throbber
UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
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`_________________________
`
`BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
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`
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`_________________________
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`GEMOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF AMERICA INC.
`Petitioner
`
`v.
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`DIAMOND GRADING TECHNOLOGIES LLC
`Patent Owner
`_________________________
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent No. RE44,963
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`_________________________
`
`PETITION FOR INTER PARTES REVIEW OF
`U.S. PATENT NO. RE44,963
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`Filed on behalf of: Gemological Institute of America, Inc.
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`By: Christopher W. Kennerly (chriskennerly@paulhastings.com)
`Naveen Modi (naveenmodi@paulhastings.com)
`Timothy P. Cremen (timothycremen@paulhastings.com)
`Paul Hastings LLP
`
`Paper No. ___
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`

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`Petition for Inter Partes Review – Patent No. RE44,963
`
`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`
`INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................... 1 
`I. 
`II.  MANDATORY NOTICES UNDER 37 C.F.R. § 42.8 ................................... 1 
`A.  Real Party In Interest Under 37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(1) ............................... 1 
`B.  Related Matters Under 37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(2) ........................................ 1 
`1. 
`Related Matters Involving the ’RE963 Patent ............................ 1 
`2. 
`Related Petitions for IPR ............................................................ 1 
`C.  Lead and Backup Counsel Under 37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(3) ....................... 2 
`D.  Service Information Under 37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(4) ................................. 2 
`III.  PAYMENT OF FEES UNDER 37 C.F.R. §§ 42.15 AND 42.103 ................. 2 
`IV.  REQUIREMENTS FOR IPR UNDER 37 C.F.R. § 42.104 ............................ 2 
`A.  Grounds for Standing Under 37 C.F.R. § 42.104(a) ................................ 2 
`B.  Challenge Under 37 C.F.R. § 42.104(b) and Relief Requested............... 3 
`BACKGROUND ............................................................................................. 3 
`A.  The ’RE963 Patent ................................................................................... 3 
`1. 
`Background / Admitted Prior Art ............................................... 3 
`2. 
`Summary of the Purported Invention .......................................... 5 
`VI.  CLAIM CONSTRUCTION ............................................................................ 8 
`A.  Claim Terms To Be Construed ................................................................ 9 
`1. 
`“Weight”/“Weighting” ................................................................ 9 
`2.  Means-Plus-Function Claim Terms ............................................ 9 
`VII.  DETAILED EXPLANATION OF UNPATENTABILITY .......................... 10 
`A.  A Ray Tracing Study of Gem Quality (“Hardy”) .................................. 10 
`
`V. 
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review – Patent No. RE44,963
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`B.  An Introduction to Ray Tracing (“Glassner”) ....................................... 12 
`C.  A Statistical Assessment of Brilliance and Fire for the Round Brilliant
`Cut Diamond (“Dodson”) ...................................................................... 13 
`D.  Dispersive Refraction in Ray Tracing (“Thomas”) ............................... 14 
`E.  Reason to Combine the References ....................................................... 14 
`F.  Ground 1 –Hardy and Glassner in Combination Render Obvious
`Challenged Claims 1, 14, 16, 17, 32, 34, 35, 53, 55, 80, 94, 98, 114, and
`120 .......................................................................................................... 17 
`1. 
`Claim 1 ...................................................................................... 17 
`2. 
`Claim 14 .................................................................................... 28 
`3. 
`Claim 16 .................................................................................... 30 
`4. 
`Claim 17 .................................................................................... 32 
`5. 
`Claim 32 .................................................................................... 35 
`6. 
`Claim 34 .................................................................................... 37 
`7. 
`Claim 35 .................................................................................... 38 
`8. 
`Claim 53 .................................................................................... 38 
`9. 
`Claim 55 .................................................................................... 39 
`10.  Claim 80 .................................................................................... 42 
`11.  Claim 94 .................................................................................... 44 
`12.  Claim 98 .................................................................................... 46 
`13.  Claim 114 .................................................................................. 47 
`14.  Claim 120 .................................................................................. 49 
`G.  Ground 2– A Combination of Hardy, Glassner, and Dodson Render
`Obvious Challenged Claims 76, 83, and 85 .......................................... 50 
`Claim 76 .................................................................................... 50 
`1. 
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review – Patent No. RE44,963
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`Claim 83 .................................................................................... 51 
`2. 
`Claim 85 .................................................................................... 53 
`3. 
`H.  Ground 3– A Combination of Hardy, Glassner, and Thomas Render
`Obvious Challenged Claims 79, 82, and 88 .......................................... 54 
`1. 
`Claim 79 .................................................................................... 54 
`2. 
`Claim 82 .................................................................................... 56 
`3. 
`Claim 88 .................................................................................... 58 
`VIII.  SECONDARY CONSIDERATIONS ........................................................... 59 
`IX.  STATEMENT REGARDING OTHER PETITION ..................................... 60 
`X. 
`CONCLUSION .............................................................................................. 60 
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review – Patent No. RE44,963
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`TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
`
` Page(s)
`
`Federal Cases
`Broadcom Corp. v. Emulex Corp.,
`732 F.3d 1325 (Fed. Cir. 2013) .......................................................................... 15
`
`In re Translogic Tech., Inc.,
`504 F.3d 1249 (Fed. Cir. 2007) ............................................................................ 8
`
`In re Yamamoto,
`740 F.2d 1569 (Fed. Cir. 1984) ............................................................................ 8
`
`In re Zletz,
`13 USPQ2d 1320 (Fed. Cir. 1989) ....................................................................... 8
`
`Federal Statutes
`
`35 U.S.C. § 102(b) ................................................................................. 10, 12, 13, 14
`
`35 U.S.C. § 103 .......................................................................................................... 3
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`35 U.S.C. § 103(a) ..................................................................................................... 1
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`35 U.S.C. § 112 .................................................................................................... 8, 10
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`Federal Regulations
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`37 C.F.R. § 42.1(b) .................................................................................................. 60
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`37 C.F.R. § 104(b)(3) ............................................................................................... 10
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`Office Patent Trial Practice Guide, 77 Fed. Reg. 48,756, 48,764
`(Aug. 14, 2012) ..................................................................................................... 8
`
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review – Patent No. RE44,963
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`LIST OF EXHIBITS
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`Description
`
`No.
`1001 U.S. Patent No. RE44,963
`1002
`“A Ray Tracing Study of Gem Quality” by Hardy et al.
`1003
`“An Introduction to Ray Tracing” edited by Dr. Andrew Glassner
`1004
`“A Statistical Assessment of Brilliance and Fire for the Round Brilliant
`Cut Diamond” by Dodson
`1005 Declaration of Dr. Andrew Glassner
`1006 Curriculum Vitae of Dr. Andrew Glassner
`1007 DGT’s Preliminary Infringement Contentions, Case No. 2:14-cv-01162
`RWS-RSP
`“Dispersive Refraction in Ray Tracing” by Thomas
`1008
`1009 McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 5th Edition
`(1993)
`“Diamond Design, A Study of the Reflection and Refraction of Light in
`a Diamond” by Marcel Tolkowsky
`1011 U.S. Patent No. 5,966,673
`1012 Application No. 08/782,889
`1013 Application No. 12/961,361
`Reserved
`1014
`
`1010
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review – Patent No. RE44,963
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`I.
`
`INTRODUCTION
`Gemological Institute of America Inc. (“GIA” or “Petitioner”) requests inter
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`partes review (“IPR”) of Claims 1, 14, 16, 17, 32, 34, 35, 53, 55, 76, 79, 80, 82,
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`83, 85, 88, 94, 98, 114, and 120 (“Challenged Claims”) of U.S. Patent No.
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`RE44,963 (“the ’RE963 Patent;” Ex. 1001), assigned to Diamond Grading
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`Technologies LLC (“DGT” or “Patent Owner”). This Petition shows that there is a
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`reasonable likelihood that Petitioner will prevail with respect to at least one of the
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`Challenged Claims, and thus a trial for IPR should be instituted. This Petition also
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`establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that the Challenged Claims are
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`unpatentable under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) and should be canceled.
`
`II. MANDATORY NOTICES UNDER 37 C.F.R. § 42.8
`A. Real Party In Interest Under 37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(1)
`Gemological Institute of America Inc. is the real party-in-interest.
`
`B. Related Matters Under 37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(2)
`Pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(2), Petitioner identifies the matters below.
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`Related Matters Involving the ’RE963 Patent
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`1.
`On December 22, 2014, DGT initiated civil actions against: (i) Petitioner
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`(No. 2:14-cv-01162); and (ii) American Gem Society and American Gem Society
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`Laboratories, LLC (No. 2-14-cv-01161) for infringement of the ’RE963 Patent in
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`the Eastern District of Texas. These actions are in their early stages.
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`2.
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`Related Petitions for IPR
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`1
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review – Patent No. RE44,963
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`Petitioner is concurrently filing a second Petition challenging Claims 1, 14,
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`16, 17, 32, 34, 35, 53, 55, 76, 79, 80, 82, 83, 85, 88, 94, 98, 114, and 120.
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`C. Lead and Backup Counsel Under 37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(3)
`Petitioner designates lead and backup counsel as noted below. A power of
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`attorney pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 42.10(b) accompanies this Petition.
`
`Lead Counsel: Christopher W. Kennerly (Reg. No. 40,675),
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`chriskennerly@paulhastings.com. Address: Paul Hastings LLP, 1117 S. California
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`Avenue, Palo Alto, California 94304. Tel: 1.650.320.1800. Fax: 1.650.320.1900.
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`Backup Counsel: Naveen Modi (Reg. No. 46,224),
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`naveenmodi@paulhastings.com. Timothy P. Cremen (Reg. No. 50,855),
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`timothycremen@paulhastings.com. Address: Paul Hastings LLP, 875 15th Street,
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`N.W., Washington, DC 20005. Tel: 1.202.551.1700. Fax: 1.202.551.1705.
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`Service Information Under 37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(4)
`
`D.
`Service information is above, and Petitioner consents to electronic service.
`
`III. PAYMENT OF FEES UNDER 37 C.F.R. §§ 42.15 AND 42.103
`Petitioner submits the required fees herewith. Please charge any additional
`
`fees required for this proceeding to Deposit Account No. 50-2613.
`
`IV. REQUIREMENTS FOR IPR UNDER 37 C.F.R. § 42.104
`A. Grounds for Standing Under 37 C.F.R. § 42.104(a)
`Petitioner certifies that: (i) the ’RE963 Patent is available for IPR; and (ii) it
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`is not barred or estopped from requesting IPR on the grounds identified.
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review – Patent No. RE44,963
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`B. Challenge Under 37 C.F.R. § 42.104(b) and Relief Requested
`Petitioner requests an IPR of the Challenged Claims on the following
`
`grounds and that each Challenged Claim be found unpatentable:
`
`Ground 1: Claims 1, 14, 16, 17, 32, 34, 35, 53, 55, 80, 94, 98, 114, and 120
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`are each obvious under 35 U.S.C. § 103 based on the combined teachings of “A
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`Ray Tracing Study of Gem Quality” by Hardy et al. (“Hardy”) and “An
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`Introduction to Ray Tracing” edited by A. Glassner (“Glassner”).
`
`Ground 2: Claims 76, 83, and 85 are each obvious under 35 U.S.C. § 103
`
`based on the combined teachings of Hardy, Glassner, and “A Statistical
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`Assessment of Brilliance and Fire for the Round Brilliant Cut Diamond” by
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`Dodson (“Dodson”).
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`Ground 3: Claims 79, 82, and 88 are each obvious under 35 U.S.C. § 103
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`based on the combined teachings of Hardy, Glassner, and “Dispersive Refraction
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`in Ray Tracing” by Thomas (“Thomas”).
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`A detailed explanation of: (i) the disclosures and teachings of the identified
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`prior art references; and (ii) the support for Grounds 1-3 is provided in Section
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`VII. Petitioner also submits the Declaration of Andrew Glassner (Ex. 1005)
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`(“Glassner Declaration”) as additional support for Grounds 1-3.
`
`V. BACKGROUND
`A. The ’RE963 Patent
`1.
`Background / Admitted Prior Art
`3
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review – Patent No. RE44,963
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`The “grade” of a gemstone’s “cut” indicates the quality of the stone’s
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`interaction with incident light, with higher grades equating to superior light-
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`handling characteristics. Ex. 1005 at ¶ 38. Generally, to grade a gemstone’s cut, it
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`is illuminated by a light source. When the light strikes the gemstone—depending
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`on the angle of incidence and other factors—some of the light will reflect off the
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`stone’s surface and some will bend while passing through the surface (i.e.,
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`refraction). Ex. 1005 at ¶ 39. The light that is refracted into the stone will then
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`reflect or refract when it strikes another surface of the gemstone (from the inside),
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`and so on. Ex. 1005 at ¶ 40. Each of these reflections and refractions are governed
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`by the laws of physics. Ex. 1005 at ¶ 41. Light that ultimately exits the gemstone
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`can be measured to provide the “cut” grade for the stone. Ex. 1005 at ¶ 42.
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`Mathematical representations of physical gemstone cuts started to come into
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`play in the early 1900s, and these analyses became computer-based decades ago.
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`Ex. 1005 at ¶ 43. The ’RE963 Patent relates to such computer-based methods for
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`“evaluating and grading the cut of a gemstone.” Ex. 1001 at col. 1:56-58; Ex. 1005
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`at ¶ 44. The ’RE963 Patent is the result of the December 6, 2010 reissue
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`Application No. 12/961,361 (Ex. 1013; “the ’361 Application”), of previously
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`granted U.S. Patent No. 5,966,673 (the “’673 Patent), which was originally filed as
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`Application No. 08/782,889 (Ex. 1012; “the ’889 Application”) on January 10,
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`1997 and issued on October 12, 1999. Ex. 1005 at ¶ 45.
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review – Patent No. RE44,963
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`The ’RE963 Patent concedes this long history of mathematical cut analyses,
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`and specifically recognizes that “the basis for conventional cut grading of
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`gemstones was established in 1919 by Marcel Tolkowsky . . . in his mathematical
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`dissertation entitled ‘Diamond Design, A Study of the Reflection and Refraction of
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`Light in a Diamond[.]’” Ex. 1001 at col. 1:19-25; Ex. 1010; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 46. The
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`’RE963 Patent further concedes that that study “established mathematically an
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`optimal brilliant cut for a diamond that is still widely used today.” Ex. 1001 at col.
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`1:25-27; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 47. While the ’RE963 Patent criticizes the Tolkowsky
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`model as being “based upon a two-dimensional model” (Ex. 1001 at col. 1:32-35;
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`Ex. 1005 at ¶ 48) and as using “a single incident light ray,” (Ex. 1001 at col. 1:38-
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`40; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 48), it later makes the unremarkable observation (and important
`
`concession) that “[r]ay tracing could be used to extend the Tolkowsky technique
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`from two dimensions to three dimensions.” Ex. 1001 at col. 21:46-47; Ex. 1005 at
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`¶ 48. The ’RE963 Patent does not provide any indication that it would not have
`
`been obvious to do so and, as discussed herein, three-dimensional ray tracing
`
`techniques have long been known in the art. Ex. 1005 at ¶ 49.
`
`Summary of the Purported Invention
`
`2.
`In its “Summary of the Invention,” the’RE963 Patent states that it is directed
`
`to the broad category of “modeling and evaluating the propagation of light through
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`an optical system.” Ex. 1001 at col. 1:48-50; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 50. More specifically, it
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review – Patent No. RE44,963
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`aims to evaluate “properties of a gemstone using a gemstone model” (Ex. 1001 at
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`col. 1:50-53; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 51) where its “key feature” is providing “a computer-
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`based system and method for evaluating and grading the cut of a gemstone which
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`can be used for determining an ideal or near-ideal cut.” Ex. 1001 at col. 1:53-56
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`(emphasis added); Ex. 1005 at ¶ 51. This “computer-based system” is disclosed as
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`software on a generic computer with standard components (e.g., processor,
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`memory, display, and UI). Ex. 1001 at col. 53:15-43, 54:19-25. Ex. 1005 at ¶ 52.
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`A high-level description of the purported inventive process follows:
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`
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`Creating a Three-Dimensional (3D) Gemstone Model: First, a 3D digital
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`model of the gemstone to be evaluated is created based on various “parameters
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`such as the type of cut (round, emerald, princess, etc.), the facet types (break, main,
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`star, etc.), the number and location of the various facet types, and the dimensions
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`of the stone.” Ex. 1001 at col. 7:7-10; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 54. These “[c]ut proportion[s]
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`can be used to determine the physical locations of the facets.” Ex. 1001 at col.
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`7:10-11; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 55. The model is then generated using computer software.
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`Ex. 1001 at col. 8:46-55; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 56.
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`Illuminating the Gemstone with an Illumination Model: Second, “the
`
`gemstone model is illuminated using an illumination model.” Ex. 1001 at col. 7:34-
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`35; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 57. The illumination model represents a set of one or more light
`
`sources used to model an illumination of the gemstone.” Ex. 1001 at col. 7:15-17;
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review – Patent No. RE44,963
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`18-24; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 58.
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`Tracing the Propagation of Beams of Light Through and Out of the
`
`Gemstone: Third, “each beam of light refracted into the stone by a facet is traced
`
`as it is reflected within the stone and is refracted out of the stone by one or more
`
`facets.” Ex. 1001 at col. 10:14-18; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 59. The light beam is “traced
`
`through each of its subsequent reflections and refractions until the light energy in
`
`the beam is exhausted or sufficiently diminished such that it adds nothing
`
`significant to the outcome of the modeling process.” Ex. 1001 at col. 7:65-8:3; Ex.
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`1005 at ¶ 60. The ’RE963 Patent further discloses that “[e]ach beam propagated
`
`within the gemstone has an associated cross-sectional intensity.” Ex. 1001 at col.
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`14:57-58; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 61. When a “beam strikes a facet, the cross-sectional
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`intensity of the resulting reflected [] beams (reflected and refracted, if any) is
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`derived from the cross-sectional intensity of the incident beam.” Ex. 1001 at col.
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`14:64-67; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 62.
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` Measuring the Light Exiting the Stone and Measuring the Stone’s Grade:
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`Finally, the quantity of light (e.g., flux) exiting the gemstone is measured and used
`
`in determining the gemstone’s cut grade. Ex. 1001 at col. 14:67-15:5; Ex. 1005 at ¶
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`63. Specifically, when a beam refracts out of the gemstone, “[its flux] is
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`determined by the camera capturing the refracting beam by multiplying the cross-
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`sectional intensity of the refracted beam by the area of the facet illuminated by
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review – Patent No. RE44,963
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`refraction perceived by that camera, based on the relative orientations of the
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`camera and facet . . . .” Ex. 1001 at col. 14:67-15:5; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 64. Based on
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`measurements taken of such light beams, factors relating to a gemstone’s cut grade
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`(i.e., brilliance, fire, scintillation) are evaluated and compared to ideal values. Ex.
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`1001 at col. 49:14-17; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 65.
`
`VI. CLAIM CONSTRUCTION
`In IPR, the Board applies the broadest reasonable interpretation (“BRI”)
`
`standard to construe claim terms.1 Under the BRI standard, claim terms are given
`
`their “broadest reasonable interpretation, consistent with the specification.” In re
`
`Yamamoto, 740 F.2d 1569, 1571 (Fed. Cir. 1984); Office Patent Trial Practice
`
`Guide, 77 Fed. Reg. 48,756, 48,764 (Aug. 14, 2012). Claim terms are “generally
`
`given their ordinary and customary meaning,” which is the meaning that the term
`
`would have to a person of ordinary skill in the art. See In re Translogic Tech., Inc.,
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`504 F.3d 1249, 1257 (Fed. Cir. 2007) (quoting Phillips v. AWH Corp., 415 F.3d
`
`1303, 1312, 1313 (Fed. Cir. 2005) (en banc)).
`
`1 Because the standards applied in litigation differ from PTO proceedings, any
`
`interpretation of claim terms herein is not binding upon Petitioner in any related
`
`litigation. See In re Zletz, 13 USPQ2d 1320, 1322 (Fed. Cir. 1989). Petitioner
`
`reserves its right to make all arguments in the district court with respect to claim
`
`construction and on other grounds (e.g., 35 U.S.C. § 112).
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review – Patent No. RE44,963
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`A. Claim Terms To Be Construed
`For purposes of this proceeding only, Petitioner proposes BRI constructions
`
`for the following terms. All remaining terms should be given their plain meaning.
`
`1.
`
` “Weight”/“Weighting”
`
`Proposed BRI Construction: “to use the measured light exiting the gemstone
`
`model in a subsequent operation.”
`
`This term appears in Challenged Claims 55, 76, 79, 80, 82, 83, 85, 98, 114,
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`and 120, each of which specifies that the light exiting the gemstone model is
`
`measured prior to being “weight[ed].” See, e.g., Ex. 1001 at col. 74:54-58; 77:20-
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`25; 77:49-55; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 73. There is no explicit definition (and little use of)
`
`“weight” in the specification of the ’RE963 Patent, although the patent does
`
`disclose measuring the exiting light and then using this light in a subsequent
`
`operation to evaluate a property relating to cut. Ex. 1001 at col. 2:10-17, 5:48-54,
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`6:5-7, 10:23-24; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 76. In view of this description, Petitioner
`
`respectfully submits that the BRI of “weight” must be “to use the measured light
`
`exiting the gemstone model in a subsequent operation.” Ex. 1005 at ¶ 77.
`
`2. Means-Plus-Function Claim Terms
`Challenged Claims 32, 34-35, and 53 contain a number of means-plus-
`
`function limitations. Ex. 1001 at col. 68:46-69:12, 69:55-70:19, 73:54-74:11. For
`
`purposes of this proceeding, Petitioner construes these limitations by their plain
`
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review – Patent No. RE44,963
`
`and ordinary meaning. Further, per 37 C.F.R. § 104(b)(3) and without conceding
`
`that any claim of the ’RE963 Patent is valid under 35 U.S.C. § 112, Petitioner
`
`assumes the corresponding structure for each means-plus-function limitation to be
`
`software implemented on a generic computer system. See Section V(A)(2); Ex.
`
`1005 at ¶ 81.
`
`VII. DETAILED EXPLANATION OF UNPATENTABILITY
`A. A Ray Tracing Study of Gem Quality (“Hardy”)
`
`Hardy discloses “a computerized three-dimensional ray tracing technique”
`
`for evaluating gemstone quality by “simulating and ray tracing” light. Ex. 1002 at
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`801; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 83. Hardy was published in Optica Acta, Vol. 28, Issue 6, on
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`June 1981, and therefore is prior art to the ’RE963 Patent under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b)
`
`(pre-AIA). In sum, Hardy teaches applying the mathematical analysis set forth by
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`Tolkowsky (Ex. 1010) three-dimensionally in a computer program. Ex. 1005 at ¶
`
`84.
`
`Hardy Discloses a Method for Evaluating the Cut of a Gemstone: Hardy
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`discloses a computer program for “simulating and ray tracing” light through a
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`gemstone (Ex. 1002 at 801-02) that is used to “correlate some commonly used
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`[gemstone] cuts with subjective cut quality criteria.” Ex. 1002 at 801-02; Ex.1005
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`at ¶ 85. The computerized ray tracing model used in the study “first [] generates a
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`diamond and determines its orientation with respect to [a] set of impinging parallel
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review – Patent No. RE44,963
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`[light] rays . . . . The second part of the program simulates the interaction of light
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`with the gem.” Ex. 1002 at 802; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 86. Specifically, data representing
`
`the dimensions of the gemstone to be analyzed are input into the computer
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`program. Ex. 1002 at 802; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 87. The program then generates polygons
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`representing the gemstone facets and rays of light to interact with the gemstone,
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`and the rays of light are traced through the
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`gemstone and the resulting data is displayed and
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`analyzed. Ex. 1002 at 802; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 88.
`
`Hardy Discloses a Three-Dimensional (3D)
`
`Gemstone Model: As illustrated in FIG. 2 of Hardy, its computer program
`
`generates a complete 3D gemstone model that is fully described by “the crown
`
`angle, pavilion angle, the number of facets, etc.” Ex. 1002 at 802; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 89.
`
`This input data is used to determine “[t]he coordinates of all corners and their
`
`correspondence to facets[.]” Ex. 1002 at 802; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 90. A “computer
`
`drawing of [] a diamond” is created “based on the above-mentioned parameters.”
`
`Ex. 1002 at 802-03; Figure 2; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 91.
`
`Hardy Discloses Using a Computerized Illumination Source to Illuminate
`
`the Gemstone Model: Hardy describes “simulat[ing] the interaction of light with
`
`the gem” by projecting “a set of parallel rays, incident perpendicularly to the table
`
`of the brilliant [cut gemstone].” Ex. 1002 at 802; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 92.
`
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review – Patent No. RE44,963
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`Hardy Discloses that Light Rays are Refracted and/or Reflected Upon
`
`Interaction with the Gemstone Facets: Hardy discloses that, upon intersection
`
`with a gemstone facet, each ray of light is “either reflected or refracted in
`
`accordance with Snell's law and Fresnel's formulae.” Ex. 1002 at 802; Ex. 1005 at
`
`¶ 93. The portion of the ray that is refracted through the first facet “continue[s]
`
`inside the gem” and “[t]he simulation of reflections and refractions goes on until
`
`the computed intensity of the ray drops below a predetermined value . . . .” Ex.
`
`1002 at 802; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 94.
`
`Hardy Discloses Measuring/Weighting Light Exiting the Gemstone
`
`Model: Hardy teaches that, after the light rays exit the gemstone model, “all
`
`scattered rays with the same direction of propagation are grouped together, taking
`
`into account their relative intensity, thus producing a far-field pattern which is
`
`represented as a spot diagram on a spherical surface.” Ex. 1002 at 803; Ex. 1005 at
`
`¶ 95. Hardy further discloses that these patterns are used to evaluate parameters
`
`relating to gemstone’s cut grade. Ex. 1002 at 801, 808-809; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 96.
`
`B. An Introduction to Ray Tracing (“Glassner”)
`Glassner discloses beam tracing, a computer graphics rendering method that
`
`
`
`simulates the passage of beams (versus rays) of light through an optical system.
`
`See, e.g., Ex. 1003 at 242-46; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 97. Glassner was published in January
`
`of 1989 and therefore is prior art to the ’RE963 Patent under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b)
`
`
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`12
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review – Patent No. RE44,963
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`(pre-AIA). As disclosed by Glassner, “many aspects of the beam tracing algorithm
`
`are very similar to those of standard ray tracing.” Ex. 1003 at 243; Ex. 1005 at ¶
`
`98. Specifically, “in this approach rays are replaced by beams which are cones with
`
`arbitrary polygonal cross section. Ex. 1003 at 243; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 99. That is, a
`
`beam consists of “a collection of rays which originate at a common apex and pass
`
`through some planar polygon.” Ex. 1003 at 243; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 100. Although using
`
`beam tracing may require certain restrictions, for example, that all objects be
`
`constructed with “planar polygonal facets,” (a condition satisfied by all the
`
`diamond models under discussion here), the algorithm allows for “faster execution,
`
`effective anti-aliasing, and even additional optical effects.” Ex. 1003 at 242-43; Ex.
`
`1005 at ¶ 101.
`
`C. A Statistical Assessment of Brilliance and Fire for the Round
`Brilliant Cut Diamond (“Dodson”)
`
`Dodson discloses the use of a computer program to assess the effect of a
`
`gemstone’s cut on select grading metrics. Ex. 1004 at 683-87; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 102.
`
`Dodson was published in Optica Acta, Vol. 25, Issue 8, in 1978 and thus is prior
`
`art to the ’RE963 Patent under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b) (pre-AIA).
`
`Dodson discloses a computer program written to calculate and trace light
`
`rays through and exiting a faceted 3D model using vector ray tracing equations.
`
`Ex. 1004 at 685-86; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 103. The resulting spot pattern of the exiting
`
`light beam is then statistically analyzed to calculate the gemstone’s brilliance,
`
`
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review – Patent No. RE44,963
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`sparkliness, and fire. Ex. 1004 at 686; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 104.
`
`D. Dispersive Refraction in Ray Tracing (“Thomas”)
`Thomas discloses the use of a computer algorithm to model the dispersive
`
`refraction of light in a gemstone model. Ex. 1008 at 3, 7; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 105.
`
`Thomas was published in The Visual Computer, Vol. 2, Issue 1 in 1986, and
`
`therefore is prior art to the ’RE963 Patent under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b) (pre-AIA). Ex.
`
`1005 at ¶ 106.
`
`Thomas discloses an algorithm to compute the dispersion wavelength
`
`vectors of light rays (i.e., the spatial and angular separation of light of different
`
`wavelengths) as light traverses a gemstone model (Ex. 1008 at 4-5), and a form of
`
`ray-tracing designed to model dispersion, in which each ray carries two new pieces
`
`of information: “the portion of the spectrum covered by the ray” and the ray’s
`
`“angular spread.” Ex. 1008 at 5; Ex. 1005 at ¶ 107. As disclosed by Thomas,
`
`modeling such dispersion produces a more accurate model as it avoids having to
`
`make “the simplifying assumption that the index of refraction of an object is
`
`constant over the entire wavelength range of the visible spectrum.” Ex. 1008 at 3;
`
`Ex. 1005 at ¶ 108.
`
`E. Reason to Combine the References
`Obviousness requires a showing that a person of ordinary skill in the art at
`
`the time of the invention would have thought to combine the prior art, such as “a
`
`
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review – Patent No. RE44,963
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`plausible rational [sic] as to why the prior art references would have worked
`
`together.” Broadcom Corp. v. Emulex Corp., 732 F.3d 1325, 1335 (Fed. Cir.
`
`2013); Ex. 1005 at ¶ 109. Here, such a reason or “plausible rationale” is
`
`straightforward. Ex. 1005 at ¶ 110.
`
`Each of Hardy, Glassner, Dodson, and Thomas describe a computer program
`
`used to model and evaluate simulated light as it passes through a computerized
`
`optical system. Ex. 1005 at ¶ 111. They are therefore each directed to the same
`
`problem, which would have led one of skill in the art at the time of the purported
`
`invention of the ’RE963 Patent (“one of skill”) to consult each reference and
`
`combine their teachings to provide the most efficient and capable method and
`
`system for computer modeling and grading of gemstones. Ex.1005 at ¶ 112.
`
`Because Hardy, Glassner, Dodson and Thomas disclose similar steps and
`
`algorithms that are highly compatible, it would be natural for one of skill to
`
`contemplate adding to, or substituting Hardy’s algorithm with (i) the beam-tracing
`
`algorithm of Glassner; (ii) the specific metrics of brilliance, fire, and sparkliness in
`
`Dodson; and (iii) and/or the modeling of dispersion in Thomas. Ex. 1005 at ¶ 113.
`
`It would have been a straightforward matter for one of skill to have combined their
`
`respective teachings to provide additional functionality and improved performance,
`
`such as by simple substitution or addition of features (e.g., the substitution of a ray
`
`with a beam (Glassner) or the addition of the ray’s angular spread (Thomas) in the
`
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review – Patent No. RE44,963
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`algorithm used to model light passage through a gemstone). Ex. 1005 at ¶ 114.
`
`For example, Glassner states that “[t]hough the simple form of [] rays leads
`
`to easy representation, efficient intersection calculations, and great generality,
`
`some of these benefits can be traded in exchange for others.” Ex. 1003 at 242; Ex.
`
`1005 at ¶ 115. One w

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