Opinion
Case No. 14-cv-05511-WHO
09-22-2016
EON CORP IP HOLDINGS LLC, Plaintiff, v. APPLE INC., Defendant.
CLAIM CONSTRUCTION ORDER
BACKGROUND
The parties ask me to construe ten terms from the two patents asserted in this case. The patents in suit relate to wireless communication systems designed to enable two-way communications between a network and an individual subscriber unit, such as a cell phone.
The '101 Patent (Patent Number 5,388,101, issued Feb 7, 1995) is titled "Interactive nationwide data service communication system for stationary and mobile battery operated subscriber units." The '101 Patent describes a wireless system wherein portable subscriber units can communicate with a network while moving through geographical zones.
The '491 Patent (Patent Number 5,592,491, issued Jan 7, 1997) is titled "Wireless modem." The '491 Patent is a continuation-in-part of the '101 Patent. The system claimed by the '491 Patent broadly operates by determining whether "Path A," typically a cellular network connection, is impaired such that a subscriber unit cannot communicate with the network. See '491 Patent at 2:14-41. If it is, the system communicates using "Path B," typically a wireless or Wi-Fi network connection, via a modem.
LEGAL STANDARD
I. CLAIM CONSTRUCTION GENERALLY
Claim construction is a matter of law. See Markman v. Westview Instruments, Inc., 517 U.S. 370, 372 (1996); Vitronics Corp. v. Conceptronic, Inc., 90 F.3d 1576, 1582 (Fed. Cir. 1996). Terms contained in claims are "generally given their ordinary and customary meaning." Vitronics, 90 F.3d at 1582. In determining the proper construction of a claim, a court begins with the intrinsic evidence of record, consisting of the claim language, the patent specification, and, if in evidence, the prosecution history. Phillips v. AWH Corp., 415 F.3d 1303, 1313 (Fed. Cir. 2005); see also Vitronics, 90 F.3d at 1582. "A claim term used in multiple claims should be construed consistently . . . ." Inverness Med. Switzerland GmbH v. Princeton Biomeditech Corp., 309 F.3d 1365, 1371 (Fed. Cir. 2002).
"The appropriate starting point . . . is always with the language of the asserted claim itself." Comark Commc'ns, Inc. v. Harris Corp., 156 F.3d 1182, 1186 (Fed. Cir. 1998). "[T]he ordinary and customary meaning of a claim term is the meaning that the term would have to a person of ordinary skill in the art in question at the time of the invention, i.e., as of the effective filing date of the patent application." Phillips, 415 F.3d at 1312. "There are only two exceptions to this general rule: 1) when a patentee sets out a definition and acts as his own lexicographer, or 2) when the patentee disavows the full scope of a claim term either in the specification or during prosecution." Thorner v. Sony Computer Entm't Am. LLC, 669 F.3d 1362, 1365 (Fed. Cir. 2012).
"Importantly, the person of ordinary skill in the art is deemed to read the claim term not only in the context of the particular claim in which the disputed term appears, but in the context of the entire patent, including the specification." Phillips, 415 F.3d at 1313. "Claims speak to those skilled in the art," but "[w]hen the meaning of words in a claim is in dispute, the specification and prosecution history can provide relevant information about the scope and meaning of the claim." Electro Med. Sys., S.A. v. Cooper Life Scis., Inc., 34 F.3d 1048, 1054 (Fed. Cir. 1994) (citations omitted). "[T]he specification is always highly relevant to the claim construction analysis. Usually, it is dispositive; it is the single best guide to the meaning of a disputed term." Vitronics, 90 F.3d at 1582. "However, claims are not to be interpreted by adding limitations appearing only in the specification." Id. "Thus, although the specifications may well indicate that certain embodiments are preferred, particular embodiments appearing in a specification will not be read into the claims when the claim language is broader than such embodiments." Id. Conversely, "where [ ] the claim language is unambiguous, [the Federal Circuit has] construed the claims to exclude all disclosed embodiments." Lucent Techs., Inc. v. Gateway, Inc., 525 F.3d 1200, 1215- 16 (Fed. Cir. 2008). "[T]he description may act as a sort of dictionary, which explains the invention and may define terms used in the claims," and the "patentee is free to be his own lexicographer," but "any special definition given to a word must be clearly defined in the specification." Markman, 517 U.S. at 989-90.
On the other hand, it is a fundamental rule that "claims must be construed so as to be consistent with the specification." Phillips, 415 F.3d at 1316. "The construction that stays true to the claim language and most naturally aligns with the patent's description of the invention will be, in the end, the correct construction." Renishaw PLC v. Marposs Societa' per Azioni, 158 F.3d 1243, 1250 (Fed. Cir. 1998).
Finally, the court may consider the prosecution history of the patent, if in evidence. Markman, 52 F.3d at 980. The prosecution history may "inform the meaning of the claim language by demonstrating how the inventor understood the invention and whether the inventor limited the invention in the course of prosecution, making the claim scope narrower than it would otherwise be." Phillips, 415 F.3d at 1317 (citing Vitronics, 90 F.3d at 1582-83); see also Chimie v. PPG Indus., Inc., 402 F.3d 1371, 1384 (Fed. Cir. 2005) ("The purpose of consulting the prosecution history in construing a claim is to exclude any interpretation that was disclaimed during prosecution.") (internal quotations omitted).
In most situations, analysis of this intrinsic evidence alone will resolve claim construction disputes. Vitronics, 90 F.3d at 1583. However, "it is entirely appropriate . . . for a court to consult trustworthy extrinsic evidence to ensure that the claim construction it is tending to from the patent file is not inconsistent with clearly expressed, plainly apposite, and widely held understandings in the pertinent technical field." Pitney Bowes, Inc. v. Hewlett-Packard Co., 182 F.3d 1298, 1309 (Fed. Cir. 1999). Extrinsic evidence "consists of all evidence external to the patent and prosecution history, including expert and inventor testimony, dictionaries, and learned treatises." Markman, 52 F.3d at 980. All extrinsic evidence should be evaluated in light of the intrinsic evidence, Phillips, 415 F.3d at 1319, and courts should not rely on extrinsic evidence in claim construction to contradict the meaning of claims discernible from examination of the claims, the written description, and the prosecution history, Pitney Bowes, 182 F.3d at 1308 (citing Vitronics, 90 F.3d at 1583). While extrinsic evidence may guide the meaning of a claim term, such evidence is less reliable than intrinsic evidence. Phillips, 415 F.3d at 1318-19. II. SENSUS LITIGATION
In a prior case brought by EON, the Hon. Jon S. Tigar of this District construed terms from the '491 patent. Eon Corp. IP Holdings LLC v. Aruba Networks Inc., 62 F. Supp. 3d 942 (N.D. Cal. March 5, 2014) (Sensus). In ruling on the Sensus defendants' motion for summary judgment, Judge Tigar further construed claims from the '491 patent. EON CorpIP Holdings LLC v. Cisco Sys. Inc, 36 F. Supp. 3d 912 (N.D. Cal. April 1, 2014) (Sensus II). He granted defendants' motion for summary judgment and his decision was affirmed on appeal by the Federal Circuit. Id., aff'd sub nom. EON Corp. IP Holdings LLC v. Cisco Sys., Inc., 595 F. App'x 991 (Fed. Cir. 2015). In this case, I have already determined that Judge Tigar's summary judgment determinations in Sensus II collaterally estop EON from relitigating the same issues here. August 17, 2015 Order (Dkt. No. 130). With respect to claim construction, collateral estoppel likewise will apply against EON (but not Apple) to constructions made by Judge Tigar that Apple argues should be adopted here. Even if collateral estoppel did not apply, I consider Judge Tigar's constructions persuasive and absent a showing that it would be erroneous to adopt them in this case, I will follow them.
W. v. Quality Gold, Inc., No. 5:10-CV-03124-JF HRL, 2011 WL 6055424, at *2 (N.D. Cal. Sept. 16, 2011) (noting collateral estoppel can only be applied in the claim construction context against a party who was a party in the prior proceeding).
DISCUSSION
As an initial matter, the parties agree to the following constructions:
"An interactive video data system comprising," as used in the preamble of claim 19 of the '101 Patent, is not limiting.
The term "modem," as used in claims 13 and 17 of the '491 Patent, is defined as: "a device that modulates an analog carrier signal to encode digital information, and demodulates such a carrier signal to decode the transmitted digital information."
The term "multiplexed," as used in claim 13 of the '491 Patent, is defined as: "combined messages transmitted over a single channel."
The term "synchronously related," as used in claim 13 of the '491 Patent, is defined as: "related in time."
I. '491 PATENT
A. "network hub switching center"
As used in claim 13:
A two-way communication system comprising:
. . .
a network hub switching center for routing communications from and to said at least one subscriber unit, and
. . . .
| Patent/Term | Sensus | EON's Proposal | Apple's Proposal |
|---|---|---|---|
| "a network hubswitching center"(claims 13 and 17 ofthe '491 Patent) | "a switching centerthat performs theswitching functionsneeded foroperation of thesubscriber units in agroup of cells thatthe switching centerservices."The switchingcenter is a networkhub that isresponsible forrouting packetizeddata messages toand from subscriberunits. | "a switching centerthat performs theswitching functionsneeded foroperation of thesubscriber units in agroup of cells thatthe switchingcenter services."An Internetserver—i.e., onethat provides foremail, socialnetworks, locationservices, searchengines, orother Internet-basedservices—does notfall within thescope of the term. |
In Eon CorpIP Holdings LLC v. Aruba Networks Inc, 62 F. Supp. 3d 942, 968 (N.D. Cal. 2014) (Sensus I), Judge Tigar construed this term to mean: "a switching center that performs the switching functions needed for operation of the subscriber units in a group of cells that the switching center services." Id. at 957-58. Although both parties adopt the Sensus I construction, each argues additional language is necessary to clarify the scope of the claim. See, e.g., Eon Corp. IP Holdings v. Silver Spring Networks, 815 F.3d 1314, 1319 (Fed. Cir. 2016) (courts are required to resolve appropriate disputes "about claim scope" unless the parties' arguments go to infringement and not construction). Under Apple's proposal, the network hub switching center cannot be an Internet server. Under EON's proposal, the network hub switching center operates on packetized data. I address each of these limitations in turn.
1. Operation on the Internet
Apple argues that EON is precluded from arguing that the network hub switching center could be a "third-party Internet server," because that interpretation was explicitly rejected in Sensus. Oppo. 4. Apple contends that, in relation to the meaning of "network hub switching center," Sensus decided that: "(1) the claimed 'network' is a 'cellular core network,' and (2) the Sensus Court's claim construction 'requires the switching center to be a cellular core network component.'" Oppo. 5. EON contends that Apple's additional language is improper because (1) it is inconsistent with the intrinsic record; (2) it is impermissibly based on Apple's infringement position; and (3) it incorrectly conflates the Sensus court's construction of "network hub switching center" with the court's application of that construction at summary judgement. Opening Br. 5-6; Reply 1.
As noted above, I have already concluded that Sensus may preclude EON from raising issues that were decided in that case. Dkt. 130. Here, preclusion turns on whether Apple's proposed limitation was "actually litigated" in Sensus. I conclude that it was. In the Sensus summary judgment order, the court clarified its construction of "network hub switching center" in several ways. First, the court clarified that in its prior claim construction order it "used the word "network" to mean a cellular core network, "not something as expansive as the internet." Sensus II, 36 F. Supp. 3d at 928. Judge Tigar also concluded that "the public switched network is part of the cellular network." Id. at 928 (citing the '491 Patent specification). Second, the court rejected EON's contention that "a third-party Internet server may constitute the claimed 'network hub switching center.'" Id. Although not part of the Sensus court's explicit construction, Judge Tigar adopted these limitations to define the scope of the word "network" in "network hub switching center." EON has already attempted to argue that a "network hub switching center" can be an Internet server, and a court has already rejected this contention. EON does not get a second bite at this Apple. Therefore, I conclude that EON is estopped from arguing that a "network hub switching center" can be an Internet server.
The other three issue preclusion factors - that the issues in Sensus were disposed of in a final judgment, that they were "actually litigated," and that Eon was a party to Sensus - are satisfied for the same reasons as explained in my order granting summary judgment. Dkt. 130.
EON argues that Sensus II made an infringement determination specific to the facts in that case, but did not create a "per se rule" that prevents network hub switching centers from being Internet servers. Reply 1-2. In particular, EON distinguishes Sensus on the grounds that the allegedly infringing network hub switching centers in that case were not in the networks of the accused infringers (Sprint and US Cellular). Reply 3. At the claim construction argument, EON similarly argued that Judge Tigar's construction can only be preclusive as to third-party NHSCs (which Judge Tigar concluded were outside the accused cellular networks), but should not be extended to excluding "the internet" or NHSCs operated by defendant Apple.
At claim construction, EON argued that the portion of the Sensus order I rely on was focused on third party networks, as shown by Judge Tigar's reliance on Figure 2 in the 491 patent to show placement of public switched network. EON argues that Figure 3, which shows the NHSC itself, is more relevant to the question before me. However, Judge Tigar's reliance on Figure 2 was to show that the "network" at issue was the cellular one used by the patent process, as opposed to third party networks (operated by defendants in Sensus). The network limitation would flow to and likewise limit the NetworkHSC, as confirmed by Judge Tigar's conclusion that "since a third-party server does not fall within the scope of the term 'network hub switching center,' EON's argument fails." EON is focusing on a distinction without a difference.
In making this argument, EON falls prey to the same mistake of which it accuses Apple: infecting claim construction with infringement contentions. Although Apple's proposed language is derived from the Sensus summary judgment order (which, of course, deals with EON's infringement contentions), the court's reasoning in excluding internet servers from its definition of "network" had nothing to do with these contentions. Instead, the court based its reasoning on the intrinsic record, specifically Figure 2 of the '491 Patent, which showed the placement of the public switched network as being part of the cellular network and, therefore, network hub switching centers likewise excluded third-party servers. Sensus, 36 F. Supp. 3d at 928.
The Sensus court's conclusion applies not only to the specific infringement dispute before it, but to the meaning of the term generally. As such, it is appropriate here to define "network hub switching center" as not including an internet server.
Apple objects to evidence submitted with EON's reply regarding the NHSCs, including dictionary definitions and excerpts of the deposition testimony of Apple's expert, Dr. Kevin J. Negus. Dkt. No. 188. EON argues its reliance on this evidence was appropriate given the arguments made by Apple in Apple's claim construction statement. Dkt. No. 189. In construing the term at issue, I have considered but do not rely on EON's reply evidence.
2. Packetization
EON argues that the intrinsic record demonstrates that the network hub switching center communicates through a packet-switched network and routes messages. Opening Br. 7. There is support for Eon's position, '101 Patent at 7:57-59 ("... messages from the individual subscriber home units 4, (X) longer than 240 bits require several frames, with accumulation into packets ..."). Apple does not dispute that many communication networks (including networks other than the Internet) used packetized data. Apple Br. 7-8. EON's proposed addition, however, could be read to imply that the NHSC always routes packetized data, a limitation which is not supported. Therefore, I will adopt EON's proposed language with slight modification.
3. Construction
Therefore, "network hub switching center" is construed to mean "a switching center that performs the switching functions needed for operation of the subscriber units in a group of cells that the switching center services. The switching center is a network hub that is responsible for routing data, including packetized data messages, to and from subscriber units. An Internet server—i.e., one that provides for email, social networks, location services, search engines, or other Internet-based services—does not fall within the scope of the term."
B. Conditional Terms
1. "transferring . . . if said at least one subscriber unit is unable to communicate directly with a local base station repeater cell."
As used:
A two-way communication system comprising:
. . .
a modem communicatively coupled to said at least one subscriber unit and said network hub switching center for transferring multiplexed synchronously related digital data messages of variable lengths between said at least one subscriber unit and
said network hub switching center if said at least one subscriber unit is unable to communicate directly with a local base station repeater cell, said modem also adapted for communicating with said local base station repeater cell if communication therebetween is not otherwise prevented.
| Patent/Term | EON's Proposal | Apple's Proposal |
|---|---|---|
| "transferring . . . ifsaid at least onesubscriber unit isunable tocommunicate directlywith a local basestation repeater cell"(claim 13 of the '491Patent) | "transferring . . . ifsaid local subscriberunits are unable, forsome reason otherthan the userintentionally disablingsaid unit, to directlycommunicate withsaid local base stationrepeater cell." Themethod is binary,meaning that thesubscriber unit eithercommunicates withthe local base stationor the modem, butdoes not communicatethe same data overboth paths at the sametime.The transferringfunction of themodem is conditionedon whether thesubscriber unit isunable to directlycommunicate with thelocal base stationrepeater cell. | "transferring . . . ifsaid local subscriberunits are unable, forsome reason otherthan the userintentionally disablingsaid unit, to directlycommunicate withsaid local base stationrepeater cell." Thesystem is binary,meaning thesubscriber unit eithercommunicatesdirectly with the localbase station repeatercell or the modem, butnot both.The "transferringfunction" of themodem is conditionedon whether thesubscriber unit isunable to directlycommunicate with thelocal base stationrepeater cell. |
2. "if said subscriber unit" is or is not "receiving signal from said local base station repeater cell"
As used:
A method of communicating between a subscriber unit and a network hub switching center in a two-communication system comprising the steps of:
determining whether a subscriber unit located with a base station geographic area associated a said local base station repeater cell is receiving a signal from said local base station repeater cell; if said subscriber unit is receiving a signal from said local base station repeater cell, performing the steps of:
. . .
if said subscriber unit is not receiving a signal from said local base station repeater cell, performing the steps of:
. . . .
| Patent/Term | EON's Proposal | Apple's Proposal |
|---|---|---|
| "if said subscriberunit is receiving asignal from said localbase station repeatercell . . ." (claim 17 ofthe '491 Patent)"if said subscriberunit is not receiving asignal from said localbase station repeatercell . . ." (claim 17 ofthe '491 Patent) | The method stepslisted after "if saidsubscriber unit is notreceiving a signalfrom said local basestation repeater cell,performing the stepsof" are not performedif the subscriber unitis receiving a signalfrom said local basestation repeater cell.Using the modem tocommunicateregardless of whetherthere is signalreception does not fallwithin the scope ofthe claim.The method is binary,meaning that thesubscriber unit eithercommunicates withthe local base stationor the modem, butdoes not communicatethe same data overboth paths at the sametime. | The method stepslisted after "if saidsubscriber unit is notreceiving a signalfrom said local basestation repeater cell,performing the stepof" are not performedif the subscriber unitis receiving a signalfrom said local basestation repeater cell.Using the modem tocommunicateregardless of whetherthere is signalreception does not fallwithin the scope ofthe claim.The method is binary,meaning thesubscriber unit eithercommunicatesdirectly with the localbase station repeatercell or the modem, butnot both. |
The Sensus court construed these "conditional if" terms together. Sensus, 62 F. Supp. 3d at 961-966. Over EON's objection, Judge Tigar adopted a "binary limitation," clarifying that the claims recite a communication pathway that is an "either/or proposition" id., at 963, 965, and a "conditional limitation," clarifying that the claim scope extends only to situations in which the condition of being unable to communicate currently exists. Id. The court also adopted a "user intervention" limitation (for claim 13), clarifying that the inability to communicate occurred for some reason other than the user intentionally disabling the unit. Id. 964.
Here, with respect to the "transferring ... if term of claim 13, Apple's proposal is a verbatim adoption of the Sensus construction, with the addition of "but not both" to reflect that the binary limitation of the claim does not allow for the subscriber unit to communicate over two paths at the same time. EON's proposed addition goes the other way and seeks to add "but does not communicate the same data over both paths at the same time." EON's proposal would allow different data to be sent over both paths at the same time. That would defeat the "binary limitation" repeatedly recognized by Judge Tigar and is not appropriate here. Apple's additional language provides additional clarification and is fully consistent with the Sensus construction.
With respect to the method language, as above, Apple's proposed addition simply makes clear that the method is binary and the binary limitation does not allow for the subscriber unit to communicate over two paths at the same time. Apple's clarification, unlike EON's proposed addition, is consistent with the Sensus court's constructions and will be adopted.
The "transferring if" language from Claim 13 is construed as: "transferring . . . if said local subscriber units are unable, for some reason other than the user intentionally disabling said unit, to directly communicate with said local base station repeater cell." The system is binary, meaning the subscriber unit either communicates directly with the local base station repeater cell or the modem, but not both. The "transferring function" of the modem is conditioned on whether the subscriber unit is unable to directly communicate with the local base station repeater cell.
The method steps following "if" from Claim 17 are construed as: The method steps listed after "if said subscriber unit is not receiving a signal from said local base station repeater cell, performing the step of" are not performed if the subscriber unit is receiving a signal from said local base station repeater cell. Using the modem to communicate regardless of whether there is signal reception does not fall within the scope of the claim. The method is binary, meaning the subscriber unit either communicates directly with the local base station repeater cell or the modem, but not both.
C. "determining whether a subscriber unit . . . is receiving a signal from said local base station repeater cell"
As used:
A method of communicating between a subscriber unit and a network hub switching center in a two-communication system comprising the steps of:
determining whether a subscriber unit located with a base station geographic area associated a said local base station repeater cell is receiving a signal from said local base station repeater cell;
if said subscriber unit is receiving a signal from said local base station repeater cell, performing the steps of:
. . .
if said subscriber unit is not receiving a signal from said local base station repeater cell, performing the steps of:
. . . .
| Patent/Term | EON's Proposal | Apple's Proposal |
|---|---|---|
| "determining whethera subscriber unitlocated with a basestation geographicarea associated a saidlocal base stationrepeater cell isreceiving a signalfrom said local basestation repeater cell"(claim 17 of the '491Patent) | The step ofdetermining may beperformed by thesubscriber unit or thenetwork, but not bythe human end user ofthe subscriber unit. | The step of"determining" isperformed by thesubscriber unit, not anend user. |
The parties agree that the "determining" cannot be done by a human "user." The question is whether the claim includes determining by the network or is limited to determining by the subscriber unit. In Sensus, EON argued - to overcome a prior finding of indefiniteness - that various components in the subscriber unit were disclosed as helping gather information about signal strength and determining ability to receive a signal. Sensus I, 62 F. Supp. 3d at 950. Apple contends that EON wants to walk away from that argument and broaden its position on which parts of its system are involved in "determining" process. EON argues that the "hand off" function described in the '101 Patent at 8:31-33, 9:4-11 ("the base station repeater cell 3 may initiate the hand-off[;] . . . a signal strength (RSSI) measurement may serve as a criterion for handoff, with the cell directing the subscriber into a set-up routine when signals below a threshold, -80dBm for example, are encountered.") is intrinsic evidence showing that the network can be involved in the determining step. Mot. 11-12. In opposition Apple points out that the "hand off" functionality is expressly described as being performed by the base stations (even if "directed" by the cell) and no mention of "network" involvement is found. In reply, EON points again to the '101 Patent at 9:7-11, which contemplates the cell playing "some role" in the determining process. Id., ("Thus a signal strength (RSSI) measurement may serve as criterion for hand-off, with the cell directing the subscriber into a set-up routine when signals below a threshold, —80dBm for example, are encountered.").
At the claim construction argument, Apple expressed concern that EON's argument - that while the subscriber unit may perform the determining step "other network elements" are not necessarily excluded from playing a role - is an attempt to preserve some role for the end "user." Both sides had agreed that any role of a human user has been excluded by Sensus. For purposes of claim construction, I do not see a need to resolve whether components other than subscriber units are involved in "determining," as long as it is clear that a human user is not involved in that step.
Therefore, "determining whether a subscriber unit . . . is receiving a signal from said local base station repeater cell" is construed as: the step of "determining" can be performed by the subscriber unit, but not by the human end user of the subscriber unit.
D. "switching means for selecting a communication path within said network"
As used:
A two-way communication system comprising:
at least one subscriber unit disposed within a predetermined base station geographic area, said at least one subscriber unit including switching means for selecting a communication path within said communication system . . . .
| Patent/Term | EON's Proposal | Apple's Proposal |
|---|---|---|
| "switching means forselecting acommunication pathwithin saidcommunicationsystem" (claim 13 ofthe '491 Patent) | Function: "selecting acommunication path"Structure: electronicswitch 13 andequivalents. | Function: "selecting acommunication path,"which is a fairlynarrow function akinto "toggling," or"assuming aposition."Structure: Anelectronic switch 13,which merely toggles |
| between the two pathson the basis ofdeterminationsperformed entirely bythe subscriber unitand, as such, there isno room left for ahuman user to be partof the claimed system. |
On EON's motion for reconsideration, the Sensus court determined that the structure for "switching means" (a means-plus-function claim) was adequately supported in the specification by Figure 2 in subscriber unit 12, an electronic switch [13], which worked with other specified functions in the subscriber unit to perform the function. Sensus I, 62 F. Supp.3d at 950. On summary judgment, Judge Tigar concluded based upon his constructions that "if the 'determining' processes are performed entirely by the subscriber unit, and the 'electronic switch' merely toggles between the two paths on the basis of those determinations, there is no room left for a human user to be part of the claim system." Sensus II, 36 F. Supp. 3d at 923.
Apple, in its proposed construction, wants me to adopt Judge Tigar's determination as to scope as determined on summary judgment in Sensus, and make clear that the identification of structure for switching means in the '101 Patent leaves no room for human involvement. EON's competing proposal is limited to the identification of the electronic switch [13] and "its equivalents." EON clarified at the hearing that it does not object to the "toggling" language but objects to Apple's proposed "determining" language and exclusion of human involvement. I conclude that, at this juncture, it is not necessary to address whether the patent claims leave room for human involvement in the selection of a communication path. The use of "toggling" to define the terms is sufficient to provide guidance to the jury. I also agree, however, that EON's "and equivalents" language is neither necessary nor appropriate as no other "equivalent" structures have been identified.
Therefore, the function is: "selecting a communication path," which is a fairly narrow function akin to "toggling," or "assuming a position." The structure is: An electronic switch 13.
E. "a modem communicatively coupled to said at least one subscriber unit and said network hub switching center."
As used:
A two-way communication system comprising:
. . .
a modem communicatively coupled to said at least one subscriber unit and said network hub switching center for transferring multiplexed synchronously related digital data messages of variable lengths between said at least one subscriber unit and said network hub switching center . . . .
| Patent/Term | EON's Proposal | Apple's Proposal |
|---|---|---|
| "a modemcommunicativelycoupled to said atleast one subscriberunit and said networkhub switching center"(claim 13 of the '491Patent) | "A modem isconnected to the localsubscriber unit andthe network hubswitching center forthe purpose ofcommunicationsbetween the two."The term "coupled"within the context ofthe '491 Patent doesnot require a physicalconnection. Likewise,the term "connected"in the constructiondoes not require aphysical connection.This construction doesnot imply that a"connection" mustoccur in a circuitswitched rather than apacket switchednetwork. | A modem isconnected to the localsubscriber unit andthe network hubswitching center forthe purpose ofcommunicationsbetween the two."The term "coupled"within the context ofthe '491 patent,requires a connection,not merely thecapability of such aconnection. |
The Sensus court construed this term as "a modem is connected to the local subscriber unit and the network hub switching center for the purpose of communications between the two." 62 F.Supp. 3d at 954-55. In doing so, Judge Tigar agreed with Apple that "[t]he term 'coupled,' within the context of the patent, requires a connection, not merely the capability of such a connection." Id. at 954. But Judge Tigar also declined to adopt Apple's proposed language because Apple's proposal implied "a spatially or geographically specific type of connection that is not reflected in the intrinsic record." Id. at 955. By declining to adopt Apple's language, Judge Tigar also attempted to "assuage" EON's concern that Apple's proposed construction implied a physical connection (e.g., a wire or cable). Id. As the parties suggest that Judge Tigar's construction should be clarified to explicitly include both of these explanations (connection required but it does not have to be a physical connection), those suggestions are adopted.
EON's attempt to take that construction a step further and discuss the "implications" for circuit versus packet switched networks is not necessary.
Therefore, a modem communicatively coupled to said at least one subscriber unit and said network hub switching center is construed as: A modem is connected to the local subscriber unit and the network hub switching center for the purpose of communications between the two." The term "coupled" within the context of the '491 patent, requires a connection, not merely the capability of such a connection. The term "coupled" within the context of the '491 patent, does not require a wired connection.
II. '101 PATENT
A. "subscribers with portable subscriber units"
As used:
An interactive video data system comprising:
subscribers with portable subscriber units and facilities for communicating from the subscriber units when moved through different geographic zones, and
a set of subscriber units limited to digital processing facilities comprising digital transducers and means for transmitting digital data derived by said transducers.
| Patent/Term | EON's Proposal | Apple's Proposal |
|---|---|---|
| "subscribers withportable subscriberunits" (claim 19 of the'101 Patent) | Subscribers can bepersons, entities,organizations,corporations,companies,partnerships, or anyother association, ormachine or apparatusassociated with orincorporating asubscriber unit. | Persons using theportable subscriberunits. |
The parties agree that "subscribers" can be persons using portable subscriber units. However, under EON's definition, a subscriber can also be: (i) an association, such as an organization, corporation, or company; or (ii) a machine or apparatus. After reviewing the claims, specification, and prosecution history, I find little support for Apple's contention that subscribers must be persons.
Several passages of the '101 Patent acknowledge the possibility of subscribers being non-person entities. For instance, the specification describes a base station as serving "a gridwork of receiver sub-cell sites distributed at locations permitting reliable response by subscribers transmitting with milliwatt digit signal levels in the FCC authorized 218-219 MHz band." '101 Patent at 4:4-5. The statement suggests that a subscriber is a machine because humans cannot transmit signals in the 218-219 MHz band. In addition, the specification describes FIG. 6B as a system flow diagram "for transmitted messages between local subscribers[,] the cell data center and the satellite connected network of cell sites." '101 Patent at 4:46-51. Here again, a "subscriber" would seem to be a machine because it exchanges messages with a "cell data center" and a "satellite connected network." In view of the specification, a person having ordinary skill in the art would understand the term "subscribers" to include more than simply human persons. EON Ex. F ¶ 29 ("Kesan Declaration").
Apple argues that the language of claim 19 limits "subscribers" to persons. Oppo. 19. For instance, Apple contends that the word "with" in the phrase "subscribers with portable subscriber units" indicates a possessory relationship that would only make sense if "subscribers" were persons. Id. But even assuming that the subscriber units are possessed by subscribers, this does not preclude EON's construction. For example, I see no reason why an association or machine could not possess a subscriber unit. Apple further argues that because claim 19 recites subscriber units that are "moved through different geographic zones," an animate subscriber must exist to move the inanimate subscriber units. Id. But this again improperly reads into the claim limitations that do not exist. In sum, the language of claim 19 does not justify limiting "subscribers" to persons. See 3M Innovative Properties Co. v. Tredegar Corp., 725 F.3d 1315 (Fed. Cir. 2013) ("[A]bsent other limiting circumstances, a patentee is entitled to the full breadth of claim scope supported by the words of the claims and the written description." (citations omitted)).
Apple also contends that use of the term "subscribers" in the specification suggests that they are human users and not computer components. Oppo. 19. Apple relies on '101 Patent 5:31-39 and '101 Patent 10:20-28. Id. At best, these passages can be read to suggest that a subscriber may, in some cases, be a human person. But neither of these passages suggests that a subscriber must be a human person. Apple also argues that the portions of the specification relied on by EON use the term "subscriber 4" as a shorthand for a "subscriber unit 4" or a "subscriber video station." Id. 19-20. But even assuming this is true and the relevant passages refer to subscriber units, Apple has not identified anywhere in the specification that explicitly limits the term "subscriber" to human persons. See Brookhill-Wilk 1, LLC. v. Intuitive Surgical, Inc., 334 F.3d 1294, 1301 (Fed. Cir. 2003) ("Absent a clear disclaimer of particular subject matter, the fact that the inventor anticipated that the invention may be used in a particular manner does not limit the scope to that narrow context.").
Apple further contends that EON conceded to Apple's definition of "subscribers" during prosecution. Oppo. 19. Apple relies on EON's statement during reexamination that "[s]ubscribers are users which use the portable subscriber devices." Apple Ex. 7 at 3. But prosecution history disclaimer does not apply where the alleged disavowal is ambiguous, or even amenable to multiple reasonable interpretations. Avid Tech., Inc. v. Harmonic, Inc., 812 F.3d 1040, 1045 (Fed. Cir. 2016) (citations and quotations omitted). EON's statements do not foreclose a broad reading of "subscribers" because organizations and machines can also "use" (in the ordinary meaning of the term) portable subscriber devices. Because the relied-upon statement is not an unambiguous disavowal, it cannot be used to limit claim scope.
Accordingly, for the phrase subscribers with portable subscriber units, subscribers are: persons, entities, organizations, corporations, companies, partnerships, or any other association, or machine or apparatus associated with or incorporating a subscriber unit.
B. "facilities for communicating from the subscriber units when moved through different geographic zones"
As used:
An interactive video data system comprising:
subscribers with portable subscriber units and facilities for communicating from the subscriber units when moved through
different geographic zones, and
a set of subscriber units limited to digital processing facilities comprising digital transducers and means for transmitting digital data derived by said transducers.
| Patent/Term | EON's Proposal | Apple's Proposal |
|---|---|---|
| "facilities forcommunicating fromthe subscriber unitswhen moved throughdifferent geographiczones" (claim 19 ofthe '101 Patent) | Function:"communicating fromthe subscriber unitswhen moved throughdifferent geographiczones."Structure: Subscriberunits 4, 4', 4'', or 4'''(Figs. 1, 2, 6A, 7A,9A), includingsoftware controlfacilities or SoftwareControl DataProcessor 54 and thecorresponding set-upalgorithm to theextent disclosed inFig. 6B and '101Patent 8:15-62, 9:14-19, and statutoryequivalents. | Function:"communicating fromthe subscriber unitswhen moved throughdifferent geographiczones."Structure: Subscriberunits 4, 4', 4'', or 4'''(Figs. 1, 2, 6A, 7A,9A), includingsoftware controlfacilities or SoftwareControl DataProcessor 54 and thecorresponding set-upalgorithm to theextent disclosed inFig. 6B and '101Patent 8:15-62, 9:14-19. |
The debate here is over EON's proposed inclusion of "and statutory equivalents." While "a determination of corresponding structure is a determination of the meaning of the 'means' term in the claim and is thus [] a matter of claim construction," Chiuminatta Concrete Concepts v. Cardinal Indus. Inc., 145 F.2d 1303, 1308 (Fed. Cir. 1998), "'the scope of literally infringing 'equivalents' under § 112[f] is a factual determination' best reserved for a later stage of the litigation.'" Northpeak Wireless LLC v. 3Com Corp., No. 09-cv-00602-SI, 2015 WL 5117020, at *7 fn. 6 (N.D. Cal. Aug. 28, 2015) (citing Symbol Techs, Inc. v. Opticon, Inc., 935 F.2d 1569, 1575 (Fed. Cir. 1991)).
I agree with Apple. The purpose of claim construction is to identify the structures; what may be equivalent to those structures is a fact question for the jury.
Therefore, the function is: "communicating from the subscriber units when moved through different geographic zones." The structure is: Subscriber units 4, 4', 4'', or 4''' (Figs. 1, 2, 6A, 7A, 9A), including software control facilities or Software Control Data Processor 54 and the corresponding set-up algorithm to the extent disclosed in Fig. 6B and '101 Patent 8:15-62, 9:14-19.
C. "subscriber units limited to digital processing facilities . . . digital transducers" and "digital transducers"
As used:
An interactive video data system comprising:
subscribers with portable subscriber units and facilities for communicating from the subscriber units when moved through different geographic zones, and
a set of subscriber units limited to digital processing facilities comprising digital transducers and means for transmitting digital data derived by said transducers.
| Patent/Term | EON's Proposal | Apple's Proposal |
|---|---|---|
| "subscriber unitslimited to digitalprocessing facilitiescomprising digitaltransducers and meansfor transmitting digitaldata derived by saidtransducers" (claim 19of the '101 Patent) | No constructionnecessary; plain andordinary meaning asexplained in EON v.Landis+Gyr Inc., No.6:11-cv-317, Dkt. No.249 (EDTX). | Subscriber unitsrestricted to digitalprocessing facilities,and not includingcomponents operatingin analog. The digitalprocessing facilitiesinclude digitaltransducers and meansfor transmitting digitaldata derived by saidtransducers. |
Apple's construction of this term generally tracks the claim language but explicitly excludes the subscriber units from "including components operating in analog." EON contends that no construction is needed, or alternatively, that the term should take its plain and ordinary meaning as explained in Eon Corp. IP Holdings, LLC v. Landis±Gyr Inc., No. 6:11-CV-0015-LED-JDL, 2012 WL 5874625, at *7 (E.D. Tex. Nov. 20, 2012) ("Landis") rev'd on other grounds, Eon Corp. IP Holdings v. Silver Spring Networks, 815 F.3d 1314 (Fed. Cir. 2016).
This claim construction dispute warrants resolution. "When the parties raise an actual dispute regarding the proper scope of these claims, the court . . . must resolve that dispute." O2 Micro Int'l Ltd. v. Beyond Innovation Tech. Co., 521 F.3d 1351, 1360 (Fed. Cir. 2008). Here, an actual dispute exists as to whether "digital processing facilities" can or cannot include "components operating in analog." Leaving this question unanswered would impermissibly delegate the task of determining claim scope to the jury.
See Silver Springs, 815 F.3d at 1319 (holding that the district court's decision not to construe two claim terms was legal error because doing so failed to resolve the parties' dispute regarding the scope of the terms). Notably, Silver Springs reversed the Landis court's decision to give two terms (neither of which is at issue in the present case) their "plain and ordinary meaning." The terms at issue in this case were not construed by Silver Springs. --------
I conclude that "components operating in analog" should not be excluded from the recited "digital processing facilities." Apple contends that the claim's phrase "limited to digital processing facilities" inherently cannot include analog processing. Oppo. 22. This exclusion of analog processing might have been compelling if the subscriber units were simply "limited to digital processing." However, claim 19 recites "digital processing facilities" (emphasis added). Apple has provided no authority for the contention that digital processing facilities cannot include any analog components whatsoever. For example, Apple does not identify any passage of the specification that clearly excludes analog components from the digital processing facilities. SciMed Life Sys., Inc. v. Advanced Cardiovascular Sys., Inc., 242 F.3d 1337, 1341 (Fed. Cir. 2001) (in order for the specification to narrow the scope of a claim, the specification must "make[] clear that the invention does not include a particular feature."). Absent such a showing, to the term "digital processing facilities" is entitled to its full breath. See 3M Innovative Properties, 725 F.3d at 1333.
Therefore, "subscriber units limited to digital processing facilities comprising digital transducers and means for transmitting digital data derived by said transducers" are defined as: "Subscriber units restricted to digital processing facilities, which may include components operating in analog. The digital processing facilities include digital transducers and means for transmitting digital data derived by said transducers."
D. Digital Transducers
| Patent/Term | EON's Proposal | Apple's Proposal |
|---|---|---|
| "digital transducers"(claim 19 of the '101Patent) | A device thatmeasures physicalquantities and | A device thatmeasures physicalquantities and |
| transmits theinformation as codeddigital signals ratherthan as continuouslyvarying current orvoltages, i.e., analogsignals.A "digitaltransducer," as used inthe claims does notpreclude a transducerthat measuresquantities in analogformat, and thenconverts those analogsignals to digitalsignals fortransmission. | transmits theinformation as codeddigital signals ratherthan as continuouslyvarying currents orvoltages. |
The parties both adopt the basic definition of "digital transducer" provided in the McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms Fourth Edition. Nagdev Ex. 6 at 5 [Dkt. No. 186-7]. Apple's proposed construction matches the dictionary definition, whereas EON's proposed construction includes additional description, matching the construction provided in Landis, 2012 WL 5874625, at *9.
Ultimately, I find little practical difference between the parties' proposed constructions. At bottom, both Apple and EON agree that a transducer is an apparatus that measures some physical quantity and outputs a digital signal. None of the additional verbiage in EON's proposed construction significantly changes the meaning of the McGraw definition. For instance, the phrase "i.e., analog signals" serves to define "analog signals" as "continuously varying current or voltages" but does not appear to modify the definition of the "device" itself. The additional sentence "[a] "digital transducer" . . . transmission" is only meaningful insofar as it clarifies that an analog signal is a "physical quantit[y]" that can be measured by a transducer, but this is not inconsistent with Apple's construction. Given the essentially identical meanings adopted by the parties, I conclude that EON's much longer construction would only serve to confuse the jury. See Control Res., Inc. v. Delta Elecs., Inc., 133 F. Supp. 2d 121, 127 (D. Mass. 2001) ("In the end, claim construction must result in a phraseology that can be taught to a jury of lay people.").
Accordingly, a "digital transducer" is defined as: "A device that measures physical quantities, which may include analog signals, and transmits the information as coded digital signals rather than as continuously varying currents or voltages."
E. "means for transmitting digital data derived by said transducers."
As used:
An interactive video data system comprising:
subscribers with portable subscriber units and facilities for communicating from the subscriber units when moved through different geographic zones, and
a set of subscriber units limited to digital processing facilities comprising digital transducers and means for transmitting digital data derived by said transducers.
| Patent/Term | EON's Proposal | Apple's Proposal |
|---|---|---|
| "means fortransmitting digitaldata derived by saidtransducers" (claim 19of the '101 Patent) | Function: transmittingdigital data derived bysaid transducers.Structure: transceiver50 (FIG. 9A) asdescribed at '101Patent 10:9-13 andtransceiver 4 (FIG. 2)as described at '101Patent 5:59-66, andstatutory equivalents. | Function:"transmitting digitaldata derived by saidtransducers"Structure: Transceiver50 (FIG. 9A) asdescribed at '101Patent 10:9-13, whichstates that "[t]hetransceiver 50 permitstwo way wirelesscommunications inthe 218-219 MHzbands set forth in FIG.8, and compatiblewith the functionshereinbefore set forthsuch as in connectionwith FIG. 6A," andtransceiver 4 (FIG. 2)as described at '101Patent 5:59-66, whichstates "[t]ransceivingsubscriber units X 4,4', etc. located withinthe subdividedresponse zones 22communicate with thelocal remote receivers20 over a significantlyreduced transmission |
| path distance withinthe subdividedresponse areas 22, ascompared with directtransmission from alocal base stationrepeater cell [to]transceivingsubscriber units X 4,4'." |
The parties dispute whether "and statutory equivalents" should be included in the definition. As I held earlier in this Order, it should not. The only other dispute is over Apple's inclusion of the descriptions of the structures that both sides agree disclose the means in this means-plus-function claim. Apple argues that including this descriptive language (quoted directly from the patent) is necessary to prevent EON from arguing that the frequency limitations in those disclosed structures should not apply. Apple Br. at 25. However, the identification of the structures by reference to specific portions of the patent suffices at this juncture.
Therefore, the function is: transmitting digital data derived by said transducers. The structure is: transceiver 50 (FIG. 9A) as described at '101 Patent 10:9-13 and transceiver 4 (FIG. 2) as described at '101 Patent 5:59-66.
CONCLUSION
The terms are construed as follows:
'491 Patent
"network hub switching center" is construed to mean "a switching center that performs the switching functions needed for operation of the subscriber units in a group of cells that the switching center services. The switching center is a network hub that is responsible for routing data, including packetized data messages, to and from subscriber units. An Internet server—i.e., one that provides for email, social networks, location services, search engines, or other Internet-based services—does not fall within the scope of the term."
The "transferring if" language from Claim 13 is construed as: "transferring . . . if said local subscriber units are unable, for some reason other than the user intentionally disabling said unit, to directly communicate with said local base station repeater cell." The system is binary, meaning the subscriber unit either communicates directly with the local base station repeater cell or the modem, but not both. The "transferring function" of the modem is conditioned on whether the subscriber unit is unable to directly communicate with the local base station repeater cell.
The method steps following "if" from Claim 17 are construed as: The method steps listed after "if said subscriber unit is not receiving a signal from said local base station repeater cell, performing the step of" are not performed if the subscriber unit is receiving a signal from said local base station repeater cell. Using the modem to communicate regardless of whether there is signal reception does not fall within the scope of the claim. The method is binary, meaning the subscriber unit either communicates directly with the local base station repeater cell or the modem, but not both.
"determining whether a subscriber unit . . . is receiving a signal from said local base station repeater cell" is construed as: the step of "determining" can be performed by the subscriber unit, but not by the human end user of the subscriber unit.
For "switching means for selecting a communication path within said network," the function is: "selecting a communication path," which is a fairly narrow function akin to "toggling," or "assuming a position." The structure is: An electronic switch 13.
"a modem communicatively coupled to said at least one subscriber unit and said network hub switching center" is construed as: A modem is connected to the local subscriber unit and the network hub switching center for the purpose of communications between the two." The term "coupled" within the context of the '491 patent, requires a connection, not merely the capability of such a connection. The term "coupled" within the context of the '491 patent, does not require a wired connection.
'101 Patent
For the phrase "subscribers with portable subscriber units," subscribers are: persons, entities, organizations, corporations, companies, partnerships, or any other association, or
machine or apparatus associated with or incorporating a subscriber unit.
For "facilities for communicating from the subscriber units when moved through different geographic zones," the function is: "communicating from the subscriber units when moved through different geographic zones." The structure is: Subscriber units 4, 4', 4'', or 4''' (Figs. 1, 2, 6A, 7A, 9A), including software control facilities or Software Control Data Processor 54 and the corresponding set-up algorithm to the extent disclosed in Fig. 6B and '101 Patent 8:15-62, 9:14-19.
"subscriber units limited to digital processing facilities comprising digital transducers and means for transmitting digital data derived by said transducers" are defined as: "Subscriber units restricted to digital processing facilities, which may include components operating in analog. The digital processing facilities include digital transducers and means for transmitting digital data derived by said transducers."
A "digital transducer" is defined as: "A device that measures physical quantities, which may include analog signals, and transmits the information as coded digital signals rather than as continuously varying currents or voltages."
For the "means for transmitting digital data derived by said transducers," the function is: transmitting digital data derived by said transducers. The structure is: transceiver 50 (FIG. 9A) as described at '101 Patent 10:9-13 and transceiver 4 (FIG. 2) as described at '101 Patent 5:59-66.
IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: September 22, 2016
/s/_________
WILLIAM H. ORRICK
United States District Judge