Patents by Inventor William R. Walker

William R. Walker 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).

  • Publication number: 20190089653
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing virtual platform media access control (“MAC”) address-based layer 2 and layer 3 network switching. In some embodiments, a method might comprise receiving, at a network node in a network, a data packet having a header comprising a MAC destination address, and routing, with the network node, the data packet over open systems interconnection (“OSI”) model layer 3 or network layer of the network, based at least in part on the MAC destination address in the header of the data packet. The MAC destination address comprises a first portion comprising an organizationally unique identifier (“OUI”) and a second portion comprising an identifier for a destination network interface controller (“NIC”) and/or virtual NIC (“VNIC”), which might be associated either with the same service provider associated with the network node or the network or with a different service provider, content provider, and/or application provider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Michael K. Bugenhagen, William R. Walker, Kevin M. McBride
  • Patent number: 10222773
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing Internet of Things (“IoT”) functionality. In some embodiments, a computing system or IoT management node might receive sensor data from one or more IoT-capable sensors, analyze the sensor data to determine one or more actions to be taken, and identify one or more devices (e.g., household devices associated with a customer premises; vehicular components associated with a vehicle; devices disposed in, on, or along a roadway; devices disposed throughout a population area; etc.) for performing the determined one or more first actions. The computing system or IoT management node then autonomously controls each of the identified one or more devices to perform tasks based on the determined one or more first actions to be taken, thereby implementing smart environment functionality (e.g., smart home, building, or customer premises functionality, smart vehicle functionality, smart roadway functionality, smart city functionality, and so on).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Tom Funk, Phil Carpenter, Robert J. Morrill, William R. Walker
  • Patent number: 10150471
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing Internet of Things (“IoT”) functionality. In some embodiments, a computing system or IoT management node might receive sensor data from one or more IoT-capable sensors, analyze the sensor data to determine one or more actions to be taken, and identify one or more devices (e.g., household devices associated with a customer premises; vehicular components associated with a vehicle; devices disposed in, on, or along a roadway; devices disposed throughout a population area; etc.) for performing the determined one or more first actions. The computing system or IoT management node then autonomously controls each of the identified one or more devices to perform tasks based on the determined one or more first actions to be taken, thereby implementing smart environment functionality (e.g., smart home, building, or customer premises functionality, smart vehicle functionality, smart roadway functionality, smart city functionality, and so on).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Tom Funk, Phil Carpenter, William R. Walker
  • Patent number: 10129185
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing virtual platform media access control (“MAC”) address—based layer 2 and layer 3 network switching. In some embodiments, a method might comprise receiving, at a network node in a network, a data packet having a header comprising a MAC destination address, and routing, with the network node, the data packet over open systems interconnection (“OSI”) model layer 3 or network layer of the network, based at least in part on the MAC destination address in the header of the data packet. The MAC destination address comprises a first portion comprising an organizationally unique identifier (“OUI”) and a second portion comprising an identifier for a destination network interface controller (“NIC”) and/or virtual NIC (“VNIC”), which might be associated either with the same service provider associated with the network node or the network or with a different service provider, content provider, and/or application provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Michael K. Bugenhagen, William R. Walker, Kevin M. McBride
  • Publication number: 20180178781
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing Internet of Things (“IoT”) functionality. In some embodiments, a computing system or IoT management node might receive sensor data from one or more IoT-capable sensors, analyze the sensor data to determine one or more actions to be taken, and identify one or more devices (e.g., household devices associated with a customer premises; vehicular components associated with a vehicle; devices disposed in, on, or along a roadway; devices disposed throughout a population area; etc.) for performing the determined one or more first actions. The computing system or IoT management node then autonomously controls each of the identified one or more devices to perform tasks based on the determined one or more first actions to be taken, thereby implementing smart environment functionality (e.g., smart home, building, or customer premises functionality, smart vehicle functionality, smart roadway functionality, smart city functionality, and so on).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Tom Funk, Phil Carpenter, William R. Walker
  • Publication number: 20180181091
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing Internet of Things (“IoT”) functionality. In some embodiments, a computing system or IoT management node might receive sensor data from one or more IoT-capable sensors, analyze the sensor data to determine one or more actions to be taken, and identify one or more devices (e.g., household devices associated with a customer premises; vehicular components associated with a vehicle; devices disposed in, on, or along a roadway; devices disposed throughout a population area; etc.) for performing the determined one or more first actions. The computing system or IoT management node then autonomously controls each of the identified one or more devices to perform tasks based on the determined one or more first actions to be taken, thereby implementing smart environment functionality (e.g., smart home, building, or customer premises functionality, smart vehicle functionality, smart roadway functionality, smart city functionality, and so on).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Tom Funk, Phil Carpenter, William R. Walker
  • Publication number: 20180181094
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing Internet of Things (“IoT”) functionality. In some embodiments, a computing system or IoT management node might receive sensor data from one or more IoT-capable sensors, analyze the sensor data to determine one or more actions to be taken, and identify one or more devices (e.g., household devices associated with a customer premises; vehicular components associated with a vehicle; devices disposed in, on, or along a roadway; devices disposed throughout a population area; etc.) for performing the determined one or more first actions. The computing system or IoT management node then autonomously controls each of the identified one or more devices to perform tasks based on the determined one or more first actions to be taken, thereby implementing smart environment functionality (e.g., smart home, building, or customer premises functionality, smart vehicle functionality, smart roadway functionality, smart city functionality, and so on).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Tom Funk, Phil Carpenter, Kevin M. McBride, William R. Walker
  • Publication number: 20180181095
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing Internet of Things (“IoT”) functionality. In some embodiments, a computing system or IoT management node might receive sensor data from one or more IoT-capable sensors, analyze the sensor data to determine one or more actions to be taken, and identify one or more devices (e.g., household devices associated with a customer premises; vehicular components associated with a vehicle; devices disposed in, on, or along a roadway; devices disposed throughout a population area; etc.) for performing the determined one or more first actions. The computing system or IoT management node then autonomously controls each of the identified one or more devices to perform tasks based on the determined one or more first actions to be taken, thereby implementing smart environment functionality (e.g., smart home, building, or customer premises functionality, smart vehicle functionality, smart roadway functionality, smart city functionality, and so on).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Tom Funk, Phil Carpenter, Robert J. Morrill, William R. Walker
  • Publication number: 20180161982
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for the automated tracking of services performed on machines by service robots, technicians, and other devices are provided. A system includes a robot fingerprint reader, service tool, and robot fingerprint database. The robot fingerprint reader may be associated with a machine receiving service and configured to receive a robot fingerprint from the service tool. The service tool may be associated with the device performing the service, and include an interface that is configured to allow the robot fingerprint to be obtained by the robot fingerprint reader. The service robot may be configured to register the robot fingerprint with the robot fingerprint database, and the robot fingerprint database may be configured to create an entry associated with the robot fingerprint of the device performing the service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Michael K. Bugenhagen, William R. Walker, Kevin G. Jones
  • Publication number: 20170308395
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing network experience shifting, and, in particular embodiments, using either a roaming or portable hypervisor associated with a user or a local hypervisor unassociated with the user. In some embodiments, a network node in a first network might receive, via a first network access device in a second network, a request from a user device to establish roaming network access, and might authenticate a user associated with the user device, the user being unassociated with the first network access device. Based on a determination that the user is authorized to access data, content, profiles, and/or software applications that are accessible via a second network access device, the network node might establish a secure private connection through a hypervisor or container communicatively coupled to the first network access device to provide the user with access to her data, content, profiles, and/or software applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Charles I. Cook, Kevin M. McBride, Matthew J. Post, William R. Walker
  • Publication number: 20170264570
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing virtual platform media access control (“MAC”) address—based layer 2 and layer 3 network switching. In some embodiments, a method might comprise receiving, at a network node in a network, a data packet having a header comprising a MAC destination address, and routing, with the network node, the data packet over open systems interconnection (“OSI”) model layer 3 or network layer of the network, based at least in part on the MAC destination address in the header of the data packet. The MAC destination address comprises a first portion comprising an organizationally unique identifier (“OUI”) and a second portion comprising an identifier for a destination network interface controller (“NIC”) and/or virtual NIC (“VNIC”), which might be associated either with the same service provider associated with the network node or the network or with a different service provider, content provider, and/or application provider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Michael K. Bugenhagen, William R. Walker, Kevin M. McBride
  • Patent number: 9733975
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing network experience shifting, and, in particular embodiments, using either a roaming or portable hypervisor associated with a user or a local hypervisor unassociated with the user. In some embodiments, a network node in a first network might receive, via a first network access device in a second network, a request from a user device to establish roaming network access, and might authenticate a user associated with the user device, the user being unassociated with the first network access device. Based in part on a determination that the user is authorized to access data, content, profiles, and/or software applications that are accessible via a second network access device, the network node might establish a secure private connection through a hypervisor communicatively coupled to the first network access device to provide the user with access to her data, content, profiles, and/or software applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Charles I. Cook, Kevin M. McBride, Matthew J. Post, William R. Walker
  • Publication number: 20170101295
    Abstract: A jack for raising of an exposed hub or axle of an off-road vehicle is provided. The jack has an elongated base member including an upper end and a foot portion with the upper end including a pivot attachment area. An articulating over center arm assembly is pivotably attached at the pivot attachment area of the elongated base member. The assembly includes an offset over-center arm portion with a leverage handle on a first end and a pivoting adjustable strap portion on a second end. When the strap is attached to the axle or suspension member of a hub or axle the handle may be lowered and the base pivots wherein the strap end is moved upward and temporarily secured in the up position at full actuation of the handle for raising of the wheel for removal of the wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventor: William R. Walker
  • Publication number: 20160330613
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing network experience shifting, and, in particular embodiments, using either a roaming or portable hypervisor associated with a user or a local hypervisor unassociated with the user. In some embodiments, a network node in a first network might receive, via a first network access device in a second network, a request from a user device to establish roaming network access, and might authenticate a user associated with the user device, the user being unassociated with the first network access device. Based in part on a determination that the user is authorized to access data, content, profiles, and/or software applications that are accessible via a second network access device, the network node might establish a secure private connection through a hypervisor communicatively coupled to the first network access device to provide the user with access to her data, content, profiles, and/or software applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Charles I. Cook, Kevin M. McBride, Matthew J. Post, William R. Walker
  • Patent number: 8206070
    Abstract: The present invention is a weld adapter including a body portion having a first aperture and at least two flanges connected to the body portion. The present invention also includes a second aperture formed in one of the at least two flanges, with the second aperture substantially aligned with the first aperture. Additionally, one of the flanges is adaptable for being connected to a structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Hydro-Craft Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Walker
  • Publication number: 20090311070
    Abstract: The present invention is a weld adapter including a body portion having a first aperture and at least two flanges connected to the body portion. The present invention also includes a second aperture formed in one of the at least two flanges, with the second aperture substantially aligned with the first aperture. Additionally, one of the flanges is adaptable for being connected to a structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: Hydro-Craft Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Walker
  • Patent number: 5280964
    Abstract: A junction adapter, having face seal fluid fittings and being for use in a conventional plural line clamping system, has axial extension portions which extend from a central support portion, in a manner which permits face seal fluid connectors to be easily accessed by a wrench or like tool. Two embodiments of this new kind of junction adapter are described. The first embodiment features a junction adapter having axial extension portions which extend symmetrically outwardly from a central support portion substantially beyond the axial extension portions of conventional face seal junction adapters. This first embodiment can be installed in a plural line clamping system in an alternating manner with conventional face seal junction adapters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: Hydro-Craft, Inc.
    Inventors: William Rocky Walker, William R. Walker
  • Patent number: 5209440
    Abstract: A one-piece hexagonal junction adapter for use in a conventional plural line clamping system that generally comprises two opposed U-shaped channels having semi-cylindrical collar portions for supporting the junction adapters and stacking nuts which are disposed between the channels and help secure and separate adjacent adapters. The axial thickness of the hexagonal body portion of the junction adapter of the present invention is substantially equal to the width of or distance between the opposed interior side walls of the U-shaped channels. The junction adapter has two retaining shoulder portions, each located between the body and one of the two cylindrical collar support portions that engage the semi-cylindrical collar portions of the channels. These features enable the junction adapter to fit more securely within the plural line clamping system and provide greater resistance to movement due to forces resulting from extremely high fluid line pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Hydro-Craft, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Walker
  • Patent number: 5205520
    Abstract: A retaining block designed to support an undersized fluid line junction adapter to fit within a conventional plural line clamping system used for larger size junction adapters. The clamping system includes two opposed U-shaped clamping units or channels with semi-cylindrical collar support portions that encircle, center and hold cylindrical collars of the larger size junction adapters, and are spaced from one another by substantially stacking nuts. The retaining block includes a central body support portion and two cylindrical collar support portions, one located on each axial side of the central support portion. The retaining block fits within the channels of the plural line clamping system, and its cylindrical collar support portions are sized to physically contact and be secured by those of the channels. The retaining block has a passageway that extends entirely through the block's axial length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Hydro-Craft, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Walker
  • Patent number: 5016461
    Abstract: A progressive die apparatus and method for cold forming weld adapters. A progressive die apparatus, preferably having at least four working stations and several idle stations, is used to form, weld adapters from rectangular bar stock having a thickness of at least about 3/8 inch. Plain-carbon steel bar stock material or other weldable metal material is successively fed through the progressive die apparatus, which is preferably installed in a knuckle-joint power press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Hydro-Craft, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Walker, George W. Lukowski