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Nokia patent app reveals dreams of pressure-sensitive multitouch interface
Nokia's no stranger to the patent application process here in the United States, and while we've certainly seen some strange ones emanating from its R&D labs, this one looks like something that should be implemented on the double. Explained as a "user interface for controlling an electronic device," the multitouch solution would essentially allow you to pinch, zoom and rotate objects as usual, but it would also employ an array of pressure sensors in order to give your motions a sense of severity. If executed properly, one could theoretically envision the use of a strong push to simulate a double tap (for example), or as a means to activate a secondary function that generally requires another button press or the use of a 'Function' key. Hit the read link for all the mumbo jumbo, but be sure to keep your expectations within check. Or not. [Via UnwiredView]
Acer patent application reveals a MID-filled future
Now that the netbook sector is good and saturated, Acer is carving out a spot for itself in the entirely less crowded MID market. Or, at least that's the impression we get from its most recent patent application. The image you see above is about it for details, though it's fairly safe to assume that an Atom (or similar low-power CPU) will be housed within. Who knows, maybe we'll get a peek of this critter for real at CeBIT -- you can bet we'll be looking.[Thanks, Chris]
Nokia dreams up four-way folding Communicator
Not that Nokia's current Communicator is in need of a major refacing or anything, but we're always up for some innovation. A recent patent application from the outfit showcases a completely bizarre four-way folding Communicator, chock full of hinges, keys and pixels. In fact, the verbiage spells out a future device consisting of "at least four device parts," leaving open the option for a handset that miraculously unfolds to completely envelope you in a glass case of emotion. Hit the read link for the full dream spilled out in entirely too much detail.[Via Cellpassion]
Sony patent app details motion sensing break-apart controller
We heard some pretty far-fetched stuff back in June to the tune of a break-apart DualShock 3, and lo and behold, it seems that someone at Sony Computer Entertainment America is taking the idea quite seriously. A recent patent application was filed by the company, and it fairly clearly lays out the very kind of design we'd (not really) been expecting. In essence, the gamepad would consist of two pieces, each of which would utilize an "ultrasonic tracking system" for some type of game console / peripheral to recognize 3D inputs. Best of all, the approach here sounds significantly different enough from what's used in the Wiimote that Sony could avoid months upon months of litigation -- imagine that, right? It's hard to say whether this stroke of genius will ever amount to anything, but at least there's a chance, however minuscule.[Via PS3 Fanboy]
Philips wants to bring copy-and-paste to interior lighting
We'll be straight with you -- we've never actually waltzed through the rooms at Engadget HQ and had the urge to reproduce the exact output from light A with light B. Evidently, we're the exception and not the rule. According to a lingering patent application from Philips, it's seeking to create a system in which sensors could be used to detect "light attributes" from one location and paste them over to another location in order to produce perfectly uniform scenarios throughout the home / office / etc. Heck, it even details a memory bank in order to easily set the mood of the entire building when necessary. Can't say this is where we envisioned the future of copy-and-paste going, but we suppose it'll do.[Via NewScientist, image courtesy of Fusion Lighting]
Motorola envisions flexible handset keypads, displays
Granted, Motorola's latest patent application is really about a dreamy user interface system, but it's the allusions to a flexible keypad / display that really has our imaginations tingling. Put simply, the firm draws up plans to concoct rollable cellphone parts that have an "active and inactive" position. More specifically, a reservoir of electrorheological fluid could be used to stiffen the display or keypad when a call came in, and when the current was taken away, the phone could once more be rolled up and dropped into the smallest of pockets (or an M&M's Minis tube). A respectable idea, sure, but one that we definitely don't see happening here anytime soon.[Via UnwiredView]
Apple patent app details automatic iPod volume lowering
Apple's already given self-controlling individuals the option to limit their iPod's maximum volume level, but if a newly surfaced patent application is any indication of the future, your next PMP from the Cupertino powerhouse could actually tone things down for you. Reportedly, the app explains that software could eventually keep track of how long -- and at what volume level -- you've been listening, and if it determines that you could be damaging your ears, the volume could be automatically adjusted down for your own safety. Granted, there's no way to definitively tell whether Apple will or won't implement such a change, nor if owners will be allowed to disable the feature, but really, who could argue with software retarding the rate at which you go deaf?[Image courtesy of Apple]
Nokia envisions another handheld gaming device / handset hybrid
Apparently, Nokia just hasn't swallowed the fact that the world doesn't seem ready (or interested, whatever the case may be) in a handheld gaming system / cellphone hybrid. 'Course, with all that PSP phone chatter going on, we guess the times could be a-changin', and Nokia definitely doesn't want to miss its shot at redemption. A fresh patent application from the outfit details a handheld device that acts as a phone, multimedia player and gaming machine, but rather than forcing users to feel as if they're handling an NES controller, this concoction provides two wings that slip down for added comfort. Whether or not this thing would double as an acceptable boomerang remains to be seen. [Via UnwiredView]
Sony Ericsson patent app details LCD watch hands
Considering the hordes of utterly unsightly timepieces that find their way into our browsers, we've got to hand it to Sony Ericsson -- it's done a pretty fine job at keeping its name attached to watches that are, you know, wearable. That being said, we're not surprised to see such an intriguing patent app surface from the aforementioned firm, and honestly, we'd be even less shocked if this thing eventually went beyond the drawing board. As the picture above partially demonstrates, SE has envisioned a watch with LCD hands along with an LCD display resting behind 'em, theoretically enabling the hands to "vanish" while users peek a quick video or read a text message on the screen beneath. Call us crazy, but we're pretty sure even the likes of Bond and Tracy would approve of this. [Via Cellpassion]
Nokia envisions fingerprint-reading cellphone displays
Cellphones with built-in fingerprint scanners aren't exactly revolutionary, but a recent patent application filed by Nokia could foreshadow mobile displays that recognize and react to biometric inputs. More specifically, the technology would see a touch-sensitive user interface that could allow / deny access or morph depending on what user swiped their finger. Moreover, a mysterious "visual display cursor" is also referenced, which would seemingly allow the device to bring important applications / lists / etc. to the screen's forefront depending on the preferences saved for each fingerprint. As always, it's a mystery as to when something like this will actually go mainstream, but we certainly dig the sound of it -- even when written in totally incomprehensible patent app lingo.[Via CellPassion]
