`
`DOCKET NO.: 0107131.00649US1
`Filed on behalf of Intel Corporation
`By: Dominic Massa, Reg. No. No. 44,905
`Richard Goldenberg, Reg. No. 38,895
`Daniel Williams, Reg. No. 45,221
`Yvonne Lee, Reg. No. 72,162
`Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP
`60 State Street
`Boston, MA 02109
`Email: Dominic.Massa@wilmerhale.com
`Richard.Goldenberg@wilmerhale.com
`Daniel.Williams@wilmerhale.com
`Yvonne.Lee@wilmerhale.com
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`____________________________________________
`
`BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`____________________________________________
`Intel Corporation
`Petitioner
`
`
`
`v.
`
`VLSI Technology, LLC
`Patent Owner
`____________________________________________
`
`Case IPR2019-01196
`____________________________________________
`
`PETITION FOR INTER PARTES REVIEW OF
`U.S. PATENT NO. 7,246,027
`CHALLENGING CLAIMS 1-3, 5-12, AND 18-20
`
`

`

`
`
`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................... 1 
`
`A. 
`B. 
`C. 
`D. 
`
`Real Party-in-Interest ............................................................................ 1 
`Related Matters ..................................................................................... 1 
`Counsel: ................................................................................................. 1 
`Service Information ............................................................................... 2 
`
`I. 
`II.  MANDATORY NOTICES ............................................................................. 1 
`III.  CERTIFICATION OF GROUNDS FOR STANDING .................................. 2 
`IV.  OVERVIEW OF CHALLENGE AND RELIEF REQUESTED .................... 4 
`V. 
`
`2. 
`
`Prior Art Patents and Printed Publications ............................................ 4 
`A. 
`Grounds for Challenge .......................................................................... 5 
`B. 
`TECHNOLOGY BACKGROUND ................................................................. 5 
`A. 
`Integrated Circuits ................................................................................. 5 
`B. 
`Voltage Regulators / DC-to-DC Converters ......................................... 5 
`1. 
`Adjusting Power Supply Voltage to Account for
`Manufacturing Variations ........................................................... 6 
`Adjusting Power Supply Voltage to Account for
`Changes in Temperature ............................................................. 7 
`Adjusting Power Supply Voltage to Account for
`Changes in Operating Speed ....................................................... 7 
`
`3. 
`
`VI. 
`VII.  CLAIM CONSTRUCTION .......................................................................... 12 
`VIII.  PERSON OF ORDINARY SKILL IN THE ART ........................................ 16 
`IX.  OVERVIEW OF PRINCIPAL PRIOR ART REFERENCES ...................... 16 
`
`THE ʼ027 PATENT ......................................................................................... 8 
`A.  Alleged Problem .................................................................................... 8 
`B. 
`Purported Solution ................................................................................. 8 
`C. 
`Prosecution History ............................................................................. 11 
`
`A. 
`B. 
`
`Starr (U.S. Patent No. 6,933,869) ....................................................... 16 
`Bilak (U.S. Patent No. 7,577,859) ...................................................... 20 
`
`
`
`

`

`C. 
`Kang (U.S. Patent No. 7,583,555) ...................................................... 22 
`SPECIFIC GROUNDS FOR PETITION ...................................................... 24 
`A.  Ground 1: Claims 1, 2, 8, 9, 18, and 19 are Obvious
`Over Starr in View of Bilak ................................................................ 25 
`1. 
`Claim 1 ...................................................................................... 25 
`2. 
`Claim 2 ...................................................................................... 51 
`3. 
`Claim 8 ...................................................................................... 52 
`4. 
`Claim 9 ...................................................................................... 55 
`5. 
`Claim 18 .................................................................................... 55 
`6. 
`Claim 19 .................................................................................... 56 
`Ground 2: Claims 3, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, and 20 are
`Obvious Over Starr in View of Bilak and Kang. ................................ 57 
`1. 
`Claim 3 ...................................................................................... 58 
`2. 
`Claim 5 ...................................................................................... 70 
`3. 
`Claim 6 ...................................................................................... 75 
`4. 
`Claim 7 ...................................................................................... 76 
`5. 
`Claim 10 .................................................................................... 76 
`6. 
`Claim 11 .................................................................................... 78 
`7. 
`Claim 12 .................................................................................... 79 
`8. 
`Claim 20 .................................................................................... 80 
`
`B. 
`
`XI.  CONCLUSION ............................................................................................. 81 
`
`
`
`X. 
`
`
`
`

`

`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 7,246,027
`IPR2019-01196
`
`
`INTRODUCTION
`U.S. Patent No. 7,246,027 (“’027 patent”) claims to optimize power
`
`I.
`
`consumption in an integrated circuit by adjusting a DC-to-DC converter based on
`
`certain characteristics sensed during operation. But the claimed invention merely
`
`uses known methods to adjust power supplies, as disclosed by U.S. Patent Nos.
`
`6,933,869 (“Starr”), 7,577,859 (“Bilak”), and 7,583,555 (“Kang”)—none of which
`
`was before the Patent Office during prosecution. Because challenged claims 1-3,
`
`5-12, and 18-20 are obvious combinations of Starr and Bilak (Ground 1), and of
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`Starr, Bilak, and Kang (Ground 2), Petitioner respectfully requests cancellation of
`
`those claims.
`
`II. MANDATORY NOTICES
`A. Real Party-in-Interest
`Intel Corporation is the real party-in-interest.
`
`B. Related Matters
`VLSI Technology, LLC (“Patent Owner”) has asserted the ’027 patent
`
`against Intel in VLSI Technology LLC v. Intel Corporation, C.A. No. 18-966-CFC
`
`(Del.).
`
`C. Counsel:
`Lead Counsel: Dominic Massa (Registration No. 44,905)
`
`Backup Counsel: Richard Goldenberg (Registration No. 38,895)
`
`
`
`1
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`

`

`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 7,246,027
`IPR2019-01196
`
`
`Backup Counsel: Daniel Williams (Registration No. 45,221)
`
`Backup Counsel: Yvonne Lee (Registration No. 72,162)
`
`D.
`Service Information
`E-mail:
`
`
`Dominic.Massa@wilmerhale.com
`
`Richard.Goldenberg@wilmerhale.com
`
`Daniel.Williams@wilmerhale.com
`
`Yvonne.Lee@wilmerhale.com
`
`Post and hand delivery: Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP
`
`
`
`60 State Street
`
`Boston, MA 02109
`
`Telephone: 617-526-6000
`
`
`
`Facsimile: 617-526-5000
`
`Petitioner consents to email delivery on lead and backup counsel.
`
`III. CERTIFICATION OF GROUNDS FOR STANDING
`Petitioner certifies pursuant to Rule 42.104(a) that the patent for which
`
`review is sought is available for inter partes review and Petitioner is not barred or
`
`estopped from requesting inter partes review challenging the claims on the
`
`grounds identified in this Petition.
`
`The ’027 patent is one of numerous patents asserted by VLSI in multiple
`
`district court jurisdictions. Patent Owner asserted four other patents in the parallel
`
`
`
`2
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 7,246,027
`IPR2019-01196
`
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`Delaware action. Patent Owner also asserted 16 additional patents in four separate
`
`cases: VLSI Technology LLC v. Intel Corporation, Nos. 6-19-cv-00254, -255, -256
`
`(W.D. Tx.) and 5-17-cv-05671 (N.D. Cal.). Intel has moved to transfer the Texas
`
`actions to Delaware, and the timing of the cases overlap and may need adjusting.
`
`Intel has diligently pursued its defenses, including the assertions of prior art, from
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`when the complaint containing the ’027 patent was filed. Intel brings this IPR to
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`adjudicate validity of claims that VLSI has asserted because (i) the same or
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`substantially the same arguments made in this Petition have not been presented to
`
`the Office, (ii) there is uncertainty whether a trial in the district court would
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`conclude before or after the trial of this Petition, and (iii) given the complexity of
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`the cases, the number of patents asserted, and the breadth of products accused of
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`infringement, Intel will have a limited amount of time during trial to mount an
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`invalidity defense. Petitioner respects the limited resources of the Board; because
`
`this Petition presents unique issues and is an effective and efficient alternative to
`
`the district court litigation, Petitioner requests that the Petition be granted under 35
`
`U.S.C. 314(a) and 325(d). Petitioner may request additional briefing if Patent
`
`Owner urges the Board to exercise its discretion to deny this Petition under 314(a)
`
`or 325(d).
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`
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`3
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 7,246,027
`IPR2019-01196
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`IV. OVERVIEW OF CHALLENGE AND RELIEF REQUESTED
`Pursuant to Rules 42.22(a)(1) and 42.104(b)(1)-(2), Petitioner challenges
`
`claims 1-3, 5-12, and 18-20 of the ʼ027 patent (Ex. 1001).
`
`A.
`Prior Art Patents and Printed Publications
`The following references are prior art to the ’027 patent at least under pre-
`
`AIA 35 U.S.C. § 102(e):
`
`1. Starr (Ex. 1002) (filed March 17, 2004, and issued August 23, 2005);
`
`2. Bilak (Ex. 1003) (filed February 20, 2004, and issued August 18, 2009);
`
`and
`
`3. Kang (Ex. 1004) (filed March 30, 2004, and issued September 1, 2009).
`
`Petitioner also cites to Exs. 1007-1017 to support the grounds in this
`
`petition. These exhibits are all prior art to the ’027 patent under at least one of 35
`
`U.S.C. §§ 102(a), 102(b), and 102(e). The authenticity and public availability of
`
`Exs. Ex. 1008, 1011, 1012, 1014, 1015, and 1016 are supported by copyright
`
`notices, library date stamps, volume date labels, and/or other contemporaneous
`
`evidence of public distribution. The Declarations of Dr. James Mullins (Ex. 1018)
`
`and Dr. Gretchen Hoffman (Ex. 1019) provide additional proof of authenticity and
`
`public availability. See Ex. 1018, ¶¶ 42-84; Ex. 1019, ¶¶ 22-58.
`
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`4
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 7,246,027
`IPR2019-01196
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`B. Grounds for Challenge
`Petitioner requests cancellation of claims 1-3, 5-12, and 18-20 as
`
`unpatentable under 35 U.S.C. § 103. This Petition, supported by the Declaration of
`
`Dr. David Harris (Ex. 1005), demonstrates a reasonable likelihood that Petitioner
`
`will prevail on at least one challenged claim and that each challenged claim is
`
`unpatentable for the reasons cited herein. See 35 U.S.C. § 314(a).
`
`The grounds for challenge based on the foregoing prior art includes:
`
`
`
`Grounds Reference(s)
`
`Challenged Claims
`
`1. § 103
`
`Starr in view of Bilak
`
`1, 2, 8-9, 18-19
`
`2
`
`§ 103
`
`Starr in view of Bilak and Kang
`
`3, 5-7, 10-12, 20
`
`V.
`
`TECHNOLOGY BACKGROUND
`A.
`Integrated Circuits
`An integrated circuit (or “IC”) is a combination of interconnected electronic
`
`components, such as transistors, diodes, resistors, and capacitors. Typically, ICs
`
`require a power source such as a battery. However, a circuit can require a different
`
`power supply voltage from what the power source can provide. Ex. 1005, ¶ 26.
`
`B. Voltage Regulators / DC-to-DC Converters
`To account for differing voltage requirements, a circuit can use voltage
`
`regulators to convert an input voltage (e.g., from a battery) to different voltage
`
`5
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 7,246,027
`IPR2019-01196
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`levels and output new voltages to downstream circuits. A DC-to-DC converter is
`
`an electronic device that can convert a direct current (DC) from one voltage level
`
`to another. Ex. 1005, ¶ 27.
`
`1.
`
`Adjusting Power Supply Voltage to Account for
`Manufacturing Variations
`It has long been known that, “[a]lthough the manufacture of integrated
`
`circuits is carefully controlled, inherent variations in the fabrication process cannot
`
`be avoided.” U.S. Patent No. 7,170,308 to Rahim et al. (“Rahim”) (Ex. 1007),
`
`filed July 28, 2003, issued January 30, 2007, at 1:10-15, 1:18-20, 5:25-27. As a
`
`result, the supply voltage, i.e., the “voltage obtained from a power source for
`
`operation of a circuit or device,” needed by one circuit may be different from the
`
`voltage needed by other identically-designed circuits. Dictionary of Electrical and
`
`Computer Engineering (2003) (Ex. 1008) at 561; Ex. 1005, ¶ 28.
`
`This manufacturing variation can be addressed by adjusting the voltage
`
`regulator output on a part-by-part basis to match each part’s needs. That approach
`
`can save power by allowing the voltage regulator to output a lower voltage when
`
`the circuit does not require a higher voltage to operate as designed. Ex. 1003,
`
`Abstract, 1:64-66 (discussing prior art approach of “tailoring of the operating
`
`voltage … on a part-by-part basis” due to “variations within the semiconductor
`
`manufacturing process”); Ex. 1005, ¶ 29.
`
`
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`6
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 7,246,027
`IPR2019-01196
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`2.
`
`Adjusting Power Supply Voltage to Account for Changes in
`Temperature
`During operation of an IC, the temperature of a circuit component can
`
`fluctuate due to a variety of circumstances, including heat generated by the
`
`component and/or by external environmental conditions. The performance and
`
`voltage needs of a circuit component can vary over time due to temperature
`
`changes. Ex. 1005, ¶ 30.
`
`It was known in the prior art to compensate for temperature variations by
`
`adjusting the voltage provided to a circuit component. Ex. 1003, Abstract
`
`(discussing “tailoring the operating voltage of integrated circuits … by adapting
`
`operating voltage in response to … temperature variations”);1 Ex. 1005, ¶ 31.
`
`3.
`
`Adjusting Power Supply Voltage to Account for Changes in
`Operating Speed
`The speed of an IC depends on “propagation delay,” which is “the time a
`
`signal takes to travel through a circuit” and is “often measured in terms of gate
`
`delays.” U.S. Pat. No. 6,535,735 (“Underbrink”), filed on March 22, 2001, issued
`
`on March 18, 2003, (Ex. 1009) at 3:16-17, 6:45-46. Circuit speed is also affected
`
`by temperature and fabrication variations. Id., 5:28-31. In general, the power
`
`
`1 Unless otherwise noted, all emphasis is added.
`
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`IPR2019-01196
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`supply voltage can be increased when faster circuit speed is desired, and reduced
`
`when slower circuit speed is acceptable. Id., 10:2-10; Ex. 1005, ¶ 32.
`
`VI. THE ʼ027 PATENT2
`A. Alleged Problem
`The ’027 patent admits that techniques for reducing power were well known
`
`in the prior art. For example, the ’027 patent describes known power-saving
`
`techniques such as “put[ting] the device in a ‘sleep’ mode when the entire device is
`
`not in use,” Ex. 1001, 1:59-62, or operating devices “at lower voltages, thus
`
`consuming less power,” id., 1:63-66. According to the patent, however, prior art
`
`techniques for reducing power were supposedly “designed assuming the worst-case
`
`operation of an integrated circuit” as a whole, and “not individually optimized on a
`
`chip-by-chip basis.” id., 2:9-15; Ex. 1005, ¶ 33.
`
`B.
`Purported Solution
`The ’027 patent does not claim to invent a new voltage regulator or new
`
`techniques for measuring parameters of an IC. Nor does the patent claim to have
`
`discovered that manufacturing variances, temperature, and speed can affect the
`
`power needed by a component. Instead, the patent claims to reduce power
`
`
`2 The ’027 patent title refers to a “mixed-signal” system, which is a system
`
`containing both analog and digital circuitry. Ex. 1001, Abstract; Ex. 1005, ¶ 32.
`
`
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`IPR2019-01196
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`consumption by adjusting a supply voltage to a circuit based on (1) an “analog
`
`variation parameter,” which can be the threshold voltage of the circuit, (2)
`
`temperature, and (3) circuit speed. Ex. 1005, ¶ 34.
`
`For example, Figure 8 shows process sense module 208 (blue) and
`
`operational temperature sensor 210 (red) coupled to DC-to-DC converter 26
`
`(yellow):
`
`Ex. 1001, Fig. 8.3 During operation, process sense module 208 “senses the analog
`
`variation parameter” (such as threshold voltage) of IC 100, and outputs analog
`
`parameter signal 215 (green), which can change over time based on sensed changes
`
`to the threshold voltage. Id., 2:40-45, 12:23-25, 10:63-64 (example of “the analog
`
`variation parameter is the threshold voltage Vt”), 12:10-12 (“With the operational
`
`
`3 Unless otherwise noted, all color highlighting has been added.
`
`
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 7,246,027
`IPR2019-01196
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`temperature T, the absolute value of the threshold voltage |Vt| trends downward as
`
`the as the [sic] operational temperature T increases”); Ex. 1005, ¶ 35.
`
`Operational temperature sensor 210 senses the operational temperature of IC
`
`100 and outputs that measured value as temperature signal 216 (brown). Ex. 1001,
`
`12:25-30. Look up table 214 (orange) receives analog parameter signal 215 and
`
`temperature signal 216 and, based on those two signals, outputs AVDD adjust signal
`
`218 (pink) to DC-to-DC converter 26. Id., 11:16-18, 12:23-32, 12:54-55; Ex.
`
`1005, ¶ 36.
`
`The ’027 patent discloses using circuit speed as a variable in connection
`
`with Figure 11:
`
`
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`10
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 7,246,027
`IPR2019-01196
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`Ex. 1001, Fig. 11, 8:62-9:5, 14:31-35. Comparator 116 produces an adjust supply
`
`voltage signal 217 signal (tan) in response to comparing a measured processing
`
`speed 110 to a critical processing speed 112. Id., 8:62-9:3, 9:28-31, 14:38-43.
`
`Comparator 260 then produces a signal for adjusting the output of the DC-to-DC
`
`converter by determining “the greater of” “digital” adjust supply voltage signal 217
`
`and “analog” AVDD adjust signal 218. Id. 14:32-54; Ex. 1005, ¶ 37.
`
`As explained below, however, it was well known to determine a power
`
`supply voltage adjustment signal based on analog variation parameters (such as a
`
`threshold voltage), operational temperature, and digital variation parameters (such
`
`as circuit speed). Therefore, the challenged claims are unpatentable. Ex. 1005, ¶
`
`38.
`
`C.
`Prosecution History
`The ’027 patent issued from U.S. Application No. 11/078,150 filed March
`
`11, 2005. In response to a rejection of original claims 1, 9, 21, and 22 as
`
`anticipated, Applicant initially argued that the cited reference “appears to control
`
`temperature and voltage parameters of its integrated circuits by power reduction,
`
`instead of monitoring the parameters for optimizing power consumption.” Ex.
`
`1006 [6/20/06 Response] at 9. After the Examiner maintained the rejection,
`
`Applicant amended claim 1 as follows: “adjusting a regulation signal of a DC-to-
`
`DC converter based on the adjustment signal to optimize power consumption of
`
`
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`11
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 7,246,027
`IPR2019-01196
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`the integrated circuit, such that power consumption of the integrated circuit is
`
`optimized.” Id. [12/06/2006 Response] at 2. Other independent claims were
`
`similarly amended. Id., 2-8.
`
`VII. CLAIM CONSTRUCTION
`Under Phillips v. AWH Corp., 415 F.3d 1303 (Fed. Cir. 2005) (en banc),
`
`claims are construed in view of the entire intrinsic record—claim language,
`
`specification, and prosecution history. Phillips, 415 F.3d at 1312-1314; Final
`
`Rule, Docket No. PTO-P-2018-0036 (Oct. 3, 2018). “[T]he specification is the
`
`single best guide to the meaning of a disputed term, and . . . acts as a dictionary
`
`when it expressly defines terms used in the claims or when it defines terms by
`
`implication.” Id., 1320-21 (internal quotation marks omitted).
`
`In the concurrent district court litigation, Petitioner and Patent Owner
`
`proposed the following constructions:
`
`Claim Term
`
`“determining/determine
`an analog variation
`parameter”
`
`Petitioner’s
`Construction
`sensing/sense a
`parameter of an
`analog portion of the
`integrated circuit that
`varies during
`operation
`“determining/determine sensing/sense the
`
`Patent Owner’s
`Construction
`determining/determine
`a parameter of an analog
`portion of the integrated
`circuit (IC) that may vary on
`an IC-by-IC basis
`
`determining/determine a
`
`
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 7,246,027
`IPR2019-01196
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`an operational
`temperature”
`
`temperature of the
`integrated circuit
`during operation
`
`temperature during
`operation
`
`
`determining/determine a
`parameter of a digital
`portion of the integrated
`circuit (IC) that may vary on
`an IC by-IC basis
`
`“determining/determine
`a digital variation
`parameter”
`
`sensing/sense a
`parameter of a digital
`portion of the
`integrated circuit that
`varies during
`operation
`
`Ex. 1010 [Joint Chart, Ex. A] at 6-8. Petitioner proposed its plain meaning
`
`constructions only to provide clarity for a lay jury. As explained below, the prior art
`
`renders the claims invalid under both parties’ constructions. Ex. 1005, ¶ 41.
`
`1.
`“determining/determine an analog variation parameter”
`In the ’027 patent, “determining/determine an analog variation parameter”
`
`(claims 1-3, 5-12, 18-20) means “sensing/sense a parameter of an analog portion of
`
`the integrated circuit that varies during operation.” That meaning is consistent with
`
`the plain language of the claim, which uses the terms “determining/determine” to
`
`describe sensing the analog variation parameter during operation. Moreover, the
`
`word “analog” makes clear that the limitation is directed to an analog portion of the
`
`IC, and “variation parameter” makes clear that the claimed parameter varies during
`
`operation—just as Petitioner has proposed. Ex. 1005, ¶ 42.
`
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 7,246,027
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`Similarly, the ’027 specification explicitly states that “[t]his invention” is
`
`“particularly” directed to “sensing … analog parameters of an integrated circuit,”
`
`and Figure 8 (discussed above) confirms that “process sense module 208 senses the
`
`analog variation parameter.” Ex. 1001, 1:7-10, 12:23-25; Ex. 1005, ¶ 43.
`
`The specification also confirms that the analog variation parameter varies
`
`during operation. For example, the patent explicitly refers to the analog variation
`
`parameter as an “operational parameter” that is sensed “in operation.” Id., 12:23-24
`
`(“In operation, the process sense module 208 senses the analog variation
`
`parameter….”); 12:36-38 (“The operational parameters being represented in the
`
`analog variation[] parameter signal ….”). The patent further explains that “a
`
`suitable value used for assessing the analog variation parameter is the threshold
`
`voltage Vt,” which varies during operation. Id., 10:63-64, 2:23-28, 12:10-16, 14:13-
`
`25; Ex. 1005, ¶ 44.
`
`2.
`“determining/determine an operational temperature”
`In the ’027 patent, “determining/determine an operational temperature”
`
`(claims 1-3, 5-12, 19-20) means “sensing/sense the temperature of the integrated
`
`circuit during operation.” That construction is consistent with the plain claim
`
`language, which (1) again uses “determining/determine” to mean “sensing/sense”
`
`(for the same reasons as the prior limitation), and (2) uses the term “operational
`
`temperature” to refer to the temperature of the circuit during operation. The same
`
`
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 7,246,027
`IPR2019-01196
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`conclusion is confirmed by the ’027 specification, which states that “operational
`
`temperature sensor 210 senses the operational temperature of an IC 100 portion.”
`
`Id., 12:25-27, 13:6-41; Ex. 1005, ¶ 45.
`
`3.
`“determining/determine a digital variation parameter”
`In the ’027 patent, “determining/determine a digital variation parameter”
`
`(claims 3, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 20) means “sensing/sense a parameter of a digital portion
`
`of the integrated circuit that varies during operation.” That meaning is consistent
`
`with the plain language of the claim, which uses the terms “determining” and
`
`“determine” to describe sensing the digital variation parameter. Moreover, the word
`
`“digital” makes clear the limitation is directed to a digital portion of the IC, and
`
`“variation parameter” makes clear the claimed parameter varies during operation—
`
`just as Petitioner has proposed. Ex. 1005, ¶ 46.
`
`Petitioner’s construction also is consistent with the ’027 specification, which
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`states that “[t]his invention relates … particularly to sensing digital and analog
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`parameters.” Ex. 1001, 1:7-10, Fig. 3, 8:62-9:21. The ’027 specification further
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`discloses that the digital variation parameter varies during operation; e.g., “the
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`digital variation parameter is determined by using a speed sensing technique” to
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`sense speed variations that occur during operation. Id., 2:55-59; Ex. 1005, ¶ 47.
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`VIII. PERSON OF ORDINARY SKILL IN THE ART
`A person of ordinary skill in the art of the ’027 patent (“POSA”) would have
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`had a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering, plus at
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`least two years of experience in IC design, or alternatively a Bachelor’s degree in
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`one of those fields plus at least four years of experience in IC design. Ex. 1005, ¶
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`48.
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`IX. OVERVIEW OF PRINCIPAL PRIOR ART REFERENCES
`A.
`Starr (U.S. Patent No. 6,933,869)
`Starr, like the ’027 patent, is directed to monitoring threshold voltages and
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`temperatures of an IC to provide power supply adjustments. Ex. 1002, Abstract,
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`1:53-60, 4:36-42. For example, Figure 4 of Starr is directed to IC 32 that includes
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`monitoring and compensation circuitry 34 (dark green), circuit A 36 (light blue),
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`and circuit B 36 (purple):
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`Id., Fig. 4, 4:33-35, 4:56-5:14. Also just like the ’027 patent, Starr discloses that
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`“operation of a transistor can be significantly affected by variations in temperature
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`and changes in the transistor’s threshold voltage.” Ex. 1002, 1:21-30. And again
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`just like the ’027 patent, Starr teaches (1) monitoring changes in operating
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`temperatures and a circuit’s threshold voltage level, and (2) having a DC-to-DC
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`converter adjust its output supply voltage based on those variations. Id., 8:59-9:22;
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`Ex. 1005, ¶ 49.
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`To that end, in Figure 4, Starr teaches having monitoring and compensation
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`circuitry 34 (1) “measuring changes in temperature and transistor threshold
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`voltages that may affect circuit performance,” Ex. 1002, 1:49-52, and (2) “produce
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`an adjusted power supply voltage Vcc' that compensates for temperature changes
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`and threshold-voltage drift effects,” id., 5:3-14, 4:25-28, 4:36-42, 4:57-66
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`(monitoring and compensation circuitry 34 monitors circuit B, which contains
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`circuitry “sensitive to temperature and threshold-voltage changes,” and which also
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`may include “analog and/or digital circuits,” “to produce adjusted power supply
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`voltages”); Ex. 1005, ¶ 50.
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`Starr teaches conserving power by keeping the supply voltage low during
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`circuit operation. For example, Starr explains that a circuit can require a higher
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`Vcc' to maintain functionality as it ages (due to “threshold-voltage drift”). Ex.
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`1002, Fig. 6, 1:31-41, 3:34-37, 3:65-4:5, 5:52-65. To address this issue, a constant
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`supply voltage could be supplied throughout the life of the circuit—at the highest
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`level the circuit ever might need to operate. However, Starr teaches conserving
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`power by keeping the initial supply voltage low, increasing it only as needed based
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`on the monitored parameters. Id., 1:49-52, 4:25-28, 4:36-42, 4:57-66, 5:3-14; Ex.
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`1005, ¶ 51.
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`Additional details of monitoring and compensation circuitry 34 are shown in
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`Figure 10:
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`Ex. 1002, 7:64-8:1. Starr’s monitoring circuits (“controlled using a control circuit
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`94” (orange)) include threshold voltage monitoring circuit 86 (blue), temperature
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`monitoring circuit 88 (red), and additional monitoring circuits 90 (green). Id., Fig.
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`10, 8:1-8, 8:16-22; Ex. 1005, ¶ 52.
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`Threshold voltage monitoring circuit 86 determines changes in threshold
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`voltages of circuit 36 using (as shown in Figure 11) continuously-biased threshold
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`voltage monitoring circuit 122 and intermittently-biased threshold voltage
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`monitoring circuit 124. Ex. 1002, 9:61-10:64. Temperature monitoring circuit 88
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`monitors the “operating temperature of circuit 32.” Id., 11:23-12:14, 8:1-5. And
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`additional monitoring circuits 90 may monitor “any other suitable measurable
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`parameters that affect operation of circuit 32.” Id., 12:18-31; Ex. 1005, ¶¶ 53, 54.
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`Monitoring circuits 86, 88, and 90 send signals via multiplexer 96 to control
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`circuit 94—which “makes decisions on how to adjust [supply voltage] Vcc' based
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`on the measurements from circuits such as [threshold voltage monitoring circuit]
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`86, [temperature monitoring circuit] 88, and [additional monitoring circuits] 90.”
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`Ex. 1002, 8:17-45, 5:65-67, 9:61-10:24, 12:7:10. Control circuit 94 adjusts Vcc'
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`using “any suitable measurement and adjustment frequency.” Id., 12:65-13:7; Ex.
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`1005, ¶¶ 55-59.
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`B.
`Bilak (U.S. Patent No. 7,577,859)
`Like the ’027 patent, Bilak teaches “power consumption optimization” of an
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`IC. Ex. 1003, Abstract. To do so, Bilak teaches determining the “minimum
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`voltage [Vmin] at which the IC will function properly (e.g., all functional paths of
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`the IC work properly) at some fixed frequency.” Id., 5:55-60, 6:1-3, 7:49-52, 9:22-
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`23, 11:54-61. Bilak teaches determining Vmin when a circuit is manufactured
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`“during testing of the IC.” Id., 7:23-24; Ex. 1005, ¶ 60.
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`Bilak also teaches a “built-in-self-test (‘BIST’) engine” that can update the
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`value of Vmin “routinely” during operation of the circuit “throughout its useful
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`life,” including to compensate for age, for changes in operating temperature, and
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`for circuit variations induced by manufacturing processes. Ex. 1003, Abstract,
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`3:66-4:13, 7:49-8:17, 11:16-12:14; Ex. 1005, ¶¶ 61, 65.
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`Figure 5 shows “an end system incorporating an adaptive feedback
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`mechanism for controlling the operating voltage,” including “IC 302” with built-
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`in-self-test (‘BIST’) engine 300 (green):
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`Ex. 1003, 4:51-54, 7:49-52, 8:18-19, Fig. 5; Ex. 1005, ¶ 62.
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`Bilak teaches updating Vmin during operation by using BIST engine 300 to
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`test “critical paths” that “require the most amount of time to propagate a signal,”
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`and then developing test patterns “that exercise these timing critical paths.” Ex.
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`1003, 9:16-21, 7:50-52, 8:22-29, 8:48-52. Variable voltage regulator
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`(“Vregulator”) 304 (yellow) provides a supply voltage to IC 302 that can be
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`increased or decreased based on results from BIST engine 300; e.g., BIST engine
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`300 “executes the ‘Decrement Vmin’ routine 330” that reduces supply voltage
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`when the self test passes. Id., 8:52-62, 9:32-33; Ex. 1005, ¶¶ 63, 64.
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`C. Kang (U.S. Patent No. 7,583,555)
`Like Starr, Bilak, and the ’027 patent, Kang teaches adjusting a circuit’s
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`supply voltage based on measurements of the circuit during o