Patent Liability Analysis March 28, 2012
Project Overview Product Infringements Patent Infringements
Long Range Vehicle (Tank) Control over wiress network Operate from anywhere in the world (Website/Android App) Collaboration with HKUST Shared Server Customizable for new vehicle features
An ability to send/receive/decode commands from a controller wirelessly An ability to control direction/firing capability of a vehicle An ability to autonomously avoid obstacles encountered by the tank An ability to provide sensor feedback to a wireless controller An ability to monitor a battery and prevent unexpected signal loss by alerting operator
Mini toy tank Controlled over wireless network Autonomous obstacle avoidance Android App
Similarities Wireless Internet/Android controlled Toy Tank with obstacle avoidance Differences No webcam or Airsoft Cannon TankBot: $20SUPERTANK: $600 Violates: Doctrine of equivalents
Patent: Transitioning a mixed-mode vehicle to autonomous mode Application number : 13/105,101 Filing date : May 11, 2011 Infringement: Doctrine of equivalents Abstract: ‘the vehicle may use the reference indictor to obtain an autonomous vehicle instruction via a URL’ Long Range Vehicle Control Webcam Operation Wireless Internet Operated Fully Autonomous
Patent: Wireless Touch-screen remote controller US 2011/ A1 Filing date : Feb 4, 2010 Infringement: literal Abstract: Communicates over wireless network Sends piloting commands to /receive feedback from an external source
Patent: Vehicle obstacle detecting apparatus Patent number : Filing date : Apr 28, 2003 Infringement: Doctrine of equivalents Abstract: Recieves sensor data from IR Rangefinders Takes corrective measures in steering vehicle to safety
Patent: Vehicle navigation system and method thereof Patent number: US 2008/ A1 Filing date : Aug 14, 2007 Infringement: Doctrine of equivalents Abstract: Method of piloting a vehicle over a wireless network connection via a webcam