To my understanding, claim one is describing the means of unlocking a handheld device that Apple is patenting. The claim involves the unlocking process as being instigated on a touch sensitive surface by a predetermined image pattern. The unlocking image must be created with continuous contact on the display case and moving from one predetermined location to another; one cannot deviate from the predetermined path or end or start in a non-predetermined location for the locking process to take place.
Samsung vs Apple Patent Litigation Suit
The dispute began when Apple claimed that Samsung allegedly infringed on numerous Apple patents, including the slide to touch unlock mechanism. Samsung counter sued, saying Apple copied off of its own slide to unlock mechanism, and the claim was taken to court. The dispute has spanned multiple countries and involves billions of dollars. Recently a German court ruled that the slide to unlock mechanism was not enough of a technological advancement to even constitute a patent, and Apples claim was thrown out. While the trial is ongoing, so far Apple is winning in the US marketing, where Samsung has been ordered to pay Apple nearly $1 billion in damages. However abroad Apple has received almost nothing, foreshadowing a disturbing trend in the expansion of the Iphone an Ipad. The suit has major implications for both players, and the industry, as Apple gets two thirds of its sales from the Iphone and Ipad, and Samsung is the world's leading supplier of smartphones.
From 1840: Alexis de Tocqueville predicted the Cold War
Amazing display of understanding of macro human sociology and evolution between two superpowers. At a time when world superpowers were not yet known and neither world war had yet taken place, predicting conflict on such a large scale magnitude represents either a large degree of insight, or a very pessimistic outlook on human evolution.
From 1863: When only 60 elements were known, a Russian chemist designed a periodic table that predicted the weights and properties of the missing 40+ perfectly
The ability to recognize past patterns, and predict future results is a undervalued talent in the technology field. Many past technological advances follow a certain trend in core concepts, and being able to recognize future opportunities provides a strong competitive advantage. Failure to do so falls along the lines of the commonly said advice; "those who don't know history, are doomed to repeat it."
From 1987: Roger Ebert predicted video-on-demand services Netflix and Hulu
At a time when television, entertainment, and internet capabilities were still in their infancy, the ability for Robert Ebert to combine all 3 and predict the video-streaming industry shows a remarkable understanding of all 3 functions unique combined potential. Just as it is important to recognize past patterns, recognizing future potential is equally important for innovation.
From 2006: The President of Euro Pacific Capital predicted the housing market crash
Foreseeing future opportunities is invaluable, just as is seeing future risks. At a time when every major bank in America was oblivious to the bubble their were creating, it is reassuring to know not all credit institutions remained blind to the growing problem. Euro Pacific Capital's foresight ability is a likely factor in their survival through the credit crash.
From the 1660s: One day humans would transplant organs from one body to another
In a time when human organs and their functions were hardly known, this prediction takes place as my number one simply by the extreme accuracy of which it predicted future medicine.
24.)
“ We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out." – Decca
Recording Company on declining to sign the Beatles, 1962
The Beatles quote was my number 5 because I think it represented one of the biggest barriers to innovation, personal preference and status quo. Too often people discount new innovations and trends, simply because it doesn't fit their personal tastes or the current status quo. Of course looking back we realize the Beatles were a major hit, but how many of us are brave enough to admit we appreciate a new and upcoming band when our friends disagree?
17.)
"The horse is here to stay but the automobile is only a novelty—a
fad." – -The president of the Michigan Savings Bank advising Henry Ford's
lawyer not to invest in the Ford Motor Co., 1903
The horse to automobile example I felt was the best example of the advance of technology, and how despite our best knowledge, sometimes we can't predict the effect technology will have on our society. It reminded me of the advances of cloud technology, how it initially started off as a simple file sharing platform, which has now given rise to companies such as Salesforce. A trendy fab turned into a entire industry.
10.)
“ There will never be a bigger plane built." – - A Boeing engineer, after
the first flight of the 247, a twin engine plane that holds ten people
Another example of humans
underestimating the advances of technology. The reason this quote stood
out to me was it reminded me of a quote a few decades ago, predicting
the world would run out of food for its citizens by 2000. And yet we are
well past the year 2000 and we now produce more food than anyone could
ever imagine.
8.)
“The idea that cavalry will be replaced by these iron coaches is absurd. It is
little short of treasonous.” — Comment of Aide-de-camp to Field Marshal Haig,
at tank demonstration, 1916
I chose this quote as my number two
because I think it represents one of the greatest drivers of innovation,
the military. The space race, communication, aviation, all indirectly
or often directly linked to militaristic motives. Taking no moral stance
on the issue, it is important to realize how important conflict is for
the advancement of technology.
13.)
"If excessive smoking actually plays a role in the production of lung
cancer, it seems to be a minor one." – -W.C. Heuper,
National Cancer Institute, 1954
This quote came in at my #1 because it rung strangely similar to a current debate taking place in our society; the health effects of marijuana. I can only hope we don't look back 50 years and realize we've made the same mistake with our health.
When
selecting my 10 inventions for this assignment, I evaluated each according to
two
factors on a scale of 1-10, explained below.
1.)
Prevalence in society: For each invention, I evaluated the amount of immersion
or
acceptance
of the technological advancement in society. The reasoning behind this
was
even if a invention was not groundbreaking, the fact that it has permeated
in
all aspects of society must signal something about its influence on the world.
2.)
Extent of which it enables societal functions: This factor was much more
subjective,
as opposed to #1 which was more objective. After identifying each
Invention,
I then rated each on how essential each was to the daily functioning or
creation
of what is modern day society. For advances that play a crucial role to the
function
of our society, it is only logical they were most likely a very influential
Inventions
as well.
Changes: The only change I computer in my top 10 list was changing the sewage system to plumbing. I feel plumbing more accurately captures the full benefits of the invention and offers my utilities and function than just the sewage system. More info is given in the video. 1.) Computer
What is it?
•Electronic
computational device capable of difficult calculations
•Computes
arithmetic and logical operations automatically as well as reprogrammed for a
variety of functions
•Can
connect to other devices through either internet or server network
•Used
for both personal and business purposes
Prevalence: 10
Influence: 7
2.) Internet
What is it?
•Global
system of interconnected computers linking several billion devices
•Allows
for worldwide communication and data sharing instantaneously
•Database
for information, resources, and services that are publicly and freely available
to anyone
•Enables
computer, email, social media, chat, teleconferencing, and many other functions
Prevalence: 10
Influence: 8
3.)
What is it?
•Round
object developed in ancient times
•Makes
all modern travel faster, easier, and more convenient
•Paved
the way for automobiles, planes, wheelbarrows, and anything with a wheel
Prevalence: 10
Influence: 9
4.) Electricity
What is it?
•Discovered
in the 1600s by scientists William Gilbert
•Refers
to the phenomenon of the movement of electrons and charged particles to release
energy
•Rapid
expansion and implementation revolutionized society, providing functions such
as light, computation, heating, and communication
Prevalence: 10
Influence: 10
5.) Refrigeration
What is it?
•Process
of which to move heat from one place to another, usually to cool certain areas.
•Allows
for the preservation and transportation of food, expansion of settlement away
from agriculture areas
•More
effective at preservation of food, replacing smoking and salting, and allowing
for less waste of edibles
Prevalence: 7
Influence: 8
6.) Plumbing
What is it?
•Evolving
system involving the transportation, collection, treatment, and storage of liquids to households
•One
of the main factors allowing for the urbanization and condensation of society
and living space by providing water and removing waste
•Drastically
reduced environmental waste and spread of diseases, improving human lifespan
and societal cleanliness
Prevalence:9
Influence: 7
7.) Birth Control
What is it?
•Contraceptive
drastically lowering the possibly of pregnancy and transmission of sexual
diseases.
•Paved
the way for sex as a social/safe activity as well as revolutionized the way
society perceives and allows sex
•One
of the main methods to control over population
Prevalence: 4
Influence: 6
8.) Currency
What is it?
•Expression
of value in different forms of goods, whether material or electric
•Allowed
for society to move out of bartering and better leveraging and storage of
actual value goods.
•Paved
the way for electronic forms of payment and associated functions (credit cards,
checks, Apple Pay, Vemno,
bonds, stocks)
Prevalence: 9
Influence: 8
9.) Assembly Line
What is it?
•Gained
popularity during the industrial revolution
•Drastically
improved speed and quality of which products could be produced, as well as
lowering the costs
•Allowed
for the creation of more and more complex items, such as computers,
automobiles, and appliances
Prevalence: 2
Influence: 6
10) Automobile
What is it?
•Self
powered motor vehicle used for transportation or pleasure
•Owned
by majority of population, critical to the expansion of society and development
of suburban areas
•Major
increase in power available to humans for many activities, such as moving,
farming,
