Patents by Inventor W. Bryant Eastham

W. Bryant Eastham 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: 8789016
    Abstract: A method for providing a configurable software library is disclosed. User input to specify target settings for at least one configurable settings of a base software library is received. The base software library is designed to be configurable. At least one code segment to be added to or removed from the base software library is identified based on the target settings. A modified software library is created by altering the base software library in accordance with the target settings in an automated manner utilizing a computer program. Systems for performing the foregoing method are also disclosed. The base and modified software libraries may be in a human-readable or computer-readable (binary) format. The disclosed systems and methods may be utilized to, for example, streamline a software library incorporated into or referenced by programming code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: W. Bryant Eastham, James L. Simister
  • Patent number: 8588420
    Abstract: A method for determining a time delay for sending an update request by a computing device is described. A first update request is sent by a computing device at the termination of a first random delay. A first load data is received. A second update request is sent by the computing device at the termination of a maximum update parameter. A second load data is received. The first load data is compared with the second load data. A next update time is adjusted if the first load data differs from the second load data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: W. Bryant Eastham, James L. Simister
  • Patent number: 8457127
    Abstract: A method for reducing multicast traffic over a network is described. A control request is received. A first ranking indicator associated with the control request is compared with a second ranking indicator associated with a node that received the control request. A first response to the control request is generated. The first response is stored in a queue. A second response associated with the control request is received. The first response is removed from the queue without being sent to the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: W. Bryant Eastham, James L. Simister
  • Patent number: 8274978
    Abstract: A method for reducing multicast traffic over a network is described. A control request is received. A first ranking indicator associated with the control request is compared with a second ranking indicator associated with a node that received the control request. A first response to the control request is generated. The first response is stored in a queue. A second response associated with the control request is received. The first response is removed from the queue without being sent to the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: W. Bryant Eastham, James L. Simister
  • Patent number: 8059819
    Abstract: A method for distributing updates for a key is described. One or more update requests are received per unit of time. The number of received update requests per unit of time is multiplied by a maximum update period to estimate the number of active nodes in a group. The total number of received update requests per unit of time is determined. An amount representing additional update requests per unit of time is obtained from the difference between the total number of received updates and a determined maximum. A minimum update period for a group of nodes is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: W. Bryant Eastham, Thomas A. Milligan, James L. Simister
  • Patent number: 7996516
    Abstract: Systems and methods for configuration of devices within a network utilizing inherited configuration data are disclosed. Configuration data stored at a junction box in electronic communication with a first device is accessed. The configuration data includes a default zone of interest assignment for a first device. The zone of interest comprises a portion of a network. Devices within the zone of interest are identified. It is determined whether the first device is compatible with any of the identified devices. The first device is configured, in an automated manner, to interact with a set of compatible devices within the zone of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: David L. King, W. Bryant Eastham, Byron J. Gudmundson, Mark E. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20110176546
    Abstract: A method for reducing multicast traffic over a network is described. A control request is received. A first ranking indicator associated with the control request is compared with a second ranking indicator associated with a node that received the control request. A first response to the control request is generated. The first response is stored in a queue. A second response associated with the control request is received. The first response is removed from the queue without being sent to the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: W. Bryant Eastham, James L. Simister
  • Patent number: 7840810
    Abstract: A method for rejoining a second group of nodes with a first group of nodes is described. A first state of a first group key associated with a first group of nodes is received. The first state of the first group key is multicast to a second group of nodes. The first group key is rekeyed to a second group key associated with the second group of nodes. A second state of the second group key is multicast to the second group of nodes. A third state of a third group key associated with the first group of nodes is received. A rekey command is multicast to the second group of nodes if the third state is different from the second state. The second group key is rekeyed to the third group key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: W. Bryant Eastham
  • Patent number: 7693984
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing status data to a requesting device are disclosed. A request for status data is transmitted from a requesting device to a providing device. The request includes prior values of variables stored at the requesting device. At the providing device, the transmitted prior values are compared with current values of the variables stored at the providing device. Changed variables, which comprise variables for which the current value is different from the prior value, are identified. A variable map is formulated that identifies the changed variables. Current values for the changed variables and variable map are organized into a pre-defined format to form status data. The status data is transmitted to the requesting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: David Bashford, W. Bryant Eastham, James L. Simister
  • Patent number: 7680044
    Abstract: In a peer-to-peer network, one or more congestion events are defined that imply congestion on the network. In addition, one or more non-congestion events are defined that imply a lack of congestion on the network. When a node detects the occurrence of one or more of the defined congestion events, the node increases the spacing of connectionless protocol (e.g., UDP) packets that are sent by the node. When a node detects the occurrence of one or more of the defined non-congestion events, the node decreases the spacing of connectionless protocol packets that are sent by the node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Devon S. Sumner, W. Bryant Eastham
  • Patent number: 7657763
    Abstract: A system for selectively controlling electrical outlets using power profiling is disclosed. There is a plurality of electrical outlets that each comprises a power socket capable of receiving a plug, an outlet identification and a switch that when in a first position no power is available at the power socket, and when the switch is in a second position power is available at the power socket. A controller is in electronic communication with the plurality of electrical outlets. The controller includes a processor and memory in electronic communication with the processor. The controller also includes power profiles and operates to receive data from an electrical outlet of the plurality of electrical outlets. A device or class of device is identified based on the received data. A power profile is identified based on the received data. Action is taken based on the power profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark E. Nelson, W. Bryant Eastham, James L. Simister
  • Publication number: 20080178003
    Abstract: A method for determining a time delay for sending an update request by a computing device is described. A first update request is sent by a computing device at the termination of a first random delay. A first load data is received. A second update request is sent by the computing device at the termination of a maximum update parameter. A second load data is received. The first load data is compared with the second load data. A next update time is adjusted if the first load data differs from the second load data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: W. Bryant Eastham, James L. Simister
  • Publication number: 20080175387
    Abstract: A method for rejoining a second group of nodes with a first group of nodes is described. A first state of a first group key associated with a first group of nodes is received. The first state of the first group key is multicast to a second group of nodes. The first group key is rekeyed to a second group key associated with the second group of nodes. A second state of the second group key is multicast to the second group of nodes. A third state of a third group key associated with the first group of nodes is received. A rekey command is multicast to the second group of nodes if the third state is different from the second state. The second group key is rekeyed to the third group key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventor: W. Bryant Eastham
  • Publication number: 20080170692
    Abstract: A method for distributing updates for a key is described. One or more update requests are received per unit of time. The number of received update requests per unit of time is multiplied by a maximum update period to estimate the number of active nodes in a group. The total number of received update requests per unit of time is determined. An amount representing additional update requests per unit of time is obtained from the difference between the total number of received updates and a determined maximum. A minimum update period for a group of nodes is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: W. Bryant Eastham, Thomas A. Milligan, James L. Simister
  • Publication number: 20080170568
    Abstract: A method for reducing multicast traffic over a network is described. A control request is received. A first ranking indicator associated with the control request is compared with a second ranking indicator associated with a node that received the control request. A first response to the control request is generated. The first response is stored in a queue. A second response associated with the control request is received. The first response is removed from the queue without being sent to the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: W. Bryant Eastham, James L. Simister