Patents by Inventor Brian D. McManus

Brian D. McManus 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).

  • Method and apparatus for maintaining communications connections over a distributed wireless network
    Patent number: 9319956
    Abstract: A mobile wireless device connects to a network of multiple wireless transceiver stations using a protocol in which a connection is established with a particular transceiver station. If the mobile device moves out of range of the original station, the connection is passed to another station, which then impersonates the original station, without dropping the connection. Preferably, the original station provides a virtual Media Access Control (MAC) address to identify itself when the connection is established, and this virtual MAC address is passed to any successor station. Preferably, the station monitors signal strength and automatically passes the connection by polling its neighbors upon determining that signal strength is getting weak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian D. McManus, Andrew T. Thorstensen
  • Method and Apparatus for Maintaining Communications Connections Over a Distributed Wireless Network
    Publication number: 20090180444
    Abstract: A mobile wireless device connects to a network of multiple wireless transceiver stations using a protocol in which a connection is established with a particular transceiver station. If the mobile device moves out of range of the original station, the connection is passed to another station, which then impersonates the original station, without dropping the connection. Preferably, the original station provides a virtual Media Access Control (MAC) address to identify itself when the connection is established, and this virtual MAC address is passed to any successor station. Preferably, the station monitors signal strength and automatically passes the connection by polling its neighbors upon determining that signal strength is getting weak.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Brian D. McManus, Andrew T. Thorstensen