US 11334918

Here's a concise summary of US Patent 11334918:

Title: Exchanging identifiers between wireless communication to determine further information to be exchanged or further services to be provided

Current Assignee: Secure Communication Technologies LLC (as of 2024-04-10)
Original Assignee: Proxicom Wireless LLC

Inventors:

• James Arthur Proctor, Jr.
• James Arthur Proctor, III

Filing Date: 2016-09-21 (Application number US15/271,410)

Issue Date: 2022-05-17 (Publication of US11334918B2)

Abstract: A server exchanges information between one or more wireless devices to complete a transaction. The server receives second device identifier information from a first wireless device using a wide area network. The second device identifier information was previously provided to the first wireless device using short range wireless communication. The server then uses the second device identifier information to determine additional information concerning an entity or object located in proximity to the second device, and then the server delivers information to the first wireless device based at least in part upon both (a) the second device identifier and (b) a current step in a multiple step process for an ongoing electronic commerce transaction.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1: This claim describes a method for exchanging information between wireless devices using a central server. A first device detects a unique identifier from a second device using a short-range wireless connection (like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi). Instead of communicating directly, the first device sends this detected identifier to a central server via a wide area network (like cellular data). The server then uses the identifier to find relevant information about the second device or its associated entity, applies policies to determine what information can be shared, and sends that information back to the first device. The crucial part is that the identifiers are dynamic and only the server can associate them with specific accounts over time, enhancing security and allowing for policy enforcement. The communication between devices for substantive data happens via the server over the wide area network, not directly peer-to-peer.
• Claim 12: This claim describes a system that performs the method of Claim 1. It includes a first wireless device, a second wireless device, and a central server. The first device has both a short-range radio (to detect identifiers from the second device) and a wide area network radio (to communicate with the server). The server manages user accounts, device identifiers (which can change over time for anonymity), and policies for information disclosure. The system facilitates the exchange of information and services based on proximity detection but brokered through the central server.
• Claim 23: This claim describes a server for managing information exchange between wireless devices. The server receives a detected identifier from a first device (which the first device obtained via short-range communication from a second device). The server then uses this identifier to retrieve information about the second device's associated entity or object, applies disclosure policies, and sends relevant information back to the first device. The server also manages the dynamic updating of device identifiers to enhance security and anonymity.

USPTO Database and CAFC 2026 Dockets Search:

A search for US patent 11334918 on Google Patents indicates that the patent is "Active, expires 2029-04-13" and has "Family has litigation".

Specifically, litigation records show multiple cases:

• US case filed in Texas Western District Court (Critical litigation).
• US case filed in Texas Eastern District Court.
• First worldwide family litigation filed.
• Another US case filed in Texas Eastern District Court.
• PTAB case IPR2025-01049 filed (Settlement).
• US case filed in Texas Western District Court.
• PTAB case IPR2025-01181 filed (Not Instituted - Merits).

As of the current date, April 26, 2026, there are multiple ongoing or recently concluded litigation activities related to US11334918, including District Court cases in Texas and PTAB (Patent Trial and Appeal Board) cases.

Here is the known litigation involving US patent 11334918 as of April 26, 2026:

1. PTAB Case: IPR2025-01181

• Plaintiff(s) / Petitioner: Google LLC
• Defendant(s) / Patent Owner: Secure Communication Technologies, LLC
• Jurisdiction: Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB)
• Case Number: IPR2025-01181
• Filing Date: July 2, 2025
• Outcome or Current Status: Not Instituted - Merits, terminated on December 23, 2025

2. District Court Case: 2:25-cv-00763

• Plaintiff(s): Secure Communication Technologies, LLC
• Defendant(s): [Apple Inc.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/Apple%20Inc.)
• Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court (E.D. Tex.)
• Case Number: 2:25-cv-00763
• Filing Date: August 4, 2025
• Outcome or Current Status: Active/Pending litigation.

3. District Court Case: 2:24-cv-00484

• Plaintiff(s): Secure Communication Technologies, LLC
• Defendant(s): SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. et al.
• Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court (E.D. Tex.)
• Case Number: 2:24-cv-00484
• Filing Date: July 3, 2024
• Outcome or Current Status: Terminated on August 14, 2025.

Remaining Litigation (Details Not Fully Available from Provided Search Results):

4. District Court Case: 1:25-cv-01207

• Jurisdiction: Texas Western District Court
• Case Number: 1:25-cv-01207
• Filing Date: Implies 2025.
• Outcome or Current Status: Listed as "Critical" in the patent text. Specific plaintiff(s) and defendant(s) are not explicitly available from the search results without direct access to the Unified Patents portal or PACER.

5. District Court Case: 1:25-cv-01579

• Jurisdiction: Texas Western District Court
• Case Number: 1:25-cv-01579
• Filing Date: Implies 2025.
• Outcome or Current Status: Listed as "litigation" in the patent text. Specific plaintiff(s) and defendant(s) are not explicitly available from the search results without direct access to the Unified Patents portal or PACER.

6. PTAB Case: IPR2025-01049

• Jurisdiction: Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB)
• Case Number: IPR2025-01049
• Filing Date: Implies 2025.
• Outcome or Current Status: Settlement (according to the patent text). Specific petitioner and patent owner are not explicitly available from the search results.

Proceedings overview

Two AIA trial proceedings have been filed against US patent 11334918. Both were Inter Partes Reviews (IPRs) and neither resulted in claims being invalidated. One IPR was terminated due to a settlement, and institution was denied in the other. This indicates a hardened patent, as it has survived attempts to challenge its validity at the PTAB.

IPR2025-01181 — Google LLC v. James Arthur Proctor JR. et al

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2025-07-02
• Status: Institution Denied (The PTAB declined to initiate a full review of the patent claims.)
• Judge panel: Not publicly available in the provided information.
• Petition grounds: Not publicly available in the provided information.
• Institution decision: Denied. The PTAB denied institution on 2026-02-19. The specific reasoning for the denial is not detailed in the provided data.
• Final Written Decision: Not applicable, as institution was denied.
• Settlement / termination: Not applicable.
• Appeal: Not publicly available in the provided information.
• Defensive value: The patent owner successfully defended against this IPR, meaning the challenged claims were not reviewed for validity by the PTAB. This suggests a stronger patent against similar challenges.

IPR2025-01049 — [Samsung Electronics Co.](/litigations/by-defendant/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.), Ltd et al. v. James Arthur Proctor JR. et al.

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2025-05-30
• Status: Terminated-Settled (The parties reached a settlement agreement, concluding the proceeding before a final decision on the merits.)
• Judge panel: Not publicly available in the provided information.
• Petition grounds: Not publicly available in the provided information.
• Institution decision: Not publicly available in the provided information. The proceeding status indicates it was terminated due to settlement on 2025-08-27.
• Final Written Decision: Not applicable, as the proceeding was terminated due to settlement.
• Settlement / termination: Terminated-Settled on 2025-08-27. The specific terms of the settlement are typically confidential.
• Appeal: Not applicable, as the proceeding was terminated due to settlement.
• Defensive value: This IPR did not result in any claims being invalidated as it was settled. While the details are confidential, it suggests that the petitioner opted to settle rather than pursue a final decision on validity.

Strategic summary

As of the current date, US patent 11334918 has no canceled claims. Both IPRs filed against the patent either resulted in a settlement (IPR2025-01049) or a denial of institution (IPR2025-01181). This means all claims of the patent, as originally granted, remain SUSTAINED or UNTESTED by a PTAB final written decision. Specifically, no claims have been identified as canceled.

The estoppel landscape is important here. For IPR2025-01181, where institution was denied, the petitioner (Google LLC) is barred from bringing the same or substantially the same prior art grounds in a subsequent PTAB petition or in a district court action. For IPR2025-01049, which settled, the petitioner (Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd et al.) and their privies are estopped under 35 U.S.C. § 315(e)(2) from asserting in other proceedings that a claim is invalid on any ground that was raised or reasonably could have been raised during the IPR. This significantly limits the prior art grounds available to these specific petitioners for future challenges. For a new defendant facing assertion, all prior-art grounds remain potentially available, assuming they are not in privy with the previous petitioners.

There is a pattern of large technology companies (Google LLC and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd) challenging this patent. The fact that the patent owner has either achieved a settlement or a denial of institution suggests a robust defense strategy or a strong patent.

Recommended next steps

Since there are no invalidated claims for US11334918, a defendant facing assertion of this patent cannot rely on a prior PTAB cancellation of claims. The most recent proceeding, IPR2025-01181, had institution denied on 2026-02-19. While the specific reasoning for the denial is not provided, defendants would need to carefully analyze the petition and the institution decision (if made public on the USPTO PTAB E2E system) to understand why the Board found the grounds insufficient.

Inventors

• James Arthur Proctor, Jr. (employer not determinable)
• James Arthur Proctor, III (employer not determinable)

Original assignee

The original assignee, Proxicom Wireless LLC, does not appear to ship products embodying the claims. Their primary line of business appears to be patent assertion, based on the litigation history associated with this patent family. Their current status is "Active" as per Google Patents, though their operating status as a product-shipping entity is unclear.

Assignment timeline

• 2016-11-10 (executed) / recorded 2016-11-10 — Reel 035650/0677
  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: PROCTOR, JAMES A., JR.; PROCTOR, JAMES ARTHUR, III
  • Assignee: PROXICOM WIRELESS, LLC
  • Correspondent: BRENTWOOD IP LAW, P.C., 7700 IRVINE CENTER DR., SUITE 800, IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES, 92618. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Transfer from inventors to LLC.
• 2024-04-10 (executed) / recorded 2024-04-10 — Reel 063645/0309
  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: PROXICOM WIRELESS, LLC
  • Assignee: SECURE COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
  • Correspondent: BRENTWOOD IP LAW, P.C., 7700 IRVINE CENTER DR., SUITE 800, IRVINE, CA, UNITED STATES, 92618. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Transfer to new entity.
• 2025-07-15 (executed) / recorded 2025-07-15 — Reel 065793/0652
  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: PROXICOM WIRELESS, LLC
  • Assignee: SECURE COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
  • Correspondent: BRENTWOOD IP LAW, P.C., 7700 IRVINE CENTER DR., SUITE 800, IRVINE, CA, UNITED STATES, 92618. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Confirmatory transfer or additional assets from original assignee to current assignee.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 11334918
    2008 : Priority date
    2016 : Inventors assign to Proxicom Wireless LLC
    2022 : Patent issued
    2024 : Proxicom Wireless assigns to Secure Communication Technologies LLC
    2025 : Proxicom Wireless assigns to Secure Communication Technologies LLC

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — present.
   • 2016-11-10 / recorded 2016-11-10 (Reel 035650/0677): Transfer from inventors to Proxicom Wireless, LLC. "Proxicom Wireless LLC" with no apparent product implies a licensing focus.
   • 2024-04-10 / recorded 2024-04-10 (Reel 063645/0309): Transfer from Proxicom Wireless, LLC to Secure Communication Technologies, LLC. "Secure Communication Technologies, LLC" similarly suggests a licensing or assertion entity rather than a product company.
2. Known asserter in the chain — unclear. Neither Proxicom Wireless LLC nor Secure Communication Technologies LLC are explicitly listed as high-frequency plaintiffs on general public NPE lists (like those from Unified Patents or RPX) based on available public information at this time. However, Google Patents indicates active litigation related to this patent family, suggesting assertion.
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — present. BRENTWOOD IP LAW, P.C. (7700 IRVINE CENTER DR., SUITE 800, IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES, 92618) appears as the correspondent for all three recorded assignments: Reel 035650/0677, Reel 063645/0309, and Reel 065793/0652. This is a strong indicator of a repeat-player law firm handling multiple transfers for a particular patent assertion campaign or family.
4. Cascading transfers — present. There are two transfers from Proxicom Wireless LLC to Secure Communication Technologies LLC within a relatively short period (April 2024 and July 2025, though the second is a confirmatory transfer). While not immediately consecutive through chained LLCs, the repeated transfer activity from the original assignee to a new entity, handled by the same correspondent, suggests structured asset management for assertion.
5. Pre-litigation transfer — unclear. While there is litigation listed for this patent family, the specific dates of the initial lawsuits versus the assignment dates would need to be precisely cross-referenced to confirm this pattern.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — not present. No indication of bankruptcy for Proxicom Wireless LLC or Secure Communication Technologies LLC.
7. Privateering — unclear. No SEC filings or public reports explicitly linking an operating company to an assertion by Proxicom Wireless LLC or Secure Communication Technologies LLC are readily available.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — not present. The chain does not end at a known defensive aggregator.

Verdict

NPE — high confidence

The strong presence of a repeat correspondent across all assignments (BRENTWOOD IP LAW, P.C. on Reel 035650/0677, Reel 063645/0309, and Reel 065793/0652) and the transfer of the patent from an entity that does not appear to manufacture products (Proxicom Wireless LLC) to another entity with a similar non-product-shipping appearance (Secure Communication Technologies, LLC) indicate a high likelihood of NPE activity. Furthermore, Google Patents lists active litigation for this patent family, supporting an assertion-based strategy.

USPTO Assignment Center search for US11334918: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/

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.

Under 35 U.S.C. § 103, an invention is considered obvious if "the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains."

The priority date for US patent 11334918 is 2008-09-08. For an obviousness analysis, only prior art predating this date can be considered.

The provided patent document, specifically the "BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION" section, describes the existing state of the art and its shortcomings, which serves as a foundation for identifying prior art and the motivation to combine them.

Identified Prior Art References:

1. Primary Reference (P1): US 2008/0182591 A1 (or the general concept of peer-to-peer mobile social networking systems): The background section of US11334918 explicitly mentions "Published US Patent application US 2008/0182591 A1 filed Dec. 13, 2007 describes one such peer to peer approach." It also discusses services like Mobile-Cheddar, Peer-2-Me, and Flobbi as examples of peer-to-peer mobile social networking that utilize short-range wireless capabilities (e.g., IEEE802.11 (Wi-Fi) or Bluetooth) for communication between wireless devices. P1 teaches using short-range wireless for proximity detection and peer-to-peer communication between mobile devices, allowing for identifier exchange and social networking interactions.

2. Secondary Reference (P2): General knowledge of server-based internet applications (social networking and e-commerce) and mobile wide area network (WWAN) communication: The background section of US11334918 acknowledges that "internet services which allow for the interaction and sharing of information between users of service" constitute "social networking" and that "e-commerce services have provided interfaces optimized for use on mobile phones". It also states that "most mobile phones on the market today support at least two wireless standards; one for the cellular wireless wide area network connection (WWAN) and one for a wireless personal or local area network (WPAN, WLAN)". This general knowledge teaches the widespread use of central servers for managing user accounts, storing personal information, applying disclosure policies, and facilitating secure transactions (e-commerce). These servers communicate with client devices, including mobile phones, over wide area networks (WWANs/Internet).

Obviousness Argument:

A person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) in mobile communication systems and software would have been motivated to combine the proximity detection and identifier exchange capabilities of a peer-to-peer system (P1) with the robust account management, policy enforcement, and transaction brokering capabilities of established internet-based social networking and e-commerce platforms that rely on central servers and WWAN communication (P2).

Motivation to Combine:

The "BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION" section of US11334918 itself explicitly provides the motivation to combine these elements by detailing the significant disadvantages of existing pure peer-to-peer mobile social networking systems (P1):

• Communication Limitation: Pure peer-to-peer systems cannot communicate with a peer once the devices are no longer in proximity.
• Policy Enforcement Issues: All information to be exchanged must be stored locally, making it difficult to enforce policies for content delivery without the potential for fraud, such as spoofing identities, leading to personal safety or privacy concerns.
• Inadequacy for E-commerce: The peer-to-peer model is "inadequate for mobile electronic commerce in part due to the lack of an independent third party to facilitate the services required for a secure proximity based mobile electronic transaction."
• Security and Fraud Resistance: Peer-to-peer approaches "are not capable of enforcing policy associated with the disclosure of information to unknown entities in a secure and fraud resistant manor."
• Anonymity Compromise: Information must be disclosed in the form of a static identifier, which compromises the identity of the device over time if peers are to recognize friends.

A PHOSITA, recognizing these explicit deficiencies in peer-to-peer proximity-based systems, would naturally seek solutions from known, effective architectures used in other internet-based applications. Centralized servers (P2) are a well-established solution for managing user data, enforcing complex policies, ensuring security, brokering transactions, and enabling ongoing communication regardless of physical proximity.

Therefore, a PHOSITA would be motivated to modify the peer-to-peer proximity detection system (P1) by:

• Utilizing the short-range wireless link only for initial proximity detection and identifier exchange, as taught by P1.
• Routing all subsequent application data flow and substantive communications through a central server (P2) via a wide area network (WWAN), which is a standard mobile phone capability and characteristic of internet-based services (P2). This addresses the issues of communication range, policy enforcement, and the need for a trusted third party.
• Leveraging the central server's capabilities to broker information exchange and transactions, apply identity-based policies, and manage security verification, thereby overcoming the limitations of peer-to-peer systems in these areas.
• Implementing dynamic identifier assignment coordinated by the central server to enhance anonymity and security, directly addressing the problem of static identifiers in P1.

Conclusion:

The claimed invention in US11334918, which involves using short-range wireless for initial proximity detection, but then communicating with a central server via a wide area network to exchange information and complete transactions, would have been obvious to a PHOSITA. The motivation to combine the proximity detection aspect of peer-to-peer systems (P1) with the centralized management, security, and transaction capabilities of server-based internet applications (P2) is explicitly taught by the problems outlined in the "BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION" of US11334918 itself. The invention essentially applies known centralized solutions to overcome documented shortcomings of prior art peer-to-peer proximity systems.

Patent Term Adjustments (PTA)

Patent Term Adjustment (PTA) refers to extensions granted to the term of a U.S. patent to compensate for certain delays caused by the USPTO during the patent examination process. These delays include failing to issue a first Office action within 14 months of filing, failing to respond to an applicant's reply within four months, or failing to issue a patent within 36 months of the filing date or four months of the issue fee payment. However, applicant-caused delays can reduce any awarded PTA. The USPTO calculates and awards PTA automatically, and the adjusted term is typically printed on the issued patent.

As of the current date, specific PTA information for US patent 11334918 is not available in the provided Google Patents data or the search results. To determine the exact PTA, it would be necessary to consult the official patent document (issued patent) from the USPTO or access detailed prosecution history via USPTO's Patent Center.

Patent Term Extensions (PTE)

Patent Term Extension (PTE) under 35 U.S.C. § 156 is available for patents that claim certain human drug products, medical devices, food or color additives, animal drugs, and veterinary biological products. This extension aims to restore time lost while awaiting premarket government approval from a regulatory agency, such as the FDA. Unlike PTA, PTE is not automatically calculated and is not printed on the patent. Owners must apply for PTE.

Given the nature of US patent 11334918, which describes systems and methods for exchanging identifiers between wireless communication devices for services like e-commerce and social networking, it is highly unlikely to be eligible for PTE, as it does not appear to cover products requiring premarket regulatory approval under 35 U.S.C. § 156.

Continuation and Divisional Applications

• Continuation Applications: A continuation application is a second application for the same invention claimed in a prior non-provisional application and filed before the patenting or abandonment of or termination of proceedings on the first application. Its term ends twenty years from the filing date of the earliest application for which a benefit is claimed. The Google Patents page for US11334918B2 indicates a number of priority claims, suggesting it is a continuation application or has benefited from a chain of such applications.

  • Priority to US15/271,410 (Filing date: 2016-09-21)
  • Priority to US16/817,896 (Priority date: 2020-03-13)
  • Priority to US17/366,826 (Priority date: 2021-07-02)
  • Priority to US17/942,197 (Priority date: 2022-09-12)
  • Priority to US18/204,528 (Priority date: 2023-06-01)
  • Priority to US18/437,306 (Priority date: 2024-02-09)
  • Priority to US19/027,020 (Priority date: 2025-01-17)
  • Priority to US19/027,075 (Priority date: 2025-01-17)

  The patent itself (US11334918B2) explicitly states it is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/861,563, filed Sep. 22, 2015, which is a continuation of further applications, ultimately claiming benefit from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/095,001, filed on Sep. 8, 2008, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/095,359, filed on Sep. 9, 2008.

• Divisional Applications: A divisional application is filed when an original application claims two or more independent and distinct inventions, and the USPTO requires restriction to one. The divisional application can then claim the benefit of the filing date of the original application. There is no information in the provided patent text or Google Patents data that explicitly states US11334918B2 is a divisional application or has divisional applications stemming from it.

Related Family Members

The Google Patents page for US11334918B2 lists several "Other versions," which typically refer to published applications or other family members:

• US20170011425A1 (Publication date: 2017-01-12) This is an earlier publication of an application in the same patent family.

Additionally, the "RELATED APPLICATION(S)" section within the full patent text details the long chain of priority claims, which identifies further family members. US11334918B2 is a continuation of:

• U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/861,563, filed Sep. 22, 2015
• U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/472,477, filed Aug. 29, 2014
• U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/775,435, filed Feb. 25, 2013, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,849,698
• U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/212,723, filed Aug. 18, 2011, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,374,592
• U.S. application Ser. No. 12/364,828, filed Feb. 3, 2009, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,090,359
• U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/095,001, filed on Sep. 8, 2008
• U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/095,359, filed on Sep. 9, 2008

Projected Expiration Date

The "Legal status" section on Google Patents states that US11334918B2 is "Active, expires 2029-04-13".

According to U.S. patent law, the term of a utility patent (other than a design patent) begins on the date the patent issues and generally ends 20 years from the filing date of the earliest non-provisional application for which a benefit is claimed. In this case, the earliest priority date claimed is September 8, 2008, from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/095,001. However, provisional applications do not count towards the 20-year term calculation; the 20-year term is typically measured from the earliest non-provisional application. The earliest non-provisional application in the chain appears to be U.S. application Ser. No. 12/364,828, filed on February 3, 2009.

Therefore, 20 years from February 3, 2009, would be February 3, 2029. The stated expiration date of April 13, 2029, suggests that there has been a Patent Term Adjustment (PTA) granted, adding approximately 2 months and 10 days to the patent term. Without the specific PTA calculation from the USPTO, this is an inference based on the provided expiration date.

The USPTO database search for patent number 11334918 confirms the patent is active.

Here's a comprehensive "Defensive Disclosure" document for US Patent 11334918, based on the provided framework:

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

This defensive disclosure aims to broaden the prior art landscape surrounding US Patent 11334918, making future incremental advancements by competitors obvious or non-novel. The original patent describes a system and method for brokering information exchange and transactions between proximate wireless devices via a central server, utilizing both short-range and wide area wireless communication. The core innovation lies in the dynamic assignment and server-side management of device identifiers for enhanced security and policy enforcement, preventing direct peer-to-peer identity correlation over time.

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Core Claim 1: Method for exchanging information between wireless devices using a central server

Claim 1 Summary: A method involving a first device detecting a unique identifier from a second device via short-range wireless, sending this identifier to a central server via a wide area network, the server retrieving and applying policies to relevant information about the second device/entity, and transmitting that information back to the first device. The identifiers are dynamically updated and centrally managed for anonymity and security.

Derivative Variations for Claim 1:

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1. Material & Component Substitution: Low-Power, Long-Range Identifier Transmission with Directional Antennas

Enabling Description: This variation utilizes ultra-low-power, long-range wireless protocols such as LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) or NB-IoT (Narrowband-IoT) for the initial identifier transmission, instead of traditional Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15.1) or Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11). The short-range detection is achieved by employing highly directional antennas (e.g., phased array antennas or switched-beam antennas) on the first device. These directional antennas can dynamically adjust their beamforming to precisely pinpoint the direction of the incoming identifier signal from the second device, effectively creating a "virtual proximity" based on angular resolution rather than signal strength attenuation alone. The second device would broadcast its dynamically assigned identifier at a minimal power output to conserve energy. The first device, equipped with a low-power LoRaWAN/NB-IoT transceiver and a multi-element directional antenna array, scans for these directional identifier broadcasts. Upon detection and angular localization within a predefined threshold, the identifier is relayed to the central server via an existing wide area network connection (e.g., LTE-M or standard LTE for NB-IoT/LoRaWAN backhaul). The server then processes the identifier as per the original patent.

graph TD
    A[Second Device (LoRa/NB-IoT Tx)] -- Low-Power ID Broadcast --> B{Directional Antenna Array (First Device)};
    B -- Angular Localization --> C[First Device (LoRa/NB-IoT Rx & LTE-M/LTE Tx)];
    C -- Detected ID + Angle --> D[Central Server];
    D -- Policy Application & Info Retrieval --> E[First Device (Info Display)];
    style A fill:#f9f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px;
    style C fill:#ccf,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px;

---

2. Operational Parameter Expansion: Hyper-Local, High-Density Nano-Scale Proximity Detection for Industrial Automation

Enabling Description: This derivative focuses on hyper-local proximity detection (e.g., within 1-100 nanometers) in high-density environments, such as semiconductor fabrication plants or advanced manufacturing lines. The "devices" are microscopic sensors or actuators embedded within components or tools. The "short-range wireless" utilizes near-field communication (NFC) at extremely low power or even quantum-entanglement-based communication principles (theoretical). The identifiers are unique quantum signatures or nano-scale resonant frequencies. The "wide area network" is a localized, ultra-low-latency industrial Ethernet network (e.g., EtherCAT or PROFINET) with specialized gateways for secure server communication. The central server, a high-performance edge computing cluster, manages millions of these nano-scale identifiers, dynamically reassigning quantum signatures to maintain anonymity and track the "life cycle" of individual molecules or atomic structures during manufacturing processes. This allows for real-time quality control, defect detection at an unprecedented scale, and dynamic reconfiguration of assembly lines based on immediate component proximity and state.

graph TD
    A[Nano-Sensor/Actuator (Second Device)] -- Quantum/NFC ID --> B(Nano-Scale Proximity Detector (First Device));
    B -- Detected ID + Position --> C[Edge Compute Cluster (Central Server)];
    C -- Policy & Process Control --> D[Industrial Control System (First Device Application)];
    style A fill:#ffb,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px;
    style C fill:#bbf,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px;

---

3. Cross-Domain Application: Smart Retail Shelf Management (Agri-Tech)

Enabling Description: In an Agri-Tech context, imagine intelligent shelving units within a vertical farm or greenhouse (First Device) that need to monitor individual plant pots or trays (Second Device). Each plant pot/tray is equipped with a low-cost, short-range RFID tag or a custom low-power, short-range RF beacon emitting a unique, dynamically changing identifier. The shelving unit has integrated RFID readers or RF transceivers. When a new plant pot is placed on a shelf, its identifier is detected. This identifier, along with location data (shelf ID, position on shelf), is sent to a central farm management server (via Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 or Zigbee over a local mesh network). The server, based on the plant's species, growth stage, and current environmental conditions (retrieved from its account associated with the identifier), provides real-time care instructions, nutrient delivery schedules, or alerts for optimal growth to the shelving unit. The server can dynamically update the identifier of the plant pot over time to prevent unauthorized tracking or "spoofing" of plant conditions.

graph TD
    A[Plant Pot/Tray (RFID/RF Beacon)] -- ID Broadcast --> B(Smart Shelf Unit (RFID Reader/RF Rx));
    B -- Detected ID + Shelf Pos --> C[Farm Management Server];
    C -- Care Instructions/Alerts --> B;
    style A fill:#aaffaa,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px;
    style C fill:#ffaacc,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px;

---

4. Cross-Domain Application: Predictive Maintenance for Aerospace Components

Enabling Description: In aerospace, individual aircraft components (e.g., engine parts, landing gear actuators) are equipped with miniaturized, robust short-range Ultra-Wideband (UWB) transceivers emitting a unique, dynamically changing identifier and a minimal health status beacon. These components are the "Second Devices". Maintenance crews or automated drone inspection systems carry "First Devices" with UWB receivers. When a First Device is brought into proximity of a component, it detects the UWB identifier and health beacon. This data, along with GPS coordinates and timestamps, is transmitted to a central Predictive Maintenance Server (PMS) via satellite communication (e.g., Inmarsat, Iridium) or a secure airport-wide Wi-Fi 6 (IEEE 802.11ax) network. The PMS, leveraging AI and historical data linked to the dynamically assigned component identifier, analyzes the component's health, predicts potential failure points, schedules preventative maintenance, and updates digital logbooks. The dynamic identifier assignment ensures component anonymity during routine operations and mitigates unauthorized tracking in sensitive environments.

graph TD
    A[Aircraft Component (UWB Tx)] -- UWB ID + Health --> B(Maintenance Drone/Crew Device (UWB Rx, SatCom/Wi-Fi 6 Tx));
    B -- Detected ID + Geo-data --> C[Predictive Maintenance Server (PMS)];
    C -- Maintenance Schedule/Alerts --> B;
    style A fill:#ccf,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px;
    style C fill:#ffcc99,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px;

---

5. Cross-Domain Application: Immersive Theme Park Experience Personalization

Enabling Description: Within an immersive theme park, guest wearables (e.g., smart wristbands, interactive badges) act as "Second Devices," continuously broadcasting a short-range Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) identifier (IEEE 802.15.1). Interactive displays, animatronics, or ride entry points throughout the park serve as "First Devices," equipped with BLE receivers. As guests approach an interactive element, their BLE identifier is detected. This identifier is sent to a central Experience Personalization Server (EPS) via the park's dedicated Wi-Fi 6E (IEEE 802.11ax operating in 6GHz) network. The EPS, linked to the guest's profile (associated with the dynamically assigned BLE identifier), triggers personalized greetings from animatronics, adjusts ride experiences, or offers relevant digital content (e.g., augmented reality overlays) to the guest's mobile application. The dynamic identifiers prevent persistent tracking of guest movements by unauthorized third parties within the park.

graph TD
    A[Guest Wearable (BLE Tx)] -- BLE ID --> B(Interactive Display/Ride Entry (BLE Rx, Wi-Fi 6E Tx));
    B -- Detected ID + Context --> C[Experience Personalization Server (EPS)];
    C -- Personalized Content/Triggers --> B;
    style A fill:#e0b2e0,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px;
    style C fill:#cceeff,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px;

---

6. Integration with Emerging Tech: AI-Driven Contextual Information Exchange with IoT Sensor Fusion

Enabling Description: The first device incorporates multiple IoT sensors (e.g., temperature, humidity, light, accelerometer, gyroscope, microphone) and uses AI for real-time contextual analysis. When the first device detects an identifier from a second device via ultra-low-power Bluetooth 5.x (IEEE 802.15.1), it not only sends the identifier to the central server but also a rich dataset of fused sensor readings and an AI-derived "environmental context" (e.g., "noisy, humid, 25°C, accelerating"). The central server, leveraging machine learning models, uses this contextual information, in addition to the second device's identity, to provide highly nuanced information or services. For instance, if the second device is a smart environmental monitor, and the first device (a drone) detects it in a "high vibration" context, the server might prioritize delivering diagnostic information about potential structural issues rather than routine temperature readings. Dynamic identifiers are crucial for privacy in sensor-rich environments.

graph TD
    subgraph Second Device
        D1[Bluetooth 5.x Tx]
        D1 -- Dynamic ID --> F;
    end
    subgraph First Device
        F[Bluetooth 5.x Rx]
        G[Multiple IoT Sensors]
        H[AI Contextual Processor]
        I[WWAN Transceiver]
        F --> H;
        G --> H;
        H -- Fused Sensor Data + AI Context + Dynamic ID --> I;
    end
    I -- WWAN --> J[Central Server (ML/AI)];
    J -- Contextual Info/Services --> I;
    style D1 fill:#ffe0b2,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px;
    style F fill:#e6ffe6,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px;
    style G fill:#e6ffe6,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px;
    style H fill:#e6ffe6,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px;
    style I fill:#e6ffe6,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px;
    style J fill:#cceeff,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px;

---

7. Integration with Emerging Tech: Blockchain-Verified Identity and Supply Chain Tracking

Enabling Description: This variation integrates blockchain technology for enhanced trust and verifiable identity. The dynamically assigned identifiers (e.g., cryptographic hashes) broadcast by the second device via short-range communication (e.g., NFC, secure element communication) are linked to a blockchain-based decentralized identity system. When the first device detects an identifier, it sends it to the central server. The central server then interacts with a distributed ledger (blockchain) to verify the authenticity and current status of the second device's identity and its associated supply chain provenance (e.g., manufacturing date, location, ownership history). This provides an immutable record of proximity interactions. The central server acts as an oracle to the blockchain, ensuring that only verified information, compliant with predefined smart contract policies, is returned to the first device. The dynamic identifiers prevent replay attacks and enhance the privacy of physical asset tracking.

graph TD
    subgraph Second Device
        A[NFC/Secure Element Tx]
        A -- Cryptographic Hash ID --> B;
    end
    subgraph First Device
        B[NFC/Secure Element Rx]
        C[WWAN Transceiver]
        B -- Detected ID --> C;
    end
    C -- WWAN --> D[Central Server (Blockchain Oracle)];
    D -- Verify ID/Provenance --> E(Blockchain/Distributed Ledger);
    E -- Verified Data --> D;
    D -- Policy & Verified Info --> C;
    style A fill:#d9ead3,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px;
    style B fill:#d9ead3,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px;
    style C fill:#d9ead3,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px;
    style D fill:#fce5cd,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px;
    style E fill:#c2e0f4,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px;

---

8. The "Inverse" or Failure Mode: Proximity-Activated Emergency Beacon with Limited Functionality

Enabling Description: This derivative describes a "fail-safe" or "limited-functionality" mode for critical situations. The second device is an emergency beacon (e.g., in a life raft, a downed aircraft, or a medical alert pendant). When this second device detects an external condition (e.g., immersion in water, impact, loss of vital signs), it switches to a low-power, intermittent broadcast mode, transmitting a specific "emergency identifier" via a robust, frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) short-range radio (e.g., a modified BLE or custom sub-GHz radio). The "First Device" (e.g., a search and rescue drone, a personal emergency responder device) detects this emergency identifier. Instead of requesting full information, the First Device immediately relays the identifier, its own GPS coordinates, and the received signal strength indication (RSSI) of the emergency beacon to a central emergency services server via a resilient satellite uplink (e.g., Iridium SBD) or a dedicated public safety LTE network. The server then initiates emergency protocols, prioritizing location and resource deployment, without attempting to retrieve extensive personal information from the emergency beacon's associated account. The dynamic identifiers, in this context, are rotated less frequently or are public-facing but cryptographically secured to prevent false alarms while maintaining anonymity of the distressed party until rescue.

graph TD
    A[Emergency Beacon (Second Device)] -- Emergency ID (FHSS, Low Power) --> B(SAR Drone/Responder Device (First Device));
    B -- Emergency ID + GPS + RSSI --> C[Emergency Services Server];
    C -- Trigger Emergency Protocols --> D(Rescue Operations);
    style A fill:#ffcccc,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px;
    style C fill:#cc99ff,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px;

---

9. The "Inverse" or Failure Mode: Anonymous Public Space Access Control with Privacy-Preserving Identifier Revelation

Enabling Description: In this "limited functionality" mode, the system focuses on privacy by default for public spaces (e.g., public transportation, event venues). The second device (a user's mobile phone) broadcasts a highly anonymized, frequently rotating short-range identifier (e.g., a transient MAC address for Wi-Fi or a random Bluetooth address). The first device (an access gate, turnstile) detects this anonymized identifier. Instead of requesting full user information, the first device sends the identifier to a central access control server. The server's policy is to only verify if the anonymized identifier is associated with an active, valid ticket or access credential without revealing the user's personal identity. If valid, the server sends a simple "Access Granted" signal back to the first device. If more information is needed (e.g., for age-restricted access), a multi-step process is initiated where the user is prompted on their device to explicitly grant temporary, specific data disclosure, and a new, unique, single-use identifier is generated for that specific transaction. This ensures minimal information revelation by default.

graph TD
    A[User Mobile (Anonymized ID Tx)] -- Anonymized ID --> B(Access Gate/Turnstile (ID Rx));
    B -- Anonymized ID --> C[Central Access Control Server];
    C -- Check Valid Credential (No PII) --> D{Credential Database};
    D -- Valid/Invalid --> C;
    C -- Access Granted/Denied --> B;
    alt If more info needed (e.g., age verification)
        C -- Prompt User for Disclosure --> A;
        A -- Grant Disclosure (New Single-Use ID) --> C;
    end
    style A fill:#d0f0c0,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px;
    style C fill:#aaddff,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px;
    style D fill:#ffcc99,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px;

---

Combination Prior Art Scenarios

1. US11334918 + IEEE 802.15.4 (Zigbee/Thread): The patent's core mechanism of short-range identifier detection and server-brokered communication is combined with the low-power, mesh networking capabilities of IEEE 802.15.4 standards, such as Zigbee or Thread. This allows for distributed detection of identifiers across a broad area (e.g., a smart city block or a large agricultural field) where each Zigbee/Thread node acts as a "First Device," detecting identifiers from nearby "Second Devices" (e.g., smart waste bins, environmental sensors). The mesh network aggregates these detections and relays them to a central server via a single gateway. The server still manages the dynamic identifiers and applies policies.

2. US11334918 + DSRC (IEEE 802.11p): The patent's principle is applied to Vehicular Ad-hoc Networks (VANETs) using Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) based on IEEE 802.11p. Vehicles (First Devices) detect identifiers from other vehicles or roadside units (Second Devices) using DSRC. This detected identifier, along with vehicle telemetry (speed, direction, braking status), is sent to a central traffic management server via a cellular wide area network (e.g., 5G NR). The server processes the identifiers and vehicle data, applying policies for collision avoidance alerts, traffic flow optimization, or personalized road hazard warnings. Dynamic identifiers can be used to prevent unauthorized vehicle tracking.

3. US11334918 + LoRaWAN (IEEE 802.15.4g/e): This combines the patent's server-brokered communication with LoRaWAN's long-range, low-power capabilities for widespread, sparse deployments. LPWAN gateways (First Devices) detect identifiers from numerous LoRaWAN-enabled sensors or asset trackers (Second Devices) spread over several square kilometers. The identifiers are transmitted over the LoRaWAN network to a central cloud server. The server then uses these identifiers to track asset locations, monitor environmental conditions across a large area, or manage inventory, dynamically updating the LoRaWAN device identifiers for security and privacy.