Prior art

I will now analyze US patent 11334918 and its cited prior art.

US Patent 11334918: Exchanging identifiers between wireless communication to determine further information to be exchanged or further services to be provided

• Publication Date: May 17, 2022
• Filing Date: September 21, 2016
• Abstract: The patent describes a system where a server facilitates information exchange and transactions between wireless devices. A first wireless device receives a second device identifier via short-range wireless communication. This identifier is then sent to a server using a wide area network. The server uses the identifier to retrieve additional information about an entity or object near the second device and delivers this information to the first device, with the delivery being influenced by the current stage of an ongoing e-commerce transaction.

The patent US11334918 lists several prior art references. To determine the most relevant prior art, I will examine the citations provided within the patent document itself. The patent states that its "Related Application(s)" are incorporated by reference. These often contain the most direct lineage of the invention and are highly relevant for anticipating claims.

Here are the most relevant prior art references based on the "RELATED APPLICATION(S)" section of US11334918:

1. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/861,563

   • Full Citation: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/861,563
   • Publication/Filing Date: Filed September 22, 2015
   • Brief Description: This is a continuation application to which US11334918 claims priority. As a direct ancestor, it would cover substantially similar subject matter, likely detailing the core system and methods for exchanging identifiers between wireless devices, communicating with a central server, and using the server to determine further information or services based on proximity.
   • Potentially Anticipates: Given its nature as a continuation, it potentially anticipates all claims of US11334918 under 35 U.S.C. § 102, as the later patent builds upon or further refines the inventions disclosed in this earlier application.

2. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/472,477

   • Full Citation: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/472,477
   • Publication/Filing Date: Filed August 29, 2014
   • Brief Description: This is also a continuation application, further back in the priority chain. It would likely detail the fundamental concepts of using both short-range and long-range wireless communication, a central server for brokering information and transactions, and policy enforcement based on detected identifiers.
   • Potentially Anticipates: It potentially anticipates many, if not all, claims of US11334918 that relate to the fundamental system architecture and method of operation.

3. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/775,435 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,849,698)

   • Full Citation: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/775,435, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,849,698
   • Publication/Filing Date: Filed February 25, 2013 (Issued September 30, 2014)
   • Brief Description: This patent is another in the continuation chain. It likely discloses the core invention of using short-range wireless for detection and long-range wireless to communicate with a server for brokering information and transactions based on detected identifiers and defined policies. The emphasis on secure e-commerce transactions and policy application by a central server would likely be present.
   • Potentially Anticipates: This patent, as an earlier granted patent in the family, is highly likely to anticipate a significant number of claims in US11334918, especially those covering the broad concepts of proximity-based interaction, server-brokered services, and secure transactions.

4. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/212,723 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,374,592)

   • Full Citation: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/212,723, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,374,592
   • Publication/Filing Date: Filed August 18, 2011 (Issued February 12, 2013)
   • Brief Description: As an even earlier continuation, this patent would describe the foundational aspects of the invention, including the use of unique identifiers, the role of the central server in managing these identifiers, and facilitating communication and transactions between devices in proximity. The concept of dynamic identifier updates coordinated by the server for enhanced anonymity and security would also likely be present.
   • Potentially Anticipates: This patent is fundamental to the invention and would likely anticipate a broad range of claims in US11334918 that define the basic system and method.

5. U.S. application Ser. No. 12/364,828 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,090,359)

   • Full Citation: U.S. application Ser. No. 12/364,828, filed February 3, 2009, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,090,359
   • Publication/Filing Date: Filed February 3, 2009 (Issued January 3, 2012)
   • Brief Description: This is a key foundational patent in the family, directly stemming from the provisional applications. It would detail the core idea of using short-range wireless for identifier detection, followed by long-range communication with a central server to broker information and transactions. The patent specifically mentions the advantages over purely peer-to-peer systems, such as improved security, policy enforcement, and customized content delivery.
   • Potentially Anticipates: This patent would almost certainly anticipate many, if not all, of the independent claims in US11334918, as it establishes the fundamental inventive concept.

6. U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/095,001

   • Full Citation: U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/095,001, entitled "Central Server Enabled Proximity Based Applications Utilizing Both Short Range, and Wide Area Wireless Radios"
   • Publication/Filing Date: Filed September 8, 2008
   • Brief Description: This is one of the earliest provisional applications, laying the groundwork for the entire patent family. It would describe the initial ideas regarding a central server enabling proximity-based applications by using both short-range and wide-area wireless radios, as implied by its title. This would include the basic detection of identifiers via short-range communication and subsequent interaction with a server via a wide-area network.
   • Potentially Anticipates: As the earliest filing, this provisional application would potentially anticipate the broadest claims of US11334918 that describe the fundamental system and method.

7. U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/095,359

   • Full Citation: U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/095,359, entitled "Central Server Enabled Proximity Based Applications Utilizing Both Short Range, and Wide Area Wireless Radios"
   • Publication/Filing Date: Filed September 9, 2008
   • Brief Description: Similar to the previous provisional application, this would also contribute to the foundational disclosure of the invention, likely elaborating on specific aspects or alternative embodiments of the central server-enabled proximity-based applications utilizing hybrid wireless communication.
   • Potentially Anticipates: Like the other provisional, this application would potentially anticipate broad claims in US11334918, especially those concerning the general inventive concept.

The most relevant prior art for US11334918 are the preceding patent applications and patents in its priority chain. These documents disclose the core inventive concepts and are likely to anticipate many, if not all, of the claims in US11334918 under 35 U.S.C. § 102. The extent of anticipation would depend on the specific wording of the claims in US11334918 and the exact disclosures in each of the cited prior art documents.