UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`______________________
`
`BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`______________________
`
`
`
`INTEL CORPORATION
`
`Petitioner
`
`v.
`
`ALACRITECH, INC.
`
`Patent Owner
`
`
`________________________
`
`Case IPR. No. Unassigned
`
`U.S. Patent No. 8,805,948
`
`Title: INTELLIGENT NETWORK INTERFACE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
`PROTOCOL PROCESSING
`
`________________________
`
`Petition For Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,805,948 Under
`35 U.S.C. §§ 311-319 and 37 C.F.R. §§ 42.1-.80, 42.100-.123
`
`
`
`
`
`Mail Stop “PATENT BOARD”
`Patent Trial and Appeal Board
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`

`

`
`1. 
`2. 
`
`3. 
`
`4. 
`
`5. 
`6. 
`7. 
`
`8. 
`9. 
`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,805,948
`
`
`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`
`Page
`
`INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................... 1 
`REQUIREMENTS FOR PETITION FOR INTER PARTES REVIEW ........ 2 
`2.1.  Grounds for Standing (37 C.F.R. § 42.104(a)) ..................................... 2 
`2.2.  Notice of Lead and Backup Counsel and Service Information ............. 2 
`2.3.  Notice of Real-Parties-in-Interest (37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(1)) .................. 3 
`2.4.  Notice of Related Matters (37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(2)) .............................. 3 
`2.5.  Fee for Inter Partes Review ................................................................ 14 
`2.6.  Proof of Service ................................................................................... 15 
`IDENTIFICATION OF CLAIMS BEING CHALLENGED
`(§42.104(B)) .................................................................................................. 15 
`BACKGROUND OF TECHNOLOGY ........................................................ 15 
`A. 
`Layered Network Protocols ................................................................. 15 
`B. 
`TCP/IP ................................................................................................. 17 
`C. 
`Protocol Offload and Fast-Path Processing ......................................... 21 
`D.  Direct Memory Access ........................................................................ 24 
`OVERVIEW OF THE 948 PATENT ............................................................ 24 
`948 PATENT PROSECUTION HISTORY .................................................. 30 
`CLAIM CONSTRUCTION .......................................................................... 31 
`7.1.  Applicable Law ................................................................................... 31 
`7.2.  Construction of Claim Terms .............................................................. 32 
`PERSON HAVING ORDINARY SKILL IN THE ART ............................. 32 
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART ........................................................ 32 
`9.1.  Thia ...................................................................................................... 33 
`9.2.  Tanenbaum96: A. Tanenbaum, Computer Networks, 3rd ed.
`(1996) .................................................................................................. 39 
`9.3.  Stevens2: TCP-IP Illustrated, Vol.2 .................................................... 45 
`9.4.  Motivations To Combine .................................................................... 48 
`
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,805,948
`
`10.1.2. 
`
`9.4.1. 
`Thia in combination with Tanenbaum96 ............................. 48 
`Thia in combination with Tanenbaum96 and Stevens2 ...... 50 
`9.4.2. 
`10.  GROUND #1: ................................................................................................ 52 
`10.1.  Claim 1
`is obvious over Thia
`in combination with
`Tanenbaum96 in further combination with Stevens2 ......................... 53 
`10.1.1. 
`[1.P] A method for network communication by a host
`computer having a network interface that is connected
`to the host by an input/output bus, the method
`comprising............................................................................ 53 
`[1.1] running, on the host computer, a protocol
`processing stack including an Internet Protocol (IP)
`layer and a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
`layer, with an application layer running above the
`TCP layer; ............................................................................ 55 
`[1.2] initializing, by the host computer, a TCP
`connection that is defined by source and destination
`IP addresses and source and destination TCP ports; ........... 60 
`[1.3] receiving, by the network interface, first and
`second packets, wherein the first packet has a first
`TCP header and contains first payload data for the
`application, and the second packet has a second TCP
`header and contains second payload data for the
`application; ........................................................................... 63 
`[1.4] checking, by the network interface, whether the
`packets have certain exception conditions, including
`checking whether the packets are IP fragmented,
`checking whether the packets have a FIN flag set, and
`checking whether the packets are out of order; ................... 66 
`[1.5] if the first packet has any of the exception
`conditions, then protocol processing the first TCP
`header by the protocol processing stack; ............................. 68 
`[1.6] if the second packet has any of the exception
`conditions, then protocol processing the second TCP
`header by the protocol processing stack; ............................. 69 
`[1.7] if the packets do not have any of the exception
`conditions, then bypassing host protocol processing of
`
`10.1.3. 
`
`10.1.4. 
`
`10.1.5. 
`
`10.1.6. 
`
`10.1.7. 
`
`10.1.8. 
`
`-ii-
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`

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`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,805,948
`
`the TCP headers and storing the first payload data and
`the second payload data together in a buffer of the
`host computer, such that the payload data is stored in
`the buffer in order and without any TCP header stored
`between the first payload data and the second payload
`data. ...................................................................................... 69 
`10.2.  Claim 3
`is obvious over Thia
`in combination with
`Tanenbaum96 in further combination with Stevens2 ......................... 74 
`10.2.1. 
`[3] The method of claim 1, wherein storing the first
`payload data and the second payload data together in a
`buffer of the host computer is performed by a direct
`memory access (DMA) unit of the network interface. ........ 74 
`10.3.  Claim 6
`is obvious over Thia
`in combination with
`Tanenbaum96 in further combination with Stevens2 ......................... 75 
`10.3.1. 
`[6] The method of claim 1, including comparing, by
`the network interface, the IP addresses and TCP ports
`of the packets with the source and destination IP
`addresses and source and destination TCP ports that
`define the TCP connection. .................................................. 75 
`10.4.  Claim 7
`is obvious over Thia
`in combination with
`Tanenbaum96 in further combination with Stevens2 ......................... 77 
`10.4.1. 
`[7] The method of claim 1, wherein checking whether
`the packets have certain exception conditions includes
`checking whether the packets have a RST flag set. ............. 77 
`10.5.  Claim 8
`is obvious over Thia
`in combination with
`Tanenbaum96 in further combination with Stevens2 ......................... 78 
`10.5.1. 
`[8] The method of claim 1, wherein checking whether
`the packets have certain exception conditions includes
`checking whether the packets have a SYN flag set. ............ 78 
`10.6.  Claim 9
`is obvious over Thia
`in combination with
`Tanenbaum96 in further combination with Stevens2 ......................... 78 
`10.6.1. 
`[9.P] A method for network communication by a host
`computer having a network interface that is connected
`to the host by an input/output bus, the method
`comprising: .......................................................................... 78 
`
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`

`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,805,948
`
`10.6.2. 
`
`10.6.3. 
`
`10.6.4. 
`
`10.6.5. 
`
`10.6.6. 
`
`10.6.7. 
`
`10.6.8. 
`
`10.6.9. 
`
`[9.1] receiving, by the network interface, a first packet
`having a header including source and destination
`Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and source and
`destination Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
`ports; .................................................................................... 79 
`[9.2] protocol processing, by the host computer, the
`first packet, thereby initializing a TCP connection that
`is defined by the source and destination IP addresses
`and source and destination TCP ports; ................................ 80 
`[9.3] receiving, by the network interface, a second
`packet having a second header and payload data,
`wherein the second header has IP addresses and TCP
`ports that match the IP addresses and TCP ports of the
`TCP connection; .................................................................. 82 
`[9.4] receiving, by the network interface, a third
`packet having a third header and additional payload
`data, wherein the third header has IP addresses and
`TCP ports that match the IP addresses and TCP ports
`of the TCP connection; ........................................................ 83 
`[9.5] checking, by the network interface, whether the
`second and third packets have certain exception
`conditions, including checking whether the packets
`are IP fragmented, checking whether the packets have
`a FIN flag set, and checking whether the packets are
`out of order;.......................................................................... 84 
`[9.6] if the second packet has any of the exception
`conditions, then protocol processing the second packet
`by the host computer; ........................................................... 84 
`[9.7] if the third packet has any of the exception
`conditions, then protocol processing the third packet
`by the host computer; ........................................................... 85 
`[9.8] if the second and third packets do not have any
`of the exception conditions, then storing the payload
`data of the second and third packets together in a
`buffer of the host computer, such that the payload data
`is stored in the buffer in order and without any TCP
`
`-iv-
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`

`

`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,805,948
`
`header stored between the payload data of the second
`and third packets. ................................................................. 85 
`10.7.  Claim 11
`is obvious over Thia
`in combination with
`Tanenbaum96 in further combination with Stevens2 ......................... 86 
`10.7.1. 
`[11] The method of claim 9, wherein storing the
`payload data of the second and third packets together
`in a buffer of the host computer is performed by a
`direct memory access (DMA) unit of the network
`interface. ............................................................................... 86 
`10.8.  Claim 14
`is obvious over Thia
`in combination with
`Tanenbaum96 in further combination with Stevens2 ......................... 86 
`10.8.1. 
`[14] The method of claim 9, including comparing, by
`the network interface, the IP addresses and TCP ports
`of the second and third packets with the source and
`destination IP addresses and source and destination
`TCP ports that define the TCP connection. ......................... 86 
`10.9.  Claim 15
`is obvious over Thia
`in combination with
`Tanenbaum96 in further combination with Stevens2 ......................... 87 
`10.9.1. 
`[15] The method of claim 9, wherein checking
`whether the second and third packets have certain
`exception conditions includes checking whether the
`packets have a RST flag set. ................................................ 87 
`10.10. Claim 16
`is obvious over Thia
`in combination with
`Tanenbaum96 in further combination with Stevens2 ......................... 88 
`10.10.1.  [16] The method of claim 9, wherein checking
`whether the second and third packets have certain
`exception conditions includes checking whether the
`packets have a SYN flag set. ............................................... 88 
`10.11. Claim 17
`is obvious over Thia
`in combination with
`Tanenbaum96 in further combination with Stevens2 ......................... 89 
`10.11.1.  [17.P] An apparatus for network communication, the
`apparatus comprising: .......................................................... 89 
`10.11.2.  [17.1] a host computer running a protocol stack
`including an Internet Protocol (IP) layer and a
`Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
`layer,
`the
`protocol stack adapted to establish a TCP connection
`
`-v-
`
`

`

`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,805,948
`
`for an application layer running above the TCP layer,
`the TCP connection being defined by source and
`destination IP addresses and source and destination
`TCP ports; ............................................................................ 91 
`10.11.3.  [17.2] a network interface that is connected to the host
`computer by an
`input/output bus,
`the network
`interface adapted to parse the headers of received
`packets to determine whether the headers have the IP
`addresses and TCP ports
`that define
`the TCP
`connection and to check whether the packets have
`certain exception conditions, including whether the
`packets are IP fragmented, have a FIN flag set, or are
`out of order, the network interface having logic that
`directs any of the received packets that have the
`exception conditions
`to
`the protocol stack for
`processing, and directs the received packets that do
`not have any of the exception conditions to have their
`headers removed and their payload data stored
`together in a buffer of the host computer, such that the
`payload data is stored in the buffer in order and
`without any TCP header stored between the payload
`data that came from different packets of the received
`packets. ................................................................................. 93 
`10.12. Claim 19
`is obvious over Thia
`in combination with
`Tanenbaum96 in further combination with Stevens2 ......................... 99 
`10.12.1.  [19] The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the network
`interface includes a direct memory access (DMA) unit
`that is adapted to store the payload data in the buffer. ........ 99 
`10.13. Claim 21
`is obvious over Thia
`in combination with
`Tanenbaum96 in further combination with Stevens2 ....................... 101 
`10.13.1.  [21] The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the exception
`conditions include having a RST flag set. .........................101 
`10.14. Claim 22
`is obvious over Thia
`in combination with
`Tanenbaum96 in further combination with Stevens2 ....................... 101 
`10.14.1.  [22] The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the exception
`conditions include having a SYN flag set. ........................101 
`11.  CONCLUSION ............................................................................................ 102
`
`-vi-
`
`

`

`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,805,948
`
`
`
`
`Exhibit #
`
`Exhibit List
`
`Description
`
`Ex.1001
`
`U.S. Patent No. 8,805,948 (“948 Patent”)
`
`Ex.1002
`
`Excerpts from Prosecution File History of U.S. Patent No.
`8,805,948 (“948 File History”)
`
`Ex.1003
`
`Declaration of Robert Horst
`
`Ex.1004
`
`Curriculum Vitae of Robert Horst
`
`Ex.1005
`
`U.S. Patent No. 5,768,618 (“Erickson”)
`
`Ex.1006
`
`Ex.1007
`
`Ex.1008
`
`Ex.1009
`
`Tanenbaum, Andrew S., Computer Networks, Prentice-Hall, Inc.,
`New Jersey (1996). (“Tanenbaum96”)
`
`Transmission Control Protocol, “Darpa Internet Protocol
`Specification”, RFC: 793, Sept. 1981. (“RFC 793”)
`
`Stevens, W. Richard, TCP/IP Illustrated Volume 1: The Protocols,
`Addison-Wesley (1994). (“Stevens1”)
`
`Lilinkamp, J., Mandell. R. and Padlipsky, M., “Proposed Host-
`Front End Protocol”, Network Working Group Request for
`Comments: 929, Dec. 1984. (“RFC 929”)
`
`Ex.1010 Not Used
`
`Ex.1011
`
`Librarian Declaration of Rice Mayors regarding Andrew S.
`Tanenbaum, Computer Networks (3rd ed. 1996) (Ex.1006,
`“Tanenbaum96”)
`
`Ex.1012
`
`Not Used
`
`Ex.1013
`
`Stevens, W. Richard and Gary R. Wright, TCP/IP Illustrated
`Volume 2: The Implementation, Addison-Wesley (1995).
`(“Stevens2”)
`
`Ex.1014
`
`Not Used
`
`-vii-
`
`

`

`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,805,948
`
`Exhibit #
`
`Ex.1015
`
`Ex.1016
`
`Ex.1017
`
`Description
`
`Thia, Y.H., Woodside, C.M., “A Reduced Operation Protocol
`Engine (ROPE) for a Multiple-Layer Bypass Architecture”,
`Protocols for High Speed Networks (Dordrecht), 1995. (“Thia and
`Woodside”)
`
`Biersack, E. W., Rütsche E., “Demultiplexing on the ATM
`Adapter: Experiments with Internet Protocols in
` User Space”, Journal on High Speed Networks, Vol. 5, No. 2, May
`1996. (“Biersack”)
`
`Rütsche, E., Kaiserswerth, M ., “TCP/IP on the Parallel Protocol
`Engine”, Proceedings, IFIP Conference on High Performance
`Networking, Liege (Belgium), Dec. 1992. (“Rütsche92”)
`
`Ex.1018
`
`Rütsche, E., “The Architecture of a Gb/s Multimedia Protocol
`Adapter”, Computer Communication Review, 1993. (“Rütsche93”)
`
`Ex.1019
`
`Padlipsky, M. A., “A Proposed Protocol for Connecting Host
`Computers to Arpa-Like Networks Via Directly-Connected Front
`End Processors”, Network Working Group RFC #647, Nov. 1974.
`(“RFC 647”)
`
`Ex.1020
`
`U.S. Patent No. 5,619,650 (“Bach”)
`
`Ex.1021
`
`U.S. Patent No. 5,915,124 (“Morris”)
`
`Ex.1022
`
`Ex.1023
`
`Ex.1024
`
`Cooper, E.C., et al., “Protocol Implementation on the Nectar
`Communication Processor”, School of Computer Science, Carnegie
`Mellon University, Sept. 1990. (“Cooper”)
`
`Kung, H.T., et al., “A Host Interface Architecture for High-Speed
`Networks”, School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon
`University and Network Systems Corporation. (“Kung”)
`
`Exhibit D to Declaration of Dr. Gregory L. Chesson in Support of
`Microsoft’s Opposition to Alacritech’s Motion for Preliminary
`Injunction: “Protocol Engine Handbook”, Protocol Engines
`Incorporated, Oct. 1990. (“Chesson”)
`
`-viii-
`
`

`

`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,805,948
`
`Exhibit #
`
`Ex.1025
`
`Ex.1026
`
`Ex.1027
`
`Ex.1028
`
`Ex.1029
`
`Ex.1030
`
`Ex.1031
`
`Ex.1032
`
`Ex.1033
`
`Ex.1034
`
`Description
`
`Kanakia, H., Cheriton, D.R., “The VMP Network Adapter Board
`(NAB): High-Performance Network Communication for
`Multiprocessors”, Communications Architectures & Protocols,
`Stanford University, Aug. 1988. (“Kanakia”)
`
`Kung, H.T., Cooper, E.C., et al., “Network-Based Multicomputers:
`An Emerging Parallel Architectures”, School of Computer Science,
`Carnegie Mellon University. (“Kung and Cooper”)
`
`Dalton, C., et al., “Afterburner: Architectural Support for High-
`Performance Protocols”, Networks & Communications
`Laboratories, HP Laboratories Bristol, July 1993. (“Dalton”)
`
`Murphy, E., Hayes, S., Enders, M., TCP/IP Tutorial and Technical
`Overview Fifth Edition, Prentice-Hall, Inc. New Jersey, (1995).
`(“Murphy”)
`
`MacLean, A.R., Barvick, S. E., “An Outboard Processor for High
`Performance Implementation of Transport Layer Protocols”, IEEE
`Globecom ’91, Phoenix, AZ, Dec. 1991. (“MacLean”)
`
`Clark, D.D., et al., “An Analysis of TCP Processing Overhead”,
`IEEE Communications Magazine, June 1989. (“Clark”)
`
`Provisional Application 60-061,809 (“Alacritech 1997 Provisional
`Application”)
`
`Culler, E.C., et al., “Parallel Computing on the Berkeley NOW”,
`Computer Science Division, University of California, Berkeley.
`(“Culler”)
`
`“Gigabit Ethernet Technical Brief: Achieving End-to-End
`Performance”, Alteon Networks, Inc. First Edition, Sept. 1996.
`(“Alteon”)
`
`Smith, J.A., Primmer, M., “Tachyon: A Gigabit Fibre Channel
`Protocol Chip”, Hewlett-Packard Journal, Article 12, Oc. 1996.
`(“Smith”)
`
`-ix-
`
`

`

`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,805,948
`
`Exhibit #
`
`Ex.1035
`
`Description
`
`Patterson, D.A., Hennessy, J.L., Computer Architecture: A
`Quantitative Approach, Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, Inc., San
`Mateo, CA (1990). (“Patterson”)
`
`Ex.1036
`
`Internet Protocol, “Darpa Internet Protocol Specification”, RFC:
`791, Sept. 1981. (“RFC 791”)
`
`Ex.1037
`
`Not Used
`
`Ex.1038
`
`Woodside, C. M., K. Ravindran, and R. G. Franks. “The protocol
`bypass concept for high speed OSI data transfer.” IFIP Workshop
`on Protocols for High Speed Networks. 1990. (“Woodside”)
`
`Exs.1039-
`1062
`
`Not Used
`
`Ex.1063
`
`Ex.1064
`
`Librarian Declaration of Pamela Stansbury regarding Gary R.
`Wright & W. Richard Stevens, TCP/IP Illustrated: The
`Implementation (1995) (Ex.1013, “Stevens2”).
`
`Librarian Declaration of Lisa Rowlison de Ortiz re Y.H. Thia &
`C.M. Woodside, A Reduced Operation Protocol Engine (ROPE) for
`a Multiple-layer Bypass Architecture (1995) (Ex.1015, “Thia”)
`
`
`
`-x-
`
`

`

`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,805,948
`
`
`1.
`
`INTRODUCTION
`
`Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §§ 311-319 and 37 C.F.R. §§ 42.1-.80, 42.100-.123,
`
`Intel Corporation (“Petitioner”) hereby petitions the Patent Trial and Appeal Board
`
`to institute an inter partes review of claims 1, 3, 6-9, 11, 14-17, 19, and 21-22 of
`
`U.S. Patent No. 8,805,948, titled “Intelligent Network Interface System and
`
`Method for Protocol Processing” (Ex.1001, the “948 Patent”), and cancel those
`
`claims as unpatentable.
`
`More specifically, the challenged claims relate to the well-known prior art
`
`technique of i) conditionally offloading host protocol processing onto a network
`
`interface device (also known as a network adapter) (“NIC”) for normal processing
`
`and ii) copying data from a NIC to the host computer’s memory. Effectively,
`
`independent method claims 1 and 9 cover what was known in the prior art as fast
`
`path processing of packets on a NIC, where packets eligible for simple protocol
`
`processing bypass the normal protocol processing on the host and the recovered
`
`data (after stripping off the headers) is stored in host memory. Independent claim
`
`17 covers an apparatus which performs these methods. Dependent claims 3, 6-8,
`
`11, 14-16, 19, and 21-22 add well-known limitations associated with fast path TCP
`
`processing. This Petition demonstrates that each of these claims is unpatentable.
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,805,948
`
`2.
`
`REQUIREMENTS FOR PETITION FOR INTER PARTES REVIEW
`2.1. Grounds for Standing (37 C.F.R. § 42.104(a))
`Petitioner certifies that the 948 Patent is available for inter partes review and
`
`that Petitioner is not barred or estopped from requesting inter partes review of the
`
`challenged claims of the 948 Patent on the grounds identified herein.
`
`2.2. Notice of Lead and Backup Counsel and Service Information
`Pursuant to 37 C.F.R. §§ 42.8(b)(3), 42.8(b)(4), and 42.10(a), Petitioner
`
`provides the following designation of Lead and Back-Up counsel.
`
`Lead Counsel
`Garland T. Stephens
`Registration No. 37,242
`(garland.stephens@weil.com)
`
`Postal & Hand-Delivery Address:
`Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
`700 Louisiana St., Suite 1700
`Houston, TX 77002
`T: 713-546-5011; F: 713-224-9511
`Attorney for Intel Corporation
`
`Back-Up Counsel
`Jeremy Jason Lang
`Registration No. 73,604
`(jason.lang@weil.com)
`
`Postal & Hand-Delivery Address:
`Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
`201 Redwood Shores Parkway
`Redwood Shores, CA 94065
`T: 650-802-3237; F: 650-802-3100
`
`Anne Cappella
`Registration No. 43,217
`(anne.cappella@weil.com)
`
`Postal & Hand-Delivery Address:
`Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
`201 Redwood Shores Parkway
`Redwood Shores, CA 94065
`T: 650-802-3141; F: 650-802-3100
`
`Adrian Percer
`Registration No. 46,986
`(adrian.percer@weil.com)
`
`-2-
`
`

`

`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,805,948
`
`Lead Counsel
`
`Back-Up Counsel
`
`Postal & Hand-Delivery Address:
`Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
`201 Redwood Shores Parkway
`Redwood Shores, CA 94065
`T: 650-802-3124; F: 650-802-3100
`
`Attorneys for Intel Corporation
`
`
`Petitioner consents to service by electronic mail at the following address:
`
`Intel.Alacritech.IPR@weil.com. Pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 42.10(b), a Power of
`
`Attorney for Petitioner is attached.
`
`2.3. Notice of Real-Parties-in-Interest (37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(1))
`Petitioner, Intel Corporation is the real-party-in-interest. No other parties
`
`exercised or could have exercised control over this Petition; no other parties
`
`funded or directed this Petition. See Office Patent Trial Practice Guide, 77 Fed.
`
`Reg. 48759-60.
`
`2.4. Notice of Related Matters (37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(2))1
`The following judicial or administrative matters may affect or be affected by
`
`a decision in this proceeding: Alacritech, Inc. v. CenturyLink, Inc., 2:16-cv-00693-
`
`JRG-RSP (E.D. Tex.); Alacritech, Inc. v. Wistron Corp., 2:16-cv-00692-JRG-RSP
`
`(E.D. Tex.); Alacritech, Inc. v. Dell Inc., 2:16-cv-00695-RWS-RSP (E.D. Tex.). In
`
`
`1 These petitions will be filed concurrently or within a few days.
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`-3-
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,805,948
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`addition to this Petition, Petitioner is filing petitions for U.S. Patent Nos.
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`7,237,036; 7,337,241; 7,673,072; 7,945,699; 8,131,880; 7,124,205; and 9,055,104.
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`Alacritech has asserted one or more of the Asserted Patents or patents
`
`related to the Asserted Patents in the following actions:
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`1. U.S. Patent Nos. 6,427,171 and 6,697,868 are asserted in Alacritech, Inc. v.
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`Microsoft Corp., 3-04-cv-03284, (N.D. Cal);
`
`2. U.S. Patent Nos. 7,124,205; 7,237,036; 7,337,241; 7,673,072; 8,131,880;
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`8,805,948; and 9,055,104 are asserted in Alacritech, Inc. v. Wistron Corp.,
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`2:16-cv-00692-JRG-RSP (E.D. Tex.);
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`3. U.S. Patent Nos. 7,124,205; 7,237,036; 7,337,241; 7,673,072; 8,131,880;
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`8,805,948; 9,055,104; and 7,945,699 are asserted in Alacritech, Inc. v. Dell
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`Inc., 2:16-cv-00695-RWS-RSP (E.D. Tex.);
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`4. U.S. Patent Nos. 7,124,205; 7,237,036; 7,337,241; 7,673,072; 8,131,880;
`
`8,805,948; 9,055,104; and 7,945,699 are asserted in Alacritech, Inc. v.
`
`CenturyLink, Inc., 2:16-cv-00693-JRG-RSP (E.D. Tex.).
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`
`
` The patent family to which the 036 Patent belongs contains 19 additional
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`U.S. patents:
`
`1. U.S. Patent Application No. 11/821,820 (filed Jun. 25, 2007, issued Mar. 2,
`
`2010 as 7,673,072 patent);
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`-4-
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,805,948
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`2. U.S. Patent Application No. 10/092,967 (filed Mar. 6, 2002, issued Jul. 8,
`
`2003 as 6,591,302 patent);
`
`3. U.S. Patent Application No. 10/023,240 (filed Dec. 17, 2001, issued Nov.
`
`15, 2005 as 6,965,941 patent);
`
`4. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/970,124 (filed Oct. 2, 2001, issued Oct. 17,
`
`2006 as 7,124,205 patent);
`
`5. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/855,979 (filed May 14, 2001, issued Nov. 7,
`
`2006 as 7,133,940 patent);
`
`6. U.S. Patent Application No.09/802,426 (filed Mar. 9, 2001, issued May 9,
`
`2006 as 7,042,898 patent);
`
`7. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/802,550 (filed Mar. 9, 2001, issued Dec. 2,
`
`2003 as 6,658,480 patent);
`
`8. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/802,551 (filed Mar. 9, 2001, issued Jul. 11,
`
`2006 as 7,076,568 patent);
`
`9. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/801,488 (filed Mar. 7, 2001, issued Feb. 3,
`
`2004 as 6,687,758 patent);
`
`10. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/789,366 (filed Feb. 20, 2001, issued Jun. 29,
`
`2004 as 6,757,746 patent);
`
`11. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/675,700 (filed Sept. 29, 2000, issued Dec.
`
`31, 2013 as 8,621,101 patent);
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`-5-
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,805,948
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`12. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/675,484 (filed Sept. 29, 2000, issued Oct.
`
`19, 2004 as 6,807,581 patent);
`
`13. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/514,425 (filed Feb. 28, 2000, issued Jul. 30,
`
`2002 as 6,427,171 patent);
`
`14. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/464,283 (filed Dec. 15, 1999, issued Jul. 30,
`
`2002 as 6,427,173 patent);
`
`15. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/439,603 (filed Nov. 12, 1999, issued Jun.
`
`12, 2001 as 6,247,060 patent);
`
`16. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/416,925 (filed Oct. 13, 1999, issued Oct. 22,
`
`2002 as 6,470,415 patent);
`
`17. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/384,792 (filed Aug. 27, 1999, issued Aug.
`
`13, 2002 as 6,434,620 patent);
`
`18. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/141,713 (filed Aug. 28, 1998, issued May
`
`14, 2002 as 6,389,479 patent);
`
`19. U.S. Patent Application No. 60/098,296 (expired);
`
`20. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/067,544 (filed Apr. 27, 1998, issued May 1,
`
`2001 as 6,226,680 patent);
`
`21. U.S. Patent Application No. 60/061,809 (expired).
`
`The patent family to which the 205 Patent belongs contains 5 additional U.S.
`
`patents:
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`-6-
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`

`

`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,805,948
`
`1. U.S. Patent Application No. 10/092,967 (filed Mar. 6, 2002, issued Jul. 8,
`
`2003 as 6,591,302 patent);
`
`2. U.S. Patent Application No. 10/260,112 (filed Sept. 27, 2002, issued Jul. 26,
`
`2007 as 7,237,036 patent);
`
`3. U.S. Patent Application No. 10/261,051 (filed Sept. 30, 2002, issued Sept.
`
`13, 2011 as 8,019,901 patent);
`
`4. U.S. Patent Application No. 11/821,820 (filed Jun. 25, 2007, issued Mar. 2,
`
`2010 as 7,673,072 patent);
`
`5. U.S. Patent Application No. 11/582,199 (filed Oct. 16, 2006, issued Feb. 16,
`
`2010 as 7,664,883 patent).
`
`The patent family to which the 072 Patent belongs contains 19 additional U.S.
`
`patents:
`
`1. U.S. Patent Application No. 10/260,112 (filed Sept. 27, 2002, issued Jul. 26,
`
`2007 as 7,237,036 patent);
`
`2. U.S. Patent Application No. 10/092,967 (filed Mar. 6, 2002, issued Jul. 8,
`
`2003 as 6,591,302 patent);
`
`3. U.S. Patent Application No. 10/023,240 (filed Dec. 17, 2001, issued Nov.
`
`15, 2005 as 6,965,941 patent);
`
`4. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/970,124 (filed Oct. 2, 2001, issued Oct. 17,
`
`2006 as 7,124,205 patent);
`
`-7-
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`

`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,805,948
`
`5. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/855,979 (filed May 14, 2001, issued Nov. 7,
`
`2006 as 7,133,940 patent);
`
`6. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/802,426 (filed Mar. 9, 2001, issued May 9,
`
`2006 as 7,042,898 patent);
`
`7. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/802,550 (filed Mar. 9, 2001, issued Dec. 2,
`
`2003 as 6,658,480 patent);
`
`8. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/802,551 (filed Mar. 9, 2001, issued Jul. 11,
`
`2006 as 7,076,568 patent);
`
`9. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/801,488 (filed Mar. 7, 2001, issued Feb. 3,
`
`2004 as 6,687,758 patent);
`
`10. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/789,366 (filed Feb. 20, 2001, issued Jun. 29,
`
`2004 as 6,757,746 patent);
`
`11. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/675,700 (filed Sept. 29, 2000, issued Dec.
`
`31, 2013 as 8,621,101 patent);
`
`12. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/675,484 (filed Sept. 29, 2000, issued Oct.
`
`19, 2004 as 6,807,581 patent);
`
`13. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/514,425 (filed Feb. 28, 2000, issued Jul. 30,
`
`2002 as 6,427,171 patent);
`
`14. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/464,283 (filed Dec. 15, 1999, issued Jul. 30,
`
`2002 as 6,427,173 patent);
`
`-8-
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`

`

`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,805,948
`
`15. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/439,603 (filed Nov. 12, 1999, issued Jun.
`
`12, 2001 as 6,247,060 patent);
`
`16. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/416,925 (filed Oct. 13, 1999, issued Oct. 22,
`
`2002 as 6,470,415 patent);
`
`17. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/384,792 (filed Aug. 27, 1999, issued Aug.
`
`13, 2002 as 6,434,620 patent);
`
`18. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/141,713 (filed Aug. 28, 1998, issued May
`
`14, 2002 as 6,389,479 patent);
`
`19. U.S. Patent Application No. 60/098,296 (expired);
`
`20. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/067,544 (filed Apr. 27, 1998, issued May 1,
`
`2001 as 6,226,680 patent);
`
`21. U.S. Patent Application No. 60/061,809 (expired).
`
`The patent family to which the 948 Patent belongs contains 2 additional U.S.
`
`patents:
`
`1. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/692,561 (filed Oct. 18, 2000, issued Jan. 14,
`
`2014 as 8,631,140 patent);
`
`2. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/067,544 (filed Apr. 27, 1998, issued May 1,
`
`2001 as 6,226,680 patent);
`
`3. U.S. Patent Application No. 60/061,809 (expired).
`
`-9-
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`

`

`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,805,948
`
`The patent family to which the 699 Patent belongs contains 14 additional U.S.
`
`patents:
`
`1. U.S. Patent Application No. 10/881,271 (filed Jun. 29, 2004, issued Dec. 2,
`
`2008 as 7,461,160 patent);
`
`2. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/789,366 (filed Feb. 20, 2001, issued Jun. 29,
`
`2004 as 6,757,746 patent);
`
`3. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/748,936 (filed Dec. 26, 2000, issued Dec.
`
`25, 2001 as 6,334,153 patent);
`
`4. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/692,561 (filed Oct. 18, 2000, issued Jan. 14,
`
`2014 as 8,631,140 patent);
`
`5. U.S. Patent Application No. 09/675,484 (filed Sept. 29, 2000, issued