iphone Apple applies for optical stylus patent, Hell reports coldest day on record

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Apple applies for optical stylus patent, Hell reports coldest day on record

Apple has famously shunned the humble stylus, so it's fair to say we're more than a little curious about why it's filed a patent application for one. The "optical stylus" mentioned seems simple enough. The claims outline the brains to interpret your doodlings, as well pressure and orientation. Beyond that, well, it's more or less just a stylus. While we suspected the team at Cupertino were fans of Draw Something, we didn't think they'd take it this seriously!

Source: Engadget

Link: The patent application at USPTO.gov

[.Neo]

Companies pantent stuff all the time, most of it won't ever actually see the light of day.

[tiagosilva29]

**** everything about this.

[ahhell]

It amazes me that Apple repeatedly has the balls to try and patent stuff that they blatantly copied from someone else.

[John S. Veteran]

It amazes me that people actually thing there are any original ideas out there...don't recall Apple claiming to have invented the stick

[Astra.Xtreme]

It amazes me that Apple repeatedly has the balls to try and patent stuff that they blatantly copied from someone else.

Yeah this is clearly a direct copy of somebody else's property... Care to shed some proof for that hostile claim?

[ArialBlue]

Can I patent the word "patent" so everyone would pay me royalties to patent their patents?

[Luis Mazza]

I have just patented the posting and thread behavior.

Now Neowin owns me money.

PS: Did anyone notice the iPhone design already looks different in this drawing?

[Vykranth]

Yeah this is clearly a direct copy of somebody else's property... Care to shed some proof for that hostile claim?

Thomson To-7, To-8 or To-9 micro-computer circa 1987 ...

You add an optical stylus integrated into the computer you used to select thing on the computer cathodic monitor.

I used these in school.

[Astra.Xtreme]

Thomson To-7, To-8 or To-9 micro-computer circa 1987 ...

You add an optical stylus integrated into the computer you used to select thing on the computer cathodic monitor.

I used these in school.

Looks pretty cool actually.

Though the one Apple applied to patent is designed and implemented in an completely different way.

[ILikeTobacco]

Looks pretty cool actually.

Though the one Apple applied to patent is designed and implemented in an completely different way.

Yay. Someone else that understands that patents are not about the end effect, but rather how it is achieved.

[threetonesun]

Last time I bought something at the Apple store, I had to sign a screen with my finger, which is pretty much the least accurate and germiest way to do anything. :wacko:

[Jub]

Oh, I hope they release it. Would be amazing to replace the notepad with this and the iPad, one thing less to carry around. The current styluses for the iPad aren't accurate enough for details in designs.

[SirEvan]

Looks pretty cool actually.

Though the one Apple applied to patent is designed and implemented in an completely different way.

you mean like How HTC/Samsung/everyone elses' phones are implemented differently? Apple had an issue with that...

[SirEvan]

bah...dupe...sorry

[szo]

I'm sure the detailed description of the patent will specify their unique method for stylus use. I don't think just by reading the title of the patent will give you enough information. You can apply for patents for basic ideas, but the patents are given based on your unique method/technique to solving that problem.

[SirEvan]

3rd dupe sorry

[SirEvan]

4th dupe sorry

[SirEvan]

somethings up with the forums lately, i can't click edit (doesn't do anything) and it's quadruple posting :-/ please ignore the 3 duplicates.

[GreenInspiration]

quadruple, man, that sucks.

[CentralDogma]

It?s extremely unlikely this is ending up in an Apple product. This is to be used in patent negotiations with other companies.

[Vykranth]

Looks pretty cool actually.

Yes, It was fun to learn BASIC on these computers. Really, I am that damn old now.

Though the one Apple applied to patent is designed and implemented in an completely different way.

I would certainly hope so. This was designed using mid-eighties technology. I would expect that Apple can add some functionalities to that.

Still, I find that patent amusing because, even with plenty of user interaction research and development: Kinnect, touch interface, this is an old-fashionned pen that everybody is used to

[Praetor]

the patent system is really screwed if a company can patent a design but instead of producing it, uses it for patent negociations.

[FloatingFatMan]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. You shouldn't be granted a patent unless you have a functional prototype, and if you don't bring it to market within 12-24 months max, it lapses. No more idea hogging.

[Astra.Xtreme]

you mean like How HTC/Samsung/everyone elses' phones are implemented differently? Apple had an issue with that...

Perhaps you need to brush up on the facts of those cases. All of which were based on actual patent infringement.