Patents Assigned to Charter Communications Operating, LLC
  • Patent number: 11974315
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing spectrum in a CBRS network to provide services to user equipment devices located at a customer's premises. In various embodiments, the customer premises has no landline connection. An exemplary method embodiment includes the steps of: receiving, by the CBRS CPE base station, over the air from each of a plurality of Citizens Broadband Radio Service Fixed Wireless Access (CBRS FWA) tower base stations a reference signal; selecting, based on the strength of each of the received reference signals, a primary CBRS FWA tower base station from the plurality of CBRS FWA tower base stations; establishing, by the CBRS CPE base station, a wireless communications link connection with the CBRS FWA tower base station selected as the primary CBRS FWA tower base station; reserving, by the CBRS CPE base station, an amount of spectrum for communicating with one or more auxiliary CBRS FWA tower base stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Charter Communications Operating, LLC
    Inventors: Volkan Sevindik, Perwaiz Akhtar, Haider Syed
  • Patent number: 11973992
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating secondary content scheduling and dynamic insertion for users of a managed content distribution network, such as a cable, satellite, of HFCu network. In one embodiment, the secondary content comprises advertising content which is directly related or tied to demographics, psychographics, and/or other metrics of applicability to one or more users of the content distribution network. Individual insertion opportunities are identified (either in advance or dynamically), and relevant or targeted secondary content is dynamically “switched in” for delivery to the one or more users via interaction between a local or client application (e.g., operative on the user's set top box or personal electronic device) and a switched digital video entity of the network, and subsequently switched out if no longer required, thereby conserving network bandwidth and/or other resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING, LLC
    Inventors: Basil Badawiyeh, Brian Clements
  • Patent number: 11974080
    Abstract: Architectures, methods and apparatus for providing data services (including enhanced ultra-high data rate services and IoT data services) which leverage existing managed network (e.g., cable network) infrastructure, while also providing support and in 10 some cases utilizing the 3GPP requisite NSA functionality. Also disclosed are the ability to control nodes within the network via embedded control channels, some of which “repurpose” requisite 3GPP NSA infrastructure such as LTE anchor channels. In one variant, the premises devices include RF-enabled receivers (enhanced consumer premises equipment, or CPEe) configured to receive (and transmit) OFDM waveforms via a 15 coaxial cable drop to the premises. In another aspect of the disclosure, methods and apparatus for use of one or more required NSA LTE channels for transmission of IoT user data (and control/management data) to one or more premises devices are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING, LLC
    Inventors: Elliott Hoole, Pratik Das
  • Publication number: 20240137589
    Abstract: Methods and systems for using packager systems for streaming. The packager system including packagers configured to process packets, each packager having a packet listener, a sequence list generator, and a segment generator; and at least one cluster controller including a manifest generator. The at least one cluster controller configured to configure a packager from the packagers as an active packager by enabling a packet listener, a sequence list generator, and a segment generator, configure a remaining packager from the packagers as a backup packager by disabling a segment generator, receive segments, sequence list, and metadata based on processed packets from the active packager, generate, via the manifest generator, a manifest based on the segments, the sequence list, and the metadata, and send the segments and the manifest to a streaming system component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2024
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: Charter Communications Operating, LLC
    Inventors: Moin Pansare, Sachin Reddy Kota, David Agranoff, Vipul Patel
  • Patent number: 11968654
    Abstract: In a (5G CBRS) network having a (CBSD) base station communicating with a (SAS) bandwidth manager via a cable modem (CM), the CM maintains a long timer and a short timer for each bandwidth allocation to the CBSD. When the CM receives a heartbeat message from the CBSD, the CM re-starts the long and short timers and transmits the heartbeat message to the SAS. When the short timer expires, the CM re-starts the short timer and transmits a copy of the stored heartbeat message to the SAS. When the long timer expires, the CM stops transmitting a copy of the stored heartbeat message to the SAS. In this way, the CM effectively extends the time limit before the SAS will de-allocate bandwidth from the CBSD to handle situations where the CBSD is temporarily unable to send heartbeat messages to the SAS even though the CBSD still needs the allocated bandwidth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Charter Communications Operating, LLC
    Inventor: Volkan Sevindik
  • Patent number: 11968527
    Abstract: Prior to associating with a wireless network, a wireless device receives from a network access point, a message containing information identifying (i) identity of the network and (ii) network policies; retrieves the information from the message; based on the network identity, determines whether a network attributes record for the network already exists in the device. If not, the device creates a temporary network attributes record for the network. Based on the network policies, the device attempts to associate to and authenticate the network. After successfully associating to and authenticating the network, the device determines whether the network attributes record for the network has expired. If not, the device renews the network attributes record and implements the network policies stored in the network attributes record If the network attributes record has expired, then the device deletes the network attributes record and implements default network policies for the wireless network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Charter Communications Operating, LLC
    Inventors: William Logan, Loay Kreishan
  • Patent number: 11968543
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing quasi-licensed spectrum access within an area or venue. In one embodiment, the quasi-licensed spectrum utilizes 3.5 GHz CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) spectrum allocated by a Federal or commercial SAS (Spectrum Access System) to a managed content delivery network that includes one or more wireless access nodes (e.g., CBSDs and APs) in data communication with a controller. In one variant, the controller dynamically allocates (i) spectrum within the area or venue within CBRS bands, and (ii) MSO users or subscribers to CBRS bands or WLAN (e.g., public ISM) bands in to manage interference between the coexisting networks, and maximize user experience. In another variant, the controller cooperates with a provisioning server to implement a client device application program or “app” on MSO user or subscriber client devices which enables inter-RAT access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING, LLC
    Inventors: Don Gunasekara, Umamaheswar Kakinada, Ahmed Bencheikh, Shane Newberg
  • Patent number: 11968747
    Abstract: At a core system of a carrier, obtain, from a carrier application on a mobile device of a subscriber of the carrier, a registration request including a unique internet protocol address of the mobile device and a public key generated by the carrier application from an application certificate of the carrier application. Based on the unique internet protocol address, the core system accesses a database record to retrieve a unique application identifier corresponding to the unique internet protocol address of the mobile device. Send, from the core system of the carrier, to the carrier application on the mobile device of the subscriber of the carrier, a registration request response including the unique application identifier and the public key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING, LLC
    Inventor: Loay Kreishan
  • Publication number: 20240121704
    Abstract: According to one configuration, a multi-wireless communication system includes communication management hardware disposed in a first wireless network. The communication management hardware provides a mobile communication device first wireless access via a first wireless network in accordance with first subscriber identity information. The communication management hardware detects that the mobile communication device has second wireless access to a second wireless network in accordance with second subscriber identity information. To determine a location of the mobile communication device, the communication management hardware implements a location management function in the first wireless network. The location management function can be configured to produce the location information to include timing information associated with wireless communication between the second wireless network and the mobile communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING, LLC
    Inventor: Amitav Mukherjee
  • Publication number: 20240118409
    Abstract: Methods and systems for train detection apparatus angle alignment is described. A train detection system includes a train detection apparatus configured for installation at an installation site at a defined angle with respect to railroad tracks and a processor configured to execute a method for aligning the train detection apparatus to the defined angle. The processor configured to determine a railroad tracks angle with respect to a reference angle based on an image captured of the installation site, obtain, from a sensor, a train detection apparatus angle with respect to the reference angle, determine an alignment angle based on the railroad tracks angle and the train detection apparatus angle, and send the alignment angle to substantially align the train detection apparatus to the railroad tracks in accordance with the defined angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Charter Communications Operating, LLC
    Inventors: Mohamed Daoud, Hany Heikal, Vishal G. Chopade, Hossam Hmimy
  • Patent number: 11956641
    Abstract: In a wireless communications system, such as a 5G CBRS system, a Spectrum Access System (SAS) assigns portions of the (CBRS) spectrum to associated base stations (CBSDs). In some embodiments, a central spectrum-database server receives information about spectrum allocations made by two or more different SASs operated by different companies and tabulates that information in a combined spectrum database that each SAS can independently retrieve for use in allocating bandwidth to its CBSDs. In some implementations, the messages between each SAS and multiple associated CBSDs are transmitted via a domain proxy that snoops on multiple spectrum-allocation-related messages (e.g., spectrum grant/revocation messages and/or heartbeat messages) to gather the information to be transmitted to the server, where the information does not include any company- or network-sensitive information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Charter Communications Operating, LLC
    Inventor: Volkan Sevindik
  • Patent number: 11956671
    Abstract: A 5G network having a multi-path transport protocol (MPTP) proxy external to the user plane function (UPF). The session management function (SMF) provides address information of the external MPTP proxy to user equipment (UE) and distributes access traffic steering, switching, and splitting (ATSSS)-related rules to the UE, the UPF, and the external MPTP proxy. The external MPTP proxy receives, from the UPF, (i) 3GPP uplink data transmitted by the UE via a 3GPP radio access network (RAN) and (ii) non-3GPP uplink data transmitted by the UE via a non-3GPP RAN, combines the 3GPP and non-3GPP uplink data to form network uplink data for a data network. The external MPTP proxy also divides received network downlink data into 3GPP downlink data and non-3GPP downlink data, and provides the 3GPP and non-3GPP downlink data to the UPF for transmission to the UE via the 3GPP RAN and the non-3GPP RAN, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Charter Communications Operating, LLC
    Inventors: Yildirim Sahin, Curt Wong
  • Patent number: 11956736
    Abstract: An access point (AP) communicates to one or more stations (STAs) information indicating a set of channels and/or resource units (RUs), corresponding to a wideband basis service set (BSS) for an authorized unlicensed radio local area network (RLAN) using 6 GHz spectrum, which are subject to a lower power spectral density (PSD) level than other portions of the BSS frequency range or are not to be used for transmission. In some, but not necessarily all, embodiments, the AP and the STAs do not encode data on the identified channels or RUs, but do encode data on other channels and/or other RUs, which are not subject to the lower PSD constraint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Charter Communications Operating, LLC
    Inventor: Ahmad Reza Hedayat
  • Patent number: 11956481
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments disclosed herein may provide a protocol and architecture for decentralization of content delivery. Various embodiments may provide a client based method for content delivery from content delivery networks (CDNs) via tiered caches of content hosted by Internet Service Providers (ISPs). In various embodiments, content delivery protocol (CDP) messages may enable clients to discover local cache network topologies and request content from a CDN based on a discovered local cache network topology. In various embodiments, security may be provided for the content delivery by the use of key encryption and/or file hashing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Charter Communications Operating, LLC
    Inventor: Jody Lee Beck
  • Patent number: 11954018
    Abstract: Described are methods and systems for predicting and generating impacted scenarios based on a defined set of attributes. The system includes one or more databases. The processors are configured to receive a set of service provider system attributes for a project, generate attribute combinations from the set of service provider system attributes using a machine learning model trained on a reference data model, wherein the reference data model includes multiple test scenarios from the one or more databases, each test scenario associated with a test scenario attribute combination, generate predicted scenarios from the attribute combinations using the machine learning model, determine impacted service provider systems based on the predicted scenarios, determine issues based on each of the predicted scenarios, and generate a complexity score based on the determined impacted service provider systems and the determined issues to determine project viability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Charter Communications Operating, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Madden, Mark Elking, Bethany A. Lankford
  • Patent number: 11949734
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to methods, apparatus, systems and the like for managing distributed radio access network (RAN) elements within a network associated with a network core, wherein for each of a plurality of distributed RAN elements (DREs) within the network associated with the network core a respective virtualized proxy element is configured to communicate with the DRE and mirror each of a plurality of functional elements (FEs) associated with the DRE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING, LLC
    Inventors: Elliott Hoole, Diwelawatte P. Jayawardene, Alec Hampton
  • Publication number: 20240107566
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for managing downlink channels and/or bandwidth in wireless systems. An exemplary method wireless communications method embodiments includes the steps of: monitoring, by a wireless base station, a downlink channel utilization rate of data transmissions from the wireless base station to a first customer premises equipment (CPE) device on a downlink shared channel to detect a first condition; and upon detecting, by the wireless base station, that the first condition exists, switching from operating in a first wireless base station mode of operation to operating in a second wireless base station mode of operation, said switching from operating in a first mode of operation to operating in a second mode of operation including switching from using a downlink control channel for transmitting downlink control information to the first CPE device to using the downlink control channel for transmitting user data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Charter Communications Operating, LLC
    Inventors: Volkan Sevindik, Haider Syed
  • Publication number: 20240107320
    Abstract: Various embodiments comprise systems, methods, and apparatus providing substantially automated provisioning and provisioning management of CPE within a system using unlicensed spectrum so as to ensure that the CPE operate only within an allowed spectral region irrespective of CPA capability. The automated system utilizes an identification of CPE being installed to automatically determine CPE capability, configure the CPE as needed to avoid CPE operation outside of the allowed spectral region, and generate approval-ready CPE credentials suitable for use by a Spectrum Access System (SAS).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING, LLC
    Inventors: Saran Khalid, MohammedYusuf Shaikh
  • Patent number: 11943110
    Abstract: Configuration information that identifies a plurality of components that define a network is received. Based on the configuration information, a plurality of virtual network function (VNF) instances are caused to be generated on a plurality of general-purpose computing devices to implement the network on the plurality of general-purpose computing devices, each VNF instance corresponding to one of the plurality of components. Based on the configuration information, at least some of the VNF instances of the plurality of VNF instances are configured. Testing data and testing criteria are obtained. The testing data is submitted to the network, and network test results based on the testing data and the testing criteria are output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Charter Communications Operating, LLC
    Inventors: Saran Khalid, Perwaiz Akhtar
  • Patent number: 11943613
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for access point device recovery and management using mobile devices. The method includes providing, by a mobile device to an access point device via a service provider system, authentication details of the mobile device, establishing a secure wireless connection using the authentication details between the access point device and the mobile device upon receiving, by the mobile device, an indication of failure of a network connection between the service provider system and the access point device, sending, by the mobile device to the access point device over the secure wireless connection, a configuration instruction, receiving, by the mobile device from the access point device over the secure wireless connection, confirmation of the configuration instruction, and disconnecting the secure connection upon successful application of the configuration instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Charter Communications Operating, LLC
    Inventors: Ethan Wright, Matthew James Wright, Wystan Schmidt