TOT Power Control v. Apple
TOT Power Control v. Apple
TOT Power Control v. Apple
Plaintiff,
v.
C.A. No. __________
APPLE, INC.
INTRODUCTION
by its President, Alvaro Medrano, along with four colleagues. Mr. Medrano has a
it was during his Masters degree studies in Astronautics and Space Engineering at
Mr. Medrano and his colleagues developed the patented power control solutions
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from concepts in control theory that had not previously been applied in the
commercialize these superior methods of and devices for managing how power is
patents identified below and at issue in this case (collectively, the “TOT Patents”).
2. Apple infringes the TOT Patents by making, using, offering for sale,
and/or importing products throughout the United States, including within this
by the wireless baseband processors that Apple’s mobile devices employ to access
and operate over the cellular networks operated by United States carriers,
Apple and its suppliers of wireless baseband processors have thus far refused to
license the TOT Patents and, instead, have continued to make, use, sell, offer to
sell, and/or import TOT’s patented intellectual property within the United States
THE PARTIES
under the laws of Spain with its principal place of business at C/ Gobelas 17, 1st
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company that may be served through its registered agent for service, CT
6. This Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter of this action under
28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1338(a) at least because this action arises under the patent
7. This Court has both general and specific jurisdiction over Apple
because Apple has committed acts within this District giving rise to this action and
has established minimum contacts with this forum such that the exercise of
jurisdiction over Apple would not offend traditional notions of fair play and
a. Apple has employees and operates a retail store at 125 Christiana Mall,
8718.html (last accessed Aug. 30, 2021). Defendant Apple’s retail store at 125
Christiana Mall sells and offers for sale products and services that infringe the
TOT Patents. On information and belief, the Apple retail store at 125 Christiana
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Mall sells more infringing products than any other Apple retail store in the United
States. See Alan Farnham and Mark Mooney, Apple’s (AAPL) Delaware Store
Claims Title for Selling Most iPhones, ABC NEWS (Nov. 12, 2013, 6:14 AM),
https://abcnews.go.com/Business/applesdelaware-store-claims-title-selling-
iphones/story?id=20650009.
continues to commit acts of patent infringement in this District, by, among other
things, making, using, testing, selling, licensing, importing and/or offering for
sale/license products and services that infringe the TOT Patents. See, e.g.,
§§1391(b) and (c) and 1400(b). Defendant Apple has a physical presence in this
District and has committed acts of infringement in this District by, among other
things, selling and offering for sale in this district (and elsewhere) infringing
products made, used, developed, tested and otherwise practiced by Apple. Venue
is further proper based on facts alleged in the preceding paragraphs which TOT
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THE PATENTS-IN-SUIT
9. U.S. Patent No. 7,532,865 (the ’865 patent), entitled “Outer Loop
Power Control Method and Device for Wireless Communications Systems,” was
duly and properly issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office
(“USPTO”) on May 12, 2009. A true and correct copy of the ’865 patent is
10. TOT is the assignee of the ’865 patent; owns all right, title and
interest in the ’865 patent; and holds the right to sue and recover damages for
11. U.S. Patent No. 7,496,376 (the ’376 patent), entitled “Outer Loop
was duly and properly issued by the USPTO on February 24, 2009. A true and
12. TOT is the assignee of the ’376 patent; owns all right, title and
interest in the ‘376 patent; and holds the right to sue and recover damages for
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share the same fundamental technologies, including channelization codes, and are
transmit voice calls and data between multiple mobile devices (such as mobile
(“UE”), and a base transmission station (the “Node B”) operated by a cellular
the codes for other UEs. Some of the codes are close to, but not perfectly,
used, inter alia, to ameliorate interference within the uplink signals (i.e., UE
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transmitting to the Node B) and the downlink signals (i.e., the Node B transmitting
to UE) exchanged between the UE and the Node B. Power control is especially
near to and UEs far from the carrier’s Node B. The varying distances require
individualized power levels to maintain the level of call quality required by the
accomplished through a closed loop as specified in the 3GPP UMTS standard. The
closed loop is comprised of two intermeshed processes—inner loop and outer loop
power controls. As a general overview, the inner loop adjusts the transmission
(“SIRTarget”) level provided by the outer loop. This intermeshed process allows the
A. Inner Loop
17. The 3GPP UMTS closed loop standard applies to both downlink and
originates with the Node B and is sent to the UE. An uplink transmission is the
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SIRTarget) is set in the UE as it receives the signal. Per the 3GPP UMTS standard,
the SIR is measured in the inner loop and then compared to the SIRTarget. The SIR
Measurements (FDD):
See
https://www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_ts/125200_125299/125215/11.00.00_60/ts_12521
19. In the downlink, if the measured SIR is below the SIRTarget, the inner
loop of the UE directs the device to send a TPC command to the carrier’s Node B
to increase the transmission power. If the measured SIR is above the SIRTarget, the
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inner loop of the UE directs the device to send a TPC command to the carrier’s
125.215, it is described that a mobile terminal should estimate the received SIR to
20. The uplink works similarly. SIR measurements are made at the
carrier’s Node B and are compared in the inner loop to the SIRTarget which then
directs the Node B to send a TPC power control command to the UE. The inner
procedures (FDD):
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See
https://www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_ts/125200_125299/125214/11.03.00_60/ts_12521
B. Outer Loop
21. In addition to inner loop requirements, the 3GPP UMTS standard also
defines outer loop power control for maintaining the “long-term quality control of
the radio channel.”1 through adjustments to the SIRTarget value. From section
14.9.1 of the document TS 125.331, the creation of the SIRTarget results from the
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(ETSI TS 25.401, § 7.2.4.8.1 at 23, UTRAN overall description;
https://www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_ts/125400_125499/125401/04.02.00_60/ts_125401v040200p.p
df (last accessed August 30, 2021)
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specific Block Error Rate (“BLER”) target. The same applies to clause 7.2.4.8.2 of
TS 125.401, which refers to the target quality value, i.e., the value required or
determined for the corresponding radio link. To maintain the BLER set by the
network for a particular channel, the example embodiment sets an SIRTarget that
maintains the required Quality of Service (i.e., is close to the SIR in normal
operation).
24. However, unlike the inner loop, the 3GPP UMTS standard does not
define the specifics of the outer loop power control algorithm. As a general
overview, the outer loop’s purpose is to adjust the SIRTarget to account for the
changing radio conditions that a UE might encounter over the course of a call.
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For example, call quality is adversely affected when the UE enters a tunnel or
when there are rapid changes in the speed of the UE. These kinds of conditions
will require a higher SIRTarget (and hence a more powerful radio signal) than
the outer loop was based on block/frame errors indicated by Cyclic Redundancy
Check (“CRC”) errors. When a CRC error is detected, the SIRTarget was increased
percentage that the system is configured for. This process of adjusting the
SIRTarget value is illustrated in the first figure below, with an exemplary BLER of
1%. The second figure below shows the rate at which the SIRTarget value is
decreased for BLER values ranging from 10% to 0.1%. Different values for the
maximum tolerated value for BLER can be set for different types of traffic,
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26. Under normal conditions, the convergence rate of the SIRTarget value
based on the CRC and BLER diminishes performance of the UE and the cell
control slows the power adaptation of the transmitter between the UE and carrier’s
Node B, thereby degrading call quality. The BLER method of power control also
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levels on each channel in various circumstances and thus allowing fewer end-users
that can be serviced in each cell. To keep their networks operating through these
wasted resources, the carriers are forced to add expensive additional network
capacity.
values so that power, and consequently wireless channel capacity, is not wasted
and call quality is maintained. This is achieved by the techniques taught and
claimed in the ’376 patent, which is directed at a more precise manner of adjusting
the SIRTarget in the outer loop under a variety of dynamic channel conditions; and in
the ’865 patent which is directed at managing control power during the unwinding
phase.
28. The ’865 patent describes and claims a technique to solve the problem
of convergence of the SIRTarget value when the exit from a “wind-up” condition has
started, i.e., when the unwinding process has started. The technique of the ’865
patent matches the SIRTarget value at wind-up exit to a value close to the SIRTarget
value before the wind-up began. By doing so, the unwinding time of the SIRTarget
immediate effect is that the outer loop power control quickly returns to a normal
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mode of operation when the wind-up conditions passes. The solution of the ’865
patent thus provides for increased system capacity and improved wireless
29. The ’376 patent describes and claims an outer loop power control
apparatus to address the problems that are associated with a certain type of fading
in the wireless channel. Fading is a change in the received level of signal even
when the distance between the UE and carrier’s Node B does not change. Channel
fading can occur as the result of a variety of conditions, e.g., multipath propagation
interference, amplifying or attenuating the signal power seen at the receiver. The
(i) measuring the amount of fading within the channel and (ii) accounting for that
SIRTarget values based on the collection of SIRRec values. These SIRRec values are
used to calculate the short-term historical conditions in the channel (which will
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affect the received signal as judged by the SIR at the receiver). Based on the
function is then used to map the fading margins to a SIRTarget value, taking into
account prior SIRTarget values. This approach allows the SIRTarget value to vary with
channel conditions and reduce the amount of data errors that occur because of the
channel conditions. This, in turn, reduces the amount of power that is wasted when
errors.
31. The TOT Patents describe and claim techniques for better
channel capacity, are not wasted and call quality is maintained. TOT shared the
techniques of the TOT Patents with Defendant’s component chip suppliers, such as
inclusion of those infringing components in Apple’s mobile phones and other end-
user devices, Apple has been able to provide products to consumers that produce
32. The claims in TOT’s Patents are not directed to abstract ideas and do
not merely attempt to limit a method of organizing human activity or an idea itself
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are not abstract methods or abstract ideas. The apparatus and methods claimed in
the Patents-in-Suit exist only in a concrete and tangible form, and the claimed
alleged above, the claimed apparatus and methods provided a technical solution to
33. When viewed as a whole, the claims of the TOT Patents are not
improvements over the prior art and existing systems and methods. The claimed
inventions were not known in the prior art at the time of the invention, let alone
COUNT I
35. As alleged above, TOT is the assignee and lawful owner of all right,
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has directly infringed and continues to infringe one or more claims of the ’865
patent, including but not limited to Claims 1 and 5, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 271(a),
38. Defendant Apple has directly infringed, and continues to infringe, one
or more claims of the ’865 patent by among other things, making, using, selling,
offering to sell, and/or importing into the United States without authorization
certain mobile products (e.g., iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches) that contain
components which practice the invention claimed in the ‘865 patent (the “Apple
Accused Products”). The wireless baseband processors installed into the Apple
of the ’865 patent through the operations performed by the Qualcomm and Intel
baseband processors that Defendant Apple has employed and continues to employ
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interference ratio received (SIRrec) based on a data signal (107, 108) received from
a base station (102, 103) or mobile station (104).” The Apple Accused Products, as
part of the outer loop power control mechanism required by the 3GPP UMTS
Standard, measure the received SIR value (SIRRec) and compares that value with an
41. Claim 1 of the ’865 patent further requires “setting a desired signal to
required (SIRrec) during the normal mode of the outer loop.” The Apple Accused
Products, as part of the outer loop power control mechanism required by the 3GPP
UMTS Standard, adjust the SIRTarget value based on block/frame errors indicated
42. Claim 1 of the ’865 patent further requires “detecting a start (402) of
the outer loop wind-up.” The Apple Accused Products detect a “wind-up”
condition in the channel that results in an increased SIRTarget value (as part of the
outer loop power control) and repeated commands from the carrier’s Node B to the
UE for an increase in power (as part of the inner loop power control). The Apple
Accused Products utilize SIRTarget values to determine when the channel entered
43. Claim 1 of the ’865 patent also requires “setting a specific desired
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signal to interference ratio target (SIRtarget) during the outer loop wind-up.” The
Apple Accused Products experience increases in the SIRTarget value as the signal
44. Claim 1 of the ’865 patent lastly requires “detecting a start (403) of
the outer loop unwinding, wherein the desired signal to interference ratio target
(SIRTarget) is modified at the start (403) of the outer loop unwinding, to match it to
the outer loop power control in normal mode just prior to the start of the outer loop
wind up.” The Apple Accused Products detect the end of the “wind-up” condition
in the channel based, at least in part, on the cessation of repeated CRC block errors
that characterized the “wind-up” condition. Upon the detection of the end of the
“wind-up” condition, Defendant Apple’s end-user devices will adjust the SIRTarget
to a value that matches the value of the SIRTarget before the “wind-up” condition
began.
46. Apple’s infringement of the ‘865 patent has been knowing, deliberate
and willful. TOT disclosed the invention claimed by the ‘865 patent to both Intel
and Qualcomm at different times between 2005 and 2014, and the invention has
been so well publicized in the industry generally that Apple knew that the wireless
transceivers it incorporated into the Apple Accused Products infringed the TOT
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Patents or should have known that its use of the wireless baseband processors
COUNT II
48. As alleged above, TOT is the original and sole assignee and lawful
owner of all right, title and interest in and to the ’376 patent.
has directly infringed and continues to infringe one or more claims of the ’376
patent, including but not limited to Claims 1 and 6, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 271(a),
one or more claims of the of the ‘376 patent by among other things, making, using,
selling, offering to sell, and/or importing the Apple Accused Products into the
the Apple Accused Products include those manufactured and sold by Qualcomm
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of the ’376 patent through the structure and operation of the Apple Accused
Products that employed and continue to employ wireless baseband processors that
Defendant Apple by, among others, Qualcomm, and include power control
53. Claim 6 of the ’376 patent requires “at least one programmable
electronic device the programmable electronic device operable to, based on a data
signal received from a base station or from a mobile station, perform the steps of.”
The Apple Accused Products include baseband processors that manage the inner
loop power control and outer loop power control processes for 3G CDMA
networks.
54. Claim 6 of the ’376 Patent further requires “establishing a target block
error rate (BLERtarget).” The Apple Accused Products, as part of the outer loop
parameter for the Block Error Rate (“BLER”) Target in the form of a percentage of
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Products, as part of the outer loop power control mechanism required by the 3GPP
Standard, measures the received SIR value (SIRRec), and compares that value with
fading parameters in a channel (706) which characterize the data signal (107, 108)
received.” The Apple Accused Products, estimate fading in the downlink channel
values that are used as part of outer loop power control to generate SIR error
57. Claim 6 of the ’376 patent further requires “estimating some fading
margins (M1, M2, . . . , MN) associated with some outage probabilities (po1, po2, . . . ,
poN) and with the fading parameters in the channel (706).” The Apple Accused
Products use the collection of error values derived from the comparison of SIRRec
distribution function, the Apple Accused Products use one or more of the
percentages of the derivation of the sum of the collected SIR error values from the
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58. Claim 6 of the ’376 patent also requires “indicating a status of the data
blocks (707) based on the checking of a Cyclic Redundancy Code (CRC), and
establishing a target desired signal to interference ratio (SIRtarget) for the outer loop,
based on said status of the data blocks (707).” The Apple Accused Products, as
part of the outer loop power control mechanism required by the 3GPP UMTS
Standard, adjust the SIRTarget value based on block/frame errors indicated by Cyclic
59. Claim 6 of the ’376 patent lastly requires “establishing a target desired
signal to interference ratio (SIRtarget) for the outer loop, based on . . . the fading
margins (M1, M2, …, MN) and the target block error (BLERtarget) of the outer loop,
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quality criterion based on the outage probabilities (po1, po2, . . . , poN) and the
quality criterion based on the target block error rate (BLERtarget), so that the power
is adapted to the propagation conditions of the data signal (107, 108).” In addition
to modifying the SIRTarget value based on the BLER as part of the outer loop power
control mechanism, the Apple Accused Products also adjust the SIRTarget value
using the one or more fading margin values calculated from the collection of error
values generated from the comparison of the SIRRec and SIRTarget values.
61. Apple’s infringement of the ‘376 patent has been knowing, deliberate
and willful. TOT disclosed the invention claimed by the ‘376 patent to both Intel
and Qualcomm at different times between 2005 and 2014, and the invention has
been so well publicized in the industry generally that Apple knew that the wireless
have known that its use of the wireless transceivers constituted an unjustifiably
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7,532,865;
7,496,376;
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U.S.C. § 284;
U.S.C. § 284;
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l. Granting TOT its costs and further relief as the Court may deem just
and proper.
Bruce J. Wecker
HAUSFELD, LLP
600 Montgomery Street
Suite 3200
San Francisco, CA 94111
Tel: (415) 633-1907
[email protected] Attorneys for Plaintiff TOT Power
Control, S.L.
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