Sony, InterDigital to work on Machine-to-Machine research
updated 12:34 pm EST, Thu January 3, 2013
Agreement follows more ITC complaints from InterDigital
Sony has formed a new company with InterDigital, which will work on wireless machine-to-machine (M2M) technology and bandwidth management systems. It has also been revealed that Sony has signed up for a patent license from InterDigitial for its 3G and 4G devices, and comes shortly after InterDigital filed ITC complaints with a number of other manufacturers.
The new joint venture, called Convida Wireless, will work on systems to help devices communicate with each other efficiently, according to The Next Web. The agreement sees both Sony and InterDigital contribute resources and funding, with further research being carried out through InterDigital Solutions, a part of InterDigital formed in October. InterDigital's own M2M technology is already being trialled by companies, such as Intel and Sensinode, suggesting that it could be making its way to consumer-usable devices in the future.
Yesterday, InterDigital complained to the United States International Trade Commission about Huawei, Nokia, Samsung, and ZTE over alleged patent infringement. InterDigital seeks a “permanent injunction” against the companies involved, as well as compensatory damages and “enhanced damages based on willful infringement.” Previously, InterDigital has complained about mobile phone manufacturers to the USITC, including ongoing action against Nokia, Huawei, and ZTE since June 2011, and other suits against Nokia and Samsung concerning 2G patents over the last five years.
