Timothy S Sotack

US Patent:

6845106, Jan 18, 2005

Filed:

Mar 7, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/800674

Inventors:

Mani M. Subramanian - Atlanta GA, US
Timothy Sean Sotack - Atlanta GA, US
John Joseph Ehrley - Atlanta GA, US

Assignee:

Scientific Atlanta, Inc. - Lawrenceville GA

International Classification:

H04J 318

US Classification:

370477, 370462, 370468

Abstract:

A method of providing network access across a shared communications medium between competing users includes: (a) prior to first and second time intervals, respectively determining for each user first and second network access allowances; (b) during the first time interval, providing network access to each user such that the respective first network access allowance is not exceeded; and (c) during the second time interval, providing network access to each user such that the respective second network access allowance for each user is not exceeded. The network access allowance represents a respective maximum level of network access that may be made available to the user during a particular time interval, but does not necessarily represent the level of network access that will be utilized by the user during such time interval. At least one respective second network access allowance for a user differs from such user's respective first network access allowance.

US Patent:

6917622, Jul 12, 2005

Filed:

Mar 7, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/800861

Inventors:

Mani M. Subramanian - Atlanta GA, US
Timothy Sean Sotack - Atlanta GA, US
John Joseph Ehrley - Atlanta GA, US

Assignee:

Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. - Lawrenceville GA

International Classification:

G06F015/56

US Classification:

370420, 37039521, 370235

Abstract:

A Carrier Network includes computer network equipment defining a Cable Network and an Intermediate Network which extend between multiple users and a Service Provider for conveying data therebetween. The Cable Network includes a shared communications medium joining the users with the Intermediate Network. Users compete for network access across the shared communications medium in conveying data. Software that manages the network access of the users includes computer-executable instructions for monitoring bandwidth consumption by each user for a time interval, forecasting bandwidth consumption of each user for a future time interval, prioritizing the users for allocation of bandwidth, allocating bandwidth to each user for determining a bandwidth allowance of such user for the future time interval, and limiting bandwidth consumption of each user during the future time interval to that user's bandwidth allowance.

US Patent:

6917628, Jul 12, 2005

Filed:

Mar 7, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/800803

Inventors:

Mani M. Subramanian - Atlanta GA, US
Timothy Sean Sotack - Atlanta GA, US
Oleg M. Kolesnikov - Chernivtsi, UA

Assignee:

Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. - Lawrenceville GA

International Classification:

H04J003/16
H04J003/22

US Classification:

370468, 370461, 370447, 370485, 370486, 709220, 709222, 709226, 709224, 725111

Abstract:

A method of incorporating allocations of network access in a DOCSIS 1. 0 compliant cable network, wherein users compete for bandwidth, includes limiting bandwidth consumed by a cable modem of a user to a value representative of that user's bandwidth allocation for a time interval. Preferably, the method includes the steps of: (a) generating cable modem configuration files, each of which limits bandwidth consumption by a cable modem of a user to a bandwidth allowance of that user equaling to the respective bandwidth allocation; (b) sending the configuration files to a Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) Server of the DOC Network; and (c) sending a command either to each user's cable modem, or to a cable modem termination system to which each user's cable modem is connected, to cause the cable modem to implement the respective new configuration file.

US Patent:

6993044, Jan 31, 2006

Filed:

Mar 7, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/801155

Inventors:

Mani M. Subramanian - Atlanta GA, US
Timothy Sean Sotack - Atlanta GA, US
John Joseph Ehrley - Atlanta GA, US

Assignee:

Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. - Lawrenceville GA

International Classification:

H04J 3/16

US Classification:

370468, 370437, 370477

Abstract:

A computerized method for allocating among a plurality of users bandwidth for conveying information across a shared communications medium includes the steps of receiving data representative of past bandwidth of each user during a time interval, forecasting future bandwidth of each user over a future time interval based on the data representative of the past bandwidth, and setting each user's allocation of bandwidth for the future time interval. Each user's allocation is set to equal each user's forecasted bandwidth subject to a respective, predetermined value and subject to bandwidth availability or, alternatively, is set to equal each user's forecasted bandwidth multiplied by a ratio of the total bandwidth available for allocation to the users' total forecasted bandwidth, and subject to a respective, predetermined value and subject to bandwidth availability. Preferably each bandwidth allocation represents a maximum consumable bandwidth limit of a respective user during the future time interval, and not necessarily bandwidth actually consumed by the user during the future time interval.

US Patent:

7009992, Mar 7, 2006

Filed:

Mar 7, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/800735

Inventors:

Mani M. Subramanian - Atlanta GA, US
Timothy Sean Sotack - Atlanta GA, US
John Joseph Ehrley - Atlanta GA, US

Assignee:

Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. - Lawrenceville GA

International Classification:

G06F 17/30

US Classification:

370443, 370468

Abstract:

A method of providing network access across a shared communications medium between competing users includes the steps of monitoring network access usage by each user for a past time interval and, based on the monitored network access usage, allocating network access for each user during a future time interval. Features include forecasting network access that will be utilized or requested by users in a future time interval, and prioritizing the users for allocating network access to the users.

US Patent:

7184398, Feb 27, 2007

Filed:

Aug 23, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/935514

Inventors:

Mani M. Subramanian - Atlanta GA, US
Timothy Sean Sotack - Atlanta GA, US
John Joseph Ehrley - Atlanta GA, US

Assignee:

Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. - Lawrenceville GA

International Classification:

H04L 12/26

US Classification:

370230, 370252, 370437, 370462, 370468

Abstract:

A method of providing network access across a shared communications medium between competing users includes the step of allocating network access for each user for a future time interval. Features include forecasting network access of the users in a future time interval, and prioritizing the users for allocating network access to the users. The network access allocations represent network access allowances available to the users during the future time interval, and further may represent network access usage. Classes of users can be allocated network access first, and then each user allocated network access from the class allocation. Users with high network access usage are identified and solicited to modify service level agreements under which network access is provided. Network Access is also provided to user classes under class service level agreements entered into, for instance, by a service provider on behalf of the users.

US Patent:

7274667, Sep 25, 2007

Filed:

Mar 7, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/800717

Inventors:

Mani M. Subramanian - Atlanta GA, US
Timothy S. Sotack - Atlanta GA, US
John Joseph Ehrley - Atlanta GA, US

Assignee:

Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. - Lawrenceville GA

International Classification:

G01R 31/08

US Classification:

370234, 370232, 370437

Abstract:

A method of providing network access across a shared communications medium between competing users includes the steps of monitoring network access usage by each user for a past time interval and, based on the monitored network access usage, allocating network access for each user for a future time interval. Features include forecasting network access of the users in a future time interval, and prioritizing the users for allocating network access to the users. The network access allocations represent network access allowances available to the users during the future time interval, and further may represent network access usage.

US Patent:

7299284, Nov 20, 2007

Filed:

Mar 7, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/800608

Inventors:

Mani M. Subramanian - Atlanta GA, US
Timothy Sean Sotack - Atlanta GA, US
John Joseph Ehrley - Atlanta GA, US

Assignee:

Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. - Lawrenceville GA

International Classification:

G06F 15/173

US Classification:

709225, 709224

Abstract:

A method of providing network access across a shared communications medium between competing users pursuant to SLAs of the users includes the steps of: (a) monitoring network access usage by each user during a time interval; (b) comparing the monitored network access usage by each user with a predetermined threshold value; and (c) soliciting a user to modify the user's SLA if the user's monitored network access usage varies from the predetermined value by a predetermined tolerance. The solicitation is conducted via email, instant messaging, redirection of a web browser of the user to a solicitation web page, generation and mailing of literature, telephonic communication, or other communication avenue.