The uspto applications are still pending. Not granted not rejected. The patent cooperation treaty letter was based on claims kroplin may have in other countries. Where exactly is his patent is the US? Oh, thats right, there is none. Which means there is no patent infringement here. Also, go reread the separation agreement with kroplin. It basically says the same thing.
Just a quick correction to a previous post to allay any confusion. The international search and unfavorable report on patentability for ARGUS came about through the PCT application. Patent grants are based on their research. I have correctly stated it before, but somehow inserted USPTO instead of PCT on the post I am responding to.