The patent US9727655B2 is currently at the center of a legal dispute between ThroughTEK Co., Ltd. et al. vs. Reolink Innovation Inc. et al.. This patent relates to network-based remote access technology, which is widely used in IoT (Internet of Things) and surveillance systems. Given its relevance to remote monitoring solutions, the patent’s validity is crucial in determining its enforceability against alleged infringers.
Prior art plays a key role in patent litigation, potentially impacting the strength of a patent’s claims. If prior technologies disclosed similar innovations before the filing of US9727655B2, it could raise challenges to its validity.
This article analyzes the patent’s core features and explores potential prior art references using the Global Patent Search tool to assess whether existing technologies could challenge its novelty.
Let us delve into the specifics of US9727655B2 before exploring the prior art findiongs from the tool.
Understanding Patent US9727655B2
Patent number US9727655B2, titled “Searching system, method and P2P device for P2P community”, introduces a searching system designed for P2P (peer-to-peer) device communities. It aims to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and speed of searching for important file data across interconnected P2P devices. The system incorporates an online server, a content management server, and a search engine that indexes and ranks data within the P2P network. Its key features are:
#1. Decentralized search system – Unlike traditional centralized servers, this system allows P2P devices to manage indexed data, reducing server load and improving search efficiency.
#2. Weighted data ranking – The system assigns weighted values to indexed data, enabling ranked search results based on importance and relevance.
#3. Topology data table – A topology database records link data between P2P devices, optimizing connectivity and data retrieval.
#4. User-pay model for search access – The system integrates a user authentication and charging module, ensuring secure access and potential monetization for data search and retrieval.
Source: US9727655B2
If prior technologies disclosed similar searching architectures, ranking methodologies, or P2P indexing approaches, they could challenge the novelty and enforceability of US9727655B2. This makes prior art analysis crucial in assessing the strength of the patent.
Potential Prior Art References for US9727655B2
#1. US20100138423A1
This patent describes a search system that utilizes an internet browsing gateway to improve search capabilities for mobile wireless devices. The system collects browsing data from users within the same network and updates a search engine index in real-time.
Why this qualifies as Potential Prior Art?
- Search System Handling User Requests – The reference discloses a search system that processes search requests from user devices and updates search indexes dynamically.
- Indexed Data Management by an Online Server – The system uses an online server to manage and update search indexes, which aligns with US9727655B2’s method of storing and organizing indexed data across a network.
- Search Engine Querying and Ranking Indexed Data – The patent fully describes a search engine that queries an index database and ranks results based on relevance.
- Returning Search Results to User Devices – The reference details how search results are ranked and returned to user devices, though applied to mobile networks rather than a P2P system.
Feature Mapping Results
| Feature | Disclosure Status |
| A searching system for a P2P device community | Partially Disclosed |
| An online server connects to the P2P device community | Partially Disclosed |
| The content management server includes a search engine, an index database, and a user’s device management unit | Partially Disclosed |
| The search engine searches the index database to generate results based on search requests | Fully Disclosed |
| The search results are returned to the user’s device | Fully Disclosed |
Key Excerpt from US20100138423A1:
“The search engine updates search indexes in real-time based on browsing data collected from user devices within a localized wireless network, improving search relevance and ranking.”
#2. JP2001101122A
This patent describes a device search system that allows a device search client to locate network-connected devices using stored search attributes. The system enables searching for devices based on attributes but does not explicitly describe a P2P device community or peer-to-peer interactions.
Why this qualifies as Potential Prior Art?
- Search system receiving requests – The reference describes a device search client that sends search requests to a device search server, similar to how US9727655B2 processes search requests in a P2P device community.
- Multiple devices connected to a network – The system includes various network-connected devices, such as printers and scanners, resembling a distributed environment, though it does not explicitly mention P2P devices.
- Search results processing and retrieval – The patent discloses a search engine that queries a database to identify matching devices and returns search results to user devices, aligning with US9727655B2’s indexing and retrieval mechanism.
- Online server managing search operations – The reference describes a device search server that connects to networked devices and processes device attribute-based searches, similar to US9727655B2’s content management system.
Feature Mapping Results
| Feature | Disclosure Status |
| A searching system for a P2P device community | Fully Disclosed |
| The P2P device community includes multiple P2P devices | Partially Disclosed |
| Each P2P device contains file data comprising content data and indexed data | Partially Disclosed |
| An online server connects to the P2P device community | Fully Disclosed |
| The user’s device management unit receives search requests from user devices | Fully Disclosed |
| The search engine searches the index database to generate results based on search requests | Partially Disclosed |
| The search results are returned to the user’s device | Fully Disclosed |
Key Excerpts from JP2001101122A:
“The device search server receives search requests from network-connected devices, processes stored device attributes, and returns search results based on matching conditions.”
#3. US7398271B
This patent discloses a search enhancement system that uses network traffic logs to improve the accuracy of search engine rankings. A traffic server logs network activity, including frequently accessed web pages, and sends this data to a search engine, which processes and ranks results.
However, the reference does not explicitly disclose a P2P device community or peer-to-peer search mechanisms.
Source: GPS
Why this qualifies as Potential Prior Art?
- Search query Processing from Users – The system receives search requests from user devices, processes them using network logs, and improves search results based on user behavior data, similar to US9727655B2’s search system.
- Search Engine Indexing Mechanism – The search engine indexes web pages and ranks results based on traffic logs, similar to how US9727655B2 searches and ranks P2P device data.
- Search Results Retrieval and Ranking – The reference returns search results to user devices after ranking them based on network activity logs, aligning with the search and retrieval functions in US9727655B2.
- Centralized Processing with Distributed Data Sources – While the reference does not disclose a P2P device community, it does describe log entries from multiple sources being merged and processed, which parallels aspects of distributed data handling in P2P networks.
Feature Mapping Results
| Feature | Disclosure Status |
| A searching system for a P2P device community | Partially Disclosed |
| The search engine searches the index database to generate results based on search requests | Fully Disclosed |
| The search results are returned to the user’s device | Fully Disclosed |
Key Excerpts for US7398271B:
“As the traffic server processes the web pages, it generates log entries that are transmitted to the search engine. These logs improve ranking accuracy and search efficiency.”
#4. US20140214851A1
This patent discloses an index management system within an electronic device that improves file searching and retrieval. The system records operation and access logs, generates search indexes, and processes search queries by matching keywords to indexed items. The search results are then provided to the user.
Why this qualifies as Potential Prior Art?
- Index-based search processing – The system indexes file data and processes search queries using a search engine, similar to US9727655B2’s search mechanism.
- Search result retrieval – The search retrieves results based on the query terms and provides them to the user’s device, aligning with query handling functions in US9727655B2.
- Search engine database querying – The reference explicitly describes an index managing module that queries indexed data for search processing, similar to the indexed data management in P2P search systems.
- Local and network-based storage search – The system allows searching files across both local storage and network storage, resembling distributed search approaches but without a full P2P architecture.
Feature Mapping Results
| Feature | Disclosure Status |
| The search engine searches the index database to generate results based on search requests | Fully Disclosed |
| The search results are returned to the user’s device | Fully Disclosed |
Key Excerpts for US20140214851A1:
“The searching module receives a search term from the user, searches an index item corresponding to the keyword, and provides corresponding files.”
#5. US7389241B1
This patent discloses a method and system for managing and sharing link relationships between documents on a network. It describes a searchable directory system where users can store, index, and categorize document links to improve search efficiency. The system enables client devices and servers to interact, maintaining link relationships and providing filtered search results based on user profiles and assigned attributes.
Why this qualifies as Potential Prior Art?
- Network-based search directory – The system manages searchable directories that index and organize link relationships, resembling distributed indexing functions in P2P networks.
- Search query processing – Users submit search requests, and the system filters and retrieves relevant results, aligning with query handling functions in US9727655B2.
- Indexing and categorization – The reference describes indexing and storing link relationships, similar to how P2P devices index content for distributed search operations.
- Search results and filtering – The system retrieves and refines results based on link relevance and user preferences, comparable to query-based content retrieval mechanisms in P2P search environments.
Feature Mapping Results
| Feature | Disclosure Status |
| A searching system for a P2P device community | Partially Disclosed |
| The P2P device community includes multiple P2P devices | Partially Disclosed |
| Each P2P device contains file data comprising content data and indexed data | Partially Disclosed |
| An online server connects to the P2P device community | Partially Disclosed |
| The online server maintains a topology data table recording link data between P2P devices | Partially Disclosed |
| The content management server includes a search engine, an index database, and a user’s device management unit | Partially Disclosed |
| The index database records the indexed data of each P2P device in the community | Partially Disclosed |
| The user’s device management unit receives search requests from user devices | Partially Disclosed |
| The search engine searches the index database to generate results based on search requests | Partially Disclosed |
| The search results are returned to the user’s device | Partially Disclosed |
Key Excerpts for US7389241B1:
“The system creates and stores link relationships between a first document object and a second document object, preferably on one or more servers in one or more link directories.”
Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | US9727655B2 | US20100138423A1 | JP2001101122A | US7398271B1 | US20140214851A1 | US7389241B1 |
| A searching system for a P2P device community receives search requests from user devices | Fully Disclosed | Partially Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Partially Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Partially Disclosed |
| The P2P device community includes multiple P2P devices | Fully Disclosed | None | Partially Disclosed | None | None | Partial |
| Each P2P device contains file data comprising content data and indexed data | Fully Disclosed | None | Partially Disclosed | None | None | Partially Disclosed |
| An online server connects to the P2P device community | Fully Disclosed | Partially Disclosed | Full | None | None | Partially Disclosed |
| The online server maintains a topology data table recording link data between P2P devices | Fully Disclosed | None | None | None | None | Partially Disclosed |
| A content management server connects to both the P2P device community and the online server | Fully Disclosed | None | None | None | None | None |
| The content management server includes a search engine, an index database, and a user’s device management unit | Fully Disclosed | Partial | None | None | None | Partially Disclosed |
| The index database records the indexed data of each P2P device in the community | Fully Disclosed | Partial | None | None | None | Partially Disclosed |
| The user’s device management unit receives search requests from user devices | Fully Disclosed | None | Full | None | None | Partially Disclosed |
| The search engine searches the index database to generate results based on search requests | Fully Disclosed | Full | Partial | Full | Full | Partially Disclosed |
| The search results are returned to the user’s device | Fully Disclosed | Full | Full | Full | Full | Partially Disclosed |
| The user’s device obtains link data of P2P devices using the topology data table and search results | Fully Disclosed | None | None | None | None | None |
How to Identify Prior Art Using Global Patent Search
The Global Patent Search tool streamlines the process of finding prior art, making patent evaluation more efficient.
Source: GPS
Here is how it works:
- Conduct targeted Searches – Locate relevant prior art by searching with a patent number or industry-specific keywords.
- Utilize feature mapping – Compare the key technical features of the target patent with existing patents to identify overlaps or distinctions.
- Examine detailed results – Review a comprehensive list of prior art references with structured mappings to the target patent’s claims.
- Analyze patent reports – Access in-depth reports that highlight disclosed, partially disclosed, or missing claim elements.
With Global Patent Search, you can efficiently uncover relevant prior art, ensuring precise and reliable patent analysis.
Strengthen Your Patent Case with Reliable Prior Art
In patent disputes, solid evidence is your greatest asset. Prior art can be the deciding factor in challenging the validity or defending your claims. With Global Patent Search (GPS), you get fast, accurate, and data-backed insights to build a stronger case.
With GPS, you get:
#1. Rapid access to Prior Art – Find relevant references instantly, eliminating time-consuming manual searches.
#2. Accurate Feature Mapping – Compare key features across patents to pinpoint similarities and differences with precision.
#3. Detailed Analytical Reports – Understand how prior art references align with or refute specific patent claims clearly and concisely.
#4. Data-Driven Insights – Make informed decisions with comprehensive insights that hold up in litigation.
Gain a competitive edge with verified prior art research. Start with Global Patent Search today for a stronger hand in litigation.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. The prior art references mentioned are preliminary results from the Global Patent Search (GPS) tool and do not guarantee legal significance. For a comprehensive prior art analysis, we recommend conducting a detailed search using GPS or consulting a patent attorney.
