`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`__________________________
`BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`__________________________
`
`
`SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd.,
`Petitioner
`v.
`Textron Innovations Inc.
`Patent Owner.
`
`
`___________________
`
`IPR2023-01106
`U.S. Patent 10,275,950
`_____________________
`
`PETITION FOR INTER PARTES REVIEW
`OF U.S. PATENT 10,275,950
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Mail Stop PATENT BOARD
`Patent Trial and Appeal Board
`U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`
`
`

`

`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`
`I. 
`INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................... 1 
`GROUNDS FOR STANDING .................................................................... 1 
`II. 
`IDENTIFICATION OF CHALLENGE ...................................................... 1 
`III. 
`A.  Prior Art .................................................................................................... 1 
`B.  Grounds For Challenge ............................................................................. 2 
`IV. 
`’950 PATENT .............................................................................................. 2 
`A.  Overview ................................................................................................... 2 
`B.  Level Of Ordinary Skill In The Art .......................................................... 3 
`C.  Prosecution History ................................................................................... 4 
`D.  Claim Construction ................................................................................... 5 
`V.  GROUND 1: THE COMBINATION OF WARNER,
`WAKUTSU, AND SHAVIT RENDERS CLAIMS 1-5 AND 7-
`8 OBVIOUS. ................................................................................................ 6 
`A.  Overview of the Combination ................................................................... 6 
`1.  Warner .................................................................................................. 6 
`2.  Wakutsu ............................................................................................. 11 
`3.  Shavit ................................................................................................. 11 
`4.  Motivation to Combine ...................................................................... 12 
`a.  Warner and Wakutsu .................................................................... 12 
`b.  Warner, Wakutsu, and Shavit ....................................................... 15 
`Independent Claim 1 ............................................................................... 19 
`1.  Preamble [1P] ..................................................................................... 19 
`2. 
`“Sensor” [1A] ..................................................................................... 20 
`3. 
`“Avionics system” [1B]/[1I] ............................................................... 20 
`4. 
`“Database” [1C] ................................................................................ 23 
`a. 
`“Database” in the Aircraft ............................................................ 23 
`b. 
`“Database” external to the aircraft. ............................................... 25 
`
`B. 
`
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`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`(continued)
`
`5. 
`6. 
`
`Page
`“Wireless Transmitter” [1D] .............................................................. 28 
`“Transceiver” [1E] ............................................................................. 30 
`a. 
`“Transceiver” ................................................................................ 31 
`b. 
`“Transceiver comprising an input device” [1E], “Pilot
`identification information is entered directly” [1J]. ..................... 32 
`“Transceiver having a transceiver identity” [1E.1] ...................... 33 
`c. 
`“Transceiver being configured for …” [1E.2], [1F], [1G] ........... 35 
`d. 
`“Only Accessible” [1H] ...................................................................... 37 
`7. 
`C.  Dependent Claims ................................................................................... 39 
`1.  Claim 2 ............................................................................................... 39 
`2.  Claim 3 ............................................................................................... 40 
`3.  Claims 4 and 5 ................................................................................... 41 
`4.  Claim 7 ............................................................................................... 42 
`5.  Claim 8 ............................................................................................... 42 
`VI.  GROUND 2: THE COMBINATION OF WARNER,
`WAKUTSU, SHAVIT, AND GREUBEL RENDERS CLAIMS
`1-5 AND 7-8 OBVIOUS. .......................................................................... 43 
`A.  Overview of the Combination ................................................................. 44 
`1.  Greubel ............................................................................................... 44 
`2.  Motivation to Combine ...................................................................... 45 
`B.  Claim 1 .................................................................................................... 48 
`C.  Dependent Claims ................................................................................... 49 
`VII.  GROUND 3: THE COMBINATION OF UCZEKAJ AND
`JIANG RENDERS CLAIMS 1-5, AND 8 OBVIOUS. ............................ 49 
`A.  Overview of the Combination ................................................................. 49 
`1.  Uczekaj ............................................................................................... 49 
`
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`

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`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`(continued)
`
`B. 
`
`5. 
`6. 
`
`Page
`2. 
`Jiang ................................................................................................... 51 
`3.  Motivation to Combine ...................................................................... 53 
`Independent Claim 1 ............................................................................... 56 
`1.  Preamble [1P] ..................................................................................... 56 
`2. 
`“Sensor” [1A] ..................................................................................... 56 
`3. 
`“Avionics system” [1B]/[1I] ............................................................... 57 
`4. 
`“Database” [1C]. ............................................................................... 59 
`a. 
`“Database” in the aircraft. ............................................................. 59 
`b. 
`“Database” external to the aircraft. ............................................... 62 
`“Wireless transmitter” [1D] ............................................................... 63 
`“Transceiver” [1E] ............................................................................. 66 
`a. 
`“Transceiver” ................................................................................ 66 
`b. 
`“Transceiver comprising an input device” [1E.1], “Pilot
`identification information is entered directly” [1J]. ..................... 66 
`“Transceiver having a transceiver identity” [1E.2] ...................... 67 
`c. 
`“Transceiver being configured for …” [1E.3], [1F], [1G] ........... 68 
`d. 
`“Only Accessible” [1H]. ..................................................................... 70 
`7. 
`C.  Dependent Claim ..................................................................................... 73 
`1.  Claims 2 and 3 ................................................................................... 73 
`2.  Claims 4 and 5 ................................................................................... 73 
`3.  Claim 8 ............................................................................................... 74 
`VIII.  GROUND 4: THE COMBINATION OF UCZEKAJ, JIANG
`AND GREUBEL RENDERS CLAIMS 1-5 AND 8 OBVIOUS. ............. 75 
`A.  Motivation to Combine ........................................................................... 75 
`B. 
`Independent Claim 1 ............................................................................... 77 
`
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`

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`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`(continued)
`
`Page
`C.  Dependent Claims ................................................................................... 78 
`IX.  GROUND 5: THE COMBINATION OF WARNER, SHAVIT,
`AND UCZEKAJ DISCLOSES LIMITATIONS 4-5. ............................... 78 
`X.  DISCRETIONARY DENIAL IS NOT APPROPRIATE ......................... 79 
`XI.  MANDATORY NOTICES ....................................................................... 81 
`A.  Real Party In Interest ............................................................................... 81 
`B.  Related Matters ....................................................................................... 81 
`C.  Notice Of Counsel And Service Information.......................................... 81 
`XII.  CONCLUSION .......................................................................................... 82 
`
`- iv -
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`

`

`U.S. Patent No. 10,275,950
`IPR2023-01106
`
`EXHIBIT LIST
`
`Exhibit
`1001
`1002
`1003
`
`1004
`1005
`1006
`
`Reference
`U.S. Patent 10,275,950 to Girard et al. (“the ’950 patent”)
`File History for U.S. Patent 10,275,950
`Declaration of Dr. Charles Reinholtz in Support of Petition for
`Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent 10,275,950
`CV of Dr. Charles Reinholtz
`U.S. Patent 9,563,580 to Warner, et al (“Warner”)
`U.S. Provisional Application 61/858,444 to Warner, et al
`(“Warner-Prov”)
`1007 WO 2012/105083 to Wakutsu, et al (“Wakutsu”)
`1008
`U.S. Patent Publication 2011/0241902 to Shavit (“Shavit”)
`1009
`U.S. Patent 9,402,174 to Greubel (“Greubel”)
`1010
`U.S. Patent 9,141,830 to Uczekaj, et al (“Uczekaj”)
`1011
`U.S. Patent 6,278,913 to Jiang (“Jiang”)
`1012
`Infringement Contentions (Exhibit A) in Textron Innovations
`Inc. v. SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd., 2-22-cv-00351 (EDTX)
`Peters, et al, “ISR-Eagle: Unmanned Aerial Systems
`Competition Report”, Student Unmanned Aerial Systems
`(SUAS) Competition Journal Papers (May 23, 2011)
`Koh, “Digital Memory Card Market and Technology”, 2005
`Conference on High Density Microsystem Design and
`Packaging and Component Failure Analysis (June 27-29, 2005)
`U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation
`Administration, AC No: 120-76B, “Guidelines for the
`Certification, Airworthiness, and Operational Use of Electronic
`Flight Bags”
`GE Intelligent Platforms, “ARINC Protocol Tutorial” (2010)
`SD Association, Press Release, “SD Association Adds
`Standardized Wireless Communication to Work-Leading SD
`Memory Card Standards” (January 9, 2012)
`
`1013
`
`1014
`
`1015
`
`1016
`1017
`
`- v -
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent 10,275,950
`IPR2023-01106
`
`Reference
`U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation
`Administration, AC No: 120-82, “Flight Operational Quality
`Assurance” (April 12, 2004)
`SD Association, “SD Specifications Part 1: Physical Layer
`Simplified Specification”, Version 4.1 (January 22, 2013)
`Excerpt from IEEE Dictionary
`Gast, “802.11 Wireless Networks: The Definitive Guide”,
`O’Reilly (2002)
`O’Hara, et al, “IEEE 802.11 Handbook: A Designer’s
`Companion” (IEEE Press 1999)
`U.S. Patent 8,495,722 to McCusker
`U.S. Patent Publication 2007/0219831 to Ne’meth
`U.S. Patent 8,626,568 to Warkentin, et al.
`U.S. Patent Publication 2012/0194679 to Nehowig, et al.
`
`
`
`Exhibit
`1018
`
`1019
`
`1020
`1021
`
`1022
`
`1023
`1024
`1025
`1026
`
`- vi -
`
`

`

`
`I. Introduction
`DJI Europe B.V. petitions for inter partes review (“IPR”) of U.S. Patent
`
`U.S. Patent 10,275,950
`IPR2023-01106
`
`10,275,950 (“the ’950 patent”; DJI-1001) claims 1-5, 7, and 8.
`
`II. Grounds For Standing
`Petitioner certifies the ’950 patent is available for IPR and Petitioner is not
`
`barred or estopped from requesting IPR.
`
`III.
`Identification Of Challenge
`A. Prior Art
`The ’950 patent was filed on July 26, 2013. Each applied reference was filed
`
`or published before July 26, 2013 or is entitled to priority benefit to a provisional
`
`filed before July 26, 2013.
`
`1. U.S. Patent 9,563,580 to Warner, et al (“Warner”; DJI-1005), filed
`
`July 24, 2014, and claiming priority to Provisional 61/858,444 (“Warner-Prov”;
`
`DJI-1006) filed July 25, 2013, is prior art under 35 U.S.C. §102(a)(2). (See §V.A.1
`
`(establishing priority to Warner-Prov).)
`
`2. WO 2012/105083 to Wakutsu, et al (“Wakutsu”; DJI-1007),
`
`published August 9, 2012, is prior art under 35 U.S.C. §102(a)(1).
`
`3. U.S. Patent Publication 2011/0241902 to Shavit (“Shavit”; DJI-
`
`1008), published October 6, 2011, is prior art under 35 U.S.C. §102(a)(1).
`
`- 1 -
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`

`

`
`
`4. U.S. Patent 9,402,174 to Greubel (“Greubel”; DJI-1009), filed May
`
`U.S. Patent 10,275,950
`IPR2023-01106
`
`6, 2013, is prior art under 35 U.S.C. §102(a)(2).
`
`5. U.S. Patent 9,141,830 to Uczekaj, et al (“Uczekaj”; DJI-1010), filed
`
`July 23, 2012, is prior art under 35 U.S.C. §102(a)(2).
`
`6. U.S. Patent 6,278,913 to Jiang (“Jiang”; DJI-1011), published
`
`August 21, 2001, is prior art under 35 U.S.C. §102(a)(1).
`
`B. Grounds For Challenge
`
`
`
`1
`
`2
`
`3
`
`4
`
`5
`
`
`
`103
`
`103
`
`103
`
`103
`
`103
`
`Claims
`
`Combination
`
`1-5, 7-8 Warner, Wakutsu, Shavit
`
`1-5, 7-8 Warner, Wakutsu, Shavit, Greubel
`
`1-5, 7-8
`
`Uczekaj, Jiang
`
`1-5, 7-8
`
`Uczekaj, Jiang, Greubel
`
`4-5
`
`Warner, Wakutsu, Shavit, Uczekaj
`
`
`
`IV.
`’950 Patent
`A. Overview
`The ’950 patent “relates generally to aircraft avionics systems.” (DJI-1001,
`
`1:8-9.) The ’950 patent’s system, illustrated in Figure 3 below, includes transmitter
`
`303 with “wireless device 313 configured to transmit data to and from transceiver
`
`305.” (DJI-1001, 3:5-6, 3:14-16.) Transceiver 305 “is a portable smartphone and/or
`
`tablet configured to receive data from transmitter 313 and relay the data to
`
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`

`
`database 307” for storage. (DJI-1001, 3:20-32.) For example, database 307
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`U.S. Patent 10,275,950
`IPR2023-01106
`
`“automatically populate[s] aircraft and pilot logbooks with data received from the
`
`aircraft, e.g., flight hours, landings, and so forth.” (DJI-1001, 3:34-38.) Stored
`
`flight performance information can be reviewed, e.g., by a flight instructor, to
`
`“provide feedback based upon the flight performance data.” (DJI-1001, 4:43-48.)
`
`’950 Patent, Figure 3
`
`
`
`B. Level Of Ordinary Skill In The Art
`A person of ordinary skill in the art (“POSITA”) would have had a
`
`bachelor’s degree or equivalent in the field of aeronautical, electrical, or
`
`mechanical engineering, computer science, or equivalent training and experience,
`
`and at least one year of experience in the field of avionics or electromechanical
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`

`
`system analysis and/or design. A higher level of education or work experience
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`U.S. Patent 10,275,950
`IPR2023-01106
`
`might make up for less experience, and vice versa. (DJI-1003, ¶20.)
`
`C. Prosecution History
`The ’950 patent prosecution involved 4 Non-Final and 4 Final Office
`
`Actions including 7 substantive amendments to the independent claims. (See DJI-
`
`1003, ¶¶21-29; DJI-1002, 52-419.) Throughout prosecution, the Examiner
`
`repeatedly found a flight monitoring system having a wireless transmitter that
`
`receives flight data from an avionics system and transmits data to a transceiver
`
`which provides data to a database was obvious. (DJI-1002, 52-388.) The Examiner
`
`also repeatedly found a transceiver that (1) has a transceiver identity and (2)
`
`associates flight performance data with pilot identification information was
`
`obvious. (Id.)
`
`In the final amendment, Applicant amended each independent claim to recite
`
`the wireless transmitter comprises a non-volatile memory card coupled to a
`
`memory card interface of the avionics system. (See DJI-1002, 400-410.) Following
`
`this amendment, the Examiner allowed the claims without comment. (See DJI-
`
`1002, 412-419.)
`
`- 4 -
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`

`

`The use of a non-volatile memory card in electronic devices, including in
`
`U.S. Patent 10,275,950
`IPR2023-01106
`
`
`
`avionics systems1, was not novel before July 2013. Non-volatile memory cards,
`
`such as SD cards, were ubiquitous by 2013. (DJI-1014; see also, DJI-1003, ¶29.)
`
`D. Claim Construction
`The preamble of claim 1 requires construction. No other terms require
`
`construction to resolve the patentability disputes in this proceeding.
`
`The preamble of claim 1, “[a]n aircraft”, is limiting because it recites an
`
`essential structure and is “necessary to give life, meaning, and vitality” to the
`
`claims. Pitney Bowes, Inc. v. Hewlett-Packard Co., 182 F.3d 1298, 1309 (Fed. Cir.
`
`1999). The preamble provides antecedent basis for “the aircraft” recited
`
`throughout the claim’s body. See Bell Communication Research, Inc. v. Vitalink
`
`Communications Corp., 55 F.3d 615, 620 (Fed. Cir. 1995). Additionally, PO
`
`intentionally distinguished independent claims 1 and 9, which recite similar
`
`limitations, through the structure recited in each claim’s preambleclaim 1 is
`
`
`1 In the co-pending district court litigation, Patent Owner (“PO”) takes a
`
`broad interpretation of this added limitation contending a UAV having both a
`
`wireless transmitter and a separate non-volatile memory card meets the limitation.
`
`(See DJI-1012, 20, 29.)
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`- 5 -
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`

`
`directed to “[a]n aircraft” whereas claim 9 is directed to “[a]n aircraft flight
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`U.S. Patent 10,275,950
`IPR2023-01106
`
`performance monitoring system.”
`
`V. GROUND 1: Combination of Warner, Wakutsu, and Shavit renders
`claims 1-5 and 7-8 obvious.
`A. Combination Overview
`1. Warner
`Warner discloses a system for collecting “sensor data onboard an aircraft”
`
`and transmitting the data “to a destination including a portable storage device such
`
`as a portable computer or electronic flight bag (EFB) by means including wireless
`
`transmission.” (DJI-1005, 1:29-36; DJI-1006, 1:24-27.)
`
`Warner is entitled to priority to Warner-Prov, filed July 25, 2013. Under 35
`
`U.S.C. §102(a)(2), a published patent application is prior art as of its effective
`
`filing date. An application is considered to have been effectively filed, with respect
`
`to any subject matter described in the application, as of the filing date of the
`
`earliest application describing the subject matter to which the application is entitled
`
`to claim a right of priority. 35 U.S.C. §102(d)(2); See IPR2022-00341, Apple Inc.
`
`v. Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Paper 10, 16-22 (PTAB Sept. 14, 2022)
`
`(finding Dynamic Drinkware does not apply to post-AIA patents)). Warner was
`
`filed not later than 12 months after the filing of Warner-Prov and contains a
`
`specific reference to Warner-Prov. (See DJI-1005, (22), (60), 1:9-11).) Petitioner
`
`- 6 -
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`

`
`provides cross-cites to Warner-Prov throughout to demonstrate the subject matter
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`U.S. Patent 10,275,950
`IPR2023-01106
`
`relied upon from Warner is disclosed in Warner-Prov2.
`
`Warner discloses exemplary apparatuses providing “automatic acquisition of
`
`data, analysis of the collected data, and preferably automatic wireless transmission
`
`of the collected data and/or analysis of the collected data to a destination for
`
`storage or analysis.” (DJI-1005, 2:44-48; DJI-1006, 2:27-29, claims 1, 30,
`
`Abstract.) A first apparatus, referred to as a Quick Access Recorder (QAR),
`
`illustrated in Figure 1 below, receives data over several data feeds. (DJI-1005,
`
`4:49-51; DJI-1006, 4:15-17.) The QAR then wirelessly transmits a “composite data
`
`stream” to an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB)/computer. (DJI-1005, 5:5-9; DJI-1006,
`
`4:28-30.)
`
`
`2 Should PO incorrectly contend the Dynamic Drinkware framework applies
`
`to AIA patents, Petitioner’s expert demonstrates at least one claim of Warner is
`
`supported by Warner-Prov. (DJI-1003, ¶42.)
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`

`

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`U.S. Patent 10,275,950
`IPR2023-01106
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`Warner, Figure 1
`
`
`
`The second apparatus, referred to as a multi-function data acquisition unit
`
`(MFDAU), receives, for example, sensor data and ARINC 429 data. (DJI-1005,
`
`6:54-64, Figure 4 below; DJI-1006, 6:22-28, Figure 4 below.) A pilot tablet is
`
`connected to the MFDAU “via the WiFi Cabin antenna.” (DJI-1005, 6:13-15; DJI-
`
`1006, 5:29-31.)
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`

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`U.S. Patent 10,275,950
`IPR2023-01106
`
`Warner, Figure 4
`
`
`
`The apparatus (Figure 1’s QAR or Figure 4’s MFDAU) transmits data “to
`
`either a fixed or portable onboard storage device via wireless transmission.” (DJI-
`
`1005, 7:16-18; DJI-1006, 7:7-8.) Warner uses the terms “portable computer”,
`
`“portable electronic device”, “EFB”, and “pilot tablet” interchangeably to refer to
`
`the “portable storage device” receiving the collected data. (See DJI-1005, 1:34-36;
`
`DJI-1006, 1:25-27; see also, DJI-1005, Abstract, 2:57-59, 8:19-20 (QAR/MFDAU
`
`transmits data to “portable computer (i.e., EFB, tablet, semi fixed computer
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`

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`device”), 9:38 (“EFB/Tablet Collection and Processing”), Figure 4 (“pilot tablet”);
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`U.S. Patent 10,275,950
`IPR2023-01106
`
`DJI-1006, Abstract, 3:3-4, 8:18-22, 10:10, Figure 4.) This usage is consistent with
`
`the definition of EFB by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an
`
`“electronic display system intended primarily for flight deck use that includes the
`
`hardware and software necessary to support an intended function” including
`
`portable commercial off-the-shelf (COTS)-based computers, considered to be
`
`portable electronic devices (PED). (DJI-1015, 1-2.) Petitioner therefore refers to
`
`the device receiving data for storage as the “pilot tablet/EFB.”
`
`Warner’s pilot tablet/EFB is a device that “wirelessly collects, encrypts,
`
`provides for critical near real time processing, and packages data for off load to a
`
`corporate data infrastructure for long time processing and preservation.” (DJI-
`
`1005, 7:43-48; DJI-1006, 7:25-28.) In Warner, the QAR establishes a connection
`
`with the pilot tablet/EFB. (DJI-1005, 9:54-61; DJI-1006, 10:21-26; see also, DJI-
`
`1005, 5:44-47; DJI-1006, 5:8-9.) In parallel, the pilot tablet/EFB “creates at least
`
`four (4) primary files (MFDAU, Voice, Video, and Vibration) in which to store the
`
`received data.” (DJI-1005, 10:17-21; DJI-1006, 11:6-7; see also, DJI-1005, 5:49-
`
`50; DJI-1006, 5:10-11.) The QAR then “transmits all stored/buffered data and
`
`initiates the continuous flow of received data.” (DJI-1005, 9:61-64; DJI-1006,
`
`10:25-27; see also, DJI-1005, 5:50-52; DJI-1006, 5:11-12.) The pilot tablet/EFB
`
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`

`
`stores the received data in the designated file. (DJI-1005, 11:35-37; DJI-1006,
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`U.S. Patent 10,275,950
`IPR2023-01106
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`11:16-19; see also, DJI-1005, 5:54-57; DJI-1006, 5:14-15.)
`
`2. Wakutsu
`Wakutsu relates “to a memory system having a wireless communication
`
`function.” (DJI-1007, 1:14-15.) Wakutsu’s memory system includes “memory
`
`device 11 such as an SD card, and host 20.” (DJI-1007, 9:20-21, Figure 1 below.)
`
`Memory device includes wireless LAN signal processing section 19a that “controls
`
`a wireless communication function based on, for example, Wi-Fi.” (DJI-1007,
`
`10:21-24.)
`
`Wakutsu, Figure 1
`
`3. Shavit
`Shavit relates to systems “for tracking flights, including in real-time, for
`
`analyzing the performance of the pilots of these flights, and/or for making
`
`
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`suggestions for correcting the human errors made during these flights.” (DJI-1008,
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`U.S. Patent 10,275,950
`IPR2023-01106
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`¶2.) Shavit’s system includes data logger 202 that obtains and stores “location data
`
`and other flight parameter data, and transmit[s] them to a ground-based server
`
`203.” (DJI-1008, ¶39, Figure 2 below.) Ground-based server 203 “process[es]
`
`flight data transmitted from airborne data logger” and “store[s] it in a database
`
`such as an SQL database.” (DJI-1008, ¶56.)
`
`
`
`Shavit, Figure 2
`
`
`
`4. Motivation to Combine
`a. Warner and Wakutsu
`A POSITA would have been motivated to combine Wakutsu’s WiFi SD card
`
`teachings with Warner’s QAR. (DJI-1003, ¶¶56-60.) Specifically, a POSITA
`
`would have been motivated to use Wakutsu’s WiFI SD card as the means for
`
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`wireless transmission for the QAR and to incorporate Wakutsu’s host controller
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`U.S. Patent 10,275,950
`IPR2023-01106
`
`and other electronic components necessary to support the SD card in Warner’s
`
`QAR, as illustrated in the figure below. (Id.)
`
`
`
`Warner, Figure 1 Excerpt; Wakutsu, Figure 1
`
`A POSITA would have been motivated to make the above combination
`
`because Warner does not provide any detail regarding the wireless transmission
`
`means in its QAR other than it is accomplished using IEEE WiFi standards. (See,
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`e.g., DJI-1005, 4:38-43; DJI-1006, 4:10-11.) A POSITA would have therefore
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`been motivated to search for techniques to implement wireless transmission and
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`would have been led to Wakutsu which explicitly discloses a memory system for
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`controlling wireless communications. (DJI-1003, ¶57.) Wakutsu is reasonably
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`pertinent to a particular problem faced by the ’950 patent, wireless transmission of
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`data. (Id.) In the ’950 patent, “transmitter 303 is a Secure Digital (SD) or a non-
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`volatile memory card that is configured to receive, store, and/or transmit data to
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`and from avionics system 309.” (DJI-1001, 3:11-14.) Thus, Wakutsu’s WiFi
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`memory card would have “logically commend[ed] itself” to an inventor’s attention
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`in considering the problem addressed by the ’950 patent. See In re Icon Health and
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`Fitness, Inc., 496 F.3d 1374, 1379-80 (Fed. Cir. 2007); DJI-1003, ¶57.
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`A POSITA would have been further motivated to combine Warner and
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`Wakutsu to simplify QAR operation and maintenance. (DJI-1003, ¶58.) Although
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`Warner describes transmission of data to a portable device during a flight, Warner
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`stores flight data on one or more SD cards in the QAR for other uses. A POSITA
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`would have understood using a wireless SD card for both the storage medium and
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`wireless interface of Warner’s QAR would alleviate the need for an individual to
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`retrieve the flight data from the QAR SD card after every flight for these other
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`uses. (Id.) Instead, a POSITA would have been motivated to use the wireless
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`capabilities of the SD card to transfer the data during flight to the pilot tablet/EFB
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`and to other devices as needed post flight. (Id.)
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`
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`Additionally, a POSITA would have been motivated to use a wireless SD
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`card instead of embedded WiFi hardware in the QAR to simplify maintenance and
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`upgrades to the QAR wireless capabilities. (DJI-1003, ¶59.) For example, a
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`POSITA would have understood that updates or fixes to a removable wireless card
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`are made by replacing the SD card rather than replacing the entire QAR or taking
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`the QAR out of service for an update. (Id.) Additionally, using a separate SD card
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`to provide wireless capabilities allows a QAR manufacturer to implement a simpler
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`more cost-effective device, increasing the market for the QAR product. (Id.) That
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`is, the QAR merely needs to include an SD card interface and not an antenna and
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`wireless communications hardware. (Id.)
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`
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`Finally, the combination of Wakutsu’s WiFi memory card with Warner is
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`merely the substitution of one known element (Wakutsu’s WiFi memory card) for
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`another (Warner’s WiFi module). (DJI-1003, ¶60.) The results of the combination
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`would have been predictable and a POSITA would have had a reasonable
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`expectation of success in the combination because wireless SD cards were known
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`(even to undergraduate engineering students) and in use before the ’950 patent.
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`(Id., see also, DJI-1003, ¶29.) For example, the SD Association announced a
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`Wireless LAN SD standard in January 9, 2012, over a year before the ’950 patent.
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`(DJI-1017, 1.)
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`b. Warner, Wakutsu, and Shavit
`A POSITA would have been motivated to combine Shavit’s data logger
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`teachings with the combined data collection system of Warner and Wakutsu. (DJI-
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`1003, ¶¶61-65.) Specifically, as illustrated below, a POSITA would have been
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`motivated to (1) implement Shavit’s data logger as an application on Warner’s
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`IPR2023-01106
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`pilot tablet/EFB and (2) use Shavit’s ground-based network (server, SQL database
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`and web client) and associated applications as Warner’s “corporate data
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`infrastructure for long time processing and preservation.” (See DJI-1005, 7:43-48;
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`DJI-1006, 7:24-28.) Shavit and Warner are both from the same field as ’950
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`patentaircraft data collection and monitoring. (DJI-1003, ¶61.)
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`
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`Warner, Figure 1 (Left); Shavit, Figure 2 (Right)
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`
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`Warner and Shavit both suggest the combination. (DJI-1003, ¶62.)
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`Specifically, Shavit’s data logger 202 (outlined in red in the above figure) “may
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`also be implemented as a software application on a portable smartphone” or similar
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`device “which is carried onboard an aircraft during flight.” (DJI-1008, ¶45, see
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`also, ¶108.) In Warner, “[d]uring aircraft operation (based upon customer
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`selections) a data stream can be preferably accessed by other applications
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`running on the same EFB which display, analyze and interact with customer
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`commands (e.g., FOQA, Vibration Analysis, medical charting software).” (DJI-
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`1005, 10:41-45; DJI-1006, 11:20-23; see also, DJI-1005, 8:43-45; DJI-1006, 9:3-4
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`(recorded data “is preferably made available to other software programs the
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`customer wishes to run”).) Warner further suggests one desirable application is
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`analyzing flight performance and flight crew performance. (DJI-1005, 2:10-13;
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`DJI-1006, 2:20-23.) And one use disclosed for Shavit’s data logger application is
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`“for a pilot’s self-improvement” which is consistent with Warner’s suggested use
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`cases in flight and flight crew performance analysis. (DJI-1008, ¶108.) Thus, based
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`on these suggestions, a POSITA would have been motivated to combine Shavit,
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`Warner, and Wakutsu. (DJI-1003, ¶62.)
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`
`
`A POSITA would have further been motivated to combine Warner,
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`Wakutsu, and Shavit based on the FAA’s EFB guidelines. (DJI-1003, ¶63, citing
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`DJI-1015.) Specifically, an EFB “must be able to host Type A and/or Type B
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`software applications.” (DJI-1015, 2.) Type A applications include “aircraft flight
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`log and servicing records”, “pilot flight and duty-time logs”, “flight crew
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`qualification logs”, and “aircraft captain’s logs.” (DJI-1015, Appendix 1.) Type B
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`applications include “master flight plan/updating.” (DJI-1015, Appendix 2.) A
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`POSITA would have therefore been motivated to incorporate Shavit’s data logger
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`application to provide at least the log applications set forth in the FAA EFB
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`guidelines. (DJI-1003, ¶63.)
`
`A POSITA would have further been motivated to incorporate Shavit’s data
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`logger application and ground-based network teachings, including pilot
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`performance monitoring, with Warner and Wakutsu to improve flight safety. (DJI-
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`1003, ¶64.) Shavit suggests the combination describing an FAA study that
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`“demonstrated that most airplane accidents are the result of human errors.” (DJI-
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`1008, ¶4.) The FAA confirmed the need for a system using flight data to improve
`
`safety in its 2004 circular regarding the development, implementation, and
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`operation of a Flight Operational Quality Assurance (FOQA) program which is “a
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`voluntary safety program that is designed to make commercial aviation safer by
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`allowing airlines and pilots to share de-identified aggregate information with the
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`FAA.” (DJI-1018, 1.) Warner teaches support for FOQA. (See DJI-1005, 7:23-27,
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`7:57-63; DJI-1006, 7:12-17, 8:2-6.) A POSITA would have therefore understood
`
`and been motivated to incorporate Shavit’s data logger application and ground-
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`based performance analysis capabilities with Warner to track pilot performance,
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`identify errors and areas for improvement, and to improve flight safety. (DJI-1003,
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`¶64.)
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`Finally, the combination is merely the use of a known technique (Shavit’s
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`U.S. Patent 10,275,950
`IPR2023-01106
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`
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`data logger application and performance monitoring system) to improve similar
`
`devices (Warner’s pilot tablet/EFB and corporate infrastructure) in the same way
`
`(provide pilot performance analysis) and applying a known technique (Shavit’s
`
`data logger application and performance monitoring system) to a known device
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`(Warner’s pilot tablet/EFB and corporate infrastructure) ready for improvement.
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`(DJI-1003, ¶65.) The results of the combination would have been predictable to a
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`POSITA and a POSITA would have had a reasonable expectation of success
`
`because Shavit’s data logger a