Panduit Corp v. Corning Optical Communications LLC

1. Case Identification

• Case #: IPR2016-01647
• Patent #: 6,758,600
• Filed: August 19, 2016
• Petitioner(s): Panduit Corp.
• Patent Owner(s): CCS Technology, Inc.
• Challenged Claims: 1-4

2. Patent Overview

• Title: Optical Polarity Modules and Systems
• Brief Description: The ’600 patent relates to an optical networking module used with multi-fiber ribbon cables to manage transmitter/receiver polarity. The patent discloses a specific internal fiber routing scheme where fibers are crisscrossed to connect non-adjacent optical paths, allowing identical modules to be used at both ends of a trunk cable to simplify inventory and reduce installation errors.

3. Grounds for Unpatentability

Ground 1: Anticipation of Claims 1-2 under §102(b) by Toyooka

• Prior Art Relied Upon: Toyooka (Japanese Patent Publication No. H11-160542).
• Core Argument for this Ground:
  • Prior Art Mapping: Petitioner argued that Toyooka discloses every limitation of claims 1 and 2. Toyooka’s “optical-fiber wiring unit” was asserted to be an optical interconnection module as claimed, comprising a box (enclosure), a multicore connector, and single-core connectors. Petitioner contended that the key limitation of claim 1—routing a fiber pair to connect at least two non-adjacent optical paths—is explicitly taught by Toyooka’s Figure 1. This figure illustrates a wiring scheme where adjacent single-core connectors are paired and routed to symmetrically opposed, non-adjacent cores of the multicore connector. For dependent claim 2, which adds a limitation that at least 80% of fiber pairs are routed to non-adjacent paths, Petitioner argued that while Toyooka’s figure illustrates 75% (3 of 4 pairs), the reference teaches that the number of fibers is variable. A POSITA would understand that extending this disclosed routing scheme to a standard 12-fiber system would inherently meet the 80% threshold.

Ground 2: Obviousness of Claims 1-2 under §103 over Toyooka in view of Kang

• Prior Art Relied Upon: Toyooka (Japanese Patent Publication No. H11-160542) and Kang (Patent 6,604,866).
• Core Argument for this Ground:
  • Prior Art Mapping: Petitioner asserted that to the extent any limitation was not explicitly disclosed in Toyooka, the combination with Kang rendered claims 1-2 obvious. Toyooka was argued to teach the fundamental optical module with the claimed crisscross polarity scheme. Kang was introduced as teaching the structure of a common MPO/MTP multi-fiber connector, which includes a generally planar array of fiber paths in a single row. Petitioner argued that if Toyooka’s disclosure of a "one-dimensional" arrangement of cores was deemed insufficient to teach a "generally planar array," Kang supplied this missing element.
  • Motivation to Combine: A POSITA would combine Toyooka’s polarity management module with Kang’s well-known MPO/MTP connector structure for the simple and predictable purpose of ensuring interoperability. The motivation was to allow Toyooka’s module to connect to standardized fiber optic networks, which widely utilized the MPO/MTP connector standard.
  • Expectation of Success: The combination involved substituting a standard, commercially available connector type (taught by Kang) into a compatible system (taught by Toyooka). This substitution would have been a routine design choice with a high expectation of success, yielding the predictable result of a standardized, polarity-managing module.

Ground 3: Obviousness of Claims 3-4 under §103 over Toyooka in view of TIA Technical

• Prior Art Relied Upon: Toyooka (Japanese Patent Publication No. H11-160542) and TIA Technical (TIA Technical Subcommittee TR-42.8 Proposal).
• Core Argument for this Ground:
  • Prior Art Mapping: This ground challenged the "optical assembly" claims, which recite at least two interconnected modules. Petitioner argued Toyooka disclosed the claimed assembly by teaching two identical wiring units connected by an optical fiber tape. TIA Technical was cited for teaching industry-standard methods for maintaining polarity in systems using MPO connectors. Specifically, TIA Technical discloses “reverse-ribbon positioning,” which requires mating connectors “key-up to key-up” and ensures that fiber color polarity is maintained from one module to another. These teachings were asserted to map directly onto the limitations of claims 3 and 4 concerning key alignment and non-reversed external polarity.
  • Motivation to Combine: A POSITA would be motivated to apply the standard polarity management techniques from TIA Technical to Toyooka’s assembly. The primary motivation was to extend the connection length between the two modules beyond a single, short fiber tape, which is a common and practical requirement in real-world network design.
  • Expectation of Success: A POSITA would have a high expectation of success in applying a standard interconnection protocol (TIA Technical) to a known module system (Toyooka). The combination uses standard components and methods for their intended purpose of maintaining signal integrity over longer network links, which would yield predictable results.

4. Relief Requested

• Petitioner requests institution of an inter partes review and cancellation of claims 1-4 of the ’600 patent as unpatentable.