The US Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of six newly granted patents for Apple Inc. today. The notables within this group include one related to Apple’s video conferencing system known as iChat along with a group of three design wins covering the iPod Classic, third generation iPod nano and Apple’s wireless keyboard. Steve Jobs and Jonathan Ives are amongst the listed design team of sixteen responsible for all of today’s noted design wins.
Industrial Design Wins 
The Design Team Credited for all Three Design Wins: Bartley Andre, Daniel Coster, Daniele De Iuliis, Richard Howarth, Jonathan Ive, Steve Jobs, Duncan Robert Kerr, Shin Nishibori, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Peter Russell-Clarke, Douglas Satzger, Vincent Keane, Christopher Stringer, Eugene Anthony Whang, Rico Zorkendorfer and Calvin Seid. All three patents were originally filed for in August 2007. For Details, see granted patents D598,424 for the iPod Classic, D598,425 for the iPod nano and D598,451 for Apple’s wireless keyboard.
Another Noteworthy Granted Patent Published Today: > Apple has won a patent related to iChat titled “Digital image coding system having self-adjusting selection criteria for selecting a transform function.”The patent relates to coding digital video images and more particularly to reducing loss of image information by automatically adjusting operating parameters utilized in the coding process.
NOTICE: MacNN presents only a brief summary of patents with associated graphic(s) for journalistic news purposes as each such patent application and/or Issued Patent is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trade Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any patent application and/or Issued Patent should be read in its entirety for further details. For additional information on any granted patent noted above, simply feed the individual patent number(s) into this search engine.
Researched and Written by Jack Purcher
On August 13, 2009, the US Patent & Trademark Office published Apple’s patent application titled Embedded die system and method . In this patent, Apple states that “miniaturization may be described as a continuing trend in technology toward ever-smaller scales for devices. Miniaturization may include reducing the size of a specific device. For example, transistors, capacitors, inductors, resistors, and diodes may be reduced in size, while retaining the same operational characteristics. One of the prime examples of miniaturization in this patent includes that of a phone, which would support the notion of the nano phone. Other interesting devices listed included that of a watch and portable television. This particular patent primarily focuses on a die integral to a substrate via a cavity or aperture in the substrate.
Patent Overview
Apple states that “in the cell phone industry, smaller phones are desirable because users can more easily transport and store a phone that takes up less space. Additionally, miniaturization may facilitate inclusion of additional features in a single device, which may be advantageous because it eliminates the need for multiple devices. Indeed, miniaturization of a device may include more effectively utilizing available space for a particular component, which makes space available for additional components. For example, if certain components of a digital music player are reduced in size, the space previously occupied by the now miniaturized components may be utilized for an additional feature, such as camera circuitry, cell phone circuitry, a sound recorder, or the like.
Accordingly, it may be desirable to miniaturize electronic devices. More particularly, it may be advantageous to miniaturize electronic devices without sacrificing functionality.”
Apple’s patent FIG. 1 noted above depicts a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor device 100 (e.g., a processor or a memory) integrated with a substrate 102 of an electronic device (e.g., a hearing aid, a blue tooth headset, a watch, an implantable medical device, a phone, or a portable television) in accordance with present embodiments
In Apple’s patent FIG. 3 noted below, we see a depiction of a perspective view of a cavity formed in a substrate of an electronic device and configured to receive a TAB mounted die in accordance with present embodiments. The cavity may be formed via a hot embossing tool, a laser, or the like. Similarly, various trenches, vias, and the like may be formed within and around the cavity using the same hot embossing tool, laser, or the like.
In Apple’s patent FIG. 6 noted above we once again see a perspective view of the TAB mounted die feature coupled with the substrate such that the integrated circuit is suspended within the cavity. As illustrated, the TAB mounted die feature may couple with the substrate via a coupling between the leads and the bond pads.
Definition of TAB: the bridge that is designed to span the cavity may include a tape automated bonding (TAB) tape that is formed from four layers, including an electromagnetic shielding layer. The electromagnetic shielding layer may include a metallic mesh or the like that cooperates with a layer of electromagnetic shielding material disposed within the cavity to shield the semiconductor device when it is positioned between the TAB tape and the walls of the cavity. The other layers of the TAB tape may include a laminated metal layer, a polymer layer, and an adhesive layer.
Apple credits Irvin W. Graves, JR as the sole inventor of patent application 20090200648.
NOTICE: MacNN presents only a brief summary of patents with associated graphic(s) for journalistic news purposes as each such patent application and/or grant is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trade Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any patent application and/or grant should be read in its entirety for further details. For additional information on today’s patent(s), simply feed the individual patent number(s) noted above into this search engine.
Researched and Written by Jack Purcher
On August 13, 2009, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application of Apple’s that reveals a new iPod and iPhone feature being devised. The feature focuses on compensating for motion on displays and touch screens when using your iPod or iPhone on the subway or in a car. It could also be used in high vibration environments such as a tank monitoring and control system for a chemical processing plant or a personal entertainment system located with an airline seat back.
Shifting the Display and/or Input Regions to Compensate for Motion
In all of the embodiments shown in this report, the device noted herein as patent point 10 include a motion sensing device. The motion sensing device may be any device configured to measure motion or acceleration such as an accelerometer or a gyroscope. In one embodiment, the motion sensing device may be a three axes linear accelerometer that includes a sensing element and an integrated circuit interface for providing the measured acceleration to the processor(s).
Input from the motion sensing device may be used to adjust the display 16 and produce motion compensated screens or modified screens with scaled images.
In Apple’s patent FIG. 3 noted above, we see that device 10 has a motion compensated screen (50). The motion compensated screen facilitates viewing of the display (16) while the device is moving. As illustrated, the device has been moved to the right, as generally indicated by arrows 51, from its original position 52 to a new position 53. This change in position may be caused by a user or by environmental instability. For example, a user’s hands may shake when holding the device, causing it to shift. In another example, environmental vibrations, such as those experienced in a car, subway, or industrial setting, may cause the device to shift. As will be appreciated, although the device has been moved to the right in FIG. 3, the present technique may be applied to any combination of device movements in a variety of directions.
As shown in FIG. 3, although the device has shifted to a new position 53, the screen 50 has compensated for the motion so the images 20 have stayed in relatively the same position from the perspective of the user. That is, the images 20, such as the telephone and television, were on the left side of the screen while other images 20, such as the calendar and envelope, were on the right side of the screen. However, when the device moved to its new position 53, as indicated by the arrows 51, the images 20 did not move along with the device. Thus, the motion compensated screen 50 shows the images 20 in new positions relative to the device.
For example, images 20, such as the telephone and television, are positioned partially off the left side of the screen, while other images 20, such as the envelope and clock, are positioned near the center of the screen. In other words, the position of these images 20 has stayed the same, while the device has moved around them. Additionally, new images 54 have begun to appear on the edge of the screen 50. In some embodiments, these new images 54 may be originally present on the screen 50 but not shown on the display 16 because they are located outside the display borders.
The method may begin by sensing motion of a device to produce motion data. In one embodiment, an accelerometer may sense motion along one, two, or three axis. The device may then compare the motion data to preset motion limits to determine if the motion data is within the motion limits. The motion limits define a range of motion where compensation of screens may occur. In other words, if the motion data falls within the motion limits, the screen may be motion compensated. On the other hand, if the motion data falls outside the motion limits, for example motion that is too slow or too fast, then no compensation may occur.
Automatic Icon Motion Compensation
Apple’s patent FIG. 7 illustrates the device with a motion compensated touch screen 100 in accordance with one embodiment. You’ll note that the location of the input regions 104 may be varied in response to the motion of the user’s finger which is moving in an up and down motion, as indicated generally by arrows 107. This may be caused by unsteadiness of a user’s hands. The device 10 senses this motion and may adjust for it by producing a motion compensated input region 108. As shown, the motion compensated input region 108 is no longer aligned behind the image 20 of the envelope. Instead, the compensated input region 108 has been shifted upwards and to the left to account for the motion of the object 106. In the illustrated embodiment, the motion compensated input region 108 corresponds an image 20 depicting an envelope, which may correspond to a mail application. Consequently, when the input region 108 is selected, the device may open a mail application. The adjustment of the input region facilitates selection of the image 20 despite vibration or interfering motion of the user’s finger. In other words, the motion compensated input regions 108 make it easier for a user to select items on a display screen.
An Apportioned Display
In Apple’s patent FIG. 13 noted above, we see another example of the device, which may produce scaled selectable images and an apportioned display. The device includes a screen 206 displaying a map, which may be accessed through an application such as Google Maps. In the illustrated embodiment, border areas 208 located at the top and bottom of the screen 206 include selectable input features 210. The input features may include selectable arrows, such as those shown at the bottom of the screen, that allow a user to scroll through multiple screens. The input features also may include an input area, such as the browser bar shown at the top of the screen that allows a user to enter information such as a location to display on the screen. For example, a user may enter the term “pizza” in the browser bar to display the location of pizza restaurants on the screen. Selectable images 212 displayed on the screen show various selectable locations on the map. For example, the selectable images illustrated in FIG. 13 may represent the locations of pizza restaurants a user may select to view details about each location such as the phone number or website. Input regions (not shown for clarity) may be located behind the selectable images to receive user input. A background 214, shown here as streets, provides context for the selectable images displayed on the screen.
Apple’s patent FIG. 14 depicts the device of FIG. 13 with an apportioned display. As illustrated, the device is moving in a side-to-side motion as indicated generally by arrows 218. This motion may be caused by a user or by environmental instability. In response to the motion, the apportioned display contains scaled images 220. These scaled images are larger versions of the selectable images 212 shown in FIG. 13.
Apple credits Michael and Mason Lee as the inventors of patent application 20090201246.
NOTICE: MacNN presents only a brief summary of patents with associated graphic(s) for journalistic news purposes as each such patent application and/or grant is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trade Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any patent application and/or grant should be read in its entirety for further details. For additional information on today’s patent(s), simply feed the individual patent number(s) noted above into this search engine.
Researched and Written by Jack Purcher
The US Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of nine newly granted patents for Apple Inc. today. The notables within this group include an interesting patent relating to a never used click wheel iPod doubling as an iPhone, iTunes backup and a power adapter. In this report we also cover Apple’s App Store trademark filing and a follow up to the Nano Phone report.
Granted Patent: iTunes Backup
Apple’s patent generally relates to backing up media libraries and, more particularly, to backing up items in a media library on multiple storage mediums. Specifically, the patent covers iTunes Backup.
If you’re new to OS X and iTunes backup, you could check out this Howcast video or this YouTube video along with information from Apple (for Mac or Windows). Using Apple’s Time Capsule is another way to backup your media files.
Apple credits David Heller as the sole inventor of granted patent 7,574,574 which was originally filed for in September 2006.
Granted Patent: Apple’s Power Adapter
Apple’s patent generally relates to apparatus and methods for powering peripheral devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to improved techniques for powering and/or charging peripheral devices through a data transmission line.
Apple’s patent FIGS. 3-5 illustrate a power adapter 80, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of the power adapter while FIG. 5 is a bottom view.
Apple credits Daniele DeIuliis, Andrew Bert Hodge, Jeffrey L. Robbin, Stanley Carl Ng, Eric W. Anderson and, Anthony M. Fadell as the inventors of granted patent 7,573,159. While the original filing date is listed as March 9, 2005, Apple also notes that the patent relates to U.S. Design Patent Application No.: 29/153,133, entitled “Power Adapter”, filed on Oct. 22, 2001.
Granted Patent: Click Wheel iPhone
Apple’s granted patent embodiments relate to user interfaces, and in particular, to telephone user interfaces that include a click wheel. The click-wheel iPod doubling as an iPhone has yet to surface. Whether Apple is reserving this feature for a future iPod or Nano Phone is unknown at this time.
Apple credits Steven P. Jobs, Scott Forstall, Greg Christie, Bas Ording, Imran Chaudhri, Stephen Lemay, Marcel Van Os, Freddy Allen Anzures and Mike Matas as the inventors of granted patent 7,574,672 originally filed on July 24, 2006.
Apple Files for App Store Logo Trademark
Apple has filed trademark application 77799099 for the App Store logo as shown below. Apple has filed it under International Class 009 which covers the following: Computer software; Computer application software for mobile phones, portable media players, and handheld computers; Computer software for use in searching, reviewing, purchasing, and downloading software applications.
Apple Inc. claims ownership of U.S. Registration Number(s) 3628321.
Nano-Phone Patent Follow-Up
I would like to extend my thanks to the fifty some websites that covered my patent report on the Nano-Phone last month – with a special thanks to VentureBeat, the Silicon Valley BusinessJournal, Celulares Nuevos and the Digital Journal. Since returning from my holidays, I’ve had several requests for information on the Australian patent that Apple originally filed in 2008. The patent was made public by the European Patent Office last month under the Australian Patent Application Number AU2008100000 A4 – as shown below.
Other patents relevant to the Australian filing include an Australian Publication number AU2007342094 and a corresponding document listed as US 2007103454 (A1). More importantly, the key patents that Apple deems to be the priority patents related to the “Back-side interface for hand-held devices” patent were disclosed in the Australian filing as follows:
“This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/115,539 entitled “Hand Held Electronic Device with Multiple Touch Sensing Devices” by Duncan Robert Kerr, Steve Hotelling and Brian Huppi (filed 26 Apr. 2005). The subject matter claimed herein is also related to subject matter described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/278,080 entitled “Force Imaging Input Device and System” by Steve Hotelling and Brian Huppi (filed 30 Mar. 2006), Ser. No. 11/382,402 entitled “Force and Location Sensitive Display” by Steve Hotelling (filed 9 May 2006) and 10/840,862 entitled “Multipoint Touchscreen” by Steve Hotelling and Brian Huppi (filed 6 May 2004) and, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.”
It seems to be very clear that the nano-phone concept has been in the works for some time now and that the patents that Apple obtained from Elias Greer were only part of this product’s development cycle. The information discovered in the Australian filing provides us with some needed history and perspective.
NOTICE: MacNN presents only a brief summary of patents with associated graphic(s) for journalistic news purposes as each such patent application and/or Issued Patent is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trade Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any patent application and/or Issued Patent should be read in its entirety for further details. For additional information on any granted patent noted above, simply feed the individual patent number(s) into this search engine. The Australian patent information could be accessed at the European Patent Office.
Researched and Written by Jack Purcher
A belated US Patent via an Australian filing mysteriously surfaced this month revealing a stunning nano-phone concept in development at Apple. The design involves a very sophisticated yet complicated dual-surface user interface. The full face-side of this device will be nothing more than a display, much like the iPhone is today, while the back-side will be primarily dominated by a force-sensitive touch based surface. Your fingers, which act as a cursor, control the face-side UI by the back-side etched controls. The dramatic design will offer users a variety of interfaces or modes to work with including one for a phone, text messaging, a traditional iPod, a camera mode and more. The design may also, according to Apple, simply offer consumers with a dual-sided display option in lieu of a force sensitive controller surface. On one hand, the design appears to be nothing shy of being revolutionary once again. On the other, the concept seems to be overly complicated. I’m sure that once we see it, it’ll all make sense. Yet until that time it arrives, I think that Apple’s design could be hotly debated.
An Apple iPod Nano-Style Cell Phone Concept Design
In Apple’s patent FIG.4 noted above, we see one of the key embodiments of this patent which incorporates mobile telephone capability. Device 400 displays numeric soft keys 405 on display screen 215 situated on front surface 210 . The user may select or activate one or more of the displayed buttons by moving their finger(s) across back-side force-sensitive touch-surface 225 [shown below] so as to position cursor 410 above (i.e., spatially coincident with) the desired button. Selection may be made by applying pressure to the back side of the device.
Now that you’ve seen the engineering team’s take on an iPod nano-style cell phone, we have to now backtrack to the beginning of this patent in order to understand how it works. In case you didn’t quite catch it in the paragraph above, Apple’s next generation nano-style iPod is going to provide us with a dual sided set of controls. Before explaining the complexities behind Apple’s new concept, it’s best to first lay out the patent as it initially flows so as to lay out the fundamentals associated with the concept.
Cross-Sectional of an iPod Nano with Two Sided User Interface
Apple’s patent FIG. 2 shown above is that of a cross-sectional view of multi-media hand-held device 200 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. It includes device housing 205, top surface 210 having display element 215 [an LCD] and bottom surface 220 having force-sensitive touch-surface 225. As used herein, a force-sensitive touch-surface is a surface that is adapted to simultaneously detect where one or more objects touch it (e.g., fingers) and the force those objects apply to the surface.
Back-Side: Force-Sensitive Touch-Surface
Referring to Apple’s patent FIG. 3A noted below, we see a hand-held multi-media device 300 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. It incorporates the functionality of click-wheel 305 on the device’s force-sensitive touch-surface 225 (on bottom surface 220). Click-wheel 305 may be represented on touch-surface 225 by, for example, an etched or raised outline.
Front-Side: LCD Display
So with the traditional click-wheel on the reverse side of the iPod nano, shown above as centered in patent FIG. 3A, we see that the face of the iPod nano facing the user is an LCD display. In the illustrated embodiment, navigation menu 310 and click-wheel 315 are rendered transparently (denoted by dashed lines in FIG. 3B) so that the user may continue to view whatever information was being displayed at the time they activated the back-side control. The cursor, shown as arrow 320, is controlled by your finger on the backside of the device. You don’t see your finger; you simply see your finger in the form of a cursor. So it’s not a see-through double-sided display design per se.
Once the user manipulates cursor 320 by sliding their finger across force-sensitive touch-surface 225 to the desired position (e.g., the “pause” control element position on click-wheel 315), all the user need do is apply pressure with that finger to the force-sensitive touch-surface to activate the desired action.
In another embodiment, a multi-media hand-held device such as device 300 may provide more than a single control element. In embodiments of this type, each control element (e.g., button, key, slider or click-wheel) may have an etched counterpart on back-side touch-surface 225, with each being displayed as desired (one at a time depending upon where the user’s finger is detected, or all at once). Meaning that the backside/force-sensitive side could have both a traditional click-wheel on the extreme right bottom side and a numeric set of keys on the left.
Texting, e-Mail, IM and Other Modes
In Apple’s patent FIG.5 noted above, we see device 500 displaying alpha soft keys 505 on the display element 215 (LCD) on the devices front surface 210. By selecting various keys, the user may enter character strings (e.g., string 510). As before, the user positions cursor 515 through movements of their fingers across the device’s back-side force-sensitive touch-surface; button selection is made through the application of pressure to the back-side touch-surface. As shown, the device displays alpha buttons 505 transparently so that the user may continue to view information that may be displayed “beneath” them. Of course, the alpha buttons may be opaque.
The patent presents us with a wide array of modes that the new iPod nano or nano-styled device could be used in – such as phone mode, video play mode, audio play mode, calendar mode, email mode, address book mode and image capture mode.
Overview of the Touch-Surface Controller System
Apple’s patent FIG. 6 is an illustrative implementation of hand-held multi-media device 200. The device is shown to include force-sensitive touch-surface controller 600, processor 605, memory 610 and display element controller 615. Controller 600 provides the necessary drive and sensing circuitry to obtain location and force information from force-sensitive touch-surface 225. In a typical implementation, touch-surface 225 is comprised of a number of sensing elements arranged in two-dimensional array. Each sensing element (aka “pixel”) generates an output signal indicative of the electric field disturbance (for capacitance sensors), force (for pressure sensors) or optical coupling (for optical sensors) at the sensor element. The ensemble of pixel values at a given time represents a “proximity image.” Touch-surface controller 600 provides this data to processor 605 or to memory 610. Processor 605, in turn, processes the proximity image information to correlate the user’s finger movement across touch-surface 225 with the displayed information. Memory 610 may include one or more of the following types of storage media: magnetic disks; optical media; and semiconductor memory devices such as static and dynamic random access memory (RAM), Electrically Programmable Read-Only Memory (“EPROM”), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (“EEPROM”), Programmable Gate Arrays and flash devices. Display controller 615 is responsible for producing the display element signals necessary to actually display information.
Interesting yet Confusing Concept
Unfortunately, Apple’s patent leaves us in the dark as to whether the iPod nano-style device will be sold with differing preset etched controllers, a combination of etched controllers or whether the etched controls are simply inter-changeable. The tiny interface could likely accommodate two differing etched controllers per unit at any given time and no more. So it’s a little baffling at how users will be able to use the nano design for texting, phoning and as a regular click-wheel based MP3 iPod based on using back-side based etched controls. The patent does hint at simply providing a dual display device – and that’s likely the one that makes the most sense at the moment.
However, if back-sided etched controllers are to win the day, then the etch controller concept appears to be very confusing when it comes to texting or phoning. Are we basically being asked to get used to texting or using a phone pad from the backside up? – Perhaps. On that basis, sight unseen, I have to admit that I just can’t imagine that working efficiently. Then again, knowing Apple, I may just laugh at just how easy it really is with a little bit of practice. Time will tell on that one.
Apple credits John G. Elias as the sole inventor of this patent application. It would appear, on the surface at least, that the reason that this patent application missed the US cycle initially as an Apple patent is because the patent was originally owned by Mr. Elias and likely not filed initially as an Apple patent. A secondary document reveals that Apple Computer Inc was named as “the new owner” at a later time. It should be noted that John G. Elias was part owner of the now defunct FingerWorks and is currently working at Apple on other sophisticated touch related patents.
NOTICE: MacNN presents only a brief summary of patents with associated graphic(s) for journalistic news purposes as each such patent application and/or grant is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trade Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any patent application and/or grant should be read in its entirety for further details. For additional information on today’s patent(s), simply feed the individual patent number(s) noted above into this search engine.
Researched and Written by Jack Purcher
The US Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of twelve newly granted patents for Apple Inc. today. The notables within this group include one relating to the Apple TV Remote controller, the hinge mechanism designed specifically for the MacBook Air, Apple’s 2D and 3D versions of the OS X Dock, Apple’s iPhone stereo headset and one relating to an iPhone’s animated image. .
Apple TV Remote
Apple’s patent FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a remote control system having an asymmetric pattern of predetermined light sources. The Remote in this figure is associated with a console which translates to that of Apple TV.
Apple credits Steven Porter Hotelling, Nicholas Vincent King, Duncan Robert Kerr and Wing Kong Low for granted patent 7,566,858 which was originally filed for in November 2006. Apple introduced Apple TV during MacWorld in January 2007.
Apple’s Abstract: Remote control systems that can distinguish predetermined light sources from stray light sources, e.g., environmental light sources and/or reflections are provided. The predetermined light sources can be disposed in asymmetric substantially linear or two-dimensional patterns. The predetermined light sources also can output waveforms modulated in accordance with one or more signature modulation characteristics. The predetermined light sources also can output light at different signature wavelengths.
MacBook Air’s Hinge Mechanism
Apple states in their patent that portable computing device profiles are continually shrinking along with integral computer components. As such, base thicknesses under approximately 20 mm are becoming increasingly common. In at least some of those examples, a pinned hinge mechanism’s structural requirements may exceed the structural capability of base materials given smaller size design requirements thus necessitating relocation of a hinge mechanism away from a base edge. Therefore improved hinge mechanisms are described herein. The measurements described herein would therefore relate to Apple’s MacBook Air which clocks in at roughly 19.3 mm (millimeters).
Apple credits Chris Ligtenberg and Joshua Banko for granted patent 7,565,720. Apple introduced the MacBook Air during MacWorld January 2008 describing it as the world’s thinnest notebook.
Apple’s Abstract: a base link pivotally connected with a base such that the base link rotates about a first axis of rotation, the base link being in sliding communication with a lid; a lid link pivotally connected with the lid such that the lid link rotates about a second axis of rotation, the lid link being in sliding communication with the base; and a center pin pivotally connecting the base link with the lid link such that the base link and the lid link rotate about a third axis of rotation wherein the base link, the lid link, and the center pin cooperatively function to translate the lid over at least two planes of motion with respect to the base.
Several Industrial Design Wins
Apple has been granted seven industrial designs today. The notables within this group include an animated image for a portion of the iPhone’s display screen (D597,101), two versions of Apple’s OS X dock (3D, shown, D597,100 and 2D, not shown, D597,099), the iPhone’s stereo headset (D597,071), Apple’s iPhone 3G Dock (D597,080) and an iPod Dock insert (D597,079).
Other Granted Patents Published Today: Apple’s Granted patent 7,568,087 relates to the field of processors and, more particularly, to handling load/store operations in processors; Granted patent 7,568,135 generally relates non-volatile memory devices, and particular implementations may relate to systems and methods for operating multi-level flash cells.
NOTICE: MacNN presents only a brief summary of patents with associated graphic(s) for journalistic news purposes as each such patent application and/or Issued Patent is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trade Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any patent application and/or Issued Patent should be read in its entirety for further details. For additional information on any granted patent noted above, simply feed the individual patent number(s) into this search engine.
Researched and Written by Jack Purcher
On July 23, 2009, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that reveals various concepts behind the design of a dual-purpose hardware aperture on a portable electronic device. The dual apertures could be used to incorporate a microphone and speakers or used as a dual card slot. Although Apple emphasizes that multiple devices such as the iPhone, iPod or even MacBook could utilize this invention, the only key embodiment presented in the patent is that of a new upright camera design/concept.
Possible New Camera
Apple’s patent FIG. 5 shown above is that of a standalone camera in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the camera includes a camera body 502 and a lens 504. The camera could also be incorporated into a future iPod like it is in Apple’s latest 3G-S iPhone.
Apple’s patent states that the camera will also include a set of acoustic ports arranged around the opening for lens. In one or more embodiments of the invention, the acoustic ports are used by a microphone or speaker within camera body. In other words, the microphone or speaker may use acoustic ports to transmit or receive sound. Acoustic ports may also form part of the opening for lens 504. In addition, the acoustic ports may be used by a camera flash (not shown) within the camera. As with components described in FIGS.2F above and 4C and D below, the camera flash and microphone or speaker may be arranged within camera body 502 such that neither component interferes with the operation of the other component. For example, the microphone or speaker may be positioned outside of a direct path between the camera flash and the acoustic ports. Likewise, the camera flash may be positioned within camera body 502 to facilitate sound transmission between acoustic ports 506 and the microphone or speaker.
Dual Purpose Card Slot
Apple’s patent FIG. 3 shown below presents an electronic device 302 with a dual-purpose card slot 306. The card slot may be used to read various types of cards for electronic devices, such as memory cards, wireless cards, smart cards, Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) cards, and/or Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards. It also includes an acoustic transducer 304. In one or more embodiments of the invention, the acoustic transducer is configured to operate through the card slot. In other words, the acoustic transducer may be configured to project and/or receive sound through the card slot.
In one or more embodiments of the invention, card slot 306 is used to read an associated card when the card is inserted into card slot. When the card slot is empty, acoustic transducer 304 may use card slot 306 as an acoustic port. For example, acoustic transducer 304 may play sound through card slot 306 if acoustic transducer 304 is a speaker. Similarly, the acoustic transducer may monitor and/or record sound through the card slot if the acoustic transducer is a microphone.
Dual Purpose Apertures
In Apple’s patent FIG. 4A shown below, we’re presented with a front view of electronic device 402 with a dual-purpose aperture. In one or more embodiments of the invention, the aperture is used by an acoustic transducer 404 within the electronic device and button 406 on the outside of electronic device. In one or more embodiments of the invention, an aperture is formed around button 406, allowing button 406 to be depressed within the aperture. In one or more embodiments of the invention, acoustic transducer 404 is positioned to operate acoustically through the aperture.
In patent FIG. 4B we see a side of electronic device 402 with dual-purpose aperture 408. As shown in FIG. 4B, aperture 408 is formed around button 406, allowing button 406 to be depressed into aperture 408 if button 406 is a mechanical button.
In Apple’s patent FIG. 4C shown below, we’re presented with a front view of electronic device 402 with a dual-purpose aperture 408. Aperture 408 is used by button 406 on the outside of electronic device 402 and a microphone 410 within electronic device 402. However, unlike FIGS. 4A-4B, aperture 408 is located at the top of button 406 and may allow microphone 410 to sample sound more directly.
In patent FIG. 4D we see a side view of an electronic device 402 with a dual-purpose aperture that is used by button 406 and microphone 410. As shown in FIG. 4D, microphone 410 is located directly behind aperture 408 within electronic device 402. Button 406 is positioned below aperture 408, thus allowing microphone 410 to detect sound via a more direct path. Alternatively, button 406 may be a switch, such as a power switch, that is mechanically moved using aperture 408. For example, button 406 may correspond to a power switch that is in an “off” state when button 406 is pushed upwards and obscures aperture 408. Button 406 may then be shifted down to power electronic device 402 up, thus exposing aperture 408 and allowing microphone 410 to operate through aperture 408.
Apple credits Michael N. Rosenblatt, Michael M. Lee and Justin L. Gregg as the inventors of patent application 20090185045.
NOTICE: MacNN presents only a brief summary of patents with associated graphic(s) for journalistic news purposes as each such patent application and/or grant is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trade Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any patent application and/or grant should be read in its entirety for further details. For additional information on today’s patent(s), simply feed the individual patent number(s) noted above into this search engine.
Researched and Written by Jack Purcher
On July 23, 2009, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that reveals a new one-touch concept for ejecting your iPod or iPhone from iTunes on your computer. In the future, the USB cable connector supplied with your new iPod or iPhone will come with a built-in capacitive-sensing system that includes conductors that generate fringing electric fields. When your fingers approach the USB cable to eject your device, the system will sense this and immediately go into shut down mode to prevent data loss.
The Conventional iPod/iPhone Dismount Procedure
The traditional way of removing an iPod or iPhone from your computer system after connecting to iTunes is to use the eject option shown here. You do this procedure so that the operating system can perform a needed dismount operation (e.g. finish read/write transactions, close files etc) to prevent data loss when the device is disconnected from the host system.
According to Apple, a common problem with conventional dismount procedures is that users often forget to follow the dismount procedures. For users who remember to use the proper dismount procedures, there is often a long wait while the operating system performs dismount operations. This wait can be several seconds long which can be frustrating to many users.
The Solution
The solution according to Apple is to enable the USB cable connector to sense an impending touch by the user. Responsive to the signal, the host system automatically initiates one or more operations related to disengaging the portable device from the host system. Such a feature will allow a user to disconnect the portable device from the host system more quickly, and also prevents data corruption due to failure of the user to follow proper procedures.
System Overview
Apple’s patent FIG. 1 shown below is a block diagram of example system 100 which can include host system 102, a portable device 104 and touch sensor 106.
In the example shown, touch sensor 106 can be a capacitive-sensing system, which includes sensor 108 (e.g., a Pyrex.RTM. glass overlay) mounted on printed circuit board (PCB) 110 (e.g., made from FR4 material). PCB 110 can include conductors 114 for generating fringing electric fields. Placing a finger near a fringing electric field adds conductive surface area to the capacitive-sensing system. The finger’s capacitance adds additional charge storage capacity to the capacitive-sensing system which can be detected. Printed circuit traces 112 (e.g., copper traces) can electrically connect conductors 114 to an energy source. Traces 112 can be designed to direct the fringing fields into sensor 108, so the fringing fields are accessible by one or more fingers of a user. In some implementations, the fringing fields can be designed to allow touch detection when the user’s finger is proximate sensor 108 but not actually touching sensor 108. This allows detection of an impending touch.
In some implementations, when the host system receives or detects the touch signal, the host system performs (e.g., automatically) one or more operations on the host system and/or the device. Some examples of operations can include completing transactions (e.g., read/write requests to the device), closing applications or files, generating and presenting visual or audio feedback warnings to the user to wait for the operations to complete before disconnecting the device, etc. If the operations are complete (306), the portable device can be disengaged (e.g., automatically, electrically, optically, magnetically, physically) from the host system so that the user can safely remove the device.
Apple credits Brett Gregory Alten as the sole inventor of patent application 20090184932.
NOTICE: MacNN presents only a brief summary of patents with associated graphic(s) for journalistic news purposes as each such patent application and/or grant is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trade Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any patent application and/or grant should be read in its entirety for further details. For additional information on today’s patent(s), simply feed the individual patent number(s) noted above into this search engine.
Researched and Written by Jack Purcher
The US Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of nine newly granted patents for Apple Inc. today. The notables within this group include several industrial design wins for Apple covering Airport Extreme, earphones, Apple’s Universal Dock and iPhone’s retail packaging. Yet the one that hits a homerun today covers an Ink Phase Termination Engine that supports Apple’s Inkwell technology and a future Tablet device supporting handwriting applications. The evidence for an Apple based Smartbook-Tablet hybrid device is certainly mounting.
Ink Phrase Termination Engine and Tablet Granted Patent
Apple’s granted patent generally relates to an ink manager for acquiring and organizing pen-based ink information for use by pen-aware and other applications.
Although the current iPhone is dependent upon using your finger as the input stylus, a future larger tablet could in fact accommodate a stylus or pen-based input system as well so as to address both handwriting and drawing applications. Such a system would be able to tap into Apple’s Inkwell application that is noted a as a key technology under OS X Snow Leopard.
According to Apple’s Inkwell verbiage, Mac OS X Leopard comes with built-in handwriting recognition technology called Inkwell (or Ink). If you connect a graphics tablet to your Mac, you can write on the tablet using a stylus, and Inkwell translates what you write to typed words in your document. Some applications allow you to enter text directly; with others, you first enter the text into a “scratch pad” (where you can edit or revise it) before bringing it into the application. Inkwell supports several stylus gestures, making it easy to select, edit, and delete text. It also understands English, French, and German.
Apple’s noted patent FIG. 3 above, is a highly schematized, functional block diagram of the software components running on a tablet. Here we see an Ink Phase Termination Engine and various handwriting components working in concert with a Tablet PC. Also noted above is Apple’s patent FIG. 2 which is a top view of a tablet device. The illustration shows us that the tablet could provide a series of horizontal lines to assist users align their handwriting. Various control buttons could provide commands for scrolling purposes or to call up apps such as email or Apple’s iWork based Pages etc.
Apple’s Proposed Smartbook-Tablet Hybrid
In July 2008, one of Apple’s patents divulged a notebook-tablet hybrid. The patent titled “Application Programming Interfaces for Gesture Operations,” stated that the “the laptop device 3300 can be converted into a tablet device as illustrated in FIG. 33B and FIG. 33C. This was illustrated in a series of three patents covering gestures, scrolling and Synchronization.
When you combine Apple’s granted patent 7,564,995 published today with a more current 2008 patent revealing a tablet-smartbook hybrid, it becomes apparent that Apple is seriously contemplating a move into the smartbook market over time. Furthermore, with Apple acknowledging that Inkwell is a key technology in their upcoming OS X Snow Leopard, you know that they have the components in place to make a stylus capable tablet a reality.
Apple credits Larry S. Yaeger, Richard W. Fabrick, II and Giulia M. Pagallo as the inventors of granted patent 7,564,995.
Industrial Design Win: Airport Extreme
Apple has been granted a design patent for Airport Extreme which originally debuted at MacWorld 2003. Airport Extreme is Apple’s local area wireless networking device. Apple’s latest Airport Extreme upgrade offers dual-band wireless support (2.4GHz and 5GHz) and Guest Networking.
Apple credits the following engineers as inventors of this granted design patent D596,626: Bartley K. Andre, Daniel J. Coster, Daniele De Iuliis, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Duncan Robert Kerr, Shin Nishibori, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Peter Russell-Clarke, Douglas B. Satzger, Vincent Keane, Christopher J. Stringer, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zorkendorfer and Calvin Q. Seid. The port configuration shown in FIG. 3 verifies that this design is the Airport Extreme.
Other Noteworthy Granted Patents Published Today: granted patent 7,565,036 titled “Image Scaling Arrangement” relates to images on an iPod scaling to other devices like a TV; granted patent 7,565,289 titled ” Echo Avoidance in Audio Time Stretching” relates to digital audio signals avoiding echoes associated with transients included in time stretched digital audio signals.
Other Industrial Design Win Images: Universal Dock, Earphones, iPhone Retail Packaging
NOTICE: MacNN presents only a brief summary of patents with associated graphic(s) for journalistic news purposes as each such patent application and/or Granted Patent is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trade Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any patent application and/or Granted Patent should be read in its entirety for further details. For additional information on any granted patent noted above, simply feed the individual patent number(s) into this search engine.
Researched and Written by Jack Purcher .
On July 16, 2009, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that reveals one of the next chapters for Apple’s iPhone in-vehicle navigation systems and services. This particular patent covers estimated time travel and is a direct follow through patent to one published on June 18 concerning the operational state of the vehicle. This is Apple’s fourth in-vehicle navigation patent this year. The other patents were covered in reports titled A Future iPhone could Advance Sophisticated In-Vehicle Navigation System Functionality and Apple Intros In-Vehicle Cryptographically Paired Technology. With scores of vehicles already offering iPod integration, the next wave of in-vehicle navigation systems working with Apple’s iPhone is likely in the works at this very moment.
Example Navigation System
Apple’s patent FIG. 1 is a block diagram of example navigation system 100 for estimating travel time. System 100 can include one or more of vehicle computing system 102, navigation system 104 and Apple’s iPhone noted here as mobile device 106. In some implementations, the vehicle computing system could be coupled to the navigation system and provide the navigation system with information related to the operation of the vehicle (e.g., speed, fuel consumption, and braking information). In other implementations, vehicle computing system can include navigation system.
In some implementations, the navigation system can be installed in the vehicle or can be a portable device. Apple’s iPhone could include the navigation system or it could be coupled (e.g., physically using a tether or dock or wirelessly) to the navigation system. The navigation system and/or iPhone could be operable to provide estimated travel time 110 for a route being traveled by the navigation system and/or iPhone. The navigation system and/or iPhone could include display 108 for displaying navigation data, such as a map highlighting the route to be navigated.
Example Network for Estimating Travel Time
Apple’s patent FIG. 5 illustrates example network 500 for estimating travel time. In some implementations, the navigation system can communicate over one or more wired and/or wireless networks 512 (e.g., the Internet, WLAN). For example, access point 508, such as an 802.11g wireless access point, can provide communication access to network 512. In some implementations, the navigation system can be physically connected to access point 508 using one or more cables and access point can be a vehicle computer system.
The navigation system can communicate with one or more services over one or more wired and/or wireless networks. For example, navigation service 504 can provide navigation information, e.g., map information, location information, route information, and other information, to the navigation system. Such information can be stored in remote database 512. In other implementations, the navigation system obtains map, location and route information from local database 510. In other implementations, the navigation system uses a combination of local database 510 and remote database to store data for use in estimating travel times. Traffic information service 506 can provide traffic information (including travel time estimates) to the navigation system which can be used to improve or confirm the accuracy of time travel estimates computed by the navigation system.
Partial list of Automakers with iPod Integration
Apple credits Brett Gregory Alten as the sole inventor of patent application 20090182492.
Another Noteworthy Patent: Another noteworthy patent application was published today that generally relates to a new Remote Diagnostic Service that reps at Apple’s Genius Bar could utilize (20090182533)
NOTICE: MacNN presents only a brief summary of patents with associated graphic(s) for journalistic news purposes as each such patent application and/or grant is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trade Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any patent application and/or grant should be read in its entirety for further details. For additional information on today’s patent(s), simply feed the individual patent number(s) noted above into this search engine.
Researched and Written by Jack Purcher
