Patents by Inventor Dennis P. Connor

Dennis P. Connor 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: 8767726
    Abstract: A method of encapsulating data and a single frequency network configured to perform the method are disclosed. A content stream of data packets is received, and the data packets in the content stream are formatted in accordance with a first protocol. Information identifying a container size established for the content stream is received. The data packets formatted in accordance with the first protocol are fragmented and packed to form data units formatted in accordance with a second protocol, and the data units are sized based on the container size. The data units formatted in accordance with the second protocol are encapsulated to form second protocol data packets. The second protocol data packets are provided to a transmitter that is synchronized to one or more transmitters in a single frequency network so that each transmitter in the single frequency network broadcasts a same signal that includes the second protocol data packets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: WI-LAN, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian P Petry, Dennis P Connors, Gene W. Marsh, Srikanth Gummadi, Keerthi S Govind, William S Burchill, Seema Madan
  • Patent number: 8711833
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for generating and synchronizing a macro-diversity region transmitted by base stations in a network includes a receiving module configured to receive a plurality of packets of content data. A controller module coupled to the receiving module and configured to generate a macro-diversity region data that includes at least one packet of the plurality of packets of content data, and to generate a time reference and frame offset information to indicate an offset from the time reference and to further identify a second base station transmission frame that will include the second macro-diversity region data. A communication module to communicate a macro-diversity region message that includes the macro-diversity region data and the macro-diversity region control information to a plurality of base stations, configured to synchronize the transmission of the macro-diversity region data at the plurality of base stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Wi-LAN, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis P. Connors, Huei-Jiun Ju, Keerthi S. Govind, Sina Zahedi
  • Patent number: 8705493
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for announcing services available in a macro-diversity region of a data frame broadcast by a plurality of base stations in a single frequency network to a plurality of subscriber stations, includes a data frame with at least a data region and a macro-diversity region. A media access control (MAC) management message is generated which identifies content and characteristics of the content in the macro-diversity region. Then the MAC management message is transmitted in the data region of the data frame, wherein the MAC management message is decoded by a client station to determine if there is content of interest to the client station in the macro-diversity region of the data frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: WI-LAN, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis P. Connors, Gene Marsh
  • Publication number: 20140029576
    Abstract: Methods and devices for operating a wireless communication device that can communicate with at least two different wireless networks using a single radio frequency modem are described. The communication device attaches to a first wireless network through the radio frequency (RF) modem, and then detaches from the first wireless network at a predetermined time before a start time of a selected event on a second wireless network. The device attaches to the second wireless network using the same RF modem before the start time of the selected event and collects at least a portion of event data associated with the selected event. After collecting at least a portion of event data, the device detaches from the second wireless network and re-attaches to the first wireless network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: WI-LAN INC.
    Inventors: Dennis P. Connors, Gene W. Marsh
  • Patent number: 8548520
    Abstract: Methods and devices for operating a wireless communication device that can communicate with at least two different wireless networks using a single radio frequency modem are described. The communication device attaches to a first wireless network through the radio frequency (RF) modem, and then detaches from the first wireless network at a predetermined time before a start time of a selected event on a second wireless network. The device attaches to the second wireless network using the same RF modem before the start time of the selected event and collects at least a portion of event data associated with the selected event. After collecting at least a portion of event data, the device detaches from the second wireless network and re-attaches to the first wireless network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Wi-Lan Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis P. Connors, Gene W. Marsh
  • Patent number: 8526366
    Abstract: A method, apparatuses, and system of broadcasting content data in a macro-diversity region of a data frame includes receiving a stream of transport packets. Selecting at least one burst size, from amongst a set of a plurality of predetermined burst sizes. Allocating one or more data bursts with the selected burst size to the macro-diversity region of the data frame, each data burst comprising at least a portion of the received transport packets and wherein the at least one burst size is selected so as to minimize a number of data bursts allocated to the macro-diversity region. Then communicating the allocation of data bursts to a transmitter that includes the allocation of data bursts in the macro-diversity region of a data frame transmitted by the transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Wi-Lan, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis P. Connors, Huei-Jiun Ju, Keerthi S. Govind, Sina Zahedi
  • Patent number: 8339945
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for a data link control layer of a communication modem in which data movement functionality is implemented in hardware. In one embodiment, a data link layer comprises software, memory and hardware. The software comprises a processor configured to receive control signaling from a host device and provide control information to the hardware. The hardware comprises an outbound memory manager configured to receive data from the host device, determine locations in the memory for the data, store the data in the memory, determine which of the data is to be forwarded to a physical layer during a given transmit period, and forward the data to the physical layer. In preferred embodiments, the modem is a high performance modem designed for the terminals of a wireless local area network having multiple data flows, segmentation and reassembly, encryption, automatic repeat request, and quality of service requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: MWorks Wireless Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Dennis P. Connors
  • Patent number: 8130664
    Abstract: A system including a buffer to receive and store a stream of content data. A controller module may be configured to determine the macro-diversity region size based on a set of pre-selected configuration parameters including an incoming rate of the content data and to allocate at least a portion of the content data to a macro-diversity region, to monitor an amount of the content data in the buffer in accordance with the set of pre-selected configuration parameters including an incoming rate of the content data to determine whether the amount of content data falls into or out of a target range defined by a low-end value and a high-end value and to adjust the size of the macro-diversity region by one or more increments in response to changes in the amount of the content data in accordance with the target range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Wi-LAN, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis P. Connors, Huei-Jiun Ju, Sina Zahedi, Neeraj Poojary
  • Publication number: 20110286435
    Abstract: A method, apparatuses, and system of broadcasting content data in a macro-diversity region of a data frame includes receiving a stream of transport packets. Selecting at least one burst size, from amongst a set of a plurality of predetermined burst sizes. Allocating one or more data bursts with the selected burst size to the macro-diversity region of the data frame, each data burst comprising at least a portion of the received transport packets and wherein the at least one burst size is selected so as to minimize a number of data bursts allocated to the macro-diversity region. Then communicating the allocation of data bursts to a transmitter that includes the allocation of data bursts in the macro-diversity region of a data frame transmitted by the transmitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: WI-LAN INC.
    Inventors: Dennis P. Connors, Huei-Jiun Ju, Keerthi S. Govind, Sina Zahedi
  • Patent number: 8064444
    Abstract: A wireless broadcast system that collects content for distribution over a wireless communication network. At least one content stream is received and encapsulated into a stream of transport packets that are ruggedized for broadcast over the wireless communication link. The stream of transport packets are simultaneously broadcast as part of an identical signal from a plurality of synchronized transmitters in a single frequency network. The content can include multimedia data, such as audio/video data, movies, game, audio broadcasts, television network programs, or other types of multimedia content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: WI-LAN Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis P. Connors, Brian D. Petry, Gene W. Marsh, Srikanth Gummadi, Keerthi S. Govind, William S. Burchill, Seema Madan
  • Publication number: 20110116500
    Abstract: A method of encapsulating data and a single frequency network configured to perform the method are disclosed. A content stream of data packets is received, and the data packets in the content stream are formatted in accordance with a first protocol. Information identifying a container size established for the content stream is received. The data packets formatted in accordance with the first protocol are fragmented and packed to form data units formatted in accordance with a second protocol, and the data units are sized based on the container size. The data units formatted in accordance with the second protocol are encapsulated to form second protocol data packets. The second protocol data packets are provided to a transmitter that is synchronized to one or more transmitters in a single frequency network so that each transmitter in the single frequency network broadcasts a same signal that includes the second protocol data packets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: WI-LAN INC.
    Inventors: Brian P. Petry, Dennis P. Connors, Gene W. Marsh, Srikanth Gummadi, Keerthi S. Govind, William S. Burchill, Seema Madan
  • Patent number: 7944919
    Abstract: A wireless broadcast system that collects content for distribution over a wireless communication network. Multiple content streams are received and interleaved into an aggregate content stream. The aggregate content stream is encapsulated into a stream of transport packets that are ruggedized for broadcast over the wireless communication link. One connection identification is associated with the entire aggregate content stream. The aggregate content stream is packetized into multiple service data units. An identical signal that includes the service data units and one connection identifier is broadcast by multiple synchronized transmitters in a single frequency network. The content can include multimedia data, such as audio/video data, movies, game, audio broadcasts, television network programs, or other types of multimedia content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Wi-Lan, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis P. Connors, Brian D. Petry, Gene W. Marsh, Srikanth Gummadi, Keerthi S. Govind, William S. Burchill, Seema Madan
  • Patent number: 7912057
    Abstract: A wireless broadcast system includes receiving a data a stream by a convergence module. The convergence module partitions and encapsulates the transport packets into MAC protocol data units such that a size dimension of the encapsulated transport packets matches a size dimension of the MAC protocol data units. The MAC protocol data units are then provided to a transmitter that is synchronized to a plurality of transmitters in a single frequency network so that each transmitter in the network broadcast an identical signal that includes the MAC protocol data unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Wi-LAN Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Petry, Dennis P. Connors, Gene W. Marsh, Srikanth Gummadi, Keerthi S. Govind, William S. Burchill, Seema Madan
  • Patent number: 7903604
    Abstract: A method, apparatuses, and system of broadcasting content data in a macro-diversity region of a data frame includes receiving a stream of transport packets. Selecting at least one burst size, from amongst a set of a plurality of predetermined burst sizes. Allocating one or more data bursts with the selected burst size to the macro-diversity region of the data frame, each data burst comprising at least a portion of the received transport packets and wherein the at least one burst size is selected so as to minimize a number of data bursts allocated to the macro-diversity region. Then communicating the allocation of data bursts to a transmitter that includes the allocation of data bursts in the macro-diversity region of a data frame transmitted by the transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Wi-LAN Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis P. Connors, Huei-jiun (Laura) Ju, Keerthi S. Govind, Sina Zahedi
  • Publication number: 20090252070
    Abstract: A wireless broadcast system that collects content for distribution over a wireless communication network. Multiple independent content streams can be coarsely interleaved by collecting multiple small segments of content of each stream and rearranging them into larger segments, that are interleaved into an aggregate content stream that is broadcast as an identical signal from multiple transmitters. The broadcast signal can also include information about the interleaved content, such as information identifying the occurrence of a later interleaved instance of the same independent content stream in the aggregate content stream, that can be used by a receiver to activate and deactivate portions of a receiver to conserve power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Dennis P. Connors, Brian D. Petry, Gene W. Marsh, Srikanth Gummadi, Keerthi S. Govind, William S. Burchill, Seema Madan
  • Publication number: 20080259905
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for generating and synchronizing a macro-diversity region transmitted by base stations in a network includes a receiving module configured to receive a plurality of packets of content data. A controller module coupled to the receiving module and configured to generate a macro-diversity region data that includes at least one packet of the plurality of packets of content data, and to generate a time reference and frame offset information to indicate an offset from the time reference and to further identify a second base station transmission frame that will include the second macro-diversity region data. A communication module to communicate a macro-diversity region message that includes the macro-diversity region data and the macro-diversity region control information to a plurality of base stations, configured to synchronize the transmission of the macro-diversity region data at the plurality of base stations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: NEXTWAVE BROADBAND, INC.
    Inventors: Dennis P. Connors, Huei-Jiun Ju, Keerthi S. Govind, Sina Zahedi
  • Publication number: 20080259879
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for announcing services available in a macro-diversity region of a data frame broadcast by a plurality of base stations in a single frequency network to a plurality of subscriber stations, includes a data frame with at least a data region and a macro-diversity region. A media access control (MAC) management message is generated which identifies content and characteristics of the content in the macro-diversity region. Then the MAC management message is transmitted in the data region of the data frame, wherein the MAC management message is decoded by a client station to determine if there is content of interest to the client station in the macro-diversity region of the data frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: DENNIS P. CONNORS, Gene Marsh
  • Publication number: 20080259849
    Abstract: A system including a buffer to receive and store a stream of content data. A controller module may be configured to determine the macro-diversity region size based on a set of pre-selected configuration parameters including an incoming rate of the content data and to allocate at least a portion of the content data to a macro-diversity region, to monitor an amount of the content data in the buffer in accordance with the set of pre-selected configuration parameters including an incoming rate of the content data to determine whether the amount of content data falls into or out of a target range defined by a low-end value and a high-end value and to adjust the size of the macro-diversity region by one or more increments in response to changes in the amount of the content data in accordance with the target range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: NEXTWAVE BROADBAND, INC.
    Inventors: Dennis P. Connors, Huei-jiun Ju, Sina Zahedi, Neeraj Poojary
  • Publication number: 20080259878
    Abstract: A method, apparatuses, and system of broadcasting content data in a macro-diversity region of a data frame includes receiving a stream of transport packets. Selecting at least one burst size, from amongst a set of a plurality of predetermined burst sizes. Allocating one or more data bursts with the selected burst size to the macro-diversity region of the data frame, each data burst comprising at least a portion of the received transport packets and wherein the at least one burst size is selected so as to minimize a number of data bursts allocated to the macro-diversity region. Then communicating the allocation of data bursts to a transmitter that includes the allocation of data bursts in the macro-diversity region of a data frame transmitted by the transmitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Dennis P. Connors, Huei-Jiun (Laura) Ju, Keerthi S. Govind, Sina Zahedi
  • Publication number: 20080182616
    Abstract: Methods and devices for operating a wireless communication device that can communicate with at least two different wireless networks using a single radio frequency modem are described. The communication device attaches to a first wireless network through the radio frequency (RF) modem, and then detaches from the first wireless network at a predetermined time before a start time of a selected event on a second wireless network. The device attaches to the second wireless network using the same RF modem before the start time of the selected event and collects at least a portion of event data associated with the selected event. After collecting at least a portion of event data, the device detaches from the second wireless network and re-attaches to the first wireless network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: DENNIS P. CONNORS, Gene W. Marsh