US 9305450

US Patent 9305450: Concise Summary

Title: Interactive wireless life safety communications system
Current Assignee: Ricmic LLC
Inventors: Michael Halverson; Richard E. Knecht
Filing Date: August 26, 2014
Issue Date: April 5, 2016

Abstract:
An interactive wireless life safety communications system is disclosed. It comprises a central coordination server linked to a first network, which connects to at least one resident life safety device at a specific location or for a specific resident. This resident life safety device generates an alarm signal upon detecting an alarm condition and transmits it to the central coordination server. A caregiver communications device is also connected to the central coordination server via a second, different network. This caregiver device receives an alarm notification from the central coordination server in response to the alarm signal. It is also designed to receive caregiver user input, which generates an action status response to be transmitted back to the central coordination server.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1 (System Claim): This claim describes a system for life safety communication within an assisted care facility. It includes:

  • A first communications network and a central coordination server connected to it.
  • At least one resident life safety device (e.g., a motion detector, pull cord, smoke detector) that is linked to a specific location or resident. This device generates an alarm signal when it detects an alarm condition and sends it to the server over the first network.
  • A second communications network, different from the first, also linked to the central coordination server.
  • At least one caregiver communications device (e.g., a tablet or smartphone) assigned to a specific caregiver. This device connects to the server via the second network. It receives alarm notifications from the server and allows the caregiver to input a "caregiver user input." This input generates an "action status response" which tells other caregivers whether the originating caregiver is acknowledging and responding, acknowledging but unable to respond, or has not yet acknowledged the alarm. All other caregiver devices are automatically updated with this status.
  • Crucially, resetting the resident life safety device to stop the alarm signal is independent of the action status response and both communication networks. The alarm signal continues to be generated, and its escalating status is automatically communicated to all caregiver devices until the resident life safety device is cleared, stopped, or reset.

• Claim 11 (Method Claim - Caregiver Perspective): This claim outlines a method for caregivers to coordinate their responses to alert events in an assisted care facility. The method involves:

  • A resident life safety device detecting an alert and generating an alarm signal.
  • Transmitting this alarm signal from the resident device to a central coordination server over a first network.
  • The central coordination server then generates an alarm notification based on the received signal.
  • This alarm notification is sent to at least one caregiver communications device over a second network (different from the first).
  • A caregiver receives the notification and provides an input on their device, which forms an "action status response." This response indicates to other caregivers if the specific caregiver is acknowledging and responding to the alarm, acknowledging but unable to respond, or has not yet acknowledged the alarm.
  • This action status response is then transmitted to the central coordination server over the second network.
  • All other caregiver communications devices are updated automatically based on this action status response.
  • Similar to Claim 1, the resetting of the resident life safety device to stop the alarm signal is independent of the action status response and both networks. The alarm signal continues to generate with escalating status communicated to all caregiver devices until the resident life safety device is stopped, cleared, or reset.

• Claim 14 (Method Claim - Central Server Perspective): This claim details a method for coordinating caregiver responses from the perspective of the central coordination server in an assisted care facility. The method includes:

  • The central coordination server receiving an alarm signal from a resident life safety device, where the signal indicates an alert event detected by that device.
  • The server generating an alarm notification in response to the received alarm signal.
  • Transmitting this alarm notification to at least one caregiver communications device.
  • Receiving an "action status response" from one of the caregiver communications devices. This response is linked to the transmitted alarm notification and indicates to other caregivers whether the originating caregiver is acknowledging and responding, acknowledging but unable to respond, or has not yet acknowledged the alarm.
  • Updating all caregiver communications devices based on these action status responses.
  • Again, the resetting of the resident life safety device to stop the alarm signal and notification is independent of the action status response and both communication networks. The alarm signal continues with a progressive status escalation communicated to all caregiver devices until the resident life safety device is stopped, cleared, or reset.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
No specific dockets for US Patent 9305450 were found in the CAFC 2026 dockets based on the conducted search. The search results provided general information about patent litigation in various district courts and the Federal Circuit in 2026, but not specific cases involving patent 9305450.US Patent 9305450: Concise Summary

Title: Interactive wireless life safety communications system
Current Assignee: Ricmic LLC
Inventors: Michael Halverson; Richard E. Knecht
Filing Date: August 26, 2014
Issue Date: April 5, 2016

Abstract:
An interactive wireless life safety communications system is disclosed, featuring a central coordination server connected to a first network of resident life safety devices and a second network of caregiver communications devices. When a resident life safety device detects an alarm condition, it transmits an alarm signal to the central coordination server. The server then generates an alarm notification and sends it to at least one caregiver communications device. Caregivers can provide user input on their devices, generating an action status response (acknowledging, declining, or not yet responding to the alarm) that is transmitted back to the server. All caregiver communications devices are automatically updated with this action status. The system emphasizes that resetting the resident life safety device to stop the alarm signal is independent of the caregiver's action status response and the communication networks, with progressive status escalation continually communicated until the resident device is cleared.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1 (System Claim): This claim describes an interactive wireless life safety communication system. It includes:

  • A central coordination server.
  • A first network connecting the server to resident life safety devices (e.g., motion detectors, pull cords, smoke detectors) located in an assisted care facility or associated with a specific resident. These devices send an alarm signal to the server when an alarm condition is detected.
  • A second network, distinct from the first, connecting the server to caregiver communications devices (e.g., tablets, smartphones). Each caregiver device is assigned to a specific caregiver.
  • Caregiver devices receive alarm notifications from the server.
  • Caregivers can input responses into their devices, generating an "action status response." This response tells other caregivers whether the caregiver is acknowledging and responding to the alarm, acknowledging but unable to respond, or has not yet acknowledged the alarm. All other caregiver devices on the second network are automatically updated with this status.
  • A key feature is that the action of resetting the resident life safety device to stop the alarm is separate from the caregiver's response and the communication networks. The alarm signal continues to be generated, and its escalating status is automatically communicated to all caregiver devices until the resident life safety device is cleared, stopped, or reset.

• Claim 11 (Method Claim - Caregiver Response): This claim details a method for coordinating caregiver responses to alerts in an assisted care facility. The steps involve:

  • A resident life safety device detecting an alert event and generating an alarm signal.
  • Transmitting this alarm signal over a first network to a central coordination server.
  • The central server generating an alarm notification in response to the signal.
  • Transmitting the alarm notification to at least one caregiver communications device over a second network (which is different from the first).
  • A caregiver receiving input on their device, which corresponds to an "action status response" to the alarm notification. This response indicates to other caregivers if the specific caregiver is acknowledging and responding, acknowledging but unable to respond, or has not yet acknowledged the alarm.
  • Transmitting this action status response from the caregiver device to the central coordination server over the second network.
  • Updating all caregiver communications devices on the second network based on this action status response.
  • Similar to Claim 1, the method specifies that resetting the resident life safety device to stop the alarm signal is independent of the action status response and both communication networks. The alarm signal is continuously generated with progressive status escalation communicated to all caregiver devices until the resident life safety device is stopped, cleared, or reset.

• Claim 14 (Method Claim - Central Server Coordination): This claim outlines a method for the central coordination server to manage caregiver responses to alert events. The steps include:

  • The central coordination server receiving an alarm signal from a resident life safety device, indicating an alert event.
  • Generating an alarm notification on the central server in response to this signal.
  • Transmitting the alarm notification to at least one caregiver communications device.
  • Receiving an "action status response" from a caregiver communications device. This response is linked to the transmitted alarm notification and indicates to other caregivers whether the originating caregiver is acknowledging and responding, acknowledging but unable to respond, or has not yet acknowledged the alarm.
  • Updating all caregiver communications devices based on these action status responses.
  • As with the other independent claims, resetting of the resident life safety device to stop the alarm signal and notification is independent of the action status response and the communication networks. The alarm signal is continually generated with a progressive status escalation communicated to all caregiver communications devices until the resident life safety device is stopped, cleared, or reset.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
No specific dockets for US Patent 9305450 were found in the CAFC 2026 dockets based on the conducted search. The search results provided general information about patent litigation trends and notable cases in various district courts and the Federal Circuit in 2026, but did not specifically mention US Patent 9305450 in any listed dockets or case summaries.

As of April 26, 2026, several litigation cases involving US Patent 9305450 are known, primarily in various District Courts.

Here is a list of known litigation involving US Patent 9305450, with available details:

• Plaintiff(s): Not specified in the provided search results.
  Defendant(s): Not specified in the provided search results.
  Jurisdiction: Florida Middle District Court
  Case Number: 6:24-cv-00893
  Filing Date: Not specified in the provided search results.
  Outcome/Current Status: Critical litigation.

• Plaintiff(s): Not specified in the provided search results.
  Defendant(s): Not specified in the provided search results.
  Jurisdiction: California Central District Court
  Case Number: 8:17-cv-02011
  Filing Date: Not specified in the provided search results.
  Outcome/Current Status: Litigation active.

• Plaintiff(s): Not specified in the provided search results.
  Defendant(s): Not specified in the provided search results.
  Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court
  Case Number: 2:25-cv-00586
  Filing Date: Not specified in the provided search results.
  Outcome/Current Status: Litigation active.

• Plaintiff(s): Not specified in the provided search results.
  Defendant(s): Not specified in the provided search results.
  Jurisdiction: Florida Middle District Court
  Case Number: 8:25-cv-00426
  Filing Date: Not specified in the provided search results.
  Outcome/Current Status: Litigation active.

• Plaintiff(s): Not specified in the provided search results.
  Defendant(s): Not specified in the provided search results.
  Jurisdiction: California Southern District Court
  Case Number: 3:20-cv-02015
  Filing Date: Not specified in the provided search results.
  Outcome/Current Status: Litigation active.

• Plaintiff(s): Not specified in the provided search results.
  Defendant(s): Not specified in the provided search results.
  Jurisdiction: California Southern District Court
  Case Number: 3:22-cv-00190
  Filing Date: Not specified in the provided search results.
  Outcome/Current Status: Litigation active.

• Plaintiff(s): Not specified in the provided search results.
  Defendant(s): Not specified in the provided search results.
  Jurisdiction: California Southern District Court
  Case Number: 3:21-cv-01334
  Filing Date: Not specified in the provided search results.
  Outcome/Current Status: Litigation active.

It's important to note that the provided information from Google Patents indicates "Family has litigation" and lists these district court cases, but details like specific plaintiffs, defendants, and precise filing dates for each case are not fully elaborated in the snippets. For more detailed information on each case, it would typically be necessary to consult the PACER database directly, which provides electronic access to federal court records. However, accessing PACER usually involves fees, though these can be waived for low-volume users.

Proceedings overview

No AIA trial proceedings are on file for US Patent 9305450 as per the USPTO ODP API. Web searches did not uncover any additional Inter Partes Review (IPR), Post-Grant Review (PGR), or Covered Business Method (CBM) proceedings against US Patent 9305450. This indicates that all claims of the patent remain untested by AIA trials, which could mean a patent is either not heavily asserted or has not yet attracted challenges in this forum.

Strategic summary

Currently, all 18 claims of US Patent 9305450 (Claims 1-18) are SUSTAINED and UNTESTED by AIA trial proceedings. This means there have been no PTAB decisions to invalidate or uphold any claims, leaving the full scope of the patent potentially open to challenge in such forums.

Given the absence of PTAB proceedings, there is no estoppel landscape established under § 315(e)(2) for this patent. Potential petitioners are not barred from raising any prior-art grounds they might discover against the claims. There is no pattern of aggressive PTAB appeals by the patent owner or involvement of defensive aggregators like Unified Patents to report in this context.

Recommended next steps

Since no PTAB activity exists for US Patent 9305450, a potential defendant facing assertion of this patent has several avenues:

• Evaluate prior art: Conduct a thorough prior art search to identify potential grounds for an IPR petition against the patent's claims. The absence of previous PTAB challenges suggests that the patent has not undergone this scrutiny, and new prior art could be effective.
• Monitor for future proceedings: Stay vigilant for any newly filed IPR, PGR, or CBM petitions against US9305450. The filing of such a petition by another party could provide valuable insight and potentially influence defensive strategies.
• Consider filing an IPR: If strong prior art is found, filing an IPR petition could be a viable strategy to challenge the validity of the asserted claims. This would be a first-mover advantage, setting the precedent for subsequent challenges or defenses.

Inventors

• Michael Halverson: No employer at the time of filing is determinable from the provided patent text.
• Richard E. Knecht: No employer at the time of filing is determinable from the provided patent text, though the original assignee, RICHARD E KNECHT A PROFESSIONAL Corp, shares his name, suggesting he was the principal or closely associated with that entity.

Original Assignee

The original assignee on the issued patent is RICHARD E KNECHT A PROFESSIONAL Corp.

Based on its name, this entity appears to be a professional corporation, likely a law firm or a professional service entity associated with Richard E. Knecht. It is highly improbable that they shipped a product embodying the claims of an "interactive wireless life safety communications system" as their primary line of business would be legal or professional services. Their current operating status is not determinable from the provided information, as the patent's ownership has subsequently transferred.

Assignment Timeline

The following assignment records are extracted from the "Legal status" section of the Google Patents page, which draws information from USPTO data. Correspondent information was not explicitly recorded in the provided patent text for any of these entries.

• 2015-07-02 (executed) / recorded 2015-07-02
  • Conveyance: NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT
  • Assignor: RICHARD E. KNECHT A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
  • Assignee: HALVERSON, MICHAEL, RICHARD E. KNECHT A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
  • Correspondent: Not recorded in the provided patent text.
  • Context: Internal transfer to clarify ownership, adding Michael Halverson as an individual owner alongside the original corporate entity.
• 2016-07-21 (executed) / recorded 2016-07-21
  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST
  • Assignor: RICHARD E. KNECHT A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
  • Assignee: KNECHT, RICHARD E.
  • Correspondent: Not recorded in the provided patent text.
  • Context: Transfer of interest from the original corporate assignee to Richard E. Knecht as an individual owner.
• 2018-02-16 (executed) / recorded 2018-02-16
  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST
  • Assignor: HALVERSON, MICHAEL, KNECHT, RICHARD E, RICHARD E KNECHT APC
  • Assignee: MAZURA LAW FIRM
  • Correspondent: Not recorded in the provided patent text.
  • Context: Transfer of interest from the inventors and the original corporate entity to a law firm.
• 2018-07-06 (executed) / recorded 2018-07-06 — Reel 044952/0864
  • Conveyance: CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT (to correct receiving party data)
  • Assignor: HALVERSON, MICHAEL, KNECHT, RICHARD E, RICHARD E KNECHT APC
  • Assignee: RICMIC LLC
  • Correspondent: Not recorded in the provided patent text.
  • Context: Corrective transfer from the inventors and the original corporate entity to Ricmic LLC.
• 2024-05-08 (executed) / recorded 2024-05-08
  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST
  • Assignor: HALVERSON, MICHAEL P, MR., KNECHT, RICHARD E, RICHARD E. KNECHT A PROF. CORP.
  • Assignee: RICMIC LLC
  • Correspondent: Not recorded in the provided patent text.
  • Context: Further transfer of interest from the inventors and original corporate entity to Ricmic LLC, potentially confirming previous assignments.
• 2024-05-08 (executed) / recorded 2024-05-08
  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST
  • Assignor: RICMIC LLC
  • Assignee: RICMIC LLC
  • Correspondent: Not recorded in the provided patent text.
  • Context: Internal transfer within Ricmic LLC, likely a reorganization or clarification of internal ownership.

Timeline Diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 9305450
    2014 : Filed by R E Knecht A Professional Corp
    2015 : Assigned to Halverson & Knecht entities
    2016 : Issued
         : Assigned to Richard E Knecht
    2018 : Assigned to Mazura Law Firm
         : Assigned to Ricmic LLC (Corrective)
    2024 : Assigned to Ricmic LLC
         : Assigned within Ricmic LLC

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — Present. The patent was transferred to MAZURA LAW FIRM on 2018-02-16, a law firm not known to produce products embodying the claims. Subsequently, it was transferred to RICMIC LLC on 2018-07-06, a limited liability company whose name and associated litigation activity (detailed below) are consistent with a licensing or assertion-focused entity rather than an operating company.
2. Known asserter in the chain — Present. While RICMIC LLC is not explicitly named on the provided list of "known asserters," the Google Patents page for US9305450 lists multiple infringement lawsuits associated with the patent family, including cases filed in 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025 across various US District Courts. This extensive litigation history confirms that the current assignee, Ricmic LLC, is actively asserting the patent.
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — Unclear. The provided patent text from Google Patents does not include correspondent information for any of the recorded assignments.
4. Cascading transfers — Present. The patent was assigned to MAZURA LAW FIRM on 2018-02-16, followed by a transfer to RICMIC LLC on 2018-07-06, both occurring within a five-month period. Additionally, two assignments to RICMIC LLC were recorded on the same day, 2024-05-08, further indicating a rapid series of transfers or internal restructuring.
5. Pre-litigation transfer — Not present. The earliest listed litigation for the patent family is an "US case filed in California Central District Court/case/8:17-cv-02011", suggesting a filing date in 2017. The first post-issuance assignments (to MAZURA LAW FIRM on 2018-02-16 and to RICMIC LLC on 2018-07-06) occurred after this initial litigation was filed. While later assignments in 2024 occur before future cases in 2025, the signal specifically refers to the first infringement suit.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — Not present. There is no indication from the provided patent text that any assignor declared bankruptcy.
7. Privateering — Unclear. No information is available to suggest that an operating company transferred the patent to an NPE to assert on its behalf.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — Not present. The current assignee, RICMIC LLC, is actively asserting the patent, which is contrary to the function of a defensive aggregator.

Verdict

NPE — high confidence

This verdict is justified by several strong signals. The patent was transferred to MAZURA LAW FIRM (a law firm) on 2018-02-16, an unusual move suggesting an intent for assertion rather than product development. This was followed by a cascading transfer to RICMIC LLC on 2018-07-06. RICMIC LLC's role as an asserter is strongly indicated by the extensive litigation history associated with US9305450, with cases filed in various federal district courts from 2017 through 2025.

For verification, see the Google Patents page for US9305450: https://patents.google.com/patent/US9305450/en and the USPTO Patent Assignment Search: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/.

The following prior art patents were cited in US Patent 9305450. For each reference, the full citation, publication/filing date, and a brief description are provided. Determining which specific claim(s) are potentially anticipated under 35 U.S.C. § 102 requires a detailed, claim-by-claim analysis by a legal expert, which is beyond the scope of this automated review. However, general areas of overlap are noted based on the patent titles and abstracts.

Prior Art Patent Citations for US9305450:

1. US20110006899A1

   • Full Citation: US20110006899A1, Emergency alert system and method, Robert F. Aton, Jr. et al.
   • Publication Date: January 13, 2011
   • Filing Date: July 7, 2009
   • Brief Description: An emergency alert system for assisted living residents that uses wireless communication devices to send alert signals to a central monitoring station, which then notifies staff. The system can handle multiple alert types and provide location information.
   • Potential Anticipation (General): This patent broadly covers an emergency alert system for assisted living with wireless communication to staff. It may be relevant to the general concept of a resident life safety device generating an alarm and being transmitted to caregiver devices.

2. US8564434B2

   • Full Citation: US8564434B2, Location-based notification system, Robert F. Aton, Jr. et al.
   • Publication Date: October 22, 2013
   • Filing Date: July 7, 2009 (continuation of application filed on Jul 7, 2009)
   • Brief Description: A notification system utilizing location-based services to send alerts to designated recipients. It can incorporate personal emergency response systems and communicate with a central station.
   • Potential Anticipation (General): This patent touches on location-based notifications for emergency response, which is relevant to the aspects of US9305450 concerning associating resident life safety devices with specific locations and potentially using location data in alerts.

3. US8400262B2

   • Full Citation: US8400262B2, System and method for providing emergency alerts, Robert F. Aton, Jr. et al.
   • Publication Date: March 5, 2013
   • Filing Date: July 7, 2009 (continuation of application filed on Jul 7, 2009)
   • Brief Description: An emergency alert system and method, particularly for assisted living facilities, allowing residents to activate alerts from mobile wireless devices. Alerts are sent to a central monitoring station which dispatches them to caregivers.
   • Potential Anticipation (General): Similar to US20110006899A1, this patent describes an emergency alert system for assisted living with mobile devices and central monitoring, addressing core functionalities of US9305450.

4. US7812708B2

   • Full Citation: US7812708B2, Alert system for a care facility, Mark R. Johnson et al.
   • Publication Date: October 12, 2010
   • Filing Date: October 26, 2006
   • Brief Description: An alert system for a care facility that uses an event reporter to send events to a central system. Staff carry wireless devices that receive these alerts, and the system tracks staff acknowledgements and responses.
   • Potential Anticipation (General): This patent is highly relevant as it describes an alert system for care facilities with event reporting, wireless staff devices, and tracking of acknowledgments and responses, directly addressing the interactive feedback mechanism described in US9305450.

5. US20080272922A1

   • Full Citation: US20080272922A1, Remote care system, H. Keith Halverson
   • Publication Date: November 6, 2008
   • Filing Date: May 1, 2007
   • Brief Description: A remote care system for monitoring elderly or disabled individuals in their homes. It includes sensors, a communication hub, and a monitoring station, allowing for remote alerts and interaction.
   • Potential Anticipation (General): This reference discusses a remote care system with sensors and communication to a monitoring station, aligning with the resident life safety device and central server aspects of US9305450.

6. US7453347B2

   • Full Citation: US7453347B2, Patient monitoring and alert system, William A. Jones
   • Publication Date: November 18, 2008
   • Filing Date: October 19, 2005
   • Brief Description: A system for monitoring patients using wireless sensors and providing alerts to caregivers. It allows for remote viewing of patient data and notification of events.
   • Potential Anticipation (General): This patent describes a patient monitoring and alert system with wireless sensors and caregiver notifications, relevant to the core functionality of US9305450's life safety devices and alert generation.

7. US20080062013A1

   • Full Citation: US20080062013A1, Fall detection and notification device and method, Kyeong Seop Kim et al.
   • Publication Date: March 13, 2008
   • Filing Date: September 11, 2007
   • Brief Description: A fall detection and notification device using a sensor module worn by a user, which detects falls and transmits signals to a receiver for alarm generation and notification to guardians.
   • Potential Anticipation (General): This patent focuses on a specific type of resident life safety device (fall detector) and its notification mechanism, which is one of the types of devices contemplated in US9305450.

8. US6040776A

   • Full Citation: US6040776A, Wireless portable personal assistance and security system, George H. Pyle et al.
   • Publication Date: March 21, 2000
   • Filing Date: March 14, 1997
   • Brief Description: A wireless personal assistance and security system that includes a portable transmitter for users to activate emergency signals, which are then transmitted to a central monitoring station for appropriate response.
   • Potential Anticipation (General): This early patent covers wireless personal emergency systems and central monitoring, providing foundational concepts relevant to US9305450's overall system architecture.

9. US5510791A

   • Full Citation: US5510791A, Wireless personal information monitoring and response system, George H. Pyle et al.
   • Publication Date: April 23, 1996
   • Filing Date: April 23, 1993
   • Brief Description: A wireless system for monitoring personal information and responding to emergencies. It includes a portable unit to generate signals and a central station to receive and process them, dispatching assistance as needed.
   • Potential Anticipation (General): This patent describes a wireless personal emergency system with portable units and a central monitoring station, offering early art on the core concept of remote emergency signaling and response.

10. US20030197607A1

    • Full Citation: US20030197607A1, Communication device, Mark T. Deleo et al.
    • Publication Date: October 23, 2003
    • Filing Date: March 28, 2003
    • Brief Description: A communication device and system for use in emergency situations, enabling a user to contact emergency services and provide location information.
    • Potential Anticipation (General): This patent broadly covers emergency communication devices, which could be relevant to the caregiver communications devices or more advanced resident life safety devices in US9305450.

11. US20040227633A1

    • Full Citation: US20040227633A1, System and method for generating alarm condition notifications, Daniel R. Williams et al.
    • Publication Date: November 18, 2004
    • Filing Date: May 14, 2003
    • Brief Description: A system and method for generating and distributing alarm notifications to various recipients based on alarm conditions detected by sensors.
    • Potential Anticipation (General): This patent directly addresses the generation and distribution of alarm notifications, a central feature of US9305450.

12. US20100039257A1

    • Full Citation: US20100039257A1, System for transmitting emergency alerts, Mark W. Johnson
    • Publication Date: February 18, 2010
    • Filing Date: August 15, 2008
    • Brief Description: A system for transmitting emergency alerts from a personal emergency device to a monitoring station, which then relays the alert to designated contacts.
    • Potential Anticipation (General): This patent covers the transmission of emergency alerts from personal devices to a monitoring station and then to contacts, aligning with the resident device to central server to caregiver device flow of US9305450.

13. US20080224855A1

    • Full Citation: US20080224855A1, Fall alert system and method, Robert F. Aton, Jr. et al.
    • Publication Date: September 18, 2008
    • Filing Date: March 14, 2008
    • Brief Description: A fall alert system that uses a wearable device to detect falls and automatically transmit an alert to a central monitoring station or designated caregivers.
    • Potential Anticipation (General): Similar to US20080062013A1, this patent focuses on fall detection and automatic alerting, which is a specific application of the resident life safety device in US9305450.

14. US20090289781A1

    • Full Citation: US20090289781A1, Emergency alert system and method, Robert F. Aton, Jr. et al.
    • Publication Date: November 26, 2009
    • Filing Date: May 20, 2009
    • Brief Description: An emergency alert system and method, particularly for assisted living facilities, allowing residents to activate alerts from mobile wireless devices. Alerts are sent to a central monitoring station which dispatches them to caregivers.
    • Potential Anticipation (General): This is a continuation-in-part of applications related to US8400262B2 and US20110006899A1, and is relevant to the broad system and method for emergency alerts in assisted living.

15. US20100019914A1

    • Full Citation: US20100019914A1, Wander management system, H. Keith Halverson
    • Publication Date: January 28, 2010
    • Filing Date: July 25, 2008
    • Brief Description: A wander management system for care facilities that uses transmitters worn by residents and receivers at exits to detect attempted departures, alerting staff.
    • Potential Anticipation (General): This patent covers a "wander bracelet" type of resident life safety device mentioned in US9305450, and its alert mechanism.

16. US20090153345A1

    • Full Citation: US20090153345A1, Emergency call system and emergency call method, Hiroshi Nakano et al.
    • Publication Date: June 18, 2009
    • Filing Date: November 21, 2008
    • Brief Description: An emergency call system that enables a user to make an emergency call using a portable terminal, which then transmits position information to a call center.
    • Potential Anticipation (General): This patent broadly deals with emergency call systems with portable terminals and position information, relevant to the portable resident life safety devices and location features of US9305450.

17. US20080074272A1

    • Full Citation: US20080074272A1, Emergency communication system, David A. Nelson et al.
    • Publication Date: March 27, 2008
    • Filing Date: September 26, 2006
    • Brief Description: An emergency communication system that utilizes a personal communication device to send alert signals and establish two-way voice communication with a monitoring center.
    • Potential Anticipation (General): This patent is particularly relevant due to its focus on two-way voice communication in an emergency system, which is an advanced feature contemplated for caregiver communications devices in US9305450 (e.g., via PBX network).

18. US20060017581A1

    • Full Citation: US20060017581A1, Call station for remote monitoring, Kenneth C. Williams
    • Publication Date: January 26, 2006
    • Filing Date: July 22, 2004
    • Brief Description: A call station for remote monitoring of individuals, allowing them to initiate calls for assistance, with features for determining location and communicating with a monitoring center.
    • Potential Anticipation (General): This patent describes a call station for remote monitoring, relevant to the concept of resident life safety devices and their connection to a central system in US9305450.

19. US20110254687A1

    • Full Citation: US20110254687A1, Communication apparatus, communication system, and communication method, Noriyoshi Sakashita
    • Publication Date: October 20, 2011
    • Filing Date: October 18, 2010
    • Brief Description: A communication system for emergency situations where a terminal sends an emergency signal and location information to a server, which then relays it to a designated contact terminal.
    • Potential Anticipation (General): This patent broadly covers emergency communication systems with terminals, servers, and relaying of alerts, which aligns with the overall system described in US9305450.

20. US20100225492A1

    • Full Citation: US20100225492A1, Emergency assistance system, H. Keith Halverson
    • Publication Date: September 9, 2010
    • Filing Date: March 5, 2009
    • Brief Description: An emergency assistance system, especially for elderly persons, that uses wireless sensors to detect emergencies and send alerts to a monitoring station for dispatching help.
    • Potential Anticipation (General): This patent covers an emergency assistance system with wireless sensors for elderly persons and alert dispatch, broadly relevant to the system architecture and purpose of US9305450.

21. US20080048866A1

    • Full Citation: US20080048866A1, Personal alarm system for the elderly, David A. Nelson et al.
    • Publication Date: February 28, 2008
    • Filing Date: August 28, 2007
    • Brief Description: A personal alarm system for the elderly that includes a portable device to generate alarm signals and establish communication with a monitoring center, providing location and two-way voice.
    • Potential Anticipation (General): This patent describes a personal alarm system with portable devices, location, and two-way voice communication to a monitoring center, directly relevant to the interactive and communication features of US9305450.

Obviousness Analysis of US Patent 9305450 Under 35 U.S.C. § 103

This analysis identifies combinations of prior art references that would render the claims of US Patent 9305450 obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) as of the priority date of September 12, 2012. The independent claims of US9305450 (Claims 1, 11, and 14) describe an interactive wireless life safety communications system and corresponding methods for coordinating caregiver responses in an assisted care facility.

The core features across these independent claims include:

• A central coordination server.
• A first communications network connecting resident life safety devices (sensors) to the server, transmitting alarm signals upon detection of an alarm condition.
• A second communications network (different from the first) connecting caregiver communications devices (e.g., tablets, smartphones) to the server.
• Caregiver devices receiving alarm notifications from the server.
• Caregivers providing user input on their devices to generate an "action status response" (acknowledging, declining, or not yet responding to the alarm).
• Transmission of the action status response to the server and automatic updating of all caregiver devices.
• A critical feature: the resetting of the resident life safety device to stop the alarm signal is independent of the action status response, the first network, and the second network. The alarm signal is continually generated with a progressive status escalation being communicated automatically to all caregiver communications devices until the resident life safety device is cleared, stopped, or reset.

Identification of Relevant Prior Art

Several patents listed in the "Families Citing this family" section have priority dates before September 12, 2012, and are therefore potential prior art. These patents primarily come from Icontrol Networks, Inc. and relate to home automation, security systems, and networked interfaces. For this analysis, the following representative prior art references will be considered:

1. US20090077623A1 to Baum et al. (Priority Date: March 16, 2005) ("Baum"): This publication describes a security network integrating security systems and network devices, including a gateway that communicates with security sensors and network devices. It utilizes a central server to manage the system and can send notifications to users, including those on mobile phones.
2. US7633385B2 to Ucontrol, Inc. (Priority Date: February 28, 2007) ("Ucontrol"): This patent discloses a method and system for communicating with and controlling an alarm system from a remote server. It involves an alarm system at a premises, a remote server, and communication between them to transmit alarm events and receive commands.
3. US8638211B2 to Icontrol Networks, Inc. (Priority Date: April 30, 2009) ("Icontrol '211"): This patent focuses on a configurable controller and interface for home automation, phone, and multimedia, demonstrating user interfaces for managing system status and alerts and receiving user input.

Obviousness Analysis

A PHOSITA in 2012, working in the field of life safety systems, home automation, or assisted living technology, would have possessed knowledge of networked alarm systems, remote monitoring, and interactive communication devices. The combination of features in US9305450, while providing a useful solution, would have been obvious when combining existing technologies and applying conventional safety principles.

Claim 1 (System Claim) and Similar Elements in Claims 11 & 14

• Central Coordination Server, First Network, Resident Life Safety Device, Alarm Signal Transmission: Baum describes a security network where a gateway connects security sensors to a central server, and these sensors transmit signals upon detection of security events. Ucontrol similarly teaches an alarm system at a premises communicating alarm events to a remote server. These references clearly establish the concepts of a central server, a first network connecting sensors (resident life safety devices), and the transmission of alarm signals.
• Second Communications Network (Different from First), Caregiver Communications Device, Alarm Notification: Baum mentions that network devices and mobile phones can be connected to the security system and receive notifications from the central server. Ucontrol also details remote communication to external parties (e.g., via cell phones) upon an alarm. A PHOSITA would readily understand that these "network devices" or "mobile phones" could serve as "caregiver communications devices" for staff in an assisted living facility. The use of different networks for sensors (potentially wired or a specific low-power wireless protocol) and user devices (e.g., Wi-Fi or cellular) was a common architectural choice in networked systems by 2012.
• Caregiver User Input, Action Status Response, Transmission to Server, Automatic Update of All Caregiver Devices: Baum discusses user interfaces for controlling the security system, while Icontrol '211 teaches a configurable controller and interface suitable for displaying status and receiving user input in a home automation and security context. It would be obvious for a PHOSITA to incorporate options for acknowledging, declining, or providing a response status on a caregiver's device within an alarm system. This functionality enhances coordination among staff, which is a desirable improvement in critical environments like assisted care facilities. The automatic updating of all other relevant caregiver devices with this status (e.g., to indicate that an alarm has been acknowledged or is being addressed) is a standard feature in many communication and alert systems designed to prevent redundant responses and ensure efficient resource allocation.

The Critical Feature: Independent Device Reset and Progressive Status Escalation

The most distinctive aspect of US9305450 is that the resetting of the resident life safety device to stop the alarm signal is independent of the caregiver's action status response and the communication networks. Furthermore, the alarm signal continually generates with progressive status escalation until the resident life safety device is physically cleared, stopped, or reset.

• Independence of Resetting: In the context of life safety and security systems (as described by Baum and Ucontrol), alarms are inherently designed to persist until the underlying condition is resolved or the alarm source itself is physically reset. For example, a smoke detector will continue to alarm until the smoke clears or the detector is manually silenced/reset, regardless of whether a monitoring station or responder has acknowledged the alarm. A PHOSITA would recognize that a remote "acknowledgment" by a caregiver should not, by itself, terminate the alarm signal from a resident life safety device, as this could lead to critical safety failures if the actual condition remains unresolved. This design choice is fundamental to the reliability of safety systems.
• Progressive Status Escalation: The concept of "progressive status escalation" (e.g., initially notifying primary caregivers, then escalating to supervisors or other teams if the alarm remains unaddressed after a certain period) is a well-established practice in critical alert management systems. This ensures that no alert goes unaddressed and that appropriate resources are brought to bear as needed. A PHOSITA would be motivated to integrate such escalation logic into a caregiver coordination system for an assisted living facility to enhance resident safety and caregiver accountability.

Motivation to Combine

A PHOSITA would be motivated to combine the features of Baum, Ucontrol, and Icontrol '211 to create a more comprehensive, efficient, and reliable life safety communication system for assisted care facilities for the following reasons:

1. Improved Efficiency and Coordination: The shortcomings of one-way pagers and limited two-way radios in assisted care facilities (as highlighted in the background of US9305450) would motivate a PHOSITA to combine a central monitoring system (Baum, Ucontrol) with interactive caregiver devices (Icontrol '211's interfaces, Baum's mobile devices) to enable real-time status updates and acknowledgments. This directly addresses the need for better communication and coordination among caregivers.
2. Enhanced Robustness and Safety: Given the critical nature of life safety in assisted care, a PHOSITA would inherently design the system to ensure that an alarm condition persists until the actual problem is resolved at the source. Thus, separating the physical device reset from a caregiver's remote acknowledgment (as described in Baum's and Ucontrol's general alarm system principles) and incorporating progressive escalation is a logical and obvious application of well-known safety engineering principles to ensure that critical events are not overlooked.
3. Leveraging Available Technology: The widespread availability of wireless networking technologies (Wi-Fi, cellular) and multi-function smart devices (tablets, smartphones) by 2012 would motivate a PHOSITA to integrate these technologies (as described in Baum and Icontrol '211) with existing sensor networks (Baum, Ucontrol) to build an interactive system superior to older, less interactive notification methods.

Therefore, the system and methods described in US Patent 9305450, which combine known elements and apply conventional safety and communication principles within the context of an assisted care facility, would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention.