All Articles Tagged Patents

Julie Jacobson | 05/07 01:28 PM, 2 Comments

Leviton Manufacturing Co., a leading North American producer of electrical and electronic devices, was handed a victory by the International Trade Commission (ITC) concerning the importation of products that violate Leviton's patent on ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI). On April 27, 2012, the ITC issued a general exclusion order, "prohibiting the unlicensed importation of infringing ground fault circuit interrupters and products containing same." In addition, the ITC issued several cease and desist orders prohibiting the sale of GFCIs already in the United States that unlawfully infringe Leviton U.S. Patent No.… View this story

Julie Jacobson | 04/09 08:45 AM, 2 Comments

Someday your floor could be the only security sensor you need for the home, if IBM moves ahead with a patent granted on March 20, “Securing premises using surfaced-based computing technology.” The patent describes a multitouch floor that can determine who is in the house, and what they’re doing. The floor senses the shapes, weight and number of feet on the ground so it can distinguish between parents, kids, infants, pets … and unauthorized visitors. From the patent: The system takes different actions based upon identifying which object is in… View this story

Julie Jacobson | 03/06 10:01 AM, 8 Comments

Universal Electronics Inc. (Nasdaq: UEIC) is suing URC (formerly Universal Remote Control) for allegedly infringing on at least four patents for remote control technology. UEI is seeking an injunction and monetary damages. In short, UEI claims URC violated patents on a FAVORITE key macro, backlighting on a remote control, selecting IR command sets, and issuing IR macro commands in general. These features are utilized in virtually all higher-end universal remote controls on the market. A judgment in UEI’s favor would disrupt the market for remote-control products from Logitech (Harmony), Crestron,… View this story

Jason Knott | 10/28 12:06 PM, 0 Comments

Simply Reliable Software has added “Patent Pending” to its Design Machine software that covers the "unique process used to automate the creation of drawings." But the bigger question is what will that patent, if granted, mean to other design software companies and integrators who use them? Numerous companies today offer software that lets users enter certain parameters -- products, inputs/outputs, system layout, etc. -- and then press a button to auto-generate wiring diagrams, labels and other installation aids. Will they run afoul of this patent if it is granted? According… View this story

Julie Jacobson | 07/15 11:25 AM, 1 Comment

Universal Electronics Inc. (UEI), (NASDAQ:UEIC) has provided remote control technology to Logitech Inc. (NASDAQ: LOGI) since 2004, but the licensee continued to use the technology even after its deal with UEI expired. According to UEI, the company tried to renegotiate terms of the licensing agreement, but Logitech refused the terms and kept on using UEI's patented technology. So UEI filed a lawsuit against Logitech charging infringement of 17 patented technologies. The complaint relates to multiple Logitech remote control products, including the Harmony H300, H650, H700, H900, One, H1100, Logitech Revue… View this story

Julie Jacobson | 06/14 08:52 AM, 7 Comments

Lutron is suing Pass & Seymour for selling Chinese-made light switches that look and feel like Lutron’s popular Diva dimmers. The lighting-control manufacturer has filed a suit against Pass and Seymour, a subsidiary of Legrand Holding, SA of Limoges, France, and other manufacturers, importers and distributors of “knock-off dimming controls made in China,” Lutron says. The other parties named in the suit are Zhejiang Yuelong Mechanical & Electrical Co. LTD, Zhejiang Lux Electric Company LTD, Wenzhou Huir Electric Science & Technology Co LTD, American Top Electric Corp., AH Lighting, Elemental… View this story

Julie Jacobson | 12/28 12:56 PM, 3 Comments

With 3D TV set to explode in the consumer market, it's no surprise that patent activity in the category is way up. The Intellectual Property Solutions business of Thomson Reuters released a report today that tracks unique inventions published in patent applications and granted patents from 2003 to 2009 . The firm identified areas showing the sharpest growth over the last five years. The findings include: 3D TV in the Living Room: Between 2003 and 2008, patent activity in the 3D television space grew by 69 percent. Breakthrough new technologies… View this story