July 3 - 12:25pm EDT   Future iPhones and iPods from Apple could come in "active packaging," a recently-published patent application hints. Apple observes that while standard product packaging serves its essential purpose, it is also subject to limitations, such as an inability to showcase electronics in action without completely draining batteries. Similarly, should firmware updates become available, a store's inventory can be left outdated until people decide to take products home. [full story]

July 2 - 11:35am EDT   A variety of Apple patent applications have been newly published by the US Patent and Trademark Office, exposing possibilities the company has been considering for the iPhone and iPod touch. Unusual filings include one for an RFID tag reader, which would be embedded within a handheld's touchscreen, allowing users to scan an RFID tag simply by passing the device over top. An iPod or iPhone could alternately be made to operate as a tag itself, quickly transmitting information such as personal identification. [full story]

June 24 - 6:55pm EDT   Apple has been granted patents for a variety of technology ranging from heart rate sensors to electronic drink coasters and tracking systems. Earlier patents detailed sensors and systems geared for sports such as skiing and snowboarding, while the latest documents outline movement-tracking sensors that can be attached to the feet, hands, head, knees and chest. [full story]

June 19 - 7:10pm EDT   Apple has been granted patents for 3D movie browser technology and responsive avatars. The first patent relates to three-dimensional movie browsing or editing, with a focus on Final Cut Pro. It also relates to other Apple technologies like the iPhone, iPod touch and Apple TV and software like iTunes and QuickTime. The most common example of the 3D browser is Apple's Cover Flow. An interesting side note reveals the author, Kevin Quennesson, has since left Apple to help build the Cooliris 3D Wall. The report also notes a second patent report for what's commonly known as Apple's Magic Wand Patent, which relates to a 3D remote control for Apple TV. [full story]

June 18 - 12:10pm EDT   Apple has invested serious attention in the possibility of a 3D motion-control remote for the Apple TV, a newly-published patent application reveals. Backing up a later filing, the application once again describes a remote which would let users navigate an interface by pointing to objects, as well as making specific gestures. The remote would communicate with an Apple TV using IR, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. [full story]

June 16 - 7:25pm EDT   Apple has been granted 12 new patents, including a surround mixing patent for Final Cut Studio which covers the use of a graphical user interface to engineer sound movement across multiple channels. Two other featured patents are for Apple's spring-loaded folders and a method of controlling movement of a cursor on a screen and a computer-readable medium containing such a method as a program code. The later primarily relates to GPS data on an iPhone. [full story]

June 4 - 4:10pm EDT   Even as the expected announcement date for a new iPhone nears, information has emerged on some possible future iPhone technologies. Among other newly-exposed patent applications is one for multiple simultaneous file transfers, which could for instance allow someone in the middle of a video call to transmit a song, image or voicemail recording at the same time. The call interface would be minimized, bringing up a second devoted to media selection. [full story]

June 4 - 11:15am EDT   The US Patent and Trademark Office has published a new Apple patent application, depicting an as-yet-unseen form of iPod. Though resembling the Classic, the theoretical player has the notable addition of a taller screen, in keeping with the widescreen ratios now used for the Nano, Touch and iPhone. At the heart of the patent is a multi-touch scrollwheel, which would enable functions more advanced than those possible with the current clickwheel. [full story]

June 2 - 4:55pm EDT   Actus LLC, patent holding company based in Marshall, Texas, has sued Apple, Amazon, Ebay, Best Buy, Barnes & Noble, and a number of other companies for infringing on several patents relating to methods for "conducting electronic commerce transactions using electronic tokens." The patents - Nos. 7,328,189; 7,249,099; 7,177,838; and 7,376,621 - were originally filed by a company named PayByClick. [full story]

May 28 - 10:45am EDT   Apple has sought to patent an LED backlighting scheme which could make the technology more practical for monitors in general, and possibly the company's own computers. While Apple notes that LED improves the color, life, brightness and power efficiency of monitors, the most recent 24-inch Cinema Display is said to have created unique design issues, demanding a way around problems with thermal control and area-to-perimeter ratios. [full story]

May 27 - 12:20pm EDT   Apple has won four new patents from the US Patent and Trademark Office, covering a range of technologies. Among these are ones for riser card housing in the Mac Pro, and a Mac OS-related concept called Computer system with graphical user interface including drawer-like windows. Important however is one for a touchpad surface, covering the multi-touch trackpad in the MacBook Air, and in a minor fashion the iPhone touchscreen. [full story]

May 21 - 4:15pm EDT   Apple has been considering voice recognition as an option for future TV remotes, most likely for the Apple TV set-top, a newly-published patent application hints. Titled Context-aware unit selection, the filing describes a "pointing device" associated with a computer, dubbed a "Web TV" system. Embedded in the remote would be a microphone, capable of accepting commands such as "open iTunes." [full story]

May 21 - 12:15pm EDT   A Texas federal jury has ordered Microsoft Corp to pay out $200 million in damages to Toronto-based software maker i4i Limited for allegedly infringing a patent, the software giant announced on Wednesday. Microsoft, which is regularly at the receiving end of such lawsuits, went on to say it is planning on appealing the verdict, as it believes the award is unsupported by the evidence. [full story]

May 19 - 11:55am EDT   Apple has been granted several patents by the US Patent and Trademark Office, including ones for the technology and design of the Mighty Mouse, and the general design of the extinct iPod Hi-Fi stereo. Key amongst the patents however is one for an integrated sensor display, which could theoretically simplify or expand on the features of many Apple products. An application was originally submitted on behalf of Michael Uy by Apple in June of 2004. [full story]

May 15 - 12:45pm EDT   Toshiba has announced that it has filed suit against several companies, including Imation, over DVD patents. The accusations surround DVD format specifications and standards accepted by the DVD Forum. Toshiba claims the companies infringed on patents by manufacturing or distributing recordable media without first establishing licensing agreements. [full story]