Radiation-Blocking, Anti-Chemical Fabric Receives Patent

Radiation Shield Technologies recently announced that their company has received a U.S. nanotechnology patent.  Entitled “Radiation Detectable and Protective Articles,” the patent secures the nanotechnology in RST’s proprietary Demron, the first and only protective material for all types of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents.

According to Nanowerk, traditional suits only provide limited radioactive protection.  This new patent, however, describes the use of nonpolymeric compounds that enable the newest version of Demron to provide enhanced chemical, biological, radiation and flame protection.  Demron is a lead-free, toxin-free and PVC-free material that allows heat dissipation and resists chemical penetration and cracks.  Demron nuclear protection fabrics are made of liquid metal, and are lightweight, flexible and foldable.

“As the manufacturer and marketer of advanced nuclear suits and personal-protection technologies that are in high demand worldwide, Radiation Shield Technologies developed an intellectual property strategy that gives us freedom to meet our customers’ radiation protection needs while safeguarding our company’s commercial advantages,” said Ronald DeMeo, the president and CEO of RST.  “We will continue to introduce new Demron products, apply for additional patents worldwide and help promote awareness, education and scientific research to advance the field.”

Boston Scientific and Medtronic Settle Lawsuits

Boston Scientific Corp. and Medtronic Inc. have agreed to settle two patent infringement lawsuits, and put three other lawsuits on hold.  According to Boston.com, the suits were over heart stents which are tiny mesh tubes used to prop open heart arteries after they are cleared of fat.

The settlement includes a recent case, where Boston Scientific was ordered to pay Medtronic $250 million over balloons that inflate heart arteries.  A federal judge had cut the award to $19 million and threw out two of the three questioned patents before the settlement.  However, an order signed on January 23 increased the amount to $24.6 million with interest.

Hank Kucheman, a senior vice president for Boston Scientific, said in a statement, “[The agreements] will allow us to focus our efforts and resources on developing new products and therapies that improve patients’ lives.”

The other four cases at issue hadn’t yet gone to trial.  But, Medtronic will continue to pursue patent-infringement claims against another heart device maker, Abbott Laboratories.

Apple Awarded Touch Screen Patent

Palm has recently defended the upcoming release of the Palm Pre by stating that it can easily defend itself against any potential patent infringement lawsuit.  Well, the United States Patent and Trademark Office may have just thrown Palm a curveball.

The USPTO has granted Apple a key patent for the iPhone entitled “Touch Screen Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Determining Commands by Applying Heuristics.” The patent, which was applied for in September 2007 and granted on January 20, 2009, covers the product’s distinctive multifunction touch screen and all associated gestures such as pinch, swipe, and rotation.  According to Tech News World, it also encompasses technology behind the iPhone’s hardware, operating system and camera functions.

With Apple’s newest patent being so wide-ranging, it seems to give Apple the ammunition it needs to go after competing products.  Although there are differences between the Pre and the iPhone, most notably the Pre containing a qwerty keyboard that slides out from under the screen, many seem to think that the Pre is the device that will most likely be impacted in the near future. 

It remains to be seen whether Apple will litigate against any company, but many think it’s inevitable.  However, will Apple also go after products such as the Blackberry Storm?  It’ll be interesting to see how the industry reacts to this new patent.

Samsung Wins Decision to Stop Sharp Imports

Yesterday, Samsung Electronics Co. won a huge decision to stop the U.S. importation of rival products by Sharp Corp.  The ruling, as decided by U.S. International Trade Commission Judge Paul Luckern, stated that Sharp had infringed on two Samsung patents and an order should be imposed to ban entry of Sharp LCD products.

As reported by Bloomberg.com, Samsung and Sharp have traded patent-infringement allegations against each other in an effort to block the other from the U.S. market.  Samsung is reportedly targeting products that use Sharp LCDs, such as high-definition TVs and Motorola Inc.’s RAZR2 mobile phone.

Sharp also has claims against Samsung, which are scheduled to be heard before Judge Luckern beginning on February 9.  The full report of the latest decision isn’t yet public and officials from both sides have yet to comment.

Apple Files Two More Patents for iPhone

Two recent patent filings from Apple have the possibility of being incorporated into the next version of the iPhone. 

As reported by iPhone FAQ, the first patent is an audio jack cleaning adaptor for portable electronic devices.  The patent basically describes a method of cleaning that would force compressed air through a conduit and hollow channels in the plug, to displace lint and other debris.  “A consumer could place the adaptor plug in the jack, couple the conduit to the plug, and then apply compressed air through the conduit to clean the jack.”

Apple has also filed a patent that proposes an audio sensor which would adjust sound output based on ambient noise.  Some have speculated that this patent would be similar to the automatic brightness sensor on the current iPhone.  As Apple states, “For instance, a user who adjusts the volume of a mobile phone ring tone for a loud environment may later move to a quieter environment, where the loud ring will be disruptive.  Alternatively, a volume level which is optimized for a quiet environment may not be detectable if the associated device is moved to a louder environment.”

Although this patent sounds good in theory, it seems as if iPhones may soon be more aware of our surroundings than we are.

Palm Remains Confident Against Possible Apple Lawsuits

With the new Palm Pre attracting much of the attention around the technology industry, many have speculated that Apple will litigate over violation of its touch-screen patents.  According to Electonista, however, Palm is confident that it can shoot down any patent lawsuits from Apple.

Last week, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that they would aggressively defend their intellectual property if the Pre infringed on its patents.  Palm responded by stating that it has many of its own “fundamental patents” for mobile devices, which would held fend off any patent challenges.  In fact, Palm is often credited with inventing the smartphone through the Treo, and includes single-touch screens with every smartphone it makes.

Palm Spokeswoman Lynn Fox said, “Palm has a long history of innovation that is reflected in our products and robust patent portfolio.  If faced with legal action, we are confident that we have the tools necessary to defend ourselves.”

One similarity that Palm shares with Apple is Jon Rubenstein, who is the current head of research and development for Palm.  Rubenstein is widely known for his work on the iPod and other Apple products, and since leaving for Palm, has employed many former Apple employees.

History Revisited: Microwave Oven Patent

Although many people are unaware, last Saturday was the anniversary of a staple in the American kitchen – the microwave oven.  In a patent named “Method of Treating Foodstuffs,” the inventor Dr. Percy L. Spencer, describes the way he had to alter the radar tubes that would cook foods way too fast.  He had to tune the magnetron tubes to produce wavelengths with less energy, in order to keep the cooking controlled and heat food more slowly.

The patent, which was applied for on October 8th, 1945, states:

[Spencer] found that at frequencies of this order of magnitude (50 megacycles), the energy necessarily expended in order to generate sufficient heat to satisfactorily cook the foodstuff is much too high to permit the practical use of the process.  I have further found, however, that this disadvantage may be eliminated by employing wave lengths falling in the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum for example, wave lengths of the order of 10 centimeters or less.  By so doing….the entire process becomes efficient and commercially feasible.

One must wonder when this technology would have been invented if Spencer hadn’t noted that a chocolate bar in his shirt pocket melted when he was working around an operating radar tube.  But, the technology was finally granted on January 24, 1950, and as they say, the rest is history.

Teen Goalie Applies for Design Patent to Shutout Opposition

Athletes are always looking for a competitive edge.  Only a few, however, have the motivation and know how to create an edge all by themselves.

One such athlete is high school senior Trevor Leahy, who is a hockey goaltender for Pingree School in Massachusetts.  As reported on Boston.com, Leahy recently used computer skills he learned in a graphic design class to sketch new leg pads that blend into the goal netting behind him.  He wanted pads, a trapper, and blockers that are white with a raised double-stitched design, just like the goal.  As Leahy said, “When the shooter comes down and only has a split second to shoot the puck, they’re looking for net.  If you put the net on the pad, they’ll shoot at the pad instead of the goal.”

Darren Stomp, a custom pad maker from Ontario, designed Leahy’s equipment but it wasn’t the first time goaltenders asked him to make other cosmetic designs.  However, as Stomp said, “It might be the most clever idea.  I don’t think there’s any question it will work, although to what degree depends on the shooter and the situation.”

Leahy applied for a design patent last February, and it is pending.  He received the pads on November 29, and began using them in practice and then in games.  Since then, he has registered two shutouts and has a goals-against average under 2.00.

Pingree coach Buddy Taft said, “It all makes sense.  I’m not sure if there’s any effective way to test their success, but he’s played pretty well.”

One of Pingree’s top scorers, Matt MacDonald, said that the illusion is effective when there’s a scramble in front of the net and they need to shoot quickly.   “When you’re in close and you don’t have a lot of time to think, it does catch your eye, and you do shoot toward it sometimes.” 

As to what will happen to the pads after this season is unclear.  Leahy said he would like to play hockey in college, and wants to market the idea.

Stroock’s NYC Intellectual Property Group Adds Four Attorneys

Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP announced today the addition of a four-attorney team to its Intellectual Property Practice group.  The law firm, which also has offices Los Angeles and Miami, announced the lawyers will join its New York City branch immediately.

According to a press release, the team will include Joseph Diamante, who said, “I used to work with Stroock’s Brian Rothery at Pennie & Edmonds and the growth of Brian’s practice, together with the quality and support that was offered by Stroock’s IP Group, encouraged us to move to Stroock.”  Other members of the team will include Ronald M. Daignault, Kenneth L. Stein and Richard H. An.  All are former partners of Jenner & Block LLP in New York City.  Before joining Jenner & Block, all four worked together at Jones Day and the former IP boutique, Pennie & Edmonds.

Steven Pokotilow, co-chairman of Stroock’s Intellectual Property Practice Group, said “I have known Joe for over 20 years.  Stroock is very fortunate to have attracted such an accomplished, terrific group of litigators.  The specialties that this group brings, plus their high energy, will make their practice a great fit with our IP group.”

Modavox Sues AOL, Time Warner for Patent Infringement

Modavox Inc. announced today that they have filed a lawsuit against AOL LLC, Time Warner Inc., and Platform-A Inc., for allegedly infringing on two U.S. patents.  Modavox, which is an Internet broadcasting company that specializes in syndication of online audio and video, says that the two patents in question are a “Method and Sytem for Adding Function to a Web Page,” as well as a continuation of that patent.

According to The Earth Times, this complaint amended an earlier Modavox claim against AOL for trademark infringement.  Modavox began to litigate due to AOL’s use of “The Boombox,” which is the name of a website launched last year as an urban music, news and information site.  The name is similar to Modavox’s registered trademark, Boombox Radio.  As stated by David Ide, the CEO of Modavox:

This action was originally brought in response to an unwelcome perceived infringement of our BoomBox trademark, specifically the unauthorized commercial, for-profit use, copying, display and distribution of our trademark brand name BoomBox….This coupled with our belief that our patented technologies are being infringed across Platform A has left us with no choice but to take this action along with our team in California Federal District Court.

Modavox is seeking injunctive relief and monetary damages for AOL’s patent infringement, and use of Modavox’s brand name at the website theboombox.com.

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