Patents Assigned to Skypilot Networks, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20080310346
    Abstract: A wireless mesh communication protocol that dynamically assigns communication time-slots and frequencies to mesh nodes. A first node is established as a PC that sequentially polls other nodes. A second node responds at a predetermined time with information that includes database records, and then a third node responds similarly. The second node is then established as the PC and the first node is polled during dynamically allocated time-slots and on a frequency that depend on the second node's database records. The third node is then established as a PC and acts similarly. In both cases the first node responds by sending information and data records. The first node is then re-established as the PC. The first node then polls the second and third nodes at times and frequencies that depend on the first node's database records.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: SKYPILOT NETWORKS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark J. Rich, Randy Frei, Paul Gordon
  • Publication number: 20080209333
    Abstract: A visualization tool for displaying the geographic location and connectivity of nodes within a network. More specifically, a method and apparatus determines a geographic position of each node in a plurality of nodes within a data network; determines an icon to represent each node in the plurality of nodes; overlays each of the icons onto a geographically accurate map, where each icon is position at the geographic position for the node represented by the icon; determines node connectivity; and overlays, upon the geographically accurate map, a graphical link between pairs of icons representing node connectivity. In this manner, a network operator is provided a geographically accurate view of a data network including nodes and the connectivity of the nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: SkyPilot Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall Wayne Frei
  • Patent number: 7356043
    Abstract: Network channel access protocol is disclosed. More particularly, a distributed, locally determined, channel access protocol that adapts to load, avoids interference and controls access by a group of nodes to a set of shared channels is disclosed. Shared channel space is divided into a number of communication slots that are repeated at a predetermined interval. Permission to use a slot to communicate between any two nodes is dynamically adjusted by the channel access protocol, which locally: (i) estimates load to neighboring nodes; (ii) allocates or deallocates slot usage to adapt to load and avoid interference; and (iii) asserts and advertises slot usage within an interference area about itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Skypilot Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Hammel, Kirk Alton Bradley, Mark J. Rich
  • Patent number: 7339947
    Abstract: Network channel access protocol is disclosed. More particularly, a distributed, locally determined, channel access protocol that adapts to load, avoids interference and controls access by a group of nodes to a set of shared channels is disclosed. Shared channel space is divided into a number of communication slots that are repeated at a predetermined interval. Permission to use a slot to communicate between any two nodes is dynamically adjusted by the channel access protocol, which locally: (i) estimates load to neighboring nodes; (ii) allocates or deallocates slot usage to adapt to load and avoid interference; and (iii) asserts and advertises slot usage within an interference area about itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Skypilot Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Hammel, Kirk Alton Bradley, Mark J. Rich
  • Patent number: 7336642
    Abstract: A wireless mesh communication protocol that dynamically assigns communication time-slots and frequencies to mesh nodes. A first node is established as a PC that sequentially polls other nodes. A second node responds at a predetermined time with information that includes database records, and then a third node responds similarly. The second node is then established as the PC and the first node is polled during dynamically allocated time-slots and on a frequency that depend on the second node's database records. The third node is then established as a PC and acts similarly. In both cases the first node responds by sending information and data records. The first node is then re-established as the PC. The first node then polls the second and third nodes at times and frequencies that depend on the first node's database records.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Skypilot Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Rich, Randy Frei, Paul Gordon
  • Patent number: 7283494
    Abstract: Network channel access protocol is disclosed. More particularly, a distributed, locally determined, channel access protocol that adapts to load, avoids interference and controls access by a group of nodes to a set of shared channels is disclosed. Shared channel space is divided into a number of communication slots that are repeated at a predetermined interval. Permission to use a slot to communicate between any two nodes is dynamically adjusted by the channel access protocol, which locally: (i) estimates load to neighboring nodes; (ii) allocates or deallocates slot usage to adapt to load and avoid interference; and (iii) asserts and advertises slot usage within an interference area about itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Skypilot Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Hammel, Kirk Alton Bradley, Mark J. Rich
  • Publication number: 20070030811
    Abstract: A mesh network routing protocol for optimizing network data transmission capacity using a cost analysis based upon a links proximity to the gateway or other bandwidth constrained node. Specifically, the protocol computes a plurality of routing costs associated with each data path, compares the routing costs, and then selects the data path associated with the lowest routing cost for the transmission of data. Each link in each of the paths is weighted in view of its proximity to an ingress/egress point to the mesh network or other bandwidth constrained node or link of the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: SkyPilot Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall Frei, Linker Cheng, Paul Gordon
  • Publication number: 20070030847
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for admitting an additional node into a communications network that uses a scheduled communications protocol. Specifically, the node detects the presence of a network, establishes a communication link with a node already present on the network using a unicast messaging protocol, and then communicates pre-admission information to the node on the network. After pre-admission is complete, the new node is admitted to the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: SkyPilot Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall Frei, Linker Cheng
  • Patent number: 7149183
    Abstract: Network channel access protocol is disclosed. More particularly, a distributed, locally determined, channel access protocol that adapts to load, avoids interference and controls access by a group of nodes to a set of shared channels is disclosed. Shared channel space is divided into a number of communication slots that are repeated at a predetermined interval. Permission to use a slot to communicate between any two nodes is dynamically adjusted by the channel access protocol, which locally: (i) estimates load to neighboring nodes; (ii) allocates or deallocates slot usage to adapt to load and avoid interference; and (iii) asserts and advertises slot usage within an interference area about itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: SkyPilot Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Hammel, Kirk Alton Bradley, Mark J. Rich
  • Patent number: 7113519
    Abstract: Network channel access protocol is disclosed. More particularly, a distributed, locally determined, channel access protocol that adapts to load, avoids interference and controls access by a group of nodes to a set of shared channels is disclosed. Shared channel space is divided into a number of communication slots that are repeated at a predetermined interval. Permission to use a slot to communicate between any two nodes is dynamically adjusted by the channel access protocol, which locally: (i) estimates load to neighboring nodes; (ii) allocates or deallocates slot usage to adapt to load and avoid interference; and (iii) asserts and advertises slot usage within an interference area about itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Skypilot Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Hammel, Kirk Alton Bradley, Mark J. Rich