US 9979826

US Patent 9,979,826: Connection Specific Selection of Automated Response Messages

Title: Connection specific selection of automated response messages
Assignee: Cedarwood Ventures Inc.
Inventors: Loralee Hajdu, Oliver Hajdu
Filing Date: March 19, 2017
Issue Date: May 22, 2018
Abstract: The patent describes a software and computer processor implemented system and method for providing customized automated responses to different types of incoming electronic messages from various contact sources. It is particularly useful for preventing distracted driving or distractions at work or during rest. The invention's software, often an app on a smartphone or other computerized device, automatically connects to devices like automobile-associated Bluetooth peripherals or Wi-Fi access points. When active, these connections trigger an auto-response mode to incoming messages. The system allows different automated responses to be assigned to specific connected device identification codes or incoming message originators. Various prioritization schemes, such as "last active connection dominates," and how contact-specific responses interact with device-specific responses are also discussed.

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Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1: This claim describes a method for a handheld computerized device to automatically respond to incoming messages based on its connection to a Bluetooth peripheral. The method involves:

  1. Having a handheld computerized device (like a smartphone) with a processor, Bluetooth, graphical user interface, memory, cellular network, and specialized "reply software."
  2. Having at least one Bluetooth peripheral device that can wirelessly connect to the handheld device, each with a unique Bluetooth identification code (not a phone number).
  3. Using the reply software and user interface to link specific automatic replies to these Bluetooth peripheral identification codes and storing these links in the device's memory.
  4. When the handheld device connects to a Bluetooth peripheral, the reply software detects its identification code, selects the corresponding automatic reply from memory, and then uses that selected reply to automatically respond to any incoming messages received via the cellular network.

• Independent Claim 6: This claim describes a handheld computerized device itself, comprising:

  1. At least one processor, Bluetooth transceiver, graphical user interface, handheld computerized device memory, at least one wireless cellular network transceiver, and reply software.
  2. The device being a smartphone or tablet computer.
  3. The device is set up to identify Bluetooth peripheral devices by their unique identification codes when connected.
  4. The reply software, graphical user interface, and processor are configured to assign and store automatic replies linked to specific Bluetooth peripheral identification codes in the device's memory.
  5. When a Bluetooth peripheral connects, the device and its software are configured to determine the peripheral's identification code (not a telephone number), select and retrieve the associated automatic reply from memory.
  6. The device and software are also configured to use this selected automatic reply to automatically respond to incoming messages received through the cellular network.

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CAFC 2026 Dockets:
A search of the CAFC 2026 dockets for patent number 9979826 reveals no specific entries within the provided live web search results. However, the Google Patents page for US9979826B1 indicates that the "Family has litigation" and lists several US cases filed in the Texas Western District Court (e.g., 7:26-cv-00152, 1:26-cv-01204, 1:26-cv-01202). These district court cases are from 2026, suggesting ongoing litigation related to the patent, which could potentially lead to appeals at the CAFC in the future, but no direct CAFC dockets for 2026 for this specific patent number were found in the search results provided.US Patent 9,979,826, titled "Connection specific selection of automated response messages", was issued on May 22, 2018, from an application filed on March 19, 2017. The patent is currently assigned to Cedarwood Ventures Inc., and the inventors are Loralee Hajdu and Oliver Hajdu.

Abstract:
The patent describes a software and computer processor implemented system and method for providing customized automated responses to different types of incoming electronic messages from various contact sources. This system is particularly useful for preventing distracted driving or distractions in other contexts (e.g., at work or during rest and relaxation). The core of the invention is an app running on a smartphone or other computerized device that automatically connects to other devices, such as Bluetooth peripherals in a car or Wi-Fi access points. These active connections then automatically trigger an auto-response mode for incoming messages. The system allows for assigning different automated responses based on the connected device's identification code or the originator of the incoming message. The patent also details various prioritization schemes, such as the "last active connection dominates," and how contact-specific automated responses interact with device-specific automated responses.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1 (Method Claim): This claim describes a method where a handheld computerized device (like a smartphone) uses its connection status to a Bluetooth peripheral to select and send automatic replies to incoming messages. The method involves:

  1. Having a handheld device equipped with a processor, Bluetooth, graphical user interface (GUI), memory, cellular network capabilities, and specific "reply software."
  2. Having one or more Bluetooth peripheral devices, each with a unique identification code (not a telephone number), capable of wirelessly connecting to the handheld device.
  3. Using the reply software, GUI, and processor to link specific automatic reply messages to these unique Bluetooth peripheral identification codes, storing these associations in the handheld device's memory.
  4. When the handheld device connects via Bluetooth to one of these peripheral devices, the reply software identifies the peripheral's code. This code is then used to retrieve the corresponding automatic reply message from memory.
  5. Finally, when an incoming message is received via the cellular network, the selected automatic reply is used to automatically respond to that message.

• Independent Claim 6 (Device Claim): This claim describes a handheld computerized device designed to perform the functions outlined in Claim 1. The device includes:

  1. A processor, Bluetooth transceiver, graphical user interface, memory, at least one wireless cellular network transceiver, and reply software.
  2. The device itself is a smartphone or tablet.
  3. It is configured to uniquely identify connected Bluetooth peripheral devices by their identification codes.
  4. The reply software, GUI, and processor are set up to assign and store automatic replies linked to specific Bluetooth peripheral identification codes in the device's memory.
  5. When a Bluetooth peripheral connects, the device and its software determine the peripheral's identification code (which is not a telephone number) and use it to select and retrieve the appropriate automatic reply from memory.
  6. The device and software are then configured to use this retrieved automatic reply to respond automatically to incoming messages received through the cellular network.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
As of April 26, 2026, a direct search of CAFC 2026 dockets for patent number 9979826 did not return specific results. However, information from Google Patents indicates that the patent family is involved in litigation, with several cases filed in the Texas Western District Court in 2026 (e.g., 7:26-cv-00152, 1:26-cv-01204, 1:26-cv-01202). While these are district court cases, they suggest ongoing legal activity that could potentially lead to appeals at the CAFC.