{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853876","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9853876","title":"Mobile application identification in network traffic via a search engine approach","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2014-06-13T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-12-26T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L"],"num_claims":20,"abstract":"A method for identifying a network application. The method includes analyzing metadata and source code of a network application to extract a set of application tokens, generating an index document of the network application based on the set of application code tokens, wherein the index document is included in a library of index documents corresponding to a number of network applications, extracting a set of packet header tokens from a packet header of a packet in a flow, comparing the set of packet header tokens to the set of index documents to generate a number of match scores, wherein each match score represents a similarity measure between the set of packet header tokens and one index document, and determining, based on a highest match score corresponding to a particular network application, that the flow is generated by the particular network application."},"analysis":{"summary":"The Mobile Application Identification in Network Traffic Via a Search Engine Approach patent presents a novel method for accurately identifying mobile applications within network traffic. The core innovation lies in using a search engine-like approach to analyze metadata and packet headers, overcoming the limitations of traditional deep packet inspection methods. This technology addresses the growing challenge of identifying and managing the increasing volume of mobile application traffic, which often leads to network congestion and security vulnerabilities. By extracting application tokens from metadata and source code, and then comparing these tokens to packet header tokens, the system generates match scores that indicate the likelihood of a specific application being the source. This approach offers a more dynamic and accurate method compared to static signature-based identification.\n\nThe business value of this technology is significant, as it enables organizations to enhance network security, optimize bandwidth usage, and improve user experience. By accurately identifying mobile applications, network administrators can implement targeted traffic shaping policies, block unauthorized applications, and prioritize critical applications. This can lead to reduced network congestion, improved application performance, and enhanced security posture. The market opportunity for this technology is substantial, as the demand for advanced network monitoring and security solutions continues to grow. The Mobile Application Identification in Network Traffic Via a Search Engine Approach patent represents a valuable asset for organizations seeking to secure and optimize their network infrastructure.\n\nThis technology provides a robust and scalable solution for identifying mobile applications in network traffic, empowering organizations to optimize network performance and enhance security. The innovation is particularly relevant in environments with limited bandwidth or high network congestion. As mobile applications continue to evolve and become more sophisticated, the need for advanced identification techniques will only grow. This patent represents a proactive approach to addressing this challenge, providing a robust and scalable solution for identifying mobile applications in network traffic.","layman_explanation":"The Mobile Application Identification in Network Traffic Via a Search Engine Approach patent addresses a critical problem in today's digital landscape: identifying which mobile applications are using network resources. As mobile applications become increasingly prevalent, managing network traffic and ensuring security becomes more challenging. Existing solutions often struggle to accurately identify applications, leading to network congestion, security vulnerabilities, and a poor user experience.\n\nThis patent proposes a novel solution that uses a search engine-like approach to analyze network traffic and identify mobile applications. Instead of relying on traditional methods like deep packet inspection, which can be resource-intensive and ineffective against encrypted traffic, this technology extracts key characteristics, or \"tokens,\" from the application's metadata and network traffic. These tokens are then compared to a database of known applications, allowing the system to identify the application with a high degree of accuracy. Think of it like a detective using fingerprints to identify a suspect – the tokens are the fingerprints of the application.\n\nThis technology matters because it enables businesses and organizations to better manage their network resources, improve security, and enhance the user experience. By accurately identifying mobile applications, network administrators can prioritize critical applications, block unauthorized applications, and optimize bandwidth allocation. This can lead to significant cost savings, improved productivity, and a stronger security posture. The potential ROI is high, as the technology can help organizations avoid costly network outages, prevent security breaches, and improve overall network performance.\n\nLooking ahead, this technology has the potential to be integrated into a wide range of network management and security solutions. As mobile applications continue to evolve and become more sophisticated, the need for advanced identification techniques will only grow. The Mobile Application Identification in Network Traffic Via a Search Engine Approach represents a valuable asset for organizations seeking to stay ahead of the curve and ensure a secure and efficient network infrastructure.","technical_analysis":"The Mobile Application Identification in Network Traffic Via a Search Engine Approach patent details a system that uses a search engine-based methodology to identify mobile applications within network traffic. The technical architecture comprises several key modules: application token extraction, index document generation, packet header token extraction, match scoring, and application identification. The application token extraction module analyzes the metadata and source code of network applications to identify relevant tokens. These tokens are then used by the index document generation module to create a library of index documents, each corresponding to a specific network application.\n\nWhen network traffic is analyzed, the packet header token extraction module extracts tokens from packet headers. The match scoring module then compares these packet header tokens to the library of index documents, generating match scores that represent the similarity between the packet header tokens and each index document. Finally, the application identification module determines the application based on the highest match score. This approach offers several advantages over traditional deep packet inspection (DPI) methods, including improved scalability, reduced computational overhead, and enhanced resilience to encryption.\n\nThe implementation of this system requires careful consideration of several factors. The choice of token extraction algorithms can significantly impact the accuracy and performance of the system. The size and structure of the index document library must be optimized to ensure efficient search and retrieval. The match scoring algorithm must be designed to accurately capture the similarity between packet header tokens and index documents. Furthermore, the system must be able to handle a wide range of network protocols and application types. The Mobile Application Identification in Network Traffic Via a Search Engine Approach patent provides a solid foundation for developing advanced network monitoring and security solutions. The code-level implications involve implementing efficient data structures and algorithms for token extraction, indexing, and match scoring.","business_analysis":"The Mobile Application Identification in Network Traffic Via a Search Engine Approach patent presents a significant business opportunity in the rapidly growing market for network security and optimization solutions. The increasing volume of mobile application traffic is creating new challenges for organizations seeking to manage their network infrastructure and protect against security threats. Traditional methods of identifying mobile applications, such as deep packet inspection (DPI), are often computationally expensive and may not be effective against encrypted traffic.\n\nThis patent offers a more scalable, efficient, and secure approach to identifying mobile applications, providing a competitive advantage for companies that implement this technology. The market opportunity for this technology is substantial, as the demand for advanced network monitoring and security solutions continues to grow. The ability to accurately identify mobile applications enables organizations to optimize bandwidth usage, improve application performance, and enhance security posture. Potential business models include licensing the technology to network security vendors, offering managed security services based on the technology, and integrating the technology into existing network management products.\n\nThe competitive advantages of this technology include improved accuracy, scalability, and resilience to encryption compared to traditional DPI methods. The revenue potential is significant, as organizations are willing to invest in solutions that can help them manage their network infrastructure more efficiently and protect against security threats. The Mobile Application Identification in Network Traffic Via a Search Engine Approach patent represents a valuable asset for companies seeking to capitalize on the growing demand for advanced network security and optimization solutions. ROI projections are positive, as the technology can help organizations reduce network congestion, improve application performance, and prevent costly security breaches. Strategic positioning involves targeting organizations that are struggling to manage their mobile application traffic and are seeking more efficient and secure solutions.","faqs":null,"topics":["mobile application identification","network traffic analysis","search engine approach","network security","application tokens","mobile","application","identification"],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Mobile App ID via Search Engine - Patent US-9853876","description":"Discover how Mobile Application Identification in Network Traffic Via a Search Engine Approach accurately identifies mobile apps. Full patent analysis, claims, and prior art search.","keywords":["mobile application identification","network traffic analysis","search engine approach","network security","application tokens","patent","patent US-9853876"]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853876","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853876","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Mobile application identification in network traffic via a search engine approach\" (US-9853876). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853876","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853876","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9853876","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-05-30T03:35:57.603Z"}