http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/Jan 27th 2010 7:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/
I thought and correct me if I am mistaken but hadn't MSFT already developed this for WinMo7? That's what I have been reading on here and other WinMo sites/blogs?]]>Jan 27th 2010 7:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/
I don't know about that, but Motion Computing and other computer tablet companies using Wacom technology -definitely- already do this, at least the stylus bit.

I have a Motion LE1600, and not only does it sense the stylus hovering above the screen and move the mouse before you tap, it knows which end is hovering, and changes the tool (eraser for the back end) as soon as it knows it's within an inch or two.

The only thing I see new here is that it can sense other things, like hands (or individual fingers ]]>Jan 27th 2010 8:10AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/Actually, I just noticed yesterday that the Magic Mouse could be capable of doing this: it can detect my finger about 1-2 millimeters before I actually touch it.

Also, SMART Boards are capable of distinguishing between a hover and a touch.]]>Jan 27th 2010 8:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/
So basically they were granted a patent for the same thing my Wacom tablet has been doing for over a decade? Okay.]]>Jan 27th 2010 8:48AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/
I suspect this would have about as much chance in court as the multitouch patent... in other words, next to none.]]>Jan 27th 2010 9:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/If the USPTO had impeccable timing, we'd see A LOT more stupid lawsuits. The US has one of the most sound and strict patent rules compared to other countries (europe, asia, etc.)

Having actually read the claim, I do think the examiner could have carried the prosecution a bit further along before granting the patent. But then again, I haven't researched any related publications (before 2005) that the examiner could have used to do so. So, all I can and most of you could do is make ASSUMPTIONS without actually doing the examiner's work~

Filing Date: 2005.09.30 (possible priority to sometime in 2004)

And here's the claim.
1. An I/O platform, comprising: an I/O surface having one or more integrated I/O devices selected from input devices and output devices; a proximity detection system configured to: detect when a finger is in close proximity to but not contacting the I/O surface; detect a position of the finger above the I/O surface when the finger is detected in close proximity to but not contacting the I/O surface; select, based on an application appearing on the I/O surface when the finger is detected in close proximity to the I/O surface but independent of x and y components of the position of the finger over the application, a first graphical user interface element from a plurality of available graphical user interface elements operable to allow input to be provided at least by movement of the finger when the finger is detected in close proximity to but not contacting the I/O surface; display the first graphical user interface element on the I/O surface and below the finger; and detect a proximity gesture performed by the movement of the finger above the first displayed graphical user interface element. ]]>Jan 27th 2010 10:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/
http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/21/nokia-planning-touch-less-gesture-controlled-devices/

more seasoning to the patent soup]]>Jan 27th 2010 10:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/apple does...]]>Jan 27th 2010 10:25AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/Plz provide the filing date and claim if not the publicaiton number. I could only find this http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20090309765.pdf , which seems close enough by reading the abstract.

It's filed in 2008. No need to even read the claim.]]>Jan 27th 2010 10:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/Jan 27th 2010 10:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/Jan 27th 2010 11:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/tablet will be the most important gadget of the year. More details: http://bit.ly/apple-tablet-details-and-history
]]>Jan 27th 2010 11:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/Jan 27th 2010 7:43AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/"whether it'll be in whatever device is announced **tomorrow**"

I can't live with this rumor frenzy anymore... let's get it over with today!!!

pal :)]]>Jan 27th 2010 9:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/Jan 27th 2010 7:43AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/
I agree with what I think you're saying, but I can't co-sign that grammar fail]]>Jan 27th 2010 7:50AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/Jan 27th 2010 7:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/
Some patents are actually are warranted for significant technological advances that could be easily reverse-engineered once they are in products on the market.

What would be the point in spending billions of dollars in research and design if someone could just steal all your hard work once you put a product out?

The patent system needs reform, but saying there shouldn't be any protection for intellectual property is more freetard bullshit. Real progress gets made because people want to make money, anything else is derivative.]]>Jan 27th 2010 8:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/You're sounding a little defensive Paul. They never mentioned Apple specifically. They were speaking in general.]]>Jan 27th 2010 8:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/
Does your dictionary limit you to the word " 'tard "?

Honestly, grow up!]]>Jan 27th 2010 8:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/
0.0]]>Jan 27th 2010 9:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/
Motion LE1600 has been doing that since 2005.. Who reverse-engineered the technology? ]]>Jan 27th 2010 9:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/
I am posting on an Apple article I am referring to your idiocy. See how this works?]]>Jan 27th 2010 11:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/Jan 27th 2010 7:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/Once again you're jumping to the conclusion that they have something against Apple specifically.]]>Jan 27th 2010 8:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/Jan 27th 2010 9:03AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/

We'll see if Apple develops any other uses for this tech :)]]>Jan 27th 2010 7:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/
And of course somebody will have to develop the actual technology first, otherwise this is just patent whoring.

It's not like they are the first company ever to think of this.]]>Jan 27th 2010 7:48AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/Jan 27th 2010 7:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/
that's a funny one]]>Jan 27th 2010 8:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/Jan 27th 2010 7:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/Jan 27th 2010 7:50AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/Like the idea! ]]>Jan 27th 2010 7:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/Jan 27th 2010 7:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/The question is can this technology also be applied to existing iPhones and the iPod Touch?]]>Jan 27th 2010 8:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/
This has existed for years.

Finger is new, however the patent specifically mentions a stylus as well.]]>Jan 27th 2010 7:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/
But patents? they should have an expiration date! Stifling innovation, you may think otherwise but truth of the matter is that they are full of crap, just a money making scheme in every sense!

]]>Jan 27th 2010 7:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/
Yes, I do realise that by having patents for certain technologies, methods & service it forces others to develop new ideas, thats obviously good, but then there comes a point where tons of money is used in r&d trying to do something that's already been done, but in a slightly different manner. Especially when that same money could be used elsewhere in development of NEW technologies. Now wouldn't you call that stifling innovation? Think outside the box a little.

Furthermore, I still stand my arguments and stand strongly on the fact that patents should expire after a reasonable amount of time, giving the applicant enough time to use its patents for whatever they desire and reap the benefits. But, applying for any odd patent broadly covering past, present and future ideas, avoids anyone from using those ideas, even if they came up with them without knowledge of the patent. The applicant sits pretty not using those patents and again....stifles innovation.

Wake up you Apple bred twit. No offence.
]]>Jan 27th 2010 8:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/
Trust me, if it was only "slightly" different it would not have become a patent. Plus, broad claims are patent attorney's biggest enemy. Claims like that easily get shot down all the time.

Patent applications become patents, only when the invention is novel (more than just being slightly different) and unprecedented. So if it is the first in the field, yeah it may seem simple, but no one has done it before. Check the filing dates of these patents and you'll see why.

I wish blogs start posting the actual claim that's been patented along with the filing date to clarify a lot of the nonsense speculations.]]>Jan 27th 2010 9:03AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/
Haven't you heard of a "patent term?" It's 20yrs in the US. And I believe they're in the works to shorten that. Correct me if I'm wrong.]]>Jan 27th 2010 10:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/So what about Wacom Cintiques?]]>Jan 27th 2010 7:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/Jan 27th 2010 7:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/
You're so happy for apple..]]>Jan 27th 2010 7:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/..!!! I WAS RIGHT!!!

I had predicted that this would be used in the tablet. There was another similar Proximity Sensor patent by Apple just like this some time back. See my post on Ars Technica:)]]>Jan 27th 2010 7:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/Jan 27th 2010 9:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/used screens in commercial applications that go back 15-years. GM
had a piece of diagnostic equipment with a touch screen that didn't
need a physical touch...

Apple is definitely a patent whore...]]>Jan 27th 2010 7:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/Jan 27th 2010 8:01AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/Jan 27th 2010 12:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-granted-patent-for-a-proximity-sensing-touchscreen/Jan 27th 2010 8:05AM