In the month before the deal was reached, Kyocera filed a patent lawsuit against Germany's Preh GmbH, another auto parts supplier. The case was heard in the District Court of Düsseldorf. Kyocera claims that it is called 'input'. The patent for the device and input device control method (patent number EP2461233B1) was infringed.
It is understood that the above mentioned technology involves a haptic feedback system that generates vibrations when users interact with display panels (such as those used by most modern car audio consoles), and Kyocera claims that the solution is Haptivity.
It is worth mentioning that the case from another aspect suggests that Kyocera will enter the automotive industry. IAM stated that 46% of Kyocera's approximately 1,500 U.S. patent applications were issued last year. If this time entering the automotive market marks Kyocera Turning a new chapter, its relatively young and powerful patent lineup will be a boost to Kyocera's development.
Currently, Kyocera's business involves advanced materials, electronics, document solutions, semiconductor packaging, and renewable energy. In Kyocera's website, it lists four areas: tactile feedback, SEP, intelligent fat tracking, and vibration speakers. The active licensing program. IAM believes that there may be many unlicensed large companies involved in the intersection of tactile feedback and automotive displays.
It can be said that Kyocera’s indictment of the infringement of Preh GmbH is very surprising. At least in the United States, Kyocera does not appear to have been claiming patent rights against competitors in recent years. The Lex Machina report shows that since 2001, it has only been in a few US cases. Being listed as plaintiffs, these cases appear to require declaratory judgments.
In addition to entering the auto industry, there have been news that Kyocera is planning the 5G market. It is reported that the Kyocera 2018 (fiscal year starting from April 2018) equipment investment (capital expenditure) is expected to increase by 2 times compared to 2017 1,000 billion yen (about 5.88 billion yuan).
On the one hand, due to Apple iPhone X production cuts, leading to the current demand for smart phone parts into the adjustment situation; On the other hand, 5G demand will start since 2019, so Kyocera expects to increase investment and preemptive layout of 5G, an increase in production demand.