- PTAB · Mar 15, 2017 · IPR2016-00999 · APJ Jeffrey S Smith · IPR · Rehearing
The Board denied rehearing, leaving in place its denial of institution for claims 1–28 because Petitioner did not show a reasonable likelihood that steered planar-array beams are necessarily asymmetrical.
RulingsRehearing decision- RehearingRehearing, deniedDenied
“II. STANDARD OF REVIEW Under 37 C.F.R. § 42.71(c), “[w]hen rehearing a decision on petition, a panel will review the decision for an abuse of discretion.” An abuse of discretion may be determined if a decision is based on an erroneous interpretation of law, if a factual finding is not supported by substantial evidence, or if the decision represents an unreasonable judgment in weighing relevant factors. See Star Fruits S.N.C. v. United States, 393 F.3d 1277, 1281 (Fed. Cir. 2005); Arnold P’ship v. Dudas, 362 F.3d 1338, 1340 (Fed. Cir. 2004); In re Gartside, 203 F.3d 1305, 1315–16 (Fed. Cir. 2000). The request must identify, with specificity, all matters that the moving party believes the Board misapprehended or overlooked. See 37 C.F.R. § 42.71(d). Section 42.71(d) further provides that the request must identify where each matter was previously addressed.” slip op. at 2
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)Institution denied meritsInstitution denied
“Lastly, Petitioner contends the Decision overlooked or “misapprehended the facts showing that all steered planar array antennas inherently result in radiation patterns having at least one asymmetrical beam.” Req. 13–15. According to Petitioner, Figure 4 of U.S. Patent No. 5,929,823 (Exhibit 2010) and Figure 3 of U.S. Patent No. 6,198,434 (Exhibit 2011), relied upon in Patent Owner’s Preliminary Response as describing remedies for distortion effects due to asymmetrical beams (Prelim. Resp. 47–48), do not eliminate the inherent asymmetry of the main beam. Req. 14. However, our Decision relies on Paragraphs 151 to 156 of Mr. Cosgrove’s testimony (Ex. 2001), which cite additional sections of Exhibits 2010 and 2011, to determine that the steered beams of a planar array are not necessarily asymmetrical. Dec. 21–23 (citing Ex. 2001 ¶¶ 151–156). For example, Mr. Cosgrove addresses the asymmetric bulge shown in Figure 4 of Exhibit 2010 by citing to a description of Figure 6, which describes a lobe symmetry of main lobe 610 that presents a more slender beam mid-section than that of main lobe 410 of Figure 4. Ex. 2001 ¶ 152 (citing Ex. 2010, 7:65–8:6). Mr. Cosgrove also addresses the asymmetric bulge shown in Figure 3 of Exhibit 2011 by citing to a description of Figure 6, which describes main lobe 610 as substantially symmetric, and more suited than lobe 310 of Figure 3 to provide communications within a defined subsection of an area to be served. Ex. 2001 ¶ 156 (citing Ex. 2011, 10:13–16). Accordingly, the Decision did not misapprehend or overlook any arguments or evidence presented by Petitioner. We did not abuse our discretion in determining that the Petitioner did not adequately establish a reasonable likelihood that a steered beam of a planar array is necessarily asymmetrical.” slip op. at 5
NonePatents in suitUS 8,311,582 - Apple Inc. v. Fastvdo LLCRehearing deniedPTAB · Mar 15, 2017 · IPR2016-01203 · APJ Jeffrey S Smith · IPR · Rehearing
The Board denied FastVDO’s rehearing request, leaving institution of review of claims 7–11 and 22–26 in place because no overlooked or misapprehended matter was shown.
RulingsRehearing decision- RehearingRehearing, deniedDenied
“argue that Petitioner provided a “sole theory” for the claimed “error protection means” based on indefiniteness. Rather, Patent Owner argued generally that “Petitioner does not describe the structure, materials, or acts corresponding to the terms that Petitioner contends are in means-plus-function format.” Prelim. Resp. 11. Because Patent Owner did not present its “sole theory” argument in the Preliminary Response, the Board could not have misapprehended or overlooked this argument. Even considering this argument, we are not persuaded. In our Decision, we disagreed with Petitioner’s indefiniteness arguments, but nonetheless found that the Petition identifies sufficient structure to support constructions of the means-plus-function limitations. Dec. 10–16. Rather than misapprehend or overlook Patent Owner’s arguments, we found that the Specification of the ’482 patent “discloses enough of an algorithm to allow a person of ordinary skill to discern the necessary structure for performing the claimed function of the ‘error protecting means.’” Dec. 12.” slip op. at 4
NonePatents in suitUS 5,850,482 - Sandisk Corporation v. Netlist, Inc.Rehearing deniedPTAB · Mar 6, 2017 · IPR2015-01020 · APJ Peter P Chen · IPR · Rehearing
The Board denied Patent Owner’s rehearing requests, finding no misapprehension or oversight in its decisions rejecting the challenge to claims 1–20 as obvious.
RulingsRehearing decision- RehearingRehearing, deniedDenied
“II. STANDARD OF REVIEW Under 37 C.F.R. § 42.71(d), the request for rehearing “must specifically identify all matters the party believes the Board misapprehended or overlooked.” See 37 C.F.R. § 42.71(d). Section 42.71(d) further provides that the request must identify where each matter was previously addressed.” slip op. at 2
- Strike new argumentNew argument consideredDecided for petitioner
“Patent Owner’s second argument is that Petitioner’s theory of the chip select signal generating another logic signal, as presented in its Reply, was an “entirely new rationale.” Req. Reh’g 4–7. We disagree. As noted above, there was no new rationale presented, and we found that Petitioner did not assert a new theory. Petitioner’s Reply was based on the same ground of obviousness, involving the same combination of references (Takeda, JEDEC, and Connolly), and proffering the same particular application of the Takeda reference, as set forth in the Petition. Therefore, we determine that we did not misapprehend or overlook the nature of Petitioner’s arguments in its Reply.” slip op. at 4
NonePatents in suitUS 7,881,150 - Sandisk Corporation v. Netlist, Inc.Rehearing deniedPTAB · Mar 6, 2017 · IPR2015-01021 · APJ Peter P Chen · IPR · Rehearing
The Board denied Patent Owner’s rehearing requests, finding no overlooked or misapprehended evidence or arguments in the Final Written Decisions.
RulingsRehearing decision- RehearingRehearing, deniedDenied
“II. STANDARD OF REVIEW Under 37 C.F.R. § 42.71(d), the request for rehearing “must specifically identify all matters the party believes the Board misapprehended or overlooked.” See 37 C.F.R. § 42.71(d). Section 42.71(d) further provides that the request must identify where each matter was previously addressed.” slip op. at 2
- Strike new argumentNew argument consideredDecided for petitioner
“Patent Owner’s second argument is that Petitioner’s theory of the chip select signal generating another logic signal, as presented in its Reply, was an “entirely new rationale.” Req. Reh’g 4–7. We disagree. As noted above, there was no new rationale presented, and we found that Petitioner did not assert a new theory. Petitioner’s Reply was based on the same ground of obviousness, involving the same combination of references (Takeda, JEDEC, and Connolly), and proffering the same particular application of the Takeda reference, as set forth in the Petition. Therefore, we determine that we did not misapprehend or overlook the nature of Petitioner’s arguments in its Reply.” slip op. at 4
NonePatents in suitUS 8,081,536 - Sandisk Corporation v. Netlist, Inc.Rehearing deniedPTAB · Dec 12, 2016 · IPR2015-01020 · APJ Peter P Chen · IPR · Rehearing
The Board denied Patent Owner’s rehearing requests, finding no overlooked or misapprehended evidence or arguments in the final written decisions.
RulingsRehearing decision- RehearingRehearing, deniedDenied
“II. STANDARD OF REVIEW Under 37 C.F.R. § 42.71(d), the request for rehearing “must specifically identify all matters the party believes the Board misapprehended or overlooked.” See 37 C.F.R. § 42.71(d). Section 42.71(d) further provides that the request must identify where each matter was previously addressed.” slip op. at 2
NonePatents in suitUS 7,881,150 - Sandisk Corporation v. Netlist, Inc.Rehearing deniedPTAB · Dec 12, 2016 · IPR2015-01021 · APJ Peter P Chen · IPR · Rehearing
The Board denied Patent Owner’s rehearing requests in IPR2015-01020 and IPR2015-01021, finding no overlooked or misapprehended evidence or arguments.
RulingsRehearing decision- RehearingRehearing, deniedDenied
“106 of the first Jagannathan declaration, filed concurrently with the Petition, he testified, “[t]hus, when a chip-select output from the bank control unit is used to enable a particular DDR SDRAM device, it is also used to enable the bit switch.” Final Dec. 23 (citing Ex. 1002 ¶ 106) (emphasis added). This described Petitioner’s evidence on the chip select signal, namely, that Dr. Jagannathan did not testify that the chip select signal “is also the bit switch enable signal,” but rather, that the chip select signal “is used to” generate the enable signals to the bit switch. In Petitioner’s post-hearing brief (Paper 30), Petitioner cited to pages 35 and 36 of the Petition, and to Dr. Jagannathan’s deposition testimony: Q. So what I’m trying to understand is, in that paragraph, it seems that you’re saying it’s the same signal that’s being used. A. No, I don’t -- I disagree with that. What I am trying to say here is the chip select signal -- those signals that I talked about earlier in the sentence, they’re effectively being used to generate the enable signals. Paper 30 (citing Ex. 2002, 218:6–17). Petitioner asserted in its post-hearing brief, “[w]hen taken as a whole, in context, Dr. Jagannathan’s testimony supports the rationale in the Petition.” Paper 30, 4. As set forth in the Final Written Decision, we agree. Nothing argued by Patent Owner persuades us that in the Final Written Decision we misapprehended or overlooked the nature of Dr. Jagannathan’s testimony in his first declaration.” slip op. at 3
NonePatents in suitUS 8,081,536 - PTAB · Aug 30, 2016 · IPR2014-01448 · APJ Debra K Stephens · IPR · Rehearing
The Board denied rehearing of its final written decision, leaving claims 1 and 7 unpatentable over He and Korodi under § 103.
RulingsRehearing decision- RehearingRehearing, deniedDenied
“decision should be modified, and “[t]he request must specifically identify all matters the party believes the Board misapprehended or overlooked, and the place where each matter was previously addressed in a motion, an opposition, or a reply.” 37 C.F.R. § 42.71(d).” slip op. at 4
- Obviousness (§103) › Motivation to combine / reasonable expectation of successNot reached
“pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 318(a) and 37 C.F.R. § 42.73, concluding Petitioner had shown by a preponderance of the evidence that the challenged claims are unpatentable. Specifically, we determined Petitioner had established by a preponderance of the evidence claims 1 and 7 are unpatentable under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) over He and Korodi (Final Dec. 11–25). In light of our determination that Petitioner had established by a preponderance of the evidence that claims 1 and 7 of the ’279 Patent are unpatentable under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as obvious over He and Korodi, we took no position on whether the same claims are also obvious over the combination of the teachings and suggestions of Gustafsson and He (id. at 25).” slip op. at 3
§ 103 obviousnessPatents in suitUS 7,671,279 - Sandisk Corporation v. Netlist, Inc.Rehearing deniedPTAB · Apr 27, 2016 · IPR2014-00970 · APJ Linda M Gaudette · IPR · Rehearing
Denied SanDisk’s rehearing request; the Board maintained its findings that claims 2, 5, and 6 were not shown obvious over Huang and claims 17–19 and 35 were not shown anticipated by Averbuj.
RulingsRehearing decision- RehearingRehearing, deniedDenied
“II. STANDARD OF REVIEW The party requesting rehearing has the burden of showing the decision should be modified, and “[t]he request must specifically identify all matters the party believes the Board misapprehended or overlooked, and the place where each matter was previously addressed in a motion, an opposition, or a reply.” 37 C.F.R. § 42.71(d).” slip op. at 3
- BurdenNot shown unpatentable
“20–21 (“Averbuj discloses that in BIST mode, the multiplexer 46 shown in Fig. 6 selectively inputs signals BIST_ADDR/CTRL (i.e., address and control signals from the control module) to the address and control port of the corresponding memory device 12.” (emphasis added)). In other words, the Petition is devoid of any discussion of BIST_EN in connection with the limitations of claims 17–19 and 35. See Pet. 19–21. Likewise, the Reply fails to contain any discussion of how the claim limitations are met by Averbuj’s use of the BIST_EN signal. See Reply 17. 37 C.F.R. § 42.22(a)(2) requires each petition to include “[a] full statement of the reasons for the relief requested, including a detailed explanation of the significance of the evidence including material facts, and the governing law, rules, and precedent.” Our discussion in the Final Decision of the patentability challenge as to claims 17–19 and 35 based on anticipation by Averbuj addresses Petitioner’s arguments in the Petition and Reply, which are limited to a contention that Averbuj’s multiplexer 46 is required to meet the “configured to selectively input” and “selectively inputs” limitations recited in claims 17–19 and 35. See Final Dec. 44–46 (citing Pet. 19–21; Reply 17). In arguing that we should have considered Dr. Alpert’s testimony that Averbuj’s sequencer, by generating a BIST_EN signal, is “configured to selectively input”/“selectively inputs” address and control signals to the memory modules, Petitioner attempts to improperly incorporate arguments into its Petition and Reply by reference to Dr. Alpert’s declaration testimony. See 37 C.F.R. § 42.6(a)(3) (“Arguments must not be incorporated by reference from one document into another document.”). In any event, we find the declaration testimony relied on by Petitioner in support of this Request (see Req. Reh’g 13) supports our determination that Petitioner failed to show, by a preponderance of the evidence, that Averbuj anticipates claims 17–19 and 35. Dr. Alpert testified that if the “configuration [to selectively input to the address and control ports] is determined to require the structure that performs the selection itself, then the disclosed control module also includes multiplexer 46 of memory interface 41.” Ex. 1007 ¶ 78 (emphasis added); see also id. ¶ 81 (identifying multiplexer 46 as the “DRAM controller which performs the selective inputting” as recited in claim 18). Petitioner did not explain (see Pet. 19–21; Reply 17) how Averbuj describes multiplexer 46 as being part of sequencer 8 (the alleged control module). See Final Dec. 45–46 (explaining that Petitioner has not addressed Patent Owner’s argument that the device that selectively inputs address and control signals to memory modules 12 is multiplexer 46 of memory interface 41 (the alleged data handler), not sequencer 8 (the alleged control module)). In sum, for the above reasons, we are not persuaded of error in our determination that Petitioner did not meet its burden to establish unpatentability of claims 17–19 and 35 under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b) based on Averbuj.” slip op. at 11
- Obviousness (§103) › Motivation to combine / reasonable expectation of successNot shown unpatentableMotivation not foundNot shown unpatentable
“Huang and Tsern, Petitioner relied on the declaration testimony of its expert, Dr. Donald Alpert (Ex. 1007). See, e.g., id. at 44 (citing Ex. 1007 ¶ 222 in support of its challenge as to claim 2). In concluding Petitioner had not demonstrated a reasonable likelihood it would prevail in showing that claims 2, 5, and 6 would have been obvious over Huang in view of Tsern, we said the following: Dr. Alpert’s opinion that a person of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to combine Huang and Tsern . . . is either unsupported or relies on disclosure in the ’434 patent Detailed Description. See, e.g., Ex. 1007 ¶¶ 193, 199, and 206. . . . [T]here is no evidence on this record that the cited portions of the ’434 patent are a description of prior art. Moreover, Dr. Alpert’s statements lack sufficient articulated reasoning with rational underpinning as to why an ordinary artisan at the time of the invention would have had a reason to combine the prior art elements in the manner required by the challenged claims.” slip op. at 4
- Novelty / Anticipation (§102) › Anticipation standard (single reference, every element)Not shown unpatentableNot shown unpatentable
“statement of the reasons for the relief requested, including a detailed explanation of the significance of the evidence including material facts, and the governing law, rules, and precedent.” Our discussion in the Final Decision of the patentability challenge as to claims 17–19 and 35 based on anticipation by Averbuj addresses Petitioner’s arguments in the Petition and Reply, which are limited to a contention that Averbuj’s multiplexer 46 is required to meet the “configured to selectively input” and “selectively inputs” limitations recited in claims 17–19 and 35. See Final Dec. 44–46 (citing Pet. 19–21; Reply 17). In arguing that we should have considered Dr. Alpert’s testimony that Averbuj’s sequencer, by generating a BIST_EN signal, is “configured to selectively input”/“selectively inputs” address and control signals to the memory modules, Petitioner attempts to improperly incorporate arguments into its Petition and Reply by reference to Dr. Alpert’s declaration testimony. See 37 C.F.R. § 42.6(a)(3) (“Arguments must not be incorporated by reference from one document into another document.”). In any event, we find the declaration testimony relied on by Petitioner in support of this Request (see Req. Reh’g 13) supports our determination that Petitioner failed to show, by a preponderance of the evidence, that Averbuj anticipates claims 17–19 and 35. Dr. Alpert testified that if the “configuration [to selectively input to the address and control ports] is determined to require the structure that performs the selection itself, then the disclosed control module also includes multiplexer 46 of memory interface 41.” Ex. 1007 ¶ 78 (emphasis added); see also id. ¶ 81 (identifying multiplexer 46 as the “DRAM controller which performs the selective inputting” as recited in claim 18). Petitioner did not explain (see Pet. 19–21; Reply 17) how Averbuj describes multiplexer 46 as being part of sequencer 8 (the alleged control module). See Final Dec. 45–46 (explaining that Petitioner has not addressed Patent Owner’s argument that the device that selectively inputs address and control signals to memory modules 12 is multiplexer 46 of memory interface 41 (the alleged data handler), not sequencer 8 (the alleged control module)). In sum, for the above reasons, we are not persuaded of error in our determination that Petitioner did not meet its burden to establish unpatentability of claims 17–19 and 35 under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b) based on Averbuj.” slip op. at 11
§ 102 anticipation§ 103 obviousnessPatents in suitUS 8,001,434 - Arista Networks, Inc. v. Cisco Systems, Inc.Rehearing deniedPTAB · Mar 29, 2016 · IPR2015-01710 · APJ Bryan F Moore · IPR · Rehearing
The Board denied rehearing and maintained its denial of institution under § 325(d), finding the request did not show that it overlooked or misapprehended any matter.
RulingsRehearing decision- RehearingRehearing, deniedDenied
“ANALYSIS When considering a request for rehearing, we review the Decision for an abuse of discretion. 37 C.F.R. § 42.71(c). The party requesting rehearing bears the burden of showing that the Decision should be modified, and “[t]he request must specifically identify all matters the party believes [we] misapprehended or overlooked.” 37 C.F.R. § 42.71(d).” slip op. at 2
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Discretionary denial › §325(d) same art / argumentsInstitution denied 325dDecided for patent owner
“35 U.S.C. § 325(d). Petitioner does not address the Decision’s discussion of the anticipation ground presented in the ’974 Petition. The Decision found that the anticipation ground presented the same arguments regarding Habraken as were presented regarding Habraken in the ’974 Petition. Dec. 9–10.” slip op. at 3
Discretionary denialPatents in suitUS 7,224,668 - Arista Networks, Inc. v. Cisco Systems, Inc.Rehearing deniedPTAB · Feb 29, 2016 · IPR2015-00973 · APJ Bryan F Moore · IPR · Rehearing
The Board denied rehearing and again denied institution on all challenged claims because the petition did not show a reasonable likelihood that Hendel disclosed the claimed access result.
RulingsRehearing decision- RehearingRehearing, deniedDenied
“the Board reviews the decision for an abuse of discretion. 37 C.F.R. § 42.71(c). An abuse of discretion may arise if a decision is based on an erroneous interpretation of law, if a factual finding is not supported by substantial evidence, or if an unreasonable judgment is made in weighing relevant factors. Star Fruits S.N.C. v. U.S., 393 F.3d 1277, 1281 (Fed. Cir. 2005); Arnold P’ship v. Dudas, 362 F.3d 1338, 1340 (Fed. Cir. 2004); In re Gartside, 203 F.3d 1305, 1315–16 (Fed. Cir. 2000). The party requesting rehearing has the burden of showing that the decision should be modified, and “[t]he request must specifically identify all matters the party believes the Board misapprehended or overlooked.” 37 C.F.R. § 42.71(d).” slip op. at 2
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)Institution denied meritsInstitution denied
“being forwarded (restriction) or that an output port is selected and altered. Rather, these citations generally state that priority can be given to certain packets and quality of service can be applied to layer 2 routing. Thus, we are not persuaded that Petitioner’s citation to quality of service in general discloses “generating an access result in response to said at least one selected match.”” slip op. at 7
- Claim Construction › Intrinsic evidence (Phillips canons) › Plain and ordinary meaning to a POSITATerm construed board ownOther
“rehearing, we determine that the phrase “modifications on the intended destination address to which a packet is to be transmitted” introduces uncertainly into the construction.4 The construction in the Decision appears to conflate the “destination” of a packet with the output interface to which a packet is directed. The Specification does not describe, however, modifying the “destination” of the packet; the only “modification” on how the packet is routed specifically described in the Specification is when “the access control element 120 . . . [alters] the output interface, which was selected by the routing element 110, to another selected output interface.” Ex. 1001, 6:13– 4 Petitioner does not seek rehearing of the claim construction (Reh’g Req. 4, n. 1) but our analysis requires that we revisit the claim construction determination from the Decision. 16; Reh’g Req. 4–5. Thus, we modify our construction of “access control” to mean only restrictions on the transmission of a packet or alteration of a selected output interface for the packet.” slip op. at 4
- Expert testimonyPetitioner expert discountedDecided for patent owner
“Additionally, Petitioner cites to its Declarant Dr. Chao. Reh’g Req. 6 (citing Ex. 1003 ¶ 31). Petitioner’s Declarant states without citation that “a switch may modify the forwarding decision to account for network policies such as quality of service determinations. That is, a packet may be destined for a certain MAC address and port on the switch, but the switch may determine that the packet can be transmitted more reliably through another port, and so it will change the destination port for that packet.” Ex. 1003 ¶ 31. Petitioner’s Declarant’s testimony is conclusory and unsupported by evidence, and, therefore, we give that testimony no weight.” slip op. at 7
Claim constructionPatents in suitUS 6,377,577
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.