IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Elenga et al.
`In re Patent of:
`Attorney Docket No. 50095-0179IP1
`9,941,830
`U.S. Patent No.:
`
`April 10, 2018
`Issue Date:
`
`Appl. Serial No.: 15/181,249
`
`Filing Date:
`June 13, 2016
`Title:
`LINEAR VIBRATION MODULES AND LINEAR-RESONANT
`VIBRATION MODULES
`
`
`
`Mail Stop Patent Board
`Patent Trial and Appeal Board
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`
`
`PETITION FOR INTER PARTES REVIEW OF UNITED STATES PATENT
`NO. 9,941,830 PURSUANT TO 35 U.S.C. §§ 311–319, 37 C.F.R. § 42
`
`
`
`

`

`Attorney Docket No. 50095-0179IP1
`IPR of U.S. Patent No. 9,941,830
`
`
`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`
`I.
`
`II.
`
`INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................... 1
`
`REQUIREMENTS FOR IPR .......................................................................... 1
`A. Grounds ..................................................................................................... 1
`B. Challenge and Relief Requested ............................................................... 1
`C. Claim Construction ................................................................................... 2
`1. Means-Plus-Function Terms ........................................................... 3
`
`III.
`
`’830 PATENT .................................................................................................. 7
`A. Brief Description ....................................................................................... 7
`B. Prosecution History ................................................................................... 7
`
`IV. APPLICATION OF PRIOR ART ................................................................... 8
`A. GROUND 1A: Gregorio Renders Obvious Claims 1-7 (Plain-and-
`Ordinary Meaning and Patent Owner’s Means-Plus-Function
`Construction)............................................................................................. 8
`1. Gregorio ........................................................................................... 8
`2. Analysis .........................................................................................11
`B. GROUND 1B: Gregorio-Wakuda Renders Obvious Claims 8, 14, 19
`(Plain-and-Ordinary Meaning and Patent Owner’s Means-Plus-Function
`Construction)...........................................................................................26
`1. Wakuda ..........................................................................................26
`2. Gregorio-Wakuda ..........................................................................26
`3. Analysis .........................................................................................29
`C. GROUND 1C: Gregorio-Tierling Renders Obvious Claims 15, 16, 20
`(Plain-and-Ordinary Meaning and Patent Owner’s Means-Plus-Function
`Construction)...........................................................................................36
`1.
`Tierling ..........................................................................................36
`2. Gregorio-Tierling ..........................................................................38
`3. Analysis .........................................................................................40
`D. GROUND 1D: Gregorio-Ramsay Renders Obvious Claims 1-7, 15, 17,
`20 (Plain-and-Ordinary Meaning and Patent Owner’s Means-Plus-
`Function Construction) ...........................................................................45
`1.
`Ramsay ..........................................................................................45
`2. Gregorio-Ramsay ..........................................................................46
`3. Analysis .........................................................................................50
`
`i
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`

`

`Attorney Docket No. 50095-0179IP1
`IPR of U.S. Patent No. 9,941,830
`
`E. GROUNDS 1E-1F: Modifications to Gregorio-Ramsay Over Remaining
`Claims (Plain-and-Ordinary Meaning and Patent Owner’s Means-Plus-
`Function Construction) ...........................................................................53
`F. GROUND 2A: Gregorio-Ramsay-Rossi-Aldrich Renders Obvious
`Claims 1-7, 15, 17, 20 (Both Parties’ Means-Plus-Function
`Constructions) .........................................................................................54
`1.
`Rossi ..............................................................................................54
`2. Aldrich ...........................................................................................55
`3. Gregorio-Ramsay-Rossi-Aldrich ..................................................56
`4. Analysis .........................................................................................63
`G. GROUNDS 2B-2C (Both Parties’ Means-Plus-Function Constructions)
`
`75
`
`V. DISCRETIONARY CONSIDERATIONS ...................................................76
`A. The General Plastic Factors Favor Institution—§314(a) .......................76
`1.
`Factors 1, 2, 4, and 5: Apple Never Petitioned This Patent ..........76
`2.
`Factor 3: The Different Prior Art at Issue Between the Proceedings
`Ensures No Advantage Is Gained .................................................78
`Factors 6 and 7: The Distinct Grounds and Lack of Significant
`Relationship Ensure the Board’s Resources and Ability to Render
`a Decision Within the Statutory Timeframe Are Not Significantly
`Impacted ........................................................................................79
`B. The Advanced Bionics Test Favors Institution—§325(d) ......................80
`C. The Fintiv Factors Favor Institution—§314(a) ......................................80
`
`3.
`
`VI. PAYMENT OF FEES ...................................................................................82
`
`VII. CONCLUSION ..............................................................................................82
`
`VIII. MANDATORY NOTICES UNDER 37 C.F.R § 42.8(a)(1) .........................82
`A. Real Party-In-Interest Under 37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(1)..............................82
`B. Related Matters Under 37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(2) .......................................82
`C. Lead And Back-Up Counsel Under 37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(3) ...................83
`D. Service Information ................................................................................83
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ii
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`

`

`Attorney Docket No. 50095-0179IP1
`IPR of U.S. Patent No. 9,941,830
`
`
`LIST OF EXHIBITS
`
`APPLE-1001
`
`U.S. Patent No. 9,941,830
`
`APPLE-1002
`
`U.S. Patent No. 9,941,830 File History
`
`APPLE-1003
`
`Declaration of Blake Hannaford
`
`APPLE-1004
`
`U.S. Patent No. 7,843,277 to Pedro Gregorio, et al.
`(“Gregorio”)
`
`APPLE-1005
`
`U.S. Patent No. 7,005,811 to Hiroshi Wakuda, et al.
`(“Wakuda”)
`
`APPLE-1006
`
`U.S. Patent Application Publication. No. 2008/0294984 to Erin
`B. Ramsay, et al. (“Ramsay”)
`
`APPLE-1007
`
`U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0109256 to
`Danny A. Grant, et al. (“Grant”)
`
`APPLE-1008
`
`U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0134561 to
`Kollin M. Tierling, et al. (“Tierling”)
`
`APPLE-1009
`
`U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0246532 (“Cosper”)
`
`APPLE-1010
`
`U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0198139 to
`Robert Andre Lacroix, et al. (“Lacroix”)
`
`APPLE-1011
`
`U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0134562 to
`Danny Grant, et al.
`
`APPLE-1012
`
`C. McLyman, Chapter 1 – Fundamentals of Magnetics in
`Transformer and Inductor Design Handbook, Marcel Dekker,
`Third Edition, Revised and Expanded, 2004
`
`APPLE-1013
`
`U.S. Patent No. 6,088,017 to Mark R. Tremblay, et al.
`
`iii
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`

`Attorney Docket No. 50095-0179IP1
`IPR of U.S. Patent No. 9,941,830
`
`
`APPLE-1014
`
`U.S. Patent No. 8,686,952 to Bobby Burrough, et al.
`
`APPLE-1015
`
`U.S. Patent No. 8,207,832 to Jue Byung Yun, et al.
`
`APPLE-1016
`
`U.S. Patent No. 8,203,640 to Jong Hwan Kim, et al.
`
`APPLE-1017
`
`U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0285216 to
`Kollin M. Tierling, et al.
`
`APPLE-1018
`
`Thorsten A. Kern, Engineering Haptic Devices: A Beginner's
`Guide for Engineers, Springer, 2009
`
`APPLE-1019
`
`U.S. Patent No. 6,982,696 to Erik J. Shahoian
`
`APPLE-1020
`
`U.S. Patent No. 4,879,641 to Domenico Rossi, et al. (“Rossi”)
`
`APPLE-1021
`
`Jack Aldrich, et al, Controller for Driving a Piezoelectric
`Actuator at Resonance, NASA Tech Briefs, April 2008
`(“Aldrich”)
`
`APPLE-1022
`
`Declaration of June Munford re Aldrich
`
`APPLE-1023
`
`U.S. Patent No. 7,027,032 to Louis B. Rosenberg, et al.
`(“Rosenberg”)
`
`
`APPLE-1024
`
`U.S. Patent No. 5,736,797 to Ryo Motohashi, et al.
`(“Motohashi”)
`
`APPLE-1025
`
`U.S. Patent No. 5,955,799 to Hidetoshi Amaya, et al.
`(“Amaya”)
`
`APPLE-1026
`
`J. Peckol, Embedded Systems, A contemporary Design Tool,
`2008 (“Peckol”)
`
`APPLE-1027
`
`Corrosion - two case studies: aluminium and iron, Primary
`Connections: Linking science with literacy, available at
`https://www.primaryconnections.org.au/themes/custom/connect
`
`iv
`
`

`

`Attorney Docket No. 50095-0179IP1
`IPR of U.S. Patent No. 9,941,830
`
`
`ions/assets/SBR/data/Chem/sub/corrosion/corrosion.htm#:~:tex
`t=When%20it%20starts%20to%20corrode,keep%20attacking%
`20the%20underlying%20iron (retrieved 2/12/2024)
`
`APPLE-1028
`
`How to Protect Aluminum From Corrosion, OneMonroe,
`available at https://monroeengineering.com/blog/how-to-
`protect-aluminum-from-corrosion/ (retrieved 2/12/2024)
`
`APPLE-1029
`
`Electrical Conductivity of Materials, Blue Sea Systems,
`https://www.bluesea.com/resources/108/Electrical_Conductivit
`y_of_Materials (retrieved 2/12/2024)
`
`APPLE-1030
`
`Thermal Conductivity, available at hyperphysics.phy-
`astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Tables/thrcn.html (retrieved 2/12/2024)
`
`APPLE-1031
`
`U.S. Patent No. 8,134,437 to Elliot Brooks
`
`APPLE-1032
`
`Magnetic Materials, Phys 251; archived at Wayback Machine;
`citing a capture dated March 23, 2002
`(https://web.archive.org/web/20020323183824/http://webphysi
`cs.iupui.edu/webscience/physics_archive/magneticmaterials.ht
`ml)
`
`APPLE-1033
`
`Resonant Systems Proposed Claim Constructions, 7-23-cv-
`00077 (WDTX) (Feb. 15, 2024)
`
`APPLE-1034
`
`Apple, Inc. Proposed Claim Constructions, 7-23-cv-00077
`(WDTX) (Feb. 15, 2024)
`
`APPLE-1035
`
`Types of Magnetism, DolTPoMS, Department of Materials
`Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge; archived at
`Wayback Machine; citing a capture dated October 9, 2006
`(https://web.archive.org/web/20061015000000*/https://www.d
`oitpoms.ac.uk/tlplib/ferromagnetic/types.php)
`
`APPLE-1036
`
`Motion to Transfer Venue, 7-23-cv-00077 (WDTX)
`
`v
`
`

`

`Attorney Docket No. 50095-0179IP1
`IPR of U.S. Patent No. 9,941,830
`
`
`APPLE-1037
`
`APPLE-1038
`
`Moskowitz, B.M. (1991). Hitchhiker’s Guide to Magnetism. In
`Environmental Magnetism Workshop, pp. 1–38. Minneapolis:
`The Institute for Rock Magnetism and the Global Paleorecords
`Research Training Group
`
`Resistance and Ohm’s Law; archived at Wayback Machine;
`citing a capture dated February 18, 1999
`(https://web.archive.org/web/19990218085938/https://physics.b
`u.edu/~duffy/PY106/Resistance.html)
`
`APPLE-1039
`
`[RESERVED]
`
`APPLE-1040
`
`U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0133682 (“Egger”)
`
`APPLE-1041
`
`U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0001484 (“Fuller”)
`
`APPLE-1042
`
`U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0145547 (“Kraus”)
`
`APPLE-1043
`
`U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0275294 (“Izumi”)
`
`APPLE-1044
`
`Resonant Systems Preliminary Infringement Contentions, 7-23-
`cv-00077 (WDTX) (October 5, 2023)
`
`APPLE-1045
`
`Resonant Systems Opening Claim Construction Brief, Resonant
`Systems, Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al., 2-22-cv-
`00423 (EDTX) (December 21, 2023)
`
`APPLE-1046
`
`Apple, Inc. Opening Claim Construction Brief, 7-23-cv-00077
`(WDTX) (March 21, 2024)
`
`APPLE-1047
`
`Resonant Systems, Inc’s Responsive Claim Construction Brief,
`7-23-cv-00077 (WDTX) (April 11, 2024)
`
`
`
`
`
`vi
`
`

`

`Attorney Docket No. 50095-0179IP1
`IPR of U.S. Patent No. 9,941,830
`
`
`LISTING OF CLAIMS
`
`Claim 1
`
`[1pre] A vibration module comprising:
`
`[1a]
`
`a housing;
`
`[1b]
`
`a moveable component;
`
`[1c]
`
`a power supply;
`
`[1d]
`
`user-input features;
`
`[1e]
`
`[1f]
`
`Claim 2
`
`[2]
`
`Claim 3
`
`[3]
`
`a driving component that drives the moveable component to oscillate
`within the housing; and
`
`a control component that controls supply of power from the power
`supply to the driving component to cause the moveable component to
`oscillate at a frequency and an amplitude specified by one or more
`stored values.
`
`The vibration module of claim 1 wherein the control component is one
`of: an variable oscillator circuit with additional control circuitry; and a
`control component that includes a microprocessor, a control program,
`stored in an electronic memory within, or separate from, the
`microprocessor, the control program executed by the microprocessor to
`control supply of power from the power supply to the driving
`component to cause the moveable component to oscillate at a frequency
`and an amplitude specified by the one or more stored values.
`
`The vibration module of claim 1 wherein the control component
`receives output signals from sensors within the vibration module during
`operation of the vibration module and adjusts one or more operational
`control outputs of the control component according to the received
`output signals from the sensors.
`
`vii
`
`

`

`Attorney Docket No. 50095-0179IP1
`IPR of U.S. Patent No. 9,941,830
`
`
`Claim 4
`
`[4]
`
`Claim 5
`
`[5a]
`
`[5b]
`
`Claim 6
`
`[6a]
`
`The vibration module of claim 1 wherein the control component adjusts
`the one or more operational control outputs of the control component
`according to the received output signals from the sensors in order that
`subsequent operation of the vibration module produces desired outputs
`from the one or more sensors corresponding to one or more operational
`control parameters.
`
`The vibration module of claim 4 wherein the one or more operational
`control parameters is a strength of vibration produced by the oscillation
`of the moveable component; and
`
`wherein the one or more operational control outputs is a frequency at
`which the control component drives the moveable component to
`oscillate, the control component dynamically adjusting the power
`supplied to the driving component to produce oscillation of the movable
`component at a resonant frequency for the vibration module.
`
`The vibration module of claim 4 wherein the one or more operational
`control parameters include both a strength of vibration produced by the
`oscillation of the moveable component and a current operational mode;
`and
`
`[6b]
`
`wherein the one or more operational control outputs is a control output
`that determines a current supplied by the power supply to the driving
`component and a frequency at which the control component drives the
`moveable component to oscillate.
`
`Claim 7
`
`[7]
`
`The vibration module of claim 1 wherein the driving component
`comprises one or more electromagnetic coils that generate magnetic
`fields parallel to the directions in which the moveable component is
`driven by the driving component.
`
`viii
`
`

`

`Attorney Docket No. 50095-0179IP1
`IPR of U.S. Patent No. 9,941,830
`
`
`Claim 8
`
`[8a]
`
`The vibration module of claim 1 wherein the housing is a tube, capped
`at both ends by movable-component-repelling components selected
`from one of mechanical springs and magnets;
`
`[8b]
`
`wherein the movable component is a magnet shaped to slide within the
`tube; and
`
`[8c]
`
`wherein the driving component is an electromagnetic coil.
`
`Claim 14
`
`[14]
`
`The vibration module of claim 1 further including flux paths
`comprising a paramagnetic material that is shaped and positioned to
`reduce the reluctance of one or more magnetic circuits within the
`vibration module.
`
`Claim 15
`
`[15]
`
`The vibration module of claim 1 wherein the control component drives
`simultaneous oscillation of the moveable component at two or more
`frequencies to generate complex vibration modes.
`
`Claim 16
`
`[16]
`
`The vibration module of claim 15 wherein the complex vibration modes
`include: a primary oscillation frequency modulated by a modulating
`oscillation frequency; a beat frequency; and an aperiodic oscillation
`waveform.
`
`Claim 17
`
`[17]
`
`The vibration module of claim 1 wherein the control component
`controls supply of power from the power supply to the driving
`component to cause the moveable component to oscillate at a frequency
`and an amplitude that are independently specified by user input
`received from the user-input features.
`
`Claim 19
`
`ix
`
`

`

`Attorney Docket No. 50095-0179IP1
`IPR of U.S. Patent No. 9,941,830
`
`
`[19pre] A vibration module comprising:
`
`[19a]
`
`a housing;
`
`[19b]
`
`a moveable component;
`
`[19c]
`
`a power supply;
`
`[19d]
`
`user-input features;
`
`[19e]
`
`[19f]
`
`a driving component that drives the moveable component to oscillate
`within the housing;
`
`a control component that controls supply of power from the power
`supply to the driving component to cause the moveable component to
`oscillate at a frequency and an amplitude specified by one or more
`stored values; and
`
`[19g]
`
`flux paths comprising a paramagnetic material that is shaped and
`positioned to reduce the reluctance of one or more magnetic circuits
`within the vibration module.
`
`Claim 20
`
`[20pre] A vibration module comprising:
`
`[20a]
`
`a housing;
`
`[20b]
`
`a moveable component;
`
`[20c]
`
`a power supply;
`
`[20d]
`
`user-input features;
`
`[20e]
`
`[20f]
`
`a driving component that drives the moveable component to oscillate
`within the housing; and
`
`a control component that controls supply of power from the power
`supply to the driving component to cause the moveable component to
`oscillate at a frequency and an amplitude specified by one or more
`stored values,
`
`x
`
`

`

`Attorney Docket No. 50095-0179IP1
`IPR of U.S. Patent No. 9,941,830
`
`
`[20g] wherein the control component drives simultaneous oscillation of the
`moveable component at two or more frequencies to generate complex
`vibration modes.
`
`
`
`xi
`
`

`

`Attorney Docket No. 50095-0179IP1
`IPR of U.S. Patent No. 9,941,830
`
`
`I.
`
`INTRODUCTION
`
`Apple Inc. (“Apple” or “Petitioner”) petitions for IPR of claims 1-8, 14-17,
`
`19, and 20 (“Challenged Claims”) of U.S. Patent No. 9,941,830 (“the ’830
`
`patent”).
`
`II. REQUIREMENTS FOR IPR
`
`A. Grounds
`
`Apple certifies that the ’830 patent is available for IPR and Petitioner is not
`
`barred or estopped from requesting this review of the Challenged Claims on the
`
`below-identified grounds.
`
`B. Challenge and Relief Requested
`
`The Challenged Claims are invalid based on the grounds below. Dr.
`
`Hannaford provides supporting testimony (APPLE-1003).
`
`Ground
`
`1A
`
`1B
`
`1C
`
`1D
`
`1E
`
`1F
`
`2A
`
`2B
`
`2C
`
`Claims
`
`1-7
`
`8, 14, 19
`
`15, 16, 20
`
`1-7, 15, 17, 20
`
`8, 14, 19
`
`15, 16, 20
`
`1-7, 15, 17, 20
`
`
`8, 14, 19
`
`§103
`
`Gregorio
`
`Gregorio, Wakuda
`
`Gregorio, Tierling
`
`Gregorio, Ramsay
`
`Gregorio, Ramsay, Wakuda
`
`Gregorio, Ramsay, Tierling
`
`Gregorio, Ramsay,
`Rossi, Aldrich
`
`Gregorio, Ramsay,
`Rossi, Aldrich, Wakuda
`
`15, 16, 20
`
`Gregorio, Ramsay,
`
`1
`
`

`

`Attorney Docket No. 50095-0179IP1
`IPR of U.S. Patent No. 9,941,830
`
`
`Ground
`
`Claims
`
`§103
`
`Rossi, Aldrich, Tierling
`
`Each applied reference predates U.S. provisional application 61/179,109,
`
`filed on May 18, 2009 (“Critical Date”), which is the earliest filed application from
`
`which the ’830 patent claims priority. Petitioner does not concede that the Critical
`
`Date is the priority date of May 18, 2009, but has applied references that predate
`
`the Critical Date and qualify as prior art as shown below.
`
`Reference
`
`Gregorio
`
`Wakuda
`
`Tierling
`
`Ramsay
`
`Rossi
`
`Aldrich
`
`Date
`
`Pre-AIA Section
`
`12/16/2008 (filed),
`11/30/2010 (published)
`
`2/28/2006
`
`6/23/2005
`
`11/27/2008
`
`11/7/1989
`
`4/2008
`
`§102(e)
`
`§102(b)
`
`§102(b)
`
`§102(a)
`
`§102(b)
`
`§102(b)
`
`C. Claim Construction
`
`All claim terms should be construed according to the Phillips standard. The
`
`Board has repeatedly explained that “claim terms need only be construed to the
`
`extent necessary to resolve the controversy.” Wellman, Inc. v. Eastman Chem. Co.,
`
`642 F.3d 1355, 1361 (Fed. Cir. 2011). As the prior art discloses the claims under
`
`each of the constructions offered in the Petition, the Board need not construe the
`
`claims to resolve unpatentability. Id.
`
`2
`
`

`

`Attorney Docket No. 50095-0179IP1
`IPR of U.S. Patent No. 9,941,830
`
`
`1. Means-Plus-Function Terms
`
`Certain claims recite “driving component” and “control component” as
`
`discussed below. These terms do not recite “means for” and thus a presumption
`
`exists that these terms are not subject to 35 U.S.C. §112(¶6). Although Patent
`
`Owner currently agrees in co-pending litigation that the terms “control component”
`
`and “driving component” (as discussed below) should be interpreted according to
`
`the means-plus-function construction, Patent Owner initially asserted that these
`
`terms are under the plain-and-ordinary meaning interpretation and, even now,
`
`Patent Owner’s indication of corresponding structures under the means-plus-
`
`function construction does not align with its position in parallel litigation against
`
`Samsung Electronics (2:22-cv-00423). APPLE-1033, 1-4; APPLE-1045, 14-22.
`
`In view of Patent Owner’s inconsistent positions, this Petition demonstrates
`
`unpatentability by applying both the plain-and-ordinary meaning and the means-
`
`plus-function meaning of these terms. Indeed, the Petition’s plain-and-ordinary
`
`meaning interpretation (Grounds 1A-1F) and means-plus-function interpretation
`
`(Grounds 2A-2C) cover all of Patent Owner’s various means-plus-function
`
`treatments of the terms.
`
`The corresponding analysis and construction under 35 U.S.C. §112(¶6) for
`
`each term is provided below. Regardless of the interpretation adopted, the instant
`
`record demonstrates that the implicated terms are plainly satisfied in view of the
`
`3
`
`

`

`Attorney Docket No. 50095-0179IP1
`IPR of U.S. Patent No. 9,941,830
`
`
`overlap between the prior art cited herein and the ’830 patent specification.
`
`General Electric Co., IPR2018-00928, Paper 9, 12-16 (“the rule does not prohibit a
`
`petitioner from submitting more than one construction”); Intel Corp., IPR2018-
`
`01340, Paper 8, 11-13; APPLE-1003, [21]-[32].
`
`(a)
`
`“control component”
`
`Claims 1 and 19 recite that the “control component” performs a specified
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`function (“controls supply of power from the power supply to the driving
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`component to cause the moveable component to oscillate at a frequency and an
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`amplitude specified by one or more stored values”). This Petition treats “control
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`component” in claims 1 and 19 as including one of the switches shown in Figures
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`5A-6 and described at 5:52-6:5, 6:9-16, and the processor (also referred to as
`
`microprocessor, microcontroller, or CPU) that performs the algorithm shown in
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`Figures 7A-7C and described at 6:52-8:40. APPLE-1046, 13; APPLE-1034, 6;
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`APPLE-1003, [24]. The Petition treats this structure and its equivalents as the
`
`corresponding structure for the “control component” in claims 1 and 19.
`
`Claim 20 recites that the “control component” performs a specified function
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`(“controls supply of power from the power supply to the driving component to
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`cause the moveable component to oscillate at a frequency and an amplitude
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`specified by one or more stored values” and “drives simultaneous oscillation of the
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`moveable component at two or more frequencies to generate complex vibration
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`4
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`Attorney Docket No. 50095-0179IP1
`IPR of U.S. Patent No. 9,941,830
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`modes”). This Petition treats “control component” in claim 20 as including one of
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`the switches shown in Figures 5A-6 and described at 5:52-6:5, 6:9-16, and the
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`processor (also referred to as microprocessor, microcontroller, or CPU) that
`
`performs the algorithm shown in Figures 7A-7C and described at 6:52-8:40 and
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`13:20-59. APPLE-1046, 12-13; APPLE-1034, 6; APPLE-1003, [25]. The Petition
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`treats this structure and its equivalents as the corresponding structure for the
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`“control component.”
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`While agreeing on the means-plus-function treatment in co-pending
`
`litigation, Patent Owner identifies an alternative means-plus-function construction
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`that only includes some unspecified part of the disclosed algorithm of the ’830
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`patent. APPLE-1046, 12-13; APPLE-1047, 19-23. In related litigation against
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`Samsung Electronics, Patent Owner similarly identified alternative means-plus-
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`function constructions that only employ an oversimplified version of the ’830
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`patent’s algorithm. APPLE-1045, 14-22.
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`Regardless, the claims are unpatentable. Specifically, the claims are
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`demonstrated unpatentable in Grounds 2A-2C that apply the means-plus-function
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`interpretation of the recited control component. As Grounds 2A-2C demonstrate
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`how the prior art addresses the claims according to the narrower means-plus-
`
`function interpretation, Grounds 2A-2C likewise address Patent Owner’s broader
`
`5
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`Attorney Docket No. 50095-0179IP1
`IPR of U.S. Patent No. 9,941,830
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`means-plus-function position as to the “control component.”1 The claims are also
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`demonstrated unpatentable in Grounds 1A-1F under the plain-and-ordinary
`
`meaning and Patent Owner’s alternative means-plus-function construction.
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`APPLE-1003, [26]-[30].
`
`(b)
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`“driving component”
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`As agreed by Patent Owner in co-pending litigation, the term “driving
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`component that drives the moveable component to oscillate within the housing” is
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`a means-plus-function limitation because it uses a non-structural generic
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`placeholder (“component”) defined only by functional limitations (“driv[ing] the
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`moveable component to oscillate within the housing”). The ’830 patent describes
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`the following structures that perform the recited function when they receive
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`alternating current: “a coil of conductive wire 420” (Figures 4A-4G); “coil 514”
`
`
`1 Patent Owner argued in the Samsung litigation that the term “control component”
`
`in claims 3-5 are means-plus-function limitations. APPLE-1045, 22-28. Notably,
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`Patent Owner’s positions are the same as its position with respect to claim 1 in that
`
`litigation, or fall squarely within this Petition’s means-plus-function
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`interpretations. Id. Therefore, the Grounds in this Petition also demonstrate that
`
`claims 3-5 are unpatentable under Patent Owner’s means-plus-function positions
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`offered in the Samsung case.
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`6
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`Attorney Docket No. 50095-0179IP1
`IPR of U.S. Patent No. 9,941,830
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`(Figures 5A-5B); “coil 626” (Figure 6); “electromagnet” (Figures 10-11);
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`“additional coils 1202 and 1204” (Figure 12); “coils 1302 and 1304” (Figure 13);
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`“driving coils 1412 and 1414” (Figure 14); “coil 1510” (Figures 15-17); “stator
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`coils” (Figures 24A-25). APPLE-1001, 5:7-41, 5:61-66, 6:40-44, 9:22-64, 10:9-
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`34, 14:24-28. APPLE-1003, [31]-[32]. For the purpose of analyzing the prior art
`
`grounds, the Petition treats these structures and their equivalents as the
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`corresponding structure.
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`Regardless of means-plus-function or plain-and-ordinary meaning
`
`interpretation, all Grounds demonstrates unpatentability of the claims.
`
`III.
`
`’830 PATENT
`
`A. Brief Description
`
`The ’830 patent provides “vibration modules that can be incorporated into a
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`wide variety of different types of electromechanical devices and systems to
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`produce vibrations of selected amplitudes and frequencies over a wide range of
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`amplitude/frequency space.” APPLE-1001, 1:16-21; APPLE-1003, [39]-[48].
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`Such vibration modules “can be incorporated in a wide variety of appliances,
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`devices, and systems to provide vibrational forces.” Id., Abstract. For example,
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`“the vibrational forces are produced by a linear oscillation of a weight or
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`component within the LVM [linear vibration module].” Id., 4:21-36.
`
`B.
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`Prosecution History
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`7
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`Attorney Docket No. 50095-0179IP1
`IPR of U.S. Patent No. 9,941,830
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`The Examiner issued one office action with prior art rejections. APPLE-
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`1002, 32-37. Applicant traversed this rejection without amendment. Id., 22-25. A
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`notice of allowance was issued without reasons for allowance. Id., 10-16; APPLE-
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`1003, [49]-[59].
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`IV. APPLICATION OF PRIOR ART
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`A. GROUND 1A: Gregorio Renders Obvious Claims 1-7
`(Plain-and-Ordinary Meaning and Patent Owner’s Means-
`Plus-Function Construction)
`
`1. Gregorio
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`Gregorio’s system “drives an LRA [Linear Resonant Actuator] to generate
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`vibrotactile haptic feedback on a user interface.” APPLE-1004, 2:3-5; APPLE-
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`1003, [60]-[66]. Because “each LRA may have a different resonant frequency”
`
`and such a resonant frequency may change “due to different uses of a device or due
`
`to manufacturing tolerances,” Gregorio’s system determines “the resonant
`
`frequency of the LRA ... during a drive period and the drive signal can be adjusted
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`to maximize the haptic feedback based on the determined resonant frequency.” Id.,
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`3:1-11, 3:58-64, 2:5-9.
`
`Gregorio’s “haptically-enabled system 10” can be “a handheld device, such
`
`as a cellular telephone, PDA, computer tablet, etc.” APPLE-1004, 3:1-4. The
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`system 10 “includes a touch sensitive surface 11 or other type of user interface
`
`mounted within a housing 15.” Id., 2:10-14, Figure 1.
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`8
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`Attorney Docket No. 50095-0179IP1
`IPR of U.S. Patent No. 9,941,830
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`APPLE-1004, Figure 12
`
`
`
`Referring to Figure 1 above, “[i]nternal to system 10 is a haptic feedback
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`system that generates vibrations on system 10.” APPLE-1004, 2:14-17. The
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`haptic feedback system includes “processor 12,” “memory 20,” “actuator drive
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`circuit 16,” and “LRA actuator 18.” Id., 2:18-20. “Processor 12 can decide what
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`haptic effects are to be played and the order in which the effects are played based
`
`on high level parameters,” and “output[] the control signals to drive circuit 16
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`which includes electronic components and circuitry used to supply LRA 18 with
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`the required electrical current and voltage to cause the desired haptic effects.” Id.,
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`2:25-28, 2:36-39. “[M]emory 20 includes an LRA Drive with Resonant Frequency
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`Determination module 22 which are instructions that, when executed by processor
`
`
`2 All annotations in the figures herein are added unless otherwise indicated.
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`9
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`Attorney Docket No. 50095-0179IP1
`IPR of U.S. Patent No. 9,941,830
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`12, generate drive signals for LRA 18 while also determining the resonant
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`frequency of LRA 18 and adjusting the drive signals accordingly.” Id., 2:44-50.
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`The LRA includes “casing 25, a magnet/mass 27, a linear spring 26, and an
`
`electric coil 28.” APPLE-1004, 3:12-14, Figure 2 (below). “[W]hen current flows
`
`thru coil 28 a magnetic field forms around coil 28 which in interaction with the
`
`magnetic field of magnet 27 pushes or pulls on magnet 27. One current flow
`
`direction/polarity causes a push action and the other a pull action.” Id., 3:17-21.
`
`APPLE-1004, Figure 2
`
`
`
`Gregorio’s system performs “a continuous loop during a drive cycle that
`
`includes a drive period and a monitoring period.” APPLE-1004, 4:15-20. The
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`system “constantly and dynamically determines the resonant frequency of LRA 18
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`while during a monitoring period of a drive signal cycle.” Id., 3:65-67. “[D]uring
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`the monitoring period (approximately 10%) of the drive cycle, drive circuit 16
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`10
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`Attorney Docket No. 50095-0179IP1
`IPR of U.S. Patent No. 9,941,830
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`‘listens’ or monitors and receives magnetic back EMF (i.e., the voltage generated
`
`by the internal motion inside LRA 18) from LRA 18.” Id., 4:24-28. The received
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`back EMF is “used to determine the resonant frequency of the LRA.” Id., 4:2-5.
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`“The subsequent drive pulses are then adjusted to account for the resonant
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`frequency.” Id., 6:8-9. Gregorio’s system also uses “sensing coil, Hall sensor,
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`optical sensor or other type of sensing device that is located in proximity to mass
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`27 for detecting the position of mass 27.” Id., 4:7-14.
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`2.
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`Analysis
`
`[1pre]
`
`Gregorio discloses a vibration module, such as the combination of the
`
`“haptic feedback system” including “processor 12,” “actuator drive circuit 16,”
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`“LRA 18,” and “memory 20” and the “user interface” including “touch sensitive
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`surface 11” and “mechanical keys/buttons 13.” APPLE-1003, [92]-[93]; APPLE-
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`1004, 2:10-20.
`
`11
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`Attorney Docket No. 50095-0179IP1
`IPR of U.S. Patent No. 9,941,830
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`APPLE-1004, Figure 1
`
`
`
`[1a]
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`Gregorio’s vibration module includes a housing (“casing 25”). APPLE-
`
`1004, 3:13-15, Figure 2; APPLE-1003, [94]-[95].
`
`
`
`APPLE-1004, Figure 2
`
`12
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`Attorney Docket No. 50095-0179IP