Apple Accelerometer Patents and a Tablet Mac?

[Doctor Q]

Patents are written to cover (and claim) as much territory as possible, while trying to stay specific enough so the author can claim it is new and unique. The end result is often hard to interpret if you're trying to guess what product(s) they have in mind.

Perhaps they don't even have a specific product in mind, but are simply putting a lock on technology they are playing with in their R&D labs.

I found these two descriptions in the patent interesting:

To detect and record a sequence of movements of a portable device, where the recorded movement data may be used to recreate the moving history subsequently (e.g., off line).

Their example: recording the movements on a roller coaster. Since a device with this technology would detect acceleration but not movement at a steady velocity, I assume it can't (in theory) use a replay of its movement history, from a known starting location, to determine where it is now. But crude versions of the idea could be more sophisticated than simply detecting and responding to dropped notebook computers.

To detect and determine activities of a user with a portable device having the accelerometer attached therein.

It can monitor your exercise activity and let you know when you've done enough push-ups. Or beep when you vary from your perfect steady-pace velocity as you lead the Boston Marathon.

Imagine an iPod with an acceleration sensor. It could turn up the volume on your in-car iPod when it feels you accelerate to freeway speed. Or you could start dancing (with your silhouette against a colored wall of course) and let the iPod detect your movements and play matching music!

 

[Big Fat Lies!]

How about a consumer electronics device?

Isn't it possible that Apple indeed is not interested in producing a TabletPC but more interested in an entertainment device?

 

[Big Fat Lies!]

Patents are written to cover (and claim) as much territory as possible, while trying to stay specific enough so the author can claim it is new and unique. The end result is often hard to interpret if you're trying to guess what product(s) they have in mind.

Perhaps they don't even have a specific product in mind, but are simply putting a lock on technology they are playing with in their R&D labs.

I found these two descriptions in the patent interesting:

Their example: recording the movements on a roller coaster. Since a device with this technology would detect acceleration but not movement at a steady velocity, I assume it can't (in theory) use a replay of its movement history, from a known starting location, to determine where it is now. But crude versions of the idea could be more sophisticated than simply detecting and responding to dropped notebook computers.

It can monitor your exercise activity and let you know when you've done enough push-ups. Or beep when you vary from your perfect steady-pace velocity as you lead the Boston Marathon.

Imagine an iPod with an acceleration sensor. It could turn up the volume on your in-car iPod when it feels you accelerate to freeway speed. Or you could start dancing (with your silhouette against a colored wall of course) and let the iPod detect your movements and play matching music!

Now what about taking the iPod screen and having it cover the entire front of the iPod and use this technology to navigate?

 

[Stridder44]

A Tablet PC/Media Device Mix? Take the best of both worlds and make it into one device!

 

[tdungan]

Double Doh!

IBM/Lenovo had ths acellerometer and hard drive protection for a full year before Apple had it. How the USPTO can have a patent on this is nuts. Apple did not invent it.

I was thinking the same thing! Especially when Steve claimed they invented the sudden motion sensor during the last keynote.

In this case, there is also prior art. They called it "Rock 'n Scroll" and it was part of a Linux powered handheld from Compaq called Itsy. Not a consumer product mind you, more of a lab project. But as a proof of concept they used it to play a port of Doom.

There's nothing revolutionary here though. As computing devices get ever smaller and smaller, keyboards, trackpads, and touchscreens aren't practical anymore. Short of a direct neural connection or fast and accurate speech recognition, the next logical method would be gesture recognition.

This patent won't hold up just as I have faith that they'll eventually invalidate the hierarchical menu control of a digital audio device. (you read me Creative)🙄

 

[shamino]

Why do these applications have to be in a tablet? I understand the presense of tablet drawings implies a lot, but this tech is applicable in any computer that might be in motion. Meaning PDAs, iPods, laptops, etc.

For example, suppose you have a GPS device attached. These tend to draw a lot of power, since they are radio receivers. When you're in motion, you want to keep on fetching coordinates. When you're standing still, however, you may want to shut down the receiver, to cut power consumption.

The gaming application also looks interesting. Not really appropriate for a laptop, but good for lots of other kinds of devices.

But there is the question of prior art. For example, there's a tilt sensor for old Palm devices which looks like the same thing. I read the first version of this page (before the dongle version was invented) back in the mid 90's.

 

[SiliconAddict]

movement as password authentication

OK. Drop behind the back, catch it between the legs, spin around like a balarina, and jump up and down twice. That's my password. Just don't tell anyone.

I can only imagine custer support calls.

“OK sir I just reset your passmotion. Please moonwalk for 3 seconds and pump your fist with your laptop in your hand. You will then be prompted to change your passmotion.” 😀

Not. Happening. Ever.

Hmm did you happen to be one of the people who said the same about Apple using x86? 😱 😎

 

[rosalindavenue]

This would be great for playing Warioware Twisted! on your iTablet-- other than that, doesn't seem so great to me.😉

 

[shamino]

OK. Drop behind the back, catch it between the legs, spin around like a balarina, and jump up and down twice. That's my password. Just don't tell anyone.

Ah. I see this computer is owned by the Harlem Globetrotters. 😀

 

[Doctor Q]

OK. Drop behind the back, catch it between the legs, spin around like a balarina, and jump up and down twice. That's my password. Just don't tell anyone.

That's my password too. What a coincidence!

Actually, you could do this without making such a spectacle of yourself. Simply handwrite your password by moving the tablet against a pen. And don't do it wrong, because then you won't be able to log in.

 

[pknz]

30yrs edition PDA?

 

[steve_hill4]

thank you iGary. apple is not one to fall into the stupidity of regular pc manufacturers (granted they are now using intel, but that was for legit reasons)

Yes, most if not all of this is nonsense, but I think there is some basis to this rumour recurring, but more likely PDA than Tablet. Think about it, if Palm produce more PDAs that start running on Windows Mobile and that won't work with Mac OS, Apple will need to corner the market for their Mac owners who use PDAs, (i.e people like me).

Also, few use PDAs now, but fewer use tablets. While it is assumed that smartphones will eventually replace PDAs and probably mp3 players, PDAs could play an important role in Apple's strategy, short term. Think of an iNewton or a MacPalm that runs Mobile Tiger and will work on Mac OS and Windows. Over the next few years, Apple could sell a ton of these to consumers, whatever their platform, the very same people that up until a year or two back were happy with a CD player for music and notepad/organiser for appointments and notes. This leaves Apple open to move into true smartphones with iTunes playback, thus tying consumers in for several more years, (though in theory easier to hack to play other music files).

Sure it's all fantasy, but I could see it working.

 

[MrCrowbar]

I like passmotion... imagine business ppl in the underground making extreme moves to log in. And finally, computer nerds and hackers will have to do some sports. 🙂

I'd like Apple to show us that "much cooler" thing on April Fools Day. I still hope for the iPhone. I stick to my old Nokia 6610 because newer phoes with camera often have too many features and a completely overloaded interface. Who else than Apple could design a phone you can actually use. I'd like some sort of iPod with front row to switch between music, phone and organizer with a touch screen for easy dialing and typing (and doing Spotlight searches for contacts and music).

 

[slu]

Meh. Tablet PCs do not have the universal appeal that they need to be a successful product. I have not seen a "regular" person (i.e. not someone that has a tablet for their job like a service tech of some kind) using a tablet PC ever.

PDAs are much more common and if there is any truth to this, I think it would be in the PDA type area or for an entire new product.

But why would Apple release a PDA after failing at it once? I know they often say one thing and then eventually do another, but has there ever been an occasion where Apple discontinued and entire product line, then revived it several years later?

 

[cr2sh]

For example, a user who carrying an accelerometer, either attached to a portable device or attached to a vehicle, may drive a vehicle to different locations to perform a survey, in order to create a map for those locations. The map may be subsequently created using the movement data collected by the accelerometer during the drive.

An accelerometer, combined with several gyroscopes could be used to accomplish what they're stating... but an accelerometer alone, could not. This is called an IMU, and its used in aviation a lot.

What they're saying really doesn't make any sense. A map could not be created using a an accelerometer alone, only a chart.

The directions would be...

"Accelerate to 55mph for 20 seconds, then accelerate -10mph for a minute, the accelerate 18mph for 10 seconds."

 

[The Red Wolf]

OS-X 10.5 DigitalPaper

Hmmm. DigitalPaper. As light as a notepad, as easy to use as pen and paper. But digital. 1080i compatible, Wireless 802.11n, Bluetooth 2.0, 1/4" thick, running a full version of OS-X 10.5. 12 Hour battery life, but the writing surface is also solar charging the battery... Vaopor-ware? Maybe. But this is a patent. Not some giant iPod. iPod=Music. Not media playing colour, not video-video pda from.... just leave my scroll wheel and monochrome display alone. GEN 2 forever! Sorry... I hate the new iPods. No firewire booting, no firewire port, plays music videos? What? iPod? Um... No.

Sorry, not to digress... But a Tablet Mac running Dual Core Yonnah or a Freescale Dual core would be lovely. Wireless, inkwell... smaller than an iBook (MacBook). More battery life. Like a MacBook... Mini? Perhaps? MacBook Nano? Hmmm... How about Revenge of the Newtons Episode III. Badly rendered with no storyline to speak of and some rasta-celtic dinasour... Digressing again..

Nevermind.

 

[aswitcher]

I have some hope Apple will do a microtablet for your multmedia centre remote...or as some suggested, out this tech in an ipod which has wifi which is in turn your iTunes etc remote...

 

[blackfox]

I have some hope Apple will do a microtablet for your multimedia centre remote...or as some suggested, out this tech in an ipod which has wifi which is in turn your iTunes remote...

That is what I was thinking.

Perhaps something like:
www.nokiausa.com/770

I think it would have enough utility to do well in the marketplace, especially if well-integrated with a suite of Apple hardware/software designed to merge your computing, entertainment and perhaps even home-management needs in to an elegant solution.

 

[Aeolius]

Between April and July, I'll be in the market for six Mac Minis (coupled with Xenarc touchscreens) and an xServe, to serve as the backbone of my home automation endeavors. If Apple comes out with something cooler, between now and then, all the better.

 

[blueflame]

cube

seems that waht the mac mini is to me. even the old apples macs, with the all in one design, became the imac.
andreas

Meh. Tablet PCs do not have the universal appeal that they need to be a successful product. I have not seen a "regular" person (i.e. not someone that has a tablet for their job like a service tech of some kind) using a tablet PC ever.

PDAs are much more common and if there is any truth to this, I think it would be in the PDA type area or for an entire new product.

But why would Apple release a PDA after failing at it once? I know they often say one thing and then eventually do another, but has there ever been an occasion where Apple discontinued and entire product line, then revived it several years later?

 

[cr2sh]

If Apple does produce a tablet... they'll make it worthless by putting some 1024x768 screen on it.

I'm certain.

 

[applextrent]

While the patent may be real, the writer of this article has zero credibility.

Neo's real name is Jack; we fired him at AppleXnet.com after we suspected his motivation was to publish articles loaded with buzzwords and technical jargon to try and get investors interested in Apple to try and personally profit off of Apple's stock, for he admits he owns stock in the company. Our biggest issue with him however was the plethora of anonymous comments he would post on his own articles. In an attempt to spur interest and hype in his articles he would literally post upwards from 10-50 fake comments an article, having conversations with himself, coming up with fake names, etc. At first we thought all the comments showing the same IP was a glitch in our website code, but after reading a few we realized it was no glitch, the writing style of the comments were clearly the same. Jack was then fired from AppleXnet. He was soon picked up by Macsimum. Feeling obligated to do the right thing we told Sellers why we fired Jack. Sellers then told us he was going to fire Jack but never did. Oh, not to mention he isn't even a Mac user. Never was.

Apple has plenty of patents and very few of the ideas actually make it into actual products. While I haven't bothered to make sure the patent numbers match, this could simply be the patent for Apple's detection sensing hard drives which are already in new portable Macs. This could also be useful on a product such as a widescreen iPod or something. It is highly unlikely it has to specifically do with a tablet. Jack, erhm Neo is just making things up as usual.

--Trent Lapinski
AppleXnet.com

 

[kjs862]

If Apple does produce a tablet... they'll make it worthless by putting some 1024x768 screen on it.

I'm certain.

Yeah I noticed on Apple's laptops even with the newly updated resolutation it is still low compared to dell's laptops. Any thoughts on this? I know that it pisses me off.

 

[nagromme]

The "whack the desk to go to next page" concept absolutely cracks me up!

😀 Better use flash instead of HD! (I can just see that in a library.)

PS, "Joggling" is a word for a real exercise... it means jogging while juggling--especially using juggling weights such as Exerballs. (I use juggling weights myself but I don't jog with them--they'd only end up in a ditch!) A device that can tell the difference between jogging, juggling, and joggling would be an advanced product indeed!

 

[7on]

Apple needs to give back to the designers that have been with them through thick and thin, I say MacTablet so I won't have to chuck money towards a Wacom.