Charter Communications Operating, LLC

Shane B Newberg

Christopher J Teague

Don Gunasekara

Umamaheswar Achari Kakinada

Ahmed Bencheikh

Cheryl Warne

Timothy C Bleidorn

William Kenneth Logan

Venkata Ramana Divvi

Loay O Kreishan

Peter Andrew Ericksen

Donald W Sherker

Tim Bleidorn

A network environment includes multiple wireless access points and communication management hardware. The communication management hardware controls connectivity of a mobile communication device to the first wireless access point. For example, the communication management hardware receives communications from a first wireless access point. In response to receiving the communications, the communication management hardware obtains wireless access point identity information associated with a user and/or a mobile communication device attempting to establish a wireless communication link with the wireless access point. Based on the wireless access point identity information, the communication management hardware produces a control decision associated with establishing the wireless communication link. The control decision indicates whether the first wireless access point should allow or deny establishment of the wireless communication link with the first wireless access point.

Network access control and offloading

According to one configuration, a wireless access service provider selects and assigns a particular authentication option amongst multiple different authentication options to an entity such as a wireless access point or a sub-network supported by the wireless access point. When a communication device attempts to use the corresponding wireless access point provided by the wireless access service provider, a wireless access gateway receives information from the wireless access point indicating the particular authentication option assigned to authenticate the communication device. The wireless access gateway communicates the notification of the particular authentication option to an authentication manager, which provides the wireless access gateway with network address information indicating a captive portal in which to authenticate the communication device. The wireless access gateway then uses the network address information to redirect the communication device to the captive portal, which is then used to authenticate the communication device. to access the Internet.

Multi-option authentication portal implementation in a network environment

A method for providing a differentiated feature to a first user equipment (UE) connected to a local area network (LAN) implemented by a router connected to a customer premises equipment (CPE) provisioned with a default feature associated with a first service tier of a plurality of service tiers provided by an internet service provider includes obtaining data indicating the first UE has connected to the LAN and determining the first UE is eligible for a second service tier of the different tiers. In response to determining the first UE is eligible for the second service tier, the method includes causing the CPE to be dynamically provisioned for a differentiated service associated with the second service tier. The method includes sending a message to the router to configure the router to provide the differentiated feature to the first UE.

Speed boost for eligible user equipment on a local area network

Systems, methods, and devices for performing targeted filtering of network traffic generated by user equipment (UE) devices connected to a customer premise equipment (CPE) device in a communication system that includes a distributed residential gateway. A network server may determine that the communication system includes a UE device that is compromised, misconfigured, or operating outside normal communication parameters, identify the UE device, determine an Internet protocol (IP) address or a media access control (MAC) address of the identified UE device, generate a quarantine request message that includes the IP address or the MAC address of the identified UE device in response to determining that the preconfigured virtual local area network access control list (VACL) on the CPE lists source IP addresses from which the CPE will filter outbound traffic, and send the generated quarantine request message to a bridged residential gateway (BRG) associated with the CPE device.

System and method for remotely filtering network traffic of a customer premise device

Methods and apparatus for providing quasi-licensed spectrum access within an area or venue. In one embodiment, the quasi-licensed spectrum utilizes 3.5 GHz CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) spectrum allocated by a Federal or commercial SAS (Spectrum Access System) to a managed content delivery network that includes one or more wireless access nodes (e.g., CBSDs and APs) in data communication with a controller. In one variant, the controller dynamically allocates (i) spectrum within the area or venue within CBRS bands, and (ii) MSO users or subscribers to CBRS bands or WLAN (e.g., public ISM) bands in to manage interference between the coexisting networks, and maximize user experience. In another variant, the controller cooperates with a provisioning server to implement a client device application program or 'app' on MSO user or subscriber client devices which enables inter-RAT access.

Methods and apparatus for dynamic control and utilization of quasi-licensed wireless spectrum

A same wireless access profile is installed on each of multiple mobile communication devices. The wireless access profile includes outer identity information and anonymous inner identity information for each service. The anonymous inner identity information includes a credential used by each of the multiple mobile communication devices to use the service. To use the service such as access a remote network, a respective mobile communication device communicates an anonymous username and password assigned to the service to a policy server during first level authentication. The policy server stores a network address of the authenticated mobile communication device. During second level authentication, the policy server receives an identity of the mobile communication device from a network gateway. The policy server provides access control information (assigned to the service) to the network gateway. The network gateway then provides access to the mobile communication device in accordance with the access control information.

Anonymous network access in a network environment

Methods and apparatus for providing quasi-licensed spectrum access within a prescribed area or venue, including to users or subscribers of one or more Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). In one embodiment, the quasi-licensed spectrum utilizes 3.5 GHz CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) spectrum allocated by a Federal or commercial SAS (Spectrum Access System) to a managed content delivery network that includes one or more wireless access nodes (e.g., CBSDs) in data communication with a controller, and the core(s) of the MNO network(s). In one variant, the controller dynamically allocates (i) spectrum within the area or venue within CBRS bands, and (ii) MNO 'roaming' users or subscribers to CBRS bands (e.g., via extant LTE-TD technology). In one particular implementation, the managed network comprises a Multiple Systems Operator (MSO) network such as a cable or satellite network, and the MSO and MNO coordinate to implement user-specific and/or data-specific policies for the roaming MNO subscribers.

Methods and apparatus for coordinated utilization of quasi-licensed wireless spectrum

Systems, methods, and devices for instantiating both a private network service (PrNS) gateway virtual network function (VNF) and a public network service (PuNS) gateway VNF for a user equipment (UE) device that is associated with a PrNS and communicatively attached a public WiFi network allow users to access the same set of feature-rich network services (including layer 2 services) when connected through a public hotspot WiFi network as when connected through a home or local area network WiFi network.

System and method to deliver converged public and private network services over disparate access mediums within a single market

Automatic local gateway router backup of a network gateway router is disclosed. A local gateway router communicatively coupled to a local subnet determines that a network gateway router that serves as a default gateway router for the local subnet has stopped responding. The local gateway router and the network gateway router are configured to communicate with one another via a tunnel implemented by a tunneling protocol. In response to determining that the network gateway router has stopped responding, automatically switching, by the local gateway router, from a tunneling mode to a routing mode, such that the local gateway router becomes the default gateway router for the local subnet.

Automatic local gateway router backup of a network gateway router

Methods and apparatus for providing quasi-licensed spectrum access within an area or application so as to enable 'end to end' IoT (Internet of Things) device connectivity. In one embodiment, the quasi-licensed spectrum utilizes 3.5 GHz CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) spectrum allocated by a Federal or commercial SAS (Spectrum Access System) to a managed content delivery network that includes one or more wireless access nodes (e.g., CBSDs (Citizens Broadband radio Service Devices) and IoT hubs or gateways) in data communication with a controller. In one variant, the controller dynamically allocates (i) spectrum within the area or venue within CBRS bands, and (ii) MSO (multiple systems operator) users or subscribers to CBRS bands or IoT (Internet of Things) bands (e.g., public ISM (industrial, scientific and medical)) bands to maximize connectivity and performance. In another variant, the controller cooperates with a provisioning server to implement a client device application program or 'app' on an end user IoT device which enables inter-RAT (radio access technology) connectivity.

Growing community of inventors

Aurora, CO, United States of America

Shane B Newberg