US 11119756

Here's a concise summary of US patent 11119756:

Patent Number: US11119756B2
Title: System and method for controlling updates to internet-of-things devices
Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Ltd
Original Assignee: BlackBerry Ltd
Inventors: Edward Snow Willis, David Alan INGLIS, Hashim Mohammad QADERI, Scott Hutchens, Christopher Scott TRAVERS, Conrad Delbert Seaman
Filing Date: 2020-07-06
Issue Date: 2021-09-14

Abstract:
The patent describes a computer system that facilitates updates to Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices. This system includes a processor, a communications subsystem, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. It is adapted to receive an indication from a first device that a second device has been selected for an update. The system then signals the second device to send its state information, receives this information, and determines if the second device is ready for the update. After confirming readiness, it informs the first device. Upon receiving an instruction to update from the first device, the system sends a corresponding indication to the second device, which is configured to begin updating without any direct physical interaction. Related methods and computer-readable media are also described.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1 (Computer System):
  This claim describes a computer system designed to manage updates for other devices, specifically IoT devices. The system receives "state information" (details about its current operational status) from an IoT device that needs an update. It then figures out if that IoT device is in a suitable state to perform the update (e.g., not currently in use, sufficient battery). Separately, it receives a command from a different device (like a smartphone) to initiate the update. Only after both confirming the IoT device's readiness and receiving the command from the other device does the computer system send a signal to the IoT device to start the update. A key feature is that the IoT device is designed to begin the update automatically upon receiving this signal, without anyone having to physically interact with it (e.g., press buttons on the device itself).

• Independent Claim 14 (Computer-Implemented Method):
  This claim describes a step-by-step computer-implemented process that mirrors the functionality of the computer system in Claim 1. It involves receiving state information from a device needing an update, determining if that device is ready, receiving an update command from another device, and then sending the instruction to the device to begin updating. As with Claim 1, the device being updated starts autonomously without direct human interaction.

• Independent Claim 20 (Non-Transitory Computer-Readable Storage Medium):
  This claim focuses on the computer program instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., a hard drive or flash memory). These instructions, when executed by a processor, enable a computer system to perform the same steps outlined in Claim 1 and Claim 14: receiving state information, determining readiness, receiving an update command from another device, and then sending the update initiation instruction to the device, which updates without direct interaction.

Litigation Information:
The patent text indicates that this patent family is involved in litigation, specifically mentioning a PTAB case IPR2026-00120 (filed, settlement) and a US case filed in the Texas Eastern District Court (2:25-cv-00555). No further specific CAFC dockets for this patent number were found in the provided search results beyond the general CAFC case listings for 2026.