Gary
As the tradition is, Apple silently went ahead with a patent acquisition covering sensing technology from the British Telecom last week.
This patent was originally invented by Lyndsay Williams for BT in late 90’s and as it is, it was developed for a touch sensitive computer called SmartQuill. The SmartQuill had advanced handwriting recognition capabilities and additionally was capable of writing documents on a paper, which it could store and recall at a later point of time, and move the screen in response to a movement
The patent (U.S. patent 6,956,564) was deployed in the SmartQuill to enable different views on the small screen that the computer carried as it was turned around. The patent covers portable computers that are capable of recognizing movements and output an electoral signal in response to the movement. Since only iPhone of all the Apple devices fits the criteria, we can confirm that the patent is for iPhone.
There are two reasons why Apple may have really bought this patent: to protect iPhone’s movement detection sensor technology which is also capable of moving and changing the screen directly in response to the movements, or maybe we can speculate that they are looking deeper into the handwriting recognition aspect.
However, since the competitors Sony and Nokia have already incorporated a similar technology into their high end mobile phones it would seem a wasted attempt if the patent was acquired to protect the iPhone accelerometer. And as for the handwriting recognition aspect, it is not clear if the patent covered that part or if there was a separate technology or patent for the same. So I guess, it’s going to be another wait and watch game until Jobs thinks it’s the time to reveal!!
March 11, 2008
Ah, this sounds like a wonderful product for most people, especially those with good penmanship and legible handwriting. As for me? I’m SOL - my penmanship sucks, so this thing would not recognize my chicken scrawl by any stretch of the imagination!
March 15, 2008
That’s a good new feature to have on a phone. I think the next iPhone that will be released should already have these features for it to stay competitive. Nokia and Son Ericson can and will definitely introduce a similar phone that is better than their first launched high end phones.
March 15, 2008
I have always had problems with digital signatures as I could foresee someone actually utilizing someone else’s name as their own. While I suppose there is still a possibility of signing a name as your own, there is a lot more protection should there ever be a need to prove the legality of the signature. It would be a great idea if the technology actually went in this direction.
March 16, 2008
This gives a more personable approach to things. It seems like technology is taking over everything, and I think this neat feature feature will become popular and work out well.
March 17, 2008
I think that whatever positive technology Apple adds to iPhone will push other mobile phone manufacturers to do the same, which can only be a good thing. Lord knows I need some improved features on my Sony.
March 17, 2008
I would have to agree that it could be potentially problematic. I cannot see why certain technology really is necessary. Although I also agree with the comment that states it would become popular. At what expense should we allow this. If someone was able to get a hold of your signature they could easily practice until they had it perfect. Then with the capability of ordering online through phones, they could really take over someones identity.
March 17, 2008
This sounds fantastic. The iPhone itself is so wonderfull and this handwriting recognition feature adds to the beauty. But I actually cant understand why this feature is actually needed. We have a large number of fonts to choose from, so why would one ever want to put his/her own writing into a document? But i have to agree that the technology is arguably wonderful, keeping aside this drawback.
March 26, 2008
I’m wary of a feature like this, it never really caught on with any other devices. It just never seems to work right and always frustrates those who try and use it. I guess those aren’t great reasons not to try it but I would say those are good reasons to predict why it probably won’t work out.
April 11, 2008
Looking at the above comments - and there are several, this looks like it could be a product fraught with issues, there seems to be alot of concern that this would not actually bring a great gain to thte end user, and if it can decipher my handwriting good on it, even I can’t read my own writing!
April 12, 2008
I’m going to compare this thing to the little electronic pads you sign on when you use your credit cards now. Those things always make my handwriting awful regardless of how carefully I sign. I think this might be a nice gesture but maybe wouldn’t function as nicely as I’d like