New Apple Patent Could Make Driving With Apple Watch Less Distracting

Isn’t it tempting when your smartwatch or Smartphone throbs to inform you about the latest notifications? It often urges you to clandestinely glance at your wrist or flip the phone cover to check what’s happening. Whenever our Smart device lets us know about the latest buzz or keeps us updated on the daily nothings we feel satisfied. However, the truth is that looking at your wrist quite often gives others around you the feeling that you’re bored, and the constant notifications on your mobile device can sometimes be intrusive. Even worse is when your gadget makes you succumb to the thought of ‘who this could be’.

A new prospect 

Although this habit of constantly checking your device might seem harmless, it’s not that safe when you are driving. Apple watch owners, who check the watch for navigation while driving, generally get into the habit of squinting at it without any reason. Apple is known for its constant thrives to create and present something new to its loyal customers. Once again the mega-tech company has come up with a new prospect to help reduce this habit of squinting at the watches while driving. The new Apple Patent will know when the watch owner is driving, and will temper the behavior.

Several advantages 

Parker Wilhelm from Tech Radar recently in an interview mentioned about the several advantages of Patent. One of the biggest plus points is that it will automatically discern when you are driving. The Watch will automatically adjust and will turn off its raise-to-wake feature. Due to this new feature you will not be mesmerized to look at the watch every time your wheel takes a right turn, say. Another added advantage of Patent is that it will only pass the important notifications. So that, you because of this new feature you don’t miss an emergency call, but Facebook and Instagram notification will not bother you.

To keep you from looking at the watch constantly, some of the information or notification would be directed elsewhere. The information would be projected either in vehicle speaker, or heads up display, or dash. This way you would not be puzzled by the constant wrist vibrations, and you would also receive the all the notifications. The feature would simply direct the calls to the speaker, or you would be able to see the navigation on the car’s display. Other modifications include snubbing recognized gestures.

Enhanced steering focus 

The gestures would be disabled and due to this the person driving would not be confused by the vibrations or steering movements of the vehicle chassis. The steering focus will be controlled meaning, that the driver would not find the watch behaving differently all of a sudden. While some have pointed out that active gestures might confuse the driver, the truth is that unless you’re practicing Zumba on a speeding bus, you’ll probably not feel puzzled. Another feature which is going to available on the Apple watches in a few days is the Theatre mode. This mode will make the display less responsive and will not disturb the audience.

Apple Patent Reveals Docking Gadget to Turn iPhone and iPad Into Computer

Day n day out we experience a change in our lives. The change in the technological world is inevitable and we are quite surprised by the way the change has occurred. Thanks to the great and top companies in the world which has shaped our lives in a great deal. Well, we are quite familiar with the best phone in the world and that is iPhone developed by Apple. Needless to say, that these phones have the best features and designs in the world. There has been a recent update in the Apple arena that the iPhones or iPads are soon going to work like a complete computer. To be more specific, they will function like the famous Mac book of Apple. Apple’s patent have decided to with this outstanding approach.

THE PLAN 

The US Patent and Trademark Office has published a statement saying that the iPhone would be turned into the MacBook-like shell and power it using the smartphone. This is called the electronic accessory device. Well, the plan is that the touch pad of the Mac book is the place where you can dock your iPhone. There were some images being released on this concept. The Mac book will have everything including the screen, GPU ports, and keyboard. Only the screen of the iPhone will act as a tracking pad. It will also drive the whole unit as well. Well, some speculations is that the screen of the iPhone is inside the laptop chassis.

THE ASSURANCE

The reports have been stated in the Apple Insider but there are still no confirmation from the Cupertino labs whether they are going with this idea of turning the dump laptop terminal into the smart with the help of an iPhone. Well, it is not clear that how the synchronisation would be done in between the smartphone and laptop. The patents are trying out to figure of how to charge both the iPhone and the laptop in one go. So, Apple may have to try our something different from the earlier companies which have tried doing this.

THE FUTURE

It is too early to come to a conclusion now as there have been no confirmed news on this. It is not a new concept but how they bridge the gap is the thing that the common mass are looking forward. It will be big step towards the portability as well as saving the energy. The report also states that the iPad may become the screen for other versions of laptops. People who travel heavily will get a relief as the laptops would be light as well as they won’t have to face the problems of charging. So, now people are in a confused state whether to go for the iPhone 8 later this year or just test their patience for this docking gadget. It is surely going to create a great landmark in the tech market if launched within a few months.

Apple Patent Hints at 'Bone Conduction' Headphones

Apple Researching on Bone Conduction Technology

Patent awarded to Apple recently indicates that the company has been researching on the use of bone conduction technology in enhancing voice call quality in its EarPod headphones. The US Patent portrayed a diagram specifying a pair of wired earbuds having an internal accelerometer that tends to distinguish between the voice of the user and ambient noise by just sensing the vibrations in the bone structure of the user.

The technology is said to be in contrast to prevailing bone conduction headphones like the AfterShokz Bluez which seem to transmit sound through cheekbones so one hears the music rattling around in the head. Apple has also been awarded another patent for a `liquid resistant acoustic device’ with a mesh umbrella which could possibly produce a waterproof speaker port for forthcoming devices.

An identical component tends to exist in the Apple Watch. A patent has developed portraying that Apple is considering experimenting with waterproofing features for a forthcoming iPhone build and a second patent could lead to EarPods that tend to have the prospective of noise-cancelling through an integrated accelerometer and a bone conduction procedure.

Patent – Liquid Resistant Acoustic Device

The patent for liquid resistant acoustic device tends to define how a standard headphone jack could comprise of an `umbrella section’ in the prevention of internal damage to a device. Being filed way back in July 2014, the protective measure seems to sound comparable to the O-ring of Apple Watch, in its speaker unit that provides an IPX7 rating for the Watch. Many reports have recommended that the Cupertino Company has been considering water-proofing its 2017 iPhone duplication and the invention defined in the patent could become a part of the construction of the forthcoming iPhone or iPad.

 Though there seems to be many discrepancies on the invention, the solution grips on improving the standard protective mesh layer found in most headphone ports with an `umbrella’ so that probable damage to the internal acoustic device components or to the mesh can be alleviated. Still interesting is another patent that had been filed in March 2013 which tends to define hands-free headphone system centred on an internal accelerometer that has been designed to enhance recorded sound quality.

Accelerometer Retained in Earbud – Utilised in Detecting Vibration of Vocal Chords

The patent which had been spotted by source that  had stated that an accelerometer which has been retained inside an earbud could be utilised in detecting vibration of the vocal chords of the user based on vibration in bones as well as the tissues of the head of the user. This with the aid of an on-wire microphone tends to filter out non-vocal acoustics for the receiver.

A single variant also records the probable use of an inertial sensor as against an accelerometer though most of the listed versions seem to aim on separating `voiced speech as well as unvoiced speech, with the previous being familiar and improved by bone construction.

Irrespective of seeing a `bone conducting’ set of EarPods hitting the market anyone who seem to have been on the receiving end of a inaudible,, distorted hands-free conversation could find some peace in the fact that improvement seems to be at least reflected upon for hand-free quality call.

Apple Files Patent for Walkie Talkie Headphones

Apple’s Patent for Device to Call over Local Wireless Network

A patent for a device which tends to permit people to call each other over local wireless network has been filed by Apple wherein the patent describes a set of headphones connected to a mobile device. The headphones are said to transmit voice calls to a person wearing an identical set-up and who could be within the range for the devices to get connected. It does not seem that Apple intends to phase out all non-technological human interactions at the moment, though the patent may provide a way to talk securely and subtly in busy environments for individuals.

The device tends to utilise ad hoc wireless network that enables user to speak using encrypted signals, which could be complex to interrupt. The patent states that the other types of local communications like walkie talkies do not support encryption and could be vulnerable to interference. According to the patent, the wireless headsets, elsewhere would permit users to `communicate over secure wireless communication connection while at the same time retain freedom of movement within a range of each other. Moreover, the device could also be capable of automatically detecting and notify similar headsets within a certain range.

Direct Audio Communication Between Users

The patent details features, from the headset, like ambient noise filtering, Bluetooth calls and the ability to control a variety of apps comprising of email and camera.Apple has mentioned in the patent filing that conditions for direct audio communication between users in close vicinity could be less than ideal. For instance where two users seem to be nearby in a noisy atmosphere, direct audio communication between the two could be difficult taking into consideration the interference from ambient noise, that could hinder one or both the users from being able of distinguishing words that are spoken by the other user.

Such ambient noise would need the users to be in proximity of each other, which could impede freedom of movement of one or both the users during the duration of the direct communication. Unrestricted freedom of movement of one or both the user may be essential, in some instances and a headset which tends to double as walkie-talkie device could handle these issues. Digital communication suite tends to offer improvements such as signal encryption as well as multi-user conference calling. Besides, ambient noise could also be filtered through the application of dedicated software.

Patent First Filed in November 2014

The wireless headphone does not seem to be the only development which Apple has been probably keeping a secret for the moment. The German paper Franfurter Allgemeine, had reported in April, that the firm has been setting up a dedicated `car lab’ in Berlin. The rumoured plan of Apple to launch an electric car, the German car lab, by 2019, is intended to bring `15 to 20’ of the top automotive engineers of the country on site to play with the idea, which is likely to be connected to Project Titan.

As in the case of all patents, there is no surety that the product would develop and Apple refrains from commenting on rumours. It is not clear whether the company intends to implement such technology. The advanced walkie-talkie patent application of Apple had first been filed in November 2014, crediting Esge B. Andersen and Cedrik Bacon as the inventors.

Apple Granted Patent for System With Wireless Messages To Enhance Location Accuracy

Apple Address Weakness Characteristic in GPS Based Navigation System

In a patent granted to Apple, the company imagines complete cities outfitted with low-power wireless transmitters capable of sending pinpoint precise location data as well as dynamic environmental alerts, to iPhones and in-car navigation systems. As issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the U.S. Patent of Apple, tends to continue the investigation into beacon-based navigation of the company though on a grand scale. Rather than aiding iPhone owners in locating car that may be parked in an underground lot or locate their position utilising advanced geo-fencing algorithms, the latest invention of Apple tends to address weakness characteristic in all GPS –based navigation systems.

The present patent endeavours to resolve reception issue which come up in thickly inhabited cities, at times referred as urban canyon environments for their elevated buildings while simultaneously increasing the granularity of positioning data. Essentially, the solution of Apple tends to consume less power than A-GPS, Wi-Fi positioning as well as cellular tower triangulation procedures, all present augmentation to vanilla GPS.The plan calls for a multitude of stationary transmitters to be installed at strategic locations next in the vicinity of the city roads, like adjacent building, within pre-existing traffic lights, guard rails, roadside signs together with other structures.

Transmitter – A Smart Wireless Hub

Every transmitter is mostly a smart wireless hub rising with radio transceivers, which is a perfect configuration support cellular, Bluetooth Low Energy, Wi-Fi and GPS data transfer proprieties and the equipment can be fed by AC line power or solar system.A stationary waypoint device, in operation broadcasts its location data, plotted on a Cartesian plane through wireless Bluetooth LE message.

Each message is sent at known signal strength enabling the receiving device such as iPhone or car to induce relative location built on received signal strength indicator – RSS value. The receiving device could utilise various techniques in determining its total position based on the number as well as quality of the messages received, with two choices comprising of triangulation together with time-of-flight computations. In some examples, an iPhone could utilise location data provided by static devices in performance with GPS details though the invention of Apple has the capability of operating as a locked system.

Apple’s Invention – A Role in Autonomous Vehicle Logic

As an addition, the transmitters could also send out z-axis data to be used on multi-level highways for instance, a measurement which is regularly available from commercial GPS system. With regards to navigation, the system can be organised in tracking vehicle movement with great degree of precision. A series of transmitters for instance, could be installed along off-ramps and on-ramps, forks in a road, freeway exits as well as other locations where the traditional GPS system tends to fail in resolving user position with sufficient accuracy.

Though it has not been mentioned in the recent document, the invention of Apple could play a role in autonomous vehicle logic and the described transmitters in particular could be shaped to broadcast rich data comprising of information with regards to traffic, road as well as other driving conditions. User for instance could be informed of an upcoming speed limit change, rough weather, and risky road condition while driving past a connected transmitter.

With the prevailing car equipment, these messages could present an audible alert and an onscreen dialogue. In future, nevertheless, the same roadside beacon could inform an on-board AI of the neighbouring atmosphere warning it to take action when necessary.

Apple Filed a Patent for Waterproof iPhone Ports

Apple’s Patent – Methods for Shielding Electronic Components from Moisture

Apple’s patent titled `Methods for shielding electronic components from moisture’ hints at the possibility of a patent which may lead to future weather-proof Apple devices such as the iPhones, iPad, Apple Watches and much more. Though the company had filed its paperwork in June 2014, it was only revealed publicly recently. The paperwork focuses on `self-healing elastomer’ or rubber which could lose and regain its shape in order to protect the delicate inner-workings of a device.

The patent clarifies that the rubber seal on the external jacks such as the ones for headphones or a power cord, tends to open up when a plug seems to be inserted. When it is removed, the covering then reshapes and goes back in protecting the opening of the device.

Some types of the elastomer can shield from debris, dust, gas and water, besides other things and soon we might be able to take a sick dust storm selfie without routing the iPhone. There are other companies who have already been using waterproof ports for their devices.

For instance, Sony’s Z5 and Samsung Galaxy S6 Active have both been using waterproof headphone and power ports which do not need special covers. Though the patent does not mean that users would get a fully water-resistant device, since Apple already holds a patent for a waterproof logic board, there is a spongy black material surrounding the circuitry for protection.

Phones Built with Logic Boards

The iPhone 6S and the iPhone 6S Plus are built with those logic boards, however, the devices are not completely waterproof though they are more resistant to water than the earlier iPhone.As per the patent filed by Apple on March 31 2014 and published on March 5, 2015, it states that `several electronic devices are susceptible to water damage since they are fully sealed and include various openings for charging, connecting peripherals, inputting and outputting audio’.

To overcome the risk of water, the patent explains that a hydrophobic or water-repelling coating having a thickness of one to ten microns, would be thin enough to preventthe intrusion with the operational opening in an electronic device. The hydrophobic coating can be applied to the printed circuit board of the device – PCB with plasma supported vapour deposition – PACVD process that charges the surface of the substrate in order to bond the coating to the charged surface.

Plasma Settles on & Adheres to Component

According to the patent, that addresses other approaches to waterproofing electronic devices, `the plasma settles on and adheres to the component, providing a robust, water-resistant, corrosion-resistant protective seal for the component’.

Apple CEO Tim Cook had mentioned last month that the Apple Watch could be worn in the shower, meaning that it is water resistant though not essentially waterproof. Though there are various cases of waterproof for iPhone 6, the patents records that if water tends to find its way through a protective case, it is game over for the phone.

Samsung had taken the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge with the water resistant Galaxy S5 as an opportunity to mock the lack of water resistance of iPhone, but had left the water resistance from the list of features for Galaxy S6 as well as the Galaxy S6 Edge phones.

Apple Patent Outlines Mobile App Data Sharing and Collaboration Over Facetime

Apple’s U.S. Patent for `Interactive Application Sharing’

Though screen sharing for collaboration is a popular function on desktops, it is yet to make its way to mobile devices and as assigned by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Apple’s U.S. Patent for `Interactive application sharing’, comprises of provisions which enables multiple users in sharing as well as collaborating on project in app such as Google’s Web based productivity services.

Apple is making headway in video conferencing capabilities though making it a more personal collaboration tool. Apple’s patent indicates that the company is working towards a new screen and data sharing method for iPad and iPhones. The patent outlines a method wherein several users could share their screens as well as app data while working on iOS devices.

It was acknowledged by Apple that the users of iPhone and iPads have been sharing data and states that the existing solution like sharing of documents by email would not be efficient and the company has come up with a system which enables users to share document data in a common app in real time on several iOS devices in some cases with media and screen sharing or live video as well.

Interactive Application Sharing 

As per Apple’s invention, the user initiates a collaboration session with at least another device which accepts the wireless connection and the initiating device could host the session with screen as well as data updates to the second device across a suitable wireless communication The system enables interactive application sharing that transfers specific app data to and fro across an established wireless bridge where a standard user interface is not described.

 The Patent indicates app data can be overlaid over a FaceTime image and vice versa. The video feed in some instances could serve as a background for the iOS Spring-Board before the selection of a common app for sharing. An illustration indicates what appears to be a mother reading `Winnie the Pooh’ to their child from what is presumed to be a remote location, though no mention is made in the document text and the scene is a reminder of Apple’s fire FaceTime TV commercials which attempted the ability to connect remotely to family from a distant.

Security – Set Privacy Designators – Private/Public

Users could opt to share data in some embodiments, only when another option of communication takes place between two devices such as a host device could opt to limit data sharing to FaceTime calls, a protocol which needs adequate bandwidth capacity. For the purpose of security, users could set privacy designators to indicate data as private or public.

Moreover the user could also choose to share available times with another user while leaving event specifics, concealed. Rest of the patent provides detail pertaining to the proposed system’s user interface, communication backend and operating workflow, besides other details.

FaceTime collaboration Patent of Apple was filed first in January 2012 and credits go to Brandon Joseph Kieft and Catherine Rose Grevet as its inventors. It is unclear whether Apple has intentions of bringing the version of present day’s invention to market though competitors such as Google are already striving on similar technology of real time collaboration.

Apple Eyes Way to Leave Fingerprints in the Cloud

Apple’s Patent – Finger Biometric Sensor Data Synchronization in the Cloud

The US Patent and Trademark Office recently has published a patent filing known as `Finger biometric sensor data synchronization via a cloud computing device and related methods’ illustrating a system to record fingerprints on one device through Apple’s Touch ID sensor and thereafter upload them to the cloud to sync them with other devices.

Apple had developed a technology which would sync the Touch ID data with the other mobile devices as well as point of sale system through iCloud. The Touch ID sensor, which was introduced in 2013, is available on the iPhone 5S as well as the latest iPhones and iPads and the sensor needs one’s fingerprint to access the device in order to make purchases using the payment system of Apple Pay.

Setting up a Touch ID can be done by registering one or more fingerprints on your device. Apple, in its patent filing has suggested that the Touch ID enrolment could be complicating for users such as in the case of multiple fingerprints, users or devices could be used. For instance, a couple had to register their fingerprints not only on their own iPhones and iPad, but on each other’s devices as well which seems complicating. Cloud based synchronization could eliminate the requirement of registering all the fingerprints on every device that is in use.

Fingerprint Date Encrypted – to iCloud

With the present technology, the problem is that the fingerprints are stored solely on an iOS device and Apple has explained on the Touch ID page - `iOS and other apps cannot access your fingerprint data, it is not stored on Apple servers, and it is never backed up to iCloud or anywhere else’.

As explained in the filing, one would need to validate their Apple ID account prior to registering their fingerprints, the way one would do on entering their pass code. The fingerprint data is then encrypted and sent to iCloud.

Now to use your fingerprint on an alternate device, one would have to verify them from a `to be matched’ set of fingerprints on the second device and the fingerprints on both devices need to match up with the one stored on iCloud. Going a step further, the second devices in this case could be an NFC enabled point-of-sale system, the one that could be used to buy products through Apple Pay.

NFC/Bluetooth to Sync Fingerprint Data 

The POS would have the fingerprint sensor that one would tap to validate the `to be matched’, set of fingerprints. The technology could utilises NFC or Bluetooth in order to sync the fingerprint data as a secured alternative to iCloud though it would be practical only for syncing two devices being in close proximity of each other.

This type of system would certainly make the process of setting up multiple fingerprints on multiple devices, easy though one of the security benefits of the present Touch ID is that Apple does not seem to store the fingerprints, online. Moreover, Apple would need to prove that the system is secured before the users consider storing their encrypted fingerprints in the cloud. Apple spokesperson had reported that the company does not make any comment on patent filings.

Apple’s Patent – `Communicating Stylus’

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, recently has granted Apple, a patent for `communicating stylus’, which would capture digital copies of handwritten notes as well as drawings from a variety of surfaces from paper to a whiteboard. Apple’s smart pen patent had first being filed for in January 2010 with credits to Aleksandar Pance as its inventor.

According to the patent, it would outline a smart writing feature which utilises accelerometers, wireless communication hardware and on-board storage for transferring handwritten notes and drawing from the stylus on to the digital device display.Several companies have developed these kinds of products the most relevant one being Livescribe’s smartpen and few boast on the complete complement of advanced technology by Apple’s design.

For instance, Livescribe 3 utilises an infrared camera which is located in its tip in order to capture handwriting and is then stored on-board or offloaded through Bluetooth wherein the process needs specialized paper, with a large chassis together with generous amount of power. The stylus could be configured to send movement data after the data has been collected at predefined intervals or continuously based on the users’ requirements, while another option is by sending out stylus data to various devices, as meeting notes.

Efficient Accelerometers/Motion Sensing Hardware

Apple’s stylus is featured on efficient accelerometers or other motion sensing hardware where the pen get activated only when it is picked up and its nib is pressed to the paper, withdrawn from a dock or manually turned on by the user. Thereafter the on-board sensors tend to track position changes with regards to an initial zero point enabling the device to transmit real-time data for translation as well as graphical representation on the screen of an iOS device.

It may be noted that Apple’s invention has the capabilities of being fitted with several accelerometers to measure movement in three dimension which produces accurate digital copy of stylus motion at any given angle irrespective of it being on a desk, wall or in the air. In other instances, it may not call for instant playback like taking notes, wherein in this case, the stylus could save movement data on-board or conduct burst transmission in order to save on energy. Apple had indicated that user could transmit data to a computing device which could remain in a bag or a pocket and could be a solution in saving digital backup of physical notes.

Embodiments with Alternative

Embodiments with alternative, comprises of several transmitter as well as receiver configurations for area triangulation, embedded magnetometers for collecting orientation data and several nib layouts to write with ink, graphite as well as other materials. Another thing to note is a capacitive version which could be used as a tradition iPad stylus.

As in the case of other Apple Patents with regards to styli, the idea of actually making one to the production level is slim taking into consideration the great efforts taken in multi-touch interface and to build a `communicating stylus, is made available if Apple intends to build such a device. Most of the hardware that is mentioned in the patent has been used in the prevailing generation iPhones as well as the iPads.

Apple’s Patent – Fall Protection System

Apple was recently awarded a patent which covered the futuristic iPhone protection system that can detect when a phone is dropped, calculate an estimated point of impact and move its centre of gravity to avoid striking sensitive components.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially granted the patent for `protective mechanism for an electronic device’, that seems to protect expensive computer hardware from dropping accidentally which has become a familiar problem with the latest slim iPhone designs.

Apple’s latest invention not only estimates where a device may make an impact but also actively shifts the unit’s centre of gravity in order to protect the sensitive components such as glass screens as well as the camera and save them from being damaged.

Apples’ system relies on sensors as mentioned in the patent text to physically monitor device activity and positioning with accepted embodiment leverage on-board accelerometers, gyroscopes and GPS that are incorporated already in the new iPhone and iPad models though more advanced designs would be needed for ultrasonic sensors besides other things.

Generated by Positioning of Sensors

The data that is fed in is generated by the positioning of sensors to a central processing unit enabling quick and accurate device positioning determination as it applies to a state of free-fall and when such a situation is detected, the sensors and processor function together measuring the speed of the decent, the time to impact, together with orientation and other metrics.

The processor could then conduct an analysis of the fall by taking the gathered data into consideration against embedded information stored in the device memory. On completion of the calculation, the system then activates a protective mechanism designed to re-position the device in mid-air in order to provide the least damage to the fragile component.

The main example utilises a motor accompanied with eccentric mass which enables to impart a force on a falling phone’s rotational axis thus causing it to land on a preferred site like on its side or back.

Vibrator motor – Adequate to change Angular Momentum

The vibration motor of an iPhone is adequate to change the angular momentum of an iPhone spinning in a free-fall and based on the rate of the spin, angular velocity, time to impact together with other factors, the vibration motor could be powered at higher rotational speed than the normal, thereby effectively managing the momentum and eventually landing angle.

The recent iPhone 6 and 6 Plus of Apple incorporated bespoke linear oscillating motors which do not use eccentrically connected rotational mass while previous model did which means that the patent can easily be worked in to an upcoming variant.

Other exotic embodiments comprises of internal mechanisms which latch on or jettison headphone cables in a free-fall incident while some others involve motors capable of extending and retracting foils in the air or aerodynamic surfaces in controlling landings.

Moving ahead into unconventional are miniaturized gas canister which exert thrust forces in slowing down a fall and moving the weights along an internal track through linear motors. The official patent credit has been granted to Nicholas V King and Fletcher Rothkopf as its inventors.

Apple’s Latest Virtual Reality Project

Apple is known for developing technologies and is reportedly working on project that is related to virtual reality which has become obvious with the job listing posted for a virtual reality developer. Apple has focused on many tech markets right from phones to music players together with its upcoming smart watch and is now heading towards the world of virtual reality.

For the creation of the virtual world, advanced technologies are essential and the very basis of virtual reality is a combination of software, hardware together with electronics. Earlier this year, Apple had filed for a patent application connected to head mounted virtual reality goggles, and many are speculating on this issue.

According to the listing, the app engineer would be designing the `next generation software experience, creating high performance apps which would integrate with Virtual Reality system, for prototyping and user testing’ and would be working with the team in the firm’s Santa Clara Valley office. The tech company while developing technologies preferred a slow and steady way in being the first in its endeavor.

Oculus Rift and Samsung’s Gear VR

The iPhone was not the first smartphone though as Tim Cook, Apple CEO said, was the first modern smartphone. Apple Pay also was not the first payment platform but several believed that it could be the technology which will eventually bring about mobile payments to the mainstream. It is not clear whether the company is planning to develop hardware and software and an Apple headset would compete with Oculus Rift and Samsung’s Gear VR.

The patent which was published in December suggested that the firm did not have ambitions for a head mounted display and the patent first filed in May 2007.stated `goggle system for providing a personal media viewing experience to a user’.

Apple informed that the goggle system may resemble ski or motorcycle goggles and for enhancing the comfort of the user, the goggle system would include breathable components’, which included breathable foam which would rest against the user’s face.

Recent VR Firm Jaunt Release

VR firm Jaunt recently released its first cinematic virtual reality release a gig of Paul McCartney in San Francisco which was filmed during summer where the Jaunt camera system recorded simultaneously a 3D stereoscopic video in all directions coupled with 3D sound field microphones.. The computational photography algorithms was used by the team to process the recorded video by adjusting the angles and colours to make it appear more immersive and the footage is now made available as a free app from Google Play.

 It works with Google’s Cardboard and the gig will be available for Samsung’s Gear VR as well as Oculus Rift very soon. Apple could use its experience with iTunes if intending to enter the cinematic CR market as opposed the gaming VR industry. Right now it is not clear on what exactly Apple is trying to work on. Companies tend to file patents all the time but sometimes do not end in accomplishing it though it is clear that Apple is getting serious on its next venture on virtual reality and we need to wait and watch to know the outcome of their plans.

Apple Patent Reveals Method of Attaching Sapphire Cover Glass to iPhone

Apple’s Patent – Ceramic Cover for Electronic Device Housing

It has been reported that though Apple had not introduced the rumoured sapphire displays with its updated iPhone 6 and 6 Plus smartphones the company is working hard in bringing about a solution for the future according to the latest Apple patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office which describes methods of attaching sapphire cover glass to the iPhone.

 Though the patent focuses on attachment methods, it does not indicate potential use of sapphire in electronic devices. The patent describes the use of either sapphire or zirconia which has been titled `Ceramic cover for electronic device housing’, both in crystalline type, to obtain appropriate transparency levels.

 Past inventions of Apple’s dealing with sapphire usually dealt with material production, and the ceramic cover housing patent explains in details the methods of fixing the ceramic cover housing on the handset indicating that instead of using adhesives which add extra thickness to the overall build, an attachment like mortise and tenon joints could be used.

In a single embodiment , the laser ablation technique has been adopted to carve out recesses in a sheet of sapphire which is specified between -.3 mm and 1.0 mm in thickness and a jet of fluid enables it to cool the material carrying away ablated ceramic which could resettle into a freshly cut recess.

Need for Specific Embodiments

Fixing the sapphire to the device housing requires Apple’s usual shock resistant thermoplastic peripheral side members, the thin black buffer zone which is seen on all iPhone and iPad model. Specific embodiments is needed for the peripheral material to hold the housing, the similar design seen in iPhone 6 while others look to cover areas which would remain exposed like the iPhone 4 and 4S.

The sapphire cover has dovetail recesses ablated into it while corresponding angled tenons are integrated together with the peripheral side member and when joined or moulded together in some cases, the components tend to create mechanical interlock providing substantial gap free construction. The peripheral member is made of a ceramic strengthen composite probably using ceramic fibres or particles mixed with polymers wherein these peripheral bodies could be disposed in one or two layers.

Patent Application – Inventor, Kelvin Kwong

Detailed in its patent filing the tech giant company is sinking assets in its sapphire display cover for its flagship smartphone product line. As per the invention, the use of sapphire or zirconia in crystalline form is used though Apple is likely to use sapphire, keeping in mind bet on the material with failed $578 million investment in GT Advanced.

The patent also gives further details with regards to alternative processes in achieving largely a similar design together with moulding techniques, secondary designs and exemplary implementation. Credits of its sapphire iPhone cover patent application go to Kelvin Kwong as its inventor which was first filed for in May 2013.

As with all Apple’s patents and it application, it is yet unknown when and if the said technology indicated would be making its way to the final product. We could wait for more updates coming from these quarters.

Apple’s Patent – Next Generation iOS Remote App System

Apple’s patent published recently reveals a next generation iOS remote app system which will be capable of translating the Apple TV’s UI to smaller format iPhone and iPad screens at the time of streaming back the external content such as movie from some of the same devices.

Apple’s patent application, as filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, for `Browsing remote content using a native user interface’, specifies what amounts to advanced Apple TV remote control app which interprets media content as well as semantic information in reproducing graphical user interface native to an iPhone or iPad display.

The patent application for next generation remote app was first filed for in March 2013 with credits to Nickolas James Paulson, Thomas Alsina and Lucas C. Newman as its inventors. The proposed iteration, unlike the Current Remote app of Apple, that employs a bespoke UI tailored especially for iPhone or iPad would size down dramatically, an Apple TV’s GUI based on semantic cues that may be sent to the client device from an Apple TV source or a Mac running iTunes.

This method enables a much enhanced user experience which moves beyond the prevailing digital reproduction of remote control hardware.

Full TV Interface/Icon Matrix

The app for instance can display a full TV interface or an icon matrix, remotely, which includes media description, ratings, posters purchasing options etc.

Moreover code for interpreting semantics boards which are sent by the host device can be kept on client board iPhone or the programming could be tapped from an off-sit server like iCloud. With semantics translation kept in the cloud, enables greater flexibility with older devices which are not usually supported by modern app.

Possibilities of two embodiments have been outlined by Apple for remote app, one of which is active and the other passive. The active version enables users to interact with an Apple TV or any other host device in real time such as any selections that are made on the iOS device tend to reflect immediately on the larger television screen.

Active/Passive Operation 

The document deals with active mode but a mention has been made of passive operation whereby a client device stores up user input and pushes the date to the host device when prompted to do so. For instance passive mode enables one user to browse through a host’s media catalog without disturbing other users.

One important feature is that it involves content collected to augment media that is played or streamed by the host Apple TV like a user starting a movie through the iOS device and then leaves the remote app to search for trivia on the web. Whatever information is gathered outside the remote control app can be sent to the host device for display irrespective of it being an overlay, other means of presentation or a sidebar.

Besides the operational enhancements, Apple has also been aware of the client devices that can be paired with an Apple TV through proximity sensor technology with support for iBeacon. With Apple TV software, the updated version 6.1 that had been launched in March, the set top streamer can scan for compatible devices through Bluetooth.

Apple Granted Patent – Iconic Cube Design-NYC

According to reports by 9to5Mac, Apple has now been granted a U.S. patent for its iconic cube design, its New York flagship and the patent is for the design of above ground glass cube of 32 foot tall element of Apple‘s Fifth Avenue store in Manhattan.

This self-supporting glass cube is totally without any structural steel wherein a 2011 redesign of the cube had brought down the number of glass panels from 90 to just 13. This iconic Fifth Avenue Apple Store glass cube, had been designed in segments by co-founder Steve Jobs, and is currently a patented ornamental building design which was approved by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and was officially granted recently, representing the latest design of the 32 foot cube using few panes of glass to achieve a clearer aesthetic.

The simple look was the outcome of the redesign which was completed in late 2011. Being personally designed by Steve Jobs, it is one of the most photographed landmarks in the city where the former CEO had paid for the project and was also the owner of the structure. The patent application, was granted to Apple on August 26, which had been listed as being filed in October 2012 and would last for 14 years

Steve Jobs – Original Design and Manufacture of the Store

Steve Jobs who had spearheaded the original design as well as the manufacture of this store has been listed among the inventors on the filing of the patent. Apple’s Fifth Avenue Store as research published in 2010 indicated that it is the fifth most photographed location in New York which is behind the Empire State Building, Times Square, the Rockefeller Centre and Grand Central Station.

The glass used is very much glass. It was informed that in January, one of the cube’s glass panels had shattered while clean-up crews had accidentally hit it with a snow blower. Patenting design of its stores is not unusual according to 9to5Mac reports, for Apple, since the company had been granted a patent for the cylindrical exterior of its Shanghai Store in 2012.

New Company - Microsoft’s First Retail Store 

Jobs has been given the credits for being one of the seven inventors of the structure and is joined by former retail chief Ron Johnson while the other inventors are Karl Backus, Peter Bohlin, Benjamin L. Fay, Robert Bridger, and James O’Callaghan. The all glass design has now inspired other project from
Apple which includes the mega store that opened in 2010 in Shanghai and similar to the Fifth Avenue store, it has its entrance as a staircase which is enclosed in glass while the one in China is cylindrical glass tower with a glowing white Apple logo floating within which is much like the glass cube in New York.

The company has also trademarked the design of the retail stores which includes the glass panel fronts as well as recessed lighting. Apple is also likely to have new company very soon on Fifth Avenue as it is rumoured that Microsoft is also in talks to open up its first retail store in New York City and would be located at 677 Fifth Avenue near 53rd Street which is in the vicinity of Apple’s store.

Apple Awarded Patent – Electronic Devices with Flexible Displays

Apple has been awarded a new patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, for `Electronic devices with flexible displays’, which controls mechanisms used with flexible displays to replace components like physical buttons with additional durable as well as resilient alternatives, to create another means of detecting sound output with haptic feedback, which is sound and localized vibration and perform other things thus making it easier to open a MacBook lid.

The patent describes several options to use a flexible display for a variety of input methods aiming at ways that can put flexible display material over actuators in order to create new buttons on demand.

Besides this it also provides systems to overlay them on the existing button features that are found in the iPhone such as the Home button, thus providing access to it while simultaneously protecting it as well as providing a continuous surface for the individual.

The system combines flexible display layer in some embodiments, like a compatible OLED substrate with a similar flexible capacitive touchscreen layer which then is covered by a rigid or a flexible cover.


Assembly Flexible – Interacting with Components


Since the assembly is flexible, users have the opportunity of interacting with components that are installed beneath it which serve as a user input and when force is used, the display activates and deforms the internal button, other sensor or dome switch before returning to its original shape.

Moreover, the internal actuators could be used to press against the flexible layer upwards to create temporary ridges, points or shapes on the surface of the display wherein each region could be active or inactive to user input. Ridges for instance could be used to outline grid pattern matching the onscreen keyboard.

According to an example, control structures or buttons get input from user’s finger or object that are pushed on the display, thereby deforming and transferring force on a sensor and some system tend to extend the device’s active screen area by replacing the external control as in the case of iPhone’s home button with internal counterparts.


Benefit of Flexible Display


There is another benefit in using the flexible display on top of the button and switch wherein it enables Apple to potentially expand screen space with the possibility to build all display devices which can grow or reveal buttons whenever needed. They can also take the form of physical buttons, as created by actuators that are used beneath the display layer to push up on the screen, creating bumps and ridges.

Its effect would be similar to what happens with the Tactus keyboard that produces a physical keyboard from a transparent, flat display cover. As the overall patent is aimed at devices such as the iPhone and iPad and its intention is to save space on mobile devices, there is a provision which explains how the tech could be utilised in a MacBooktrack pad in order to deform the surface and raise the top of the notebook away from the bottom thus making it a lot easier to open, preferably creating a lid opening which may replace the groove that is available in current models.

Henry Peter Badenhop Granted Patent for Mobile Billboard Messaging App

An updated invention has the potential of providing free standing application for mobile device which has the capabilities of linking the user to remote internet based database, providing advertisement as per the choice of the user and Henry Peter Badenshop has been granted this Patent. These may include types of products or services needed together with the distance of the advertising location from the user’s mobile GPS location or when the GPS is inactive, the distance can be determined by cellular/mobile device location through cell towers.

Mobile billboard messaging icons tend to display messages which are connected with the user’s choice from advertiser on the user’s devices display like the tablet or the Smartphone which is connected to the internet, location technology as well as logic means in determining when the device of the user is in a prescribed vicinity of the advertiser’s location. Coordination location of the device helps in identifying the advertiser’s location and correlate with user’s preferences within a preselected distance and if this correlation is available, a minimum of one message is displayed from the advertiser on the tablet device or a smartphone.

Message Transmitted based on Given Radii

The message is transmitted when the user’s device is within the given radii from the advertiser and when transmitted, the messaging icons provide real time promotion, together with deals and coupons appropriate for the purchase of goods and services of the advertisers or the sponsors according to the user’s options.

Moreover, the target messages that are displayed by the mobile billboard are based both on the user’s geographical real time location as well as the user’s specific choice. Revenue from advertising has now become a possible driving business force in present day business market with electronic devices being increasingly adopted in the advertising forum, which include advertising on mobile devices and computer namely the tablets and Smartphones.

Majority of the advertisement platforms and models make use of such devices providing advertisements with web page links, email links as well as mobile applications together with games or through spam emails. Other platforms of advertisements tend to use tracking algorithms or phishing means to track consumer’s web site searches and invade them with an attempt to provide advertising aimed towards the consumers.

Mobile Billboard Messaging – GPS Enabled Device

The mobile billboard messaging icon system works with GPS enabled device, a display screen with internet connection, which displays a number of applications. Further on the icon system is created with a mobile billboard messaging icon which is associated with software that has the entry of user and his preferences together with the advertiser or sponsor data.

The messaging icon of mobile billboard gets displayed via the internet connection which displays one message according to the user’s choice which is generated from one advertiser or sponsor. The mobile billboard messaging icon on the other hand functions and enables an internet connection between the mobile device and its message icon software.

The GPS location of the device is equipped with relevant given radial distance from at least one location with one of the advertisers who displays the message. Whenever the GPS is in standby mode or inactive, the location is provided depending on the position of the cellular tower and the location is determined based on the relevant given radial distance from one location associated with the advertiser who displays the message.

Intellectual property: to better understand the judicial review of Apple - III

If intellectual property protects intellectual works that exist by themselves, industrial property; it is committed to protecting the products of intellectual activity that can be produced industrially.  This first type of products of intellectual activity is the invention, creation designed to solve a technical problem. The inventor may well decide to use the trade secret, which can give him a monopoly until a competitor does not happen to the task. The patent has been designed as a regulatory element; a form of encouragement to private innovation should eventually become public. In exchange for the release of its invention, the creator gets protection - a patent - providing it can enjoy the fruits of his work and punishing the copy.

Of course, the patent is framed: the work submitted must be new (private), inventive (non-obvious and unique solution to a problem) and applicable (technical and industrial). If these conditions are met, the inventor gets a limited monopoly in space (the country where the patent is valid) and time (usually 20 years) of his invention at the end of this monopoly, innovation falls into the public domain and may contribute to the common good.