Recent Patent Roundup

Technology is constantly evolving, with individuals and companies always creating and developing. Companies work to protect these innovations with patents, and looking at newly granted patents can give insight into where different companies are headed.

Apple (US 11,567,311)

Apple recently was granted a patent describing a display which “may include transparent windows with one or more underlying sensors along the top border of the display, at a corner of the display, . . . in the center portion along the top edge of the display, . . . etc. The areas in the display with transparent windows may have different shapes and sizes.”

Apple explains that this technology is not exclusive to the iPhone, but has the potential to be used in Macs, iPads, Apple Watch, eyeglass designs, mixed reality headsets, heads-up displays in vehicles, and more. The patent also explains that the different sensors can include touch sensors used for Touch ID, sensors for measuring non-contact gestures in three dimensions, air gestures, optical sensors for light detection, environmental sensors, gaze tracking sensors, and other sensors.

One of the important developments in this patent is that Apple has removed the camera notch at the top of the display used by many mobile phones, and has a way for those sensors to function the same while being under transparent glass of the display. Many industry experts have noted this patent seems designed to protect Apple’s announced “Dynamic Island” feature for the iPhone 14.

“John Deere was recently granted a patent for a self-propelled vehicle with an automated cooling system. The cooling system is able to determine which portions of the engine are getting hot and adjust the angle or speed of the fans to create a cross breeze able to cool the engine.”

General Motors (US 11,579,340)

GM was recently granted a patent for a self-cleaning touchscreen that is able to automatically remove fingerprints from a display. The patent describes including additional violet micro-LED lights in touchscreen displays. The touchscreen display also includes a special photocatalyst layer. On a prompt from the user, the micro-LEDs can emit light through the photocatalyst layer. When combined with moisture in the air, the combination of the photocatalyst layer and the UV light causes a chemical reaction that breaks down the oils in fingerprints. Once the fingerprint oils have broken down, the fingerprint can evaporate naturally.

GM’s new patent could be a large change from car touchscreens to phone screens, allowing users to remove fingerprints with the push of a button. GM does not disclose the exact materials used to make the photocatalyst layer but describes it as a metal oxide. This technology is not completely new, as it is similar to the technology used in solar panels to keep them clean. The biggest difference is that, unlike solar panels, car interiors are not always exposed to sunlight. GM solved this with the use of the violet micro-LEDs to provide the UV light.

There is currently no evidence of this technology being present in any GM vehicle, but it seems like only a matter of time before car screens never have fingerprints again.

Deere & Company (US 11,555,291)

John Deere was recently granted a patent for a self-propelled vehicle with an automated cooling system. The cooling system is able to determine which portions of the engine are getting hot and adjust the angle or speed of the fans to create a cross breeze able to cool the engine.

The patent describes a system designed to be used in large construction equipment and fit into the engine compartment. The fan system can be used to cool the engine compartment, but can also be used to clean the compartment from contaminants. An observation system can detect the presence of contaminants in the engine compartment. Once the system has detected the presence of contaminants, the system can control the fan and move it to push the contaminants through an outlet and out of the engine compartment.

This system can be used to allow for less maintenance on construction vehicles to allow for more use. By reducing the heat and contaminants in the engine compartment, the engine can hold up longer before needing repairs or cleaning. The system could also be adapted to use in agricultural vehicles, and potentially into commercial vehicles as well.

New patents are being issued every week offering new technological advancements into the world. If you have a new idea that you think could qualify for patent protection, reach out.

For more information on this article and this topic, contact Tynan Edwards.