US 9591117

Here's a concise summary of US Patent 9591117:

Title: Method and system for communication
Assignee: Messageloud Inc (Current Assignee) (Original Assignee: Messageloud LLC)
Inventor: Garin Toren
Filing Date: September 25, 2015
Issue Date: March 7, 2017
Abstract: Provided is a computer implemented method and system for delivering text messages, emails, and messages from a messenger application to a user while the user is engaged in an activity, such as driving, exercising, or working. Typically, the emails and other messages are announced to the user and read aloud without any user input. In Drive Mode, while the user is driving, a clean interface is shown to the user, and the user can hear announcements and messages/emails aloud without looking at the screen of the phone, and use gestures to operate the phone. After a determination is made that a new text message and/or email has arrived, the user is informed aloud of the text message/email/messenger message and in most instances, and if the user takes no further action, the body and/or subject of the text message/email/messenger message is read aloud to the user. All messages can be placed in a single queue, and read to the user in order of receipt.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

The patent contains four independent claims: one method claim, one mobile phone claim, and two system claims.

Independent Claim 1 (Method Claim):
This claim describes a computer-implemented method performed by a device with a processor, memory, and touch screen. It covers:

• Automatic Arrival Determination: The device determines, without any user input, that a new text message, email, or messenger application message has arrived while the user is busy with another activity (e.g., driving, exercising, working).
• Automatic Sender Information: The device informs the user, without any user input, that a message has arrived and identifies the sender by reading the sender's identity aloud.
• Conditional Read-Aloud (Two Options):
  • Option A (Default Read): The device provides a short time for the user to take an action to stop the reading aloud of the message body (and email subject, if applicable). If no such action is received, the message body (and email subject) is automatically read aloud to the user.
  • Option B (Commanded Read): The device provides a short time for the user to take an action to command the reading aloud of the message body (and email subject, if applicable). If such an action is received, the message body (and email subject) is then read aloud to the user.

Independent Claim 13 (Mobile Phone Claim):
This claim describes a mobile phone apparatus including one or more processors and memory storing programs that, when executed, perform the steps similar to those outlined in the method claim. Specifically, it involves:

• Automatic Arrival Determination: Determining, without user input, that a text message, email, or messenger application message has arrived while the user is engaged in an activity.
• Content Analysis: Analyzing the content of the message, again without user input.
• Automatic Sender Information: Informing the user, without user input, that the message has arrived from a sender by reading the sender's identity aloud.
• Conditional Read-Aloud (Default Read): Allowing the user time to take an affirmative action to stop the reading aloud of the message body (and email subject, if applicable). If no such action is received, the message body (and email subject) is automatically read aloud to the user.

Independent Claim 14 (System Claim 1):
This claim describes a system for delivering messages and emails to a user engaged in an activity, comprising a processor, memory, and touch screen. The system is configured to perform steps similar to the method claim, including:

• Running an Application: An application runs on the device to deliver messages while the user is engaged in an activity.
• Automatic Arrival Determination: The application determines, without user input, that a message has arrived while it's running.
• Content Analysis: The application analyzes the message content without user input.
• Automatic Sender Information: The application informs the user, without user input, that the message has arrived from a sender by reading the sender's identity aloud.
• Conditional Read-Aloud (Default Read): The application allows the user time to take an affirmative action to stop the reading aloud of the message body. If no such action is received, the message body is automatically read aloud to the user.

Independent Claim 16 (System Claim 2):
This claim describes a system with a processor, memory, and touch screen for delivering messages while a user is engaged in an activity. It specifically highlights the modular components:

• Queue Notification Module: This module places incoming text messages, emails, or messenger application messages into a single queue for processing.
• Analyzer Module: This module analyzes the content of the messages without any user input.
• Text-to-Speech Module: This module is configured to:
  • Inform the user by voice, without user input, that a message has arrived from a sender by reading the sender's identity aloud.
  • If no affirmative action to stop reading is received from the user, instruct a speaker to read aloud the body of the text message or email to the user.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
A search of CAFC 2026 dockets for "US9591117" did not return any specific cases related to this patent. However, the Google Patents page for US9591117 indicates the patent family has litigation, including a PTAB case (IPR2025-01426 filed, procedurally terminated) and US cases filed in the Texas Western and Eastern District Courts, as well as first worldwide family litigation. These are not CAFC dockets.