James Delahunty
21 Feb 2007 16:55
With a lawsuit brought against it by Cisco Systems pending, Apple Computer Inc. may also have to face another lawsuit from Quantum Research over technology used in the iPhone product. QR claims that from what is known about the iPhone already, it infringes on two patents held by the company. The first covers the touch sensitive technology used by the iPhone and the second covers the near-field proximity sensor that detects if the device is against a persons face.
Quantum Research has not filed any formal complaint, but it is eagerly awaiting to check the iPhone when it is finally released. "The description of the iPhone suggests it uses a rear-surface touch screen, and has proximity sensing which can tell if it is held to the ear. That's a QR capability," said Duncan Bryan, Quantum Research's licensing director.
Quantum Research actually already sells chips to Apple that cover some of the features offered by the iPhone. A lawsuit filed against Apple by Cisco Systems contests Apple's use of the iPhone trademark, which belongs to Cisco and has even been used with several products already. Cisco had extended time for negotiations between the companies until today.
Source:
DailyTech