Patent Summary

I could not find US patent 12231426 in the USPTO database with the provided search results. The USPTO search guidelines indicate that utility patent numbers consist of six, seven, or eight digits, and require entering leading zeros for numbers with fewer than seven digits (e.g., 0123456 for 123456). The number "12231426" is eight digits long and does not immediately conform to the typical format presented in the search result examples for direct patent number lookup without further context (e.g., a "kind code" for a publication number). Given this, I am unable to definitively provide details such as the title, assignee, inventors, filing date, or issue date from the USPTO.

Similarly, my search of CAFC 2026 dockets did not yield any cases specifically mentioning patent number 12231426.

Therefore, I cannot provide a concise summary of US patent 12231426, including its abstract and a plain-language overview of each independent claim, as authoritative information for this specific patent number could not be found with the given constraints and current search capabilities.

Uncertainty: The inability to locate the patent with the provided number suggests that either the number is not a standard utility patent number, or it is formatted in a way that is not immediately discoverable through the general USPTO search guidance provided.

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Current Task Response

My previous attempts to locate US patent 12231426 in the USPTO database using general search parameters were unsuccessful. However, a more direct search for "US12231426B2" on Google Patents yields a result titled "Contextual and risk-based multi-factor authentication". This indicates that the provided number "12231426" likely corresponds to a granted patent, with "B2" being the kind code.

Therefore, contradicting my previous statement, US patent 12231426 can be found and refers to US12231426B2.

Patent Summary for US12231426B2:

• Title: Contextual and risk-based multi-factor authentication
• Abstract: A system for contextual and risk-based multi-factor authentication is described, featuring a multi-dimensional time series data server that monitors and records network traffic data and serves it to other modules. A directed computation graph module receives this traffic data, determines a network traffic baseline, and calculates a required verification score for user access based on this baseline. Users must then utilize a plurality of verification methods to achieve the required verification score to gain access.
• Assignee: Qomplx Inc. (current assignee as of the publication date)
• Inventors: Jason Crabtree, Andrew Sellers, Ian MacLeod
• Filing Date: September 13, 2024
• Publication Date: February 18, 2025
• Application Granted: February 18, 2025
• Anticipated Expiration: October 28, 2035

Plain-language overview of independent claims (based on the provided text, as specific claims were not initially requested and are not directly accessible via the general search snippets):

The patent claims generally revolve around a system and method for dynamic multi-factor authentication.

• System Claim Overview: The system involves a multi-dimensional time series data server that monitors and records network traffic, and a directed computation graph module that processes this data to establish a network traffic baseline. Based on this baseline, the directed computation graph module determines a "required verification score" for a user to access a network resource. The user then needs to employ multiple verification methods to achieve this score.
• Method Claim Overview: The method comprises steps of monitoring and recording network traffic data using a multi-dimensional time series data server, serving this data to other modules, and then, with a directed computation graph module, receiving the data, determining a network traffic baseline, and calculating a required verification score based on the baseline. Finally, the user is required to use various verification methods to accumulate enough points to meet the required score and gain access to the network resource.

The patent further details that the verification score can be influenced by factors such as the security level of the requested resources, the origin of the user's connection, and whether the connection request is considered anomalous. Verification methods can include biometric features, visual media, information from untrusted parties, and device-specific information.

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Most Relevant Prior Art for US patent 12231426 (US12231426B2):

The provided text for US12231426B2 lists several applications from which it claims priority. These applications, as they were filed earlier and contain related subject matter, are considered highly relevant prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102. Under 35 U.S.C. § 102, an invention is not patentable if it was described in a patent, published application, or other printed publication before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, or if it was publicly used or on sale more than one year before the effective filing date. U.S. patent application publications are considered prior art from their publication date or, in some cases, from their earliest effective U.S. filing date.

Here are the direct prior art references explicitly mentioned in the "CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS" section, along with their details:

1. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/464,623

   • Full Citation: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/464,623, titled "RISK-BASED MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION"
   • Publication/Filing Date: Filed on September 11, 2023
   • Brief Description: This application covers "RISK-BASED MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION," which is a direct predecessor to the current patent.
   • Potential Anticipation: It potentially anticipates all claims related to contextual and risk-based multi-factor authentication, particularly those focusing on the risk-based determination of verification needs, as the current patent is a continuation of this application.

2. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/539,137 (now U.S. Pat. No. 11,757,872)

   • Full Citation: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/539,137, titled "CONTEXTUAL AND RISK-BASED MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION", now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,757,872
   • Publication/Filing Date: Filed on November 30, 2021; Issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,757,872 on September 12, 2023
   • Brief Description: This application shares the exact same title as the current patent, "CONTEXTUAL AND RISK-BASED MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION," indicating substantial overlap in subject matter.
   • Potential Anticipation: It potentially anticipates all claims of US12231426B2, especially those defining the core system and method for contextual and risk-based multi-factor authentication, given it is a direct continuation.

3. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/856,827 (now U.S. Pat. No. 11,218,474)

   • Full Citation: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/856,827, titled "CONTEXTUAL AND RISK-BASED MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION", now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,218,474
   • Publication/Filing Date: Filed on April 23, 2020; Issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,218,474 on January 4, 2022
   • Brief Description: Another application with the title "CONTEXTUAL AND RISK-BASED MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION," further reinforcing its direct relevance.
   • Potential Anticipation: It potentially anticipates all claims of US12231426B2, particularly the foundational elements of contextual and risk-based multi-factor authentication.

4. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/790,860 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,742,647)

   • Full Citation: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/790,860, titled "CONTEXTUAL AND RISK-BASED MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION", now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,742,647
   • Publication/Filing Date: Filed on October 23, 2017; Issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,742,647 on August 11, 2020
   • Brief Description: This is an earlier application directly related to the "CONTEXTUAL AND RISK-BASED MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION" subject matter.
   • Potential Anticipation: It potentially anticipates all claims of US12231426B2, as it is a foundational application in the priority chain for the core invention.

5. U.S. provisional patent application 62/574,708

   • Full Citation: U.S. provisional patent application 62/574,708, titled "CONTEXTUAL AND RISK-BASED MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION"
   • Publication/Filing Date: Filed on October 19, 2017
   • Brief Description: This provisional application is the earliest priority document for the "CONTEXTUAL AND RISK-BASED MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION" aspect.
   • Potential Anticipation: It potentially anticipates all claims of US12231426B2, assuming its disclosure provides sufficient support for those claims under 35 U.S.C. § 112, first paragraph. Provisional applications themselves are not prior art under §102, but a later-filed non-provisional application claiming priority to it may be given the benefit of the provisional filing date if the disclosure provides support for the claims in the reference patent.

6. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/616,427

   • Full Citation: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/616,427, titled "RAPID PREDICTIVE ANALYSIS OF VERY LARGE DATA SETS USING AN ACTOR-DRIVEN DISTRIBUTED COMPUTATIONAL GRAPH"
   • Publication/Filing Date: Filed on June 7, 2017
   • Brief Description: This application describes a "business operating system" with a "directed computation graph" that can perform predictive analysis on large datasets, which is a core component of how the present invention determines risk and network baselines.
   • Potential Anticipation: Claims related to the monitoring and recording of network traffic data, the use of a multi-dimensional time series data server, and the directed computation graph module for determining a network traffic baseline (as described in claims 1 and 7) could be anticipated or rendered obvious by this prior art.

7. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/925,974

   • Full Citation: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/925,974, titled "RAPID PREDICTIVE ANALYSIS OF VERY LARGE DATA SETS USING THE DISTRIBUTED COMPUTATIONAL GRAPH"
   • Publication/Filing Date: Filed on October 28, 2015
   • Brief Description: This is an earlier version of the "rapid predictive analysis" system using a distributed computational graph, providing the underlying technological framework for the business operating system mentioned in the current patent.
   • Potential Anticipation: Similar to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/616,427, this reference could anticipate or render obvious claims pertaining to the data handling, analysis, and baseline determination using the described computational graph and time series data server.

8. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/237,625 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,248,910)

   • Full Citation: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/237,625, titled "DETECTION MITIGATION AND REMEDIATION OF CYBERATTACKS EMPLOYING AN ADVANCED CYBER-DECISION PLATFORM", now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,248,910
   • Publication/Filing Date: Filed on August 15, 2016; Issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,248,910 on April 2, 2019
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a system for detecting and mitigating cyberattacks, which involves analyzing network traffic for anomalous activities. This directly relates to how the current patent determines if an access request is "anomalous" to influence the verification score.
   • Potential Anticipation: Claims that involve determining if an access request is anomalous and factoring this into the required verification score (as mentioned in the abstract and description of the current patent) could be anticipated or rendered obvious by this reference.

9. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/206,195

   • Full Citation: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/206,195, titled "ACCURATE AND DETAILED MODELING OF SYSTEMS WITH LARGE COMPLEX DATA SETS USING A DISTRIBUTED SIMULATION ENGINE"
   • Publication/Filing Date: Filed on July 8, 2016
   • Brief Description: This application focuses on modeling systems with large datasets, which is relevant to building network baselines and understanding complex network behavior for security purposes.
   • Potential Anticipation: Elements of the current patent that rely on advanced data modeling and analysis to establish network baselines and identify unusual connection requests (part of determining the verification score) might be anticipated by this application.

10. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/186,453

    • Full Citation: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/186,453, titled "SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATED CAPTURE AND ANALYSIS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR RELIABLE BUSINESS VENTURE OUTCOME PREDICTION"
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed on June 18, 2016
    • Brief Description: This patent generally discusses automated capture and analysis of business information, which may encompass network traffic data.
    • Potential Anticipation: Broad claims related to monitoring and analyzing data (like network traffic data) for decision-making could be implicated.

11. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/166,158

    • Full Citation: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/166,158, titled "SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATED CAPTURE AND ANALYSIS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR SECURITY AND CLIENT-FACING INFRASTRUCTURE RELIABILITY"
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed on May 26, 2016
    • Brief Description: This application focuses on automated data capture and analysis for security and infrastructure reliability.
    • Potential Anticipation: Claims related to the monitoring and analysis of network traffic data for security purposes, as it forms the basis for determining risk in the current patent's authentication scheme, could be anticipated.

12. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/141,752 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,860,962)

    • Full Citation: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/141,752, titled "SYSTEM FOR FULLY INTEGRATED CAPTURE, AND ANALYSIS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION RESULTING IN PREDICTIVE DECISION MAKING AND SIMULATION", now issued as 10,860,962
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed on April 28, 2016; Issued as 10,860,962 on December 8, 2020
    • Brief Description: This patent concerns integrated data capture and analysis for predictive decision making.
    • Potential Anticipation: Claims related to using analyzed data to make predictive decisions, such as determining a required security level or identifying anomalous behavior for authentication, may be anticipated.

13. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/091,563 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,204,147)

    • Full Citation: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/091,563, titled "SYSTEM FOR CAPTURE, ANALYSIS AND STORAGE OF TIME SERIES DATA FROM SENSORS WITH HETEROGENEOUS REPORT INTERVAL PROFILES", now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,204,147
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed on April 5, 2016; Issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,204,147 on February 12, 2019
    • Brief Description: This application specifically addresses the capture, analysis, and storage of time series data from various sensors. The multi-dimensional time series data server in US12231426B2 performs a similar function.
    • Potential Anticipation: Claims involving the monitoring and recording of a network's traffic data by a "multi-dimensional time series data server" are highly likely to be anticipated by this reference due to the explicit mention of time series data handling.

14. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/986,536 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,210,255)

    • Full Citation: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/986,536, titled "DISTRIBUTED SYSTEM FOR LARGE VOLUME DEEP WEB DATA EXTRACTION", now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,210,255
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed on December 31, 2015; Issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,210,255 on February 19, 2019
    • Brief Description: This patent discusses a distributed system for deep web data extraction, which relates to gathering diverse data, potentially contributing to the "plurality of sources" for the business operating system.
    • Potential Anticipation: While less direct, aspects of the claims concerning the input and processing of data from a plurality of sources, particularly if "network traffic data" is considered broadly to include information gathered from external sources, might find some overlap here.