Apple patents

Per a recently published patent application, Apple has been exploring a new feature that could allow iPhone users to transmit data such as simple text messages to each other over voice channels, bypassing wireless carriers’ backend servers in a manner similar to Nextel's classic walkie-talkie feature.

Per AppleInsider, the concept is detailed in a company patent filing made this past November. As the filing explains, conventional text messaging systems require the use of what is referred to as a backend server that may be limited in the amount of information that can be handled at a particular time and is therefore capacity limited.

A new patent application filed by Apple in August 2008 was published today that describes a new way of controlling a small handheld device like the iPhone by swiping a finger in front of the camera on the back of the device while it's still up to your ear. Uses for this might include voicemail options like rewind, fast forward, or pause, so you can control it while it's still against your head. It also suggests using the accelerometer to control tapping input to supplement finger swipes.

One of the biggest disappointments with the iPad was the fact that it didn't have the ability for multitasking, even though it has more than enough computing power. An Apple patent just released in the US could now potentially make that possible. The patent is for a touch-sensitive bezel around the edge of the display that would be used for a similar functionality to hot corners, with certain areas on the bezel being assigned different tasks. One of the tasks such a bezel might be especially useful for is managing multiple apps running at the same time.

Several new Apple patents have been published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. One in particular, titled "Power Management Circuitry and Solar Cells" and filed August 8, 2008, shows once again that Apple is looking in to the use of solar cells on their mobile devices like iPods and iPhones as an alternative primary power source. This time, instead of building them in behind the screen of the device, this patent talks about a more obvious method: covering every available inch of their exterior.

According to a recently released patent from the U.S. Patent Office, Apple finally thinks adding contacts to the home screen as icons is a good idea, as they have filed for a patent for doing that on touchscreen cell phones. That's pretty funny, because a certain developer also thought it was a good idea two years ago when he made SpringDial, an app that does exactly that very thing for jailbroken iPhones. Fortunately, the appearance of this patent is pretty solid evidence that it's going to happen in the next major update of iPhone OS that Apple releases.

With all the tablet rumors and introductions we've been seeing the past few days, it looks like Apple has something new of its own, a patent it filed just showed up today that shows new touchscreen technology that could be used in future iPhones or tablets.

This patent covers the implementation of capitative touch sensors in the pixel that's used to display what's on the screen, giving far more accuracy when touching. This would also mean that because the capitative sensors are embedded the screen, it would remove the need for a separate capitative sensor, which could make for thinner displays and devices.

A surprising patent from Apple released in December was just discovered that claims the ground around a 3D user interface on a mobile device. It describes a method for zooming and moving around in a 3D interface using multitouch controls. While the graphic depicts what would appear to be a simple 3D plane with 3D icons on a screen, the patent's text deals more with the core mechanics for using multiple figures simultaneously to navigate a virtual 3D space.

A new patent application filed by Apple has been published outlining a new kind of antennae in the form of a push-button that Apple may be considering implementing on future iPhones. Reception and connection quality are one of the hottest issues for iPhone users right now, but Apple isn't the type of company to slap an ugly extendable antenna on their phone. The solution is to make the antenna disappear when it's not being used to "ensure high-quality wireless transmission and reception."

Electronics manufacturer Nokia stepped up its case against Apple today by filing a complaint with the United States International Trade Commission alleging patent infringment on Apple's part in nearly all of Apple's mobile phones, portable music players and computers. The complaint accuses Apple of infringing on seven individual patents to help create features such as user interface and camera, antenna and power management technologies.

"Nokia has been the leading developer of many key technologies in small electronic devices" said Paul Melin, General Manager, Patent Licensing at Nokia. "This action is about protecting the results of such pioneering development."

A recently-unearthed Apple patent application for a multitouch tactile keyboard reveals plans for a device that would feature a dynamic surface to help users keep track of their relative position on the board. Interestingly enough, the device's surface would incorporate an "articulating frame", which would raise and retract bumps in order to recreate the feel of typing on a conventional keyboard.