US 8861349

US patent 8861349, titled "Broadband communications device," was invented by Eric M. DeLangis. The application, US13/531,294, was filed on June 22, 2012, and the patent was issued on October 14, 2014. The original assignee was "Individual," and the current assignee is Competitive Access Systems Inc.

Abstract:
The patent describes a Residential Communications Gateway (RCG), which is a broadband communications device designed to integrate all voice, data, and video communications for residential or small business use. It transmits this combined traffic over one or more Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) lines, either independently or in conjunction with a wireless broadband backbone. The RCG achieves this by utilizing packetized data with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technologies and RF communications. A key aspect of the RCG's design is that it eliminates the need for additional or specialized transmission equipment in the Central Office or elsewhere in the network, which is often required for DSL and Cable systems. This approach aims to reduce costly infrastructure enhancements, enabling widespread deployment of high-speed communications and services to all POTS subscribers.

Independent Claims Overview:

• Independent Claim 1: Broadband Communications Device
  This claim describes a physical device that connects to a standard telephone line (POTS). It incorporates a modem (data access arrangement), a digital signal processor (DSP) for audio processing, and a main central processing unit (CPU). The CPU manages the flow of Internet Protocol (IP) data packets between the DSP and the modem, and the device also features a wireless interface. Additionally, it has at least one port for connecting a telephone, which is linked to the DSP. A core function of the CPU is to dynamically allocate bandwidth over the POTS line on a packet-by-packet basis, specifically giving voice packets higher priority than other data packets.

• Independent Claim 12: Method for Providing Broadband Communication Services
  This claim outlines a method for delivering broadband communication services. The method begins by establishing a modem connection over a standard telephone line (POTS). It then involves sending and receiving Internet Protocol (IP) packets via this POTS line. A crucial step in this method is prioritizing voice packets over data packets during transmission over the POTS line. Based on this prioritization, the available bandwidth on the POTS line is dynamically allocated on a per-packet basis.

Litigation Information (as of April 26, 2026):
The patent family is involved in litigation, with multiple cases filed in various US District Courts and one PTAB (Patent Trial and Appeal Board) case. The identified cases include:

• A US case filed in the Texas Eastern District Court (case 4:25-cv-00886).
• A "First worldwide family litigation" has been filed, as reported by Darts-ip.
• A PTAB case, IPR2025-01372, was filed but was "Not Instituted - Procedural."
• A US case filed in the Texas Northern District Court (case 4:25-cv-00948).
• Two US cases filed in the North Carolina Eastern District Court (cases 5:24-cv-00505 and 4:24-cv-00130).
• Two US cases filed in the California Northern District Court (cases 5:25-cv-04595 and 3:25-cv-04595).

A search for CAFC (Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit) 2026 dockets specifically for patent 8861349 did not yield any direct results indicating active appeals at the CAFC level as of April 26, 2026. The provided litigation data pertains to district court and PTAB proceedings.