Invalidity dossier
US 5789732
Portable data module and system for consumer transactions
Current assignee: Datalogic Scanning Inc
Added 9/23/2026, 11:50:02 PM
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Patent summary
Title, assignee, inventors, filing/issue dates, abstract, and a plain-language overview of the claims.
Patent Overview: US 5,789,732 A
Title: Portable data module and system for consumer transactions
Patent number / application: US 5,789,732 A; Application US08/663,025.
Inventors: Steven A. McMahon, Alexander M. McQueen, Matt D. Schler. Original assignee listed as "Individual"; current assignee listed as Datalogic Scanning Inc. (The source notes listed assignees may be inaccurate.)
Key dates: Priority date 1995-06-08; filed 1996-06-07; granted/published 1998-08-04; anticipated expiration 2016-06-07. Legal status: Expired – Fee Related. The application is a continuing application of provisional applications Ser. Nos. 60/000,051 and 60/000,063, each stated as filed Jun. 8, 1996 (the specification elsewhere refers to 60/000,063 as filed Jun. 8, 1995).
Purpose: To provide a Consumer Data Device (CDD) that replaces "paper" transactions and information exchanges—coupons, rainchecks, product information, recipes—and to acquire consumer information, extending use beyond the point-of-sale to pre-POS interactions such as coupon or raincheck generation.
Plain-language scope (per the supplied abstract, summary, and detailed description): A plastic-encased, credit-card-sized case containing memory for data and transaction retention; an LCD display for information; a second LCD display for bar codes readable by a bar-code scanner; a controller/scroll buttons to move through stored information; and a data communication link via spread-spectrum RF or direct electrical contact. An alternative uses optical communication requiring a photo-receiver. Memory may be segmented into secure, encrypted blocks for electronic purse/financial functions and unsecured blocks readable/writable by authorized devices such as POS systems. Methods of use include raincheck generation triggered by real-time inventory management and coupon-generating kiosks.
What the excerpt does not establish: It does not provide the full claims; the description is marked "[Excerpt only; consult the source for omitted text.]" It does not establish litigation, validity, enforceability, ownership transfers beyond the listed reassignments, or prior-art scope. Detailed embodiments (FIGS. 3–6 systems) are only summarized. Dates, legal status, and assignees are presented as assumptions/not legal conclusions.
Generated 10/1/2026, 9:32:15 PM
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Litigation summary
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Proceedings on file (0)
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PTAB challenges
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Assignment history
Inventors, original assignee, and the chain of ownership recorded with the USPTO — including the correspondent attorney who recorded each assignment, since shell-LLC chains often share one repeat-player attorney even when the entity names look unrelated. Surfaces NPE / patent-troll patterns: shell-entity transfers, known asserters in the chain, repeat correspondent fingerprints, pre-litigation assignments, and bankruptcy fire-sales.
Prior art
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Obviousness
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Extensions
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Derivative works
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