Expert: Samsung infringed ‘915 patent 24 times

SAN JOSE – Samsung infringes a key Apple patent on scrolling and zooming in 24 of its products, said an expert testifying for Apple. Samsung also infringes a patent on using a double tap to zoom and center content, the expert said.

“I concluded 24 Samsung products infringe claim 8 of the ‘915 patent,” said Karan Singh, professor of computer science at the University of Toronto, testifying for Apple.

Karan examined code Samsung provided for four of its phones. He also studied the patents and Samsung’s handsets and tablets.

Allegedly infringing devices include the Samsung Galaxy S II, Ace, Captivate, Continuum, Droid Charge, Epic 4G, Exhibit 4G, Fascinate, Gem, Indulge, Infuse 4G, Galaxy Tab 7.0 and 10.1.

The ‘915 patent covers using a single finger to scroll or two fingers to zoom into content with a reverse-pinch gesture. Samsung products also infringe Apple’s ‘163 patent that covers using a double tap to zoom into and center content, Singh said.

The ‘163 patent is seen as an easier way of quickly making Web content easy to read. Without it “you would spend a lot of time fiddling and adjusting your view to make the fonts readable,” said Singh.

Apple also showed at least two Samsung internal documents that identified the double-tap feature in Apple products and suggested Samsung should use the feature in its products. “The UX of the iPhone can be used as a design benchmark.” One Samsung document said.

In cross-examination, a Samsung attorney clarified Apple does not own a patent on scrolling or zooming. “This invention is about figuring out if it’s a one-finger scroll or a two-finger gesture,” the Samsung attorney said.

The attorney also suggested the Samsung products may not use each aspect of the relevant claims in the two patents, something required for infringement. Separately he showed videos of consumers scrolling screens on Samsung products using two fingers.

“The [‘915] claim says ‘scroll with one finger,’” the attorney said.

“Technically the instructions [in the Samsung code] still infringe the claim,” said Singh. “The screen jitters [because it is] trying to scroll and zoom,” he added.

Later, Samsung will present as part of its case prior art it believes could invalidate the Apple patents. It also will present at least five patents covering 3G wireless and media it claims Apple infringes.