Abstract: In order to establish a mesh network, an electronic device may iteratively identify one or more mesh-network nodes and may determine associated duty-cycle ratios based on communication with the one or more mesh-network nodes. In particular, the electronic device may select candidate mesh-network nodes based on estimated throughput metrics of their communication with a root device in the mesh network. Then, for each of the candidate mesh-network nodes, the electronic device may associate with a given candidate mesh-network node, and may measure the throughput of the given candidate mesh-network node during a time interval by communicating packets. Based on comparisons of the measured throughputs, the electronic device may identify the one or more mesh-network nodes in the candidate mesh-network nodes and may determine the associated duty-cycle ratios. Subsequently, the electronic device communicates information with the root device via the one or more mesh-network nodes based on the duty-cycle ratios.

Abstract: An electronic device iteratively determines an optimal transmit antenna radiation pattern and an optimal receive antenna radiation pattern based on a feedback process with a second electronic device. First, the electronic device transmits outgoing messages to the second electronic device using a set of transmit antenna radiation patterns having different transmit spatial orientations. Based on throughput feedback from the second electronic device, the electronic device selects the optimal transmit antenna radiation pattern. Then, based on throughputs for incoming messages from the second electronic device that were received using a set of receive antenna radiation patterns having different receive spatial orientations, the electronic device selects the optimal receive antenna radiation pattern. Note that the transmit antenna radiation pattern and the receive antenna radiation pattern may reduce or eliminate interference between the electronic device and the second electronic device.

Abstract: Systems and methods here may be used to communicate wirelessly with a wireless user device, communicate with a media service provider by a network, communicate with a media equipment player, receive from the wireless user device, a request to access a media service by the media service provider, access media available by the media service provider and communicate the availability of the media to the wireless user device, and mirror playing of the media from the media service provider by the media equipment player.

Abstract: In order to establish a mesh network, an electronic device may iteratively identify one or more mesh-network nodes and may determine associated duty-cycle ratios based on communication with the one or more mesh-network nodes. In particular, the electronic device may select candidate mesh-network nodes based on estimated throughput metrics of their communication with a root device in the mesh network. Then, for each of the candidate mesh-network nodes, the electronic device may associate with a given candidate mesh-network node, and may measure the throughput of the given candidate mesh-network node during a time interval by communicating packets. Based on comparisons of the measured throughputs, the electronic device may identify the one or more mesh-network nodes in the candidate mesh-network nodes and may determine the associated duty-cycle ratios. Subsequently, the electronic device communicates information with the root device via the one or more mesh-network nodes based on the duty-cycle ratios.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing zero configuration (zeroconf) networking by a processor according to some embodiments of the inventions here may include bridging a zeroconf multicast service discovery query from a first multicast domain to a second multicast domain, and receiving a multicast service advertisement of the second multicast domain at the first multicast domain in response to the bridged multicast service discovery query.

Abstract: In order to provide flexible scaling and dynamic reconfiguration, a wireless local area network controller includes a virtual dataplane with one or more virtual machines. These virtual machines pre-calculate processing parameters for packets in a data flow. For example, the pre-calculated processing parameters may include: encapsulation parameters, quality-of-service parameters and priority parameters. Subsequently, when one of the virtual machines receives a packet in the data flow on an input port, the virtual machine modifies information in a header of the packet based on one or more of the pre-calculated processing parameters and information associated with the data flow (which specifies the one or more pre-calculated processing parameters). Then, the virtual machine transmits the packet on an output port. In this way, the virtual machine maintains a fixed inter-packet time between packets in the data flow.

Abstract: A metallic shaping plate located in the interior housing of a wireless device is disclosed. The metallic shaping plate may influence a radiation pattern being generated by a horizontal antenna array. The result may be an increase in the gain of the array.

Abstract: A communication technique for establishing communication among an access point, an electronic device, and a radio node in a cellular-telephone network is described. In this communication technique, the electronic device is pre-provisioned by the radio node with an identifier of the cellular-telephone network. Moreover, the access point may advertise support for one or more LWA protocols in beacons. In response to a query from the electronic device, the access point may provide identifiers of the one or more cellular-telephone networks supported by the access point. If one of these identifiers matches the identifier, the electronic device may associate with the access point. Then, the access point may receive LWA traffic from the radio node and may forward the LWA traffic to the electronic device.

Abstract: An electronic device modifies a schedule of communication frequencies (such as an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing access schedule) by changing the times when subcarriers are used for communication with a set of electronic devices in order to cluster subsets of the set of electronic devices. This clustering may leave the throughput associated with the communication at least approximately unchanged. Then, the electronic device selects, for the subsets, transmit antenna radiation patterns and receive antenna radiation patterns in order to increase the throughputs during transmission and/or receiving.

Abstract: A system for integrating wireless service providers' core networks with Wi-Fi radios using a Wireless Services Gateway (WSG). The WSG can allow wireless device users to seamlessly connect to a network such as the internet using both cellular phone antennae as well as Wi-Fi radio antennae while still utilizing their preferred wireless service provider's core network system of billing, authenticating and policy decision making. This system can allow for data transmission of wireless devices through Wi-Fi instead of through cellular antennae, thus increasing bandwidth and data transmission rates.

Abstract: Passive tracking of an electronic device (and, more generally, the anonymous use of location-based services) is avoided by identifying the electronic device with different addresses in a block of addresses when transmitting probe requests. In particular, the electronic device may request and then receive the block of addresses from an address-management server. Subsequently, when a probe request is transmitted (e.g., to an access point), the electronic device may use one of the addresses in the block of addresses instead of the media access control (MAC) address. Furthermore, whenever subsequent probe requests are transmitted, the electronic device may include a different address in the block of addresses.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention solve problems experienced by mesh networks concerning loop formation where two nodes are connected by both a wired and wireless link. The present invention prevents or ‘breaks’ a loop that that would otherwise result in continually repeating and delayed network data transmission.

Abstract: Methods and computer-executable instructions for mapping performance data of wireless systems include receiving from an access point actual performance information, such as throughput, of a user device at a particular time, along with an identifier of the access point, and location information of the user device. Then, using the received actual performance information, the received location information, and the particular time to map the received actual performance information on a map of an area around the mobile device. In certain embodiments, converting the mapped actual performance information into a visual reference gradient for display on the user device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention solve problems experienced by mesh networks concerning loop formation where two nodes are connected by both a wired and wireless link. The present invention prevents or ‘breaks’ a loop that that would otherwise result in continually repeating and delayed network data transmission.

Abstract: In order to maintain performance during wireless communication, a transmitting electronic device may selectively enable use of pre-authorization messages during communication with one or more receiving electronic devices. In particular, the transmitting electronic device may monitor a performance metric associated with the communication. If the performance metric is less than a threshold, the transmitting electronic device may selectively enable the use of the pre-authorization messages before communicating data to the one of the receiving electronic devices. Subsequently, the transmitting electronic device monitors a pre-authorization performance metric associated with the communication of the pre-authorization messages. If the pre-authorization performance metric is less than a pre-authorization threshold, the transmitting electronic device may selectively disable the use of the pre-authorization messages.

Abstract: In order to leverage an enterprise-hosted network (EHN) associated with an entity, a communication technique may dynamically customize an application on a portable electronic device. In particular, the portable electronic device may discover and then may connect to the EHN using a quarantine zone that restricts access to the EHN. After providing valid credentials to establish a level of trust with the EHN, the portable electronic device may receive a request for authentication and authorization information. In response to the request, the portable electronic device may provide a credential to the EHN. Next, the portable electronic device may receive provisioning information that customizes the application on the portable electronic device to a venue associated with the entity. The provisioning information may include a connection setting associated with the application on the portable electronic device, which allows the portable electronic device to connect to the EHN outside of the quarantine zone.

Abstract: An electronic device that establishes one or more Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) tunnels with an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) for another electronic device is described. In particular, the electronic device may receive, from the other electronic device, Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) information using a wireless local area network (WLAN) communication protocol, where the EAP information includes credentials used by the EPC to authenticate the other electronic device. Then, the electronic device may establish, with the EPC, one or more IPSec tunnels on behalf of the other electronic device using a wired communication protocol, where the one or more IPSec tunnels originate and terminate at the electronic device. Next, the electronic device may communicate encrypted information with the other electronic device using the WLAN communication protocol, where the encrypted information is encrypted using a different encryption protocol than IPSec.

Abstract: A technique for establishing connectivity between electronic devices is described. In particular, when an electronic device is first connected to a network, the electronic device may use a predefined location of a registrar device to request location information for a controller for the electronic device. The electronic device may provide a manufacturer certificate to the registrar device to confirm its identity. After receiving from the registrar device the location information and a registrar certificate that confirms its identity, the electronic device may use the location information to request the security information from a controller that allows the electronic device to establish connectivity with another electronic device. The electronic device may receive the security from the controller along with a controller certificate that confirms the identity of the controller. Moreover, the electronic device may establish a connection with the other electronic device based on the security information.

Abstract: In order to configure an access point, the access point requests information specifying an associated cloud-based controller when the access point is first turned on at a user location. In particular, the access point may provide, to a configuration device, a controller query requesting information specifying a unique network address of a cloud-based controller associated with the access point. This controller query may include an identifier of the access point (such as a serial number). Then, the access point receives, from the configuration device, the information specifying the unique network address of the cloud-based controller, such as a fully qualified domain name of the cloud-based controller. Note that the cloud-based controller may be one of multiple cloud-based controllers from different providers, and the access point may be associated with the cloud-based controller based on the received information specifying unique network address.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording information from a plurality of mobile devices in an area, the method comprising listening for data packets from the plurality of mobile devices in a predetermined time period, creating a record for containing addresses and signal strength readings associated with the plurality of mobile devices, determining whether a data packet received during the predetermined time period is from a mobile device of the plurality of mobile devices, determining whether an address associated with the mobile device is recorded in the record, updating the record with the address and a signal strength reading associated with the mobile device, and updating the signal strength reading associated with the mobile device updating the record depending upon the number of times the record has been updated with a signal strength reading associated with the mobile device during the predetermined time period.