US 11937172

US Patent 11937172, titled "Systems/methods of a two-step process in establishing a capability, and using the capability, to execute a financial transaction by a smartphone," was issued on March 19, 2024. The patent was filed on November 29, 2023, and the original assignee is Telcom Ventures LLC. The inventors are Peter D. Karabinis and Rajendra Singh.

Abstract:
The patent describes systems and methods for a two-step process to enable and utilize a smartphone's capability to perform financial transactions, such as paying for a product. The first step involves sensing at least one parameter by the smartphone and, if it satisfies a criterion, enabling a mode to request authorization for this capability. After transmitting this request and receiving authorization, the capability is established. The second step involves using this established capability to conduct a financial transaction. This occurs when the smartphone detects proximity to a vendor's access point (e.g., a point of purchase counter) by sensing a short-range signal and the previously sensed parameter continues to satisfy the criterion. Payment for a product is then made by wirelessly sending information using unlicensed frequencies. The "at least one parameter" can include various factors such as a signal, number, word, code, velocity, acceleration, time-of-day, humidity, temperature, height, brightness, darkness, blood pressure, heart rate, blood content, physiological state, and/or psychological state.

Independent Claims Overview:

• Independent Claim 1 (Method): This claim describes a two-step method for a smartphone to perform a financial transaction.

  • Step 1 (Establishing Capability): The smartphone senses at least one parameter using its sensors. If this parameter satisfies a specific criterion, the smartphone enables a communication mode to request authorization to establish its financial transaction capability. While this mode is active, the smartphone transmits data to a first device to request this authorization. Upon receiving the authorization (second data) from the first device, the capability is established.
  • Step 2 (Using Capability): The smartphone then performs a financial transaction (a first transaction). This step is triggered by two conditions: the smartphone detecting that a proximity condition is satisfied and the at least one parameter continuing to satisfy the criterion.
  • Proximity and Payment Details: The proximity condition is satisfied when the smartphone senses it is near a vendor's access point (like a checkout counter) by detecting a short-range signal transmitted by that access point. If the parameter criterion is also met, the smartphone pays for a product by wirelessly transmitting information to at least one device using unlicensed frequencies.
  • Parameters: The "at least one parameter" can be a signal, number, word, code, velocity, acceleration, time-of-day, humidity, temperature, height, level of brightness, level of darkness, blood pressure, heart rate, blood content, physiological state, and/or psychological state.

• Independent Claim 9 (Smartphone): This claim describes a smartphone configured to perform the two-step financial transaction process outlined in Claim 1. The operations of the smartphone mirror the method steps of Claim 1, including:

  • Sensing at least one parameter and determining it satisfies a criterion to enable a mode for requesting authorization.
  • Transmitting data to a first device for authorization and receiving authorization.
  • Performing a financial transaction responsive to detecting a proximity condition and the parameter criterion being satisfied.
  • Sensing proximity to an access point by detecting a short-range signal and, based on this and the satisfied parameter criterion, paying for a product by wirelessly transmitting information using unlicensed frequencies.
  • The same list of potential parameters as in Claim 1 is provided.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
A search of CAFC 2026 dockets did not return any specific cases mentioning US patent 11937172. The results included general information about patent litigation in 2026 and other unrelated cases. Therefore, I do not have authoritative information regarding any active litigation directly involving this patent number in the CAFC dockets for 2026.