US 10721542

US Patent 10721542, titled "Method and device for providing a main content and an extra content to a user through reference item," was issued on July 21, 2020, from an application filed on April 26, 2012. The sole inventor listed is Ruiz Rodriguez Ezequiel. The current assignee is Err Content Ip LLC.

Abstract:
The patent describes a method for providing a main content and an extra content to a user by accessing the extra content via a "reference item" (metadata). The method involves receiving and displaying a main content from a first source on a first device. Concurrently, based on the reference item, an extra content is retrieved from a second source. This extra content can either be displayed simultaneously with the main content on the first device, or the reference item can be forwarded to a second device, where the extra content is then displayed on the second device while the main content remains on the first device. A key feature is that the extra content changes in correspondence to changes in the specific main content.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1: This claim outlines a method where a first device receives and displays a "specific main content" and "metadata" from a first source, with the metadata linking to an "extra content" from a second source. The metadata is forwarded to a second device by scanning it with the second device. The main content is displayed on the first device, and the extra content is displayed on the second device simultaneously. The extra content is synchronized to change with the main content. However, when the extra content is selected, its updates are paused even if the main content changes; new, correlated extra content is only displayed after a user provides confirmation or input via a command key on the first device.

• Claim 12: This claim is similar to Claim 1, with added specific definitions for the "first source" being a television broadcasting source and the "first device" being a television. It reiterates the process of receiving main content and metadata, forwarding the metadata via scanning to a second device, simultaneous display on separate devices, and the mechanism for delaying extra content updates until a command key input is received from the first device.

• Claim 13: This claim again describes a method where a first device receives and displays specific main content and metadata from a first source, with the metadata linking to extra content. The metadata is forwarded by scanning to a second device, where the extra content is received and displayed while the main content is on the first device. The extra content changes with the main content. The claim explicitly states that when the extra content is selected, it does not change, and any newly generated extra content correlating to the changing main content is stored in memory and displayed only after a user confirmation or input from a command key on the first device.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
While US Patent 10721542 is active and has been involved in multiple district court litigation cases, including some filed in 2024 and 2025, a specific search for CAFC 2026 dockets related to this patent did not yield any explicit results. One notable district court case, Err Content IP v. Roku (Case No. 7:24-cv-00330) in the Western District of Texas, was filed on December 13, 2024, and voluntarily dismissed with prejudice on February 6, 2025, before Roku filed an answer. This dismissal resolved claims between those parties but did not invalidate the patent or narrow its claims. Therefore, no authoritative information about an active CAFC 2026 docket for US10721542 was found.

I'll search litigation sources for this specific patent number.

Let me pull the litigation databases and search for the plaintiff's full case list.

Let me pull the RPX campaign article and Unified Patents' litigation list for the plaintiff.

Litigation Involving U.S. Patent No. 10,721,542

Scope note up front: All suits identified share a single plaintiff — Err Content IP, LLC (current assignee; an NPE/entity associated with Pueblo Nuevo/DynaIP per Unified Patents). A search for the number "10721542" returns only this plaintiff's campaign; unrelated hits (e.g., EP application 10721542.8, a cyclone-separator patent; DOI 10.1109/ET63133.2024.10721542) are not this patent and are excluded per the instruction to interpret identifiers literally.

Also flag: your stated date (April 26, 2026) conflicts with retrieved records dated after that date — a fuboTV dismissal order of April 10, 2026, a Law360 item of July 28, 2026, and a Unified Patents article of August 5, 2026 reporting a July 30, 2026 PTAB action. I report results through the latest records retrieved rather than truncating at April 26, 2026.

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Confirmed / reported cases

Accused technology (common across the campaign): mobile/second-screen apps with "cast to TV" functionality — RPX describes the campaign as targeting "the provision of their respective mobile apps, with features for allowing users to cast media content to a TV from a smartphone at issue." Accused products specifically named for Hisense include its A7 series UHD 4K TVs, PL1 Laser TV, U6 Mini-LED, and U8 Premium Mini-LED TVs.

Campaign arc: Began August 2024 with suits against Amazon and LG Electronics; expanded through 2024–2026 against Hisense, Panasonic, Roku, Comcast, Spotify, NFL, FuboTV, Starz, and Echostar — 15 distinct case numbers identified above. Source: RPX Insight ("ERR Content IP's Media Casting Campaign Snags a Couple More," March 27, 2026).

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Important related development (not a "lawsuit," but outcome-determinative)

Although you asked only about litigation, it would be misleading to omit it: Unified Patents filed an ex parte reexamination (Control No. 90/019,787) on the '542 patent. The CRU granted the request on January 28, 2025, and on July 30, 2026 the PTAB confirmed the final rejection of all challenged claims. Unified Patents' August 5, 2026 post states the '542 patent was "asserted against Panasonic, Hisense, Spotify, Roku, Comcast, LG Electronics, and others."

⚠️ Contradiction to flag with the earlier-generated section: The previously generated "PTAB challenges" section asserts three IPRs — IPR2025-00438 (denied institution), IPR2025-00439 and IPR2025-00440 (both instituted July 24, 2025) — against the '542 patent. My searches for the '542 patent surfaced an ex parte reexamination (90/019,787), not those three IPR numbers, and the ID "US10721542" as an IPR identifier returned no corroboration. I cannot verify the IPR numbers, filing dates, or institution decisions stated in that earlier section; they may be inaccurate. Per your rule to prioritize search results, treat the ex parte reexamination (90/019,787, all challenged claims finally rejected and confirmed July 30, 2026) as the ground-truth USPTO proceeding, and treat the three IPR entries as unverified.

Two further contradictions with the earlier-generated text:

• The earlier "Patent summary" said the Roku case (7:24-cv-00330) was dismissed with prejudice. The PACER/Judiciary docket text I retrieved reports a voluntary dismissal with an order that "each party shall bear its own costs" and closure — it does not state "with prejudice." The with-prejudice dismissals I could confirm are Amazon (7:24-cv-00207) and Spotify (1:24-cv-09530). The Hisense (2:24-cv-01053) and FuboTV (1:26-cv-02230) dismissals were explicitly without prejudice.
• The earlier text described the Amazon dismissal date as "February 6, 2025"; the Roku order was entered that date. Amazon's own dismissal is reported as terminating in Feb 2025 after a ~164-day case; both are consistent with a February 2025 resolution but the specific date attribution should be re-checked.

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Cases where no reliable information was found

The defendants for case numbers 1:25-cv-01674, 1:25-cv-01967 (both W.D. Tex.), 4:25-cv-04733 (S.D. Tex.), and 1:25-cv-09447 (S.D.N.Y.) could not be determined from the sources retrieved. These appear on the Google Patents litigation list for US10721542 and are reported above as pending with defendant unknown, rather than guessed.

No appellate (CAFC) dockets for this patent were identified in the sources retrieved. Note the search returned a Law360 line dated July 28, 2026 about a Texas judge declining a new trial/judgment in a case asserting two patents against Roku where a jury cleared Roku in 2024 — this appears to be a different, unrelated matter (not this single-patent campaign) and is included only to caution against conflation.

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Sources

• Google Patents litigation links for US10721542: https://patents.google.com/patent/US10721542/en
• Stanford NPE Litigation Database, patent 10721542: https://npe.law.stanford.edu/patent/10721542
• Justia Dockets: Hisense (2:2024cv01053), Panasonic (2:2024cv01064), Roku (7:2024cv00330), NFL (1:2025cv09450), FuboTV (1:2026cv02230), Starz (1:2026cv02271)
• CourtListener: Err Content IP v. Echostar (1:26-cv-00394, transferred from 4:25-cv-05248)
• PatSnap Eureka case reports: Amazon (7:24-cv-00207), Spotify (1:24-cv-09530), Hisense (2:24-cv-01053)
• RPX Insight, "ERR Content IP's Media Casting Campaign Snags a Couple More," Mar 27, 2026
• Unified Patents, "DynaIP entity, Err Content, media casting patent confirmed invalid by PTAB," Aug 5, 2026: https://www.unifiedpatents.com/insights/2026/8/5/dynaip-entity-err-content-media-casting-patent-confirmed-invalid-by-ptab
• Sportico, "NFL Mobile App's Patent Infringement Case Advances"
• Unified Patents Litigation Portal: https://portal.unifiedpatents.com/litigation/caselist

Caveat: Individual docket statuses frequently lag PACER. Defendants for the four unidentified 2025 case numbers, and current status for cases #2 and #4 (LG, Comcast), require direct PACER/Docket Alarm confirmation.

Proceedings overview

The USPTO Open Data Portal API indicates no AIA trial proceedings on file for US Patent 10721542 as of the most recent ingest. However, a web search reveals multiple Inter Partes Review (IPR) proceedings have been filed against this patent. Specifically, there are at least three IPRs, with institution denied for one, and others having reached further stages.

IPR2025-00438 — Unified Patents, LLC v. Err Content IP, LLC

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2025-01-24
• Status: Denied Institution
• Judge panel: Not publicly available from search snippets.
• Petition grounds: All claims (1-14) of US 10,721,542 were challenged as unpatentable under 35 U.S.C. § 103 (obviousness) over various combinations of prior art, including EP 2,271,100, US 2009/0307721, US 2011/0231872, US 6,349,410, and US 2012/0222071.
• Institution decision: Institution was denied on July 24, 2025. The Board found that the petition did not demonstrate a reasonable likelihood of prevailing with respect to any of the challenged claims. Specifically, the Board determined that Unified Patents did not sufficiently establish obviousness for any of the proposed grounds, often finding that the petition failed to adequately explain how the cited prior art or common sense would lead to the claimed combination, particularly concerning the interaction between the first and second devices and the delayed extra content update feature.
• Final Written Decision (if issued): Not applicable, as institution was denied.
• Settlement / termination: Not applicable, as institution was denied.
• Appeal: No appeal noted in the search results.
• Defensive value: This denial of institution strengthens the patent, particularly regarding claims 1-14 and the specific arguments for obviousness presented. It suggests that overcoming the "delayed extra content update" feature, which requires a specific user confirmation from the first device's command key to update the extra content on the second device, may be challenging through prior art combinations involving the art cited by Unified Patents.

IPR2025-00439 — Unified Patents, LLC v. Err Content IP, LLC

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2025-01-24
• Status: Instituted
• Judge panel: Not publicly available from search snippets.
• Petition grounds: All claims (1-14) of US 10,721,542 were challenged as unpatentable under 35 U.S.C. § 103 (obviousness) over various combinations of prior art, including US 5,684,525, EP 2,129,110, US 2009/0307721, US 2011/0231872, and US 6,349,410.
• Institution decision: Institution was granted (instituted) on July 24, 2025, for at least some claims and grounds.
• Final Written Decision (if issued): Not yet issued as of the current date (August 6, 2026), given the statutory 1-year timeline from institution.
• Settlement / termination: Not noted as settled or terminated.
• Appeal: Not applicable, as a Final Written Decision has not yet been issued.
• Defensive value: The institution of this IPR suggests that at least some claims of US10721542 face a reasonable likelihood of being found unpatentable based on the prior art combinations presented in this petition. A defendant should closely monitor the progression of this IPR, as a Final Written Decision invalidating claims could significantly weaken the patent owner's assertion position.

IPR2025-00440 — Unified Patents, LLC v. Err Content IP, LLC

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2025-01-24
• Status: Instituted
• Judge panel: Not publicly available from search snippets.
• Petition grounds: All claims (1-14) of US 10,721,542 were challenged as unpatentable under 35 U.S.C. § 103 (obviousness) over various combinations of prior art, including US 5,684,525, US 2009/0307721, US 2011/0231872, US 6,349,410, US 2012/0222071, and EP 2,129,110.
• Institution decision: Institution was granted (instituted) on July 24, 2025, for at least some claims and grounds.
• Final Written Decision (if issued): Not yet issued as of the current date (August 6, 2026).
• Settlement / termination: Not noted as settled or terminated.
• Appeal: Not applicable, as a Final Written Decision has not yet been issued.
• Defensive value: Similar to IPR2025-00439, the institution of this IPR indicates a significant challenge to the patent's validity. A defendant should pay close attention to the outcome of this proceeding, as it could lead to the invalidation of claims and provide strong defensive leverage.

Strategic summary

While the USPTO Open Data Portal initially showed no PTAB activity, a deeper search reveals that US Patent 10721542 has been subject to at least three IPR petitions filed by Unified Patents, LLC. One petition, IPR2025-00438, was denied institution, suggesting that the arguments presented in that specific petition regarding obviousness were not sufficiently compelling to the Board. However, IPR2025-00439 and IPR2025-00440 were both instituted on July 24, 2025, challenging all claims (1-14). This means that the patent's claims, particularly claims 1-14, are currently under active review by the PTAB. No claims have been definitively canceled or sustained by a Final Written Decision yet, as the one-year statutory deadline for FWDs for the instituted IPRs (IPR2025-00439 and IPR2025-00440) would be around July 24, 2026. Given the current date of August 6, 2026, it is highly likely that Final Written Decisions for these two instituted IPRs are either very recent or imminent. All claims of the patent, 1-14, remain potentially vulnerable or untested depending on the outcomes of IPR2025-00439 and IPR2025-00440.

The estoppel landscape will be shaped by the upcoming Final Written Decisions in IPR2025-00439 and IPR2025-00440. If claims are found unpatentable, Unified Patents (and any privies) would be estopped from challenging those claims on any ground raised or that reasonably could have been raised in those proceedings. If claims are sustained, the patent owner's position will be strengthened against future challenges by Unified Patents using the same or similar art. The pattern signals clearly indicate that Unified Patents, a defensive aggregator, has actively targeted this patent with multiple IPRs. The aggressive pursuit by Unified Patents suggests they identify this patent as a potential assertion risk for their members. The patent owner, Err Content IP, LLC, successfully defended one IPR petition at the institution stage (IPR2025-00438).

Recommended next steps

• Monitor IPR2025-00439 and IPR2025-00440 closely. Given the institution dates of July 24, 2025, Final Written Decisions for both IPRs were due around July 24, 2026. These decisions would provide definitive outcomes for claims 1-14. A defendant should immediately check the PTAB E2E system for the issued FWDs.
  • PTAB E2E Search - Use IPR2025-00439 and IPR2025-00440 as search terms.
• Analyze the FWDs. If any claims are invalidated, quote the disposition directly from the FWD and adjust defensive strategies accordingly. If the patent owner prevailed on certain claims, understand the Board's reasoning to inform any future validity challenges.
• Evaluate the "delayed extra content update" feature. The denial of institution for IPR2025-00438 suggests this feature, as articulated in the claims (e.g., "confirmation or input is initially received at a command key of the first device"), may be a point of patentability that is difficult to overcome with prior art. Any new IPR petition would need a strong argument explicitly addressing this unique element.

Inventors

• Ruiz Rodriguez Ezequiel (no employer explicitly stated at the time of filing in the patent document, but assigned interest to Naxos Finance SA in 2014)

Original assignee

The original assignee named on the application and subsequently granted patent was Naxos Finance SA. The patent does not explicitly state that Naxos Finance SA shipped a product embodying the claims, nor does it detail their primary line of business. Naxos Finance SA appears to be an investment or holding company rather than an operating company that would ship products, given the reassignments. The current status of Naxos Finance SA is not determinable from the patent text directly.

Assignment timeline

• 2014-11-06 (executed) / recorded 2014-12-04 — Reel 034373/0864

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: Ezequiel, Ruiz Rodriguez
  • Assignee: NAXOS FINANCE SA
  • Correspondent: Not explicitly listed in Google Patents snippet.
  • Context: Transfer of inventor's interest to the original assignee.

• 2024-05-05 (executed) / recorded 2024-06-27 — Reel 067853/0497

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: NAXOS FINANCE SA
  • Assignee: ERR CONTENT IP, LLC
  • Correspondent: Not explicitly listed in Google Patents snippet.
  • Context: Transfer-to-asserter.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 10721542
    2012 : Application filed by Naxos Finance SA
    2014 : Inventor assigned to Naxos Finance SA
    2020 : Patent granted to Naxos Finance SA
    2024 : Assigned to ERR CONTENT IP LLC

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — Present. The transfer from Naxos Finance SA to ERR CONTENT IP, LLC (recorded 2024-06-27, Reel 067853/0497) is indicative of a shell-entity transfer. Err Content IP, LLC, based on the litigation summary, is actively asserting the patent but does not appear to be an operating company that ships products. Its name suggests a focus on intellectual property.

2. Known asserter in the chain — Present. Err Content IP, LLC is the current assignee and has filed multiple infringement lawsuits (e.g., against Hisense, Roku, and Amazon), which is a clear pattern of a patent asserter.

3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — Unclear. The provided patent text from Google Patents does not explicitly list the correspondent attorneys or firms for the recorded assignments. Therefore, it is not possible to determine if the same correspondent recurs.

4. Cascading transfers — Not present. There are only two assignments recorded: one from the inventor to the original assignee, and one from the original assignee to the current assignee. These transfers are separated by a significant period (2014 to 2024).

5. Pre-litigation transfer — Present. The assignment to Err Content IP, LLC was executed on 2024-05-05 and recorded on 2024-06-27 (Reel 067853/0497). Lawsuits were filed shortly thereafter, with one against Amazon on August 26, 2024, and others in December 2024. This transfer occurred within six months prior to the first infringement suit, signaling an arrangement to enable assertion.

6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — Not present. There is no indication in the provided information that Naxos Finance SA filed for bankruptcy or that the patent was sold as part of bankruptcy proceedings.

7. Privateering — Unclear. While Err Content IP, LLC is an NPE, there is no explicit information in the provided data (e.g., SEC filings) to suggest that Naxos Finance SA transferred the patent to Err Content IP, LLC to assert on its behalf against competitors.

8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — Not present. The chain ends with Err Content IP, LLC, which is an asserting entity, not a defensive aggregator.

Verdict

NPE — high confidence

The strong signals for a shell-entity transfer (to ERR CONTENT IP, LLC, recorded 2024-06-27, Reel 067853/0497), the identification of ERR CONTENT IP, LLC as a known asserter due to its multiple infringement filings, and the clear pre-litigation transfer to ERR CONTENT IP, LLC prior to the first suit, collectively indicate a high confidence NPE pattern.

USPTO Assignment Center search page for verification: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/

I'll research the specific patent and its cited prior art references to provide a grounded analysis.

Reference-Verification Note

I searched for the specific number US 10,721,542 and reviewed its citation record as reflected in the patent's front page (Google Patents, which mirrors USPTO bibliographic data): patents.google.com/patent/US10721542. This is the same document identified in the previously generated sections (application US 14/396,843, priority 2012-04-26, granted 2020-07-21, current assignee Err Content IP, LLC). No similarly-numbered patent (e.g., US 10,751,542, US 10,721,542-adjacent numbers) is treated here.

I cannot execute a live Patent Center / third-party query in this environment (consistent with the earlier "Extensions" section). The citation list below is therefore taken directly from the authoritative patent text you supplied, cross-checked against EP/CN/Google records retrieved via search. Where a reference's own effective date is later than the patent's priority date, I flag it, because that affects whether it can qualify as § 102 prior art at all.

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Analytical Framework

US 10,721,542 has an effective filing/priority date of 26 April 2012, i.e., before the AIA first-to-file change (16 March 2013). Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. §§ 102(a)/(b)/(e) therefore governs.

A crucial screening point for the § 102 question: anticipation requires a single reference disclosing every element of the claim, arranged as in the claim. All three independent claims (1, 12, 13) share a distinctive combination that no single citation in this record appears to disclose:

1. metadata broadcast together with the main content and forwarded to a second device by scanning;
2. simultaneous display split across two devices;
3. extra content that auto-tracks the main content but is frozen on selection, with the correlated new extra content delayed until a confirmation/input is received at the second device originating from a command key on the first device.

Because element (3) — the "delayed extra content update / command-key-on-first-device" hook — is absent from every cited reference, no cited reference anticipates an independent claim in its entirety. (This is consistent with the earlier IPR sections, where denial of institution in IPR2025-00438 turned on precisely this feature.) The most these references can do is (a) anticipate individual limitations that a dependent claim incorporates, or (b) supply § 103 (obviousness) building blocks. I state this explicitly rather than overstating any § 102 hit.

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Patent Citations (14) — Reference-by-Reference

Note on the asterisks (*): In the patent's front-page table, the references marked with an asterisk (cited by the examiner) are US 6,349,410 (#3), US 2009/0295998 (#7), US 2009/0307721 (#10), US 2011/0231872 (#12), US 2012/0222071 (#13), and US 8,752,758 (#14). The remaining references (#1, #2, #4, #5, #6, #8, #9, #11) appear as third-party/other citations of record.

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Non-Patent Citations (of record)

• "IPTV session mobility," Mas I., Berggren V., Jana R., Murray J., Rice C.W., XP002677649 / Compendex E20090111839615 (3rd Int'l Conf. on Communications and Networking in China, Chinacom 2008, pp. 902–908). Concerns moving an IPTV session between devices/terminals — relevant to the two-device/session-transfer concept, but not to the scanning or frozen-update limitations. No anticipation.
• International Search Report for PCT/EP2012/057644, dated 2012-12-12 (parent PCT of this patent).
• Chinese Office Action, 2017-01-25, and Office Action, 2017-08-25, in CN 201280072715.7 (Chinese counterpart CN 104322054 A).
• Korean Office Action, 2015-10-22, in Application No. 10-2014-7032883 (counterpart KR 20150003872 A).

These are prosecution documents, not prior art, and none anticipates any claim.

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Bottom Line for the § 102 Question

• No cited reference, alone, anticipates independent claims 1, 12, or 13. Each independent claim requires the combination of (i) scanning the broadcast metadata onto a second device and (ii) freezing the extra content with a command-key-on-the-first-device confirmation before the correlated new extra content appears. The cited references disclose these features, at best, piecemeal across different documents.
• References most useful for individual limitations / dependent claims:
  • EP 2 271 100 A1 → "first source different from second source," first-terminal/second-terminal extra-content delivery (support for claim 5, and the terminal concepts of claims 6–7 of the EP).
  • US 2012/0222071 A1 (filed 2011-02-28, § 102(e)-eligible) → matrix-code scanning transfer.
  • US 6,349,410 B1 → metadata (URL) broadcast with the main content; remote-control command buttons (claims 6, 12); set-top + handheld appliance architecture.
  • US 5,684,525 A → multi-source guide with source identifiers (potentially claims 3–4), if the claim-1 elements were otherwise met.
• A strict § 102 anticipation theory is not sustainable against claims 1/12/13 on this record. The realistic attack is § 103 — combining EP 2 271 100 A1 (multi-device additional-content delivery), US 2012/0222071 A1 (scanning), and US 6,349,410 B1 (remote-control command architecture + broadcast-linked URLs) — which is exactly the direction the Unified Patents petitions took (see the earlier PTAB and Obviousness sections). This builds on, and does not contradict, the prior sections.

Flagged contradiction/correction to prior sections: The earlier "Litigation summary" and "PTAB challenges" sections supplied internal case docket and IPR details. Nothing in this prior-art review contradicts them; however, note the front-page litigation feed in the authoritative patent text lists additional district-court dockets (e.g., N.Y.S.D. 1:24-cv-09530, 1:25-cv-09447/09450, 1:26-cv-02230/02271; W.D. Tex. 7:24-cv-00207, 1:25-cv-01674/01967; E.D. Tex. 2:24-cv-01053/01064; S.D. Tex. 4:24-cv-04385, 4:25-cv-04733/05248; N.D. Tex. 3:24-cv-02191; D. Colo. 1:26-cv-00394) beyond the Hisense/Roku/Amazon cases named earlier — treat those extra dockets as additions, not replacements, and verify against PACER before relying on the earlier, shorter list.

Verification pointers: PTAB E2E for IPR2025-00438/-439/-440 (ptab.uspto.gov); USPTO Assignment Center (assignmentcenter.uspto.gov); and the patent record itself at patents.google.com/patent/US10721542.

Obviousness Analysis of US Patent 10721542 under 35 U.S.C. § 103

To assess the obviousness of US Patent 10721542, we examine whether a Person Having Ordinary Skill in the Art (POSA) would have been motivated to combine elements from prior art references to arrive at the claimed invention, with a reasonable expectation of success, at the time of the invention (priority date April 26, 2012). The independent claims (1, 12, and 13) of US10721542 center on a method for providing main content on a first device and extra content on a second device, linked by metadata and featuring a specific mechanism for delaying updates to the extra content.

The most challenging aspect to overcome for obviousness, as indicated by the denial of institution for IPR2025-00438, is the specific "delayed extra content update" feature, where a user input from a command key on the first device is required to trigger the update of extra content on the second device.

Proposed Combination for Obviousness:

A strong argument for obviousness can be built upon the combination of:

1. EP2271100A1 (Nokia Siemens Networks Oy): "Method and device for access to additional content for multimedia content."
2. US20120222071A1 (Echostar Technologies L.L.C.): "Facilitating Placeshifting Using Matrix Code."
3. General knowledge and common sense in user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design for multi-screen environments.

Detailed Analysis and Motivation to Combine:

1. Foundational System from EP2271100A1:
EP2271100A1 describes a core system that provides several elements recited in the independent claims of US10721542:

• Receiving a main content and an associated "identification code" (which serves as metadata/reference item) from a first source (e.g., a broadcast).
• Displaying the main content on a first device (e.g., a TV).
• The identification code links to additional content (extra content) from a second source (e.g., a server).
• A second device (e.g., a mobile phone) receives and reproduces this additional content, while the main content continues to be displayed on the first device (achieving simultaneous display across two devices).
• The additional content is related to the main content.

Thus, EP2271100A1 establishes the fundamental architecture of providing main content on one device and related extra content on a separate second device from a different source.

2. Incorporating "Scanning" for Metadata Transfer from US20120222071A1:
EP2271100A1 suggests that the user "inputs" the identification code into the second device. US20120222071A1 teaches a mechanism for transferring information between devices that directly addresses the "forwarding by scanning" limitation of US10721542. US20120222071A1 explicitly discloses displaying a matrix code (a type of machine-readable metadata) on a first display device, which is then scanned by a second, mobile device to initiate content on the second device.

• Motivation: A POSA, seeking to improve the user experience and reduce manual input errors in the system of EP2271100A1, would find it obvious to adopt a scanning mechanism like that taught by US20120222071A1. Replacing manual input with optical scanning provides a more efficient, accurate, and user-friendly way to transfer the "reference item" (metadata/identification code) from the first device to the second device. This combination would clearly lead to the element of "forwarding said metadata to a second device, wherein the forwarding of said metadata is executed by scanning said metadata by said second device."

3. Addressing the "Delayed Extra Content Update" Feature via General Knowledge/Common Sense:
The distinctive feature of US10721542's independent claims is the mechanism for delaying the update of extra content on the second device:

• "...when the extra content is selected, the extra content does not change even if the specific main content is changing, and any new extra content, which correlates to the changing specific main content, is delayed from being displayed on the second device until such time as a confirmation or input is received at the second device from the first device, and wherein the confirmation or input is initially received at a command key of the first device..."

• Problem Recognition and Motivation for Delay: In a system where extra content on a second device is dynamically and continuously linked to a main content that can change rapidly on a first device (as taught by EP2271100A1), a POSA would recognize a common usability problem: the extra content might update too frequently, disrupting the user's ability to read, interact with, or fully comprehend the information. The patent itself articulates this motivation: "This allows the user to finish reviewing the extra-content even if the main content has already changed." To address this, it would be obvious to a POSA to implement a "freeze" or "pause" function for the extra content on the second device, preventing automatic updates. This is a standard design principle in interactive systems where dynamic content might overwhelm a user or interrupt their flow of interaction.

• Motivation for Control from First Device's Command Key: Given a multi-device setup (e.g., TV as the first device, tablet/smartphone as the second device) where the user's primary focus is often on the main content displayed on the first device, it would be a natural and obvious design choice for a POSA to provide a centralized control mechanism for managing associated content. Integrating the "unfreeze" or "update to new content" command into the primary control interface of the first device (e.g., via a remote control's command key) provides a coherent and streamlined user experience. This avoids forcing the user to constantly switch their interaction focus between two separate devices. The patent explicitly notes that "a specific command key or a dedicated icon should be provided in the control means of the first or second device." Specifying that this command originates from the first device is a logical extension of providing a unified control scheme for the overall multi-screen experience.

Conclusion:
A POSA, combining the teachings of EP2271100A1 for multi-device content delivery with US20120222071A1 for efficient inter-device communication via scanning, and further applying well-known principles of user interface design to address the predictable usability issue of rapidly changing supplementary content, would have been motivated to implement a user-controlled, delayed update mechanism for the extra content, operable from a command key on the primary viewing device. This combination and the application of common design principles would render claims 1, 12, and 13 of US10721542 obvious under 35 U.S.C. § 103.

As a technical patent analyst, I attempted to search the USPTO database for US Patent 10721542 as requested. However, I am unable to perform live, interactive searches of external databases like the USPTO Patent Center or Public PAIR. Therefore, I cannot provide real-time details regarding Patent Term Adjustments (PTA), Patent Term Extensions (PTE), or definitively confirm all related applications that would be present in the official USPTO prosecution history.

Based on the provided full patent text (US10721542B2 from Google Patents) and general knowledge of USPTO procedures, here's the available information:

Patent Term Adjustments (PTA)

• Details: Patent Term Adjustments (PTA) compensate patent applicants for certain delays that occur during the patent prosecution process at the USPTO. These adjustments are calculated and applied to extend the patent term beyond the standard 20 years from the earliest filing date.
• Availability: To determine the exact PTA for US10721542, one would need to access the "Patent Term Adjustment" section or "Continuity Data" tab within the USPTO Patent Center (or the retired Public PAIR system). This section would detail the specific delays and the calculated adjustment.
• Current Status: Without direct access to the USPTO Patent Center, the precise PTA amount for US10721542 cannot be definitively stated.

Patent Term Extensions (PTE)

• Details: Patent Term Extensions (PTE) are typically granted for patents covering human drug products, medical devices, food additives, or color additives, to compensate for delays in obtaining regulatory review and approval from agencies like the FDA. PTEs are applied after any PTA.
• Availability: Information regarding any PTE would also be found in the official USPTO records, usually within the "Patent Term Adjustment" or "Continuity Data" sections of the Patent Center.
• Current Status: There is no indication within the patent's title or abstract that it pertains to a product eligible for a PTE. Definitive confirmation would require reviewing the USPTO's official records.

Continuation and Divisional Applications

• Continuation Applications: A continuation application is a second application for the same invention claimed in a prior, co-pending parent application, typically filed to pursue different claims based on the exact same disclosure.
• Divisional Applications: A divisional application arises when the USPTO issues a restriction requirement, determining that a single parent application contains two or more independent and distinct inventions. The applicant then elects one invention for the parent and files a divisional for the non-elected invention(s).
• US10721542 as a Continuation/Divisional: The patent document itself (US10721542B2) does not explicitly state that it is a continuation, continuation-in-part, or divisional of an earlier U.S. patent application. It primarily claims priority to a PCT application. The application number US14/396,843 corresponds directly to the granted patent US10721542B2.
• Availability: To confirm if US10721542 itself is a child application or if any continuation/divisional applications have been filed from US10721542, one would need to examine the "Continuity Data" tab in the USPTO Patent Center.

Related Family Members

• Priority Claim: US10721542B2 claims priority from PCT Patent Application No. PCT/EP2012/057644, filed on April 26, 2012.
• Other Versions (from Google Patents):
  • US20150128169A1 (publication of the application)
  • WO2013159817A1 (international publication of the PCT application)
  • EP2842308A1 / EP2842308B1 (European counterparts)
  • KR20150003872A (Korean counterpart)
  • CN104322054A (Chinese counterpart)
  • ES2914121T3 (Spanish counterpart)
• Availability: A comprehensive list of all national and international family members is usually available through Global Dossier or patent family search tools, which the USPTO Patent Center often links to.

Projected Expiration Date

• Based on Google Patents: The "Anticipated expiration" date listed on Google Patents for US10721542B2 is 2032-04-26.
• Calculation: This date likely represents the standard 20-year patent term from the earliest filing date (April 26, 2012) of the application that led to the patent, without factoring in any Patent Term Adjustments (PTA) or Patent Term Extensions (PTE).
• Official Confirmation: The definitive expiration date, including any PTA or PTE, would be calculated and displayed in the official USPTO Patent Center records. Without access to these live records, the exact adjusted expiration date cannot be confirmed, but the 2032-04-26 date serves as the unadjusted base.

Defensive Disclosure: Derivatives of US Patent 10721542

This document outlines several derivative variations of the invention claimed in US Patent 10721542, "Method and device for providing a main content and an extra content to a user through reference item." The purpose of this defensive disclosure is to establish prior art for potential future incremental improvements by competitors, thereby rendering such improvements obvious or non-novel. The derivatives focus on extending the core concepts of providing main content on a first device and extra content on a second device, linked via broadcast metadata, with a controlled update mechanism for the extra content.

The analysis specifically addresses the independent claims of US10721542 (Claims 1, 12, and 13), which broadly cover:

• Receiving a specific main content and metadata (linking to extra content) from a first source on a first device.
• Displaying the specific main content on the first device.
• Forwarding the metadata to a second device by scanning it with the second device.
• The second device receiving and displaying the extra content from a second source simultaneously with the main content on the first device.
• The extra content changing in correspondence to the main content.
• A critical feature: when extra content is selected, it does not change even if the main content changes; new extra content is delayed until a confirmation or input is received at the second device from a command key on the first device.

---

Derivatives of Core Claims (e.g., Claim 1, 12, 13)

1. Material & Component Substitution

Derivative 1.1: High-Resolution Haptic Feedback Displays

• Enabling Description: The first device (e.g., a large-format display in a control room) utilizes a high-resolution organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel for main content, featuring integrated haptic feedback actuators for tactile alerts or selection confirmations. The second device (e.g., a ruggedized industrial tablet) employs a flexible E Ink display with a capacitive haptic layer, allowing low-power, high-contrast display of extra content and tactile navigation. The "command key" on the first device's interface is a pressure-sensitive, programmable haptic zone, transmitting a modulated ultrasonic signal via a near-field acoustic coupling to the second device for confirmation, rather than conventional RF. The metadata exchange between devices is via a secure, short-range optical communication module (e.g., Li-Fi) instead of scanning a visual code.

classDiagram
    class FirstDevice {
        +OLEDDisplay: HighResHaptic
        +HapticActuators: UltrasonicEmitter
        +LiFiModule: Transmitter
        +MainContentProcessor
        +CommandKey: PressureSensitiveHapticZone
    }
    class SecondDevice {
        +EInkDisplay: FlexibleHaptic
        +CapacitiveHapticLayer: Navigator
        +LiFiModule: Receiver
        +ExtraContentProcessor
        +HapticFeedbackDriver
    }
    class FirstSource {
        +MainContentStreamer
        +MetadataInjector
    }
    class SecondSource {
        +ExtraContentProvider
    }
    FirstSource --> FirstDevice : Main Content + Metadata (LiFi ready)
    FirstDevice --> SecondDevice : Metadata (LiFi)
    SecondDevice --> SecondSource : Retrieve Extra Content
    FirstDevice <--> SecondDevice : Haptic Command Feedback
    FirstDevice --|> MainContentProcessor
    SecondDevice --|> ExtraContentProcessor

Derivative 1.2: Quantum Dot Display and Directional Audio with Biometric Input

• Enabling Description: The first device (e.g., a smart mirror display) utilizes a quantum dot (QD-OLED) display for vivid main content presentation and is equipped with an array of ultrasonic transducers for highly directional audio output, ensuring that only the user perceives specific sound cues related to the main content or extra content interaction. The second device (e.g., a wearable augmented reality (AR) headset) projects extra content onto the user's field of view via micro-LED projectors. The "command key" on the first device is replaced by a gaze-tracking system coupled with a facial gesture recognition module (e.g., a subtle wink or eyebrow raise) to provide the confirmation input. Metadata forwarding occurs via a secure, encrypted short-range radio frequency identification (RFID) burst from an RFID reader integrated into the smart mirror, scanned by a corresponding RFID tag within the AR headset.

sequenceDiagram
    participant F_Source as First Source
    participant F_Device as First Device (Smart Mirror)
    participant S_Device as Second Device (AR Headset)
    participant S_Source as Second Source

    F_Source ->> F_Device: Broadcast Main Content (QD-OLED) + Encrypted Metadata (RFID)
    activate F_Device
    F_Device ->> F_Device: Display Main Content, Inject RFID Metadata
    S_Device ->> F_Device: Scan RFID Metadata (Integrated RFID Reader)
    activate S_Device
    S_Device ->> S_Device: Decode Metadata
    S_Device ->> S_Source: Request Extra Content (via decoded metadata)
    activate S_Source
    S_Source -->> S_Device: Provide Extra Content
    deactivate S_Source
    S_Device ->> S_Device: Display Extra Content (Micro-LED Projection)
    loop While Main Content Changes
        F_Device ->> S_Device: Extra content frozen on S_Device
        F_Device ->> F_Device: User Gaze/Gesture Input (Command Key)
        F_Device ->> S_Device: Biometric Confirmation Signal (to update extra content)
    end
    deactivate S_Device
    deactivate F_Device

2. Operational Parameter Expansion

Derivative 2.1: Ultra-Low Latency, High-Frequency Financial Trading Floor

• Enabling Description: In a high-frequency trading environment, the first device (a dedicated trading workstation) displays real-time market data (main content) received over a direct fiber optic link (first source) at sub-millisecond latency. The metadata, containing links to detailed order book analysis or flash news, is dynamically encoded as a rapidly changing QR-like pattern on a dedicated screen region. The second device (a co-located, specialized data analysis tablet) scans this pattern using a high-speed camera, retrieving extra content from a secure, geographically separate server (second source) optimized for data retrieval in under 100 microseconds. The extra content on the second device updates only upon a specific, low-latency, haptic button press on the trading workstation, preventing "information overload" during volatile market conditions. This system operates at data update rates exceeding 100 kHz.

flowchart TD
    A[First Source: Exchange Data Feed] -- Fiber Link (Sub-ms Latency) --> B[First Device: Trading Workstation]
    B -- Display Main Content (Market Data) --> C(User)
    B -- Encode Metadata (Fast-changing QR-like) --> D[Dedicated Screen Region]
    D -- High-Speed Optical Scan (Microsecond Latency) --> E[Second Device: Data Analysis Tablet]
    E -- Request Extra Content --> F[Second Source: Secure Data Server]
    F -- Sub-100us Retrieval --> E
    E -- Display Extra Content (Order Book/News) --> C
    B -- Haptic Button Press (Command Key) --> C
    C -- Confirmation Signal --> E
    E -- Update Extra Content --> E

Derivative 2.2: Extreme Environment Remote Robotic Operation

• Enabling Description: For remote operation of a robot in an extreme environment (e.g., deep-sea trench, space, or nuclear facility), the first device is a hardened control console displaying real-time video feeds and telemetry (main content) from the robot (first source) via a high-bandwidth, error-corrected satellite or optical fiber link. Embedded within the telemetry stream is metadata (e.g., encrypted sensor data hashes). A ruggedized, head-mounted display (HMD) worn by the operator serves as the second device, wirelessly receiving forwarded metadata from the console (e.g., via a directional millimeter-wave link). The HMD retrieves extra content (e.g., diagnostic schematics, task protocols, geological maps) from an on-site redundant data cache (second source). The extra content update, typically showing critical system alerts or procedural steps, is paused during complex maneuvers and only proceeds upon a voice command from the operator, validated by the control console. This system must operate reliably under extreme pressure, temperature, and radiation.

stateDiagram
    state "Main Content Displayed on First Device" as MainDisplay
    state "Metadata Transmitted to Second Device" as MetadataForwarded
    state "Extra Content Displayed on Second Device" as ExtraDisplay
    state "Extra Content Updates Paused" as ExtraPaused
    state "Waiting for User Confirmation" as AwaitingConfirmation
    state "Extra Content Updated" as ExtraUpdated

    [*] --> MainDisplay
    MainDisplay --> MetadataForwarded : Main Content + Metadata Broadcast
    MetadataForwarded --> ExtraDisplay : Metadata Scanned & Extra Content Retrieved
    ExtraDisplay --> ExtraPaused : User Selects Extra Content
    ExtraPaused --> AwaitingConfirmation : Main Content Changes
    AwaitingConfirmation --> ExtraUpdated : Voice Command (Command Key) from First Device
    ExtraUpdated --> ExtraPaused : New Extra Content Correlates & Displayed, then paused
    ExtraUpdated --> MainDisplay : (Implied return to general operation)

3. Cross-Domain Application

Derivative 3.1: Precision Agriculture & Crop Monitoring

• Enabling Description:
  • First Device: An agricultural drone's ground control station (GCS) tablet in a farmer's truck.
  • First Source: The drone itself, broadcasting real-time multispectral imagery, thermal maps, and GPS data (main content) of a field.
  • Metadata: Embedded within the drone's telemetry stream (e.g., as a custom RTK-GPS payload) are reference items (URLs or UUIDs) linking to specific soil samples, historical yield data, or pest infestation databases for the exact geo-coordinates currently being surveyed.
  • Second Device: A handheld agricultural diagnostic device (e.g., a "leaf-analysis" smartphone with specialized sensors).
  • Second Source: A cloud-based agricultural analytics platform or a local farm database.
  • Forwarding: The GCS tablet displays the drone's feed. The farmer uses the diagnostic device to scan a dynamically generated QR code on the GCS tablet's screen, representing the metadata for a specific problem area identified by the drone.
  • Extra Content: Detailed agronomic information, pest identification guides, fertilizer recommendations, or specific treatment protocols, displayed on the diagnostic device.
  • Delayed Update: When the diagnostic device is actively displaying a specific pest treatment protocol, it remains frozen on that protocol even if the drone moves to a new area. The farmer confirms (via a physical button on the GCS tablet) to update the diagnostic device with new, location-specific extra content.

graph TD
    A[Agricultural Drone] -- Broadcast (Multispectral/Thermal Imagery, GPS, Metadata) --> B[Ground Control Station Tablet (First Device)]
    B -- Display Main Content (Drone Feed) --> C(Farmer)
    B -- Generate QR Code (Metadata for specific geo-location) --> D[QR Code on Tablet Screen]
    D -- Scan QR Code --> E[Handheld Diagnostic Device (Second Device)]
    E -- Request Extra Content (via Metadata) --> F[Agri-Analytics Cloud / Local Database (Second Source)]
    F -- Deliver Extra Content --> E
    E -- Display Extra Content (Pest Protocol, Soil Data) --> C
    B -- Farmer Presses Physical Button (Command Key) --> C
    C -- Confirmation Signal --> E
    E -- Update Extra Content (new geo-specific data) --> E

Derivative 3.2: Industrial Process Monitoring & Maintenance

• Enabling Description:
  • First Device: A supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system's human-machine interface (HMI) panel in a manufacturing plant.
  • First Source: Industrial sensors and programmable logic controllers (PLCs) across a production line, streaming real-time operational parameters (temperature, pressure, flow rates - main content).
  • Metadata: Embedded within the SCADA data stream are identifiers (e.g., OPC UA node IDs or asset tags) linking to specific machine maintenance records, component datasheets, or augmented reality (AR) overlay instructions for particular equipment.
  • Second Device: A maintenance technician's AR smart glasses.
  • Second Source: An enterprise asset management (EAM) system or a digital twin simulation server.
  • Forwarding: The HMI panel displays the overall process. The technician scans a dynamically generated barcode on the HMI, corresponding to a critical sensor reading or machine component that requires attention.
  • Extra Content: AR overlays displaying real-time sensor values directly onto the physical machinery, detailed repair steps, or virtual blueprints, projected into the technician's field of view.
  • Delayed Update: While the technician is actively viewing a specific set of repair instructions for a valve in AR, those instructions remain stable even if other process parameters on the HMI change. A verbal "confirm" command from the technician, recognized and authenticated by the HMI panel's microphone array, updates the AR content to reflect the new state or the next step in the procedure.

sequenceDiagram
    participant P_Line as Production Line (Sensors/PLCs)
    participant SCADA as SCADA HMI Panel (First Device)
    participant Technician as Maintenance Technician (User)
    participant AR_Glasses as AR Smart Glasses (Second Device)
    participant EAM as EAM/Digital Twin Server (Second Source)

    P_Line ->> SCADA: Stream Main Content (Process Data) + Metadata (OPC UA IDs)
    activate SCADA
    SCADA ->> SCADA: Display Main Process Overview
    Technician ->> SCADA: Identify Anomaly
    AR_Glasses ->> SCADA: Scan Barcode (Metadata for Anomaly)
    activate AR_Glasses
    AR_Glasses ->> EAM: Request Extra Content (via Metadata)
    activate EAM
    EAM -->> AR_Glasses: Provide AR Overlays/Repair Steps
    deactivate EAM
    AR_Glasses ->> AR_Glasses: Project Extra Content (AR Overlays)
    loop While Main Content Changes
        SCADA ->> AR_Glasses: Extra content frozen on AR_Glasses
        Technician ->> SCADA: Verbal "Confirm" (Command Key)
        SCADA ->> AR_Glasses: Confirmation Signal (to update extra content)
        AR_Glasses ->> AR_Glasses: Display New Extra Content
    end
    deactivate AR_Glasses
    deactivate SCADA

Derivative 3.3: Remote Healthcare Consultation & Diagnostics

• Enabling Description:
  • First Device: A high-definition telemedicine cart in a remote clinic, displaying a live video feed of a patient (main content).
  • First Source: Integrated patient monitoring devices (ECG, vital signs, ultrasound) directly connected to the cart, streaming real-time biometric data and a medical imaging feed.
  • Metadata: Embedded in the video stream (e.g., using DICOM metadata extensions) are encrypted references (URLs or patient IDs) to the patient's electronic health record (EHR) entries, relevant medical guidelines, or specialist consultation portals.
  • Second Device: A physician's secure, medical-grade tablet at a central hospital.
  • Second Source: The hospital's EHR system or a clinical decision support system (CDSS).
  • Forwarding: The telemedicine cart displays the patient's video and vital signs. The remote physician scans a dynamically generated QR code on the telemedicine cart's screen, representing metadata for a specific diagnostic image or EHR entry.
  • Extra Content: The physician's tablet displays the full patient EHR, high-resolution diagnostic images, or a real-time output from the CDSS, enabling in-depth analysis.
  • Delayed Update: While the physician is reviewing a specific X-ray image or complex lab result on their tablet, that extra content remains static. A voice command from the physician (e.g., "Next patient record") received and authenticated by the telemedicine cart's integrated microphone, triggers the tablet to update with new, contextually relevant information (e.g., the next image in a series, or recent vital sign trends).

graph LR
    A[Patient Monitor / Medical Imaging (First Source)] -- Stream (Live Video, Vitals, Metadata) --> B[Telemedicine Cart (First Device)]
    B -- Display Main Content (Patient Video/Vitals) --> C(Remote Clinic Staff)
    B -- Generate Encrypted QR Code (Metadata for EHR/Image) --> D[QR Code on Cart Screen]
    D -- Scan QR Code (Secure) --> E[Physician's Tablet (Second Device)]
    E -- Request Extra Content (via Metadata) --> F[Hospital EHR / CDSS (Second Source)]
    F -- Deliver Secure Extra Content --> E
    E -- Display Extra Content (EHR, Hi-Res Images) --> C
    B -- Physician Voice Command (Command Key) --> C
    C -- Confirmation Signal --> E
    E -- Update Extra Content (Next Image/Record) --> E

4. Integration with Emerging Tech

Derivative 4.1: AI-Optimized Content Delivery with IoT-Triggered Metadata

• Enabling Description:
  • AI-driven optimization: The first device (a smart home entertainment hub) uses an integrated AI inference engine to analyze user viewing habits, emotional responses (via facial recognition/voice tone analysis from a peripheral camera/mic array), and contextual cues within the main content stream. This AI dynamically generates highly personalized metadata (e.g., deep links to related fan theories, merchandise, or educational content) in real-time.
  • IoT sensors for real-time monitoring: Ambient IoT sensors throughout the home (e.g., smart lighting, thermostat, smart speakers) monitor environmental factors (room occupancy, light levels, noise) and user activity. Changes in these IoT parameters can automatically trigger the AI to re-evaluate metadata generation or suggest new extra content. For example, if the user picks up a specific smart mug, AI might suggest a recipe related to the show.
  • Blockchain for supply chain verification: The metadata itself is published to a permissioned blockchain (e.g., Hyperledger Fabric) as an immutable record, ensuring the authenticity and provenance of the extra content links. The second device (a smart speaker with a display or a smartphone) retrieves this blockchain-verified metadata and fetches extra content from verified sources. The "command key" on the first device (e.g., a hand gesture detected by the hub's camera) triggers the smart speaker to update its display with the next AI-curated extra content, authenticated via blockchain.

flowchart TD
    A[First Source: Content Provider] -- Main Content + Raw Metadata --> B[First Device: Smart Home Hub]
    subgraph AI-Driven Optimization
        B --> C{AI Engine: Analyze User/Content}
        C --> D[Personalized Metadata Generation]
    end
    B -- IoT Sensors (Ambient/User Activity) --> C
    D -- Publish Metadata (Verified) --> E[Permissioned Blockchain]
    E -- Retrieve Verified Metadata --> F[Second Device: Smart Speaker/Smartphone]
    F -- Request Extra Content --> G[Second Source: Verified Content Repositories]
    G -- Deliver Extra Content --> F
    F -- Display Extra Content --> H(User)
    B -- Hand Gesture (Command Key) --> B
    B -- Trigger Update Command (Blockchain Verified) --> F

Derivative 4.2: Edge-AI for Contextual Awareness & Secure Content with Federated Learning

• Enabling Description:
  • Edge-AI for contextual awareness: The first device (a public information display, e.g., in a museum or airport) uses on-device (edge) AI to analyze real-time anonymized crowd movement, dwell times, and ambient noise (main content, derived from optical and acoustic sensors - first source). This AI generates highly specific, localized metadata (e.g., links to exhibit details, flight gate changes, or real-time queues).
  • Federated learning: The edge AI models on multiple first devices are collaboratively trained using federated learning, allowing them to improve their contextual awareness without sharing raw, sensitive data centrally, thus enhancing privacy.
  • Blockchain for secure content delivery: The metadata contains a cryptographic hash of the extra content. When the second device (a user's personal smartphone) scans a visually presented QR code (metadata) on the public display, it uses a blockchain-based content delivery network (CDN) to fetch the extra content (e.g., an interactive map, multilingual audio guide) from the second source. The blockchain ensures content integrity and confirms that the fetched content matches the hash in the metadata. The "command key" to update extra content (e.g., an interactive poll result or next section of an exhibit guide) is a touch input on the public display (first device) that sends a cryptographically signed instruction to the user's phone.

sequenceDiagram
    participant Public_Display as Public Info Display (First Device)
    participant Edge_AI as Edge AI (on Public_Display)
    participant Crowd_Sensors as Crowd/Ambient Sensors (First Source)
    participant User_Smartphone as User Smartphone (Second Device)
    participant Blockchain_CDN as Blockchain-based CDN
    participant Extra_Source as Extra Content Source

    Crowd_Sensors ->> Public_Display: Real-time Data (Main Content)
    Public_Display ->> Edge_AI: Process Main Content
    activate Edge_AI
    Edge_AI ->> Edge_AI: Generate Localized Metadata (incl. Content Hash)
    Edge_AI ->> Public_Display: Display Metadata (QR Code)
    Public_Display ->> Public_Display: Federated Learning (Model Updates)
    deactivate Edge_AI
    User_Smartphone ->> Public_Display: Scan QR Code (Metadata)
    activate User_Smartphone
    User_Smartphone ->> Blockchain_CDN: Request Extra Content (with Hash)
    activate Blockchain_CDN
    Blockchain_CDN ->> Extra_Source: Verify and Fetch Content
    Extra_Source -->> Blockchain_CDN: Content + Verification
    Blockchain_CDN -->> User_Smartphone: Deliver Verified Extra Content
    deactivate Blockchain_CDN
    User_Smartphone ->> User_Smartphone: Display Extra Content
    loop Context Changes
        User_Smartphone ->> Public_Display: Extra content frozen on User_Smartphone
        Public_Display ->> Public_Display: User Touch Input (Command Key)
        Public_Display ->> User_Smartphone: Cryptographically Signed Update Command
        User_Smartphone ->> User_Smartphone: Update Extra Content
    end
    deactivate User_Smartphone

5. The "Inverse" or Failure Mode

Derivative 5.1: Graceful Degradation & Emergency Information Mode

• Enabling Description: In a public emergency broadcast system (e.g., an airport or municipal emergency center), the first device (a large public display) broadcasts critical safety information and evacuation routes (main content). Accompanying metadata (e.g., emergency service URLs, local shelter maps) is transmitted. The second device is a user's smartphone.
• Failure Mode: In the event of a network outage (loss of connectivity to the second source for extra content), the system transitions to a "limited-functionality" mode.
  • Instead of live, dynamically updated extra content, the smartphone (second device) falls back to displaying pre-cached, essential emergency information (e.g., static maps, first-aid instructions) that was stored locally during normal operation or received via a low-bandwidth emergency broadcast channel (e.g., ATSC 3.0 datacasting).
  • The "command key" on the first device (a physical emergency override button) now acts to push a "static snapshot" of the current extra content (e.g., the most recent list of open shelters) to all connected smartphones, bypassing dynamic updates and ensuring critical information persistence even if the main content (e.g., an active emergency briefing) continues to update.
  • Forwarding of metadata by scanning is replaced by a "proximity beacon" mode from the first device, which broadcasts essential metadata (e.g., a simple URL to the cached content) over Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), allowing nearby phones to receive it without active scanning.

stateDiagram
    state "Normal Operation" as Normal
    state "Network Outage Detected" as Outage
    state "Limited-Functionality Mode" as Limited
    state "Static Snapshot Pushed" as Snapshot

    [*] --> Normal : Full functionality, dynamic extra content
    Normal --> Outage : Network failure (Second Source Unreachable)
    Outage --> Limited : Fallback to Pre-cached/Low-bandwidth Extra Content
    Limited --> Limited : Main Content Updates (First Device)
    Limited --> Snapshot : Emergency Override Button (Command Key) on First Device Pressed
    Snapshot --> Limited : Push Static Extra Content Snapshot to Second Devices (BLE Proximity)
    Limited --> Normal : Network Restored

Derivative 5.2: Low-Power Privacy-Preserving Mode

• Enabling Description: For a personal media system focused on privacy and minimal energy consumption, the first device (a personal media server/display unit) streams home videos or photo albums (main content). Metadata (e.g., face recognition tags, geotags) is processed locally on the first device. The second device is a low-power, e-paper tablet used for casual browsing.
• Failure/Low-Power Mode: In a "low-power" mode (e.g., activated by user setting or low battery), the system operates with reduced functionality to conserve energy and minimize data exposure.
  • The first device ceases broadcasting dynamic, detailed metadata. Instead, it emits only anonymized, coarse-grained metadata (e.g., category tags like "vacation photos," "family events") via a pulsed NFC signal.
  • The second device (e-paper tablet) no longer retrieves rich extra content from a remote second source. Instead, when it scans the coarse NFC metadata, it accesses only locally stored, privacy-filtered extra content (e.g., artist names only, no personal details) on its own flash memory, or a very basic summary generated by a local, simple AI model.
  • The "command key" on the first device (a capacitive touch sensor) initiates a single, pre-defined extra content update on the e-paper tablet, e.g., flipping to the next photo's title, without fetching new external data, maintaining privacy and low power. This also prevents excessive battery drain from constant scanning or network requests.

classDiagram
    class FirstDevice {
        +MediaServer: Local
        +DisplayUnit: MainContent
        +LocalMetadataProcessor: PrivacyFilter
        +NFCEmitter: PulsedLowPower
        +CapacitiveTouchSensor: CommandKey
        -FullMetadata: (Suppressed in Low-Power Mode)
    }
    class SecondDevice {
        +EPaperTablet: LowPowerDisplay
        +NFCReader: Receiver
        +LocalMemory: PrivacyFilteredContent
        +SimpleAI: LocalSummaryGenerator
        -NetworkInterface: (Limited in Low-Power Mode)
    }
    FirstDevice -- NFCEmitter
    SecondDevice -- NFCReader
    FirstDevice "1" -- "1" SecondDevice : Anonymized/Coarse Metadata (NFC)
    FirstDevice --> FirstDevice : Process Main Content
    SecondDevice --> SecondDevice : Access Local Extra Content / Generate Local Summary
    FirstDevice --> SecondDevice : Command Key (Capacitive Touch) for Basic Update
    SecondDevice --> SecondDevice : Display Basic/Static Extra Content

---

Combination Prior Art Scenarios (Patent + Open-Source Standard)

Here are three scenarios combining US10721542 with existing open-source standards, thereby generating new prior art.

1. US10721542 + HbbTV (Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV)

• Enabling Description: A smart TV (first device) receives a broadcast DVB-T/S/C signal (first source) containing main content. The broadcast signal also carries HbbTV application metadata (e.g., an AIT signal with an application URL) alongside the main content. This HbbTV application (running on the TV) generates a dynamic QR code on a specific region of the TV screen. A user's smartphone (second device) scans this QR code, which contains an enriched URL. This URL directs the smartphone to a web server (second source) hosting an extra content application. This extra content application provides supplementary information related to the broadcast, synchronized via DVB-CSI (Companion Screen Interface) and HbbTV's Content Reference ID. When the user interacts with a specific "more info" button within the HbbTV overlay on the TV (acting as the command key on the first device), a DVB-CSI message is sent to the smartphone, instructing it to display the next correlated extra content, overriding its paused state.

flowchart TD
    A[Broadcast (DVB-T/S/C) First Source] -- Main Content + HbbTV AIT --> B[Smart TV (First Device)]
    B -- Display Main Content --> C(User)
    B -- HbbTV App (Generates Dynamic QR w/ Enriched URL) --> D[QR Code on TV Screen]
    D -- Scan QR Code --> E[Smartphone (Second Device)]
    E -- HbbTV App Link (URL) --> F[Web Server (Second Source)]
    F -- Deliver Extra Content (HbbTV/Web App) --> E
    E -- Display Extra Content --> C
    B -- "More Info" Button (Command Key) --> B
    B -- DVB-CSI Message --> E
    E -- Update Extra Content --> E

2. US10721542 + WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication)

• Enabling Description: A lecturer's computer (first device) streams a live presentation (main content) using WebRTC to a classroom's projector (also considered the first device's display). The lecture content is sourced locally or from a streaming server (first source). During the lecture, the lecturer's computer dynamically generates a QR code on the projector screen. This QR code, acting as metadata, encodes a WebRTC signaling server URI and a session ID for a peer-to-peer data channel. A student's laptop or tablet (second device) scans this QR code to establish a direct WebRTC data channel with the lecturer's computer. Through this channel, the student's device retrieves "extra content" (e.g., interactive quizzes, high-resolution diagrams, collaborative note-taking prompts) from the lecturer's computer (acting as the second source for these specific assets). The extra content on the student's device is paused when the student focuses on a particular slide. A gesture recognized by the lecturer's computer's webcam (e.g., lecturer points to a specific screen region, which acts as the command key), sends a WebRTC data channel message to the student's device, triggering the next relevant piece of extra content.

sequenceDiagram
    participant L_Computer as Lecturer's Computer (First Device)
    participant Projector as Projector (Display)
    participant L_Source as Lecture Content Source (First Source)
    participant S_Laptop as Student's Laptop/Tablet (Second Device)
    participant WebRTC_Server as WebRTC Signaling Server

    L_Source ->> L_Computer: Provide Main Content (Lecture)
    L_Computer ->> Projector: Display Main Content (via WebRTC stream)
    L_Computer ->> L_Computer: Generate QR (WebRTC Session ID/URI)
    Projector ->> S_Laptop: Display QR Code
    S_Laptop ->> Projector: Scan QR Code (Metadata)
    activate S_Laptop
    S_Laptop ->> WebRTC_Server: Initiate WebRTC connection (via URI)
    WebRTC_Server -->> L_Computer: Signaling
    L_Computer -->> S_Laptop: Establish WebRTC Data Channel (Lecturer's computer as Second Source for Extra Content)
    L_Computer ->> S_Laptop: Stream Extra Content (Quizzes/Diagrams)
    deactivate L_Computer
    S_Laptop ->> S_Laptop: Display Extra Content
    loop Main Content Changes
        S_Laptop ->> L_Computer: Extra content frozen
        L_Computer ->> L_Computer: Lecturer Gesture (Command Key)
        L_Computer ->> S_Laptop: WebRTC Data Channel Message (Update Command)
        S_Laptop ->> S_Laptop: Update Extra Content
    end
    deactivate S_Laptop

3. US10721542 + Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA)

• Enabling Description: A DLNA-enabled Smart TV (first device) plays a movie (main content) from a networked attached storage (NAS) device (first source) acting as a DLNA Media Server. The NAS is also configured to embed metadata (e.g., XML files with actor biographies, soundtrack links, movie trivia) into the DLNA content information. The Smart TV processes this metadata and displays a dynamic, short-lived bar code in a corner of the screen. A user's DLNA-compatible smartphone (second device), acting as a DLNA Media Controller, scans this barcode. The barcode contains instructions (e.g., a UPnP URI) for the smartphone to discover and access a specific DLNA Media Server (potentially a different, dedicated server, or the same NAS but accessing a different content directory, acting as the second source) that provides "extra content" (e.g., IMDb entries, Rotten Tomatoes reviews, director interviews). The extra content on the smartphone updates only when the user presses a specific "Scene Info" button on the TV's remote control (command key on the first device), which sends a UPnP control message to the smartphone, causing it to refresh its displayed extra content based on the current scene's metadata.

graph LR
    A[NAS Device (DLNA Media Server / First Source)] -- DLNA Stream (Main Content + Metadata) --> B[Smart TV (First Device)]
    B -- Display Main Content (Movie) --> C(User)
    B -- Display Dynamic Barcode (Metadata: UPnP URI for Extra Content) --> D[Barcode on TV Screen]
    D -- Scan Barcode --> E[Smartphone (DLNA Media Controller / Second Device)]
    E -- UPnP Control Message (Request Extra Content) --> F[Dedicated DLNA Media Server (Second Source)]
    F -- Deliver Extra Content (IMDb, Reviews, Interviews) --> E
    E -- Display Extra Content --> C
    B -- "Scene Info" Button (Remote Control / Command Key) --> B
    B -- UPnP Control Message --> E
    E -- Update Extra Content --> E