Patent US6151631A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6151631A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Territorial determination of remote computer location in a wide area network for conditional delivery of digitized products
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
•
Filing: 1998-10-15
•
Granted: 2000-11-21
•
Expires: 2018-10-15
Abstract
Abstract Digital products are delivered to a client computer through a wide area network such as the Internet only upon determination that the client computer is located in a geopolitical territory, such as a country or state, for which delivery of the digital product is authorized. A server computer estimates the geopolitical location of the client computer from the client computer's network address through contact information in a network address allocation database. Alternatively, the server computer estimates the geopolitical location of the client computer from the client computer's custom name, e.g., domain name. The domain name itself can specify a country within which the client computer is located. Such can be conventional or can be parse according to ad hoc patterns developed by large, international organizations identified by a root domain name. In addition, contact information for the domain name can be retrieved and geopolitical territory information parsed from the contact information. A super-classification of the domain name can indicate a geopolitical territory. Records associating geopolitical territories with network address ranges are stored in such a manner that maximizes resolution within a cache of such records, perhaps at the expense of reduce efficiency but so as to maximum currency and accuracy.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven T. Ansell
- 👤 Andrew R. Cherenson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:55
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L67/00; H04L67/50; H04L67/52; G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/90; G06F16/95; G06F16/955; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/08; G06Q10/087; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/06; G06Q30/0601; G06Q30/0639; H04L61/00; H04L61/30; H04L61/50; H04L61/5007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for delivering a requested digital product to a client computer, the method comprising: (a) receiving a request to send the requested digital product to the client computer; (b) determining that a territorial restriction limits availability of the digital product to one or more allowed territories; (c) determining within which of one or more geographical territories the client computer is located by: determining a network address of the client computer; determining that a custom name is associated with the network address; parsing classification information which represents a classification from the custom name; determining that the classification is used primarily within a first of the geographical territories; and determining that the client computer is located within the first geographical territory; and (d) sending the requested digital product to the client computer upon a condition in which the one of the geographical territories in which the client computer is located is also one of the allowed territories.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for delivering a requested digital product to a client computer, the method comprising: (a) receiving a request to send the requested digital product to the client computer; (b) determining that a territorial restriction limits availability of the digital product to one or more allowed territories; (c) determining within which of one or more geographical territories the client computer is located by: determining a network address of the client computer; determining that a custom name is associated with the network address; parsing classification information which represents a classification from the custom name; determining that the classification is used primarily within a first of the geographical territories; and determining that the client computer is located within the first geographical territory; and (d) sending the requested digital product to the client computer upon a condition in which the one of the geographical territories in which the client computer is located is also one of the allowed territories.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 1 wherein determining that the classification is used primarily within a first of the geographical territories comprises: estimating, from the classification, the likelihood that the client computer is located within the first geographical territory; and determining that the client computer is located within the first geographical territory if the likelihood is at least a predetermined threshold.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the classification information is selected from a group consisting of ".mil," ".gov," and ".arpa"; and further wherein the first geographical territory is the United States.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
154 words
A method for delivering a requested digital product to a client computer, the method comprising: (a) receiving a request to send the requested digital product to the client computer; (b) determining that a territorial restriction limits availability of the digital product to one or more allowed territories; (c) determining within which of one or more geographical territories the client computer is located by: determining a network address of the client computer; determining that a custom name is associated with the network address; selecting a pattern according to a root of the custom name; determining whether the custom name matches the pattern; and parsing data specifying one of the geographical territories from the custom name according to the pattern; and (d) sending the requested digital product to the client computer upon a condition in which the one of the geographical territories in which the client computer is located is also one of the allowed territories.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
154 words
A method for delivering a requested digital product to a client computer, the method comprising: (a) receiving a request to send the requested digital product to the client computer; (b) determining that a territorial restriction limits availability of the digital product to one or more allowed territories; (c) determining within which of one or more geographical territories the client computer is located by: determining a network address of the client computer; determining that a custom name is associated with the network address; selecting a pattern according to a root of the custom name; determining whether the custom name matches the pattern; and parsing data specifying one of the geographical territories from the custom name according to the pattern; and (d) sending the requested digital product to the client computer upon a condition in which the one of the geographical territories in which the client computer is located is also one of the allowed territories.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for delivering a requested digital product to a client computer, the method comprising: (a) receiving a request to send the requested digital product to the client computer; (b) determining that a territorial restriction limits availability of the digital product to one or more allowed territories; (c) determining within which of one or more geographical territories the client computer is located by: determining a network address of the client computer; determining that a custom name is associated with the network address; retrieving owner information regarding an owner of the custom name; and parsing data specifying one of the geographical territories from the owner information; and (d) sending the requested digital product to the client computer upon a condition in which the one of the geographical territories in which the client computer is located is also one of the allowed territories.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for delivering a requested digital product to a client computer, the method comprising: (a) receiving a request to send the requested digital product to the client computer; (b) determining that a territorial restriction limits availability of the digital product to one or more allowed territories; (c) determining within which of one or more geographical territories the client computer is located by: determining a network address of the client computer; determining that a custom name is associated with the network address; retrieving owner information regarding an owner of the custom name; and parsing data specifying one of the geographical territories from the owner information; and (d) sending the requested digital product to the client computer upon a condition in which the one of the geographical territories in which the client computer is located is also one of the allowed territories.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
183 words
A computer readable medium useful in association with a computer which includes a processor and a memory, the computer readable medium including computer instructions which are configured to cause the computer to deliver a requested digital product to a client computer by: (a) receiving a request to send the requested digital product to the client computer; (b) determining that a territorial restriction limits availability of the digital product to one or more allowed territories; (c) determining within which of one or more geographical territories the client computer is located by: determining a network address of the client computer; determining that a custom name is associated with the network address; parsing classification information which represents a classification from the custom name; determining that the classification is used primarily within a first of the geographical territories; and determining that the client computer is located within the first geographical territory; and (d) sending the requested digital product to the client computer upon a condition in which the one of the geographical territories in which the client computer is located is also one of the allowed territories.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
183 words
A computer readable medium useful in association with a computer which includes a processor and a memory, the computer readable medium including computer instructions which are configured to cause the computer to deliver a requested digital product to a client computer by: (a) receiving a request to send the requested digital product to the client computer; (b) determining that a territorial restriction limits availability of the digital product to one or more allowed territories; (c) determining within which of one or more geographical territories the client computer is located by: determining a network address of the client computer; determining that a custom name is associated with the network address; parsing classification information which represents a classification from the custom name; determining that the classification is used primarily within a first of the geographical territories; and determining that the client computer is located within the first geographical territory; and (d) sending the requested digital product to the client computer upon a condition in which the one of the geographical territories in which the client computer is located is also one of the allowed territories.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
The computer readable medium of claim 6 wherein determining that the classification is used primarily within a first of the geographical territories comprises: estimating, from the classification, the likelihood that the client computer is located within the first geographical territory; and determining that the client computer is located within the first geographical territory if the likelihood is at least a predetermined threshold.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer readable medium of claim 6 wherein the classification information is selected from a group consisting of ".mil," ".gov," and ".arpa"; and further wherein the first geographical territory is the United States.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
181 words
A computer readable medium useful in association with a computer which includes a processor and a memory, the computer readable medium including computer instructions which are configured to cause the computer to deliver a requested digital product to a client computer by: (a) receiving a request to send the requested digital product to the client computer; (b) determining that a territorial restriction limits availability of the digital product to one or more allowed territories; (c) determining within which of one or more geographical territories the client computer is located by: determining a network address of the client computer; determining that a custom name is associated with the network address; selecting a pattern according to a root of the custom name; determining whether the custom name matches the pattern; and parsing data specifying one of the geographical territories from the custom name according to the pattern; and (d) sending the requested digital product to the client computer upon a condition in which the one of the geographical territories in which the client computer is located is also one of the allowed territories.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
181 words
A computer readable medium useful in association with a computer which includes a processor and a memory, the computer readable medium including computer instructions which are configured to cause the computer to deliver a requested digital product to a client computer by: (a) receiving a request to send the requested digital product to the client computer; (b) determining that a territorial restriction limits availability of the digital product to one or more allowed territories; (c) determining within which of one or more geographical territories the client computer is located by: determining a network address of the client computer; determining that a custom name is associated with the network address; selecting a pattern according to a root of the custom name; determining whether the custom name matches the pattern; and parsing data specifying one of the geographical territories from the custom name according to the pattern; and (d) sending the requested digital product to the client computer upon a condition in which the one of the geographical territories in which the client computer is located is also one of the allowed territories.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
168 words
A computer readable medium useful in association with a computer which includes a processor and a memory, the computer readable medium including computer instructions which are configured to cause the computer to deliver a requested digital product to a client computer by: (a) receiving a request to send the requested digital product to the client computer; (b) determining that a territorial restriction limits availability of the digital product to one or more allowed territories; (c) determining within which of one or more geographical territories the client computer is located by: determining a network address of the client computer; determining that a custom name is associated with the network address; retrieving owner information regarding an owner of the custom name; and parsing data specifying one of the geographical territories from the owner information; and (d) sending the requested digital product to the client computer upon a condition in which the one of the geographical territories in which the client computer is located is also one of the allowed territories.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
168 words
A computer readable medium useful in association with a computer which includes a processor and a memory, the computer readable medium including computer instructions which are configured to cause the computer to deliver a requested digital product to a client computer by: (a) receiving a request to send the requested digital product to the client computer; (b) determining that a territorial restriction limits availability of the digital product to one or more allowed territories; (c) determining within which of one or more geographical territories the client computer is located by: determining a network address of the client computer; determining that a custom name is associated with the network address; retrieving owner information regarding an owner of the custom name; and parsing data specifying one of the geographical territories from the owner information; and (d) sending the requested digital product to the client computer upon a condition in which the one of the geographical territories in which the client computer is located is also one of the allowed territories.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
155 words
A computer system which delivers a requested digital product to a client computer by: (a) receiving a request to send the requested digital product to the client computer; (b) determining that a territorial restriction limits availability of the digital product to one or more allowed territories; (c) determining within which of one or more geographical territories the client computer is located by: determining a network address of the client computer; determining that a custom name is associated with the network address; parsing classification information which represents a classification from the custom name; determining that the classification is used primarily within a first of the geographical territories; and determining that the client computer is located within the first geographical territory; and (d) sending the requested digital product to the client computer upon a condition in which the one of the geographical territories in which the client computer is located is also one of the allowed territories.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
155 words
A computer system which delivers a requested digital product to a client computer by: (a) receiving a request to send the requested digital product to the client computer; (b) determining that a territorial restriction limits availability of the digital product to one or more allowed territories; (c) determining within which of one or more geographical territories the client computer is located by: determining a network address of the client computer; determining that a custom name is associated with the network address; parsing classification information which represents a classification from the custom name; determining that the classification is used primarily within a first of the geographical territories; and determining that the client computer is located within the first geographical territory; and (d) sending the requested digital product to the client computer upon a condition in which the one of the geographical territories in which the client computer is located is also one of the allowed territories.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
61 words
The computer system of claim 11 wherein determining that the classification is used primarily within a first of the geographical territories comprises: estimating, from the classification, the likelihood that the client computer is located within the first geographical territory; and determining that the client computer is located within the first geographical territory if the likelihood is at least a predetermined threshold.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer system of claim 11 wherein the classification information is selected from a group consisting of ".mil," ".gov," and ".arpa"; and further wherein the first geographical territory is the United States.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
153 words
A computer system which delivers a requested digital product to a client computer by: (a) receiving a request to send the requested digital product to the client computer; (b) determining that a territorial restriction limits availability of the digital product to one or more allowed territories; (c) determining within which of one or more geographical territories the client computer is located by: determining a network address of the client computer; determining that a custom name is associated with the network address; selecting a pattern according to a root of the custom name; determining whether the custom name matches the pattern; and parsing data specifying one of the geographical territories from the custom name according to the pattern; and (d) sending the requested digital product to the client computer upon a condition in which the one of the geographical territories in which the client computer is located is also one of the allowed territories.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
153 words
A computer system which delivers a requested digital product to a client computer by: (a) receiving a request to send the requested digital product to the client computer; (b) determining that a territorial restriction limits availability of the digital product to one or more allowed territories; (c) determining within which of one or more geographical territories the client computer is located by: determining a network address of the client computer; determining that a custom name is associated with the network address; selecting a pattern according to a root of the custom name; determining whether the custom name matches the pattern; and parsing data specifying one of the geographical territories from the custom name according to the pattern; and (d) sending the requested digital product to the client computer upon a condition in which the one of the geographical territories in which the client computer is located is also one of the allowed territories.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
140 words
A computer system which delivers a requested digital product to a client computer by: (a) receiving a request to send the requested digital product to the client computer; (b) determining that a territorial restriction limits availability of the digital product to one or more allowed territories; (c) determining within which of one or more geographical territories the client computer is located by: determining a network address of the client computer; determining that a custom name is associated with the network address; retrieving owner information regarding an owner of the custom name; and parsing data specifying one of the geographical territories from the owner information; and (d) sending the requested digital product to the client computer upon a condition in which the one of the geographical territories in which the client computer is located is also one of the allowed territories.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
140 words
A computer system which delivers a requested digital product to a client computer by: (a) receiving a request to send the requested digital product to the client computer; (b) determining that a territorial restriction limits availability of the digital product to one or more allowed territories; (c) determining within which of one or more geographical territories the client computer is located by: determining a network address of the client computer; determining that a custom name is associated with the network address; retrieving owner information regarding an owner of the custom name; and parsing data specifying one of the geographical territories from the owner information; and (d) sending the requested digital product to the client computer upon a condition in which the one of the geographical territories in which the client computer is located is also one of the allowed territories.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5421024A
Cited
US5734823A
Cited
US5734891A
Cited
US5418713A
Cited
US5794217A
Cited
US5636276A
Cited
US5777989A
Cited
US5930474A
Cited
US5937163A
Cited
US5944790A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-11-21 | 2004-05-22 | 2004-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-11-21 | 2008-05-22 | 2008-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-11-21 | 2012-05-22 | 2012-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |