Prior art

To identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 8860337, I will examine the patent citations listed on Google Patents for US8860337B2. The USPTO's Patent Public Search tool is a valuable resource for patent information, including citations.

Based on the provided information from Google Patents, here are some patent citations for US8860337B2:

• US1120414A

  • Full Citation: US1120414A, Frederick E. Schoolfield, "Automatic reciprocating electromagnetic motor"
  • Publication Date: December 8, 1914
  • Filing Date: July 7, 1911
  • Brief Description: This patent describes an automatic reciprocating electromagnetic motor. Reciprocating electromagnetic motors are a foundational concept for linear vibration modules that involve a moveable component driven by electromagnetic forces.
  • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): US1120414A potentially anticipates the basic concept of a driving component that drives a moveable component in two opposite directions within a housing, as generally described in claims 1, 2, 4, and 5. The "Automatic reciprocating electromagnetic motor" indicates a mechanism for linear motion via electromagnetism, which is a core aspect of the independent claims.

• US3728654A

  • Full Citation: US3728654A, unknown inventor(s) and assignee(s) (only publication number provided in the snippet)
  • Publication Date: No specific publication date is available in the provided text, but the priority date is given as September 26, 1970.
  • Filing Date: September 26, 1970 (priority date)
  • Brief Description: Without the full title or abstract, a detailed description is not possible. However, given its presence as a patent citation, it likely pertains to some aspect of vibration generation or electromagnetic actuation.
  • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Without a description, it is not possible to assess potential anticipation.

• US7005811B2

  • Full Citation: US7005811B2, "BODILY SENSED WIBRATION GENERATOR SYSTEM"
  • Publication Date: February 28, 2006
  • Filing Date: Claims benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-348993. The provided text shows a filing date of November 19, 2003, in relation to a description of this patent as prior art.
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a bodily-sensed vibration generator system, particularly for small information terminal devices like portable telephones, PDAs, and portable game equipment. It aims to generate a variety of vibrations in a small size. It mentions a vibration generator system that uses a cylindrical coil and a magnetic field generator (magnet and yoke) supported by an elastic body. When a drive signal is applied, an electromagnetic force vibrates the magnetic field generator. The patent also discusses generating different vibration patterns, including pointed vibrations with rapid excitation and damping, and varying the intensity of vibrations. It also describes a biased weight type vibration generator system as a general vibration generator system, but notes problems with its follow-up property for drive signals.
  • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
    • Claims 1, 2, 4, 5 (general concept): US7005811B2 describes a system that generates vibrations using a coil and a magnet, where an electromagnetic force causes vibration. This generally covers the "driving component that drives the moveable component" aspect.
    • Claim 2 (complex vibration modes): The description of US7005811B2 explicitly mentions "realizing a variety of Vibrations" and "giving various drive signals and modifying the rotating Speed" to generate pointed vibrations by shortening cycles of the envelope, and using inhibition signals and reverse inhibition signals to abruptly damp vibrations to set the envelope in a steep shape. This could potentially anticipate the generation of "complex vibration modes" as claimed in Claim 2, particularly if "various drive signals" are interpreted to include simultaneous frequencies.
    • Claim 3 (specific complex vibration modes): If the "various drive signals" in US7005811B2 are interpreted to include multiple frequencies, it could potentially anticipate the modes described in Claim 3, such as primary oscillation frequency modulated by a modulating oscillation frequency or a beat frequency. The concept of "abruptly damp[ing] vibrations to Set the envelope in a Steep shape" also hints at controlled vibration characteristics.