US 7280830

US Patent 7280830, titled "Automatic registration services provided through a home relationship established between a device and a local area network," was filed on June 2, 2004, and issued on October 9, 2007. The current assignee is Iot Innovations LLC, and the inventors are Eric C. Anderson and Robert P. Morris.

Abstract:
The patent describes a method and network for automatically registering a new device. It begins by establishing a "home" relationship between the new device and a network server, eliminating the need for further user configuration for network communication. Registration information, which can include details about the user, the new device, and the network server, is then automatically gathered. The network server establishes a connection with a registration server and transmits this information, resulting in the new device being automatically registered with minimal user input. The "home" relationship also enables the registration server to provide additional services to the new device.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1 (Method): This claim details a method for automatically registering a new wireless device with a registration server. It involves a network server establishing a "home" relationship with the wireless device, where the server recognizes the device as one it already "owns." This relationship ensures the device can communicate on the network without additional user setup. Subsequently, the network server automatically collects registration information for the new device, establishes a connection with a registration server, and then sends the collected registration data to that server.

• Claim 15 (Computer-Readable Medium): This claim covers a computer-readable medium (e.g., a CD, hard drive) that contains instructions. When these instructions are executed by a computer, they carry out the automatic registration method described in Claim 1. This includes steps for establishing the "home" relationship, automatically obtaining registration data, setting up a connection between the network server and registration server, and transmitting the registration information.

• Claim 29 (Network): This claim describes a physical network system designed for automatic registration. It comprises a network server and a new wireless device connected to it. The wireless device has a "home" relationship with the network server, allowing it to communicate on the network without extra user configuration, and the network server identifies it as a previously known "owned device." Within this network, registration information for the new device is automatically gathered, a connection is established between the network server and a registration server, and this registration information is sent from the network server to the registration server.

• Claim 35 (Method - Alternate Flow): This claim outlines an alternative method for automatic registration. It involves establishing a general "relationship" (which can be a "home" relationship as clarified in dependent claims) between a new wireless device and a network server, again without requiring additional user configuration for network communication. A key step is the network server confirming the device is a previously known "owned device." Registration information is automatically obtained for the new device, including specific information from the network server itself. Uniquely, this method then establishes a connection between the registration server and the new device, and the registration information is sent directly from the new device to the registration server.

• Claim 41 (Computer-Readable Medium - Alternate Flow): Similar to Claim 15, this claim covers a computer-readable medium with instructions that, when executed, perform the automatic registration method as described in Claim 35. This includes establishing the device-server relationship (where the network server identifies the device as an owned, previously known device), automatically obtaining registration information (including from the network server), making a connection between the registration server and the new device, and sending the registration information from the new device to the registration server.

• Claim 47 (Network - Alternate Flow): This claim describes a network configured to perform the method of Claim 35. It includes a network server and a new wireless device, where the device has a relationship with the server that allows communication without additional configuration, and the network server recognizes it as a previously known "owned device." In this setup, registration information is automatically obtained for the new wireless device, drawing some data from the network server. A connection is established between the new wireless device and a registration server, and the registration information is sent from the new wireless device to the registration server.

The patent's legal status is "Expired - Lifetime," with an expiration date of May 11, 2025. The patent family has been involved in litigation, with cases filed in various U.S. District Courts. A search for CAFC dockets for 2026 did not yield specific litigation directly involving patent US7280830.

The following details known litigation involving US patent 7280830, derived from information within the patent document and supplemental search results. Please note that US patent 7280830B2 expired on May 11, 2025.

Known Litigation Involving US Patent 7280830:

1. Plaintiff(s): IoT Innovations LLC

   • Defendant(s): Savant Systems, Inc. et al.
   • Jurisdiction: Massachusetts District Court
   • Case Number: 1:23-cv-12528
   • Filing Date: 2023 (inferred from case number). The case involved four separate lawsuits that were later consolidated into this single suit.
   • Outcome/Current Status: The case settled on favorable terms following court-ordered mediation.

2. Plaintiff(s): IoT Innovations LLC

   • Defendant(s): Somfy Systems, Somfy Activites SA, and Somfy SA
   • Jurisdiction: Florida Southern District Court
   • Case Number: 9:23-cv-81528
   • Filing Date: December 1, 2023
   • Outcome/Current Status: Dismissed with prejudice on August 23, 2024, pursuant to a Joint Stipulation of Dismissal with Prejudice. This likely indicates a confidential settlement or licensing agreement.

3. Plaintiff(s): IoT Innovations LLC

   • Defendant(s): Resideo Tech Inc., Resideo LLC, Resideo Technologies, Inc.
   • Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court (inferred from case number format and judicial assignments)
   • Case Number: 2:25-cv-00239
   • Filing Date: February 25, 2025
   • Outcome/Current Status: Open. Motions to withdraw counsel and docket control orders were filed in February 2026.

4. Plaintiff(s): IOT Innovations LLC

   • Defendant(s): SimpliSafe, Inc.
   • Jurisdiction: Massachusetts District Court (inferred from mention of Judge Stearns)
   • Case Number: 23-cv-10352
   • Filing Date: February 2023
   • Outcome/Current Status: Judge Stearns denied SimpliSafe's motion to dismiss, finding that the complaint sufficiently pled infringement and indirect infringement. The case was ongoing as of July 3, 2023. (Note: This case asserted seventeen patents by IoT Innovations LLC. While US7280830B2 is not explicitly named in the provided snippet for this case, it aligns with IoT Innovations LLC's patent assertion activities.)

5. Plaintiff(s): Likely IoT Innovations LLC (current assignee)

   • Defendant(s): Not specified in search results.
   • Jurisdiction: Florida Southern District Court
   • Case Number: 0:25-cv-60483
   • Filing Date: 2025 (inferred from case number). Not specified in search results.
   • Outcome/Current Status: Not specified in search results.

6. Plaintiff(s): Likely IoT Innovations LLC (current assignee)

   • Defendant(s): Not specified in search results.
   • Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court
   • Case Number: 2:26-cv-00334
   • Filing Date: 2026 (inferred from case number). Not specified in search results.
   • Outcome/Current Status: Not specified in search results.

7. Plaintiff(s): Likely IoT Innovations LLC (current assignee)

   • Defendant(s): Not specified in search results.
   • Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court
   • Case Number: 2:25-cv-00333
   • Filing Date: 2025 (inferred from case number). Not specified in search results.
   • Outcome/Current Status: Not specified in search results.

8. Plaintiff(s): Likely IoT Innovations LLC (current assignee)

   • Defendant(s): Not specified in search results.
   • Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court
   • Case Number: 2:25-cv-00033
   • Filing Date: 2025 (inferred from case number). Not specified in search results.
   • Outcome/Current Status: Not specified in search results.

9. Plaintiff(s): Likely IoT Innovations LLC (current assignee)

   • Defendant(s): Not specified in search results.
   • Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court
   • Case Number: 2:23-cv-00453
   • Filing Date: 2023 (inferred from case number). Not specified in search results.
   • Outcome/Current Status: Not specified in search results.

10. Plaintiff(s): Likely IoT Innovations LLC (current assignee)

    • Defendant(s): Not specified in search results.
    • Jurisdiction: Massachusetts District Court
    • Case Number: 1:24-cv-10037
    • Filing Date: 2024 (inferred from case number). Not specified in search results.
    • Outcome/Current Status: Not specified in search results.

11. Plaintiff(s): Likely IoT Innovations LLC (current assignee)

    • Defendant(s): Not specified in search results.
    • Jurisdiction: Florida Middle District Court
    • Case Number: 6:23-cv-01848
    • Filing Date: 2023 (inferred from case number). Not specified in search results.
    • Outcome/Current Status: Not specified in search results.

12. Plaintiff(s): Likely IoT Innovations LLC (current assignee)

    • Defendant(s): Not specified in search results.
    • Jurisdiction: Wisconsin Eastern District Court
    • Case Number: 2:24-cv-01178
    • Filing Date: 2024 (inferred from case number). Not specified in search results.
    • Outcome/Current Status: Not specified in search results.

13. Plaintiff(s): Likely IoT Innovations LLC (current assignee)

    • Defendant(s): Not specified in search results.
    • Jurisdiction: Florida Southern District Court
    • Case Number: 9:24-cv-80385
    • Filing Date: 2024 (inferred from case number). Not specified in search results.
    • Outcome/Current Status: Not specified in search results.

14. Plaintiff(s): Likely IoT Innovations LLC (current assignee)

    • Defendant(s): Not specified in search results.
    • Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court
    • Case Number: 2:22-cv-00432
    • Filing Date: 2022 (inferred from case number). Not specified in search results.
    • Outcome/Current Status: Not specified in search results.

Proceedings overview

There are no AIA trial proceedings on file for US Patent 7,280,830 as of the most recent ingest. A web search also did not reveal any active or concluded PTAB proceedings specifically challenging US7280830. Therefore, for a defendant, the defensive posture is that the patent is currently untested in AIA trial proceedings, meaning all claims remain intact from a PTAB challenge perspective.

Strategic summary

All claims of US Patent 7,280,830 are currently UNTESTED in AIA trial proceedings. No Inter Partes Reviews (IPRs), Post-Grant Reviews (PGRs), or Covered Business Method (CBM) reviews have been identified for this patent. This means that a defendant facing assertion of this patent still has all prior-art grounds available under § 102 (novelty) and § 103 (obviousness) in any potential PTAB challenge, as well as grounds under § 112 (written description, enablement, indefiniteness) in a PGR if timely filed.

The absence of PTAB activity is notable, especially given the patent's publication date of 2007-10-09. Well-asserted patents often become targets for IPRs or other post-grant challenges. This could indicate that the patent has not been heavily asserted in litigation, or that previous challenges (perhaps through other avenues like reexamination) did not proceed to AIA trials. There is no indication of any defensive aggregators like Unified Patents having challenged this specific patent. Unified Patents files IPRs to deter Non-Practicing Entities (NPEs) and protects members from frivolous patent litigation.

Recommended next steps

Since no PTAB activity exists for US Patent 7,280,830, a defendant has the full range of options available for challenging the patent's validity before the USPTO should they decide to do so. This includes:

• Inter Partes Review (IPR): If the defendant has been sued or charged with infringement, an IPR can be filed to challenge the patentability of claims based on prior art patents or printed publications under § 102 and § 103.
• Post-Grant Review (PGR): While the 9-month window for filing a PGR from the patent's issuance has long passed (the patent issued in 2007), it's important to note that PGR allows for challenges on any ground of invalidity, including §§ 101, 102, 103, and 112 (except best mode).
• Covered Business Method (CBM) Review: The CBM program sunsetted for new petitions on September 16, 2020. However, for context, CBM reviews were available for patents claiming methods or systems for financial products or services and allowed challenges on various grounds, including § 101. This patent would not be eligible for a new CBM petition.

The absence of PTAB activity means there are no ongoing trial-stage milestones to track. The first step for a defendant considering a PTAB challenge would be to conduct a thorough prior art search and invalidity analysis to identify strong grounds for a petition.

Inventors

• Eric C. Anderson: Employer at filing not explicitly stated, but patent assigned to IPAC Acquisition Subsidiary I, LLC on filing date.
• Robert P. Morris: Employer at filing not explicitly stated, but patent assigned to IPAC Acquisition Subsidiary I, LLC on filing date.

It's common for inventors to assign patent rights to their employer or a related entity on the filing date, which occurred here on 2004-06-02 (Reel 015433/0791). An unusual pattern is noted with a second assignment from inventor Eric C. Anderson to IPAC Acquisition Subsidiary I, LLC on 2011-11-22 (Reel 027277/0529), years after the initial assignment and after the patent had already been transferred to other entities. This could indicate a corrective measure or clarification of earlier title transfer.

Original assignee

The entity named as the original assignee on the issued patent is Scenera Technologies LLC.
The patent describes automatic registration services for electronic devices, such as digital cameras, and related software/firmware updates and offerings. While a current company named "Scenera Technologies" operates in AIoT data management and 3D imaging for microelectronics, this appears to be a different entity founded in 2021/2022. The original Scenera Technologies LLC from 2004 likely focused on digital imaging or related software/services.

It is unclear whether the original Scenera Technologies LLC shipped a product directly embodying the claims, but the patent's subject matter aligns with consumer electronics. Its current status regarding this patent is that it transferred ownership out of its control through multiple assignments, with the most recent transfer from Scenera occurring on 2011-11-28 (Reel 027294/0479). The original Scenera Technologies LLC is presumed to be either dissolved, acquired, or no longer holding this patent.

Assignment timeline

• 2004-06-02 (executed) / recorded 2004-06-02 — Reel 015433/0791

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: ANDERSON, ERIC C.; MORRIS, ROBERT P.
  • Assignee: IPAC ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY I, LLC
  • Correspondent: DOUGLAS W. HATHAWAY, PATENT & TRADEMARK COUNSELOR, P.C., 2955 RICHMOND AVE., STE. 140, HOUSTON, TX 77098
  • Context: Transfer from inventors to IPAC Acquisition Subsidiary I, LLC on the patent application filing date.

• 2006-11-02 (executed) / recorded 2006-11-07 — Reel 018489/0421

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: IPAC ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY I, LLC
  • Assignee: SCENERA TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
  • Correspondent: MARK A. LACHANCE, VERRILL DANA LLP, ONE PORTLAND SQUARE, PORTLAND, ME 04112-0586
  • Context: Transfer from IPAC Acquisition Subsidiary I, LLC to Scenera Technologies, LLC.

• 2011-08-01 (executed) / recorded 2011-10-24 — Reel 027107/0894

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: IPAC ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY I, LLC
  • Assignee: SCENERA TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
  • Correspondent: DANIEL E. HATT, VERRILL DANA, LLP, ONE PORTLAND SQUARE, PORTLAND, ME 04112-0586. This correspondent's firm recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Re-assignment from IPAC Acquisition Subsidiary I, LLC to Scenera Technologies, LLC, likely a corrective or confirmatory transfer.

• 2011-08-03 (executed) / recorded 2011-10-24 — Reel 027107/0925

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: SCENERA TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
  • Assignee: FOTOMEDIA TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
  • Correspondent: BRIAN A. RIGGS, THE RIGGS LAW FIRM, LLC, 1332 POST ROAD, SUITE 202, FAIRFIELD, CT 06824. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Transfer from Scenera Technologies, LLC to FotoMedia Technologies, LLC.

• 2011-11-22 (executed) / recorded 2011-11-23 — Reel 027277/0529

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: ANDERSON, ERIC C.
  • Assignee: IPAC ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY I, LLC
  • Correspondent: DANIEL E. HATT, VERRILL DANA, LLP, ONE PORTLAND SQUARE, PORTLAND, ME 04112-0586. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Transfer from an individual inventor to IPAC Acquisition Subsidiary I, LLC.

• 2011-11-28 (executed) / recorded 2011-11-29 — Reel 027294/0479

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: SCENERA TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
  • Assignee: FOTOMEDIA TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
  • Correspondent: BRIAN A. RIGGS, THE RIGGS LAW FIRM, LLC, 1332 POST ROAD, SUITE 202, FAIRFIELD, CT 06824. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Re-assignment from Scenera Technologies, LLC to FotoMedia Technologies, LLC, likely a corrective or confirmatory transfer.

• 2011-12-12 (executed) / recorded 2012-01-10 — Reel 027512/0307

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: FOTOMEDIA TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
  • Assignee: KDL SCAN DESIGNS LLC
  • Correspondent: BRIAN A. RIGGS, THE RIGGS LAW FIRM, LLC, 1332 POST ROAD, SUITE 202, FAIRFIELD, CT 06824. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Transfer from FotoMedia Technologies, LLC to KDL Scan Designs LLC.

• 2015-08-26 (executed) / recorded 2015-10-09 — Reel 036828/0702

  • Conveyance: Merger
  • Assignor: KDL SCAN DESIGNS LLC
  • Assignee: CHEMTRON RESEARCH LLC
  • Correspondent: CHEMTRON RESEARCH LLC, C/O IP INVESTMENTS GROUP LLC, 1373 BROADWAY, ALBANY, NY 12204
  • Context: Merger of KDL Scan Designs LLC into Chemtron Research LLC.

• 2022-07-21 (executed) / recorded 2022-07-21 — Reel 060585/0163

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: CHEMTRON RESEARCH LLC
  • Assignee: INTELLECTUAL VENTURES ASSETS 184 LLC
  • Correspondent: INTELLECTUAL VENTURES MANAGEMENT, LLC, 21800 PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY, SUITE 310, MALIBU, CA 90265
  • Context: Transfer from Chemtron Research LLC to a subsidiary of Intellectual Ventures, a known patent monetization firm.

• 2022-07-28 (executed) / recorded 2022-08-02 — Reel 060698/0604

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: INTELLECTUAL VENTURES ASSETS 184 LLC
  • Assignee: IOT INNOVATIONS LLC
  • Correspondent: BRENT D. REYNOLDS, SHUTTS & BOWEN LLP, 200 S. BISCAYNE BLVD., SUITE 4100, MIAMI, FL 33131
  • Context: Transfer from Intellectual Ventures to IOT Innovations LLC, a known patent asserting entity.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 7280830
    2004 : Inventors to IPAC Acquisition Subsidiary I
    2006 : IPAC to Scenera Technologies
    2007 : Patent Issued
    2011 : IPAC to Scenera again
         : Scenera to FotoMedia Technologies
         : Inventor to IPAC Acquisition Subsidiary I
         : Scenera to FotoMedia again
    2012 : FotoMedia to KDL Scan Designs
    2015 : KDL Scan Designs merged into Chemtron Research
    2022 : Chemtron Research to Intellectual Ventures
         : Intellectual Ventures to IOT Innovations
    2023 : First infringement suit filed
    2025 : Patent expires

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — Present.

   • IPAC Acquisition Subsidiary I, LLC: "Acquisition Subsidiary" in the name suggests a non-operating entity (Reel 015433/0791, Reel 018489/0421).
   • KDL SCAN DESIGNS LLC: Generic LLC name (Reel 027512/0307).
   • CHEMTRON RESEARCH LLC: Generic LLC name, and its correspondent address "C/O IP INVESTMENTS GROUP LLC" (Reel 036828/0702) strongly indicates a shell entity focused on patent monetization.
   • INTELLECTUAL VENTURES ASSETS 184 LLC: A subsidiary of a known NPE (Reel 060585/0163).
   • IOT INNOVATIONS LLC: Generic LLC name, and identified as an NPE by Unified Patents.

2. Known asserter in the chain — Present.

   • INTELLECTUAL VENTURES ASSETS 184 LLC: Part of Intellectual Ventures, a well-known patent monetization firm (Reel 060585/0163).
   • IOT INNOVATIONS LLC: Identified by Unified Patents as an NPE and an entity of Empire IP LLC, actively involved in litigation. It has filed numerous lawsuits, particularly in the smart home industry.

3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — Present.

   • BRIAN A. RIGGS, THE RIGGS LAW FIRM, LLC: Appears on multiple consecutive assignments: Reel 027107/0925 (2011-08-03), Reel 027294/0479 (2011-11-28), and Reel 027512/0307 (2011-12-12). This shows a consistent legal representative for a series of transfers.
   • VERRILL DANA LLP (Mark A. LaChance and Daniel E. Hatt): Appears on Reel 018489/0421 (2006-11-02), Reel 027107/0894 (2011-08-01), and Reel 027277/0529 (2011-11-22), indicating recurrent involvement from the same firm across different transfers in the chain.

4. Cascading transfers — Present.

   • Multiple assignments occurred in rapid succession from August 2011 to December 2011, notably Scenera Technologies, LLC to FotoMedia Technologies, LLC (Reel 027107/0925, 2011-08-03, and Reel 027294/0479, 2011-11-28) and then FotoMedia Technologies, LLC to KDL Scan Designs LLC (Reel 027512/0307, 2011-12-12). These transfers, particularly those involving Brian A. Riggs as correspondent, show a rapid series of changes in ownership.

5. Pre-litigation transfer — Present.

   • The patent was assigned to INTELLECTUAL VENTURES ASSETS 184 LLC on 2022-07-21 (Reel 060585/0163) and then to IOT INNOVATIONS LLC on 2022-07-28 (Reel 060698/0604). The earliest identified litigation for this patent family in the Massachusetts District Court (1:23-cv-12528) was filed in 2023, which is within six months of these final transfers, indicating the chain was arranged to enable assertion.

6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — Not present. No evidence of bankruptcy proceedings for any assignor in the chain.

7. Privateering — Unclear. While Intellectual Ventures is known for various monetization strategies, including privateering, specific evidence linking an operating company to IOT Innovations' assertions of this patent is not available in the provided data.

8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — Not present. The chain terminates with IOT Innovations LLC, a known NPE, not a defensive aggregator.

Verdict

NPE — high confidence
This verdict is supported by multiple strong signals: the presence of known NPEs Intellectual Ventures and IOT Innovations LLC in the assignment chain (Reel 060585/0163, Reel 060698/0604), the transfers occurring immediately prior to the first reported litigation (first case in 2023 following July 2022 assignments), and the extensive use of shell entities and repeat correspondents throughout the patent's ownership history.

USPTO Assignment Center Search for US7280830

The current date is April 26, 2026. US patent 7280830, titled "Automatic registration services provided through a home relationship established between a device and a local area network," was published on October 9, 2007, and has a priority date of April 28, 2004. The patent expired on May 11, 2025.

The following are the most relevant prior art documents cited in US patent 7280830, along with their details and potential anticipation analysis under 35 U.S.C. § 102:

Most Relevant Prior Art for US7280830

1. US6091956A

• Full Citation: US6091956A, Hollenberg; Dennis D., "Situation information system"
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: July 18, 2000 (Filed: June 12, 1997)
• Brief Description: This patent describes a system for mobile users to generate and exchange time-critical situation information using a multiple-function device. It involves collecting and processing data from devices like digital cameras and bar-code readers, transmitted via a wireless transceiver for display or communication. The system enables mobile users to obtain geographic location information and generate situation reports for themselves or others.
• Potential Anticipation: This patent focuses on information exchange and reporting by mobile devices but lacks the specific inventive steps of US7280830 regarding automatic registration, the establishment of a "home relationship" that removes the need for additional user configuration for network communication, and the interaction between a network server and a registration server for device onboarding and ongoing service provisioning. Therefore, it is unlikely to anticipate any claims of US7280830.

2. US6449473B1

• Full Citation: US6449473B1, Nokia Networks Oy, "Security method for transmissions in telecommunication networks"
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: September 10, 2002 (Filed: September 15, 1997)
• Brief Description: This patent details a method for securing transmissions in telecommunication networks, particularly for mobile stations and service applications. It focuses on providing connection security by changing security parameters during a session without requiring a new handshake and utilizes both symmetric and public key encryption algorithms for confidentiality. The initial communication involves authentication and key exchange.
• Potential Anticipation: While US7280830 mentions establishing a secure connection using public/private key pairs (claims 8, 9), US6449473B1 primarily addresses the security mechanisms for ongoing communication rather than the automatic registration process of a new device itself. It does not describe a "home relationship" for zero-configuration network access or the collection and transmission of registration information to a remote registration server for automatic enrollment and service updates. Therefore, it is unlikely to anticipate the core claims of US7280830, particularly claims 1, 15, 29, 35, 41, and 47.

3. US6542740B1

• Full Citation: US6542740B1, Litepoint, Corp., "System, method and article of manufacture for utilizing a wireless link in an interface roaming network framework"
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: April 1, 2003 (Filed: October 24, 2000)
• Brief Description: This patent describes a system and method for a mobile terminal to acquire an IP address when entering an area covered by a wireless link, enabling it to roam between different wireless access points within a network. It focuses on the use of an interface roaming network framework to facilitate wireless communication and connectivity for devices.
• Potential Anticipation: This patent deals with network roaming and IP address acquisition for wireless devices, which is a foundational aspect of network connectivity. However, it does not describe the specific "home relationship" concept of US7280830 where a device is recognized as "owned" by a network server, leading to automatic registration with a remote registration server without additional user configuration. The scope of US6542740B1 is more about maintaining connectivity during movement within a network, rather than the initial automated setup and registration for new devices with a manufacturer's server for services. Therefore, it is unlikely to anticipate the specific automatic registration and service provisioning claims (e.g., claims 1, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 35) of US7280830.

4. US20030078959A1

• Full Citation: US20030078959A1, Yeung; Wilson, "Deployment of business logic software and data content onto network servers"
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: April 24, 2003 (Filed: October 18, 2001)
• Brief Description: This patent application describes methods and systems for deploying business logic software and data content to network servers in a distributed computing environment. It focuses on dynamically deploying and updating software components and data, including for e-commerce applications, to ensure consistency and efficiency across servers.
• Potential Anticipation: This prior art is concerned with deploying and updating software and data on network servers, which relates to the broader concept of software management. While US7280830 includes steps for transferring and installing software/firmware updates or plug-ins to the network server or new device (claims 10, 11, 12, 24, 25, 26), US20030078959A1 does not disclose the unique "home relationship" for automatic device registration of a new wireless device, nor the automatic collection and sending of registration information specifically from a network server to a registration server for the new device's enrollment and subsequent targeted services. Therefore, it would not anticipate the core claims of US7280830 focused on automatic device registration.

5. US20030200297A1

• Full Citation: US20030200297A1, Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, "Method for configuring a system management station"
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: October 23, 2003 (Filed: April 23, 2002)
• Brief Description: This patent application describes a method for configuring a system management station, particularly for telecommunication networks. The configuration involves automatically acquiring system-specific information (e.g., from network elements) and generating configuration data to facilitate management tasks.
• Potential Anticipation: This patent application focuses on configuring management stations by gathering system information. While it involves automatic acquisition of information, it does not teach the establishment of a "home relationship" for a new wireless device with a network server that enables zero-configuration communication, nor the subsequent automatic registration of that new device with a remote registration server based on collected information (including user, device, and network server details), as claimed in US7280830. The purpose and scope are distinct, making it unlikely to anticipate claims 1 or 35 of US7280830.

6. US20040039813A1

• Full Citation: US20040039813A1, Clark Todd A., "Scalable wireless remote control and monitoring system with automatic registration and automatic time synchronization"
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: February 26, 2004 (Filed: August 22, 2002)
• Brief Description: This patent application describes a scalable wireless remote control and monitoring system that includes automatic registration of remote devices and automatic time synchronization. It enables devices to automatically register with a central system and then be controlled and monitored remotely.
• Potential Anticipation: This is highly relevant as it explicitly mentions "automatic registration" of wireless devices. However, a key distinction in US7280830 is the "home relationship" between the new wireless device and a local network server, which then acts as an intermediary to a remote registration server. US20040039813A1 generally describes automatic registration with a "central system," which could be interpreted broadly. The specific limitation in US7280830's claims 1 and 35 regarding "determining at the network server, that the wireless device is an owned device, wherein the owned device is previously known to the network server" and the precise flow of registration information from the network server (or new device) to a registration server that handles additional services would need careful comparison. Depending on the details of the "automatic registration" and the roles of the various servers in US20040039813A1, this patent could potentially anticipate aspects of claims 1 and 35 related to the broader concept of automatic registration for wireless devices, but the specific "home relationship" and "owned device previously known" limitations may differentiate it.

7. US20040098515A1

• Full Citation: US20040098515A1, Rezvani; Babak, "Systems and methods for the automatic registration of devices"
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: May 20, 2004 (Filed: September 6, 2000)
• Brief Description: This patent application describes systems and methods for the automatic registration of devices, particularly within a network. It focuses on simplifying the process for new devices to join and become recognized by a network, potentially involving automatic discovery and configuration.
• Potential Anticipation: This patent application is also highly relevant due to its title "automatic registration of devices." Similar to US20040039813A1, the crucial differentiating factors for US7280830 would be the specifics of the "home relationship" with a local network server, the determination of an "owned device previously known to the network server" (claims 1, 35), and the detailed steps of information flow to a registration server for comprehensive registration and ongoing service provisioning. If US20040098515A1 discloses a similar architecture where a local network entity facilitates automatic registration with a remote service for a new device based on a pre-established relationship, it could potentially anticipate several claims, especially the broader concepts of automatic registration in claims 1 and 35.

8. US20040249922A1

• Full Citation: US20040249922A1, Hackman; Thomas J., "Home automation system security"
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: December 9, 2004 (Filed: March 31, 2003)
• Brief Description: This patent application describes a home automation system with enhanced security features. It focuses on securely connecting and managing devices within a home network for automation purposes, ensuring authorized access and control.
• Potential Anticipation: This patent application is related to home networks and device management within that context. While US7280830 also deals with devices in a "home" network (via the "home network server"), the focus of US20040249922A1 is on security for home automation, not specifically the automatic registration of new devices with a remote registration server to establish a "home relationship" that removes configuration requirements and enables ongoing services from a manufacturer. Therefore, it is unlikely to anticipate the specific automatic registration claims of US7280830.

9. US20050027608A1

• Full Citation: US20050027608A1, Wiesmuller; Andreas, "System and method for providing commercial services over a wireless communication network"
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: February 3, 2005 (Filed: July 29, 2003)
• Brief Description: This patent application describes a system and method for providing commercial services, such as purchasing or downloading content, over a wireless communication network to mobile devices. It involves a service provider, a mobile terminal, and a content server, and focuses on the transaction process.
• Potential Anticipation: This patent application addresses the provision of commercial services (e.g., content downloads, purchasing) to wireless devices. US7280830 also describes providing "special offers" (claims 13, 14, 27, 28) and transferring software/firmware updates (claims 10, 11, 12, 24, 25, 26) as part of its services. However, US20050027608A1 does not teach the initial automatic registration of a new wireless device facilitated by a "home relationship" with a local network server and interaction with a registration server (e.g., manufacturer's server) for initial device enrollment and then subsequent service offerings. While some "services" overlap, the automatic registration foundation of US7280830 is distinct. It would not anticipate claims 1 or 35, but might be considered for claims related to providing subsequent services (e.g., claims 13, 14, 27, 28) if the context of such services is broadly construed.

10. US7054618B1

• Full Citation: US7054618B1, Openwave Systems Inc., "Method of registering a communication device with a proxy server based service"
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: May 30, 2006 (Filed: May 23, 2002)
• Brief Description: This patent describes a method for registering a communication device with a proxy server-based service in a wireless communication network. The device sends registration information to a proxy server, which then processes and forwards it to the service. The method aims to streamline device registration for network services.
• Potential Anticipation: This patent is highly relevant due to its focus on "registering a communication device" with a "proxy server-based service." This resembles the network server acting as an intermediary to a registration server in US7280830. However, US7280830 specifically emphasizes the "home relationship" that eliminates additional user configuration for communication, and the network server determining the device as an "owned device" that is "previously known" (claims 1, 35). While US7054618B1 involves sending registration information, the specific "home relationship" and "owned device" aspects as defined in US7280830 might differentiate it. If US7054618B1's proxy server registration process involves an equivalent "home relationship" and "owned device" determination that bypasses user configuration for network communication, it could potentially anticipate claims 1 and 35.

Summary of Most Potentially Anticipating Prior Art:

The most potentially anticipating prior art documents are US20040039813A1 ("Scalable wireless remote control and monitoring system with automatic registration and automatic time synchronization") and US20040098515A1 ("Systems and methods for the automatic registration of devices"), and US7054618B1 ("Method of registering a communication device with a proxy server based service"). These patents directly address "automatic registration" of devices in a network context, which is the core concept of US7280830.

The key distinguishing features of US7280830 that would need to be carefully compared against these prior art references are:

• The specific definition of a "home relationship" between the new wireless device and the network server that ensures "no additional configuration is required by a user of the new device to communicate over a network once the relationship is established."
• The step of "determining at the network server, that the wireless device is an owned device, wherein the owned device is previously known to the network server" (claims 1, 15, 29, 35, 41, 47).
• The architecture involving both a local network server and a remote registration server for specific types of registration and subsequent service provisioning (e.g., manufacturer services).
• The automatic collection of specific types of registration information (user, device, network server) and its secure transmission to the registration server.

A detailed claim-by-claim analysis would be required to definitively determine anticipation, focusing on whether each and every element of the independent claims of US7280830 is present in these most relevant prior art documents.

Obviousness Analysis of US Patent 7,280,830 under 35 U.S.C. § 103

This analysis assesses whether the claims of US Patent 7,280,830 (the '830 patent) would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art (POSITA) at the time of the invention (priority date: April 28, 2004), based on combinations of prior art references cited within the patent itself.

Level of Ordinary Skill in the Art (POSITA)

A POSITA in the field of computer networks and device registration services at the time of the invention would likely possess a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field, along with 2-5 years of practical experience in areas such as network administration, embedded systems development, or software engineering for networked devices. This individual would be familiar with common network protocols (e.g., TCP/IP), client-server architectures, device drivers, firmware management, and basic network security principles (e.g., public-key cryptography). The POSITA would also be aware of the existing challenges associated with manually registering and configuring new electronic devices.

Prior Art References

The following prior art references, cited by the '830 patent, are considered in this analysis:

• US20040098515A1 to Rezvani ("Rezvani"): "Systems and methods for the automatic registration of devices".
• U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/833,381 to Anderson et al. (referred to herein as "Anderson et al. '381 application," which later became US8972576B2): "Establishing a Home Relationship Between a Wireless Device and a Server in a Wireless Network," filed Apr. 28, 2004. The '830 patent explicitly incorporates this co-pending application by reference.
• US20050027608A1 to Wiesmuller ("Wiesmuller"): "System and method for providing commercial services over a wireless communication network".
• US6449473B1 to Nokia Networks Oy ("Nokia"): "Security method for transmissions in telecommunication networks".

Obviousness Analysis of Independent Claims 1, 15, 29, 35, 41, and 47

The core of the '830 patent's independent claims revolves around automatic registration of a new wireless device with a registration server, enabled by a "home relationship" with a network server, and subsequent services.

Combination: Rezvani (US20040098515A1) and Anderson et al. '381 application (US8972576B2)

Motivation to Combine:
Rezvani discloses a system for the "automatic registration of devices" with a "central registry" (which functions as a registration server). This reference aims to simplify device setup by allowing a device to register automatically upon power-on or connection to a network, often without user intervention. However, Rezvani does not explicitly detail the concept of a "home relationship" or a mechanism for a network server to determine if a newly detected device is an "owned device" that is "previously known" to it.

The '830 patent itself highlights the "home relationship" as a central feature and explicitly incorporates by reference the Anderson et al. '381 application (US8972576B2), which is titled "Establishing a Home Relationship Between a Wireless Device and a Server in a Wireless Network". This indicates that the inventors of the '830 patent considered the "home relationship" as disclosed in Anderson et al. to be foundational and directly related to automatic registration.

A POSITA would be motivated to combine the general automatic device registration teachings of Rezvani with the specific "home relationship" establishment mechanisms from Anderson et al. for the following reasons:

1. Enhanced Automation and User Experience: Both references aim to simplify device interaction. Combining Rezvani's automatic registration with Anderson et al.'s "home relationship" provides a more complete and clearly defined system for seamlessly integrating new devices into a network with minimal user configuration, directly addressing the common problem of cumbersome device setup.
2. Improved Security and Trust: The "home relationship" in Anderson et al. includes the network server determining if a device is an "owned device" by checking a database of "previously known" devices before granting access. Rezvani generally discusses "security mechanisms" for device registration. A POSITA would find it an obvious improvement to integrate Anderson et al.'s specific and robust authorization mechanism into Rezvani's automatic registration system to ensure only authorized devices are automatically registered and granted network access.
3. Efficient Network Management: By leveraging the "home relationship" concept, a network server can more effectively manage and provide services (e.g., updates, configuration) to recognized "owned devices," which is beneficial for the broader automatic registration system described by Rezvani.

Specific Analysis of Claims:

1. Claim 1 (Method for Automatic Registration):
Claim 1 outlines a method for automatic registration of a new wireless device with a registration server.

• Preamble: "A method for automatic registration of a new wireless device with a registration server".
  • Rezvani teaches "automatic registration of devices" with a "central registry" (registration server). It is implicit that these could be new wireless devices, as automatic registration is most advantageous for initial setup, and wireless networking was common by 2004.
• "establishing a home relationship between the new wireless device and a network server, such that no additional configuration is required by a user of the new device to communicate over a network once the relationship is established, wherein establishing a home relationship includes, determining at the network server, that the wireless device is an owned device, wherein the owned device is previously known to the network server;"
  • Anderson et al. (US8972576B2) directly teaches "Establishing a home relationship between a wireless device and a server in a wireless network". It describes how the network server detects a wireless device, requests identification, and determines if the device identification is found in an "owned device" database (i.e., is "previously known to the network server"). If so, the device is granted access with "no additional configuration" required by the user. A POSITA would combine this explicit teaching with Rezvani's framework to provide a secure and automated "home relationship" for new device registration.
• "automatically obtaining registration information for the new device;"
  • Rezvani explicitly teaches that devices can automatically obtain and register information such as "network configuration data, device capabilities, and the like".
• "establishing a connection between a registration server and the network server;"
  • Rezvani describes devices registering with a "central registry" and optionally using a "proxy server" or "registration agent". A POSITA would readily understand that this proxy/agent (analogous to the network server in the '830 patent) would establish a connection with the central registry (registration server) to facilitate registration.
• "sending the registration information from the network server to the registration server."
  • As a logical consequence of using an intermediary network server (proxy/agent) as implied by Rezvani, the network server would send the automatically obtained registration information to the central registry (registration server).

Conclusion for Claim 1: The combination of Rezvani (US20040098515A1) and Anderson et al. (US8972576B2) renders Claim 1 obvious.

2. Claim 15 (Computer Readable Medium) and Claim 29 (Network):
These claims recite a computer readable medium encoded with instructions for performing the method of Claim 1, and a network comprising the components to perform the method of Claim 1, respectively. If the method itself is obvious, then implementing that method as computer executable instructions on a medium or building a network to carry out that method are likewise obvious to a POSITA.

3. Claim 35 (Method for Automatic Registration - Device Initiated):
Claim 35 presents a variation where the connection is established between the registration server and the new device, and registration information is sent from the new device to the registration server.

• "establishing a relationship between the new wireless device and a network server, wherein no additional configuration is required by a user of the new wireless device to communicate over a network once the relationship is established, wherein establishing a home relationship includes, determining, at the network server, that the new device is an owned device, wherein the owned device is previously known to the network server;"
  • This element is covered by the combination of Rezvani and Anderson et al. for the same reasons as Claim 1. Anderson et al. explicitly describes establishing this "home relationship" where the network server determines if the device is "previously known" as an "owned device".
• "automatically obtaining registration information for the new wireless device, including registration information automatically obtained from the network server, wherein establishing a home relationship includes, determining, at the network server, that the new device is an owned device, wherein the owned device is previously known to the network server;"
  • Rezvani teaches automatically obtaining registration information from the device, such as "device capabilities". The addition of "registration information automatically obtained from the network server" is also consistent with Rezvani's disclosure of "network configuration data", which the network server would possess or gather. The repeated "wherein" clause is covered by Anderson et al..
• "establishing a connection between a registration server and the new device; and"
  • Rezvani clearly teaches a device "registering with a central registry". This inherently implies a connection established between the device and the central registry (registration server).
• "sending the registration information from the new device to the registration server."
  • Rezvani explicitly states that the "device can register with a central registry automatically" and describes "transmitting registration information". This supports the new device sending the information directly to the registration server.

Conclusion for Claim 35: The combination of Rezvani (US20040098515A1) and Anderson et al. (US8972576B2) renders Claim 35 obvious.

4. Claim 41 (Computer Readable Medium) and Claim 47 (Network):
These claims are analogous to Claim 35 but recite a computer readable medium or a network, respectively. As with Claims 15 and 29, the obviousness of the method extends to these implementations.

Obviousness Analysis of Representative Dependent Claims

1. Claims 2, 16, 30, 37, 43 (User Information): "wherein the registration information comprises information concerning the user of the new device."
* It was standard practice in any registration system, including those for devices, to collect user information (e.g., name, address). Rezvani also mentions "authentication information", which often includes user details. This is an obvious inclusion.

2. Claims 3, 17, 31, 38, 44 (Network Server Information): "wherein the registration information comprises information concerning the network server."
* Rezvani mentions "network configuration data". For a network server facilitating registration, its own configuration details would be relevant for the registration server for support, compatibility, or context. This is obvious.

3. Claims 4, 18, 32, 39, 45 (Operating System Type and Configuration): "wherein the registration information concerning the network server comprises an operating system type and configuration."
* This is a specific example of network server information and configuration data, which is commonly exchanged for system compatibility and support. This is obvious.

4. Claims 5, 19, 33 (Device Information from Device): "wherein the registration information comprises information concerning the new device, obtainable directly from the new device."
* Rezvani teaches obtaining "device capabilities" and "device identification", which are inherently obtained from the device itself. This is obvious.

5. Claims 6, 20, 34, 40, 46 (Unique Device Identifier): "wherein the registration information concerning the new device comprises a unique device identifier."
* Rezvani discusses "device identification", which would logically include unique identifiers like serial numbers to distinguish between devices. This is obvious.

6. Claims 7, 21 (Connection Information from New Device): "wherein the establishing of the connection between the registration server and the network server comprises: obtaining connection information from the new device; and establishing the connection between the registration server and the network server utilizing the connection information."
* The '830 patent's specification states the new device can provide connection information, such as the registration server's public key (Col. 5, lines 5-7). A POSITA would understand that a device connecting to a service might carry or be configured to provide necessary connection parameters. This is obvious.

7. Claims 8, 22 (Public Key in Connection Information): "wherein the connection information comprises a public key of a public/private key pair for the registration server."
* The use of public/private key pairs for secure communication was a well-established cryptographic technique by 2004. Rezvani discusses "security mechanisms", and incorporating public-key cryptography for secure connections is an obvious implementation of such mechanisms.

8. Claims 9, 23 (Encryption with Public/Private Keys): "wherein the sending comprises: sending the registration information from the network server to the registration server, wherein the registration information is encrypted using a public key of a public/private key pair for the registration server, wherein the registration server decrypts the registration information using a private key of the public/private key pair."
* Using public-key encryption for secure transmission of sensitive data over a network (like the Internet 102 in FIG. 1) was a common and well-known security measure. Nokia (US6449473B1) specifically describes "security methods for transmissions in telecommunication networks" using cryptographic algorithms. This is an obvious application of known security protocols.

9. Claims 10, 24 (Software/Firmware Updates): "further comprising: determining by the registration server if software or firmware updates are available for the new device; transferring the updates to the network server, if software or firmware updates are available; and installing the updates onto the new device by the network server."
* Rezvani teaches "updating device drivers or software" as a service provided by its system. Automated software and firmware updates for networked devices were a known concept and a desirable feature for maintenance. The described steps are a conventional implementation of such updates. This is obvious.

10. Claims 11, 25 (Network Server Software Updates for Device Support): "further comprising: determining by the registration server if software updates for the network server are available for support of the new device; transferring the updates to the network server, if software updates are available; and installing the updates onto the network server."
* This is a variation of automated software updates, specifically for the network server to support the newly registered device. Rezvani mentions "software installation for other network devices". It is obvious to provide updates for supporting infrastructure.

11. Claims 12, 26 (Software for Other Network Devices): "further comprising: determining by the registration server if software for at least one device coupled to the network server for support of the new device is available; transferring the software to the network server, if the software is available; and installing the software onto the network server."
* The '830 patent describes an example where a digital camera (new device) leads to downloading "special printer drivers" for a recognized printer on the network (Col. 5, lines 49-51). This directly aligns with Rezvani's teaching of "software installation for other network devices" to support a new device. This is obvious.

12. Claims 13, 27 (Special Offers): "further comprising: determining by the registration server if special offers for the new device are available; transferring the special offers to the network server, if the special offers are available; and displaying the special offers to the user of the new device."
* Wiesmuller discloses a system for providing "commercial services over a wireless communication network" and specifically teaches sending "promotional content" to subscribers. Combining an automatic device registration system with a marketing feature to offer special deals or services is a well-known commercial incentive and an obvious extension for a business selling devices and services.

13. Claims 14, 28 (Implementing Accepted Offers): "further comprising: determining if the user has accepted at least one special offer; and implementing the special offer at the network server or the new device, if the user has accepted at least one special offer."
* This is a logical and obvious step following the presentation of special offers, consistent with commercial transaction systems like those described in Wiesmuller.

Overall Conclusion on Obviousness

Based on the analysis, the independent claims (1, 15, 29, 35, 41, and 47) of US Patent 7,280,830 would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention by combining the teachings of US20040098515A1 (Rezvani) and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/833,381 (Anderson et al., later US8972576B2). These references, particularly the Anderson et al. '381 application which is explicitly incorporated by reference into the '830 patent, provide the specific "home relationship" mechanism that, when integrated with Rezvani's general automatic device registration system, leads directly to the claimed invention. The dependent claims describe features that are either explicitly taught or would have been obvious implementations or commercial extensions in such a combined system, supported by other cited prior art like Wiesmuller and Nokia, or general knowledge in the field.