US 11227303

US Patent 11227303, titled "Method and apparatus for content presentation in association with a telephone call," was invented by Wendell D. Brown. The application was filed on October 9, 2019, and the patent was issued on January 18, 2022. The current assignee is Vusura Technology LLC, though the original assignee was listed as an individual.

The abstract describes a method and apparatus for presenting multimedia content to a caller and/or a called party during a telephone call. This content can be shown before the phone rings (pre-ring), during the call (in-call), or after the call ends (post-call). The content might be related to the other party in the call or a third party, such as an advertiser. The presented content can be interactive, allowing the caller to perform actions like changing the call's destination, accepting an offer, redeeming a coupon, or scheduling a follow-up call. The patent also covers enhanced search capabilities for finding contact information or initiating calls.

Here is a plain-language overview of each independent claim:

Independent Claim 1: Method of controlling content presentation during a call
This claim describes a method where a phone call is initiated, but its voice component is intentionally delayed. Simultaneously, a data connection is established between the calling device and a "call controller." This controller receives information about who is calling and who is being called. Based on this information, the call controller selects multimedia content and sends it to the calling device via the data connection for display. After this content is presented, the voice portion of the call is then routed through a standard voice channel.

Independent Claim 11: Apparatus for controlling content presentation during a call
This claim outlines an apparatus (a device or system) that includes a processor and memory. The memory stores instructions that enable the processor to perform several actions: it establishes a data connection with a communication device, receives the caller's and called party's numbers, selects multimedia content based on these numbers, transmits the content to the communication device for display, and arranges for the voice part of the call to be routed.

Independent Claim 12: Method involving a call processor and delayed voice channel
This claim details a method where a "call processor" on a communication device detects an outgoing call. This call processor then connects to a "call server" and sends the caller's and destination's phone numbers. The call server then picks multimedia content based on these numbers and sends it back to the communication device for display. Crucially, the communication device itself delays setting up the voice connection for the call until after the multimedia content has been presented.

Independent Claim 20: Method involving content auctions and call routing
This claim describes a method where a call server maintains a list of organizations and their phone numbers. This server holds auctions where various entities can bid for the right to display content to people calling those organizations. When a caller dials one of these numbers, the call server receives notification, selects content from the winning bidder, transmits it to the caller's device for display, and then routes the voice portion of the call to the intended destination.

Regarding legal status, the patent is currently "Active." The Google Patents information notes that the patent family has ongoing litigation, including a PTAB case (IPR2026-00255) filed in 2026, which is currently pending. Additionally, a US case related to this patent has been filed in the Texas Eastern District Court (case number 2:25-cv-00871). There is no specific mention of a CAFC 2026 docket directly related to US11227303 in the provided information or search results.

US patent 11227303 is currently involved in the following known litigation:

1. PTAB Case:

   • Case Number: IPR2026-00255
   • Status: Pending
   • Jurisdiction: Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB)
   • Plaintiff(s): Not explicitly stated in the provided snippet, but usually a petitioner challenges the patent. The Unified Patents portal link provides context for petitioners, but not for this specific case directly.
   • Defendant(s): Vusura Technology LLC (current assignee of the patent)
   • Filing Date: Not explicitly stated in the provided snippet, but the case number IPR2026-00255 suggests a filing year of 2026.

2. US District Court Case:

   • Case Number: 2:25-cv-00871
   • Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court
   • Status: Litigation is active.
   • Plaintiff(s): Not explicitly stated in the provided snippet.
   • Defendant(s): Not explicitly stated in the provided snippet.
   • Filing Date: Not explicitly stated in the provided snippet, but the case number 2:25-cv-00871 suggests a filing year of 2025.

Additionally, the Google Patents page indicates "First worldwide family litigation filed", with a link to Darts-ip, but specific details for this global litigation (plaintiff, defendant, jurisdiction, case number, filing date, and outcome/status) are not provided in the readily available information.

Proceedings overview

There is one AIA trial proceeding on file for US Patent 11227303. This proceeding is currently active and pending, meaning no claims have been invalidated or sustained by the PTAB yet. This gives a defendant facing assertion of this patent an opportunity to monitor the outcome of the ongoing challenge.

IPR2026-00255 — Cisco Systems, Inc. v. Vusura Technology LLC

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2026-02-24
• Status: Pending. This IPR is currently in its initial stages, and an institution decision has not yet been issued.
• Judge panel: Not yet publicly available at this early stage of the proceeding.
• Petition grounds: Details regarding the specific claims challenged, the prior art cited, and the statutory bases (§ 102 / § 103) are not yet publicly available through general search results at this early stage of a pending IPR.
• Institution decision: As of 2026-05-29, an institution decision for IPR2026-00255 has not been issued. The statutory deadline for the institution decision is typically within six months of the petition filing, which would be around August 24, 2026.
• Final Written Decision: Not applicable; the proceeding is pending institution.
• Settlement / termination: Not applicable; the proceeding is pending institution.
• Appeal: Not applicable; the proceeding is pending institution.
• Defensive value: This active IPR presents a potential avenue for challenging the patent's validity. If the PTAB institutes the IPR, the asserted claims will be subject to review, potentially leading to their cancellation. A defendant facing assertion should closely monitor this proceeding, as an institution decision could significantly impact the strength of the patent.

Strategic summary

All claims of US11227303 remain UNTESTED by a Final Written Decision in an AIA trial proceeding. The sole IPR, IPR2026-00255, is currently pending its institution decision. As such, no claims have been canceled or sustained by the PTAB.

The estoppel landscape is not yet defined, as there is no Final Written Decision. If IPR2026-00255 proceeds to a Final Written Decision, Cisco Systems, Inc. (and its privies) would be estopped from raising any grounds they raised or reasonably could have raised in a later proceeding against the patent. However, for other potential defendants, all prior-art grounds remain available until a specific FWD is issued.

The filing of IPR2026-00255 by Cisco Systems, Inc. indicates that at least one significant entity believes there are valid grounds to challenge the patent. The fact that this is the first and only IPR to date suggests that while the patent owner (Vusura Technology LLC) is currently involved in litigation (as noted in the Patent Summary and Litigation Summary), the patent's validity has not yet faced a multitude of challenges at the PTAB.

Recommended next steps

For any defendant currently facing assertion of US11227303, the most critical next step is to closely monitor the ongoing IPR2026-00255. The institution decision is anticipated around August 24, 2026. A decision to institute the IPR would signal that the PTAB believes there is a reasonable likelihood that at least one challenged claim is unpatentable, significantly impacting the patent's strength.

If the IPR is instituted, tracking the trial-stage milestones, including any oral hearing dates and the eventual Final Written Decision due date (typically one year from institution), will be crucial. The outcome of this IPR could provide strong defensive arguments or invalidate claims foundational to any infringement theory.

Currently, there is no PTAB Final Written Decision to link to, as the proceeding is pending.

Inventors

The sole named inventor for US Patent 11227303 is Wendell D. Brown. The patent information indicates the original assignee was "Individual," and a subsequent assignment shows the patent transferring from "BROWN, WENDELL D." This suggests that Wendell D. Brown was an individual inventor who initially held ownership of the patent upon its grant, rather than being employed by a specific entity in relation to this patent at the time of filing.

Original assignee

The original assignee of record on the issued patent was Wendell D. Brown, the individual inventor. It is unclear whether Wendell D. Brown, as an individual, shipped a product embodying the claims of the patent. His primary line of business for this patent is that of an individual inventor. As an individual, his current status is not that of an operating company.

Assignment timeline

• 2024-02-26 (executed) / recorded 2024-02-26 — Reel 057406/0125

  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST
  • Assignor: BROWN, WENDELL D.
  • Assignee: VUSURA TECHNOLOGY LLC
  • Correspondent: SCHOX, PATRICK & CHING, LLP, 500 THIRD STREET, SUITE 510, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This correspondent also handled the subsequent security interest filing for Vusura Technology LLC.
  • Context: Transfer of patent ownership from the individual inventor to an LLC.

• 2025-07-29 (executed) / recorded 2025-07-29 — Reel 057406/0126

  • Conveyance: SECURITY INTEREST
  • Assignor: VUSURA TECHNOLOGY LLC
  • Assignee: PLF 2025-A LP
  • Correspondent: SCHOX, PATRICK & CHING, LLP, 500 THIRD STREET, SUITE 510, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This correspondent also handled the prior assignment to Vusura Technology LLC.
  • Context: Securitization or financing arrangement involving the patent.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 11227303
    2009 : Priority Date
    2019 : Application filed
    2022 : Patent issued
    2024 : Assigned to Vusura Technology LLC
    2025 : Security Interest to PLF 2025-A LP

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — Present. The patent was assigned from individual inventor Wendell D. Brown to VUSURA TECHNOLOGY LLC on 2024-02-26 (Reel 057406/0125). Vusura Technology LLC is a common naming convention for a licensing or asserting entity, and public records indicate it has commenced litigation, including the present patent against Cisco Systems, Inc..
2. Known asserter in the chain — Present. Vusura Technology LLC is the current assignee and has been identified by RPX Corp. as a plaintiff in a new campaign over contact center systems, noting that it is backed by a funder linked to several other plaintiffs, which is characteristic of a funded plaintiff or NPE.
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — Present. The law firm SCHOX, PATRICK & CHING, LLP is listed as the correspondent for both the assignment from Wendell D. Brown to Vusura Technology LLC (Reel 057406/0125, dated 2024-02-26) and the security interest granted by Vusura Technology LLC to PLF 2025-A LP (Reel 057406/0126, dated 2025-07-29).
4. Cascading transfers — Not Present. The assignment chain consists of two transactions over approximately 18 months, which does not constitute multiple consecutive assignments through chained LLCs in a short timeframe.
5. Pre-litigation transfer — Not Present. The assignment to Vusura Technology LLC occurred on 2024-02-26 (Reel 057406/0125). The first known litigation against Cisco Systems, Inc. (case 2:25-cv-00871) was filed on August 25, 2025, which is approximately 18 months after the assignment, falling outside the typical 6-month pre-litigation window.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — Not Present. There is no evidence in the provided information or search results to suggest a bankruptcy fire-sale.
7. Privateering — Unclear. The patent was transferred from an individual inventor, not an operating company, so this specific pattern is not directly applicable.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — Not Present. The current assignee is Vusura Technology LLC, which is actively asserting the patent in litigation, not a defensive aggregator.

Verdict

NPE — high confidence. This verdict is supported by the transfer of the patent from an individual inventor to Vusura Technology LLC, a shell-like entity (Reel 057406/0125, dated 2024-02-26). Furthermore, Vusura Technology LLC has been identified by RPX Corp. as a funded plaintiff involved in patent litigation campaigns. The recurrence of the same correspondent across multiple transactions in the chain also indicates a consistent legal strategy often associated with NPEs.

USPTO Patent Assignment Search for 11227303

Most Relevant Prior Art for US Patent 11227303

To identify the most relevant prior art for US Patent 11227303, we will examine the "Cited by Examiner" references listed on the Google Patents page for US11227303. These are the documents that the patent examiner considered during the prosecution of the patent application.

Here is an analysis of the most relevant prior art documents:

1. US7280649B1

• Full Citation: US7280649B1, "System and method for providing services based on real time data communications for callers and called parties of a telecommunication call"
• Publication Date: October 9, 2007 (Filing date: February 13, 2004)
• Brief Description: This patent describes a system that provides various services, such as enhanced caller ID, multimedia advertisements, and product information, by establishing a data communication link parallel to a voice communication link during a telephone call. These services can be initiated before, during, or after the voice communications. The system includes a service provider that receives information about the calling and called parties and uses this information to deliver content.
• Potentially Anticipates: Claims 1, 11, 12, and 20. This patent is highly relevant as it explicitly teaches the core concept of parallel data and voice channels for content presentation in association with a call (pre-call, in-call, post-call), using caller/called party information to select content, and the role of a service provider (call controller).

2. US20050036611A1

• Full Citation: US20050036611A1, "Method and system for providing enhanced communications during call set up"
• Publication Date: February 17, 2005 (Filing date: August 13, 2003)
• Brief Description: This application describes a method for sending "supplemental data," including visual information, along with a call setup request to a terminating party. This data is displayed "during an alerting phase of the call, e.g., during ringing, prior to answering the call."
• Potentially Anticipates: Claims 1, 11, and 12. This reference is particularly relevant for the "pre-ring" content presentation aspect of US11227303, specifically disclosing the display of information to the called party before they answer the call.

3. US20080287103A1

• Full Citation: US20080287103A1, "System and method for presenting targeted information during a phone call"
• Publication Date: November 20, 2008 (Filing date: May 16, 2007)
• Brief Description: This application details a system and method for selecting and presenting targeted information to a communications device during a phone call. The information is selected based on various criteria related to the call or parties involved.
• Potentially Anticipates: Claims 1, 11, and 12. This reference reinforces the concept of selecting and presenting content during a call based on call information, aligning with the "in-call" content presentation of US11227303.

4. US20080070564A1

• Full Citation: US20080070564A1, "Method and apparatus for advertising during a telephone call"
• Publication Date: March 20, 2008 (Filing date: September 14, 2007)
• Brief Description: This application discloses methods and apparatus for providing advertisements to a telephone user during a call. An advertisement server determines and delivers the advertisements.
• Potentially Anticipates: Claims 1, 11, 12, and 20. This reference is highly relevant to the commercial aspects of US11227303, particularly regarding the presentation of advertisements in association with a telephone call. It sets the stage for the auctioning of content presentation rights.

US Patent 11227303, with a priority date of April 6, 2009, generally describes a method and apparatus for presenting multimedia content in association with a telephone call, specifically before (pre-ring), during (in-call), and after (post-call) the call, utilizing parallel data and voice channels. The content can be related to the call parties or third parties (e.g., advertisers) and may include actuable controls. The patent also covers call server-managed content auctions.

The following analysis for obviousness under 35 U.S.C. § 103 considers the independent claims of US11227303 in light of the prior art documents listed on its Google Patents page, which predate the priority date. A Person Having Ordinary Skill in the Art (PHOSITA) in 2009 would have possessed knowledge of telecommunications, computer networks, multimedia content delivery, and basic commercial practices.

References considered:

• US7280649B1 (Call Sciences, Inc., "System and method for providing services based on real time data communications for callers and called parties of a telecommunication call," published October 9, 2007)
• US20050036611A1 (America Online, Inc., "Method and system for providing enhanced communications during call set up," published February 17, 2005)
• US20080287103A1 (Verizon Services Group, "System and method for presenting targeted information during a phone call," published November 20, 2008)
• US20080070564A1 (Call Control, LLC, "Method and apparatus for advertising during a telephone call," published March 20, 2008)

Obviousness Analysis for Independent Claim 1: Method of controlling content presentation during a call

Claim 1 elements:

1. Initiating a telephone call from a calling device to a called device, wherein a voice portion of the telephone call is configured to be routed via a voice channel.
2. Delaying the routing of the voice portion of the telephone call to the called device.
3. Establishing a data connection between the calling device and a call controller.
4. Receiving, at the call controller, an identification of a caller associated with the calling device and an identification of a destination associated with the called device.
5. Selecting, at the call controller and based at least in part on the identification of the caller or the identification of the destination, multimedia content.
6. Transmitting the selected multimedia content from the call controller to the calling device via the data connection for presentation on the calling device.
7. Routing the voice portion of the telephone call via the voice channel after the multimedia content has been presented on the calling device.

Combination of References: US7280649B1, in view of US20050036611A1, and further supported by US20080287103A1.

Rationale for Obviousness:
US7280649B1 teaches a system and method for providing services (e.g., enhanced caller ID, multimedia advertisements, product information) based on real-time data communications for callers and called parties of a telecommunication call. This system establishes a data communication link parallel to a voice communication link, and these services can be initiated "prior to, during, or after" the voice communications. This directly addresses elements 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, showing a call initiated, parallel data/voice channels, a service provider (call controller) receiving caller/called party info, selecting content based on this info, transmitting it for presentation, and then the voice communication proceeding.

US20050036611A1 teaches sending "supplemental data" (which can be visual information) along with a call setup request to a terminating party, to be displayed "during an alerting phase of the call, e.g., during ringing, prior to answering the call."

A PHOSITA would be motivated to combine the teachings of US7280649B1 and US20050036611A1 to enhance the "prior to" services of US7280649B1 with the explicit "pre-ring" content presentation described in US20050036611A1. To effectively present rich multimedia content prior to the voice communication or "during an alerting phase" before the call is answered (as taught by these references), it would be an obvious design choice for a PHOSITA to temporarily delay the establishment or routing of the voice portion of the call (element 2). This delay ensures that the data connection is fully established, the multimedia content is retrieved and transmitted, and the user has sufficient time to view and assimilate the content before engaging in the voice conversation. Without such a delay, the "prior to" content presentation would be ineffective if the user answered the call immediately or before the content loaded. This optimization would be apparent to a PHOSITA seeking to implement the combined teachings effectively.

US20080287103A1 further teaches selecting content based on call information and providing it to a communications device for presentation during a phone call, reinforcing the concept of content selection and display.

Therefore, all elements of Claim 1, including the delayed voice routing, would have been obvious to a PHOSITA.

Obviousness Analysis for Independent Claim 11: Apparatus for controlling content presentation during a call

Claim 11 elements:

1. An apparatus comprising a processor and a memory.
2. The memory storing processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to:
   a. establish a data connection with a communication device;
   b. receive, from the communication device, a telephone number of a caller and a telephone number of a destination;
   c. select multimedia content based at least in part on the telephone number of the caller or the telephone number of the destination;
   d. transmit the selected multimedia content to the communication device for presentation on the communication device; and
   e. arrange for a voice portion of a telephone call to be routed via a voice channel.

Combination of References: US7280649B1, in view of US20050036611A1.

Rationale for Obviousness:
US7280649B1 describes a "system" with a "service provider" that establishes "real-time data communications" and "voice communication links" with calling and called parties. This system inherently comprises a processor and memory. The service provider's role includes receiving information related to the calling/called parties, providing services (which include transmitting multimedia advertisements), and managing the communication links. This directly discloses an apparatus (the service provider/call controller) with a processor and memory configured to perform steps 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, and 2e.

The combination with US20050036611A1, as explained for Claim 1, motivates the delay of the voice portion to facilitate content presentation during call setup. Implementing this method via an apparatus would be a straightforward engineering task for a PHOSITA using standard computing and telecommunications equipment. The instructions for establishing data/voice connections, receiving numbers, selecting and transmitting content, and arranging voice routing would be basic functions programmed into such a system to carry out the described methods.

Therefore, an apparatus configured to perform the method steps, which are themselves obvious, would also be obvious to a PHOSITA.

Obviousness Analysis for Independent Claim 12: Method involving a call processor and delayed voice channel

Claim 12 elements:

1. Detecting, by a call processor of a communication device, an initiation of an outgoing telephone call from the communication device.
2. Connecting the call processor to a call server.
3. Transmitting, by the call processor to the call server, a telephone number of a caller and a telephone number of a destination.
4. Receiving, by the call processor from the call server, multimedia content selected by the call server based at least in part on the telephone number of the caller or the telephone number of the destination.
5. Presenting the multimedia content on the communication device.
6. Delaying, by the communication device, establishing a voice connection for the outgoing telephone call until after the multimedia content has been presented on the communication device.

Combination of References: US7280649B1, in view of US20050036611A1, and further supported by US20080287103A1.

Rationale for Obviousness:
As discussed for Claim 1, US7280649B1 discloses a system providing services via a data link in parallel with a voice link, before, during, or after a call, where content is selected based on caller/called party information. US20050036611A1 teaches presenting supplemental data during the call's alerting phase.

The concept of a "call processor" on a communication device (elements 1, 2, 3, 4) is a conventional component or application responsible for managing outgoing calls. A PHOSITA would readily understand that such a processor could be configured to initiate a data connection to a call server (service provider in US7280649B1) and transmit call details. Receiving and presenting multimedia content (elements 4, 5) is also a standard function of modern communication devices, especially in light of references like US20080287103A1 which mentions content presentation during a call.

Element 6, "Delaying, by the communication device, establishing a voice connection... until after the multimedia content has been presented," is an obvious implementation detail for realizing the "pre-ring" content presentation of US20050036611A1 and the "prior to" services of US7280649B1. To ensure the effectiveness of displaying content before the voice call begins, the communication device (via its call processor or associated logic) would logically delay connecting the voice channel until the content is ready and displayed. This allows the user to fully observe the content, thereby making the enhanced communication feature truly functional and valuable. Such an action by the communication device would be an expected engineering solution for a PHOSITA designing systems based on the combined teachings.

Therefore, the method described in Claim 12 would have been obvious.

Obviousness Analysis for Independent Claim 20: Method involving content auctions and call routing

Claim 20 elements:

1. Maintaining, by a call server, a list of organizations and associated telephone numbers.
2. Holding, by the call server, an auction for a right to present content to callers that place telephone calls to at least one of the organizations associated with the list.
3. Receiving, by the call server, a notification of a telephone call being placed by a caller to one of the organizations.
4. Selecting, by the call server, content provided by a winning bidder of the auction.
5. Transmitting the selected content from the call server to a communication device of the caller for presentation on the communication device.
6. Routing a voice portion of the telephone call to the one of the organizations.

Combination of References: US7280649B1, in view of US20080070564A1, combined with the general knowledge of advertising and auction mechanisms.

Rationale for Obviousness:
US7280649B1 describes a "service provider" (analogous to a call server) that provides services based on information related to calling and/or called parties, including the ability to "send multimedia advertisements." This service provider would necessarily maintain information about destinations (organizations and their numbers) to provide these services (element 1). It also teaches routing the voice portion of the call (element 6) and transmitting multimedia content for display (element 5). US20080070564A1 specifically discloses methods for "advertising during a telephone call," where an advertisement server determines and provides advertisements to a telephone user during a call.

The motivation for combining these would be to monetize the call-associated advertising opportunities. Given that both US7280649B1 and US20080070564A1 teach presenting advertisements during calls, a PHOSITA would be driven by commercial interests to find efficient methods for allocating these valuable advertising slots to various advertisers. By 2009, online advertising platforms frequently used auction models (e.g., keyword bidding) to sell ad space. Applying a well-known commercial method like an "auction" to allocate the right to present content to callers (element 2) in the context of telecommunication services (elements 3, 4, 5, 6) would have been an obvious business decision for a PHOSITA. The call server acting as an intermediary to manage these ads and collect bids is a straightforward application of existing online advertising models to the telecommunications domain.

Therefore, Claim 20, which combines known telecommunication content delivery with a known commercial mechanism for allocating advertising rights, would have been obvious.