In-Depth Test IPR Not Instituted

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[email protected] Paper 15 Tel: 571-272-7822 Entered: July 21, 2015 UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE _______________ BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD _______________ LINEAR TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. IN-DEPTH TEST LLC, Patent Owner. _______________ Case IPR2015-00421 Patent 6,792,373 B2 _______________ Before LINDA M. GAUDETTE, BARRY L. GROSSMAN, and PETER P. CHEN, Administrative Patent Judges. GAUDETTE, Administrative Patent Judge. DECISION Denying Institution of Inter Partes Review 37 C.F.R. § 42.108 I. INTRODUCTION Linear Technology Corporation (“Petitioner”) filed a Petition (Paper 4, “Pet.”) to institute an inter partes review of claims 1–20 (“the challenged claims”) of U.S. Patent No. 6,792,373 B2 (Ex. 1001, “the ’373 patent”). In- Depth Test LLC (“Patent Owner”) filed a Preliminary Response (Paper 12, “Prelim. Resp.”). We have jurisdiction under 35 U.S.C. § 314, which provides that an inter partes review may not be instituted “unless . . . there is

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In-Depth Test IPR Not Instituted

Transcript of In-Depth Test IPR Not Instituted

  • [email protected] Paper 15 Tel: 571-272-7822 Entered: July 21, 2015

    UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE _______________

    BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD

    _______________

    LINEAR TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, Petitioner,

    v. IN-DEPTH TEST LLC,

    Patent Owner. _______________

    Case IPR2015-00421 Patent 6,792,373 B2 _______________

    Before LINDA M. GAUDETTE, BARRY L. GROSSMAN, and PETER P. CHEN, Administrative Patent Judges. GAUDETTE, Administrative Patent Judge.

    DECISION Denying Institution of Inter Partes Review

    37 C.F.R. 42.108

    I. INTRODUCTION

    Linear Technology Corporation (Petitioner) filed a Petition (Paper

    4, Pet.) to institute an inter partes review of claims 120 (the challenged

    claims) of U.S. Patent No. 6,792,373 B2 (Ex. 1001, the 373 patent). In-

    Depth Test LLC (Patent Owner) filed a Preliminary Response (Paper 12,

    Prelim. Resp.). We have jurisdiction under 35 U.S.C. 314, which

    provides that an inter partes review may not be instituted unless . . . there is

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    a reasonable likelihood that the petitioner would prevail with respect to at

    least 1 of the claims challenged in the petition. Upon consideration of the

    Petition and Patent Owners Preliminary Response, we determine Petitioner

    has not established a reasonable likelihood that it would prevail in showing

    the unpatentability of at least one of the challenged claims. Accordingly, the

    Petition is denied under 35 U.S.C. 314(a) for the reasons that follow.

    II. BACKGROUND

    A. Related Matters

    Patent Owner filed suit against Petitioner alleging infringement of the

    373 patent in In-Depth Test LLC v. Linear Tech. Corp., Case No. 1-14-cv-

    01091 (D. Del. Aug. 22, 2014). Paper 9, 1; Paper 5. The 373 patent is also

    the subject of a co-pending petition for covered business method review:

    Fairchild Semiconductor Corp. v. In-Depth Test LLC, Case CBM2015-

    00060 (PTAB January 13, 2015) (Paper 1). Paper 9, 1.

    B. The 373 patent (Ex. 1001)

    The 373 patent relates to a test system that executes an enhanced test

    process for testing components, such as semiconductor devices on a wafer,

    circuit boards, packaged devices, or other electrical or optical systems, and

    collecting and analyzing test data. Ex. 1001, Abstract, 3:2730, 5:1821.

    Test system 100 includes tester 102 compris[ing] any test equipment that

    tests components 106 and generates output data relating to

    the testing. Id. at 3:3436. Tester 102 operates in conjuction with

    computer system 108 that includes processor 110 and memory 112. Id. at

    3:4243, 5960.

    [T]est system 100 [] uses a predetermined set of initial parameters

    and, if desired, information from the operator to configure the test system

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    100. Id. at 5:3941. When the initial configuration process is complete,

    tester 102 executes [a] test program to apply signals to connections on the

    components 106 and read output test data from the components 106. Id. at

    6:2225. Each test generates at least one result for at least one of []

    components [106]. Id. at 6:3233.

    [T]ester 102 may[, however,] perform multiple tests on each component 106 on a wafer, and each test may be repeated several times on the same component 106. Test data from the tester 102 is stored for quick access and supplemental analysis as the test data is acquired. The data may also be stored in a long-term memory for subsequent analysis and use.

    Id. at 6:2531. Exemplary test results may include both results with

    statistically similar values as well as results that stray from these similar

    values. Id. at 6:3337. If any of these latter results exceeds an upper or

    lower control limit, the tested component may be classified as a bad part.

    Id. at 6:3840. The 373 patent describes results that stray from the

    statistically similar values but do not exceed control limits as outliers. Id.

    at 6:4345.

    Computer 108 receives the data file from tester 102 and uses a

    supplementary data analysis element 206 to analyze the data and provide

    enhanced output results Id. at 6:6466, 9:1921. Data analysis element 206

    includes outlier classification element 212, which is configured to identify

    and/or classify the various outliers in the data according to selected

    algorithms. Id. at 14:714. The outliers in the test results may be

    identified and analyzed for any appropriate purpose, such as to identify

    potentially unreliable components (id. at 6:4548), [f]or example, . . . to

    classify the components 106 into critical/marginal/good part categories (id.

    at 14:5961). The outliers may also be used to identify various potential

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    problems and/or improvements in the test and manufacturing processes. Id.

    at 6:4850.

    C. Representative Claims Petitioner challenges the patentability of all claims in the 373 patent,

    claims 1, 8, and 15 of which are independent. See Pet. 1. The independent

    claims are reproduced below:

    1. A test system, comprising: a tester configured to test a component and generate test

    data; and a computer connected to the tester and configured to

    receive the test data, identify an outlier in the test data, and generate an output report including the identified outlier.

    Ex. 1001, 19:2329.

    8. A data analysis system for semiconductor test data, comprising a computer system, wherein the computer system is configured to operate:

    a supplementary data analysis element configured to identify outliers in the semiconductor test data; and

    an output element configured to generate an output report including the identified outliers.

    Id. at 19:4820:4. 15. A method for testing semiconductors, comprising:

    generating test data for multiple components; and automatically identifying an outlier in the test data at run

    time using a computer system. Id. at 20:2932.

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    D. Evidence Relied Upon

    Petitioners patentability challenges are based on the following

    references:

    Reference Patent/Printed Publication Exhibit

    Ghaemi Application of Data Screening to the Characterization of Integrated Circuits, CAN. J. PHYS., Vol. 67, No. 4, 221224 (Apr. 1989)

    1018

    ONeill US 6,366,108 1019

    Daasch Variance Reduction Using Wafer Patterns in IDDQ Data, Proceedings of International Test Conference, 189198 (Oct. 3, 2000)

    1020

    Ekstedt US 5,206,582 1021

    Rostoker US 5,442,282 1024

    La US 5,761,064 1025

    In addition to these references, Petitioner relies on the Declaration of

    Adit Singh, Ph. D. (Ex. 1028).

    E. Asserted Grounds of Unpatentability

    Petitioner challenges the patentability of the 373 patent claims based

    on the following grounds:

    Grounds Reference(s) Basis Claims Challenged

    1 ONeill 102(a)/(e) 1, 2, 49, 1116, and 1820

    2 ONeill and Ekstedt 103(a) 2, 9, and 16

    3 ONeill and 103(a) 3, 10, and 17

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    Grounds Reference(s) Basis Claims Challenged

    Rostoker

    4 ONeill and La 103(a) 5, 12, and 20

    5 ONeill and Daasch 103(a) 7, 14, and 19

    6 Ekstedt 102(b) 13, 5, 6, 810, 12, 13, 1517, 19, and 20

    7 Ekstedt and Ghaemi 103(a) 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, and 18

    8 Ekstedt and Rostoker

    103(a) 3, 10, and 17

    9 Ekstedt and La 103(a) 5, 12, and 20

    10 Ekstedt and Daasch 103(a) 7, 14, and 19

    III. CLAIM CONSTRUCTION

    We interpret the claims of an unexpired patent using the broadest

    reasonable interpretation in light of the specification of the patent. 37 C.F.R.

    42.100(b); In re Cuozzo Speed Techs., LLC, 2015 WL 4097949, at *6

    (Fed. Cir., July 8, 2015). Under the broadest reasonable interpretation

    standard, claim terms are given their ordinary and customary meaning, as

    would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art in the context of the

    entire disclosure. In re Translogic Tech. Inc., 504 F.3d 1249, 1257 (Fed.

    Cir. 2007).

    Petitioner and Patent Owner disagree on the scope and meaning of

    various claim terms and phrases. Compare Pet. 1417 with Prelim. Resp. 5

    26. For purposes of this decision, we determine the only claim language

    requiring express construction is the term outlier (or outliers) recited in

    each of independent claims 1, 8, and 15.

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    Claims 1, 8, and 15 include the following, similar recitations requiring

    the use of a computer to identify an outlier in test data: a computer . . .

    configured to . . . identify an outlier in [] test data (claim 1); a computer

    system . . . configured to operate: a supplementary data analysis element

    configured to identify outliers in [] semiconductor test data (claim 8); [a]

    method . . . comprising . . . identifying an outlier in [] test data . . . using a

    computer system (claim 15). See Section II.C, above.

    Petitioner contends [t]he term outlier should be construed as any

    semiconductor device or part or data point associated with the device or part

    that on some measure falls above or below a threshold value. Pet. 1416

    (quoting Ex. 1028 67). Patent Owner contends the term outlier should

    be construed as a test result whose value strays from a set of test results

    having statistically similar values, but does not exceed control limits or

    otherwise fail to be detected. Prelim. Resp. 5. Patent Owner argues

    Petitioners proposed construction is: (1) overly broad, because it

    encompasses components, not just measured data for the components; (2)

    erroneously based on comparisons of measured data to static threshold

    values rather than to a data set; and (3) overly broad in that it encompasses

    measured data that exceeds a devices control limits and is not limited to

    data that strays statistically from the data set. See id. at 610.

    Words in a claim are given their ordinary and accustomed meaning

    unless it appears from the patent that the inventor attached some different

    and/or specific meaning to them. In re Bass, 314 F.3d 575, 57778 (Fed.

    Cir. 2002).

    As an initial matter, we observe from three of the references relied on

    by Petitioner (Gaehmi, ONeill, and Daasch) that the term outlier has an

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    ordinary and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the field of

    semiconductor testing,1 namely a data point that is outside a group of data

    points representative of device behavior. See e.g. Ex. 1018, 221, 1 (To

    recognize data that are a good representation of device behavior from those

    which are not, one should scan through the data and use common sense and

    engineering judgment. One common and simple method used to scan the

    data is to plot them (for example, by histogram or scatter diagram) and then

    visually inspect the result. Most of the data naturally tend to group into a

    cluster . . ., but some abnormalities may appear. Common abnormalites are

    clusters (a large group of points lying outside the main group . . .) and

    outliers (one or several points lying outside the main group . . .)); Ex. 1019

    (As known in the art, an outlier is defined as points outside of the

    distribution of a population.); Ex. 1020, 2 (observing that a majority of

    points on a min-max IddQ 2 plot form a single line and identifying points not

    on the line as outliers).

    The 373 patent likewise describes typical test results of

    semiconductor components as a first set of test results having statistically

    similar values and a second set of test results characterized by values that

    stray from the first set. Ex. 1001, 6:3537. Unlike Ghaemi (Ex,.1018),

    ONeill (Ex. 1019), and Daasch (Ex. 1020), however, the 373 patent further

    1 The parties agree the invention is, at a minimum, within the field of semiconductor testing. See Ex. 1028 2735 (indicating semiconductor testing is the relevant field of art); Prelim. Resp. 10 (conceding ONeill and Ghaemi are artisans in the field). 2 The quiescent current . . . [(IddQ)] is composed primarily of leakage current. A defective circuit may draw a significantly larger amount of quiescent current than a non-defective circuit. Ex. 1019, 1:2124.

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    classifies measured values for components within the second set of test

    results into two groups: (1) values exceeding upper or lower test limits or

    (2) values straying from the first set, but not exceeding control limits or

    otherwise failing to be detected. See id. at 6:3745. With respect to group

    (1), the 373 patent states that if a measured value for a component exceeds

    either test limit, a component may be classified as a bad part. With

    respect to group (2), the373 patent explicitly states: For the present

    purposes, those test results that stray from the first set but do not exceed the

    control limits or otherwise fail to be detected are referred to as outliers.

    Id. at 6:4345.

    We understand the above-quoted language from column 6, lines 43

    45, taken in the context of the entire 373 patent disclosure, in particular,

    column 6, lines 3250, to explicitly define the term outlier as

    encompassing only those measured values straying from test results having

    statistically similar values, and to clearly disavow the full scope of the

    ordinary and customary meaning of outlier that would also encompass

    measured values exceeding upper or lower test limits. See Teleflex, Inc. v.

    Ficosa N. Am. Corp., 299 F.3d 1313, 1325 (Fed. Cir. 2002) (The patentee

    may demonstrate intent to deviate from the ordinary and accustomed

    meaning of a claim term by including in the specification expressions of

    manifest exclusion or restriction, representing a clear disavowal of claim

    scope.); Scimed Life Sys., Inc. v. Advanced Cardiovascular Sys., Inc., 242

    F.3d 1337, 1341 (Fed. Cir. 2001) (Where the specification makes clear that

    the invention does not include a particular feature, that feature is deemed to

    be outside the reach of the claims of the patent, even though the language of

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    the claims, read without reference to the specification, might be considered

    broad enough to encompass the feature in question.) .

    Patent Owner tells us that in a prior patent litigation involving the

    373 patent, the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona adopted the

    parties stipulated claim construction of the term outlier as a test result

    that is within the upper and lower limits of the product's specifications (i.e.,

    a test result that does not indicate a bad or out of spec part) but

    nevertheless strays from values which are statistically similar (Ex. 2001, 1).

    Prelim. Resp. 1415. We find this interpretation of the term outlier is

    consistent with the broadest reasonable construction of the claims when read

    in light of the 373 patent specification. Accordingly, for purposes of this

    decision, we adopt the Arizona district courts claim construction of the term

    outlier.

    IV. ANALYSIS A. Anticipation of Independent Claim 1, 8, and 15 by ONeill

    1. ONeill (Ex. 1019) ONeill is titled, System and Method for Detecting Defects Within

    an Electrical Circuit by Analyzing Quiescent Current, and describes a

    system and method for detecting defects within a complementary metal

    oxide silicon (CMOS) circuit. Ex. 1019, 1:1012. In operation, current

    meter 18 supplies current to circuit 14 and a test signal to analyzer 22. Id. at

    4:2528. Analyzer 22, which is preferably implemented in software and

    stored in memory 30 of computer system 31, detects defects in circuit 14

    based on the test signal. Id. at 4:4551. More specifically, analyzer 22

    compares the test signal to upper and lower threshold values. Id. at 5:3638.

    If the test signal is higher or lower than those respective values, analyzer 22

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    identifies the circuit as defective. Id. at 5:3841. If a defect is detected,

    then the analyzer 22 preferably indicates via display 35 or printer 36 . . . that

    a defect has been discovered. . . . [T]he defective circuit is preferably

    marked as defective or separated from the other circuits that have not been

    determined to be defective. Id. at 7:5764.

    ONeill defines the upper threshold value as the maximum measured

    test signal value in a defect free state plus an outlier margin value. Id. at

    5:5859. The lower threshold value is defined similarly as the minimum

    measured test signal value in a defect free state minus an outlier margin

    value. Id. at 5:5961. ONeill explains that the addition and subtraction of

    the outlier margin value allows for small variations to occur which are

    attributable to measurement inaccuracies and/or process variations instead of

    circuit defects. Id. at 5:656:2. ONeill notes, however, that where these

    calculated threshold values exceed absolute maximum and minimum values

    established by the manufacturing process, test values should be compared to

    the manufacturers maximum and minimum values. See id. at 9:121.

    According to ONeill, the value of the test signal does not actually

    have to be determined in comparing the test signal to the upper and lower

    threshold values. Only a determination as to whether the test signal is

    greater than or less than the threshold values needs to be made. Id. at 8:25

    29. ONeill explains that [m]aking such a determination is much faster

    than determining the value of the test signal. Id. at 8:2931.

    2. Analysis Patent Owner contends Petitioner has not met its burden to establish a

    reasonable likelihood that it would prevail in showing ONeill anticipates at

    least one of the challenged claims, because Petitioner has not identified in

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    ONeill a description of identifiying a test result which is properly

    characterized as an outlier within the meaning of independent claims 1, 8,

    and 15.

    In Section III, above, we determined (for purposes of this decision)

    that the broadest reasonable interpretation of the claim term outlier is a

    test result that is within the upper and lower limits of the products

    specifications (i.e., a test result that does not indicate a bad or out of spec

    part) but nevertheless strays from values which are statistically similar.

    Patent Owner argues ONeill is concerned solely with identifying defective

    devices and, therefore, only considers whether or not test signals exceed

    threshold test values, but does not identify test results that stray from values

    which are statistically similar, but still within a range of values that are not

    indicative of a bad or out-of-spec part. See Prelim. Resp. 3537.

    Petitioner contends ONeill describes an arrangement for identifying

    outliers as claimed, because ONeills computer will identify those outlier

    test results that stray from the statistically similar sample population of

    values by way of being higher (or lower) than a set threshold value for

    detecting the outliers, but are still below the absolute maximum value set by

    the manufacturer. Pet. 25 (analysis of claim 1); see also id. at 2728

    (analysis of the corresponding outlier limitations in claims 8 and 15).

    Petitioners argument is not supported by ONeills disclosure.

    ONeill considers both calculated threshold values (i.e., maximum/minimum

    measured test signal values in a defect free state plus/minus an outlier

    margin value (Ex. 1019, 5:5861)) and the manufacturers threshold values

    to determine the narrowest range of minimum to maximum threshold values,

    and then identifies a circuit as defective where a measured value is outside

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    of this narrowest threshold value range. See id. at 4:1012, 9:121. In other

    words, regardless of whether a test result is within the manufacturers

    tolerances, ONeill still identifies a device as defective if it exceeds the

    calculated thresholds. A test result used to identify a device that is bad or

    out of spec is not an outlier as we have interpreted that claim term for

    purposes of this decision.

    It is axiomatic that for anticipation, each and every claim limitation

    must be explicitly or inherently disclosed in the prior art. In re NTP, INC.,

    654 F.3d 1279, 1302 (Fed. Cir. 2011). We agree with Patent Owner that

    Petitioner has not identified a a description in ONeill of identifying outliers

    as recited in the claims. Petitioner, therefore, has not met its burden to

    establish a reasonable likelihood that it would prevail in showing at least one

    of challenged independent claims 1, 8, and 15 is anticipated by ONeill.

    B. Anticipation of Independent Claims 1, 8, and 15 by Ekstedt; and Obviousness of Independent Claims 1, 8, and 15 over Ekstedt in view of Ghaemi

    1. Ekstedt (Ex. 1021) Ekstedt is titled, Control System for Automated Parametric Test

    Equipment, and describes a parametric test system controlled by controller

    16, which may be a desktop computer. Ex. 1021, 3:6768, 4:79.

    Controller 16 stores a general test program 24 which calls software

    subroutines from measurement algorithm library 22 to perform specific

    measurements on devices on wafer 15 by controlling measurement

    instruments 10. Id. at 4:716, 4346, 7:5861. Measurement instruments

    10 output voltage and current signals that relay matrix 12 selectively applies

    to the devices. Id. at 3:4346. Relay matrix 12 also receives signals

    generated by the devices in response and applies them to measurement

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    instruments 10. Id. at 3:5660. The subroutines from measurement

    algorithm library 22 can generate one or more control codes in response to

    the measured parameter to indicate certain types of defects[, f]or example, .

    . . that [a device] is not viable and does not warrant further testing. Id. at

    9:6610:3. Further, if a measured parameter is not within desired limits (see

    id., Fig. 10) indicating a defective device, the normal test sequence for that

    device can be terminated and testing can proceed to the next device. Id. at

    11:1419. [A] continuously updated report can be provided on an I/O

    device such as a CRT screen 54 or printer to inform the user of the most

    recent measurement results and status information. Id. at 11:3639.

    Ekstedt does not use the term outliers.

    2. Ghaemi (Ex. 1018) Ghaemi is a journal article titled, Application of data screening to the

    characterization of integrated circuits, and discloses a data-screening

    method for identifying the presence of abnormalities (unexpected clusters

    and (or) outliers) in sets of integrated-circuit test data. Ex. 1018, 221,

    Abstract. According to Ghaemi, the method is useful when dealing with

    the characterization of devices in a manufacturing environment. Id. at 224,

    4.

    3. Analysis a. Anticipation by Ekstedt

    Petitioner contends Ekstedt describes the invention as claimed in

    independent claims 1, 8, and 15, including use of a computer to identify

    outliers in test data, because Ekstedt detects measured results that are outside

    of desired limits. Pet. 3435; see also id. at 39 (noting the reports generated

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    by Ekstedt include outlier test results that were measured outside of the

    desired limit).

    In Section III, above, we determined (for purposes of this decision)

    that the broadest reasonable interpretation of the claim term outlier is a

    test result that is within the upper and lower limits of the products

    specifications (i.e., a test result that does not indicate a bad or out of spec

    part) but nevertheless strays from values which are statistically similar.

    We agree with Patent Owner that Petitioner has not identified in

    Ekstedt a description of identifying outliers as we have interpreted this

    claim term, because Petitioner relies on Ekstedts disclosure of identifying

    test results associated with bad or out of spec devices. See Pet. 3435, 39.

    Accordingly, Petitioner has not met its burden to establish a reasonable

    likelihood that it would prevail in showing at least one of challenged

    independent claims 1, 8, and 15 is anticipated by Ekstedt.

    b. Obviousness Based on Ekstedt and Ghaemi Petitioner contends one of ordinary skill in the art would have been

    motivated to use the statistical software of Ghaemi to identify an outlier in

    the test data obtained by the semiconductor system disclosed by Ekstedt

    because Ekstedt and Ghaemi are both directed to semiconductor testing, and

    both disclose performing statistical analysis of semiconductor test data, and

    Ghaemis method is particularly suited for use with large amount[s] of

    measurement results that may be transmitted to a database for off-line data

    analysis or saved for statistical analysis, as disclosed by Ekstedt. Pet.

    4041 (citing Ex. 1028 15758). Petitioner further contends

    [a] skilled person would [have been] motivated to modify the statistical output report generated by Ekstedt to include screening for outliers as shown by Ghaemi, as it furthers the

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    objective of Ekstedt of facilitat[ing] the development of tests and improv[ing] the documentation, reusability and maintainability of programs for performing testing routines. Further, combining the statistical software of Ekstedt and Ghaemi yields the predictable result of identifying outliers in the test data obtained by the semiconductor system disclosed by Ekstedt.

    Id. at 41 (citing Ex. 1028 15758) (internal citations omitted).

    Patent Owner argues Ghaemi identifies the presence of

    abnormalities such as outliers or clusters, but not outliers themselves

    (Prelim. Resp. 31 (quoting Ex. 1018, 23)), and, at most, groups data so that

    an outlier could be identified by a test engineer, but does not automatically

    identify an outlier using a computer system (id. at 32).

    Petitioner relies on Dr. Singhs declaration testimony in support of its

    contention that one of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to

    modify Ekstedts statistical output report to include screening for outliers as

    shown by Ghaemi. Pet. 41 (citing Ex. 1028 15758). Dr. Singhs

    opinion regarding motivation to modify Ekstedt is based on Ekstedts

    statement that the invention is concerned with a system for controlling

    automated parametric testers in a manner which facilitates the development

    of tests and improves the documentation, reusability and maintainability of

    programs for performing testing routines (Ex. 1021, 1:1520). Ex. 1028

    157.

    As discussed above, in Section IV.C.3.A, Petitioner has not shown

    persuasively that Ekstedt describes identifying an outlier as we have

    interpreted this claim term for purposes of this decision. Even assuming

    Petitioner is correct in arguing that Ghaemi discloses identifying outliers as

    claimed, absent from the Petition and the relied-upon paragraphs in Dr.

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    Singhs deposition testimony is any discussion of why one of ordinary skill

    in the art would have understood from the prior art that screening for

    outliers in Ekstedts method would somehow facilitate development of

    Ekstedts tests and improve documentation, reusability, and maintainability

    of Ekstedts testing programs. See In re Fritch, 972 F.2d 1260, 1266 (Fed.

    Cir. 1992) (It is impermissible to use the claimed invention as an

    instruction manual or template to piece together the teachings of the prior

    art so that the claimed invention is obvious. (quoting In re Gorman, 933

    F.2d 982, 987 (Fed. Cir. 1991)); In re NTP, Inc., 654 F.3d 1279, 1299 (Fed.

    Cir. 2011)(Care must be taken to avoid hindsight reconstruction by using

    the patent in suit as a guide through the maze of prior art references,

    combining the right references in the right way so as to achieve the result of

    the claims in suit. (quoting Grain Processing Corp. v. American-Maize

    Prods. Co., 840 F.2d 902, 907 (Fed. Cir. 1988) (quoting Orthopedic Equip

    Co. v. United States, 702 F.2d 1005, 1012 (Fed. Cir. 1983))).

    Because Petitioner has failed to adequately explain the motivation to

    modify Ekstedt based on Ghaemi to include identification of outliers (i.e.,

    test results that are within the upper and lower limits of the products

    specifications such that they do not indicate bad or out of spec parts, but

    nevertheless stray from values which are statistically similar), Petitioner has

    not met its burden to establish a reasonable likelihood that it would prevail

    in showing at least one of challenged independent claims 1, 8, and 15 would

    have been obvious over Ekstedt and Ghaemi.

    C. Anticipation and Obviousness of the Dependent Claims Petitioners arguments in support of its challenges as to dependent

    claims 27, 914, and 1620 (see Section II.E., above), are based on its

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    contentions that Ekstedt, alone or in combination with Gaehmi, and ONeill

    disclose systems and methods which include outlier identification as recited

    in independent claims 1, 8, and 15. See generally, Pet. 4260. In Sections

    IV.A.2 and IV.B.3, above, we concluded Petitioner had not identified

    sufficient evidence to establish that these references disclose identifying

    outliers as we have interpreted this claim term for purposes of this

    decision, and, therefore, that Petitioner had not met its burden to establish a

    reasonable likelihood that it would prevail with respect to at least 1 of the

    independent claims challenged in the Petition. For the same reason, we

    determine Petitioner has not met its burden to establish a reasonable

    likelihood that it would prevail with respect to at least 1 of the dependent

    claims challenged in the Petition.

    V. CONCLUSION Petitioner has not demonstrated a reasonable likelihood that it would

    prevail in showing unpatentability of claims 120 based on the challenges

    advanced in its Petition.

    VI. ORDER

    For the reasons given, it is

    ORDERED that the Petition is denied, and no trial is instituted.

  • IPR2015-00421 Patent 6,792,373 B2

    19

    PETITIONER:

    Bernard Knight [email protected] Kenneth Cheney [email protected]

    PATENT OWNER:

    Joshua Wyde [email protected] Daniel Noblitt [email protected]