throbber
Paper 35
`Entered: February 11, 2014
`
`
`
`
`Trials@uspto.gov
`Tel: 571-272-7822
`
`
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`_______________
`
`BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`_______________
`
`INTELLECTUAL VENTURES MANAGEMENT, LLC
`Petitioner
`
`v.
`
`XILINX, INC.
`Patent Owner
`_______________
`
`Case IPR2012-00023
`Patent 7,994,609 B2
`_______________
`
`
`
`Before SALLY C. MEDLEY, KARL D. EASTHOM, and
`JUSTIN T. ARBES, Administrative Patent Judges.
`
`EASTHOM, Administrative Patent Judge.
`
`
`FINAL WRITTEN DECISION
`35 U.S.C. § 318(a) and 37 C.F.R. § 42.73
`
`
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`

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`Case IPR2012-00023
`Patent 7,994,609
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`
`I. BACKGROUND
`
`
`
`Petitioner, Intellectual Ventures Management, LLC (“IVM”), filed a Petition
`
`to institute an inter partes review of claims 1–19 of U.S. Patent No. 7,994,609 B2
`
`(“the ’609 Patent”), owned by Xilinx, Inc. Paper 3 (“Pet.”). See 35 U.S.C. § 311.
`
`As set forth in this Final Written Decision, see 35 U.S.C. § 318(a), based on the
`
`record presented, IVM has shown “by a preponderance of the evidence,” 35 U.S.C.
`
`§ 316(e), that claims 1–19 of the ’609 Patent are unpatentable under 35 U.S.C.
`
`§ 103(a). In addition, Xilinx has failed to show that proposed amended claims are
`
`patentable under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a). See Paper 17 (“Mot. to Amend”).
`
`
`
`After IVM filed its Petition, Xilinx filed a Preliminary Response opposing
`
`the institution of the inter partes review. Paper 9 (“Prelim. Resp.”). The Board
`
`granted the Petition, concluding that IVM’s Petition demonstrated a reasonable
`
`likelihood that claims 1–19 are unpatentable under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) for
`
`obviousness, and instituted trial. Paper 11 (“Inst. Dec.”).
`
`After the Institution Decision, Xilinx filed a Response. Paper 15 (“PO
`
`Resp.”). Xilinx also filed a Motion to Amend, contingent upon the Board
`
`ultimately determining that challenged claims 1–19 are unpatentable. See Paper 17
`
`(“Mot. to Amend”). IVM then filed a Petitioner Reply to Xilinx’s Response,
`
`maintaining that the challenged claims are unpatentable. Paper 22 (“Pet. Reply”).
`
`IVM also filed an Opposition to Xilinx’s Motion to Amend, Paper 21 (“Opp.”),
`
`and Xilinx filed a Patent Owner Reply to the Opposition, Paper 24 (“PO Reply”).
`
`Both parties requested an oral hearing, which occurred on November 7, 2013. A
`
`transcript of the oral hearing appears in the record. Paper 33 (“Tr.”).
`
`In its Response––i.e., in “response to the [P]etition [and] addressing any
`
`ground for unpatentability not already denied,” 37 C.F.R. § 42.120––Xilinx argues
`
`that claims 2, 8, 9, 18, and 19, “are valid.” PO Resp. 5. Xilinx does not argue that
`
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`Case IPR2012-00023
`Patent 7,994,609
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`claims 1, 3–7, and 10–17 are patentable. Claims 2, 8, and 9 depend from
`
`independent claim 1, and claim 19 depends from independent claim 18. Therefore,
`
`as Xilinx acknowledged during the oral hearing, Xilinx concedes that claims 1,
`
`3–7, and 10–17 are unpatentable based on the applicable grounds listed in the
`
`Institution Decision. Tr. 48, ll. 5–9; accord Office Patent Trial Practice Guide,
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`77 Fed. Reg. 48,756, 48,766 (Aug. 14, 2012) (“The [patent owner] response should
`
`identify all the involved claims that are believed to be patentable and state the basis
`
`for that belief.”); Inst. Dec. 13 (determining that IVM’s Petition “sufficiently
`
`demonstrates a reasonable likelihood that claims 1–19 are unpatentable based on
`
`Grounds 1–6”).
`
`A. The ’609 Patent
`
`The ’609 Patent describes a shielded capacitor in an integrated circuit (IC)
`
`having a core capacitor portion that includes multiple layers of conductive
`
`elements. Shields, including a shield capacitor portion and a capacitor reference
`
`shield, surround the core capacitor portion. The shield capacitor portion includes
`
`multiple conductive elements in different metal layers. According to claim 1, the
`
`shield capacitor portion forms part of a capacitor node and lies partially between
`
`the reference shield and the core capacitor portion. The shields reduce electronic
`
`noise. See Ex. 1001, col. 2, l. 40 – col. 3, l. 3; col. 5, ll. 1–4; col. 6, ll. 24–31;
`
`Abstract.
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`
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`To identify disclosed structure that corresponds to certain elements recited in
`
`claims 1 and 2, IVM annotates Figures 2A and 2B from the ’609 Patent, which are
`
`reproduced below:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`IVM’s annotated figures above show a centrally located core capacitor,
`
`including a first (T1, T2) and second (B1, B2) plurality of node elements,
`
`numbered conductive layers, one capacitor node (B, B’, B1–B5), the other
`
`capacitor node (T, T1–T5), and shields. See Pet. 4-5.
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`With respect to independent claim 1 (which follows), layer T corresponds to
`
`a second part of a first capacitor node, layers B and B’ correspond to a shield
`
`capacitor portion and a second part of a second capacitor node, and the VDD shield
`
`corresponds to a reference shield.
`
`B. Exemplary Claims
`
`Claims 1 and 2 are reformatted and annotated with bracketed information
`
`added to claim 1 to help illustrate example structure and with limitations at issue in
`
`claim 2 emphasized, as follows:
`
`1. A capacitor in an integrated circuit (“IC”) comprising:
`a core capacitor portion having a first plurality of conductive
`elements [see T1,T2] electrically connected to and forming a first part
`of a first node of the capacitor formed in a first conductive layer of the
`IC and a second plurality of conductive elements [see B1, B2]
`electrically connected to and forming a first part of a second node of
`the capacitor formed in the first conductive layer,
`the first plurality of conductive elements alternating with the
`second plurality of conductive elements in the first conductive layer,
`and a third plurality of conductive elements [see T] electrically
`connected to and forming a second part of the first node formed in a
`second conductive layer adjacent to the first conductive layer, at least
`portions of some of the second plurality of conductive elements
`overlying and vertically coupling to at least portions of some of the
`third plurality of conductive elements;
`a shield capacitor portion [see B, B’] having a fourth plurality
`of conductive elements formed in at least the first conductive layer of
`the IC, the second conductive layer of the IC, a third conductive layer
`of the IC, and a fourth conductive layer of the IC, the first conductive
`layer and the second conductive layer each being between the third
`conductive layer and the fourth conductive layer, the shield capacitor
`portion being electrically connected to and forming a second part of
`the second node of the capacitor and surrounding the first plurality of
`conductive elements and the third plurality of conductive elements;
`and
`
`a reference shield [see VDD Shield] electrically connected to a
`reference node of the IC other than the second node of the capacitor,
`
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`the shield capacitor portion being disposed between the reference
`shield and the core capacitor portion.
`
`2. The capacitor of claim 1 wherein the third conductive layer is a
`metal layer of the IC and the fourth conductive layer is a poly layer of
`the IC, the shield capacitor portions including a first node shield plate
`formed in the metal layer from a plurality of metal stripes and a
`second node shield plate formed in the poly layer.
`
`
`
`See ’609 Patent, col. 12, l. 55 – col. 13, l. 25 (emphases added); see also PO Resp.
`
`5 (discussing disputed limitations in claim 2).
`
`C. Grounds of the Trial
`
`The prior art references applied to the claims follow:
`
` May 18, 2004 (Ex. 1006)
`U.S. Patent 6,737,698
`
`Paul
` Oct. 21, 2008 (Ex. 1007)
`Anthony U.S. Patent 7,439,570
`Hsueh
`U.S. Patent 7,286,071 Oct. 23, 2007 (Ex 1008)
`Brennan
`U.S. Patent 6,903,918 June 7, 2005 (Ex 1009)
`Bi
`
`U.S. Pub. 2008/0128857 June 5, 2008 (Ex 1010)
`Marotta U.S. Patent 7,238,981
` July 3, 2007 (Ex. 1011)
`
`
`The Board instituted trial based upon the following grounds of
`
`unpatentability under 35 U.S.C. § 103:
`
`Reference[s]
`
`Paul
`
`Paul and Anthony
`
`Paul and Hsueh
`
`Paul and Brennan
`
`Anthony and Marotta
`
`Anthony and Bi
`
`
`
`Basis
`
`§ 103
`
`§ 103
`
`§ 103
`
`§ 103
`
`§ 103
`
`§ 103
`
`
`
`6
`
`Claims challenged
`
`1, 3, 5, 6, and 10–12
`
`2 and 13–17
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`4
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`7–9
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`18 and 19
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`1 and 13
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`II. ANALYSIS
`
`A. Claim Interpretation
`
`Consistent with the statute and legislative history of the Leahy-Smith
`
`America Invents Act, Pub. L. No. 112-29, 125 Stat. 284, 329 (2011) (“AIA”), the
`
`Board interprets claims using the “broadest reasonable construction in light of the
`
`specification of the patent in which [they] appear[].” 37 C.F.R. § 42.100(b); see
`
`also Office Patent Trial Practice Guide, 77 Fed. Reg. 48,756, 48,766 (Aug. 14,
`
`2012).
`
`Plate
`
`The parties do not define the term plate, which appears in claims 2 and 18.
`
`In addition to capacitor node plates such as B, T, B’, Ex. 1001, col. 5, ll. 58-60, the
`
`’609 Patent also refers to “ground plate 287,” and “shield plate 260,” id. at col. 8, l.
`
`25, l. 36, as part of the capacitor, but not necessarily as nodes of a capacitor. See
`
`id. at Fig. 2C (ground plate 287 and shield plate 260 not electrically connected to
`
`capacitor nodes B and T). In other words, according to the ’609 Patent claims and
`
`disclosure, a “plate” does not imply necessarily a capacitor node.
`
`In terms of the physical structure of a plate, the ’609 Patent generally
`
`discloses that “an arbitrary number of layers may be used in accordance with
`
`embodiments of the invention,” id. at col. 11, ll. 25–27, and that a “plate layer [can
`
`be] made up of strips, rather than a continuous sheet,” id. at col. 5, ll. 5–6. The
`
`’609 Patent also refers to “silicide plates or strips,” id. at col. 3, l. 59, indicating
`
`that a “plate” signifies structure that is distinct from a strip. The ’609 Patent
`
`implies that, in addition to being discontinuous, a plate may have multiple layers:
`
`“The bottom plate conductive matrix [see B, B’ and conductive curtains, Fig. 2C]
`
`of the integrated capacitor loosely surrounds the top plate conductive matrix [T,
`
`T1, T2 . . . T8] of the integrated capacitor so that the top plate couples with the
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`bottom plate on the top, bottom, right side, and left side.” Ex. 1001, col. 6, ll. 3–7
`
`(emphases added), Fig. 2C. This reference to the “bottom plate conductive matrix”
`
`that “surrounds” the top plate, and the description that the “top plate couples with
`
`the bottom plate on the top, bottom, right side, and left side,” implies that the
`
`“bottom plate” may have multiple layers in order to couple to the top plate on all
`
`sides and to surround the top plate.
`
`Accordingly, based on the ’609 Patent disclosure, a “plate” is a conductive
`
`structure that is part of a capacitor, as either a shield, a node, or a node that also
`
`functions as a shield, which may be continuous, as a sheet, or discontinuous, as
`
`electrically connected strips, and which may or may not comprise plural
`
`electrically connected layers.
`
`B. Claim 2
`
`
`
`Poly Node Shield Plate
`
`Xilinx argues that the combination of Paul and Anthony does not render
`
`obvious a poly node shield plate as set forth in dependent claim 2. See PO Resp.
`
`5–10. According to Xilinx, “neither Paul nor Anthony teach[es] or suggest[s] a
`
`‘shield plate’ that is ‘formed in the poly layer’ and is ‘part of the second node of
`
`the capacitor.” Id. at 6.
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`To illustrate the disputed limitation in claim 2, Xilinx annotates Figure 2B
`
`from the ’609 Patent, as follows:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Xilinx’s annotated Figure 2B from the ’609 Patent shows a disclosed poly
`
`shield plate, near the bottom, as capacitor node layer B’, which connects to
`
`capacitor node layer B (the other capacitor node includes layer T). See id.
`
`According further to Xilinx’s annotated Figure 2B, the capacitor nodes are
`
`not connected electrically (i.e., conductively) to the reference shield. Xilinx
`
`maintains that claim 2, by virtue of dependency from claim 1, requires “the shield
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`capacitor portion [to be] ‘electrically connected to and form a second part of the
`
`second node of the capacitor.’” Id. (brackets by Xilinx omitted).
`
`IVM and Xilinx agree that Paul does not disclose a poly node shield plate.
`
`See id.; Pet. 24; Ex. 1002 ¶ 50. The parties also agree that Anthony discloses a
`
`poly capacitor bottom shield layer 36 as an alternative to a metal layer. PO Resp.
`
`7; Ex. 1002 ¶ 50 (discussing and quoting Ex. 1007, col. 4, ll. 49–52). However,
`
`Xilinx reasons that bottom layer 36 of Anthony “is a reference shield, and is never
`
`shown or suggested as being connected to or part of the capacitor node.” PO Resp.
`
`9 (footnote omitted). In other words, Xilinx stresses that Anthony only teaches a
`
`bottom reference poly shield plate 36, as opposed to a bottom node poly shield
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`plate. Id.
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`Xilinx’s arguments separately attack the references and fail to rebut IVM’s
`
`obviousness showing that relies on the combination, as IVM states. See Pet. Reply
`
`4. IVM asserts, and the record shows, that “Paul’s [bottom] shield plate 810
`
`[constitutes] a [metal] shield plate connected to a capacitor node.” See Pet. Reply
`
`4; Ex. 1006, Fig. 8; Inst. Dec. 11. Both experts agree that Anthony discloses
`
`bottom shield layer of poly 36. See Pet. Reply 2–5 (discussing testimony by Mr.
`
`Johnson and Dr. Blanchard); Ex. 1007, Fig. 3B. Xilinx’s arguments imply that
`
`Anthony’s teaching that poly can be used in place of metal as a capacitor shield
`
`does not apply to capacitor nodes or node shields. See PO Resp. 9. Xilinx’s
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`arguments effectively reduce to the assertion that it would have been unobvious to
`
`replace one known type of capacitor conductor layer for another.
`
`To the contrary, Anthony specifically teaches that “[a]s an alternative to the
`
`use of a metal layer as shown in FIG. 3B (which may be needed for interconnect
`
`purposes) the bottom shield plate 36 can be implemented with a polysilicon or
`
`diffusion layer.” Ex. 1007, col. 4, ll. 49–52 (italics emphases added). As skilled
`
`artisans would have recognized, the sentence shows that poly and metal constitute
`
`suitable electrical conductors for capacitors. The sentence instructs that metal
`
`layers may be “needed for interconnect purposes,” which implies or suggests that
`
`metal necessarily would not be needed to create nodes or shields. See id. It
`
`follows that Anthony’s teaching is not restricted to metal capacitor shields and
`
`applies generally to metal layers, including metal capacitor nodes.
`
`IVM further relies on its expert, Mr. Johnson, and reasons that “one skilled
`
`in the art would have been motivated to make this substitution [i.e., to substitute
`
`the poly of Anthony for the metal of Paul] to, for example, save a metal layer for
`
`another purpose or as a matter of convenience depending on where a signal may be
`
`coming from.” Pet. Reply 6 (citing Ex. 1013 ¶ 20). IVM also points to the
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`corroborative testimony of Xilinx’s expert, Dr. Blanchard, who reasons that
`
`“‘sometimes you need to get from A to B’” and describes
`
`“one of a couple of reasons [for using poly instead of metal], one
`having to do with layout, because all the other conductive layers were
`used up, so you need something here, or just out of convenience, a
`signal might be going to or coming off the poly layer associated with
`a gate or something else.”
`
`Pet. Reply 6 (quoting Ex. 1014, 52, ll. 15–25).
`
`The record shows that choosing a poly layer to replace a metal layer would
`
`have amounted to a matter of convenience involved in a circuit layout, where, for
`
`example, a poly layer is planned for other circuit components or connections on the
`
`same layer, or metal layer constraints exist. Replacing a metal capacitor layer with
`
`a poly capacitor layer would have resulted in a predictable result, a capacitor with a
`
`similar conductor. “The Court recognized that when a patent claims a structure
`
`already known in the prior art that is altered by the mere substitution of one
`
`element for another known in the field, the combination must do more than yield a
`
`predictable result.” KSR Int’l Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 416 (2007) (citing
`
`United States v. Adams, 383 U.S. 39 (1966)).
`
`Therefore, based on the record evidence in light of the arguments presented,
`
`IVM has shown “by a preponderance of the evidence,” 35 U.S.C. § 316(e), that
`
`claim 2 would have been obvious over the combination of Paul and Anthony.
`
`C. Claims 8 and 9
`
`Claim 8 depends from claim 7, which depends from claim 1. Claim 8
`
`follows: “The capacitor of claim 7 wherein each of the conductive elements in the
`
`third plurality of conductive elements is adjacent to a conductive element
`
`electrically connected to and forming a third part of the first node.”
`
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`Figure 2A from the ’609 Patent, annotated by Xilinx, appears below:
`
`Annotated Figure 2A above depicts one view of a third plurality of
`
`conductive elements (at node T) corresponding to those elements as recited in
`
`
`
`claim 8, according to Xilinx. PO Resp. 11.
`
`Adjacent Conductive Elements
`
`Xilinx argues that the prior art combination does not satisfy the limitation
`
`that involves “adjacent” conductive elements in claim 8, essentially, according to
`
`Xilinx, because “adjacent” conductive elements imply a “plate” layer, and the ’609
`
`Patent discloses advantages to having a “plate” layer. See PO Resp. 11–13 (citing
`
`Ex. 1001, col. 5, ll. 57–58, as describing a “plate” layer). According to Xilinx, a
`
`“plate” layer has non-alternating nodes, which Paul does not disclose, and claim 8
`
`requires “a specific lateral capacitance and vertical capacitance.” Id. at 11–12
`
`(citing Ex. 1001, col. 6, ll. 33-38).
`
`In Paul, the outer shield layers, A and B, do include non-alternating
`
`conductor strips, while the middle layers do not, because they have alternating
`
`nodes, A and B. See, e.g., Ex. 1006, Figs. 4, 8, 12. Paul’s figures also show
`
`vertical and horizontal capacitive field coupling that occurs between opposite node
`
`strips A and B, see Ex. 1006, Figs. 2, 4. Xilinx does not assert that Paul’s
`
`alternating node strip layers fail to produce the unclaimed horizontal and vertical
`
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`capacitance.
`
`As discussed in the claim construction section, the ’609 Patent refers to
`
`“silicide plates or strips,” Ex. 1001, col. 3, l. 59, and indicates that “a plate layer is
`
`made up of strips,” id. at col. 5, l. 5. Although the ’609 Patent indicates that node
`
`plate layers have non-alternating strips, claim 8 does not recite a “plate” layer.
`
`See id. at col. 6, ll. 57-60 (“The plate layers B, T, B’ do not have alternating
`
`conductive strips, but rather all the conductive strips in these layers are connected
`
`to either the top node or bottom node.”) Claim 8 also does not recite “non-
`
`alternating” node strips (that may imply or require a “plate” layer). Further, the
`
`recited term “adjacent” in claim 8 does not imply a plate layer of non-alternating
`
`nodes, as IVM argues. See Pet. Reply 8–9. In other words, Xilinx’s arguments fail
`
`to show a claim distinction over the prior art, as explained further below.
`
`As noted, IVM asserts obviousness of claim 8 based on the combination of
`
`Paul and Brennan. See Pet. Reply 8; Pet. 40–41. IVM relies on Paul’s teachings
`
`for most of the structure recited in claim 8, and relies on Brennan’s teaching of
`
`layers having orthogonal strips, as recited in claim 7, from which claim 8 depends.
`
`IVM also relies on Paul’s and Brennan’s teachings that suggest any number of
`
`capacitive strips and layers. See Pet. 38–43 (discussing dependent claims 7 and 8);
`
`id. at 40 (quoting Ex. 1009, col. 7, ll. 43–46: “traces . . . may be aligned
`
`orthogonal to each other”); id. at 42 (quoting Ex. 1006, col. 4, ll. 51–52: “using
`
`any number of layers of conductive strips,” and relying on Figure 4 in which
`
`“Brennan discloses a multi-layer capacitor”). In light of these and other teachings,
`
`IVM reasons that “[a] person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the
`
`third plurality of conductive strips of Paul could be arranged to be orthogonal to
`
`the first and second pluralities of conductive strips as suggested by Brennan.” Pet.
`
`40.
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`Annotated Figure G, which represents a modified version of Paul’s figures,
`
`according to Mr. Johnson’s first Declaration and the Petition, appears below:
`
`
`
`Annotated Figure G above depicts the third plurality of conductive elements,
`
`B, which are orthogonal to adjacent first, second, fourth, and fifth pluralities of
`
`conductive elements, generally as recited in claims 7 and 8, according to IVM’s
`
`Petition. See Ex. 1002 ¶ 77; Pet. 43.
`
`IVM points out that the parties’ two experts, Dr. Blanchard and
`
`Mr. Johnson, agree that the term “adjacent” in claim 8, based on the ’609 Patent
`
`disclosure, allows conductive elements to be above or below one another. See Pet.
`
`Reply 8–9 (discussing adjacent capacitor elements B1, B2, B5 as disclosed in the
`
`’609 Patent at Fig. 2B, discussing Figure G of the first Johnson Declaration, and
`
`citing Ex. 1013 ¶ 21; Ex. 1014, 88, l. 15 – 89, l. 12). Claim 1 corroborates this
`
`meaning of “adjacent” by reciting “a second conductive layer adjacent to the first
`
`conductive layer.” Therefore, claim 8 is broad enough to include “a conductive
`
`element . . . forming a third part of a first node” in a layer “adjacent” to, i.e., above
`
`or below, the layer having “the third plurality of conductive elements.” In other
`
`words, contrary to Xilinx’s argument, “adjacent” in claim 8 does not signify,
`
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`necessarily, a single layer plate or non-alternating node strips in a single plate
`
`layer.
`
`Stated differently, although the “third plurality of conductive elements”
`
`recited in claim 8 is in a “the second layer” and also forms a “second part of the
`
`second node,” according to independent claim 1, the “conductive element
`
`electrically connected to and forming a third part of the first node” need not be in
`
`that “second layer.” Rather, that conductive element, which forms a third part of
`
`the first node, is broad enough to be either in the “second layer” of claim 1, as a
`
`“single layer,” or in a layer adjacent to, i.e., above or below, that second layer, as a
`
`“double layer.”
`
`As to the former “single layer” situation, conductive elements adjacent to a
`
`conductive element and all in the same second layer, Paul suggests non-alternating
`
`adjacent conductive strips in the same layer (i.e., a plate layer) as follows: “the
`
`conductive strips 404 and 406 alternate, although other configurations may also be
`
`used.” Ex. 1006, col. 3, ll. 16–17 (italics emphasis added). Such “other
`
`configurations” suggest the opposite of alternating nodes––non-alternating nodes,
`
`such as Paul depicts in the form of a side shield of node elements A in Figure 8.
`
`Ex. 1006. In addition, Brennan explicitly discloses such non-alternating
`
`conductive strips in the form of multiple slotted plate layers in a capacitor. See Ex.
`
`1009, Fig. 4. As IVM and Mr. Johnson point out, Paul teaches that a capacitor
`
`may have any number of conductive strip layers, further suggesting a modification
`
`that employs slotted or non-alternating layers, as Paul and Brennan suggest. See
`
`Pet. Reply 7 (citing Ex. 1006, col. 4, ll. 51–52; Ex. 1002 ¶ 77). Employing non-
`
`alternating strips in a layer results in more nodes of one type (A) than another (B)
`
`and accordingly results in an unequal area, or number, of opposite nodes. This
`
`nodal inequality creates an “unbalanced” capacitor that is distinct from a
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`“balanced” capacitor, according to another of Xilinx’s arguments, as discussed
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`further below. See PO Resp. 14–15.
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`Alternatively, as to the latter “double layer” situation, adjacent conductive
`
`strip elements in layers adjacent to the second layer, Paul discloses conductive strip
`
`elements B, which IVM annotates in Figure G above as a “1st [or 4th] plurality of
`
`conductive elements.” The “1st plurality” in the first layer is depicted as being
`
`immediately above, or adjacent to, the “3rd plurality” of conductive node elements
`
`B in the second layer. See supra annotated Fig. G. Based on this alternative
`
`reason, it follows that Paul’s structure, as modified, or not, by Brennan, includes an
`
`adjacent “conductive element electrically connected to and forming a third part of
`
`the first node,” as set forth in claim 8. See Pet. Reply 8–9; Pet. 38–44 (discussing
`
`adjacent layers and strip elements).
`
`A subset of the other conductive strips of the “1st [or 4th] plurality of
`
`conductive elements” depicted in Figure G correspond to other claim limitations
`
`that claim 1 recites and that Xilinx does not challenge. See supra annotated Fig. G.
`
`Although Figure G does not depict explicitly more than two conductive node strips
`
`B in each layer, Paul and Brennan suggest a plurality of such conductive strips––
`
`i.e., including a number greater than two.1
`
`
`1 In other words, Paul and Brennan, individually or collectively, suggest any
`number of conductive strips in a layer. Compare Ex. 1006, Figure 7 with Figure 8;
`see Ex. 1009, Fig. 4. According to claim 1, “a second part of the first node” must
`be in the second conductive layer, and “a first part of a first node” must be in a first
`conductive layer. Claim 8 does not specify the location of the third part of the first
`node. Accordingly, claim 8 is broad enough to encompass two or more node strips
`B of Paul (as modified by Brennan), on one side of a layer to form “a first part of a
`first node”; two or more node strips on one side of an adjacent layer to form “a
`second part of the first node,” as claim 1 recites; and one or more node strips B on
`another side of either one of those layers to form “a third part of the first node,” as
`claim 8 recites. See Pet. 42-43 (discussing “adjacent” conductive elements recited
`
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`With respect to both “adjacent” alternatives described above (i.e., the single
`
`and double layer alternatives), as Xilinx, IVM, and the experts discuss, Brennan’s
`
`slotted non-alternating layers provide distinct advantages, such as improving the Q
`
`factor and filtering noise in a capacitor by reducing eddy currents that otherwise
`
`flow in continuous sheet plate layers. See PO Resp. 13–14 (acknowledging
`
`Brennan’s benefits); Ex. 1009, col. 6, l. 61 – col. 7, l. 9; Ex. 2006 ¶¶ 23, 26; Ex.
`
`1002 ¶ 75; Pet. 40–41. Brennan’s slotted conductors are similar to Paul’s strip
`
`conductors, in comparison to wide continuous sheets that would carry the eddy
`
`currents more readily as discussed by Brennan. See Ex. 1009, col. 6, l. 61 – col. 7,
`
`l. 9. Logically, according to Brennan’s discussion, based on structural similarities,
`
`ordinarily skilled artisans would have recognized that Brennan’s described benefits
`
`of non-continuous capacitor node layers would flow to non-continuous orthogonal
`
`conductor strips in Paul’s modified structure. See id.
`
`Balanced versus Unbalanced Capacitors
`
`Turning to Xilinx’s argument, mentioned above, that concerns a distinction
`
`between “balanced” and “unbalanced” capacitors, Xilinx asserts that “both Paul
`
`and Brennan are directed to balanced capacitors. Paul teaches a capacitor in which
`
`the layers of conducting elements are always balanced. . . . Likewise, Brennan
`
`teaches a capacitor with equal number of plate layers (balanced).” PO Resp. 14.
`
`According to Xilinx, employing one of Brennan’s capacitor layers in Paul’s
`
`balanced capacitor structure “is not merely adding another set of nodes to perform
`
`their known function, but . . . is changing the functional operation of the resulting
`
`capacitor in a way not previously described.” PO Resp. 15. Dr. Blanchard makes
`
`the same statement. See Ex. 2006 ¶ 35. Citing In re Gordon, 733 F.2d 900 (Fed.
`
`Cir. 1984), Xilinx implies that IVM’s proposed modification would render Paul’s
`
`
`in claim 8).
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`disclosed capacitors unsatisfactory for their intended purpose. See PO Resp. 15.
`
`On the other hand, IVM characterizes this dispute about “balanced”
`
`capacitors as follows: “Xilinx still does not dispute that the combination of Paul
`
`and Brennan disclose[s] all the features of claim 8. Rather, Xilinx relies on an
`
`illusory difference between ‘balanced’ and ‘unbalanced’ capacitors to attack the
`
`combination of Paul and Brennan.” Pet. Reply 8.
`
`On this record, IVM’s position is more persuasive. Claim 8 does not recite
`
`the term “balanced.” IVM responds to Xilinx under the above-discussed
`
`assumption that the term “unbalanced” roughly corresponds to a capacitor that has
`
`more nodes, or nodal surface area, of one polarity (for example, A) relative to a
`
`node of the other polarity (for example, B). See Pet. Reply 10; Ex. 1013 ¶ 22; Ex.
`
`1014, 86, 20–24 (discussing unbalanced capacitor in the ’609 Patent at Figure 1 in
`
`capacitor 104 due to the greater plate surface area of nodes 112, 120 as compared
`
`to the plate surface area of node 108). According to the “BACKGROUND”
`
`section of the ’609 Patent, “[p]roviding an equal number of conductive strips in a
`
`layer for each node balances the coupling of each node to the substrate which is
`
`desirable in some applications, but undesirable in others, such as switching
`
`applications where it is desirable to have less coupling at one node.” Ex. 1001, col.
`
`1, ll. 63–67 (emphasis added).
`
`In light of this understanding, and addressing Xilinx’s position, Mr. Johnson,
`
`IVM’s expert, testifies that Figure 8 of Paul depicts an unbalanced capacitor, with
`
`“more conductive elements coupled to Node A than to Node B by virtue of side
`
`shield 812.” Ex. 1013 ¶ 22.
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`Figure 8 of Paul follows:
`
`
`
`Figure 8 of Paul, reproduced above, depicts a capacitor having a greater
`
`number of node strips A than B. Ex. 1006. According to Mr. Johnson, “[i]f side
`
`shield 812 is sufficiently close to elements 804 and 806 located to its right so as to
`
`contribute to the total capacitance of the capacitor, then FIG. 8 is an ‘unbalanced
`
`capacitor.’” Ex. 1013 ¶ 22.
`
`Temporarily setting aside the question of whether Paul’s Figure 8 represents
`
`an unbalanced capacitor, Xilinx’s argument that the proposed combination
`
`impermissibly results in an unbalanced capacitor that destroys the function of
`
`Paul’s capacitor apparently applies to the single layer alternative––wherein the
`
`combined structure results in an unbalanced middle plate layer that only has node
`
`strip elements B (thereby forming a large number of node strips B relative to node
`
`strips A). See supra IVM’s annotated Figure G. The other alternative, the double
`
`layer alternative, which results in, according to Brennan’s orthogonal conductor
`
`teachings, rotating one of Paul’s balanced layers that has both types of node strip
`
`elements A and B, would not result in an unbalanced structure, according to
`
`Xilinx’s definition of “balanced” and its characterization of Paul. Therefore, based
`
`at least on this latter alternative, Xilinx’s argument is unpersuasive, as it does not
`
`account for the full teachings of Paul and Brennan.
`
`Apparently assuming that the obviousness ground only includes the double
`
`layer alternative, a balanced middle layer, in related arguments pertaining to
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`proposed amended claim 20, which Xilinx characterizes as “includ[ing] limitations
`
`previously recited in dependent claim 8,” Xilinx maintains that Paul’s Figure 8
`
`capacitor is b

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