- PTAB · Mar 4, 2016 · IPR2014-01368 · APJ Kalyan K Deshpande · IPR · Final written decision
Claims 1, 2, 5, and 10 of the ’469 patent were held unpatentable; the remaining challenged claims were not shown unpatentable because the cited art did not disclose the required current connection status.
RulingsFinal written decision- Claim Construction › Intrinsic evidence (Phillips canons) › Plain and ordinary meaning to a POSITAPlain and ordinary meaningDecided for patent owner
“In Straight Path, the Federal Circuit held that the claim language “is connected to the computer network” has a facially clear meaning, that “the query transmitted to the server seeks to determine whether the second unit is connected at that time, i.e., connected at the time that the query is sent.” Straight Path, 806 F.3d at 1360.11 The Federal Circuit held that the query asks “whether the device ‘is’ connected, not whether it was connected or whether it is still registered as being connected even if that registration information is no longer accurate.” Id. The Federal Circuit further explained that “[i]t is not a reasonable interpretation of the claim language . . . to say that it is satisfied by a query that asks only for registration information, regardless of its current accuracy.” Id. The Federal Circuit explained, “[w]hen claim language has as plain a meaning on an issue as the language does here, leaving no genuine uncertainties on interpretive questions relevant to the case, it is particularly difficult to conclude that the specification reasonably supports a different meaning. The specification plays a more limited role than in the common situation where claim terms are uncertain in meaning in relevant respects.” Id. at 1361. Accordingly, the Federal Circuit construed the limitation “is connected to the computer network” as “is connected to the computer network at the time the query is transmitted to the server.” Id. at 1363.” slip op. at 11
- Obviousness (§103) › Graham factors (scope of art, differences, level of skill)Not shown unpatentableNot shown unpatentable
“and NetBIOS fail to determine whether a computer or process is connected to the computer network. PO Resp. 35, 49–51. In view of our construction of this claim limitation, we agree with Patent Owner. Microsoft Manual discloses that once a computer is registered with the WINS server (which is a NetBIOS Name Server (NBNS)) as active and on-line, the WINS server maintains a database of names and addresses as active and on-line by (1) releasing names once a computer is shut down properly and (2) requiring a renewal time period in which a computer must reregister. Ex. 1012, 62– 63, 68–69. Microsoft Manual discloses that in response to User Datagram Protocol (UDP) name queries, “a mapping in the database does not ensure that the related device is currently running.” Id. at 68. Microsoft Manual further explains that a “local WINS database should periodically be cleared of released entries and old entries that were registered at another WINS server but did not get removed from this WINS database for some reason.” Id. at 150. In other words, Microsoft Manual discloses that the WINS database may include entries of computers that are not currently connected to the WINS network. Accordingly, a query to as to whether a second process “is connected to the computer network” in Microsoft Manual will not determine whether the second process is connected to the WINS network at the time that the query is transmitted to the server. As discussed above in our claim construction analysis above (see Section I.E.1), a query as to whether a process “is connected to a computer network” or has an “on-line” status asks “whether the device ‘is’ connected, not whether it was connected or whether it is still registered as being connected even if that registration information is no longer accurate. It is not a reasonable interpretation of the claim language . . . to say that it is satisfied by a query that asks only for registration information, regardless of its current accuracy.” Straight Path, 806 F.3d at 1360. Microsoft Manual discloses that the WINS server has information that a process “was” connected to the computer network, and that information may no longer be accurate. See Ex. 1012, 68, 150. As such, we determine that Microsoft Manual does not disclose the claimed “is connected to the computer network,” “on-line status,” or “is accessible,” as construed herein. Similarly, NetBIOS discloses a registration process for resources or nodes to receive a unique name by registering a name. Ex. 1014, 379. During a name query (discovery), a datagram is sent requesting the name and address of another resource. Id. at 396. The NBNS maintains a database of resource names through explicit name deletion, where the node specifies a deletion function and implicit name deletion, which occurs when a node ceases operation. Id. at 379. NetBIOS explains that implicit name deletion “is a frequent occurrence.” Id. Implicit name deletion is managed by assigning nodes a specified lifetime for registered names, where a name is silently released if a node fails to refresh the registered name before the lifetime expires. Id. NetBIOS further discloses a mechanism where the NBNS may correct the information stored after an incorrect response is provided to a requesting node. See id. at 409. However, similar to Microsoft Manual, NetBIOS discloses that the information stored by the NBNS may be incorrect, and, therefore, will not determine whether a second process is connected to the computer network at the time that the query is transmitted to the server. Therefore, NetBIOS also does not disclose the claimed “is connected to the computer network,” “on-line status,” or “is accessible.” Given that the combination of Microsoft Manual and NetBIOS fails to teach or suggest the claims as construed, we need not reach the remaining arguments presented by Petitioner and Patent Owner.” slip op. at 19
- Obviousness (§103) › Motivation to combine / reasonable expectation of successMotivation foundDecided for petitioner
“Petitioner contends that “WINS is an implementation of NetBIOS” and, therefore, Petitioner contends that “one having skill in the art would have known about and been motivated to combine Microsoft Manual with NetBIOS.” Id. at 34 (citing 67 Ex. 1004 ¶¶ 88–89). We are persuaded by Petitioner that the combination is reasonable because Microsoft Manual demonstrates that Microsoft TCP/IP has combined the elements of NetBIOS and Microsoft Manual in the same manner in which Petitioner proposes to combine NetBIOS and Microsoft Manual. See 67 Ex. 1012, 3, 11. Microsoft Manual discloses that Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows NT provides support for application interfaces, including NetBIOS for establishing logical names and sessions on the network. Id. at 11. Microsoft Manual describes that “[w]hen WINS servers are in place on the network, NetBIOS over TCP/IP resolves names on a client computer by communication with the WINS server.” 67 Pet. 34 (quoting 67 Ex. 1012, 62). We are persuaded that Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows NT utilizes NetBIOS features for name resolution, as disclosed by Microsoft Manual, and a person with ordinary skill in the art would have readily combined the disclosures of Microsoft Manual and Microsoft Manual.” slip op. at 25
- BurdenFwd mixedUnpatentable
“8. Conclusion We have reviewed the Petition and supporting evidence and find that Petitioner has shown by a preponderance of the evidence that claims 1, 2, and 5 of the ʼ469 patent are obvious over Microsoft Manual and NetBIOS, and claim 10 is unpatentable because it depends from a cancelled claim. Accordingly, we determine that Petitioner has demonstrated by a preponderance of the evidence that claims 1, 2, 5, and 10 of the ʼ469 patent are unpatentable.” slip op. at 29
Claim construction§ 103 obviousnesscites PhillipsPatents in suitUS 6,131,121 - PTAB · Sep 17, 2015 · IPR2015-00531 · APJ Patrick M Boucher · IPR · Order
The Board terminated the proceedings as to MediaTek Inc. and MediaTek USA, Inc., vacated the scheduling orders, and continued the proceedings as to Bandspeed, Inc.
RulingsOther- PTAB / AIA Trials › Joinder §315(c) / SAS all-or-nothingNot reached
“IPR2015-01581, and IPR2015-01582 (“the related proceedings”). In each of the related proceedings, a petition was filed by Qualcomm Incorporated on July 12, 2015, with a motion to join a respective one of these proceedings. Papers 1, 2 in each of the related proceedings. We note that the joinder motions in the related proceedings were filed before the instant motions to terminate were filed in these proceedings. Patent Owner opposes the joinder motions in the related proceedings. Paper 8 in each of the related proceedings. If the joinder motions are not granted, the related proceedings are barred under 35 U.S.C. § 315(b). See 35 U.S.C. § 315(c). Patent Owner has not yet filed a preliminary response in any of the related proceedings, the deadline for which is October 28, 2015, nor sought to expedite the related proceedings by filing a waiver under 37 C.F.R. § 42.107(b). It is thus 2 Citations are to IPR2015-00314. premature to decide the joinder motions in the related proceedings. See 35 U.S.C. § 315(c). Nevertheless, we discern no compelling interest to be served by delaying termination of these proceedings with respect to MediaTek Inc. and MediaTek USA, Inc., both of which have settled with Patent Owner. See 35 U.S.C. § 317 (“An inter partes review instituted under this chapter shall be terminated with respect to any petitioner upon the joint request of the petitioner and the patent owner unless the Office has decided the merits of the proceeding before the request for termination is filed” (emphasis added)). These proceedings are at an early stage, and no motions are pending in any of these proceedings. Under these circumstances, we determine that it is appropriate to terminate these proceedings with respect to MediaTek Inc. and MediaTek USA, Inc. We exercise the discretion afforded under 35 U.S.C. § 317(a) to decline, at this time, to terminate these proceedings with respect to Patent Owner. Because no petitioner remains in these proceedings, we vacate the Scheduling Order in each proceeding (Paper 13 in IPR2015-00314, IPR2015-00316, and IPR2015-00531; and Paper 15 in IPR2015-00315). If necessary, we will revisit scheduling for these proceedings after decisions on the joinder motions are made in the related proceedings. If appropriate, we will also revisit the Motions to Terminate as to Patent Owner after ruling on the motions for joinder in the related proceedings.” slip op. at 2
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Other PTAB motions (exclude, strike, seal, additional discovery, rehearing)Granted in part
“The Joint Motions to Seal are granted to the extent that they request that the agreement be treated as business confidential information and be kept separate from the patent files under 37 C.F.R. § 42.74(c) but otherwise denied. The requests should not have been filed as “Motions to Seal,” which has other meaning, under 37 C.F.R. § 42.14, with respect to the underlying document in the context of the proceeding, e.g., expungement or made public under certain circumstances.” slip op. at 3
NonePatents in suitUS 8,542,643 - PTAB · Aug 11, 2014 · IPR2014-00760 · APJ Glenn J Perry · IPR · Order
The Board granted the parties’ joint motions and terminated the proceedings as to all parties without issuing a final written decision.
RulingsOther- PTAB / AIA Trials › Other PTAB motions (exclude, strike, seal, additional discovery, rehearing)Granted
“The parties have requested that these trial proceedings be terminated pursuant to a settlement. On August 6, 2014, the Board authorized2 the parties to file a Joint Motion to Terminate these proceedings along with a true copy of any and all settlement agreements between them related to the patent at issue. The parties filed in each case a Joint Motion to Terminate3 in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 327(a) and 37 C.F.R. § 42.72. The parties also filed in each case a Joint Motion to Treat the Parties’ Settlement Agreement as Business Confidential4 pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 317(b) and Rule 42.74. The settlement agreement5 purports to settle matters between the parties with respect to each of the patents at issue in this inter partes review. Each of the captioned inter partes reviews is in its preliminary stage. A decision on the respective Petitions6 has not yet been rendered. The parties have identified the following USPTO proceedings that are pending.” slip op. at 2
NonePatents in suitUS 8,048,032 - PTAB · Aug 11, 2014 · IPR2014-00763 · APJ Glenn J Perry · IPR · Order
The Board granted the parties’ joint motions and terminated the proceedings as to all parties under the settlement, without a final written decision.
RulingsOther- PTAB / AIA Trials › Other PTAB motions (exclude, strike, seal, additional discovery, rehearing)Granted
“ORDER It is, therefore, ORDERED that the joint motions to terminate these proceedings are GRANTED and the proceedings are hereby terminated as to all parties including, Petitioners and Patent Owner; and FURTHER ORDERED that the parties’ joint requests that the settlement agreement, as filed in each case, be treated as business confidential information and kept separate from the file of the involved patent under the provisions of to 35 U.S.C. § 317(b) and 37 C.F.R. § 42.74(c), are GRANTED.” slip op. at 4
NonePatents in suitUS 8,292,850 - PTAB · Aug 11, 2014 · IPR2014-00762 · APJ Glenn J Perry · IPR · Order
The Board granted the joint motions and terminated the proceedings as to all parties after settlement, without issuing a final written decision.
RulingsOther- PTAB / AIA Trials › Other PTAB motions (exclude, strike, seal, additional discovery, rehearing)Granted
“The parties have requested that these trial proceedings be terminated pursuant to a settlement. On August 6, 2014, the Board authorized2 the parties to file a Joint Motion to Terminate these proceedings along with a true copy of any and all settlement agreements between them related to the patent at issue. The parties filed in each case a Joint Motion to Terminate3 in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 327(a) and 37 C.F.R. § 42.72. The parties also filed in each case a Joint Motion to Treat the Parties’ Settlement Agreement as Business Confidential4 pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 317(b) and Rule 42.74. The settlement agreement5 purports to settle matters between the parties with respect to each of the patents at issue in this inter partes review.” slip op. at 2
NonePatents in suitUS 8,292,850 - PTAB · Aug 11, 2014 · IPR2014-00759 · APJ Glenn J Perry · IPR · Order
The Board granted the parties’ joint motions and terminated the proceedings as to all parties after settlement, without a final written decision.
RulingsOther- PTAB / AIA Trials › Other PTAB motions (exclude, strike, seal, additional discovery, rehearing)Granted
“The parties have requested that these trial proceedings be terminated pursuant to a settlement. On August 6, 2014, the Board authorized2 the parties to file a Joint Motion to Terminate these proceedings along with a true copy of any and all settlement agreements between them related to the patent at issue. The parties filed in each case a Joint Motion to Terminate3 in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 327(a) and 37 C.F.R. § 42.72. The parties also filed in each case a Joint Motion to Treat the Parties’ Settlement Agreement as Business Confidential4 pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 317(b) and Rule 42.74. The settlement agreement5 purports to settle matters between the parties with respect to each of the patents at issue in this inter partes review. Each of the captioned inter partes reviews is in its preliminary stage. A decision on the respective Petitions6 has not yet been rendered. The parties have identified the following USPTO proceedings that are pending.” slip op. at 2
NonePatents in suitUS 8,142,413 - PTAB · Aug 11, 2014 · IPR2014-00761 · APJ Glenn J Perry · IPR · Order
The Board granted the joint motions and terminated the proceedings as to all parties without a final written decision.
RulingsOther- PTAB / AIA Trials › Other PTAB motions (exclude, strike, seal, additional discovery, rehearing)Granted
“The parties have requested that these trial proceedings be terminated pursuant to a settlement. On August 6, 2014, the Board authorized2 the parties to file a Joint Motion to Terminate these proceedings along with a true copy of any and all settlement agreements between them related to the patent at issue. The parties filed in each case a Joint Motion to Terminate3 in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 327(a) and 37 C.F.R. § 42.72. The parties also filed in each case a Joint Motion to Treat the Parties’ Settlement Agreement as Business Confidential4 pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 317(b) and Rule 42.74. The settlement agreement5 purports to settle matters between the parties with respect to each of the patents at issue in this inter partes review.” slip op. at 2
NonePatents in suitUS 8,048,032 - PTAB · Jun 16, 2014 · IPR2014-00130 · APJ Barbara A Parvis · IPR · Order
The Board granted the parties’ joint motion and terminated IPR2014-00130 as to all parties without a final written decision.
RulingsOther- PTAB / AIA Trials › Other PTAB motions (exclude, strike, seal, additional discovery, rehearing)Granted
“Under 35 U.S.C. § 317(a), “[a]n inter partes review instituted under this chapter shall be terminated with respect to any petitioner upon the joint request of the petitioner and patent owner, unless the Office has decided the merits of the proceeding before the request for termination is filed.” The requirement for terminating review with respect to Petitioner is met. Under 35 U.S.C. § 317(a), “If no petitioner remains in the inter partes review, the Office may terminate the review or proceed to a final written decision under section 318(a).” FLIR Systems is the sole petitioner in this review. The Board has discretion to terminate this review with respect to e- Watch as Patent Owner.” slip op. at 2
NonePatents in suitUS 6,970,183 - PTAB · Mar 28, 2014 · IPR2013-00412 · APJ Jameson Lee · IPR · Order
The Board granted the parties’ joint motion and terminated IPR2013-00412 as to Toyota and AVS without a final written decision.
RulingsOther- PTAB / AIA Trials › Other PTAB motions (exclude, strike, seal, additional discovery, rehearing)Granted
“ORDER Termination of Proceeding 37 C.F.R. § 42.72 On March 26, 2014, the parties filed a joint motion to terminate this inter partes review with respect to both Petitioner (“Toyota”) and Patent Owner (“AVS”). Paper 35. Also on March 26, 2014, the parties filed a copy of their written settlement agreement covering Patent 6,738,697 involved in this inter partes review (Ex. 2001), and a joint request to have their settlement agreement treated as confidential business information under 35 U.S.C. § 317(b) and 37 C.F.R. § 42.74(c) (Paper 36). The parties represent that there are no collateral agreements referred to in their settlement agreement. Paper 35, 1.” slip op. at 1
- PTAB / AIA Trials › §315(e) estoppelOther
“Under 35 U.S.C. § 317(a), “[a]n inter partes review instituted under this chapter shall be terminated with respect to any petitioner upon the joint request of the petitioner and patent owner, unless the Office has decided the merits of the proceeding before the request for termination is filed.” The requirement for terminating review with respect to Petitioner is met. Under 35 U.S.C. § 317(a), “If no petitioner remains in the inter partes review, the Office may terminate the review or proceed to a final written decision under section 318(a).” Toyota is the sole petitioner in this review. The Board has discretion to terminate this review with respect to AVS as Patent Owner.” slip op. at 2
NonePatents in suitUS 6,738,697 - PTAB · Mar 28, 2014 · IPR2013-00413 · APJ Barbara A Parvis · IPR · Order
The Board granted the joint motion and terminated IPR2013-00413 as to Toyota and AVS without a final written decision.
RulingsOther- PTAB / AIA Trials › Other PTAB motions (exclude, strike, seal, additional discovery, rehearing)Granted
“chapter shall be terminated with respect to any petitioner upon the joint request of the petitioner and patent owner, unless the Office has decided the merits of the proceeding before the request for termination is filed.” The requirement for terminating review with respect to Petitioner is met. Under 35 U.S.C. § 317(a), “If no petitioner remains in the inter partes review, the Office may terminate the review or proceed to a final written decision under section 318(a).” Toyota is the sole petitioner in this review. The Board has discretion to terminate this review with respect to AVS as Patent Owner.” slip op. at 2
NonePatents in suitUS 6,738,697
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.