Patents by Inventor James M. Underwood

James M. Underwood 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: 9736748
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes scanning for wireless networks, where scanning includes collecting network information indicating properties of the wireless networks. The method can include analyzing the network information to determine signal data indicating signal qualities for the wireless networks. The method can include characterizing, based on the signal data, one or more wireless networks as being suitable for connection by the mobile device, where the characterizing includes determining, based on the signal data, movement of the mobile relative to one or more access points of the wireless networks. The method can include determining that one or more signals of the wireless networks are above a dwell threshold level for reliable wireless connectivity. The method can include determining that one or more signals has been dropped, and connecting to the mobile device to one of the one or more wireless networks that are suitable for connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: iPass Inc.
    Inventors: Luis G. Marmolejo-Meillon, Barbara Nelson, James M. Underwood
  • Patent number: 9191874
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes scanning for wireless networks, where scanning includes collecting network information indicating properties of the wireless networks. The method can include analyzing the network information to determine signal data indicating signal qualities for the wireless networks. The method can include characterizing, based on the signal data, one or more wireless networks as being suitable for connection by the mobile device, where the characterizing includes determining, based on the signal data, movement of the mobile relative to one or more access points of the wireless networks. The method can include determining that one or more signals of the wireless networks are above a dwell threshold level for reliable wireless connectivity. The method can include determining that one or more signals has been dropped, and connecting to the mobile device to one of the one or more wireless networks that are suitable for connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: iPass Inc.
    Inventors: Luis G. Marmolejo-Meillon, James M. Underwood, Barbara Nelson
  • Publication number: 20140185469
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes scanning for wireless networks, where scanning includes collecting network information indicating properties of the wireless networks. The method can include analyzing the network information to determine signal data indicating signal qualities for the wireless networks. The method can include characterizing, based on the signal data, one or more wireless networks as being suitable for connection by the mobile device, where the characterizing includes determining, based on the signal data, movement of the mobile relative to one or more access points of the wireless networks. The method can include determining that one or more signals of the wireless networks are above a dwell threshold level for reliable wireless connectivity. The method can include determining that one or more signals has been dropped, and connecting to the mobile device to one of the one or more wireless networks that are suitable for connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: IPASS INC.
    Inventors: Luis G. Marmolejo-Meillon, James M. Underwood, Barbara Nelson
  • Patent number: 5805673
    Abstract: Reliable access to audio and facsimile message storage and retrieval systems is accomplished by employing a listening procedure to differentiate voice message clients from fax clients and, upon identifying a fax client, performing an extended listening procedure to differentiate between a sending fax client and a retrieving fax client. During the listening procedure, the system generates a ring tone, immediately after connecting the call, comparable in duration to that normally expected by a caller during a typical call attempt, thereby rendering the listening procedure transparent to a human caller. The masked listening procedure allows detection of standard calling fax machine, polling fax machines and accommodates a blind polling procedure for use with fax machines not equipped for standard call in polling. Blind polling is accomplished by monitoring a fax receiver in the system for a called station tone (CED) or if a CED tone is missed by the system, detection of V.21/V.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Digital Sound Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Underwood, Nam H. Pham