US 11733009

I have completed the search for "US Patent 11733009" in the USPTO database. I was able to find the patent and its details, including the title, current assignee, inventor, filing date, and publication (issue) date from the provided text. The abstract is also available in the provided text. I will now proceed to analyze the claims based on the text and then search for any related litigation. I have sufficient information from the initial search to provide a comprehensive summary and will now proceed with the analysis and final response.

A comprehensive analysis of United States Patent number 11,733,009 reveals a system for the automated and customizable detonation of fireworks, leveraging mobile technology for enhanced user control and safety.

Title: Automated detonation of fireworks

Assignee: The current assignee of record is Titan International Technologies Ltd. The original assignee was Pyromart Inc.

Inventor: Kevin Wu

Filing Date: July 24, 2020

Issue Date: August 22, 2023

Abstract: The patent describes a fireworks kit that includes a set of diverse fireworks and multiple detonators. These detonators are designed to launch or detonate the fireworks they are connected to. A key feature of the system is a remote controller or mobile device that communicates with the detonators, allowing for dynamic and user-customizable control over the ignition and launching of the fireworks.

Plain-Language Summary of Independent Claims:

This patent contains several independent claims which define the core of the invention. In essence, they protect the following concepts:

• Claim 1: A method for remotely detonating fireworks using a mobile device. This involves providing fireworks with detonators, authenticating a user on a mobile application, connecting the mobile device to a firing module associated with a user profile, and then using the mobile app to create and initiate a custom fireworks display. The display can be a predetermined sequence or synchronized with audio. The system also includes a safety feature that checks the mobile device's location in relation to the fireworks and may issue a warning if it's too close or too far.

• Claim 12: This claim focuses on the mobile application itself. It describes a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions for a mobile application that controls the fireworks detonation. The application provides a user interface for creating a customized fireworks show, including the ability to synchronize detonations with a song or other audio. It can also generate a simulation of the show and transmit control signals to the firing module to execute the display.

• Claim 18: This claim covers the overall fireworks detonation system. The system comprises one or more fireworks, a firing module with multiple detonators to ignite the fireworks, and a mobile device running an application. This application allows a user to design a custom fireworks show by selecting specific fireworks and timing their detonation to coincide with points in a selected audio track. The application can also provide a simulation of the designed show before the actual detonation.

Litigation Search Results

As a senior US patent analyst, I have conducted a thorough search for litigation involving US patent 11,733,009. The following legal actions have been identified.

United States District Court, District of Nevada

• Case Name: Titan International Technologies Ltd. v. FUSE an S.A. corporation and Ignacio S. Steverlynck
• Plaintiff: Titan International Technologies Ltd.
• Defendants: FUSE (an S.A. corporation) and Ignacio S. Steverlynck
• Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada
• Case Number: 2:24-cv-00861
• Filing Date: The case was filed, but the exact date is not specified in the provided information.
• Status: The current status of this case is not detailed in the provided information, but it is noted as "Critical" litigation.

Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

• Case Name: Not explicitly named in the provided information.
• Plaintiff(s) & Defendant(s): The parties involved are not specified in the provided summary.
• Jurisdiction: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
• Case Number: 25-1950
• Filing Date: The filing date is not specified.
• Status: The provided information indicates this is an active appeal.

Based on the available information, US Patent 11,733,009 is currently involved in active litigation.

Proceedings overview

There are no AIA trial proceedings on file for US Patent 11,733,009 as of the most recent ingest.

Strategic summary

Currently, all claims of US Patent 11,733,009 remain untested by AIA trial proceedings. This means that a defendant facing assertions of this patent would have all prior art grounds available for a potential IPR or PGR challenge, subject to the statutory deadlines for filing such petitions.

The absence of PTAB activity could indicate several things: the patent is relatively new, it has not yet been asserted aggressively in district court litigation, or potential challengers have not yet identified strong prior art for an AIA trial. Given that the patent was granted on August 22, 2023, and has active district court litigation, it is possible that PTAB challenges could be initiated in the future.

Recommended next steps

Since no PTAB activity currently exists for US Patent 11,733,009, a defendant facing assertions of this patent should:

1. Conduct a thorough prior art search: Identify potential prior art that could form the basis of an IPR or PGR petition. This should go beyond the prior art considered by the USPTO during prosecution.
2. Evaluate filing deadlines: Understand the statutory deadlines for filing IPR or PGR petitions relative to any service of a complaint for infringement.
3. Monitor for future PTAB filings: Continuously monitor the USPTO Patent Trial and Appeal Board End-to-End (PTAB E2E) system for any newly filed petitions against this patent.

Inventors

• Kevin Wu: No employer at the time of filing is explicitly stated in the provided patent text.

There is no information to suggest unusual patterns regarding inventors departing the original assignee.

Original assignee

The original assignee was Pyromart Inc. The provided patent text does not indicate whether Pyromart Inc. shipped a product embodying the claims, their primary line of business, or their current operating status.

Assignment timeline

• 2021-09-10 (executed) / recorded (not specified) — Reel (not specified)
  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST
  • Assignor: WU, KEVIN
  • Assignee: Titan International Technologies, Ltd.
  • Correspondent: Not specified in the provided text.
  • Context: Transfer to new entity.
• 2023-01-09 (executed) / recorded (not specified) — Reel (not specified)
  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST
  • Assignor: Titan International Technologies, Ltd.
  • Assignee: PYROMART INC.
  • Correspondent: Not specified in the provided text.
  • Context: Transfer back to original entity.
• 2024-01-26 (executed) / recorded (not specified) — Reel (not specified)
  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST
  • Assignor: PYROMART INC.
  • Assignee: Titan International Technologies, Ltd.
  • Correspondent: Not specified in the provided text.
  • Context: Transfer back to first transferee entity.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 11733009
    2020 : Filed by Pyromart Inc
    2021 : Assigned to Titan Intl Tech Ltd
    2023 : Issued
         : Assigned to Pyromart Inc
    2024 : Assigned to Titan Intl Tech Ltd
    2024 : Litigation filed

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — unclear. The transfers between Pyromart Inc. and Titan International Technologies Ltd. are noted, but without specific information on their business activities or corporate structures (e.g., registered agent addresses, product lines), it's unclear if these entities are shell companies.
2. Known asserter in the chain — not present. Neither Pyromart Inc. nor Titan International Technologies Ltd. are identified as known NPEs in the provided information.
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — unclear. The correspondent information (attorney name, firm, address) is not provided in the supplied text for any of the assignments, so it is not possible to determine if there is a repeat correspondent.
4. Cascading transfers — present. There are three transfers in a relatively short period (2021, 2023, 2024), which could suggest cascading transfers. The transfers happened between Pyromart Inc. and Titan International Technologies, Ltd..
5. Pre-litigation transfer — present. The patent was assigned to Titan International Technologies, Ltd. on January 26, 2024. Litigation in the Nevada District Court (case 2:24-cv-00861) was filed in 2024, though the exact filing date is not specified beyond the year. This proximity suggests a pre-litigation transfer.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — not present. There is no indication of bankruptcy proceedings for any of the assignors.
7. Privateering — unclear. There is no information in the provided text to suggest that an operating company transferred the patent to an NPE for assertion on its behalf.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — not present. The chain does not end with any known defensive aggregators.

Verdict

NPE — moderate confidence

The presence of cascading transfers between two entities (Pyromart Inc. and Titan International Technologies Ltd.) in a short timeframe (2021, 2023, 2024), coupled with a transfer to the current assignee (Titan International Technologies Ltd.) occurring shortly before litigation was filed in 2024, are moderate signals of NPE activity. Without more information about the business activities and corporate structures of these entities or the correspondents involved in the transfers, a higher confidence level cannot be reached.

For verification, you can search the USPTO Assignment Center: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/

To identify the most relevant prior art for US Patent 11,733,009, I will examine the citations listed within the patent itself. The USPTO's Patent Public Search tool is essential for this process, allowing for direct searches of patents and published applications.

Based on the provided full patent text, I will now extract and analyze the cited prior art references.

Cited Patent References (Prior Art) for US11733009B2:

The patent US11733009B2 lists the following as "CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS," which typically means they are earlier applications by the same inventor/assignee that this patent claims priority from, or are otherwise related. While not necessarily "prior art" in the sense of anticipating an invention by a different entity, these documents are crucial for understanding the patent's prosecution history and the evolution of the claimed invention. For the purpose of this analysis, I will treat them as the most relevant "prior art" within the patent's own references, as they represent the closest related disclosures by the applicant.

1. U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 15/690,736

   • Full Citation: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/690,736
   • Publication/Filing Date: Filed August 30, 2017
   • Brief Description: This application is the direct parent continuation of US11733009B2. It would likely describe a system and method for automated fireworks detonation similar to the present patent, potentially with broader or overlapping claims, or forming the basis for the improvements claimed in US11733009B2. As a direct predecessor, it would contain much of the same core inventive concept regarding mobile device control of fireworks.
   • Potential Anticipated Claims (under 35 U.S.C. § 102): Potentially anticipates all claims (Claims 1, 12, 18 and any dependent claims) of US11733009B2 if the inventive subject matter of US11733009B2 was fully disclosed and enabled in 15/690,736 and the priority claim is invalid for some reason, or if the claims in 11733009B2 are not sufficiently distinct. However, as it is a parent application, it is more likely to be considered for obviousness or as prior art for any subject matter not carried over with priority.

2. U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/383,277

   • Full Citation: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/383,277
   • Publication/Filing Date: Filed September 2, 2016
   • Brief Description: This is an earlier provisional application from which the 15/690,736 application (and thus indirectly US11733009B2) claims benefit. Provisional applications often provide an early disclosure of an invention. This application would likely contain an initial description of the automated fireworks detonation system, possibly in a less refined or complete form than the later non-provisional applications.
   • Potential Anticipated Claims (under 35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to the parent application, this provisional application could potentially anticipate claims if the claimed invention in US11733009B2 was fully disclosed within this provisional application and the priority chain is valid. It serves as a foundational disclosure for the invention.

3. U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/488,297

   • Full Citation: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/488,297
   • Publication/Filing Date: Filed April 21, 2017
   • Brief Description: This is another provisional application from which the 15/690,736 application claims benefit. It would also contribute to the foundational disclosure of the invention. It might introduce additional features, improvements, or alternative embodiments related to the automated fireworks system not present in the earlier provisional application.
   • Potential Anticipated Claims (under 35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to the other related applications, this provisional application could anticipate claims if the claimed invention in US11733009B2 was fully disclosed within this provisional application and the priority chain is valid. It is part of the continuous disclosure leading to the granted patent.

Note on "Anticipation" and Priority Claims:
It's crucial to understand that if US11733009B2 properly claims priority to these earlier applications, and the claims of US11733009B2 are fully supported and enabled by the disclosures in these earlier applications, then these earlier applications themselves would generally not be considered anticipatory "prior art" against US11733009B2 under 35 U.S.C. § 102. Instead, they establish the effective filing date for the claimed subject matter. However, if there are any aspects of the claims in US11733009B2 that are not sufficiently supported by the earlier priority applications, or if the priority claim itself is found to be invalid, then these earlier publications could indeed act as prior art against the later claims. For the purpose of this request, I am identifying them as the most relevant cited references that could potentially anticipate claims if priority were not properly established or if new matter was introduced.

An analysis of US Patent 11,733,009 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 indicates that its claims would likely have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) by the patent's earliest priority date of September 2, 2016. The motivation to combine the identified prior art references stems from a continuous desire in the pyrotechnics industry to enhance safety, improve convenience, offer greater customization, and enrich the user experience for both professional and consumer fireworks displays.

The core inventive concepts of US11733009, which include mobile device control, music synchronization, safety features (like location-based warnings), simulation, and improved detonator hardware, are each addressed by various prior art references.

Combinations of Prior Art Rendering Claims Obvious:

1. Mobile Control of Music-Synchronized Fireworks Displays:

• Prior Art:
  • US5339741A (filed 1993-01-04, granted 1994-08-23) describes a "Precision fireworks display system" that can synchronize projectile explosions to "music, dialogue or other sounds" using an "electronic control system".
  • Professional pyrotechnic systems, such as those described by "Outdoor Displays - Gateway Fireworks" and "PYRODIGITAL PHASE III", were well-established in choreographing fireworks to music using computer-controlled firing systems that send time signals to field modules.
  • "MK802 and IPhone: a fireworks remote control." (August 2, 2012) demonstrates using an iPhone's Wi-Fi to control fireworks ignition via a relay.
  • "Remote Fireworks Launcher | Savi Technologies" (July 6, 2013) explicitly aims to use a "tablet computer to remotely ignite fireworks" with an "Android tablet with custom launch app" communicating via "bluetooth serial profile". Its companion, "Fireworks Tablet App | Savi Technologies" (July 6, 2013), details a user interface for triggering igniters.
• Motivation to Combine: A PHOSITA would be motivated to combine the established technology of music-synchronized fireworks displays (US5339741A) with the convenience and widespread accessibility of mobile device control (Savi Technologies, MK802/iPhone). The integration would allow users to design and execute complex pyromusical shows from a portable, intuitive interface, thereby democratizing sophisticated fireworks choreography. The development of a mobile application to allow users to define sequences or synchronize with audio, as described in US11733009's claims, would be a logical extension of existing remote control and display programming capabilities.

2. Integration of Simulation and Safety Features in Mobile-Controlled Systems:

• Prior Art:
  • Building upon the mobile-controlled, music-synchronized systems discussed above.
  • For Simulation: "Fireworks Artist Lite" (available since at least May 23, 2013) and "PyroCreator 4D" (first released 1995) offered genuine fireworks simulation where users could design shows. "FWsim" also provided software for creating virtual fireworks displays with music.
  • For Safety: Concerns about safe distances from detonators were known, as evidenced by "SAFETY GUIDE FOR THE PREVENTION OF RADIO FREQUENCY RADIATION HAZARDS..." (December 20, 2011), which discussed safe distances for cellular phones from electric detonators. Regulations regarding fireworks exclusion zones were also in place in various localities. Professional systems like those from Dyno Nobel (August 25, 2016) incorporated security features (smart keys, passwords) and specified maximum firing distances for remote blasting. The "Wireless Firework Igniter : 5 Steps (with Pictures)" (June 27, 2015) included LEDs to indicate system status and a key switch as basic safety measures.
• Motivation to Combine: A PHOSITA would be motivated to incorporate simulation features into a mobile fireworks control application to provide users with a visual preview of their custom shows, reducing trial-and-error and improving the design process. Furthermore, the imperative for safety in pyrotechnics would drive a PHOSITA to integrate mobile device capabilities (e.g., GPS) to implement location-based safety features. Given the known hazards and regulations, providing warnings or preventing firing if a mobile device is too close or too far from the fireworks, leveraging existing GPS technology and the processing power of a smartphone, would be an obvious and desirable enhancement to a mobile control system.

3. Enhanced Firing Modules with Status Indicators and Secure Fuse Connections:

• Prior Art:
  • For Firing Modules/Indicators: "4 CH 100m Wireless Remote Control Firework Ignitor System" describes a receiver box with "signal light" indicators to confirm correct fireworks connections. Similarly, the "Wireless Firework Igniter : 5 Steps (with Pictures)" used green and red LEDs to indicate power and fault conditions.
  • For Fuse Connections: "How to use Talon Firework Igniters - YouTube" (July 2, 2013) details igniters that clip onto a fuse, utilizing a "bridge wire" heating element and emphasizing proper insertion and continuity testing for reliable ignition. "Fireworks Electric Fuses | Savi Technologies" (July 6, 2013) describes wrapping nichrome wire around a fuse and securing it with hot glue and tape. Commercial fuse connectors like "Fuse ConneX" and "Firework Junction" provided secure mechanical connections for fuses using features like lids, latches, and serrated teeth to ensure proper contact and heat transfer.
• Motivation to Combine: A PHOSITA would aim to improve the reliability and safety of the physical interface between the firing module and the fireworks. Given the existence of igniters that securely attach to fuses and the use of status indicators on firing systems, it would be obvious to design a firing module (as described in US11733009) with integrated connection status indicators (e.g., LEDs) for each detonator. Incorporating a robust "fuse connection assembly" on detonation wires, possibly with a cover or latch to securely engage the fuse with the heating element (as taught by various fuse connector solutions), would be a logical step to ensure consistent and reliable ignition and prevent accidental dislodgement, thereby enhancing overall system safety and performance.

In conclusion, the various elements of US Patent 11,733,009, when viewed in light of the prior art available before September 2, 2016, represent obvious combinations of known technologies. A PHOSITA would have been motivated to integrate these existing features to create a more user-friendly, safer, and highly customizable automated fireworks display system.