Banertek LLC v. ecobee, Inc. (17-cv-12276).

Banertek sued ecobee, a Canadian company, for infringing U.S. Patent 6,839,731, 201cSystem and Method for Providing Data Communication in a Network Device. Ecobee makes smart wi-fi thermostats and room sensors that, according to the complaint, communicate through a central communication device (e.g., a server) with sensors, heating/air conditioning equipment, and smartphones or tablets in a way that infringes the 2018731 patent. Direct, contributory and induced infringement are alleged. The case has been assigned to Judge Saris.