Patent

Apple exploring iPhone ‘life events’ to automatically adjust your settings

Ed Sutherland ∙ September 17, 2013

Are you tired of turning off your ringer when entering a library, or sending all calls to voicemail when attending church or driving? While there are some manual methods for disabling these iPhone features, a new patent granted Apple outlines ways your 'life events' could automatically adjust your handset, based on location, time and more.

Titled 'Event-based modes for electronic devices,' the patent published Tuesday by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office illustrates how your iPhone could automatically disable or enable features depending on your calendar, location, usage trends - even ambient sounds...

Apple patent shines new light on potential iDevices made of sapphire

Ed Sutherland ∙ September 12, 2013

A newly-published patent suggests Apple is serious about bling. Not for diamond-encrusted gadgets, but iDevices made of sapphire, the second-hardest material on earth. The iPhone maker envisions smartphone screens able to resist scratches and breakage with bodies tough enough to withstand drops and spills.

Although up till now sapphire has been used for smaller items, such as the Touch ID fingerprint sensor on the iPhone 5s, the patent application outlines much wider application, according to a Thursday report...

NFC/fingerprint sensor patent tips off exciting iPhone 5S Home button potential

Ed Sutherland ∙ September 9, 2013

Much has been made about the highly-expected iPhone 5S containing a fingerprint sensor within the Home button. Other talk has surrounded the promise of Near Field Communications (NFC) and Apple's off-and-on interest in the technology. It appears both a fingerprint sensor and NFC may join together to turn the next iPhone into an electronic wallet and more.

According to a new Apple patent that's surfaced in Europe, the iPhone 5S may include an updated Home button encircled by a ring which detects your finger. But this super-charged Home button also adds NFC, potentially replacing passwords and enabling secure wireless e-commerce, next-generation docks and other exciting opportunities...

Google-owned Motorola becomes first convicted patent troll

Ed Sutherland ∙ September 6, 2013

Google may have become the first convicted patent troll, after a federal jury Thursday fined the internet giant $14.5 million related to licenses held by Motorola. The Seattle-based jury upheld Microsoft's claim that the Google-owned Motorola demand $4 billion to license Wi-Fi and video patents that were supposed to be available under fair and reasonable terms.

The finding comes just a week before Apple's appeal of a similar claim against Motorola is to be heard. This week's judgement against Motorola opens a legal can of worms for both Google and Motorola, according to one keen patent observer...

German appeals court finally lifts 18-month iCloud injunction against Apple

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

A German appeals court has finally decided to lift the injunction that has prevented Apple from offering push notifications for its iCloud email service in the country. The feature has been disabled for German users since February 2012—so about 18 months.

The injunction spawned from a lawsuit by Motorola Mobility, which as we all know is now owned by Google. The company claims that Apple's iCloud push notification feature infringes upon its patents, and is seeking both a permanent ban and punitive damages...

Apple patent taps gesture input for multi-user iOS Lock screen access

Ed Sutherland ∙ September 3, 2013

Many iOS devices, particularly the iPad, are often shared among family and friends. For example, wouldn't it be great if you could unlock just your Games folders for the kids, but give yourself and your spouse access to more applications?

Apple may have heard your thoughts, because a new patent outlines ways to offer limited access to select sets of iOS apps, straight from the Lock screen. The technology could supplant the one-size-fits-all nature of a passcode, with proposed 'access inputs' featuring gestures ranging from letters, shapes and more...

Apple patent shows Aperture-like iPad photo interface

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated February 13, 2018

Apple may be preparing a new look for iPad-based photo manipulation apps, according to a 2011 patent application just now uncovered. When first filed in the U.S., the application describing a new slider-based user interface did not include Apple as the owner, allowing the invention to fly under the radar until now.

In a detailed explanation, the filing describes a user interface with multiple sliders, pop-up menus and image previews allowing tablet owners to see how changes affect their final product. The interface appears unlike that now offered in the iOS 7 Photos app or the iPhoto iOS app (a $4.99 download)...

Apple invention lets you change brightness of UI elements independently of content

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Although Apple already permits owners of Mac, iPhone, iPod and iPad devices to adjust the user interface in a global way, a newly-published patent application describes how certain elements of the UI could be adapted. The application details a method to filter certain areas of the user interface, permitting users to adjust certain areas of the interface while leaving other locations untouched.

Along with giving us more control of an application's user interface, the adjustments outlined in the application titled 'User Interface Contrast Filter' could help improve such things as battery life...

With 171 lawsuits in past 5 years, Apple is patent trolls’ favorite target

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated August 26, 2017

Apple is to patent trolls what Justin Bieber is to prepubescent girls. The iPhone maker has become the favorite target for companies whose sole product is lawsuits, according to a new study finding Apple has been sued 171 times by patent trolls over the past five years.

Since 2009, the number of yearly lawsuits by trolls (or Non-Practicing Entities, as they're called in more politically-correct circles) against Apple has steadily risen with 24 filed through June 30 this year...

Apple patents sees iDevices becoming DJ for silent discos

Ed Sutherland ∙ August 27, 2013

Combine the huge iTunes library of songs with the social aspect of sharing and you have a bit of an idea what might be behind a patent granted to Apple Tuesday by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

The patent, which describes a 'Coordinated group musical experience,' takes a riff off a trendy activity known as 'silent discos,' where people gather to listen to a DJ's music wearing headphones, rather than blaring mega-decibel volumes. Does the patent address a glaring technology need? No, but it does remind us of Apple's own quirky roots...

Apple patent turns iPhone into smart home remote

Ed Sutherland ∙ August 27, 2013

The introduction of numerous media devices - from your television to DVD player and stereo - coupled with the growth of smart homes would seem to cry out for Apple-like simplification. It just so happens, there is a patent for that. Apple has patented a way to control your home media collection right from your iPhone.

The patent, filed a half-decade ago by the creator of the iTunes Remote app, uses "scenes" to adjust your home multimedia to fit settings like "Romantic Movie Night", "Dinner," or simply "Relax."...

Apple patent envisions 3D gestures for iPads

Ed Sutherland ∙ August 21, 2013

Imagine the iPad's touch screen gaining a third dimension, enabling users to extract a 2D image, then manipulate it using new gestures, such as 'pull', 'push' and 'sculpt'. That's the gist of an Apple patent filed in 2012 and published Tuesday by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Titled 'Working with 3D Objects,' the patent outlines a touch screen interface where users "generate and manipulate 3D objects using 3D gesture inputs." At the core, the technology employs both capacitive touch sensors and proximity sensors in the iDevice screen...