UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`TCL Electronics Holdings Ltd. (f/k/a TCL Multimedia Technology Holdings, Ltd.
`TCL Industries Holdings Co., Ltd.
`TCL Industries Holdings (H.K.) Limited
`TTE Technology, Inc. (d/b/a TCL North America)
`TTE Corporation
`TCL Moka International Limited
`TCL Moka Manufacturing S.A. de C.V.
`TCL King Electrical Appliances (Huizhou) Co. Ltd.
`Manufacturas Avanzadas S.A. de C.V.
`TCL Smart Device (Vietnam) Co., Ltd
`Shenzhen TCL New Technology Co., Ltd.
`TCL Optoelectronics Technology (Huizhou) Co., Ltd.
`TCL Overseas Marketing Ltd.
`TCL Technology Group Corporation (f/k/a TCL Corp.),
`
`Petitioners
`
`v.
`
`LG Electronics Inc.
`Patent Owner
`
`Case No. IPR2023-00240
`
`PETITION FOR INTER PARTES REVIEW OF
`U.S. PATENT NO. 7,982,803
`
`

`

`IPR2023-00240, Petition for Inter Partes Review
`U.S. Patent No. 7,982,803
`
`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`Table of Authorities ................................................................................................. ix
`Petitioners’ Exhibit List ............................................................................................. x
`I.
`Introduction ...................................................................................................... 1
`II. Mandatory Notices........................................................................................... 1
`A.
`Real Party-in-Interest ......................................................................... 1
`B.
`Related Matters ................................................................................... 2
`C.
`Lead and Back-Up Counsel ................................................................ 2
`D.
`Service Information ............................................................................. 3
`Payment of Fees ............................................................................................... 3
`III.
`IV. Requirements for Inter Partes Review under 37 C.F.R. § 42.104 .................. 3
`A.
`Grounds for Standing ......................................................................... 3
`B.
`Claims for Which Review Is Requested ............................................ 4
`C.
`Statutory Grounds of Challenge ........................................................ 4
`D.
`Proposed Claim Constructions .......................................................... 4
`E.
`How the Construed Claims Are Unpatentable ................................. 4
`F.
`Supporting Evidence ........................................................................... 4
`The ʼ803 Patent ................................................................................................ 5
`A.
`Summary of the ʼ803 Patent ............................................................... 5
`B.
`Level of Ordinary Skill in the Art ...................................................13
`C.
`Prosecution History ...........................................................................13
`THE PRIOR ART - u.S . PUBLICATION NO. 2004/0117858 TO
`BOUDREAU ET AL. ....................................................................................15
`VII. CLAIMS 1-18 OF THE ’803 PATENT ARE UNPATENTABLE UNDER
`35 U.S.C. §103 IN VIEW OF BOUDREAU ET AL. ...................................29
`A.
`Independent Claim 1 .........................................................................29
`a)
`Limitation 1[pre]: “An audio and video synchronizing
`apparatus comprising” ....................................................29
`
`VI.
`
`V.
`
`ii
`
`

`

`IPR2023-00240, Petition for Inter Partes Review
`U.S. Patent No. 7,982,803
`
`b)
`
`c)
`
`d)
`
`i)
`
`j)
`
`Limitation 1[a]: “a video signal processing unit
`processing a video signal that is provided to a display
`device of video processing equipment;” .........................30
`Limitation 1[b]: “an audio signal processing unit
`processing an audio signal that is provided to an audio
`device of the video processing equipment, the audio
`signal synchronized with the video signal;” ...................31
`Limitation 1[c]: “a switching unit selecting paths for the
`video signal that is input to the video signal processing
`unit and the audio signal that is input to the audio signal
`processing unit, and selecting at least an audio signal for
`output to an external device that is not part of the video
`processing equipment;” ..................................................32
`Limitation 1[d]: “an outputting unit outputting the
`selected at least an audio signal to the external device;
`and” .................................................................................33
`Limitation 1[e]: “an output selecting unit controlling the
`switching unit according to a kind of the external device,
`wherein the switching unit is controlled to select a first
`audio signal that bypasses the audio signal that is input to
`the audio signal processing unit as the at least an audio
`signal for output to the external device or to select a
`second audio signal output from the audio signal
`processing unit as the at least an audio signal for output
`to the outputting unit.” ....................................................34
`Claim 2: “The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising
`a detector detecting the kind of the external device connected to
`the outputting unit.” ..........................................................................38
`Claim 3: “The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the kind
`of the external device connected to the outputting unit is either an
`audio/video device or an audio device.” ..........................................38
`Claim 4: “The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the
`switching unit is controlled to select the second audio signal when
`it is determined that the external device connected to the
`outputting unit is the audio.” ...........................................................39
`
`iii
`
`B.
`
`C.
`
`D.
`
`

`

`E.
`
`F.
`
`G.
`
`IPR2023-00240, Petition for Inter Partes Review
`U.S. Patent No. 7,982,803
`
`b)
`
`c)
`
`d)
`
`e)
`
`Claim 5: “The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the kind
`of the external device connected to the outputting unit is
`determined according to whether the external device is connected
`to a video output port or an audio output port.” ...........................39
`Independent Claim 6 .........................................................................40
`a)
`Limitation 1[pre]: “An audio and video synchronizing
`apparatus comprising” ....................................................40
`Limitation 6[a]: “a video signal processing unit
`processing a video signal that is provided to a display
`device of video processing equipment;” .........................40
`Limitation 6[b]: “an audio signal processing unit
`processing an audio signal that is provided to an audio
`device of the video processing equipment, the audio
`signal synchronized with the video signal; and” ............40
`Limitation 6[c]: “an output selecting unit selecting an
`audio signal that is output to an external device that is not
`part of the video processing equipment,” .......................41
`Limitation Claim 6[d]: “wherein the output selecting unit
`selects a first audio signal that bypasses the audio signal
`that is input to the audio signal processing unit as the
`audio signal that is output to the external device or
`selects a second audio signal output from the audio signal
`processing unit as the audio signal that is output to the
`external device.” .............................................................41
`Independent Claim 7 .........................................................................41
`a)
`Limitation 7[pre]: “An audio and video synchronizing
`apparatus comprising:” ...................................................41
`Limitation 7[a], “a video signal processing unit
`processing a video signal that is provided to a display
`device of video processing equipment;” .........................41
`Limitation 7[b], “an audio signal processing unit
`outputting an audio signal that is synchronized with the
`video signal; and” ...........................................................42
`
`b)
`
`c)
`
`iv
`
`

`

`IPR2023-00240, Petition for Inter Partes Review
`U.S. Patent No. 7,982,803
`
`d)
`
`e)
`
`b)
`
`c)
`
`Limitation 7[c], “an audio output selecting unit selecting
`an audio signal that is output to an external device that is
`not part of the video processing equipment,” .................42
`Limitation 7[d], “wherein the audio output selecting unit
`selects an audio signal that bypasses the audio signal that
`is input to the audio signal processing unit or selects an
`audio signal output from the audio signal processing unit
`that is synchronized with the video signal as the audio
`signal that is output to the external device.” ..................42
`Independent Claim 8 .........................................................................42
`a)
`Limitation 8[pre]: “An audio and video synchronizing
`apparatus comprising:” ...................................................42
`Limitation 8[a]: “a video signal processing unit
`processing a video signal that is provided to a display
`device of video processing equipment;” .........................43
`Limitation 8[b]: “an audio signal processing unit
`processing an audio signal that is provided to an audio
`device of the video processing equipment, the audio
`signal synchronized with the video signal;” ...................43
`Limitation 8[c], “an outputting unit outputting at least an
`audio signal to an external device that is not part of the
`video processing equipment; and” ..................................43
`Limitation 8[d]: “an output selecting unit controlling the
`outputting unit according to a kind of the external device,
`wherein the output selecting unit controls the outputting
`unit to select a first audio signal that bypasses the audio
`signal that is input to the audio signal processing unit as
`the at lease an audio signal output to the external device
`or to select a second audio signal output from the audio
`signal processing unit as the at least an audio signal
`output to the external device.” ........................................43
`Independent Claim 9 .........................................................................44
`a)
`Limitation 9[pre], “An audio and video synchronizing
`apparatus comprising:” ...................................................44
`
`d)
`
`e)
`
`v
`
`H.
`
`I.
`
`

`

`IPR2023-00240, Petition for Inter Partes Review
`U.S. Patent No. 7,982,803
`
`b)
`
`c)
`
`d)
`
`e)
`
`f)
`
`Limitation 9[a]: “a video signal processing unit
`processing a video signal that is provided to a display
`device of video processing equipment;” .........................44
`Limitation 9[b]: “an audio signal processing unit
`processing an audio signal that is provided to an audio
`device of the video processing equipment, the audio
`signal synchronized with the video signal;” ...................44
`Limitation 9[c], “an outputting unit outputting at least an
`audio signal to an external device that is not part of the
`video processing equipment;” ........................................44
`Limitation 9[d]: “a detecting unit detecting a kind of the
`external device;” .............................................................44
`Limitation 9[e]: “an output selecting unit controlling the
`outputting unit according to the detected kind of the
`external device, wherein the output selecting unit
`controls the outputting unit to select a first audio signal
`that bypasses the audio signal that is input to the audio
`signal processing unit as the at least an audio signal
`output to the external device or to select a second audio
`signal output from the audio signal processing unit as the
`at least an audio signal output to the external device.” ..45
`Independent Claim 10 .......................................................................45
`a)
`Limitation 10[pre]: “A method of controlling audio and
`video output comprising:” ..............................................45
`Limitation 10[a]: “determining a kind of an external
`device that is not part of the video processing equipment
`and is connected to an output port of video processing
`equipment;” .....................................................................45
`Limitation 10[b]: “selecting an audio signal according to
`a result of the determination and outputting the selected
`audio signal to the external device,” ...............................45
`Limitation 10[c]: “wherein the selected audio signal is
`either a first audio signal that bypasses an audio signal
`that is input to an audio signal processing unit that
`synchronizes the audio signal with a video signal that is
`
`d)
`
`J.
`
`b)
`
`c)
`
`vi
`
`

`

`L.
`
`N.
`
`O.
`
`P.
`
`IPR2023-00240, Petition for Inter Partes Review
`U.S. Patent No. 7,982,803
`
`b)
`
`c)
`
`d)
`
`K.
`
`provided to a display device of the video processing
`equipment or a second audio signal output from the audio
`signal processing unit.” ...................................................46
`Claim 11: “The method according to claim 10, determining the
`kind of the external device comprises determining whether the
`external device connected to the output port is an audio device.”
` .............................................................................................................46
`Claim 12: “The method according to claim 10, wherein the
`second audio signal is an audio signal that is provided to a speaker
`of the video processing equipment and synchronized with the
`video signal.” ......................................................................................46
`M. Claim 13: “The method according to claim 10, wherein selecting
`the audio signal and outputting the selected audio signal to the
`external device is performed automatically according to a result
`of the determination.” .......................................................................46
`Claim 14: “The method according to claim 10, wherein selecting
`the audio signal and outputting the selected audio signal to the
`external device is performed according to a user's output mode
`setting.” ...............................................................................................47
`Claim 15: “The method according to claim 10, wherein the audio
`signal that is synchronized with the video signal is delayed
`according to a video signal processing path.” .................................47
`Independent Claim 16 .......................................................................48
`a)
`Limitation 16[pre]: “A method of controlling audio and
`video output comprising:” ..............................................48
`Limitation 16[a]: “selecting an output mode of video
`processing equipment;” ..................................................49
`Limitation 16[b]: “selecting an audio signal according to
`the selected output mode for output to an external audio
`device that is not part of the video processing
`equipment;” .....................................................................50
`Limitation 16[c], “outputting the selected audio signal to
`the external audio device, wherein the selected audio
`signal is either a first audio signal that bypasses an audio
`signal that is input to an audio device of the video
`vii
`
`

`

`IPR2023-00240, Petition for Inter Partes Review
`U.S. Patent No. 7,982,803
`
`R.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`4.
`
`Q.
`
`processing equipment that synchronizes the audio signal
`with a video signal that is provided to a display device of
`the video processing equipment or a second audio signal
`output from the audio device.” .......................................50
`Claim 17: “The method according to claim 16, further wherein
`the second audio signal is an audio signal that is provided to a
`speaker of the video processing equipment and synchronized with
`the video signal.”................................................................................51
`Claim 18: “The method according to claim 16, wherein the audio
`signal that is synchronized with the video signal is delayed
`according to a video signal processing path.” .................................51
`VIII. The Board Should Not Exercise Its Discretion to Deny Institution ..............51
`A.
`35 U.S.C. § 314(a) ...............................................................................51
`1.
`Factor 1: The parallel proceeding is not stayed, and it is
`unknown whether a stay would be granted (Fintiv factor 1) ....52
`Factor 2: The trial will commence after the due date of a Final
`Written Decision (Fintiv factor 2) ............................................53
`Factor 3: The parties’ investments in the parallel proceeding
`weigh in favor of institution (Fintiv factor 3) ...........................54
`Factor 4: IPR will address issues not raised in the parallel
`proceeding (Fintiv factor 4) ......................................................55
`Factor 5: PO and Petitioners are parties in the parallel
`proceeding (Fintiv factor 5) ......................................................56
`Factor 6: Other circumstances weigh in favor of institution
`(Fintiv factor 6) .........................................................................56
`35 U.S.C. § 325(d)...............................................................................57
`B.
`IX. Conclusion .....................................................................................................59
`
`5.
`
`6.
`
`viii
`
`

`

`IPR2023-00240, Petition for Inter Partes Review
`U.S. Patent No. 7,982,803
`
`TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
`
`Cases
`Acuity Brands Lighting, Inc. v. Ultravision Technologies, LLC, IPR2020-01638,
`Paper 8 (PTAB May 6, 2021) ...............................................................................56
`Apple Inc. v. Fintiv, Inc., IPR2020-00019, Paper 11 (PTAB Mar. 20, 2020)
`(precedential) ..................................................................................... 52, 53, 55, 57
`Becton, Dickinson & Co. v. B. Braun Melsungen AG, IPR2017-01586, Paper 8
`(PTAB Dec. 15, 2017) ..........................................................................................59
`Cisco Sys., Inc. v. Estech Sys., Inc., IPR2021-00333, Paper 12 (PTAB July 7, 2021)
` ..............................................................................................................................53
`HP Inc. v. Slingshot Printing LLC,
`IPR2020-01084, Paper 13 (PTAB Jan. 13, 2021) ................................................58
`HP Inc. v. Slingshot Printing LLC, IPR2020-01084, Paper 13 (PTAB Jan. 13,
`2021) .....................................................................................................................57
`Statutes
`35 U.S.C. § 314(b) ...................................................................................................54
`35 U.S.C. § 325(d) ...................................................................................................57
`
`ix
`
`

`

`IPR2023-00240, Petition for Inter Partes Review
`U.S. Patent No. 7,982,803
`
`PETITIONERS’ EXHIBIT LIST
`
`1005
`
`Exhibit No. Description
`1001
`U.S. Patent No. 7,982,803 to Lee
`1002
`Reserved
`1003
`U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0117858 (Boudreau et. al.)
`1004
`Jack, “Video Demystified, A Handbook for the Digital Engineer,”
`Elsevier Inc. (2005)
`Declaration of David B. Lett in Support of Petition for Inter
`Partes Review
`Curriculum Vitae of David B. Lett
`FINTIV Stipulation
`Docket Control Order
`Average Time to Trial
`LGE v. TCL - Complaint for Patent Infringement
`Infringement Contentions
`Non Final Office Action filed September 3, 2009
`Amendment filed October 13, 2009
`Non Final Office Action filed January 6, 2010
`Amendment filed April 5, 2010
`Final Office Action filed July 12, 2010
`Amendment filed October 11, 2010
`Non Final Office Action filed November 15, 2010
`Amendment filed March 15, 2011
`
`1006
`1007
`1008
`1009
`1010
`1011
`1012
`1013
`1014
`1015
`1016
`1017
`1018
`1019
`
`x
`
`

`

`IPR2023-00240, Petition for Inter Partes Review
`U.S. Patent No. 7,982,803
`
`I.
`
`INTRODUCTION
`
`USP 7,982,803 (“the ʼ803 patent,” Ex. 10011) purports to solve the problem
`
`of synchronization of sound from an external speaker connected to a television
`
`with the display of related content on the screen of the television and sound from
`
`the television’s internal speakers. The solution provided by the ’803 patent is to (1)
`
`identify the type of external device that is coupled to television and either (2)
`
`bypass audio processing by the television if such processing should not be done or
`
`is performed internally by the external device, or (3) provide processed audio
`
`signals to the external device delayed to match the video displayed on the TV to
`
`avoid “uncoincident lip-sync” during reproduction of sound on an external audio
`
`device (a speaker). Ex. 1005 at ¶68. As explained herein, the prior art, namely
`
`U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0117858 (Boudreau et. al., Ex. 1003) had already
`
`recognized and solved this issue in a manner that renders obvious the invention of
`
`the ’803 patent as claimed. Id. As a consequence, all claims of the ’803 patent are
`
`unpatentable.
`
`II. MANDATORY NOTICES
`
`A. Real Party-in-Interest
`Petitioners identify TCL Electronics Holdings Ltd. (f/k/a TCL Multimedia
`
`Technology Holdings, Ltd.); TCL Industries Holdings Co., Ltd.; TCL Industries
`
`1 All exhibit page numbers reference the page numbers in the original exhibit.
`1
`
`

`

`IPR2023-00240, Petition for Inter Partes Review
`U.S. Patent No. 7,982,803
`
`Holdings (H.K.) Limited; TTE Technology, Inc. (d/b/a TCL North America); TTE
`
`Corporation; TCL Moka International Limited; TCL Moka Manufactruing S.A. de
`
`C.V.; TCL King Electrical Appliances (Huizhou) Co. Ltd.; Manufacturas
`
`Avanzadas S.A. de C.V.; TCL Smart Device (Vietnam) Co., Ltd.; Shenzhen TCL
`
`New Technology Co., Ltd.; TCL Optoelectronics Technology (Huizhou) Co., Ltd.;
`
`TCL Overseas Marketing Ltd.; TCL Technology Group Corporation (f/k/a TCL
`
`Corp.), as the real parties-in-interest.
`
`B. Related Matters
`Petitioners state that, as of the filing date of this Petition, the ʼ803 patent is
`
`involved in litigation in the Eastern District of Texas, captioned LG Electronics
`
`Inc. v. TCL Electronics Holdings Ltd. (f/k/a TCL Multimedia Technology
`
`Holdings, Ltd.) et al., Case No. 2:22-cv-00122-JRG. LG Electronics Inc. is
`
`referred to herein as “Patent Owner” or “PO”). Petitioners are not aware of any
`
`other judicial or administrative matter involving the ʼ803 patent which would
`
`affect, or be affected by, a decision in this IPR.
`
`C. Lead and Back-Up Counsel
`Petitioners provide the following designation of counsel:
`
`Lead Counsel: Jeremy D. Peterson (Reg. No. 52,115)
`
`Backup Counsel: Bradford A. Cangro (Reg. No. 58,478)
`
`2
`
`

`

`IPR2023-00240, Petition for Inter Partes Review
`U.S. Patent No. 7,982,803
`
`D. Service Information
`Petitioners state that postal mailings and hand-deliveries should be addressed
`
`to:
`
`Jeremy D. Peterson
`PV Law LLP
`5335 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Suite 440
`Washington, DC 20015-2052
`Telephone: 202.871.0140
`Facsimile: 202.888.3163
`
`Petitioners consent to electronic service by email at the following email
`
`addresses:
`
`jeremy.peterson@pvuslaw.com
`bradford.cangro@pvuslaw.com
`LGE-IPRs@pvuslaw.com
`
`III. PAYMENT OF FEES
`
`The required fees are submitted herewith. If any additional fees are due at
`
`any time during this proceeding, the Office is authorized to charge such fees to
`
`Deposit Account No. 60-3815.
`
`IV. REQUIREMENTS FOR INTER PARTES REVIEW UNDER 37 C.F.R.
`§ 42.104
`
`A. Grounds for Standing
`Petitioners certify that the ʼ803 patent is available for IPR and that
`
`Petitioners are not barred or estopped from requesting IPR challenging the claims
`
`of the ʼ803 patent under 37 C.F.R. § 42.101.
`
`3
`
`

`

`IPR2023-00240, Petition for Inter Partes Review
`U.S. Patent No. 7,982,803
`
`B. Claims for Which Review Is Requested
`Petitioners request IPR of claims 1-18 of the ʼ803 patent.
`
`C. Statutory Grounds of Challenge
`Petitioners identify the specific statutory grounds on which the challenges
`
`are based as follows:
`
`Ground Statute
`1
`Post A.I.A. 35
`U.S.C. 103
`
`Reference(s)
`Boudreau et al.
`
`Claim(s)
`1 – 18
`
`D. Proposed Claim Constructions
`Pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 42.104(b)(3), Petitioners propose the claims of the
`
`’803 patent should be interpreted according to the plain and ordinary meaning as
`
`they would have been understood by a POSITA at the time of the purported
`
`invention of the ʼ803 patent in light of the claim language, the specification, and
`
`the prosecution history. Ex. 1005 at ⁋87.
`
`E. How the Construed Claims Are Unpatentable
`Petitioners provide an explanation of how the claims of the ʼ803 patent are
`
`unpatentable under the statutory grounds identified above in section VII infra.
`
`F. Supporting Evidence
`Petitioners’ Exhibits List, supra, identifies the exhibit numbers of the
`
`supporting evidence relied upon in the challenges in section VII, infra.
`
`4
`
`

`

`IPR2023-00240, Petition for Inter Partes Review
`U.S. Patent No. 7,982,803
`
`V.
`
`THE ʼ803 PATENT
`
`A. Summary of the ʼ803 Patent
`The ’803 patent, entitled “Audio and Video Synchronizing Apparatus and
`
`Method” issued from an application filed on April 10, 2006. This application
`
`claims priority to a Korean patent application filed on April 15, 2005. Ex. 1001 at
`
`(30).
`
`At the time of the invention of the ’803 patent, a television or a set top
`
`(cable) box used with a television, predominantly received encoded video and
`
`audio signals from broadcast TV, a cable provider, or a satellite provider. Ex. 1005
`
`at ¶60. Referring to FIG. 3 of the ’803 patent, it was known that unprocessed video
`
`signal Vin can be routed to a video decoder 42 through path P1 or to video output
`
`port Vout through path P2. The unprocessed audio signal Ain can be provided to
`
`decoder & amplifier 45 or routed to the audio output Aout through path P4. Id. at
`
`¶-61.
`
`5
`
`

`

`IPR2023-00240, Petition for Inter Partes Review
`U.S. Patent No. 7,982,803
`
`Ex. 1001 at FIG.3.
`
`Assuming the audio and video inputs of a VCR are connected to Vout and
`
`Aout, during VCR recording the video and audio signals as received by the
`
`television or STB will bypass the path P1 and the audio decoder & amplifier 45
`
`and are routed directly to the video and audio outputs, Vout and Aout. Ex. 1005 at
`
`¶62. When the Vin and Ain signals are to be reproduced by the display and
`
`speaker(s) of the television, the signals Vin follow path P1 to the video decoder 41
`
`and the signals Ain are provided as inputs to the audio decoder & amplifier 45 to
`
`be processed for display on the display 44 of the TV and reproduction through the
`
`TV’s speaker(s) 46. Id. at ¶63. In this case the signals Vin and Ain do not bypass
`
`video and audio processing as evident from Ex. 1001 FIG. 3. Id.
`
`6
`
`

`

`IPR2023-00240, Petition for Inter Partes Review
`U.S. Patent No. 7,982,803
`
`Referring further to FIG. 3, a digital TV includes “a video decoder 42
`
`decoding the video signal inputted through the AV switch 41, a video
`
`scaler/processor 43 scaling the decoded video signal, converting a format of the
`
`signal and then outputting the signal, a display 44 displaying the video signal
`
`outputted from the video scaler/processor 43, an audio decoder/amplifier 45
`
`decoding and amplifying the audio signal inputted through the AV switch 41, and a
`
`TV speaker 46 outputting the decoded and amplified audio signal.” Ex. 1001 at
`
`4:8-21; Ex. 1005 at ¶64. Instead of a VCR, the signals Aout can be provided to an
`
`external audio amplifier or device (sound bar for example) to enhance the sound
`
`quality beyond the sound from only the speaker(s) of the television. Ex. 1005 at
`
`¶65.
`
`When a user connects an external audio device to the audio outputs Aout
`
`and views a program on the TV screen, synchronization between the displayed
`
`images and the sound from the audio device/remote speaker must be achieved
`
`otherwise “the user may have to put up with inconvenience of uncoincident lip-
`
`sync when viewing an image through a digital TV while listening to a sound
`
`through an audio device by connecting the audio device to the TV.” Ex. 1001 at
`
`6:60-64; Ex. 1005 at ¶66. One reason is because “it takes relatively long time for
`
`the digital TV to process the digital video signal as compared to the time it takes to
`
`process the audio signal.” Ex, 1001 at 2:8-10; Ex. 1005 at ¶66.
`
`7
`
`

`

`IPR2023-00240, Petition for Inter Partes Review
`U.S. Patent No. 7,982,803
`
`The ’803 patent relates to resolving synchronization issues that arise when
`
`different devices having different audio processing capabilities can be connected to
`
`Vout and Aout. Ex. 1005 at ¶67. The processing capabilities or limitations of the
`
`connected device dictate whether processed or unprocessed audio signals are
`
`appropriate inputs to the external devices. Id. For example, to ensure audio
`
`synchronization of an external audio device/speaker with the video being displayed
`
`on the screen of the television the processed audio signals provided to the TV
`
`speakers 46 must also be provided to an external speaker connected to Aout to
`
`avoid “uncoincident lip-sync.” Id. The solution provided by the ’803 patent is to
`
`(1) identify the type of external device that is coupled to Vout or Aout and either
`
`(2) bypass audio processing if such processing should not be done or is performed
`
`internally by the external device, or (3) provide processed audio signals to the
`
`external device delayed to match the video displayed on the TV to avoid
`
`“uncoincident lip-sync” during reproduction of sound on an external audio device
`
`(a speaker). Id. at ¶68. As explained below with reference to Boudreau et al., the
`
`prior art had already recognized and solved this issue in a manner that renders
`
`obvious the invention of the ’803 patent as claimed. Id.
`
`FIG. 3 of the ’803 patent illustrates an audio and video processing unit in a
`
`digital TV. Ex. 1001 at 3:55-56; Ex. 1005 at ¶69.
`
`8
`
`

`

`IPR2023-00240, Petition for Inter Partes Review
`U.S. Patent No. 7,982,803
`
`Ex. 1001, Fig. 3.
`
`A digital TV includes an AV switch 41 inputting a video signal (Vin) and an
`
`audio signal (Ain), a video decoder 42 and a scaler/processor 43 converting the
`
`video signal and outputting it, a TV display 44, an audio decoder/amplifier 45, and
`
`a TV speaker 46. Ex. 1001 at 4:3-15; Ex. 1005 at ¶70.
`
`The AV switch 41 controls processing paths of the audio signal and the
`
`video signal within the signal processing system. Ex. 1005 at ¶71. The video signal
`
`(Vin) and the audio signal (Ain) are, for example, received broadcasting signals,
`
`audio and video signals inputted from an external device, or audio and video
`
`9
`
`

`

`IPR2023-00240, Petition for Inter Partes Review
`U.S. Patent No. 7,982,803
`
`signals from, for example, a VCR. Ex. 1001 at 4:16-21; Ex. 1005 at ¶71. The time
`
`required to process the video signal is longer than the time required to process the
`
`audio signal. Therefore, the audio signal is delayed synchronizing the video signal
`
`and audio signal provided to the display 44 and speaker(s) 46, respectively. Ex.
`
`1001 at 4:46-58; Ex. 1005 at ¶71.
`
`Vin and Ain can also be directly routed by the AV switch 41 to monitor
`
`outputs Vout and Aout, respectively. Id. at ¶72. This is shown in paths P2 and P4
`
`in Fig. 3. Id. In such an instance the signals provided to the monitor outputs
`
`bypass the video and audio processing circuitry and are unaffected by the above-
`
`described signal delays. Id. Aout and Vout are synchronized at the monitor output
`
`ports. Ex. 1001 at 5:33-39; Ex. 1005 at ¶72.
`
`The video signal of the second video path (P2) is synchronized with the
`
`audio signal of the second audio path (P4), but the video signal of the first video
`
`path (P1) is not synchronized with the audio signal of the second audio path (P4).
`
`Ex. 1005 at ¶73. Likewise, the audio signal outputted to the TV speaker 46 is not
`
`synchronized with the audio signal of the second audio path (P4). Id.
`
`Consequently, an audio system connected to the monitor output port to listen to
`
`sound will not be synchronized with images from the TV screen. Ex. 1001 at 5:45-
`
`54; Ex. 1005 at ¶73.
`
`10
`
`

`

`IPR2023-00240, Petition for Inter Partes Review
`U.S. Patent No. 7,982,803
`
`Fig. 4 shows a system according to the invention of the ’803 patent for also
`
`synchronizing an audio signal with a video signal when a user views an image
`
`through a TV screen while listening to an external audio system connected to the
`
`monitor output port. Ex. 1001 at 5:65-6:3; Ex. 1005 at ¶74.
`
`Ex. 1001, Fig. 4.
`
`A third audio path (P5) is provided between an output port of the audio
`
`decoder/amplifi