||||||||l|||||ll|||||||||||||||||||||||l||lllll||||||ll|||||||||||||||l|||l
`
`US006587067C I
`
`(12) EX PARTE REEXAMINATION CERTIFICATE (8031st)
`United States Patent
`Darbee et al.
`
`US 6,587,067 C1
`(10) Number:
`(45) Certificate Issued:
`Feb. 15, 2011
`
`(54)
`
`(75)
`
`UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL WITH
`MACRO COMMAND CAPABILITIES
`
`Inventors: Paul V. Darbee, Santa Ana, CA (US);
`Richard E. Ellis, Garden Grove, CA
`(US); Louis Steven Jansky, Long
`Beach, CA (US); Avram S. Grossman,
`Santa Ana, CA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc., Cypress, CA
`(US)
`
`Reexamination Request:
`No. 90/007,876, Ian. 17, 2006
`
`Reexamination Certificate for:
`Patent No.:
`6,587,067
`Issued:
`Jul. 1, 2003
`Appl. No.:
`09/791,354
`Filed:
`Feb. 23, 2001
`
`Certificate of Correction issued Sep. 14, 2004.
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 09/408,729, filed on Sep.
`29, 1999. now Pat. No. 6.195.033, which is a continuation-
`in—pan of application No. 07/990,854, filed on Dec. 11,
`1992. now Pat. No. 6,014,092. which is a continuation—in-
`part of application No. 07/913523. filed on Jul. 14. 1992,
`now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of applica-
`tion No. 07/586957, filed on Sep. 24, 1990. now abandoned,
`which is a continuation-in-pan of application No. 07/127,
`999, filed on Dec. 2, 1987, now Pat. No. 4.959.810. which is
`a continuation-in-part of application No. 07/109,336. filed
`on Oct. 14. 1987. now abandoned.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G08C 19/28
`G08C 23/04
`G08C 19/16
`G08C 23/00
`H03] 1/00
`H048 1/20
`H043 10/10
`H04N 5/44
`H01H 9/02
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`
`...................... .. 341/176; 341/173; 345/169;
`345/ 1 71 ; 384/E5.096
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search ...................... .. None
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`PUBLICATIONS
`
`Steve Ciarcia “Build The Home Run Control System.” Byte
`Apr. 1985, vol. 10, No. 4.
`
`Steve Ciarcia “Build The Home Run Control System Part 2”
`Byte May 1985, vol. 10, No. 5.
`
`Steve Ciarcia “Build The Home Run Control System Pan 3”
`Byte Jun. 1985, vol. 10, No.6.
`
`“Home Run—Micromint’s Home Control System Users
`Manual Rev 1.0”, The Micromint, lnc., pp. 1-159, Apr. 1,
`1985.
`
`Primary Examiner—Woo H Choi
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A universal remote control comprising a keyboard having :1
`plurality of pushbuttons including a macro pushbutton and a
`library of codes and data for use in transmitting operating
`commands to a plurality of different home appliances of
`different manufacturers. Instructions within the remote con-
`
`trol are used match the universal remote control to a plurality
`of different home appliances of different manufacturers such
`that selected codes and data from the library are used to
`transmit operating commands to the matched home appli~
`ances in response to activation of selected pushbuttons of the
`keyboard. The instructions are also used to assign to the
`macro pushbutton a subset of the selected codes and data
`from the library whereafter activation of the macro pushbut-
`ton causes the universal remote control to use the subset of
`selected codes and data from the library to transmit operat-
`ing commands to one or more of the matched home appli-
`ances.
`
`55 Mme A 'b0':ouwmD uncao
`
`Ilunvcl Kn
`smut:-u vo
`nu-(E svtlr 5"" '
`IV is nun
`
`
`no 2
`
`
`
`um: 1..
`nununr non:
`turn nrs-trams: "K. .
`no ruhclnau
`
`. 1:. n, no-u, vn l,!oiv[l,ILAv, rv, :.(~1E~
`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:28)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:20)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1009 Page 1
`
`
`
`miss A~v nu
`urxurv -cont xlV-
`unau-
`nun!
`oo.(
`--run»
`
`
`
`no a
`
`

`
`US 6,587,067 Cl
`
`1
`EX PARTE
`
`2
`AS A RESULT OF REEXAMINATION, IT HAS BEEN
`
`REEXAMINATION CERTIFICATE
`ISSUED UNDER 35 U.S.C. 307
`
`NO AMENDMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO
`THE PATENT
`
`DETERM""ED THAT
`
`5
`
`The patemabilily of claims 1-6 is confirmed.
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:28)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:21)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1009 Page 2
`
`

`
`
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`PO. Box 1450
`Alexandria. V"
`'nia 223l3-I450
`www.uspto.go
`
`90/007,876
`
`01/17/2006
`
`6587067
`
`7865
`
`""6'2°'°
`759°
`GREENBURG TRAURIG PC
`77 W WACKER DRIVE
`sums 2500
`CHICAGO, IL 60101
`
`-
`
`I
`
`DATE MAILED: 1 1/16/2010
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`‘
`
`.
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`PTO-90C (Rev. 10/03)
`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:28)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:22)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1009 Page 3
`
`

`
`
`
`Commissionerfor Patents
`United States Patent and Trademark Otfice
`P.0. Box145IJ
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`vwuwusp1o.go-1
`
`DO NOT USE IN PALM PRINTER
`
`(THIRD PARTY REQUESTER'S CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS)
`
`Kenneth D'Alessandro
`
`Sierra Patent Group, Ltd
`1657 Hvvt 395, Suite 202
`Minden, NV 89423
`
`EX PARTE REEXAMINATION COMMUNICATION TRANSMITTAL FORM
`
`REEXAMINATION CONTROL NO. 901007.876.
`
`PATENT NO. 6587067.
`
`ART UNIT 3992.
`
`Enclosed is a copy of the latest communication from the United States Patent and Trademark
`Office in the above identified ex pane reexamination proceeding (37 CFR 1.550(f)).
`
`Where this copy is supplied after the reply by requester, 37 CFR 1.535, or the time for filing a
`reply has passed, no submission on behalf of the ex parte reexamination requester will be
`acknowledged or considered (37 CFR 1.550(g)).
`
`PTOHGS (R°V'°7'°4’
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1009 Page 4
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:28)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:23)
`
`

`
`I
`
`Notice of Intent to Issue
`
`Ex Parte Reexamination Certificate
`
`Control No.
`
`90/007,876
`
`Examiner
`
`Woo H. Choi
`
`Patent Under Reexamination
`
`6587067
`
`Art Unit
`
`3992
`
`-- The MAILING DA TE of this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address -
`
`Prosecution on the merits is (or remains) closed in this ex parte reexamination proceeding. This proceeding is
`subject to reopening at the initiative of the Office or upon petition. Of. 37 CFR 1.313(a). A Certificate will be
`issued in view of
`
`(a) E] Patent owner’s communication(s) filed:
`.
`(b) [] Patent owner’s late response filed:
`'
`(c)
`[:1 Patent owner’s failure to file an appropriate response to the Office action mailed:
`(d)
`[:1 Patent owner’s failure to timely file an Appeal Brief (37 CFR 41.31).
`(e)
`[Z] Other: BPAI decision: September 13, 2010.
`Status of Ex Parte Reexamination:
`(f) Change in the Specification: El Yes IZ No
`(g) Change in the Drawing(s):
`[I Yes IZ No
`(h) Status of the C|aim(s):
`
`(1) Patent claim(s) confirmed: E.
`(2) Patent claim(s) amended (including dependent on amended claim(s)):
`(3) Patent claim(s) canceled:
`.
`(4) Newly presented claim(s) patentable:
`(5) Newly presented canceled claims:
`
`(6) Patent claim(s) [I previously I] currently disclaimedz
`
`(7) Patent claim(s) not subject to reexamination:
`
`2. I:I Note the attached statement of reasons for patentability and/or confirmation. Any comments considered
`necessary by patent owner regarding reasons for patentability and/or confirmation must be submitted promptly
`to avoid processing delays. Such submission(s) should be labeled: “Comments On Statement of Reasons for
`Patentability and/or Confirmation.”
`
`'
`
`3. CI Note attached NOTICE OF REFERENCES CITED (PTO-892).
`
`4. [:1 Note attached LIST OF REFERENCES CITED (PTO/SB/08 or PTO/SB/O8 substitute).
`
`El disapproved.
`[:I approved
`is:
`5. [:1 The drawing correction request filed on
`6. [:1 Acknowledgment is made of the priority claim under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)—(d) or (f).
`a)l:] All
`b)[:I Some*
`c)C] None
`of the certified copies have
`I] been received.
`I] not been received.
`.
`El been filed in Application No.
`.
`E] been filed in reexamination Control No.
`D been received by the International Bureau in PCT Application No.
`
`* Certified copies not received: j
`
`7. CI Note attached Examiners Amendment.
`
`8. [:1 Note attached interview Summary (PTO-474);
`
`9. E] Other: :_
`
`PTOL-469 (Rev. 05-10)
`
`Notice of Intent to Issue Ex Parte Reexamination Certificate
`
`Part of Paper No 20101004
`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:28)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:24)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1009 Page 5
`
`

`
`
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box I450
`Alexandria, Virginia 223l3-I450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`Page 1 of 1
`
`BIB DATA SHEET
`
`SERIAL NUMBER
`90/007,876
`
`FILINSAQITE 371(c)
`01/17/2005
`
`RULE
`
`APPLICANTS
`
`CONFIRMATION NO. 7865
`
`GROUP ART UNIT TTORNEE DOCKET
`3992
`
`6587067, Residence Not Provided;
`UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS |NC.(OWNER), CYPRESS, CA;
`JONATHAN D. HANISH(3RD. PTY. REQ.), MINDEN, NV;
`JONATHAN D. HANISH, MINDEN, NV;
`
`******'k*'k****‘k*fi*t*******
`This application is a REX of 09/791,354 02/23/2001 PAT 6,587,067
`which is a CON of 09/408,729 09/29/1999 PAT 6,195,033
`which is a CIP of 07/990,854 12/11/1992 PAT 6,014,092
`which is a CIP of 07/913,523 07/14/1992 ABN
`which is a CIP of 07/586,957 09/24/1990 ABN
`which is a CIP of 07/127,999 12/02/1987 PAT 4,959,810
`which is a CIP of 07/109,336 10/14/1987 ABN
`
`**'k*'k*****fi*i***'ki****i**
`
`**
`
`**
`
`** IF REQUIRED, FOREIGN FILING LICENSE GRANTED **
`
`D Yes Wm
`F°'°I9“ P”°""Y Claimed
`35 use 119(a-d) conditions met D Yes Um
`Verified and
`IWOO H CHOII
`Acknowledged
`ExamineF's Signature
`
`D xfiggggge
`
`nmals
`
`STATE OR
`COUNTRY
`
`SHEETS
`DRAWINGS
`
`TOTAL
`CLAIMS
`
`6
`
`INDEPENDENT
`CLAIMS
`4
`
`ADDRESS
`
`GREENBURG TRAURIG PC
`77 W WACKER DRIVE
`SUITE 2500
`CHICAGO, IL 60101
`UNITED STATES
`
`UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL WITH MACRO COMMAND CAPABILITIES
`
`HUNG FEE FEES: Authority has been given in Paper
`RECEWED No.
`to charge/credit DEPOSIT ACCOUNT
`for following:
`
`BIB (Rev. 05/07).
`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:28)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:25)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1009 Page 6
`
`

`
`Search Notes
`
`Application/Control No.
`
`AppIicant(s)/Patent under
`Reexamination '
`
`90/007,876
`Examiner
`
`Woo H. Choi
`
`6587067
`Art Unit
`
`3992
`
`SEARCH NOTES
`
`(INCLUDING SEARCH STRATEGY)
`
`reviewedprosecutionhistory
`
`4/5/2008
`
`INTERFERENCE SEARCHED
`
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`Part of Paper No. 20101004
`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:28)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:26)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1009 Page 7
`
`

`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`‘I
`
`Reexamination
`
`Application/Control No.
`
`90007876
`
`
`App|icant(s)/Patent Under
`_
`_
`Reexamination
`
`6587067
`Certificate Number&— CI
`Certificate Date
`
`
`Requester 6
`
`I
`
`fPatént Owner
`
`'
`
`I21 Third Party
`
`Kenneth D'A|essandro
`
`Sierra Patent Group, Ltd
`1657 Hwy 395, Suit 202
`Minden, NV 89423
`
`LITIGATION REVIEW E]
`
`'
`
`examiner initials
`
`04/04/2003
`date
`
`I
`
`M’
`
`COPEND|NG OFFICE PROCEEDINGS
`
`TYPE OF PROCEEDING
`
`
`
`
`
`
`_
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:28)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:27)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1009 Page 8
`DOC. CODE RXFILJKT
`
`

`
`Application/Control No.
`Issue Classification 00007070
`
`AppIicant(s)/Patent Under Reexamination
`0007007
`
`Woo H Choi
`
`ORIGINAL
`
`INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATION
`
`Egg.-'===j
`0000 0000000000
`G c j
`
`" nunnnllj
`°
`cmssnulllj
`—2__flfl-----
`1111mm----j
`wjjj1nnn----j
`:1j111nn--fin
`
`
`
`
`
`(Assistant Examiner)
`NVoo H Choi/
`
`Primary Examiner.Art Unit 3992
`
`(Primary Examiner)
`
`Total Claims Allowed:
`
`6
`
`10/04/2010
`
`O.G. Print C|aim(s)
`
`O.G. Print Figure
`
`(Date)
`
`1
`
`US. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`Part of Paper No. 20101004
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:28)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:28)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1009 Page 9
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`18A
`
`
`
`:1::j1 T j
`jjjjjj----—-C--—
`111111--I-j----j
`jjjjjj----—-C--—
`jjjij----—-C--—
`j:jiTj----_-H--—
`jjijj----—-C--—
`111111:---j----j
`
`
`
`
`
`M
`
`Claims renumbered in the same order as presented by applicant
`
`El
`
`0 1:>
`
`E]
`
`T.D.'
`
`I]
`
`Final
`
`Original
`
`Flnal
`
`Original
`
`E ow
`
`R.1.47
`
`Original
`
`
`
`

`
`
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`
`F ING DATE
`
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`
`CONF {MATION NO.
`
`90/007,876
`
`01/17/2006
`
`6587067
`
`7865
`
`09/13/2010
`
`7590
`GREENBURGTRAURIGPC
`77 W WACKER DRIVE
`SUITE 2500
`CHICAGO, IL 60101
`
`CHOL woo H
`
`3992
`
`MAIL DATE
`
`09/13/2010
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`PAPER
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
`
`PTOL_90A (Rev. 04,07)
`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:28)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1009 Page 10
`
`

`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`BEFORE THE BOARD OF PATENT APPEALS
`
`AND INTERFERENCES
`
`Ex parte UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS, INC.
`
`Appeal 2009—011530
`Reexamination Control 90/007,876
`
`Technology Center 3900
`Patent No. 6,587,067
`
`Decided: September 13, 2010
`
`Before MICHAEL R. FLEMING, ChiefAdministrative Patent Judge,
`JAMES T. MOORE and ALLEN R. MacDONALD, Vice Chief
`Administrative Patent Judges, and HOWARD B. BLANKENSHIP and
`SCOTT R. BOALICK, Administrative Patent Judges.
`
`BOALICK, Administrative Patent Judge.
`
`DECISION ON APPEAL1
`
`1 The tWo—month time period for filing an appeal or commencing a civil
`action, as recited in 37 C.F.R. § 1.304, or for filing a request for rehearing,
`as recited in 37 C.F.R. § 41.52, begins to run from the “MAIL DATE”
`shown on the PTOL—90A cover letter attached to this decision.
`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:28)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:20)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1009 Page 11
`
`

`
`Appeal 2009-011530
`Reexamination Control 90/007,876
`
`Patent No. 6,587,067
`
`Universal Electronics, Inc. appeals under 35 U.S.C. § 134(b) and
`
`35 U.S.C. § 306 from a final rejection of claims 1-6. We have jurisdiction
`
`under 35 U.S.C. §§ 134(b) and 306.
`
`We reverse.
`
`STATEMENT OF THE CASE
`
`Reexamination Proceedings
`
`A request for ex parte reexamination of U.S. Patent 6,587,067 (“the
`
`‘067 patent”) was filed on January 13, 2006, by Kenneth D’Alessandro of
`
`Sierra Patent Group, Ltd., Reexamination Control No. 90/007,876.
`
`The ‘067 patent, now expired, is entitled “Universal Remote Control
`
`with Macro Command Capabilities” and issued July 1, 2003, to Paul V.
`
`Darbee, Richard E. Ellis, Louis Steven Jansky, and Avram S. Grossman,
`
`based on Application No. 09/791,354, filed February 23, 2001. The earliest
`
`priority date claimed by the ‘067 patent is October 14, 1987. The ‘067
`
`patent is said to be assigned to Universal Electronics, Inc., said to be the real
`
`party in interest.
`
`Appellanfs Invention
`
`Appellant’s invention relates to a universal remote control that
`
`includes a library of codes and data for use in transmitting operating
`
`commands to different home appliances made by different manufacturers.
`
`(Abstract.)
`
`The Claims
`
`Claim 1 is exemplary:
`
`In a universal remote control comprising a
`1.
`keyboard having a plurality of pushbuttons including a macro
`pushbutton and a library of codes and data for use in
`
`2
`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:28)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:21)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1009 Page 12
`
`

`
`Appeal 2009-011530
`Reexamination Control 90/007,876
`
`Patent No. 6,587,067
`
`transmitting operating commands to a plurality of different
`home appliances of different manufacturers, a readable medium
`having instructions for performing steps comprising:
`matching the universal remote control to a plurality of
`different home appliances of different manufacturers such that
`selected codes and data from the library are used to transmit
`operating commands to the matched home appliances in
`response to activation of selected pushbuttons of the keyboard,
`the pushbuttons of the keyboard being activated to directly
`identify each of the plurality of different home applicances [sic]
`of different manufacturers to which the universal remote control
`
`is to be matched; and
`
`assigning to the macro pushbutton a subset of the
`selected codes and data from the library whereafter activation
`of the macro pushbutton causes the universal remote control to
`use the subset of selected codes and data from the library to
`transmit a plurality of operating commands to one or more of
`the matched home appliances.
`
`The References
`
`The prior art relied upon by the Examiner in rejecting the claims on
`
`appeal is:
`
`Micromint, Inc., Home Run Micromint’s Home Control System Users
`Manual 1-159 (1985) (“Micromint”).
`
`The Rejection
`
`Claims 1-6 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b) as being
`
`anticipated by Micromint.
`
`Appellant relies upon the following rebuttal evidence:
`
`Declaration under 37 C.F.R. § 1.132 of Patrick H. Hayes, dated
`June 10, 2008 (“Hayes Declaration”).
`
`Declaration under 37 C.F.R. § 1.132 of Alex M. Cook, Jr., dated
`
`June 10, 2008 (“Cook Declaration”).
`
`3
`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:28)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:22)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1009 Page 13
`
`

`
`Appeal 2009-011530
`Reexamination Control 90/007,876
`
`Patent No. 6,587,067
`
`ISSUE
`
`With respect to independent claims 1, 3, 4 and 6, Appellant argues
`
`that the Examiner improperly construed the terms “codes” and “data” and
`
`further argues that, when properly construed, Micromint does not teach a
`
`library of codes and data for use in transmitting operating commands to a
`
`plurality of different home appliances of different manufacturers, as claimed.
`
`(App. Br. 7-15; see also Reply Br. 2-6.)
`
`The following dispositive issue is presented:
`
`Under the proper claim construction, does Micromint teach a library
`
`of codes and data for use in transmitting operating commands to a plurality
`
`of different home appliances of different manufacturers?
`
`FINDINGS OF FACT
`
`The record supports the following findings of fact (FF) by a
`
`preponderance of the evidence.
`
`‘06 7 Patent
`
`1.
`
`The ‘067 patent describes a universal remote control (col. 1, l. 42) that
`
`acquires infrared codes for a controlled apparatus (col. 1, ll. 49-51),
`
`such as a television, VCR, CD, cable converter, or other equipment
`
`(col. 8, ll. 37-40). The universal remote control generates code data
`
`related to the infrared codes for storage in a RAM (random access
`
`memory) as a library or table of code data. (Col. 1, ll. 51-56.) The
`
`code data is used to generate infrared codes for operating different
`
`electrical apparatus manufactured by different manufacturers. (Col. 1,
`
`ll. 57-58). Figure 1 (below) shows a perspective view of a universal
`
`remote control device. Figure 7 (below) shows a plan view of the
`
`4
`
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`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1009 Page 14
`
`

`
`Appeal 2009-011530
`Reexamination Control 90/007,876
`
`Patent No. 6,587,067
`
`circuit board assembly mounted inside the universal remote control
`
`device.
`
`
`
`
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`2.
`
`The universal remote control device 10 includes a central processing
`
`unit (CPU) 56 and a read-write RAM 54. (Col. 2, ll. 35-41; col. 5,
`
`ll. 57-60; fig. 7.) The device 10 also includes light emitting diodes
`
`LED 1, LED 2, LED 3 (col. 4, ll. 54-56; fig. 1) and LED 4 (col. 4,
`
`ll. 59-60; fig. 1). LED 1, LED 2 and LED 3 are infrared light emitting
`
`diodes (col. 5, l. 67 to col. 6, l. 1) for communicating with the
`
`5
`
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`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1009 Page 15
`
`
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`
`
`

`
`Appeal 2009-011530
`Reexamination Control 90/007,876
`
`Patent No. 6,587,067
`
`controlled apparatus (col. 5, ll. 59-61). LED 4 is for communicating
`
`with the user of device 10 through red and green “blink codes.”
`
`(Col. 4, ll. 58-61; col. 5, ll. 63-64; fig. 1.)
`
`3.
`
`The device 10 also can decipher infrared codes for operating various
`
`pieces of equipment (e.g., TV, VCR, CD player or cable converter).
`
`(Col. 8, ll. 33-40; fig. 1.) Figure 12b illustrates “a graph of the
`
`waveform of the captured, and later recreated, infrared codes,
`
`showing when the infrared signal is on and when it is off.” (Col. 10,
`
`ll. 7-9.) The CPU 56 executes IR-ON, IR-OFF and NOP (no
`
`operation) instructions for operating the infrared-emitting LEDs (i.e.,
`
`LED 1, LED 2, and LED 3) such that “the infrared codes are
`
`transformed into a bit stream of 0’s and 1’s.” (Col. 10, ll. 9-15.)
`
`4. As illustrated in Figure 11, the infrared codes can be characterized by
`
`several modulation schemes. (Col. 9, ll. 17-19; fig. 11.) In some
`
`embodiments, the modulation schemes include different carrier
`
`frequencies and gating schemes. (Col. 9, ll. 19-27; figs. 11a-11 g.)
`
`Typical carrier frequencies range from 20 kHz to 45 kHz. (Col. 9,
`
`ll. 20-22.) Gating schemes include fixed and variable bit periods,
`
`non-return to zero, variable burst widths, single/double burst and a
`
`catch—all category. (Col. 9, ll. 22-27.) Figure 11 (shown below)
`
`shows graphical representations of several modulation schemes used
`
`in the universal remote control device.
`
`6
`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:28)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:25)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1009 Page 16
`
`

`
`Appeal 2009-011530
`Reexamination Control 90/007,876
`
`Patent No. 6,587,067
`
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`5.
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`In the Figure 11h embodiment, a continuous frequency (CW)
`
`modulation scheme is used. (Col. 9, ll. 28-30; fig. 11h.) In the Figure
`
`11i embodiment, the modulation scheme does not use a carrier
`
`frequency and instead sends a stream of infrared pulses where the data
`
`is encoded in the spaces between the pulses. (Col. 9, 31-34; fig. 11i.)
`
`Micromint
`
`6.
`
`Micromint relates to a home control system (HCS), including a
`
`computer, that controls lights and appliances in a home.
`
`(P. 1, HI 1.)
`
`The HCS “senses presence in rooms, automatically turns lights on,
`
`7
`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:28)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:26)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1009 Page 17
`
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`

`
`Appeal 2009-011530
`Reexamination Control 90/007,876
`
`Patent No. 6,587,067
`
`raises the heat or lowers the air conditioning, and follows a variety (as
`
`opposed to one) of prescribed control sequences defined by the ‘real
`
`time’ assessment of the activities of the house occupants” (p. 7, 9[ 1).
`
`The HCS computer includes a keyboard console connected to a
`
`monitor for programming the home control system “by answering
`
`questions, or selecting items from a menu.” (P. 27, 9[ 3; fig. 10.) The
`
`HCS is designed around the concept of “events,” which are actions
`
`performed on a device or module. (P. 5, HI 6.) An “event” has four
`
`elements:
`
`(1) the type of event (e.g., ON/OFF or DIMMER); (2) the
`
`device on which the event operates; (3) a trigger that starts the event
`
`and; (4) a trigger that ends the event. (P. 5, 9[ 6; see also p. 101, 9[ 3.)
`
`All events entered into the HCS are stored in a RAM.
`
`(P. 106, HI 3;
`
`p. 12, q[ 2.)
`
`7.
`
`The HCS has as its central element a command controller that “sends
`
`commands to the receiver modules by coded messages sent through
`
`the AC power lines.” (P. 7, HI 4.) Receiver modules include lamp
`
`modules, wall switch modules, three—way wall switch modules and
`
`appliance modules for controlling “any appliance.” (P. 111, QHI 1-4.)
`
`Each receiver module typically controls a single light or appliance.
`
`(P. 85, HI 2.) For example, any module can be turned on or off and the
`
`lamp module can be dimmed.
`
`(P. 44, 9[ 1.)
`
`8. A 9-bit command messages contains a 4-bit “house code” and a 5-bit
`
`“device code” (p. 8, HM 2, 4) that are “transmitted in true and inverted
`
`format on successive half cycles of the AC waveform” (p. 8, HI 4). “A
`
`logic 1 bit is three 1-millisecond bursts of 120 kHz signal
`
`8
`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:28)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:27)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1009 Page 18
`
`

`
`Appeal 2009-011530
`Reexamination Control 90/007,876
`
`Patent No. 6,587,067
`
`commencing approximately 200 microseconds after the zero crossing
`
`of the AC line. A logic 0 bit is represented by no signal for that half
`
`cycle.” (P. 8, HI 5.) Each receiver module monitors the AC line for “a
`
`coded message corresponding to its unique house code (A through P)
`
`and unit device code (1 through 16).” (P. 9, 9[ 1.) The HCS can
`
`accommodate a total of sixteen house codes with sixteen device codes
`
`for each house code. (P. 8, 9[ 2.)
`
`ANALYSIS
`
`Claim Interpretation
`
`Claim interpretation necessarily precedes the addressing of questions
`
`of patentability. See, e. g., Gechter v. Davidson, 116 F.3d 1454, 1457 (Fed.
`
`Cir. 1997) (“Implicit in our review of the Board’s anticipation analysis is
`
`that the claim must first have been correctly construed to define the scope
`
`and meaning of each contested limitation.”).
`
`“[T]he words of a claim ‘are generally given their ordinary and
`
`customary meaning.’” Phillips v. AWH Corp., 415 F.3d 1303, 1312 (Fed.
`
`Cir. 2005) (en banc) (internal citations omitted). The “ordinary and
`
`customary meaning of a claim term is the meaning that the term would have
`
`to a person of ordinary skill in the art in question at the time of the invention,
`
`i.e., as of the effective filing date of the patent application.” Id. at 1313.
`
`“Importantly, the person of ordinary skill in the art is deemed to read the
`
`claim term not only in the context of the particular claim in which the
`
`disputed term appears, but in the context of the entire patent, including the
`
`specification.” Id. “[T]he specification is always highly relevant to the
`
`claim construction analysis. Usually, it is dispositive; it is the single best
`
`9
`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:28)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:28)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1009 Page 19
`
`

`
`Appeal 2009-011530
`Reexamination Control 90/007,876
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`Patent No. 6,587,067
`
`guide to the meaning of a disputed term.” Id. at 1315 (internal citations
`
`omitted). However, it is improper to “import limitations into claims from
`
`examples or embodiments appearing only in a patent's written description,
`
`even when a specification describes very specific embodiments of the
`
`invention or even describes only a single embodiment, unless the
`
`specification makes clear that ‘the patentee .
`
`.
`
`. intends for the claims and the
`
`embodiments in the specification to be strictly coextensive.’” JVW Enters.,
`
`Inc. v. Interact Accessories, Inc., 424 F.3d 1324, 1335 (Fed. Cir. 2005)
`
`(quoting Phillips, 415 F.3d at 1323). It is also improper to confine the
`
`claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification. Phillips,
`
`415 F.3d at 1323.
`
`Interpretation of Expired Patent Claims
`
`Appellant states that “[t]he