Patent 8114697

Prior art

Earlier patents, publications, and products that may anticipate or render the claims unpatentable.

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Prior art

Earlier patents, publications, and products that may anticipate or render the claims unpatentable.

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The search results provide general information about USPTO patent searches but do not provide direct access to the content of the cited prior art patents. Therefore, the descriptions and anticipation assessments will necessarily be inferences based on the titles and the context provided by US8114697. I will explicitly state this.

Let's refine the prior art analysis based on the constraint of inferring descriptions from titles.

US8114697's Priority Date: 2007-12-18

Identified Prior Art for US Patent 8114697

Based on the "Patent Citations" section of US8114697, the following prior art references are identified:

  1. Full Citation: KR970052583A, 문정환, "Semiconductor device having spiral electrode pattern and manufacturing method thereof"

    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 1995-12-30; Publication Date: 1997-07-29.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a semiconductor device incorporating a spiral electrode pattern and its associated manufacturing process. The "spiral electrode pattern" suggests a specific configuration for electrical connections or active regions within a semiconductor device. (Description inferred from title).
    • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): The concept of forming patterned electrodes on a substrate is fundamental to various semiconductor devices, including piezoelectric transducers. Therefore, this patent may broadly anticipate aspects of forming "a mating electrode... patterned" as generally described in claims 1 and 4 of US8114697. However, without further details on the function or specific arrangement of the spiral pattern, it cannot be definitively stated whether it anticipates the "polarity arrayed in series" feature.

  2. Full Citation: US6091182A, Ngk Insulators, Ltd., "Piezoelectric/electrostrictive element"

    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 1996-11-07; Publication Date: 2000-07-18.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a piezoelectric or electrostrictive element, which are fundamental components for converting electrical energy to mechanical energy or vice-versa. This broadly covers the core functionality of the piezoelectric layer in US8114697's devices. (Description inferred from title).
    • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This reference broadly anticipates the fundamental concept of a piezoelectric element or plate (e.g., "piezoelectric plate" in claims 1, 2, 4, 10) used for electromechanical transduction. It establishes the state of the art for basic piezoelectric devices, but its title does not suggest the specific advancements of US8114697, such as mating electrodes or differential etching.

  3. Full Citation: JPH11186867A, Kyocera Corp, "Surface acoustic wave device"

    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 1997-12-22; Publication Date: 1999-07-09.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a surface acoustic wave (SAW) device. SAW devices utilize piezoelectric substrates and interdigitated electrodes to generate and detect acoustic waves, primarily for signal processing applications. They involve patterning electrodes on a piezoelectric material. (Description inferred from title).
    • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): Similar to the previous references, this patent anticipates the use of piezoelectric materials and patterned electrodes on a substrate (relevant to claims 1, 4, 10 in a broad sense). While SAW devices use patterned electrodes, the specific "series" arrayed polarity of the mating electrode in US8114697's microphone claims or the differential etching of its speaker claims are not evident from the title.

  4. Full Citation: US20050099100A1, Hiroyuki Kita, "Piezoelectric thin-film element and a manufacturing method thereof"

    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2001-09-07; Publication Date: 2005-05-12.
    • Brief Description: This patent focuses on a piezoelectric thin-film element and its manufacturing method, indicating advancements in miniaturization and fabrication techniques for piezoelectric devices. This directly relates to the MEMS-based approach of US8114697. (Description inferred from title).
    • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This reference is highly relevant to the general construction of US8114697's devices, including the "piezoelectric plate formed on the insulating layer" (claims 1, 2, 4, 10) and the "method of manufacturing" these elements (claims 1, 2). It likely anticipates common steps in thin-film piezoelectric device fabrication. However, the specific details of series-arrayed mating electrodes or differentially etched plates, which are central to US8114697, are not apparent from the title alone.

  5. Full Citation: KR20030062899A, 이승환, "Manufacturing method and piezoelectric bimorph microphone"

    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2002-01-21; Publication Date: 2003-07-28.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a manufacturing method for a piezoelectric bimorph microphone. A bimorph typically involves two active layers that bend when a voltage is applied, commonly used in microphones for sensing sound vibrations. (Description inferred from title).
    • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This patent directly anticipates a "piezoelectric microphone" (claims 1, 4) and aspects of its "manufacturing method" (claim 1). The use of a piezoelectric element for a microphone is clearly disclosed. The novelty of US8114697's microphone lies in the "series" arrayed mating electrode, which would need to be specifically compared against the electrode structure of this bimorph microphone.

  6. Full Citation: KR20030075906A, 삼성전자주식회사, "MEMS device used as microphone and speaker and method of fabricating the same"

    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2002-03-21; Publication Date: 2003-09-26.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a single MEMS device capable of functioning as both a microphone and a speaker, along with its manufacturing method. This directly addresses the integration concept in US8114697. (Description inferred from title).
    • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This reference strongly anticipates the "piezoelectric speaker-microphone integrated device...formed on the same silicon substrate" as claimed in claim 18 of US8114697. It also broadly anticipates methods for fabricating such an integrated device. Specific features like the series-arrayed mating electrode for the microphone or the differentially etched piezoelectric plate for the speaker would need to be evaluated by reviewing the full text of this prior art.

  7. Full Citation: KR20040003096A, 마젤텔레콤 주식회사, "Earmicrophone wherein speaker and mike are combined with each other"

    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2002-06-25; Publication Date: 2004-01-13.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes an earmicrophone that integrates both speaker and microphone functionalities. This again highlights prior art for combined acoustic transducers. (Description inferred from title).
    • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): Similar to KR20030075906A, this patent anticipates the concept of a combined speaker and microphone, relevant to claim 18 of US8114697.

  8. Full Citation: US20040256961A1, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., "Electronic component and method for manufacturing the same"

    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2003-06-18; Publication Date: 2004-12-23.
    • Brief Description: This patent broadly describes an electronic component and its manufacturing method. Given the assignee, it likely pertains to microelectronic or MEMS components. (Description inferred from title).
    • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This general reference might anticipate certain broad manufacturing steps or components common to electronic devices, potentially including those related to the silicon substrate and insulating layer (claims 1, 2). However, its title lacks specificity regarding piezoelectric acoustic transducers or the distinct features claimed in US8114697.

  9. Full Citation: KR20050107071A, (주)아이블포토닉스, "Piezoelectric electric-acoustic transducer using piezoelectric single crystal"

    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2004-05-07; Publication Date: 2005-11-11.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a piezoelectric electric-acoustic transducer specifically utilizing a piezoelectric single crystal. This indicates a focus on the material science aspect of piezoelectric devices. (Description inferred from title).
    • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This reference anticipates a piezoelectric acoustic transducer, which is the core type of device in US8114697. It also specifically mentions "piezoelectric single crystal," which is a type of piezoelectric material that can be used in the piezoelectric plate (as mentioned in the detailed description of US8114697, and broadly covered by claims 8 and 15 which list PZT, PMN-PT, etc., which can be single crystal).

  10. Full Citation: KR20070042756A, 이동수, "Multi-electrode film type speaker and acoustic device using same"

    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2005-10-19; Publication Date: 2007-04-24.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a speaker of the "multi-electrode film type" and an acoustic device employing it. This implies a micro-speaker made with a thin film and incorporating multiple electrodes. (Description inferred from title).
    • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This patent anticipates a "piezoelectric speaker" (claim 10) and potentially elements of its manufacturing (claim 2), particularly concerning film-type construction and the use of multiple electrodes. Whether the "multi-electrode" design encompasses the series coupling of mating electrodes (as in US8114697's microphone description) or the differential etching for speaker optimization is not discernible from the title.

  11. Full Citation: KR20060127013A, 이승환, "Piezoelectric micro speaker and manufacturing method thereof"

    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2006-06-27; Publication Date: 2006-12-11.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a piezoelectric micro speaker and its corresponding manufacturing method. This directly aligns with the speaker device and method claims of US8114697. (Description inferred from title).
    • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This reference strongly anticipates a "piezoelectric speaker" (claim 10) and its "manufacturing method" (claim 2). The core concept of a micro-speaker based on piezoelectric principles is present. Specific features of US8114697, such as the differential etching of the piezoelectric plate (claims 2, 10), would need to be directly compared to the details of this prior art.

  12. Full Citation: KR20080052230A, 한국전자통신연구원, "Interlocking electrode structure for electronic device and electronic device using same"

    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2006-12-06; Publication Date: 2008-06-11.
    • Brief Description: This patent, from the same assignee as US8114697 (ETRI), describes an "interlocking electrode structure" for an electronic device. This suggests a specific, potentially intricate, patterning of electrodes. (Description inferred from title).
    • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This patent is highly relevant to the "mating electrode" concept and its patterning in US8114697 (claims 1, 4, and implicitly for the speaker). Given the common assignee and the "interlocking electrode structure" title, it is plausible that this patent could disclose electrode configurations that are conceptually similar to or could be adapted to achieve the "polarity arrayed in series" feature of claims 1 and 4, or at least a sophisticated electrode pattern. This would require a detailed examination of the patent's figures and claims.As of 2026-05-31, the most relevant prior art for US patent 8114697, as cited within the patent itself, is detailed below. The descriptions and potential anticipation are inferred from the titles of the cited patents, as the full text of these references was not available for direct review. US8114697 has a priority date of 2007-12-18.

Identified Prior Art for US Patent 8114697

  1. Full Citation: KR970052583A, 문정환, "Semiconductor device having spiral electrode pattern and manufacturing method thereof"

    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 1995-12-30; Publication Date: 1997-07-29.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a semiconductor device that features a spiral electrode pattern and the method for its manufacture. The focus appears to be on specific electrode configurations within a semiconductor context. (Description inferred from title).
    • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This patent may broadly anticipate the concept of forming patterned electrodes on a substrate, as present in claims 1 and 4 of US8114697, which relate to a mating electrode with a pattern. The specific arrangement for "series" coupling as claimed in US8114697 is not discernible from the title.

  2. Full Citation: US6091182A, Ngk Insulators, Ltd., "Piezoelectric/electrostrictive element"

    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 1996-11-07; Publication Date: 2000-07-18.
    • Brief Description: This reference pertains to a general piezoelectric or electrostrictive element. Such elements are fundamental for converting electrical signals into mechanical motion or vice versa. (Description inferred from title).
    • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This patent broadly anticipates the use of a "piezoelectric plate" as described in claims 1, 2, 4, and 10 of US8114697. It establishes the foundational technology for piezoelectric transducers.

  3. Full Citation: JPH11186867A, Kyocera Corp, "Surface acoustic wave device"

    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 1997-12-22; Publication Date: 1999-07-09.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a surface acoustic wave (SAW) device, which typically employs piezoelectric substrates with patterned electrodes (often interdigitated) to generate and detect acoustic waves for signal processing. (Description inferred from title).
    • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This reference broadly anticipates the use of piezoelectric layers and patterned electrodes on a substrate, relevant to the general structures described in claims 1, 4, and 10 of US8114697. The specific "series" coupling or "differential etching" features of US8114697 are not indicated by this title.

  4. Full Citation: US20050099100A1, Hiroyuki Kita, "Piezoelectric thin-film element and a manufacturing method thereof"

    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2001-09-07; Publication Date: 2005-05-12.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a piezoelectric thin-film element and its manufacturing method, indicating prior work in miniaturized piezoelectric devices and their fabrication processes, often associated with MEMS technology. (Description inferred from title).
    • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This patent likely anticipates the general structure of a "piezoelectric plate formed on an insulating layer" over a silicon substrate (claims 1, 2, 4, 10) and generic aspects of the "method of manufacturing" such elements (claims 1, 2).

  5. Full Citation: KR20030062899A, 이승환, "Manufacturing method and piezoelectric bimorph microphone"

    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2002-01-21; Publication Date: 2003-07-28.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a manufacturing method for a piezoelectric bimorph microphone. A bimorph structure commonly utilizes piezoelectric layers to create bending or vibration for acoustic sensing. (Description inferred from title).
    • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This patent directly anticipates a "piezoelectric microphone" (claims 1, 4) and aspects of its "manufacturing method" (claim 1). The central distinguishing feature of US8114697's microphone claims—the "mating electrode... patterned with a polarity arrayed in series"—would require direct comparison with the electrode structure disclosed in this reference.

  6. Full Citation: KR20030075906A, 삼성전자주식회사, "MEMS device used as microphone and speaker and method of fabricating the same"

    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2002-03-21; Publication Date: 2003-09-26.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) device that can function as both a microphone and a speaker, along with its fabrication method. This directly addresses the concept of an integrated acoustic device. (Description inferred from title).
    • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This patent strongly anticipates the "piezoelectric speaker-microphone integrated device in which the piezoelectric microphone and the piezoelectric speaker are formed on the same silicon substrate" as claimed in claim 18 of US8114697. It also broadly anticipates manufacturing methods for such integrated devices.

  7. Full Citation: KR20040003096A, 마젤텔레콤 주식회사, "Earmicrophone wherein speaker and mike are combined with each other"

    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2002-06-25; Publication Date: 2004-01-13.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes an earmicrophone that combines the functionalities of a speaker and a microphone. This further illustrates prior art for combined acoustic transducers. (Description inferred from title).
    • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): Similar to KR20030075906A, this patent anticipates the concept of an integrated speaker and microphone device, directly relevant to claim 18 of US8114697.

  8. Full Citation: US20040256961A1, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., "Electronic component and method for manufacturing the same"

    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2003-06-18; Publication Date: 2004-12-23.
    • Brief Description: This patent broadly covers an electronic component and its manufacturing method, suggesting general practices in microelectronics or MEMS fabrication. (Description inferred from title).
    • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This general reference might broadly anticipate common manufacturing steps involving a silicon substrate and insulating layers (claims 1, 2) but lacks specific details related to piezoelectric acoustic transducers or the distinct features of US8114697.

  9. Full Citation: KR20050107071A, (주)아이블포토닉스, "Piezoelectric electric-acoustic transducer using piezoelectric single crystal"

    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2004-05-07; Publication Date: 2005-11-11.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a piezoelectric electric-acoustic transducer that specifically employs a piezoelectric single crystal. This indicates prior art focusing on the material choice for piezoelectric elements in transducers. (Description inferred from title).
    • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This patent anticipates the use of a piezoelectric acoustic transducer, which is the general device type for US8114697. It also specifically mentions "piezoelectric single crystal," which aligns with the materials broadly covered by claims 8 and 15 of US8114697.

  10. Full Citation: KR20070042756A, 이동수, "Multi-electrode film type speaker and acoustic device using same"

    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2005-10-19; Publication Date: 2007-04-24.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a "multi-electrode film type speaker" and an acoustic device utilizing it, implying a micro-speaker constructed with a thin film and incorporating multiple electrodes. (Description inferred from title).
    • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This patent anticipates a "piezoelectric speaker" (claim 10) and potentially aspects of its manufacturing (claim 2) with multi-electrode and film-type construction. Whether the specific "differential etching" (claims 2, 10) or "series" electrode patterns (as described for the microphone) are present would require further examination of the document.

  11. Full Citation: KR20060127013A, 이승환, "Piezoelectric micro speaker and manufacturing method thereof"

    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2006-06-27; Publication Date: 2006-12-11.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a piezoelectric micro speaker and its manufacturing method, directly corresponding to the speaker device and method claims of US8114697. (Description inferred from title).
    • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This reference strongly anticipates a "piezoelectric speaker" (claim 10) and its "manufacturing method" (claim 2). To determine anticipation of US8114697's specific features, such as the differential etching of the piezoelectric plate (claims 2, 10), a detailed review of this prior art would be necessary.

  12. Full Citation: KR20080052230A, 한국전자통신연구원, "Interlocking electrode structure for electronic device and electronic device using same"

    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2006-12-06; Publication Date: 2008-06-11.
    • Brief Description: This patent, from the same assignee as US8114697 (Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute), describes an "interlocking electrode structure" for an electronic device. This suggests a sophisticated and potentially novel arrangement of electrodes. (Description inferred from title).
    • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This patent is highly relevant to the "mating electrode" concept and its specific patterning in US8114697 (claims 1 and 4 for the microphone, and implicitly for the speaker). Given the common assignee and the nature of the title, it is plausible that this reference could disclose electrode configurations that anticipate or closely relate to the "polarity arrayed in series" feature of claims 1 and 4, or other intricate electrode patterns.

Generated 5/31/2026, 12:49:40 PM