The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of 68 newly granted patents for Apple Inc. today. In this particular report we cover a 3D mapping invention that relates to positioning accuracy when a device happens to be in a downtown area where tall buildings can interfere with wireless reception. Apple's patent shows us their solution for iDevice reception when a user is in an Urban Canyon. A second patent covers 3D Projectors that could be used in a portable Kinect-Like device for gaming and beyond. The third and last patent covers a battery removal tool that Apple technicians use for iDevice and MacBook repairs.  We wrap up this week's granted patent report with our traditional listing of the remaining granted patents that were issued to Apple today.

Granted Patent: Positioning Accuracy using 3D Building Models

Apple's newly granted patent 9,681,269 covers their invention relating to sophisticated 3D mapping and positioning technology. Apple notes that in urban environments where tall buildings surround a mobile device, the signals that the mobile device detects from various satellites might not be direct line-of-sight signals. In such an environment, at least some of the signals that the mobile device detects might actually be signals that have reflected off of building surfaces. This reflection can distort the mobile device's estimation of each satellite's distance from the mobile device. As a result, the mobile device might estimate its geographical coordinates with less accuracy than if the detected signals had not been reflected in this manner. Apple's invention provides a solution to this problem.

Apple's patent FIG. 1 is a diagram that illustrates a mobile device in an urban environment where some direct line-of-sight signals from some satellites may be obstructed by buildings or other objects; FIG. 6 is a diagram that illustrates how signals from various satellites to various sampling points within a region can be occluded by buildings that are represented within a digital 3D model.

Patently Apple first covered this invention as a patent application back in November 2015 which was originally filed in May 2014.

Granted Patent: Scanning Projectors and Image Capture Modules for 3D Mapping

Apple's newly granted patent covers their invention relating to methods and devices for projection and capture of optical radiation, and particularly to projection and image capture for purposes of 3D mapping.

Apple's patent FIG. 6 is a schematic, pictorial view of a 3D mapping system in operation.

Apple's granted patent 9,677,878 was originally filed in Q2 2015 and published today by the US Patent and Trademark Office. The original patent filed in 2012 was granted in 2015. You could compare the patent claims between the original granted patent and today's granted patent to see the differences in the patent claims. In the newly granted patent, Apple is noted as adding a third mirror to the scanner as one of the major additions.

Granted Patent: Battery Removal Tool

Apple granted patent relates to a tool that makes it easy for Apple's service team to replace an iPhone or MacBook battery quickly yet securely. Apple's granted patent is officially titled "Battery Removal Apparatus," which covers various methods for removing a device battery.

Apple's patent FIG. 1A noted above illustrates a perspective view of a casing, a battery and a pull tab where the casing represents a surface within a portable computing device, e.g., a smart phone or a laptop.

In particular, a service technician simply lifts the pull tab at a ninety degree angle to the casing such that the battery is slowly peeled away from adhesive layers that are disposed between the casing and the battery.

Apple's granted patent 9,680,187 was originally filed in May 2013. Patently Apple first covered this as a patent application back in December 2014. See our original report for more information.

The Remaining Patents granted to Apple Today

Note: In order to see a clearer image of the list above, simply click on the image above to enlarge it. Some browsers may require that you click on the image and then a second click on the image to enlarge it fully.

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 Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments. Those using abusive language or behavior will result in being blacklisted on Disqus.