US 6772229

Summary of U.S. Patent 6,772,229

Title: Centrifugal communication and collaboration method

Assignee: Sampo IP LLC

Inventors: Theodore B. Achacoso, D. Wayne Silby

Filing Date: November 13, 2000

Issue Date: August 3, 2004

Abstract:
A system for communicating information among participants in a distributed application having peripheral communications devices comprises a central agent having two-way links to the peripheral devices, a notice generator triggered by an information input from one participant directed to at least one other participant, the notice generator generating a notice for the other participant(s) and pushing the notice to the peripheral device of the other participant(s) only if the information input was directed to the other participant(s), a central storage medium storing the information input, and an access channel by which the other participant(s) may receive the information input only if the other participant(s) responds to the notice. The links may form a computer network, cable network, telecommunications network, wireless network, or other network, or a combination. Additional information inputs may be associated with the first information input or may modify or delete it.

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Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims

U.S. Patent 6,772,229 has two independent claims: claim 1 and claim 22.

Independent Claim 1:

In simple terms, this claim describes a system for online collaboration. Imagine a group of people working on a project together using their computers or other devices. The system has a central hub that connects everyone. When one person sends a message or a file (the "first information input") to specific members of the group, the system automatically sends a notification to only those intended recipients. This notification contains a link that takes them directly to the message or file.

The system also allows for threaded conversations. If a recipient replies to the initial message (the "second information input"), the system can then notify other relevant people, including the original sender. This process can continue with further replies (the "third information input"), creating a linked conversation. The system keeps track of these related messages and can either save them all, or allow them to be modified or deleted based on subsequent replies.

Independent Claim 22:

This claim describes the method or process that the system in Claim 1 performs. It outlines the steps involved in this "centrifugal" communication, where information is pushed out to the relevant participants. The steps are as follows:

1. A central device is provided to send and receive information to and from the participants' devices.
2. This central device is linked to all the participants' devices.
3. When a first participant sends information intended for at least one other participant, the central device receives and stores it.
4. The system then associates this information with the intended recipients.
5. A notice is prepared for only those intended recipients, which includes a direct link to the stored information.
6. This notice is then sent to the devices of only the intended recipients.

Essentially, this claim protects the specific process of selectively notifying participants in a distributed application and providing them with a direct channel to access the relevant information, thereby avoiding the need for users to manually check a central location for updates.

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CAFC 2026 Docket Search

A search of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) dockets for the year 2026 did not yield any cases specifically citing U.S. Patent 6,772,229.

Disclaimer: This summary is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The plain-language explanation of the claims is a simplified interpretation and should not be used for legal analysis. For a complete and accurate understanding of the patent, please refer to the full text of the patent document.