Decoding the Apple-Samsung patent dispute
By Alex Veiga, Business Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Apple and Samsung are suing each other in courts and trade offices around the world, each making claims that the other copied patented mobile device features.
The companies’ most-recent legal tussle all but concluded on Friday, when a California jury found that Samsung copied some of Apple’s smartphone features. The panel also concluded that Apple illegally used one of Samsung’s patents in creating the iPhone 4 and 5.
All told, the jury awarded Samsung $158,400 and Apple $119 million, far less than the $2.2 billion the company sought.
Jurors were ordered to return to court Monday to continue deliberations on a minor matter that could result in a higher award for Apple.
Before determining whether the companies copied phone technologies, jurors had to consider several patents. Here’s a look at select patents and the jury’s conclusions:
Patent 5,946,647
—Official description: System and method for performing an action on a structure in computer-generated data.
—What it really means: In a mobile device, the technology described in this patent is used to display a pop-up menu of options. One example: When you highlight a phone number on the touchscreen and the software gives you a prompt of options.
—The jury’s verdict: The jury found that Apple proved Samsung infringed on the patent across several mobile devices, including the Galaxy Nexus, Galaxy S III and Stratosphere.
Patent 6,847,959
—Official description: Universal interface for retrieval of information in a computer system.
—What it really means: This patent covers a process that’s similar to the function of a search engine. It enables the mobile device to access information from a variety of locations, while only listing relevant data for the user.
One of the features in the patent is a graphic interface showing a “Go-To” menu option in a text input window.
—The jury’s verdict: Apple failed to prove Samsung infringed on this patent.
Patent 7,761,414
—Official description: Asynchronous data synchronization among devices.
—What it really means: This patent involves a way to synchronize data across computers and mobile devices. In the case of a smartphone, this could apply to synchronizing address books on your phone with online storage.
—The jury’s verdict: Samsung did not infringe on Apple’s patent.
Patent 8,046,721
—Official description: Unlocking a device by performing gestures on an unlock image.
What it really means: This patent refers to a way of controlling an electronic device with a touch-sensitive display. Specifically, Apple claimed Samsung infringed on a feature of the patent that describes the swipe-and-unlock feature on iPhones.
—The jury’s verdict: Apple made its case that certain Samsung devices, including the Admire, Stratosphere and Galaxy Nexus violated patents. But the panel rejected claims pertaining to Samsung’s Galaxy S II, Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch and Galaxy S II Skyrocket.
Patent 5,579,239
—Official description: Remote video transmission system.
—What it really means: Samsung’s patent describes a system for digitizing, compressing and transmitting audio and visual signals and then reversing the process for broadcast.
The jury’s verdict: Apple did not infringe on a section of Samsung’s patent that covers transmitting video in real time over a cellular frequency.
Patent 6,226,449
—Official description: Apparatus for recording and reproducing digital image and speech.
—What it really means: This Samsung patent refers to the kind of dual digital camera that’s become standard in many smartphones. As described in the patent, the user is able to change the direction of the camera.
The jury’s decision: Apple infringed on Samsung’s patent on several versions of the iPhone and iPod Touch.
Grass Valley delivers Ultra Slo-Mo Technology to Broadcast Rental in the Netherlands
MONTREAL–The Netherlands-based rental house Broadcast Rental has purchased the LDX XtremeSpeed (LDX XS) 6X ultra slow-motion camera system, along with companion XCU XtremeSpeed XF Fiber base stations and camera adapters from Grass Valley, a Belden Brand. Broadcast Rental is a full-service rental house and expert in super and ultra slow-motion cameras. It supplies leading broadcast technologies to clients around the world.
Introduced at NAB 2014, the new LDX XS builds upon the success of Grass Valley’s powerful LDX Series of advanced imaging cameras. Available in both standard and compact form factors, the LDX XS is a handheld, ultra slow-motion camera with a host of unique features. It delivers instant time-to-air without the need for internal camera storage, and it seamlessly integrates into live workflows with 3X and 6X speeds (plus a live 1X standard speed output). To eliminate the problem of light flicker in super and ultra slow-motion image capture, the LDX XS camera is equipped with AnyLightXtreme to correct artificial light flicker, which can be visually disturbing to viewers.
“By adding Grass Valley’s new LDX XS cameras to our equipment roster, we’re broadening our customer base and giving them the ability to work in super slow-motion and ultra slow-motion applications, as well as perfectly integrating into existing workflows.” said Geert Paul Slee, CEO at Broadcast Rental. “The cameras deliver stunning image quality at impressive frame rates—the first time we tested them we were immediately impressed.”
The LDX XS takes advantage of Grass Valley’s proprietary Xensium-FT CMOS imagers that deliver superb picture quality, high sensitivity and high dynamic range for a wide variety of production applications. To fully support triple-speed 1080p and sextuple-speed ultra slow- motion operations, Grass Valley developed a new fiber transmission— XCU XtremeSpeed XF Fiber, which is a future-ready transmission system that effortlessly manages the large bandwidth required by LDX cameras. The rack-mounted XCU cradle is fully compatible with the 3G transmission XCUs, which makes the XCU chassis easily removable and transferrable between OB vans, studios or any location. Customers can convert a normal speed camera position into a high-speed camera position in just minutes.
“Having only been on the market for a few weeks, we’re already seeing the LDX XS break new ground for broadcast professionals,” said Said Bacho, sr. VP, EMEA, Grass Valley. “With the addition of the LDX XS, Broadcast Rental can not only widen its pool of customers, but it can help them deliver super and ultra slow-motion capabilities like never before.”
MundoFox chooses AdBox Program Insertion System from PlayBox Technology
LOS ANGELES–MundoFox has chosen a PlayBox Technology AdBox system to automate digital program insertion for its WTTG FOX 5 free-to-air television channel which is based in Washington DC. The new installation allows staff at the network’s Los Angeles headquarters to schedule breakaway content specific to viewers of the US East Coast service.
Based on PlayBox Technology AirBox channel-in-a-box technology, AdBox enables content owners to maximise their business potential by targeting advertisements for specific audiences with ad insertion and digital program insertion in standard and/or high definition and SDI or DVB (ASI/IP). AdBox can be installed locally or remotely at the head end, monitored and controlled via the internet. Many hundreds of hours of commercials, programs and interstitials can be scheduled if required. AdBox can be incorporated within an entire stand-alone solution or integrated into the content owner’s current workflows and systems.
In addition to ad insertion and digital program insertion, AdBox can include graphics capabilities ranging from simple logo insertion to full character generation and interactive graphics insertion. AdBox can be integrated into the clients’ traffic systems to enable traffic and billing to provide the complete one-box solution that includes automation, video server and switching. AdBox works by receiving a GPI or cue tone trigger for the start of a commercial break or program insertion. Other trigger sources can also be handled via GPI or a cue tone from an external cue decoder. Once the trigger is received, the scheduled ad break or program is switched from the live feed and played to air. After a scheduled period, or on receiving a second trigger, AdBox returns to the live program feed. AdBox will only insert commercial breaks or programs during predefined or scheduled periods. It can also auto-fill any periods that have no defined advertisements or programs.
Animation Technology Company Nito Launches Face Tracking App
LOS ANGELES–Animation technology company Nito launched what’s billed as a first-of-its kind iOS application that uses facial recognition and tracking technology that allows users to control 3D avatars of their favorite and original characters using their own facial expressions, movements and voice.
“The market opportunity for Nito is enormous,” said Hoyt D. Morgan, Nito’s co-founder and CEO. “We are solving real cost and time problems for the professional animation and promotion world, and at the same time we have created an amazing way for anyone in the world to create animated content with characters they enjoy. This iOS App is just the start.”
“I’m excited about how far we’ve come,” says Obi Onyejekwe, founder, chairman and chief visionary officer of Nito. “But I’m even more excited to bring our vision for 3D animation and user engagement to the world as we continue to implement new features and ideas.”
The consumer iOs App went live and has versions for both iPhones and iPads. Nito initially will allow users to record 15-second videos, integrates with nine social media and messaging platforms, and utilizes twelve characters, eight of which are free and four that cost .99 cents each. Additional avatars will be added frequently. Nito allows users to take part in a virtual-meets-real world where users can map their faces to their favorite characters and create content to share with their friends via Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, WhatsApp, WeChat, Line, SMS and email.
“Using animated avatars to communicate fosters engagement that is powerful, meaningful and fun for users,” said Nito CTO Pier Borra. “As we continue to expand offerings such as custom avatars and chat abilities between avatars, we are pushing the boundaries of what social media can be.”
Nito will release Android and MAC/PC desktop versions of the consumer App in early summer, and the Nito PRO professional product for studios and agencies will be available and live for three initial clients in late May.
Simian adds CRM Integration to boost sales outreach
LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif.–Simian, a leader in creative workflow and media management solutions, announces native integration with most popular CRM (Customer Relationship Management) platforms, including Salesforce, Pipeline Deals, Highrise and Zoho. The new integration allows Simian users to send a copy of their sales reels and other presentations directly to their CRM.
Sales representatives and other users can now manage the sales pipeline more effectively via the seamless integration of presentations and messages sent from Simian directly into their CRM’s account history.
Numerous clients have asked for CRM integration and whenever we can help our users improve the sales process, were all in, says Simian COO Brian Atton. Simian integrates seamlessly with CRM tools to form a powerful system for managing a companys entire sales and marketing program.
Now, when a Simian user sends a presentation to a contact listed in her CRM, a copy of the presentation is added the contacts record, and the presentation link, title and message are applied to the activity history. If the contact does not exist, one is created or the information is added to a list of unresolved items, depending on the CRM platform. Additional information on CRM integration is available in the Simian Knowledge Base.
CRM integration is available free to all Simian users.
Simians CRM integration helps sales professionals work smarter and more efficiently, says Atton. In an industry where timeliness is critical, we believe that this new capability provides our users with a significant competitive advantage.
