Patents by Inventor Ion Barbu
Ion Barbu 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: 10735954Abstract: One method for allowing and controlling access to an open WLAN network is through the use of a secure website such as a Hotspot or Captive Portal landing page that the device must “log in” to in order to have access to the network. Credentials for a Captive Portal or Hotspot landing page (or other websites) are conventionally managed by a browser application and stored in a browser data storage space. According to some aspects of the disclosure, an electronic device obtains credentials for a website, such as a Captive Portal or Hotspot landing page. The credentials are stored in a network settings space on the electronic device. The credentials may be stored in a WLAN profile. The device may automatically log in to a webpage using the credentials, which may facilitate seamless connectivity.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2016Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventor: Ion Barbu
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Publication number: 20180070231Abstract: One method for allowing and controlling access to an open WLAN network is through the use of a secure website such as a Hotspot or Captive Portal landing page that the device must “log in” to in order to have access to the network. Credentials for a Captive Portal or Hotspot landing page (or other websites) are conventionally managed by a browser application and stored in a browser data storage space. According to some aspects of the disclosure, an electronic device obtains credentials for a website, such as a Captive Portal or Hotspot landing page. The credentials are stored in a network settings space on the electronic device. The credentials may be stored in a WLAN profile. The device may automatically log in to a webpage using the credentials, which may facilitate seamless connectivity.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2016Publication date: March 8, 2018Inventor: Ion Barbu
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Publication number: 20160135205Abstract: A method for accessing a Wi-Fi network from user equipment (UE) using a preferred access point (AP) when more than one AP is available is provided. RSSI included in received responses to scanning from the US and past connectivity data associated with the APs are used to generate a preferred list of APs from which an AP for connecting or switching to is selected.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2016Publication date: May 12, 2016Inventors: Ion BARBU, Krishna Kumar BAKTHAVATHSALU, Ahmad Mohammad Mohammad KHOLAIF, Nayef Fawaz MENDAHAWI
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Patent number: 9030985Abstract: A wireless communications device stores a first cryptographic key in connection with a profile, the profile indicating a security type requiring no credentials and a network name. An access point (AP) supports a wireless local area network (WLAN), the WLAN having the network name, the WLAN supporting the security type and the WLAN requiring a second cryptographic key for encryption. The wireless communications device successfully authenticates and associates with the AP, thus joining the WLAN. Subsequent to joining the WLAN, the wireless communications device conducts encrypted communications with the AP and detects from the encrypted communications that there is a mismatch between the first cryptographic key and the second cryptographic key. Responsive to detecting the mismatch, the wireless communications device bans the profile or the AP or both.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2013Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Ahmad Mohammad Mohammad Kholaif, Ion Barbu, Nayef Fawaz Mendahawi, Krishna Kumar Bakthavathsalu
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Patent number: 8881238Abstract: In the event of an authentication process failure, a mobile station bans a connection profile storing the credentials provided by the mobile station when initiating the failed authentication process, thus affecting how subsequent scans—other than discovery scans—and connection attempts are handled. In the event of an authentication process failure, a mobile station bans or suppresses an access point with which the mobile station initiated the failed authentication process. The mobile station refrains from transmitting any communications addressed to the unique identifier of any banned access point. The mobile station may ignore any communications received from a banned access point. Suppressed access points are occasionally not made available to the mobile station for selection as a target for a connection attempt.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2014Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Ahmad Mohammad Mohammad Kholaif, Ion Barbu, Krishna Kumar Bakthavathsalu, Nayef Fawaz Mendahawi, Denis Fedotenko
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Patent number: 8874177Abstract: A system and method of reducing the WLAN power consumption and limiting battery drain of a mobile communications device is provided. The mechanism continuously monitors for changes in the WLAN and cellular signal strength and modifies the WLAN profile scanning activity accordingly. By monitoring for changes, transitions can be detected which indicate the location of the mobile device (i.e., indoor or outdoor). An increase in cellular signal strength and a decrease in WLAN signal strength indicates the user is transitioning outdoors where WLAN coverage may be limited. To reduce battery power consumption, background scanning is suspended or its frequency significantly lowered. Moving indoors is indicated by a decrease in cellular signal strength and an increase in WLAN signal strength. Background/Connectivity scanning frequency is increased to provide shorter time-to-connect to WLAN Networks for the user within the WLAN coverage area.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2013Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Krishna Kumar Bakthavathsalu, Ion Barbu, Nayef Fawaz Mendahawi, Ahmad Mohammad Mohammad Kholaif
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Patent number: 8750245Abstract: Techniques in a mobile device for use in initiating vertical handover of a voice or a data call between a wireless local area network (WLAN) and a wide area wireless network (WWAN) are described. The mobile device performs communication operations for maintaining the voice or the data call via the WLAN or the WWAN. During the voice or the data call, the mobile device identifies a WLAN signal quality value of signals with the WLAN, as well as a WWAN signal quality value of signals with the WWAN. The mobile device then performs a comparative evaluation of the WLAN and the WWAN signal quality values, and initiates a vertical handover of the voice or the data call between the WLAN and the WWAN based on the comparative evaluation of the WLAN and WWAN signal quality values. The comparative evaluation may involve calculating a signal indicator value which is based on a ratio of the WLAN and the WWAN signal quality values.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2011Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Krishna Kumar Bakthavathsalu, Ion Barbu, Nayef Fawaz Mendahawi, Ahmad Mohammad Kholaif
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Publication number: 20140148131Abstract: In the event of an authentication process failure, a mobile station bans a connection profile storing the credentials provided by the mobile station when initiating the failed authentication process, thus affecting how subsequent scans—other than discovery scans—and connection attempts are handled. In the event of an authentication process failure, a mobile station bans or suppresses an access point with which the mobile station initiated the failed authentication process. The mobile station refrains from transmitting any communications addressed to the unique identifier of any banned access point. The mobile station may ignore any communications received from a banned access point. Suppressed access points are occasionally not made available to the mobile station for selection as a target for a connection attempt.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2014Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: BLACKBERRY LIMITEDInventors: Ahmad Mohammad Mohammad Kholaif, Ion Barbu, Krishna Kumar Bakthavathsalu, Nayef Fawaz Mendahawi, Denis Fedotenko
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Patent number: 8724603Abstract: A method for network access and a mobile station configured for the same is described. In one embodiment, there is provided a method for network access on a mobile station comprising: scanning for Wi-Fi networks; receiving responses from available wireless access points (APs) of the Wi-Fi networks; selecting a Wi-Fi network in accordance with past connectivity data associated with the Wi-Fi networks of the available APs; and attempting to connect to the selected Wi-Fi network.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2011Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Ion Barbu, Krishna Kumar Bakthavathsalu, Ahmad Mohammad Mohammad Kholaif, Nayef Fawaz Mendahawi
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Patent number: 8699379Abstract: A target access point is selected from the results of a discovery scan so that a mobile station can attempt a connection with the target access point. The mobile station determines whether the target access point belongs to a small office/home office (SOHO)-type wireless local area network (WLAN) deployment or to a corporate/enterprise-type WLAN deployment. The mobile station then configures itself according to the determination of the type of WLAN deployment to which the target access point belongs.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2011Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Ahmad Mohammad Mohammad Kholaif, Nayef Fawaz Mendahawi, Ion Barbu, Krishna Kumar Bakthavathsalu
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Patent number: 8695063Abstract: In the event of an authentication process failure, a mobile station bans a connection profile storing the credentials provided by the mobile station when initiating the failed authentication process, thus affecting how subsequent scans—other than discovery scans—and connection attempts are handled. In the event of an authentication process failure, a mobile station bans or suppresses an access point with which the mobile station initiated the failed authentication process. The mobile station refrains from transmitting any communications addressed to the unique identifier of any banned access point. The mobile station may ignore any communications received from a banned access point. Suppressed access points are occasionally not made available to the mobile station for selection as a target for a connection attempt.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2010Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Ahmad Mohammad Kholaif, Ion Barbu, Krishna Kumar Bakthavathsalu, Nayef Fawaz Mendahawi, Denis Fedotenko
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Patent number: 8427991Abstract: A power reduction mechanism in a mobile communications device detects the use of a wrong WEP encryption key in the establishment of a WLAN connection between the mobile device and an access point for both static and dynamic IP WLAN profiles. The power reduction mechanism detects an incorrect WEP key; authentication failure; failure to acquire an IP address for dynamic IP WLAN profiles; decryption errors; and broadcast/multicast frames from the handset not being redirected back to the BSS by the AP. Upon such detection, the mobile device takes one or more power conserving actions, e.g., adding the AP/profile to a ban list; attempting WLAN association for a banned AP/profile at longer intervals than for a non-banned AP/profile; skipping an AP/profile on the ban list for a time duration defined by a timer to conserve power; and flagging the banned AP/profile with a special mark to indicate it is banned.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2010Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Ahmad Mohammad Kholaif, Ion Barbu, Nayef Fawaz Mendahawi, Krishna Kumar Bakthavathsalu
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Patent number: 8385988Abstract: A system and method of reducing the WLAN power consumption and limiting battery drain of a mobile communications device is provided. The mechanism continuously monitors for changes in the WLAN and cellular signal strength and modifies the WLAN profile scanning activity accordingly. By monitoring for changes, transitions can be detected which indicate the location of the mobile device (i.e., indoor or outdoor). An increase in cellular signal strength and a decrease in WLAN signal strength indicates the user is transitioning outdoors where WLAN coverage may be limited. To reduce battery power consumption, background scanning is suspended or its frequency significantly lowered. Moving indoors is indicated by a decrease in cellular signal strength and an increase in WLAN signal strength. Background/Connectivity scanning frequency is increased to provide shorter time-to-connect to WLAN Networks for the user within the WLAN coverage area.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2012Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Krishna Kumar Bakthavathsalu, Ion Barbu, Nayef Fawaz Mendahawi, Ahmad Mohammad Mohammad Kholaif
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Publication number: 20120257536Abstract: A target access point is selected from the results of a discovery scan so that a mobile station can attempt a connection with the target access point. The mobile station determines whether the target access point belongs to a small office/home office (SOHO)-type wireless local area network (WLAN) deployment or to a corporate/enterprise-type WLAN deployment. The mobile station then configures itself according to the determination of the type of WLAN deployment to which the target access point belongs.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2011Publication date: October 11, 2012Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventors: Ahmad Mohammad Mohammad Kholaif, Nayef Fawaz Mendahawi, Ion Barbu, Krishna Kumar Bakthavathsalu
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Publication number: 20120230304Abstract: A method for network access and a mobile station configured for the same is described. In one embodiment, there is provided a method for network access on a mobile station comprising: scanning for Wi-Fi networks; receiving responses from available wireless access points (APs) of the Wi-Fi networks; selecting a Wi-Fi network in accordance with past connectivity data associated with the Wi-Fi networks of the available APs; and attempting to connect to the selected Wi-Fi network.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2011Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventors: Ion Barbu, Krishna Kumar Bakthavathsalu, Ahmad Mohammad Mohammad Kholaif, Nayef Fawaz Mendahawi
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Publication number: 20120230305Abstract: A method for network access and a mobile station configured for the same is described. In one embodiment, there is provided a method for Wi-Fi network access on a mobile station comprising: scanning for wireless access points (APs) of a Wi-Fi network; receiving responses from available APs of the Wi-Fi network; selecting an AP in accordance with past connectivity data associated with the available APs; and attempting to connect or switch to the Wi-Fi network using the selected AP.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2011Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventors: Ion Barbu, Krishna Kumar Bakthavathsalu, Ahmad Mohammad Mohammad Kholaif, Nayef Fawaz Mendahawi
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Publication number: 20120214533Abstract: A system and method of reducing the WLAN power consumption and limiting battery drain of a mobile communications device is provided. The mechanism continuously monitors for changes in the WLAN and cellular signal strength and modifies the WLAN profile scanning activity accordingly. By monitoring for changes, transitions can be detected which indicate the location of the mobile device (i.e., indoor or outdoor). An increase in cellular signal strength and a decrease in WLAN signal strength indicates the user is transitioning outdoors where WLAN coverage may be limited. To reduce battery power consumption, background scanning is suspended or its frequency significantly lowered. Moving indoors is indicated by a decrease in cellular signal strength and an increase in WLAN signal strength. Background/Connectivity scanning frequency is increased to provide shorter time-to-connect to WLAN Networks for the user within the WLAN coverage area.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2012Publication date: August 23, 2012Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventors: Krishna Kumar Bakthavathsalu, Ion Barbu, Nayef Mendahawi, Ahmad Kholaif
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Publication number: 20120163344Abstract: Techniques in a mobile device for use in initiating vertical handover of a voice or a data call between a wireless local area network (WLAN) and a wide area wireless network (WWAN) are described. The mobile device performs communication operations for maintaining the voice or the data call via the WLAN or the WWAN. During the voice or the data call, the mobile device identifies a WLAN signal quality value of signals with the WLAN, as well as a WWAN signal quality value of signals with the WWAN. The mobile device then performs a comparative evaluation of the WLAN and the WWAN signal quality values, and initiates a vertical handover of the voice or the data call between the WLAN and the WWAN based on the comparative evaluation of the WLAN and WWAN signal quality values. The comparative evaluation may involve calculating a signal indicator value which is based on a ratio of the WLAN and the WWAN signal quality values.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2011Publication date: June 28, 2012Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventors: Krishna Kumar Bakthavathsalu, Ion Barbu, Nayef Fawaz Mendahawi, Ahmad Mohammad Kholaif
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Patent number: 8195251Abstract: A system and method of reducing the WLAN power consumption and limiting battery drain of a mobile communications device is provided. The mechanism continuously monitors for changes in the WLAN and cellular signal strength and modifies the WLAN profile scanning activity accordingly. By monitoring for changes, transitions can be detected which indicate the location of the mobile device (i.e., indoor or outdoor). An increase in cellular signal strength and a decrease in WLAN signal strength indicates the user is transitioning outdoors where WLAN coverage may be limited. To reduce battery power consumption, background scanning is suspended or its frequency significantly lowered. Moving indoors is indicated by a decrease in cellular signal strength and an increase in WLAN signal strength. Background/Connectivity scanning frequency is increased to provide shorter time-to-connect to WLAN Networks for the user within the WLAN coverage area.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2010Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Krishna Kumar Bakthavathsalu, Ion Barbu, Nayef Mendahawi, Ahmad Kholaif
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Publication number: 20110211511Abstract: A system and method of reducing the WLAN power consumption and limiting battery drain of a mobile communications device is provided. The mechanism continuously monitors for changes in the WLAN and cellular signal strength and modifies the WLAN profile scanning activity accordingly. By monitoring for changes, transitions can be detected which indicate the location of the mobile device (i.e., indoor or outdoor). An increase in cellular signal strength and a decrease in WLAN signal strength indicates the user is transitioning outdoors where WLAN coverage may be limited. To reduce battery power consumption, background scanning is suspended or its frequency significantly lowered. Moving indoors is indicated by a decrease in cellular signal strength and an increase in WLAN signal strength. Background/Connectivity scanning frequency is increased to provide shorter time-to-connect to WLAN Networks for the user within the WLAN coverage area.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2010Publication date: September 1, 2011Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventors: Krishna Kumar Bakthavathsalu, Ion Barbu, Nayef Mendahawi, Ahmad Kholaif