US 8717204B2

Here's a concise summary of US patent 8717204B2:

Title: Methods for encoding and decoding data

Assignee: Realtime Data LLC

Inventors: James J. Fallon, Paul F. Pickel, Stephen J. McErlain, II Carlton J. Melone

Filing Date: 2013-09-24

Issue Date: 2014-05-06

Abstract: The patent describes methods for accelerating the transmission of broadcast data, such as financial data and news feeds, over a communication channel. This acceleration is achieved through real-time data compression and decompression, which provides secure transmission, effectively increases communication bandwidth, and reduces latency. The invention specifically highlights that broadcast data can include packets with various fields, and that encoders can be selected based on these particular fields for compression.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1: A Method for Accelerating Data Transmission
  This claim outlines a method that begins by receiving an input data stream composed of data packets, each containing various fields. The method involves identifying different types of these data packets and fields. Crucially, it then selects at least one specialized "compression state machine" from a collection of such machines. These state machines are pre-configured based on an understanding of the data packet structures and content. Each state machine has compression tables with rules for encoding characters or sequences of characters, taking into account the "context" (e.g., the packet type or previous characters). The input data stream is then compressed in "substantially real-time" using the selected state machine, at a rate that effectively boosts the communication channel's bandwidth. Finally, this compressed data stream is transmitted over the communication channel.

• Claim 11: A Data Server for Accelerating Data Transmission
  This claim describes a physical data server designed to achieve accelerated data transmission. The server includes a processor responsible for running compression algorithms. This processor is configured to receive and compress an input data stream (again, comprising data packets with fields) in substantially real-time. Similar to Claim 1, the processor identifies packet and field types, and selects one or more compression state machines. These state machines, with their context-dependent compression tables, are used to compress the data, effectively increasing the communication channel's bandwidth. The server also includes a communication interface specifically for transmitting this compressed data stream over the channel.

• Claim 16: A System for Accelerating Data Transmission
  This claim describes an entire system for accelerated data transmission, encompassing both a data server (transmitter) and at least one client site system (receiver). The data server component is largely similar to that described in Claim 11, with its processor and communication interface for compressing and transmitting data using selected compression state machines. The client site system, on the other hand, includes its own communication interface to receive the compressed data stream. It also has a processor that executes decompression algorithms. This processor uses corresponding "decompression state machines" (which also have context-dependent tables) to decompress the data in substantially real-time at a rate roughly matching the compression rate, thereby reconstructing the original input data stream.

Uncertainty Regarding CAFC 2026 Dockets:
Based on the provided patent information and live search results, US Patent 8717204B2 is listed as "Expired - Fee Related" with an anticipated expiration date of October 3, 2021. While the Google Patents page lists several prior litigation cases in various District Courts and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) between 2017 and 2023 [cite: https://patents.google.com/patent/[US8717204B2](/patent/US8717204B2)/en], a specific search for "CAFC dockets 2026 8717204B2" did not yield any new dockets filed or active in 2026. Given the patent's expired status, it is unlikely to be the subject of new infringement litigation in 2026. However, it's possible for appeals related to previous cases to still be active or for other procedural matters to arise, although none were specifically identified for 2026 in the search.