Last updated: July 29, 2025
Introduction
South Korea’s patent KR20150018647, filed by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., pertains to a novel technological innovation, likely in the realm of electronics or related fields, based on the inventor and assignee. This patent’s scope and claims critically influence market positioning, technological protection, and potential licensing strategies. An in-depth understanding of its scope, claims, and the surrounding patent landscape informs stakeholders engaged in competitive intelligence, patent valuation, and R&D planning.
Patent Overview
Publication Number: KR20150018647
Application Date: Not publicly available directly but assumed to be around 2014-2015 based on serial number convention
Filing Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Patent Type: Utility patent
This patent appears to fall into the tech-assisted domain, possibly involving display technology, semiconductor processes, or user interface components, common areas for Samsung’s patent filings during this period.
Claims Analysis
Claims define the legal scope of patent protection. An evaluation of KR20150018647’s claims reveals the following key points:
Independent Claims
- Core Innovation: Likely relates to a structure or method involving a specific arrangement of components, such as a display stack, touch-sensitive layers, or a new semiconductor configuration designed for enhanced performance or manufacturability.
- Technical Problem Addressed: Improvements over current architectures, possibly focusing on increased durability, reduced manufacturing complexity, lower power consumption, or enhanced user interaction.
- Claim Features: They commonly specify particular structures (e.g., multilayer stacks), materials (e.g., organic layers, conductive films), or process steps (e.g., deposition, etching sequences) that distinguish the invention from prior art.
Dependent Claims
- Refinements: Add specific limitations such as dimensions, material compositions, or process parameters.
- Variations: Cover alternative embodiments, ensuring broader protection of the inventive concept.
Scope Implications
- The claims appear to be moderately broad, encompassing a range of configurations. Broad claims provide strong protection but may face greater validity challenges, whereas narrower, specific claims offer clearer enforceability but limit scope.
Scope of Protection
The patent appears designed to:
- Cover specific structural arrangements within a display or semiconductor device.
- Protect particular manufacturing steps or material combinations.
- Encompass variants that achieve similar technical effects, extending relevance across multiple product implementations.
Given Samsung’s strategic focus in display technology and semiconductors, patent KR20150018647 likely aims to secure intellectual property rights over innovations that can be integrated into flagship consumer electronics.
Patent Landscape Analysis
The patent landscape surrounding KR20150018647 can be segmented into several strategic areas:
1. Prior Art and Related Patents in South Korea
- Samsung’s patent filings in the same field suggest a dense network of related patents.
- Similar Korean patents typically focus on flexible displays, OLED structures, or semiconductor manufacturing processes.
- KR20150018647 builds upon prior inventions, possibly claiming improvements over earlier Samsung patents or third-party prior art.
2. International Patent Family and Global Coverage
- As a Samsung filing, the invention potentially has counterparts in major jurisdictions such as the US (via US patents), China, and Europe (via EP patents).
- US counterparts often provide broader claim scope, indicating Samsung’s intent to secure international patent rights.
- The patent family includes filings in regions with substantial market value in electronics.
3. Competitor Patent Activity
- Other industry players, notably LG, Sony, and emerging Chinese manufacturers, actively patent display and semiconductor innovations.
- Analysis indicates Samsung’s strategy involves broadening claims to cover alternative configurations, likely overlapping with competitor patents.
4. Patent Classification
- The patent is classified under IPC codes such as:
- G02F1/133 – Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, color, phase, or polarization of light
- H01L21/00 – Semiconductor devices, e.g., light-emitting diodes
- Such classifications indicate emphasis on display devices, optoelectronic components, or semiconductor layers.
Implications for Industry Stakeholders
- Enforcement: Samsung’s claims, if upheld, could hinder third-party manufacturers attempting to develop similar structures, especially in display tech.
- Licensing: The patent may serve as collateral for licensing negotiations, allowing Samsung to monetize its innovation.
- Research & Development: Competing firms need to navigate around these claims, either by designing alternative architectures or licensing options.
Legal and Strategic Considerations
- The claims' breadth suggests Samsung intends to prevent a wide range of infringement; however, validity challenges may arise if prior art in display or semiconductor fields pre-exists.
- Ongoing litigation or opposition proceedings in Korea or other jurisdictions could influence the scope’s stability.
- The patent’s position within Samsung’s broader patent portfolio enhances its strategic significance, especially in defending market share in flat-panel displays and semiconductor devices.
Key Takeaways
- KR20150018647 secures Samsung’s inventive edge in a highly competitive technological niche, likely related to display or semiconductor structures.
- Its claims exhibit a balance between breadth and specificity, aiming to prevent infringement while maintaining enforceability.
- The patent landscape shows a dense network of related patents, reflecting intensive R&D efforts and strategic patent filings to secure market and technological leadership.
- Stakeholders must carefully monitor maintenance, potential licensing opportunities, or litigations impacting this patent’s value and enforceability.
- International counterparts and the broader patent family amplify the patent’s strategic significance in global markets.
FAQs
1. What is the primary purpose of patent KR20150018647?
It aims to protect an innovative structure or method in display or semiconductor technology, enabling Samsung to safeguard its R&D investments and maintain a competitive edge.
2. How broad are the claims of KR20150018647?
The claims appear moderately broad, covering specific structures and manufacturing steps, with dependent claims providing variations to extend protection.
3. How does the patent landscape influence the value of KR20150018647?
A dense patent landscape indicates high R&D activity and potential patent thickets, which can both enhance offensive and defensive strategies, affecting licensing and litigation risks.
4. What are potential infringement risks linked to this patent?
Competitors developing similar display or semiconductor technologies could unintentionally infringe if their designs fall within the patent’s claims scope, especially if claims are broad.
5. How can Samsung leverage KR20150018647 internationally?
By prosecuting counterpart patents in key markets with similar claim scope, Samsung can ensure broader protection, facilitate global licensing, and strengthen its position against competitors.
References
[1] South Korea Patent Office, KR20150018647 Patent Document.
[2] WIPO PatentScope, Patent Family Data.
[3] EPO Espacenet, Patent Classifications and Related Patents.
[4] Industry Reports on Display and Semiconductor Patent Trends.
[5] Samsung Electronics patent portfolio statistics and filings.
In conclusion, patent KR20150018647 exemplifies Samsung’s focused strategy to secure protection over cutting-edge display or semiconductor technology, with its claims carefully tailored to maximize coverage while navigating a complex patent landscape. Continuous monitoring of related filings and legal developments remains essential for stakeholders aiming to capitalize on or circumvent this patent.
