Apple Granted Patent for Cellular Antenna for MacBook Pro

Apple has been granted a patent today for their invention relating to the MacBook handling communications over one or more communications bands. For example, wireless communications circuitry in the MacBook may be used to handle cellular telephone communications in one or more frequency bands and data communications in one or more communications bands. Apple's patent presents two styles of antennas being considered.

Apple's patent FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic device and an illustrative extendable, removable antenna in a stowed state; patent FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic device and an illustrative resilient antenna in an extended state; and patent FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of an illustrative electronic device and an illustrative extendable, removable antenna.

Apple credits Brett Degner, Matthew McDonald as the inventors of granted patent 8,581,788 which was originally filed in Q1 2011 and published today by the US Patent and Trademark Office. To review today's 11 granted patent claims and details, see Apple's patent. Apple was granted another such patent in August 2010.

Apple Granted Patent for a Touch Sensitive Button with Two Levels

Apple has been granted a patent today for their invention relating to a touch-sensitive mechanical button with multiple depression thresholds. The granted patent is about a button and not a touch sensitive display as another Mac site is claiming this morning.

Apple states that various embodiments relate to a touch-sensitive depressible button with multiple depression thresholds. A touch-sensitive depressible button can generate input based on a depression of the button or based on a touch event performed on a surface of the button.

Additionally, the button can generate input based on both the depression and the touch event. For example, a button might generate a first input when it is depressed by a finger on a left portion of the surface of the button and a second input when it is depressed by a finger on a right portion of the surface of the button. In this way, a single depressible button can serve multiple functions depending on where it is depressed.

In some embodiments, a touch-sensitive depressible button can only generate input when the button is depressed. Touch events might not be accepted when the button is not depressed. Clearly this is a button not a display.

It sounds more like a dual action home button or a possible new backside button for future functionality. The invention also applies to the MacBook Pro's touchpad which is a button not a display.

Apple credits Louis Bokma, Joseph Fisher and Saket Vora as the inventors of granted patent 8,581,870 which was originally filed in Q4 2011 and published today by the US Patent and Trademark Office. To review today's 22 granted patent claims and details, see Apple's patent.

Apple Granted Patent for Editing User Interfaces

Apple has been granted a patent today for their invention relating to multifunction devices with touch screen displays, and more particularly, to conducting edits (e.g., cutting, copying, or pasting user-selected content) on such devices. This patent has the potential of being used in future Apple litigation.

Apple's patent abstract states that "a device displays content on a touch screen display and detects input by finger gestures. In response to the finger gestures, the device selects content, visually distinguishes the selected content, and/or updates the selected content based on detected input. In some embodiments, the device displays a command display area that includes one or more command icons; detects activation of a command icon in the command display area; and, in response to detecting activation of the command icon in the command display area, performs a corresponding action with respect to the selected content. Exemplary actions include cutting, copying, and pasting content."

Apple credits Ording Bas, Scott Forstall, Bradford Moore, Kenneth Kocienda, Marcel van OS and Richard Williamson as the inventors of granted patent 8,584,050 which was originally filed in Q3 2009 and published today by the US Patent and Trademark Office. To review today's 25 granted patent claims and details, see Apple's patent.

Another patent of interest granted to Apple today is titled "Hidden Sensors in an Electronic Device," under number 8,581,193. We covered a similar granted patent back in December 2012. For graphics and more information see our report.

Apple Granted Two Design Patents Today

Apple was granted two design patents today covering a retail store display structure and the iPod touch. The latter lists the late Steve Jobs as one of the inventors.

The Remaining Patents granted to Apple Today

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.