14 DAY TRIAL // Looks like Apple has another lawsuit on its hands, this time from Quantum Research (would be the second filed by the firm), who has just realized Apple may be using another of their patented technologies in the iPhone's touch-screen.
"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", says Duncan Bryan, licensing director at Quantum Research.
If it's found true that the iPhone's charge transfer technology infringes on one of Quantum Research's patents, the firm will file a second lawsuit against Apple. The first lawsuit Quantum Research filed against the Cupertino-based company was in December of 2005 and regarded the iPod. They said the capacitive sensing technology used in iPod Click Wheels for 1st and 2nd generation iPod Nanos employing Cypress' PSoC chip infringes on Quantum Research's existing charge transfer patents.
Apple responded to the lawsuit in July, "denying all material allegations" and filing counterclaims against Quantum Research for non-infringement and invalidity.
Charge transfer capacitive sensing was invented by Quantum Research's founder and CEO Hal Philipp, then subsequently licensed to handset makers, like Motorola (for use in mobile phone keypads) and STMicroelectronics. "There are settlement discussions going on but I believe it will go to trial later this year," says Hal Philipp, so announcing a second trial with Apple. The first lawsuit is still not over and Quantum Research is negotiating with Apple a possible settlement.
The two companies may settle considering they are currently in business together; Apple is using in their products chips sold by Quantum Research.