4 ms·

Given that this existed in the 80s, how can this be patentable? Has anyone read the actual claims of the patent and feel qualified to explain what it is that Ap

by mcherm 5y ago

Given that this existed in the 80s, how can this be patentable? Has anyone read the actual claims of the patent and feel qualified to explain what it is that Apple is claiming is novel and patentable?

deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
coldpie 5y ago
1) Patents are outrageous and should be abolished. However, in this particular case, the patent has not yet been granted, so may indeed not be found to be valid. 2) The article https://www.macrumors.com/2022/02/25/apple-explores-mac-inside-keyboard-device/ https://www.macrumors.com/2022/02/25/apple-explores-mac-insi... links to 3) This other article https://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2022/02/apple-invents-a-new-mac-computer-device-that-takes-on-the-form-factor-of-their-magic-keyboard-.html https://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2022/02/apple-i... which links to 4) The patent filing https://appft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PG01&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=%2220220057845%22.PGNR.&OS=DN/20220057845&RS=DN/20220057845 https://appft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=... 5) If you would like to review it yourself. As you review it, you will likely find out for yourself why patents are useless and exist only to create monopolies and harm innovation.
markstos 5y ago
Commenter above explains it's a design patent, which are more specific: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30467500 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30467500
- unfocussed_mike 5y ago
  I am the commenter above. I'm not absolutely certain it's a design patent application, actually. I thought it was, but I would very happily be corrected by someone with deeper knowledge, and please please ignore me if I am wrong! Apple definitely uses patents in some of the same international classes to protect their product designs. e.g. they are using the international class G06F 1/16 20060101 G06F001/16 for this one, among others. Here's another Apple patent in that class that seems to cover aspects of the use of in-display cameras (by covering the idea of an extended display area around a notch). https://uspto.report/patent/app/20190043452 https://uspto.report/patent/app/20190043452 Apple also uses it for very specific design aspects of an accessory keyboard hinge: https://uspto.report/patent/app/20200301480 https://uspto.report/patent/app/20200301480 Here's an HP laptop-related patent in that class, that seems to cover really very narrow aspects of the design of a laptop enclosure: https://uspto.report/patent/app/20200381801 https://uspto.report/patent/app/20200381801 And here's a touch panel design for an LG domestic appliance: https://uspto.report/patent/app/20210048935 https://uspto.report/patent/app/20210048935 Whatever it is about this particular class of patents (whether they become design patents or not) does not seem to really be holding back innovation. So instead of seeing these used as a "we thought of this whole new thing, you can't make anything remotely like it" patent for a new technology, these are more "these are the minute aspects of our designs that we claim are our work that you shouldn't copy". It hasn't stopped other manufacturers using a notch, or an in-display camera. It's more like they are a way to register a design that can be brought up in court when e.g. Apple accuses Samsung of stealing design IP.

by mcherm 5y ago

deleted 5y ago

[deleted]

coldpie 5y ago

1) Patents are outrageous and should be abolished. However, in this particular case, the patent has not yet been granted, so may indeed not be found to be valid. 2) The article https://www.macrumors.com/2022/02/25/apple-explores-mac-inside-keyboard-device/ https://www.macrumors.com/2022/02/25/apple-explores-mac-insi... links to 3) This other article https://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2022/02/apple-invents-a-new-mac-computer-device-that-takes-on-the-form-factor-of-their-magic-keyboard-.html https://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2022/02/apple-i... which links to 4) The patent filing https://appft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PG01&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=%2220220057845%22.PGNR.&OS=DN/20220057845&RS=DN/20220057845 https://appft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=... 5) If you would like to review it yourself. As you review it, you will likely find out for yourself why patents are useless and exist only to create monopolies and harm innovation.

markstos 5y ago

Commenter above explains it's a design patent, which are more specific: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30467500 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30467500

unfocussed_mike 5y ago
I am the commenter above. I'm not absolutely certain it's a design patent application, actually. I thought it was, but I would very happily be corrected by someone with deeper knowledge, and please please ignore me if I am wrong! Apple definitely uses patents in some of the same international classes to protect their product designs. e.g. they are using the international class G06F 1/16 20060101 G06F001/16 for this one, among others. Here's another Apple patent in that class that seems to cover aspects of the use of in-display cameras (by covering the idea of an extended display area around a notch). https://uspto.report/patent/app/20190043452 https://uspto.report/patent/app/20190043452 Apple also uses it for very specific design aspects of an accessory keyboard hinge: https://uspto.report/patent/app/20200301480 https://uspto.report/patent/app/20200301480 Here's an HP laptop-related patent in that class, that seems to cover really very narrow aspects of the design of a laptop enclosure: https://uspto.report/patent/app/20200381801 https://uspto.report/patent/app/20200381801 And here's a touch panel design for an LG domestic appliance: https://uspto.report/patent/app/20210048935 https://uspto.report/patent/app/20210048935 Whatever it is about this particular class of patents (whether they become design patents or not) does not seem to really be holding back innovation. So instead of seeing these used as a "we thought of this whole new thing, you can't make anything remotely like it" patent for a new technology, these are more "these are the minute aspects of our designs that we claim are our work that you shouldn't copy". It hasn't stopped other manufacturers using a notch, or an in-display camera. It's more like they are a way to register a design that can be brought up in court when e.g. Apple accuses Samsung of stealing design IP.