US 9270744

Concise Summary of US Patent 9270744

Patent Number: US9270744B2
Title: System and method for providing additional functionality to existing software in an integrated manner
Assignee: Damaka Inc
Inventors: Sivakumar Chaturvedi, Satish Gundabathula, Rashmi Hiremath
Filing Date: April 20, 2015
Issue Date: February 23, 2016

Abstract:
The patent describes an improved system and method for enhancing the functionality of software applications. It details a mobile device equipped with a network interface, a processor, and memory storing various instructions. These instructions include a "superblock application" that incorporates a "function block." This function block is designed to offer additional functionalities to the superblock application through an Application Programming Interface (API). A key aspect is that these functions are provided and accessible within the superblock application itself, eliminating the need to switch context to another application on the mobile device.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1 (Mobile Device - Request-Driven): This claim describes a mobile device with a network interface, processor, and memory. The memory contains a "function block" and a "superblock application." The function block is designed to receive requests for communication services from the superblock application when the superblock application lacks that particular functionality. Upon receiving such a request, the function block determines if an external device is needed to provide the service. If so, the function block establishes a connection with that external device via the network interface, a task the superblock application cannot perform on its own. Finally, the function block provides the requested communication service to the superblock application. All these actions—receiving the request, determining the need for an external device, establishing the connection, and providing the service—are carried out without requiring the mobile device to switch from the superblock application to another application.

• Independent Claim 15 (Mobile Device - Notification-Driven): This claim also describes a mobile device with similar hardware components. In this scenario, the function block receives a request (notification) from an external device for a communication session with the superblock application, which is currently displayed on the mobile device's screen. The function block then notifies the superblock application of this incoming session request, with the notification appearing within the superblock application's display window. The function block establishes a connection with the external device to support the communication session only after receiving approval from the superblock application. Similar to Claim 1, the superblock application does not support this connection establishment directly. The function block then provides the communication session to the superblock application. Importantly, all these steps—receiving the external request, notifying the superblock, establishing the connection (with approval), and providing the session—are performed without the mobile device switching context to another application.

• Independent Claim 20 (Method - Request-Driven): This claim outlines a method performed by a mobile device. The method involves a function block (stored in memory) receiving a request for a communication service from a superblock application (also in memory), where the superblock application requires this external functionality. The function block determines that providing this service necessitates access to an external device. It then establishes a connection with the external device using the mobile device's network interface, a capability not inherent to the superblock application. Subsequently, the function block provides the communication service to the superblock application. The entire process, encompassing receiving, determining, establishing, and providing, is executed without switching context from the superblock application to any other application on the mobile device.

Litigation Status:
As of April 26, 2026, the patent family for US9270744 has ongoing litigation. A PTAB case, IPR2026-00207, has been filed and is currently pending, with Unified Patents PTAB Data listed as the petitioner. Additionally, two U.S. district court cases (2:25-cv-00594 and 2:25-cv-00593) have been filed in the Texas Eastern District Court. The patent family also has a first worldwide litigation filed. There are no specific CAFC 2026 dockets directly listing US9270744 at this time.