Posts Tagged: "Intel"

In our recent review of Intel patent applications we were intrigued by a couple of newly published patent applications that discuss tools for marketing campaigns, including one technology for scoring the interestingness of advertising content to viewers. One recurring theme was security, as evidenced by a real-time facial recognition system. Another security related patent application discloses an invention relating to a method of monitoring individuals in a building based on radio frequency signals. Still another security related innovation can be found in a patent applications that seeks to protect a persona manager system for storing private information while browsing the Internet anonymously. We were also intrigued by a patent application that discloses enabling a media center to display video game content on a variety of display devices.

Our survey of the patent applications assigned to Intel and published recently by the USPTO showed us a variety of intriguing multimedia and data services for electronic device owners. A couple of patent applications discuss means for sharing of content across devices, both between multiple devices with a single owner and across peer-to-peer networks. Another patent application discloses a technology meant to protect sensitive data on corporate networks which are accessed by a plurality of users with various levels of data access rights. We also share one patent application filed to protect a method of improving navigational systems designed for guiding people walking through indoor environments. Today, we get really in-depth into our analysis of Intel’s recent additions to its patent portfolio. We were intrigued by a trio of patents related to methods and techniques of better discovery of digital services, including one method of discovering television content which was awarded more than one decade after the original patent application was filed. Another interesting patent protects means for laptop owners to retrieve a lost or stolen device. We also discuss a patent aimed at analyzing the audience for a digital sign displaying an advertisement, as well as another system designed for more energy-efficient means of awaking a computer from a sleep mode.

We start our profile of Intel’s recently developed technologies with a look at our featured patent application, which discusses a novel system for managing access to a vehicle among multiple drivers. This access management system would also be able to delegate responsibilities, such as gas refueling and scheduled maintenance, as well as enable emergency access to trusted parties. Other patent applications which we noticed today discussed enhanced security measures for private data as well as home media systems for accessing segmented television content. The Intel Corporation is a major recipient of patents issued by the USPTO, and in recent weeks it has secured many interesting additions to its patent portfolio. A couple of patents relate to improved systems of thermal management in mobile electronic devices. Our interest was also piqued by one patent protecting a system of monitoring care patients residing in independent living situations.

Live music performance broadcast across Internet channels is the focus of today’s featured patent application here at IPWatchdog. Intel is hoping to protect a system that builds off of previous systems of networked music performances to better incorporate audience reactions and build a more inclusive entertainment experience. We’ve also picked up on a couple of user recognition systems, one for improving gesture-based user interfaces and another that enhances facial recognition software for computer security by registering genuine human facial reactions. Today’s issued patents protect some novel innovations related to the way a computer system can interact with an individual, instead of the other way around. One patent protects a system that can provide advertising content to device users who are offline, while another protects a second facial recognition for computer security technology, this one capable of identifying unknown faces by accessing an image database. We also have some interesting Internet TV technologies that are assigned to Intel today, but may quickly be moving to Verizon.

As you might expect, a number of recently issued patents to Intel pertain to a series of novel computer improvements, which include but are not limited to (1) more efficient energy use in computing systems using multi-core processors, and (2) a system of aiding TCP-based communications when a processor enters sleep mode. Other issued patents show the widespread nature of Intel’s semiconductor technologies. In one patent the technology is used to improve security measures for video game servers to protect against cheaters or hackers who would manipulate the game environment. Interestingly, Intel also earned the right to protect a method of coating medical devices with biocompatible substances to reduce the risk of infection in patients. Another issued patent to Intel also improves security measures for mobile devices by allowing the device to determine a user is unauthorized based on local data.

The dispute at issue here regarding Qimonda arose when the company went bankrupt and seven licensees invoked the protection of § 365(n) to retain patent rights. This became an issue because there is no similar provision on German law, thus there is an attempt to nullify the patent licenses. This would force the seven licensees to open fresh negotiations or face expensive patent infringement litigation which they could not hope to prevail in since they are almost certainly infringing.

The IP Professional community must find ways to work with Wall Street to help educate and protect the credibility of IP as an emerging asset class, and not allow IP assets to become cannon fodder for deals or the investment “flavor of the month.” The InterDigital-Intel deal can be viewed as call to arms. Wall Street will ultimately choose to enlist or not credible transaction analysis. In most trades there are winners, and sometimes losers. Smart IP bankers will choose to do the homework and not be so quick to determine who, in fact, the beneficial parties are. Given the inefficiencies inherent in the patent marketplace, it is quite possible for a liquidity event like a patent transaction to have multiple winners. Reminding the financial community of this will not be easy.

Such is the case with the newest lobby in Washington, the self-described “ITC Working Group.” You won’t learn anything about this organization by searching Google — odd, considering that Google is a member — but according to industry sources, its aim is twofold: First, it wants to block the International Trade Commission (ITC) from hearing patent infringement cases brought by “non-practicing entities” — i.e., patent holders like universities, independent inventors, and others who license their patents for manufacturers to commercialize. And second, it wants to weaken the ITC’s power to block the importation of infringing products into the U.S.