(cid:221)¿›» (cid:239)(cid:230)(cid:239)(cid:239)(cid:243)‰“(cid:243)(cid:240)(cid:237)Łºº(cid:243)(cid:223)(cid:204) (cid:220)–‰«‡»†‹ (cid:239)ŒŁ (cid:218)•·»… (cid:239)(cid:239)æ(cid:240)Łæ(cid:239)(cid:237) —¿„» (cid:239) –” (cid:239)(cid:236)(cid:239)
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`NORTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
`Atlanta Division
`
`CASE NO. 1:11-cv-03855-RLV
`
`))
`
`))
`
`))
`
`CANON, INC.,
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`v.
`
`COLOR IMAGING, INC. and )
`GENERAL PLASTIC
`)
`INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.,
`
`))
`
`)
`Defendants.
`_________________________ )
`
`SPECIAL MASTER’S CLAIMS CONSTRUCION REPORT
`AND RECOMMENDATIONS
`
`This case is now before the Court for determination of the meaning of
`
`certain disputed terms in U.S. Patent No. 7,647,012 (“the ‘012 patent”).
`
`This report provides the Court with the parties’ positions and the Special
`
`Master’s recommendations regarding the construction of disputed terms. In
`
`this action, Plaintiff Canon, Inc. (“Canon”) alleges that Defendants Color
`
`Imaging, Inc. (“Color Imaging”) and General Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.
`
`(“GPI”) (collectively, “Defendants”) infringe claims 24, 25 and 30 of the
`
`‘012 patent.
`
`1
`
`GPI EXHIBIT 1004
`GENERAL PLASTIC V. CANON
`IPR2016-01359
`
`1
`
`
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`NORTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
`Atlanta Division
`
`CASE NO. 1:11-cv-03855-RLV
`
`))
`
`))
`
`))
`
`CANON, INC.,
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`v.
`
`COLOR IMAGING, INC. and )
`GENERAL PLASTIC
`)
`INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.,
`
`))
`
`)
`Defendants.
`_________________________ )
`
`SPECIAL MASTER’S CLAIMS CONSTRUCION REPORT
`AND RECOMMENDATIONS
`
`This case is now before the Court for determination of the meaning of
`
`certain disputed terms in U.S. Patent No. 7,647,012 (“the ‘012 patent”).
`
`This report provides the Court with the parties’ positions and the Special
`
`Master’s recommendations regarding the construction of disputed terms. In
`
`this action, Plaintiff Canon, Inc. (“Canon”) alleges that Defendants Color
`
`Imaging, Inc. (“Color Imaging”) and General Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.
`
`(“GPI”) (collectively, “Defendants”) infringe claims 24, 25 and 30 of the
`
`‘012 patent.
`
`1
`
`GPI EXHIBIT 1004
`GENERAL PLASTIC V. CANON
`IPR2016-01359
`
`1
`
`
`
`(cid:221)¿›» (cid:239)(cid:230)(cid:239)(cid:239)(cid:243)‰“(cid:243)(cid:240)(cid:237)Łºº(cid:243)(cid:223)(cid:204) (cid:220)–‰«‡»†‹ (cid:239)ŒŁ (cid:218)•·»… (cid:239)(cid:239)æ(cid:240)Łæ(cid:239)(cid:237) —¿„» (cid:238) –” (cid:239)(cid:236)(cid:239)
`
`The ‘012 patent generally relates to a toner container for use in an
`
`image forming apparatus (details to follow). The parties have presented
`
`their claim construction positions in opening and responsive briefs.
`
`In
`
`addition, on August 6, 2013, the Special Master held a telephonic claim
`
`construction hearing and heard further argument. For the reasons stated
`
`herein,
`
`the Special Master
`
`recommends
`
`that
`
`the Court adopt
`
`the
`
`constructions set forth below.
`
`I.
`
`OVERVIEW OF THE PATENT
`
`The following paragraphs provide a general description of the subject
`
`matter of the ‘012 patent as provided by Canon. This recitation is provided
`
`to give the Court an overview of the patent as seen from Canon’s
`
`perspective. Nothing in this recitation, however, has any impact or
`
`importance in determining the meaning of the disputed claim terms.
`
`According to Canon: The ’012 patent describes and claims a toner
`
`supply container that is usable in, for example, a copy machine. At a basic
`
`level, a copier works by adhering a fine powdery substance, called toner, to
`
`a sheet of paper in a pattern that matches the text or image being copied.
`
`Because toner is used each time a copy is made, from time to time a copier’s
`
`toner supply must be replenished. Because toner is messy, manufacturers
`
`2
`
`2
`
`
`
`(cid:221)¿›» (cid:239)(cid:230)(cid:239)(cid:239)(cid:243)‰“(cid:243)(cid:240)(cid:237)Łºº(cid:243)(cid:223)(cid:204) (cid:220)–‰«‡»†‹ (cid:239)ŒŁ (cid:218)•·»… (cid:239)(cid:239)æ(cid:240)Łæ(cid:239)(cid:237) —¿„» (cid:237) –” (cid:239)(cid:236)(cid:239)
`
`often supply toner in the form of a sealed container that can be installed in
`
`the copier whenever a fresh supply of toner is needed. This allows users to
`
`replenish their own toner, without getting the messy substance on their
`
`hands or clothing. When the toner supply is depleted, the user removes the
`
`container and replaces it with a full one, so that from the user’s perspective,
`
`replenishing the copier’s toner supply is as simple as switching out
`
`containers.
`
`The ideal toner supply container is one that is easily installable and
`
`removable for a user, reliably seals the toner within the container when the
`
`container is outside the copier, and discharges the proper amount of toner at
`
`the right time when installed in the copier. The toner supply container
`
`described and claimed in Canon’s ’012 patent meets all of those criteria.
`
`In FIG. 3 of the ’012 patent, shown below, an exemplary toner supply
`
`container, is denoted by reference number 1 and a main assembly of a copier
`
`is denoted by reference number 100. The toner supply container is installed
`
`in the copier by inserting it in the direction indicated by arrow a.
`
`3
`
`3
`
`
`
`(cid:221)¿›» (cid:239)(cid:230)(cid:239)(cid:239)(cid:243)‰“(cid:243)(cid:240)(cid:237)Łºº(cid:243)(cid:223)(cid:204) (cid:220)–‰«‡»†‹ (cid:239)ŒŁ (cid:218)•·»… (cid:239)(cid:239)æ(cid:240)Łæ(cid:239)(cid:237) —¿„» (cid:236) –” (cid:239)(cid:236)(cid:239)
`
`FIG. 3
`The toner supply container has an opening 1a at one end. The
`
`opening is sealed when the toner supply container is outside of the copier.
`
`When the toner supply container is installed in the copier, two things
`
`happen: (1) the opening is unsealed; and (2) when the copier is being used,
`
`the toner supply container is rotated. The rotation of the toner supply
`
`container causes the toner inside of it to be fed out of the opening and into a
`
`toner hopper within the copier, so that the toner in the hopper can be used to
`
`make copies.
`
`The ’012 patent discloses several examples of sealing members
`
`suitable for sealing and unsealing the opening in the container body. One
`
`such sealing member is shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B of the ’012 patent,
`
`which are reproduced below.
`
`4
`
`4
`
`
`
`(cid:221)¿›» (cid:239)(cid:230)(cid:239)(cid:239)(cid:243)‰“(cid:243)(cid:240)(cid:237)Łºº(cid:243)(cid:223)(cid:204) (cid:220)–‰«‡»†‹ (cid:239)ŒŁ (cid:218)•·»… (cid:239)(cid:239)æ(cid:240)Łæ(cid:239)(cid:237) —¿„» º –” (cid:239)(cid:236)(cid:239)
`
`FIG. 23B
`FIG. 23A
`The sealing member, denoted generally by reference number 2, has
`
`two main portions: a sealing portion denoted generally by reference number
`
`2b, and a coupling portion denoted generally by reference number 2c. The
`
`sealing portion fits snugly within the opening in order to seal the toner
`
`within the container body. The coupling portion is engageable with a part in
`
`the copier in order to (1) move the sealing member and the container body
`
`relatively away from each other to unseal the opening, and (2) receive
`
`rotational drive force from the copier. To these ends, the coupling portion
`
`includes supporting portions 2f, engaging portions 3, and displacing force
`
`receiving portions 4, which are constructed as follows:
`
`•
`
`The supporting portions 2f are elastically displaceable in an
`
`inward direction and elastically restorable in an outward direction.
`
`5
`
`5
`
`
`
`(cid:221)¿›» (cid:239)(cid:230)(cid:239)(cid:239)(cid:243)‰“(cid:243)(cid:240)(cid:237)Łºº(cid:243)(cid:223)(cid:204) (cid:220)–‰«‡»†‹ (cid:239)ŒŁ (cid:218)•·»… (cid:239)(cid:239)æ(cid:240)Łæ(cid:239)(cid:237) —¿„» Œ –” (cid:239)(cid:236)(cid:239)
`
`•
`
`The engaging portions 3 are provided at the free ends of the
`
`supporting portions, and, as such, displace inwardly and outwardly along
`
`with the supporting portions. Each engaging portion has two sub-portions—
`
`a rotational force receiving portion and a locking portion—which, although
`
`not labeled in FIGS. 23A and 23B, are labeled in other figures of the ’012
`
`patent, e.g., reference numbers 3a and 3b, respectively, in FIGS. 12 and 13.
`
`•
`
`The displacing force receiving portions 4 lie between the
`
`engaging portions and the sealing portion,
`
`i.e.,
`
`they are closer to the
`
`container body than are the engaging portions. Each of the displacing force
`
`receiving portions extends radially outwardly to a greater extent than the
`
`radially outermost part of each engaging portion.
`
`In the example shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B,
`
`there are four
`
`supporting portions, four engaging portions, and four displacing force
`
`receiving portions, but the precise number of each of these portions can
`
`vary. For example, in the example illustrated in FIGS. 35A, 35B, and 35C
`
`of the ’012 patent, shown below, there are only two supporting portions, two
`
`engaging portions, and two displacing force receiving portions.
`
`6
`
`6
`
`
`
`(cid:221)¿›» (cid:239)(cid:230)(cid:239)(cid:239)(cid:243)‰“(cid:243)(cid:240)(cid:237)Łºº(cid:243)(cid:223)(cid:204) (cid:220)–‰«‡»†‹ (cid:239)ŒŁ (cid:218)•·»… (cid:239)(cid:239)æ(cid:240)Łæ(cid:239)(cid:237) —¿„» Ø –” (cid:239)(cid:236)(cid:239)
`
`FIG. 35C
`FIG. 35B
`FIG. 35A
`As noted above, the coupling portion is engageable with a part in the
`
`copier—specifically, with a part referred to as a hollow cylindrical driving
`
`member. An example of a hollow cylindrical driving member is depicted as
`
`item 20 in FIG. 14 of the ’012 patent (the left-hand portion of which is
`
`reproduced below). This driving member contains a slot 20h that extends in
`
`a circumferential direction. The slot is interrupted by a pair of ribs 20a,
`
`which in this example are spaced approximately 180 degrees apart. A motor
`
`(not shown) within the copier rotates the driving member. That member, in
`
`turn, rotates the toner supply container through the abutment of one or both
`
`ribs with the rotational force receiving portion of one or more engaging
`
`portions of the sealing member.
`
`7
`
`7
`
`
`
`(cid:221)¿›» (cid:239)(cid:230)(cid:239)(cid:239)(cid:243)‰“(cid:243)(cid:240)(cid:237)Łºº(cid:243)(cid:223)(cid:204) (cid:220)–‰«‡»†‹ (cid:239)ŒŁ (cid:218)•·»… (cid:239)(cid:239)æ(cid:240)Łæ(cid:239)(cid:237) —¿„» Ł –” (cid:239)(cid:236)(cid:239)
`
`FIG. 14
`When the toner supply container is installed in the copier,
`
`the
`
`supporting portions of the sealing member first elastically displace inwardly
`
`so that
`
`the coupling portion can enter the driving member, and then
`
`elastically restore outwardly (that is, back to their original position) so that
`
`the engaging portions engage with the slot in the driving member. FIG. 24
`
`of the ’012 patent, shown below, provides a cross-sectional view of the state
`
`in which the coupling portion of the sealing member has entered the driving
`
`member 20 and the engaging portions 3 have engaged with the slot of the
`
`driving member.1
`
`1
`In addition to showing the toner supply container, the sealing member, and the
`driving member, FIG. 24 also shows a hollow cylinder 21. The hollow cylinder, not to be
`confused with the hollow cylindrical driving member 20, is a part of the copier that is
`concentric with and movable relative to the driving member. The hollow cylinder plays a
`role in disengaging the engaging portions from the slot in the driving member when the
`container is removed from the copier. This is discussed in more detail below.
`
`8
`
`8
`
`
`
`(cid:221)¿›» (cid:239)(cid:230)(cid:239)(cid:239)(cid:243)‰“(cid:243)(cid:240)(cid:237)Łºº(cid:243)(cid:223)(cid:204) (cid:220)–‰«‡»†‹ (cid:239)ŒŁ (cid:218)•·»… (cid:239)(cid:239)æ(cid:240)Łæ(cid:239)(cid:237) —¿„» (cid:231) –” (cid:239)(cid:236)(cid:239)
`
`FIG. 24
`Once the engaging portions have engaged with the slot of the driving
`
`member, the driving member and the container body are moved relatively
`
`away from each other. This relative movement may be caused, for example,
`
`by a manual lever or by the closing of a cover on the copier. As the driving
`
`member and the container body move relatively away from each other, so
`
`too do the sealing member and the container body. This is because the
`
`locking portions of the engaging portions are abutted against an interior
`
`surface of the slot of the driving member. Therefore, as the driving member
`
`and the container body pull away from each other, the engaging portions
`
`remain engaged with the slot of the driving member and the sealing member
`
`is pulled out of the opening in the container body. FIG. 25A, shown below,
`
`illustrates the unsealed state in which the driving member 20, and with it, the
`
`sealing member 2, have been moved relatively away from the container
`
`body.
`
`9
`
`9
`
`
`
`(cid:221)¿›» (cid:239)(cid:230)(cid:239)(cid:239)(cid:243)‰“(cid:243)(cid:240)(cid:237)Łºº(cid:243)(cid:223)(cid:204) (cid:220)–‰«‡»†‹ (cid:239)ŒŁ (cid:218)•·»… (cid:239)(cid:239)æ(cid:240)Łæ(cid:239)(cid:237) —¿„» (cid:239)(cid:240) –” (cid:239)(cid:236)(cid:239)
`
`FIG. 25A
`In this state, with the opening unsealed, the driving member rotates
`
`the toner supply container through the abutment of one or both ribs with the
`
`rotational force receiving portion of one or more engaging portions of the
`
`sealing member. This rotation of the toner supply container causes the toner
`
`to be fed out of the opening in the container body and into the toner hopper
`
`within the copier.
`
`To remove the toner supply container from the copier, the engaging
`
`portions are disengaged from the slot in the driving member and the sealing
`
`portion of the sealing member is resealed within the opening of the container
`
`body. This is illustrated below in FIGS. 25B and 25C, which show the
`
`hollow cylinder 21 advancing toward the container body in direction a. As
`
`the hollow cylinder advances toward the container body, two things happen:
`
`(1) the hollow cylinder 21 forces the displacing force receiving portions 4
`
`inwardly, causing the supporting portions to elastically displace in an inward
`
`direction and the engaging portions 3 to disengage from the slot (shown in
`
`10
`
`10
`
`
`
`(cid:221)¿›» (cid:239)(cid:230)(cid:239)(cid:239)(cid:243)‰“(cid:243)(cid:240)(cid:237)Łºº(cid:243)(cid:223)(cid:204) (cid:220)–‰«‡»†‹ (cid:239)ŒŁ (cid:218)•·»… (cid:239)(cid:239)æ(cid:240)Łæ(cid:239)(cid:237) —¿„» (cid:239)(cid:239) –” (cid:239)(cid:236)(cid:239)
`
`FIG. 25B); and (2) the hollow cylinder 21 pushes the sealing member 2
`
`toward the container body 1 and snugly fits the sealing portion back into the
`
`opening 1a (shown in FIG. 25C). At this point, the sealing member is
`
`disengaged from the driving member, the opening is resealed, and the toner
`
`supply container can be safely removed from the copier without spillage of
`
`any toner that may remain in the container.
`
`FIG. 25C
`FIG. 25B
`The ’012 patent discloses that the toner supply container can be
`
`removed from the copier in other ways as well. For example, at column 8,
`
`line 57 through column 9, line 15, the ’012 patent describes an embodiment
`
`in which the container body is moved toward the sealing member while the
`
`sealing member is locked in the copier to snugly fit the sealing portion back
`
`into the opening. Next, the hollow cylinder applies a releasing force to the
`
`displacing force receiving portions to elastically displace the supporting
`
`portions inwardly and disengage the engaging portions from the slot in the
`
`11
`
`11
`
`
`
`(cid:221)¿›» (cid:239)(cid:230)(cid:239)(cid:239)(cid:243)‰“(cid:243)(cid:240)(cid:237)Łºº(cid:243)(cid:223)(cid:204) (cid:220)–‰«‡»†‹ (cid:239)ŒŁ (cid:218)•·»… (cid:239)(cid:239)æ(cid:240)Łæ(cid:239)(cid:237) —¿„» (cid:239)(cid:238) –” (cid:239)(cid:236)(cid:239)
`
`driving member. The container body and sealing member then are retracted
`
`so that the toner supply container can be removed.
`
`As noted earlier, Canon has asserted only three claims of the ‘012
`
`patent in this lawsuit, namely, independent claim 24 and dependent claims
`
`25 and 30. There are no disputed terms in Claim 30, so Claim 24 which
`
`reads as follows, is the main focus of claim construction disputes:
`
`24. A toner supply container detachably mountable to an
`assembly of an electrophotographic imaging forming apparatus
`having a hollow cylindrical driving member that has a slot
`formed therein, which slot extends
`in a circumferential
`direction and defines a plurality of interior surfaces of the
`hollow cylindrical driving member, and a hollow cylinder that
`is substantially concentric with the hollow cylindrical driving
`member, said toner supply container comprising:
`
`i) a container body configured to contain toner and rotatable
`about an axis thereof, said container body including an opening
`provided at one axial end portion thereof and configured to
`permit discharge of toner contained in said container body; and
`
`ii) a sealing member provided at the one axial end portion
`of said container body, said sealing member being movable
`relative to said container body in an axial direction of said
`container body, said sealing member including:
`
`12
`
`12
`
`
`
`(cid:221)¿›» (cid:239)(cid:230)(cid:239)(cid:239)(cid:243)‰“(cid:243)(cid:240)(cid:237)Łºº(cid:243)(cid:223)(cid:204) (cid:220)–‰«‡»†‹ (cid:239)ŒŁ (cid:218)•·»… (cid:239)(cid:239)æ(cid:240)Łæ(cid:239)(cid:237) —¿„» (cid:239)(cid:237) –” (cid:239)(cid:236)(cid:239)
`
`ii-i) a sealing portion provided at a side adjacent said
`container body and configured to seal said opening when said
`sealing member and said container body are in a first position
`relative to one another, said opening becoming unsealed by
`relative movement of said sealing member and said container
`body away from one another from the first position to a second
`position relative to one another; and
`
`ii-ii) a coupling portion provided at a side remote from
`said container body and configured and positioned to receive a
`rotational drive force, said coupling portion including:
`
`ii-ii-i) a supporting portion provided on said sealing
`portion, said supporting portion being elastically displaceable in
`an inward direction toward the axis of said container body and
`elastically restorable in an outward direction away from the axis
`of said container body;
`
`ii-ii-ii) an engaging portion provided at a free end of
`said supporting portion, said engaging portion configured and
`positioned to (a) displace in an inward direction with said
`supporting portion as said engaging portion enters the hollow
`cylindrical driving member and (b) engage with the slot of the
`hollow cylindrical driving member when said supporting
`portion elastically restores in an outward direction, said
`engaging portion including:
`
`force receiving portion
`ii-ii-ii-i) a rotational
`capable of being abutted in a circumferential direction of the
`hollow cylindrical driving member by at least a portion of a
`
`13
`
`13
`
`
`
`(cid:221)¿›» (cid:239)(cid:230)(cid:239)(cid:239)(cid:243)‰“(cid:243)(cid:240)(cid:237)Łºº(cid:243)(cid:223)(cid:204) (cid:220)–‰«‡»†‹ (cid:239)ŒŁ (cid:218)•·»… (cid:239)(cid:239)æ(cid:240)Łæ(cid:239)(cid:237) —¿„» (cid:239)(cid:236) –” (cid:239)(cid:236)(cid:239)
`
`first interior surface of the hollow cylindrical driving member
`defined by the slot to receive a rotational drive force from the
`hollow cylindrical driving member to rotate said container
`body; and
`
`ii-ii-ii-ii) a locking portion capable of being
`abutted in an axial direction of the hollow cylindrical driving
`member by at least a portion of a second interior surface of the
`hollow cylindrical driving member defined by the slot
`to
`prevent the sealing member from moving in the axial direction
`of said container body when said container body moves away
`from the hollow cylindrical driving member, thus causing the
`relative movement of said sealing member and said container
`body from the first position, in which said opening is sealed, to
`the second position, in which said opening is unsealed; and
`
`ii-ii-iii) a displacing force receiving portion provided
`at a position closer to said container body than said engaging
`portion, said displacing force receiving portion configured and
`positioned to receive a force from the hollow cylinder and cause
`said supporting portion to elastically displace in an inward
`direction, wherein a radially outermost part of said displacing
`force receiving portion is more remote from a rotation axis of
`said coupling portion than a radially outermost part of said
`engaging portion.
`
`Dependent claim 25 reads as follows:
`
`14
`
`14
`
`
`
`(cid:221)¿›» (cid:239)(cid:230)(cid:239)(cid:239)(cid:243)‰“(cid:243)(cid:240)(cid:237)Łºº(cid:243)(cid:223)(cid:204) (cid:220)–‰«‡»†‹ (cid:239)ŒŁ (cid:218)•·»… (cid:239)(cid:239)æ(cid:240)Łæ(cid:239)(cid:237) —¿„» (cid:239)º –” (cid:239)(cid:236)(cid:239)
`
`A toner supply container according to claim 23 or 24,
`wherein said coupling portion includes a plurality of supporting
`portions, each of which has an engaging portion and a
`displacing force receiving portion, and wherein said supporting
`portions are arranged discretely in a rotational direction of said
`coupling portion.
`
`II.
`
`CLAIM CONSTRUCTION PRINCIPLES
`
`“It is a ‘bedrock principle’ of patent law that ‘the claims’ of a patent
`
`define the invention to which the patentee is entitled the right to exclude.”
`
`Phillips v. AWH Corp., 415 F.3d 1303, 1312 (Fed. Cir. 2005) (quoting
`
`Innova/Pure Water, Inc. v. Safari Water Filtration Sys., Inc., 381 F.3d 1111,
`
`1115 (Fed. Cir. 2004)). The Court examines a patent’s intrinsic evidence to
`
`define the patented invention’s scope.
`
`Id. at 1313-1314; Bell Atl. Network
`
`Servs., Inc. v. Covad Commc’ns Group, Inc., 262 F.3d 1258, 1267 (Fed. Cir.
`
`2001).
`
`Intrinsic evidence includes the claims, the rest of the specification
`
`and the prosecution history. Phillips, 415 F.3d at 1312-13; Bell Atl. Network
`
`Servs., 262 F.3d at 1267. The Court gives claim terms their ordinary and
`
`customary meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art at the
`
`15
`
`15
`
`
`
`(cid:221)¿›» (cid:239)(cid:230)(cid:239)(cid:239)(cid:243)‰“(cid:243)(cid:240)(cid:237)Łºº(cid:243)(cid:223)(cid:204) (cid:220)–‰«‡»†‹ (cid:239)ŒŁ (cid:218)•·»… (cid:239)(cid:239)æ(cid:240)Łæ(cid:239)(cid:237) —¿„» (cid:239)Œ –” (cid:239)(cid:236)(cid:239)
`
`time of the invention. Phillips, 415 F.3d at 1312-13; Alloc, Inc. v. Int’l
`
`Trade Comm’n, 342 F.3d 1361, 1368 (Fed. Cir. 2003).
`
`Claim language guides the Court’s construction of claim terms.
`
`Phillips, 415 F.3d at 1314. “[T]he context in which a term is used in the
`
`asserted claim can be highly instructive.” Id. Other claims, asserted and
`
`unasserted, can provide additional instruction because “terms are normally
`
`used consistently throughout the patent.” Id. Differences among claims,
`
`such as additional
`
`limitations in dependent claims, can provide further
`
`guidance. Id.
`
`“[C]laims ‘must be read in view of the specification, of which they are
`
`a part.’” Id. (quoting Markman v. Westview Instruments, Inc., 52 F.3d 967,
`
`979 (Fed. Cir. 1995)). “[T]he specification ‘is always highly relevant to the
`
`claim construction analysis. Usually, it is dispositive; it is the single best
`
`guide to the meaning of a disputed term.” Id.
`
`(quoting Vitronics Corp.v.
`
`Conceptronic, Inc., 90 F.3d 1576, 1582 (Fed. Cir. 1996)); Teleflex. Inc. v.
`
`Ficosa N. Am. Corp., 299 F.3d 1313, 1325 (Fed. Cir. 2002).
`
`In the
`
`specification, a patentee may define his own terms, give a claim term a
`
`different meaning that it would otherwise possess, or disclaim or disavow
`
`some claim scope. Phillips, 415 F.3d at 1316. Although the Court generally
`
`presumes terms possess their ordinary meaning, this presumption can be
`
`16
`
`16
`
`
`
`(cid:221)¿›» (cid:239)(cid:230)(cid:239)(cid:239)(cid:243)‰“(cid:243)(cid:240)(cid:237)Łºº(cid:243)(cid:223)(cid:204) (cid:220)–‰«‡»†‹ (cid:239)ŒŁ (cid:218)•·»… (cid:239)(cid:239)æ(cid:240)Łæ(cid:239)(cid:237) —¿„» (cid:239)Ø –” (cid:239)(cid:236)(cid:239)
`
`overcome by statements of clear disclaimer. See SciMed Life Sys., Inc. v.
`
`Advanced Cardiovascular Sys., Inc., 242 F.3d 1337, 1343-44 (Fed. Cir.
`
`2001). This presumption does not arise when the patentee acts as his own
`
`lexicographer. See Irdeto Access, Inc. v. EchoStar Satellite Corp., 383 F.3d
`
`1295, 1301 (Fed. Cir. 2004).
`
`The specification may also resolve ambiguous claim terms “where the
`
`ordinary and accustomed meaning of the words used in the claims lack
`
`sufficient clarity to permit the scope of the claim to be ascertained from the
`
`words alone.” Teleflex, Inc., 299 F.3d at 1325. For example, “[a] claim
`
`interpretation that excludes a preferred embodiment from the scope of the
`
`claim ‘is rarely,
`
`if ever, correct.” Globetrotter Software, Inc. v. Elam
`
`Computer Group Inc., 362 F.3d 1367, 1381 (Fed. Cir. 2004) (quoting
`
`Vitronics Corp., 90 F.3d at 1583). But, “[a]lthough the specification may aid
`
`the court in interpreting the meaning of disputed language in the claims,
`
`particular embodiments and examples appearing in the specification will not
`
`generally be read into the claims.” Constant v. Advanced Micro-Devices,
`
`Inc., 848 F.2d 1560, 1571 (Fed. Cir. 1988); see also Phillips, 415 F.3d at
`
`1323.
`
`The prosecution history is another tool to supply the proper context
`
`for claim construction because a patentee may define a term during
`
`17
`
`17
`
`
`
`(cid:221)¿›» (cid:239)(cid:230)(cid:239)(cid:239)(cid:243)‰“(cid:243)(cid:240)(cid:237)Łºº(cid:243)(cid:223)(cid:204) (cid:220)–‰«‡»†‹ (cid:239)ŒŁ (cid:218)•·»… (cid:239)(cid:239)æ(cid:240)Łæ(cid:239)(cid:237) —¿„» (cid:239)Ł –” (cid:239)(cid:236)(cid:239)
`
`prosecution of the patent. However, in this case neither party has relied on
`
`any aspect of such history so further discussion of the law in this regard is
`
`not necessary.
`
`Although, “less significant than the intrinsic record in determining the
`
`legally operative meaning of claim language,” the Court may rely on
`
`extrinsic evidence to “shed useful light on the relevant art.” Phillips, 415
`
`F.3d at 1317 (quotation omitted). Technical dictionaries and treatises may
`
`help the Court understand the underlying technology and the manner in
`
`which one skilled in the art might use claim terms, but such sources may
`
`also provide overly broad definitions or may not be indicative of how terms
`
`are used in the patent. Id. at 1318. Similarly, expert testimony may aid the
`
`Court in determining the particular meaning of a term in the pertinent field,
`
`but “conclusory, unsupported assertions by experts as to the definition of a
`
`claim term are not useful.” Id. Generally, extrinsic evidence is “less reliable
`
`than the patent and its prosecution history in determining how to read claim
`
`terms.” Id. Again, however, neither party relies on any extrinsic evidence so
`
`this statement of the law is simply for the Court’s edification.
`
`The Defendants’ contend that certain terms of the ‘012 patent contain
`
`means-plus-function limitations that require construction. Where a claim
`
`limitation is expressed in means-plus-function language and does not recite
`
`18
`
`18
`
`
`
`(cid:221)¿›» (cid:239)(cid:230)(cid:239)(cid:239)(cid:243)‰“(cid:243)(cid:240)(cid:237)Łºº(cid:243)(cid:223)(cid:204) (cid:220)–‰«‡»†‹ (cid:239)ŒŁ (cid:218)•·»… (cid:239)(cid:239)æ(cid:240)Łæ(cid:239)(cid:237) —¿„» (cid:239)(cid:231) –” (cid:239)(cid:236)(cid:239)
`
`corresponding structure in support of its function, the limitation is subject to
`
`35 U.S.C. § 112 ¶ 6. Braun Med., Inc. v. Abbott Labs, 124 F.3d 1419, 1424
`
`(Fed. Cir. 1997).
`
`In relevant part, § 112 mandates that “such a claim
`
`limitation be construed to cover the corresponding structure . . . described in
`
`the specification and equivalents thereof.” Id. (citing 35 U.S.C. § 112 ¶ 6).
`
`Accordingly, when faced with means-plus-function limitations, courts “must
`
`turn to the written description of the patent
`
`to find the structure that
`
`corresponds to the means recited in the [limitations].” Id.
`
`Construing a means-plus-function limitation involves two inquiries.
`
`The first step requires “a determination of the function of the means-plus-
`
`function limitation.” Medtronic, Inc. v. Advanced Cardiovascular Sys., Inc.,
`
`248 F.3d 1303, 1311 (Fed. Cir. 2001). Once a court has determined the
`
`limitation’s function, “the next step is to determine the corresponding
`
`structure disclosed in the specification and equivalents thereof.” Medtronic,
`
`248 F.3d at 1311. A structure is corresponding “only if the specification or
`
`prosecution history clearly links or associates that structure to the function
`
`recited in the claim.” Id. Moreover, the focus of the corresponding structure
`
`inquiry is not merely whether a structure is capable of performing the recited
`
`function, but rather whether the corresponding structure is “clearly linked or
`
`associated with the [recited] function.” Id.
`
`19
`
`19
`
`
`
`(cid:221)¿›» (cid:239)(cid:230)(cid:239)(cid:239)(cid:243)‰“(cid:243)(cid:240)(cid:237)Łºº(cid:243)(cid:223)(cid:204) (cid:220)–‰«‡»†‹ (cid:239)ŒŁ (cid:218)•·»… (cid:239)(cid:239)æ(cid:240)Łæ(cid:239)(cid:237) —¿„» (cid:238)(cid:240) –” (cid:239)(cid:236)(cid:239)
`
`Additional legal principles applicable to the interpretation of the
`
`preamble of the ‘012 patent will be discussed later in this report
`
`in
`
`connection with the review and analysis of the preamble of claim 24.
`
`III.
`
`THE DISPUTED TERMS
`
`Each of the terms in dispute, and the parties respective proposed
`
`constructions, are set forth below in the order as they appear in claims 24
`
`and 25. Next, follows the parties’ arguments and the Special Master’s
`
`recommendations. In order for the Court
`
`to have all of the relevant
`
`arguments in one place, this report includes an edited version of the parties’
`
`arguments in support of their proposed construction as found in their
`
`opening briefs. Arguments from the parties’ responsive briefs are also
`
`included to the extent these briefs add anything not found in the opening
`
`briefs. Finally, one new case cited by Defendants at the telephonic Markman
`
`hearing will be reviewed.
`
`20
`
`20
`
`
`
`(cid:221)¿›» (cid:239)(cid:230)(cid:239)(cid:239)(cid:243)‰“(cid:243)(cid:240)(cid:237)Łºº(cid:243)(cid:223)(cid:204) (cid:220)–‰«‡»†‹ (cid:239)ŒŁ (cid:218)•·»… (cid:239)(cid:239)æ(cid:240)Łæ(cid:239)(cid:237) —¿„» (cid:238)(cid:239) –” (cid:239)(cid:236)(cid:239)
`
`Defendants’ Proposed
`Construction
`
`The preamble is a limiting element
`of the claim.
`
`a)
`
`Preamble [claim 24]
`
`Canon’s Proposed Construction
`
`The preamble of claim 24 states that
`the claim is directed to a toner supply
`container and describes aspects of
`the environment in which the toner
`supply container is capable of being
`used (i.e., an assembly of an
`electrophotographic image forming
`apparatus). However, no part of the
`environment is a required element of
`the claim.
`
`To repeat, the preamble to claim 24 states:
`
`A toner supply container detachably mountable to an 35
`assembly of an electrophotographic imaging forming apparatus
`having a hollow cylindrical driving member that has a slot formed
`therein, which slot extends in a circumferential direction and defines a
`plurality of interior surfaces of the hollow cylindrical driving member,
`and a hollow cylinder that 40 is substantially concentric with the
`hollow cylindrical driving member, said toner supply container
`comprising … (‘012 Patent, col. 27, ll. 42).
`
`1.
`
`Canon’s Opening Arguments
`
`Claim 24 of the ’012 patent, like virtually all patent claims, has three distinct
`
`parts: (1) a preamble; (2) a transitional phrase; and (3) a body. The preamble of
`
`21
`
`21
`
`
`
`(cid:221)¿›» (cid:239)(cid:230)(cid:239)(cid:239)(cid:243)‰“(cid:243)(cid:240)(cid:237)Łºº(cid:243)(cid:223)(cid:204) (cid:220)–‰«‡»†‹ (cid:239)ŒŁ (cid:218)•·»… (cid:239)(cid:239)æ(cid:240)Łæ(cid:239)(cid:237) —¿„» (cid:238)(cid:238) –” (cid:239)(cid:236)(cid:239)
`
`claim 24 identifies what the claim is directed to (i.e., “A toner supply container”)
`
`and describes the environment in which the claimed invention is intended to
`
`operate (i.e., “an assembly of an electrophotographic imaging forming apparatus
`
`having a hollow cylindrical driving member that has a slot formed therein, which
`
`slot extends in a circumferential direction and defines a plurality of interior
`
`surfaces of the hollow cylindrical driving member, and a hollow cylinder that is
`
`substantially concentric with the hollow cylindrical driving member”). The
`
`transitional phrase “comprising” separates the preamble of claim 24 from the body
`
`of the claim, and signals that what follows are the elements of the claimed toner
`
`supply container that must be present in an infringing product.
`
`An issue that permeates many of the disputed claim terms and phrases in this
`
`case, including the preamble of claim 24, is whether claim 24 is directed to a toner
`
`supply container alone or a toner supply container in combination with an
`
`assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereafter, “copy
`
`machine” or “copier”). As the plain language of the claim makes clear, claim 24 is
`
`directed to a toner supply container alone.
`
`Driven by the fact that they make and sell only toner supply containers and
`
`not the copy machines in which they are used, Defendants incorrectly contend that
`
`claim 24 is directed to the combination of a toner supply container and at least part
`
`of a copy machine, even though it plainly claims a “toner supply container.” In so
`
`22
`
`22
`
`
`
`(cid:221)¿›» (cid:239)(cid:230)(cid:239)(cid:239)(cid:243)‰“(cid:243)(cid:240)(cid:237)Łºº(cid:243)(cid:223)(cid:204) (cid:220)–‰«‡»†‹ (cid:239)ŒŁ (cid:218)•·»… (cid:239)(cid:239)æ(cid:240)Łæ(cid:239)(cid:237) —¿„» (cid:238)(cid:237) –” (cid:239)(cid:236)(cid:239)
`
`contending, Defendants urge this Court to ignore the fact that claim 24 is directed
`
`to a “toner supply container” and disregard the form of the claim chosen by Canon
`
`and allowed by the Patent and Trademark Office, and, in effect, ask this Court to
`
`rewrite claim 24 to recite the combination of a toner supply container and a copy
`
`machine. Defendants would have the Court do so merely because Canon included
`
`a description of the environment in which the toner supply container
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