US 11177887

Here is a concise summary of US patent 11177887:

US Patent 11177887 Summary

• Title: Substrate with stepped profile for mounting transmitter optical subassemblies and an optical transmitter or transceiver implementing same
• Assignee: Applied Optoelectronics Inc. (Previous reassignments include CIT NORTHBRIDGE CREDIT LLC and BOKF, NA D/B/A BOK FINANCIAL, but the current assignee is listed as Applied Optoelectronics Inc.)
• Inventors: Kai-Sheng Lin, Hang Xie, Yi Wang
• Filing Date: January 8, 2020
• Issue Date: November 16, 2021
• Abstract: The patent describes a stepped profile for substrates that support "on board" optical subassembly arrangements. This stepped profile allows TOSA (Transmitter Optical Subassembly) modules to be mounted in a recessed orientation, which reduces the distance between the substrate's terminals (e.g., RF terminals) and the TOSA's components (e.g., LDD). Additionally, the stepped profile simplifies mounting and optical alignment of TOSA modules by providing at least one mechanical stop that engages the TOSA module surfaces, thereby limiting its travel along one or more axes.

Independent Claim Overviews:

• Claim 1 (Optical Subassembly Module): This claim describes an optical subassembly module comprising a substrate with an electrical coupling end and an optical coupling end. The substrate has a first mounting region at the electrical end for electrical interconnections, defined by a component mounting surface. At the optical coupling end, there's a second mounting region designed to support at least one TOSA module via a recessed TOSA mounting surface. This recessed surface is offset from the component mounting surface by a first offset distance (OD1), forming a "stepped profile." A key feature is a vertical surface that adjoins the recessed TOSA mounting surface and the component mounting surface, which acts as a mechanical stop to limit the TOSA module's travel during mounting. The second mounting region is specifically configured for edge mounting the TOSA module.

• Claim 10 (Optical Transceiver): This claim defines an optical transceiver that includes a transceiver substrate with an optical coupling end and an electrical coupling end. It features at least one component mounting surface extending between these ends. At the optical coupling end, there is a recessed TOSA mounting surface for coupling to and supporting at least one TOSA module. This recessed surface extends substantially parallel to the component mounting surface and substantially transverse to a vertical surface that adjoins them. The claim further specifies that at least one TOSA module is edge mounted to the optical coupling end, and the vertical surface provides a mechanical stop to engage a surface of the TOSA module, limiting its travel along one or more axes. The transceiver also includes a receiver optical subassembly arrangement coupled to the transceiver substrate.

Litigation Status:

As of April 26, 2026:

• An inter partes review (IPR) case, IPR2026-00123, has been filed with the PTAB and is currently pending.
• There are two US cases filed in the California Northern District Court related to this patent: 5:24-cv-08165 and 3:24-cv-08165.
• First worldwide family litigation was filed.

I do not have authoritative information on the current status or specific details of the CAFC 2026 dockets. My search for "CAFC 2026 docket 11177887" did not return specific docket entries from CAFC. The provided patent information indicates pending PTAB and District Court litigation.Here is a concise summary of US patent 11177887:

• Title: Substrate with stepped profile for mounting transmitter optical subassemblies and an optical transmitter or transceiver implementing same
• Assignee: Applied Optoelectronics Inc. The patent was reassigned to CIT Northbridge Credit LLC on 2022-11-28, then back to Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. on 2023-11-20, and then to BOKF, NA D/B/A BOK FINANCIAL on 2025-08-01, but the current assignee is listed as Applied Optoelectronics Inc.
• Inventors: Kai-Sheng Lin, Hang Xie, Yi Wang
• Filing Date: January 8, 2020
• Issue Date: November 16, 2021
• Abstract: The present disclosure details a substrate with a stepped profile designed to support "on board" optical subassembly arrangements. This stepped profile allows for the mounting of Transmitter Optical Subassembly (TOSA) modules in a recessed orientation, which effectively reduces the overall distance between the substrate's terminals (e.g., RF terminals) and the TOSA's associated components (e.g., Laser Diode Driver, LDD). The stepped profile also facilitates mounting and optical alignment of TOSA modules by incorporating at least one mechanical stop that engages the TOSA module surfaces, thereby limiting its movement along one or more axes.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1 (Optical Subassembly Module): This claim describes an optical subassembly module. It features a main circuit board (substrate) with an electrical connection end and an optical connection end. The electrical end has a primary flat surface for mounting components and electrical traces. The optical end has a lower, recessed mounting surface (the "stepped profile") specifically for attaching TOSA modules. This recessed surface is set lower than the primary mounting surface by a specific distance (OD1) and is connected to it by a vertical wall. This vertical wall serves as a physical barrier or stop to help align and hold the TOSA module in place during mounting. The TOSA module is designed to be attached to the edge of this recessed area.

• Claim 10 (Optical Transceiver): This claim describes a complete optical transceiver. It includes the transceiver's main circuit board (substrate) with an optical end and an electrical end. The substrate has at least one general component mounting surface. At the optical end, there is a recessed TOSA mounting surface that runs parallel to the main mounting surface and is connected to it by a vertical surface. The claim specifies that at least one TOSA module is edge-mounted to this optical end, and the vertical surface acts as a mechanical stop to guide and limit the TOSA module's positioning. The transceiver also includes a receiver optical subassembly (ROSA) arrangement mounted on the substrate for receiving optical signals.

Litigation Status:

The patent is currently active. The following litigation is noted:

• A PTAB inter partes review (IPR) case, IPR2026-00123, has been filed and is pending.
• Two US district court cases related to this patent have been filed in the California Northern District Court: 5:24-cv-08165 and 3:24-cv-08165.
• First worldwide family litigation has also been filed.

No specific dockets for US patent 11177887 were found in the CAFC 2026 dockets during the search.