Apple Issued Solar Power Patent

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has just released a series of newly issued Apple patents.  While this may not come as a surprise – as Apple seems to patent something new every week – one of those patents is of particular interest as it applies to solar power technology.

As reported by MacNN, the patent was filed in 2006 and is titled “Portable Devices Having Multiple Power Interfaces.”  The application states that this solar power technology could be applied to a wide variety of devices, from the iPhone to the MacBook.

Before getting too excited about this patent, more details will need to come to light.  Leaving a phone or computer in the sunlight may not be the best idea (especially in high temperatures), so it will be interesting to see how/if Apple integrates this technology into their products.

Universities Provide Ideas, Receive Licenses

When people think of inventors, often times they focus on individuals, disregarding the support that those inventors may have received along the way.  However, it should not be forgotten how colleges and universities also play an integral part in advancing technology by playing a supporting role.

A recent article on OnlineAthens brought to light how innovations at American universities result in a multi-million dollar business.  For example, researchers at the University of Georgia developed a new type of Bermuda turf grass, named TifSport.  This is so cutting edge, that it will actually be used during the semi-final matches of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. 

While the listed inventor is Wayne Hannah, UGA was able to speak with industries that may be interested in commercializing TifSport.  Then, UGA was able to license the product and collect large royalties when the product hits the market.  This process is repeated by many colleges and universities throughout the country, and several products can attribute their roots to the collegiate level.

The top 10 list of Universities, as reported by the Association of University Technology Managers, are listed below.  In addition to the name of the school, the list also includes the number of deals they amassed in fiscal year 2007:

1. University of California System – 231

2. University of Washington – 203

3. University of Georgia – 125

4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology – 116

5. Iowa State University – 113

6. North Carolina State University – 106

7. Purdue Research Foundation – 99

8. University of Michigan – 91

9. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill – 89

10. Stanford University – 88

While this list is impressive, it should be noted that the University of California System actually represents a number of schools and not a single university.

New Ford Engine Patent

A recent patent filing by Ford reveals that the automobile company has developed a new V8 engine.  The application, filed on March 26, describes a pushrod 4-valve per cylinder unit with inboard exhaust and outboard intakes, as well as turbocharging.  As Autoblog.com reported, this engine may actually be the new Scorpion diesel V-8, which will replace the Navistar engines used in Super-Duty trucks.

The application states that this engine focuses on the intake/exhaust layout and valvetrain configuration.  Also, the text of the application implies that this engine could be used for either gasoline or diesel engines.  For further reading on the patent application, click here.

However, this engine isn’t the first with this type of manifolding setup.  Recently, BMW came out with the 4.4-liter turbo V8, and GM produced the 4.5 liter diesel.  However, GM cancelled their model shortly after, as bankruptcy is probably more of an issue for that company than their newest diesel engine.

Pfizer Combating Patent Loss with New Drug

Pfizer knows that the days are numbered for its $1.2 billion drug, Detrol.  With Detrol’s main patent set to expire in September 2012, and patents on Detrol LA due to end between 2012 and 2020, Pfizer is looking to launch a new drug to replace the forthcoming loss of revenue.

As reported by Crain’s New York Business, Detrol is used to fight over-active bladder.  Pfizer’s new drug, Toviaz, is structurally similar to Detrol, but it has two doses instead of one.  Pfizer officials hope this characteristic will give physicians and patients more flexibility in treatment for the drug’s efficacy and tolerability.

The extended-release formulation of Detrol, called Detrol LA, is currently the market leader, with a 49% share.  But Pfizer is hoping Toviaz can take its place, and the company is actually introducing a printed support plan called “YourWay.”   This plan will be handed out to patients with sample packs of the drug tucked inside.  Pfizer is hoping that this idea will drum up awareness for the condition in 10 markets, including Boston and Atlanta. 

We’ll see if it works.

With Patents Expiring, Eli Lilly Looking for Deals

As the pharmaceutical industry is preparing for the expiration of several key patents, Eli Lilly & Co. is apparently ready to try and diversify their portfolio.  According to Forbes.com, Lilly’s Chief Executive has stated that they will pursue deals that cost between $5 billion and $15 billion, while staying away from any bigger acquisitions.  Lilly will also reportedly stick to acquiring drugs, rather than branching out in the medical device or diagnostic fields. 

This news may not come as a surprise, as the company will lose patent protection for Zyprexa, their best selling drug, in 2011.  Lilly will also lose patent coverage for Cymbalta, Humalog, and Gemzar in 2013.

Any of Lilly’s potential deals will follow what has already been a slew of deals in the pharmaceutical industry.  In January, Pfizer agreed to buy Wyeth for $68 billion.  Meanwhile, Merck & Co. will buy Schering-Plough Corp for $41.1 billion.  Lastly, Roche has paid $46.8 billion in cash to buy the 44% of Genentech that it didn’t already own.

Apple Patents ‘Safe’ GPS System

Apple recently filed a patent that would use biometrics for extra security on the iPhone.  Yet, a more recent patent application reveals that Apple may be applying those same concepts to make the roads a bit safer.

As reported on AppleInsider, the 11-page application notes that the use of navigation systems in a moving vehicle has raised many safety concerns.  The patent focuses on decreasing these concerns, by calling on a touchscreen-based navigation system that would either be self-mounted or hardwired into an automobile.  This system would rely on speakers and microphones for voice-enabled operation, such as navigation.

The patent also reveals that it could deny access for individuals and “lock down” the system based on biometric sensors.  One potential application of this technology would be allowing parents to block their high schoolers from using the GPS systems while the car is motion.

Because the patent is so general, it’s not known whether Apple is trying to break into the GPS-navigation market, or if these concepts will be applied to an iPhone App.  Yet, these ideas should not be ignored because they could potentially make the road safer by decreasing the distractions.

USPTO & Copyright Office Seek Public Comments

The Copyright Office and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office are seeking comments on the topic of facillitating access to copyrighted works for “blind or persons with other disabilities.”  These comments are thought to be in connection with a forthcoming meeting of the standing Standing Committee on Copyright and Related rights of the WIPO.

Those that are interested are urged to submit a comment on the topics outlined in the supplementary information section of the Federal Register notice.  Comments are due April 21, 2009, with reply comments due May 4, 2009.

In addition, there will be a public meeting on May 18, 2009, at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.  The process for submitting requests to attend, or to participate in the meeting, will be published on www.copyright.gov no later than April 8.

Combination Products Need Careful Patent Strategy

As health care products continue to evolve in the 21st century, combination technologies are becoming more and more common.  In fact, the market for combination products has doubled in five years and some have predicted the industry will rise to $10 billion this year.  While 90% of that total can credited to the sales of drug-eluting stents, plenty of other products, such as orthopedic implants to regenerate bones, are coming out of the woodwork.

These facts set the stage for an interesting article that recently appeared on Mass High Tech.  Author and patent attorney, Joanna Toke, argues that these combination products face unique hurdles in entering the marketplace, and mastering a patent and regulatory strategy is necessary for success.  She has outlined a step by step process that every company should follow when developing one of these products, and we will discuss the highlights of her article.

First, a company must have comprehensive patent coverage to protect their technology.  This means coverage of the device, the biologic, and the device/biologic combination.  Then, once improvements to the technology are made, a company should also make it a goal to also patent those improvements in order to completely insulate their technology.

Next, Toke states that picking the right law firm is critical, as they must have experience in both biologics and medical devices.  Knowledge of both fields is necessary as the firm needs to effectively prosecute patents directed toward each aspect of the product.

Then, the attorneys should conduct a search to determine whether the company is free of third-party patents and can practice its invention.  Once this search is completed on every aspect of the device, the product can be designed to avoid infringing other discovered patents.

Finally, when a product is submitted to the USFDA for approval, it is assigned to a particular center within the FDA.  But inventor beware, as products may be wrongly assigned to unfavorable offices.  Therefore, companies should explain why the combination product should be sent to a particular destination in order to avoid costly delays.

While this definitely not every step that a company must take to ensure that their IP is protected, Toke’s article is definitely a start in the right direction.

Patent Hints at Biometrics, Jailbroken iPhones

In a recent patent filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Apple addressed several new methods that could help improve security on the iPhone.  As reported by Endgadget, the filing cites new biometric authentication to unlock an iPhone, rather than normal methods.

Some of these new biometric methods that could entail and iPhone containing a hidden sensor behind the screen that would recognize the user’s fingerprint.  Also, a front-facing camera could be used for retinal recognition.  Finally, the filling also puts forth the possibility of iPhones recognizing their user’s voice, as well as collecting DNA samples for recognizing a genetic code.

However, this particular patent came under fire when it was discovered that one of the drawings of the iPhone included some interesting applications.  In fact, the applications that were included are only available by “jailbreaking” an iPhone, or loading applications that are not approved by Apple.

While some think that this jailbroken iPhone was included on purpose, that may not be so.  The application does not reference jailbroken iPhones, and Apple maintains that the act of jailbreaking an iPhone is illegal.  It’s safe to say that Apple’s lawyers will have some explaining to do.

Apple Patents Laptop Handles

Is it possible that Apple finally got tired of having third parties make attachable handles for their laptops?  Or, is Apple ready to shed its customary “thin and sleek design?”  While the former seems a lot more probable than the latter, this debate recently arose with the filing of a new Apple patent.

As reported by Cult of Mac, Apple was recently granted a patent for a handle with an integrated heat pipe.  The patent application states that as designs for computers become more compact, “managing thermal loads in integrated circuits becomes more challenging.”  Thus, not only will this handle be used to carry the computer, it can help dissipate the heat the builds up inside the computer.  It is stated that this solution might actually work better than using a fan, as fans may significantly lower battery life as well as increase the noise level.

An example of an Apple computer that actually contained a handle was the iBook G3 Clamshell.  Unfortunately, the handle was removed on later models.  However, one must wonder if the handle is used to dissipate generated heat, will their laptop literally be too hot too handle?

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