Some days there's a plethora of interesting small and medium sized inventions of one sort or another that surface from Apple that don't warrant a full report yet are interesting nonetheless. In Patently Apple's final report of the day we cover a lot of ground in as short a time as possible. Some of the classic inventions covered in this report include a new iCloud / iTunes credit system in the works that hints of a subscription service while covering a number of interesting Keynote Application advancements that even hints of a laser pointer accessory. To top it off we cover Apple's invention for a video converter accessory for the iPad and even look at Apple's manufacturing tool that creates the Apple Logo cutout found on MacBooks. If you have the time, take a look at this smorgasbord of Apple's inventions and you're bound to find something of interest, for sure.

 
On July 28, 2011, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Nike that might be revealing one of the next chapters for the Nike + iPod product line. This time it appears that it'll be a Nike + iPhone product in the making. Although Nike specifically notes that their system will work with Apple's iPhone, it's impossible to know at this time if Apple has more involvement in this project than meets the eye. Nike's patent generally relates to the use of golfing equipment and a mobile computing device to track sports performance data. More specifically, Nike's patent relates to capturing, transmitting, and displaying data regarding parameters associated with golf swings. Hopefully by next summer, golfers around the world will be able to boast that "There's an App for That."

 
When I think of quality 3D content, one of the first companies that comes to mind is Pixar whose wondrous works have dazzled millions worldwide and made us laugh. It was Steve Jobs who acquired a low key 3D software tool developer company and turned it into a 3D animation powerhouse that finally drove Disney to acquire them in 2006. So do I have faith in Apple being able to reinvent 3D for computer displays and televisions in the future? Duh …Yes, of course – and the good news on this front is that a recent patent application reveals one of the many ways that Apple is preparing to deliver this next generation entertainment beast. Although Apple's patent application goes out of its way to never use the words TV or television, they do describe the shortcomings of wearing 3D polarized glasses in context with a display. If that's not describing a future 3D TV application - then I don't know what is. Then again, it's not only about entertainment anyways. It's also about a future 3D version of OS X or perhaps even iOS. And if you follow Apple's patent history, then you know that such advancements in delivering truer 3D imagery will eventually spill over to other professional fields such as medical, aerospace, gaming and far beyond. 

 
On July 28, 2011, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that reveals various aspects behind a newly advanced 2D-3D modeling application. The invention relates to light source detection from synthesized faces, for example, analyzing an image to detect a type and a relative location of a light source that illuminated an object in the image at the instant that the image was captured. Where it gets a little creepy however, is that Apple states that such software is used by "information gathering agencies." Whether Apple is considering this is for a future iteration of Final Cut Pro X, an all new 3D modeling application or a private project for a government agency is unknown at this time – but using a photo of Tom Hanks face just might tip Apple's hand. 

 
The US Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of 14 newly granted patents for Apple Inc. today and it's Apple's design related patents which won the day. While we cover Apple's four design wins this morning, we also list a number of other delectable delights for the techies amongst us who might be interested in the details behind Apple's H.264/AVC coder or Apple's Motion program or perhaps Apple's acceleration-based theft detection system for portables.  

 
In early July we reported on Apple's Wild New 3D Gesturing aimed at CAD users and in closing out July we see that Apple is working on a new "Drafting Application" that will utilize "Virtual Drafting Tools" such as a virtual ruler, protractor, compass and more. While the new app is primarily designed with devices like the iPad in mind, Apple hints that it could also be used with advanced touchpad commands such as those now debuting with OS X Lion. Many will welcome this next generation application that will once again advance multi-touch gesturing while others will bemoan and shy away from such apps. With funky loops, stars and wiggle gestures now on Apple's gesturing roadmap, some would say that gesturing is starting to get a little out of control. Then again, maybe it's just me. 

 
Late last week China's Patent and Trademark Office published five newly registered iOS UI design patents covering three distinct UI Elements. With Apple beginning to really ramp up their lawsuits against iOS hardware and software copycats, every successfully awarded patent and trademark becomes more important and interesting.  

 
The US Patent & Trademark Office has officially published two of Apple's latest trademark applications for differing Photo Booth Related logos covering both OS X and iPad. 

 
Late last week the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that revealed yet another take on a possible future virtual keyboard for the iMac and other devices. Apple's first major patent concerning larger virtual keyboards surfaced in 2009. Then in 2011a wave of major virtual keyboard patents surfaced that illustrated the depth of Apple's research in this area. In early January Patently Apple posted a report titled "Apple gets closer to a Virtual Keyboard for the iMac," and later that month we posted a second report titled "Apple Pushes Research into Motion Keyboards for MacBooks." In May, Apple disclosed the invention of an "Advanced Air Feedback System" and last week Apple revealed their fifth major effort into keyless keyboards by disclosing their new piezo-based acoustic and capacitive detection system which includes a very cool glass based keyboard concept that may be a winner.  

 
I've been on holidays for the past week in the Great Canadian Rockies and all should be back to normal shortly.

Cheers!

 
It was recently revealed by the US Patent & Trademark Office that Apple has filed a trademark application for their USB 2.0 cable design. The cable connects an iPhone or iPod directly through to a Dock or a Mac's USB port for efficient syncing and charging. Apple has filed their trademark under a single International Class that interestingly broke out "electronic book readers" as a product category that they want covered. At this stage in the game you'd think that we'd be seeing the cable design relate to USB 3.0 or even a hybrid cable. Perhaps their lawyers are just a little too busy at the moment on more pressing matters (ha!).

 
A recent Apple patent application was published by the US Patent & Trademark Office that revealed the invention of a highly advanced synchronized and interactive augmented reality (AR) display for future iOS devices. A week ago we uncovered a related AR patent application describing Smart Transparent Display technology in context with varying kinds of new consumer oriented applications. Today's report delves into Apple's initial vision for using augmented reality applications in business, health care and education. It's also Apple's second patent in a week that points to future iOS devices possibly utilizing a next generation positioning system. While we can't make the call just yet that Augmented Reality Displays and System inventions are a definite trend at Apple, we can say that they're gaining traction. Apple's leadership in portable device innovation is once again evident in this patent.