Patentseed

If you own a Palm Pre or Pixi (WebOS device), you already know this well.  Palm has a patent application for their event notification system.  The main difference between this and other event notification systems on mobile phones?  Well, let’s see if we can simplify it for you.  This invention basically allows the notification to be displayed in an active part of the screen, while still letting the user continue doing what he/she wants.  The alert may be ignored, in which case, it will be displayed in a reduced size on a vacant portion of the display.  The key advantage is that the user is able to be notified, yet in an unobtrusive manner, whereby the user can easily ignore the alert. 

Will be interesting to see if this patent application (12/200,782) issues.  Does Android or iPhone do this?

Apple is advancing the usability of gestures with this patent application (12/199,532).  The idea is that you want to operate your iPhone/iPod without having to look at it.  For example, it may be strapped around your arm while you’re working out.  The application refers to this as “sightless navigation.”  Perhaps you want to skip to the next song?  Or fast forward?  Well, typically, you’d have to look at the screen, orient it rightside up, and perform your gesture.  Apple wants to do away with that and allow you to perform these gestures without looking at or worrying about the orientation of the device.   You can achieve this through a variety of touch and swipe patterns.  For example, if you begin a press and go clockwise, it can know to fast forward.  This can be done regardless or orientation of the device.  Similarly, you can press and move your finger counterclockwise to rewind.  The patent application also describes what other patterns are possible using multi-touch, hold gesture, etc.