Abstract: Methods and systems for providing related social profiles in a social network are disclosed. One method identifying a plurality of social profiles within the social network, wherein the plurality of social profiles each have a relationship with the first file, wherein the social network allows uploading and sharing of social profiles of users, and wherein each social profile includes a representation of a user. The method further includes generating, by a system server, a list of inquiries based on the plurality of social profiles, providing, by the system server, the list of inquiries to at least one author of the first file, receiving from the at least one author at least one response to the list of inquiries, selecting a subset of the plurality of social profiles based on the at least one response, and storing information related to the selected subset of the plurality of social profiles.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing related picture files in a picture file storage system are disclosed. One method includes identifying a plurality of picture files within the picture file storage system, wherein the plurality of picture files each have a relationship with the first file, and wherein each picture file includes a picture and associated information. The method further includes generating, by a system server, a list of inquiries based on the plurality of picture files, providing, by the system server, the list of inquiries to at least one creator of the first file, receiving from the at least one creator at least one response to the list of inquiries, selecting a subset of the plurality of picture files based on the at least one response, and storing information related to the selected subset of the plurality of picture files.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing related message threads in a message storage system are disclosed. One method includes identifying a plurality of message threads within the message storage system, wherein the plurality of message threads each have a relationship with the first file, wherein the message storage system provides a platform for storing and sharing message threads, and each message thread includes a message and associated information. The method further includes generating a list of inquiries based on the plurality of message threads, providing, by the system server, the list of inquiries to at least one sender of the first file, receiving from the at least one sender at least one response to the list of inquiries, selecting a subset of the plurality of message threads based on the at least one response, and storing information related to the selected subset of the plurality of message threads.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing related video files in a video file storage system are disclosed. One method includes identifying a plurality of video files within the video file storage system, wherein the plurality of video files each have a relationship with the first file, and each video file includes a video and associated information. The method further includes generating, by a system server, a list of inquiries based on the plurality of video files, providing, by the system server, the list of inquiries to at least one creator of the first file, receiving from the at least one creator at least one response to the list of inquiries, selecting a subset of the plurality of video files based on the at least one response, and storing information related to the selected subset of the plurality of video files.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing related web pages are disclosed. One method includes identifying a plurality of web pages, wherein the plurality of web pages each have a relationship with the first file, wherein the world wide web provides a platform for sharing web pages, and wherein each web page includes a document or information resource that is suitable for the world wide web and is accessible through a web browser. The method further includes generating a list of inquiries based on the plurality of web pages, providing, the list of inquiries to at least one author of the first file, receiving from the at least one author at least one response to the list of inquiries, selecting a subset of the plurality of web pages based on the at least one response, and storing information related to the selected subset of the plurality of web pages.

Abstract: A programmed computer receives one or more documents that contain text that is relevant to a user (“interest documents”). The programmed computer automatically identifies groups of words that match the interest documents. The matching word groups are ranked by a weight that is assigned based on how infrequently a word group matches a reference corpus and how frequently the word group matches one or more interest document(s), in comparison to other word groups. A set of word groups are automatically identified based on ranking, and displayed to a user to select documents from a corpus. Selected documents are displayed to the user, e.g. with one or more group of words used in selecting the documents.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of a wireless network timing transmission of multiple BSSID beacons is disclosed. One method includes a method of a wireless access node within a wireless mesh network timing transmission of multiple BSSID beacons. The method includes the access node identifying multiple personalities of the wireless mesh network, wherein a separate MAC address corresponding with each of the personalities. The access node assigns a beacon type for each of the personalities. During each transmission frame, the access node consecutively transmits a plurality of the beacon types, wherein the different beacon types are consecutively spaced during transmission by a predetermined period. The predetermined period is substantially less than a time duration of each transmission frame.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for communicating link quality information between access nodes is disclosed. A first step includes a first access node transmitting first routing packets. A second step includes a second access node receiving at least one of the first routing packets over a first direction of a first link. A third step includes the second access node transmitting second routing packets. A fourth step includes the first access node receiving at least one of the second routing packets over a second direction of the first link, and determining a first direction link quality of the first link based upon the second routing packets.

Abstract: A method of determining a location of a network condition within a wireless mesh network is disclosed. The method includes a test device testing a first plurality of wireless hops of the wireless mesh network. The test device also tests a second number of wireless hops of the wireless mesh network. The test device locates the network condition within the wireless mesh network by comparing the test of the first plurality of wireless hops with the test of the second number of wireless hops.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method of client device roaming from a home subnet to a foreign subnet of a network. The method includes the client device accessing the network through a first access node of the home subnet, and the client device roaming to a second access node of the foreign subnet, the client device accessing the network through the second access node, the client device maintaining a fixed client IP address, default gateway IP address and IP subnet attachment as the client device roams from the first access node to the second access node.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of determining link qualities of a plurality of links between an access point and a plurality of client devices is disclosed. The method includes detecting all client devices associated with the access point. A list of the associated client devices is generated. The access point transmits keep alive packets according to the list. The access point counts responds to the keep alive packets from each of the client devices. The access point estimates a link quality between the access point and each client device based on the counted responses. An apparatus and method of determining link qualities of a plurality of links between an access node of a wireless mesh network and a plurality of client devices is also disclosed. The method includes detecting all client devices associated with the access node. A list of the associated client devices is generated. The access node transmits keep alive packets to each of the associated client devices according to the list.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of a gateway selecting transmission channels of a cluster of a wireless mesh network is disclosed. The cluster includes the gateway and a plurality of access nodes. The method includes the gateway cycling through a plurality of available transmission channels, evaluating channel each of the available transmission channels, and selecting a cluster transmission channel based on the channel evaluations. An apparatus and method of a node within a wireless mesh network selecting a transmission channel is also disclosed. The method includes the node cycling through a plurality of available transmission channels, measuring a persistence of successfully received routing packets from upstream devices at each of the available transmission channels, evaluating noise of each of the available transmission channels, and selecting one of the available transmission channels based on the persistence of successfully received routing packets and the noise.

Abstract: A method of adaptively setting a transmission power level of a node within a wireless mesh network is disclosed. The method includes monitoring a quality of a plurality of reverse direction links between the node and downstream nodes, and between the node and an upstream node, of the wireless mesh network. At least one worst quality reverse direction link is identified. If the at least one worst quality link is greater than a high threshold, then the transmission power level of the node is decreased. If the at least one worst quality link is less than a low threshold, then the transmission power level of the node is increased. A method of adaptively selecting transmission power of gateway nodes of a wireless mesh network is also disclosed. The method includes each gateway node monitoring a quality of a plurality of reverse direction links between the gateway node and downstream nodes of the wireless mesh network. Each gateway node identifies at least one worst quality reverse direction link.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of a wireless network timing transmission of multiple BSSID beacons is disclosed. One method includes a method of a wireless access node within a wireless mesh network timing transmission of multiple BSSID beacons. The method includes the access node identifying multiple personalities of the wireless mesh network, wherein a separate MAC address corresponding with each of the personalities. The access node assigns a beacon type for each of the personalities. During each transmission frame, the access node consecutively transmits a plurality of the beacon types, wherein the different beacon types are consecutively spaced during transmission by a predetermined period. The predetermined period is substantially less than a time duration of each transmission frame.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of propagating a size of a cluster within a wireless mesh network is disclosed. The method includes a gateway within the cluster maintaining information of access nodes within the cluster. The gateway determines a cluster size based on the maintained information, and transmits routing packets that include the cluster size of the gateway. An apparatus and method of balancing clusters of a wireless mesh network is also disclosed. The method includes the gateway of each cluster originating beacons, wherein the beacons include a size of the cluster of the gateway. The access nodes of each cluster, re-broadcasts beacons received from the gateway of the cluster. A connecting access node selects which cluster to connect to at least in part based on the size of each of the clusters.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of a wireless network timing transmission of multiple BSSID beacons is disclosed. The method includes identifying multiple personalities of the wireless network, wherein a separate MAC address corresponding with each of the personalities. A beacon type is assigned for each of the personalities. During each transmission interval, a plurality of the beacon types are consecutively transmitted, wherein the different beacon types are consecutively spaced during transmission by a predetermined inter-frame spacing, wherein the predetermined inter-frame spacing is substantially less than an air-time duration of each transmission interval.

Abstract: A method of selecting at least one routing path between an access node and a gateway is provided. The method includes the access node receiving over a plurality of channels, indicators from at least one upstream access node, the indicators providing information of selected upstream paths between each of the upstream access nodes and upstream gateways. The access node determines an optimal set of routing paths between the access node and at least one upstream gateway, based upon the indicators, the optimal set of routing paths including a combination of paths over multiple channels.

Abstract: A method of optimizing link transmission parameters between access nodes within a mesh network is disclosed. The method includes each access node within the mesh transmitting packets at N different combinations of data rates and power levels. Each receiving node that receives the data packets at one or more of the N combinations, selects a most desirable one of the received combinations. The receiving nodes indicate to the transmitting nodes the selected most desired combination for transmitting to the receiving node.

Abstract: The invention includes an apparatus and method for displaying path metrics associate with nodes and links within a network. The method includes determining path metric values associated with the network. The method further includes displaying only the path metric values that fall within a predetermined set. The predetermined set can be adjustable by a network manager. The predetermined set can include an initial default value and be additionally adjusted by a network manager. The predetermined set associated with a particular node can be based upon a redundancy of paths available to the particular node.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of selecting a routing path through a mesh network that includes a mobile access node is disclosed. The method includes each access node of the mesh network capable of receiving routing beacons from at least one upstream access node. The routing beacons including information of all upstream access nodes along a path to a gateway access node. The mobile access node selecting a route through an upstream access node based upon a quality of beacons received from at least one upstream access node, and whether the at least one upstream access node is a fixed access node or another mobile access node.