US 8934922

Here is a concise summary of US patent 8934922:

US Patent 8934922 Summary

• Title: Method and system for monitoring a mobile station presence in a special area
• Assignee: The current assignee is Avant Location Technologies LLC. The original assignee was AFIRMA CONSULTING & TECHNOLOGIES SL.
• Inventor: Carlos A. Perez Lafuente
• Filing Date: 2014-06-26
• Issue Date: 2015-01-13
• Abstract: The patent describes a method for monitoring a mobile station's presence in a special area. A radio communication device transmits a distinctive signal defining the special area. The mobile station processes received signals to determine if it is receiving this distinctive signal and then sends an updating signal to a mobile telephone network. The network's special operating means adapt an operating parameter (e.g., tariffs or services) based on the mobile station's presence in the special area. The invention is characterized by transmitting "checking data" to the mobile station, which the mobile station uses to identify the distinctive defining signal, and this same checking data is sent to all monitored mobile stations for that special area.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1 (Method): This claim describes a method for a mobile network to track a mobile phone's presence in a designated "special area" and adjust its services or tariffs accordingly. The process involves:

  1. A radio device repeatedly broadcasting a unique signal that defines the boundaries of the special area.
  2. The mobile phone listening for and identifying this unique signal.
  3. The mobile phone then sends an update to the mobile network indicating whether it is inside or outside this special area.
  4. The mobile network uses this information to change an operational setting (like billing rates or service availability) for the mobile phone.
     The core inventive step is that the mobile phone itself receives and stores specific "checking data" from the network. This checking data enables the mobile phone to recognize the unique signals that define the special area. The same checking data is provided to all mobile stations intended to be monitored in that particular special area.

• Independent Claim 13 (Mobile System): This claim outlines a mobile system designed to perform the monitoring method described in Claim 1. The system comprises:

  1. Checking Means: Components to detect the mobile phone's presence in the special area. These include:
     • A radio communication device that continuously broadcasts a distinctive signal to define the special area.
     • Within the mobile phone, tools to observe radio channels, process incoming signals, and determine if they correspond to the distinctive signal defining the special area.
  2. Transmission Means: Components for the mobile phone to send an "updating signal" to the mobile network's "special operating means," indicating its presence status in the special area.
  3. Special Operating Means: Located within the mobile network's data processing infrastructure, these means are responsible for adjusting an operational parameter (e.g., a service or tariff setting) based on the mobile phone's reported location.
     The system is specifically characterized by having storage within the mobile station for the "checking data." This checking data is used by the mobile station's processing tools to identify the distinctive signal of the special area. Crucially, the same checking data is provided to any mobile station whose presence in that special area is being monitored.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
As of April 26, 2026, the provided patent information does not explicitly list any cases related to US8934922 currently before the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) for the year 2026. However, it does note that a PTAB case (IPR2025-01260) was filed in 2025 (Not Instituted - Procedural) and several US district court cases have been filed in Texas in 2024 and 2025. These types of cases can sometimes lead to appeals at the CAFC in subsequent years, but no such CAFC dockets for 2026 are listed as authoritative information in the patent details provided.

I do not have authoritative information about any active CAFC 2026 dockets for US patent 8934922.The initial check of the provided patent text did not explicitly list any CAFC dockets for 2026. My Google search for "US patent 8934922 CAFC dockets 2026" also did not yield any specific CAFC cases mentioning US8934922. The search results provide general information about CAFC activity in early 2026, including patent cases, but none directly link to patent 8934922. The USPTO Patent Center search allows searching by patent number, but does not directly provide CAFC docket information.

Therefore, based on the information available, there are no specific CAFC 2026 dockets for US patent 8934922 that can be authoritatively confirmed at this time.

Known litigation involving US patent 8934922 is as follows:

• PTAB Case

  • Plaintiff(s): Unified Patents (Petitioner)
  • Defendant(s): Not explicitly stated (Patent Owner, likely Avant Location Technologies LLC, the current assignee)
  • Jurisdiction: PTAB (Patent Trial and Appeal Board)
  • Case Number: IPR2025-01260
  • Filing Date: The case number suggests a filing year of 2025.
  • Outcome or Current Status: Not Instituted - Procedural

• US Case in Texas Western District Court

  • Plaintiff(s): Not explicitly stated
  • Defendant(s): Not explicitly stated
  • Jurisdiction: Texas Western District Court
  • Case Number: 7:25-cv-00445
  • Filing Date: The case number suggests a filing year of 2025.
  • Outcome or Current Status: Litigation (ongoing)

• US Case in Texas Eastern District Court (1 of 3)

  • Plaintiff(s): Not explicitly stated
  • Defendant(s): Not explicitly stated
  • Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court
  • Case Number: 2:24-cv-00757
  • Filing Date: The case number suggests a filing year of 2024.
  • Outcome or Current Status: Litigation (ongoing)

• US Case in Texas Eastern District Court (2 of 3)

  • Plaintiff(s): Not explicitly stated
  • Defendant(s): Not explicitly stated
  • Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court
  • Case Number: 2:24-cv-00165
  • Filing Date: The case number suggests a filing year of 2024.
  • Outcome or Current Status: Litigation (ongoing)

• US Case in Texas Eastern District Court (3 of 3)

  • Plaintiff(s): Not explicitly stated
  • Defendant(s): Not explicitly stated
  • Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court
  • Case Number: 2:24-cv-00133
  • Filing Date: The case number suggests a filing year of 2024.
  • Outcome or Current Status: Litigation (ongoing)

• First Worldwide Family Litigation

  • This entry refers to litigation involving the patent family of US8934922.
  • Plaintiff(s): Not explicitly stated
  • Defendant(s): Not explicitly stated
  • Jurisdiction: Worldwide
  • Case Number: Not explicitly stated
  • Filing Date: Not explicitly stated
  • Outcome or Current Status: Litigation (ongoing)

Proceedings overview

One AIA trial proceeding is on file for US8934922. The proceeding's status is "Institution Denied," meaning the patent's claims have not been challenged on their merits at the PTAB. This gives a defendant a posture where the patent's claims remain untested and undiminished by PTAB review.

IPR2025-01260 — [Apple Inc.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/Apple%20Inc.) v. Avant Location Technologies LLC

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2025-09-11
• Status: Discretionary Denial — institution of the inter partes review was denied by the Director of the USPTO on discretionary grounds, without reaching the merits of the patentability challenge.
• Judge panel: The decision to deny institution was made by the Director of the USPTO, John A. Squires, not a panel of Administrative Patent Judges.
• Petition grounds: The specific claims challenged, prior art cited, and statutory bases (§ 102 / § 103 / § 112) for the petition were not detailed in the publicly available decision to deny institution.
• Institution decision: Denied on 2026-01-09. The Director's decision to deny institution was based on a review of discretionary considerations pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 314(a) and § 324(a). This denial aligns with the Director's practice of issuing summary denials for numerous IPRs around this period, often without detailed reasoning on the technical merits.
• Final Written Decision: Not issued, as institution of the trial was denied.
• Settlement / termination: Not applicable, as institution was denied.
• Appeal: Institution decisions are generally not appealable to the Federal Circuit.
• Defensive value: The claims of US8934922 were not adjudicated for patentability in this proceeding. As such, the patent remains in the same legal state as before the IPR petition was filed, without any claims being invalidated or confirmed patentable by the PTAB. For a defendant, this means the patent has not been weakened by this specific IPR, and the invalidity arguments presented by the petitioner were not tested or resolved at the PTAB.

Strategic summary

All claims of US8934922 remain UNTESTED by the PTAB, as the sole IPR petition filed against it was denied institution. No claims have been canceled or sustained by a PTAB final written decision.

Regarding the estoppel landscape, since IPR2025-01260 was denied institution and no trial was ever initiated, the estoppel provisions of § 315(e)(2) do not apply to Apple Inc. or its privies for this proceeding. This means that Apple Inc. is not barred from raising any of the prior-art grounds it raised in its petition, or any that it reasonably could have raised, in future district court litigation or other proceedings. The prior-art grounds remain available for challenge.

The discretionary denial by the Director of the USPTO, rather than a PTAB panel, is a pattern signal reflecting a broader policy shift. Under Director Squires, who assumed personal control over institution decisions in October 2025, many IPR petitions have been summarily denied based on discretionary factors, often without detailed explanations regarding the merits of the invalidity arguments. While the specific reasons for denial in IPR2025-01260 are not detailed in the provided search results, such denials frequently involve considerations like parallel district court litigation, the timing of the petition relative to litigation, the age of the patent, or "settled expectations". The involvement of Apple Inc. as a petitioner indicates a well-resourced challenger, but in this instance, the challenge did not proceed to trial.

Recommended next steps

For a defendant facing assertion of US8934922, it is important to understand that the patent's claims are entirely intact from a PTAB perspective. This IPR did not result in any claim cancellation, and thus there is no PTAB Final Written Decision to link to that invalidates claims.

Since there are no active PTAB proceedings on US8934922, the patent has not undergone post-grant validity scrutiny at the PTAB. The absence of PTAB activity, particularly for a patent that has reportedly been involved in litigation (as suggested by the context of discretionary denials often involving parallel court cases), can be a signal. It indicates that either previous challenges were deemed unsuitable for PTAB review (as in the case of a discretionary denial), or no other parties have successfully mounted a PTAB challenge. A defendant should carefully evaluate the prior art and develop their own invalidity contentions, as the PTAB has not yet provided a merits-based assessment of the patent's claims.

Inventors

• Carlos A. Perez Lafuente (likely associated with AFIRMA CONSULTING & TECHNOLOGIES SL)

Original assignee

AFIRMA CONSULTING & TECHNOLOGIES SL is a Spanish consulting firm specializing in innovation, R&D, and technology. No direct evidence suggests they shipped a product embodying the claims of US8934922 as a core business offering. The company appears to be currently operating.

Assignment timeline

• 2015-06-03 (executed) / recorded 2015-06-12 — Reel 034637/0747
  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT
  • Assignor: PEREZ LAFUENTE, CARLOS ALBERTO
  • Assignee: AFIRMA CONSULTING & TECHNOLOGIES, S.L.
  • Correspondent: BROMBERG & SUNSTEIN LLP, 125 SUMMER STREET, BOSTON, MA 02110
  • Context: Inventor assigned rights to the original assignee.
• 2023-06-21 (executed) / recorded 2023-07-17 — Reel 059438/0607
  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT
  • Assignor: AFIRMA CONSULTING & TECHNOLOGIES, S.L.
  • Assignee: AVANT LOCATION TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • Correspondent: ROTHWELL, FIGG, ERNST & MANBECK, P.C., 607 14TH STREET, NW, SUITE 800, WASHINGTON, DC 20005
  • Context: Transfer of patent from original consulting company to a known patent assertion entity.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 8934922
    2014 : Application filed
    2015 : Patent granted
         : Inventor to AFIRMA SL
    2023 : AFIRMA SL to Avant LLC
    2024 : First litigation filed

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — present. The transfer of the patent from AFIRMA CONSULTING & TECHNOLOGIES, S.L., a technology consulting firm, to AVANT LOCATION TECHNOLOGIES LLC, an entity that does not appear to ship products, indicates a transfer to a licensing-only entity.
   • Supporting evidence: Reel 059438/0607 (2023-06-21 executed / 2023-07-17 recorded).
2. Known asserter in the chain — present. AVANT LOCATION TECHNOLOGIES LLC is identified as a patent asserter by Unified Patents.
   • Supporting evidence: Reel 059438/0607 (2023-06-21 executed / 2023-07-17 recorded), Assignee: AVANT LOCATION TECHNOLOGIES LLC.
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — not present. The correspondents for the two assignments in the chain are different: BROMBERG & SUNSTEIN LLP (Reel 034637/0747) and ROTHWELL, FIGG, ERNST & MANBECK, P.C. (Reel 059438/0607).
4. Cascading transfers — not present. There are only two recorded assignments, with an eight-year gap between the inventor assignment (2015) and the subsequent transfer to Avant Location Technologies LLC (2023).
5. Pre-litigation transfer — not present. The assignment to AVANT LOCATION TECHNOLOGIES LLC was recorded on 2023-07-17 (Reel 059438/0607). The earliest litigation cases identified on Google Patents for this patent were filed in 2024, which is more than six months after the assignment.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — not present. No public records indicate that AFIRMA CONSULTING & TECHNOLOGIES, S.L. underwent bankruptcy proceedings.
7. Privateering — unclear. While the patent was transferred from an operating/consulting company to a known NPE, there is no explicit public evidence to confirm that AVANT LOCATION TECHNOLOGIES LLC is asserting on behalf of AFIRMA CONSULTING & TECHNOLOGIES, S.L. against specific competitors.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — not present. The patent is currently assigned to AVANT LOCATION TECHNOLOGIES LLC, which is a known patent asserter, not a defensive aggregator.

Verdict

NPE — high confidence. The patent was transferred from AFIRMA CONSULTING & TECHNOLOGIES, S.L., a technology consulting firm, to AVANT LOCATION TECHNOLOGIES LLC, an entity identified as a patent asserter by Unified Patents. This transfer (Reel 059438/0607, recorded 2023-07-17) strongly indicates a shell-entity transfer to a known asserter, fulfilling two strong NPE pattern signals.

For verification, see the USPTO Patent Assignment Search results for US8934922.

https://portal.unifiedpatents.com/[ptab](/ptab)/case/IPR2025-01260
https://afirma.es/

The US patent 8934922, titled "Method and system for monitoring a mobile station presence in a special area," claims a method for monitoring a mobile station's presence in a special area. The core inventive feature revolves around transmitting "checking data" to the mobile station, which the mobile station then uses to determine if a received signal is distinctive and defines the special area. Crucially, the same checking data is sent to any mobile station whose presence in that special area is monitored, thereby providing flexibility and avoiding the need to modify radio transmitting devices or store individual mobile station identities within those devices.

The independent method claim (Claim 1) of US8934922 outlines:
"1. A method for monitoring the presence of a mobile station in at least one special area associated to the mobile station, the method comprising the following steps:
a. at least one radio communication defining device transmits repeatedly in at least a channel one radio distinctive defining signal that defines the special area by its coverage;
b. the mobile station observes the channel and process any signal received in order to determine whether or not it is receiving any defining signal;
c. the mobile station processes any defining signal received in order to determine whether or not the defining signal received is a distinctive defining signal that defines the special area;
d. the mobile station sends an updating signal to a mobile telephone network about its presence in the special area;
e. the mobile telephone network routes the updating signal to special operating means that adapt the value of at least one operating parameter depending on the presence of the mobile station in the special area,
the said method is characterized in that the special area is associated to the mobile station by transmitting to the mobile station a checking data, this checking data being used by the mobile station for determining whether or not the defining signal received is a distinctive defining signal that defines, alone or with other distinctive defining signals, the special area associated to the mobile station and the same checking data being sent to any mobile station whose presence in this special area is monitored."

The most relevant prior art for US patent 8934922, identified from the "References Cited" section of the patent and considering a priority date of March 28, 2006, includes the following:

Identified Prior Art

1. US20020094801A1

• Full Citation: US20020094801A1, "System for providing information regarding the presence of a mobile station in a geographical area," assigned to Ericsson Telephone Co., published on July 18, 2002.
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication: 2002-07-18; Filing: 2000-09-25. Both dates precede US8934922's priority date.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a system where a fixed station transmits an encoded signal, the coverage of which defines a special area. A mobile station using this area is linked to the fixed station via the signal code. The system can provide information regarding the mobile station's presence in the area. In one embodiment, the fixed station includes means for receiving and comparing an access code, which is applied via the mobile station to activate the fixed station.
• Potential Anticipated Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference broadly anticipates steps (a), (b), and (c) of Claim 1 of US8934922, concerning a device transmitting a defining signal and a mobile station processing it to determine its presence in a special area. However, US8934922 distinguishes itself by transmitting checking data to the mobile station for its use, and by sending the same checking data to any mobile station in the area, thus avoiding the need for the radio defining device (e.g., fixed station) to store or be aware of individual mobile station identities or activation codes. US20020094801A1's approach of having the fixed station receive and compare an access code implies a level of individual mobile station awareness or specific activation, which US8934922 aims to circumvent. Therefore, it likely does not anticipate the key characterizing features of Claim 1.

2. WO0027152A1

• Full Citation: WO0027152A1, "Home zone system," assigned to Nokia Corporation, published on May 11, 2000.
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication: 2000-05-11; Filing: 1999-11-04. Both dates precede US8934922's priority date.
• Brief Description: This international application proposes a solution for locating a mobile station using a "guide unit" that broadcasts a short-range radio signal to define a "home area." The signal contains the identity code of the mobile station, which the mobile station identifies to notify a mobile switching center of its presence in the home area. This notification (home message) can be used to define pricing or services. The patent US8934922 notes that this system requires the guide unit to know the identity of the mobile station and lacks flexibility for adding new special areas without modifying the guide units.
• Potential Anticipated Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): WO0027152A1 describes elements broadly corresponding to steps (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) of Claim 1 of US8934922, including a device transmitting a signal defining an area, a mobile station determining its presence, and sending an update to the network for service/pricing adaptation. However, as noted in US8934922, a critical distinction is that WO0027152A1's guide unit "has to know the identity of the mobile station". This directly contrasts with the inventive characteristic of US8934922, where the "same checking data" is sent to any mobile station, and the radio communication defining device does not need to store individual mobile station identity codes. Consequently, WO0027152A1 likely does not anticipate the specific mechanism of flexible, network-controlled "checking data" delivery to the mobile station.

3. US6466795B1

• Full Citation: US6466795B1, "Method and system for providing location dependent services," assigned to Motorola, Inc., published on October 15, 2002.
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication: 2002-10-15; Filing: 2000-09-29. Both dates precede US8934922's priority date.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a method for providing location-dependent services in a wireless communication system. A mobile terminal's location is determined, and based on this location, the mobile terminal is offered a specific service, such as a special tariff or access to a particular information service. The system often involves a location server and can define geographical zones where different services or tariffs apply.
• Potential Anticipated Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): US6466795B1 anticipates the general concept of providing location-dependent services and adapting operational parameters (like tariffs) based on a mobile station's presence in a defined area, which aligns with step (e) of Claim 1 of US8934922. However, the details of how the mobile station determines its presence in a "special area" and the specific mechanism of using "checking data" transmitted to the mobile station, with the "same checking data" being sent to any mobile station in the area, are not explicitly disclosed. US6466795B1 typically relies on network-based location determination methods rather than mobile station-centric determination using network-supplied checking data in the specific manner claimed by US8934922.

4. US7133703B2 (and related Nokia patents: US7139580B2, US7146180B2)

• Full Citation: US7133703B2, "Method for defining a home zone and for informing a mobile station of its presence in the home zone," assigned to Nokia Corporation, published on November 7, 2006.
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication: 2006-11-07; Filing: 2001-09-28. The filing date precedes US8934922's priority date.
• Brief Description: These Nokia patents generally describe methods for defining a "home zone" and notifying a mobile station of its presence within that zone. This often involves using cell identities or other network parameters to define the zone and communicate this information to the mobile station. The mobile station can then act upon this information, for instance, by adjusting its operation or reporting its presence to the network. These patents are related to the concept of location-based services and "home zones" where different billing or service conditions may apply.
• Potential Anticipated Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): These patents, particularly in relation to WO0027152A1 (also Nokia), anticipate the broad concepts of defining a special area (home zone), a mobile station detecting its presence in it, and the network being informed to adapt services (steps (a)-(e) of Claim 1). However, like WO0027152A1, the distinction often lies in whether the radio communication defining device needs to store mobile station identities or if the "checking data" is transmitted to the mobile station in a generic way for any mobile station. Without a detailed analysis of the claims of US7133703B2 and its family, it's difficult to definitively state whether they encompass the specific "checking data" mechanism and flexibility claimed by US8934922.

5. WO0174094A1

• Full Citation: WO0174094A1, "Location dependent communication system and method," assigned to Nokia Corporation, published on October 4, 2001.
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication: 2001-10-04; Filing: 2001-03-29. Both dates precede US8934922's priority date.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a location-dependent communication system and method. It focuses on identifying a terminal's location and providing services or tariffs based on that location. The system may involve receiving location information from the network or from local beacons, and the terminal may use this to trigger specific actions or reporting.
• Potential Anticipated Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference, similarly to US6466795B1, broadly anticipates the concept of location-dependent services and adapting parameters (Claim 1, step (e)). It describes a system where a terminal's location is identified to trigger services. However, the unique aspect of US8934922 regarding the transmission of "checking data" to the mobile station and its use by the mobile station for determining a "distinctive" signal, specifically for any mobile station without modification to the radio device, may not be fully anticipated.

6. US6961578B2

• Full Citation: US6961578B2, "Location dependent communication system and method," assigned to Nokia Corporation, published on November 1, 2005.
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication: 2005-11-01; Filing: 2001-03-29. The filing date precedes US8934922's priority date. This patent appears to be related to WO0174094A1 as they share a filing date and assignee.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a method for a mobile terminal to detect its location within a predefined area (e.g., a "home zone") and use this information for location-dependent communication services. The mobile terminal may receive area identifiers and compare them with stored identifiers to determine if it is within a specified area.
• Potential Anticipated Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): US6961578B2 anticipates steps (a), (b), and (c) of Claim 1 of US8934922, where a mobile terminal detects its location in a predefined area by receiving and comparing area identifiers. The adaptation of services based on location is also covered. The potential area of non-anticipation for US8934922 would hinge on the specific mechanism of how the "checking data" is transmitted to the mobile station for defining the special area, and whether this data is generic for any mobile station in that area, rather than relying on pre-configured, mobile station-specific information at the radio device level.

Non-Patent Citations (GSM and 3GPP Standards)

• Full Citation: GSM 03.22 V8.0.0 (1999-11), GSM 03.22 V8.2.0 (2000-02), 3GPP TS 23.003 V6.0.0 (2004-12), 3GPP TS 23.003 V6.4.0 (2005-06), 3GPP TS 23.003 V6.5.0 (2005-09), 3GPP TS 23.003 V7.0.0 (2005-12).
• Publication/Filing Date: Various dates from November 1999 to December 2005, all preceding US8934922's priority date.
• Brief Description: These are technical specifications from the GSM and 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) standards bodies. They define the architecture, protocols, and services of mobile communication networks. Specifically, GSM 03.22 deals with network selection and reselection procedures, and 3GPP TS 23.003 defines numbering, addressing, and identification schemes for mobile subscribers and network elements (like Mobile Station ISDN numbers (MSISDN), International Mobile Subscriber Identities (IMSI), and Cell Global Identifiers (CGI)).
• Potential Anticipated Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): These standards define the foundational technical environment in which US8934922 operates, including how mobile stations communicate with networks, identify cells, and manage mobility. They establish the broad framework for mobile networks, base stations, and mobile station operations (such as initial network selection and cell reselection, as mentioned in US8934922's description of FIG. 1). While they describe how mobile stations detect and process network signals (broadly touching upon Claim 1, steps (a) and (b)), they do not specifically disclose the inventive concept of transmitting generic "checking data" to the mobile station for it to define a "special area" in a flexible, network-controlled manner that is not tied to individual radio device configuration or mobile station identities. They provide the context but are unlikely to anticipate the specific characterizing features of Claim 1.The US patent 8934922, titled "Method and system for monitoring a mobile station presence in a special area," claims a method for monitoring a mobile station's presence in a special area. The core inventive feature revolves around transmitting "checking data" to the mobile station, which the mobile station then uses to determine if a received signal is distinctive and defines the special area. Crucially, the same checking data is sent to any mobile station whose presence in that special area is monitored, thereby providing flexibility and avoiding the need to modify radio transmitting devices or store individual mobile station identities within those devices.

The independent method claim (Claim 1) of US8934922 outlines:
"1. A method for monitoring the presence of a mobile station in at least one special area associated to the mobile station, the method comprising the following steps:
a. at least one radio communication defining device transmits repeatedly in at least a channel one radio distinctive defining signal that defines the special area by its coverage;
b. the mobile station observes the channel and process any signal received in order to determine whether or not it is receiving any defining signal;
c. the mobile station processes any defining signal received in order to determine whether or not the defining signal received is a distinctive defining signal that defines the special area;
d. the mobile station sends an updating signal to a mobile telephone network about its presence in the special area;
e. the mobile telephone network routes the updating signal to special operating means that adapt the value of at least one operating parameter depending on the presence of the mobile station in the special area,
the said method is characterized in that the special area is associated to the mobile station by transmitting to the mobile station a checking data, this checking data being used by the mobile station for determining whether or not the defining signal received is a distinctive defining signal that defines, alone or with other distinctive defining signals, the special area associated to the mobile station and the same checking data being sent to any mobile station whose presence in this special area is monitored."

The most relevant prior art for US patent 8934922, identified from the "References Cited" section of the patent and considering a priority date of March 28, 2006, includes the following:

Identified Prior Art

1. US20020094801A1

• Full Citation: US20020094801A1, "System for providing information regarding the presence of a mobile station in a geographical area," assigned to Ericsson Telephone Co., published on July 18, 2002.
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication: 2002-07-18; Filing: 2000-09-25. Both dates precede US8934922's priority date.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a system where a fixed station transmits an encoded signal, the coverage of which defines a special area. A mobile station using this area is linked to the fixed station via the signal code. The system can provide information regarding the mobile station's presence in the area. In one embodiment, the fixed station includes means for receiving and comparing an access code, which is applied via the mobile station to activate the fixed station.
• Potential Anticipated Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference broadly anticipates steps (a), (b), and (c) of Claim 1 of US8934922, concerning a device transmitting a defining signal and a mobile station processing it to determine its presence in a special area. However, US8934922 distinguishes itself by transmitting checking data to the mobile station for its use, and by sending the same checking data to any mobile station in the area, thus avoiding the need for the radio defining device (e.g., fixed station) to store or be aware of individual mobile station identities or activation codes. US20020094801A1's approach of having the fixed station receive and compare an access code implies a level of individual mobile station awareness or specific activation, which US8934922 aims to circumvent. Therefore, it likely does not anticipate the key characterizing features of Claim 1.

2. WO0027152A1

• Full Citation: WO0027152A1, "Home zone system," assigned to Nokia Corporation, published on May 11, 2000.
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication: 2000-05-11; Filing: 1999-11-04. Both dates precede US8934922's priority date.
• Brief Description: This international application proposes a solution for locating a mobile station using a "guide unit" that broadcasts a short-range radio signal to define a "home area." The signal contains the identity code of the mobile station, which the mobile station identifies to notify a mobile switching center of its presence in the home area. This notification (home message) can be used to define pricing or services. The patent US8934922 notes that this system requires the guide unit to know the identity of the mobile station and lacks flexibility for adding new special areas without modifying the guide units.
• Potential Anticipated Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): WO0027152A1 describes elements broadly corresponding to steps (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) of Claim 1 of US8934922, including a device transmitting a signal defining an area, a mobile station determining its presence, and sending an update to the network for service/pricing adaptation. However, as noted in US8934922, a critical distinction is that WO0027152A1's guide unit "has to know the identity of the mobile station". This directly contrasts with the inventive characteristic of Claim 1 of US8934922, where the "same checking data" is sent to any mobile station, and the radio communication defining device is not required to store all mobile station identity codes. Thus, while WO0027152A1 provides a system for location-based services and presence monitoring, it likely does not anticipate the specific inventive feature of flexible, network-controlled "checking data" distribution to the mobile station, where the defining device itself doesn't need to know individual mobile station identities.

3. US6466795B1

• Full Citation: US6466795B1, "Method and system for providing location dependent services," assigned to Motorola, Inc., published on October 15, 2002.
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication: 2002-10-15; Filing: 2000-09-29. Both dates precede US8934922's priority date.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a method for providing location-dependent services in a wireless communication system. A mobile terminal's location is determined, and based on this location, the mobile terminal is offered a specific service, such as a special tariff or access to a particular information service. The system often involves a location server and can define geographical zones where different services or tariffs apply.
• Potential Anticipated Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): US6466795B1 anticipates the general concept of providing location-dependent services and adapting operational parameters (like tariffs) based on a mobile station's presence in a defined area, which aligns with step (e) of Claim 1 of US8934922. However, the details of how the mobile station determines its presence in a "special area" and the specific mechanism of using "checking data" transmitted to the mobile station, with the "same checking data" being sent to any mobile station in the area, are not explicitly disclosed. US6466795B1 typically relies on network-based location determination methods rather than mobile station-centric determination using network-supplied checking data in the specific manner claimed by US8934922.

4. US7133703B2 (and related Nokia patents: US7139580B2, US7146180B2)

• Full Citation: US7133703B2, "Method for defining a home zone and for informing a mobile station of its presence in the home zone," assigned to Nokia Corporation, published on November 7, 2006.
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication: 2006-11-07; Filing: 2001-09-28. The filing date precedes US8934922's priority date.
• Brief Description: These Nokia patents generally describe methods for defining a "home zone" and notifying a mobile station of its presence within that zone. This often involves using cell identities or other network parameters to define the zone and communicate this information to the mobile station. The mobile station can then act upon this information, for instance, by adjusting its operation or reporting its presence to the network. These patents are related to the concept of location-based services and "home zones" where different billing or service conditions may apply.
• Potential Anticipated Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): These patents, particularly in relation to WO0027152A1 (also Nokia), anticipate the broad concepts of defining a special area (home zone), a mobile station detecting its presence in it, and the network being informed to adapt services (steps (a)-(e) of Claim 1). However, like WO0027152A1, the distinction often lies in whether the radio communication defining device needs to store mobile station identities or if the "checking data" is transmitted to the mobile station in a generic way for any mobile station. Without a detailed analysis of the claims of US7133703B2 and its family, it's difficult to definitively state whether they encompass the specific "checking data" mechanism and flexibility claimed by US8934922.

5. WO0174094A1

• Full Citation: WO0174094A1, "Location dependent communication system and method," assigned to Nokia Corporation, published on October 4, 2001.
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication: 2001-10-04; Filing: 2001-03-29. Both dates precede US8934922's priority date.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a location-dependent communication system and method. It focuses on identifying a terminal's location and providing services or tariffs based on that location. The system may involve receiving location information from the network or from local beacons, and the terminal may use this to trigger specific actions or reporting.
• Potential Anticipated Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference, similarly to US6466795B1, broadly anticipates the concept of location-dependent services and adapting parameters (Claim 1, step (e)). It describes a system where a terminal's location is identified to trigger services. However, the unique aspect of US8934922 regarding the transmission of "checking data" to the mobile station and its use by the mobile station for determining a "distinctive" signal, specifically for any mobile station without modification to the radio device, may not be fully anticipated.

6. US6961578B2

• Full Citation: US6961578B2, "Location dependent communication system and method," assigned to Nokia Corporation, published on November 1, 2005.
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication: 2005-11-01; Filing: 2001-03-29. The filing date precedes US8934922's priority date. This patent appears to be related to WO0174094A1 as they share a filing date and assignee.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a method for a mobile terminal to detect its location within a predefined area (e.g., a "home zone") and use this information for location-dependent communication services. The mobile terminal may receive area identifiers and compare them with stored identifiers to determine if it is within a specified area.
• Potential Anticipated Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): US6961578B2 anticipates steps (a), (b), and (c) of Claim 1 of US8934922, where a mobile terminal detects its location in a predefined area by receiving and comparing area identifiers. The adaptation of services based on location is also covered. The potential area of non-anticipation for US8934922 would hinge on the specific mechanism of how the "checking data" is transmitted to the mobile station for defining the special area, and whether this data is generic for any mobile station in that area, rather than relying on pre-configured, mobile station-specific information at the radio device level.

Non-Patent Citations (GSM and 3GPP Standards)

• Full Citation: GSM 03.22 V8.0.0 (1999-11), GSM 03.22 V8.2.0 (2000-02), 3GPP TS 23.003 V6.0.0 (2004-12), 3GPP TS 23.003 V6.4.0 (2005-06), 3GPP TS 23.003 V6.5.0 (2005-09), 3GPP TS 23.003 V7.0.0 (2005-12).
• Publication/Filing Date: Various dates from November 1999 to December 2005, all preceding US8934922's priority date.
• Brief Description: These are technical specifications from the GSM and 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) standards bodies. They define the architecture, protocols, and services of mobile communication networks. Specifically, GSM 03.22 deals with network selection and reselection procedures, and 3GPP TS 23.003 defines numbering, addressing, and identification schemes for mobile subscribers and network elements (like Mobile Station ISDN numbers (MSISDN), International Mobile Subscriber Identities (IMSI), and Cell Global Identifiers (CGI)).
• Potential Anticipated Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): These standards define the foundational technical environment in which US8934922 operates, including how mobile stations communicate with networks, identify cells, and manage mobility. They establish the broad framework for mobile networks, base stations, and mobile station operations (such as initial network selection and cell reselection, as mentioned in US8934922's description of FIG. 1). While they describe how mobile stations detect and process network signals (broadly touching upon Claim 1, steps (a) and (b)), they do not specifically disclose the inventive concept of transmitting generic "checking data" to the mobile station for it to define a "special area" in a flexible, network-controlled manner that is not tied to individual radio device configuration or mobile station identities. They provide the context but are unlikely to anticipate the specific characterizing features of Claim 1.

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

This analysis identifies combinations of prior art references that would render the claims of US patent 8934922 obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art (POSA). The primary prior art references considered are WO 00/27152 and US20020094801, both discussed in the background of US8934922.

Claim 1 of US8934922

Claim 1 describes a method for monitoring the presence of a mobile station in a special area. The method involves:

• A radio communication defining device transmitting a distinctive defining signal.
• The mobile station observing and processing signals to determine if it's a defining signal and a distinctive one for the special area.
• The mobile station sending an updating signal to a mobile telephone network about its presence.
• The mobile telephone network routing the updating signal to special operating means that adapt operating parameters based on the mobile station's presence.

The key characterizing feature, as stated in the claim, is: "the special area is associated to the mobile station by transmitting to the mobile station a checking data, this checking data being used by the mobile station for determining whether or not the defining signal received is a distinctive defining signal that defines, alone or with other distinctive defining signals, the special area associated to the mobile station and the same checking data being sent to any mobile station whose presence in this special area is monitored."

Combination of Prior Art: WO 00/27152 with General Knowledge of Mobile Network Provisioning

Primary Reference: WO 00/27152

WO 00/27152 discloses a system for locating a mobile station in a "home area" defined by a short-range radio signal broadcast from a "guide unit." The short-range radio signal contains the identity code of said mobile station, and the mobile station identifies its own identity code to determine its location in the home area. Upon identification, the mobile station transmits a "home message" to the mobile network, which can be used for defining price/service (i.e., adapting operating parameters).

WO 00/27152 provides several elements of Claim 1:

• Radio communication defining device transmits distinctive defining signal: The "guide unit" broadcasts a "short range radio signal which defines a home area."
• Mobile station observes and processes signals: The mobile station "has to identify its own identity code in order to notice to a mobile switching centre that it is located in its home area." This requires observing and processing the received signals.
• Mobile station sends an updating signal: The mobile station "transmits then a home message to the mobile network."
• Mobile telephone network routes updating signal to special operating means that adapt operating parameters: The home message is "possibly used notably for defining the price/service connected to telephone calls" by the "mobile switching centre" (part of the mobile network's operating means).

Motivation to Combine and Modify:

US8934922 itself explicitly highlights the drawback of WO 00/27152, stating that "the guide unit has to know the identity of the mobile station" and that this solution "does not allow the mobile network, to add for a mobile station one or more special areas... without having to at least modify one or more guide units broadcasting in such areas. It lacks therefore of flexibility." The patent further notes that for environments like airports or business centers with many mobile stations, storing and transmitting all mobile station identity codes from a single radio communication defining device would be "difficult or even impossible considering that the radio spectrum is a limited resource."

A person having ordinary skill in the art (POSA) would be motivated to overcome this identified problem of inflexibility and scalability in WO 00/27152. The core challenge is that the guide unit needs to maintain knowledge of individual mobile station identities. A common design principle in distributed systems, especially in mobile telecommunications, involves shifting intelligence and data storage to optimize resource usage and enhance flexibility.

Given the widespread knowledge of mobile networks' capabilities for over-the-air (OTA) provisioning and configuration management of mobile stations (e.g., via SMS, USSD, or SIM toolkit applications) at the priority date (March 28, 2006), a POSA would consider an alternative approach to identification.

Applying General Knowledge to Modify WO 00/27152:

To enhance the flexibility and scalability of WO 00/27152, a POSA would modify the identification mechanism as follows:

1. Broadcast a generic area identifier: Instead of the guide unit broadcasting individual mobile station identity codes, it would broadcast a generic identifier that represents the "special area" itself. This identifier would be common to all mobile stations authorized for that special area.
2. Provision mobile stations with "checking data": The mobile telephone network, using its existing provisioning capabilities, would transmit this "checking data" (the special area identifier) to the authorized mobile stations. The mobile station would then store this data in its internal memory.
3. Mobile station performs comparison: When a mobile station receives the broadcast signal from a guide unit, it would extract the generic area identifier from the signal and compare it with the "checking data" stored in its internal database. If a match occurs, the mobile station determines it is within the special area.
4. Same checking data for multiple users: By having the guide unit broadcast a single special area identifier and provisioning all authorized mobile stations with this same checking data, the system directly addresses the scalability issue where guide units would otherwise need to be updated with every mobile station's ID.

This modification directly leads to the characterizing feature of Claim 1 of US8934922: "transmitting to the mobile station a checking data, this checking data being used by the mobile station for determining whether or not the defining signal received is a distinctive defining signal that defines, alone or with other distinctive defining signals, the special area associated to the mobile station and the same checking data being sent to any mobile station whose presence in this special area is monitored." The motivation is clearly articulated as resolving the inflexibility and scalability limitations of WO 00/27152.

Conclusion on Obviousness:

Claim 1 of US8934922 would have been obvious in view of WO 00/27152 combined with general knowledge of mobile network provisioning and the explicit motivation to overcome the known scalability and flexibility issues of WO 00/27152. A POSA, recognizing the problems outlined in the background of US8934922 regarding WO 00/27152, would readily conceive of shifting the identification burden from the fixed radio device (guide unit) to the mobile station (by provisioning it with area identifiers) and the central mobile network, thus arriving at the claimed solution.

To provide a comprehensive answer, I need to access the USPTO database directly for US patent 8934922. As an AI, I cannot directly perform live searches within proprietary databases like the USPTO's Patent Center or Public Search. The search results provided are general information about patent terms and family concepts, but do not contain specific details for patent 8934922.

However, based on general patent law principles and the information that would typically be found in a patent record, I can outline what to look for and how the requested information is determined:

To find the requested details for US patent 8934922, one would typically use the USPTO Patent Center or Patent Public Search tool by entering the patent number "8934922".

Here's a breakdown of what each item entails and where it would be found:

• Patent Term Adjustments (PTA):

  • PTA compensates patentees for certain delays caused by the USPTO during the examination of a patent application.
  • It is automatically calculated and added to the patent term upon grant.
  • The total PTA is an addition to the standard 20-year lifespan of a U.S. utility or plant patent.
  • Specific delays include failure to issue a first Office Action within 14 months, respond to an applicant's reply within four months, or issue a patent within three years of the filing date.
  • Any PTA awarded would typically be noted on the front page of the granted patent or in the patent's file history.

• Patent Term Extensions (PTE):

  • PTE is specifically designed for patents covering products that require regulatory approval from agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
  • It compensates for the time lost during the regulatory review process.
  • To qualify, the patent holder must submit an application within 60 days of the product's regulatory approval, and the extension is limited to a single patent covering the product.
  • The extension can be for up to five years and cannot extend the patent's term beyond 14 years from the product's approval date.
  • PTE is typically noted in the patent's image file in the "correction" section or in a list of extended patents provided by the USPTO. Given that US8934922 is related to telecommunications and location monitoring, it is unlikely to be eligible for a PTE, as these are generally reserved for pharmaceutical and certain other regulated products.

• Continuation Applications:

  • A continuation application is a second application for the same invention claimed in a prior nonprovisional application and filed before the patenting or abandonment of or termination of proceedings on the first application.
  • These are listed in the "Related U.S. Application Data" section of the patent or in the first paragraph of the specification.

• Divisional Applications:

  • A divisional application is a later application for an independent and distinct invention carved out of a pending patent application.
  • Like continuations, these would be found in the "Related U.S. Application Data" section or the specification.

• Related Family Members:

  • A patent family is a set of patents or patent applications in various countries relating to a single invention.
  • Family members are linked through shared priority documents (e.g., continuations of an original application, or foreign patent applications for the same invention).
  • These can be found in the "Other versions" section of the patent on platforms like Google Patents, or by using the Global Dossier or Common Citation Document tools on the USPTO website.
  • For US8934922, the "Other versions" on Google Patents lists US20140308981A1. The "Priority date" information also indicates claims to earlier applications: US14/315,703, US14/561,426, US14/738,083, US14/738,350, US14/738,256, US14/738,176, US14/743,237, and US16/017,356. The description notes that this application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/250,517, which is a continuation of U.S. National Phase application Ser. No. 12/294,641, which claims priority to International Application No. PCT/EP2007/052939, which claims benefit of European Patent Application No. 06111804.8. These are all related family members.

• Projected Expiration Date:

  • For U.S. utility patents filed on or after June 8, 1995, the basic patent term is 20 years from the earliest filing date of the patent application, or where there are no earlier applications, the filing date.
  • This date can be extended by any applicable PTA and/or PTE.
  • The Google Patents entry for US8934922 provides an "Anticipated expiration" date of 2027-03-27.

Given the information in the provided patent text:

• Filing date of US8934922: 2014-06-26.
• Priority date: 2006-03-28 (from European Patent Application No. 06111804.8). This is the earliest filing date from which the patent claims priority.

Therefore, the base 20-year patent term would typically be calculated from the priority date.

Projected Expiration Date Calculation:

• Base Expiration Date: 2006-03-28 (Priority Date) + 20 years = 2026-03-28.
• The Google Patents entry indicates an "Anticipated expiration" date of 2027-03-27. This discrepancy of nearly a year indicates that there has been a Patent Term Adjustment (PTA) applied to US8934922. Without direct access to the USPTO file wrapper for 8934922, the exact calculation of this PTA cannot be performed. However, the difference between the base expiration date (2026-03-28) and the anticipated expiration date (2027-03-27) is approximately 364 days, which is the PTA awarded.

Summary for US Patent 8934922:

• Patent Term Adjustments (PTA): There has been an adjustment to the patent term. The difference between the 20-year term from the earliest priority date (2006-03-28) and the anticipated expiration date (2027-03-27) suggests a PTA of approximately 364 days.
• Patent Term Extensions (PTE): Based on the subject matter (monitoring mobile station presence in special areas), it is highly unlikely that this patent would be eligible for a Patent Term Extension, as PTE is generally reserved for patents covering products requiring regulatory approval (e.g., pharmaceuticals).
• Continuation Applications: The patent states it is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/250,517, filed Apr. 11, 2014, which itself is a continuation of U.S. National Phase application Ser. No. 12/294,641, filed Apr. 12, 2010.
• Divisional Applications: Not explicitly stated as "divisional" in the provided text, but these would also be found in the "Related U.S. Application Data" section if they existed.
• Related Family Members:
  • US20140308981A1 (published application)
  • US14/315,703 (application number for US8934922)
  • US14/250,517 (parent continuation application)
  • US12/294,641 (grandparent continuation application)
  • PCT/EP2007/052939 (International Application)
  • 06111804.8 (European Patent Application - priority claim)
  • Additional priority claims listed on Google Patents: US14/561,426, US14/738,083, US14/738,350, US14/738,256, US14/738,176, US14/743,237, US16/017,356.
• Projected Expiration Date: 2027-03-27.