STMicroelectronics, a Swiss maker of Micro-Electric-Mechanical Systems (‘MEMS’) for accelerometers and gyroscopes in consumer products like iPads and iPhones filed a patent infringement lawsuit today against competitor InvenSense, Inc.
ST’s lawsuit alleges that Sunnyvale, California-based InvenSense is infringing nine (9) of the company’s patents being used in consumer electronic devices like gyroscopes and a “free-fall detection and free-fall protection system for portable electronics,” in addition to other MEMS patents.
In 2011, ST’s worldwide revenue totaled $9.73 billion.
ST alleges that InvenSense violated its 9 patents through a host of consumer electronic products like Nintendo controllers, TV remotes, ‘air mice’, and smartphones:
The nine patents include:
- U.S. Patent No. 6,504,253 — Structure for electrically connecting a first body of semiconductor material overlaid by a second body of semiconductor material composite structure using electric connection structure
- U.S. Patent No. 6,846,690 — Integrated circuit comprising an auxiliary component, for example a passive component or a microelectromechanical system, placed above an electronic chip, and the corresponding fabrication process
- U.S. Patent No. 6,405,592 — Hermetically-sealed sensor with a movable microstructure
- U.S. Patent No. 6,546,799 — Method for compensating the position offset of a capacitive inertial sensor, and capacitive inertial sensor
- U.S. Patent No. 6,928,872 — Integrated gyroscope of semiconductor material with at least one sensitive axis in the sensor plane
- U.S. Patent No. 7,450,332 — Free-fall detection device and free-fall protection system for a portable electronic apparatus
- U.S. Patent No. 7,409,291 — Device for automatic detection of states of motion and rest, and portable electronic apparatus incorporating it
- U.S. Patent No. 5,874,850 — Mos voltage elevator of the charge pump type
- U.S. Patent No. 5,986,861 — CLAMP
ST is represented by patent litigators at Quinn Emmanuel.
You can browse the case docket, and read the patent infringement case here:
Complaint for Patent Infringement (STMicroelectronics,Inc., v. Invensense Inc.)
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