} 南通市“知联侨”海外知识产权服务中心
当前位置: 首页 > 援助直通车 > 通商案例
337调查:电子蜡烛产品及其组件美国337调查案件分析
来源:江苏省进出口公平贸易工作站        上传时间:2023-11-06                  字体:

美国当地时间2020年3月2日,美国L&L Candle Company LLC、美国Sotera Tschetter Inc.根据《美国1930年关税法》第337节规定向美国际贸易委员会提出申请,主张对美出口、在美进口及销售的特定电子蜡烛产品及其组件(Electronic Candle Productsand Components Thereof)侵犯了其专利权,请求ITC发起337调查,并发布普遍排除令、有限排除令及禁止令,禁止涉案产品进口到美国和在美销售。

涉案产品的美国海关编码为:8541.0000.00。

本案指定应诉的企业为宁波华茂国际贸易有限公司、宁波锒升工艺品有限公司、南通亚泰蜡业工艺品有限公司、宁波美博进出口有限公司、深圳市真金韦尔智能科技有限公司、深圳市金志鹏科技有限公司、宁波闪煌电器有限公司、义乌市胜达工艺品有限公司、深圳市同方光电科技有限公司、广东同方照明有限公司深圳分公司。

1、原告方简介

(1)L&L蜡烛有限责任公司

L&L蜡烛有限责任公司成立于2017年,由深圳市里阳电子有限公司和卢米娜拉全球有限责任公司共同出资设立,主要从事电子蜡烛的设计、生产和销售。2016年,卢米娜拉全球有限责任公司以深圳市里阳电子有限公司侵权其发明专利CN201210236340.5,在我国对深圳市里阳电子有限公司发起诉讼,诉讼中双方和解,卢米娜拉全球有限责任公司对深圳市里阳电子有限公司撤诉,2017年,双方联合,共同出资设立L&L蜡烛有限责任公司。

截至2020年3月4日,L&L蜡烛有限责任公司全球范围内已公开的专利申请为59件,其中美国专利申请54件,欧洲专利局、欧盟、丹麦、墨西哥、日本专利申请各1件。

(2)Sotera Tschetter Inc

SoteraTschetter Inc是一家拥有多年计算机辅助设计经验的公司,协助L&L进行产品设计工作。

L&L蜡烛有限责任公司认为,从2018年到2019年,其销售额下降的一个主要原因是,有其他公司在市场上销售电子蜡烛,这些蜡烛在未经许可的情况下使用了L&L专利所涵盖的专利技术。

2、被告方简介

本案指定10家中国企业应诉,其中浙江企业5家,广东企业4家,江苏企业1家,企业信息如下。

表1 被告企业信息列表

(1)宁波华茂国际贸易有限公司

宁波华茂国际贸易有限公司(原浙江华茂国际贸易有限公司)是由华茂集团股份有限公司出资成立。公司成立于2005年9月,是中国民营外贸企业500强、浙江省服务业百强企业。

(2)宁波锒升工艺品有限公司

宁波锒升工艺品有限公司,原宁波市鄞州锒升工艺品有限公司,成立于2008年。公司主要从事工艺品销售和进出口。公司拥有国内专利申请31件,主要涉及电子蜡烛及其支架等。

(3)南通亚泰蜡业工艺品有限公司

南通亚泰蜡业工艺品有限公司,成立于2002年,主营电子蜡烛、工艺蜡烛、茶蜡、摇控蜡烛等。公司注重专利申请公司,全球范围内申请专利262件,其中国内专利申请220件,德国、美国、世界知识产权组织、欧洲专利局分别为16件、13件、9件、4件。

(4)宁波美博进出口有限公司

宁波美博进出口有限公司成立于1992年,是美博集团子公司,美博集团持有373个自主品牌商标,是目前中国自主品牌最多的进出口贸易公司,产品涉及文创产品、全零售(整店输出)、电影同步产品、价位产品、家居产品5大类,26个细分产品系,40000余款产品,销售至100多个国家和地区,供货至11000家国际超市,累计为海内外8600家企业提供一站式进出口贸易服务。目前,宁波美博进出口有限公司拥有国内专利申请3件。

(5)深圳市真金韦尔智能科技有限公司(深圳市金志鹏科技有限公司)

深圳市真金韦尔智能科技有限公司是一家领先的智能家居品牌全球运营商,专注于智能硬件、智能家居领域的创意产品。深圳市金志鹏科技有限公司与深圳市真金韦尔智能科技有限公司地址相同,深圳市真金韦尔智能科技有限公司的法人为陈真金,也是深圳市金志鹏科技有限公司的股东。深圳市金志鹏科技有限公司由陈真金、杨广志、胡鹏创立,陈真金、杨广志为深圳市金志鹏科技有限公司的股东,胡鹏为深圳市金志鹏科技有限公司的监事。

(6)宁波闪煌电器有限公司

宁波闪煌电器有限公司成立于2006年,主营产品包括其他笔类,LED日光灯,LED球泡灯等,公司无专利申请。

(7)义乌市胜达工艺品有限公司

义乌市胜达工艺品有限公司是生日蜡烛,电子蜡烛,工艺蜡烛的专业生产厂家和供应商,成立于2002年。目前无专利申请。

(8)深圳市同方光电科技有限公司(广东同方照明有限公司深圳分公司)

按照申请方提供的证据信息,同方科技所指的两家被告企业官网相同,为深圳市同方光电科技有限公司和广东同方照明有限公司深圳分公司。深圳市同方光电科技有限公司主要提供LED电视、背光模组及商用显示类产品(数字标牌、触控一体机、DID拼接、监视器等产品)与解决方案。2014年申报注册“同方新视域”品牌,为客户提供多元化、多品牌的运作模式。深圳市同方光电科技有限公司全球范围内申请专利66件,其中国内60件,美国、世界知识产权组织、欧洲专利局分别为3件、1件、1件。

广东同方照明有限公司国内专利申请97件,是由同方光电(香港)有限公司独资成立的现代化大型高科技LED应用产品生产企业。公司主要产品包括:LED照明灯具、光源、显示及发光器件等。在国内广东同方照明有限公司与原告方L&L蜡烛有限责任公司投资方深圳市里阳电子有限公司曾多次因专利侵权存在纠纷。

3、案件专利信息

本案诉由为专利侵权,涉案专利5件,分别是US8550660、US9366402、US9512971、US9523471和US10533718。

(1)涉案专利1-US8550660

专 利 号:US8550660

专利名称:Kinetic flame device 动态火焰装置

权利要求:该专利共19项权利要求,其中独立权利要求3项,分别是权利要求1、18和12,权利要求结构图如下所示,标注蓝色的权利要求为指控侵权的权利要求。

权利要求1:An apparatus forsimulating a flickering flame effect, comprising: a housing including aninterior space; a plastic flame elementcoupled to the housing, such that at least a portion of the plastic flame element extends outwardlyfrom the housing; a first light source adapted to selectively project a first spot oflight onto a first outer surface of the flame element; a second light sourceadapted to selectively project a second spot of light onto a second outersurface of the flame element; and a light engine controller having a processor running a flamelighting program that defines a first set of control signals for operating thefirst light source and a second set of control signals for operating the secondlight source, wherein the first andsecond spots of light transition according to first and second transitionpatterns, such that the first andsecond spots of light collectively simulate movement of the flame element.

一种用于模拟闪烁的火焰效果的设备,包括:外壳,其包括内部空间;塑料火焰元件,其联接到壳体,使得塑料火焰元件的至少一部分从壳体向外延伸;第一光源,适于将第一光斑选择性地投射到火焰元件的第一外表面上;第二光源,适于将第二光点选择性地投射到火焰元件的第二外表面上;一种光引擎控制器,其具有运行火焰照明程序的处理器,该处理器定义用于操作第一光源的第一组控制信号和用于操作第二光源的第二组控制信号,其中,第一和第二光斑过渡根据第一过渡图案和第二过渡图案,使得第一光点和第二光点共同模拟火焰元件的运动。

权利要求12:An electric lightingdevice configured to simulate a flickering flame effect, comprising: a housing including aninterior space; a flame element coupledto the housing, such that at least aportion of the flame element extends outwardly from the housing; a lighting assembly atleast partially concurrently directing a first spot of light onto a first outersurface of the flame element and a second spot of light onto a second outersurface of the flame element, wherein the first and second outer surfaces at least partially overlap; and a light enginecontroller having a processor running a flame lighting program that definescontrol signals for operating the lighting assembly, wherein intensities ofeach of the first and second spots of light dynamically vary as a function ofthe control signals, wherein the lighting assembly further comprises: a first light sourceadapted to upwardly project the first spot of light onto the first outersurface of the flame element; and a second light source adapted to upwardly project the second spot oflight onto the second outer surface.

一种电照明设备,被配置为模拟闪烁的火焰效果,包括:包括内部空间的外壳;火焰元件,其耦合到壳体,使得火焰元件的至少一部分从壳体向外延伸;照明组件,其至少部分地同时将第一光斑引导到火焰元件的第一外表面上,并且将第二光斑引导到火焰元件的第二外表面上,其中第一和第二外表面至少部分地重叠;一种光引擎控制器,其具有运行火焰照明程序的处理器,该处理器定义用于操作照明组件的控制信号,其中,第一和第二光斑的强度分别根据控制信号而变化,其中,照明组件还包括包括:第一光源,其适于将第一光点向上投射到火焰元件的第一外表面上;以及第二光源,其适于将第二光点向上投射到第二外表面上。

(2)涉案专利2-US9366402

专 利 号:US9366402

专利名称:Electronic lighting deviceand method for manufacturing same模拟真火的电子发光装置及其模拟真火的方法

权利要求:该专利共15项权利要求,权利要求结构图如下所示,标注蓝色的权利要求为指控侵权的权利要求。

权利要求1:An electronic lightingdevice comprising: an enclosure provided with a through hole on an upper surface; a flame componentcomprising a first portion shaped in appearance to substantially resemble theshape of a flame when viewed from at least one perspective, the flame componentsupported such that the first portion is exposed above the upper surface of theenclosure through the through hole of the enclosure; and at least onelight-emitting element contained entirely within an interior of the enclosureand positioned such that an outgoing direction of a light from thelight-emitting element is projected from within the interior of the enclosure, through the through holeof the upper surface of the enclosure, and onto at least one surface of thefirst portion of the flame component, thereby illuminating the flamecomponent from a light source external to the flame component; wherein the enclosurecomprises at least two enclosure elements operably configured to connect toform the enclosure having a cavity and the through hole and at least one of theenclosure elements comprises a cradle on its sidewall forming an installationlocation for one or more of the at least one light-emitting element, wherein the installationlocation is operably configured to allow the at least one light-emittingelement to emit light at a direction towards the through hole.

一种电子照明设备,包括:外壳,在其上表面上具有通孔;以及火焰组件,其包括第一部分,该第一部分的形状成形为从至少一个角度看基本类似于火焰的形状,该火焰组件被支撑为使得第一部分通过外壳的通孔暴露在外壳的上表面上方。外壳至少一个发光元件完全容纳在外壳的内部,并且被定位成使得来自发光元件的光的出射方向通过上表面的通孔从外壳的内部投影。在外壳的第一部分的至少一个表面上,并从外壳外部的光源照亮外壳。其中,所述外壳包括至少两个外壳元件,所述至少两个外壳元件可操作地配置为连接以形成具有空腔和所述通孔的外壳,并且所述外壳元件中的至少一个包括在其侧壁上的托架,所述托架形成用于至少一个或多个至少一个的安装位置一个发光元件,其中,安装位置可操作地配置为允许至少一个发光元件在朝向通孔的方向上发光。

权利要求10. An electronic candlecomprising: an enclosure providedwith a through hole on an upper surface thereof; a flame component comprising a firstportion shaped in appearance to substantially resemble the shape of a flamewhen viewed from at least one perspective and being movably supported relativeto the enclosure such that the first portion is exposed above the upper surfaceof the enclosure through the through hole of the enclosure; an electrically-powereddriving mechanism disposed adjacent the flame component and applying a force onthe flame component to actuate the flame component to sway or swing; and at least onelight-emitting element contained entirely within an interior of the enclosureand positioned such that an outgoing direction of a light from the at least onelight-emitting element is projected from within the interior of the enclosure, through the through holeof the upper surface of the enclosure, and onto at least one surface of thefirst portion of the flame component, thereby illuminating the flamecomponent from the at least one light-emitting element operating as a lightsource external to the flame component; wherein the enclosure comprises atleast two enclosure elements operably configured to connect to form theenclosure having a cavity and the through hole; wherein at least one of theenclosure elements comprises a cradle on its sidewall forming an installationlocation for one or more of the at least one light-emitting element; wherein the installationlocation is operably configured to allow the at least one light-emittingelement to emit light at a direction towards the through hole; and wherein the flamecomponent comprises a magnet at an end opposite the first portion, and theelectrically-powered driving mechanism comprises a coil positioned near themagnet of the flame component, energized by an electronic control circuit to produce a changingmagnetic field interacting with the magnet of the flame component, thereby causing movementof the flame component.

一种电子蜡烛,包括:外壳,在其上表面上具有通孔;以及火焰组件,其包括第一部分,该第一部分的形状成形为从至少一个角度观察时基本类似于火焰的形状,并且相对于外壳可移动地支撑,使得第一部分通过通孔暴露在外壳的上表面上方。外壳的孔;一个电动驱动机构,设置在火焰组件附近,并在火焰组件上施加力,以驱动火焰组件摇摆或摆动;至少一个发光元件完全容纳在外壳的内部,并且定位成使得来自至少一个发光元件的光的出射方向通过外壳的通孔从外壳的内部投影。在外壳的上表面上,并在火焰成分的第一部分的至少一个表面上,从而从在火焰成分外部用作光源的至少一个发光元件照亮火焰成分;其中,所述外壳包括至少两个外壳元件,所述至少两个外壳元件可操作地配置为连接以形成具有空腔和通孔的外壳;其中至少一个外壳元件包括在其侧壁上的托架,该托架形成用于至少一个发光元件中的一个或多个的安装位置;其中,安装位置可操作地配置为允许至少一个发光元件在朝向通孔的方向上发光。并且其中火焰组件在与第一部分相对的一端包括一块磁铁,电动驱动机构包括一个线圈,置于火焰组件的磁体附近,由电子控制电路激励产生与电磁相互作用的变化磁场。火焰成分的磁铁,从而引起火焰成分的运动。

(3)涉案专利3-US9512971

专 利 号:US9512971

专利名称:Electronic lighting deviceand method for manufacturing same模拟真火的电子发光装置及其模拟真火的方法

权利要求:该专利共29项权利要求,独立权利要求2项,分别是权利要求1、23,权利要求结构图如下所示,标注蓝色的权利要求为指控侵权的权利要求。

权利要求1:An electronic lightingdevice for simulating a candle, comprising: an outer shell having a shape to resemble a candle and including acurved sidewall spanning around the perimeter of the outer shell and an uppersurface intersecting the sidewall and having a through hole; a core contained withinthe outer shell and structured to include an upper portion that encircles aninternal cavity of the core and provides an opening that at least partiallyaligns with the through hole of the outer shell, wherein the core includes a cradleformed in the upper portion; a flame component structured to include a top portion shaped to looklike a flame; a support elementattached to the core and coupled to the flame component within the internalcavity to project the flame component out of the opening; a lighting elementcontained entirely within the interior of the core and positioned at leastpartially on the cradle at an angle with respect to an axis passing through thecradle and a longitudinal central axis of the core, the lighting element toemit blinking light from within the internal cavity onto the flame componentthrough the opening; and a control circuitry to cause the lighting element to emit theblinking light on the flame component.

一种用于模拟蜡烛的电子照明设备,包括:外壳,具有类似于蜡烛的形状,并且包括围绕所述外壳的周边延伸的弯曲侧壁和与所述侧壁相交并具有通孔的上表面;容纳在外壳中的芯,其构造为包括上部,该上部包围芯的内部腔并提供至少与外壳的通孔部分对准的开口,其中,芯包括在上部形成的支架一部分;火焰部件,其构造成包括顶部形状,该顶部形状看起来像火焰;支撑元件,其连接到芯并耦合到内部腔体中的火焰成分,以将火焰成分从开口中射出;完全包含在芯内部的照明元件,该照明元件相对于穿过支架的轴线和芯的纵向中心轴成一定角度至少部分地位于支架上,该照明元件从灯内部发出闪烁的光。内部空腔通过开口进入火焰组件;控制电路,使照明元件在火焰组件上发出闪烁的光。

权利要求4. An electronic lightingdevice for simulating a candle, comprising: an outer shell having a shape to resemble a candle and including acurved sidewall spanning around the perimeter of the outer shell and an uppersurface intersecting the sidewall and having a through hole; a core contained withinthe outer shell and structured to include an upper portion that encircles aninternal cavity of the core and provides an opening that at least partiallyaligns with the through hole of the outer shell, wherein the core includes a cradleformed in the upper portion; a flame component structured to include a top portion shaped to looklike a flame; a support elementattached to the core and coupled to the flame component within the internalcavity to project the flame component out of the opening; a lighting elementcontained entirely within the interior of the core and positioned at leastpartially on the cradle at an angle with respect to an axis passing through thecradle and a longitudinal central axis of the core, the lighting element toemit blinking light from within the internal cavity onto the flame componentthrough the opening; and a control circuitry to cause the lighting element to emit theblinking light on the flame component, wherein emitted blinking light onthe flame component includes a brightness and an elliptical shape that causethe flame component to resemble a true fire.

一种用于模拟蜡烛的电子照明设备,包括:外壳,具有类似于蜡烛的形状,并且包括围绕所述外壳的周界延伸的弯曲侧壁和与所述侧壁相交并具有通孔的上表面;容纳在外壳中的芯,其构造为包括上部,该上部包围芯的内部腔并提供至少与外壳的通孔部分对准的开口,其中,芯包括在上部形成的支架一部分;火焰部件,其构造成包括顶部形状,该顶部形状看起来像火焰;支撑元件,其连接到芯并耦合到内部腔体中的火焰成分,以将火焰成分从开口中射出;完全包含在芯内部的照明元件,该照明元件相对于穿过支架的轴线和芯的纵向中心轴成一定角度至少部分地位于支架上,该照明元件从灯内部发出闪烁的光。内部空腔通过开口进入火焰组件;以及控制电路,其使照明元件在火焰组件上发出闪烁光,其中,在火焰组件上发出的闪烁光包括亮度和椭圆形状,其使火焰组件类似于真实的火。

权利要求16. A method forsimulating a true candle flame in an electronic lighting device including ashell surrounding a core having a through hole on a top surface, comprising: emitting a blinking lightfrom a light emitting element of the electronic lighting device containedentirely below the top surface of the core and positioned at least partially ina cradle formed in the core so that the emitted light is projected at an angleonto a flame component of the electronic lighting device at least partially disposedin the cavity of the core and protruding out of the through hole of the core toresemble a candle flame, the angle being with respect to a longitudinal axis of the lightemitting element and the core, wherein the flame component is attached to the core via a supportingelement in the cavity; and controlling, by a control circuitry of the electronic lighting device, the lighting element toemit the blinking light to produce a flickering effect of the true candle flamebased on the light illuminated onto the flame component.

一种用于在电子照明设备中模拟真实蜡烛火焰的方法,该电子照明设备包括围绕在顶表面上具有通孔的核的壳体,该方法包括:从电子照明设备的发光元件发射的闪烁光完全包含在顶表面下方至少部分地设置在芯部的空腔中并从通孔中伸出,并且至少部分地定位在芯部中形成的支架中,以使发射的光以一定角度投射到电子照明设备的火焰组件上。芯的孔类似于蜡烛火焰,该角度相对于发光元件和芯的纵轴,其中火焰成分通过空腔中的支撑元件连接到芯。通过电子照明设备的控制电路控制照明元件发出闪烁的光,以基于照在火焰组件上的光产生真烛光的闪烁效果。

(4)涉案专利4-US9523471

专 利 号:US9523471

专利名称:Electronic lighting deviceand method for manufacturing same模拟真火的电子发光装置及其模拟真火的方法

权利要求:该专利共30项权利要求,独立权利要求2项,分别是权利要求1、17,权利要求结构图如下所示,标注蓝色的权利要求为指控侵权的权利要求。

权利要求1: An electronic lightingdevice for simulating a candle, the device comprising: an at least partially rounded enclosure having an upper end, a lower end, and an opening in theupper end, the enclosure forming acavity connected to the opening and having a recessed notch in a sidewalladjacent to the cavity; an elongated element having a lower portion at least partiallypositioned in the cavity and an upper portion with a rounded edge, the upper portionextending out of the cavity through the opening and having a shape resembling aflame of a candle; a support rod positioned within a middle portion of the elongatedelement between the upper portion and the lower portion to allow the elongatedelement to pivot about the support rod relative to the enclosure; at least onelight-emitting element at least partially positioned within the notch andretained by the notch at a distance from the elongated element, the light-emittingelement positioned close to the upper end of the enclosure but below the middleportion of the elongated element to project light from within the cavity, through the opening, and onto a surface of theelongated element to simulate illumination resembling light from a candle.

一种用于模拟蜡烛的电子照明设备,该设备包括:至少部分圆形的外壳,该外壳具有上端,下端和上端的开口,该外壳形成连接到该开口并具有凹口的凹腔在邻近空腔的侧壁中;细长元件,其下部至少部分地位于所述空腔中,并且上部具有圆形边缘,所述上部通过所述开口延伸出所述空腔,并且具有类似于蜡烛火焰的形状;支撑杆,该支撑杆位于所述细长元件的上部和下部之间的中间部分内,以允许所述细长元件绕所述支撑杆相对于所述外壳枢转;至少一个发光元件至少部分地位于凹口内并由凹口保持在与细长元件相距一定距离处,该发光元件靠近外壳的上端但位于细长元件的中间部分下方将光从腔内通过开口投射到细长元件的表面上,以模拟类似于蜡烛的照明。

权利要求17. A simulated candlecomprising: a hollow tubular element; an opening on a top sideof the tubular element; a flame component having an upper portion protruding through the openingand out of the tubular element, and a lower portion extending at least partially into the tubularelement, wherein the flamecomponent has a pivot point, and wherein the flame component is operatively connected to the tubularelement via the pivot point and configured to pivot with respect to the tubularelement; a recess in a sidewall ofthe tubular element; a light-emitting element supported by the recess and positionedpartially within the recess such that a top light-emitting portion of the lightemitting element is protruding out of the recess, the light emitting element held at adistance from the flame component by the recess to form an inclined angle withrespect to a longitudinal axis that passes through the opening, the inclined angleallowing light from the light-emitting element to project from within thehollow tubular element, through the opening, and onto the flame component; and a swing element positionedwithin the tubular element to exert a force on the flame component and causethe flame component to pivot with respect to the tubular element.

一种模拟蜡烛,包括:中空管状元件;管状元件的顶面上的开口;火焰部件,其上部突出穿过所述开口并从所述管状元件伸出,并且下部至少部分地延伸到所述管状元件中,其中,所述火焰部件具有枢转点,并且其中,所述火焰部件可操作地连接到所述管状部件。经由枢转点的管状元件,并且构造成相对于管状元件枢转;管状元件的侧壁中的凹槽;发光元件,其由凹部支撑并且部分地位于凹部内,使得发光元件的顶部发光部分从凹部中突出,发光元件通过凹部与火焰成分保持一定距离。相对于穿过开口的纵轴形成倾斜角,该倾斜角允许来自发光元件的光从中空管状元件内,穿过开口并射到火焰组件上;摆动元件位于管状元件内,以在火焰部件上施加力并使火焰成分相对于管状元件枢转。

(5)涉案专利5-US10533718

专 利 号:US10533718

专利名称:Electronic lighting device电子照明装置

权利要求:该专利共22项权利要求,独立权利要求3项,分别是权利要求1、8和21,权利要求结构图如下所示,标注蓝色的权利要求为指控侵权的权利要求。

图9 US10533718的权利要求结构图

权利要求1. An electronic lightingdevice for simulating a candle, comprising: an enclosure, having an outer shell having a shape to resemble a candle and theenclosure including a curved sidewall spanning around a perimeter of theenclosure and the enclosure having an upper surface intersecting the sidewalland the enclosure having a an opening in a top portion of the enclosure, the opening that extendsbetween an inner cavity of the enclosure and an outside of the enclosure, a light source holdingsurface formed in an upper portion of the enclosure; a flame componentstructured to include a top portion shaped to look like a flame, the flame componentextending above the opening; a lighting element located within the inner cavity and supported atleast partially on the light source holding surface, the lighting elementsupported to point the lighting element at an non-zero angle with respect to alongitudinal central axis of the enclosure the lighting element emitting lightthat blinks from within the internal cavity, directed onto the flame componentthrough the opening; and a control circuitry which controls the lighting element to emitlight that blinks on to the flame component.

一种用于模拟蜡烛的电子照明设备,包括:外壳,外壳具有类似于蜡烛的形状,并且所述外壳包括围绕所述外壳的周边延伸的弯曲侧壁,并且所述外壳具有与所述侧壁相交的上表面。所述外壳具有在所述外壳的顶部中的开口,所述开口在所述外壳的内腔与所述外壳的外部之间延伸,所述光源保持表面形成在所述外壳的上部中;火焰部件,其构造成包括顶部形状,该顶部形状看起来像火焰,火焰部件在开口上方延伸;一个位于内部空腔内并至少部分地支撑在光源保持表面上的照明元件,该照明元件被支撑以相对于外壳的纵向中心轴线以非零角度指向照明元件,该照明元件发光从内部腔内闪烁,通过开口指向火焰组件;以及控制电路,其控制照明元件发出闪烁到火焰部件上的光。

权利要求8. An electronic lightingdevice for simulating a candle, comprising: an enclosure having an outer shell having a shape to resemble a candleand including a curved sidewall spanning around a perimeter of the outer shelland an upper surface intersecting the sidewall and having a through hole whichreaches between an inner cavity of the enclosure and an outside of theenclosure; wherein the enclosureincludes a light source enclosure surface formed in an upper portion of theenclosure; a flame componentstructured to include a top portion shaped to look like a flame, the flame componentextending above the through hole, wherein the flame component includesa line embedded within the flame component at a lower end of the flamecomponent, such that light emittedonto the top portion of the flame component resembles a true candle flamehaving a candle wick due to irradiation of the light on the lower end havingthe line embedded within the flame component; a lighting element contained withinthe interior of the core and mounted at least partially on the light holdingsurface, the lighting elementsupported to point the lighting element at an non-zero angle with respect to alongitudinal central axis of the enclosure, the lighting element to emit lightfrom within the internal cavity onto the flame component through the throughhole; and a control circuitrywhich controls the lighting element to emit the light.

一种用于模拟蜡烛的电子照明设备,包括:外壳,具有外壳,外壳具有类似于蜡烛的形状,并且包括围绕外壳的周界延伸的弯曲侧壁和与侧壁相交并具有通孔的上表面。到达外壳的内腔和外壳的外部之间;其中,所述外壳包括形成在所述外壳的上部中的光源外壳表面;以及火焰部件,其构造成包括顶部形状,该顶部形状看起来像火焰,火焰部件在通孔上方延伸,其中火焰部件包括在火焰部件的下端嵌入在火焰部件内的线,使得发出的光火焰组件的顶部上有一个真正的蜡烛火焰,它具有烛芯,这是由于在下端有光的照射,该线的线嵌入在火焰组件内;包含在芯的内部并且至少部分地安装在光保持表面上的照明元件,该照明元件被支撑以相对于外壳的纵向中心轴以非零角度指向照明元件,该照明元件通过通孔从内腔内将光发射到火焰组件上;以及控制电路,其控制照明元件发射光。

权利要求21. An electronic lightingdevice for simulating a candle,comprising: an enclosure, having an outer shell having a shape to resemble a candle and includinga curved sidewall spanning around the perimeter of the outer shell and an uppersurface intersecting the sidewall and having an opening in a top portion of theenclosure that extends between an inner cavity of the enclosure and an outsideof the enclosure, a flame component structured to include a top portion shaped to looklike a flame, the flame componentextending through the opening; wherein the enclosure includes a light source holding surface formed inan upper portion of the enclosure; a lighting element containedentirely within the inner cavity and supported at least partially on the lightsource holding surface, the lighting element supported to point the lighting element at annon-zero angle with respect to a longitudinal central axis of the core, to emit light on to theflame component, a control circuitry which controls the lighting element to emit light byproducing a first signal level to the light source that increases an intensityat a first time, and a second signal level to the light source that decreases anintensity of the light source at a second time, to produce light that gets emittedon to the flame component.

一种用于模拟蜡烛的电子照明设备,包括:外壳,具有外壳,外壳具有类似于蜡烛的形状,并且包括弯曲的侧壁,该弯曲的侧壁围绕外壳的周边延伸,并且上表面与侧壁相交并且在其中具有开口。所述外壳的顶部在所述外壳的内腔和所述外壳的外部之间延伸,所述火焰部件构造成包括成形为看起来像火焰的顶部,所述火焰部件延伸穿过所述开口。其中,所述外壳包括形成在所述外壳的上部中的光源保持表面;以及照明元件,其完全容纳在内部空腔内并且至少部分地支撑在光源保持表面上,该照明元件被支撑以相对于芯的纵向中心轴以非零角度指向照明元件以发光在火焰部件上,控制电路控制照明元件,方法是通过向光源产生第一信号电平来发光,该信号在第一时间增加强度,并向光源产生第二信号电平,以降低强度。再次使用光源,以产生被发射到火焰组件上的光。

5、其他信息

(1)原告律所信息

原告方律所为Perkins Coie LLP(美国博钦律师事务所),成立于1912年。该所有超过1100名律师,通过在美国本土以及在北京,上海和台北设立的办公室,为各行各业的客户提供关于企业、商业诉讼、知识产权及监管合规方面的法律咨询服务,曾代理近30起337调查案件,大多涉及电子类产品,包括“337-TA-1123化油器及包含化油器的产品”、“337-TA-1106特定打印机墨盒及其组件”、“337-TA-957触控器及其同类产品”。

(2)关联案件信息

(1)CN201210236340.5是本案中涉案专利US8550660的中国同族,2016年03月21,卢米娜拉全球有限责任公司以深圳市里阳电子有限公司侵权其发明专利CN201210236340.5,在我国对深圳市里阳电子有限公司发起诉讼。诉讼中深圳市里阳电子有限公司曾于2016年10月28日对该专利提起专利无效,但未成功无效该专利。后双方和解,2017年5月04日,卢米娜拉全球有限责任公司对深圳市里阳电子有限公司撤诉,双方联合,共同出资设立L&L蜡烛有限责任公司。

(2)2013年,深圳市里阳电子有限公司以广东同方照明有限公司未经许可,生产、销售涉嫌侵害其独占许可的名为“模拟真火的电子发光装置及其模拟真火的方法”发明专利(专利号为CN201010211402.8)和“电子模拟蜡烛”外观设计专利(专利号为CN201030210165.4)的产品,已构成侵权为由,提起两起专利侵权诉讼,后深圳市里阳电子有限公司撤诉。

6、建议

(1)联合应诉。本案中南通亚泰蜡业工艺品有限公司、深圳市同方光电科技有限公司均为创新实力突出的企业,而且深圳市同方光电科技有限公司与原告或原告投资方的曾存在专利纠纷,应诉的决心和实力比较强。可由南通亚泰蜡业工艺品有限公司、深圳市同方光电科技有限公司牵头,其他被诉企业与之联合应诉。必要时,可以通过反诉制衡原告。

(2)专利无效检索。鉴于之前已经存在专利无效且未成功的审查过程,成功进行专利无效的概率不是很高。

(3)从诉讼经历来看,原告方反复诉讼的概率非常高,相关被诉企业做好应诉工作的同时,需重视自身产品、技术创新和专利风险预警。