Also on micro-perforated display

Apple was awarded a total of eight patents today by the US Patent and Trademark Office, with notable selections including a patent on the design of the current-generation iPod shuffle, one for iOS' ability to visually signal users that they can jump back into a call while using applications, and one for a micro-perforated coating that allows light to pass through while giving the appearance of solidity (such as the function light on the Apple Bluetooth keyboard).

The patent on the ornamental design of the iPod shuffle lists, among many co-inventors, former CEO Steve Jobs. During the introduction of the latest version in September 2010, Jobs was particularly enthusiastic about the size and billed it as combining the best of the third- and second-generation iPod shuffles. The patent was filed in May of this year.

The patent on application switching is one of the original iPhone patents, and dates back to January of 2008, though it has been amended to include the technology on tablet devices as well. The application demonstrates the ability of the user to switch between phone calls and general application use, with a banner near the top of the screen allowing the user to touch the banner in order to return to the call. Apple Senior Vice President for iOS Development Scott Forstall is listed among the co-inventors.

The micro-perforation technique to allow light to pass through and illuminate objects that look solid or translucent relates back to a similar patent granted in June, which covers ideas such as the illuminated keyboards found on many portable Mac models and in one embodiment is shown to create an Apple logo such as might be found on the back of future mobile devices. The application lists Douglas Weber and Naoto Matsuyuki as co-inventors and was filed in July of 2010.

by MacNN Staff