Knowles MEMS Microphones in Apple iPhone 7 Plus Patent-to-Product Mapping Report 2017

Dublin, May 22, 2017 -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Knowles MEMS Microphones in Apple iPhone 7 Plus Patent-to-Product Mapping" report to their offering.

Knowles was the first to introduce MEMS microphones to the market in 2003 and is now the worldleader in MEMS microphones, with its SiSonic technology. Knowles is Apple's main MEMS microphone supplier. Yole Développement estimates the sales of Knowles' MEMS microphones at $360M in 2016, giving the company over 40% of the market.

That year, Knowles shipped over 1.55 billion MEMS microphones. Moreover, Knowles has filed several patent lawsuits in the last ten years against rival manufacturers. In this context, it is important to understand the links between Knowles' MEMS microphones and their related patents.

Our partner, System Plus Consulting, analyzed the MEMS microphone components included in the iPhone 7 Plus, which was launched by Apple in September 2016. The smartphone contains four MEMS microphones: one front-facing top microphone, two front-facing bottom microphones and one rear-facing top microphone. Two different MEMS microphones from Knowles have been found in the iPhone 7 Plus, the KSM microphones, KSM1 or KSM2, and the KMM microphone, KMM1. The models are very similar and the study focuses mainly on the KSM format. Based on the features revealed by the microphone teardowns, we have identified the closest Knowles patents to these technologies, and describe the main claimed features. This helps understand the core technologies developed by Knowles in their MEMS microphones.

Knowles microphones in the iPhone 7 Plus include technologies claimed in patents published in the early 2000s and in the mid-2010s. We have also observed new IP activity linked to these microphones. The technologies currently being developed could represent a new angle of attack for infringement litigation from Knowles after the wave of suits the company initiated over the last decade.

Combining the data obtained by System Plus Consulting's teardown of Knowles microphones in the Apple iPhone 7 Plus with an IP analysis, this report highlights IP related to these MEMS microphones. Moreover, it analyzes Knowles' related patent portfolio in order to understand the company's IP strategy and to identify main IP competitors.

Key Features Of The Report:

Essential IP analysis of Knowles' patent portfolio related to the MEMS Microphones of Apple iPhone 7 Plus including:

- Time evolution of patent publications and countries of patent filings
- Current legal status of patents
- Citation network and competitive IP networks
- Inventor identification
- Analysis of main patent lawsuits filed by Knowles
- Deep insight on technology data, including teardown analysis, of the Knowles MEMS Microphones in the Apple iPhone 7 Plus

Objective Of The Report:

- Understand Knowles' IP strategy
- Identify key patents held by Knowles, and related to product features
- Find the link between patented technological solutions and the marketed product.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Introduction

2. Methodology

3. Tear Down

4. Patent Landscape Overview

5. Patent-To-Product Mapping

6. Patent Litigation

7. Conclusion

Companies Mentioned

- AAC Technologies
- Akustica
- Amkor Technology
- Analog Devices
- Goertek
- Infineon
- Invensense
- Kyocera
- NXP
- Omron
- Panasonic
- TDK
- Yamaha

For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/tvjzbc/knowles_mems

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         Related Topics: Audio Equipment, Acoustic Sensors, Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS)