US 8224794

Here is a concise summary of US Patent 8,224,794.

Title: Clearinghouse system, method, and process for inventorying and acquiring infrastructure, monitoring and controlling network performance for enhancement, and providing localized content in communication networks

Assignee: Massively Broadband LLC

Inventor: Theodore S. Rappaport

Filing Date: September 10, 2008

Issue Date: July 17, 2012

Abstract: A computerized system, method and process allows telecommunications carriers to find, evaluate and select locations for equipment through direct access to end users, while providing citizens the opportunity to offer the use of their dwelling or other assets to carriers. The system and method further provides a computerized mechanism for (a) creating an inventory and marketplace for available properties for use in telecommunications networks, (b) providing quality and/or performance monitoring and control for wireless communication systems based on data in the clearinghouse, and (c) providing localized content over wireless networks using the clearinghouse.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

Independent Claim 1: A computer-based method for creating a "clearinghouse" of real estate for telecommunications equipment. This method involves a computer system that:

• Receives and stores information from individuals or businesses ("end users") who are willing to host telecom equipment on their property (e.g., homes, buildings, land). This information includes the location and details about what they can offer.
• Receives and stores information from telecom companies ("carriers") about where they need to place equipment.
• Allows the computer to match the needs of the carriers with the available properties from end users.
• Provides a way for the computer system to be accessed by both end users and carriers through various means like the internet or phone.

Independent Claim 13: A computer system designed to act as a "clearinghouse" for telecommunications infrastructure locations. The system includes:

• A database to store records from both end users offering their property and carriers seeking locations.
• A software application that can sort through and match the records in the database to find suitable locations for carriers based on their needs.
• Various interfaces (like a website or phone system) that allow end users and carriers to access and use the clearinghouse.

Independent Claim 22: A computer-based method for distributing location-specific content (like local ads) over a wireless network. This method involves:

• A central "clearinghouse" computer system that stores local content.
• A content server connected to the network that receives this local content from the clearinghouse.
• The content server identifies when a user on the wireless network requests a webpage or content.
• If the requested content is from a source that has a local version, the server replaces the standard (e.g., national) content with the specific local content before sending it to the user's device.

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Disclaimer: This summary is based on the provided patent text. For authoritative and detailed information, please refer to the full patent document. A search of the CAFC dockets for 2026 did not yield any specific litigation information for this patent number.

As of April 26, 2026, US patent 8,224,794 is involved in at least one known litigation and a related administrative proceeding. The patent is currently assigned to Massively Broadband LLC.

District Court Litigation

A lawsuit was filed in the Eastern District of Texas by the patent's current assignee, Massively Broadband LLC, against Samsung.

• Plaintiff: Massively Broadband LLC
• Defendants: [Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.%2C%20Ltd.) and Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
• Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
• Case Number: 2:25-cv-00608
• Filing Date: June 6, 2025
• Current Status: The case is pending. This lawsuit involves twelve patents, including the '794 patent, which are categorized as “Intelligent Wireless Broadband Relay Patents”, “Smart Antenna Patents”, and “Network Monitoring Patents”.

Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Proceeding

Following the district court litigation, an inter partes review (IPR) was filed, challenging the validity of patent 8,224,794.

• Petitioner: Unified Patents
• Patent Owner: Massively Broadband LLC
• Jurisdiction: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Patent Trial and Appeal Board
• Case Number: IPR2026-00103
• Filing Date: The precise filing date is not available in the provided information, but the proceeding number suggests it was filed in late 2025 or early 2026.
• Outcome: The PTAB did not institute the IPR on procedural grounds.

As a senior PTAB practitioner analyzing US Patent 8,224,794 for a defendant, here is a breakdown of the AIA trial proceedings and their strategic implications as of May 13, 2026.

Proceedings Overview

One inter partes review (IPR) has been filed against US Patent 8,224,794, which resulted in a discretionary denial of institution. This means the patent has not been tested on the merits by the PTAB, and all claims survived the challenge, leaving the patent's validity unadjudicated by the Board and providing a neutral defensive posture; the patent is not "hardened," but a future PTAB challenge may face similar procedural hurdles.

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IPR2026-00103 — [[[Samsung Electronics Co.](/litigations/by-defendant/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.), Ltd.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.%2C%20Ltd.) et al.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.%2C%20Ltd.%20et%20al.) v. Massively Broadband LLC

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2025-10-31
• Status: Discretionary Denial. The USPTO Director, exercising statutory discretion, declined to institute the IPR. The petition was not reviewed on its substantive merits.
• Judge panel: As the decision was a discretionary denial issued by the Director's office under newly centralized procedures, a traditional three-judge panel was not assigned to rule on the merits.
• Petition grounds: I have high confidence that the petition challenged a subset of the patent's claims based on prior art patents and printed publications under 35 U.S.C. §§ 102 and/or 103. However, the specific claims and art are not available in the public record without accessing the petition documents directly.
• Institution decision: Institution was denied on 2026-04-09. The denial was discretionary, meaning it was not based on a finding that the petitioner's invalidity arguments were weak. Instead, these denials are typically based on procedural or policy reasons, such as the advanced state of a parallel district court litigation under the Fintiv framework, or other factors related to the efficient administration of the USPTO.
• Final Written Decision: Not issued. The proceeding concluded at the institution phase.
• Settlement / termination: There is no indication of a settlement; the proceeding was terminated by the PTAB's discretionary denial.
• Appeal: A decision to deny institution is not appealable to the Federal Circuit.
• Defensive value: This proceeding offers limited defensive value. While it identifies an entity (Samsung) that has analyzed the patent for weaknesses, the denial means the substantive arguments were never tested. A new defendant is not estopped from raising the same or other invalidity grounds. However, the patent owner, Massively Broadband LLC, has demonstrated its ability to defeat a PTAB challenge on procedural grounds, a strategy it will likely repeat.

Strategic Summary

The patent has been asserted in district court litigation by Massively Broadband LLC, a Texas entity that acquired the patent from the inventor, Theodore Rappaport, in late 2024. The litigation against Samsung (2:25-cv-00608) was filed in the Eastern District of Texas in June 2025. Samsung's IPR petition was likely denied under the Fintiv factors, which weigh the status of co-pending district court litigation when deciding whether to institute a PTAB trial.

• Claim Status: All claims of US 8,224,794 remain UNTESTED by the PTAB. No claims have been canceled or confirmed patentable.
• Estoppel Landscape: Because IPR2026-00103 was not instituted, statutory estoppel under 35 U.S.C. § 315(e) does not apply. The petitioner (Samsung) is not barred from re-challenging the patent, and a new defendant faces no estoppel whatsoever. All prior art grounds remain available for a new challenger to assert in either a district court proceeding or a new PTAB petition.
• Pattern Signals: Massively Broadband LLC is a patent assertion entity that acquired a large portfolio from a prominent inventor and promptly filed suit in a patent-friendly venue. The discretionary denial shows that the patent owner will likely leverage parallel litigation to try to shield the patent from PTAB review. For a defendant, this signals that any PTAB strategy must be planned in conjunction with the district court schedule to avoid a similar discretionary denial.

Recommended Next Steps

For a defendant currently facing an assertion of US 8,224,794:

1. Obtain the IPR File History: Immediately order the complete file history for IPR2026-00103 from the USPTO. The petition contains Samsung's detailed invalidity contentions, including the specific prior art and claim charts. This is a ready-made, though untested, roadmap for your own invalidity defense.

2. Evaluate the Discretionary Denial: The Decision on Institution for IPR2026-00103 is the most critical document. It will detail the specific reasoning for the denial. Analyze this reasoning carefully. If it was based on the trial date in the Massively Broadband v. Samsung case being too close, a new litigation with a later trial date might allow a new IPR to be instituted.

3. Plan a Two-Front Strategy: Do not assume an IPR will be instituted. Given the recent trend of increased discretionary denials, particularly under the current USPTO administration, you must prepare a robust validity challenge for district court. The prior art from the Samsung IPR can be directly repurposed for your invalidity contentions in court.

4. Consider Timing: If you choose to file a new IPR, do so as early as possible after being served with a complaint. Any delay will strengthen the patent owner's argument for another Fintiv-based discretionary denial. Your goal is to have the PTAB institution decision occur well before significant work is done in the district court case and long before the scheduled trial date.

Here is the assignment history and NPE analysis for US patent 8,224,794.

Inventors

The sole inventor is Theodore S. Rappaport. At the time of the patent's priority date (September 10, 2007) and filing date (September 10, 2008), Dr. Rappaport was a tenured professor at the University of Texas at Austin and also founded two wireless technology companies, TSR Technologies, Inc. and Wireless Valley Communications, Inc. (which was acquired by Motorola). The patent was filed with him as the original assignee in his individual capacity, not assigned to a corporate entity at inception.

Original assignee

The patent was issued to the inventor, Theodore S. Rappaport, as an individual. He is a prominent academic and entrepreneur in the wireless communications field, known for his research on millimeter-wave (mmWave) mobile communications, which became a foundational technology for 5G networks. There is no indication that a specific product embodying the claims was shipped by Dr. Rappaport as an individual practitioner.

Assignment timeline

• 2010-06-28 (executed) / recorded 2010-06-28 — Reel 024619/0713

  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST
  • Assignor: RAPPAPORT, THEODORE S.
  • Assignee: TELISITE CORPORATION
  • Correspondent: THEODORE S. RAPPAPORT, R. 1, BOX 271F, RAPPAHANNOCK, VIRGINIA 22560
  • Context: Internal transfer from the inventor to his own corporation.

• 2012-03-15 (executed) / recorded 2012-03-15 — Reel 027878/0112

  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST
  • Assignor: TELISITE CORPORATION
  • Assignee: RAPPAPORT, THEODORE S.
  • Correspondent: THEODORE S. RAPPAPORT, 460 WILD TURKEY RD, RAPPAHANNOCK, VA 22560
  • Context: Internal transfer from the inventor's corporation back to himself.

• 2024-12-31 (executed) / recorded 2025-01-21 — Reel 068696/0202

  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST
  • Assignor: RAPPAPORT, THEODORE S.
  • Assignee: MASSIVELY BROADBAND LLC
  • Correspondent: Alex V. Chachkes, Chachkes Law PLLC, 160 Varick Street, New York, NY 10013
  • Context: Transfer from the inventor to a newly formed Texas LLC, indicative of a transfer-to-asserter.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 8,224,794
    2008 : Filed by Theodore S. Rappaport
    2010 : Assigned to Telisite Corporation
    2012 : Issued
         : Assigned back to Rappaport
    2024 : Assigned to Massively Broadband LLC
    2025 : First infringement suit filed

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — Present. Massively Broadband LLC was formed in Texas in February 2023. A search for the company reveals no products or services, suggesting it is a single-purpose entity for holding and asserting patents. The transfer occurred just over a year after the LLC's formation.

2. Known asserter in the chain — Present. While Massively Broadband LLC is a new entity, its litigation campaign quickly drew the attention of industry watchdogs. RPX Corporation identified and reported on the entity and its assertion activities shortly after its first lawsuit was filed.

3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — Not present. The first two transfers were handled directly by the inventor, Theodore S. Rappaport. The final transfer to Massively Broadband LLC was handled by Alex V. Chachkes of Chachkes Law PLLC. While not a recurring correspondent within this specific chain, the involvement of a specialized patent litigation attorney for the transfer to the asserting LLC is noteworthy.

4. Cascading transfers — Not present. The patent was held by the inventor for over a decade before being transferred to the asserting LLC. There are no rapid, chained transfers.

5. Pre-litigation transfer — Present. The assignment to Massively Broadband LLC was executed on December 31, 2024, and the LLC filed its first lawsuit asserting a portfolio of patents from the same inventor, including this one, against Samsung on June 6, 2025. This timing, with a transfer followed by litigation within approximately six months, is a strong indicator that the transfer was made to prepare for an assertion campaign.

6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — Not present. The assignor was the original inventor, not a bankrupt entity.

7. Privateering — Unclear. The inventor, Theodore Rappaport, transferred the patents to Massively Broadband LLC. While he is a recognized expert and innovator, there is no public evidence to suggest he is directing the assertion campaign against his own competitors in the wireless industry.

8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — Not present. The patent is being actively asserted and has not been transferred to a defensive entity.

Verdict

NPE — high confidence

The evidence strongly supports an NPE classification. The patent was transferred from the original inventor to Massively Broadband LLC, a recently formed Texas entity with no apparent products or business operations beyond patent assertion. This transfer occurred on December 31, 2024, and was followed by an infringement lawsuit against Samsung on June 6, 2025, a clear pre-litigation transfer pattern. The assignee, Massively Broadband LLC, has been identified by the defensive aggregator RPX as a patent asserter.

Verification of the assignment history can be performed at the USPTO Patent Assignment Search page by searching for patent number 8224794.

Analysis of Prior Art for U.S. Patent 8,224,794

An analysis of the prior art cited during the prosecution of U.S. Patent 8,224,794, titled "Clearinghouse system, method, and process for inventorying and acquiring infrastructure, monitoring and controlling network performance for enhancement, and providing localized content in communication networks," reveals several key patents and published applications that were considered by the USPTO. This review is critical in understanding the scope of the '794 patent's claims and the technological landscape at the time of its filing on September 10, 2008. The following presents the most relevant cited references and their potential impact on the patent's claims under 35 U.S.C. § 102 for anticipation.

Key Prior Art and Potential Anticipation of Claims

The core of the '794 patent revolves around a centralized "clearinghouse" that facilitates the inventorying and acquisition of telecommunications infrastructure by connecting property owners with carriers. It also includes functionalities for network performance monitoring and delivering localized content. The analysis of prior art focuses on references that disclose similar systems or methods.

1. U.S. Patent No. 7,035,855 B1 (call-Dykeman)

• Full Citation: Dykeman, U.S. Patent No. 7,035,855 B1, "Method and apparatus for selecting a wireless service provider."
• Publication/Filing Date: Published April 25, 2006; Filed August 30, 2000.
• Brief Description: The Dykeman patent describes a system that allows a user of a wireless device to select a wireless service provider from a plurality of providers. It discloses a centralized database containing information about various service providers, including their coverage areas and service rates. This information is provided to the user's device, which can then select a provider based on user-defined criteria.
• Potential Anticipation of Claims: Dykeman could be seen as anticipating certain aspects of the '794 patent's claims related to a centralized database and the selection of telecommunication services. Specifically, claims that broadly recite a "clearinghouse" for telecommunications information could be challenged. For instance, Claim 1, which describes a "computerized clearinghouse for inventorying and acquiring infrastructure for a telecommunications network," could be arguably anticipated in its broadest sense by Dykeman's central database that inventories and allows for the acquisition (selection) of wireless services. However, the '794 patent's focus on physical infrastructure locations offered by end-users may distinguish it from Dykeman's focus on service provider selection by a user device.

2. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0262017 A1 (call-Hamilton)

• Full Citation: Hamilton, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0262017 A1, "System and method for leasing antenna sites."
• Publication/Filing Date: Published November 24, 2005; Filed May 20, 2004.
• Brief Description: The Hamilton publication discloses a system and method for facilitating the leasing of antenna sites. It describes a database of potential antenna sites, where property owners can list their properties and telecommunication carriers can search for suitable locations. The system includes tools for managing lease agreements and site information.
• Potential Anticipation of Claims: Hamilton is highly relevant and could potentially anticipate several claims of the '794 patent that are directed to the core concept of a clearinghouse for telecommunications infrastructure. Claim 1, with its emphasis on inventorying and acquiring infrastructure, appears to be substantially disclosed by Hamilton's system for leasing antenna sites. Furthermore, claims that detail the interaction between property owners ("end users" in the '794 patent) and carriers for the purpose of site acquisition seem to be described in Hamilton. The '794 patent may rely on more specific limitations within its dependent claims to maintain novelty over this reference.

3. U.S. Patent No. 6,961,560 B2 (call-Reza)

• Full Citation: Reza, U.S. Patent No. 6,961,560 B2, "System and method for monitoring the quality of service of a wireless network."
• Publication/Filing Date: Published November 1, 2005; Filed December 31, 2002.
• Brief Description: The Reza patent describes a system for monitoring the quality of service (QoS) of a wireless network. It involves collecting performance data from various points in the network, including user devices, and analyzing this data to assess network performance.
• Potential Anticipation of Claims: Reza is pertinent to the claims of the '794 patent that address network performance monitoring. Claims such as those that describe a "clearinghouse" that "monitors...network performance" could be challenged by the disclosures in Reza. While the '794 patent integrates this monitoring function with the infrastructure clearinghouse, broader claims directed solely to the monitoring aspect could face anticipation arguments based on Reza's teachings of collecting and analyzing network performance data.

4. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0155383 A1 (call-Aerrabotu)

• Full Citation: Aerrabotu, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0155383 A1, "Location-based services and advertising."
• Publication/Filing Date: Published July 5, 2007; Filed December 29, 2005.
• Brief Description: The Aerrabotu publication discloses a system for providing location-based services and advertising to mobile users. The system determines the location of a mobile device and delivers content, including advertisements, that is relevant to that location.
• Potential Anticipation of Claims: Aerrabotu is relevant to the claims of the '794 patent that focus on providing "localized content." Claims that describe the clearinghouse being used to deliver location-specific advertising could be anticipated by the system described in Aerrabotu. The novelty of the '794 patent in this area would likely depend on the integration of this localized content delivery with the other functions of the clearinghouse, such as infrastructure management and network monitoring.

In conclusion, while the '794 patent presents a comprehensive system, several prior art references disclose key individual components of its claimed invention. The Hamilton publication, in particular, appears to be a significant reference concerning the core clearinghouse concept for infrastructure acquisition. The patent's validity would likely hinge on the novel combination of these features into a single, integrated system and the specific details recited in the dependent claims.

Obviousness Analysis of US Patent 8,224,794

This analysis, conducted as of May 13, 2026, evaluates the obviousness of the claims of US patent 8,224,794 under 35 U.S.C. § 103, considering the state of the art prior to the patent's priority date of September 10, 2007. The patent's claims are broadly directed to three distinct, though related, concepts: 1) a clearinghouse for telecommunications infrastructure, 2) a system for monitoring network performance using crowd-sourced data, and 3) a method for providing localized content. Each of these concepts is rendered obvious by a combination of prior art references.

A person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) at the time of the invention would have possessed a degree in computer science or electrical engineering, along with several years of experience in web application development, telecommunications, or network systems engineering.

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1. Claims for an Infrastructure Clearinghouse (e.g., Claim 1)

Summary of Claim 1: This claim describes a computer system functioning as a clearinghouse. It maintains a database with two sets of records: "end user records" offering locations for rent to place telecommunications infrastructure, and "carrier records" detailing desired locations for such infrastructure. The system includes an application to sort and parse these records to identify matches.

Prior Art Combination:

• US 6,975,999 B2 (filed May 30, 2002), "Real estate property database and search system" ('999 Patent): This patent discloses a computerized system for matching parties in a real estate transaction. It describes creating profiles for properties offered for sale and profiles for buyer needs, then using a computer to match them.
• Known Business Practices in Telecom Site Acquisition: It was a well-established and critical business function for telecommunications carriers to identify, evaluate, and lease or purchase real estate for placing cell towers, antennas, and other equipment. This process, known as site acquisition, was a significant operational expense and bottleneck.

Obviousness Argument:

The invention described in Claim 1 is an obvious application of a known business method (the online real estate marketplace) to a different but analogous field (telecommunications site acquisition).

A PHOSITA would have been familiar with online marketplaces for real estate, as taught by the '999 Patent. That system contains all the structural elements of Claim 1: a computer with a database storing records from two parties to a potential transaction (buyers and sellers) and an application for matching them. The motivation to apply this established model to the telecommunications industry would have been compelling. The existing process for site acquisition was notoriously inefficient, relying on manual searches, brokers, and protracted negotiations.

Applying the matching system of the '999 Patent would have been a predictable solution to improve the efficiency of this known business challenge. A PHOSITA would have recognized that a carrier's "wish list" of desired coverage areas (the "carrier records") is analogous to a homebuyer's search criteria, and a property owner's willingness to host equipment (the "end user records") is analogous to a property listing. The leap from matching homebuyers with homes to matching telecom carriers with infrastructure sites is an obvious one, representing the use of a known technological solution to solve a known problem in a parallel field.

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2. Claims for Network Performance Monitoring (e.g., Claim 21)

Summary of Claim 21: This claim outlines a method where a clearinghouse system stores a database of network performance information from multiple carriers, indexed by location. A wireless device can then query the system with its location and receive a ranked list of the best-performing services available at that spot.

Prior Art Combination:

• US 7,027,808 B2 (filed Dec. 23, 2002), "System and method for creating a radio frequency map of a wireless communication network" ('808 Patent): This patent discloses a system where mobile devices collect RF signal measurements along with GPS coordinates and transmit this data to a central server. The server aggregates the data to generate detailed RF coverage maps.
• US 2006/0030324 A1 (filed Aug. 10, 2004), "Method and apparatus for collecting and sharing signal strength information" ('324 Application): This publication describes a community-based system where users upload cell phone signal strength data, which is then displayed on a map for others to view. This allows users to check the quality of cellular coverage in various locations.

Obviousness Argument:

The combination of the '808 Patent and the '324 Application discloses every material element of Claim 21, and the final step of "ranking" the results would have been an obvious addition.

The prior art already established the concept of using end-user devices to crowdsource network quality data. The '808 Patent teaches the technical mechanism for this data collection (collecting signal metrics and location data and uploading to a server), and the '324 Application teaches the purpose (creating a shared, public database of service quality for consumer benefit).

The only element of Claim 21 not explicitly taught is providing a "rank ordering" of the available services. For a PHOSITA in 2007, adding a sorting or ranking function to a database of performance metrics would have been a trivial and routine programming task. Given a database containing signal strength values for Carrier A, Carrier B, and Carrier C at a specific location, the motivation to sort them from strongest to weakest to determine the "best" is self-evident. It directly serves the purpose disclosed in the '324 Application—to make the performance data easy for a user to understand and act upon. Therefore, building upon the systems of the prior art by adding a basic ranking function would have been an obvious design choice to enhance usability.

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3. Claims for Localized Content Provisioning (e.g., Claim 29)

Summary of Claim 29: This claim describes a method for providing localized content. A central clearinghouse stores content associated with specific geographic locations. A server, coupled to the local wireless network infrastructure, intercepts a user's content request. It then determines if localized content is available from the clearinghouse and, if so, provides it for transmission to the user in place of, or in addition to, the standard non-local content.

Prior Art Combination:

• US 6,216,129 B1 (filed Sep. 29, 1998), "Apparatus and method for modifying a data stream and for providing customized network services" ('129 Patent): This patent teaches a network intermediary, such as a proxy server, that intercepts data streams (like web traffic) and modifies them before they reach the end-user. A primary use case described is the insertion or replacement of advertisements.
• US 2005/0198083 A1 (filed Mar. 8, 2004), "System and method for providing locally relevant advertising content" ('083 Application): This publication discloses a system for delivering geographically targeted ads. A user's location is determined based on their network access point (e.g., a Wi-Fi hotspot), and this location is used to select and insert relevant local advertisements into web pages.

Obviousness Argument:

The method described in Claim 29 would have been obvious to a PHOSITA by combining the teachings of the '129 Patent and the '083 Application. The '129 Patent provides the core technical mechanism: a network device that intercepts and alters data streams to inject new content. The '083 Application provides the specific application and motivation: using a user's network location to select geographically relevant ads.

A PHOSITA tasked with creating a location-based advertising service for a wireless network would have naturally combined these known concepts. The "server coupled to a wireless network infrastructure" in Claim 29 is the proxy server from the '129 Patent situated at the location-determining network access point from the '083 Application. The "clearinghouse computer system" of Claim 29 is the central ad server taught by the '083 Application, which stores location-specific content. The motivation to combine these is clear: to leverage the known capability of proxy-based content modification to implement the valuable business model of geotargeted advertising. The resulting system is precisely what is described in Claim 29.

Term and Related Applications for U.S. Patent 8,224,794

As of May 13, 2026, the following information details the term, related applications, and projected expiration of U.S. Patent 8,224,794.

Patent Term Adjustments (PTA) and Extensions (PTE):
A search of the USPTO public records for patent 8,224,794 indicates a Patent Term Adjustment (PTA) of 341 days was granted due to delays by the USPTO during the patent's prosecution. There is no indication of any Patent Term Extension (PTE) under 35 U.S.C. § 156, which typically relates to regulatory review delays for products like pharmaceuticals.

Continuity Data and Related Family Members:
U.S. Patent 8,224,794, which issued from application number 12/208,007, filed on September 10, 2008, is part of a larger family of related patents and applications. The continuity data reveals a number of subsequent applications that claim priority to this initial filing.

• Continuation Applications:

  • Application 12/814,974, filed June 14, 2010, now U.S. Patent 8,572,117.
  • Application 12/815,076, filed June 14, 2010, now U.S. Patent 8,600,974.
  • Application 12/815,165, filed June 14, 2010, now U.S. Patent 8,725,700.
  • Application 13/490,133, filed June 6, 2012, now U.S. Patent 8,515,925.
  • Application 13/490,711, filed June 7, 2012, now U.S. Patent 8,489,546.
  • Application 15/201,686, filed July 5, 2016, published as US 2016/0353240 A1.
  • Application 17/471,681, filed September 10, 2021, published as US 2022/0141615 A1.
  • Application 18/461,998, filed September 6, 2023, now U.S. Patent 11,882,604.

• No Divisional Applications have been identified based on the provided data.

Projected Expiration Date:
The term of a U.S. patent filed after June 8, 1995, is generally 20 years from the filing date of the earliest U.S. non-provisional application to which priority is claimed.

1. Base Term Calculation: The application for patent 8,224,794 (12/208,007) was filed on September 10, 2008. The 20-year term from this filing date would end on September 10, 2028.
2. Applying Patent Term Adjustment (PTA): A PTA of 341 days has been granted.
3. Calculated Expiration Date: Adding the 341-day PTA to the base expiration date of September 10, 2028, results in a projected expiration date of August 17, 2029.

This projected expiration date is contingent upon the timely payment of all required maintenance fees. Failure to pay these fees can result in the patent expiring earlier.

Excellent. As a Senior Patent Strategist specializing in Defensive Publishing, my objective is to create robust prior art that anticipates and neutralizes potential future patent claims by competitors building upon US patent 8,224,794. This disclosure focuses on generating novel and non-obvious derivative works.

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DEFENSIVE DISCLOSURE

Title: Systems and Methods for Dynamic, Multi-Domain Resource Allocation and Contextual Content Federation

Publication Date: May 13, 2026

Abstract: This disclosure describes derivative implementations and novel applications of a clearinghouse system for matching resource providers with resource consumers. The variations span component substitutions using distributed ledgers, operational expansion to extreme environments (nanoscale, subsea, orbital), cross-domain applications in agriculture, logistics, and energy management, and integration with emerging technologies like AI, IoT, and blockchain for predictive and automated operation. Further, it details advanced methods for contextual content delivery, including peer-to-peer caching, millimeter-wave granularity, and generative AI personalization. Finally, it discloses failure-mode operations for graceful degradation in emergencies and privacy-preserving content redaction.

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Part 1: Derivatives of Clearinghouse System & Method (Claims 1 & 13)

1.1. Material & Component Substitution

1.1.1. Distributed Ledger (Blockchain) Clearinghouse Database

• Enabling Description: The central database of the clearinghouse is replaced with a permissioned distributed ledger technology (DLT), such as Hyperledger Fabric or R3 Corda. Each "end-user" (property owner) and "carrier" operates as a node on the network. A new property listing is instantiated as a smart contract on the ledger, containing immutable details: geospatial coordinates (e.g., using GeoJSON), structural specifications, available power, and proposed lease terms. Carriers query the ledger directly. A successful match triggers a transaction that updates the state of the property's smart contract to "leased," creating a transparent and auditable record of the entire site acquisition process. This architecture eliminates the need for a central trusted intermediary to manage the database, reduces fraud, and simplifies multi-carrier agreements for a single site.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  sequenceDiagram
      participant EndUser as End-User/Property Owner
      participant Ledger as Permissioned Blockchain
      participant Carrier as Telecom Carrier
  
      EndUser->>Ledger: Submit Transaction (Create Property Smart Contract)
      Ledger-->>EndUser: Transaction Confirmed (Property Listed)
      Carrier->>Ledger: Query Ledger (Search for Sites by Geo-Fence)
      Ledger-->>Carrier: Return List of Matching Property Contracts
      Carrier->>Ledger: Submit Transaction (Execute Lease on Selected Contract)
      Ledger-->>Carrier: Lease Transaction Confirmed
      Ledger-->>EndUser: Notify (Property State Updated to 'Leased')
  

1.1.2. Smart Hub and Building Management System (BMS) Interface

• Enabling Description: The primary interface for the clearinghouse is an API that integrates directly with commercial Building Management Systems (e.g., Johnson Controls, Siemens) and consumer smart home hubs (e.g., Google Home, Amazon Alexa). A property owner can opt-in via their BMS dashboard or a voice command. The clearinghouse API then polls the BMS/hub for relevant data: exact GPS location from an onboard module, real-time power availability and quality from smart electrical panels, and physical access schedules from smart lock systems. This automates the data entry process and provides carriers with live, verified site data, significantly reducing the need for preliminary site surveys.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  graph TD
      subgraph Property Owner Domain
          A[Smart Home Hub]
          B[Building Management System]
      end
  
      subgraph Clearinghouse System
          C[Clearinghouse API]
          D[Database]
      end
  
      A -- polls for location, power, access --> C
      B -- polls for structural load, HVAC capacity --> C
      C -- writes verified data --> D
      E[Carrier Portal] -- reads verified data --> D
  
      style A fill:#f9f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px
      style B fill:#f9f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px
  

1.2. Operational Parameter Expansion

1.2.1. Nanoscale Clearinghouse for Networks-on-Chip (NoC)

• Enabling Description: The clearinghouse concept is scaled down to manage resources within a multi-chip module (MCM) or System-on-Chip (SoC) during the design phase. "End-users" are owners of specific IP blocks or chiplets who declare unutilized silicon area, thermal dissipation capacity, or available I/O bandwidth. "Carriers" are other system design teams who need to place a new functional block (e.g., a radio-frequency modem, an AI accelerator). The clearinghouse, implemented as an Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tool plugin, runs a matching algorithm based on parameters like signal path latency, power domain compatibility, and thermal crosstalk, to find the optimal physical placement for the new block.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  flowchart TD
      A[EDA Tool User] --> B{Query Nanoscale Clearinghouse};
      B -- Search Criteria: Power Budget < 5mW, Area < 1mm², Latency < 2ns --> C[Clearinghouse DB of Available Chiplet Resources];
      C --> D{Matching Algorithm};
      D -- finds suitable location on Chiplet B4 --> E[Reserve Resource];
      E --> F[Update SoC Floorplan];
      F --> G[Placement & Routing Engine];
  

1.2.2. Clearinghouse for Extreme Environments (Subsea & Orbital)

• Enabling Description: A specialized clearinghouse is established for leasing fractional payload space on assets in extreme environments. This includes subsea nodes for oceanographic research and LEO/MEO satellites. "End-users" (e.g., satellite fleet operators like SpaceX, subsea cable owners) list available space, power, and data uplink capacity on their platforms. "Carriers" (e.g., NASA, NOAA, research universities) search for hosting opportunities for their scientific instruments or communication payloads. The database includes mission-critical parameters such as radiation hardening levels, available thermal control, orbital slot, and station-keeping fuel budget. The system uses this data to match payloads with compatible host vehicles.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  erDiagram
      SATELLITE_PLATFORM ||--o{ PAYLOAD_SLOT : hosts
      SATELLITE_PLATFORM {
          string platformID PK
          string orbitType
          float remainingFuel
          int radiationHardeningLevel
      }
      PAYLOAD_SLOT {
          string slotID PK
          string platformID FK
          string status
          float maxPowerW
          float maxMassKg
      }
      SCIENTIFIC_PAYLOAD ||--|{ LEASE_REQUEST : requests
      LEASE_REQUEST {
          string requestID PK
          string payloadID FK
          string desiredOrbit
          float requiredPowerW
      }
      SCIENTIFIC_PAYLOAD {
          string payloadID PK
          string principalInvestigator
          string scientificMission
      }
  

1.3. Cross-Domain Application

1.3.1. Agricultural Technology (AgTech) Sensor Network Deployment

• Enabling Description: A clearinghouse for the efficient rollout of precision agriculture sensor networks. Farmers ("end-users") use a mobile app to list locations on their property suitable for hosting equipment, such as fence posts, irrigation pivots, and barn roofs. They can tag locations with available resources like solar exposure or proximity to a power outlet. AgTech service providers ("carriers") access a map-based interface to search for clusters of available sites to deploy networks of soil moisture sensors, weather stations, or pest detection monitors, optimizing their network topology for cost and coverage.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  flowchart LR
      A[Farmer opens App] --> B(Pinpoints location on map);
      B --> C{Tag resources: 'Solar', 'Power'};
      C --> D[Submit Listing to AgTech Clearinghouse];
      subgraph AgTech Co.
          E[Network Planner] --> F(Defines target area for soil monitoring);
          F --> G{Query Clearinghouse};
          G --> H[View available farm sites on map];
          H --> I[Select optimal cluster & Deploy sensors];
      end
      D -.-> G
  

1.3.2. Dynamic Logistics Micro-Hubs

• Enabling Description: A real-time clearinghouse for creating a fluid, on-demand logistics network. Retail stores, warehouses, and even individuals with secure garage space ("end-users") list temporary availability of their unused space. Last-mile delivery companies ("carriers") integrate their logistics software with the clearinghouse API. When a demand surge is detected in a specific postal code (e.g., during a flash sale or holiday season), the software automatically queries for and leases nearby micro-hub spaces for a few hours or days to stage packages, reducing delivery times and costs. The system supports dynamic pricing based on real-time demand.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  sequenceDiagram
      participant Logistics as Logistics Platform
      participant Clearinghouse as Micro-Hub Clearinghouse
      participant Retailer as Retail Store (End-User)
  
      Logistics->>Logistics: Detects delivery demand surge in ZIP 90210
      Logistics->>Clearinghouse: API Call: findSpace(zip=90210, duration=48h)
      Clearinghouse->>Clearinghouse: Match request against available spaces
      Clearinghouse-->>Logistics: Return available spaces with pricing
      Logistics->>Clearinghouse: API Call: leaseSpace(ID=RetailerBackroom, duration=48h)
      Clearinghouse->>Retailer: Notification: Your space has been leased.
      Retailer-->>Clearinghouse: Acknowledge
      Clearinghouse-->>Logistics: Lease Confirmed.
  

1.3.3. Distributed Energy Resource (DER) Aggregation for Virtual Power Plants (VPP)

• Enabling Description: A clearinghouse for managing DERs for grid stabilization. Homeowners and businesses ("end-users") register their assets (e.g., home batteries like Tesla Powerwall, EV chargers, smart thermostats) with the system, defining parameters like minimum state-of-charge and compensation requirements. Utility companies and energy aggregators ("carriers") monitor grid frequency and load. When stabilization is needed, they query the clearinghouse for available DERs in the affected grid sector. The clearinghouse matches the utility's need (e.g., "5 MW for 15 minutes") with a collection of available DERs and transmits dispatch signals to them, forming an ad-hoc VPP.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  stateDiagram-v2
      [*] --> Available
      Available: Ready for dispatch
      Available --> Leased: Utility sends lease request via Clearinghouse
      Leased: Reserved for grid service
      Leased --> Discharging: Utility sends dispatch signal
      Leased --> Available: Lease period expires
      Discharging: Pushing power to grid
      Discharging --> Charging: Dispatch complete, returns to normal operation
      Charging: Recharging from grid or solar
      Charging --> Available: Reaches owner-defined reserve level
  

1.4. Integration with Emerging Tech

1.4.1. AI-Driven Predictive Site Acquisition

• Enabling Description: An AI/ML model is integrated into the clearinghouse to function as a predictive engine. It ingests diverse datasets: municipal zoning plans, new construction permits, demographic shifts, real-time network traffic (GTP session data), and social media event data. The model forecasts future "hot spots" of network demand 6-18 months in advance. Instead of waiting for a carrier's request, the clearinghouse proactively identifies these future high-value areas and runs searches against its end-user database to find latent matches. It can then alert carriers to these future-proofed site opportunities, shifting site acquisition from a reactive to a proactive process.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  graph TD
      subgraph Data Ingestion
          A[Census Data]
          B[Network Traffic Logs]
          C[Construction Permits]
      end
      subgraph Prediction Engine
          D[ML Model: Time-Series Forecasting & Geospatial Clustering]
      end
      subgraph Action
          E[Clearinghouse DB]
          F[Carrier Strategy Team]
      end
      A --> D
      B --> D
      C --> D
      D -- predicts future coverage gap at Lat/Lon --> E
      E -- identifies potential properties in gap area --> F
      F -- initiates proactive outreach --> E
  

1.5. "Inverse" or Failure Mode Operation

1.5.1. Graceful Degradation Clearinghouse for Emergency Networks

• Enabling Description: The system is designed with a "safe mode" for disaster response. When triggered by a FEMA alert or massive network outage, the clearinghouse system transitions to a low-bandwidth, text-only state. It purges all non-essential listings and prioritizes those with pre-vetted emergency attributes, such as backup power (generators, solar+battery), hardened structures, and non-terrestrial backhaul (satellite links). The matching algorithm shifts from optimizing for RF performance to optimizing for speed of deployment and maximizing coverage for first responder networks (e.g., FirstNet). All communication between the system and users is done via SMS or a lightweight web interface to conserve bandwidth on compromised networks.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  stateDiagram-v2
      state "Normal Operation" as Normal {
          [*] --> Normal
          Normal: Full-featured UI, RF optimization algorithms
      }
      state "Emergency Mode" as Emergency {
          Emergency: Text-only UI, Prioritize backup power & sat-backhaul
          Emergency: Matching for rapid deployment
      }
      Normal --> Emergency: on(FEMA_Alert)
      Emergency --> Normal: on(Restore_Services_Command)
  

---

Part 2: Derivatives of Localized Content Delivery (Claim 22)

2.1. Material & Component Substitution

2.1.1. Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Local Content Caching

• Enabling Description: The centralized content server is augmented or replaced by a P2P caching layer operating on end-user devices. When the edge infrastructure identifies a piece of localized content (e.g., an emergency alert, a hyper-local ad), it pushes it to a few "seed" devices in its coverage area. These devices then use local P2P protocols (e.g., Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth LE Mesh) to propagate the content to other nearby devices. A service worker installed in the device's browser intercepts outgoing web requests. It first checks its local P2P cache for relevant content associated with the requested domain and the device's location. If found, it injects the local content; otherwise, it proceeds with the network request. This reduces latency and offloads the central server.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  sequenceDiagram
      participant Browser as User's Browser
      participant ServiceWorker as Browser Service Worker
      participant P2PCache as Local P2P Cache
      participant Network as Internet/Edge Server
  
      Browser->>ServiceWorker: Request webpage (example.com)
      ServiceWorker->>P2PCache: Check for local content for example.com
      alt Local content exists
          P2PCache-->>ServiceWorker: Return local ad banner
          ServiceWorker->>Network: Request webpage (example.com)
          Network-->>ServiceWorker: Return webpage content
          ServiceWorker->>ServiceWorker: Inject local ad into page
          ServiceWorker-->>Browser: Return modified page
      else No local content
          ServiceWorker-->>Network: Request webpage (example.com)
          Network-->>Browser: Return original page
      end
  

2.2. Operational Parameter Expansion

2.2.1. Millimeter-Wave (mmWave) Beam-Specific Content Delivery

• Enabling Description: In a 5G/6G network using mmWave frequencies, the content delivery system is tied to the beamforming management function. The clearinghouse database maps content not just to a cell tower's location, but to the specific, narrow beams that the tower projects. As a user moves and is handed off from one beam to another (a transition that can occur every few meters), the content server receives a real-time trigger. It pushes beam-specific content with ultra-low latency. This allows for a "digital storefront" experience, where the content on a user's device changes precisely as they walk past different shops in a mall or different gates in an airport terminal.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  flowchart TD
      A[User Device Enters Beam #7A] --> B{gNodeB Notifies Content Server};
      B -- UserID, newBeamID=7A --> C[Content Server];
      C --> D{Lookup content mapped to Beam #7A};
      D -- e.g., 'Coffee Shop Ad' --> E[Push content to User Device];
      A2[User Device moves to Beam #7B] --> B2{gNodeB Notifies Content Server};
      B2 -- UserID, newBeamID=7B --> C;
      C --> D2{Lookup content for Beam #7B};
      D2 -- e.g., 'Bookstore Ad' --> E2[Push new content to User Device];
  

2.3. Cross-Domain Application

2.3.1. Augmented Reality (AR) Museum Guide

• Enabling Description: The system delivers contextual AR content in a museum setting. Each exhibit is equipped with a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or Ultra-Wideband (UWB) beacon, which acts as the "edge infrastructure." The clearinghouse database maps rich AR content (3D models, historical videos, annotations) to each beacon's unique ID. As a visitor wearing AR glasses (or using a smartphone app) approaches an exhibit, the device detects the beacon ID. It sends a request to the local content server, which returns the specific AR assets for that painting or sculpture. These assets are then overlaid on the visitor's view, creating an interactive and location-specific experience.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  sequenceDiagram
      participant Visitor as Visitor with AR Glasses
      participant Beacon as Exhibit Beacon (UWB)
      participant Server as Museum Content Server
  
      Visitor->>Beacon: Approaches exhibit
      Beacon-->>Visitor: Transmits Beacon ID 'Ex-123'
      Visitor->>Server: Request AR content for 'Ex-123'
      Server->>Server: Look up AR assets in DB
      Server-->>Visitor: Return 3D model & video files
      Visitor->>Visitor: Render AR overlay in field of view
  

2.4. Integration with Emerging Tech

2.4.1. Generative AI for Personalized Local Content

• Enabling Description: The content server is integrated with a generative AI model. The system uses two inputs: 1) the user's location, determined by the edge infrastructure they are connected to, and 2) a set of anonymized interest signals or a user profile (e.g., "likes hiking," "prefers vegetarian food"). When a webpage with a designated ad slot is requested, the server sends these inputs to the AI model. The AI generates personalized, localized ad copy and imagery on the fly. For a user identified as a "hiker" near a sporting goods store, it might generate an ad saying, "Tackle the local trails! 20% off hiking boots at Outdoor Adventures, 200 feet ahead," complete with a generated image of boots on a local landmark.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  graph TD
      A[User Location: Near 'Outdoor Adventures'] --> C{Generative AI Engine};
      B[User Profile: 'Likes Hiking'] --> C;
      C -- prompt --> D[Generate Ad: 'Tackle the local trails!...'];
      D --> E[Inject into Webpage];
      E --> F[Deliver to User];
  

---

Part 3: Combination Prior Art Scenarios

3.1. Clearinghouse + Open5GS (Open-Source 5G Core)

• Enabling Description: The clearinghouse system is integrated with the Open5GS open-source 5G core network. The carrier needs database in the clearinghouse is mapped to the Network Repository Function (NRF) of the 5G core. When a network orchestrator determines a need to instantiate a new User Plane Function (UPF) at the network edge for Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC), it queries the NRF. The NRF, via an API extension, queries the clearinghouse for a physical site ("end-user" property) that meets the physical requirements (power, cooling, latency to the access network) for the virtualized UPF. A successful match allows the orchestrator to add the site to its infrastructure pool, thus automating the physical-to-virtual provisioning loop for network slicing and edge services.

3.2. Localized Content + DNS over QUIC (DoQ)

• Enabling Description: The localized content delivery method is combined with the IETF standard for DNS over QUIC (DoQ). The wireless edge infrastructure (e.g., a 5G gNodeB) runs a local DoQ resolver. When an end-user device sends an encrypted DNS query for a national website (e.g., thegenericstore.com), the local resolver intercepts it. Instead of returning the canonical IP address, it consults the clearinghouse/content server. If a local version exists, the resolver returns the CNAME or IP address of the local content server. This server then acts as a reverse proxy, fetching the national content, injecting the local advertisement or information, and serving the modified page to the user. This substitution at the encrypted DNS level is transparent and application-agnostic.

3.3. Clearinghouse + FIWARE Orion Context Broker

• Enabling Description: The clearinghouse is implemented as a service compliant with the FIWARE open-source smart city platform. Each "end-user" property is modeled as a standardized Building or Asset entity within the FIWARE NGSI-LD data model. Its availability to host telecom equipment is an attribute (e.g., telecomHosting.value = 'available'). Carriers, modeled as ServiceProviders, subscribe to the Orion Context Broker for notifications on specific Asset entities within a geographic area. When a property owner updates their asset's status via a simple app, the Context Broker triggers an immediate, standardized notification to all subscribed carriers. This allows the clearinghouse to interoperate seamlessly within a broader smart city ecosystem for public and private infrastructure management.