Patenting Wireless Technology

Dr. Tal Lavian

http://cs.berkeley.edu/~tlaviantlavian@cs.berkeley.edu

UC Berkeley Engineering, CET

Wireless Mobile Devices2

• Tablets, e-book readers, notebooks etc.• Tablet computers (or simply tablets) are devices like smartphones

with a major difference in screen size.• Apple’s tablet called iPad comes in two variations: iPad WiFi and

iPad WiFi+3G.• Apple released a new Tablet iPad3 in March 2012 with 4G LTE

compatibility.• Samsung’s tablet called Galaxy Tab is a close competitor for iPad.• Galaxy Tab comes in three variations ‘Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus’, ‘Galaxy

Tab 10.1’ and ‘Galaxy Tab’

Wireless Mobile Device Patent Areas3

Wireless Mobile Device Patent Areas (contd.)

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Source: ieeexplore.ieee.org

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Differences Between PC and Wireless5

PC and Wireless Mobile Devices

Source: http://www.apple.com

Architectural Differences 6

Significantly different from

PCs

Screen Comparison

Small size, high resolutionTouch screenFit for applicationsBattery is a big issue

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Smartphones - History8

Company/Vendor

Model Released Operating System (OS)

IBM Simon 1993 -

Nokia, Hewlett-Packard

Nokia 9600 1996 -

Palm Kyocera 6035 2001 Palm-based OS

RIM BlackBerry 2002 BlackBerry OS

Apple iPhone 2007 iOS

Samsung, Sony, HT, Motorola

Different models

2008 Google’s Android

Samsung Own model 2009 Bada

Smartphones – History (contd.)9

The history and evolution of mobile device technologies implies several future trends and trade offs.

Mobile device could end the use of credit cards and debit cards, e.g., in shopping stores through using NFC or Google wallet.

The mobile devices can be used for different applications such as remotely controlling home appliances, PC, vehicles, TVs etc.

Number of patent lawsuits are increasing daily , advertizing companies’ technological strength and the necessity of patents.

Reminder: What is a Patent?10

A form of intellectual propertyA grant of an exclusionary property right to

an inventor by the governmentPrevents the use of an invention by others for

the duration of the patent In return, the inventor must fully disclose the

details of the invention to the public (the quid pro quo)

What is a Patent? (Contd.)11

Protects an idea, not an implementationPatent owner can keep others from using the

invention (they would be infringing) or license it

Patent ownership (assignment) can be bought and sold or traded

http://www.kleinlitigation.com/practice-areas/intellectual-property-litigation/patent-infringement/

What is a Patent (Contd.)12

Right to exclude the making, using, selling, offering for sale or importation of an invention (may not “infringe”)

Limited time (typically 20 years from the date of filing with USPTO)

Limited geographic territory (issuing country)

Monopoly awarded by the government forsharing the invention with the public

About USPTO13

Go to: www.uspto.gov

For example, you can search patents on this website#5, 778, 372 – “Remote retrieval and display management of electronic document with incorporated images.”#6, 339, 780 – “Loading status in a hypermedia browser having a limited available display area.”#5, 889, 522 – “System provided child window controls.”

Innovation: Long-term Health14

• Ideas• Concepts• Knowledge• Secret

sauce• Skills• Patents

• Creativity• Inventions• Software• Trade

Secrets• Work

Processes

You need a healthy root system for the tree to flourish!

Innovation Innovation

What Can Be Patented for Wireless Mobile Devices?

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“Everything under the sun made by man.” Products: things Processes: ways to make things Methods: ways to do things

Improvements: better things Software and operating system

Both the above applies to wireless mobile devices!

What Can Be Patented for Wireless Mobile Devices?

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Defined Classes Article of Manufacture Machine Composition Process

Some more: Business Methods Services

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Both the above applies to wireless mobile devices!

Important parts of a Patent Application

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http://www.patentlyo.com/patent/2005/12/what_are_the_pa.html

Patent Documentation18

Important parts of a Patent –for a Startup

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http://mashable.com/2012/08/29/3-parts-of-a-patent-every-startup-should-know-about/

Summary

Wireless mobile devices: different from PCsSmartphone historyFamiliarization with USPTO websiteWhat is patented for wireless devices?

Next week: more on the parts of a patent application and the application process.

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