New IBM Patent for Bionic Body Armor

Ever wonder what it would be like to dodge bullets like Neo in the Matrix?  Or be able avoid balls like Peter La Fleur and become a dodgeball champion?  Thanks to a new patent by IBM, these fantasies may not be far off.

According to Gizmodo, IBM has filed for a patent that would scan the area for incoming projectiles.  If one is detected, the system would deliver a shock to muscles, causing reflexive action away from the projectile.  As the patent application states:

The present invention relates generally to the protection of an individual against a projectile propelled from a firearm. More particularly, the present invention relates to a body armor system and its method of use that is capable of detecting a projectile propelled from a firearm, computing the trajectory of the projectile, and moving the individual out of the path of the projectile to avoid being hit.

Although this patent seems legitimate, it may be hard to take it seriously.  It may be tough for such a system to trigger a human movement that would be fast enough to dodge a bullet.  But then again, it may do wonders in dodgeball!

Cubist to File Suit against Teva

Earlier this week, Teva Parenteral Medicines announced they were filing a new drug application for a generic version of Cubicin, a product of Cubist Pharmaceuticals.  According to TradingMarkets.com, Cubist has responded by announcing that they will be filing a patent infringement lawsuit against Teva. 

Cubicin is a treatment for serious skin and bloodstream infections, and Cubist believes their patents prevent Teva from launching a generic version.  Yet, in their notice letter, Teva mentioned to the FDA that two patents for Cubicin expire in September 2019 and June 2016.  Teva maintains that they do not infringe on the patents, nor are the patents invalid.

If Cubist initiates a patent infringement lawsuit within 45 days of receiving the notice letter from Teva, then the FDA would not approve Teva’s drug application for 30 months, or until there was a court ruling on the matter.

“We have confidence in our patents and intend to assert our rights vigorously,” Michael W. Bonney, Cubist’s president and chief executive, said in a statement. “TPM’s filing in no way affects the priorities we have as a business. Our business goals and guidance for 2009 remain unchanged.”

Microsoft Milestone: Company Receives 10,000th Patent

Earlier this month, Microsoft received its 10,000th U.S. patent, securing its place among the top 5 patent recipients.  While this milestone represents many different accomplishments, it illustrates how Microsoft stepped up its rush to the patent office several years ago.

According to Cnet News, the 10,00th patent covers a technology used in computers similar to Microsoft’s Surface that link a real-world object with a set of data or images stored on a computer.  Yet, most of the attention surrounding the patent isn’t on the patent itself, but rather on the milestone it represents.

“Logging the 10,000th patent really is a testament to all of the innovation that has been taking place…Patents really are the currency of innovation in our industry,” said Microsoft chief patent counsel Bart Eppenauer.

Microsoft has definitely done its part to encourage innovation, as it gives workers up to $1,500 each time they apply for a patent as well as a cube with details on the invention.  If the patent is granted, the workers then receive a plaque that includes a copy of the first page of the patent application.  Microsoft currently employs 100 people in its patent group, including more than 40 attorneys, to handle the 2,500 to 3,000 U.S. patent applications it files each year.

Patents to Make Internet Safer for Children

Parents have long worried what type of content their children may be accessing on the internet.  But, thanks to three provisional patent applications filed by The Children’s Internet, Inc., parents can start to ease their worry.  A press release on Financial News USA states that although the patents were technically filed by The Children’s Internet Holding Company, they will soon officially be held by The Children’s Internet after a merger of the two.

The filed patents reportedly surround the filtering technology utilized by The Children’s Internet.  The company currently offers a service of pre-selected, pre-approved educational and entertaining web pages that can be accessed through a kid-friendly search engine.  Moreover, the company believes that this service is needed since a market research firm In-Stat, recently reported that the education and entertainment segments of electronic media are flourishing among children.

As stated by Richard J. Lewis III, the CEO of The Children’s Internet:

The internet can be a dangerous place and the proliferation of inappropriate content on the internet is problematic as many websites are simply not appropriate for children.  With the technology advancements we have recently filed provisional patents on, our security systems now uniquely and in a user friendly, real time way secure against inappropriate content and classify web sites according to appropriateness of content for age; in addition, we can now safely and uniquely use and retrieve intelligent email messages.

Hopefully, these new patents and technology will prevent inappropriate content from reaching children, but it all relies on parents actually using The Children’s Internet.

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.

Microsoft Patents Smartphone Docking Technology

In a recent filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Microsoft has apparently patented a smartphone docking technology that would allow the devices to connect to peripherals and networks.  The “smart system” would be similar to PCs, in that a smartphone cradle would allow the device to interface to peripherals, networks and large video displays through a USB connection, CIO reported.

For many years, Microsoft has publicly discussed how PCs and smart devices are reaching an intersection, and how PC technology will be available in smaller devices.  The filing seconds this notion by stating:

The cell phone is rapidly evolving into a smart communications device that can provide sufficient computing power and functionality to drive a wide variety of peripherals as well as access network services.  A major impediment to taking advantage of this evolving technology in the cell phone, for example, is the inability to connect the phone to peripheral devices and systems.

The iPhone is probably the first example of how the PC and the smartphone have crossed paths.  Although Microsoft has released a Zune music and video player to compete with the iPod, they have yet to release a Zune/Windows mobile device that could truly compete with the iPhone.  Perhaps this new patent will help keep Microsoft technology in the limelight while they invent their own answer to the iPhone.

iPhone to Add Video-Recording?

One common complaint that many iPhone owners have about their mobile device, is that it lacks any video-recording capabilities.  In fact, only those who jailbreak their iPhone can enjoy video recording with apps like Cycorder.  According to The Boy Genius Report, the patents revealed by Apple last week include details that hint at video recording for future iPhones.  As the patent states:

The device supports a variety of applications, such as one or more of the following: a telephone application, a video conferencing application, an e-mail application, an instant messaging application, a blogging application, a photo management application, a digital camera application, a digital video camera application, a Web browsing application, a digital music player application, and/or a digital video player application.

Since the patent only mentions a digital video camera and doesn’t provide any further detail, all anyone can do is speculate.  The patent also mentions potential apps for video-conferencing and many other cool features, but some are wondering if Apple included these potential features just to cover all their bases.  Until the release of the new iPhone, everyone will have to play the wait and see game.

History Revisited: Microwave Oven Patent

Although many people are unaware, last Saturday was the anniversary of a staple in the American kitchen – the microwave oven.  In a patent named “Method of Treating Foodstuffs,” the inventor Dr. Percy L. Spencer, describes the way he had to alter the radar tubes that would cook foods way too fast.  He had to tune the magnetron tubes to produce wavelengths with less energy, in order to keep the cooking controlled and heat food more slowly.

The patent, which was applied for on October 8th, 1945, states:

[Spencer] found that at frequencies of this order of magnitude (50 megacycles), the energy necessarily expended in order to generate sufficient heat to satisfactorily cook the foodstuff is much too high to permit the practical use of the process.  I have further found, however, that this disadvantage may be eliminated by employing wave lengths falling in the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum for example, wave lengths of the order of 10 centimeters or less.  By so doing….the entire process becomes efficient and commercially feasible.

One must wonder when this technology would have been invented if Spencer hadn’t noted that a chocolate bar in his shirt pocket melted when he was working around an operating radar tube.  But, the technology was finally granted on January 24, 1950, and as they say, the rest is history.

Teen Goalie Applies for Design Patent to Shutout Opposition

Athletes are always looking for a competitive edge.  Only a few, however, have the motivation and know how to create an edge all by themselves.

One such athlete is high school senior Trevor Leahy, who is a hockey goaltender for Pingree School in Massachusetts.  As reported on Boston.com, Leahy recently used computer skills he learned in a graphic design class to sketch new leg pads that blend into the goal netting behind him.  He wanted pads, a trapper, and blockers that are white with a raised double-stitched design, just like the goal.  As Leahy said, “When the shooter comes down and only has a split second to shoot the puck, they’re looking for net.  If you put the net on the pad, they’ll shoot at the pad instead of the goal.”

Darren Stomp, a custom pad maker from Ontario, designed Leahy’s equipment but it wasn’t the first time goaltenders asked him to make other cosmetic designs.  However, as Stomp said, “It might be the most clever idea.  I don’t think there’s any question it will work, although to what degree depends on the shooter and the situation.”

Leahy applied for a design patent last February, and it is pending.  He received the pads on November 29, and began using them in practice and then in games.  Since then, he has registered two shutouts and has a goals-against average under 2.00.

Pingree coach Buddy Taft said, “It all makes sense.  I’m not sure if there’s any effective way to test their success, but he’s played pretty well.”

One of Pingree’s top scorers, Matt MacDonald, said that the illusion is effective when there’s a scramble in front of the net and they need to shoot quickly.   “When you’re in close and you don’t have a lot of time to think, it does catch your eye, and you do shoot toward it sometimes.” 

As to what will happen to the pads after this season is unclear.  Leahy said he would like to play hockey in college, and wants to market the idea.

Apple Publishes Patents for More GPS Services

The United States Patent and Trademark Office recently published several Apple patents that relate to GPS and location-based services.  As reported on The Register, these patents demonstrate Apple’s ongoing efforts to enhance location services in the iPhone and iPod touch.

One of the patents is titled “Route Reference,” and it describes a process in which a user tells the device that they are going on a trip.  The device then tracks the route of the trip and saves the route for later reference.

Another application is titled “Integration of Map Services and User Applications in a Mobile Device.”  This application describes  the ability of a mobile device to link its contact database with its location while also displaying the location of those contacts on a map.  Another application called “Location-Based Services” builds upon this application by having the device also suggest locations or routes based upon how applications of the device are being used.

Another application, “Adaptive Mobile Device Navigation,” describes a method by which a user’s changing location is “estimated” from a chosen starting point on a map.  It would be accomplished through comparing motion-sensor data with map-based information.  One possible application of this patent is that users would be prompted to verify their position by being seeing images that the device believes to correspond to that location.

Since Apple submitted so many applications, only some of the products may find their way into future products.  However, Apple appears to be preparing for the future with their mobile devices.

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