US 9485621

US patent 9485621, titled "Method and system for monitoring a mobile station presence in a special area," was invented by Carlos A. Pérez LaFuente. It was filed on June 18, 2015, under application number US14/743,237, and issued on November 1, 2016. The original assignee was AFIRMA CONSULTING & TECHNOLOGIES SL, with the current assignee being Avant Location Technologies LLC.

Abstract:
The patent describes a method for monitoring a mobile station's presence in a designated "special area." This involves a radio communication device transmitting a distinctive signal that defines the special area. The mobile station processes this received signal to determine if it is the distinctive defining signal. Subsequently, the mobile station sends an updating signal to a mobile telephone network, which then routes it to special operating means. These special operating means adapt the value of an operating parameter based on the mobile station's presence in the special area. A key aspect is that the special area is associated with the mobile station by transmitting "checking data" to the mobile station, which it uses to identify the distinctive defining signal. The same checking data is provided to any mobile station being monitored within that special area.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1 (Method Claim): This claim details a method for tracking a mobile station's location within a specific "special area." The process begins with a radio device broadcasting a unique signal that outlines this special area. The mobile station then detects and analyzes any signals it receives to identify if one is this unique defining signal for its associated special area. Upon determining its presence, the mobile station sends an update to its mobile network. The network forwards this update to a central system (special operating means) which then adjusts a setting or parameter. A core feature is that the mobile station is provided with "checking data" beforehand, which it uses to recognize the special area's signal. This same checking data is shared with all mobile stations being monitored in that particular special area.

• Independent Claim 16 (System Claim): This claim describes a physical system designed to monitor a mobile station's presence in a "special area." The system comprises:

  1. Checking Means: This part includes a radio device that continuously transmits a distinctive signal defining the special area. Also included are components within the mobile station: "observing means" to detect signals and "processing means" to interpret if a received signal is the distinctive signal for the special area.
  2. Transmission Means: These are responsible for sending an "updating signal" from the mobile station's processing means to the "special operating means" within the mobile telephone network, indicating the mobile station's presence.
  3. Special Operating Means: This part of the network adjusts an operating parameter based on the mobile station's location information.
  4. Storing Means: The mobile station contains storage for "checking data." This data is utilized by the mobile station's processing means to identify the distinctive defining signal that outlines its special area. Critically, the same checking data is provided to all mobile stations being monitored in that special area.

Litigation Status:
The patent family of US9485621 is currently involved in litigation. While specific details for all cases are not required, it is noted that US cases have been filed in the Texas Eastern District Court, Texas Northern District Court, and Texas Western District Court, with filings spanning from 2023 to 2026. A PTAB case (IPR2025-01262) was also filed. However, a review of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) dockets for May and June 2026 did not reveal any scheduled cases explicitly mentioning patent number US9485621.