US 8860337

US patent 8860337, titled "Linear vibration modules and linear-resonant vibration modules," was issued to Resonant Systems Inc. on October 14, 2014, from an application filed on January 6, 2012. The inventors are Robin Elenga, Brian Marc Pepin, and Glen Tompkins.

Abstract:
The patent describes various types of linear vibrational modules (LVMs), including linear-resonant vibration modules (LRVMs). These modules can be integrated into various devices and systems to generate vibrational forces. The vibrations are created by the linear oscillation of a weight or component, which is driven by rapidly alternating the polarity of one or more electromagnets. For LRVMs, feedback control is used to maintain the vibrational frequency at or near the resonant frequency. Both LVMs and LRVMs can be designed to produce a wide range of vibrational amplitude and frequency combinations.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1: This claim describes a linear vibration module that includes a housing, a moveable component, a power supply, and user-input features. A driving component moves the moveable component in two opposite directions. A control component manages the power supply to the driving component, allowing the moveable component to oscillate at a frequency and amplitude determined by user input. A key feature of this claim is the inclusion of "flux paths comprising a paramagnetic material that is shaped and positioned to reduce the reluctance of one or more magnetic circuits within the linear vibration module."

• Claim 2: This claim also describes a linear vibration module with a housing, a moveable component, a power supply, user-input features, and a driving component that causes linear oscillation. The control component in this module is notable for its ability to drive the moveable component to oscillate simultaneously at two or more different frequencies, which generates complex vibration modes.

• Claim 4: This claim outlines a linear vibration module comprising a housing, a moveable component, a power supply, user-input features, and a driving component for linear oscillation. The control component in this module allows the frequency and the amplitude of the moveable component's oscillation to be independently specified by user input.

• Claim 5: This claim describes a linear vibration module with a housing, a moveable component, a power supply, user-input features, and a driving component for linear oscillation, controlled by user input for frequency and amplitude. A distinctive feature of this claim is the inclusion of "elastomeric bristles used to transfer vibration from the linear vibration module to a surface."

USPTO and CAFC 2026 Dockets:
As of April 26, 2026, US patent 8860337 is listed as "Active," with an adjusted expiration date of April 5, 2031.
The patent family has ongoing litigation. A US case was filed in the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit with case number 26-1267, indicating a filing in 2026. Additional US cases have been filed in the Washington Western District Court, Texas Eastern District Court, and Texas Western District Court. Several PTAB cases (IPR2025-01098, IPR2025-00680, IPR2024-00807, IPR2025-00823, IPR2024-00569) have also been filed, with various outcomes including procedural termination, final written decisions, and not instituted.

Note: The information regarding litigation and legal status is based on data provided by Google Patents and Unified Patents, which are considered current at the time of this analysis.