US 11204736

The USPTO search is implicitly covered by the provided patent text, which acts as the authoritative source for the patent details. I have successfully extracted the required information from the provided patent text for the patent details and independent claims.

For the CAFC 2026 dockets, the search results indicate:

• General information about CAFC and how to find case information.
• A list of 2026 Federal Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals Case Law from Justia, showing cases from January 2026, but none directly related to patent 11204736.
• Other search results show discussions of PTAB decisions and appeals to CAFC, but they refer to different patent numbers (e.g., '797 patent, 8,854,595 and 9,173,322, 10,225,588) or different IPR numbers (e.g., IPR2018-00752).
• There's a mention of IPR2018-00752, but not IPR2026-00084 or any direct appeal from the district court case 2:25-cv-00752 for patent 11204736 to CAFC in 2026.

Based on the current search, there is no direct evidence from the CAFC dockets for 2026 specifically mentioning patent number 11204736 or appeals directly related to IPR2026-00084 or district court case 2:25-cv-00752 reaching the CAFC in 2026. Given the PTAB case (IPR2026-00084) was just filed and noted as "Not Instituted - Procedural" in the patent text, and the district court case (2:25-cv-00752) was filed in 2025, it is unlikely to have reached the appellate stage at the CAFC by April 2026.## US Patent 11204736: Multi-frequency sensing method and apparatus using mobile-clusters

Title: Multi-frequency sensing method and apparatus using mobile-clusters

Assignee: Zophonos Inc

Inventors: Levaughn Denton

Filing Date: October 17, 2019

Issue Date: December 21, 2021

Abstract: The patent describes systems and methods where smart devices sense various phenomena, including sound, blue light exposure, RF, and microwave radiation. These systems analyze, report, and/or control outputs (such as displays or speakers) in real-time. The technology is configurable, utilizing standard computing devices like wearables, tablets, and mobile phones to measure frequency bands across multiple points, enabling a user to visualize and/or adjust environmental conditions.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

Independent Claim 1 (System Claim):
This claim describes a system designed to manage and alter sensed noise before it is outputted. The system comprises:

• An audio control source that acts as the central intelligence.
• At least one cluster made up of one or more computing devices (e.g., wearables, smartphones). Each device in a cluster has:
  • A sound sensing mechanism to detect noise.
  • A wireless transceiver to communicate data with the audio control source.
• At least one output device that generates sound, including:
  • A power source.
  • A speaker.
  • A communication mechanism to receive instructions from the audio control source.
• The audio control source is electronically connected to both the clusters and the output devices. It contains a memory with software instructions and a processor to execute them. These instructions allow the audio control source to:
  • Connect to the computing device clusters.
  • Adjust the sound output of the output devices.
  • Provide a user interface.
  • Crucially, the instructions also cover the core functionality: identifying specific sounds within detected noise, isolating them, checking if any of their frequencies are outside a predetermined safe threshold, and if so, automatically altering those sounds so their frequencies fall within the acceptable threshold before playing them on the output device. This threshold is defined as a frequency that poses a risk of harm to a human's body, such as loud noise to hearing, blue light to retinas, or millimeter waves and RF exposure [cite: The predetermined threshold].

Independent Claim 2 (Method Claim):
This claim outlines a method for altering sensed noise before it's outputted. The method involves:

• Providing an audio control source.
• Providing at least one cluster of computing devices, each equipped with a sound sensing mechanism and a wireless transceiver for communication with the audio control source.
• Providing at least one output device, which includes a power source, a speaker for sound output, and a communication mechanism to receive information from the audio control source.
• Providing the audio control source itself, which is in electronic communication with the clusters and output devices, and includes a memory containing computer-executable instructions for connecting to the clusters, varying the output of the output devices, and providing an interface, along with a processor to execute these instructions.
• The method further involves executing the following steps:
  • Identifying specific sounds within the detected noise.
  • Isolating these identified sounds.
  • Determining if any of these sounds contain a frequency that falls outside a predetermined threshold. This threshold specifically refers to a frequency that could harm a user's hearing [cite: The predetermined threshold].
  • If such a frequency is detected, altering the sound(s) to ensure the frequency no longer exceeds the predetermined threshold.
  • Outputting these (potentially altered) sounds via the output device.

Litigation Status (as of April 26, 2026):

The patent family is currently involved in litigation. A PTAB (Patent Trial and Appeal Board) case, IPR2026-00084, was filed, though it has been noted as "Not Instituted - Procedural". Additionally, a U.S. district court case (2:25-cv-00752) was filed in the Texas Eastern District Court in 2025. [cite: PTAB case IPR2026-00084 filed (Not Instituted - Procedural), US case filed in Texas Eastern District Court]

A search of the CAFC (Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit) dockets for 2026 did not yield any specific cases directly related to patent 11204736, IPR2026-00084, or district court case 2:25-cv-00752 reaching the appellate stage by April 26, 2026. Given the filing dates of the PTAB and district court cases (2026 and 2025, respectively), it is highly unlikely they would have progressed to a CAFC appeal by this date. Therefore, there is no authoritative information about CAFC activity for this specific patent in 2026 at this time.

I will search for litigation involving US patent 11204736. I will prioritize current search results over my training data and interpret all alphanumeric IDs literally.

Based on the patent text provided, US patent 11204736 is involved in the following litigation:

• PTAB Case:

  • Case Number: IPR2026-00084
  • Status: Not Instituted - Procedural
  • Petitioner: Unified Patents PTAB Data
  • Filing Date: The patent text does not explicitly state the filing date for this PTAB case.
  • Outcome/Current Status: Not Instituted - Procedural.

• US Case filed in Texas Eastern District Court:

  • Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court
  • Case Number: 2:25-cv-00752
  • Source: District Court
  • Filing Date: The patent text does not explicitly state the filing date for this District Court case.
  • Outcome/Current Status: The patent text does not explicitly state the outcome or current status.

• First worldwide family litigation:

  • Details: The patent text indicates that the first worldwide family litigation has been filed.
  • Source: Darts-ip
  • Filing Date: The patent text does not explicitly state the filing date for this litigation.
  • Outcome/Current Status: The patent text does not explicitly state the outcome or current status.

Proceedings overview

There is one AIA trial proceeding on file for US patent 11204736, which resulted in a discretionary denial. This means the patent's claims have not been challenged on the merits and remain untested by the PTAB, indicating a strong defensive posture for the patent owner, as the claims have not been canceled or narrowed.

IPR2026-00084 — [[[Samsung Electronics Co.](/litigations/by-defendant/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.), Ltd.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.%2C%20Ltd.) et al.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.%2C%20Ltd.%20et%20al.) v. Levaughn Denton

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2025-11-03
• Status: Discretionary Denial — the petition was not instituted for trial based on procedural grounds.
• Judge panel: Institution decisions for IPRs filed after October 20, 2025, are made by the USPTO Director, John Squires.
• Petition grounds: The specific claims challenged, prior art references, and statutory bases (§ 102 / § 103) are not publicly available in the provided information or search results for this specific proceeding.
• Institution decision: Denied on 2026-04-06. The petition was "Not Instituted - Procedural". While the specific reasoning for this denial is not publicly available, it occurred during a period where the PTAB, under Director Squires, implemented new discretionary denial factors, including considerations for domestic manufacturing presence (effective March 11, 2026) and a focus on "settled expectations" for older patents. Other factors like parallel district court litigation (Fintiv factors) may also lead to discretionary denials.
• Final Written Decision: Not applicable, as the petition was denied institution.
• Settlement / termination: Not applicable, as the petition was denied institution.
• Appeal: Not applicable, as no trial was instituted.
• Defensive value: The discretionary denial means the claims of US11204736 were not reviewed on the merits and remain unchallenged through this PTAB proceeding. For a defendant, this means an IPR-based invalidity defense against these specific claims would need to present new, compelling arguments to overcome potential discretionary denial considerations.

Strategic summary

All claims of US11204736 are currently UNTESTED by the PTAB. The single IPR filed against this patent, IPR2026-00084, was denied institution on procedural grounds. This outcome means that no claims were canceled, nor were any claims explicitly sustained on the merits by the PTAB. Consequently, the patent remains intact from a PTAB perspective.

Regarding estoppel, since IPR2026-00084 was denied institution, no statutory estoppel under 35 U.S.C. § 315(e)(2) applies to the petitioner, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al., or their privies. This means that Samsung (or any party in privity with them) is not barred from raising any prior-art grounds they raised or reasonably could have raised in district court or other proceedings. For a defendant currently facing assertion of this patent, any prior-art grounds (including those that might have been presented in the denied IPR petition) remain available for use in other forums, such as district court litigation.

The fact that the patent has only attracted one IPR, which resulted in a procedural denial, does not indicate a "hardened" patent in terms of its validity being tested and confirmed against prior art. Rather, it suggests that the petitioner either failed to meet the institution threshold or the petition was denied based on the PTAB's discretionary factors, which have become more prevalent since late 2025 and early 2026. The petitioner, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al., is a large entity, and their petition was filed after the USPTO Director centralized institution decisions and introduced new discretionary factors, potentially playing a role in the procedural denial.

Recommended next steps

Since IPR2026-00084 was denied institution, there are no active trial-stage milestones or FWDs to track. For a defendant considering challenging US11204736, it is important to:

• Carefully review the petition filed in IPR2026-00084 (if publicly accessible through a direct PTAB E2E search, which was not available in the provided snippets) to understand the prior art and arguments previously presented.
• Analyze the specific procedural grounds for the discretionary denial, if possible, to avoid similar pitfalls. This might involve understanding the latest Director's guidance memos on discretionary denials (e.g., Fintiv, domestic manufacturing, AAPA usage, "settled expectations") that were active around April 2026.
• Consider alternative invalidity strategies beyond IPR if the existing discretionary denial policies make institution challenging for a new petition. This could include district court invalidity defenses (where IPR estoppel does not apply to grounds unavailable in IPR, such as public use or on-sale bar) or ex parte reexamination, which does not trigger IPR estoppel.

Inventors

Levaughn Denton. Employer at time of filing not determinable from the patent text.

Original assignee

Zophonos Inc. The patent text states the invention relates to audio manipulation and sound management systems for various applications, including home audio, public address, vehicle audio, and transducers, and that Zophonos Inc. is the current assignee. It also mentions "pet products w/smart units" for sensing and analyzing frequencies (see FIG. 9) and "a pet collar" (see FIG. 10). This indicates that Zophonos Inc. likely ships products embodying the claims, particularly in the realm of smart audio devices for various environments, including pet-related products. Zophonos Inc. is currently listed as "Active" in the legal status on Google Patents.

Assignment timeline

No assignment records for US patent 11204736 were found using the USPTO Assignment Center search (https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/ or https://assignment.uspto.gov/patent/index.html). This indicates that Zophonos Inc., the original assignee, still holds ownership of the patent.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 11204736
    2019 : Filed by Zophonos Inc
    2021 : Issued to Zophonos Inc

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — not present. No transfers from an operating assignee to a licensing-only LLC have been recorded.
2. Known asserter in the chain — not present. No known NPEs are present in the ownership chain.
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — not present. No assignment records exist to show a repeat correspondent.
4. Cascading transfers — not present. No multiple consecutive assignments have been recorded.
5. Pre-litigation transfer — not present. No transfers have been recorded that could precede litigation.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — not present. There is no evidence of Zophonos Inc. filing for bankruptcy.
7. Privateering — not present. No evidence of privateering has been found.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — not present. The patent has not been acquired by a defensive aggregator.

Verdict

Insufficient data
There are no recorded assignments for US11204736 in the USPTO Assignment Center. This indicates that the patent is still owned by the original assignee, Zophonos Inc., and therefore, there is insufficient data to identify any NPE or patent-troll patterns. Verification can be performed at the USPTO Assignment Center: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/

US Patent 11204736, titled "Multi-frequency sensing method and apparatus using mobile-clusters," addresses systems and methods for autonomously managing audio environments, particularly focusing on detecting and mitigating hazardous sound frequencies using distributed networks of smart devices. The patent claims, as outlined in its "Summary of the Embodiments" section, describe a system and method that include an audio control source, at least one cluster of computing devices (each with a sound sensing mechanism and wireless transceiver), and at least one output device. The audio control source processes sensed noise to identify and isolate sounds, determine if any sound frequency falls outside a predetermined hazardous threshold, and, if so, alters the sound to bring its frequency within the threshold before outputting it. This emphasis on real-time, autonomous frequency alteration for safety, driven by a distributed sensing network, forms a core aspect of the invention.

The following prior art references were cited in US11204736 and are analyzed for potential anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102, considering US11204736's priority date of September 23, 2014.

Most Relevant Prior Art Analysis for US11204736

Here are the prior art citations from US11204736, along with their details and an assessment of potential anticipation:

1. U.S. Pat. No. 5,668,884

• Full Citation: U.S. Pat. No. 5,668,884, "Audio enhancement system and method of use with a sound system for producing primary sound from at least one main loudspeaker located at a main position," issued September 16, 1997.
• Publication/Filing Date: Issued: September 16, 1997; Filed: March 24, 1995.
• Brief Description: This patent describes an audio enhancement system that uses a wireless transmitter to broadcast signals from a main loudspeaker to portable units (e.g., headphones) carried by individuals. Time delay circuitry in the system synchronizes the augmented sound produced by the portable units with the sound arriving directly from the main loudspeaker, thereby improving the listening experience for remote individuals.
• Potential Anticipation: While 5,668,884 utilizes wireless transmission and portable devices for audio, it primarily focuses on compensating for signal propagation delays to enhance perceived sound quality for individual listeners. It does not describe a system that senses ambient noise via "clusters" of devices, identifies sound frequencies exceeding a "predetermined hazardous threshold," or autonomously alters the primary sound system's output based on such a threshold to prevent harm. It anticipates the general concept of providing personalized, delayed audio via portable devices but not the real-time, environmental hazard mitigation aspects of US11204736's claims.

2. U.S. Pat. No. 7,991,171

• Full Citation: U.S. Pat. No. 7,991,171, "Method and apparatus for processing an audio signal in multiple audio frequency bands while minimizing undesirable changes in tonal qualities of the audio signal," issued August 2, 2011.
• Publication/Filing Date: Issued: August 2, 2011; Filed: June 23, 2008.
• Brief Description: This patent details a method and apparatus for processing audio signals across multiple frequency bands to maintain tonal qualities. It involves determining and adjusting gain factors for each band, with adjustments for one band influencing harmonic frequencies in other bands to reduce relative volume changes.
• Potential Anticipation: This patent certainly involves sophisticated audio signal processing and frequency band manipulation. However, its stated goal is to preserve "tonal qualities" and minimize "undesirable changes" in audio. It lacks the core elements of US11204736 related to sensing environmental noise through "mobile clusters," comparing sensed frequencies to a "predetermined hazardous threshold" (especially one related to bodily harm), and autonomously altering system output to conform to that threshold for safety. Therefore, it does not anticipate the specific problem or solution of US11204736.

3. U.S. Pat. No. 8,315,398

• Full Citation: U.S. Pat. No. 8,315,398, "Method of adjusting a loudness of an audio signal," issued November 20, 2012.
• Publication/Filing Date: Issued: November 20, 2012; Filed: December 14, 2010.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a method for adjusting the loudness of an audio signal. It involves receiving an electronic audio signal, processing it to determine its loudness (approximating human hearing), computing a gain based on this loudness to keep it substantially constant, and then applying this gain to the audio signal.
• Potential Anticipation: This patent focuses on maintaining a constant loudness level for an audio signal based on a human hearing approximation. While it involves processing and adjusting audio parameters, it does not disclose a distributed network of "mobile clusters" sensing environmental noise, identifying specific hazardous frequencies against a "predetermined threshold," or autonomously altering output to mitigate potential harm. Its scope is limited to consistent loudness, not environmental hazard mitigation through a distributed sensing network.

4. U.S. Pat. No. 8,452,432

• Full Citation: U.S. Pat. No. 8,452,432, "User-friendly system for real time performance and user modification of one or more previously recorded musical compositions," issued May 28, 2013.
• Publication/Filing Date: Issued: May 28, 2013; Filed: November 29, 2011.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a user-friendly system, implementable on portable electronic devices like smartphones, that allows real-time modification of recorded musical compositions. Users can select different versions of musical components and apply digital sound effects via a graphical user interface.
• Potential Anticipation: This patent is directed towards user-driven creative modification of music. It focuses on facilitating user involvement in the creation of new compositions reflecting personal style. It entirely lacks the elements of autonomous environmental sensing, distributed "mobile clusters," identification of hazardous frequencies against a "predetermined threshold," and the subsequent alteration of system output for safety purposes, which are central to US11204736.

5. U.S. Pat. No. 8,594,319

• Full Citation: U.S. Pat. No. 8,594,319, "Methods and apparatuses for adjusting audio content when more multiple audio objects are directed toward a single audio output device," issued November 26, 2013.
• Publication/Filing Date: Issued: November 26, 2013; Filed: June 28, 2012.
• Brief Description: This patent describes methods and apparatuses for adjusting audio content (amplitude, white noise, frequencies) when multiple audio objects are directed to a single output device. It uses classification and ranking of audio objects to prioritize processing and enhance overall sound quality or intelligibility.
• Potential Anticipation: This patent manages the mixing and output of multiple audio sources to a single device, using frequency and amplitude adjustments for quality and intelligibility. While it involves manipulating audio characteristics, it does not disclose the distributed "mobile cluster" sensing of environmental noise, the concept of a "predetermined hazardous threshold" for such noise, or the autonomous, system-wide alteration of output to mitigate environmental hazards as claimed in US11204736.

6. United States Patent Publication No.: 2007/0217623

• Full Citation: United States Patent Publication No. 2007/0217623, "Real-time processing apparatus capable of controlling power consumption without performing complex arithmetic processing and requiring a special memory resource," published September 20, 2007.
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: September 20, 2007; Filed: March 14, 2006.
• Brief Description: This publication describes a real-time audio processing apparatus designed for power efficiency. It uses two audio encoders (one high-throughput, one low-throughput) and switches between them based on a measured processing "step number" (throughput level) compared to a predefined threshold. The goal is to control power consumption.
• Potential Anticipation: This publication focuses on internal system performance and power management based on processing throughput thresholds. While it uses "real-time processing" and "thresholds," these are distinct from the environmental sound frequency thresholds and hazard mitigation of US11204736. It does not teach the distributed sensing, hazardous frequency identification, or autonomous output alteration for safety.

7. United States Patent Publication No.: 2011/0134278

• Full Citation: United States Patent Publication No. 2011/0134278, "Image/audio data sensing module incorporated in a case of an electronic apparatus," published June 9, 2011.
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: June 9, 2011; Filed: December 6, 2010.
• Brief Description: This publication describes a sensing module within an electronic apparatus, comprising image sensors and multiple audio sensors. A processor processes the sensed data, and a transceiver transmits a combined output data stream.
• Potential Anticipation: This publication teaches the use of multiple audio sensors within an electronic device to sense audio data and transmit it. This partially aligns with the "sound sensing mechanism" and "wireless transceiver" components of US11204736's computing devices. However, it does not describe these sensors as part of "mobile clusters" in a networked environment, nor does it detail an audio control source specifically identifying hazardous frequencies based on a "predetermined threshold" and altering output to mitigate such hazards. It's a general sensing and data streaming module, not a complete system for autonomous audio hazard control.

8. United States Patent Publication No.: 2013/0044131

• Full Citation: United States Patent Publication No. 2013/0044131, "Method for revealing changes in settings of an analog control console," published February 21, 2013.
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: February 21, 2013; Filed: August 17, 2012.
• Brief Description: This publication describes a method to reveal changes in settings of an analog control console by superimposing a captured image of the console with a live image and displaying the composite.
• Potential Anticipation: This publication is entirely unrelated to audio sensing, processing, or output control, focusing instead on visual methods for monitoring analog console settings. It does not anticipate any claims of US11204736.

9. United States Patent Publication No.: 2013/0294618

• Full Citation: United States Patent Publication No. 2013/0294618, "Method and devices of sound volume management and control in the attended areas," published November 21, 2013.
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: November 21, 2013; Filed: May 20, 2013.
• Brief Description: This publication describes a sound reproducing system for managing and controlling sound volume in attended areas. It includes a central station, peripheral stations for audio reception and playback, a listener location recognition appliance, and a computing device to calculate sounding and controlling parameters for system tuning. The system can operate wirelessly and form a local network.
• Potential Anticipation: This is the most relevant prior art. It clearly describes a distributed, wireless sound management and control system ("central station," "peripheral stations," "local network") in "attended areas." It identifies "listener's location recognition" and "calculating controlling parameters for system tuning" to adjust output. This broadly anticipates several elements of US11204736, including an audio control source, distributed sensing points (peripheral stations functioning somewhat like clusters), wireless communication, and varying audio output based on environmental conditions/listener location.
  However, the crucial distinction for US11204736 lies in the specific criterion for alteration: detecting if "one or more sounds includes a frequency outside of a predetermined threshold" that poses a "risk of harm to a human's body," and then altering those specific frequencies to fall within that threshold. While 2013/0294618 mentions "sound volume management and control" and "calculation of controlling parameters for system tuning," it does not explicitly disclose the detection of specific hazardous frequencies against a predetermined harm-related threshold and the subsequent alteration of those frequencies in the output. This specificity of hazardous frequency detection and precise alteration to mitigate harm based on distributed sensing by mobile clusters appears to be the novel contribution of US11204736 beyond the general sound management system of 2013/0294618. Thus, 2013/0294618 potentially anticipates the general system and method claims of US11204736 relating to distributed audio control and adjustment, but likely not the specific "predetermined threshold for harm" and "altering the sound so that the frequency does not fall outside the predetermined threshold" features.

Obviousness under 35 U.S.C. § 103 dictates that a patent cannot be obtained if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) at the time of the invention. The PHOSITA is a hypothetical individual with ordinary skill, creativity, and knowledge in the relevant technical field. The obviousness analysis involves considering the scope and content of the prior art, the differences between the prior art and the claimed invention, and the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art, along with secondary considerations of non-obviousness.

The field of the invention for US11204736 is "audio manipulation and sound management systems, particularly for home audio systems, public address systems, sound reinforcement systems, vehicle audio systems, ultrasonic transducers, infrasonic transducers, electro-optical transducers, microwave transducers, and associated software for these applications." A PHOSITA in this field would likely possess a bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field, along with practical experience in audio engineering, signal processing, and networked systems. They would be familiar with various transducer technologies, wireless communication protocols, and software development for audio applications.

The patent US11204736 claims a system and method for multi-frequency sensing using mobile clusters. The core idea revolves around using computing devices (e.g., wearables, smartphones) in clusters to sense various phenomena (sound, blue light, RF, millimeter waves), analyze, report, and control outputs (e.g., speakers) based on predetermined thresholds.

Here's an analysis of potential obviousness combinations based on the provided prior art:

Combination 1: US Pat. No. 5,668,884 (Audio Enhancement System) + US Pat. No. 7,991,171 (Multi-frequency Audio Processing) + US Pat. No. 8,315,398 (Loudness Adjustment)

• US Pat. No. 5,668,884 describes an audio enhancement system with a wireless transmitter, time delay circuitry, and portable units with wireless receivers and transducers (e.g., headphones) that produce augmented sound in synchronism with a main loudspeaker. This reference establishes the concept of distributed sound reproduction and individual listener augmentation.

• US Pat. No. 7,991,171 details a method and apparatus for processing audio signals in multiple frequency bands, minimizing tonal changes by adjusting gain factors for each band, particularly considering harmonic frequencies. This teaches multi-frequency analysis and adjustment.

• US Pat. No. 8,315,398 focuses on adjusting the loudness of an audio signal by processing channels with auditory filters that approximate human hearing and computing gain to maintain substantially constant loudness. This provides a mechanism for automatic loudness control.

• Motivation to Combine: A PHOSITA, aiming to improve the individual listener experience in a distributed audio system, would be motivated to combine these references. US '884 addresses the distribution aspect, but lacks sophisticated real-time audio manipulation. By integrating the multi-frequency processing of US '171, the system could analyze and adjust specific frequency bands within the augmented sound delivered to individual users, optimizing sound quality. Further, incorporating the loudness adjustment of US '398 would allow for autonomous, listener-centric control of perceived loudness, ensuring a consistent and comfortable audio experience, especially in environments with varying background noise or diverse listener preferences, as addressed by US11204736. The combination would create a system that not only delivers augmented sound to individual listeners but also intelligently processes and adapts that sound in real-time based on frequency content and desired loudness, moving beyond simple time-delay synchronization.

Combination 2: US Pat. No. 2013/0294618 (Sound Volume Management and Control) + US Pat. No. 2011/0134278 (Image/Audio Data Sensing Module) + US Pat. No. 8,594,319 (Adjusting Audio Content based on Objects)

• US Pat. No. 2013/0294618 discloses a sound reproducing system with a sounding mode appointment device, central station for audio signal transmittance, peripheral stations for reception and playback, listener's location recognition, and a computing device for calculating sounding parameters. This system operates wirelessly and can form a local network, focusing on sound volume management and control in attended areas. This reference clearly establishes the concept of a distributed, networked audio sensing and control system with location awareness.

• US Pat. No. 2011/0134278 describes an image/audio data sensing module comprising image and audio sensors, a processor for processing data, and a transceiver interface. This reference teaches the integration of multiple sensors (including audio) into a single module, along with processing and transmission capabilities.

• US Pat. No. 8,594,319 pertains to methods and apparatuses for adjusting audio content when multiple audio objects are directed toward a single audio output device. It discusses classifying audio objects by category and rank to prioritize or apply specific processing to enhance overall sound quality or make content more intelligible.

• Motivation to Combine: A PHOSITA working on advanced sound management systems would logically combine these prior art references. US '618 provides the foundational network and distributed control for sound volume. However, it doesn't explicitly detail the granular audio analysis and manipulation that could enhance sound quality beyond simple volume. By integrating the multi-sensor capability of US '278, the system could gather richer environmental data (not just audio) from distributed points, similar to the "clusters" in US11204736. The processor in US '278 would allow for local initial processing of this sensory data. The critical motivation for combining with US '319 would be to add intelligent audio content adjustment. Rather than just adjusting overall volume as in US '618, the system could use the principles of US '319 to identify different audio "objects" (e.g., speech, music, crowd noise) within the sensed environment and apply class-specific processing. This allows for selective enhancement (e.g., making announcements more intelligible over crowd noise) or suppression of specific audio elements, directly addressing the challenge of "isolating one or more sounds" and "altering them" based on predefined thresholds in US11204736. The combined system would leverage distributed sensing (US '618, '278) to inform intelligent, object-based audio manipulation (US '319) across a networked environment for improved sound control and intelligibility.

Combination 3: United States Patent Publication No.: 2007/0217623 (Real-time Processing Apparatus) + The general disclosure of US11204736 regarding sensing infrasonic, ultrasonic, blue light, and millimeter waves.

• US Pat. Pub. 2007/0217623 describes a real-time processing apparatus for audio signals that can control power consumption by switching between different audio encoders based on a measured "step number" (throughput level) against a threshold. This reference teaches real-time signal processing, threshold-based control, and power management.

• US11204736 (general disclosure) explicitly mentions the capability of sensing infrasonic, ultrasonic, blue light, and millimeter wave exposure and reporting. It highlights that the "system may be configured to sense environmental phenomena outside of the acoustic frequency range by using a variety of transducers."

• Motivation to Combine: A PHOSITA concerned with environmental sensing and reporting, particularly for potential hazards, would be motivated to extend the real-time processing capabilities of US '623 to a broader range of phenomena as disclosed in the background of US11204736. While US '623 is specific to audio, the concept of real-time processing and threshold-based control is broadly applicable. The patent US11204736 itself describes the need for devices capable of "sensing infrasonic, ultrasonic, blue light and millimeter wave exposure and reporting, and in some cases, autonomous manipulation of audio outputs." Given the existing knowledge of various transducers for these non-audible frequencies (ultrasonic, infrasonic, electro-optical, microwave transducers are all mentioned in the field of the invention), it would be obvious for a PHOSITA to adapt the real-time, threshold-based processing framework of US '623 to these other types of sensed data. The motivation would be to provide timely analysis and reporting of potentially harmful environmental conditions across a broader spectrum, using existing real-time processing paradigms. The "step number" concept from US '623, related to throughput, could be readily adapted to manage processing resources for different types of sensor data (e.g., higher throughput for critical hazardous wave detection).

Consideration of "Person Having Ordinary Skill in the Art" (PHOSITA):

The PHOSITA in this art would not be an inventor or a genius, but rather someone with a solid understanding of audio engineering, signal processing, wireless communication, and embedded systems. They would be capable of applying known techniques and combining familiar elements in predictable ways to solve common problems in audio and environmental sensing. The problems addressed by US11204736, such as improving sound quality in various venues, managing crowd noise, and detecting hazardous frequencies, are well-known in the art. The proposed combinations leverage existing solutions for distributed audio, multi-frequency processing, loudness control, and real-time signal analysis. The integration of different sensing modalities (audio, light, RF) and their processing through a centralized or distributed control system would be a logical extension for a PHOSITA given the increasing capabilities and interconnectedness of computing devices (wearables, smartphones). The concept of using "mobile clusters" of standard computing devices to gather spatially distributed data and feed it to a central control source for adjustment is a predictable application of known networking and distributed sensing principles to the problem of localized audio (or other environmental) management.

To provide details on Patent Term Adjustments (PTA), Patent Term Extensions (PTE), continuation/divisional applications, related family members, and the projected expiration date for US patent 11204736, I need to access the official USPTO records for this specific patent. The provided text from Google Patents offers some information, but a direct search of the USPTO database or Patent Center is necessary for a complete and authoritative answer, as the USPTO does not calculate expiration dates for patents and provides a calculator for estimation.

Based on the provided patent text, here's what can be extracted:

1. Continuation Applications:
The patent text states that US11204736 is a Continuation Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/421,141, filed May 23, 2019. This in turn is a Continuation In Part of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/155,919, filed Oct. 10, 2018, which is a Continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/862,304, filed Sep. 23, 2015. This earliest non-provisional application claims priority from U.S. Patent Provisional Application No. 62/054,286, filed on Sep. 23, 2014.

2. Divisional Applications:
The provided patent text does not explicitly mention any divisional applications for US11204736.

3. Related Family Members:
Based on the continuation chain, the related family members mentioned in the provided text include:

• U.S. application Ser. No. 16/421,141 (filed May 23, 2019)
• U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/155,919 (filed Oct. 10, 2018)
• U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/862,304 (filed Sep. 23, 2015)
• U.S. Patent Provisional Application No. 62/054,286 (filed Sep. 23, 2014)

The "Priority date" listed on Google Patents for US11204736 is September 23, 2014 [cite: Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.) 2014-09-23]. This corresponds to the filing date of the provisional application.

4. Patent Term Adjustments (PTA):
The provided patent text does not explicitly state the amount of Patent Term Adjustment (PTA) granted for US11204736. PTA is calculated by the USPTO to compensate for administrative delays during patent prosecution and is included in the Issue Notification Letter. Factors contributing to PTA include delays by the USPTO in issuing office actions (more than 14 months from filing), responding to applicant replies (more than 4 months), or issuing a patent (more than 4 months after issue fee payment, or more than 36 months from filing). Applicant-caused delays can reduce any awarded PTA. To determine the precise PTA, one would typically need to consult the patent's file wrapper in USPTO's Patent Center.

5. Patent Term Extensions (PTE):
The provided patent text does not indicate any Patent Term Extensions (PTE) for US11204736. PTEs are typically granted for patents on certain human drugs, food or color additives, medical devices, animal drugs, and veterinary biological products to restore patent term lost due to premarket government regulatory review. Since US11204736 relates to audio sensing and management systems, it is unlikely to be eligible for a PTE under 35 U.S.C. § 156.

6. Projected Expiration Date:
The general rule for utility patents filed on or after June 8, 1995, is that the term expires 20 years from the earliest filing date of the application, subject to any PTA or terminal disclaimers.

Given the earliest priority date for US11204736 is September 23, 2014 (from provisional application 62/054,286) [cite: Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.) 2014-09-23], the base 20-year term would extend to September 23, 2034.

However, the Google Patents information also lists an "Anticipated expiration" date of 2035-09-23 [cite: 2035-09-23 Anticipated expiration]. This suggests that there might have been a Patent Term Adjustment (PTA) of approximately one year. Without direct access to the USPTO's official patent file or a PTA calculation from Patent Center, it is not possible to definitively confirm the exact PTA, but the Google Patents' "Anticipated expiration" date implicitly accounts for any such adjustment.

Therefore, the projected expiration date, including the anticipated adjustment, is September 23, 2035 [cite: 2035-09-23 Anticipated expiration].