PTAB

IPR2016-01810

ams AG v. 511 Innovations Inc

Key Events

Petition

petition Intelligence

Title: Method and Apparatus for Determining a Characteristic of an Object
Brief Description: The ’629 patent relates to a system that uses an optical probe to measure the intensity of reflected light to determine an object’s optical characteristics, such as the color of teeth. The system employs light-to-frequency converters that output a signal with a frequency proportional to the incident light intensity, which is then analyzed by a microprocessor.

Prior Art Relied Upon: Farrar (Patent 4,653,905) and the TSL230 Datasheet (a Texas Instruments product specification).
Core Argument for this Ground:
- Prior Art Mapping: Petitioner argued that Farrar taught a fiber optic range finder that determined an object characteristic (range) by measuring the intensity of reflected light using photodetectors and a microprocessor. While Farrar’s detectors produced signals proportional to intensity, they did not have a frequency output. Petitioner asserted that this limitation was met by the TSL230 Datasheet, which described a well-known commercial light-to-frequency converter that generates a digital signal with a frequency proportional to light intensity.
- Motivation to Combine: A POSITA would combine Farrar’s system with the TSL230 sensor by replacing Farrar’s photodetectors. The motivation was to use a known, superior component (TSL230) for its intended purpose—measuring light intensity—to create a predictable and improved system with fewer analog components, higher resolution, and adjustable sensitivity.
- Expectation of Success: Petitioner contended the combination was a simple substitution of one known light sensor for another, which would predictably result in a system operating as intended by both references.

Prior Art Relied Upon: JP '028 (Japanese Application # H01-276028) and the TSL230 Datasheet.
Core Argument for this Ground:
- Prior Art Mapping: Petitioner asserted that JP '028 taught a non-contact colorimeter that measured an object's color by receiving reflected light through a plurality of color component filters and processing signals from photodetectors. This system determined an object characteristic (color) and satisfied the filtering limitations of claims 30 and 98. JP '028's detectors generated an electrical signal proportional to light intensity, and Petitioner again relied on the TSL230 Datasheet to teach converting that intensity into a proportional frequency output.
- Motivation to Combine: A POSITA would be motivated to implement the photodetectors in JP '028’s colorimeter using the TSL230 sensor. This would leverage the known high-resolution capabilities of the TSL230 sensor in a system already designed for precise optical measurement. JP '028 itself taught a pulse-interval measurement technique for A/D conversion that was directly applicable to digitizing the TSL230’s frequency output.
- Expectation of Success: The combination was presented as a straightforward design choice to improve the sensor component of the colorimeter, which would predictably yield a system with higher resolution light measurement.

Prior Art Relied Upon: Eguchi (Patent 4,381,523).
Core Argument for this Ground:
- Prior Art Mapping: Petitioner argued that Eguchi, as a single reference, rendered the claims obvious. Eguchi described a camera autofocus system that determined an object characteristic (focal distance) based on the intensity of reflected light. The system explicitly disclosed a light-to-frequency conversion circuit that generated a square wave signal whose frequency varied with the quantity of incident light. This frequency-based signal was used to control the charge accumulation time of a CCD image sensor array, making the sensor array’s output frame rate proportional to the measured light intensity.
- Key Aspects: Eguchi also taught using a color stripe or color division filter over the CCD sensor array to separate light beams, thereby disclosing the filtering and spectral analysis limitations of claims 30 and 98. The use of an "accumulation mode CCD sensor array" was argued to meet the limitation of integrating light. Petitioner contended that Eguchi alone taught all claimed steps.
Additional Grounds: Petitioner asserted an additional obviousness challenge against claims 1-2, 7, and 30 based on Zimmerman (Patent 5,103,085), a proximity detector, in view of the TSL230 Datasheet, relying on a similar sensor substitution theory.

Petitioner requests institution of IPR and cancellation of claims 1-2, 7, 30, and 98 as unpatentable.