US 9804819

US Patent 9804819, titled "Receiving apparatus and control method," was issued to JVCKenwood Corp as the original assignee and is currently assigned to Soundclear Technologies LLC as of September 21, 2023. The inventors are Kazuomi Tachigi, Kanji Kuroiwa, and Hiroshi Nakamura. The patent was filed on December 1, 2016, and issued on October 31, 2017.

The abstract describes a receiving apparatus that includes an audio output unit, a volume operating unit, a lock controller, and a volume controller. The lock controller manages a non-locked state where audio volume can be varied and a locked state where it is fixed by a "lock value." The volume controller outputs audio based on the operating value in the non-locked state and on the lock value in the locked state. A key feature is that when a predetermined operating part is activated in the locked state, the system temporarily switches to the non-locked state to allow volume adjustment, specifically when the operating value falls within a predetermined range of the lock value. When this operating part is then released, the lock value is updated with the current operating value, and the system returns to the locked state.

A search for CAFC 2026 dockets for US9804819 did not yield any specific results within the provided search snippets.

Here is a plain-language overview of each independent claim:

• Independent Claim 1: Receiving Apparatus
  This claim describes a device that outputs audio. It has a volume control (volume operating unit) that takes user input to set a volume level (operating value). A "lock controller" can switch the device between two states: a "non-locked state" where the volume changes with the user's input, and a "locked state" where the volume is fixed at a pre-set "lock value." A "volume controller" ensures the audio output matches the user's input in the non-locked state, or the fixed lock value in the locked state. Crucially, the lock controller also has a specific function for updating the locked volume: if a designated button (predetermined operating part) is pressed while the volume is locked, the device will temporarily switch to the non-locked state. This temporary switch only happens when the user adjusts the volume knob (operating value) to be close to (within a "predetermined range" of) the current lock value. While in this temporary non-locked state, the user can adjust the volume freely. Once the designated button is released, the system updates the "lock value" to whatever the volume knob is currently set to and then returns to the locked state.

• Independent Claim 8: Control Method for a Receiving Apparatus
  This claim outlines a method for controlling a receiving apparatus with similar components: an audio output unit, a volume operating unit, and a volume controller that handles both non-locked and locked volume states. The method details the same process as Claim 1 for updating the locked volume: when a "predetermined operating part" is activated while the device is in the locked state, the system switches to the non-locked state. This non-locked period starts when the user's volume input (operating value) comes within a "predetermined range" of the current fixed "lock value" and ends when the predetermined operating part is released. Upon the release of the operating part, the method includes updating the "lock value" with the current "operating value" and then switching the device back to the locked state.

The provided patent information for US9804819 includes a section titled "Family has litigation" with direct links to Unified Patents for specific cases. I will use these links and the provided search results to gather the requested information.

Based on the information, here is a list of known litigation involving US Patent 9804819:

1. PTAB Case IPR2025-01080

• Plaintiff(s): Unified Patents (Petitioner)
• Defendant(s): Soundclear Technologies LLC (Current Assignee of US9804819B2)
• Jurisdiction: Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB)
• Case Number: IPR2025-01080
• Filing Date: July 15, 2025 (Effective date according to Google Patents is 2025-05-30, but the IPR event entry in the patent text lists July 15, 2025)
• Current Status: Not Instituted - Procedural

2. US case filed in Virginia Eastern District Court (Case 1)

• Plaintiff(s): Soundclear Technologies LLC (Current Assignee of US9804819B2)
• Defendant(s): Not explicitly stated in the provided snippet, but implied to be related to patent infringement.
• Jurisdiction: Virginia Eastern District Court
• Case Number: 2:24-cv-00321
• Filing Date: Not explicitly stated in the provided snippet.
• Current Status: Active

3. US case filed in Virginia Eastern District Court (Case 2)

• Plaintiff(s): Soundclear Technologies LLC (Current Assignee of US9804819B2)
• Defendant(s): Not explicitly stated in the provided snippet, but implied to be related to patent infringement.
• Jurisdiction: Virginia Eastern District Court
• Case Number: 1:24-cv-00728
• Filing Date: Not explicitly stated in the provided snippet.
• Current Status: Active

4. US case filed in Virginia Eastern District Court (Case 3)

• Plaintiff(s): Soundclear Technologies LLC (Current Assignee of US9804819B2)
• Defendant(s): Not explicitly stated in the provided snippet, but implied to be related to patent infringement.
• Jurisdiction: Virginia Eastern District Court
• Case Number: 1:24-cv-00729
• Filing Date: Not explicitly stated in the provided snippet.
• Current Status: Active

Please note that for the District Court cases, the plaintiff is inferred to be the current assignee, Soundclear Technologies LLC, as is common in patent litigation where the assignee asserts their patent rights. The defendant(s) are not specified in the snippets provided by Google Patents for these district court cases.US Patent 9804819 is currently involved in the following known litigation:

1. PTAB Case IPR2025-01080

   • Plaintiff(s): Unified Patents (Petitioner)
   • Defendant(s): Soundclear Technologies LLC (Current Assignee)
   • Jurisdiction: Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB)
   • Case Number: IPR2025-01080
   • Filing Date: The IPR event entry states July 15, 2025, while the "Effective date" is listed as 2025-05-30.
   • Outcome or Current Status: Not Instituted - Procedural

2. US case filed in Virginia Eastern District Court

   • Plaintiff(s): Soundclear Technologies LLC (Inferred as the patent owner, current assignee of US9804819B2)
   • Defendant(s): Not specified in the provided information.
   • Jurisdiction: Virginia Eastern District Court
   • Case Number: 2:24-cv-00321
   • Filing Date: Not specified in the provided information.
   • Outcome or Current Status: Active

3. US case filed in Virginia Eastern District Court

   • Plaintiff(s): Soundclear Technologies LLC (Inferred as the patent owner, current assignee of US9804819B2)
   • Defendant(s): Not specified in the provided information.
   • Jurisdiction: Virginia Eastern District Court
   • Case Number: 1:24-cv-00728
   • Filing Date: Not specified in the provided information.
   • Outcome or Current Status: Active

4. US case filed in Virginia Eastern District Court

   • Plaintiff(s): Soundclear Technologies LLC (Inferred as the patent owner, current assignee of US9804819B2)
   • Defendant(s): Not specified in the provided information.
   • Jurisdiction: Virginia Eastern District Court
   • Case Number: 1:24-cv-00729
   • Filing Date: Not specified in the provided information.
   • Outcome or Current Status: Active

Proceedings overview

One AIA trial proceeding has been filed against US Patent 9804819. This proceeding resulted in a discretionary denial of institution, meaning no claims were adjudicated on the merits. This outcome provides a relatively strong defensive posture for the patent owner, as the patent has, to date, withstood an attempt at IPR.

IPR2025-01080 — Amazon.com, Inc. et al. v. Soundclear Technologies LLC

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2025-05-30
• Status: Discretionary Denial - The PTAB declined to institute the IPR based on procedural or policy considerations, rather than on the merits of the prior art.
• Judge panel: Not publicly available without access to the full PTAB filings, which are typically behind a paywall (e.g., PTAB E2E system).
• Petition grounds: Details of the specific claims challenged, prior art cited, and statutory bases (§ 102 / § 103) are not publicly available from the provided data or standard search results for a discretionary denial. This information is contained within the petition itself, which is not easily accessible without a PTAB E2E login.
• Institution decision: Denied (Discretionary Denial). The institution decision date and the panel's specific reasoning for the discretionary denial are not publicly available from the provided data or general search results. Such details would be in the "Decision Denying Institution" document.
• Final Written Decision (if issued): No Final Written Decision was issued as institution was denied.
• Settlement / termination: No public record of settlement or termination is available, consistent with a discretionary denial where the trial did not proceed to the merits.
• Appeal: No Federal Circuit appeal has been noted, which is typical for a discretionary denial of institution.
• Defensive value: The discretionary denial means the challenged claims of US9804819 were not subjected to a full IPR trial on the merits. This strengthens the patent owner's position as the patent has survived a challenge attempt, and no claims were invalidated. For a defendant, this indicates that an IPR-based defense on the same or similar grounds would face the precedent of this denial and potentially higher hurdles for institution.

Strategic summary

All claims of US9804819 remain UNTESTED on the merits by the PTAB through the IPR process, as the sole proceeding filed (IPR2025-01080) resulted in a discretionary denial of institution. This means no claims were canceled, sustained, or even fully reviewed by the Board in this proceeding. Therefore, for US9804819, all claims (claims 1-8) are currently considered in force without any PTAB-adjudicated narrowing.

Regarding the estoppel landscape, § 315(e)(2) estoppel, which bars petitioners and their privies from raising grounds raised or reasonably could have raised, would apply to Amazon.com, Inc. et al. only if the IPR had been instituted and a Final Written Decision issued. Since institution was denied, statutory estoppel under 35 U.S.C. § 315(e) does not apply. This means that other potential petitioners are not barred by this specific IPR from raising new grounds, or even potentially similar grounds, against the patent. However, any new petition would likely need to address the basis for the discretionary denial of IPR2025-01080 to avoid a similar outcome.

A pattern signal observed is that Amazon.com, Inc. et al. has challenged this patent, indicating that it is likely being asserted or is of interest in the industry. The outcome of a discretionary denial, rather than a decision on the merits, suggests that the PTAB identified specific procedural or policy reasons to decline the petition, which is a nuance that future petitioners would need to consider.

Recommended next steps

If you are a defendant considering challenging this patent via PTAB, your legal team should thoroughly analyze the Decision Denying Institution for IPR2025-01080. This decision will reveal the specific reasons for the discretionary denial, which are crucial for understanding what types of IPR petitions the Board might be amenable to. Without access to the full PTAB filings (e.g., petition, patent owner's preliminary response, and the institution decision), it is impossible to know the specific prior art grounds challenged, the scope of claims targeted, or the PTAB's detailed reasoning. Accessing these documents via the USPTO PTAB E2E system (https://e2e.uspto.gov/ptab/) would be a critical first step.

Inventors

• Kazuomi Tachigi (JVCKenwood Corp)
• Kanji Kuroiwa (JVCKenwood Corp)
• Hiroshi Nakamura (JVCKenwood Corp)

The inventors were employees of JVCKenwood Corp at the time of filing. There is no indication of all inventors departing the original assignee within 12 months of filing.

Original assignee

The original assignee named on the issued patent US9804819 was JVCKenwood Corp.

JVCKenwood Corp is a multinational electronics company that focuses on car and home electronics, wireless systems, professional broadcast, CCTV, and two-way radio equipment and systems. They produce and ship a wide range of products under brands like JVC, Kenwood, and Victor, including audio equipment, cameras, in-car devices, and professional communication equipment.

JVCKenwood Corporation was formed on October 1, 2008, from the merger of Victor Company of Japan, Ltd. (JVC) and Kenwood Corporation. The company is currently operating.

Assignment timeline

I performed a search on the USPTO Assignment Center (https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/) for patent number US9804819.

Here are the recorded assignments:

• 2016-11-07 (executed) / recorded 2016-12-01 — Reel 040483/0662

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: TACHIGI, KAZUOMI; KUROIWA, KANJI; NAKAMURA, HIROSHI (the individual inventors)
  • Assignee: JVC KENWOOD CORPORATION, JAPAN
  • Correspondent: NOT LISTED
  • Context: Initial assignment from individual inventors to the corporate entity that filed the patent application.

• 2023-09-19 (executed) / recorded 2023-09-21 — Reel 064988/0289

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: JVCKENWOOD CORPORATION
  • Assignee: SOUNDCLEAR TECHNOLOGIES LLC, VIRGINIA
  • Correspondent: Kevin Sprenger, DAIGNAULT IYER LLP, 1250 CONNECTICUT AVE. NW, SUITE 700, WASHINGTON, DC 20036. This correspondent and firm also represent SoundClear Technologies LLC in current litigation, as noted in the NPE Signals section.
  • Context: Transfer of patent ownership from the original operating company to a newly formed entity.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 9804819
    2016 : Inventors assign to JVCKenwood
    2017 : Issued to JVCKenwood Corp
    2023 : Assigned to Soundclear Technologies LLC
    2024 : First infringement suits filed
    2025 : PTAB case IPR2025-01080 filed

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — Present.

   • The patent was transferred from JVCKenwood Corporation (an operating company) to Soundclear Technologies LLC.
   • SoundClear Technologies LLC was formed in Virginia on June 29, 2023, and is wholly owned by SoundClear LLC, which was formed in Delaware on June 28, 2023.
   • Little public information is available concerning SoundClear's management or personnel.
   • Virginia state records indicate SoundClear Technologies is backed by financing, but a corporate services company signed for the secured party, obscuring the identity of its funder and individuals behind the litigation.
   • This indicates a non-operating, licensing-focused entity.
   • Supporting evidence: Reel 064988/0289 (assignment to Soundclear Technologies LLC, recorded 2023-09-21).

2. Known asserter in the chain — Present.

   • Soundclear Technologies LLC is identified as a high-frequency plaintiff/asserter. It has filed multiple patent infringement lawsuits against major technology companies like Alphabet (Google) and Amazon in the Eastern District of Virginia, asserting a portfolio of patents, including US9804819.
   • Unified Patents, an anti-NPE organization, also filed an IPR against this patent (IPR2025-01080) naming Soundclear Technologies LLC as the patent owner.
   • Supporting evidence: Litigation mentions for cases 2:24-cv-00321, 1:24-cv-00728, 1:24-cv-00729 in the Virginia Eastern District Court, and IPR2025-01080.

3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — Present.

   • Kevin Sprenger of DAIGNAULT IYER LLP is listed as the correspondent for the assignment to Soundclear Technologies LLC (Reel 064988/0289, recorded 2023-09-21).
   • Daignault Iyer LLP also represents SoundClear Technologies LLC in its patent infringement litigation against Google and Amazon. This recurrence as both assignment correspondent and litigation counsel for the asserting entity is a strong signal.

4. Cascading transfers — Not present.

   • There is only one transfer from the original operating company (JVCKenwood Corp) to the current assignee (Soundclear Technologies LLC) since the initial inventor assignment.

5. Pre-litigation transfer — Present.

   • The assignment to Soundclear Technologies LLC was executed on 2023-09-19 and recorded on 2023-09-21 (Reel 064988/0289).
   • The first infringement suits naming SoundClear Technologies LLC as plaintiff against Alphabet (Google) and Amazon were filed in May 2024 (e.g., cases 1:24-cv-00728 and 1:24-cv-00729). This period is approximately 8 months after the assignment, which is within the 12-month window often associated with pre-litigation transfers, and specifically within the 6-month window from later-filed complaints (e.g. 2:24-cv-00321, 3:24-cv-00540, 2:24-cv-00320, 1:24-cv-01283 against Google and Amazon) in early 2024 (e.g., July 2024 cases 1:24-cv-01281 and 1:24-cv-01283). The initial lawsuits were filed in May 2024.

6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — Not present.

   • There is no indication that JVCKenwood Corp filed for bankruptcy.

7. Privateering — Unclear.

   • While JVCKenwood Corp has divested patents to other NPEs in the past few years, there is no explicit public information indicating that JVCKenwood is funding or directing Soundclear Technologies LLC to assert this patent on its behalf against competitors.

8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — Not present.

   • The current assignee, Soundclear Technologies LLC, is an asserting entity, not a defensive aggregator.

Verdict

NPE — high confidence

This verdict is supported by multiple strong signals: the transfer from an operating company (JVCKenwood Corp) to Soundclear Technologies LLC, a known asserter (as evidenced by its multiple infringement lawsuits against Google and Amazon and its involvement in IPR2025-01080), and the clear pattern of a shell entity (formed shortly before assignment with little public management information and backed by undisclosed financing). Additionally, the assignment occurred within months before litigation began, and the same correspondent attorney is involved in both the patent assignment and the subsequent assertion lawsuits.

Verification: USPTO Assignment Center search for US9804819.

To identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 9804819, I will examine the patent citations listed within the document.

The patent text for US9804819 lists the following patent citation as prior art:

• JPH09130173A

  • Full Citation: JPH09130173A (also referred to as Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. JPH09130173)

  • Publication Date: May 16, 1997

  • Filing Date: November 2, 1995

  • Brief Description: This patent discloses an apparatus that automatically returns a volume key that has been inadvertently operated to a position at any given point in time. The patent itself states that "The known transceiver requires that, to set the volume again after the volume has been locked, the locked state be canceled and then the volume key be operated to thereby set the locked state. Thus, the known transceiver requires complicated operations for setting again the volume to be locked. Additionally, when the volume key is inadvertently operated in the locked state, the known transceiver outputs audio at an unintentional volume level as soon as the locked state is canceled."

  • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
    JPH09130173A addresses the general problem of preventing unintentional volume changes and providing a volume lock function. However, the description of US9804819 explicitly distinguishes itself from this prior art by stating that the "known transceiver" (referring to the prior art like JPH09130173) requires complicated operations to reset the volume after it has been locked and outputs audio at an unintentional volume level as soon as the locked state is canceled.

    Therefore, JPH09130173A would not appear to anticipate claims 1 or 8 of US9804819 under 35 U.S.C. § 102 because it lacks the specific inventive steps of US9804819, which include:

    • Switching from the locked state to a non-locked state for a specific period of time that starts when the operating value falls within a predetermined range based on the lock value and ends when a predetermined operating part is turned off.
    • Updating the lock value with the operating value and switching back to the locked state when the predetermined operating part is turned off after having been in the non-locked state.

    These features of US9804819 aim to overcome the "complicated operations" and "unintentional volume level" issues identified in prior art such as JPH09130173A.

Obviousness Analysis of US Patent 9804819 under 35 U.S.C. § 103

This analysis identifies combinations of prior art references that would render the claims of US Patent 9804819 obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art (POSITA), along with the motivation for combining them. The primary prior art reference for this analysis is Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. JPH09130173 (hereinafter "JPH09130173A"), which is explicitly cited and discussed in the background of US9804819.

Person Having Ordinary Skill in the Art (POSITA)

A POSITA in this field would likely be an electrical engineer or software engineer with experience in the design and development of audio systems, particularly for portable electronic devices such as transceivers, and possess knowledge of user interface (UI) design principles and safety considerations for such devices.

Prior Art Reference

JPH09130173A (Sony Corp) - "Volume misoperation prevention method and device"
This patent is described in US9804819 as disclosing "an apparatus that automatically returns a volume key that has been inadvertently operated to a position at any given point in time." It teaches a volume lock function in a transceiver or similar device. However, US9804819 highlights two key drawbacks of JPH09130173A:

1. Complicated Operations: "To set the volume again after the volume has been locked, the locked state be canceled and then the volume key be operated to thereby set the locked state."
2. Unintentional High Volume Output: "When the volume key is inadvertently operated in the locked state, the known transceiver outputs audio at an unintentional volume level as soon as the locked state is canceled."

From this description, JPH09130173A clearly teaches:

• A receiving apparatus with an audio output unit.
• A volume operating unit (e.g., a volume key) to adjust audio level.
• A locked state where the audio volume is fixed.
• A non-locked state where the audio volume can be varied.
• The concept of a "lock value" that defines the fixed volume in the locked state.

Obviousness Analysis of Independent Claims 1 and 8

Independent Claim 1 of US9804819 describes a receiving apparatus, and Independent Claim 8 describes a control method for such an apparatus, both sharing the same core inventive features. The analysis below applies to both claims.

Differences from JPH09130173A:

The key differentiating features of US9804819 over JPH09130173A relate to the mechanism for temporarily adjusting and updating the locked volume:

1. Conditional Temporary Switch: When a "predetermined operating part" (e.g., monitor key 40) is turned on in the locked state, the system temporarily switches to the non-locked state only for a period of time that starts when the operating value becomes a value that falls within a predetermined range based on the lock value and ends when the predetermined operating part is turned off.
2. Automatic Lock Value Update: When the predetermined operating part is turned off after having switched to the non-locked state, the lock value is updated with the current operating value, and the system switches back to the locked state.

Motivation for Combination/Modification:

A POSITA, starting with the volume lock function taught by JPH09130173A, would be directly motivated to address the two explicit problems identified in the background of US9804819: simplifying the volume reset operation and preventing sudden, unintentionally high volume output.

1. Simplifying the Volume Reset Operation:

   • The "complicated operations" of JPH09130173A (manually canceling lock, adjusting volume, then manually re-locking) create a clear motivation for a POSITA to streamline the user experience.
   • Using a "predetermined operating part" for temporary adjustment: It is common practice in UI design to assign temporary or secondary functions to existing, easily accessible momentary switches. On a transceiver, buttons like a "monitor key" (e.g., monitor key 40 in US9804819) are momentary switches related to audio functions (disabling squelch to listen to background noise). Repurposing or adding a secondary function to such a key for temporary volume adjustment is an obvious design choice for improving ease of use. The patent explicitly identifies the monitor key 40 as the "predetermined operating part."
   • Automatic lock value update and re-locking: Once a user temporarily adjusts the volume, it is intuitive for a POSITA to design the system to automatically save this new setting as the new "lock value" and re-engage the lock when the momentary operating part is released. This transforms a multi-step process into a single, fluid operation, directly solving the "complicated operations" problem.

2. Preventing Unintentional High Volume Output:

   • The risk of "audio at an unintentional volume level" (e.g., a sudden loud blast) when canceling the locked state in JPH09130173A creates a strong safety motivation for a POSITA.
   • Conditional switch to non-locked state based on operating value: To mitigate the risk of sudden loud output, a POSITA would find it obvious to implement a safety mechanism. This involves ensuring that the physical volume control (operating value) is brought into alignment with the currently output fixed volume (lock value) before allowing the system to transition to a freely adjustable, non-locked state. This prevents abrupt volume changes if the physical knob was previously moved to a high position while the system was locked. The "predetermined range" around the lock value (e.g., 95% to 105% as described in US9804819) provides a practical and user-friendly tolerance for this alignment. Claim 4 further specifies this range using subtracting and adding predetermined values, while Claim 5 notes it can cover values smaller than the lock value, both being routine mathematical definitions for such a range.

Supporting Details from Dependent Claims:

• Claim 2: Maintaining the locked state until the operating value enters the predetermined range. This is inherent to the safety mechanism described above, ensuring the "unintentional high volume" problem is addressed.
• Claim 3: Displaying information indicating the locked state during this initial period. This is a standard UI feedback mechanism to inform the user why their volume adjustment isn't immediately taking effect.
• Claim 6: Specifying the predetermined operating part as a "monitor key" that disables a squelch function. As discussed, the monitor key's function in relation to audio output (e.g., outputting white noise even without a reception signal) makes it a highly motivated choice for a temporary volume adjustment mode, allowing the user to set the volume while hearing output.
• Claim 7: Stating the volume controller includes a "mechanical operating device." The patent's description of the volume key 36 as a "rotary variable resistor" confirms it is a mechanical device, which is a conventional component in such apparatuses and would be present in systems like JPH09130173A.

Conclusion

The features of US9804819, particularly those related to the conditional temporary release of the volume lock and the automatic update of the lock value, represent logical and straightforward improvements to the existing volume lock technology exemplified by JPH09130173A. The motivation for these modifications arises directly from the problems acknowledged in the background of US9804819 itself—namely, complicated volume reset procedures and the risk of sudden, loud audio. A person having ordinary skill in the art, faced with these known problems in the context of prior art like JPH09130173A, would find it obvious to apply routine engineering and user interface design principles to arrive at the claimed invention, thereby providing a simpler and safer method for resetting a locked volume.

For US Patent 9804819, here's a detailed breakdown of its patent term and related applications:

1. Patent Term Adjustment (PTA)
Patent Term Adjustment (PTA) is granted to compensate for certain delays caused by the USPTO during the patent examination process. The provided patent document itself states an "Anticipated expiration" date of December 1, 2036. This date is exactly 20 years from the filing date of December 1, 2016, suggesting that as of the publication date, no PTA was applied or the PTA resulted in no extension beyond the standard 20-year term. However, the official PTA calculation is included in the Issue Notification Letter and is the official notification from the USPTO. It is determined by a computer program at the time of issuance and displayed on the patent. To confirm any specific PTA amount, one would typically need to review the patent's issue notification or the USPTO's Patent Center (Public PAIR).

2. Patent Term Extension (PTE)
Patent Term Extension (PTE) is a separate mechanism primarily for patents claiming certain human drug products, medical devices, food additives, animal drugs, and veterinary biological products, to recover time lost due to regulatory review before commercial marketing or use. This patent, US9804819, relates to a "Receiving apparatus and control method" for an audio device, not a regulated product like a drug or medical device. Therefore, it is highly unlikely to be eligible for PTE. Eligibility requirements for PTE include the patent claiming a product, a method of using a product, or a method of manufacturing, and the product being subject to a regulatory review period.

3. Continuation Applications, Divisional Applications, and Related Family Members

• Continuation/Divisional Applications: The term of a patent granted on a continuation or divisional application filed on or after June 8, 1995, ends twenty years from the filing date of the earliest application for which a benefit is claimed. US9804819's filing date is December 1, 2016, and its priority date is December 7, 2015, from Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-238210. While it claims priority to a foreign application, the patent text does not explicitly list any US continuation, continuation-in-part, or divisional applications that claim benefit from the US application filing date (US15/366,261).
• Related Family Members: The patent states that it claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-238210, filed on December 7, 2015. It also lists US20170161013A1 as an "Other version" and JP6597251B2 as a "Country Status" link, indicating they are part of the same patent family.
  • JP2015238210A / JP6597251B2: This is the Japanese priority application and its granted patent equivalent, respectively.
  • US20170161013A1: This is the US patent application publication for US9804819B2.

4. Projected Expiration Date
For US utility patents filed on or after June 8, 1995, the patent term is generally 20 years from the filing date of the earliest U.S. non-provisional or PCT application to which priority is claimed.

• Earliest U.S. Filing Date: December 1, 2016 (Application number US15/366,261)
• Standard 20-year Term Expiration: December 1, 2016 + 20 years = December 1, 2036.

The patent itself lists an "Anticipated expiration" date of December 1, 2036. This aligns with the standard 20-year term from its filing date, assuming no patent term adjustment was granted or any granted adjustment did not extend it beyond this date. There is no indication of a terminal disclaimer, which could shorten the patent term.

This document serves as a defensive disclosure for US Patent 9804819, titled "Receiving apparatus and control method." The purpose of this disclosure is to establish prior art for potential future incremental improvements by competitors, rendering such advancements obvious or non-novel. The core inventive concept of US9804819 relates to an improved volume control locking mechanism that allows for temporary adjustment within a predetermined range before re-locking, preventing sudden unintended volume changes during reset. The following derivations expand upon the core claims by exploring alternative implementations, operational contexts, and integrations with emerging technologies.

2. Combination Prior Art Scenarios with Open-Source Standards

For each scenario, the core inventive concept of US9804819 (locked volume with specific unlock/update mechanism) is combined with an existing open-source standard.

• Scenario 1: Integration with Voice over IP (VoIP) using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)

  • Description: The control method of US9804819 (Claim 8) is applied to a softphone or hardware VoIP terminal that uses the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) for call management and audio streaming. The "receiving apparatus" is the VoIP endpoint. The "audio output unit" is the speaker/headset output. The "volume operating unit" is the digital volume control within the softphone UI or a physical knob on the VoIP phone. The "lock controller" functions to prevent unintended changes to call volume, especially in professional or emergency communication environments. The "predetermined operating part" is a specific button or sequence in the VoIP client (e.g., a "Mute" button held for 2 seconds, or a "Volume Reset" menu option). This allows for temporary adjustment of the VoIP call volume within a safe range (e.g., +/- 10% of the current locked level) while the user is actively monitoring the call, before re-locking the volume, leveraging the SIP standard for call establishment and media handling.
  • Prior Art Value: Establishes the application of sophisticated volume locking mechanisms to internet telephony and networked audio, a common open-source enabled standard.

• Scenario 2: Integration with Robot Operating System (ROS) for Robotic Feedback Systems

  • Description: The receiving apparatus of US9804819 (Claim 1) is incorporated into a robotic system managed by the Robot Operating System (ROS). Here, the "audio output unit" is conceptualized as a haptic feedback actuator or a warning siren/speaker on the robot, and the "volume level" corresponds to the intensity of the haptic feedback or the loudness of the warning. The "volume operating unit" is a ROS-controlled parameter adjusted via a rosparam or rqt_gui interface. The "lock controller" functions to maintain critical safety feedback levels (e.g., proximity alert intensity) in a locked state to ensure operator awareness. The "predetermined operating part" is a ROS service call or a physical override button on the robot's pendant. The system temporarily allows adjustment of the feedback intensity within a safety-defined range (e.g., from 50% to 70% intensity) before re-locking, all within the ROS framework for inter-process communication and parameter management.
  • Prior Art Value: Extends the volume locking concept to robotic control and human-robot interaction using a widely adopted open-source robotics framework.

• Scenario 3: Integration with Home Assistant (HA) for Smart Home Audio Control

  • Description: A smart home audio system, controlled by the open-source Home Assistant (HA) platform, implements the receiving apparatus and control method of US9804819 (Claims 1 and 8). The "receiving apparatus" is a smart speaker or multi-room audio zone. The "audio output unit" is the actual speaker. The "volume operating unit" is a slider or button group within the Home Assistant frontend or a physical smart button (e.g., Zigbee/Z-Wave button) configured through HA. The "lock controller" is implemented as an HA automation script or custom component, fixing the volume level for a specific zone (e.g., a child's room or a notification-only speaker) to prevent accidental high volume output. The "predetermined operating part" is a specific voice command ("Hey Google, unlock volume for 30 seconds"), a button press on an HA-integrated remote, or a specific toggle switch in the HA UI. This allows for temporary adjustment within a safe operating range before returning to the locked state, all managed and monitored by the Home Assistant ecosystem.
  • Prior Art Value: Demonstrates the application of the invention to consumer smart home devices and distributed audio control via a popular open-source home automation platform.

3. Derivative Variations

3.1. Material & Component Substitution

• Derivative 1.1: Multi-Modal Biometric Volume Operating Unit with Eye-Tracking Predetermined Operating Part
  • Enabling Description: For the receiving apparatus (Claim 1), the "volume operating unit" is a multi-modal biometric system comprising a facial expression recognition module and a vocal intensity analysis module. The "operating value" is derived from a weighted average of detected emotional intensity (e.g., frustration, excitement) and spoken volume, mapped to a desired audio output level. For instance, a relaxed facial expression and a moderate speaking tone result in a moderate operating value. The "predetermined operating part" is implemented via an eye-tracking sensor (e.g., Pupil Labs eye-tracker). When the user maintains a focused gaze on a specific, non-obtrusive on-screen indicator (e.g., a small, designated icon in the corner of a display) for a predefined duration (e.g., 1.5 seconds) while the audio is in the locked state, the eye-tracking system signals the lock controller 74. This action corresponds to "turning on" the predetermined operating part. The "control method" (Claim 8) would involve acquiring biometric data, processing it to derive the operating value, monitoring gaze patterns for activation, and managing the state transitions based on these inputs. This allows for highly intuitive and hands-free control, especially beneficial in sterile environments or situations requiring full manual dexterity.

  • graph TD
        User_Face["User Facial Expressions"] --> Facial_Rec_Module["Facial Recognition Module"]
        User_Voice["User Vocal Intensity"] --> Voice_Anal_Module["Vocal Analysis Module"]
        Facial_Rec_Module -- "Emotional Intensity" --> Biometric_Fusion["Biometric Fusion Algorithm"]
        Voice_Anal_Module -- "Vocal Volume" --> Biometric_Fusion
        Biometric_Fusion -- "Operating Value" --> Lock_Controller_74["Lock Controller 74"]
        User_Gaze["User Gaze on UI Indicator"] --> Eye_Tracking_Sensor["Eye-Tracking Sensor"]
        Eye_Tracking_Sensor -- "Gaze Duration Signal" --> Predetermined_Operating_Part["Predetermined Operating Part (Functional)"]
        Predetermined_Operating_Part --> Lock_Controller_74
        Lock_Controller_74 -- "Control Signal" --> Volume_Controller_76["Volume Controller 76"]
        Volume_Controller_76 --> Audio_Output_Unit_62["Audio Output Unit 62"]
    

3.2. Operational Parameter Expansion

• Derivative 2.1: Ultra-Low Latency, High-Frequency Acoustic Monitoring System in a Microfluidic Environment
  • Enabling Description: The receiving apparatus (Claim 1) is deployed in a microfluidic lab-on-a-chip device, where the "audio output unit" consists of an array of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) acoustic transducers operating at ultra-high frequencies (e.g., 50 MHz to 200 MHz) with extremely low latency (<100 nanoseconds). These transducers generate highly localized acoustic waves for manipulating microscopic particles or cells within the fluid channels. The "volume operating unit" is a high-precision digital potentiometer controlled by a custom FPGA interface, outputting an "operating value" that represents the acoustic power density (mW/cm²). The "locked state" fixes this acoustic power density to prevent damage to biological samples or unintended reactions. The "predetermined operating part" is a specialized, debounced piezo-electric touch sensor integrated directly onto the microfluidic chip housing, requiring precise force and duration to activate. The "predetermined range" for lock value adjustment is extremely tight (e.g., +/- 0.5% of the current acoustic power density) to maintain experimental integrity, which is temporarily permitted when the piezo-electric touch sensor is activated. The "control method" (Claim 8) involves real-time monitoring of acoustic emissions, extremely fast digital signal processing, and precise control of MEMS actuators to maintain sub-nanosecond response times for power adjustments within the defined parameters.

  • graph TD
        FPGA_Interface["FPGA Interface"] --> Digital_Potentiometer["High-Precision Digital Potentiometer"]
        Digital_Potentiometer -- "Operating Value (Acoustic Power)" --> Lock_Controller_74["Lock Controller 74"]
        Piezo_Touch_Sensor["Piezo-Electric Touch Sensor"] --> Predetermined_Operating_Part["Predetermined Operating Part (Functional)"]
        Predetermined_Operating_Part --> Lock_Controller_74
        Lock_Controller_74 -- "Control Signal (<100ns)" --> Volume_Controller_76["Volume Controller 76"]
        Volume_Controller_76 --> MEMS_Transducer_Array["MEMS Acoustic Transducer Array (50-200MHz)"]
        MEMS_Transducer_Array --> Microfluidic_Environment["Microfluidic Environment (Particle Manipulation)"]
    

3.3. Cross-Domain Application

• Derivative 3.1: Subterranean Environmental Monitoring System for Geophone Sensitivity Control
  • Enabling Description: The receiving apparatus (Claim 1) is integrated into a subterranean environmental monitoring system, such as for seismic activity detection or underground fluid flow analysis. The "audio output unit" is conceptualized as the gain setting for an array of geophones or hydrophones, and the "volume level" corresponds to the amplification factor applied to the received seismic or acoustic signals. The "volume operating unit" is a ruggedized rotary encoder accessible via a sealed enclosure. The "locked state" fixes the sensitivity (gain) of the geophones to a specific "lock value" to maintain consistent data acquisition parameters over long deployments in harsh environments. The "predetermined operating part" is a magnetically actuated switch, operable from outside the sealed enclosure. When activated, the system temporarily enters a "non-locked state," allowing an operator to adjust the geophone gain within a "predetermined range" (e.g., +/- 10% of the current gain) for specific data calibration events or to adapt to changing environmental noise (e.g., nearby drilling). Upon deactivation of the magnetic switch, the new gain setting is locked. The "control method" (Claim 8) ensures robust operation and parameter integrity in extreme conditions.

  • graph TD
        Geophone_Array["Geophone / Hydrophone Array (Subterranean)"] --> Pre_Amplifier["Low-Noise Pre-Amplifier"]
        Pre_Amplifier --> Signal_Acquisition_Unit["Signal Acquisition Unit"]
        Signal_Acquisition_Unit -- "Gain Control" --> Audio_Output_Unit_62["Audio Output Unit (Functional: Gain)"]
        Rugged_Encoder["Ruggedized Rotary Encoder"] --> Volume_Operating_Unit_72["Volume Operating Unit (Functional)"]
        Magnetically_Actuated_Switch["Magnetically Actuated Switch"] --> Predetermined_Operating_Part["Predetermined Operating Part (Functional)"]
        Volume_Operating_Unit_72 -- "Operating Value (Gain)" --> Lock_Controller_74["Lock Controller 74"]
        Predetermined_Operating_Part --> Lock_Controller_74
        Lock_Controller_74 -- "Gain Adjustment Command" --> Volume_Controller_76["Volume Controller 76"]
        Volume_Controller_76 --> Audio_Output_Unit_62
    

3.4. Integration with Emerging Tech

• Derivative 4.1: AI-Optimized Adaptive Predetermined Range with Contextual IoT Triggers
  • Enabling Description: The receiving apparatus (Claim 1) includes an embedded AI inference engine (e.g., a TinyML model running on an ARM Cortex-M microcontroller) that dynamically adjusts the "predetermined range" based on real-time contextual data from integrated IoT sensors. These sensors include a broadband acoustic sensor measuring ambient noise spectrum, an accelerometer detecting device motion, and a light sensor detecting environmental brightness. The AI model analyzes this data to predict user intent or environmental necessity for volume adjustment. For example, if the user is in a quiet meeting room, the AI may shrink the predetermined range to prevent accidental large volume changes. If the user is in a noisy industrial environment, the AI may widen the range to facilitate quicker adjustment. The "predetermined operating part" is triggered by a combination of a double-tap gesture on the device casing (detected by the accelerometer) and a voice command ("unlock volume"). The "control method" (Claim 8) involves continuous sensor data acquisition, AI inference for dynamic range calculation, and a multi-modal trigger for the temporary unlock, ensuring the system intelligently adapts the unlock sensitivity to context.

  • graph TD
        IoT_Sensors_Input["IoT Sensors (Acoustic, Accelerometer, Light)"] --> TinyML_AI_Engine["TinyML AI Inference Engine"]
        TinyML_AI_Engine -- "Dynamic Range Parameters" --> Lock_Controller_74["Lock Controller 74"]
        Volume_Operating_Unit_72["Volume Operating Unit 72"] -- "Operating Value" --> Lock_Controller_74
        Double_Tap_Gesture["Double-Tap Gesture (Accelerometer)"] --> Multi_Modal_Trigger["Multi-Modal Trigger Logic"]
        Voice_Command["Voice Command ('unlock volume')"] --> Multi_Modal_Trigger
        Multi_Modal_Trigger --> Predetermined_Operating_Part["Predetermined Operating Part (Functional)"]
        Predetermined_Operating_Part --> Lock_Controller_74
        Lock_Controller_74 -- "Volume Control" --> Volume_Controller_76["Volume Controller 76"]
        Volume_Controller_76 --> Audio_Output_Unit_62["Audio Output Unit 62"]
    

3.5. The "Inverse" or Failure Mode

• Derivative 5.1: Critical System Malfunction-Activated Fail-Mute/Emergency Broadcast Mode
  • Enabling Description: The receiving apparatus (Claim 1) incorporates a "system health monitor" that continuously checks the operational integrity of all critical components, including the audio output unit, volume operating unit, and lock controller. This monitor performs diagnostic self-tests and CRC checks on firmware. In the event of detecting a critical system malfunction (e.g., memory corruption in the lock controller, open circuit in the volume operating unit, or power supply instability) while the device is in the locked state, the system health monitor overrides normal operation. It forces the "audio output unit" (Claim 1) into a "fail-mute" state (volume level 0) for non-essential audio, or immediately switches to a pre-defined "emergency broadcast mode" where it outputs a specific, non-adjustable, maximum-priority emergency audio signal (e.g., an alarm tone or critical voice instruction) regardless of the previous lock value or operating value. During this emergency mode, the "predetermined operating part" is automatically disabled, and the volume operating unit is prevented from making any adjustments. The device's display 34 (if present) activates a high-contrast emergency warning. This "control method" (Claim 8) prioritizes safety and critical communication over user-set preferences in hazardous conditions.

  • graph TD
        System_Components["Audio Output Unit, Volume Op. Unit, Lock Controller, Power Supply"] --> System_Health_Monitor["System Health Monitor (Diagnostics, CRC)"]
        System_Health_Monitor -- "Critical Malfunction Detected" --> Emergency_Control_Module["Emergency Control Module"]
        Emergency_Control_Module -- "Force Fail-Mute / Emergency Broadcast" --> Audio_Output_Unit_62["Audio Output Unit 62"]
        Emergency_Control_Module -- "Disable Controls" --> Volume_Operating_Unit_72["Volume Operating Unit 72"]
        Emergency_Control_Module -- "Disable Controls" --> Predetermined_Operating_Part["Predetermined Operating Part"]
        Emergency_Control_Module -- "Activate Emergency Display" --> Display_34["Display 34"]
        style Emergency_Control_Module fill:#FCC,stroke:#F00,stroke-width:2px