enpan's Patent & Linux practice

2012年5月10日星期四

QR Code的專利

有關二維條碼的專利，但是基礎專利在哪裡呢？

二維條碼現在普遍應用的應該就是QR Code（quick response (QR) code），本網站也順應時勢，放了一個QR Code的圖案，讓想要記錄本網URL的人方便取得。

QR Code與Bar Code(一維)都是可以載入資訊的圖形碼，但是顯然QR Code可以載入更多資訊，且為統一標準，不像Bar code可自行定義。QR Code可以載入多種資訊，網路上有不少QR Code產生器，所載內容可以為URL,文字,電話號碼或簡訊(SMS)。

查了一下，QR Code(二維條碼)的商標是DENSO WAVE(http://www.denso-wave.com/)公司所有，因此使用到"QR Code"這個字的時候，應該加入(TM)或是說明商標權是DENSO WAVE公司所有，但在該公司網頁有提到，如果僅使用這個二維條碼圖案，就不用標註商標權所有。但是登錄商標權的國家僅及於日本、美國、澳洲與歐洲。

QR Code的使用規範由JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards)所管理，但使用卻不用這間公司授權，大家都可使用！

經過美國專利檢索，專利權人設為"DENSO WAVE"，有50多件核准專利，多半為條碼掃描器的硬體專利，這也符合這間公司網站上介紹他們所販售的產品品項，經初步瀏覽，涉及QR Code的專利佈局分別為US6,997,384（商業交易時顯示與讀取資訊碼的方法，申請日：July 9, 2003）、US7,802,730（整合光學可讀取符號的資訊載器，申請日：2006年10月19日）與US7,032,823（二維條碼、產生與顯示此二維條碼的方法、裝置，申請日：1987年3月31日）

以較早申請的US6,997,384（優先權：JP2002-211038）來看，此案揭露一種商業交易時顯示與讀取資訊碼的方法，此時已經出現QR Code的身影，顯然這件並非是二維條碼的最早專利，看了一下審查委員的引證資料，其中有兩件名稱有關於"two-dimensional"的專利，其一為US5,414,251所揭露的解碼二維光學資訊的讀取器，申請日為1992年3月；另一為US5,631,457所揭露的二維符號讀取裝置，申請日為1995年8月。上述US5,631,457說明書文中得知多個一維條碼的日本專利技術，如：JP05-307627與JP03-154187。
US5,414,251

US6,997,384

此件專利說明書提到兩個日本專利案JP2001-188846與JP2002-109420，其中JP2002-109420已揭露消費者使用QR Code提供POS系統讀取而進行交易的技術。顯然這些專利都用沿用二維條碼的技術。US6,997,384揭露了作為商業交易手段的光學資訊讀取器，可以讀取與解碼顯示在手機顯示器上的QR Code。

聰明的人會先去Wikipedia找QR Code的資料，我呢，最後才知Denso Wave所擁有的US5,726,435、EP0672994與JP2938338才算是基礎專利。
US5,726,435原始擁有人是NIPPONDENSO CO., LTD.，2002年才轉給DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED，所以我在DENSO WAVE的專利中確實找不到此件專利，也沒有看到引用此件專利的資訊。

US5,726,435

揭露一種光學讀取的二維條碼與使用的方法（Optically readable two-dimensional code and method and apparatus using the same），

此案摘要就已將將QR Code的構造與原理交待清楚了，雖非實體物品，卻也是清清楚楚的元件描述。二維條碼的圖案中包括有三個定位符(positioning symbols 2)，一個資料區(data region 3)、多個時序元(timing cells 4)與一個頂點偵測元(apex detecting cell 5)，可對照左圖，各個元件形狀為長寬一樣數目的方形，掃描線經過每個定位符(2)的中心點，因為這些為固定的位置，而可得到整個圖案的比例，因此，即便掃描時有個旋轉角度，也不會被影響，之後就判讀其中時序元所載的資訊。

權利範圍獨立項涉及一個二維碼，具有多個符號元(cell)，每一個cell表示一個二進位的編碼資料，多個cell即形成可供掃描的二維矩陣，另至少有三個定位符，設於二維矩陣圖案的預設位置，其中至少有兩個用以得到圖案比例的定位符，使得無論怎樣掃描都行。
1. A two-dimensional code comprising:
a plurality of cells, each of said plurality of cells representing a binary-coded datum;
said plurality of cells forming a two-dimensional matrix pattern readable by a scanning operation along any arbitrary scanning lines; and
at least three positioning symbols disposed at predetermined positions in said two-dimensional matrix pattern, at least two of said at least three positioning symbols having a pattern capable of gaining an identical frequency component ratio irrespective of an orientation of said any arbitrary scanning lines whenever said arbitrary scanning lines pass through a center of each of said at least three positioning symbols.

另主張一個光學二維條碼讀取器的獨立範圍，主要元件有：影像擷取裝置、解碼單元、二進位編碼手段、記憶體、符號偵測手段、頂點偵測手段、矩陣定位判斷手段與讀取手段等。
7. A two-dimensional code reading apparatus for optically reading a two-dimensional code including a plurality of binary-coded cells in a two-dimensional matrix pattern, said two-dimensional code including a symbol disposed in a vicinity of an apex of said two-dimensional matrix, said symbol having a specific pattern including concentric similar figures overlapped successively, said reading apparatus comprising:
an image pickup device to take an image of said two-dimensional code to convert said image pixel by pixel into a resultant image signal in response to a light intensity of said image, and to successively output said resultant image signal; and
a decoder unit to decode said resultant image signal into a binary-coded signal, said decoder unit comprising:
binary-encoding means for binary encoding said resultant image signal in accordance with a level of said resultant image signal, and outputting said binary-coded signal successively;
memory means for storing said binary-coded signal as image data in accordance with a position of a pixel where said image was taken;
symbol detecting means for detecting said specific pattern corresponding to said symbol based on said binary-coded signal;
apex detecting means for detecting coordinates of said symbol from said image data stored in said memory means based on said specific pattern detected by said symbol detecting means;
matrix position determining means for finalizing a contour and an orientation of said two-dimensional matrix based on coordinates of said symbol detected by said apex detecting means, thereby identifying all coordinates of said plurality of binary-coded cells; and
reading means for reading out said image data stored in said memory means in accordance with said finalized contour and said orientation of said two-dimensional matrix.

Ron

2012年5月9日星期三

Terminal Disclaimer影響了專利期限！

EXPIRATION DATE OF PATENTS WITH TERMINAL DISCLAIMERS

Terminal Disclaimer為防止專利權人用多個相當的專利保護一個發明概念時可能會不當延長專利期限的問題所衍生的措施，主要提出Terminal Disclaimer的時機是，當同一專利權人擁有兩件以上的專利保護類似（並非相同，但又非有專利性區隔）的技術主體時，將可能遭遇重複專利的核駁，因此可以利用terminal disclaimer保有這些專利，同時同樣各案有相同的到期日，也就是拋棄了原本應該有的較長的專利期限。
可參考文章：http://enpan.blogspot.com/2011/08/terminal-disclaimer.html

根據美國MPEP 2701章（MPEP Section 2701, Patent Term）所規範的專利期限（patern term），其中有關Terminal Disclaimer的專利到期日的規定如下：

當專利權人拋棄（disclaim）了後申請專利（並非延續案，而是不同的專利）會超過另一先前專利的保護期限時，此terminal disclaimer將使得先前專利的過期日（expiration date）將為此後申請專利的過期日。
（then the expiration date of the earlier issued patent determines the expiration date of the patent subject to the terminal disclaimer.）

在1995年6月8日前，每件專利保障可以獲得核准後17年的專利保護期限，此時terminal disclaimer的日期會列印在專利公報的首頁，日期也就是在主張此案與另一先前專利terminal disclaimer後成為先前專利的到期日；
但在在1995年6月8日當日與之後申請的美國專利申請案，專利保護期限將如世界各主要國家的計算方式，也就是從申請日起算20年的保護期限，若經過terminal disclaimer，則專利期限將於該專利所主張terminal disclaimer的另一先前申請案後20年到期。

另一要注意的是，若專利申請為1995年6月8日之前，但是在此日期或之後獲准領證，專利權的期限為保障的17年，或是申請日後20年最長的作為保護期限。但這些期限因為並不確定，因此也就沒有寫在專利公報首頁上。

事實上，美國專利期限因為延續案的佈局頗為複雜，又牽扯PTA（專利期限調整）的制度，還有藥品上市檢測...等一些問題，因此，要得到準確的專利期限，應該是個數學問題！

台灣專利倒是很大方地寫出來準確的日期：

Ron

歐美專利文獻歷史檔案與影響

歐美專利文獻歷史檔案與影響課程講義

縮減版專利文獻閱讀與解析（歐、美）一
http://enpan.blogspot.com/2012/05/blog-post.html
縮減版專利文獻閱讀與解析（歐、美）二
http://enpan.blogspot.com/2012/05/blog-post_3076.html

Ron

2012年5月7日星期一

Nokia對HTC, Viewsonic, RIM提告

擁有專利可以擁有條件交換與對抗的籌碼

Nokia這個具有許多基礎專利的公司一出手，就在美國與德國對HTC, RIM與Viewsonic提出侵權官司，在美國同時在ITC與Delaware法院提告。
此消息中同時也訪問到Nokia法務長，Nokia已經對許多公司授權其擁有的FRAND專利（可同時參閱：http://enpan.blogspot.com/2012/02/frand-defense.html），沒有道理要讓未被授權的公司繼續使用其專利技術，因此提告。

我的感覺是，Nokia此役並未對Motorola與Apple提告，一方面是內部策略評估，另一方面應該是面對過去同是電信產業、手機霸主的Motorola，勝算不大，且雙方已經存在交互授權的協議；對於Apple，Apple的好戰（以戰止戰）與擁有的專利數量也是挺令人害怕的吧！

其中Nokia對HTC顯然是較為全面的攻擊，同時包括ITC與地方法院的訴訟，並在德國三個法院同時提出訴訟。這些專利涉及雙工天線、電力管理、多模無線電技術、APP商店、多工、導航、對話訊息顯示、動態菜單、資料加密、行動裝置上的電子郵件功能等。

涉及訴訟的專利很多，同時為歐洲與美國專利的如下摘錄，確實可見為無線通訊的基礎技術：
U.S. Patent No. 5,570,369 (EP0673175)
揭露一種在手機上的省電功能，其中揭露的手機可對基地台發出訊息，並接收基地台上經過處理訊息的訊號，而傳送訊息的時間間隔可被切割為多個部份，並於手機通訊技術TDMA的時槽（time slot）中發出，由於訊息被切割為多的部份，此專利的技術可以僅根據部份的訊息重建完整的訊息，而可在其他時間進入省電模式。下圖中，訊息以多個片段傳送，當部份訊息可以被重建，可省未傳送部份所耗的電力。

根據權利範圍獨立項，其中揭示的控制電力消耗的方法包括，供給接收訊息之預設部份的電力，並判斷這些訊息是否可以完整重建訊息，如果接收的部份訊息無法重建，則繼續提供下一部分的訊息；如果判斷可以完整重建，則能以部份訊息重建訊息，因為有部份時間可以進入省電模式而達到省電的效果。
1. A method for controlling the power consumption of a mobile station in a cellular radio system when receiving a message, the method comprising the steps of:
    a) providing power for receiving a first predetermined portion of a message;
    b) determining whether the message can be reconstructed from the received portion of the message; and
    c) if the message cannot be reconstructed from the previous predetermined portion of the message, providing power for receiving a next predetermined portion of the message, receiving a second predetermined portion of the message, and returning to step b) if the complete message has not been received.

U.S. Patent No. 7,415,247 (EP1133831)
揭露一種在不同無線介面傳送與接收無線訊號的方法，技術利用一個合成器混合不同系統的頻率，權利範圍涉及在不同無線介面中處理接收訊號的方法，其中利用高低通濾波手段可以取出不同頻率的訊號，經訊號轉換，訊號編入相當的資訊，以利處理過程識別訊號，因此可以同時用相同的合成器（synthesizer）、放大器（amplifier）、混合器（mixer），同時處理來自不同無線介面的訊號。
1. A method for processing signals received from different radio interfaces of communication systems, comprising steps in which:
    a carrier-frequency signal is received from a radio interface,
    the signal at the carrier frequency is bandpass-filtered,
    the filtered signal at the carrier frequency is amplified,
    a RX mixing signal at a receive frequency is generated,
    a complex baseband signal is generated from the received carrier-frequency signal by mixing it with the RX mixing signal,
    the baseband signal generated is low-pass filtered,
    the baseband signal generated is amplified or attenuated prior to analog-to-digital conversion,
    the baseband signal is converted to digital, and
    the baseband signal converted to digital is processed so as to produce an information signal encoded and modulated into the received carrier-frequency signal,
    wherein said amplifying of the carrier frequency signal is performed with one and the same amplifier for signals received from at least two different radio interfaces, and a gain of said amplifier is set with a program-controlled gain control signal in relation to the radio interface from which signals are received,
    said generating of the complex baseband signal is performed with one and the same mixer for signals received from at least two different radio interfaces,
    said RX mixing signal is generated with a frequency synthesizer, and an output frequency of said frequency synthesizer is selected with a program-controlled frequency selection signal in relation to the radio interface from which signals are received, and
    said bandpass-filtering is performed using a pass band selected with a program-controlled pass-band selection signal in relation to the radio interface from which signals are received.

U.S. Patent No. 6,188,909 (EP1439723)
揭露一種包括顯示與處理資訊卡內容，與無線傳輸資訊的的發報器，其中所載的內容有資訊卡與目的端的識別符（identifier），其中可處理的資訊如由字元組成的短訊，包括推播的訊息。
此技術顯然為簡訊處理技術，根據獨立範圍所載的內容，相關通訊網路包括有顯示資訊與處理資訊的程式，並包括無線傳輸訊息的手段，終端裝置可具備接收訊息的手段（程式）與根據資訊標頭（header）處理這些資訊的手段。
1. A terminal for a communication network, the terminal comprising a plurality of applications for displaying information and processing information and further comprising wireless communication means for communicating user messages, wherein said terminal comprises means for receiving a wireless communicated user message having information for one of said applications and a header pointing to one of said applications, said terminal further comprising means for addressing said information to a respective application according to said header, the user message having an address field containing the address of the destination of the message and a data field containing said information of the user message, wherein said header is disposed in said data field.

U.S. Patent No. 7,106,293 (EP1312974)
此案不同於通訊技術，特別揭露整合光導（light guide）的光感測器（light sensor），可以調節螢幕顯示亮度，也就是根據環境光改變螢幕顯示亮度的技術（原來是Nokia掌握此關鍵專利！）
此揭露一種具有控制亮度的電子裝置，其中電子裝置能感測環境光，並根據環境光調節顯示亮度。根據獨立範圍的描述，範圍不小，控制光亮度的方法包括：將環境光透過光導導向光感測元件，此光感測元件可控制顯示亮度，當光亮改變，也會隨調整亮度。
1. A method for controlling the lighting of a display in an electronic device, in which method
    ambient light is led to a light-sensitive component of the device through a light guide,
    the light-sensitive component controlling a display illuminator that lights the display on the basis of the ambient light,
    wherein the light guide is integrated as part of a protective display window and configured to communicate light in a manner differing from that of other portions of the protective display window.

Ron
資料參考：FOSS PATENTS, Engadget.com

2012年5月4日星期五

Motorola在德國贏了微軟！

這是使用基礎專利的訴訟

德國法院同意Google的關係企業Motorola對微軟的Win7與Xbox360發出禁制令，Motorola專利涉及H.264這個影音編碼技術，相關產品如微軟的IE瀏覽器、Media Player與Xbox 360。微軟承認Motorola的專利為標準的關鍵專利（essential patents），但應公平地讓其他人使用，事實上，Motorola正在面對歐盟調查她的違法反托辣斯的壟斷行為。

其中相關的歐洲專利為使用移動補償器（compensators）執行適性移動補償的EP0538667，與數位影音檔的適性壓縮技術EP0615384。由於專利涉及H.264技術，為影音壓縮技術的標準規格，應可以FRAND授權機制進行反制，或許Motorola的用意是要交換條件，比如強迫微軟同意與其他技術的交互授權。

EP0538667揭露的技術為數位影音資料可以適性地根據接收端的狀態進行壓縮，相關的電路方塊如下，30,32為不同的區塊大小的補償器（compensator），能夠比對前後影音資料，針對不同的情況適性地改變壓縮的區塊（block）大小，以區塊最小的為依據，區塊大小表示壓縮位元，如下圖，也就關係壓縮比例。

獨立項如下，裝置如上電路方塊圖，主要元件有移動補償器、壓縮手段、比較手段與輸出手段：
1. Apparatus for adaptively compressing digital video signals for transmission comprising:
a plurality of motion compensators (30, 32), each using a different block size to compare current video image data to prior video image data in accordance with a block matching algorithm;
means for compressing video image data (14, 18) output from each of said motion compensators;
means, coupled to said compressing means, for comparing (20) the amount of compressed data resulting from each of said plurality of motion compensators for a region of a current video image corresponding to the smallest of said block sizes; and
means responsive to said comparing means for outputting the least amount of compressed data resulting from a motion compensator for said region.

EP0615384揭露一種數位影音訊號可針對接收端適性地進行壓縮，經各種格式壓縮後，可以根據資料內容提供壓縮模式，比例，之後經傳輸後，可以根據資料內容（overhead information）以相對解碼還原影音訊號。

獨立範圍所界定的裝置包括有使用第一、第二與第三等不同的壓縮模式壓縮影音資料中的超級塊（superblock），比對各種壓縮結果資料的比對手段等。
1. Apparatus for adaptively compressing digital video data provided in the form of superblocks containing a plurality of blocks of said digital video data, comprising:
means for compressing a superblock using first, second and third different compression modes to provide three compressed outputs for comparison;
first means for comparing the amount of compressed data for each block of said superblock resulting from each of said compression modes after accounting for selection overhead necessary to identify a selection made by said first comparing means, said first comparing means selecting the compression mode for each block that results in the least amount of compressed data, including selection overhead, for the block;
second means for comparing the amount of compressed data for said superblock resulting from:

Ron
資料參考：FOSS PATENTS, Engadget.com

Selection to TIPO patent search tools

Recently, Taiwan IPO (TIPO) announces two modes of patent search services, including a full-edition searching mode, and a simplified-edition searching mode.

The start page entered via the TIPO main page as shows below, there are two icons respectively indicative of the two searching modes.

Here are two parallel snapshots showing the entrance pages respectively directed to the two searching modes. So far that shows no difference.

When I experimentally input the same keyword "LED照明(LED lighting)" for all fields for searching the all types of patent documents, they apparently show the differences.

The total number of the all types of patents are different in my first sight. The left image of the below snapshot indicates the result under the simplified searching mode showing less number, and the right one is under the full-version searching mode and much more results.

This snapshot clearly presents the keyword "LED照明" shown in the abstracts of the patent documents in left image, and not all the abstracts of the result shown in right image have the same keyword, however under the searching strategy it must in the specification of the patent documents.