US 6317838

Here's a concise summary of US patent 6317838, "Method and architecture to provide a secured remote access to private resources":

• Title: Method and architecture to provide a secured remote access to private resources
• Assignee: EVIDAN (Current Assignee), Bull SAS (Original Assignee)
• Inventor: Eric Baize
• Filing Date: 1998-04-29
• Issue Date: 2001-11-13
• Abstract: The patent describes a method and architecture enabling a remote user, particularly an Internet user, to securely access private resources protected by a firewall. The architecture includes a computer facility with a security server managing a security database. The firewall features a centralized security means, controlled by the security server, which authenticates remote users and provides a security profile detailing all resources a user can access with a single sign-on (SSO) during a single session. The user's terminal also includes a device for generating one-time passwords (OTPs), and the computer facility has a corresponding device to decode these passwords. The accessed resources can be servers or logical units accessed via protocols that support authentication.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1 (Method Claim): This claim describes a method for a remote user to securely access private resources within a digital data processing system protected by a firewall.
  • Initial Setup:
    • A security storage system is implemented to hold security data, including user authentication data, security profiles (listing which resources each user can access), and security data for the private resources themselves.
    • A centralized security system is implemented within the firewall. This system is designed to filter remote access requests based on rules derived from the stored security data.
  • Operational Steps:
    • User Side: The remote user initiates a session, provides security data (including authentication data), and requests access to a first private resource.
    • Digital Data Processing System Side: The centralized security system in the firewall compares the user's provided security data with the stored authentication data to authenticate the user. If authentication is successful, the centralized security means is provided with the user's security profile. Finally, the requested first private resource receives security data, allowing the authenticated user access.
• Independent Claim 8 (Network Apparatus Claim): This claim describes a network architecture (a system) that allows a remote user's terminal to securely access private resources within a digital data processing system protected by a firewall.
  • User's Terminal: The terminal includes mechanisms for a user to input security data (authentication data) and to request access to specific private resources.
  • Digital Data Processing System: This system contains security storage means for storing security data, including user authentication data, security profiles (indicating accessible resources), and security data for the private resources.
  • Firewall: The firewall is equipped with a centralized security means. This means is configured to:
    • Authenticate the remote user upon receiving their entered security data.
    • Filter remote access requests based on rules derived from the security data.
    • Retrieve the appropriate security profile for the authenticated user from the security storage means.
    • Provide the first private resource with the necessary security data, thereby allowing the remote user to access that resource.

CAFC 2026 Dockets Search:

A search of CAFC 2026 dockets for US patent 6317838 did not yield any specific results indicating ongoing litigation in the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit for the year 2026. This means there is no authoritative information available at this time to suggest active cases in the CAFC for this patent.

It's important to note that the patent "US6317838B1" has a legal status of "Expired - Lifetime" with an anticipated expiration date of 2018-04-29, as indicated in the provided patent text. This suggests that the patent rights have lapsed, which would make current litigation less likely. However, this information is based on the patent's metadata and not an exhaustive legal review of all possible dockets or related proceedings. While a patent's expiration generally means it can no longer be asserted, there could theoretically be lingering effects or related cases not directly identified through a simple docket search.

The USPTO website provides tools like Patent Public Search and Patent Center for checking patent status and file history. These resources can be used to search for application numbers, patent numbers, and assignment records.