Jul 09

Apple patent application details instant product research via iPhone, more NFC possibilities

Posted in: Apple, iPhone, nfc, patent, patent application, PatentApplication, Today's Chili

Past Apple patent applications have already offered some evidence that the company is at least thinking about NFC-enhanced apps on the iPhone, and a recently published application has now tossed out one more possible application: instant product research. That would apparently be done using either NFC (or near field communication) or a simple barcode scan, which would let you easily access product reviews, user manuals and other information about products before you purchase them — the application even includes the example of an NFC-enabled restaurant menu that would let you check nutritional information before you order. Somewhat interestingly, both this and Apple’s previous NFC-related patent application use “+” in the app’s names (Products+ and Concert Tickets+), although that could simply be the work of one patent attorney, and not evidence of an overarching Apple strategy.

Apple patent application details instant product research via iPhone, more NFC possibilities originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceAppleInsider  | Email this | Comments

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Jul 05

Microsoft patent application proposes six-axis remote that’s buttered on both sides

Posted in: Microsoft, patent, patent application, PatentApplication, patents, remote, remote control, RemoteControl, Today's Chili

We’re usually pleasantly surprised by the interface technology out of Redmond, but we rarely see Microsoft tackle anything as simple as a TV remote control. However, a July 1st patent application by the software giant describes a fairly interesting gizmo with controls on multiple sides. With a six-axis inertial sensor package, the unit always knows which direction is up and activates only that side — allowing engineers to slim down the unit (or cram more buttons into the same space) by putting contextually-aware touchscreens on any surface of the device. When you move the remote, the sensors detect that, too, and immediately illuminate the screen. Just goes to show you can always find a new angle for mundane technology, eh?

Microsoft patent application proposes six-axis remote that’s buttered on both sides originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 00:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Being Manan  |  sourceUSPTO  | Email this | Comments

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Jun 23

Canon patent application takes in-camera HDR to the pixel level

Posted in: patent, patent application, PatentApplication, Today's Chili
There’s certainly cameras out there that offer in-camera HDR (or High Dynamic Range), but none that go quite as far as what Canon has detailed in a recently published patent application. The short of it is that Canon’s proposed method would alter exposure values at the individual pixel level, which should effectively emulate what’s now possible but stitching together multiple photographs taken at different exposure settings — and, for that matter, even open up some new possibilities since those single-pixel exposure values could be tweaked at will. Of course, there’s no indication as to what type of camera the method would be used in, or any evidence that Canon has actually taken it beyond the patent application stage, so we wouldn’t recommend getting too excited about the possibilities just yet.

Canon patent application takes in-camera HDR to the pixel level originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 11:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Digital Home Thoughts  |  sourcePhotography Bay  | Email this | Comments

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May 28

Sony patent application points to dual-screen, dual-use tablet

Posted in: e reader, e-book, e-books, e-readers, patent, patent application, PatentApplication, solar, solar power, SolarPower, sony, tablet, Today's Chili
We never put too much faith in patent applications leading to actual products, but we can’t help but get a little bit excited about the possibilities presented by a recent Sony application for a dual-screen tablet. Described specifically as an “electronic book with enhanced features,” the device would sport two screens that could take on a different functionality depending on how the device is oriented — functioning as an e-reader when in portrait mode, and displaying a keyboard on the lower screen when placed on a table, for instance. Now, this obviously has a few similarities to the Courier, and even more to Microsoft’s earlier Codex project (with its “Battleship posture”), but Sony does seem to have put a slightly unique spin on things, and has even thrown in a few more ideas of its own — even mentioning solar charging in its claims for the application.

Sony patent application points to dual-screen, dual-use tablet originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 May 2010 19:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Electronista  |  sourceUSPTO  | Email this | Comments

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May 26

IBM seeks patent for intelligent traffic lights

Posted in: patent, patent application, PatentApplication, safety, Today's Chili

In the great pantheon of things unlikely to happen, this IBM idea ranks pretty highly, but that doesn’t necessarily make it a bad one. Big Blue has applied for a patent covering a sophisticated new traffic lights system, which judges how long cars have to wait and sends them ominous-sounding “stop-engine notifications” when the pause is long enough to make switching off optimal. This is done by communicating with queuing vehicles and collecting their positional data, and subsequent start-engine notices are also distributed intelligently, as the first car in the queue gets it earlier than the second and so on right to the back. We don’t know how many dudes would abide by the instructions of a lightbox up in the sky, but it’s still a neat little concept — maybe we’ll see it in action when hovercars go mainstream.

[Thanks, Yuka]

IBM seeks patent for intelligent traffic lights originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 May 2010 07:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Inhabitat  |  sourceUSPTO  | Email this | Comments

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May 06

Apple’s Seamlessly Embedded Heart Rate Monitor could turn the iPhone into a new-age mood ring

Posted in: Apple, AppleIphone, iPhone, ipod, patent, patent application, PatentApplication, Today's Chili

Nike is making millions from its Apple-friendly wares, designed to turned technophiles into fitness freaks. Imagine the possibilities if the iPhone could not only track your running stride but also monitor your heart rate while doing it. That’s one of a suite of potential uses for this patent app from Apple, a Seamlessly Embedded Heart Rate Monitor. The design is for a series of electrodes that are, well, seamlessly embedded into the shell of a given device in such a way that they are “not visibly or haptically distinguishable on the device.” The device could then, with a touch, measure heart-rate, uniquely identify a user, and even “determine the user’s mood from the cardiac signals.” Just imagine the new flood of EKG-related apps: iPalpitate, Murmur Maker, Cardiac Arrest… the possibilities are endless.

[Thanks, Staska]

Apple’s Seamlessly Embedded Heart Rate Monitor could turn the iPhone into a new-age mood ring originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 May 2010 07:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Unwired View  |  sourceUSPTO  | Email this | Comments

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Apr 16

Apple files patent application for NFC e-tickets with ‘extra benefits’

Posted in: Apple, application, iPhone, ipod touch, IpodTouch, itunes, Law, nfc, patent, patent application, PatentApplication, Today's Chili

Apple appears to be casting an eye out to new shores, judging by the latest of its patent applications to go public. Filed in September 2008, this primarily relates to adding bonus digital content to event tickets, whereby swiping your entry pass to, say, a concert or a sports event into an electronic device would result in you gaining access to related goodies from “an online digital content service.” Additional claims describe the use of an electronic device (read: iPhone or iPod touch) as the carrier of the (digitized) ticket, allowing the user access to the event itself as well as “at least one other event-related benefit.” The whole thing is focused on the use of near-field communications as the data transfer method of choice, something that Apple’s hardware is not yet equipped to handle. Then again, NFC interaction is also referenced in a separate patent application (from August 2009, see WIPO link below) for peer-to-peer payments, suggesting that Cupertino might have more than a passing interest in the contactless transfer tech. What do you think, will you be buying your Steelers tickets with a side order of iTunes?

Apple files patent application for NFC e-tickets with ‘extra benefits’ originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 09:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Patently Apple  |  sourceUSPTO, WIPO  | Email this | Comments

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Apr 01

Microsoft seeking patent for Windows Phone 7 Series panoramic GUI

Posted in: interface, Microsoft, mobile os, MobileOs, patent, patent application, PatentApplication, patents, Today's Chili, ui, windows phone, windows phone 7, windows phone 7 series, WindowsPhone, WindowsPhone7, WindowsPhone7Series

The US Patents and Trademark Office has today made public a Microsoft patent application (serial no. 240,729) related to the graphical user interface found on the hotly anticipated Windows Phone 7 Series mobile OS. Filed in September 2008, this application describes a “contiguous background” that extends beyond the dimensions of the screen (either vertically or horizontally, but not both) with anchored “mixed-media” elements being littered atop it — all of which is to be served on a “media-playing device.” That should sound pretty familiar, given that it’s the central navigational concept of both Windows Phone 7 and the Zune HD, and as such it makes a lot of sense for Microsoft to seek to legally protect its uniqueness. Before you start wondering about potential conflicts with other UIs, take note that this requires a continuous graphical background rather than a tiled or repeating image, plus space-orientating graphical elements, which should make it sufficiently nuanced to avoid any more patently unnecessary squabbles should Microsoft’s claims be validated by the USPTO.

Microsoft seeking patent for Windows Phone 7 Series panoramic GUI originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 21:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Electronista  |  sourceUSPTO  | Email this | Comments

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Apr 01

Motorola patent application offers new option for 3D cellphones

Posted in: moto, motorola, patent, patent application, PatentApplication, slider, Today's Chili
Flip phones may be somewhat on the outs these days (at least among those demanding the latest and greatest), but they may well be the key to future 3D cellphones — at least if this Motorola patent application is any indication. The basic idea is actually a fairly simple one: you’d see a regular 2D image on the screen when the cover is open, but when it’s closed you’d be able to look through the transparent lid and see the images with a “three dimensional appearance.” As you can probably figure out, that screen would be a touchscreen that takes the place of a keypad, and another illustration also shows that the same idea could be applied to a slider phone. Of course, what the illustrations don’t show is how effective that three dimensional appearance would actually be, although it seems like it could give Motoblur a whole new meaning.

Motorola patent application offers new option for 3D cellphones originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 15:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Go Rumors  |  sourcePatent Application  | Email this | Comments

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Mar 19

Apple patent reveals iGroups location-based social networking for iPhone

Posted in: Apple, application, patent, patent application, PatentApplication, social networking, SocialNetworking, Today's Chili

Apple patent applications are usually pretty dry, but it looks like a new one turned up by Patently Apple has a bit more user-focused meat to it — it describes a location-based social networking app called “iGroups,” which lets groups of people share data amongst themselves using a service like MobileMe. Once group members are identified and linked up, they can securely share information and users carrying devices without GPS-abilities will be able to triangulate their position using the positions of other GPS-enabled devices in the group. Of course, the actual patent itself is focused on the cryptographic key system that protects all the data, and we’re pretty sure the “iGroups” name is just a placeholder for now — we’d guess the developer of the iGroups app currently in the App Store hopes so too — so how this winds up in a shipping product is totally up in the air, but our interest in what iPhone OS 4.0 may hold has certainly been piqued once again.

Apple patent reveals iGroups location-based social networking for iPhone originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 01:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Mashable  |  sourcePatently Apple  | Email this | Comments

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