Pattoo - publication

Pod Patents

Dave — Fri, 28 Jul 2006 11:54:57 -0400

It appears that four of Apple's patent applications were published yesterday. All four have to do with media and two are directed towards the indomitable iPod. For all you "Pod Patent Watchers" out there, you are probably not surprised at Patent publication 2006/0168351 entitled: Wireless synchronization between media player and host device. Since everyone and their favorite speculative analyst has predicted that the next iPod will have some sort of wireless capabilities. In case you are curious here's the abstract from the patent application.

Improved techniques for interaction between a host computer (e.g., personal computer) and a media player are disclosed.

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Flip-Flop Flipper Fone

Fri, 07 Jul 2006 09:28:13 -0400

Yesterday, the U.S. Patent Office published a Sony application for a "Flipper Phone Configuration". It is Sony's Flip Phonecertainly a different type of flip phone. The Abstract of the application describes the phone as . . .

A mobile terminal for use in a wireless communication system comprises a housing including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the housing has an opening, an inner surface and an opposed outer surface. A module has an inner major surface and an outer major surface. The module is movably disposed in the opening of the first portion of the housing for movement relative to the first portion of the housing between a first position, where the inner major surface of the module is substantially coincident with the inner surface of the first portion of the housing, and a second position, where the inner major surface of the module is substantially coincident with the outer surface of the first portion of the housing.

Of course a picture is worth a thousand words.

Where's the Beef?

Wed, 28 Jun 2006 11:32:34 -0400

With gas being as high as it has been, hybrid cars are all the rage. Now one company is trying to apply that concept to hamburgers.

St. Louis-based Solae LLC has come up with a solution, a patent-pending invention called SoleCina that involves both the process and the ingredients to produce either a "hybrid" meat — part soy, part real meat — or a completely meatless food that tastes like chicken, beef, pork or turkey.

This approach is in stark contrast to Hardee's and Carl Jr.'s "Where's the Beef?" plan as reported by the Associated Press.

I'm Touched Nintendo!

Tue, 28 Feb 2006 12:25:29 -0500

Nintendo the innovator is at it or was at again. MaxConsle.net has discovered a published patent application for the Nintendo DS.

A new patent published by the US Patent & Trademark Office for Nintendo Co. Ltd. on Feb. 2nd, 2006 has revealed an interesting new DS model, a touch panel on which at least two pointing positions are simultaneously detectable report advancedmn.

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Latest Consumer Electronic Patent Applications by Major Techs

Sat, 04 Feb 2006 14:11:23 -0500

Forbes has a slideshow that takes a look at a few interesting technology-patent applications filed by major companies and made public by the Patent and Trademark Office in the last two months.

Patents, Pepsico, Starbucks and Coca-Cola?

Tue, 31 Jan 2006 11:00:00 -0500

Apparently, Coca-Cola isn't to fond of the relationship Starbucks and Pepsico have had for the past 9 to 10 years.

For the past two years, Coca-Cola has been quietly investigating ways to brew high-quality coffee, espresso and teas quickly in individual servings, a review of the company's patent and trademark applications shows. The company filed five U.S. patent applications in 2005 for coffee and tea "pod" designs, single-serving brewing machines, and a system to steam milk to make hot espresso and cappuccino. Coca-Cola already has been awarded two patents.

Patent Publication Preventing Exploding Washing Powder

Fri, 06 Jan 2006 11:00:00 -0500

NewScientist once again has found an interesting patent publication. Procter & Gamble, always looking out for the safety of consumers, is working on a solution to prevent soap suds from blowing up.

The root of the problem is that consumers want detergent powder to make washed clothes smell nice. However, we do not want to be hit with an overwhelming odour when opening the box. So manufacturers have been encapsulating perfume oil in starch powder.

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Apple Patent Application Hints to Networked Video

Wed, 14 Dec 2005 23:00:00 -0500

With Creative and Microsoft securing rights that seemingly are directed to Apple products, it is good to see that Apple has applied for some protection. According to Macsimum News, Apple has applied for a patent entitled, "Intelligent synchronization of media player with host computer". This device is also known as the Airport Express. Of course this is old news, but what is interesting, according to the article, is what the patent discloses.

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!

Wed, 07 Dec 2005 11:00:00 -0500

Disney, Disney, Disney. Apparently, Disney has big plans for portable media plans (PMP). First they file a patent application for Download Data Insurance. Now, they want protection for electronic codes instead of toys for Happy Meals. The abstract of U.S. Patent Application 2005/0252958 says:

Disney's Data Download Insurance

Thu, 01 Dec 2005 00:43:00 -0500

Macsimum News has found a patent application from Walt Disney that is certainly interesting. It is an insurance program for portable media players. The abstract of the application says:

An insurance program is provided for a portable media player wherein such player has media content or data downloaded thereon. The program provides for the replacement of such stored media or data due to loss of data, corrupted or missing files, etc. Such program is specific to the player and may also be programmed to upgrade such media or compensate the owner for the loss of such media.

This article, from Macsimum, originally posted Monday talked about the insurance plan, and this article, from Macsimum, revealed that patent application.