Apple Patents MacBook Design, New iPhone Stand & Speech Synthesis

A flurry of new Apple patents have been approved, covering a broad range of hardware and software that includes MacBook design, speech synthesis and the stand for the iPod Touch.  While the hardware patents are generally ornamental – i.e. they protect Apple's industrial design – the others are more technical.

Of particular interest could be the speech synthesis patent, which might suggest that Apple is looking to make increased use of text-to-speech.  The system described is called concatentive synthesis, where different individually-recorded sections are strung together to make full sentences.  Apple describe both a professionally-recorded voice and the user's own voice (after processing) being used.  There is no suggestion of whether this technology is aimed solely at a MacBook or other computing device, or as a new interface method for a portable device.

Update: Tony sensibly points out that it's actually the stand that comes with the iPod Touch, and that the cable shown is merely being held on the desk rather than anything else.  Thanks Tony!  The iPhone stand appears to be a new design, intended to hold the handset in a horizontal position presumably for watching TV episodes and movies.  Although the diagram suggests a docking cable could be plugged in, there doesn't appear to be any way for this to actually connect through to the iPhone itself; instead, it might be a method of carrying and/or storing the stand.  A headphone-cum-lanyard patent was also approved.

Also granted: LED backlighting for keyboards & amplification circuits

[via MacNN]