Patents by Inventor François Blouin
François Blouin 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).
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Patent number: 9607412Abstract: A method of setting up an end-to end connection between two end-points in an optical network. A plurality of validated paths in the network are defined. Each validated path extends between a respective pair of wavelength termination points and has requisite physical resources to carry signal traffic between its pair of wavelength termination points. A graph of the network is generated. An edge of the graph corresponds with a respective validated path, and a vertex of the of the graph corresponds with at least one wavelength termination point. The graph is analyzed to compute an end-to-end path between two vertices respectively corresponding with end-points of the end-to-end connection, and the end-to-end connection set up using the computed path.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2010Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Ciena CorporationInventors: Frederick LaLonde, Francois Blouin, Mark Draper
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Publication number: 20170050654Abstract: A method and system for assisting the safe operation of a train adapted to be operated by a locomotive operating crew comprises generating GPS-located critical information at a central location, the GPS-located critical information being based at least in part on one or more railroad maps and one or more train dispatcher information systems; monitoring the real-time location of the train with a GPS device on-board the train; and generating alerts for the locomotive operating crew based on the GPS-located critical information and the real time location of the train, so that the crew is alerted as to upcoming changes to be implemented.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2016Publication date: February 23, 2017Inventors: Claude Perras, Leigh Thorpe, Francois Blouin
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Patent number: 9428202Abstract: A method and system for assisting the safe operation of a train adapted to be operated by a locomotive operating crew comprises generating GPS-located critical information at a central location, the GPS-located critical information being based at least in part on one or more railroad maps and one or more train dispatcher information systems; monitoring the real-time location of the train with a GPS device on-board the train; and generating alerts for the locomotive operating crew based on the GPS-located critical information and the real time location of the train, so that the crew is alerted as to upcoming changes to be implemented.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2014Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: Via Rail Canada Inc.Inventors: Claude Perras, Leigh Thorpe, Francois Blouin
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Patent number: 9306812Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for network performance management for monitoring performance of network applications. The system comprises a transmitter for sending one or more types of probe packets to the network, a receiver for receiving the one or more network probe packets from the network and for receiving one or more network application performance queries from one or more network applications, a processor connected to the transmitter and the receiver and operable to process network probe packets received by the receiver to generate network performance statistics for each type of probe packet and to look up the network application performance requirements of the one or more network applications and compare the network application performance requirements with the corresponding network performance statistics to determine whether the network application should access the network.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2007Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: RPX Clearinghouse LLCInventors: Saurabh Srivastava, Ravishankar Ravindran, Francois Blouin
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Patent number: 9191234Abstract: An enhanced communication bridge includes a context interface that enables the audio bridge to learn information about the type of Voice encoder, device, network connection, location, type of call (business vs. personal), identity and position of the individual, and other information about the context of the communication session itself as well as the context of each person joining the communication session. This context information is used to determine how quality of experience targets for the communication as a whole, as well as how each individual contribution should be uniquely processed to attempt to meet the quality of experience targets. Business factors may influence the decision as to the type of processing to be implemented on each of the signals provided by the participants. Corrective action may also be implemented by the bridge on the client network devices as well in the embodiment. The bridge may be centralized or distributed. A video bridge may be implemented as well.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2009Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: RPX Clearinghouse LLCInventors: Francois Blouin, Leigh Thorpe, Tim Rahrer, Tadeusz Drwiega, Rafi Rabipour
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Publication number: 20150291193Abstract: A method and system for assisting the safe operation of a train adapted to be operated by a locomotive operating crew comprises generating GPS-located critical information at a central location, the GPS-located critical information being based at least in part on one or more railroad maps and one or more train dispatcher information systems; monitoring the real-time location of the train with a GPS device on-board the train; and generating alerts for the locomotive operating crew based on the GPS-located critical information and the real time location of the train, so that the crew is alerted as to upcoming changes to be implemented.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2014Publication date: October 15, 2015Inventors: Claude Perras, Leigh Thorpe, Francois Blouin
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Publication number: 20150089057Abstract: Domains (multiple collaborating service providers) create service offerings between pairs of edge nodes that interconnect with other domains in the network. The service offerings may specify the available bandwidth, quality of service, reliability, available security, price, subscriber and service contextual specific and other SLA information. When a new service is to be created, the service definition is used along with information about the available service offerings to determine a set of networks to implement the service. Information associated with the service offerings may be flooded to all other networks. Alternatively, the service offering information may be provided to a trusted third party (SLA broker) which may provide SLA services on the network to select sets of domains to implement inter-domain services, and may also proxy to set up the service for the SLA requesting party. A hybrid approach may also be used.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2014Publication date: March 26, 2015Inventors: Ravishankar RAVINDRAN, Francois BLOUIN, Delfin MONTUNO
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Patent number: 8934357Abstract: Domains (multiple collaborating service providers) create service offerings between pairs of edge nodes that interconnect with other domains in the network. The service offerings may specify the available bandwidth, quality of service, reliability, available security, price, subscriber and service contextual specific and other SLA information. When a new service is to be created, the service definition is used along with information about the available service offerings to determine a set of networks to implement the service. Information associated with the service offerings may be flooded to all other networks. Alternatively, the service offering information may be provided to a trusted third party (SLA broker) which may provide SLA services on the network to select sets of domains to implement inter-domain services, and may also proxy to set up the service for the SLA requesting party.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2011Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Rockstar Consortium US LPInventors: Ravishankar Ravindran, Francois Blouin, Delfin Montuno
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Publication number: 20140064273Abstract: A set of critical nodes or links is identified on the network through which most of the shortest paths on the network occur. Each node compares their distance to end points on the network with a distance between the end points and each of the distinct critical nodes. Where the distance between the end points and the critical nodes is shorter than the distance between the end points and the node, the node is not on the shortest path and does not install forwarding state. Where the distance between the end points and the critical node is larger than or equal to the distance between the end points and the node, the node may be on the shortest path between the pair of end nodes and installs forwarding state. Installation of forwarding state may cause packet duplication, but determining forwarding state is dramatically simplified.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2013Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: Rockstar Consortium US LPInventors: Abel Dasylva, Delfin Montuno, Peter Ashwood Smith, Francois Blouin, Tadeusz Drwiega
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Patent number: 8605628Abstract: A set of critical nodes or links is identified on the network through which most of the shortest paths on the network occur. Each node compares their distance to end points on the network with a distance between the end points and each of the distinct critical nodes. Where the distance between the end points and the critical nodes is shorter than the distance between the end points and the node, the node is not on the shortest path and does not install forwarding state. Where the distance between the end points and the critical node is larger than or equal to the distance between the end points and the node, the node may be on the shortest path between the pair of end nodes and installs forwarding state. Installation of forwarding state may cause packet duplication, but determining forwarding state is dramatically simplified.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2011Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Rockstar Consortium US LPInventors: Abel Dasylva, Delfin Montuno, Peter Ashwood Smith, Francois Blouin, Tadeusz Drwiega
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Patent number: 8280994Abstract: A software program/software tools allows end user quality of experience to be quantified and translated into network conditions required to achieve that end user quality of experience. By focusing on the Quality of Experience (QoE) for the applications that will use the network rather than the traditional bottom up approach, and then looking to design the network based on those end user requirements, the network may be designed and/or operated to achieve a high quality of experience. The program and tools may be used at different phases of the networking cycle, including design, planning, deployment, and operational phases, to allow the QoE requirements to be obtained while optimizing network cost and utilization. A QoE server may be implemented off line and used for network design/planning, or may be included on the network to monitor the network and control operation of the network to achieve the intended QoE.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2007Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Rockstar Bidco LPInventors: Francois Blouin, Ravishankar Ravindran, Kathy Bharrathsingh
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Publication number: 20120033552Abstract: A set of critical nodes or links is identified on the network through which most of the shortest paths on the network occur. Each node compares their distance to end points on the network with a distance between the end points and each of the distinct critical nodes. Where the distance between the end points and the critical nodes is shorter than the distance between the end points and the node, the node is not on the shortest path and does not install forwarding state. Where the distance between the end points and the critical node is larger than or equal to the distance between the end points and the node, the node may be on the shortest path between the pair of end nodes and installs forwarding state. Installation of forwarding state may cause packet duplication, but determining forwarding state is dramatically simplified.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2011Publication date: February 9, 2012Inventors: Abel Dasylva, Delfin Montuno, Peter Ashwood Smith, Francois Blouin, Tadeusz Drwiega
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Patent number: 8040906Abstract: A set of critical nodes or links is identified on the network through which most of the shortest paths on the network occur. Each node compares their distance to end points on the network with a distance between the end points and each of the distinct critical nodes. Where the distance between the end points and the critical nodes is shorter than the distance between the end points and the node, the node is not on the shortest path and does not install forwarding state. Where the distance between the end points and the critical node is larger than or equal to the distance between the end points and the node, the node may be on the shortest path between the pair of end nodes and installs forwarding state. Installation of forwarding state may cause packet duplication, but determining forwarding state is dramatically simplified. The level of duplication may be reduced by selecting a larger number of critical nodes on the network.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2009Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Nortel Networks LimitedInventors: Abel Dasylva, Delfin Montuno, Peter Ashwood Smith, Francois Blouin, Tadeusz Drwiega
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Publication number: 20110188865Abstract: A method of setting up an end-to end connection between two end-points in an optical network. A plurality of validated paths in the network are defined. Each validated path extends between a respective pair of wavelength termination points and has requisite physical resources to carry signal traffic between its pair of wavelength termination points. A graph of the network is generated. An edge of the graph corresponds with a respective validated path, and a vertex of the of the graph corresponds with at least one wavelength termination point. The graph is analysed to compute an end-to-end path between two vertices respectively corresponding with end-points of the end-to-end connection, and the end-to-end connection set up using the computed path.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2010Publication date: August 4, 2011Applicant: NORTEL NETWORKS LIMITEDInventors: Frederick LALONDE, Francois BLOUIN, Mark DRAPER
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Publication number: 20110161526Abstract: Domains (multiple collaborating service providers) create service offerings between pairs of edge nodes that interconnect with other domains in the network. The service offerings may specify the available bandwidth, quality of service, reliability, available security, price, subscriber and service contextual specific and other SLA information. When a new service is to be created, the service definition is used along with information about the available service offerings to determine a set of networks to implement the service. Information associated with the service offerings may be flooded to all other networks. Alternatively, the service offering information may be provided to a trusted third party (SLA broker) which may provide SLA services on the network to select sets of domains to implement inter-domain services, and may also proxy to set up the service for the SLA requesting party.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2011Publication date: June 30, 2011Inventors: Ravishankar Ravindran, Francois Blouin, Delfin Montuno
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Patent number: 7924715Abstract: Domains (multiple collaborating service providers) create service offerings between pairs of edge nodes that interconnect with other domains in the network. The service offerings may specify the available bandwidth, quality of service, reliability, available security, price, subscriber and service contextual specific and other SLA information. When a new service is to be created, the service definition is used along with information about the available service offerings to determine a set of networks to implement the service. Information associated with the service offerings may be flooded to all other networks. Alternatively, the service offering information may be provided to a trusted third party (SLA broker) which may provide SLA services on the network to select sets of domains to implement inter-domain services, and may also proxy to set up the service for the SLA requesting party.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2008Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Nortel Networks LimitedInventors: Ravishankar Ravindran, Francois Blouin, Delfin Montuno
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Publication number: 20100322244Abstract: A set of critical nodes or links is identified on the network through which most of the shortest paths on the network occur. Each node compares their distance to end points on the network with a distance between the end points and each of the distinct critical nodes. Where the distance between the end points and the critical nodes is shorter than the distance between the end points and the node, the node is not on the shortest path and does not install forwarding state. Where the distance between the end points and the critical node is larger than or equal to the distance between the end points and the node, the node may be on the shortest path between the pair of end nodes and installs forwarding state. Installation of forwarding state may cause packet duplication, but determining forwarding state is dramatically simplified. The level of duplication may be reduced by selecting a larger number of critical nodes on the network.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2009Publication date: December 23, 2010Applicant: Nortel Networks LimitedInventors: Abel Dasylva, Delfin Montuno, Peter Ashwood Smith, Francois Blouin, Tadeusz Drwiega
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Publication number: 20100260074Abstract: An enhanced communication bridge includes a context interface that enables the audio bridge to learn information about the type of Voice encoder, device, network connection, location, type of call (business vs. personal), identity and position of the individual, and other information about the context of the communication session itself as well as the context of each person joining the communication session. This context information is used to determine how quality of experience targets for the communication as a whole, as well as how each individual contribution should be uniquely processed to attempt to meet the quality of experience targets. Business factors may influence the decision as to the type of processing to be implemented on each of the signals provided by the participants. Corrective action may also be implemented by the bridge on the client network devices as well in the embodiment. The bridge may be centralized or distributed. A video bridge may be implemented as well.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2009Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: Nortel Networks LimitedInventors: Francois BLOUIN, Leigh THORPE, Tim RAHRER, Tadeusz DRWIEGA, Rafi RABIPOUR
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Publication number: 20090279444Abstract: Domains (multiple collaborating service providers) create service offerings between pairs of edge nodes that interconnect with other domains in the network. The service offerings may specify the available bandwidth, quality of service, reliability, available security, price, subscriber and service contextual specific and other SLA information. When a new service is to be created, the service definition is used along with information about the available service offerings to determine a set of networks to implement the service. Information associated with the service offerings may be flooded to all other networks. Alternatively, the service offering information may be provided to a trusted third party (SLA broker) which may provide SLA services on the network to select sets of domains to implement inter-domain services, and may also proxy to set up the service for the SLA requesting party.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2008Publication date: November 12, 2009Applicant: Nortel Networks LimitedInventors: Ravishankar Ravindran, Francois Blouin, Delfin Montuno
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Publication number: 20090013070Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for network performance management for monitoring performance of network applications. The system comprises a transmitter for sending one or more types of probe packets to the network, a receiver for receiving the one or more network probe packets from the network and for receiving one or more network application performance queries from one or more network applications, a processor connected to the transmitter and the receiver and operable to process network probe packets received by the receiver to generate network performance statistics for each type of probe packet and to look up the network application performance requirements of the one or more network applications and compare the network application performance requirements with the corresponding network performance statistics to determine whether the network application should access the network.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2007Publication date: January 8, 2009Inventors: Saurabh Srivastava, Ravishankar Ravindran, Francois Blouin