Hasta La Gadget!

Apple has recently been issued their pen computer patent, although this time around, the reissued patent would throw in the likes of cellular connectivity in order to help it keep up with the Joneses, while dropping hints of a future mobile device from the house of Cupertino. This patent was originally filed for internationally 15 years ago, where it was described as “a mobile computer encased in a pen”. Titled “Portable computers,” the invention was assigned to British Telecommunications PLC originally, where this multifunction device will feature a pair of accelerometers that allowed it to recognize handwritten input, while there is also an integrated display and an embedded touch strip for a graphical user interface when it came to navigation.

Apple was transferred the U.S. patent rights just half a decade ago, and this time around, the patent carries the reissued designation of RE44,103, which will further broaden the patent language of the original filing. Even if this unique pen computer were to be released, I am quite sure that it will not function as an iPhone replacement, how about you?

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: iPhone Available On T-Mobile April 12 Starting At $99, Apple Updates MacBook Pro with Retina Tagline As A Result Of Chromebook Pixel,

Apple was granted a patent Tuesday by the USPTO (via AppleInsider) that describes a system for implementing multi-touch in a mobile device even when there the display itself isn’t actively showing any images. It’s a neat trick, and one that could help portable gadgets save battery life by not invoking the most battery-hungry element in their construction nearly as frequently.

The patent also notes that the screen doesn’t have to be off for these no-look commands to work; a user could do things like swipe a finger in circle to change volume or tracks, for instance, even while a display is active. That adds new control options, but also makes it possible to both remove external buttons should a design benefit from that, and also make the device easier to use when in a pocket or clipped to an armband or waist during a workout.

While the display is inactive, the patent describes that it could use gestures that mirror the button press actions on current iPod and iPhone headphone remotes. So, a single click could play/pause, a double click could skip tracks, and a long press could call up Siri, for instance.

In terms of recognizing when touch is and is not wanted, the patent suggests implementing a special mode that would allow it to both keep the screen dark but also receive touch inputs. This might involve a way to activate a mode between a full lock and a completely on and active device, which can be selected specifically for when a user is commuting or using the device while working out, but disabled when there’s risk of accidental touch.

It’s an interesting patent, and one which Apple has shown off as working with its previous iPod nano design, which essentially featured a square display and little else in terms of physical buttons. The trick might be making this work in such a way that it still completely eliminates any chance of accidental input – the lock screen concept is synonymous with touchscreen devices for a reason, after all.

Not activating the screen as much as possible is the key to prolonging device battery life, though, so it’s good to see Apple looking at ways to deal with that primary limiting factor. It’s no e-ink display built into the back of a smartphone, but it’s something.

Just when Google thought everything was going swell with its open source VP8 video standard for the web, up pops one last hurdle. And it’s a big one: Nokia has suddenly decided to use the patent system to try to prevent VP8 from being adopted as a free (or at least free-er) alternative to the license-laden H.264. Why would it do such a thing? Because, according to a statement given to FOSS Patents, the Finnish manufacturer believes VP8 isn’t truly open. It describes the codec as a “proprietary technology” that offers “no advantages” over H.264 and that Google is “attempting to force” on others as part of its WebM project. What’s more, Nokia claims VP8 infringes on its own intellectual property and says it isn’t prepared to license any patents that may be required to let VP8 flourish. Oh dear. This problem may now need even more money thrown at it.

Filed under: Internet, Software, Mobile, Nokia, Google

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Via: The Register

Source: FOSS Patents

A US International Trade Commission Judge has sided with Microsoft in what has been a long legal battle over whether the company infringed on Motorola patents. This concerns the last of what was several patents that were originally claimed, four of which were found back in April to be infringing. After the ruling, the Commission stated that it had to be revisted, and soon after they were dropped.

The last remaining patent in play concerns how accessories communicate with the gaming console. Judge David Shaw has ruled that this doesn’t infringe Motorola’s patent, but that doesn’t bring the matter to an end. Google can – and will – have the Commission review the findings, with his ruling being subjected to a six-person examination. Google said that it is “disappointed with today’s determination.”

Obviously Microsoft didn’t feel the same way, with the company’s Corporate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel David Howard saying, “We are pleased with the Administrative Law Judge’s finding that Microsoft did not violate Motorola’s patent and are confident that this determination will be affirmed by the Commission.”

The lawsuit goes way back to 2010, and was filed by Motorola before Google nabbed it up. Motorola was accused of trying to unfairly affect its competition using patents. The company ended up dropping two of the original patents involved, and dropping another two after settling the matter with the FTC. According to Bloomberg, Google is going to seek an import ban against Microsoft’s device.

[via Bloomberg]

Xbox doesn’t infringe Motorola patent says judge is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

It looks like this time around, Apple is the one getting lawsuits filed against them. A company called Intertrust, owned by big names,Sony and Philips, has claimed that Apple has infringed on its security and content protection patents. Apple is accused of violating 12 patents centered around security, as well as software that prevents piracy of media files like music, movies, apps and more.

Talal Shamoon, the CEO of Intertrust, stated, “No other entity uses Intertrust technologies so extensively at so many levels of its enterprise.” The company had tried to negotiate patent licensing deals from Apple in the past, but the discussions never led anywhere. The company was, however, able to reach patent license agreements with several other companies, like Adobe, HTC, Samsung, and more, so it sees no reason why Apple can’t compromise.

Intertrust says that all of Apple’s products, including the iPhone, iPad, iPod, and Mac computers, have violated its patents. Shamoon assures everyone that “this isn’t some proxy war” between Sony and Apple. He says, “I have a lot of respect for the company, but you can’t be the only person on Earth to who ever invented anything.”

Intertrust only went after one other company in the past, and that was Microsoft. The case was very similar to Intertrust’s upcoming case with Apple. Microsoft had infringed on its patents, and the end result was a $440 million settlement paid by Microsoft to Intertrust. Apple has declined to release any comments regarding the upcoming infringement case, stating that it’s company policy not to comment on “pending litigation”.

[via The New York Times]

Intertrust sues Apple for patent infringement is written by Brian Sin & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.