Patents by Inventor Malcolm M. Smith

Malcolm M. Smith 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: 20230007050
    Abstract: Differentiated service in a federation-based access network is provided by receiving, with a request for access to a wireless network offering at least a two different service levels based on user identities, a set of user credentials from a User Equipment (UE); forwarding, for authentication, the set of user credentials to an identity provider in an identity federation with the wireless network, wherein the identity provider is independent from the wireless network; in response to determining that the set of user credentials indicate a realm known to be associated with a given service level, providing network access to the UE according to the given service level; and in response to determining that the given service level is not a highest service level in the wireless network, transmitting a list of preferred realms to the UE that are associated with higher service levels than the given service level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Jerome HENRY, Robert E. BARTON, Carlos M. PIGNATARO, Nagendra Kumar NAINAR, Malcolm M. SMITH, Mark GRAYSON, Bart A. BRINCKMAN
  • Publication number: 20220377002
    Abstract: Automating and extending path tracing through wireless links is provided by receiving request to perform a network trace over a wireless link provided by an Access Point (AP) configured as a transparent forwarder between a trace source and a trace target; monitoring a trace packet from a first time of arrival at the AP, a first time of departure from the AP, a second time of arrival at the AP, and a second time of departure from the AP; monitoring a buffer status of the AP at the first time of arrival and the second time of arrival; and in response to identifying a network anomaly based on the trace packet and the buffer status, adjusting a network setting at the AP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas SZIGETI, Jerome HENRY, Robert E. BARTON, Malcolm M. SMITH
  • Patent number: 11470629
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, at an access point, a buffer status report from a device wirelessly connected to the access point. The buffer status report indicates a queue depth of the device and a head of line delay for the device. The method further includes scheduling uplink resources at the access point for the device based on the queue depth and the head of line delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm M. Smith, Sanjay K. Katabathuni, Venkataprasad Chirreddy, Guru Prasanna Gopalakrishnan
  • Publication number: 20220311803
    Abstract: A device includes a memory and a hardware processor communicatively coupled to the memory. The hardware processor determines that a computing device communicatively coupled to an access point performed an action with respect to the access point and in response to determining that the action causes a deviation from a multi-user uplink policy of the access point, transmits a disciplinary message to the computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Malcolm M. SMITH, Jerome HENRY, Pooya MONAJEMI, Brian D. HART, David S. KLOPER
  • Publication number: 20220294840
    Abstract: Embodiments for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) scenes updates at VR/AR devices in a network are described. Network traffic for the scene updates is divided into traffic layers such as coarse grain (CG) layer traffic and a fine grain (FG) layer traffic for a give VR/AR scene update. The CG layer traffic is scheduled first in resource units (RUs) of a plurality a transmission opportunity (TXOP) for a VR device and FG layer traffic is scheduled in remaining RUs during the TXOP to provide synchronous viewing experiences to users of the VR/AR devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Sergio MENA, Lorenzo GRANAI, Malcolm M. SMITH, Jerome HENRY
  • Patent number: 11444860
    Abstract: Automating and extending path tracing through wireless links is provided by receiving a request to perform a network trace over a wireless link provided by an Access Point (AP) configured as a transparent forwarder between a trace source and a trace target; monitoring a trace packet from a first time of arrival at the AP, a first time of departure from the AP, a second time of arrival at the AP, and a second time of departure from the AP; monitoring a buffer status of the AP at the first time of arrival and the second time of arrival; and in response to identifying a network anomaly based on the trace packet and the buffer status, adjusting a network setting at the AP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Szigeti, Jerome Henry, Robert E. Barton, Malcolm M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20220201720
    Abstract: Techniques for uplink scheduling in a wireless network are disclosed. A wireless access point (AP) receives, from a wireless station (STA), a buffer status report (BSR) reflecting data accumulated at the STA for uplink to the AP. The AP identifies, based on the BSR, a scheduling mode under which the data was accumulated at the STA. The AP schedules an uplink parameter for the STA, based on the identified scheduling mode. The uplink parameter relates to at least one of: (i) an uplink transmission for the STA or (ii) a buffer status poll for the STA. The AP transmits, to the STA, an allocation relating to the scheduled uplink parameter for the STA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Malcolm M. SMITH, Guru Prasanna GOPALAKRISHNAN, Sanjay K. KATABATHUNI, Venkataprasad CHIRREDDY
  • Publication number: 20220141714
    Abstract: Embodiments herein describe techniques for dynamically negotiating an SLA between a roaming device and a VN in an identity federation. Instead of an IDP having to individually negotiate with a VN to decide on an SLA before a user device roams to the VN, the parties can dynamically negotiate the SLA after the user device has detected the VN (but before the device is permitted to connect or associate with the VN). In one embodiment, when a roaming user device comes within wireless range of a VN, the roaming device receives an advertisement from the VN that indicates the current SLA (or SLAs) offered by the VN. The roaming device can compare this offered SLA to a stored SLA in an identity profile the device received from the IDP to determine whether to accept the offer. In another embodiment, the SLA is instead negotiated between VN and the IDP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Malcolm M. SMITH, Jerome HENRY, Mark GRAYSON, Robert E. BARTON, Bart A. BRINCKMAN
  • Publication number: 20220094617
    Abstract: Automating and extending path tracing through wireless links is provided by receiving a request to perform a network trace over a wireless link provided by an Access Point (AP) configured as a transparent forwarder between a trace source and a trace target; monitoring a trace packet from a first time of arrival at the AP, a first time of departure from the AP, a second time of arrival at the AP, and a second time of departure from the AP; monitoring a buffer status of the AP at the first time of arrival and the second time of arrival; and in response to identifying a network anomaly based on the trace packet and the buffer status, adjusting a network setting at the AP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas SZIGETI, Jerome HENRY, Robert E. BARTON, Malcolm M. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20220070861
    Abstract: Techniques for dynamic bandwidth expansion are provided. A first set of channel quality metrics is collected, by an access point (AP) communicating using a first bandwidth, for an expanded bandwidth beyond the first bandwidth. A second set of channel quality metrics for the expanded bandwidth is received from one or more stations. An available portion of the expanded bandwidth is then determined based on the first and second sets of channel quality metrics. Communication with the one or more stations is initiated using the available portion of the expanded bandwidth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Malcolm M. SMITH, Venkataprasad CHIRREDDY, Guru Prasanna GOPALAKRISHNAN, James F. FLORWICK
  • Patent number: 11265842
    Abstract: Techniques for determining a range between a wireless station (STA) and a wireless access point (AP) using channel state information are described. An AP determines channel state information corresponding to an STA. The AP determines, based on the channel state information, one or more fine timing measurement (FTM) parameters. A plurality of FTM messages are transmitted between the AP and the STA, based on the one or more FTM parameters. The STA is configured to determine an estimated range to the AP based on the plurality of FTM messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm M. Smith, Xiaoqing Zhu, Jerome Henry
  • Patent number: 11166217
    Abstract: Handoff assistance across multiple radio access technologies can be provided by identifying a first Qualitative Level of Service (QLoS) of a first network that a User Equipment (UE) is connected to for data transmission; identifying a second QLoS of a second network that the UE is not connected to for data transmission; and in response to determining that a difference between the first QLoS and the second QLoS satisfies a handoff threshold, requesting a first access point in the first network to initiate handoff of the UE to a second access point in the second network or recommending from the first access point to the UE to request such a handoff, wherein handoff disconnects the UE from the first network for data transmission and connects the UE to the second network for data transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm M. Smith, Jerome Henry, Vishal S. Desai
  • Publication number: 20210282056
    Abstract: Dynamic policy mapping is provided via mapping, by an Access Point (AP), a plurality of applications to a set of privilege groups for Quality of Service (QoS) levels in a network; transmitting the mapping of the privilege groups to a client device; receiving packets from the client device including QoS markers; and in response to determining that the QoS markers received from the client device do not match the privilege groups for the packets, performing a corrective action on the client device, wherein the corrective action includes one or more of: disassociating the client device from the network; and retransmitting the set of privilege groups to the client device. In some embodiments, the privilege groups are transmitted before the client device is associated with the AP, enabling the client device to select what AP to associate with based on the privilege groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Malcolm M. SMITH, Jerome HENRY, Sudhir K. JAIN, Srinath GUNDAVELLI, Shree N. MURTHY
  • Publication number: 20210282108
    Abstract: Techniques for determining a range between a wireless station (STA) and a wireless access point (AP) using channel state information are described. An AP determines channel state information corresponding to an STA. The AP determines, based on the channel state information, one or more fine timing measurement (FTM) parameters. A plurality of FTM messages are transmitted between the AP and the STA, based on the one or more FTM parameters. The STA is configured to determine an estimated range to the AP based on the plurality of FTM messages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Malcolm M. SMITH, Xiaoqing ZHU, Jerome HENRY
  • Patent number: 11115873
    Abstract: Dynamic policy mapping is provided via mapping, by an Access Point (AP), a plurality of applications to a set of privilege groups for Quality of Service (QoS) levels in a network; transmitting the mapping of the privilege groups to a client device; receiving packets from the client device including QoS markers; and in response to determining that the QoS markers received from the client device do not match the privilege groups for the packets, performing a corrective action on the client device, wherein the corrective action includes one or more of: disassociating the client device from the network; and retransmitting the set of privilege groups to the client device. In some embodiments, the privilege groups are transmitted before the client device is associated with the AP, enabling the client device to select what AP to associate with based on the privilege groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm M. Smith, Jerome Henry, Sudhir K. Jain, Srinath Gundavelli, Shree N. Murthy
  • Publication number: 20210112472
    Abstract: Handoff assistance across multiple radio access technologies can be provided by identifying a first Qualitative Level of Service (QLoS) of a first network that a User Equipment (UE) is connected to for data transmission; identifying a second QLoS of a second network that the UE is not connected to for data transmission; and in response to determining that a difference between the first QLoS and the second QLoS satisfies a handoff threshold, requesting a first access point in the first network to initiate handoff of the UE to a second access point in the second network or recommending from the first access point to the UE to request such a handoff, wherein handoff disconnects the UE from the first network for data transmission and connects the UE to the second network for data transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Malcolm M. SMITH, Jerome HENRY, Vishal S. DESAI
  • Patent number: 8406763
    Abstract: A floating call anchor is used to improve the efficiency of utilization of wireless and backhaul resources in cellular communication systems. For conditions under which soft handoff can be effectively used to conserve wireless resources, data transmitted from a first mobile unit (MU) via a wireless signal are received by one or more base transceiver stations (BTSs) and sent to a base station controller (BSC) or other device remote from the BTSs. The data are then sent from the remote device to the BTS(s) transmitting data to a second MU. If the two MUs engaged in communication are within the same cell or adjacent cells, and the savings of backhaul resources outweighs the additional wireless resource costs associated with performing the call anchor function at a BTS, then a single BTS is used to communicate with both MUs. This single BTS performs the call anchor function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Malcolm M. Smith
  • Patent number: 8300824
    Abstract: Data is encrypted by receiving a plurality of bits associated with a communications flow and compressing at least a portion of the bits in order to produce a plurality of sub-frames. The sub-frames may be assembled into a superframe and a stream cipher may be applied to the superframe in order to generate an encrypted packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. McGrew, Malcolm M. Smith
  • Patent number: 7865155
    Abstract: Portion-by-portion selection and/or combination of signals received from multiple base transceiver stations (BTSs) is used to improve the quality of reception in cellular communication systems. For any particular frame, bit, symbol, or chip, the highest-quality copy can be selected and concatenated onto the end of a sequence of data being generated by the system. In addition, the energies and/or voltages of multiple copies of bits or symbols received by multiple BTSs can be added and/or averaged in order to improve signal quality (e.g., increased signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and/or signal-to-interference ratio (SIR)). In addition, a single communication system can utilize both selection and combination procedures. The resulting communication system reduces error rate and improves the quality of reception.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Malcolm M. Smith
  • Patent number: 7733793
    Abstract: A method for suppressing data is provided that includes receiving a first packet communicated by an end user and identifying a difference in a comfort noise level associated with a second packet received as compared to the first packet. The second packet may be communicated without a data payload in cases where the difference in comfort noise level associated with the second packet as compared to the first packet is below a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alain Charles Brainos, II, Mohammad A. Ahmed-Khan, Malcolm M. Smith