Prior art — US Patent 8725700

Prior Art Analysis for U.S. Patent 8,725,700

Below is an analysis of the most relevant prior art references cited by the USPTO examiner during the prosecution of U.S. Patent 8,725,700. This analysis focuses on the potential for these references to anticipate the independent claims of the '700 patent under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

1. U.S. Patent No. 7,174,174 B2 (Chiang et al.)

Full Citation: US 7,174,174 B2, "Method and system for collecting and processing wireless communication system performance data," assigned to International Business Machines Corporation (IBM).
Dates: Filed October 1, 2002; Published February 6, 2007.
Brief Description: Chiang describes a system for collecting performance data from a plurality of wireless devices. The data, which includes metrics like call success rates and signal strength, is associated with specific locations (e.g., cell sectors or GPS coordinates). This collected data is then processed and stored in a central database to create performance maps, which can be used by network operators to identify and troubleshoot areas with poor service quality.
Potential Anticipation of Claims:
- Claim 19 (Enhancing Wireless Service): This is the most relevant claim. Chiang discloses a clearinghouse (a "performance data server") that collects wireless service performance data from multiple end-user devices and associates it with specific geographic locations. This directly teaches the core elements of claim 19, which requires a clearinghouse with location-specific QoS data. While Chiang's focus is on network operator analysis rather than real-time service selection by the device itself, it discloses the foundational steps of collecting the necessary data and making it centrally available. An argument for anticipation could be made that providing this data back to the device for selection is an obvious next step.

2. U.S. Patent No. 7,359,969 B2 (Dorgan)

Full Citation: US 7,359,969 B2, "System, method, and article of manufacture for a wireless services and facilities locator."
Dates: Filed December 31, 2001; Published April 15, 2008.
Brief Description: Dorgan discloses a web-based system where users can find wireless service providers and facilities (like Wi-Fi hotspots) in specific geographic locations. The system includes a database containing information about service providers, their coverage areas, and the types of services they offer. Users can query the system by entering a location (e.g., an address or zip code) to receive a list of available wireless services.
Potential Anticipation of Claims:
- Claim 1 (Clearinghouse System): Dorgan's system acts as a type of clearinghouse that matches user location queries with a database of available wireless services. It contains elements of a database storing information related to wireless infrastructure ("facilities") and carrier services. However, it does not appear to disclose the key inventive concept of Claim 1: allowing end-users to offer their own properties for hosting new carrier equipment or the automated matching of these offers with carrier needs.
- Claim 19 (Enhancing Wireless Service): Dorgan's system provides a list of available services at a location, which is a step towards the functionality of claim 19. However, it appears to be a user-initiated search tool for finding services, rather than a system that provides a real-time, ranked list of performance data used for automatic service selection by the device itself. The data in Dorgan seems to be static coverage information, not dynamic, crowdsourced performance metrics.

3. U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2006/0080356 A1 (Burks)

Full Citation: US 2006/0080356 A1, "System and method for creating an on-line marketplace for the leasing of property for placement of communication antennas."
Dates: Filed October 11, 2004; Published April 13, 2006.
Brief Description: Burks describes an online marketplace specifically designed to connect property owners with telecommunication companies seeking to lease space for antenna installations. Property owners can register their property, providing details about the location and physical characteristics. Communication companies can search this database of available properties based on their specific geographic and technical requirements, and the system facilitates the initial contact and negotiation process.
Potential Anticipation of Claims:
- Claim 1 (Clearinghouse System): This reference is highly relevant to Claim 1. It discloses a computerized "clearinghouse" or "marketplace" where end-users (property owners) can offer their locations to carriers. It also discloses the ability for carriers to search for locations based on their needs. This appears to teach the core "matchmaking" functionality of claim 1. A thorough analysis would compare the specific limitations of claim 1 (e.g., the inclusion of public data like zoning ordinances) with the disclosures in Burks to determine if every element is present. Burks appears to strongly anticipate the main thrust of this claim.

4. U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2007/0050269 A1 (Hattori)

Full Citation: US 2007/0050269 A1, "Advertisement delivery system and advertisement delivery method."
Dates: Filed August 26, 2005; Published March 1, 2007.
Brief Description: Hattori describes a system for delivering advertisements to mobile devices based on their location. The system determines the device's location by identifying the base station it is connected to. An ad server, which stores location-specific advertisements, is associated with each base station. When a user requests content, the system retrieves an advertisement corresponding to the base station's area and delivers it to the user's device, often integrated with other content.
Potential Anticipation of Claims:
- Claim 26 (Location-Specific Content): This reference is highly relevant to Claim 26. It discloses a method for delivering location-specific advertising where the location is determined by the network infrastructure (the base station). It teaches storing content targeted to specific geographic areas and inserting that content into data being sent to the user. This appears to describe the main elements of claim 26, which relies on the location of the infrastructure rather than the device's GPS coordinates. The use of an "ad server" associated with a base station is analogous to the '700 patent's use of a clearinghouse to store and distribute localized content.