US 12256463

Here is a concise summary of US patent 12256463:

Patent Number: US12256463B2
Title: Method and system for using a situational network
Assignee: Sitnet LLC
Inventors: Thomas Cona, Patrick T. Igoe, Leonid Kravets, Edward A. Ehrlacher
Filing Date: 2024-09-12
Issue Date: 2025-03-18
Abstract: A method and system for using a situational network involves connecting participants, including at least one user and a situation authority, and sharing situation-related information. The network is formed when an event or expected event triggers connections among participants. It can operate using centralized, decentralized, or combined architectures. Connections may be temporary, based on factors like geographic location relative to the situation, the situation's expected duration, or user movement. The system can implement a "roll-call" feature for emergencies, provide information through a searchable message board, and deliver targeted advertisements based on a user's connection to the situation.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1 (Method): This claim describes a method where an event node server creates a "situational network" (SitNet) when a situation occurs or is expected. The server then provides specific users within this network with a "projection," which is a filtered view of a subset of participants, based on a chosen aspect (dimension) from a larger multi-dimensional personal information network (NDSN). Finally, the server shares information about the situation with the user, including advertisements specifically tailored to that user's connection or involvement with the situation.

• Independent Claim 15 (System): This claim outlines a system designed to perform the method of Claim 1. It specifies an "event node server" that is configured to: create a situational network based on an event or expected event; provide filtered views (projections) of network participants to users based on NDSN dimensions; and share situation-related information, including targeted advertisements based on the user's affiliation with the situation.

• Independent Claim 27 (Method): This claim details a method where an event node server creates a situational network connecting at least two users. The server receives information about the situation from a first user and then shares information with a second user. This shared information includes at least part of what was received from the first user, as well as a targeted advertisement for the second user, where the advertisement is relevant to the second user's connection to the situation. Additionally, the server provides the second user with a projection (a filtered subset of participants) of the situational network, based on a chosen dimension of an NDSN.

• Independent Claim 28 (System): This claim describes a system configured to carry out the method of Claim 27. It comprises an event node server capable of: establishing a situational network with multiple users based on an event; receiving situation-related data from one user; sharing situation-related data with another user, incorporating both the first user's data and a situation-relevant targeted advertisement; and delivering a customized projection of network participants to that second user based on an NDSN dimension.

Litigation/Legal Status:
The patent US12256463B2 is currently active. As of the current date (April 26, 2026), there are records of ongoing legal proceedings related to this patent:

• A PTAB case, IPR2026-00112, has been filed and is pending. [cite: https://portal.unifiedpatents.com/ptab/case/IPR2026-00112]
• A US case (1:25-cv-06185) has been filed in the New York Southern District Court. [cite: https://portal.unifiedpatents.com/litigation/New%20York%20Southern%20District%20Court/case/1%3A25-cv-06185]
• Additionally, the patent family associated with US12256463B2 has incurred its first worldwide litigation filing. [cite: https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=[42124911](/patent/42124911)&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=[US12256463](/patent/US12256463)(B2)]
• Regarding CAFC dockets for 2026, it has been noted that oral arguments for the '463 litigation and several other patents were not scheduled for January 2026, with decisions anticipated in the second half of 2026 or later, due to slow progress in CAFC appeals.