Collaborate Disseminate
Ben Klemens writes via Ars Technica: A landmark 2014 ruling by the Supreme Court called into question the validity of many software patents. In the wake of that ruling, countless broad software patents became invalid, dealing a blow to litigation-happy… Continue reading Software Patents Poised To Make a Comeback Under New Patent Office Rules
MikeChino writes: Is Apple branching out into clever clothing? On January 1, 2019, the tech giant was awarded an original design patent for “Fabric.” First filed for in September 2016, the “Fabric” patent shows a swatch of a ridged material in gray, da… Continue reading Apple Receives a New Patent For ‘Smart Fabric’
Google has patented motorized, omnidirectional virtual-reality sneakers that may solve the “limited space” problem associated with the interactive computer-generated experience. Ars Technica reports: Google’s patent describes what are essentially motor… Continue reading Google Patents Motorized, Omnidirectional VR Sneakers
An anonymous reader quotes a report from BuzzFeed News: Facebook has submitted a patent application for technology that would predict who your family and other household members are, based on images and captions posted to Facebook, as well as your devi… Continue reading Facebook Filed a Patent To Predict Your Household’s Demographics Based On Family Photos
mspohr shares a report from Ars Technica: In September 2018, Shipping & Transit LLC (formerly known as ArrivalStar) filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy — voluntary liquidation — but no one seems to have noticed until the Electronic Frontier Foundation… Continue reading Patent Troll Values Its Entire Portfolio At $2, Goes Bankrupt
Walmart recently applied to patent biometric shopping handles that would track a shopper’s heart rate, palm temperature, grip force, and walking speed. “The patent, titled ‘System And Method For A Biometric Feedback Cart Handle’ and published August 23… Continue reading Walmart Patents Cart That Reads Your Pulse, Temperature
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: A lone engineer has succeeded in doing what Uber’s top lawyers and expert witnesses could not — overturning most of a foundational patent covering arch-rival Waymo’s lidar laser ranging devices. F… Continue reading Vigilante Engineer Stops Waymo From Patenting Key Lidar Technology
Dean Takahashi, reporting for VentureBeat: Gil Hyatt has gotten many rewards from his days as an inventor. In 1990, he received a fundamental but controversial patent on what he called the first microprocessor, or computer on a chip. It was 22 years la… Continue reading 80-Year-Old Inventor Gil Hyatt Says Patent Office is Waiting For Him To Die
Tesla has filed a patent for automatic turn signals. The filing details a system that uses Autopilot sensors to determine when drivers are going to make a turn and signal automatically. CNET reports: Tesla wants its vehicles to signal automatically wit… Continue reading Tesla Files Patent For Automatic Turn Signals
Apple’s new patent applications hint at more touch-sensitive surfaces and virtual keyboards. From a report: In the wake of user complaints and multiple lawsuits concerning problems with the “butterfly switch” keyboard Apple has used in its laptops sinc… Continue reading The Touch Bar Could Replace the Keyboard on Future Macbooks