US 9,961,097 System for remote access of a user premises
10 defendants · 10 suits · updated September 14, 2026
Also cited as U.S. Patent No. 9,961,097 · US9961097B2 · US 9,961,097 B2 · 9961097 · the '097 patent
Portus Singapore PTE Ltd has filed 10 patent-infringement suits on US 9,961,097, "System for remote access of a user premises" since May 22, 2026, 3 of them in the N.D. Tex., against 10 distinct defendants including BSH Home Appliances Corporation, Peloton Interactive, Inc. and Crestron Electronics Inc. The patent was granted May 1, 2018 on a priority date of December 17, 1998. Its abstract opens: "A home security and control system for monitoring and controlling an external environment such as a home environment comprising: an Internet browser connectable to an extranet; an extranet located external to the home environment and accessible via the…" The examiner cited 5 references during prosecution.
- Assignee
- Portus Singapore Pte Ltd
- Priority date
- December 17, 1998
- Granted
- May 1, 2018
- Expires
- December 17, 2018
- Status
- Expired - Fee Related
- Claims
- 26 (3 independent)
- Inventors
- Charles Cameron Lindquist, Timothy John Lindquist
- Full text
- Google Patents
The suits
10 cases · N.D. Tex. (3) · S.D. Tex. (2) · E.D. Tex. (1) · S.D.N.Y. (1) · D. Utah (1) · S.D. Fla. (1) · D. Mass. (1)
| Filed | Defendant | Plaintiff | Court | Docket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-22 | BSH Home Appliances Corporation | Portus Singapore PTE Ltd. & Portus PTY Ltd. | S.D. Tex. | 4:26-cv-04099 |
| 2026-05-22 | Peloton Interactive, Inc. | Portus Singapore PTE Ltd. & Portus PTY Ltd. | E.D. Tex. | 2:26-cv-00424 |
| 2026-06-03 | Crestron Electronics Inc | Portus Singapore PTE Ltd | N.D. Tex. | 3:26-cv-01831 |
| 2026-06-03 | Motorola Mobility LLC | Portus Singapore PTE Ltd | N.D. Tex. | 4:26-cv-00676 |
| 2026-06-03 | Panasonic Corporation of North America | Portus Singapore PTE Ltd | N.D. Tex. | 3:26-cv-01829 |
| 2026-06-03 | Savant Systems, Inc. | Portus Singapore PTE Ltd | S.D.N.Y. | 1:26-cv-04691 |
| 2026-06-04 | Carrier Global Corporation | Portus Singapore PTE Ltd. | S.D. Tex. | 4:26-cv-04444 |
| 2026-06-04 | Control4 Corporation | Portus Singapore PTE Ltd & Portus PTY Ltd | D. Utah | 2:26-cv-00522 |
| 2026-06-04 | Somfy Systems, Inc. | PORTUS SINGAPORE PTE LTD | S.D. Fla. | 9:26-cv-80658 |
| 2026-06-05 | Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. | Portus Singapore PTE Ltd | D. Mass. | 1:26-cv-12577 |
Docket links open the public record on CourtListener. Filing dates are the complaint's.
Independent claims
What is actually asserted, verbatim.
1. A system for remote access of a user premises comprising: a first hardware processing circuitry running an access browser module; a second hardware processing circuitry located in a first network; and a connection gateway that is located in, and is part of a local network of, the user premises; wherein: the second hardware processing circuitry is external to the user premises, is accessible via the access browser module, and is configured to communicate on-demand with the connection gateway; the connection gateway is integrated with or communicatively coupled to one or more networked components of the local network of the user premises; and the system is configured such that user-input of a Uniform Resource Locator (URL), in accordance with which the first hardware processing circuitry, using the access browser module, accesses an address on the first network, begins a sequence in which the second hardware processing circuitry responsively serves to the first hardware processing circuitry, via the access browser module, information regarding at least one of the one or more networked components of the local network, which information the second hardware processing circuitry obtains from the connection gateway without a direct communicative coupling between the second hardware processing circuitry and the at least one networked component of the local network, wherein the sequence includes the first hardware processing circuitry transmitting to the second hardware processing circuitry authentication data indicating authority to access the at least one networked component of the local network, the transmission of the authentication data being required for the serving of the information to the first hardware processing circuitry, and wherein: the user premises is one of a plurality of user premises; the connection gateway is one of a plurality of connection gateways, each of which is located in, and is part of a respective local network of, a respective one of the plurality of user premises, and to each of which the second hardware processing circuitry is configured to connect; and the sequence further including the second hardware processing circuitry determining which one of the local networks the authentication data indicates authority to access, the sequence further including the second hardware processing circuitry establishing a new communication session between the first hardware processing circuitry and the connection gateway of the respective local network that the authentication data indicates authority to access upon verification of the authentication data, and wherein the second hardware processing circuitry receives, via the connection gateway, selected information from at least one of the networked components of the local network of the user premises, and stores the selected information in the first network for subsequent review by a user associated with the user premises, without requiring the user to provide the authentication data, and wherein the authority to access the at least one networked component of the local network by transmitting the authentication data also provides authority to access and review the previously stored selected information in the first network via the access browser module.
19. A system for remote access of a user premises comprising: a first hardware processing circuitry including a user interface; a second hardware processing circuitry located in a first network; and a connection gateway that is located in, and is part of a local network of, the user premises; wherein: the second hardware processing circuitry is external to the user premises, is accessible by the first hardware processing circuitry, and is configured to communicate on-demand with the connection gateway; the connection gateway is integrated with or communicatively coupled to one or more networked components of the local network of the user premises; and the system is configured such that user-input of a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) using the user interface, in accordance with which the first hardware processing circuitry accesses an address on the first network, begins a sequence in which the second hardware processing circuitry responsively serves to the first hardware processing circuitry, for display using the user interface, information regarding at least one of the one or more networked components of the local network, which information the second hardware processing circuitry obtains from the connection gateway without a direct communicative coupling between the second hardware processing circuitry and the at least one networked component of the local network, wherein the sequence includes the first hardware processing circuitry transmitting to the second hardware processing circuitry authentication data indicating authority to access the at least one networked component of the local network, the transmission of the authentication data being required for the serving of the information to the first hardware processing circuitry, and wherein: the user premises is one of a plurality of user premises; the connection gateway is one of a plurality of connection gateways, each of which is located in, and is part of a respective local network of, a respective one of the plurality of user premises, and to each of which the second hardware processing circuitry is configured to connect; and the sequence further including the second hardware processing circuitry determining which one of the local networks the authentication data indicates authority to access, the sequence further including the second hardware processing circuitry establishing a new communication session between the first hardware processing circuitry and the connection gateway of the respective local network that the authentication data indicates authority to access upon verification of the authentication data, and wherein the second hardware processing circuitry receives, via the connection gateway, selected information from at least one of the networked components of the local network of the user premises, and stores the selected information in the first network for subsequent review by a user associated with the user premises, without requiring the user to provide the authentication data, and wherein the authority to access the at least one networked component of the local network by transmitting the authentication data also provides authority to access and review the previously stored selected information in the first network via the user interface.
23. A system for remote access of a user premises comprising: a first hardware processing circuitry running an access browser module; a second hardware processing circuitry located in a first network; and a connection gateway that is located in, and is part of a local network of, the user premises; wherein: the second hardware processing circuitry is external to the user premises, is accessible via the access browser module, and is configured to communicate on-demand with the connection gateway; the connection gateway is integrated with or communicatively coupled to one or more networked components of the local network of the user premises; and the system is configured such that user-input of a Uniform Resource Locator (URL), in accordance with which the first hardware processing circuitry, using the access browser module, accesses an address on the first network, begins a sequence in which the second hardware processing circuitry responsively serves to the first hardware processing circuitry, via the access browser module, information regarding at least one of the one or more networked component of the local network and presented by the access browser module, via interaction with which presentation, at the first hardware processing circuitry, the at least one networked component is controllable (a) through a communication session established between the second hardware processing circuitry and the connection gateway and (b) without a direct communicative coupling between the second hardware processing circuitry and the at least one networked component, wherein the sequence includes the first hardware processing circuitry transmitting to the second hardware processing circuitry authentication data indicating authority to access the at least one networked component of the local network, the transmission of the authentication data being required for the serving of the information to the first hardware processing circuitry, and wherein: the user premises is one of a plurality of user premises; the connection gateway is one of a plurality of connection gateways, each of which is located in, and is part of a respective local network of, a respective one of the plurality of user premises, and to each of which the second hardware processing circuitry is configured to connect; and the sequence further including the second hardware processing circuitry determining which one of the local networks the authentication data indicates authority to access, the sequence further including the second hardware processing circuitry establishing a new communication session between the first hardware processing circuitry and the connection gateway of the respective local network that the authentication data indicates authority to access upon verification of the authentication data, and wherein the second hardware processing circuitry receives, via the connection gateway, selected information from at least one of the networked components of the local network of the user premises, and stores the selected information in the first network for subsequent review by a user associated with the user premises, without requiring the user to provide the authentication data, and wherein the authority to access the at least one networked component of the local network by transmitting the authentication data also provides authority to access and review the previously stored selected information in the first network via the access browser module.
Art before the examiner
60 references of record, 5 cited by the examiner.
Everything listed here was before the Office and is what a challenge must go beyond. Art the examiner never saw is where an invalidity search starts.
Examiner-cited
- US5701451A — Method for fulfilling requests of a web browser (International Business Machines Corporation)
- US6061650A — Method and apparatus for transparently providing mobile network functionality (Nortel Networks Corporation)
- US6271752B1 — Intelligent multi-access system (Lucent Technologies, Inc.)
- US6453348B1 — Extranet architecture (Ameritech Corporation)
- US6930709B1 — Integrated internet/intranet camera (Pentax Of America, Inc.)
Applicant-cited and other (55)
- US4370675A — Doorbell actuated television security system
- US4962473A — Emergency action systems including console and security monitoring apparatus
- WO1994024803A1 — Multimedia telecommunications network and service
- WO1995022087A1 — Home automation system
- US5497430A — Method and apparatus for image recognition using invariant feature signals
- US5546943A — Stimulating a beneficial human response by using visualization of medical scan data to achieve psychoneuroimmunological virtual reality
- US5557742A — Method and system for detecting intrusion into and misuse of a data processing system
- US5591299A — System for providing integrated monitoring, control and diagnostics functions for semiconductor spray process tools
- US5649014A — Pseudorandom composition-based cryptographic authentication process
- US5668929A — Speech activated security systems and methods
- US5692124A — Support of limited write downs through trustworthy predictions in multilevel security of computer network communications
- EP0822473A2 — Remote maintenance system
- US5717379A — Remote monitoring system
- EP0825506A2 — Methods and apparatus for remote process control
- GB2316841A — Method for controlling a firewall
- EP0838768A2 — Web interfacing device
- WO1998019445A1 — Device and method for communication between a data network and a telecommunications network
- US5751956A — Method and apparatus for redirection of server external hyper-link references
- US5784564A — Closed browser for computer and computer network
- US5784463A — Token distribution, registration, and dynamic configuration of user entitlement for an application level security system and method
- US5809311A — System and method for providing centralized backup power in a computer system
- WO1998050865A1 — Network management using browser-based technology
- WO1998053581A1 — Server system and method for networking control networks and direct input/output devices with the world wide web
- US5892758A — Concentrated subscriber wireless remote telemetry system
- US5917405A — Control apparatus and methods for vehicles
- US5940074A — Remote upgrade of software over a network
- US5948059A — Method and apparatus for synchronizing multimedia messages in different servers
- US5958016A — Internet-web link for access to intelligent network service control
- US5961594A — Remote node maintenance and management method and system in communication networks using multiprotocol agents
- US5991881A — Network surveillance system
- US6014746A — Workstation lock and alarm system
- US6023724A — Apparatus and methods for use therein for an ISDN LAN modem that displays fault information to local hosts through interception of host DNS request messages
- US6032202A — Home audio/video network with two level device control
- US6044349A — Secure and convenient information storage and retrieval method and apparatus
- US6052723A — Method for aggregate control on an electronic network
- US6070244A — Computer network security management system
- US6088330A — Reliable array of distributed computing nodes
- US6108300A — Method and apparatus for transparently providing a failover network device
- US6141339A — Telecommunications system
- US6144859A — Wireless cellular communicator system and apparatus
- US6178433B1 — Method and system for generating materials for presentation on a non-frame capable web browser
- US6185316B1 — Self-authentication apparatus and method
- US6192403B1 — Method and apparatus for adaptive monitor and support system
- US6195680B1 — Client-based dynamic switching of streaming servers for fault-tolerance and load balancing
- US6216173B1 — Method and apparatus for content processing and routing
- US6243596B1 — Method and apparatus for modifying and integrating a cellular phone with the capability to access and browse the internet
- US6408330B1 — Remote data collecting and address providing method and apparatus
- US6433801B1 — Method and apparatus for using a touch screen display on a portable intelligent communications device
- US6496862B1 — Remote monitoring and control of devices connected to an IEEE 1394 bus via a gateway device
- US20050248444A1 — Control, monitoring, and/or security apparatus and method
- US7007104B1 — Method and apparatus for integrated network management and systems management in communications networks
- US20060203809A1 — Internet routing system
- US7145898B1 — System, method and article of manufacture for selecting a gateway of a hybrid communication system architecture
- US7151758B2 — Router device, datagram transfer method and communication system realizing handoff control for mobile terminals
- US20070106792A1 — Content display monitor
Classification
- H04L63/1425primary — Traffic logging, e.g. anomaly detection
- G08B25/10 — Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using wireless transmission systems
- H04L12/4641 — Virtual LANs, VLANs, e.g. virtual private networks [VPN]
- H04L12/66 — Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
- H04L29/06
- H04L63/0272 — Virtual private networks
- H04L63/083 — Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security for authentication of entities using passwords
- H04L67/025 — Protocols based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP] for remote control or remote monitoring of applications
- H04L67/10 — Protocols in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network
- H04L67/12 — Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
- H04L67/14 — Session management
- H04L69/329 — Intralayer communication protocols among peer entities or protocol data unit [PDU] definitions in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
- H04L9/40 — Network security protocols
- H04M11/04 — Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems
Family
- US9961097B2 — B2 (2018)
- US8914526B1 — B1 (2014)
- US20190058720A1 — A1 (2019)
- US20150088983A1 — A1 (2015)
- US20160330227A1 — A1 (2016)
- 8 foreign family members: WO2000036812A9, EP1151598A4, AU2422100A, WO2000036812A1, AUPP776498A0, AU754403B2, EP1151598B1, EP1151598A1
Abstract
A home security and control system for monitoring and controlling an external environment such as a home environment comprising: an Internet browser connectable to an extranet; an extranet located external to the home environment and accessible via the Internet browser; a communications server located in the extranet and adapted to interconnect on demand with one of a series of connection gateways located in predetermined home environments; and a connection gateway located in the home environment adapted to control and/or monitor the operation of at least one security device in the home environment; wherein upon accessing a predetermined address by the Internet browser on the extranet, the communications server connects to a predetermined one of the connection gateways to control and/or monitor the operation of the security device. The extranet can ideally be implemented as a Virtual Private Network (VPN) across an Internet substrate.
Also asserted by Portus Singapore PTE Ltd
- US 8,914,526 — Local and remote monitoring using a standard web browser (11 defendants)
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