Patents by Inventor Efstratios Skafidas
Efstratios Skafidas has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 7570614Abstract: An approach for managing communications channels based on performance involves selecting a particular channel based on channel performance. Based on the selected channel, channel identification data is provided to another participant of the communications system to determine on which channel to respond. For example, the other participant may respond on the selected channel, avoid using the selected channel to respond, or skip the selected channel in a sequence of channels, such as a frequency hopping sequence. The communication sent in response may include a performance measurement of the channel used to provide the channel identification data. According to another aspect of the invention, a particular participant is selected from a group of participants based on the performance of a particular channel. According to yet another aspect, performance data is maintained, such as in a lookup table, and the performance data may be shared between participants of the communications system.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2001Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: Bandspeed, Inc.Inventors: Bijan Treister, Hongbing Gan, Efstratios Skafidas
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Patent number: 7555301Abstract: A multiple access wireless communications architecture provides selective, simultaneous communications with wireless devices located in different sections of a spatial area around a communications apparatus referred to as “sectors”. In one embodiment, channel allocation techniques for increasing one or more of throughput and coverage in a wireless communications environment.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2006Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Assignee: Bandspeed, Inc.Inventors: Efstratios Skafidas, Ben Jones, John (Jack) Morton, Mike Gibson, Neil Patrick Kelly, Nestor Fesas, Mark William Benson, Richard John Rusnak, James Glick, Duy Khuong Do, Douglas A. Mammosser, Lei Cheng, Kevin Sean Broe, Natarajan Ekambaram
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Publication number: 20090122837Abstract: An approach for selecting sets of communications channels involves determining the performance of communications channels. A set of channels is selected based on the results of performance testing and specified criteria. The participant generates data that identifies the selected set of channels and provides that data to other participants of the communications network. The participants communicate over the set of channels, such as by using a frequency hopping protocol. When a specified time expires or monitoring of the performance of the channel set identifies poor performance of the set of channels, the participant selects another set of channels for use in communications based on additional performance testing. By selecting channels based on the initial performance testing and performance monitoring, the communications network adaptively avoids channels with poor performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2009Publication date: May 14, 2009Inventors: Hongbing Gan, Bijan Treister, Efstratios Skafidas
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Patent number: 7532868Abstract: A novel approach for determining signal to noise ratios based on equalizer outputs and managing power for a plurality of communications channels based on communications channel performance is disclosed. According to one aspect of the invention, a noise power is generated based on an error output of an equalizer that receives input from a communications channel, and a signal power is generated based on a signal output of the equalizer. A signal to noise ratio is determined based on the noise power and the signal power. According to another aspect of the invention, a first power and a second power that is different than the first power are determined based on performance data for the plurality of communications channels. The first power is used for communications that use a first communications channel, and the second power is used for communications that use a second communications channel.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2005Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Bandspeed, Inc.Inventors: Vitaliy Sapozhnykov, Hongbing Gan, Bijan Treister, Yong Xiang, Efstratios Skafidas
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Patent number: 7512404Abstract: The present invention provides in one embodiment channel allocation and polarization techniques for reducing cross sector communications interference in a multiple access wireless communications environment. In one embodiment, channel allocation and/or polarization techniques may be applied in multiple-access wireless communications architectures to provide selective, simultaneous communications with wireless devices using a plurality of transmitters. In some embodiments, a transmitter is coupled to an antenna configured to provide simultaneous communications with wireless devices located in different spatial areas or sectors. In some embodiments, communications between wireless devices within a single sector, between wireless devices in different sectors and between wireless devices and a wired network or wireless backhaul network may be provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2004Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: Bandspeed, Inc.Inventors: John Jack Morton, Ben Jones, Efstratios Skafidas
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Patent number: 7482992Abstract: A multiple access wireless communications architecture provides selective, simultaneous communications with wireless devices located in different sections of a spatial area around a communications apparatus referred to as “sectors”. This includes communications between wireless devices in a single sector, between wireless devices in different sectors and between wireless devices and a wired network or wireless backhaul network. The wireless communications architecture generally includes two or more wireless antenna arrangements that are each configured to provide communications with wireless devices located in a particular sector. Each wireless antenna arrangement is further configured to determine whether signals are being communicated on a communications channel before transmitting on the communications channel. This may be implemented, for example, using a carrier sense or energy detection mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2007Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: Bandspeed, Inc.Inventors: Efstratios Skafidas, Ben Jones, John “Jack” Morton, Mark William Benson, Neil Patrick Kelly
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Patent number: 7477624Abstract: An approach for selecting sets of communications channels involves determining the performance of communications channels. A set of channels is selected based on the results of performance testing and specified criteria. The participant generates data that identifies the selected set of channels and provides that data to other participants of the communications network. The participants communicate over the set of channels, such as by using a frequency hopping protocol. When a specified time expires or monitoring of the performance of the channel set identifies poor performance of the set of channels, the participant selects another set of channels for use in communications based on additional performance testing. By selecting channels based on the initial performance testing and performance monitoring, the communications network adaptively avoids channels with poor performance.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2006Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: Bandspeed, Inc.Inventors: Hongbing Gan, Bijan Treister, Efstratios Skafidas
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Publication number: 20080186932Abstract: According to an approach for mitigating the effects of rogue WAPs in wireless local area networks, a determination is made of one or more clients that are communicating with a rogue WAP. For example, messages may be intercepted and examined to identify messages that are sent by or to rogue WAPs. Information that identifies the one or more clients is then extracted from the messages and stored in a client list. Communications between the one or more clients and the rogue WAP are then disrupted. Embodiments of the invention include, without limitation, disrupting communications using deauthentication and by spoofing Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) responses.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2008Publication date: August 7, 2008Inventors: Duy Khuong Do, Michael Clark Gibson, Charles Arthur Willman, Nestor Alexis Fesas, Efstratios Skafidas
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Publication number: 20080186933Abstract: An approach for providing wireless network services using a WAP group includes establishing a WAP group that represents a logical grouping of WAPs. Communications between WAPs in the WAP group and clients are performed using a shared BSSID. One of the WAPs in the WAP group is designated as a master WAP and the other WAPs in the WAP group are designated as slave WAPs. The master WAP assigns WAPs in the WAP group to provide wireless networking services to clients. The assignment is performed based upon the performance of communications channels used to carry communications between the clients and the WAPs in the WAP group and current loads of the WAPs in the WAP group. The assignments may be dynamically changed over time, based upon changes in the performance of the communications channels and/or changes in WAP loading.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2008Publication date: August 7, 2008Inventors: Charles Arthur Willman, Nestor Alexis Fesas, Duy Khuong Do, Efstratios Skafidas
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Patent number: 7388930Abstract: An approach for estimating and removing crosstalk and other interference in a communications receiver is disclosed. The approach enables crosstalk and interference of arbitrary origin and power spectral density to be removed from a received signal, thereby improving the signal to noise ratio (SNR). A receiver samples the received signal at a rate N times the required sampling rate, and splits the signal into N separate observation sequences, all at the required sampling rate. The N observation sequences are separated into a data signal and a crosstalk signal. The crosstalk signal is discarded, while the data signal is passed to equalization and demodulation circuits of the receiver.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2001Date of Patent: June 17, 2008Assignee: Bandspeed, Inc.Inventor: Efstratios Skafidas
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Patent number: 7310661Abstract: A novel approach for transferring management functions between participants generally involves the use of an associate master participant that assumes responsibilities for functions assigned to the master participant if the master participant can no longer perform the functions. A participant in a communications arrangement is designated as the master participant and is responsible for performing one or more functions. Another participant from the communications arrangement is designated as an associate master participant. The associate master participant assumes the role of master participant, i.e., performs the functions previously assigned to master participant, if any of a set of handoff criteria are satisfied. The particular handoff criteria used may vary depending upon the requirements of a particular application and the invention is not limited to any particular handoff criteria.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2001Date of Patent: December 18, 2007Assignee: Bandspeed, Inc.Inventors: Bijan Treister, Hongbing Gan, Efstratios Skafidas
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Publication number: 20070222692Abstract: A multiple access wireless communications architecture provides selective, simultaneous communications with wireless devices located in different sections of a spatial area around a communications apparatus referred to as “sectors”. This includes communications between wireless devices in a single sector, between wireless devices in different sectors and between wireless devices and a wired network or wireless backhaul network. The wireless communications architecture generally includes two or more wireless antenna arrangements that are each configured to provide communications with wireless devices located in a particular sector. Each wireless antenna arrangement is further configured to determine whether signals are being communicated on a communications channel before transmitting on the communications channel. This may be implemented, for example, using a carrier sense or energy detection mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2007Publication date: September 27, 2007Inventors: Efstratios Skafidas, Ben Jones, John Morton, Mark Benson, Neil Kelly
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Patent number: 7248877Abstract: A multiple access wireless communications architecture provides selective, simultaneous communications with wireless devices located in different sections of a spatial area around a communications apparatus referred to as “sectors”. This includes communications between wireless devices in a single sector, between wireless devices in different sectors and between wireless devices and a wired network or wireless backhaul network. The wireless communications architecture generally includes two or more wireless antenna arrangements that are each configured to provide communications with wireless devices located in a particular sector. Each wireless antenna arrangement is further configured to determine whether signals are being communicated on a communications channel before transmitting on the communications channel. This may be implemented, for example, using a carrier sense or energy detection mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2003Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Bandspeed, Inc.Inventors: Efstratios Skafidas, Ben Jones, Antonio Torrini, John Jack Morton, Eric Crawford, Mike Gibson, William John Rinderknecht, Mark William Benson, Neil Patrick Kelly, Nestor Fesas, Michael Casey Luther, Blaine Kohl
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Patent number: 7222166Abstract: A novel approach for selecting communications channels and participants with which to communicate based on channel performance and transferring management functions between participants in a communications arrangement is disclosed. According to one aspect of the invention, a particular channel is selected based on channel performance and channel identification data is provided to a participant that sends a response on a channel selected based on the channel identification data. According to another aspect of the invention, a particular participant is selected from a group of participants based on the performance of a particular channel. According to yet another aspect, an associate master participant is selected to assume responsibilities for functions assigned to the master participant if any of a set of handoff criteria are satisfied. For example, the associate master participant may assume the role of the master participant if the master participant can no longer perform the functions.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2002Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Bandspeed, Inc.Inventors: Bijan Treister, Hongbing Gan, Efstratios Skafidas
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Publication number: 20060281412Abstract: A multiple access wireless communications architecture provides selective, simultaneous communications with wireless devices located in different sections of a spatial area around a communications apparatus referred to as “sectors”. In one embodiment, channel allocation techniques for increasing one or more of throughput and coverage in a wireless communications environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2006Publication date: December 14, 2006Inventors: Efstratios Skafidas, Ben Jones, John Morton, Mike Gibson, Neil Kelly, Nestor Fesas, Mark Benson, Richard Rusnak, James Glick, Duy Do, Douglas Mammoser, Lei Cheng, Kevin Broe, Natarajan Ekambaram
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Patent number: 7136655Abstract: A multiple access wireless communications architecture provides selective, simultaneous communications with wireless devices located in different sections of a spatial area around a communications apparatus referred to as “sectors”. In one embodiment, channel allocation techniques for increasing one or more of throughput and coverage in a wireless communications environment.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2004Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: Bandspeed, Inc.Inventors: Efstratios Skafidas, Ben Jones, John “Jack” Morton, Mike Gibson, Neil Patrick Kelly, Nestor Fesas, Mark William Benson, Richard John Rusnak, James Glick, Duy Khuong Do, Douglas A. Mammoser, Lei Cheng, Kevin Sean Broe, Natarajan Ekambaram
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Publication number: 20060176850Abstract: An approach for selecting sets of communications channels involves determining the performance of communications channels. A set of channels is selected based on the results of performance testing and specified criteria. The participant generates data that identifies the selected set of channels and provides that data to other participants of the communications network. The participants communicate over the set of channels, such as by using a frequency hopping protocol. When a specified time expires or monitoring of the performance of the channel set identifies poor performance of the set of channels, the participant selects another set of channels for use in communications based on additional performance testing. By selecting channels based on the initial performance testing and performance monitoring, the communications network adaptively avoids channels with poor performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2006Publication date: August 10, 2006Inventors: Hongbing Gan, Bijan Treister, Efstratios Skafidas
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Patent number: 7027418Abstract: An approach for selecting sets of communications channels involves determining the performance of communications channels. A set of channels is selected based on the results of performance testing and specified criteria. The participant generates data that identifies the selected set of channels and provides that data to other participants of the communications network. The participants communicate over the set of channels, such as by using a frequency hopping protocol. When a specified time expires or monitoring of the performance of the channel set identifies poor performance of the set of channels, the participant selects another set of channels for use in communications based on additional performance testing. By selecting channels based on the initial performance testing and performance monitoring, the communications network adaptively avoids channels with poor performance.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2001Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Bandspeed, Inc.Inventors: Hongbing Gan, Bijan Treister, Efstratios Skafidas
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Patent number: 6996199Abstract: An approach for processing data received from a communications channel that minimizes noise power and optimizes impulse response length to reduce interference, such as from inter-symbol interference (ISI) and inter-channel interference (ICI), is disclosed. For example, finite impulse response (FIR) filtering may be used with FIR coefficients that are determined by optimizing a function of the impulse response length and the noise power. The impulse response length is optimized based on the communications channel transfer function to reduce interference. The noise power is minimized based on the noise covariance as determined using the total noise power density. The approach accounts for noise from a variety of interference sources besides ISI and ICI. The result is a superior equalizer for use in communications receivers employing orthogonal frequency division multiplexing or discrete multitone modulation in communications protocols employing Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, G.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2002Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Assignee: Bandspeed, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Storm, Shane M. Tonissen, Efstratios Skafidas
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Patent number: 6987955Abstract: A novel approach for managing power for a plurality of communications channels based on communications channel performance is disclosed. According to one aspect of the invention, a first power and a second power that is different than the first power are determined based on performance data for the plurality of communications channels. The first power is used for communications that use a first communications channel, and the second power is used for communications that use a second communications channel. According to another aspect of the invention, a noise power is generated based on an error output of an equalizer that receives input from a communications channel, and a signal power is generated based on a signal output of the equalizer. A signal to noise ratio is determined based on the noise power and the signal power.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2002Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Bandspeed, Inc.Inventors: Vitaliy Sapozhnykov, Hongbing Gan, Bijan Treister, Efstratios Skafidas, Yong Xiang