US 12218934

Here's a concise summary of US Patent 12218934, "Contextual and risk-based multi-factor authentication":

Title: Contextual and risk-based multi-factor authentication

Assignee: Qomplx Inc (Current Assignee listed as QPX LLC and QOMPLX LLC after reassignment)

Inventors: Jason Crabtree, Andrew Sellers, Ian MacLeod

Filing Date: 2024-09-13

Issue Date: 2025-02-04

Abstract: A system for contextual and risk-based multi-factor authentication that includes a multi-dimensional time series data server to monitor and record network traffic data, and serve this data to other modules. A directed computation graph module receives this traffic data, determines a network traffic baseline, and calculates a required verification score for granting access. Users must then utilize a plurality of verification methods to build up their verification score to the required level to gain access.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1 (System Claim): This claim describes a system for contextual and risk-based multi-factor authentication. It consists of two main components:

  1. A multi-dimensional time series data server which has memory, a processor, and instructions to monitor and record network traffic data, and then provide this data to other parts of the system.
  2. A directed computation graph module which also has memory, a processor, and instructions. This module receives the network traffic data from the server, establishes a normal pattern (baseline) for network traffic, and then determines how high a "verification score" a user needs to achieve before they can access a network resource. This score determination is based, at least partially, on the network traffic baseline.
     The claim specifies that the user must use multiple verification methods to accumulate enough verification score to be granted access to the network resource.

• Independent Claim 7 (Method Claim): This claim outlines a method for contextual and risk-based multi-factor authentication, involving the following steps:

  1. A multi-dimensional time series data server monitors and records network traffic data.
  2. The multi-dimensional time series data server then provides this traffic data to other modules.
  3. A directed computation graph module receives the traffic data from the server.
  4. The directed computation graph module determines a network traffic baseline from the received data.
  5. The directed computation graph module determines a required verification score that a user must obtain to be granted access to a network resource, based at least partly on the network traffic baseline.
  6. The user is then required to use multiple verification methods to accumulate enough verification score to gain access to the network resource.

Legal Status and Litigation:
The patent is currently "Active".
As of the information available, the patent family "has litigation". Specifically, a PTAB (Patent Trial and Appeal Board) case, IPR2026-00182, has been filed and is currently pending. The petitioner for this IPR is "Unified Patents PTAB Data". There is also mention of the "First worldwide family litigation filed" via a Darts-ip link.

A search of CAFC dockets for 2026 did not immediately reveal specific dockets directly naming US12218934, which is not unusual as PTAB actions are distinct from CAFC appeals unless the PTAB decision is appealed. The provided CAFC search results are general information pages and a list of scheduled cases for May 2026, which does not include US12218934. Therefore, while PTAB litigation is confirmed, no direct CAFC litigation regarding this specific patent number in 2026 dockets has been definitively found through the performed search at this time.