Patents by Inventor Paul Heninwolf

Paul Heninwolf 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: 11456957
    Abstract: A method for managing nodes of a network includes receiving location information from each of a plurality of nodes in a network, where at least one node is moving relative to another node of the network. The method then includes converting the received location information for each node into a corresponding network address. The corresponding network address is based on a hierarchical cell-based partitioning scheme. The method further includes identifying a target region for a given node of the network based on a plurality of routing paths. The target region encompasses two or more nodes in the network that are next hops for the given node and that have a common segment in the corresponding network addresses. The method then includes sending forwarding rules to one or more nodes in the network. The forwarding rules includes the common segment to identify the next hops for the given node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: SoftBank Corp.
    Inventors: Brian Barritt, Paul Heninwolf, Erik Kline
  • Patent number: 11456521
    Abstract: A method and an antenna system are provided for a high-altitude platform (HAP) configured to move in a pattern in the stratosphere to provide coverage to a region of interest and compensate for HAP movement relative to the region of interest. HAP movement is monitored. When it is determined that the HAP has moved relative to the region of interest and, based on the relative movement, a first one of a plurality of antennas in the HAP is no longer able to cover a selected portion of the region of interest, an antenna array switching circuit in the HAP is used to adjust beams transmitted by the antennas by switching to a second one of the plurality of antennas to cover the selected portion of the region of interest, such that the communication services provided to the region of interest are not interrupted due to the movement of the HAP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: SoftBank Corp.
    Inventors: Sharath Ananth, Paul Heninwolf, Simon Scott
  • Patent number: 11337080
    Abstract: The disclosure provides for a communication system. The communication system includes a station moving relative to a geographic area, a plurality of antennas, and one or more processors configured to control the plurality of antennas. For instance, the one or more processors may be configured to control a first antenna of the plurality of antennas to output a primary beam to cover the geographic area, wherein the primary beam is associated with a primary cell having a first center frequency, and to control a second set of antennas of the plurality of antennas to output a plurality of secondary beams to cover a plurality of locations within the geographic area, wherein the plurality of secondary beams each has a beam angle smaller than the primary beam, and wherein the plurality of secondary beams are all associated with a secondary cell having a second center frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: SoftBank Corp.
    Inventors: Sharath Ananth, Mitchell Trott, Paul Heninwolf
  • Publication number: 20220045432
    Abstract: An antenna for wireless communication includes a spherical reflector and one or more feeds. The spherical reflector includes an inner portion made of material that reflects radiofrequency (RF) beams, and an outer portion positioned on an edge of the inner portion, the outer portion being made of metamaterials that can be controlled to be reflective of or transparent to RF beams. The one or more feeds are configured to form one or more RF beams reflected off the spherical reflector. In some implementations, the antenna includes one or more processors configured to form one or more RF beams using the one or more feeds, and control at least a part of the outer portion of the spherical reflector to reflect an RF beam of the one or more RF beams or be transparent to the RF beam based on the one or more RF beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicant: LOON LLC
    Inventors: Sharath Ananth, Paul Heninwolf, Jean-Laurent Plateau
  • Patent number: 11245194
    Abstract: An antenna for wireless communication includes a spherical reflector and one or more feeds. The spherical reflector includes an inner portion made of material that reflects radiofrequency (RF) beams, and an outer portion positioned on an edge of the inner portion, the outer portion being made of metamaterials that can be controlled to be reflective of or transparent to RF beams. The one or more feeds are configured to form one or more RF beams reflected off the spherical reflector. In some implementations, the antenna includes one or more processors configured to form one or more RF beams using the one or more feeds, and control at least a part of the outer portion of the spherical reflector to reflect an RF beam of the one or more RF beams or be transparent to the RF beam based on the one or more RF beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: SoftBank Corp.
    Inventors: Sharath Ananth, Paul Heninwolf, Jean-Laurent Plateau
  • Publication number: 20210409333
    Abstract: A method for managing nodes of a network includes receiving location information from each of a plurality of nodes in a network, where at least one node is moving relative to another node of the network. The method then includes converting the received location information for each node into a corresponding network address. The corresponding network address is based on a hierarchical cell-based partitioning scheme. The method further includes identifying a target region for a given node of the network based on a plurality of routing paths. The target region encompasses two or more nodes in the network that are next hops for the given node and that have a common segment in the corresponding network addresses. The method then includes sending forwarding rules to one or more nodes in the network. The forwarding rules includes the common segment to identify the next hops for the given node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Brian Barritt, Paul Heninwolf, Erik Kline
  • Publication number: 20210313669
    Abstract: A method and an antenna system are provided for a high-altitude platform (HAP) configured to move in a pattern in the stratosphere to provide coverage to a region of interest and compensate for HAP movement relative to the region of interest. HAP movement is monitored. When it is determined that the HAP has moved relative to the region of interest and, based on the relative movement, a first one of a plurality of antennas in the HAP is no longer able to cover a selected portion of the region of interest, an antenna array switching circuit in the HAP is used to adjust beams transmitted by the antennas by switching to a second one of the plurality of antennas to cover the selected portion of the region of interest, such that the communication services provided to the region of interest are not interrupted due to the movement of the HAP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Sharath Ananth, Paul Heninwolf, Simon Scott
  • Patent number: 10420104
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a connection request from a network base station on a primary component carrier (CC) associated with a primary user equipment (UE), and connecting to the network base station on the primary CC. The method also includes receiving a configuration message from the network base station. The configuration message instructs operation of at least one secondary CC. The at least one secondary CC is associated with at least one secondary UE. The method also includes, in response to receiving the configuration message, instructing the at least one secondary UE to operate on the at least one secondary CC and receive data from the network base station on the at least one secondary CC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Erik Stauffer, Paul Heninwolf
  • Patent number: 10305994
    Abstract: A way of synchronizing action execution across networked nodes using relative time. A command and a first time value can be received at a first networked device, where the first time value can correspond to a relative time at which an action is to occur. The command can be forwarded to another, second networked device along with a second relative time value that has been adjusted to take into account the elapsed time between the receipt of the command at the first device and the sending of the command to the second device. The action, which can include one or more events, can be caused to take place upon the execution of the command at about the first time value after the command was received at the first device and at about the second time value after the command was received at the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Girts Folkmanis, Paul Heninwolf
  • Patent number: 10148764
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for a backup wide area network connection for access points and routers. A network interface may be able to connect to wide area network over a broadband connection. A cellular modem may be able to connect to the wide area network through a cellular network. The cellular modem may be distinct from the network interface. A processor may be connected to the network interface and the cellular modem and may be able to detect that the broadband connection between the network interface and the wide area network is not connected and, in response, activate the cellular modem to connect to the cellular network, receive configuration data using the cellular modem, and apply a configuration setting from the received configuration data to establish the broadband connection through the network interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Joe Freeman Britt, Jr., Robert Dale Newberry, Jr., Paul Heninwolf, Matthew Joel Hershenson
  • Publication number: 20180176917
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a connection request from a network base station on a primary component carrier (CC) associated with a primary user equipment (UE), and connecting to the network base station on the primary CC. The method also includes receiving a configuration message from the network base station. The configuration message instructs operation of at least one secondary CC. The at least one secondary CC is associated with at least one secondary UE. The method also includes, in response to receiving the configuration message, instructing the at least one secondary UE to operate on the at least one secondary CC and receive data from the network base station on the at least one secondary CC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Stauffer, Paul Heninwolf
  • Patent number: 9913278
    Abstract: Wireless service is provided to a service area using limited resources dynamically reallocated to maximize capacity in high demand regions. An antenna array transmits a plurality of downlink beams, each covering a respective region of a service area. An antenna management logic identifies a high demand region serviced by downlink beams transmitted from a first set of antennas at a first power level and a low demand region serviced by downlink beams transmitted from a second set of antennas at a second power level. The antenna management logic reconfigures the antenna array to provide the wireless service to the high demand region at a power level higher than the first power level, and to provide the wireless service to the low demand region at a power level lower than the second power level, such that the antenna array does not exceed a maximum power level available from a power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Paul Heninwolf, Sharath Ananth
  • Publication number: 20170353960
    Abstract: Wireless service is provided to a service area using limited resources dynamically reallocated to maximize capacity in high demand regions. An antenna array transmits a plurality of downlink beams, each covering a respective region of a service area. An antenna management logic identifies a high demand region serviced by downlink beams transmitted from a first set of antennas at a first power level and a low demand region serviced by downlink beams transmitted from a second set of antennas at a second power level. The antenna management logic reconfigures the antenna array to provide the wireless service to the high demand region at a power level higher than the first power level, and to provide the wireless service to the low demand region at a power level lower than the second power level, such that the antenna array does not exceed a maximum power level available from a power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Paul Heninwolf, Sharath Ananth
  • Patent number: 9735929
    Abstract: A method and system are described that allow a device operating in coordination with other devices to synchronize the devices operation with the other devices. A controllable device processor may determine that a received data packet is a retransmission of an initial control command data packet. The processor may obtain from the retransmitted data packet a start value and a time indicator related to performance of the operation. A ramp rate related to the operation to be performed may be obtained. Using the time indicator, an adjusted ramp rate may be calculated. An output value for the device may be set based on the start value, the adjusted ramp rate, and the time indicator. The adjusted ramp rate may result in completing the operation at substantially the same time as though the device received the original command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Girts Folkmanis, Paul Heninwolf
  • Patent number: 9668102
    Abstract: A method for providing an alert notification to a user in a degraded location includes obtaining incoming call data indicating the mobile terminal is unable to establish a first communication link with a communication terminal for receiving an incoming call using voice over long term evolution. The method also includes providing the alert notification to a user associated with the mobile terminal based on the obtained incoming call data. The alert notification informs the user that the incoming call directed toward the mobile terminal is pending. The method also includes receiving the incoming call from the communication terminal after the mobile terminal moves away from the degraded location and establishes the first communication link with the communication terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Sharath Ananth, Erik Stauffer, Paul Heninwolf
  • Patent number: 9614723
    Abstract: The disclosed subject matter may provide a system and methods for commissioning a device or appliance into a network. A processor may detect the insertion of a removable device into a data receptacle of a first device. The first device may be an appliance or a network controller. Information may be retrieved from or delivered to the removable device. The information may be information specific to the appliance, such as model number, or may be information related to the network controller. For example, information delivered from the network controller to the removable device may include a network address assignment and network protocol to be used by an appliance when the appliance communicates with the network. The removable device may be removed from the first device and inserted into a data receptacle of a second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Ross Koningstein, Paul Heninwolf, James Charles Schmalzried, Girts Folkmanis, Michael Sleator
  • Patent number: 9491770
    Abstract: Disclosed are a system, device and method for avoiding interference with data communications from an interference source. A system may include a power consumption indication device and a network access point or client computer. The power consumption indication device may include a receptacle, a power detector and a transceiver. The receptacle may be configured to be connectable to an interference source via an electrical plug. The interference source may be a microwave or other similar device that emits radio frequency energy that may interfere with data communications. The power consumption device may generate an interference warning notification signal that may be received by a processor in either the network access point or client computer. The network access point or client computer may execute a process to detect the interference and schedule data communications to avoid the interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Heninwolf
  • Publication number: 20160323072
    Abstract: A method and system are described that allow a device operating in coordination with other devices to synchronize the devices operation with the other devices. A controllable device processor may determine that a received data packet is a retransmission of an initial control command data packet. The processor may obtain from the retransmitted data packet a start value and a time indicator related to performance of the operation. A ramp rate related to the operation to be performed may be obtained. Using the time indicator, an adjusted ramp rate may be calculated. An output value for the device may be set based on the start value, the adjusted ramp rate, and the time indicator. The adjusted ramp rate may result in completing the operation at substantially the same time as though the device received the original command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Girts Folkmanis, Paul Heninwolf
  • Patent number: 9451524
    Abstract: The broadcast nature of wireless communication may be utilized by transmitting a packet frame identifying at least one relay node that can transmit the packet frame without transmitting an acknowledgement frame confirming receipt of the packet frame by a respective relay node. A relay node may cancel a relay obligation to transmit a packet frame based on detecting transmission of the packet frame by another node or based on detection of an acknowledgement frame confirming that a destination node received the packet frame. A transmission chain corresponding to the transmission of a packet frame may be assigned a priority. Alternatively or in addition, a relay node within a transmission chain may be assigned a priority. A priority may determine the amount of delay inserted prior to transmitting a packet frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Heninwolf, Anand Shah, Gary Morain
  • Publication number: 20160254922
    Abstract: A way of synchronizing action execution across networked nodes using relative time. A command and a first time value can be received at a first networked device, where the first time value can correspond to a relative time at which an action is to occur. The command can be forwarded to another, second networked device along with a second relative time value that has been adjusted to take into account the elapsed time between the receipt of the command at the first device and the sending of the command to the second device. The action, which can include one or more events, can be caused to take place upon the execution of the command at about the first time value after the command was received at the first device and at about the second time value after the command was received at the second device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Girts Folkmanis, Paul Heninwolf