Commission (ITC) in Washington, DC, requesting that the ITC bar Apple Inc. from importing into the United States their smartphones and tablet computers that they believed infringed on Unwired Planet patents. Unwired Planet also simultaneously filed a similar complaint in federal district court in Delaware. Unwired Planet is asking the court to award them "reasonable royalties" and much more if Apple is found guilty. 

Apple Reveals Secrets Relating to Manufacturing Processes

On September 20, 2012, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a series of 17 patent applications from Apple. In this report we cover three patent applications relating to various manufacturing processes related to iDevices. In our recent report titled Apple's Leadership and Magic Shine Through we presented a segment covering Sir Jony Ive on the iPhone 5 and the many manufacturing processes associated with it. Jony takes such pride in his work that it shines through in every product. And so it's always fascinating to see new processes being revealed in patent filings. If you happen to appreciate the making of products, like I do, then I think that you'll enjoy this report and the links to each patent. In other IP news, Apple has been granted a registered trademark for VoicePass.  

Apple Tries to Harness Power through Electromagnetic Induction

On September 20, 2012, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a series of 17 patent applications from Apple. In this report we briefly cover Apple's latest efforts at harnessing power through electromagnetic induction. Apple has something up their sleeve for better powering future devices longer. While I'm not sure that today's invention is the magic bullet, Apple's Phil Schiller thinks there's a better solution out there. He just doesn't want to spill the beans just yet … maybe. Time will tell.  

Apple's iPhone 5 'EarPods' & other Patents Come to Light

Just last week Apple introduced their new 'EarPods' for iPhone 5. The day prior to Apple's Special Event, the US Patent Office cued up Apple's trademark filing but didn't publish it until after Apple's event. To finalize it all, we get to actually see Apple's patent application detailing their invention today. To top off today's report, we'll take a brief look at a few of the key iPhone 5 patents that were fulfilled last week.  

Apple Invents Facial Recognition Locking & Unlocking System

On September 20, 2012, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that reveals a new facial recognition locking and unlocking iDevice system. In late 2011 we posted our report titled "Apple Envisions Face & Presence Detection Security for iOS Devices" which uncovered Apple's first patent application regarding the possible future use of facial recognition for unlocking an iDevice. That invention covered a method to recognize your presence and face to quickly turn on your device. Today's invention takes a few different twists that very interesting. I'm sure that die-hard Androiders will be up in arms today pointing to Google's feature and patent – but Apple's invention adds so much more depth. We'll point you to Google's patent for those wishing to compare the two inventions to be fair. Yet at the end of the day, Apple's invention – especially if they combine it with 'Presence' technology, will have a unique product that will simply outshine Google's implementation, plain and simple. 

New Details Surface on Microsoft's Future Gaming System

Earlier this month we posted a rather exciting report titled "Microsoft Envisions where Gaming is going and its Wild" that gamers around the world responded to enthusiastically. In our first report we covered Microsoft's future immersive video gaming system whereby your gaming environment would be projected onto all of the walls of your family room. The example that we initially covered in our first report was that of a first person shooter. In a limited follow-up patent application, Microsoft reveals yet another wild scenario that could be very cool to play. Microsoft's patent filing is very interesting with their main focus being on their futuristic motion camera.

Convention Keynote in Seoul: Korean Firms Should Learn from Legal Battle with Apple and Focus on Innovation

Korea IT News is reporting this morning that Korean firms have to learn a lesson from the patent litigation between Samsung Electronics and Apple and further their efforts for technological innovation while shifting the focus of their competition paradigm from enterprises to consumers.