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.

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.

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 Named in Two New Lawsuits

As if the lawyers for Apple weren’t already busy enough, Affinity Labs of Texas LLC has accused the company of infringing on three patents.  The patents are titled “System and method for Communicating Selected Information to an Electronic Device,” “Audio System and Method,” and “Content Delivery System and Method.”  According to Ars Technica, Affinity Labs claims that these patents cover buying songs from the iTunes store, and downloading songs from iTunes onto an iPod or iPhone.  It is also claimed that these patents cover playing digital audio on an iPod or iPhone with external speakers.

Before reacting to this news, it should be mentioned that the lawsuit was filed in patent infringement-friendly Eastern Texas.  Also, the patents seem to be a bit broad, since it seems as if they would apply to every audio device that plays digital audio.  Affinity Labs has similar suits pending against car manufacturers, in which the defendants have filed countersuits.  Can you say “patent troll?”

Accolade Systems LLC has also named Apple in a lawsuit, after it named Micron and Aptina as defendants as well.  Accolade claims that their patent, “Method and Apparatus for Detecting Camera Sensor Intensity Saturation,” is violated by Apple as the iPhone automatically adjusts the brightness of a screen based on surrounding light.  Other cellphones and products also have this feature, so it remains unclear as to why the suit is being launched against Apple.

While it seems as if Apple may be able to wiggle its way out of these lawsuits, Apple’s bottom line may be hurt as it still must pay money to defend itself.

iPhone Faces Suit Over its Role as E-Book Reader

It appears as if Apple has been named as a defendant in a recent suit filed by Monec Holding.  According to CNET News, Monec accuses Apple of “patent infringement, unfair trade practices, monopolization, and tortuous interference for allegedly treading on its January 2002 patent.”  That patent is titled “Electronic device, preferably an electronic book.”

Monec’s claims center around Apple’s reading applications for the iPhone, which make the phone an eBook reader.  Supposedly, this violates Monec’s patent filed for a lightweight electronic device with a touchscreen, that can display a page of a book at normal size.

Some have speculated that this lawsuit may have been started by Amazon’s Kindle for iPhone e-book reader software that is now in Apple’s App Store.  However, it seems as if Monec’s claims may be a bit too general for this lawsuit to ruled in the plantiff’s favor.

Flurry of New Apple Patents

Those at Apple had plenty to celebrate yesterday.  Besides it being St. Patrick’s Day, the company was also granted five new patents by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

According to iPodNN, one of the new patents is for an iPod dock to fit in a car’s cup holder.  This patent would create a solid mount in a car for the iPod, while also having the ability to charge the device.  The patent was filed in 2005, and there seems to be many different iPod chargers that resemble this filing, making it unlikely that this patent will end up on the market.

The company also patented two industrial designs already in use, one for the outdated iPod shuffle as well as a USB connector cable to iPods and iPhones.  Lastly, Apple was also granted a patent that describes special circuitry in a power supply.  This device would  be used to control the deliver of power to other devices, and trigger a shutdown in case of any serious errors.

iPhone Patents ‘Now Playing’ App

For those that are familiar with iPhones, odds are that you’re also familiar with the “Now Playing” application.  But for those who are unfamiliar, this application allows users to log into the iTunes music store at a location such as Starbucks, and instantly see what song is playing in the store as well as browse and buy other music.  Well, according to Unwired View, it appears as if Apple has received a patent specifically for this app.

The patent explains how a media store server can be placed at a local retail location, such as Starbucks, and the iPhone, Macbook or iPod touch can follow that music that is being played.  The associated information can be than beamed into the device by a Wi-Fi network.

Some think that Apple patented this application to avoid it being stolen by Palm or Nokia.  But this app can also be used in various promotions, such as buy an additional coffee and get a free song.  However, whether Apple will use app this way remains to be seen.

Apple Faces New Lawsuit Regarding iPhone

With Apple recently receiving their massive multi-touch patent, many suspect that Apple will play the role as litigator in any upcoming patent lawsuit.  However, Scottish mobile technology firm, Picsel, recently filed a suit that has cast Apple as the role of defendant.  According to MocoNews, Picsel is claiming that the iPhone and iPod touch use a key element of Picsel’s “rapid redraw” mobile screen navigation technology.

The suit alleges Apple of making, selling, and distributing phones that infringe on Picsel’s patent.  Picsel claims that the devices use the rendering technology which prevents long delays while zooming and panning through web pages and documents.  Picsel claims to have invested millions in the technology, which includes implementing it in more than 250 million devices.

Although Apple has not commented, they did issue this filing last November after admitting they were involved in 20 legal cases:

Because of technological changes in the computer, digital music player and mobile communications industries, current extensive patent coverage, and the rapid rate of issuance of new patents, it is possible certain components of the Company’s products and business methods may unknowingly infringe existing patents or intellectual property rights of others.

By issuing such a statement, does Apple seem a bit hypocritical if they litigate against other companies?  Also, doesn’t such a statement indirectly support those against software patents?

Palm Not Concerned with Apple Threats

Should Palm be worried about a possible legal battle with Apple over the upcoming release of the Palm Pre?  While many are speculating about the prospect of a lawsuit, Palm is giving the appearance that all is well.

According to The Register, Palm CEO Ed Colligan recently told investors that there would be no more PalmOS devices after the Centro, and the Pre will not be limited to software downloaded from Palm’s Software Store.  Colligan also addressed the possibility of a lawsuit from Apple, “If something does happen there, we do have the [patent] portfolio, we think, to defend ourselves and to be successful doing that.  But nothing’s happened to date, so we’re really just focused on getting the product out the door.”

Speculation about a possible lawsuit began when Apple’s chief Tim Cook said this famous quote a couple of weeks ago: “We like competition as long as they don’t rip off our IP – and if they do, we’re going to go after anyone who does.”

Google Complied With Apple’s Request for Android

Released last October, many complained that T-Mobile’s G1 did not have multi-touch technology.  The reason?  According to Venture Beat, the G1 is based on Google’s Android platform, and Apple asked Google not to implement multi-touch technology.

Apparently, an Android team member said they were relieved that Google didn’t go against Apple’s wishes, given the current storm brewing between Apple and Palm.  Furthermore, by honoring Apple’s wishes, Google’s relationship with the company can remain strong.

Google specially tailors many of their products for the iPhone, such as Google Maps and other formatted web pages.  Furthermore, Google’s chief executive, Eric Schmidt, is on Apple’s board of directors.

While Google complied with this wish from Apple, some wonder if multi-touch will become so important that Google will be forced to implement multi-touch in the Android.  Such a question may depend on the course of events that follow Palm’s release of the Pre.  If Palm is allowed to keep multi-touch for their phone, Google will be forced to implement multi-touch in the Android.

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