US 8311040

US patent 8311040, titled "Packing source data packets into transporting packets with fragmentation," was invented by Kenneth L. Stanwood, Stanley Wang, and Robert M. Johnson. The patent was filed on September 20, 2010, and issued on November 13, 2012. The original assignee was WiLAN Inc, with the current assignee listed as Quarterhill Inc.

The abstract describes a communication system and method for transmitting information packets. It involves converting packets from a first format to a second format for transmission over a communications link. This conversion is achieved by packing and fragmenting the information in a coordinated manner. The system may also use packing subheaders and fragmentation control bits during these processes.

Here is a plain-language overview of each independent claim:

• Claim 1 (Method): This claim describes a method for sending data packets over a communication link. It involves a communication processor receiving data units (SDUs) in one format. The processor then changes these SDUs into a different type of data unit (PDUs). This conversion includes fitting parts (fragments) of the original SDUs, or whole SDUs, into a PDU. The PDU's header will contain special "fragmentation control bits" that signal if there are fragments inside and how they are arranged. Finally, these newly formed PDUs are sent over the communication link.

• Claim 12 (Communications Processor): This claim describes a specific piece of equipment, a communications processor, designed to send data packets over a communication link. This processor contains two main parts: a "classification module" that receives the initial data units (SDUs) in their original format, and a "PDU processing module." The PDU processing module's job is to convert the SDUs into the transport data units (PDUs). This conversion process involves combining SDU fragments (or whole SDUs) into a PDU. It also adds at least two "fragmentation control bits" to the PDU's header, indicating if fragments are present and how they are oriented within the PDU. These PDUs are then transmitted across the communication link.

Regarding CAFC 2026 dockets, the patent US8311040 is listed as "Expired - Fee Related," with an expiration date of August 21, 2022. As of the current date (April 26, 2026), it is highly unlikely there would be active litigation concerning this patent in the CAFC in 2026 given its expired status. A search for CAFC dockets specifically for US8311040 in 2026 did not yield any active cases.