There are not many days that go by when Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) doesn’t file for or is granted a patent. The Cupertino based company is always on the move, looking for another way to protect its technology.
Here are three patents, complete with an abstract, that were recently granted to Apple:
In accordance with some embodiments, a portable electronic device with a touch screen display displays a map in an untracked mode of a mapping application. The device receives location information for the device, and detects a first activation of a mapping mode user interface element. In response, the device enters a tracked mode of the mapping application.
Network invitation arrangement and method
Method and arrangement for enabling communications between an entity operating a network including a first user, and a second user includes sending a message from the first user to the entity informing the entity of identification information of the second user interested in joining the network, sending from the entity to the first user a key to allow the second user to communicate with the entity, providing a message from the first user directly to the second user containing the key, sending a message from the second user to the entity using the key, determining whether the key sent by the second user corresponds to the key provided by the entity to the first user, and if so enabling communications between the second user and the entity. The ability of the first user to obtain a key to enable the second user to join the network is time-limited.
Method and system for verifying entitlement to access content by URL validation
Aspects include a mechanism of entitling users to transacted-for digital content access, indicating download authorization with discrete authentication URLs, and validating download attempts using each such URL. The authentication mechanism comprises producing an encrypted string included in a URL provided to a user. The encrypted string comprises transaction identifier information, and information about the transacted-for entitlement. When a user wishes to exercise the transacted-for entitlement, the user activates the URL, which is resolved to a location that has/can obtain access to the key(s) used in producing the encrypted string, decrypt the string, and use the information in it to validate the URL and the entitlement. The validation can use data retrieved from a database, using the transaction identifier as a key. The entitlement information included in the now-decrypted string can be compared with the prior download information. A byte range of requested by a browser using the URL can be used in validation, as well as how a particular authorization/validation should count for entitlement fulfillment.
These three Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) patents are not the easiest to understand. For many, it is difficult to understand how they would even be implemented in the future. However, you can be rest assured that Apple is excited about each one and hopes to use it in some way down the road.
Without patents like these, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s business would not be nearly as effective.
What are your thoughts on these three patents? Share your opinion in the comment section below.
