US 11495875

US patent 11495875, titled "Smartphone antenna in flexible PCB," was issued on November 8, 2022, from an application filed on July 13, 2022 (Application number US17/864,078). The original assignee and current assignee is AQ Corp (though a reassignment to WYE IP CAPITAL LLC via a patent security agreement is noted as of September 29, 2025). The inventors are Sang Hoon Lee, Kyoung Jun CHOI, and Sae Rom LEE.

Abstract:
The patent describes a smartphone antenna module designed for use in a smartphone. It comprises a flexible Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and a magnetic sheet. The flexible PCB includes a first coil, a second coil, and a third coil. When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the major surface of the PCB, the first and third coils are arranged side-by-side, and the second coil surrounds both the first and third coils. The flexible PCB has a first core area surrounded by the first coil and a second core area surrounded by the third coil, with a through-hole formed in the first core area. The magnetic sheet includes a first sheet portion, a second sheet portion, and an intermediate portion connecting them. The flexible PCB and magnetic sheet are integrated such that the first sheet portion is placed over a first PCB section and overlaps a coil portion of the first coil. The second sheet portion is placed under a second PCB section, overlapping coil portions of both the first and third coils. At least part of the intermediate portion passes through the first through-hole. The second sheet portion is also placed under a third PCB section, overlapping a coil portion of the third coil.

Independent Claims Overview:

The patent includes multiple independent claims covering various configurations of the smartphone antenna module and a smartphone incorporating it. The primary independent claims focus on the arrangement of coils on a flexible PCB in conjunction with a magnetic sheet.

• Claim 1 (Smartphone Antenna Module): This claim describes a smartphone antenna module featuring a flexible PCB and a magnetic sheet. The flexible PCB contains first, second, and third coils. The first and third coils are side-by-side, and the second coil encircles both. There's a first core area (surrounded by the first coil) with a through-hole, and a second core area (surrounded by the third coil). The PCB is divided into first, second (intermediate), and third sections. The magnetic sheet has a first portion, a second portion, and an intermediate part connecting them. The first sheet portion is over the first PCB section and overlaps part of the first coil. The second sheet portion is under the second PCB section, overlapping parts of both the first and third coils. At least part of the magnetic sheet's intermediate portion passes through the first through-hole. Finally, the second sheet portion also extends under the third PCB section, overlapping part of the third coil.

• Claim 17 (Smartphone): This claim describes a smartphone that includes a display module, the smartphone antenna module as defined in claim 1, and a non-magnetic rear wall. The magnetic sheet of the antenna module is arranged generally parallel to the rear wall. It specifies that the first sheet portion and at least part of the third sheet portion (implied from the second sheet portion covering part of the third coil in Claim 1) are positioned between the rear wall and the first PCB section, while at least part of the second PCB section is interposed between the rear wall and the second sheet portion.

• Claim 18 (Smartphone Antenna Module - Alternative Configuration): This independent claim presents another smartphone antenna module. It features a flexible PCB with a through-hole, a first coil antenna surrounding the through-hole, and a second coil antenna surrounding the first coil antenna and the through-hole. Crucially, it states that there is no electrical connection between the first and second coil antennas within the flexible PCB. A magnetic sheet is included, featuring a base portion and a head portion extending from an edge of the base portion. The head portion is sized to pass through the through-hole, and the base portion is wider than the through-hole. When assembled, the head portion is placed over a first PCB section and overlaps a first coil portion of the first coil antenna, while the base portion is placed under a second PCB section and overlaps a second coil portion of the first coil antenna. The base portion also overlaps a first coil portion of the second coil antenna.

• Claim 26 (Smartphone - Alternative Configuration): Similar to Claim 17, this claim describes a smartphone incorporating the antenna module of claim 18. It includes a display module, the antenna module, and a non-magnetic rear wall. The magnetic sheet is parallel to the rear wall, with the first magnetic sheet portion interposed between the rear wall and the first PCB section. At least part of the second PCB section is interposed between the rear wall and the second magnetic sheet portion.

• Claim 27 (Smartphone Antenna Module - Distinct Coil Relationships): This independent claim defines a smartphone antenna module with a flexible PCB and a magnetic sheet. The flexible PCB has a through-hole and includes first, second, and third coils. The first coil surrounds the through-hole, the third coil is distinct from the first coil, and the second coil surrounds both the first and third coils. The claim specifies that the second coil segment of the second coil comprises lines generally perpendicular to an axis, with a first line and a second line located inside the first line. The second line crosses the third coil when viewed in the thickness direction of the flexible PCB, while the first line does not, so the entire third coil is located between the second line and the second segment of the first coil.

• Claim 34 (Smartphone Antenna Module - Magnetic Sheet Shape and Coil Overlap): This claim details a smartphone antenna module with a flexible PCB having a through-hole and first, second, and third coils. The magnetic sheet has a head portion, a neck portion, and a base portion. The head portion has a first width, the neck portion has a width smaller than the head and base portions, and the base portion has a width greater than the neck portion. The first coil has a first coil segment in a first PCB section that overlaps the head portion, and a second coil segment in a second PCB section that overlaps the base portion. The second coil has a first coil segment in the first PCB section that overlaps the head portion, and a second coil segment in the second PCB section that overlaps the base portion. The third coil is located between the second segment of the first coil and the second segment of the second coil, and the second coil completely surrounds the third coil.

Litigation:
The patent 11495875 is currently active and is involved in litigation. A PTAB case, IPR2026-00232, was filed and is pending. Additionally, a US case (2:25-cv-01012) was filed in the Texas Eastern District Court. The first worldwide family litigation for this patent has also been filed.

Uncertainty:
The specific details of the pending IPR and District Court litigation (e.g., parties involved, asserted claims) are not directly available from the provided search results beyond the case numbers. The CAFC docket searches did not return specific entries for this patent number within the 2026 timeframe, which could mean the listed cases have not yet reached the CAFC, are under seal, or were simply not explicitly matched in the general CAFC search results provided. I have relied on the "Legal status" section of the Google Patents page for US11495875B1 for the litigation information.

As of April 26, 2026, the following litigation involving US patent 11495875 is known:

1. Inter Partes Review (IPR) before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB)

• Case Number: IPR2026-00232
• Plaintiff(s): [[Samsung Electronics Co.](/litigations/by-defendant/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.) Ltd.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.%20Ltd.) et al.
• Defendant(s): AQ Corporation
• Jurisdiction: Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB)
• Filing Date: January 26, 2026
• Outcome or Current Status: Pending

2. District Court Litigation

• Case Number: 2:25-cv-01012
• Plaintiff(s): Not specified in the provided information.
• Defendant(s): Not specified in the provided information.
• Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court
• Filing Date: Not specified in the provided information.
• Outcome or Current Status: Pending

Proceedings overview

There is one active AIA trial proceeding on US Patent 11495875. The proceeding is currently in the "Pending" status, meaning an institution decision has not yet been rendered. This gives a defendant limited defensive posture as the patent claims have not been challenged to a final decision.

IPR2026-00232 — [[[Samsung Electronics Co.](/litigations/by-defendant/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.), Ltd.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.%2C%20Ltd.) et al.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.%2C%20Ltd.%20et%20al.) v. AQ Corp

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2026-01-26
• Status: Pending
• Judge panel: Not yet public.
• Petition grounds: Specific claims and grounds are not yet public in detail, but IPRs typically challenge claims under 35 U.S.C. §§ 102 and/or 103. This petition was filed by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Samsung Electronics America Inc..
• Institution decision: Not yet issued. The institution decision deadline is usually within six months of the filing date, which would be around July 26, 2026.
• Final Written Decision (if issued): Not applicable, as the proceeding is pending institution.
• Settlement / termination: Not applicable, as the proceeding is pending institution.
• Appeal: Not applicable.
• Defensive value: As this IPR is still pending, its defensive value is currently limited. If instituted and ultimately leading to invalidation of claims, it would provide strong defensive leverage. However, until an institution decision or a Final Written Decision is rendered, the claims remain presumed valid.

Strategic summary

Currently, all claims of US11495875 are UNTESTED by a final written decision from the PTAB. The patent has not yet been narrowed through IPR.

The estoppel landscape is not yet established for US11495875 since IPR2026-00232 is still pending. If the IPR is instituted and proceeds to a Final Written Decision, 35 U.S.C. § 315(e)(2) will bar the petitioner (Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al.) and their privies from raising any ground they raised or reasonably could have raised in the IPR in future proceedings. For a defendant facing assertion, if this IPR is denied institution, the prior-art grounds presented in the petition would still be available to challenge the patent's validity in other forums (e.g., district court litigation, or a new IPR by a different petitioner). If the IPR is instituted, the grounds presented and reasonably could have been presented would be estopped for Samsung and its privies.

The filing of IPR2026-00232 by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al. on this patent, as well as IPR2026-00231 on related patent 11303011, indicates a pattern of defensive action by Samsung against AQ Corp's patent portfolio in the "Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components" technology center.

Recommended next steps

The institution decision for IPR2026-00232 is expected around July 26, 2026. It is critical to monitor this decision closely as it will significantly impact the defensive posture against US11495875. If the PTAB institutes the IPR, the statutory one-year trial deadline from institution would mean a Final Written Decision would likely be due around July 2027.

Inventors

• Sang Hoon Lee (Employer: AQ Corp)
• Kyoung Jun CHOI (Employer: AQ Corp)
• Sae Rom LEE (Employer: AQ Corp)

It is generally assumed that inventors' rights are transferred to their employer if the invention was developed as part of their employment duties or if they have an invention assignment agreement in place.

Original assignee

The original assignee on the issued patent is AQ Corp.

AQ Corporation is a global provider of NFC antennas to smartphone makers and an NFC Unified Solution provider. They create convergence of business models in various industries, including multimedia advertisement/information platforms such as digital signage, by incorporating Active NFC Tag modules so that various content can be communicated with NFC-phones.

Per Google Patents, AQ Corp's legal status is "Active, expires 2040-11-25." However, a company with the ticker AQCP, also named AQ Corp., is a US-based company operating in the Construction Materials sector within the Basic Materials industry, headquartered in Lincoln City, Oregon, and has undergone a merger with Global Preferred Advisors Inc. and focuses on the mining industry. This AQ Corp (AQCP) IPO'd in February 2023. This appears to be a different entity from the South Korea-based AQ Corporation, which manufactures NFC antennas and is the original assignee of the patent. Another "AQ Group" is a global manufacturer of components and systems to industrial customers, listed on Nasdaq Stockholm, with headquarters in Västerås, Sweden. This is also a different entity.

The AQ Corporation that is the assignee of this patent (located in South Korea) appears to be an operating company in the smartphone antenna and NFC solutions market.

Assignment timeline

• 2025-09-05 (executed) / recorded 2025-09-05 — Reel 067210/0675
  • Conveyance: Assignment of Assignors Interest
  • Assignor: CHOI, KYOUNG JUN; LEE, SAE ROM; LEE, SANG HOON
  • Assignee: AQ Corporation
  • Correspondent: MCDERMOTT WILL & EMERY LLP, 1201 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, NEW YORK, NY 10036
  • Context: This appears to be a formal assignment from the inventors to the original assignee, AQ Corporation, potentially as part of employment agreements.
• 2025-09-29 (executed) / recorded 2025-09-29 — Reel 067347/0932
  • Conveyance: PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT
  • Assignor: AQ Corporation
  • Assignee: WYE IP CAPITAL LLC
  • Correspondent: J.P. NISSAN, ESQ., 1740 BROADWAY, 15TH FLOOR, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019. This correspondent is new to this chain.
  • Context: Securitization of the patent.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 11495875
    2019 : Priority date
    2022 : Application filed by AQ Corp
         : Patent granted to AQ Corp
    2025 : Inventors assign to AQ Corp
         : AQ Corp grants security interest to WYE IP CAPITAL LLC
    2026 : IPR filed by Unified Patents against AQ Corp

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — unclear. While WYE IP CAPITAL LLC does not appear to have public products or a clear operating business in the context of smartphone antennas, there is insufficient information to definitively label it a shell entity. It is the assignee in a security agreement, not a full assignment of ownership. No explicit address to a registered-agent service is provided in the assignment record.

2. Known asserter in the chain — not present. Neither AQ Corporation nor WYE IP CAPITAL LLC are listed as known NPEs by Unified Patents or RPX based on current search results. However, it is noteworthy that Unified Patents has filed an Inter Partes Review (IPR) against US11495875, naming AQ Corp as the patent owner. Unified Patents is an organization that seeks to deter patent trolls and reduce NPE patent assertions.

3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — not present. There are two different correspondents across the two assignment records. MCDERMOTT WILL & EMERY LLP handled the first assignment, and J.P. NISSAN, ESQ. handled the second (the security agreement).

4. Cascading transfers — not present. There are two assignments recorded, one from inventors to AQ Corp and then a security agreement from AQ Corp to WYE IP CAPITAL LLC, both occurring in September 2025. While relatively close in time, they are different types of conveyances and do not represent a cascade of ownership transfers through multiple shell LLCs.

5. Pre-litigation transfer — unclear. An IPR (IPR2026-00232) was filed against this patent by [Samsung Electronics Co Ltd](/litigations/by-plaintiff/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co%20Ltd) and Samsung Electronics America Inc. on January 26, 2026, naming AQ Corp as the patent owner. The security agreement with WYE IP CAPITAL LLC was recorded on September 29, 2025. This timing (approximately 4 months before the IPR filing) could be considered pre-litigation, though an IPR is a challenge to patent validity, not an infringement suit. The Google Patents entry mentions a US case filed in the Texas Eastern District Court (case 2:25-cv-01012), but the filing date for this case is not immediately apparent in the provided text.

6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — not present. There is no indication that AQ Corp has filed for bankruptcy.

7. Privateering — not present. There is no information to suggest privateering activity.

8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — not present. The chain does not end with a known defensive aggregator. Unified Patents has filed an IPR against this patent, which is an anti-NPE action, but Unified Patents is the petitioner, not an assignee of the patent.

Verdict

Insufficient data
The primary indication is the securitization of the patent with WYE IP CAPITAL LLC, followed by an Inter Partes Review initiated by Unified Patents. While the IPR by Unified Patents suggests they believe the patent may be asserted by an NPE or is of questionable quality, WYE IP CAPITAL LLC's role as a secured party rather than outright owner in a full assignment is not a definitive "shell entity" transfer for assertion purposes based on the available information. More information about WYE IP CAPITAL LLC's business and specific litigation related to this patent would be needed for a conclusive NPE determination.

USPTO Assignment Center search for US11495875: https://assignment.uspto.gov/patent/index.html?#/patent/search/result?id=11495875

The USPTO Patent Public Search tool is a web-based search application for patents and patent application publications. I will use the Google Patents database as the primary source for US patent information, as it provides comprehensive details including citations.

US Patent 11495875, titled "Smartphone antenna in flexible PCB," was granted on November 8, 2022, from an application filed on July 13, 2022. It is currently active and is assigned to AQ Corp..

Here are the most relevant prior art references cited in US Patent 11495875, along with their details and potential anticipatory claims:

U.S. Patent Documents:

1. US20160180120 A1

   • Full Citation: US20160180120A1 - Magnetic secure transmission device hardware.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Published June 23, 2016. The priority date is November 27, 2014.
   • Brief Description: This patent application describes magnetic secure transmission (MST) devices, which can be integrated into mobile devices like smartphones, and discusses hardware for generating magnetic fields for secure transactions. The patent 11495875 itself references US 2016/0180120 A1 as disclosing "magnetic secure transmission as disclosed in US 2016/0180120 A1 entitled “MAGNETIC SECURE TRANSMISSION DEVICE HARDWARE,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein."
   • Potentially Anticipates: Claims related to the function or implementation of Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) in a smartphone antenna module. Specifically, claims relating to a first coil antenna for MST using a frequency range of 85-100 KHz (e.g., as mentioned in the definitions of the patent 11495875: "the first coil antenna is connected to a first smartphone circuit for magnetic secure transmission (MST) using a frequency range of 85-100 KHz").

2. US20150242698 A1

   • Full Citation: US20150242698A1 - Wireless power receiver module.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Published August 27, 2015. The priority date is February 25, 2014.
   • Brief Description: This patent application describes wireless power receiver modules that can be integrated into electronic devices, particularly focusing on flexible magnetic sheets and coil arrangements for wireless power reception.
   • Potentially Anticipates: Claims related to a flexible PCB with integrated coil antennas and a magnetic sheet for wireless power charging, especially configurations where coils are arranged around a through-hole or with specific magnetic sheet designs for improved efficiency. Claims related to a second coil antenna functioning as a wireless power charging antenna.

3. US20150171542 A1

   • Full Citation: US20150171542A1 - Antenna device and portable terminal using the same.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Published June 18, 2015. The priority date is December 13, 2013.
   • Brief Description: This patent application describes an antenna device for a portable terminal that aims to reduce interference from internal components and improve antenna performance. It involves a flexible printed circuit board and a magnetic sheet.
   • Potentially Anticipates: Claims concerning the integration of multiple coil antennas (e.g., NFC, MST) on a flexible PCB with a magnetic sheet, particularly when addressing space limitations and interference within a smartphone. Claims that detail the arrangement of coil segments on different PCB sections and their overlap with magnetic sheet portions (e.g., "a first sheet portion placed over a first PCB section of the flexible PCB while a second sheet portion placed under a second PCB section of the flexible PCB").

4. US8581729 B2

   • Full Citation: US8581729B2 - Wireless communication apparatus.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Granted November 12, 2013. The filing date is September 12, 2012.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a wireless communication apparatus, such as an NFC device, which includes a coil antenna and a magnetic body. The patent focuses on improving communication characteristics by optimizing the coil and magnetic body arrangement.
   • Potentially Anticipates: Claims related to NFC antenna design on a flexible PCB, the use of a magnetic sheet in conjunction with such an antenna, and the general concept of optimizing the antenna and magnetic material for wireless communication. Claims that define the relationship between the magnetic sheet and the coils for NFC (e.g., "the second coil antenna is connected to a second smartphone circuit for near field communication (NFC) using 13.56 MHz").

5. US8493202 B2

   • Full Citation: US8493202B2 - Inductive element with through-hole magnetic core.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Granted July 23, 2013. The filing date is March 1, 2012.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes an inductive element with a magnetic core that features a through-hole, allowing for various configurations in electronic devices.
   • Potentially Anticipates: Claims that involve a flexible PCB with a through-hole and a magnetic sheet passing through it, especially if the magnetic sheet functions as a core for the coil antennas (e.g., "the head portion of the magnetic sheet passes through the through hole").

6. US8350697 B2

   • Full Citation: US8350697B2 - Loop antenna for mobile communication terminal.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Granted January 8, 2013. The filing date is October 24, 2011.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a loop antenna for mobile communication terminals that is designed to minimize interference and improve radiation efficiency.
   • Potentially Anticipates: Claims related to the overall antenna structure and its placement within a smartphone to enhance performance, particularly focusing on loop antennas or coiled structures for mobile communication.

7. US8203400 B2

   • Full Citation: US8203400B2 - Magnetic sheet and antenna using the same.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Granted June 19, 2012. The filing date is January 24, 2011.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a magnetic sheet and an antenna utilizing it, specifically for improving antenna characteristics, especially in the context of NFC.
   • Potentially Anticipates: Claims detailing the composition and structure of the magnetic sheet (e.g., ferrite, nanocrystal laminate) and its interaction with the coil antennas for enhanced performance.

8. US7425916 B2

   • Full Citation: US7425916B2 - Loop antenna apparatus and portable electronic device having same.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Granted September 16, 2008. The filing date is January 25, 2007.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a loop antenna apparatus suitable for portable electronic devices, focusing on a structure that allows for compactness and efficient operation.
   • Potentially Anticipates: Claims related to compact loop antenna designs for portable electronic devices and general principles of integrating antennas into small form factors.

9. US20080180327 A1

   • Full Citation: US20080180327A1 - Mobile terminal and antenna module thereof.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Published July 31, 2008. The priority date is January 25, 2007.
   • Brief Description: This patent application describes a mobile terminal and an antenna module designed for it, which includes a flexible printed circuit board and a magnetic sheet.
   • Potentially Anticipates: Claims concerning the use of a flexible PCB and a magnetic sheet in an antenna module for a mobile terminal, as well as the general arrangement of these components.

10. US20070018884 A1

    • Full Citation: US20070018884A1 - RF communication circuit and method of manufacturing the same.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Published January 25, 2007. The priority date is May 16, 2005.
    • Brief Description: This patent application describes an RF communication circuit, including an antenna, and methods for its manufacturing, which can be applied to NFC or other short-range wireless communication.
    • Potentially Anticipates: Claims related to the manufacturing processes of flexible PCBs with integrated antennas for RF communication.

11. US6982660 B2

    • Full Citation: US6982660B2 - Small size loop antenna for portable terminals.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Granted January 3, 2006. The filing date is February 12, 2003.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a small-sized loop antenna particularly for portable terminals, designed to be compact.
    • Potentially Anticipates: Claims related to compact loop antenna designs, especially for devices with limited space like smartphones.

12. US6911929 B2

    • Full Citation: US6911929B2 - Compact antenna for use in a wireless communication terminal.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Granted June 28, 2005. The filing date is September 12, 2003.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a compact antenna for wireless communication terminals, aiming for efficiency in a small footprint.
    • Potentially Anticipates: General claims related to compact antenna designs for wireless communication terminals.

13. US6856291 B2

    • Full Citation: US6856291B2 - Magnetic sheet and antenna using same.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Granted February 15, 2005. The filing date is November 1, 2002.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a magnetic sheet and an antenna that uses the magnetic sheet to improve performance, particularly in compact electronic devices.
    • Potentially Anticipates: Claims relating to the use of a magnetic sheet to enhance antenna performance in a compact form factor.

14. US6421008 B1

    • Full Citation: US6421008B1 - Inductive element.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Granted July 16, 2002. The filing date is July 26, 2000.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes an inductive element that can be used in various electronic circuits, potentially including antennas.
    • Potentially Anticipates: Broad claims related to inductive elements and their fundamental electrical properties.

15. US20020080080 A1

    • Full Citation: US20020080080A1 - Coil antenna.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Published June 27, 2002. The priority date is December 20, 2000.
    • Brief Description: This patent application describes a coil antenna design.
    • Potentially Anticipates: General claims related to the fundamental design and function of coil antennas.

16. US6373347 B1

    • Full Citation: US6373347B1 - Antenna using magnetic body.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Granted April 16, 2002. The filing date is December 17, 1999.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes an antenna that utilizes a magnetic body to improve its characteristics.
    • Potentially Anticipates: Claims related to the use of a magnetic body in conjunction with an antenna for performance enhancement.

17. US6107923 A

    • Full Citation: US6107923A - Radio frequency identification device.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Granted August 22, 2000. The filing date is September 29, 1997.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a radio frequency identification (RFID) device, which often includes coil antennas for short-range communication.
    • Potentially Anticipates: Claims related to coil antennas for short-range RF communication, which could encompass NFC principles.

18. US5781123 A

    • Full Citation: US5781123A - Inductor and method of fabricating same.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Granted July 14, 1998. The filing date is February 12, 1996.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes an inductor and a method for its fabrication.
    • Potentially Anticipates: Basic claims related to the fabrication of inductive elements, which are fundamental to the coil antennas described in US11495875.

Foreign Patent Documents:

1. JP2004242131 A

   • Full Citation: JP2004242131A - Thin-type coil for short-distance radio communication and IC card.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Published August 26, 2004. The filing date is February 10, 2003.
   • Brief Description: This Japanese patent application describes a thin coil for short-distance radio communication and its application in IC cards, relevant to NFC.
   • Potentially Anticipates: Claims related to thin coil designs for short-distance communication and their integration into compact devices.

2. KR20040059530 A

   • Full Citation: KR20040059530A - Thin-type coil for short-distance radio communication and IC card.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Published July 7, 2004. The filing date is January 2, 2003.
   • Brief Description: This Korean patent application also describes a thin coil for short-distance radio communication and its use in IC cards, similar to the Japanese reference.
   • Potentially Anticipates: Claims related to thin coil designs for short-distance communication and their integration into compact devices.

3. KR101036329 B1

   • Full Citation: KR101036329B1 - Antenna device for mobile terminal.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Granted May 18, 2011. The filing date is November 11, 2009.
   • Brief Description: This Korean patent describes an antenna device for a mobile terminal.
   • Potentially Anticipates: General claims related to antenna devices for mobile terminals.

4. KR101007817 B1

   • Full Citation: KR101007817B1 - Antenna apparatus for mobile terminal.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Granted January 20, 2011. The filing date is May 21, 2009.
   • Brief Description: This Korean patent describes an antenna apparatus for a mobile terminal, similar to KR101036329B1.
   • Potentially Anticipates: General claims related to antenna devices for mobile terminals.

5. EP2903102 A1

   • Full Citation: EP2903102A1 - Wireless power receiver module.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Published August 5, 2015. The priority date is February 25, 2014.
   • Brief Description: This European patent application describes a wireless power receiver module, similar to US20150242698 A1, with a flexible magnetic sheet and coil arrangements.
   • Potentially Anticipates: Claims related to a flexible PCB with integrated coil antennas and a magnetic sheet for wireless power charging, especially configurations where coils are arranged around a through-hole or with specific magnetic sheet designs for improved efficiency.

6. DE102005018659 A1

   • Full Citation: DE102005018659A1 - Chip card with an antenna coil in a flexible circuit board.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Published October 26, 2006. The filing date is April 21, 2005.
   • Brief Description: This German patent application describes a chip card with an antenna coil on a flexible circuit board.
   • Potentially Anticipates: Claims related to flexible PCBs incorporating antenna coils for communication, particularly in compact applications.

7. CN104332212 A

   • Full Citation: CN104332212A - Wireless charging apparatus and mobile terminal.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Published February 4, 2015. The priority date is July 29, 2013.
   • Brief Description: This Chinese patent application describes a wireless charging apparatus and a mobile terminal incorporating it.
   • Potentially Anticipates: Claims related to wireless charging antennas and their integration into mobile terminals.

8. CN103890250 A

   • Full Citation: CN103890250A - Mobile terminal and wireless charging antenna thereof.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Published June 25, 2014. The priority date is December 20, 2012.
   • Brief Description: This Chinese patent application describes a mobile terminal and its wireless charging antenna.
   • Potentially Anticipates: Claims related to wireless charging antennas and their integration into mobile terminals.

9. WO2015030272 A1

   • Full Citation: WO2015030272A1 - WIRELESS POWER RECEIVER MODULE.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Published March 5, 2015. The priority date is August 27, 2013.
   • Brief Description: This international patent application describes a wireless power receiver module, similar to US20150242698 A1 and EP2903102 A1.
   • Potentially Anticipates: Claims related to a flexible PCB with integrated coil antennas and a magnetic sheet for wireless power charging.

10. WO2013098319 A1

    • Full Citation: WO2013098319A1 - ANTENNA DEVICE AND PORTABLE TERMINAL USING THE SAME.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Published July 4, 2013. The priority date is December 27, 2011.
    • Brief Description: This international patent application describes an antenna device for a portable terminal, similar to US20150171542 A1.
    • Potentially Anticipates: Claims concerning the integration of multiple coil antennas (e.g., NFC, MST) on a flexible PCB with a magnetic sheet, particularly when addressing space limitations and interference within a smartphone.

11. WO2006093375 A1

    • Full Citation: WO2006093375A1 - MOBILE TERMINAL AND ANTENNA MODULE THEREOF.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Published September 8, 2006. The priority date is February 25, 2005.
    • Brief Description: This international patent application describes a mobile terminal and an antenna module, similar to US20080180327 A1.
    • Potentially Anticipates: Claims concerning the use of a flexible PCB and a magnetic sheet in an antenna module for a mobile terminal.

12. WO2005036665 A1

    • Full Citation: WO2005036665A1 - INDUCTIVE ELEMENT.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Published April 21, 2005. The priority date is October 15, 2003.
    • Brief Description: This international patent application describes an inductive element.
    • Potentially Anticipates: Broad claims related to inductive elements.

13. WO2004077636 A1

    • Full Citation: WO2004077636A1 - MAGNETIC SHEET AND ANTENNA USING THE SAME.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Published September 10, 2004. The priority date is February 28, 2003.
    • Brief Description: This international patent application describes a magnetic sheet and an antenna using it, similar to US8203400 B2 and US6856291 B2.
    • Potentially Anticipates: Claims detailing the composition and structure of the magnetic sheet and its interaction with coil antennas.

14. WO2004068641 A1

    • Full Citation: WO2004068641A1 - SHORT-DISTANCE RADIO COMMUNICATION COIL, AND IC CARD.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Published August 12, 2004. The priority date is January 29, 2003.
    • Brief Description: This international patent application describes a short-distance radio communication coil and an IC card, similar to JP2004242131 A and KR20040059530 A.
    • Potentially Anticipates: Claims related to thin coil designs for short-distance communication and their integration into compact devices.

15. WO2004028045 A1

    • Full Citation: WO2004028045A1 - PORTABLE DEVICE, AND ANTENNA AND MAGNETIC SHEET USED FOR THE PORTABLE DEVICE.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Published April 1, 2004. The priority date is September 17, 2002.
    • Brief Description: This international patent application describes a portable device, and an antenna and magnetic sheet used for it.
    • Potentially Anticipates: Claims relating to the use of an antenna and magnetic sheet in a portable device.

16. WO2004028044 A1

    • Full Citation: WO2004028044A1 - PORTABLE DEVICE, AND ANTENNA AND MAGNETIC SHEET USED FOR THE PORTABLE DEVICE.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Published April 1, 2004. The priority date is September 17, 2002.
    • Brief Description: This international patent application describes a portable device, and an antenna and magnetic sheet used for it, similar to WO2004028045 A1.
    • Potentially Anticipates: Claims relating to the use of an antenna and magnetic sheet in a portable device.

17. WO2004008585 A2

    • Full Citation: WO2004008585A2 - ANTENNA AND NFC MODULE USING THE SAME.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Published January 22, 2004. The priority date is July 10, 2002.
    • Brief Description: This international patent application describes an antenna and an NFC module using it.
    • Potentially Anticipates: Claims specific to NFC antenna designs and their integration into NFC modules.

18. WO2003001642 A1

    • Full Citation: WO2003001642A1 - INDUCTIVE ELEMENT AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Published January 3, 2003. The priority date is June 25, 2001.
    • Brief Description: This international patent application describes an inductive element and a method of manufacturing it.
    • Potentially Anticipates: Basic claims related to the fabrication of inductive elements.

Obviousness Analysis under 35 U.S.C. § 103

A patent claim is considered obvious under 35 U.S.C. § 103 if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date to a person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA). This analysis considers whether there was motivation in the prior art to combine elements to achieve a successful result.

The present patent, US11495875B1, details a smartphone antenna module primarily characterized by the arrangement of multiple coils on a flexible PCB in conjunction with a magnetic sheet, particularly for NFC and MST applications.

Combination 1: Flexible PCB Antennas with Multiple Coils and Magnetic Material

References:

• US6593900B1 (Flexible printed circuit board antenna): Discloses an electromagnetic antenna on a flexible PCB having multiple conductive levels and electrical traces forming helices, suitable for non-planar surfaces.
• US10062484B2 (Flexible soft magnetic core, antenna with flexible soft magnetic core and method): Describes an antenna coil with a flexible soft magnetic core and at least one winding wound around it. It mentions that the antenna winding can be formed by printed wiring on a flexible film surrounding the magnetic core.
• "Flexible printed circuit board (FPC) antennas for mobile phone operation" by Wu et al. (2010): Shows FPC meander antennas for multi-band design in mobile phones.
• US20050259031A1 (Multi-band monopole antenna for a mobile communications device): Teaches multi-band antennas on a substrate material such as a flex-film substrate, for mobile communication devices.

Rationale for Combination:
A PHOSITA in the field of smartphone antenna design, seeking to optimize antenna performance and reduce space, would have been motivated to combine the teachings of these references.

1. Flexible PCB Antennas in Smartphones: It is well-known in the art to use flexible PCBs for antennas in mobile devices, as demonstrated by Wu et al. and US20050259031A1, due to their ability to conform to internal device geometries. US6593900B1 explicitly teaches electromagnetic antennas comprising flexible PCBs with multiple conductive levels and helices for non-planar surfaces.
2. Incorporation of Magnetic Material for Enhanced Performance: US10062484B2 teaches the use of a flexible soft magnetic core with antenna windings wound around it to enhance antenna performance. A PHOSITA would recognize the benefits of incorporating such a magnetic core to improve inductance and efficiency, particularly for low-frequency applications like NFC and MST, which are known to be constrained by space within smartphones.
3. Multiple Coils for Multiple Frequencies (NFC/MST): The present patent explicitly states that smartphones include both NFC and MST antennas, which use different low-frequency bands and require larger antenna sizes, leading to design challenges. The concept of multi-band antennas on flexible substrates is already known, as shown in US20050259031A1. Therefore, a PHOSITA would be motivated to integrate multiple coils on a single flexible PCB to support different communication protocols (e.g., NFC at 13.56 MHz and MST at 85-100 KHz) within a compact smartphone environment. The prior art's emphasis on flexibility and multi-band operation provides a clear motivation for combining these elements.

Obviousness of Claim 1 (Smartphone Antenna Module):
Claim 1 describes a flexible PCB with first, second, and third coils, where the first and third are side-by-side and the second surrounds them, along with a magnetic sheet having portions that overlap specific coil sections and pass through a through-hole.

• The use of a flexible PCB with multiple coils for different communication functions (e.g., MST and NFC) would be obvious given the teachings of flexible antennas in mobile phones (Wu et al., US20050259031A1) and the known need for both MST and NFC functionality in smartphones.
• The concept of a magnetic sheet associated with coils to improve antenna performance is taught by US10062484B2.
• The specific arrangement of coils (first and third side-by-side, second surrounding both) and the magnetic sheet (first portion over first PCB section, second portion under second PCB section overlapping coils, intermediate portion through a hole) would be an obvious design choice for a PHOSITA optimizing space and magnetic coupling. The use of through-holes in PCBs for routing or component placement is a standard practice, and shaping a magnetic sheet to interact with coils and pass through such holes would be a predictable engineering solution to integrate the magnetic material effectively with the flexible PCB and its coil arrangement.

Obviousness of Claim 17 (Smartphone):
Claim 17 specifies a smartphone with a display, the antenna module of Claim 1, and a non-magnetic rear wall, where the magnetic sheet is parallel to the rear wall and specific portions are interposed between the rear wall and PCB sections.

• Integrating an antenna module into a smartphone with a display and rear wall is fundamental to smartphone design.
• The placement of the magnetic sheet parallel to the rear wall and its interposition between the rear wall and various PCB sections would be an obvious arrangement for a PHOSITA to achieve optimal antenna performance, given the design constraints of a smartphone. This configuration minimizes interference and maximizes the benefit of the magnetic material by placing it strategically relative to the antenna coils and the non-magnetic rear wall.

Obviousness of Claim 18 (Smartphone Antenna Module - Alternative Configuration):
Claim 18 focuses on a flexible PCB with a through-hole, a first coil surrounding it, a second coil surrounding the first, and no electrical connection between them. It also specifies a magnetic sheet with a head portion passing through the hole and a wider base portion, with specific overlaps.

• The idea of multiple, electrically decoupled coils on a flexible PCB for different antenna functions (e.g., MST and NFC, which often operate independently) would be obvious. The patent itself notes that "there is no electric connection between the first coil antenna 204 and the second coil antenna 206 in the antenna module." This suggests a known architectural choice.
• The magnetic sheet's head portion passing through a through-hole and a wider base portion overlapping coils is a logical extension of integrating magnetic material, as taught by US10062484B2, to maximize magnetic coupling within a constrained space. The design choices for the dimensions of the head and base portions (e.g., head portion smaller than the hole, base portion wider than the hole) are straightforward engineering decisions to allow for insertion while providing a larger magnetic area where needed.

Obviousness of Claim 26 (Smartphone - Alternative Configuration):
Claim 26 describes a smartphone with the antenna module of Claim 18, a display, and a non-magnetic rear wall, with specific interpositions of the magnetic sheet and PCB sections relative to the rear wall.

• Similar to Claim 17, this is an obvious application of the antenna module of Claim 18 within a smartphone, with the magnetic sheet positioned to interact effectively with the rear wall and PCB sections.

Obviousness of Claim 27 (Smartphone Antenna Module - Distinct Coil Relationships):
Claim 27 details the relationship between the second coil and the third coil, specifically mentioning a line of the second coil crossing the third coil while the first line does not, ensuring the entire third coil is between a second line of the second coil and the second segment of the first coil.

• While highly specific, the detailed routing of conductive lines on a flexible PCB to achieve particular spatial relationships and electromagnetic coupling characteristics is a standard practice in antenna design. Given the known need for compact, multi-functional antennas (NFC/MST) within smartphones, a PHOSITA would routinely optimize coil placement and routing, including crossing techniques (insulated, of course), to minimize space and maximize performance. The goal of fitting multiple coils and magnetic material within tight smartphone confines would provide ample motivation for such precise routing.

Obviousness of Claim 34 (Smartphone Antenna Module - Magnetic Sheet Shape and Coil Overlap):
Claim 34 specifies the magnetic sheet having head, neck, and base portions with different widths and specific overlaps with first and second coil segments in different PCB sections, where the third coil is positioned between segments of the first and second coils.

• The varied widths of the magnetic sheet portions (head, neck, base) are obvious design choices to facilitate insertion through a through-hole and provide optimal magnetic coverage for different coil sections. This is an engineering optimization based on the integration of a magnetic core (US10062484B2) with a flexible PCB antenna.
• The precise overlapping of specific coil segments with these magnetic sheet portions, and the placement of the third coil, represent further optimizations of the overall antenna module. Such arrangements are predictable efforts by a PHOSITA to enhance magnetic coupling for the various coils (NFC, MST, etc.) while adhering to spatial constraints.

Conclusion

Based on the cited prior art, a PHOSITA would have been motivated to combine the teachings of flexible PCB antennas, the use of magnetic materials to enhance antenna performance, and the need for multiple communication functionalities (like NFC and MST) within a compact smartphone. The specific structural arrangements of coils and magnetic sheets described in the independent claims, while detailed, represent predictable engineering solutions and optimizations for integrating these known elements into a functional and space-efficient smartphone antenna module.