Several patents. Part 1. Apple

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    I often collect interesting texts about patents. For example, many people know that the double-click patent belongs to Microsoft, but few people know that there is a patent 6727830 "Hardware button for launching applications, the principle of which is based on the duration of pressing", which also belongs to Microsoft.

    Naturally, under all US laws, all of these patents apply to “similar inventions.”

    I’m completely not interested in how to take this, but I want to show you some interesting examples.

    Let's start with Apple.

    "Transition between input modes." In accordance with the position in space, the computer using, for example, accelerometers and position sensors, can change the "input modes and the corresponding user interfaces." The patent was filed July 9, 2009. Paul Costa is listed as the inventor. At the moment, Paul is the manager of Hardware Engineering at Apple.
    Even IBM’s tablet laptop with Windows 2.0 that is 5 centimeters thick has once been covered by this patent.

    "Web Browser Audio Controls" offers to selectively block the audio stream from websites, allowing you to listen to any other audio sources.
    The idea is simple to obscene: the browser is equipped with its own volume control and the "Mute" button.
    The document can be seen, for example, here .

    The company has documented the appearance of the iPhone without the Home button, because the patent in the United States extends even to devices that are “outwardly similar” to the sample presented in the documents.


    An animated user interface represented by a sequence of transition states of moving images. An example was the illustration of the iPhone display, which displays the well-known “Cover Flow” mode.


    Virtual on-screen keyboard for media devices.


    Video conference mode. The system architecture consists of a central distribution component that receives video from two or more participants in a conversation. From the data received, the central node “collects” a common image, which consists of pictures of each participant. And they, in turn, are sent the final result with the exception of their own image - this helps to reduce network congestion. In addition, the images are arranged so that the participants in the conversation are simultaneously located on the screen and do not overlap each other.


    Apple describes the iGroups social app, which uses Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology to transfer data between devices in the immediate vicinity.
    Owners of mobile devices can exchange promotional materials, electronic business cards, contacts and other similar information at the same party or business meeting.

    According to the document, Apple is going to determine the heartbeat parameters of a person who is holding a gadget with sensors installed in the housing based on sensor information.


    For example, the patent for the POP application (translated into Russian as a cash register) refers to the possibility of making purchases using a smartphone. To identify the owner, it is proposed to use a fingerprint scanner, and using the front camera, you can scan barcodes and QR codes for self-payment of goods.
    The patent description also refers to the use of a camera for photographing and recognizing necessary documents.

    Another similar patent is the ConcertTicket + application, which allows users to quickly purchase tickets for concerts and various events.

    The essence of the patent, called “External Light Illumination of Display Screens”, boils down to installing two interchangeable accessories behind the laptop:
    - The first one could accumulate solar energy and light from other sources, while acting as an ordinary powerful solar battery that can save the main computer battery .
    - And the second one could be used to reflect direct sunlight on the back wall of the screen and not illuminate it at all with the help of the internal capabilities of the computer.

    Apple has received a patent for an iPad with two dock connectors.


    Another patent is devoted to the universal MagSafe connector for iDevices, with which the user can charge both the laptop and the Apple mobile gadget, while reducing the number of occupied ports in the computer. But an ordinary USB cable allows you to synchronize your iOS device, what should you do in this case? For these purposes, the patent describes the possibility of using optical fiber.

    Portable electronic devices with multi-touch input and in great detail describes all the gestures currently available for controlling iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and apple trackpads.

    A patent entitled “Ellipse Fitting for Multitouch Surfaces” describes some of the information input methods familiar to all owners of the devices listed above: typing and recognizing text, pointing to objects, manipulating them, scrolling, and so on.

    The Simultaneous Sensing Arrangement patent refers to hardware sensors and the processing of information coming from them. A little later, in early December 2010, the company received another 16 patents. Among them was a document describing a special configuration for multi-touch devices, allowing the company to license it to third parties who could use multi-touch for ATMs, electronic terminals and so on.

    Apple has received a patent accessory with a capacitive tip in the shape of a pen that allows you to use it with iDevices.
    Styluses from other manufacturers do not allow you to determine how much the user pressed on the screen of the mobile gadget. Therefore, Apple solves this problem with a special sensor built into its stylus and a Wi-Fi / Bluetooth transmitter. Also, the accessory provides an accelerometer and special buttons for adjusting the color, type of brush (or what the user sets in the settings).

    And another interesting document relates to solar energy. True, unlike the usual use of such batteries, the system initially tries to use solar energy and only in its absence goes to the "empty" batteries or power from the outlet.

    The familiar “Slide to unlock” interface element on the lock screen, which launches the user into the magical world of the apple device, and the equally popular pop-up letters that appear when you press the virtual keyboard key of the mobile operating system.

    Two patents, "Animated graphical user interface for the screen or part thereof," which endow the magic spell "Patent Protection" for animating the lock screen and keypad.

    Some kind of software shell that will block for a certain time several basic functions in the system until the user completely sees the block of ads. Advertising, according to the text of the patent, can be visual or acoustic and offer the user some interesting services - free or with a significant discount.
    However, not everything is so bad: according to the authors of the patent, this modification of Mac OS X is intended for computers installed in public places and providing free access to the Internet. Advertising is broadcast at regular intervals, using an internal timer, however, if desired, the user can “get their respite” in advance and work productively or even disable the display of ads for the duration of the session.

    They patented an intelligent system for a two-wheeled friend, in all likelihood, similar to the Nike + sports system available to owners of iPod touch and iPhone 4.
    In addition to all of the above, the patent says that this system can be applied to other vehicles.

    Wireless charging patent for gadgets and computer peripherals. The patent application describes the concept of charging various devices “over the air”. And it can be not only gadgets such as iPhone, iPod, iPad, but also peripherals - a wireless mouse, keyboard, touchpad.
    No special covers and rugs are required - the computer will act as an energy transmitter. Thus, the mouse and keyboard will always be charged, and the devices can be recharged simply by laying on the table. Tesla did not have time.

    The patent describes an increase in the density in a lithium battery cell and charging the battery using a certain multi-stage direct current and constant voltage (CC-CV). It’s quite difficult to understand the patent, only professionals can figure it out. But the whole point of it is that the battery will hold a charge longer!

    “Smart Frame”, this new patent will allow users to control applications, sound volume and screen brightness when they drag their fingers around the frame or otherwise manipulate it.
    Those. sensory add. buttons, for example, for volume, on laptops are outlawed.

    “A method for providing automatic and dynamic translation of messages in an object-oriented programming language into messages of the operating system through the use of intermediate objects”

    And a completely detective story with an application patent, which is currently being sold in the App Store, looks quite something from the category of “obvious - incredible”.
    The developers of the rather popular program “Where To?”, Which, based on GPS data, allows you to find nearby useful places, shops, cultural objects, etc., were extremely surprised and shocked when, when reading the morning feed, RSS saw among the screenshots of the next patented application for travel iTravel an exact copy of the main window of your program.



    People competent in this matter explained that this illustration does not mean theft at all. Most likely, the patent attorney responsible for filing the application did not find anything more suitable to illustrate similar functionality and simply used the sketch of the “Where To?” Window.

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