Patents by Inventor Patrick Meenan

Patrick Meenan 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: 20130007871
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for the configuration of a home-networking system. Home-networking configuration information may be stored on a host system in a manner accessible to the home-networking system and migrated to a home-networking gateway or router that has not yet been configured. Wireless configuration information may be stored on a home-networking gateway or router and used to configure one or more wireless access points through the use of a physical connection, such as a wired communications pathway. One or more wireless home-networking devices may be configured based on wireless configuration information stored in a central repository on a host system or a home-networking system. The wireless configuration information may be accessible only through the use of a security code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Patrick MEENAN, Fady William Semaan
  • Patent number: 8275900
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for the configuration of a home-networking system. Home-networking configuration information may be stored on a host system in a manner accessible to the home-networking system and migrated to a home-networking gateway or router that has not yet been configured. Wireless configuration information may be stored on a home-networking gateway or router and used to configure one or more wireless access points through the use of a physical connection, such as a wired communications pathway. One or more wireless home-networking devices may be configured based on wireless configuration information stored in a central repository on a host system or a home-networking system. The wireless configuration information may be accessible only through the use of a security code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. Meenan, Fady William Semaan
  • Publication number: 20120110114
    Abstract: A home-networking gateway may automatically provide a function based on data identified on a device on a home network. The home-networking gateway may perform the function using another device that is capable of performing the function and is accessible to the home-networking gateway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Patrick Meenan, David Clyde Chiles, Jeffrey J. Damick
  • Patent number: 8095596
    Abstract: A home-networking gateway may automatically provide a function based on data identified on a device on a home network. The home-networking gateway may perform the function using another device that is capable of performing the function and is accessible to the home-networking gateway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Meenan, David Clyde Chiles, Jeffrey J. Damick
  • Patent number: 7986938
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for the configuration of a home-networking system. Home-networking configuration information may be stored on a host system in a manner accessible to the home-networking system and migrated to a home-networking gateway or router that has not yet been configured. Wireless configuration information may be stored on a home-networking gateway or router and used to configure one or more wireless access points through the use of a physical connection, such as a wired communications pathway. One or more wireless home-networking devices may be configured based on wireless configuration information stored in a central repository on a host system or a home-networking system. The wireless configuration information may be accessible only through the use of a security code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Meenan, David Clyde Chiles
  • Publication number: 20110078502
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for leveraging narrowband connectivity (such as dial-up communications or other types of low bandwidth communications) to provision or configure broadband connectivity between a broadband access provider and a broadband device, such as a DSL modem or a cable modem. Specifically, because narrowband connectivity does not require advance configuration or provisioning by the host system of connectivity parameters for an access-seeking device, a modem at an access-seeking device may be leveraged to establish a narrowband connection between that device and a host system and to enable an exchange or negotiation of connectivity parameters necessary to enable future broadband connectivity. Thus, once established, the narrowband connection may be used as a conduit for communicating required provisioning information between the broadband-enabling host and the access-seeking device to enable broadband connectivity by the device in the future.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Patrick Meenan, David Clyde Chiles, Jeffrey J. Damick
  • Patent number: 7853702
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for leveraging narrowband connectivity (such as dial-up communications or other types of low bandwidth communications) to provision or configure broadband connectivity between a broadband access provider and a broadband device, such as a DSL modem or a cable modem. Specifically, because narrowband connectivity does not require advance configuration or provisioning by the host system of connectivity parameters for an access-seeking device, a modem at an access-seeking device may be leveraged to establish a narrowband connection between that device and a host system and to enable an exchange or negotiation of connectivity parameters necessary to enable future broadband connectivity. Thus, once established, the narrowband connection may be used as a conduit for communicating required provisioning information between the broadband-enabling host and the access-seeking device to enable broadband connectivity by the device in the future.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Meenan, David Clyde Chiles, Jeffrey J. Damick
  • Publication number: 20100257584
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for the configuration of a home-networking system. Home-networking configuration information may be stored on a host system in a manner accessible to the home-networking system and migrated to a home-networking gateway or router that has not yet been configured. Wireless configuration information may be stored on a home-networking gateway or router and used to configure one or more wireless access points through the use of a physical connection, such as a wired communications pathway. One or more wireless home-networking devices may be configured based on wireless configuration information stored in a central repository on a host system or a home-networking system. The wireless configuration information may be accessible only through the use of a security code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: AOL INC.
    Inventors: Patrick Meenan, Fady William Semaan
  • Publication number: 20100250725
    Abstract: A home-networking gateway may automatically provide a function based on data identified on a device on a home network. The home-networking gateway may perform the function using another device that is capable of performing the function and is accessible to the home-networking gateway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Patrick Meenan, David Clyde Chiles, Jeffrey J. Damick
  • Patent number: 7769042
    Abstract: Communicating data packets between a client device and a host system generally includes using a protocol server module, located on the client device, that terminates a communication session that uses a first protocol and that is intended to enable communications between a source and a destination, in which the source is one of a client device operating system protocol stack and the host system and the destination is one of the client device operating system protocol stack and the host system but differs from the source. The protocol server module translates data packets from the source between the first protocol and a second protocol that is different from the first protocol and transports the data packets having the second protocol to the destination. A controller module generally also is included on the client device. The protocol server module may include a PPP server module located on the client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick A. Meenan
  • Patent number: 7756928
    Abstract: A home-networking gateway may automatically provide a function based on data identified on a device on a home network. The home-networking gateway may perform the function using another device that is capable of performing the function and is accessible to the home-networking gateway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Meenan, David Clyde Chiles, Jeffrey J. Damick
  • Patent number: 7752329
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for the configuration of a home-networking system. Home-networking configuration information may be stored on a host system in a manner accessible to the home-networking system and migrated to a home-networking gateway or router that has not yet been configured. Wireless configuration information may be stored on a home-networking gateway or router and used to configure one or more wireless access points through the use of a physical connection, such as a wired communications pathway. One or more wireless home-networking devices may be configured based on wireless configuration information stored in a central repository on a host system or a home-networking system. The wireless configuration information may be accessible only through the use of a security code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Meenan, Fady William Semaan
  • Patent number: 7653379
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for the configuration of a home-networking system. Home-networking configuration information may be stored on a host system in a manner accessible to the home-networking system and migrated to a home-networking gateway or router that has not yet been configured. Wireless configuration information may be stored on a home-networking gateway or router and used to configure one or more wireless access points through the use of a physical connection, such as a wired communications pathway. One or more wireless home-networking devices may be configured based on wireless configuration information stored in a central repository on a host system or a home-networking system. The wireless configuration information may be accessible only through the use of a security code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: AOL LLC
    Inventors: Patrick A. Meenan, David Clyde Chiles
  • Publication number: 20090083428
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for leveraging narrowband connectivity (such as dial-up communications or other types of low bandwidth communications) to provision or configure broadband connectivity between a broadband access provider and a broadband device, such as a DSL modem or a cable modem. Specifically, because narrowband connectivity does not require advance configuration or provisioning by the host system of connectivity parameters for an access-seeking device, a modem at an access-seeking device may be leveraged to establish a narrowband connection between that device and a host system and to enable an exchange or negotiation of connectivity parameters necessary to enable future broadband connectivity. Thus, once established, the narrowband connection may be used as a conduit for communicating required provisioning information between the broadband-enabling host and the access-seeking device to enable broadband connectivity by the device in the future.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: AOL LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company (Formerly Known as America Online, Inc.)
    Inventors: Patrick Meenan, David Clyde Chiles, Jeffrey J. Damick
  • Patent number: 7428585
    Abstract: Using parental controls includes storing parental control information on a user device and receiving a request from the user device to access a destination over a communications network. Parental control information stored on the user device may be used to determine whether to grant the request from the user device. When the parental control information indicates that the request should be allowed, the user device allows access to the destination. When the parental control information indicates that the request should be denied, the user device denies access to the destination. Information that is related to the parental control information stored on the user device may be stored on a remote device. The parental control information stored on the user device may be verified using the information stored on the remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: AOL LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company
    Inventors: John Barclay Owens, II, Patrick Meenan
  • Patent number: 7409451
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for leveraging narrowband connectivity (such as dial-up communications or other types of low bandwidth communications) to provision or configure broadband connectivity between a broadband access provider and a broadband device, such as a DSL modem or a cable modem. Specifically, because narrowband connectivity does not require advance configuration or provisioning by the host system of connectivity parameters for an access-seeking device, a modem at an access-seeking device may be leveraged to establish a narrowband connection between that device and a host system and to enable an exchange or negotiation of connectivity parameters necessary to enable future broadband connectivity. Thus, once established, the narrowband connection may be used as a conduit for communicating required provisioning information between the broadband-enabling host and the access-seeking device to enable broadband connectivity by the device in the future.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: AOL LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company
    Inventors: Patrick Meenan, David Clyde Chiles, Jeffrey J. Damick
  • Patent number: 7383339
    Abstract: A local proxy that is located between a client device and a host system may be used to identify, or provide information about, a client device or identity using a client device that accesses a host system. The local proxy may append parental control information (such as a parental control level) to communications sent by the client device. The host system may provide, or restrict, access to information or features based on the information appended to communications sent by the client device. The local proxy and the host system both may store an additional copy of parental control information associated with one or more identities or client devices. The mirror copy of parental information may be used to restrict communications based on an identity or device's parental control classification and/or may be used to verify that parental control information has not been improperly modified or accessed. Parental controls may be applied using access control lists stored on the local proxy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: AOL LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company
    Inventors: Patrick Meenan, Donald P. Sengpiehl, Rich Thornberg
  • Patent number: 7337219
    Abstract: A local proxy in a home network may identify the device class to which a particular device in the home network belongs based on the receipt of a message requesting a network address for use by the device. A device class may include a broad category to describe the device (such as, a gaming device, a personal computer, an appliance, or a PDA), the type of platform (e.g., the type of hardware, such as a Macintosh™ personal computer, a Windows™-based personal computer, a Linux™-based personal computer, a PDA, a home appliance, or an entertainment device), and/or the operating environment (e.g., operating system type and/or version). The local proxy associates the device class with the device. The local proxy may process a request from a device in a home network based on the device class of the device that sent the request. For example, access to a game available on the home network may be restricted to a gaming device or personal computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: AOL LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company
    Inventors: Patrick Meenan, Jeffrey Joseph Damick
  • Patent number: 7315886
    Abstract: A home-networking gateway may provide a service to a device on a home network by transparently accessing (or spoofing) a capability of a different device on the home network. The device capabilities may be automatically detected and used. A home-networking gateway also may transparently provide a service from a host system to a device on a home network by accessing a service on a host system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: AOL LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company
    Inventors: Patrick Meenan, David Clyde Chiles, Jeffrey J. Damick
  • Patent number: RE43392
    Abstract: A home-networking gateway may provide a service to a device on a home network by transparently accessing (or spoofing) a capability of a different device on the home network. The device capabilities may be automatically detected and used. A home-networking gateway also may transparently provide a service from a host system to a device on a home network by accessing a service on a host system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Tarquin Consulting Co., LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Meenan, David Clyde Chiles, Jeffrey J. Damick