Charter Communications Operating, LLC

Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC

Venkata Ramana Divvi

Ahmed Bencheikh

Don Gunasekara

Christopher J Teague

Cheryl Warne

Shane B Newberg

Loay O Kreishan

Timothy C Bleidorn

A wireless access point receives a request from a communication device for wireless access to a remote network. An authentication resource authenticates the communication device to use a wireless network provided by the wireless access point. Prior to providing notification to the communication device that it has been authenticated, a communication management resource produces data flow control settings and applies the data flow control settings to a communication gateway. Thereafter, the communication device is notified that it has been authenticated via the authentication resource. The communication gateway then controls flow of data through a communication gateway to the remote network via implementation of the data flow control settings.

Authentication and data flow control configuration

The presentation invention relates to methods and apparatus for a mobile device to discover the hidden SSID of a network. An exemplary method embodiment includes the steps of: receiving, at the mobile device, a first beacon frame having a Service Set Identifier (SSID) field set to NULL from a first Access Point; determining, at the mobile device, based on information received from the first Access Point that the mobile device is provisioned to connect to a first network advertised by the first beacon frame; discovering, by the mobile device, a first SSID name for the first network advertised by the first beacon frame for which the mobile device is provisioned. In another embodiment the mobile device associates with the first network after discovering the first SSID name.

Methods and apparatus for discovering hidden network service set identifiers

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for providing services in high density deployments using dynamic assignment Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) stacking during client device authentication. An exemplary method includes the steps of: receiving wirelessly, by a first Access Point (AP), a first authentication request message including first user equipment device identification information from a first user equipment device; generating, by the first AP, a second message based on the first authentication request message, the second message including the first user equipment device identification information and location information for the first AP; transmitting, by first AP, the second message to a first server; and receiving in response to the second message, by the first AP, a third message, said third message including dynamically assigned stacked VLAN information including a first Service-VLAN Identifier and a first Customer-VLAN Identifier dynamically assigned to the first user equipment device.

Methods and apparatus for implementing VLAN stacking for seamless roaming in high density wireless networks

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

Various embodiments comprise systems, methods, architectures, mechanisms and apparatus for caching and sharing client/device keys, session keys, and so on between APs of overlapping wireless networks operated by same or different wireless local areal network (WLAN) operators via one or more Neighbor Key Cache Servers (NKCSs) configured to store client device or session key data for client devices overlapping network boundaries so as to facilitate fast reauthentication between presently serving and target access points (APs) of the same or different WLAN operators. Neighbor reports data may comprise data based on WLAN/SSID from APs associated with each of a plurality of AP home regions and/or realm/Network Access Identifiers from APs associated with an overlapping network of a different WLAN operator.

Dynamic key caching for fast roaming in secured wireless networks

Methods and devices are disclosed for supporting emergency service calls using dynamic service set identifier (SSID) deployment in a wireless communication network. An access point may receive an emergency service call request from a user device. The access point may also send a message with information about the received emergency service call request to a wireless network manager, and determine whether determining whether to serve the emergency service call request based on a response message received from the wireless network manager. In response to determining to serve the emergency service call request, the access point may create a new service set identifier (SSID) with emergency service call capability.

Method and system for supporting emergency voice services over wireless local area network (WLAN) using dynamic SSID deployment

Methods and apparatus for monitoring and controlling access to coexisting first and second networks within a venue. In one embodiment, the first network is a managed content delivery network that includes one or more wireless access points (APs) in data communication with a backend controller which communicates with a dedicated background scanner. The background scanner scans for coexisting networks within the venue, and reports this to the controller. In one variant, the controller dynamically adjusts transmit characteristics of the AP(s) to manage interference between the coexisting networks. In another variant, the controller causes the energy detect threshold of a client device to be lowered so that the device may detect WLAN signals in a scenario where a coexisting RAT (for example, LTE-U or LTE-LAA) occupies the same channel and/or frequency.

Methods and apparatus for dynamic control of connections to co-existing radio access networks

A wireless communication link between a wireless access point and a mobile communication device supports multiple data flows. Each of the data flows can be configured to convey a different type of data. Based on monitoring events/conditions such as conveyance of communications over each of the multiple data flows, a communication management resource selectively assigns data flow compression settings to each of the multiple data flows. Based on the assigned compression settings, the mobile communication device and/or wireless access point communicate packet delivery data (such as network address information) over the data flows. For example, in accordance with the generated compression settings, packet delivery data for data packets conveyed over a first data flow are compressed, while packet delivery data for data packets conveyed over a second data flow are not compressed.

Dynamic use of header compression in a wireless network

Apparatus and methods for monitoring a wireless network such as a WLAN to characterize a venue or other area. In one embodiment, the network comprises a WLAN which includes one or more access points (APs) in data communication with a controller, which in turn communicates with managed network entities via a backhaul connection. The controller s is configured to monitor the operation of the network components including the APs, as well as one or more fixed or mobile sensors. In one variant, the sensors provide data relating to wireless signal performance at their current location, which can be provided to a cloud-based evaluation process for enhanced characterization of the venue in conjunction with the AP-derived data. In the exemplary embodiment, logic operative to run on the system includes automated seating allocation suggestions, thereby providing end users with a better quality experience.

Apparatus and methods for providing wireless service in a venue

Methods and apparatus for monitoring and controlling access to coexisting first and second networks, such as within a venue. In one embodiment, the first network is a managed network that includes wireless access points (APs) in data communication with a backend controller, which communicates with a client process on a user device. The client process uses indigenous radio technology of the user device to scan for coexisting networks, and report results to the controller. In one variant, the controller dynamically adjusts transmit characteristics of the AP(s) to manage interference between the coexisting networks. In another variant, the controller causes the energy detect threshold of the user device to be lowered so that it may detect WLAN signals when a coexisting RAT (for example, LTE-U or LTE-LAA) occupies the same channel and/or frequency. In another variant, the client process autonomously adjusts user device operation based on the scan.

Growing community of inventors

Centennial, CO, United States of America

Venkata Ramana Divvi