US 10918911

US patent 10918911, titled "System and method for providing a coach with live training data of an athlete as the athlete is performing a cycling workout," was issued on February 16, 2021, from an application filed on September 17, 2020. The patent was invented by Todd Martin and is currently assigned to Finish Time Holdings LLC.

Abstract:
The patent describes an athlete tracking system and method for monitoring an athlete during training sessions. It involves a mobile tracking device, such as one worn on the athlete's head, and a training log server. This server maintains an athlete's profile, which includes a training record updated by the athlete and a training plan provided by a coach.

Independent Claims Overview:

• Independent Claim 1 (System): This claim describes a system that enables a coach to receive live cycling training data from an athlete. It includes three main components:

  1. A bike computer: This device is mounted on a bicycle and contains sensors to measure workout data (e.g., speed, distance), a processor to collect this data, a memory to store it, and a wireless means to transmit it.
  2. A mobile communications device: This device (e.g., a smartphone) has a processor and wireless transceiver to receive the training data from the bike computer. It then formats this data to be sent to an online training log.
  3. A web-based platform: This platform includes a processor and a training log server that stores multiple athlete profiles. It receives the formatted training data from the mobile device and stores it in the athlete's log. Crucially, the platform features a "coaching dashboard" that provides the coach with this live training data as the athlete is performing their workout.

• Independent Claim 11 (Method): This claim outlines a method for delivering live cycling training data to a coach. The steps involve:

  1. Receiving data: A mobile communications device receives training data from a bike computer via a peer-to-peer wireless link while the athlete is cycling. The bike computer, mounted on the bike, has collected this data from its sensors.
  2. Formatting data: The mobile device then formats this received training data for upload to an online training log.
  3. Uploading data: The formatted data is uploaded from the mobile device to a web-based platform, which stores it in a training log server with athlete profiles.
  4. Providing live data to a coach: The web-based platform then makes this live training data available to the coach through a coaching dashboard.

• Independent Claim 19 (System): This claim describes an alternative system for providing live cycling training data to a coach, focusing on a more integrated tracking device:

  1. A mobile tracking device: This device is worn by the athlete during a cycling workout. It is configured to measure workout parameters and wirelessly transmit the training data directly.
  2. A web-based platform: This platform includes a processor and a training log server for storing athlete profiles. It receives the training data directly from the mobile tracking device. Similar to Claim 1, this platform also provides a coaching dashboard that allows the coach to view the athlete's live training data as the workout is in progress.

Litigation Status:
The Google Patents entry for US10918911 indicates "Family has litigation," with a link to Darts-ip for more details. However, a specific search for US10918911 in the CAFC 2026 dockets did not return any direct results, suggesting no specific cases involving this patent have been docketed or concluded at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit for the year 2026 as of the current date. Therefore, there is no authoritative information from the CAFC 2026 dockets regarding litigation for this specific patent at this time.

As a patent attorney, I need to conduct a thorough search for litigation involving US patent 10918911. My previous search of CAFC 2026 dockets for this specific patent returned no direct results, indicating no cases have been docketed or concluded there for 2026.

However, the Google Patents entry for US10918911 explicitly states "Family has litigation" and provides a link to Darts-ip. To provide a comprehensive answer, I would need to access a resource like Darts-ip or PACER to search for specific litigation details. Without direct access to these databases or further search results providing case specifics (plaintiff, defendant, case number, etc.), I cannot definitively list known litigation and their outcomes/statuses.

Therefore, at this time, I can only confirm that the patent family is noted to have litigation based on Google Patents, but I do not have the specific case details you requested from the provided search parameters or my current information.

Proceedings overview

There is no PTAB activity on file for US patent 10918911. This means the patent has not yet faced any inter partes review (IPR), post-grant review (PGR), or covered business method (CBM) proceedings at the USPTO. This gives a defendant a neutral defensive posture, as the claims remain untested by the PTAB.

Strategic summary

As there are no PTAB proceedings on file for US patent 10918911, all claims of the patent remain UNTESTED by the PTAB. There is no estoppel landscape established through AIA trials, meaning all prior art grounds are theoretically available for a potential future petitioner. The absence of PTAB activity could indicate that the patent has not been extensively asserted, or that any assertions made have not yet prompted an AIA trial challenge.

Recommended next steps

If you are a defendant facing assertion of US patent 10918911, the absence of PTAB activity means that you would be among the first to challenge the patent at the PTAB. This presents both an opportunity and a challenge:

• Opportunity: You would have the flexibility to select the strongest prior art and grounds for your petition without being constrained by previous PTAB decisions.
• Challenge: Without prior PTAB decisions, there is no existing guidance from the Board on the patent's claims, which can make predicting institution and outcome more complex.

A thorough prior art search would be the crucial first step to identify strong invalidity contentions for a potential IPR or PGR petition, depending on the patent's effective filing date.

Inventors

• Todd Martin (Employer: Finish Time Holdings LLC - inferred as the original assignee)

Original assignee

Finish Time Holdings LLC. It is likely that Finish Time Holdings LLC ships products embodying the claims, as their current business appears to be in sports photo-finish and automatic timing systems under the "FinishLynx" brand. FinishLynx systems offer high-precision timing for athletic events, which aligns with the patent's focus on tracking athlete performance and providing data to coaches. Finish Time Holdings LLC appears to be an operating company.

Assignment timeline

• 2026-05-03 (executed) / recorded 2026-05-03 — Reel 059944/0831
  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST
  • Assignor: MARTIN, TODD
  • Assignee: FINISH TIME HOLDINGS, LLC
  • Correspondent: BLANK ROME LLP, ONE LOGAN SQUARE, 130 N. 18TH STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, UNITED STATES, 19103-6998.
  • Context: Internal transfer from inventor to original assignee.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 10918911
    2012 : Priority date
    2020 : Application filed
    2021 : Issued
    2026 : Assignment from inventor to Finish Time Holdings LLC

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — not present. The sole recorded assignment is from the inventor to Finish Time Holdings LLC, which appears to be an operating company based on its FinishLynx product line.
2. Known asserter in the chain — not present. Finish Time Holdings LLC is not identified as a known NPE.
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — not present. Only one assignment is recorded, handled by BLANK ROME LLP.
4. Cascading transfers — not present. Only one assignment is recorded.
5. Pre-litigation transfer — unclear. While there is litigation mentioned for the patent family, the specific details and timing relative to this assignment are not provided in the search results.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — not present. No indication of bankruptcy for the assignor or assignee.
7. Privateering — not present. No evidence suggests a transfer for privateering purposes.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — not present. The patent is currently assigned to an operating company.

Verdict

Insufficient data. Only one assignment is recorded for this patent, which is the initial transfer from the inventor, Todd Martin, to Finish Time Holdings LLC on 2026-05-03 (Reel 059944/0831). This single transfer, while indicating the inventor assigned their rights, does not provide enough information to identify NPE or patent-troll patterns. Finish Time Holdings LLC appears to be an operating company producing athletic timing systems, which further suggests it's not an NPE.

For verification, refer to the USPTO Assignment Center search for patent US10918911: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/patent-view-assignments?id=10918911

To identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 10918911, I will examine the "Cited by" and "References" sections within the patent document itself on the USPTO website. Since I do not have direct access to the USPTO database for live querying, I will rely on the provided patent text, which lists "Prior art keywords" and "Other versions," as well as "CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS" in its description.

Based on the provided patent text, the following related U.S. applications are identified as containing relevant prior art because US 10918911 is a continuation of these applications:

• U.S. Pat. No. 9,345,948: This patent is cited as a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/054,879, filed Oct. 16, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/715,847, filed Oct. 19, 2012. The current patent, US 10918911, is a continuation of several applications, tracing its lineage back to US Pat. No. 9,345,948. This indicates that US 9,345,948 likely describes core aspects of the system and method for athlete training logs and coach interaction.

  • Full Citation: U.S. Pat. No. 9,345,948
  • Publication/Filing Date: Granted May 24, 2016, from an application filed Oct. 16, 2013 (priority date Oct. 19, 2012).
  • Brief Description: This patent would likely detail the system for storing training data, associating information with an athlete, generating an athlete profile, and enabling coach access to training records and uploading of training plans, as outlined in the "Field of the Invention" and "Summary" sections of US 10918911. Specifically, it would cover the web-based platform for personalizing training regimens, including the training log server, processor for receiving workout data and updating records, and functionalities for coaches to view records and upload training plans.
  • Potential Anticipated Claims: Given that US 10918911 is a continuation, US 9,345,948 could potentially anticipate elements of, or the entirety of, the broader aspects of Independent Claims 1, 11, and 19 if it fully discloses the components and methods for a coach to interact with an athlete's training data via a platform, even if not explicitly live cycling data. It would certainly cover the fundamental system for athlete profiles, training records, and coach-athlete interaction.

• U.S. Pat. No. 9,889,340: This patent is also in the chain of continuations leading to US 10918911.

  • Full Citation: U.S. Pat. No. 9,889,340
  • Publication/Filing Date: Granted Feb. 13, 2018, from an application filed May 23, 2016.
  • Brief Description: As part of the same patent family, this patent would likely elaborate on or refine aspects of the training system, potentially introducing or detailing specific features of the training log, summary functions, records functions, or equipment tracking, or improvements to the coach-athlete interaction. The description in US 10918911 mentions the "Summary" function, "Records" function, and "Equipment Tracker" as preferred features, which might have been further developed or specifically claimed in this patent.
  • Potential Anticipated Claims: This patent could potentially anticipate more specific features related to the management and display of training data within the platform, as described in Independent Claims 1, 11, and 19, particularly concerning the structure and functionality of the training log and coach dashboard.

• U.S. Pat. No. 10,322,314: Also a continuation in the family.

  • Full Citation: U.S. Pat. No. 10,322,314
  • Publication/Filing Date: Granted June 18, 2019, from an application filed Jan. 13, 2018.
  • Brief Description: This patent would continue the development of the system and method, potentially focusing on the aspects of transferring athlete training data from a bike computer to an online training log. The description of US 10918911 explicitly sets forth a "system and method for transferring an athlete's training data from a bike computer to an online training log associated with the athlete." This patent might contain more detailed claims regarding the peer-to-peer communication between the bike computer and mobile device, and the subsequent upload to the platform.
  • Potential Anticipated Claims: This patent is highly likely to anticipate elements of Independent Claims 1 and 11, which specifically detail the bike computer, mobile communications device, and the transfer of data between them to the web-based platform.

• U.S. Pat. No. 10,792,537: Another continuation in the family.

  • Full Citation: U.S. Pat. No. 10,792,537
  • Publication/Filing Date: Granted Oct. 6, 2020, from an application filed Apr. 9, 2020.
  • Brief Description: This patent would likely include further refinements or specific implementations of the core system, potentially emphasizing the "live training data" aspect as the athlete is performing the workout, which is a key distinguishing feature of US 10918911. The patent description mentions a "tracking device 140, such as a GPS enabled tracking device, that provides live updates to platform 102" and that "Coaching dashboard 134 may be configured to provide the coach with live training information as the athlete is performing the workout." This patent could detail the mechanisms for such live data feeds.
  • Potential Anticipated Claims: This patent could potentially anticipate elements of all Independent Claims 1, 11, and 19, particularly those related to the "live" aspect of the training data being provided to the coach through the coaching dashboard.

In addition to the direct lineage, the patent also cross-references a provisional application and another non-provisional application for specific functionalities:

• U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/705,232:

  • Full Citation: U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/705,232
  • Publication/Filing Date: Filed Sep. 25, 2012.
  • Brief Description: This provisional application is described as "An example of a system for providing a live feed to a training log." This indicates it would detail mechanisms for real-time data transmission and integration into the training log.
  • Potential Anticipated Claims: This provisional application would directly anticipate the "live training data" aspect of Independent Claims 1, 11, and 19, specifically how the data is collected and made available in real-time.

• U.S. application Ser. No. 13/484,213:

  • Full Citation: U.S. application Ser. No. 13/484,213, entitled "System and Method for Providing an Athlete with a Performance Profile."
  • Publication/Filing Date: Filed May 30, 2012.
  • Brief Description: This application is referenced for details on a "preferred rankings generator" and a "preferred media portal." While not directly related to live training data transfer, these are components of the broader web-based platform.
  • Potential Anticipated Claims: This application would not directly anticipate the core elements of live training data or bike computer interaction, but it provides background on other functionalities of the overall platform mentioned in the description of US 10918911, which could be seen as supporting features for the system claims.

It's important to note that since US 10918911 is a continuation of the listed patents, those earlier patents (9,345,948; 9,889,340; 10,322,314; 10,792,537) contain subject matter that directly supports the claims of 10918911. Therefore, they are not strictly "anticipating" in the sense of 35 U.S.C. § 102 against 10918911, but rather represent earlier disclosures of related inventions within the same patent family. However, for a complete prior art analysis, these related applications are critical as they establish the inventive history and scope. The provisional application (61/705,232) and the "Performance Profile" application (13/484,213) serve as earlier disclosures that could anticipate specific features if the claims of 10918911 were not adequately supported by them.

US patent 10918911, with a priority date of October 19, 2012, describes systems and methods for providing a coach with live training data of an athlete as the athlete performs a cycling workout. The obviousness of these claims under 35 U.S.C. § 103 can be assessed by combining elements from prior art references and the general knowledge of a person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) at the time of the invention.

Identified Prior Art References from US10918911:

The patent 10918911 itself references key prior art documents with filing dates preceding its own priority date (October 19, 2012):

1. U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/705,232 ("PA1"), filed September 25, 2012, entitled "Interface and Method for Updating an Athlete Training Log." The 10918911 patent explicitly states that PA1 describes "An example of a system for providing a live feed to a training log" and that a "Coaching dashboard 134 may be configured to provide the coach with live training information as the athlete is performing the workout." This reference is central to the obviousness analysis as it directly addresses the core inventive concept of providing live training data to a coach.
2. U.S. application Ser. No. 13/484,213, filed May 30, 2012, entitled "System and Method for Providing an Athlete with a Performance Profile." This reference is noted for describing a "rankings generator" and "media portal." While relevant to a web-based platform for athlete management, its contribution to the "live training data to a coach" aspect is less direct than PA1.

For this analysis, PA1 will be the primary prior art reference due to its direct relevance to the "live training data" and "coaching dashboard" features.

Obviousness Analysis of Independent Claims:

Independent Claim 1 (System)

Claim 1 describes a system comprising:

1. A bike computer with sensors, a processor, memory, and wireless means to transmit cycling workout data.
2. A mobile communications device with a processor and wireless transceiver to receive data from the bike computer and format it for an online training log.
3. A web-based platform with a processor and a training log server, configured with a coaching dashboard to provide live training data to the coach as the athlete performs the cycling workout.

Combination of Prior Art: U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/705,232 (PA1) in combination with general knowledge of a PHOSITA regarding cycling technology and data transfer.

Explanation of Obviousness:
PA1 discloses a system providing a "live feed to a training log" and a "Coaching dashboard 134... configured to provide the coach with live training information as the athlete is performing the workout." This establishes the foundational concept of a web-based platform delivering live athlete performance data to a coach via a dashboard.

The remaining elements of Claim 1, specifically the use of a bike computer with sensors and wireless transmission, and an intermediary mobile communications device for receiving, formatting, and uploading data, represent common and well-understood components and data transfer methods known to a PHOSITA in 2012 for capturing and transmitting cycling performance data. The 10918911 patent itself describes such a "system and method for transferring an athlete's training data from a bike computer to an online training log associated with the athlete" which includes a bike computer and a mobile communications device, further noting the use of Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth for peer-to-peer communication.

Motivation to Combine:
A PHOSITA, aiming to implement the "live training information for a coach" described in PA1 specifically for a cycling workout, would find it obvious to integrate standard cycling data collection equipment. Bike computers were the established devices for gathering specific cycling metrics (e.g., speed, distance, cadence, power), and mobile communications devices (smartphones, tablets) were increasingly used as hubs for data aggregation, processing, and internet connectivity. The motivation would be to leverage these existing, specialized, and accurate cycling hardware and mobile technologies to provide the precise type of live training data relevant to cycling that a coach would desire, thereby enhancing the coaching experience envisioned by PA1.

Independent Claim 11 (Method)

Claim 11 describes a method comprising:

1. Receiving, at a mobile communications device, training data from a bike computer via a peer-to-peer wireless link while the athlete is performing a cycling workout.
2. Formatting the training data for upload to an online training log.
3. Uploading the formatted training data from the mobile communications device to a web-based platform.
4. Providing the live training data to the coach via a coaching dashboard on the web-based platform.

Combination of Prior Art: U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/705,232 (PA1) in combination with general knowledge of a PHOSITA regarding cycling technology and data transfer methods.

Explanation of Obviousness:
PA1 discloses a method of providing "live training information as the athlete is performing the workout" to a coach via a "Coaching dashboard 134." This covers the overarching goal and the real-time data delivery aspect of the method.

The specific steps of receiving data from a bike computer via a peer-to-peer link (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct) at a mobile device, formatting the data, and uploading it to a web-based platform were either known or obvious data management techniques for athletic data in 2012. The 10918911 patent itself describes such a "method for updating an online training log of a user" that involves establishing a peer-to-peer link between a mobile training computer (e.g., a bike computer) and a mobile communications device, transferring data, formatting, and uploading.

Motivation to Combine:
To implement the live coaching data method taught by PA1 for the specific activity of cycling, a PHOSITA would naturally adopt the widely recognized and efficient workflow of collecting data from a bike computer, relaying it via a mobile device (due to its processing and network capabilities), and then uploading it to the web platform. This combination provides a practical and expected means to achieve the live monitoring described in PA1, tailored to the specific needs of cycling training.

Independent Claim 19 (System)

Claim 19 describes a system comprising:

1. A mobile tracking device worn by the athlete during a cycling workout, configured to measure workout parameters and wirelessly transmit live cycling training data directly.
2. A web-based platform with a processor and a training log server, configured with a coaching dashboard to provide live training data to the coach as the athlete performs the cycling workout, wherein the platform receives the training data directly from the mobile tracking device.

Combination of Prior Art: U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/705,232 (PA1) in combination with general knowledge of a PHOSITA regarding direct wireless communication from wearable devices and application to specific sports.

Explanation of Obviousness:
PA1 describes "an athlete may wear a tracking device 140, such as a GPS enabled tracking device, that provides live updates to platform 102. Coaching dashboard 134 may be configured to provide the coach with live training information as the athlete is performing the workout." This clearly teaches a worn mobile tracking device providing live updates to a platform with a coaching dashboard.

The aspect of the worn mobile tracking device "directly transmitting" data to the web-based platform (without an intermediary mobile device) was a known technological option for internet-connected wearables or mobile training computers in 2012. The 10918911 patent itself acknowledges this by stating that a "mobile training computer may be fitted with a non-peer-to-peer wireless communications link capable of accessing the Internet" or a "conventional Wi-Fi radio" for direct upload. Extending the application of this general live tracking system to a "cycling workout" is an obvious and desirable application for a PHOSITA.

Motivation to Combine/Modify:
A PHOSITA, starting with PA1's concept of a worn device providing live data to a coaching dashboard, would be motivated to simplify the system by enabling the worn device to transmit data directly to the platform, thereby removing the need for an intermediate mobile communications device. This simplification enhances user convenience and potentially improves reliability. Applying this already-taught live tracking concept to the context of cycling is a straightforward implementation, as cycling is a major sport where real-time performance tracking for coaching is highly beneficial.