APPLE INC. (Cupertino, CA)
What is a Patent for Device, method, graphic user interface and method of managing content items, metadata and other information
Search Patent for Device, method, graphic user interface and method of managing content items, metadata and other information
The use of touch-sensitive surfaces as input devices for computers as well as other electronic computing devices has grown dramatically in recent years. Examples of touch-sensitive surfaces are touchpads and touch-screen displays. They are used extensively to manipulate user interface objects on a screen.
Examples of manipulations are adjusting the size and/or position of one or more user interface objects , or opening applications or files represented by objects that represent user interfaces, in addition to linking metadata to the user interface object or otherwise manipulating user interfaces. User interface objects can be described as digital images, video, text, icons controls, such as buttons, and other graphic elements. In some instances the user might need to alter objects of the user interface using a file management program (e.g. The Finder application by Apple Inc.of Cupertino), an image management software (e.g. Aperture, iPhoto and Photos from Apple Inc.of Cupertino), a drawing program, a presentation tool (e.g. Keynote from Apple Inc.of Cupertino), a word processor (e.g. Pages from AppleInc. Cupertino (Calif.), a website creator application (e.g. the iWeb application from Apple Inc.of Cupertino), Calif.), a disk authoring program (e.g. IDVD from Apple Inc.of Cupertino), Calif.), or spreadsheets (e.g. numbers by Apple Inc.of Cupertino), Calif.
However, these actions are often time-consuming and inefficient. For example the use of a series of mouse-based inputs to select one or more objects for the user interface and execute one or more actions on the user interface objects you have selected is laborious and places an enormous cognitive burden for a user. Furthermore, these strategies are more time-consuming than they need to be, thereby wasting energy. This latter consideration is particularly relevant in battery-powered devices.
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What is a patent?
A patent is granted by the government in order to protect the invention. It grants the inventor the sole rights to create, use and market the idea. Society gains when new technologies are brought for sale. The benefits may be direct terms, as it allows individuals to achieve previously impossible things. Or indirectly by the economic benefits (business expansion and job creation) that the innovation offers.
Many pharmaceutical firms and researchers from universities are seeking patent protection for their work and research. Patents can be granted to an abstract or physical product or process or method or composition of materials that are new to the area. To be granted protection by patent, an invention must be useful, new and not be obvious to anyone else in the same field.
Patents reward inventors who have commercially successful inventions. They act as a motivator for inventors to come up with new ideas. Patents enable inventors and small businesses to be confident that there’s the possibility that they’ll be paid back for their time, effort, and money invested in technology development. This means they will be able to earn money from their work.
Patents play a vital role in businesses with the ability to:
Make sure you protect your unique products and services
Enhance the value, appearance, and visibility of your products market
Differentiate your business and products from the rest;
Access business and technical expertise and information;
Avoid using content from third parties or you could lose valuable data or creative outputs as well as other outputs.
Patents convert knowledge of the inventor into a valuable asset which opens up new opportunities to create jobs by licensing joint ventures and joint ventures.
Investors involved in the commercialization and development of technology will find small companies with patent protection appealing.
Patents can result in new ideas and inventions. This information could encourage the development of new ideas and could qualify for protection under patents.
Patents are a way to prevent untrustworthy third-party companies from earning from the invention’s efforts.
Patent-protected technology revenues that are commercially viable can be used for financing technology-related research and development (R&D) that can enhance the likelihood of improved technology in future.
Intellectual ownership of property can be used to convince lenders and investors that there are real opportunities to market your product. A single patent could lead to numerous financing options. Patents and other IP assets are able to be utilized as collateral or security for financing debt. Investors may also look at your patent assets in order to increase their company valuation. Forbes and others have noted that each patent could increase anything from $500,000 to one million dollars to your company’s valuation.
Start-ups require a well-crafted business plan that is built on the IP to show that your product/service is unique, superior, or innovative. Investors will also be impressed if your IP rights are secured or are on the verge of becoming secure, and they agree with your business strategy.
It is crucial to keep an invention secret until you submit for patent protection. The public disclosure of an invention prior to filing can often destroy its novelty and make it ineligible for patent protection. The filing of disclosures prior to filing, for example, for investors, test-marketing or other business partners, is best done only after signing a confidentiality contract.
There are many types of patents. Knowing them is essential to safeguard your invention. Utility patents cover new methods and inventions made by machines. Design patents cover ornamental designs. Patents that cover utility designs are the most beneficial since they protect the proprietor from copycats as well as other competitors. Utility patents are often issued to improve or alter existing inventions. Utility patents also cover improvements and changes to existing inventions. For instance, a process patent will cover acts or methods for performing an action, while a chemical composition will include the combination of components.
What is the typical length of patents? Patents for utility last for 20 years from the earliest date of filing, however their expiration dates can be extended due to delays at the patent office such as.
Are you planning to protect your idea? As patents are only granted for applicants who are first to file, you need to file quickly – call an attorney for patents at PatentPC to patent your idea now!
When drafting an application for patents, you should do a patent search, as it will provide you with an understanding of other people’s concepts. You’ll be able to reduce the nature of your invention. You can also learn about the technological advancements in the field you’re inventing. This will allow you to understand the scope of your invention and help prepare you for filing your patent application.
How to Search for Patents
A patent search is the initial step to getting your patent. You can do a google patent search or do a USPTO search. Patent-pending refers to the product protected by the patent application. It is possible to search for the public pair to locate the patent application. After the patent office approves your application, you’ll be able do an examination of the patent number to locate the patent that was issued. The product you are selling will be patentable. You can also use the USPTO search engine. Check out the following article for more information. A patent lawyer or patent attorney can help you through the process. Patents granted in the United States are granted by the US trademark and patent office, or the United States patent office. This office also evaluates trademark applications.
Are you interested in finding other similar patents? These are the steps:
1. Create a list of terms for your invention in relation to its intended, composition, or use.
Begin by writing down a concise detailed description of your invention. Do not use generic terms such as “device”, “process” and “system”. Instead, look for synonyms for the terms you initially chose. Next, take note of crucial technical terms, as well as key words.
Utilize the following questions to help you find the keywords or concepts.
- What’s the purpose of the invention? Is it a utilitarian device or an ornamental design?
- Is inventing a method to come up with something or to perform some function? Are you referring to a product?
- What is the nature and purpose of the invention? What is the physical composition of the invention?
- What is the goal of this invention?
- What are the technical terms and keywords used to define the nature of an invention? A technical dictionary will help you locate the right phrases.
2. These terms will allow you to search for relevant Cooperative Patent Classifications using the Classification Search Tool. To determine the most suitable classification for your invention, scan the classification’s class Schemes (class schedules). Consider substituting the words you’re using for describing your invention, if you don’t receive any results from your Classification Text Search with synonyms such as the terms you used in Step 1.
3. Go through 3. Check the CPC Classification Definition to verify the accuracy of the CPC classification you have found. The link to a CPC classification definition is provided if the chosen classification title contains a blue box with “D” to its left. CPC classification definitions can assist you in determining the classification’s scope, so you can choose the most appropriate. Furthermore, these definitions can include some tips for searching and other information which could be helpful to conduct further research.
4. Get patent documents using the CPC classification from the Patents Full-Text and Image Database. You can review and select the most relevant patent publications first focusing on abstract and the drawings that are representative.
5. This collection of patent publication is the best to examine for similarities with your invention. Be sure to read the specification and claims. Consult the applicant and patent examiner for additional patents.
6. Search for patent applications that have been published using the CPC classification you selected in Step 3 of the Applications Full-Text and Image Database. You can apply the same method of search in Step 4 to narrow your results down to the most relevant patent application by examining the abstract as well as the illustrations on every page. Next, examine all published patent applications carefully, paying special attention to the claims as well as other drawings.
7. You can look up additional US patent publications using keyword searching in the AppFT and PatFT databases, as well as the classification search of patents that are that are not issued by the United States per below. Also, you can make use of search engines on the internet to find non-patent patent disclosures in literature about inventions. Here are some examples:
- Add keywords to your search. Keyword searches may turn up documents that are not well-categorized or have missed classifications during Step 2. For example, US patent examiners often supplement their classification searches with keyword searches. Think about the use of technical engineering terminology rather than everyday words.
- Search for foreign patents using the CPC classification. Then, re-run the search using international patent office search engines such as Espacenet, the European Patent Office’s worldwide patent publication database of over 130 million patent publications. Other national databases include:
- European Patent Office (EPO) provides esp@cenet to access a network of Europe’s patent databases with access to machine translation of European patents.
- Japan Patent Office (JPO) – with access to machine translations of Japanese patents.
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) offers PATENTSCOPE with a full-text search of published international patent applications and machine translations for some documents, as well as a list of international patent databases.
- Korean Intellectual Property Rights Information Service (KIPRIS)
- State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) with machine translation of Chinese patents.
- Other International Intellectual Property Offices with online patent databases include Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Israel, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and Taiwan.
- Search non-patent literature. Inventions can be made public in many non-patent publications. It is recommended that you search journals, books, websites, technical catalogs, conference proceedings, and other print and electronic publications.
To review your search, you can hire a registered patent attorney to assist. A preliminary search will help one better prepare to talk about their invention and other related inventions with a professional patent attorney. In addition, the attorney will not spend too much time or money on patenting basics.