US 9516048

Analysis of U.S. Patent 9,516,048

Date of Analysis: May 13, 2026

This report provides a concise summary of United States Patent 9,516,048, including its key bibliographic details and a plain-language overview of its independent claims.

Summary of Patent 9,516,048

Title	Contagion isolation and inoculation via quarantine
Inventors	Aaron Emigh, James Roskind
Assignee	K Mizra LLC (Current Assignee as of 2020-01-13). The original assignee was Radix Holdings LLC.
Filing Date	July 9, 2016
Issue Date	December 6, 2016
Abstract	The patent discloses methods for protecting a computer network. The system detects if a computer (host) attempting to connect is insecure by checking for a valid, digitally signed "attestation of cleanliness" from a trusted component on the host. This attestation confirms the host is not infected with malware and has necessary software patches. If the attestation is invalid, the host is quarantined. This involves re-routing its web browser to a quarantine server that provides information on how to fix the security problem. The quarantined host is then only allowed to communicate with a specific "remediation host" to download the necessary data to resolve the insecure condition.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims

Independent claims define the core, legally protected invention. US Patent 9,516,048 has two independent claims.

• Claim 1 (A Method): This claim protects a method for automatically securing a network. In simple terms, the process involves:

  1. Detecting a Problem: When a computer tries to join the network, the system checks a trusted part of that computer for a valid digital certificate confirming it's "clean" (not infected and up-to-date).
  2. Quarantining: If the certificate is missing or invalid, the computer is immediately isolated.
  3. Informing the User: Any attempt by the quarantined computer to browse the web is redirected to a special page that explains the security problem and provides information on how to fix it.
  4. Providing a Solution: The quarantined computer is blocked from all network activity except for connecting to a specific server where it can download the required security patches or updates to resolve the issue.

• Claim 11 (A System): This claim protects a physical system that performs the method described in Claim 1. It covers a system with processors and memory programmed to:

  1. Check for a security certificate on a connecting computer.
  2. Quarantine the computer if the certificate is not valid.
  3. Redirect the computer's browser to a quarantine page with remediation instructions.
  4. Permit access only to a remediation server so the computer can be fixed.

In essence, both claims cover the concept of an automated network "gatekeeper" that identifies potentially unsafe devices, isolates them in a limited environment, and guides them through the process of becoming secure before granting full network access.

CAFC 2026 Docket Search

As of May 13, 2026, a search of the dockets for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) for the year 2026 reveals no cases specifically referencing US Patent 9,516,048. I have high confidence in this assessment based on available public records.