Case 2:15-cv-01274-JRG-RSP Document 88 Filed 04/01/16 Page 1 of 13 PageID #: 1205
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
`MARSHALL DIVISION
`
`
`
`
`Case No. 2:15-CV-1274-JRG-RSP
`
`(LEAD CASE)
`
`JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
`
`
`§
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`BLITZSAFE TEXAS, LLC,
`
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`
`
`v.
`
`
`HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., ET AL.,
`
`
`
`
`
`
` Defendants.
`
`JOINT CLAIM CONSTRUCTION AND PREHEARING STATEMENT
`
`In accordance with Patent Rule 4-3 and the Court’s Docket Control Order of January 8,
`
`2016 (Dkt. 56), the parties to the above-captioned case provide the following Joint Claim
`
`Construction and Prehearing Statement regarding the asserted claims of U.S. Patent Nos.
`
`7,489,786 (the “’786 patent”) and 8,155,342 (the “’342 patent”) (the “Asserted Patents”). In
`
`accordance with Patent Rule 4-2(c), the parties met and conferred for the purposes of narrowing
`
`the issues and finalizing preparation of this Joint Claim Construction and Prehearing Statement.
`
`
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
`MARSHALL DIVISION
`
`
`
`
`Case No. 2:15-CV-1274-JRG-RSP
`
`(LEAD CASE)
`
`JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
`
`
`§
`§
`§
`§
`§
`§
`§
`§
`§
`§
`§
`
`
`
`
`
`BLITZSAFE TEXAS, LLC,
`
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`
`
`v.
`
`
`HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., ET AL.,
`
`
`
`
`
`
` Defendants.
`
`JOINT CLAIM CONSTRUCTION AND PREHEARING STATEMENT
`
`In accordance with Patent Rule 4-3 and the Court’s Docket Control Order of January 8,
`
`2016 (Dkt. 56), the parties to the above-captioned case provide the following Joint Claim
`
`Construction and Prehearing Statement regarding the asserted claims of U.S. Patent Nos.
`
`7,489,786 (the “’786 patent”) and 8,155,342 (the “’342 patent”) (the “Asserted Patents”). In
`
`accordance with Patent Rule 4-2(c), the parties met and conferred for the purposes of narrowing
`
`the issues and finalizing preparation of this Joint Claim Construction and Prehearing Statement.
`
`
`
`Case 2:15-cv-01274-JRG-RSP Document 88 Filed 04/01/16 Page 2 of 13 PageID #: 1206
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`A. Agreed-Upon Constructions
`
`As set forth below, the parties have been able to reach agreement regarding the
`
`construction of the following claim terms from the Asserted Patents:
`
`Agreed-Upon Construction
`
`For the ’786 patent:
`“Connecting one or more external
`devices or inputs to an existing car
`radio or stereo via an interface,
`processing and handling signals and
`audio channels, allowing a user to
`control the devices via the car stereo,
`and displaying data from the devices
`on the radio.”
`
`For the ’342 patent:
`“Connecting one or more external
`devices or inputs to an existing car
`stereo or video system via an interface,
`processing and handling signals,
`audio, and/or video information,
`allowing a user to control the devices
`via the car stereo or video system, and
`displaying data from the devices on
`the car stereo or video system.”
`
`“receiving and transmitting [audio or
`video]”
`
`“maintain in a state responsive to
`processed data and audio signals from
`the external device”
`
`Terms
`
`“integration” / “integrating”
`
`Claims of the
`Asserted Patents
`
`’786 Patent, Claims 1,
`5, 44, 57, 86, 92
`
`’342 Patent, Claims
`49, 50, 53, 54, 56, 66,
`70, 73, 74, 77, 78, 79,
`80, 94, 97, 99, 102,
`103, 106, 113, 120
`
`“channeling audio signals” /
`“audio signals … are
`selectively channeled” /
`“channeling audio” /
`“channels audio” / “channels
`video”
`
`’786 Patent, Claims 1,
`14, 44
`
`’342 Patent, Claims
`97, 113, 120
`
`“maintain … in an operational
`state”
`
`’786 Patent, Claims
`57, 86, 92
`
`
`
`-2-
`
`
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`Case 2:15-cv-01274-JRG-RSP Document 88 Filed 04/01/16 Page 3 of 13 PageID #: 1207
`
`Terms
`
`Claims of the
`Asserted Patents
`
`Agreed-Upon Construction
`
`“first pre-programmed means
`for generating a device
`presence signal”
`
`“first pre-programmed means
`for . . . transmitting the signal
`to the car stereo to maintain
`the car stereo in an operational
`state”
`
`“means for remotely
`controlling the portable audio
`device using the car stereo by
`receiving a control command
`from the car stereo in a format
`incompatible with the portable
`audio device”
`
`’786 Patent, Claim 92 This is a functional claim limitation
`subject to § 112, ¶ 6.
`
`Function: “generating a device
`presence signal to the car stereo”
`
`Structure: “ports J2A1, X2, RCH, and
`LCH, connected to a power source
`(i.e. battery) that are provided for
`allowing connection between the
`interface system of the present
`invention and an after-market device,
`or an auxiliary input source” and “a
`microcontroller (U1) with hardware
`components such as resistors, diodes,
`capacitors, and oscillators”
`
`’786 Patent, Claim 92 This is a functional claim limitation
`subject to § 112, ¶ 6.
`
`Function: “transmitting the signal to
`the car stereo to maintain the car
`stereo in an operational state”
`
`Structure: the “resistors, diodes,
`capacitors, transistors, transformers,
`amplifiers, oscillator” of FIG. 3B
`
`’786 Patent, Claim 92 This is a functional claim limitation
`subject to § 112, ¶ 6.
`Function: “remotely controlling the
`portable audio device by receiving a
`control command from the car stereo
`in a format incompatible with the
`portable audio device”
`
`Structure: “a microcontroller, which is
`comprised of a 16F873
`microcontroller manufactured by
`MICROCHIP, Inc.; and a plurality of
`resistors (R1-R7), capacitors (C1-C2),
`and amplifier (A1)”
`
`
`
`-3-
`
`
`
`Case 2:15-cv-01274-JRG-RSP Document 88 Filed 04/01/16 Page 4 of 13 PageID #: 1208
`
`Terms
`
`Claims of the
`Asserted Patents
`
`Agreed-Upon Construction
`
`“means for remotely
`controlling the portable audio
`device using the car stereo by
`. . . processing the control
`command into a formatted
`control command compatible
`with the portable audio
`device”
`
`“means for remotely
`controlling the portable audio
`device using the car stereo by
`. . . transmitting the formatted
`control command to the
`portable audio device for
`execution thereby”
`
`’786 Patent, Claim 92 This is a functional claim limitation
`subject to § 112, ¶ 6.
`
`Function: “remotely controlling the
`portable audio device by processing a
`control command from the car stereo
`in a format compatible with portable
`audio device”
`
`Structure: “the code or algorithm
`illustrated in Tables 1 and 2 of ’786
`Patent”
`
`’786 Patent, Claim 92 This is a functional claim limitation
`subject to § 112, ¶ 6.
`
`Function: “transmitting the formatted
`control command to the portable audio
`device for execution thereby”
`
`Structure: “circuit in Figure 3B …
`having a plurality of resistors, diodes,
`capacitors, transistors, transformers,
`amplifiers, oscillator, among other
`structural components that provide the
`hardware framework, for the
`microcontroller to act as an interface
`in integrating an after-market device
`with a car stereo”
`
`
`
`-4-
`
`
`
`Case 2:15-cv-01274-JRG-RSP Document 88 Filed 04/01/16 Page 5 of 13 PageID #: 1209
`
`Terms
`
`Claims of the
`Asserted Patents
`
`Agreed-Upon Construction
`
`“means for transmitting audio
`from the portable audio device
`to the car stereo”
`
`’786 Patent, Claim 92 This is a functional claim limitation
`subject to § 112, ¶ 6.
`
`Function: “transmitting audio from the
`portable audio device to the car radio”
`
`Structure: “circuit in Figure 3B …
`having a plurality of resistors, diodes,
`capacitors, transistors, transformers,
`amplifiers, oscillator, among other
`structural components that provide the
`hardware framework, for the
`microcontroller to act as an interface
`in integrating an after-market device
`with a car stereo”
`
`
`
`B. Disputed Constructions
`
`Exhibits A and B, attached hereto, identify the disputed claim terms.
`
`Exhibit A provides Blitzsafe’s identification of intrinsic and extrinsic evidence
`
`supporting its proposed constructions, as required by Patent Rule 4-3(b).
`
`Exhibit B provides Defendants’ identification of intrinsic and extrinsic evidence
`
`supporting its proposed constructions, as required by Patent Rule 4-3(b).
`
`C. Anticipated Length of Time for the Claim Construction Hearing
`
`The parties agree that the Claim Construction Hearing will take no longer than three (3)
`
`hours.
`
`D. Identification of Witnesses
`
`Blitzsafe may rely upon testimony (by declaration) from Mr. Joseph McAlexander. Mr.
`
`McAlexander may testify about his background, the background of the subject matter discussed
`
`
`
`-5-
`
`
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`Case 2:15-cv-01274-JRG-RSP Document 88 Filed 04/01/16 Page 6 of 13 PageID #: 1210
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`in the Asserted Patents, and the level of one of ordinary skill in the art. He may also testify in
`
`support of Blitzsafe’s proposed claim constructions, including addressing the intrinsic evidence
`
`and extrinsic evidence. See Exhibit A. In addition, Mr. McAlexander may offer testimony in
`
`response or in rebuttal to any arguments or expert testimony offered by Defendants, including
`
`any argument that any term is indefinite, that one of ordinary skill in the art would not be able to
`
`discern the boundaries of any term, or that a term is subject to 35 U.S.C. § 112 ¶ 6. Mr.
`
`McAlexander is also expected to provide testimony with respect to Defendants’ indefiniteness
`
`challenges as summarized in the attached Exhibit D.
`
`Defendants Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, and Toyota anticipate relying on testimony (by
`
`declaration) from Dr. Robert Morley. Dr. Morley may testify about his background, the
`
`background of the subject matter discussed in the '342 Patent, and the level of one of ordinary
`
`skill in the art. In addition, Dr. Morley may offer testimony in response or in rebuttal to any
`
`arguments or expert testimony offered by Blitzsafe or Blitzsafe's expert. Dr. Morley is also
`
`expected to provide testimony with respect to the term "integration subsystem," as summarized
`
`in the attached Exhibit C.
`
`E. Other Issues
`
`At present, the parties are unaware of any additional issues that would require the
`
`scheduling of a pre-hearing conference.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`-6-
`
`
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`Case 2:15-cv-01274-JRG-RSP Document 88 Filed 04/01/16 Page 7 of 13 PageID #: 1211
`
`Dated: April 1, 2016
`
`
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`
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`BROWN RUDNICK LLP
`
`
`
`
`
`____
`
` /s/ Peter Lambrianakos
`Alfred R. Fabricant
`Texas Bar No. 2219392
`Email: afabricant@brownrudnick.com
`Lawrence C. Drucker
`Email: ldrucker@brownrudnick.com
`Texas Bar No. 2303089
`Peter Lambrianakos
`Texas Bar No. 2894392
`Email: plambrianakos@brownrudnick.com
`Alessandra Carcaterra Messing
`(admitted pro hac vice)
`Email: amessing@brownrudnick.com
`BROWN RUDNICK LLP
`7 Times Square
`New York, NY 10036
`Telephone: (212) 209-4800
`
`Samuel F. Baxter
`Texas State Bar No. 01938000
`sbaxter@mckoolsmith.com
`Jennifer L. Truelove
`Texas State Bar No. 24012906
`jtruelove@mckoolsmith.com
`MCKOOL SMITH, P.C.
`104 E. Houston Street, Suite 300
`Marshall, Texas 75670
`Telephone: (903) 923-9000
`Facsimile: (903) 923-9099
`
`ATTORNEYS FOR PLAINTIFF,
`BLITZSAFE TEXAS, LLC
`
`
`
`-7-
`
`
`
`Case 2:15-cv-01274-JRG-RSP Document 88 Filed 04/01/16 Page 8 of 13 PageID #: 1212
`
`Dated: April 1, 2016
`
`
`
`/s/ H. Albert Liou
`Joseph M. Beauchamp
`Texas State Bar No. 24012266
`Email: jmbeauchamp@jonesday.com
`H. Albert Liou
`Texas State Bar No. 24061608
`Email: aliou@jonesday.com
`Erin C. Dickerman 24087358
`Texas State Bar No.
`Email: edickerman@jonesday.com
`JONES DAY
`717 Texas Street, Suite 3300
`Houston, Texas 77002-2712
`Telephone: (832) 239-3939
`Facsimile: (832) 239-3600
`
`Joseph Melnik
`California State Bar No. 255601
`Email: jmelnik@jonesday.com
`JONES DAY
`1755 Embarcadero Road
`Palo Alto, California 94303
`Telephone: (650) 739-3939
`Facsimile: (650) 739-3900
`
`Randy Akin
`Texas State Bar No. 00954900
`Email: gra@randyakin.com
`G.R. (Randy) Akin, P.C.
`3400 W. Marshall Avenue, Suite 300
`Longview, Texas 75604
`Telephone: (903) 297-8929
`Facsimile: (903) 297-9046
`
`ATTORNEYS FOR DEFENDANTS
`AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.;
`HONDA OF AMERICA MFG., INC.;
`HONDA MANUFACTURING OF
`ALABAMA, LLC; AND HONDA
`MANUFACTURING OF INDIANA, LLC
`
`
`
`-8-
`
`
`
`Case 2:15-cv-01274-JRG-RSP Document 88 Filed 04/01/16 Page 9 of 13 PageID #: 1213
`
`
`
`/s/ Paul R. Steadman
`Paul R. Steadman
`Illinois Bar No. 6238160
`paul.steadman@dlapiper.com
`Matthew D. Satchwell
`Illinois Bar No. 6290672
`matthew.satchwell@dlapiper.com
`DLA PIPER LLP
`203 N. LaSalle St., Suite 1900
`Chicago, IL 60601-1293
`Telephone: 312.368.2111
`Facsimile: 312.236.7516
`
`Jeffrey L. Johnson
`Texas Bar No. 24029638
`jeffrey.johnson@dlapiper.com
`DLA PIPER LLP
`1000 Louisiana, Suite 2800
`Houston, Texas 77002
`Telephone: (713) 425-8445
`Facsimile: (713) 300-6045
`
`Patrick S. Park
`California Bar No. 246348
`patrick.park@dlapiper.com
`DLA PIPER LLP
`20000 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 400
`North Tower
`Los Angeles, CA 90067
`Telephone: 310.595.3000
`Facsimile: 310.595.3300
`
`ATTORNEYS FOR DEFENDANTS
`HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA,
`HYUNDAI MOTOR MANUFACTURING
`ALABAMA, LLC, KIA MOTORS
`AMERICA, INC., and KIA MOTORS
`MANUFACTURING GEORGIA, INC.
`
`
`
`
`-9-
`
`
`
`Case 2:15-cv-01274-JRG-RSP Document 88 Filed 04/01/16 Page 10 of 13 PageID #: 1214
`
`
`
`/s/ Sean N. Hsu
`Jeffrey S. Patterson
`Texas Bar No. 15596700
`jpatterson@hdbdlaw.com
`Sean N. Hsu
`Texas Bar No. 24056952
`shsu@hdbdlaw.com
`Theresa M. Dawson
`Texas Bar No. 24065128
`tdawson@hdbdlaw.com
`HARTLINE DACUS BARGER DREYER
`LLP
`8750 North Central Expressway
`Suite 1600
`Dallas, Texas 75231
`Telephone: (214) 369-2100
`Facsimile: (214) 369-2118
`
`ATTORNEYS FOR DEFENDANTS
`NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. and
`NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
`
`
`
`-10-
`
`
`
`Case 2:15-cv-01274-JRG-RSP Document 88 Filed 04/01/16 Page 11 of 13 PageID #: 1215
`
`
`
`/s/ William H. Mandir
`J. Thad Heartfield
`Texas Bar No. 09346800
`thad@heartfieldlawfirm.com
`THE HEARTFIELD LAW FIRM
`2195 Dowlen Road
`Beaumont, TX 77706
`Telephone: (409) 866-3318
`Facsimile: (409) 866-5789
`
`William H. Mandir (pro hac vice)
`wmandir@sughrue.com
`John F. Rabena (pro hac vice)
`jrabena@sughrue.com
`Brian K. Shelton (pro hac vice)
`bshelton@sughrue.com
`Fadi N. Kiblawi (pro hac vice)
`fkiblawi@sughrue.com
`Margaret M. Welsh (pro hac vice)
`mwelsh@sughrue.com
`SUGHRUE MION PLLC
`2100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
`Washington, DC 20037
`Telephone: (202) 293-7600
`
`ATTORNEYS FOR DEFENDANTS
`TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION,
`TOYOTA MOTOR SALES U.S.A., INC.,
`TOYOTA MOTOR MANUFACTURING,
`TEXAS, INC., TOYOTA MOTOR
`MANUFACTURING KENTUCKY, INC.,
`and TOYOTA MOTOR
`MANUFACTURING MISSISSIPPI, INC.
`
`
`
`-11-
`
`
`
`Case 2:15-cv-01274-JRG-RSP Document 88 Filed 04/01/16 Page 12 of 13 PageID #: 1216
`
`
`
`
`
`/s/ Sheila Mortazavi
`Deron R. Dacus
`Texas State Bar No. 00790553
`Peter A. Kerr
`Texas State Bar No. 24076478
`THE DACUS FIRM, P.C.
`821 ESE Loop 323
`Suite 430
`Tyler, TX 75701
`Telephone: (903) 705-1117
`Facsimile: (903) 705-1117
`Email: ddacus@dacusfirm.com
`Email: pkerr@dacusfirm.com
`
`Michael J. Lennon (admitted pro hac vice)
`Sheila Mortazavi (admitted pro hac vice)
`KENYON & KENYON LLP
`One Broadway
`New York, NY 10004-1007
`Telephone: (212) 425-7200
`Facsimile: (212) 425-5288
`Email: mlennon@kenyon.com
`Email: smortazavi@kenyon.com
`
`Susan A. Smith (admitted pro hac vice)
`KENYON & KENYON LLP
`1500 K Street, N.W.
`Washington D.C. 20005
`Telephone: (202) 220-4200
`Facsimile: (202) 220-4201
`Email: ssmith@kenyon.com
`
`ATTORNEYS FOR DEFENDANTS
`VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA,
`INC. AND VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF
`AMERICA CHATTANOOGA
`OPERATIONS, LLC
`
`
`
`-12-
`
`
`
`Case 2:15-cv-01274-JRG-RSP Document 88 Filed 04/01/16 Page 13 of 13 PageID #: 1217
`
`CERTIFICATE OF CONFERENCE
`
`The undersigned certifies that all counsel for Plaintiff and counsel for Defendants have
`conferred regarding the foregoing Joint Claim Construction and Prehearing Statement
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Peter Lambrianakos
`/s/
` Peter Lambrianakos
`
`
`
`
`
`CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The undersigned certifies that all counsel of record who have consented to electronic
`service are being served with a copy of this document via the Court’s CM/ECF system per
`Local Rule CV-5(a)(3) on this 1st day of April, 2016.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`
`
`Peter Lambrianakos
`/s/
` Peter Lambrianakos
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