US 7490151

US patent 7490151, titled "Establishment of a secure communication link based on a domain name service (DNS) request," was issued on February 10, 2009, from an application filed on September 30, 2002. The inventors are Edward Colby Munger, Robert Dunham Short, III, Victor Larson, and Michael Williamson. The patent is currently assigned to Virnetx Inc.

Abstract:
The patent describes a system and method for establishing a secure communication link for data packets between a client and a server over a network. A client initiates this by sending a Domain Name Service (DNS) request for a specific server. A DNS proxy server intercepts this request and, in response, establishes a secure communication link between the client and the server. Following the establishment of this secure link, the DNS proxy server forwards the original DNS request to a domain name server. The domain name server then processes the request and returns the server's IP address to the client. Subsequently, the client communicates with the server through the newly established secure communication link.

Plain-language overview of independent claims:

• Claim 1 (Method for establishing a secure communication link): This claim describes a method involving several steps to create a secure connection. First, a client sends a DNS request for a server. A DNS proxy server then intercepts this request. In response, the proxy server establishes a secure communication link between the client and the server. After the link is set up, the DNS proxy forwards the original DNS request to a domain name server. The domain name server resolves the request and sends the server's IP address back to the client. Finally, the client uses this IP address to communicate with the server over the secure link.
• Claim 11 (System for establishing a secure communication link): This claim covers a system designed to achieve the secure communication described in Claim 1. The system includes a client that can send a DNS request for a server, and a DNS proxy server. The DNS proxy server is configured to intercept the client's DNS request, establish a secure communication link between the client and the server in response, and then forward the DNS request to a domain name server. The domain name server is capable of processing the request and returning the server's IP address. The system ensures that the client communicates with the server via the secure link once established.
• Claim 21 (Computer readable storage medium): This claim pertains to a computer-readable storage medium that contains instructions, which when executed by a computer, cause it to perform the method steps outlined in Claim 1. Essentially, it covers the software or firmware that enables the secure communication link establishment process.

Regarding CAFC 2026 dockets for US7490151B2, the patent family has been involved in extensive litigation, including cases filed in the U.S. Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. While specific 2026 dockets are not detailed in the provided information, the patent is noted to be "Expired - Lifetime, expires 2022-01-24." This means the patent's term has ended, making new litigation concerning its infringement less likely, though ongoing appeals from prior cases could still be active. Without performing a live search of current CAFC dockets for 2026 specifically, I cannot definitively state the presence or absence of active cases in that specific year.US patent 7490151, titled "Establishment of a secure communication link based on a domain name service (DNS) request," was issued on February 10, 2009, from an application filed on September 30, 2002. The inventors are Edward Colby Munger, Robert Dunham Short, III, Victor Larson, and Michael Williamson. The patent is currently assigned to Virnetx Inc.

Abstract:
The patent describes a system and method for establishing a secure communication link for data packets between a client and a server over a network. A client initiates this by sending a Domain Name Service (DNS) request for a specific server. A DNS proxy server then intercepts this request and, in response, establishes a secure communication link between the client and the server. Following the establishment of this secure link, the DNS proxy server forwards the original DNS request to a domain name server. The domain name server then processes the request and returns the server's IP address to the client. Subsequently, the client communicates with the server through the newly established secure communication link.

Plain-language overview of independent claims:

• Claim 1 (Method for establishing a secure communication link): This claim describes a method involving several steps to create a secure connection. First, a client sends a DNS request for a server. A DNS proxy server then intercepts this request. In response, the proxy server establishes a secure communication link between the client and the server. After the link is set up, the DNS proxy forwards the original DNS request to a domain name server. The domain name server resolves the request and sends the server's IP address back to the client. Finally, the client uses this IP address to communicate with the server over the secure link.
• Claim 11 (System for establishing a secure communication link): This claim covers a system designed to achieve the secure communication described in Claim 1. The system includes a client that can send a DNS request for a server, and a DNS proxy server. The DNS proxy server is configured to intercept the client's DNS request, establish a secure communication link between the client and the server in response, and then forward the DNS request to a domain name server. The domain name server is capable of processing the request and returning the server's IP address. The system ensures that the client communicates with the server via the secure link once established.
• Claim 21 (Computer readable storage medium): This claim pertains to a computer-readable storage medium that contains instructions, which when executed by a computer, cause it to perform the method steps outlined in Claim 1. Essentially, it covers the software or firmware that enables the secure communication link establishment process.

Regarding CAFC 2026 dockets for US7490151B2, the patent family has been involved in extensive litigation, including cases filed in the U.S. Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The patent is noted to have "Expired - Lifetime, expires 2022-01-24." Given its expiration date in January 2022, direct infringement litigation based on this patent would generally not be initiated in 2026, though appeals or legacy cases from prior infringement claims could potentially still be active. Without performing a live search of current CAFC dockets for 2026 specifically, I cannot definitively confirm any active cases related to this patent in that particular year.US patent 7490151, titled "Establishment of a secure communication link based on a domain name service (DNS) request," was issued on February 10, 2009, from an application filed on September 30, 2002. The inventors are Edward Colby Munger, Robert Dunham Short, III, Victor Larson, and Michael Williamson. The patent is currently assigned to Virnetx Inc.

Abstract:
The patent describes a system and method for establishing a secure communication link for data packets between a client and a server over a network. A client initiates this by sending a Domain Name Service (DNS) request for a specific server. A DNS proxy server then intercepts this request and, in response, establishes a secure communication link between the client and the server. Following the establishment of this secure link, the DNS proxy server forwards the original DNS request to a domain name server. The domain name server then processes the request and returns the server's IP address to the client. Subsequently, the client communicates with the server through the newly established secure communication link.

Plain-language overview of independent claims:

• Claim 1 (Method for establishing a secure communication link): This claim describes a method involving several steps to create a secure connection. First, a client sends a DNS request for a server. A DNS proxy server then intercepts this request. In response, the proxy server establishes a secure communication link between the client and the server. After the link is set up, the DNS proxy forwards the original DNS request to a domain name server. The domain name server resolves the request and sends the server's IP address back to the client. Finally, the client uses this IP address to communicate with the server over the secure link.
• Claim 11 (System for establishing a secure communication link): This claim covers a system designed to achieve the secure communication described in Claim 1. The system includes a client that can send a DNS request for a server, and a DNS proxy server. The DNS proxy server is configured to intercept the client's DNS request, establish a secure communication link between the client and the server in response, and then forward the DNS request to a domain name server. The domain name server is capable of processing the request and returning the server's IP address. The system ensures that the client communicates with the server via the secure link once established.
• Claim 21 (Computer readable storage medium): This claim pertains to a computer-readable storage medium that contains instructions, which when executed by a computer, cause it to perform the method steps outlined in Claim 1. Essentially, it covers the software or firmware that enables the secure communication link establishment process.

Regarding CAFC 2026 dockets for US7490151B2, the patent family has been involved in extensive litigation, including cases filed in the U.S. Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The patent is noted to have "Expired - Lifetime, expires 2022-01-24." Given its expiration date in January 2022, direct infringement litigation based on this patent would generally not be initiated in 2026, though appeals or legacy cases from prior infringement claims could potentially still be active. Without performing a live search of current CAFC dockets for 2026 specifically, I cannot definitively confirm any active cases related to this patent in that particular year.

The USPTO Patent Center provides general information about patent application and grant processes, including updates as of February 23, 2026, and March 9, 2026, concerning features like the First Action Estimator and Automated Interview Request (AIR) Form. It also mentions that courtesy ceremonial copies of eGrants will be opt-in starting March 9, 2026, and that there will be a delay in their delivery after October 14, 2025. The Patent Center allows users to conduct searches and pull information from patent data fields.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) provides access to case records, with cases filed before March 1, 2012, being stored with the National Archives and Records Administration. For such older cases, a Records Request Form or direct contact with the Clerk's Office is necessary to obtain documents. The CAFC also offers a SmartScan service for converting paper records to PDF for a limited number of pages. There are fees for records searches and copies of documents not available through PACER.

Based on the information, the patent US7490151B2 expired on January 24, 2022. While the patent family has a history of litigation, the expiration of the patent itself makes new infringement lawsuits unlikely in 2026. To definitively determine if any appeals or legacy cases related to US7490151B2 are active in CAFC dockets for 2026 would require a live, specific search of the CAFC's electronic filing system or contacting their Clerk's Office, as the provided search results only give general information about accessing case records rather than specific dockets for this patent in 2026. Therefore, I cannot confirm any active CAFC 2026 dockets for US7490151B2 with the provided information.The USPTO Patent Center provides general information about patent application and grant processes, including updates as of February 23, 2026, and March 9, 2026, concerning features like the First Action Estimator and Automated Interview Request (AIR) Form. It also mentions that courtesy ceremonial copies of eGrants will be opt-in starting March 9, 2026, and that there will be a delay in their delivery after October 14, 2025. The Patent Center allows users to conduct searches and pull information from patent data fields.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) provides access to case records, with cases filed before March 1, 2012, being stored with the National Archives and Records Administration. For such older cases, a Records Request Form or direct contact with the Clerk's Office is necessary to obtain documents. The CAFC also offers a SmartScan service for converting paper records to PDF for a limited number of pages. There are fees for records searches and copies of documents not available through PACER.

Based on the information, the patent US7490151B2 expired on January 24, 2022. While the patent family has a history of litigation, the expiration of the patent itself makes new infringement lawsuits unlikely in 2026. To definitively determine if any appeals or legacy cases related to US7490151B2 are active in CAFC dockets for 2026 would require a live, specific search of the CAFC's electronic filing system or contacting their Clerk's Office, as the provided search results only give general information about accessing case records rather than specific dockets for this patent in 2026. Therefore, I cannot confirm any active CAFC 2026 dockets for US7490151B2 with the provided information.