Prior art

To identify the most relevant prior art for US Patent 9591117, I will examine the "Prior art keywords" and "Prior art date" mentioned on the Google Patents page, as well as the "Definitions" section which explicitly references and discusses several prior art documents. While I do not have direct access to the USPTO internal citation lists, the Google Patents page typically reflects the examiner-cited prior art.

Based on the provided patent text, the following prior art references are explicitly discussed in the "BACKGROUND SECTION OF THE INVENTION" and "Definitions" sections. The patent itself identifies these as relevant prior art and discusses their perceived shortcomings, which helps in understanding how US9591117 attempts to distinguish itself.

Here's an analysis of the most relevant prior art as discussed within the patent document itself:

1. US 2013/0275899

• Full Citation: US 2013/0275899 A1 (though the patent text only lists the application number, A1 is the typical publication designation for a patent application).
• Publication/Filing Date: The patent text doesn't provide the filing date of US 2013/0275899, but it was published in 2013. The priority date of US9591117 is November 21, 2014, so this reference predates the priority date.
• Brief Description: This patent application proposes a "limited-distraction user interface" that displays fewer selectable objects than a non-limited interface, adaptable based on whether the device is in a limited distraction context.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): The patent for US9591117 explicitly states that US 2013/0275899 "relies on substantial input from the user even in the limited-distraction context, making it difficult for a user to use a mobile phone in such context." This suggests that US9591117 aims to overcome the need for "substantial input from the user" by providing a system that delivers information and allows limited interaction without requiring the user to look at the screen. Therefore, US 2013/0275899 could potentially anticipate elements related to a "limited-distraction user interface" but likely not the "without any input by a user" aspects or the specific hands-free, gesture-based interaction highlighted in US9591117's claims (e.g., Independent Claims 1, 13, 14, and 16, which emphasize automatic determination, informing, and reading aloud without user input, or with limited, non-visual input).

2. U.S. Pat. No. 8,364,183

• Full Citation: US 8,364,183 B1 (the patent text only lists the patent number, B1 is the typical publication designation for an issued patent).
• Publication/Filing Date: The patent text does not provide the filing or publication date for US 8,364,183, but it is an issued patent prior to US9591117's priority date.
• Brief Description: This patent discloses a cell phone modified with software that responds to "Busykeys" by automatically sending a pre-typed text message to the sender of the latest text message or automatically answering an incoming call with a pre-recorded audio message.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): US9591117 argues that US 8,364,183 "do[es] not allow a person to respond to a text or a call other than by sending a pre-typed text message and still require substantial input from the user since the user has to choose and press on a Busykey button." This criticism directly targets the user input requirement. Thus, while US 8,364,183 may anticipate features related to automatic responses or audio messages in a "busy" context, it would likely not anticipate the "without any input by a user" aspects of determining arrival or initially informing the user, nor the flexible response options beyond pre-typed messages or pre-recorded audio, as claimed in US959117 (e.g., the ability to have the body of the message read aloud or to call back the sender with simple gestures, without requiring visual interaction with "Busykeys").

3. U.S. Pat. No. 8,526,973

• Full Citation: US 8,526,973 B1.
• Publication/Filing Date: The patent text does not provide the filing or publication date for US 8,526,973, but it is an issued patent prior to US9591117's priority date.
• Brief Description: This patent is grouped with US 8,364,183 and US 8,359,014 and shares the same general description regarding "Busykeys" for automatic text messages or pre-recorded audio responses to calls.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to US 8,364,183, US 8,526,973 would face the same arguments regarding the "substantial input from the user" and limited response options. It would likely not anticipate the core "without any input by a user" and flexible, hands-free interaction features emphasized in US959117's claims.

4. U.S. Pat. No. 8,359,014

• Full Citation: US 8,359,014 B1.
• Publication/Filing Date: The patent text does not provide the filing or publication date for US 8,359,014, but it is an issued patent prior to US9591117's priority date.
• Brief Description: This patent is also grouped with US 8,364,183 and US 8,526,973 and shares the same general description regarding "Busykeys" for automatic text messages or pre-recorded audio responses to calls.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): As with the other "Busykey" patents, US 8,359,014 would likely not anticipate the features of US959117 related to automatic, non-user-initiated announcements and message body read-aloud functionality, nor the broad range of hands-free interaction beyond pressing a "Busykey."

These prior art references are specifically highlighted by the patent itself to differentiate the claimed invention. The core distinction emphasized by US959117 is the reduction or elimination of user input, particularly visual input, for initial message notification and content delivery, and the provision of a more flexible, hands-free interaction paradigm. The claims of US959117 consistently emphasize "determining without any input by a user" and "informing the user without any input by the user," as well as interactions based on gestures or limited taps without needing to look at the screen.