In a statement released yesterday, Everett, Wash.-based Intermec Technologies said it is suing Symbol Technologies of Holtsville, N.Y. over six intellectual property infringements, including some related to wireless. Both companies loom large in the world of wireless data-capture, bar-code scanning, and handhelds.

Specifically the suit says Symbol infringes on a patent for "a coherent, integrated wireless data capture system capable of distributing data over a network; portable, battery-powered data processing devices capable of running a multi-tasking operating system; and handheld portable data capture devices with graphical user interfaces (GUI), the ability to accept handwritten information and the ability to process that information," according to the Intermec's announcement.

This suit follows a patent infringement lawsuit filed by Symbol against Intermec on March 11 after talks for trading IP failed between the two companies. Symbol also stopped selling Intermec its laser scan engines at the time, saying it would be in appropriate to sell to someone it is in litigation with. Intermec calls this a breach of the supply contract between the companies.

Because the two companies had an OEM agreement for a time, they did not sue each other, but Intermec says the breach and the March 11 suit by Symbol opened the door for this week's filing in the U.S. District Court in Delaware. In fact, Intermec president Tom Miller said in the statement that his company was "anticipating this for some time; Symbol's decision will have no effect on Intermec business operations" due to existing stockpiles of what it needs.

Much of the enmity between the companies stems from a patent-infringement suit Intermec filed last June against Matrics, a company that developed Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology that was later bought by Symbol.

Where this will go is anyone's guess but Intermec says it will keep end users out of it, saying the company has "no plan to sue end-users over RFID or other patented technologies it controls."

Symbol is no stranger to wireless patent lawsuits. It won $22.75 million (based on a 6% royalty) from Proxim in September 2003 over wireless patents, two of which it is also suing Intermec for infringing. In 2004, the two companies worked out a cross-license on some patents while other IP was signed over completely to Symbol, and signed a mutual covenant not to sue over patent issues through at least September 2009.

Tough Competition
Readers of this Web site are most likely familiar with the two companies because of the many rugged handhelds they've released over the years.

Most recently, Intermec introduced the CK31 mobile computer (see top image), a tougher version of its popular CK30 model. The WPA-certified CK31 runs on the Microsoft Windows CE .NET platform and an Intel XScale processor. It includes a backlit ¼ VGA touchscreen, a full 52 key alphanumeric keyboard, and the ability to read all popular 1D and 2D bar code symbologies.

Communications capabilities include a Wi-Fi certified 802.11b/g radio with support for 802.1x security standards, such as Windows-standard EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS, LEAP, and PEAP for secure data transmission. The CK31 is also Cisco Certified Extension-compatible for interoperability with existing networks.

Due in the second quarter is another Windows CE .NET device, the CN2. Unlike the CK31, this model is small and lightweight enough to fit in a shirt pocket.


       Intermec CN2

The most well known Intermec models PDAs are, most likely, members of its 700 series. One model, the Intermec 760, can integrate up to three radio communication options, including WLAN (802.11b), a GSM/GPRS or CDMA cellular/wide area network, and Bluetooth radios. Users can add a Global Positioning System receiver for location-based applications and services.


      Intermec 700 Series

Symbol recently renewed its commitment to the Palm platform through a new deal with PalmSource. The agreement allows the company to continue to implement the Palm OS in several of its current handhelds, including the SPT1550 and SPT1800, and future models.

The SPT1550 and SPT1800 combine integrated scanning with a choice of batch processing or wireless connectivity options for transportation, logistics, healthcare, and retail sectors.


      Symbol SPT1800

The company also offers several Pocket PC and Windows CE .NET devices. It introduced the most recent model, the MC50 enterprise digital assistant, last Fall. The MC50 runs on Microsoft's Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition platform and integrates Wi-Fi.


      Symbol MC50

You can deploy Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications into the MC50 for in-building and on-campus voice communications. The MC50 also supports Bar code scanning, of course.

Additional Symbol devices include the Microsoft-based touchscreen PPT 2800 Series, PPT 8800 Series, and a lightweight tablet model called the Xplore iX104. Other ke-based models, like the MC50, include the MC3000, PDT 8000, MC9000 Family, PDT 8100 Series, PDT 8037, and PDT 8056.

Symbol MC3000 Mobile

Symbol MC9000 Family

Like with Intermec's devices, some of Symbol's rugged handhelds also offer cellular and Bluetooth wireless networking, in addition to Wi-Fi.