US 11966559

Here is a concise summary of US patent 11966559:

• Title: Selection ring user interface
• Assignee: Peer Global Inc
• Inventors: Thinh Tran
• Filing Date: April 5, 2023
• Issue Date: April 23, 2024
• Abstract: The patent describes a selection ring user interface where a selection ring is displayed in a first graphical user interface. Upon a first user selection of the ring, multiple icons are presented in the same interface. The user can then manipulate the selection ring's position without changing the icons' locations. A second selection associated with the ring selects an icon based on the ring's position, leading to the presentation of a second graphical user interface corresponding to the selected icon.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

Claim 1 (Method for User Interface Interaction):
This claim describes a method for interacting with a user interface, performed by a computing device. It involves:

1. Displaying a selection ring within a first graphical user interface.
2. When a user first selects this selection ring, presenting multiple icons within the same first graphical user interface.
3. Receiving input from the user that moves the selection ring's position within the first graphical user interface. Importantly, this movement of the selection ring does not change the locations of the displayed icons.
4. When the user makes a second selection related to the selection ring, an icon from the presented group is chosen based on where the selection ring is currently positioned.
5. Finally, a second graphical user interface is shown to the user, the content of which is determined by the icon that was selected.

Claim 11 (Computing Device for User Interface Interaction):
This claim describes a computing device configured to perform the user interface interaction method. It includes:

1. A display capable of showing a selection ring in a first graphical user interface.
2. One or more processors.
3. A memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processors, cause the device to:
   • Present the selection ring in the first graphical user interface.
   • In response to a first user selection of the selection ring, present multiple icons in the first graphical user interface.
   • Receive user input to manipulate the selection ring's position without altering the icons' locations.
   • In response to a second selection, choose an icon from the displayed icons based on the selection ring's position.
   • Present a second graphical user interface based on the selected icon.

Claim 18 (Method for User Interface Interaction with Context Information):
This claim also describes a method for interacting with a user interface, similar to Claim 1, but with an added element of contextual information:

1. Displaying a selection ring and a context information area in a first graphical user interface.
2. Upon a first user selection of the selection ring, presenting multiple icons in the first graphical user interface.
3. Receiving user manipulation of the selection ring's position, where the icon locations remain unchanged.
4. In response to a second selection, selecting an icon based on the selection ring's position.
5. Presenting a second graphical user interface based on the selected icon.
6. The claim also specifies that the context information area indicates the current "context" of the user's access to a social network architecture.

Litigation Status:
US Patent 11966559 is currently active and has associated litigation. A US case has been filed in the Texas Western District Court, identified as case number 7:26-cv-00033. This case was filed in 2026, which aligns with the current date. There is no information found on CAFC dockets specifically pertaining to this patent number as of April 26, 2026.Here is a concise summary of US patent 11966559:

• Title: Selection ring user interface
• Assignee: Peer Global Inc [cite: Original Assignee: Peer Inc, Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the list.) Peer Global Inc]
• Inventors: Thinh Tran
• Filing Date: April 5, 2023 [cite: Filing date 2023-04-05]
• Issue Date: April 23, 2024 [cite: Publication date 2024-04-23]
• Abstract: The patent describes a user interface method and device utilizing a selection ring to choose icons. Initially, a selection ring is displayed in a first graphical user interface. Upon a first user selection of the ring, a plurality of icons appears in the same interface. The user can then move the selection ring's position without changing the locations of these icons. A second selection associated with the ring then chooses an icon based on the ring's final position, leading to the display of a second graphical user interface related to the selected icon.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

Claim 1 (Method for User Interface Interaction):
This claim outlines a method for a computing device to interact with a user, involving:

1. Displaying a "selection ring" within a primary screen or view (first graphical user interface).
2. When the user first interacts with or selects this ring, showing a group of icons on that same screen.
3. Allowing the user to move the selection ring around the screen without moving the icons themselves.
4. When the user makes another selection using the ring, an icon from the displayed group is chosen based on where the ring is positioned over it.
5. After an icon is selected, a new screen or view (second graphical user interface) is presented to the user, the content of which is determined by the chosen icon.

Claim 11 (Computing Device for User Interface Interaction):
This claim describes a computing device (e.g., a smartphone) that is built to perform the method of user interface interaction. The device includes:

1. A display to show the visual elements.
2. One or more processors (the "brain" of the device).
3. Memory storing instructions that, when the processors execute them, enable the device to:
   • Show the selection ring on the display.
   • Present the icons when the ring is first selected.
   • Detect and respond to the user moving the selection ring without moving the icons.
   • Select an icon based on the ring's position upon a second user selection.
   • Display a new screen based on the selected icon.

Claim 18 (Method for User Interface Interaction with Contextual Information):
This claim details another method for user interface interaction, similar to Claim 1, but specifically includes a "context information area." It involves:

1. Presenting both a selection ring and a context information area in the main screen (first graphical user interface).
2. When the selection ring is initially selected by the user, displaying a set of icons in that same screen.
3. Accepting user input to move the selection ring's position, ensuring the icons remain in their original spots.
4. Upon a second selection tied to the ring, choosing an icon based on the ring's current position.
5. Displaying a new screen (second graphical user interface) that corresponds to the chosen icon.
6. The context information area's role is to show the user's current "context" within a social network system (e.g., social mode, marketplace mode).

Litigation Status:
US Patent 11966559 is active. The patent family has litigation filed. A case has been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas under case number 7:26-cv-00033. This district court filing occurred in 2026. As of April 26, 2026, no specific dockets related to US11966559 were found in the CAFC 2026 dockets during the search. [cite: Family has litigation, US case filed in Texas Western District Court litigation https://portal.unifiedpatents.com/litigation/Texas%20Western%20District%20Court/case/7%3A26-cv-00033]

The previous summary already mentioned a case:

• Jurisdiction: Texas Western District Court
• Case number: 7:26-cv-00033
• Filing date: 2026 (more specific date would be good if available).

The search result from Unified Patents confirms this and provides more details:

• Case #: 7:26-CV-00033
• Court: W.D. TX (Western District of Texas)
• Caption: Peer Global Inc v. [Apple Inc.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/Apple%20Inc.)
• Filed: 01/29/26 (January 29, 2026)
• Patent: '559, '878, '712 (This indicates US11966559B2, US11137878B2, and US11650712B2 are involved)
• Side: Patent Owner (Peer Global Inc)
• Opponent Parties: Apple Inc.

Outcome or current status: The case is listed as "Active Cases1" under Peer Global Inc's general information. The specific status is not detailed beyond "Active".

I have sufficient information to answer the request.Known litigation involving US patent 11966559 includes the following case:

• Plaintiff(s): Peer Global Inc.
• Defendant(s): Apple Inc.
• Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
• Case Number: 7:26-CV-00033
• Filing Date: January 29, 2026
• Outcome or Current Status: The case is currently active.

This litigation also involves US Patent 11137878B2 and US Patent 11650712B2. As of April 26, 2026, no specific dockets related to US11966559 were found in CAFC 2026 dockets.

Proceedings overview

There is 1 AIA trial proceeding on file for US Patent 11966559. It is currently pending, giving a defendant little definitive information about the claims at this stage.

IPR2026-00438 — [Apple Inc.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/Apple%20Inc.) v. Peer Global Inc.

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2026-08-17
• Status: Pending. This IPR was filed very recently and is in its initial stages, awaiting an institution decision.
• Judge panel: The judge panel for IPR2026-00438 has not yet been assigned or publicly disclosed as of 2026-08-18.
• Petition grounds: Details regarding the specific claims challenged, the prior art cited, and the statutory basis (§ 102 / § 103 / § 112) of the petition are not publicly available at this early stage of the proceeding.
• Institution decision: Not yet issued. An institution decision is typically rendered within six months of the petition's filing date.
• Final Written Decision: Not yet issued.
• Settlement / termination: Not applicable at this stage.
• Appeal: Not applicable at this stage.
• Defensive value: As this IPR has just been filed, it offers no immediate defensive value in terms of claims being invalidated or confirmed. However, it indicates that Apple Inc. perceives the patent as a potential threat and is challenging its validity. A defendant should monitor this proceeding closely, as a successful institution and subsequent invalidation could significantly weaken the patent owner's position.

Strategic summary

Currently, all claims of US11966559 remain untested by a final PTAB decision. The single Inter Partes Review, IPR2026-00438, was only filed on August 17, 2026, by Apple Inc., and is in its very nascent stages. No claims have been canceled or sustained through an AIA trial, nor have any institution decisions been made. Therefore, the patent claims are still presumed valid for assertion purposes, pending the outcome of this IPR.

The estoppel landscape has not yet formed for this patent since no institution decision or final written decision has been issued. If IPR2026-00438 is instituted, Apple Inc. (and its privies) would be estopped from later asserting invalidity grounds that were raised or reasonably could have been raised in the IPR, should a final written decision be issued. For other potential defendants, all prior-art grounds remain available until a final written decision is reached in this or any future AIA trial. The filing by Apple Inc. signals a significant party's interest in challenging the patent.

Recommended next steps

For a defendant facing assertion of US11966559, it is crucial to closely monitor IPR2026-00438. The most immediate milestone to track is the institution decision, which is expected within six months of the filing date (around February 2027). The institution decision will indicate which claims (if any) are deemed likely to be unpatentable. If the IPR is instituted, the trial will proceed, with a statutory deadline for the Final Written Decision approximately one year from institution. Reviewing the petition once it becomes publicly available will provide insights into Apple's invalidity arguments and the prior art relied upon.
Further details on IPR2026-00438 can be found on the USPTO Patent Trial and Appeal Board End-to-End (PTAB E2E) system once the case progresses.

Inventors

Thinh Tran, employer at time of filing not determinable from the provided text.

Original assignee

The original assignee is Peer Inc. The provided text does not contain information about whether Peer Inc. shipped a product embodying the claims, their primary line of business, or their current operating status. According to the Google Patents legal events, the current assignee is Peer Global Inc. [cite: Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the list.) Peer Global Inc, Original Assignee Peer Inc]

Assignment timeline

No assignment records for US11966559 were found in the USPTO Assignment Center. The Google Patents legal events indicate a reassignment.

• 2026-01-16 – recorded 2026-01-16
  • Conveyance: Reassignment
  • Assignor: Peer Inc
  • Assignee: PEER GLOBAL INC
  • Correspondent: Not specified in available data.
  • Context: Change of name, as indicated by the "CHANGE OF NAME" notation. [cite: 2026-01-16 Assigned to PEER GLOBAL INC reassignment PEER GLOBAL INC CHANGE OF NAME Assignors: PEER INC]

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US11966559
    2023 : Filed by Peer Inc
    2024 : Issued to Peer Inc
    2026 : Reassigned to Peer Global Inc

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer - unclear. While the transfer is from Peer Inc to Peer Global Inc, which could suggest a change in corporate structure, there is no direct evidence that Peer Global Inc is a licensing-only LLC with no products or a registered-agent address. Peer Global Inc (also referred to as Peer Inc) appears to be an operating company developing an "AI-native platform reimagining the internet as a persistent, explorable universe" and a "Blockchain-based metaverse social platform".
2. Known asserter in the chain - not present. None of the assignees (Peer Inc, Peer Global Inc) are identified as known NPEs or high-frequency plaintiffs in the provided information.
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain - unclear. The correspondent information for the reassignment is not available in the provided text, so it's not possible to determine if a repeat correspondent is present.
4. Cascading transfers - not present. Only one reassignment event is recorded (from Peer Inc to Peer Global Inc), which does not constitute cascading transfers.
5. Pre-litigation transfer - unclear. The patent was reassigned on January 16, 2026, and a US case was filed in the Texas Western District Court on an unspecified date in 2026 [cite: 2026-01-16 Assigned to PEER GLOBAL INC reassignment, US case filed in Texas Western District Court litigation https://portal.unifiedpatents.com/litigation/Texas%20Western%20District%20Court/case/7%3A26-cv-00033]. Without a precise filing date for the litigation, it is unclear if the transfer occurred within 6 months prior to the suit.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale - not present. There is no indication in the provided information that Peer Inc or Peer Global Inc have filed for bankruptcy.
7. Privateering - unclear. There is no information in the provided text to suggest that Peer Global Inc is asserting the patent on behalf of Peer Inc against competitors.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) - not present. The chain does not terminate at any known defensive aggregators.

Verdict

Insufficient data. While litigation has been filed, there is only one recorded assignment which is noted as a "CHANGE OF NAME" [cite: 2026-01-16 Assigned to PEER GLOBAL INC reassignment PEER GLOBAL INC CHANGE OF NAME Assignors: PEER INC]. There is no clear evidence to definitively classify Peer Global Inc as an NPE. Further investigation into Peer Global Inc's business practices, product embodiment of the claims, and the specifics of the ongoing litigation would be required for a more conclusive verdict.

USPTO Assignment Center search page: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/

To search the USPTO database for US patent 11966559, I will utilize the Patent Public Search tool.

As of April 26, 2026, I do not have direct access to the USPTO internal patent citation database to identify the "most relevant prior art" and perform the detailed analysis for each cited patent, including publication/filing dates, brief descriptions, and claims potentially anticipated under 35 U.S.C. § 102. This type of analysis requires a comprehensive review of each cited patent's full text and claims in relation to the claims of US11966559, which is beyond the scope of a direct search query.

Therefore, I cannot provide the most relevant prior art for US patent 11966559 or analyze which claim(s) it potentially anticipates under 35 U.S.C. § 102 with the current tools.

Obviousness Analysis under 35 U.S.C. § 103 for US11966559

This analysis assesses the obviousness of US Patent 11966559 under 35 U.S.C. § 103, considering the prior art information provided in the patent document itself. The "Prior art keywords" listed for US11966559 include "user," "user interface," "stories," "story," and "icon." The "Description of the Related Art" further details conventional social media networks such as FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and INSTAGRAM, which allow users to generate and post content, typically displayed in a "wall" or "feed" where content is ordered by its posting time. [cite: Description] While no specific prior art patent or publication documents are explicitly cited, these descriptions delineate the general state of the art in social media user interfaces and common interaction paradigms at the time of the invention.

A Person Having Ordinary Skill in the Art (PHOSITA) in the field of graphical user interface design and social media application development would possess knowledge of these conventional social media platforms and established GUI interaction techniques.

Combination of Prior Art and Motivation for Claims 1, 11, and 18

The independent claims of US Patent 11966559 introduce a "selection ring" user interface for navigating and interacting with content, particularly within a time-based social network. The core innovation, as claimed, lies in the specific interaction sequence of a selection ring revealing icons, allowing manipulation over static icons, and then confirming a selection to transition to a new interface.

Prior Art References (as interpreted from patent text):

• Reference A: Conventional social media networks (e.g., FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM) providing graphical user interfaces, displaying user-generated content ("stories" or "posts"), and incorporating various "icons" for features like profiles, notifications, and messaging. [cite: Description]
• Reference B: General knowledge in the field of graphical user interface (GUI) design and interaction, encompassing common patterns such as:
  • The use of movable selectors (e.g., cursors, highlight boxes) to interact with static graphical elements (e.g., icons).
  • Techniques for displaying hidden menu options or icons upon a primary user action to declutter interfaces.
  • The concept of a secondary user input to confirm a selection made with a selector.
  • The universal principle that selecting an icon triggers a specific function or leads to a new graphical user interface.
  • The practice of displaying contextual information (e.g., current mode or section) within an application's interface to aid user navigation and understanding.

Motivation to Combine:
A PHOSITA would be motivated to combine elements from Reference A and Reference B to enhance the user experience of social media applications, particularly on mobile devices where screen space is limited and intuitive, gesture-based interaction is highly valued. The motivation would be to streamline user interaction, provide a cleaner interface by revealing options only when needed, and offer clear visual feedback on selected functions and the user's current context within the application.

Obviousness of Claim 1 (Method for User Interface Interaction)

Claim 1 describes a method comprising:

1. Displaying a selection ring within a first graphical user interface.
2. In response to a first user selection of the selection ring, presenting multiple icons within the same first graphical user interface.
3. Receiving user manipulation of the selection ring's position without altering the locations of the displayed icons.
4. In response to a second selection associated with the selection ring, selecting an icon based on the selection ring's position.
5. Presenting a second graphical user interface based on the selected icon. [cite: Claim 1]

Reasoning for Obviousness:
A PHOSITA, aiming to improve the "user interface" of a "social media network" (Reference A), would find it obvious to implement the interaction sequence described in Claim 1 by drawing upon general GUI design knowledge (Reference B):

• Displaying a selection ring and presenting icons upon first selection: It is common in GUI design (Reference B) to have a primary interactive element (e.g., a "selection ring" as a stylized cursor or radial menu activator) that, upon a "first selection," reveals a "plurality of icons" representing options. This keeps the initial "first graphical user interface" uncluttered, a known design goal in user interface development. [cite: Claim 1]
• Manipulating the selection ring over static icons: The concept of moving a selector (e.g., a cursor, a highlight box, or a "selection ring") over fixed "icons" to indicate a choice, without the icons themselves moving, is fundamental to graphical user interfaces (Reference B). This provides a stable and predictable interaction model. [cite: Claim 1]
• Selecting an icon with a second selection, leading to a new GUI: The pattern of positioning a selector over a desired option and then performing a "second selection" (e.g., a tap, click, or release) to activate that option, which then leads to a "second graphical user interface" (e.g., launching an application or function), is a ubiquitous and inherent aspect of GUI design (Reference B). [cite: Claim 1]

The combination of these well-known UI elements and interaction patterns (Reference B) within the context of a social media application (Reference A) would be obvious to a PHOSITA seeking to create an intuitive and efficient way for users to access various features (represented by icons) from a central point of interaction.

Obviousness of Claim 11 (Computing Device for User Interface Interaction)

Claim 11 describes a computing device comprising a display, one or more processors, and memory storing instructions to perform the method of Claim 1. [cite: Claim 11]

Reasoning for Obviousness:
If the method of Claim 1 is obvious, then configuring a conventional "computing device" with a "display," "processors," and "memory" to execute instructions for performing that obvious method would also be obvious to a PHOSITA. The hardware components listed are standard in any modern computing device (e.g., "smartphones, tablet computers, laptops, wearable computing devices," as mentioned in the patent). Implementing an obvious software method on conventional computing hardware does not inherently confer non-obviousness. A PHOSITA would routinely program such a device to perform desired user interface functionalities.

Obviousness of Claim 18 (Method for User Interface Interaction with Context Information)

Claim 18 is similar to Claim 1 but adds the element of displaying a "context information area" that indicates the "context of the user's access to a social network architecture." [cite: Claim 18]

Reasoning for Obviousness:
Building upon the obviousness of Claim 1, the addition of a "context information area" further reinforces the obviousness. Conventional social media networks (Reference A) often incorporate different "modes" or sections (e.g., a news feed, a marketplace, a profile view, an events page). It is a well-established practice in GUI design (Reference B) to include visual cues, such as a "context information area" (e.g., a title bar, a status indicator, a highlighted menu item), to inform the "user" of their current operational "context" within an application. [cite: Claim 18, 0091]

A PHOSITA, designing a social media application with multiple functional modes (such as a "marketplace mode, a social network mode, a restaurant mode, a travel mode," as described in the patent), would find it obvious to combine the obvious selection ring interaction (as in Claim 1) with a conventional "context information area." This combination would be motivated by the desire to improve user orientation and navigation within a multi-functional social media environment, making it clear to the user which part of the application they are currently interacting with.