Patents by Inventor Robert J. Pierce

Robert J. Pierce 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: 8688808
    Abstract: Methods and computer-readable media are provided to allow for the establishment of an Internet protocol (IP) data session with a dual-stack mobile communications device by authenticating the device. An IP data session is requested, and a home agent sends an indication of this request. A DNS server that will be assigned to a device is identified by querying a database and is identified based on the device's capabilities. The device capabilities are determined by a device-capability identifier that is associated with the user of the device or the device itself, such as a network access identifier. The capabilities may include the device type, applications, programs, or services that the user of the device is subscribed to, or capabilities that are inherent to the phone. Once the DNS server is identified, a server identifier is sent to the home agent, which assigns the DNS server to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: John H. Bennett, III, Dale E. Winn, Jeremy R. Breau, Frederick C. Rogers, Robert J. Pierce
  • Patent number: 8392451
    Abstract: What is disclosed is a method of operating a communication system. The method includes receiving a registration request for a user device and processing the registration request to associate a network address with domain name information for the user device. The method also includes transferring an update message for delivery to a local domain name database with the association between the network address and the domain name information for the user device, and withholding an update of the association in a master domain name database. The method also includes receiving a first query for the association between the network address and the domain name information for the user device into the master domain name database, and in response, transferring a second query for delivery to the local domain name database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Robert J. Pierce, Austin C. Castaldi, Brent A. Scott, John H. Bennett, III
  • Patent number: 8300637
    Abstract: Methods and computer-readable media are provided to allow for the assignment of domain-name system (DNS) servers, static IP addresses, and dynamic home agents to a device requesting the establishment of an IPv6 data session. DNS servers may be determined for a particular device based on one or more device capabilities, such as the type of device or certain products or services to which the device is subscribed. The device capabilities are determined by querying a customer-profile database that defines certain information about users and devices, such as static IP addresses and device capabilities. The DNS servers are used by a device to translate a host name into a host address, in addition to establishing an IPv6 data session. Once determined, a component, such as an Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) server may send the attributes to a packet-routing component, which assigns the DNS servers to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: John H. Bennett, III, Jeremy R. Breau, Robert J. Pierce, Frederick C. Rogers, Dale E. Winn
  • Patent number: 8055790
    Abstract: Methods and computer-readable media are provided to allow for the establishment of an Internet protocol (IP) data session with a dual-stack mobile communications device by authenticating the device. An IP data session is requested, and a home agent sends an indication of this request. A DNS server that will be assigned to a device is identified by querying a database and is identified based on the device's capabilities. The device capabilities are determined by a device-capability identifier that is associated with the user of the device or the device itself, such as a network access identifier. The capabilities may include the device type, applications, programs, or services that the user of the device is subscribed to, or capabilities that are inherent to the phone. Once the DNS server is identified, a server identifier is sent to the home agent, which assigns the DNS server to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: John H. Bennett, III, Dale E. Winn, Jeremy R. Breau, Frederick C. Rogers, Robert J. Pierce