Patently Mobile

Future Samsung Devices Could Intro Motion Triggered Interfaces

The US Patent & Trademark Office recently published a patent application from Samsung regarding future mobile device functionality. More specifically, Samsung's invention is designed to provide consumers with a more intuitive input-related user interface by combining sensing technology with an input method of a mobile device. Further, the present invention maximizes the convenience of the user by reducing the input steps for a prompt instruction performance.

 

Patent Bolt's New Home Button is ready for Download

Patent Bolt's new smart device Home Page Button is now available for download. I'd like to thank TypePad's service/help desk representative Colleen for going beyond the call of duty in assisting me in getting the new buttons out in record time this week. Our new Patent Bolt Home Button now matches our Twitter and Facebook logos. I'd also like to thank another one of our fans from Norway by the name of Terry who asked us to adopt Disqus for our comment section. Both changes were implemented in the last 72 hours. I greatly appreciate constructive feedback and, when we can make changes, we will. Cheers!

LG Patent Reveals Unique Wireless Charging System Worth Noting

The US Patent & Trademark Office recently published a patent application from LG Electronics that revealed a new smartphone and/or tablet wireless charging system in the works. LG notes that preferably, the wireless power transmitting unit will transform the power into the magnetic field that could share power with other devices. Cool.

Samsung Seeks Patent for Smart Transparent Displays

The US Patent & Trademark Office recently published a patent application from Samsung revealing a new smart transparent display system that will be applicable to a head up display (HUD) system, a helmet mount display (MHD) system, a laptop computer, a PC monitor, a TV, a PDA, a tablet PC and into new areas like vehicle windshields and very interesting future retail applications. Samsung has been working on transparent displays for years and today's patent demonstrates their dedication to this project which could have sweeping applications in the future.

Google Seeks Patent for Functional Carrying Case for "Glass"

Most carrying cases that show up in a simple Google search for a future Glass carrying case are those made of a soft material that resemble a big pouch. Recently a Google patent application surfaced at the US Patent Office which indicates that they have a patent pending higher end carrying case on the drawing board that has a few tricks up its sleeve. Our report sheds some light on these features with one of them being an integrated Thunderbolt port. 

Google Invents a New Way of Creating a Wall Size Display

Google is known for delving into the driverless car and the upcoming wearable computer that they simply call Glass. Driving the company in surprising new directions is something that they relish. Recently, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Google that reveals yet another off-beat product that is on their minds. They've designed a new way of creating a wall size display that's cost effective using a seamless display panel tilting method that uses an optical expansion layer and flexible displays to eliminate distortion.

Samsung Granted a Design Patent for Smart Glasses in Korea

The Korea Intellectual Property Rights Information Service said on Friday that Samsung has been granted a patent for smart glasses. The move follows its launch of the smart watch Galaxy Gear in September, and reflects Samsung's efforts to strengthen its wearable technology.

Samsung files Four Major Flex Display Patents in the US

On October ninth Patent Bolt posted a report noting that Samsung's curved smartphone design patent had come to life. Since that time the US Patent and Trademark Office has published several new Samsung patents about advancing flexible displays. One specific patent that was originally filed in April acts as a foundational patent in that it covers the widest imaginable array of deformable display types that will either flex, fold or scroll.

 

Google Invents Unique Pressure Sensitive Smartphone Structure

A new Google patent application that was recently published by the US Patent & Trademark Office reveals an ambitiously unique invention that relates to the construction of a future Android smartphone structure. The structure would be pressure sensitive to user directed squeezes and other physical gestures to control applications in a more intuitive manner than by touchscreen alone. As smartphones are now in the five inch range and beyond, the new gestures will assist users to control applications beyond the traditional use of a single hand and thumb control methodology. Each application will be uniquely tied to various specific controls via Google's new gesturing mechanism using a strain gauge that'll be integrated into the structure of a future smartphone. In theory, Google might be unto something here.

Google Invents Floating Navigational Controls for Tablets

The US Patent & Trademark Office recently published a patent application from Google that revealed new floating navigational controls for a future Android tablet. Additionally, Google is shown to be contemplating the use of biometrics in future tablets so that different user settings could be automatically set depending on who is using the tablet within your home.

New Google Wallet NFC Feature Coming to Android Smartphones

Earlier this month the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Google that reveals a new Google Wallet NFC feature coming to future Android smartphones. Google's invention specifically relates to systems and methods that will enable future Android smartphone users to have the choice of changing or deleting payment providers as they see fit rather than the smartphone OEM locking you into a particular payment provider such as Visa. Considering that a new wave of Android smartphones will be incorporating fingerprint sensors as an added Google Wallet security feature in 2014, Google's latest patent pending idea is timely.

Samsung's Curved Display Smartphone Patent Comes to Life

It's being reported today by the Korean Press that Samsung will officially launch the world's first curved display smartphone called the "Galaxy Round" Tomorrow. Patent Bolt first uncovered Samsung's design patent back in May of this year.

Samsung Granted New Design Patents for e-Pen, Tablet & More

On October 08, 2013, The US Patent and Trademark Office Granted Samsung Electronics a series of granted design patents covering such future products as a new tablet, multimedia device, e-Pen and more. The e-Pen is designated a "Pen for an electroinic bullletin board." It's tip, as shown in our cover graphic, appears to be a thin a sharp design to represent a writing pen as opposed to one for drawing. Samsung's multimedia device illustrates a slightly curved display in the bottom portion of the device.

Google Seeks Patent for Specialized In-Vehicle Gesture System

There's been much written about Google's driverless car project which involves developing technology for autonomous cars. The software powering Google's future driverless cars is dubbed "Google Chauffeur." Some say the project is being geared for 2015 to 2020 time frame. Nissan has already gone out on a limb and promised a driverless car for 2017. Until such time, Apple will be introducing "iOS for the Car" in late 2014 with more than 15 car models on board their project. They also have an advanced patent for future versions of their in-vehicle system. Yet before Google enters the driverless vehicle market, they're seeking a patent for a specialized in-vehicle gestures system to control every facet of a vehicle from the stereo right down to the air conditioner and everything in between.

Microsoft was hammered by Six Patent Troll Lawsuits this Week

Last week Microsoft was hammered by a series patent infringement lawsuits from non-practicing entities or patent trolls. None the plaintiff's patents were originally filed by themselves. They were all acquired patents where they took possession of the patents by being an exclusive licensee solely for the purpose of suing Microsoft and others. They argue about patent claims rather than Microsoft actually infringing a product that they make. In this particular report we cover six patent trolls that claim that Microsoft products such MediaRoom, the Surface tablet and Microsoft.net Profiling API infringe their patents.

Cellular Communications Equipment Sues Microsoft with Nokia Patent

A non-practicing Entity or Patent Troll by the name of Cellular Communications Equipment has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Microsoft using a 2004 Nokia Corporation patent. The company believes that Microsoft's Surface tablets infringe on their patent.

Google Seeks 'Glass' Patent for Frame and Prescription Lenses

Earlier this quarter, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Google that revealed a new method for Google Glass to incorporate prescription or variant lenses into Glass without diminishing the cool look of the device. This will certainly be applauded by more than half of the population that wears prescription glasses today thinking that were going to lose out on buying into the first real next wave of wearable computers. Google's version of prescription Glass will support a wide array of lenses including bifocals and beyond. Our report also covers Google's latest trademark application for "Glassware."

Samsung Introduces Camera Module 8X Brighter in Low Light

According to a foreign press report, Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co Ltd has developed a new 13-Mpixel camera module with an optical anti-shake function for smartphones and mobile phones. The company plans to begin volume production in the first half of 2014.

Samsung Invents a Flex Display with Floating Screen Structure

A few days ago Samsung let it be known that a smartphone with a flexible display would ship later in the holiday quarter. The Korean press quoted Samsung's SDI CEO Park Sang-jin stating last Wednesday that "The newly launched curved phones will not be completely flexible" adding that "We have developed the technology to make batteries a little curved and to fix them after being bent." The slightly curved flexible display could very well resemble the curvature illustrated in Samsung's granted design patent that we covered back in May. In today's report we cover Samsung's latest invention relating to a flexible display with an integrated floating screen structure. The unique aspect to this invention relates to the flex display being able to create a particular spot on the display that protrudes in a physical 3D-like effect using next generation haptics. The effect will be triggered by events that are programmed into tags hidden in future TV commercials and/or other video content such as movies.