Lattice Technologies LLC is aggressively enforcing US8098153B2, a patent related to networked security monitoring systems, in a broad litigation campaign. The company has filed lawsuits against major players, including Amazon, Comcast (Xfinity), Vivint, and Alert 360, with thirteen active cases and two already terminated.
This widespread enforcement suggests that Lattice is determined to assert its patent across the smart home and security industries.
At its core, US8098153B2 covers technology for integrating security devices over a network, a concept widely used in modern surveillance and home automation systems. Given the broad application of such technology, related patents could play a critical role in determining the patent’s validity. If similar inventions existed before this patent’s filing, it could face serious challenges in court.
The Global Patent Search (GPS) tool is instrumental in this analysis, enabling users to identify existing patents that may affect the patent in question. By leveraging GPS, stakeholders can navigate the complex patent landscape more effectively, ensuring informed decisions in legal strategies.
In this article, we’ll break down US8098153B2, examine its key features, and explore potential prior art that may impact these ongoing cases. Let’s take a closer look.
Understanding Patent US8098153B2
US8098153B2 relates to a system and method for providing emergency response services using a networked user device. The invention enables a user carrying a mobile device to send emergency alerts to a monitoring database, which then notifies emergency contacts or personnel based on a predefined priority order. The system uses Internet Protocol (IP)-based communication, including Voice over IP (VoIP), public-switched telephone networks (PSTN), and wireless transmission systems to ensure effective emergency response.
Source: Google Patents
Its four key features are:
#1. Monitoring database with emergency contact prioritization
A central database stores user device IDs, user information, and emergency contacts. Contacts are notified in a predefined order using multiple communication methods (phone, SMS, email).
#2. Internet-enabled emergency communication
The system assigns IP addresses to both the user device and the monitoring database. Alerts can be sent via VoIP, cellular networks, or the Internet, ensuring reliable communication.
#3. Automatic contact notification & escalation
When an alert is triggered, the system automatically notifies contacts. If the first contact does not respond, the system escalates the alert to the next contact or emergency personnel.
#4. Integration with GPS & biometric data
The system can retrieve GPS location data from the user device. It can also collect biometric data (e.g., heart rate, blood pressure) to assess emergency severity.
Lattice Technologies LLC is asserting US8098153B2 against companies in the home security and smart monitoring space, including Amazon, Comcast (Xfinity), Vivint, and Alert 360. The patent’s emergency response system aligns with modern smart home security solutions, integrating mobile alerts, emergency contact notifications, and IP-based communication.
Related Patent Reference for US8098153B2
#1. US20060290490A1
This patent, filed on September 1, 2006, describes a system and method for providing emergency response to users carrying a mobile device. It establishes a monitoring database containing user device identifications and associated user information. The database prioritizes emergency contacts and initiates automatic communication over the Internet or public-switched telephone networks (PSTN) to notify them in case of an emergency. This reference aligns with US8098153B2, particularly in its use of IP-based communication for emergency response.
Key Features of this Related Patent:
- Monitoring database for emergency response – The reference explicitly describes a centralized monitoring database that stores multiple user devices and their associated data, directly matching a key feature of US8098153B2.
- Priority-based contact notification – The system arranges emergency contacts in a user-defined priority order, ensuring structured and automated notifications.
- IP-based emergency communication – The reference establishes Internet-based connectivity between the monitoring database and user devices, similar to US8098153B2’s VoIP and network-enabled emergency alerts.
- Automatic escalation of emergency notifications – If the first contact does not respond, the system escalates the alert to the next contact in the priority list, aligning with US8098153B2’s notification process.
Which features of US8098153B2 are disclosed by US20060290490A1?
| Key Feature of Claim 1 | Disclosure Status |
| Establishing a monitoring database including user device identification | Fully Disclosed |
| Storing multiple contacts and contact methods in the monitoring database | Partially Disclosed |
| Arranging contacts and contact methods in a user-defined priority order | Fully Disclosed |
| Establishing IP addresses for both monitoring database and user device | Fully Disclosed |
| Establishing Internet communication between monitoring database and user device | Fully Disclosed |
| Transmitting alert from user device to monitoring database | Fully Disclosed |
| Automatically contacting one contact based on priority order upon alert receipt using Internet or PSTN | Fully Disclosed |
| Automatically contacting next priority contact until an accepted response is received | Fully Disclosed |
Key Excerpt from US20060290490A1:
“The subject invention provides a system and method of providing emergency response to a user carrying a user device. The method establishes a monitoring database including identifications for a plurality of user devices and user information associated with each of the user devices. The monitoring database includes contacts to be contacted in an emergency for each user of each user device and receives priority information for notifying the contacts. Communication is established between one of the user devices and the monitoring database, and the monitoring database automatically processes the priority information to notify the contact using either internet protocols or public-switched telephone networks.”
#2. IN624DEN2006A
This patent, filed on February 7, 2006, describes a system and method for providing emergency response to users carrying a mobile device. The system establishes a monitoring database that stores user device identifications and associated emergency contact lists. The database prioritizes contacts and automatically notifies them using either Internet protocols (IP) or public-switched telephone networks (PSTN) when an emergency alert is received. This reference aligns with US8098153B2, particularly in its IP-based emergency response framework and contact escalation system.
Key Features of this Related Patent:
- Monitoring database for emergency response – The reference explicitly describes a centralized monitoring database that stores multiple user devices and their associated contact lists, aligning with US8098153B2.
- Automatic escalation of emergency notifications – The system attempts to notify one contact at a time, escalating to the next if no response is received, which mirrors US8098153B2’s notification process.
- Internet and PSTN-based emergency communication – The patent states that contacts can be notified using either Internet or PSTN, similar to US8098153B2’s multi-channel notification system.
- Tracking of response status – The reference explicitly mentions receiving a response status (accepted/not accepted) from notified contacts, which matches US8098153B2’s mechanism for confirming emergency response engagement.
This is how feature mapping from the tool looks like:
Source: GPS
Which features of US8098153B2 are disclosed by IN624DEN2006A?
| Key Feature of Claim 1 | Disclosure Status |
| Establishing a monitoring database including user device identification | Fully Disclosed |
| Storing multiple contacts and contact methods in the monitoring database | Partially Disclosed |
| Arranging contacts and contact methods in a user-defined priority order | Partially Disclosed |
| Establishing IP addresses for both monitoring database and user device | Fully Disclosed |
| Establishing Internet communication between monitoring database and user device | Fully Disclosed |
| Transmitting alert from user device to monitoring database | Fully Disclosed |
| Automatically contacting one contact based on priority order upon alert receipt using Internet or PSTN | Fully Disclosed |
| Receiving electronic response status (accepted/not accepted/unresponsive) from contact | Fully Disclosed |
| Automatically contacting next priority contact until an accepted response is received | Fully Disclosed |
Key Excerpt from IN624DEN2006A:
“After a predetermined number of attempts to one contact, the monitoring database may then proceed to the next contact and attempt to notify them of the incident or emergency. One advantage of the subject invention is that the monitoring database can receive a response status (accepted/not accepted) from the contact after notification and continue notifying the next contact until a response is received.”
#3. JP2003346258A
This patent, filed on May 24, 2002, describes an emergency contact system that enables a terminal device to send alerts to a central monitoring system (center device) via a communication network. The system stores contact-specific information, such as telephone numbers, email addresses, and Internet addresses, and enables emergency notifications over wireless and Internet-based communication networks. While this reference focuses on establishing a centralized contact system for emergencies, it lacks some of the priority-based escalation mechanisms seen in US8098153B2.
Key Features of this Related Patent:
- Communication between user devices and a monitoring center – The reference describes a terminal device transmitting emergency alerts to a central system, similar to US8098153B2’s user device and monitoring database model.
- Internet-based emergency notification – The system transmits alerts using a communication network, including the Internet, aligning with US8098153B2’s Internet-enabled emergency response system.
- Storage of contact-specific information – The reference discusses storing contact details such as phone numbers, email addresses, and Internet addresses, partially overlapping with US8098153B2’s monitoring database storing multiple contacts and contact methods.
- Transmission of emergency alerts from user devices – The reference describes a terminal device transmitting emergency messages to the central system, which aligns with US8098153B2’s alert transmission feature.
Which features of US8098153B2 are disclosed by JP2003346258A?
| Key Feature of Claim 1 | Disclosure Status |
| Establishing a monitoring database including user device identification | Fully Disclosed |
| Storing multiple contacts and contact methods in the monitoring database | Partially Disclosed |
| Establishing IP addresses for both monitoring database and user device | Partially Disclosed |
| Establishing Internet communication between monitoring database and user device | Fully Disclosed |
| Transmitting alert from user device to monitoring database | Fully Disclosed |
| Automatically contacting one contact based on priority order upon alert receipt using Internet or PSTN | Partially Disclosed |
Key Excerpt from JP2003346258A:
“When an emergency occurs, contact-specific information (ID), such as the telephone number, e-mail address, and Internet address of the contact (center device 30) for notifying the emergency, is stored in the storage unit 18 in addition to the emergency content. The terminal device then transmits this information to the center device.”
#4. JP2002230672A
This patent, filed on February 6, 2001, describes an emergency report processing system that acquires, stores, and prioritizes emergency response contacts. The system includes notification device identification, multiple responders with priority-based contact sequencing, and automatic alert transmission. While this reference focuses on efficient emergency contact handling, it lacks explicit disclosure of IP-based addressing and electronic response tracking, which are key aspects of US8098153B2.
Key Features of this Related Patent:
- Monitoring database for emergency response – The reference describes storing notification device identification numbers and user data in memory, aligning with US8098153B2’s monitoring database functionality.
- Priority-based responder notification – The system sets predefined priority levels for emergency responders, similar to US8098153B2’s contact escalation system.
- Alert transmission from user device to monitoring system – The reference describes sensors detecting an emergency and transmitting alerts to a central system, aligning with US8098153B2’s emergency notification process.
- Automatic contact escalation – If the initial responder does not respond, the system selects and notifies the next responder in priority order, mirroring US8098153B2’s automated escalation feature.
Which features of US8098153B2 are disclosed by JP2002230672A?
| Key Feature of Claim 1 | Disclosure Status |
| Establishing a monitoring database including user device identification | Fully Disclosed |
| Storing multiple contacts and contact methods in the monitoring database | Fully Disclosed |
| Arranging contacts and contact methods in a user-defined priority order | Fully Disclosed |
| Establishing Internet communication between monitoring database and user device | Partially Disclosed |
| Transmitting alert from user device to monitoring database | Fully Disclosed |
| Automatically contacting one contact based on priority order upon alert receipt using Internet or PSTN | Fully Disclosed |
| Receiving electronic response status (accepted/not accepted/unresponsive) from contact | Not Disclosed |
| Automatically contacting next priority contact until an accepted response is received | Fully Disclosed |
Key Excerpt from JP2002230672A:
“Further, in the emergency call processing device of the present invention, the responder group updating means sets a predetermined priority for the responders constituting the responder group for each responder group and updates the priority as needed. If the initial responder is unavailable, the system selects and notifies the next responder in priority order.”
#5. US20040264661A1
This patent, filed on June 27, 2003, describes an emergency alert notification system that allows subscribers to register emergency contacts with a service provider. When an emergency occurs, the service provider retrieves the subscriber’s information and notifies designated contacts using telephone or email communication methods. While this reference includes contact storage and emergency notification features, it lacks automatic priority-based escalation and direct user-device alert transmission, which are key elements of US8098153B2.
Source: GPS
Key Features of this Related Patent:
- Storage of multiple emergency contacts – The reference describes a database storing subscriber contact information, aligning with US8098153B2’s monitoring database storing multiple contacts.
- Internet-based communication between the database and service provider – The system enables emergency communication via Internet-connected devices, partially aligning with US8098153B2’s network-based emergency response system.
- Basic contact notification upon emergency alert – The system retrieves emergency contact details upon notification and sends alerts via telephone or email, which relates to US8098153B2’s emergency alert mechanism.
- Electronic confirmation of emergency notification – The reference describes verifying alerts through direct communication or email responses, which partially aligns with US8098153B2’s response-tracking feature.
Which features of US8098153B2 are disclosed by US20040264661A1?
| Key Feature of Claim 1 | Disclosure Status |
| Establishing a monitoring database including user device identification | Partially Disclosed |
| Storing multiple contacts and contact methods in the monitoring database | Fully Disclosed |
| Establishing Internet communication between monitoring database and user device | Partially Disclosed |
| Automatically contacting one contact based on priority order upon alert receipt using Internet or PSTN | Partially Disclosed |
| Receiving electronic response status (accepted/not accepted/unresponsive) from contact | Partially Disclosed |
Key Excerpt from US20040264661A1:
“Upon notification of an emergency, a service provider representative immediately enters the subscriber ID number into a terminal. Contact information associated with the unique subscriber ID is retrieved from the database and notification is initiated via telephone or email.”
Feature Comparison Table
| Feature of Claim 1 | US20060290490A1 | IN624DEN2006A | JP2003346258A | JP2002230672A | US20040264661A1 |
| Establishing a monitoring database including user device identification | Fully Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Partially Disclosed |
| Storing multiple contacts and contact methods in the monitoring database | Partially Disclosed | Partially Disclosed | Partially Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Fully Disclosed |
| Arranging contacts and contact methods in a user-defined priority order | Fully Disclosed | Partially Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
| Establishing IP addresses for both monitoring database and user device | Fully Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Partially Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
| Establishing Internet communication between monitoring database and user device | Fully Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Partially Disclosed | Partially Disclosed |
| Transmitting alert from user device to monitoring database | Fully Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
| Automatically contacting one contact based on priority order upon alert receipt using Internet or PSTN | Fully Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Partially Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Partially Disclosed |
| Receiving electronic response status (accepted/not accepted/unresponsive) from contact | Not Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Partially Disclosed |
| Automatically contacting next priority contact until an accepted response is received | Fully Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
How to Find Related Patents Using Global Patent Search?
Finding related patents is crucial in evaluating a patent’s validity and scope. The Global Patent Search (GPS) tool simplifies this process by offering a comprehensive and efficient approach to patent research. Here’s how you can leverage GPS to identify relevant related patents:
- Search by patent Number or description – Instantly retrieve relevant patents by entering a specific patent number (e.g., US8098153B2) or conducting keyword-based searches related to the claimed technology.
Source: GPS
- Leverage feature mapping – GPS enables detailed feature mapping, allowing you to compare key elements of a target patent against previously filed inventions.
- Review matching results – The tool provides a curated list of related patents, ranked by relevance and disclosure strength.
- Analyze detailed reports – Each reference includes a claim-by-claim feature mapping, helping you determine the level of disclosure for each feature.
- Make confident decisions – With data-driven insights, GPS allows patent attorneys, researchers, and businesses to refine their legal strategies and assess the strength of a patent’s claims.
By using Global Patent Search, you can quickly and accurately identify related patents, helping you challenge questionable patents or strengthen your own patent filings.
Take the Guesswork Out of Related Patent Research
Patent litigation is high-stakes; don’t leave your case to chance. The Global Patent Search (GPS) tool empowers you with:
- Instant, AI-driven results – No more sifting through endless databases. Get the most relevant related patents in seconds.
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Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. The related patent references mentioned are preliminary results from the Global Patent Search (GPS) tool and do not guarantee legal significance. For a comprehensive related patent analysis, we recommend conducting a detailed search using GPS or consulting a patent attorney.
