MUMBAI: Apple and Samsung suing each other for copied patented mobile device features is an old story. The recentl battle between both the leading companies just got settled on Friday, when California based jury found that Apple had copied Samsung’s patents in creating the iPhone 4 and 5.
Samsung was also awarded with $158,400 and Apple was awarded with $2.2 billion. Before coming to the conclusion if Apple had really copied Samsung, the jury considered the following patent features.
Patent 5,946,647Official description: System and method for performing an action on a structure in computer-generated data.Meaning: In a mobile device, the technology described in this patent is used to display a pop-up menu of options.Jury’s take: The jury found that Apple had infringed patent across several deivices like Galaxy Nexus, Galaxy III and Stratosphere.
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Patent 6,847,959Official description: Universal interface for retrieval of information in a computer system.
Meaning: 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.
Jury’s take: Apple failed to prove Samsung infringed on this patent.
Patent 8,046,721Official description: Unlocking a device by performing gestures on an unlock image.
Meaning: 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.
Jury’s Take: 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 5,579,239Official description: Remote video transmission system.
Meaning: Samsung’s patent describes a system for digitising, compressing and transmitting audio and visual signals and then reversing the process for broadcast.
Jury’s Take: Apple did not infringe on a section of Samsung’s patent that covers transmitting video in real time over a cellular frequency.
Patent 6,226,449Official description: Apparatus for recording and reproducing digital image and speech.
Meaning: 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.
Jury’s Take: Apple infringed on Samsung’s patent on several versions of the iPhone and iPod Touch.
