Patents by Inventor Robert Thomas Halley

Robert Thomas Halley 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).

  • Patent number: 11025584
    Abstract: A method for improving client subnet efficiency by equivalence class aggregation includes receiving a Domain Name System (DNS) query from a client, determining, based on predetermined class criteria, that the client is associated with an equivalency class, searching a cache associated with the equivalence class for an answer corresponding to the DNS query, and upon locating the answer, serving the answer to the client. Membership in equivalence classes can be adjusted, tuned, or otherwise modified based upon one or more criteria or rules. The adjustment of memberships may be a necessary step in response to changing network conditions. A membership in one or more equivalence classes can be adjusted based on determining changes in service (such as changes in bandwidth, quality of service, client location, and so forth), and/or based on detection of a modification to the network topology, and/or based on received input concerning performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Akamai Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Thomas Halley, Brian Wellington
  • Publication number: 20200382465
    Abstract: A method for improving client subnet efficiency by equivalence class aggregation includes receiving a Domain Name System (DNS) query from a client, determining, based on predetermined class criteria, that the client is associated with an equivalency class, searching a cache associated with the equivalence class for an answer corresponding to the DNS query, and upon locating the answer, serving the answer to the client. If it is determined that the cache does not include the answer, the method proceeds with querying, by a recursive server, an authoritative server using client subnet data associated with the equivalence class, receiving the answer from the authoritative server, storing the answer to the cache associated with the equivalency class, and serving the answer to the client. The client subnet data may include a representative CIDR block, the representative CIDR block being used to make queries on behalf of all clients associated with the equivalence class.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Applicant: Akamai Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Thomas Halley, Brian Wellington
  • Patent number: 10693834
    Abstract: A method for improving client subnet efficiency by equivalence class aggregation includes receiving a Domain Name System (DNS) query from a client, determining, based on predetermined class criteria, that the client is associated with an equivalency class, searching a cache associated with the equivalence class for an answer corresponding to the DNS query, and upon locating the answer, serving the answer to the client. If it is determined that the cache does not include the answer, the method proceeds with querying, by a recursive server, an authoritative server using client subnet data associated with the equivalence class, receiving the answer from the authoritative server, storing the answer to the cache associated with the equivalency class, and serving the answer to the client. The client subnet data may include a representative CIDR block, the representative CIDR block being used to make queries on behalf of all clients associated with the equivalence class.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Akamai Technologies Inc
    Inventors: Robert Thomas Halley, Brian Wellington
  • Publication number: 20190124048
    Abstract: A device control system is associated with individual devices connected through a network control point to a gateway and thereby to the Internet. The gateway inserts an EDNS0 pseudo resource record into an additional data section in each DNS query initiated by an individual device, the EDNS0 pseudo resource record identifying the initiating device. A dynamic policy enforcement engine in front of the DNS engine intercepts the DNS query, identifies the initiating device, and selects a policy that applies to the device. The dynamic policy enforcement engine may provide parental control and security service to the individual device by blocking the DNS query or passing it to the DNS engine according to the policy. A component that intercepts DNS queries may provide several additional types of services to the individual devices, including advertising, messaging, mobile device tracking, individual device application control, and delivery of individualized content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: Nominum, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Lemon, Brian Wellington, Robert Thomas Halley, Srinivas Avirneni, Keith Oborn
  • Patent number: 10263958
    Abstract: A system for mediating Internet service includes a DNS server and a DNS policy engine associated with the DNS server. The DNS policy engine can be configured to apply one or more DNS policies selected by the DNS policy engine to DNS queries received by the DNS server from a client, analyze the DNS query based on predetermined criteria, and based on the analysis, and selectively redirect a data request associated with the client to a proxy server for further mediation. The system can further include a proxy server and a proxy policy engine associated with the proxy server. The proxy policy engine can be configured to apply one or more proxy policies selected by the proxy policy engine to at least one of data requests received by the proxy server from a client and data responses returned to the proxy server from an IP address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Nominum, Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon Bremen, Erik Bremen, Jonathan P. Wood, Robert Thomas Halley, Tom C. Tovar
  • Publication number: 20190052595
    Abstract: A method for improving client subnet efficiency by equivalence class aggregation includes receiving a Domain Name System (DNS) query from a client, determining, based on predetermined class criteria, that the client is associated with an equivalency class, searching a cache associated with the equivalence class for an answer corresponding to the DNS query, and upon locating the answer, serving the answer to the client. If it is determined that the cache does not include the answer, the method proceeds with querying, by a recursive server, an authoritative server using client subnet data associated with the equivalence class, receiving the answer from the authoritative server, storing the answer to the cache associated with the equivalency class, and serving the answer to the client. The client subnet data may include a representative CIDR block, the representative CIDR block being used to make queries on behalf of all clients associated with the equivalence class.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: Nominum, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Thomas Halley, Brian Wellington
  • Patent number: 10142291
    Abstract: A device control system is associated with individual devices connected through a network control point to a gateway and thereby to the Internet. The gateway inserts an EDNS0 pseudo resource record into an additional data section in each DNS query initiated by an individual device, the EDNS0 pseudo resource record identifying the initiating device. A dynamic policy enforcement engine in front of the DNS engine intercepts the DNS query, identifies the initiating device, and selects a policy that applies to the device. The dynamic policy enforcement engine may provide parental control and security service to the individual device by blocking the DNS query or passing it to the DNS engine according to the policy. A component that intercepts DNS queries may provide several additional types of services to the individual devices, including advertising, messaging, mobile device tracking, individual device application control, and delivery of individualized content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Nominum, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Lemon, Brian Wellington, Robert Thomas Halley, Srinivas Avirneni, Keith Oborn
  • Patent number: 10122677
    Abstract: Provided is a method for delegation of local content delivery service. The method includes receiving a Domain Name System (DNS) query from a client to resolve a domain name to a network address associated with content provider by a content provider, determining that distribution of the content has been delegated by a content provider to a local content server associated with an Internet Service Provider (ISP), and based on predetermined criteria, resolving the domain name to the local content server. The resolution can include responding to the DNS query with an answer from a caching server, and returning, to the client, the answer pointing to the local content server, wherein upon receiving the answer, the client can establish a data communication channel with the local content server. The content can be downloaded to the local content server upon a request received by a provisioning system associated with the ISP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Nominum, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Thomas Halley, Brian Wellington, Robert S. Wilbourn, Srinivas Avirneni
  • Publication number: 20180278572
    Abstract: Provided is a method for delegation of local content delivery service. The method includes receiving a Domain Name System (DNS) query from a client to resolve a domain name to a network address associated with content provider by a content provider, determining that distribution of the content has been delegated by a content provider to a local content server associated with an Internet Service Provider (ISP), and based on predetermined criteria, resolving the domain name to the local content server. The resolution can include responding to the DNS query with an answer from a caching server, and returning, to the client, the answer pointing to the local content server, wherein upon receiving the answer, the client can establish a data communication channel with the local content server. The content can be downloaded to the local content server upon a request received by a provisioning system associated with the ISP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: Nominum, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Thomas Halley, Brian Wellington, Robert S. Wilbourn, Srinivas Avirneni
  • Patent number: 10079800
    Abstract: A method for improving client subnet efficiency by equivalence class aggregation includes receiving a Domain Name System (DNS) query from a client, determining, based on predetermined class criteria, that the client is associated with an equivalency class, searching a cache associated with the equivalence class for an answer corresponding to the DNS query, and upon locating the answer, serving the answer to the client. If it is determined that the cache does not include the answer, the method proceeds with querying, by a recursive server, an authoritative server using client subnet data associated with the equivalence class, receiving the answer from the authoritative server, storing the answer to the cache associated with the equivalency class, and serving the answer to the client. The client subnet data may include a representative CIDR block, the representative CIDR block being used to make queries on behalf of all clients associated with the equivalence class.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Nominum, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Thomas Halley, Brian Wellington
  • Publication number: 20180159815
    Abstract: A method for selectively extending a life of prefetched content for DNS content delivery is disclosed. The method includes providing a cache to keep at least one DNS entry. The DNS entry includes a domain name and a DNS answer associated with the domain name. The DNS entry is assigned a lifetime. The method includes determining that a DNS query is received, wherein the DNS query includes a further domain name matching the domain name of the DNS entry. The method further includes determining that the lifetime of the DNS entry is to expire within a pre-determined interval. In response to the determination, the method allows sending the DNS query to an authoritative DNS to obtain a further DNS answer associated with the domain name. If the further DNS answer is not received, the method generates a copy of the DNS entry with a shorter lifetime.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Thomas Halley, Brian Wellington
  • Patent number: 9992234
    Abstract: A device control system is associated with individual devices connected through a network control point to a gateway and thereby to the Internet. The gateway inserts an EDNS0 pseudo resource record into an additional data section in each DNS query initiated by an individual device, the EDNS0 pseudo resource record identifying the initiating device. A dynamic policy enforcement engine in front of the DNS engine intercepts the DNS query, identifies the initiating device, and selects a policy that applies to the device. The dynamic policy enforcement engine may provide parental control and security service to the individual device by blocking the DNS query or passing it to the DNS engine according to the policy. A component that intercepts DNS queries may provide several additional types of services to the individual devices, including advertising, messaging, mobile device tracking, individual device application control, and delivery of individualized content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Nominum, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Lemon, Brian Wellington, Robert Thomas Halley, Srinivas Avirneni, Keith Oborn
  • Patent number: 9954816
    Abstract: Provided is a method for delegation of local content delivery service. The method includes receiving a Domain Name System (DNS) query from a client to resolve a domain name to a network address associated with content provider by a content provider, determining that distribution of the content has been delegated by a content provider to a local content server associated with an Internet Service Provider (ISP), and based on predetermined criteria, resolving the domain name to the local content server. The resolution can include responding to the DNS query with an answer from a caching server, and returning, to the client, the answer pointing to the local content server, wherein upon receiving the answer, the client can establish a data communication channel with the local content server. The content can be downloaded to the local content server upon a request received by a provisioning system associated with the ISP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Nominum, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Thomas Halley, Brian Wellington, Robert S. Wilbourn, Srinivas Avirneni
  • Publication number: 20170331788
    Abstract: A device control system is associated with individual devices connected through a network control point to a gateway and thereby to the Internet. The gateway inserts an EDNS0 pseudo resource record into an additional data section in each DNS query initiated by an individual device, the EDNS0 pseudo resource record identifying the initiating device. A dynamic policy enforcement engine in front of the DNS engine intercepts the DNS query, identifies the initiating device, and selects a policy that applies to the device. The dynamic policy enforcement engine may provide parental control and security service to the individual device by blocking the DNS query or passing it to the DNS engine according to the policy. A component that intercepts DNS queries may provide several additional types of services to the individual devices, including advertising, messaging, mobile device tracking, individual device application control, and delivery of individualized content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Edward Lemon, Brian Wellington, Robert Thomas Halley, Srinivas Avirneni, Keith Oborn
  • Patent number: 9742811
    Abstract: A device control system is associated with individual devices connected through a network control point to a gateway and thereby to the Internet. The gateway inserts an EDNS0 pseudo resource record into an additional data section in each DNS query initiated by an individual device, the EDNS0 pseudo resource record identifying the initiating device. A dynamic policy enforcement engine in front of the DNS engine intercepts the DNS query, identifies the initiating device, and selects a policy that applies to the device. The dynamic policy enforcement engine may provide parental control and security service to the individual device by blocking the DNS query or passing it to the DNS engine according to the policy. A component that intercepts DNS queries may provide several additional types of services to the individual devices, including advertising, messaging, mobile device tracking, individual device application control, and delivery of individualized content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Nominum, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Lemon, Brian Wellington, Robert Thomas Halley, Srinivas Avirneni, Keith Oborn
  • Publication number: 20170126616
    Abstract: Provided is a method for delegation of local content delivery service. The method includes receiving a Domain Name System (DNS) query from a client to resolve a domain name to a network address associated with content provider by a content provider, determining that distribution of the content has been delegated by a content provider to a local content server associated with an Internet Service Provider (ISP), and based on predetermined criteria, resolving the domain name to the local content server. The resolution can include responding to the DNS query with an answer from a caching server, and returning, to the client, the answer pointing to the local content server, wherein upon receiving the answer, the client can establish a data communication channel with the local content server. The content can be downloaded to the local content server upon a request received by a provisioning system associated with the ISP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Thomas Halley, Brian Wellington, Robert S. Wilbourn, Srinivas Avirneni
  • Publication number: 20170111309
    Abstract: A method for improving client subnet efficiency by equivalence class aggregation includes receiving a Domain Name System (DNS) query from a client, determining, based on predetermined class criteria, that the client is associated with an equivalency class, searching a cache associated with the equivalence class for an answer corresponding to the DNS query, and upon locating the answer, serving the answer to the client. If it is determined that the cache does not include the answer, the method proceeds with querying, by a recursive server, an authoritative server using client subnet data associated with the equivalence class, receiving the answer from the authoritative server, storing the answer to the cache associated with the equivalency class, and serving the answer to the client. The client subnet data may include a representative CIDR block, the representative CIDR block being used to make queries on behalf of all clients associated with the equivalence class.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Thomas Halley, Brian Wellington
  • Publication number: 20160072847
    Abstract: A system for mediating Internet service includes a DNS server and a DNS policy engine associated with the DNS server. The DNS policy engine can be configured to apply one or more DNS policies selected by the DNS policy engine to DNS queries received by the DNS server from a client, analyze the DNS query based on predetermined criteria, and based on the analysis, and selectively redirect a data request associated with the client to a proxy server for further mediation. The system can further include a proxy server and a proxy policy engine associated with the proxy server. The proxy policy engine can be configured to apply one or more proxy policies selected by the proxy policy engine to at least one of data requests received by the proxy server from a client and data responses returned to the proxy server from an IP address.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Brandon Bremen, Erik Bremen, Jonathan P. Wood, Robert Thomas Halley, Tom C. Tovar
  • Publication number: 20150365441
    Abstract: A device control system is associated with individual devices connected through a network control point to a gateway and thereby to the Internet. The gateway inserts an EDNS0 pseudo resource record into an additional data section in each DNS query initiated by an individual device, the EDNS0 pseudo resource record identifying the initiating device. A dynamic policy enforcement engine in front of the DNS engine intercepts the DNS query, identifies the initiating device, and selects a policy that applies to the device. The dynamic policy enforcement engine may provide parental control and security service to the individual device by blocking the DNS query or passing it to the DNS engine according to the policy. A component that intercepts DNS queries may provide several additional types of services to the individual devices, including advertising, messaging, mobile device tracking, individual device application control, and delivery of individualized content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Edward Lemon, Brian Wellington, Robert Thomas Halley, Srinivas Avirneni, Keith Oborn
  • Publication number: 20150288721
    Abstract: A device control system is associated with individual devices connected through a network control point to a gateway and thereby to the Internet. The gateway inserts an EDNS0 pseudo resource record into an additional data section in each DNS query initiated by an individual device, the EDNS0 pseudo resource record identifying the initiating device. A dynamic policy enforcement engine in front of the DNS engine intercepts the DNS query, identifies the initiating device, and selects a policy that applies to the device. The dynamic policy enforcement engine may provide parental control and security service to the individual device by blocking the DNS query or passing it to the DNS engine according to the policy. A component that intercepts DNS queries may provide several additional types of services to the individual devices, including advertising, messaging, mobile device tracking, individual device application control, and delivery of individualized content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Edward Lemon, Brian Wellington, Robert Thomas Halley, Srinivas Avirneni