US 7027426

US Patent 7027426, titled "Multi-channel mobile ad hoc network," was invented by Thomas Jay Billhartz. The patent was filed on August 5, 2002, and issued on April 11, 2006. Its original assignee was Harris Corp, and the current assignee is Stingray IP Solutions LLC.

Abstract:
The patent describes a mobile ad hoc network comprising multiple wireless mobile nodes and wireless communication links connecting these nodes over a plurality of channels. The method for operating this network includes, at a source node, sending a route request over each of the plurality of channels to discover routing to a destination node, and then selecting a route to the destination node on at least one of these channels. The route request may be sent sequentially over each channel and preferably includes a source node channel identifier.

Independent Claims Overview:

Claim 1 (Method for Operating a Mobile Ad Hoc Network):
This claim outlines a method for establishing communication in a multi-channel mobile ad hoc network. It involves a source node initiating a route discovery process by sending route requests across all available electrically separate wireless channels to find a destination node. Intermediate nodes, upon receiving these requests, evaluate their ability to support the requested route and, if capable, forward the request further to other intermediate nodes or the destination node, again over all electrically separate channels. Once the destination node receives a request, it generates a reply for each discovered route back to the source node. The source node then selects a route from the discovered options, which may utilize one or more of the channels, and proceeds to send a transmission along that chosen route.

Claim 8 (Method for Operating a Mobile Ad Hoc Network - Simplified):
This claim presents a more concise method for operating a multi-channel mobile ad hoc network. It focuses on two core steps at the source node: first, sending a route request over each of the electrically separate wireless channels to discover potential routes to a destination node; and second, selecting one of these discovered routes to the destination node, which can involve at least one of the plurality of electrically separate channels.

Claim 18 (Mobile Ad Hoc Network System):
This claim describes the physical system itself—a mobile ad hoc network. This network consists of multiple mobile nodes connected by wireless communication links that operate over several electrically separate wireless channels. Each mobile node in this network is equipped with a communications device for wireless interaction and a controller for routing. The controller specifically includes a route discovery unit, which is responsible for transmitting route requests across each of the electrically separate channels to find routing paths to a destination node, and a route selection unit, which then chooses a route to the destination node on at least one of these channels.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
As of April 26, 2026, no specific dockets for US patent 7027426 were found in the CAFC 2026 dockets. The patent is noted as "Expired - Lifetime" with an expiration date of October 11, 2022. While litigation activity is noted for this patent family in district courts between 2019 and 2022, there is no indication of active dockets specifically within the CAFC in 2026.