US 10237757

US Patent 10237757, titled "System and method for wireless network offloading," was issued on March 19, 2019, from an application filed on December 5, 2016. The current assignee is Headwater Research LLC, and the inventors are Gregory G. Raleigh, Alireza Raissinia, and James Lavine.

Abstract:
The patent describes a technique for wireless offloading, providing tools for a service provider (e.g., a cellular service provider) to encourage or direct a subscriber to offload data from a first network (e.g., cellular) to a second network (e.g., Wi-Fi). The service provider uses network data, potentially augmented by data from wireless devices (including Wi-Fi beacon frames or active scanning reports), to determine offloading priorities for subscribers. This data can include performance characterizations, connection data (like authentication success probability or delay), device location, timestamps for temporal variations, and motion traces. The system generates prioritized network lists, or network maps, which can be customized based on subscriber-specific data (account parameters, service plan, user preferences, performance history). Rules for adjusting priorities can incorporate a cost function with various parameters. Incentive offers, such as reduced service costs or improved services, can be provided to encourage subscribers to offload to alternative networks.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1 (System): This claim describes a system designed for wireless network offloading. It includes a network interface, one or more processors, and memory storing instructions. When executed, these instructions enable the system to:

  1. Obtain Wireless Network Data: Gather data from wireless devices, including detailed performance characteristics of wireless networks (e.g., data rate, throughput, latency, error rates, access attempt/success/failure counts, QoS levels, and their variability).
  2. Generate a Prioritized Network List: Create a list of preferred networks based on this data. This process involves characterizing the available capacity of these networks. The list is designed to instruct a wireless device to connect to a specific "first network" based on its available capacity.
  3. Receive Updated Performance Characterization: Continuously receive updated performance data from the "first network" to which the device is connected, with the same detailed performance characteristics as mentioned above.

• Independent Claim 11 (Method): This claim outlines a method for wireless network offloading, mirroring the functionality of the system claim. It involves the steps of:

  1. Obtaining Wireless Network Data: Collecting comprehensive performance data for wireless networks from multiple wireless devices.
  2. Generating a Prioritized Network List: Using a processor to create a prioritized list of networks, characterizing their available capacity, and configuring this list to direct a wireless device to connect to a "first network" based on its available capacity.
  3. Receiving Updated Performance Characterization: Getting updated performance data from the "first network" that the wireless device is connected to.

• Independent Claim 19 (Non-Transitory Computer Readable Storage Medium): This claim covers a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing instructions. When executed by one or more processors, these instructions cause a system to perform the same actions described in the method and system claims:

  1. Obtain Wireless Network Data: Gather detailed performance characterizations from wireless devices regarding available wireless networks.
  2. Generate a Prioritized Network List: Create a prioritized list of networks by characterizing their available capacity, with instructions for a wireless device to connect to a "first network" based on its capacity.
  3. Receive Updated Performance Characterization: Obtain updated performance data from the connected "first network."

Litigation Status (as of April 26, 2026):
The patent family is currently involved in litigation. Multiple US cases were filed in the Texas Eastern District Court (e.g., 2:25-cv-00917, 2:25-cv-00916, 2:25-cv-00920, 2:25-cv-00464, 2:25-cv-00462, 2:25-cv-00463) and the Texas Western District Court (e.g., 7:25-cv-00378, 7:25-cv-00377) in 2025. Additionally, a PTAB case, IPR2026-00048, was filed in 2026 but was not instituted on procedural grounds. The provided information does not indicate any specific appeals to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) dockets for 2026.