Patents Expiring in 2025

How Phones Sense Your Finger Hovering Without Touching the Screen

This patent describes a system for electronic devices, like phones, to detect a finger hovering just above the screen, display a specific interactive element below it, and then let you control that element with gestures without ever making contact.

How Engineered Antibodies Target TGF-beta Proteins to Fight Cancer

This patent describes specific engineered antibodies, made from mouse and human parts, designed to block TGF-beta proteins to help treat various cancers like breast or lung cancer.

How Digital Maps Are Built From Small Image Pieces

Google's 2007 patent on how to assemble small map images, called tiles, into a larger map view on your device, enabling smooth zooming and panning.

How Software Interfaces Shrink to Save Screen Space

A method for automatically shrinking a navigation sidebar into a slim icon-based strip while maintaining access to full features through a temporary pop-up menu.

A Rotating Space Station for Catching and Launching Cargo

A patent for a rotating space station that uses long, extendable cables to catch and release cargo payloads while orbiting a planet.

How Software Predicts What You Need Based on Your Coworkers

A system that uses the browsing history and work habits of your colleagues to automatically build a personalized dashboard of links and content you are likely to need next.

Using Heat to Move Tiny Mirrors for Controlling Light Beams

A system that uses tiny, heat-powered mechanical arms to move mirrors into the path of light beams, effectively acting as a switch for fiber optic networks.