February 21, 2023

Finding “ANTICIPATED” prior art to invalidate an LED Packaging patent

Recently, an invalidation was assigned. After reading the subject patent, I found that patent was related to light emitting diode (LED) lamp package structure and assembly. Further patent disclosed lamp assembly facilitates the mount/dismount of LED and the wiring layout of LED lamp string. File wrapper analysis was done to find the novelty of the patent and grounds on which patent was granted.

Source- dreamstime

Search Methodology

Initially search was executed by extracting the relevant keywords, classes from my subject patent and running a narrow string, which gave the more relevant keywords and classes. Various search strategies were executed such as running keyword string in different section (title, abstract, description, etc.), combination of keywords with classes.

Good prior art references were identified. From these references more relevant keywords and classes were identified which assisted in uncovering the relevant prior art reference. These identified references disclosed LED arrangements, but few major elements describing arrangement of control lines, socket, mounts were either missing or had different arrangements.

Challenges Faced During Search

The patent consisted of five independent claims that were different from each other and had narrow claims. Finding LED lamp package having a circuit body, control lines, socket, mounts was easy.

Challenge was to find a LED lamp package and assembly comprising:

Light emitting diodes having two electrode ends and one of the electrode ends being a common electrode end,
A control IC receiving and transmitting outside control data via the data input, Output electrodes respectively to control the illumination state of each light emitting diode electrically connected to each other.
A socket body having a perforation accommodating the light emitting diodes and enabling the four electric conductivity supports to expose outside the body
two mounts, each mount formed with a socket, the socket having electrode contacts inside corresponding to the electrodes of the circuit board and the sockets of the two mounts are respectively coupled to the two opposing sides of the circuit board of light emitting diode lamp.

Approach to finding the bang on reference:

After analyzing various strings and discussion with my senior, we noticed there is no standard nomenclature for the components claimed in patent. Different inventors wrote these components in different ways. As a result, we changed the search strategy and focused on using combination of classes only. If number of hits exceeded 500, most relevant keywords were added. This assisted us in finding a bang-on prior art reference.

Types of references Shortlisted

We found different references disclosing each different independent claims of the invention. The references disclosed:

First set of references focused on a LED lamp package structure includes a plurality of light emitting diodes, a common electrode, the control integrated circuit that receives external control data via the data input electrode to control the illumination state. Prior arts also disclosed a first conductor, a second conductor, a third conductor, and a fourth conductor. A package body encapsulating the light emitting diodes, the control integrated circuit and the conductors.
Second set of reference disclosed a LED lamp package structure includes a plurality of light emitting diodes, a common electrode, the control integrated circuit that receives external control data via the data input electrode to control the illumination state. Further, these prior arts also disclose a socket that having a perforation and a mount. The mount formed with a socket, the socket having four electrode contacts inside such that when the socket is plugged into the socket.
Third set of patents disclosed a LED lamp package structure includes a plurality of light emitting diodes, a common electrode, the control integrated circuit that receives external control data via the data input electrode to control the illumination state. Prior arts also disclosed plurality of conductors (4 conductors) and a package body encapsulating the light emitting diodes, the control integrated circuit and the conductors.

NPL Searching

Exhaustive keyword based search was performed on different non-patent databases (google scholar, Deepdive, IEEE, LED Journal, etc.). Few additional NPL references were identified disclosing LED lamp construction and assembly.

Further we performed search on LED lamp manufacturing companies identified during patent search, their technical whitepapers, company presentations, etc. and guess what we found a company presentation and research article which completely disclosed the teaching for similar lamp package structure and assembly.

Further we performed assignee, inventor based search with relevant classes to be sure that we aren’t missing any relevant reference. Assignee and inventor based search resulted in finding additional references.

Claim chart were prepared for relevant references along with individual summaries of each reference. Additionally, relevant text mappings of additional references were provided in the report that could be combined to prove obviousness/TSM, to help the client make better arguments.

The client was very happy with the references and the efforts we have done to dig out the references.