- Samsung Electronics America, Inc. / Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. v. Collision Communications, Inc.Institution deniedPTAB · Mar 21, 2025 · IPR2024-01248 · APJ Bart A Gerstenblith · IPR · Institution
The Board denied institution because the Petition did not show a reasonable likelihood of proving claims 1–11, 16, and 21 unpatentable over the asserted obviousness grounds.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)Institution denied meritsInstitution denied
“presented in the petition . . . and any [preliminary] response . . . shows that there is a reasonable likelihood that the petitioner would prevail with respect to at least 1 of the claims challenged in the petition.” 35 U.S.C. § 314(a) (2018). For the reasons given below, on this record Petitioner has not established a reasonable likelihood that it would prevail in showing the unpatentability of any of the Challenged Claims. Accordingly, we do not institute an inter partes review.” slip op. at 2
- Skill levelSkill level petitioner adoptedDecided for petitioner
“At this stage of the proceeding and on the present record, we adopt Petitioner’s uncontested proposed level of ordinary skill in the art, which we find consistent with the level of ordinary skill in the art reflected by the ’071 patent and the prior art of record. See Okajima v. Bourdeau, 261 F.3d 1350, 1355 (Fed. Cir. 2001); In re GPAC Inc., 57 F.3d 1573, 1579 (Fed. Cir. 1995); In re Oelrich, 579 F.2d 86, 91 (CCPA 1978).” slip op. at 12
- Claim Construction › Threshold & procedure › Whether a term needs construction (O2 Micro)No construction neededOther
“Neither party proposes a specific construction of any claim term, although Petitioner contends each term should be construed according to its plain and ordinary meaning. Pet. 16; see generally Prelim. Resp. Accordingly, we need not construe any claim terms expressly because the meaning of the terms is not in dispute and an express construction is not necessary to resolve the controversy before us.” slip op. at 13
- BurdenNot shown unpatentable
“We find the Petition lacking in particularity because it does not clearly identify what aspect of Jin is alleged to teach the unique signal parameters (or unique estimated signal parameters) recited in claim 1. See, e.g., 35 U.S.C. § 312(a)(3) (“A petition filed under section 311 may be considered only if — (3) the petition identifies, in writing and with particularity, . . . the evidence that supports the ground for the challenge to each claim . . . .”). First, as reflected above, the Petition asserts that something called a “unique pilot parameter” teaches the recited unique estimated signal parameters. But “unique pilot parameter” is not a term or phrase recited in Jin. See Prelim. Resp. 19 (arguing the same). So, when Petitioner states “Jin discloses that the base station uses the unique pilot parameter (i.e., ‘unique estimated signal parameters’) to ‘identify which user (i.e., mobile terminal) has transmitted the received data,’” it is not clear what element in Jin Petitioner intends to identify by the term “unique pilot parameter.” Dr. Min’s testimony does not help resolve the ambiguity in the Petition. In particular, Dr. Min also refers to a “unique pilot parameter (i.e., ‘unique signal parameter’) for each user.” Ex. 1003 ¶ 89. But, as noted above, Jin does not disclose an element referred to as a “pilot parameter” and it is not clear what element Dr. Min intended to identify in Jin.8” slip op. at 18
Claim construction§ 103 obviousnessDiscretionary denialcites Phillips · KSR · GrahamPatents in suitUS 9,814,071 - Ens Labs Ltd. v. Unstoppable Domains Inc.Institution deniedPTAB · Nov 22, 2024 · IPR2024-00872 · APJ Michael J Strauss · IPR · Institution
The Board denied institution for claims 1–20 because Petitioner did not show a reasonable likelihood of prevailing on any ground, relying on Johnson’s unproven status as a printed publication.
RulingsInstitution decision- Skill levelSkill level board ownDecided for patent owner
“Patent Owner does not contest Petitioner’s description with regard to the level of skill at this stage of the proceedings. Prelim. Resp. 12. As Petitioner’s unchallenged description of the level of ordinary skill appears appropriate to the subject matter of the ’344 patent and the cited prior art, we apply it for purposes of this Decision, albeit without the two instances of the phrase “at least,” which introduce ambiguity. See Okajima v. Bourdeau, 261 F.3d 1350, 1355 (Fed. Cir. 2001) (acknowledging that the prior art may reflect an appropriate level of skill in the art).” slip op. at 8
- Claim Construction › Threshold & procedure › Whether a term needs construction (O2 Micro)No construction neededOther
“Neither party proposes express construction of any claim terms for our consideration. See Pet. 14 (“Petitioner submits that all claim terms in the ’344 Patent may be interpreted according to their plain and ordinary meaning.”); Prelim. Resp. 12 (“For purposes of this Preliminary Response only, Patent Owner agrees that claim construction is unnecessary.”). whether to institute inter partes review. See Realtime Data, LLC v. Iancu, 912 F.3d 1368, 1375 (Fed. Cir. 2019) (“The Board is required to construe ‘only those terms . . . that are in controversy, and only to the extent necessary to resolve the controversy.’” (quoting Vivid Techs., Inc. v. Am. Sci. & Eng’g, Inc., 200 F.3d 795, 803 (Fed. Cir. 1999)). At this stage, we do not see the need to construe any claim terms to resolve the issues in dispute.” slip op. at 8
- Novelty / Anticipation (§102) › Prior-art status of a reference › Printed publication / public accessibilityPrinted publication not establishedNot shown unpatentable
“of a document on a website archived by the Internet Archive. See Ex. 1018. That a person might have been able to download Johnson through public means is not evidence that Johnson was “made available to the extent that persons interested and ordinarily skilled in the subject matter or art exercising reasonable diligence, can locate it.” Bruckelmyer, 445 F.3d at 1378. The Frank-White Affidavit’s evidence of public accessibility amounts to little more than Johnson was available on the Internet by December 13, 2019. Pet. 15; Ex. 1018 ¶¶ 1–5, 7, Ex. B. However, because the Wayback Machine is only searchable by URL, as attested to in the Frank-White Affidavit, this does not suffice to support that one of ordinary skill in the art would have sought out the Read the Docs website and, once there, located Johnson without prior knowledge of Johnson and the URL at which Johnson was available. Accordingly, the Frank-White Affidavit alone is insufficient to prove public accessibility of Johnson.” slip op. at 20
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)Institution denied meritsDenied
“that Johnson qualifies as a prior art printed publication. All asserted grounds for unpatentability rely, at least in part, on the disclosure of Johnson. Accordingly, because the record does not persuasively support Johnson as a publicly accessible printed publication, we find that Petitioner has not established a reasonable likelihood of prevailing on any of its grounds of unpatentability. III. CONCLUSION After considering the evidence and arguments presented in the Petition and the Preliminary Response, we determine that Petitioner does not demonstrate a reasonable likelihood of prevailing with respect to any of the challenged claims, and thus, we do not institute an inter partes review. ORDER In consideration of the foregoing, it is hereby ORDERED that the Petition is denied as to all challenged claims, and no trial is instituted.” slip op. at 25
Claim construction§ 102 anticipationcites PhillipsPatents in suitUS 11,558,344 - Panasonic Automotive Systems Co., Ltd. v. Unm Rainforest InnovationsInstitution deniedPTAB · Aug 5, 2024 · IPR2024-00364 · APJ Kristen L Droesch · IPR · Institution
The Board denied institution because Petitioner did not show a reasonable likelihood of proving claim 8 or substitute claims 44–47, 49, and 50 unpatentable on any asserted ground.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)Institution denied meritsInstitution denied
“We have authority to determine whether to institute review under 35 U.S.C. § 314 and 37 C.F.R. § 42.4(a). An inter partes review may not be instituted unless it is determined that “the information presented in the petition filed under section 311 and any response filed under section 313 shows that there is a reasonable likelihood that the petitioner would prevail with respect to at least 1 of the claims challenged in the petition.” 35 U.S.C. § 314(a) (2024). For the reasons provided below, after considering the Petition and the Preliminary Response, we determine, based on the record before us, there is not a reasonable likelihood Petitioner would prevail in showing at least one of the challenged claims is unpatentable.” slip op. at 2
- Skill levelSkill level patent owner adoptedDecided for patent owner
“B. Level of Ordinary Skill in the Art Petitioner asserts that a person of ordinary skill in the art “in the field of the ’096 patent would have had a Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field, and around two years of experience in the design or development of wireless communication systems, or the equivalent.” Pet. 16 (citing Ex. 1002 ¶ 57). In turn, Patent Owner submits a slightly different description: that a person of ordinary skill in the art “in the technical field of the ’096 patent would have had at least a master’s degree in computer engineering or electrical engineering, or equivalent work experience, along with at least 1 year of experience related specifically to wireless communications, including knowledge of MIMO [(Multiple-Input Multiple-Output)] and OFDM.” Prelim. Resp. 22 (citing Ex. 2001 ¶ 18). For the purpose of determining whether to institute trial, we adopt Patent Owner’s definition of a person of ordinary skill in the art because it is consistent with the level of skill reflected by the ’096 Patent Specification and the asserted prior art but our conclusions would be the same under Petitioner’s definition.” slip op. at 11
- Claim Construction › Threshold & procedure › Whether a term needs construction (O2 Micro)No construction neededOther
“Of note, the numerous claim terms construed in the Apple Litigation and referenced by the parties include the terms “data” and “non-data.” See Pet. 8 (citing Ex. 1005); Prelim. Resp. 23 (citing Ex. 1005). Both parties agree that “data” and “non-data” are to be given their plain and ordinary meanings. See Pet. 8 (citing Ex. 1005); Prelim. Resp. 23 (citing Ex. 1005). As demonstrated in the analysis below, for the purpose of determining whether to institute review, we need not construe any claim terms and phrases to resolve the controversy before us. See Realtime Data, LLC v. Iancu, 912 F.3d 1368, 1375 (Fed. Cir. 2019) (“The Board is required to construe ‘only those terms . . . that are in controversy, and only to the extent necessary to resolve the controversy.’” (quoting Vivid Techs., Inc. v. Am. Sci. & Eng’g, Inc., 200 F.3d 795, 803 (Fed. Cir. 1999))).” slip op. at 13
- Novelty / Anticipation (§102) › Anticipation standard (single reference, every element)Not shown unpatentable
“We agree with Patent Owner that the Joint Proposal’s legacy signal field (L-SIG) does not disclose data as recited in limitation 8[a]. Both parties agree that the term “data” should be construed according to its plain and ordinary meaning. See Pet. 16–18; Prelim. Resp. 22–23. The ’096 Patent utilizes the term “data” in accordance with its plain and ordinary meaning. See Ex. 1001 generally. We find that the Joint Proposal likewise utilizes the term “data” in accordance with its plain and ordinary meaning, to describe data fields that include the PHY sub-layer Service Data Unit, and shown in each of the legacy PLCP packet format, Mixed Mode PLCP packet format, and Green Field PLCP packet format that include the PHY sub-layer Service Data Unit. See Ex. 1008, 11:11–13, Fig. 1. Indeed, in addressing limitation 8[b], Petitioner identifies the Joint Proposal’s data field in the Mixed Mode PLCP format as disclosing “data configured in a second format compatible with a second communication system,” as recited in limitation 8[b]. See Pet. 26–27. Petitioner, however, does not direct us to where the Joint Proposal discloses or describes the legacy signal field (L- SIG) as “data” according to its plain and ordinary meaning. See Pet. 25–26. Petitioner’s citations to the Joint Proposal fail to provide sufficient support for Petitioner’s position that L-SIG discloses “data” in accordance with its plain and ordinary meaning. See Ex. 1008, 11:4–6, 11:18–23. Petitioner further does not provide sufficient explanation why the Joint Proposal’s L- SIG otherwise constitutes “data,” according to the plain and ordinary meaning. See Pet. 25–26. The testimony of Dr. Hansen, cited by Petitioner to support its arguments, is no more illuminating. Compare Pet. 25–26, with Ex. 1002 ¶ 177.” slip op. at 18
Claim construction§ 102 anticipation§ 103 obviousnessDiscretionary denialcites KSR · GrahamPatents in suitUS 8,265,096 - Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. v. Network System Technologies, LLCInstitution deniedPTAB · Jun 20, 2024 · IPR2024-00339 · APJ John R Kenny · IPR · Institution
The Board denied institution because Petitioner did not show a reasonable likelihood that claim 12 was obvious over any of the four asserted prior-art combinations.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)Institution denied meritsInstitution denied
“The Petition, to justify institution of review, must demonstrate a reasonable likelihood that Petitioner would prevail with respect to claim 12. See 35 U.S.C. § 314(a) (2018). After considering the Petition, the Preliminary Response, the Preliminary Reply, the Preliminary Sur-reply, and the evidence of record, we determine that the Petition has not met this standard and do not institute inter partes review.” slip op. at 2
- Skill levelSkill level petitioner adoptedDecided for petitioner
“E. Level of Skill in the Art Petitioner argues that at the time of the alleged invention an ordinarily skilled artisan would have had at least a Bachelor’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, or an equivalent technical degree, and two or more years of experience with system-on-chip, interconnect, or networking technologies. Pet. 8. Patent Owner does not address the level of ordinary skill in the art. See generally Prelim. Resp. After reviewing the record, we adopt Petitioner’s definition for the level of skill in the art.” slip op. at 7
- Claim Construction › Threshold & procedure › Whether a term needs construction (O2 Micro)No construction neededOther
“II. CLAIM CONSTRUCTION AND THE DISTRICT COURT’S DETERMINATION OF INDEFINITENESS Neither party requests that we construe the optimal moment limitation. Pet. 8–9; Prelim. Resp. 25–28. Further, we see no need to construe this limitation sua sponte. Realtime Data, LLC v. Iancu, 912 F.3d 1368, 1375 (Fed. Cir. 2019). For background, however, we address the claim” slip op. at 7
- Obviousness (§103) › Motivation to combine / reasonable expectation of successNot reached
“optimal moment limitation is subjective (and repeating that assertion in its Petition), Petitioner provides no explanation of why Bahadiroglu’s use of that term would have a meaning falling within the scope of the subjective meaning for that term in claim 12. Pet. 28–31 & n.4; Prelim. Reply 3–5. Petitioner has not explained what that subjective meaning of optimal is in the ’800 patent’s claims or why that term as used in Bahadiroglu would satisfy that subjective meaning in the ’800 patent’s claims. Pet. 28–31; Prelim. Reply 3–5. Thus, Petitioner’s showing is insufficient. Second, Petitioner has not explained why the disclosure of an optimal interval teaches or suggests transmission at an optimal time. Pet. 28–31. Spacing transmissions apart by an optimal interval would not inherently result in transmissions being performed at the optimal times. The optimal interval could involve transmissions that are not at the optimal times (when time is viewed by itself), and transmissions at the optimal times may not have the optimal interval separating them. We recognize that it is possible that in some, or many, cases an optimal interval would teach or at least suggest transmissions at optimal times. Petitioner, however, has not explained why it does in this case. Id.” slip op. at 15
Claim construction§ 103 obviousnessPatents in suitUS 8,086,800 - Qualcomm Incorporated / Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. v. Network System Technologies, LLCInstitution deniedPTAB · Jun 17, 2024 · IPR2024-00355 · APJ Steven M Amundson · IPR · Institution
The Board denied institution because Petitioner did not show a reasonable likelihood of proving any challenged claim unpatentable on the asserted anticipation or obviousness grounds.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)Institution denied meritsInstitution denied
“to institute an inter partes review. We may institute an inter partes review only if “the information presented in the petition filed under section 311 and any response filed under section 313 shows that there is a reasonable likelihood that the petitioner would prevail with respect to at least 1 of the claims challenged in the petition.” 35 U.S.C. § 314(a) (2018). The “reasonable likelihood” standard is “a higher standard than mere notice pleading” but “lower than the ‘preponderance’ standard to prevail in a final written decision.” Hulu, LLC v. Sound View Innovations, LLC, IPR2018- 01039, Paper 29 at 13 (PTAB Dec. 20, 2019) (precedential).” slip op. at 2
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Discretionary denial › Fintiv (parallel litigation)Not reached
“Based on Apple Inc. v. Fintiv, Inc., IPR2020-00019, Paper 11 (PTAB Mar. 20, 2020) (precedential), Patent Owner argues that we should exercise our discretion under § 314(a) to deny institution in view of the Samsung litigation and the Qualcomm litigation. See Prelim. Resp. 10–22; supra § II.B. Petitioner argues that we should decline to exercise our discretion under § 314(a) to deny institution. See Pet. 82–84. For the reasons explained below, we determine that Petitioner has not demonstrated a reasonable likelihood that it would prevail in proving the unpatentability of at least one claim challenged in the Petition. See infra §§ IV.E–IV.I. Hence, we do not consider discretionary denial under § 314(a).” slip op. at 16
- Skill levelSkill level petitioner adoptedDecided for petitioner
“For purposes of analysis, we adopt Petitioner’s description of an ordinarily skilled artisan because it comports with the technology and claims of the ’893 patent as well as the asserted prior art. For instance, “a master’s degree” and “three years of work experience” would have allowed someone to understand the ’893 patent as well as the asserted prior art. See Ex. 1003 ¶ 32. Moreover, someone with a higher skill level will understand the technology at least as well as someone with a lower skill level. See Innovention Toys, LLC v. MGA Entm’t, Inc., 637 F.3d 1314, 1323 (Fed. Cir. 2011); Tokai Corp. v. Easton Enters., Inc., 632 F.3d 1358, 1369 (Fed. Cir. 2011). Hence, “it is generally easier to establish obviousness under a higher level of ordinary skill.” Kinetic Concepts, Inc. v. Smith & Nephew, Inc., 688 F.3d 1342, 1366 (Fed. Cir. 2012). We note that our analysis would not change if we adopted Patent Owner’s description of an ordinarily skilled artisan.” slip op. at 19
- Claim Construction › Intrinsic evidence (Phillips canons) › Plain and ordinary meaning to a POSITATerm construed petitioner constructionDecided for petitioner
“for “each data package comprising N data elements” is “significantly broader” than Petitioner’s proposed construction. See Pet. 9–10; Ex. 1026, 25; Ex. 1027 ¶ 164; Ex. 2034, 26. To decide whether Petitioner satisfies the “reasonable likelihood” standard for instituting trial, we must determine the meaning of “each data package comprising N data elements.” Based on the current record, we agree with Petitioner that “each data package comprising N data elements” means “every data package communicated by the network stations has a fixed size of N data elements.”” slip op. at 23
Claim construction§ 102 anticipation§ 103 obviousnessDiscretionary denialcites Phillips · KSR · GrahamPatents in suitUS 8,072,893 - Xu Peicheng (Hong Kong) Optoelectronic Technology Co., Limited v. Semisilicon Technology Corp.Institution deniedPTAB · May 20, 2024 · IPR2024-00157 · APJ Charles J Boudreau · IPR · Institution
The Board denied institution because Petitioner did not show a reasonable likelihood of prevailing on any challenged claim, including the asserted obviousness grounds.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)Institution denied meritsDenied
“§ 314(a), an inter partes review may not be instituted unless the information presented in the Petition and any response thereto shows “there is a reasonable likelihood that the petitioner would prevail with respect to at least 1 of the claims challenged in the petition.” Considering the Petition, Preliminary Response, and all supporting evidence, we determine that Petitioner has not demonstrated a reasonable likelihood of prevailing with respect to any of the challenged claims. Accordingly, we do not institute inter partes review.” slip op. at 2
- Skill levelSkill level petitioner adoptedOther
“Petitioner contends that a person of ordinary skill in the art as of the filing date of the application for the ’988 patent “would have had a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, physics, materials science, or a related discipline, and 6 years of practical experience in designing or fabricating LED lighting systems, including controlling and driving LEDs,” or “[a]lternatively . . . would have had a master’s degree and four years of experience, or a Ph.D. degree and two years of experience.” Pet. 5 (citing Ex. 1003 ¶ 32). Patent Owner does not contest Petitioner’s contention with regard to the level of skill. See generally Prelim. Resp. To the extent necessary for purposes of this Decision, we adopt the formulation of the level of ordinary skill in the art proposed by Petitioner as it appears consistent with the prior art before us in this proceeding.” slip op. at 8
- Expert testimonyPetitioner expert discountedDecided for patent owner
“this limitation. Nonetheless, we find a close question as to whether Petitioner has made a sufficient showing with respect to this limitation, as the only evidence Petitioner cites in support of its argument that “[t]he term GND is often used interchangeably with the term VSS, which refers to negative voltage” (Pet. 8) is an identical, unsupported assertion in Dr. Schubert’s Declaration (Ex. 1003 ¶ 38) to which we accord little or no weight. See 37 C.F.R. § 42.65 (“(a) Expert testimony that does not disclose the underlying facts or data on which the opinion is based is entitled to little or no weight.”). Because we determine below that Petitioner has not made a sufficient showing with regard to limitations 1[E] and 1[H] (see infra” slip op. at 15
- Obviousness (§103) › Graham factors (scope of art, differences, level of skill)Not shown unpatentableNot shown unpatentable
“Having considered the parties’ respective arguments and the evidence of record, we agree with Patent Owner that Petitioner has failed to make a sufficient showing with respect to limitations 1[E] and 1[H]. As Patent Owner points out, the Petition effectively concedes that there is a structural difference between pins, as disclosed by Lai, and pads, as recited in claim 1, and Petitioner does not reconcile this difference or explain why a person of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to modify Lai’s disclosure and use pads rather than the pins Lai discloses. Prelim. Resp. 31. Even if pins and pads may both be types of terminals, claim 1 specifically recites pads, not terminals, and Petitioner has not persuasively shown that a person of ordinary skill in the art would regard pins and pads as interchangeable or that pads would otherwise be suggested by Lai’s disclosure of pins. Further, as Patent Owner also points out, Petitioner’s inclusion of “general knowledge of a POSITA” in the asserted ground is unavailing knowledge” is to be brought to bear on the combination and has instead “left it to Patent Owner and the Board to speculate on which of the features of the asserted art differs from the claims and how the asserted art or its teaching would have been modified.” Prelim. Resp. 13–14. Although general knowledge of a person of ordinary skill in the art may, under certain circumstances, be relied upon to supply a missing claim limitation (see, e.g., Koninklijke Philips N.V. v. Google LLC, 948 F.3d 1330, 1337–38 (Fed. Cir. 2020)), such reliance is improper where, as here, it is based merely upon “conclusory statements and unspecific expert testimony” (id. (quoting Arendi S.A.R.L. v. Apple Inc., 832 F.3d 1355, 1366 (Fed. Cir. 2016))).” slip op. at 19
§ 103 obviousnesscites Phillips · KSR · GrahamPatents in suitUS 8,124,988 - Bright Data Ltd. v. Oxylabs, UabInstitution deniedPTAB · Apr 3, 2024 · IPR2023-01442 · APJ Thomas L Giannetti · IPR · Institution
The Board denied institution because the petition did not show a reasonable likelihood of prevailing on any challenged claim under either anticipation ground.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)Institution denied meritsInstitution denied
“review. See 35 U.S.C. § 314; 37 C.F.R. § 42.4(a). Under 35 U.S.C. § 314(a), we may not authorize an inter partes review unless the information in the petition and the preliminary response “shows that there is a reasonable likelihood that the petitioner would prevail with respect to at least 1 of the claims challenged in the petition.” For the reasons stated below, we determine that Petitioner has not established a reasonable likelihood that it would prevail with respect to any claim challenged in the Petition. In addition, for the reasons stated on the merits of the Petition, we do not reach the question of whether to exercise our discretion to deny institution under 35 U.S.C. § 314(a). We, therefore, deny institution of inter partes review.” slip op. at 2
- Skill levelSkill level petitioner adoptedDecided for petitioner
“According to Petitioner, a person of ordinary skill in the pertinent art “would have been an individual who, as of July 18, 2002, the filing date of the ’667 Patent, had either: (1) a Bachelor’s Degree or higher in the field of electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science and at least one year of related practical experience; or (2) at least four years of practical experience in data management.” Pet. 9 (citing Williams Decl. ¶¶ 30–31). Patent Owner does not provide a description of the person of ordinary skill or dispute Petitioner’s description.” slip op. at 7
- Claim Construction › Threshold & procedure › Whether a term needs construction (O2 Micro)No construction neededOther
“Neither party proposes claim constructions for our consideration. Petitioner “gives the claim terms their plain and ordinary meaning in light of the specification and prosecution history as would have been read by a [person of ordinary skill].” Pet. 9. Patent Owner does not comment on claim construction. We construe claim terms only as relevant to the parties’ contentions and only to the extent necessary to resolve the issues in dispute. See Vivid Techs., Inc. v. Am. Sci. & Eng’g, Inc., 200 F.3d 795, 803 (Fed. Cir. 1999); Nidec Motor Corp. v. Zhongshan Broad Ocean Motor Co., 868 F.3d 1013, 1017 (Fed. Cir. 2017). We do not see the need to construe claim terms to resolve the issues in dispute. E. Description of the Prior Art References” slip op. at 8
- Novelty / Anticipation (§102) › Anticipation standard (single reference, every element)Other
“The Federal Circuit addressed the legal standard for anticipation in Blue Calypso, LLC v. Groupon, Inc., 815 F.3d 1331 (Fed. Cir. 2016): “Under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b), a prior art reference will anticipate if it ‘disclose[s] each and every element of the claimed invention . . . arranged or combined in the same way as in the claim.’” 815 F.3d at 1341 (citation omitted) (footnote omitted). C. Level of Ordinary Skill in the Art” slip op. at 7
Claim construction§ 102 anticipationDiscretionary denialPatents in suitUS 7,020,667 - PTAB · Feb 7, 2024 · IPR2023-01201 · APJ Jameson Lee · IPR · Institution
The Board denied institution because Petitioner did not show a reasonable likelihood of proving claims 1, 2, or 5 obvious over either asserted reference combination.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)Institution denied meritsInstitution denied
“review. See 35 U.S.C. § 314 (2018); 37 C.F.R. § 42.4(a) (2023). An inter partes review may not be instituted unless the information presented in the Petition “shows that there is a reasonable likelihood that the petitioner would prevail with respect to at least 1 of the claims challenged in the petition.” 35 U.S.C. § 314(a). Upon consideration of the contentions and the evidence of record before us, we conclude Petitioner has not shown a reasonable likelihood that it would prevail in establishing unpatentability of any challenged claim of the RE ’117 patent.” slip op. at 2
- Skill levelSkill level petitioner adoptedOther
“We adopt Petitioner’s statement of the level of ordinary skill in the art, except that we delete the qualifier “at least,” which renders the statement vague by rendering the scope of ordinary skill unbounded at the top. This level of ordinary skill appears consistent with what is reflected by the content of the applied prior art references. Cf. Okajima v. Bourdeau, 261 F.3d 1350, 1354–55 (Fed. Cir. 2001) (the applied prior art may reflect an appropriate level of skill).9 C.” slip op. at 9
- Claim Construction › Threshold & procedure › Whether a term needs construction (O2 Micro)No construction neededDecided for patent owner
“1. “display panel” According to Petitioner, “display panel” means “a flat type screen on which images are displayed, such as a Liquid Crystal Display or Plasma Display Panel.” Id. at 17. Patent Owner asserts that Petitioner improperly limits “display panel” to only a “screen” on which images are displayed. Prelim. Resp. 8. Patent Owner states, however, that “construction of this term does not impact the issues in this proceeding.” Id. Patent Owner does not dispute Petitioner’s position that “display panel” includes Liquid Crystal Display and Plasma Display Panel. Therefore, it is not necessary to construe “display panel” for purposes of this decision. “circuit board mounting part” 2. Petitioner proposes a construction for “circuit board mounting part” which appears in each of claims 1, 2, and 5. Pet. 19–25. Our decision, however, does not depend on any construction of the term “circuit board mounting part.” Thus, it is not necessary to construe this term.” slip op. at 11
- Claim Construction › Intrinsic evidence (Phillips canons) › Plain and ordinary meaning to a POSITATerm construed patent owner constructionDecided for patent owner
“disclosed in Figure 1, especially since “the text of the ’117 patent does not limit the entry/exit of the cooling paths.” Prelim. Reply 2. However, given that the goal of the RE ’117 patent is to avoid inter-heating by providing separate cooling fluid paths, as discussed above, it is not consistent with the Specification to have mixing of the two cooling fluid paths within the panel display device. We are not reading an extraneous limitation from the Specification into the claim. Rather, we are interpreting the limitation “separated from each other” in light of the Specification, which is the single best guide to the meaning of a disputed term. Phillips, 415 F.3d at 1315.” slip op. at 14
Claim construction§ 103 obviousnesscites Phillips · KSR · Graham - Servicenow, Incorporated v. Inquisient IncorporatedInstitution deniedPTAB · Jan 16, 2024 · IPR2023-01071 · APJ Charles J Boudreau · IPR · Institution
The Board denied institution on all challenged claims because Petitioner did not show a reasonable likelihood of prevailing on the asserted obviousness grounds.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)Institution denied meritsInstitution denied
“We have jurisdiction under 35 U.S.C. § 6 (2018). Under 35 U.S.C. § 314(a), an inter partes review may not be instituted unless the information presented in the Petition and any response thereto shows “there is a reasonable likelihood that the petitioner would prevail with respect to at least 1 of the claims challenged in the petition.” Considering the Petition, Preliminary Response, Preliminary Reply, Sur-reply, and all supporting evidence, we determine that Petitioner does not demonstrate a reasonable likelihood of prevailing for any of the challenged claims. Accordingly, we do not institute inter partes review.” slip op. at 2
- Skill levelSkill level petitioner adoptedOther
“Petitioner contends that a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention of the ’468 patent “would have [had] a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and three to five years of industry experience in application development, database development, enterprise application management; or a Ph.D. specializing in the field,” but that “more education could compensate for less experience and vice versa.” Pet. 3 (citing Ex. 1003 ¶ 24). Patent Owner does not contest Petitioner’s contention with regard to the level of skill. See generally Prelim. Resp. As Petitioner’s unchallenged description of the level of ordinary skill appears appropriate to the subject matter of the ’468 patent and the cited prior art, we apply it for purposes of this Decision. See Okajima v. Bourdeau, 261 F.3d 1350, 1355 (Fed. Cir. 2001) (the prior art may reflect an appropriate level of skill in the art).” slip op. at 7
- Claim Construction › Threshold & procedure › Whether a term needs construction (O2 Micro)Term construed board ownOther
“The term “module” is a classic nonce word that does not connote definite structure. See, e.g., Williamson v. Citrix Online, LLC, 792 F.3d 1339, 1350 (Fed. Cir. 2015) (“‘Module’ is a well-known nonce word that can operate as a substitute for ‘means’ in the context of [pre-AIA 35 U.S.C.] § 112, para. 6” and “is simply a generic description for software or hardware that performs a specified function” that “does not provide any indication of structure.”). Independent claims 14 and 27 do not use the term “module,”” slip op. at 10
- Obviousness (§103) › Graham factors (scope of art, differences, level of skill)Not shown unpatentableNot shown unpatentable
“Petitioner relies on Althoff’s relational database as teaching the recited data repository and, inter alia, the recited element module. See Pet. 14–17. However, Petitioner relies on Althoff’s “class Class 301,” a class used by Althoff’s object-oriented database, as the basis for its arguments with respect to the recited class module. Pet. 21. Although Althoff provides a database translator for translation between object oriented and relational database structures (see, e.g., Ex. 1006, 3:4–6 (stating that “it would be advantageous to provide a method of compilation and translation between object oriented and relational database structures”)), we agree with Patent Owner that there is no object named “Class” or “Class 301” in the user’s object database in Althoff and that no object name “Class” is translated into a “class module” in the relational database. Prelim. Resp. 32. We further agree with Patent Owner that Petitioner points to nothing from either the user’s object database or the meta-model that is translated into a “class module” found in the user’s relational database. Id. As Patent Owner argues, class Class 301 in Althoff is not an object in the user’s object database, but instead is a class (i.e., a data type) defined by the meta-model that can be used by the user’s object database as a data type when the user creates objects. Id. at 29–30, 32, 37– 38. Still further, we agree with Patent Owner that Althoff teaches that relational databases and object databases are distinct and incompatible, a problem that Althoff seeks to address with its disclosed systems and methods. See Prelim. Resp. 25–26, 29 (citing Ex. 1006, 2:9–14, 3:4–24). Patent Owner’s contentions are also persuasive that there is neither any “‘class Class 301’ table” disclosed in Althoff, notwithstanding Petitioner’s assertions, nor any reason to generate such a table. See Prelim. Resp. 36–39 (citing Pet. 21). As Patent Owner notes, by creating separate Althoff preserves class information. Id. at 33. But Althoff does not state that class information for each user-created object is stored in a “row” of a “class Class 301 table” as asserted in the Petition, and we agree with Patent Owner that Althoff would have no need to describe a translation process to convert objects into tables if the classes of the object database were already stored “rows” in a “table.” Id. at 38. With regard to the Petition’s reference to Althoff’s disclosure that “each object of class Class 301 comprises information in table 3-2” (Pet. 21 (quoting Ex. 1006, 11:12–16)), we agree with Patent Owner that Table 3-2 of Althoff does not concern a row of a “class table”; instead, as Patent Owner explains, “Table 3-2 is merely a descriptive device in the specification of Althoff that describes in a two-column format the information stored within an object of type ‘Class’ in the user’s object database . . . in a form more easily accessible to the reader than a narrative.” Prelim. Resp. 38–39 (citing Ex. 1006, 11:15–47).” slip op. at 28
Claim construction§ 103 obviousnesscites Phillips · KSR · GrahamPatents in suitUS 7,979,468 - Uv Engineering Solutions LLC v. Trojan Technologies Group UlcInstitution deniedPTAB · Dec 11, 2023 · IPR2023-01015 · APJ Scott B Howard · IPR · Institution
The Board denied institution because Petitioner did not show a reasonable likelihood that claims 1–5 and 8–24 were unpatentable over the asserted combinations.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)Institution denied meritsInstitution denied
“determine whether to institute an inter partes review under 35 U.S.C. § 314 and 37 C.F.R. § 42.4(a). Inter partes review may not be instituted unless “the information presented in the petition filed under section 311 and any response filed under section 313 shows that there is a reasonable likelihood that the petitioner would prevail with respect to at least 1 of the claims challenged in the petition.” 35 U.S.C. § 314(a) (2018). “When instituting inter partes review, the Board will authorize the review to proceed on all of the challenged claims and on all grounds of unpatentability asserted for each claim.” 37 C.F.R. § 42.108(a) (2022).” slip op. at 2
- Skill levelSkill level petitioner adoptedDecided for petitioner
“The primary dispute between the parties is whether the person having ordinary skill in the art works with lamps generally (Petitioner) or works with ultraviolet lamps for fluid treatment systems (Patent Owner). Although the specification of the ’654 patent focuses on ultraviolet lamps for fluid treatment systems (see Ex. 1001, 1:24–2:29), the claims of the patent are not so limited. Rather, the claims broadly claim “lamps” without reciting any field of use. See id. at 6:2–8:24. Because the claims are not limited to ultraviolet lamps or fluid treatment centers, Petitioner’s formulation of the level of skill is more consistent with the claims. Accordingly, we adopt Petitioner’s proposed description of the person having ordinary skill in the art.” slip op. at 10
- Claim Construction › Threshold & procedure › Whether a term needs construction (O2 Micro)No construction neededOther
“Because construction of the disputed claim limitation is not necessary to resolve the controversy, we need not expressly construe any claim terms. See Nidec Motor Corp. v. Zhongshan Broad Ocean Motor Co., 868 F.3d 1013, 1017 (Fed. Cir. 2017) (noting that “we need only construe terms ‘that are in controversy, and only to the extent necessary to resolve the controversy’” (quoting Vivid Techs., Inc. v. Am. Sci. & Eng’g, Inc., 200 F.3d 795, 803 (Fed. Cir. 1999))).” slip op. at 11
- Obviousness (§103) › Motivation to combine / reasonable expectation of successNot reached
“Petitioner argues that a person having ordinary skill in the art would have “modif[ied] the terminal pins 126, 128, 130, and 132 of Ellner to be angled relative to the longitudinal axis as shown in Titchener so as to create a reliable connection between cables as disclosed in Titchener.” Pet. 12. Petitioner further argues that “[s]uch a modification would be a simple substitution of one known element (i.e., angled connectors 5a and 5b of Titchener) for another (i.e., non-angled terminal pins 126, 128, 130, and 132 of Ellner) to obtain predictable results.” Id. at 12–13. According to Petitioner, the combination of the teachings of Ellner and Titchener result in a lamp in which “each of the first elongate electrical connector (i.e., terminal pin 126, 128 modified to be angled as shown in Titchener) and the second elongate connector (i.e., terminal pin 130, 132 modified to be angled as shown in Titchener) configured to form an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis.” Id. at 13.” slip op. at 17
Claim construction§ 103 obviousnesscites Phillips · KSR · GrahamPatents in suitUS 8,167,654
Holdings, summaries, rulings, issues, outcomes, winners and claim constructions shown for a decision were generated by a large language model reading the opinion. They are a guide to the decision, not the decision. Confirm every one against the court's own text before relying on it. Outcomes read from the patent owner’s side. Party names are extracted from the decision and are missing on about 900 short Director denials and scans, which carry the trial number instead.