URL Categorization via Licensing and Remote Server Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for monitoring and controlling Internet access are resource-intensive, requiring large processing power, memory, and storage, making them unsuitable for devices with limited resources and user-friendly solutions for non-technical users, especially in environments like small offices, homes, and Internet appliances.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that categorize Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) using a licensing-based approach, where a client device sends a request message with a license key to a categorization server, which validates the key and returns a category, minimizing resource requirements and using UDP for efficient communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If deny list filtering or on-the-fly linguistic analysis is used to control Internet access, then access control capability is improved, but resource consumption (processor, memory, storage) increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the URL filtering task into two parts: a lightweight client that extracts and sends URL features to a remote server, and a remote server that performs the actual categorization and returns results. This segmentation allows the resource-intensive categorization to be performed remotely while keeping the local device resource consumption low.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a remote categorization server as an intermediary between the client device and the Internet. The server receives URL features from the client, performs categorization, and returns category codes to the client. This intermediary handles the resource-intensive processing centrally, freeing local devices from heavy resource consumption.
2Reliability
If comprehensive URL categorization is implemented, then Internet access control effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex categorization logic and database from the client device and places it on a remote server. The client only needs to send simple URL features and receive category codes, dramatically reducing client complexity while maintaining comprehensive categorization capabilities on the server.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simplified copy approach where the client extracts key features from URLs (such as domain names or path components) and sends them to the server. The server maintains the comprehensive categorization database and returns category codes, avoiding the need for the client to store or process large categorization databases.
3Productivity
If UDP protocol is used for communication between client and server, then communication efficiency is improved, but reliability of data delivery deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a preliminary connection phase where the client and server set up communication channels before actual URL categorization requests begin. This preliminary setup includes configuring error handling and retry mechanisms, allowing the system to maintain UDP's efficiency while having predetermined reliability safeguards in place.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, method and system for use in categorizing Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) when controlling or monitoring access to the Internet from a client. A request message is generated to request categorization of a specified URL. The request message comprises a licensing field carrying a license key. A remote server receives the license key and, if valid, generates a reply message denoting a category of the specified URL. The license key enables workload at the server to be managed efficiently.