Just when it looked like HTC was about to settle their lawsuit with Apple involving some twenty patents, they've decided to do an about face and strike back at Apple by launching a patent infringement case of their own. HTC is seeking relief by requesting the court to grant them triple damages for Apple's willful infringement of three of their patents. HTC believes that almost everything in Apple's product line-up infringes on their patents including the Macbook, iPhone, iPad and more. Either the talks with Apple's legal counsel didn't go very well or they were using their play-nice strategy as a delay tactic for their counter lawsuit. In time we'll know which of the two it was.
The Alleged Patent Infringement In-Part
The Apple products that are allegedly infringing upon HTC's patents are quite extensive and are listed as follows: The entire line-up computers including Apple's MacBooks and desktops, the iPhone, the iPad, wireless printers in conjunction with AirPrint and/or other hardware and software offered by Apple, streaming wireless capable television (Apple TV), wireless network equipment (Airport and Time Capsule) Portable digital music and video players (iPod lines of devices), related communications software, applications, and digital media and related services.
The Three Patents in this Lawsuit
The following are the three granted patents (and their respective abstracts) that HTC Corporation has laid out in their lawsuit as being the patents that Apple is allegedly infringing. Note that two of the patents presented in this case were originally assigned to ADC Telecommunications, Inc (USA).
The First: 2010 Granted Patent 7,765,414: Circuit and Operating Method for Integrated Interface of PDA and Wireless Communication System
Patent Abstract: A circuit for an integrated interface of a PDA and a wireless communication system is suitable for integrating the PDA and the wireless communication system. The circuit includes a first serial port has two terminals, in which one of the two terminals is electrically connected to the PDA, and another one of the two terminals is electrically connected to the wireless communication system. The first serial port is used to bi-directionally transmit a control signal between the PDA and the wireless communication system. A second serial port has two terminals, in which one of the two terminals is electrically connected to the PDA, and another one of the two terminals is electrically connected to the wireless communication system. The second serial port is used to bi-directionally transmit data between the PDA and the wireless communication system.
The Second: 2010 Granted Patent 7,672,219: Multipoint-to-Multipoint Communication using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing. The assignee is noted as ADC Telecommunications, Inc (USA).
Patent Abstract: A bidirectional communication system is provided. The system includes a first remote unit for communicating with a host unit using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing. The host unit is communicatively coupled to a plurality of remote units in a multipoint-to-point configuration. The first remote unit is configured to transmit up to a plurality of tones and the first remote unit includes a modulator for modulating the plurality of tones with upstream information using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing such that when any tones are transmitted from the first remote unit and at least one other remote unit of the plurality of remote units, the tones are substantially orthogonal when received at the host unit.
The Third: 2008 Granted Patent 7,417,944: Method for Orderwire Modulation
Patent Abstract: Methods for orderwire modulation are provided. In one embodiment, a method for an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing multipoint-to-point communications system comprises: establishing communication between a first remote unit of a plurality of remote units and a host unit, the plurality of remote units communicatively coupled to the host unit in a multipoint-to-point configuration; transmitting non-control data on up to a plurality of tones from the first remote unit using an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) waveform, the up to a plurality of tones modulated with the non-control data using a first modulation scheme; and transmitting control signals on up to a plurality of tones from the first remote unit using an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) waveform, the up to a plurality of tones modulated with the control signals using a second, more robust modulation scheme.
HTC's case was filed with the Delaware District Court. A Judge has yet to be assigned.
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