1. Ground 1: Claims 1-17, 20, and 24-27 are rendered obvious by the
`combination of Parker Thesis and Warr Thesis and Tan Thesis
`
`
`’395 Claim Language
`Followed by corresponding features in the reference, with emphasis added.
`[1pre.] An optical routing module having at least one input and at least
`one output and operable to select between the outputs, the or each input
`receiving a respective light beam having an ensemble of different
`channels, the module comprising:
`Parker Thesis discloses a space-wavelength switch that includes having at
`least one input and at least one output and operable to select between the
`outputs, the or each input receiving a respective light beam having an
`ensemble of different channels.
`
`
`
`Parker Thesis at 96.
`
`“The currently unused extra dimension of the SLM can also be used to add
`functionality to the switch, such as to make it into a space-wavelength
`switch. This would serve a very important function in dynamic wavelength-
`routed optical networks as an add-drop node. Figure (6.1) shows an
`‘exploded’ concept for a polarisation-insensitive, optically transparent,
`compact, low-loss space-wavelength switch, utilising all the ideas
`developed in chapters 2 and 4. The switch acts as a 3 x 3 fibre cross-
`connect, but can also perfectly shuffle wavelengths between the various
`fibres.” Parker Thesis at 97.
`
`Warr Thesis also teaches an optical routing module having at least one input
`and at least one output and operable to select between the outputs. “This is
`achieved by the use of programmable computer-generated holograms
`(CGHs) displayed on a ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) spatial light
`modulator (SLM). The SLM provides fast 2-dimensional binary modulation
`
`
`
`1
`
`FINISAR 1019
`
`

`

`of coherent light and acts as a dynamically reconfigurable diffraction
`pattern.” Warr Thesis at viii.
`
`The optical setups disclosed in Tan Thesis include selecting an output for
`light beams.
`
`
`
`Tan Thesis at 12.
`
`Tan Thesis discloses an SLM with a two dimensional array of pixels.
`“Typically, a large number of holograms for dynamically reconfigurable
`routing applications are generated with a small number of phase levels.
`These are then written onto 2-D pixellated SLMs with a limited spatial
`bandwidth product (SBWP or equivalently number of pixels) and other
`processing limitations such as dead-space and phase uniformity of each
`modulating element.” Tan Thesis at 44.
`See Hall Decl. at ¶¶ 47-49, 53-59, 61-63.
`[1a.] a Spatial Light Modulator (SLM) having a two dimensional array
`of pixels,
`Parker Thesis discloses “a Spatial Light Modulator (SLM) having a two
`dimensional array of pixels.” See “pixelated FLC SLM” illustrated in Fig.
`6.1 (Parker Thesis at 96).
`
`To operate an optical device comprising a two dimensional SLM, Warr
`Thesis teaches “the use of programmable computer-generated holograms
`(CGHs) displayed on a ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) spatial light
`modulator (SLM). The SLM provides fast 2-dimensional binary
`modulation of coherent light and acts as a dynamically reconfigurable
`diffraction pattern.” Warr Thesis at viii.
`
`Warr Thesis also discloses an SLM with an array of pixels. “SLMs typically
`consist of an array of individually controllable pixels…Ferroelectric liquid
`crystal SLMs…can also be readily configured as phase- or as intensity-
`modulators.” Warr Thesis at 7. “To obtain maximum light efficiency, the
`
`
`
`2
`
`

`

`SLM pixels should only modulate the phase of the incident Gaussian beam
`and not the intensity.” Warr Thesis at 13. “Because each pixel now acts as a
`perfect (0, π) binary phase modulator, the input polariser may also be
`removed.” Warr Thesis at 25.
`See Hall Decl. at ¶¶ 47-49, 53-59, 64-66.
`[1b.] a dispersion device disposed to receive light from said at least one
`input and constructed and arranged to disperse light beams of different
`frequencies in different directions
`Parker Thesis discloses “a dispersion device,” described as a “transmissive
`blazed grating” in Figure 6.1. Parker Thesis at 96.
`
`The function of the transmissive blazed grating in Parker Thesis is to receive
`light from at least one input and to disperse light beams of different
`frequencies. “The principle of operation of the tunable holographic
`wavelength filter is based on the wavelength-dispersive nature of gratings.
`Polychromatic light is angularly dispersed by a grating, since the different
`wavelengths are diffracted through different angles.” Parker Thesis at 47.
`See Hall Decl. at ¶¶ 47-49, 53-59, 67-69.
`[1c.] whereby different channels of said ensemble are incident upon
`respective different groups of the pixels of the SLM, and
`Parker Thesis discloses angular dispersion by a grating. “The principle of
`operation of the tunable holographic wavelength filter is based on the
`wavelength-dispersive nature of gratings. Polychromatic light is angularly
`dispersed by a grating, since the different wavelengths are diffracted
`through different angles.” Parker Thesis at 47.
`
`The use of a grating disperses the light into its component frequencies,
`providing separation of the channels and allowing a different set of pixels to
`operate on each channel. See “transmissive blazed grating” in Fig. 6.1
`(Parker Thesis at 96).
`
`“The currently unused extra dimension of the SLM can also be used to add
`functionality to the switch, such as to make it into a space-wavelength
`switch. This would serve a very important function in dynamic wavelength-
`routed optical networks as an add-drop node. Figure (6.1) shows an
`‘exploded’ concept for a polarisation-insensitive, optically transparent,
`compact, low-loss space-wavelength switch, utilising all the ideas developed
`in chapters 2 and 4. The switch acts as a 3 x 3 fibre cross-connect, but can
`also perfectly shuffle wavelengths between the various fibres.” Parker
`Thesis at 97.
`
`
`
`3
`
`

`

`
`Warr Thesis discusses the use of separate groups of pixels having separate
`light beams incident thereon. “The collimation array in plane P2 is arranged
`exactly one focal distance in front of the fibre ends so that the Gaussian
`signal beams are individually collimated through the FLC-SLM. The SLM
`display area is then divided into distinct sub-holograms, such that every
`input source is deflected by a different CGH.” Warr Thesis at 89.
`
`
`Warr Thesis at 89. “Each of the four beams was deflected by a separate
`80x80 pixel region of the 2DX320IR SLM. This transmissive FLC device
`has 80μm pixels, a 28° FLC switching angle, and exhibits a peak response
`around  = l.lμm wavelength.” Warr Thesis at 103.
`
`
`
`Warr Thesis at 103.
`
`Tan Thesis also teaches the use of channels incident on different groups of
`pixels on the SLM. “The second design seeks to avoid the replication loss
`by using a holographic fan-out stage as shown in Figure 2.5(b) [15]. A
`micro-lens array collimates the input channels to a sub-hologram array.
`Each sub-hologram steers its respective beam to the desired output fibre
`port. The same hologram pattern diffracts the light from any input channels
`to a particular output port due to the shift-invariant property of holograms
`using a single Fourier transform lens.” Tan Thesis at 11-12. See Fig. 2.5(b)
`(Tan Thesis at 12).
`See Hall Decl. at ¶¶ 47-49, 53-59, 70-72.
`[1d.] circuitry constructed and arranged to display holograms on the
`
`
`
`4
`
`

`

`SLM to determine the channels at respective outputs.
`Parker Thesis describes the use of circuitry to display holograms on the
`SLM.
`
`
`“The SLM was controlled by a PC via the printer port…This is illustrated in
`figure (2.3) where a desired hologram, and the actual displayed SLM
`hologram are shown.” Parker Thesis at 14.
`
`Warr Thesis describes circuitry to display holograms, where the device
`“displays one frame from a set of phase CGHs which have been calculated
`off-line at an earlier stage and placed in a frame store to be recalled on
`demand.” Warr Thesis at 33. “This is achieved by the use of programmable
`computer-generated holograms (CGHs) displayed on a ferroelectric liquid
`crystal (FLC) spatial light modulator (SLM). The SLM provides fast 2-
`dimensional binary modulation of coherent light and acts as a dynamically
`reconfigurable diffraction pattern.” Warr Thesis at viii.
`
`The holograms in Warr Thesis are used to steer beams. “Each of the four
`beams was deflected by a separate 80x80 pixel region of the 2DX320IR
`SLM. This transmissive FLC device has 80μm pixels, a 28° FLC switching
`angle, and exhibits a peak response around  = l.lμm wavelength.” Warr
`Thesis at 103.
`
`
`Warr Thesis at 103. “The collimation array in plane P2 is arranged exactly
`
`
`
`5
`
`

`

`one focal distance in front of the fibre ends so that the Gaussian signal
`beams are individually collimated through the FLC-SLM. The SLM
`display area is then divided into distinct sub-holograms, such that every
`input source is deflected by a different CGH.” Warr Thesis at 89.
`
`Tan Thesis discusses the circuitry constructed and arranged to display
`holograms on the SLM to route channels to outputs. “The integration of
`liquid crystal modulators with silicon backplane circuitry has resulted in
`much higher space-bandwidth products as well as pixel level processing
`[57].” Tan Thesis at 14. “However, a CMOS process is optimised to
`implement electrical functionality with unrivalled circuit complexity and
`density. Therefore, attempting to make good optical devices necessitates a
`post-processing of the silicon backplane pixels. The quest for higher
`driving voltages is critical for dynamic holography due to the requirements
`of large tilt FLCs. A suitable silicon process to implement the backplane
`circuitry was chosen after considering the circuit and layout requirements of
`a moderate (11 V) and a high (45V) voltage process.” Tan Thesis at 82. “A
`silicon backplane has been designed with optimum-quality pixels both to
`meet the requirements of a demonstrator switch (undertaken by other project
`partners) and experimental verification of the hologram analysis.” Tan
`Thesis at 166.
`See Hall Decl. at ¶¶ 73-75.
`[2.] The optical routing module of claim 1, wherein the dispersion device
`comprises at least one reflective device and at least one transmissive
`device.
`Claim 2 depends from claim 1, which is rendered obvious for the reasons
`discussed above.
`
`Parker Thesis describes a dispersion device with a lens and a transmissive
`blazed grating. See Fig. 6.1 (Parker Thesis at 96).
`
`“The currently unused extra dimension of the SLM can also be used to add
`functionality to the switch, such as to make it into a space-wavelength
`switch. This would serve a very important function in dynamic wavelength-
`routed optical networks as an add-drop node. Figure (6.1) shows an
`‘exploded’ concept for a polarisation-insensitive, optically transparent,
`compact, low-loss space-wavelength switch, utilising all the ideas developed
`in chapters 2 and 4. The switch acts as a 3 x 3 fibre cross-connect, but can
`also perfectly shuffle wavelengths between the various fibres.” Parker
`Thesis at 97.
`
`
`
`6
`
`

`

`
`The 3x3 space-wavelength switch disclosed in Parker Thesis also includes
`reflective devices, namely the “mirror” in Figure 6.1. Parker also teaches
`the use of a “lens” in combination with a reflective fixed grating:
`
`
`Parker Thesis at 50. The 3x3 space-wavelength switch explicitly
`incorporates the teachings of this device: “Figure (6.1) shows an 'exploded'
`concept for a polarisation-insensitive, optically transparent, compact, low-
`loss space-wavelength switch, utilising all the ideas developed in chapters 2
`and 4.” Parker Thesis at 97.
`
`Tan Thesis also discusses the use of an LCOS SLM. “The analogue
`voltages are latched into the LCD driver by sample-hold circuitry and fed to
`the switching/storage elements of the pixel array column-by-column and
`row-by-row (in a sequential or interlaced manner). A general layout of the
`high-level functionality blocks is shown in Figure 6.11.” Tan Thesis at 94.
`
`Tan Thesis at 94.
`See Hall Decl. at ¶¶ 47-49, 53-59, 77-80.
`[3.] The optical routing module of claim 1, wherein the dispersion device
`comprises at least one of: a blazed grating, a holographic grating, an
`
`
`
`
`
`7
`
`

`

`etched grating, an arrayed waveguide grating and a prism.
`Claim 3 depends from claim 1, which is rendered obvious for the reasons
`discussed above.
`
`Parker Thesis describes a dispersion device with a “blazed grating.” See
`Fig. 6.1 (Parker Thesis at 96.)
`
`See Hall Decl. at ¶¶ 47-49, 53-59, 81-84.
`[4a.] The optical routing module of claim 1, wherein the two
`dimensional SLM having an array of pixels is a reflective SLM
`incorporating a wave-plate
`Claim 4 depends from claim 1, which is rendered obvious for the reasons
`discussed above.
`
`Parker Thesis describes a reflective SLM incorporating a wave-plate. See
`Fig. 6.1 (Parker Thesis at 96). This figure shows an SLM backed by a “1/4-
` plate,” which is a particular type of wave-plate. A PHOSITA would also
`recognize that this device is reflective because of the inclusion of a “mirror”
`(right-hand side) and the arrows indicating the directions of the input and
`output light beams. The device in Figure 2.6 provides further support for the
`satisfaction of this claim element.
`See Hall Decl. at ¶¶ 47-49, 53-59, 85-88.
`[4b.] whereby the reflective SLM is substantially polarisation
`independent.
`Parker Thesis describes a reflective SLM that is polarisation independent.
`“But for the same reasons as given previously for the orientation
`insensitivity of the FLC cell (which is a half-wave plate), it follows that the
`configuration of FLC cell, quarter-wave plate and mirror (as shown in figure
`2.6) is also orientation insensitive, such that the relative orientation of the
`quarter-wave plate is arbitrary…Hence the above architecture which doubles
`the phase modulation of a FLC SLM is made much more attractive, practical
`and efficient, since it is both polarisation and orientation insensitive.”
`Parker Thesis at 20.
`
`Warr Thesis also teaches that FLC-SLMs are substantially polarisation
`independent. “FLC-SLMs configured as diffractive optical elements are
`actually inherently insensitive to the polarisation of the light passing
`through them [63]. This realisation has led to the first demonstration of
`dynamic polarisation independent single-mode fibre interconnects [64], and
`
`
`
`8
`
`

`

`also has important implications for a much wider range of optical processing
`applications.” Warr Thesis at 25.
`See Hall Decl. at ¶¶ 47-49, 53-59, 84-88.
`[5.] The optical routing module of claim 1, wherein the two dimensional
`SLM having an array of pixels is a reflective Liquid Crystal on Silicon
`Spatial Light Modulator (LCOS SLM).
`The SLMs discussed in the Parker Thesis, including the device discussed at
`p. 97, are all LCOS SLMs. Figure 4.20 is an especially clear depiction of
`the use of silicon-backed SLMs. See Fig. 4.2 (Parker Thesis at 69).
`
`Likewise, the devices in Warr Thesis similarly describe an LCOS SLM. “A
`promising innovation in the development of miniature FLC devices is to
`construct SLMs directly on the top of CMOS VLSI silicon chips [15].
`These devices operate in reflection and each pixel is addressed by a signal
`applied to an aluminium pad which doubles as the pixel mirror, figure 2.6.”
`Warr Thesis at 17.
`
`Similarly, the Tan Thesis discloses using a Liquid Crystal on Silicon
`SLM: “An introduction of several SLM technologies for coherent optical
`processing and optical routing/switching is given, followed by a discussion
`of the application of ferroelectric liquid crystal on silicon SLMs in
`moderate speed optical network management traffic routing.” Tan Thesis at
`3.
`See Hall Decl. at ¶¶ 47-49, 53-59, 89-94.
`[6a.] The optical routing module of claim 1, further comprising a wave-
`plate arranged such that light passes through the wave-plate first after
`passing through the dispersion device a first time, and
`Claim 6 depends from claim 1, which is rendered obvious for the reasons
`discussed above.
`
`Parker Thesis describes a reflective SLM incorporating a wave-plate: Fig.
`6.1 (Parker Thesis at 97) shows an SLM backed by a “1/4- plate,” which is
`a particular type of wave-plate. A PHOSITA would also recognize that the
`input beam would travel first through the dispersion device (including at
`least the “transmissive blazed grating”) before travelling through the wave-
`plate (the “1/4- plate”).
`See Hall Decl. at ¶¶ 47-49, 53-59, 95-97.
`[6b.] second before passing through the dispersion device a second time.
`Parker Thesis describes a reflective SLM incorporating a wave-plate: Fig.
`
`
`
`9
`
`

`

`6.1 (Parker Thesis at 97) shows an SLM backed by a “1/4- plate,” which is
`a particular type of wave-plate. A PHOSITA would also recognize that the
`after travelling through the 1/4- plate once, light would be reflected by the
`backing mirror, pass through the 1/4- plate again and then finally through
`at least the transmissive blazed grating again.
`See Hall Decl. at ¶¶ 47-49, 53-59, 95-97.
`[7.] The optical routing module of claim 6, wherein the dispersion device
`comprises a first and a second dispersion element.
`Claim 7 depends from claim 6, which is rendered obvious for the reasons
`discussed above.
`
`Parker Thesis describes or renders obvious a dispersion device with a first
`and a second dispersion element: Fig. 6.1 (Parker Thesis at 97) shows that
`the light beams will pass through the transmissive blazed grating twice (once
`when incident on the optical routing module and again when exiting the
`optical routing module), equivalent to passing through a first and a second
`dispersion element. In addition, the Parker Thesis space-wavelength switch
`has both a lens and a transmissive blazed grating, both of which are
`necessary to the operation of the dispersion device. The lens and the
`transmissive blazed grating can therefore be the first and second dispersion
`elements.
`See Hall Decl. at ¶¶ 47-49, 53-59, 98-100.
`[8a.] The optical routing module of claim 1, further comprising a wave-
`plate arranged such that light passes through the wave-plate a first time
`after passing through a first dispersion element, and
`Claim 8 depends from claim 1, which is rendered obvious for the reasons
`discussed above.
`
`Parker Thesis describes or renders obvious a wave-plate arranged such that
`light passes through the wave-plate a first time after passing through a first
`dispersion element: Fig. 6.1 (Parker Thesis at 97) shows that the light beams
`will pass through the lens and the transmissive blazed grating and then pass
`through the 1/4- plate. Either the lens or the transmissive blazed grating
`can be designated as the first dispersion element. Alternatively, it would be
`obvious to a PHOSITA to use a reflective geometry that required two
`separate transmissive blazed gratings, one for the incident beam and one for
`the output beam.
`See Hall Decl. at ¶¶ 47-49, 53-59, 101-103.
`[8b.] a second time before passing through a second dispersion element.
`
`
`
`10
`
`

`

`Parker Thesis describes or renders obvious a wave-plate arranged such that
`light passes through the wave-plate a second time before passing through a
`second dispersion element: Fig. 6.1 (Parker Thesis at 97) shows that after
`striking the mirror, the light beams will pass through 1/4- plate and then
`through the lens and the transmissive blazed grating. Either the lens or the
`transmissive blazed grating can be designated as the second dispersion
`element. Alternatively, it would be obvious to a PHOSITA to use a
`reflective geometry that required two separate transmissive blazed gratings,
`one for the incident beam and one for the output beam.
`See Hall Decl. at ¶¶ 47-49, 53-59, 101-103.
`[9.] The optical routing module of claim 8, wherein the first and second
`dispersion elements are provided by a single dispersive device.
`Claim 9 depends from claim 8, which is rendered obvious for the reasons
`discussed above.
`
`Parker Thesis describes or renders obvious first and second dispersion
`elements that are provided by a single dispersive device. See Fig. 6.1
`(Parker Thesis at 97). Either the “lens” or the “transmissive blazed grating”
`can be designated as the first dispersion element, with the other designated
`as the second dispersion element. Although these elements are not provided
`by a single dispersive device, the Parker Thesis also discloses a packaged
`device that would combine the lens and transmissive blazed grating as part
`of a single dispersive device:
`
`
`
`Parker Thesis at 97.
`See Hall Decl. at ¶¶ 47-49, 53-59, 104-106.
`[10.] The optical routing module of claim 8, wherein the first and second
`dispersion elements are provided by separate dispersive devices.
`Claim 10 depends from claim 8, which is rendered obvious for the reasons
`discussed above.
`
`Fig. 6.1 of the Parker Thesis at 96 illustrates a space-wavelength switch. A
`PHOSITA would recognize that the “transmissive blazed grating” could be
`
`
`
`11
`
`

`

`arranged as separate elements in a reflective configuration where the
`reflected beam was not directed substantially back through the optical axis
`of the incident beam.
`See Hall Decl. at ¶¶ 47-49, 53-59, 107-109.
`[11.] The optical routing module of claim 1, wherein the beams of
`different frequencies are spatially separated when incident upon the
`array of pixels according to their respective wavelengths.
`Claim 11 depends from claim 1, which is rendered obvious for the reasons
`discussed above.
`
`Parker Thesis discloses spatial separation of the different frequencies
`incident on the SLM. “The principle of operation of the tunable holographic
`wavelength filter is based on the wavelength-dispersive nature of gratings.
`Polychromatic light is angularly dispersed by a grating, since the different
`wavelengths are diffracted through different angles.” Parker Thesis at 47.
`
`The use of a grating disperses the light into its component frequencies,
`providing separation of the channels and allowing a different set of pixels to
`operate on each channel. See Fig. 6.1 (Parker Thesis at 96). “The currently
`unused extra dimension of the SLM can also be used to add functionality to
`the switch, such as to make it into a space-wavelength switch. This would
`serve a very important function in dynamic wavelength-routed optical
`networks as an add-drop node. Figure (6.1) shows an ‘exploded’ concept for
`a polarisation-insensitive, optically transparent, compact, low-loss space-
`wavelength switch, utilising all the ideas developed in chapters 2 and 4. The
`switch acts as a 3 x 3 fibre cross-connect, but can also perfectly shuffle
`wavelengths between the various fibres.” Parker Thesis at 97.
`
`Warr Thesis discusses the use of separate groups of pixels having separate
`light beams incident thereon. “The collimation array in plane P2 [Fig. 5.4]
`is arranged exactly one focal distance in front of the fibre ends so that the
`Gaussian signal beams are individually collimated through the FLC-SLM.
`The SLM display area is then divided into distinct sub-holograms, such
`that every input source is deflected by a different CGH.” Warr Thesis at 89.
`
`“Each of the four beams was deflected by a separate 80x80 pixel region of
`the 2DX320IR SLM. This transmissive FLC device has 80μm pixels, a 28°
`FLC switching angle, and exhibits a peak response around  = l.lμm
`wavelength.” Warr Thesis at 103. See related Fig. 5.1 (Warr Thesis at 103).
`
`
`
`
`12
`
`

`

`Tan Thesis also teaches the use of channels incident on different groups of
`pixels on the SLM. “The second design seeks to avoid the replication loss
`by using a holographic fan-out stage as shown in Figure 2.5(b) [15]. A
`micro-lens array collimates the input channels to a sub-hologram array.
`Each sub-hologram steers its respective beam to the desired output fibre
`port. The same hologram pattern diffracts the light from any input channels
`to a particular output port due to the shift-invariant property of holograms
`using a single Fourier transform lens.” Tan Thesis at 11-12.
`
`See Hall Decl. at ¶¶ 110-115.
`[12a.] The optical routing module of claim 1, wherein a plurality of
`input beams are provided from a respective plurality of inputs and
`Claim 12 depends from claim 1, which is rendered obvious for the reasons
`discussed above.
`
`Parker Thesis discloses a plurality of input beams in the depiction of the
`device illustrated in Fig. 6.1 (Parker Thesis at 96).
`
`Likewise, Warr Thesis teaches a plurality of input beams in Fig. 5.4 (Warr
`Thesis at 89).
`
`See also Tan Thesis at 12 for the disclosure of a device with a plurality of
`input beams from a plurality of inputs.
`See Hall Decl. at ¶¶ 47-49, 53-59, 116-121.
`[12b.] the beams are spatially separated when incident upon the array
`of pixels according to at least one of: their respective input directions;
`and their respective wavelengths.
`Parker Thesis discloses spatial separation of beams by a grating. “The
`principle of operation of the tunable holographic wavelength filter is based
`on the wavelength-dispersive nature of gratings. Polychromatic light is
`angularly dispersed by a grating, since the different wavelengths are
`diffracted through different angles.” Parker Thesis at 47.
`
`The use of a “grating” disperses the light into its component frequencies,
`providing separation of the channels and allowing a different set of pixels to
`operate on each channel. See “transmissive blazed grating” in Fig. 6.1
`(Parker Thesis at 96). “The currently unused extra dimension of the SLM
`can also be used to add functionality to the switch, such as to make it into a
`space-wavelength switch. This would serve a very important function in
`dynamic wavelength-routed optical networks as an add-drop node. Figure
`
`
`
`13
`
`

`

`(6.1) shows an ‘exploded’ concept for a polarisation-insensitive, optically
`transparent, compact, low-loss space-wavelength switch, utilising all the
`ideas developed in chapters 2 and 4. The switch acts as a 3 x 3 fibre cross-
`connect, but can also perfectly shuffle wavelengths between the various
`fibres.” Parker Thesis at 97.
`
`Warr Thesis discusses the use of separate groups of pixels having separate
`light beams incident thereon. “The collimation array in plane P2 is arranged
`exactly one focal distance in front of the fibre ends so that the Gaussian
`signal beams are individually collimated through the FLC-SLM. The SLM
`display area is then divided into distinct sub-holograms, such that every
`input source is deflected by a different CGH.” Warr Thesis at 89. See
`distinct sub-holograms illustrated in Fig. 5.4 (Warr Thesis at 89). “Each of
`the four beams was deflected by a separate 80x80 pixel region of the
`2DX320IR SLM. This transmissive FLC device has 80μm pixels, a 28° FLC
`switching angle, and exhibits a peak response around  = l.lμm wavelength.”
`Warr Thesis at 103. See Fig. 5.11 (Warr Thesis at 103).
`
`Tan Thesis also teaches the use of channels incident on different groups of
`pixels on the SLM. “The second design seeks to avoid the replication loss
`by using a holographic fan-out stage as shown in Figure 2.5(b) [15]. A
`micro-lens array collimates the input channels to a sub-hologram array.
`Each sub-hologram steers its respective beam to the desired output fibre
`port. The same hologram pattern diffracts the light from any input channels
`to a particular output port due to the shift-invariant property of holograms
`using a single Fourier transform lens.” Tan Thesis at 11-12.
`
`See Hall Decl. at ¶¶ 47-49, 53-59, 116-121.
`[13.] The optical routing module of claim 1, wherein at least one group
`of pixels defines a square.
`Claim 13 depends from claim 1, which is rendered obvious for the reasons
`discussed above.
`
`Parker Thesis discloses spatial separation of beams by a grating onto groups
`of pixels from an SLM. “The principle of operation of the tunable
`holographic wavelength filter is based on the wavelength-dispersive nature
`of gratings. Polychromatic light is angularly dispersed by a grating, since
`the different wavelengths are diffracted through different angles.” Parker
`Thesis at 47.
`
`
`
`
`14
`
`

`

`The use of a grating disperses the light into its component frequencies,
`providing separation of the channels and allowing a different set of pixels to
`operate on each channel. See discussion of Fig. 6.1 (Parker Thesis at 96).
`
`Warr Thesis discusses (and illustrates in Fig. 5.4) the use of a square group
`of pixels. Warr Thesis at 89. “Each of the four beams was deflected by a
`separate 80x80 pixel region of the 2DX320IR SLM. This transmissive FLC
`device has 80μm pixels, a 28° FLC switching angle, and exhibits a peak
`response around  = l.lμm wavelength.” Warr Thesis at 103.
`
`See Hall Decl. at ¶¶ 47-49, 53-59, 122-127.
`[14.] The optical routing module of claim 1, wherein at least one group
`of pixels defines an arbitrary shape.
`Claim 14 depends from claim 1, which is rendered obvious for the reasons
`discussed above.
`
`Parker Thesis discloses spatial separation of beams by a grating onto groups
`of pixels from an SLM. “The principle of operation of the tunable
`holographic wavelength filter is based on the wavelength-dispersive nature
`of gratings. Polychromatic light is angularly dispersed by a grating, since
`the different wavelengths are diffracted through different angles.” Parker
`Thesis at 47.
`
`The use of a grating disperses the light into its component frequencies,
`providing separation of the channels and allowing a different set of pixels to
`operate on each channel. See Fig. 6.1 (Parker Thesis at 96). Parker Thesis
`does not teach that the groups need to be of any particular geometry.
`
`Warr Thesis discusses (and illustrates in Fig. 5.4) the use of a group of
`pixels. Warr Thesis at 89. “Each of the four beams was deflected by a
`separate 80x80 pixel region of the 2DX320IR SLM. This transmissive FLC
`device has 80μm pixels, a 28° FLC switching angle, and exhibits a peak
`response around  = l.lμm wavelength.” Warr Thesis at 103 (discussing Fig.
`5.11).
`
`Tan Thesis also teaches the use of channels incident on different groups of
`pixels on the SLM. “The second design seeks to avoid the replication loss
`by using a holographic fan-out stage as shown in Figure 2.5(b) [15]. A
`micro-lens array collimates the input channels to a sub-hologram array.
`
`
`
`15
`
`

`

`Each sub-hologram steers its respective beam to the desired output fibre
`port. The same hologram pattern diffracts the light from any input channels
`to a particular output port due to the shift-invariant property of holograms
`using a single Fourier transform lens.” Tan Thesis at 11-12. Tan Thesis does
`not teach that it is limited to any particular geometry.
`See Hall Decl. at ¶¶ 47-49, 53-59, 128-133.
`[15.] The optical routing module of claim 1, wherein at least one group
`of pixels defines a rectangle.
`Claim 15 depends from claim 1, which is rendered obvious for the reasons
`discussed above.
`
`Parker Thesis discloses spatial separation of beams by a grating onto groups
`of pixels from an SLM. “The principle of operation of the tunable
`holographic wavelength filter is based on the wavelength-dispersive nature
`of gratings. Polychromatic light is angularly dispersed by a grating, since
`the different wavelengths are diffracted through different angles.” Parker
`Thesis at 47.
`
`The use of a grating disperses the light into its component frequencies,
`providing separation of the channels and allowing a different set of pixels to
`operate on each channel. See discussion of Fig. 6.1 (Parker Thesis at 96).
`Parker Thesis does not teach that the groups need to be of any particular
`geometry.
`
`Warr Thesis discusses the use of a rectangular group of pixels. See
`discussion of the Fig. 5.4 (Warr Thesis at 89). “Each of the four beams was
`deflected by a separate 80x80 pixel region of the 2DX320IR SLM. This
`transmissive FLC device has 80μm pixels, a 28° FLC switching angle, and
`exhibits a peak response around  = l.lμm wavelength.” Warr Thesis at 103
`(discussing Fig. 5.11).
`
`See above claim [14.] for a discussion of Tan Thesis. Tan Thesis does not
`teach that the groups need to be of any particular geometry. But a
`PHOSITA would recognize that updating of holograms frequently is on a
`row and column basis, so therefore it would be obvious to delineate
`rectangular sub-holograms.
`See Hall Decl. at ¶¶ 47-49, 53-59, 134-140.
`[16.] The optical routing module of claim 1, wherein at least one group
`of pixels has a size between 10 and 50 phase modulating elements in a