Opinion ID: 208671
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: transparent window layer

Text: The ALJ construed transparent window layer as a transparent layer that spreads current, composed of semiconductor material different from AlGaInP, where the material has a bandgap greater than the bandgap of the active layers and a resistivity lower than the active layers. Order Construing the Terms of the Asserted Claims of the Patents at Issue, No. 337-TA-556, Order No. 27, at 16-19 (Int'l Trade Comm'n July 31, 2006) ( Claim Construction Order ). During the Commission proceedings, Epistar argued that the specification disavowed the use of ITO in the window layer. Epistar further argued that the transparent window layer feature cannot use ITO because such a construction would render the claim anticipated or obvious in view of the prior art. Specifically, Epistar cited U.S. Patent No. 4,495,514 (Lawrence) and a 1980 Japanese Patent Application No. JP57111076A to Yamagoshi, et al. (Yamagoshi), to support its argument and attempt to contest the validity of the '718 patent. Claim Construction Order, slip op. at 16-19. After examining the relevant intrinsic evidence, the ALJ rejected Epistar's proposed interpretation. The ALJ found that the specification did not expressly disavow the use of ITO. Id. at 29. He explained that references in the specification to ITO discuss drawbacks to the use of ITO as a front contact, not as a transparent window layer. Id. The ALJ also declined to find that a statement in the background section that the use of ITO was not `completely satisfactory' as a front contact is a disclaimer that ITO does not fall within the scope of the claimed `transparent window layer.' Initial Determination, No. 337-TA-556, slip op. at 39-40 (Int'l Trade Comm'n Jan. 8, 2007). The ALJ also rejected Epistar's argument that the specification's verbiage `by promoting current spreading without blocking the light generated or increasing series resistance' serves as a limitation on the claimed `transparent window layer.' Id. at 40. Accordingly, the ALJ construed the scope of transparent window layer to include ITO.