Tq Delta, LLC v. Dish Network LLCTq Delta, LLC v. Dish Network LLC
RAJENDRA A. CHIPLUNKAR, McAndrews, Held & Malloy, Ltd., Chicago, IL, argued for appellant. Also represented by PETER J. MCANDREWS, DAVID Z. PETTY.
HEIDI LYN KEEFE, Cooley LLP, Palo Alto, CA, argued for appellee. Also represented by JENNIFER VOLK, Reston, VA; STEPHEN R. SMITH, Washington, DC.
Before NEWMAN, LINN, and WALLACH, Circuit Judges.
Appellee DISH Network (Dish) sought inter partes review (IPR) of claims 6, 11, 16, and 20 (the Challenged Claims) of Appellant TQ Delta, LLC‘s
TQ Delta appeals. We have jurisdiction pursuant to
BACKGROUND
Entitled Multicarrier Transmission System with Low Power Sleep Mode and Rapid-On Capability, the ‘404 patent relates to the field of multicarrier transmission systems. ‘404 patent col. 1 l. 31. Multicarrier transmission systems provide high speed data links between communication points[ and have recently been used] for communications over the local subscriber loop that connects a telephone service subscriber to a central telephone office. . . .1 Id. col. 1 ll. 37-41. The ‘404 patent generally describes a method for establishing a power management sleep state in a multicarrier system and efficiently waking up a transmission system utilized on hardware, such as a computer, from sleep mode. Id. col. 1 ll. 32-33; see id., Abstract. The process involved when the transmission system
is first powered up prior to sleep mode is referred to as full . . . initialization. Id., Abstract. Specifically, the ‘404 patent describes the invention in the context of an ADSL system having a first transceiver located at the site of a customer‘s premises, referred to as the CPE transceiver, as well as a second transceiver located at a local central telephone office referred to as the CO transceiver. Id. col. 3 ll. 63-67 (internal quotation marks omitted). The ‘404 patent explains that since the CPE transceiver and CO transceiver are very similar, the invention [is] explained in connection with a detailed illustration of the CPE transceiver only. Id. col. 4 ll. 11-13. Generally, in DSL systems, a pair of transceivers communicate with [each] other by dividing the overall bandwidth of the channel interconnecting the subscriber and the central office into a large number of separate subchannels, each of limited bandwidth, operating in parallel with each other. Id. col. 1 ll. 48-52.
Independent claim 6 is illustrative and recites:
An apparatus comprising a transceiver operable to:
receive, in a full power mode, a plurality of superframes, wherein the superframe comprises a plurality of data frames followed by a synchronization frame;
receive, in the full power mode, a synchronization signal;
transmit a message to enter into a low power mode;
store, in a low power mode, at least one parameter associated with the full power mode operation wherein the at least one parameter comprises at least one of a fine gain parameter and a bit allocation parameter;
receive, in the low power mode, a synchronization signal; and
exit from the low power and restore the full power mode by using the at least
one parameter and without needing to reinitialize the transceiver.
Id. col. 10 ll. 29-43 (emphasis added).
DISCUSSION
TQ Delta challenges the PTAB‘s claim construction on the basis that the PTAB violated TQ Delta‘s procedural rights by relying on a new claim construction, see Appellant‘s Br. 25-29, and improperly construed the without needing to reinitialize limitation, see id. at 29-36. TQ Delta also argues the PTAB‘s finding of obviousness is not supported by substantial evidence. See id. at 36-64. We address each argument in turn.
I. The Administrative Procedure Act
A. Standard of Review and Legal Standard
IPR proceedings are formal administrative adjudications subject to the procedural requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). SAS Inst., Inc. v. ComplementSoft, LLC., 825 F.3d 1341, 1351 (Fed. Cir. 2016), rev‘d on other grounds sub nom., SAS Inst. Inc. v. Iancu, 138 S. Ct. 1348 (2018); see
shall be timely informed of . . . the matters of fact and law asserted.).2 The APA and due process require notice and a fair opportunity to be heard. Belden Inc. v. Berk-Tek LLC, 805 F.3d 1064, 1080 (Fed. Cir. 2015).
B. The PTAB Did Not Violate TQ Delta‘s APA Rights
In its decision to institute, the PTAB, after identifying a passage in U.S. Patent No. 5,956,323 (Bowie) that loop transmission characteristics are ‘retrieved from memory and used to enable data transmission to resume quickly by reducing the time needed to determine loop transmission characteristics, stated that [Dish] explains that a person [having] ordinary skill in the art [(‘PHOSITA‘)] would understand this [passage] to mean that the ‘parameters are used to restore data transmission on the loop without having to perform the ‘handshaking’ (or initialization) process again.’ J.A. 229. In its Final Written Decision, the PTAB interpreted the claim term without needing to reinitialize as being satisfied if any step of initialization is avoided. J.A. 29. TQ Delta avers that the PTAB violated its procedural rights [b]y changing its interpretation of the ‘without needing to reinitialize’ limitation. Appellant‘s Br. 25. TQ Delta also asserts that the PTAB unfairly denied TQ Delta any opportunity to respond [to the change in its interpretation of the term] in a meaningful way. Id. More specifically, TQ Delta asserts that because neither party advocated for a new claim construction and the PTAB sua sponte construed the without needing to reinitialize
step of initialization is avoided, TQ Delta was denied a proper chance to respond to the PTAB‘s understanding of the claim term. Id. at 24. We disagree with TQ Delta.
The PTAB did not violate TQ Delta‘s APA rights. The PTAB never construed the reinitialize limitation in its Decision to Institute IPR as TQ Delta contends, and it, therefore, did not change course by construing the term in the Final Written Decision. See id. Rather, in its Decision to Institute, the PTAB summarized DISH‘s arguments addressing how a PHOSITA would interpret the disclosures in Bowie. J.A. 229. In the Final Written Decision, the PTAB explained what its understanding of the limitation was in the context of the prior art. J.A. 29 (explaining that [the PTAB is] still persuaded that Bowie teaches exiting low power mode and restoring full power mode ‘without needing to reinitialize the transceiver’ because we interpret that phrase to be satisfied as long as the entire initialization process is not needed); see also HTC Corp. v. Cellular Comm‘cns Equip., LLC, 701 F. App‘x 978, 981 (Fed. Cir. 2017) (explaining the PTAB engaged in claim construction when it proceeded to determine whether [the prior art] disclosed [certain] limitations because, [d]espite the heading under which the [PTAB]‘s analysis took place, [its] ruling about the requirement of separate components was clearly a claim construction by establish[ing] the scope and boundaries of the subject matter that is patented (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting Netword, LLC v. Centraal Corp., 242 F.3d 1347, 1350 (Fed. Cir. 2001))). Thus, the PTAB did not change course by construing the limitation in the Final Written Decision because it did not construe the term in its Decision to Institute.
Nevertheless, TQ Delta had notice of the PTAB‘s understanding of the reinitialization limitation as it relates to the prior art before the PTAB issued the Final Written Decision. See J.A. 303-04 (arguing, by TQ Delta in its patent owner response, that Bowie does not disclose the
disputed limitation). During the Oral Hearing, the PTAB repeatedly asked TQ Delta about its narrow construction of the term and explained that it disagreed with TQ Delta‘s interpretation. See, e.g., J.A. 417 (I‘m just not understanding your argument that there‘s more to avoiding reinitialization than storing because there‘s nothing in the claim - there‘s nothing claimed beyond the storing of the parameter and the receiving of the sync signal that would allow it to avoid reinitializing when it exits from low power mode). After the Oral Hearing, TQ Delta was given the opportunity to respond. See Intellectual Ventures II LLC v. Ericsson Inc., 686 F. App‘x 900, 906 (Fed. Cir. 2017) (explaining that the patent owner‘s APA and due process arguments were meritless because it was on notice of the at-issue construction before the final written decision issued because it had the opportunity to seek a sur-reply or rehearing and there was a continuous focus on [the claim term] before and during oral arguments); see also id. (explaining that [t]he [PTAB] is not constrained by the parties’ proposed constructions and is free to adopt its own construction).
While TQ Delta asserts that this case is similar to SAS, which held that, under the APA, the PTAB cannot change theories in midstream by adopting a construction in its final written decision that neither party requested or anticipated, see 825 F.3d at 1351, we disagree. In SAS, the parties agreed to the construction adopted by the PTAB at institution, but the PTAB adopted a different construction in its final written decision, without either party discussing or briefing this new construction. Id. at 1351. We held that it was difficult to imagine either party anticipating that already-interpreted terms were actually
Here, however, TQ Delta had adequate notice of the PTAB‘s understanding of the disputed claim limitation, as
demonstrated by TQ Delta‘s statements throughout the proceedings. For example, in its Patent Owner Response, TQ Delta argued for a narrow interpretation that avoided the reinitialization process and explained that Bowie teaches that some re-initialization does occur as part of going from low power mode to full power mode and, thus, Bowie does not disclose without needing to reinitialize the transceiver. J.A. 303; see J.A. 304 (explaining that Bowie teaches that initialization can continue to occur even after reaching the full power mode, but before data transmission begins). The PTAB explained that it disagreed with this construction at the Oral Hearing, see J.A. 414 ([Dish] doesn‘t need it to be teaching that it goes through the entire initialization process.), and the PTAB questioned TQ Delta‘s narrow construction, see J.A. 415 (So how in the world do you avoid needing to reinitialize the transceiver if all you‘ve done is stored parameters if its true that, as you say, there‘s more to reinitialization than parameter determination?). TQ Delta, however, responded to the PTAB‘s interpretation that there could be some way that [Bowie] determines the temperature‘s changed short of full reinitialization with [t]here‘s no expert testimony regarding how a modem, other than by using initialization steps can determine that attenuation has changed and to the extent there‘s some suggestion that these modems have some other method without reinitialization to determine that attenuation has changed, there‘s nothing in the record that addresses this issue. J.A. 413-17. Clearly, TQ Delta had notice of the PTAB‘s understanding of the reinitialize limitation prior to issuance of the Final Written Decision. Because TQ Delta had notice of the claim construction issue and the opportunity to be heard, the PTAB did not violate the APA. See Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc. v. f‘real Foods, LLC, 908 F.3d 1328, 1339 (Fed. Cir. 2018) (distinguishing SAS because the party asserting the APA violation had notice of the contested claim construction issues and an opportunity to be heard).
II. Claim Construction
A. Standard of Review and Legal Standard
At the time of the Final Written Decision, the PTAB gave [a] claim . . . its broadest reasonable construction in light of the specification of the patent in which it appears.
B. The PTAB Properly Construed the Without Needing to Reinitialize Limitation4
avoided. J.A. 29. TQ Delta asserts that the [PTAB]‘s construction conflicts with the plain meaning of the claim language, because both parties agreed that the plain meaning of [the term] is without needing to perform any step of the initialization process. Appellant‘s Br. 30. We disagree with TQ Delta.
The ‘404 patent‘s claims and specification teach that reinitialize does not require that every step of initialization is avoided, but rather that it is satisfied if any step is avoided, thereby supporting the PTAB‘s construction. We begin our analysis with the claim language. In re Power Integrations, Inc., 884 F.3d 1370, 1376 (Fed. Cir. 2018) (Claim construction must begin with the words of the claims themselves. (internal quotation marks, brackets, and citation omitted)). Independent claim 6 discloses a transceiver operable to exit from the low power and restore the full power mode by using the at least one parameter and without needing to reinitialize the transceiver. ‘404 patent col. 10 ll. 41-43 (emphasis added). The express language of the Challenged Claims does not recite a prior or first initialization and therefore uses the term reinitialize to mean repeating the same prior initialization process over again. See, e.g., id.
The surrounding claims and broader specification provide additional support for our interpretation. See Phillips, 415 F.3d at 1314 ([T]he claims themselves provide substantial guidance as to the meaning of particular claim terms.); see also Trs. of Columbia Univ. v. Symantec Corp., 811 F.3d 1359, 1363 (Fed. Cir. 2016) (The specification is always highly relevant to the claim construction analysis and is, in fact, the single best guide to the meaning of a disputed term. (internal quotation marks, brackets, and citation omitted)). The Challenged Claims’ use of re in reinitialize refers to repeating that prior initialization process. See Wenger Mfg., Inc. v. Coating Mach. Sys., Inc., 239 F.3d 1225, 1233 (Fed. Cir. 2001) (citing a dictionary defining the prefix ‘re-’ as ‘again, anew, over again’ and
explaining that in common parlance, it is customary to speak of ‘circulating’ something once (e.g., an inter-office memorandum), without ‘recirculating’ it a second time). Independent claim 1 also uses language similar to claim 6 and recites stor[ing] . . . at least one parameter . . . compris[ing] at least one of a fine gain parameter and a bit allocation parameter, and then restor[ing] the full power mode by using the at least one parameter and without needing to reinitialize the transceiver. ‘404 patent col. 10 ll. 10-13, 16-18. The consistent use of similar language in both independent claims indicates that following the parameters under which the DSL transceivers operate, the without needing to reinitialize the full initialization process is a parameter determined during the transceiver‘s beginning initialization. See id.; see also id. col. 3 ll. 25-30 (explaining that in an already-operating installation, the time required to initialize or re-initialize the system after a suspension of operation in connection with power conservation is generally unacceptable, since it is typically desired to have the modem respond to [a] request for service
Moreover, the specification provides an overview of the transceiver initiation process. See ‘404 patent col. 3 ll. 7-20. The specification explains that transceivers, at the time, performed full . . . initialization when waking from inactivity. Id., Abstract. The specification indicates that the purpose of the invention is to avoid full initialization and offer a more convenient rapid-on capability, id. col. 3
l. 33, so transceiver services resume nearly instantaneously, id. col. 3 ll. 29-30, or within a few frames after periods of inactivity, id. col. 6 ll. 5-6; see id. col. 3 ll. 24-33. The specification twice discusses avoiding reinitializations and does not expressly require avoiding the entire initialization process. First, the ‘404 patent explains that after a transceiver is idling in sleep mode, [t]he full transmission and reception capabilities of the transceiver are quickly restored when needed, without requiring the full (and time-consuming) initialization. Id., Abstract. Second, the specification explains that the transceiver need not repeat the initialization that was earlier required to establish the requisite parameters . . . required for reliable communications. Id. col. 8 ll. 6-12. This also refers to the full initialization process because it describes the process from exiting sleep mode through waking up from sleep mode. See id. col. 8 ll. 1-12. Therefore, the without needing to reinitialize limitation is satisfied as long as the entire initialization process is not needed.
TQ Delta‘s primary counterargument is unavailing. TQ Delta asserts that the [PTAB]‘s construction improperly reads the word [full] from the Abstract into the claims as the claim language does not include the word ‘full.’ Appellant‘s Br. 32. Additionally, TQ Delta states that regardless of the import of [full] as used in the Abstract . . . by omitting the word ‘full’ in the claims, it is reasonable to assume that the applicant intended for the claim language to have a different scope than the language found in the Abstract. Id. As such, TQ Delta recognizes that the specification‘s use of full in the Abstract, ‘404 patent, Abstract, and the phrase the initialization that was earlier required, id. col. 8 ll. 6-7, together imply that any form of initialization less than the full or earlier initialization is sufficient to achieve the ‘404 patent‘s purpose of rapid-on capability, see Appellant‘s Br. 32. This language in the patent is critical to understand the meaning of the disputed limitation given the ‘404 patent‘s objective of
providing rapid-on capability. See ‘404 patent col. 3 ll. 31-33; see also Netword, 242 F.3d at 1352 (The claims are directed to the invention that is described in the specification; they do not have meaning removed from the context from which they arose.). Tellingly, nothing in the specification suggests that the only way to achieve rapid-on capabilities is by avoiding the initialization process entirely. See generally ‘404 patent. Thus, we do not understand the claims as being limited to only achieving rapid-on capabilities by avoiding the initialization process altogether.
III. Obviousness
A. The Relevant Prior Art
1. Bowie
Entitled Power Conservation for [Plain Old Telephone Service (‘POTS‘)] and Modulated
information to establish reliable data communication, even after the parameters are restored. Id. col. 6 ll. 36-37; see id. col. 5 l. 66 col. 6 l. 2. For example, [h]andshaking information may be required where . . . loop characteristics have changed due, for example, to temperature-dependent changes in loop resistance. Id. col. 6 ll. 37-41.
2. The ADSL Standard
In 1995, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) published the Network and Customer Installation Interfaces - Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) Metallic Interface, known as ANSI T1.413-1995 (the ADSL Standard) (J.A. 1199-301). J.A. 1199. The ADSL Standard is the first technical standard defining the requirements for a single ADSL for interfaces between a telecommunications network and the customer installation in terms of their electrical characteristics and interactions. See, e.g., J.A. 1220, 1223.6 The ADSL Standard discloses a set of requirements for transmissions between ADSL transceivers, including the initialization process that all ADSL transceivers must perform. J.A. 1220 (explaining that [t]he system reference model . . . illustrates the functional blocks required to provide ADSL service). During initialization, the ADSL Standard mandates that
central office terminal (‘COT‘) units] is often referred to as handshaking. Once handshaking is completed, transmission of user data may begin. Bowie col. 5 ll. 3-5; see id. col. 4 l. 64-col. 5 l. 3.
transceiver initialization is required . . . to establish a communications link. J.A. 1301.
3. Vanzieleghem
Entitled Multi-Carrier Telecommunication System with Power Reduction Means, European Patent No. 0 883 269 A1 (Vanzieleghem) (J.A. 1188-98) discloses an ADSL transmitter that operates according to the ADSL Standard. J.A. 1189. Vanzieleghem explains that [w]hen idle data are received, the power dissipated in the transmitter is reduced because the symbols are then merely derived from a few or even a single carrier (the ‘pilot tone‘) instead as from all the available carriers. J.A. 1188. Vanzieleghem also discloses that a pilot tone, or synchronization signal, is transmitted during low power mode for the purpose of maintain[ing] the frequency synchronization between the transmitter and the receiver. J.A. 1192.
B. Standard of Review and Legal Standard
We review the PTAB‘s factual findings for substantial evidence and its legal conclusions de novo. Redline Detection, LLC v. Star Envirotech, Inc., 811 F.3d 435, 449 (Fed. Cir. 2015) (citation omitted). Substantial evidence is something less than the weight of the evidence but more than a mere scintilla of evidence, meaning that [i]t is such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion. In re NuVasive, Inc., 842 F.3d 1376, 1379-80 (Fed. Cir. 2016) (internal quotation marks and citations omitted). If two inconsistent conclusions may reasonably be drawn from the evidence in record, the PTAB‘s decision to favor one conclusion over the other is the epitome of a decision that must be sustained upon review for substantial evidence. Elbit Sys. of Am., LLC v. Thales Visionix, Inc., 881 F.3d 1354, 1356 (Fed. Cir.
2018) (internal quotation marks, brackets, and citation omitted).
A patent claim is invalid if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a [PHOSITA].
C. Substantial Evidence Supports the PTAB‘s Obviousness Finding
The PTAB held that the Challenged Claims would have been obvious over a combination of Bowie, the ADSL Standard, and Vanzieleghem. J.A. 34. Specifically, the
PTAB determined that it would have been within the level of ordinary skill in the art to select a frequency for Bowie‘s resume signal such that Vanzieleghem‘s pilot tone would not be mistaken for the resume signal. J.A. 34. TQ Delta asserts that the [PTAB] erred in finding the Challenged Claims unpatentable because Bowie does not teach avoiding any steps of the initialization process. Appellant‘s Br. 51 (capitalization modified).8 Regarding motivation to combine,
Substantial evidence supports the PTAB‘s determination that Bowie, in view of the ADSL Standard and Vanzieleghem, renders obvious the Challenged Claims. First, Bowie teaches ways to reduce power, but does not teach that maximum power reduction is its intended purpose. See Bowie col. 1 ll. 26-28 (explaining that [t]he use of POTS-compatible transmission frequencies severely limits the maximum information carrying capacity of the wire loop). Bowie, however, explicitly recognizes the need for some circuitry to remain on during low power mode to receive signals. See id. col. 5 ll. 28-30 (Circuitry 115 to detect the resume signal must remain capable of signal detection during low power operation.). For example, Bowie‘s specification demonstrates that in some embodiments, its transceiver stores parameters before entering into a low power mode. Id. col. 4 l. 64-col. 5 l. 4 (Prior to initiating transport of modulated data over the loop 220, signals are exchanged over the loop 220 between the COT unit 232 and the CPE unit 242 to adapt the ADSL units. . . . This exchange of information is often referred to as handshaking.).
Second, while Bowie does not provide a list of the types of parameters it stores, it does specify that the parameters stored are determined and exchanged during initialization. Id. col. 5 ll. 17-19 (Upon receipt of the shut-down signal, the COT unit 232 optionally stores in memory 117 characteristics the of the loop 220 that were determined by CPE to COT handshaking.). These include bit allocation parameters and fine gain parameters, which the ‘404 patent uses for the same process. J.A. 565 (explaining, by Dish‘s expert, that the 1995 ADSL Standard explicitly discloses a ‘fine gain parameter’ and a bit allocation parameter and that these [fine gain parameter and bit allocation parameters] are part of the ‘loop loss characteristics’ already disclosed in Bowie as being stored during the unit‘s 232, 242 low power mode). It would have, therefore, been obvious to a PHOSITA for Bowie‘s system to store bit allocation
parameters and fine gain parameters since those are exchanged during initialization as taught by the ADSL Standard. See J.A. 565-66 (testimony, by Dish‘s expert, that Bowie would have been operating according to the 1995 ADSL Standard, and a [PHOSITA] would have looked to that [s]tandard for guidance), 571 (Dish‘s expert explaining that Bowie‘s parameters are used to restore data transmission on the loop without having to perform the ‘handshaking’ (or initialization) process again).
Third, a PHOSITA would have been motivated to employ Vanzieleghem‘s
TQ Delta‘s primary counterargument is unpersuasive. TQ Delta argues that [t]he fact that Bowie may perform ‘additional handshaking’ after returning to its full power mode does not change the fact that . . . Bowie‘s ADSL unit always re-determines loop transmission characteristics, i.e., performs handshaking or initialization, before returning to full power mode. Appellant‘s Br. 47 (third emphasis
added). However, Bowie discloses that reinitialization is needed in some, but not all, instances. See Bowie, Abstract; see id. col. 5 ll. 20-22 (Likewise, upon sending the shut-down signal, the CPE unit . . . may also optionally store the loop characteristics that it obtained through CPE to COT handshaking.). Bowie explains that [h]andshaking information may be required where, for example, loop characteristics have changed due, for example, to temperature-dependent changes in loop resistance. Id. col. 6 ll. 38-41 (emphasis added). This, however, does not indicate that all steps of initialization are required. See id. During the IPR proceedings TQ Delta conceded that Bowie specifically teaches that some re-initialization does occur as part of going from low power mode to full power mode. J.A. 303. TQ Delta‘s expert similarly explained that Bowie ... still ha[s] to go through the process of . . . re-determining loop characteristics upon coming out of low power mode in order to accomplish Bowie‘s goal of reliable data communications. J.A. 4309. Because the reinitialize limitation is satisfied if any step of initialization is avoided, TQ Delta‘s interpretation of Bowie satisfies the limitation as interpreted by the PTAB. Thus, given TQ Delta and its expert‘s admission that Bowie discloses some steps during the reinitialization process, and prior to initialization, see J.A. 303, 4309, we find no merit in its attempt on appeal to argue the opposite.
CONCLUSION
We have considered TQ Delta‘s remaining arguments and find them unpersuasive. Accordingly, the Final Written Decision of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office‘s Patent Trial and Appeal Board is
AFFIRMED