US 8356336

US Patent 8356336, titled "System and method for double-capture/double-redirect to a different location," has the following details:

• Assignee: Netskope Inc.
• Inventors: Keith Johnston, Eric White, John Martin
• Filing Date: November 16, 2009
• Issue Date: January 15, 2013

Abstract Overview:
The patent describes a system, method, and computer program product for controlling network access in a shared network. It focuses on how an unauthenticated (anonymous) user's access attempts are managed. If an anonymous user tries to reach a network resource that is within a pre-defined "walled garden" (a set of allowed network destinations), they are directed to that resource. However, if they try to access a resource outside the walled garden, they are redirected to a "pre-authentication capture destination" within the walled garden. From this capture destination, the anonymous user can freely browse other sites within the walled garden without needing to authenticate.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1 (Method Claim):
  This claim describes a method for automatically redirecting network traffic for anonymous users. It involves a network access controller in a shared network that has multiple servers and a designated "set of network destinations" (the walled garden). When an anonymous user's browser tries to access a network resource:

  1. The network access controller intercepts the request.
  2. It checks if the requested resource is part of the walled garden.
  3. If it is in the walled garden, the user's browser is allowed to go to that resource.
  4. If it is not in the walled garden, the user's browser is redirected to a "pre-authentication capture destination" (which is one of the servers in the shared network). From this capture destination, the anonymous user can visit any other site in the walled garden without needing to log in.

• Claim 9 (Computer Program Product Claim):
  This claim covers a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions. When a processor executes these instructions, it performs the same method steps as described in Claim 1 for intercepting a request, determining if the resource is in the walled garden, directing to the resource if it is, or redirecting to a pre-authentication capture destination if it is not. This ensures anonymous users can access the walled garden from the capture destination without authentication.

• Claim 16 (Apparatus Claim):
  This claim defines an apparatus (like the network access controller) for controlling network access. The apparatus includes a processor and a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions. These instructions, when executed by the processor, perform the core functions of:

  1. Intercepting a request from an anonymous user's browser.
  2. Determining if the requested network resource is within the defined set of network destinations (walled garden).
  3. Directing the browser to the resource if it's in the walled garden.
  4. Redirecting the browser to a pre-authentication capture destination if the resource is not in the walled garden, allowing the anonymous user to access other walled garden sites from there without authentication.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
As of April 26, 2026, a PTAB case, IPR2026-00040, was filed for US8356336, but it was "Not Instituted - Procedural." There are no active CAFC 2026 dockets specifically found for patent 8356336 at this time. However, it is noted that US District Court cases related to this patent were filed in the California Northern District Court in 2025 (e.g., 4:25-cv-02360 and 3:25-cv-02360). The patent's legal status is "Active," with an adjusted expiration date of July 18, 2026.