Tag Archives: patent

News

Apple iRing – New patent for smart ring

Image Leave a comment

Apple certainly leads innovation through the creation of smart devices, as has been recently seen through WatchOS 2.0. Now that the Apple Watch has reached a peak of development, their R&D team have their gaze focused upon an intelligent ring! Patents for the iRing reveal a smart ring that is capable of similar functionality and performance, to that of your iPhone! Whether we, the consumer, will see this unique device anytime soon is left to be seen, with many of Apple’s patents never reaching production. What have in the pipeline is however enough to peak interest, and leave many hoping for the arriving of the Apple iRing.

Details of the Patent Application

Apple’s Patent Application details a ring featuring a finger-mounted touch-screen, multiple processors, memory, built-in GPS microphone, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi network devices and a biometrics sensor, all of which hold extensive capabilities. The patent highlights hand writing recognition, voice commands and even wireless charging. Wireless charging functionality looks to have interesting implementations planned as can be seen in Apple’s patent application:

“ In other embodiments, the wireless power source is incorporated or integrated into an object or item upon which the user would place his or her hands on, or hold, for performing some other task, such as the steering wheel of a car, a computer mouse, a glove… “

Apple Ring Patent
Apple Ring Patent

Many Time-Saving Benefits

Plans to provide remote control and access to the iRing via cell phone are also covered in the patent. It is clear that Apple looks to expand upon their Apple Pay platform as their patent also explains utilizing NFC chip-set capabilities. Mobile payments are not the only planned benefit provided by the iRing, NFC functionality may provide user recognition to home appliances such as fridges, seen in this patent. Detailed biometrics are also planned, giving this intelligent ring the capability to deport heart rate details and more! Apple’s future iRing is a well thought-out technology that will bring many advanced, productivity enhancing benefits. A ring (that you cannot lose thanks to it’s built-in GPS) that enhances daily life more than a smart phone? I want one!

 

News

Samsung and Apple end patent disputes outside the USA

Image Leave a comment

According to Bloomberg, Apple and Samsung have dropped all patent disputes outside of the United States. The companies, two of the largest technology companies on Earth, agreed to drop lawsuits in Japan, South Korea, Japan, Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom.

No statement was made on any licensing agreements, and the two companies are still embroiled in battle in the United States. In a joint statement, the two companies write:

“Apple and Samsung have agreed to drop all litigation between the two companies outside the United States. This agreement does not involve any licensing arrangements, and the companies are continuing to pursue the existing cases in U.S. courts.”

The two companies have a “rich” history of litigating against each other over perceived patent infringements. Back in 2012 Apple secured a $1 billion victory over Samsung; and in 2013 both companies were found to have infringed on competing infrastructure patents. 

Over the last year both companies have shown a willingness to resolve these battles out of the courtroom. Apple resolved all patent disputes with Google and Motorola Mobility in May 2014. In June 2014, Apple agreed to stop seeking injunctions on some Samsung devices, which is a change of attitude in the tech giant.

Some analysts are expecting the two companies to come closer together on these patent issues, as Samsung has started to see significant competition from lower-end Android manufacturers. Despite the signs of peace, every attempt at agreeing on a licensing deal has been met with resistance on both sides.