Apple Sue For Patent Infringement Over Low-Power Mode In iOS Devices

Apple is now facing a lawsuit in which it’s accused of infringing a patent related to its low-power mode in iOS, core location as well as facedown detection in the iPad and iPhone.

In 2015, Apple announced face detection and Low Power Mode with the launch of iOS 9. The face detection feature senses when the device is put with its face down on a surface and lights up the display each time a push notification comes. Meanwhile, the Low Power Mode adjusts the amount of energy dedicated to background services when the battery life is 20 percent or lower. When the battery recharges to over 20 percent, the feature will turn off automatically.

Filing the lawsuit is Location Based Technology, Inc., in which it said that the asserted patents claim improvements in the conservation of battery in portable electronics products. The company said it filed the patent between 2008 and 2012, which were originally assigned to itself, and commercialize this technology in PocketFinder GPS devices.

The patents that LBT claims it owns, relate to method and apparatus to determine locations as well as track coordinates of a tracking device, along with method and apparatus to adjust refresh rates of a tracking device or location coordinates.

According to the suit allegations, the alleged products are all devices of Apple, including the iPad and iPhone, which feature the low power mode, facedown detection mode, and/or core location feature. It added that the battery saving feature is currently a crucial factor when it comes to consumers’ decision making of buying a phone or tablet.

As stated by LBT, it warned the iPhone maker on June 24 about patent infringement with a letter and is now seeking royalties and damages.