throbber
UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`Case No.
`IPR2013—00635
`Patent No. 6,978,346
`
`CERTIFIED COPY
`
`DELL,
`
`INC.; HEWLETT—PACKARD COMPANY;
`
`and NETAPP,
`
`INC.,
`
`Petitioners,
`
`ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
`
`RESEARCH INSTITUTE,
`
`Patent Owner .
`
`
`
`DEPOSITION OF
`
`DR. THOMAS M. CONTE
`
`Atlanta, Georgia
`
`Thursday, August 7, 2014
`
`Court Reporter: Michelle M. Boudreaux, RPR
`
`Job No. 82984
`
`TSG Reporting - Worldwide
`(877) 702-9580
`
`1
`
`|PR2014-00901 Owner Ex. 2007
`ETRI, Patent Owner
`VMware, Petitioner
`
`1
`
`IPR2014-00901 Owner Ex. 2007
`ETRI, Patent Owner
`VMware, Petitioner
`
`

`

`Page 2
`
` August 7, 2014
` 9:10 a.m.
`
` Deposition of DR. THOMAS M. CONTE,
`held at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference
`Center, 800 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia,
`pursuant to Agreement before Michelle M.
`Boudreaux, a Registered Professional Reporter
`in the State of Georgia.
`
`1 2 3 4 5 6
`
`7
`
`8 9
`
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`
`TSG Reporting - Worldwide
`(877) 702-9580
`
`2
`
`IPR2014-00901 Owner Ex. 2007
`ETRI, Patent Owner
`VMware, Petitioner
`
`

`

` APPEARANCES OF COUNSEL
`
`Page 3
`
`On behalf of the Petitioners:
` JOHN EMERSON, Esq.
` Haynes and Boone
` 2323 Victory Avenue
` Dallas, Texas 75219
`
` THOMAS KELTON, Esq.
` Haynes and Boone
` 2505 North Plano Road
` Richardson, Texas 75082
`
`On behalf of the Patent Owner:
`
` MATTHEW PHILLIPS, Esq.
` DEREK MEEKER, Esq.
` Renaissance IP Law Group
` 9600 SW Oak Street
` Portland, Oregon 97223
`
`Also Present: M. Ray Mercer, Ph.D., P.E.
`
`TSG Reporting - Worldwide
`(877) 702-9580
`
`12
`
`34
`
`5
`
`6
`
`789
`
`10
`
`11
`12
`13
`
`14
`
`15
`
`16
`
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`
`3
`
`IPR2014-00901 Owner Ex. 2007
`ETRI, Patent Owner
`VMware, Petitioner
`
`

`

`Page 4
`
` DR. THOMAS M. CONTE,
`being first duly sworn, was examined and testified as
`follows:
` EXAMINATION
`BY MR. EMERSON:
` Q All right. So you understand that you've
`just been sworn in and you're under oath, correct?
` A I do.
` Q And any reason why you can't testify
`truthfully and completely today?
` A No, there is not.
` Q And unless I hear otherwise from you, I'm
`going to assume you understand my questions, so do you
`understand that?
` A Yes, I do.
` Q All right. And if you don't understand my
`question, let me know.
` A I will.
` Q I'll fix it for you.
` Let's take a look at Exhibit 1001, which is
`the '346 patent.
` All right, why don't you turn to Figure 4.
` A (Witness complies with request of counsel.)
` Q Are you there?
`
`TSG Reporting - Worldwide
`(877) 702-9580
`
`1 2
`
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`
`4
`
`IPR2014-00901 Owner Ex. 2007
`ETRI, Patent Owner
`VMware, Petitioner
`
`

`

`Page 5
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`
` DR. THOMAS M. CONTE
` A Yes.
` Q Can you point out the RAID to me in Figure 4?
` A It's Element 490.
` Q And that's the element that includes both
`RAID controllers, all four network interface
`controllers, and both of the hub or switch mechanisms?
` A Yes, in this figure. In Figures 5 and 6,
`it's pointed out differently.
` Q Okay. How many disk drives are in this RAID?
` A That's not illustrated in this figure.
` Q Is there any way to tell how many disk drives
`there are?
` A There would be if the degree of RAID was
`known.
` Q When you mean -- "the degree of raid," you
`mean RAID 0, 1, 2, 3, like that?
` A Exactly.
` Q If this was RAID 1, how many disk drives
`would there be?
` A There would need to be two disk drives.
` Q Okay. Is that always the case for RAID 1?
` A That may or may not necessarily be the case,
`but it's -- I'm sorry, let me rephrase that. RAID 1
`would need at least two disk drives to support
`
`TSG Reporting - Worldwide
`(877) 702-9580
`
`5
`
`IPR2014-00901 Owner Ex. 2007
`ETRI, Patent Owner
`VMware, Petitioner
`
`

`

`Page 6
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`
` DR. THOMAS M. CONTE
`redundancy.
` Q At least two, but there could be more than
`two?
` A Yes. Although I don't know of commercial
`products that support RAID 1 that have more than two.
` Q More than two disk drives?
` A More than two redundant disk drives.
` Q How would you distinguish a disk drive
`from -- how many arrays are shown in Figure 4?
` A We just discussed that the disk drives and --
`oh, let me step back. There is one array shown in
`Figure 4.
` Q Okay. How do we know that?
` A Because there's an array per RAID.
` Q Each RAID has one array?
` A It's a redundant array --
` Q Okay.
` A -- of inexpensive or independent disk. Array
`is singular.
` Q Okay. Can you tell from looking at the
`figure or from reading the specification what level
`RAID we have in Figure 4?
` A Let me look at the specification. I'm able
`to determine it's at least RAID 1.
`
`TSG Reporting - Worldwide
`(877) 702-9580
`
`6
`
`IPR2014-00901 Owner Ex. 2007
`ETRI, Patent Owner
`VMware, Petitioner
`
`

`

`Page 7
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`
` DR. THOMAS M. CONTE
` Q How are you able to determine that?
` A Because it says "redundancy."
` Q And what makes -- why does that make it at
`least RAID 1?
` A RAID 0 doesn't support any fault tolerance,
`just performance enhancement.
` Q Okay.
` A And this talks about -- for example, Column 1
`at 18 discusses what a RAID is, and it says, "...is a
`fault tolerant system in which the disks or
`controllers, etc. have a redundant nature."
` Q Take a look at Claim 1, please, the very back
`page.
` A If you don't mind, I'm going to look at the
`chart I have in my report since the writing is a little
`larger.
` Q Okay.
` A Okay.
` Q How many RAIDs does Claim 1 require?
` A It requires -- well, if the preamble is
`limiting, it requires one.
` Q One and only one, or could there be more than
`one?
` A My understanding of the patent is it's
`
`TSG Reporting - Worldwide
`(877) 702-9580
`
`7
`
`IPR2014-00901 Owner Ex. 2007
`ETRI, Patent Owner
`VMware, Petitioner
`
`

`

`Page 8
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`
` DR. THOMAS M. CONTE
`speaking about one.
` Q Would you turn to page 9 of your declaration,
`paragraph 18. Do you see there on the third and fourth
`lines that you state, "The mass storage device is built
`from multiple, physical disk drives"?
` A Yes.
` Q And again, can we point these out in Figure 4
`or any of the other figures, for that matter?
` A I think to one skilled in the art, it's
`understood that there are disk drives in the RAID and
`they're not illustrated.
` Q Does Claim 1 expressly claim multiple
`physical disk drives?
` A It does by stating it's a RAID, yes.
` Q In the '346 patent, how is the RAID's
`operation described?
` A I think we just highlighted that in its
`definition in Column 1.
` Q Would you point me to that again, please?
` A I'll read it back. "A RAID is a storage
`system based on a large capacity and a high
`performance, by using much quantity of disks" -- I note
`that the authors were not native speakers. I think
`they're saying "much quantity" being more than one --
`
`TSG Reporting - Worldwide
`(877) 702-9580
`
`8
`
`IPR2014-00901 Owner Ex. 2007
`ETRI, Patent Owner
`VMware, Petitioner
`
`

`

`Page 9
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`
` DR. THOMAS M. CONTE
`"and is a fault tolerant system in which the disks or
`controllers, etc. have a redundant nature. In general,
`the RAID has two controllers, which are used like a
`method shown in Figure 1 or 2."
` Q Okay. Would one of -- in your opinion, one
`of skill in the art recognize that each disk drive
`would have its own controller?
` A In a RAID or in another -- I'm sorry, I don't
`understand your question.
` Q So let's start with a RAID.
` A Okay.
` Q Even in a RAID, would each disk have a
`controller?
` A Not necessarily.
` Q Okay. How about in other contexts?
` A I'm sorry, what other contexts? Could you be
`more specific?
` Q Outside the context of a RAID, would a disk
`drive need to have a controller in order to operate?
` A Yes.
` Q But not in the context of a RAID?
` A That is not what I said. I said that in the
`context of a RAID, each disk drive, since there are
`multiple disk drives, does not need a controller. They
`
`TSG Reporting - Worldwide
`(877) 702-9580
`
`9
`
`IPR2014-00901 Owner Ex. 2007
`ETRI, Patent Owner
`VMware, Petitioner
`
`

`

`Page 10
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`
` DR. THOMAS M. CONTE
`can share one controller.
` Q Understood. All right, let's take a look at
`paragraph 19.
` A Give me a moment. Okay.
` Q And -- let's see here. In paragraph 19,
`they're talking about Webster's Dictionary. I'm
`handing you what's been marked as Exhibit 2004.
` A Okay.
` Q Now, in paragraph 19, you quote from the
`Webster's Computer Dictionary. Can you point to me in
`Exhibit 2004 where you're quoting from exactly?
` A Let me find the spot. Give me a moment. The
`definitions of at least RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 2.
`I'm sorry, and RAID 5.
` Q And that's where you -- and specifically
`you're talking about multiple hard drives -- multiple
`hard disks, excuse me, that are combined into a single
`logical drive?
` A Yes. It says, "A type of RAID storage
`device" -- this same text is repeated in the
`definitions of RAID 0, 1, 2, and 5, and it says,
`"A type of RAID storage device that combines two or
`more hard disk drives into a single logical drive."
` And checking with the quotation that I have
`
`TSG Reporting - Worldwide
`(877) 702-9580
`
`10
`
`IPR2014-00901 Owner Ex. 2007
`ETRI, Patent Owner
`VMware, Petitioner
`
`

`

`Page 11
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`
` DR. THOMAS M. CONTE
`in my report, that appears to be identical. So I don't
`believe I misquoted.
` Q No, I don't think you did either.
` A Thank you.
` Q So was it your -- I just want to understand
`your thought process here. You weren't intending to
`quote from just RAID 1, but RAID 1, RAID 2 -- I guess
`those are the two that say two or more hard disks in a
`single logical drive.
` A No, that's incorrect.
` Q Okay.
` A I was intending to quote from all four of
`these. However, in the context of the '346 patent,
`which specifies redundancy, RAID 0 would have been
`excluded.
` Q Understood. Why didn't you use the
`definition for -- the first definition there just for
`"RAID"?
` A Because in my opinion, one skilled in the art
`at the time would readily understand the concept of
`combining into a single logical drive.
` Q Do you disagree with anything in the
`definition of "RAID"?
` A I'm sorry, which one?
`
`TSG Reporting - Worldwide
`(877) 702-9580
`
`11
`
`IPR2014-00901 Owner Ex. 2007
`ETRI, Patent Owner
`VMware, Petitioner
`
`

`

`Page 12
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`
` DR. THOMAS M. CONTE
` Q The plain old RAID.
` A Could you point that out? I'm sorry.
` Q It's on the left-hand column, fourth entry.
` A Give me a moment. Yeah, I think that it is
`imprecise.
` Q How so?
` A Well, for example, it says, "A group of hard
`disks that work together to improve performance and
`decrease the odds of losing data due to mechanical or
`electronic failure." That's not a property of RAID 0.
` Q Okay. Anything else?
` A Sitting here today, I don't see anything
`else.
` Q Take a look again at the definition in
`Column 1 of the '346 patent that you quoted from
`earlier.
` MR. PHILLIPS: Objection, form.
` THE WITNESS: I'm sorry, what would you
` like me to look at specifically?
` MR. EMERSON: Just under "Prior Art of
` the Invention" where it begins, "A RAID is a
` storage system," that paragraph.
` THE WITNESS: Yes.
` MR. EMERSON: Okay.
`
`TSG Reporting - Worldwide
`(877) 702-9580
`
`12
`
`IPR2014-00901 Owner Ex. 2007
`ETRI, Patent Owner
`VMware, Petitioner
`
`

`

`Page 13
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`
` DR. THOMAS M. CONTE
` Q (By Mr. Emerson) And correct me if I'm
`wrong, you quoted that paragraph earlier in your
`testimony today, right?
` A I believe that's correct. I recall doing
`that, yes.
` Q And that's where the '346 patent defines a
`RAID, correct?
` A There may well be other places in the patent,
`but sitting here today, that's where I see it.
` Q Do you disagree with that definition of a
`RAID?
` MR. PHILLIPS: Objection, form.
` THE WITNESS: I already indicated that I
` agreed with that definition. One skilled in
` the art at the time in reading that would
` understand that definition and what it was
` referring to.
` Q (By Mr. Emerson) Do you disagree with the
`Board's definition of "RAID"?
` A I believe I address this in my report, so
`let's discuss that.
` Q Would you like the institution decision, or
`you want to just take a look at your declaration?
` A I reference it in my report, so I can talk
`
`TSG Reporting - Worldwide
`(877) 702-9580
`
`13
`
`IPR2014-00901 Owner Ex. 2007
`ETRI, Patent Owner
`VMware, Petitioner
`
`

`

`Page 14
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`
` DR. THOMAS M. CONTE
`about it there in my report.
` Q Can I interrupt you briefly. I want to go
`back to the '346 patent real quick.
` A Could I finish this line of thought since I'm
`in the middle of it?
` Q Sure.
` A Thank you. I'm not finding it right here, so
`if you could -- if I recall, the institute had two
`different definitions of "RAID."
` Q I'll hand you the institution decision, which
`is Paper 19.
` A Sitting here today, I only see one
`definition, which is an expansion of the acronym.
` Q Okay. And do you disagree with that
`definition?
` A I think that that definition is clearly
`correct since it's an expansion of the acronym.
` Q Take a look at -- I'm sorry to have
`interrupted you before. Go back to the '346 patent,
`that paragraph we referred to a few minutes ago, right
`there in Column 1, beginning, "A RAID is a storage
`system." Do you see that?
` A Yes.
` Q Either there or anywhere else in the '346
`
`TSG Reporting - Worldwide
`(877) 702-9580
`
`14
`
`IPR2014-00901 Owner Ex. 2007
`ETRI, Patent Owner
`VMware, Petitioner
`
`

`

`Page 15
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`
` DR. THOMAS M. CONTE
`patent, does the '346 patent define a RAID to require
`the disks to be a single logical unit?
` A At the time, one skilled in the art would
`understand that a RAID was plug compatible with a disk
`drive and was a single logical unit.
` MR. EMERSON: I object to that as
` nonresponsive.
` THE WITNESS: I'm sorry.
` MR. EMERSON: That's okay. It's just a
` technicality.
` Q (By Mr. Emerson) So let me ask you again. I
`want to know if either -- and I'll make it more -- I'll
`make my question more clear. Either in this paragraph
`or anywhere else in the '346 patent, does the '346
`patent ever expressly state that a RAID must be
`multiple drives that are set up as a single logical
`unit?
` A I believe Figure 1 supports that
`interpretation.
` Q Let me ask you this: Does the '346 patent
`use the phrase "single logical unit" to describe a
`RAID?
` A I would need to perform a tech search.
` Q Have you thus far in your work on this case
`
`TSG Reporting - Worldwide
`(877) 702-9580
`
`15
`
`IPR2014-00901 Owner Ex. 2007
`ETRI, Patent Owner
`VMware, Petitioner
`
`

`

`Page 16
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`
` DR. THOMAS M. CONTE
`come across the words "single logical unit" in the '346
`patent?
` A I cannot recall. I know that it is well
`understood to one in the art.
` Q Let's take a look at Webster's again. And
`let's look at the definition of "RAID 1." And RAID 1
`defines -- it defines RAID 1 as, "A type of RAID
`storage device that combines two or more hard disks
`into a single logical drive, but, in contrast to
`RAID 0, in a way that backs up the data so that nothing
`is lost if one of the drives should fail."
` That last phrase, "in a way that backs up the
`data so that nothing is lost if one of the drives
`should fail," first of all, do you agree with that
`definition?
` A Although I agree, I believe it's a little
`imprecise.
` Q How so?
` A Well, in the art, it's -- a "hard disk drive"
`is the full phrase, and this definition is using
`different pieces of that.
` Q "Hard disk drive" is the full phrase for
`what?
` A In fact, it's the full phrase for a hard disk
`
`TSG Reporting - Worldwide
`(877) 702-9580
`
`16
`
`IPR2014-00901 Owner Ex. 2007
`ETRI, Patent Owner
`VMware, Petitioner
`
`

`

`Page 17
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`
` DR. THOMAS M. CONTE
`drive. It's the full phrase for a physical disk that
`one would purchase, for example, at any electronic
`store.
` Q Just so I understand your testimony, are you
`saying that where this definition talks about "hard
`disks," it should say "hard disk drives"?
` A Yes.
` Q That's the imprecision you're talking about?
` A No. The second imprecision is in the second
`phrase. I believe that the authors of this definition
`in saying, "in a way that backs up the data so that
`nothing is lost if one of the drives should fail," it
`would make no sense if the RAID is a single logical
`drive, there's only one thing to fail. So one skilled
`in the art would understand that they're saying if one
`of the hard disk drives that make up the RAID should
`fail.
` Q So in that second phrase, then, it should
`read "nothing is lost if one of the hard disk drives
`should fail"?
` A Yes, I think that's more precise.
` Q Okay. Assuming that's what the author meant
`here, do you agree with this definition?
` A First, let me state, I can find no other
`
`TSG Reporting - Worldwide
`(877) 702-9580
`
`17
`
`IPR2014-00901 Owner Ex. 2007
`ETRI, Patent Owner
`VMware, Petitioner
`
`

`

`Page 18
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`
` DR. THOMAS M. CONTE
`logical way to interpret this. So therefore, yes, I'd
`agree with this definition with that additional
`qualification.
` Q Do you believe that only RAIDs that you can
`buy at electronics stores meet the Board's definition
`of "RAID"?
` A Oh, I haven't -- sitting here today, I
`haven't considered whether or not there are other kinds
`of RAIDs that one could not purchase that would also
`meet the Board's definition of a RAID.
` Q What do you mean by "single logical unit"?
` A Typically, a single logical unit is -- and I
`define this in my report, so I'll just go to there.
`"Rather, what sets a RAID apart" --
` Q I'm sorry, could you point me to where you --
`what paragraph --
` A Paragraph 19. "Rather, what sets a RAID
`apart is that it is a 'black box' that can be
`interchanged with a traditional SLED without needing to
`change the hardware or software interfaces."
` I then later state in 38 that, "As I discuss
`above," referring to that prior discussion, "one
`skilled in the art would readily understand a RAID to
`be a single logical unit for mass storage that provides
`
`TSG Reporting - Worldwide
`(877) 702-9580
`
`18
`
`IPR2014-00901 Owner Ex. 2007
`ETRI, Patent Owner
`VMware, Petitioner
`
`

`

`Page 19
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`
` DR. THOMAS M. CONTE
`fault tolerance and recovery via employing multiple
`physical disks."
` Q Let's go back to paragraph 19. In the first
`sentence there that you didn't read, you state, "The
`idea of providing multiple physical disk drives for
`redundancy is not the novel part of a RAID?" Do you
`see that?
` A Yes.
` Q What do you base that on?
` A My understanding of computer design history,
`that that idea had been around for a long time.
` Q Do you have any -- let me back up.
` Other than that, do you base that statement
`on any authoritative source, like a paper or a
`definition -- or a dictionary, rather, anything like
`that?
` A We already talked about the Webster's
`Dictionary. I refer also to a Microsoft definition.
` Q Do you think that the Microsoft or Webster's
`definitions would lead to the conclusion that providing
`multiple physical disk drives for redundancy is not the
`novel part of a RAID?
` A I also base -- well, yes, I think that those
`definitions call out the idea of a single logical drive
`
`TSG Reporting - Worldwide
`(877) 702-9580
`
`19
`
`IPR2014-00901 Owner Ex. 2007
`ETRI, Patent Owner
`VMware, Petitioner
`
`

`

`Page 20
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`
` DR. THOMAS M. CONTE
`or, in the case of Microsoft, that function as a single
`storage unit.
` Q Do you take "single storage unit" to be
`synonymous with "single logical unit"?
` A Yes. I think that those are used relatively
`synonymously. I think "single logical unit" is a
`little more precise.
` Q You mentioned the Microsoft definition, so
`let me hand you that. It's already been marked as
`Exhibit 2005.
` So I think you just answered this question,
`at least indirectly, but the Microsoft definition
`doesn't talk about a single logical unit, using those
`words. Do you find that the Microsoft definition is
`consistent with the Webster's definition?
` A When one accounts for the imprecision in the
`Webster's definition already discussed about earlier
`today, I believe that it does, yes.
` Q Do you differentiate between a physical unit
`and a logical unit?
` A One in the art would understand that there --
`that generally a logical unit is something that appears
`to operate as a physical unit but isn't necessarily a
`physical unit. So, yes, I do differentiate between the
`
`TSG Reporting - Worldwide
`(877) 702-9580
`
`20
`
`IPR2014-00901 Owner Ex. 2007
`ETRI, Patent Owner
`VMware, Petitioner
`
`

`

`Page 21
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`
` DR. THOMAS M. CONTE
`two.
` Q So a logical unit can be made up of more than
`one physical unit?
` A A logical unit may well represent a single
`physical unit, it may well represent more than one
`physical unit, but it operates the same as the physical
`unit it's replacing.
` Q Can you show me in Figure 4 of the '346
`patent the different physical and logical units?
` A As we have earlier discussed today, and as I
`believe is appropriate to one skilled in the art, the
`figures do not show the actual physical disk drives.
`What they show is the interface to the actual physical
`disk drives. That would be Element 490 from the
`perspective of those computers; 400, 401, 402, 403,
`404, and 405 would appear to be a single logical unit.
` Q So take a look at the Microsoft definition
`again. Do you see where it says, "This redundancy
`ensures that no information will be lost if one of the
`disks fails"?
` A Yes.
` Q Okay. And the redundancy there is referring
`to the redundancy of disks, right?
` A It's referring to the redundancy of disk
`
`TSG Reporting - Worldwide
`(877) 702-9580
`
`21
`
`IPR2014-00901 Owner Ex. 2007
`ETRI, Patent Owner
`VMware, Petitioner
`
`

`

`Page 22
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`
` DR. THOMAS M. CONTE
`drives.
` Q Okay.
` A It's using "disk" as an informal reference to
`disk drive.
` Q And you agree with that part of the
`definition?
` A I agree with it. I'll note that not all
`companies use all terms identically for technology.
`IBM, for example, is notorious for using different
`terms for everything. And disk and disk drives are not
`interchangeable in IBM parlance.
` Q Understood.
` Is there any reason why you left this part of
`the definition out of what you quoted in your
`declaration?
` A There's no particular reason. I didn't see
`that it was required.
` Q Can a single logical unit be mapped to
`different physical units via system configuration?
` A So in this case, the meaning of "logical" and
`"physical" are now in the context of an operating
`system, which takes on a slightly different meaning.
`In the context of an operating system, I could see that
`as a possibility.
`
`TSG Reporting - Worldwide
`(877) 702-9580
`
`22
`
`IPR2014-00901 Owner Ex. 2007
`ETRI, Patent Owner
`VMware, Petitioner
`
`

`

`Page 23
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`
` DR. THOMAS M. CONTE
` Q I'm going to hand you Exhibit 1006, and we're
`not going to go through much of this at all. I just
`have it because it's actually shorter than the one in
`the reference.
` A Give me a moment, please. Okay, go on.
` Q Turn to paragraph 44, please. Are you there?
` A I am.
` Q It's page 22.
` A I am.
` Q And in paragraph 44, Dr. Mercer quotes a
`definition of "RAID" from the Weygant reference. Do
`you see that?
` A Yes. What's the Weygant reference?
` Q It's -- was one of the references that was
`used in the petition.
` A But I did not review it.
` Q That's fine.
` A Okay. So I don't know the context in which
`this quote comes.
` Q Okay. Accepting that, if you could take a
`minute to read that definition of "RAID" and let me
`know when you're ready to proceed.
` A All right.
` Q Do you agree with this definition of "RAID"?
`
`TSG Reporting - Worldwide
`(877) 702-9580
`
`23
`
`IPR2014-00901 Owner Ex. 2007
`ETRI, Patent Owner
`VMware, Petitioner
`
`

`

`Page 24
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`
` DR. THOMAS M. CONTE
` A No, I do not. I don't think it's true to the
`original inventors of RAIDs intent of RAID.
` Q Okay. How so?
` A RAID was originally invented, as I explain in
`my document, in my declaration, to replace a SLED,
`which is a single logical -- I'm sorry, single large
`expensive disk. By using multiple inexpensive disks
`that appeared to be the same as a single large
`expensive disk, but was plug compatible with a single
`large expensive disk, you could achieve the same
`reliability as a single large expensive disk for a
`reduced cost.
` Q Okay.
` A So I don't think that the statement here is
`consistent with that.
` Q And can you point to me -- point out to me
`where specifically in this Weygant definition that you
`think it's inconsistent with your understanding?
` A Again, I want to note that I have not
`reviewed Weygant. I do not -- I do not know the
`context in which this quote comes from, and the context
`may change the interpretation here. So if you give me
`a moment to review --
` Q Sure.
`
`TSG Reporting - Worldwide
`(877) 702-9580
`
`24
`
`IPR2014-00901 Owner Ex. 2007
`ETRI, Patent Owner
`VMware, Petitioner
`
`

`

`Page 25
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`
` DR. THOMAS M. CONTE
` A I don't understand the phrase "either as a
`single unit or in various combinations of striped and
`mirrored configurations."
` Q Okay. And what don't you understand about
`that?
` A All the configurations he discusses are
`either striped or mirrored. I don't see any one that
`isn't. So I don't understand what, in Weygant's view,
`quote, a single unit is referring to.
` Q Are you familiar at all with this Weygant
`reference?
` A I believe that I looked at some of the
`quotations from it, but I haven't studied it in any
`depth, no.
` Q And as part of your work in this case, you
`reviewed the original petition, right?
` A I was asked to specifically look at -- and I
`can find this in my declaration. I'm sorry. I was
`asked only to consider whether or not Hathorn
`anticipated the claims at issue of the '346 patent.
` Q I was just curious if, when you read the
`petition, if you noticed Weygant, if you were familiar
`with it.
` A All I did when I read the petition was to
`
`TSG Reporting - Worldwide
`(877) 702-9580
`
`25
`
`IPR2014-00901 Owner Ex. 2007
`ETRI, Patent Owner
`VMware, Petitioner
`
`

`

`Page 26
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`
` DR. THOMAS M. CONTE
`focus on the Hathorn portion.
` Q Weygant's definition, do you find that to be
`consistent with the Microsoft or the Webster's
`definitions?
` A No, I do not.
` Q Why not?
` A I've already indicated the ambiguity and the
`logic in Weygant's definition that renders it hard to
`interpret.
` Q Okay. Given the three definitions that we've
`talked about here today -- I guess there's four.
`There's the definition that's given in the '346 patent,
`right? Do you understand there's a definition in the
`'346 patent of a RAID?
` MR. PHILLIPS: Objection, form.
` THE WITNESS: I'm waiting for you to
` list the four, please, sir.
` MR. EMERSON: Okay. '346, Webster's,
` Microsoft, and Weygant, right?
` THE WITNESS: Yes.
` MR. EMERSON: Those are the four we've
` discussed.
` Q (By Mr. Emerson) And they all differ a bit,
`don't they?
`
`TSG Reporting - Worldwide
`(877) 702-9580
`
`26
`
`IPR2014-00901 Owner Ex. 2007
`ETRI, Patent Owner
`VMware, Petitioner
`
`

`

`Page 27
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`
` DR. THOMAS M. CONTE
` A I think that's incorrect. I think that the
`definition in the patent is consistent with Microsoft
`and Webster's. I believe that the main differentiation
`is between those three and Weygant since, as I've said,
`Weygant is illogically written.
` Q Well, there's a fourth definition also, and
`that's the -- or fifth definition, rather, which is the
`Board's definition, right?
` A The Board's definition is an expansion of the
`acronym itself.
` Q That's right, and that's -- and so that's the
`definition that the Board is using, that's how it
`construed RAID, right?
` A Then one skilled in the art would have to
`understand the meaning of each of the words when used
`in that phrase, but yes.
` Q And is it your opinion that one skilled in
`the art would understand that acronym or the words in
`that acronym to be consistent with what your definition
`of "RAID" in paragraph -- I believe it's 38.
` A Yes. I do believe that the Board's
`definition, which is an expansion of the acronym,
`would, when viewed by one skilled in the art, be
`consistent with the definition that I provide in 38 of
`
`TSG Reporting - Worldwide
`(877) 702-9580
`
`27
`
`IPR2014-00901 Owner Ex. 2007
`ETRI, Patent Owner
`VMware, Petitioner
`
`

`

`Page 28
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`
` DR. THOMAS M. CONTE
`a RAID being a logical unit for mass storage that
`provides fault tolerance and recovery via employing
`multiple physical disk drives.
` Q So do you believe that Weygant is incorrect
`when it defines a RAID as either a single unit or in
`various combinations of striped and mirrored
`configurations?
` A No, that isn't what I said.
` Q Okay. Could you explain to me again, then,
`because I must misunderstand your differences with
`Weygant. So what is your issue with the Weygant
`definition?
` MR. PHILLIPS: Objection, answered.
` THE WITNESS: I will try to summarize my
` answer that I gave previously, that Weygant
` states "either as a single unit or in various
` combinations of striped and mirrored
` configurations," and then lists -- "The types
` of configurations available called RAID
` levels are," and then lists things that are
` either striped or mirrored.
` There's nothing listed there that
` corresponds to a single unit, and I don't
` know how Weygant is using a single unit. Is
`
`TSG Reporting - Worldwide
`(877) 702-9580
`
`28
`
`IPR2014-00901 Owner Ex. 2007
`ETRI, Patent Owner
`VMware, Petitioner
`
`

`

`Page 29
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23

This document is available on Docket Alarm but you must sign up to view it.


Or .

Accessing this document will incur an additional charge of $.

After purchase, you can access this document again without charge.

Accept $ Charge
throbber

Still Working On It

This document is taking longer than usual to download. This can happen if we need to contact the court directly to obtain the document and their servers are running slowly.

Give it another minute or two to complete, and then try the refresh button.

throbber

A few More Minutes ... Still Working

It can take up to 5 minutes for us to download a document if the court servers are running slowly.

Thank you for your continued patience.

This document could not be displayed.

We could not find this document within its docket. Please go back to the docket page and check the link. If that does not work, go back to the docket and refresh it to pull the newest information.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

You need a Paid Account to view this document. Click here to change your account type.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

Set your membership status to view this document.

With a Docket Alarm membership, you'll get a whole lot more, including:

  • Up-to-date information for this case.
  • Email alerts whenever there is an update.
  • Full text search for other cases.
  • Get email alerts whenever a new case matches your search.

Become a Member

One Moment Please

The filing “” is large (MB) and is being downloaded.

Please refresh this page in a few minutes to see if the filing has been downloaded. The filing will also be emailed to you when the download completes.

Your document is on its way!

If you do not receive the document in five minutes, contact support at support@docketalarm.com.

Sealed Document

We are unable to display this document, it may be under a court ordered seal.

If you have proper credentials to access the file, you may proceed directly to the court's system using your government issued username and password.


Access Government Site

We are redirecting you
to a mobile optimized page.





Document Unreadable or Corrupt

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket

We are unable to display this document.

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket