US 9961097

Analysis of U.S. Patent 9,961,097: A System for Remote Premises Access

Washington D.C. - A detailed analysis of United States Patent 9,961,097, titled "System for remote access of a user premises," reveals a system designed to allow users to monitor and control devices within their property from a remote location via the internet. The patent, issued on May 1, 2018, has been the subject of litigation and is assigned to Portus Singapore Pte Ltd.

Key Patent Details:

• Title: System for remote access of a user premises
• Assignee: Portus Singapore Pte Ltd.
• Inventors: Charles Cameron Lindquist, Timothy John Lindquist
• Filing Date: November 10, 2014
• Issue Date: May 1, 2018
• Abstract: The patent describes a home security and control system featuring an internet browser that connects to an external network (extranet). This extranet contains a communications server that can connect on-demand to a specific "connection gateway" located within a user's home. This gateway, in turn, controls and monitors at least one security device in the home. By accessing a predetermined web address, a user can initiate a connection through the server to their home's gateway to manage their security devices. The system envisions the extranet operating as a Virtual Private Network (VPN) over the public internet.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

U.S. Patent 9,961,097 has three independent claims which form the core of the protected invention. In plain language, these claims are as follows:

Independent Claim 1: This claim outlines a complete system for remote access. It comprises a user's device with a web browser, a secure external network, and a "connection gateway" at the user's premises. The process begins when a user inputs a specific web address (URL). This action connects the user's device to the secure external network. After the user provides authentication credentials, the system verifies their authority and identifies the specific property they are permitted to access from a plurality of potential premises. A new, direct communication session is then established between the user's device and the connection gateway at their property. Through this session, the external network can retrieve information from the networked devices at the user's premises and present it to the user. A key feature is that the external network can also receive and store information from the premises' devices for later review by the user, and the initial authentication grants access to both live control and this stored information.

Independent Claim 19: This claim essentially describes the same system as Claim 1 but focuses on the user's interaction through a "user interface." It details the sequence where a user enters a URL via this interface, which triggers the connection to the external network. Following successful authentication, the system connects to the appropriate gateway, and information from the local networked devices is then displayed on the user's interface. Like the first claim, it emphasizes that the user's initial authentication also authorizes them to access and review previously stored information from their premises' devices on the external network.

Independent Claim 23: This claim also lays out the architecture of the remote access system but with a slight emphasis on the control aspect. It describes that after a user enters a URL and authenticates, the external network serves information to the user's browser. By interacting with this presented information, the user can control the networked components at their premises. This control is achieved through the communication session established between the external network and the connection gateway, crucially without a direct communication link between the external network and the individual components themselves. This claim also reiterates the system's capability to store information from the local devices on the external network for subsequent review, all accessible via the single initial authentication.

Litigation and CAFC Docket Status:

A search of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) dockets for the year 2026 did not reveal any active cases specifically referencing US Patent 9,961,097. However, it should be noted that public records indicate this patent has been involved in litigation in prior years. A comprehensive understanding of its full litigation history would necessitate a more in-depth search of legal databases. No uncertainty is noted regarding the core details of the patent itself, as this information is authoritatively provided by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.