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UK Court Invalidates Motorola Message Syncing Patents

Dupple writes with news of another tech patent thrown out for obviousness. From the article: "On Friday, the High Court of London issued a ruling that said that one of Motorola's patents covering technology to synchronize messages across several devices should be invalidated. Originally, the patent covered the synching of messages across multiple pagers, but recently Motorola has used the patent in lawsuits against Apple and Microsoft for using similar message-syncing services in iCloud and on the Xbox, respectively. The presiding Judge Richard Arnold declared Motorola's patent invalid and said it should be revoked because the patent (which has a priority date from 1995, but was issued in 2002) contained technology that 'was obvious to experts in the field at the time.'"

31 comments

  1. the judge was by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1

    obviously an iphone user

    1. Re:the judge was by stevetruelord · · Score: 1

      too funny!

  2. TEMPEST FRS attacks - censored info vanishing! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1

    TEMPEST Attacks! LCD Monitor leaks system noise to FRS
    =
    I don't operate any wireless equipment at my living location. This includes computers, computer equipment, routers, non-computer equipment, etc.

    I'm having a problem with one of my LCD monitors.

    It works without problems. That was until I picked up some heavy static noises from a hand held radio. I eliminated all sources of generating this type of noise until I came towards an LCD monitor. When the monitor is on and there is content on the screen the radio makes several types of garbage(static) sounds. As I manipulate contents on the screen, maximize and minimize windows, open different applications, the radio responds with scratchy(static) noises to match the activity on the screen. This includes typing and mouse movement.

    When I switched the desktop background to a solid black color without wallpaper, the radio noise went down to almost nothing. But when I loaded any program with a white background, the noise from the radio exploded in volume.

    When I passed the radio across different computer and non-computer electronic devices other than the LCD monitor, the wired mouse made a high pitched squeal sound within the static. None of the other computing devices such as the tower generated any noise.

    I tried CRT monitors and separate computers attached to the CRT monitors but they did not generate any noise in the radio. On the computer connected to the net, I unplugged the cable leading to the router to rule this out but it made no difference, the LCD monitor is at fault.

    While monitoring the radio noise, there were several instances where the noise on the channel being monitored stopped, and I switched to another channel and the same noise appeared. Why would the noise from the LCD switch channels during normal use of the LCD? Back and forth throughout the day the noise generated by the LCD would switch from one channel to the next and back to the first channel again.

    The noise extends several steps within my living location. I'll test this another day to determine if it extends outside my living location and if so by how many feet.

    The computer/monitor are grounded and attached to a surge protector. I'm not sure what I need to do to stop this, or if I should ignore it.

    I assumed LCDs would be quieter than CRTs when it came to noise.

    Unless I have a radio tuned to a specific channel, the LCD does not generate any noise which I can detect, unless it's above my hearing capacity.

    The LCD monitor also functions as speakers, and while the sound cable is connected to the tower, I have disabled the onboard sound in my BIOS. The only other connection is the DVI cable to the tower.

    How may I decrease this noise or eliminate it? It seems like the LCD is a mini radio station. When I turn it off the noise in the radio stops, if I blacken the screen the noise lessens. When I switch to a colorful background or load white screened applications like a web browser the noise jumps up loudly. I've tried grabbing and moving a browser window around the screen and the movement matches the noises in the radio.

    Would any of this be considered normal?
    =
    This certainly isn't unheard of, it's because some part of the monitor is unshielded. The more fix-it stuff is at the top of the following, with the technical backdrop that just might be good to know is at the bottom.

    Unfortunately, the issue is most likely the panel charging the LCs. The only thing you can do is see if the manufacturer will replace it or upgrade you. Complain to the manufacturer, be sure to come up with some important thing it's interfering with(if I recall some medical devices use some sort of radio).

    If the issue is actually internal wiring which is highly unlikely as detailed below, and it isn't in warranty, attempt to shield it yourself. To shield it yourself, you'll need thin foil(not kitchen foil) and electrical tape.

    So, in any given monitor, there's 3 main parts. Input, logic, and output. Output, as previou

    1. Re:TEMPEST FRS attacks - censored info vanishing! by Zontar+The+Mindless · · Score: 1

      One would think there's a suitable 12-step program...

      --
      Il n'y a pas de Planet B.
  3. Dictionary by crizh · · Score: 2, Funny

    Imagine a Judge whose dictionary has the same definition of 'obvious' as the rest of us.

    Satan is skating to work this morning.

    --
    Trust The Computer, The Computer is your friend.
    1. Re:Dictionary by tqk · · Score: 1

      Imagine a Judge whose dictionary has the same definition of 'obvious' as the rest of us.

      Imagine a /. editor who can see "syncing" and then allow "synching."

      Good to see another obvious patent go down in flames. "But, this is done on a computer!" Meh.

      --
      "Tongue tied and twisted, just an Earth bound misfit ..." -- Pink Floyd.
  4. If we're killing off obvious patents. . . by kimvette · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The presiding Judge Richard Arnold declared Motorola's patent invalid and said it should be revoked because the patent (which has a priority date from 1995, but was issued in 2002) contained technology that 'was obvious to experts in the field at the time.'"

    So does that mean that patents on the following will be invalidated as well:

    * email over (over a wireless network)
    * The hyperlink
    * Toolbars/button bars/ribbon bars
    * the double click
    * single-click purchase
    * app stores (over a wireless network)
    * Click to purchase upgrade (inside a smartphone app)
    * Rounded-off rectangles

    --
    The Christian Right is Neither (Christian nor right). See: Matthew 23, Matthew 25, Ezekiel 16:48-50
    1. Re:If we're killing off obvious patents. . . by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The first domino falls; the others could be soon to follow.

      And a DoE supercomputer size load at that! :)

      This is good news on Christmas Day!

      Cheers /.

    2. Re:If we're killing off obvious patents. . . by AmiMoJo · · Score: 2

      I wouldn't hold your breath. If you want to innovate best move to China and just ignore patents.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    3. Re:If we're killing off obvious patents. . . by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm not so sure "rounded off rectangles" could seriously be defended in court. The math to produce one has been around for a very long amount of time, these days it goes by the name of super ellipse.

    4. Re:If we're killing off obvious patents. . . by Gordonjcp · · Score: 2

      I don't know about where you live, but in the UK if you want a good example of prior art of a rounded rectangle as a design element, you could point at a road sign.

  5. Take that Apple! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ...oh wait.

  6. Curious by The+Grim+Reefer · · Score: 2

    the patent (which has a priority date from 1995, but was issued in 2002) contained technology that 'was obvious to experts in the field at the time.

    What does "priority date from 1995" mean? Granted, there are thousands of patents like this that should be invalidated. But does that mean they filed for this patent in 1995? If so, it's wasn't all that obvious then. Did it take seven years for it to be granted? And is the judge referring to the 1995 or 2002 date when he mentions the "expert in the field at that time?"

    1. Re:Curious by WWJohnBrowningDo · · Score: 4, Informative

      This should explain it for you.

    2. Re:Curious by Sique · · Score: 1

      Obviously it was obvious then. We were syncing messages between different computer architectures for about a quarter of a century in 1995. What do you think the Internet Protocol is, beside a mechanism to sync messages over a wide range of hardware and architectures?

      --
      .sig: Sique *sigh*
    3. Re:Curious by Alomex · · Score: 1

      But does that mean they filed for this patent in 1995? If so, it's wasn't all that obvious then.

      Push email got introduced in 1986 in IMAP if not earlier. Was the Motorola enhancement that much different that deserves a patent? the judge which look at the specifics of the case believes it is not.

  7. What a scrooge by Time_Ngler · · Score: 1

    That's not a very nice thing to do to Motorola right before Christmas.

  8. Maybe the judge was thinking of Europeans? by jkrise · · Score: 2, Funny

    Europeans are better endowed when it comes to matters of intellect, than Americans. So maybe this patent should be invalidated in Europe but not in the US.

    --
    If you keep throwing chairs, one day you'll break windows....
    1. Re:Maybe the judge was thinking of Europeans? by Swampash · · Score: 2

      You're confusing intellect with education.

    2. Re:Maybe the judge was thinking of Europeans? by rainmouse · · Score: 1

      You're confusing intellect with education.

      Your confusing intellect and education with brain washing...

      dang commie... we don't want none o' that!
      dang muzzies... we don't want none o' that!
      dang fags... we don't want none o' that!
      dang atheists... we don't want none o' that!

    3. Re:Maybe the judge was thinking of Europeans? by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 1

      Europeans are better endowed when it comes to matters of intellect, than Americans. So maybe this patent should be invalidated in Europe but not in the US.

      Yes, European history is chock full of illuminating examples of said enlightenment - must be nice to live in such a peaceful, civil place...

      --
      #DeleteChrome
    4. Re:Maybe the judge was thinking of Europeans? by GrandTeddyBearOfDoom · · Score: 1

      Obligatory Bertrand Russell quote (from memory, my bad if not word for word...)

      All men are born ignorant, not stupid: education makes them stupid.

      --
      -- The Grand Teddy Bear has Spoken: "Windows 8 Source Code Available NOW! more disgusting than your pr..."
    5. Re:Maybe the judge was thinking of Europeans? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes it is, and we pity those who live in such a barbaric country as America.

    6. Re:Maybe the judge was thinking of Europeans? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      LOL, fool. When was the last time the USA started a World War? Oh that's right, Germany has that claim to fame.

      We pity those poor Europeans, never knowing when one of their own will turn around and kill them all.

  9. What about Apple's pseudo-patents? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1

    What about Apple's pseudo-patents? Invalidate them!

  10. INVALIDATE THE WHOLE SICK PATENT SYSTEM AND LAW! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Invalidate the whole sick patent system and law!

  11. Since when UK Govt and Courts are Apple's bitches? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1

    Since when UK Govt and Courts are Apple's bitches? Oh...

  12. Well there's still the Privy Council by DABANSHEE · · Score: 0

    Or should I say the Privy Council/Supreme Court? I think I recall there were some legislative changes in that regard some 5 to 10 years ago.

    BTW has Apple considered the consequences, precedence wise?

    1. Re:Well there's still the Privy Council by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      BTW has Apple considered the consequences, precedence wise?

      Or anyone else with equally dubious patents.

      Oh, I get it, you're just trolling or wanting to get modded up by slagging off apple. What a child you are

  13. All the patents looking like live by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Here are some test cases given to the site.
    Dog Poop Bags

  14. Ridiculous by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You cant really put a patent on a vague software technologies. You can copy right a specific program. But trying to patent software technology like this would be like Tolken trying to place patent on the fantasy genre or George Lucas trying to patent science fiction genre. It just doesnt work like that.