Patents by Inventor Roland Saville
Roland Saville 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: 8601143Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for identifying end devices and automatically configuring associated network settings. Preferred implementations of the invention do not require users to manually identify connection types (e.g., RFID, IPphone, manufacturing device, etc.) or to manually configure the network device. Accordingly, such implementations allow automatic switch configuration, even for devices that use inconsistent protocols and/or protocols that are not well known. Some methods of the invention employ DHCP options combined with traffic snooping to identify devices and automatically apply appropriate switch port configuration.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2011Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Gary Dennis Vogel, Jr., Roland Saville, Ralph Droms, Vikas Butaney
-
Patent number: 8113418Abstract: Some implementations of the invention involve forming “logical” or “virtual” devices by aggregating a plurality of physical devices. The physical devices may be, for example, controllers, RFID readers and/or storage devices. Some logical devices comprise components of physical devices, such as individual antennas from a plurality of RFID readers. The physical devices may be located near one another or may be distributed over a wide geographical area. Logical device definitions can also be concatenated to include devices having two or more levels of logical device definitions. A single logical device grouping may include physical devices at differing levels of a network hierarchy.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2006Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Arthur G. Howarth, Roland Saville, Prasad Miriyala
-
Publication number: 20120036243Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for identifying end devices and automatically configuring associated network settings. Preferred implementations of the invention do not require users to manually identify connection types (e.g., RFID, IPphone, manufacturing device, etc.) or to manually configure the network device. Accordingly, such implementations allow automatic switch configuration, even for devices that use inconsistent protocols and/or protocols that are not well known. Some methods of the invention employ DHCP options combined with traffic snooping to identify devices and automatically apply appropriate switch port configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2011Publication date: February 9, 2012Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Gary Dennis Vogel, JR., Roland Saville, Ralph Droms, Vikas Butaney
-
Patent number: 8098160Abstract: A method and system for remotely configuring and/or provisioning a device that is nonoperational is provided. The device may be, in general, any electronic device that includes at least one setting (“device setting”) that can be programmatically or otherwise established or adjusted to configure and/or provision the device for its operation. The method includes detecting, via a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tag, a state of a device that is communicatively coupled to the RFID tag; and providing the device setting via the RFID tag when the state signifies that the device is nonoperational.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2008Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Arthur G. Howarth, Chandroadya Prasad, Patrick Wetterwald, Prasad Miriyala, Pascal Thubert, Vincent Jean Ribiere, Roland Saville
-
Patent number: 8063782Abstract: Mechanisms are provided to inventory groupings of components, e.g., the physical chassis of a networking device as well as the various cards, modules, and/or blades inserted within the chassis. The inventory may be performed remotely. Some implementations also provide mechanisms to determine remotely the physical location of the asset. Preferred implementations of the invention can provide such functionality regardless of whether a main power supply of the physical device is on or off. Some embodiments of the invention employ radio frequency identification (“RFID”) technology.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2007Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Prasad Miriyala, Chandrodaya Prasad, Arthur G. Howarth, Roland Saville
-
Patent number: 8060623Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for identifying end devices and automatically configuring associated network settings. Preferred implementations of the invention do not require users to manually identify connection types (e.g., RFID, IPphone, manufacturing device, etc.) or to manually configure the network device. Accordingly, such implementations allow automatic switch configuration, even for devices that use inconsistent protocols and/or protocols that are not well known. Some methods of the invention employ DHCP options combined with traffic snooping to identify devices and automatically apply appropriate switch port configuration.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2005Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Gary Dennis Vogel, Jr., Roland Saville, Ralph Droms, Vikas Butaney
-
Patent number: 7789308Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for locating, identifying and provisioning devices in a network. According to some implementations of the invention, a combination of EPC code information and existing networking standards form the basis of identifying and provisioning methods. For example, location information included in a DHCPDISCOVER request can be used to determine appropriate configurations for networked devices. In some such implementations, the location information is read from an RFID tag near the networked device and is inserted in the DHCPDISCOVER request. The location information may include any type of absolute or relative coordinate, positioning, cartographic or similar information and/or information from which such information may be derived.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2005Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Ralph Droms, Roland Saville, Gary Dennis Vogel, Jr.
-
Patent number: 7786861Abstract: Some implementations of the present invention provide methods and devices for detecting the theft of, and disabling, electronic devices such as computers and network devices. The devices may be disabled when a signal is not detected, e.g., for a predetermined period of time. For example, a radio frequency (“RF”) signal (e.g., a beacon), an Internet Protocol (“IP”) signal or the like may define a space within which the devices may be operated with complete functionality. Outside this space, the devices will be disabled, at least to some degree. The degree of disablement may depend on the length of time since the signal was last detected. Alternatively, the devices may be disabled when a signal is detected: some such implementations define “portals,” “choke points” or the like past which a device may not be transported without some degree of disablement.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2007Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Arthur G. Howarth, Roland Saville, Prasad Miriyala, Chandrodaya Prasad
-
Patent number: 7658319Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for identifying, locating and provisioning individual RFID devices in a network with “personalities” that are appropriate for the roles of the RFID devices. According to some implementations of the invention, a combination of EPC code information and existing networking standards form the basis of identifying and provisioning methods. For example, MAC address information and EPC information can be combined to identify a particular device and its location in a network. For implementations using the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (“DHCP”), DHCP Options may be used to pass provisioning information. Some implementations employ Domain Name Service (“DNS”) and dynamic DNS (“DDNS”) to allow easy identification of RFID devices.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2007Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Arthur G. Howarth, Ralph Droms, Roland Saville, Lawrence Kreeger, Christopher Wiborg, Vikas Butaney, Rajiv Singhal
-
Patent number: 7648070Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for locating, identifying and provisioning devices in a network. According to some implementations of the invention, a combination of EPC code information and existing networking standards form the basis of identifying and provisioning methods. For example, first location information included in a DHCPDISCOVER request can be used to determine appropriate configurations for networked devices. In some such implementations, the first location information is read from an RFID tag near the networked device and is inserted in the DHCPDISCOVER request. The first location information may include any type of absolute or relative coordinate, positioning, cartographic or similar information and/or information from which such information may be derived. Second location information, which may be a logical name, is provided to the device. If the device is an RFID reader, the second location information may be included with reads from RFID tags that are transmitted from the RFID reader.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2005Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Ralph Droms, Gary Dennis Vogel, Jr., Roland Saville
-
Patent number: 7422152Abstract: According to some implementations of the present invention, RFID devices and middleware servers are automatically provisioned with a network address and with instructions for sending a request for a middleware server to a middleware server assigner. In some implementations, the middleware server assigner is a load balancer. In some implementations, a middleware server is associated with a plurality of RFID devices by associating a middleware server network address or names with the network addresses of the RFID devices. Preferred methods also provide for redundancy of middleware servers and dynamic re-assignment of RFID devices from an unavailable middleware server to an available middleware server.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2004Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Arthur G. Howarth, Rajiv Singhal, Bruce Moon, Roland Saville, Jayesh Chokshi, Michael De Leo
-
Publication number: 20080204199Abstract: A method and system for remotely configuring and/or provisioning a device that is nonoperational is provided. The device may be, in general, any electronic device that includes at least one setting (“device setting”) that can be programmatically or otherwise established or adjusted to configure and/or provision the device for its operation. The method includes detecting, via a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tag, a state of a device that is communicatively coupled to the RFID tag; and providing the device setting via the RFID tag when the state signifies that the device is nonoperational.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2008Publication date: August 28, 2008Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGYInventors: Arthur G. HOWARTH, Chandrodaya Prasad, Pascal Thubert, Prasad Miriyala, Vincent Jean Ribiere, Patrick Wetterwald, Roland Saville
-
Publication number: 20080197980Abstract: According to some implementations of the present invention, RFID devices and middleware servers are automatically provisioned with a network address and with instructions for sending a request for a middleware server to a middleware server assigner. In some implementations, the middleware server assigner is a load balancer. In some implementations, a middleware server is associated with a plurality of RFID devices by associating a middleware server network address or names with the network addresses of the RFID devices. Preferred methods also provide for redundancy of middleware servers and dynamic reassignment of RFID devices from an unavailable middleware server to an available middleware server.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2008Publication date: August 21, 2008Applicant: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Arthur G. Howarth, Rajiv Singhal, Bruce Moon, Roland Saville, Jayesh Chokshi, Michael De Leo
-
Publication number: 20080180244Abstract: Some implementations of the present invention provide methods and devices for detecting the theft of, and disabling, electronic devices such as computers and network devices. The devices may be disabled when a signal is not detected, e.g., for a predetermined period of time. For example, a radio frequency (“RF”) signal (e.g., a beacon), an Internet Protocol (“IP”) signal or the like may define a space within which the devices may be operated with complete functionality. Outside this space, the devices will be disabled, at least to some degree. The degree of disablement may depend on the length of time since the signal was last detected. Alternatively, the devices may be disabled when a signal is detected: some such implementations define “portals,” “choke points” or the like past which a device may not be transported without some degree of disablement.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2007Publication date: July 31, 2008Applicant: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Arthur G. Howarth, Roland Saville, Prasad Miriyala, Chandrodaya Prasad
-
Publication number: 20080177969Abstract: Mechanisms are provided to inventory groupings of components, e.g., the physical chassis of a networking device as well as the various cards, modules, and/or blades inserted within the chassis. The inventory may be performed remotely. Some implementations also provide mechanisms to determine remotely the physical location of the asset. Preferred implementations of the invention can provide such functionality regardless of whether a main power supply of the physical device is on or off. Some embodiments of the invention employ radio frequency identification (“RFID”) technology.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2007Publication date: July 24, 2008Applicant: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Prasad Miriyala, Chandrodaya Prasad, Arthur G. Howarth, Roland Saville
-
Publication number: 20080087730Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for identifying, locating and provisioning individual RFID devices in a network with “personalities” that are appropriate for the roles of the RFID devices. According to some implementations of the invention, a combination of EPC code information and existing networking standards form the basis of identifying and provisioning methods. For example, MAC address information and EPC information can be combined to identify a particular device and its location in a network. For implementations using the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (“DHCP”), DHCP Options may be used to pass provisioning information. Some implementations employ Domain Name Service (“DNS”) and dynamic DNS (“DDNS”) to allow easy identification of RFID devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2007Publication date: April 17, 2008Applicant: Cioco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Arthur Howarth, Ralph Droms, Roland Saville, Lawrence Kreeger, Christoper Wiborg, Vikas Bautaney, Rajiv Singhal
-
Patent number: 7336175Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for identifying, locating and provisioning individual RFID devices in a network. According to some implementations of the invention, a combination of EPC code information and existing networking standards form the basis of identifying and provisioning methods. For example, MAC address information and EPC information can be combined to identify a particular device and its location in a network. For implementations using the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (“DHCP”), DHCP Options may be used to pass provisioning information. Some implementations employ Domain Name Service (“DNS”) and dynamic DNS (“DDNS”) to allow easy identification of RFID devices.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2004Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Arthur G. Howarth, Ralph Droms, Roland Saville, Lawrence Kreeger, Christopher Wiborg, Vikas Butaney, Rajiv Singhal
-
Patent number: 7325734Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for identifying, locating and provisioning individual RFID devices in a network with “personalities” that are appropriate for the roles of the RFID devices. According to some implementations of the invention, a combination of EPC code information and existing networking standards form the basis of identifying and provisioning methods. For example, MAC address information and EPC information can be combined to identify a particular device and its location in a network. For implementations using the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (“DHCP”), DHCP Options may be used to pass provisioning information. Some implementations employ Domain Name Service (“DNS”) and dynamic DNS (“DDNS”) to allow easy identification of RFID devices.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2004Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Arthur G. Howarth, Ralph Droms, Roland Saville, Lawrence Kreeger, Christopher Wiborg, Vikas Butaney, Rajiv Singhal
-
Patent number: 7322523Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for identifying and provisioning individual RFID devices in a network. According to some implementations of the invention, a combination of EPC code information and existing networking standards form the basis of identifying and provisioning methods. For example, MAC address information and EPC information can be combined to identify a particular device and its location in a network. For implementations using the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (“DHCP”), DHCP Options may be used to pass provisioning information. Some implementations employ Domain Name Service (“DNS”) and dynamic DNS (“DDNS”) to allow easy identification of RFID devices.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2004Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Arthur G. Howarth, Ralph Droms, Roland Saville, Lawrence Kreeger, Christopher Wiborg, Vikas Butaney, Rajiv Singhal
-
Publication number: 20060266832Abstract: Some implementations of the invention involve forming “logical” or “virtual” devices by aggregating a plurality of physical devices. The physical devices may be, for example, controllers, RFID readers and/or storage devices. Some logical devices comprise components of physical devices, such as individual antennas from a plurality of RFID readers. The physical devices may be located near one another or may be distributed over a wide geographical area. Logical device definitions can also be concatenated to include devices having two or more levels of logical device definitions. A single logical device grouping may include physical devices at differing levels of a network hierarchy.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2006Publication date: November 30, 2006Applicant: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Arthur Howarth, Roland Saville, Prasad Miriyala