Patents by Inventor Robert C. Pippert

Robert C. Pippert 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).

  • Patent number: 10231112
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for emitting pilot beacons. The method includes a base station system emitting a pilot beacon on a first air interface protocol. The base station system wirelessly receives a registration message for a mobile station that detected the pilot beacon on the first air interface protocol. The registration message includes a registration request seeking registration of the mobile station under the first air interface protocol with the base station system. In response to the received registration message, the base station system makes a determination that the mobile station is capable of operating on a second air interface protocol different from the first air interface protocol. In response to the determination, the base station system emits at least one pilot beacon on the second air interface protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Dae-Sik Oh, Michael C. DeLaet, Robert C. Pippert
  • Patent number: 8547912
    Abstract: A method of assigning a single packet address to a wireless communication device in a communication system comprising a first wireless network and a second wireless network comprises, in the wireless communication device, transferring a first network service request to a router in the first wireless network, wherein the first network service request includes a first network user identifier; in the router, transferring an authorization request to an authorization system, wherein the authorization request includes the first network user identifier; in the authorization system, determining whether the wireless communication device associated with the first network user identifier comprises dual-mode functionality, and determining whether a session for the second wireless network exists based on the first network user identifier; and in the router, transferring a first network service response to the wireless communication device, wherein the first network service response includes a packet address for the second
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Jeremy R. Breau, Robert C. Pippert, Charles Brent Hirschman
  • Patent number: 8543110
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for providing a pilot-beacon on behalf of one or more base stations, such as one or more femtocells. A pilot-beacon transmitter, separate from the base stations, determines the locations of coverage areas of the base stations and then dynamically configures a pilot-beacon radiation pattern to encompass (approximately) the determined coverage areas. That way, a mobile station may detect the pilot beacon and initiate scanning of coverage provided by the base stations. Optimally, the method can be used to provide a pilot beacon for femtocells, thereby avoiding the need for the femtocells to include pilot beacon transmission functions and thus possibly decreasing the cost of the femtocells. The pilot-beacon transmitter or another entity may also be configured to receive and forward GPS signals to the base stations, possibly offsetting GPS timing based on measured delays for communication with the base stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Dae-Sik Oh, Michael C. DeLaet, Robert C. Pippert
  • Patent number: 8443109
    Abstract: A first base station wirelessly transmits media to a first communication device for a communication session. The first base station hands off the communication session to a second base station. The second base station wirelessly transmits the media to the first communication device for the communication session. In response to the hand-off, the second base station selects a second communication device based on the type of media and transmits a prompt to the first communication device to transfer the communication session to the second communication device. In response to a user instruction, the second base station transmits the media to the second communication device for the communication session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Lyle Walter Paczkowski, Robert C. Pippert, DaeSik Oh
  • Patent number: 8355713
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining relative priorities of wireless communication devices with respect to controlling controllable devices. A femtocell receiving a registration request and a device identifier from a first wireless communication device may responsively (i) provide the first wireless communication device with wireless service and (ii) use the device identifier to determine at least one respective relative priority of the first wireless communication device compared to a second wireless communication device with respect to controlling at least one controllable device. The femtocell may then transmit at least one message to at least one of (i) the first wireless communication device, (ii) the second wireless communication device, and (iii) at least one controllable device in accordance with the determination, the at least one message reflecting the determined at least one relative priority. In this way, conflicts between multiple controlling devices may be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Dae-Sik Oh, Michael C. DeLaet, Robert C. Pippert
  • Publication number: 20120129535
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for providing a pilot-beacon on behalf of one or more base stations, such as one or more femtocells. A pilot-beacon transmitter, separate from the base stations, determines the locations of coverage areas of the base stations and then dynamically configures a pilot-beacon radiation pattern to encompass (approximately) the determined coverage areas. That way, a mobile station may detect the pilot beacon and initiate scanning of coverage provided by the base stations. Optimally, the method can be used to provide a pilot beacon for femtocells, thereby avoiding the need for the femtocells to include pilot beacon transmission functions and thus possibly decreasing the cost of the femtocells. The pilot-beacon transmitter or another entity may also be configured to receive and forward GPS signals to the base stations, possibly offsetting GPS timing based on measured delays for communication with the base stations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Dae-Sik Oh, Michael C. DeLaet, Robert C. Pippert
  • Patent number: 8175550
    Abstract: Elimination of intermodulation interference in a wireless communication system by removing a portion of the spectrum of transmitted signals. According to a received indication of an occurrence of intermodulation interference experienced by a narrowband receiver, mappings are performed between the predetermined narrowband channel frequency on which the narrowband receiver operates and the occupied channel frequencies of at least one broadband transmit signal. Narrowband candidate frequency ranges that linearly combine into frequencies that overlap the predetermined narrowband channel frequency are determined based on the mappings. The narrowband candidate frequency ranges that potentially contribute to the intermodulation interference are then selectively filtered by at least one notch filter until the intermodulation interference is substantially eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Samuel M. Woleben, Mark L. Yarkosky, Robert C. Pippert
  • Patent number: 8135403
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for providing a pilot-beacon on behalf of one or more base stations, such as one or more femtocells. A pilot-beacon transmitter, separate from the base stations, determines the locations of coverage areas of the base stations and then dynamically configures a pilot-beacon radiation pattern to encompass (approximately) the determined coverage areas. That way, a mobile station may detect the pilot beacon and initiate scanning of coverage provided by the base stations. Optimally, the method can be used to provide a pilot beacon for femtocells, thereby avoiding the need for the femtocells to include pilot beacon transmission functions and thus possibly decreasing the cost of the femtocells. The pilot-beacon transmitter or another entity may also be configured to receive and forward GPS signals to the base stations, possibly offsetting GPS timing based on measured delays for communication with the base stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Dae-Sik Oh, Michael C. DeLaet, Robert C. Pippert
  • Publication number: 20110255628
    Abstract: Elimination of intermodulation interference in a wireless communication system by removing a portion of the spectrum of transmitted signals. According to a received indication of an occurrence of intermodulation interference experienced by a narrowband receiver, mappings are performed between the predetermined narrowband channel frequency on which the narrowband receiver operates and the occupied channel frequencies of at least one broadband transmit signal. Narrowband candidate frequency ranges that linearly combine into frequencies that overlap the predetermined narrowband channel frequency are determined based on the mappings. The narrowband candidate frequency ranges that potentially contribute to the intermodulation interference are then selectively filtered by at least one notch filter until the intermodulation interference is substantially eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: SPRINT SPECTRUM L.P.
    Inventors: Samuel M. Woleben, Mark L. Yarkosky, Robert C. Pippert
  • Patent number: 8000660
    Abstract: Elimination of intermodulation interference in a wireless communication system by removing a portion of the spectrum of transmitted signals. According to a received indication of an occurrence of intermodulation interference experienced by a narrowband receiver, mappings are performed between the predetermined narrowband channel frequency on which the narrowband receiver operates and the occupied channel frequencies of at least one broadband transmit signal. Narrowband candidate frequency ranges that linearly combine into frequencies that overlap the predetermined narrowband channel frequency are determined based on the mappings. The narrowband candidate frequency ranges that potentially contribute to the intermodulation interference are then selectively filtered by at least one notch filter until the intermodulation interference is substantially eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Samuel M. Woleben, Mark L. Yarkosky, Robert C. Pippert
  • Patent number: 7933595
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for dynamic selection by a mobile station of its home agent using its preferred roaming list (PRL). A mobile station maintains a PRL comprising an association between (i) a first set of data identifying a first wireless wide area network (WWAN) and (ii) a first identifier of a first home agent. The mobile station detects a broadcast of the first set of data by the first WWAN. Responsive to detecting the broadcast of the first set of data by the first WWAN, the mobile station connects to the first WWAN. Responsive to connecting to the first WWAN, the mobile station uses the first identifier to register with the first home agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Robert C. Pippert, Joseph E. Bennett, Ryan S. Talley, Joseph I. Schield, Andrew M. Wurtenberger
  • Publication number: 20100311401
    Abstract: A communication network receives communications for a wireless communication device and transfers the communications for delivery to the wireless communication device. The wireless communication device determines data that correlates its location to time. Either the wireless communication device or the communication network process the data to detect a transfer condition that comprises the wireless communication device being located within a predetermined area for a predetermined period of time. If the transfer condition applies, then the communication network transfers communications for the wireless device for delivery to another communication device. When the transfer condition no longer applies, the communication network again transfers communications for the wireless communication device for delivery to the wireless communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: DaeSik Oh, Lyle Walter Paczkowski, Robert C. Pippert
  • Publication number: 20100296482
    Abstract: A first base station wirelessly transmits media to a first communication device for a communication session. The first base station hands off the communication session to a second base station. The second base station wirelessly transmits the media to the first communication device for the communication session. In response to the hand-off, the second base station selects a second communication device based on the type of media and transmits a prompt to the first communication device to transfer the communication session to the second communication device. In response to a user instruction, the second base station transmits the media to the second communication device for the communication session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Lyle Walter Paczkowski, Robert C. Pippert, DaeSik Oh
  • Publication number: 20100214989
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for dynamic selection by a mobile station of its home agent using its preferred roaming list (PRL). A mobile station maintains a PRL comprising an association between (i) a first set of data identifying a first wireless wide area network (WWAN) and (ii) a first identifier of a first home agent. The mobile station detects a broadcast of the first set of data by the first WWAN. Responsive to detecting the broadcast of the first set of data by the first WWAN, the mobile station connects to the first WWAN. Responsive to connecting to the first WWAN, the mobile station uses the first identifier to register with the first home agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: SPRINT SPECTRUM L.P.
    Inventors: Robert C. Pippert, Joseph E. Bennett, Ryan S. Talley, Joseph I. Schield, Andrew M. Wurtenberger
  • Patent number: 7747251
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for dynamic selection by a mobile station of its home agent using its preferred roaming list (PRL). A mobile station maintains a PRL comprising an association between (i) a first set of data identifying a first wireless wide area network (WWAN) and (ii) a first identifier of a first home agent. The mobile station detects a broadcast of the first set of data by the first WWAN. Responsive to detecting the broadcast of the first set of data by the first WWAN, the mobile station connects to the first WWAN. Responsive to connecting to the first WWAN, the mobile station uses the first identifier to register with the first home agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Robert C. Pippert, Joseph E. Bennett, Ryan S. Talley, Joseph I. Schield, Andrew M. Wurtenberger