Today Apple won patents for a bold Modularized device, procedures for Earth Fixed & Earth Mobile Beams for Satellites & more
Today the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of 91 newly granted patents for Apple Inc. In this particular report we briefly cover a patent for a bold modularized computer, point to a new satellite patent and cover one design patent.
Modularized Computer
In some granted patent examples, a computing device can include a base and a hinge operably coupled to the base. The hinge can be rotatably attached to the base and can be configured to receive and retain a component or an electronic device (e.g., a display) to the base. The base can define an input surface in communication with one or more sensors to detect touch, or near touch, input at the input surface. Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more sensors can detect movement of an object above the input surface, such as a gesture from the hand of a user of the computing device.
In some examples, one or more devices or components can be placed adjacent to the input surface, such as a keyboard positioned on the input surface. In some examples, the keyboard can have electronics or mechanisms for receiving input from a user and can communicate that input to the base.
In other examples, the keyboard can include a mat having indicia which mark the boundaries of keys, but does not include any electronics or mechanisms to provide input to the input surface of the base. Instead, the one or more sensors within the base can detect input through or at the mat such that the keyboard can function as a guide or pattern for a user outlining boundaries for user input associated with specific keys of the keyboard.
In Apple's patent FIG. 1A below, we see an example of a computing device #100 including a base #102, a first display #104, a second display #106, and a keyboard #108. One or more of the first display, the second display and the keyboard can be combined in various configurations with the base, for example, by removably coupling therewith. In FIG. 1B we see a traditional-like MacBook whereas in FIG. 1C we see a dual display MacBook configuration.
Apple's patent FIG. 10A below illustrates a MacBook configured with 3 displays. The second display could be used to display secondary content such as a webpage, email etc., while the third display could provide a virtual keyboard or input area for Apple Pencil.
Interestingly, Apple noted that a keyboard could be projected, etched or otherwise defined on the input surface.
For more details, review today's granted patent #12197258 in full.
Apple has also been granted a satellite related patent titled "Modified Handover Procedures For Earth Fixed And Earth Mobile Beams." Techies could review granted patent 12200556 for details.
Apple's patent FIG. 5 below illustrates a diagram showing different types of satellites that can be employed as nodes of Non-Terrestrial Network(s) (NTN(s)) along with relevant characteristics discussed in this granted patent.
(Click on patent figure to Enlarge)
Granted Design Patent for a Charging Station