US 7061859

Here is a concise summary of US patent 7061859:

Title: Fast protection in ring topologies

Current Assignee: Quicker Connections LLC

Inventors: Yossi Barsheshet

Filing Date: August 30, 2001

Issue Date: June 13, 2006

Abstract: In a bidirectional ring network, where nodes are interconnected by network segments, a fault protection method involves constructing a "general mask" to indicate reachable segments. For a specific data flow from a source to a destination node, a "specific mask" is created to show the segments on its intended path. These two masks are then superimposed to determine how the data flow should be handled.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1 (Method of Fault Protection): This claim describes a method for protecting against faults in a bidirectional ring network. It involves:

  1. Constructing a general mask: This mask uses a bit for each network segment to show whether that segment can be reached after a fault occurs.
  2. Constructing a specific mask: For a particular data flow, this mask also uses a bit for each segment, indicating which segments the flow would have used if no fault had occurred and all segments were operational.
  3. Superimposing the masks: The general and specific masks are combined to decide what to do with the data flow (its "disposition").

• Independent Claim 7 (Communication Device): This claim describes a communication device for use in such a bidirectional ring network. The device includes a network processor that is designed to:

  1. Construct a general mask: This mask, like in Claim 1, uses a bit for each segment to indicate its reachability after a fault.
  2. Construct a specific mask: Similar to Claim 1, this mask for a data flow uses a bit for each segment to show the flow's desired path before any fault.
  3. Superimpose the masks: The processor combines these two masks to determine the appropriate handling (disposition) of the data flow.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
A search for US patent 7061859 within CAFC 2026 dockets did not yield specific case information for 2026. The provided patent information indicates a PTAB case IPR2025-01088 filed (Not Instituted - Procedural) and a US case filed in the Texas Eastern District Court (2:24-cv-01074). There is no authoritative information currently available from the search results to confirm if these cases have progressed to the CAFC in 2026 or if new CAFC dockets specifically for US7061859 have been opened in 2026.