Apple Wins another Multi-Touch, Multi-Hover Patent

Apple has been granted another key multi-touch patent which relates to the periodic updating of baseline no-touch sensor output values to account for temperature drift. This is required to ensure a quality multitouch experience. Today's granted patent incorporates two key patents by reference: their 2004 "Multipoint Touchscreen" and 2007 "Proximity and Multi-Touch Sensor Detection and Demodulation" patents.

Apple's patent summary in-part states that the pre-stored no-touch or no-hover (no-event) sensor output values could initially be used when a sensor panel subsystem is first booted up to establish an initial baseline of sensor output values unaffected by fingers or other objects touching or hovering over the sensor panel during boot-up. This initial baseline could then be normalized so that each sensor generates the same output value for a given amount of touch or hover, providing a uniform response across the sensor panel and enabling subsequent touch or hover events to be more easily detected. After the initial normalization process is complete, the pre-stored baseline could be discarded in favor of a newly captured no-event baseline that may be more accurate than the pre-stored baseline due to temperature or other variations.

To implement this baseline normalization procedure, the raw no-event baseline values for the sensor panel could be captured prior to final assembly, such as at the factory, for example, and stored in non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM. During boot-up, rather than scanning the sensor panel for the raw baseline, the pre-stored raw baseline, unaffected by any finger or object that may be present, could be used. Offsets could then be computed so that they could be applied to subsequently received output values (after boot-up is complete) to generate normalized output values. A scan of the sensor panel to obtain raw sensor output values could then be performed. A finger or other object could then be detected because the raw sensor output values will be higher than the pre-stored raw baseline.

Alternatively, it could be determined that there is no finger of other object present due to the appearance of relatively flat raw output values (within a predetermined range of each other), or if the output values are below some predetermined threshold or within some predetermined range of the pre-stored raw baseline. If a finger or other object is in fact detected, no new baseline will be captured until the finger or other object has been removed, and the values appear flat and/or fall below the threshold or within the predetermined range of the pre-stored raw baseline. In some embodiments of the invention, the detection of a finger or other object could be used to initiate diagnostics modes that run internal tests on the device, or put the device into a certain operational mode. When it has been determined that no finger or other object is present, a new scan of the sensor panel could be performed, a new baseline could be obtained and the pre-stored raw baseline could be discarded.

About the Patent Figures: Apple's patent FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary computing system operable with either a multi-touch panel, a multi-hover panel, or a combination of both according to one embodiment of this invention; Patent FIG. 2a illustrates an exemplary capacitive multi-touch panel according to one embodiment of this invention; Patent FIG. 2b is a side view of an exemplary pixel in a steady-state (no-touch) condition.

About the Patent Figures: Apple's patent FIG. 6a is a graph of an exemplary sensor panel cross-section for one row of sensors versus sensor output value, showing the raw baseline obtained and the effect of a subsequent event according to one embodiment of this invention; Patent FIG. 6b is a graph of an exemplary sensor panel cross-section for one row of sensors versus sensor output value, showing the normalized baseline obtained and the effect of a subsequent event; Patent FIG. 6c is a graph of an exemplary sensor panel cross-section for one row of sensors versus sensor output value, showing the raw baseline obtained in error when an object is present at the sensor panel; Patent FIG. 6d is a graph of an exemplary sensor panel cross-section for one row of sensors versus sensor output value, showing an erroneous normalized baseline obtained and the effect of a subsequent event; and finally, patent FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating baseline normalization.

To review Apple's 32 patent claims and invention detailing, see granted patent 8,026,904. Apple credits Wayne Westerman, one of the pioneers of Apple's touch technology, as the sole inventor of this patent which was originally filed in January 2007 or six months prior to the debut of Apple's iPhone.

Apple Stumbles at Gaining Multi-Touch Trademark

Apple has once again received a granted patent pertaining to multi-touch but is having a little trouble in getting their Multi-Touch trademark approved. It's clear that there's been a force behind the opposition of this trademark so that the likes of Google and others could mimic Apple's offering of Multi-Touch on iOS devices. Until the iPhone debuted in 2007, no consumer was familiar with the term "Multi-Touch" and it was Apple that established this on the iPhone before any other wannabe competitor ever had a competing product on the market.

So when the trademark board concludes with the following, it appears to be a little strange: "Thus, in view of the foregoing, and given the highly descriptive nature of the designation MULTI-TOUCH, we would need substantially more evidence (especially in the form of direct evidence from customers) than what applicant has submitted in order to find that the designation has become distinctive of applicant's services." The examining attorney's finding is that Apple's evidence is insufficient.

You want direct evidence from customers, then we'll give it to you. Okay Apple, where do we sign up? As they say: It ain't over until the fat lady sings.

Apple Wins a Patent for Device Holder for a Vehicle

Apple has won a patent that generally relates to electronic device accessories, and more specifically to cup holder adaptors. The proposed accessory is able to secure an electronic device like an iPod or iPhone inserted into a conventional cup holder. The cup holder, for example, is inside of an automobile. One embodiment of the invention includes a spool about which a connecting cable could be wound. Adapting sleeves that fit around the base of the accessory could be used to adapt electronic device holder to cup holders of different sizes and shapes.

Okay, so it isn't one of Apple's finest inventions to date but in some cases it could still be of benefit. I just don't think we'll be seeing it any time soon. But time will tell. And for those that are two marbles shy of a dozen, you don't actually put coffee in this device holder that happens to fit into a cup holder in your vehicle (ha!).

Apple credits Matthew Rohrbach as the sole inventor of patent 8,027,465 which was originally filed in Q3 2008. Other minor design wins went to Apple's MacBook keyboard (D645,860) and a GarageBand Image (.D645,870).

The Other Granted Patents Published Today

Other granted patents issued to Apple today include the following: two patents relating to "Double-sided touch sensitive panel and flex circuit bonding" (8,026,903 and 8,026,905). Apple won their first patent on this in August 2011. Patent 8,028,103 Method and apparatus for generating secure DAM transfers; patent 8,028,080 Method and apparatus for media data transmission; patent 8,028,077 Managing distributed computers; patent 8,028,060 Background task execution over a network based on network activity idle time; patent 8,028,042 System and method of managing media content; patent 8,027,925 System method and apparatus for authorizing access: patent 8,027,837 Using non-speech sounds during text-to-speech synthesis; patent 8,027,382 Pulldown correction for progressive display of audiovisual recordings; patent 8,027,213 Mechanism for measuring read current variability of SRAM cells; patent 8,026,754 Low latency flop circuit; patent 8,026,745 Input/output driver with controlled transistor voltages; and finally, patent 8,026,741 CMOS circuitry with mixed transistor parameters.

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.