US 10511572

US Patent 10511572 (US10511572) is titled "Rule swapping in a packet network." The patent is currently assigned to Centripetal Networks LLC. The inventors are David K. Ahn, Steven Rogers, and Sean Moore. The application was filed on July 22, 2019, and the patent was issued on December 17, 2019.

Abstract:
The abstract describes a system and method where a network protection device receives and preprocesses first and second rule sets. The device is initially configured to process packets using the first rule set. After a first portion of packets is processed, the device is reconfigured to process packets according to the second rule set, and a second portion of packets is then processed in accordance with that second rule set.

Independent Claims Overview:

• Independent Claim 1 (Method Claim): This claim describes a method for rule swapping in a network device. It involves receiving a first rule set, modifying it, and configuring the device to process packets according to this first rule set. After receiving and processing an initial set of packets with the first rule set, a second rule set is received and modified. Upon receiving a signal to switch to the second rule set, the method dictates ceasing current packet processing, caching any unprocessed packets, reconfiguring the network device for the second rule set, and then processing the cached packets with the newly configured second rule set.

• Independent Claim 9 (Network Device Claim): This claim describes a network device containing at least one processor and memory with instructions. These instructions cause the device to perform actions analogous to the method of Claim 1: receiving and modifying a first rule set, configuring to process packets with it, receiving and processing packets, then receiving and modifying a second rule set. Based on a signal to switch, the instructions cause the processor(s) to cease processing, cache packets, reconfigure for the second rule set, and then process the cached packets using the second rule set.

• Independent Claim 17 (Computer-Readable Media Claim): This claim covers one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions. When executed by one or more processors of a computing system, these instructions cause the system to perform the same steps as detailed in Independent Claim 1: receiving, modifying, and configuring for a first rule set; processing packets; then receiving and modifying a second rule set. Upon a signal, the instructions lead to ceasing processing, caching packets, reconfiguring for the second rule set, and processing the cached packets with the second rule set.

Legal Status and Litigation:
The patent US10511572 is currently active. The patent family has been involved in litigation, including:

• A PTAB case, IPR2022-01607, which has a Final Written Decision.
• Two US cases filed in the Virginia Eastern District Court (case numbers 2:22-cv-00002 and 1:22-cv-00001).
• A US case filed in the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (case number 24-1930).