Apple Wins Batch of Patents for iPhone, Apple TV and More
One patent suggests that Apple will be working on making 3D apps compatible on the iPhone.
Apple has been awarded several patents pertaining to Apple TV, 3D apps on the iPhone, video conferencing, and more.
A total of 34 patent awards were granted from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. One patent, which is touted as a "Content abstraction presentation along a multidimensional path," apparently relates to Apple TV and discusses digital video and audio players that can play content by the user.
"These various functions can often be grouped according to content types, e.g., movies, music, television programs, photos, etc.," the patent read. "The functions can then be accessed through various user interfaces that are typically arranged in a hierarchal manner, having a 'root' or 'home' user interface at the top of the hierarchy, from which the various context-dependent user interfaces are accessible."
Another patent is entitled "Video communication systems and methods", which refers to Apple's iChat videoconferencing. The patent suggests that it'll be possible to remove the background image found in a video stream and replace it with a different background.
A third patent, named "Generating a three-dimensional model using a portable electronic device recording," relates to 3D apps running on a smartphone such as the iPhone. Users could use the technology to record a video of a three-dimensional object and then view it in 3D.
During 2011, the smartphone industry -- especially Apple -- spent $20 billion on patents alone. The company had made headlines all year for its high-profile patent infringement suits against competitors such as Samsung and HTC.

Nevermind that there's already a 3D smartphone on the market, Apple invented the concept of 3D apps too right?
Oh yeah, you can change the background of a video the same way you can change the background of a photo or even a webpage. Nevermind that the concept of imposing images over backgrounds is standard in the television and movie industries, Apple invented that too!
US Patent Office is the suck.
they can't even make a proper map
and they have been working on it since 2004
they can't even make a proper map
and they have been working on it since 2004
Nevermind that there's already a 3D smartphone on the market, Apple invented the concept of 3D apps too right?
Oh yeah, you can change the background of a video the same way you can change the background of a photo or even a webpage. Nevermind that the concept of imposing images over backgrounds is standard in the television and movie industries, Apple invented that too!
US Patent Office is the suck.
Couldn't agree more. But hey, if there were nobody worshipping Apple and bulk buying their products the market would be different. I admire Apple for bringing competition but at the same time they are blocking it via patents. Oh well.. total market represents average user - and its not someone who wouldn't buy from one or another maker for real reasons.
All the brands make what all of the users want at the best price they can. And if one particular brand finds a way to make a better product or a cheaper product, the consumers vote with their wallets. They don't sue each other into oblivion or patent the most obvious things. If it works for the TV manufacturers, why can't the mobile device manufacturers behave the same way?
Oh wait, Apple doesn't make TVs yet... Maybe the TV manufacturers will be forced to become just as vicious when Apple brings the fight to them... Isn't Apple great?
Hah. You iHaters make it seem like Apple is the only company that files patents. ALL companies need to protect their expensive R&D development through patents. Believe it or not innovation would die without patents because every company would simply copy whatever is most popular, clone city (Hmmmm...I guess more than they already do from Apple...lol). But since Apple is hugely successful I can understand there is a funny underdog mentality that requires you to hate Apple. I am poud Apple is a US company
My dad posed an interesting question a few years back when he was picking out a new vehicle: What's more patriotic, a Chevrolet made in Mexico or a Toyota made in Kansas? So many nationalities are involved with designing and building anything, you can hardly make a claim of patriotism with your shopping these days.
Back on topic, people aren't frustrated with technology companies applying for patents. Rather, we're frustrated with patent trolls that don't have a product for their patent yet still sue, or companies that patent an idea rather than an implementation of a product or part of a product. Patents should exist to protect the inventor's intellectual property, not to feed the lawyers and and spice up the competitive playing field by gambling with the earnings of multiple companies, pitting them against each other in what seems hardly more just than a game of chance.
Previously, I had respect for Apple as a company. I've always preferred not to use their products, because I like options and flexibility (what some would call needless complexity) instead of one choice, but I acknowledged that they were easy for the non-technical consumer to use. But now, Apple disgusts me with their blatant patent trolling and suing over shapes. Instead of thinking "It's not right for me, but it's probably right for others", I'm now leaning closer to "They are abusing the system, and everyone should boycott them to show them it's wrong."
Cant stop laughing.
Remove a background from video chat? There have been apps out there that have done that for years and years. Apple's patent might say something like chat on a portable device or some other crap while the other will say video chat via computing device
Recording in 3d on a portable device?? Pretty sure that is out and has been for awhile. Any camcorder would be considered a portable device and Sony already has portable 3D recorders like the Bloggies. There are already 3D smartphones that do the same.
This takes the credit of being the most stupid comment today.
Honestly, a lot of these patents should be getting rejected on the basis of being too vague. Reading Apple's patent win above, you'd think they just patented using 3d on anything other than a TV, and that companies will now have to pay licensing fees or else be accused of 'stealing Apple technology'...
It's too open ended and non-specific. Multidimensional? Really? I can see Universal studios getting sued in the next decade for their "4D" movie rides simply because Apple used Multidimensional rather than Three dimensional.