Apple Inc. (Cupertino, CA)
What is a Patent for User interfaces for timers and stopwatches.
Search Patent for User interfaces for timers and stopwatches.
1. Field
The disclosure described hereinafter is broad in scope and relates to user interfaces for computers. More specifically it relates to methods for recording lap times, setting timers, and adjusting timescales in the context of a stopwatch.
2. Related art description
Modern electronic devices may provide various timing functionalities. For example electronic devices could offer functions for stopwatches and/or timers. These functions can be limited. They could display timing information in a simplistic manner, not allow for personalization of the display parameters for timing data and may not provide intuitive methods to input timing values. There is an urgent need for better user-friendly ways of displaying the timing data, which allows the user to customize timing data display parameters, and input of timing values.
A method for showing lap times on the user interface of electronic devices includes: Displaying a first representation of a lap time on a user interface moving the representation around an initial axis of the interface according to a first amount time that has passed since the last time, the initial amount of time which corresponds to the laptime; and responding to the first lap input, stopping the movement of the representation on the axis. The second representation is an additional laptime within the interface. In this instance the relative position of the representationalong the axis determines
In certain embodiments, a method of changing the timescale of a representation of lap times in the user interface for an electronic device includes the display of an initial representation of a lap time in the present, the first representation comprising a firsttimescale and having a first element the first element being positioned relative to the first timescale in accordance with the current lap time on the first timescale. While showing the first representation, sensing a rotational movement of arotatable input mechanism; and in response to the movement of the rotatable: updating the first representation of the lap time to have a second timescale, different from the initial timescale in accordance with the movement in the rotation and updating the position of the initial element in line to the current lap time in the second timescale.
In some embodiments, a method of updating a current duration setting of a timer in a user interface of an electronic device comprises: displaying a timer representation in a user interface, the timer representation including: an analogrepresentation, the analog representation including a current duration indicator representing a current duration setting, and a digital representation representing the current duration setting; while displaying the timer representation, detecting arotational movement of the rotatable input mechanism; and in response to the rotational movement, updating the current duration indicator and the digital representation in accordance with the rotational movement.
Click here to view the patent on USPTO website.
Get Patents with PatentPC
What is a patent?
Patents are issued by the government in order to protect an invention. It grants the inventor the exclusive right to create, use and sell the idea. Society is benefited when new technology is introduced to the market. The benefits can be in direct terms, as it allows individuals to achieve previously unattainable things, or indirectly, through the economic opportunities (business expansion and job creation) which the invention provides.
Many drug companies and university researchers seek patent protection to protect their research and development. Patents can be granted for products, processes, or method of creating new materials. Patent protection must be granted to an invention that is beneficial unique, innovative, and not yet known by other people in the same area.
Patents reward inventors who have commercially viable inventions. They provide a reason for inventors to create. Small-scale businesses and inventors can rest sure that they will earn the most return from the investment they make in technology development via patents. They can earn a living through their work.
Patents play essential roles in businesses with the ability to:
Secure innovative products and services;
Improve the value, the appearance, and visibility of your product on the market
Make your company and products stand out from the competition;
Get business and technical details.
Beware of the possibility of using third-party proprietary content or losing valuable information, innovative outputs, or any other innovative output.
Patents transform inventors’ knowledge into a commercially tradeable asset, which creates new opportunities for job creation and business growth through licensing or joint ventures.
Investors involved in the development and commercialization of technology may find small businesses with patent protection appealing.
Patenting could lead to the development of new inventions and ideas. This information can promote creativity and could be eligible for patent protection.
Patents are a way to stop untrustworthy third parties from profiting through the work of inventions.
Commercially successful patent-protected technology revenues could be used to finance technological research and development (R&D) that will improve the chances of developing better technology in the coming years.
Intellectual property ownership can be used to convince investors and lenders that there are genuine opportunities to market your product. One patent that is powerful could open the door for multiple financing opportunities. Patents as well as other IP assets can be used as collateral or as security for financing debt. Investors may also look at the patents you own to boost their valuation of your company. Forbes and others have noted that each patent can increase company valuation by anywhere from $500,000 to $1 Million.
Start-ups need a well-constructed business plan that builds on the IP to prove that your product/service is unique and superior or ingenuous. Investors will also be amazed if you have IP rights are secure or are in the process of becoming secure, and if they are in line with your business plan.
It is essential to protect an invention prior to filing for patent protection. Public disclosure of an invention prior to its filing frequently degrade its originality and render it patent-infringing. Thus, disclosures that are filed prior to filing (e.g. for testing-marketing investors, test-marketing, or any other business partners) should only be made following the signing of a confidentiality agreement.
There are many kinds of patents. Understanding these is vital to safeguard your invention. Utility patents cover new processes and machine creations. Design patents cover ornamental designs. Utility patents are best and protect the owner against copies and competitors. They are typically issued to improve or modify existing inventions. Utility patents can also be used to cover improvements and changes in existing inventions. A process patent could be a way to describe the actions or methods of performing a specific act. But, a chemical composition could be an amalgamation of ingredients.
How long will a patent last? While utility patents are valid for 20 years from the date of the initial filing, they may be extended by delays at the patent office.
Do you want to protect your idea? As patents are only granted to first-time applicants and you must file quickly – call a patent attorney at PatentPC to protect your idea now!
A patent search is a must when you’re writing a patent application. This will allow you to see other ideas and give you insights into their potential. This will allow you to limit the potential of your invention. In addition, you can be aware of the current state of art in your field of innovation. This will help you to know the extent of your invention and help prepare for the filing of the patent application.
How to Search for Patents
Patent searches are the very first step in obtaining your patent. You can do a google patent search or do a USPTO search. Patent-pending is the name used to describe the product that has been included in the patent application. You can use the public pair to find the patent application. After the patent office has approved the patent application, you will be able to perform a patent search to locate the patent issued, and your product will now be patented. Alongside the USPTO search engine, you can also utilize other search engines like espacenet, which is described below. For assistance, consult a patent lawyer. In the US patents are granted by the US patent and trademark office, or the United States patent and trademark office, which is also responsible for examining trademark applications.
Are you looking for similar patents? These are the steps:
1. Think of terms to describe your invention based on its purpose, composition, and application.
Write down a brief detailed description of the invention. Do not use generic terms such as “device,” “process,” and “system.” Instead, consider synonyms to the terms you initially chose. Next, take note of important technical terms as well as keywords.
To help you identify the key words and concepts, try the following questions.
- What’s the purpose of the invention? Is it a utilitarian device or an ornamental design?
- Invention is a method to come up with something or to perform some function? Is it a product or procedure?
- What is the structure of the invention? What is the physical makeup 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? To assist you in finding the right terms, refer to a technical dictionary.
2. These terms will allow you to search for pertinent Cooperative Patent Classifications on the Classification Search Tool. If you’re unable to locate the appropriate classification for your invention, look through the classification’s Schemas of classes (class schedules) and try again. If you don’t see any results from the Classification Text Search, you may want to consider replacing the words that describe your invention using synonyms.
3. Examine the CPC Classification Definition to confirm the validity of the CPC classification you found. If the selected classification title has a blue box with a “D” at its left, clicking on the link will lead you to the CPC classification’s description. CPC classification definitions will help you determine the applicable classification’s scope so that you can choose the most relevant. Additionally they can provide search tips and other suggestions that may be useful to further study.
4. The Patents Full-Text Database and the Image Database allow you to find patent documents that are accompanied by the CPC classification. You can search and find the relevant patent publications by focusing first on the abstract and illustrations that are representative.
5. This list of patent publication is the most appropriate to check for similarity to your idea. Be sure to read the claims and specifications. There are many patents available through contacting the patent examiner and applicant.
6. Find patent applications published in the public domain using the CPC classification you chose in Step 3 from the Applications Full-Text and Image Database. It is possible to use the same method of search in Step 4 to narrow your results to the most relevant patent application by examining the abstract and representative drawings on each page. Then, you must carefully review the patent applications published and pay particular attention to the claims as well as additional drawings.
7. You can find additional US patent publications using keywords in the AppFT and PatFT databases, and also search for patents classified as not from the United States as described below. You can also make use of search engines on the internet to search non-patent patent disclosures in literature about inventions. Here are a few 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.