US 7161506

Summary of US Patent 7,161,506

Title: Systems and methods for data compression such as content dependent data compression

Assignee: Realtime Data LLC

Inventor: James J. Fallon

Filing Date: September 22, 2003

Issue Date: January 9, 2007

Abstract: The patent describes systems and methods for fast and efficient data compression using a combination of content-independent and content-dependent data compression. A data block from an input stream is analyzed to identify its data type. If the data type is identified, content-dependent compression is performed. If the data type is not identified, content-independent compression is performed. The content-independent compression involves encoding the data block with multiple encoders, determining a compression ratio for each, comparing ratios to a threshold, and then either outputting the original data block with a null descriptor (if no threshold is met) or the best-compressed block with a corresponding descriptor.

---

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1 (Method for Compression): This claim describes a method for compressing data that handles data blocks based on whether their type is recognized.

  • First, the system analyzes a data block to identify its specific type from a stream containing various data types.
  • If the data type is recognized, the system applies content-dependent data compression (meaning compression tailored to that specific data type).
  • If the data type is not recognized, the system applies content-independent data compression.
  • The content-independent compression process involves several steps:
    • Encoding the data block using multiple different compression methods (encoders).
    • Calculating how much each encoder compressed the data (compression ratio).
    • Comparing each compression ratio to a predefined minimum compression level (a "first compression threshold").
    • If none of the encoders meet this minimum compression level, the original, uncompressed data block is chosen, and a "null compression descriptor" is added to indicate no compression was applied.
    • If at least one encoder does meet the threshold, the system selects the encoded data block that achieved the highest compression ratio and adds a "compression type descriptor" indicating which compression method was used.

• Claim 14 (Alternative Method for Compression): This claim presents a slightly different method for data compression, also differentiating between content-dependent and content-independent approaches.

  • It begins by analyzing a data block to identify its data type, similar to Claim 1.
  • If the data type is identified, content-dependent data compression is performed.
  • Then, the compression ratio achieved by this content-dependent compression is determined and compared against a "first compression threshold."
  • Content-independent data compression is then performed on the data block under two conditions: either if the data type was not identified initially, OR if the content-dependent compression failed to meet the specified "first compression threshold."

• Claim 15 (System for Compression): This claim describes a hardware or software system designed to perform data compression using both content-dependent and content-independent methods.

  • It includes a content-dependent data recognition module which analyzes data blocks to identify their types.
  • A content-dependent encoder module is present to compress data blocks when their type is identified.
  • A content-independent encoder module is included for compressing data blocks when their type is not identified.
  • A compression ratio module calculates compression ratios for various encoders, compares them to a "first compression threshold," and decides whether to output the original data block (with a null descriptor if no threshold is met) or the most compressed block (with a descriptor if a threshold is met).

• Claim 22 (Alternative System for Compression): This claim describes another system for data compression, focusing on the conditions under which content-independent compression is applied.

  • It features a content-dependent data recognition module to identify data block types.
  • A content-dependent encoder module performs compression when a data type is identified.
  • A compression ratio module determines the compression ratio from content-dependent compression and compares it to a "first compression threshold."
  • A content-independent encoder module is activated to perform compression if the data block's type is not identified, OR if the compression ratio achieved by the content-dependent compression does not meet the "first compression threshold."

---

CAFC Dockets 2026

As of the current date (April 26, 2026), a search of CAFC dockets for 2026 did not reveal any active cases specifically mentioning patent US7161506. The patent is noted as "Expired - Lifetime" with an anticipated expiration date of December 11, 2018, which generally means it is no longer enforceable. Therefore, new litigation in 2026 for this expired patent would be highly unusual.