Patent

Another Patent Hints at Apple-Branded T.V. Set

Cody Lee ∙ Updated February 6, 2016

It seems like every other day we are hearing rumors of the iPhone 5 and what it'll look like, but not a peep on an impending refresh of the ATV2.

I guess that's understandable considering the iPhone sold nearly 20 million units last quarter and the Apple TV is believed to have sold just under a million.

But with all the evidence mounting that Apple is looking to enter the television market, how can you not be curious as to what the folks in Cupertino are up to? They gave the mp3 player and mobile phone market a booster shot, why couldn't they do the same for T.V. sets?

The latest patent filing uncovered by Patently Apple seems to point to an innovation to improve picture quality in LED Displays. The document describes a method of reducing color shift, a problem plaguing current LED systems.

It does this by reducing chromacity variations that cause color shifting, making the LED display brighter and clearer than ever. The patent mentions that the technology could provide superior FaceTime conferencing experiences, as well as improve photo clarity on larger displays.

The filing also notes that the innovation could be used in television sets. While the mention of a T.V. set could just be to emphasize the many possible applications of the technology, it still makes one wonder. What are those Apple engineers cooking up?

Although patents are more likely to wind up in a court room these days than consumer's hands, it's not hard to gather that we are going to see Apple refresh its TV line at some point. The real question is, when?

We know we are going to hear some more things about iOS 5 in June, and possible get some information on the next iPhone. Will Apple unveil a new Apple TV then , or wait until the September iPod event?

What do you think?

Apple Sues Samsung Over iDevice Copycatting

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

The smartphone industry is filled with ongoing patent suits. From Nokia and Apple to Microsoft and Motorola, it seems like all the major players in the mobile phone industry are currently in litigation.

Typically the lawsuits seem to be a stretch from patent infringement, but I think Apple's got a real case here. Have you ever noticed that the Samsung's Galaxy line of products look an awful lot like iDevices? Apple thinks so. So much apparently that they filed a trademark infringement suit against Samsung last Friday with a U.S. District Court in North California...

Future Apple TV to Use Laser Projection Tech?

Cody Lee ∙ April 15, 2011

Although in many cases they don't make it to consumer products, patents kind of give us an inside look at what a company is working on. Trust me, there's no better company to peek in on than Apple.

Their latest patent filing to make its way around the web, describes hybrid laser projection technology. Before you start thinking Star Wars, let me explain.

Apple describes the hybrid laser projection technology as a system that can be used to display images using coherent laser light as opposed to incoherent incandescent light of normal projectors.

The benefits include lower production costs and higher quality images. It also notes that combining an incoherent light source with a coherent one would consume less power and could reduce the size and complexity of light projecting systems.

How could they use this technology in their products? 9to5Mac seems to think they might be integrating it in an Apple-branded TV set. That's not a bad prediction considering all of the recent Apple TV rumors, but I've got another idea.

Remember the LG Expo? It was an LG smartphone with a built-in micro projector. You could project captured and downloaded content onto any flat service, with quite a sizable viewing area.

The phone was essentially a flop but the technology was still fascinating. Now there are dozens of pico projectors on the market, many of them even compatible with Apple products.

I could definitely see Apple doing something along similar lines. They have a history of bringing innovative technology to the average person by making it simple and sexy.

Imagine an Apple TV device, much like the ATV2, that has a built-in high definition laser projector. It has outstanding battery life and content can be projected clearly on almost any surface. Maybe it even supports iOS apps and obviously AirPlay.

My head spins with the possibilities, you could have TV anywhere. You could set up multiplayer games anywhere. This would be a revolution, especially if it were priced and marketed properly, which Apple also has a knack for.

While the idea is intriguing, known projected light-obstacles like daylight and lack of available projection surfaces certainly stand in the way of it making its way to shelves anytime soon. Maybe Apple is just going to project the laser images into thin air, Minority Report-style.

What do you think?

Apple Patent Hints at Possible Hybrid Electronic Paper Display in iPhone

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 2, 2018

Patents are extremely interesting. They tend to show what a company's capable of. We generally don't get to see this in consumer products, as they are derived from marketing research and cost effectiveness calculations. But it would certainly be interesting to see all of the crazy ideas that get flung around Cupertino's campus and never hit retail stores.

Luckily, Apple's patent filings give us a glimpse of what they've been working on. Their latest filing, uncovered by Patently Apple, describes a display that can switch between high resolution color and electronic paper for reading books. This would certainly entice iDevice hold-outs that just couldn't ditch their e-reader's ink print...

Apple Exploring Smart Bezels and Indicators for Future iPhones

Cody Lee ∙ April 7, 2011

One of the things Apple is most known for is its innovation. They haven't reinvented the wheel with any of their products, they've just made the wheel sexy and easy to use. Patents are a good resource for information on Apple's past and future innovations. Although patents don't always make it to the assembly line, they do shed some light on what Apple's been working on.

Patently Apple is an expert at keeping up with Apple's latest ideas. After the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPT) makes Apple's patent filings public, Patently Apple posts them on their website with a pretty good break down of all the tech talk. Their latest gossip is on a filing from late 2009 by the Cupertino company, concerning a "Smart Bezel." I know it sounds unusual, but Apple is looking to completely change how we interact with our devices...

Apple’s 30-Pin Dock Connector Could be Getting a Huge Upgrade

Alex Heath ∙ April 6, 2011

A new and interesting patent reveals a very interesting possibility for future iDevices. Apple's current proprietary connection technology has been in need of an update for a long time, and technologies like MagSafe have been considered as a replacement.

The current 30-pin connector is present on all of Apple's mobile devices. And, apparently, Apple is looking to upgrade the 30-pin architecture with multiple connection technologies...

More Evidence of “Photo Stream” in iOS 4.3, Possible iOS 5 Feature?

Cody Lee ∙ April 6, 2011

With an official demo still 2 months away, we can only rely on rumors and speculation to paint a picture of what iOS 5 might look like. Clues hidden inside iOS 4 can also help us predict future iOS characteristics. Some are found through hours of code searching, others are found by pure dumb luck.

9to5 Mac is reporting that one of their readers has stumbled upon some hidden clues in iOS 4.3 that once again point to the rumored Photo Stream feature. The reader uncovered the hidden references while browsing his photo library on his iPhone via a 3rd party editing app. What could these secret features possibly mean for iOS users?

Apple Looking to Build Rechargeable Battery Pack

Alex Heath ∙ April 2, 2011

According to a recent patent, it appears that Apple is interested in making its own external, rechargeable battery pack. There are plenty of portable batteries for the iPhone on the market already, but it looks like Apple might introduce a new charging cable with its own rechargeable battery.

A future charging cable from Apple could supply multiple charge cycles when disconnected from a power source...

Future iPad Updates to Bring Spaces?

Cody Lee ∙ April 1, 2011

Spaces is a great tool to help you multitask beyond having multiple applications open. It virtually gives you multiple screens. If you own a Mac computer then you definitely know what feature I am talking about.

For those who don't know what Spaces is, it allows you to create multiple work spaces in Mac OS X. A workspace is basically a desktop, it's everything you see open on your current screen. Moving to another Space will move you to another screen completely, you have the same desktop wallpaper and icons, just no apps or windows open.

Patently Apple has discovered a patent filed by Apple that shows their famous Spaces technology running on a tablet device. It also describes many different multitouch gestures that would allow you to control the feature.

It appears as though Apple is interested in bringing the popular feature to its iPad lineup. Although patents don't always make it to consumer products, they do give a good indication of what future products may encompass.

That being said, notice in the figure above of what Apple calls a multifunction device. That looks an awful lot like an OS X dock. Will Apple's next iPad support a more functional version of OS X? Or is this a different product all together?

What do you think of these patent filings?

Apple’s iPhone Joins a Long List of Plaintiffs in Yet Another Patent Lawsuit

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 3, 2018

My hat goes off to the lawyers of the tech world. How do you keep track of who's suing whom, and for what? If you're an Apple attorney, it seems like that would be extra tough.

Just like in sports, the team doing the best has the biggest target on their backs. And as of right now, there isn't anyone hotter than Apple in the portable electronics market.

Unlike sports, teams in the electronic industry don't go for the target by trying to get better; they sue you. While that was meant to be more of a joke, if you were in Cupertino's law offices right now, nobody would be laughing. Apple Insider is reporting on yet another lawsuit involving Apple and the iPhone...

Apple Considering 3D Cameras for iPhone 5?

Cody Lee ∙ April 1, 2011

I can't think of a consumer electronics device I've ever seen garner as many rumors and as much speculation as Apple's iPhone 5. The storied device was expected to hit the shelves sometime this summer like previous models, but it is now rumored to be pushed back until late fall or early 2012.

The rumors aren't just limited to the release date of the iPhone 5, but they also expand into hardware predictions, and now, more recently, camera specs. At first the question was whether or not they'd bump the 5 MP camera up to an 8 or 10MP. Now it seems like the question could be if they move the camera up a whole dimension...

Nokia Files Another ITC Complaint Against Apple

Guest Author ∙ March 29, 2011

Just days after an ITC (International Trade Commission) judge dismissed Nokia's claims of patent infringement by Apple, the Espoo, Finland-based cellphone giant has filed a new complaint with the ITC.

ITC Judge James Gildea had made an initial ruling in favor of Apple in which he found that the Cupertino giant is not violating Nokia patents in any of their products.

Today, Nokia filed its second ITC complaint against Apple, claiming that Apple is infringing seven new patents present in virtually all Nokia products. Those patents relate to multitasking, data synchronization, positioning, call quality, and Bluetooth accessories.