Patents by Inventor Craig A. Hobbs

Craig A. Hobbs 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: 8724515
    Abstract: Techniques are presented for configuring a networking device to provide secure wireless connectivity to one or more client devices. In one embodiment, a networking device is discovered that is within a wireless connectivity range from a first client device. The networking device is configured to provide wireless connectivity to the first client device. The first client device is configured to initiate a first wireless connection, without requiring a user to specify any network settings. The networking device is configured to authenticate a user to access a user interface for configuring the networking device, where the user is not authenticated based on any password.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron H. Averbuch, David Davis, Edward W. James, Craig A. Hobbs
  • Patent number: 8650311
    Abstract: A smart network may include a smart network host device as well as one or more client devices configured to connect to the smart network. Each of the client devices may implement one or more services that the client device exposes to other devices connected to the smart network. A client device configured to connect to the smart network may implement one or more modules configured to facilitate connecting to the smart network, registering the client device or services running on the client device with the smart network, diagnosing issues with the client device or the smart network, and upgrading the firmware of the client device. The client device may be configured to perform the various operations with minimal input from an owner of the smart network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Siddhartha Dattagupta, John Furlan, Mark Carroll, Chong Liang Li, Insung Kim, Edward James, Matthew Tebbs, Craig Hobbs, Mark Chekhanovskiy, Dan Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8631471
    Abstract: A host device for a wireless network may be configured to implement at least two virtual access points for connecting client devices to the wireless network. A user virtual access point enables a client device to connect to the wireless network and transmit network traffic to other devices connected to the wireless network. In addition, a setup virtual access point provides an additional access point to connect to the wireless network when network credentials for the user virtual access point, such as a service set identifier (SSID) or a password, are changed by a user. When a client device cannot find the user virtual access point based on a stored SSID or password, the client device may be configured to automatically reconnect to the setup virtual access point to request a new SSID and network credentials for the user virtual access point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Siddhartha Dattagupta, Aaron Hyman Averbuch, Craig A. Hobbs, Dan Nguyen, Eu Chong Son, Flemming Kraglund
  • Patent number: 8626921
    Abstract: A smart network may include a smart network host device as well as one or more client devices configured to connect to the smart network. Each of the client devices may implement one or more services that the client device exposes to other devices connected to the smart network. Each of the client devices includes network layer 2 and 3 attributes as well as network layer 7 application attributes. The application attributes are enumerated as named services, which each client device registers with the smart network host device. When a client device needs access to a named service, the smart network host device uses layer 2, 3, and 7 attributes associated with the client device to select a suitable server for providing the named service to the client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Chekhanovskiy, Mark Carroll, Siddhartha Dattagupta, John Furlan, Craig Hobbs, Edward James, Insung Kim, Chong Liang Li, Dan Nguyen, Matthew Tebbs
  • Patent number: 8601135
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for a client application on a computing device to perform a configuration process with a wireless access point. The access point exposes an isolated, unsecured Access Point which provides access to the DHCP services and services by which a client application can run the WPS registration process over a TCP (or higher layer protocol) connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: CISCO Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Lang, Craig Hobbs, Steve Kelly, John-Anthony Owens
  • Publication number: 20130173702
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for a client application on a computing device to perform a configuration process with a wireless access point. The access point exposes an isolated, unsecured Access Point which provides access to the DHCP services and services by which a client application can run the WPS registration process over a TCP (or higher layer protocol) connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua LANG, Craig HOBBS, Steve KELLY, John-Anthony OWENS
  • Publication number: 20120317254
    Abstract: A smart network may include a smart network host device as well as one or more client devices configured to connect to the smart network. Each of the client devices may implement one or more services that the client device exposes to other devices connected to the smart network. When a client device connects to the smart network, the client device may transmit a message to the smart network host device requesting the client device and zero or more services to be registered on the smart network. Once the client device and services are registered, other devices on the smart network may identify and utilize the resources or functions provided by the client device by querying the smart network host device for information related to the resources on the smart network. The smart network host device also notifies services about relevant service events on the smart network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Mark CHEKHANOVSKIY, Aaron Hyman AVERBUCH, Siddhartha DATTAGUPTA, Craig A. HOBBS, Matthew TEBBS, John-Anthony OWENS
  • Publication number: 20120317619
    Abstract: A host device for a wireless network may be configured to implement at least two virtual access points for connecting client devices to the wireless network. A user virtual access point enables a client device to connect to the wireless network and transmit network traffic to other devices connected to the wireless network. In addition, a setup virtual access point provides an additional access point to connect to the wireless network when network credentials for the user virtual access point, such as a service set identifier (SSID) or a password, are changed by a user. When a client device cannot find the user virtual access point based on a stored SSID or password, the client device may be configured to automatically reconnect to the setup virtual access point to request a new SSID and network credentials for the user virtual access point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Siddhartha DATTAGUPTA, Aaron Hyman Averbuch, Craig A. Hobbs, Dan Nguyen, Eu Chong Son, Flemming Kraglund
  • Publication number: 20120008529
    Abstract: Techniques are presented for configuring a networking device to provide secure wireless connectivity to one or more client devices. In one embodiment, a networking device is discovered that is within a wireless connectivity range from a first client device. The networking device is configured to provide wireless connectivity to the first client device. The first client device is configured to initiate a first wireless connection, without requiring a user to specify any network settings. The networking device is configured to authenticate a user to access a user interface for configuring the networking device, where the user is not authenticated based on any password.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: AARON H. AVERBUCH, David Davis, Edward W. James, Craig A. Hobbs
  • Publication number: 20110282936
    Abstract: A smart network may include a smart network host device as well as one or more client devices configured to connect to the smart network. Each of the client devices may implement one or more services that the client device exposes to other devices connected to the smart network. Each of the client devices includes network layer 2 and 3 attributes as well as network layer 7 application attributes. The application attributes are enumerated as named services, which each client device registers with the smart network host device. When a client device needs access to a named service, the smart network host device uses layer 2, 3, and 7 attributes associated with the client device to select a suitable server for providing the named service to the client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Mark Chekhanovskiy, Mark Carroll, Siddhartha Dattagupta, John Furlan, Craig Hobbs, Edward James, Insung Kim, Chong Liang Li, Dan Nguyen, Matthew Tebbs
  • Publication number: 20110264730
    Abstract: A smart network may include a smart network host device as well as one or more client devices configured to connect to the smart network. Each of the client devices may implement one or more services that the client device exposes to other devices connected to the smart network. A client device configured to connect to the smart network may implement one or more modules configured to facilitate connecting to the smart network, registering the client device or services running on the client device with the smart network, diagnosing issues with the client device or the smart network, and upgrading the firmware of the client device. The client device may be configured to perform the various operations with minimal input from an owner of the smart network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Siddhartha DATTAGUPTA, John Furlan, Mark Carroll, Chong Liang Li, Insung Kim, Edward James, Matthew Tebbs, Craig Hobbs, Mark Chekhanovskiy, Dan Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7612776
    Abstract: A facility for evaluating a spreadsheet cell is described. The facility reads a function call stored in a spreadsheet cell. The function call specifies an arbitrary geometric path and an operation to be performed on the specified path. The facility performs the specified operation on the specified path, and attributes one or more values produced thereby as the evaluated value of the spreadsheet cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Craig A. Hobbs
  • Patent number: 7444584
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for formulaically redirecting and modifying formula set operations in a spreadsheet application. A spreadsheet application may link the contents of one spreadsheet cell to other spreadsheet cells so that changes in one cell are reflected in linked cells. Three spreadsheet functions are provided which allow for formulaically redirecting and modifying formula set operations in a spreadsheet application. A first spreadsheet function, SETATREF, redirects a formula set in one spreadsheet cell to another spreadsheet cell. The SETATREF function may also allow a formula set to one spreadsheet cell to be redirected to and modified in a second spreadsheet cell. A second spreadsheet function, SETATREFEXPR, redirects a formula set to a formulaic location within a spreadsheet cell. A third function, SETATREFEVAL, allows for an evaluation of a formula at formula set-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Craig A. Hobbs
  • Patent number: 7318192
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for bounding data entered into one or more spreadsheet application cells. A bounding function is applied to a given cell that places bounds on values or formula results that may be entered into the cell. If a user enters a value to a bounded cell that exceeds or otherwise violates the bounds applied to the cell, or if a formula directed to the cell evaluates a value to the bounded cell that exceeds or otherwise violates the bounds applied to the cell, the value entered into the cell will be a value most closely approximating the desired value or evaluated value, but that does not exceed or otherwise violate the bounds set for the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Craig A. Hobbs, Scott Morgan LeGendre, Mark Thomas Nelson
  • Publication number: 20070130566
    Abstract: A cluster comprises a plurality of computer systems, wherein each of the plurality of computer systems is configured to execute one or more virtual machines. Each of the plurality of computer systems comprises hardware and a plurality of instructions. The plurality of instructions, when executed on the hardware, migrates at least a first virtual machine executing on a first computer system of the plurality of computer systems to a second computer system of the plurality of computer systems. The plurality of instructions migrates the first virtual machine responsive to a first load of the first computer system prior to the migration exceeding a second load of the second computer system prior to the migration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Inventors: Hans van Rietschote, Craig Hobbs, Mahesh Saptarshi
  • Publication number: 20060036939
    Abstract: A facility for enabling the use of user-defined function in a spreadsheet document made up of cells is described. The facility receives a trigger to evaluate cells that include a distinguished cell. In response to receiving the trigger, the facility determines that the distinguished cell contains an invocation of a user-defined function. In response to determining that the distinguished cell contains an invocation of a user-defined function, the facility applies the user-defined function defined in the second cell to both (a) determine a result value for the invocation of the user-defined function and (b) from the determiner's old value, obtain a value for the distinguished cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Publication date: February 16, 2006
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Hobbs, Daniel Clay
  • Publication number: 20050034059
    Abstract: A facility for evaluating a spreadsheet cell is described. The facility reads a function call stored in a spreadsheet cell. The function call specifies an arbitrary geometric path and an operation to be performed on the specified path. The facility performs the specified operation on the specified path, and attributes one or more values produced thereby as the evaluated value of the spreadsheet cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2002
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Craig Hobbs