Patently Apple

Apple Wins Patents for Nike + iPod and Unique Magnet Array System

The US Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of fifteen newly granted patents for Apple Inc. today. In our first patent report of the day, we focus mainly on Apple's unique magnet array system that could one day allow tiny yet powerful accessories to be added to both iOS devices and perhaps even the MacBook Air. Our report's secondary focus covers Apple's communication protocol that is used in their Nike + iPod system.  

Apple Patent Reveals Possible Upgrade for Nike + iPod

One of Apple's latest patent applications published this morning indicates that possible changes may be coming to the Nike + iPod program. This originally filed 2010 patent application states that Apple's patent is about the ability of dynamically adjusting a display based on the progress of an event monitored by an iOS device. In particular, it's about dynamically adjusting workout information displayed as a user nears the end of their workout. The new feature comes about due to a new sensing module.  

Apple Wins Patents for a Sporting App & Camera Lens Baffle While Introducing us to iCloud Printing Services

 
The US Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of 20 newly granted patents for Apple Inc. today. In our third and final granted patent report of the day we take a look at Apple's yet to be released sporting app that Apple calls a "lifestyle companion" plus we take a look at a camera lens baffle for iOS devices. The last item in this report takes a brief look at a series of patent applications that cover Apple's upcoming iCloud printing services. No, Apple doesn't describe these services as being revolutionary – but rather as being a "cloud computing paradigm." I suspect that CEO Steve Jobs will retain the former for a future press release. What else is new? - ha!  

Apple is Designing a Great New Fitness Center App

 
On April 28, 2011, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that reveals various aspects of a newly advanced Fitness Center App that they've been working on for some time now. While Apple's app is uniquely their own, they appear to be consulting with or at least including Nike into their program as one illustration lists "The Nike Training Club Class." Apple's Fitness Center App is well designed to cover all aspects of a workout including stats gathered from next generation smart equipment right down to the inclusion of a unique social networking component that will work within a particular fitness center or within your city limits to help you find a workout buddy and/or to stir on competition to get you motivated. Apple's new fitness center app is designed to work with your iPhone or iPod touch to provide you with realtime stats to keep you informed and on track.  

Apple Wins Smart Shoe, Earphones with Mic & iPod Touch Patents

 
The US Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of 22 newly granted patents for Apple Inc. today. In our first of three patent reports today, we point to several notable granted patents which include Apple's seventh industrial design win for their iPod touch, another which relates to the earphone jack associated with their earphone with mic accessory and a win for Apple's Bonjour technology. Yet the most interesting granted patent in this first lot that we review today, definitely goes to a smart shoe patent. This patent relates to a sporting shoe wear-out system that Apple has yet to bring to market that would warn athletes when their running shoe, ski boot and/or soccer cleats were no longer properly supporting their foot so as to avoid injury.