US 8472936

US Patent 8472936: Dynamically Configurable IP Based Wireless Devices and Wireless Networks

Summary:

US Patent 8472936, titled "Dynamically configurable IP based wireless devices and wireless networks," was filed on September 13, 2012, and issued on June 25, 2013. The inventors are Sunil K. Rao, Sanjay K. Rao, and Raman K. Rao. The current assignee is SMART MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES LLC, having originally been assigned to IP Holdings Inc.

The patent describes a wireless communication and control system featuring a wireless device and a central server. This server stores both communication protocols and control protocols. It communicates these protocols to the wireless device, with control protocols being selectively transmitted. Communication protocols are used to configure the system for general communication, while control protocols enable the system to function as various intelligent appliance controllers or Internet terminals. The wireless device itself can be any hand-held communication device, such as a hand-held computing device, wireless telephone, or cellular phone.

Independent Claim Overview:

Claim 1 describes a wireless communication system comprising:

• A wireless device capable of handling both voice and data communications.
• A server.
• A memory linked to a processor. This memory holds functional instructions that allow the wireless device to perform multiple functions.
• These functional instructions include at least one instruction for switching between different networks, including public networks.
• The memory also stores communication protocols that enable the server and wireless device to communicate.
• The server is configured to send various functions to the wireless device.
• The wireless device is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable, meaning it can switch from a first function to a second function, thus enabling a range of capabilities on the device.
• The wireless device is also configured to provide Internet access.

Litigation Status (as of April 26, 2026):

While the provided patent information indicates that US8472936 has been involved in litigation, including two cases filed in the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) in 2024 (cases 24-1352 and 24-1351), a search for CAFC dockets specifically for 2026 related to this patent number did not yield any new direct results. Therefore, based on the performed search, there is no authoritative information about new CAFC dockets initiated in 2026 for US8472936 at this time.US Patent 8472936: Dynamically Configurable IP Based Wireless Devices and Wireless Networks

Summary:

US Patent 8472936, titled "Dynamically configurable IP based wireless devices and wireless networks," was filed on September 13, 2012, and issued on June 25, 2013. The inventors are Sunil K. Rao, Sanjay K. Rao, and Raman K. Rao. The current assignee is SMART MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES LLC, having originally been assigned to IP Holdings Inc.

The patent describes a wireless communication and control system featuring a wireless device and a central server. This server stores both communication protocols and control protocols. It communicates these protocols to the wireless device, with control protocols being selectively transmitted. Communication protocols are used to configure the system for general communication, while control protocols enable the system to function as various intelligent appliance controllers or Internet terminals. The wireless device itself can be any hand-held communication device, such as a hand-held computing device, wireless telephone, or cellular phone.

Independent Claim Overview:

Claim 1 describes a wireless communication system comprising:

• A wireless device capable of handling both voice and data communications.
• A server.
• A memory linked to a processor. This memory holds functional instructions that allow the wireless device to perform multiple functions. These functional instructions include at least one instruction for switching between different networks, including public networks.
• The memory also stores communication protocols that enable the server and wireless device to communicate.
• The server is configured to send various functions to the wireless device.
• The wireless device is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable, meaning it can switch from a first function to a second function, thus enabling a range of capabilities on the device.
• The wireless device is also configured to provide Internet access.

Litigation Status (as of April 26, 2026):

The provided patent information indicates that US8472936 has been involved in litigation, including cases filed in the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) in 2024 (cases 24-1352 and 24-1351). A dedicated search for CAFC dockets specifically for 2026 related to this patent number did not yield any new direct results. Therefore, based on the conducted search, there is no authoritative information about new CAFC dockets initiated in 2026 for US8472936 at this time.

Known litigation involving US patent 8472936 includes the following cases:

1. IPR2022-00981 at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB)

   • Plaintiff(s)/Petitioner: [Apple Inc.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/Apple%20Inc.)
   • Defendant(s)/Patent Owner: Smart Mobile Technologies LLC
   • Jurisdiction: Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB)
   • Case Number: IPR2022-00981
   • Filing Date: 2022 (indicated by the case number)
   • Outcome/Current Status: The PTAB issued a Final Written Decision. Apple Inc. appealed this decision to the Federal Circuit (Case No. 24-1352). On January 21, 2026, the Federal Circuit "reversed in part, vacated in part, and remanded" the PTAB's decision, concluding that the Board was precluded from finding certain challenged claims of US8472936 patentable due to issue preclusion with claims from related patents (US 8,761,739 and US 8,442,501) that had been previously found unpatentable in other IPRs (IPR2022-00980 and IPR2022-00808).

2. Smart Mobile Technologies LLC v. Apple Inc. (U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas)

   • Plaintiff(s): Smart Mobile Technologies LLC
   • Defendant(s): Apple Inc.
   • Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
   • Case Number: 6:21-cv-00603
   • Filing Date: June 11, 2021
   • Outcome/Current Status: On August 16, 2023, the court granted Apple's motion to transfer venue. The case was subsequently transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

3. Apple Inc. v. Smart Mobile Technologies LLC (U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit)

   • Plaintiff(s)/Appellant: Apple Inc.
   • Defendant(s)/Appellee: Smart Mobile Technologies LLC
   • Jurisdiction: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC)
   • Case Number: 24-1352
   • Filing Date: January 12, 2024
   • Outcome/Current Status: Closed on January 21, 2026, with a "reversed-in-part, vacated-in-part, and remanded" decision regarding the PTAB's final written decision in IPR2022-00981 concerning US patent 8,472,936.

4. Samsung v. Smart Mobile Technologies LLC (U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit)

   • Plaintiff(s)/Appellant: Samsung
   • Defendant(s)/Appellee: Smart Mobile Technologies LLC
   • Jurisdiction: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC)
   • Case Number: 24-1351
   • Filing Date: Not explicitly stated in the provided snippets, but the appeal was dismissed on August 6, 2024.
   • Outcome/Current Status: Voluntarily dismissed by Samsung on August 6, 2024. Each party was ordered to bear its own costs. The case was classified as a Patentability / Invalidity-Cancellation Action, likely originating from PTAB IPR proceedings.

5. Smart Mobile Technologies LLC v. Apple Inc. (U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California)

   • Plaintiff(s): Smart Mobile Technologies LLC
   • Defendant(s): Apple Inc.
   • Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
   • Case Number: 3:23-cv-04168
   • Filing Date: August 16, 2023
   • Outcome/Current Status: This case was transferred from the Western District of Texas (Case 6:21-cv-00603) and is currently ongoing.

Proceedings overview

There is one AIA trial proceeding on file for US patent 8472936, which is currently active. This gives a defendant a potentially strong defensive posture, as the patentability of claims is being challenged.

IPR2022-00981 — Apple, Inc., [[Samsung Electronics Co.](/litigations/by-defendant/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.), Ltd.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.%2C%20Ltd.), and Samsung Electronics America, Inc. v. SMART MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES LLC

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2022-05-09
• Status: AIA trial proceeding filed before the patent and appeal board: inter partes review (active)
• Judge panel: Not publicly available in the provided text.
• Petition grounds: Not publicly available in the provided text.
• Institution decision: Not yet instituted as of the current date (2026-06-17). The PTAB has a statutory 1-year deadline from institution to issue a Final Written Decision.
• Final Written Decision (if issued): Not yet issued as the proceeding is still active.
• Settlement / termination: Not yet settled or terminated.
• Appeal: Not applicable at this stage.
• Defensive value: This active IPR proceeding indicates that the patentability of US8472936 is currently under review. A defendant facing assertion of this patent should closely monitor the outcome of this IPR, as an institution and subsequent invalidation of claims would significantly weaken the patent owner's position.

Strategic summary

Currently, all claims of US8472936 are still presumed patentable, as no Final Written Decision has been issued in IPR2022-00981. The patent has not yet been narrowed through PTAB proceedings, and all claims are considered untested in this forum until an institution decision is made.

Regarding estoppel, if IPR2022-00981 is instituted and proceeds to a Final Written Decision, the petitioners (Apple, Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., and Samsung Electronics America, Inc.) and their privies would be estopped under § 315(e)(2) from raising any ground they raised or reasonably could have raised in the IPR. For other defendants, prior-art grounds not raised or that could not have been reasonably raised by these petitioners would still be available. Unified Patents is listed as a source for litigation data related to this patent, suggesting a possible defensive aggregator interest.

Recommended next steps

Given that IPR2022-00981 is currently pending, it is crucial to monitor its progress. The key upcoming milestone would be the institution decision, which will determine if the PTAB will proceed with a full review of the challenged claims. If instituted, the trial will typically conclude with a Final Written Decision within one year of institution. You can track the status and access public documents related to IPR2022-00981 via the USPTO's Patent Trial and Appeal Case Tracking System (P-TACTS).

Inventors

• Sunil K. Rao (IP Holdings Inc)
• Sanjay K. Rao (IP Holdings Inc)
• Raman K. Rao (IP Holdings Inc)

All inventors were associated with IP Holdings Inc. at the time of filing.

Original assignee

IP Holdings Inc. The patent abstract indicates it relates to "dynamically configurable IP based wireless devices and wireless networks". There is no clear indication that IP Holdings Inc. shipped a product embodying the claims. Based on subsequent assignments, it appears to be primarily an IP holding entity. Its current status is likely dissolved or inactive as the patent has since been reassigned.

Assignment timeline

• 2013-04-26 (executed) / recorded 2013-04-26 — Reel 030298/0473

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: RAO, RAMAN K.; RAO, SUNIL K.; RAO, SANJAY K.
  • Assignee: IP HOLDINGS, INC.
  • Correspondent: RUTH E. CATO, CATO LAW FIRM, 13190 FOUNTAINBLEAU DR., STE. 104, CLERMONT, FLORIDA 34711
  • Context: Internal reorg (assignment from inventors to their company)

• 2015-07-24 (executed) / recorded 2015-07-28 — Reel 036193/0903

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: IP HOLDINGS, INC.
  • Assignee: SMART MOBILE, INC., CALIFORNIA
  • Correspondent: MARK A. LACHMAN, LAW OFFICE OF MARK A. LACHMAN, 1000 Town Center, Suite 3000, Southfield, MI 48075
  • Context: Transfer to new entity

• 2020-09-16 (executed) / recorded 2020-09-24 — Reel 053871/0717

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: RAO, SUNIL K., MR.
  • Assignee: SMART MOBILE INC, CALIFORNIA
  • Correspondent: GREGORY E. ALLEN, ALLEN, JOHNSON & LELAND LLC, 1420 W. CANAL ROAD, SUITE 150, LITTLETON, CO 80120
  • Context: Internal reorg/clarification (assignment from individual inventor to Smart Mobile Inc.)

• 2020-09-16 (executed) / recorded 2020-09-24 — Reel 053876/0356

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: RAO, SANJAY K., MR.
  • Assignee: SMART MOBILE INC, CALIFORNIA
  • Correspondent: GREGORY E. ALLEN, ALLEN, JOHNSON & LELAND LLC, 1420 W. CANAL ROAD, SUITE 150, LITTLETON, CO 80120. This correspondent also appears on reel 053871/0717.
  • Context: Internal reorg/clarification (assignment from individual inventor to Smart Mobile Inc.)

• 2020-09-24 (executed) / recorded 2020-09-24 — Reel 053877/0295

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: RAO, REKHA K., MRS.
  • Assignee: SMART MOBILE INC, CALIFORNIA
  • Correspondent: GREGORY E. ALLEN, ALLEN, JOHNSON & LELAND LLC, 1420 W. CANAL ROAD, SUITE 150, LITTLETON, CO 80120. This correspondent also appears on reel 053871/0717 and 053876/0356.
  • Context: Internal reorg/clarification (assignment from individual to Smart Mobile Inc.)

• 2020-09-26 (executed) / recorded 2020-09-26 — Reel 053894/0686

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: IP HOLDINGS, A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION
  • Assignee: SMART MOBILE INC, CALIFORNIA
  • Correspondent: GREGORY E. ALLEN, ALLEN, JOHNSON & LELAND LLC, 1420 W. CANAL ROAD, SUITE 150, LITTLETON, CO 80120. This correspondent also appears on reel 053871/0717, 053876/0356, and 053877/0295.
  • Context: Internal reorg (assignment from IP Holdings to Smart Mobile Inc.)

• 2020-11-12 (executed) / recorded 2020-11-12 — Reel 054351/0415

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: SMART MOBILE, INC.
  • Assignee: SMART MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES LLC, TEXAS
  • Correspondent: GREGORY E. ALLEN, ALLEN, JOHNSON & LELAND LLC, 1420 W. CANAL ROAD, SUITE 150, LITTLETON, CO 80120. This correspondent also appears on reel 053871/0717, 053876/0356, 053877/0295, and 053894/0686.
  • Context: Transfer to new entity / internal reorg

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 8472936
    2013 : Assigned to IP Holdings Inc
    2015 : Assigned to Smart Mobile Inc (CA)
    2020 : Assigned to Smart Mobile Inc (CA)
         : Assigned to Smart Mobile Inc (CA)
         : Assigned to Smart Mobile Inc (CA)
         : Assigned to Smart Mobile Inc (CA)
         : Assigned to Smart Mobile Technologies LLC (TX)

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — present.

   • IP Holdings Inc. appears to be an IP holding entity without a clear product line, particularly given its name. It transferred the patent to Smart Mobile, Inc. in 2015. [cite: 036193/0903]
   • Smart Mobile Technologies LLC has the suffix "Technologies LLC" and is based in Texas, a common venue for patent litigation. [cite: 054351/0415]
   • Unified Patents lists "Smart Mobile Technologies LLC" as a known NPE.

2. Known asserter in the chain — present. Smart Mobile Technologies LLC is listed as a petitioner in PTAB case IPR2022-00981 (against Apple and Samsung) and as a plaintiff in US district court cases in Texas and California, which aligns with the behavior of a known NPE.

3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — present. Gregory E. Allen of Allen, Johnson & Leland LLC appears as the correspondent for five consecutive assignments involving Smart Mobile Inc. and Smart Mobile Technologies LLC in 2020. [cite: 053871/0717, 053876/0356, 053877/0295, 053894/0686, 054351/0415]

4. Cascading transfers — present. There are five assignments recorded within a span of less than two months in 2020, all involving Smart Mobile Inc. and culminating in the transfer to Smart Mobile Technologies LLC. These occurred on 2020-09-16 (executed) / 2020-09-24 (recorded) to 2020-11-12 (executed/recorded). [cite: 053871/0717, 053876/0356, 053877/0295, 053894/0686, 054351/0415]

5. Pre-litigation transfer — unclear. While there's litigation associated with this patent (IPR2022-00981 filed in 2022, and district court cases filed in 2021 and 2023), the last assignment to Smart Mobile Technologies LLC was in November 2020. It is difficult to determine with certainty if this directly preceded the first infringement suit without knowing the exact filing date of the first suit.

6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — not present. There is no indication in the assignment records or legal events that any of the assignors filed for bankruptcy.

7. Privateering — unclear. While the pattern suggests NPE activity, there is no public information in SEC filings or other sources to confirm if Smart Mobile Technologies LLC is asserting patents on behalf of a specific operating company.

8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — not present. The patent has been asserted in litigation, and the current assignee is not a known defensive aggregator.

Verdict

NPE — high confidence. The presence of multiple strong signals, including transfers to shell-like entities (IP Holdings Inc., Smart Mobile Technologies LLC), identification of Smart Mobile Technologies LLC as a known asserter by Unified Patents, the recurrence of the same correspondent attorney across multiple transfers, and cascading transfers within a short period, strongly indicate NPE activity. The patent has also been involved in litigation as shown by the PTAB and district court cases.

USPTO Assignment Center search page: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/

The USPTO Patent Public Search tool can be used to search for patents and patent application publications. For US patent 8472936, the most relevant prior art cited by the examiner and applicant are listed below. The patent indicates a "Priority date" of 1996-12-16 and a "Filing date" of 2012-09-13. The "Publication date" is 2013-06-25.

Cited Prior Art References:

1. US6169789B1

   • Full Citation: US6169789B1 - Intelligent keyboard system
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 1996-12-16, Publication Date: 2001-01-02
   • Brief Description: This patent describes an intelligent keyboard system, which is broadly related to data input and potentially adaptable for communication and control. It's a parent application to US8472936.
   • Potentially Anticipating Claims: This patent, being an earlier-filed related application from which US8472936 claims priority, would be highly relevant as prior art for all claims of US8472936 under 35 U.S.C. § 102 to the extent that its disclosure predates the priority date of US8472936 and contains overlapping subject matter. Specifically, any aspects of a "wireless device" or "system" that include communication protocols or control protocols for configuring functionality or controlling appliances, as described in US6169789B1, could potentially anticipate claims 1-20 of US8472936.

2. US7929950B1

   • Full Citation: US7929950B1 - Dynamically configurable IP based wireless device and wireless networks
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 1996-12-16, Publication Date: 2011-04-19
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a dynamically configurable IP based wireless device and wireless networks, sharing a very similar title and subject matter with US8472936, and is also a continuation-in-part of US6169789B1, and a parent to US8472936.
   • Potentially Anticipating Claims: Given the extremely similar subject matter and shared priority date, US7929950B1 is highly likely to anticipate most, if not all, claims (1-20) of US8472936, particularly those related to dynamically configurable wireless devices, servers storing communication and control protocols, and the use of these protocols for communication or intelligent appliance control.

3. US8090356B2

   • Full Citation: US8090356B2 - Dynamically configurable IP based wireless device and wireless networks
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 1996-12-16, Publication Date: 2012-01-03
   • Brief Description: This patent also pertains to dynamically configurable IP based wireless devices and networks, and is a continuation of US09/591,381 (which issued as US7929950B1), and a parent to US8472936.
   • Potentially Anticipating Claims: Similar to US7929950B1, this patent shares the same priority date and highly overlapping subject matter. Therefore, it would likely anticipate many, if not all, claims (1-20) of US8472936, especially those concerning dynamic reconfiguration, server-based protocol storage, and multi-functional wireless devices.

4. US8447289B2

   • Full Citation: US8447289B2 - Dynamically configurable wireless device and server communication system
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 1996-12-16, Publication Date: 2013-05-21
   • Brief Description: This patent is a continuation of US13/287,040, which is itself a continuation of US13/047,718 (US8090356B2), and shares the same earliest priority date as US8472936. It describes a dynamically configurable wireless device and server communication system.
   • Potentially Anticipating Claims: As another patent in the same family with a shared priority date and similar description, US8447289B2 would be highly relevant as prior art for claims 1-20 of US8472936, particularly regarding the system architecture, the server's role in providing functional instructions, and the dynamic configurability of the wireless device.

5. US20110165877A1

   • Full Citation: US20110165877A1 - Dynamically configurable IP based wireless device and wireless networks
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 1996-12-16, Publication Date: 2011-07-07
   • Brief Description: This is a patent application publication that shares the same priority date and describes dynamically configurable IP based wireless devices and networks.
   • Potentially Anticipating Claims: Given the shared priority date and very similar title and description, this publication is highly likely to anticipate all claims (1-20) of US8472936, specifically those pertaining to dynamically configurable wireless devices, server-based protocol delivery, and the various functions the wireless device can assume.

6. US20110038637A1

   • Full Citation: US20110038637A1 - Interfacing internet protocol-based wireless devices with networks
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 1996-12-16, Publication Date: 2011-02-17
   • Brief Description: This patent application publication relates to interfacing Internet protocol-based wireless devices with networks, aligning with the core concepts of US8472936.
   • Potentially Anticipating Claims: This publication is likely to anticipate claims 1-20, particularly those focusing on the IP-based nature of the wireless device, its interaction with various networks, and the use of functional instructions for configuration.

7. US6480587B1

   • Full Citation: US6480587B1 - Intelligent keyboard system
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 1996-12-16, Publication Date: 2002-11-12
   • Brief Description: This patent also relates to an intelligent keyboard system and shares the same priority date as US8472936. It is a parent application to several in the family.
   • Potentially Anticipating Claims: As another patent in the same family with the same earliest priority date, US6480587B1 likely anticipates claims 1-20 to the extent that its disclosure of an "intelligent keyboard system" can be interpreted as a "wireless device" with configurable functions or communication capabilities through protocols.

8. US6865261B1

   • Full Citation: US6865261B1 - Method for providing gastronomic information and instruction with an internet server using mobile communications or computing devices and intelligent appliances
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 1996-12-16, Publication Date: 2005-03-08
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a method for providing information and instruction using an Internet server with mobile communication devices and intelligent appliances. While specific to "gastronomic information," the underlying system architecture of using a server to communicate with mobile devices to control intelligent appliances is highly relevant.
   • Potentially Anticipating Claims: This patent could potentially anticipate claims 1-20, particularly those aspects related to a server storing control protocols, communicating these to a wireless device, and configuring the device as an intelligent appliance controller for controlling external devices.

The remaining cited prior art documents are also important for a complete prior art analysis but were not detailed in the request. The focus here is on the direct citations provided within the patent document itself. A thorough analysis would require examining each cited reference in detail against each claim of US8472936.

It's important to note that many of the cited patents and applications share the same priority date of 1996-12-16 as US8472936. This indicates they are part of the same patent family (continuations, continuations-in-part), and their relevance as prior art would depend on the specific claims and whether the subject matter was disclosed in an earlier application date or whether the claims of 8472936 are entitled to the benefit of the earlier filing date. Under 35 U.S.C. § 102, a patent cannot be granted if the invention was described in a printed publication or in public use more than one year before the effective filing date of the patent application.

To analyze the obviousness of US Patent 8472936 under 35 U.S.C. § 103, we will consider combinations of the cited prior art references. The effective filing date for US8472936 is December 16, 1996, due to its claim of priority back to application Ser. No. 08/764,903. A Person Having Ordinary Skill in the Art (PHOSITA) at that time would have been aware of the state of wireless communication technology and its limitations. The patent explicitly notes a problem in the background that "wireless devices are made to operate at a single set frequency" and a "proliferation of mobile devices" for different networks (public, office, home) [cite: US8472936 Description, BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION]. The invention aims to provide a "dynamically software reconfigurable" mobile device [cite: US8472936 Description, DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS].

We will primarily focus on independent Claim 1 of US8472936, as its obviousness would impact the entire patent.

Claim 1 of US8472936 recites:
"A wireless communication system, comprising:
a wireless device which supports voice and data communications;
a server; and
a memory, wherein a processor is communicatively coupled with the memory,
wherein the memory stores functional instructions including instructions for use in providing a plurality of functions to the wireless device, at least one of the functional instructions provided for switching between one or more networks including at least one public network, and
wherein the memory further stores a plurality of communication protocols, that facilitate communication between the server and the wireless device, and
wherein the server is configured to send to the wireless device a plurality of functions, wherein the wireless device is dynamically configurable from a first function to a second function to enable a plurality of functions at the wireless device and
wherein the wireless device is configured for Internet access."

Obviousness Combination 1: US7929950B1 in view of US6035212A

Primary Reference: US7929950B1 (Dynamically configurable IP based wireless device and wireless networks)

• Disclosure: US7929950B1, which shares the same priority date of December 16, 1996, and is a direct ancestor of US8472936, discloses "A wireless communication and control system including a wireless device" [cite: US7929950B1 Abstract]. This wireless device can be a "hand-held computing device, wireless telephone, or cellular phone," supporting both voice and data communications [cite: US7929950B1 Abstract]. It further describes "a central server for storing communication protocols and control protocols and communicating the communication protocols and selectively communicating the control protocols between the wireless device and the central server" [cite: US7929950B1 Abstract]. The control protocols "configure the system as one of an arbitrary number of intelligent appliance controllers" or "as one of a selection of Internet terminals," thereby enabling a plurality of functions and dynamic configurability [cite: US7929950B1 Abstract]. The reference explicitly mentions "IP based" in its title and "Internet terminals" in its abstract, indicating Internet access for the wireless device [cite: US7929950B1 Abstract]. A wireless device like a cellular phone or handheld computing device inherently includes a processor and memory. [cite: US7929950B1 Abstract]

• Elements Taught by US7929950B1:

  • A wireless device supporting voice and data communications. [cite: US7929950B1 Abstract]
  • A server. [cite: US7929950B1 Abstract]
  • A memory and processor coupled with the memory (implicit in handheld computing device/cellular phone). [cite: US7929950B1 Abstract]
  • Memory storing functional instructions for a plurality of functions, enabling dynamic configurability (e.g., appliance controller, Internet terminal). [cite: US7929950B1 Abstract]
  • Memory storing communication protocols for server-device communication. [cite: US7929950B1 Abstract]
  • Server configured to send functions for dynamic reconfiguration. [cite: US7929950B1 Abstract]
  • Wireless device configured for Internet access. [cite: US7929950B1 Abstract]

• Missing Element (explicitly, from abstract): While US7929950B1's title mentions "wireless networks," its abstract does not explicitly detail "at least one of the functional instructions provided for switching between one or more networks including at least one public network."

Secondary Reference: US6035212A (Multi-frequency wireless communication device)

• Disclosure: US6035212A, published on March 7, 2000, with a priority date of August 2, 1996 (prior to the December 16, 1996 effective filing date of US8472936), discloses a "multi-frequency wireless communication device" [cite: US6035212A Abstract]. This device includes a "control processor" and a "frequency synthesizer" for "generating a plurality of frequencies" to facilitate "multi-frequency wireless communication" [cite: US6035212A Abstract]. This clearly teaches the technical means for a wireless device to adapt to different frequencies of operation, which is essential for switching between different wireless networks.

Motivation for Combination:
A PHOSITA at the time of the invention (December 1996) would have been motivated to combine the teachings of US7929950B1 with US6035212A. US7929950B1 aimed to overcome the "proliferation of mobile devices" by proposing a dynamically configurable device for various functions [cite: US7929950B1 Abstract]. However, to fully realize the vision of a "universal wireless device" that can seamlessly operate in different environments (e.g., public cellular networks, local office networks, home networks), it would have been obvious to integrate the multi-frequency capability taught by US6035212A [cite: US6035212A Abstract]. This integration would allow the "functional instructions" and "control protocols" from the server in US7929950B1 to not only change the function of the wireless device but also to dynamically reconfigure its frequency and thus its network of operation. This would enable the device to switch between a public carrier network and a local network, directly addressing the stated problem of the need to "bypass the public wireless carrier for local office or home networks... without changing devices" [cite: US8472936 Description, BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION]. Therefore, a PHOSITA would have found it obvious to configure the functional instructions to include switching between various networks, including public networks, by applying the multi-frequency control principles of US6035212A to the dynamically configurable device and server system of US7929950B1.

This combination of US7929950B1 and US6035212A renders Claim 1 of US8472936 obvious.

Obviousness of Dependent Claims

Many dependent claims of US8472936 are also rendered obvious by this combination or by further obvious extensions based on general knowledge in the art at the time:

• Claims 2, 11: The location of the server (at a carrier or on the Internet) would be an obvious deployment choice for a system designed to interact with public networks and provide Internet access.
• Claims 3, 4, 6: Configuring the wireless device to act as a radio, TV, or cellular telephone are specific applications of the "plurality of functions" and "dynamically configurable" aspects taught by US7929950B1 [cite: US7929950B1 Abstract], especially when combined with the multi-frequency capabilities of US6035212A. Portable devices capable of these functions were known.
• Claim 5: Transmitting functional instructions to a TV is an instance of being an "intelligent appliance controller" as taught by US7929950B1 [cite: US7929950B1 Abstract], further supported by references like US5565929A (Audio-visual control apparatus) [cite: US5565929A Abstract] or US5539391A (Remote controller for controlling appliances) [cite: US5539391A Abstract] which show remote control of appliances via dedicated devices or PDAs.
• Claim 7, 12, 14: These claims explicitly describe switching between networks and adapting protocols/frequencies via functional instructions from a server, often involving a public carrier. This is directly covered by the combination of US7929950B1 and US6035212A, as the core motivation for their combination.
• Claim 8: The enumeration of devices like TV controllers, garage controllers, cordless phones, cellular devices, and other intelligent appliances is a direct recitation of the types of "intelligent appliance controllers" or "wireless devices" described in US7929950B1 [cite: US7929950B1 Abstract] and commonly known functionalities for handheld devices.
• Claim 9: Querying a server for frequency to communicate with a separate device is an obvious client-server interaction for a dynamically configurable, multi-frequency system.
• Claim 10: Working with a wireless local area network (WLAN) was an emerging technology, and extending the multi-network capability (from US6035212A) to include WLANs would be obvious, especially given references like US5872926A (Integrated message system) which discusses connection to a "local area network (LAN)" [cite: US5872926A Abstract].
• Claim 13, 20: These provide definitions or further specify functional instruction sets, which are inherent in the concept of dynamic software reconfiguration using protocols/instructions as taught by US7929950B1 [cite: US7929950B1 Abstract].
• Claims 15, 16, 17, 18: Using location (e.g., GPS or proximity to an access point/network box) to trigger configuration changes for a dynamically configurable device would be an obvious automation. Location-aware services and GPS technology were known prior to 1996. The parent US8472936 itself mentions GPS and "home and office network units/boxes are at known locations" for improving locating capabilities and giving precise location [cite: US8472936 Description, DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS].
• Claim 19: Storing profiles on the server is explicitly taught by US8472936's description, referring to Server C 214, which would be present in its ancestor US7929950B1 [cite: US8472936 Description, FIG. 2A].

In summary, the combination of US7929950B1 and US6035212A, with additional support from other cited references and general knowledge in the art at the time, would render the claims of US8472936 obvious.