Opinion ID: 210008
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: A portable computer comprising:

Text: a) a microprocessor for processing instructions; b) a housing containing the microprocessor; c) a plurality of computer-peripheral-device-specific connectors in electrical communication with the microprocessor such that each of said plurality of computer-peripheral-device specific connectors provides a computer-peripheral-device specific data link to said microprocessors, said connectors for connecting the microprocessor to specific computer peripheral devices and being mounted on the housing; and d) another single connector on the housing, said single connector comprising a set of pins, said set further comprising a plurality of subsets of computer-peripheral-device-specific pins being in electrical communication with said microprocessor such that one of each of said subsets of computer-peripheral-device-specific pins provides the same computer-peripheral-device-specific data link as said each of said plurality of computer-peripheral-device-specific connectors, said single connector for making all connections from the microprocessor to said specific computer peripheral devices. Id. col.12 II.11-34 (emphases added). During prosecution, the examiner rejected several claims as anticipated and obvious in view of U.S. Patent No. 5,030,128 to Herron et al. ('128 patent or Herron). Herron discloses a laptop computer and a docking module that facilitates operation on a desktop. Herron connects each peripheral to the docking module. '128 patent col.2 II.3-38. Attempting to distinguish Herron, the applicants expressly defined their invention in different terms. In addition, the applicants amended the claims. After an interview, the examiner found that the amended claims directed to redundant connectors (one set plural & one a single connector) would be allowable. The '645 patent issued in February 1993 and was later assigned to CDSC. Defendants produce various computer devices, including laptops and docking stations. In its amended complaint, CDSC identified a number of defendants' laptop computers and docking stations as infringing. The record shows that each accused laptop computer has a built-in display or keyboard. The district court construed portable computer and portable computer microprocessing system in the preambles of the asserted claims to mean a computer without a built-in display or keyboard that is capable of being moved or carried about. Claim Construction Order, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 58388, at -33. The trial court determined that the prosecution history and the specification distinguished the claimed invention from a laptop computer. In particular, the district court found that the applicants had emphasized the differences between their invention and laptop computers to overcome the examiner's rejections based on Herron. Because the district court held that the statements in the prosecution history amounted to a clear and unmistakable disavowal, it construed the terms portable computer and portable computer microprocessing system to exclude computers with built-in displays or keyboards. Id. at -24. The district court also construed the phrase said single connector for making all connections from the microprocessor to said computer peripheral devices to require that all individual peripheral device connections on the housing that connect to the microprocessor also pass through the single connector. Id. at -45. Based on these claim interpretations, CDSC itself sought entry of final judgment of non-infringement, conceding that none of the accused products meets the court's construction of the portable computer limitation. CDSC also noted that some of the accused products do not satisfy the all connections limitation. CDSC admitted that each accused product includes a computer that has a keyboard and display that are affixed to the housing . . . and are not designed to be detached in ordinary use. PL's Mem. Supp. Entry Final J. Non-Infringe. and Certification, Case No. 06-C-0032-C, Docket No. 105, filed Sept. 15, 2006, at 2. Defendants opposed the motion, because the parties could not agree on the form of judgment for the all connections limitation. The district court denied CDSC's motion. Computer Docking Station Corp. v. Dell, Inc., Case No. 06-C-0032-C, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 74421 (W.D.Wis. Oct. 11, 2006). Defendants then moved for summary judgment of non-infringement based on both limitations. Because Defendants introduced new documents in support of their motion as it related to the all connections limitation, CDSC filed a Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56(f) motion for additional discovery. The district court denied the Rule 56(f) motion and granted Defendants' motion for summary judgment based on both limitations. Summary Judgment Order, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 2419. The district court denied Defendants' motion for attorney fees and costs under 35 U.S.C. § 285. Computer Docking Station Corp. v. Dell, Inc., Case No. 06-C-0032-C, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 24045 (W.D.Wis. Mar.29, 2007) ( Fees Order ). CDSC appeals the district court's construction of the portable computer and all connections limitations, its grant of summary judgment on both limitations, and its denial of CDSC's Rule 56(f) motion. Defendants appeal the district court's denial of the motion for attorney fees. This court has jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1295(a)(1).