Patents by Inventor Robert B. O'Hara, Jr.

Robert B. O'Hara, Jr. 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: 9185714
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method includes monitoring, at one or more wireless network access elements, signal strength of signals transmitted by respective neighboring wireless network access elements. Information is collected from said wireless network access elements and converted into reportable data about signal strength observed during the monitoring. The method further includes identifying, based at least in part on interference associated with concurrent signal transmissions of the wireless network access elements, a combination of channel assignments for the one or more wireless network access elements from a plurality of possible combinations of channel assignments and assigning channels for concurrent, respective use by said wireless network access elements based on the identified combination of channel assignments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Friday, Patrice R. Calhoun, Robert B. O'Hara, Jr., Alexander H. Hills, Paul F. Dietrich
  • Patent number: 8879455
    Abstract: A multicast delivery system facilitating power management. In particular implementations, a method includes maintaining in the memory a plurality of multicast stream queues, each multicast stream queue associated with a delivery interval; storing frames of respective multicast streams in a multicast stream queue based on a delivery interval associated with the multicast stream; and delivering multicast streams at respective delivery intervals to one or more wireless clients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Stephenson, Robert B. O'Hara, Jr., Allan Thomson
  • Patent number: 8713626
    Abstract: Methods and systems for use in a wireless client that includes one or more wireless network interfaces for communicating with at least one access point wherein the method enables the wireless client to validate the authenticity and integrity of received management frames. The method includes receiving a protected wireless network management frame from an access point verifying a message integrity check (MIC) appended to the protected wireless network management frame. One or more security policies are then conditionally applied based on a failure to verify the MIC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Nancy Cam-Winget, Mark Krischer, Robert B. O'Hara, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8559306
    Abstract: A packet aggregation system. In particular implementations, a method includes accessing one or more transmit queues, each corresponding to a wireless client associated with a given wireless mesh access point of a plurality of mesh access points. The method further includes selecting a mesh access point of the plurality of mesh access points and selecting a transmit queue corresponding to a wireless client associated with the selected mesh access point. The method further includes aggregating packets that are destined for the selected wireless client, up to a size limit, taking into account the path to the selected mesh point as well as quality of service constraints, and composing and transmitting the aggregated packet to the selected mesh access point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaohong Gong, Patrice R. Calhoun, Robert B. O'Hara, Jr., David S. Stephenson, Johannes Petrus Kruys, Lu Qian
  • Patent number: 8509726
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems directed to facilitating troubleshooting wireless connectivity issues in a wireless network. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, either a diagnostic supplicant in the wireless client or a diagnostic manager initiates a troubleshooting protocol between the diagnostic supplicant and the diagnostic manager over a diagnostic link in response to one or more events. In one embodiment, after the diagnostic supplicant establishes a link to a diagnostic manager via a diagnostic link, the diagnostic supplicant generates and transmits a problem report to the diagnostic manager. The problem report initiates a troubleshooting protocol between the diagnostic manager and the diagnostic supplicant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Olson, Jeevan Shashikant Patil, David Sheldon Stephenson, Robert B. O'Hara, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8488524
    Abstract: In a fixed channel wireless network system with a limited number of channels, assignment of the fixed channels between remote client elements and access elements is made systematically according to a set of criteria accounting for network loading and interference, then channel assignments are dynamically updated according to a priority to maintain optimal network performance with changing conditions of load and interference. The channel utilization problem is address at a system level rather than at a local level by treating the system as a three dimensional color mapping problem. All noise is treated as having a source in virtual access elements with an appropriate performance metric. The performance metric is used to select a channel set that minimize chances of interference and maximize user performance. Specifically, there are several parameter matrices which are managed and updated by a central resource management element, namely signal strength between elements, interference, and load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Friday, Patrice R. Calhous, Robert B. O'Hara, Jr., Alexander H. Hills, Paul F. Dietrich
  • Patent number: 8254882
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving security context information relevant to a connection between a wireless network infrastructure component and a wireless client, wherein the security context information comprises at least, an identification of the wireless client, and wherein the security context information identifies any security protocols associated with the connection; validating the connection based on the security context information; and transmitting the security context information to one or more detector wireless access points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Nancy Cam-Winget, Mark Krischer, Robert B. O'Hara, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120002553
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems directed to facilitating troubleshooting wireless connectivity issues in a wireless network. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, either a diagnostic supplicant in the wireless client or a diagnostic manager initiates a troubleshooting protocol between the diagnostic supplicant and the diagnostic manager over a diagnostic link in response to one or more events. In one embodiment, after the diagnostic supplicant establishes a link to a diagnostic manager via a diagnostic link, the diagnostic supplicant generates and transmits a problem report to the diagnostic manager. The problem report initiates a troubleshooting protocol between the diagnostic manager and the diagnostic supplicant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Olson, Jeevan Shashikant Patil, David Sheldon Stephenson, Robert B. O'Hara, JR.
  • Patent number: 8089974
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems facilitating location or containment of rogue or unauthorized access points on wireless computer network environments. Embodiments of the present invention support one to a plurality of rogue containment methodologies. A first rogue containment type involves identification of the physical connection of the rogue access point to the wired network infrastructure and, thus, allows for disabling of that physical connection to contain the rogue access point. Other rogue containment methods involve wireless techniques for containing the effect of rogue access points. In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods, apparatuses and systems facilitating network location of rogue access points to determine whether one or more rogue containment methodologies should be applied. As discussed below, the rogue location and containment functionality described herein can be applied to a wide variety of wireless network system architectures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Cisco Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrice R. Calhoun, Robert J. Friday, Robert B. O'Hara, Jr., Brett Galloway, David Anthony Frascone, Paul F. Dietrich, Sudhir Kumar Jain
  • Patent number: 8085710
    Abstract: A packet loss reduction system. In particular implementations, a method includes responsive to indications of roaming intent of a wireless client relative to currently associated wireless access point, determining if a traffic stream associated with the wireless client is to be proactively buffered by one or more potential wireless access points; conditionally transmitting a command to the one or more potential wireless access points to cause the potential wireless access points to set up resources to proactively buffer packets of the traffic stream; duplicating received packets of the traffic stream destined for the wireless client; and transmitting the duplicate packets to the potential wireless access points for storage in a proactive stream buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajneesh Kumar, Robert B. O'Hara, Jr., Kalyan Dharanipragada
  • Patent number: 8040835
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems directed to facilitating troubleshooting wireless connectivity issues in a wireless network. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, either a diagnostic supplicant in the wireless client or a diagnostic manager initiates a troubleshooting protocol between the diagnostic supplicant and the diagnostic manager over a diagnostic link in response to one or more events. In one embodiment, after the diagnostic supplicant establishes a link to a diagnostic manager via a diagnostic link, the diagnostic supplicant generates and transmits a problem report to the diagnostic manager. The problem report initiates a troubleshooting protocol between the diagnostic manager and the diagnostic supplicant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Olson, Jeevan Shashikant Patil, David Sheldon Stephenson, Robert B. O'Hara, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8040861
    Abstract: In a wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) system, a hierarchical architecture is provided which employs a protocol which divides protocol processing functions between a plurality of substantially identical access elements in which reside time-critical protocol functions, such as acknowledgment and retransmission of packets, and a centralized control element which provides control and management functions related to dynamic configuration of wireless networks, such as processing of network management messages (e.g., authentication and association), load control, channel control, and handoff, processing of physical layer information, and processing of channel characteristics, propagation, interference or noise, for the plurality of access elements on the WLAN without loss of information about the wireless characteristics of the access elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrice R. Calhoun, Robert B. O'Hara, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8023482
    Abstract: A dynamic rate limiting mechanism for wireless mesh networks. In particular implementations, a method comprising monitoring one or more clients associated with a wireless mesh network and the respective hop counts of the clients to a root mesh node of the wireless mesh network; determining, responsive to one or more events, a client data rate for one or more clients of the wireless mesh network based on the number of current clients and the respective hop counts of the current clients; and applying the client data rate to the wireless mesh network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaohong Gong, Bretton Lee Douglas, Robert B. O'Hara, Jr., Brian Donald Hart
  • Patent number: 8000308
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems facilitating containment of the effects of rogue or unauthorized access points on wireless computer network environments. Embodiments of the present invention support one to a plurality of rogue containment methodologies. A first rogue containment type involves identification of the physical connection of the rogue access point to the wired network infrastructure and, thus, allows for disabling of that physical connection to contain the rogue access point. Other rogue containment methods involve wireless techniques for containing the effect of rogue access points. As discussed below, the rogue containment functionality described herein can be applied to a wide variety of wireless network system architectures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul F. Dietrich, David Anthony Frascone, Patrice R. Calhoun, Robert J. Friday, Robert B. O'Hara, Jr., Mathew Douglas Howard
  • Patent number: 7966489
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for facilitating authentication and ease the configuration of authentication includes receiving a credential type selection and selecting one or more authentication types based on the credential type selection and one or more policies set by the administrators. The policies can be preconfigured or dynamically pushed or fetched and updated to the client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Nancy Cam-Winget, Hao Zhou, Robert B. O'Hara, Jr., Patrice R. Calhoun, Jeremy Stieglitz
  • Patent number: 7944886
    Abstract: A wireless access point selection system. In particular implementations, a method includes receiving a notification that identifies a wireless access point that detects radar on an operating channel and identifies the operating channel; updating neighbor lists of one or more neighboring wireless access points to remove the wireless access point from the neighbor list, where the neighbor list comprises neighbor wireless access points, corresponding operating channels, and corresponding enable indications, where each enable indication indicates if a channel availability check is required before performing active scanning; and transmitting the updated neighbor list to the neighboring wireless access points. In one implementation, a system provides a DFS enable indication to wireless clients so they can know whether a channel availability check is required prior to transmitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Stephenson, Robert B. O'Hara, Jr., Brian Donald Hart, Christopher Meil
  • Patent number: 7917146
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems directed to facilitating roaming and client handoffs in wireless networks. In one implementation, the present invention is directed to a coordination mechanism facilitating handoffs of wireless clients in a wireless network infrastructure. In one implementation, the coordination mechanism minimizes the use of group- or multi-casting to provide a scalable wireless network roaming infrastructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrice R. Calhoun, Joshua Glenn Broch, Robert B. O'Hara, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7912023
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for acquiring service provider information includes querying a wireless network for service provider information, receiving an advertisement response containing advertising service scheduling information, and configuring a power conservation mode responsive to the advertising service scheduling information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David Sheldon Stephenson, Robert B. O'Hara, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7882349
    Abstract: Method for detecting an attack on a broadcast key shared between an access point and its wireless clients. Upon detection of the attack, actions are implemented to react to the attack as defined in one or more security policies. Detection of the attack is achieved by examining both a link message integrity check and an infrastructure management frame protection (IMFP) message integrity check contained in a broadcast management frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Nancy Cam-Winget, Mark Krischer, Robert B. O'Hara, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7843817
    Abstract: A congestion control system. In particular implementations, a method includes receiving packets into one or more queues and monitoring the one or more queues for congestion. The method also includes, if a number of packets in the one or more queues exceeds a first threshold, determining a congestion control mode. The method also includes generating a congestion control message indicating the congestion control mode and transmitting the congestion control message to one or more neighboring mesh nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaohong Gong, Robert B. O'Hara, Jr., Brian Donald Hart, Johannes Petrus Kruys