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NFC晶片專利戰 Marvell與NXP互控侵權

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科技產業資訊室 (iKnow) - SYL 發表於 2015年2月13日
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2015年1月21日,營運總部位於荷蘭、前身為皇家飛利浦電子公司(Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.)事業部之一的恩智浦半導體(NXP Semiconductors N.V.,其控股公司為NXP B.V.,下稱NXP),向美國加州北區聯邦地院提起專利侵權告訴,控告競爭對手、美國晶片製造商邁威爾科技(Marvell Technology Group Ltd.,其為設在百慕達的公司,美國營運子公司則為Marvell Semiconductor, Inc.,下稱Marvell),其所製造販賣、具備近距離無線通訊(near field communication,NFC)功能之NFC晶片產品、例如Avastar 88W8897等802.11ac晶片產品,直接與間接侵害NXP所擁有之四件專利權利。
 
NXP在其訴狀中主張,除Marvell製造販賣NFC晶片產品之行為構成直接侵權外,Marvell亦意圖誘使他人直接侵害NXP之系爭專利權利,其販賣Avastar 88W8897晶片並提供產品資訊等,讓前述晶片被裝設在Microsoft之Xbox One®遊戲機產品中,並由Microsoft販賣給美國境內消費者來使用,這樣的行為是間接侵害了NXP的專利權利。
 
NXP主張權利之四件系爭專利內容如下:
美國專利編號US 5,939,791,名稱為「用於積體電路之導電互連(Electrically conductive interconnects for integrated circuits)」,於1999年8月17日核發,原始權利人為VLSI Technology, Inc.,其於1999年為Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.所併購;
美國專利編號US 7,039,133,名稱為「具備用來與一接收資料流進行同步之裝置的資料載體(Data carrier having means for synchronization with a received data stream)」,於2006年5月2日核發,原始權利人為Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.;
美國專利編號US 8,185,050,名稱為「在一藍牙裝置與一無線區域網路裝置間的並存裝置通訊(Coexistance device communication between a Bluetooth device and a wireless local area network device)」,於2012年5月22日核發;
美國專利編號US 8,203,432,名稱為「讀取複數之無接觸資料載體的方法、包括一防碰撞機制(Method of reading a plurality of non-contact data carriers, including an anti-collision scheme)」,於2012年6月19日核發。
 
面對競爭對手發動專利訴訟攻勢,Marvell亦提起專利侵權告訴來還擊。在2015年2月2日,Marvell向美國加州中區聯邦地院起訴,控告NXP所製造販賣之NFC控制器、無限微控制器、LIN收發器等晶片產品,直接與間接侵害了Marvell所擁有之四件專利權利。
 
Marvell主張權利之四件系爭專利內容如下:
美國專利編號US 8,171,309,名稱為「安全記憶體控制存取(Secure memory controlled access)」,於2012年5月1日核發。Marvell主張,NXP之PN65T NFC控制器IC、嵌入式安全元件 (embedded secure element) 產品與其他具備類似電路或類似功能的積體電路產品,至少就本件專利之請求項8構成侵權;
美國專利編號US 7,957,777,名稱為「無線區域網路機制之喚醒功能(Wake on wireless LAN schemes)」,於2011年6月7日核發。Marvell主張,NXP之PN547 NFC控制器IC與其他具備類似電路或類似功能的積體電路產品,至少就本件專利之請求項13構成侵權;
美國專利編號US 7,454,634,名稱為「用於無線網路裝置之節電裝置與方法(Power savings apparatus and method for wireless network devices)」,於2008年11月18日核發。Marvell主張,NXP之PN547 NFC控制器IC、JN5168無線微處理器產品與其他具備類似電路或類似功能的積體電路產品,至少就本件專利之請求項17構成侵權;
美國專利編號US 6,903,448,名稱為「電子封裝之高效能導線架(High performance leadframe in electronic package)」,於2005年6月7日核發。Marvell主張,NXP之TJA1021 LIN收發器產品與其他具備類似電路或類似功能的積體電路產品,至少就本件專利之請求項1構成侵權。
 
隨著蘋果發布Apple Pay以NFC技術解決iPhone及Watch在消費的線上支付問題之後,NFC解決方案大廠NXP半導體公司也變得火紅,接著NXP併購其他公司也成為另一市場觀察點:
 
圖一、NXP併購
 
pclass_10720i_20150213.gif
 
NFC技術伴隨物聯網發展而快速成長,其被廣泛應用在汽車、智慧電視、智慧型手機、金融卡、電子身分證等產品或物件上。Marvell與NXP在NFC技術領域中可以說是正面交鋒且競爭激烈,例如兩家公司均看到ZigBee無線網路協定之發展潛力:Marvell在2014年推出三種分別支援 Wi-Fi、藍牙、ZigBee 的微控制器產品,讓物聯網廠商可以依照不同的連線規格需求選擇採用;而NXP則是在2014年6月加入ZigBee聯盟董事會(the ZigBee Alliance Board of Directors),推動全世界採用 ZigBee做為主要的無線網路、感應與控制標準。(2680字;表4)
 
表一、NXP控告Marvell之系爭專利請求項解析
US 5,939,791請求項1 US 7,039,133請求項1
1. A body of semiconductor material, comprising: 一種半導體材料本體,包括 1. A data carrier (FIG.1 - 4) having an electric circuit (FIG.1 - 5), which includes circuit parts of at least one interface (FIG.1 - 6), which circuit parts are adapted to receive data in the form of data blocks, each data block including delimiter data and useful data, and一種具備電路之資料載體,其包括至少有一介面的電路部件,該種電路部件被使用來以資料塊形式接收資料,每個資料塊包括定界資料與可用資料
a semiconductor substrate (FIG.6 - 24); 一半導體基板 which includes delimiter data detection means (FIG.1 - 11), which are adapted to detect delimiter data of a data block and to generate and to supply at least one useful data start signal, which at least one useful data start signal can be generated and supplied upon detection of the delimiter data, and(資料載體)包括定界資料偵測裝置,其被使用來偵測一資料塊之定界資料,並產生與提供至少一個可用資料之起始信號,而至少一個可用資料之起始信號可以依據偵測定界資料來產生與提供
a dielectric layer (FIG.6 - 23) on said substrate, said layer and the substrate forming a surface having at least one step portion (FIG.6 - 52); and 一位在前述基板上的介電層,前述介電層與基板形成一個具有至少一個步階部的表面 which includes data test means (FIG.1 - 12), which are adapted to test the data for data errors, (資料載體)包括資料測試裝置,其被使用來測試資料之資料錯誤,
an elongated interconnect line (FIG.6 – 54’) of electrically conductive material at the at least one step portion, said interconnect line having a width of not more than 0.5 micron.一導電材料之伸展互連線,其位在前述至少一個步階部內,前述互連線寬度不超過0.5微米 characterized in that the delimiter data detection means are adapted to continually re-detect the delimiter data of a data block and to generate and to supply the useful data start signal also after the supply of the useful data start signal, (資料載體)特徵在於定界資料偵測裝置被使用來持續重新偵測一資料塊的定界資料,並在提供可用資料起始信號後仍產生與提供可用資料起始信號
wherein the data carrier is configured for inductive coupling with a second device when placed within a predetermined, contactless distance of the second device, the second device supplying power for operation of the electric circuit.其中該資料載體被配置來耦合於一第二裝置,當其被放置在與該第二裝置相距一預設且無接觸之距離內時,而該第二裝置供應電路運作之電源
 pclass_10720a_20150213.gif  pclass_10720b_20150213.gif
US 8,185,050請求項1 US 8,203,432請求項1
1. A method for transferring data between a collocated Bluetooth device and a wireless local area network device comprising the steps of: 一種在相互搭配之一藍牙裝置與一無線區域網路裝置間傳送資料的方法,包含以下步驟 1. A method of inventorying data carriers (F.ig.1 - 2) by means of a communication station, 一種透過一通訊站清點資料載體的方法
encoding said data using a plurality of control lines between said Bluetooth device and said wireless local area network device, wherein said plurality of control lines comprise a priority line and a Bluetooth line; 使用在前述藍牙裝置與前述無線區域網路裝置間複數控制連線來將前述資料編碼,其中前述複數控制連線由一優先連線與一藍牙連線所構成 wherein said communication station and each data carrier among said data carriers are brought into communicative connection, and 其中前述通訊站與前述資料載體中個別資料載體間均被建立通訊連接
transmitting the data from the Bluetooth device to the wireless local area network device; and 從該藍牙裝置傳送該資料至該無線區域網路裝置 wherein each data carrier brought into communicative connection with the communication station generates a response signal after at least one operational condition has been fulfilled and supplies said response signal to a modulation means (Fig.1 - 33) for modulating the response signal for transmission to enable the inventorying of said each data carrier, 其中個別資料載體與該通訊站建立通訊連接,會在至少一個運作條件被滿足之後產生一回應信號,並提供前述回應信號給一用來模組化該回應信號以供傳送之模組裝置,藉以促成對個別資料載體之清點
acknowledging a data reception by the wireless local area network device using another control line between the Bluetooth device and the wireless local area network device, wherein said another control line in the acknowledging step comprises a wireless local area network line.由該無線區域網路裝置,使用另一在該藍牙裝置與該無線區域網路裝置間之控制連線,確認資料之接收,其中在確認步驟中所使用之前述另一控制連線由一無線區域網路連線所構成 wherein said each data carrier, before generating its response signal from identification data and additional data, tests whether another data carrier is giving its response signal, 其中前述個別資料載體,在從識別資料與附加資料產生其回應信號前,測是否另一個資料載體有提供其回應信號
 pclass_10720c_20150213.gif wherein said each data carrier discontinues the generation of its response signal from the identification data and the additional data if said another data carrier is already giving its response signal to achieve an energy-saving operation, and 其中前述個別資料載體會中斷從識別資料與附加資料產生其回應信號之動作,若前述另一個資料載體已經提供其回應信號,藉以達到節能運作
wherein, if no response signal of said another data carrier is provided, the response signal is generated from the identification data and the additional data and supplied to the modulation means and delivered via a data carrier transmission means (Fig.1 - 29), 其中,若並無前述另一個資料載體之回應信號被提供,回應信號會從識別資料與附加資料中產生,並提供至模組裝置,且透過一資料載體傳送裝置來傳遞
wherein the generation of the response signal is performed prior to modulating the response signal via the modulation means for transmission.其中回應信號之產生是在透過模組裝置模組化該回應信號以供傳送之前被執行
 pclass_10720d_20150213.gif
Source: 科技政策研究與資訊中心—科技產業資訊室整理,2015/02

 

表二、Marvell控告NXP之系爭專利請求項解析
US 8,171,309請求項8 US 7,957,777請求項13
8. A method, comprising: 一種方法,包括 13. A method, comprising: 一種方法,包括
storing, on a secure memory partition of a memory, a key encrypting key (KEK) for a memory drive as cryptographically sensitive data that includes access control settings for locking security partitions to access logical block addressing on the memory drive; 在一記憶體之安全記憶體分割區上,為一記憶體驅動程式儲存一關鍵字加密鍵(KEK)做為加密敏感資料,其包括用來鎖定安全分割區存取記憶體驅動程式上邏輯區塊定址的存取控制設定 interfacing a system-on-chip of a wireless device with a host processor of a wireless device, wherein the system-on-chip is configured to communicate with a wireless network; 介接一無線裝置之系統單晶片與一無線裝置之主機處理器,其中該系統單晶片被配置來與一無線網路進行通訊
accessing encrypted data with controller firmware, the encrypted data being stored on the memory that includes the secure memory partition, the controller firmware being precluded from accessing the secure memory partition; and 以控制器韌體存取加密資料,該加密資料被儲存在包含安全記憶體分割區之記憶體上,而該控制器韌體被排除存取該安全記憶體分割區 receiving configuration information from the host processor, wherein the configuration information indicates that the host processor is to (i) operate in a power save mode, and (ii) in response to the wireless device receiving data of a predetermined category from the wireless network, transition from the power save mode to an active mode; 從該主機處理器接收配置資訊,其中配置資訊指示該主機處理器(i)在省電模式下運作,以及(ii)回應無線裝置從無線網路接收預設類別之資料,從省電模式轉換到開機模式
accessing the cryptographically sensitive data with secure firmware, the cryptographically sensitive data being utilized to control access to the encrypted data stored on the memory.以安全韌體存取加密敏感資料,該加密敏感資料被用來控制存取儲存在記憶體上的加密資料 generating a first signal in response to the wireless device receiving data of the predetermined category from the wireless network; and 回應無線裝置從無線網路接收預設類別之資料,產生一個第一信號
 pclass_10720e_20150213.gif in response to the first signal, transitioning the host processor from the power save mode to the active mode in which the host processor processes the data of the predetermined category.回應該第一信號,將主機處理器從省電模式轉換到開機模式,而主機處理器在開機模式中處理該預設類別之資料
 pclass_10720f_20150213.gif
US 7,454,634請求項17 US 6,903,448請求項1
A method for operating a wireless network device having active and inactive modes, comprising: 一種用來操作具備開機模式與待機模式之無線網路裝置的方法,包括 1. An electronic package (FIG.1 - 100) comprising: 一種電子封裝,包括
generating a first clock signal having a first clock rate; 產生具有第一時鐘頻率的第一時鐘信號 a leadframe (FIG.1 - 1) comprising a single layer of an electrically conducting material, a plane die paddle, and a plurality of leads electrically isolated from each other and partially exposed at a bottom side of the electronic package providing surface mounting connections; 一導線架,包括單一導電材料層,平面裸晶焊盤,以及相互絕緣且在電子封裝之底部部分露出、藉以提供表面安裝連接之複數導線
generating a first voltage level and a second voltage level that is less than said first voltage level; 產生第一電壓位準以及一低於前述第一電壓位準之第二電壓位準 a semiconductor chip (FIG.1 - 2) including bond pads (FIG.1 - 3), the semiconductor chip being mounted on the plane die paddle; and 一包括有焊墊之半導體晶片,該半導體晶片被安裝在平面裸晶焊盤上
receiving said first clock rate and said first voltage level at a first digital module of the wireless network device during said active mode; 在前述開機模式期間,於無線網路裝置之第一數位模組上接收前述第一時鐘頻率與前述第一電壓位準 wires (FIG.1 - 4) between the bond pads and the plurality of leads (FIG.1 – 6 & 8), including at least two wires between at least two of the bond pads and a single lead of the plurality of leads, wherein the single lead includes an extended portion.在焊墊與複數導線間的焊線,其中包括在至少兩個焊墊與複數導線中單一導線間的至少兩個焊線,其中該單一導線包含一延伸部
receiving said second voltage level during said inactive mode at the first digital module, which does not receive said first clock signal during said inactive mode; and 在前述待機模式期間,於第一數位模組上接收前述第二電壓位準,且在前述待機模式期間不接收前述第一時鐘信號  pclass_10720g_20150213.gif
reducing current consumption of a first analog module of the wireless network device during said inactive mode, wherein the wireless network device is a wireless network communication device.在前述待機模式期間,降低無線網路裝置之第一類比模組的電流消耗,其中該無線網路裝置為一無線網路通訊裝置
 pclass_10720h_20150213.gif
Source: 科技政策研究與資訊中心—科技產業資訊室整理,2015/02
 
 
表三、專利訴訟案件基本資料:NXP vs. Marvell互控案
訴訟名稱 NXP B.V. v. Marvell Semiconductor, Inc. et al Marvell International, Ltd. v. NXP Semiconductors N.V. et al
提告日期 2015年1月21日 2015年2月2日
原告 NXP B.V. Marvell International, Ltd.
被告 Marvell Semiconductor, Inc.Marvell Technology Group Ltd. NXP Semiconductors N.V.NXP B.V.NXP Semiconductors Netherlands B.V.NXP Semiconductors Germany GMBHNXP Semiconductors USA, Inc.
案號 5:15-cv-00290-BLF 2:15-cv-00740-ODW-RZ
訴訟法院 the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
系爭專利 US 5,939,791US 7,039,133US 8,185,050US 8,203,432 US 8,171,309US 7,957,777US 7,454,634US 6,903,448
系爭產品 Marvell之Avastar 88W8897系統單晶片產品,http://www.marvell.com/wireless/avastar/88W8897/(最後瀏覽日:2015/02/12) NXP之PN65T NFC控制晶片(PN65T NFC controller IC),http://www.nxp.com/products/identification_and_security/nfc_and_reader_ics/nfc_contactless_reader_ics/series/PN65T.html;PN547 NFC控制晶片(PN547 NFC controller IC),http://www.nxp.com/products/identification_and_security/nfc_and_reader_ics/nfc_contactless_reader_ics/series/PN547.html;JN5168無線微控制器(JN5168 wireless microcontroller),http://www.nxp.com/products/microcontrollers/product_series/jn516x/JN5168.html;TJA1021 LIN收發器(TJA1021 LIN transceiver),http://www.nxp.com/products/interface_and_connectivity/can_lin_flexray_transceivers/lin_transceivers/series/TJA1021.html (最後瀏覽日:2015/02/12)
訴狀下載 download.gif  download.gif
Source: 科技政策研究與資訊中心—科技產業資訊室整理,2015/02
 
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