Patently Mobile

Google Patent Reveals a QWERTY Styled Smartphone Design

Yesterday, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Google that reveals a QWERTY styled smartphone design. It appears that with RIM on the ropes, Google want's to swoop in with a design that incorporates a hard key styled QWERTY keyboard that Blackberry fans are familiar with. Considering that the design was engineered and lead by Google's Senior Vice President of Mobile, Andy Rubin, you know that this is likely to be a priority project. And to prove this point, the original patent application was only filed in January of this year. The fact that it's being published just four months later is something to behold. The only question remaining is: will they be fast tracking this project to market? Only time will tell.

Samsung Invents Hybrid Smartphone Case & Thinner Displays

Several Samsung mobile device-related patent applications surfaced at the US Patent & Trademark Office earlier this month that are noteworthy. The first one covers a new hybrid smartphone and tablet case that could uniquely double as a stand or cradle. The case's design uses a magnetic substance that supports the device when used as a stand. The second invention relates to a method of manufacturing thinner displays that could match the current iPhone. The third and final invention illustrates that Samsung is considering a retractable external antenna for future smartphones that could provide stronger reception.

Samsung Invents Implantable Medical Device for the Brain

We recently learned, via a CNN Special report, that experimental procedures involving electrodes strategically implanted into the human brain could be the next door to be opened in the medical field for treating severe depression. During that same week, the US Patent and Trademark Office published an invention from Samsung that relates to a new implantable medical device (IMD) that not only will monitor a patience heart but also their brain's physiological and pathological states.

Microsoft Invents Body Tracking System for Video Conferencing

The US Patent and Trademark Office have published a patent application from Microsoft that reveals that the software giant has their eye on a next generation Video Conferencing system. The technology that will make this system unique from any of their competitors is that the video camera associated with the new software will be trained to follow the user's body within a given space in a living room for instance. So as you move about, the camera will be able to follow you and keep you in focus and in the center of the frame. This certainly looks like it could be a winner for Microsoft, but only time will tell.

Microsoft Invents Cool Two Sided Smartphone Display System

 Microsoft's next generation of engineers are breathing some new creative life into the company. For the last few weeks a number of very cool Microsoft ideas have been rolling out of the US Patent and Trademark Office. We began this week with a Microsoft patent application covering hand gesturing for future tablets and we'll finish the week off with a new Microsoft invention relating to a two sided smart-device display system for phones, tablets and beyond.

Microsoft Reveals Hand Gesturing System for Tablets & Beyond

Microsoft has revealed in a newly minted patent application that they're bringing real-time hand-gesturing to tablets, tabletops and beyond. A second aspect of this project relates to a pico-like projector system that is so secret that Microsoft openly confesses that they'll only talk about it as a concept and reveal the details about it at a later date. Whether this technology is being designed for Intel's 2013 Haswell processor based Ultrabooks is unknown at this time – but it sure would add a little excitement to their next generation hybrid notebook-tablets. And if they want to steal a little of Apple's magical thunder, then it's going to take these types of features to do it.  

Microsoft Invents Ruggedized Displays for "Surface" Devices

Microsoft's invention for ruggedized displays for future Surface devices has come to light courtesy of the US Patent and Trademark Office. The displays are of course designed to withstand the natural everyday functions that a table in your home would experience – be it laying down a hot cup of coffee or leaning into the table with your elbows while playing a game. Microsoft's patent application reveals that that the range of displays will cover a kiosk styled tabletop product right on through to a full 40 inch display.  

Intel's MacBook Air Counter Attack Kick-Starts this Friday

 

Intel and the entire tech industry have been preparing for the MacBook Air Counter Attack since June 2011. Today, Intel has announced that their official Ultrabook campaign kick starts this Friday. The Intel lead Ultrabook is a copycat styled MacBook Air. By next year, the Ultrabook powered by Intel's next generation processor called "Haswell" will introduce a hybrid notebook-tablet from factor that is bound to help the PC sector gain back some ground on Apple. Our report presents some of Intel's thoughts about their new Ultrabook campaign.  

Google+ Patent Reveals New Ghost Profiling Program

One of Google's latest patent applications reveal how they want to encourage more of the hesitate public to give their social networking service "Google+" a try. Google's latest invention relates to generating a ghost profile in Google+ for new users. The new profile is set up to make joining Google+ quick and easy. More importantly it's designed to not push for too much personal information to make new users feel at ease with their social networking service process. Google is attempting to remove some the negative objectives associated with joining a social networking service which appears to be a clear swipe at Facebook. 

Google Breaks Ground In New Data Center in Taiwan

The news out of Taiwan today is that Google Inc. has officially broken ground for the construction of a data center in Changhua County that will be the largest of its three data centers in Asia. According to the report, Google will invest over US$300 million in the project, going over the US$100 million that was originally announced last September.  

US Patent Office Close to Approving Google's Trusted Store Mark

On April 3, 2012, the US Patent & Trademark Office published an update to Google's application for a certification mark related to their "Google Trusted Store" program. The update notifies the public that Google's mark has now passed the publication & issues review stage; a sign that the mark could be approved by the time summer rolls around. Today's report specifically covers Google's application for the "Trusted Store" mark while providing a basic overview of what Google's program is all about.  

Google's App Engine and Google Play Trademarks Surface

The latest updates for Google Trademarks were published this week and listed are "Google Play" and their "Google App Engine." Google Play was introduced earlier this month when Google rebranded its predecessor "Android Market" and Google Music services. Google Play is a digital content service from Google which includes an online store for music, movies, books, and Android apps and games, as well as a cloud media player. Their trademark filing is for the name Google Play and not the logo. The other trademark application update was for the Google App Engine logo. Google has since stylized their logo as illustrated in our cover graphic.