Patents Assigned to MeshNetworks, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7251238
    Abstract: A method and system for routing data in a wireless network (400) that enables all nodes (106, 402, 404, 406, 408) to find routes to each other even if the nodes are incapable of operating as a router to route packets received from other nodes (106, 402, 404, 406, 408). The meshed nodes (106, 402) which are capable of performing packet routing act as proxy nodes for their associated non-meshed nodes (STA 13-STA 15) to route packets from their associated non-meshed nodes (STA 13-STA 15) to destination nodes. Some of the meshed nodes further operate as intelligent access points (106) to provide the non-meshed nodes and other meshed nodes with access to other networks, such as the Internet (402).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Meshnetworks, Inc.
    Inventors: Avinash Joshi, Surong Zeng, William Vann Hasty, Jr., Charles R. Barker, Jr., Robin U. Roberts, Keith J. Goldberg
  • Patent number: 7221686
    Abstract: A system and method for enabling a node, such as a mobile user terminal in a wireless communications network, such as an ad-hoc network, to effectively and efficiently determine a clock correction factor for its local clock relative to a local clock of at least one other node. The node calculates a difference between the timing of the local clock of the node and the local clock of the other node based on the timing of signals transmitted between the node and the other node, and information pertaining to the transmission and reception of these signals by the node and the other node as indicated by the respective local clocks of the node and the other node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Belcea
  • Patent number: 7215966
    Abstract: A system and method for message exchanges in a wireless communication network which minimize network overhead and offers fast determination of Coordinates of a device. A system and method controls a node to exchange small, structured messages with one or more reference nodes requesting the Coordinates of the reference node, which are then used in a periodic evaluation of time of flight messages from that reference node for determination of Coordinates of the node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: Avinash Joshi
  • Patent number: 7215638
    Abstract: A system and method to provide emergency call access in Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems without compromising network security. The system and method enables VoIP emergency signal detection at a user device, and transmission of the VoIP emergency signal from the user node to a network server node through the use of data encapsulation and decapsulation (or “tunneling”), allowing VoIP data routing via an IP transport layer regardless of access or network security restrictions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin U. Roberts, Donald L. Joslyn
  • Patent number: 7212504
    Abstract: A novel protocol for an ad-hoc, peer-to-peer radio network that provides collision-free channel access with an emphasis on improving geographic reuse of the frequency spectrum. The protocol of the invention is executed on the reservation or control channel, and provides a method for allocating data transactions on the data channels. The system of the invention utilizes multiple parallel data channels that are coordinated by a single reservation channel. The transceiver of the system employs two modems to solve the channel reliability issues with multiple channel designs, where one is dedicated as a receive-only modem for gathering channel usage information on the reservation channel. High quality voice, video and data may be transmitted. The reservation channel implements a time division multiple access algorithm with dynamic slot allocation. In a distributed manner, nodes determine geographic reuse of slots based on channel quality extracted from the modem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Belcea
  • Patent number: 7206294
    Abstract: A system and method for improving the ability of a wireless communications network, such as a packet-switched data communications network, to provide service to mobile user terminals. The system and method employs a mobile access point, adapted for use with the packet-switched communications network comprising at least one fixed access point, to provide a mobile wireless user terminal with access to the network, and a method for using the same. The mobile access point comprises at least one transceiver, which can be mounted to a mobile vehicle and receive substantially constant power from the vehicle, and which is adapted to transmit and receive communications signals to and from the wireless user terminal, and to operate as a communications link between the wireless user terminal and the fixed access point, to provide the wireless user terminal with access to the network via the communications link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventors: Masood Garahi, Peter J. Stanforth
  • Patent number: 7203497
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a network of wireless devices including Mobile Terminals, Wireless Routers and a Local Control within a high rise building or other three dimensional deployment structure, such that communication, identification and position calculations can be achieved regardless of environment nature. Mobile Terminals are deployed to assume any random positions within a three dimensional deployment structure. Communication and position calculations are provided at each level, or floor of the building, by Horizontal and Vertical Routers, where Vertical Routers are further used to successfully communicate between levels, or floors. The Vertical Routers provide communication links with the Local Controller via one or more Intelligent Access Points. The infrastructure of Vertical and Horizontal routers, the Intelligent Access Points and the Local Control are elements of an infrastructure deployed before a fire incident or other emergency happens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Belcea
  • Patent number: 7200149
    Abstract: A system and method for identifying potential hidden node problems in a multi-hop wireless ad-hoc communication network, such as an 802.11 network. The system and method evaluates the relationship between the neighbors of each respective node to identify nodes of a wireless ad-hoc communication network whose capabilities of receiving data packets can be adversely affected by hidden node problems in order to avoid selecting paths containing those potentially problem nodes for routing data packets. Specifically, for each node, the system and method generates a node metric identifying the relationship between the neighbors of a node. Each node can then transmit its respective metric with its routing advertisement data, so that other nodes can assess the degree of potential hidden node problem that may be experienced by that node, and can choose to avoid using that potentially problem node for routing data packets to other nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: William V. Hasty, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7197016
    Abstract: A novel protocol for an ad-hoc, peer-to-peer radio network that provides collision-free channel access with an emphasis on improving geographic reuse of the frequency spectrum. The protocol of the invention is executed on the reservation or control channel, and provides a method for allocating data transactions on the data channels. The system of the invention utilizes multiple parallel data channels that are coordinated by a single reservation channel. The transceiver of the system employs two modems to solve the channel reliability issues with multiple channel designs, where one is dedicated as a receive-only modem for gathering channel usage information on the reservation channel. High quality voice, video and data may be transmitted. The reservation channel implements a time division multiple access algorithm with dynamic slot allocation. In a distributed manner, nodes determine geographic reuse of slots based on channel quality extracted from the modem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Meshnetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Belcea
  • Publication number: 20070064785
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the quantity of training symbols in a transmission sequence sent by a terminal (102, 106, 107) in a wireless network (100). The transmission sequence include training symbols and data symbols. The system and method determine the number of data symbol errors which are close to training symbols in the transmission sequence, determine the number of symbol data errors which are far from training symbols in the transmission sequence, and adjust the quantity of training symbols in the transmission sequence based on a result of a comparison of the ratio of the number of data symbol errors which are close to training symbols to the number of data symbol errors which are far from training symbols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Applicant: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: Pertti Alapuranen
  • Patent number: 7190672
    Abstract: A system and method for enabling a node in a mobile wireless ad-hoc communications network to use a particular spreading code to spread a message to be transmitted to a destination node without having to provide information on the spreading code to the destination node in, for example, an RTS message, to thus improve the overall efficiency of the network. The system and method enables the node to select the spreading code based on the destination of that transmission message, along with other factors such as network prefix information, time of day, and provider information, to minimize destructive interference between the spread transmission messages transmitted by neighboring nodes in the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric A. Whitehill
  • Publication number: 20070047477
    Abstract: A system and method for providing an authentication protocol for authenticating nodes (102) for access to a network (100), such as to a server of a wireless ad-hoc peer-to-peer network (100). The wireless communication network (100), such as a mobile wireless distribution system (WDS), employs an extensible authentication protocol over LAN (EAPOL) proxy to authenticate nodes for access to the network via mobile or fixed access points (106).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: Heyun Zheng
  • Patent number: 7184712
    Abstract: A system and method for applying an algorithm to distance measurements between nodes in an ad-hoc communications network (100). The algorithm is located at an individual node (102, 106, 107) of the ad-hoc network (100) and processes collected data via a multi-path filter to ensure that range measurement data is correct, and if so, include such measurement data in a historical data matrix in which old measurement data is eliminated. During periods where received signals are unable to provide correct distance measurements due to reflections affecting the path between nodes or media absorption or radio energy, distance estimates may be obtained from this accurate historical data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Belcea
  • Patent number: 7180875
    Abstract: A communications network which is capable of effectively and efficiently handling fading between mobile wireless user terminals of a packet-switched network with minimal overhead and packet loss, and a method for using the same. The communications network employs an origination mobile terminal and surrounding macroscopic mobile terminals and/or surrounding fixed infrastructure. Communication is established between the origination mobile terminal and surrounding macroscopic mobile terminals and/or surrounding fixed infrastructure. The communication is established via modified request to send (RTS) and clear to send (CTS) messages, wherein the modified messages provide for an additional two sets of k unicast addresses where k equals the maximum number of routes available per route entry in the origination mobile terminal's route table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip D. Neumiller, Guenael T. Strutt, Dennis W. Davis
  • Patent number: 7181214
    Abstract: A system and method for determining the mobility of a node in a network, such as a wireless ad-hoc network that requires the node to share its information with other mobile and stationary nodes, such as fixed wireless routers and intelligent access points, so that the rate at which the node shares this information and receives location information, such as Geo-location updates, could be based on the rate of mobility of the node. The node includes a transceiver which is adapted to communicate or attempt to communicate with at least one of the stationary other nodes in the network, and a controller which is adapted to determine a mobility factor of the node based on the communication or attempted communication with the at least one stationary other node. The controller is further adapted to control a rate at which the transceiver sends information pertaining to the node to at least one of the other nodes in the network based on the mobility factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric D. White
  • Patent number: 7171220
    Abstract: A system and method for presenting an interactive visual feedback, based upon input parameters, indicating quality levels in terminal location detection in a network at selectable points on a map. The system and method includes an application in which a user provides information regarding network terminals, terminal locations, and map parameters. In response, the application then provides a visual indication of expected accuracy in geo-location calculations for terminals at specific points in a network map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Belcea
  • Publication number: 20070021123
    Abstract: A system and method for providing geographic location information to of at least one fixed reference device in a wireless network, the method comprising: determining a geographic location of the at least one fixed reference device within an image, such as a Geographic Information System (GIS) image, where the GIS image comprises a plurality of pixels each having an absolute geographic location value associated with it, and where the geographic location of the at least one fixed reference device is defined with respect to the absolute position values associated with at least one pixel that is proximal to an image of the at least one fixed reference device within the GIS image; and providing the determined geographic location information to the at least one fixed reference device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Applicant: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventors: Sa'Ed A'Rafat, Philip Hill, Jeffrey Schmidt, Allen Roberson, James Green, John Belcea
  • Patent number: 7167715
    Abstract: A system and method for improving the ability of a portable voice and data wireless communications network to provide position information regarding mobile nodes located within a network. The system and method employs mobile access points, wireless routers, and mobile nodes, which each contain at least one transceiver, and are mounted or dispersed at a geographic location. Access points can be connected to mobile vehicles, or connected to a network management system, and wireless routers can be mounted to portable stands for easy deployment. Mobile nodes can be attached to equipment or personnel for tracking purposes, and each node includes technology which may determine an absolute node location containing latitude, longitude and altitude of a node, or a relative node location containing the distance and angle between nodes, or a combination of both absolute and relative location data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Stanforth
  • Patent number: 7167463
    Abstract: A system and method for creating a spectrum agile wireless multi-hopping network, such as a wireless ad-hoc peer-to-peer multi-hopping network. The spectrum agile multi-hopping network that can respond to conditions affecting spectrum, such as FCC rulings or business related agreements on spectrum licensing related to a location or other measurable parameters of the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: Pertti O. Alapuranen
  • Publication number: 20070008918
    Abstract: A wireless movable device, a system comprising the movable device, and a method for operating the movable device, wherein the movable device determines the link and channel quality of a link between itself and an ad-hoc device, such that the movable device is adapted to determine when it has traveled too far from the ad-hoc device to maintain a reliable link to the ad-hoc device, and wherein the movable device, upon determining the loss of a reliable link to the ad-hoc device, seeks out a location at which a reliable link exists with the ad-hoc device or with another ad-hoc device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Publication date: January 11, 2007
    Applicant: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Stanforth