Sony Ericsson's vague patent application making Samsung nervous?

by Thomas Ricker posted Jun 1st 2007 at 9:49AM

Oh Samsung, you're not going to be happy about this one. Sony Ericsson is attempting to patent a device all too similar to the i7 PMP you launched in January 2007. Filed on November 14th, 2006, the SE application ambiguously dubbed "Mobile information terminal apparatus and method of controlling the same" seems to have the gaming / cellphone combination as its primary focus yet extends to cover multimedia as well. They are also attempting to patent the rotary support mechanism: rotate the display by 90-degree increments to automatically switch between game, camera, TV or video, and phone modes. Of course, the i7 PMP only offers three modes depending upon the angle of rotation: camera, PMP, and MP3 player. Still, we imagine Samsung's patent application is just as ambiguously worded. We'll see how the new, tougher USPTO rules on something which appears to be an obvious improvement to existing technology.

[Via Unwired View]

Filed under: Cellphones, Digital Cameras, Gaming, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Tags: i7, i7 pmp, I7Pmp, patent, samsung, sony ericsson, SonyEricsson

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

Mack Swift @ Jun 1st 2007 9:57AM

Put it on it's side, and it looks a lot like a PSP.

Neutral

John B @ Jun 1st 2007 10:00AM

IANAL, but if Samsung already has this product on the market, then wouldn't that make Sony's patent potentially invalid under prior art if Sony tries to make a case against Samsung?

Neutral

Tony @ Jun 1st 2007 10:19AM

Sony and Samsung have had a cross-patent agreement since 2003, along with several joint ventures. I highly doubt it is in the interest of either company to go head to head in a lawsuit.

Neutral

Ssco @ Jun 1st 2007 10:45AM

Looks like the makings of a PSP phone to me

Neutral

Nipponese @ Jun 1st 2007 11:04AM

If it's just the rotating screen, there are others that can do that as well. I've seen AU phones in Japan designed with a swivel screen like that for viewing OneSeg.

Neutral

KC @ Jun 1st 2007 12:45PM

That really does look like a PSP Phone! Is a Skype-like service finally coming to the PSP?

Neutral

kingofwale @ Jun 1st 2007 3:05PM

looks like SOny's Mobile TV phone. if it's a PSP phone, there's definitely lacking in button and button layout.

Neutral

Frank L. @ Jun 3rd 2007 3:31AM

i think samsungs gonna have to choke a bitch

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