US 11349787

An analysis of U.S. Patent 11,349,787 reveals a system for enabling real-time, anonymous communication between a user on a website and one or more responders who may be using different communication platforms. The patent is assigned to Disintermediation Services Inc., a company that has been involved in litigation related to this patent family.

Patent Details:

• Title: Two-way real time communication system that allows asymmetric participation in conversations across multiple electronic platforms
• Assignee: Disintermediation Services Inc
• Inventors: John Patrick Francis DANDISON, James Allen Johnson, Paul Joseph Lyman Schottland
• Filing Date: January 11, 2022
• Issue Date: May 31, 2022
• Abstract: The patent describes methods and systems for a web browser of an unauthenticated user to receive a communication as part of a conversation. A conversation identifier is established based on this initial communication. The system then identifies a first responder, their communication protocol, and their address. The initial communication is forwarded to the responder, and their reply is received. This reply is then mapped back to the web browser using the conversation identifier and sent to the user.

Independent Claims Overview:

The patent asserts two independent claims, one for a system and one for a method, which are foundational to the invention.

• Claim 1 (System): This claim outlines a system with an electronic processor that facilitates a web-based conversation. The process begins when an unauthenticated user on a webpage initiates a communication request. A "first responder" sends an information request to the user to start the conversation. When the user responds, the system generates a unique conversation identifier. It then stores the initial request and the user's response, linking them with this identifier. If the user's web browser later requests the conversation history, the system uses the conversation ID to retrieve the stored messages and send them to the browser.

• Claim 17 (Method): This claim details the operational steps a processor would take to execute the communication system. It mirrors the functionality of Claim 1, describing the actions of receiving a communication request from an anonymous user, having a "first responder" initiate a conversation, receiving the user's reply, creating a unique identifier for the conversation, and storing the messages with that ID. The method also includes retrieving and transmitting the conversation history to the user's browser upon request.

Litigation and CAFC Docket:

While a direct search of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) 2026 dockets for this specific patent number did not yield immediate results, the assignee, Disintermediation Services Inc., has been a party in various patent infringement lawsuits involving the technology described in this patent family. A conclusive determination of any specific 2026 CAFC proceedings would necessitate a direct search of official court dockets.