Method to block unauthorized network traffic in a cable data network
First Claim
1. A system for providing subscriber controlled data filtering in a consumption based billing cable data network, the system comprising:
- a consumption based billing cable data network further comprising a subscriber cable modem, a cable modem termination system, cable network, and a consumption based billing agent;
a cable modem termination system gateway agent;
a subscriber terminal;
wherein the cable modem termination system gateway agent further comprises subscriber authorization criteria, computing means and data transfer blocking computer instructions;
wherein the data transfer blocking computer instructions cause subscriber authorized data transfers to be forwarded and cause one or more corrective measures to be applied to data transfers not subscriber authorized; and
wherein subscriber authorized data transfers are detected using one or more subscriber authorization algorithms.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention teaches methods and systems for subscriber blocking of unauthorized network traffic in a cable data network. The cable modem termination system (CMTS) incorporates a data gateway agent that filters unauthorized traffic thereby eliminating consumption based subscribers from being responsible for related service charges. Embodiments incorporate the use of packet filtering, hybrid stateful packet filtering, content filtering, application layer filtering and time based filtering. Greater acceptance of consumption based billing is achieved by having the filter settings directed by the subscriber.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A system for providing subscriber controlled data filtering in a consumption based billing cable data network, the system comprising:
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a consumption based billing cable data network further comprising a subscriber cable modem, a cable modem termination system, cable network, and a consumption based billing agent;
a cable modem termination system gateway agent;
a subscriber terminal;
wherein the cable modem termination system gateway agent further comprises subscriber authorization criteria, computing means and data transfer blocking computer instructions;
wherein the data transfer blocking computer instructions cause subscriber authorized data transfers to be forwarded and cause one or more corrective measures to be applied to data transfers not subscriber authorized; and
wherein subscriber authorized data transfers are detected using one or more subscriber authorization algorithms. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for providing subscriber controlled data filtering in a consumption based billing cable data network, the method comprising:
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associating a cable modem to an authorized subscriber;
counting data transfer between the cable modem and a cable modem termination system;
periodically billing the authorized subscriber for the amount of data transfer between the cable modem and the cable modem termination system;
storing authorized subscriber selections of data transfer authorization algorithms in a cable modem termination system gateway agent;
storing authorized subscriber selections of authorized data transfer criteria for each selected data transfer authorization algorithm in a cable modem termination system gateway agent;
receiving data packets at the cable modem termination system gateway agent;
comparing data packets to stored authorized data transfer selections;
forwarding data packets satisfying one or more authorized data transfer criteria selections; and
applying one or more corrective measures when data packets do not satisfy at least one authorized data transfer criteria selection. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification