IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS

MARSHALL DIVISION

JAWBONE INNOVATIONS, LLC, 

Plaintiff,

v. 

ZTE CORPORATION, 

Defendant. 

§

§ 

§ 

§ 

§ 

§ 

§ 

§ 

§ 

§ 

§ 

Case No. 

JURY TRIAL DEMANDED

COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT

Plaintiff Jawbone Innovations, LLC (“Jawbone” or “Plaintiff”) for its Complaint against 

Defendant ZTE Corporation (“ZTE” or “Defendant”) alleges as follows: 

THE PARTIES

1. Jawbone is a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the 

State of Texas, with places of business located at 104 East Houston Street, Suite 165, Marshall, 

Texas 75670, and 2226 Washington Avenue, Suite Number 1, Waco, Texas 76701. 

2. Upon information and belief, Defendant ZTE is a corporation organized and 

existing under the laws of China, with its principal place of business located at 55 Hi-Tech Road, 

South Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518057 P.R. China, and may be served pursuant to the 

provisions of the Hague Convention. ZTE is a leading manufacturer and seller of smartphones and 

tablets in the world and in the United States. Upon information and belief, ZTE does business in 

Texas and in the Eastern District of Texas, directly or through intermediaries. 

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 1 of 51 PageID #: 1
2

JURISDICTION AND VENUE

3. This is an action for patent infringement arising under the patent laws of the United 

States, 35 U.S.C. §§ 1, et seq. This Court has subject matter jurisdiction over this action pursuant 

to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331, 1332, 1338, and 1367. 

4. This Court has specific and personal jurisdiction over ZTE consistent with the 

requirements of the Due Process Clause of the United States Constitution and the Texas Long Arm 

Statute. Upon information and belief, ZTE has sufficient minimum contacts with the forum 

because ZTE transacts substantial business in the State of Texas and in this Judicial District. 

Further, ZTE has, directly or through subsidiaries or intermediaries, committed and continues to 

commit acts of patent infringement in the State of Texas and in this Judicial District as alleged in 

this Complaint, as alleged more particularly below. For example, on information and belief, the 

Accused Products are available for purchase in this Judicial District.

5. Venue is proper in this Judicial District pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1391(b) and (c) 

because ZTE is a foreign company that may be sued in any Judicial District, including the Eastern 

District of Texas. ZTE is subject to personal jurisdiction in this Judicial District and has committed 

acts of patent infringement in this Judicial District. On information and belief, ZTE through its 

own acts and/or through the acts of others, makes, uses, sells, offers to sell, and/or imports

infringing products within this Judicial District, regularly does and solicits business in this Judicial 

District, and has the requisite minimum contacts with the Judicial District such that this venue is 

a fair and reasonable one. Further, upon information and belief, ZTE has admitted or not contested 

proper venue in this Judicial District in other patent infringement actions.

 

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 2 of 51 PageID #: 2
3

FACTUAL BACKGROUND

6. On September 13, 2011, the United States Patent and Trademark Office duly and 

legally issued U.S. Patent No. 8,019,091 (the “’091 Patent”) entitled “Voice Activity Detector 

(VAD) -Based Multiple-Microphone Acoustic Noise Suppression.” A true and correct copy of the 

’091 Patent is available at: https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearchpublic/print/downloadPdf/8019091. 

7. On July 17, 2007, the United States Patent and Trademark Office duly and legally 

issued U.S. Patent No. 7,246,058 (the “’058 Patent”) entitled “Detecting Voiced and Unvoiced 

Speech Using Both Acoustic and Nonacoustic Sensors.” A true and correct copy of the ’058 Patent

is available at: https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/7246058. 

8. On September 15, 2020, the United States Patent and Trademark Office duly and 

legally issued U.S. Patent No. 10,779,080 (the “’080 Patent”) entitled “Dual Omnidirectional 

Microphone Array (DOMA).” A true and correct copy of the ’080 Patent is available at:

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/10779080. 

9. On September 14, 2021, the United States Patent and Trademark Office duly and 

legally issued U.S. Patent No. 11,122,357 (the “’357 Patent”) entitled “Forming Virtual 

Microphone Arrays Using Dual Omnidirectional Microphone Array (DOMA).” A true and correct 

copy of the ’357 Patent is available at: https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearchpublic/print/downloadPdf/11122357. 

10. On June 18, 2013, the United States Patent and Trademark Office duly and legally 

issued U.S. Patent No. 8,467,543 (the “’543 Patent”) entitled “Microphone and Voice Activity 

Detection (VAD) Configurations for Use with Communications Systems.” A true and correct copy 

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 3 of 51 PageID #: 3
4

of the ’543 Patent is available at: https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearchpublic/print/downloadPdf/8467543.

11. On August 6, 2013, the United States Patent and Trademark Office duly and legally 

issued U.S. Patent No. 8,503,691 (the “’691 Patent”) entitled “Virtual Microphone Arrays Using 

Dual Omnidirectional Microphone Array (DOMA).” A true and correct copy of the ’691 Patent is 

available at: https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/8503691.

12. On November 27, 2012, the United States Patent and Trademark Office duly and 

legally issued U.S. Patent No. 8,321,213 (the “’213 Patent”) entitled “Acoustic Voice Activity 

Detection (AVAD) for Electronic Systems.” A true and correct copy of the ’213 Patent is available 

at: https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/8321213.

13. On December 4, 2012, the United States Patent and Trademark Office duly and 

legally issued U.S. Patent No. 8,326,611 (the “’611 Patent”) entitled “Acoustic Voice Activity 

Detection (AVAD) for Electronic Systems.” A true and correct copy of the ’611 Patent is available 

at: https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/8326611.

14. Jawbone is the sole and exclusive owner of all right, title, and interest to and in the 

’091 Patent, ’058 Patent, ’080 Patent, ’357 Patent, ’543 Patent, ’691 Patent, ’213 Patent, and ’611 

Patent (together, the “Patents-in-Suit”), and holds the exclusive right to take all actions necessary 

to enforce its rights to the Patents-in-Suit, including the filing of this patent infringement lawsuit. 

Jawbone also has the right to recover all damages for past, present, and future infringement of the 

Patents-in-Suit and to seek injunctive relief as appropriate under the law.

15. The technology of the Patents-in-Suit was developed by AliphCom dba Jawbone, 

which was originally founded in 1998 as AliphCom. AliphCom set out to develop a noise reducing 

headset that would allow soldiers to communicate better in combat conditions. In 2002, AliphCom

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 4 of 51 PageID #: 4
5

won a contract with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to research noise 

suppression techniques for the United States military. 

16. AliphCom launched a mobile headset called the “Jawbone” in 2004. The 

“Jawbone” included the innovative noise-suppression technology that AliphCom developed for 

the military.

1

 This technology virtually eliminated background noise while increasing the volume 

of the speakers’ voices. AliphCom followed with a Bluetooth version of the “Jawbone” in 2008 

which was sold in the Apple Store. 

17. On the heels of the success of the “Jawbone” products, AliphCom changed its name 

to Jawbone, Inc. in 2011 and later expanded its product offerings into Bluetooth speakers and 

wearables, such as health tracking devices. Unfortunately, due to the intensely competitive 

marketplace, Jawbone, Inc. was forced into liquidation in 2017. 

18. Upon information and belief, following Jawbone, Inc.’s liquidation, Envision IP 

(and other parties) contacted ZTE regarding the value of the Patents-in-Suit, including regarding 

ZTE’s infringement of the Patents-in-Suit and specifically identifying at least the ’091 Patent and 

’058 Patent. Upon information and belief, ZTE was notified that ZTE earbuds and smartphones 

(the “Accused Products”) infringe the Patents-in-Suit, and/or otherwise became aware of the 

Patents-in-Suit and recognized that the Accused Products infringe the Patents-in-Suit at least as of 

2017. Furthermore, in or about October 2019, Defendant received a correspondence notifying 

Defendant of the availability of the Jawbone portfolio for potential purchase and/or licensing. 

INFRINGEMENT ALLEGATIONS

19. The ’091 and ’058 Patents generally describe acoustic noise suppression with a 

voice activity detector that senses vibration in human tissue associated with voicing activity. The 

1

See https://www.wired.com/2004/09/military-headset-reaches-masses/

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 5 of 51 PageID #: 5
6

technology of the ’091 Patent was developed by Dr. Gregory C. Burnett and Eric F. Breitfeller. 

The technology of the ’058 Patent was developed by Dr. Gregory C. Burnett. The ’091 and ’058 

Patents also describe techniques for generating transfer functions and cross-correlations 

representative of acoustic signals when voicing activity is absent, providing improved noise 

suppression. Some embodiments of the inventions include a microphone array with one 

microphone which primarily captures sound (e.g., speech), and one which primarily captures 

unwanted noise, both of which provide signals to a noise removal algorithm.

20. The noise removal algorithm may also receive physiological information from a 

voice activity detector (e.g., an accelerometer) to detect when a user is speaking. Such a voice 

activity detection signal may be assumed to be perfectly accurate, yielding substantial 

improvements when applied to the noise removal algorithm. For example, the noise removal 

algorithm may remove noise by calculating one transfer function when the system is certain that 

only noise is being received, and another transfer function when the system is certain that speech 

is being produced. The noise removal algorithm may further improve noise suppression in 

situations with multiple noise sources by combining such transfer functions into additional transfer 

functions representative of a ratio of energies received at different microphones. By taking 

advantage of perfect voice activity detection and transfer functions representative of a ratio of 

energies received at different microphones, the noise removal algorithm may effectively remove 

noise from a signal no matter how many noise sources are present. The invention thereby provides 

significant advantages for noise suppression systems, particularly in detecting, transmitting, or 

recording speech.

21. ZTE makes, uses, sells, offers to sell, and/or imports into the United States,

products that infringe the ’091 and ’058 Patents. For example, noise suppression techniques are 

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 6 of 51 PageID #: 6
7

incorporated into ZTE products with voice activity detection devices including, but not limited to, 

ZTE earbuds and smartphones. For example, this functionality is included and utilized in the ZTE

LiveBuds Pro. The ZTE LiveBuds Pro includes an accelerometer, voice pickup unit, and a sensor 

which, upon information and belief, comprise a voice activity detector. The ZTE LiveBuds Pro

further comprises an array of beamforming microphones which, upon information and belief, 

generates transfer functions representative of a ratio of energy of the acoustic signals received at 

each microphone.2

22. The ’080 Patent generally describes noise suppression with an array of 

omnidirectional microphones that form virtual microphones with a similar noise response and a 

dissimilar speech response. The technology of the ’080 Patent was developed by Dr. Gregory C. 

Burnett. The ’080 Patent also describes a dual omnidirectional microphone array that forms two 

distinct virtual microphones that can be paired with an adaptive filter and/or VAD algorithm to 

significantly reduce noise without distorting speech, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio of 

the desired speech. In some embodiments, output of each physical microphone can be delayed, 

multiplied by a gain, and summed with the other in order to form at least one virtual microphone, 

which may be paired with an adaptive filter and/or VAD algorithm to suppress noise. The 

invention of the ’080 Patent provides substantial advantages for noise suppression systems, 

particularly in detecting, transmitting, or recording speech.

23. ZTE makes, uses, sells, offers to sell, and/or imports into the United States, 

products that infringe the ’080 Patent. For example, this functionality is included and utilized in 

ZTE products with omnidirectional physical MEMS microphones which form virtual beamformed 

2 https://www.qucox.com/zte-livebuds-pro-teardown/

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 7 of 51 PageID #: 7
8

microphones, including, but not limited to, ZTE earbuds and smartphones.

3 For example, upon 

information and belief, each ZTE LiveBuds Pro earbud comprises two physical omnidirectional 

microphones and a processing component coupled to the microphone array generating two 

beamformed virtual microphones. On information and belief, the processing component generates 

beamformed microphones with different first and second combinations of output signals from the 

physical microphone array, wherein the virtual microphones have a similar noise response and a 

dissimilar speech response.

24. The ’357 and ’691 Patents generally describe acoustic noise suppression with an 

array of physical microphones which forms an array of virtual microphones. The technology was 

developed by Dr. Gregory C. Burnett. The ’357 and ’691 Patents also describe noise suppression 

with physical omnidirectional microphones and virtual directional microphones. The physical 

and/or virtual microphone signals may be combined by filtering and summing in the time domain 

to apply a varying linear transfer function, suppressing noise in the output signal. The invention 

provides significant advantages for noise suppression systems, particularly in detecting, 

transmitting, or recording speech.

25. ZTE makes, uses, sells, offers to sell, and/or imports into the United States, 

products that infringe the ’357 and ’691 Patents. For example, this functionality is included and 

utilized in ZTE products with physical MEMS microphones which form virtual beamformed 

microphones including, but not limited to, ZTE earbuds and smartphones. For example, upon 

information and belief, the ZTE LiveBuds Pro earbuds comprise arrays of physical microphones, 

the outputs of which are combined into beamformed microphones to reduce the noise of a signal. 

3 https://www.aliexpress.com/i/3256804133826924.html?gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt; 

https://www.qucox.com/zte-livebuds-pro-teardown/

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 8 of 51 PageID #: 8
9

On information and belief, the ZTE LiveBuds Pro earbuds combine the outputs of the signals 

generated by the beamforming microphone array of each earbud to further reduce noise. 

26. The ’543 Patent generally describes communications systems comprising a voice 

detection subsystem and a denoising subsystem. The technology of the ’543 Patent was developed 

by Dr. Gregory C. Burnett, Nicholas J. Petit, Alexander M. Asseily, and Andrew E. Einaudi. The 

’543 Patent also describes microphone configurations wherein a first microphone is oriented 

toward a talker’s mouth, and a second microphone is oriented away from a talker’s mouth, such 

that the denoising subsystem may subtract noise associated with noise from an acoustic signal that 

includes speech and noise. In some embodiments of the invention, the denoising system selects a 

denoising method appropriate to data of at least one frequency sub-band of acoustic signals, 

generates noise waveform estimate, and subtracts the noise waveform estimate from signals 

including speech and noise when the voice detection subsystem indicates voicing activity is 

occurring. The invention provides significant advantages for noise suppression systems, 

particularly in detecting, transmitting, or recording speech.

4

4 https://fccid.io/SRQ-EB66G/Internal-Photos/Internal-Photos-5456738 

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 9 of 51 PageID #: 9
10

27. ZTE makes, uses, sells, offers to sell, and/or imports into the United States, 

products that infringe the ’543 Patent. For example, noise suppression techniques are incorporated 

into ZTE products with voice activity detection devices including, but not limited to, ZTE earbuds 

and smartphones. For example, this functionality is included and utilized in the ZTE LiveBuds 

Pro. For example, upon information and belief, the ZTE LiveBuds Pro earbuds comprise arrays 

of physical microphones and beamformed microphones, the outputs of which are combined to 

reduce the noise of a signal.5 At least one microphone of the ZTE LiveBuds Pro (e.g., the lower 

microphone) is oriented towards a user’s mouth, while at least one microphone is oriented away 

from a user’s mouth.6 On information and belief, the accelerometers and/or voice pickup sensors

of the Accused Products detect vibration in human tissue and work in tandem with beamforming 

microphones to suppress noise.7

5 https://www.aliexpress.com/i/3256804133826924.html?gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt

6 https://www.qucox.com/zte-livebuds-pro-teardown/

7 https://www.qucox.com/zte-livebuds-pro-teardown/

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 10 of 51 PageID #: 10
11

8

8

 https://www.aliexpress.com/i/3256804133826924.html?gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt 

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 11 of 51 PageID #: 11
12

28. The ’611 and ’213 Patents generally describe acoustic voice activity detection 

based on a ratio of energies between virtual microphones formed by an array of physical 

microphones. The technology of the ’611 and ’213 Patents was developed by Dr. Gregory C. 

Burnett, Nicholas Petit, and Zhinian Jing. In some embodiments of the invention, a first virtual 

microphone may be generated by summing the outputs of a first physical microphone processed 

with a delay filter, and a second physical microphone processed with a calibration filter and an 

adaptive filter, while a second virtual microphone may be generated by summing the outputs of a 

first physical microphone processed with an adaptive filter and a delay filter, and a second physical 

microphone processed with a calibration filter. Accordingly, the invention provides virtual 

microphones with similar noise response magnitudes, but very dissimilar speech response 

magnitudes. A ratio of energies between the virtual microphones may further be compared to a 

threshold to detect when voicing activity is occurring. The invention of the ’611 and ’213 Patents 

provides significant improvements in noise suppression, including by enabling accurate voice 

activity detection with a microphone array.

29. ZTE makes, uses, sells, offers to sell, and/or imports into the United States, 

products that infringe the ’213 and ’611 Patents. For example, this functionality is included and 

utilized in ZTE products which use virtual microphones formed by physical microphones to detect 

a wake word including, but not limited to, ZTE earbuds and smartphones. For example, upon 

information and belief, the ZTE LiveBuds Pro forms an array of virtual microphones, such as by 

implementing a form of filter-and-sum beamforming. Upon information and belief, the ZTE

LiveBuds Pro detects user speech, such as a wake word, by comparing a ratio of energies (e.g., 

amplitudes), of the beamformed microphones to a threshold. “ZTE wireless earbuds . . . can use 

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 12 of 51 PageID #: 12
13

your voice to listen to music, answer calls, enjoy music, and get creative with your favorite 

music.”9

30. Jawbone has at all times complied with the marking provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 287 

with respect to the Patents-in-Suit. On information and belief, prior assignees and licensees have 

also complied with the marking provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 287. 

31. ZTE has infringed and is continuing to infringe the ’091, ’058, ’080, ’357, ’543, 

’691, ’213, and ’611 Patents by making, using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing, and by 

actively inducing others to make, use, sell, offer to sell, and/or importing, Accused Products that 

comprise and utilize infringing noise cancellation features. On information and belief, the Accused 

Products include, but are not limited to, at least all versions and variants of ZTE earbuds (e.g., 

LiveBuds Pro, LiveBuds, etc.) and smartphones (e.g., Axon 40 Ultra, Axon 40 Pro, Axon 30, Axon 

30 5G, Axon 30 Ultra, Axon 20 5G, Axon 10 Pro, Blade V41 Vita 5G, etc.).

COUNT I

(Infringement of the ’091 Patent)

32. Paragraphs 1 through 31 are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

33. Jawbone has not licensed or otherwise authorized ZTE to make, use, sell, offer to 

sell, and/or import any products that embody the inventions of the ’091 Patent.

34. ZTE has and continues to directly infringe the ’091 Patent, either literally or under 

the doctrine of equivalents, without authority and in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271, by making, 

using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing into the United States products that satisfy each 

and every limitation of one or more claims of the ’091 Patent. Upon information and belief, these 

products include at least the Accused Products, such as those which comprise a microphone array 

9

 https://www.aliexpress.com/i/3256804133826924.html?gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt 

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 13 of 51 PageID #: 13
14

and a voice activity detector. The Accused Products include at least all versions and variants of 

ZTE earbuds (e.g., LiveBuds Pro, LiveBuds, etc.) and smartphones (e.g., Axon 40 Ultra, Axon 40 

Pro, Axon 30, Axon 30 5G, Axon 30 Ultra, Axon 20 5G, Axon 10 Pro, Blade V41 Vita 5G, etc.).

35. For example, ZTE has and continues to directly infringe at least claim 11 of the 

’091 Patent by making, using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing into the United States 

products that comprise a system for removing acoustic noise from the acoustic signals, comprising: 

a receiver that receives at least two acoustic signals via at least two acoustic microphones 

positioned in a plurality of locations; at least one sensor that receives human tissue vibration 

information associated with human voicing activity of a user; a processor coupled among the 

receiver and the at least one sensor that generates a plurality of transfer functions, wherein the 

plurality of transfer functions includes a first transfer function representative of a ratio of energy 

of acoustic signals received using at least two different acoustic microphones of the at least two 

acoustic microphones, wherein the first transfer function is generated in response to a 

determination that voicing activity is absent from the acoustic signals for a period of time, wherein 

the plurality of transfer functions includes a second transfer function representative of the acoustic 

signals, wherein the second transfer function is generated in response to a determination that 

voicing activity is present in the acoustic signals for the period of time, wherein acoustic noise is 

removed from the acoustic signals using the first transfer function and at least one combination of 

the first transfer function and the second transfer function to produce the denoised acoustic data 

stream.10

10 https://www.qucox.com/zte-livebuds-pro-teardown/

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 14 of 51 PageID #: 14
15

36. The Accused Products comprise a system for removing acoustic noise from 

acoustic signals. For example, the ZTE LiveBuds Pro receives acoustic signals from a microphone 

array.

37. The Accused Products further comprise a receiver that receives at least two acoustic 

signals via at least two acoustic microphones positioned in a plurality of locations. For example, 

upon information and belief, the ZTE LiveBuds Pro comprises a receiver that receives signals via 

a microphone array, with at least two microphones positioned in a plurality of locations.11

38. The Accused Products further comprise at least one sensor that receives human 

tissue vibration information associated with human voicing activity of a user. For example, the 

ZTE LiveBuds Pro comprises at least one accelerometer and voice pickup sensor which, upon 

information and belief, receives human tissue vibration associated with voicing activity.12 Upon 

information and belief, the voice pickup unit of the ZTE LiveBuds Pro comprises the voice 

detecting accelerometer and/or sensor. 

39. The Accused Products further comprise a processor coupled among the receiver 

and at least one sensor that generates a plurality of transfer functions, wherein the plurality of 

transfer functions includes a first transfer function representative of a ratio of energy of acoustic 

signals received using at least two different acoustic microphones of the at least two acoustic 

microphones. Upon information and belief, the processor utilizes a microphone array to detect 

speech with a beamformed microphone which, upon information and belief, includes the 

generation of at least a plurality of transfer functions, including a first transfer function 

11 https://www.aliexpress.com/i/3256804133826924.html?gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt

12 https://www.qucox.com/zte-livebuds-pro-teardown/

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 15 of 51 PageID #: 15
16

representative of a ratio of energy of acoustic signals received at different microphones in the 

microphone array.13

40. The Accused Products further comprise a system wherein the first transfer function 

is generated in response to a determination that voicing activity is absent from the acoustic signals 

for a period of time. For example, upon information and belief, the ZTE LiveBuds Pro generates

the first transfer function when a voice pickup unit, accelerometer, and/or sensor indicate that 

voicing activity is absent.

41. The Accused Products further comprise a system wherein the plurality of transfer 

functions includes a second transfer function representative of the acoustic signals, wherein the 

second transfer function is generated in response to a determination that voicing activity is present 

in the acoustic signals for the period of time. For example, upon information and belief, the ZTE

LiveBuds Pro generates a second transfer function in response to a determination that voicing 

activity is present, such as based on detection of human tissue vibrations by the voice pickup unit, 

accelerometer, and/or sensor.

42. The Accused Products further comprise a system wherein acoustic noise is removed 

from the acoustic signals using the first transfer function and at least one combination of the first 

transfer function and the second transfer function to produce the denoised acoustic data stream.

For example, upon information and belief, the ZTE LiveBuds Pro removes noise from acoustic 

signals by applying at least a first transfer function generated when voicing activity is absent, and 

a transfer function generated by combining the first transfer function generated when voicing 

activity is absent and a second transfer function generated when voicing activity is detected. For 

13 https://www.aliexpress.com/i/3256804133826924.html?gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 16 of 51 PageID #: 16
17

example, upon information and belief, the ZTE LiveBuds Pro utilizes a least mean squares method 

to suppress acoustic noise.

43. ZTE has and continues to indirectly infringe one or more claims of the ’091 Patent 

by knowingly and intentionally inducing others, including ZTE customers and end-users of the 

Accused Products and products that include the Accused Products, to directly infringe, either 

literally or under the doctrine of equivalents, by making, using, selling, offering to sell, and/or 

importing into the United States products that include infringing technology, such as the ZTE

LiveBuds Pro.

44. ZTE, with knowledge that these products, or the use thereof, infringe the ’091

Patent since at least 2017 but by no later than the date of this Complaint, knowingly and 

intentionally induced, and continue to knowingly and intentionally induce, direct infringement of 

the ’091 Patent by providing these products to customers and/or distributors for use in an infringing 

manner in the United States including, but not limited to, products that include infringing 

technology, such as the ZTE LiveBuds Pro. For example, ZTE’s instruction manuals, websites, 

promotional materials, advertisements, and other information demonstrate to others, including 

customers, prospective customers, and distributors, how to use the Accused Products in an 

infringing manner. Upon information and belief, ZTE is aware that the normal and customary use 

of the Accused Products by customers, distributors, and others would infringe the ’091 Patent. 

45. ZTE induced infringement by others, including customers and distributors, with the 

intent to cause infringing acts by others or, in the alternative, with the belief that there was a high 

probability that others, including end-users, infringe the ’091 Patent, but while remaining willfully 

blind to the infringement.

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 17 of 51 PageID #: 17
18

46. ZTE has willfully infringed, and continues to willfully infringe, the ’091 Patent by 

intentionally and deliberately carrying out acts of direct and indirect infringement, while knowing, 

or taking deliberate steps to avoid learning, that those acts infringe. For example, upon information 

and belief, ZTE has known of Jawbone’s patents, including the ’091 Patent, at least since they 

were marketed to ZTE following Jawbone, Inc.’s liquidation.

47. Jawbone has suffered damages as a result of ZTE’s direct and indirect infringement 

and willful infringement of the ’091 Patent in an amount to be proved at trial. 

48. Jawbone has suffered, and will continue to suffer, irreparable harm as a result of 

ZTE’s infringement of the ’091 Patent, for which there is no adequate remedy at law unless ZTE’s 

infringement is enjoined by this Court. Accordingly, Jawbone seeks a preliminary and permanent

injunction enjoining ZTE from making, using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing the 

Accused Products, including at least all versions and variants of ZTE earbuds (e.g., LiveBuds Pro, 

LiveBuds, etc.) and smartphones (e.g., Axon 40 Ultra, Axon 40 Pro, Axon 30, Axon 30 5G, Axon 

30 Ultra, Axon 20 5G, Axon 10 Pro, Blade V41 Vita 5G, etc.). 

COUNT II 

(Infringement of the ’058 Patent)

49. Paragraphs 1 through 31 are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

50. Jawbone has not licensed or otherwise authorized ZTE to make, use, sell, offer to 

sell, and/or import any products that embody the inventions of the ’058 Patent. 

51. ZTE has and continues to directly infringe the ’058 Patent, either literally or under 

the doctrine of equivalents, without authority and in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271, by making, 

using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing into the United States products that satisfy each 

and every limitation of one or more claims of the ’058 Patent. Upon information and belief, these 

products include at least the Accused Products, such as those which comprise a microphone array 

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 18 of 51 PageID #: 18
19

and a voice activity detector. The Accused Products include at least all versions and variants of 

ZTE earbuds (e.g., LiveBuds Pro, LiveBuds, etc.) and smartphones (e.g., Axon 40 Ultra, Axon 40 

Pro, Axon 30, Axon 30 5G, Axon 30 Ultra, Axon 20 5G, Axon 10 Pro, Blade V41 Vita 5G, etc.).

52. For example, ZTE has and continues to directly infringe at least claim 1 of the ’058 

Patent by making, using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing into the United States products 

that comprise a system for detecting voiced and unvoiced speech in acoustic signals having varying 

levels of background noise, comprising: at least two microphones that receive the acoustic signals; 

at least one voicing sensor that receives physiological information associated with human voicing 

activity; and at least one processor coupled among the microphones and the voicing sensor, 

wherein the at least one processor; generates cross correlation data between the physiological 

information and an acoustic signal received at one of the two microphones; identifies information 

of the acoustic signals as voiced speech when the cross correlation data corresponding to a portion 

of the acoustic signal received at the one receiver exceeds a correlation threshold; generates 

difference parameters between the acoustic signals received at each of the two receivers, wherein 

the difference parameters are representative of the relative difference in signal gain between 

portions of the received acoustic signals; identifies information of the acoustic signals as unvoiced 

speech when the difference parameters exceed a gain threshold; and identifies information of the 

acoustic signals as noise when the difference parameters are less than the gain threshold.

53. The Accused Products comprise at least two microphones that receive the acoustic 

signals. For example, each earbud of the ZTE LiveBuds Pro comprises at least two MEMS 

microphones that receive acoustic signals.14

14 https://www.qucox.com/zte-livebuds-pro-teardown/

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 19 of 51 PageID #: 19
20

15

54. The Accused Products further comprise at least one voicing sensor that receives 

physiological information associated with human voicing activity. For example, the ZTE

15 https://www.qucox.com/zte-livebuds-pro-teardown/ 

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 20 of 51 PageID #: 20
21

LiveBuds Pro comprises an accelerometer which, upon information and belief, receives human 

tissue vibration associated with voicing activity.

55. The Accused Products further comprise at least one processor coupled among the 

microphones and the voicing sensor. For example, the ZTE LiveBuds Pro comprises a processor

coupled between the microphones and accelerometers.

16

56. The Accused Products further comprise a processor which generates cross 

correlation data between the physiological information and an acoustic signal received at one of 

16 https://www.qucox.com/zte-livebuds-pro-teardown/

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 21 of 51 PageID #: 21
22

the two microphones. For example, upon information and belief, the processor of the ZTE

LiveBuds Pro generates cross correlation data between the physiological information (e.g., tissue 

vibration) and an acoustic signal received at one of the two microphones (e.g., an acoustic signal

including speech).

57. The Accused Products further comprise a processor which identifies information of 

the acoustic signals as voiced speech when the cross correlation data corresponding to a portion of 

the acoustic signal received at the one receiver exceeds a correlation threshold. For example, upon 

information and belief, the processor of the ZTE LiveBuds Pro identifies the acoustic signals as 

speech when the cross correlation data corresponding to a portion of the acoustic signal received 

at the microphone exceeds a correlation threshold (e.g., a threshold based on vibration and/or 

acoustic signals).

58. The Accused Products further comprise a processor which generates difference 

parameters between the acoustic signals received at each of the two receivers, wherein the 

difference parameters are representative of the relative difference in signal gain between portions 

of the received acoustic signals. For example, upon information and belief, the processor of the 

ZTE LiveBuds Pro generates difference parameters between the acoustic signals received at each 

MEMS microphone representative of the relative difference in signal gain between portions of the 

received acoustic signals.

59. The Accused Products further comprise a processor which identifies information of 

the acoustic signals as unvoiced speech when the difference parameters exceed a gain threshold. 

For example, the processor of the ZTE LiveBuds Pro identifies information of the acoustic signals 

as unvoiced speech (e.g., speech which normally does not cause significant vibration in human 

tissue) when the difference parameter exceeds a gain threshold.

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 22 of 51 PageID #: 22
23

60. The Accused Products further comprise a processor which identifies information of 

the acoustic signals as noise when the difference parameters are less than the gain threshold. For 

example, the processor of the ZTE LiveBuds Pro identifies acoustic signals as noise (e.g.,

unwanted background noise) when the difference parameters are less than the gain threshold.

61. ZTE has and continues to indirectly infringe one or more claims of the ’058 Patent 

by knowingly and intentionally inducing others, including ZTE’s customers and end-users of the 

Accused Products, to directly infringe, either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents, by 

making, using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing into the United States products that 

include infringing technology, such as the ZTE LiveBuds Pro.

62. ZTE, with knowledge that these products, or the use thereof, infringe the ’058 

Patent since at least 2017 but by no later than the date of this Complaint, knowingly and 

intentionally induced, and continues to knowingly and intentionally induce, direct infringement of 

the ’058 Patent by providing these products to customers and ultimately to end-users for use in an 

infringing manner in the United States including, but not limited to, products that include 

infringing technology, such as the ZTE LiveBuds Pro. For example, ZTE’s instruction manuals, 

websites, promotional materials, advertisements, and other information demonstrate to others, 

including customers, prospective customers, and distributors, how to use the Accused Products in 

an infringing manner. Upon information and belief, ZTE is aware that the normal and customary 

use of the Accused Products by customers, distributors, and others would infringe the Asserted 

Patents. 

63. ZTE has induced infringement by others, including end-users, with the intent to 

cause infringing acts by others or, in the alternative, with the belief that there was a high probability 

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 23 of 51 PageID #: 23
24

that others, including end-users, infringe the ’058 Patent, but while remaining willfully blind to 

the infringement.

64. ZTE has willfully infringed, and continues to willfully infringe, the ’058 Patent by 

intentionally and deliberately carrying out acts of direct and indirect infringement while knowing, 

or taking deliberate steps to avoid learning, that those acts infringe. For example, upon information 

and belief, ZTE has known of Jawbone’s patents, including the ’058 Patent, at least since they 

were marketed to ZTE following Jawbone, Inc.’s liquidation.

65. Jawbone has suffered damages as a result of ZTE’s direct and indirect infringement 

and willful infringement of the ’058 Patent in an amount to be proved at trial. 

66. Jawbone has suffered, and will continue to suffer, irreparable harm as a result of 

ZTE’s infringement of the ’058 Patent, for which there is no adequate remedy at law unless ZTE’s 

infringement is enjoined by this Court. Accordingly, Jawbone seeks a preliminary and permanent 

injunction enjoining ZTE from making, using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing the 

Accused Products, including at least all versions and variants of ZTE earbuds (e.g., LiveBuds Pro, 

LiveBuds, etc.) and smartphones (e.g., Axon 40 Ultra, Axon 40 Pro, Axon 30, Axon 30 5G, Axon 

30 Ultra, Axon 20 5G, Axon 10 Pro, Blade V41 Vita 5G, etc.). 

COUNT III

(Infringement of the ’080 Patent)

67. Paragraphs 1 through 31 are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

68. Jawbone has not licensed or otherwise authorized ZTE to make, use, sell, offer to 

sell, and/or import any products that embody the inventions of the ’080 Patent. 

69. ZTE has and continues to directly infringe the ’080 Patent, either literally or under 

the doctrine of equivalents, without authority and in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271, by making, 

using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing into the United States products that satisfy each 

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 24 of 51 PageID #: 24
25

and every limitation of one or more claims of the ’080 Patent. Upon information and belief, these 

products include at least the Accused Products, such as those which comprise an array of physical 

and virtual microphones and suppress noise from received signals. The Accused Products include 

at least all versions and variants of ZTE earbuds (e.g., LiveBuds Pro, LiveBuds, etc.) and 

smartphones (e.g., Axon 40 Ultra, Axon 40 Pro, Axon 30, Axon 30 5G, Axon 30 Ultra, Axon 20 

5G, Axon 10 Pro, Blade V41 Vita 5G, etc.).

70. For example, ZTE has and continues to directly infringe at least claim 1 of the ’080 

Patent by making, using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing into the United States, a system 

comprising: a microphone array including a first physical microphone outputting a first 

microphone signal and a second physical microphone outputting a second microphone signal; a 

processing component coupled to the microphone array and generating a virtual microphone array 

including a first virtual microphone and a second virtual microphone, the first virtual microphone 

including a first combination of the first microphone signal and the second microphone signal, the 

second virtual microphone including a second combination of the first microphone signal and the 

second microphone signal, wherein the second combination is different from the first combination, 

wherein the first virtual microphone and the second virtual microphone have substantially similar 

responses to noise and substantially dissimilar responses to speech; and an adaptive noise removal 

application coupled to the processing component and generating denoised output signals by 

forming a plurality of combinations of signals output from the first virtual microphone and the 

second virtual microphone, by filtering and summing the plurality of combinations of signals in 

the time domain, and by a varying linear transfer function between the plurality of combinations 

of signals, wherein the denoised output signals include less acoustic noise than acoustic signals 

received at the microphone array.

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 25 of 51 PageID #: 25
26

71. Each Accused Product comprises a microphone array including a first physical 

microphone outputting a first microphone signal and a second physical microphone outputting a 

second microphone signal. For example, upon information and belief, each earbud of the ZTE

LiveBuds Pro comprises at least two outward facing microphones, each of which outputs a 

microphone signal.

72. Each Accused Product comprises a processing component coupled to the 

microphone array and generating a virtual microphone array including a first virtual microphone 

and a second virtual microphone. For example, each earbud of the ZTE LiveBuds Pro comprises 

a processor and/or other DSP that is coupled to the microphone array, and, upon information and 

belief, generates at least two beamformed microphones.

73. Each Accused Product comprises a system wherein the first virtual microphone 

including a first combination of the first microphone signal and the second microphone signal, the 

second virtual microphone including a second combination of the first microphone signal and the 

second microphone signal, wherein the second combination is different from the first combination. 

For example, upon information and belief, each beamformed microphone of the ZTE LiveBuds 

Pro includes a different combination of signals from their respective physical microphones. 

74. Each Accused Product comprises a system wherein the first virtual microphone and 

the second virtual microphone have substantially similar responses to noise and substantially

dissimilar responses to speech. For example, upon information and belief, the beamformed 

microphones of the ZTE LiveBuds Pro each have a substantially similar response to noise and a 

substantially dissimilar response to speech.

75. Each Accused Product comprises an adaptive noise removal application coupled to 

the processing component and generating denoised output signals by forming a plurality of 

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 26 of 51 PageID #: 26
27

combinations of signals output from the first virtual microphone and the second virtual 

microphone, by filtering and summing the plurality of combinations of signals in the time domain, 

and by a varying linear transfer function between the plurality of combinations of signals. For 

example, upon information and belief, each ZTE LiveBuds Pro earbud comprises an adaptive noise 

removal application coupled to a processor and/or other DSP, which generates denoised output 

signals by forming at least two combinations of signals from the beamformed microphones, by 

filtering and summing those combinations in the time domain, and by varying a linear transfer 

function between those combinations of signals.

76. Each Accused Product comprises a system wherein the denoised output signals 

include less acoustic noise than acoustic signals received at the microphone array. For example, 

upon information and belief, the signals denoised by the adaptive noise removal application of the 

ZTE LiveBuds Pro each include less noise than the acoustic signals received at their respective 

microphones.

77. ZTE has and continues to indirectly infringe one or more claims of the ’080 Patent 

by knowingly and intentionally inducing others, including ZTE customers and end-users of the 

Accused Products, to directly infringe, either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents, by 

making, using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing into the United States products that 

include infringing technology, such as the ZTE LiveBuds Pro.

78. ZTE, with knowledge that these products, or the use thereof, infringe the ’080 

Patent at least as of the date of this Complaint, knowingly and intentionally induced, and continues 

to knowingly and intentionally induce, direct infringement of the ’080 Patent by providing these 

products to customers and ultimately to end-users for use in an infringing manner in the United 

States including, but not limited to, products that include infringing technology, such as the ZTE

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 27 of 51 PageID #: 27
28

LiveBuds Pro. For example, ZTE’s instruction manuals, websites, promotional materials, 

advertisements, and other information demonstrate to others, including customers, prospective 

customers, and distributors, how to use the Accused Products in an infringing manner. Upon 

information and belief, ZTE is aware that the normal and customary use of the Accused Products 

by customers, distributors, and others would infringe the ’080 Patent. 

79. ZTE has induced infringement by others, including end-users, with the intent to 

cause infringing acts by others or, in the alternative, with the belief that there was a high probability 

that others, including end-users, infringe the ’080 Patent. 

80. Jawbone has suffered damages as a result of ZTE’s direct and indirect infringement 

of the ’080 Patent in an amount to be proved at trial. 

81. Jawbone has suffered, and will continue to suffer, irreparable harm as a result of 

ZTE’s infringement of the ’080 Patent, for which there is no adequate remedy at law unless ZTE’s 

infringement is enjoined by this Court. Accordingly, Jawbone seeks a preliminary and permanent 

injunction enjoining ZTE from making, using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing the 

Accused Products, including at least all versions and variants of ZTE earbuds (e.g., LiveBuds Pro, 

LiveBuds, etc.) and smartphones (e.g., Axon 40 Ultra, Axon 40 Pro, Axon 30, Axon 30 5G, Axon 

30 Ultra, Axon 20 5G, Axon 10 Pro, Blade V41 Vita 5G, etc.). 

COUNT IV 

(Infringement of the ’357 Patent)

82. Paragraphs 1 through 31 are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

83. Jawbone has not licensed or otherwise authorized ZTE to make, use, sell, offer to 

sell, and/or import any products that embody the inventions of the ’357 Patent.

84. ZTE has and continues to directly infringe the ’357 Patent, either literally or under 

the doctrine of equivalents, without authority and in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271, by making, 

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 28 of 51 PageID #: 28
29

using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing into the United States products that satisfy each 

and every limitation of one or more claims of the ’357 Patent. Upon information and belief, these 

products include at least the Accused Products, such as those which comprise physical and virtual 

microphone arrays. The Accused Products include at least all versions and variants of ZTE earbuds 

(e.g., LiveBuds Pro, LiveBuds, etc.) and smartphones (e.g., Axon 40 Ultra, Axon 40 Pro, Axon 

30, Axon 30 5G, Axon 30 Ultra, Axon 20 5G, Axon 10 Pro, Blade V41 Vita 5G, etc.).

85. For example, ZTE has and continues to directly infringe at least claim 1 of the ’357

Patent by making, using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing into the United States products 

comprising a first virtual microphone comprising a first combination of a first microphone signal 

and a second microphone signal, wherein the first microphone signal is generated by a first 

physical microphone and the second microphone signal is generated by a second physical 

microphone; a second virtual microphone comprising a second combination of the first 

microphone signal and the second microphone signal, wherein the second combination is different 

from the first combination, wherein the first virtual microphone and the second virtual microphone 

are distinct virtual directional microphones with substantially similar responses to noise and 

substantially dissimilar responses to speech; and a signal processor coupled with the first and 

second microphone signals and operative to combine the first and second microphone signals by 

filtering and summing in the time domain, to apply a varying linear transfer function between the 

first and second microphone signals, and to generate an output signal having noise content that is 

attenuated with respect to speech content.

86. Each Accused Product comprises a first virtual microphone comprising a first 

combination of a first microphone signal and a second microphone signal, wherein the first 

microphone signal is generated by a first physical microphone and the second microphone signal 

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 29 of 51 PageID #: 29
30

is generated by a second physical microphone. For example, upon information and belief, each 

earbud comprises at least two physical microphones, and a first beamformed microphone 

comprising signals generated by both microphones. 

87. Each Accused Product comprises a second virtual microphone comprising a second 

combination of the first microphone signal and the second microphone signal, wherein the second 

combination is different from the first combination. For example, upon information and belief, 

each ZTE LiveBuds Pro earbud and/or set of ZTE LiveBuds Pro earbuds comprises a second 

beamformed microphone comprising signals generated by the first and second physical 

microphones.

88. Each Accused Product comprises a system wherein the first virtual microphone and 

the second virtual microphone are distinct virtual directional microphones with substantially 

similar responses to noise and substantially dissimilar responses to speech. For example, upon 

information and belief, the beamformed microphones of the ZTE LiveBuds Pro have similar noise 

responses and dissimilar speech responses.

89. Each Accused Product comprises a signal processor coupled with the first and 

second microphone signals and operative to combine the first and second microphone signals by 

filtering and summing in the time domain, to apply a varying linear transfer function between the 

first and second microphone signals, and to generate an output signal having noise content that is 

attenuated with respect to speech content. For example, upon information and belief, each ZTE

LiveBuds Pro earbud comprises a processor and/or other DSP, which generates denoised output 

signals by forming at least two combinations of signals from the beamformed microphones, by 

filtering and summing those combinations, and by varying a linear transfer function between those 

combinations of signals.

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 30 of 51 PageID #: 30
31

90. ZTE has and continues to indirectly infringe one or more claims of the ’357 Patent 

by knowingly and intentionally inducing others, including ZTE’s customers and end-users of the 

Accused Products, to directly infringe, either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents, by 

making, using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing into the United States products that 

include infringing technology, such as the ZTE LiveBuds Pro.

91. ZTE, with knowledge that these products, or the use thereof, infringe the ’357

Patent at least as of the date of this Complaint, knowingly and intentionally induced, and continues 

to knowingly and intentionally induce, direct infringement of the ’357 Patent by providing these 

products to customers and ultimately to end-users for use in an infringing manner in the United 

States including, but not limited to, products that include infringing technology, such as the ZTE

LiveBuds Pro. For example, ZTE’s instruction manuals, websites, promotional materials, 

advertisements, and other information demonstrate to others, including customers, prospective 

customers, and distributors, how to use the Accused Products in an infringing manner. Upon 

information and belief, ZTE is aware that the normal and customary use of the Accused Products 

by customers, distributors, and others would infringe the ’357 Patent.

92. ZTE has induced infringement by others, including end-users, with the intent to 

cause infringing acts by others or, in the alternative, with the belief that there was a high probability 

that others, including end-users, infringe the ’357 Patent

93. Jawbone has suffered damages as a result of ZTE’s direct and indirect infringement 

of the ’357 Patent in an amount to be proved at trial.

94. Jawbone has suffered, and will continue to suffer, irreparable harm as a result of 

ZTE’s infringement of the ’357 Patent, for which there is no adequate remedy at law unless ZTE’s 

infringement is enjoined by this Court. Accordingly, Jawbone seeks a preliminary and permanent 

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 31 of 51 PageID #: 31
32

injunction enjoining ZTE from making, using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing the 

Accused Products, including at least all versions and variants of ZTE earbuds (e.g., LiveBuds Pro, 

LiveBuds, etc.) and smartphones (e.g., Axon 40 Ultra, Axon 40 Pro, Axon 30, Axon 30 5G, Axon 

30 Ultra, Axon 20 5G, Axon 10 Pro, Blade V41 Vita 5G, etc.). 

COUNT V

(Infringement of the ’543 Patent)

95. Paragraphs 1 through 31 are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

96. Jawbone has not licensed or otherwise authorized ZTE to make, use, sell, offer to 

sell, and/or import any products that embody the inventions of the ’543 Patent.

97. ZTE has and continues to directly infringe the ’543 Patent, either literally or under 

the doctrine of equivalents, without authority and in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271, by making, 

using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing into the United States products that satisfy each 

and every limitation of one or more claims of the ’543 Patent. Upon information and belief, these 

products include at least the Accused Products, such as those which comprise a microphone array 

and a voice activity detector. The Accused Products include at least all versions and variants of 

ZTE earbuds (e.g., LiveBuds Pro, LiveBuds, etc.) and smartphones (e.g., Axon 40 Ultra, Axon 40 

Pro, Axon 30, Axon 30 5G, Axon 30 Ultra, Axon 20 5G, Axon 10 Pro, Blade V41 Vita 5G, etc.).

98. For example, ZTE has and continues to directly infringe at least claim 1 of the ’543 

Patent by making, using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing into the United States products 

that comprise a communications system, comprising: a voice detection subsystem configured to 

receive voice activity signals that includes information associated with human voicing activity, the 

voice detection subsystem configured to automatically generate control signals using the voice 

activity signals; and a denoising subsystem coupled to the voice detection subsystem, the denoising 

subsystem comprising a microphone array including a plurality of microphones, wherein a first 

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 32 of 51 PageID #: 32
33

microphone of the array is fixed at a first position relative to a mouth, wherein the first position 

orients a front of the first microphone towards the mouth, wherein a second microphone of the 

array is fixed at a second position relative to the mouth, wherein the second position orients a front 

of the second microphone away from the mouth such that the second position forms an angle 

relative to the first position, wherein the angle is greater than zero degrees, the microphone array 

providing acoustic signals of an environment to components of the denoising subsystem, 

components of the denoising subsystem automatically selecting at least one denoising method 

appropriate to data of at least one frequency subband of the acoustic signals using the control 

signals and processing the acoustic signals using the selected denoising method to generate 

denoised acoustic signals, wherein the denoising method includes generating a noise waveform 

estimate associated with noise of the acoustic signals and subtracting the noise waveform estimate 

from the acoustic signal when the acoustic signal includes speech and noise, wherein the voice 

detection subsystem is configured to receive the voice activity signals using a sensor independent 

from the microphone array and to output the control signals generated from the voice activity 

signals to the denoising system, the denoising system configured to use the control signals to 

denoise the acoustic signals from the microphone array.

99. The Accused Products comprise a voice detection subsystem configured to receive 

voice activity signals that includes information associated with human voicing activity, the voice 

detection subsystem configured to automatically generate control signals using the voice activity 

signals. For example, the ZTE LiveBuds Pro earbuds comprise a speech detecting accelerometer 

which, upon information and belief, is configured to receive voice activity signals that includes 

information associated with human voicing activity, and to automatically generate control signals 

using the voice activity signals.

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 33 of 51 PageID #: 33
34

100. The Accused Products further comprise a denoising subsystem coupled to the voice 

detection subsystem, the denoising subsystem comprising a microphone array including a plurality 

of microphones. For example, the ZTE LiveBuds Pro earbuds include a denoising system 

comprising an array of microphones, coupled to the accelerometer (e.g., via a DSP and/or 

processor).

101. The Accused Products further comprise a system wherein a first microphone of the 

array is fixed at a first position relative to a mouth, wherein the first position orients a front of the 

first microphone towards the mouth, wherein a second microphone of the array is fixed at a second 

position relative to the mouth, wherein the second position orients a front of the second microphone 

away from the mouth such that the second position forms an angle relative to the first position, 

wherein the angle is greater than zero degrees. For example, a lower microphone of each earbud 

of the ZTE LiveBuds Pro is oriented towards a user’s mouth, an upper microphone is oriented 

away from a user’s mouth, and the angle between the orientation of the microphones is greater 

than zero degrees.

102. The Accused Products further comprise a system wherein the microphone array 

provides acoustic signals of an environment to components of the denoising subsystem. For 

example, the microphone arrays of the ZTE LiveBuds Pro provide acoustic signals of an 

environment (e.g., environmental noise) to components of the denoising subsystem (e.g., a DSP 

and/or processor). 

103. The Accused Products further comprise a system wherein components of the 

denoising subsystem automatically select at least one denoising method appropriate to data of at 

least one frequency subband of the acoustic signals using the control signals and processing the 

acoustic signals using the selected denoising method to generate denoised acoustic signals. For 

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 34 of 51 PageID #: 34
35

example, upon information and belief, the ZTE LiveBuds Pro further automatically selects at least 

one denoising method appropriate to data of at least one frequency subband using the control 

signals, such as least mean squares adaptive filtering, and/or other forms of noise suppression, and 

process the acoustic signals using the selected denoising method to generate denoised acoustic 

signals. 

104. The Accused Products further comprise a system wherein the denoising method 

includes generating a noise waveform estimate associated with noise of the acoustic signals and 

subtracting the noise waveform estimate from the acoustic signal when the acoustic signal includes 

speech and noise. For example, upon information and belief, the ZTE LiveBuds Pro suppresses

noise in received signals by generating a waveform associated with noise (e.g., noise detected by 

a microphone facing away from a user’s mouth) and subtract the noise waveform from the acoustic 

signal when the signal includes both speech and noise.

105. For example, the Accused Products further comprise a system wherein the voice 

detection subsystem is configured to receive the voice activity signals using a sensor independent 

from the microphone array and to output the control signals generated from the voice activity 

signals to the denoising system, the denoising system configured to use the control signals to 

denoise the acoustic signals from the microphone array. For example, the ZTE LiveBuds Pro

earbuds comprise a speech detecting accelerometer independent of a microphone array, configured 

to supply control signals triggering the denoising subsystem when speech is occurring.

106. ZTE has and continues to indirectly infringe one or more claims of the ’543 Patent

by knowingly and intentionally inducing others, including ZTE’s customers and end-users of the 

Accused Products, to directly infringe, either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents, by 

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 35 of 51 PageID #: 35
36

making, using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing into the United States products that 

include infringing technology, such as the ZTE LiveBuds Pro.

107. ZTE, with knowledge that these products, or the use thereof, infringe the ’543

Patent since at least 2017 but by no later than the date of this Complaint, knowingly and 

intentionally induced, and continues to knowingly and intentionally induce, direct infringement of 

the ’543 Patent by providing these products to customers and ultimately to end-users for use in an 

infringing manner in the United States including, but not limited to, products that include 

infringing technology, such as the ZTE LiveBuds Pro. For example, ZTE’s instruction manuals, 

websites, promotional materials, advertisements, and other information demonstrate to others, 

including customers, prospective customers, and distributors, how to use the Accused Products in 

an infringing manner. Upon information and belief, ZTE is aware that the normal and customary 

use of the Accused Products by customers, distributors, and others would infringe the ’543 Patent. 

108. ZTE has induced infringement by others, including end-users, with the intent to 

cause infringing acts by others or, in the alternative, with the belief that there was a high probability 

that others, including end-users, infringe the ’543 Patent, but while remaining willfully blind to 

the infringement.

109. ZTE has willfully infringed, and continues to willfully infringe, the ’543 Patent by 

intentionally and deliberately carrying out acts of direct and indirect infringement, while knowing, 

or taking deliberate steps to avoid learning, that those acts infringe. For example, upon information 

and belief, ZTE has known of Jawbone’s patents, including the ’543 Patent, at least since they 

were marketed to ZTE following Jawbone, Inc.’s liquidation.

110. Jawbone has suffered damages as a result of ZTE’s direct and indirect infringement 

and willful infringement of the ’543 Patent in an amount to be proved at trial.

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 36 of 51 PageID #: 36
37

111. Jawbone has suffered, and will continue to suffer, irreparable harm as a result of 

ZTE’s infringement of the ’543 Patent, for which there is no adequate remedy at law unless ZTE’s 

infringement is enjoined by this Court. Accordingly, Jawbone seeks a preliminary and permanent 

injunction enjoining ZTE from making, using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing the 

Accused Products, including at least all versions and variants of ZTE earbuds (e.g., LiveBuds Pro, 

LiveBuds, etc.) and smartphones (e.g., Axon 40 Ultra, Axon 40 Pro, Axon 30, Axon 30 5G, Axon 

30 Ultra, Axon 20 5G, Axon 10 Pro, Blade V41 Vita 5G, etc.). 

COUNT VI 

(Infringement of the ’691 Patent)

112. Paragraphs 1 through 31 are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

113. Jawbone has not licensed or otherwise authorized ZTE to make, use, sell, offer to 

sell, and/or import any products that embody the inventions of the ’691 Patent.

114. ZTE has and continues to directly infringe the ’691 Patent, either literally or under 

the doctrine of equivalents, without authority and in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271, by making, 

using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing into the United States products that satisfy each 

and every limitation of one or more claims of the ’691 Patent. Upon information and belief, these 

products include at least the Accused Products, such as those which comprise physical and virtual 

microphone arrays. The Accused Products include at least all versions and variants of ZTE earbuds 

(e.g., LiveBuds Pro, LiveBuds, etc.) and smartphones (e.g., Axon 40 Ultra, Axon 40 Pro, Axon 

30, Axon 30 5G, Axon 30 Ultra, Axon 20 5G, Axon 10 Pro, Blade V41 Vita 5G, etc.). 

115. For example, ZTE has and continues to directly infringe at least claim 23 of the 

’691 Patent by making, using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing into the United States 

products comprising a microphone array comprising: a first virtual microphone formed from a first 

combination of a first microphone signal and a second microphone signal, wherein the first 

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 37 of 51 PageID #: 37
38

microphone signal is generated by a first omnidirectional microphone and the second microphone 

signal is generated by a second omnidirectional microphone; and a second virtual microphone 

formed from a second combination of the first microphone signal and the second microphone 

signal, wherein the second combination is different from the first combination; wherein the first 

virtual microphone has a first linear response to speech that is substantially similar across a 

plurality of frequencies for a speech source within a predetermined angle relative to an axis of the 

microphone array and devoid of a null, and a first linear response to noise that is devoid of a null, 

wherein the second virtual microphone has a second linear response to speech that has a single 

null oriented in a direction toward a source of the speech and a second linear response to noise that 

is devoid of a null, wherein the second linear response to noise is substantially similar to the first 

linear response to noise and the second linear response to speech is substantially dissimilar to the 

first linear response to speech, wherein the speech is human speech.

116. Each Accused Product comprises a first virtual microphone formed from a first 

combination of a first microphone signal and a second microphone signal, wherein the first 

microphone signal is generated by a first omnidirectional microphone and the second microphone 

signal is generated by a second omnidirectional microphone. For example, upon information and 

belief, each ZTE LiveBuds Pro earbud and/or set of ZTE LiveBuds Pro earbuds comprises at least 

two physical omnidirectional microphones, and a first beamformed microphone comprising 

signals generated by both microphones. 

117. Each Accused Product comprises a second virtual microphone formed from a 

second combination of the first microphone signal and the second microphone signal, wherein the 

second combination is different from the first combination. For example, upon information and 

belief, each ZTE LiveBuds Pro earbud and/or set of ZTE LiveBuds Pro earbuds comprises a second 

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 38 of 51 PageID #: 38
39

beamformed microphone comprising signals generated by the first and second physical 

microphones.

118. Each Accused Product comprises a system wherein the first virtual microphone has 

a first linear response to speech that is substantially similar across a plurality of frequencies for a 

speech source within a predetermined angle relative to an axis of the microphone array and devoid 

of a null, and a first linear response to noise that is devoid of a null. For example, upon information 

and belief, the first beamformed microphone of the ZTE LiveBuds Pro has a linear response to 

speech across a predetermined angle relative to an axis of the array pointed towards a user’s mouth, 

and a first linear response to noise in another direction without a null. 

119. Each Accused Product comprises a system wherein the second virtual microphone 

has a second linear response to speech that has a single null oriented in a direction toward a source 

of the speech and a second linear response to noise that is devoid of a null. For example, upon 

information and belief, the second beamformed microphone of the ZTE LiveBuds Pro has a linear 

response to speech that has a single null oriented in a direction towards a source of the speech 

(e.g., the user’s mouth), and a second linear response to noise that is devoid of a null.

120. Each Accused Product comprises a system wherein the second linear response to 

noise is substantially similar to the first linear response to noise and the second linear response to 

speech is substantially dissimilar to the first linear response to speech. For example, upon 

information and belief, the second linear response to speech of the first beamformed microphone 

is similar to the first linear response to noise of the first beamformed microphone, and the second 

linear response to speech of the second beamformed microphone is substantially dissimilar to the 

first linear response to speech of the first beamformed microphone. 

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 39 of 51 PageID #: 39
40

121. Each Accused Product comprises a system wherein the speech is human speech. 

For example, the speech activity detected by the ZTE LiveBuds Pro is the voice of a user. 

122. ZTE has and continues to indirectly infringe one or more claims of the ’691 Patent 

by knowingly and intentionally inducing others, including ZTE’s customers and end-users of the 

Accused Products, to directly infringe, either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents, by 

making, using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing into the United States products that 

include infringing technology, such as the ZTE LiveBuds Pro.

123. ZTE, with knowledge that these products, or the use thereof, infringe the ’691

Patent since at least 2017 but by no later than the date of this Complaint, knowingly and 

intentionally induced, and continues to knowingly and intentionally induce, direct infringement of 

the ’691 Patent by providing these products to customers and ultimately to end-users for use in an 

infringing manner in the United States including, but not limited to, products that include 

infringing technology, such as the ZTE LiveBuds Pro. For example, ZTE’s instruction manuals, 

websites, promotional materials, advertisements, and other information demonstrate to others, 

including customers, prospective customers, and distributors, how to use the Accused Products in 

an infringing manner. Upon information and belief, ZTE is aware that the normal and customary 

use of the Accused Products by customers, distributors, and others would infringe the ’691 Patent.

124. ZTE has induced infringement by others, including end-users, with the intent to 

cause infringing acts by others or, in the alternative, with the belief that there was a high probability 

that others, including end-users, infringe the ’691 Patent, but while remaining willfully blind to 

the infringement.

125. ZTE has willfully infringed, and continues to willfully infringe, the ’691 Patent by 

intentionally and deliberately carrying out acts of direct and indirect infringement, while knowing, 

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 40 of 51 PageID #: 40
41

or taking deliberate steps to avoid learning, that those acts infringe. For example, upon information 

and belief, ZTE has known of Jawbone’s patents, including the ’691 Patent, at least since they 

were marketed to ZTE following Jawbone, Inc.’s liquidation.

126. Jawbone has suffered damages as a result of ZTE’s direct and indirect infringement 

and willful infringement of the ’691 Patent in an amount to be proved at trial. 

127. Jawbone has suffered, and will continue to suffer, irreparable harm as a result of 

ZTE’s infringement of the ’691 Patent, for which there is no adequate remedy at law unless ZTE’s 

infringement is enjoined by this Court. Accordingly, Jawbone seeks a preliminary and permanent 

injunction enjoining ZTE from making, using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing the 

Accused Products, including at least all versions and variants of ZTE earbuds (e.g., LiveBuds Pro, 

LiveBuds, etc.) and smartphones (e.g., Axon 40 Ultra, Axon 40 Pro, Axon 30, Axon 30 5G, Axon 

30 Ultra, Axon 20 5G, Axon 10 Pro, Blade V41 Vita 5G, etc.). 

COUNT VII

(Infringement of the ’213 Patent)

128. Paragraphs 1 through 31 are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

129. Jawbone has not licensed or otherwise authorized ZTE to make, use, sell, offer to 

sell, and/or import any products that embody the inventions of the ’213 Patent. 

130. ZTE has and continues to directly infringe the ’213 Patent, either literally or under 

the doctrine of equivalents, without authority and in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271, by making, 

using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing into the United States products that satisfy each 

and every limitation of one or more claims of the ’213 Patent. Upon information and belief, these 

products include at least the Accused Products, such as those which comprise an acoustic voice 

activity detector that includes and utilizes physical and virtual microphone arrays. The Accused 

Products include, but are not limited to, all versions and variants of ZTE earbuds (e.g., LiveBuds 

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 41 of 51 PageID #: 41
42

Pro, LiveBuds, etc.) and smartphones (e.g., Axon 40 Ultra, Axon 40 Pro, Axon 30, Axon 30 5G, 

Axon 30 Ultra, Axon 20 5G, Axon 10 Pro, Blade V41 Vita 5G, etc.).

131. For example, ZTE has and continues to directly infringe at least claim 1 of the ’213 

Patent by making, using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing into the United States products 

that include an acoustic voice activity detection system comprising: a first virtual microphone 

comprising a first combination of a first signal and a second signal, wherein the first signal is 

received from a first physical microphone and the second signal is received from a second physical 

microphone; a filter, wherein the filter is formed by generating a first quantity by applying a 

calibration to at least one of the first signal and the second signal, generating a second quantity by 

applying a delay to the first signal, and forming the filter as a ratio of the first quantity to the second 

quantity; and a second virtual microphone formed by applying the filter to the first signal to 

generate a first intermediate signal and summing the first intermediate signal and the second signal, 

wherein acoustic voice activity of a speaker is determined to be present when an energy ratio of 

energies of the first virtual microphone and the second virtual microphone is greater than a 

threshold value.

132. Each Accused Product comprises a system comprising a first virtual microphone 

comprising a first combination of a first signal and a second signal, wherein the first signal is 

received from a first physical microphone and the second signal is received from a second physical 

microphone. For example, on information and belief, the ZTE LiveBuds Pro forms a first virtual 

microphone from the outputs of a first and a second physical microphone.17 For example, upon 

information and belief, the ZTE LiveBuds Pro comprises at least two physical microphones which 

supply inputs for beamformed microphones.

17 https://www.qucox.com/zte-livebuds-pro-teardown/

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 42 of 51 PageID #: 42
43

133. Each Accused Product comprises a system comprising a filter, wherein the filter is 

formed by generating a first quantity by applying a calibration to at least one of the first signal and 

the second signal, generating a second quantity by applying a delay to the first signal, and forming 

the filter as a ratio of the first quantity to the second quantity. For example, upon information and 

belief, the Accused Products form a calibration filter, such as a time and/or frequency domain 

filter, that describes a relationship for speech between at least a first and second physical 

microphone by applying a delay to the first signal. For example, upon information and belief, the

ZTE LiveBuds Pro uses autoregressive filtering to constrain complex fast fourier transform layers 

to calibration filters. For example, on information and belief, the ZTE LiveBuds Pro further uses 

adaptive spatial filtering.

134. Each Accused Product comprises a system comprising a second virtual microphone 

formed by applying the filter to the first signal to generate a first intermediate signal and summing 

the first intermediate signal and the second signal. For example, upon information and belief, the 

ZTE LiveBuds Pro forms a second beamformed microphone by applying an adaptive filter to the 

output of at least a first microphone and summing the filtered output of the first microphone with 

the output of a second microphone. For example, upon information and belief, the ZTE LiveBuds 

Pro uses a form of filter-and-sum beamforming with at least an adaptive filter and a calibration 

filter. 

135. Each Accused Product comprises a system wherein acoustic voice activity of a 

speaker is determined to be present when an energy ratio of energies of the first virtual microphone 

and the second virtual microphone is greater than a threshold value. For example, on information 

and belief, the ZTE LiveBuds Pro determines that voicing activity of a speaker is present when a 

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 43 of 51 PageID #: 43
44

ratio of energies between beamformed microphones is greater than a threshold value associated 

with a wake word.

136. ZTE has and continues to indirectly infringe one or more claims of the ’213 Patent 

by knowingly and intentionally inducing others, including ZTE’s customers and end-users of the 

Accused Products, to directly infringe, either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents, by 

making, using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing into the United States products that 

include infringing technology, such as the ZTE LiveBuds Pro.

137. ZTE, with knowledge that these products, or the use thereof, infringe the ’213 

Patent since at least 2017 but by no later than the date of this Complaint, knowingly and 

intentionally induced, and continues to knowingly and intentionally induce, direct infringement of 

the ’213 Patent by providing these products to customers and ultimately to end-users for use in an 

infringing manner in the United States including, but not limited to, products that include 

infringing technology, such as the ZTE LiveBuds Pro. For example, ZTE’s instruction manuals, 

websites, promotional materials, advertisements, and other information demonstrate to others, 

including customers, prospective customers, and distributors, how to use the Accused Products in 

an infringing manner. Upon information and belief, ZTE is aware that the normal and customary 

use of the Accused Products by customers, distributors, and others would infringe the Patent-inSuit. 

138. ZTE has induced infringement by others, including end-users, with the intent to 

cause infringing acts by others or, in the alternative, with the belief that there was a high probability 

that others, including end-users, infringe the ’213 Patent, but while remaining willfully blind to 

the infringement.

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 44 of 51 PageID #: 44
45

139. ZTE has willfully infringed, and continues to willfully infringe, the ’213 Patent by 

intentionally and deliberately carrying out acts of direct and indirect infringement, while knowing, 

or taking deliberate steps to avoid learning, that those acts infringe. For example, upon information 

and belief, ZTE has known of Jawbone’s patents, including the ’213 Patent, at least since they 

were marketed to Defendant following Jawbone, Inc.’s liquidation.

140. Jawbone has suffered damages as a result of ZTE’s direct and indirect infringement 

and willful infringement of the ’213 Patent in an amount to be proved at trial. 

141. Jawbone has suffered, and will continue to suffer, irreparable harm as a result of 

ZTE’s infringement of the ’213 Patent, for which there is no adequate remedy at law unless ZTE’s 

infringement is enjoined by this Court. Accordingly, Jawbone seeks a preliminary and permanent 

injunction enjoining ZTE from making, using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing the 

Accused Products, including at least all versions and variants of ZTE earbuds (e.g., LiveBuds Pro, 

LiveBuds, etc.) and smartphones (e.g., Axon 40 Ultra, Axon 40 Pro, Axon 30, Axon 30 5G, Axon 

30 Ultra, Axon 20 5G, Axon 10 Pro, Blade V41 Vita 5G, etc.). 

COUNT VIII

(Infringement of the ’611 Patent)

142. Paragraphs 1 through 31 are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

143. Jawbone has not licensed or otherwise authorized ZTE to make, use, sell, offer to 

sell, and/or import any products that embody the inventions of the ’611 Patent. 

144. ZTE has and continues to directly infringe the ’611 Patent, either literally or under 

the doctrine of equivalents, without authority and in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271, by making, 

using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing products that satisfy each and every limitation of 

one or more claims of the ’611 Patent. Upon information and belief, these products include at 

least the Accused Products, such as those which comprise an acoustic voice activity detector that 

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 45 of 51 PageID #: 45
46

includes and utilizes physical and virtual microphone arrays. The Accused Products include, but 

are not limited to, all versions and variants of ZTE earbuds (e.g., LiveBuds Pro, LiveBuds, etc.) 

and smartphones (e.g., Axon 40 Ultra, Axon 40 Pro, Axon 30, Axon 30 5G, Axon 30 Ultra, Axon 

20 5G, Axon 10 Pro, Blade V41 Vita 5G, etc.).

145. For example, ZTE has and continues to directly infringe at least claim 1 of the ’611 

Patent by making, using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing products that perform a method 

comprising: forming a first virtual microphone by combining a first signal of a first physical 

microphone and a second signal of a second physical microphone; forming a filter that describes 

a relationship for speech between the first physical microphone and the second physical 

microphone; forming a second virtual microphone by applying the filter to the first signal to 

generate a first intermediate signal, and summing the first intermediate signal and the second 

signal; generating an energy ratio of energies of the first virtual microphone and the second virtual 

microphone; and detecting acoustic voice activity of a speaker when the energy ratio is greater 

than a threshold value. 

146. Each Accused Product performs a method comprising forming a first virtual 

microphone by combining a first signal of a first physical microphone and a second signal of a 

second physical microphone. For example, on information and belief, the ZTE LiveBuds Pro forms 

a first virtual microphone from the outputs of a first and a second physical microphones. For 

example, upon information and belief, the ZTE LiveBuds Pro comprises at least two physical 

microphones which supply inputs for beamformed microphones.18

147. Each Accused Product performs a method comprising forming a filter that describes 

a relationship for speech between the first physical microphone and the second physical 

18 https://www.qucox.com/zte-livebuds-pro-teardown/

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 46 of 51 PageID #: 46
47

microphone. For example, upon information and belief, the Accused Products form a calibration 

filter, such as a time and/or frequency domain filter, that describes a relationship for speech 

between at least a first and second physical microphone. For example, upon information and belief, 

the ZTE LiveBuds Pro uses autoregressive filtering to constrain complex fast fourier transform 

layers to calibration filters. For example, on information and belief, the ZTE LiveBuds Pro further 

uses adaptive spatial filtering.

148. Each Accused Product performs a method comprising forming a second virtual 

microphone by applying the filter to the first signal to generate a first intermediate signal and 

summing the first intermediate signal and the second signal. For example, upon information and 

belief, the ZTE LiveBuds Pro forms a second beamformed microphone by applying an adaptive 

filter to the output of at least a first microphone and summing the filtered output of the first 

microphone with the output of a second microphone. For example, upon information and belief, 

the ZTE LiveBuds Pro uses a form of filter-and-sum beamforming with at least an adaptive filter 

and a calibration filter. 

149. Each Accused Product performs a method comprising generating an energy ratio 

of energies of the first virtual microphone and the second virtual microphone; and detecting 

acoustic voice activity of a speaker when the energy ratio is greater than a threshold value. For 

example, on information and belief, the ZTE LiveBuds Pro determines that voicing activity of a 

speaker is present when a ratio of energies between beamformed microphones is greater than a 

threshold value associated with a wake word.

150. ZTE has and continues to indirectly infringe one or more claims of the ’611 Patent 

by knowingly and intentionally inducing others, including ZTE’s customers and end-users of the 

Accused Products, to directly infringe, either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents, by 

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 47 of 51 PageID #: 47
48

making, using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing products that include infringing 

technology, such as the ZTE LiveBuds Pro.

151. ZTE, with knowledge that these products, or the use thereof, infringe the ’611 

Patent since at least 2017 but by no later than the date of this Complaint, knowingly and 

intentionally induced, and continues to knowingly and intentionally induce, direct infringement of 

the ’611 Patent by providing these products to customers and ultimately to end-users for use in an 

infringing manner in the United States including, but not limited to, products that include 

infringing technology, such as the ZTE LiveBuds Pro. For example, ZTE’s instruction manuals, 

websites, promotional materials, advertisements, and other information demonstrate to others, 

including customers, prospective customers, and distributors, how to use the Accused Products in 

an infringing manner. Upon information and belief, ZTE is aware that the normal and customary 

use of the Accused Products by customers, distributors, and others would infringe the Patents-inSuit. 

152. ZTE has induced infringement by others, including end-users, with the intent to 

cause infringing acts by others or, in the alternative, with the belief that there was a high probability 

that others, including end-users, infringe the ’611 Patent, but while remaining willfully blind to 

the infringement.

153. ZTE has willfully infringed, and continues to willfully infringe, the ’611 Patent by 

intentionally and deliberately carrying out acts of direct and indirect infringement, while knowing, 

or taking deliberate steps to avoid learning, that those acts infringe. For example, upon information 

and belief, ZTE has known of Jawbone’s patents, including the ’611 Patent, at least since they 

were marketed to ZTE following Jawbone, Inc.’s liquidation.

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 48 of 51 PageID #: 48
49

154. Jawbone has suffered damages as a result of ZTE’s direct and indirect infringement 

and willful infringement of the ’611 Patent in an amount to be proved at trial.

155. Jawbone has suffered, and will continue to suffer, irreparable harm as a result of 

ZTE’s infringement of the ’611 Patent, for which there is no adequate remedy at law unless ZTE’s 

infringement is enjoined by this Court. Accordingly, Jawbone seeks a preliminary and permanent 

injunction enjoining ZTE from making, using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing the 

Accused Products, including at least all versions and variants of ZTE earbuds (e.g., LiveBuds Pro, 

LiveBuds, etc.) and smartphones (e.g., Axon 40 Ultra, Axon 40 Pro, Axon 30, Axon 30 5G, Axon 

30 Ultra, Axon 20 5G, Axon 10 Pro, Blade V41 Vita 5G, etc.). 

DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL

Plaintiff hereby demands a jury for all issues so triable.

PRAYER FOR RELIEF 

WHEREFORE, Jawbone prays for relief against ZTE as follows:

a. Entry of judgment declaring that ZTE has directly and/or indirectly infringed one 

or more claims of each of the Patents-in-Suit;

b. Entry of judgment declaring that ZTE’s infringement of the Patents-in-Suit is 

willful;

c. Entry of a preliminary injunction enjoining ZTE from making, using, selling, 

offering to sell, and/or importing the Accused Products;

d. Entry of a permanent injunction enjoining ZTE from making, using, selling, 

offering to sell, and/or importing the Accused Products;

e. An order awarding damages sufficient to compensate Jawbone for ZTE’s 

infringement of the Patents-in-Suit, but in no event less than a reasonable royalty, including 

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 49 of 51 PageID #: 49
50

supplemental damages post-verdict, together with pre-judgment and post-judgment interest and 

costs;

f. Entry of judgment declaring that this case is exceptional and awarding Jawbone its 

costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees under 35 U.S.C. § 285; 

g. An accounting for acts of infringement; 

h. Such other equitable relief which may be requested and to which the Plaintiff is 

entitled; and

i. Such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper. 

Dated: February 28, 2023 Respectfully submitted,

/s/ Alfred R. Fabricant 

Alfred R. Fabricant

NY Bar No. 2219392 

Email: ffabricant@fabricantllp.com 

Peter Lambrianakos 

NY Bar No. 2894392 

Email: plambrianakos@fabricantllp.com

Vincent J. Rubino, III 

NY Bar No. 4557435 

Email: vrubino@fabricantllp.com 

FABRICANT LLP

411 Theodore Fremd Avenue, 

Suite 206 South 

Rye, New York 10580 

Telephone: (212) 257-5797 

Facsimile: (212) 257-5796 

Samuel F. Baxter

Texas State Bar No. 01938000

Email: sbaxter@mckoolsmith.com

Jennifer L. Truelove

Texas State Bar No. 24012906

Email: jtruelove@mckoolsmith.com

MCKOOL SMITH, P.C.

104 E. Houston Street, Suite 300

Marshall, Texas 75670

Telephone: (903) 923-9000

Facsimile: (903) 923-9099

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 50 of 51 PageID #: 50
51

ATTORNEYS FOR PLAINTIFF

JAWBONE INNOVATIONS, LLC

Case 2:23-cv-00082 Document 1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 51 of 51 PageID #: 51