Patents by Inventor Craig S. Skinner

Craig S. Skinner 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: 9524497
    Abstract: A system and method for registering a mobile computing device for a data service on a wireless network is described. The method comprises receiving a request from a user to initiate a program on the mobile computing device which requires a network connection for a data service. The method comprises checking if a wireless account for the data service has been activated for the mobile computing device, and, if a wireless account for the data service has not been activated, transmitting to a network node a serial number of the mobile computing device and a key which is based on an encryption of the serial number. The method further comprises receiving a message indicating a wireless network connection is granted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian Gerald Kuhn, Craig S. Skinner
  • Patent number: 9332079
    Abstract: A system and a method are provided for managing network activation with a carrier and registration with a service provider. In one example, the method determines a network activation status. If the network is not activated, a utility is used to perform the activation. Further, the status of registration with a provider is determined. If not registered, a request is sent to a server of the service provider for a registration file configured to gather user registration information. The registration file is then received from the server. The registration file is executed on the personal computer. Data gathered by the registration file is then returned to the service provider's server to complete the registration procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Craig S. Skinner, William Shu-Woon Wong, Brian Gerald Kuhn
  • Patent number: 9232552
    Abstract: A method and system for establishing a wireless connection between a portable computer system and a wireless network, particularly when the portable computer system goes out of coverage and a wireless connection needs to be re-established. The portable computer system has a main processor and a digital signal processor (DSP). The main processor is placed in a low power mode, conserving battery power. When the portable computer system goes out of coverage, broadcast channels used by the wireless network are scanned by the DSP instead of the main processor to identify channels that have sufficient signal strength for the wireless connection. Thus, the main processor remains in the low power mode. When the DSP identifies acceptable channels, it wakes up the main processor and identifies the channels having sufficient signal strength. The main processor then establishes a wireless connection using one of the channels identified by the DSP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Craig S. Skinner, John Brown, William Wong
  • Publication number: 20140313960
    Abstract: A method and system for establishing a wireless connection between a portable computer system and a wireless network, particularly when the portable computer system goes out of coverage and a wireless connection needs to be re-established. The portable computer system has a main processor and a digital signal processor (DSP). The main processor is placed in a low power mode, conserving battery power. When the portable computer system goes out of coverage, broadcast channels used by the wireless network are scanned by the DSP instead of the main processor to identify channels that have sufficient signal strength for the wireless connection. Thus, the main processor remains in the low power mode. When the DSP identifies acceptable channels, it wakes up the main processor and identifies the channels having sufficient signal strength. The main processor then establishes a wireless connection using one of the channels identified by the DSP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Craig S. Skinner, John Brown, William Wong
  • Patent number: 8812398
    Abstract: A user sets up an account including radio identification, billing information, etc. via a web-based account creation device, or over the telephone with an account representative. An activation key is provided to the user that identifies the radio device and the users account. An activation screen is displayed to a user at the start of wireless activities. The activation screen requires the activation key before continuing with wireless services. Since the key identifies both the radio and user's account (which was approved prior to provision of the activation key), rejection traffic is eliminated and non-active account traffic is significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian Gerald Kuhn, Craig S. Skinner
  • Patent number: 8797931
    Abstract: A method and system for establishing a wireless connection between a portable computer system and a wireless network, particularly when the portable computer system goes out of coverage and a wireless connection needs to be re-established. The portable computer system has a main processor and a digital signal processor (DSP). The main processor is placed in a low power mode, conserving battery power. When the portable computer system goes out of coverage, broadcast channels used by the wireless network are scanned by the DSP instead of the main processor to identify channels that have sufficient signal strength for the wireless connection. Thus, the main processor remains in the low power mode. When the DSP identifies acceptable channels, it wakes up the main processor and identifies the channels having sufficient signal strength. The main processor then establishes a wireless connection using one of the channels identified by the DSP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Craig S. Skinner, John Brown, William Wong
  • Patent number: 8290481
    Abstract: A panel has been provided to a wireless device that turns off all RF capability of the wireless device (including, but not limited to notifications, wireless web clipping, instant messaging, email sending/receiving, phone calls, etc.). The panel is brought up on a screen of the wireless device by pressing a programmed hard button for more than 1 second. Once the RF capability has been turned off, if the user attempts to access a program or other device that requires the RF capabilities, a notification is displayed that identifies the RF capabilities as being disabled and prompts the user whether to continue. If the user continues, the RF device is automatically enabled, otherwise the RF device remains disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Craig S. Skinner, John Richard Brown, Mindy Chahel, Lisa King
  • Patent number: 8131888
    Abstract: An automated network registration and activation system and method of the present invention automatically configures a communication network device for communicating on a network and automatically handles the communication network registration and activation. In one embodiment a processor automatically configures a device for communicating on a communication network with automated registration and activation on the communication network. In one exemplary implementation, network configuration information includes a network unit device identifier (e.g., a MAN) and the present invention automatically registers and activates a device with a communication network when requested to activate by a user tapping on an activation application or being taken to the activation application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Craig S. Skinner
  • Patent number: 8036991
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for registering a mobile computing device of a service on a wireless network. The method comprises receiving user information for a user of the mobile computing device and creating an account based on the user information. The method comprises receiving a first key and serial number from the mobile computing device at a network node and generating a second key based on an encryption of a stored serial number of the mobile computing device. Based on an evaluation of the first and second keys and received and stored serial numbers, the mobile computing device is registered on the wireless network for the service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Brian Gerald Kuhn, Craig S. Skinner
  • Publication number: 20110149861
    Abstract: An automated network registration and activation system and method of the present invention automatically configures a communication network device for communicating on a network and automatically handles the communication network registration and activation. In one embodiment a processor automatically configures a device for communicating on a communication network with automated registration and activation on the communication network. In one exemplary implementation, network configuration information includes a network unit device identifier (e.g., a MAN) and the present invention automatically registers and activates a device with a communication network when requested to activate by a user tapping on an activation application or being taken to the activation application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventor: Craig S. Skinner
  • Patent number: 7861009
    Abstract: An automated network registration and activation system and method of the present invention automatically configures a communication network device for communicating on a network and automatically handles the communication network registration and activation. In one embodiment a processor automatically configures a device for communicating on a communication network with automated registration and activation on the communication network. In one exemplary implementation, network configuration information includes a network unit device identifier (e.g., a MAN) and the present invention automatically registers and activates a device with a communication network when requested to activate by a user tapping on an activation application or being taken to the activation application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Palm, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig S. Skinner
  • Publication number: 20100165938
    Abstract: A system and method for registering a mobile computing device for a data service on a wireless network is described. The method comprises receiving a request from a user to initiate a program on the mobile computing device which requires a network connection for a data service. The method comprises checking if a wireless account for the data service has been activated for the mobile computing device, and, if a wireless account for the data service has not been activated, transmitting to a network node a serial number of the mobile computing device and a key which is based on an encryption of the serial number. The method further comprises receiving a message indicating a wireless network connection is granted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Brian Gerald Kuhn, Craig S. Skinner
  • Publication number: 20100169217
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for registering a mobile computing device of a service on a wireless network. The method comprises receiving user information for a user of the mobile computing device and creating an account based on the user information. The method comprises receiving a first key and serial number from the mobile computing device at a network node and generating a second key based on an encryption of a stored serial number of the mobile computing device. Based on an evaluation of the first and second keys and received and stored serial numbers, the mobile computing device is registered on the wireless network for the service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Brian Gerald Kuhn, Craig S. Skinner
  • Patent number: 7672225
    Abstract: A method of switching a network access configuration associated with a first electronic system to a second electronic system via a network is described. The first electronic system is inoperable. The second electronic system replaces the first electronic system such that a user seamlessly transitions from the first electronic system to the second electronic system. The user continues to access the network resources using the second electronic system rather than the first electronic system. According to an embodiment of the present invention, an application for switching the network access configuration is invoked using the second electronic system. During a first phase, the application transmits first data to a network infrastructure provider. The network infrastructure provider obtains approval for switching the network access configuration from the network service provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Palm, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig S. Skinner
  • Publication number: 20100027452
    Abstract: A method and system for establishing a wireless connection between a portable computer system and a wireless network, particularly when the portable computer system goes out of coverage and a wireless connection needs to be re-established. The portable computer system has a main processor and a digital signal processor (DSP). The main processor is placed in a low power mode, conserving battery power. When the portable computer system goes out of coverage, broadcast channels used by the wireless network are scanned by the DSP instead of the main processor to identify channels that have sufficient signal strength for the wireless connection. Thus, the main processor remains in the low power mode. When the DSP identifies acceptable channels, it wakes up the main processor and identifies the channels having sufficient signal strength. The main processor then establishes a wireless connection using one of the channels identified by the DSP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: PALM. INC.
    Inventors: Craig S. Skinner, John Brown, William Wong
  • Publication number: 20100022240
    Abstract: An automated network registration and activation system and method of the present invention automatically configures a communication network device for communicating on a network and automatically handles the communication network registration and activation. In one embodiment a processor automatically configures a device for communicating on a communication network with automated registration and activation on the communication network. In one exemplary implementation, network configuration information includes a network unit device identifier (e.g., a MAN) and the present invention automatically registers and activates a device with a communication network when requested to activate by a user tapping on an activation application or being taken to the activation application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: Craig S. Skinner
  • Patent number: 7602742
    Abstract: To manage power in a wireless communication device, broadcast channels used by the network are scanned with a first processor in a lower power mode. The scanning is performed using a second processor that uses less power than the first processor. The scanning is performed at periodic points in time until a broadcast channel acceptable for the wireless connection is identified. The second processor is placed in the lower power mode between scans. The second processor is awakened from the lower power mode to perform the scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Palm, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig S. Skinner, John Brown, William Wong
  • Patent number: 7555571
    Abstract: An automated network registration and activation system and method of the present invention automatically configures a communication network device for communicating on a network and automatically handles the communication network registration and activation. In one embodiment a processor automatically configures a device for communicating on a communication network with automated registration and activation on the communication network. In one exemplary implementation, network configuration information includes a network unit device identifier (e.g., a MAN) and the present invention automatically registers and activates a device with a communication network when requested to activate by a user tapping on an activation application or being taken to the activation application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Palm, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig S. Skinner
  • Publication number: 20090143062
    Abstract: A panel has been provided to a wireless device that turns off all RF capability of the wireless device (including, but not limited to notifications, wireless web clipping, instant messaging, email sending/receiving, phone calls, etc.). The panel is brought up on a screen of the wireless device by pressing a programmed hard button for more than 1 second. Once the RF capability has been turned off, if the user attempts to access a program or other device that requires the RF capabilities, a notification is displayed that identifies the RF capabilities as being disabled and prompts the user whether to continue. If the user continues, the RF device is automatically enabled, otherwise the RF device remains disabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: PALM, INC.
    Inventors: Craig S. Skinner, John Richard Brown, Mindy Chahel, Lisa King
  • Patent number: 7474892
    Abstract: A panel has been provided to a wireless device that turns off all RF capability of the wireless device (including, but not limited to notifications, wireless web clipping, instant messaging, email sending/receiving, phone calls, etc.). The panel is brought up on a screen of the wireless device by pressing a programmed hard button for more than 1 second. Once the RF capability has been turned off, if the user attempts to access a program or other device that requires the RF capabilities, a notification is displayed that identifies the RF capabilities as being disabled and prompts the user whether to continue. If the user continues, the RF device is automatically enabled, otherwise the RF device remains disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Palm, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig S. Skinner, John Richard Brown, Mindy Chahel, Lisa King