Innovation Timeline
Consumer Electronics
The inventions behind touchscreens, smartphones, tablets, and the devices that define daily life — chronologically from first filing to today.
Landmark patents
468
Total citations
47,640
Span
1846 – 2025
Milestones
94
1840s
How Elias Howe Invented the Modern Lockstitch Sewing Machine
Elias Howe's 1846 patent for the lockstitch sewing machine, which used two separate threads to create a durable stitch that revolutionized garment manufacturing.
2 citations
How Walter Hunt Invented the Modern Safety Pin
Walter Hunt's 1849 patent for a simple, coiled wire device that keeps sharp points covered while fastening fabric.
4 citations
1860s
How James Plimpton Invented the Modern Roller Skate
A 19th-century invention that introduced pivoting wheels to roller skates, allowing users to steer by leaning their bodies.
5 citations
Edison's First Patent: An Electric Vote Recorder
Thomas Edison's very first patent, granted in 1869, describes an early machine designed to use electricity to quickly record and tally votes, primarily for legislative bodies.
William Semple's 1869 Patent for Improved Chewing Gum
An 1869 patent by William Semple describing a method for creating chewing gum using rubber and other additives to make a long-lasting, chewable substance.
2 citations
1870s
How Levi Strauss Invented the Copper-Riveted Jean Pocket
This 1873 patent describes the use of metal rivets to reinforce the corners of pockets on work pants, preventing them from ripping under heavy use.
2 citations
How Thomas Edison Improved Early Phonograph Recording
An 1878 patent by Thomas Edison detailing mechanical improvements to early sound recording devices to make them more reliable.
9 citations
How the QWERTY Keyboard Layout Was Originally Designed
An 1878 patent by Christopher Latham Sholes that helped standardize the keyboard layout we still use on computers and phones today.
7 citations
1880s
Henry Seely's 1882 Electric Flatiron
An 1882 patent for the first electric flatiron, which used internal heating elements to replace the heavy, fire-heated irons of the Victorian era.
3 citations
Josephine Cochrane's Mechanical Dishwashing Machine
A late 19th-century invention that used a pressurized water pump and a rotating rack to clean dishes mechanically, moving away from manual scrubbing.
2 citations
How the Modern Paper Drinking Straw Was Invented
A 19th-century patent for a paper tube coated in wax, designed to replace natural rye grass straws for drinking beverages.
7 citations
George Eastman's Original Box Camera Design
A foundational 1888 patent by George Eastman describing the mechanical structure of a simple, mass-market box camera that made photography accessible to everyday people.
1 citation
1890s
Nikola Tesla's Early System for Electric Lighting
A 19th-century patent by Nikola Tesla describing an early method for distributing and regulating electric light using high-frequency alternating current.
13 citations
How the Crown Cork Bottle Cap Changed Soda and Beer
William Painter's 1892 invention of the crown cork bottle cap, a simple metal disc with a crimped edge that provided an airtight, disposable seal for carbonated beverages.
19 citations
How John Harvey Kellogg Invented Flaked Breakfast Cereals
A foundational 1896 patent describing the process of creating thin, toasted flakes from cooked grains, which launched the modern breakfast cereal industry.
4 citations
How Thomas Edison's Kinetographic Camera Captured Early Motion Pictures
An 1897 patent by Thomas Edison for a camera mechanism designed to capture sequential images on a moving film strip to create the illusion of motion.
Nikola Tesla's Remote Control System for Boats
Nikola Tesla's 1898 patent for controlling a boat's movement and steering from a distance using radio waves and electrical signals.
15 citations
1900s
How King Gillette Invented the Modern Disposable Safety Razor
King Gillette's 1904 patent for a safety razor with a thin, replaceable, double-edged blade that changed how the world shaves.
11 citations
How James Spangler Invented the First Portable Electric Vacuum Cleaner
A 1908 patent for a portable suction-based cleaning device that combined a rotating brush with a fan to lift dust into a bag.
3 citations
How the Modern Disposable Paper Cup Was Invented
A 1908 patent for a sanitary, single-use paper cup designed to prevent the spread of germs from shared public drinking vessels.
4 citations
How Early Washing Machines Moved Clothes
This 1910 patent describes a mechanical system designed to power the washing action within early washing machines, focusing on how the tub or agitator moved.
How Leo Baekeland Invented Bakelite, the First Synthetic Plastic
A 1909 patent for creating a durable, heat-resistant material by reacting phenol and formaldehyde, marking the birth of the modern plastics industry.
4 citations
1910s
How Georges Claude Invented the Neon Light
A 1915 patent describing the use of neon gas in sealed glass tubes to create bright, colorful light for signs and illumination.
3 citations
How A.C. Gilbert Designed Early Interlocking Toy Construction Blocks
A 1913 patent by A.C. Gilbert for a system of toy building blocks designed to snap together to create structures.
3 citations
How Mary Phelps Jacob Invented the Modern Backless Brassiere
A 1914 patent by Mary Phelps Jacob that replaced heavy, rigid corsets with a lightweight, two-handkerchief design to support the bust.
3 citations
How TinkerToy's Original Wooden Construction Blocks Work
A 1914 patent for a modular toy system using wooden sticks and circular hubs with holes to build complex three-dimensional structures.
41 citations
How Gideon Sundback Invented the Modern Zipper
The 1917 patent for the separable fastener that perfected the design of the modern zipper using interlocking teeth on two flexible tapes.
14 citations
How Early Industrial Food Mixers Used Planetary Gear Systems
A 1918 patent for a heavy-duty industrial mixing machine that used a specific gear arrangement to rotate a beater while simultaneously moving it around the bowl.
19 citations
How Edwin Armstrong Invented the Superheterodyne Radio Receiver
A foundational 1920 patent by Edwin Armstrong that describes the superheterodyne circuit, the technology that allowed radios to tune into specific stations clearly and reliably.
31 citations
1920s
The Invention of Lincoln Logs
A 1920 patent for a toy construction system using notched wooden logs to build miniature cabins and structures.
24 citations
How the First Automatic Pop-Up Toaster Works
Charles Strite's 1921 patent for the first toaster that automatically pops bread up after a set time, preventing it from burning.
2 citations
How the Modern Kitchen Blender Works
Stephen Poplawski's 1922 invention of the electric beverage mixer, which introduced the rotating blade at the base of a container to liquefy ingredients.
33 citations
How the Popsicle Was Invented by Accident
A 1924 patent for a frozen treat made by freezing flavored liquid around a wooden stick, commonly known today as a Popsicle.
23 citations
How the Theremin Makes Music Without Touching Anything
Leon Theremin's 1928 patent for an electronic musical instrument that generates sound based on the proximity of a performer's hands to metal antennas.
40 citations
The Invention of the Modern Adhesive Bandage
A 1926 patent by Johnson and Johnson for the first mass-produced, sterile adhesive bandage, commonly known as the Band-Aid.
16 citations
How Clarence Birdseye Invented Modern Frozen Food
This 1930 patent describes the process of rapidly freezing food in small packages to prevent the formation of large ice crystals that ruin texture and flavor.
14 citations
How the First Cotton Swabs Were Mass-Produced
Leo Gerstenzang's 1929 patent for the automated manufacturing of cotton-tipped applicators, the invention that created the modern Q-Tip.
10 citations
How Jacob Schick Invented the Modern Magazine-Loading Safety Razor
A 1929 patent for a safety razor that uses a replaceable blade magazine, allowing users to change blades without touching the sharp edges.
2 citations
How Richard Drew Invented Modern Transparent Adhesive Tape
The 1930 patent for the first pressure-sensitive adhesive tape, which replaced messy glues and paper tapes with a convenient, clear, and sticky strip.
20 citations
1930s
How the modern internal menstrual tampon was invented
Earle Haas's 1933 patent describes the first modern internal menstrual tampon, designed to be inserted into the vagina using a cardboard applicator.
36 citations
How the First Modern Kitchen Garbage Disposal Was Invented
John W. Hammes' 1933 invention of a motorized grinding device that mounts under a kitchen sink to pulverize food waste into small particles for disposal through plumbing.
43 citations
How Laurens Hammond Invented the Electric Organ
Laurens Hammond's 1934 patent for an electrical musical instrument that used spinning tone wheels to generate sound, forming the basis of the iconic Hammond organ.
35 citations
How the Frying Pan Guitar Created the Electric Guitar
George Beauchamp's 1937 patent for the first commercially successful electric guitar, which used a magnetic pickup to turn string vibrations into electrical signals.
24 citations
The Invention of the Phillips Head Screw
A 1936 patent for a cross-shaped screw head designed to keep a screwdriver centered and prevent it from slipping during high-speed assembly.
8 citations
How the 1940 Nachumsohn Cooking Apparatus Works
A 1940 patent for a cooking device designed to heat food efficiently using an enclosed chamber and specific heat distribution methods.
31 citations
How Sylvan Goldman Invented the Modern Grocery Shopping Cart
A 1940 patent for a folding metal frame designed to hold two wire baskets, enabling shoppers to carry more items than their arms could hold.
15 citations
How the View-Master 3D Image Viewer Works
A 1939 invention for a handheld device that uses two offset images to create the illusion of depth, famously known as the View-Master.
28 citations
Chester Carlson's Original Xerography Patent
Chester Carlson's 1942 patent for xerography, the dry copying process that became the foundation for Xerox machines.
737 citations
The Discovery of Teflon
This 1941 patent describes the creation of polytetrafluoroethylene, a slippery, heat-resistant plastic discovered by accident that became known as Teflon.
74 citations
1940s
How George Nissen Invented the Modern Trampoline
The 1945 patent for a 'tumbling device' that introduced the modern trampoline, using a flexible canvas bed stretched over a frame with springs to allow for high-bouncing acrobatics.
37 citations
How the First Aerosol Spray Can Works
A 1941 invention by Lyle Goodhue and William Sullivan that created the modern aerosol spray can by using a liquefied gas to propel liquid contents.
20 citations
How Laszlo Biro Invented the Modern Ballpoint Pen
This 1945 patent describes the original ballpoint pen mechanism that uses a rotating sphere to distribute thick, quick-drying ink onto paper.
30 citations
How to Make Silly Putty Using Silicone and Zinc
A 1944 chemical process for turning liquid silicone oil into a bouncy, stretchable, putty-like material by adding boron compounds and zinc hydroxide.
80 citations
How Percy Spencer Invented the Microwave Oven
This 1945 patent describes the process of using concentrated microwave energy to cook food, the fundamental technology behind the modern microwave oven.
20 citations
How the Slinky Toy Works
The original 1947 patent for the Slinky, a helical spring toy designed to walk down stairs through the transfer of energy.
29 citations
How a Self-Watering Flowerpot Design Works
A 1947 patent for a flowerpot design that uses a built-in reservoir to keep plant soil consistently moist.
21 citations
How the Aqua-Lung Scuba Regulator Works
The foundational 1947 patent by Jacques Cousteau and Emile Gagnan for the automatic demand regulator that allows divers to breathe compressed air underwater.
12 citations
How Earl Tupper Invented the Airtight Plastic Food Container
A 1947 patent for a flexible plastic container with a unique, airtight lid that seals by pressing down on the center, creating the foundation for Tupperware.
116 citations
The Invention of the Transistor
Bell Labs' 1950 patent for the point-contact transistor, the fundamental electronic component that makes all modern computing possible.
130 citations
The Invention of the Junction Transistor
William Shockley's 1951 patent for the junction transistor, the fundamental building block of all modern digital electronics.
145 citations
How Polaroid's Instant Film Pods Work
A 1951 invention by Edwin Land that enabled instant photography by packaging liquid developer inside a breakable pod attached to the film sheet.
119 citations
How a Spring-Loaded Pocket Dispenser Works
A 1949 mechanical design for a pocket-sized container that uses a spring to push items like pills or candies to the top for easy access.
69 citations
1950s
How George de Mestral Invented Velcro
A 1952 patent describing the creation of a hook-and-loop fastener by weaving synthetic loops into fabric and cutting them to create tiny, grippy hooks.
299 citations
How a Simple Felt-Tip Marker Works
A 1953 design for a handheld marking tool that uses a porous tip to deliver ink from an internal reservoir.
13 citations
How the Wiffle Ball Design Works
A 1954 patent for a lightweight, perforated plastic ball designed to curve easily when thrown, famously known as the Wiffle ball.
43 citations
How the First Practical Silicon Solar Cell Works
A 1954 invention by Bell Labs researchers that created the first silicon-based solar cell capable of converting sunlight into enough electricity to power everyday devices.
59 citations
How the Breathalyzer Measures Alcohol in Your Breath
A 1954 invention by Robert Borkenstein that uses a chemical reaction to estimate the amount of alcohol in a person's blood by testing their breath.
8 citations
How Leo Fender's Tremolo Bridge Changes Guitar Pitch
A mechanical bridge system for electric guitars that allows players to temporarily change the tension and pitch of all strings simultaneously using a manual lever.
92 citations
How the Float Glass Process Makes Perfectly Flat Window Panes
This 1954 patent describes the float glass process, a method for creating high-quality, perfectly flat glass by floating molten glass on a bath of liquid metal.
53 citations
How George Devol Invented the First Industrial Robot Arm
The 1954 patent for the Unimate, the first digitally controlled robotic arm that could be programmed to move objects in a factory.
93 citations
How Spandex Elastic Fibers Are Chemically Engineered
DuPont's 1960 patent for a stretchy, durable synthetic fiber made from segmented polymers, which became the foundation for modern Spandex.
71 citations
How Ampex Invented Modern Video Recording on Magnetic Tape
This 1955 invention enabled the recording of high-frequency television signals onto magnetic tape, replacing the expensive and low-quality film recording methods of the era.
11 citations
How the First Wireless Television Remote Control Works
Robert Adler's 1957 invention of the Space Command remote, which used ultrasonic sound waves to control television functions without wires or batteries.
30 citations
How the Modern Alkaline Battery Was Invented
A 1957 patent from Union Carbide that defined the construction of the long-lasting alkaline battery, replacing older zinc-carbon designs.
25 citations
How the Modern LEGO Brick Design Works
The 1958 patent that defined the iconic LEGO brick with hollow tubes inside, allowing bricks to lock together firmly.
374 citations
How the First Laser Was Invented
The foundational 1960 patent by Schawlow and Townes that describes how to amplify light waves to create a laser, moving beyond microwave technology.
145 citations
How Jack Kilby Invented the First Integrated Circuit
Texas Instruments' 1959 patent for the first integrated circuit, which combined transistors and resistors on a single piece of semiconductor material.
27 citations
How the Hula Hoop Works
A 1963 patent for a lightweight, rigid plastic hoop designed to rotate around a human waist through rhythmic body movements.
30 citations
Early Device for Tracking Objects with a Pen
This 1962 patent describes an early system for tracing the path of an object using a pen-like stylus that records its movement on a surface.
31 citations
How Robert Noyce Invented the Modern Integrated Circuit
Robert Noyce's 1959 patent for a semiconductor device that uses evaporated metal leads to connect components directly on a single silicon chip.
165 citations
How Bubble Wrap Is Manufactured
A 1959 manufacturing process that creates cushioning material by trapping air between two layers of plastic film.
185 citations
1960s
How Play-Doh Was Invented
The original 1965 patent for the soft, non-toxic modeling compound known as Play-Doh, detailing a specific mixture of flour, water, salt, and kerosene.
29 citations
The Invention of the Modern Field-Effect Transistor
This 1960 patent describes the fundamental structure of the MOSFET, the tiny electronic switch that powers every modern computer processor.
37 citations
How the First Modern Water Slide Was Designed
A 1960 patent for a water-based amusement structure featuring a sloped surface and a water supply system to create a sliding experience.
41 citations
How Soft Contact Lenses Were Invented Using Hydrogels
This patent describes the chemical recipe for soft, water-absorbing plastic materials that form the basis of modern soft contact lenses.
228 citations
How the First Infrared LED Was Invented
Texas Instruments' 1962 patent for the first practical semiconductor diode that emits infrared light when electricity passes through it.
54 citations
How Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) Were Invented
This 1962 patent describes the first practical way to use organic liquid crystals to create a display that scatters light when an electric current is applied.
90 citations
The Invention of the Modern Soda Can Pull-Tab
A 1965 design for a ring-shaped metal tab that makes it easy to pull open a tear strip on a beverage can.
28 citations
How the Modern Frisbee Design Works
A 1967 patent describing the specific aerodynamic shape and raised ribs that allow a plastic disc to fly straight and steady.
137 citations
How the Snurfer Invented Modern Snowboarding
A 1966 patent for a single-board snow vehicle that allowed riders to stand sideways and steer using a rope, effectively creating the sport of snowboarding.
42 citations
How the Game Twister Works
A 1966 patent for a floor-based game where players use their own bodies as game pieces on a mat with colored circles.
23 citations
How Pringles Potato Chips Are Stacked and Packaged
A 1970 patent by Procter and Gamble describing the precise method for stacking uniform, saddle-shaped potato chips into a cylindrical container to prevent breakage.
83 citations
How James Russell Invented the Digital Optical Disc
A 1966 invention that replaced physical needles on vinyl records with a laser beam reading digital data from a spinning disc.
52 citations
How Robert Moog Used Transistors to Shape Synthesizer Sounds
A 1969 invention by Robert Moog that uses the internal resistance of transistors to create the iconic filters that define the sound of analog synthesizers.
7 citations
How Disposable Diapers Keep Skin Dry Using Porous Plastic Sheets
A 1970 patent by Procter and Gamble describing a specialized plastic top layer for diapers that allows liquid to pass through while keeping the baby's skin feeling dry.
133 citations
How Douglas Engelbart Invented the Computer Mouse
The 1970 patent for the X-Y position indicator, better known as the computer mouse, which allowed users to move a cursor across a screen for the first time.
162 citations
How Robert Dennard Invented the One-Transistor DRAM Memory Cell
IBM's 1967 patent for a memory cell using a single transistor and a capacitor, which became the foundation for all modern computer RAM.
191 citations
How the First Home Video Game Console Worked
Ralph Baer's 1969 patent for the Magnavox Odyssey, the first home video game system, which generated controllable dots on a standard television screen using analog circuitry.
44 citations
How Vacuum Tubes Detect Tiny Changes in High-Resistance Sensors
A 1973 circuit design using a vacuum tube to detect microscopic resistance shifts in sensors like ionization chambers, commonly used in early smoke detectors.
2 citations
How the Floppy Disk's Protective Jacket Cleans the Disk
An IBM patent from 1972 describing a protective, non-removable cover for a magnetic disk that uses a built-in cleaning material to wipe the disk surface while it spins.
79 citations
1970s
How the 2x2x2 Magnetic Puzzle Cube Works
A 1970 patent for a 2x2x2 puzzle cube held together by magnets that allows groups of pieces to rotate around three axes to solve a color-matching challenge.
75 citations
Sticky, Tiny Plastic Balls Made from Acrylates
This 1972 patent describes how to make tiny, sticky, and durable plastic balls (microspheres) using a specific mix of acrylate chemicals and a special water-based process.
382 citations
Hamilton's Early Digital Watch with LED Display
Hamilton's 1972 patent for a digital watch that uses electronic circuits and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to show time, instead of gears and hands, powered by a rechargeable battery.
118 citations
How Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Tags Were Invented
A 1970 patent describing a remote tag that powers itself using incoming radio signals to read and write data, forming the foundation of modern RFID technology.
185 citations
How Piezoelectric Inkjet Printing Works
A 1970 patent describing how to print images by using electrical pulses to bend a tiny crystal plate, squeezing individual ink drops out of a nozzle on demand.
448 citations
How the Modern Waterbed Works
A 1971 patent describing a liquid-filled, heated furniture support designed to cradle human bodies without letting them touch the bottom of the container.
70 citations
How Plastic Soda Bottles Are Made Stronger Using Stretched Molecules
A 1970s invention that describes how to make lightweight, clear plastic bottles strong enough to hold carbonated drinks without exploding.
170 citations
How Early Television Systems Isolated Specific Colors for Special Effects
A 1971 circuit design that allowed television equipment to detect a specific color in a video signal, enabling the green-screen effects we see in modern weather forecasts and movies.
17 citations
How a Coffee Maker Uses a Floating Valve to Heat Water
A 1971 invention for a coffee maker that uses a floating valve to control water flow, ensuring water is heated efficiently without needing a massive, power-hungry heating element.
26 citations
How Chemically Strengthened Glass Works
A 1971 Corning patent describing a specific chemical recipe for glass that can be made incredibly tough by swapping small atoms in its surface for larger ones.
52 citations
Early Automatic Cash Dispenser Using Credit Cards
This 1973 patent describes a machine that dispenses cash using a coded credit card, verifies the card's validity, and updates its code after each transaction to prevent fraud.
36 citations
Weapon That Shoots Wires to Deliver Electric Shocks
This 1974 patent describes a weapon that fires projectiles carrying wires to deliver incapacitating electric shocks to a target from a distance.
152 citations
How Laser Printers Use Rotating Mirrors to Write Information
A 1972 Xerox patent describing how to use a spinning mirror to scan a laser beam across a page, adjusting the speed of the data to keep the image sharp.
22 citations
How Texas Instruments Invented the Handheld Electronic Calculator
This 1972 patent describes the architecture for the first truly portable, battery-powered electronic calculator that could fit in a pocket.
18 citations
How the String Trimmer (Weed Eater) Actually Cuts Grass
This 1974 patent describes the mechanics of using a high-speed spinning plastic line to cut grass, replacing dangerous metal blades with flexible, non-metallic material.
86 citations
How Buried Channel CCDs Move Data Deep Inside Silicon Chips
A foundational 1974 invention that improved how computer chips store and move electrical charges by keeping them away from messy surface defects.
22 citations
Making Strong, Porous PTFE: The Gore-Tex Process
This patent describes a specific process for rapidly stretching a highly crystalline form of PTFE plastic to create a strong, porous material with a unique internal structure, forming the basis for products like Gore-Tex.
1,364 citations
How Early Cell Phones Handled Calls Across Different Towers
This patent describes a system for early portable phones to automatically find the strongest signal from a base station and switch channels as the user moves, reducing battery drain and interference.
206 citations
How Multiple Computers Share a Network Cable Without Crashing
This patent describes how multiple computers can share a single communication cable by listening for other transmissions and stopping their own if a collision occurs, then trying again later.
301 citations
How Cup Noodles Are Designed to Cook Perfectly
A 1976 patent describing the specific shape, density, and placement of dehydrated noodles inside a cup to ensure they cook evenly and quickly when hot water is added.
22 citations
Early Lithium-Ion Battery Design Using Chalcogenides
This 1977 patent describes an early rechargeable battery design using lithium as one electrode and titanium disulfide as the other, a key step towards modern lithium-ion technology.
93 citations
How Auto-Injectors Adjust Their Dose Using a Simple Spacer
A 1977 invention for auto-injectors that uses a physical spacer to adjust the amount of medicine inside the device before it is fired.
108 citations
How Amorphous Silicon Changed Solar Power
This 1976 patent describes using a specific form of non-crystalline silicon to create cheap, thin semiconductor devices like solar cells.
197 citations
How Wozniak Made the Apple II Display Color Graphics
Steve Wozniak's 1977 patent for a circuit that allowed a home computer to display stable, sharp color graphics on a standard television screen.
29 citations
The First Digital Camera's Core Technology
Kodak's 1978 patent on the fundamental technology for capturing, processing, and storing digital images using a CCD sensor and magnetic tape.
106 citations
How to Create a Secret Code Key Without Meeting First
This 1980 patent describes a way for two people to create a secret code key over a public channel, like the internet, without ever meeting or sharing the key directly.
708 citations
How RSA Public-Key Encryption Keeps Digital Messages Secret
This patent describes the foundational RSA algorithm, a method for securely sending messages where anyone can encrypt a message using a public key, but only the intended recipient can decrypt it using a secret private key.
1,015 citations
How Microwave Crisping Sleeves Work
General Mills' 1978 patent on using a thin, metal-coated plastic wrap that converts microwave energy into intense surface heat to crisp and brown food like Hot Pockets.
234 citations
1980s
How Lithium-Cobalt Battery Cathodes Were Invented
This 1981 patent details the chemistry behind the lithium-cobalt oxide cathodes that power almost every modern smartphone, laptop, and electric vehicle.
90 citations
How Organic Diodes Make Light Using Special Molecules
Eastman Kodak's 1982 patent on creating light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) using organic materials, specifically a layer of porphyrinic compounds to help inject electrical charges.
1,031 citations
How Lithium-Ion Battery Cathodes Are Made
A foundational 1982 method for creating the materials used in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries by removing ions at low temperatures.
41 citations
How Flash Memory Cells Use an Erase Gate to Clear Data
This 1985 patent describes the foundational structure of flash memory, introducing an 'erase gate' that allows data to be electrically wiped from a memory cell.
27 citations
How Modern Rollerblades Became Adjustable and Interchangeable
A 1982 patent describing a skate design that allows users to swap between wheels and blades and adjust their position on the boot for better performance.
46 citations
How Thermal Inkjet Printers Use Two-Step Heating to Shoot Ink
Hewlett-Packard's 1982 patent on a two-stage electrical pulse method that preheats ink before vaporizing it, allowing thermal inkjet printers to reliably eject precise droplets without clogging.
329 citations
How Computers Use Hardware to Stop Software Piracy and Cracking
A 1982 hardware-based security system that prevents software from being copied or cracked by destroying sensitive data if the computer detects unauthorized access or execution.
280 citations
How Stores Make Custom Products On-Demand with Remote Approval
This patent describes a system where a store can make a custom product for a customer, but only after getting permission and the necessary design information from a central, remote office.
498 citations
How Computers Compress Data Using Dictionary Building
This 1985 patent describes a method for making computer files smaller by building a dictionary of common data patterns and replacing them with shorter codes.
347 citations
How Modems Use Guard Time to Switch Between Data and Commands
This patent describes a method for modems to safely switch from sending data to accepting commands without accidentally triggering that switch while transmitting normal files.
42 citations
How 3D Printers Build Objects Layer by Layer from Liquid
This patent describes the foundational method for 3D printing, where a machine builds a three-dimensional object layer by layer by hardening a liquid material with light or other energy.
1,094 citations
How Hopfield Networks Use Resistors to Mimic Brain-Like Memory
A foundational patent describing an electronic circuit that uses a grid of resistors to perform computations, effectively creating an artificial neural network that can store and recall patterns.
167 citations
How the Nintendo D-Pad Works
A mechanical switch design that allows a user to control directional movement in video games using a single, tilting thumb-operated button.
129 citations
How Canon's Bubble Jet Printers Make Ink Droplets
Canon's 1988 patent on bubble jet printing uses a tiny heater to instantly vaporize ink, creating a bubble that pushes out a droplet of ink from the printer head.
1,806 citations
How to Make Clear, Waterproof Sunscreen That Doesn't Feel Greasy
A 1989 patent for a transparent, water-resistant sunscreen formula that uses wood rosin to create a non-sticky, long-lasting protective film on the skin.
11 citations
How the Koosh Ball's Design Makes It Easy to Catch
A patent for a ball made of hundreds of soft, rubbery strings that collapse on impact to make catching easy for small hands.
62 citations
Prodigy's System for Interactive Online Information and Shopping
Prodigy's 1994 patent outlines an interactive online system that delivered news, shopping, and banking to personal computers by breaking applications into 'objects' stored locally or remotely, and used user data for targeted ads.
808 citations
How Machines Build 3D Objects Layer by Layer from Melting Plastic
This patent describes a method and machine for creating three-dimensional objects by precisely depositing melted material, layer by layer, from a movable nozzle onto a base.
793 citations
How Tamper-Proof Labels That Break Into Pieces Work
A simple security sticker designed to break into tiny, unrecoverable pieces if someone tries to peel it off, making it impossible to hide or alter sensitive information.
23 citations
1990s
How Digital Media Purchases and Downloads Work
A 1990 patent describing the basic process of paying for digital audio or video content over a phone line and downloading it to a personal device.
260 citations
How Bose Prevents Noise-Canceling Headphones From Breaking During Loud Sounds
A 1993 Bose patent describing a physical design for noise-canceling headphones that prevents the speaker diaphragm from collapsing or popping out of place during intense audio pressure.
54 citations
How CPAP Machines Gradually Increase Air Pressure for Sleeping Patients
A 1993 patent describing a CPAP machine that lets patients choose how slowly the air pressure ramps up to their therapeutic level, making it easier to fall asleep.
231 citations
How Keurig's Original Single-Serve Coffee Pod System Works
This 1994 patent describes the original Keurig system for brewing single cups of coffee using a special filter pod that holds coffee grounds and separates them from the brewed liquid.
359 citations
How 3D Icons Rotate to Show More Information
A 1994 Apple patent for a 3D computer icon that can be rotated by clicking specific areas to reveal different sides, each containing extra information about a file or folder.
257 citations
How Digital Sticky Notes Work Inside Computer Programs
A 1993 Apple patent for attaching digital sticky notes to documents so they move and behave like regular text or images within an application.
244 citations
How to Make Durable Non-Slip Surfaces Using Electron Beam Curing
A method for creating flexible, non-slip materials by bonding mineral grit to plastic sheets using a special radiation-cured glue that stays strong even when stretched.
25 citations
How to Exercise Your Cat Using a Laser Pointer
A 1995 patent describing the method of using a handheld laser pointer to create a moving light target that encourages cats to run and play.
35 citations
CSIRO's High-Frequency Wireless Network Technology
This 1996 patent from CSIRO describes a wireless local area network system that can send data reliably using radio waves above 10 GHz, even when signals bounce off walls.
120 citations
How a Modern Camera Sensor Captures Light and Converts It to Data
This patent describes a camera sensor technology that combines light-capturing elements with a special circuit to read out the image data quickly and efficiently, all on a single chip.
620 citations
How Cable Boxes Download Software Updates Remotely
A method for cable television boxes to automatically download and install new software updates sent over the air from the cable provider's main office.
249 citations
How Nichia Created the First Practical Blue LED Electrodes
A foundational patent describing the specific metal contacts needed to make gallium nitride LEDs efficient and commercially viable.
251 citations
How Web Browsers Run Embedded Programs Inside Documents
A 1994 invention that allowed web browsers to automatically launch and run external programs directly inside a webpage, enabling interactive content like 3D models or complex data viewers.
576 citations
How Digital Audio Compression Works
A foundational method for compressing digital audio by transforming sound into spectral data and using variable-length codes to store it efficiently.
108 citations
How the QR Code Works
The 1995 patent by Toyota Central R&D Labs that invented the QR code, using three distinct corner squares with a unique 1:1:3:1:1 pixel ratio to let scanners instantly find and read the code from any angle.
250 citations
How Windows 95 Supported Long Filenames While Staying Compatible
A clever method for storing long filenames in older file systems by hiding them in extra directory entries that older programs simply ignore.
39 citations
How Interactive Pop-up Help Windows Work in Computer Interfaces
A 1995 patent describing how computer interfaces can automatically show helpful, rich-text pop-up windows when a user hovers their mouse over an icon or button.
119 citations
How Websites Remember You Using Stored Data
Netscape's 1998 patent on storing small pieces of website information (like login details or preferences) on your computer so the website can recall them later, enabling personalized experiences and smoother navigation.
508 citations
How Computers Automatically Detect and Act on Data Like Phone Numbers
Apple's 1999 patent describing how software can automatically recognize patterns like phone numbers or dates in text and offer relevant actions like calling or scheduling.
297 citations
Logitech's Method for Using Two Fingers on a Touchpad
Logitech's 1998 patent describes how a touchpad can detect two fingers touching it in a specific sequence to perform actions like clicking or dragging, going beyond single-finger mouse emulation.
1,577 citations
How Early Mobile Devices Accessed the Internet Using Split Proxies
A 1996 system that made the early web usable on slow, unreliable wireless connections by using two 'proxy' servers to shrink and simplify data before sending it.
546 citations
How Load Balancers Route Web Traffic Based on Specific Content
A method for web servers to route user requests to specific machines based on which files they store, rather than just blindly balancing traffic across all servers.
1,148 citations
How Multi-Level Cell Memory Stores More Data in Less Space
Toshiba's 1999 patent describes a method for storing multiple bits of data in a single memory cell by precisely controlling voltage levels during programming.
326 citations
Tiny Capsules for Electronic Paper Displays
MIT's 1999 patent on a special ink made of tiny capsules that can change color when an electric field is applied, forming the basis for early e-readers.
508 citations
How Servers Combine Global and Local Content for Personalized Web Displays
A 1997 Microsoft patent describing how a server can mix general content with specific local details to create a personalized experience for users based on their location or demographics.
111 citations
How Bluetooth Creates Wireless Networks with Unique Addresses
This 2003 patent describes how Bluetooth devices use a master device's address and clock to create a unique, hopping radio channel for communication and build a network map.
131 citations
How the Windows Taskbar Manages Open Programs
Microsoft's 1999 patent defines the mechanics of the Windows taskbar, allowing users to track open programs and manage window layouts through a persistent interface element.
124 citations
How DNS Servers Route Web Traffic to the Least Busy Server
A method for balancing web traffic by having servers report their current workload to a DNS server, which then directs new users to the fastest available machine.
123 citations
How Websites Get Ranked by Importance
This patent describes a computer method for scoring documents in a linked database, like the internet, by considering the importance of other documents that link to them, helping search engines find better results.
818 citations
How Early Video Games Synchronized Gameplay Over Modems
A 1998 patent describing a method to keep two remote video games in sync by exchanging command signals and timing codes over a modem connection.
16 citations
How Websites Use Distorted Text Riddles to Stop Bots
This patent describes the original method for creating CAPTCHAs, using distorted text or audio riddles to distinguish human users from automated bots.
219 citations
How Software Services Pass Messages Across Different Network Zones
A method for letting different parts of a large software network communicate by linking their notification services together like a relay race.
13 citations
How GPS Receivers See Weak Signals by Combining Data
A method for improving GPS sensitivity by mathematically combining multiple, weak signal samples to extract navigation data that would otherwise be lost in noise.
76 citations
How Browsers Automatically Choose Your Start Page Based on History
An IBM patent from 1998 that describes how a web browser can automatically pick which website to load first based on your past browsing habits.
95 citations
How TiVo Pauses and Rewinds Live Television
TiVo's 1998 patent on a digital video recorder that converts television signals into digital files, splits them into audio and video, and stores them on a hard drive to allow simultaneous recording and playback.
798 citations
How Phones Use Motion Sensors to Change Screen Orientation and Views
A patent describing how mobile devices use sensors to detect movement, allowing the screen to rotate or scroll through pages based on how you tilt or roll the device.
4 citations
How Real-Time Pitch Correction and Auto-Tune Technology Works
A method for detecting the pitch of a musical note and adjusting it to a target frequency in real time using auto-correlation.
39 citations
How Intel's Memory Hub Manages Graphics Data Across Different Memory Types
A hardware design for a computer memory hub that lets a processor treat different types of memory as one unified space for graphics tasks.
25 citations
How a Multi-Touch Screen Detects Multiple Fingers and Palms
This patent describes the underlying electronic circuits and methods for a multi-touch surface that can track multiple fingers and palms simultaneously, even before they fully touch the screen.
2,641 citations
Smart Ranking of Emails and Files Based on How You Click
IBM's 1999 patent on automatically sorting lists of items, like emails, by watching which ones you click first and updating a mathematical model of your preferences in the background.
135 citations
How Self-Balancing Vehicles Warn Users Before They Tip Over
A safety system for self-balancing vehicles that monitors how much 'room' the machine has left to accelerate before it loses its ability to stay upright.
172 citations
How the Apple Mac Dock Magnifies Icons
Apple's 1999 patent on the macOS Dock, which shrinks a row of app icons to save screen space and smoothly magnifies them as your mouse pointer glides over them.
232 citations
2000s
How Virtual Fitting Rooms Work for Online Shopping
A method for creating a virtual dressing room where a user's photo is combined with images of clothing from different websites to see how they look together.
35 citations
How Digital Images Hide Invisible Markers to Track Rotation and Scaling
A method for hiding invisible patterns in digital images that allow computers to detect if an image has been rotated or resized, even if the original version is missing.
136 citations
How Handheld Devices Organize Recently Used Files and Contacts
A 2000-era Microsoft patent for showing a 'Recent' category on handheld devices, allowing users to interact with recent items exactly like they would with any other file.
73 citations
How to Seamlessly Switch Video Streams for Many Viewers
This patent describes a computer system that allows an administrator or viewer to smoothly switch between different video or audio sources for many people watching at the same time, without interrupting their viewing experience.
98 citations
How to Make Stable, High-Water Content Skin Creams
A recipe for creating stable skin lotions that are mostly water but feel like rich, oily creams by using specific silicone emulsifiers and carefully balanced oils.
25 citations
How Distributed Servers Find Data Using Location Pointers
A system that uses a network of specialized servers to track where specific data is located, allowing computers to find information by asking a server for its address rather than searching every machine.
119 citations
How to Play Any Media Playlist by Converting it to a Standard Format
This patent describes a system that takes media playlists in various formats, converts them into a single standard format, and then streams the referenced content, even allowing for dynamic changes during playback.
92 citations
How Interactive Television Systems Send Applications Alongside Video Streams
A system for broadcasting interactive software applications alongside video programs so that a television or set-top box can run them in real-time.
1 citation
How Printers Save Toner by Dropping Light-Colored Pixels
A Ricoh patent for printers that save toner by completely ignoring very light pixels and using a special dot pattern for darker ones.
9 citations
How External Hardware Keys Secure Digital Purchases and Downloads
A system using a physical hardware device to prove your identity to a server, allowing you to securely download and decrypt digital assets.
16 citations
How to Take 3D Pictures Inside Human Tissue Using Near-Infrared Light
A system that uses flexible fiber optic cables to map the inside of complex body parts by shining light through them and measuring how it scatters.
25 citations
How Computers Automatically Manage Temporary Pop-up Windows
A method for computer systems to automatically display, fade out, and close temporary windows based on timers or system events without requiring user interaction.
20 citations
How Silicon Microphones Use Layers to Shrink Sound Sensors
A design for a tiny, silicon-based microphone that stacks a sound-sensing chip and an electronic processor chip together with an intermediate layer to save space.
4 citations
How the iRobot Roomba Automatically Cleans Floors Without Falling Down Stairs
A 2002 patent describing an autonomous floor-cleaning robot that uses sensors to navigate rooms, avoid cliffs like stairs, and sweep debris into a removable bin.
215 citations
How Google Ads Detect Which Web Page You Are Viewing
A method for web browsers to identify the correct webpage address to show relevant advertisements, even when the ad code is hidden inside a frame.
427 citations
How a Server Updates Smart Card Apps and Shows Ads
This patent describes a system where a central server authenticates a smart card user, identifies the specific smart card, allows the user to update applications on it, and then sends an advertisement to the user's computer.
1 citation
How to Send Cable Internet Signals Over Wireless Links
A system that lets cable companies extend their internet service to remote homes using wireless radio signals instead of digging new underground cables.
2 citations
How to Keep Apps Running Without a Constant Internet Connection
IBM's method for letting apps think they are connected to a server even when the internet is offline by using a proxy that stores requests and fakes responses.
1 citation
How Apps Automatically Link Multiple User Accounts
A method for logging into multiple separate user accounts with a single set of credentials and managing them through one unified interface.
26 citations
How Google Distributed Machine Learning Across Many Computers
A 2003 Google patent describing a way to build machine learning models by splitting the work across a large network of computers rather than a single machine.
72 citations
How Wireless Routers Manage Traffic Between Old and New Devices
A method for wireless access points to prevent older, slower Wi-Fi devices from clogging the network connection for newer, faster devices.
1 citation
How Large Interactive Whiteboards Track Fingers Across Multiple Sensors
A method for stitching together data from multiple overlapping touch sensors so a single large surface acts as one seamless input area.
84 citations
The Design Patent for the Original iPod Mini
This is a design patent protecting the specific physical appearance and shape of Apple's iPod Mini, which helped define the look of portable music players in the mid-2000s.
573 citations
How Multi-Touch Screens Track Multiple Fingers at Once
Apple's 2010 patent describes a touch screen that uses two layers of transparent conductive lines to detect several fingers touching the screen simultaneously.
1,995 citations
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.
399 citations
How Caterpillar Compresses Heavy Machinery Data Using Neural Networks
A method for shrinking massive amounts of sensor data from construction equipment into small, efficient packets for cheaper wireless transmission by using neural network training.
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.
34 citations
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.
860 citations
How Graphics Processors Switch Between Different Tasks Efficiently
A method for graphics chips to pause and swap between different programs or tasks without waiting for every single part of the processor to finish its current job.
6 citations
How the iPhone's Slide-to-Unlock Gesture Works
Apple's 2010 patent describes unlocking a device by dragging a specific graphical image across the touchscreen along a predefined path, a gesture that became iconic with the original iPhone.
1,269 citations
How Remote Servers Automatically Adjust Your TV Settings
A method for a remote server to automatically configure a TV's picture and sound settings by analyzing what other users with similar viewing habits prefer.
4 citations
How Widgets Flip Over to Show Settings
A method for letting digital widgets flip over like a physical object to reveal hidden settings or controls on the back.
24 citations
Delivering Targeted Ads and Digital Content to Remote Kiosks
A method for sending digital content and personalized advertisements to remote kiosks by combining scheduled data pushes with real-time requests.
How Phones Store and Rotate Ads Locally by Breaking Rules
Sprint's 2006 patent on a system that downloads a pool of ads to a phone and uses an on-device manager to decide which ad to show, even breaking its own rules to make sure lagging ad campaigns get seen.
119 citations
How a Handheld Thumb-Controlled Computer Mouse Works
A handheld mouse designed to be held in the air, using the thumb to control a cursor while fingers rest in ergonomic channels.
43 citations
Detecting When Gamers Stop Playing to Save Power
Sony's 2010 patent on using motion and image data to detect when a gamer stops playing, allowing the game console to pause or save energy.
42 citations
How American Express Tracks Your Spending Habits Across Different Stores
A system that links store-specific product codes to universal manufacturer codes to help consumers track their spending and stay within personal budgets.
36 citations
How Apple's Navigation Bar Manages App Screens
A method for navigating between different screens in a music app using a fixed bar that shows where you are, where you came from, and a shortcut to the player.
80 citations
How the iPhone's Jiggling App Icons Work
This patent describes the 'jiggle mode' on iPhones, where app icons shake to show they can be moved or deleted.
148 citations
How Facebook's News Feed Picks Stories You'll Like
Facebook's 2012 patent explains how it creates a personalized news feed by showing stories about friends' actions, ordered by your interest, and updating it based on what you click.
134 citations
How Apps Fetch Data in the Background While You Are Offline
A method for mobile devices to store web content for offline viewing and automatically fetch new updates in the background once a wireless connection is restored.
8 citations
How Mobile Phones Can Securely Authorize Payments Using Random ID Codes
A 2006 system that uses a mobile phone to receive and relay a unique, temporary ID code to a store terminal to verify and authorize a payment transaction.
17 citations
How Online Stores Automatically Block Illegal Alcohol and Tobacco Deliveries
A system that checks if your online order of alcohol or tobacco is legal to deliver at your chosen time based on local laws.
11 citations
How Multi-Touch Gestures Like Pinch-to-Zoom Work on Smartphones
Apple's patent on using two-finger gestures to manipulate images and objects on a touchscreen, allowing for smooth zooming and rotation even if you lift your fingers briefly.
163 citations
How Touchscreens Precisely Align Signals to Detect Your Touch
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.
13 citations
How Touchscreens Save Battery by Sleeping Between Touches
A 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.
21 citations
How the iPhone Switches and Adds Mobile Web Browser Tabs
Apple's 2007 patent on using swipes, edge taps, and dedicated buttons to create and flip through multiple full-screen windows in a mobile web browser.
88 citations
How Smartphones Suggest and Correct Words While You Type
Apple's patent on a system that displays word suggestions above a touchscreen keyboard, allowing users to accept or reject them with simple taps or keystrokes.
58 citations
How Your Phone Knows When It's Against Your Ear
This Apple patent describes how a phone uses both a proximity sensor and an ambient light sensor to accurately detect when it's held to your ear, preventing accidental screen touches during calls.
368 citations
How Touchscreens Handle Scrolling and Rubber-Band Effects
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.
132 citations
BlackBerry Device with QWERTY Keyboard and Trackball Design
This 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.
How Touchscreens Use Math to Recognize Your Fingers
Apple's patent on using mathematical ellipses to track and identify individual fingers and palms on a touch-sensitive surface.
93 citations
Device for Receiving and Processing TV Signals from Cables and Wireless Sources
This patent describes a device that combines signals from a cable TV line and a wireless source, processes them to create copy-protected video and audio, and sends them to a TV or other device.
170 citations
How Computers Safely Resume Interrupted Data Backups
A method for computers to pause a large data backup and resume exactly where they left off without restarting the entire process from scratch.
5 citations
How Trampoline Hook Elements Prevent Strap Wear
A design for a trampoline hook that separates the two ends of a support strap to prevent them from rubbing together and wearing out.
How to Automatically Generate Musical Harmonies from Audio
This 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.
24 citations
How Computers Automatically Organize and Search Photos Using Contextual Data
A system for indexing images by attaching descriptive data to objects within them and adjusting search rankings based on how often a user searches for those specific items.
2 citations
How Touchscreens Show and Snap Back When You Scroll Past an Edge
Apple's 2008 patent describes how a touchscreen device displays a blank area when a user scrolls past the edge of a document, then smoothly snaps the document back into place when the user lifts their finger.
402 citations
How Smartphones Switch Between Slow and Fast Scrolling
A system that automatically changes how a list scrolls based on how fast or hard you interact with the screen.
42 citations
How Nanoparticles Form Adaptive Neural Network Connections
This patent describes how to build and strengthen a physical neural network using tiny nanoparticles suspended in a liquid, where electric fields make the connections learn and adapt.
12 citations
How Touchscreens Understand Your Finger Swipes and Scrolls
This patent describes how touchscreens use smart rules, called heuristics, to figure out if your finger movement means scrolling up, moving around a map, or flipping to the next photo, especially by looking at how you start your swipe.
1,120 citations
How Facebook's Share Button Works Across Different Websites
A patent describing how a social network can pull content from an outside website and share it with friends based on specific user-selected settings.
4 citations
The Design of the Original iPhone 3G
A design patent protecting the specific visual appearance and shape of the iPhone 3G as it appeared in 2008.
57 citations
How Devices Track Offline Ad Watching and Share Media Recommendations
A system for tracking which ads a user watches in downloaded video files while offline and reporting that data back to publishers once the device reconnects to the internet.
20 citations
How Devices Predict Your Next Move Using Gestures and History
A patent for a smart interface that tracks your physical gestures and past habits to predict what you want to do next, showing custom options on a screen to save you time.
34 citations
How eBay Uses Image Fingerprints to Search for Products
A system that lets you search for items on a marketplace by uploading a photo instead of typing text, using image 'fingerprints' to find matching products.
12 citations
How the iPhone's Slide-to-Unlock Gesture Works
Apple's 2011 patent describes a method for unlocking a touchscreen device by dragging a specific graphical icon from a starting point to a designated end point.
141 citations
How Remote Devices Prove They Have Not Been Tampered With
A system for a remote device to prove to a central server that its internal security processes are running correctly without exposing sensitive raw data.
Controlling a Camera on Your Phone with a Separate Gadget
Apple's 2014 patent describes how a separate device, like a remote control, can talk to a phone to take pictures and videos, and show them on the remote.
210 citations
How to Buy Digital Media Once and Get Multiple Formats
A system that lets you pay for a digital file once and download it in different formats from various providers without paying again.
12 citations
How Touchscreens Tell Real Touches From False Ghost Touches
A method for capacitive touchscreens to distinguish between actual finger presses and false ghost signals that occur when multiple points are touched simultaneously.
2 citations
2010s
How to Browse TV Shows Using 3D Virtual Objects
A method for organizing television content by mapping category labels onto 3D surfaces that transform into video players when selected.
18 citations
Google's System for Auto-Searching Text on Your Device
Google's 2015 patent describes a system that automatically finds and displays relevant information online based on text it detects on your device, even without you asking it to.
189 citations
How Google's Patent Scores Authors and Posts on Messaging Systems
Google's 2013 patent describes a system for ranking authors and their posts on a messaging platform based on user interactions and subscriptions, influencing content visibility.
150 citations
How Pull-to-Refresh Works on Your Smartphone
This patent describes the 'pull-to-refresh' gesture that lets users update a list of content, like a social media feed, by dragging down until a trigger appears and then releasing.
22 citations
How Phones Use Photos to Buy or Research Products
A method for using a smartphone camera to photograph a product and send that image to a remote server to trigger a purchase or retrieve product information.
4 citations
How Devices Automatically Tag and Monetize Real-World Events
A system for capturing data about a specific moment or location—like a song playing or a vehicle passing—to automatically trigger online searches and sponsor payments.
4 citations
How Touchscreen Gestures Use Physics to Feel Real
Google's patent on making touchscreen gestures feel natural by applying simulated physics, like friction or magnetism, to items on your screen.
63 citations
How Apple Embeds Haptic Actuators Directly Into Device Layers
A design for touchscreens that embeds vibration-producing actuators directly into a nonconductive material layer, paired with force sensors to detect how hard a user presses.
18 citations
How Mobile Devices Switch Between Open Apps Using Gestures
Apple's patent describes a way to switch between open apps on a touchscreen by showing a bar of app previews and selecting one with a tap.
70 citations
How Smartphones Organize Apps into Folders
Apple's 2010 patent describing the logic for creating and interacting with app folders on a touchscreen device, specifically distinguishing between 'normal' use and 'editing' modes.
48 citations
How IMDb Knew If You'd Go to a Movie or Concert
This 2015 IMDb patent describes a system that predicts if you'll attend an event, like a movie, by checking your phone's location near the event time and place, then sending you related content.
62 citations
How Streaming Services Dynamically Insert Targeted Ads Into Videos
A method for streaming services to stitch personalized advertisements into video content by dynamically generating playlists that match the user's profile and internet speed.
1 citation
The Design of the Original Apple iPhone
This is a design patent protecting the specific visual appearance and physical shape of a portable electronic device, commonly recognized as the iPhone.
117 citations
How Eventbrite Recommends Events Based on Your Social Network
A system that suggests events to you by analyzing your social media connections and your past attendance history to see what your friends are doing.
51 citations
How a Server Aggregates Comments from Different Websites About One File
A system that collects comments or data from multiple websites about a single photo or video and bundles them together to display on your device.
2 citations
How Devices Give Haptic Feedback While You Hover Your Finger
This patent describes a system that triggers physical vibrations or sensations on a device when your finger hovers near the screen without actually touching it.
11 citations
How Software Automatically Collects and Organizes Data from Multiple Websites
A system that automatically logs into multiple websites, pulls information, and stores it locally before you even ask for it, so it is ready to view instantly.
18 citations
How Smartphones Use Light Sensors to Detect When You Are Talking
Apple's patent on using light sensors to help a phone accurately detect when it is pressed against your ear, preventing accidental screen touches.
59 citations
How Digital Media Streams Are Automatically Tagged and Organized
A method for embedding standardized labels directly into digital video or audio streams so that devices can automatically identify and extract specific segments of content.
4 citations
How Nintendo's Wii U GamePad Controller Attachment Works
A patent describing a modular gaming controller system where a tablet-like screen can be snapped into a larger frame with physical grips and buttons.
11 citations
How Software Packages Create Independent Windows for Web Content
A system for creating small, independent software windows that fetch and display specific web content outside of a standard web browser.
1 citation
How to Split a Smartphone Keyboard with a Gesture
Apple's 2013 patent describes how to split a phone's keyboard in half and move it up the screen with a swipe, making it easier to type with thumbs.
6 citations
How Voice Commands Help Computers Find Objects in Pictures and Videos
A method for using voice commands to tell a computer which object in a photo or video you want to search for, allowing it to automatically isolate that object and perform a visual search.
4 citations
How Servers Prepare Web Pages for You to Read Offline
A method for a remote server to process a website in two different ways simultaneously: one for live viewing and one optimized for later offline access.
5 citations
How to Draw 3D Shapes on Touchscreens Using Your Fingers
A method for creating 3D objects in design software by simply dragging your finger across a touchscreen, allowing the shape to grow in real-time as you move.
17 citations
How Screens Change What They Show Based on Your Hand Distance
A method for changing the menu options shown on a screen depending on how close or far away your hand is hovering above it.
3 citations
How Cable Networks Manage Virtual Ownership of Digital Movies
A system for cable providers to let users 'own' digital movies on a server instead of buying physical discs, allowing the provider to update that content remotely.
3 citations
How Smartphones Calibrate Their Radio Power Across Different Temperatures
A method for testing and calibrating a phone's wireless radio performance in a temperature-controlled chamber to ensure it stays accurate as the device heats up or cools down.
47 citations
How a Digital Assistant Launches Apps Using Your Voice
This patent describes how a digital assistant like Siri uses your spoken words and understanding of your conversation to figure out what you want and launch the right app.
211 citations
How Cloud Storage Providers Automatically Connect Files to Content Delivery Networks
A system where a cloud storage provider detects when a website's files need faster delivery and automatically handles the setup with a Content Delivery Network (CDN) for the user.
How Cable Systems Automatically Filter Ads for On-Demand Content
A system that checks if a cable provider is authorized and their account is active before letting them insert ads into on-demand videos.
2 citations
How Home Gateways Manage Video Streaming Traffic to Prevent Buffering
A system where home internet gateways report device buffer status to a central server to intelligently manage bandwidth for multiple video streams.
24 citations
How Cochlear Implants Use Free-Spinning Magnets to Survive MRI Scans
A cochlear implant design that uses a freely rotating internal magnet to prevent the device from being pulled or damaged by the strong magnetic fields of an MRI machine.
24 citations
How Smartphones Use Flashing Barcodes for Secure Ticketing
A system for mobile devices to display a series of flashing barcodes that a scanner reads, ensuring tickets are only used during specific valid time windows.
Device That Adjusts Power for Charging Multiple Devices
This 2016 patent describes a system that intelligently adjusts the power supplied to charge multiple devices, ensuring one device gets a steady charge while another can receive a variable amount.
How Software Developers Keep Track of API Versions Automatically
A system that automatically tags software building blocks with version data to prevent developers from accidentally breaking code when updating operating systems.
8 citations
How Microsoft Protects Corporate Data on Employee Devices
A system that lets companies remotely lock or delete specific work data on a phone or computer without wiping the user's personal files.
10 citations
How Phones Use Your Voice History to Fix Your Typing
Apple's patent for a system that improves text autocorrection by using a database of words the user has previously spoken into their device.
5 citations
How Snapchat Stories Advance with a Tap
This patent describes how an electronic device can quickly show a series of short-lived messages, deleting the current one and showing the next in response to a simple screen tap.
176 citations
How Mobile Apps Connect Drivers to Real-Time Parking Spots
A system where a parking server uses a mobile carrier's authentication to help drivers find, track, and reserve parking spots in real-time.
1 citation
How Apps Automatically Connect Friends Based on Their Current Location
A system that automatically invites people to a group chat when they enter a specific geographic area defined by a friend's mobile device.
10 citations
How Servers Share an IP Address for High Availability
Cisco's 2017 patent describes a system where multiple servers can share a single virtual IP address to ensure an application stays online even if one server fails.
4 citations
How Databases Keep Read-Only Copies Up-to-Date
Amazon's 2016 patent describes a system for efficiently updating read-only copies of a distributed database by sending specific change notifications, ensuring read-only nodes show accurate data.
108 citations
How Apps Pass Touch Gestures Between Each Other
A method for a device to decide which app should handle a user's touch gesture when multiple apps are running at the same time.
6 citations
How a Single Card Can Pay for Transit Using Loyalty Points
A system that lets one payment card handle both retail shopping and transit fares, automatically converting loyalty points between different geographic regions to cover travel costs.
How Social Networks Automatically Create Groups Based on Time and Place
Google's patent describes a system that automatically groups social media users together based on where they are or when they are posting, allowing for instant, context-aware content sharing.
6 citations
How Digital Receipts Turn One-Time Payments Into Ongoing Customer Relationships
A system that transforms static digital receipts into dynamic, time-sensitive portals for rewards, feedback, and tipping after a purchase is complete.
7 citations
How Nintendo's Wii Remote Tracks Motion and Infrared Light
A patent describing the Wii Remote's technology for tracking physical movement and infrared light to control video games wirelessly.
11 citations
How to Create Wide-Field Images of Tissue Using OCT Scanners
A method for stitching together multiple high-resolution medical images of uneven tissue samples to create a single, wide-field view for better diagnostic clarity.
9 citations
How Referral-Based Text Message Marketing Systems Work
A system that tracks web browsing to send personalized text message offers to users, incentivizing them to share those offers with friends to grow a subscriber database.
3 citations
How Square Uses Your Phone's Location to Verify Credit Card Payments
A system that uses GPS data from a customer's smartphone to confirm they are physically present at a store during a credit card transaction to reduce fraud.
9 citations
How TV Receivers Remind You to Return from Commercial Breaks
A system for television receivers that detects when you change channels during a commercial break and automatically prompts you to return to your original show before the ads end.
7 citations
How Nextdoor Verifies Neighbors and Limits Online Social Circles
A patent describing a system for a private, location-based social network that verifies users' home addresses to restrict communications to people living in the same neighborhood.
14 citations
How Wearable Devices Act as Secure Bridges for Transactions
A system where a wearable device acts as a secure middleman between your phone and a payment terminal or electronic lock to verify your identity and complete transactions.
2 citations
How Nielsen Tracks What You Listen to in Your Car
A system for recording audio in a car and transferring that data to a portable device, like a key fob, which then uploads the information to a central server.
1 citation
How Devices Negotiate Power Sharing When Connected Together
A system for host devices like laptops to automatically set and update power-sharing rules with connected accessories based on identity and real-time power needs.
6 citations
Preventing Sensitive Data Leaks from Company Communications
This patent describes a system that watches for unsent drafts of company communications, checks their content for sensitive data based on your current situation, and can block them or warn you if they seem risky.
174 citations
How Instant Messaging Apps Open Reply Windows for Social Media Updates
A method for letting users reply to social media updates directly within an instant messaging app by using external software to control the appearance of the reply window.
How Square Syncs Inventory Between Physical Shops and Online Stores
A system that lets store owners toggle items between online and physical sales channels using a single dashboard to keep stock counts accurate everywhere.
6 citations
How the Apple Watch Uses the Digital Crown to Flip Objects
A method for rotating virtual objects on a small wearable screen by spinning the physical dial on the side of the device based on how fast you turn it.
18 citations
How Microsoft Word Suggests Research Content While You Write
A system that automatically fetches and suggests relevant research data and outlines directly inside word processors or note-taking apps based on what you are currently writing.
1 citation
How Apps Automatically Switch Between Video Call Connection Methods
A system that automatically decides whether to connect video calls directly between users or through a central server based on the number of people and connection quality.
156 citations
How to Keep Data Safe During a Site Failover
A method for keeping data backups synchronized and accessible even when a primary data center goes offline and systems must switch to a backup location.
21 citations
How Apps Compare Local Prices and Ratings for Specific Items
A system that helps users find and order a specific product from nearby stores by ranking them based on price, ratings, and item attributes like calorie count.
20 citations
How a Camera-Based System Monitors Artificial Neural Network Creativity
A system that uses a camera to watch a screen displaying neural network activity, identifying new patterns and using a critic to decide if those patterns are worth keeping.
1 citation
How Amazon Delivers Content Faster Using Local Servers
Amazon's 2016 patent describes a system for breaking down digital content into smaller pieces and storing them on servers located near users to speed up downloads and reduce network traffic.
75 citations
How Google Automatically Groups Photos and Contextual Data into Moments
A method for automatically grouping photos from front and rear cameras with related data like audio, weather, and location to create a rich, interactive digital memory.
12 citations
How Uber Updates App Features for Specific Groups of Users
A system that automatically changes how an app looks or behaves for some users based on their location or device, while leaving other users' apps unchanged.
2 citations
Adjusting Touchscreen Sensitivity Based on Device Tilt Angle
This patent describes how a computing device can decide if a touch on its screen is intentional or accidental by changing its sensitivity settings based on how much the device is tilted.
5 citations
How to Automatically Expand Neural Networks by Adding New Nodes
A method for growing artificial intelligence models by identifying underperforming parts of a network and adding new nodes based on the behavior of existing ones.
3 citations
How to Save and Reuse Skills Learned by Artificial Intelligence Hardware
A method for capturing the internal settings of a neuromorphic AI chip after it learns a task, allowing that 'skill' to be exported and loaded onto another AI chip.
1 citation
How to Shrink Large AI Models Using Knowledge Distillation
A method for teaching small, efficient AI models to mimic the complex decision-making patterns of much larger, more powerful neural networks.
4 citations
How AI Agents Learn to Pick the Best Future Actions
A method for an AI agent to predict which actions will yield the highest rewards by analyzing past experiences and refining its decision-making model.
How Microsoft Organizes Data in Multi-Tier Storage Systems
A method for organizing computer data into three specific tiers—log, hash, and journal stores—to make writing and reading data faster and more efficient.
4 citations
How Smart Home Devices Automatically Connect to Utility Energy Programs
A system that lets smart home devices like thermostats enroll in energy-saving programs without the user needing to manually provide their utility account number.
7 citations
How a Handheld Punch Creates Custom Jewelry Display Cards
A specialized handheld punch tool that cuts precise holes and slots into cardstock, allowing jewelry makers to create custom display cards for earrings, necklaces, and other accessories.
1 citation
Managing External Network Hardware as if It Were Inside the Switch
A method for managing external network service hardware by treating it as part of the main switch's internal system using a virtual connection.
1 citation
How Apple Watches Use a Rotating Dial to Navigate Menus
A method for using a physical rotating dial on a device to scroll through lists and menus while providing audio feedback for accessibility.
8 citations
How Stylus Ring Electrodes Detect Pen Tilt and Orientation
Apple's patent for a stylus design that uses specific ring-shaped sensors to accurately measure the angle and tilt of a pen against a touchscreen.
3 citations
How a Single Electronic Component Can Learn and Process AI Data
This patent describes a tiny electronic component called a resistive processing unit (RPU) that acts like a brain cell in an artificial intelligence network, storing and processing information directly within its changing electrical resistance.
11 citations
How to Make AI Run Faster on Smaller Computer Chips
A method to shrink complex AI models by converting their high-precision math into simpler, faster formats that run efficiently on mobile devices.
17 citations
How Smartphones Suggest Apps Based on Where You Are
Apple's patent for a system that automatically highlights or suggests mobile apps based on your current location or a location you are planning to visit.
16 citations
How Uber Manages Data Connections for Self-Driving Car Fleets
A system that splits network traffic for autonomous vehicles by sending heavy data over cheap channels while reserving a highly reliable channel specifically for delivery confirmations.
36 citations
How Facebook Uses Deep Learning to Predict What You Might Like
A method for training AI models to recommend new content by comparing a user's past interactions with unseen items in a social network.
8 citations
How Streaming Services Automatically Build Custom Radio Stations
A method for streaming services to create custom music radio stations by analyzing genre percentages and artist relationships to pick the best songs.
3 citations
Managing App Screens Across Multiple Displays Simultaneously
A system for keeping multiple screens or windows in a software application perfectly synced so that they all show the correct information at the same time.
How Game Controllers Change Button Functions Using Plug-in Accessories
A system for game controllers that automatically changes what a button does when you physically attach a hardware accessory to the controller.
2 citations
How to Make Artificial Intelligence Explain Its Own Decisions
A system that helps complex machine learning models explain why they made a specific decision by turning their data into simple, readable rules.
37 citations
Securing Data Storage Commands with Passcodes
This patent describes a system for securely executing commands on data storage systems by requiring a generated passcode, which is based on user authentication and specific storage entity attributes.
89 citations
How Amazon Tracks Warehouse Workers' Hands Using Radio Waves
A system that uses radio frequency signals to track the exact 3D position of a warehouse worker's hand to ensure they pick or place items in the correct bins.
7 citations
How Sonos Speakers Use Personalized Wake Words to Recognize Different Users
A system that lets multiple people control a shared speaker by using unique voice-trigger words to link their specific music accounts and preferences.
15 citations
How Touchscreens Predict Where Your Finger Will Land Before You Touch
Apple's patent describes a touch controller that tracks an object's path through the air to predict where it will land on a screen before it actually makes physical contact.
8 citations
How Computers Find Similar Text Using Compact Data Structures
This patent describes a method for efficiently identifying similar text records, like documents or product reviews, by using special compact data structures that store text terms probabilistically and then analyzing them with machine learning.
18 citations
How Websites Can Sell Items from Other Sites Without Redirecting Users
A method for a website to display and process purchases for items listed on a completely different website, allowing users to buy products without ever leaving the page they are currently browsing.
2 citations
How AI Uses Question-Guided Attention to Answer Questions About Images
A method for AI to answer questions about images by dynamically focusing on relevant parts of the picture based on the specific question asked.
28 citations
How Operating Systems Display Cloud File Status Icons
A system for Windows or other operating systems to show synchronization status icons for files stored in various cloud services like OneDrive, Dropbox, or Google Drive.
4 citations
How Chips Save Power by Managing Individual Parts Separately
A method for computer chips to save energy by monitoring how busy specific internal parts are and adjusting their power and speed individually rather than as a whole.
1 citation
How to Search Through Long Videos Using a Compressed Visual Timeline
A method for searching large collections of video or image data by condensing them into a single, scrollable visual strip that triggers automated searches as you move a slider.
1 citation
How Wireless Earbuds Detect Hand Gestures Using Invisible Light or Sound
A system for wireless earbuds that uses pulses of infrared light or ultrasound to detect hand movements near the ear, allowing users to control devices without touching them.
1 citation
How Square Prepares Digital Tabs for Customers Before They Arrive
A system that lets merchants create a digital customer tab before a guest arrives, using reservation data to pre-load preferences and payment info for a faster checkout.
3 citations
The Design of a Specialized Pouch for Men's Underwear
A design patent protecting the specific visual appearance of a supportive pouch integrated into men's undergarments.
2 citations
How Voice Assistants Change Their Speech Based on How You Talk
This patent describes a system where a voice-controlled device adjusts its text-to-speech output characteristics, like speed or tone, based on the user's speaking habits or current situation, making responses feel more natural and personalized.
26 citations
How SK Hynix Builds Artificial Synapses for Brain-Like Computer Chips
A design for a tiny hardware component that mimics biological brain connections to help computers learn and process information like a human brain.
How Sony's Smart Glasses Share Content During Voice Calls
A patent for wearable smart glasses that let you see digital information overlaid on the real world and share that content with someone else during a phone call.
How IBM Uses Resistive Memory Chips to Speed Up AI Training
A method for running AI neural networks directly on specialized hardware chips that store data as electrical resistance, making them faster and more energy-efficient than standard processors.
7 citations
How Messaging Apps Quickly Share Photos and Camera Previews
Apple's patent describes a way to quickly open a camera or photo gallery directly inside a messaging app so you can attach media without leaving your conversation.
Training AI Models Across Different Computers
This 2026 patent describes a way to train AI models on one computer, send a version to another computer for further training with private data, and then update the original model with the improvements.
How Wearable Tech Uses 3D Sound to Guide Visually Impaired People
A system that builds a 3D map of the world and uses spatial audio to act as a virtual guide, helping visually impaired users navigate around obstacles.
How a Local Server Decides to Save or Degrade Digital Content
A system that checks if incoming digital files are authentic, fake, or unknown, and then either saves them, rejects them, or lowers their quality accordingly.
5 citations
How to Fix Faulty Memory Cells in AI Chips
This patent describes a system that tests individual memory cells in AI chips for uneven behavior and then permanently disables the faulty ones before the chip starts learning, making AI training more efficient.
3 citations
How Mobile Devices Use Tags to Close Restaurant Checks
A system for restaurant servers to open and close customer tabs by tapping a mobile device against a physical tag at a table.
1 citation
A Tactile Mat to Keep VR Users From Walking Into Walls
A physical floor mat with built-in bumps and sensors that helps people in virtual reality know where they are standing without needing to take off their headset.
How to Build Thin, Flat Light-Focusing Panels
A design for a thin, flat light-guiding panel that uses tiny built-in lenses and notches to turn trapped light into a focused, directional beam.
2 citations
How Digital Audio Compression Saves Space by Copying Frequencies
A method for shrinking audio files by only saving the lower-pitched sounds and using clever math to reconstruct the higher-pitched sounds from them.
How Smart Speakers Know You're Talking to Them After a Command
This patent describes how a smart speaker system can tell if follow-up speech is meant for it, even without a "wake word," by analyzing voice activity and partial speech recognition results using an AI model.
64 citations
How to Interact with Background Apps While Using Another App
A method for controlling background applications directly through a visual window inside the app you are currently using.
How Apple's Interface Switches Between Music Playlists and Menus
A method for navigating through a stack of music playlists on a touchscreen or dial, which automatically shifts to a menu view when you reach the end of the list.
The Design of a Specific Medical Instrument Handle
This is a design patent protecting the specific visual appearance and shape of a handle used for medical instruments.
3 citations
How Digital Assistants Control Apps and Ask for More Information
This patent describes how a digital assistant on a device can understand what a user wants from a natural language command, find the right app, get a step-by-step guide from another device, and then ask the user for more details on the screen to complete the task with that app.
48 citations
How Medical Monitors Adapt Oxygen Alarms to Reduce False Alerts
This patent describes an adaptive alarm system for medical patient monitors that dynamically adjusts oxygen saturation thresholds based on recent patient data, aiming to reduce unnecessary alerts.
251 citations
Central Bank Digital Currency for Phones and Watches
This patent describes a system for using a central bank-issued digital currency on mobile devices, generating a special 3D code for payments that can be scanned or read via near field communication.
35 citations
How Smart Light Networks Coordinate Without a Central Controller
A system where individual smart lights talk to each other to make lighting decisions based on sensors, rather than relying on a single master computer.
Using Cordless Phones to Send Voice Commands to Smart Home Devices
A method for letting a cordless phone handset send voice commands to smart home appliances over the same signal path used for regular phone calls.
How Printers Manage Power States and Sleep Timers
A method for printers to intelligently decide whether to reset their sleep timer based on the type of network activity they encounter.
How Computers Find Your Pupil Even With Glare
This patent describes a computer method to accurately find the outline of a person's eye pupil by using radial search lines and handling bright reflections differently from clear areas.
1 citation
How to Trick Your Phone Into Muting Its Own Microphone
A hardware device that plugs into a phone's microphone jack to fool the system into thinking an external mic is attached, effectively silencing the internal microphone.
2 citations
How Samsung Uses Two AI Models to Improve Sentence Generation
A method for training an AI to write better sentences by using a second model that reads or generates text in a different order to grade the first model's work.
1 citation
How AI Models Understand Language Using 'Attention'
This patent describes a neural network architecture, known as a Transformer, that uses a "self-attention" mechanism to process sequences of information, like words in a sentence, by weighing the importance of different parts of the input.
45 citations
How D-Wave Clears Magnetic Noise in Quantum Computers
A method for improving quantum computer accuracy by actively clearing out magnetic interference that builds up during calculations.
13 citations
How to Make Electric Motors Run Smoother and Last Longer
A design for electric motor armatures that uses a specific ratio of winding slots to commutator bars to reduce electrical sparking and improve motor efficiency.
How Automatic Rotating Curling Irons Capture and Wind Hair
A motorized hair styling tool that uses a rotating ring with tabs to automatically catch and wrap hair around a heated barrel.
5 citations
How to Automatically Tune Machine Learning Settings Using Smart Math
A system that uses advanced statistical modeling to automatically find the best settings for complex machine learning models, saving engineers from manual trial and error.
How to Automatically Detect and Fix Changes in AI Model Data
This patent describes a system that automatically notices when the real-world data an AI model sees changes, causing its predictions to become less accurate, and then fixes the model.
32 citations
Training Robot AI Models Faster Using Smart Simulations
This patent describes a cloud service that helps train artificial intelligence models for robots by running simulations, even suggesting improvements to the AI's learning rules before starting.
AI System for Diagnosing Machines and Managing Data in Factories
This patent describes a system that uses artificial intelligence to detect problems in industrial machines while smartly adjusting how much data it collects and sends to avoid overwhelming the network.
3 citations
How Drones Test Their Balance While Flying
A system for drones to shift their center of gravity during flight while simultaneously measuring how that change affects their stability and performance.
1 citation
Nvidia's Method for Training Self-Driving Car AI in Simulations
Nvidia's 2022 patent describes how to train AI for self-driving cars by using simulated environments and virtual sensors, then matching the simulated data format to real-world sensor data for AI processing.
17 citations
How Devices Pair Automatically by Scanning Patterns with a Camera
A method for pairing two electronic devices by having one device use its camera to scan a visual pattern displayed on the other device's screen.
How Surgical Robots Create Working Space Inside the Body
A surgical tool that expands inside a patient to create a stable, open workspace, allowing doctors to perform complex procedures using two independently controlled instruments.
1 citation
How AI Connects Different Databases Using Knowledge Graphs
This patent describes a server-based method that uses artificial intelligence and two learning models to automatically find and integrate connections between data fields and data values across multiple databases that have different structures.
2 citations
The Ornamental Design of a Specific Spotlight
This is a design patent protecting the unique visual appearance and shape of a specific spotlight fixture.
2 citations
How Computers Track the Position and Angle of Multiple Objects
A method for using multiple cameras to track the exact location and orientation of many similar objects in a 3D space, even when they overlap.
How to Stop Transistors from Wearing Out in Radio Frequency Chips
A method for extending the lifespan of silicon-on-insulator transistors by using a special sink to drain away charge that causes gate oxide breakdown.
How LG Chem Makes Plastic Films That Block UV Light
A specialized plastic film made of alternating chemical segments that blocks harmful ultraviolet light while remaining perfectly clear.
2020s
How Web Browsers Create Fluid Animations Without Reloading Pages
A method for web browsers to render smooth, real-time animations by using a downloaded engine that calculates transitions on the fly instead of refreshing the entire page.
How LG's Steam Closet Organizes Its Internal Components
A design patent for a clothing care system that stacks a steam generator and heat pump in a specific, space-saving arrangement within the base of the unit.
1 citation
A Modular Dental Tool for Holding Back Lips, Cheeks, and Tongue
A specialized dental device that keeps a patient's mouth open and clear by holding back the lips, cheeks, and tongue using a snap-fit, adjustable system.
How Air Conditioners Use Radio Signals to Locate Your Remote Control
A system that helps an air conditioner remote find its own location inside a building by comparing radio signal strengths from multiple AC units against its last known position.
How Autonomous Cars Process Sensor Data for Driving
Intel's 2020 patent describes a system for autonomous vehicles that cleans and standardizes data from various sensors before using it to perceive the environment and make driving decisions.
72 citations
Using a Phone Display as a Visual Beacon Based on Activity
Apple's patent describes a device that changes its screen lighting behavior, such as pulsing or strobing, based on a user's heart rate or body temperature.
How Automated Microscopes Use Tags to Focus on Biological Samples
A system for automatically focusing and imaging biological samples on a substrate by using special reference marks called tags to guide the microscope's lens.
How a Refillable Capsule Plug Seals Cleaning Concentrates
A specialized plug design for refillable cleaning product capsules that ensures a secure, leak-proof seal when the capsule is attached to a bottle.
2 citations
How Light-Activated Polymers Deliver Skin Care Ingredients
A chemical structure that holds onto skin-care ingredients like fragrances or cooling agents and releases them only when triggered by specific light conditions.
How Projection Neural Networks Speed Up AI Predictions
A method for making artificial intelligence models faster and more efficient by using fixed, non-trainable projections to simplify complex data before processing.
1 citation
How Assistant Systems Combine Information About One Thing from Many Places
This patent describes a system that gathers all known information about a single person, place, or thing from various sources and combines it into one complete profile for an assistant system.
How a Pitcher Uses Removable Rulers to Measure Beverage Ingredients
A pitcher with a built-in vertical slot that holds a removable ruler, which acts as both a recipe guide and a measuring tool for adding ingredients directly into the container.
How Apple Devices Securely Display Digital Passes and Tickets
A system for securely displaying digital tickets or account codes on a screen only after verifying the user's identity, and automatically hiding them once used or if time runs out.
How Autonomous Air Taxis Use Hand Gestures and 3D Mapping
A system for operating air taxis that uses hand gestures for control and crowd-sourced 3D mapping to navigate urban environments.
1 citation
How Computers Use Neural Networks to Read Messy Handwriting
A system that uses artificial intelligence to identify text in images by combining dictionary lookups with neural networks that analyze visual traits like handwriting style or blur.
How 5G Networks Coordinate AI Models Across Different Devices
A method for 5G networks to translate AI requirements into network performance settings so that AI models can run efficiently across cloud, edge, and local devices.
17 citations
How AI Automatically Labels Images and Checks Its Own Work
A method for training AI to label images by calculating how uncertain it is about its own predictions, allowing it to verify its accuracy without human help.
1 citation
How to Make Reusable Plastic SIM Card Holders
A design for a plastic card that allows users to pop out and snap back in different sizes of SIM cards without them falling out.
How Smartphones Let You Rearrange and Organize Your Home Screen Icons
Apple's patent describes the specific software logic used to let users drag, drop, and rearrange app icons on a touchscreen by entering a special 'jiggle' mode.
How AI Predicts Who Will Speak Next in a Conversation
IBM's patent describes a system that uses neural networks to analyze speech patterns and intentions to predict which person will talk next in a conversation.
How Devices Detect Touch Using Heat Signatures
This patent describes a system that uses a thermal camera to detect when two objects, like a finger and a screen, touch by looking for a specific temperature change at their contact point.
1 citation
How to Make Better Ferrite Powder for Industrial Use
A specific recipe for creating highly spherical magnetic ferrite particles that mix easily into plastics without ruining the curing process.
How to Embed Tiny Optical Components Directly into Circuit Boards
A design for embedding light-emitting components and light-guiding paths directly into the layers of a circuit board to make devices smaller and more efficient.
Removing Radio Interference from Portable MRI Scans
A method to clean up MRI images by using external sensors to detect and subtract outside radio interference, allowing portable scanners to work outside shielded rooms.
How Devices Train Shared AI Models While Keeping Your Data Private
This patent describes a method for training a machine learning model across many devices, where each device keeps some parts of the model and its data private, only sharing updates for the common, global parts of the model.
How Apple's Emoji Search Interface Automatically Adjusts and Filters Results
A method for managing a dynamic emoji search interface that swaps keyboards and filters emoji variations based on specific user criteria.
How Rohm Designs Compact Semiconductor Packages for Better Heat Management
A semiconductor packaging design by Rohm that arranges multiple chips and specific lead terminals to optimize space and thermal performance in electronic devices.
How a Chip Uses Memory to Speed Up AI Calculations
This patent describes a specialized computer chip that uses non-volatile memory and analog signals to quickly perform calculations for artificial intelligence, especially for neural networks that need to remember past information.
Training AI Models Together with Unlabeled Data Using a Teacher
This patent describes a way for multiple AI systems to learn together from data that hasn't been manually labeled, using a 'teacher' AI to create temporary labels for a 'student' AI.
37 citations
How Smart Air Conditioners Target and Disinfect High-Touch Surfaces
A system that uses infrared sensors to track where people touch furniture and then directs disinfecting air flows specifically to those high-contact spots.
How to Build Stronger Modular Floating Docks Using Internal Channels
A design for floating dock modules that feature built-in side grooves, allowing you to slide stiffening bars through them to keep the entire platform rigid and stable.
How Smartphones Automatically Adjust Camera Settings in Low Light
A system that automatically shows or hides camera exposure controls based on whether the device detects low-light conditions.
4 citations
How Delivery Drones Self-Calibrate and Pass Safety Checks Before Takeoff
A system for automated drone maintenance stations that check if a drone is safe to fly by verifying its GPS, weight, and physical condition without human help.
9 citations
How Apps Use Timed Content to Enforce Health Behavior Changes
A system for health apps that locks users out of missed daily lessons and forces them to move forward to the next scheduled module instead of catching up.
1 citation
Tracking Shoppers and Store Items for Better Recommendations
This patent describes a system that tracks the location of physical customers, virtual customers, and store items using beacons to generate a combined visual report and recommend actions for merchants.
How Snap's AR Tech Measures Distance for Virtual Button Presses
A method for mobile devices to calculate exactly when a user's finger or controller touches a virtual object in augmented reality by measuring precise distances from the camera.
2 citations
How Bicycle Racks Keep Their Lights Visible While Moving
A bicycle rack that keeps its lights pointed backward whether the rack is folded up against the car or lowered to carry bikes.
1 citation
Automated AI for Adapting to New Data Without Retraining
This patent describes an automated system that builds artificial intelligence models capable of adapting to new, different data without needing full retraining, by learning to ignore irrelevant changes.
46 citations
How Multiple AI Models Detect Unusual Behavior on Computer Networks
This patent describes a computer system that uses several artificial intelligence models working together to spot unusual and potentially dangerous activity from users or devices on a computer network.
How Folders With Multiple Pages Work on Touchscreens
Apple's patent describes how to organize apps into multi-page folders and move icons between those pages by dragging them to specific screen edges.
3 citations
How to Make Carbonated Shampoo Using Chemical Reactions
A method for creating a carbonated shampoo by generating carbon dioxide gas inside a sealed container using specific chemical precursors to create foam and pressure.
How a Rectangular Laser Fiber Improves Skin Treatments
A laser skin treatment tool that uses a special rectangular fiber optic cable to deliver uniform, square-shaped beams from two different laser types at once.
How TSMC Makes Advanced Silicon-Based Light Sensors
A manufacturing process for high-performance light sensors that use alternating doped regions within a silicon-on-insulator structure to improve detection efficiency.
Adapting AI Models to Fit Device Resources
This patent describes how a computer system can automatically shrink a large artificial intelligence model, specifically a "transformer" type, to fit the available computing power of a phone or other device.
6 citations
How to Make Waste-Free Plastic Grocery Bags on a Roll
A design for plastic grocery bags on a roll that eliminates leftover scrap material during manufacturing while allowing users to easily tear off and open handles.
How Wireless Radios Automatically Adjust to Avoid Signal Overload
A method for wireless devices to automatically rearrange their internal signal-processing components when incoming radio signals are too strong and threaten to overwhelm the hardware.
How Smartphones Manage Multiple Notifications on a Locked Screen
A patent describing how a locked smartphone displays multiple notifications from different apps and allows users to interact with them individually without unlocking the phone.
1 citation
How AI Learns to Fix IT Problems by Asking for Feedback
This patent describes an AI system that continuously learns to identify and prevent IT issues by building a map of cause-and-effect relationships, getting human feedback, and automatically updating its understanding.
How Computers Automatically Spot Disaster Damage Using Different Types of Images
A method for comparing two different types of images—like satellite photos and drone footage—to automatically identify areas damaged by natural disasters.
How Apps Can Help You Tweak Your Custom Makeup Colors
A system that uses smartphone camera calibration and color-mapping software to let users adjust the formula of their custom cosmetic products.
How to Train AI Models with Fake Data Using Generative Networks
This patent describes a method for training artificial intelligence models using specially generated fake, or 'synthetic,' data created by a generative adversarial network, ensuring the synthetic data is high-quality and safe for training.
How Music Apps Learn What You Don't Want in Playlists
This patent describes how a music streaming service learns what kinds of songs or artists a user dislikes for their playlists by tracking what they repeatedly ignore, then uses that information to avoid recommending similar things in the future.
How to Fix Color Uniformity in Digital Screens Using Math
A method for smoothing out color and brightness inconsistencies across a display screen by mathematically adjusting pixels based on their distance from a reference point.
Standardizing Sizes for Adult Disposable Underwear
A system for organizing adult diapers into specific size groups based on precise mathematical ratios of length, waist, and hip measurements to ensure consistent fit across a product line.
How Satellites Sync Timing for Faster 5G Internet Connections
A method for terminal devices to calculate precise timing offsets when connecting to 5G satellite networks, reducing the need for constant data updates from base stations.
How to Build a Shock-Absorbing Shipping Box
A design for a shipping box that uses special tabs and accordion-style folds to keep an inner product compartment suspended away from the outer box walls, protecting fragile items from impacts.
How Recessed Wall Wash Lights Reduce Glare Using Angled Lenses
A specialized recessed light fixture design that uses an angled lens and a unique kicker reflector to wash walls with light while minimizing direct glare for people in the room.
How Dishwasher Racks Use Articulating Skis to Glide Smoothly
A mechanical assembly for dishwasher racks that uses a pivoting ski foot to help the rack slide over obstacles or transitions without getting stuck.
How One Phone Can Remotely Control Another When Nearby
A system where one smartphone automatically connects to and controls another nearby phone, acting as a remote screen and input device when the second phone is not being used.
How Foldable Screens Use Electrochromic Layers to Improve Color and Contrast
A method for foldable display panels to adjust their light-filtering properties using electrochromic layers that change color or opacity based on whether the screen is stretched or folded.
How AI Explains Cyberattacks for Security Training
This patent describes a cybersecurity training tool that uses a large language model to explain why machine learning identified a cyber threat, based on both fake and real attacks, for security teams and regular users.
13 citations
Making AI Smarter by Focusing on Unsure 'Nodes'
This 2025 patent from D5AI LLC describes a way to train AI models more effectively by boosting the learning signal for 'nodes' that aren't making clear decisions on data.
1 citation
How to Update AI on Small Devices with Slow Internet
This patent describes a method for efficiently updating artificial intelligence models on small, internet-connected devices, like smart cameras, by sending only the changes, or 'patches,' instead of the entire updated model, which saves bandwidth.