The patent scene has become a rather interesting one these past few weeks, from Nokia to Google, Apple, and now IBM.  It looks like Big Blue just won the rights for what may become a housing standard in a few decades’ time.

The company’s been awarded with a patent that covers a touch-sensitive floor that could theoretically be used for several different applications. This technology has the capacity to serve as a movement detector automatically picking up on unwanted guests, according to IBM, as well as as a potential life-line in emergency situations.

“In one embodiment, at step 960, object inactivity is sensed, such as a person lying prone on the floor. In one embodiment, also at step 960, the current health status of the object is retrieved, if possible, such as using a heart-rate monitor or other such device. A determination is made, based on the data received in step 960, as to whether the object might need assistance (decision 965).”

IBM’s definitely on to something, but for now, house-sized iPads are reserved for only the most prodigal of people. And in the nearer term, the next touch-based innovation may come from Apple.

The consumer electronics maker recently patented a technique that leverages facial recognition to log-in a user to an iOS-based device. This concept may be quite handy for shared devices, especially considering the functionality will extend beyond just basic access, but Apple will probably have to polish “Electronic Device Operation Adjustment Based On Face Detection” a bit before introducing it to consumers.

On the other end of the mobile universe, ad network operator Millennial Media is facing a patent lawsuit over its targeted marketing. A company named Augme claims it called dibs on user demographic identification before Millennial.