Patents by Inventor John M. Belcea

John M. Belcea 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: 7266104
    Abstract: An ad-hoc, peer-to-peer radio system includes a series of radio terminals forming a service group, each radio terminal having a transceiver for communicating with terminals in the same service group, computer means, and memory for storing program software. Within the system, a method and protocol for communication among the terminals includes establishing a connection with one radio terminal based on time-division access; initiating an outgoing call from the radio terminal including registering with another radio terminal for serving as a node in the call connection by transmitting a registration request; and initially transmitting said registration request on a last time slot (TS) of a respective time frame (TF), said last time slot serving as a configuration channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Belcea
  • Patent number: 7221686
    Abstract: A system and method for enabling a node, such as a mobile user terminal in a wireless communications network, such as an ad-hoc network, to effectively and efficiently determine a clock correction factor for its local clock relative to a local clock of at least one other node. The node calculates a difference between the timing of the local clock of the node and the local clock of the other node based on the timing of signals transmitted between the node and the other node, and information pertaining to the transmission and reception of these signals by the node and the other node as indicated by the respective local clocks of the node and the other node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Belcea
  • Patent number: 7212504
    Abstract: A novel protocol for an ad-hoc, peer-to-peer radio network that provides collision-free channel access with an emphasis on improving geographic reuse of the frequency spectrum. The protocol of the invention is executed on the reservation or control channel, and provides a method for allocating data transactions on the data channels. The system of the invention utilizes multiple parallel data channels that are coordinated by a single reservation channel. The transceiver of the system employs two modems to solve the channel reliability issues with multiple channel designs, where one is dedicated as a receive-only modem for gathering channel usage information on the reservation channel. High quality voice, video and data may be transmitted. The reservation channel implements a time division multiple access algorithm with dynamic slot allocation. In a distributed manner, nodes determine geographic reuse of slots based on channel quality extracted from the modem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Belcea
  • Patent number: 7203497
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a network of wireless devices including Mobile Terminals, Wireless Routers and a Local Control within a high rise building or other three dimensional deployment structure, such that communication, identification and position calculations can be achieved regardless of environment nature. Mobile Terminals are deployed to assume any random positions within a three dimensional deployment structure. Communication and position calculations are provided at each level, or floor of the building, by Horizontal and Vertical Routers, where Vertical Routers are further used to successfully communicate between levels, or floors. The Vertical Routers provide communication links with the Local Controller via one or more Intelligent Access Points. The infrastructure of Vertical and Horizontal routers, the Intelligent Access Points and the Local Control are elements of an infrastructure deployed before a fire incident or other emergency happens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Belcea
  • Patent number: 7197016
    Abstract: A novel protocol for an ad-hoc, peer-to-peer radio network that provides collision-free channel access with an emphasis on improving geographic reuse of the frequency spectrum. The protocol of the invention is executed on the reservation or control channel, and provides a method for allocating data transactions on the data channels. The system of the invention utilizes multiple parallel data channels that are coordinated by a single reservation channel. The transceiver of the system employs two modems to solve the channel reliability issues with multiple channel designs, where one is dedicated as a receive-only modem for gathering channel usage information on the reservation channel. High quality voice, video and data may be transmitted. The reservation channel implements a time division multiple access algorithm with dynamic slot allocation. In a distributed manner, nodes determine geographic reuse of slots based on channel quality extracted from the modem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Meshnetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Belcea
  • Patent number: 7184712
    Abstract: A system and method for applying an algorithm to distance measurements between nodes in an ad-hoc communications network (100). The algorithm is located at an individual node (102, 106, 107) of the ad-hoc network (100) and processes collected data via a multi-path filter to ensure that range measurement data is correct, and if so, include such measurement data in a historical data matrix in which old measurement data is eliminated. During periods where received signals are unable to provide correct distance measurements due to reflections affecting the path between nodes or media absorption or radio energy, distance estimates may be obtained from this accurate historical data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Belcea
  • Patent number: 7171220
    Abstract: A system and method for presenting an interactive visual feedback, based upon input parameters, indicating quality levels in terminal location detection in a network at selectable points on a map. The system and method includes an application in which a user provides information regarding network terminals, terminal locations, and map parameters. In response, the application then provides a visual indication of expected accuracy in geo-location calculations for terminals at specific points in a network map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Belcea
  • Patent number: 7133391
    Abstract: A novel protocol for an ad-hoc, peer-to-peer radio network that provides collision-free channel access with an emphasis on improving geographic reuse of the frequency spectrum. The protocol of the invention is executed on the reservation or control channel, and provides a method for allocating data transactions on the data channels. The system of the invention utilizes multiple parallel data channels that are coordinated by a single reservation channel. The transceiver of the system employs two modems to solve the channel reliability issues with multiple channel designs, where one is dedicated as a receive-only modem for gathering channel usage information on the reservation channel. High quality voice, video and data may be transmitted. The reservation channel implements a time division multiple access algorithm with dynamic slot allocation. In a distributed manner, nodes determine geographic reuse of slots based on channel quality extracted from the modem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Belcea
  • Patent number: 7126951
    Abstract: A system and method for deploying a network of wireless devices, including mobile terminals, wireless routers and a least one control console, within a three dimensional deployment area such as a building, so that communication, identification and position calculations of personnel, such as firefighters, using the mobile terminals can be achieved regardless of building structure. The wireless routers are deployed in a substantial vertical manner in staircases and elevator shafts of a building of interest, either in advance as part of a safety program or immediately upon arrival of firefighters or other team at the building during an emergency. The system and method according to the embodiment of the present invention described herein uses both TOF and RSSI between the mobile terminals and wireless routers to identify the floor numbers where firefighters are located and to track firefighter movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Belcea, Shawn P. Welsh, Allen M. Roberson, Philip J. Hill, Jeffrey C. Schmidt, Sa'Ed A'Rafat, James Green
  • Patent number: 7106703
    Abstract: A system and method for calculating an optimum transmission power level in an ad-hoc network communication path having a maximum number of transmission hops. The system and method calculates an optimum transmission power level for transmission routes having a maximum number of hops between nodes and transmits the communication using the calculated power level such that a transmission path is achieved that results in a maximum pipeline delay during transmission that does not exceed allowable levels for the service class provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Meshnetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Belcea
  • Patent number: 7099296
    Abstract: A novel protocol for an ad-hoc, peer-to-peer radio network that provides collision-free channel access with an emphasis on improving geographic reuse of the frequency spectrum. The protocol of the invention is executed on the reservation or control channel, and provides a method for allocating data transactions on the data channels. The system of the invention utilizes multiple parallel data channels that are coordinated by a single reservation channel. The transceiver of the system employs two modems to solve the channel reliability issues with multiple channel designs, where one is dedicated as a receive-only modem for gathering channel usage information on the reservation channel. High quality voice, video and data may be transmitted. The reservation channel implements a time division multiple access algorithm with dynamic slot allocation. In a distributed manner, nodes determine geographic reuse of slots based on channel quality extracted from the modem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Belcea
  • Patent number: 7079509
    Abstract: A novel protocol for an ad-hoc, peer-to-peer radio network that provides collision-free channel access with an emphasis on improving geographic reuse of the frequency spectrum. The protocol of the invention is executed on the reservation or control channel, and provides a method for allocating data transactions on the data channels. The system of the invention utilizes multiple parallel data channels that are coordinated by a single reservation channel. The transceiver of the system employs two modems to solve the channel reliability issues with multiple channel designs, where one is dedicated as a receive-only modem for gathering channel usage information on the reservation channel. High quality voice, video and data may be transmitted. The reservation channel implements a time division multiple access algorithm with dynamic slot allocation. In a distributed manner, nodes determine geographic reuse of slots based on channel quality extracted from the modem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Belcea
  • Patent number: 7076259
    Abstract: A system and method for improving the accuracy in computing the location of a mobile subscriber device connected in a wireless network. The system and method employ a predictive filter, including a measurement weight algorithm to decrease standard deviation error, to correctly determine a location of a mobile subscriber device. The predictive filter requires lower levels of computation, which allows for real-time processing on low-speed central processing units commonly used in wireless networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Belcea
  • Patent number: 7072432
    Abstract: A system and method for establishing and maintaining node clock synchronization in a wireless network. The system and method calculates the clock shift, clock drift and propagation delay values using a series of message exchanges and control algorithms between a selected reference node and a client node in a wireless network, then uses these values to synchronize the client node clock to the reference node clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Belcea
  • Patent number: 7054126
    Abstract: A system and method for improved Time Of Arrival (TOA) distance measurements between nodes of a wireless ad-hoc network. Specifically, the present invention is a system and method of distance estimation using square-root raised-cosine pulse shaping and chip matched filters on direct sequence spreading waveforms, the multiplication of which produces raised-cosine filtered pulse responses. The responses are used to identify a time when a function is at a maximum, corresponding to the actual signal reception time. The system and method produces a raised-cosine filtered pulse response and an auto-correlation function based on a received signal. A peak value of the auto-correlation function is calculated based on a quadratic approximation, which is corrected using a signal sampling phase offset detected between the raised-cosine filtered pulse response and the calculated peak value. The calculated peak value is then corrected to represent an actual reception time for received signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventors: Guenael Strutt, John M. Belcea
  • Patent number: 7046962
    Abstract: A system and method for applying an algorithm to distance measurements between nodes in an ad-hoc communications network. The algorithm is located at an individual node of the ad-hoc network and processes collected data via a multi-path filter to ensure that range measurement data is correct, and if so, include such measurement data in a historical data matrix in which old measurement data is eliminated. During periods where received signals are unable to provide correct distance measurements due to reflections affecting the path between nodes or media absorption or radio energy, distance estimates may be obtained from this accurate historical data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Belcea
  • Patent number: 6904021
    Abstract: A system and method for selecting an appropriate transmit power and data rate at which a communication signal is transmitted over a link between nodes in a wireless ad-hoc communication network based on factors such as variations in path loss in the link, fading conditions, noise level estimation and overall link quality. The system and method perform the operations of computing path loss in the link based on information provided to the source node from the destination node pertaining to characteristics of a message that was transmitted by the source node and received by the destination node, determining a noise factor at the destination node, and calculating the power level and rate at which the data is transmitted over the link from the source node to the destination node based on the path loss and the noise factor. More specifically, the method calculates the power level based on the path loss, the noise factor and signal fading, and determines the rate based on the calculated power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Belcea
  • Publication number: 20040258013
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a network of wireless devices including Mobile Terminals, Wireless Routers and a Local Control within a high rise building or other three dimensional deployment structure, such that communication, identification and position calculations can be achieved regardless of environment nature. Mobile Terminals are deployed to assume any random positions within a three dimensional deployment structure. Communication and position calculations are provided at each level, or floor of the building, by Horizontal and Vertical Routers, where Vertical Routers are further used to successfully communicate between levels, or floors. The Vertical Routers provide communication links with the Local Controller via one or more Intelligent Access Points. The infrastructure of Vertical and Horizontal routers, the Intelligent Access Points and the Local Control are elements of an infrastructure deployed before a fire incident or other emergency happens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: MESHNETWORKS, INC.
    Inventor: John M. Belcea
  • Publication number: 20040246926
    Abstract: A system and method for deploying a network of wireless devices, including mobile terminals, wireless routers and a least one control console, within a three dimensional deployment area such as a building, so that communication, identification and position calculations of personnel, such as firefighters, using the mobile terminals can be achieved regardless of building structure. The wireless routers are deployed in a substantial vertical manner in staircases and elevator shafts of a building of interest, either in advance as part of a safety program or immediately upon arrival of firefighters or other team at the building during an emergency. The system and method according to the embodiment of the present invention described herein uses both TOF and RSSI between the mobile terminals and wireless routers to identify the floor numbers where firefighters are located and to track firefighter movements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicant: MESHNETWORKS, INC.
    Inventors: John M. Belcea, Shawn P. Welsh, Allen M. Roberson, Philip J. Hill, Jeffrey C. Schmidt, Sa'Ed A'Rafat, James Green
  • Publication number: 20040246986
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a MAC protocol that allows the collection of a large number of range measurements, and based upon such measurements, permits a very precise computation of the location of terminals at a location. Specifically, the system and method operates with Mobile Terminals, Fixed References and at least one Main Control, wherein a MAC protocol defines the sequence of messages exchanged between each Mobile Terminals, Fixed Reference and the Main Control for assuring the data needed for computing the location is received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicant: MESHNETWORKS, INC.
    Inventor: John M. Belcea