While it was a rather slow day at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office for Apple patents, there were a few worth noting that cover such things as iPhone fuel cell technology, MacBook magnets, advanced in-air gesturing, biometric sensing and a financial payment system.

Invention #1: Fuel Cells

Apple was granted their first fuel cell system patent in March titled "Fuel cell system to power a portable computing device." Today Apple's patent application 20150249280 is shown to have set new patent claims to strengthen their intellectual property. To review the difference in Apple's patent claims, compare Apple's granted patent claims to their new patent application.

One of the new claims is that of number 36 which states the following: "A portable computing device that controls a fuel cell system, comprising: a processor; a memory; and an interface to the fuel cell system, wherein the interface comprises, a power link that provides power to the portable computing device; and a bidirectional communication link that provides bidirectional communication between the portable computing device and a controller for the fuel cell system; wherein the portable computing device is configured to control the fuel cell system through the bidirectional communication link by: sending fuel cell state information from the fuel cell system to the portable computing device through the bidirectional communication link; receiving fuel cell control information from the portable computing device through the bidirectional communication link; and using the received fuel cell control information to control the fuel cell system."

Invention #2: Cold Spray of Stainless Steel (For MacBook Magnetic Assemblies)

For those who love to learn about Apple's little secret manufacturing processes, today's patent titled "Cold Spray of Stainless Steel" describes how the MacBook may use this process to enhance the magnetic properties of a stainless steel alloy.

Apple notes that the magnetic assembly can then be embedded within the housing using a second solid state deposition process to fill in a remaining portion of the recess with material corresponding to the housing. For example, the second solid state deposition process may include aluminum to form a consistent appearance with that of the housing.

For more of the details behind this invention, see patent application number 20150248958.

Invention #3: Three Dimensional User Interface Session Control using Depth Sensors

Apple was just granted a patent for this invention back in May and Apple is already tweaking their patent claims to strengthen their invention. For instance, Apple's original granted patent consisted of 35 patent claims. Today's patent shows that Apple has reduced their claims to 13. One of the first changes is found starting in claim one that now states:

"A method, comprising: associating, in a computer executing a non-tactile three dimensional (3D) user interface, multiple regions, comprising at least first and second regions, within a field of view of a sensing device coupled to the computer with respective states of the non-tactile 3D user interface, comprising at least first and second states associated respectively with the first and second regions; receiving a set of multiple 3D coordinates representing a hand movement from the first region to the second region; and responsively to the movement, transitioning the non-tactile 3D user interface from the first state to the second state." For more on this invention see Apple's continuation patent number 20150248171.

Invention #4: Processing Payments for an Online Marketplace (Apple Wallet Related)

Apple's invention relates to systems, methods, and computer-readable storage devices for enabling users of mobile devices to load funds onto an account with an online marketplace. Instead of linking a payment card with the account, or requiring users to purchase a plastic card from a retailer, a user enrolls his account with the online marketplace to generate a barcode that can be rendered on the mobile device. The user presents the barcode to a merchant for scanning. The merchant scans the barcode to retrieve a serial number, which is submitted to the online marketplace to uniquely identify the user's account. Then the user can provide funds to the merchant for loading onto the account, and the merchant can use existing payment infrastructure for processing traditional physical plastic cards for loading funds. This approach avoids costs associated with distributing, manufacturing, and stocking plastic cards, and also saves shelf space at retail locations. For more details, see Apple's patent application number 20150248663.

Invention #5: Finger Biometric Sensing Device

And lastly, Apple's fifth invention worth noting today covers their ongoing work regarding finger biometric sensing that could apply to the iPhone, iPad and future MacBooks. For more details, see patent application number 20150248574

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