Patents by Inventor Richard Howard Kennedy

Richard Howard Kennedy 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: 10306545
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling aspects of network communications from a device to a network are provided. In particular, a method of initiating scans for a network by a communication device for a communication network is provided. The method comprises: monitoring for a first condition relating to a network scan for the communication network; and when the first condition relates to a receipt of at least one request to initiate the network scan and when at least the first condition is satisfied, identifying a first parameter for the network scan and configuring and initiating the network scan at the communication device for the communication network implementing the first parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Michael Peter Montemurro, Stephen McCann, Richard Howard Kennedy
  • Patent number: 9955372
    Abstract: An apparatus has a wireless local area network (WLAN) transceiver and one or more sensors. The sensors are monitored. From time to time, a mitigation level applicable to the apparatus is determined as a function of output from the one or more sensors. The mitigation level is one of multiple mitigation levels, each mitigation level corresponding to a set of configuration changes for a Media Access Control (MAC) layer of the WLAN transceiver. Responsive to determining that the applicable mitigation level has increased from a most recent previously determined mitigation level, the MAC layer is configured to effect a decrease in a transmit duty cycle of the WLAN transceiver. Responsive to determining that the applicable mitigation level has decreased from a most recent previously determined mitigation level, the MAC layer is configured to effect an increase in the transmit duty cycle of the WLAN transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Michael Peter Montemurro, Richard Howard Kennedy
  • Patent number: 9706486
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling aspects of network communications from a device to a network are provided. In particular, a method of initiating scans for a network by a communication device for a communication network is provided. The method comprises: monitoring for a first condition relating to a network scan for the communication network; and when the first condition relates to a receipt of at least one request to initiate the network scan and when at least the first condition is satisfied, identifying a first parameter for the network scan and configuring and initiating the network scan at the communication device for the communication network implementing the first parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Michael Peter Montemurro, Stephen McCann, Richard Howard Kennedy
  • Patent number: 9654965
    Abstract: A wireless device may be subject to regulations based on the location (e.g. country). Accordingly, the wireless device may need to identify regulations for its current location. A lookup table or database that includes regulations for different locations may be used for identifying the regulations for the current location of the wireless device. The lookup table may be stored locally on the wireless device or retrieved over a network. The identified regulations may be used to modify certain operating parameters of the wireless device to comply with the local regulations and determine whether or not to associate with an incorrectly configured Access Point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Richard Howard Kennedy, James Randolph Winter Lepp, Stephen McCann, Michael Peter Montemurro
  • Publication number: 20160323764
    Abstract: An apparatus has a wireless local area network (WLAN) transceiver and one or more sensors. The sensors are monitored. From time to time, a mitigation level applicable to the apparatus is determined as a function of output from the one or more sensors. The mitigation level is one of multiple mitigation levels, each mitigation level corresponding to a set of configuration changes for a Media Access Control (MAC) layer of the WLAN transceiver. Responsive to determining that the applicable mitigation level has increased from a most recent previously determined mitigation level, the MAC layer is configured to effect a decrease in a transmit duty cycle of the WLAN transceiver. Responsive to determining that the applicable mitigation level has decreased from a most recent previously determined mitigation level, the MAC layer is configured to effect an increase in the transmit duty cycle of the WLAN transceiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Applicant: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Michael Peter MONTEMURRO, Richard Howard Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20160227478
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling aspects of network communications from a device to a network are provided. In particular, a method of initiating scans for a network by a communication device for a communication network is provided. The method comprises: monitoring for a first condition relating to a network scan for the communication network; and when the first condition relates to a receipt of at least one request to initiate the network scan and when at least the first condition is satisfied, identifying a first parameter for the network scan and configuring and initiating the network scan at the communication device for the communication network implementing the first parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Michael Peter Montemurro, Stephen McCann, Richard Howard Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20160227477
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling aspects of network communications from a device to a network are provided. In particular, a method of initiating scans for a network by a communication device for a communication network is provided. The method comprises: monitoring for a first condition relating to a network scan for the communication network; and when the first condition relates to a receipt of at least one request to initiate the network scan and when at least the first condition is satisfied, identifying a first parameter for the network scan and configuring and initiating the network scan at the communication device for the communication network implementing the first parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Michael Peter Montemurro, Stephen McCann, Richard Howard Kennedy
  • Patent number: 9332448
    Abstract: An apparatus has a wireless local area network (WLAN) transceiver and one or more sensors. The sensors are monitored. From time to time, a mitigation level applicable to the apparatus is determined as a function of output from the one or more sensors. The mitigation level is one of multiple mitigation levels, each mitigation level corresponding to a set of configuration changes for a Media Access Control (MAC) layer of the WLAN transceiver. Responsive to determining that the applicable mitigation level has increased from a most recent previously determined mitigation level, the MAC layer is configured to effect a decrease in a transmit duty cycle of the WLAN transceiver. Responsive to determining that the applicable mitigation level has decreased from a most recent previously determined mitigation level, the MAC layer is configured to effect an increase in the transmit duty cycle of the WLAN transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Michael Peter Montemurro, Richard Howard Kennedy
  • Patent number: 9319968
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling aspects of network communications from a device to a network are provided. In particular, a method of initiating scans for a network by a communication device for a communication network is provided. The method comprises: monitoring for a first condition relating to a network scan for the communication network; and when the first condition relates to a receipt of at least one request to initiate the network scan and when at least the first condition is satisfied, identifying a first parameter for the network scan and configuring and initiating the network scan at the communication device for the communication network implementing the first parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Michael Peter Montemurro, Stephen McCann, Richard Howard Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20150071268
    Abstract: A wireless device may be subject to regulations based on the location (e.g. country). Accordingly, the wireless device may need to identify regulations for its current location. A lookup table or database that includes regulations for different locations may be used for identifying the regulations for the current location of the wireless device. The lookup table may be stored locally on the wireless device or retrieved over a network. The identified regulations may be used to modify certain operating parameters of the wireless device to comply with the local regulations and determine whether or not to associate with an incorrectly configured Access Point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Richard Howard Kennedy, James Randolph Winter Lepp, Stephen McCann, Michael Peter Montemurro
  • Publication number: 20150063131
    Abstract: An apparatus has a wireless local area network (WLAN) transceiver and one or more sensors. The sensors are monitored. From time to time, a mitigation level applicable to the apparatus is determined as a function of output from the one or more sensors. The mitigation level is one of multiple mitigation levels, each mitigation level corresponding to a set of configuration changes for a Media Access Control (MAC) layer of the WLAN transceiver. Responsive to determining that the applicable mitigation level has increased from a most recent previously determined mitigation level, the MAC layer is configured to effect a decrease in a transmit duty cycle of the WLAN transceiver. Responsive to determining that the applicable mitigation level has decreased from a most recent previously determined mitigation level, the MAC layer is configured to effect an increase in the transmit duty cycle of the WLAN transceiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Blackberry Limited
    Inventors: Michael Peter Montemurro, Richard Howard Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20140079043
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling aspects of network communications from a device to a network are provided. In particular, a method of initiating scans for a network by a communication device for a communication network is provided. The method comprises: monitoring for a first condition relating to a network scan for the communication network; and when the first condition relates to a receipt of at least one request to initiate the network scan and when at least the first condition is satisfied, identifying a first parameter for the network scan and configuring and initiating the network scan at the communication device for the communication network implementing the first parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Michael Peter Montemurro, Stephen McCann, Richard Howard Kennedy
  • Patent number: 8665842
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to discover network capabilities for connecting to an access network are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves sending a request to a first access network of a first network type. The request is addressed to a database and requests network connectivity information for connecting to a second access network of a second network type different from the first network type. The example method also involves receiving a response from the first access network. The response includes the network connectivity information for connecting to the second access network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Stephen McCann, Michael Montemurro, David Steer, Richard Howard Kennedy, David Philip Hole, Johanna Lisa Dwyer
  • Patent number: 8644276
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to provide network capabilities for connecting to an access network are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves receiving a request at a first access network of a first network type. The request is addressed to a database and requests network connectivity information for connecting a wireless terminal to a second access network of a second network type different from the first network type. The example method also involves sending a response to the wireless terminal via the first access network. The response includes the network connectivity information for connecting the wireless terminal to the second access network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Stephen McCann, Michael Montemurro, David Steer, Richard Howard Kennedy, Johanna Lisa Dwyer
  • Patent number: 8594061
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to access network connectivity information based on predicted future locations of wireless terminals are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves predicting at least one future location of a wireless terminal. The example method also involves requesting at least first and second network connectivity information sets for connecting to at least one access network providing wireless communication coverage at the at least one future location. The first network connectivity information is associated with a first geographic location, and the second network connectivity information is associated with a second geographic location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Richard Howard Kennedy, Stephen McCann, David Steer, Rene Waraputra Purnadi
  • Patent number: 8467359
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to authenticate requests for network capabilities for connecting to an access network are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves receiving a request at a first access network. The request requests network connectivity information for connecting a wireless terminal to a second access network. The example method also involves encapsulating the request in an authentication frame. The authentication frame indicates the request as a white space protocol frame. The authentication frame is sent to a database addressed in the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Stephen McCann, Michael Montemurro, David Steer, Richard Howard Kennedy, Johanna Lisa Dwyer
  • Publication number: 20110310867
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to predict routing to maintain connectivity over a geographic area are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves selecting network connection configurations for subsequent connections of a wireless terminal to access networks and generating a listing of network connection locations based on the selected network connection configurations. The example method also involves sending the listing of network connection locations to a geographic navigation program to enable selecting a geographic route based on the network connection locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Richard Howard Kennedy, Stephen McCann, David Steer, Rene Waraputra Purnadi
  • Publication number: 20110310840
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to reduce network configuration changes are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves receiving network connectivity information sets for future locations of a wireless terminal. The example method also involves selecting a network connection configuration for each future location based on a quantity of connection configuration changes during transitions between the future locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Richard Howard Kennedy, Stephen McCann, David Steer, Rene Waraputra Purnadi
  • Publication number: 20110310866
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to access network connectivity information associated with predicted times are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves receiving network connectivity information and an associated start time indicative of a predetermined time commencing a requirement to use the network connectivity information for connecting a wireless terminal to an access network. The example method also involves in response to a time event based on the start time, using the network connectivity information to enable a connection change between the wireless terminal and the access network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Richard Howard Kennedy, Stephen McCann, David Steer, Rene Waraputra Purnadi
  • Publication number: 20110310865
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to access network connectivity information based on predicted future locations of wireless terminals are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves predicting at least one future location of a wireless terminal. The example method also involves requesting at least first and second network connectivity information sets for connecting to at least one access network providing wireless communication coverage at the at least one future location. The first network connectivity information is associated with a first geographic location, and the second network connectivity information is associated with a second geographic location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Richard Howard Kennedy, Stephen McCann, David Steer, Rene Waraputra Purnadi