Prior art

The US Patent 11539663 identifies numerous prior art references, particularly within its extensive "U.S. Patent Documents" section. To determine the most relevant prior art, it is critical to consider the effective filing dates of these references in relation to US11539663's earliest priority date, which is October 28, 2015 (claimed from US14/925,974). Many of the listed patents share similar titles, indicating they are likely part of the same patent family (e.g., continuations, divisionals, or related continuation-in-parts). For new matter introduced in US11539663, only documents with an effective filing or publication date before October 28, 2015, would qualify as prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

Based on an analysis of the "U.S. Patent Documents" listed in US11539663 on Google Patents, the following patents are identified as potentially relevant prior art due to their earlier issuance numbers and general titles suggesting foundational or related technology:

Identified Prior Art References for US11539663

1. US8417670B2

• Full Citation: US8417670B2, "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STORING AND PROCESSING HETEROGENEOUS INFORMATION IN A DISTRIBUTED COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT"
• Publication Date: April 23, 2013 (Filed: August 29, 2011)
• Brief Description: This patent describes a system and method for efficiently storing and processing diverse types of information across a distributed computing environment. It focuses on handling varied data formats and structures in a scalable manner, including mechanisms for data organization and retrieval.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): US8417670B2 potentially anticipates aspects of US11539663 related to receiving, processing, and storing data in a distributed computing environment. Specifically, the concept of "processing the received data" (as in independent system claim and method claim) could be anticipated if the processing described in US8417670B2 includes similar steps of aggregation, analysis, or transformation, even if not explicitly using "containerized services" or a "midserver" as defined in US11539663. The focus on heterogeneous information processing might also anticipate the need for data transformation that the midserver in US11539663 provides.

2. US8984024B2

• Full Citation: US8984024B2, "DISTRIBUTED COMPUTER SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SECURE DATA SHARING"
• Publication Date: March 17, 2015 (Filed: July 2, 2012)
• Brief Description: This patent discloses a system and method designed for securely sharing data within a distributed computer system. It likely involves mechanisms for access control, encryption, and secure communication channels to ensure data confidentiality and integrity across different nodes in a network.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): US8984024B2 could potentially anticipate the "securely transmit the processed data to a cloud-based service" element of US11539663's independent claims. If the secure data sharing mechanisms in US8984024B2 are broad enough to cover secure transmission of processed data from an on-premise system to an external cloud service, then this reference might anticipate the security aspect of the midserver's function.

3. US9075841B2

• Full Citation: US9075841B2, "DISTRIBUTED COMPUTING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMIC DATA ADAPTATION"
• Publication Date: July 7, 2015 (Filed: November 13, 2012)
• Brief Description: This patent describes a distributed computing system that dynamically adapts data based on various criteria, potentially including data format changes, evolving processing requirements, or network conditions. This adaptation could involve transformation or reformatting of data.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): US9075841B2 might anticipate the "process the received data" element of US11539663's independent claims, particularly the "transformation" aspect mentioned in the detailed description. If the dynamic data adaptation disclosed in US9075841B2 involves pre-processing, aggregation, or transformation of data similar to what the containerized services on the midserver perform, it could be anticipatory.

4. US9104597B2

• Full Citation: US9104597B2, "DISTRIBUTED COMPUTING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EFFICIENT DATA PROCESSING"
• Publication Date: August 11, 2015 (Filed: March 14, 2013)
• Brief Description: This patent focuses on optimizing data processing within a distributed computing system to enhance efficiency. This could involve techniques for workload distribution, parallel processing, or reducing latency in data handling.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to US9075841B2, this patent could anticipate the "process the received data" element of US11539663's claims. The midserver's role in optimizing ingestion through pre-processing (compression, protocol wrapping, port bending) and efficient handling of data for upstream forwarding could be considered a form of "efficient data processing." If the methods described in US9104597B2 encompass such data handling prior to transmission, it may be anticipatory.

5. US9117070B2

• Full Citation: US9117070B2, "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING DATA STORAGE AND ACCESS IN A DISTRIBUTED COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT"
• Publication Date: August 25, 2015 (Filed: May 16, 2013)
• Brief Description: This patent details a system and method for managing how data is stored and accessed across a distributed computing environment, likely addressing issues of data consistency, availability, and efficient retrieval in a distributed setting.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): While more focused on storage and access, the management of data in a distributed environment might touch upon the "collecting, aggregating, analyzing, filtering, transforming" aspects of the midserver's role in US11539663, especially if such management inherently involves initial collection or preparation of data for distribution or access. The concept of buffering data to prevent loss (as described in US11539663) could also fall under robust data management.

Assessment of Priority Dates:
All the above-listed patents (US8417670B2, US8984024B2, US9075841B2, US9104597B2, US9117070B2) have publication dates (April 2013 - August 2015) and filing dates (August 2011 - May 2013) that predate the earliest priority date of US11539663 (October 28, 2015). Therefore, they qualify as prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

The key novelty of US11539663 appears to reside in the specific combination of a "midserver" functioning as an interface between an external network and a cloud-based service, and critically, the use of "one or more containerized services to process the received data." While the cited prior art generally deals with distributed computing, data processing, and security, the explicit use of "containerized services" within an intermediary "midserver" acting as a gateway to a cloud-based service, specifically for long-haul telemetry transport, would be the elements most likely to distinguish US11539663. Anticipation by these earlier patents would depend on whether they explicitly disclose or inherently teach all elements of the independent claims, especially the "midserver" definition and the "containerized services" aspect.The US Patent 11539663 cites numerous prior art documents, primarily listed under "U.S. Patent Documents" on its Google Patents page. The effective priority date for US11539663 is October 28, 2015, claimed from US14/925,974. Any patent or publication with an effective filing or publication date prior to this date qualifies as potential prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

A significant number of the cited patents, particularly those with higher patent numbers and similar titles (e.g., "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MIDSERVER FACILITATION OF LONG-HAUL TRANSPORT OF TELEMETRY FOR CLOUD-BASED SERVICES"), appear to be part of the same patent family (e.g., continuations, divisionals, or related continuation-in-parts) as US11539663. These family members would not typically serve as prior art against the claims of US11539663 if they share the same effective filing date for the claimed subject matter. Therefore, the analysis below focuses on patents with earlier grant/filing dates and more general titles, which are more likely to represent distinct prior art.

Here are some of the most relevant prior art documents cited in US11539663, along with their details and potential anticipation of US11539663's independent claims:

Most Relevant Prior Art for US11539663

1. US8417670B2

• Full Citation: US8417670B2, "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STORING AND PROCESSING HETEROGENEOUS INFORMATION IN A DISTRIBUTED COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT"
• Publication/Filing Date: Published April 23, 2013; Filed August 29, 2011.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a system and method for managing and processing diverse data types within a distributed computing system. It addresses the challenges of handling various data formats and sources efficiently across a network, including mechanisms for data storage, organization, and retrieval.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent potentially anticipates the broad concept of "receive data from a plurality of computing devices on the external network" and "process the received data" as described in US11539663's independent claims. The processing of heterogeneous information in US8417670B2 might encompass collection, aggregation, analysis, and transformation activities that are core functions of the midserver in US11539663. However, US8417670B2 does not explicitly disclose the use of a "midserver functioning as an interface between an external network and a cloud-based service" nor the execution of "containerized services" for processing, which are key distinguishing features of US11539663.

2. US8984024B2

• Full Citation: US8984024B2, "DISTRIBUTED COMPUTER SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SECURE DATA SHARING"
• Publication/Filing Date: Published March 17, 2015; Filed July 2, 2012.
• Brief Description: This patent focuses on securing data sharing within a distributed computer system. It details methods and systems for ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of data exchanged between various components of a distributed network, likely through encryption, access control, and secure communication protocols.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): US8984024B2 could potentially anticipate the "securely transmit the processed data to a cloud-based service" element of US11539663's independent claims. The secure data sharing mechanisms it describes might broadly cover the secure transport function of the midserver. However, similar to US8417670B2, it does not specifically describe a "midserver" or "containerized services" in the context of interfacing an external network with a cloud-based service for long-haul telemetry.

3. US9075841B2

• Full Citation: US9075841B2, "DISTRIBUTED COMPUTING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMIC DATA ADAPTATION"
• Publication/Filing Date: Published July 7, 2015; Filed November 13, 2012.
• Brief Description: This patent discloses a distributed computing system that can dynamically adapt data based on changing conditions or requirements. This adaptation can involve transforming data formats, content, or structures to ensure compatibility and optimal processing across different parts of the distributed system.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent may anticipate aspects of "process the received data" in US11539663's claims, particularly concerning data transformation or modification prior to further use. The midserver in US11539663 performs "pre-processing" transformations like compression and protocol wrapping, which could be considered forms of dynamic data adaptation. The lack of specific disclosure regarding a "midserver" as an interface to a cloud-based service and the use of containerized services remains a distinguishing factor for US11539663.

4. US9104597B2

• Full Citation: US9104597B2, "DISTRIBUTED COMPUTING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EFFICIENT DATA PROCESSING"
• Publication/Filing Date: Published August 11, 2015; Filed March 14, 2013.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a distributed computing system designed for efficient data processing. It focuses on techniques to optimize the handling of data across distributed nodes, which may include methods for workload balancing, reducing processing time, and improving overall throughput.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to US9075841B2, this patent could anticipate the "process the received data" element of US11539663's claims. The midserver's ability to "optimize the ingestion of data" by transforming it locally and consolidating connections for efficiency can be seen as a form of efficient data processing. The novelty of US11539663, in this context, would hinge on the specific architecture of the "midserver" and its "containerized services" to achieve this efficiency in the context of long-haul transport to cloud services.

5. US9117070B2

• Full Citation: US9117070B2, "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING DATA STORAGE AND ACCESS IN A DISTRIBUTED COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT"
• Publication/Filing Date: Published August 25, 2015; Filed May 16, 2013.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a system and method for managing how data is stored and accessed within a distributed computing environment. It covers aspects of data persistence, retrieval, and ensuring data integrity and availability across a network.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent might broadly anticipate the handling of data, particularly the buffering function of the midserver in US11539663 to prevent data loss. However, its primary focus on storage and access management distinguishes it from US11539663's emphasis on data ingestion, processing via containerized services, and secure transmission specifically through an intermediary midserver to a cloud-based service.

The primary differentiating features of US11539663, which these prior art references do not explicitly disclose, are the combination of a "midserver" acting as a dedicated interface between an external enterprise network and a cloud-based service, and the use of containerized services running on that midserver to perform the data processing before secure transmission. While the individual concepts of distributed data processing, secure data sharing, and data adaptation exist in the prior art, their specific integration and implementation via a containerized midserver for long-haul telemetry to a cloud service appear to be the inventive contribution of US11539663.