Source: http://ny.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20140128_0000085.SNY.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2017-01-18 08:29:42
Document Index: 799154415

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 112', '§ 112', '§ 112', '§ 112', '§ 112', '§ 112', '§ 112', '§ 112', '§ 112', '§ 112', '§ 112', '§ 112', '§ 112', '§ 112']

| Rates Tech. Inc. v. Broadvox Holding Co., LLC
Rates Tech. Inc. v. Broadvox Holding Co., LLC
RATES TECHNOLOGY INC., Plaintiff,v.BROADVOX HOLDING COMPANY, LLC, CYPRESS COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING COMPANY, LCC, AND ABC COMPANIES, 1 TO 10, Defendants
For RTI: Milton Springut, Esq., Tal S. Benschar, Esq., Springut Law PC, New York, NY; Scott Spencer, Esq., Scott Spencer Law, New York, NY.
For Broadvox: Keith D. Nowack, Esq., Andriy Roman Pazuniak, Esq., Carter Ledyard & Milburn LLP, New York, NY; George Pazuniak, Esq., Pazuniak Law Office LLC, Wilmington, DE; Alexander Gertsburg, Esq., Law Office of Alexander Gertsburg, Macedonia, OH.
Rates Technology Inc. (" RTI" ) brings this action against Broadvox Holding Company, LLC, its named subsidiary, Cypress Communications Operating Company, LLC, and its unnamed subsidiaries or affiliates, ABC Companies 1 to 10 (collectively, " Broadvox" ), for infringing two of RTI's telecommunications patents: United States Patent No. 5,425,085 (the " '085 Patent" ) and United States Patent No. 5,519,769 (the " '769 Patent" ).[1]
On December 27, 2013, the Court held a Markman hearing. The parties have agreed upon the meaning of three terms in claim 1 of the '085 Patent and two terms in claim 1 of the '769 Patent.[2] The parties dispute the meaning of nine terms in claim 1 of the '085 Patent and five terms in claim 1 of the '769 Patent.[3] For reference, I have included a list of the constructions I have adopted at the end of this Opinion.[4]
RTI has provided products and services in the telecommunications field for thirty years.[5] RTI designs and manufactures technologies including private pay telephones, call cost rate chips, and least-cost-routing chips.[6] On June 13, 1995, the Patent and Trademark Office (" PTO" ) issued the '085 Patent, designating RTI as the Page 313
sole assignee.[7] The claimed invention relates to the routing of calls based on cost.[8] Broadvox Holding provides IP-based information services to approximately three hundred wholesale carriers, businesses, and enterprise retail customers.[9] On May 21, 1996, the PTO issued the '769 Patent to RTI.[10] The claimed invention relates to a method for updating a database in a telephone routing system.[11] In two 1998 decisions, Judge William Young of the District Court of Massachusetts construed several of the claims disputed here.[12] Several years later, the patents were returned to the PTO for reexamination, where the claims were reconsidered in light of prior art.[13] While the reexaminations did not affect claim 1 of the '769 Patent, RTI added limitations to claim 1 of the '085 Patent to overcome the prior art.[14]
The full text of claim 1 of the '085 Patent, with the disputed phrases emphasized, follows:
A device for routing telephone calls along a least cost route originating from a first telephone to a second telephone having an associated telephone number via a network having a plurality of alternate communication switch paths corresponding to different carriers which can be chosen to route the call and normally providing a current to said first telephone when said first telephone is in use, comprising:
[I] a housing forming an enclosure and comprising first jack means for connection to said first telephone, and second jack means for connection to said network; [ii] switch means operatively connected to said first jack means for disconnecting said first telephone from said network during routing of a telephone call from said first telephone ; [iii] means operatively connected to said switch means for generating a current through said switch means to the first telephone corresponding to a current provided by said network, when the first telephone is disconnected from said network by said switch means ; [iv] database means for storing billing rate parameters for determining a least cost communication path for call corresponding to said telephone number; [v] means operatively connected to said switch means for detecting and storing said telephone number originating from the first telephone ; [vi] means for addressing said database means for identifying a plurality of communication switch Page 314
paths to said second telephone and the cost rate of each path ; [vii] means actuated subsequent to the detection of said telephone number originating from said first telephone for comparing the cost rate of each path so as to determine a least cost route ; and
[viii] means operatively connected to said switch means and said second jack means for generating a number sequence corresponding to a desired carrier so that said call is routed through said second jack means to the selected communication path and carrier to establish a switched connection between said first telephone and said second telephone.[15]
The full text of claim 1 of the '769 Patent, with the disputed phrases emphasized, follows:
A method for updating a database that stores billing rate parameters for a call rating device used for cost determinations for a calling station, comprising the steps of:
[I] connecting at a predetermined time and date via a data transfer line the call rating device to a rate provider having billing rate parameters for a plurality of calling stations; [ii] transmitting over the data transfer line indicia identifying the call rating device and the date and time of the last update of the billing rate parameters; [iii] verifying if billing parameters should be updated ; and
[iv] transmitting from the rate provider to the call rating device the updated billing rate parameters when the rate provider determines that an update is required.[16]
The parties agree on the construction of the following phrases:
'085 Patent, Claim 1 Term/Phrase Agreed Upon Construction 1. " device" The term should not be a limitation of the claim. 2. " first jack means for First jack for connection to said first connection to said first telephone. telephone" 3. " second jack means for Second jack for connection to said network. connection to said network" '769 Patent, Claim 1 Term/Phrase Agreed Upon Construction 1. " a data transfer line" a data transfer line (or path to transfer data) 2. " indicia identifying the indicia identifying call rating device and the call rating device and the date and time of the last update of the billing date and time of the last rate parameters. update of the billing rate parameters" The parties dispute the construction of the following phrases:
TABLE 2 [18]
'085 Patent, Claim 1 Term/Phrase RTI's Proposed Broadvox's Proposed Construction Construction 1. " a housing One or more housings A unitary physical forming an enclosure forming one or more structure that includes a and comprising" enclosures first jack for connection to Comprising is a a first telephone and a transition term second jack for linking the preamble connection to a network to the body of the claim. 2. " switch means switch operatively This is a means-plus-function operatively connected to said first element, whose connected to said jack for disconnecting construction is governed first jack means for said first telephone by 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). disconnecting (as from said network The structure of the defined below) said during routing of a " switch means" is the " 2 first telephone from telephone call from Form C switch." It is said network during said first telephone referenced in the '085 routing of a Patent as item 36, and is telephone call from described at col. 3 ll. 51-64, said first telephone" and Fig. 2. 3. " disconnecting" Ordinary meaning Interruption of the should control. In the electrical circuit between context of the telephone and the specification and network -- the breaking prosecution history, or opening -- of the term should be electrical circuit between construed as the telephone jack and the " disconnecting the network communication such as signaling" 4. " means Current source This is a means-plus-function operatively operatively connected element, whose connected to said to said switch for construction is governed switch means for generating a current by 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). generating a current through said switch to The structure of the (as defined below) the first telephone " means" is the structure through said switch corresponding to a shown in the Fig. 2 means to the first current provided by drawing as connecting telephone said network, when item 38, as well as the corresponding to a the first telephone is structure of item 38. current provided by disconnected from said network, when said network by said the first telephone switch is disconnected from said network to said switch means" 5. " means for Current source for This is a generating a current" generating a current means-plus-function element, whose construction is governed by 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). The structure of the " means" is the structure shown in the Fig. 2 drawing as connecting item 38, as well as the structure of item 38. 6. " means Detecting and storing This is a means-plus-function operatively logic (e.g., routine or element, whose connected to said subroutine) construction is governed switch means for operatively connected by 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). detecting and storing to said switch for The structure of the said telephone detecting and storing " means operatively number originating said telephone connected to said switch from the first number originating means for detecting and telephone" from the first storing said telephone telephone number originating from the first telephone" is a combination of: " the DTMF tone detector 88" for detecting a telephone number, and an unknown and indefinite structure for " storing said telephone number originating from the first telephone." 7. " means for Database addressing This is a means-plus-function addressing said logic (e.g., routine or element, whose database means for subroutine) for construction is governed identifying a addressing said by 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). plurality of database means for The structure of the communication identifying a plurality " means for addressing switch paths to said of communication said database means for second telephone and switch paths to said identifying a plurality of the cost rate of each second telephone and communication switch path" the cost rate of each paths to said second path telephone and the cost rate of each path" is the algorithm at col. 6 ll. 7-47 and Fig. 5. 8. " means actuated Comparing logic This is a means-plus-function subsequent to the (e.g., routine or element, whose detection of said subroutine) actuated construction is governed telephone number subsequent to the by 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). originating from said detection of said The element " means first telephone for telephone number actuated subsequent to the comparing the cost originating from said detection of said rate of each path so first telephone for telephone number as to determine a comparing the cost originating from said first least cost route" rate of each path so as telephone for comparing to determine a least the cost rate of each path cost route. so as to determine a least cost route" is not described in the specification and, therefore, this claim term is indefinite. 9. " means logic (e.g. routine or This is a means-plus-function operatively subroutine) element, whose connected to said operatively connected construction is governed switch means and to said switch and by 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). said second jack said second jack for The structure is the means for generating generating a number combination of a tone a number sequence sequence generator with a crystal corresponding to a corresponding to a oscillator (which desired carrier so desired carrier so that generates the number that said call is said call is routed sequence), and an analog routed through said through said second switch (so that " call is second jack means to jack to the selected routed through said the selected communication path second jack means to the communication path and carrier to selected communication and carrier to establish a switched path . . ." ). establish a switched connection between connection between said first telephone said first telephone and said second and said second telephone. telephone" '769 Patent, Claim 1 Term/Phrase RTI's Proposed Broadvox's Proposed Construction Construction 1. " at a at a predetermined The time and date for predetermined time time and date calling the rate provider and date" are selected a substantial period in advance of the call 2. " call rating call rating device This is a means-plus-function device" element, whose construction is governed by 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). An identifiable physical component having the function of receiving rate information from a rate provider over a data transfer line, incorporating the rate information and thereafter managing calls over the least cost routing route. 3. " transmitting over transmitting over the conveying information the data transfer data transfer line over the same wire line" operatively connected to a call rating device on one end and a phone network on the other 4. " verifying if verifying if billing the rate provider, based on billing rate rate parameters the information received parameters should be should be updated from the call rating updated" device, verifies if the billing rate parameters of the call rating device should be updated 5. " transmitting from transmitting from the the rate provider, based on the rate provider to rate provider to the the information received the call rating call rating device from the call rating device" device, transmits the billing rate parameters to the call rating device Page 317
Analysis of a patent infringement claim involves two steps: (1) construction of the terms of the asserted claims and (2) determination of whether the accused device infringes the claims, as construed.[19] Claim construction is a question of law,[20] the purpose of which is to determine what is covered by an asserted claim. In other words, " [t]he construction of claims is simply a way of elaborating the normally terse claim language in order to understand and explain, but not to change, the scope of the claims." [21]
The Federal Circuit has made clear that " there is no magic formula or catechism for conducting claim construction." [22] Thus, courts must be mindful that " applying [the substantive precepts of patent claim interpretation] to the facts of a case can be . . . perplexing, particularly where precepts can be in opposition to one another and district judges cannot always tell which one(s) apply in a particular case." [23] As such, the Federal Circuit has provided district courts with some guidance:
[T]he ordinary and customary meaning of a claim term is the meaning that the term would have to a person of ordinary skill in the art in question at the time of the invention, i.e., as of the effective filing date of the patent application. . . . [This inquiry] provides an objective baseline from which to begin claim interpretation. . . . Importantly, the person of ordinary skill in the art is deemed to read the claim term not only in the context of the particular claim in which the disputed term appears, but in the context of the entire patent, including the specification.[24]
To determine how a person skilled in the art understands a disputed claim term, courts should look to publicly available sources, including intrinsic evidence -- such as " the words of the claims themselves, the remainder of the specification, the prosecution history" -- and " extrinsic evidence concerning relevant scientific principles, the meaning of technical terms, and the state of the art." [25]
The Federal Circuit views intrinsic evidence as " a more reliable guide to the meaning of a claim term than are extrinsic sources." [26] Thus, district courts should use the intrinsic record as " the primary tool to supply the context for interpretation of disputed claim terms." [27]
Although there is no rigid formula to claim construction, " [j]udicial interpretation must begin with and remain focused upon the 'words of the claims themselves . . . to define the scope of the patented invention.'" [28] On occasion, " the ordinary meaning of claim language as understood by a person of skill in the art" will be so apparent from the claim language itself that no further inquiry is needed.[29] However, even when the terms in a claim are self-explanatory, " [t]he context in which a term is used in the asserted claim can be highly instructive." [30]
In addition to the claim itself, a patent is required by statute to " contain a written Page 319
description of the invention . . . ." [31] This description -- known as the specification[32] -- includes: " an abstract of the invention; a description of the invention's background; a summary of the invention; patent drawings; and a detailed description that discusses preferred embodiments of the invention." [33] The Federal Circuit has said that specifications are " always highly relevant to the claim construction analysis" and therefore " claims must be read in view of the specification, of which they are a part." [34]
However, courts must be mindful that while " using the specification to interpret the meaning of a claim" is permissible, " importing limitations from the specification into the claim" is not.[35] Because words of the claim alone " define the scope of the right to exclude," [36] the specification should generally be used to limit a claim only:
(1) if the claim " explicitly recite[s] a term in need of definition" ; or (2) if the specification unambiguously defines a term, i.e., if " a patent applicant has elected to be a lexicographer by providing an explicit definition in the specification for a claim term." [37]
Even then, " there will still remain some cases in which it will be hard to determine whether a person of skill in the art would understand the embodiments to define the outer limits of the claim term or merely to be exemplary in nature." [38]
The prosecution history of a patent is part of the " intrinsic evidence" and " consists of the complete record of the proceedings before the PTO and includes the prior art cited during the examination of the patent." [39] " [B]ecause the prosecution history represents an ongoing negotiation between the PTO and the applicant, rather than the final product of that negotiation, it often lacks the clarity of the specification and thus is less useful for claim construction purposes." [40] Nonetheless, " [l]ike the specification, the prosecution history provides evidence of how the PTO and the inventor understood the patent," and accordingly, " can often inform the meaning of the claim language." [41]
Furthermore, the prosecution history " may be given substantial weight in construing a term where that term was added by amendment." [42] This is because Page 320
changes made to the claim terms during the prosecution history " demonstrat[e] how the inventor understood the invention and whether the inventor limited the invention in the course of prosecution, making the claim scope narrower than it would otherwise be." [43] As such, " [w]hen the patentee unequivocally and unambiguously disavows a certain meaning to obtain a patent, the doctrine of prosecution history disclaimer narrows the meaning of the claim consistent with the scope of the claim surrendered." [44] The doctrine applies even where the patentee's statements are not " necessary or persuasive" to the PTO.[45]
The extrinsic record " consists of all evidence external to the patent and prosecution history, including expert and inventor testimony, dictionaries, and learned treatises." [46] Although the Federal Circuit allows district courts to " rely on extrinsic evidence," it views " extrinsic evidence in general as less reliable than the patent and its prosecution history in determining how to read claim terms." [47]
" Generally, a patent's intrinsic record does not warrant consideration of extrinsic evidence." [48] " Where a patent's claims, written description, and prosecution history are complete and unambiguous, a court need not resort to extrinsic evidence such as treatises, technical references, or expert testimony." [49] But " [w]here the intrinsic record leaves ambiguities and unresolved questions . . . a court may consider extrinsic evidence, including expert testimony." [50]
The Federal Circuit has noted that " the decision as to the need for and use of experts is within the sound discretion of the district court." [51] It is unhelpful if an expert " simply recites how [he] would construe [a term] based on his own reading of the specification." [52] On the other hand, expert reports and testimony can help the court by:
[providing] background on the technology at issue, [explaining] how an invention works, [ensuring] that the court's understanding of the technical aspects of the patent is consistent with that of a person of skill in the art, or [establishing] that a particular term in the patent or the prior art has a particular meaning in the pertinent field.[53]
With this in mind, " a court should discount any expert testimony 'that is clearly at odds with the claim construction mandated by the claims themselves, the written description, and the prosecution history, in Page 321
other words, with the written record of the patent.'" [54] " Even if the judge permissibly decide[s] to hear all the possible evidence before construing the claim, the expert testimony, which [is] inconsistent with the specification and file history, should [be] accorded no weight." [55]
C. Means-Plus-Function
" Section 112(f) [of Title 35] allows patentees to put structural details into the specification and build into the literal coverage of the claim a certain scope for equivalents in performing a defined function." [56] Section 112(f) states:
An element in a claim for combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.[57]
This form of claiming, known as means-plus-function claiming, applies to " purely functional limitations that do not provide the structure that performs the recited function." [58] It " represents a quid pro quo by permitting inventors to use a generic means expression for a claim limitation provided that the specification indicates what structure(s) constitute(s) the means." [59]
" [W]hether the limitation in question should be regarded as a means-plus-function limitation, like all claim construction issues, is a question of law for the court, even though . . . evidence from experts may be relevant." [60] As with any claim term, a court examines " the words of the claims themselves, the written description, the prosecution history, and any relevant extrinsic evidence." [61] " [W]hether claim language invokes Section 112, ¶ 6 depends on how those skilled in the art would understand the structural significance of that claim language, assessed against the presumptions that flow from a drafter's choice to employ or not employ the term 'means.'" [62]
The Federal Circuit has established " two guidelines for determining whether the special rules of claim construction set forth in Section 112, ¶ 6 apply to a given claim limitation." [63] First, " use of the word 'means' creates a rebuttable presumption that the drafter intended to invoke Section 112, ¶ 6." [64] A challenger may rebut the presumption where a claim recites Page 322
a function " but then goes on to elaborate sufficient structure, material, or acts within the claim itself to perform entirely the recited function." [65] In such a case, " the claim is not in means-plus-function format even if the claim uses the term means." [66]
Conversely, " [i]f a claim term does not use the word 'means,' we presume that means-plus-function claiming does not apply." [67] " [T]he presumption flowing from the absence of the term 'means' is a strong one that is not readily overcome." [68] In deciding whether a challenger has rebutted the presumption, " the focus remains on whether the claim as properly construed recites sufficiently definite structure to avoid the ambit of § 112, ¶ 6." [69] The Federal Circuit requires only that " the claim term be used in common parlance or by ordinarily skilled artisans to designate sufficiently definite structure, 'even if the term covers a broad class of structures.'" [70] " If, however, the claim term recites a function without reciting sufficient structure for performing that function, the presumption falls and means-plus-function claiming applies." [71]
Construction of a means-plus-function limitation involves two steps. " First, the court must determine the claimed function." [72] " Second, the court must identify the corresponding structure in the written description of the patent that performs the function." [73] " A structure disclosed in the specification qualifies as a 'corresponding structure' if the specification or the prosecution history clearly links or associates that structure to the function recited in the claim." [74]
" Whether a claim complies with the definiteness requirement of 35 U.S.C. § 112 ¶ 2 is a matter of claim construction." [75] Section 112, ¶ 2 states:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.[76]
Under this section, the inventor has a duty to " inform the public of the bounds of the protected invention, i.e., what subject matter is covered by the exclusive rights of the patent." [77] An inventor's failure to " particularly point[] out and distinctly claim[]" the subject matter of her invention renders the claim invalid.[78]
Patents issued by the PTO enjoy a presumption of validity,[79] and so indefiniteness must be proved by clear and convincing evidence.[80] Whether a claim is indefinite is a question of law,[81] although " [e]xpert testimony may be helpful in making this determination." [82] " A claim is definite if one skilled in the art would understand the bounds of the claim when read in light of the specification." [83] " A claim is not indefinite merely because it is difficult to construe." [84] To be indefinite, it must be such that " no narrowing construction can properly be adopted" to interpret the claim.[85]
If a means-plus-function limitation lacks a " structure disclosed in the specification to perform those functions, the claim limitation would lack specificity, rendering the claim as a whole invalid for indefiniteness." [86] A structure disclosed in the specification qualifies as a " corresponding structure" if the specification or the prosecution history " clearly links or associates that structure to the function recited in the claim." [87] " Even if the specification discloses a 'corresponding structure,' the disclosure must be adequate . . . [to] show[] what is meant by that [claim] language." [88] " [T]he testimony of one of ordinary skill in the art cannot supplant the total absence of structure from the specification." [89]
A. General Claim Construction Issues
At the Markman hearing and in their briefs, the parties disagreed on several claim construction issues. Because the issues pertain to claim construction in general, I will address them before construing the individual terms.
1. RTI's Expert
Broadvox argues that the Court should not consider the declaration of RTI's expert, Bradley Walton.[90] First, Broadvox objects that Walton's opinions are conclusory and contradict the intrinsic record.[91] RTI responds that Walton reviewed the relevant claims, specification, and prosecution history to form his opinions.[92] RTI notes that Walton is an electrical engineer in the telecommunications field, i.e., a person of ordinary skill in the art.[93] Broadvox's objections are overruled. Expert testimony may be useful to the Page 324
Court in construing RTI's claims.[94] If I find that a construction proposed by Walton contradicts the intrinsic evidence, I will simply discount it.
Second, Broadvox argues that Walton's opinion is irrelevant because he failed to examine the entire prosecution history, specifically the reexaminations of the patents-in-suit.[95] But at the Markman hearing, Mr. Spencer -- counsel for RTI -- represented that he had personal knowledge that Walton reviewed " the entire prosecution history." [96] Thus, I will consider Walton's opinions, including his determination of whether means-plus-function applies to certain terms.
2. Prior Judicial Construction of Claim Terms
The parties next disagree on the precedential effect of the MediaCom cases, in which Judge Young construed several of the claim terms at issue here. Broadvox contends that this Court is bound by the prior constructions under stare decisis.[97] RTI urges this Court not to follow the MediaCom opinions, given that they were interlocutory and decided prior to the reexaminations.[98] While I am certainly not bound by the MediaCom opinions, I find them persuasive.[99] As I stated at the Markman hearing:
RTI was [before Judge Young in the MediaCom cases] and had a full and fair opportunity to litigate. It sounds like estoppel almost. . . . [RTI] litigated that very claim term fully, completely, and the Court spent a lot of time on it, had this expert, made a record, issued two decisions. That's pretty persuasive to me.[100]
Moreover, as Broadvox notes, " the MediaCom cases were decided before the subsequent reexaminations, where RTI was forced to overcome new prior art." [101] Thus, the prior constructions are more favorable to RTI, than they would be today.
3. Effect of Prosecution History
Next, RTI argues that, for purposes of claim construction, it is not bound by statements it made to the PTO Board of Appeals.[102] RTI cites no case law to support its assertion, and I see no reason why RTI's statements to the PTO Appeals Board should not give rise to a prosecution disclaimer where they " unequivocally and unambiguously disavow[] a certain meaning . . ." [103]
Finally, RTI argues that prosecution history statements are never relevant to the determination of whether " means-plus-function" Page 325
claiming applies.[104] RTI cites only to Robinson v. Cannondale Corporation, where the Federal Circuit found that means-plus-function did not apply to a claim that used the word " means" because it recited sufficient structure to perform the function.[105] In that case, the court did not need to examine the prosecution history because the claim language clearly recited the claimed structure.[106] This does not mean that prosecution history is never relevant to the determination of whether means-plus-function applies. To the contrary, under Federal Circuit law, it generally is.[107]
B. Disputed Constructions for Claim 1 of the '085 Patent
1. " a housing forming an enclosure and comprising" RTI argues that " a housing forming an enclosure and comprising" should be construed as " one or more housings forming one or more enclosures." [108] Broadvox proposes " a unitary physical structure that includes a first jack for connection to a first telephone and a second jack for connection to a network." [109] The difference between the proposed constructions is whether both the first and second jack means must be contained in a single housing.
I begin with the intrinsic evidence. The plain language of the claim is consistent with the specification and prosecution history and indicates a single housing enclosing both the first and second jack means. The claim refers to " [a] housing forming an enclosure and comprising first jack means for connection to said second jack means . . ." [110] The patent's abstract states, " [t]he device components are contained in the enclosure." [111] Figure 7 illustrates a single housing forming an enclosure connected to a first jack means and a second jack means.[112] Finally, other parts of the specification use similar language, such as " [a] housing forms an enclosure and has jacks mounted on the housing . . . [a] first jack interconnects to the phone side of the phone line and a second jack interconnects to the network side of the Page 326
phone line." [113] Broadvox agrees with RTI, however, that the claimed device can have more than one " housing forming an enclosure." [114] Therefore, I define " a housing forming an enclosure" to mean " a unitary physical structure that includes a first jack for connection to a first telephone and a second jack for connection to a network. A claimed device may have more than one housing forming an enclosure, as defined above." 2. " switch means operatively connected to said first jack means for disconnecting said first telephone from said network during routing of a telephone call from said first telephone" The parties disagree on whether " switch means" is a means-plus-function limitation governed by Section 112(f). In MediaCom I, Judge Young ruled that it is not, reasoning:
Although the switch means element employs " means of ing" language, it is not a means-plus-function claim, because it describes the structure that supports the disconnecting function (i.e. a switch or switches). Not only is the structure named, but it is described as connected to an adjacent structure, the first jack. Because this element of claim 1 recites a definite structure, it is not a means-plus-function claim element.[115]
In construing " switch means," Judge Young observed that " [a]lthough the switch means claim element is not limited by the structure shown in the specification, the specification nevertheless informs construction of the terms in the claim." [116] He concluded that " [n]o special definition appears in the specification to indicate that the words 'switch' or 'disconnect' are to be understood in any way other than their ordinary meanings." [117] At the Markman hearing, Broadvox conceded that the subsequent reexaminations did not change the claim language.[118] Thus, I see no reason why MediaCom I should not control and therefore conclude that this phrase is not governed by the means-plus-function limitation of Section 112(b). I define the phrase as: " switch operatively connected to said first jack for disconnecting said first telephone from said network during routing of a telephone call from said first telephone." 3. " disconnecting" Within the " switch means" phrase, the parties dispute the meaning of the word " disconnecting." Again, the MediaCom decisions are instructive. In MediaCom II, Judge Young construed " disconnecting" to mean, " the interruption--the breaking or opening--of the electrical circuit between the telephone jack and the network." [119] Broadvox urges this construction and RTI offers no good reason why I should not adopt it.[120] Thus, Page 327
I construe " disconnecting" as " the interruption--the breaking or opening--of the electrical circuit between the telephone jack and the network." 4. & 5. " means operatively connected to said switch means for generating a current through said switch means to the first telephone corresponding to a current provided by said network, when the first telephone is disconnected from said network to said switch means" [121]
The parties again disagree on whether the phrase is a " means-plus-function" limitation.[122] The court in MediaCom I answered as follows:
As a preliminary matter, this Court construes the generating means element of the claim as a means-plus-function element because it describes no particular structure for performing the function of generating a current corresponding to a current provided by the network.[123]
The court then looked to the specification to find a description of the structure that generates current.[124] After examining the intrinsic evidence, the court concluded that " claim 1 presents questions that are sufficiently complex and technical that the court would be remiss to impose its lay understanding on this patent claim without the benefit of expert guidance." [125] In MediaCom II, the court returned to the phrase. After considering the testimony of RTI's expert, Stephen Burns, the court construed the phrase as " an intermediate element that conditions or regulates electrical power from a more distant source so that it corresponds to the current that would otherwise have been provided directly by the telephone network, and passes the current through the switch to power the telephone." [126]
RTI argues that even if the term is a means-plus-function limitation, Walton opined that " current source is the level of detail that the artisan would need to know what performs the function." [127] But as I said at the Markman hearing, Walton may not add language to the claim.[128] Moreover, Judge Young construed the term with the benefit of RTI's previous expert. I therefore adopt Judge Young's construction.[129] I construe " means operatively connected . . . switch means" as " an intermediate element that conditions or regulates electrical power from a more distant source so that it corresponds to the current that would otherwise have been provided directly by the telephone network, and passes the current through the switch to power the telephone." 6. " means operatively connected to said switch means for detecting and storing said telephone number originating from the first telephone" Once again, the parties debate whether this term is a means-plus-function limitation. Because the term uses the word " means," there is a presumption that Page 328
Section 112(f) applies.[130] To rebut the presumption, RTI contends that " the artisan understands the terms 'detecting' and 'storing' as describing or defining a class of logic operations (i.e., structures) that detect and store." [131] RTI urges that the phrase be construed as " logic operatively connected to a switch for detecting and storing a telephone number originating from the telephone." [132] RTI explains that " logic" refers to a " software program." [133] As the Federal Circuit has held:
[B]ecause general purpose computers can be programmed to perform very different tasks in very different ways, simply disclosing a computer as the structure designated to perform a particular function does not limit the scope of the claim to the corresponding structure, material, or acts that perform the function, as required by Section 112(f).[134]
Here, " logic" refers to no structure. Because RTI has engaged in " pure functional claiming," Section 112(f) applies.[135]
The first step in construing a means-plus-function limitation is to " determine the claimed function." [136] Because the parties urge no particular meaning of the words used to recite the function, the Court gives them their ordinary meaning.[137] Thus, looking only at the language of the claim without narrowing its scope, I construe the function as " detecting and storing said telephone number originating from the first telephone." Next, " the court must identify the corresponding structure in the written description of the patent that performs the function." [138] Broadvox and RTI surprisingly cite to the same sections of the specification for the structure, column 4 lines 40-43, which states, " [t]he dial tone detect circuit 86 connects to the line coming from the polarity guard 42 and connects to the line detector 40. The DTMF tone detector 88 detects the tones generated from the first phone." [139] Based on a reading of the full specification, the DTMF tone detector (88) detects and saves any digit it detects, other than the pound sign.[140]
Broadvox further notes that during the '085 Patent reexamination, RTI urged that the phrase be construed as a means-plus-function element and identified the structure as " Ref No. 88, Col. 4, lines 40-43, Fig. 2." [141] Based on the specification and prosecution history, I define the function as " detecting and storing said telephone number originating from the first telephone." I construe the corresponding structure as described in column 4 lines 40-43 and as displayed in Figure 2. The dial tone detect circuit (86) connects to the line coming from the polarity guard (42) and connects to the line detector (40). The DTMF tone detector (88) detects and Page 329
saves tones generated from the first phone.
7. " means for addressing said database means for identifying a plurality of communication switch paths to said second telephone and the cost rate of each path" The term " means" gives rise to a presumption that Section 112(f) applies.[142] Despite the presumption, RTI argues that the artisan understands the term " database" as connoting sufficient structure.[143] As such, RTI's proposed construction for the term is " logic for addressing said database means for identifying a plurality of communication switch paths to said second telephone and the cost rate of each path." [144] However, " [i]t is not enough for the patentee simply to state or later argue that persons of ordinary skill in the art would know what structures to use to accomplish the claimed function." [145] Because the claim language itself provides no structure, Section 112(f) applies.
First, because the parties urge no particular meaning of the words that recite the function, the Court gives them their ordinary meaning. Thus, the claimed function is " addressing a database that identifies a plurality of communication switch paths to said second telephone and the cost rate of each path." Second, the corresponding structure is the algorithm disclosed in the specification column 6 lines 7-47 and Figure 5.[146] In the reexamination, RTI identified the structure as " Ref. No. 50, Col. 6 lines 2-30, Fig. 5." [147] However, column 6 lines 7-47 recites the entire structure required to perform the function.
Based on the specification and prosecution history, I construe the phrase to perform the function of " addressing a database that identifies a plurality of communication switch paths to said second telephone and the cost rate of each path." The corresponding structure is the algorithm disclosed in the specification at column 6 lines 7-47 and Figure 5.
8. " means actuated subsequent to the detection of said telephone number originating from said first telephone for comparing the cost rate of each path so as to determine a least cost route" As with phrases 6 and 7, this phrase uses the word " means." By arguing that a skilled artisan " understands the phrase . . . to mean comparing logic actuated subsequent to the detection of said telephone number originating from a first telephone for comparing the cost rate of each path so as to determine a least cost route," RTI again fails to rebut the presumption that Section 112(f) applies.[148] " Comparing logic" appears nowhere in the claim language. Thus, " means actuated" is a means-plus-function limitation.
The parties also disagree on the structure. RTI argues that even if Section 112(f) applies " a person having ordinary skill in the art understands that comparing logic provides sufficient structure for comparing the cost rate of each path." [149] Broadvox contends that the specification fails Page 330
to describe a corresponding function, rendering the claim indefinite.[150]
Here, based on the specification and prosecution history, I find that the structure is enclosed in the microprocessing unit (" MPU" ) 50, which includes a conventional address 60, control 62, and data buses 64, and an input output bus 66.[151] I thus construe the function as " comparing the cost rate of each path so as to determine a least cost route." The corresponding structure is enclosed in the MPU 50 and described in column 2 lines 10-11, column 4 lines 1-16, column 6 lines 22-25, and Figures 2 and 5.[152]
9. " means operatively connected to said switch means and said second jack means for generating a number sequence corresponding to a desired carrier so that said call is routed through said second jack means to the selected communication path and carrier to establish a switched connection between said first telephone and said second telephone" The word " means" gives rise to a presumption that Section 112(f) applies. RTI once again attempts to rebut the presumption by replacing " means" with " logic" and arguing that an artisan would be able to identify structure.[153] However, Federal Circuit law is clear that " [a] patentee cannot avoid providing specificity as to structure simply because someone of ordinary skill in the art would be able to devise a means to perform the claimed function." [154]
Given that means-plus-function applies, the parties disagree on the proposed structure. Citing to the specification and prosecution history, Broadvox argues that the structure is " the combination of a tone generator with a crystal oscillator (which generates the number sequence), and an analog switch (so that " call is routed through said second jack means to the selected communication path . . ." ).[155] Broadvox cites column 2 lines 11-18, column 4 lines 34-39, and Figure 2 for support.[156]
RTI contends that Broadvox's proposed construction " violates the doctrine of claim differentiation" by limiting claim 1 to the structure of dependent claim 5.[157] Claim 5 states " the device according to claim 1 wherein said means for generating said number sequence comprises a dual tone multifrequency generator." [158] RTI also objects that Broadvox improperly imports terms from the " preferred embodiment" by citing to column 4 lines 34-39 and Figure 2.[159]
RTI's objections are meritless. Where a claim term and a dependent claim term " concern the same function" and a structure for performing that function is disclosed, " a patentee cannot rely on claim differentiation to broaden a means-plus-function limitation beyond those structures Page 331
specifically disclosed in the specification." [160] Additionally, Section 112(f) requires a court to import " the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification." [161]
I therefore construe the claimed functions as " generating a number sequence corresponding to a desired carrier for routing call to establish a switched connection between said first telephone and said second telephone." I construe the corresponding structure as described in column 2 lines 11-18, column 4 lines 34-39, and Figure 2.
C. Disputed Constructions for Claim 1 of the '769 Patent
1. " at a predetermined time and date" RTI argues that an artisan would construe the phrase as " at a predetermined date and time." [162] Broadvox responds that this Court should follow Judge Young's construction in MediaCom I.[163] Judge Young defined the phrase as " a time and date for calling the rate provider are selected a substantial period in advance of the call." [164] Moreover, during the '769 Patent reexamination, RTI limited the meaning of " predetermined date and time to overcome prior art," stating:
It is also noted that [the prior art] fails to meet the claim language because it does not teach that the call rating device connects to the rate provider " at a predetermined time and date." [The prior art] teaches . . . only that the internal clock triggers the processor " at given time intervals." Programming the system to update at selected time intervals (e.g. once a week) is not the same as programming it to update at a particular date and time (e.g. May 4, 2001 at 8:45 a.m.).[165]
As Judge Young stated, " [t]he words [at a predetermined date and time] used in the claim are simple English . . . . On its face, the language signifies that a particular time and date must be selected substantially in advance of the connection." [166] In light of the prosecution history and construction, I mostly agree with Judge Young's construction. However, I disagree that " at a predetermined date and time" by its plain terms requires that the date and time be selected substantially in advance.[167] Nothing in the prosecution history or specification suggests that the word " substantially" is required.[168] I therefore construe " at a predetermined date and time" as " a time and date for calling the rate provider selected a period in advance of the call." 2. " call rating device" Although the patent does not use the word " means," Broadvox argues that Section 112(f) applies because the Federal Circuit has recognized that " generic terms 'mechanism,' 'means,' 'element,' and 'device,' typically do not connote sufficiently Page 332
definite structure." [169] Broadvox proposes that the phrase be construed as " an identifiable physical component having the function of receiving rate information from a rate provider over a data transfer line, incorporating the rate information and thereafter managing calls over the least cost routing route." [170] For structure, Broadvox pieces together various lines from the specification.[171]
The phrase at issue is not a means-plus-function limitation under Section 112(f). First, the phrase does not contain the word " means." The Federal Circuit will not apply Section 112(f) if the limitation contains a term that " is used in common parlance or by persons of skill in the pertinent art to designate structure." [172] " Call rating device" presumptively connotes a sufficient structure to those skilled in the art.[173] Walton explains that such devices were known.[174] Furthermore, the specification explains that the invention in the earlier filed '085 Patent is a call rating device, also known as a least cost routing device.[175] As Broadvox notes, during the '085 Patent reexamination, RTI distinguished its invention from prior art that included " more primitive" least cost routing devices.[176] Finally, although he did not construe the phrase, Judge Young noted that " call rating device" is a known generic term for " Least Cost Routing Device." [177] Thus, the specification and common parlance impart sufficient structure such that Section 112(f) does not apply. At the Markman hearing, Broadvox argued that " call rating device" is a vague term because it is not clear what is being rated, but RTI clarified that the rating is " based on cost." [178] For clarity, I construe " call rating device" as used in the patents-at-issue as " least cost routing device." 3. " transmitting over the data transfer line" Broadvox urges that the term be construed as " conveying information over the same wire operatively connected to a call rating device on one end and a phone network on the other." [179] RTI urges the Court to construe the phrase as " transmitting over the data transfer line." [180] RTI argues that Broadvox improperly limits the term to mean a single data transfer line even in the face of Federal Circuit law that definite articles such as " a," " an," or " the" mean " one or more." [181] Broadvox responds that RTI's proposed construction will mislead the jury into thinking that information is communicated via a data transfer line different from the earlier defined line.[182] Thus, the debate is whether " data transfer line" refers to the same Page 333
" data transfer line" mentioned earlier in Claim 1.
Claim 1 states the following limitations:
[i] connecting at a predetermined time and date via a data transfer line the call rating device to a rate provider having billing rate parameters for a plurality of calling stations; [ii] transmitting over the data transfer line indicia identifying the call rating device and the date and time of the last update of the billing rate parameters . . .[183]
Although RTI is correct that the antecedent phrase, " a data transfer line" is broad enough to cover multiple lines, each use of the phrase " the data transfer line" still refers to the antecedent phrase.[184] The phrase " data transfer line" connects the call rating device to a rate provider. I therefore adopt Broadvox's construction with the modification that more than one wire may connect the call rating device to the phone network.[185] I construe the phrase as " transmitting information over the same wire or wires operatively connected to a call rating device on one end and a phone network on the other." 4. " verifying if billing rate parameters should be updated" Broadvox urges the Court to construe the claim as " the rate provider, based on the information received from the call rating device, verifies if the billing rate parameters should be updated." [186] RTI contends that 186 the term should be construed as is: " verifying if billing rate parameters should be updated." [187] The issue is whether the Court must identify the actor doing the " verifying." RTI suggests that the Court follow Judge Young's analysis of a similar term.[188] In construing " connecting at a predetermined data and time" in Mediacom I, Judge Young concluded that " [t]he language does not require that the person responsible for the selection be identified in order to give meaning to the claim." [189] RTI argues that the same is true for the " verifying" step.[190]
I disagree. As I stated at the Markman hearing, " verifying" is an act that requires an actor, while " connecting" may not be.[191] If the actor cannot be identified, the claim fails for indefiniteness.[192] However, when read in the context of claim 1, there is no doubt that the rate provider does the " verifying." Claim 1 recites:
A method for updating a database . . . comprising the steps of:
[iv] transmitting from the rate provider to the call rating device the updated billing rate parameters when the rate provider determines that an update is required.[193]
Thus, the call rating device sends information -- including information on the last update -- to the rate provider. The rate provider verifies if billing parameters should be updated. If the rate provider determines that an update is required, it transmits updated billing rate parameters to the call rating device. I therefore adopt Broadvox's construction. I construe " verifying if billing parameters should be updated" as " the rate provider, based on the information received from the call rating device, verifies if the billing rate parameters should be updated." 5. " transmitting from the rate provider to the call rating device" Similarly, Broadvox suggests that the term be construed as " the rate provider, based on the information received from the call rating device, transmits the billing rate parameters to the call rating device." [194] RTI contends that the term be construed as is: " transmitting from the rate provider to the call rating device." [195] The parties disagree on whether to include the phrase " based on the information received from the call rating device." Broadvox argues that the phrase derives from the second limitation of claim 1: " transmitting . . . indicia identifying the call rating device and the date and time of the last update of the billing rate parameters." [196] If the rate provider " determines that an update is required" based on this indicia, it transmits the updated billing parameters to the call rating device. Broadvox also cites to column 5 lines 55-59 of the specification, stating:
As shown in Fig. 7, the rate provider receives the update request from the call rating device (block 160). It receives 1) the calling station's phone number; 2) the date and time of the last update; and 3) the current date and time (block 162) . . . If a newer rate table is available, (block 173), then an update flag is initiated by the processing unit of the rate provider (block 174) and the update is sent . . .[197]
RTI responds that Broadvox's added language " breeds confusion and redundancy," but,[198] based on the claim language and the specification, I disagree. I construe " transmitting from the rate provider to the call rating device" as " the rate provider, based on the information received from the call rating device, transmits the billing rate parameters to the call rating device." Page 335
V. CONCLUSION For the aforementioned reasons, I construe the disputed terms as follows:
'085 Patent, Claim 1 Term/Phrase Construction 1. " a housing forming an " a unitary physical structure that includes a enclosure and comprising" first jack for connection to a first telephone and a second jack for connection to a network. A claimed device may have more than one housing forming an enclosure, as defined above." 2. " switch means operatively " switch operatively connected to said first jack connected to said first jack for disconnecting said first telephone from said means for disconnecting (as network during routing of a telephone call from defined below) said first said first telephone." telephone from said network during routing of a telephone call from said first telephone" 3. " disconnecting" " the interruption--the breaking or opening--of the electrical circuit between the telephone jack and the network." 4 & 5. " means operatively " an intermediate element that conditions or connected to said switch regulates electrical power from a more distant means for generating a source so that it corresponds to the current that current through said switch would otherwise have been provided directly by means to the first telephone the telephone network, and passes the current corresponding to a current through the switch to power the telephone." provided by said network, when the first telephone is disconnected from said network to said switch means" 6. " means operatively This is a means-plus-function element, whose connected to said switch construction is governed by 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). means for detecting and function : detecting and storing said telephone storing said telephone number originating from the first telephone. number originating from the Structure : col. 4 ll. 40-43 and Fig. 2. The dial first telephone" tone detect circuit (86) connects to the line coming from the polarity guard (42) and connects to the line detector (40). The DTMF tone detector (88) detects and saves tones generated from the first phone. 7. " means for addressing This is a means-plus-function element, whose said database means for construction is governed by 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). identifying a plurality of function : addressing a database that identifies a communication switch paths plurality of communication switch paths to said to said second telephone and second telephone and the cost rate of each path. the cost rate of each path" Structure : the algorithm disclosed in the specification at col. 6 ll. 7-47 and Fig. 5. 8. " means actuated This is a means-plus-function element, whose subsequent to the detection construction is governed by 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). of said telephone number function : comparing the cost rate of each path originating from said first so as to determine a least cost route. telephone for comparing the Structure : Ref. No. 50; col. 2 ll. 10-11; col. 4 cost rate of each path so ll. 1-16; col. 6 ll. 22-25; Figs. 2, 5. as to determine a least cost route" 9. " means operatively This is a means-plus-function element, whose connected to said switch construction is governed by 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). means and said second jack function : generating a number sequence means for generating a corresponding to a desired carrier for routing number sequence call to establish a switched connection between corresponding to a desired said first telephone and said second telephone. carrier so that said call Structure : col. 2 ll. 11-18; col. 4 ll. 34-39 and is routed through said Fig. 2. second jack means to the selected communication path and carrier to establish a switched connection between said first telephone and said second telephone" '769 Patent, Claim 1 Term/Phrase Construction 1. " at a predetermined " a time and date for calling the rate provider time and date" selected a period in advance of the call." 2. " call rating device" " least cost routing device." 3. " transmitting over the " transmitting information over the same wire data transfer line" or wires operatively connected to a call rating device on one end and a phone network on the other." 4. " verifying if billing " the rate provider, based on the information rate parameters should be received from the call rating device, verifies if updated" the billing rate parameters should be updated." 5. " transmitting from the " the rate provider, based on the information rate provider to the call received from the call rating device, transmits rating device" the billing rate parameters to the call rating device." Page 336