Apple and other top companies sued in camera related patents (US)
Imperium Holdings has filed a lawsuit against Apple, LG, RIM, Nokia, Motorola, Sony Ericsson and Kyocera, claiming that they all have infringed five patents related to the cameras and imaging equipment found in phones and other mobile devices.
The patents in question are US Patent Numbers 6271884, 6838651, 6838715, 7,109,535 and 7064768, all of which relate to pixel and imager technology for smartphones and other devices. Apple’s iPhone is named as one of the infringing products.
The five patents deal in:
Patent 6,271,884: Image flicker reduction with fluorescent lighting.
Patent 6,838,651: High sensitivity snap shot CMOS image sensor.
Patent 6,838,715: CMOS image sensor arrangement with reduced pixel light shadowing.
Patent 7,064,768: Bad pixel correction while preserving features.
Patent 7,109,535: Semiconductor device for isolating a photodiode to reduce junction leakage.
As per reports, the mix of patents are actually owned by two different companies: 6,271,884 deals with image flicker reduction, owned by Conexant System of Newport Beach while the other four have the assignee listed as ESS Technology, based in Fremont, California.
Kyocera introduces Android developer program for Dual-Screen smartphone
Kyocera has announced that it will formally be launching its Android Developer Program, which follows last month’s introduction of the Kyocera Echo, the first dual-touchscreen smartphone, which will launch exclusively at Sprint next month.
The Developer Program includes a Software Development Kit (SDK) and additional materials to support the creation of Android applications optimized for Echo’s dual-touchscreen platform.
According to Kyocera, it has already received strong support from many well-known members of the Android developer community.
According to Yasuhiro Ohishi, Vice President of sales and marketing at Kyocera Communications Inc, Kyocera Echo’s unique design gives third-party developers a new opportunity to enhance and showcase the full functionality of their applications, without being restricted by screen space. Echo supports virtually all applications available from Android Market, yet they are excited to see so many developers embracing the new format and optimizing existing and new applications for the dual displays.
When closed, Echo operates in Single-Screen Mode for full smartphone functionality; Simul-Task Mode allows for two of the phone’s seven core apps (messaging, e-mail, Web browsing, phone, gallery, contacts and VueQue) to run concurrently but independently on the dual displays; Optimized Mode lets both displays support a single, optimized app with complementary functionality and enhanced usability; and Tablet Mode expands an application across both displays for a full 4.7-inch viewing area (diagonally).
Sprint outlines plans for more IDEN to CDMA Migration (US)
Sprint has outlined plans for its migration of its Push-to-Talk services over to its CDMA network. The Sprint Direct Connect will launch with an initial portfolio of rugged devices from Motorola Mobility and Kyocera. The devices will feature most of the capabilities available on current Sprint Nextel iDEN based phones. The planned portfolio will include an ultra-rugged camera flip phone and an Android Smartphone with a touch screen and a QWERTY keyboard.
Sprint expects to deepen its push-to-talk portfolio by 2012, adding more devices with new form factors and features.
The devices are expected to enable group push-to-talk for up to 200 participants, Land Mobile Radio (LMR) interoperability, and availability notification. In early 2012, Sprint Direct Connect is expected to add more capabilities, including international push-to-talk.
In addition, the Push-to-talk coverage footprint is planned to increase to nearly 2.7 million square miles and is expected to cover a population of 309 million (with the addition of 1xrtt and roaming coverage) – an increase from the iDEN network’s 908,370 square miles covering a population 278 million.
During the nationwide implementation of Network Vision, Sprint expects to continue operating the iDEN network at current performance levels. As the customer base shifts to more broadband-centric push-to-talk applications on the CDMA network and Sprint launches Sprint Direct Connect, iDEN cell sites are expected to be phased out in 2013.
According to Paget Alves, President-Sprint Business, their customers are asking for broadband push-to-talk now. They’ve seen steadily increasing demand for faster data speeds, better and broader coverage, and more applications on push-to-talk devices. Sprint Direct Connect is designed to solve for all three, and is expected to come with sub-second push-to-talk call set-up time initially in Sprint CDMA RevA coverage areas. Sub-second call set up is expected to expand across the U.S. with the implementation of Network Vision.
Alves added, they believe the new push-to-talk service powered by a broadband network and featuring competitively priced rugged handsets and smart phones will represent an unmatched offering in the market.
Kyocera Mako S4000 offered at $99.95 Page Plus Cellular
Page Plus Cellular, a prepaid cell phone service provider has added the Kyocera Mako S4000 to its offering. The current rate of the product is $99.95, sans any contracts signed.
The Clamshell shaped phone is not expected to impress many with its low set of features including, Bluetooth, VGA camera, WAPbrowser etc. It is targeted towards the first time phone buyers who do not require many features in their smartphone.
According to Page Plus, the company is all set to launch its own brand QWERTY keyboard handset within two months. The carrier at the same time reminded also that they are already offering one QWERTY device- LGenV.
Toyota to sell driver-friendly KDDI mobile phones
TOKYO (Reuters) – Toyota Motor Corp. said on Wednesday it has developed a mobile phone with KDDI Corp. that will make it easier for drivers in Japan to use its car navigation and other services.
The phone, called “TiMO”, will go on sale at the end of October and will be sold only at the automaker’s 7,500 outlets in Japan, the companies said in a statement.
Toyota has been working closely with KDDI, in which the auto maker has an 11 percent stake, to develop new services that link cars and telecom networks.
The new handset will be compatible with Toyota’s car navigation system using Bluetooth, a wireless technology.
The companies have also developed a phone battery charger that can be attached to the driver’s armrest and will offer downloads of music and games free to TiMO users.
Drivers will also be able to connect to emergency centres by just pushing a button on the handset if they need help while on the road.
KDDI, Japan’s No.2 wireless carrier after NTT DoCoMo Inc., is keen to introduce new services before October 24, when mobile phone users will be able to keep their phone numbers when they change operators.
KDDI was formed in 2000 after a merger of three operators including a mobile phone unit backed by Toyota. Toyota is now KDDI’s second-biggest shareholder after Kyocera Corp.. The new model is based on an existing KDDI phone made by Toshiba Corp..
Source- http://today.reuters.co.uk
Technorati : Japan, KDDI Corp. Mobile, NTT Do CoMc
Ice Rocket : Japan, KDDI Corp. Mobile, NTT Do CoMc
