Patents by Inventor Ian R. Knowles

Ian R. Knowles 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).

  • Publication number: 20240137202
    Abstract: A wireless media distribution system is provided comprising an access point (6) for broadcasting media and a plurality of stations (2) for reception and playback of media. Each station is configured for receiving and decoding a timestamp in a beacon frame transmitted repeatedly from the access point. This is used to control the output signal of a station physical layer clock (12) which is then used as a clock source for an application layer time synchronisation protocol. This application layer time synchronisation protocol can then be used in the station to control an operating system clock (8) for regulating playback of media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventor: Ian R. Knowles
  • Patent number: 11863656
    Abstract: A wireless media distribution system is provided comprising an access point (6) for broadcasting media and a plurality of stations (2) for reception and playback of media. Each station is configured for receiving and decoding a timestamp in a beacon frame transmitted repeatedly from the access point. This is used to control the output signal of a station physical layer clock (12) which is then used as a clock source for an application layer time synchronisation protocol. This application layer time synchronisation protocol can then be used in the station to control an operating system clock (8) for regulating playback of media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Imagination Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Ian R. Knowles
  • Publication number: 20230422170
    Abstract: Methods and systems for wirelessly transmitting data between Wi-Fi stations without requiring the Wi-Fi stations to be fully connected to the Wi-Fi network. A first Wi-Fi station generates the data to be transmitted. The data comprises status data and/or wake-up data. The first Wi-Fi station then inserts the data in a vendor-specific information element of a probe request frame and wirelessly transmits the probe request frame. The probe request frame is then received by a second Wi-Fi station. If the probe request frame contains wake-up data and the second Wi-Fi station is operating in a low-power mode when it receives the probe request frame, the second Wi-Fi station will wake-up from the low-power mode. If the probe request frame contains status data then the second Wi-Fi station may process the probe request frame and/or forward at least a portion of the received probe request frame to another device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventor: Ian R. Knowles
  • Patent number: 11751135
    Abstract: Methods and systems for wirelessly transmitting data between Wi-Fi stations without requiring the Wi-Fi stations to be fully connected to the Wi-Fi network. A first Wi-Fi station generates the data to be transmitted. The data comprises status data and/or wake-up data. The first Wi-Fi station then inserts the data in a vendor-specific information element of a probe request frame and wirelessly transmits the probe request frame. The probe request frame is then received by a second Wi-Fi station. If the probe request frame contains wake-up data and the second Wi-Fi station is operating in a low-power mode when it receives the probe request frame, the second Wi-Fi station will wake-up from the low-power mode. If the probe request frame contains status data then the second Wi-Fi station may process the probe request frame and/or forward at least a portion of the received probe request frame to another device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Imagination Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Ian R. Knowles
  • Publication number: 20220353055
    Abstract: A wireless media distribution system is provided comprising an access point (6) for broadcasting media and a plurality of stations (2) for reception and playback of media. Each station is configured for receiving and decoding a timestamp in a beacon frame transmitted repeatedly from the access point. This is used to control the output signal of a station physical layer clock (12) which is then used as a clock source for an application layer time synchronisation protocol. This application layer time synchronisation protocol can then be used in the station to control an operating system clock (8) for regulating playback of media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventor: Ian R. Knowles
  • Publication number: 20220264456
    Abstract: Methods and systems for wirelessly transmitting data between Wi-Fi stations without requiring the Wi-Fi stations to be fully connected to the Wi-Fi network. A first Wi-Fi station generates the data to be transmitted. The data comprises status data and/or wake-up data. The first Wi-Fi station then inserts the data in a vendor-specific information element of a probe request frame and wirelessly transmits the probe request frame. The probe request frame is then received by a second Wi-Fi station. If the probe request frame contains wake-up data and the second Wi-Fi station is operating in a low-power mode when it receives the probe request frame, the second Wi-Fi station will wake-up from the low-power mode. If the probe request frame contains status data then the second Wi-Fi station may process the probe request frame and/or forward at least a portion of the received probe request frame to another device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventor: Ian R. Knowles
  • Patent number: 11394524
    Abstract: A wireless media distribution system is provided comprising an access point (6) for broadcasting media and a plurality of stations (2) for reception and playback of media. Each station is configured for receiving and decoding a timestamp in a beacon frame transmitted repeatedly from the access point. This is used to control the output signal of a station physical layer clock (12) which is then used as a clock source for an application layer time synchronisation protocol. This application layer time synchronisation protocol can then be used in the station to control an operating system clock (8) for regulating playback of media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Imagination Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Ian R. Knowles
  • Patent number: 11343769
    Abstract: Methods and systems for wirelessly transmitting data between Wi-Fi stations without requiring the Wi-Fi stations to be fully connected to the Wi-Fi network. A first Wi-Fi station generates the data to be transmitted. The data comprises status data and/or wake-up data. The first Wi-Fi station then inserts the data in a vendor-specific information element of a probe request frame and wirelessly transmits the probe request frame. The probe request frame is then received by a second Wi-Fi station. If the probe request frame contains wake-up data and the second Wi-Fi station is operating in a low-power mode when it receives the probe request frame, the second Wi-Fi station will wake-up from the low-power mode. If the probe request frame contains status data then the second Wi-Fi station may process the probe request frame and/or forward at least a portion of the received probe request frame to another device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Imagination Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Ian R. Knowles
  • Publication number: 20200351778
    Abstract: Methods and systems for wirelessly transmitting data between Wi-Fi stations without requiring the Wi-Fi stations to be fully connected to the Wi-Fi network. A first Wi-Fi station generates the data to be transmitted. The data comprises status data and/or wake-up data. The first Wi-Fi station then inserts the data in a vendor-specific information element of a probe request frame and wirelessly transmits the probe request frame. The probe request frame is then received by a second Wi-Fi station. If the probe request frame contains wake-up data and the second Wi-Fi station is operating in a low-power mode when it receives the probe request frame, the second Wi-Fi station will wake-up from the low-power mode. If the probe request frame contains status data then the second Wi-Fi station may process the probe request frame and/or forward at least a portion of the received probe request frame to another device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventor: Ian R. Knowles
  • Patent number: 10757651
    Abstract: Methods and systems for wirelessly transmitting data between Wi-Fi stations without requiring the Wi-Fi stations to be fully connected to the Wi-Fi network. A first Wi-Fi station generates the data to be transmitted. The data comprises status data and/or wake-up data. The first Wi-Fi station then inserts the data in a vendor-specific information element of a probe request frame and wirelessly transmits the probe request frame. The probe request frame is then received by a second Wi-Fi station. If the probe request frame contains wake-up data and the second Wi-Fi station is operating in a low-power mode when it receives the probe request frame, the second Wi-Fi station will wake-up from the low-power mode. If the probe request frame contains status data then the second Wi-Fi station may process the probe request frame and/or forward at least a portion of the received probe request frame to another device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Imagination Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Ian R. Knowles
  • Publication number: 20200059349
    Abstract: A wireless media distribution system is provided comprising an access point (6) for broadcasting media and a plurality of stations (2) for reception and playback of media. Each station is configured for receiving and decoding a timestamp in a beacon frame transmitted repeatedly from the access point. This is used to control the output signal of a station physical layer clock (12) which is then used as a clock source for an application layer time synchronisation protocol. This application layer time synchronisation protocol can then be used in the station to control an operating system clock (8) for regulating playback of media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventor: Ian R. Knowles
  • Patent number: 10491371
    Abstract: A wireless media distribution system is provided comprising an access point (6) for broadcasting media and a plurality of stations (2) for reception and playback of media. Each station is configured for receiving and decoding a timestamp in a beacon frame transmitted repeatedly from the access point. This is used to control the output signal of a station physical layer clock (12) which is then used as a clock source for an application layer time synchronisation protocol. This application layer time synchronisation protocol can then be used in the station to control an operating system clock (8) for regulating playback of media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Imagination Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Ian R. Knowles
  • Publication number: 20190045441
    Abstract: Methods and systems for wirelessly transmitting data between Wi-Fi stations without requiring the Wi-Fi stations to be fully connected to the Wi-Fi network. A first Wi-Fi station generates the data to be transmitted. The data comprises status data and/or wake-up data. The first Wi-Fi station then inserts the data in a vendor-specific information element of a probe request frame and wirelessly transmits the probe request frame. The probe request frame is then received by a second Wi-Fi station. If the probe request frame contains wake-up data and the second Wi-Fi station is operating in a low-power mode when it receives the probe request frame, the second Wi-Fi station will wake-up from the low-power mode. If the probe request frame contains status data then the second Wi-Fi station may process the probe request frame and/or forward at least a portion of the received probe request frame to another device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventor: Ian R. Knowles
  • Patent number: 10136388
    Abstract: Methods and systems for wirelessly transmitting data between Wi-Fi stations without requiring the Wi-Fi stations to be fully connected to the Wi-Fi network. A first Wi-Fi station generates the data to be transmitted. The data comprises status data and/or wake-up data. The first Wi-Fi station then inserts the data in a vendor-specific information element of a probe request frame and wirelessly transmits the probe request frame. The probe request frame is then received by a second Wi-Fi station. If the probe request frame contains wake-up data and the second Wi-Fi station is operating in a low-power mode when it receives the probe request frame, the second Wi-Fi station will wake-up from the low-power mode. If the probe request frame contains status data then the second Wi-Fi station may process the probe request frame and/or forward at least a portion of the received probe request frame to another device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Imagination Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Ian R. Knowles
  • Publication number: 20180006802
    Abstract: A wireless media distribution system is provided comprising an access point (6) for broadcasting media and a plurality of stations (2) for reception and playback of media. Each station is configured for receiving and decoding a timestamp in a beacon frame transmitted repeatedly from the access point. This is used to control the output signal of a station physical layer clock (12) which is then used as a clock source for an application layer time synchronisation protocol. This application layer time synchronisation protocol can then be used in the station to control an operating system clock (8) for regulating playback of media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventor: Ian R. Knowles
  • Patent number: 9794058
    Abstract: A wireless media distribution system is provided comprising an access point (6) for broadcasting media and a plurality of stations (2) for reception and playback of media. Each station is configured for receiving and decoding a timestamp in a beacon frame transmitted repeatedly from the access point. This is used to control the output signal of a station physical layer clock (12) which is then used as a clock source for an application layer time synchronisation protocol. This application layer time synchronisation protocol can then be used in the station to control an operating system clock (8) for regulating playback of media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Imagination Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Ian R. Knowles
  • Patent number: 9769269
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for selecting an end-user device from a plurality of end-user devices to satisfy a user request. The method comprises storing at a portal aggregator data identifying a user device group comprising a plurality of end-user devices, wherein the data identifying the device group comprises the capabilities of each end-user device. When the portal aggregator receives a request from the user the portal aggregator generates a list of end-user devices from the device group that are capable of satisfying the user request. The portal aggregator then selects an end-user device from the list of capable end-user devices and then transmits a command to the selected end-user device to satisfy the request. In some cases the list of capable end-user devices may be sorted and/or filtered prior to selecting an end-user device from the list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Imagination Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Ian R. Knowles, Nicholas H. Jurascheck
  • Publication number: 20160360498
    Abstract: A wireless media distribution system is provided comprising an access point (6) for broadcasting media and a plurality of stations (2) for reception and playback of media. Each station is configured for receiving and decoding a timestamp in a beacon frame transmitted repeatedly from the access point. This is used to control the output signal of a station physical layer clock (12) which is then used as a clock source for an application layer time synchronisation protocol. This application layer time synchronisation protocol can then be used in the station to control an operating system clock (8) for regulating playback of media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventor: Ian R. Knowles
  • Patent number: 9444567
    Abstract: A wireless media distribution system is provided comprising an access point (6) for broadcasting media and a plurality of stations (2) for reception and playback of media. Each station is configured for receiving and decoding a timestamp in a beacon frame transmitted repeatedly from the access point. This is used to control the output signal of a station physical layer clock (12) which is then used as a clock source for an application layer time synchronisation protocol. This application layer time synchronisation protocol can then be used in the station to control an operating system clock (8) for regulating playback of media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Imagination Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Ian R Knowles
  • Publication number: 20160157177
    Abstract: Methods and systems for wirelessly transmitting data between Wi-Fi stations without requiring the Wi-Fi stations to be fully connected to the Wi-Fi network. A first Wi-Fi station generates the data to be transmitted. The data comprises status data and/or wake-up data. The first Wi-Fi station then inserts the data in a vendor-specific information element of a probe request frame and wirelessly transmits the probe request frame. The probe request frame is then received by a second Wi-Fi station. If the probe request frame contains wake-up data and the second Wi-Fi station is operating in a low-power mode when it receives the probe request frame, the second Wi-Fi station will wake-up from the low-power mode. If the probe request frame contains status data then the second Wi-Fi station may process the probe request frame and/or forward at least a portion of the received probe request frame to another device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventor: Ian R. Knowles