UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`_____________________
`
`BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`_____________________
`
`APPLE INC.,
`Petitioner,
`v.
`PROXENSE, LLC,
`Patent Owner.
`_____________________
`
`Case No. IPR2025-00074
`
`U.S. Patent No. 9,679,289
`__________________________________________________________________
`
`PETITION FOR INTER PARTES REVIEW
`
`
`
`

`

`IPR2025-00074 Petition
`U.S. Patent No. 9,679,289
`
`I.
`
`II.
`
`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`REQUIREMENTS FOR IPR .......................................................................... 1
`A. Grounds for Standing ............................................................................ 1
`B.
`Challenge and Relief Requested ........................................................... 1
`C.
`Claim Construction................................................................................ 3
`1.
`Hybrid Device ............................................................................. 3
`2.
`Personal Digital Key (“PDK”) .................................................... 5
`3.
`Receiver-decoder circuit (“RDC”) .............................................. 5
`Level of Ordinary Skill in the Art ......................................................... 6
`D.
`THE ’289 PATENT ......................................................................................... 6
`A.
`Brief Description ................................................................................... 6
`B.
`Prosecution History ............................................................................... 7
`III. THE CHALLENGED CLAIMS ARE UNPATENTABLE ............................ 7
`A.
`[GROUND 1A/1B] – Claims 1-20 are rendered obvious by
`Giobbi-157 and Giobbi-139 [1A] and Giobbi-157, Giobbi-139,
`and Dua [1B] ......................................................................................... 7
`1.
`Overview of Giobbi-157 ............................................................. 7
`2.
`Overview of Giobbi-139 ...........................................................11
`3.
`The combination of Giobbi-157 and Giobbi-139 .....................13
`4.
`Overview of Dua .......................................................................22
`5.
`The combination of Giobbi-157, Giobbi-139, and Dua ...........24
`6.
`Analysis .....................................................................................26
`[GROUND 2A] – Claims 1-8, 10-11, and 14-19 are rendered
`obvious by Broadcom ..........................................................................61
`1.
`Overview of Broadcom .............................................................61
`2.
`Analysis .....................................................................................64
`[GROUND 2B] – Claims 1-20 are rendered obvious by
`Broadcom and Giobbi-157 ..................................................................83
`1.
`The combination of Broadcom and Giobbi-157 .......................83
`2.
`Analysis .....................................................................................85
`IV. PTAB DISCRETION SHOULD NOT PRECLUDE INSTITUTION .......... 88
`A.
`Joinder Not Available Because of Patent Owner’s Strategic
`Delay in Asserting ’289 Patent Against Apple ...................................88
`Discretionary Denial Not Warranted Under General Plastic .............89
`B.
`Discretionary Denial Not Warranted Under Fintiv .............................91
`C.
`D. Discretionary Denial Is Not Warranted Under §325(d) ......................92
`
`B.
`
`C.
`
`
`
`i
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`

`

`IPR2025-00074 Petition
`U.S. Patent No. 9,679,289
`CONCLUSION .............................................................................................. 92
`V.
`VI. MANDATORY NOTICES UNDER 37 C.F.R. § 42.8(a)(1) ........................ 93
`A.
`Real Party-In-Interest Under 37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(1) ..........................93
`B.
`Related Matters Under 37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(2) ...................................93
`C.
`Lead and Back-Up Counsel Under 37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(3) ................94
`D.
`Service Information .............................................................................95
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ii
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`

`

`IPR2025-00074 Petition
`U.S. Patent No. 9,679,289
`TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
`
`Federal Cases
`In re Harza, 274 F.2d 669, 124 USPQ 378 (CCPA 1960) ...................................... 48
`KSR Int’l Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 82 USPQ2d 1385 (2007) ............ 21, 84
`Phillips v. AWH Corp., 415 F.3d 1303 (Fed. Cir. 2005) ........................................... 3
`Proxense, LLC v. Apple Inc., Case No. 6:24-cv-00143 (W.D. Tex) ........... 89, 91-93
`Proxense, LLC v. Google LLC, Case No. 6:23-cv-00320 (W.D. Tex.) ................... 93
`Proxense, LLC v. Microsoft Corp., Case No. 6:23-cv-00319 ................................. 93
`Thorner v. Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC, 669 F. 3d
`1362 (Fed. Cir. 2012) ............................................................................................ 3
`Regulatory Cases
`Advanced Bionics, LLC v. Med-El Elektromedizinische Gerate
`GMBH, IPR2019-01469, Paper 6 ....................................................................... 92
`Apple Inc. v. Fintiv, Inc., IPR2020-00019, Paper 11 ............................................... 91
`Apple Inc. v. Uniloc 2017 LLC, IPR2018-00580, Paper 13 .................................... 90
`Celltrion, Inc. v. Genentech, Inc., IPR2018-01019, Paper 11 ................................. 90
`General Plastic Co., Ltd. v. Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, IPR2016-
`01357, Paper 19 .................................................................................................. 89
`Google LLC v. Proxense, LLC, IPR2024-01319 ..................................................... 93
`Microsoft Corporation v. Proxense, LLC, IPR2024-00407 .................... 3, 88-89, 93
`Sand Revolution II, LLC v. Continental Intermodal Group–Trucking
`LLC, IPR2019- 01393, Paper 24 ......................................................................... 92
`Samsung Electronics America, Inc. v. Proxesne, LLC, IPR2021-01438................... 1
`Samsung Electronics America, Inc. v. Proxesne, LLC, IPR2021-01439................... 1
`
`
`
`
`iii
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`

`

`IPR2025-00074 Petition
`U.S. Patent No. 9,679,289
`
`Federal Statutes
`35 U.S.C. § 102 ...................................................................................................... 1-2
`35 U.S.C. § 102(a) ................................................................................................. 1-2
`35 U.S.C. § 102(b) ..................................................................................................... 2
`35 U.S.C. § 102(e) ..................................................................................................... 2
`35 U.S.C. § 103 .......................................................................................................... 2
`35 U.S.C. § 112 .................................................................................................. 59, 87
`35 U.S.C. § 314(a) ................................................................................................... 91
`35 U.S.C. § 315(c) ................................................................................................... 89
`35 U.S.C. § 315(d) ................................................................................................... 91
`35 U.S.C. § 325(d) ................................................................................................... 92
`Regulations
`37 C.F.R. § 42.8(a)(1) .............................................................................................. 93
`37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(1) .............................................................................................. 93
`37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(2) .............................................................................................. 93
`37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(3) .............................................................................................. 94
`37 C.F.R. § 42.100 ..................................................................................................... 3
`37 C.F.R. § 42.122(a) ............................................................................................... 91
`37 C.F.R. § 42.122(b) .............................................................................................. 89
`
`
`
`
`
`iv
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`

`

`IPR2025-00074 Petition
`U.S. Patent No. 9,679,289
`
`EXHIBITS
`MS-1001 U.S. Patent No. 9,679,289 to David L. Brown (“the ’289 Patent”)
`MS-1002 Excerpts from the Prosecution History of the ’289 Patent (“the
`Prosecution History”)
`MS-1003 Declaration and Curriculum Vitae of Dr. Patrick Traynor
`MS-1004 Complaint, Proxense, LLC v Microsoft Corporation, 6:23-cv-00319,
`W.D. Tex., filed April 28, 2023
`MS-1005 U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0245157 A1 (“Giobbi-157”)
`MS-1006 U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0255139 A1 (“Giobbi-139”)
`MS-1007 U.S. Patent No. 9,042,819 (“Dua”)
`MS-1008 European Patent No. EP 1 536 306 A1 (“Broadcom”)
`MS-1009 Claim Construction Order, Proxense, LLC v Samsung Electronics Co.,
`Ltd, 6:21-CV-00210-ADA, W.D. Tex., filed January 18, 2022
`MS-1010 Provisional Application No. 60/798,843
`MS-1011 U.S. Patent No. 9,049,188 to David L. Brown (“the ’188 Patent”)
`MS-1012 Memorandum, Interim Procedure for Discretionary Denials in AIA
`Post-Grant Proceedings with Parallel District Court Litigation (USPTO
`June 21, 2022) (“Director’s Guidance”)
`MS-1013 Microsoft’s Opening Claim Construction Brief, 6:23-cv-00319, W.D.
`Tex., filed November 6, 2023
`MS-1014 Microsoft’s Opening Brief in support of its Motion to Dismiss for
`Failure to State a Claim, 6:23-cv-00319, W.D. Tex., filed July 10,
`2023
`MS-1015 Microsoft’s Reply in support of its Motion to Dismiss for Failure to
`State a Claim, 6:23-cv-00319, W.D. Tex., filed August 10, 2023
`MS-1016 W.D. Tex. Order Cancelling Markman Hearing, issued 1/9/2024
`
`
`
`v
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`

`

`IPR2025-00074 Petition
`U.S. Patent No. 9,679,289
`
`RESERVED
`
`EX-1017-
`EX-1018
`EX-1019 Complaint, Proxense, LLC v Apple Inc., 6:24-cv-00143, W.D. Tex.,
`filed March 18, 2024
`EX-1020 Plaintiff’s Unopposed Motion for Leave to File Amended Complaint,
`Proxense, LLC v Apple Inc., 6:24-cv-00143, W.D. Tex., filed October
`28, 2024
`EX-1021 Scheduling Order, Proxense, LLC v Apple Inc., 6:24-cv-00143, W.D.
`Tex., Dkt. 29
`EX-1022 U.S. District Courts—National Judicial Caseload Profile, available at:
`https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/data_tables/fcms_na_distp
`rofile0630.2024.pdf (retrieved October 31, 2024)
`EX-1023 Docket Sheet in Proxense LLC v. Apple Inc., W.D. Tex. (pulled
`November 1, 2024)
`EX-1024 Applications related to the ’289 Patent
`EX-1025 First Amended Complaint, Proxense, LLC v Apple Inc., 6:24-cv-
`00143, W.D. Tex., entered October 31, 2024
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`vi
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`

`IPR2025-00074 Petition
`U.S. Patent No. 9,679,289
`LISTING OF CHALLENGED CLAIMS
`
`A hybrid device comprising:
`
`an integrated, secure memory storing local, secured information;
`and
`
`an integrated reader-decoder circuit (RDC) for communicating
`wirelessly with at least one external device within a proximity zone,
`the integrated RDC communicatively coupled to the integrated,
`secure memory for communication with the integrated, secure
`memory,
`
`wherein one or more of (a) the integrated RDC communicating
`wirelessly with the at least one external device within the proximity
`zone and (b) the local, secured information stored by the integrated,
`secure memory enables one or more of an application, a function,
`and service.
`
`The hybrid device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or
`more of the application, the function, and the service is enabled, at
`least in part, on the hybrid device.
`
`The hybrid device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or
`more of the application, the function, and the service is enabled, at
`least in part, external to the hybrid device using an external RDC,
`the hybrid device communicatively coupled to wirelessly
`communicate with the external RDC.
`
`The hybrid device of claim 1, wherein the local, secured
`information includes biometric information for authenticating a
`user.
`
`vii
`
`Claim 1
`[1.pre]
`
`[1.1]
`
`[1.2]
`
`[1.3]
`
`Claim 2
`[2]
`
`Claim 3
`[3]
`
`Claim 4
`[4]
`
`Claim 5
`
`
`
`

`

`[5]
`
`Claim 6
`[6]
`
`Claim 7
`[7]
`
`Claim 8
`[8]
`
`Claim 9
`[9]
`
`Claim 10
`[10]
`
`IPR2025-00074 Petition
`U.S. Patent No. 9,679,289
`The hybrid device of claim 1, wherein the local, secured
`information includes biometric information based on a biometric
`scan of a finger, the biometric information for authenticating a user.
`
`The hybrid device of claim 1, wherein the local, secure information
`includes financial information and at least one of the one or more of
`the application, the function, and the service enabled completes a
`financial transaction based on the financial information.
`
`The hybrid device of claim 1, wherein the local, secure information
`includes financial information and at least one of the one or more of
`the application, the function, and the service enabled completes a
`financial transaction based on a signal received from the at least one
`external device by the integrated RDC.
`
`The hybrid device of claim 1, wherein the local, secure information
`includes financial information and at least one of the one or more of
`the application, the function, and the service enabled completes a
`financial transaction based on an authorization of the financial
`information using an external authentication database, the financial
`information transmitted to the external authentication database.
`
`The hybrid device of claim 8, wherein the external authentication
`database is separate from a merchant providing a sale in the
`financial transaction.
`
`The hybrid device of claim 1, wherein the one or more of the
`application, the function and the service enabled based on the local,
`secured information stored by the integrated, secure memory
`includes a first application, function or service based on a first
`subsets of local, secured information stored by the integrated, secure
`memory and a second application, function or service based on a
`
`
`
`viii
`
`

`

`IPR2025-00074 Petition
`U.S. Patent No. 9,679,289
`second subset of local, secured information, the first and second
`subset of local, secured information having different accessibility.
`
`The hybrid device of claim 1, wherein the hybrid device is a cell
`phone.
`
`The hybrid device of claim 1, wherein the at least one external
`device is included in jewelry.
`
`The hybrid device of claim 1, wherein the at least one external
`device is a watch.
`
`A method comprising:
`
`creating a first wireless link between an integrated receiver-decoder
`circuit (RDC) of a hybrid device and an external device, the hybrid
`device including an integrated, secure memory and the integrated
`RDC, wherein the integrated, secure memory stores local, secured
`information;
`
`receiving a first signal, at the integrated RDC, via the first wireless
`link, from the external device; and
`
`generating an enablement signal enabling one or more of an
`application, a function and a service.
`
`The method of claim 14, wherein at least one of the one or more of
`the application, the function, and the service is enabled at least in
`part on the hybrid device.
`
`Claim 11
`[11]
`
`Claim 12
`[12]
`
`Claim 13
`[13]
`
`Claim 14
`[14.pre]
`
`[14.1]
`
`[14.2]
`
`[14.3]
`
`Claim 15
`[15]
`
`Claim 16
`
`
`
`ix
`
`

`

`[16]
`
`Claim 17
`[17]
`
`Claim 18
`[18]
`
`Claim 19
`[19]
`
`Claim 20
`[20]
`
`IPR2025-00074 Petition
`U.S. Patent No. 9,679,289
`The method of claim 14 further comprising: sending the enablement
`signal, wherein at least one of the one or more of the application, the
`function, and the service is enabled at least in part on a device
`external to the hybrid device and communicatively coupled to an
`external RDC.
`
`The method of claim 14, wherein the local, secured information
`includes biometric information for authenticating a user.
`
`The method of claim 14, wherein the local, secured information
`includes financial information and wherein the one or more of the
`application, the function and the service completes a financial
`transaction.
`
`The method of claim 14, wherein the hybrid device is a cell phone.
`
`The method of claim 14, wherein the external PDK is included in a
`watch.
`
`
`
`x
`
`

`

`Apple Inc. (“Petitioner” or “Apple”) petitions for Inter Partes Review
`
`IPR2025-00074 Petition
`U.S. Patent No. 9,679,289
`
`
`
`(“IPR”) of claims 1-20 (“the Challenged Claims”) of U.S. Patent No. 9,679,289
`
`(“the ’289 Patent”). Compelling evidence presented in this Petition demonstrates
`
`at least a reasonable likelihood that Apple will prevail with respect to at least one
`
`of the Challenged Claims.
`
`I.
`
`REQUIREMENTS FOR IPR
`
`A. Grounds for Standing
`Petitioner certifies that the ’289 Patent is available for IPR. Apple is not
`
`barred or estopped from requesting review of the Challenged Claims on the below-
`
`identified grounds.
`
`B. Challenge and Relief Requested
`Apple requests an IPR of the Challenged Claims on the below grounds. Dr.
`
`Patrick Traynor provides supporting testimony in his declaration. MS-1003, ¶¶[1]-
`
`[150]. Notably, these grounds are similar to those advanced by Samsung in
`
`instituted and terminated IPRs (IPR2021-01438 and 01439) directed to related US
`
`Patent Nos. 9,049,188 and 9,235,700.
`
`Ground
`1A
`
`1B
`
`2A
`
`
`
`Claim(s)
`1-20
`
`1-20
`
`35 U.S.C. § 102/103
`Giobbi-157 in view of Giobbi-139
`
`Giobbi-157 in view of Giobbi-139 and Dua
`
`1-8, 10-11, and 14-19 Broadcom
`
`1
`
`

`

`IPR2025-00075 Petition
`U.S. Patent No. 9,679,289
`
`Ground
`2B
`
`Claim(s)
`1-20
`
`35 U.S.C. § 102/103
`Broadcom in view of Giobbi-157
`
`
`The ’289 Patent claims priority to a number of provisional applications, the earliest
`
`of which was filed 12/6/2007. MS-1001, Cover. While Apple does not concede
`
`that 12/6/2007 is the priority date that should be afforded to the ’289 Patent, for the
`
`purposes of this proceeding, each of the references asserted in this Petition
`
`qualifies as prior art under 35 U.S.C. §102(a), § 102(b), and/or § 102(e) (as shown
`
`in the table below) even if the 12/6/2007 date of the provisional application is used
`
`as the priority date of the ’289 Patent. MS-1003, ¶[29].
`
`Reference
`
`Filing Date
`
`Publication
`Date
`Oct. 18, 2007
`
`Giobbi-157
`
`Giobbi-139
`
`May 5, 2007
`
`May 17, 2004
`
`Dec. 16, 2004
`
`Dua
`
`Sep. 30, 20141 May 26, 2015
`
`Broadcom
`
`Sep. 30, 2004
`
`Jun. 1, 2005
`
`
`
`
`1 Dua relies upon previous applications which claim priority to May 12, 2005.
`
`
`
`2
`
`

`

`IPR2025-00075 Petition
`U.S. Patent No. 9,679,289
`
`C. Claim Construction2
`Petitioner submits that all claim terms should be construed according to the
`
`Phillips standard. Phillips v. AWH Corp., 415 F.3d 1303 (Fed. Cir. 2005); 37
`
`C.F.R. § 42.100. Under the Phillips standard, the “words of a claim are generally
`
`given their ordinary and customary meaning as understood by a person of ordinary
`
`skill in the art when read in the context of the specification and prosecution
`
`history.” Thorner v. Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC, 669 F. 3d 1362,
`
`1366 (Fed. Cir. 2012) (citing Phillips, 415 F.3d at 1313). Petitioner notes below
`
`constructions adopted in previous proceedings before WDTX (case number 6:21-
`
`CV-00210-ADA) where family members of the ’289 patent were asserted. MS-
`
`1009; MS-1003, ¶¶[23]-[24].
`
`1. Hybrid Device
`
`For the purposes of the present proceeding, this term, which appears in
`
`claims 1-16 and 19, should be construed to mean “a device comprising an
`
`
`2 Microsoft has advanced modified constructions in claim construction pleadings in
`
`co-pending litigation. MS-1013. The asserted references of this petition
`
`additionally satisfy those proposed constructions, as explained in the petition. Id.
`
`The Board construed certain claim terms in Microsoft Corporation v. Proxense,
`
`LLC, IPR2024-00407, Paper 8.
`
`
`
`3
`
`

`

`IPR2025-00075 Petition
`U.S. Patent No. 9,679,289
`
`integrated, secure memory storing local, secured information and an integrated
`
`receiver-decoder circuit.” This definition is consistent with the use of the term in
`
`the specification of the ’289 patent. See, e.g., MS-1001, Abstract, 2:25-48.
`
`Previously in a related proceeding with a family member of the ’289 patent (6:21-
`
`CV-00210-ADA), the District Court construed “hybrid device” to be “a device
`
`comprising an integrated personal digital key (PDK) and an integrated receiver-
`
`decoder circuit.” MS-1009. However, the District Court’s construction in this case
`
`was predicated by the use of “PDK” in the “hybrid device” independent claims.
`
`MS-1011, see e.g., Claim 1. Petitioner submits that, because the ’289 patent does
`
`not recite the use of a “PDK” in the “hybrid device” independent claims3, but
`
`rather the use of an “integrated, secure memory storing local, secured
`
`information,” the District Court construction in 6:21-CV-00210-ADA should be
`
`modified to recite this feature. MS-1001, Claim 1, 14. Although Petitioner does not
`
`concede that the District Court construction in 6:21-CV-00210-ADA is correct for
`
`the ’289 patent, the below analysis demonstrates that this construction is still
`
`
`3 Notably, the term “PDK” is only recited once in the claim language of the ’289
`
`patent. MS-1001, Claim 20. Moreover, as explained below, this singular use of
`
`“PDK” appears to lack antecedent basis. See infra, §III.A.6.[20].
`
`
`
`4
`
`

`

`IPR2025-00075 Petition
`U.S. Patent No. 9,679,289
`
`satisfied by the grounds of this petition. See infra, §§III.A.6.[1.pre], III.B.2.[1.pre];
`
`MS-1003, ¶[25].
`
`2.
`
`Personal Digital Key (“PDK”)
`
`For the purposes of the present proceeding, this term, which appears in claim
`
`20, should be construed to mean “an operably connected collection of elements
`
`including an antenna and a transceiver for communicating with a RDC and a
`
`controller and memory for storing information particular to a user.” This definition
`
`is consistent with the use of the term in the specification of the ’289 patent. See,
`
`e.g., MS-1001, 14:15-28. For purposes of this proceeding, Petitioner adopts this
`
`construction of “personal digital key,” which, as noted above, was adopted in 6:21-
`
`CV-00210-ADA. MS-1009; MS-1003, ¶[26].
`
`3.
`
`Receiver-decoder circuit (“RDC”)
`
`For the purposes of the present proceeding, this term, which appears in
`
`claims 1, 3, 7, 14, and 16 should be construed to mean “a component or collection
`
`of components, capable of wirelessly receiving data in an encrypted format and
`
`decoding the encrypted data for processing.” This definition is consistent with the
`
`use of the term in the specification of the ’289 patent. See, e.g., MS-1001, 7:39-57.
`
`For purposes of this proceeding, Petitioner adopts this construction of “receiver-
`
`decoder circuit,” which, as noted above, was adopted in 6:21-CV-00210-ADA.
`
`MS-1009; MS-1003, ¶[27].
`
`
`
`5
`
`

`

`IPR2025-00075 Petition
`U.S. Patent No. 9,679,289
`
`D. Level of Ordinary Skill in the Art
`A person of ordinary skill in the art (“POSITA”) relating to the subject
`
`matter of the ’289 Patent as of December 6, 2007 would have had (1) at least a
`
`bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical
`
`engineering, or a related field, and (2) at least two years of industry experience in
`
`the field of encryption and security. MS-1003, ¶¶[21]-[22]. Additional graduate
`
`education could substitute for professional experience, and vice versa. Id.
`
`II. THE ’289 PATENT
`
`A. Brief Description
`The ’289 Patent is directed to “a hybrid device” that includes a personal
`
`digital key (PDK) and a receiver-decoder circuit (RDC) coupled in communication
`
`with each other. MS-1001, 1:45-52. The integrated PDK communicates wirelessly
`
`with an external RDC and the integrated RDC communicates wirelessly with at
`
`least one external PDK within its proximity zone. MS-1001, 4:26-52. The
`
`specification discloses that the integrated PDK is capable of storing local, secured
`
`financial information or secured biometric information for authenticating a user.
`
`MS-1001, 3:51-62. Similarly, the external PDK is also capable of storing
`
`information. MS-1001, 4:26-52. For example, in one embodiment, the integrated
`
`PDK carries credentials such as credit card or account information that are used to
`
`enable services associated with the external RDC. MS-1001, 5:29-37. A user can
`
`
`
`6
`
`

`

`IPR2025-00075 Petition
`U.S. Patent No. 9,679,289
`
`make a purchase with the hybrid device provided that they are in possession of the
`
`external PDK and in proximity to the hybrid device. If so, the external PDK
`
`wirelessly connects to the integrated RDC and authorizes the integrated PDK to
`
`enable a transaction by sharing credit card or account information with the external
`
`RDC. Id.; MS-1003, ¶¶[28]-[29].
`
`Prosecution History
`B.
`The ’289 Patent was allowed after a single office action that presented only a
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`double-patenting rejection. MS-1002, 90-110. During prosecution, the Examiner
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`did not consider any of Giobbi-157, Giobbi-139, Dua, or Broadcom. Id. As
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`discussed below, these references render obvious the Challenged Claims. MS-
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`1003, ¶[30].
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`III. THE CHALLENGED CLAIMS ARE UNPATENTABLE
`
`A.
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`[GROUND 1A/1B] – Claims 1-20 are rendered obvious by
`Giobbi-157 and Giobbi-139 [1A] and Giobbi-157, Giobbi-
`139, and Dua [1B]
`1. Overview of Giobbi-157
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`Giobbi-157 is directed at a system and method to “provide efficient, secure
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`and highly reliable authentication for transaction processing and/or access control
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`applications.” MS-1005, Abstract, ¶¶[0011]-[0014]. The disclosure further explains
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`that a “transaction includes enabling access to secure physical or digital assets
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`(e.g., unlocking a door, opening a vault, providing access to a secured hard drive,
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`U.S. Patent No. 9,679,289
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`etc.).” MS-1005, ¶[0063]. This process is accomplished using “secure and
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`tamperproof memories” to store information for “identification and
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`authentication.” MS-1005, ¶[0036], see also ¶¶[0026]-[0029], [0035]-[0048].
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`Giobbi-157 is a continuation in part of a prior application and claims priority to
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`five provisional applications. MS-1005, Cover, ¶[0002]; MS-1003, ¶[32].
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`Giobbi-157 discloses a Personal Digital Key (PDK) that “stores one or more
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`profiles (e.g., a biometric profile) in a tamperproof memory that is acquired in a
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`secure and trusted process.” MS-1005, ¶[0063], see also ¶¶[0026]-[0029], [0035]-
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`[0048]. Giobbi-157 further teaches that the PDK may be integrated into an
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`electronic device, such as a cellphone. MS-1005, ¶[0035] (“a portable electronic
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`device such as a cell phone”), see also ¶[0080], claims 27, 33; MS-1003, ¶[33].
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`Giobbi-157 teaches that its integrated PDK can communicate with a
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`receiver-decoder circuit (RDC). MS-1005, ¶¶[0049]-[0058], [0064]. The RDC
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`establishes a secure communication channel between the PDK and RDC, then
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`sends “profile authentication requests to the PDK 102 requesting transmission of
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`one or more stored profiles over the secure channel.” MS-1005, ¶[0064]. In some
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`examples, Giobbi-157 teaches that information stored on a PDK, such as
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`fingerprint information, is transmitted to an external RDC located on a “Reader
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`108.” MS-1005, ¶[0049]; MS-1003, ¶[34]. An example of Giobbi-157’s PDK and
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`Reader configuration is shown in the annotated version of Figures 2 and 3 below.
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`U.S. Patent No. 9,679,289
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`MS-1005, FIG. 24.
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`
`
`MS-1005, FIG. 3.
`Giobbi-157 teaches that its RDC can authenticate a PDK and then enable a
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`
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`“transaction,” the “transaction includ[ing] enabling access to secure physical or
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`
`4 Annotations to the figures in this petition are shown in color.
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`digital assets (e.g., unlocking a door, opening a vault, providing access to a secured
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`hard drive, etc.).” MS-1005, ¶¶[0057]-[0058], [0063], FIG. 4; MS-1003, ¶[35].
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`MS-1005, FIG. 4.
`Giobbi-157 also discloses that “the PDK can store other information such as
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`
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`credit/debit card information, bank information, or personal information in a
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`memory for use in authorizing or completing a transaction.” MS-1005, ¶¶[0011],
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`[0063], [0065]; MS-1003, ¶[36].
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`The Giobbi-157 provisional applications disclose several use cases of the
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`PDK and RDC systems and detail both the process and components necessary to
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`setup and operate a PDK and RDC system. MS-1010, pp. 2-14. The details include
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`exemplary form factors for the PDKs and RDCs and explanations as to how a user
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`could incorporate these devices into a user’s current devices to setup and operate a
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`PDK and RDC system. Id.; MS-1003, ¶[37].
`
`2. Overview of Giobbi-139
`
`Giobbi-139 shares the same goal of securing physical or digital access as
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`Giobbi-157, disclosing a “Personal Digital Key Digital Content Security System”
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`which prevents “unauthorized use and protect[s] the digital content stored on
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`computers from being wrongfully accessed, copied, and/or distributed.” MS-1006,
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`Abstract, ¶[0010]. Like the Giobbi-157 publication, Giobbi-139 discusses the use
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`of RDCs to communicate with PDKs to enable access and functions on devices.
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`MS-1006, ¶¶[0010], [0071]-[0078]. The disclosure of Giobbi-139 further teaches
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`that an RDC can be incorporated into a cell phone and that the RDC “is an
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`integrated circuit able to process PDK-Key information, as well as encrypt/decrypt
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`PDK-compliant digital content.” MS-1006, ¶[0077], [0088] (“This embodiment
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`involves integrating RDCs into…PDAs, cell phones [etc.]”); MS-1005, ¶[0035];
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`MS-1003, ¶[38].
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`Giobbi-139 teaches the PDK and RDC relationship as being flexible and
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`capable of being integrated with existing equipment. MS-1006, ¶¶[0087]-[0099].
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`Giobbi-139 also teaches that an RDC can be acquired independently and integrated
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`into a device. MS-1006, ¶¶[0088]-[0090]. The integrated RDC could then be used
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`to secure the device and can even “enable/disable” the device based on
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`communication with a PDK. MS-1006, ¶¶[0087]-[0090]. When using a PDK to
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`secure a device with an integrated RDC, “[t]his security mechanism protects any
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`data stored on such devices in the event they are ever stolen, left unattended, or
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`even purposely ‘disabled’ to prevent access to sensitive content (i.e. preventing
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`minors from accessing adult files, websites, etc.). MS-1006, ¶[0090]. When the
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`associated PDK-Key(s) is not present, these devices and their storage means are
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`locked and disabled.” Id.; MS-1003, ¶[39].
`
`Giobbi-139 also discloses the scalability of RDC and PDK architecture. MS-
`
`1006, ¶¶[0091]-[0096]. For example, Giobbi-139 teaches that a user can “assign
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`(or remove)” additional PDKs to a device with an integrated RDC. MS-1006,
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`¶¶[0092], [0095]; MS-1003, ¶[40].
`
`Giobbi-139 further discloses a version of communication between a PDK
`
`and RDC that is not wireless. ¶¶[0041], [0071]-[0073]. Particularly, Giobbi-139
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`teaches alternative embodiments where an RDC and PDK are communicatively
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`coupled to each other by a wired signal line. MS-1006, ¶¶[0041], [0071]-[0073];
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`MS-1003, ¶[41].
`
`3.
`
`The combination of Giobbi-157 and Giobbi-139
`
`Giobbi-157 teaches integrating a PDK into a mobile device to enable a
`user to enjoy secure storage functionality via a commonly carried item
`Giobbi-157 expressly and repeatedly discloses the portability of a PDK,
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`emphasizing that a PDK can be carried by a user on their person and expressly
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`teaches integrating the PDK into cell phones, PDAs, and other commonly carried
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`items. MS-1005, ¶¶[0012], [0027], [0030], [0035] (“integrated into commonly
`
`carried items … such as a cell phone, [or PDA]”); MS-1010, p. 3, 14. Based on
`
`these teachings, a POSITA would have readily recognized that integration of PDKs
`
`into mobile devices, such as cell phones, provides the benefits of simplicity and
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`convenience by, for example, providing a secure and local storage location for the
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`user’s biometric data. MS-1005, ¶¶[0012], [0027], [0030], [0035]. As Dr. Traynor
`
`explains, such integration enables a user who already carries a cell phone to enjoy
`
`the security benefits offered by Giobbi-157’s system without having to carry a
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`separate PDK. MS-1003, ¶[45]. The incorporated ’157 provis