Firewall switching system for communication system applications

• US 7,565,430 B2
• Filed: 10/01/2003
• Issued: 07/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kortum, Philip, Sullivan, Marc A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Etienne; Ario
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nano; Sargon N
• Application Number:
  US10/605,474
• Publication Number:
  US 20050076121A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,120 Days
• Field of Search: 709/217, 709/219, 709/220, 709/225, 709/228, 709/203, 709/212, 709/229, 709/232
• US Class Current: 709/225
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0209 Architectural arrangements, e.g. perimeter networks or demilitarized zones
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/20 for managing network security; network security policies in general filtering policies H04L63/0227

Abstract

A material content setting adjustment system (10) includes a computer (16) and an interface (14). The interface (14) facilitates communication between the computer (16) and a network (18). An interface mode adjustment switch (12) has multiple physical operating mode positions. A controller (30) is coupled to the interface mode adjustment switch (12). The controller (30) selectively determines passage of material content between the computer (16) and the interface (14) in response to position of the interface mode adjustment switch (12).

Claims

1. A material content setting adjustment system comprising:

at least one computer;

at least one interface facilitating communication between said at least one computer and a network;

at least one interface mode adjustment switch having a plurality of physical operating mode positions corresponding to the plurality of modes of a controller, wherein said controller is coupled to said at least one interface mode adjustment switch and selectively determining passage of material content between said at least one computer and said at least one interface in response to physically selected position of said at least one interface mode adjustment switch, wherein the at least one interface mode adjustment switch is dedicated for use with the controller to selectively determine passage of material content, the controller operable in a learning mode to selectively adjust content of an undesirable material content list according to monitored user activity, the learning mode selectable by the at least one interface mode adjustment switch; and

wherein said controller is further operable in operating modes selected from at least one of a blocking mode, a partially blocking mode and a non blocking mode.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said at least one interface is an Interface selected from at least one of a gateway, a hub, a high-speed communication interface, and a router.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said controller is contained at least partially within said at least one computer.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said controller is contained at least partially within said at least one interface.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of operating mode positions correspond with a plurality of operating modes of said controller.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said at least one interface mode adjustment switch has a firewall activated position and a firewall deactivated position.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said interface is coupled to said network via a connection selected from at least one of a high-speed communication connection, a digital subscriber line connection, a communications-unity antenna television connection, a satellite connection, a wireless connection, a broadband cable connection, analog connection, and an Internet connection.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said at least one interface mode adjustment switch is a switch selected from at least one of a toggle switch, a rotary switch, a push button switch, a rocker switch, a slide switch, and a keylock switch.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said at least one interface mode adjustment switch is hardware-based.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said at least one interface mode adjustment switch is mounted in at least one of said at least one computer, said at least one interface, and at least one housing.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller remains in the learning mode for a predetermined length of time.

11. A material content setting adjustment system comprising:

at least one computer;

at least one interface facilitating communication between said at least one computer and a network;

at least one interface mode adjustment switch having a plurality of physical operating mode selections comprising a learning mode selection; and

a controller coupled to said at least one interface mode adjustment switch, having a plurality of operating mode selections, and selectively determining passage of material content between said at least one computer and said at least one interface in response to said plurality of physical operating mode selections, wherein in the learning mode the controller is able to selectively adjust content of an undesirable material content list according to monitored user activity;

wherein further said controller is operable in operating modes selected from at least one of a blocking mode, a partially blocking mode and a non blocking mode.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said at least one interface mode adjustment switch is software actuated.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein said plurality of operating mode positions have an onscreen representation.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein status of said at least one interface mode adjustment switch is continuously shown on said at least one computer desktop.

20. The system of claim 11, wherein the controller remains in the learning mode for a predetermined length of time.

15. A method of adjusting passage of material content within a communication system comprising:

facilitating communication between at least one computer and a network via at least one interface;

selecting a material content passage operating mode via at least one physical interface mode adjustment switch, said at least one physical interface mode adjustment switch being coupled to a controller and having a plurality of physical mode selections that are dedicated for use with said controller in selecting the material content passage operating mode, wherein at least one selectable material content passage operating mode of said controller is a learning mode in which said controller is operable to selectively adjust content of an undesirable material content list according to monitored user activity; and

determining passage of material content between said at least one computer and said at least one interface in response to said selected material content passage operating mode wherein said controller is further operable in operating modes selected from at least one of a blocking mode, partially blocking mode and a non-blocking mode.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

selecting a learning mode; and

learning allowable material content.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein learning allowable material content comprises operating in a non-blocking mode or a partially blocking mode.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein leaning allowable material content is performed for a predetermined length of time.

21. The method of claim 15, further comprising remaining in the learning mode for a predetermined length of time.