Posts Tagged ‘patents’

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Judge rules that Motorola’s patents aren’t worth the $4 billion a year it demanded from Microsoft

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A judge presiding over a legal battle between Microsoft and Google-owned Motorola issued a ruling today that valued elements of Motorola’s patent portfolio far below what the company felt they were worth — by a difference of over $ 3.2 billion a year.

The two companies have been locked in a legal battle over Microsoft’s use of several Motorola patents that are part of the 802.11 Wi-Fi and H.264 video standards. As such, they’re considered standards-essential patents, and must be licensed to other parties at a reasonable and non-discriminatory (RAND) rate. According to Redmond’s attorneys, Motorola violated that pact by asking far too much to use the patents in question — its initial request was 2.25 percent of the price of each…

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Apple Patents Built-In iPhone Remote Unlocker, Engine Starter And Parking Locator For Cars

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The USPTO published a number of Apple patent applications Tuesday, including two related to automobiles (via AppleInsider). The car patents both describe systems that can be built into future iPhones, replacing most of the functionality of your standard key fob with the smartphone, and providing a way to help drivers navigate the often maze-like interiors of parking garages to find their ride.

In one application, Apple describes what amounts to a series of different indoor positioning systems to help drivers locate their cars when parked. The system would involve pairing a car and an iPhone via Bluetooth, and then using that connection to automatically detect when a car ends up actually parking in a spot. Then, it uses sensor data communicated from the parking facility itself to peg a location.

Once a user returns to the garage, they can trigger the phone to find their current positioning data from the same system, and then provide actual guidance or directions back to their car itself. The patent describes parking garages in which devices are placed at regular intervals throughout to help facilitate the indoor location portion. Apple’s recent acquisition of indoor positioning system company WiFiSLAM could also work very well in terms of helping provide a way to make this system work.

The IPS element is interesting, but where Apple’s patent is really unique is in using on-board device sensors, including things like the camera and microphone, to determine automatically when a car parks to begin with to trigger the car location logging information. There are plenty of “where did I park my car” apps out there (though few boast IPS), but the automatic, fully-integrated way Apple’s system would work would make it so that you don’t even have to remember to activate it.

The other car-related application describes a system that would turn the iPhone into a remote car starter, unlocker, and essentially a parental control device for a target vehicle. The patent talks about using Bluetooth to pair a car and a handset, then allowing a user to choose their level of security, making it possible to have the phone unlock the car automatically based on proximity, or require a PIN to even use any car control functions.

Apple’s patent goes further than most remote starter/unlocker key fobs by allowing a user to set specific limits for particular devices, like making it possible to start the engine with a phone only during set hours, setting a max speed for use with a particular device, limiting access to infotainment services, and building in geofencing. All of these can be used in theft prevention, but also to set limits on say a teen child’s car permissions.

It’s about time that cars got tighter integration with mobile devices, in ways that make the best use of all the tech on board our modern smartphones. Many car companies seem to be open to working closer with Apple, too, so while there’s a lot of infrastructure changes described in these patents, we still could see these features make their way to shipping devices over the next few years.

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Apple Patents A Convertible MacBook Design, And Street View Navigation That Can Go Inside Buildings

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A couple of new Apple patent applications published today (through AppleInsider) demonstrate how the business may be thinking of taking on current advancements from various other big tech companies with comparable, however various designs. The first is a filing that describes a convertible MacBook design, with a touch-sensitive display that separates from the base. The second is a approach for browsing a Street View-style view of virtual maps, full with a twist that permits it to go inside structures, too.

The first design for a convertible MacBook could look familiar, since it actually resembles a great deal of designs available from Windows device makers, and some previous Android tablet designs. The screen removes from the keyboard and body section, which isn ’ t in itself awfully one-of-a-kind, however the display in Apple ’ s version communicates with the brains in the base by means of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and various other wireless interaction process, implying all the significant computing work is still dealt with by the generally found GPU and CPU. The screen itself is touch-sensitive, however doesn ’ t serve as a standalone tablet in quite the exact same way it does in some new Windows device designs.

The display also can charge wirelessly by means of the same kind of tech made use of in induction charging, drawing power from the base. What Apple explains right here isn ’ t a lot a convertible tablet, however even more of a MacBook with a display that resolves the clumsy problem of how to utilize touch effectively on a note pad by allowing it to briefly come off the base for even more ergonomic touch-based communication. Apple has discussed how touch doesn ’ t work on a typical computer system kind consider the past; this is one method around that.

An additional patent application published today might give an idea as to where Apple is goinged with Maps. It describes a navigation method for a Street View-style appearance at the world from the point of view of somebody walking the roads themselves. The distinction in between Apple ’ s patent and existing Google Street View navigation is that Apple ’ s is motion managed, treating the environment as a panorama, which can be navigated based on movement diagnosis from onboard device sensors to let an individual really experience a virtual “ walk ” through the roads of a city.

There ’ s been little proof to recommend Apple is deploying technician to collect its own Street View-style images for Apple Maps therefore far, however another current development a minimum of makes good sense offered the context of this patent. Apple just recently got indoor mapping business WiFiSlam, and this patent likewise explains utilizing the system to map and navigated indoor environments, too, so that individuals can go “ inside ” choose structures. It was originally submitted in September of 2011.

Both these patent applications seem more like Apple hedging its bets than reflections of any instant upcoming products, based upon recent reports. However they likewise address issues that could become or are already competitive sore spots for the business, so there ’ s still a good possibility we might eventually see them make their method to shipping products.

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Apple Patents iPhone With Wraparound Show, Including Designs That Plug Together Voltron-Style

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Apple has a brand-new patent declaring just released by the USPTO today, initially spotted by AppleInsider, which information a wraparound-style AMOLED screen that might make it possible to create an iPhone that ’ s virtually completely screen, with touch actions and virtual buttons replacing physical ones completely. The patent explains designs that might have a smooth, continuous surface resembling the 4th generation iPod nano, as well as other shapes more detailed to the existing iPhone, but with every surface a touch-sensitive glass display.

The patent is a relatively detailed one, and even points out inbuilt facial awareness along with an approach of layering versatile, see-through displays on top of one another in order to produce various aesthetic impacts, including the look of 3D. The glass utilized to frame the show is referred to as either smooth, or featuring small design elements to hide where one piece signs up with another. One major benefit is that glass is fairly radio transparent, which is why the current generation iPhone 5 has top and bottom glass “ window ” panels on the backside of its casing, and an additional, states Apple in the filing, is the visual benefit.

Apple recommends a lot of various device designs representing various geometric shapes that might be used with an all-inclusive external glass show, but even more fascinating, in some it speaks about detachable end caps that could permit even more than one device to be signed up with together. Like Voltron, when combined these iPhones or iOS mobile gadgets would become higher than the amount of their parts.

An additional orderly technique is the portal which the proposed gadget would recognize exactly what touch to treat as essential, and which to disregard, since the whole phone is basically one big touchscreen. Apple explains a method of finding how a user is in fact dealing with the device to fix that problem, making use of on-board cameras and facial recognition to determine where to display content, and where to register touch.

The last aspect of the patent is a version that consists of layered, transparent shows that can each program various material, or layers of a solitary image to attain 3D effects. It could possibly likewise be made use of to put a HUD or additional information on top of another image, basically building a second-screen or increased reality experience into a solitary gadget.

This is among the more exciting Apple patents that has surfaced lately, as it shows basically an entirely re-imagined next-generation iOS smartphone. However the modern technology is probably still a means off from being economically functional, and the battery demands of an entirely wraparound show would likewise likely be huge. So while I wouldn ’ t expect this in iPhone 6 (or even 7), it ’ s a good appearance at how the business is considering innovation behind the scenes.

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Microsoft lands design patents for the Surface tablet’s Touch Cover keyboard

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Microsoft lands design patents for Surface tablet's Touch Cover keyboard

Microsoft would certainly argue that its Surface tablet design is renowned. The business is doing more than just extolling the virtues of kickstands and VaporMg cases, nonetheless. It simply acquired a trio of design patents that cover both the Touch Cover keyboard and the magnetic coupling on the tablet that so frequently gives Microsoft something to dance about. You will not find any deep understandings into the technological workings right here– still, this might offer some prospective Surface KIRF developers a reason to think twice.

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Apple Patents iPhone Drop Protection Mechanisms That Are Built Right Into The Device

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A new Apple patent filing describes a variety of methods to protect a dropped iPhone during a fall, lessening damage through a number of clever systems. The USPTO filing, spotted by AppleInsider, includes a rotational mechanism to change the orientation of a falling iPhone, for instance, as well as on-device thrusters, and a way to clamp down on inserted cables when a fall is detected.

The patent describes a number of ways Apple might be able to make a device that can change direction mid-flight, which would allow it to put its most impact-resistant surface forward to meet the ground. These include an internal gadget for shifting mass to one end of the iPhone, an actual “thrust mechanism” that could even include a “gas canister,” an air foil that activates in free fall, a way to contract external bits like switches within the case for protection, and a gripping system that can clamp down on charing and headphone cables to ensure those catch the falling phone.




Another aspect of the patent is a sort of on-board black box that would gather and store data about the fall and the impact, which Apple says in the patent would be used by the device manufacturer to help gather info about how devices fall, so that they can use that info in future designs. But of course such an on-board tool could also be used by technicians determining warranty repair status.

This patent contains pretty intense, innovation-heavy tech, a lot of which doesn’t have any real precedence out there on the market yet, so I wouldn’t expect to see it in any shipping devices soon. But it is a good look at how Apple is thinking about common issues such as damage to mobile device from accidental drops. And who knows? One day, this stuff could become actually practical – even positional thrusters built into your iPhone.

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Apple Patents iPhone Drop Protection Mechanisms That Are Developed Right Into The Device

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A new Apple patent filing describes a selection of techniques to safeguard a dropped iPhone during a fall, decreasing damage through a number of clever systems. The USPTO filing, found by AppleInsider, consists of a rotational mechanism to change the orientation of a falling iPhone, for example, as well as on-device thrusters, and a way to clamp down on inserted cable televisions when a fall is found.

The patent describes a lot of methods Apple might be able to make a gadget that can alter instructions mid-flight, which would allow it to put its most impact-resistant surface forward to satisfy the ground. These include an internal device for moving mass to one end of the iPhone, a real “ thrust mechanism ” that could even consist of a “ gas canister, ” an air foil that activates in complimentary fall, a way to contract external bits like switches within the case for security, and a gripping system that can clamp down on charing and headphone cable televisions to ensure those catch the falling phone.




Another aspect of the patent is a kind of on-board black box that would gather and save information about the fall and the effect, which Apple says in the patent would be made use of by the device maker to assist gather info about how devices fall, so that they can make use of that info in future designs. However of course such an on-board tool could possibly additionally be utilized by specialists determining guarantee repair work condition.

This patent consists of quite extreme, innovation-heavy tech, a whole lot of which doesn ’ t have any real priority out there on the marketplace yet, so I wouldn ’ t expect to see it in any shipping gadgets quickly. But it is a good look at how Apple is thinking of typical problems such as damages to mobile gadget from accidental drops. And who understands? One day, this stuff could become in fact useful– even positional thrusters developed into your iPhone.

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Apple Patents iPhone Drop Protection Mechanisms That Are Built Right Into The Gadget

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Image (1) brokeniphoneyes.jpg for post 363749

A brand-new Apple patent filing explains a range of approaches to secure a dropped iPhone during a fall, reducing damages through a number of smart systems. The USPTO declaring, found by AppleInsider, consists of a rotational mechanism to change the alignment of a falling iPhone, for example, as well as on-device thrusters, and a means to clamp down on inserted cables when a fall is found.

The patent explains a variety of means Apple may be able to make a device that can alter instructions mid-flight, which would enable it to put its most impact-resistant surface forward to satisfy the ground. These include an internal gadget for shifting mass to one end of the iPhone, an actual “ drive mechanism ” that could possibly even consist of a “ gas canister, ” an air foil that triggers in cost-free fall, a way to contract exterior bits like switches within the case for defense, and a gripping system that can clamp down on charing and earphone cable televisions to guarantee those catch the falling phone.




Another element of the patent is a type of on-board black box that would gather and store information about the fall and the effect, which Apple states in the patent would be utilized by the device maker to help collect info about how devices fall, so that they can use that information in future designs. However naturally such an on-board device might additionally be used by technicians determining warranty repair work condition.

This patent includes quite intense, innovation-heavy tech, a great deal of which doesn ’ t have any genuine priority out there on the marketplace yet, so I wouldn ’ t anticipate to see it in any shipping gadgets soon. However it is a great look at how Apple is considering usual problems such as damages to mobile device from accidental drops. And who understands? One day, this stuff can become actually practical– even positional thrusters developed into your iPhone.

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Apple Patents An Augmented Truth System That Turns The Globe Into A Shareable ‘Pop-Up Video’.

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Apple has actually been granted a patent today (via AppleInsider) that explains an augmented reality (AR) system that can tag real-world products in a live video stream and show information about them in a HUD overlay. It sounds precisely like Pop-Up video in practice: turn your gadget to focus on Rick Astley, for instance, and get a pop-up image of the singer vocalizing “ Never Gonna Provide You Up. ”

The patent explains an AR system for iOS devices, which can be utilized in a variety of various means. At its the majority of standard, it works by identifying elements of an image in a live video feed, as when it names the parts of a motherboard being shot with the rear-facing camera on an iPad-like gadget in Apple ’ s patent. But it has even more advanced functions, too: Apple describes a user having the ability to modify the provided information in case of inaccuracies or inaccurate matches, and also includes numerous means for sharing the info in between users and gadgets.

Apple ’ s system includes a collaboration element, as one individual can annotate or edit the info existing on their own view, and send it to a 2nd user ’ s device. The iOS device utilizing the AR technician is additionally described as having the ability to show both the straight image itself, and the variation with overlaid info simultaneously in windows side-by-side, enabling both an unblocked view and one with all the contextual information. In Apple ’ s provided example, a real-world view of San Francisco is joined a computer-generated model of the exact same. The individual can interact with the CG model to browse through streets, and customize sights in case they ’ re taking a trip, something which appears like it would add significantly to the existing iOS Maps experience.

This kind of dual-view can then be shared live with a 2nd user, Apple states in the patent. So one user can build a virtual map and emphasize crucial POIs, and then sync that with a 2nd individual ’ s device to assist them navigate. It could possibly additionally be made use of to work together in various occupations, including physicians comparing x-rays or other medical imaging.

This AR system is mainly one-of-a-kind due to the fact that of its sharing and partnership functions, however it additionally includes techniques that could quickly be at house in a wearable AR show like Google Glass. But even as just an easy extension to Maps, it has value, and as an API built into iOS, the possibilities actually begin to remove. AR is getting advanced, but we ’ ve seen players like Layar turn away from comparable products. Still, Apple would have various goals with such a development, so it ’ s still possible this could make its method to delivering product.

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LG suspects Samsung of infringing its eye-tracking patents with the Galaxy S 4

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Samsung’s Galaxy S 4 isn’t really even offered yet, however currently it’s being considered for possible patent infringement. Baseding upon a report from Korea’s Yonhap Information, LG presumes the S 4 might break eye-tracking patents made use of in the Optimus G Pro. At the crux of this squabble is a patent LG used for in 2009, though the business likewise prepares to examine whether Samsung infringed other eye-tracking patents dating back to 2005. So far, naturally, Samsung has rejected any wrongdoing, saying its eye-tracking technician is executed in a different way and is based on exclusive technology. Offered that the phone isn’t even out yet, we’ll leave it to LG to do due diligence prior to accusing Samsung in court.

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