Patents by Inventor Bryant Eastham

Bryant Eastham 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: 8789016
    Abstract: A method for providing a configurable software library is disclosed. User input to specify target settings for at least one configurable settings of a base software library is received. The base software library is designed to be configurable. At least one code segment to be added to or removed from the base software library is identified based on the target settings. A modified software library is created by altering the base software library in accordance with the target settings in an automated manner utilizing a computer program. Systems for performing the foregoing method are also disclosed. The base and modified software libraries may be in a human-readable or computer-readable (binary) format. The disclosed systems and methods may be utilized to, for example, streamline a software library incorporated into or referenced by programming code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: W. Bryant Eastham, James L. Simister
  • Patent number: 8626873
    Abstract: A system manages communications between a provider and a requestor in a distributed network. A requestor is implemented on a computing device and provides a stay online binding. The stay online binding identifies a binding that is desired by the requestor. A provider is implemented on a computing device and provides a binding. The provider receives the stay online binding from the requestor and continues providing the binding because the provider became aware of the stay online binding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Bryant Eastham
  • Patent number: 8626925
    Abstract: A plurality of non-multicast nodes that do not process multicast messages register with a selective multicast proxy. In response to receiving a request for a service from a requestor via multicast, the selective multicast proxy identifies among the plurality of non-multicast nodes one or more providers of the requested service. The selective multicast proxy sends the request to the one or more providers without sending the request to other non-multicast nodes on the computer network. The selective multicast proxy, the requestor of the service, the provider(s) of the service, and the non-multicast nodes may all be located within the same local area network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Milligan, Bryant Eastham
  • Patent number: 8588420
    Abstract: A method for determining a time delay for sending an update request by a computing device is described. A first update request is sent by a computing device at the termination of a first random delay. A first load data is received. A second update request is sent by the computing device at the termination of a maximum update parameter. A second load data is received. The first load data is compared with the second load data. A next update time is adjusted if the first load data differs from the second load data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: W. Bryant Eastham, James L. Simister
  • Patent number: 8533255
    Abstract: A computing device configured to implement a method for binding negotiation is disclosed. The computing device includes a processor and memory in electronic communication with the processor. A first binding has a first binding ID. Instructions are stored in the memory to implement a method for binding negotiation. The first binding is advertised on a network. A second provider is discovered to also provide the first binding with a second binding ID on the network. The computing device then determines whether it is to provide the first binding by evaluating a collision function (F). Based on the result of the collision function, either the addition of the first binding with the second binding ID is halted, or the first binding with the first binding ID is canceled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Bryant Eastham, Tom Milligan
  • Patent number: 8457127
    Abstract: A method for reducing multicast traffic over a network is described. A control request is received. A first ranking indicator associated with the control request is compared with a second ranking indicator associated with a node that received the control request. A first response to the control request is generated. The first response is stored in a queue. A second response associated with the control request is received. The first response is removed from the queue without being sent to the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: W. Bryant Eastham, James L. Simister
  • Patent number: 8281386
    Abstract: An authentication program on a network authenticator establishes a secure communication channel with an embedded device. The authentication program receives security credentials from an embedded device. The authentication program receives from the embedded device via the secure communication channel either a secret for the embedded device or a request to generate the secret for the embedded device. The authentication program registers the secret for the embedded device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Milligan, Bryant Eastham
  • Patent number: 8274978
    Abstract: A method for reducing multicast traffic over a network is described. A control request is received. A first ranking indicator associated with the control request is compared with a second ranking indicator associated with a node that received the control request. A first response to the control request is generated. The first response is stored in a queue. A second response associated with the control request is received. The first response is removed from the queue without being sent to the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: W. Bryant Eastham, James L. Simister
  • Patent number: 8270293
    Abstract: A system for managing communications with a provider is disclosed. A provider includes a provider binding. A requestor requests a requested binding. An intervening access node is in electronic communication with the provider and the requestor. The intervening access node includes program instructions stored in memory and implementing a method for managing communications with a provider. The provider binding is received from the provider. The provider binding is stored. A request signal sent from the requestor specifies the requested binding. It is determined whether the requested binding is provided by the provider. The request signal is sent to the provider only if it is determined that the requested binding is provided by the provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Bryant Eastham, Tom Milligan
  • Patent number: 8271657
    Abstract: A publisher node in a network determines how many subscriber nodes in the network have subscribed to receive notification messages about data that is maintained by the publisher node. The publisher node also determines how many available connections the publisher node is configured to support. If the number of available connections exceeds the number of subscribers, the publisher node sends the notification messages to the subscriber nodes via a connection-based protocol. If the number of subscriber nodes exceeds the number of available connections, the publisher node sends the notification messages to the subscriber nodes via multicast. If the publisher node sends the notification messages to the subscriber nodes via multicast, the publisher node may receive one or more connection requests from subscribers that may be depending on reliably receiving the notification messages from the publisher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Bryant Eastham
  • Publication number: 20120047198
    Abstract: A system manages communications between a provider and a requestor in a distributed network. A requestor is implemented on a computing device and provides a stay online binding. The stay online binding identifies a binding that is desired by the requestor. A provider is implemented on a computing device and provides a binding. The provider receives the stay online binding from the requestor and continues providing the binding because the provider became aware of the stay online binding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bryant Eastham
  • Patent number: 8073929
    Abstract: A system manages communications between a provider and a requestor in a distributed network. A requester is implemented on a computing device and provides a stay online binding. The stay online binding identifies a binding that is desired by the requester. A provider is implemented on a computing device and provides a binding. The provider receives the stay online binding from the requestor and continues providing the binding because the provider became aware of the stay online binding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bryant Eastham
  • Patent number: 8059819
    Abstract: A method for distributing updates for a key is described. One or more update requests are received per unit of time. The number of received update requests per unit of time is multiplied by a maximum update period to estimate the number of active nodes in a group. The total number of received update requests per unit of time is determined. An amount representing additional update requests per unit of time is obtained from the difference between the total number of received updates and a determined maximum. A minimum update period for a group of nodes is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: W. Bryant Eastham, Thomas A. Milligan, James L. Simister
  • Patent number: 7996516
    Abstract: Systems and methods for configuration of devices within a network utilizing inherited configuration data are disclosed. Configuration data stored at a junction box in electronic communication with a first device is accessed. The configuration data includes a default zone of interest assignment for a first device. The zone of interest comprises a portion of a network. Devices within the zone of interest are identified. It is determined whether the first device is compatible with any of the identified devices. The first device is configured, in an automated manner, to interact with a set of compatible devices within the zone of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: David L. King, W. Bryant Eastham, Byron J. Gudmundson, Mark E. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20110176546
    Abstract: A method for reducing multicast traffic over a network is described. A control request is received. A first ranking indicator associated with the control request is compared with a second ranking indicator associated with a node that received the control request. A first response to the control request is generated. The first response is stored in a queue. A second response associated with the control request is received. The first response is removed from the queue without being sent to the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: W. Bryant Eastham, James L. Simister
  • Patent number: 7894606
    Abstract: An embedded program on an embedded device determines whether a security key has been assigned to the embedded device. If the security key has not been assigned, the embedded program uses a random number that is provided by a manufacturer of the embedded device and that is stored in memory of the embedded device to obtain the security key for the embedded device. The security key is stored in the memory of the embedded device. The security key is used to establish secure connections with other devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bryant Eastham
  • Patent number: 7840810
    Abstract: A method for rejoining a second group of nodes with a first group of nodes is described. A first state of a first group key associated with a first group of nodes is received. The first state of the first group key is multicast to a second group of nodes. The first group key is rekeyed to a second group key associated with the second group of nodes. A second state of the second group key is multicast to the second group of nodes. A third state of a third group key associated with the first group of nodes is received. A rekey command is multicast to the second group of nodes if the third state is different from the second state. The second group key is rekeyed to the third group key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: W. Bryant Eastham
  • Patent number: 7693984
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing status data to a requesting device are disclosed. A request for status data is transmitted from a requesting device to a providing device. The request includes prior values of variables stored at the requesting device. At the providing device, the transmitted prior values are compared with current values of the variables stored at the providing device. Changed variables, which comprise variables for which the current value is different from the prior value, are identified. A variable map is formulated that identifies the changed variables. Current values for the changed variables and variable map are organized into a pre-defined format to form status data. The status data is transmitted to the requesting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: David Bashford, W. Bryant Eastham, James L. Simister
  • Patent number: 7680044
    Abstract: In a peer-to-peer network, one or more congestion events are defined that imply congestion on the network. In addition, one or more non-congestion events are defined that imply a lack of congestion on the network. When a node detects the occurrence of one or more of the defined congestion events, the node increases the spacing of connectionless protocol (e.g., UDP) packets that are sent by the node. When a node detects the occurrence of one or more of the defined non-congestion events, the node decreases the spacing of connectionless protocol packets that are sent by the node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Devon S. Sumner, W. Bryant Eastham
  • Patent number: 7657763
    Abstract: A system for selectively controlling electrical outlets using power profiling is disclosed. There is a plurality of electrical outlets that each comprises a power socket capable of receiving a plug, an outlet identification and a switch that when in a first position no power is available at the power socket, and when the switch is in a second position power is available at the power socket. A controller is in electronic communication with the plurality of electrical outlets. The controller includes a processor and memory in electronic communication with the processor. The controller also includes power profiles and operates to receive data from an electrical outlet of the plurality of electrical outlets. A device or class of device is identified based on the received data. A power profile is identified based on the received data. Action is taken based on the power profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark E. Nelson, W. Bryant Eastham, James L. Simister