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.

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The company also patented two industrial designs already in use, one for the outdated iPod shuffle as well as a USB connector cable to iPods and iPhones.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.

Apple Filings Hint at Future Battery Hub

Three Apple patent applications have recently surfaced, suggesting that the company may soon be producing a battery hub.  This device would charge batteries from different gadgets at the same location, according to Geek.com.

In an image submitted with the patent, a hosting machine has a slot on the side to recharge batteries.  The same device can also use wireless communication to monitor the level of charge that the other batteries have left.  The third patent describes “intelligent universal rechargeable batteries” where end caps of the batteries could be swapped out, giving the battery a new life.

If these patents are actually implemented in future Apple products, it would signal a complete turn around as Apple has notoriously sealed its batteries inside their devices.  The iPod, iPhone, MacBook Air, and 17-inch MacBook Pro all have their batteries locked on the inside.  Only the MacBook and 15-inch MacBook Pro have user-serviceable batteries.

Of course, one must remember that patent filings are not necessarily indicative of future products.  Although Apple may continue to lock its batteries inside their devices, it’s promising that they are looking “outside the box.”

Apple Granted Patents for a Touch Tablet

It seems as if every other day, news of a new Apple patent floods the IP community.  Today, new rumors have surfaced, this time surrounding a possible Apple tablet computer.  According to Electronista, Apple has been awarded several patents that carry the title “Display Housing for Computing Device.”  The patent describes several different configurations that would also feature a seven to nine inch screen. 

Some of the patented claims include a logo on the back panel that is illuminated by the light from the screen, similar to the current logos on the back of MacBooks.  The possible arrangements of a device in this patent include hinged notebooks, as well as a tablet-like arrangement with the circuit board located between the screen and back panel.

Still, just because Apple was granted a patent, it doesn’t mean that this device will actually materialize into a product.  However, it seems as if Apple may be pretty serious about this device as it has previously tossed around the idea of a tablet.  Last August, a filed patent provided details of a touchscreen device that was larger than an iPhone or an iPod.

Palm Remains Confident Against Possible Apple Lawsuits

With the new Palm Pre attracting much of the attention around the technology industry, many have speculated that Apple will litigate over violation of its touch-screen patents.  According to Electonista, however, Palm is confident that it can shoot down any patent lawsuits from Apple.

Last week, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that they would aggressively defend their intellectual property if the Pre infringed on its patents.  Palm responded by stating that it has many of its own “fundamental patents” for mobile devices, which would held fend off any patent challenges.  In fact, Palm is often credited with inventing the smartphone through the Treo, and includes single-touch screens with every smartphone it makes.

Palm Spokeswoman Lynn Fox said, “Palm has a long history of innovation that is reflected in our products and robust patent portfolio.  If faced with legal action, we are confident that we have the tools necessary to defend ourselves.”

One similarity that Palm shares with Apple is Jon Rubenstein, who is the current head of research and development for Palm.  Rubenstein is widely known for his work on the iPod and other Apple products, and since leaving for Palm, has employed many former Apple employees.