Content restriction compliance using reverse DNS lookup
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for alerting an Internet content provider to at least one user parameter associated with a content request, the method comprising:
- receiving a reverse DNS lookup query from the Internet content provider via a computer network, the reverse DNS lookup query specifying a host IP address;
obtaining a host domain name and the at least one user parameter stored in a DNS zone file for the host IP address, wherein the at least one user parameter describes a demographic attribute of a person associated with the host domain name;
providing the host domain name and the at least one user parameter in a signal to the Internet content provider, in response to the reverse DNS lookup query; and
controlling distribution of content to the host IP address using the Internet content provider, based on the at least one user parameter received in response to the reverse DNS lookup query, wherein the at least one user parameter indicates a numerical age for one or more users of the host IP address, and the controlling distribution of content comprises determining whether to provide age-restricted content to the host IP address, based on the numerical age.
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Abstract
A method for alerting Internet content providers of the age or other personal information of a computer user, which includes receiving a reverse DNS lookup query from an Internet content provider; and providing the age information of the computer user, in addition to a host name, from a reverse map zone file in response to the request. The personal information may be used by the content provider to select appropriate content for the requesting host, for example for complying with content restrictions. A system of alerting an Internet content provider of the age or other personal information of a computer user is also provided.
33 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for alerting an Internet content provider to at least one user parameter associated with a content request, the method comprising:
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receiving a reverse DNS lookup query from the Internet content provider via a computer network, the reverse DNS lookup query specifying a host IP address; obtaining a host domain name and the at least one user parameter stored in a DNS zone file for the host IP address, wherein the at least one user parameter describes a demographic attribute of a person associated with the host domain name; providing the host domain name and the at least one user parameter in a signal to the Internet content provider, in response to the reverse DNS lookup query; and controlling distribution of content to the host IP address using the Internet content provider, based on the at least one user parameter received in response to the reverse DNS lookup query, wherein the at least one user parameter indicates a numerical age for one or more users of the host IP address, and the controlling distribution of content comprises determining whether to provide age-restricted content to the host IP address, based on the numerical age. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with instructions for:
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receiving a reverse DNS lookup query from a remote host, the reverse DNS lookup query specifying a host IP address; accessing a host domain name and at least one user parameter stored in a DNS zone file for the host IP address, wherein the at least one user parameter describes a demographic attribute of a person associated with the host domain name; transmitting the host domain name and the at least one user parameter in a signal to the remote host, in response to the reverse DNS lookup query; and controlling distribution of content to the host IP address using an Internet content provider, based on the at least one user parameter received in response to the reverse DNS lookup query, wherein the at least one user parameter indicates a numerical age for one or more users of the host IP address, and the controlling distribution of content comprises determining whether to provide age-restricted content to the host IP address, based on the numerical age. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for alerting an Internet content provider of personal attributes of a computer user, the apparatus comprising a processor coupled to a computer memory, the memory holding instructions for:
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receiving a reverse DNS lookup query from a remote host, the reverse DNS lookup query specifying a host IP address; accessing a host domain name and at least one user parameter stored in a DNS zone file for the host IP address, wherein the at least one user parameter describes a demographic attribute of a person associated with the host domain name; transmitting the host domain name and the at least one user parameter in a signal to the remote host, in response to the reverse DNS lookup query; and controlling distribution of content to the host IP address using the Internet content provider, based on the at least one user parameter received in response to the reverse DNS lookup query, wherein the at least one user parameter indicates a numerical age for one or more users of the host IP address, and the controlling distribution of content comprises determining whether to provide age-restricted content to the host IP address, based on the numerical age. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification