US 7924802

Summary of US Patent 7,924,802: Wireless Communication Systems and Methods

Title: Wireless communication systems and methods

Assignee: The current assignee of US Patent 7,924,802 is Cobblestone Wireless LLC. The original assignee was WiLinx Corp.

Inventors: Alireza Tarighat-Mehrabani, Rahim Bagheri, Alireza Mehrnia, and Mahmoud Darvishzadeh.

Filing Date: January 23, 2008

Issue Date: April 12, 2011

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention transmit signals simultaneously over a communication channel at different RF center frequencies, and may use a single power amplifier and antenna. In one embodiment the present invention includes a method of transmitting information in a wireless communication channel comprising receiving digital signals having data to be transmitted, converting the signals to analog signals, up-converting each analog signal, combining the up-converted signals, amplifying the combined up-converted signal and transmitting the combined up-converted signal. In one embodiment, the same data is sent over a transmission channel at two different frequencies to improve reliability.

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Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

The patent includes several independent claims, which describe different aspects of the invention: methods for transmitting, systems for transmitting, and electronic circuits for receiving.

Claim 1 (Method of Transmitting Information):
This claim describes a method for sending information over a wireless channel. It involves transmitting two separate pieces of information simultaneously using the same wireless transmitter. The first information is sent using a first set of frequencies (a "first frequency range"), and the second information is sent using a second set of frequencies (a "second frequency range"). The key is that the second frequency range is centered at a higher frequency than the first frequency range.

Claim 10 (Method of Transmitting Information with Specific Steps):
This claim details a method for transmitting information, starting with digital signals. It involves:

1. Receiving two distinct digital signals, each containing data to be sent.
2. Converting each digital signal into a corresponding analog signal using separate digital-to-analog converters (DACs). Each analog signal carries its data across a specific frequency range.
3. "Up-converting" (shifting to a higher frequency) each analog signal to a different Radio Frequency (RF) center frequency. The difference between these two RF center frequencies is large enough to prevent the up-converted signals from overlapping.
4. Combining these two up-converted analog signals into a single, combined signal.
5. Amplifying this combined signal using a single power amplifier. The amplifier's operational frequency range (bandwidth) must be wide enough to cover all the frequencies in both up-converted signals.
6. Transmitting the amplified, combined signal via a single antenna.

Claim 17 (Wireless Communication System):
This claim describes a hardware system designed to implement the transmission methods. It comprises:

1. A "baseband digital system" that generates two digital signals with data.
2. Two digital-to-analog converters (DACs) to convert these digital signals into analog signals, each carrying data across a distinct frequency range.
3. Two "up-converter circuits" that take these analog signals and shift their frequencies to different RF center frequencies. Similar to the method claims, the frequency difference between the two RF center frequencies is specified to prevent overlap.
4. A single "power amplifier" that receives and amplifies both up-converted analog signals. The power amplifier's bandwidth is designed to encompass the entire frequency span of the combined up-converted signals.

Claim 24 (Electronic Circuit for Receiving):
This claim outlines an electronic circuit used for receiving signals that were transmitted according to the invention. It includes:

1. A "first down-converter circuit" that receives a combined up-converted signal and uses a first demodulation signal (at a specific RF frequency) to convert part of it into a first down-converted signal.
2. A "second down-converter circuit" that also receives the combined up-converted signal but uses a different second demodulation signal (at a different RF frequency) to convert another part into a second down-converted signal. The original up-converted signal is understood to contain two distinct signals modulated at these two different RF frequencies.
3. A "filter" that receives and processes both of these down-converted signals.

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CAFC 2026 Dockets Search for US7924802:

A direct search of CAFC 2026 dockets for patent number 7924802 using general search methods did not immediately return specific case filings. However, the Google Patents information for US7924802 indicates that the "Family has litigation," referencing multiple US District Court cases and PTAB (Patent Trial and Appeal Board) cases. Some of these are listed with dates that fall within or close to 2026, such as IPR2025-01497 (filed, Not Instituted - Procedural), IPR2024-00707 (filed, Settlement), IPR2024-00606 (filed, Settlement), IPR2024-00946 (filed, Settlement), and IPR2024-01336 (filed, Final Written Decision). These PTAB cases are administrative proceedings related to patent validity, which can be appealed to the CAFC. Additionally, a US case was filed in the Illinois Northern District Court (1:24-cv-08726), which would also fall under CAFC appellate jurisdiction. While specific CAFC docket numbers for 2026 appeals were not directly found in the initial search, the active litigation surrounding this patent, as indicated by the District Court and PTAB cases, suggests that appellate activity at the CAFC in 2026 is possible or ongoing.

No specific CAFC docket entries for 2026 appeals directly naming patent 7924802 were found in the provided search results, but the linked litigation data confirms active and recent challenges to the patent through PTAB proceedings and district court cases, which could lead to CAFC involvement.