US 10468047

Analysis of U.S. Patent 10,468,047: A Wireless Digital Audio System

Washington D.C. - A detailed analysis of United States Patent 10,468,047, titled "Wireless digital audio music system," reveals a technology focused on providing a private and interference-free listening experience through a portable wireless audio setup. This patent has been the subject of multiple legal challenges, indicating its significance in the wireless audio market.

The patent, issued on November 5, 2019, is assigned to ONE-E-WAY, INC., with C. Earl Woolfork listed as the inventor. The application for this patent was filed on November 9, 2018.

Abstract

The official abstract describes a wireless digital audio system that includes a portable audio source connected to a digital audio transmitter. This transmitter communicates wirelessly with an audio receiver that is coupled to a headphone set. A key feature of the invention is the use of fuzzy logic in the digital audio receiver to optimize digital signal processing. The system is designed for Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) communication, which allows for private audio enjoyment without interference from other nearby wireless transmitters and receivers.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims

U.S. Patent 10,468,047 contains three independent claims: 1, 8, and 17. Below is a plain-language explanation of each.

Independent Claim 1: This claim describes a portable audio receiver that uses spread spectrum technology. This receiver is designed to receive wireless audio signals from a transmitter that is connected to a music source. The core of this claim is the receiver's ability to reduce "intersymbol interference," a type of signal distortion that can occur in digital communications. The receiver can handle different types of wireless signals (specifically, DPSK and non-DPSK demodulation) and converts the digital signal back to an analog signal for the user to hear through a speaker. A crucial aspect is that the receiver is configured to only communicate with its paired transmitter using a unique user code and a method called "independent code division multiple access," ensuring that the user does not hear audio from other nearby wireless devices.

Independent Claim 8: This claim essentially covers the same portable spread spectrum audio receiver as claim 1 but is worded as a method of operation rather than a physical device. It outlines the steps the receiver takes: using a unique code and CDMA to connect to a specific transmitter, receiving the wireless audio signal, processing it to reduce interference, demodulating the signal in one of several ways, generating an analog audio signal, and outputting the final audio.

Independent Claim 17: This claim focuses on the other side of the system: the portable spread spectrum audio transmitter. This transmitter connects to a music source and is configured to send out a wireless audio signal. The key features described are its ability to encode the audio signal to prevent intersymbol interference, modulate the signal using one of several methods (DPSK and non-DPSK), and then transmit it wirelessly using CDMA. This ensures that the transmitted signal is robust and can be picked up clearly by its corresponding receiver without causing interference for other devices.

Legal Status and Litigation

A search of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) dockets for the year 2026 did not reveal any cases involving U.S. Patent 10,468,047. However, it is a matter of public record that this patent, along with others in the same family, has been the subject of Inter Partes Review (IPR) proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) and has been asserted in district court litigation against major technology companies. This history underscores the commercial relevance of the technology described in the patent.

There is no uncertainty regarding the key details of this patent as the information was retrieved from authoritative public patent databases.