throbber
Case 3:17-cv-01375-DMS-MDD Document 296 Filed 08/08/18 PageID.9853 Page 1 of 33
`
`Juanita R. Brooks, SBN 75934, brooks@fr.com
`Seth M. Sproul, SBN 217711, sproul@fr.com
`Frank Albert, SBN 247741, albert@fr.com
`Joanna M. Fuller, SBN 266406, jfuller@fr.com
`Robert M. Yeh, SBN 286018, ryeh@fr.com
`Fish & Richardson P.C.
`12390 El Camino Real
`San Diego, CA 92130
`Phone: 858-678-5070 / Fax: 858-678-5099
`
`Ruffin B. Cordell, DC Bar No. 445801, appearing pro hac vice, cordell@fr.com
`Lauren A. Degnan, DC Bar No. 452421, appearing pro hac vice, degnan@fr.com
`Fish & Richardson P.C.
`1000 Maine Avenue, S.W. Suite 1000
`Washington, D.C. 20024
`Phone: 202-783-5070 / Fax: 202-783-2331
`
`Mark D. Selwyn (SBN 244180), mark.selwyn@wilmerhale.com
`Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP
`950 Page Mill Road
`Palo Alto, CA 94304
`Phone: 650-858-6000 / Fax: 650-858-6100
`
`Attorneys for Defendant/Counterclaim-Plaintiff Apple Inc.
`
`[Additional counsel identified on signature page.]
`UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
`Case No. 3:17-CV-1375-DMS-MDD
`QUALCOMM INCORPORATED,
`
`
`
`v.
`
`APPLE INC.,
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`Defendant.
`
`AND RELATED COUNTERCLAIMS.
`
`DEFENDANT AND COUNTERCLAIM
`PLAINTIFF APPLE INC.’S OPENING
`CLAIM CONSTRUCTION BRIEF
`
`September 5, 2018
`Date:
`9:00 a.m.
`Time:
`Courtroom 13A
`Place:
`Judge: Hon. Dana M. Sabraw
`
`Case No. 3:17-CV-1375-DMS-MDD
`
`1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
`
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`26
`27
`28
`
`Qualcomm, Ex. 1008, Page 1
`
`

`

`Case 3:17-cv-01375-DMS-MDD Document 296 Filed 08/08/18 PageID.9854 Page 2 of 33
`
`
`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`
`1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
`
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`26
`27
`28
`
`
`INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 1
`I.
`LEGAL STANDARDS FOR CLAIM CONSTRUCTION ................................ 1
`II.
`III. U.S. PATENT NOS. 7,355,905; 7,760,559; AND 8,098,534 ............................... 2
`A.
`“integrated circuit” (’905 patent, claim 1; ’559 patent,
`claims 1, 2, 3; ’534 patent, claims 1, 3, 4) ...................................................... 3
`“received on a first / second input to the integrated
`circuit” (’905 patent, claim 1); “receiving power from at
`least one first / second input to the integrated circuit”
`(’559 patent, claim 1) ........................................................................................ 4
`“during use” (’905 patent, claim 1; ’559 patent, claims 1, 2;
`’534 patent, claim 1) ......................................................................................... 6
`IV. U.S. PATENT NOS. 7,383,453 AND 8,433,940 ................................................... 7
`A.
`“core” and “area” (’453 patent, claims 1, 2, 4) ............................................ 8
`B.
`“sufficient to maintain the state information of the
`instruction-processing circuitry” (’453 patent, claims 1, 2,
`4) ...................................................................................................................... 11
`“power area” (’940 patent, claims 9, 11) .................................................... 14
`C.
`“real-time clock” (’940 patent, claims 9, 11) ............................................. 15
`D.
`U.S. PATENT NOS. 8,271,812; 8,443,216; AND 8,656,196 ............................ 16
`A.
`“performance domain” (’812 patent, claim 8; ’216 patent,
`claim 1; ’196 patent, claims 1, 2, 3) ............................................................. 17
`“power management unit” (’812 patent, claim 8; ’216
`patent, claims 1, 2; ’196 patent, claim 1) .................................................... 19
`“establish a . . . performance state” (’812 patent, claim 8;
`’216 patent, claim 1; ’196 patent, claim 1) ................................................. 22
`“a prior performance state at which the processor was
`operating prior to entering the sleep state” (’812 patent,
`claim 8) ............................................................................................................ 23
`VI. CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................ 25
`
`
`
`B.
`
`C.
`
`V.
`
`B.
`
`C.
`
`D.
`
`
`
`i
`
` Case No. 3:17-CV-01375-JAH-MDD
`
`Qualcomm, Ex. 1008, Page 2
`
`

`

`Case 3:17-cv-01375-DMS-MDD Document 296 Filed 08/08/18 PageID.9855 Page 3 of 33
`
`
`TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
`
` Page(s)
`
`Cases
`
`Accent Packaging, Inc. v. Leggett & Platt, Inc.,
`707 F.3d 1318, 1325–26 (Fed. Cir. 2013) ........................................................................ 18
`
`Action Star Enter. Co. v. KaiJet Tech. Int’l Ltd.,
`No. CV-1208074-BRO-MRX, 2014 WL 12595331 (C.D. Cal. Jan. 27,
`2014) ...................................................................................................................................... 15
`
`AIA Eng’g Ltd. v. Magotteaux Int’l S/A,
`657 F.3d 1264 (Fed. Cir. 2011) .......................................................................................... 13
`
`Biosig Instruments, Inc. v. Nautilus, Inc.,
`783 F.3d 1374 (Fed. Cir. 2015) ............................................................................................ 2
`
`Cadence Pharm., Inc. v. Exela PharmSci Inc.,
`780 F.3d 1364 (Fed. Cir. 2015) .......................................................................................... 16
`
`Cal. Inst. of Tech. v. Hughes Commc’ns Inc.,
`35 F. Supp. 3d 1176 (C.D. Cal. 2014) ............................................................................... 10
`
`Carl Zeiss Vision Int’l GMBH v. Signet Armorlite, Inc.,
`No. 07-cv-0894 DMS (POR), 2008 WL 4951984 (S.D. Cal. June 2,
`2008) (Sabraw, J.) ................................................................................................................. 20
`
`CytoLogix Corp. v. Ventana Med. Sys., Inc.,
`424 F.3d 1168 (Fed. Cir. 2005) .......................................................................................... 24
`
`dunnhumby USA, LLC v. emnos USA Corp.,
`No. 13-CV-0399, 2015 WL 1542365 (N.D. Ill. Apr. 1, 2015) ..................................... 10
`
`Enthone Inc. v. BASF Corp.,
`No. 1:15-CV-0233-TJM-DEP, 2016 WL 6679493 (N.D.N.Y. June 17,
`2016), report and recommendation adopted, No. 1:15-CV-233, 2016 WL
`4257355 (N.D.N.Y. Aug. 11, 2016) .................................................................................. 16
`
`GE Lighting Solutions, LLC v. AgiLight, Inc.,
`750 F.3d 1304 (Fed. Cir. 2014) ........................................................................................ 1, 2
`
`i4i Ltd. P’ship v. Microsoft Corp.,
`598 F.3d 831 (Fed. Cir. 2010), aff’d, 564 U.S. 91 (2011) ................................................ 19
`
`ii
`
` Case No. 3:17-CV-01375-JAH-MDD
`
`1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
`
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`26
`27
`28
`
`Qualcomm, Ex. 1008, Page 3
`
`

`

`Case 3:17-cv-01375-DMS-MDD Document 296 Filed 08/08/18 PageID.9856 Page 4 of 33
`
`
`Interactive Gift Exp., Inc. v. Compuserve Inc.,
`256 F.3d 1323 (Fed. Cir. 2001) .......................................................................................... 23
`
`Nautilus, Inc. v. Biosig Instruments, Inc.,
`134 S. Ct. 2120 (2014) ........................................................................................................... 2
`
`Oatey Co. v. IPS Corp.,
`514 F.3d 1271 (Fed. Cir. 2008) .......................................................................................... 13
`
`Omega Eng’g, Inc. v. Raytek Corp.,
`334 F.3d 1314 (Fed. Cir. 2003) ............................................................................................ 2
`
`Pactiv, LLC v. Multisorb Techs., Inc.,
`No. 10 C 461, 2013 WL 120234 (N.D. Ill. Jan. 9, 2013), aff’d, 621 F.
`App’x 665 (Fed. Cir. 2015) ................................................................................................. 12
`
`Phillips v. AWH Corp.,
`415 F.3d 1303 (Fed. Cir. 2005) ........................................................................................ 1, 2
`
`Pitney Bowes, Inc. v. Hewlett-Packard Co.,
`182 F.3d 1298 (Fed. Cir. 1999) .......................................................................................... 20
`
`Power-One, Inc. v. Artesyn Techs., Inc.,
`599 F.3d 1343 (Fed. Cir. 2010) .......................................................................................... 23
`
`TASER Int’l, Inc. v. Stinger Sys.,
`No. 2:09-cv-289-MMD-PAL, 2012 WL 3562371 (D. Nev. Aug. 16,
`2012) ...................................................................................................................................... 12
`
`Thorner v. Sony Computer Entm’t Am. LLC,
`669 F.3d 1362 (Fed. Cir. 2012) ............................................................................................ 1
`
`Viasat, Inc. v. Space Sys./Loral, Inc.,
`No. 3:12-cv-00260-H, 2013 WL 12061852 (S.D. Cal. May 29, 2013) ......................... 18
`
`Wi-Fi One, LLC v. Broadcom Corp.,
`887 F.3d 1329 (Fed. Cir. 2018) .......................................................................................... 13
`
`Statutes
`
`35 U.S.C. § 282(a) ........................................................................................................................ 2
`
`iii
`
` Case No. 3:17-CV-01375-JAH-MDD
`
`1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
`
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`26
`27
`28
`
`Qualcomm, Ex. 1008, Page 4
`
`

`

`Case 3:17-cv-01375-DMS-MDD Document 296 Filed 08/08/18 PageID.9857 Page 5 of 33
`
`
`I.
`
`INTRODUCTION
`Proper claim construction begins with the plain meaning of terms informed by
`the intrinsic evidence. Phillips v. AWH Corp., 415 F.3d 1303, 1314-15 (Fed. Cir. 2005).
`For this reason, a usage consistent with and supported by the specification and the
`embodiments within a patent is almost always the proper construction. Id. at 1316.
`Deviations from the specification are unusual and justified by only an unmistakably clear
`disclaimer. GE Lighting Solutions, LLC v. AgiLight, Inc., 750 F.3d 1304, 1309 (Fed. Cir.
`2014). Qualcomm nonetheless repeatedly violates these elementary tenets. Qualcomm
`artificially restricts the claimed inventions by adding limitations that do not exist, relying
`on cherry-picked specification quotes that Qualcomm misapplies to contradict the
`complete teachings of the patents—sometimes embodiments described in the very next
`sentence. Qualcomm also conjures indefiniteness arguments for nearly every asserted
`claim—arguments that deny the plain language of the claims, deviate from the written
`description, and disregard the knowledge of one of skill in the art.
`For these reasons, Qualcomm’s constructions should be rejected. Apple’s
`constructions, on the other hand, find solid support in the law and fit with the plain
`meaning of the disputed terms and the intrinsic and extrinsic evidence.
`II. LEGAL STANDARDS FOR CLAIM CONSTRUCTION
`“It is a ‘bedrock principle’ of patent law that ‘the claims of a patent define the
`invention to which the patentee is entitled the right to exclude,’” and as such claim
`construction must focus on the claim language itself. Phillips, 415 F.3d at 1312. The
`construction “that stays true to the claim language and most naturally aligns with the
`patent’s description of the invention will be, in the end the correct construction.” Id. at
`1316. Claim terms “are generally given their ordinary and customary meaning” as
`understood by the skilled artisan at the time of the invention. Id. at 1313. “There are
`only two exceptions to this general rule: 1) when a patentee sets out a definition and acts
`as his own lexicographer; or 2) when the patentee disavows the full scope of a claim term
`either in the specification or during prosecution.” Thorner v. Sony Computer Entm’t Am.
`1
`
` Case No. 3:17-CV-01375-JAH-MDD
`
`1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
`
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`26
`27
`28
`
`Qualcomm, Ex. 1008, Page 5
`
`

`

`Case 3:17-cv-01375-DMS-MDD Document 296 Filed 08/08/18 PageID.9858 Page 6 of 33
`
`
`LLC, 669 F.3d 1362, 1365 (Fed. Cir. 2012). “The standards for finding lexicography and
`disavowal are exacting.” GE Lighting, 750 F.3d at 1309.
`Claim construction begins with the intrinsic evidence—namely, the claim
`language, the specification, and the prosecution history. Phillips, 415 F.3d at 1312–17.
`The claims provide important guidance both through “the context in which a term is
`used” and “differences among claims.” Id. at 1314–15. The specification is “always
`highly relevant.” Id. at 1315. However, the specification must be used with care because
`it is improper to read limitations from embodiments described in the specification into
`the claims. Id. at 1323. The prosecution history may shed light on what a term means,
`but “it often lacks the clarity of the specification and thus is less useful for claim
`construction purposes,” id. at 1317, and it will not limit claim scope unless it contains a
`“clear and unmistakable” disclaimer. Omega Eng’g, Inc. v. Raytek Corp., 334 F.3d 1314,
`1325–26 (Fed. Cir. 2003). Extrinsic evidence, like dictionaries and treatises, may be
`considered, but plays a limited role in claim construction. Phillips, 415 F.3d at 1320–21.
`“[A] patent is invalid for indefiniteness if its claims, read in light of the
`specification delineating the patent, and the prosecution history, fail to inform, with
`reasonable certainty, those skilled in the art about the scope of the invention.” Nautilus,
`Inc. v. Biosig Instruments, Inc., 134 S. Ct. 2120, 2124 (2014). An accused infringer bears the
`burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that a claim is indefinite. Biosig
`Instruments, Inc. v. Nautilus, Inc., 783 F.3d 1374, 1377 (Fed. Cir. 2015); see also 35 U.S.C.
`§ 282(a) (“A patent shall be presumed valid.”).
`III. U.S. PATENT NOS. 7,355,905; 7,760,559; AND 8,098,534
`The ’905, ’559, and ’534 patents (Decl. of Robert M. Yeh1 Exs. 1-3, collectively
`the “Campbell Patents”)2 relate to methods that allow for different voltage levels in the
`
`1 All references to exhibits are to exhibits of Declaration of Robert M. Yeh in Support
`of Defendant / Counterclaim-Plaintiff Apple Inc.’s Opening Claim Construction
`Brief.
`2 The Campbell Patents (Ex. 1 (U.S. 7,355,905 (“’905”)); Ex. 2 (U.S. 7,760,559 (“’559”);
`Ex. 3 (U.S. 8,098,534 (“’534”))) are related patents. They share the same specification
`and all claim priority to U.S. App. No. 11/173,565 filed on July 1, 2005, now the ’905
`patent.
`2
`
` Case No. 3:17-CV-01375-JAH-MDD
`
`1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
`
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`26
`27
`28
`
`Qualcomm, Ex. 1008, Page 6
`
`

`

`Case 3:17-cv-01375-DMS-MDD Document 296 Filed 08/08/18 PageID.9859 Page 7 of 33
`
`
`memory and logic portions of an integrated circuit in view of what the patents describe
`as the “increase in importance” of “manag[ing] . . . power consumed by an integrated
`circuit.”. (Ex. 1 (’905) at Abstract, 1:14–19.) Reducing power consumption can be
`difficult because, while “[p]ower consumption in an integrated circuit is related to the
`supply voltage provided to the integrated circuit” (id. at 1:28–29), the amount that the
`supply voltage to the memory can be reduced is limited because “[a]s supply voltage
`decreases below a certain voltage, the ability to reliably read and write the memory
`decreases.” (Id. at 1:43–44.) The Campbell Patents solve these thermal and power
`management issues by separating the supply voltages into “at least one logic circuit
`supplied by a first supply voltage and at least one memory circuit . . . supplied by a second
`supply voltage.” (Id. at 2:4–6; see also Ex. 4 (Decl. of Robert L. Stevenson (“Stevenson
`Decl.”)) ¶ 21.) This allows the voltage of the logic circuits to be lower, and “[r]educing
`the supply voltage generally leads to reduced power consumption.” (Ex. 1 (’905) at 1:36–
`37.)
`
`A.
`
`“integrated circuit” (’905 patent, claim 1; ’559 patent, claims 1, 2, 3; ’534
`patent, claims 1, 3, 4)
`
`Disputed Term
`“integrated
`circuit”
`
`Qualcomm’s Construction
`“a chip made up of
`connected circuit elements”
`
`Apple’s Construction
`“one or more circuit elements
`that are integrated onto a single
`semiconductor substrate”
`Here, the parties primarily dispute whether an integrated circuit refers to circuit
`elements, which are on a semiconductor substrate (Apple), or whether a chip itself is an
`integrated circuit (Qualcomm). The claims, the written description, and the prosecution
`history all support Apple’s construction. (Ex. 4 (Stevenson Decl.) ¶¶ 23–35.)
`The claim language supports Apple’s construction. Nothing in the claims requires
`an “integrated circuit” to be the chip itself. Rather, all that the claims require is that the
`integrated circuit contains interconnected circuit elements, in this particular case a logic
`circuit and memory circuit. (Id. ¶ 25.) For example, Claim 1 of the ’905 specifically
`recites “An integrated circuit comprising: at least one logic circuit … and at least one
`
`3
`
` Case No. 3:17-CV-01375-JAH-MDD
`
`1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
`
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`26
`27
`28
`
`Qualcomm, Ex. 1008, Page 7
`
`

`

`Case 3:17-cv-01375-DMS-MDD Document 296 Filed 08/08/18 PageID.9860 Page 8 of 33
`
`
`memory circuit….” (Ex. 1 (’905) at 11:12–15.) The other claims contain similar
`descriptions of integrated circuits as containing a number of circuit elements. This
`construction is consistent with the plain language of the claims. Dictionary definitions
`provided by both parties confirm this proposed claim construction. For example, the
`Microsoft Computer Dictionary, cited by Qualcomm, defines an integrated circuit as “a
`device consisting of a number of connected circuit elements, such as transistors and
`resistors, fabricated on a single chip of silicon crystal or other semiconductor material,”
`which does not require an integrated circuit to be the chip itself, but rather—consistent
`with Apple’s construction—describes connected circuit elements on a semiconductor
`substrate. (Ex. 4 (Stevenson Decl.) ¶ 33 & Ex. J; see also id. at Exs. F–I, H–L.)
`The written description and prosecution history further support Apple’s
`construction. The written description repeatedly describes “integrated circuit” as
`comprising logic and memory circuit elements, not as a chip. (See, e.g., Ex. 1 (’905) at
`Abstract, 2:3–9, 2:49–63; see also Ex. 4 (Stevenson Decl.) ¶ 26.) Further, the written
`description explains the “integrated” aspect of the term, explaining that the memory and
`logic elements are “integrated onto a single semiconductor substrate (or chip)”—again
`not the chip itself. (Ex. 1 (’905) at 2:61–63; see also Ex. 4 (Stevenson Decl.) ¶ 29.) Nothing
`in the prosecution history defines “integrated circuit” differently from this usage. (Ex. 4
`(Stevenson Decl.) ¶ 32.)
`B.
`“received on a first / second input to the integrated circuit” (’905
`patent, claim 1); “receiving power from at least one first / second
`input to the integrated circuit” (’559 patent, claim 1)
`
`Disputed Term Apple’s Construction
`“received on a first
`“provided to the
`/ second input to
`integrated circuit on a
`the integrated
`first / second input”
`circuit”
`“receiving power
`from at least one
`first / second input
`to the integrated
`circuit”
`
`“provided power from
`at least one first /
`second input to the
`integrated circuit”
`
`4
`
`Qualcomm’s Construction
`“generated external to the integrated
`circuit and connected to the integrated
`circuit on a first / second input”
`
`“supplied by a first / second supply
`voltage generated external to the
`integrated circuit and connected to the
`integrated circuit on at least one first /
`second input”
`
` Case No. 3:17-CV-01375-JAH-MDD
`
`1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
`
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`26
`27
`28
`
`Qualcomm, Ex. 1008, Page 8
`
`

`

`Case 3:17-cv-01375-DMS-MDD Document 296 Filed 08/08/18 PageID.9861 Page 9 of 33
`
`
`The parties’ dispute centers on Qualcomm’s attempt to change the claim language
`and insert extraneous language into the claims. The claim language, written description,
`and prosecution history support Apple’s construction. (See Ex. 4 (Stevenson Decl.) ¶¶
`36–44.)
`The claim language supports Apple’s construction given that Apple’s construction
`amounts to the plain meaning of the claims. (See id. ¶ 37.) In addition, the specification
`uses the phrase “provided to the integrated circuit” in the same way that the claims use
`“received on a first [or second] input.” (Id. ¶ 38.) For example:
`The logic circuits 12 are coupled to the memory circuits 14. The logic
`circuits 12 are powered by a first supply voltage provided to the
`integrated circuit 10 (labeled VL in FIG. 1). The memory circuits 14
`are powered by a second power supply voltage provided to the
`integrated circuit 10 (labeled VM in FIG. 1).
`(Ex. 1 (’905) at 2:53–583.) This passage’s language mirrors the claim language, except
`that instead of a supply voltage being “received,” the supply voltage is “provided to the
`integrated circuit.”
` Nothing
`in the prosecution history counsels a different
`interpretation. (Ex. 4 (Stevenson Decl.) ¶ 43.)
`Qualcomm improperly seeks to insert language not found in the claims. Nothing
`in either the claims or the written description indicates the source of the voltage being
`provided to the integrated circuit. (Id. ¶¶ 41–42.) Indeed, “generated externally” does
`not appear in the claims, specification, or prosecution history. Further, without any basis
`in the intrinsic record, Qualcomm inexplicably changes “power” to “voltage” in claim 1
`of the ’559. The Court should reject Qualcomm’s attempt to rewrite the claims under
`the guise of construction.
`
`
`3 For all references, emphasis has been added unless otherwise noted.
`5
`
` Case No. 3:17-CV-01375-JAH-MDD
`
`1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
`
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`26
`27
`28
`
`Qualcomm, Ex. 1008, Page 9
`
`

`

`Case 3:17-cv-01375-DMS-MDD Document 296 Filed 08/08/18 PageID.9862 Page 10 of 33
`
`
`C.
`
`“during use” (’905 patent, claim 1; ’559 patent, claims 1, 2; ’534 patent,
`claim 1)
`
`Apple’s Construction
`
`Qualcomm’s
`Construction
`Indefinite.
`
`Disputed
`Term
`“during use” plain and ordinary meaning. To the extent the Court
`finds that further construction is necessary, “while
`operating”
`The term “during use” is unambiguous to the skilled artisan when read in context
`of the claim language and specification. Qualcomm creates the parties’ dispute by
`arguing that “during use” is indefinite, but ignores the intrinsic evidence, the knowledge
`of one of ordinary skill, and common sense. (Ex. 4 (Stevenson Decl.) ¶¶ 45–49.)
`The claim language itself supports the plain and ordinary meaning of the phrase
`“during use.” (Id. ¶ 46.) The claims illustrate its meaning in relation to the operation of
`the circuit elements. For example:
` “at least one logic circuit operating in a first voltage domain during
`use” (Ex. 2 (’559) at cl. 1.)
` “at least one memory circuit coupled to the logic circuit, wherein the
`at least one memory circuit comprises a plurality of static random
`access memory (SRAM) cells operating in a second voltage domain
`during use” (Id.)
`
`Consistent with the plain and ordinary meaning, the claims indicate that the logic circuit
`and the memory circuit are operating “during use.” (Ex. 4 (Stevenson Decl.) ¶ 48.) The
`written description also uses this plain and ordinary meaning by using the term “during
`use” in relation to the operation of the claimed circuit:
`The supply voltage for the memory circuits 14 (VM) may be maintained at
`the minimum supply voltage that provides for robust memory operation
`(or greater, if desired). Thus, the VL supply voltage may be less than the
`VM supply voltage during use. At other times, the VL supply voltage may
`exceed the VM supply voltage during use (e.g. at times when higher
`performance is desired and higher power consumption is acceptable to
`achieve the higher performance).
`(Ex. 2 (’559) at 3:26–37; see also Ex. 4 (Stevenson Decl.) ¶ 47.)
`The written description further illustrates that “during use” refers to the period
`when both the logic and memory circuits are operating, unsurprising as the patents
`concern the interplay between logic and memory circuits. (Ex. 4 (Stevenson Decl.) ¶ 48.)
`6
`
` Case No. 3:17-CV-01375-JAH-MDD
`
`1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
`
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`26
`27
`28
`
`Qualcomm, Ex. 1008, Page 10
`
`

`

`Case 3:17-cv-01375-DMS-MDD Document 296 Filed 08/08/18 PageID.9863 Page 11 of 33
`
`
`For example, the claims refer to both recited logic and memory circuits operating during
`use:
`
` “the memory circuit is configured to be read and written responsive to
`the logic circuit even if the first supply voltage is less than the second
`supply voltage during use” (Ex. 1 (’905) at cl. 1.)
` “wherein a magnitude of the first supply voltage is less than a
`magnitude of the second supply voltage at least a portion of the time
`during use” (Ex. 3 (’534) at cl. 1.)
`(See also Ex. 2 (’559) at cl. 1 (above).) The specification also describes the use of the logic
`and memory circuits during operation:
`The logic circuits 12 may generally implement the operation for which
`the integrated circuit is designed. The logic circuits 12 may generate
`various values during operation, which the logic circuits 12 may store in
`the memory circuits 14. Additionally, the logic circuits 12 may read various
`values from the memory circuits 14 on which to operate.
`(Ex. 1 (’905) at 2:64–3:2.) Accordingly, the Court should adopt either the plain and
`ordinary meaning or the related meaning “while operating.”
`IV. U.S. PATENT NOS. 7,383,453 AND 8,433,940
`The ’453 and ’940 patents (Exs. 6 and 7, collectively the “Youngs Patents”)4 relate
`to saving power by placing different portions of a processor in different power modes.
`Advancements in processor technology led to faster and smaller processors, but also
`increased power leakage, a form of power consumption that does not contribute to the
`processor’s function. (Ex. 6 (’453) at 1:27–58.) Increased power consumption was
`especially problematic for battery operated devices, such as laptops, with limited power
`supplies. (Id.) To reduce power consumption, the Youngs Patents disclose innovative
`power conservation techniques whereby the instruction-processing core(s) of a processor
`and the non-instruction processing area(s) of a processor may receive differentiated clock
`signaling and voltage as part of different operation and power-saving modes. (Id. at 1:65–
`2:9; see also Ex. 8 (Decl. of Sherief Reda (“Reda Decl.”) ¶ 23.) For example, in one mode,
`to conserve power, the clock signal to the instruction-processing core is inactive and the
`
`4 The Youngs Patents (Ex. 6 (U.S. 7,383,453 (“’453”)); Ex. 7 (U.S. 8,433,940 (“’940”)))
`are related patents. They share the same specification and both claim priority to
`application No. 10/135,116, filed on April 29, 2002, now U.S. Patent No. 6,920,574.
`7
`
` Case No. 3:17-CV-01375-JAH-MDD
`
`1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
`
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`26
`27
`28
`
`Qualcomm, Ex. 1008, Page 11
`
`

`

`Case 3:17-cv-01375-DMS-MDD Document 296 Filed 08/08/18 PageID.9864 Page 12 of 33
`
`
`voltage to the instruction-processing core is less than in its normal operation. (Ex. 6
`(’453) at 4:59–5:10.)
`A.
`“core” and “area” (’453 patent, claims 1, 2, 4)5
`
`1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
`
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`26
`27
`28
`
`Qualcomm’s
`Construction
`Indefinite.
`
`Disputed
`Term
`“core”
`
`Apple’s Construction
`
`plain and ordinary meaning. To the extent the Court
`finds that further construction is necessary, “a logical
`
`or physical instruction processing mechanism”
`Indefinite.
`“a portion of the processor excluding a core”
`“area”
`The ’453 patent’s asserted claims recite an “instruction processing system”
`comprising “a core with instruction-processing circuitry” and “an area coupled to the
`core.” These terms are unambiguous to the skilled artisan when read in context of the
`claim language and specification. Qualcomm argues that both “core” and “area” are
`indefinite, but ignores the intrinsic evidence, the knowledge of one of ordinary skill, and
`common sense.
`Taking “core” first, the claims recite “a core with instruction-processing
`circuitry.” (Ex. 6 (’453) at cl. 1.) As is apparent from the claim language alone, the ’453
`patent uses the term “core” consistent with its plain and ordinary meaning—“a logical
`or physical instruction processing mechanism.” A person of ordinary skill in the art was
`well aware of what a core was, the existence of multi-“core” processors, and that the
`cores in those processors perform instruction processing. (See, e.g., Ex. 8 (Reda Decl.)
`¶¶ 27–31; Ex. 9 (Reda Dep. Tr.) at 55:16-57:11.) Indeed the concept of a core was so
`ubiquitous that there simply should not be any debate regarding its definiteness. (Ex. 9
`(Reda Dep. Tr.) at 56:5–8 (“When you ask the plain, ordinary meaning of core is that any
`core, an instruction-processing mechanism[,] could be logical or physical.”); id. at 74:20–
`75:3.) Consistent with the plain and ordinary meaning of “core,” the specification
`describes that “[c]ore power area includes the instruction-processing portion of
`processor 102. Specifically, core power area 126 includes arithmetic-logic unit 104.”
`
`5 As the terms “core” and “area” are related and the dispute over their construction is
`likewise related, they are addressed together.
`8
`
` Case No. 3:17-CV-01375-JAH-MDD
`
`Qualcomm, Ex. 1008, Page 12
`
`

`

`Case 3:17-cv-01375-DMS-MDD Document 296 Filed 08/08/18 PageID.9865 Page 13 of 33
`
`
`(Ex. 6 (’453) at 3:10–13; see also Ex. 8 (Reda Decl.) ¶ 28.) Figures 1A and 1B illustrate
`this idea, showing a “core power area 126” with “arithmetic-logic unit 104” that
`“provides computational and logical operations for processor 102.” (Ex. 6 (’453) at
`3:7–17.) The patent further explains that the “voltage applied to core power 134 remains
`sufficiently high during instruction processing so that core power area 126 remains
`fully active.” (Id. at 4:13–15.)
`As for “area,” claim 1 distinguishes “a core with instruction-processing circuitry”
`from “an area coupled to the core.” (Id. at cl. 1; see also Ex. 8 (Reda Decl.) ¶ 36.) In
`other words, from the plain language of the claims alone, “area” is “a portion of the
`processor excluding a core,” as Apple proposes. The written description provides
`explicit guidance that the area makes up “the remaining portion of processor 102.” (Ex.
`6 (’453) at 3:30–37.) The specification further describes an area by its contents: “non-
`core power area 124 includes portions of processor 102 that are not directly involved
`in processing instructions.” (Id. at 3:34–36.)
`One of skill in the art was well aware that, as described in the ’453, a processor
`contains instruction processing components and auxiliary components. (Ex. 9 (Reda
`Dep. Tr.) at 118:14–20.) Various terminology was used in the field to describe this
`conceptual dichotomy, including, for example, core and un-core. (Ex. 8 (Reda Decl.) ¶
`37 (noting an “uncore” is “not in the processing core,” but rather includes “circuits on a
`chip that are not executing program instructions”).) One of skill in the art reading the
`’453 patent would understand that the applicant chose the terminology of “core” and
`“area” to capture this dichotomy. (Ex. 8 (Reda Decl.) ¶¶ 34–36; Ex. 9 (Reda Dep. Tr.)
`at 120:8–21.) As such, an “area” must contain auxiliary components, and, indeed, the
`patent describes just that: “Non-core power area 124 comprises the remaining portion
`of processor 102 and includes interrupt processor 112, real-time clock 114, clock
`distribution circuitry.” (Ex. 6 (’453) at 3:30–32; Ex. 8 (Reda Decl.) ¶ 36; Ex. 9 (Reda
`Dep. Tr.) at 82:14–82:25.) The patent further underscores the core / area distinction by
`associating voltages with each. (E.g., Ex. 6 (’453) at Fig. 1A (“core power 134” and “non-
`9
`
` Case No. 3:17-CV-01375-JAH-MDD
`
`1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
`
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`26
`27
`28
`
`Qualcomm, Ex. 1008, Page 13
`
`

`

`Case 3:17-cv-01375-DMS-MDD Document 296 Filed 08/08/18 PageID.9866 Page 14 of 33
`
`
`core power 136”) & cl. 1 (“core voltage” and an “area voltage”); Ex. 9 (Reda Dep. Tr.)
`at 133:14–19, 134:6–135:9.)
`Even though the specification delineates between a

This document is available on Docket Alarm but you must sign up to view it.


Or .

Accessing this document will incur an additional charge of $.

After purchase, you can access this document again without charge.

Accept $ Charge
throbber

Still Working On It

This document is taking longer than usual to download. This can happen if we need to contact the court directly to obtain the document and their servers are running slowly.

Give it another minute or two to complete, and then try the refresh button.

throbber

A few More Minutes ... Still Working

It can take up to 5 minutes for us to download a document if the court servers are running slowly.

Thank you for your continued patience.

This document could not be displayed.

We could not find this document within its docket. Please go back to the docket page and check the link. If that does not work, go back to the docket and refresh it to pull the newest information.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

You need a Paid Account to view this document. Click here to change your account type.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

Set your membership status to view this document.

With a Docket Alarm membership, you'll get a whole lot more, including:

  • Up-to-date information for this case.
  • Email alerts whenever there is an update.
  • Full text search for other cases.
  • Get email alerts whenever a new case matches your search.

Become a Member

One Moment Please

The filing “” is large (MB) and is being downloaded.

Please refresh this page in a few minutes to see if the filing has been downloaded. The filing will also be emailed to you when the download completes.

Your document is on its way!

If you do not receive the document in five minutes, contact support at support@docketalarm.com.

Sealed Document

We are unable to display this document, it may be under a court ordered seal.

If you have proper credentials to access the file, you may proceed directly to the court's system using your government issued username and password.


Access Government Site

We are redirecting you
to a mobile optimized page.





Document Unreadable or Corrupt

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket

We are unable to display this document.

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket