Apple Wins Location Services & Key Multi-Touch Patents
Apple has won a number of multi-touch patents over the years and today they've been granted yet another one specifically relating to "channel scan logic." By having channel scan logic perform scanning functions, a sensor panel processor could be freed up to perform other tasks or be powered down to conserve power. A second granted patent that we briefly cover today relates to location based services which lists Scott Forstall as one of the inventors.
Apple Receives Granted Patent for Channel Scan Logic
Apple has received a Granted Patent that relates to sensor panels used as input devices for computing systems, and more particularly, using logic circuitry to autonomously detect and process events (e.g., a touching or a near touching of an object) on a sensor panel.
Apple's patent FIG. 1 illustrates computing system 100 using touch sensors and may correspond to computing devices such as desktops, laptops, tablets or handhelds, including personal digital assistants (PDAs), digital music and/or video players and mobile telephones. The computing system may also correspond to public computer systems such as information kiosks, automated teller machines (ATM), point of sale machines (POS), industrial machines, gaming machines, arcade machines, vending machines, airline e-ticket terminals, restaurant reservation terminals, customer service stations, library terminals, learning devices, and the like.
Apple's patent FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating logic circuitry of channel scan logic. To review this very detailed invention, see granted patent 8,310,472.
Apple Receives Granted Patent for Location-Based Categorical Information Services
Apple has received a Granted Patent relating to location-based information services found on iDevices that provide categorical information from a network resource. The categorical information is provided based on user preferences and/or a geographic location of the iDevice. Additionally, the user is able to provide location-based information to a network-based repository and/or service, where the user-provided information that could be used to enrich information provided to other users.
Apple's patent FIG. 6C illustrates an example mobile device presenting a user interface on the touch sensitive display; FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of an example process for providing categorical information to a mobile device.
Apple credits their former VP of iPhone Software Scott Forstall that will be leaving Apple in 2013 as one of the inventors of granted patent 8,311,526 which was originally filed in Q2 2008. While some agreed with Tim Cook's decision to fire Forstall others vehemently believe it was a mistake.
A List of the Remaining Patents Granted to Apple
NOTICE: Patently Apple presents only a brief summary of granted patents with associated graphics for journalistic news purposes as each Granted Patent is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any Granted Patent should be read in its entirety for full details. About Comments: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit comments.
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