The Petition: Wireless Network Patents Challenged in IPRs
A technology company filed two Inter Partes Review (IPR) petitions with the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) challenging wireless communications patents owned by a telecommunications company. The petitions targeted two separate patents, both related to wireless network optimization but focusing on different technical aspects.
The first petition disputed a patent for network-based control of report messages—a method that manages how mobile devices relay network conditions to base stations. The petitioner claimed this technology lacked novelty, arguing that existing industry standards had already established similar techniques.
The second petition challenged a patent for codebook subset restriction in wireless networks, a method used in antenna precoding and beamforming to refine signal transmission. The petitioner argued that this approach was not novel, citing similar techniques were already documented in 3GPP specifications for LTE networks. The patent owner countered that both inventions offered unique improvements in wireless signal optimization not found in prior references.
The Ask: A Wireless Communications Expert with Experience in Network Protocols and Signal Processing
The patent owner approached DOAR to provide an expert with deep technical expertise in wireless communications systems to support its defense in two separate IPR proceedings. Each petition challenged a patent related to core wireless technologies, requiring an expert with specialized knowledge of network signaling, antenna systems, and wireless industry standards to analyze the validity of the claims.
For the first patent challenge, which focused on network-based control of report messages, the expert needed a strong background in wireless network protocols, performance monitoring, and industry-standard communication methods. The role required assessing how wireless devices report network conditions and evaluating whether the patented method introduced a technical improvement beyond established industry practices.
For the second patent challenge, related to antenna precoding and codebook subset restriction, the expert needed extensive experience in multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) antenna systems, beamforming techniques, and signal optimization in wireless networks. The expert’s role would involve evaluating whether the patented approach offered a novel advancement in antenna signal processing or reflected existing wireless communication techniques.
In both cases, experience with industry standards governing wireless communications, such as LTE and 5G, was essential. Additionally, prior experience with IPR proceedings was considered an advantage, as the expert was expected to analyze prior art, assess technical arguments, and contribute to expert reports. Given the specialized nature of the dispute, the patent owner sought an expert with both practical industry experience and a strong academic foundation in wireless networking and telecommunications engineering.
How DOAR Was Able to Meet the Expert Need
DOAR actively recruited a diverse group of leading experts to support our clients in anticipation of an influx of wireless communications disputes. For this case, DOAR recommended an expert with deep technical expertise in wireless networking, signal processing, and telecommunications engineering to provide the necessary analysis for the patent challenges.
She had extensive experience in wireless communication protocols, network optimization, and signal reliability, making her well-suited to evaluate the claims at issue. Her background included hands-on research and contributions in LTE and 5G networks, with a particular focus on network control, antenna systems, and coding techniques for reliable data transmission. Additionally, her familiarity with 3GPP standards allowed her to assess whether the patented techniques aligned with established industry practices.
With expertise in multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) systems, beamforming strategies, and wireless signal resilience, she was well-equipped to analyze prior art and determine whether the patented methods introduced novel advancements. Her strong research background and experience in industry discussions on wireless networking advancements provided valuable insights for a comprehensive technical evaluation.
How DOAR’s Experts Can Assist in Wireless Disputes
As the demand for wireless connectivity grows, disputes over patents and industry standards are becoming more complex. DOAR’s expert teams bring deep technical and industry knowledge to help navigate these challenges, providing insights that shape litigation strategy and technical evaluations. Whether analyzing network protocols, antenna technologies, or evolving wireless standards, our experts play a critical role in IPR proceedings and other high-stakes disputes.
Contact us to learn more about DOAR’s testifying experts or to explore our expert teams across the technology and life sciences industries.
