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Posts with tag patent app

Motorola envisions flexible handset keypads, displays

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 28th 2008 @ 11:57PM


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]

Nokia envisions another handheld gaming device / handset hybrid

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 20th 2007 @ 1:32PM


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

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 13th 2007 @ 8:01AM


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

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 3rd 2007 @ 4:51PM


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]




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