`IPR 2016-01259
`U.S. Patent No. 8,155,298
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`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
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`BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
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`Bright House Networks, LLC,
`WideOpenWest Finance, LLC,
`Knology of Florida, Inc.
`Birch Communications, Inc.
`Petitioners
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`v.
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`Focal IP, LLC,
`Patent Owner
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`
`
`Case No. IPR2016-01259
`U.S. Patent No. 8,155,298
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`DECLARATION OF THOMAS F. LA PORTA IN SUPPORT OF
`PETITIONERS’ REPLY TO PATENT OWNER’S RESPONSE
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`Bright House Networks – Ex. 1165, Page 1
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`I.
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`II.
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`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`INTRODUCTION AND QUALIFICATIONS .............................................. 1
`A.
`Engagement Overview ......................................................................... 1
`B.
`Summary of Opinions .......................................................................... 2
`C. Materials Considered ............................................................................ 3
`LEGAL PRINCIPLES USED IN THE ANALYSIS ..................................... 5
`A.
`Legal Standards for Obviousness ......................................................... 5
`B.
`Legal Standards for Claim Interpretation ........................................... 10
`III. THE CHALLENGED CLAIMS ARE OBVIOUS OVER GROUND 1
`(ARCHER IN VIEW OF CHANG AND THE KNOWLEDGE AND
`SKILL OF A POSA) AND GROUND 2 (ARCHER IN VIEW OF
`CHANG, SWARTZ AND THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL OF A
`POSA) ........................................................................................................... 11
`A. Archer Discloses a Gateway Interconnecting a “Controlling
`Device” on an IP Network to a Tandem Switch in the PSTN ........... 12
`A POSA Understood that an IP Network Converging with the
`PSTN Could Be Connected to Either a PSTN Tandem Switch
`or PSTN Edge Switch and Without any Technical Differences ........ 16
`Conclusion - Archer in View of Chang and the Knowledge and
`Skill of a POSA (Ground 1) and Archer in View of Chang,
`Swartz and the Knowledge and Skill of a POSA (Ground 2)
`Disclose All of the Limitations of the Challenged Claim Even
`Under Patent Owner’s Constructions ................................................. 23
`IV. THE CHALLENGED CLAIM IS OBVIOUS OVER GROUNDS 1
`AND 2 UNDER THE BROADEST REASONABLE
`INTERPRETATION OF THE CLAIM IN VIEW OF THE
`SPECIFICATION ......................................................................................... 24
`A.
`The Term “Switching Facility” Was Introduced for the First
`Time During Prosecution of the ‘777 Patent ...................................... 25
`B. Mr. Bates’s Alleged Evidence of Disclaimer in the
`Specification Refers to “Preferred” Embodiments or Systems
`Rather Than “the Invention” or the “Present Invention” ................... 26
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`B.
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`C.
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`Bright House Networks – Ex. 1165, Page 2
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`D.
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`C. A POSA Would Understand that the Applicant Broadly
`Defined “Switching Facilities” During Prosecution and
`Explicitly Varied the Location and Function of “Switching
`Facilities” Between Different Claims ................................................ 28
`The Broadest Reasonable Interpretation of “Switching Facility”
`is Not “PSTN Tandem Switch” .......................................................... 34
`The Broadest Reasonable Interpretation of “Coupled To” is Not
`“Connected to Without an Intervening Edge Switch” ....................... 34
`The Broadest Reasonable Interpretation of “Controller” is Not
`“A Controller Connected to a PSTN Tandem Switch Without
`an Intervening Edge Switch” .............................................................. 35
`CONCLUSION ............................................................................................. 36
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`E.
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`F.
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`V.
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`Bright House Networks – Ex. 1165, Page 3
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`1.
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`2.
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`I, Thomas F. La Porta, declare as follows:
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`I have personal knowledge of the facts stated in this declaration, and
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`could and would testify to these facts under oath if called upon to do so.
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`I.
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`INTRODUCTION AND QUALIFICATIONS
`A. Engagement Overview
`3.
`I have been retained by counsel for Bright House Networks, LLC,
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`WideOpenWest Finance, LLC, Knology of Florida,
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`Inc., and Birch
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`Communications, Inc. (“Petitioners”) in this case as an expert in the relevant art. I
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`previously provided a declaration in this case in support of the Petition setting forth
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`my opinions regarding the state of the art and invalidity of the challenged claims. I
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`am being compensated for my work at the rate of $550 per hour. No part of my
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`compensation is contingent upon the outcome of this petition.
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`4.
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`I was asked to study the Patent Owner’s April 3, 2017 Response to
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`Petitioners’ Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,155,298 (“the ‘298
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`patent”), and its exhibits including the declaration of Regis J. “Bud” Bates dated
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`April 1, 2017 (Ex. 2022), and to render opinions based on the testimony of Mr. Bates
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`contained in his declaration (Id.) and in the transcripts of Mr. Bates’s deposition
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`taken on May 8-9, 2017 (Ex. 1159; Ex. 1160).
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`5.
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`After studying the Response, its exhibits including the declaration of
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`Mr. Bates (Ex. 2022), the transcripts of his deposition (Ex. 2059; Ex. 2060), the ‘777
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`1
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`Bright House Networks – Ex. 1165, Page 4
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`patent (Ex. 1101), its file history (Ex. 1108), the file history of U.S. Patent No.
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`7,764,777 (“the ‘777 patent”) (Ex. 1110), the prior art, and considering the subject
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`matter of the claims of the ‘298 patent in light of the state of technical advancement
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`in the area of telephony in circuit-switched and packet-switched networks in May
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`2000, I reached the conclusions discussed herein.
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`6.
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`This declaration, and the conclusions and opinions herein, provide
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`support for the Reply to Patent Owner’s Response filed by Petitioners in this case. I
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`have reviewed the Reply in its entirety as well as its corresponding exhibits.
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`B.
`7.
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`Summary of Opinions
`As set forth in my June 23, 2016 Declaration in this case, it is my
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`opinion that claim 20 of the ‘298 patent is obvious over Ground 1 (Archer (Ex. 1103)
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`in view of Chang (Ex. 1104) and the knowledge and skill of a person of ordinary
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`skill in the art (“POSA”)), and Ground 2 (Archer in view of Chang and Swartz (Ex.
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`1105) and the knowledge and skill of a POSA)1. My opinions are unchanged.
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`8.
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` A POSA in May 2000 understood that an IP network converging with
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`the PSTN could be connected to either a PSTN tandem switch or PSTN edge switch
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` 1
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` In my declaration, I also refer to claim 20 of the ‘298 patent as the “Challenged
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`Claim”.
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`2
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`Bright House Networks – Ex. 1165, Page 5
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`and without any technical differences and understood the advantages of connecting
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`to a PSTN tandem switch instead of a PSTN edge switch.
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`9.
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`Claim 20 of the ‘298 patent is obvious over Archer in view of Chang
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`and the knowledge and skill of a POSA under the broadest reasonable interpretation
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`of the claims and under Mr. Bates’s proposed constructions.
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`10. Claim 20 of the ‘298 patent is obvious over Archer in view of Chang,
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`Swartz and the knowledge and skill of a POSA under the broadest reasonable
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`interpretation of the claims and under Mr. Bates’s proposed constructions.
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`C. Materials Considered
`11. My analysis is based on my education and experience as set out in my
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`June 23, 2016 declaration in this case (Ex. 1102) and in my curriculum vitae (Ex.
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`1153), including the documents I have read and authored and systems I have
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`developed and used since then.
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`12.
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`In addition to the materials set forth in my June 23, 2016 Declaration
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`in this case (Ex. 1102), I have reviewed the following:
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`Exhibit
`No.
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`Description of Document
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`Decision Granting Institution of Inter Partes Review No. IPR2016-
`01262, January 3, 2017 (“Institution Decision”)
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`Patent Owner’s Response in IPR2016-01262
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`1101 U.S. Patent No. 8,155,298 (“the ’298 Patent”)
`1103 U.S. Patent No. 6,683,870 to Archer (“Archer”)
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`3
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`Bright House Networks – Ex. 1165, Page 6
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`Description of Document
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`Exhibit
`No.
`1104 U.S. Patent No. 5,958,016 to Chang et al. (“Chang”)
`1105 U.S. Patent No. 6,445,694 to Swartz (“Swartz”)
`1106 U.S. Patent No. 7,764,777 (“the ’777 Patent”)
`1107 U.S. Patent No. 8,457,113 (“the ‘113 patent”)
`1108
`File history of U.S. Patent No. 8,155,298
`1110
`File history of U.S. Patent No. 7,764,777
`1155 U.S. Patent No. 6,574,328
`1156 U.S. Patent No. 7,324,635
`1158 U.S. Patent No. 6,333,931 to LaPier (“LaPier”)
`1159 May 8, 2017 Transcript of Deposition of Regis “Bud” Bates
`1160 May 9, 2017 Transcript of Deposition of Regis “Bud” Bates
`1161 March 1, 2017 Transcript of Deposition of Mr. Willis in IPR2016-
`01254, IPR2016-01257
`1166 U.S. Patent No. 6,442,169 to Lewis (“Lewis”)
`2001 Declaration of Regis J. “Bud” Bates filed with Preliminary Response
`2002 Ray Horak, Communications Systems and Networks (2nd ed. 2000)
`2003 Ray Horak, Webster’s New World Telecom Dictionary (2008)
`2004 Ray Horak, Telecommunications and Data Communications (2007)
`2005
`Prosecution History of U.S. Patent No. 7,764,777
`2006 Harry Newton, Newton’s Telecom Dictionary (23rd ed. 2007)
`2019 Deposition Transcript of Dr. La Porta, Feb. 24, 2017, for IPR 2016-
`01259, -01261, -01262, and -01263.
`2020 Deposition Transcript of Dr. La Porta, Feb. 23, 2017, for IPR 2016-
`01259, -01261, -01262, and -01263.
`2022 Declaration of Regis J. “Bud” Bates in Support of Patent Owner’s
`Response
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`4
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`Bright House Networks – Ex. 1165, Page 7
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`Description of Document
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`Exhibit
`No.
`2042 U.S. Pat. App. No. 11/948, 965, filed on November 20, 2007
`(annotations added by Patent Owner)
`2043 U.S. Pat. App. No. 10/426,279, filed on April 30, 2003 (annotations
`added by Patent Owner)
`2044 U.S. Pat. App. No. 09/565,565, filed on May 4, 2000 (annotations
`added by Patent Owner)
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`II. LEGAL PRINCIPLES USED IN THE ANALYSIS
`13.
`In addition to the legal principles set forth in my June 23, 2016
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`Declaration in this case (Ex. 1102, ¶¶26-39), attorneys for the Petitioners explained
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`additional legal principles to me that I have relied upon in forming my opinions set
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`forth in this report.
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`A. Legal Standards for Obviousness
`14. As set forth in my June 23, 2016 Declaration in this case, I have been
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`provided the following instructions from the Federal Circuit Bar Association Model
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`Instructions regarding obviousness, which is reproduced in part below. I apply this
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`understanding in my analysis, with the caveat that I have been informed that the
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`Patent Office will find a patent claim invalid in an Inter Partes review if it concludes
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`that it is more likely than not that the challenged claim is invalid (i.e., a
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`preponderance-of-the- evidence standard), which is a lower burden of proof than the
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`“clear-and- convincing” standard that is applied in United States district court (and
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`5
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`Bright House Networks – Ex. 1165, Page 8
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`described in the jury instruction below):
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`4.3c OBVIOUSNESS
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`Even though an invention may not have been identically disclosed or
`described before it was made by an inventor, in order to be patentable,
`the invention must also not have been obvious to a person of ordinary
`skill in the field of technology of the patent at the time the invention
`was made.
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`[Alleged infringer] may establish that a patent claim is invalid by
`showing, by clear and convincing evidence, that the claimed invention
`would have been obvious to persons having ordinary skill in the art at
`the time the invention was made in the field of [insert the field of the
`invention].
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`In determining whether a claimed invention is obvious, you must
`consider the level of ordinary skill in the field [of the invention] that
`someone would have had at the time the [invention was made] or
`[patent was filed], the scope and content of the prior art, and any
`differences between the prior art and the claimed invention.
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`Keep in mind that the existence of each and every element of the
`claimed invention in the prior art does not necessarily prove
`obviousness. Most, if not all, inventions rely on building blocks of
`prior art. In considering whether a claimed invention is obvious, you
`may but are not required to find obviousness if you find that at the
`time of the claimed invention [or the patent’s filing date] there was a
`reason that would have prompted a person having ordinary skill in the
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`Bright House Networks – Ex. 1165, Page 9
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`field of [the invention] to combine the known elements in a way the
`claimed invention does, taking into account such factors as (1) whether
`the claimed invention was merely the predictable result of using
`prior art elements according to their known function(s); (2) whether the
`claimed invention provides an obvious solution to a known problem in
`the relevant field; (3) whether the prior art teaches or suggests the
`the invention; (4)
`desirability of combining elements claimed in
`whether the prior art teaches away from combining elements in the
`claimed invention; (5) whether it would have been obvious to try the
`combinations of elements, such as when there is a design need or
`market pressure to solve a problem and there are a finite number of
`identified, predictable solutions; and (6) whether the change resulted
`more from design incentives or other market forces. To find it
`rendered the invention obvious, you must find that the prior art
`provided a reasonable expectation of success. Obvious to try is not
`sufficient in unpredictable technologies.
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`In determining whether the claimed invention was obvious, consider
`each claim separately. Do not use hindsight, i.e., consider only what
`was known at the time of the invention [or the patent’s filing date].
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`In making these assessments, you should take into account any
`objective evidence (sometimes called “secondary considerations”) that
`may shed light on the obviousness or not of the claimed invention,
`such as:
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`(a) Whether the invention was commercially successful as a result of
`the merits of the claimed invention (rather than the result of design
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`Bright House Networks – Ex. 1165, Page 10
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`needs or market-pressure advertising or similar activities);
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`(b) Whether the invention satisfied a long-felt need;
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`(c) Whether others had tried and failed to make the invention;
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`(d) Whether others invented the invention at roughly the same time;
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`(e) Whether others copied the invention;
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`(f) Whether there were changes or related technologies or market
`needs contemporaneous with the invention;
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`(g) Whether the invention achieved unexpected results;
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`(h) Whether others in the field praised the invention;
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`(i) Whether persons having ordinary skill in the art of the
`invention expressed surprise or disbelief regarding the invention;
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`(j) Whether others sought or obtained rights to the patent from
`the patent holder; and
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`(k) Whether the inventor proceeded contrary to accepted wisdom
`in the field.
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`Federal Circuit Bar Association Model Jury Instructions §4.3c (2014); Ex. 1102,
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`¶38.
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`15.
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`I am also informed that the United States Patent Office supplies its
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`examining corps with a Manual of Patent Examining Procedure that provides
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`8
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`Bright House Networks – Ex. 1165, Page 11
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`exemplary rationales that may support a conclusion of obviousness and I apply
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`these principles in my analysis below, including:
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`(a) Combining prior art elements according to known methods to yield
`predictable results;
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`(b) Simple substitution of one known element for another to obtain
`predictable results;
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`(c) Use of known technique to improve similar devices (methods, or
`products) in the same way;
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`(d) Applying a known technique to a known device (method, or
`product) ready for improvement to yield predictable results;
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`(e) “Obvious to try” – choosing from a finite number of identified,
`predictable solutions, with a reasonable expectation of success;
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`(f) Known work in one field of endeavor may prompt variations of it
`for use in either the same field or a different one based on design
`incentives or other market forces if the variations are predictable to
`one of ordinary skill in the art; or
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`(g) Some teaching, suggestion, or motivation in the prior art that
`would have led one of ordinary skill to modify the prior art reference
`or to combine prior art reference teachings to arrive at the claimed
`invention.
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`MPEP § 2143; Ex. 1102, ¶39.
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`9
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`Bright House Networks – Ex. 1165, Page 12
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`B.
`Legal Standards for Claim Interpretation
`16. As set forth in my June 23, 2016 Declaration in this case, I understand
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`that, in Inter Partes Review, the claim terms are to be given their broadest reasonable
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`interpretation (BRI) in light of the specification. Ex. 1102, ¶37.
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`17.
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`I have been informed and understand that the plain meaning of a claim
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`term can be disclaimed or disavowed by the prosecution history or the specification
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`of the patent. Counsel has advised me that a disclaimer must be “clear and
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`unmistakable” to a POSA in order to take effect. I understand that such disavowal
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`must be, among other things, so unmistakable as to be unambiguous evidence of
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`disclaimer.
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`18.
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`I have been informed and understand that such disavowal does not arise
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`merely by criticizing a particular embodiment that is encompassed in the plain
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`meaning of a claim term. I also have been informed and understand that such
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`disavowal also does not arise merely because all the embodiments of the invention
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`disclosed in the specification contain a particular limitation.
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`19.
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`I further have been informed and understand that the fact that a patent
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`indicates that a preferred embodiment improves upon various identified problems in
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`prior art systems, or can achieve several objectives, does not, without a clear and
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`unmistakable disclaimer, require that each of the claims be limited to systems that
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`improve upon each of these problems or achieve all of these objectives.
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`Bright House Networks – Ex. 1165, Page 13
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`20.
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`I also have been informed and understand that a patentee may define a
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`claim term either in the written description of the patent or in the prosecution history.
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`I further have been informed and understand that a patentee’s definition (whether
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`part of a narrowing or broadening amendment and whether narrower or broader than
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`the common meaning) is always relevant to claim interpretation because it indicates
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`the meaning that the inventor ascribed to the term.
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`21.
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`I have additionally been informed and understand that the Patent Owner
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`bears the burden of establishing the existence of a disclaimer.
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`III. THE CHALLENGED CLAIMS ARE OBVIOUS OVER GROUND 1 (ARCHER IN
`VIEW OF CHANG AND THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL OF A POSA) AND
`GROUND 2 (ARCHER IN VIEW OF CHANG, SWARTZ AND THE
`KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL OF A POSA)
`I understand that the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (“Board”) instituted
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`22.
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`this Inter Partes review (“IPR”) on Ground 1 (Archer in view of Chang and the
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`knowledge and skill of a POSA) and on Ground 2 (Archer in view of Chang, Swartz
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`and the knowledge and skill of a POSA) render obvious claim 20 of the ‘298 patent.
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`Institution Decision, Paper 23, December 19, 2016.
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`23. As set forth in my June 23, 2016 Declaration in this case, it is my
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`opinion that claim 20 of the ‘298 patent of the ‘298 patent is obvious over Ground 1
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`(Archer in view of Chang and the knowledge and skill of a POSA) and Ground 2
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`(Archer in view of Chang, Swartz and the knowledge and skill of a POSA). My
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`11
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`Bright House Networks – Ex. 1165, Page 14
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`opinions are unchanged.
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`A. Archer Discloses a Gateway Interconnecting a “Controlling
`Device” on an IP Network to a Tandem Switch in the PSTN
`In his declaration, Mr. Bates opines that Archer’s gateway 126
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`24.
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`interconnecting the PSTN 118 (136) to a packet network 130 must be connected to
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`an edge switch. Ex. 2022, ¶¶74-83. I disagree with his opinion.
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`25. As outlined in my June 23, 2016 Declaration, Archer discloses that
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`12
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`Bright House Networks – Ex. 1165, Page 15
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`gateway 1262, that is coupled to server processor 1283, passes information (e.g. voice
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`and signaling) between the PSTN 118 (136) and a packet network 130 (e.g. IP
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` 2
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` Mr. Bates incorrectly states that Archer does not use the term “gateway” with
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`respect to component 126 (or 132) which is inaccurate. See Ex. 1103, 5:34-35
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`(“Converter 126 can also be referred to as a gateway.”), 5:59-60 (“In general
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`PSTN-to-IP network gateway (i.e. converter 126) . . .”). Moreover, Mr. Bates’s
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`reliance on Archer’s other nomenclature for the same component (“converter”) as
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`indicating that gateway 126 only converts signals between analog and digital
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`formats is also incorrect as Archer explicitly discloses that gateway 126 may
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`“convert” or “translate” circuit-switched digital voice (PCM) into multiple
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`encoding schemes and digital packets suitable for packet networks (e.g. IP
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`packets). See id., 5:27-28; 5:59-62; 6:7-9; 8:18-21; 9:14-15; 11:23-25.
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`3 During his deposition, Mr. Bates acknowledged that there is no such thing as an
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`“edge switch” in IP networks. Ex. 1159, 110:9-13; 114:17-20; 178:21-24. Thus,
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`Mr. Bates’s opinion in his declaration (Ex. 2022, ¶¶77-78) that Archer’s server
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`processor 128 (which is clearly on an IP network) is an edge switch is inconsistent
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`with his deposition testimony and nonsensical. Ex. 1103, FIGS. 2, 6; 6:6-9; 6:51-
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`53.
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`13
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`Bright House Networks – Ex. 1165, Page 16
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`network) 4. Ex. 1102, ¶¶262-265, 283-286, 352-356; Pet., 23-24, 31-33, 60-62.
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`26. Specifically, in my opinion, Archer discloses that PSTN-to-IP network
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`gateway 126 would be connected to a tandem switch in the PSTN 118 (136) because
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`it receives voice from the PSTN as pulse coded modulation (PCM) which is used by
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`a tandem switch but not an edge switch. Ex. 1102, ¶¶262-265, 283-286, 352-356;
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`Pet., 23-24, 31-33, 60-62; Ex. 1103, 5:59-62 (“PSTN-to-IP network gateway (i.e.
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`converter 126) should be able to support the translation of PCM to multiple encoding
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`schemes to interwork with software from various vendors.”)5; see 5:10-11 (“Circuit-
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`switched network 118 can be . . . a digital network”), 5:23-27 (“[T]he heart of most
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` 4
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` During his deposition, Mr. Bates defined a “tandem switch” as a “switch that
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`passes some form of information through it” and stated that he used this definition
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`in his analysis for this proceeding. Ex. 1160, 356:9-357:8. Thus, Archer’s
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`gateway (126) cannot be an “edge switch” because it meets this definition and has
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`an IP address such that it is on an IP network. See n.3 supra.
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`5 In my opinion, Mr. Bates ignores the explicit disclosure in Archer when he
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`incorrectly asserts that Archer discloses that PSTN-to-IP network gateway 126
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`only receives analog signals over analog lines. Ex. 2022, ¶¶74-76, 78, 80-81; Ex.
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`1103, 5:59-62, 5:33-35, 5:42-46.
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`14
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`Bright House Networks – Ex. 1165, Page 17
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`telephone networks today is digital.”), 5:33-35, 5:42-46.
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`27.
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`In his declaration and during his deposition, Mr. Bates confirmed that
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`digital PCM protocol is used by a tandem switch and would overcome the
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`transmission loss and impairment problems identified in the specification of the ‘298
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`patent at col. 1, lines 56-64. Ex. 1159, 22:23-23:8; 26:7-15; Ex. 2022, ¶45.
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`28. Therefore, Mr. Bates’s opinion expressed in his declaration (Ex. 2022,
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`¶¶74-83) that Archer’s gateway 126 interconnecting the PSTN 118 (136) to a packet
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`network 130 must be connected to an edge switch, ignores the express teachings of
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`Archer and is inconsistent with his own testimony during his deposition. Supra
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`¶¶24-27; Ex. 2019, 267:19-268:4; 271:2-273:12.
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`29. Rather, as outlined in my June 23, 2016 declaration, a POSA would
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`understand that Archer discloses that server processor 128 is coupled to a PSTN
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`tandem switch in PSTN 118 (136) via PSTN-to-IP network gateway 126. Ex. 1102,
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`¶¶262-265, 283-286; Pet., 23-24, 31-33; Ex. 2019, 267:19-268:4; 271:2-273:12; Ex.
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`1159, 22:23-23:8; 26:7-15; Ex. 2022, ¶45.
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`30. Additionally, even if the claims are narrowed as urged by Patent Owner
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`such that “switching facility” can only be a PSTN tandem switch, and not a gateway,
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`and that “call processing system” must be directly connected to such a PSTN tandem
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`switch, it is my opinion that Archer discloses this architecture.
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`15
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`Bright House Networks – Ex. 1165, Page 18
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`31. As shown in annotated Figure 2 below, in my opinion, Archer discloses
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`a tandem access controller (gateway 126 and server processor 128 and database 138
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`(annotated in purple)) interconnecting an IP network (annotated in blue below) to
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`the PSTN (annotated in green) through a PSTN tandem switch (annotated in green
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`and as set forth supra)):
`PSTN
`PSTN tandem
`switch
`PCM
`
`TAC
`
`SS7
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`IP network
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`Ex. 1103, Figures 2 (annotated above), 6; Ex. 1102, ¶¶283-286; Pet. 31-33; Ex. 2019,
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`267:19-268:4; 271:2-273:12; Ex. 1159, 22:23-23:8; 26:7-15; Ex. 2022, ¶45.
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`B. A POSA Understood that an IP Network Converging with the
`PSTN Could Be Connected to Either a PSTN Tandem Switch or
`PSTN Edge Switch and Without any Technical Differences
`In his declaration, Mr. Bates opines that Archer discloses the gateway
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`32.
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`must be connected to the PSTN through a PSTN edge switch and therefore the
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`gateway is an “edge device”. Ex. 2022, ¶¶77-83.
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`16
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`Bright House Networks – Ex. 1165, Page 19
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`33. This opinion regarding Archer stems from his opinion that the state of
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`the art taught that devices external to the PSTN must receive or send call requests
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`via the PSTN through an edge switch first, not a tandem switch. Ex. 2022, ¶68. In
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`my opinion, Mr. Bates inaccurately represents the state of the art in May 2000. I
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`also disagree with each of his opinions regarding Archer.
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`34.
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`It is my opinion that a POSA in May 2000 understood that PSTN and
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`IP networks could be interconnected at the tandem level and doing so posed no
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`technical challenges over interconnecting such networks at a different switch such
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`as a PSTN end office switch.
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`35. For example, as illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 6,442,169 to Lewis
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`(“Lewis”) (Ex. 1166) and U.S. Patent No. 6,333,931 (“LaPier”) (Ex. 1158)6, a POSA
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`understood that interconnecting the PSTN to a packet switched network through a
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`tandem switch, or an edge switch, provided maximum flexibility.
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`36. For example, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 (annotations added
`
`below), it is my opinion that Level 3’s patent to Lewis (Ex. 1166) discloses a tandem
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`
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` 6
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` The assignee of Lewis is Level 3 Communications, Inc. (“Level 3”) and the
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`assignee of LaPier is Cisco Technology, Inc. (“Cisco”). In May 2000, Cisco and
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`Level 3 were two of the major industry players in converging networks.
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`17
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`Bright House Networks – Ex. 1165, Page 20
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`access controller (open architecture switch 502 annotated in purple) interconnecting
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`an IP network (annotated in blue) to the PSTN (annotated in green) through a PSTN
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`tandem switch (AT 106) (annotated in green) and separately also through an edge
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`switch (EO 104) (annotated in green)).
`
`PSTN
`PSTN tandem
`switch 106
`
`PSTN edge
`switch 104
`
`SS7
`
`PCM
`
`TAC 502
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`IP network
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`
`
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`18
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`Bright House Networks – Ex. 1165, Page 21
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`
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`PSTN
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`SS7
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`PCM
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`TAC 502
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`IP network
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`Ex. 1166, Figures 4-5 (annotated above), 9A, 10A, 10C, 18A-18B, 12:50-56, 15:7-
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`23, 19:24-28, 19:54-61; 20:60-63, 25:10-13, 25:16-21, 26:9-14, 29:44-51, 30:4-35.
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`37. Likewise, in my opinion, Cisco’s patent to LaPier (Ex. 1158) discloses
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`a tandem access controller (Network Access Server (NAS) 118a and Signaling
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`Access Server 112; annotated in purple) interconnecting an IP network (annotated
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`in blue) to the PSTN (annotated in green) through a PSTN tandem switch 114 (and
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`separately also through an edge switch 116) as shown in Figure 1B (annotations
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`added below).
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`19
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`Bright House Networks – Ex. 1165, Page 22
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`
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`TAC
`
`SS7
`
`PSTN
`
`PSTN tandem
`switch 114
`PSTN edge
`switch 116
`
`SS7
`
`PCM
`
`IP network
`
`Ex. 1158, Figures 1B (annotated above), 1C, 7A, 7B, 4:58-5:4, 6:55-62, 9:18-22,
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`8:61-9:7, 9:26-29, 14:3-11, 35:13-16, 35:54-62, 38:13-40, 38:51-62.
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`38. Mr. Bates’s contrary opinion—a POSA in May 2000 would understand
`
`that the state of the art taught that devices external to the PSTN must receive or send
`
`call requests via the PSTN through an edge switch first, not a tandem switch—is
`
`simply inaccurate. Ex. 2022, ¶68. During his deposition, Mr. Bates acknowledged
`
`that, in preparing his declarations, he did not actively research the state of the art
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`20
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`Bright House Networks – Ex. 1165, Page 23
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`with respect to converging IP and PSTN networks (as recited in the Challenged
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`Claims). Ex. 1159, 192:11-14.
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`39. Mr. Bates cited no factual support for his own opinion. Ex. 2022, ¶68.
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`Additionally, his citations to my testimony during my deposition, and to the
`
`deposition testimony of experts of other Petitioners in different Inter Partes
`
`Reviews, were taken out of context. Ex. 2022, ¶68.
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`40. During my deposition, I testified that Mr. Bates’s opinion—that devices
`
`external to the PSTN in May 2000 could only connect to the PSTN through an edge
`
`switch first—is inaccurate with respect to converging PSTN and IP networks. See,
`
`e.g., Ex. 2019, 350:4-24. Mr. Willis’s (expert in other Inter Partes Reviews)
`
`deposition testimony was consistent with my testimony and contrary to Mr. Bates’s
`
`opinion. See, e.g., Ex. 1161, 80:9-20.
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`41. When presented with this conflicting testimony during his deposition,
`
`Mr. Bates acknowledged that it was well known to interconnect an IP carrier network
`
`and the PSTN at a tandem switch. Ex. 1159, 201:22-202:11, 205:15-206:16, 211:21-
`
`213:14.
`
`42. As shown in the examples above, it is my opinion that the state of the
`
`art prior to May 2000 included systems in which devices external to the PSTN (e.g.
`
`on an IP network) sent and received call requests via the PSTN through controlling
`
`devices on IP networks connected to PSTN tandem switches (and not PSTN edge
`21
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`Bright House Networks – Ex. 1165, Page 24
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`
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`switches) via gateways (e.g. Archer). It is my opinion that the state of the art prior
`
`to May 2000 also included systems in which controlling devices connected to PSTN
`
`tandem switches (and not PSTN edge switches) (e.g. Lewis, LaPier).
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`43. Moreover, as demonstrated by LaPier (Ex. 1158) and Lewis (Ex. 1166),
`
`it is my opinion that interconnecting PSTN and IP networks at the tandem level was
`
`well known and posed no technical challenges over interconnecting such networks
`
`at a different switch such as a PSTN end office switch. Ex. 1166, Figures 4, 5, 15:7-
`
`23, 19:24-28, 19:54-61; Ex. 1158, 1B, 1C, 6:55-62.
`
`44.
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`In my opinion, both LaPier (Figure 1B) and Lewis (Figures 4, 5) show
`
`a controlling device that performs call processing connecting to a tandem switch. A
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`POSA understood in May 2000 that this architecture allows these systems to direct
`
`routing services (e.g. call completion, screening, specialized forwarding, blocking,
`
`etc.) directly from the tandem, as opposed to requiring the call to reach an edge
`
`switch or edge device for forwarding. This architecture provides several advantages
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`that were known to a POSA in May 2000. Ex. 1102, ¶¶ 286-289.
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`45. For example, a POSA understood that if edge devices connected to the
`
`PSTN via analog lines are used to forward calls, the quality of the voice will be
`
`degraded by traversing the analog lines twice and having to be re-coded. Id.
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`Additionally, a POSA understood that routing of calls by edge switches requires
`
`calls to traverse a Local Exchange Carrier (“LEC”), thus potentially increasing the
`22
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`Bright House Networks – Ex. 1165, Page 25
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`cost of the call. Id.
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`46. Moreover, one of the primary benefits Archer disclosed as being
`
`provided by the described architecture (server processor 128 coupled to a PSTN
`
`tandem switch in PSTN 118 (136) via PSTN-to-IP network gateway 126) was to
`
`allow calls placed to a called party to be forwarded to su