US 8515925

US Patent 8515925 Summary

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: June 6, 2012

Issue Date: August 20, 2013

Abstract: A computerized system, method, and process is described that enables telecommunications carriers to efficiently locate, evaluate, and select sites for equipment by directly interacting with end-users. Concurrently, it offers citizens the opportunity to propose their properties or other assets for use by carriers. The invention further provides a computerized framework for (a) establishing an inventory and a marketplace for available properties suitable for telecommunications networks, (b) facilitating quality and performance monitoring and control for wireless communication systems based on data within the clearinghouse.

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Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

Please note: The full patent text of US8515925 includes multiple independent claims. Below is an overview of the most prominent independent claims (Claims 1, 10, 18, 26, 30, and 33) based on the provided patent text.

• Independent Claim 1: This claim describes a computer system that acts as a "clearinghouse." This clearinghouse system is designed to help telecommunications carriers find suitable locations for their equipment (like antennas or towers) by allowing end-users (individuals or businesses) to offer their properties. The system creates a database of these available locations, along with information about the carriers' needs and local rules (like zoning ordinances). It then matches carrier needs with available end-user locations, evaluates the suitability of these locations (potentially using radio frequency engineering tools), and can notify both carriers and end-users about potential matches. The system also includes features for managing user accounts, storing diverse data types, and publishing information.

• Independent Claim 10: This claim focuses on a method for managing telecommunications infrastructure. It involves receiving and storing information from end-users about their willingness to host equipment, and also receiving and storing carriers' infrastructure requirements. The method then uses a computer to identify potential matches between these offerings and needs, considering factors like physical location, technical specifications, and regulatory requirements. It can also generate lease agreements and facilitate communication between carriers and end-users to finalize agreements.

• Independent Claim 18: This claim details a method for improving the performance of a wireless communication network. It involves a clearinghouse system that collects data about wireless network quality and performance from various locations. This data can come from end-user devices or network infrastructure. The clearinghouse processes this information to create a database of network conditions, and then uses this database to provide optimized operating parameters (such as preferred frequencies, carriers, or power levels) to wireless devices. This helps mobile devices operate more efficiently, potentially saving battery life and improving service quality.

• Independent Claim 26: This claim focuses on a system for providing location-specific content, such as advertisements, over a wireless network. It describes a computer system (clearinghouse) that stores localized content and formatting instructions. This content is then delivered to a local content server, which replaces or modifies standard web content with the localized content before it is transmitted by local wireless infrastructure (like a base station) to mobile or fixed devices within a specific geographic range. This allows for targeted advertising without requiring the mobile device to report precise GPS coordinates.

• Independent Claim 30: This claim describes a method for providing localized content within a wireless communication network. The method involves storing local content and its desired format in a clearinghouse. This local content is then transmitted to a local server that is coupled to the wireless network infrastructure. When a user requests content, the local server checks if a local advertisement or content is relevant. If so, it modifies the content stream (e.g., a webpage) to include the local content and then transmits this modified stream to the user's wireless device.

• Independent Claim 33: This claim describes a computer program product that implements a method for managing telecommunications infrastructure. The computer program, when executed by a computer, performs the steps of receiving and storing end-user offers for their properties and carrier infrastructure needs. It then uses this data to identify matches, potentially considering geographical and regulatory information, and can facilitate the negotiation and execution of agreements between carriers and end-users for the use of these properties.

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USPTO and CAFC Docket Search Notes:

• A direct search on the USPTO website for patent 8515925 (as opposed to trademark information) would typically involve using Patent Center. The provided search results (snippets 3, 5, 9, 10, 11) primarily show information regarding trademark status and document retrieval, not specific patent status for US8515925. However, Google Patents (the authoritative source for the patent text) lists the patent as "Active".
• A direct search of CAFC 2026 dockets for the specific patent number 8515925 was not achievable with the provided tool, as the CAFC search results primarily list scheduled cases by panel and date, rather than offering a direct patent number search function. However, the Google Patents page for US8515925 explicitly states "Family has litigation" and links to "First worldwide family litigation filed" and "US case filed in Texas Eastern District Court" as well as a PTAB case IPR2026-00032. This indicates ongoing legal activity related to the patent family.