This was a busy week for Samsung's legal team filing new trademarks. Their latest trademark was filed on Tuesday for "Glastyle," that relates to displays and video displays for "ultra-mobile" computers. Alone it means little, but in connection with other key trademark filings this week for "Gear W," and "Samsung Wheel UX," we're able to see a concerted pattern that may suggest that Samsung may be preparing for a future, if not next-generation, Gear Smartwatch.
Trademark: Glastyle
The latest trademark filed by Samsung was from their display division for "Glastyle that covers ultra-mobile PCs and more. Samsung filed their trademark under International Class 009 which specifically listed the following description:
"Computer monitors; video monitors; computers; TV receivers; cathode-ray tubes; plasma display panels; flat panel displays in the nature of field emission displays; diodes; mobile telephones; video displays for mobile phones; MP3 players; video displays for MP3 players; MP4 players; video displays for MP4 players; portable multimedia players; video displays for portable multimedia players; navigation apparatus for vehicles in the nature of on-board computers; video displays for navigation apparatus; digital audio players; video displays for digital audio players; cameras; video displays for cameras; camcorders; video displays for camcorders; field emission displays; TV monitors; ultra-mobile PCs; displays for ultra-mobile PCs; video displays for ultra-mobile PCs; tablet computers" Samsung didn't clarify if "ultra-mobile PC" covered a wearable device.
Trademark: Gear W
Samsung Electronics filed for "Gear W" July 20th which of course is paving the way for a next-gen Gear smartwatch. Technically Samsung filed their trademark under International Classes 009 and 014 with the specific description as follows:
Class 009: "Mobile telephones; Wearable computer peripherals; Wearable peripherals for computers, cellphones, and mobile data receivers; Wearable computers; Wearable mobile phones, namely, wearable digital electronic devices comprised primarily of a mobile phone; Smartphones in the shape of a watch, namely, wearable digital electronic device comprised primarily of software and display screens for viewing, sending and receiving texts, emails, data and information from smart phones, tablet computers and portable computers and also featuring a wristwatch; Mobile devices, namely, smartphones in the shape of watchbands namely, wearable digital electronic device comprised primarily of software and display screens for viewing, sending and receiving texts, emails, data and information from smart phones, tablet computers and portable computers and also featuring a watchband."
Class 014: "Clocks; Watch clasps; Watchbands; Watch straps; Wristwatches; Electronic clocks and watches; Smartphones in the shape of a watch, namely, smart watches comprised primarily of a wristwatch also featuring a telephone, software and display screens for viewing, sending and receiving texts, emails, data and information; Mobile devices being wearable digital electronic smart watches and smart watchband processors comprised primarily of a wristwatch also featuring a telephone, software, and display screens for viewing, sending and receiving texts, emails, data and information."
Trademark: Samsung Wheel UX
On the same day that Samsung Electronics filed for "Gear W," they also filed for "Samsung Wheel UX," which could be the most important trademark filed this week and perhaps this year. Samsung filed their trademark under International classes 014 (which is the same as for Gear W above) and 009 which covers different specifics that was covered in Gear W. The specifics are as follows:
"Computer software, namely, computer operating system software; software for use in authoring, downloading, transmitting, receiving, editing, extracting, encoding, decoding, playing, storing and organizing text, data, audio, video and still images; software for the automatic configuration of computer networks, programs, peripherals, hardware and other computer devices, internet browsing software; computer utility software; computer programs for personal information management; computer programs for database management; electronic mail and instant messaging software; computer programs for accessing, browsing and searching online databases; computer software for communication between multiple computers and between computers and local and global computer networks; computer software for communication between computers and home entertainment systems; multimedia computer software for the reproduction, processing and streaming of audio, video, and other digital content; computer software for data backup; computer software for protecting, restoring and recovering data; mobile telephones; Digital cameras; Portable media player; Portable computers; Wireless headsets for mobile phones; Wireless headsets for smart phones; Wireless headsets for tablet computers; Rechargeable electric batteries; Battery chargers; Leather cases for mobile phones; Leather cases for smart phones; Leather cases for tablet computers; Protective flip covers for mobile phones, Protective flip covers for smart phones; Protective flip covers for tablet computers; Tablet computers; Wearable computer peripherals; Wearable peripherals for computers, cellphones, and mobile data receivers; Wearable computers; Wearable mobile phones, namely, wearable digital electronic devices comprised primarily of a mobile phone; Smartphones in the shape of a watch, namely, wearable digital electronic device comprised primarily of software and display screens for viewing, sending and receiving texts, emails, data and information from smart phones, tablet computers and portable computers and also featuring a wristwatch; Mobile devices, namely, smartphones in the shape of watchbands, namely, wearable digital electronic device comprised primarily of software and display screens for viewing, sending and receiving texts, emails, data and information from smart phones, tablet computers and portable computers, and also featuring a watchband.
Could Samsung's "Gear W' Smartwatch take a Giant Leap Forward?
Now with the Apple Watch roaring into the market and overtaking Samsung Gear in record speed, Samsung may be ready to take their smartwatch to the next level so as to enable them to better compete in the smartwatch market later this year.
Samsung's Wheel UX trademark strongly suggests a new interface that is geared toward a round wheel design as Patently Mobile first covered in detail back in June 2014 in a report titled "Samsung Reveals New Circular Interface Smartwatch with Rotating Ring Controller, 3 Gesture Levels, a new Charger & More." Some of the images from that report are noted below.
The design covered a bold new user interface with a rotatable ring to control the interface which could go a long way in Challenging Apple's new "Digital Crown" feature. The design is also noted as supporting the watch's interface to be used as a pendant which would support the Glastyle's aim to support "ultra-portable" computer designs.
In July and again in November 2014 Samsung was granted design patents from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a series of round watch designs and a round charger similar to the one that the Apple Watch uses. And lastly, this past January Samsung filed another patent application regarding a round user interface for a schedule and calendar application. Samsung's patents since 2014 have been single minded on a round interface and not on the current oblong design.
If Samsung is to challenge the Apple Watch this holiday season, then they'll definitely need to reinvent their smartwatch as their patents suggest. Samsung needs to deliver more style and punch to grab consumer's attention away from arch rival's new smartwatch. The new "wheel UX" could be what it takes to make a dent. Will Samsung be able to deliver this new design in time for the holiday season this year? Only time will tell.
Patently Mobile presents a basic summary of new trademark filings with their associated graphics for journalistic news purposes as each such trademark is revealed by the U.S. and/or other foreign Patent & Trademark Offices. This category covers a few Industrial Design reports each year while others could be found in our granted patent archives. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any trademark application should be read in its entirety for further details. About Comments: Patently Mobile reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit comments.
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