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Microsoft files for 'Screamride' trademark
Pay a visit to the United States Patent and Trademark Office website and you'll find an application recently filed by Microsoft for something called "Screamride," though what that title might refer to remains a mystery. While the application states that the mark is to be used for an "on-line computer game," it's unclear whether that means a PC game, a game destined for one of the Xbox consoles or something else. Gamespot contacted Microsoft for further information, and were met with a boilerplate "no comment." "Microsoft often acquires various trademarks as part of its ongoing business strategy, but beyond that we have no comment," stated the company's representatives. Much as we'd like to blow open Microsoft's cover story with vital insight, there just isn't enough information currently available to deduce what exactly "Screamride" might be. We'll keep you updated as new information comes to light. [Image: Wikimedia Commons]
Apple may improve your iPhone's battery life by understanding your habits
Battery-saving software on a phone tends to have all the subtlety of a sledgehammer -- it either waits until you're low on power to do anything, or limits functionality at all times. Apple may eventually take a smarter approach, if a newly published patent application is any indication. The technique would optimize your mobile device's power consumption based on both your daily activities and charging patterns. If your iPhone doesn't get much use during working hours, for instance, it could automatically throttle down for that period. The technology also adjusts power for specific events; check into a long flight and your phone will conserve battery while you're in the air. We don't know if Apple will ever use this energy-saving technology, but the patent is grounded more firmly in reality than others we've seen.
White House offers new web tools to help fight patent trolls
The White House isn't relying solely on legislative measures to try and curb patent trolls; it's also giving the trolls' targets some online resources to defend themselves. To start, it just launched a USPTO website that tells victims what to do if they're served with infringement notices or subpoenas. Meanwhile, a future effort will crowdsource prior art to thwart suits over patents that should never have been granted in the first place. There's still more work ahead in the legal realm, including pro bono defense lawyers and technology training for patent examiners. However, the new online tools just might give smaller companies the know-how to fight back against trolls that prey on their lack of information.
Candy Crush dev: we won't enforce against all uses of 'candy' trademark
Candy Crush Saga developer King said it will not enforce against all uses of the trademark "candy." This follows news that the broad trademark was approved for publication in the United States, granting the public 30 days to file opposition against the trademark once published before King receives a certificate of registration for the mark from the USPTO. "We have trademarked the word 'CANDY' in the EU, as our IP is constantly being infringed and we have to enforce our rights and to protect our players from confusion," King told Gamezebo. "We don't enforce against all uses of CANDY – some are legitimate and of course, we would not ask App developers who use the term legitimately to stop doing so." The developer first applied to register the trademark with the USPTO in February 2013 and was granted approval for publication by the examining attorney last week. King also applied to trademark the term "saga" in regards to online and multiplayer video games with the USPTO in late 2011, though that application is currently suspended.
Candy Crush dev's 'candy' trademark approved for publication
The US Patent and Trademark Office has approved the trademark "candy" for publication for King, the developer of the hit free-to-play match three game, Candy Crush Saga. King filed an application with the USPTO for the trademark in February 2013, which was updated last week to note its approval for publication by the examining attorney. If it's published without opposition, the trademark grants King the exclusive use of the term "candy" in video game and clothing products. Once published, the public (namely, developers of games and apps that use the word "candy") has 30 days to issue a statement of opposition to the trademark office before a certificate of registration is handed to King. The phenomenon isn't new, as another social games developer threw its weight around with its seemingly broad trademarked terms: Zynga sent cease-and-desist letters to developers like Blingville LLC and Kojobo for the use of its now-trademarked suffix "ville" in 2011 and 2012, respectively.
Disney abandons 'Star Wars 1313' trademark
Family-friendly megacorporation Disney has allowed its trademark on Star Wars 1313 to lapse, likely driving the final nail into the coffin of the promising action game once described by developers as "Star Wars hell." Initially revealed just prior to E3 2012, Star Wars 1313 was to be a darker take on George Lucas' beloved space epic. Instead of cutesy ewoks and characters who clearly fit into either "good" or "evil" roles, Star Wars 1313 would have cast players as a bounty hunter stalking the crime-ridden alleyways of Coruscant. Little was revealed of the game before its development was suspended following Disney's purchase of LucasArts, but Star Wars 1313 was repeatedly described as "dark and mature" by its developers at LucasArts. Now, a visit to the United States Patent And Trademark Office website reveals that Disney's trademark has lapsed. "Abandoned because no Statement of Use or Extension Request timely filed after Notice of Allowance was issued," reads the trademark status section, indicating that Disney made no effort to maintain its ownership of the title. While it is possible that some of the concepts seen in those early glimpses might make their way into future Star Wars games, it seems unlikely that we'll ever see Star Wars 1313 on store shelves.
Sony patent filing would let you reshape your PlayStation Move controller
Typically, motion controllers aren't very good at adapting to different gameplay situations -- not unless you're willing to slap on a cheap plastic shell, anyway. Sony may improve that state of affairs in the future, though, as it recently filed for a patent on a modular PlayStation Move controller. The concept lets gamers attach parts to the Move that change not just how it feels, but how it behaves in-game. A set of "limbs" would turn it into a humanoid, for example, while a rotating part could switch between a gun and a sword. It's an intriguing idea, although we wouldn't count on seeing it any time soon. A modular system would likely raise the price of a future Move controller, and Sony has lately focused more on the DualShock 4's Move-like features than dedicated peripherals.
Google wants to make your mundane conversations into quirky online comics
Deep down, we'd all like to believe our text-based interactions are worthy of Calvin & Hobbes-style witticisms. They're not and you know it, but does Google? No matter, because the tech giant was just awarded a patent to format your virtual conversations into something more suited for comic strip syndication online. The concept, though gimmicky, isn't as freshly innovative as it might first sound. In fact, both Apple and Microsoft have already had designs on the same. Anyone remember Microsoft Comic Chat? Okay, so Google's comic-making process is nothing new, but it does have a key differentiator: It's shareable via email, IM or, more likely, a social network "stream" or profile page. The system, as outlined by the patent, merely repurposes conversations, either manually or automagically, between at least two people into a comic strip layout. It's then given a title by the user, an appropriate theme as selected from the user interface and formatted for its intended destination. Beyond that, it's all a matter of where the strip gets posted. Editing permissions can also be extended to second- and third-party users so that the strip lives on. No doubt, it's a fun way to jazz up otherwise mundane online interactions, but that doesn't mean we'll ever actually see this comic generator come to light. You know how these things go. It's a patent; it's good for litigation.
Apple may let you tag iPhone photos using your voice
Tagging greatly simplifies photo searches, but it can be a cumbersome process -- just ask anyone who has typed in keywords for dozens of vacation shots. It may be more intuitive if Apple implements the voice tagging from a newly published patent application, though. The technique would let mobile-device users describe images using natural-language voice commands, with social networks and other info filling in the gaps. Say "this is us at the beach" and the software would tag not only you and the location, but also anyone else who was scheduled to come along on the trip. It could even auto-tag photos once it recognizes people and scenes. There's no certainty that iOS will get any of the new voice features, but don't be surprised if you can eventually ask Siri to sort out your iPhone photo gallery.
Motorola shows how it could make smartwatches with flexible displays
Motorola has already filed for patents on both wrist-worn gadgets and flexible displays. Today, we're seeing what happens when the company merges the two technologies. A newly published patent application has revealed a Motorola concept for a smartwatch-like device where both the screen and the shell underneath can flex in tandem. Much like a metal watch band, the chassis would be made of links; grips on each link would bend the display. It's a simple idea, although we're not expecting a product out of it any time soon -- the company will need flexible circuits before any bendy wearables can reach its roadmap.
Sony patents Move-like touchscreen joystick
A new Sony patent was published earlier this week detailing a controller that looks like a cross between your TV's remote and Sony's underloved Move controller. Dubbed "Flat Joystick Controller" for the purposes of the patent filing, the device is described as having a Move-like ball attached to its end, a small complement of buttons on its handle and a touchscreen that "provides an area for receiving directionality control in response to interfacing by a finger of a user." Translation: The touchscreen doubles as a joystick for games that require directional input. With the Move already in existence, why create another, very similar device? Sony's summary explains: "Broadly speaking, the present invention allows for three-dimensional with a multi-positional controller. The multi-positional controller enables control for a variety of applications and simulations while providing an intuitive interface to interact in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional renderings of the computer programs being executed through a game client." This being a patent, there's no telling when or if this Flat Joystick Controller will ever be released to retail, or for that matter, what name Sony will choose to replace "Flat Joystick Controller." Whatever happens, it's clear that motion control is key in the minds of Sony's engineers. Expect many more years of flailing your arms at and near expensive electronics.
Huawei files trademark for PhoPad, but shouldn't be worried about anyone taking the name
Huawei filed a trademark for a "PhoPad" with the USPTO this week. There's no guarantee that the manufacturer will come out with such a device -- which, given the name, we'd expect to be similar in concept to the ASUS PadFone or FonePad -- but who wouldn't love to pick up their very own PhoPad at the local Best Buy someday?
Sony's SmartWig patent is a real head-scratcher
Most large tech companies are either making wearable devices, or at least showing an interest in them. Sony's got a smartwatch, sure, but it's bored of such "in-the-box" thinking. Either that, or someone at Sony's been hitting the pipe, as the company's trying to patent what it calls a "SmartWig" (yeah, seriously). The application describes a standard wig that could "be made from horse hair, human hair, wool, feathers, yak hair or any kind of synthetic material," with a circuit board hidden among those luscious locks. That board can talk to a "second computing device" wirelessly -- such as a phone or even a pair of smartglasses -- and actuators embedded in the hairpiece could "provide tactile feedback to the user." In other words, the wig could vibrate when you receive emails and the like. The wig-chip could also include GPS and an ultrasound transducer, with different regions buzzing to give navigation cues. If all that doesn't sound ludicrous enough, how about an integrated camera? Or, get this, a laser pointer. The filing goes on to claim a wig is the perfect hiding place for delicate electronics, as humans tend to "instinctively protect their heads more than other body parts." While its potential utility for guiding the blind is mentioned, Sony's apparently tested the SmartWig in a far less meaningful scenario: giving presentations. Switching slides by "touching side burns" is expected to be of some merit, as is an ability to sense facial gestures like the raising of eyebrows. It may be the wearable device Doctor Evil has been dreaming of, but for some reason, we doubt SmartWig could ever make it mainstream.
Motorola wants you to tattoo a smartphone microphone onto your throat
Okay, where to start on this one? Simply put, Motorola has applied for a patent of a microphone with a tranceiver and power supply that is designed to be tattooed onto your throat. The idea is to capture vibrations directly from your larynx in order to cut out background noise -- while eliminating something else you could lose, we imagine. The skin-borne device could communicate with your handset or other portable device by Bluetooth, NFC or other wireless protocols and would pack a battery that "may or may not be rechargeable." The patent adds that the technology could also be applied to "other animals," so we're a bit concerned that Motorola is taking its wearable schemes in the wrong direction.
Samsung's Protection Plus trademark hints at new take on extended warranties
Samsung already has extended warranties, but you'd be forgiven if you didn't notice them -- they're not exactly well-advertised. That may soon change, as the company has quietly filed for a catchier "Samsung Protection Plus" trademark in the US. There's little to reveal what would come with Protection Plus, although the trademark mentions coverage for both electronics and appliances; this wouldn't just be for a new washing machine. We don't know if or when the service will become reality, but don't be surprised if you can soon get an advanced warranty for a Galaxy Note 3 without resorting to the carrier or an insurance firm.
Apple retains multitouch patent thanks to Patent Office ruling, forces competition to seek alternatives
Sorry, anonymous Apple multitouch patent challenger -- your victory isn't only temporary, it's also short-lived. The US Patent Office has decided to uphold patent No. 7,479,949 after tentatively invalidating it in December of 2012, which could mean bad news for many of Cupertino's competitors. If those numbers sound vaguely familiar, that's because they're known to most people as the controversial multitouch patent (that covers the downward-swipe gesture as seen in the video after the break) that Apple used against Palm, HTC and Samsung in court. In fact, it was one of the two patents that led to the import ban of some Samsung devices in the US. Needless to say, it now remains a powerful weapon for lawsuits in Apple's arsenal, and rivals best find a way to work around it on their designs.
Google gesture patent would let Glass wearers 'heart' real-world objects
As it stands, Google Glass doesn't have a simple way of cataloging real-world items -- you have to snap a picture and make a note afterward. It may get much easier if Google implements a newly granted US patent, however. The technique uses a wearable display's camera to detect hand gestures made in front of objects. Make a heart shape and you'll "like" what's front of you; frame something with your fingers and you'll select it. There's no certainty that Glass will ever support these commands, but they're certainly intuitive. If nothing else, they could lead to a new, very literal take on Google Goggles.
Google applies for patent on gesture-based car controls
So far, in-car gestures aren't useful for much more than raging at the driver that just cut you off. Google wants these gestures to be more productive, however, and has applied for a patent that uses hand motion to control the car itself. Its proposed system relies on both a ceiling-mounted depth camera and a laser scanner to trigger actions based on an occupant's hand positions and movements. Swipe near the window and you'll roll it down; point to the radio and you'll turn the volume up. While there's no guarantee that we'll see the technology in a car, the USPTO is publishing the patent filing just a day after Google has acquired a motion control company. If nothing else, the concept of a Google-powered, gesture-controlled car isn't as far fetched as it used to be.
Google patent filing describes tailored online book clubs, minus the wine
The phrase "virtual book club" may not conjure romantic visions of low-lit rooms and vintage wines, but you don't necessarily need those things to throw fancy words around. Amazon-owned Goodreads hosts user-created online clubs, but a Google patent application that's surfaced today imagines a different way of bringing bookworms together. It describes a system that automatically prompts the buyer of a new title, presumably acquired through Google Books, to join a club. To make this virtual version a little more like the real thing, it'll suggest specific groups based on your age, location, interests, preferred club size, reading speed and literary tastes. Furthermore, you'll only be coupled with those who've bought the work recently, so your new-found chums aren't on page 400 before you've even started. It'll all be managed through a social network, of course (we hear Google has one of those), and members will be able to fill specific roles within the club hierarchy. They'll also be able to schedule "activities," which we assume is patentese for Hangouts and the like to foster discussion. The patent filing also talks of financial rewards to tempt participation, which sounds like the perfect strategy for building millions of inactive G+ pages.
Motorola files patent application for a gaze-detecting wristworn device
These days, wearable tech is a beast that cannot be stopped, even if we wanted to (we don't). We recently got wind of an application Motorola submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (initially filed in February of 2012 and published today) for an electronic device designed "to enfold about an appendage of a user." While "appendage" could mean a great many things, let's go wild and call this gadget a smartwatch. The application specifies a few interesting features, including gaze detection, touchscreen controls and a hinged dual display system. Motorola is no stranger to this territory; its MOTOACTV has enough features (like Twitter and Facebook) to be considered a fitness-oriented smartwatch. This newly proposed device includes functions similarly geared towards health-conscious consumers, like vital sign and exercise monitoring. While not all patents materialize into the finished products we might expect, it's interesting to know that Motorola is actively pursuing one such as this. The application can be read in full at the source link below.
