throbber

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`IPR2018-00533
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`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`
`BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`
`SMR AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS USA, INC.,
`Petitioner,
`
`v.
`
`MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.,
`Patent Owner.
`
`
`Case IPR2018-00533
`Patent No. 8,783,882
`
`
`DECLARATION OF MICHAEL NRANIAN IN SUPPORT OF PATENT
`OWNER MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.’S PRELIMINARY
`RESPONSE
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`Patent Owner Magna - Ex. 2001, Cover
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`IPR2018-00533
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`TABLE OF CONTENTS
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`I.
`INTRODUCTION AND QUALIFICATIONS .................................... 1
`SUMMARY OF MATERIALS REVIEWED AND CONSIDERED .. 7
`II.
`III. LEVEL OF ORDINARY SKILL IN THE ART .................................. 7
`IV. BACKGROUND LAW ....................................................................... 11
`V. OPINIONS .......................................................................................... 12
`A. Disclosures of Lynam ‘026 That Appear in the ‘451 Patent .... 12
`B.
`Construction of “Backing Plate” ............................................... 15
`C.
`Henion ‘013 Discloses A Trailer Towing Mirror ..................... 20
`D.
`SMR Provides An Insufficient Motivation To Modify
`Henion ‘013. .............................................................................. 24
`SMR Fails To Demonstrate A Motivation To Combine
`Henion ‘013 And Platzer ‘956. ................................................. 25
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`E.
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`i
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`Patent Owner Magna - Ex. 2001, p. i
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`I.
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`IPR2018-00533
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`INTRODUCTION AND QUALIFICATIONS
`1.
`I have been retained by patent owner Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
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`(“Magna”) to provide my opinion on certain matters regarding SMR Automotive
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`Systems USA Inc. (“SMR”)’s Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No.
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`8,783,882 (“the ‘882 patent”).
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`2.
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`All statements herein made of my own knowledge are true, and all
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`statements herein based on information and belief are believed to be true. I am
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`over 21 years of age and am competent to make this declaration.
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`3.
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`At this stage, I have been asked to provide my opinions on certain
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`discrete issues that are relevant to Magna’s Preliminary Patent Owner Response. I
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`have not been asked to and do not opine regarding the ultimate issues addressed by
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`SMR’s proposed grounds. The fact that I do not opine on any given issue in this
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`declaration should not be construed as agreement with SMR’s positions. I reserve
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`the right to provide additional opinions in the event that an IPR is instituted.
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`4.
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`I am being compensated at the rate of $350 per hour for time
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`preparing this declaration. My compensation is not contingent on the outcome of
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`this proceeding.
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`5.
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`Although I have a law degree, and I am licensed to practice before the
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`United States Patent and Trademark Office, I have not been asked to opine on any
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`legal issues. I will not be giving any legal opinions throughout this declaration and
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`1
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`Patent Owner Magna - Ex. 2001, p. 1
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`IPR2018-00533
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`throughout my work on this matter. My opinions provided herein are based on my
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`engineering, technical, scientific, and business education and experience.
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`6. My academic background is in engineering. I possess a Bachelor of
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`Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering, a Master of Science in Electrical
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`Engineering, a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and a Juris Doctor
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`from Wayne State University. I also received a Master of Business Administration
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`from the University of Michigan. I also am a licensed Professional Engineer,
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`Certified Project Management Professional, as well as a Lean Six Sigma Black
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`Belt certified through the American Society for Quality and the International
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`Quality Federation.
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`7.
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`I have extensive industry experience in the automotive industry for
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`multiple companies. Specifically, I worked as a design engineer, senior project
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`engineer, design analysis engineer, technical specialist, and engineering manager
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`in the automotive industry from 1985 to 2007. This included experience at Ford,
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`General Motors, and Allied Signal. I worked at Allied Signal from 1992 to 1993,
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`General Motors from 1993 to 1995, and Ford Motor Company from 1985 to 1992,
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`and from 1995 to 2007.
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`8. While at Ford, General Motors, and Allied Signal, I worked as a
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`Product Design Engineer, a Senior Project Engineer, a Technical Specialist, a
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`Design Analysis Engineer, and an Engineering Manager. My work included the
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`Patent Owner Magna - Ex. 2001, p. 2
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`design and development of automotive safety systems and components for various
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`different types of automotive applications. This included, among other things,
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`testing and development of systems and components for active and passive safety.
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`9.
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`Areas of my work included both active and passive sensing systems
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`which can be used in the vehicle interior or exterior, including the design and
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`development of sensing components and systems that incorporate electromagnetic
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`wave sensing and visual perception (including, but not limited to, vision, camera,
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`radar, lidar, infrared ultraviolet, night vision, mirrors, and other optical devices,
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`including those containing lenses and mirrors) as well as acoustical sensing. Areas
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`of my work also specifically included vision systems, occupant ergonomic
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`evaluations, user and occupant audio and visual perception, visual interfaces and
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`displays, infrared, vision, mirrors, lenses, camera, sonar, acoustic, radar, lidar,
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`sensing and detection technologies and systems. I also worked on sensing systems
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`for various automotive applications, including sensor fusion technologies, for
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`image and object detection, discrimination, and identification and the appropriate
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`status notifications to vehicle drivers and occupants, and visual perception
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`techniques and methods.
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`10. My work specifically involved the testing and development of the
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`aforementioned systems. This included both laboratory tests and technology
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`Patent Owner Magna - Ex. 2001, p. 3
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`assessments, as well as testing in various real world driving situations and traffic
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`events.
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`11. My responsibilities also included technology assessments and proper
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`supplier and sourcing evaluation and selection, quoting and bidding, and the
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`overall source selection for numerous technologies. For example, while at Allied
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`Signal, I specifically prepared numerous extensive proposals and responses for
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`many different domestic, European, Asian, and Pacific Rim requests for quotations
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`(“RFQs”) in the hopes of winning awards as the Tier 1 supplier chosen for many
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`original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) programs. I was involved in both
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`winning awards and non-winning awards on numerous programs for different
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`OEMs. While at General Motors and Ford, I was an integral part of many cross-
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`functional teams involved in the sourcing selection, request for information
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`(“RFI”) and RFQ processes and evaluations, and ultimate evaluation and decision
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`as to which suppliers were chosen for purchase order (“PO”) awards on numerous
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`vehicle programs.
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`12. My responsibilities also included ensuring compliance with Federal
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`Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), Economic Commission for Europe
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`(“ECE”) regulations, Industry Standards, Corporate Standards, various
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`international government regulations, and Due-Care Requirements. I also testified
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`as a corporate representative and expert witness on behalf of Ford. In that role, I
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`Patent Owner Magna - Ex. 2001, p. 4
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`have analyzed, verified, and testified regarding compliance with FMVSS
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`requirements, including FMVSS 111.
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`13. My work over the years has also included analyses involving
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`statistical information from the National Automotive Sampling System (NASS)
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`and Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) databases. My work also
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`involved extensive inspection, investigation, and analysis of field events involving
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`automotive safety systems. I am also certified in accident reconstruction through
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`Northwestern University, and I have performed numerous real-world assessments
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`of accident causation as part of my investigations. I have specifically assessed
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`accidents involving lane change incidents.
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`14.
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`I also conducted numerous system and component evaluations,
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`laboratory tests, supplier and technology assessments, quality and reliability
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`evaluations, as well as developed design validation plans and reports and failure
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`modes and effects analyses to design and develop automotive safety, sensing,
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`vison, and electrical electronic systems, including the integration of sensor fusion
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`technologies. I also conducted numerous vehicle test track (I am qualified as a
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`Ford Level II certified test track driver), rough road, obstacle, lane change,
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`braking/stopping, maneuverability, on-road, off-road, as well as numerous crash
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`and sled tests, for vehicular safety systems testing, development, design, prove-out,
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`verification, and validation.
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`5
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`Patent Owner Magna - Ex. 2001, p. 5
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`15. Subsequent to my employment at Ford, I worked as a Systems
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`Engineer for Raytheon and General Dynamics, as well as a contractor and civilian
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`employee for the U.S. Army. My work has included, among other things, sensor
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`development and visual perception, including camera, optical systems, viewers,
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`lenses, mirrors, and visual displays. I currently work at the Tank and Automotive
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`Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) in Warren, Michigan,
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`where I work on systems for military ground vehicle systems, which extensively
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`involve the application of automotive technologies, including those related to
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`automotive safety systems.
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`16. My current responsibilities include working with internal scientists,
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`researchers and technical staff, as well as outside collaborators and universities, to
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`develop technologies, innovation, and inventions for the protection of our soldiers
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`and the enhancement of our soldiers’ survivability in military vehicles. My
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`responsibilities include and have included technologies involving camera and
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`vision systems (including those involving mirrors and lenses), Command, Control,
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`Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance
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`(C4ISR) systems, 360-degree surveillance, optical systems, visual perception and
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`identification, interface displays, acoustic, ultrasonic, infrared, radar, night vision,
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`and electromagnetic wave sensing, sensor fusion integration, algorithm, and
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`pattern recognition development, sensor information discrimination and
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`6
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`Patent Owner Magna - Ex. 2001, p. 6
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`identification, active and passive safety system development, and occupant injury
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`mitigation.
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`17.
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`I have been qualified to testify as an expert in over 20 cases involving
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`automotive safety systems.
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`18.
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`I understand that my curriculum vitae, which includes a more detailed
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`summary of my background, experience, and publications, is being submitted
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`concurrently.
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`II.
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`SUMMARY OF MATERIALS REVIEWED AND CONSIDERED
`19. The opinions contained in this Declaration are based on the
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`documents I reviewed and my knowledge and professional judgment. In forming
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`the opinions expressed in this Declaration, I reviewed SMR’s Petition and all
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`Exhibits thereto, as well as SMR’s Petition and Exhibits in IPR2018-00491
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`IPR2018-00505, IPR2018-00506, IPR2018-00517, IPR2018-00520, IPR2018-
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`00536, IPR2018-00541, IPR2018-00545.
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`20. My opinions are further guided by my understanding of the
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`knowledge of a person of ordinary skill in the art (as further defined below) as of
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`the claimed May 20, 2003 priority date of the ‘882 patent.
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`III. LEVEL OF ORDINARY SKILL IN THE ART
`21.
`I understand that patent validity is assessed from the standpoint of a
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`person of ordinary skill in the art (POSA) at the time of the invention.
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`Patent Owner Magna - Ex. 2001, p. 7
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`22.
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`I understand that SMR has asserted that a POSA at the relevant time
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`would have had “a M.S. in Optics, Optical Engineering, or similar studies in a
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`related field (e.g., Physics or Mechanical Engineering) with 2-3 years of
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`experience in the optics/mechanical industry.” I disagree.
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`23. A POSA in the field of the ‘882 patent would necessarily have
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`experience working in the automotive industry. The ‘882 patent claims are
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`directed to “[a]n exterior sideview mirror assembly suitable for use on a vehicle.”
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`Ex. 1001, claim 1. According to the specification, the specific problem that the
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`claimed invention solves is to “reduce[], if not eliminate[], an automobile’s blind
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`spot.” Id., 20:54. The specification explains that the claimed invention does so in
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`a manner that is superior to prior art blind spot mirrors for several reasons. For
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`example, first, it “provides a seamless rearvision function whereby the image of a
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`side approaching/side overtaking other vehicle is substantially seamlessly
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`maintained as the image of the overtaking or approaching vehicle transitions from
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`being principally and substantially viewed by the driver of the vehicle … in the
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`plano reflective element to be seen in the auxiliary reflective element.” Id., 20:61-
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`21:2. Second, the claimed invention allows “a driver [to] simultaneously and
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`similarly move the auxiliary element and the plano element so as to position their
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`respective rearward fields of view, and to achieve this within the relatively
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`restricted space available in a standard automobile-sized exterior sideview mirror
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`8
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`Patent Owner Magna - Ex. 2001, p. 8
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`assembly.” Id., 13:6-11. And third, the claimed invention “has manufacturing
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`advantages, particularly for exterior sideview mirror assembly manufacturers who
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`can procure a plano-multiradius reflective element assembly module from a mirror
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`reflector supplier and then mount the plano-multiradius reflective element
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`assembly module onto an actuator.” Id., 15:43-49.
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`24. A mechanical engineer, optical engineer, or someone with an M.S. in
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`optics who does not have experience in the automotive industry would not be
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`familiar with the requirements necessary in order to provide an exterior automotive
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`mirror that is useful and convenient to drivers without being distracting, that is
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`desirable for automobile original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and that
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`complies with federal regulatory requirements. For example, the ‘882 patent
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`specification discloses that the plano element should be of a size sufficient “to
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`provide the driver of the automobile a view of a level road surface extending to the
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`horizon from a line, perpendicular to a longitudinal plane tangent to the driver’s
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`side of the automobile at the widest point, extending 8 feet out from the tangent
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`plane 35 feet behind the driver’s eyes.” Id., 13:24-32; see also id., 15:65-16:9
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`(describing similar requirement). A POSA would recognize that this field of view
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`is consistent with the requirements of FMVSS 111. Ex. 1040, 20. A person
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`without experience in the automotive industry would not necessarily have the
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`understanding and experience of designing, developing, and testing vehicle
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`9
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`Patent Owner Magna - Ex. 2001, p. 9
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`components and systems to comply with this requirement and the other
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`requirements of FMVSS, while also still meeting the stringent automotive industry
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`standards and rigorous requirements for reliability, quality, durability,
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`performance, manufacturing, and assembly. A person without experience in the
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`automotive industry would also not necessarily understand that vehicle
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`components and systems must also be designed and developed to meet due care
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`requirements, beyond the minimal safety standards established by FMVSS
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`regulations. This requires work in the automotive industry and an understanding of
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`how automobiles are used in the real world.
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`25. For example, in applications specific to this patent, an engineer with
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`experience in the automotive industry would understand the added complexities in
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`designing automotive side-view mirror systems that safely provide the requisite
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`information to the driver (such as whether a vehicle is in the blind spot) to
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`maximize the ability of the driver to visually perceive and cognitively understand
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`the information. An engineer with experience in the automotive industry would
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`also understand the need to minimize driver confusion regarding objects appearing
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`in the side view mirror and the need to minimize driver distraction and enable the
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`driver to focus attention on the view forward of the vehicle. Engineers with
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`experience in the automotive industry would recognize that the ‘882 patent alludes
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`to these types of design considerations when it discusses, for example, that the
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`10
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`Patent Owner Magna - Ex. 2001, p. 10
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`invention “provides a seamless rearvision function whereby the image of a side
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`approaching/side overtaking other vehicle is substantially seamlessly maintained as
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`the image of the overtaking or approaching vehicle transitions from being
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`principally and substantially viewed by the driver of the vehicle … in the plano
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`reflective element to be seen in the auxiliary reflective element.” Ex. 1001, 20:61-
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`21:2.
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`26. Based on the field that the ‘882 patent is directed to, the levels of
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`education and experience of persons working in the field in the relevant time, the
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`types of problems encountered in the field, and the sophistication of the
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`technology, a POSA at the time of the ‘882 patent priority date would have had a
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`M.S. in an engineering discipline relevant to automotive component design (e.g.,
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`electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or optical engineering), as well as
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`2-3 years of experience in the automotive industry designing components for
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`automobiles.
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`IV. BACKGROUND LAW
`27.
`I have been informed that claims of unexpired patents in an IPR are
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`given their broadest reasonable interpretation, when reading the claims in light of
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`the specification and the teachings in the patent. I also have been informed that the
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`broadest reasonable interpretation should account for how the claims themselves
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`and the specification inform a POSA as to which ordinary definition the patentee
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`11
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`Patent Owner Magna - Ex. 2001, p. 11
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`was using. I further have been informed that claims should not be construed so
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`broadly that they are unreasonable under general claim construction principles.
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`V. OPINIONS
`A. Disclosures of Lynam ‘026 That Appear in the ‘451 Patent
`28.
`I understand that SMR asserts that each limitation of claims 1-20 of
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`the ‘882 patent are disclosed by U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. 2002/0072026 (“Lynam
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`‘026”).
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`29. Lynam ‘026 is a published patent application that is a continuation-in-
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`part of the application that issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,522,451 (“the ‘451 patent”).
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`30. The majority of the material from Lynam ‘026 that SMR maps to the
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`claims of the ‘882 patent also appears in the ‘451 patent. Exhibit 2012 is an
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`annotated copy of Lynam ‘026, with the paragraphs that also appear in the ‘451
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`patent highlighted.
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`31. SMR’s mapping of the disclosures of Lynam ‘026 to the claim
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`limitations of the ‘882 patent demonstrates that the ‘451 patent also fully discloses
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`the majority of the claim limitations of the ‘882 patent as arranged in the ‘882
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`patent. The limitations of claims 1-20 of the ‘882 patent for which SMR relies on
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`one or more paragraphs of Lynam ‘026 that also appear in the ‘451 patent are
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`shown in the chart below.
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`12
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`Patent Owner Magna - Ex. 2001, p. 12
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`IPR2018-00533
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`Limitation
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`Lynam ‘026 disclosure cited by SMR
`that also appears in the ‘451 patent
`
`¶¶ 41, 50-51, 53, Figs. 1-3, 6
`
`Pages of SMR
`Petition Where
`Limitation Is
`Discussed
`Petition, 38-39, 50,
`51-52
`
`Preamble,
`1[a], [b], [l],
`15[a], [b],
`18[a], [b]
`1[c], 15[c],
`18[c]
`1[k], 15[m],
`18[l]
`1[d], [f],
`15[d], [f],
`18[d], [f]
`1[e], [h],
`15[e], [j],
`18[e], [i]
`1[g], 15[h],
`18[h]
`1[i], 15[l],
`18[k]
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`¶ 41, Fig. 3
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`Petition, 40, 50, 51-52
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`¶¶ 41-42, 58, Figs. 3, 6
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`Petition, 40, 50, 51-52
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`¶¶ 42, 50-52, 59, 61, Figs. 3, 6
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`Petition, 41, 50, 51-52
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`¶¶ 42-43, 45, 49, 58-59, 61, Figs. 3,
`5A-H, 6-7
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`Petition, 41-42, 50,
`51-52
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`¶¶ 42, 44-45, 50-52, 59, 61, Figs. 3,
`5A-5H, 6-7
`¶¶ 52, 59, 61, Figs. 3, 6-7
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`Petition, 42-43, 50,
`51-52
`Petition, 44, 50, 51-52
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`13
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`Patent Owner Magna - Ex. 2001, p. 13
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`Limitation
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`1[n], 15[p],
`18[o]
`1[m], 15[o],
`18[n]
`2, 3, 7, 11, 14
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`6
`9, 18[g]
`10
`12
`13
`15[g]
`15[i]
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`IPR2018-00533
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`Lynam ‘026 disclosure cited by SMR
`that also appears in the ‘451 patent
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`¶¶ 46, 61
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`¶¶ 43, 47-48, 55
`
`Pages of SMR
`Petition Where
`Limitation Is
`Discussed
`IPR2018-00506,
`Petition, 461
`Petition, 45, 50, 51-52
`
`¶¶ 5, 42-43, 45, 47-48, 50-53, 55, 59,
`83, Figs. 3, 6
`¶¶ 3, 52, 58-59, 61
`¶¶ 43, 47, 55, 83
`¶¶ 43, 47, 50, 55, 83
`¶¶ 41-42, 46, 54, 58-59, 61, Fig. 1
`¶¶ 41-42, 45, 47, 55, 58-59, Fig. 1
`¶¶ 45, 47, 55, 83, Fig. 3
`¶¶ 42, 50, 52-53, 59, Figs. 3, 6
`
`Petition, 45-46
`
`Petition, 48
`Petition, 49, 52
`Petition, 49
`Petition, 49
`Petition, 49-50
`Petition, 50-51
`Petition, 51
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`32.
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`I agree with SMR that each of the paragraphs of Lynam ‘026 cited
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`above disclose the limitations of the ‘882 patent claims for which SMR cites those
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`paragraphs. Because each of these paragraphs also appear in the ‘451 patent, the
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`1 SMR cited ¶¶ 46 and 61 as disclosing a limitation requiring an overall FOV of
`greater than 25 degrees, similar to limitations 1[n], 15[p], and 18[q] of the ‘882
`patent, in IPR2018-00506. SMR therefore admits that these paragraphs disclose
`limitations 1[n], 15[p], and 18[q] of the ‘882 patent as well.
`14
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`Patent Owner Magna - Ex. 2001, p. 14
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`‘451 patent discloses all of the limitations of the ‘882 that appear in the chart
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`above.
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`B. Construction of “Backing Plate”
`33.
`I understand that claims 1, 15, and 18 of the ‘882 patent require a
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`“mirror backing plate element.”
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`34. Claims 1, 15, and 18 include a number of additional requirements for
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`the “backing plate,” including that it has the main plano mirror element “disposed
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`at a first portion,” the auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element “fixedly disposed
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`at a second portion,” that the “auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element that is at
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`said second portion of said mirror backing plate element is angled relative to said
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`main plano mirror element that is at said first portion of said mirror backing plate
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`element,” and that it “mounts to said actuator, such that movement of said mirror
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`backing plate element by said actuator simultaneously and similarly moves said
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`main plano element and said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element.”
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`35. The broadest reasonable interpretation of “backing plate” to a POSA
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`based on the claims and the specification of the ‘882 patent is “a rigid structure that
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`supports the rear surfaces of the primary and auxiliary reflective elements.”
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`36. This interpretation is consistent with the ordinary meaning of “plate,”
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`which is a “rigid body.” Ex. 2014, 1344. Two support structures connected by a
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`15
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`Patent Owner Magna - Ex. 2001, p. 15
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`flexible hinge or bellows would not be “rigid,” and therefore a POSA would have
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`understood that such a structure is not a “backing plate.”
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`37. This interpretation is also consistent with the specification of the ‘882
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`patent, which states that the backing plate is a “rigid polymeric substrate capable of
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`supporting plano element 50 and multiradius element 155” that has “a flat portion
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`… that corresponds to and is aligned with plano element 150” and “a curved
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`portion … that corresponds to and is aligned with multiradius element 155,” and
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`that is “formed as a single element.” Ex. 1001, 8:57-9:2. This interpretation is
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`also consistent with the “backing plate” depicted in Figures 11 and 14, which are
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`reproduced below and which show the “backing plate” at number 160.
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`16
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`Patent Owner Magna - Ex. 2001, p. 16
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`IPR2018-00533
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`38. This interpretation is also consistent with the description in the
`
`specification that the backing plate elements are at an angle or are angled relative
`
`to one another, rather than being adjustable with respect to one another. See, e.g.,
`
`Ex. 1001, 10:54-55 (“section AA to BB of backing plate element 160’ is angled to
`
`section BB to CC”), 10:62-63 (“the angling of section AA to BB to section BB to
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`CC”), 14:55-56 (“portion AA to BB of backing plate element 160’ is generally
`
`angled to portion BB to CC of backing plate 160’”) (all emphases added).
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`Similarly claims 1, 15, and 18 of the ‘882 patent require that the auxiliary mirror
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`element on the backing plate “is angled” relative to the main mirror on the backing
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`plate. A rigid backing plate ensures that the auxiliary mirror “is angled” relative to
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`the main mirror; a flexible, adjustable support structure does not have a set,
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`specific angling.
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`39. Furthermore, in addition to what I have discussed above, a POSA
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`would also understand that the backing plate claimed in the ‘882 patent provides
`17
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`Patent Owner Magna - Ex. 2001, p. 17
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`manufacturing advantages, since the backing plate can be molded as a single
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`component, with pre-set dimensions and surfaces configured to fit the placement of
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`the plano reflective element and the auxiliary reflective element. The ‘882 patent
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`specification also explains that this provides manufacturing benefits for the
`
`exterior sideview mirror manufacturers “who can procure a plano-multiradius
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`reflective element assembly module from a mirror reflector supplier and then
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`mount the plano-multiradius reflective element assembly module onto an
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`actuator.” Id., 15:43-49.
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`40. There is another embodiment that is disclosed in the specification of
`
`the ‘882 patent wherein the two reflective elements are “separately and
`
`independently mounted.” Ex. 1001, 21:41-43. In this embodiment, the auxiliary
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`reflective element is fixedly mounted to the mirror casing, and only the primary
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`reflective element is adjustable, which means that the angling between the two
`
`reflective elements is adjusted when the primary reflective element is repositioned.
`
`See id., 21:26-36. This embodiment is not claimed by the ‘882 patent because all
`
`of the claims of the ‘882 patent require that both reflective elements are mounted
`
`to a single “backing plate.” Because the ‘882 patent teaches providing for
`
`independent adjustability of the mirror elements by separately mounting them, a
`
`POSA would have understood that the “backing plate” of the claims of the ‘882
`
`patent does not allow for independent adjustability of the reflective elements.
`
`
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`18
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`Patent Owner Magna - Ex. 2001, p. 18
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`IPR2018-00533
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`41. The rigid backing plate with a fixed angle between the primary and
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`auxiliary reflective elements provides benefits for drivers. Because the backing
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`plate provides a fixed angle, the angling is set by the manufacturer, and the driver
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`does not need to worry about correctly adjusting the auxiliary reflective element,
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`which introduces the potential for user error. The driver can adjust the plano
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`reflective element into the desired position, and the auxiliary reflective element
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`will automatically be adjusted in tandem, simultaneously and similarly as the plano
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`reflective element (see Ex. 1001, 5:65-6:8), to have the auxiliary reflective
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`element correctly view towards the blind spot. Furthermore, a POSA would
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`understand that separately setting both the plano reflective element and the
`
`auxiliary reflective element in the proper position would be difficult and time
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`consuming for many drivers. Therefore, a POSA would understand that adjusting
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`the plano reflective element and the auxiliary reflective element in tandem
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`(through the electrically-operable actuator attached to the single backing plate)
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`saves time, is more efficient, mitigates the potential for user error, and therefore
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`increases overall safety. See Ex. 1001, 13:2-12 (“The tandem mounting of a plano
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`element of unit magnification and a separate auxiliary element onto a common,
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`single backing plate element, and the mounting of this backing plate element onto
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`an actuator of an exterior sideview mirror assembly so that a driver can
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`simultaneously and similarly move the auxiliary element and the plano element so
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`19
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`Patent Owner Magna - Ex. 2001, p. 19
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`as to position their respective rearward fields of view, and to achieve this within
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`the relatively restricted space available in a standard automobile-sized exterior
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`sideview mirror assembly is an important element of this present invention.”).
`
`C. Henion ‘013 Discloses A Trailer Towing Mirror
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`42. Larger vehicles such as pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles are
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`often equipped with a towing hitch that can be used to tow a trailer, camper, boat,
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`mobile home, horse carrier, or a similar object. The presence of the trailer presents
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`additional difficulties for the driver, and specialized mirrors, commonly called
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`trailer towing mirrors, are used to address the particular challenge of towing a
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`trailer.
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`43.
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` Many towed objects block the view of the towing vehicle’s inside
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`rearview mirror. A driver towing such a trailer needs to rely solely on the side
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`view mirrors when attempting to see if there are any obstacles behind the vehicle.
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`The side view mirrors therefore need to provide a view around the trailer and need
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`to have a clear view along the side of the trailer.
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`44. Having a clear view along the side of the trailer is particularly
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`important when parking or backing up. The driver must rely on the side view
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`mirrors to clearly see the sides of the trailer to avoid hitting objects (such as an
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`adjacent parked car, the side of a loading dock, or the sides of a garage stall) when
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`backing into a parking space.
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`20
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`Patent Owner Magna - Ex. 2001, p. 20
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`45. A trailer towing mirror that features a spotting mirror may be
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`designed to give the spotting mirror a field of view that extends further skyward
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`and further downward towards the road surface, so that the driver can see the top
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`and bottom of the side of the trailer. The spotting mirror may be designed to
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`provide a view of the side of the trailer so that the driver can position the field of
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`view of the main plano mirror element further outward away from the side of the
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`vehicle without losing sight of the side of the vehicle.
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`46. Because they are designed for larger vehicles such as trucks and
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`SUVs, trailer towing mirrors are typically larger than a mirror on a smaller car.
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`Cars typically have smaller mirrors than trucks and SUVs for styling reasons,
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`because a smaller mirror is more aesthetically pleasing on a smaller vehicle than a
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`large mirror. A smaller mirror also has aerodynamic benefits because its smaller
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`front surface area creates less drag. This improves a vehicle’s fuel efficiency.
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`47. A POSA would have understood that the primary reference SMR
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`asserts for ground 2, WO 2001/44013 (“Henion ‘013”) discloses a trailer towing
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`mirror for at least two reasons. First, the inboard location of the spotter mirror is
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`ideally suited for viewing along the side of the vehicle and along the side of the
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`trailer being towed, not viewing into a blind spot. The ‘882 patent specification
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`discusses this as a benefit of a spotting mirror that is positioned at the inboard edge
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`of a mirror assembly. See Ex. 1001, 12:53-59 (inboard spotter configuration
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`21
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`Patent Owner Magna - Ex. 2001, p. 21
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`“allows the driver [to] view the side of the vehicle (something many drivers desire
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`in order to have a frame of reference for their rearward field of view) while
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`facilitating having a wide field of view for the plano portion”). An inboard lower
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`spotter that views along the side of the vehicle will allow the driver to look to the
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`location where he or she would expect to see along the side of the vehicle, the side
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`of the mirror closest to the e

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