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News Patents Software

Apple patent filing hints at NFC, digital wallet technologies

Sometimes it’s the patent filings that really tell you what’s coming down the road. Per BusinessInsider, a newly public patent application from Apple describes a detailed backend architecture for a mobile wallet designed to hold digital credit, debit cards and coupons issued by a range of merchants and financial institutions. The filing describes the system […]

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iOS News Patents Software

Apple patent shows e-wallet program with controllable accounts for children

This could be useful. Per FreePatentsOnline, a recent patent application shows Apple’s idea for an “e-wallet” iPhone application that would allow subsidiary accounts for children, complete with customizable spending limits and restrictions. Apple’s interest in the concept was revealed in a patent application published Thursday by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office entitled “Parental Controls.” […]

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News Patents

Apple granted patent for unauthorized iPhone usage, detection and reporting technology

This could be useful. Among a series of patents granted to Apple on Tuesday, an interesting invention regarding iPhone security was discovered, with the property describing various methods to protect sensitive data if an unauthorized user gets hold of the device. Per AppleInsider and the United States Patent and Trademark Office, U.S. Patent No. 8,289,130 […]

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Hardware News

Apple buys fingerprint recognition company AuthenTec for $356 million

This could turn into something interesting. Per Reuters, Apple has signed a deal to buy a Florida-based company, AuthenTec, at a price of US$8 per share or about US$356 million. That’s a premium of 58 percent over AuthenTec’s Thursday closing value. While largely unknown to the public, the firm makes fingerprint sensor chips used in […]

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iPhone News Patents

Apple receives NFC-driven “iTravel” patent

This could be interesting. Per Free Patents Online, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Tuesday officially awarded Apple ownership of its “iTravel” concept for e-ticketing with an NFC-equipped iPhone. U.S. Patent No. 8,215,546, entitled “System and Method for Transportation Check-In,” was granted to Apple this week. First filed with the USPTO in 2008, the […]