Abstract: This document describes Toll Free IP (TIP), a business model and its enabling methods to provide no-charge-to-user (“toll-free”) connectivity through IP-based access networks (e.g., public wireless hotspot networks based on IEEE 802.11), which may be operated by different network operators. With TIP, the use of networks to communicate with a toll-free IP destination will be paid by the owner of the toll-free IP destination. A toll-free IP destination can be identified in many ways, e.g., by a toll-free IP address, toll-free Internet Domain Name, a toll-free Universal Resource Identifier or Universal Resource Locator. TIP enables a user to use networks without prior service subscriptions with network or service providers and without any special terminal software or hardware for gaining permission to use a network. It allows users to use more access networks, i.e., larger “footprints”, than any individual network operator or aggregator can provide.

Abstract: A helper station system is disclosed that can enhance communications in a wireless network having at least one slow or unreliable link. In preferred embodiments, the helper station system includes at least one helper station configured to wirelessly re-transmit an original wireless transmission from at least one sender station to at least one access point without having to re-contend for access to the wireless medium.

Abstract: A Multi-Interface Mobility Management (MIMM) client is provided on a mobile Multi-Interface Device (MID) to support seamless network connectivity and switching of the MID. The MIMM client communicates with a MIMM Server. The MIMM Server collects information from MIMM Clients and provides information to the MIMM Clients pertaining to the network(s) to which the mobile MID has access, such as information concerning the availability of a network, the quality of network connectivity, etc. The MIMM Client is responsible for determining whether and when a handoff or roaming operation should be initiated by the mobile MID, and which network interface the mobile MID should use after the handoff/roam operation has been completed. The MIMM Client also is responsible for performing mobility-related functions that are required prior and subsequent to the handoff/roam operation. The MIMM Client uses the information received from the MIMM Server in order to make these determinations.

Abstract: In preferred embodiments, a wireless network system features buffering of data packets transmitted to mobile nodes. The system is transparent to the mobile node, so that the mobile node is not required to request service from the network, or negotiate service parameters with the network. An EAPOL-Start and binding update messages initiate and terminate the buffering, and also commence pre-authentication and smooth handoff reporting, respectively.

Abstract: This application describes, among other things, a framework of Media-independent Pre-Authentication (MPA), a new handover optimization mechanism that has a potential to address issues on existing mobility management protocols and mobility optimization mechanisms. MPA is a mobile-assisted, secure handover optimization scheme that works over any link-layer and with any mobility management protocol. This application also shows, among other things, an initial implementation of MPA in our testbed and some performance results to show how existing protocols could be leveraged to realize the functionalities of MPA.

Abstract: A logic device implementing configurations for ROM based logic uses arrays of memory cells to provide outputs based on inputs received at the logic device. The logic device stores values in the memory cells that are accessed when an input is received. The memory cells are transistors that provide values of ‘1’ or ‘0.’ Various configurations reduce the number of transistors while implementing the memory block by utilizing a single bitline or a dynamic precharge implementation.

Abstract: A multi-hop wireless network system is disclosed that includes a plurality of routing nodes configured to route packets transmitted from a source node to a destination node. In the preferred embodiments, the plurality of routing nodes are configured to perform capture and analysis by only a last routing node before the destination node. Among other things, the system and method provides a efficient method for performing intrusion detection or other processing in a multi-hop wireless network.

Abstract: A single burst method is used to determine the available bandwidth in a network environment. A sending node transmits test packets to a receiving node. The size of the test packets is dynamically determining based on network parameters within the network environment. The sending node then receives test receipt packets that have the same sequence numbers as the corresponding test packets. Packet clusters are formed from the test receipt packets. The available bandwidth is determined based on the packet clusters along with values set by the single burst method or inputted by a user.

Abstract: This document describes, among other things, a systems and methods for monitoring vehicle conditions via cellular networks.

Abstract: Transportation costs are minimized with a novel system for optimizing a route for a service vehicle, for example, a package delivery van. Based upon static and dynamic information, a computer on board the service vehicle determines an optimum route for the vehicle to travel between multiple locations. The computer on board the service vehicle communicates wirelessly to receive any pertinent dynamic information which has changed (e.g., traffic congestion, the presence of a customer at a deliver location, or a modification of location). The computer then recalculates the optimum route for the vehicle and guides the driver of the vehicle in accordance with the newly determined optimum route. The on board computer continues to check for any updates, and recalculates the optimum route throughout the day. Thus, the optimum route may be selected based upon the latest available information white avoiding heavy signal traffic on the wireless network.

Abstract: This application sets forth, among other things, a new approach for real time collection, discovery, and sharing of network and user information, which we refer to as Autonomous Collaborative Information Collection, Discovery, and Sharing (AC-CDS). It is autonomous because regular mobile users and devices act autonomously to collect information and make the information available to others. It is collaborative as the autonomous actions of the mobile users and devices help each other to discover the information they want.

Abstract: Data packets are transmitted from a first access network to a first interface of a multiple interface device (MID), and identical data packets are transmitted concurrently from a second access network to a second interface of the MID. Some of the data packets that are transmitted to the MID from the first access network are not received by the first interface. The MID inspects identifiers of data packets from the first and second interfaces in order to send to the application a stream including all of the data packets. For example, the MID sends to the application the data packets from the first interface, buffers the data packets from the second interface, and sends data packets from the buffer to the application upon detecting that data packets in the buffer were transmitted to the first interface but not received by the first interface.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments herein relate to methods and systems for controlling a handoff decision related to switch back of a mobile node between a first network and a second network in a media independent pre-authentication framework and/or to methods and systems for mitigating effects of undesired switch back of a mobile node between a first network and a second network in a media independent pre-authentication framework.

Abstract: The present application discloses, inter alia, a system for improving the aggregate throughput of a wireless local area network which includes: at least one access point that is equipped with at least one transceiver configured to simultaneously transmit and receive at multiple frequencies using multiple channels; and the access point being configured to acquire channel conditions of users and to pool sets of users on the channels based on the channel conditions.

Abstract: A system and method that addresses the issue of inducing and exploiting multi-user diversity in, e.g., a WLAN system in a fully distributed and opportunistic manner. In some embodiments, the system includes: an access point having a variable beamformer configured to fluctuate signal strength as perceived by stations within a range of the access point; and a plurality of stations having modified distributed-MAC protocol such as to be channel-aware and opportunistic.

Abstract: The particular status of a Multiple Network Interface Mobile Device (MID) is identified and particular problems associated with that status are addressed by activating different modes of operation depending upon whether the MID is stationary or in motion. In particular, when the mobile device is in motion, the multiple network interfaces are used to prevent packet loss, and when the mobile device becomes stationary, the multiple network interfaces are used to enhance bandwidth to achieve superior Quality of Service (QoS). MIDs thus are allowed to utilize multiple interfaces simultaneously for bandwidth incremental increases if the mobile device is stationary. MIDs also are allowed to utilize multiple interfaces simultaneously for packet loss recovery and smooth and seamless transitioning from one interface to another when the mobile device is in motion.

Abstract: This document describes, among other things, a systems and methods for monitoring vehicle conditions via cellular networks. In some embodiments, a system for monitoring vehicle conditions is provided that includes at least one network information repository server having at least one database containing information related to vehicle conditions. The at least one network information repository server is configured to receive updates from mobile stations that perform a comparison of vehicle conditions based on actual information sensed by the mobile stations as compared to expected vehicle conditions and that upon identifying an inconsistency send an update to the network information repository server. Moreover, the network information repository server is configured to transmit updated information to a cellular network for broadcasting or multicasting to mobile stations or to send information via a cellular interface or wirelessly to mobile stations.

Abstract: A system and method for harmonizing adaptive arrays for wireless communication systems. The system includes a basis beam that receives packet transmissions from stations. The system determines the angle of arrival of the packet transmissions and forms a select beam to cover at least one of the stations.

Abstract: The present application describes, inter alia, novel techniques to perform pre-evaluations of multiple Wi-Fi Access Points (AP) and Access Networks (AN). A pre-evaluation determines whether or not an AP is connected to the Internet and measures the path performance that the AN, via that particular AP, can offer between the mobile device and a pre-specified Internet host. In addition, the invention also discloses methods to determine whether the AN requires a user to actively authenticate themselves through a redirect log-on page.

Abstract: A terminal device includes multiple interfaces having links to various networks. When a trigger event occurs, the terminal device selects a target link to a network to transition from its current link. A candidate link selection function determines candidate links that are filtered to remove links not meeting connectivity criteria. A target link selection function is then executed to select a target link from the filtered candidate links. Thus, the target link selection function is not run for every possible link, but only those meeting the criteria.