IP Analytics newsletter Spring 2015 www.haseltinelake.com

Spring 2015

IP Analytics newsletter

HL Analytics has had a busy winter period with unprecedented demand for services. Some examples include:

• Freedom-to-operate study relating to diesel particulate filters, including an assessment of the risk of projects infringing competitors’ patents;

• Projects to support investment decisions in the wave power and medical devices sectors;• “Whitespace” identification relating to cosmetics and personal care products;• Patentability search support for clients in the electricity transmission and medical devices sectors.

In this issue of our Analytics newsletter we take a look at the hot topic of “smart watches”. I hope you find this interesting and please do call with your feedback.

Lesley Evans, Chief Executive

Welcome to our Spring edition

Smart WatchesThe Apple Watch has recently been unveiled and there has been much in the recent press regarding these devices. Here we take a look at the patent landscape around smart watches.

Top Companies

Perhaps not surprisingly the number of patents in this space is currently relatively low, however it is rapidly evolving into an increasingly competitive market.

The top companies seem to be a mixture of mobile handset manufacturers such as Apple, Samsung, LG, Motorola and Blackberry, alongside computing firms such as IBM, Microsoft (who now have handset capability following their acquisition of Nokia Devices) and Google. In addition there is some activity by traditional watch companies such as Timex and Casio.

Company No. Patent Families

Motorola Mobility 19

Seiko Epson 13

Apple 12

LG Electronics 12

Microsoft 11

Samsung 11

IBM 11

Nike 10

Sony 10

Blackberry 9

Timex 9

Nokia Corporation 8

Google 8

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. 7

Casio 7

IP Analytics newsletter Spring 2015 www.haseltinelake.com

What’s been happening over time?

The heat map above shows trends [since 1995] for some of the top companies and reveals a recent surge in activity surrounding protection for smart watches.

The pioneering players in the field are Seiko, IBM and Timex, all with initial patent publications dating back to the mid-nineties. Apple and Google are relative newcomers to the space with portfolios only covering 2012-present. It is interesting to see Blackberry also emerge as a player during the same period; after its problems in the handset market it appears to be adding another string to its bow.

What are they Patenting?

The early Seiko documents relate to athletic or sports type watches which comprise measurement capability such as pulse, or pace via a built-in pedometer. The early Timex portfolio comprises data exchange between a smart watch and a PC, using screen light flashes. Another technology incorporates wireless security functions, such as alarm or vehicle control signals, being stored and able to be transmitted by the watch.

Our review of the patent data also reveals some of the designs that are emerging for these products.

Google has adopted the more traditional wristwatch design where no separation or undocking of the smart device is possible. But a flip-up screen provides augmented reality or dual-screen options for applications.

Company

19

95

19

96

19

97

19

98

19

99

20

00

20

01

20

02

20

03

20

04

20

05

20

06

20

07

20

08

20

09

20

10

20

11

20

12

20

13

20

14

Motorola 1 1 1 1 8 5

Seiko 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 1

IBM 1 1 3 1 1 2 1 1

Apple 1 2 8

Microsoft 1 1 2 2 2 1 1

LG Electronics 1 1 2 6

SONY 1 2 2 1 2 2

SAMSUNG 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Timex 3 1 1 1 2 1

BLACKBERRY 1 1 6

NIKE 1 1 2 4

NOKIA 1 2 2 2 1

Google 1 1 4

Blackberry has a concept for a smart device that is structured as a large clip, in order that it can be attached to many things, including a wristband to give it a wristwatch configuration. Apple appears to have adopted a wristband that contains a dock to accept an iPod Nano-sized smart device to form a wrist watch configuration. This means both the device and the strap options can be varied and upgraded over time.

Blackberry

Apple

Apple

AppleBlackberry

Google

IP Analytics newsletter Spring 2015 www.haseltinelake.com

What’s next for Smart-Watches?

The most recent patent publications from the top companies may offer some insight into the features and concepts that could make it into the next generation of smart-watches.

Haptic/ Tactile Feedback – both LG and Google have recent publications regarding this functionality. Arrays of tiny electrodes on the back cover of the device can produce a wide range of sensations or patterns of sensations to provide discreet alarms or status alerts.

Did you know?

HL Analytics can provide a visual dashboard representation of a patent portfolio, indicating numbers of filings, status of patents and jurisdictions covered all in an easy to assimilate format. Such studies can support and enhance presentations surrounding mergers, acquisitions or due-diligence on a potential deal.

A patent landscape map can be used to visualise how the patents of a target company sit with respect to those of key competitors.

Contact:David Beet - Senior IP Analyst E: dbeet@haseltinelake.com T: +44 (0) 117 910 3200

User Interface – how to provide the content users expect such as email, messaging, remote control and web-browsing on such a small screen format? Sony are looking at 3D displays to layer information such that it appears below the phone screen. LG has recently published a patent application covering use of the smart-watch device to provide gesture remote control of household appliances, such as televisions and DVD devices.