"If so, why would they be concerned with getting a couple of million if indeed billions are at stake, as some on this board have repeatedly reminded us?" LL

Maybe because they could use the money and establish the precedent with a Markman win in the next round? If their patents are valid then it doesn't matter where precedent is set, does it?

"And maybe I am just stupid, but I don't understand yet why people think the sale of Vivtar will result in the possibility of a settlement. LL

The suitor for Vivitar likely thinks it is getting a deal by assuming debt in exchange for Vivitar. It does not seem unreasonable that they might have already held discussions with DM as part of their DD prior to making their deal to prepare a settlement so as to not get bogged down by a potentially big unknown verdict.