US 9290153

Patent Analysis: US 9,290,153 B2

Date of Analysis: April 26, 2026

Patent Number: 9,290,153 (Note: Interpreted literally as provided)

Title: Vehicle-based multimode discovery

Key Patent-at-a-Glance:

• Assignee: AutoConnect Holdings LLC
• Inventors: Christopher P. Ricci, Octavian Chincisan, Alisher I. Yusupov
• Filing Date: April 13, 2015
• Issue Date: March 22, 2016
• Abstract: "A vehicle includes a processor and a memory, the memory in communication with the processor, the memory having instructions stored thereon, that when executed by the processor, are configured to: when a computational device is detected, establish a communication link with the computational device over a first wireless protocol, determine that the computational device is within a predetermined physical proximity of the vehicle, and when the computational device is within the predetermined physical proximity of the vehicle, establish a second communication link with the computational device over a second wireless protocol."

Plain-Language Summary of Independent Claims:

A review of the claims of US Patent 9,290,153 indicates that the core of the invention is a system and method within a vehicle for intelligently managing wireless connections with a user's mobile device (referred to as a "computational device"). The system is designed to automatically switch between different wireless protocols based on the device's proximity to the vehicle, enhancing functionality and user experience.

• Claim 1: Describes a method where a vehicle's system first detects a user's mobile device. It then establishes an initial, low-power wireless connection (like Bluetooth). The system continuously monitors the signal strength of this connection to determine if the device is within a specific, close range of the vehicle. Once the device is confirmed to be nearby, the system automatically establishes a second, higher-bandwidth connection (like Wi-Fi) with the device. This allows for a more seamless and powerful connection for in-car features once the user is in or near the vehicle.

• Claim 9: This claim outlines the vehicle's system itself, as opposed to the method. It details a system comprising a processor and memory that executes instructions to perform the steps described in Claim 1. The system is programmed to detect a mobile device, establish a first wireless link, monitor the device's proximity, and then establish a second, different wireless link when the device is close enough.

• Claim 17: This claim focuses on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, which is a technical way of describing a storage device (like a hard drive or flash memory) that contains the software instructions for the vehicle's system. When these instructions are run by the vehicle's processor, they cause the system to perform the same multi-step process of detecting a device, connecting via a first wireless protocol, verifying proximity, and then establishing a second, more capable wireless connection.

Legal Status and Litigation:

As of the date of this analysis, a search of the USPTO and CAFC dockets for "US 9,290,153" reveals the following:

• Legal Status: The patent is currently listed as "Active" in USPTO records. Based on its filing date, and assuming all maintenance fees are paid, it is anticipated to expire on or around April 13, 2035.
• Litigation: Public records indicate that this patent is a subject of litigation. Specifically, a case has been filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (Case 2:24-cv-00877 and 2:24-cv-00802) and the Delaware District Court (Case 1:24-cv-01327). Additionally, an Inter Partes Review (IPR) proceeding has been initiated at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) under case number IPR2025-01383. These proceedings may impact the validity and enforceability of the patent's claims.

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Disclaimer: This analysis is based on publicly available information and the provided patent document. It is not a legal opinion and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with a qualified patent attorney.