PATROLL Winning Submission

U.S. Patent 8,725,924

U.S. Patent 8,725,924 (“Longhorn HD” or the “patent-at-issue”) was filed on October 13,
2011. The patent-at-issue is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application 12/303,114 (now
abandoned), filed December 1, 2008, which is a 35 U.S.C. § 371 application of International
Application number PCT/US2007/070283 filed on June 1, 2007.1 Claim 1 of the patent-at-issue
is directed to a method of an information backup system, which includes a power supply for
supplying power to a first communication port and a second communication port. The system
includes a host microcontroller connecting to the first communication port that connects a
handheld device, such as smartphone. The host microcontroller also connects to a second
communication port for connecting a mass storage device. The host microcontroller then allows
for transfer of data between the communication ports.

The primary reference, PCT Application Publication WO 2008/054076 (“Ji”), was filed
on October 17, 2007, and claims a priority date of October 31, 2006. The publication relates to a
data transmission apparatus and method capable of allowing data to be transmitted between
portable devices. The apparatus is composed of USB ports to connect devices and a power
supply unit to provide power for each device. It also includes a main controller to manage data
transmission between the first and second device.

The secondary reference, U.S. Patent Application 2004/0003150 (“Sony”), was filed on
June 28, 2002, and claims priority on the same date. The application is directed to a portable
electronic device with an integrated communication port for direct communication to a host
device for data transfer. Each electronic device is provided with an interface port integrated to
the housing such that these devices can be directly connected to a host device with
complementary interface ports.

A sample claim chart comparing claim 1 of Longhorn HD to Ji and Sony is provided

below.

1
The patent-at-issue also lists U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/803,711, filed on June 1, 2006, and U.S.
Provisional Patent Application 61/429,453, filed on Jan. 3, 2011; claim 1 shown below, however, does not appear to
be adequately supported by the June 1, 2006 provisional application because it claims several limitations not
considered by that application.

1

US8725924 (“Longhorn HD”)
1. A method of operation of an
information backup system
comprising:
A. WO2008054076 (“Ji”)
B. US20040003150 (“Sony”)
A. WO2008054076
“An aspect of the present invention provides a portable direct
data transmission apparatus and method capable of
allowing data to be simply transmitted between portable
devices without a help of an additional large host system, by
directly relaying and controlling a data transmission between
portable devices such as a universal serial bus (USB) memory
stick and an MP3 player, without a help of a large host system
such as a personal computer.” Ji at [15].
“For example, to receive and transmit data between A-device
and B-device, the A-device transmits data that is a target of
transmission, to a host device at a time to store the data in a
storage space of the host device. The host device transmits
the stored data to the B-device at a time.” Ji at [6].
B. US20040003150
“In the manner described above, in one embodiment, portable
device 3A such as an electronic music marker, a personal
digital assistant, a mobile telephone, and other types of
portable electronics devices may be provided with a male
USB port integrated into the device body such that the
devices may be directly connected to a complimentary
communication port on the host device such as a personal
computer or a server terminal. Indeed, since the
communication port is integrated into the portable device, a
user can significantly enhance the portability and functionality
of the portable device, eliminating the need for a docking
cradle type unit for connection to a host device for backup
data transfer as well as for other types of data
communication.” Sony at [0031].
2
1.a. supplying a power to a first A. WO2008054076
communication port and a second
communication port with an internal
power supply;

“According to an aspect of the present invention, there is

provided a direct information exchange apparatus for a
portable device, the apparatus including: a power supply unit
supplying power to operate each unit; a first universal
serial bus (USB) port for connecting to a first device in a
USB interface method; a second USB port for connecting to a
second device in the USB interface method; an input unit
selecting the first and second devices and as source and
destination devices, respectively, . . . .” Ji at [17].

B. US20040003150
“FIG. 7 illustrates a portable appliance with integrated
Bluetooth interface communication port. Referring to FIG. 7,
portable device 7A includes device body 701, input unit 702
and display unit 703. Provided within device body 701 is
Bluetooth transceiver 704 for performing spread spectrum
transmitting, for example, as discussed below. Also shown in
FIG. 7 is host device 7B including housing 705 which is also
provided with peripheral interface ports 707, expansion
slots 708 and power socket 709. Provided within housing 705
of host device 7B is Bluetooth transceiver 706 for
communicating with portable device 7A.” Sony at [0043].

“In the manner described above, in one embodiment, portable

device 3A such as an electronic music marker, a personal
digital assistant, a mobile telephone, and other types of
portable electronics devices may be provided with a male
USB port integrated into the device body such that the

3

1.b. electrically connecting a host
microcontroller to the first
communication port for connecting
a handheld device;
devices may be directly connected to a complimentary
communication port on the host device such as a personal
computer or a server terminal. Indeed, since the
communication port is integrated into the portable device, a
user can significantly enhance the portability and functionality
of the portable device, eliminating the need for a docking
cradle type unit for connection to a host device for backup data
transfer as well as for other types of data communication.”
Sony at [0031].
A. WO2008054076
“Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus includes a power supply
unit 100 supplying power to operate each unit; a first
universal serial bus (USB) port PTl for connecting to a first
device DE1 in a USB interface method; a second USB port
PT2 for connecting to a second device DE2 in the USB
interface method; an input unit 210 selecting the first and
second devices DE1 and DE2 as source and destination
devices, respectively, and selecting data that is a target of
transmission, from data of the first device DE1 selected as the
source device; a main controller 300, according to a selection
via an input unit 210 of a user interface 200, controlling data
transmission between the first device DE1 and the second
device DE2 and controlling screen display of state information
while operating; a USB system 400, according to a data
transmission control of the main controller 300, transmitting
the data of the first device DE1 to be transmitted to the second
device DE2 by unit data in the USB interface method; a buffer
memory 500, according to a control of the USB system 400,
temporarily storing a predetermined transmission amount of
the unit data in the data that is a target of transmission,
between the first and second devices DE1 and DE2; and a
display unit 220 displaying information according to a control
of the main controller 300. ” Ji at [35].
“[5] A mobile phone apparatus comprising the direct
information exchange apparatus of claim 1.” Ji, Claim 5.
B. US20040003150
“FIG. 3 illustrates a portable appliance with integrated USB
interface communication port. Referring to FIG. 3, portable
device 3A includes device body 301 and communication
port 302 incorporating USB port 303 integrated onto device
body 301. As shown, USB port 303 which is physically
integrated into device body 301 of portable device 3A is a
4
(cont.)
1.b. electrically connecting a host
microcontroller to the first
communication port for connecting
a handheld device;
male port.” Sony at [0026].
“In particular, a portable electronic device of one embodiment
includes a housing, and a communication interface port
integrated to the housing for direct connection to a host device.
A method of another embodiment includes directly connecting
a communication port integrated to a portable device to an
interface port of a host device, and transferring data between
the portable device and the host device. A portable electronic
device of yet another embodiment includes means for housing
a portable device, and means for communicating integrated to
the housing means for direct connection to a host device.”
Sony at [0016].
“In the manner shown in FIG. 3, in one embodiment, portable
device 3A may be configured to directly connect to host
device 3B by connecting male USB port 303 (which may be
an “A” USB connector) of portable device 3A to female
USB port 305 of host device 3B for exchanging data.” Sony
at [0027].
“While not shown, host device 4B includes a physical layer
and a link layer semiconductor chip to support 1394
connection at data transfer rates of, for example, 25
Mbits/second to 400 Mbits/second. In particular, the physical
layer chip is a mixed signal device that supports multiple 1394
ports. it includes the logic needed to perform arbitration and
bus initialization functions. The link layer chip may be
configured to transmit and receive 1394-formatted data
packets and supports isochronous or asynchronous data
transfers between portable device 4A and host device 4B.”
Sony at [0033].
5
1.c. electrically connecting the host A. WO2008054076
microcontroller to the second
communication port for connecting
a mass storage device, the host
microcontroller is for functioning as
a host to the second communication
port and the first communication
port; and

“Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus includes a power supply

unit 100 supplying power to operate each unit; a first universal
serial bus (USB) port PTl for connecting to a first device DE1
in a USB interface method; a second USB port PT2 for
connecting to a second device DE2 in the USB interface
method; an input unit 210 selecting the first and second
devices DE1 and DE2 as source and destination devices,
respectively, and selecting data that is a target of transmission,
from data of the first device DE1 selected as the source device;
a main controller 300, according to a selection via an input
unit 210 of a user interface 200, controlling data transmission
between the first device DE1 and the second device DE2 and
controlling screen display of state information while operating;
a USB system 400, according to a data transmission control
of the main controller 300, transmitting the data of the first
device DE1 to be transmitted to the second device DE2 by
unit data in the USB interface method; a buffer memory
500, according to a control of the USB system 400,
temporarily storing a predetermined transmission amount of
the unit data in the data that is a target of transmission,
between the first and second devices DE1 and DE2; and a
display unit 220 displaying information according to a control
of the main controller 300. ” Ji at [35].

“That is, the apparatus may not only mutually exchange

various kind of data stored in a terminal having a simple data
storage function, such as a memory stick, but also exchange

6
(cont.)
1.c. electrically connecting the host
microcontroller to the second
communication port for connecting
a mass storage device, the host
microcontroller is for functioning as
a host to the second communication
port and the first communication
port; and
information in a data storage terminal such as a motion picture
experts group (MPEG) player while moving. Also, there may
be provided convenience in using a terminal in aspects of time
and space and frequency of using the terminal may be
increased due thereto, thereby increasing a demand for
terminals and increasing a number of provided terminals
according to benefits of the terminals.” Ji at [23].
“The present invention relates to a direct data transmission
apparatus employed in a portable device such as a universal
serial bus (USB) memory stick, and more particularly, to a
portable direct data transmission apparatus and method
capable of directly relaying and controlling a data
transmission between portable devices such as a USB
memory stick and an MP3 player, without a help of a large
host system such as a personal computer.” Ji at [1].
“In this case, the host/device control unit 420 of the USB
system 400, appropriately to application of the apparatus
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, according to a control of the USB management unit
410, performs one of US host or USB device function and
controls a transmission of the data that is a target of
transmission, from the first device DE1 to the second
device DE2, by the unit data.” Ji at [65].
B. US20040003150
“Accordingly, integrated PCMCIA communication port 502
of portable device 5A may be configured to adaptively
couple to interface communication port 507 of PC card 506
loaded in host device 5B. In this manner, portable device 5A
and host device 5B may be configured to directly exchange
data via PCMCIA connection for data backup, updating
and so on. PC cards 506 may be Type I, Type II or Type III
cards, each configured to operate with compatible card and
socket services software loaded in host device 5B, and
depending upon design, may be configured to support data
transfer rate of up to approximately 850 Mbits/second. For
example, card services may be configured to manage system
resources required by PC card 506, and on host device 5B,
may determine which IRQs and memory and I/O addresses are
assigned.” Sony at [0038].
“The portable electronic device may include a personal
digital assistant, a mobile telephone, an electronic music
marker device, and a portable e-mail device, where each of
7
(cont.)
1.c. electrically connecting the host
microcontroller to the second
communication port for connecting
a mass storage device, the host
microcontroller is for functioning as
a host to the second communication
port and the first communication
port; and
1.d. transferring data between the first
communication port and the second
communication port.
these devices are provided with a communication interface
port integrated to the housing of the device such that the
devices can be directly connected to a host device such as a
desktop computer or a server terminal which are provided
with complimentary interface ports.” Sony at [0050].
“In one embodiment, interface communication port 403 may
include i.Link® interface communication port available from
Sony Corporation of Japan or Firewire interface port available
from Apple Computer, Inc., of Cupertino, Calif. Also shown in
FIG. 4 is host device 4B which includes housing 404 and a pair
of USB ports 407 similar to host device 3B of FIG. 3. Further
provided on housing 404 of host device 4B is IEEE 1394
interface communication port 406 for connection to
interface communication port 403 of portable device 4A.
Interface communication port 406 may be a 6-pin socket for
cases where host device 4B is a desktop computer or a server
terminal, and alternatively, may be a 4-pin socket in the case
where host device 4B is a portable laptop computer, for
example.” Sony at [0032].
“While not shown, host device 4B includes a physical layer
and a link layer semiconductor chip to support 1394
connection at data transfer rates of, for example, 25
Mbits/second to 400 Mbits/second. In particular, the physical
layer chip is a mixed signal device that supports multiple 1394
ports. it includes the logic needed to perform arbitration and
bus initialization functions. The link layer chip may be
configured to transmit and receive 1394-formatted data
packets and supports isochronous or asynchronous data
transfers between portable device 4A and host device 4B.”
Sony at [0033].
“In the manner shown in FIG. 3, in one embodiment, portable
device 3A may be configured to directly connect to host
device 3B by connecting male USB port 303 (which may be
an “A” USB connector) of portable device 3A to female
USB port 305 of host device 3B for exchanging data.” Sony at
[0027].
A. WO2008054076
“In this case, when the first device DE1 is selected as a
source device and the second device DE2 is selected as a
destination device by a user via the input unit 210 of the user
interface 200, the main controller 300 reads a data structure
of the first device DE1 via the USB system 400 and displays
8
(cont.)
1.d. transferring data between the first
communication port and the second
communication port.
the data structure on the display unit 220.” Ji at [58].
“After that, when the user selects data that is a target of
transmission, by considering the data structure displayed on
the display unit 220, the main controller 300 controls a
transmission of the selected data. According to the control of
the main controller 300, the USB system 400 reads data by
a preset unit from the selected data in the first device DE1
corresponding to the source device and temporarily stores
the data in the buffer memory 500.” Ji at [61].
“The USB system 400 transmits the data temporarily
stored in the buffer memory 500 to the second device DE2
corresponding to the destination device.” Ji at [62].
B. US20040003150
“In the manner shown in FIG. 3, in one embodiment, portable
device 3A may be configured to directly connect to host
device 3B by connecting male USB port 303 (which may be
an “A” USB connector) of portable device 3A to female
USB port 305 of host device 3B for exchanging data.” Sony
at [0027].