`
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`
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`
`
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`
`
`BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`
`
`EPIC GAMES, INC.,
`Petitioner,
`
`v.
`
`INGENIOSHARE, LLC,
`Patent Owner
`
`
`
`U.S. PATENT NO. 10,708,727
`U.S. PATENT NO. 10,492,038
`
`Case IPR2022-TBD
`Case IPR2022-TBD
`
`
`
`
`DECLARATION OF DR. KEVIN ALMEROTH
`IN SUPPORT OF PETITION FOR INTER PARTES REVIEW OF U.S.
`PATENT NOS. 10,708,727 AND 10,492,038
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1003
`Page 1
`
`

`

`Ex. 1003 – Declaration of Kevin C. Almeroth, Ph.D.
`
`
`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`
`B.
`
`Page
`INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................... 5
`I.
`BACKGROUND AND QUALIFICATIONS .............................................. 6
`II.
`III. MATERIALS AND OTHER INFORMATION CONSIDERED ........... 19
`IV. UNDERSTANDING OF PATENT LAW ................................................. 20
`V.
`SUMMARY OF OPINIONS ....................................................................... 23
`VI. OVERVIEW OF TECHNOLOGY AND OF THE
`CHALLENGED PATENTS ....................................................................... 24
`A.
`Technological Background ................................................................. 24
`1.
`Network Protocols and Architecture ......................................... 24
`2. Modes of Internet Communications ......................................... 28
`Overview of the ’727 Patent ................................................................ 32
`1.
`Claims ....................................................................................... 33
`2.
`Summary of the Specification ................................................... 33
`3.
`Summary of the Prosecution History ........................................ 35
`Overview of the ’038 Patent ................................................................ 36
`1.
`Claims ....................................................................................... 36
`2.
`Summary of the Specification ................................................... 37
`3.
`Summary of the Prosecution History ........................................ 39
`VII. LEVEL OF ORDINARY SKILL IN THE ART ...................................... 41
`VIII. DETAILED INVALIDITY ANALYSIS.................................................... 42
`A.
`Background on Prior Art References .................................................. 42
`1.
`Overview of Diacakis (Ex. 1007) ............................................. 42
`
`C.
`
`
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`i
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`Epic Games Ex. 1003
`Page 2
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`

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`Ex. 1003 – Declaration of Kevin C. Almeroth, Ph.D.
`
`
`2.
`Overview of Loveland (Ex. 1008) ............................................ 46
`Overview of Takahashi (Ex. 1009) ........................................... 47
`3.
`Overview of Tanigawa (Ex. 1010)............................................ 49
`4.
`Overview of Hullfish (Ex. 1011) .............................................. 52
`5.
`IX. The ’727 Patent ............................................................................................ 53
`A. Ground I: Claims 1–6, 15, and 17 Are Rendered Obvious by
`Diacakis ............................................................................................... 53
`1.
`Independent Claim 1 ................................................................. 53
`2.
`Dependent Claim 2 ................................................................... 76
`3.
`Dependent Claim 3 ................................................................... 77
`4.
`Dependent Claim 4 ................................................................... 78
`5.
`Dependent Claim 5 ................................................................... 79
`6.
`Dependent Claim 6 ................................................................... 80
`7.
`Dependent Claim 15 ................................................................. 82
`8.
`Dependent Claim 17 ................................................................. 85
`Ground II: Claims 7–9 Are Rendered Obvious by Diacakis and
`Loveland .............................................................................................. 86
`1. Motivation to Combine ............................................................. 86
`2.
`Dependent Claim 7 ................................................................... 92
`3.
`Dependent Claim 8 ................................................................... 92
`4.
`Dependent Claim 9 ................................................................... 93
`Ground III: Claim 16 Is Rendered Obvious by Diacakis and
`Takahashi ............................................................................................. 94
`1. Motivation to Combine ............................................................. 94
`
`C.
`
`B.
`
`
`
`ii
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`Epic Games Ex. 1003
`Page 3
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`

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`Ex. 1003 – Declaration of Kevin C. Almeroth, Ph.D.
`
`
`E.
`
`2.
`Dependent Claim 16 ................................................................. 98
`D. Ground IV: Claims 1–3, 6, 15, and 17 Are Rendered Obvious
`by Tanigawa and Hullfish .................................................................100
`1. Motivation to Combine ...........................................................100
`2.
`Independent Claim 1 ...............................................................107
`3.
`Dependent Claim 2 .................................................................126
`4.
`Dependent Claim 3 .................................................................128
`5.
`Dependent Claim 6 .................................................................128
`6.
`Dependent Claim 15 ...............................................................130
`7.
`Dependent Claim 17 ...............................................................132
`Ground V: Claims 7–9 Are Rendered Obvious by Tanigawa,
`Hullfish, and Loveland ......................................................................132
`1. Motivation to Combine ...........................................................132
`2.
`Dependent Claim 7 .................................................................136
`3.
`Dependent Claim 8 .................................................................136
`4.
`Dependent Claim 9 .................................................................137
`Ground VI: Claim 16 Is Rendered Obvious by Tanigawa,
`Hullfish, and Takahashi .....................................................................138
`1. Motivation to Combine ...........................................................138
`2.
`Dependent Claim 16 ...............................................................141
`The ’038 Patent ..........................................................................................142
`A. Ground I: Claims 7, 10–12, 22–24, 33–36, 38–41, 46, 49, 51–
`53, 55, 57–58, and 64–66 Are Rendered Obvious by Diacakis ........142
`1.
`Independent Claim 7 ...............................................................142
`2.
`Dependent Claim 10 ...............................................................164
`
`F.
`
`iii
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`Epic Games Ex. 1003
`Page 4
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`X.
`
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`

`

`Ex. 1003 – Declaration of Kevin C. Almeroth, Ph.D.
`
`
`3.
`Dependent Claim 11 ...............................................................165
`Dependent Claim 12 ...............................................................166
`4.
`Dependent Claim 22 ...............................................................169
`5.
`Dependent Claim 23 ...............................................................170
`6.
`Dependent Claim 24 ...............................................................170
`7.
`Dependent Claim 33 ...............................................................171
`8.
`Dependent Claim 34 ...............................................................172
`9.
`10. Dependent Claim 35 ...............................................................173
`11. Dependent Claim 36 ...............................................................174
`12.
`Independent Claim 38 .............................................................176
`13. Dependent Claim 39 ...............................................................179
`14. Dependent Claim 40 ...............................................................179
`15. Dependent Claim 41 ...............................................................180
`16.
`Independent Claim 46 .............................................................180
`17. Dependent Claim 49 ...............................................................184
`18. Dependent Claim 51 ...............................................................192
`19. Dependent Claim 52 ...............................................................193
`20. Dependent Claim 53 ...............................................................194
`21. Dependent Claim 55 ...............................................................195
`22. Dependent Claim 57 ...............................................................195
`23. Dependent Claim 58 ...............................................................196
`24. Dependent Claim 64 ...............................................................197
`25. Dependent Claim 65 ...............................................................198
`
`
`
`iv
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`Epic Games Ex. 1003
`Page 5
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`

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`Ex. 1003 – Declaration of Kevin C. Almeroth, Ph.D.
`
`
`B.
`
`C.
`
`26. Dependent Claim 66 ...............................................................200
`Ground II: Claims 8, 9, 43, 44, 47, 48, 50, and 54 are Rendered
`Obvious by Diacakis and Loveland ..................................................201
`1. Motivation to Combine ...........................................................201
`2.
`Dependent Claim 8 .................................................................201
`3.
`Dependent Claim 9 .................................................................202
`4.
`Dependent Claim 43 ...............................................................203
`5.
`Dependent Claim 44 ...............................................................203
`6.
`Dependent Claim 47 ...............................................................203
`7.
`Dependent Claim 48 ...............................................................204
`8.
`Dependent Claim 50 ...............................................................204
`9.
`Dependent Claim 54 ...............................................................205
`Ground III: Claims 37, 42, 56, 59–63, and 67 Are Rendered
`Obvious by Diacakis and Takahashi .................................................205
`1. Motivation to Combine ...........................................................205
`2.
`Dependent Claim 37 ...............................................................205
`3.
`Dependent Claim 42 ...............................................................207
`4.
`Dependent Claim 56 ...............................................................208
`5.
`Dependent Claim 59 ...............................................................208
`6.
`Dependent Claim 60 ...............................................................209
`7.
`Dependent Claim 61 ...............................................................210
`8.
`Dependent Claim 62 ...............................................................210
`9.
`Dependent Claim 63 ...............................................................211
`10. Dependent Claim 67 ...............................................................211
`
`
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`Epic Games Ex. 1003
`Page 6
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`

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`Ex. 1003 – Declaration of Kevin C. Almeroth, Ph.D.
`
`
`E.
`
`D. Ground IV: Claim 45 Is Rendered Obvious by Diacakis,
`Loveland, and Takahashi ...................................................................212
`1. Motivation to Combine ...........................................................212
`2.
`Dependent Claim 45 ...............................................................212
`Ground V: Claims 7, 10–12, 22–24, 33–36, 38–41, 46, 49, 51–
`53, 55, 57–58, and 64–66 Are Rendered Obvious by Tanigawa
`and Hullfish .......................................................................................213
`1. Motivation to Combine ...........................................................213
`2.
`Independent Claim 7 ...............................................................213
`3.
`Dependent Claim 10 ...............................................................241
`4.
`Dependent Claim 11 ...............................................................243
`5.
`Dependent Claim 12 ...............................................................243
`6.
`Dependent Claim 22 ...............................................................246
`7.
`Dependent Claim 23 ...............................................................246
`8.
`Dependent Claim 24 ...............................................................247
`9.
`Dependent Claim 33 ...............................................................247
`10. Dependent Claim 34 ...............................................................249
`11. Dependent Claim 35 ...............................................................250
`12. Dependent Claim 36 ...............................................................252
`13.
`Independent Claim 38 .............................................................253
`14. Dependent Claim 39 ...............................................................256
`15. Dependent Claim 40 ...............................................................257
`16. Dependent Claim 41 ...............................................................257
`17.
`Independent Claim 46 .............................................................258
`
`
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`Page 7
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`

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`Ex. 1003 – Declaration of Kevin C. Almeroth, Ph.D.
`
`
`F.
`
`18. Dependent Claim 49 ...............................................................262
`19. Dependent Claim 51 ...............................................................265
`20. Dependent Claim 52 ...............................................................266
`21. Dependent Claim 53 ...............................................................267
`22. Dependent Claim 55 ...............................................................268
`23. Dependent Claim 57 ...............................................................268
`24. Dependent Claim 58 ...............................................................269
`25. Dependent Claim 64 ...............................................................269
`26. Dependent Claim 65 ...............................................................270
`27. Dependent Claim 66 ...............................................................271
`Ground VI: Claims 8, 9, 43, 44, 47, 48, 50, and 54 are
`Rendered Obvious by Tanigawa, Hullfish, and Loveland ................271
`1. Motivation to Combine ...........................................................271
`2.
`Dependent Claim 8 .................................................................272
`3.
`Dependent Claim 9 .................................................................272
`4.
`Dependent Claim 43 ...............................................................273
`5.
`Dependent Claim 44 ...............................................................273
`6.
`Dependent Claim 47 ...............................................................274
`7.
`Dependent Claim 48 ...............................................................274
`8.
`Dependent Claim 50 ...............................................................275
`9.
`Dependent Claim 54 ...............................................................275
`G. Ground VII: Claims 37, 42, 56, 59–63, and 67 Are Rendered
`Obvious by Tanigawa, Hullfish, and Takahashi ...............................276
`1. Motivation to Combine ...........................................................276
`
`
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`Page 8
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`

`

`Ex. 1003 – Declaration of Kevin C. Almeroth, Ph.D.
`
`
`2.
`Dependent Claim 37 ...............................................................276
`Dependent Claim 42 ...............................................................276
`3.
`Dependent Claim 56 ...............................................................277
`4.
`Dependent Claim 59 ...............................................................277
`5.
`Dependent Claim 60 ...............................................................278
`6.
`Dependent Claim 61 ...............................................................279
`7.
`Dependent Claim 62 ...............................................................279
`8.
`Dependent Claim 63 ...............................................................280
`9.
`10. Dependent Claim 67 ...............................................................280
`H. Ground VIII: Claim 45 Is Rendered Obvious by Tanigawa,
`Hullfish, Loveland, and Takahashi ...................................................281
`1. Motivation to Combine ...........................................................281
`2.
`Dependent Claim 45 ...............................................................281
`XI. SECONDARY CONSIDERATIONS ......................................................282
`XII. CONCLUSION ..........................................................................................282
`
`
`
`
`viii
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`Epic Games Ex. 1003
`Page 9
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`

`

`Ex. 1003 – Declaration of Kevin C. Almeroth, Ph.D.
`
`
`LIST OF EXHIBITS
`EXHIBITS FOR PETITION FOR INTER PARTES REVIEW OF
`U.S. PATENT NO. 10,708,727
`Description
`
`U.S. Patent No. 10,708,727
`
`File History of U.S. Patent No. 10,708,727
`
`Declaration of Dr. Kevin Almeroth in Support of Inter Partes Review
`of U.S. Patent No. 10,708,727 and 10,492,038
`Curriculum Vitae of Dr. Kevin Almeroth
`
`U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/527,565
`
`U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/689,686
`
`U.S. Patent Application 2002/0116461 (“Diacakis”)
`
`U.S. Patent No. 7,287,056 (“Loveland”)
`
`U.S. Patent Application 2002/0183114 (“Takahashi”)
`
`U.S. Patent Application 2004/0001480 (“Tanigawa”)
`
`U.S. Patent No. 7,428,580 (“Hullfish”)
`
`IngenioShare’s Infringement Contentions in Texas Litigation
`
`Texas Litigation Proposed Scheduling Order
`
`Fourteenth Supplemental Order Regarding Court Operations Under
`the Exigent Circumstances Created by the COVID-19 Pandemic
`Judge Albright’s Standing Order re Inter-District Transfer
`
`Kurose, J. and Ross, K., Computer Networking: A Top-Down
`Approach Feature the Internet (2000)
`Kuehn, S., A Play Theory Analysis of Computer-Mediated
`Telecommunication (Apr. 20, 1990)
`
`1
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1003
`Page 10
`
`Exhibit
`No.
`1001
`
`1002
`
`1003
`
`1004
`
`1005
`
`1006
`
`1007
`
`1008
`
`1009
`
`1010
`
`1011
`
`1012
`
`1013
`
`1014
`
`1015
`
`1016
`
`1017
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Ex. 1003 – Declaration of Kevin C. Almeroth, Ph.D.
`
`
`Exhibit
`No.
`1018
`
`Telecomputing in Japan
`
`Description
`
`1019
`
`1020
`
`1021
`
`1022
`
`1023
`
`1024
`
`1025
`
`1026
`
`1027
`
`1028
`
`1029
`
`1030
`
`1031
`
`1032
`
`1033
`
`1034
`
`
`
`
`
`Hernandez, R., ECPA and Online Computer Privacy (1988)
`
`Miller, A., Applications of Computer Conferencing to Teacher
`Education and Human Resource Development (1991)
`Benimoff, N. and Burns, M., Multimedia User Interfaces for
`Telecommunications Products and Services (1993)
`Falconer, W. and Hooke, J., Telecommunications Services in the
`Next Decade (1986)
`Hine, N.A., et al., An Adaptable User Interface to a Multimedia
`Telecommunications Conversation Service for People with
`Disabilities (1995)
`Bazaios, A., et al., Multimedia Architecture Offering Open Distance
`Learning Services over Internet
`Stein, J., et al., Chat and Instant Messaging Systems (2002)
`
`U.S. Patent No. 6,241,612 (“Heredia”)
`
`U.S. Patent Application 2003/0216178 (“Danieli”)
`
`International Patent Application WO 01/45343 (“Davies”)
`
`Grinter, R. and Palen, L., Instant Messaging in Teen Life (2002)
`
`File History of U.S. Patent No. 8,744,407
`
`File History of U.S. Patent No. 9,736,664
`
`U.S. Patent No. 10,708,727 Claim Listing
`
`U.S. Patent No. 6,828,924 (“Gustavsson”)
`
`Patil, S. and Kobsa, A., The Challenges in Preserving Privacy in
`Awareness Systems (2003)
`
`
`
`2
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1003
`Page 11
`
`

`

`Ex. 1003 – Declaration of Kevin C. Almeroth, Ph.D.
`
`
`EXHIBITS FOR PETITION FOR INTER PARTES REVIEW OF
`U.S. PATENT NO. 10,492,038
`Description
`
`U.S. Patent No. 10,492,038
`
`File History of U.S. Patent No. 10,492,038
`
`Declaration of Dr. Kevin Almeroth in Support of Inter Partes Review
`of U.S. Patent Nos. 10,708,727 and 10,492,038
`Curriculum Vitae of Dr. Kevin Almeroth
`
`U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/527,565
`
`U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/689,686
`
`U.S. Patent Application 2002/0116461 (“Diacakis”)
`
`U.S. Patent No. 7,287,056 (“Loveland”)
`
`U.S. Patent Application 2002/0183114 (“Takahashi”)
`
`U.S. Patent Application 2004/0001480 (“Tanigawa”)
`
`U.S. Patent No. 7,428,580 (“Hullfish”)
`
`IngenioShare’s Infringement Contentions in Texas Litigation
`
`Texas Litigation Proposed Scheduling Order
`
`Fourteenth Supplemental Order Regarding Court Operations Under
`the Exigent Circumstances Created by the COVID-19 Pandemic
`Judge Albright’s Standing Order re Inter-District Transfer
`
`Kurose, J. and Ross, K., Computer Networking: A Top-Down
`Approach Feature the Internet (2000)
`Kuehn, S., A Play Theory Analysis of Computer-Mediated
`Telecommunication (Apr. 20, 1990)
`Telecomputing in Japan
`
`Exhibit
`No.
`1001
`
`1002
`
`1003
`
`1004
`
`1005
`
`1006
`
`1007
`
`1008
`
`1009
`
`1010
`
`1011
`
`1012
`
`1013
`
`1014
`
`1015
`
`1016
`
`1017
`
`1018
`
`
`
`3
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1003
`Page 12
`
`

`

`Ex. 1003 – Declaration of Kevin C. Almeroth, Ph.D.
`
`
`Exhibit
`No.
`1019
`
`1020
`
`1021
`
`1022
`
`1023
`
`1024
`
`1025
`
`1026
`
`1027
`
`1028
`
`1029
`
`1030
`
`1031
`
`1032
`
`1033
`
`1034
`
`1035
`
`1036
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Description
`
`Hernandez, R., ECPA and Online Computer Privacy (1988)
`
`Miller, A., Applications of Computer Conferencing to Teacher
`Education and Human Resource Development (1991)
`Benimoff, N. and Burns, M., Multimedia User Interfaces for
`Telecommunications Products and Services (1993)
`Falconer, W. and Hooke, J., Telecommunications Services in the
`Next Decade (1986)
`Hine, N.A., et al., An Adaptable User Interface to a Multimedia
`Telecommunications Conversation Service for People with
`Disabilities (1995)
`Bazaios, A., et al., Multimedia Architecture Offering Open Distance
`Learning Services over Internet
`Stein, J., et al., Chat and Instant Messaging Systems (2002)
`
`U.S. Patent No. 6,241,612 (“Heredia”)
`
`U.S. Patent Application 2003/0216178 (“Danieli”)
`
`International Patent Application WO 01/45343 (“Davies”)
`
`Grinter, R. and Palen, L., Instant Messaging in Teen Life (2002)
`
`File History of U.S. Patent No. 8,744,407
`
`File History of U.S. Patent No. 9,736,664
`
`U.S. Patent No. 10,492,038 Claim Listing
`
`U.S. Patent No. 6,828,924 (“Gustavsson”)
`
`Patil, S. and Kobsa, A., The Challenges in Preserving Privacy in
`Awareness Systems (2003)
`Internet Engineering Task Force RFC 2779 (Instant
`Messaging/Presence Protocol Requirements) (2000)
`File History of U.S. Patent No. 9,204,268
`
`
`
`4
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1003
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`Ex. 1003 – Declaration of Kevin C. Almeroth, Ph.D.
`
`I, Dr. Kevin C. Almeroth, hereby declare as follows:
`
`I.
`
`INTRODUCTION
`1.
`I have been retained as an expert witness on behalf of Epic Games, Inc.
`
`(“Epic Games” or “Petitioner”) to offer technical opinions in connection with the
`
`above-captioned Petitions for Inter Partes Review (“IPR”) of U.S. Patent Nos.
`
`10,708,727 (“the ’727 Patent”) (Ex. 1001 of the ’727 Petition) and 10,492,038 (“the
`
`’038 Patent”) (Ex. 1001 of the ’038 Petition) (collectively, the “Challenged
`
`Patents”).
`
`2.
`
`I have been asked to provide my independent analysis of the Challenged
`
`Patents in light of the prior art patents and publications cited below.
`
`3.
`
`I have been asked to provide my opinions regarding whether claims 1–
`
`9 and 15–17 of the ’727 Patent and claims 7–12, 22–24, 33–67 of the ’038 Patent
`
`(the “Challenged Claims”) are invalid as being anticipated and/or obvious to a
`
`person having ordinary skill in the art (a POSITA) at the time of the alleged
`
`invention.
`
`4.
`
`In preparing my Declaration, I reviewed the Challenged Patents, the file
`
`history of the Challenged Patents, prior art references, technical references, and other
`
`publications from the time of the alleged invention, which are discussed herein.
`
`
`
`5
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`Ex. 1003 – Declaration of Kevin C. Almeroth, Ph.D.
`
`
`5.
`
`For the purposes of my Declaration, I have been asked to assume that
`
`the priority date of the alleged invention recited in the Challenged Patents is April
`
`27, 2005 (hereinafter the “Priority Date”).
`
`6.
`
`I am not currently, and never have been, an employee of Epic Games.
`
`I received no compensation for this Declaration beyond my normal hourly
`
`compensation based on my time actually spent analyzing the Challenged Patents, the
`
`prior art patents and publications cited below, and issues related thereto, and I will
`
`not receive any added compensation based on the outcome of any IPR or other
`
`proceeding involving the Challenged Patents. I have no financial interest in Epic
`
`Games.
`
`II. BACKGROUND AND QUALIFICATIONS
`7.
`I am over the age of 18 and am competent to write this Declaration. I
`
`have personal knowledge and expertise concerning the relevant technologies based
`
`upon my education, training, or experience. My relevant experience includes a deep
`
`understanding of the systems that we broadly refer to as the Internet and computer
`
`networking
`
`8. My CV, which includes my complete education, work experience, and
`
`past testimony, is included as Ex. 1004 hereto. I describe several relevant aspects of
`
`my experience below.
`
`
`
`6
`
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`Ex. 1003 – Declaration of Kevin C. Almeroth, Ph.D.
`
`
`9.
`
`I am currently a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Computer
`
`Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). While active at
`
`UCSB, I held faculty appointments and was a founding member of the Computer
`
`Engineering (CE) Program, Media Arts and Technology (MAT) Program, and the
`
`Technology Management Program (TMP). I also served as the Associate Director
`
`of the Center for Information Technology and Society (CITS) from 1999 to 2012. I
`
`have been a faculty member at UCSB since July 1997.
`
`10.
`
`I hold three degrees from the Georgia Institute of Technology: (1) a
`
`Bachelor of Science degree in Information and Computer Science (with minors in
`
`Economics, Technical Communication, and American Literature) earned in June
`
`1992; (2) a Master of Science degree in Computer Science (with specialization in
`
`Networking and Systems) earned in June 1994; and (3) a Doctor of Philosophy
`
`(Ph.D.) degree in Computer Science (Dissertation Title: Networking and System
`
`Support for the Efficient, Scalable Delivery of Services in Interactive Multimedia
`
`System, minor in Telecommunications Public Policy) earned in June 1997. During
`
`my education, I have taken a wide variety of courses as demonstrated by my minor.
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`My undergraduate degree also included a number of courses more typical of a degree
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`in electrical engineering
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`including digital
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`logic, signal processing, and
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`telecommunications theory.
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`Ex. 1003 – Declaration of Kevin C. Almeroth, Ph.D.
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`11. One of the major concentrations of my research over the past 30+ years
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`has been the delivery of multimedia content and data between computing devices,
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`including various network architectures. In my research, I have studied large-scale
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`content delivery systems, and the use of servers located in a variety of geographic
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`locations to provide scalable delivery to hundreds or thousands of users
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`simultaneously. I have also studied smaller-scale content delivery systems in which
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`content is exchanged between individual computers and portable devices. My work
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`has emphasized the exchange of content more efficiently across computer networks,
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`including the scalable delivery of content to many users, mobile computing, satellite
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`networking, delivering content to mobile devices, and network support for data
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`delivery in wireless networks.
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`12.
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`In 1992, the initial focus of my research was on the provision of
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`interactive functions (e.g., VCR-style functions like pause, rewind, and fast-forward)
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`for near video-on-demand systems in cable systems; in particular, how to aggregate
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`requests for movies at a cable head-end and then how to satisfy a multitude of
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`requests using one audio/video stream broadcast
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`to multiple
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`receivers
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`simultaneously. This research has continually evolved and resulted in the
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`development of techniques to scalably deliver on-demand content, including audio,
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`video, web documents, and other types of data, through the Internet and over other
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`Ex. 1003 – Declaration of Kevin C. Almeroth, Ph.D.
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`types of networks, including over cable systems, broadband telephone lines, and
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`satellite links.
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`13. An important component of my research has been investigating the
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`challenges of communicating multimedia content, including video, between
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`computers and across networks including the Internet. Although the early Internet
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`was used mostly for text-based, non-real time applications, the interest in sharing
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`multimedia content, such as video, quickly developed. Multimedia-based
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`applications ranged from downloading content to a device to streaming multimedia
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`content to be instantly used. One of the challenges was that multimedia content is
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`typically larger than text-only content, but there are also opportunities to use
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`different delivery techniques since multimedia content is more resilient to errors. I
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`have worked on a variety of research problems and used a number of systems that
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`were developed to deliver multimedia content to users. One content-delivery
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`method I have researched is the one-to-many communication facility called
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`“multicast,” first deployed as the Multicast Backbone, a virtual overlay network
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`supporting one-to-many communication. Multicast is one technique that can be used
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`on the Internet to provide streaming media support for complex applications like
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`video-on-demand, distance learning, distributed collaboration, distributed games,
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`and large-scale wireless communication. The delivery of media through multicast
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`Ex. 1003 – Declaration of Kevin C. Almeroth, Ph.D.
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`often involves using Internet infrastructure, devices and protocols, including
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`protocols for routing and TCP/IP.
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`14. Starting in 1997, I worked on a project to integrate the streaming media
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`capabilities of the Internet together with the interactivity of the web. I developed a
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`project called the Interactive Multimedia Jukebox (IMJ). Users would visit a web
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`page and select content to view. The content would then be scheduled on one of a
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`number of channels, including delivery to students in Georgia Tech dorms delivered
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`via the campus cable plant. The content of each channel was delivered using
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`multicast communication.
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`15.
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`In the IMJ, the number of channels varied depending on the capabilities
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`of the server including the available bandwidth of its connection to the Internet. If
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`one of the channels was idle, the requesting user would be able to watch their
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`selection immediately. If all channels were streaming previously selected content,
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`the user’s selection would be queued on the channel with the shortest wait time. In
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`the meantime, the user would see what content was currently playing on other
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`channels, and because of the use of multicast, would be able to join one of the
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`existing channels and watch the content at the point it was currently being
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`transmitted.
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`16. The IMJ service combined the interactivity of the web with the
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`streaming capabilities of the Internet to create a jukebox-like service. It supported
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`Ex. 1003 – Declaration of Kevin C. Almeroth, Ph.D.
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`true Video-on-Demand when capacity allowed, but scaled to any number of users
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`based on queuing requested programs. As part of the project, we obtained
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`permission from Turner Broadcasting to transmit cartoons and other short-subject
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`content. We also connected the IMJ into the Georgia Tech campus cable television
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`network so that students in their dorms could use the web to request content and then
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`view that content on one of the campus’s public access channels.
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`17. More recently, I have also studied issues concernin