US9454748B2 is currently at the heart of an aggressive litigation campaign by Fall Line Patents, LLC, a non-practicing entity (NPE) with a long track record of asserting patents against major U.S. companies. With 19 active cases, including suits against Aldi, AutoZone, Best Buy, DoorDash, Lowe’s, and others, this patent is under serious legal scrutiny.
At its core, US9454748B2 describes a method for dynamically customizing a website based on a visitor’s behavior, enabling a more tailored user experience. While that may sound like standard web functionality today, this patent claims a specific implementation method. This makes it a target in industries relying on personalized digital content.
As technology evolves, so does the potential for overlap. That’s why identifying related patents is critical: it helps assess the strength and scope of the original claims. The Global Patent Search (GPS) tool empowers you to do just that. It instantly locates matching patents, compares key features, and evaluates how closely other inventions align with US9454748B2.
Let’s take a closer look at what this patent covers and how it fits into this ongoing legal battle.
Understanding Patent US9454748B2
US9454748B2, titled “System and Method for Data Management,” focuses on collecting and transmitting data from remote computing devices using customizable, location-aware questionnaires. The patent enables users to build surveys, deploy them to various devices, and collect responses, even when devices are offline, while automatically capturing GPS data and syncing it once a connection is available. The solution is designed to be platform-independent and works under various network conditions.
Source: US9454748B2
Its four key features are:
#1. Tokenized, location-based questionnaires: Surveys are created using a tokenized format and include GPS-based questions customized for specific locations.
#2. Offline data capture with deferred sync: Devices can collect responses without an active connection and sync them to a server when online.
#3. Automatic GPS integration: The system auto-fills GPS coordinates into responses without manual user input.
#4. Real-time availability via web: Once transmitted, the responses are processed and made viewable through an internet-connected client interface in near real-time.
This patent is central to Fall Line Patents, LLC’s ongoing litigation campaign targeting companies that rely on distributed, mobile, or offline-enabled data collection. Businesses that use field survey tools, mobile workforce apps, or real-time customer feedback solutions may inadvertently overlap with this system’s claims. Given the broad language and legacy priority date, it’s a prime target for related patents that could challenge the validity or narrow the enforceability of its claims.
Related Patent References for US9454748B2
#1. JP2002099697A
This patent, filed on September 21, 2000, discloses a questionnaire device and information management system designed to dynamically generate questionnaires tailored to specific locations or events and transmit user responses to a central server for storage and access.
Key Features of this Related Patent:
- Customizable location-based questionnaire creation – The system adjusts questions based on event or location, such as model room exhibitions.
- Execution of questionnaires at specific locations – Questionnaires are executed at event sites to collect responses directly from users.
- Real-time transmission of responses to a server – User responses are sent to a central server via communication control units.
- Storage of responses on a central server – Responses are centrally managed and stored for later retrieval and editing.
Which features of US9454748B2 are disclosed by JP2002099697A?
| Key Feature of Claim 1 | Disclosure Status |
| A questionnaire is created comprising questions customized for a location | Fully Disclosed |
| The tokens are transmitted to a remote computing device | Partially Disclosed |
| The tokens are executed at the specified location to collect user response | Partially Disclosed |
| User responses are transmitted to a server in real-time | Fully Disclosed |
| The responses are stored on the server | Fully Disclosed |
Key Excerpt from JP2002099697A:
“The present invention further connects this questionnaire device to a server installed in a central management center or the like, stores questionnaire information in this server, edits, etc., centralizes the information…”
#2. GB2252433A
This patent, filed on January 30, 1992, discloses a questionnaire system developed by Hitachi Ltd. and Japan Market Research Corp. It enables questionnaires to be created, stored on portable media, and later executed on remote devices for data collection and analysis.
Key Features of this Related Patent:
- Customizable location-based questionnaire creation – Questionnaires are generated using pre-stored elements and can be tailored for specific contexts or environments.
- Execution of questionnaires at specific locations – The system uses portable devices to conduct surveys at various remote terminals.
- Transferring responses via portable media – Data is stored on memory cards and later transmitted to central systems.
- Storage of responses for later analysis – Collected data is moved from portable devices to a system for centralized processing.
Which features of US9454748B2 are disclosed by GB2252433A?
| Key Feature of Claim 1 | Disclosure Status |
| A questionnaire is created comprising questions customized for a location | Fully Disclosed |
| The tokens are transmitted to a remote computing device | Partially Disclosed |
| The tokens are executed at the specified location to collect user response | Partially Disclosed |
| The responses are stored at the server | Partially Disclosed |
Key Excerpt from GB2252433A:
“The questionnaire reply gathering system… comprises: a questionnaire reply gathering terminal apparatus; and an input apparatus and a display apparatus… The replies are stored temporarily on a recording medium and transferred to a system for analysis.”
#3. JP2002041580A
This patent, filed on July 24, 2000, discloses a data collection system involving portable communication terminals (such as mobile phones) and a server computer. It focuses on collecting responses from distributed devices at a survey venue and transmitting them to a central server in real-time.
Key Features of this Related Patent:
- Execution of questionnaires at specific locations – Survey subjects complete questionnaires on mobile devices and distribute them at a specific venue.
- Data transmission to a remote server – Responses are sent over a network from portable devices to a central server.
- Real-time data submission – The system enables immediate transmission of responses via the network.
- Centralized server storage of user responses – Data is collected and managed in a server-side database for aggregation and review.
This is how feature mapping from the tool looks like:
Source: GPS
Which features of US9454748B2 are disclosed by JP2002041580A?
| Key Feature of Claim 1 | Disclosure Status |
| A questionnaire is created comprising questions customized for a location | Partially Disclosed |
| The tokens are transmitted to a remote computing device | Fully Disclosed |
| The tokens are executed at the specified location to collect user response | Partially Disclosed |
| User responses are transmitted to a server in real-time | Fully Disclosed |
| The responses are stored at the server | Fully Disclosed |
Key Excerpt from JP2002041580A:
“The portable communication terminal includes means for transmitting data to a server computer, and the server computer collects data transmitted from the portable communication terminal and data aggregated by the aggregation means.”
#4. KR20000054366A
This patent, filed on June 2, 2000, discloses a web survey system that allows survey clients to create customized questionnaires and collect responses from participants in real-time. The system manages subscriber data and stores results in a server-side database.
Key Features of this Related Patent:
- Customizable questionnaire creation via web platform – Clients can define survey parameters such as classification and target audience.
- Real-time data transmission – The system enables immediate collection and processing of survey responses.
- Web-based response input from remote users – Users access and complete surveys online.
- Server-side response storage – Responses are stored in a centralized database for analysis and record-keeping.
Which features of US9454748B2 are disclosed by KR20000054366A?
| Key Feature of Claim 1 | Disclosure Status |
| A questionnaire is created comprising questions customized for a location | Partially Disclosed |
| User responses are transmitted to a server in real-time | Fully Disclosed |
| The responses are stored on the server | Fully Disclosed |
Key Excerpt from KR20000054366A:
“A subscriber management system that receives information from a corresponding user, stores information in a subscriber database, and collects real-time responses that are stored in a response database…”
#5. TW511001B
This patent, filed on May 26, 2000, discloses a data collection method and apparatus for distributing questionnaires via email and collecting responses through a built-in value return driver. It supports flexible formats like HTML and enables server-side response storage and analysis.
Key Features of this Related Patent:
- Customizable questionnaire creation through interface tools – A questionnaire generator enables users to create tailored surveys using a graphical interface.
- Transmission of questionnaires via email to remote users – Surveys are distributed using communication interfaces such as email.
- Real-time transmission of responses through return drivers – Responses are automatically sent back when users submit the completed form.
- Server-side storage for received data – All encoded responses are stored in a memory database for analysis and reporting.
Which features of US9454748B2 are disclosed by TW511001B?
| Key Feature of Claim 1 | Disclosure Status |
| A questionnaire is created comprising questions customized for a location | Partially Disclosed |
| The questionnaire is tokenized to produce device-indifferent tokens | Partially Disclosed |
| The tokens are transmitted to a remote computing device | Partially Disclosed |
| User responses are transmitted to a server in real-time | Fully Disclosed |
| The responses are stored on the server | Fully Disclosed |
Key Excerpt from TW511001B:
“When the communication interface (30) of the Internet data collection device of the present invention receives the encoded value sent by the respondent, it will be stored in the data table of the computer memory…”
Feature Comparison Table
| Key Feature of Claim 1 | JP2002099697A | GB2252433A | JP2002041580A | KR20000054366A | TW511001B |
| A questionnaire is created comprising questions customized for a location | Fully Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Partially Disclosed | Partially Disclosed | Partially Disclosed |
| The questionnaire includes a question requesting GPS coordinates | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
| The questionnaire is tokenized to produce device-indifferent tokens | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Partially Disclosed |
| The tokens are transmitted to a remote computing device | Partially Disclosed | Partially Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Partially Disclosed |
| The tokens are executed at the specified location to collect user response | Partially Disclosed | Partially Disclosed | Partially Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
| GPS coordinates are automatically entered into the questionnaire | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
| User responses are transmitted to a server in real-time | Fully Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Fully Disclosed |
| The responses are stored at the server | Fully Disclosed | Partially Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Fully Disclosed |
How to Find Related Patents Using Global Patent Search
Finding related patents is essential to evaluating the strength and enforceability of an asserted patent. The Global Patent Search tool simplifies this process by offering structured, data-driven insights:
Search by patent number or descriptions – Enter a patent number like US9454748B2 or relevant keywords to retrieve comparable inventions instantly.
Source: GPS
Leverage feature mapping – Analyze how specific claims from the subject patent match features in other patent documents.
Review matching results – Browse a refined list of related patents that share technical similarities.
Analyze detailed reports – See side-by-side disclosure tables showing which features are fully, partially, or not disclosed.
Make confident decisions – Use this comparative data to guide litigation strategy, licensing evaluations, or invalidation efforts.
With GPS, you move beyond guesswork and into precise patent intelligence.
Discover the Patents That Could Change the Case
In high-stakes litigation, finding related patents isn’t just helpful; it’s critical.
With Global Patent Search, you get:
- Immediate insights – Skip the noise and get straight to what’s relevant.
- Claim-level clarity – Visualize how features stack up down to the detail.
- Strategic power moves – Back every argument with mapped, verified data.
Don’t let buried patents blindside your case. Dig deeper, strike faster. Start your search with GPS and bring hidden patents to light before the other side does.
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 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.
