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US6971063B1 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

System, method, and apparatus for portable design, deployment, test, and optimization of a communication network

Assignee: Extreme Networks Inc
•
Filing: 2000-07-28
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Granted: 2005-11-29
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Expires: 2020-07-28
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Abstract

Abstract A system and method which employ one or more portable hand held computers and one or more servers, allows a field engineer to complete the entire design, deployment, test, optimization, and maintenance cycle required to implement successful communications networks. The engineer may take the portable hand held computer into the field, and make alterations to the components, position of the components, orientation of the components, etc. based on on-site inspection. As these alterations to the computerized model are made, predictions for the effects these changes will have on the communications network are displayed to the engineer. Measurements may also be made using equipment connected to or contained in the portable hand held computer, and these measurements may be used to optimize performance criteria. Information can be transmitted to and from the portable hand held computer and the server to allow for complex processing to be performed.

Inventors

  • 👤 Theodore S. Rappaport
  • 👤 Brian T. Gold
  • 👤 Roger R. Skidmore

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-28 06:27
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W16/00; H04W16/18; H04W16/20; G; G06; G06F; G06F15/00; G06F15/16; G06F15/163; G06F15/173; H04L; H04L41/00; H04L41/14; H04L41/145; H04L41/147; H04L41/22; H04W24/00; Y; Y04; Y04S; Y04S40/00; Y10; Y10S; Y10S715/00; Y10S715/961; Y10S715/964

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 128
Claim 1
Independent Claim 212 words
A computerized system for designing, deploying, optimizing, modifying, or maintaining a communications network, comprising: a computerized model representing a physical environment in which said communications network is or will be deployed, said computerized model providing at least one site specific representation of locations of one or more components within said physical environment; a server computer or computers for running a computer program which uses said computerized model; at least one portable computer which acts as a client to said server computer or computers, said at least one portable computer being able to download, upload or store at least a portion of said at least one site specific representation to or from said server computer or computers; at least one measurement device for measuring performance measurements within said physical environment, said at least one measurement device being associated with said at least one portable computer, wherein performance measurements made with said measurement device are communicated to said server computer or computers and can be correlated with location information where said performance measurements are made; and a display for displaying predicted or simulated data or measurement data, and wherein said display represents markers or statistics on a building drawing or floor plan which indicate differences between predicted or simulated data and actual measurement data.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 212 words
A computerized system for designing, deploying, optimizing, modifying, or maintaining a communications network, comprising: a computerized model representing a physical environment in which said communications network is or will be deployed, said computerized model providing at least one site specific representation of locations of one or more components within said physical environment; a server computer or computers for running a computer program which uses said computerized model; at least one portable computer which acts as a client to said server computer or computers, said at least one portable computer being able to download, upload or store at least a portion of said at least one site specific representation to or from said server computer or computers; at least one measurement device for measuring performance measurements within said physical environment, said at least one measurement device being associated with said at least one portable computer, wherein performance measurements made with said measurement device are communicated to said server computer or computers and can be correlated with location information where said performance measurements are made; and a display for displaying predicted or simulated data or measurement data, and wherein said display represents markers or statistics on a building drawing or floor plan which indicate differences between predicted or simulated data and actual measurement data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 23 words
The computerized system of claim 1 wherein said measurement device is positioned inside or is part of said at least one portable computer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 19 words
The computerized system of claim 1 wherein said measurement device is connected to said at least one portable computer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 31 words
The computerized system of claim 1 wherein said at least one portable computer can download or upload performance measurements, predictions, or equipment modifications to or from said server computer or computers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 37 words
The computerized system of claim 1 wherein said at least one portable computer can download or upload performance measurements, predictions or equipment modifications to or from another computer which is different from said server computer or computers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 16 words
The computerized system of claim 1 wherein said at least one portable computer has a display.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 38 words
The computerized system of claim 1 wherein said server computer or computers or said at least one portable computer can be used to input changes to at least a portion of said at least one site specific representation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 35 words
The computerized system of claim 7 wherein said changes that are input with said server computer or computers or said at least one portable computer modify a representation of a configuration of said communications network.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 12 words
The computerized system of claim 7 wherein efficient change tracking is employed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 19 words
The computerized system of claim 1 further comprising: a means for updating predicted performance parameters for a communications network.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 14 words
The computerized system of claim 1 wherein said communications network includes wireless communication devices.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 17 words
The computerized system of claim 1 wherein said at least one portable computer is a hand-held computer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 17 words
The computerized system of claim 1 wherein said at least one site specific representation is three dimensional.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 23 words
The computerized system of claim 13 wherein said at least one site specific representation is constructed from a series of two dimensional representations.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 30 words
The computerized system of claim 1 wherein said physical environment is a building and said at least one site specific representation includes at least one floor plan of said building.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 54 words
The computerized system of claim 15 wherein said at least one site specific representation includes a plurality of floor plans for a plurality of floors in said building, and wherein said at least one portable computer can be used for selecting specific floor plans of said plurality of floors for displaying on a display.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 89 words
The computerized system of claim 1 wherein said physical environment is a campus of buildings and said at least one site specific representation includes at least one floor plan for one or more buildings of said campus, and wherein said at least one portable computer can be used for selecting a building within said campus of buildings and display, on a display associated with either or both said at least one portable computer or said server computer or computers, said at least one floor plan for said building selected.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 28 words
The computerized system of claim 15 wherein said at least one site specific representation includes a plurality of floor plans for a plurality of floors for said building.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 57 words
The computerized system of claim 1 wherein components are selected from the group consisting of one or more of base stations, base station controllers, amplifiers, attenuators, antennas, coaxial cabling, fiber optic cabling, connectors, splitters, repeaters, transducers, converters, couplers, leaky feeder cables, hubs, switches, routers, firewalls, power distribution lines, copper wiring, twisted pair cabling, or wireless access points.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 20 words
The computerized system of claim 1 wherein said computerized model represents an outdoor environment in two dimensions or three dimensions.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 19 words
The computerized system of claim 1 further comprising a position-tracking device used to determine position within said physical environment.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 18 words
The computerized system of claim 1 wherein said communication network components are maintained in a bill of materials.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 18 words
The computerized system of claim 1 wherein said at least one measurement device operates in an un-manned fashion.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 26 words
The computerized system of claim 1 further comprising at least one display at either said server computer or computers or said at least one portable computer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 29 words
The computerized system of claim 1 wherein said server computer or computers or said at least one portable computer can be used to input changes to said computerized model.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 35 words
The computerized system of claim 25 wherein said changes that are input with said server computer or computers or said at least one portable computer modify a representation of a configuration of said communications network.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 12 words
The computerized system of claim 25 wherein efficient change tracking is employed.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 28 words
The computerized system of claim 1 wherein either or both said at least one measurement device or said at least one portable computer is operated without human intervention.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 76 words
The computerized system of claim 1 wherein either or both said at least one measurement device or said at least one portable computer is positioned at a fixed location, and wherein either or both said at least one measurement device or said at least one portable computer can be used to passively or autonomously report communication network performance to said server computer or computers, or one or more client computers, or one or more other computers.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 14 words
The computerized system of claim 1 wherein performance measurements are correlated to position information.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 93 words
The computerized system of claim 1 wherein one or more site specific data are communicated between a server computer or computers and said at least one portable computer or another computer, wherein said site specific data includes one or more of network information, measured data, and predicted data, and wherein said site specific data are capable of being processed or analyzed remotely, and of being updated so as to allow new, updated, performance predictions to be communicated between said server computer or computers and said at least one portable computer or another computer.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 48 words
The computerized system of claim 1 further comprising a display for displaying simulated or predicted data as one of a) a grid of data points, b) one or more contours identifying equal performance, or c) one or more points where a simulated user is tracked within a building.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 43 words
The computerized system of claim 1 further comprising a position-tracking or locationing system, and which displays one or more comparisons of measured position-location with predicted or simulated position-location at either said server computer or said one or more portable computers or other computers.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 276 words
A computerized system for designing, deploying, optimizing, modifying or maintaining a communications network, comprising: a computer generated model representing a physical environment in which said communications network is or will be deployed, said computer generated model either or both (A) providing a three-dimensional representation of locations of components within said physical environment, or (B) providing a representation of locations of components within said physical environment which is either two dimensional or three dimensional, and wherein said computer generated model is used for performance prediction of said communications network based on one or more factors selected from the group consisting of choice of components to be used within said physical environment, choice of parameters of said components, choice of locations for said components within said physical environment, and orientation of said components at said locations; a server computer or computers for running a computer program which uses said computer generated model; at least one portable computer which acts as a client to said server, said at least one portable computer can download, upload or store data representing at least a portion of said computer generated model; at least one measurement device associated with said at least one portable computer for measuring performance measurements or metrics within said physical environment, wherein either or both said at least one measurement device or said at least one portable computer communicates said performance measurements or metrics to said server computer or computers and a display for displaying predicted or simulated data or measurement data, and wherein said display presents markers or statistics on a building drawing or floor plan which indicate differences between predicted or simulated data and actual measurement data.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 276 words
A computerized system for designing, deploying, optimizing, modifying or maintaining a communications network, comprising: a computer generated model representing a physical environment in which said communications network is or will be deployed, said computer generated model either or both (A) providing a three-dimensional representation of locations of components within said physical environment, or (B) providing a representation of locations of components within said physical environment which is either two dimensional or three dimensional, and wherein said computer generated model is used for performance prediction of said communications network based on one or more factors selected from the group consisting of choice of components to be used within said physical environment, choice of parameters of said components, choice of locations for said components within said physical environment, and orientation of said components at said locations; a server computer or computers for running a computer program which uses said computer generated model; at least one portable computer which acts as a client to said server, said at least one portable computer can download, upload or store data representing at least a portion of said computer generated model; at least one measurement device associated with said at least one portable computer for measuring performance measurements or metrics within said physical environment, wherein either or both said at least one measurement device or said at least one portable computer communicates said performance measurements or metrics to said server computer or computers and a display for displaying predicted or simulated data or measurement data, and wherein said display presents markers or statistics on a building drawing or floor plan which indicate differences between predicted or simulated data and actual measurement data.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 24 words
The computerized system of claim 34 further comprising a display associated with said server computer or computers or said at least one portable computer.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 24 words
The computerized system of claim 34 wherein said measurement device is connected to, contained within, or interfaceable with said at least one portable computer.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 80 words
The computerized system of claim 34 wherein said server computer or computers or said at least one portable computer can upload or download one or more of said performance measurements or metrics, predictions of performance for a communications network which is or will be installed in said physical environment, or said data representing said at least a portion of said computer generated model to or from said at least one portable computer, said server computer or computers, or another computer.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 22 words
The computerized system of claim 34 wherein updating, modifying, logging, storing or archiving can be performed at said server computer or computers.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 37 words
The computerized system of claim 34 wherein said server computer or computers or said at least one portable computer can be used to input changes to data representing at least a portion of said computer generated model.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 12 words
The computerized system of claim 39 wherein efficient change tracking is employed.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 35 words
The computerized system of claim 39 wherein said changes that are input with said server computer or computers or said at least one portable computer modify a representation of a configuration of said communications network.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim 31 words
The computerized system of claim 34 wherein said server computer or computers or said at least one portable computer can communicate either or both predicted or measured performance measurements or metrics.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim 33 words
The computerized system of claim 34 wherein said at least one portable computer comprises an input device for inputting changes to at least a portion of said data representing said computer generated model.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim 14 words
The computerized system of claim 43 further comprising an editor for making said changes.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim 41 words
The computerized system of claim 34 wherein said at least one portable computer performs or controls at least one of a) performance predictions, b) measurements, c) analysis of cost data of components or network infrastructure, and d) tracking network equipment changes.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim 32 words
The computerized system of claim 34 wherein said at least one portable computer can upload or download changes to or from said server computer or computers or to or from another computer.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim 43 words
The computerized system of claim 34 further comprising at least one of a display or storage device for displaying or storing, respectively, said changes at either said server computer or computers or said at least one portable computer or said another portable computer.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim 33 words
The computerized system of claim 34 wherein communication of simulation or prediction or measurement data occurs through one of a docking cradle connection, a wireless connection, a wired connection, or via electronic media.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim 46 words
The computerized system of claim 34 wherein said at least one portable computer includes a plurality of portable computers, and wherein either or both predicted or measured performance measurements or metrics may be communicated between said server computer or computers and said plurality of portable computers.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim 35 words
The computerized system of claim 34 wherein said at least one portable computer provides data to said server computer or computers, and said server computer or computers processes provided data to provide a modified result.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim 19 words
The computerized system of claim 50 where said modified result is communicated to said at least one portable computer.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim 40 words
The computerized system of claim 34 wherein said components include at least one communication network component, and wherein a cost of a communication network component of said at least one communication network component may be tracked, shared, revised, or substituted.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim 41 words
The computerized system of claim 34 wherein said components include at least one communication network component, and wherein a performance attribute of a communication network component of said at least one communication network component may be tracked, shared, revised or substituted.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim 33 words
The computerized system of claim 34 wherein a maintenance record in either or both said server computer or computers or said at least one portable computer may be tracked, shared, revised or substituted.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim 42 words
The computerized system of claim 34 wherein said components include at least one communication network component, and wherein a location or orientation of a communication network component of said at least one communication network component may be tracked, shared, revised or substituted.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim 20 words
The computerized system of claim 34 wherein said three dimensional representation is represented as one or more two dimensional representations.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim 29 words
The computerized system of claim 34 wherein said computer generated model provides a two dimensional or three dimensional representation based upon at least one floor plan of a building.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim 35 words
The computerized system of claim 57 wherein said computer generated model provides two dimensional or three dimensional representations based upon a plurality of floor plans for one or more floors for one or more buildings.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim 40 words
The computerized system of claim 58 wherein said server computer or computers or said at least one portable computer can be used to select one or more floor plans or one or more buildings for display, measurement or prediction operations.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim 62 words
The computerized system of claim 34 wherein components represented in said computer generated model are selected from the group consisting of one or more of base stations, base station controllers, amplifiers, attenuators, antennas, coaxial cabling, fiber optic cabling, splitters, repeaters, transducers, converters, couplers, leaky feeder cables, hubs, switches, routers, firewalls, power distribution lines, copper wiring, twisted pair cabling or wireless access points.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim 14 words
The computerized system of claim 34 wherein said communications network includes wireless communication devices.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim 21 words
The computerized system of claim 34 wherein said computer generated model represents an outdoor environment in two dimensions or three dimensions.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim 29 words
The computerized system of claim 34 further comprising a position location system or device for identifying a location of said at least one portable computer within said physical environment.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim 24 words
The computerized system of claim 34 further comprising a position-tracking or locationing device for locating said at least one portable computer or measurement device.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim 28 words
The computerized system of claim 34 wherein said server computer or computers or said at least one portable computer can be used to alter a layout of components.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim 26 words
The computerized system of claim 34 wherein said at least one measurement device makes performance measurements in said physical environment on an automated or un-manned basis.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim 48 words
The computerized system of claim 34 wherein said computer generated model represents at least one of objects in a building or their locations, communications component data and their location, building information or properties, radio propagation properties, bill of materials data, environmental data, cost data, or asset management data.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim 29 words
The computerized system of claim 34 wherein said display can display one or more of location information, predictions, measurements, and at least a portion of said site specific representation.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim 76 words
The computerized system of claim 34 wherein either or both said at least one measurement device or said at least one portable computer is positioned at a fixed location, and wherein either or both said at least one measurement device or said at least one portable computer can be used to passively or autonomously report communication network performance to said server computer or computers, or one or more client computers, or one or more other computers.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim 14 words
The computerized system of claim 34 wherein performance measurements are correlated to position information.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim 93 words
The computerized system of claim 34 wherein one or more site specific data are communicated between a server computer or computers and said at least one portable computer or another computer, wherein said site specific data includes one or more of network information, measured data, and predicted data, and wherein said site specific data are capable of being processed or analyzed remotely, and of being updated so as to allow new, updated, performance predictions to be communicated between said server computer or computers and said at least one portable computer or another computer.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim 48 words
The computerized system of claim 34 further comprising a display for displaying simulated or predicted data as one of a) a grid of data points, b) one or more contours identifying equal performance, or c) one or more points where a simulated user is tracked within a building.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim 28 words
The computerized system of claim 34 further comprising a position-tracking system which allows movements of one or more users within said physical environment to be tracked and displayed.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim 274 words
A computerized system for designing, deploying, optimizing, modifying or maintaining a communications network, comprising: a site specific computer implemented model representing a physical environment in which a communications network is or may be deployed, said site specific computer implemented model providing a representation of one or more components or physical objects, said site specific computer implemented model is used for performance prediction of a communications network based on one or more factors selected from the group consisting of choice of components to be used within said physical environment, choice of parameters of said components, choice of locations for said components within said physical environment, and orientation of said components at said locations; a server computer or computers for running a computer program which uses said site specific computer implemented model; at least one portable computer which acts as a client to said server computer or computers, said at least one portable computer can download, upload or store a representation of at least a portion of said site specific computer implemented model from said server computer or computers; at least one measurement device for measuring one or more performance measurements or metrics within said physical environment, said measurement device being associated with said at least one portable computer, and wherein said at least one portable computer communicates said one or more performance measurements or metrics measured by said measurement device to said server computer or computers, and a display for displaying predicted or simulated data or measurement data, and wherein said display presents markers or statistics on a building drawing or floor plan which indicate differences between predicted or simulated data and actual measurement data.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim 274 words
A computerized system for designing, deploying, optimizing, modifying or maintaining a communications network, comprising: a site specific computer implemented model representing a physical environment in which a communications network is or may be deployed, said site specific computer implemented model providing a representation of one or more components or physical objects, said site specific computer implemented model is used for performance prediction of a communications network based on one or more factors selected from the group consisting of choice of components to be used within said physical environment, choice of parameters of said components, choice of locations for said components within said physical environment, and orientation of said components at said locations; a server computer or computers for running a computer program which uses said site specific computer implemented model; at least one portable computer which acts as a client to said server computer or computers, said at least one portable computer can download, upload or store a representation of at least a portion of said site specific computer implemented model from said server computer or computers; at least one measurement device for measuring one or more performance measurements or metrics within said physical environment, said measurement device being associated with said at least one portable computer, and wherein said at least one portable computer communicates said one or more performance measurements or metrics measured by said measurement device to said server computer or computers, and a display for displaying predicted or simulated data or measurement data, and wherein said display presents markers or statistics on a building drawing or floor plan which indicate differences between predicted or simulated data and actual measurement data.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim 17 words
The computerized system of claim 74 wherein said at least one portable computer is a hand-held computer.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim 21 words
The computerized system of claim 74 wherein said site specific computer implemented model provides a three-dimensional representation of said physical environment.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim 36 words
The computerized system of claim 74 wherein said physical environment is a building and said site specific computer implemented model includes a two or three dimensional representation of at least one floor plan of said building.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim 33 words
The computerized system of claim 77 wherein said site specific computer implemented model includes two or three dimensional representations of a plurality of floor plans for a plurality of floors in said building.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim 27 words
The computerized system of claim 78 wherein said at least one portable computer can be used to select specific floors plans from said plurality of floor plans.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim 62 words
The computerized system of claim 74 wherein said physical environment is a campus of buildings and said representation provided by said site specific computer generated model includes at least one floor plan for each of a plurality of buildings in said campus, and wherein said at least one portable computer can be used to select a building within said campus of buildings.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim 36 words
The computerized system of claim 80 wherein said representation provided by said site specific computer implemented model includes a plurality of floor plans for a plurality of floors for a building of said campus of buildings.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim 58 words
The computerized system of claim 74 wherein said components are selected from the group consisting of one or more of base stations, base station controllers, amplifiers, attenuators, antennas, coaxial cabling, fiber optic cabling, connectors, splitters, repeaters, transducers, converters, couplers, leaky feeder cables, hubs, switches, routers, firewalls, power distribution lines, copper wiring, twisted pair cabling, or wireless access points.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim 14 words
The computerized system of claim 74 wherein said communications network includes wireless communication devices.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim 14 words
The computerized system of claim 74 wherein said physical environment is an outdoor environment.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim 31 words
The computerized system of claim 74 further comprising a position-tracking device used to determine a position of said at least one portable computer or said measurement device within said physical environment.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim 18 words
The computerized system of claim 74 wherein said communication network components are maintained in a bill of materials.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim 24 words
The computerized system of claim 74 further comprising a display associated with said at least one portable computer or said server computer or computers.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim 36 words
The computerized system of claim 74 wherein said server computer or computers or said at least one portable computer can be used to input changes to said factors used in said site specific computer implemented model.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim 35 words
The computerized system of claim 88 wherein said changes that are input with said server computer or computers or said at least one portable computer modify a representation of a configuration of said communications network.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim 33 words
The computerized system of claim 74 wherein said server computer or computers updates said site specific computer implemented model of said physical environment to include said one or more performance measurements or metrics.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim 28 words
The computerized system of claim 74 wherein either or both said at least one measurement device or said at least one portable computer is operated without human intervention.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim 76 words
The computerized system of claim 74 wherein either or both said at least one measurement device or said at least one portable computer is positioned at a fixed location, and wherein either or both said at least one measurement device or said at least one portable computer can be used to passively or autonomously report communication network performance to said server computer or computers, or one or more client computers, or one or more other computers.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim 14 words
The computerized system of claim 74 wherein performance measurements are correlated to position information.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim 93 words
The computerized system of claim 74 wherein one or more site specific data are communicated between a server computer or computers and said at least one portable computer or another computer, wherein said site specific data includes one or more of network information, measured data, and predicted data, and wherein said site specific data are capable of being processed or analyzed remotely, and of being updated so as to allow new, updated, performance predictions to be communicated between said server computer or computers and said at least one portable computer or another computer.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim 48 words
The computerized system of claim 74 further comprising a display for displaying simulated or predicted data as one of a) a grid of data points, b) one or more contours identifying equal performance, or c) one or more points where a simulated user is tracked within a building.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim 28 words
The computerized system of claim 74 further comprising a position-tracking system which allows movements of one or more users within said physical environment to be tracked and displayed.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim 48 words
The computerized system of claim 74 wherein said computer implemented model represents at least one of objects in a building or their locations, communications component data and their location, building information or properties, radio propagation properties, bill of materials data, environmental data, cost data or asset management data.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim 260 words
A computerized system for designing, deploying, optimizing, modifying or maintaining a communications network, comprising: a computer implemented model which provides one or more representations of a physical environment in which a communications network is or may be deployed, said computer implemented model providing a representation representing locations of one or more components within said physical environment, said computer implemented model can be used for performance prediction of a communications network based on one or more factors selected from the group consisting of choice of components to be used within said physical environment, choice of parameters of said components, choice of locations for said components within said physical environment, and orientation of said components at said locations; a server computer or computers for running a computer program which uses said computer implemented model; at least one portable computer which can download, upload or store one or more representations of said computer implemented model from said server computer or computers, said at least one portable computer can be used to modify, using said one or more representations, one or more factors used in said computer implemented model, and can determine updated performance predictions based on modifications to said one or more factors, and wherein said at least one portable computer can upload modifications or updated performance predictions to said server computer or computers; and a position-tracking or locationing system, and a display which displays one or more comparisons of measured position-location with predicted or simulated position-location at either said server computer or computers, said at least one portable computer, or other computers.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim 260 words
A computerized system for designing, deploying, optimizing, modifying or maintaining a communications network, comprising: a computer implemented model which provides one or more representations of a physical environment in which a communications network is or may be deployed, said computer implemented model providing a representation representing locations of one or more components within said physical environment, said computer implemented model can be used for performance prediction of a communications network based on one or more factors selected from the group consisting of choice of components to be used within said physical environment, choice of parameters of said components, choice of locations for said components within said physical environment, and orientation of said components at said locations; a server computer or computers for running a computer program which uses said computer implemented model; at least one portable computer which can download, upload or store one or more representations of said computer implemented model from said server computer or computers, said at least one portable computer can be used to modify, using said one or more representations, one or more factors used in said computer implemented model, and can determine updated performance predictions based on modifications to said one or more factors, and wherein said at least one portable computer can upload modifications or updated performance predictions to said server computer or computers; and a position-tracking or locationing system, and a display which displays one or more comparisons of measured position-location with predicted or simulated position-location at either said server computer or computers, said at least one portable computer, or other computers.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim 25 words
The computerized system of claim 98 wherein said server computer or computers update said computer implemented model to include said modifications or updated performance predictions.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim 45 words
The computerized system of claim 98 further comprising at least one measurement device for measuring performance metrics in said physical environment, said measurement device providing performance measurements or metrics to either or both said at least one portable computer or said server computer or computers.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim 28 words
The computerized system of claim 100 wherein either or both said at least one measurement device or said at least one portable computer is operated without human intervention.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim 76 words
The computerized system of claim 100 wherein either or both said at least one measurement device or said at least one portable computer is positioned at a fixed location, and wherein either or both said at least one measurement device or said at least one portable computer can be used to passively or autonomously report communication network performance to said server computer or computers, or one or more client computers, or one or more other computers.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim 19 words
The computerized system of claim 100 further comprising a display for displaying predicted or simulated data or measurement data.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim 32 words
The computerized system of claim 103 wherein said display presents markers or statistics on a building drawing or floor plan which indicate differences between predicted or simulated data and actual measurement data.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim 14 words
The computerized system of claim 100 wherein performance measurements are correlated to position information.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim 93 words
The computerized system of claim 100 wherein one or more site specific data are communicated between a server computer or computers and said at least one portable computer or another computer, wherein said site specific data includes one or more of network information, measured data, and predicted data, and wherein said site specific data are capable of being processed or analyzed remotely, and of being updated so as to allow new, updated, performance predictions to be communicated between said server computer or computers and said at least one portable computer or another computer.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim 48 words
The computerized system of claim 98 further comprising a display for displaying simulated or predicted data as one of a) a grid of data points, b) one or more contours identifying equal performance, and c) one or more points where a simulated user is tracked within a building.
Claim 112
Independent Claim 241 words
A method for designing, deploying, optimizing, modifying or maintaining a communications network, comprising the steps of: providing a computer implemented model representing a physical environment in which a communications network is or may be deployed, said computer implemented model providing a representation of locations of one or more components within said physical environment, said computer implemented model can be used for performance prediction of a communications network based on one or more factors selected from the group consisting of choice of components to be used within said physical environment, choice of parameters of said components, choice of locations for said components within said physical environment, and orientation of said components at said locations; communicating between a server computer or computers and at least one portable computer, either a) performance measurements made in said physical environment with a measurement device that is associated with said at least one portable computer, or b) updated performance predictions determined by either said server computer or computers or said at least one portable computer that are based on modifications to said one or more factors; updating one or more representations of said computer implemented model to include either said performance measurements or said updated performance predictions; and displaying predicted or simulated data or measurement data wherein said displaying step includes the step of presenting markers or statistics on a building drawing or floor plan which indicate differences between predicted or simulated data and actual measurement data.
Claim 113
Independent Claim 241 words
A method for designing, deploying, optimizing, modifying or maintaining a communications network, comprising the steps of: providing a computer implemented model representing a physical environment in which a communications network is or may be deployed, said computer implemented model providing a representation of locations of one or more components within said physical environment, said computer implemented model can be used for performance prediction of a communications network based on one or more factors selected from the group consisting of choice of components to be used within said physical environment, choice of parameters of said components, choice of locations for said components within said physical environment, and orientation of said components at said locations; communicating between a server computer or computers and at least one portable computer, either a) performance measurements made in said physical environment with a measurement device that is associated with said at least one portable computer, or b) updated performance predictions determined by either said server computer or computers or said at least one portable computer that are based on modifications to said one or more factors; updating one or more representations of said computer implemented model to include either said performance measurements or said updated performance predictions; and displaying predicted or simulated data or measurement data wherein said displaying step includes the step of presenting markers or statistics on a building drawing or floor plan which indicate differences between predicted or simulated data and actual measurement data.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim 30 words
The method of claim 108 wherein either or both a measurement device used for making said performance measurements or said at least one portable computer are operated without human intervention.
Claim 115
Dependent Claim 77 words
The method of claim 108 wherein either or both a measurement device used for making said performance measurements or said at least one portable computer are positioned at a fixed location, and further comprising the step of using either or both said measurement device or said at least one portable computer to passively or autonomously report communication network performance to said server computer or computers, or one or more client computers, or one or more other computers.
Claim 116
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 108 further comprising the step of correlating said performance measurements with position information.
Claim 117
Dependent Claim 92 words
The method of claim 108 wherein one or more site specific data are communicated between a server computer or computers and said at least one portable computer or another computer, wherein said site specific data includes one or more of network information, measured data, and predicted data, and wherein said site specific data are capable of being processed or analyzed remotely, and of being updated so as to allow new, updated, performance predictions to be communicated between said server computer or computers and said at least one portable computer or another computer.
Claim 118
Dependent Claim 44 words
The method of claim 108 further comprising the step of displaying simulated or predicted data as one of a grid of data points, one or more contours identifying equal performance, and one or more points where a simulated user is tracked within a building.
Claim 119
Dependent Claim 28 words
The method of claim 108 further comprising the step of position-tracking movements of one or more users within said physical environment, and displaying said movements on a display.
Claim 120
Dependent Claim 295 words
A computerized system for designing, deploying, optimizing, modifying or maintaining a communications network, comprising: a computer implemented model which provides one or more representations of a physical environment in which a communications network is or may be deployed, said computer implemented model providing a representation representing locations of one or more components within said physical environment, said computer implemented model can be used for performance prediction of a communications network based on one or more factors selected from the group consisting of choice of components to be used within said physical environment, choice of parameters of said components, choice of locations for said components within said physical environment, and orientation of said components at said locations; a server computer or computers for running a computer program which uses said computer implemented model; at least one portable computer which can download, upload or store one or more representations of said computer implemented model from said server computer or computers, said at least one portable computer can be used to modify, using said one or more representations, one or more factors used in said computer implemented model, and can determine updated performance predictions based on modifications to said one or more factors, wherein said at least one portable computer can upload modifications or updated performance predictions to said server computer or computers; at least one measurement device for measuring performance metrics in said physical environment, said measurement device providing performance measurements or metrics to either or both said at least one portable computer or said server computer or computers; and a display for displaying predicted or simulated data or measurement data, wherein said display presents markers or statistics on a building drawing or floor plan which indicate differences between predicted or simulated data and actual measurement data.
Claim 121
Dependent Claim 295 words
A computerized system for designing, deploying, optimizing, modifying or maintaining a communications network, comprising: a computer implemented model which provides one or more representations of a physical environment in which a communications network is or may be deployed, said computer implemented model providing a representation representing locations of one or more components within said physical environment, said computer implemented model can be used for performance prediction of a communications network based on one or more factors selected from the group consisting of choice of components to be used within said physical environment, choice of parameters of said components, choice of locations for said components within said physical environment, and orientation of said components at said locations; a server computer or computers for running a computer program which uses said computer implemented model; at least one portable computer which can download, upload or store one or more representations of said computer implemented model from said server computer or computers, said at least one portable computer can be used to modify, using said one or more representations, one or more factors used in said computer implemented model, and can determine updated performance predictions based on modifications to said one or more factors, wherein said at least one portable computer can upload modifications or updated performance predictions to said server computer or computers; at least one measurement device for measuring performance metrics in said physical environment, said measurement device providing performance measurements or metrics to either or both said at least one portable computer or said server computer or computers; and a display for displaying predicted or simulated data or measurement data, wherein said display presents markers or statistics on a building drawing or floor plan which indicate differences between predicted or simulated data and actual measurement data.
Claim 122
Dependent Claim 25 words
The computerized system of claim 115 wherein said server computer or computers update said computer implemented model to include said modifications or updated performance predictions.
Claim 123
Dependent Claim 28 words
The computerized system of claim 115 wherein either or both said at least one measurement device or said at least one portable computer is operated without human intervention.
Claim 124
Dependent Claim 76 words
The computerized system of claim 115 wherein either or both said at least one measurement device or said at least one portable computer is positioned at a fixed location, and wherein either or both said at least one measurement device or said at least one portable computer can be used to passively or autonomously report communication network performance to said server computer or computers, or one or more client computers, or one or more other computers.
Claim 125
Dependent Claim 14 words
The computerized system of claim 115 wherein performance measurements are correlated to position information.
Claim 126
Dependent Claim 93 words
The computerized system of claim 115 wherein one or more site specific data are communicated between a server computer or computers and said at least one portable computer or another computer, wherein said site specific data includes one or more of network information, measured data, and predicted data, and wherein said site specific data are capable of being processed or analyzed remotely, and of being updated so as to allow new, updated, performance predictions to be communicated between said server computer or computers and said at least one portable computer or another computer.
Claim 127
Dependent Claim 46 words
The computerized system of claim 115 wherein said display displays simulated or predicted data as one of a) a grid of data points, b) one or more contours identifying equal performance, or c) one or more points where a simulated user is tracked within a building.
Claim 128
Dependent Claim 45 words
The computerized system of claim 115 further comprising a position-tracking or locationing system, and which displays one or more comparisons of measured position-location with predicted or simulated position-location at either said server computer or computers, or said one or more portable computers, or other computers.

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2008-11-28 2009-05-30 2009-11-29 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2012-11-28 2013-05-30 2013-11-29 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2016-11-28 2017-05-30 2017-11-29 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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