Patents by Inventor Brian K. Wilson

Brian K. Wilson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Message auditing
    Patent number: 7908330
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for registering a email sender for the purpose of sending an email message to an email receiver including receiving a challenge message wherein the challenge message includes a machine answerable question; processing the challenge message to determine that it is a challenge message sent for the purpose of authorizing delivery of the email message; analyzing the question to determine a valid response to the challenge message; and sending the valid response that includes the answer wherein a nontrivial amount of resources are required to send the valid response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: SonicWALL, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Oliver, Brian K. Wilson, Damon K. Uyeda, Scott D. Eikenberry, David A. Koblas, Tim Nufire
  • Using distinguishing properties to classify messages
    Patent number: 7882189
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for classifying a message. The method includes receiving the message, identifying in the message a distinguishing property; generating a signature using the distinguishing property; and comparing the signature to a database of signatures generated by previously classified messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: SonicWALL, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K. Wilson, David A. Koblas, Arno A. Penzias
  • Message classification using classifiers
    Patent number: 7814545
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for improving a statistical message classifier. A message may be tested with a machine classifier, wherein the machine classifier is capable of making a classification on the message. In the event the message is classifiable by the machine classifier, the statistical message classifier is updated according to the reliable classification made by the machine classifier. The message may also be tested with a first classifier. In the event that the message is not classifiable by the first classifier, it is tested with a second classifier, wherein the second classifier is capable of making a second classification. In the event that the message is classifiable by the second classifier, the statistical message classifier is updated according to the second classification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: SonicWALL, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Oliver, Scott Roy, Scott D. Eikenberry, Bryan Kim, David A. Koblas, Brian K. Wilson
  • Updating Hierarchical Whitelists
    Publication number: 20100174793
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for maintaining a whitelist, including: obtaining message data based on an email message sent by a user; extracting recipient information from message data; updating the whitelist using the recipient information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Paul R. Wieneke, Scott D. Eikenberry, Tim Nufire, David A. Koblas, Brian K. Wilson
  • Identifying e-mail messages from allowed senders
    Patent number: 7653698
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for maintaining a whitelist, including: obtaining message data based on an email message sent by a user; extracting recipient information from message data; updating the whitelist using the recipient information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: SonicWALL, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Wieneke, Scott D. Eikenberry, Tim Nufire, David A. Koblas, Brian K. Wilson
  • Message Classification Using Allowed Items
    Publication number: 20100017488
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for classifying a message. The method includes receiving the message, identifying all items of a certain type in the message, determining whether each of the items meets a criterion, and in the event that all the items are determined to meet the criterion, determining a classification of the message. The system includes an interface configured to receive the message, a processor coupled to the interface, configured to identify all items of a certain type in the message; determine whether each of the items meets a criterion; and in the event that all the items are determined to meet the criterion, determine a classification of the message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Oliver, David A. Koblas, Brian K. Wilson
  • Message classification using allowed items
    Patent number: 7562122
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for classifying a message. The method includes receiving the message, identifying all items of a certain type in the message, determining whether each of the items meets a criterion, and in the event that all the items are determined to meet the criterion, determining a classification of the message. The system includes an interface configured to receive the message, a processor coupled to the interface, configured to identify all items of a certain type in the message; determine whether each of the items meets a criterion; and in the event that all the items are determined to meet the criterion, determine a classification of the message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: SonicWALL, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Oliver, David A. Koblas, Brian K. Wilson
  • Message handling with selective user participation
    Patent number: 7546348
    Abstract: Handling a message comprises: classifying an incoming message for a recipient, storing the classified message and providing a notification to the recipient, wherein the notification includes summary information about the classified message and an interface that allows the recipient to operate on the classified message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: SonicWALL, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K. Wilson, Kwok H. Ng, Damon K. Uyeda, Scott D. Eikenberry, David A. Koblas
  • Message testing
    Patent number: 7539726
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for routing a message through a plurality of test methods. The method includes: receiving a message; applying a first test method to the message; updating a state of the message based on the first test method; and determining a second test method to be applied to the message based on the state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: SonicWALL, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K. Wilson, David A. Koblas, Scott D. Eikenberry, Paul R. Wieneke, Damon K. Uyeda, Tim Nufire, Jonathan J. Oliver
  • Method and system for classifying a message based on canonical equivalent of acceptable items included in the message
    Patent number: 7406502
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for classifying a message. The method includes receiving the message, identifying all items of a certain type in the message, determining whether each of the items meets a criterion, and in the event that all the items are determined to meet the criterion, determining a classification of the message. The system includes an interface configured to receive the message, a processor coupled to the interface, configured to identify all items of a certain type in the message; determine whether each of the items meets a criterion; and in the event that all the items are determined to meet the criterion, determine a classification of the message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: SonicWALL, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Oliver, David A. Koblas, Brian K. Wilson
  • Message Handling With Selective User Participation
    Publication number: 20080133686
    Abstract: Handling a message comprises: classifying an incoming message for a recipient, storing the classified message and providing a notification to the recipient, wherein the notification includes summary information about the classified message and an interface that allows the recipient to operate on the classified message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Brian K. Wilson, Kwok H. Ng, Damon K. Uyeda, Scott D. Eikenberry, David A. Koblas
  • Message classification using a summary
    Patent number: 7299261
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for classifying a message. The method includes receiving a message, summarizing the message to produce a summary, generating a signature based on the summary, and comparing the signature to a database of signatures generated by previously classified messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: MailFrontier, Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of SonicWall, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Oliver, David A. Koblas, Brian K. Wilson
  • Message handling with selective user participation
    Publication number: 20040236839
    Abstract: Handling a message comprises: classifying an incoming message for a recipient, storing the classified message and providing a notification to the recipient, wherein the notification includes summary information about the classified message and an interface that allows the recipient to operate on the classified message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: MailFrontier, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K. Wilson, Kwok H. Ng, Damon K. Uyeda, Scott D. Eikenberry, David A. Koblas
  • Using distinguishing properties to classify messages
    Publication number: 20040167968
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for classifying a message. The method includes receiving the message, identifying in the message a distinguishing property; generating a signature using the distinguishing property; and comparing the signature to a database of signatures generated by previously classified messages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: MailFrontier, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K. Wilson, David A. Koblas, Arno A. Penzias