Public Domain Pipeline
Patents expiring soon
Every patent below becomes free to use, manufacture, and sell without a license within the next 12 months. Ranked by forward citations — the best proxy for commercial importance.
Expiring in 12 months
11
Combined citations
350
Months covered
5
January 2027
3 patents expiringA power-saving method for touchscreens that puts the main processor to sleep when not in use and wakes it up only when a touch is detected.
Apple's patent describes a way for touchscreens to adjust the timing of internal electrical signals so they perfectly match the signals coming from your finger, making touch detection more accurate.
This patent describes the software logic that allows touchscreens to distinguish between simple scrolling and multi-finger gestures, while also enabling the signature 'rubber-band' bounce effect when you reach the end of a page.
February 2027
3 patents expiringThis 2012 patent describes a handheld device, like an early BlackBerry, with a QWERTY keyboard and a trackball, focusing on the physical arrangement of keys around the navigation tool.
This patent describes a clever way for electronic devices, like cell phones, to save battery power by using different amplifier circuits for strong and weak signals, making them more efficient.
Apple's patent on using mathematical ellipses to track and identify individual fingers and palms on a touch-sensitive surface.
March 2027
3 patents expiringThis patent describes a method for stacking two full wafers of computer chips, where the chips on each wafer are roughly the same overall size but have different active areas, to create a compact system-in-package.
This patent describes a fuel cell system that captures and recycles over 95% of the unused hydrogen from its exhaust stream using a special pump, significantly boosting efficiency.
This patent describes a compact robot actuator that uses a special gear system and two motors with different electrical resistance to precisely control both the force and speed applied to a robotic arm or tool.
July 2027
1 patent expiringThis patent describes how small, flat fins attached to the tips of wind turbine blades can reduce noise and improve efficiency by managing swirling air, called vortices.
October 2027
1 patent expiringThis 2012 patent describes a system that listens to music and automatically generates harmony notes to accompany a melody, even detecting and ignoring accidental strums on stringed instruments.
Expiration dates are derived from USPTO records. Maintenance fee lapses, terminal disclaimers, and SPTAs may alter actual expiration. Confirm with a registered patent attorney before making commercial decisions. Page refreshes daily.