RIM, PlayBook OS 2.0, and Future Tablet Potential Based on Patent Application Filings
-by Maulin V. Shah, Managing Director, and S. Farhan Mustafa, Investment Research Analyst, Envision IP, Inc.
With lackluster reviews for its PlayBook tablet, and an inability to take market share away from Apple’s iPad and Android-based devices, Research in Motion Ltd. (RIM) announced today the PlayBook OS 2.0 operating system. The upgrade includes features such as built-in email and calendar applications, as well as robust integration with social networking platforms. However, the question remains – will these upgrades be enough to re-vamp the PlayBook line?
Based on RIM’s patent filing activity in technologies applicable to its PlayBook, RIM has been investing significantly in R&D behind its tablet line. If the PlayBook OS 2.0 can renew consumer confidence in RIM, this could signal future developments and unique offerings by RIM in the tablet space.
Patent Data Analysis
RIM is a major holder of patent applications related to many aspects of tablet technology. RIM is the third largest filer in of tablet-related patent applications after LG and Samsung, respectively. The vast majority of RIM’s patent filings are related to user interfaces, and RIM also has sizable filings related to input recognition and wireless communication technologies.
These three areas are key components of any tablet device. This suggests that RIM is attempting to own most of the technology required for its tablet line (versus licensing technology from its competitors and other third-parties).
RIM has shown a steady increase in patent application filings in the user interface and input recognition categories each year since 2007. Interestingly, RIM shows an increase of over 100% in wireless communication technology-related filings between 2009 and 2010.
|
3D Display |
Camera |
Display Hardware |
GUI |
Input Recognition |
Multimedia |
Motion Sensors |
Wireless Comm. |
Total |
|
|
2007 |
0 |
3 |
4 |
58 |
27 |
0 |
0 |
49 |
141 |
|
2008 |
0 |
18 |
17 |
94 |
39 |
6 |
0 |
54 |
228 |
|
2009 |
3 |
15 |
45 |
88 |
64 |
5 |
0 |
44 |
264 |
|
2010 |
0 |
23 |
31 |
133 |
115 |
17 |
9 |
91 |
419 |
|
Total |
3 |
59 |
97 |
373 |
245 |
28 |
9 |
238 |
1052 |
Table: RIM’s Year-Wise Patent Publications by Tablet-Related Category.
In 2008 and 2009, RIM filed a handful of patent applications related to multimedia technologies. In 2010, RIM filed 17 patent applications in this category, tripling its multimedia-related filings from 2009. Additionally, RIM filed 9 patent applications related to motion sensor technology for portable devices, the first time it filed in this category.
RIM’s patent filing activity indicates its increasing focus on input recognition technology related to touch screens, which is a departure from its traditional hard QWERTY keypad design of its Blackberry platform. From 2009 to 2010, RIM had a 44% increase in input recognition-related filings. This coupled with a 33% in user interface-related filings, shows that RIM is heavily investing in interfaces, usability, and input capture technologies which could differentiate its products from its competitors.
Competitive Features and Related Patent Filings
One of RIM’s patents demonstrates its dedication to both user interface and display hardware innovation. US 20090046070, published in February 2009 discloses a tablet device with a flexible touch-screen display. This patent application suggests the possibility of including a multi-axis input, where in addition to finger movements along a single plane, finger movements along a z-axis, can be used to actuate different inputs. In other words, consumers can use gestures along with various finger pressures to input data or make selections on the display.
With regards to unique uses of wireless communication technologies for tablet devices, US 20110070828 published in March 2011 discloses using near-field communications (i.e., RFID, Bluetooth, etc.) for making purchases in various environments, such as for movie tickets or subway tickets. This technology may allow RIM to be a leader in embedded transaction systems on its devices, eliminating the need for external card reader-type attachments (e.g. Square mobile credit card reader), or hardware-consuming optical barcode and QR-Code readers, which are currently the only viable solution for mobile payment systems.
Conclusion
Over the last few years, RIM has filed a large number of patent applications (1052) related to tablet technology, even edging out Apple’s 970 tablet-related patent filings since 2007. RIM has invested heavily into core tablet features such as user interface, input recognition, and wireless communications, giving it the technology required to independently develop its own tablet platform.
Traditional Blackberry devices gained market share in the enterprise market due to their limited multimedia and peripheral functions. However, RIM seems to have departed from this focus, with recent increases in both camera and multimedia patent application filings. RIM appears poised to make more aggressive moves towards capturing the mass consumer market.
Given RIM’s significant investment into tablet and touch technology, we expect another iteration of the PlayBook if PlayBook OS 2.0 can breath new life into RIM’s tablet line. If this happens, and based on RIM’s patent application filings in this space that promise innovative features and technologies, we expect RIM to develop a serious contender to the iPad and Android-based devices in the future.
-by Maulin V. Shah, Managing Director, and S. Farhan Mustafa, Investment Research Analyst, Envision IP, Inc.
With recent news of Google planning to release a home entertainment system, the question is whether Google will be able to deliver a functional device spanning multiple generations with unique features not found in today’s popular home entertainment systems.
Google’s acquisition of nearly 25,000 patents owned by Motorola gave it several patented technologies related to multimedia transmission and related hardware that could be used in the rumored home entertainment system.
For example, Motorola has about 430 US patents related to multimedia data transmission, which include technologies for data delivery across a distributed network and bandwidth management. In addition, Motorola has over 800 US patents related to multimedia receiver and data processing hardware, technologies likely incorporated into Motorola’s set-top boxes, digital video recorders, and network equipment used to enable video broadcasting, computer telephony, and high-definition television.
For example, we noticed an interesting patent, US 5640196A, which is directed towards video and two-way telephone services provided via a cable distribution network. Patented technologies such as this may allow Google’s system to serve not only as an entertainment hub, but also as a personal communication tool, possibly allowing Google to incorporate features similar to Google Voice.
Ultimately, Motorola owns about another 3700 patents related to signal transmission in general that likely include underlying technologies for any distributed multimedia platform that Google’s home entertainment system would rely on.
In addition, Google itself has 66 US patents and 44 pending US patent applications related to ad delivery on televisions, set top boxes, and radios. A few interesting patents relate to optimizing delivery of advertisements in a television network: US 8091101B2 entitled “Channel tune dwell time log processing”, and US 7743394B2 entitled “Log processing of channel tunes and channel tune times generated from a television processing device”.
Google also holds 35 US patents and 53 pending US patent applications related to multimedia transmission and playback. In late December 2011, Google acquired about 200 patents from IBM, some of which cover VoIP, wireless network bandwidth management, and voice-activated search controls – all technologies that will be important to supplying a web-integrated entertainment experience.
Google will likely have a feature rich product that is highly interactive, and customizable, in line with its history of providing user friendly interfaces and personalized content services. It is almost certain that such a system will have high integration with Android devices, giving users mobility and remote accessibility.
Google’s system could include many technologies allowing it to monetize entertainment content more effectively and profitably than any of its competitors, as Google has deep expertise and a host of patents for its ad platform technologies.
Given Google’s diverse patent portfolio surrounding this space, Google’s rumored home entertainment line may in the future consolidate streaming, on-demand music and video, personal communication, and monetization, all in a single, accessible device. Such a device may give Google an edge over Apple and others with regards to market share and revenue in the streaming home entertainment market.
*Patent applications are made publicly available 18 months after they are filed at the USPTO. Thus, the above commentary does not take into account any patent application filings at the USPTO by Google or others within the last 18 months.
*Image credit: Michael Gottschalk/AFP/Getty Images
Social Networking and Patents – Where does Facebook Fit?
-by Maulin V. Shah, Managing Director, and S. Farhan Mustafa, Investment Research Analyst, Envision IP, Inc.
With Facebook’s IPO looming, many investors are asking whether Facebook has protected the technology that has allowed it become the world’s most popular social networking platform.
Interestingly, Facebook’s IPO filing paperwork states that the company has 56 US patents and 503 pending US patent applications. A search of the USPTO database only shows 20 patents and 19 patent applications assigned to Facebook. The USPTO database releases a patent application for public viewing eighteen months after it is filed. This suggests that Facebook either (1) made an aggressive push to file patent applications in the last eighteen months prior to filing its IPO and/or (2) it acquired a number of companies with recently filed patent applications and issued patents. We think it is likely a combination of both.
Facebook’s patents are scattered across different technologies, from network bandwidth management, user authentication and privacy controls, to pattern detection and custom content delivery. Facebook has been successfully patenting some of its proprietary and popular features, such as the technology behind its News Feed, Timeline, in-network messaging, and digital media tagging features.
In late 2010, Facebook acquired Friendster’s social networking patent portfolio from MOL Global. This portfolio included 7 US patents and 4 pending US patent applications. These patents seem to include many core social networking technologies – such as connecting users through various relationships, managing social connections, content uploads, multimedia aggregation and sharing social network database information with third-parties.
This move by Facebook was very strategic, ensuring that as the owner, these early social networking patents could not be asserted against Facebook in the future.
However, regarding monetization and revenue generation, Facebook has not made a big push towards patenting technologies around its advertising platform. Facebook has only a single pending US patent application related to advertising, US20100257023A1, which is directed towards targeted advertising based on user interests.
This area is where Facebook may have problems down the road. Yahoo has close to 900 patents related to its proprietary search engine algorithms and systems for search engine monetization, technologies that are likely to be utilized by any online search, advertising, and content delivery platform.
In addition, Microsoft and IBM own core patents surrounding file sharing, messaging, and back-end infrastructures for social networks and collaborative online communications. Each of these companies own about 80 US patents and hundreds of pending US patent applications in this space.
There is some comfort for Facebook, however, as Microsoft has a 1.6% stake in Facebook, and Microsoft’s Bing search technology powers Facebook’s search engine. This will likely preclude Microsoft from asserting its patents against Facebook, as long as the two companies mutually benefit from this collaboration.
Google has been quietly developing its own social networking technologies ever since Facebook was launched, having 25 US patents and 40 pending US patent applications before the USPTO in this space, the earliest of which was filed in 2004. Google recently re-entered the social network scene with the launch of Google Plus after its first ill-fated social network, Orkut, failed to entice US users away, at the time, from MySpace.
Apple, not to be left behind, has 35 US patents and 76 US patent applications that relate to various aspects of social networking and collaboration. Many of these technologies seem directed towards mobile social networking, giving insight into where Apple believes the social networking space is headed.
Previous social networking icons MySpace and Friendster seemingly gave little importance to patent protection, each having less than a dozen issued patents and a handful of pending applications securing their technologies. Other popular companies in the social networking space today face similar issues, with Zynga having 9 pending US patent applications, LinkedIn owning 1 US patent, and Twitter having no issued US patents or pending patent applications.
Facebook appears to be bucking this trend, with aggressively patenting its own proprietary technologies related to the features that have made it popular (as evidenced by its 500+ pending US patent applications), as well as owning core social-network technologies by acquiring the Friendster patents. However, established technology companies such as IBM, Yahoo, and Apple that own technologies related to advertising and monetization, as well as social messaging and communication, may have several strategic options by which to leverage their own patents, be it through licensing to, or asserting their patents against, Facebook.
*Patent applications are made publicly available 18 months after they are filed at the USPTO. Thus, the above commentary does not take into account any patent application filings at the USPTO by Facebook or others within the last 18 months.
Cloud Computing – Will Innovation Stem from Patent Licensing?
-by Maulin V. Shah, Managing Director, and S. Farhan Mustafa, Investment Research Analyst, Envision IP, Inc.
The rise of cloud computing in the recent decade has fueled many traditional technology powerhouses to develop cutting-edge products for shared and distributed data storage and access.
IBM and Microsoft are the leaders in this space, with IBM holding an impressive 1,547 patents and Microsoft holding 1,020 patents related to various aspects of cloud computing technology. Both IBM and Microsoft have patented technologies surrounding network infrastructure and software architecture that facilitates data access in distributed environments.
These two companies are continuing to innovate in this space, each having approximately 1,000 patent applications related to cloud computing pending before the USPTO.
Cisco and Hewlett Packard are also major holders of core cloud-computing technology patents. Cisco owns 641 patents, primarily focused on network hardware and infrastructure required for cloud layering technology. Hewlett Packard owns 505 patents covering a variety of technologies, from cloud architecture to network security.
Leading tech companies like Apple, Amazon, and Google, while having popular cloud-based offerings, lag far behind their established rivals in terms of patented cloud-related technologies. Apple holds 94 patents (79 pending), Amazon holds 57 patents (5 pending), and Google owns 49 patents (48 pending) in this space.
Given the vast numbers of cloud-related patents covering both hardware infrastructure and software architecture owned by IBM, Microsoft, Cisco, and HP, the newer entrants to this space may likely have to license core technologies in order to provide innovative offerings that build on fundamental cloud concepts.
In the cloud computing space, Microsoft has not been as aggressive against potential patent infringers as it has been in the mobile OS space (i.e., against Android device manufacturers). Yet it did file a lawsuit against Salesforce.com, Inc. in 2010 claiming the company infringed on patents that provide the basic frameworks for Salesforce.com’s cloud-based products.
While Microsoft has not have filed as many cloud-related patent lawsuits yet, its recent history with enforcing its patents and obtaining licensing deals with Android device manufacturers suggests that Microsoft may certainly look to monetize its cloud-computing technologies in a similar way.
There are currently numerous companies aggressively developing and offering cloud-based enterprise solutions. As IBM, Microsoft, Cisco and HP own the lion’s share of patents that relate to fundamental cloud-computing technologies, it may well be these companies that will reap rewards from licensing and monetizing their patent portfolios to their late-entry competitors – namely Amazon, Google and Apple.
RIM May Fare Better in Licensing its Technologies Rather Than Attempting to Sell its Patent Portfolio
-by Maulin V. Shah, Managing Director, Envision IP, Inc.
Research in Motion, Ltd. (RIM), a former powerhouse in the enterprise mobile communication device market, has consistently lost market share over the past few years as its BlackBerry handsets continue to fail to keep up with current-generation Android or iOS devices.
RIM has, however, amassed a diversified patent portfolio during its history, with patented technologies covering all aspects of mobile computing and telecommunications.
RIM currently has 2,441 issued patents, and 3,948 pending patent applications with the United States Patent & Trademark Office.
Of these patents, 1,121 (~46%) relate to wireless communication technologies, including RIM’s messaging platform, signal processing technologies, antenna hardware, and network routing and switching systems. However, within its wireless patent portfolio, we identified only 34 patents that may be directed towards 3GPP LTE, which is essential to the 4G wireless communication standard.
RIM owns 814 patents (~33%) on various consumer device features and functionality, such as displays, user interfaces, input recognition, multimedia, and ergonomics for its various devices.
443 patents (~18%) relate to RIM’s consumer device hardware and operational software, which include the circuitry, security, and encryption systems for its various devices. These patents include technologies key to RIM’s legacy Blackberry OS.
The remaining 23 patents (~1%) are related to electronic commerce systems, mobile payment processing, and miscellaneous technologies.
RIM’s patent portfolio also includes 33 issued patents and 72 pending patent applications that it obtained through the QNX Software Systems, Ltd. acquisition in 2009. The QNX patents give RIM a suite of technologies to bolster its operating system, which RIM had hoped would revive its competitiveness in the mobile computing space once again. However, to date, RIM has failed to introduce a QNX-based device that would seemingly compete with Android and iOS devices.
All is not lost for RIM however, as many analysts and shareholders believe that RIM’s patent portfolio may be worth $1 – $3 US Billion, and they are calling on RIM to sell its IP assets.
However, RIM’s lack of LTE-related patents may not make its wireless patents very desirable to competitors, particularly to competitors that already own significant LTE-related technologies, and who may not need additional defensive patents to protect themselves in the litigious telecommunications industry.
Furthermore, it seems unlikely that any of its competitors would want to acquire RIM’s consumer device patent portfolio, as RIM’s device popularity has been in steady decline, in both the corporate and personal use markets.
On the other hand, RIM’s huge basket of wireless patents could position it to become a service provider, allowing it to license data, voice, and messaging technologies on its established proprietary communications network.
Given the vast number of patents it owns, RIM is not likely commercializing or monetizing a number of its technologies; technologies which could bring in much needed revenue to the company. Selling its patent portfolio may be difficult due to lack of demand from buyers. However, licensing may be an avenue that could provide RIM recurring revenues for the remaining shelf lives of its patents.
Yahoo, Inc. – An Impressive Patent Portfolio Holding Key Search Engine and Ad Monetization Technologies
-by Maulin V. Shah, Managing Director, Envision IP, Inc.
With 990 issued patents, and approximately 2100 pending patent applications, Yahoo has a sizable patent portfolio. Yahoo owns a suite of patented technologies developed in-house and through patents obtained by acquiring Inktomi and Overture Services (which had previously acquired the pioneering search engines AllTheWeb and AltaVista).
The Inktomi acquisition provided Yahoo with proprietary search engine technology, while the Overture Services acquisition provided Yahoo with paid search and monetization technologies.
The vast majority (70%) of Yahoo’s patents relate to proprietary search engine algorithms. These patented technologies include algorithms focused on page ranking methods, search engine optimization (SEO), website crawling and indexing, query processing, link reputation evaluation, and efficient data mining/retrieval.
Yahoo’s next largest group (17%) of patents relate to algorithms and systems for search monetization. The technologies include targeted advertisement delivery, paid inclusion advertising, and management platforms for advertisers.
The third highest category (7%) of Yahoo’s patents relate to interfaces and browser technologies. These patents focus on user experience and cover methods for displaying information in user-friendly formats, on both traditional displays and mobile/WAP-enabled displays.
4% of Yahoo’s patents relate to data transmission and digital communication. While certainly not a player in the telecommunication and broadband field, Yahoo’s patented technology in this space relates to efficient data transfer that assists in speeding up search engine delivery, as well as delivery of content to mobile devices. Rapid content delivery to mobile platforms has recently become an important and crucial aspect of the search business, and these patents could provide an acquirer with unique proprietary technologies to provide a better mobile search experience.
Finally, Yahoo has a small portfolio (2%) of patents related to online gaming. Yahoo enjoys a healthy share of the adult gaming market due to its wildly popular fantasy sports platforms, but its lack of patents related to online gaming show that Yahoo has focused its research and development efforts on search engine-related technology, and it has not forayed much outside of this area.
Potential Yahoo Acquirers
Google’s interest may lie in Yahoo’s search monetization technologies. Google currently licenses several patented technologies from Yahoo related to pay-per-click and keyword bidding systems. By owning these technologies outright, Google can complement its AdWords and AdSense networks, as well as become a gatekeeper to new entrants in the search monetization business by requiring licenses to these fundamental technologies.
Microsoft’s existing partnership with Yahoo capitalizes on Yahoo’s search monetization and ad-display technologies, but it does not harness Yahoo’s search algorithms (Microsoft’s Bing uses its own proprietary search engine technologies). Microsoft could benefit from Yahoo’s extensive portfolio of search engine technologies to bolster Bing.
Private Equity/New Entrant: Yahoo’s patent portfolio, and specifically, its patents pertaining to search algorithms and monetization, could provide a springboard for a new competitor to quickly capitalize on Yahoo’s current market share and brand recognition, and possibly re-invent Yahoo using underutilized patented technologies to make a stronger push to challenge Google and Microsoft.
Amazon, Inc. – Tablet Potential Based on Patent Data
-by Maulin V. Shah, Managing Director, Envision IP, Inc.
With 21 patents related to portable computing devices and associated software, Amazon is dwarfed by the more established tablet players (as covered in our report, The US Tablet Computing Market, July 2011). With its current patent portfolio, Amazon owns approximately 0.2% of total tablet-related patent filings in the United States. Moreover, Amazon has not filed any touch display-related patents since November 2008. The more established tablet players, however, have since filed a combined 5,100 patents.
Despite this lack in touch display-related patents, Amazon has enjoyed enormous commercial success with its Kindle e-reader, giving consumers a reliable, no-frills e-reader at a low price. Unsurprisingly, Amazon’s patents all relate to various aspects of its Kindle line.
Since the introduction of the Kindle by Amazon in 2007, tablet technology has quickly evolved in terms of functionality, usability, and connectivity. Our research indicates that Amazon is yet to file a single true tablet-related patent, as its current patent portfolio is clearly directed to its e-reader technology. Amazon has carved out a niche in the e-reader market, which offers significantly fewer features than today’s modern tablets.
Amazon’s patent portfolio covers the following technologies: Device Hardware (4); Display Software (7); and Graphical User Interface (GUI) (10).
This combination of patents accurately describes features and usability technologies available on the current Kindle – including text display functionality, active scrolling features, content updates, and content purchases through the Kindle store. Strikingly, despite releasing a successful GUI to power its Kindle device (and being the first successful player in the e-reader market), Amazon has not filed any GUI-related patents since May 2008. In the same time period, its tablet competitors have filed over 1,400 combined tablet GUI patents alone.
An analysis of Amazon’s patent portfolio also reveals key tablet technologies in which Amazon lacks any patent filings – Input Recognition, Multimedia, Motion Sensors, and Wireless Communication. Lack of proprietary technology in these areas suggests that any standard feature – be it a simple hand swipe recognition, internal video player, or tilt-meter for gaming – would be licensed from other third-parties, possibly even competitors.
With no new patents to update Amazon’s existing e-reader platform for future advanced tablet devices, we believe Amazon will be forced to license most of its tablet technology. Given Amazon’s purchasing power, this may certainly be cost-effective; yet there is no guarantee that Amazon will be able to secure innovative technologies to set it apart from Apple, Samsung, and the likes.
Amazon’s rumored tablet will most likely run on a simplified Android platform. Given Amazon’s lack of proprietary multimedia capabilities and features, it is unlikely that Amazon’s tablet would warrant an advanced Android 3.x Honeycomb platform.
Amazon seems to be aiming for a stripped-down version of a tablet at an affordable price point. Its patent filings, at least, indicate the new tablet will be fairly stripped of any innovative features that will allow Amazon to have a multi-generation tablet line that seriously competes with feature-rich Apple, Samsung, LG, and Motorola (soon to be Google) devices.
Unconventional Non-Patent Literature Sources
-by Alex C. Lee, Director of Patent Research Services, Envision IP, Inc.
Non-patent literature (NPL) searching is an essential part of the prior art search process. In addition to traditional NPL sources, such as, for example, INSPEC, IEEE Conference Proceedings, ACM Publications, and SPIE databases, Envision IP’s search team utilizes a variety of unconventional NPL sources for search requests that are highly technical in nature. For example, these search requests are usually related to telecommunications, signal processing, wireless standards, circuit logic, semiconductors, and software.
Some NPL sources that Envision IP has identified and routinely uses:
IBM Redbooks are technical guidebooks on how to use various IBM products, such as servers, routers, and sofware.
DSpace@MIT is Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s digital repository for academic, scientific, and research work. Many of the resources here have not been published by third-party journals, and are only available via the DSpace channel.
IDEALS at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign includes working papers, technical reports, or other research material submitted by faculty, staff, and graduate students related to their research and scholarship.
CaltechAUTHORS is a repository of over 22,000 research papers authored by California Institute of Technology faculty and researchers. It is updated continuously as departments and library staff add available and recently published documents.
In addition, when our clients are located outside of the United States, we access local academic repositories in the client’s native country. For example, we have access to the Australian National University Digital Collections, the Akita University Institutional Repository System in Japan, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Institutional Repository, and the Imperial College of London Digital Repository, to name a few.
Also, with the increasing use of the Internet as a public discussion forum and channel to disseminate information, our search teams turn to various industry and technology specific blogs that are freely and publicly available. For example, we routinely browse Engadget, TechCrunch, The Verge, Slashgear, and GigaOM, not only to conduct prior art searches, but also to stay on top of the latest industry news and innovations that may be relevant to our clients’ businesses.
In summary, NPL searching should cast a wide net across many publicly available resources, not just the major journals and publication sources that are available at the USPTO STIC Library, and utilized by USPTO patent examiners.
-by Maulin V. Shah, Managing Director, Envision IP, Inc.
The US tablet market is poised for change as Apple’s dominance is challenged by competitors starting to commercialize their patented technologies.
As the struggle for smartphone supremacy continues, mobile device manufacturers now have a new arena in which to wage battle – the tablet market. Though Apple still claims the lion’s share of the United States market with its iPad line, Apple’s competitors have been hard at work developing innovative tablet technologies to eclipse Apple’s stronghold. LG, Samsung, Motorola, RIM and HP each have released competing tablets in the past 6 months; we expect the next 6 months alone to bring another generation of change and technical advances to the tablet market.
We have provided an intellectual property-based assessment of the major tablet contenders, unlocking future roadmaps and highlighting potential technologies each may bring to the market.
By analyzing the patent filings of companies in the tablet market, we have identified which aspect of tablet technology each company has focused its research and development efforts on, giving insight into upcoming product and feature offerings.
Our research shows that LG and Samsung overwhelmingly lead the group by the sheer volume of tablet-related patent applications each has filed. This suggests that the pair is focused on reaping benefits from both licensing their patents as well as commercializing them for their respective tablet lines.
Apple appears to selectively file patent applications on technologies it believes will be highly disruptive, and then subsequently introduces these technologies in each successive generation of its iPad line. Apple does not seem concerned at obtaining licensing revenues, as its main focus is on innovating its own product lines.
Our research also reveals that in recent years RIM and Motorola have both been active in the tablet technology space, developing competency in select niches relative to competitors as they attempt to catch up with their more established rivals.
Innovation Outlook: Key companies to watch based on future tablet releases.
Apple (Innovator) – Apple will continue to release innovations in Graphical User Interface (GUI), display hardware and multimedia-related features to set the next generation of iPads apart from the competition.
LG and Samsung (Innovators) – With extensive patent application portfolios covering virtually every aspect of tablet technology, manufacturing and licensing deals with Apple for the iPad line as well as highly-marketed tablet lines of their own, these two companies will benefit from sales of their devices, as well as from the success of next generation iPad devices.
Motorola (Early Adopter) – Expect Motorola to have at least another generation of its Xoom line, as Motorola has invested significantly in IP for core tablet areas, such as GUI and display hardware, which may not require it to license third-party technologies.
RIM (Early Adopter) – Expect RIM to release another generation of its PlayBook device, as the company has invested significantly in IP for core tablet areas, and in recent years increased investments in usability technologies, such as multimedia and sensor reactions. RIM also has potential to license its tablet technology, especially related to wireless communications, as it is a major holder of tablet-related patent applications that it may not fully commercialize.
Dell and HP (Followers) – With limited US patent filings surrounding tablet technology, and minimal unique features on their current tablet devices (likely due to a lack of proprietary technology and/or the inability to obtain licenses from competitors), expect these two companies to offer little innovation in the near future.
Why Conduct a Prior Art Search?
-by Alex C. Lee, Director of Patent Research Services, Envision IP, Inc.
Prior art includes information that has been made available to the public in any form before the date which an invention was conceived. If an invention has been described in prior art, the invention will not be eligible for patent protection. Typically, the costs associated with hiring a patent attorney to prepare and file your patent application are fairly substantial, so it makes sense to understand the likelihood of how patentable an invention is before you get too far along in the patent preparation process.
Prior art is not limited to other patents, but also includes published patent applications, academic and scientific articles, technical literature (such as manuals and instruction guides), online web sites, and traditional print materials (such as catalogs, newspapers, etc.)
One obvious benefit of conducting a prior art search is to understand what similar ideas have already been publicly disclosed, so that you can design around these to make your invention novel and unique.
The results of a prior art search can also assist the patent attorney with drafting the patent application, as they will likely consider the prior art when writing the claims.
Prior art searches should be conducted by all inventors, whether individuals with a single idea, or organizations that processes hundreds of invention disclosures a year.
At Envision IP, we have access to numerous subscription-based patent and non-patent literature databases, as well as expertise in a variety of technical fields. We stay up-to-date with the latest industry innovations so that we can provide unique insights to our clients during the prior art searching process.
