Patents by Inventor Michael K. Bugenhagen

Michael K. Bugenhagen 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: 20170026472
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing customer-based Internet of Things (“IoT”)-transparent privacy functionality. Various methods, systems, and apparatuses might provide connectivity between a network interface device (“NID”) and each of one or more first user devices of a plurality of user devices associated with the customer premises and/or a user who is associated with the customer premises. In some cases, at least one virtual network function (“VNF”) might be sent to each of the one or more first user devices. The NID might restrict, in some cases using the VNF, access by a third party to the information regarding the at least one portion of the at least one of one or more first user devices connected to the network or one or more applications running on one or more first user devices connected to the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Michael K. Bugenhagen, Charles I. Cook
  • Patent number: 9549004
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a system, computer program product, and method for routing a call over a packet network. A call request may be received from a calling party to call a called party at a network address. At least one potential call path over a packet network may be determined to connect the calling party to the called party at the network address. Network performance information associated with each potential call path may be accessed and a determination may be made that each of the call paths are impaired or congested. In response to determining that each of the call paths are impaired or congested, the call may be routed over a call path other than one of the at least one potential call paths to enable the calling party to communicate with the called party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: William L. Wiley, Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Publication number: 20160380878
    Abstract: A system and method for diagnosing a problem on a packet network. Network performance information associated with data packet communications over a packet network may be collected. A network performance information parameter may be monitored and a determination that the network performance information parameter crosses a threshold value may be made. In response to determining that the network performance information parameter crossed the threshold value, diagnostics may be initiated to determine a cause of the network performance information parameter crossing the threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Michael K. Bugenhagen, Stephen K. Edwards, William L. Wiley, James L. McNaughton, John M. Heinz, Steven E. Kozisek
  • Patent number: 9521150
    Abstract: A system, method, and profiler for regulating access between a remote network and a host network. The profiler includes a processor for executing a set of instructions and a memory for storing the set of instructions. The set of instructions are executed to determine one or more target devices for the host network, determine authorized content for messages from one or more remote networks to the one or more target devices, analyze the messages to determine whether the messages comply with message thresholds for the remote networks, and communicate the messages between the host network and the one or more remote networks in response to compliance with the message thresholds and the authorized content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventor: Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Publication number: 20160337206
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques provide for implementing network configuration, and, in particular embodiments, to methods, systems, apparatus, and computer software for implementing customer control point or customer portal for enabling customer-based virtualized platform and network configuration. In some embodiments, a network node might receive, via a user portal (e.g., an app-based or web-based customer portal), a request from a user to change a network configuration of a network. In response to receiving the request, the network node might determine one or more network configuration changes to make to effect the request to change the network configuration of the network, and might reconfigure the network by effecting the determined one or more network configuration changes. In some cases, the user portal might be represented by a graphical user interface that allows the user to manipulate or interact with icons of devices, apps, VNFs, etc., as a form of making the request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Michael K. Bugenhagen, Charles I. Cook, Kevin M. McBride
  • Publication number: 20160330074
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing extension of customer local area networks (“LANs”) and/or implementing isolated service overlays over a network. In some embodiments, a network service point that is located external to a demarcation point at each of a plurality of customer premises might establish a connection between a service provider network and a customer LAN, which has already been established within a customer premises. The system subsequently extends the customer LAN, via this connection, to span between the network service point and the customer premises. Alternatively, or additionally, the system might establish two or more isolated service overlays across the customer LAN between the network service point and the customer premises, each of the two or more isolated service overlays having network traffic that is isolated from network traffic transmitted along another of the two or more isolated service overlays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Charles I. Cook, Michael K. Bugenhagen, Kevin M. McBride, Andrew V. Cook, Michael J. Fargano
  • Publication number: 20160330140
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing network enhanced gateway functionality, and, in particular embodiments, for implementing network enhanced gateway functionality using network functions virtualization (“NFV”) and/or software defined networks (“SDNs”). In some embodiments, a network switch, which is disposed within a gateway device, might route network traffic to a host computing system, at least a portion of the network traffic being originally directed to a client device via a corresponding client port among a plurality of client ports. Based at least in part on one or more characteristics of the at least a portion of the network traffic, the host computing system selects one or more virtual network functions (“VNFs”), which are then sent to the host computing system via the network switch. According to some embodiments, the network switch and the host computing system are under control of a NFV entity and/or a SDN controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Charles I. Cook, Michael K. Bugenhagen, Kevin M. McBride, Andrew V. Cook
  • Publication number: 20160329965
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing extension of customer local area networks (“LANs”) and/or implementing isolated service overlays over a network. In some embodiments, a network service point that is located external to a demarcation point at each of a plurality of customer premises might establish a connection between a service provider network and a customer LAN, which has already been established within a customer premises. The system subsequently extends the customer LAN, via this connection, to span between the network service point and the customer premises. Alternatively, or additionally, the system might establish two or more isolated service overlays across the customer LAN between the network service point and the customer premises, each of the two or more isolated service overlays having network traffic that is isolated from network traffic transmitted along another of the two or more isolated service overlays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Charles I. Cook, Michael K. Bugenhagen, Kevin M. McBride, Andrew V. Cook
  • Patent number: 9479341
    Abstract: A system and method for diagnosing a problem on a packet network. Network performance information associated with data packet communications over a packet network may be collected. A network performance information parameter may be monitored and a determination that the network performance information parameter crosses a threshold value may be made. In response to determining that the network performance information parameter crossed the threshold value, diagnostics may be initiated to determine a cause of the network performance information parameter crossing the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Michael K. Bugenhagen, Stephen K. Edwards, William L. Wiley, James L. McNaughton, John M. Heinz, Steven E. Kozisek
  • Patent number: 9430259
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for implementing a virtualization congestion control framework. In one aspect, an orchestrator might be provided within a virtual machine environment context in order to provide two-way communications between the virtual machine (“VM”) and one or more applications running on one or more virtual machines in the VM environment in order to control congestion in hardware resource usage, perhaps using a congestion API. In some embodiments, the two-way communications might include communications from the VM to the applications including maximum hardware resources and current resources, and might further include communications from the applications to the VM including pre-congestion notifications and low-utilization notifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventor: Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Patent number: 9419869
    Abstract: A system, method, and handheld wireless device for improving a connection to a wireless device. Performance information is measured for the connection to the wireless device. One or more trends in one or more averages associated with the performance information are determined. The one or more trends and the one or more averages are displayed to user. Recommendations are generated for the user to implement a user action in response to the one or more trends and the one or more averages to improve the connection to the wireless device. The recommendations are displayed to the user to improve the connection in real-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventor: Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Publication number: 20160226706
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing access constructs for a network, and, in some cases, for implementing access constructs for cloud orchestration. In some embodiments, a network might provide connectivity between a first access node(s) in the network and a hardware node(s) or between two or more first access nodes, via a corresponding first link(s). An apparatus, such as one disposed at an orchestration node or the like in the network, might bridge a second access node over one or more of at least one first access node or at least one first link (“bridge node or link”), and might roll service over to the second access node from the bridged node or link. Based on a determination that failure has occurred during service through the second access node, the apparatus might roll service back over to the bridged node or link, from the second access node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventor: Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Publication number: 20160149770
    Abstract: A system for a searchable best fit abstraction framework includes a network having one or more network resources, a network inventory server programmed to generate a network inventory of the one or more network resources, and a searchable best fit abstraction engine in communication with the network inventory server. The searchable best fit abstraction engine includes at least one processor, and non-transitory computer readable media having encoded thereon computer software comprising a set of instructions executable by the at least one processor. The set of instructions includes instructions to retrieve the network inventory, instantiate an inventory class object for at least one network resource, define a set of service abstractions for the inventory class object, provide customer and service provider facing interfaces, and provision at least one service offering satisfying a customer service requirement, or as defined by a service template.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Matthew J. Post, Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Patent number: 9344906
    Abstract: A system, method and network communications device including a processing unit configured to communicate data packets with one or more network communications devices. The data packets include network performance information generated by the one or more network communications devices in response to receiving a portion of the data packets. The network communications device further includes a memory in communication with the processing unit. The memory is configured to store a table containing network performance information associated with the node segments through which the data packets are communicated with the one or more network communications devices. The processing unit is further configured to process the data packets to store the network performance information in the table. The network performance information is utilized to alter future communications of the data packets through the node segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Morrill, William L. Wiley, Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Publication number: 20160134502
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a system and method for monitoring performance of a packet network. In one embodiment, a method includes determining network performance information of a packet network by monitoring performance information packets that are communicated along network paths of the packet network. The method also includes appending the network performance information gathered at a network node along the network paths to data stored in the performance information packets. The method stores the network performance information collected by monitoring the performance information packets in memory and analyzes the stored network performance information to generate historical network performance information. The method automatically alters network operation in response to current network performance information indicating that the packet network is not operating properly based on the historical network performance information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Stephen K. Edwards, Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Publication number: 20160134688
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for Internet service providers to enable enhanced user control over content delivery. In an aspect of certain embodiments, these tools can allow the customer to select, on a variety of different bases, whether content should be obtained from the Internet or from a lower-cost source, such as a metropolitan content delivery network (“CDN”) operated by the ISP or a private peering connection with a content source. Both of these options can, for example, avoid accessing content over the Internet and thus can reduce ISP delivery costs. In some embodiments, these cost reductions can be passed to the consumer in the way the ISP accounts for the content delivery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventor: Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Patent number: 9300732
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for Internet service providers to enable enhanced user control over content delivery. In an aspect of certain embodiments, these tools can allow the customer to select, on a variety of different bases, whether content should be obtained from the Internet or from a lower-cost source, such as a metropolitan content delivery network (“CDN”) operated by the ISP or a private peering connection with a content source. Both of these options can, for example, avoid accessing content over the Internet and thus can reduce ISP delivery costs. In some embodiments, these cost reductions can be passed to the consumer in the way the ISP accounts for the content delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventor: Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Patent number: 9294477
    Abstract: An access interface system for interfacing between an enterprise network and a service provider network comprises an interface and a processing system. The interface is configured to receive traffic from the service provider network wherein the traffic identifies a virtual link and a media access control address, transmit the traffic to the enterprise network if the media access control address is allowed for the virtual link, and block the traffic if the media access control address is not allowed for the virtual link. The processing system is configured to determine if the media access control address is allowed for the virtual link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Publication number: 20160080272
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling communications networks. Network performance information is gathered from a first communications network using performance information packet data packets. A network operator of the first communications network is controlled from a secondary communications network using the performance information packet data packets. Changes to the network operator are implemented based on instructions included in the performance information packet data packets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: James L. McNaughton, John M. Heinz, Michael K. Bugenhagen, William L. Wiley
  • Publication number: 20160048403
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing applications management, based at least in part on operations, administration, and management (“OAM”) information. A host computing system might comprise a dedicated OAM management agent. While normal application frame flow might be sent or received by VMs running on the host computing system, OAM frame flow might be sent or received by the OAM management agent, which might also serve as an OAM frame generator. Alternatively, or additionally, based on a determination that at least one OAM frame has changed (in response to a change in address of far-end and/or near-end OAM server functions), the OAM management agent might update a list associating the at least one OAM frame that has changed with corresponding at least one VM of the one or more VMs, without restarting any of the at least one VM, the OAM management agent, and/or the host computing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventor: Michael K. Bugenhagen