Patents by Inventor Christopher Ergen

Christopher Ergen 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: 11960376
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for monitoring nodes on a distributed computing network. A distributed computing system can monitor each node within a wireless network to identify when a node is disconnected from the network. The distributed computing system can dynamically perform tasks on behalf of the node until the node is reconnected to the wireless network. In some implementations, the distributed computing system monitors the utilization of the wireless network to identify when the wireless network has the capacity to perform a task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: DISH Wireless L.L.C.
    Inventors: Owen Christens-Barry, Jennings Maxwell Orcutt, Christopher Ergen
  • Publication number: 20230309074
    Abstract: Systems, machine-readable media, and methods may facilitate controlling use of a radio frequency band. A communication device of a set of communication devices may be communicated with, and device specifications may be collected. Device parameters corresponding to the communication device may be detected. The device parameters may include a specification of a location. A coexistence composite may be determined based on the device parameters. Specifications corresponding to the coexistence composite may be developed. At least part of the specifications of the coexistence composite may be communicated with a radio frequency allocation system. Consequent to the communicating with the radio frequency allocation system, a radio frequency assignment and operating parameters for the coexistence composite may be identified. The communication device may be controlled to access the radio frequency band in accordance with the radio frequency assignment and the operating parameters for the coexistence composite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Brian Mengwasser, Christopher Ergen
  • Publication number: 20230143952
    Abstract: Various arrangements for decreasing cellular network dead spots using microcells are detailed. A geographic map indicative of cellular network performance may be created. Using the geographic map, an area that has a cellular network dead spot can be identified. A subscriber database can be used to identify a subscriber address that is in a location to extend the cellular network within the dead spot. Based on analyzing the subscriber database to identify the subscriber address that is in the location to extend the cellular network, a microcell can be caused to be deployed at the subscriber address. Cellular services can then be provided using the microcell to various pieces of user equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventor: Christopher Ergen
  • Publication number: 20230114225
    Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods for flexible access to priority access tiers in shared radio frequency (RF) spectrum bands. An example embodiment provides automated mechanisms for network operators to obtain the benefits of using a priority access license (PAL) in the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS), including access to such protected frequency bands, on an as-needed and/or on-demand basis without having to own a PAL (CBRS-As-A-Service (CAAS)). This CAAS thereby provides an “interference insurance” service to network operators. In response to receiving an indication of the at least one condition being met (e.g., a current interference level surpassing a threshold), a priority access tier license controller automatically causes the wireless network operator to be able to operate a wireless network using the PAL to the shared frequency spectrum band and thus be protected from RF interference by lower priority access users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Owen W. Barry, Adam H. Saenger, Jennings Maxwell Orcutt, Christopher Ergen
  • Publication number: 20230116761
    Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods for flexible access to priority access tiers in shared radio frequency (RF) spectrum bands. An example embodiment provides automated mechanisms for network operators to obtain the benefits of using a priority access license (PAL) in the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS), including access to such protected frequency bands, on an as-needed and/or on-demand basis without having to own a PAL (CBRS-As-A-Service (CAAS)). This CAAS thereby provides an “interference insurance” service to network operators. In response to receiving an indication of the at least one condition being met (e.g., a current interference level surpassing a threshold), a priority access tier license controller automatically causes the wireless network operator to be able to operate a wireless network using the PAL to the shared frequency spectrum band and thus be protected from RF interference by lower priority access users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Owen W. Barry, Adam H. Saenger, Jennings Maxwell Orcutt, Christopher Ergen
  • Publication number: 20230064341
    Abstract: A technique is directed to methods and systems for detecting interruptions while streaming media content. An interruption detection system can monitor streaming media content to detect when an interruption (e.g., commercial break, advertisement, etc.) will occur in the streaming content. The interruption detection system can query the content delivery platform to determine whether the same content is available on another channel. When the same video content is available on another channel, the interruption detection system can switch to the second channel when the interruption begins and continue to stream the media content for the user. The interruption detection system can detect when the interruption is ending on the first channel and notify the user of the amount of time until the interruption is complete. When the commercial is complete, the interruption detection system can switch back to the original channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventor: Christopher Ergen
  • Publication number: 20230062792
    Abstract: A technique is directed to methods and systems for drone flight path automation for site inspections. A user can operate a drone in a sequence around a site and capture data. The data is logged and used to generate an automated flight path, so that for future flights, the drone can fly an automated flight path along the same flight path sequence as the logged flight path and capture data of the site. For example, automated flight paths allow drones to capture data in the same way on each flight so inconsistencies in measured data of the site can be identified, since the flight paths are the same. In some implementations, the captured data is used to generate a three-dimensional (3D) interactive model of the site. The 3D interactive model can be used for acquiring certifications for the site from permitting authorities or inspectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventor: Christopher Ergen
  • Publication number: 20220284419
    Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for automatically transferring assets based on a smart contract. In one example, a smart contract is constructed between a consumer and a service provider. The smart contract is stored on a blockchain. Financial data associated with the consumer may be received by the system, and based on the financial data associated with the consumer, the system may construct an investment profile for the consumer. The system may receive a deposit of assets (e.g., cryptocurrency). The funds may be placed into an escrow wallet, where the funds may be drawn upon based on the rules of the smart contract. At least a portion of the funds may also be automatically invested based on the investment profile of the consumer. The system may receive a trigger event, which may cause a transfer of assets from the escrow wallet to the service-provider wallet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Evan Tedesco, Christopher Ergen
  • Publication number: 20220255928
    Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for verifying the location of a device using blockchain technology and zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs). In one example aspect, a system may receive raw geolocation and timestamp data from a device. The geolocation data may be corroborated by other third-party trusted devices in a network. Upon receiving the raw geolocation and timestamp data, the system may construct at least one ZKP. In one example, the ZKP involves determining whether the geolocation of the device is within an authorized region from a database of authorized regions. If the geolocation is determined to be in an authorized region, then a ZKP predicate stating that the device was in an authorized region may be constructed. This ZKP predicate may be written to a blockchain so that a verifier may read the block and verify the device's location without receiving the raw, underlying geolocation/timestamp data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Evan Tedesco, Christopher Ergen
  • Publication number: 20220253866
    Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for monitoring services provided by a service provider to a consumer using a smart contract architecture. In one example, smart contract terms are provided to a DeFi application running on a blockchain, and a smart contract (e.g., a SLA smart contract) is constructed on the blockchain. Once the service provider begins providing service to the consumer, the system may monitor the service performance of the service. If the service performance dips below a certain agreed-upon threshold based on the smart contract, a trigger event may occur. Additionally, the analysis of the service performance data may indicate a service deficiency, wherein a remedial action is suggested to the service provider to be applied. The service deficiency and remedial action may be stored on the blockchain for future review.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Evan Tedesco, Christopher Ergen, Garo Petrosyan