Patents by Inventor Charles I. Cook

Charles I. Cook 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).

  • Publication number: 20180198669
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing interconnection gateway and/or hub functionalities between two or more network functions virtualization (“NFV”) entities that are located in different networks. In some embodiments, a NFV interconnection gateway (“NFVIG”) might receive a set of network interconnection information from each of two or more sets of NFV entities, each set of NFV entities being located within a network separate from the networks in which the other sets of NFV entities are located. The NFVIG might be located in one of these networks. The NFVIG might abstract each set of network interconnection information, and might establish one or more links between the two or more sets of NFV entities, based at least in part on the abstracted sets of network interconnection information. The NFVIG might provide access to one or more virtualized network functions (“VNFs”) via the one or more links.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Michael J. Fargano, Charles I. Cook, Kevin M. McBride, William O'Brien, JR., John McManus
  • Publication number: 20180183874
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing Internet of Things (“IoT”) functionality. In some embodiments, a first IoT-capable device might receive beacon data from each of one or more other IoT-capable devices in a self-organizing network (“SON”) of IoT devices, might compare the received beacon data with stored beacon data, and might send at least one first data to a computing system to update the computing system of any changes in the SON (indicating, without limitation, new devices, failed devices, disabled devices, devices that have moved out of range, etc.). The computing system might receive and analyze the at least one first data to determine a status of each IoT-capable device in the SON, might generate control instructions, and might autonomously send the control instructions to at least one of the IoT-capable devices in the SON to improve the functionality of the SON.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventor: Charles I. Cook
  • Publication number: 20180183685
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing Internet of Things (“IoT”) functionality. In some embodiments, a processor might receive sensor data from a plurality of sensors of a first IoT-capable device, and might analyze the sensor data to determine whether to send the sensor data to at least one of second IoT-capable devices or user devices, each associated with the user of the first IoT-capable device, and/or to at least one of third IoT-capable devices associated with one or more third party groups. Based on a determination to send the sensor data to at least one of the second IoT-capable devices associated with the user, the user devices associated with the user, and/or the third IoT-capable devices associated with third party group(s), the processor might send the sensor data to the at least one of the second IoT-capable devices, the user devices, and/or the third IoT-capable devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventor: Charles I. Cook
  • Publication number: 20180176149
    Abstract: Novel solutions to provide enhanced configurability of network access. Such solutions can provide, inter alia, enhanced utilization of network resources (including without limitation network aggregation devices, such as DSLAMs and the like). In an aspect of some solutions, a network aggregation device can divide an aggregate uplink bandwidth into a plurality of time slots. Some or all of the time slots can be reserved for different customers (subscribers).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventor: Charles I. Cook
  • Publication number: 20180168464
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing Internet of Things (“IoT”) functionality. In some embodiments, an IoT-capable personal tracking device might receive sensor data from each of a plurality of sensors, and might analyze the sensor data to identify one or more external IoT-capable devices with which to interact and to determine one or more tasks to be performed by the identified IoT-capable devices, each based at least in part on the sensor data. In some cases, the plurality of first sensors might comprise at least one of one or more sensors that monitor physical conditions of a user's body and/or one or more sensors that monitor environmental conditions external to the user's body. The personal tracking device might subsequently autonomously send, via machine-to-machine communication, control instructions to each of the identified external IoT-capable devices, based on the determined tasks. Multiple personal tracking devices may also be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas C. Barnett, JR., Kevin M. McBride, Charles I. Cook, Robert J. Morrill
  • Patent number: 9998320
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing interconnection gateway and/or hub functionalities. In some embodiments, a network functions virtualization (“NFV”) interconnection gateway or hub (“NFVIG” or “NFVIH”) might receive a set of network interconnection information from each of one or more sets of NFV entities and/or one or more sets of NFV-based customer devices, each set being located within a network separate from the networks in which the other sets are located. The NFVIG or NFVIH might be located within one of these networks or within a separate external network. The NFVIG or NFVIH might abstract each set of network interconnection information, and might establish one or more links among the sets of NFV entities and/or the sets of NFV-based customer devices based on such abstraction. The NFVIG or NFVIH might provide access to one or more virtualized network functions (“VNFs”) via the one or more links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Fargano, Charles I. Cook, Kevin M. McBride, William O'Brien, Jr., John McManus
  • Publication number: 20180146508
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques that can provide wireless service for multiple service providers from a single, multi-service provider wireless access point. In an aspect, a multi-service provider wireless access point might communicate with a plurality of wireless devices, each associated with a different wireless carrier, and route communications from each device to the appropriate carrier (and/or, similarly, transmit communications from each carrier to the appropriate wireless device). In this way, for example, a single wireless access point could provide service to cellphones of subscribers of a number of different carriers. Such a wireless access point can provide enhanced efficiency and reduced cost, along with the ability to provide higher service for a number of wireless carriers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Robert J. Morrill, Charles I. Cook
  • Patent number: 9954861
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing application, service, and/or content access control. Based at least in part on a consumer's choice of applications, services, content, and/or content providers—particular in exchange for a subsidy on content and/or network access fees provided to the consumer by chosen content providers—, a computing system may determine whether access to applications, services, and/or content not associated with the chosen content providers (“other content”) should be allowed or restricted. If restricted, the computing system might utilize various network access techniques and/or technologies to block the consumer's access to the other content, to allow access to the other content on a charge per access basis, or to allow access to the other content at reduced network access speeds. In some embodiments, an access provider (e.g., an Internet service provider, etc.) might perform both determination and implementation of content access and restriction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Fargano, Charles I. Cook, Kevin M. McBride, John T. Pugaczewski
  • Patent number: 9948493
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing interconnection gateway and/or hub functionalities between two or more network functions virtualization (“NFV”) entities that are located in different networks. In some embodiments, a NFV interconnection gateway (“NFVIG”) might receive a set of network interconnection information from each of two or more sets of NFV entities, each set of NFV entities being located within a network separate from the networks in which the other sets of NFV entities are located. The NFVIG might be located in one of these networks. The NFVIG might abstract each set of network interconnection information, and might establish one or more links between the two or more sets of NFV entities, based at least in part on the abstracted sets of network interconnection information. The NFVIG might provide access to one or more virtualized network functions (“VNFs”) via the one or more links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Fargano, Charles I. Cook, Kevin M. McBride, William O'Brien, Jr., John McManus
  • Patent number: 9942413
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a multi-network gateway system providing one or more third-party telecommunications service providers access to a third-party network interface across an otherwise proprietary access network maintained by a primary telecommunications service provider. Specifically, one embodiment includes an access network provided by a primary telecommunications service provider in communication with a multi-network access gateway. One subset of telecommunications information conveyed across the access network is provided to a customer of the primary telecommunications service provider. Another subset of telecommunications information conveyed across the access network is provided to a third-party network interface and to a third-party network, for the use of the third-party telecommunications service provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventor: Charles I. Cook
  • Patent number: 9929975
    Abstract: Novel solutions to provide enhanced configurability of network access. Such solutions can provide, inter alia, enhanced utilization of network resources (including without limitation network aggregation devices, such as DSLAMs and the like). In an aspect of some solutions, a network aggregation device can divide an aggregate uplink bandwidth into a plurality of time slots. Some or all of the time slots can be reserved for different customers (subscribers). In another aspect of some embodiments, the time slots can be allocated in such a way as to simulate oversubscription of the aggregate uplink bandwidth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: CentruyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventor: Charles I. Cook
  • Publication number: 20180076897
    Abstract: Tools and techniques for providing robust wireless distribution of communications signals from a provider. Certain embodiments comprise one or more modular communications apparatuses. The modular communications apparatuses feature an enclosure which is, at least in part, transparent to radio frequencies. A modular communications apparatus also typically includes one or more communications radios or transmitter/receiver devices within the enclosure. The apparatus also includes at least one and possibly more than one antenna located within the enclosure along with wire or cable-based signal output apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventor: Charles I. Cook
  • Publication number: 20180035518
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing wireless radio functionality in a home or building. In some embodiments, a device may comprise a light socket attachment configured to be inserted into a corresponding light socket, a communications system comprising a non-wired communications device (e.g., a wireless radio, a LiFi device, etc.), a light bulb receptacle configured to receive a light bulb, and/or circuitry configured to receive electric power through the light socket attachment, to direct a specified current to the communications system, and to direct remaining current to the light bulb receptacle. In an additional aspect, the device might be configured to implement a two-terminal or a three-terminal power connection light socket to power the communications system. In some cases, Power-Line Communications (“PLC”) may be used to transmit data over the three-terminal power connection to and from the communications system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Charles I. Cook
  • Patent number: 9872339
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques that can provide wireless service for multiple service providers from a single, multi-service provider wireless access point. In an aspect, a multi-service provider wireless access point might communicate with a plurality of wireless devices, each associated with a different wireless carrier, and route communications from each device to the appropriate carrier (and/or, similarly, transmit communications from each carrier to the appropriate wireless device). In this way, for example, a single wireless access point could provide service to cellphones of subscribers of a number of different carriers. Such a wireless access point can provide enhanced efficiency and reduced cost, along with the ability to provide higher service for a number of wireless carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Morrill, Charles I. Cook
  • Publication number: 20170366643
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and software are disclosed for providing application levels of service over a network. Embodiments of the invention maintain a list of registered applications (or application providers) that have registered with a network resources provider. Customers of the network resources provider may authenticate some or all of the registered applications, indicating a desire to allow traffic relating to those applications over their access networks. Customers may further set application levels of service with respect to those authenticated applications. Certain embodiments may manage network traffic to accord with the application levels of service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Gilman R. Stevens, Charles I. Cook, Thomas Schwengler
  • Patent number: 9843393
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques providing for the robust wireless distribution of communications signals from a provider to multiple customer premises. Certain embodiments comprise one or more modular communications apparatuses which are located near to customer premises. The modular communications apparatuses features an enclosure which is, at least in part, transparent to radio frequencies. A modular communications apparatus also typically includes one or more communications radios or transmitter/receiver devices within the enclosure. The apparatus also includes at least one and possibly more than one antenna located within the enclosure along with wire or cable-based signal output apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventor: Charles I. Cook
  • Publication number: 20170308395
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing network experience shifting, and, in particular embodiments, using either a roaming or portable hypervisor associated with a user or a local hypervisor unassociated with the user. In some embodiments, a network node in a first network might receive, via a first network access device in a second network, a request from a user device to establish roaming network access, and might authenticate a user associated with the user device, the user being unassociated with the first network access device. Based on a determination that the user is authorized to access data, content, profiles, and/or software applications that are accessible via a second network access device, the network node might establish a secure private connection through a hypervisor or container communicatively coupled to the first network access device to provide the user with access to her data, content, profiles, and/or software applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Charles I. Cook, Kevin M. McBride, Matthew J. Post, William R. Walker
  • Publication number: 20170310573
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for testing a data connection (e.g., network connection and/or packet-based service connection) and determining a performance condition of the data connection. The data connection may depend on conditions of an access network and/or a local area network. In some embodiments, a local performance test device may be in communication with an access network and/or a local area network. The local performance test device may receive a request to test the access network and/or the local area network. The local performance test device may further be configured to analyze the access network and/or the local area network to determine whether a data connection issue is occurring on the access network and/or the local area network. Once the local performance test device determines where a performance issue is occurring, the local performance test device may send the result of the test to a requesting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventor: Charles I. Cook
  • Publication number: 20170272954
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments comprise one or more security methods, systems or apparatus suitable to provide additional security to personal property or financial transactions. Embodiments feature a proximity security token which is physically separate from a protected device. A communications link is provided between the proximity security token and the protected device which communications link operates over a limited range. Thus, the presence and active operation of the limited range communications link between the proximity security token and protected device indicates that the protected device has not been lost and stolen. Interruption of the communications link indicates that the protected device may have been lost or stolen causing the commencement of security actions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventor: Charles I. Cook
  • Patent number: 9769827
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a wireless network with several access points connected to a communication infrastructure. Residential or business customers of the Internet are provided an Internet interface (e.g., a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem) having a wireless transceiver. Two or more users may access the Internet or other network through the Internet interface. Each user can be assigned a unique Service Set-Identifier (SSID) with each SSID associated with a type of service (e.g., user video service, backhaul service, etc.). The amount of bandwidth assigned to the type of service (and user) may be governed by the equipment according to the assigned SSID.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.
    Inventors: Charles I. Cook, Thomas Schwengler