`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`
`
`BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`
`
`BROADCOM LIMITED,
`
`Petitioner
`
`v.
`
`TESSERA, INC.
`
`Patent Owner.
`
`Case No. IPR2017-00889
`U.S. Patent No. 6,841,107
`
`
`
`DECLARATION OF C. P. WONG, PH.D. UNDER 37 C.F.R. § 1.68
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Broadcom Exhibit 1006
`Page 1 of 40
`
`
`
`
`
`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`
`I.
`
`SCOPE OF THE DECLARATION ........................................................ 1
`
`II. EXPERT QUALIFICATIONS AND BACKGROUND ........................ 2
`
`III. MATERIALS REVIEWED .................................................................... 4
`
`IV. SUMMARY OF OPINIONS .................................................................. 5
`
`V. PERSON OF ORDINARY SKILL IN THE ART OF THE ʼ107
`
`PATENT ......................................................................................................... 5
`
`VI. UNDERSTANDING OF LEGAL PRINCIPLES ................................... 7
`
`VII. OVERVIEW OF THE ʼ107 PATENT/TECHNOLOGY
`
`BACKGROUND .......................................................................................... 16
`
`A. The ʼ107 Patent ................................................................................ 16
`
`VIII. CLAIM CONSTRUCTION ............................................................ 18
`
`IX. YANAGIHARA ANTICIPATES CLAIMS 1, 2, 5, 6 AND 8 ............. 18
`
`A. Yanagihara Discloses all Limitations of Independent Claim 1. ...... 19
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`“A microelectronic assembly comprising:” ..................................... 19
`
`“a microelectronic element having a first surface including a central
`
`region and a peripheral region surrounding said central region, said
`
`microelectronic element including a plurality of contacts disposed in said
`
`central region” ............................................................................................... 19
`
`- i -
`
`Broadcom Exhibit 1006
`Page 2 of 40
`
`
`
`
`
`3.
`
`“a compliant layer overlying said peripheral region of said first
`
`surface, said compliant layer having a bottom surface facing toward said
`
`first surface of said microelectronic element, a top surface facing upwardly
`
`away from the first surface of said microelectronic element and one or more
`
`edge surfaces extending between said top and bottom surfaces of said
`
`compliant layer; and” .................................................................................... 21
`
`4.
`
`“a plurality of bond ribbons disposed over said compliant layer so
`
`that said bond ribbons extend over said top surface and one or more of said
`
`edge surfaces and said bond ribbons electrically connect said contacts to
`
`conductive terminals overlying the top surface of said compliant layer.” ... 23
`
`B. Yanagihara Discloses All Limitations of Dependent Claim 2. ....... 25
`
`C. Yanagihara Discloses All Limitations of Claim 5. .......................... 25
`
`D. Yanagihara Discloses All Limitations of Claim 6. .......................... 27
`
`E. Yanagihara Discloses All Limitations of Claim 8. .......................... 28
`
`X. YANAGIHARA IN VIEW OF HARADA RENDERS OBVIOUS
`
`CLAIM 3 ....................................................................................................... 30
`
`XI. YANAGIHARA IN VIEW OF INOUE RENDERS OBVIOUS
`
`CLAIMS 4 AND 7 ........................................................................................ 33
`
`XII. CONCLUSION ..................................................................................... 36
`
`
`
`- ii -
`
`Broadcom Exhibit 1006
`Page 3 of 40
`
`
`
`
`
`I, C. P. Wong, being over the age of 18 and competent to make the
`
`statements herein, hereby declare the following:
`
`I.
`
`SCOPE OF THE DECLARATION
`1.
`
`I have been retained on behalf of Petitioner Broadcom Limited
`
`(“Petitioner”) as an expert consultant to analyze and provide my opinions on
`
`the validity of U.S. Patent No. 6,847,107 (the “ʼ107 Patent”), and such other
`
`topics as addressed in this report.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`I make this declaration based upon my personal knowledge.
`
`The statements herein include my opinions and the bases for
`
`those opinions, which relate to the following documents of the pending inter
`
`parties review petition:
`
`Exhibit 1001: U.S. Patent No. 6,847,107 (“the ʼ107 Patent”)
`
`Exhibit 1002: File History of U.S. Patent No. 6,847,107
`
`Exhibit 1003: Japanese Patent Publication No. JPH05-144823
`
`(“Yanagihara”) (with English translation and attendant
`
`affidavit)
`
`Exhibit 1004: Japanese Patent Publication No. JPS64-1257
`
`(“Harada”) (with English translation and attendant affidavit)
`
`Exhibit 1005: Japanese Patent Publication No. JPH02-272737
`
`(“Inoue”) (with English translation and attendant affidavit)
`
`- 1 -
`
`Broadcom Exhibit 1006
`Page 4 of 40
`
`
`
`
`
`4. Although I am being compensated for my time at a rate of $550
`
`per hour in preparing this declaration, the opinions herein are my own, and I
`
`have no stake in the outcome of the review proceeding. My compensation
`
`does not depend in any way on the outcome of the Petitioner’s petition.
`
`5.
`
`If called upon to do so, I am prepared to testify as an expert
`
`witness in this regard.
`
`6.
`
`This declaration is based on information currently available to
`
`me. To the extent that additional information becomes available, I reserve
`
`the right to continue my investigation and study, which may include a
`
`review of documents and information that may be produced, as well as
`
`testimony from depositions that have not yet been taken.
`
`II. EXPERT QUALIFICATIONS AND BACKGROUND
`7. A detailed Curriculum Vitae that includes my professional
`
`qualifications, publications, honors and professional activities is attached
`
`with this report as Attachment A.
`
`8.
`
`I am a Regents’ Professor and the Charles Smithgall Institute-
`
`Endowed Chair in the School of Materials Science and Engineering at the
`
`Georgia Institute of Technology (GT).
`
`9.
`
`I received my BS degree from Purdue University, and my M.S.
`
`and Ph.D. degree from the Pennsylvania State University. After my doctoral
`
`- 2 -
`
`Broadcom Exhibit 1006
`Page 5 of 40
`
`
`
`
`
`study, I was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship under Nobel laureate Prof.
`
`Henry Taube at Stanford University. Prior to joining Georgia Tech, I was
`
`with AT&T Bell Laboratories for many years and became an AT&T Bell
`
`Laboratories Fellow (the highest technical award bestowed by AT&T Bell
`
`Labs) in 1992.
`
`10.
`
`I have published widely with over 1,000 technical papers, and
`
`authored and edited 12 books. I have yielded fruitful research results and
`
`hold over 55 US patents. I have made significant contributions to the
`
`industry by pioneering new materials, which fundamentally changed the
`
`semiconductor packaging industry.
`
`11.
`
`I have successfully motivated and nurtured numerous inquisitive
`
`young minds over the years. As a distinguished scholar, I was awarded
`
`numerous international honors, such as the IEEE Components, Packaging
`
`and Manufacturing Technology (CPMT) Society Outstanding Sustained
`
`Technical Contributions Award in 1995, the IEEE Third Millennium Medal
`
`in 2000, the IEEE Education Activities Board (EAB) Education Award in
`
`2001, the IEEE CPMT Society Exceptional Technical Contributions Award
`
`in 2002, the Georgia Tech (GT) Class 1934 Distinguished Professor Award
`
`(the highest award by GT to its faculty) in 2004, named holder of the
`
`Charles Smithgall Institute-Endowed Chair (one of the two GT Institute-
`
`- 3 -
`
`Broadcom Exhibit 1006
`Page 6 of 40
`
`
`
`
`
`endowed Chairs) in 2005, the IEEE Components, Packaging and
`
`Manufacturing Technology Field Award(hailed as Father of the Modern
`
`Semiconductor Packaging) in 2006, the Sigma Xi’s Monie Ferst Award in
`
`2007, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers’ Total Excellence in
`
`Electronic Manufacturing Award in 2008, and the IEEE CPMT Society
`
`David Feldman Award in 2009. I also received the 2012 International
`
`Dresden Barkhausen Award (Germany).
`
`12.
`
`I am a member of the US National Academy of Engineering
`
`(elected in 2000), and a foreign academician member of the Chinese
`
`Academy of Engineering (elected in 2013).
`
`13. During the past four (4) years, I have not provided expert
`
`testimony or reports in any cases.
`
`III. MATERIALS REVIEWED
`14.
`I have reviewed the documents referenced above to form my
`
`opinions.
`
`15.
`
`I intend to continue to review materials that may inform my
`
`opinions expressed in this Declaration. I reserve the right to amend or
`
`supplement this Declaration and to rely on additional materials and
`
`testimony brought to my attention during the course of this proceeding.
`
`- 4 -
`
`Broadcom Exhibit 1006
`Page 7 of 40
`
`
`
`
`
`IV. SUMMARY OF OPINIONS
`16. Based on the materials that I have reviewed, the analyses I have
`
`performed, the positions I have summarized within this declaration, and my
`
`personal experience, I have formed at least the opinions listed below.
`
`17. Claims 1, 2, 5, 6 and 8 of the ʼ107 Patent are anticipated by
`
`Yanagihara.
`
`18. Claim 3 of the ʼ107 Patent would have been obvious based on
`
`Yanagihara in view of Harada.
`
`19. Claims 4 and 7 of the ʼ107 Patent would have been obvious
`
`based on Yanagihara in view of Inoue.
`
`V.
`
`PERSON OF ORDINARY SKILL IN THE ART OF THE ʼ107
`PATENT
`20.
`
`I understand that the patent, the claims in the patent, and the
`
`prior art are interpreted the way a person of ordinary skill in the art would
`
`have interpreted the material at the time of the invention. I understand that
`
`the “time of the invention” here is the earliest priority date that the
`
`applicants for the ʼ107 Patent claimed in the United States Patent and
`
`Trademark Office, namely, October 31, 1995.
`
`21.
`
`In determining the characteristics of a hypothetical person of
`
`ordinary skill in the art of the relevant patents at the time of the claimed
`
`invention, I considered several things, including the factors discussed below,
`
`- 5 -
`
`Broadcom Exhibit 1006
`Page 8 of 40
`
`
`
`
`
`as well (1) the levels of education and experience of the inventor and other
`
`persons actively working in the field; (2) the types of problems encountered
`
`in the field; (3) prior art solutions to those problems; (4) the rapidity with
`
`which innovations are made; and (5) the sophistication of the technology.
`
`Finally, I placed myself back in the relevant time period and considered the
`
`individuals that I had worked with in the field.
`
`22.
`
`It is my opinion that one of ordinary skill in the art at the time
`
`of the priority date of the patent would have been someone with at least an
`
`undergraduate degree in engineering, physics, chemistry, materials science,
`
`or similar field, and three to five years of industry experience in the field of
`
`integrated circuit packaging.
`
`23.
`
`I am prepared to testify as an expert in this field and also as
`
`someone who had at least the knowledge of the person of ordinary skill in
`
`the art at the time of the purported invention, and someone who worked with
`
`others that had at least the knowledge of the person of ordinary skill in the
`
`art at the time of the purported invention.
`
`24.
`
` I understand that the person of ordinary skill is a hypothetical
`
`person who is assumed to be aware of all the pertinent information that
`
`qualifies as prior art. In addition, the person of ordinary skill in the art
`
`makes inferences and takes creative steps.
`
`- 6 -
`
`Broadcom Exhibit 1006
`Page 9 of 40
`
`
`
`
`
`25. Unless otherwise stated, my statements below refer to the
`
`knowledge, beliefs and abilities of a person having ordinary skill in the art of
`
`the ʼ107 patent at the time of the purported invention of the ʼ107 patent
`
`VI. UNDERSTANDING OF LEGAL PRINCIPLES
`26.
`I am not an attorney and will offer no opinions on the law. I
`
`have, however, developed an understanding of several legal principles
`
`concerning invalidity (and other relevant issues). I have applied this
`
`understanding in arriving at my stated opinions and conclusions in this
`
`Declaration.
`
`27. My understanding is that there are two different types of
`
`asserted claims in the ‘107 patent. One type of claim is called an
`
`independent claim. The other type of claim is called a dependent claim. An
`
`independent claim is a claim that does not refer to any other claim of the
`
`patent. An independent claim must be read separately from the other claims
`
`to determine the scope of the claim. A dependent claim is a claim that refers
`
`to at least one other claim in the patent. A dependent claim incorporates all
`
`of the elements of any claim to which the dependent claim refers, as well as
`
`the elements recited in the dependent claim itself.
`
`28. While I am not an attorney, I have gained from counsel an
`
`understanding of the law that pertains to the invalidity of patents.
`
`- 7 -
`
`Broadcom Exhibit 1006
`Page 10 of 40
`
`
`
`
`
`29.
`
`I understand that all patent claims of an issued patent are
`
`presumed to be valid. I understand that the presumption of validity may be
`
`overcome if the subject matter of the claims is either not novel or is obvious
`
`after analysis of “prior art.” The subject matter of one or more claims is not
`
`novel if it was known or used by others in this country, or patented or
`
`described in a printed publication in this or a foreign country, before the
`
`applicant(s) invented the subject matter of the claims. In addition, claims are
`
`not novel if the subject matter of the claims was patented or described in a
`
`printed publication in this or a foreign country or in public use or on sale in
`
`this country, more than one year prior to the date of the application for
`
`patent in the United States, and for various other reasons described in
`
`Section 102 of the Patent Act and discussed in further detail below.
`
`30. Prior art can include publications, patents, patent applications,
`
`published patent applications, or prior knowledge or disclosure, use, sale, or
`
`offer for sale in the United States of the patented subject matter by others
`
`either prior to the date of invention or more than one year prior to the date
`
`the patent application was filed.
`
`31.
`
`I understand that in order for a claim to be invalid for lack of
`
`novelty, or anticipated, a single prior art reference must disclose each and
`
`every limitation of the patent claim. It is not considered in a void, rather, one
`
`- 8 -
`
`Broadcom Exhibit 1006
`Page 11 of 40
`
`
`
`
`
`must take into account what a person of ordinary skill in the art would have
`
`understood from the reference. I also understand that one should consider
`
`not only what is expressly disclosed in the prior art reference, but also what
`
`would naturally, inherently have been understood from what is disclosed in
`
`the prior art reference. I understand that to prove inherency, the missing
`
`descriptive matter is necessarily present in the reference, and it would be so
`
`recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.
`
`32.
`
`I understand that in order to invalidate a dependent claim, all
`
`elements of that dependent claim and the claim from which it depends must
`
`be taught or suggested.
`
`33.
`
`I understand that determining anticipation of the patent claim
`
`requires a comparison of the properly construed claim language to the prior
`
`art on an element-by-element basis.
`
`34.
`
`I understand that a claimed invention is “anticipated” if each and
`
`every element of the claim, as properly construed, has been disclosed in a
`
`single prior art reference, or has been embodied in a single prior art device
`
`or practice, either explicitly or inherently (i.e., necessarily present or
`
`implied), and the claimed arrangement or combination of those elements
`
`must also be disclosed, either expressly or inherently, in the same prior art
`
`reference. I understand that prior art includes various categories of
`
`- 9 -
`
`Broadcom Exhibit 1006
`Page 12 of 40
`
`
`
`
`
`information such as printed publications, patents, actual commercial
`
`products, and/or other physical embodiments.
`
`35.
`
`I understand that although anticipation cannot be established by
`
`combining references, additional references may be used to interpret the
`
`anticipating reference by, for example, indicating what the anticipating
`
`reference would have meant to one having ordinary skill in the art. In
`
`addition, the description provided in the prior art must be such that a person
`
`of ordinary skill in the art in the field of invention could, based on the
`
`reference, practice the invention without undue experimentation.
`
`36.
`
`I understand that a patent claim must be nonobvious to be valid.
`
`I understand obviousness is determined from the perspective of one of
`
`ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was filed.
`
`37.
`
`I understand that patent claims are obvious if, although not
`
`identically disclosed or described, the differences between the subject matter
`
`sought to be patented and the prior art are such that the subject matter as a
`
`whole would have been obvious at the time the invention was made to a
`
`person having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains.
`
`38.
`
`I understand that a patent claim is rendered obvious if the
`
`claimed subject matter as a whole would have been obvious to a person of
`
`ordinary skill in the art as of the date of invention. I understand that this
`
`- 10 -
`
`Broadcom Exhibit 1006
`Page 13 of 40
`
`
`
`
`
`determination is made after weighing the following factors: (1) level of
`
`ordinary skill in the pertinent art; (2) the scope and content of the prior art;
`
`(3) the differences between the prior art as a whole and the claim at issue;
`
`and (4) as appropriate, secondary considerations of non-obviousness.
`
`39.
`
`I understand that the knowledge and understanding of a person
`
`of ordinary skill in the art provides a reference point from which the prior art
`
`and claimed invention should be viewed. This reference point prevents one
`
`from using his or her own insight or hindsight in deciding whether a claim is
`
`obvious, but I further understand that if a person of ordinary skill in the art
`
`can implement the claimed invention as a predictable variation of a known
`
`product, then the claim may be rendered obvious. I further understand that a
`
`person of ordinary skill in the art is presumed to have knowledge of the
`
`relevant prior art at the time of the claimed invention, and the scope of the
`
`prior art comprises any prior art that was reasonably pertinent to the
`
`particular problems the inventor faced.
`
`40.
`
`I understand that an obviousness evaluation can be made of a
`
`single reference or a combination of multiple prior art references. I
`
`understand that a proper obviousness analysis as to two or more references
`
`generally requires a reason that would have prompted a person of ordinary
`
`skill in the relevant field to combine the elements of multiple prior art
`
`- 11 -
`
`Broadcom Exhibit 1006
`Page 14 of 40
`
`
`
`
`
`references in the way the claimed new invention does. I understand that the
`
`prior art references themselves may provide a suggestion, motivation, or
`
`reason to combine. I further understand that obviousness analysis
`
`recognizes that market demand, rather than scientific literature, often drives
`
`innovation, and that a motivation to combine references may be supplied by
`
`the direction of the marketplace or other external factors.
`
`41.
`
`I understand that a particular combination may be proven
`
`obvious merely by showing that it was obvious to try the combination. For
`
`example, when there is a design need or market pressure to solve a problem
`
`and there are a finite number of identified, predictable solutions, a person of
`
`ordinary skill has good reason to pursue the known options within his or her
`
`technical grasp because the result is likely the product not of innovation but
`
`of ordinary skill and common sense.
`
`42.
`
`I further understand that a proper obviousness analysis focuses
`
`on what was known or obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art, not
`
`just the patentee. Accordingly, I understand that any need or problem
`
`known in the field of endeavor at the time of invention and addressed by the
`
`patent can provide a reason for combining the elements in the manner
`
`claimed.
`
`- 12 -
`
`Broadcom Exhibit 1006
`Page 15 of 40
`
`
`
`
`
`43.
`
`In sum, my understanding is that prior art teachings are properly
`
`combined where a person of ordinary skill in the art having the
`
`understanding and knowledge reflected in the prior art and motivated by the
`
`general problem facing the inventor, would have been led to make the
`
`combination of elements recited in the claims. Under this analysis, the prior
`
`art references themselves, or any need or problem known in the field of
`
`endeavor at the time of the claimed invention, can provide a reason for
`
`combining the elements of multiple prior art references in the claimed
`
`manner.
`
`44.
`
`I understand that at least the following rationales may support a
`
`finding of obviousness:
`
`i. Combining prior art elements according to known methods to
`
`yield predictable results;
`
`ii. Simple substitution of one known element for another to obtain
`
`predictable results;
`
`iii. Use of a known technique to improve similar devices (methods,
`
`or products) in the same way;
`
`iv. Applying a known technique to a known device (method, or
`
`product) ready for improvement to yield predictable results;
`
`- 13 -
`
`Broadcom Exhibit 1006
`Page 16 of 40
`
`
`
`
`
`v.
`
`“Obvious to try”—choosing from a finite number of identified,
`
`predictable solutions, with a reasonable expectation of success;
`
`vi. A predictable variation of work in the same or a different field
`
`of endeavor if a person of ordinary skill would be able to
`
`implement the variation;
`
`vii.
`
`If, at the time of the alleged invention, there existed a known
`
`problem for which there was an obvious solution encompassed
`
`by the patent’s claims;
`
`viii. Known work in one field of endeavor may prompt variations of
`
`it for use in either the same field or a different one based on
`
`design incentives or other market forces if the variations would
`
`have been predictable to one of ordinary skill in the art; and
`
`ix. Some teaching, suggestion, or motivation in the prior art that
`
`would have led one of ordinary skill to modify the prior art
`
`reference or to combine prior art reference teachings to arrive at
`
`the claimed invention.
`
`45.
`
`I have been informed and understand that secondary
`
`considerations of non-obviousness may include: (1) whether the invention
`
`proceeded in a direction contrary to accepted wisdom in the field; (2)
`
`whether there was a long felt but unresolved need in the art that was satisfied
`
`- 14 -
`
`Broadcom Exhibit 1006
`Page 17 of 40
`
`
`
`
`
`by the invention; (3) whether others had tried but failed to make the
`
`invention; (4) whether others copied the invention; (5) whether the invention
`
`achieved unexpected results; (6) whether the invention was praised by
`
`others; (7) whether others have taken licenses to use the invention; (8)
`
`whether experts or those skilled in the art at the making of the invention
`
`expressed surprise or disbelief regarding the invention; (9) whether products
`
`incorporating the invention have achieved commercial success that is
`
`attributable to the invention; and (10) whether or not others having ordinary
`
`skill in the field independently made the claimed invention at about the same
`
`time the inventor made the invention.
`
`46.
`
`I also understand that for any such secondary consideration to be
`
`relevant, the patentee must establish a connection or nexus between the
`
`secondary consideration and the claimed invention. For example,
`
`commercial success is relevant to obviousness only if the success of the
`
`product is related to a feature of the patent claims. If, however, commercial
`
`success is due to advertising, promotion, salesmanship or the like, or is due
`
`to features of the product other than the claimed invention, then any
`
`commercial success should not be considered an indication of non-
`
`obviousness.
`
`- 15 -
`
`Broadcom Exhibit 1006
`Page 18 of 40
`
`
`
`
`
`47. Yanagihara was published on June 11, 1993, and thus (as
`
`informed by counsel) is prior art under at least 35 U.S.C. § 102(b).
`
`48. Harada was published on January 5, 1989, and thus (as informed
`
`by counsel) is prior art under at least 35 U.S.C. § 102(b).
`
`49.
`
`Inoue was published on November 7, 1990, and thus (as
`
`informed by counsel) is prior art under at least 35 U.S.C. § 102(b).
`
`VII. OVERVIEW OF THE ʼ107 PATENT/TECHNOLOGY
`BACKGROUND
`A.
` The ʼ107 Patent
`50. Generally, the ’107 patent relates to semiconductor chip
`
`packaging, and particularly a compliant semiconductor package structure.
`
`(Ex. 1001 at 1:25-28.)
`
`51. Semiconductor chips are mounted on substrates and connected
`
`to other electrical components via bonding to electrical traces. (Id. at 1:31-
`
`39.)
`
`52.
`
`In “flip-chip” bonding, the contact-bearing surface of the chip
`
`faces towards the substrate, and each contact is joined by a solder bond to
`
`the corresponding pad on the substrate. (Id. at 1:65 – 2:1.) This is done by
`
`positioning solder balls on the substrate or chip, juxtaposing the chip with
`
`the substrate in the front-face-down orientation, and momentarily reflowing
`
`the solder. (Id. at 2:1-4.) While the flip-chip technique has several
`
`- 16 -
`
`Broadcom Exhibit 1006
`Page 19 of 40
`
`
`
`
`
`advantages, it potentially creates substantially rigid solder bonds that are
`
`subject to failure under thermal stress. (Id. at 2:6-13.) Further, the ʼ107
`
`Patent claims that the flip-chip technique makes it difficult to test the chip
`
`before attaching it to the substrate. (Id. at 2:13-15.) I disagree that this is
`
`true, as flip-chips can be tested using a “wafer level test.”
`
`53. The ʼ107 Patent purports to improve the flip chip technique to
`
`address the aforementioned problems. The ʼ107 Patent describes a
`
`fabrication process in which a first dielectric protective layer is provided on
`
`a contact bearing surface of a semiconductor chip. (Id. at 3:31-33.) A
`
`compliant layer preferably consisting of silicone, flexibilized epoxy, a
`
`thermosetting polymer or polyimide is provided atop the dielectric protective
`
`layer. (Id. at 3:40-43.) The compliant layer has a substantially flat top
`
`surface and edges that gradually slope down to the top surface of the
`
`dielectric protective layer. (Id. at 3:43-45.) Bond ribbons are then
`
`selectively formed atop both the first dielectric protective layer and the
`
`compliant layer such that each bond ribbon electrically connects each chip
`
`contact to a respective terminal position on the compliant layer. (Id. at 3:52-
`
`55.) The terminal positions are the conductive elements that connect the
`
`finished assembly to a separate substrate such as a printed circuit board. (Id.
`
`at 3:58-60.)
`
`- 17 -
`
`Broadcom Exhibit 1006
`Page 20 of 40
`
`
`
`
`
`54.
`
`I have reviewed the ‘107 Patent and the prosecution file history
`
`for the ‘107 Patent. (Ex. 1001 and Ex. 1002.)
`
`VIII. CLAIM CONSTRUCTION
`55.
`I understand that, Because the ’107 patent is expired, the
`
`applicable claim construction standard is that claim terms are given their
`
`ordinary and customary meanings, as would be understood by a person of
`
`ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention, having taken into
`
`consideration the language of the claims, the specification, and the
`
`prosecution history of record. Any special definition for a claim term must
`
`be set forth with reasonable clarity, deliberateness, and precision.
`
`56.
`
`It is my opinion that all claim terms of the ‘107 Patent should
`
`be given their ordinary meaning and no express construction of any claim
`
`term is required.
`
`57.
`
`In the event that one or more express constructions of any claim
`
`term is entered by the Board, I reserve the right to revisit my analysis under
`
`such construction(s).
`
`IX. YANAGIHARA ANTICIPATES CLAIMS 1, 2, 5, 6 AND 8
`58. Yanagihara discloses each and every element of claims 1, 2, 5,
`
`6 and 8.
`
`- 18 -
`
`Broadcom Exhibit 1006
`Page 21 of 40
`
`
`
`
`
`A. Yanagihara Discloses all Limitations of Independent Claim
`1.
`
`59.
`
`In my opinion, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand
`
`that Yanagihara discloses all of the limitations of independent claim 1. For
`
`the reasons that follow, it is my opinion that Yanagihara anticipates
`
`independent claim 1.
`
`1.
`
`“A microelectronic assembly comprising:”
`
`60.
`
`I am informed that the preamble of claim 1 is not limiting
`
`because, for instance, it merely provides a description for the limitations in
`
`the body of the claim. Regardless, even if the preamble is found to be
`
`limiting, Yanagihara discloses “a microelectronic assembly.” Specifically,
`
`Yanagihara discloses “a method for forming high-density bumps, allowing
`
`easy formation of bumps for electrically conductive circuits in high density
`
`at pad portions on a wafer.” (Ex. 1003, Object (emphasis added).) An
`
`“electrically conductive circuit” is a “microelectronic assembly.”
`
`2.
`
`“a microelectronic element having a first surface
`including a central region and a peripheral region
`surrounding said central region, said microelectronic
`element including a plurality of contacts disposed in
`said central region”
`
`61. Yanagihara discloses a microelectronic element having a first
`
`surface including a central region and a peripheral region surrounding said
`
`central region, said microelectronic element including a plurality of contacts
`
`- 19 -
`
`Broadcom Exhibit 1006
`Page 22 of 40
`
`
`
`disposed in said central region. Figure 13 shows a chip with a first surface
`
`including a central region and a peripheral region surrounding the central
`
`region, with a plurality of contacts in the central region.
`
`
`
`Central
`region
`
`Peripheral
`region
`
`Contacts
`
`
`
`62. The specification further describes a cushion portion 6
`
`“disposed on the periphery” that surrounds the central region of the chip
`
`
`
`- 20 -
`
`Broadcom Exhibit 1006
`Page 23 of 40
`
`
`
`
`
`shown in Figure 13, and “forming an electrically conductive circuit 10 from
`
`a surface of each pad portion 3 to a surface of the cushion portion 6.” (Ex.
`
`1003, Configuration.) Thus, Yanagihara discloses pad portions 3 (i.e., the
`
`claimed “plurality of contacts”) disposed in the central region of a chip 2
`
`that is surrounded by a periphery region that includes “cushion portion 6.”
`
`3.
`
`“a compliant layer overlying said peripheral region of
`said first surface, said compliant layer having a
`bottom surface facing toward said first surface of said
`microelectronic element, a top surface facing
`upwardly away from the first surface of said
`microelectronic element and one or more edge
`surfaces extending between said top and bottom
`surfaces of said compliant layer; and”
`
`63. Yanagihara discloses a compliant layer overlying the peripheral
`
`region. In particular, Yanagihara discloses a cushion portion 6 composed of
`
`a “a photosensitive polyimide” that is “disposed on the periphery of each of
`
`chips on a wafer.” (Ex. 1003 ¶ 5.) The polyimide cushion portion is a
`
`compliant layer.
`
`64. As seen in annotated Figures 13 and 12 below, Yanagihara also
`
`makes clear that the polyimide compliant-layer cushion portion has three
`
`surfaces: a bottom surface facing the microelectronic element, a top surface
`
`facing away from the microelectronic element, and two edge surface that
`
`each “slopes gently” extending between the top and bottom surfaces. (Id. ¶
`
`6.) The slope of the edge surfaces can be seen in Figures 13 and 12:
`
`- 21 -
`
`Broadcom Exhibit 1006
`Page 24 of 40
`
`
`
`
`
`Edge surface
`
`
`
`
`
`Edge surface
`
`65.
`
`In sum, Figures 13 and 12 show the polyimide cushion (i.e., the
`
`claimed “compliant layer”) overlying the peripheral region of the chip, with
`
`the bottom surface contacting the top (first) surface of the chip, a top surface
`
`facing away from the first surface of the chip, and “gently-sloping” edge
`
`- 22 -
`
`Broadcom Exhibit 1006
`Page 25 of 40
`
`
`
`surfaces extending between the top and bottom surfaces of the polyimide
`
`
`
`layer.
`
`4.
`
`“a plurality of bond ribbons disposed over said
`compliant layer so that said bond ribbons extend over
`said top surface and one or more of said edge surfaces
`and said bond ribbons electrically connect said
`contacts to conductive terminals overlying the top
`surface of said compliant layer.”
`
`66. Yanagihara discloses a plurality of bond ribbons disposed over
`
`said compliant layer so that said bond ribbons extend over said top surface
`
`and one or more of said