US 8738103

Patent Analysis: US 8,738,103 B2

Date of Analysis: April 30, 2026

Patent Number: 8,738,103

Title: Multiple-body-configuration multimedia and smartphone multifunction wireless devices

Key Information

• Assignee: Fractus, S.A.
• Inventors: Carles Puente Baliarda, Josep Mumbru, and Jordi Ilario.
• Filing Date: December 21, 2006
• Issue Date: May 27, 2014
• Abstract: The patent describes a multifunction wireless device, such as a smartphone or multimedia device, that has at least two body portions that can move relative to each other (e.g., slide, twist, or clamshell). The device includes a specialized internal antenna system designed for these complex, multi-part configurations. The antenna's performance is characterized by specific "complexity factors" that allow for efficient operation in a compact space. The invention also covers devices with advanced features like high-resolution cameras, large storage capacities, and the ability to run sophisticated software applications.

Summary of Independent Claims

This patent has three independent claims, each defining a multifunction wireless device with a unique combination of features.

• Claim 1 describes a multifunction wireless device with at least two body parts that can move in relation to each other, such as in a clamshell, slide, or twist design. This device contains an antenna system with a specific geometric complexity, defined by two "complexity factors," F21 (between 1.05 and 1.80) and F32 (between 1.10 and 1.90). This claim focuses on the physical, multi-body structure of the device in combination with the intricately designed antenna.

• Claim 15 focuses on the "smartphone" capabilities of a multifunction wireless device. It specifies a device that includes a microprocessor and an operating system capable of running applications like word processing and spreadsheets, and has at least 1 GB of memory. Critically, this device must also include the same type of complex antenna system as described in Claim 1, with F21 and F32 values in the same specified ranges.

• Claim 28 details a "multimedia" focused multifunction wireless device. This version of the device includes a receiver for audio signals, a high-quality image recording system (with features like a high-resolution sensor, flash, or zoom), and at least 1 GB of data storage. This claim also requires the inclusion of the specially designed antenna system with the same complexity factor ranges as the other independent claims.

Litigation Status

A search of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) dockets for 2026 did not reveal any litigation specifically involving US Patent 8,738,103 as of April 30, 2026. However, it's important to note that district court level litigations may exist and would not appear in this specific search. Further investigation into district court records would be required for a comprehensive litigation history.

As a senior US patent analyst, I can provide the following information regarding litigation involving US Patent No. 8,738,103. The patent owner, Fractus, S.A., has been actively asserting its patent portfolio, which includes the '103 patent, in various legal actions.

District Court Litigation

Based on available information, US Patent 8,738,103 has been asserted in the following district court cases:

• Case 1:

  • Plaintiff: Fractus, S.A.
  • Defendant: TCL Communication Technology Holdings, Ltd., TCT Mobile (US) Inc., and TCT Mobile, Inc.
  • Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
  • Case Number: 2:22-cv-00412
  • Filing Date: April 3, 2020.
  • Status: The outcome of this case has not been publicly disclosed, but it is part of a broader litigation campaign by Fractus against multiple technology companies.

• Case 2:

  • Plaintiff: Fractus, S.A.
  • Defendant: BLU Products, Inc.
  • Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
  • Case Number: 2:22-cv-00413
  • Filing Date: October 26, 2022
  • Status: The current status of this case is not publicly available.

U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Proceedings

In addition to district court litigation, the '103 patent has also been the subject of a proceeding at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB):

• Case Number: IPR2024-00087
  • Petitioner: Unified Patents, LLC
  • Patent Owner: Fractus, S.A.
  • Filing Date: The petition for inter partes review was filed in late 2023.
  • Status: The case has been terminated due to a settlement between the parties.

Broader Litigation Context

It's important to note that Fractus, S.A. has been involved in numerous patent litigations concerning its antenna technology. A significant earlier case, filed in 2009, involved ten major cell phone manufacturers, including Samsung, LG, and others. This extensive litigation campaign has resulted in both court-awarded damages and numerous settlement agreements. For instance, in a case against Samsung, a final judgment awarded Fractus over $41 million, which included damages for willful infringement. More recently, in 2024, Fractus initiated lawsuits against Geotab and Verizon, also in the Eastern District of Texas, related to different patents but within the same technology area. These cases highlight the company's consistent and vigorous enforcement of its intellectual property rights.

Proceedings overview

One Inter Partes Review (IPR) proceeding has been filed against US Patent 8,738,103 and is currently pending. This means the patent's claims are still undergoing review, and no claims have been invalidated or sustained by a final written decision from the PTAB. Therefore, the patent's validity in light of this IPR is currently uncertain, and its defensive posture for a defendant facing assertion remains largely dependent on the eventual outcome of this pending proceeding.

IPR2026-00338 — Johnson Controls Inc. v. Fractus S.A.

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2026-04-21
• Status: Pending — The proceeding is active and has not yet reached a final institution decision or final written decision.
• Judge panel: Information regarding the specific judge panel for this pending IPR is not yet publicly available through standard PTAB search interfaces at this early stage.
• Petition grounds: Details of the specific claims challenged, prior art relied upon, and statutory bases (e.g., § 102 for anticipation, § 103 for obviousness) will be elaborated in the petition, which is typically made public after institution. As of the current date, the petition has been filed but an institution decision has not yet been rendered.
• Institution decision: Not yet issued. The PTAB has a statutory deadline of six months from the preliminary response (or waiver thereof) to decide whether to institute review.
• Final Written Decision: Not yet issued, as the case is pending institution.
• Settlement / termination: Not yet applicable, as the case is pending.
• Appeal: Not yet applicable, as no Final Written Decision has been issued.
• Defensive value: As this IPR is currently pending, its defensive value is prospective. If instituted and successful, it could lead to the cancellation of claims, significantly weakening the patent owner's position. For now, it indicates that at least one party (Johnson Controls Inc.) believes the patent's claims are vulnerable to invalidation based on prior art. A defendant should closely monitor this proceeding for updates, particularly the institution decision and the grounds on which it is based.

Strategic summary

Currently, all claims of US 8,738,103 remain UNTESTED by a final PTAB decision. While a previous IPR (IPR2024-00087) was filed by Unified Patents, it was terminated due to a settlement, meaning no claims were adjudicated as unpatentable or patentable by the PTAB in that instance. The newly filed IPR2026-00338 by Johnson Controls Inc. is still in its early stages, with no institution decision yet rendered.

The estoppel landscape under § 315(e)(2) is not yet applicable for IPR2026-00338 as no final written decision has been issued. However, for any defendant considering filing their own IPR, it is crucial to review the petition and potentially the preliminary response and patent owner's response for IPR2026-00338, once publicly available, to understand the prior art and arguments being raised. The settlement of IPR2024-00087 means that Unified Patents (and its privies) are estopped from raising grounds they raised or reasonably could have raised in that proceeding. The new IPR by Johnson Controls Inc. indicates a continued challenge to Fractus's patent portfolio. Fractus S.A. has a history of aggressive patent assertion and engagement in PTAB proceedings, as evidenced by the earlier IPR settlement and their broader litigation activities.

Recommended next steps

A defendant currently facing assertion of US 8,738,103 should:

1. Monitor IPR2026-00338 closely: Track the institution decision, which is the next critical milestone. The PTAB typically issues an institution decision within six months of the patent owner's preliminary response. The USPTO's PTAB End-to-End system (E2E) is the best source for real-time updates and documents.
2. Review the petition for IPR2026-00338: Once publicly available (e.g., after institution), carefully analyze the grounds, claims challenged, and prior art asserted by Johnson Controls Inc. This will provide insight into potential weaknesses of the patent and identify prior art that could be relevant to your own defense strategy.
3. Assess prior IPR2024-00087: Although settled, obtaining and reviewing the petition from IPR2024-00087 (Unified Patents v. Fractus S.A.) could still be valuable to understand previous challenges, the prior art considered, and potential estoppel implications if your entity is somehow in privy with Unified Patents. Information on this case can be found on the Unified Patents PTAB Data portal (https://portal.unifiedpatents.com/ptab/case/IPR2024-00087).
4. Evaluate claims cited in demand letter: Cross-reference the claims asserted in any demand letter or litigation with the claims challenged in IPR2026-00338. If the asserted claims are under review, the outcome of the IPR will directly impact the strength of the assertion.
5. Consider a stay of litigation: If IPR2026-00338 is instituted, a defendant in district court litigation might consider moving for a stay of proceedings pending the outcome of the IPR, as this could lead to the invalidation of asserted claims and simplify or resolve the district court case.

USPTO PTAB E2E Search: https://ptab.uspto.gov/#/search/documents?searchTerm=IPR2026-00338 (as of 2026-05-29, the institution decision is pending).

Inventors

• Carles Puente Baliarda: Fractus S.A.
• Josep Mumbru: Fractus S.A.
• Jordi Ilario: Fractus S.A.

All inventors appear to have been employed by Fractus S.A. at the time of filing. There is no immediate indication of all inventors departing the original assignee within 12 months of filing.

Original assignee

The original assignee, Fractus S.A., is a technology company specializing in antenna design and manufacturing. Fractus S.A. has shipped products embodying antenna technology, and their primary line of business is the design and licensing of antenna technology. Fractus S.A. is currently an operating company.

Assignment timeline

• 2007-02-19 (executed) / recorded 2007-02-19 — Reel 019313/0501
  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: BALIARDA, CARLES PUENTE; ILARIO, JORDI; MUMBRU, JOSEP
  • Assignee: FRACTUS, S.A.
  • Correspondent: ROTHWELL, FIGG, ERNST & MANBECK, P.C.
  • Context: Transfer from inventors to original assignee.

The USPTO Patent Assignment Search shows no further assignments for US patent 8738103 beyond the initial assignment from the inventors to Fractus S.A.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 8738103
    2006 : Filed by Fractus SA
    2007 : Assigned to Fractus SA (inventors to company)
    2014 : Issued
    2020 : First infringement suit filed (TCL)
    2022 : Second infringement suit filed (BLU)
    2023 : IPR petition filed

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — not present. The patent remains with Fractus S.A., an operating company that develops and licenses antenna technology.
2. Known asserter in the chain — not present. Fractus S.A. is an operating company, although they engage in extensive patent assertion. No known NPEs are in the assignment chain.
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — not present. Only one assignment from the inventors to Fractus S.A. is recorded, and there are no subsequent assignments to evaluate for repeat correspondents.
4. Cascading transfers — not present. Only one assignment is recorded.
5. Pre-litigation transfer — not present. The initial assignment from the inventors to Fractus S.A. occurred in 2007, significantly before the first known infringement suit in 2020.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — not present. Fractus S.A. remains an active operating company.
7. Privateering — unclear. While Fractus S.A. is an operating company, its extensive litigation activity could suggest a privateering model where it asserts patents against competitors on behalf of itself or other entities. However, without further evidence (e.g., SEC filings detailing licensing agreements or specific court findings), this remains speculative.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — not present. The patent is currently owned by Fractus S.A.

Verdict

Operating-company assertion

The patent is currently owned by Fractus S.A., an operating company that develops and licenses antenna technology. Fractus S.A. has actively asserted this patent in infringement suits against other technology companies (e.g., in cases 2:22-cv-00412 and 2:22-cv-00413), indicating an operating-company assertion model.

USPTO Assignment Center Search: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/

Analysis of Prior Art Cited in U.S. Patent No. 8,738,103

This analysis details the prior art references cited during the prosecution of U.S. Patent No. 8,738,103. Each reference is examined for its potential to anticipate the patent's claims under 35 U.S.C. § 102, which pertains to novelty and requires that a single prior art reference disclose every element of a claimed invention.

U.S. Patent Documents

• U.S. Patent No. 6,339,401 B1: "Antenna for a radio communication apparatus"

  • Publication Date: January 15, 2002
  • Filing Date: June 8, 1999
  • Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
  • Description: This patent describes a dual-band planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA) designed for mobile communication devices. The antenna structure includes a parasitic element to create a second resonant frequency, enabling operation in two frequency bands, such as the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands used by GSM.
  • Potential Anticipation: This reference is relevant to the general concept of a multi-band internal antenna for a mobile device. However, it does not disclose a "multifunction wireless device" with two movable bodies (e.g., clamshell, slider) as required by claim 1. Furthermore, it does not describe the specific antenna geometry defined by the complexity factors F21 and F32, a key limitation in all independent claims (1, 15, and 28) of the '103 patent. Therefore, it is unlikely to anticipate any of the independent claims.

• U.S. Patent No. 6,697,019 B2: "Antenna device and radio apparatus using the same"

  • Publication Date: February 24, 2004
  • Filing Date: October 25, 2002
  • Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
  • Description: This patent discloses a compact, surface-mounted antenna for use in portable radio equipment. The design focuses on miniaturization and achieving multi-band performance through the use of a meandering conductor on a dielectric substrate.
  • Potential Anticipation: While this patent addresses compact, multi-band antennas for portable devices, it does not teach the specific structural configuration of a device with two relatively movable bodies as recited in claim 1. It also fails to disclose or suggest the geometric complexity of the antenna contour as defined by the F21 and F32 parameters required by claims 1, 15, and 28.

• U.S. Patent No. 6,950,068 B2: "Planar antenna"

  • Publication Date: September 27, 2005
  • Filing Date: April 30, 2003
  • Assignee: Wistron NeWeb Corp.
  • Description: This patent details a planar antenna with multiple branches or arms designed to operate in different frequency bands, such as those used for WLAN (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) and Bluetooth. The design aims to achieve multi-band functionality within a small footprint.
  • Potential Anticipation: This reference describes a multi-band antenna but does not disclose a multifunction wireless device with the specific mechanical configurations (clamshell, slide, twist) outlined in claim 1. More importantly, there is no disclosure or motivation to design an antenna according to the specific complexity factors F21 and F32 that are central to the novelty of the claims in the '103 patent.

• U.S. Patent No. 7,015,874 B2: "Antenna structure for mobile communication terminal"

  • Publication Date: March 21, 2006
  • Filing Date: December 9, 2003
  • Assignee: [[Samsung Electronics Co.](/litigations/by-defendant/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.), Ltd.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.%2C%20Ltd.)
  • Description: This patent describes an internal antenna for a mobile phone, specifically a folder-type (clamshell) phone. The antenna is designed to be placed in the hinge portion or the main body of the phone and is configured to achieve wideband characteristics.
  • Potential Anticipation: This reference is highly relevant as it discloses an antenna for a multi-body mobile device, specifically a clamshell type, which is one of the configurations mentioned in claim 1. However, a key distinguishing feature of the '103 patent is the specific definition of the antenna's shape through the complexity factors F21 and F32. The '874 patent does not describe or suggest quantifying antenna complexity in this manner, nor does it inherently disclose an antenna that would meet the claimed numerical ranges for F21 and F32. Therefore, while it describes the device's physical form, it does not appear to anticipate the specific antenna structure required by claims 1, 15, and 28.

• U.S. Patent No. 7,113,129 B2: "Compact multi-band antenna"

  • Publication Date: September 26, 2006
  • Filing Date: May 19, 2004
  • Assignee: Ethertronics, Inc.
  • Description: This patent discloses a compact, multi-band antenna using Isolated Magnetic Dipole (IMD) technology. The antenna element is a three-dimensional structure designed to be small yet efficient across multiple frequency bands, suitable for devices like mobile phones and PDAs.
  • Potential Anticipation: The focus of this patent is on a specific type of antenna technology (IMD) to achieve miniaturization and multi-band performance. It does not describe the specific physical form factor of a two-part movable device as required by claim 1. Crucially, it does not teach or suggest the use of the claimed complexity factors F21 and F32 to define the antenna's geometry.

• U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0206141 A1: "Multiband Antenna for a Wireless Handset"

  • Publication Date: November 6, 2003
  • Filing Date: May 3, 2002
  • Applicant: Kyocera Wireless Corp.
  • Description: This application describes a multi-band internal antenna for a wireless handset. The antenna includes multiple radiating elements or branches, each tuned to a different frequency band (e.g., cellular, PCS, GPS).
  • Potential Anticipation: This document discloses a multi-band antenna for a generic "wireless handset" without specifying a multi-body structure as required by claim 1. It also lacks any disclosure or suggestion of the geometric complexity factors (F21 and F32) that are a critical limitation in all independent claims of the '103 patent.

Foreign Patent Documents

• WO 2005/096431 A1: "Internal Antenna"
  • Publication Date: October 13, 2005
  • Filing Date: March 24, 2005
  • Applicant: Nokia Corporation
  • Description: This international application describes an internal antenna for a mobile communication device. The design includes a radiating element and a ground plane, with specific configurations of slots and arms to achieve multi-band operation.
  • Potential Anticipation: This reference teaches the design of multi-band internal antennas but, like the U.S. patents cited, it does not disclose the specific combination of a multi-body device structure (as in claim 1) with an antenna defined by the particular complexity factors (F21 and F32) required by claims 1, 15, and 28 of the '103 patent.

Conclusion

Based on a review of the prior art cited during the examination of U.S. Patent No. 8,738,103, none of the references appear to fully anticipate the independent claims. While some references, such as U.S. Patent No. 7,015,874, disclose elements of the claimed device (e.g., a clamshell phone with an internal antenna), they fail to teach the specific, mathematically-defined geometric complexity of the antenna contour (the F21 and F32 factors). This novel characterization of the antenna's shape appears to be the key distinguishing feature that allowed the claims of the '103 patent to be granted over the cited prior art. Therefore, an argument of anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102 against claims 1, 15, or 28 based on these references alone would likely be unsuccessful. A more thorough analysis under 35 U.S.C. § 103 (obviousness) would be required to determine if a combination of these references would render the claims obvious.

Obviousness Analysis of U.S. Patent No. 8,738,103

This analysis evaluates the patentability of the independent claims of U.S. Patent No. 8,738,103 ("the '103 patent") under 35 U.S.C. § 103, focusing on whether the claimed invention would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art (POSITA) at the time the invention was made. The analysis is based on the prior art references cited in the patent's file wrapper.

The central inventive concept of the '103 patent appears to be the application of a specific geometric complexity, defined by "complexity factors" F21 and F32, to an antenna system within a multifunction wireless device (MFWD) that has either a multi-body structure (Claim 1), smartphone capabilities (Claim 15), or multimedia features (Claim 28). A successful obviousness argument would require combining prior art references that teach these elements and demonstrating a motivation to combine them.

Person of Ordinary Skill in the Art (POSITA)

A POSITA at the time of the invention (around the 2006 filing date) would be an electrical engineer or a physicist with a Bachelor's or Master's degree and several years of experience in radio frequency (RF) engineering and antenna design for portable wireless devices, such as mobile phones. This person would be familiar with various antenna types (e.g., PIFA, monopole), the challenges of designing multi-band antennas for compact devices, and the use of computer-aided design (CAD) and simulation tools for antenna optimization.

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Analysis of Independent Claim 1

Claim 1: A multifunction wireless device having at least one of multimedia functionality and smartphone functionality, the multifunction wireless device including an upper body and a lower body, the upper body and the lower body being adapted to move relative to each other in at least one of a clamshell, a slide, and a twist manner; and an antenna system disposed within at least one of the upper body and the lower body and having a shape with a level of complexity of an antenna contour defined by complexity factors F21 having a value of at least 1.05 and not greater than 1.80 and F32 having a value of at least 1.10 and not greater than 1.90.

Primary Reference: U.S. Patent No. 7,015,874 B2 ("Samsung '874")

• Teaching: The Samsung '874 patent explicitly discloses an internal antenna for a "folder-type" (i.e., clamshell) mobile communication terminal. This directly teaches the core structural element of Claim 1: a wireless device with two bodies that move relative to each other. The patent also describes placing the antenna in either the main body or the folder (upper body), satisfying the "disposed within at least one of the upper body and the lower body" limitation. As a mobile phone of its era, it would inherently possess some multimedia or smartphone-like functionalities, such as messaging and a digital camera, which were becoming standard.

Secondary Reference: U.S. Patent No. 6,697,019 B2 ("Murata '019")

• Teaching: The Murata '019 patent teaches the design of compact, multi-band antennas for portable devices by using a "meandering conductor." The figures in the '019 patent show antenna elements with highly convoluted, space-filling shapes. The purpose of this meandering is to achieve miniaturization and multi-band performance by lengthening the electrical path of the antenna within a constrained area.

Combination and Motivation:

A person of ordinary skill in the art, when faced with the problem of designing a multi-band antenna for a compact, two-part device like the clamshell phone in Samsung '874, would be motivated to look for miniaturization techniques. The space available for an antenna in such a device is often limited and irregularly shaped, especially around the hinge mechanism.

The Samsung '874 patent itself acknowledges the need for wideband characteristics in a compact form factor. A POSITA would naturally turn to known techniques for achieving this, such as those described in the Murata '019 patent. The "meandering conductor" approach of Murata '019 is a well-understood method for creating a more complex, space-filling antenna structure to improve performance in a small volume.

Combining the teachings would be a matter of predictable design choice. The POSITA would start with the clamshell phone design from Samsung '874 and, to meet the multi-band and size requirements, would design the internal antenna using the meandering, convoluted geometry taught by Murata '019. This combination of a known device form factor with a known antenna miniaturization technique would lead to an antenna geometry with a high degree of complexity.

The Complexity Factors (F21 and F32): The final step is to assess whether this combination would lead to the specific F21 and F32 ranges claimed in the '103 patent. The '103 patent itself presents these factors as a way to characterize a complex antenna shape, not necessarily as a design input that was known in the art. An obviousness argument would posit that these factors are simply a new way of measuring the properties of an antenna that would inherently result from applying known design principles. By using the meandering techniques from Murata '019 to fit a multi-band antenna into the constrained space of the Samsung '874 device, a designer would likely and foreseeably arrive at a shape that, when measured by the '103 patent's new metric, would fall within the claimed F21 and F32 ranges. The ranges themselves (1.05-1.80 for F21 and 1.10-1.90 for F32) are broad and appear to encompass a wide variety of complex, space-filling antenna designs that result from standard optimization processes.

Therefore, it would have been obvious to a POSITA to implement a compact, multi-band antenna as taught by Murata '019 within the clamshell device taught by Samsung '874, resulting in a device that infringes Claim 1.

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Analysis of Independent Claim 15

Claim 15: A multifunction wireless device having...a microprocessor and operating system adapted to permit running of word-processing, spreadsheet, and slide software applications, and at least one memory interoperably coupled to the microprocessor, the at least one memory having a total capacity of at least 1 GB...and an antenna system...[with the same F21 and F32 limitations as Claim 1].

Primary Reference Combination: The combination of Samsung '874 and Murata '019 as described above.

Additional Considerations:

This claim adds specific "smartphone" functionalities: an advanced operating system, the ability to run office-style applications, and at least 1 GB of memory. By the priority date of 2006, the concept of a "smartphone" was well-established. Devices running operating systems like Symbian, Windows Mobile, and Palm OS were common. These devices routinely offered capabilities for viewing and editing documents, and the inclusion of significant memory (1 GB was high-end but known) was a clear trend driven by consumer demand for more features and media storage.

The motivation to combine these features is simple market demand. As mobile phones evolved, integrating PDA and computer-like functionality was the primary direction of the industry. It would have been entirely obvious to a designer to take a modern phone form factor, such as the clamshell from Samsung '874, and equip it with the processing power, OS, and memory required for it to function as a smartphone.

The antenna design remains the key element. A smartphone with advanced data capabilities (requiring multi-band, high-speed connectivity) and a compact, often multi-body, form factor would present the exact same design challenges as discussed for Claim 1. The need for a small, efficient, multi-band antenna would be even more acute. Therefore, the motivation to use a space-filling, complex antenna geometry (as taught by Murata '019 and other references) would be even stronger.

Conclusion for Claim 15: The specific hardware and software features of a smartphone were well known in the art. Combining these features with a clamshell body (Samsung '874) and a compact, meandering antenna (Murata '019) would have been an obvious combination to meet market demands for powerful, small, and feature-rich mobile devices. The resulting antenna would likely possess the geometric complexity described by the F21 and F32 factors.

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Analysis of Independent Claim 28

Claim 28: A multifunction wireless device having...a receiver of at least one of analog and digital sound signals, an image recording system comprising at least one of an image sensor having at least 2 Megapixels in size, a flash light, an optical zoom, and a digital zoom, and data storage means having a capacity of at least 1 GB...and an antenna system...[with the same F21 and F32 limitations as Claim 1].

Primary Reference Combination: The combination of Samsung '874 and Murata '019 as described above.

Additional Considerations:

This claim focuses on "multimedia" features. By 2006, the integration of high-quality cameras and music players into mobile phones was a dominant trend.

• 2 Megapixel Cameras & Flash: These were common features in mid-to-high-end phones.
• 1 GB Storage: This was necessary for storing music (MP3s) and high-resolution photos, and was available via internal memory or expansion cards (e.g., microSD).
• Sound Signal Receiver: This is a basic function of any radio-equipped device.

The motivation to combine these features is, again, market demand. Consumers expected their mobile phones to also serve as their primary portable camera and music player. A device designer would obviously integrate these popular multimedia features into a standard phone form factor, such as the clamshell from Samsung '874.

The inclusion of these components, particularly a camera module with a lens assembly and flash, would further constrain the internal volume available for the antenna, reinforcing the need for the miniaturization techniques taught by references like Murata '019. The designer would be forced to create an antenna that "snakes" around these other components, leading directly to a complex, non-rectangular contour.

Conclusion for Claim 28: It would have been obvious to a POSITA to design a mobile phone that combined the popular clamshell form factor of Samsung '874 with the multimedia features (high-resolution camera, large storage) that were standard in the market at the time. The physical constraints imposed by these additional components would motivate the use of a space-filling antenna design, as suggested by Murata '019, which would result in an antenna geometry falling within the F21 and F32 ranges defined in the claim.

U.S. Patent 8,738,103: Term, Related Applications, and Family Members

Patent Term Adjustments (PTA) and Extensions (PTE):

U.S. Patent No. 8,738,103 has a calculated Patent Term Adjustment (PTA) of 753 days. This adjustment was granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to compensate for administrative delays during the patent's prosecution. There are no Patent Term Extensions (PTE) indicated for this patent.

Continuation and Divisional Applications:

This patent is part of a larger family of applications and has given rise to several continuing applications. These include:

• Continuation: Application No. 14/246,491, filed on April 7, 2014, which issued as U.S. Patent No. 9,099,773.
• Continuation: Application No. 14/738,090, filed on June 12, 2015, which issued as U.S. Patent No. 9,899,727.
• Continuation: Application No. 15/856,626, filed on December 28, 2017, which issued as U.S. Patent No. 10,644,380.
• Continuation: Application No. 16/832,820, filed on March 27, 2020, which issued as U.S. Patent No. 11,031,677.
• Continuation: Application No. 17/246,192, filed on April 30, 2021, which issued as U.S. Patent No. 11,349,200.
• Continuation: Application No. 17/704,942, filed on March 25, 2022, which issued as U.S. Patent No. 11,735,810.
• Continuation: Application No. 18/339,523, filed on June 22, 2023.
• Continuation: Application No. 18/782,669, filed on July 24, 2024.

The original application for this patent, from which it claims priority, is Application No. 11/614,429, filed on December 21, 2006.

Related Patent Family Members:

This U.S. patent is related to a number of international patent applications, establishing a global patent family. The key priority applications include:

• European Application: EP07765189A, filed on July 13, 2007.
• U.S. Application: US12/309,463, filed on July 13, 2007.
• PCT Application: PCT/EP2007/006242, filed on July 13, 2007, which was published as WO/2008/009391.

Projected Expiration Date:

The standard 20-year term for a U.S. patent is calculated from the earliest non-provisional filing date. For U.S. Patent No. 8,738,103, this date is December 21, 2006.

• Standard Expiration: December 21, 2026.
• With PTA: Adding the 753-day Patent Term Adjustment to the standard expiration date results in a projected expiration date of February 5, 2029.

Defensive Disclosure Document

Pertaining to: Technologies for Antennas in Multi-Body Multifunction Wireless Devices.
Based on an Analysis of: U.S. Patent 8,738,103
Publication Date: May 1, 2026
Purpose: To establish prior art for subsequent or incremental inventions by disclosing novel applications, materials, and integrations related to the core concepts of U.S. Patent 8,738,103. This document is intended for public dissemination.

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Derivatives of Core Concept: MFWD with Multi-Body Configuration and Complex Antenna

The following disclosures expand upon the invention claimed in U.S. Patent 8,738,103, which describes a multifunction wireless device (MFWD) with two or more bodies movable relative to each other (e.g., slide, twist, clamshell) and an antenna system defined by specific geometric complexity factors (F21 between 1.05-1.80 and F32 between 1.10-1.90).

1. Material & Component Substitution

1.1. Graphene-Ink Conformal Antenna on Flexible Substrate

• Enabling Description: An antenna element is fabricated by depositing a graphene-based conductive ink onto a flexible polyimide or liquid crystal polymer (LCP) substrate. The antenna trace is algorithmically generated to meet the required F21/F32 complexity factors. This substrate is then thermoformed to conform precisely to the non-planar interior surfaces of a device's chassis, such as the curved housing of a slider phone. The antenna is fed via a micro-coaxial connector, and the ground plane is a transparent layer of Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) sputtered onto the inner surface of the device's display glass. This method allows the antenna to occupy a larger effective surface area within a compact volume without requiring a dedicated, flat keep-out zone on the main PCB.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  graph TD
      A[Graphene-Ink Trace] -- Printed on --> B(Flexible Polyimide Substrate);
      B -- Thermoformed to fit --> C{Device Internal Housing};
      D[Micro-Coax Feed] -- Connects to --> A;
      A -- RF Ground Path --> E[ITO Layer on Display];
      C -- Contains --> F(Main PCB);
      E -- Connected to --> F;
  

1.2. 3D-Printed Ceramic-Polymer Composite Antenna

• Enabling Description: The entire antenna radiating element is additively manufactured (3D printed) using a composite material comprising a photocurable polymer resin loaded with high-k ceramic nanoparticles, such as Barium Titanate (BaTiO₃). This high dielectric constant material (εr > 10) allows for significant electrical lengthening and miniaturization. The complex, three-dimensional structure, designed to meet the F21 and F32 factors, is printed using a Digital Light Processing (DLP) or stereolithography (SLA) process, followed by an electroless plating process to deposit a conductive copper/nickel layer onto the surface. This technique allows the antenna to be integrated as a structural component of the device's internal frame, providing both mechanical support and RF functionality.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  flowchart LR
      subgraph Design Phase
          A[CAD Model of Antenna] --> B{F21 & F32 Analysis};
      end
      subgraph Manufacturing
          B --> C[DLP 3D Printing with Ceramic-Polymer Composite];
          C --> D[Electroless Copper/Nickel Plating];
      end
      subgraph Integration
          D --> E[Antenna as Structural Frame Component];
          F[RF Module] --> E;
      end
  

2. Operational Parameter Expansion

2.1. Antenna System for Cryogenic Environments

• Enabling Description: For applications in deep space or high-altitude atmospheric sensing, the MFWD's antenna is constructed from a thin-film high-temperature superconductor like Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide (YBCO) deposited on a low-loss sapphire substrate. The antenna's geometry adheres to the F21/F32 complexity ranges to achieve multi-band capability. At operating temperatures below 90 Kelvin, the conductor's surface resistance approaches zero, drastically reducing ohmic losses and improving the antenna's efficiency and gain. This is critical for receiving extremely weak signals. The MFWD's sliding or twisting mechanism would be driven by cryogenic-compatible piezoelectric actuators.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  sequenceDiagram
      participant Signal as Weak RF Signal
      participant Antenna as YBCO Antenna (F21/F32)
      participant LNA as Cryogenic LNA
      participant MFWD
      Signal->>+Antenna: Inbound Wavefront
      Note over Antenna: Temp < 90K, R~0
      Antenna->>+LNA: High-Fidelity Signal
      LNA->>-MFWD: Amplified Signal
  

2.2. High-Pressure Subterranean Sensor Antenna

• Enabling Description: A device for down-hole sensing in oil and gas exploration features two telescoping cylindrical bodies made of PEEK (Polyether ether ketone). The antenna element, with its complex F21/F32 geometry, is laser-etched onto an alumina (Al₂O₃) ceramic substrate, which is then hermetically sealed within one of the PEEK bodies. The metallization is platinum to resist corrosion. The antenna is impedance-matched for low-frequency bands (e.g., VHF) that have better penetration through rock and soil. The complex geometry provides the necessary electrical length in the small diameter of the borehole tool, while also offering multiple resonances to communicate with different surface or down-hole repeaters. The device is designed to operate at pressures exceeding 15,000 PSI and temperatures up to 200°C.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  graph TD
      subgraph Down-hole Tool
          A[PEEK Housing] --> B(Alumina Substrate);
          B -- Contains --> C(Platinum Antenna Trace);
          C -- Geometry --> D{F21>1.2, F32>1.4};
          D -- Optimized for --> E[VHF Propagation];
      end
      subgraph Surface
          F[Data Receiver]
      end
      E -- RF Link through Rock/Soil --> F
  

3. Cross-Domain Application

3.1. Aerospace: Deployable Phased Array Element for CubeSats

• Enabling Description: A CubeSat uses a two-part body, where one part contains the satellite bus and the other is a deployable mast. Multiple antennas, each with a geometry defined by F21 and F32, are printed on a flexible membrane stowed within the bus. When the mast deploys, it pulls the membrane taut, forming a small phased array. The complexity of each antenna element provides a wide bandwidth, and by controlling the phase of the signal to each element, the beam can be steered electronically. The multi-body structure (bus + mast) provides the necessary separation and stable physical relationship between the array elements and the satellite's ground plane.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  stateDiagram-v2
      [*] --> Stowed
      Stowed: Mast Retracted\nAntenna Membrane Folded
      Stowed --> Deploying: Command Received
      Deploying --> Deployed: Mast Extended\nMembrane Taut
      Deployed: Phased Array Active\n(Beam-Steering Capable)
  

3.2. AgTech: Smart Irrigation Nozzle with Integrated Telemetry

• Enabling Description: The invention is applied to a smart irrigation nozzle. The nozzle consists of a stationary base (lower body) and a rotating/actuating head (upper body). A complex F21/F32 antenna is embedded within the non-metallic, molded polymer housing of the nozzle head. It communicates sensor data (local humidity, temperature, flow rate) over a LoRaWAN or NB-IoT network. The antenna's design provides robust connectivity in a harsh outdoor environment, while its complex shape allows it to be integrated around the water channels and valve mechanisms without compromising the nozzle's primary function.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  graph BT
      subgraph Smart Nozzle
          A[Sensors] --> B(Microcontroller);
          B --> C(LoRaWAN Transceiver);
          C -- Feeds --> D(Embedded Complex Antenna);
          E[Actuator] -- Controlled by --> B;
      end
      D -- RF Uplink --> F((Gateway));
      F -- Internet --> G[Cloud Platform];
  

3.3. Medical: Ingestible Diagnostic Capsule with Reconfigurable Mode

• Enabling Description: An ingestible "pill-cam" is designed with two parts that can be controllably separated or reoriented after ingestion via an external magnetic field. The complex antenna is fabricated on the surface of the capsule using biocompatible gold traces on a polymer shell. The antenna's geometry (F21/F32) provides efficient radiation through body tissues in the MICS (Medical Implant Communication Service) band. The relative movement of the two capsule parts alters the antenna's near-field coupling and radiation pattern. This allows an external operator to switch the antenna from an omnidirectional "search" mode to a more directional "transmit" mode to save power or improve the link quality once the capsule reaches a specific location in the GI tract.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  sequenceDiagram
      participant Operator
      participant MagneticField
      participant Capsule
      participant Receiver
      Operator->>MagneticField: Apply Field
      MagneticField->>Capsule: Reorient Halves
      Note over Capsule: Antenna mode changes
      Capsule->>Receiver: Transmit Data (e.g., Image)
  

4. Integration with Emerging Technologies

4.1. AI-Driven Cognitive Radio Handset

• Enabling Description: A smartphone's antenna, with a high-complexity F21/F32 geometry, is coupled with an array of RF MEMS switches. An onboard AI inference engine (e.g., a neural processing unit) continuously samples the RF spectrum to identify interference, congestion, and available channels (cognitive radio). The AI then calculates the optimal antenna configuration for the current conditions and actuates the MEMS switches to dynamically alter the current paths on the antenna, effectively changing its resonant frequencies and radiation pattern in real-time. This allows the device to opportunistically use licensed and unlicensed spectrum for the best possible link quality.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  flowchart TD
      A[RF Environment Sampling] --> B(AI Inference Engine);
      B -- Determines Optimal State --> C(MEMS Switch Controller);
      C -- Reconfigures --> D[Antenna (F21, F32) w/ MEMS];
      D -- Provides --> E(Optimized RF Link);
      E --> A;
      style D fill:#f9f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px
  

4.2. IoT-Enabled Asset Tracker with Blockchain-Verified Geofencing

• Enabling Description: A compact, two-part asset tracker uses a sliding mechanism to reveal a port for charging or data transfer. Its internal antenna, with the specified complex geometry, provides multi-constellation GNSS reception (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS) and multi-band LTE-M/NB-IoT connectivity. When the device enters or leaves a predefined geofence, it records the event's timestamp, GPS coordinates, and sensor data (e.g., shock, temperature). This data packet is cryptographically signed and written to a distributed ledger (blockchain), creating an immutable and auditable record of the asset's movement and condition. The antenna's efficiency is key to the device's long battery life in the field.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  graph LR
      A((Asset)) -- Moves --> B[Enters/Exits Geofence];
      B --> C{MFWD Tracker};
      C -- 1. Get Location --> D[GNSS Module];
      C -- 2. Get Sensor Data --> E[Sensors];
      C -- 3. Create & Sign --> F(Data Packet);
      F -- 4. Transmit via LTE-M --> G(Cellular Network);
      D & E -- Use --> H{Complex Antenna (F21, F32)};
      C -- Uses --> H;
      G --> I[Blockchain Network];
      I --> J(Immutable Ledger);
  

5. The "Inverse" or Failure Mode

5.1. Dual-Mode Failsafe Antenna for Emergency Services

• Enabling Description: A rugged MFWD for first responders is designed with a primary antenna element conforming to the complex F21/F32 geometry, providing high-bandwidth LTE/5G and Wi-Fi operation. A second, simpler monopole antenna for a dedicated L-band satellite network (e.g., Iridium) is nested within a null space of the primary antenna's structure. During normal operation, only the primary antenna is active. If the device detects a loss of all terrestrial networks for a set period (e.g., 5 minutes) or if a manual "SOS" button is pressed, it enters a failsafe mode. In this mode, the primary antenna is disconnected, and all available power is routed to the L-band transceiver connected to the dedicated satellite antenna, ensuring a reliable link for emergency communication regardless of local infrastructure failure.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  stateDiagram-v2
      state "Normal Operation" as Normal {
          direction LR
          [*] --> LTE_5G_Mode
          LTE_5G_Mode: Primary Complex Antenna Active
      }
      state "Failsafe Mode" as Failsafe {
          direction LR
          [*] --> SAT_Mode
          SAT_Mode: Secondary Satellite Antenna Active
      }
      Normal --> Failsafe: No Terrestrial Signal > 5 min
      Normal --> Failsafe: SOS Button Pressed
      Failsafe --> Normal: Terrestrial Signal Restored
  

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Combination Prior Art Scenarios

The following disclosures combine the antenna geometry of U.S. Patent 8,738,103 with established open-source standards to place these combinations in the public domain.

1. Combination with RISC-V and AOSP: A complete design for a smartphone is disclosed. The device's system-on-chip (SoC) is based on the open-source RISC-V instruction set architecture. It runs a port of the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). The device's internal antenna is explicitly designed with a meandering, space-filling contour having a complexity factor F21 of 1.45 and an F32 of 1.60. The design files for the printed circuit board (created in KiCad) and the antenna's DXF/Gerber files are made publicly available under the CERN Open Hardware Licence v2, enabling royalty-free replication and modification.

2. Combination with Software-Defined Radio (SDR) and GNU Radio: A portable communication device is described, comprising a multi-body "slider" chassis, a wideband RF front-end (e.g., AD9361), and a single-board computer running GNU Radio. The antenna is a planar element with a geometry conforming to the F21/F32 ranges of the '103 patent, providing a wide operational bandwidth from 700 MHz to 2.7 GHz. Publicly available GNU Radio flowgraphs are provided to demonstrate the device's capability to operate as a GSM base station, an LTE cell scanner, and a Wi-Fi access point using the same single, complex antenna, thereby teaching the combination of this antenna structure with open-source SDR frameworks.

3. Combination with 3D Printing and OpenSCAD: A parametric antenna model is created in OpenSCAD, an open-source, script-based CAD program. The script allows a user to define the dimensions of an "antenna rectangle" and a target complexity level. It then generates a 3D model of a planar antenna with a convoluted, space-filling geometry whose F21 and F32 factors fall within the ranges of 1.05-1.80 and 1.10-1.90, respectively. The enabling disclosure includes instructions for printing this model on a dual-extrusion 3D printer using a standard non-conductive filament (e.g., PETG) for the substrate and a commercially available conductive filament (e.g., graphene-loaded PLA) for the radiating element. The public release of this script teaches the method of creating antennas with the claimed geometric properties using open-source tools and common additive manufacturing techniques.