US 7,552,870 Trading network resources
4 defendants · 4 suits · updated October 6, 2026
Also cited as U.S. Patent No. 7,552,870 · US7552870B2 · US 7,552,870 B2 · 7552870 · the '870 patent
Reframe Technologies LLC has filed 4 patent-infringement suits on US 7,552,870, "Trading network resources" since July 16, 2026, 3 of them in the D. Del., against 4 distinct defendants including The Bernard Group, Inc., Psyonix LLC and Robinhood Markets, Inc.. The patent was granted June 30, 2009 on a priority date of March 16, 2006. Its abstract opens: "A Network Resource Trading Exchange which allows Access Gateway Operators (who are usually also Network User Device Users) to trade usage of Network Resources (e.g." The examiner cited 1 reference during prosecution.
- Assignee
- Reframe Technologies LLC
- Priority date
- March 16, 2006
- Granted
- June 30, 2009
- Expires
- March 16, 2026
- Status
- Active
- Claims
- 15 (4 independent)
- Inventors
- Adrian Jones
- Full text
- Google Patents
The suits
4 cases · D. Del. (3) · S.D.N.Y. (1)
| Filed | Defendant | Plaintiff | Court | Docket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-16 | The Bernard Group, Inc. | Reframe Technologies LLC | S.D.N.Y. | 1:26-cv-06028 |
| 2026-09-03 | Psyonix LLC | Reframe Technologies LLC | D. Del. | 1:26-cv-01114 |
| 2026-09-03 | Robinhood Markets, Inc. | Reframe Technologies LLC | D. Del. | 1:26-cv-01113 |
| 2026-09-03 | Roblox Corporation | Reframe Technologies LLC | D. Del. | 1:26-cv-01112 |
Docket links open the public record on CourtListener. Filing dates are the complaint's.
Independent claims
What is actually asserted, verbatim.
1. A method of authorizing usage and trading of network resources, comprising: storing data in first type accounts, each said first type account representing an account of a corresponding network resource user, each said first type account having at least one balance; storing data in second type accounts, each said second type account representing an account of a corresponding network resource access gateway operator; wherein credit on at least one of said second type accounts acts as credit on at least one of said first type accounts; receiving a request from a requestor to authorize substantially immediate provision of network resources, said request containing sufficient information to identify a specific one of said first type accounts and a specific one of said second type accounts; responsive to said request, sending a reply to the requestor, authorizing or denying provision of said network resources at least partially dependent on one of said at least one balance of said identified first type account; and adjusting one of said at least one balance of said identified first type account and a balance of said identified second account by amounts dependent on said network resources used.
7. A network resource trading exchange system for authorizing usage and trading of network resources, comprising: means for storing data in first type accounts, each said first type account representing an account of a corresponding network resource user, each said first type account having at least one balance; means for storing data in second type accounts, each said second type account representing an account of a corresponding network resource access gateway operator; wherein credit on at least one of said second type accounts acts as credit on at least one of said first type accounts; means for receiving a request from a requestor to authorize substantially immediate provision of network resources, said request containing sufficient information to identify a specific one of said first type accounts and a specific one of said second type accounts; means responsive to said request for sending a reply to the requestor, authorizing or denying provision of said network resources at least partially dependent on one of said at least one balance of said identified first type account; and means for adjusting one of said at least one balance of said identified first type account and a balance of said identified second account by amounts dependent on said network resources used.
11. A network resource trading exchange system for authorizing usage and trading of network resources, comprising: a memory storing data in first type accounts, each said first type account representing an account of a corresponding network resource user, each said first type account having at least one balance; said memory storing data in second type accounts, each said second type account representing an account of a corresponding network resource access gateway operator; a processing element which operates to enable credit on at least one of said second type accounts to act as credit on at least one of said first type accounts; a communications element which receives a request from a requestor to authorize substantially immediate provision of network resources, said request containing sufficient information to identify a specific one of said first type accounts and a specific one of said second type accounts; said processing element responsive to said request, sending a reply to the requestor, authorizing or denying provision of said network resources at least partially dependent on one of said at least one balance of said identified first type account; and said processing element operating to adjust said balance of said identified first account and a balance of said identified second account by amounts dependent on said network resources used.
12. A method of authorizing usage and trading of network resources comprising: applying network usage credits to a user having an account for accumulating credits based upon usage by at least one third party of a first network resource operated by said user; substantially immediately processing a request by said user for usage of a second network resource operated by a fourth party and allowing access to said second network resource if said user has at least a predetermined amount of said network usage credits wherein said first and second resources have a registered resource sharing arrangement in a connected system.
Art before the examiner
2 references of record, 1 cited by the examiner.
Everything listed here was before the Office and is what a challenge must go beyond. Art the examiner never saw is where an invalidity search starts.
Examiner-cited
- US20040158618A1 — Application of dynamic profiles to the allocation and configuration of network resources (Shaw Venson M.)
Applicant-cited and other (1)
- US20040042596A1 — System and method for IP bandwidth trading
Classification
- H04L12/1457primary — Methods or systems for payment or settlement of the charges for data transmission involving significant interaction with the data transmission network using an account
- G06Q20/10 — Payment architectures specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
- G06Q20/102 — Bill distribution or payments
- G06Q40/04 — Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
- H04L12/14 — Charging, metering or billing arrangements specially adapted for data communications, e.g. authentication, authorisation and accounting [AAA] framework
- H04L12/1446 — Charging, metering or billing arrangements specially adapted for data communications, e.g. authentication, authorisation and accounting [AAA] framework at network operator level inter-operator billing
Family
- US7552870B2 — B2 (2009)
- US20070215684A1 — A1 (2007)
- 7 foreign family members: CN101427278A, JP5680849B2, WO2007106535A2, EP2002392A4, EP2002392A2, JP2009530713A, WO2007106535A3
Abstract
A Network Resource Trading Exchange which allows Access Gateway Operators (who are usually also Network User Device Users) to trade usage of Network Resources (e.g. Internet access) via their Access Gateway for usage of Network Resources via other Access Gateway Operators' Access Gateways. Owners of Internet-connected wireless Access Gateways are enabled to trade Internet access via their own infrastructure for roaming access via other Access Gateways anywhere in the world. Access Gateway Operators can use their underutilized Network Resources to pay for Network Resource usage elsewhere, without having to purchase any subscription or pre-payment plan.
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This page is assembled from public records — federal court dockets and the patent's own file — and is updated as the case list changes. It states what the record shows and is not an opinion on the validity or infringement of any claim. Patent data via Google Patents; docket data via CourtListener.