Major innovators have been awarded patents for all kinds of strange ideas, either to ensure no one else can develop, create and sell them or to be ready for any legal challenge in the future.
From very simple ideas to the extraordinarily complex, major technology brands are careful to ensure that they protect their ideas. In this article, we look at a few of them:
Amazon patents
- Amazon delivery blimp
Amazon are known for their super-fast delivery and are always aiming to improve it. The company was awarded a patent for what they call an “airborne fulfilment centre”, which is basically a blimp platform. The idea is the fulfilment centres will deploy drones to deliver packages right into people’s hands.
- Taking pictures of products on a white background
Another Amazon patent is one which was awarded in 2014 to take photographs of products on a white background. As this appears such an ostensibly generic, basic technique, there was surprise in the photography community following the patent. However, on closer examination, the patent covers very specific lighting and equipment.
- Underwater storage
A patent called “Aquatic Storage Facility” outlines a way of storing items in “a body of liquid”. A cartridge attached to each product would be used to retrieve them.
IBM patents
- System for out-of-office emails
Setting up an out-of-office email isn’t a revolutionary idea. However, IBM thought it was worth patenting and was granted in 2017 after a seven-year lobbying campaign.
Google patents
- Adverts triggered by weather conditions
Google is always looking for ways to increase revenue through advertising and in 2012 filed a patent called “Advertisements Based on Weather Conditions”. The technology would work out a person’s weather conditions and target adverts accordingly.
- A tattoo that talks to your smartphone
In the same year, Google filed another patent for a technological tool called “Coupling an Electronic Skin Tattoo to a Mobile Communication Device”. It’s essentially a temporary, digital throat tattoo that transmits your voice to your smartphone.
- A baseball cap with a video camera
Despite the not so successful product of Google Glass, Google are looking for the perfect wearable tech. In February 2017, Google was granted a patent for a baseball cap with a video camera mounted onto the brim. It would allow the wearer to take photos and videos to stream directly on social networks, connected to their smartphone through an app.
Apple patents
· Smart bike
Apple were already thinking about smart products beyond phones, laptops and tablets back in 2010. They patented a ‘smart bike’, which connects with an iPhone and includes sensors connected to distance, time, heart rate, elevation and incline.
- Bag
In 2016 Apple filed a patent for a “bag”. What makes the paper bag different to any other? According to Apple, it’s 60% recyclable and the interesting tech lies in how they plan to hold the bag together, as high levels of recycled material are notoriously flimsy.
Facebook patents
· Robots controlled by Facebook
In 2016, Facebook filed a patent called “Controlling Operation of A Machine and Describing Actions Performed by the Machine Through a Social Networking System,” meaning they have patented a way for users of social networking to control a robot using Facebook.
Microsoft patents
- Item finder using augmented reality (AR)
In 2016, Microsoft patented “Object Tracking” tech designed to find missing everyday items, such as keys and purses. The new tech uses Microsoft’s AR (HoloLens) to monitor an environment to identify objects and where they move.
- Data centres under water
Earlier this year, Microsoft applied for a patent for something they call an “Artificial Reef Data Centre”. The data centre would be housed in a pressured vessel underwater and surrounded by a structure to support the ecosystem around it. They call it “Project Natick” and have tested it at 30ft underwater. The idea is it will be able to provide ‘edge’ speed to customers living near water.
About Dawn Ellmore Employment
Dawn Ellmore Employment was incorporated in 1995 and is a market leader in intellectual property and legal recruitment.