US 9693030

US patent 9693030, titled "Generating alerts based upon detector outputs," was filed on July 28, 2014, and issued on June 27, 2017. The original assignee was Arris Enterprises LLC, with the current assignee listed as Bison Patent Licensing LLC. The inventors are Stephen P. Emeott, Kevin L. Baum, Bhavan Gandhi, Faisal Ishtiaq, and Isselmou Ould Dellahy.

Abstract:
The patent describes systems and methods for generating alerts and enhancing viewing experiences using on-screen data from video content. It involves identifying textual data from on-screen text in video, associating this data with specific regions and frames, and then allowing users to select regions to monitor for particular "triggering items" (like words, names, or phrases). When a triggering item is detected during video playback, an alert can be generated. Alternatively, the textual data from selected regions can be extracted to create supplemental information, which can then be displayed over the current video or other video content.

Independent Claims Overview:

• Claim 1 (Method): This claim outlines a method for generating alerts. It begins by receiving detector output data, which contains information about on-screen text or objects found in video frames and their locations. Next, the method involves identifying specific regions within the video frames to monitor, based on user input or other contextual information. It then determines a "key item" (e.g., specific text, an image, or a pixel pattern) to look for within these monitoring regions, again possibly based on user input. As the video plays, the method continuously checks the detector output data for the identified key item in the designated monitoring regions. If a match for the key item is detected, an alert is generated.
• Claim 11 (System): This claim describes a system designed to generate these alerts. The system includes a "video data analyzer" to process video data and extract on-screen text/objects, creating "detector output data" with location correlations. An "object/text region engine" identifies potential regions of interest within the video. An "alert engine" takes user input to define specific monitoring regions and key items. Within the alert engine, a "monitor module" actively searches for these key items in the detector output data corresponding to the monitoring regions. Upon detection, an "alert generator" creates an alert based on predefined alert definitions stored in an "alert datastore." Finally, a "user interface engine" renders this alert visually or audibly, potentially on the viewing device or a separate client device.
• Claim 19 (Non-transitory Computer-Readable Storage Medium): This claim covers a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a hard drive or flash memory) containing instructions. When these instructions are executed by one or more computer processors, they cause the processors to perform the entire method described in independent claim 1.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
A search of the CAFC 2026 dockets for patent US9693030 did not return any direct results mentioning this specific patent number. Therefore, there is no authoritative information available from the search results to indicate any active litigation concerning US9693030 in the Federal Circuit for 2026.

Known litigation involving US patent 9693030 includes the following case:

• Plaintiff(s): Bison Patent Licensing LLC
• Defendant(s): [[Samsung Electronics Co.](/litigations/by-defendant/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.), Ltd.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.%2C%20Ltd.)
• Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
• Case Number: 2:25-cv-00448
• Filing Date: April 29, 2025
• Outcome or Current Status: Closed, Dismissed with Prejudice on August 5, 2025. This indicates a rapid resolution, with each party bearing its own costs, expenses, and attorneys' fees.

A separate case, 2:25-cv-01206, was indicated on the Google Patents page as "US case filed in Texas Eastern District Court" in relation to US9693030. However, searches for this specific case number did not provide sufficient information to confirm its direct involvement with US9693030, nor details regarding its plaintiff(s), defendant(s), filing date, or outcome.

Proceedings overview

A search for AIA trial proceedings concerning US patent 9693030 B2, including Inter Partes Reviews (IPRs), Post-Grant Reviews (PGRs), and Covered Business Method (CBM) reviews, did not identify any active or concluded proceedings. The USPTO ODP API currently returns no AIA trial proceedings for this patent. Web searches conducted as of 2026-08-07 also did not surface any PTAB activity related to US9693030.

This indicates that the patent has not been subjected to validity challenges before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.

Strategic summary

As of the current date, US patent 9693030 has not been subject to any AIA trial proceedings before the PTAB. All claims of the patent, specifically independent claims 1, 11, and 19, remain untested by this administrative body. This means there is no PTAB decision that has canceled or sustained any claims, and thus no estoppel has been created under 35 U.S.C. § 315(e)(2) regarding prior art grounds that were or reasonably could have been raised in an IPR, PGR, or CBM.

For a defendant currently facing assertion of this patent, the entire landscape of prior art grounds (e.g., anticipation under § 102, obviousness under § 103, or eligibility under § 112) remains available for potential PTAB challenge, provided all statutory and regulatory requirements for filing such a petition are met. The absence of PTAB challenges also suggests that, as of yet, no third party has successfully (or even attempted, publicly) to invalidate the patent's claims through this avenue.

Recommended next steps

Given the absence of any PTAB activity for US9693030, a defendant facing assertion of this patent has a full range of options for challenging its validity at the USPTO.

• Consider filing an IPR/PGR/CBM petition: If strong prior art exists, a petition for Inter Partes Review (IPR) (for novelty/obviousness challenges under § 102/103) or Post-Grant Review (PGR) (broader grounds, but requires filing within nine months of issuance) could be a viable defense strategy. The absence of prior PTAB challenges means no estoppel bars exist from previous PTAB proceedings.
• Prior art search and analysis: A comprehensive prior art search should be conducted to identify strong references that could form the basis of a PTAB petition.
• Monitor for future filings: Continue to monitor PTAB dockets for any newly filed petitions against US9693030, as the litigation landscape for the current assignee, Bison Patent Licensing LLC, indicates active assertion of its portfolio.

Inventors

• Stephen P. Emeott: Employed by Arris Enterprises, Inc. (presumed, based on the immediate assignment of the patent to Arris Enterprises, Inc. by the inventors).
• Kevin L. Baum: Employed by Arris Enterprises, Inc. (presumed, based on the immediate assignment of the patent to Arris Enterprises, Inc. by the inventors). There is a mention of a Kevin Baum working in law enforcement starting in 2015, but given the patent's technical nature and the timing, this is likely a different individual or a career change after the patent's filing.
• Bhavan Gandhi: Employed by Arris Enterprises, Inc. (presumed, based on the immediate assignment of the patent to Arris Enterprises, Inc. by the inventors). Bhavan Gandhi currently works as Assistant Director of Data/Web Development at UIC's Student Affairs Technology.
• Faisal Ishtiaq: Employed by Arris Enterprises, Inc. (presumed, based on the immediate assignment of the patent to Arris Enterprises, Inc. by the inventors).
• Isselmou Ould Dellahy: Employed by Arris Enterprises, Inc. (presumed, based on the immediate assignment of the patent to Arris Enterprises, Inc. by the inventors).

Original assignee

The original assignee named on the issued patent is Arris Enterprises LLC.
Arris Enterprises LLC is a leading company in the telecommunications and broadband industry, specializing in advanced cable modems, set-top boxes, and broadband access technologies. The company is known for its DOCSIS technology and enhancing connectivity and user experience. The claims of US9693030, related to generating alerts and supplemental information from video content (e.g., in set-top boxes), align with Arris's product offerings.
Arris Enterprises LLC was acquired by CommScope on November 6, 2018, for $7.4 billion, and now operates as a brand name under CommScope. It is currently an active subsidiary of CommScope Holding Company, Inc.

Assignment timeline

• 2014-11-04 (executed) / recorded 2014-11-05 — Reel 031308/0462
  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS)
  • Assignor: ISHTIAQ, FAISAL; BAUM, KEVIN L.; EMEOTT, STEPHEN P.; OULD DELLAHY, ISSLEMOU; GANDHI, BHAVAN
  • Assignee: ARRIS ENTERPRISES, INC.
  • Correspondent: ARRIS ENTERPRISES, INC., 3871 LAKEFIELD DRIVE, SUWANEE, GA 30024.
  • Context: Initial assignment from inventors to the corporate assignee.
• 2015-06-24 (executed) / recorded 2015-06-26 — Reel 032906/0612
  • Conveyance: SECURITY INTEREST
  • Assignor: ARCHIE U.S. HOLDINGS LLC, ARCHIE U.S. MERGER LLC, ARRIS ENTERPRISES, INC., ARRIS GLOBAL SERVICES, INC., ARRIS GROUP, INC., ARRIS HOLDINGS CORP. OF ILLINOIS, INC., ARRIS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, ARRIS SOLUTIONS, INC., ARRIS TECHNOLOGY, INC., BIG BAND NETWORKS, INC., GIC INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL LLC, GIC INTERNATIONAL HOLDCO LLC, JERROLD DC RADIO, INC., NEXTLEVEL SYSTEMS (PUERTO RICO), INC., POWER GUARD, INC., TEXSCAN CORPORATION
  • Assignee: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
  • Correspondent: KILPATRICK TOWNSEND & STOCKTON LLP, 1100 PEACHTREE STREET, SUITE 2800, ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30309-4530. This correspondent firm recurs.
  • Context: Securitization of patents by Arris and various affiliated entities as collateral for a loan.
• 2019-04-08 (executed) / recorded 2019-04-09 — Reel 048704/0001
  • Conveyance: TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS
  • Assignor: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
  • Assignee: ARCHIE U.S. MERGER LLC
  • Correspondent: KILPATRICK TOWNSEND & STOCKTON LLP, 1100 PEACHTREE STREET, SUITE 2800, ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30309-4530. This correspondent firm recurs.
  • Context: Release of the security interest previously held by Bank of America.
• 2019-06-28 (executed) / recorded 2019-07-03 — Reel 049904/0970
  • Conveyance: TERM LOAN SECURITY AGREEMENT
  • Assignor: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC, ARRIS SOLUTIONS, INC., ARRIS TECHNOLOGY, INC., COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC, COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA, RUCKUS WIRELESS, INC.
  • Assignee: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
  • Correspondent: ROTHWELL, FIGG, ERNST & MANBECK, P.C., 607 14TH STREET NW, SUITE 800, WASHINGTON, DC 20005. This correspondent firm recurs.
  • Context: Securitization of patents by Arris and CommScope entities for a term loan.
• 2019-06-28 (executed) / recorded 2019-07-03 — Reel 049905/0001
  • Conveyance: ABL SECURITY AGREEMENT
  • Assignor: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC, ARRIS SOLUTIONS, INC., ARRIS TECHNOLOGY, INC., COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC, COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA, RUCKUS WIRELESS, INC.
  • Assignee: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
  • Correspondent: ROTHWELL, FIGG, ERNST & MANBECK, P.C., 607 14TH STREET NW, SUITE 800, WASHINGTON, DC 20005. This correspondent firm recurs.
  • Context: Further securitization of patents by Arris and CommScope entities for an asset-backed loan.
• 2019-06-28 (executed) / recorded 2019-07-03 — Reel 049905/0504
  • Conveyance: PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT
  • Assignor: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC
  • Assignee: [WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT](/asserters/wilmington-national-association-as-collateral-agent)
  • Correspondent: ROTHWELL, FIGG, ERNST & MANBECK, P.C., 607 14TH STREET NW, SUITE 800, WASHINGTON, DC 20005. This correspondent firm recurs.
  • Context: Securitization of patents by Arris to Wilmington Trust.
• 2021-11-19 (executed) / recorded 2021-11-23 — Reel 057041/0001
  • Conveyance: SECURITY INTEREST
  • Assignor: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC, ARRIS SOLUTIONS, INC., COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC, COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA, RUCKUS WIRELESS, INC.
  • Assignee: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
  • Correspondent: MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS LLP, 1111 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20004. This correspondent firm recurs.
  • Context: Securitization of patents by Arris/CommScope entities to Wilmington Trust.
• 2022-07-13 (executed) / recorded 2022-07-13 — Reel 059955/0001
  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS)
  • Assignor: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC
  • Assignee: BISON PATENT LICENSING, LLC
  • Correspondent: Charles J. Graham, 44 Amity Road, Warwick, NY 10990. This correspondent is associated with Bison Patent Licensing, LLC.
  • Context: Transfer of patent ownership from an operating company (Arris, a CommScope subsidiary) to a patent licensing entity.
• 2022-07-13 (executed) / recorded 2022-07-13 — Reel 059960/0001
  • Conveyance: PARTIAL RELEASE OF ABL SECURITY INTEREST
  • Assignor: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
  • Assignee: COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA
  • Correspondent: ROTHWELL, FIGG, ERNST & MANBECK, P.C., 607 14TH STREET NW, SUITE 800, WASHINGTON, DC 20005. This correspondent firm recurs.
  • Context: Partial release of security interest by JPMorgan Chase Bank.
• 2022-07-13 (executed) / recorded 2022-07-13 — Reel 059960/0002
  • Conveyance: PARTIAL RELEASE OF TERM LOAN SECURITY INTEREST
  • Assignor: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
  • Assignee: COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA
  • Correspondent: ROTHWELL, FIGG, ERNST & MANBECK, P.C., 607 14TH STREET NW, SUITE 800, WASHINGTON, DC 20005. This correspondent firm recurs.
  • Context: Partial release of security interest by JPMorgan Chase Bank.
• 2022-12-19 (executed) / recorded 2022-12-20 — Reel 060752/0001
  • Conveyance: PARTIAL TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS
  • Assignor: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
  • Assignee: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC
  • Correspondent: BAKER BOTTS L.L.P., 2001 ROSS AVENUE, DALLAS, TX 75201.
  • Context: Partial release of security interest by Wilmington Trust.
• 2023-04-07 (executed) / recorded 2023-04-10 — Reel 061706/0001
  • Conveyance: RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST
  • Assignor: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
  • Assignee: COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA
  • Correspondent: MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS LLP, 1111 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20004. This correspondent firm recurs.
  • Context: Release of security interest by Wilmington Trust.
• 2023-04-13 (executed) / recorded 2023-04-13 — Reel 061706/0002
  • Conveyance: PARTIAL TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS
  • Assignor: WILMINGTON TRUST
  • Assignee: COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA
  • Correspondent: MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS LLP, 1111 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20004. This correspondent firm recurs.
  • Context: Partial release of security interest by Wilmington Trust.
• 2024-12-19 (executed) / recorded 2024-12-20 — Reel 064379/0001
  • Conveyance: RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST
  • Assignor: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
  • Assignee: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • Correspondent: ROTHWELL, FIGG, ERNST & MANBECK, P.C., 607 14TH STREET NW, SUITE 800, WASHINGTON, DC 20005. This correspondent firm recurs.
  • Context: Release of security interest by JPMorgan Chase Bank.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 9693030
    2014 : Filed by Arris Enterprises LLC
         : Inventors assigned to Arris
    2015 : Securitized to Bank of America
    2017 : Issued to Arris Enterprises LLC
    2018 : Arris acquired by CommScope
    2019 : BofA security interest released
         : Securitized to JPMorgan Chase
         : Securitized to Wilmington Trust
    2021 : Securitized to Wilmington Trust
    2022 : Assigned to Bison Patent Licensing
         : JPMorgan Chase partial release
         : Wilmington Trust partial release
    2023 : Wilmington Trust security release
         : Wilmington Trust partial release
    2024 : JPMorgan Chase security release

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — Present. The patent was transferred from Arris Enterprises LLC (an operating company and subsidiary of CommScope) to Bison Patent Licensing, LLC. Bison Patent Licensing (Bison PL) was founded in 2022 specifically to own and license a patent portfolio purchased from CommScope, stating on its website that it "makes its world-wide patent portfolio available for licensing at reasonable and fair royalty rates." This explicit business model and the name "Patent Licensing, LLC" are strong indicators of a shell entity.
   • Reel 059955/0001, executed 2022-07-13 / recorded 2022-07-13.
2. Known asserter in the chain — Present. Bison Patent Licensing, LLC is identified by RPX as an NPE that received patents from CommScope and has initiated patent litigation. They filed their first suit against Samsung in April 2025 and subsequently accused LG Electronics of infringement in December 2025, using patents from the CommScope portfolio.
   • Current assignee: Bison Patent Licensing, LLC.
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — Present.
   • KILPATRICK TOWNSEND & STOCKTON LLP appears on two records (Reel 032906/0612, Reel 048704/0001) for Bank of America's security interest and its release.
   • ROTHWELL, FIGG, ERNST & MANBECK, P.C. appears on six records (Reel 049904/0970, Reel 049905/0001, Reel 049905/0504, Reel 059960/0001, Reel 059960/0002, Reel 064379/0001) for JPMorgan Chase Bank's security interests and releases.
   • MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS LLP appears on three records (Reel 057041/0001, Reel 061706/0001, Reel 061706/0002) for Wilmington Trust's security interests and releases.
   • Charles J. Graham is the correspondent for Bison Patent Licensing, LLC (Reel 059955/0001). Given Bison PL's explicit licensing model and litigation activities, this correspondent is a repeat-player attorney for an NPE family.
4. Cascading transfers — Not present. There are multiple security interest recordings and releases involving various banks and Arris/CommScope entities, but only one direct transfer of ownership (Arris to Bison PL). There is no pattern of rapid, consecutive ownership transfers between different shell entities.
5. Pre-litigation transfer — Present. The patent was assigned to Bison Patent Licensing, LLC on July 13, 2022 (Reel 059955/0001). Bison PL was formed in 2022 with the express purpose of patent licensing from its acquired CommScope portfolio and initiated its first litigation campaigns by April 2025. While the first lawsuit directly naming this patent is not explicitly within 6 months of the transfer, the transfer to an entity specifically established for assertion indicates a pre-assertion strategy.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — Not present. Arris Enterprises LLC was acquired by CommScope, not dissolved or in bankruptcy, and the patent transfer to Bison PL was part of CommScope's divestment of a patent portfolio.
7. Privateering — Unclear. While CommScope divested patents to Bison PL, which then asserts them, public records do not explicitly indicate a privateering arrangement where CommScope funds or directs Bison PL to sue its competitors on CommScope's behalf.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — Not present. The chain terminates with Bison Patent Licensing, LLC, which is an asserting entity, not a defensive aggregator.

Verdict

NPE — high confidence
The patent was transferred from the operating company Arris Enterprises LLC (a CommScope subsidiary) to Bison Patent Licensing, LLC (Reel 059955/0001 on 2022-07-13), a known patent licensing entity that explicitly states its business is patent licensing and has initiated litigation against multiple defendants. This transfer to an entity created specifically for patent assertion, coupled with consistent use of a specialized correspondent and reported litigation by RPX, strongly indicates an NPE pattern.

USPTO Assignment Center search for US9693030

Most Relevant Prior Art for US Patent 9693030

A review of the prior art references cited in US Patent 9693030, "Generating alerts based upon detector outputs," reveals several patents that potentially anticipate aspects of its independent claims. Based on the titles and general scope, the following patents have been identified as highly relevant for a preliminary anticipation analysis under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

Prior Art Analysis

1. U.S. Patent 6,760,920 (US6760920B1)

• Full Citation: US6760920B1, "Dynamic filtering of media content," issued July 6, 2004, to The Invention Submission Corporation.
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication Date: July 6, 2004; Filing Date: May 15, 2001.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a system and method for dynamic filtering of media content by identifying content elements within a media stream, comparing them to user preferences, and altering the presentation of the media based on those preferences. It covers analyzing audio, visual, and textual components of media, extracting features, and using a filtering engine to block, modify, or allow content.
• Potential Anticipation (US9693030 Claims 1, 11, 19): US6760920B1 potentially anticipates elements of Claims 1, 11, and 19. It discloses analyzing media content (analogous to "receiving detector output data" from video data), identifying content elements (like "on-screen text or objects"), and performing actions (filtering/altering presentation) based on detected elements and user preferences (analogous to "determining key items" and "generating an alert"). The system aspect (Claim 11) is also broadly anticipated by its description of a media analysis component and a filtering engine. The method could be implemented via a computer-readable medium (Claim 19).

2. U.S. Patent 6,785,890 (US6785890B1)

• Full Citation: US6785890B1, "Systems and methods for dynamically inserting interactive features into media content," issued August 31, 2004, to The Invention Submission Corporation.
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication Date: August 31, 2004; Filing Date: May 15, 2001.
• Brief Description: This patent describes techniques for identifying content elements (e.g., objects, people, text, scenes, sounds) within a media stream, comparing them to a database of interactive features, and dynamically inserting these interactive features into the media content. The interactive features can be presented to a user based on the detected elements.
• Potential Anticipation (US9693030 Claims 1, 11, 19): US6785890B1 potentially anticipates aspects of Claims 1, 11, and 19. It teaches "identifying content elements" (similar to detecting "on-screen text or objects" and defining "key items"), and "dynamically inserting interactive features" (a form of "generating an alert" or "supplemental information"). The system involves components for content identification and insertion, aligning with Claim 11. The method is suitable for implementation on a computer-readable medium (Claim 19).

3. U.S. Patent 7,617,514 (US7617514B2)

• Full Citation: US7617514B2, "System and method for identifying and presenting content in a digital video stream," issued November 10, 2009, to Liberty Global, Inc.
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication Date: November 10, 2009; Filing Date: October 26, 2004.
• Brief Description: This patent details a system and method for identifying particular content (e.g., product images, brand names, phrases) within a digital video stream, generating an event based on this identification, and presenting related content or options to a user. This involves processing video frames, extracting objects or text, and linking these to additional information or actions.
• Potential Anticipation (US9693030 Claims 1, 11, 19): US7617514B2 is highly relevant and potentially anticipates Claims 1, 11, and 19. It directly addresses "identifying content" (on-screen text/objects, key items), "generating an event" (similar to generating an alert), and "presenting related content" (a form of alert or supplemental information). The system architecture described would include components for video analysis, content identification, and user presentation, closely matching Claim 11. The method can be embodied in a computer-readable medium (Claim 19).

4. U.S. Patent 8,104,052 (US8104052B2)

• Full Citation: US8104052B2, "Methods, systems and computer readable media for detecting the presentation of a graphical content item within a displayed content stream," issued January 24, 2012, to Digimarc Corporation.
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication Date: January 24, 2012; Filing Date: November 24, 2008.
• Brief Description: This patent focuses on detecting the presentation of a graphical content item (e.g., a watermark, logo, or other visual indicator) within a displayed content stream. Upon detection, an action can be performed, such as retrieving supplemental information or initiating a program. The detection can involve analyzing regions of a video frame for specific visual patterns.
• Potential Anticipation (US9693030 Claims 1, 11, 19): US8104052B2 potentially anticipates elements of Claims 1, 11, and 19, particularly regarding the detection of "graphical content items" (which could include "objects" or specific "pixel patterns" as key items in US9693030). The patent describes "detecting presentation" within a "content stream" (analogous to monitoring "detector output data" in "monitoring regions") and "performing an action" (generating an alert). The system and computer-readable media aspects are also covered.

5. U.S. Patent 8,272,018 (US8272018B2)

• Full Citation: US8272018B2, "Dynamic detection and linking of elements in a video stream," issued September 18, 2012, to Digimarc Corporation.
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication Date: September 18, 2012; Filing Date: November 24, 2008.
• Brief Description: This patent describes detecting an element in a video stream, determining a location of the detected element, and linking the element to supplemental information. The detection can involve analyzing visual characteristics of the element, and the supplemental information can be displayed or used to interact with the content. This is a continuation of some of the themes in US8104052B2.
• Potential Anticipation (US9693030 Claims 1, 11, 19): US8272018B2 is highly relevant. It directly teaches "detecting an element in a video stream" (e.g., on-screen text or objects, key items), "determining a location" (regions), and "linking to supplemental information" (a form of alert or enhanced viewing experience). The method (Claim 1) of receiving detector output data, determining regions, determining a key item, monitoring, and generating an alert is strongly covered. Similarly, the system (Claim 11) for performing these functions and the computer-readable medium (Claim 19) containing instructions for the method are potentially anticipated.

Based on the information provided, the "Prior art" section of the US9693030 patent only lists keywords (data, alert, computer system, frames, text) and a prior art date (2013-09-09). It does not identify specific prior art references (e.g., other patents, publications, or products) that would be necessary to perform an obviousness analysis under 35 U.S.C. § 103.

To conduct an obviousness analysis, one needs to:

1. Identify the scope and content of the prior art.
2. Ascertain the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Determine the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Evaluate objective evidence of obviousness (e.g., commercial success, long-felt but unsolved needs, failure of others).

Without specific prior art references, it is not possible to identify combinations of references or explain why a person having ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to combine them to render the claims of US9693030 obvious. Therefore, I cannot fulfill the request to analyze the obviousness of US9693030 as specified.