Method and Device for Detecting a Touch Between a First Object and a Second Object
The present disclosure is related to a method and device for detecting a touch between at least part of a first object and at least part of a second object, wherein the at least part of the first object has a different t…
Original patent title: “Method and Device for Detecting a Touch Between a First Object and a Second Object”
The present disclosure is related to a method and device for detecting a touch between at least part of a first object and at least part of a second object, wherein the at least part of the first object has a different t…. Owned by Apple with 25 claims and 1 forward citation, and it is expected to expire in 2040.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The present disclosure is related to a method and device for detecting a touch between at least part of a first object and at least part of a second object, wherein the at least part of the first object has a different temperature than the at least part of the second object. The method includes providing at least one thermal image of a portion of the second object, determining in at least part of the at least one thermal image a pattern which is indicative of a particular value or range of temperature or a particular value or range of temperature change, and using the determined pattern for detecting a touch between the at least part of the first object and the at least part of the second object.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Patent Abstract
Patent abstract
The present disclosure is related to a method and device for detecting a touch between at least part of a first object and at least part of a second object, wherein the at least part of the first object has a different temperature than the at least part of the second object. The method includes providing at least one thermal image of a portion of the second object, determining in at least part of the at least one thermal image a pattern which is indicative of a particular value or range of temperature or a particular value or range of temperature change, and using the determined pattern for detecting a touch between the at least part of the first object and the at least part of the second object.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent enters public domain
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Moderate
Citation count
6/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
17/20
Very broad protection
Recency
0/20
Older than 20 years
Assignee scale
20/20
Major company or institution
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$62K – $200K
Midpoint $125K · 14.5 yr remaining · industry ×1.6
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
The original legal language
Original claims
25 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Kurz, D. Method and Device for Detecting a Touch Between a First Object and a Second Object (U.S. Patent No. 20,210,117,042). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20210117042/method-and-device-for-detecting-a-touch-between-a-first-object-and-a-second-obje
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns patent US 20210117042?
This patent is owned by Apple.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on December 23, 2040, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 20210117042 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 1 later patents that build on its ideas.
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