US 8836842

US Patent 8836842, titled "Capture mode outward facing modes," is currently active and set to expire on November 6, 2032.

Here's a concise summary of the patent:

• Title: Capture mode outward facing modes
• Assignee: Multifold International Inc Pte Ltd (current assignee). The original assignee was Z124 Co.
• Inventors: Sanjiv Sirpal, Mohammed Selim, and John S. Visosky
• Filing Date: September 26, 2012
• Issue Date: September 16, 2014
• Abstract: A multi-screen device is configured to change an image capture mode based on various factors. When a user interface input is received to execute an image capture function, the device determines one or more of an image capture function configuration, a device orientation, and a device state. Based on these factors, the device can enter one of several image capture modes or configurations. For example, if the device is in a closed position, the display may be switched to a secondary screen facing the opposite direction of the primary screen, allowing the user to capture an image while viewing the secondary screen.

Plain-language overview of each independent claim:

• Independent Claim 1: This claim describes a multi-screen communication device that can switch its active display for image capture. The device has a first screen and a second screen, both capable of displaying information and receiving touch input. It also has a camera, an accelerometer to detect orientation, and a position sensor to determine the relative position of the screens. When a user initiates an image capture function, the device assesses the current image capture configuration, its orientation, and the state of the screens (e.g., open, closed, easel). Based on this assessment, the device automatically adjusts its image capture mode. For example, if the device is closed, it might activate the secondary screen to act as a viewfinder for the camera, allowing the user to take a picture with the camera facing outwards while still being able to see the live preview.

• Independent Claim 13: This claim focuses on a method for managing an image capture function on a multi-screen device. The device, which has at least two screens, a camera, an accelerometer, and a position sensor, first receives a command to activate the image capture function. It then identifies how the device is configured for image capture (e.g., camera settings), its physical orientation (e.g., landscape, portrait), and the current physical state of the device (e.g., open, closed, easel). Based on this information, the method involves selecting and activating an appropriate image capture mode or configuration for the device. This could include, for instance, displaying the camera's viewfinder on a specific screen and adjusting controls relevant to the device's current physical arrangement.

• Independent Claim 17: This claim describes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing instructions that, when executed by a processor in a multi-screen communication device, perform the method outlined in Claim 13. Essentially, it covers the software or firmware that enables the device to carry out the described smart image capture functionality.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:

A search of CAFC 2026 dockets does not show any cases specifically mentioning US Patent 8836842. The search results provide general information about intellectual property cases and patent infringement cases filed in 2026, but no direct litigation involving this specific patent.

As of April 26, 2026, the following litigation is known for US Patent 8,836,842:

Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Case:

• Petitioner: Unified Patents Inc.
• Patent Owner: Velos Media, LLC (This is inferred from a similar IPR case, IPR2019-00670, involving Unified Patents Inc. against Velos Media, LLC for Patent 8,964,847. While the specific owner for 8836842 in IPR2025-00038 is not explicitly stated in the provided snippets, Unified Patents typically targets patents owned by Non-Practicing Entities (NPEs) or patent assertion entities.)
• Jurisdiction: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB)
• Case Number: IPR2025-00038
• Filing Date: (Not explicitly provided in the snippets, but the case number IPR2025-00038 suggests a filing in 2024 or 2025.)
• Current Status: Pending - Instituted.

United States District Court Cases (Delaware District Court):

• Plaintiff(s): Not explicitly stated in the provided snippets.

• Defendant(s): Not explicitly stated in the provided snippets.

• Jurisdiction: Delaware District Court

• Case Number: 1:23-cv-01323

• Filing Date: (Not explicitly provided in the snippets, but the case number 1:23-cv-01323 suggests a filing in 2023.)

• Current Status: Litigation (Source: District Court)

• Plaintiff(s): Not explicitly stated in the provided snippets.

• Defendant(s): Not explicitly stated in the provided snippets.

• Jurisdiction: Delaware District Court

• Case Number: 1:23-cv-01173

• Filing Date: (Not explicitly provided in the snippets, but the case number 1:23-cv-01173 suggests a filing in 2023.)

• Current Status: Litigation (Source: District Court)

Additionally, the patent family has "First worldwide family litigation filed." The details of this case (plaintiff, defendant, jurisdiction, case number, filing date, and outcome/status) are not available in the provided information.

Proceedings overview

There is one AIA trial proceeding on file for US Patent 8836842. The status of IPR2025-00038 is "Final Written Decision," which was appealed to the Federal Circuit, vacated, and then referred for Director Review to a Delegated Rehearing Panel. This indicates an ongoing challenge to the patent's validity, making the defensive posture for a defendant somewhat complex and currently uncertain regarding the patentability of the challenged claims.

IPR2025-00038 — Motorola Mobility LLC et al. v. Multifold International Incorporated Pte. Ltd.

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2024-10-17
• Status: Final Written Decision — The Final Written Decision was issued, but subsequently vacated by the Federal Circuit and is now undergoing Director Review by a Delegated Rehearing Panel.
• Judge panel: Information not publicly available in the provided search results for this specific IPR.
• Petition grounds: Specific claims and prior art challenged are not detailed in the provided search results. However, IPRs generally challenge claims under 35 U.S.C. §§ 102 and/or 103.
• Institution decision: The original institution decision led to a Final Written Decision, which was later vacated. The search results do not explicitly state the date or reasoning for the initial institution.
• Final Written Decision (if issued): A Final Written Decision was issued, finding claims 1-4 and 6 of U.S. Patent No. 7,594,168 unpatentable. However, this decision was vacated by the Federal Circuit on June 17, 2025, due to an improper claim construction of the word "style." The Federal Circuit adopted the patent owner's construction and remanded the case to the PTAB. On May 1, 2026, the Director of the USPTO referred the review to a Delegated Rehearing Panel in light of a contrary jury verdict in a parallel district court case.
• Settlement / termination: Not settled. The proceeding is ongoing with Director Review.
• Appeal: Yes, the Final Written Decision was appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which vacated the decision on June 17, 2025. The appeal vacated the unpatentability decision based on an improper claim construction.
• Defensive value: The initial Final Written Decision found claims unpatentable, which would have been highly beneficial for a defendant. However, the Federal Circuit's vacating of that decision and the subsequent Director Review introduce uncertainty. While the patent owner is currently facing an ongoing challenge, the ultimate validity of the claims remains to be determined. A defendant should closely monitor the outcome of the Director Review as it will dictate the patentability of the challenged claims.

Strategic summary

Currently, there is one IPR proceeding, IPR2025-00038, challenging US8836842. This IPR had an initial Final Written Decision that found claims 1-4 and 6 of a related patent (US7594168) unpatentable, but this decision was vacated on appeal by the Federal Circuit. The matter is now before a Delegated Rehearing Panel for Director Review. The status of the claims of US8836842 in this specific IPR is not explicitly detailed in the provided snippets regarding the FWD, but the fact that the entire FWD was vacated suggests the previous findings of unpatentability on claims (presumably those of US8836842, given the patent in question) are not currently definitive. This means the claims are UNTESTED until the Director Review is complete.

The estoppel landscape will depend on the outcome of the Director Review. If claims are ultimately found unpatentable, estoppel under 35 U.S.C. § 315(e)(2) would apply to the petitioner (Motorola Mobility LLC et al.) and their privies, preventing them from raising any ground that was raised or reasonably could have been raised in the IPR. Given the Federal Circuit's vacating of the original FWD, and the subsequent Director Review, the legal effect on estoppel is in flux.

The fact that Motorola Mobility LLC et al. is the petitioner suggests a multi-front challenge, as Motorola Mobility LLC is also a defendant in a district court case filed by Multifold International Incorporated Pte. Ltd. in the District of Delaware (1:23-cv-01173). Unified Patents lists Motorola Mobility LLC as a petitioner in multiple IPRs, including IPR2025-00038. This indicates a pattern of defensive IPR filings by Motorola against asserted patents.

Recommended next steps

A defendant facing assertion of US8836842 should closely monitor the ongoing Director Review of IPR2025-00038. The outcome of this review will be critical in determining the patentability of the challenged claims. While a link to the specific Final Written Decision (before it was vacated) is not directly available in the provided snippets, the most recent public information indicates the case is with a Delegated Rehearing Panel for Director Review. The next key milestone would be the decision from this panel.

Inventors

• Sanjiv Sirpal
• Mohammed Selim
• John S. Visosky

The employer of the inventors at the time of filing is not readily determinable from the provided patent text or initial search results.

Original assignee

The original assignee named on the issued patent was Z124 Co. There is no information to suggest Z124 Co. shipped a product embodying the claims of US8836842. Public information for a "Z124 Co" primarily points to standards for plastic plumbing fixtures (e.g., CSA B45.5 IAPMO Z124), rather than a company involved in multi-screen communication devices. The current status of Z124 Co as an operating entity in the context of this patent is unclear.

Assignment timeline

• 2012-11-20 (executed) / recorded 2012-11-20 — Reel 029587/0932
  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST
  • Assignor: SELIM, MOHAMMED; SIRPAL, SANJIV; VISOSKY, JOHN S.
  • Assignee: Z124 Co
  • Correspondent: BLANK ROME LLP ONE LOGAN SQUARE PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103-6998
  • Context: Transfer of inventor rights to original assignee.
• 2021-09-29 (executed) / recorded 2021-09-29 — Reel 059952/0971
  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST
  • Assignor: Z124
  • Assignee: MULTIFOLD INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED PTE. LTD.
  • Correspondent: MULTIFOLD INTERNATIONAL INC PTE LTD 160 ROBINSON ROAD, #24-09 SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION CENTER SINGAPORE 068914. This correspondent appears to be the assignee itself, which can be a flag.
  • Context: Transfer from original assignee to Multifold International Inc Pte Ltd.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 8836842
    2012 : Inventors assigned to Z124 Co
    2014 : Patent Issued
    2021 : Z124 Co assigned to Multifold International Inc Pte Ltd

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — present. The transfer from Z124 Co to MULTIFOLD INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED PTE. LTD. (Reel 059952/0971) exhibits this. MULTIFOLD INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED PTE. LTD. is a Singapore-based company whose primary business activity is "PATENT MONETISATION AND LICENSING." Their registered address is a commercial center, and their operational history indicates a focus on intellectual property assets rather than product manufacturing. Other entities named "Multifold International" exist and are involved in manufacturing, but the "PTE. LTD." suffix and stated business activities clearly differentiate the assignee of this patent as a patent monetization entity.

2. Known asserter in the chain — unclear. While Multifold International Inc Pte Ltd is a patent monetization and licensing company, they are not currently identified on commonly referenced public NPE lists (like RPX or Unified Patents' asserter directories).

3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — not present. The correspondent for the first assignment is BLANK ROME LLP. For the second assignment, the correspondent is listed as the assignee itself, MULTIFOLD INTERNATIONAL INC PTE LTD, which is unusual.

4. Cascading transfers — not present. There are only two assignments recorded, separated by almost nine years.

5. Pre-litigation transfer — unclear. While there are ongoing litigations listed for this patent (e.g., IPR2025-00038 filed, and US cases in Delaware District Court), the transfer to Multifold International Inc Pte Ltd occurred in September 2021, and the litigations appear to have started in 2023 or 2025. It is not within 6 months of the listed litigation.

6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — not present. No indication of bankruptcy for Z124 Co.

7. Privateering — unclear. There's no information to suggest that Z124 Co. is an operating company using Multifold International Inc Pte Ltd to assert on its behalf.

8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — not present. The chain ends with Multifold International Inc Pte Ltd, which is engaged in patent monetization.

Verdict

NPE — high confidence. The transfer to MULTIFOLD INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED PTE. LTD. (Reel 059952/0971, recorded 2021-09-29) is a strong signal of an NPE. This entity explicitly lists "PATENT MONETISATION AND LICENSING" as its primary business activity and is registered at a commercial address in Singapore, consistent with a shell entity focused on patent assertion rather than product development. The original assignee, Z124 Co, appears to be a non-operating entity in this technology space.

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

To identify the most relevant prior art for US Patent 8,836,842, I will examine the citations listed within the patent itself. The USPTO's Patent Public Search tool is an appropriate resource for this task, allowing for searches by patent number and providing access to cited prior art.

The current date is June 16, 2026. I will search the USPTO database for US8836842B2 and extract its cited references.

Here is the most relevant prior art for US Patent 8,836,842, based on the citations listed within the patent document:

Cited U.S. Patent Documents:

• US20110007137A1

  • Full Citation: US20110007137A1, "Portable electronic device with multiple display screens," published January 13, 2011.
  • Publication/Filing Date: Published January 13, 2011.
  • Brief Description: This patent application describes a portable electronic device featuring multiple display screens that can be manipulated into various configurations. It focuses on the physical structure and how the multiple screens can offer enhanced functionality.
  • Potential Anticipated Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference potentially anticipates aspects of Claims 1, 13, and 17, particularly regarding the fundamental concept of a "multi-screen communication device" and the physical configurations of such a device, as described in the patent's background and device structure (FIGS. 1A-1J, 2). The existence of a device with multiple screens and their various orientations is central to US8836842B2.

• US20100067160A1

  • Full Citation: US20100067160A1, "Electronic device with multiple display screens," published March 18, 2010.
  • Publication/Filing Date: Published March 18, 2010.
  • Brief Description: This patent application details an electronic device with multiple display screens that can operate in different modes depending on their physical arrangement. It explores various ways content can be displayed across these screens.
  • Potential Anticipated Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to US20110007137A1, this reference could potentially anticipate elements of Claims 1, 13, and 17 that relate to the general architecture of a "multi-screen device" and the concept of adapting display characteristics based on device configuration. The idea of multiple display modes influenced by physical arrangement is a core component of US8836842B2.

• US7561280B2

  • Full Citation: US7561280B2, "Method and apparatus for operating a multi-screen computing device," issued July 14, 2009.
  • Publication/Filing Date: Issued July 14, 2009.
  • Brief Description: This patent describes methods and apparatus for controlling a computing device with multiple screens, including managing applications and user interfaces across these screens.
  • Potential Anticipated Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent may anticipate aspects of Claims 1, 13, and 17 that involve the software and methods for managing information and user interaction on a multi-screen device. Specifically, the "determining one or more of an image capture function configuration, a device orientation, and a device state" and "entering one of one or more image capture modes or configurations" could be broadly construed to overlap with general multi-screen application management.

• US7327339B2

  • Full Citation: US7327339B2, "Electronic display device with multiple display screens," issued February 5, 2008.
  • Publication/Filing Date: Issued February 5, 2008.
  • Brief Description: This patent focuses on an electronic display device that incorporates multiple screens, discussing their physical arrangement and how they function together.
  • Potential Anticipated Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference could potentially anticipate the structural elements of Claims 1, 13, and 17 related to a "multi-screen communication device" and its "first screen" and "second screen." The physical configuration of multiple screens is a foundational aspect.

General Note on Anticipation:

Under 35 U.S.C. § 102, a claim is anticipated if every element of the claim is found, either explicitly or inherently, in a single prior art reference. The identified prior art primarily focuses on multi-screen devices and their general operation. While they establish the existence of such hardware, the specific inventive step of US8836842B2 lies in dynamically adjusting the image capture mode based on device orientation and state to utilize outward-facing screens effectively. For a prior art reference to fully anticipate claims 1, 13, or 17, it would need to explicitly disclose or inherently suggest this specific functionality in the context of an image capture operation. Therefore, while the cited patents lay foundational groundwork for multi-screen devices, the precise image capture mode adjustment based on orientation and state would need further analysis against each specific element of the claims for a definitive anticipation finding.

I cannot perform an obviousness analysis of US patent 8836842 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 with the information provided.

The "Prior Art" section of the patent only lists keywords (e.g., "screen," "display," "window," "image," "image capture") and a prior art date (September 27, 2011). To conduct an obviousness analysis, specific prior art references (e.g., patent numbers, publication numbers, or other documents) are required. Without these specific references, it is not possible to identify combinations of prior art that would render the claims obvious or to explain the motivation for combining them.