PTAB

IPR2015-01264

Bungie Inc v. Worlds Inc

Key Events

Petition

petition

Title: System and Method for Enabling Users to Interact in a Virtual Space
Brief Description: The ’856 patent discloses a client-server network system that enables multiple users, represented by avatars, to interact in a shared virtual world. The system utilizes server-side filtering to limit the amount of positional data sent to each user's client process, which then further processes the received data to determine which avatars to display from the user's perspective.

Prior Art Relied Upon: Funkhouser (“RING: A Client-Server System for Multi-User Virtual Environments,” a 1995 paper from the Symposium on Interactive 3D Graphics).
Core Argument for this Ground:
- Prior Art Mapping: Petitioner argued that Funkhouser discloses every element of claim 1. Funkhouser describes a client-server system for multi-user 3D virtual environments that reduces network traffic using "server-based message culling." This server-side filtering sends avatar position updates "only to workstations with entities that can potentially perceive the change," meaning a client receives data for fewer than all users. Upon receiving this filtered data, the client workstation processes the information to determine which avatars to display from the user's specific point of view. Petitioner asserted this two-step process of server-side filtering followed by client-side determination directly maps to the limitations of claim 1, particularly the limitations that were relied upon for allowance during prosecution.
- Key Aspects: Petitioner emphasized that Funkhouser, as a printed publication available before the patent's priority date, teaches the very server-filtering concept that the patent examiner previously found lacking in other prior art.

Prior Art Relied Upon: Durward (Patent 5,659,691).
Core Argument for this Ground:
- Prior Art Mapping: Petitioner contended that Durward, which predates the ’856 patent’s priority date by more than two years, also anticipates claim 1. Durward describes a virtual reality network featuring "selective distribution and updating of data" to reduce bandwidth. The system assigns each user a "visual relevant space" and the central server communicates state changes only for other users and objects within that space. This discloses the claimed step of a client receiving positional data for a selected subset (fewer than all) of other avatars. Durward further teaches that the client workstation receives this data and then determines which of the avatars within the "visual relevant space" are actually within the user's "field of vision" to be displayed.
- Key Aspects: This ground was presented as a non-redundant alternative to the Funkhouser ground. Petitioner noted that Durward's much earlier filing date would moot any attempt by the Patent Owner to "swear behind" the Funkhouser reference by claiming an earlier invention date.

"avatar": Petitioner proposed this term be construed as "a graphical representation of a user." This construction was argued to be consistent with its use in the patent specification and its plain and ordinary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention.
"determining": Petitioner argued this term, in the context of claim 1, refers to the client process executing a step after receiving the filtered positional data from the server. This step involves identifying which of the received avatars are located within the user's specific perspective (e.g., field of view) and should therefore be displayed. This construction distinguishes the client-side determination from the server-side filtering that precedes it.

Petitioner requests institution of an inter partes review and cancellation of claim 1 of Patent 7,945,856 as unpatentable.