Apple files Time Machine, iChat patents

Among the flurry of Apple patent applications that surfaced today, no less than 10 filings relate to the company's iChat and Time Machine. The Cupertino-based company's Time Machine-related patents cover methods and a computer program for providing a user interface that includes earlier versions of data, true to the software's ability to 'move through time' to prior versions of documents and files via a graphical user interface. iChat-related patents describe video communication systems and methods, as well as sharing graphical user interface output in a chat environment. Another iChat-oriented patent details sharing application output in a chat environment.

Another patent filing that surfaced today describes a potential update to Apple TV and/or Front Row software, paving the way for live iChat and broadcast TV features in future versions of Apple TV/Front Row. The latter patent also details a new remote control with a new set of Widget keys, which could bring up text messaging widgets or live iChat sessions.

Filed under: Apple
Other story tags: patents, Time Machine, iChat