US 11900016

US Patent 11900016: Concise Summary

Title: Multi-frequency sensing method and apparatus using mobile-clusters

Assignee: Zophonos Inc.

Inventor: Levaughn Denton

Filing Date: December 20, 2021 (Application number US17/555,813)

Issue Date: February 13, 2024

Abstract: The patent describes systems and methods where smart devices sense various phenomena, including sound, blue light exposure, RF, and microwave radiation. These systems then analyze, report, and/or control outputs (e.g., displays or speakers) in real-time. The configurable systems use standard computing devices like wearables, tablets, and mobile phones to measure frequency bands across multiple points, enabling users to visualize and adjust environmental conditions.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

Independent Claim 1 (System):
This claim describes a system designed to manage sound and other environmental factors. It includes:

• An audio control source (like a central computer).
• At least one cluster of computing devices (e.g., smartphones, wearables). Each device in a cluster has:
  • A sound sensing mechanism to detect noise.
  • A wireless transceiver to send and receive data from the audio control source.
• At least one output device (like a speaker) that includes:
  • A power source.
  • A speaker to produce sound.
  • A communication mechanism to receive information from the audio control source.
• The audio control source is electronically connected to the clusters and output devices. It contains:
  • Memory with instructions for connecting to clusters and adjusting output devices.
  • A processor to run these instructions. These instructions enable the system to:
    • Identify and isolate specific sounds within detected noise.
    • Determine if any identified sound has a frequency outside a predetermined threshold (e.g., a frequency that could be harmful).
    • If a frequency is outside the threshold, automatically alter the sound so it falls within the safe range.
    • Output the modified sound through the output device.

Independent Claim 2 (Method):
This claim outlines a method for modifying sensed noise before it is outputted. The method involves:

• Providing an audio control source, at least one cluster of computing devices (each with a sound sensing mechanism and wireless transceiver), and at least one output device (with a power source, speaker, and communication mechanism). The audio control source is electronically connected to the clusters and output devices, and includes a memory with computer-executable instructions and a processor to execute them.
• The steps executed by the audio control source's processor include:
  • Identifying and isolating one or more sounds detected within the overall noise.
  • Determining if any of these sounds include a frequency that falls outside a predetermined threshold.
  • If a sound's frequency is outside this threshold, altering that sound to bring its frequency within the predetermined threshold.
  • Outputting the (potentially altered) sounds through the output device.

Litigation Notes:

As of April 26, 2026, US Patent 11900016 is involved in ongoing litigation:

• A PTAB case, IPR2026-00085, was filed but not instituted procedurally.
• A US case was filed in the Texas Eastern District Court (case 2:25-cv-00752).

A search of CAFC 2026 dockets did not immediately reveal this specific patent number being actively litigated at the Federal Circuit level in May, June, or July 2026 scheduled cases. This indicates that while district court and PTAB proceedings are ongoing, the patent does not appear on the publicly available CAFC schedule for the current year.