US 8610573

Here is a concise summary of US patent 8610573:

US Patent 8610573: Radio frequency module and methods of transmitting/receiving data

• Title: Radio frequency module and methods of transmitting/receiving data
• Assignee: Modulus Systems LLC, RF Digital Corp, Rochester Sensors LLC
• Inventor: Armen E. Kazanchian
• Filing Date: September 11, 2009 (Application number US12/558,484)
• Issue Date: December 17, 2013 (Publication number US8610573B2)
• Abstract: The patent describes a wireless module that users can configure to operate as a transmitter, receiver, transceiver, or repeater in different modes. It also details methods for transmitting and receiving data that significantly reduce or eliminate interference from competing frequency bands, including Wi-Fi systems. Furthermore, it outlines a method for transmitting data with high certainty without needing acknowledgement receipts, negotiation, or hand-shaking from downstream transceivers, receivers, or repeaters.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1 (Radio Frequency Module): This claim describes a physical radio frequency (RF) module. It consists of a printed circuit board (PCB) with a transceiver assembly mounted on its first surface. The transceiver assembly includes a transceiver and a matching/filtering network made of several passive electrical components connected in series and arranged linearly. A key feature is a ground plane on the PCB surrounding the transceiver assembly and an RF shield electrically connected to the ground plane, covering the transceiver assembly. Uniquely, a chip antenna is positioned on the PCB's first surface, outside the shield, and runs generally parallel to the matching/filtering network. A radio feed point connects the chip antenna to the end of the matching/filtering network, with the antenna, matching/filtering network, and feed point collectively forming a U-shaped configuration.
• Independent Claim 11 (Method of Wirelessly Transmitting Data): This claim outlines a method for wirelessly transmitting data, particularly for repeater functionality. It involves transmitting a data packet from a first location on at least one frequency. This data packet includes a 'repeat signal' that has an initial value for the first transmission. When this data packet is received at a second location (e.g., a repeater), the system checks if the repeat signal is at its initialized value. If it is, the data packet is then transmitted to a third location with the repeat signal modified (e.g., a "repeat bit" is changed from 0 to 1). If the received data packet's repeat signal is not at the initialized value (meaning it has already been repeated), that packet is discarded to prevent redundant re-transmissions.

Litigation Status:
US Patent 8610573 is currently active and is subject to multiple litigations. As of the current date, several cases have been filed in the Eastern District of Texas and the Western District of Texas. For instance, cases with dockets such as 2:26-cv-00330, 2:26-cv-00328, 2:26-cv-00333, 2:26-cv-00331, 2:26-cv-00329, and 2:26-cv-00332 were filed in the Texas Eastern District Court in 2026. There is no authoritative information from the CAFC 2026 dockets indicating that any of these specific district court cases involving US8610573 have proceeded to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit as of April 26, 2026.

Known litigation involving US patent 8610573 is as follows:

1. Plaintiff(s): Modulus Systems, LLC
   Defendant(s): Murata Electronics North America, Inc.
   Jurisdiction: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
   Case Number: 2:23-cv-00220
   Filing Date: May 18, 2023
   Outcome or Current Status: Open. The case was assigned to Chief Judge Rodney Gilstrap. While the case record indicates a close date of January 30, 2024, the outcome status is recorded as open as of May 15, 2026.

2. Plaintiff(s): Modulus Systems LLC
   Defendant(s): KAGA FEI Co., Ltd.
   Jurisdiction: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
   Case Number: 2:23-cv-00240
   Filing Date: May 27, 2023
   Outcome or Current Status: Ongoing. The docket was last retrieved on July 12, 2023, and no final outcome was reported in the available information.

3. Plaintiff(s): Modulus Systems LLC
   Defendant(s): Tridonic GmbH & Co KG
   Jurisdiction: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
   Case Number: 2:26-cv-00333
   Filing Date: April 22, 2026
   Outcome or Current Status: Ongoing. A complaint for patent infringement was filed on April 22, 2026, and the docket was last retrieved on the same date.

For the following cases, identified from the "Family has litigation" section on Google Patents for US8610573B2, specific plaintiff(s), defendant(s), filing dates, and detailed outcomes or current statuses were not found in the search results.

Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court

• Case Number: 2:26-cv-00330
• Case Number: 2:26-cv-00328
• Case Number: 2:23-cv-00239
• Case Number: 2:26-cv-00331
• Case Number: 2:26-cv-00329
• Case Number: 2:21-cv-00221
• Case Number: 2:23-cv-00243
• Case Number: 2:23-cv-00242
• Case Number: 2:23-cv-00241
• Case Number: 2:26-cv-00332

Jurisdiction: Texas Western District Court

• Case Number: 7:25-cv-00080

Proceedings overview

There are no AIA trial proceedings on file for US patent 8610573 as of the most recent data from the USPTO Open Data Portal. Web search also did not reveal any PTAB proceedings (Inter Partes Review, Post-Grant Review, or Covered Business Method) filed against this patent. This indicates that the patent has not been subjected to validity challenges before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.

Strategic summary

As of the current date, no claims of US8610573 have been challenged or invalidated through AIA trial proceedings at the PTAB. Therefore, all claims (1-11) of the patent remain untested by these specific administrative processes.

The absence of PTAB activity means there is no estoppel landscape established under 35 U.S.C. § 315(e)(2). Consequently, potential defendants are not barred from raising any invalidity grounds (e.g., under §§ 102, 103, 112) in future PTAB petitions or district court litigation, should they choose to do so.

The litigation history for US8610573, as noted in the provided patent information, shows several cases filed in Texas district courts. The lack of corresponding PTAB challenges for a patent involved in litigation might suggest a strategic choice by defendants to pursue other avenues of invalidity challenge, or it could simply mean that any PTAB filings have not yet been publicly indexed or discovered through current searches.

Recommended next steps

Since no PTAB activity exists for US8610573, a defendant facing assertion of this patent has several options:

• Consider filing an IPR petition: Given the patent's active status and involvement in litigation, an IPR could be a viable strategy to challenge the patentability of the claims based on prior art. This would be particularly relevant if strong prior art references exist that were not considered during original prosecution.
• Prior Art Search: Conduct a thorough prior art search to identify potential grounds for an IPR or other invalidity defenses.
• Monitor for new filings: Keep an eye on the USPTO PTAB E2E system and public dockets for any newly filed IPR, PGR, or CBM petitions against US8610573 by other parties, as the outcome of such proceedings could impact defensive strategies.

Inventors

• Armen E. Kazanchian (Individual, no employer listed at time of filing)

Original assignee

The original assignee listed on the issued patent is "Individual". Given that Armen E. Kazanchian is listed as the inventor and no company is named as an original assignee, it appears the patent was initially assigned to the inventor directly. It is not possible to determine if an individual "shipped a product embodying the claims" or their primary line of business from the patent record. Their current status as an individual is operating.

Assignment timeline

• 2015-07-16 (executed) / recorded 2015-07-16 — Reel 033324/0970
  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: KAZANCHIAN, ARMEN E.
  • Assignee: RF DIGITAL CORPORATION
  • Correspondent: BLAINE, ROBERT B., 23832 VIA FABRICANTE STE 201, MISSION VIEJO, CA 92691
  • Context: Transfer from inventor to a corporation.
• 2015-07-16 (executed) / recorded 2015-07-16 — Reel 033324/0973
  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: RF DIGITAL CORPORATION
  • Assignee: LADUE, KEVIN
  • Correspondent: BLAINE, ROBERT B., 23832 VIA FABRICANTE STE 201, MISSION VIEJO, CA 92691. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Transfer from operating company to individual.
• 2015-07-16 (executed) / recorded 2015-07-16 — Reel 033324/0975
  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: LADUE, KEVIN
  • Assignee: TEXAS LFP LLC
  • Correspondent: BLAINE, ROBERT B., 23832 VIA FABRICANTE STE 201, MISSION VIEJO, CA 92691. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Transfer from individual to an LLC.
• 2021-10-11 (executed) / recorded 2021-10-11 — Reel 057756/0918
  • Conveyance: Change of Name
  • Assignor: ROCHESTER GAUGES, INC.
  • Assignee: ROCHESTER GAUGES, LLC
  • Correspondent: STEVENS, GREGORY R., 711 NORTH WEST SHORE BLVD, SUITE 800, TAMPA, FL 33607
  • Context: Change of name for an assignee. (Note: This entry appears to be a general change of name for Rochester Gauges, Inc. to Rochester Gauges, LLC, rather than a direct assignment of this specific patent from Rochester Gauges, Inc. The patent itself was not assigned to Rochester Gauges, Inc. based on the previous records. However, it is listed in the Google Patents assignment history.)
• 2022-01-13 (executed) / recorded 2022-01-13 — Reel 058778/0178
  • Conveyance: Corrective Assignment
  • Assignor: ROCHESTER GAUGES, INC.
  • Assignee: ROCHESTER GAUGES, LLC
  • Correspondent: STEVENS, GREGORY R., 711 NORTH WEST SHORE BLVD, SUITE 800, TAMPA, FL 33607. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Corrective action for a previously recorded change of name, referencing an incorrect application number.
• 2023-05-09 (executed) / recorded 2023-05-09 — Reel 063385/0824
  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: TEXAS LFP LLC
  • Assignee: MODULUS SYSTEMS LLC
  • Correspondent: CHIN, ANTHONY, 19900 MACARTHUR BLVD. SUITE 500, IRVINE, CA 92612
  • Context: Transfer from one LLC to another LLC.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 8610573
    2009 : Filed by Individual
    2013 : Issued
    2015 : Assigned to RF Digital Corp
         : Assigned to Kevin Ladue
         : Assigned to Texas LFP LLC
    2021 : Rochester Gauges Inc changes name
    2022 : Rochester Gauges corrective filing
    2023 : Assigned to Modulus Systems LLC

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — present. The transfer from Kevin Ladue to TEXAS LFP LLC (2015-07-16, Reel 033324/0975) and subsequently from TEXAS LFP LLC to MODULUS SYSTEMS LLC (2023-05-09, Reel 063385/0824) are strong indicators. "LFP" and "Systems LLC" in the names often suggest licensing entities.
2. Known asserter in the chain — unclear. While Modulus Systems LLC is the current assignee and has filed litigation, it is not on the provided public NPE list. Further investigation would be needed to definitively classify Modulus Systems LLC as a "known asserter."
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — present. Robert B. Blaine (23832 VIA FABRICANTE STE 201, MISSION VIEJO, CA 92691) is listed as the correspondent for three consecutive assignments on 2015-07-16 (Reel 033324/0970, Reel 033324/0973, and Reel 033324/0975). This recurrence is a strong signal. Gregory R. Stevens also appears twice (Reel 057756/0918, Reel 058778/0178) for the Rochester Gauges change of name, but this appears to be for a different chain or a general corporate action, not directly related to the core assignment chain of this patent.
4. Cascading transfers — present. There are three consecutive assignments executed and recorded on the same day, 2015-07-16, from Armen E. Kazanchian to RF Digital Corporation, then to Kevin Ladue, and finally to TEXAS LFP LLC (Reel 033324/0970, Reel 033324/0973, Reel 033324/0975). These transfers are handled by the same correspondent attorney and occur in a very short timeframe.
5. Pre-litigation transfer — present. The patent information indicates that litigation commenced in 2021 and 2023 in Texas Eastern and Western District Courts. The assignment to Modulus Systems LLC occurred on 2023-05-09 (Reel 063385/0824), which is close in time to the 2023 litigation filings.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — not present. No evidence of bankruptcy proceedings for any of the assignors.
7. Privateering — unclear. While the assignment chain suggests an NPE, there is no explicit information from SEC filings or other public sources to indicate privateering activity by an operating company.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — not present. The chain does not terminate with a known defensive aggregator.

Verdict

NPE — high confidence

This verdict is based on several strong signals: the rapid cascading transfers on 2015-07-16 through multiple entities (Reel 033324/0970, Reel 033324/0973, Reel 033324/0975), the use of a repeat correspondent attorney (Robert B. Blaine) across these transfers, and the ultimate assignment to LLCs with names like "TEXAS LFP LLC" and "MODULUS SYSTEMS LLC," which are often associated with licensing activities, not product sales. Furthermore, the assignment to Modulus Systems LLC occurred near the time of litigation filings, suggesting a transfer for assertion purposes.

USPTO Assignment Center search page: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/ (search for patent number 8610573)

The following prior art references are cited in US patent 8610573:

1. US20030025604A1

• Full Citation: US20030025604A1, "System to automatically locally control a device according to preferences of a user entering a local area of the device from a remote area"
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: 2003-02-06, Filed: 2001-07-31
• Brief Description: This patent application describes a system for automatically controlling a device based on user preferences when the user enters a local area. It involves wirelessly communicating with a device to provide user-specific control.
• Potentially Anticipated Claims: Claims 5, 6, and 7, which relate to the radio frequency module having mode selection inputs for various operating modes, including those that could facilitate localized device control or interaction with RFID-like systems. The concept of a device responding to proximity or identification aligns with the spirit of these claims.

2. US20030163748A1

• Full Citation: US20030163748A1, "System having a spread-spectrum clock for further suppression of electromagnetic emissions in network devices communicating via a network bus"
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: 2003-08-28, Filed: 2002-02-14
• Brief Description: This reference focuses on reducing electromagnetic emissions in network devices through the use of a spread-spectrum clock. This is a technique for improving signal integrity and reducing interference in electronic systems.
• Potentially Anticipated Claims: This reference doesn't appear to directly anticipate any claims in US8610573 regarding the physical structure of the RF module or the specific methods of transmission/reception to avoid Wi-Fi interference or implement repeater functionality. Its focus is on electromagnetic compatibility rather than the operational modes or physical layout described in US8610573.

3. US20060139167A1

• Full Citation: US20060139167A1, "Object positioning system, object positioning apparatus and object positioning method"
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: 2006-06-29, Filed: 2002-12-19
• Brief Description: This patent application details a system and method for positioning objects, likely using wireless communication and identification.
• Potentially Anticipated Claims: Claims 5, 6, and 7, related to mode selection and RFID functions. The object positioning system could involve elements similar to RFID transmitters and receivers, which are outlined as operating modes in US8610573.

4. US20070013610A1

• Full Citation: US20070013610A1, "Wireless security badge"
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: 2007-01-18, Filed: 2000-08-15
• Brief Description: This reference describes a wireless security badge, likely incorporating RFID or similar short-range wireless communication for identification and access control.
• Potentially Anticipated Claims: Claims 5, 6, and 7, particularly the RFID transmitter and receiver modes (e.g., Mode 0, Mode 4, Mode 5, Mode 6, Mode 7 in the detailed description of US8610573), as a security badge would embody aspects of these functions.

5. US7239625B1

• Full Citation: US7239625B1, "Low-cost noise-immune wireless methodology for demand control ventilation (DCV) Applications"
• Publication/Filing Date: Issued: 2007-07-03, Filed: 2003-05-12
• Brief Description: This patent describes a low-cost, noise-immune wireless communication method specifically for demand control ventilation applications. It likely deals with reliable data transmission in potentially noisy environments.
• Potentially Anticipated Claims: Claims 8, 9, and 10, which discuss transmitting data packets at a plurality of different frequencies to reduce RF interference. The "noise-immune wireless methodology" could overlap with the multi-frequency transmission strategy for interference reduction detailed in these claims.

6. US20070159332A1

• Full Citation: US20070159332A1, "Using RFID to prevent or detect falls, wandering, bed egress and medication errors"
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: 2007-07-12, Filed: 2006-01-07
• Brief Description: This patent application describes the use of RFID technology for monitoring and preventing various incidents, such as falls or medication errors, in healthcare settings.
• Potentially Anticipated Claims: Claims 5, 6, and 7, concerning the various operating modes, particularly the RFID transmitter and receiver modes. The application of RFID for tracking and monitoring, as described in this reference, is directly relevant to these claims.

7. US7259673B2

• Full Citation: US7259673B2, "Anti-theft arrangement, method and program"
• Publication/Filing Date: Issued: 2007-08-21, Filed: 2004-11-24
• Brief Description: This patent describes an anti-theft system and method, likely involving wireless communication for tracking or disabling stolen items.
• Potentially Anticipated Claims: Claims 5, 6, and 7, as an anti-theft system could utilize the RFID or other communication modes described in these claims for tracking or signaling.

8. US7310067B1

• Full Citation: US7310067B1, "Mobile wireless communications device with reduced interfering RF energy into RF metal shield secured on circuit board"
• Publication/Filing Date: Issued: 2007-12-18, Filed: 2006-05-23
• Brief Description: This patent focuses on a mobile wireless communications device designed to reduce RF interference into a metal shield secured on a circuit board. It addresses the physical design to mitigate interference.
• Potentially Anticipated Claims: Claims 1, 2, 3, and 4, which detail the physical structure of the RF module, including the ground plane, RF shield, and its electrical coupling, as well as the arrangement of the transceiver assembly and antenna. This patent's focus on RF shielding and its interaction with the circuit board and components is highly relevant to these structural claims.

9. US20080143611A1

• Full Citation: US20080143611A1, "Antenna for portable electronic device wireless communications adapter"
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: 2008-06-19, Filed: 2006-12-15
• Brief Description: This patent application describes an antenna design for a wireless communications adapter in a portable electronic device.
• Potentially Anticipated Claims: Claim 1, particularly the arrangement of the chip antenna and its relation to the matching/filtering network and feed point forming a U-shape. While it describes an antenna for a portable device, the specific geometry and integration with a matching network could be relevant.

10. US20090101403A1

• Full Citation: US20090101403A1, "Electromagnetic shield for mobile communication device"
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: 2009-04-23, Filed: 2007-10-19
• Brief Description: This reference describes an electromagnetic shield for a mobile communication device, aimed at reducing electromagnetic interference.
• Potentially Anticipated Claims: Claims 1, 2, and 3, regarding the radio frequency shield, its electrical coupling to the ground plane, and its coverage of the transceiver assembly. This directly relates to the shielding aspects of US8610573.

11. US20100029325A1

• Full Citation: US20100029325A1, "Apparatus and method to improve WLAN performance in a dual WLAN modality environment"
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: 2010-02-04, Filed: 2008-07-29
• Brief Description: This patent application describes an apparatus and method for improving WLAN performance in environments with dual WLAN modalities, likely by mitigating interference.
• Potentially Anticipated Claims: Claims 8, 9, and 10, which describe transmitting data packets at a plurality of different frequencies to reduce or eliminate radio frequency interference, particularly in the context of Wi-Fi. This reference directly addresses strategies for improving wireless local area network (WLAN) performance in challenging RF environments, which aligns with the interference reduction methods claimed in US8610573.

Based on the provided patent text for US8610573 and the listed prior art references, an analysis of obviousness under 35 U.S.C. § 103 can be conducted. For an invention to be obvious, there must be a reason for a person having ordinary skill in the art (POSA) to combine elements from prior art references to arrive at the claimed invention, with a reasonable expectation of success.

The patent US8610573 addresses two main technical areas:

1. A compact radio frequency (RF) module design (Claim 1 and its dependent claims) that overcomes limitations of prior art modules regarding size and antenna performance.
2. Methods of wireless data transmission (Claim 11) that reduce Wi-Fi interference and enable efficient one-way point-to-multipoint communication using a repeater function without requiring acknowledgments.

Obviousness Analysis for Claim 1 (RF Module Structure)

Claim 1 describes an RF module with a specific physical arrangement:

• A printed circuit board (PCB) with a transceiver assembly (transceiver and linear matching/filtering network).
• A ground plane and an RF shield covering the transceiver assembly.
• Crucially, a chip antenna located outside the shield and extending generally parallel with the matching/filtering network, connected by a radio feed point, forming a generally U-shape configuration.

Prior Art References and Elements:

• US7310067B1 (Research In Motion Limited): Teaches a "Mobile wireless communications device with reduced interfering RF energy into RF metal shield secured on circuit board". This reference clearly discloses a base member (circuit board), a transceiver assembly (communications device), a ground plane (implied by a shield secured to a circuit board for RF energy reduction), and an RF shield covering components.
• US20080143611A1 (Shu-Li Wang): Titled "Antenna for portable electronic device wireless communications adapter". This reference suggests the use of antennas in portable electronic devices, and a POSA would be aware of chip antennas as a compact solution.
• US20090101403A1 (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.): Titled "Electromagnetic shield for mobile communication device". This further reinforces the concept of shielding electronic components in compact devices.

Motivation to Combine and Obviousness Gap:

A person of ordinary skill in the art would be motivated to miniaturize RF modules while maintaining or improving RF performance, as explicitly stated in the background of US8610573, where it notes, "Consumer demand for more compact wireless products has led to increasingly smaller RF modules. However, prior art solutions have been inadequate to reduce the RF module even further since the matching and filtering components of the module are typically in linear alignment with an onboard antenna."

Combining the teachings of US7310067B1 (RF shielding on a PCB) with US20080143611A1 (antennas for portable devices, including knowledge of chip antennas) would lead a POSA to design a shielded RF module with an integrated antenna. However, the crucial distinguishing feature of Claim 1 lies in the specific geometric arrangement: the chip antenna being outside the shield and generally parallel to the linear matching/filtering network, forming a U-shape via the feed point.

The patent claims this specific U-shape configuration "results in a good antenna pattern and thus improved range performance" and is "a great improvement over prior art configurations where the antenna is required to be in line with the matching network, resulting in a module that is at least twice the size of the RF module of the present invention."

Without prior art that explicitly teaches or strongly suggests this specific U-shaped arrangement—where the antenna is placed outside the shield and parallel to the matching network—to achieve both miniaturization and improved RF performance (e.g., by the shield and antenna effectively functioning as a single, larger antenna), Claim 1 would likely not be considered obvious. The provided snippets of the cited prior art do not disclose this specific and critical spatial relationship between the antenna, matching network, and shield. A POSA might be motivated to reduce size, but the particular solution presented in Claim 1 is not evidently a predictable outcome of combining general knowledge about antennas and shielding.

Obviousness Analysis for Claim 11 (Method of Wireless Data Transmission)

Claim 11 describes a method of wirelessly transmitting data using a specific repeater mechanism:

• Transmitting a data packet with an initialized "repeat signal" from a first location.
• Receiving the packet at a second location (e.g., a repeater).
• Determining if the repeat signal is at the initialized value.
• If initialized, transmitting the data packet to a third location with a modified repeat bit.
• Discarding the data packet if the repeat signal is different from the initialized value (e.g., already repeated).

Prior Art References and Elements:

• US20070159332A1 (Arthur Koblasz): Titled "Using RFID to prevent or detect falls, wandering, bed egress and medication errors". This and similar RFID-related patents (e.g., US20070013610A1) teach one-way communication where a transmitter broadcasts data (like an Electronic Serial Number or ESN) that is received by another device.
• US7239625B1 (Chi Wai Tse): Titled "Low-cost noise-immune wireless methodology for demand control ventilation (DCV) Applications". This suggests methods for reliable communication, potentially in noisy environments, which could involve simplified protocols.
• General knowledge of data transmission: A POSA would be aware of data packets, error detection, and the use of repeaters to extend wireless range.

Motivation to Combine and Obviousness Gap:

The background of US8610573 highlights limitations of prior art 2.4 GHz wireless devices (like Bluetooth) that use handshake-based systems, consuming significant current and restricting communication to single point-to-single point. It explicitly states, "Point to multi-point or poing to multi-point or multi-point to multi-point communication is not possible under this system, since one transmitter sends and waits for a response to confirm receipt of its data." The invention seeks to overcome this with efficient point-to-multipoint, one-way communication, particularly in the presence of Wi-Fi interference.

A POSA would be motivated to develop more efficient one-way communication systems, potentially extending their range with repeaters, while avoiding the overhead of handshake protocols. In a repeater scenario, preventing infinite loops or redundant re-transmissions of the same packet is a known problem.

While prior art like US20070159332A1 teaches one-way communication (e.g., RFID), it does not detail the specific "repeat bit" mechanism of Claim 11. The inventive step in Claim 11 lies in the specific logic:

1. Including a "repeat signal" (e.g., a single bit) with an initialized value in the transmitted packet.
2. A repeater receiving this, determining the initialized value, and if found, modifying the bit (e.g., from 0 to 1).
3. The repeater then re-transmitting the packet with the modified bit.
4. Crucially, discarding subsequently received packets if their repeat bit is not at the initialized value (meaning it has already been repeated by one hop).

This specific mechanism allows for efficient, low-power, single-hop repetition in a one-way system without requiring acknowledgments, thereby facilitating point-to-multipoint communication. While general concepts of hop counts or flags for packet management exist in networking, the precise implementation described in Claim 11—a simple 0/1 repeat bit for single-hop repeater control to prevent redundant retransmissions in a handshake-free context—is not explicitly taught or strongly suggested by the provided prior art titles.

Conclusion:

Based on the available information from the patent document and the titles of the cited prior art, establishing a robust obviousness argument for either Claim 1 or Claim 11 of US8610573 is challenging. The patent explicitly identifies specific problems in the prior art that its inventions aim to solve. The unique U-shaped antenna configuration (Claim 1) and the specific one-way repeater protocol using a "repeat bit" (Claim 11) appear to be non-obvious solutions without explicit teachings or strong suggestions in the cited prior art that would lead a POSA directly to these specific implementations with a reasonable expectation of success. A comprehensive obviousness determination would require a thorough review of the full text of all cited prior art documents.

To provide accurate details regarding Patent Term Adjustments (PTA), Patent Term Extensions (PTE), continuation/divisional applications, and the projected expiration date for US patent 8610573, direct access to the USPTO's Patent Center or Public Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system is typically required. These systems provide the most up-to-date and specific data for individual patents, including the official PTA calculations.

Based on the information available and general patent law:

• Patent Term Adjustment (PTA): PTA compensates for certain administrative delays by the USPTO during patent prosecution. It is calculated at the time of patent issuance and included in the Issue Notification Letter. Factors include delays in issuing an office action (A-delays), failing to issue a patent within three years of the filing date (B-delays), and delays due to interference or secrecy orders (C-delays). The USPTO's official patent record would show the specific PTA applied to US8610573. Without direct access to the official USPTO record for this specific patent's PTA calculation, I cannot provide the exact number of days.
• Patent Term Extension (PTE): PTE is distinct from PTA and is granted for delays due to regulatory review processes, most notably for pharmaceutical products. Given that US8610573 relates to a radio frequency module and methods, it is highly unlikely to have qualified for a PTE.
• Continuation and Divisional Applications:
  • US8610573B2 itself is listed as being based on application number US12/558,484, which was filed on September 11, 2009. The patent claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/096,163 filed on September 11, 2008.
  • To identify any subsequent continuation or divisional applications directly stemming from US8610573B2, a detailed family search within the USPTO database would be necessary. The Google Patents entry shows "Other versions" including US20100060454A1, which is the patent's own publication as an application, not a separate continuation or divisional application.
• Related Family Members: The primary family member listed is US20100060454A1, which is the published patent application corresponding to US8610573B2. The priority date is listed as September 11, 2008, from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/096,163.
• Projected Expiration Date: For utility patents filed on or after June 8, 1995, the patent term generally ends 20 years from the earliest effective filing date of the application, subject to any PTA or PTE.
  • The filing date for US8610573 (application US12/558,484) is September 11, 2009.
  • The priority date (from the provisional application) is September 11, 2008.
  • Therefore, the base 20-year term would typically be calculated from the earliest non-provisional filing date for which benefit is claimed. In this case, it appears the earliest filing date for calculation would be September 11, 2009.
  • However, the Google Patents information already explicitly states the patent "expires 2032-09-27" and is "Active - Reinstated". This adjusted expiration date already accounts for any PTA.

Summary for US Patent 8610573:

• Patent Term Adjustment (PTA): The Google Patents record indicates an adjusted expiration date of 2032-09-27. This implies that PTA has been applied, extending the term beyond the standard 20 years from the filing date of September 11, 2009 (which would be September 11, 2029). The precise calculation of this adjustment would be found in the official USPTO patent file.
• Patent Term Extension (PTE): There is no indication or likelihood of PTE for this type of patent.
• Continuation Applications: Based on the available information, there are no explicitly identified continuation applications of US8610573B2. The published application US20100060454A1 is the precursor to the granted patent, not a separate continuing application.
• Divisional Applications: No divisional applications of US8610573B2 are explicitly identified in the provided information.
• Related Family Members: The primary related family member is the published patent application US20100060454A1. The patent also claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/096,163, filed on September 11, 2008.
• Projected Expiration Date: The patent is projected to expire on September 27, 2032.