All articles tagged with #patent
Canon has filed a Japanese patent (JP 2026-152979) describing a telephoto zoom lens with a built-in empty slot designed to accept a 1.4x teleconverter. This design allows users to extend focal length without increasing the physical size of the lens, potentially offering a cost-effective alternative to built-in extenders for high-end 'big white' lenses.
A new US patent filing details a deployable rear wing for Tesla’s upcoming Roadster, capable of generating 700 kg of downforce. The system hides flush in the bodywork, deploys in under three seconds, and includes safety features to retract during rear impacts. The filing was published a week before the car’s scheduled October 1 unveiling.
Microsoft has filed a patent for a system that displays advertisements during natural pauses in PC and Xbox games, such as loading screens or post-mission moments. The 'ad-credit' model grants players ad-free time after viewing ads, aiming to monetize downtime without disrupting core gameplay flow.
Sony’s latest patent suggests the PS5’s DualSense controller could function as a payment device, enabling users to pay via proximity to a linked smartphone with the transaction then reflected on the console—though patents are not guarantees of feature releases and Sony could alter or drop the idea.
Sony patents a system where DualSense controllers can act as payment relays, letting a nearby phone wirelessly provide credit-card details to the PS console for digital purchases, using NFC, Bluetooth, or physical contact, as the company moves toward an all-digital future from 2028.
Microsoft has filed a patent for a context-aware in-game ad system that serves video or static ads during natural breaks (boss fights, load screens, cutscenes) by using game-state signals and a credit-based mechanism to extend play time, aiming to support free-to-play PC/console games without interrupting active gameplay—though commercialization is not guaranteed.
Meta has patented AI smartglasses that can identify people in a scene, track their actions, and automatically generate highlight clips—potentially showcasing dinners or similar events—highlighting the company’s continued push into facial‑recognition features despite privacy concerns.
A California federal judge denied Apple's bid to overturn a jury verdict that the Apple Watch infringed Masimo's pulse oximetry patent, leaving $634 million in damages in place and denying a new trial; the ruling rejected Apple's argument that the disputed term 'patient monitor' should be limited to traditional medical equipment.
Sony has filed patent US-20260199776-A1 (dated around July 16, 2026) describing a modular PlayStation controller with a magnetically attachable input module that can host extra controls and a small display for notifications. The design aims to tailor ergonomics and game-specific layouts, potentially aiding players with mobility needs. It’s a patent filing, and there’s no guarantee a product will reach market.
Faraday Future has patented a concept transmission called the Range-Extending Hybrid Transmission System that uses a multi-clutch, multi-shaft setup to let the engine and electric motor in a PHEV operate concurrently or independently, aiming to simplify hardware and improve range; however the idea remains a proof-of-concept, with questions about space, real-world viability, and prototypes years away.
Sony has published a patent for a future PlayStation controller whose buttons can harden or soften in response to gameplay, using a magneto-viscoelastic elastomer and magnets to adjust resistance and feel—potentially expanding tactile feedback beyond the current DualSense.
Sony has filed a World Intellectual Property Organization patent for a PlayStation controller whose buttons can harden, soften, or envelop a finger using materials like magneto-viscoelastic elastomers or fluid-filled membranes, potentially enabling more context‑sensitive in‑game actions, though a patent filing doesn’t guarantee the feature will be released.
A report says Nintendo is unlikely to win its two-year lawsuit against Palworld developer Pocketpair, with potential damages capped at about 5 million yen (roughly $30,000) and Palworld unlikely to be taken offline. The case, which centers on older Palworld versions, is nearing its conclusion with court dates in 2026 and a ruling expected later that year; Nintendo’s patent tactic and high litigation costs are viewed as weak paths to victory and Pocketpair is poised to come out on top regardless of any settlement.
Public records show Nintendo’s patent case against Palworld creator Pocketpair is effectively winding down: damages are capped at 5 million yen (about $30,000) and Nintendo’s ability to halt Palworld’s current versions is minimal as Palworld 1.0 launches on July 10 after patches that narrow the claims. The Tokyo District Court hearing is set for Oct 1, 2026 with a formal opinion due Nov 9, 2026; Nintendo’s broader patent-litigation costs have been substantial, but Pocketpair continues toward a major 1.0 release.
Sony’s patent would use AI to fill loading and matchmaking waits with picture-in-picture content—videos, highlights, analytics, tips, and promos—from linked apps, timed to the expected wait; if the wait ends early, playback ends early, and the feature could boost engagement or be monetized, though it may be optional or never shipped.