US 12010174

Here's a concise summary of US patent 12010174B2:

Title: System and method for server based control

Assignee: Smart Speaker LLC

Inventors: Yehuda Binder, Benjamin Maytal

Filing Date: August 23, 2021 (for application number US17/408,549)

Issue Date: June 11, 2024

Abstract:
The patent describes an apparatus and method for controlling devices within an environment, such as a building or vehicle. The system includes a server that communicates via a network with one or more field units. Each field unit contains either a sensor to provide data or an actuator to receive commands. The server, which is external to the environment, implements control logic to process the sensor data and determine appropriate actuator commands. The method involves the server receiving sensor data from field units, processing it using control logic, and then sending commands back to the actuators based on this processing.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1 (System for controlling devices in an environment): This claim describes a system for controlling devices in a general environment. It includes multiple "field units" (which are devices with sensors, actuators, or both), at least one router for local communication within the environment, and a server located outside the environment. This external server communicates with the router via the Internet. The core invention here is that this external server is responsible for running the control logic, processing sensor data from the field units, and then sending commands back to the actuators in those field units.
• Independent Claim 11 (Method for controlling devices in an environment): This claim outlines a method for achieving the control described in Claim 1. It involves the external server receiving sensor data from field units (via a router and local network), the server then executing control logic to process this data and decide on actuator commands, and finally, the server sending those commands back to the actuators in the field units (again, via the router and local network).
• Independent Claim 12 (System for controlling devices in a vehicle): Similar to Claim 1, but specifically tailored for a "vehicle" environment. It details a system comprising field units, at least one router within the vehicle, and an external server communicating via the Internet. The server processes sensor data from the vehicle's field units and determines actuator commands for them.
• Independent Claim 22 (Method for controlling devices in a vehicle): Analogous to Claim 11, but explicitly for a "vehicle." This method involves an external server receiving sensor data from vehicle-based field units (via a router and local network), the server implementing control logic to process this data and determine commands, and then sending those commands to the vehicle's actuators (via the router and local network).

Litigation Status:
US12010174B2 is currently active and is involved in litigation.

• A PTAB case, IPR2026-00147, was filed and is pending.
• A US case was filed in the Texas Eastern District Court, case number 2:25-cv-00707.
• The first worldwide family litigation related to this patent has also been filed.