Analysis

Knowles’ MEMS Microphones Infringe Analog Devices’ Patent says ITC

28th December 2010
ES Admin
0
Analog Devices announced today that the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled decisively in favour of Analog Devices in its lawsuit against Knowles Electronics. Administrative Law Judge Robert K. Rogers, Jr. concluded that Knowles infringes valid claims from one of ADI’s Wafer Anti-Stiction Application (WASA) patents. Specifically, he ruled that Knowles infringes claims 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 from ADI’s U.S. Pat. No. 7,364,942. As a result, ADI expects the ITC to issue an exclusion order prohibiting Knowles and its U.S. Distributor from importing or selling all infringing microphones in the United States. Additionally, ADI expects to recover damages on all past sales of Knowles’ microphones through its pending lawsuit against Knowles in Delaware.
“Analog Devices began investing in MEMS in 1989 and has developed an extensive and innovative MEMS IP portfolio,” commented Mark Martin, vice president, MEMS/Sensor Technology Group, Analog Devices. “We have leveraged this investment to create the highest performance MEMS microphones available. We are very pleased that Judge Rogers ruled in our favour confirming the strength of our MEMS IP portfolio.”

This recent ruling follows ITC Judge Rogers’ ruling on November 22nd when he found Knowles Electronics’ MEMS microphone packaging patents were invalid, a ruling consistent with the position taken by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, where all of Knowles’ asserted claims were rejected in separate re-examinations.

iMEMS® Microphones: Designed for High Quality Sound

Design engineers worldwide have become familiar with the vast capabilities of ADI’s innovative iMEMS® technology. That’s why the real promise of the technology is being realized daily in hundreds of cutting-edge applications, beginning with motion sensors and now with MEMS microphones. Combining nearly 20 years of MEMS know-how with ADI’s audio signal processing expertise, iMEMS microphones provide unprecedented performance and reliability. By integrating a MEMS transducer with an audio ASIC, iMEMS microphones optimize system designs with more control over the full solution and value chain. iMEMS microphones and their many performance advantages will differentiate and radically change acoustic input designs in future electronics devices.

Featured products

Upcoming Events

View all events
Newsletter
Latest global electronics news
© Copyright 2024 Electronic Specifier