US 10009720

US Patent 10,009,720

Here's a concise summary of US Patent 10,009,720:

• Title: Method and system for monitoring a mobile station presence in a special area
• Current Assignee: Avant Location Technologies LLC (Original Assignee: AFIRMA CONSULTING & TECHNOLOGIES SL)
• Inventor: Carlos A. Pérez LaFuente
• Filing Date: June 12, 2015
• Issue Date: June 26, 2018
• Abstract: The patent describes a method for monitoring a mobile station's presence in a defined "special area." This involves a radio communication device transmitting a distinctive signal that outlines the special area. The mobile station processes this signal to determine if it's a distinctive signal defining the special area. It then sends an update to a mobile telephone network, which routes it to special operating means that adjust an operating parameter based on the mobile station's presence. Crucially, the special area is linked to the mobile station by transmitting "checking data" to the mobile station. This checking data is used by the mobile station to identify the distinctive defining signal and is sent to any mobile station being monitored in that special area.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1 (Method): This claim describes a method for a mobile phone network to keep track of a mobile phone's location within a specific "special area."

  1. A radio device repeatedly broadcasts a unique signal that defines this special area.
  2. The mobile phone listens for signals and determines if it's receiving any defining signal.
  3. The mobile phone then figures out if the received signal is the specific, unique signal that defines the special area.
  4. The mobile phone sends an update to the mobile network about whether it's in the special area.
  5. The mobile network then uses this update to adjust a setting (an "operating parameter") based on the mobile phone's presence in that area.
     The core of the invention is that the mobile phone knows which special area to look for because the network sends it specific "checking data." This checking data helps the mobile phone identify the unique signal for its assigned special area, and the same checking data is sent to all mobile phones whose presence is monitored in that particular special area.

• Claim 15 (Mobile System): This claim describes a mobile system designed to perform the method outlined in Claim 1.

  1. It includes "checking means" to detect the mobile phone's presence in a special area. These checking means involve a radio device broadcasting a distinctive signal defining the area.
  2. The mobile phone has "observing means" (to listen to channels) and "processing means" (to interpret signals) to determine if it's receiving a defining signal and, if so, whether it's the distinctive signal for the special area.
  3. It has "transmission means" for the mobile phone to send an update about its presence in the special area to "special operating means" within the mobile network.
  4. These "special operating means" adjust an operating parameter based on the mobile phone's presence.
     The key feature is that the system includes "storing means" in the mobile phone for the "checking data." The processing means in the mobile phone use this checking data to identify the distinctive signal, and again, the same checking data is sent to any mobile phone being monitored in that special area.

• Claim 22 (Server): This claim specifies that a server contains at least some of the "special operating means" described in the mobile system of the invention.

• Claim 23 (Radio Communication Defining Device): This claim describes a radio communication defining device that carries out the method of the invention. In a particular embodiment, this device is a wireless device with means to transmit the distinctive wireless signal and means to get reliable information indicating if it's in a predetermined environment.

• Claim 24 (Mobile Station): This claim states that the mobile station is suitable for carrying out the method of the invention.

Litigation Status:

The patent has a history of litigation. As of the current date, Google Patents indicates "Family has litigation" and lists several US cases filed in Texas Eastern, Northern, and Western District Courts, as well as a PTAB case IPR2025-01259 (Not Instituted - Procedural). It also notes "First worldwide family litigation filed." While the provided CAFC dockets for May 2026 do not specifically list US10009720, the presence of multiple district court and PTAB proceedings suggests ongoing legal activity related to the patent family.