Tag: patent

Apple new ‘digital handshake’ will be powered by invisible ink, according to patent

Apple has filed a new patent that will enable the use of next-generation cameras and invisible ink to negotiate digital handshakes.

Snap a picture of a cash register with a barcode and your iDevice will generate a unique ID to pair up. but in order to keep the technology secure, the codes would have to be painted on with “invisible” fluorescent coatings. Similarly to share information between 2 iPhones or iDevices, the screen of one will display the information while the camera from the other will simply click to transfer the info.

While the whole world is looking forward to NFC, you can leave it up to Apple to think of a different standard. Remember the whole world was using regular size sim cards before apple managed to make the Micro-sim a standard.

USPTO (1), USPTO (2)

December 3, 2011
Microsoft Asks Huawei to share its Android Profits

Huawei just got to know that Microsoft Patent teams are after their Android usage benefits. Just like HTC, Huawei is been a beneficiary of Microsoft’s initial up-process in terms of Mobile operations. So today when they start making a profit over Android OS they need to share their benefits, right? Well thats what Microsoft feels anyway.

“Microsoft has come to us, negotiations are in progress”

-Huawei chief marketing officer.

November 8, 2011
German court permanently bans Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Apple vs Samsung, Indian courts approached

German judge Johanna Brueckner-Hoffman has ruled in Apple’s favor on Friday by banning Samsung from selling its GALAXY Tab 1o.1 tablets in Germany.

The court is of the opinion that Apple’s minimalistic design isn’t the only technical solution to make a tablet computer, other designs are possible

– Said the Judge

Apple has also blocked Samsung from selling its GALAXY Tab 10.1 in Australia until a court there rules whether or not the tablet infringes on 10 of Apple’s patents. Apple has also approached the Indian courts to seek ban on sales of the Galaxy 750 in India. The benefit for Samsung here is that Apple will not be able to use the german courts ruling, because the name of the two devices is different. i.e. the Galaxy 750 in India and Galaxy Tab 10.1 rest of the world. Whether Samsung India was already expecting the legal battle is unknown.

Samsung, meanwhile, plans to appeal the ruling in a higher court and a spokesman said

We are disappointed with this ruling and believe it severely limits consumer choice in Germany.”

September 10, 2011
After EU Apple seeks to ban Samsung sales in Japan

It has happened so many times that we don’t even bother to care. Apple has moved to a Japanese and filed a new complaint against Samsung in Japan alleging that multiple Samsung devices infringe on its patents. Apple plans to ban sales of Samsung’s GALAXY S and GALAXY S II lines of smartphones, as well as its original GALAXY Tab Android tablet, Reuters reports.

Ryuji Yamada, CEO of Japanese provider NTT DoCoMo, is now saying that Apple’s lawsuit will not have any effect on next month’s Galaxy Tab launch. “We have heard from Samsung that there will be no obstruction to sales,” Yamada confirmed.

September 9, 2011
HTC takes aim, sues Apple using x-Motorola Patents

In the wonderful world of manufacturer patent-wars, a new twist has developed today. HTC has sued Apple using newly obtained firepower: nine patents picked up from Google last week. Theses patents have travelled from Palm – to Motorola – Google (who has bought Motorola) , Google transferred these patents to HTC last week, to power the HTC vs Apple suit.

HTC CFO had earlier said that HTC was trying to figure out and resolve problems with Apple. Looks like the sit down with Apple’s nasty lawyers didn’t work out for the Taiwanese Giant.

September 8, 2011
Apple Wins German injunction against Samsung, Galaxy Tab 7.7 removed from IFA

Apple has won the injunction filed in German Courts for the immediate halt in sales and display of the Samsung Galaxy Tablet. Several vendors in and across Europe have stopped selling the Galaxy Tablets launched this year. Samsung pulled its new Android tablet from both the IFA show floor and its German website on Saturday, in compliance with a Friday decision handed down by the same Düsseldorf Regional Court court that banned sales of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 last month. The 7.7-inch slate had previously been on display with a sticker that read “Not for sale in Germany,”.

Samsung said that it “respects the court’s decision,” and vowed to do everything it could to defend its intellectual property.

September 5, 2011
Microsoft Patent Applications Reveal a possible Dual Screen Tablet Future

Microsoft has been playing with the idea of a dual screen tablet for quite some time, remember the courier tablet? This time around MS is teasing the world of tech itself with the Tablet patent that promises a dual screen experience. Microsoft has been talking a lot about Windows 8 and a tablet specific OS.

MS has filed for multiple patents including, Muti-screen dual tap, on-off gesture, Muti Screen Pinch and expand, Muti-screen – Hold – Expand- page flip and radial gestures. Microsoft has not yet been awarded with these patents. But looks like the whole Tablet frenzy has been fueled by the Apple Patent Lawsuits.

August 27, 2011
Apple gets MagSafe patent for iOS based Portable devices

Apple ended the wire plug fury of Laptops, especially Apple laptops with the introduction of the magsafe connector in 2006. The Magsafe connector detaches on being pulled hence keeping the device safe when a clumsy owner trips over the wire.

This is not the case with the current iPhone and iPad connectors, making them vulnerable to damage. With this new patent , Apple hopes to end that war of man vs wire and with wireless syncs just a iOS update away, one can see magsafe power connectors in the next gen iDevices.

[USPTO]

August 18, 2011
German Court Removes Ban on Galaxy Tab 10.1 Sales in EU

The courts have gone in favor of Samsung and the Düsseldorf regional court in Germany announced on Tuesday that it is partially lifting its original injunction that banned Samsung from selling its Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet in all of the European Union excluding the Netherlands.

According to sources , an Official from the court said:

It is unclear if The Court has the ability or the power to ban the sales outside of Germany in the first place

Apple also recently banned the sale of the Galaxy Tab in Australia recently, yet Samsung is all set to appeal the ban on the 25th of Aug. The sale of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 will go undeterred in India. The bans could also be a possible reason for the name change of the tablets in India : the Galaxy 750 is the rebranded Galaxy tab 10.1 ( to avoid Apple’s radar?).

It also looks fruitless for Apple to file an injunction in India, since the Legal proceedings itself will take months and by then Samsung will be all sold out.

August 17, 2011
NOW : Airbags in cellphones

Amazon CEO has applied for a patent that is quite a shocker, or shock preventer. The latest patent may seem ridiculous at first, but if implemented may actually turn out to be a great idea.

The patent calls for a sensor and airbags built within the mobile device. The sensor will sense the falling motion of the device and deploy airbags before it hits the ground. There is also the inclusion of springs and air streams to orient the device along the airbag.

A technology like this seems practically impossible, but also did a touch screen phone that does everything a phone does today.

[USPTO]

August 16, 2011
Apple blocks sale of the Galaxy Tab in EU : Case in Germany

Apple has won a preliminary injunction to stop the sale of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet in the whole of the European Union except for the Netherlands. A new ruling by a regional court in Dusseldorf, Germany has granted Cupertino a preliminary injunction, blocking the sale and advertising of the Galaxy Tab 10.1.

Apple has a similar ongoing lawsuit in the Netherlands. Should Samsung continue to sell the tablet, the company could face fines of up to $350,000 for each violation. Apple also won the injection in Australia blocking the sale of the said tablet.

Samsung plans to appeal the injunctions, but the likely appeal will take about a month to be heard by the judge who granted the injunction.

August 10, 2011
Apple Faces Patent Infringement, For LG owned Fast Boot up process

A company called Operating Systems Solutions (OSS) is suing Apple for OS X’s fast booting operation.Apple’s function, seen the the Macbook Air launched this year, violates at least one protected claim, which details a four-step method for speedy booting, and involves files like config.sys and autoexec.bat.

The patent was originally granted to LG Electronics, back in 2002, but is now currently owned by Operating Systems Solutions (OSS).

[Patently Apple]

August 9, 2011
Apple vs Samsung – Apple denied a Sped up Suit

In the case of Apple vs Samsung, Samsung was earlier denied the motion to put a stop on sale of Apple products in the US which broke the patents held by Samsung. Apple went on to countersue and asked for a ban on sale of Samsung Products like the Galaxy Tab and Galaxy S2 / S among others. Apple has also asked to see upcoming products from the company to ensure that none of them violate trademark and copyright laws.

Whats more Apple had also asked for the Judge to speed up the hearing and briefing process. The court put Apple down by denying its request to compress the briefing schedule. The reson for denial is stated as “Apple’s knowledge of Samsung’s alleged infringement for more than a year and the fact it engaged in license negotiations with the Korean company during that time.”

[Order (PDF)]

July 14, 2011
HTC Tells Apple to not be a Nasty Sue Baby

Apple has been suing every bit of competition they find in the market including their latest attack target – HTC. In an attempt to weaken the morale of the folks at Cupertino HTC’s general counsel Grace Lei said:

HTC is disappointed at Apple’s constant attempts at litigations instead of competing fairly in the market.

This comes after a previous attempt from Apple to stop imports of products by HTC in the US. Final resolution of the previous case is due this month, while Apple has already planned ahead.

July 13, 2011
Apple Files second Patent Infringement Complaint against HTC – Shares Drop

Its only been a couple of months and Apple has slammed HTC with the second patent infringement case. The US International Trade Commission is reporting that HTC is being accused and is being asked to stop the import of “personal electronic devices”. Last year, Apple filed a separate action against HTC with the U.S. International Trade Commission, where HTC then leveled its own patent infringement claims against Apple. Preliminary rulings for those cases are expected this week.

Shares in the world’s No.5 handset maker, HTC Corp (2498.TW), tumbled more than 4 percent on Tuesday, after Apple Inc (AAPL.O) sued the company in a fresh complaint with a U.S. trade panel.

HTC said its net profit doubled in the second quarter, beating market expectations. But analysts suggested that because the operating income tracked forecasts, they expected shares of HTC would consolidate before the investor conference at the end of this month, when the company gives guidance for the third quarter. There are rumours out there that HTC would need to pay Apple T$20 billion ($693.64 million) in compensation.

That would lower down profit expectations considerably.

July 12, 2011